“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”
– Simon Sinek
Let’s talk about something we aren’t seeing much of —leading with love and kindness. I know. It sounds like something you’d find embroidered on a tea towel at a wellness retreat. But hear me out – we need more of it.
This idea—Servant Leadership—isn’t some kumbaya concept. It’s actually one of the most radical, deeply effective leadership models out there. The premise is simple: you lead by serving others first. You prioritize their needs, growth, and well-being over your own ego and title.
But here’s the thing: if this is such a no-brainer, why isn’t everyone doing it?
1. Because Vulnerability Is Still a PR Problem
Somewhere along the way, someone convinced us that vulnerability = weakness. Like if you cry during a meeting or admit you don’t have all the answers, you’ll be escorted out of the leadership club immediately.
But here’s what Brené Brown (our Patron Saint of Courage) teaches us: vulnerability is where all the good stuff lives—creativity, connection, innovation, trust. You can’t fake that. When a leader shows up raw and real, it gives everyone else permission to do the same. And that’s where magic happens.
2. Because Feelings Are Not the Enemy
We’ve been told that business isn’t personal, but that can’t be further from the truth. Business is always personal. People bring their whole selves to work—their hopes, fears, traumas, dogs (please bring your dogs).
Leading with emotional intelligence means tuning into the heartbeat of your organization. Emotions aren’t distractions; they’re data. They tell you what your team values, fears, and needs.
Modern therapists (and Oprah) will tell you that emotional regulation is a leadership skill. When we understand our own feelings, we can hold space for others. It’s not “soft”—it’s strategic.
Real leadership means feeling it all—and creating space for others to do the same.
3. Because Curiosity Is Harder Than Control
Leading from a place of curiosity is wildly underrated. It’s easier to command than to ask. Easier to assume than to understand. But when we get curious—genuinely, compassionately curious—we connect in ways that matter.
Curiosity is the antidote to ego. It keeps us humble, hungry, and human. It’s how we build real relationships—with clients, teammates, and ourselves. As Carl Jung said, “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” (Did that hurt?.)
Curiosity says, “Tell me more.” It says, “Help me understand.” It says, “Maybe my way isn’t the only way.” And that’s where relationships deepen. That’s when people feel seen. That’s when teams click. (And also, that’s when clients actually stick around.)
Servant leaders stay curious. They don’t need all the answers—they just need better questions. And they’re willing to sit in the discomfort of listening deeply.
So what happens when we stop leading from ego and start leading from a servant-hearted place?
We begin to see people. Like really see them. We listen to understand instead of listening to respond. We become the kind of leaders we wish we had. And we stop trying to “inspire” people from a podium and start walking with them, side by side.
Why This Matters:
Happy People Create More Happy People
Energy is contagious. Culture is contagious. When people feel seen, heard, and supported, they thrive. And thriving people don’t just do their jobs—they elevate their work. They lift others. They innovate. They stay.
Loving What Is = Gratitude = Abundance
When you stop trying to fix, change, or force everything to be different, you start living in what is. And what is… is enough. Gratitude isn’t just a Pinterest quote. It’s a shift. It tones down scarcity and tunes up abundance.
TL;DR (But You Should Read the Whole Thing)
Servant Leadership is a statement. It’s a commitment to lead with your heart and your head—to trade in your armor for authenticity. It’s the courage to be human in a world that rewards perfection. The wisdom to listen louder than we speak. The grace to lead with love, even when it’s hard (especially when it’s hard).
So go ahead—lead with love. Make your meetings feel like pep talks. Your one-on-ones feel like soul check-ins. And your team feel like a place people want to be, not just get paid to be.
Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about how far you go. It’s about how many people you bring with you.
Let’s lead like humans. The world’s been waiting.
