Leadership Is Personal
Today, we as leaders don't rely on titles or positions on an org chart to define our impact. We show up, stay present, and actively engage with our teams. We must roll up our sleeves and build meaningful relationships with others.
Whether resources are tight or not, every individual should matter to us! Leadership needs to be a daily practice, not only a role. Over the 30+ years, I've understood what leading with heart means through building my leadership and coaching others.
In this blog, I aim to share some of the lessons from my journey drawn from real moments of challenges, reflection, and growth.
What Makes Small-Team Leadership Unique?
Especially in small teams, every interaction magnifies and has an impact. A miscommunication doesn't get lost; it ripples through our team. A win feels personal, and we experience a misstep more intensely.
As a leader, you and I become more than just a decision-maker. We're the coach, a team member, a mentor, and the tone-setter for our teams. We are responsible for the business outcomes and defining the culture that carries our team to the goals.
So, how do you and I lead in a sustainable, practical, and people-first way?
Trust your team. Let go to grow.
Early in my journey, I believed that being in every detail is part of being a "good leader." But this caused me to be a bottleneck and gave the signal to my team that I did not trust them. Once I stepped back, learned to clarify expectations, and let go, my team didn't just start to deliver but, in many cases, shot the lights out. Stepping back and giving ownership to the people who actually deliver creates space for everyone to grow, including you.
See what's coming. Adapt with purpose.
When the pandemic hit, we had to adapt fast. Many of our clients didn't need what we had planned. They needed something more relevant. We had to re-evaluate, listen, and tweak our products. Agility doesn't mean abandoning the vision; it means keeping the vision alive by adjusting how you get there.
Lead through listening. Create space for resolution.
I've facilitated conversations between team members in conflict, where trust was thin, and emotions were high. As a leader, it required me to listen to both sides with empathy and patience. I needed to ensure that both individuals felt listened to and understood. This allowed the same individuals to rebuild working relationships stronger than before, for most, the primary reason being miscommunication. Our leadership in these moments is about holding the space, listening and not controlling the outcome.
Your time is your strategy. Guard it well.
I've fallen into the trap of "busy work" regularly. But over time, I've learnt to build habits that help me protect my focus from blocking out time, delegating to the right people, and asking myself daily: What are the high-impact things I should focus on today? Everything else can wait!
Invest in your people. Always.
Many of the most meaningful moments I've had as a leader weren't in meetings but in one-on-one coaching conversations. Creating space for our people to reflect, grow, and dream is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. It creates purpose, focus and growth for them.
So What Does It Mean to Lead with Heart?
It means keeping people focused as your central focus.
It means building trust, consistently showing up, and choosing growth for them and you.
It means embracing the vision, choosing the journey, and not getting stuck in one particular moment.
When you and I lead this way, people stay and grow. Our business becomes more than a workplace; it becomes a place where people thrive.
Ready to Lead Differently?
If you're building a team, navigating change, or stepping into a new season of leadership, I'd love to hear your story.
Leadership doesn't have to be lonely. Let's connect and grow together.