I didn’t start writing about leadership because I wanted to teach it. I started writing because I had survived it . Since 2013, I have worked under leaders who inspired me— and leaders who slowly hollowed me out. I have watched people bloom under care and wither under control. I have seen trust built carefully over years and destroyed in a single meeting. I have been the leader who did the right thing— and the leader who has caused harm. Both have taught me how seriously lea

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,