The leadership industry is full of new studies, buzzwords, trendy frameworks, and “must-try” strategies that promise to revolutionize the way we lead. However, if we strip away the jargon, acronyms, and fancy tools, one timeless truth remains: at its core, authentic leadership is about human connection.

I see countless examples of amazing leadership inside the organizations I support. Leaders who are committed and consistent in applying the basic practices that drive employee satisfaction, engagement and results. They come to work every day invested in people, presence, and purpose. But it’s also easy to get off track as any one of us can get lost in the rush to automate and digitize operations.

The Danger of Drowning in Leadership Jargon

When your focus shifts to keeping up with trends instead of staying connected to your people, you risk turning leadership into a checklist exercise rather than a human relationship. You end up speaking in frameworks instead of conversations, chasing metrics instead of meaningful connection.

After all, the leadership industry is a multi-billion-dollar business. Books, courses, apps, AI tools, and conferences are constantly pushing “new” ideas. While some of these trends are genuinely useful, others are simply rebranded versions of simple principles that have been around for decades. ‍‍

The Technology Trap

Technology has revolutionized the way we work, but it can also quietly erode the human side of leadership. Leaders who over-rely on technology risk becoming transactional instead of relational. The more leadership is conducted through screens, the easier it becomes to treat people like tasks to manage instead of individuals to lead and support.

Technology should be a bridge, not a barrier. Use it to enhance connection, not replace it. That might mean:

• Picking up the phone instead of sending an email.
• Using video calls for sensitive or complex topics instead of text-based messages if you can’t be together in person.
• Blocking time for in-person conversations whenever possible, especially for feedback or recognition.
• Keeping cameras on in virtual meetings to tap into emotions and body language.

‍The Business Case for Getting Back to Basics

Think about the leaders you have admired most in your career. Chances are, it wasn’t their mastery of the latest methodology or tech gadget that inspired you, it was how they made you feel. 

The basic leadership skills such as active listening, showing genuine empathy, offering clarity, holding people accountable, and recognizing effort are timeless best practices, just to name a few. They are also deceptively simple, which is why they get overlooked in favor of more complex models. But simple doesn’t mean easy. Building real connection takes intention, patience, and practice.

In fact, research consistently shows that employees who feel connected to their leaders are more engaged, more productive, and more loyal. The human connection isn’t a “soft skill” add-on, it’s a business driver.

Our Definition of “Human Connection” ‍

Human connection refers to the positive feelings of belonging, feeling seen, heard and valued through compassion, empathy, transparent communication, and a willingness to be vulnerable. Feeling psychologically safe, where mutual trust and respect creates a deeper connection.

How can we deepen human connection with others?

• Listen more than you talk. Don’t just wait for your turn to speak, make a conscious effort to truly hear what’s being said and show that you are fully present. See our last blog for more.
• See beyond job titles. Work to understand who your team is outside of work. Learn their passions, what motivates them, what their challenges are, both personally and professionally.  
• Lead with transparency. Share information openly and explain the “why” behind decisions.
• Recognize effort, not just outcomes. People feel appreciated, even when projects are still in play and end results have not yet been achieved.
• Respond to mistakes with curiosity, not just correction. Focus on learning, not blame or failure.
• Show your human side. Be willing to be authentic and vulnerable in all of your interactions.

The Payoff of Prioritizing Human Connection

When you lead with desire to create human connection, people don’t just comply, they commit. They’re more likely to go the extra mile because they feel personally invested in the team’s success. They’re more likely to be honest when challenges arise, which means you can address problems early instead of letting them fester.

And here’s the bonus:  When you focus on connection, you create the foundation for any leadership model or tool to work more effectively. Whether you’re using a strengths-based approach, agile leadership, or a new AI tool to help with your communication, none of it matters without trust. Human connection is the soil where all other leadership strategies grow.

Remember, leadership fads will come and go. Technology will keep reshaping the way we work, but leaders who succeed will master the art of human connection.

Let’s Connect‍

I’d love to hear your thoughts about the importance of developing a human connection. Do you have a different point of view? How are you developing deeper connections with others? What’s working and what’s getting in the way?

Let’s keep the conversation going. Reach out today at 416-560-1806 or email me at joanne.trotta@leadersedgeinc.ca. I look forward to hearing from you.

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