First off, I promise that this is not an anatomy lesson.
Rather, it is a discussion about leading. Or more precisely, a recommendation about how to lead in ways that genuinely connect with and move others to action. After all, the essence of leadership is to inspire people to take action; actions which they may not imagine themselves taking, but for the impetus from their leader. I contend that this inspiration rarely, if ever, makes its way through the frontal lobes of the recipient. The more common, direct and effective route is through the viscera of those being led.
Leadership is felt more than it is understood. The brain is a great organ to leverage in the dissemination of information, to teach, train and develop new capability. But for inspiration to be felt requires the participation of different organs, specifically the heart and gut. We process inspiration, not through our heads, but in the core of our being, literally.
In the cavity that contains our heart and gut we feel the impact of those moments that move us to take action…quickly and decisively. We language the visceral impetus in a variety of ways. The speech was “heartfelt.” Their reaction was “gut level.” But the test is always the same, you know it when you feel it in your gut.
The implication on leadership is clear. If you need to call your team to bold action, to inspire them to do what they would not otherwise do, they must feel it. In their viscera. Too many leaders try to lead their people with facts, logic, charts and graphs, through the frontal lobes. Unless you are leading the debate team, it is time to shift your leadership focus from their heads to their guts.