The three A’s of Leadership-The keys that open us

Leadership is experienced differently by each of us. But leadership is always expressed in relational terms as we begin to widen the circle of leadership around us for future generations. 

We begin to build those leadership relationships by working on adding positive values as we engage to learn more about each other’s unique contributions. As leaders, each one of us brings an exceptional set of values to enhance our dialogue and meaningful leadership discussions.  

Relational thinking is the spiritual discipline through which we begin to see ourselves in relations to others, as part of the whole, not apart from it. Relational Leadership requires us simultaneously to observe the three A’s of leadership. The three A’s are not extras. They are important characteristics of relational leadership:

The Three A's of Leadership are:

Attunement

Attunement is mirrored through attentiveness from one person to another. Attentiveness means thoughtfulness by noticing and hearing the words, spirits, and experiences of other people. As we experience authentic attention-we truly feel who we are on a deeper level and understand what others trying to communicate and feel. 

It’s our way of validating the feedback and thoughts of others through empathic leadership.  When we stay attuned, it creates a zone of trust and safety around us. We feel encouraged to look for instead of waiting for someone to create trust. We let others feel safe in our leadership environment that we constantly trying to build as an environment of trust.

Acceptance

Acceptance in relational leadership is determined by unconditional caring. In acceptance, we are embracing people as worthy, empowered, understood and fully approved of who they are as unique individuals. We give kind support for other people’s path no matter how you view the situation at that moment.  

Acceptance is another component of creating the trust zone in our relations. We hold and suspend our judgments toward other people in order to help them feel safer in our environments. We want to help people feel more of what they are, so that they can realize their true potential without destructive feedback that only demoralizes a person.

Appreciation

Appreciation elevates acceptance with gratitude. In appreciation, we communicate with admiration the qualities in each other without any reward. The reward is the joy of the energy that comes from your open heart. Appreciation includes gratitude of kindness and a gift we give to others out of no motive but a sense of appreciating our relationships. 

When we appreciate, we have the ability to extend ourselves and become better leaders and better people.  Appreciation gets so under-utilized in our culture because we tend to focus on what’s not working instead of what’s working right and how we can uplift the “right” toward an empowering vision for the future.

What other values you want to share as part of the dialogue on relational leadership? Looking forward to learning from you.