Many business leaders have adopted a belief that command and control style of leadership is the way to get things done. This type of leadership is common because many leaders were trained and influenced by command and control mentors. It is difficult to break free from this culture norm’s past influence and dominance. Yet as a conscious leader you are obligated to shift out of this old paradigm.
And here is why:
Every workplace, I have supported wants their people to be more engaged, be a loyal team member and have more skin in the game. Under a command and control regimen, it destroys any chance of reaching this goal because command and control is based on establishing and maintaining power over and control of people and organizational processes.
Initially, this may appear to be a clever idea since you want to be in control of leading your business and team. However, the idea you can control and command people’s behavior is fear based leadership, instills limitation and cheats people of performing at their best. This style comes with a costly price to the business.
In addition:
• It bypasses employee contribution because the leader knows best.
• Creates distrust, disloyalty and resentment. • It minimizes attention to people issues such as consistent
communication and emotional reactions with participation in goals.
• It places blame on employees when the plans do not go as outlined. • It criticizes employees for being unable to meet leader expectations.
To have your people more engaged, loyal and more skin in the game, it takes a conscious leadership style. A Conscious Leader is someone who leads with Conscious Awareness. Leadership is a process of inspiring and engaging others to move in a direction together to accomplish outcomes together. Leaders are people who initiate, influence and uphold this process.
What makes a conscious leader different is the combination of intelligence he/she is structured with: emotional, analytical, systems and spiritual intelligence.
This leader is authentic and aware of his/her own personal dynamics and the dynamics of the organization along with the department or team he/she leads.
What is Emotional Intelligence? Emotional Intelligence (EI) can be defined as a set of emotional and social skills that influence the way we perceive and express ourselves, develop and maintain social relationships, cope with challenges, and use emotional information in an effective and meaningful way.
This is where a leader has both self and environmental awareness to be empathetic and tuned in to the people around him or her. A conscious leader is inspiring and communicates to understand and authentically listen. This leader builds people up.
What is Analytical Intelligence? Measured by IQ tests to include the ability to analyze problems and find correct answers with logical and rational reasoning.
What is Systems Intelligence? The ability to see the whole picture and interconnection between relationships. And how each relationship is affecting the health of the whole.
What is Spiritual Intelligence? The innate human need to connect with something larger than oneself. People who recognize the higher purpose of their business and the interdependence of the stakeholders in their business, and who lead from this awareness – are essential to the ongoing learning, growth and development of their organization, and the people who contribute to it. This leader’s value system and ethics are aligned with the ability to behave with respect, compassion and wisdom towards others, no matter what the circumstances.
The conscious leader is aware to cultivate deeper connection in the workplace, the responsibility is on the leader to model for the employees to follow. The leadership team is the one to connect with the business at an intimate level to make clear what is needed for the business, the brand and for the people to evolve.
Conscious Leaders are willing to dive below the surface within their culture to emphasize with their people. This develops connection and trusting relationships while placing employees at the center of an organizations growth strategy.
When employees feel their leadership is listening to understand, value their contributions and setting them up for success the result is a high energy workplace whose cultural consciousness is constantly learning and expanding.
The bottom line is businesses are composed of people. If your aim is to create a fruitful place to work, it requires a conscious business and have conscious leaders to cultivate a conscious culture. Your awareness is either expanding or is dormant. Conscious awareness is a constant mental, emotional and spiritual workout of learning, growth, development and expansion.
If you would appreciate understanding more about your own leadership style and building a conscious culture in your business please click the button below to share how to connect with you.
About the Author:
Christine West is the visionary leader and entrepreneurial spirit behind the evolution of The Business MD, which is focused on upgrading the human potential.
Christine values people and feels people matter. Christine’s passion is to help people maximize their mental and emotional capabilities. By doing so, the return is an upgrade and transformation to your lifestyle and business.
Christine is an Industrial Organizational Psychologist, a Certified Master NLP Practitioner and Hypnotherapist. Christine’s an expert in Human Behavior and Consciousness, Emotional Intelligence, Mental Toughness, building Confidence and Leadership.
Christine’s philosophy is, no matter what obstacle is present and how stuck you feel, you always have One More Move and opportunity to free yourself. It is our duty and responsibility to operate at our full potential in business, spiritually, and personally. Success comes as mental and spiritual claims to own it. You are the master of every situation.