A belief I try to live by
Love your people more than your position. That is something I strive to practice. Leadership brings responsibility, and it can be easy to become more focused on protecting your status than serving the people who depend on you.
Care has to become action
For me, caring means investing in someone’s growth, recognizing a win and being there when things go wrong. It also means making difficult decisions and having conversations that might be uncomfortable. Putting people first does not remove the standard. It asks you to help people understand it and give them a fair opportunity to meet it.
Pay attention to the people outside the spotlight
The top performers tend to get noticed. But the person making steady progress, reaching a personal milestone or quietly supporting others matters too. Take the time to recognize that contribution. A personal note or an honest conversation can tell someone that you see more than their latest number.
Ask what you are protecting
When a decision feels difficult, I try to consider whether I am protecting my position or doing what is right for the people I lead. Those interests do not always feel the same in the moment. My experience has taught me to keep returning to the people and the responsibility.
The title will change
I have had victories and disappointments in leadership. Positions change. The way you treat people becomes part of their experience of working with you. That is why I keep coming back to this belief: care about your people, invest in their growth and be willing to do the hard parts of leading.
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