Leadership is more than a position—it’s a relationship between leader and those they serve. At its highest level, leadership is an affair of the heart—it’s deeply personal, requiring authentic care, emotional commitment, and a responsibility to uplift others.
At the same time, transformational leadership isn’t a solo pursuit. Leadership is a team sport—it thrives on mutual trust, shared goals, and collective success.
In this installment of the Transformational Leadership Series, we’ll break down two critical principles:
Principle 7: Leadership is an affair of the heart and has a moral component that is centrally important to all other aspects of leadership.
Principle 8: Transforming leadership understands and involves others—leadership is a team effort that creates belonging and trust.
These principles define leaders who care and leaders who empower. Let’s explore how to apply them to your leadership journey.
Principle 7: Leadership is an affair of the heart and has a moral component that is centrally important to all other aspects of leadership.
What This Means
At its core, leadership is about people. The most effective leaders don’t just lead with their heads—they lead with their hearts.
This doesn’t mean leadership is about being soft or emotional—it means that true leadership comes from a place of care, integrity, and a deep commitment to serving others.
If a leader doesn’t care, their leadership loses its foundation. People won’t trust them. They won’t be inspired. They won’t follow with loyalty. But when a leader genuinely cares, people respond with engagement, trust, and commitment.
How to Implement
1. Lead With a Genuine Care for People: If leadership isn’t personal to you, you won’t be effective. Take the time to know your team, understand their challenges, and support their growth.
2. Put People Over Processes: Results matter—but never at the expense of people’s well-being. Great leaders prioritize both success and the people driving that success.
3. Make Decisions Based on Integrity, Not Convenience: Leadership isn’t about taking the easy route—it’s about taking the right one. Hold yourself to unwavering moral and ethical standards.
4. Communicate with Heart: Don’t just give instructions—connect with people. Show appreciation, acknowledge struggles, and build real relationships.
5. Show Up for People Beyond the Workplace: Leadership extends beyond projects and deadlines. Be present when people need support, encouragement, or guidance.
When leadership is rooted in genuine care and moral integrity, people trust you, respect you, and follow your leadership not because they have to, but because they want to.
Principle 8: Transforming leadership understands and involves others—leadership is a team effort that creates belonging and trust.
What This Means
No great leader succeeds alone. Leadership is a team effort, not a one-person show.
Leaders who try to control everything or make all the decisions fail to build trust, engagement, and ownership within their teams. But leaders who involve others, empower decision-making, and create a sense of belonging cultivate strong, self-sustaining leadership cultures.
How to Implement
1. Involve Others in Decision-Making: When people have a say in decisions, they take greater ownership and responsibility.
2. Trust Your Team to Step Up: You don’t need to have all the answers—great leaders delegate, empower, and trust their teams.
3. Create a Culture of Collaboration: Foster an environment where people work together instead of competing.
4. Recognize and Validate Contributions: Leadership isn’t about personal credit—it’s about elevating others. Celebrate the successes of your team.
5. Foster a Sense of Belonging: When people feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves, they are more engaged, committed, and driven.
When leadership is inclusive and collaborative, teams thrive, innovation grows, and long-term success follows.
Final Thoughts: Lead With Heart, Lead With Others
If you want to be a transformational leader, you must:
✔ Lead with heart—because leadership without care is empty.
✔ Empower others—because leadership isn’t about one person, it’s about building a culture of trust and shared success.
When you lead with care and collaboration, you don’t just build teams—you build loyalty, momentum, and a lasting legacy.
In the next article, we’ll explore why leadership is present in every moment and why focusing on long-term success matters more than short-term wins.
Are you ready to lead with heart and purpose? Stay with us—your leadership transformation continues here. 🚀
Until next time, Keep Living On Purpose!
PS. Stay tuned to your opportunity to pre-register for the Online Transformational Leadership Course. That link will be available soon. To bench your (or others) leadership skills, access our Leadership Skills Inventory-Self or LSI-360′.