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Roberto Giannicola

Neapolitan Wisdom: The Art of Heart-Anger Leadership

Ever snapped at a colleague or fired off a regrettable email?

Struggling to lead with empathy and not sure how to channel your anger? Naples might have the answer with a leadership style that's both fiery and compassionate.


From the bustling streets of Naples, there’s a vibrancy, an energy, a fiery passion that's almost tangible. "Chi si arrabbia, muore presto," they say here – "He who gets angry dies young." Passionate conversations and fiery displays of emotions are all around me. It feels like home.


While in the middle of a street market, I witnessed the owner of a food stand having a heated exchange with one of his sons. The teenager wasn't holding back, and the conversation was a textbook case of:


  • Anger with Aggression: a harmful force that erodes relationships and workplace morale vs.

  • Anger with Compassion: a healthy, constructive channeling of emotion


Each aggressive comment pushed the other further away. While the aggressive tones escalated the confrontation, the essence of Naples shone through; by tomorrow, all will be reconciled. This confrontation, though fiery, is cathartic.


It's a lesson for all leaders: It's not the anger that's harmful, but the aggression, even subtle, that we layer upon it.


The Neapolitans exemplify the importance of confronting emotions, making them a lesson for all leaders.


So, how can we discern between Anger with Compassion and Anger with Aggression? Quite simple, here are a few examples:


These examples spotlight a critical strategy:


  1. Replace "YOU" or "YOUR" (which can seem accusatory) with "I" or "WE,"

  2. Then, transform blame into a collaborative inquiry. Add compassion to your attitude; it’s that simple.


But what is Healthy Anger in the Workplace?


In Naples, passionate conversations convert anger from a mere outburst to a meaningful tool. This transformative power of anger can be equally impactful in our workspaces, promoting innovation, solidifying ties, and enhancing communication.

The term "Cuore rabbia" or "Heart-Anger" embodies leadership. It signifies standing with your team, channeling anger to encourage dialogue and foster growth, not to destroy the opponent.


In your leadership journey, think Neapolitan: Confront issues head-on, prioritize empathy, and lead with compassion.


After all, anger is human; leading with empathy is divine.


Ciao


PS:

You're an Alpha Leader - brilliant, driven, formidable. But what about the emotional landscape of leadership? It can sometimes strain relationships and team dynamics.


Here is where I come in.


Together, we'll shape you into an Empathic Alpha Leader, where strength meets understanding, and decisiveness pairs with empathy.



Start your journey to empathic leadership today.

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