What’s Your Intention @ Work?

True leadership runs deeper than titles, paychecks and resumes. The women leaders we admire most posses deeper and broader compassion, understanding and awareness. They’re not just trying to get business done. Something more powerful drives their ambitions and interactions. Yes, they set out to achieve goals and get results, but you can tell that’s not what they really care about. Their intention is what’s different: To be gracious and loving.

This hasn’t been a priority in business since we’ve been taught to value external, measurable outcomes rather than internal motivations. Society prioritizes tangible achievements like a high salary and social status.

While getting a Political Science degree at UCLA, I too became a devotee of Machiavelli’s the end justifies the means. But after more than a decade running a business, I can tell you that being highly ambitious and results-focused, even with the noble purpose of advancing women, something is lacking. Something big.

Always an advocate of ambition and assertiveness, especially for women, I believe something bigger needs to propel us.

So now, more than a quarter century after graduating with that Poli Sci degree, it’s time for a serious course correction. Recent introspection and Yoga Instructor Teacher Training (a la work/life balance) has shifted my perspective drastically and happily.

The epiphany came when Certified Baptiste Teacher Trainer Shelley Lowther divided us into groups. My group would assist the other in their yoga poses with the unbeknownst intention of a drill sergeant. Every student knew it. They felt our gruffness. It didn’t matter how noble the purpose. The second time, we went back and delivered the adjustments from a place of love. When Shelley asked, “What was their intent?” Erika, who I had been assisting in the postures, said “Love.” She knew it. They all did. In both cases the goal the same – to teach students various yoga postures. Only our intention was different.

The fact is, your employees, your customers, your boss, your spouse, your kids, your friends – all can sense your underlying intention. We underestimate the significance of the unspoken intent – the impact it has on others and the impact it has on ourselves.

With this in mind I’m taking a hacksaw to my list of what I always thought were positive leadership traits. My list needed serious editing. Perhaps yours does too. Below you’ll find Leadership Attributes, Then and Now.

You may laugh it off as old school or Pollyanna, which wouldn’t surprise me. Career women of a certain age made a practice of hiding what we’ve viewed as “soft, feminine” character traits. Having been in the trenches of the appallingly lack luster women’s advancement movement for decade and a half, we are painfully aware of the seemingly impervious obstacles to advancement that continue to block most women from their full potential. It’s no surprise that although women are more fulfilled, powerful and determined to bring the authentic, feminine (or PINK!) parts of themselves to work, many still worry they won’t be taken seriously, that the boss will promote one of the guys instead or they’ll be laughed at.

And for good reason. Few women make it to the top. And the small minority of women who do move into key big business leadership roles remain under the harsh, unforgiving scrutiny of the magnifying glass.

Despite this, I believe in the unmatched power of attributes like vulnerability and compassion, even in the workplace. And at the end of the day, if this doesn’t lead to greater career success, at least happiness is quite a consolation prize.

#Positive Leadership Attributes

By Cynthia Good
Photo by Bike Rider London