After the open house ceremony, I looked Doug (far left) in the eye and said, “I was thinking about you as I drove in. The difference between average and extraordinary isn’t power or money – it’s heart.”
“You’re a man with heart," I continued, "and I’m glad to know you.”
Heart means …
1. Tenderhearted compassion. When I want to help someone in the community, Doug says, “How much do you need, Dan?”
2. Truthful transparency. It takes confidence, self-awareness, and honesty to share true feelings.
3. Profound commitment to service. Every person who fills out a customer complaint, and there aren’t many, gets a call from Doug.
4. Dedication to people. Dough enjoys pointing out how long “his people” have been with him.
5. High standards.
6. Curiosity. It’s not unusual for Doug to say, “Dan, tell me about your blog.”
7. Weaknesses. Doug doesn’t pretend he has it all together.
I’ve seen childlike enthusiasm twinkle in his eyes and heard flashes of frustration in his voice. It’s all heart.
People with heart:
1. Admit their mistakes.
2. Understand feelings.
3. Laugh at themselves.
4. Protect relationships.
Losing Yourself
Losing yourself is dangerously easy. Leaders who’ve lost themselves …
1. Are controlled by others. If you don’t know who you are, someone else controls you.
2. Feel pushed around by pressure.
3. Pursue success rather than significance.
4. Follow trends rather than principles.
5. End up crushed by criticism or crushing their critics.
Finding a Heartbeat
1. Take a walk and think your own thoughts; forget what others think.
2. Explore your joys. What makes you deeply happy?
3. Examine your anger. Values often drive anger.
4. Love deeply.
5. Serve wholeheartedly.
Richness of life and leadership depend on finding and living with heart.
How can leaders find heart?
How have you found heart?
