May thoughts from Dr. Craig Nathanson

The top ten critical thinking skills for a Humanistic Leader

To reflect (the ability to pause and think deeply before action)
To be humble (The ability to move aside ego, be modest, and not evaluate others as inferior)
To be inclusive (to include others even if their ideas differ from yours)
To synthesize (to combine different ideas into one clear idea)
To question (to ask thoughtful questions to gain new insight)
To recognize patterns (to see patterns and similarities)
To be curious (to always be curious about why something occurred)
To predict (to be able to predict what might happen in the future if the same pattern of behavior continued)
To draw connections (to see which parts in the system are connected and can work in harmony)
To understand causal relationships (to seek relationships where there is synergy)

The Humanistic thinker is always thinking about new positive possibilities for working together better, getting along better, and producing better outcomes for all. Critical thinking isn’t just a nice idea; we need to be sustainable now and into the future.

Humanistic Leaders are Peaceful

The aim is collaboration, collective learning, compassion, and compromise. The goal of a humanistic leader is to work together toward everyday purposes that benefit and make life improved for everyone.

What is the greatest threat to humanistic leadership?

The biggest threat to the ideals of humanistic leadership is greed, personal gain, and the inability of the non-humanistic leader to understand the unintended consequences of negative behavior towards others.

Compassion

Humanistic leaders have sympathy and understanding towards the difficulties of others. This understanding shows in their language, actions, and behaviors towards others.
Who could use a little more compassion in your own life?
Use your compassion towards others, and both sides will feel better.

What is Joyful work?

Work that makes you feel good, happy, cheerful, optimistic, and content. Only you are the judge of joy and what the experience is like, especially when working.

Possibilities

When we seek the good possibilities in others, we lower our rush to judge, criticize, or compete with others in harmful ways.
This behavior is an example of humanistic leadership.

Do you want more time in your life, then do nothing!

Well, not actually, but this will require 5 minutes, twice a day.
Take the time twice a day to sit and do nothing. Think about whatever you want during this time. This practice is slightly different from meditating, which I also recommend as an excellent daily practice to re-charge. Take five minutes twice a day sitting and thinking will enable your mind to solve, plan and create as is needed at the moment. It can help to ask yourself a question at the start of each session. For example, how can I? Your mind will race into action to provide some ideas before your five-minute session is complete.
After the session, take action or write down what new idea emerged.
Your inner mind and intuition are powerful if you can listen.
If done twice a day, this process will give back time, energy, a sense of calm, and confidence.

How does a person become self-aware?

It is important to know and accept yourself unconditionally. Only then will you be able to also accept others. It is important to understand at a deep level who you are, what you want, and why.
Matching one’s values and goals is important for living an authentic life and a life that benefits others. The path to self-awareness takes daily reflection. It is important to have a process in place for becoming self-aware. It can be a roadmap process such as a joyful work model™ or any process which you find useful.

I’ll be cheering you on as you go!

Dr. Craig Nathanson