A London business psychologist has has been calling for companies to recognise the power of ‘heart intelligence’ in business leadership. Says Hema Vyas: Intuitive approaches can complement more analytical ones and play an important role in a company’s future success.
Traditional male leadership qualities are all respected in business. They are associated with the mind, such as logic, reasoning, strategy and self-confidence. But now, more and more experts are recognising the power that comes with strategies based on more feminine qualities.
Take London psychologist Hema Vyas (pictured), who calls a ‘heart-wisdom’ approach as equally valuable. Feminine qualities such as compassion, empathy, intuition and collaboration are just as necessary for successful and sustainable leadership, she explains, and she is on a mission.
Leadership and the connection with personal development
Vyas works with high-profile clients such as Google, EY, Bamford and Soho House. One of them, Tina Elhage, formerly of The Guardian, said: “Having Hema as a mentor has allowed me to fully align with my values. It has also helped secure a central role in a high-profile organisation.”
She also explained that Vyas’s insights had allowed her to better understand the connection between personal development and leadership.
Shifts in thinking, feeling and action
There were further benefits to the business itself and Elhage said: “This quickly paved the way for massive improvements. Revenue grew three-fold, customer experience improved, and there was an energy of trust and cohesion in the team.”
Vyas added: “When I show people how to directly experience this heart energy, immediate and sustained shifts in thinking, feeling and action occur.” She further explained that doing so, “results will speak for themselves.” She concluded: “I think we can all agree that a world where leaders operate from the heart is a better one.”
“When I show people how to directly experience this heart energy, immediate and sustained shifts in thinking, feeling and action occur.”
Leading from the heart
Traditional, more male leadership qualities are based around analysing, planning and strategising. More and more experts now agree that more feminine, heart-based qualities are just as valuable.
Leadership from the heart, as promoted by experts such as psychologist Hema Vyas, is about connecting, influencing and inspiring. It is driven by authenticity and integrity. As well as an ability to reflect on the course of action, rather than being guided to external pressures and circumstances.
According to Forbes, feminine leadership has been on the rise for its useful qualities in following our instinct to make well-informed decisions. It can play a role in a successful and adaptive leadership, adds Forbes.
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