The Reminder I Needed
A while back, I snapped a photo of a wall in a colleague’s office, with taped-up quotes and little reminders of how to lead with integrity.
One quote stood out:
“The secret to being a good leader is to actually care about your employees.”
I saved it because I knew: this is the kind of leader I want to be. Not the boss I had. The one I wished I had. And now, the one I’m trying to become.
What Real Care Looks Like
It’s not about birthday cards or team lunches. Real care shows up in the daily decisions:
- Protecting people’s time and energy
- Making space for honesty
- Asking about the person, not just the project
I’ve learned that when people feel cared for, they bring more creativity, trust, and pride into their work.
At Township Design
This shows up everywhere, from the way we listen to homeowners to how we respect our collaborators’ time.
Care isn’t just a value; it’s part of the process. It shows up in the details, the emails, the tone of voice, and the space we give people to think out loud. And it’s what sets the tone for every project.
Ask Yourself:
- Do people feel seen, or just managed?
- Are you building a business where care is part of the culture?
- What would happen if you led more with empathy and less with urgency?
You don’t have to be perfect to be a good leader.
But if you genuinely care, people feel it. And they give you their best in return.
