🧭 ONE Leadership Secret We Often Forget

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Here’s Where We Are Headed Today:

• Marcus Freeman on Servant Leadership

• The Most Important Leadership Attribute

• Favorite Posts I Found This Week

• Free Mental Fitness Links 👇

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The Most Important Leadership Attribute

Today’s post is inspired by my post this week on X about Dean Smith and the gift he gave his players when he passed away (We will get back to this shortly).

At the core of every great leader lies one undeniable truth: leadership is about people. It’s not just about strategy, vision, or results - it’s about how leaders make people feel, the belief they instill, and the trust they build. It comes down to your habits, actions, and interactions when it comes to the people on your team.

As John C. Maxwell famously said, “Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”

Why it’s true: When leaders prioritize people, they create environments where individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. Without this foundation, even the most talented teams will fall short of their potential.

People is the common thread: Look at how every impactful leadership style shares one central principle: PEOPLE COME FIRST.

• Servant Leadership - Focuses on serving and supporting others, prioritizing their well-being and growth.

• Authentic Leadership - Centers on transparency, trust, and genuine human connection.

• Transformational Leadership - Inspires people to grow, adapt, and reach their full potential through encouragement and shared purpose.

No matter the approach, the most successful leaders recognize that their impact starts and ends with how they treat their people.

Some of my favorite leadership stories:

1) Dean Smith - When legendary basketball coach Dean Smith passed away, he left each of his former players $200 with a simple notation: “Dinner out.” This wasn’t just a financial gesture - it was a reminder of the personal connection he built with every player. Dean Smith showed that true leadership extends far beyond wins and championships; it’s about leaving a lasting impression on the lives you touch.

2) Spurs Culture and Gregg Popovich - Do you want to know why the Spurs culture is so great? It’s because of stories like this and Gregg Popovich.

When DeMar DeRozan's father passed away, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn’t hesitate. He immediately went to DeRozan’s hotel room, sat with him, and cried alongside him for 2 hours. In that moment, Popovich wasn’t just a coach - he was a friend, a mentor, and a source of unwavering support. It’s a powerful reminder that leadership is as much about empathy as it is about strategy. He tells the story below….

3) Herb Kelleher: Leading with the Heart - As the co-founder and CEO of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher built a culture rooted in care and respect. He famously refused to cut employee benefits during financial hardships and would help load bags onto the plane during Thanksgiving. He believed that the core of serving others started with serving your team and employees. He said, “My mother taught me that your employees come first. If you treat them well, then they treat the customers well, and that means your customers come back and your shareholders are happy.”

What can we take from these stories?

1. People don’t remember everything, but they remember how you made them feel. Each interaction is an opportunity to build trust, connect, and show you care.

2. Show up with your actions. Leadership isn’t about you, it’s about them. Prioritize your team’s well-being, growth, and success through your actions and intention.

3. Gratitude and belief are powerful tools as a leader. Leaders who express genuine appreciation, care, and belief in others create bonds.

Ask Yourself:

• How am I showing my team that I care about them as people?

• When was the last time I expressed genuine gratitude to someone on my team?

• How have I focused on relationships this week?

• How can I better support the people I lead?

Final Word

At the end of the day, we talk about strategy, innovation, and performance metrics, but people don’t remember those things as deeply as they remember how you made them feel. Did you believe in them? Did you show gratitude? Did you make them feel seen and valued?

That’s the real measure of leadership. When people feel cared for, they’ll show up with more passion, more dedication, and more commitment than you could ever ask for.

Because great leadership isn’t about results, it’s about people.

Favorite Posts I Found This Week

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