Summary
Great leadership isn't about perfection, but about being a relatable, human leader who learns and grows alongside your team. (This combines the first two sentences). The most important lesson? People crave to be seen, heard, and valued for their unique contributions.
Invest in your team's growth, acknowledge them for who they are, and watch them thrive together.
Leadership is not about being flawless. It’s about being human and showing human qualities, it’s about being willing to learn and grow with your team. It’s about finding that authenticity.
The quote I’ve seen attributed to so many great leaders really hits home: “Wanting to be seen and heard, or respected and understood, is a deep, natural need for most of us. To be recognised and taken seriously in the unique way that each of us is.”
And there you have one of the most important lessons in leadership. Acknowledge the people on your team for the people they are, take them seriously, give them some of your time – and make sure they are seen and heard. If you’re looking for success as a leader, when your team wins, you all win. It’s not too hard, really.
The truth is, leadership is not about being flawless. It’s about being human, showing those human qualities that resonate with others: empathy, vulnerability, and a genuine desire to connect. It’s about being willing to learn and grow with your team, not from a pedestal above them.
Think about the leaders who’ve truly inspired you. Were they perfect? Probably not. But they likely possessed a certain authenticity, a willingness to acknowledge their own shortcomings, and a genuine interest in the people they led.
But wanting to be seen and heard, that should not be a difficult task to full-fill for you.
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