Leadership isn’t about titles, authority, or hierarchy—it’s about people. True leadership goes beyond the power of a position and focuses on building trust, inspiring others, and creating meaningful connections. Mark J. Carpenter’s book, “Lead Like A Person, Not Like A Position,” reminds us that the best leaders are those who lead with authenticity, empathy, and purpose. They understand that leadership isn’t about commanding compliance but about fostering collaboration and empowering others to succeed.
If you want to be the kind of leader who leads like a person, not a position, here are some key principles and actionable steps to help you build the skills and mindset needed to inspire and connect with your team.
1. Build Genuine Relationships
Leadership starts with relationships. To lead like a person, you need to see and treat your team members as individuals, not just as roles or resources. Take the time to get to know the people you work with—their strengths, challenges, aspirations, and even their personal interests. When you show genuine care and interest in others, you build trust and create a foundation for meaningful collaboration.
How to practice this:
- Schedule one-on-one conversations with team members to learn more about them beyond their job responsibilities.
- Actively listen during interactions and ask open-ended questions like, “What motivates you?” or “How can I support you better?”
- Celebrate personal and professional milestones to show you value them as individuals.
2. Lead with Empathy
Empathy is one of the most powerful tools a leader can cultivate. It allows you to understand and connect with your team on a deeper level. Leading with empathy means putting yourself in others’ shoes, recognizing their challenges, and responding with compassion. It’s about being approachable and creating a safe space where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns, and ideas.
How to practice this:
- When a team member struggles, ask, “How are you feeling?” or “What can I do to help?”
- Be patient and understanding when mistakes happen, focusing on solutions rather than blame.
- Show vulnerability by admitting when you don’t have all the answers—it makes you more relatable and human.
3. Inspire Through Purpose
People are most engaged and motivated when they feel their work has meaning. As a leader, it’s your job to connect your team’s efforts to a larger purpose. Help them see how their contributions make a difference, not just to the organization but to the people and communities it serves.
How to practice this:
- Regularly communicate the “why” behind your team’s work and how it impacts the bigger picture.
- Recognize and celebrate the positive outcomes of their efforts, both big and small.
- Encourage team members to align their personal goals with the organization’s mission, creating shared purpose.
4. Empower, Don’t Control
Leading like a person means empowering others to take ownership of their work and decisions. It’s about trusting your team to do their jobs while providing the support and resources they need to succeed. Micromanaging or controlling every decision stifles creativity and undermines confidence. Instead, focus on enabling your team to grow and thrive.
How to practice this:
- Delegate tasks and responsibilities, giving team members the autonomy to make decisions.
- Encourage innovation by asking for their ideas and input, and act on their suggestions when possible.
- Provide constructive feedback that helps them learn and improve rather than tearing them down.
5. Be Authentic and Transparent
Authenticity is at the heart of leading like a person. People are drawn to leaders who are genuine and consistent in their actions and words. Being authentic means showing up as your true self, being honest about challenges, and staying true to your values. Transparency builds trust and fosters open communication, creating a culture where people feel safe to speak up and collaborate.
How to practice this:
- Be honest about your own challenges and mistakes—it shows humility and relatability.
- Share important information openly, even when it’s difficult, to build trust and credibility.
- Stay true to your values and lead by example, demonstrating integrity in every decision.
6. Foster Growth and Development
Great leaders don’t just focus on achieving goals—they focus on helping their team members grow and succeed. Leading like a person means investing in the development of others, encouraging them to stretch their skills, and supporting them as they pursue their aspirations. When you prioritize the growth of your people, you create a culture of continuous improvement and loyalty.
How to practice this:
- Provide opportunities for professional development, such as training, mentorship, or challenging projects.
- Regularly discuss career goals with your team members and help them create actionable plans to achieve them.
- Recognize and reward effort and progress, not just outcomes, to reinforce a growth mindset.
7. Lead with Humility
Finally, leading like a person requires humility. Leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room or having all the answers. It’s about serving others, lifting them up, and recognizing that your success as a leader depends on the success of your team. Humility allows you to learn from others, admit when you’re wrong, and create an environment where everyone feels valued.
How to practice this:
- Ask for feedback from your team and act on it to improve your leadership.
- Give credit to others for their contributions and successes.
- Approach challenges with a collaborative mindset, asking, “How can we solve this together?”
The Impact of Leading Like a Person
When you lead like a person, not a position, you create a workplace where people feel valued, empowered, and inspired. Your team becomes more engaged, collaborative, and innovative, driving better outcomes for everyone involved. More importantly, you build relationships based on trust and respect, leaving a lasting impact on the people you lead.
Leadership isn’t about the power you hold—it’s about the connections you build and the lives you influence. By focusing on people first, you can become the kind of leader who inspires others to give their best, not because they have to, but because they want to. As Mark J. Carpenter reminds us in his book, leadership is about who you are, not the title you hold. So, lead with authenticity, empathy, and purpose—and watch your team, and yourself, thrive.