In a world obsessed with data, performance metrics and strategic efficiency, we often forget one of the most powerful forces in leadership: care. Yet, when we experience genuine care in the workplace, we feel it. It transforms individuals, shapes teams and redefines entire organisations. Leadership is not just about authority or expertise, it is about humanity.

Seth Godin once wrote, "Each one of us can show up in our own way, but the choice is the same: to lead, to create work that matters, and to find the magic that happens when we are lucky enough to cocreate with people who care." This simple truth underscores a fundamental aspect of leadership: the people who make a lasting impact are those who care enough to notice, support and uplift others.

The smallest acts can have the biggest impact

Consider the tradition of the caffè sospeso, or "suspended coffee." Originating in the working-class cafes of Naples, this practice allows a customer to pay for an extra coffee for someone in need. It is a small, everyday act of generosity, yet it carries profound significance. In many ways, true leadership mirrors this gesture. It is not about grand, heroic moments but about small, consistent acts of kindness, attentiveness and encouragement.

A leader who cares cultivates a culture where connection is not an afterthought but an intrinsic part of how an organisation functions. Leadership is not about titles or hierarchy; it is about action. It is about stepping up, noticing what others may overlook and ensuring that people feel valued and seen.

The art of noticing

At the heart of leadership is a simple yet profound question: If you don’t, who will? This question informs the decisions we make, the way we coach and mentor others and the manner in which we pursue excellence.

Leadership is about noticing, spotting patterns in behaviour, shifts in morale, unspoken concerns, hidden potential and emerging opportunities. It is easy to undervalue what we do not see. But when we train ourselves to notice, we challenge complacency and foster curiosity. We change the way we see and in doing so, we change the way we think. This opens the door for innovation, resilience and collective growth.

Leadership is a team effort

Leaders operate within an ecosystem of people, perspectives and shared purpose. As one leadership expert put it, "Whether you’re talking about an executive, manager, sports coach or schoolteacher, leadership is about guiding and impacting outcomes, enabling groups of people to work together to accomplish what they couldn’t do working individually."

Even the best leaders have biases and blind spots, which is why leadership must be a collaborative endeavour. It requires drawing on diverse perspectives and talents. Systems scientist Peter Michael Senge reminds us, "It cannot be stressed too much that team learning is a team skill. A group of talented individual learners will not necessarily produce a learning team any more than a group of talented athletes will produce a great sports team. Learning teams learn how to learn together."

Asking better questions

True leadership is not about having all the answers, it is about asking better questions. It is about creating environments where people feel seen, valued and empowered to navigate complexity with confidence. While some may equate leadership with bold, decisive action, often, the quieter, less visible work of paying attention, listening deeply and responding with intention makes the most profound impact.

The ripple effect of care

Leadership is a balance between the heart and the head, the intellectual and the interpersonal, the rational and the intuitive, the conceptual and the creative. No leader is complete on their own, nor do they need to be. True leadership comes from recognising our strengths, acknowledging our gaps and collaborating with others to bridge them.

When we care enough to notice, we set off a ripple effect, one that transforms not just our organisations but also the lives of those within them. The people who truly change the world are not necessarily the ones with the most authority, resources or influence. They are the ones who care.

So, step up. Notice what others do not. Lead with intention. Care enough to make a difference, because the world needs leaders like you. To care is to notice. To notice is to lead.