Get to Know Your People: The Leadership Power of Connection

Get to know Your People

April is Stress Awareness Month, and for leaders, that means more than just managing to-do lists or practicing deep breathing. It’s a reminder that the way we show up—for our teams, clients, and communities—has a ripple effect. One of the most overlooked ways to reduce stress and increase impact? Get to know your people.

When you truly understand who you're serving—whether it's customers, employees, or a nonprofit community—you reduce friction, miscommunication, and unmet expectations. And in its place, you build trust.

Connection Reduces Pressure

Stress often stems from the unknown: unmet expectations, confusion, or feeling unseen. But when leaders take the time to understand their people’s needs, communication styles, and values, it naturally eases the load on both sides. Suddenly, problems aren’t just obstacles—they’re opportunities to serve better.

Listening is Leadership

Sometimes we think leadership is about speaking up. But real power comes in listening—deeply and intentionally. When you ask questions, follow up, and pay attention, you communicate one powerful message: You matter. And when people feel valued, stress decreases.

A Moment That Stuck with Me

I remember calling one of my clients just to check on her after hearing she hadn’t been feeling well. Although we had known each other for years, it wasn’t until that conversation that I learned she was experiencing severe physical pain—specifically in her hands. She had been under pressure to complete tasks, but her body was making it nearly impossible.

Once we talked through it, she shared that just acknowledging her health and giving herself permission to slow down already helped ease the stress. We also discussed something practical: she didn’t have a system to forecast future demands, which created last-minute pressure. So we built a simple long-range calendar—nothing digital, just manual and visual—to help her see what was coming and pace herself. She wasn’t a procrastinator; she simply wasn’t planning ahead because there was no need for it.

That experience reminded me: sometimes the most helpful leadership isn’t about offering advice—it’s about noticing, asking, and sharing the tools we take for granted. Especially when people aren’t asking for help.

Clarity Calms the Chaos

When you know your customers well, you can anticipate needs, respond with clarity, and remove guesswork. This creates confidence—for you and them. And clarity is one of the best tools we have for reducing stress in high-pressure situations.

Self-Check for Leaders:

• Do I know what my people need right now?

• Do I understand what may be stressing them out?

• Am I showing up with curiosity, not assumptions?

Your Leadership Assignment This Week:

Choose three people—clients, team members, partners—and ask them one question that gets to the heart of their experience:

“What’s something I could do to make your work/life easier this month?”

You’ll be surprised how much stress you relieve just by asking.

My Recommended Reads

This month, I’m sharing resources that help leaders not just manage stress, but transform how they lead through it.

Here are three standout reads I highly recommend this week:

• Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek Why Read It: Learn how trust and empathy can lower stress and strengthen teams. https://amzn.to/4jfMncv

• Emotional Agility by Dr. Susan David Why Read It: Master the art of handling stress and emotions without getting stuck in them. https://amzn.to/43TXDXa

• Quiet by Susan Cain Why Read It: Discover how to support and lead introverts—especially under pressure. She has an awesome TED Talk too. https://amzn.to/4lG0BVO 

✨ Want more? My April 10 article featured three additional books to help you lead with calm, courage, and consistency.