Head and Heart Leadership

My guest on this episode of the Soft Skills for Leaders Podcast is Dr Kirstin Ferguson. 

Dr Kirstin Ferguson is an award-winning, globally recognised author, columnist and company director, and most recently has been awarded the Order of Australia Medal.

She is one of Australia’s most prominent leadership experts with a 30-year executive career and a PhD in leadership and culture. Kirstin is changing how the world looks at leadership, helping people become modern leaders who can lead with their head and heart.

Kirstin believes that leadership is simply a series of moments, and every moment allows you to leave a positive legacy for those you lead. Whether you are heading up a  large company, managing a small team or guiding your family, our ability to integrate head and heart influences our success in leading others and navigating our complex world.

Kirstin explains the eight key attributes of a head and heart leader and provides the tools to measure your own approach.

Along the way, she shares her conversations with modern leaders from a broad range of backgrounds whose stories will surprise you, challenge your thinking and inspire you to be the leader the world needs today.

What key qualities do modern leaders need?

Talking Points

• Kirstin’s diverse early career
• Lessons learned from a military career
• Leading through influence
• Authentic modern leaders in the spotlight and why they are different
• The spark that led to the Head & Heart book 
• It’s OK to admit we don’t have all the answers
• The key attributes of head & heart leadership
• The importance of receiving feedback

One of my favourite quotes from the book is this one: