Heartpower part one — the water of life in business
Musings on Heart Powered Human Leadership
How to describe the invisible energetic flow that moves us towards love, life and what is best for the whole? Heartpower is like water. It goes where it is needed to go — it nurtures, nourishes and is life-giving. It can soothe and replenish the soul just by being in its presence.
The cure for everything is salt water. Tears, sweat or the sea.’ — Karen Blixen Author
In business it is experienced as a focus on what will sustainably serve the people and the planet — as well as — the prosperity of the organisation. This involves a deep receptivity to life. At the core of Heartpower is intimate connection to life itself. (1)
It is Heartpower that wisely envisions a more beautiful world that our hearts know is possible (2) — that works for the good of all. Heartpower is creative and desiring of better. It is open to receiving visions; receptive, calling for and surrendering to what feels good and right — for everyone.
In desiring this community vision, Heartpower emanates a kind of attractive magnetic that captivates. It feels into and instinctively aligns with unseen forces — whatever you want to call them— (it is not to be found in words) — the mood of the moment, deep knowings, the muse, Mother Nature, soul, Spirit, intuition, the energy of the life force, the place where ideas that change the world come from — the Source. Heartpower is the archetypal Magical Storyteller who inspires and communicates; engaging hearts and minds. And in business; hands.
Heartpower intuitively knows.
In business Heartpower is experienced as Connection which is, after all — what all humans deeply long for and need to be happy. The powerful, positive connection of being seen, heard and included. The feeling that it’s ok to be you — as you are. Being appreciated, respected and valued for the uniqueness and diversity you bring.
It is the archetypal Nurturer who tends to the (cultural) garden and makes it grow. This is because Heartpower is understanding and empathic, comforting and gentle, sensitive and kind. Heartpower feels. It will flow with you, around you and towards you — even — maybe especially when you feel bad, mad or sad. It helps and it heals.
Heartpower is love.
Love is simply a powerful, positive connection. It is this connection that also helps us win in business. For my business case and some facts see my three part article on exactly why this is — but do you really need a business case on why human beings thrive with love?
‘Work is love made visible.’ Kahlil Gibran
However, of course, as in all things — when the balance is out, Heartpower too can be problematic. Driven by insecurity Heartpower can lose itself in the whole, trying to avoid pain — becoming a martyr or a blaming victim. Creative ideas can be excessive, ungrounded or deluded. Flowing can be vague, unaccountable and lazy. Connection turns into people-pleasing or emotional manipulation that can be used to achieve selfish ends.
We all have a dark side. And as I’ve said before — we all have both heads and hearts that can guide us. When it comes to human beings — we all contain both powerful energies — the light and the shade. We also tend towards one or the other naturally — as our home base or preference.
In business, it is my observation that we often do not value this softer side of our humanity
Because its gifts can seem invisible, mystical or unmeasurable. Hard to put your finger on, hard to attach a deliverable to and to attach a $/£ to.
But really, what is work-life like without the water that nourishes, serves and grows us all? It is dry and dusty, lacking beauty, warmth or organic growth. Harsh conditions; ruthlessly focused on profit, greed and progress at any cost. Slowly dying.
Much like our planet.
I believe it is now time to be Heart Led in business.
Imagine a future of community based businesses that actually work for everyone in and around them and the earth — our home. Using the brilliant skills, strengths and capabilities of the Headpower energetic that we all have; both within and around us to make it so.
Businesses where humans can be well and be all that they are. Head and Heart. Body and Soul.
There are a few more essays to come on this topic — I will be sharing compelling and inspiring examples of Heart-Led Leadership I have come across and how we can all bring this balance wisely into business.
It is not an either Heartpower or Headpower – it is an AND — a necessary and perfect union. I believe this balance is what we ALL must value — if we are to make a business, community and world that works for everyone.
But for today I must give the final words on the subject, so very close to my own heart, adapted from the brilliant Charles Eisenstein— a man who I feel is himself well-balanced in Headpower and Heartpower and truly in service of the whole.
Heartpower does not move the world through force. It tethers the Headpower to life, directs it toward love, and keeps it grounded in beauty. In this marriage of head and heart, the head asks the heart “Where shall I direct my powers?
The province of Heartpower is what. The province of Headpower is how. What shall we do, that is in service to life, love, and beauty? How shall we do it? These questions merge and flow into each other. What becomes how, how becomes what. Such is the conjugation of Heart and Head.
A healthy society, community and business is a marriage of Heartpower and Headpower. (1)
Working with Changemakers to let their wisdom lead.
Work with me one to one; in-person, online or on retreat.
(1) With immeasurable heartfelt thanks to the brilliant American Author and Orator Charles Eisenstein for his many words — that I have taken much from and adapted here. Here is his recent essay that speaks directly about the energetics I am calling Headpower and Heartpower.
(2) Charles’ book that speaks directly to a More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible
