Head + Heart

One of the guiding principles I reflect on is this:

“If you go to thinking, take your heart with you. If you go to love, take your head with you. Love is empty without thinking, thinking hollow without love.”

— C.G. Jung, The Red Book

At its core, authenticity—whether in one-on-one conversations or addressing an audience through a stage, video, or social media—is about more than just the words we choose.

The word “authentic” has gotten a bit of a bad rap lately. It comes from the Greek authentikos, meaning “genuine” or “original,” and traces back to authentēs, which means “one who acts on their own authority.”

Authenticity is central to the depth of connection we create and the resonance of our message beyond the surface of language.

When we communicate from the heart and with clear intent, people feel it. They don’t just hear what we’re saying; they absorb the essence of the emotion behind it. This works for each of us in our work and relationships and for brands when they communicate with their audiences.

This deeper connection transcends the technicalities of language. Even when our words stumble, or our delivery falters, which it will, an unspoken understanding is delivered.

Why? People sense that when what’s being communicated comes from the heart, from a place of genuine care and purpose, it lands in their hearts.

It’s a part of our shared humanity—the innate ability to feel when someone’s intentions are aligned with something real versus when they are contrived or self-serving.

Yes, there are those who can mask manipulation with seeming sincerity. But this is incredibly difficult to sustain over time, and most charlatans reveal their insincerity through their actions.

I recall a moment after a meeting I was leading where I felt I hadn’t communicated as clearly as I’d wanted. My words felt clunky; my communication felt incomplete. Yet afterward, a client assured me: “We understood exactly what you meant.” It wasn’t about the precise phrasing I had struggled with—the intention carried through. The clarity came from something deeper than language.

I suspect I’m not alone in this experience.

Whether as the sender or the receiver, we’ve sensed when a message reached beyond mere words, carrying a weight of truth with it.

Speaking from the heart isn’t just a virtue—it’s the most potent form of communication, especially when it’s infused with storytelling. When we speak from the heart, the message naturally finds its way to the hearts of others. It’s how trust is built, how ideas become shared realities.

As you move through your day, I invite you to take notice: How often are your interactions grounded in heart-centered intent?

Over to you.

As both a communicator and a listener, consider whether you feel the difference in depth, trust, and understanding when that alignment is present versus when it’s not.

You might find that the truest connections are forged in moments when the head and heart move in tandem, creating a space where both can be heard.

If you want a more trusting team, a culture of belonging or a magnetic brand that attracts more of the right customers, I can help. If you'd like to explore if working together makes sense, drop me a line.

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