The case for human-centred leadership
Organisations need more human-centred leadership. What does this really mean? I think it comes down to whether leaders see the person first or the employee first. It depends on their view of their role and the world.
Are we treating employees as tasks or functions, or as unique human beings? Are leaders seeking to use employees to further themselves, or using themselves to further their employees?
When we lead from a place of humanness, we see the person first, we connect with them at an emotional level and build trust. Leading from a place of humanness means we genuinely care about the people we are privileged to lead and place ourselves at the service of those people. We show up and demonstrate our own humanity first as leaders.
Many people refer to these as ‘soft skills’. I don’t like that phrase. There’s nothing soft about this form of leadership. It takes courage and bravery to lead this way. It takes patience, consistency of approach, and a willingness to really listen to the people around you. It means being vulnerable. I’d argue it’s the hardest form of leadership to practice, and the one that achieves the biggest impact.
