How Leaders Connect: Build Workplace Relationships - Step #4
Real leaders are the rare leaders who build workplace relationships with care first and then connection.
There’s a truth about leadership that many don’t talk about—especially in high-pressure environments where performance is everything:
People don’t follow your expertise. They follow your empathy.
That’s why I’m so passionate about this current series, How Leaders Connect. Because leadership isn’t just about giving direction—it’s about building trust, one human moment at a time.
Today, we’re exploring Step 4 in that journey: Care about the person as a person.
Sounds simple, right? But the truth is, it’s the step most often skipped.
And the cost of skipping it? Disengagement. Disconnection. Distrust.
Before we go further, if this message is already hitting home—and you’re feeling the weight of leading others without the deep connections you wish you had—pause and take this step:
Burned out? Stretched thin?
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Now let’s get into what caring really looks like.
Remember …
Valuable Leaders Lead People and Manage projects.
Leadership Isn’t a Performance. It’s a Connection.
Let me introduce you to someone I once coached—let’s call him Robert. Robert was everything you’d want in a leader on paper: Strategic. Steady. Wicked smart. But there was one thing that consistently rattled him: speaking in front of others.
He could design a killer plan with his eyes closed. But when it came time to present it? His palms would sweat. His throat would go dry. He’d rush through slides, avoid eye contact, and walk away frustrated.
After one particularly difficult presentation to senior leadership, Robert sat across from me and said something I’ll never forget:
“I was so focused on not looking foolish… that I looked foolish.” And that’s when it hit us both.
It wasn’t a performance issue. It was a connection issue.
He wasn’t afraid of the content.
He was afraid of the people in the room—or more accurately, of being judged by them.
The Lead Others is to Lift Others.
If your leadership ends with you, it’s not leadership—it’s a title.
The Shift: From Protecting to Connecting
During our coaching session, I gave Robert an unexpected challenge. No, it wasn’t to practice his slides more. Or master his transitions. Instead, I asked him to stop rehearsing… and start listening.
I told him, “This week, I want you to learn something real about each person on your team.” Not what they do. Who they are. What makes them light up. What they’re navigating outside of work. Even something simple—like their favorite coffee or their dog’s name.
So he did.
He discovered that Anna was training for her first marathon. Marcus was quietly caring for his aging father. And Tina had just rescued a shelter pup and was trying to figure out how to train it while leading a product launch.
Suddenly, these weren’t just colleagues. They were people.
The next time Robert spoke to his team, something shifted. He slowed down. Made eye contact. Even cracked a joke—one that got real laughter. He didn’t “nail” the presentation. He connected. And his team felt it.
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Why This Works (and What Your Brain Has to Do With It)
Now, you might think this all sounds nice… but not practical. But here’s the science behind it:
When we genuinely care about others—not just for what they contribute, but for who they are—our brains release oxytocin, the bonding hormone.
That single chemical does some incredible things:
✅ It builds trust
✅ It reduces fear
✅ And it creates space for honest, creative collaboration
In other words, it lays the neurological foundation for a team that actually works well together.
Start Before the Meeting
We’re all busy. Meetings. Metrics. Milestones. It’s easy to start every day with a task list and jump straight into business.🧑💼But connection doesn’t start with bullet points.
It starts with curiosity. And care.
So here’s your challenge this week:
The next time you lead a meeting, a call, or even have a hallway conversation— pause and ask yourself: “Am I more focused on what I have to say, or on who I’m speaking with?”
That tiny shift can change everything. Because when people feel seen, heard, and valued, they show up differently. They trust you more. And they contribute more freely.
Develop The Valuable Leader In You!
If you’re tired of being overlooked, underpaid, and unsure of your next move, this course is for you.
Want to Build a More Connected Leadership Style?
If you’ve been feeling the weight of disconnection on your team—or in your own role as a leader—let’s lighten the load.
🎁 Book your free 30-minute coaching call at LeadersPathway.com. You’ll walk away with practical ways to lead with more care, communicate with more clarity, and create stronger workplace relationships from the inside out.
There’s no pressure. Just you, me, and a clear next step forward. Because Leadership doesn’t begin with your message. It begins with your mindset.
When you shift from performing to connecting— from managing tasks to caring for people— you’ll not only get better results… You’ll enjoy leading again. And that’s what I want for you.
I’m cheering 📣 for you!
P.S. ➡️ Listen to the Podcast here