b'PEOPLE-POWERED LEADERSHIPForget the Job TitleHeres WhatReally Makes Someone a LeaderLATELY, IVE BEENreflecting on a simple but pow- Third, they play the long game. Its tempting to erful idea: People often want one thing in their heartchase short-term winswhether thats a quick sales but make decisions based on something very differentboost or a flashier project. But true leaders stay com-in their head. mitted to building something lasting, even when its It shows up in all kinds of ways in the world of lead- slower and harder. They make decisions their future ership, be that in the political or business world. Heck,selvesand future teamswill thank them for.even around the dinner table. Finally, they lead by example. Anyone can say they In their heart, people want teamwork, fairnessvalue teamwork, integrity or innovation. But the best and shared success. They want to belong to a cultureleaders show it in the small, everyday momentshow BY SHAWN BROOKwhere everyone looks out for each other, where thethey treat people when no ones watching, how they President of Seedrising tide truly lifts all boats. handle tough conversations, how they share credit and World Group. But when it comes time to make a decisionhowtake responsibility.to allocate budgets, how to structure bonuses, how toAt the end of the day, leadership isnt just about promote talentthe wallet, the spreadsheet or theresults. Its about how you get those resultsand how quarterly target can pull us in another direction. you make people feel along the way.Its a tension every leader wrestles with, whetherPeople will remember the numbers you hit this year. they realize it or not. But theyll remember HOW you led them for a lifetime.In my experience, the leaders who really moveWhen you lead from both the heart and the head, organizations forward are the ones who dont force ayou build something stronger than a team.choice between heart and head. They figure out howYou build trust.to honor both. And trust is the foundation for everything worth They understand that compassion withoutbuilding.SWaccountability leads to chaosand that accountability without compassion leads to burnout. They recognize that people want meaning, not just money, and that a team that feels valued will outperform a team that feels expendable every time.What does this look like in practice?First, they listen deeply. They dont just ask for feedback because its trendy; they actually seek to understand where people are coming from. And not just the loudest voices in the roomthey make space for the quieter ones, too.Second, they act with clarity. They dont promise things they cant deliver, and they dont hide behind vague statements. Theyre clear about whats possible, whats expected, and what success looks like. Clarity is a gift, and great leaders give it generously.22/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2025'