Rumi & Leadership

I was discussing leadership with my husband. He made the observation that there are so many personality types that it can make leadership a challenge.

I agree. We are born into the world with personality tendencies (nature).  Then we have our parents that contribute our formative experiences (nature).  Then we add another layer of life experiences and our first woundings that shape us and form defense mechanisms.

As humans, we have many layers.

Yet, I learned from one of my mentors and coaches, Karen Cappello, that we can listen to someone beneath the layers and through their values. Wow! 

This level of listening is powerful and takes us beyond words. It is what sets masterful coaches apart from normal coaches. 

When I have someone come to me with a complaint about something being unfair, I can hear that underneath the surface, they value fairness and perhaps integrity.

When someone comes to me venting about a fight they had with a family member, I can hear that that underneath the surface, they value respect and perhaps understanding. 

The truth is that yes, there are so many personalities and a variety of forms a personality can take. Yet, there is a deeper truth about human beings that exists beneath the layers of nature and nature. This is the human heart and we all have one.

The heart is that internal compass, it is where our truth is felt and the metaphorical home to our human spirit. 

When we speak to someone at a heart level, and have a heart-to-heart, the personality defenses soften and people open up. 

This is true of all humans, regardless of personality type. In masterful leadership, just like masterful coaching, when you speak to the heart, and from the heart, you inspire people to open up and blossom.

The poet Rumi is one of my favorites for inspirational quotes that take people from hardship to their heart.

I've posted some of Rumi's best quotes for you to ponder, or use with your clients. 

Enjoy!​

Coaching Resource of the Week:

35 Quotes From The Great Persian Poet Rumi That Will Inspire You To The Core