What Leading With Heart Really Looks Like (And Why It Matters)

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” — Brené Brown

Have you ever been in a meeting where you just… checked out?

You’re sitting there, nodding along, but your mind is already on your growing to-do list, that email you forgot to send, and whether you’ll have time to eat lunch today.

I’ve been there too.

When I was deep in my corporate career—leading teams, hitting deadlines, climbing the ladder—I thought I was doing all the right things. I was leading. Or so I thought.

But in reality? I was managing tasks, not leading people.

The turning point?

A moment during a team meeting when I asked a question—“Does anyone have any feedback?”—and was met with… silence.

No eye contact. No responses. Just an awkward, heavy silence.

It hit me like a ton of bricks: My team didn’t feel safe enough to speak up.

Leading With Heart Isn’t About Being Perfect

That moment changed everything for me.

I realized that leadership isn’t about checking boxes or powering through meetings—it’s about connection.

I started small:

• I opened meetings with real questions like, “What’s one thing that’s bringing you joy this week?”
• I admitted when I didn’t have all the answers.
• I practiced listening—not just hearing, but really listening.

And something shifted.

The silences turned into conversations.
The disengagement turned into collaboration.
And I felt more connected—not just to my team, but to myself. 💛

💡 Try This: The 2-Minute Pause

Before your next meeting, take two minutes for yourself.

Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and ask:

“How do I want to show up today?”

This tiny pause can shift your entire energy—from stressed and reactive to calm and intentional.

It’s one of my favorite tools for leading with heart, and it’s so simple. 💫

🎯 The Real Secret? It Starts With You

Leading with heart isn’t just about your team—it’s about how you lead yourself.

It’s about having the courage to show up, even when it’s uncomfortable.
It’s about stepping into your confidence, trusting that who you are is more than enough.
And it’s about offering compassion—to your team and, most importantly, to yourself.

Courage. Confidence. Compassion. These are the foundations of heart-centered leadership.

When you lead from this place, everything changes—your team feels it, your clients feel it, and most importantly, you feel it.

Let’s Take It Deeper — Together

If this resonates with you and you’re ready to step into more heart-centered leadership, I’d love to support you.

👉 Join my 21-Day Leadership-Happiness Challenge — Build stronger happiness habits and lead with more confidence, courage, and compassion.
👉 Book a Discovery Call — Let’s talk about how you can create a thriving, connected workplace.

You don’t have to be perfect to lead with heart. You just have to be willing to show up—as YOU.

From my heart to yours,