Want To Be A Successful Leader? Show You Care First
Think about the best leader you have ever worked with. What made that leader special? What made them stick in your mind as an example of a great leader?
When I ask people this question, the answer almost always boils down to “they cared.” These leaders cared about the people, the team, the customers, the business.
In the end, it wasn’t that these leaders had insane abilities or secret frameworks for success. It was that they cared.
Why is this?
It’s because leaders who care put in the work and teams see that. They feel the emotion and effort behind those who care passionately and that builds trust and respect.
What’s amazing about this insight is that any leader can learn how to care, it is completely within your control to start caring more deeply, let me show you how.
Care About Your People
Great leaders don't just manage—they truly connect. They see their team as individuals with unique strengths and challenges. It's not about grand gestures; it's about the little things: remembering birthdays, asking about a family member's recovery, or offering flexibility during tough times. When you show genuine interest, your team feels valued and will go the extra mile.
I’ve been astonished by how much caring about your people, as well people, will translate into trust and respect. The bar in this area is embarrassingly low for leaders, so do better and care genuinely about the people you interact with.
An actionable tip is to start by asking how their weekend was or inquire about how they spent their last vacation.
Care About Your Team
A team is more than the sum of its parts. Cultivate a culture where collaboration is king, and everyone feels like they belong. Break down silos, encourage open communication, and celebrate both individual and team successes. When your team knows you have their back, they’ll have yours too.
Care about your people operating like a team.
I often like reminding people that tech teams operate more like soccer teams. While individual performance does matter, the much harder challenge is operating like a well-oiled team. Care about helping the people identify as a team and looking for ways to win together, not compete for resources, recognition, or personal success over the success of the team.
Care About Your Customers
Your customers are the lifeblood of your business. Show them you care by listening to their feedback and acting on it. Go beyond providing a product or service—deliver an experience. When customers see that you genuinely care about solving their problems and enhancing their lives, they become loyal advocates.
If you are a leader and you’re not interacting with customers weekly, you are doing something wrong.
Find creative ways every week, and even every day, to show your customers and your team that you care deeply about your customers.
Some creative ideas for when it’s not possible to always talk directly to a customer:
Listen to a podcast that your customer might listen to
Read industry forums and discussion boards
Review customer feedback your team has received recently
Cold outreach to potential customers to better understand the reception of your product
Care About Your Business
This isn't just about hitting targets or increasing profits. It's about being passionate about your mission, taking pride in your work, and striving for excellence. Make decisions that reflect your values, and show unwavering commitment to your goals. When you care deeply about the business, you inspire everyone around you to do the same.
I’d recommend finding ways to cite your company’s mission or a core value at least once a week. If that sounds crazy or cheesy to you, you should probably change your mission or values.
When done well, your values can transform your business. Those are the foundation upon which your people, teams, and customers, should expect you to act. And those actions should be leading to the success of your business.
Show your team you care by living those values, staying focused on the core priorities you’ve set out as a business, and being deeply proud of your work. I promise everyone - your team and your customers - will notice.
Be A Leader People Will Remember
At the heart of exceptional leadership lies genuine care. It's not about mastering secret techniques or having extraordinary talents; it's about showing true concern for your people, team, customers, and business. When you prioritize caring deeply, you build trust, respect, and a culture of collaboration and commitment.
So, take action today. Show interest in your team's lives, foster a strong team identity, engage with your customers creatively, and passionately embody your company's values. These steps will not only enhance your leadership but also drive the success of your entire organization. And ultimately you will be remembered as one of those amazing leaders your team has worked with.
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