Why Leading with Heart Matters More Than Ever
In today’s fast-paced world, change is constant, and uncertainty is everywhere. The news is filled with stories of economic instability, global challenges, and workplace stress. As business leaders, it’s easy to get swept up in the chaos, leaving us feeling disconnected—from ourselves, our teams, and even our purpose.
Yet, despite the pressures, we always have a choice. We can react to challenges with frustration and fear, or we can embrace heart-centred leadership—a leadership style that fosters resilience, connection, and clarity even in turbulent times.
The Power of a Heart-Led Leader
The most effective leaders don’t just lead with their minds; they lead with their hearts. By cultivating trust, authenticity, and emotional intelligence, they inspire others, create stronger teams, and build organisations that thrive. Research from the Institute of HeartMath shows that emotions such as appreciation, care, and compassion lead to physiological coherence. This state enhances decision-making, reduces stress, and boosts overall performance.
A heart-centred leader embodies:
✔️ Appreciation – Recognising contributions and celebrating successes.
✔️ Compassion – Supporting their team, particularly in times of challenge.
✔️ Authenticity – Leading with honesty and vulnerability to build trust.
✔️ Connection – Creating meaningful relationships that strengthen collaboration.
Daily Practices to Lead from the Heart
Integrating heart-centred practices into your daily routine can significantly improve your leadership impact. Consider these simple yet powerful habits:
⭐ Begin your day with gratitude – Take a moment to reflect on what’s going well. A gratitude practice shifts your mindset and builds resilience.
⭐ Set positive intentions before interactions – Whether it’s a meeting or a conversation, pausing to cultivate a positive mindset enhances connection.
⭐ Listen with empathy – Give your full attention during discussions, focusing on understanding rather than just responding.
⭐ Reframe negative thoughts – When challenges arise, avoid dwelling on problems. Instead, shift your focus towards solutions and possibilities.
⭐ Foster meaningful connections – Make time to check in with your team, not just about work, but about their well-being. Strong relationships fuel productivity and engagement.
The Science Behind Heart Coherence
Leading with heart is more than just a feel-good concept—it’s backed by science. Heart coherence occurs when our heart, brain, and emotions are in sync, creating a state of harmony that improves performance and well-being. According to HeartMath:
✅ Coherence enhances clarity, intuition, and decision-making.
✅ Stress and fear create incoherence, reducing problem-solving ability.
✅ Heart-led leadership fosters team cohesion and strengthens workplace culture.
Why Horses Help Leaders Open Their Hearts
One of the most powerful ways I help leaders develop heart-centred leadership is through equine-assisted experiences. Horses, as highly sensitive and intuitive beings, provide immediate feedback on our coherence and presence. Their natural ability to sense authenticity makes them exceptional partners in leadership development.
Time and again, I witness profound shifts in my clients when they interact with the horses. Many experience an immediate sense of calm, clarity, and connection. Using HeartMath’s Inner Balance and emWave technology, I’ve measured these physiological changes in real-time. As leaders open up, they reconnect with their authentic selves—the part often hidden in corporate environments.
It’s not uncommon for participants to feel deeply moved during these sessions, sometimes even shedding tears. That’s because true leadership isn’t about leaving emotions at the door—it’s about embracing them, using them wisely, and leading with heart.
Are You Ready to Lead with Heart?
This Valentine’s Day, let’s redefine leadership—not just as a skillset, but as a heartset. If you’re ready to deepen your impact, strengthen connections, and lead with authenticity, let’s talk.
📩 Message me to book a heart-centred leadership session with the horses and experience the power of true connection.
(Article inspired by the Institute of Heart Math, Tips for Heart Based Living)
Julia Felton (aka The Business Wrangler) is the founder of Business HorsePower. Business leaders, entrepreneurs and executives hire her to accelerate their business performance by harnessing the energy of their people to work more collaboratively together. By aligning purpose with actions the team achieves exponential results as everyone starts pulling in the same direction.
Julia believes that business is a force for good and through designing purpose-driven businesses that leverage the laws of nature, and the herd, you can create businesses founded on the principles of connection, collaboration and community that make a significant impact in the world.
