”How can a leader be aware of and responsive to emotions, but not be driven by them?
Another quality that caught our attention about Volodomir Zelenski is his ability to be aware and responsive to emotions, but not be driven by them. In other words, it is a combination of humility and self-awareness.
“A leader can only possess such an ability if he knows himself. But the process behind such an outcome is complex and long-lasting. We are emotional beings, our brains are built to help us survive.
The reptilian part of the brain springs into action as soon as it detects danger, and the response is to fight, stall, or flee. The prefrontal cortex, the evolved part of the brain, however, helps us look at a situation, a crisis, from the outside. It’s like watching a movie. Of course, we will have emotions, we identify with some characters, but we have the ability to objectify ourselves, detach ourselves, to think coldly.
But this requires the leader to have a lot of practice, to position themselves as their own puppeteer: they can be the emotional puppet, but they must also be the puppet who keeps their emotions in check, when necessary”, explains Georgeta Dendrino, coach, trainer and Managing Director at Interact Business Communication.
How much does creativity and quick adaptation matter in making decisions during times of crisis?
Creativity, innovation and agility are essential in critical times of uncertainty and danger. But these are also skills that can be trained in calmer times. Moreover, it is not only the leader who needs these skills, but also his or her team, and together they must act in concert and co-create.
“The time when one man thought and decided for others is long gone. The future demands more minds thinking together, creating together. But the muscle of creativity and agility is formed over time, through practice. It’s like the situation of an athlete: they train long before a competition.
A good leader is always training and making sure that his or her team gets into the habit of thinking creatively, questioning the status quo, mentally repositioning themselves, supporting each other when needed,” says Georgeta Dendrino.”
via: spotmedia.ro