A number of adjectives are used to define great leaders. Of them all, I find ‘resonant’ the most apt. Resonant leaders are those that can bring out the strongest emotional quotient among their subordinates. Resonant leaders are sources of positive vibes and allow the people around them to feed of their energy. They know that without understanding what the people around them are going through; it is not possible to bring out the best in them.
Not just aspire, become a resonant leader
Aspiring to become a resonant leader is the easy part. The difficult part is the transition by the end of which the leaders gain resonance. Almost all my clients ask me for suggestions on how to transform into a resonant leader and strengthen the development of their subordinates. While I believe that resonance is a quality that can be developed in the leaders, it comes naturally to leaders with emotional intelligence. Leaders with a high emotional intelligence are naturally passionate about a specific cause.
Like all other questions that my clients ask me, here again, I respond by asking my own questions. This is because I believe that my clients have what it takes to become a resonant leader and need not adopt any external habit. Rather than looking out to catch up on a new habit, I urge them to introspect and think while being in the shoes of their subordinates and how would they expect their leader to support them emotionally? A good beginning point can be when you start being more proactive and take decisions which are mutually beneficial to you and your team. This would give the subordinates a feeling of belonging to the same team as their leader. Another handy habit can be when you start to listen with an aim of understanding and not just responding. This would help you develop empathy towards the speakers.
Resonance, like all other good habits, takes time to develop. However, the wait only makes the end result sweeter for you and your organization.