Shall I Dare Say I Care?

Everything that happens to you matters to me.

Truth: People who feel cared about are more effective at work.

Truth: People who feel cared about are more positive.

Truth: People who feel cared about are most likely to care about others.

Some think caring is a “soft skill” that doesn’t belong in an organizational setting. But heart-based leaders know that when you engage the heart of caring, you ignite the mind of those who work for you.

Caring is good for the bottom line. People buy from people, not companies. Your people are your most important asset, and the investment of caring for them protects that asset.

When you care, you cultivate deeper relationships:

Caring means understanding. Employees who are cared about understand that they are working for a higher purpose than just themselves. They think of themselves as part of a team.

Caring means connecting and engaging. Show your employees that who they are is as important as what they do. Connection and engagement bring out people’s passion and potential.

Caring means appreciating and acknowledging. Words and gestures of appreciation have a major impact on those who work so hard for you. It’s just as important to acknowledge their personal stories and struggles. Know who they are when they are not at work.

Caring means energizing.  Let your employees to know that their hard work and energy matter. Your caring gives them the energy they need to pursue their work with purpose.

Caring means seeing. See people as individuals, and treat them – and their individual needs and goals – with respect. People willingly go the extra mile when they know they’re being seen.

Caring means listening. Many leaders are not the best listeners; they are action oriented and goal oriented, and they want to fix everything right away. Slow down and really listen.

Caring means openness and sharing. As you make decisions, share information and allow your ideas to be open for improvement and refinement. Look for places, projects, and processes where employees can help and share. Allow your caring to lead the way.

Caring means fostering development. Everyone wants to be able to do something and do it well.  Caring for others allows them to develop and master their skills and move to the next level. Caring leaders allow others to develop their mastery.

As a caring leader, you are the thread that weaves your people together through processes, projects, celebrations, communication, joys, and jobs. When you do that well, the rest will take care of itself.

Leadership is a human element. Caring is a human essential.

Lead From Within: Without an investment in caring, as a leader you are risking the organization. Be the leader who cares about others and lets them know they are making a difference.

 


 

N A T I O N A L   B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.

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Photo: Rachael Preeya


Lolly Daskal is one of the most sought-after executive leadership coaches in the world. Her extensive cross-cultural expertise spans 14 countries, six languages and hundreds of companies. As founder and CEO of Lead From Within, her proprietary leadership program is engineered to be a catalyst for leaders who want to enhance performance and make a meaningful difference in their companies, their lives, and the world.

Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.

  1. Martin Haworth

    16. Oct, 2012

    Lolly, this is so profound and encapsulates everything I say when training and coaching managers. A truly wonderful piece that’s going on my wall!

    Martin

    Reply to this comment
  2. KMKFoley

    16. Oct, 2012

    One supervisor told me several years ago, ” [Name], You made the mistake of caring.”
    I think this is the hardest part for engaged and caring leaders, dealing with the fallout from apathy.
    Great post, Lolly.

    Reply to this comment
    • lollydaskal

      16. Oct, 2012

      The only mistake here is on the part of the supervisor.
      Keep on caring. It is what makes the world a better place.
      Lolly

      Reply to this comment
  3. Wayne McEvilly

    16. Oct, 2012

    Lolly-
    You just hit another one out of the ballpark!
    Would that every CEO manager boss supervisor and head honcho be lent the ears to hear.
    Can’t thank you enough.
    Wayne

    Reply to this comment
  4. Julie Winkle Giulioni

    16. Oct, 2012

    Powerful post… particularly love the line ‘caring allows others to develop their mastery’. For leaders, is there a higher purpose than that? Thanks for sharing this wisdom.

    Reply to this comment
  5. Edward Colozzi

    16. Oct, 2012

    Yes Lolly, caring is a human essential! You offer an important post that reminds us of the centrality and power of CARE not only in work but across all nine Career-Life roles, many of which are played simultaneously by most people, even youth. CARE is the life blood of all Career-Life interactions. Career is truly CARE-ER and CARE is the main component of ALL our life choices.

    Leadership opportunities are available in any of these roles, and as one learns to go within to lead from within, the literal energy release (ER) that can occur actually alters gene activity. Here is a link that discusses care-er further for interested folks. http://bit.ly/dWOQCb Thanks Lolly EdC

    Reply to this comment
  6. Katherine

    16. Oct, 2012

    Fabulous piece Lolly, I feel there aren’t enough Managers/Leaders who genuinely care or are frightened to show they care for fear of criticism from higher Management.

    Should be sent to every person who ever had leading or managing people on their job description

    Katherine

    Reply to this comment
  7. Simon Harvey

    16. Oct, 2012

    Lolly,

    Such an important piece, and one that should be read by every CEO/ leader in the world and individual that does not feel they care. Caring is important to humanity, caring for the self and for each other.

    How can you lead without caring ? In my book you can’t. Sure you can cajole, bribe, threaten, force, beat, bribe,wheedle, coax, butter up, seduce, and a few other ways of getting people to do something, but this is not leadership,it is nothing more than bullying, dictatorship, oppression and repression. A slow train to the bottom.

    These types of so called leaders are headed to nowhere but a dark hole of their own choosing. All we can do is wish them luck in the depths of greed and desire that they are headed for. We can hope that they may see the light before they hit the bottom, but for most, they must hit it to have their eyes opened to the folly of this type of path.

    History is a teacher, the leaders that cared, are the leaders that succeeded, the big shots that did not are but lessons of misfortune and misunderstanding.

    Caring is a force to be reckoned with, a powerful ally to leadership and to life.

    Every week that I manage to be on twitter for the Tues night leadfromwithin tweetchat, I am reminded of the power of caring. This community that comes together is one that cares, it is empowering and beautiful in it’s simplicity, one vision one heart to lead with, one beat to spread caring across the globe.

    Your caring nature is enlightening, inspiring, warming and nourishing. And I am humbled each week by the beauty that comes out at you leadership to meet, share and care.

    Dare to live, dare to love, dare to care. Always and 4ever.

    Reply to this comment
  8. Megan Browne

    17. Oct, 2012

    Great post. Couldn’t agree more. Here’s a book by one of my former Business School professors, George Kohlreiser (with Susan Goldsworthy & Duncan Coombe) that hits the point home even further AND gives specific tips & tools for developing these skills: “Care to Dare: Unleashing Astonishing Potential through Secure Base Leadership”.

    Reply to this comment
  9. Apurva

    17. Oct, 2012

    Lolly, I so much agree with you. This is a trick that is so much important and frankly, it does increase the profits good and betters the life of people involved with the project.

    But unfortunately, very less of people understand it, they may say so but they don’t believe it. If it all could be written and proved in terms of profit. we would all have a good time.

    Reply to this comment
  10. Sissym

    17. Oct, 2012

    Dear Lolly,

    I am just so. I can remember that I bring this feature since my childhood. I do not care for being more concerned than other people, because I am very well settled with myself. I feel good about everything I do and think. I can guarantee that I receive in return a positive energy and it is almost magical and it serves me as a food in my life.

    Cheers!

    Reply to this comment
  11. Nathan Magnuson

    17. Oct, 2012

    Lolly, you could also add this one: “People who are cared for are more open to being influence.” Not caring, or leading with an agenda, pushes people away. I mentioned that in this post. Thanks for your encouragement. http://www.nathanmagnuson.com/2012/10/15/the-three-leadership-questions-i-always-ask/

    Reply to this comment
  12. ThinkCEO

    18. Oct, 2012

    Hey Lolly,

    First of all, thanks for taking the time to write this. It seems like I always enjoy your input and thoughts on whatever topic is discussed.

    I fully admit that caring isn’t Top 5 Strength of mine in the workplace. I’m not the male version of “Devil Wears Prada”, but the feedback I usually receive highlights having drive and passion vs. understanding and compassion. It is often said (because it’s true) that what gets measured, gets managed. And for that reason, I’ve spent many years focusing on things with ROI vs. things with ROC. 🙂

    That said, you’ve provided an insightful view and valuable outline of the factors that make up caring. IMHO, there are many parts of caring here that, if missed, can cause one’s “caring efforts” to come across as spurious. So I think caring needs to come from a place of true genuineness & authenticity to really be effective.

    I’ve printing this for some reflective reading during the day and to get some of my “brain trust’s” thoughts on it.

    Thanks, this had an impact.
    ThinkCEO

    Reply to this comment
  13. Al Smith

    18. Oct, 2012

    Wow Lolly. Absolutely love this. So much about care these days. This is wonderful. Everyone needs to read this.

    I just submitted a short guest post on CARE in the workplace and how it can help employee engagement.

    Thanks again for this and for caring. You do so much to help others.

    Al

    Reply to this comment
  14. Gloria Wilson

    23. Apr, 2013

    It is really music to my ears to hear your message about caring.The problems we are facing in the now are all brought about people who stopped caring. How much better the world would be if we all cared and shared.

    Reply to this comment
  15. remise En Etat presse

    19. Mar, 2014

    Great info. Lucky me I came across your site by accident (stumbleupon).

    I have book-marked it for later!

    Reply to this comment
  16. santosh thakare

    25. Sep, 2014

    great post mam, i very impress for you. decided doing some miracle in my business life. thanks for support.

    Reply to this comment
  17. Logan Lynn Roberts #LoLovesit

    04. Jan, 2015

    I love this so much I can’t even stand it. Especially as someone who is straddling the line of leadership. By that I mean that I still depend on & seek the approval of my leaders & mentors but know that it’s important that I commit to making those who look to me this way feel cared for in the ways I know make me feel positive & productive. THIS WAS AWESOME. Thank you Lolly Daskal, you really inspired my heart, mind & soul today! #LoLovesit

    Reply to this comment
  18. Sean Brogan

    05. Nov, 2016

    It’s part of our nature to care for others. What a wonderful reminder to be human at work. Love this lots Lolly!

    Reply to this comment

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