I was having a conversation recently with someone who asked about our work. They were curious about our team leadership program and why we felt it was needed. Having just facilitated a session, it’s value and impact is fresh in my mind.

Have you ever worked in an environment where a new system was put into place without proper preparation or expertise? Despite this, there’s an expectation that the system will increase productivity, streamline efficiencies, create opportunities, and yield greater results. Yet, there’s a lack of understanding that these outcomes rely on deep knowledge, proper use, and consistent follow-through.

We tend to lead people in today’s workplace in much the same way as we do those systems. We expect certain behaviours and outcomes from our teams without truly understanding or appreciating who they are, how they function, what they’re capable of, or how to activate them. Employees—leaders included—don’t leave their humanity behind when they walk in or log in each day. If we intentionally and consistently leverage this fact rather than resist it, so much more would be possible. It’s the right thing to do and its strategic. By recognizing and valuing what makes employees uniquely human, our teams would give more to their work—and likely receive so much more in return.

To truly leverage the strengths employees bring as people, we as leaders must start by adapting our own behaviors. This begins with gaining awareness and knowledge of the human-centered skills and habits most of us aren’t explicitly taught when we’re given the grand title and responsibility of ‘leader’. That’s what makes me most proud of our leadership development program, LeapForward. We designed it to fill this gap, to equip and empower leaders to get more out of their work while creating the same opportunity for those they lead.