RESONANT LEADERSHIP.
The term resonance (from Latin resonantia, ‘echo’, from resonare, ‘resound’) originates from the field of acoustics, particularly observed in musical instruments, e.g., when strings started to vibrate and to produce sound without direct excitation by the player.
Resonance occurs widely in nature, and is exploited in many fields of study and areas of life. It is the mechanism by which virtually all sinusoidal waves and vibrations are generated. Many sounds we hear, such as when hard objects of metal, glass, or wood are struck, are caused by brief resonant vibrations in the object. Light and other short wavelength electromagnetic radiation is produced by resonance on an atomic scale, such as electrons in atoms.
In physics, resonance is a phenomenon in which a vibrating system or external force drives another system to oscillate with greater amplitude at specific frequencies.when one object vibrating at the same natural frequency of a second object forces that second object into vibrational motion.
You might be asking asking what all this have to do with leadership.
When applied to human relationships, resonance is a powerful collective energy that reverberates among people and supports higher productivity, creativity, a sense of unity, a sense of purpose, and results.
Resonance comes from our ability to use our own cognitive and biological systems to master skills of self-awareness, awareness of others, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
This morning, I asked a group of participant in a training I was organising to share their idea and understanding of the concept of Resonant Leadership, and I was very pleasantly impressed.
To explain their individual understanding of the word- resonant-, they used words like: sound, energy, volumes, ringing in our minds, power, resound, resonate, impact, reproduce, follow easily without persuasion, strong correlation, sound, echo, set others on the platform, visions, empathy…
And they were all right!
Resonant leadership is all that and more!
The truth is that exceptional leaders are resonant. They are attuned to people’s feelings. And they support people in creating, amplifying and catalyzing positive emotions. A truly great work culture cultivates the development of resonant leaders so that people at all levels can flourish and thrive.
To implement such an approach in your business, focus on leading from the heart and being authentic.
Get clear about who you are and what your values are.
Then focus on building rapport and trust with your direct reports.
Listen to understand.
Applaud honesty.
Celebrate people’s genuineness.
So, what is Resonant Leadership?
According to Daniel Goleman, resonant leadership is having the power to impact the emotional states of people around you. It involves having a positive effect, and pulling everyone onto the same upbeat wavelength.
Resonant leaders use emotional and social intelligence skills to renew themselves, create positive relationships, and foster a healthy, vibrant environment to engage others toward a common goal.
They do this through mindfulness, hope and compassion. They do this from the heart.
This is to say that resonant leadership is the kind of leadership that involves the heart and emotions but also the senses and the intellect.
An effective leader will be emotionally intelligent, aware, and mindful so he/she can understand the emotions that are spreading within the team and work on them. We have to keep in mind that emotions, both positive and negative, are contagious.
When a leader is authentically motivated, the team will also become motivated as any kind of emotions spread and quickly too. This is what resonance is all about.
This kind of leadership not only promotes positive relationships, but also drives productivity and boosts team engagement.
So, no matter the team you’re leading, whether at work, business, relationships or at the home front, resonant leadership is the way to go.
Resonant leadership is not about being nice; it is rather about being assertive in a way that is gentle and kind and compassionate, but also firm and focused. It is about knowing your position as a leader, knowing what you want from the person or situation in front of you, and achieving it without aggression while providing context, care, and understanding.
#TME
