We all sometimes have reservations about leaders who seem to be without emotion. We draw conclusions about such people – that they are not real! People are attracted to people who show emotion. People are drawn to people who have the ability to feel what they also feel. Don’t be afraid of showing emotion. People will gather around you and listen to what you have to say because you are real!
There is no need to live in pretence because you are a leader. Everyone born on this earth laughs, cries, gets angry and becomes happy. Do not think that because you are a leader you must act as a super human being. Your followers are looking out for someone they can relate to. There are highs and lows in everyone’s life. People expect to see that in your too, if you are a leader.
Seven Reasons Why People Who Show Emotion Are Attractive
- People who do not show emotion are often boring and are not interesting to be with.
- People who do not show emotion kill the atmosphere around them. There is a lot of tension when you sit with a strict and unsmiling individual who makes no contribution or comment about the conversation going on.
- Emotionless men and women are often strict, stern, authoritarian, exacting and rigorous. This will not make people rally around you!.
- Emotionless people may be phoney and artificial. Simply put, we all do not want to deal with a pretender. We want someone who can also feel.
- People feel that if someone reveals his true emotions, the things he says will also be true.
- A show of emotion stirs up the emotions of others. When people are stirred up emotionally, they become more committed.
- Jesus, our great example-setter, showed emotion on many occasions.
Five Examples of Jesus Showing Emotion
- Jesus was excited when he saw the man with great faith. He expressed what he felt about this man to the people. Here was a man who believed so much in Jesus’ ability to heal
For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Luke 7:8-9
- Jesus wept over cities. He did not try to seem detached in any way. He was grieving over the cities and so he expressed the emotion of grief.
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Luke 19:41
- Jesus was moved with compassion for lost and helpless people. Jesus’ compassion moved him to point out the state of mankind to the disciples. He went further to urge his disciples to pray. Jesus’ concern was not hidden at all.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Matthew 9:36-37
- Jesus was angry with hypocrites. He did not appreciate hypocrisy and he showed that emotion clearly by the action he took against those who were advancing their own aims and pretending it was what was supposed to be done in the temple.
And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; John 2:13-15 5.
Jesus wept over individuals. I suppose the adage that a man does not cry holds here. Jesus wept. And note the reaction of the people to this show of emotion. They said, “Behold how he loved him!”. They did not miss the interpretation of Jesus’ weeping as evidence of his love.
Jesus WEPT. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
John 11:35-36
To be a leader you must exhibit reality. We live in a real world with a lot of problems. People can relate better with someone they perceive has the ability to feel what they are feeling. A leader is a real human being with real emotions. A leader will experience all the emotions his followers feel. Most people don’t know what to do with their emotions. If they find someone who is successful in spite of the real emotions he feels, they would like to relate with him. Dear leader, show emotion!
theaol@ymail.com
By Dag Heward-Mills