What does it mean that the body and mind are programmed primarily for vertical movement and thinking? Well, that we prefer to stand upright without bending forward or backward and that the brain tries to find a logical order, wants to understand and make things comprehensible.
"When the ego takes over, the heart loses its power. But it is through the heart that we need to lead. That's how we build trust."
There's the rub, how easy it is to want to quickly understand what a person means when they talk to us, how we want to find an explanation for ourselves that makes sense to us. Unfortunately, this can mean that we quickly jump to categorise the person into a box or that we give advice for a quick solution to the person's potential problems. As a leader, you feel smart and effective because you helped someone through your smart way of leading. And the ego is fed and proud.
When the ego takes over, the heart loses its power. But it is through the heart that we need to lead. This is how we build trust. This is how we create meetings where people feel important, competent and appreciated. It is in this approach that we create an environment where people want to perform and develop. The way to get there is called listening. Curiously and with warm, kind eyes.