Human-Centric Leadership: A Guide to Thriving Workplaces

By Helen Wada with Philippa White

In the latest episode of Human Wise, I had the pleasure of speaking with Philippa White, the Founder of TIE Leadership and an advocate for meaningful change in leadership practices.

Philippa: “We're expected to think differently. We're expected to be inspirational leaders. We're expected to have these human competencies, be able to empathise but how is all of that possible? If we're doing the same thing all the time with all the same people with the same sort of reference points and stimuli”

So, how can we cultivate this kind of leadership? And what steps can we take to ensure that our workplace culture evolves to prioritize humanity and long-term thinking?

Human Connection in Leadership

We discussed how to integrate human connection into leadership and business conversations, especially in a world that often prioritises hard skills over soft skills.

We need to encourage people out of their comfort zones and also into a space where they are happy. As Philippa explained with her work “by creating opportunities for leaders that get them seeing themselves in the world in a completely different way, we can encourage to nudge them forward, pushing them towards the edge of their mental maps”. 

We all get comfortable with being comfortable, but the truth is, our learning and growth comes from the edge of our comfort zone.  If you can find the courage and confidence to stretch into new places, this is where the magic happens. 

Philippa: If you are happy if you, feel happy, if you feel content, if you feel that people trust you, if you like what you're doing, if you're in that flow state, so you feel like you're doing the right thing. And then your brain expands and you're able to unlock that thinking are so much better at what you do.”

We went on to discuss how human connection has benefits beyond engagement, flow and satisfaction, it also has benefit for the top and bottom line. 

As a study by Gallup in 2018 showed that companies with a highly engaged workforce have a 21% higher productivity than companies with a disengaged workforce. 

Emotion in Negotiation

Philippa: “Negotiations often focus on technical skills, but it's the human element that makes a significant difference. When you look at Chris Voss’s 'Never Split the Difference,' you see how employing empathy and understanding in high-pressure situations can lead to better outcomes.”

When you look at the skills needed for traditionally “hard” business conversations, the skills needed by leaders are actually those softer human skills that make the difference, the same awareness, empathy and understanding of others that is advocated by human-centric leadership. 

The World Demands a New Approach

The shift from a top-down approach to a more interconnected model isn’t just a trend, it’s a necessity driven by globalisation and technological advancements. Philippa and I discussed this evolution and the need for business systems to adapt, ensuring diverse decision-making processes that include multiple sectors and disciplines required for long-term sustainable success. 

We also discussed the significant benefits of diversity and inclusion in leadership roles. Empowering more women and underrepresented groups to take on decision-making positions can lead to more effective and human-centric leadership.

Philippa: “It's not just about giving women power, but about bringing in competent individuals who focus on humanity - and replacing those traditionally at the top”. She recommends the book by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, 'Why Incompetent Men Become Leaders and How to Fix It” is a great read with a short ten-minute ted talk that highlights a new way of thinking for the next generation. 

Developing The Power Skills

Helen: “Embedding leadership skills like empathy and vulnerability in early education is crucial for preparing individuals for the evolving workplace.”

We need to introduce these essential qualities early to nurture future leaders. Philippa shared a compelling example where European students move to live with families abroad during their summer, fostering adaptability and cross-cultural understanding.

Philippa: “Exposing young individuals to diverse perspectives and cultures is key to developing the empathy and adaptability required for effective leadership.”

The ROI of Humanity in Business

You can't have more human cultures, which are more profitable without investing in more human leaders.  Philippa and I discussed how it doesn’t just happen.

Philippa: “You have to invest in those people and you need to help those people develop those competencies. And if you don't do that, then you will struggle. You will struggle from an innovation point of view. You will struggle from a profitability point of view and you will struggle from a cultural point of view”.

It also means that we need to take a longer term view of success. If you don’t understand the underlying issues, then you solve the wrong problem in the short term and the pattern is likely to repeat itself. 

Philippa: “We have environmental catastrophes. We have this interconnected world where we can't think in isolation anymore, because what happens in one place fundamentally impacts people in another place, we need to create new approaches and solutions”

Leadership is not something that can be taught in a traditional classroom setting. It requires ongoing conversations, consistent effort, and a willingness to step outside of one’s comfort zone.  This is where coaching comes in, exploring what lies within, developing yourself first, so that you can lead and develop others with a human mindset for our sustainable future.

Philippa: “Stepping out of our comfort zones is essential for personal growth. It’s like David Bowie said, keeping our feet slightly off the ground helps us maintain a beginner’s mindset and embrace challenges.”

So how can we foster these essential leadership qualities in the workplace?

Here are three takeaways from my conversation with Philippa White:

• Embrace Long-term Thinking

Philippa emphasises the importance of long-term approaches. Short-term solutions might offer quick fixes, but they often fall short of creating sustainable success.

• Prioritise Human Connection

Incorporate empathy and understanding in your leadership practices. The ability to connect on a human level can lead to better negotiation outcomes and a more engaged workforce.

• Foster Diversity and Inclusion

Actively work towards creating diverse leadership teams. Bring in individuals who focus on humanity and inclusivity to drive meaningful change.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s through embracing long-term thinking, prioritising human connections, or fostering diversity and inclusion, cultivating human-centric leadership is essential for the future. Aligning individual and organisational purposes can lead to positive work environments and sustainable success.

Philippa leaves us with a thought-provoking question inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt: “What would scare you and leave your feet a little off the ground this week?” Reflecting on this can help us step outside our comfort zones and strive towards better leadership practices.

For more insights, check out the full podcast episode with Philippa White here, or contact me on LinkedIn.

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For more from Philippa, you can connect with her on LinkedIn.

Human Wise releases new episodes weekly and is available on all major podcast platforms.