Most people work to live; they don’t live to work. That simple idea shapes how I lead. Because if you’re not thinking about the human side of your team, you’re missing the whole point of leadership.
The people who work with you aren’t just employees. They’re parents, dog lovers, runners and Netflix bingers. They have lives outside of work and understanding that makes a difference. I know all of my employees’ names. I know their pets’ names. I know what they do on the weekends. That kind of knowledge doesn’t come from a spreadsheet. It comes from being intentional and present.
One of the best things we ever did came from a simple question to our employees: What would make your day better? Their answer was dogs. So, we created Dog Days. One employee can bring their dog to work each week. It has guidelines and structure, but it was something our people wanted, so we made it happen.
That same employee feedback led to TVs and games in the break room. When we moved offices, people told us they might be waiting for carpool rides or public transportation. They asked for a better place to pass the time, and we listened. It wasn’t about being trendy or flashy. It was practical and came straight from our team.
Appreciation doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Some of the things that land the best are the smallest. One Tuesday afternoon in July, we loaded a cart full of ice cream from Costco and handed it out around the office. No agenda. Just a surprise treat. Another time, we passed out raffle tickets on a Friday and gave away gas cards and coffee gift cards. It’s not about the prize, it’s about the gesture. Those little things build trust and connection over time.
We also hold open mic Zoom calls every month. It’s a 30-minute window where anyone can hop on and chat with me. We talk about everything from what we’re watching to personal wins. It’s all about being human together.
Each year, we budget for lunches and celebrations. And every quarter, we hold a town hall and walk through our financials. We talk openly about what’s working, what’s not and what’s ahead. I believe in giving our team the full picture. Everyone contributes to the success of this company, and they deserve to see where we stand
To me, being a good leader means caring enough to listen and acting on what you hear. It takes effort to show people they matter, but it’s worth every second. If you’re in a leadership role, I encourage you to wake up every day and ask yourself, “What’s one thing I can do today to show my team I appreciate them?” Do that one thing. Repeat it. Then do another.
That’s how you build a team that shows up and stays.