I feel so fortunate to witness leaders and organizations doing great things for and with the people they serve. What sets these leaders apart? One of the key things that these leaders are each doing so well is that they really understand and know their people. 

 

These leaders don't just understand their teams; they communicate that understanding in ways that feel genuine and aligned. There's no gap between what they say and what they do. People aren't questioning authenticity. They can see the congruence.

 

“If the people do not see your personal commitment to serve them, they are not likely to share with you information about their deepest needs.”  (Keshavan Nair, A Higher Standard of Leadership) 

 

THIS.

 

When people don't see a leader's personal commitment to serve them, everything gets harder. They withhold information. They resist change. They disengage. Not because they're difficult, but because trust hasn't been established. Without that foundation, the changes you're hoping to lead won't take root.

 

Leaders have a responsibility to understand the people they serve and to show that understanding consistently.

 

This week, choose one specific way to demonstrate your commitment to your team. Maybe it's making time for genuine conversations. Maybe it's asking about something you know matters to them, then following up. Maybe it's acknowledging a challenge they're facing that you've been avoiding.

 

Small, consistent actions build the trust that makes everything else possible.