Put People First: Human-centered Leadership

What is human-centered leadership?

As the name says, human-centered leadership is a leadership style in which people are the priority. It’s about putting people first. For this, it is important to focus on aspects such as their motivation, state of mind, fears, social relationships, environment, and other things.

Why lead by centering on humans and putting people first?

Many people criticize the human-centered leadership approach, thinking that the important aspect for every organization is to generate results. Of course, results are important, but to reach those results it is important to look for your people.

What are the characteristics of a human-centered leader?

You are probably wondering how you can identify a human-centered leader, or even check if you are one. Therefore, I came up with a list of characteristics of human-centered leaders:

Human-centered leaders have a real interest in people

Human-centered leaders care about their team, about their personal and professional well-being. This concern must be genuine.

Human-centered leaders will seek to generate the conditions to promote a balance between these aspects no matter if there are goals related to this, a promotion, a bonus, or even a good story for a book; they will do it because they care about people.

Human-centered leaders are gardeners

Human-centered leaders look at each person as a flower: Each one is different, regardless of whether they are of the same species. Just like the gardener, they will seek to create an enabling environment so people can grow and develop, understanding that each has different interests, experiences, learning styles, and rhythms.

Human-centered leaders’ mission is to create a successful team with happy and competent people who generate results. Following the gardener analogy, they will achieve a beautiful garden, where all the flowers, despite being different, complement each other.

Human-centered leaders believe in people

Trust is essential to collaborate effectively. This is why human-centered leaders trust each person on their team, understanding that each one will do their best to achieve the desired results. Empowering people builds trust.

Human-centered leaders are vulnerable and honest

They show themselves as they are. Human-centered leaders are connected to their feelings and are capable of transmitting them to their team regardless of whether they are negative or positive. They understand they are human. Along these lines they seek to be honest with their feelings and the situations that occur on a day-to-day basis with their team members and colleagues.

Human-centered leaders have empathy

Of course, day-to-day, many setbacks happen, that’s the nature of life. Human-centered leaders don’t forget that their team consists of people with desires, dreams, problems, and fears. That is why for them it is important to connect with the other person and look at the situation through their eyes to have a better understanding.

Human-centered leaders see opportunities

Every time they encounter a problem, human-centered leaders transform it into an opportunity. They accept diversity, understand that people have different points of view, and seek psychological safety to address and resolve these situations without waiting for them to become bigger. 

Human-centered leaders are lifelong learners

They understand that learning is constant, intentional, and strategic and that skills can be developed with effort and consistency (although some people may already have them). 

Human-centered leaders teach how to fish

There is a phrase that I love that says, “Give a person a fish, and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to fish, and you feed them for a lifetime.” Human-centered leaders teach people to fend for themselves to promote their autonomy, knowing there is a place for everyone, and helping people shine with their light.

Human-centered leaders are feedback lovers

They are committed to continuous improvement, not only of their services or products but also with their leadership and the collaboration with your team. Human-centered leaders constantly ask for feedback to improve, as well as seek instances to be able to give constructive feedback that allows people to develop.

Human-centered leaders constantly thank and acknowledge

They know the importance of not only recognizing and thanking results but also good behaviors. Because human-centered leaders know it makes team members feel valued and that their work positively affects them, specifying where and for whom.

Human-centered leaders inspire instead of forcing

Through example, they inspire people to give their best and to choose to do the tasks that allow them to meet the objectives set, instead of being forced to do them by the imposition of the leader.

Human-centered leaders keep calm in uncertainty

Human-centered leaders understand that things can get out of control and seek to generate calm in people so that, with a calmer mind, they can think of options to help them reach their destination together.

Human-centered leaders act in congruence

Their intentions and the things they say are backed up by their actions.