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Pure Heart Leadership: What is it and why does it matter?

In my plentitude of years working in various industries, I have seen quite a variety of management styles, leadership approaches, and career choices made as a direct result of both good and bad leadership. bit. I’ve seen folks thrive, survive, and others walk away feeling a whole host of negative feelings. Bottom line, we spend more time at work than with our family, friends, and hobbies. So why not try to make it enjoyable, meaningful, and significant at the same time? Work by its very definition is challenging, demanding, and a bit of a grind at times.

One of the first impressions upon hearing the title “Pure Heart Leadership” (known as PHL) can lead some to think it’s all warm and fuzzy, hugs and kisses, everything soft and cozy. And to be honest, some leadership approaches can come across that way, and some folks are responsive. Others, not so much. We all motivate and inspire differently, and that is ok as long as we all realize that our inspiration, motivation, and empowerment require different approaches for our differences as individuals. However, we can create those powerful moments if based upon authentic and genuine methods to who we are, and the situation is appropriate.

PHL involves getting to the heart of a person and the heart of the matter at hand-while reconciling the situation in ways that are authentic to ourselves and constructive to others. But I didn’t just wake up one morning and create an approach with a cute title and bohemian flare. It has been in development for over 20 years. It is a combination of psychological principles, demonstrated authentic leadership approaches, and a fusion of mindfulness techniques and a few Shanaism (my quirks).

In my book Pure Heart Leadership: An Authentic Approach to Leadership, I share the importance of finding your style, understanding, and utilizing situational awareness as a technique while looking inward to your core values, beliefs, and practices.  My intention is to provide a pathway to knowing yourself, your leadership approach, and your ideal best life to see if your route is clear for joy and success.

Starting with Bandera, Maslow, and Rogers, these three shared principles serve as one of the foundations of PHL. Maslow proposed that we desire full self-actualization-with individual levels consisting of needs to be met to reach the desired goal. Rogers held similar believes while pushing for more authentic discovery. He further proposed that by engaging in congruence, self-actualization, and positive regard, we also reach a destination of self-awareness. Bandura provided a structure around the power of influence and how we shape our behaviors and engagements due to social forces.

Add in a few savvy meeting and team leadership techniques, including strategies for building effective, empowered, and authentic leaders within your team to create a positive and dynamic organization that makes a difference within their industry and community. We are always pulled, pushed, or maneuvered into various situations, dilemmas, and challenging demands regularly. It is even more critical to have an approach like PHL to assist in today’s work environment. It serves as a style that grounds one’s self and soul to something real and genuine when faced with the chaotic pace of change perpetual disorientation.

Always with a pure heart- Shana

Shana Garrett is a Counselor, Educator, and Pure Heart Leader President and CEO. She brings over thirty years of program development, management, and transformation to the diverse world of proprietary education as well as over eight years of experience as a paralegal. More about me »

Comments

  1. Candida Savice

    Thank you for the presentation today with Edge , it was great.

  2. Shana Garrett

    Thank you! It was a pleasure to share the conversations!

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