One of the most impactful things I’ve learned is that you can’t truly support your team without understanding each member as an individual. Their goals, concerns, current challenges, and even their feelings are all shaped by how they present themselves at work.

A method I’ve found particularly effective comes from the book The Manager’s Path: regular one-on-one discussions. These aren’t just status updates—they’re dedicated time to build trust, listen actively, and understand what’s going on with them. It’s a chance to discuss more than just tasks: what’s going well, what’s frustrating, where they want to grow, and how I can help remove roadblocks.

Since applying this approach more consistently, I’ve seen stronger engagement and a more connected team. Leading well often starts with simply making space to listen.

🤝 Leadership starts with listening.