Are Your People Better Because You Are Their Leader?

In my experience working with organizations, I’ve come across three kinds of leaders.

1) The leaders who truly care about their people, who invest in and inspire those around them, and who help make their people their very best.

2) Those leaders who do not live the values, who micromanage, and create an environment that the people don’t want to be a part of.

3) Those in the middle ground, leaders who do not inspire nor alienate, who do just enough to get by.

Quite frankly, those in the middle ground are just as bad to work for as those who alienate because you either help someone be their best, or you don’t. The degree to which you don’t does not matter; it simply becomes “bad” versus “badder”. So, then the question becomes, how do you become the first type of leader?

Start by asking yourself this question: Why do you want to be a leader? Is it because of the recognition or your belief that you are the best person to lead your organization to success or for the opportunity to make significant decisions? While all of these are valid reasons, the most important aspect of being a leader isn’t about authority or recognition—it’s about impact. Your impact on the people around you is the most powerful and essential aspect of being a leader. The number one responsibility of a leader is the success and safety of the people they lead. When it comes down to the difference between a bad and a great leader, it often depends on the question: are your people better because you are their leader?

I ask many leaders, “Are your people better because you are their leader?” The answer I hear almost always is some version of “Absolutely, because I give my team clear direction and help them achieve results.” Now, while this is a very important aspect of positive leadership, true greatness in leadership goes deeper.

A great leader’s influence cannot be measured simply by results. Their impact is found in the transformation that they inspire in those around them. It’s about whether people leave interactions with you feeling more capable, valued, and motivated. Does your leadership make your people feel empowered to reach new heights? To evolve into better versions of themselves? Do your people feel inspired to contribute at a higher level? Are they able to do more now than six months or a year ago? If yes, then you’re not just managing a team; you are leading your people to growth, confidence, and fulfillment.

Your people are better if they are growing under your leadership. They are better if they are producing at a higher level, happier, and thriving. Your people are better if they can take something home, if the people around them outside of the office experience a better person. This shows up in your people living the values at home, taking on commitments to and for the people around them, and being better leaders themselves. Here are some key steps towards becoming a leader who creates a strong positive impact at every level in their organization:

• Live Your Purpose As A Leader

This ties into the question that we asked ourselves at the start: Why do you want to be a leader? This is your purpose as a leader, and at the essence of it, your answer will always be some version of wanting to improve your people’s lives. So begin making sure that every decision of yours is in line with this purpose, that everything that you do contributes not just to the well-being of yourself but also of your organization and your people. Share this purpose with your team and make it a guiding principle for your leadership. By keeping your purpose front and center, you establish a North Star that guides not just your team but also your entire organization toward meaningful growth and success.

• Establish and Work Towards Your Mission

Once you have established the direction your team is heading in, start thinking about exactly how you can improve the lives of those around you. This “How” becomes your mission. Your mission is your purpose in action. Spending time clarifying and creating your mission is essential, as it will become a framework that guides you toward creating opportunities and growth for your people every single day.

Your mission will include ways to make your team members feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. This might be through providing opportunities for skill development, consistently recognizing and celebrating contributions, and fostering a safe and inclusive workplace environment. When in doubt about what actions to take as a leader, you return to your mission to ensure that you stay on track to realize your purpose.

• Live Your Values. Always.

Your values define you, your organization, and the environment in which your people will live. Your values guide your actions and outcomes. A person who lives a great set of values is someone that people will look up to and want to associate with. Consistently living your values is essential, for the moment you consciously choose to go against them, you lose what makes you you. When your actions do not align with your stated values, your people will lose trust and confidence in you.

Your organization’s values must be an extension and a reflection of your own. This alignment ensures that every decision, policy, and interaction is consistent with the ideals you hold dear, fostering trust and credibility among your team. It makes people feel safe and at home, giving them the confidence to express themselves, take risks, and strive for excellence without fear of judgment or contradiction.

Through these three steps, you don’t just become an exceptional leader whose actions are in line with their words, but you also create an organization and culture that is meaningful and intentional. By leading with purpose, working toward a mission that empowers others, and living your values consistently, you inspire a team that is not only productive but also fulfilled. When your leadership leaves people feeling empowered, supported, and thriving, you know you’re not just managing—you’re transforming lives, building a legacy of meaningful impact, and your people will be better because you are their leader.