Yesterday, I wrote about the first leader who truly cared about her employees— not just about their work performance, but about their happiness, growth, and wholeness at work. Today, I want to talk about what she actually taught me. Through five moments that changed me. I didn’t know they were lessons at the time. I only know now. Here they are: A gift bag. A funeral. A lunch. Feedback I didn’t want to hear. And writing reports. First: The Gift Bag On my first day of work,

Most of us can remember our first boss. But very few of us remember the first leader who made us feel human at work. I do. Before I learned anything about leadership theories, performance goals, or organizational charts, I learned what it felt like to be seen . I was new to nonprofit work. Nervous. Eager. Still trying to prove that I belonged. I expected instructions and expectations. What I didn’t expect was a question that stopped me in my tracks: “How are you… really?” Sh