The best leaders don’t just focus on tasks—they focus on people. Every person, whether a customer, team member, or investor, wants to feel seen, heard, and valued.
That’s why the most effective leaders are also the best listeners. They take time to understand others, even when they think they know the answer.
This approach builds trust and connection. When people feel genuinely understood, they’re more likely to collaborate and engage.
Leadership isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you make people feel.
Leadership starts with listening.
Finding Alignment
An overplayed TV commercial for “smile aligners” got me thinking: what else in our lives needs alignment?
Misalignments—whether in our habits, time, or relationships—can throw everything off.
As leaders, we must ensure that we’re aligned in our values and actions so that we can genuinely care for others. It’s hard to lead effectively when we’re out of sync.
Finding our own alignment is a direct route to organizational performance.
The Traffic-Jam Whopper
Ever been stuck in traffic after a long day at work, stomach growling, wishing you could just get home?
That was the reality for drivers in Mexico City circa 2019, where traffic is a nightmare. Enter Burger King’s Traffic Jam Whopper—a brilliant example of leadership through empathy.
They didn’t just push burgers—they saw a real problem: hungry drivers stuck in gridlock.
By delivering food directly to cars, they showed they genuinely care about their customers. Great leaders do the same—they identify the needs of their people and solve real problems.
Lead with empathy, and you’ll unlock innovation and connection.
You’re more creative than you think.
In an experiment at the University of Sydney, participants struggled to solve a classic creativity puzzle—until scientists deactivated the part of their brain responsible for self-regulation and fear.
The result? Creative breakthroughs.
The lesson here for leaders is powerful: creativity is inside all of us, but barriers like fear and self-doubt hold us back.
By showing compassion, removing obstacles, and fostering psychological safety, we can unleash the brilliance in our teams.
Creativity just needs the right conditions to thrive.
To your creative success…
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About Josh
Josh Linkner is a New York Times bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, venture capital investor, professional jazz guitarist, and a globally recognized innovation expert. To learn more or to explore a collaboration, visit JoshLinkner.com
