"Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay."
Maya Angelou
|
I rarely come across leadership metrics that feel alive, but Gallup's latest report delivered.
Last week, they released a sweeping global study that asked respondents to describe how their most influential leaders affect them. More than half cited hope as the defining quality that set these leaders apart. The research makes clear that where hope thrives, people flourish. Where it’s absent, both wellbeing and performance suffer.
According to the study, after family members, workplace leaders play the greatest role in shaping people’s lives. Think about the executives, managers, and colleagues you've encountered; their impact reaches well beyond the job itself, for better or for worse.
Gallup identified seven behavioral practices that help leaders inspire hope and meet their followers’ needs: building relationships, developing people, inspiring others, communicating clearly, leading change, thinking critically, and creating accountability. My resources this month delve into these practices and explore actionable ways to make them your own.
↓
💜 The Heart
Tools to support your conscious leadership practice.
🤝 Trust is the foundation; here's how to develop it. [Video]
Influence flows from trust, and Gallup's research points to building relationships as the path to both. In this short talk, Harry Kraemer, former CEO of Baxter International, Kellogg professor, alumnus, and past guest on my podcast, dispels the myth that authority makes someone a leader. He argues instead that influence grows through internal and external awareness, meaning you can embody true leadership regardless of your title.
😊 The science behind happy, high-performing teams. [Podcast]
How do you lead change without resistance? Dr. Elia Gourgouris suggests starting with happiness. In this episode of "Happiness at Work,” the corporate wellness and positive psychology expert explains how collective wellbeing creates natural conditions for progress. His research shows that when you invest in culture more than rigid strategy, team members willingly embrace change.
🌱 Build people up without holding them back. [Book]
The strongest leaders don’t have to use brute force to get results. Why? In Power vs. Force, psychiatrist Dr. David R. Hawkins explores the ways leadership isn’t about control, but rather, alignment. Leaders who cultivate inner clarity and integrity inspire genuine growth, while those who rely on force can’t count on more than short-term compliance. This book reveals why presence, not pressure, is the key to developing people.
🧠 The Matter
Leadership trends that caught my attention.
💡Make hope your default setting. [Article]
Hope isn’t just uplifting; it’s a tool. Gallup researcher Vibhas Ratanjee writes how history’s trailblazers demonstrate consistent, authentic optimism while avoiding the trap of deploying hope only in crisis. Ready to give your people more than the occasional motivational speech? This piece offers concrete methods to make inspiring others part of your professional atmosphere.
💫 Leadership insights from the universe. [Video]
What does quantum physics have to do with leadership? Everything, according to physicist Brian Greene. In this fascinating reflection on his book, The Elegant Universe, 25 years later, he describes how understanding the mechanics of our world helps us think critically within our work spheres. His observations about space and time provide leaders with a fresh lens for addressing today's nuanced challenges.
📊 Must-know data for the modern leader. [Research]
When people feel supported, they perform at their best. Gallup’s study highlights three priorities for supportive leaders: knowing the four core needs of their followers (hope, trust, compassion, and stability;) self-awareness and developing their own strengths; and understanding the demands and expectations of their role. Leaders who excel in these areas create accountability throughout their organizations. If you want to enhance your effectiveness, this report is a powerful resource.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Where do you see hope blooming in your life, your workplace, and our civilization? As you nurture that hope, which leadership practices will you focus on this month?
Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Until next time.
Sending love and light,
Ginny Clarke