Would you like to be led by an autocratic leader? Would you like to be constantly threatened by punishment or promised rewards to motivate you to get your work done?
Would you like to have no voice in how you work, what you work on, or whether you can make decisions?
I assume the answer is no. Yet, I am sure there are some people who would be okay with this. Perhaps they have been conditioned to like the thrill of competition, aiming to defeat others or just win!
The good news is that these behaviors can be modified, but enabling new behaviors requires a humanistic leader.
Humanistic leadership is about treating people humanely, giving them choices in how they work, and ensuring they are in control of their work and able to express ideas and make decisions.
Humanistic leaders believe that it is better to teach others how to motivate themselves, as they understand that internal motivation will last a lifetime, leading to sustained success.
Finally, humanistic leaders know that investing in people in caring, compassionate ways is the best path to business success, acknowledging the potential and value of each individual.
With humanistic leadership, there is the possibility that everyone thrives in sustainable ways.
The humanistic leader is humble.
It is crucial to develop an ego before age 30. The ego is essential to the building of self-esteem and social identity. Before age 30, you go to a party, meet someone, and talk about what you do.
But after 30, it is essential to gently push ego aside and replace it with humility. When you go to a party, talking about who you are is more important than what you do.
As a humanistic leader, it is essential to be humble.
When leading others, give the credit away to your followers so they can develop and lead themselves.
As a humanistic leader, it is important to be modest rather than arrogant and greedy, rushing to talk about your accomplishments.
Embracing humility enhances leadership skills and significantly improves psychological well-being. It fosters a sense of contentment and satisfaction, contributing to overall social functioning and effectiveness as a leader.
Humility is not just about selflessness, it’s about fostering a sense of belonging.
When we practice humility, we acknowledge our place in the world without placing ourselves above others. This fosters a sense of inclusivity and respect, making us more open to acknowledging and appreciating others.
Humanistic leaders are humble so that their followers can grow.
What is leadership vision?
One of the three skills of the humanistic leadership model is leading. An essential element of leading is having a vision. The leader’s vision should initially represent their personal vision of what the organization could be before sharing and getting input from others.
For example, what will the organization look and feel like, and what will people say about it?
How will customers and those working in the organization experience the realization of this vision?
Once the leader has established their vision, the next step is to share it with the team. This involves stating the vision and explaining the reasons behind it. By telling the story of the vision, the leader can inspire their followers to work towards it, creating a shared sense of purpose and direction.
When the leader does not have a vision, the organization falls into chaos, people start to lose motivation and no longer want to work there, and customers receive poor service. Overall, the system starts on a downhill spiral.
The essential elements of creating a vision are personal vision, insight, creativity, and, most importantly, profound self-awareness. Again, this is why self-awareness is the first stage of the humanistic leadership model. When an individual leader understands their values and daily behavior needed to align with them, they become mature, authentic leaders capable of leading more than just themselves.
If you want to master the leadership skills of the humanistic leadership model, practice developing your own personal vision of your life centered around your values and the daily required behavior to align with those values.
Are you interested in bringing Dr. Nathanson’s Humanistic Leadership workshop to your organization?