How to Adopt a Human-Centered Leadership Approach

While expertise, strategy, and execution are certainly critical components of effective leadership, the ability to deeply relate and bring out the best in each person is what propels teams to achieve the seemingly impossible.

When people feel genuinely understood, respected, and valued as human beings first - rather than just employees or human capital - they become far more invested in an organization's success as honest and authentic connection inspires higher levels of trust, engagement, and discretionary effort within team members.

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Many assume these extraordinary leaders’ ability to forge authentic connections with team members is merely due to natural charisma. Fortunately, like all leadership skills, this is an ability that can be learned and honed with dedicated practice.

In this newsletter, I will share five ways how leaders can connect on a human level and make authentic connections with their team members.

1. See the whole person

As a leader don't just see job titles – see real people with lives, families, and dreams. Take a genuine interest in who your team members are outside of work.

Many leaders avoid asking about employees’ personal lives out of fear they may seem nosy. However, taking an interest in your team members is actually a way to show that you care about who they are as a whole person, not just an employee.

2. Keep it real

Don’t be afraid to be your human themselves. I invite you to share your own stories, struggles, and, yes, even your mistakes.

Although being open and vulnerable can be scary at first, this openness creates an environment where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves. And that's when the real magic starts to happen.

3. Make it personal

Have you heard of the marketing saying, “When you speak to everyone, you speak to no one?” A “one-size-fits-all” leadership style may as well be renamed as a “one-size-fits-none” style.

Instead, take the time to understand what makes each team member tick. Learn about your team members' goals, passions, and interests. Then, tailor your approach to each team member's needs and motivations.

Yes, this approach may take more effort, but the results are worth it.

4. Welcome emotions

Far too often, emotions are seen as something to tamp down and hide in the workplace. But leaders who make real connections with team members know that emotions aren't the enemy of professionalism – they're part of being human. So, create a space where expressing frustration, excitement, or uncertainty is okay.

Laughter in meetings? Absolutely. A bit of venting now and then? Bring it on. When your team is allowed to have genuine reactions and emotions, that’s when they can form genuine connections.

5. Build a true community

Don't just manage a team – nurture them as a family. Celebrate personal milestones, offer support during tough times, and create opportunities for people to bond. ?

It's not just about work. It's about creating a network of human relationships that make coming to work feel like coming home.

In Conclusion

By adopting a human-centered leadership approach, you're not just leading a team, you're building a community where everyone feels valued, supported, and included.

Exceptional leaders develop unbreakable bonds with their teams by genuinely taking the time to relate as real, multi-faceted human beings who share life's highs and lows.

This level of personal connection inspires extraordinary levels of passion, commitment, and drive, leading to increased productivity, higher employee satisfaction, and a more positive work environment.

When you connect on a human level, you don't just have employees – you have loyal allies ready to move mountains with you.

So, are you ready to connect on a human-level?

Your team is waiting for you to take that first step!?

Leaders: Are you ready to become a human-centered leader?

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About Mireille Bergraaf

Mireille Bergraaf MCC ESIA is an internationally accredited ICF Master Coach (MCC) with over 10+ years of experience in coaching, leadership, and spirituality. She specializes in empowering leaders to cultivate empathy and compassion through coaching skills.

Mireille is the founder of Dutch Leadership Development (DLD), a leadership development company that works at the intersection of spirituality and business and focuses on cultivating coaching cultures within organization.

Mireille advocates for integrating spirituality in businesses to promote empathy, compassion, and integrity in teamwork.

She guides companies to cultivate coaching cultures within their organizations. Coaching cultures promote trust, open communication, welcoming challenges for growth, embracing diversity, team engagement, supporting creativity, and thinking beyond individual interests to contribute positively to the world.