What does being a whole-hearted leader really mean?

In this vlog we ask Andy Brown, Managing Director at Taylor’s of Harrogate what he believes whole-hearted leadership is, and it’s clear that it’s not all about thinking and telling people what to do. A genuine, authentic, whole-hearted approach involves much more.    

What does being a whole-hearted leader really mean? How does it show up at Taylor’s of Harrogate, producers of the much loved Yorkshire Tea? Thoughts shared by Taylor’s of Harrogate Managing Director Andy Brown.

A transcript of this film is below:

I think to be a wholehearted role model you need to be true to yourself, true to what you believe in, and true to your values. I think without that you don't have integrity in what you do, and that shows through and people can see it. People spot bullshit and they can tell when you're saying something for the sake of it, so I think it's important when you're role modeling, first of all to set yourself high standards, and in doing that I think others see that, and they mimic those high standards and try and do their best.

I think it's important to listen to what people have to say and if they say something worthwhile to recognize and acknowledge that, and to act on it and to do what you you know is right, to say what you say you’re going to do, because if you don't follow through on things people will think “oh it's not worth listening to him and it's not worth following that person.”

I think to to be a wholehearted leader, you also need to share a bit of vulnerability at times because if someone's kind of positive all the time and jolly then you don't quite believe them, but if I say to my team “I'm really struggling with this - can you help me?” then that has a lot of power and people want to help you then, if you show that kind of vulnerability, rather than thinking that the leader knows it all which of course you don't! So it's it's important to share how you're feeling as well as how you're thinking when you're a leader.

Watch and hear Andy’s thoughts on what leading with passionate, personal engagement means HERE

Andy Brown