Only 7% of leaders get this right—and their teams outperform everyone else

In a recent meeting with 300 leaders from a top-performing transit authority, a speaker explored the impact of leadership styles on team performance and employee well-being. When asked if they had worked for leaders who genuinely cared about them, nearly everyone raised their hands, recalling positive experiences. However, fewer hands remained raised when asked if those leaders also pushed them to achieve exceptional results. Conversely, when asked about leaders who drove high performance, many hands went up, but fewer people felt valued and understood in those environments. This highlights a key distinction: the most effective leaders are those who balance high expectations with genuine care for their team members. This combination sets the top 10% of leaders apart and is a skill that can be learned and developed. QUESTION: How might learning to balance high expectations with genuine care in leadership impact your future career or personal relationships?