Leading with Heart When the World is Hard
We don’t need another reminder that the world is hard right now.
Leaders know this intimately—staffing is volatile, customer expectations keep shifting, and supply chain disruptions still ripple beneath the surface. It’s easy to get caught in survival mode. But in moments like these, I invite you to consider: what would it mean to lead with heart?
The root word of courage is coeur, French for heart. Courageous leadership isn’t about having all the answers or pushing through at all costs. It’s about being willing to show up fully, to tell the truth with grace, and to connect with your team in meaningful ways—even when (especially when) things are tough.
I often tell the leaders I coach: Your steadiness is a gift. Your care is a strategy. And your presence—genuine, grounded, human—is more powerful than any new initiative or incentive program you could launch right now.
The Myth of Motivation
We’ve talked about this before here, but it’s worth repeating, so let’s bust a myth: you can’t actually motivate anyone. Motivation is intrinsic. What you can do is create the conditions for people to stay connected to their own purpose. You do that by removing obstacles. You do that by noticing. You do that by offering small moments of beauty, clarity, and trust.
A leader I worked with recently started bringing fresh flowers into the breakroom every Monday. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t expensive. But it signaled something profound: You matter. This space matters. We’re in this together.
Another client started every morning huddle with a 60-second “gratitude spark”—a quick invitation for team members to share one thing that was going well. Not everything is going well, of course—but there is always something. And that reminder is powerful.
These small rituals do more than boost morale. They reorient people toward possibility. They remind your team (and you) that even in difficulty, there is dignity. There is meaning. There is beauty.
Honest Conversations Over Heroic Speeches
During hard times, leaders often feel the pressure to rally the troops with certainty and charisma. But your team doesn’t need a hero right now. They need a human. Owning your vulnerability and your own path through ambiguity is a strength, not a weakness.
Have the real conversations. Admit when you’re unsure. Ask questions and listen—really listen—to the answers. Be fair and fearless in your truth-telling. This kind of leadership—rooted in relationship and respect—builds cultures that don’t just survive pressure but grow stronger through it.
Return to What Matters
If you’re feeling weary, you’re not alone. But exhaustion doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you’ve been carrying a lot. Let this be your invitation to reconnect to the core of why you lead. What called you to this role? What impact do you want to have?
When you remember your why, you make space for others to remember theirs. When you model care, others feel safe enough to care, too. When you lead with heart, you create cultures that are not only more humane—but more resilient.
The Way Through Is Together
You don’t have to pretend it’s easy. But you do get to choose how you show up. We often focus on the front-facing experience: the customer journey, the visual display, the brand promise. Don’t forget—the backstage matters, too. The people who make the magic happen are watching you, listening to you, and taking their cues from your tone, your presence, and your steadiness.
So let me leave you with this:
Bring flowers. Speak the truth. Take a breath. Be kind.
You’re doing better than you think.
And you are not alone.
How can you lead with compassion while staying true to yourself and your organization’s values? It's okay to feel uncertain at times. Let’s navigate this together—feel free to reach out or share your thoughts in the comments!
