Tag: emotional intelligence

 The Heliotropic Effect

 The heliotropic effect: the phenomenon whereby plants naturally turn toward and grow in the presence of light. 

Nature

The Heliotropic Effect in Leadership

The heliotropic effect, a term borrowed from biology, describes the tendency in all living systems towards energy that sustains life and away from energy that depletes life. In leadership, this translates to the natural inclination of people to gravitate towards leaders who exude positivity and life-enhancing energy.

Understanding Positive Affective Presence

Positive affective presence is more than just a feel-good factor; it’s a strategic advantage. Leaders who exhibit this trait create an environment where team members feel genuinely valued, inspired, and motivated.

Consider the story of Sarah, a project manager known for her vibrant energy. Her team often remarked how her presence alone could turn a stressful day into a productive one, exemplifying the heliotropic effect in action.

Photo by Riccardo Annandale on Unsplash

Cultivating Positive Affective Presence

  1. Emotional Intelligence: Develop a keen awareness of your emotions and those of others. This sensitivity allows you to connect with team members authentically: “Emotional intelligence is the key to both personal and professional success” – Daniel Goleman.
  2. Authentic Communication: Engage in open, honest, and empathetic communication. It builds trust and demonstrates your genuine interest in your team’s well-being: Imagine a leader who always speaks from the heart, whose words are not just heard but felt. This leader doesn’t just communicate; they connect on a deeper level.
  3. Inspirational Motivation: Be the source of inspiration. Share your vision in a way that excites and motivates your team: “Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration.” – Robin S. Sharma.
  4. Positive Reinforcement: Acknowledge and celebrate successes. This not only boosts morale but also reinforces the behaviors you want to see. When Alex’s team achieved a major milestone, he didn’t just send an email; he organized a small celebration. This act of recognition made the team feel valued and motivated.
  5. Empathy and Support: Show understanding and support for your team’s challenges. Being empathetic strengthens relationships and fosters a supportive work culture.There was once a leader who always made time to listen. When a team member was facing a personal challenge, they knew they had a leader who would understand and support them.

The Impact of Positive Affective Presence

Leaders who embody positive affective presence can transform the atmosphere of their teams. They create a ripple effect of positivity, leading to increased productivity, creativity, and overall job satisfaction.

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou.

Maya Angelou’s powerful words resonate deeply with the human experience. They capture the essence of how our interactions with others leave a lasting impact. This quote serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and understanding in our interactions with one another. It highlights the enduring significance of emotional connections and the profound influence they have on our lives. As we navigate through our daily interactions, whether big or small, let us strive to leave a positive and lasting impression through the way we make others feel.

The power of positive affective presence in leadership, underscored by the heliotropic effect, cannot be overstated. It’s about being a beacon of positivity, guiding and inspiring your team towards success. As John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

Strategic Thinking

In the ever-evolving world of business, the ability to think strategically is paramount. One useful tool in this endeavor is the ‘Strategic Thinking MicroSkill Cheat Sheet’. By dividing strategic thinking into three main pillars – Logical, Creative, and Emotional – this cheat sheet provides a roadmap for honing our strategic prowess. Let’s delve deeper.

1. Logical Skills in Strategic Thinking:
These skills provide the foundation for critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.

  • Anticipation: Predicting future changes or challenges allows companies to be proactive rather than reactive.
  • Meta-cognition: Understanding one’s own cognitive biases can prevent costly mistakes.
  • High-quality questions: Instead of asking, “Is our strategy working?”, ask, “What conditions make our strategy effective?”

Insight: Logical skills are all about connecting the dots and understanding the bigger picture. It’s not just about having the answers but asking the right questions.

2. Creative Skills in Strategic Thinking:
These skills bring innovation and adaptability to the forefront.

  • Storytelling: A well-crafted narrative can be more persuasive than a data-packed report.
  • Contrarianism: Sometimes, going against the grain can lead to breakthroughs.
  • Devalorization: Re-assessing and challenging established norms keeps businesses adaptable.

Insight: Creativity in strategic thinking isn’t just about new ideas; it’s about seeing old challenges in a new light and daring to challenge the status quo.

3. Emotional Skills in Strategic Thinking:
These skills anchor decisions in empathy and self-awareness.

  • Empathy: Truly understanding your customer’s or team’s perspective can lead to more nuanced strategies.
  • Courage: The business landscape is filled with uncertainty. Having the courage to take calculated risks can set companies apart.
  • Self-awareness: Recognizing one’s own strengths and weaknesses can guide better decision-making.

Insight: Emotions drive decisions. By understanding and harnessing emotions, businesses can craft more effective and resonant strategies.


The ‘Strategic Thinking MicroSkill Cheat Sheet’ isn’t just a list of skills; it’s a blueprint for success. By understanding and cultivating these skills, we can navigate the complex waters of business with confidence and foresight.

The Two-Arrows Concept

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” – Viktor E. Frankl

Life often presents us with scenarios that feel like a double-edged sword. This brings us to the ‘Two-Arrow Concept,’ a philosophy that suggests we have two types of challenges to face: the initial problem itself (the first arrow) and our emotional reaction to it (the second arrow). In this blog, we’ll explore how understanding and applying this concept can offer profound insights into navigating life’s challenges.

Two-arrows Concept

Imagine you’ve been working diligently on a project at work, only to have it criticized publicly by your boss. The first arrow is the criticism. It’s external and beyond your control. The second arrow is your emotional reaction, which could range from humiliation to anger. This arrow is something you can control.

The Tale of Two Friends:

Two friends, Sarah and Emily, faced the same scenario. Sarah’s second arrow was aimed inward, resulting in feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. Emily, on the other hand, chose to see the criticism as an opportunity for improvement. The difference in their outcomes was staggering. Sarah’s productivity dipped, while Emily went on to receive commendations for her work.

“Don’t Shoot the Second Arrow”

Buddhist philosophy advises us not to shoot the second arrow, meaning, don’t add suffering to an already challenging situation. As Henry David Thoreau said, “It’s not what you look at that matters; it’s what you see.” When we stop fueling the emotional fire, we empower ourselves to find rational, constructive responses to the first arrow.

The CEO’s Choice:

Consider a CEO faced with plummeting sales figures. The first arrow is the decline itself—hard, factual, and external. The second arrow could be panic or despair, but the seasoned CEO knows better. Instead, they initiate a detailed analysis, identify gaps, and reformulate strategies.

Mastering the Second Arrow

“Maturity is achieved when a person accepts life as full of tension,” said Joshua L. Liebman. Accepting that the first arrow will hit is half the battle. The mastery lies in how you deal with the second one.

Understanding the Two-Arrow Concept is akin to acquiring a life skill. It teaches us to separate the controllable from the uncontrollable, to act rather than react, and to turn challenges into stepping stones for growth. It’s not the absence of problems but your ability to deal with them that defines your journey.

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity,” Albert Einstein once said. So the next time life shoots an arrow at you, remember, you have the power to decide whether or not to shoot the second one.

The Two-Arrow Concept is not just a philosophy; it’s a framework for emotional intelligence and rational decision-making. By mastering this concept, you open doors to resilience, wisdom, and an enriched life experience.