Insights from the Work
Observations, reflections, and practical guidance on leadership, organizational effectiveness, and the human experience of work.
Leadership is human work.
How we lead is shaped by how we relate to being human.
At StartHuman, we believe leadership effectiveness requires developing more conscious relationships with three fundamental aspects of the human experience: power, fear, and vulnerability.
We call this The StartHuman Way™.
Three invitations to lead with greater awareness, compassion, and choice:
Stand in Service™: Choose commitment over compliance.
Befriend Fear™: Choose presence over protection.
Sit in the Fire™: Choose integrity over relief.
Here, we explore the human side of leadership effectiveness—the patterns, choices, and everyday behaviors that shape our relationships, our impact, and the cultures we create.
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Standing in Service as a Leader (P1)
Leadership always involves power.
The question is not whether power exists.
The question is how we relate to it.
Some leaders avoid power.
Some use power over people.
Others learn to use power to and with people.
And that relationship shapes far more than performance.
It shapes how people experience work itself.
The StartHuman Way™
Leadership shapes culture.
Not through values or programs, but through how leaders relate to power, fear, and vulnerability.
The StartHuman Way™ offers a different approach—one that focuses on the internal capacity required to lead and create meaningful, lasting culture.
Why Traditional Job Descriptions Don’t Work (And What to Use Instead)
Traditional job descriptions often create compliance, not clarity. When leaders rely on static role definitions, they miss the opportunity to create real ownership, accountability, and commitment.
The Most Underused Leadership Tools in the Workplace
Purpose, vision, and values are often treated as statements on a wall. But when leaders use them intentionally, they become powerful tools for creating clarity, accountability, and commitment.
Is 360 Feedback Right for Your Leaders?
360 feedback can provide powerful insight for leaders — but only when the conditions are right. Without trust, clarity, and the capacity to receive feedback, the tool can backfire.
“I’m Triggered”: A Call to Radical Responsibility
“I’m triggered” is often used to explain strong emotional reactions at work. But leadership requires more than naming the reaction—it requires taking responsibility for how we respond.
Culture Is Not What We Preach. It's What We Permit.
Organizational culture is not defined by what leaders say they value. It’s shaped by what leaders tolerate, reinforce, and allow to continue.
Why We Offer Dare to Lead™: Practicing Courage at Work
Leadership requires courage. Dare to Lead helps leaders develop the emotional skills and self-awareness needed to lead with courage, connection, and compassion.