A Good Bet
My family is mostly a very mind-based group. We’re thinkers, debaters, studiers, researchers, contemplators, and analyzers. The brain is perceived by the gang as a highly touted bodily instrument, prized for its capacity and used a lot. Mental acuity is also employed as a kind of measuring stick—academic achievement praised, advanced degrees lauded. Likely due to this intellectual adoration, being right and having the right answer is not only a source of deep pride, but at times it can feel like a necessity for one’s ego.
It was quite a shock to me when I learned that we were such a mind-based tribe. Moreover, that a good deal of our intellectual bluster tends to be connected to unrecognized fear and the need for control. Suddenly, I began to look at our head-oriented behavior in a very new way. Of course, I still have great regard for the instrument itself. But, now more clearly recognize its limitations, how it can be a go-to ego-survival tool, a way to posture oneself against this vast world of mystery.
Moving down a foot or so from the brain lies another great center—the heart.
Simply shifting my attention to that area helps me to feel a greater sense of calm. I don’t lose any of my intelligence when I reorient, but I increase my overall understanding on a deeper level. Moving down a foot lower and placing my attention in my gut, the grounding effect is even more powerful. Connecting up all three and you have the super trifecta.
Business, too, tends to be primarily mind-based.
No question it is immensely useful and necessary in that arena. But, there too it has its limitations. The mind lacks heart. It’s a recorder of data and a processer of reason and rationality—both of which are needed. However, what it doesn’t do well is connect deeply to human beings. Humans connect most powerfully by means of the heart and gut. Why does this matter? Because inspiration, desire, innovation, creation and high-level performance are often products of the heart and gut.
It does not take a highly architected change to shift a business to become more heart and gut inclusive.
In fact, a leader can set it in motion with nothing more than will and sincerity. How do they do it? They show up real and are authentic. They let themselves connect, they choose to trust, they communicate with their guard down, they ask for support. And through it all, minds are held safe and sound, ready for a task. Nothing is lost, much is gained. As in horse racing, the human trifecta is a big win.
Head, heart and gut—a powerful trio in business. To balance out the workplace…quiet the ego, strengthen the heart and invite intuition.
Discover 7 Ways to Quiet Security-Seeking Egos in the Workplace right here!