Leaders' Heartforce

Author: Li Shudong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: The Heart of Leadership applies the fundamental principles of psychology and uses philosophical interpretation as its methodology. Using philosophical hermeneutics to explore leadership psychology is an attempt on my part, not an innovation. The renowned German hermeneuticist Dilthey believed: "Understanding and interpretation are methods universally employed in all spiritual sciences. At every point, understanding opens up a world." Another great hermeneuticist, Schleiermacher, also argued: "Understanding" is the cornerstone of hermeneutics. Understanding must be sought by oneself to enter the inner world of others; understanding is an art of psychologically valuing others' emotions. I have been, and still am, a leader. I have worked as a civil servant in national government departments and currently serve as the head of a cultural organization, which can also be considered a form of leadership. After completing my Ph.D., I still teach and conduct psychological research at universities as a part-time professor. Through these experiences, I have found that the psychology of leaders is an overlooked field. This neglect is twofold, and thus leaders often bear a stronger sense of responsibility. Behind this responsibility may lie the pursuit of fame and fortune, leading to greater psychological burdens such as anxiety, crisis, distress, and pain compared to ordinary people. Yet, due to their busy schedules, leaders often have no time to attend to these matters. In this constant busyness and hustle, leaders unconsciously discard and lose the precious things in their hearts. The psychology of leaders lacks attention, care, nurturing, and health care, making it at times an extremely vulnerable territory. Where should leaders go to find the health of their souls? I have felt a sense of responsibility and mission: leveraging my own leadership experience, I should try to understand leaders, building a bridge of understanding between leading others and caring for themselves.