The Importance of People Centric Leadership

Leadership plays a pivotal role in promoting organizational resilience, especially in today’s dynamic and often unpredictable work environment. Leaders act as the backbone of resilience, shaping an organization's culture, setting the tone for adaptability, and prioritizing well-being.

People-centric leadership is a game-changer when it comes to equipping teams to handle stress, uncertainty, and change, especially as we are in the 4IR (4th Industrial Revolution) era.

The Resiliency Program exemplifies how leadership interventions can transform workplace resilience. One key approach involves cultivating empathetic leadership, where leaders actively listen to their teams, recognize early signs of burnout, and foster an environment of trust. For example, during a session for one of our large corporate clients, leaders learned how to integrate evidence-based resilience strategies, including structured communication practices, to better understand their teams' challenges. This not only reduced stress levels but also improved overall team morale.

Programs like “Burnout to Brilliance” from the Resiliency Program emphasize the importance of transparency and inclusivity in leadership. Leaders are trained to acknowledge challenges openly while empowering their teams to co-create solutions. For instance, one intervention with a public sector organization helped managers shift from a top-down directive style to a collaborative, supportive approach, resulting in higher employee satisfaction, engagement and productivity.

Leadership is about more than steering through change; it’s about showing the team they are valued. As Simon Sinek aptly said, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge”. By adopting people-first practices, organizations not only build resilience but also drive sustainable success.

Author: Vikas Gupta, CEO, Resiliency Program