A Manifesto for Meaningful Leadership

I recently sat in a session with a group of clearly talented, passionate, and loyal professionals. Well-versed in media, advertising, and all the challenges our industry throws at us, they carried a wealth of experience, but what stood out most was their authenticity.

As we got to know each other, and they quizzed me on my work, I was asked my favourite question: the classic, “So, how would you describe your leadership style?”

This time, however, it wasn’t delivered with the usual blandness or formality. It was asked with vulnerability, an openness that defined the tone for the entire meeting.

What struck me most was the humility in the way it was framed. It wasn’t just about checking a box on a list of standard pitch questions. It was a thoughtful, intentional moment of reflection, seeking to align our shared values and aspirations. It immediately dissolved any sense of rigid hierarchy in the room. Instead, there was mutual respect and an acknowledgment that leadership can be fluid. One moment I may lead, the next I am the behind the scenes cheerleader, helping someone take the reins and grow.

Leading With Heart

As always, I spoke from the heart. I shared how my leadership style is shaped by the incredible mentors and managers I’ve had over the years. Each of them gave me the confidence to stretch my abilities, to step into challenges I didn’t think I was ready for, and to embrace the lessons that came with failure. Their belief in me created a ripple effect that I am desperate to pass on in spades.

I don’t see leadership as having all the answers or holding all the power. For me, leadership is about creating an environment where others can thrive. Where they feel seen, heard, and valued for what they bring to the table. It’s about enabling people to rise to their potential, knowing that if they stumble, it’s not the end but a part of the journey, a journey I’m riding shotgun.

The Power of a Manifesto

This belief system isn’t new for me. In fact, back in October 2016, after a couple years that were professionally rewarding yet deeply challenging personally, I drafted a leadership manifesto. I applied it, but somewhere along the way, it’s printed version didn’t survive multiple office moves.

As if a Devine force intervened, I found a soft copy not so long ago when my husband asked me ?‘what goals Business-Bacici had for 2025?’. The manifesto captured the essence of what I believed leadership should be: purposeful, empathetic, and empowering to my teams, and me. Looking back on that draft now, I see it as a clear reflection of the person at and away from work I aspired to be.

What’s remarkable is how that manifesto has served as both a guide and a measure of my success. Whether leading teams, navigating new industries, or managing personal adversities, the principles in that manifesto have remained my North Star. It’s a reminder that leadership is as much about intention as it is about execution.

The Power of Vulnerability

Beyond Vision, Focus, Ability, Accountability, Resilience, and many more classic attributes of a good leader, moments like yesterday remind me that vulnerability is one of the most powerful tools a leader can wield. When someone asks you a question with humility and genuine curiosity, it changes the entire dynamic. It creates a safe space for collaboration, where ideas flow freely, and innovation can thrive.

In that same spirit of vulnerability, I offered that new team an unusual opportunity: to randomly and spontaneously select a former direct report of mine and ask them for a one or two sentence summary of their experience working with me. Was it bold? Maybe. But it was also honest. If you truly stand by your leadership principles, you shouldn’t shy away from feedback past or present. I know I didn’t always get it right, but no one ever does.

So, I’ll extend the challenge to you, the reader: if you were to make the same offer to your team, what would they say? Would their words reflect your intentions as a leader?

A Relationship, Not a Role

Leadership, at its core, is a relationship. It’s not about titles or authority; it’s about trust and mutual respect. Yesterday’s conversation reminded me of the importance of aligning on values and shared goals early on. When you build a relationship based on understanding and empathy, the boundaries of ‘leader’ and ‘follower’ blur in perfect motion. What remains is a partnership, a shared commitment to achieving something greater together.

The Silver Linings of Leadership

Every challenge, every stretch, every stumble I’ve experienced as a leader has taught me something invaluable. I’ve learned to embrace the unknown, to ask questions instead of making assumptions, and to celebrate progress over perfection.

Ultimately, my leadership style is rooted in this: leading with heart, listening with intention, and creating spaces where others want to excel. Whether I’m working in media, entertainment, finance, tech, construction, or any other field, my goal is always the same; to leave people and businesses better than I found them, with a little more confidence in their own abilities and a little more belief in the power of what we can achieve together.

As we dive deeper in 2025, what is driving you?