Speak to the heart: The secret of inspirational leadership

“If our hearts believe it, our minds will justify it.”

Let that quote from Roy H. Williams sink in—for your communication, your leadership, and your team.

Our minds are skilled at building logical cases. We can talk ourselves into (or out of) just about anything. But what we choose to persuade ourselves into?

That choice comes from the heart.

The heart is where belief begins.

It’s the spark behind conviction. It’s what drives the “I just know” moments. The heart chooses what becomes our truth—what we know in our heart of hearts.

And that truth doesn’t need a PowerPoint or a pro/con list. It just feels right.

As leaders, we may not spend a lot of time thinking about what just feels right. As one client put it, "That feels like a luxury." We know.

But it's not a luxury. It's leadership. The heart is where inspirational leadership lives.

It's not in the business case. It's not in the most logical choice. It's in connection. In your ability as a leader to move people emotionally, not just intellectually.

Does it really matter? 

After years of working with leaders and teams, we can tell you that it really does. Why? 

When you lead from the heart, people don’t just comply—they commit.

They don’t just nod—they rally. The heart sparks alignment, energy, and real buy-in.

Too often, leaders try to win minds with “reasonable reasons” and “sensible sense,” while the heart quietly raises an eyebrow:

  • Do they see me?
  • Do they care?
  • Am I moved?
  • Does this really matter?

How do I know if I'm leading from the heart? 

Take a moment the next time you're trying to get your team on board, inspire change, or build momentum. Simply pause and ask:

  • What would I say if I were speaking to their hearts? What does your heart of hearts say about this?
  • What words would I choose if I wanted them to feel it? What do you feel?
  • How would I say it if my goal was to spark something real? What about this really matters in the grand scheme?

This is the essence of inspirational leadership. Speak to the heart—and the mind will follow.


Want to strengthen your inspirational leadership?

Explore how our culture workshops help leaders speak to the heart, move teams into action, and create lasting change rooted in connection and clarity.

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