If you’ve been around long enough then you’ll know that 2017 has been an interesting year for me in terms of the decisions that I’ve made in regards to the way I serve and lead. Early in 2017 during a time of desperation I made the decision to invest in a coach who was not a good fit for me, and rather than to lead with heart, I ended up leading with my wallet…And the outcome was not pretty.
As a online coach or teacher you have been tasked with the wonderful job of leading your audience towards the possibilities for what their life could be and your team towards success and abundance.
So how can you effectively lead with heart as an online coach and still make money to live a comfortable life?
Nurture your relationships with clients.
In order to lead with heart you also have to connect with heart. Develop relationships with your clients and with your audience. Let them know that your interest in them genuinely extends beyond their wallet. Remember that behind every social media profile, email and message is a real person who you have the opportunity to impact. In my life I have experienced community leaders who seemed genuinely interested and committed to serving me and then others who seemed to have little regard for me once they made the sale. When you lead with heart, one of the very first things you should do is to prioritize the relationships you have with the people you wish to serve.
Show your team you value them.
As you grow your business you will begin to take on employees and contractors to help you with your work. Value your team because they have been tasked with the job of supporting you to get your work to your audience. Listen to them, pay attention to their opinions and preferences, and let them know that you value their contribution. Give bonuses for good work, share the wealth appropriately and where possible invest into their education. To lead with heart means that you show compassion for the needs of the people in your life to the extent that you are still honoring yourself. When you value your team members (paid or unpaid) you will be able to show up more fully in your business.
Have more fun.
To lead with heart means to understand that there is a wonderful thing called balance. When you are doing work that you love it will bring joy to your life everyday, however taking time to completely disconnect from service is important for your overall health and well-being. Prioritize having more fun not just in your personal life but also in your interactions with employees, contractors and clients. Encourage those who support you to have more fun and be committed to making the work you do enjoyable and exciting for everyone that you come into contact with.
Stay connected to your humanity.
This could turn into a really big topic so I’ll try to keep it short. When you lead with heart you stay grounded and connected to the soul of your wonderful work. There’s this tendency in a sales-driven industry to just make more and more money. To the point that some people become disconnected from themselves in a desire to make a quick buck. If you’re dealing with clients that are struggling to pay you, lead with your heart and not with the numbers. If you know that someone you are collaborating with is not operating from a place of integrity then lead with your heart, and do not sell your soul to make a quick buck.
Reflect deeply and often.
Running an online business, especially in the early stages, can be incredibly time consuming and overwhelming. You’re trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together and sometimes you can be so focused on the strategy that you forget what you’re really here for. I’ve personally made it a daily practice to get out my journal and spend time reflecting on what my purpose is, who I am, what I desire to create and how I am here to serve. I also reflect weekly on how I can lead with heart so that my audience feels the energy of my powerful intentions to serve them.
