The rise of human-centric leadership

At Birn+Partners we constantly follow where management is heading. In recent years, the business world has shifted toward human-centric leadership, a management style that places people at the core of an organization's mission and strategy. This approach differs from traditional leadership models, which prioritize profitability and efficiency over employee well-being. Human-centric leadership emphasizes empathy, collaboration, and the growth of individuals within the company, which ultimately drives both innovation and long-term success.?

New technologies, especially AI, have created a greater need for human-centric leadership. New technological solutions can also perform and deliver some of a leader's administrative tasks, focusing more on the human approach. Finding the right balance within the human-centric leadership style takes work. Some leaders may need help implementing human-centered leadership in their decision-making. Like any leadership style, human-centered leadership must be clearly defined and fully understood before effectively practicing it. Leaders should grasp what it means for their organization and identify which individuals the leadership should focus on—employees, customers, other stakeholders, or perhaps all the above. Some people or groups might need more of a human-centered approach than others.

It’s about identifying the right leadership style for the right target group.

Human-centered leadership helps employees build confidence, improve well-being, and develop resilience to stress, making it easier for them to adapt to constant change and disruption. This leadership approach involves striking the right balance between behaviors that may seem contradictory and applying them to make employees feel valued, connected, and supported in their professional development. By doing so, leaders can foster a sense of belonging and empowerment, encouraging growth even in challenging environments. Human-centric leaders focus on creating environments where employees feel valued, supported, and heard. By fostering open communication and encouraging the sharing of ideas, these leaders build trust and psychological safety within teams, allowing employees to take risks and contribute creatively without fear of judgment.

Why should you care about a human-centric approach? A recent survey of over 3,400 full-time employees across 11 countries, conducted by Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning, reveals widespread stress and burnout among employees and leaders. Nearly 45% of respondents reported feeling stressed or burned out at least once a week. This stress level can pose a significant challenge, as it may reduce people's ability and willingness to embrace future changes, creating obstacles for individuals and organizations in adapting to new challenges.?(How Human-Centered Leadership Helps People Adapt to Change - Harvard Business Publishing, January 19, 2024, by Mark Marone, PhD.)

Human-centered leadership is more than just adopting a "people-first" mindset or focusing on soft skills. It involves a genuine commitment to helping individuals succeed and fulfill their roles. This approach requires leaders to carefully and thoughtfully select the right behaviors and leadership strategies, tailoring them to the unique needs of each person and the specific context they are in. Authentic human-centered leadership combines empathy with strategic discipline to ensure that leadership actions truly support individual and organizational growth.?