People-Centric Leadership in Real Life: Navigating Crisis, Culture, and the Human Side of Leadership
Leadership today isn’t just about hitting KPIs or adopting the latest tech. We must show up for our people, especially when it’s hard. Over on Make It Personal!, I have been exploring what it means to lead through crisis, manage flawed leadership from others, handle emotions under pressure, and guide teams with empathy in a post-DEI world. Whether you're facing “booms,” building culture, or correcting behavior with integrity, my latest Substack articles offer battle-tested lessons to help you lead with clarity, character, and heart.
Ready to lead better, from the inside out? Let’s dive in.
Those Flawed Leaders Who Lead Us
Navigating the challenges posed by flawed leaders can be daunting, but it's also an opportunity for growth. Whether dealing with Weak Wade's indecisiveness, Diminishing Daniel's ruthless demands, or Emotional Ernest's erratic judgment, each flawed leader teaches valuable lessons about resilience and adaptability.
The AI Leader
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming our personal and professional landscapes, but what does this mean for the future of leadership? As we embrace AI, it's crucial for leaders to retain their moral compass and ethical standards, ensuring that technology serves humanity rather than replacing it. The concept of an AI leader, fully supported by machines, poses questions about character, trust, and the necessity of people-centric leadership.
Managing Emotions in Leadership
Emotions in leadership are a double-edged sword, serving both as a tool for authenticity and a potential pitfall when anger takes over. It’s essential for leaders to maintain a calm demeanor, especially in high-stress situations, to ensure effective communication with their teams. Practical approaches and neutral language can help leaders navigate emotional challenges without losing their composure.
Employee Punishment in 2025
In 2025, effective employee punishment hinges on trust and a solid relationship between leaders and their teams. Leaders must differentiate between misbehavior and honest mistakes, ensuring that punishment is meaningful and promotes growth. By doing the hard work of nurturing a healthy work environment now, leaders can address intentional misbehavior effectively later.
Beyond DEI: Transforming Corporate Culture through Leadership
Corporate culture significantly influences organizational success, and the treatment of people within that culture is paramount. Achieving true diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requires leaders to prioritize diversity of thought and background, rather than simply meeting quotas. It's time to start embracing sound people-centric leadership practices that transcend traditional DEI frameworks, allowing for authentic engagement and fulfillment within teams.
How We Lead – Or Should When Things Go Boom!
When the boom hits (a crisis, a tragedy, a moment of chaos), your people will look to you. In this preview from my latest book Left and Right of the Boom, I share how I’ve led through those moments, from combat zones to boardrooms, and introduce the 5 Cs of Crisis Leadership. These principles aren’t theory, they’re battle-tested and might be just what you need to lead when it matters most.
Ready to dig deeper?
Looking for even more leadership insights? Subscribe to Make It Personal! You’ll get exclusive content, leadership tips, and real-world advice delivered straight to your inbox 2x a week.
Are your employees disengaged?
Do you want to build a stronger, more motivated team? Claim this FREE eBook resource full of proven strategies for leading through empathy and intention.