Longing for Heart-Centered Programs

In an article that forms the basis for the newest Exchange Reflections, “Heart-Centered Leadership,” Nancy Rosenow explained:

“A few years ago when I wrote a book about heart-centered teaching, a number of educators contacted me to say I’d touched on a subject they’d been afraid to talk about openly. Many told me they longed for more heart-centered relationships among fellow staff members and with their students, but worried they would be judged harshly if they ever expressed those sentiments. I’d like to think we’ve now moved into a new era of understanding where no one need apologize ever again for valuing heart-centeredness as a crucial and strong component of effective teaching and leading.”

The Exchange Reflections encourages groups of leaders (or leaders with their staff, or college instructors with their students), to discuss together what it means to have a heart-centered organization led with a heart-centered philosophy. For example, Rosenow declares that ‘heart-centered leaders…rejoice in effort as much as achievement. They notice courage, kindness, commitment, and celebrate those qualities often and exuberantly.”

The Reflections also invites discussion about statements such as the following: “Organizations led by heart-centered leaders become interdependent, mutually supportive, and joyful. That doesn’t mean people don’t work hard, get discouraged at times, or face challenges. What it does mean is that any challenge is secondary to the sense of purpose and pleasure felt by a shared commitment to an important mission. Heart-centered leaders feel the mission of the organization deeply and speak of it often. And since each person in the organization is valued…the mission grows and strengthens as more and more people help define its richness. Work is done with a sense of purpose and dedication to something that transcends each individual. The satisfying feeling of contributing to the greater good flourishes.”

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