The Human Side of Leadership: Moving Beyond Performance to Connection

by Elaine Newman, Founder and CEO

Last month, I witnessed a moment that's stayed with me. During a leadership session, a senior executive was sharing what he thought was a success story – how he'd "rescued" his team member from criticism during a client meeting. The room fell silent as the team member in question quietly shared how that moment had actually made them feel: diminished, rather than defended. It's a scene that captures the complexity of modern leadership. With the best intentions, we can miss the mark. The difference lies not in what we do, but in how we understand and connect with our teams.

The Power of Presence

A leader I work with recently shared a revelation. "For years," she told me, "I thought leadership meant having all the answers. Now I realize it's about creating space for others to share theirs." She described how changing her approach – from directing to discovering – transformed her team's dynamic. People who had never spoken up began sharing innovations that transformed their project outcomes.

This aligns with research showing that active listening by leaders can increase employee engagement by 43%

The Courage to Listen

In another organization, a manager noticed that team meetings always featured the same voices. Rather than immediately jumping to solutions, he started simply observing. Who spoke first? Who got interrupted? Whose ideas were attributed to others? This awareness led to a simple but powerful change in how he facilitated discussions – creating space for every voice to be heard.

Teams that foster psychological safety experience a 27% improvement in task performance

The Art of Connection

Leadership isn't about perfection – it's about connection. Recently, a client shared how acknowledging their own learning journey opened the door for more authentic team discussions. "I used to think showing vulnerability would undermine my authority," they reflected. "Instead, it strengthened it."

Studies show that emotional transparency from leaders increases team trust levels by 32%

From Protection to Empowerment

Remember that executive from the opening story? His journey didn't end with that moment of realization. Over time, he transformed his approach from protection to empowerment. "I learned to ask instead of assume," he shared. "To listen instead of rescue. And surprisingly, my team became stronger for it."

One study found that psychological empowerment mediates 75% of the relationship between inclusive leadership and innovation outcomes

The Path Forward

This approach to leadership isn't about lowering standards – it's about raising them by tapping into the full potential of every team member. It's about creating an environment where people don't just perform, but thrive.

Consider these questions:

• When was the last time you listened without planning your response?

• How often do you ask your team what support looks like for them?

• What would change if you approached disagreement as an opportunity for understanding?
  

Moving Forward

The future of leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about having the courage to ask better questions, the wisdom to listen to the answers, and the commitment to create space for every voice. This isn't just about being a better leader – it's about building better organizations. One conversation, one connection, one moment of understanding at a time.

Connect with me on LinkedIn or visit egloballearning.com to continue this conversation about creating workplaces where everyone can bring their full selves to the table.