Focus on the WHO

Most leaders focus on the what and the how.
What needs to be done. How to get there.
But the best leaders focus on the who first.

Who are the people on their team?
What do they need to succeed?
How do they feel and what drives them?

That’s where real leadership lives.

The most impactful leaders I know all share
8 emotional intelligence traits:

✅ Sensing emotions
↳ They notice what’s not being said

✅ Genuine empathy
↳ They truly understand their team’s perspective

✅ Leading by example
↳ They model the behavior they want to see

✅ Authentic connection
↳ They build relationships that matter

✅ Deep listening
↳ They make people feel heard and valued

✅ Demonstrated commitment
↳ They show up when it counts

✅ Investment in growth
↳ They help others reach their potential

✅ Active involvement
↳ They work with their team, not above them

When you lead this way:

People don’t just complete tasks.
They go above and beyond.

They don’t just show up.
They show up as their best selves.

The leaders people remember and follow
aren’t the ones with all the answers.

They’re the ones who cared enough to understand
the people asking the questions.

They saw the who, first.

And understood it.