Your Team Doesn’t Want a Superhero. They Want This 💡
Chris March
April 13, 2025
In partnership with
You’re not leading if no one feels led.
Human connection drives performance.
And in 2025, human-centred leadership isn’t a nice-to-have -it’s your edge.
The Real Problem
Leaders focus on KPIs, but overlook EQ.
And it shows:
Burnout: Over 60% of employees report feeling emotionally drained at work (Gallup, 2023).
Quiet Quitting: Nearly 1 in 3 workers are disengaged, doing the bare minimum to get by (Harvard Business Review, 2024).
Disengaged Teams: Companies with low engagement see 23% lower profitability (Gallup).
Not because people don’t care. But because they don’t feel seen.
Human Leadership = Competitive Advantage
Today’s top leaders aren’t just strategic; they’re emotionally intelligent.
Here’s what human-centred leadership looks like in 2025:
1. Presence Over Performance
→ Stop performing leadership. Start practicing presence.
Your team knows when you’re multitasking --and it erodes trust.
A study by the University of California found that leaders who practice active listening improve team productivity by 26%.
Actionable Tip: Block time for one-on-one check-ins where you give undivided attention. Even 15 minutes can make a difference.
2. Curiosity Over Control
→ The best ideas rarely come from the top.
Ask more. Assume less.
Research shows that teams led by curious leaders are 50% more likely to innovate (McKinsey, 2024).
Say This: “What do you see that I might not?”
Avoid This: “Here’s how we’ve always done it.”
3. Vulnerability Over Perfection
→ Perfection breeds distance.
A Deloitte study found that leaders who share personal challenges foster 30% higher team trust and collaboration.
Actionable Tip: Share one story of failure this week and what you learned from it. Transparency inspires resilience in your team.
4. Purpose Over Pressure
→ People don’t want ping-pong tables.
When employees see their work tied to a larger purpose, motivation increases by 40% (MIT Sloan, 2023).
Actionable Tip: At your next team meeting, connect each deliverable to its broader impact on customers or the company mission. Watch engagement soar.
5. Adaptability over Rigidity
→ In an era of rapid change, adaptability is non-negotiable.
Leaders who embrace flexibility and guide their teams through uncertainty are better positioned for success in 2025 and beyond.
Actionable Tip: Encourage your team to experiment with new tools or workflows without fear of failure. Celebrate the lessons learned from these experiments.
Reality Check
Today’s workforce is watching how you lead —not just what you do. Here’s the ROI of being human:
→Emotional safety = Innovation (Google’s Project Aristotle)
→Trust = Retention (LinkedIn Workforce Report, 2024)
→Purpose = Performance (Deloitte Insights)
The bottom line?
Human-centered leadership isn’t just good for people -it’s good for business.
Reflection Questions for the Week
→ Who on your team needs your full presence this week?
→ Where are you rushing to answers instead of asking better questions?
→ What’s one story of failure you could share to build trust?
→ How can you tie a routine task to a larger purpose?
→ What’s one challenge your team is facing that requires your full presence this week?
Recommended Resource
Thanks to this week’s sponsor, 1440 Media.
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Leader’s Toolkit: Deepen Your Practice
1. “The Power of Vulnerability” – Brené Brown (TED Talk)
A timeless classic on why real leadership starts with courage.
🔗 Watch on TED.com
2. Leaders Eat Last – Simon Sinek (Book)
Why safety and trust create high-performing teams.
🔗 Find on Amazon
3. HBR: The Feedback Fallacy
Why feedback doesn’t always drive growth—and what to try instead.
🔗 Read on HBR
4. The Look & Sound of Leadership – Podcast by Tom Henschel
Bite-sized, tactical coaching for modern leaders.
🔗 Listen on Apple Podcasts
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Final Thought
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers - it’s about creating the space where the best answers can emerge.
And that space? It starts with being deeply, relentlessly human.
Wishing you clarity, calm, and connection this week.
Chris
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