Tip 225 - Caring Leadership Introduction: Caring is Imperative for Success

Whether directly or indirectly, all leaders experience challenges, conflicts, and frustrations that impact their ability to lead. Take a moment and reflect on the following questions:

• How do I define leadership?

• How do I intentionally act in ways that show concern and kindness to those I work with and/or lead?

Caring leadership is more art than science. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so too is the follower the one who knows whether their leaders care. If your team members and coworkers know you care about them, they will move mountains and seek solutions to challenges. According to Heather Younger, author of The Art of Caring Leadership, “Caring leadership is the most important ingredient in engagement. People need to know they matter. When others feel trusted and cared for, they become inspired.”

Caring leadership is at the center of transformational, servant, relational, and authentic leadership. It is acting in ways that show concern and kindness to those we lead every day. While every leader thinks they are a caring leader, and the majority want to be caring leaders, the truth is that most fall short of demonstrating that care in consistent ways.

As we consider something that may be a nebulous concept or attitude, be sure to view the next six leadership tips as we will continue to explore concrete ways to demonstrate care for ourselves and for others.