---
title: "Leadership in Business:  Struggle or Ease?"
description: Are you working hard and nonstop in your business? Leadership in business isn't about working harder; it means listening to yourself, leading from within.
image: https://blog.heartmanity.com/hubfs/Young-people-work-in-modern-office.-881484382_2122x1416.jpeg
---

[![Heartmanity](https://heartmanity.com/wp-content/files/heartmanity-logo-web.png "Heartmanity")](https://heartmanity.com)

[Schedule a Conversation](https://heartmanity.as.me/schedule.php?appointmentType=30172362) [Shop](https://heartmanity-services-products.myshopify.com/) [Join the Community](https://heartmanitycommunity.mn.co/) [Get In Touch](https://heartmanity.com/contact/)

- [Home](https://heartmanity.com/)
- [Our Focus and Expertise](https://heartmanity.com/our-focus-and-expertise/) 
    - [BrainFitness](https://heartmanity.com/brain-fitness/)
    - [Emotional Intel](https://heartmanity.com/emotional-intel/)
    - [Habits for Health](https://heartmanity.com/habits-for-health/)
    - [Relationship Mastery](https://heartmanity.com/relationship-mastery/)
    - [About](https://heartmanity.com/about/)
- [Individuals](https://heartmanity.com/individuals/) 
    - [No-Nonsense Coaching](https://heartmanity.com/no-nonsense-coaching/)
    - [Return to Serenity](https://heartmanity.com/return-to-serenity/)
    - [One-Year Makeover](https://heartmanity.com/one-year-makeover/)
- Couples 
    - [Drama-Free Marriage](https://heartmanity.com/drama-free-marriage/)
    - [Marriage Tune-Up](https://heartmanity.com/resources/drama-free-resources/#tune-up)
    - [Couples Mentoring](https://heartmanity.com/resources/drama-free-resources/#mentoring)
    - [Premarital Coaching](https://heartmanity.com/resources/drama-free-resources/#coaching)
    - [Drama-Free Weddings](https://heartmanity.com/resources/drama-free-resources/#weddings)
- Parents 
    - [HeartPrints® Parenting](https://heartmanity.com/heartprints-parenting/)
    - [Parent Coaching](https://heartmanity.com/resources/heartprints-resources/#coaching)
    - [Family Coaching](https://heartmanity.com/resources/heartprints-resources/#visits)
    - [WombPrints](https://heartmanity.com/heartprints-parenting/#wombprints)
- [Professionals](https://heartmanity.com/professionals/) 
    - [Heartmanity for Business](https://heartmanity.com/business/)
    - [Heartlead Business](https://heartmanity.com/heartmanity-for-business/)
    - [MomPreneurs](https://heartmanity.com/mompreneurs/)
- [Resources](https://heartmanity.com/resources/) 
    - [Heartlead Resources](https://heartmanity.com/resources/heartlead-resources/)
    - [Drama-Free Resources](https://heartmanity.com/resources/drama-free-resources/)
    - [HeartPrints® Resources](https://heartmanity.com/resources/heartprints-resources/)
    - [Personal Growth Resources](https://heartmanity.com/resources/personal-growth-resources/)
- [Blog](https://blog.heartmanity.com/) 
    - [Emotional Intelligence & Fitness](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/emotional-intelligence-fitness)
    - [Leadership and Business](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/leadership-and-business)
    - [Love, Marriage, and Relationships](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/love-marriage-and-relationships)
    - [Parents: Permission to Be Imperfect](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/parents-permission-to-be-imperfect)
    - [Brain Fitness, Mindfulness and Perspective](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/brain-fitness-mindfulness-and-perspective)
    - [Communication & Interpersonal Skills](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/communication-interpersonal-skills)
    - [Habits for Health](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/habits-for-health)

Heartmanity's Blog

Search

 Search

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Topics: Select a topic... All Emotional Intelligence & Fitness Leadership and Business Love, Marriage, and Relationships Parents: Permission to Be Imperfect Brain Fitness, Mindfulness and Perspective Communication & Interpersonal Skills Habits for Health Heartmanity Webinars, Classes, and Events

Filters

# [*Leadership in Business:  Struggle or Ease?*](https://blog.heartmanity.com/blog/leadership-in-business-struggle-or-ease/)

Recently I was trying to replace the batteries in my wireless mouse and couldn’t get the cover off—*again*. I had struggled with this same task previously (trying paper clips, pens, X-ACTO knives, scissors, brute force, etc.), but this time it was different. I stopped trying to fight it and sat back, relaxing the frustration.

 “Certainly,” I said to myself, “a massively successful company such as Apple would not make replacing batteries in a mouse for a Mac difficult. Everything Steve Jobs designed was about elegance.” That shifted my focus. If taking this cover off is super easy, what is the secret?

*Estimated reading time: 3 minutes*

![Graphic designer making sketches](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Graphic-designer-making-sketches-behind-a-desk-525346226_2123x1417-2.jpeg?width=2120&name=Graphic-designer-making-sketches-behind-a-desk-525346226_2123x1417-2.jpeg)Voilà!… I moved the little black button in the opposite direction without pressing down, and the thin metal cover popped off effortlessly. The answer had been there all along!

The solution was sitting there, just waiting for me to welcome it. Amazing, right? But in our struggle, solutions evade us.

## EQ and Leadership: Stop Struggling and Listen!

In our professional lives, we usually have a pretty good idea of the success and outcomes we want. However, many times, we try to force things, like I was with the mouse cover. When we kick against thorns, we get poked. We are not in our hearts, nor are we utilizing the amazing power of our minds. To lead from within in leadership requires us to trust that the answer is always present—we just need to be open to it. Sit until the mud settles and the answer rises.

In our busy lives with high stakes and high stresses, this is easier said than done. Or is it?

It is all a matter of perspective. Whatever we *believe* is what we will look for. Whatever we look for will influence our perceptions, which in turn will impact our behavior, our experience, and the outcome. As soon as I shifted my attention and my perspective when removing the mouse cover, it popped off easily—after struggling several times before. This is the power of heart and attention combined.

Related Reading: "[Emotional Intelligence and Empathy in Leadership](https://blog.heartmanity.com/emotional-intelligence-and-empathy-in-leadership)."

![Modern office with diverse employees](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Young-people-work-in-modern-office.-881484382_2122x1416.jpeg?width=2120&name=Young-people-work-in-modern-office.-881484382_2122x1416.jpeg)

### Raising Self-Awareness as Your Business Grows

So as you ponder your growing business, the effectiveness of your leadership, or the possibilities of gaining more value or responsibility in your company or workplace, what answer is present *right now* that you are missing? The key you’re searching for lies in your own heart, but you may be missing it because you’re looking elsewhere. Or resisting an answer that seems too simple.

In my twenty-five years in business, I have come to trust that I’m usually going against the current when something is difficult.

When we try to swim or row upriver rather than jump in the flow and accelerate through the current's momentum, we work against ourselves. Sometimes we think that leadership comes only from our intellect, and when things don't work, we just need to push harder—no pain, no gain, as they say.

However, it is *so* much more fun, tremendously easier, and more effective when we [relax into the flow and trust our intuition](https://blog.heartmanity.com/intentionality-choose-intention-not-tension). When we are listening to the wisdom of our hearts, new ideas and solutions step forward.

It's important to use both our head *and* our heart in business and leadership.

Deep Dive: ["Why Companies Fail without Leaders with Emotional Intelligence."](https://blog.heartmanity.com/why-companies-fail-without-leaders-with-emotional-intelligence)

### Successful Leadership in Business Begins by Leading Ourselves

To lead wisely, you'll need to practice listening to yourself.

I invite you to observe the little and big interactions you have throughout your day:

- Are you moving with ease or struggling?
- Do you keep yourself encouraged and motivated?
- Can you direct your actions according to priorities?
- Are you utilizing the resources you have at hand to complete a project effectively?
- Are your dealings with colleagues easy and collaborative, or are they filled with conflict?

Just like I was struggling with the mouse cover unnecessarily while the answer was there all along, we sometimes push or pull so hard that we forget to *allow* and pay attention to what truly matters. So when you catch yourself filling up with frustration or angst, STOP, breathe and relax. Release attachment and stress. Put your attention on what you want, set the intention for ease, and *let your heart lead.*

Related reading: ["Emotional Intelligence and Empathy in Leadership."](https://blog.heartmanity.com/emotional-intelligence-and-empathy-in-leadership)

If you'd like support in your business and are interested in leadership workshops, get your free business discovery session.

### Like the article? Help us spread the word and share it!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn

**![Jennifer A. Williams / Heartmanity for Business](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jennifer%20in%20Navy_Return%20to%20Serenity.jpg?width=225&name=Jennifer%20in%20Navy_Return%20to%20Serenity.jpg)[Jennifer A. Williams / Heartmanity for Business](https://blog.heartmanity.com/author/jennifer-a-williams-heartmanity-for-business)**  
Jennifer, the Heartmanity Founder, is an Executive Coach and Relationship Strategist. Her decades of expertise in training leaders and teams give her amazing insights. Jennifer's primary focuses are authentic leadership, effective communication, and emotional intelligence in the workplace. Jennifer teaches a holistic approach, specializing in transforming unproductive behaviors into emotionally intelligent actions, which creates thriving work relationships and catapults a company to success.

### You may also like:

![Get Creative with Video Marketing for Your Business with These 7 Tips](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Silhouette%20of%20the%20man%20in%20the%20office%20with%20tech%20icons_AdobeStock_194646614_Compressed.jpeg?width=250&height=150&name=Silhouette%20of%20the%20man%20in%20the%20office%20with%20tech%20icons_AdobeStock_194646614_Compressed.jpeg)

[Get Creative with Video Marketing for Your Business with These 7 Tips](https://blog.heartmanity.com/get-creative-with-video-marketing-for-your-small-business-with-these-7-tips)

![Empathy in Conflict Resolution: How Leaders Use Emotional Intelligence to Navigate Tough Conversations](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stressed%20business%20colleagues%20having%20a%20meeting%20in%20an%20office%20solving%20problems_AdobeStock_513355369%20Compressed.jpeg?width=250&height=150&name=Stressed%20business%20colleagues%20having%20a%20meeting%20in%20an%20office%20solving%20problems_AdobeStock_513355369%20Compressed.jpeg)

[Empathy in Conflict Resolution: How Leaders Use Emotional Intelligence to Navigate Tough Conversations](https://blog.heartmanity.com/empathy-in-conflict-resolution)

![Why a Growth Mindset Is Essential for Entrepreneurship](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Large-Modern-Interactive-Display-Screen-872025000_Compressed.jpeg?width=250&height=150&name=Large-Modern-Interactive-Display-Screen-872025000_Compressed.jpeg)

[Why a Growth Mindset Is Essential for Entrepreneurship](https://blog.heartmanity.com/why-a-growth-mindset-is-essential-for-entrepreneurship)

![Leveraging the Benefits of Technology to Help Manage Modern Workforce Needs](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Large-Modern-Interactive-Display-Screen-872025000_Compressed.jpeg?width=250&height=150&name=Large-Modern-Interactive-Display-Screen-872025000_Compressed.jpeg)

[Leveraging the Benefits of Technology to Help Manage Modern Workforce Needs](https://blog.heartmanity.com/leveraging-the-benefits-of-technology-to-help-manage-modern-workforce-needs)

 Posted in [Business and Leadership](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/business-and-leadership)

© Heartmanity 2026

[Back to Blog](https://blog.heartmanity.com)

### Free Newsletter!

[![Heartmanity Community - You were never meant to do this alone - Join Today](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hubfs/blog-files/hrt-blog-side-community.jpg)](https://heartmanitycommunity.mn.co/)

### Featured Online Courses

[![Online Course - Emotional Fitness for the 21st Century](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hubfs/blog-files/blog-side-fitness2.jpeg)](https://heartmanity-services-products.myshopify.com/collections/webinars/products/self-help-8-week-course-bundle) [![4 Keys to Unlocking the Power of Empathy](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hubfs/blog-files/blog-side-empathy2.jpeg)](https://heartmanity-services-products.myshopify.com/collections/webinars/products/real-empathy-real-solutions-self-coaching-workbook)

### Sign Up For Our Newsletter

![Heartmanity](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/heartmanity-logo-invert-web.png?width=260&name=heartmanity-logo-invert-web.png)

1104 East Main Street, Suite 4   
 Bozeman, MT 59715

 Copyright © 2009-2025 Heartmanity, LLC. All Rights Reserved.  
[Sitemap](https://heartmanity.com/sitemap/) | [Privacy Policy](https://info.heartmanity.com/privacy-policy)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "NewsArticle",
  "author" : [ {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Jennifer A. Williams / Heartmanity for Business",
    "url" : "https://blog.heartmanity.com/author/jennifer-a-williams-heartmanity-for-business"
  } ],
  "dateModified" : "2024-08-21T16:42:44",
  "datePublished" : "2016-05-10T21:45:00",
  "headline" : "Leadership in Business:  Struggle or Ease?",
  "image" : [ "https://info.heartmanity.com/hubfs/Young-people-work-in-modern-office.-881484382_2122x1416.jpeg" ]
}
```