by Michelle Cummings
We all want to believe that good intentions make good leaders. And intention does matter, it’s where leadership begins. In our Heart of a Leader module, we focus on leading from a place of care, connection, and integrity. But intention alone doesn’t always shape the experience others have of us. That’s where the gap begins, the space between what we meant and what actually happened. That’s the intention–behavior gap, and we’ve all felt it on both sides.
Research by Rhodes, Pfaeffli Dale, and Mansell explores this very gap, showing that the strength of an intention plays a key role. Strong intentions are more likely to predict consistent behavior, and they tend to hold steady over time. But they also come with a risk: when an intention becomes too rigid, it can close us off to feedback or new perspectives. A leader may be so focused on achieving a goal that they stop noticing how their behavior is landing—or whether it still reflects their original values.
(more…)What does it take to lead one of the biggest telecom companies through rapid change? In this episode, Ernest Cu, President and CEO of Globe Inc, shares how he built a culture of innovation inside a legacy company. He opens up about tough decisions, mindset shifts, and the early bets that helped Globe stay ahead.
Ernest walks through the real challenges of digital transformation—not just tech, but people and leadership. He talks about removing fear from the workplace, letting teams experiment, and the role of trust in building a future-ready business. His stories show how staying human in a tech-driven world creates real impact.
Whether you’re leading a startup or transforming a large company, this episode gives practical lessons from the top. Ernest’s take on leadership, failure, and staying curious will stick with you long after the episode ends.
(more…)People often take their cues from the leader in the room. Whether you realize it or not, your mood, body language, and energy set the tone for how others respond. If you want your team to show focus, optimism, or determination, the most effective way to inspire it is to model it yourself.
Energy is contagious. When leaders bring a calm, steady presence to a stressful moment, it helps others stay grounded. When they bring enthusiasm and engagement to a new project, it makes the work feel exciting and worth the effort. The opposite is also true; negativity or anxiety from a leader can quickly ripple through the team.
(more…)Setting goals is only the first step. The real progress happens when you track how you are doing and make changes when needed. Without regular measurement, even the clearest goals can drift off course. Leaders who measure consistently stay aware of what is working and what is not, which allows them to adjust before small problems become big ones.
Measurement is more than just checking numbers. It is about comparing your current results to where you want to be. This could be as simple as weekly check-ins or as detailed as reviewing specific performance metrics. The key is consistency. Sporadic tracking makes it too easy to miss trends or lose momentum.
(more…)by Michelle Cummings
Leadership isn’t just about what you say. It’s about how you show up – every day, in every interaction. Your body language, tone, and energy send signals long before your words land.
Think about it: Have you ever walked into a room and felt tension, even before anyone spoke? Or trusted someone more simply because they looked calm, open, and engaged? These are leadership signals. And people are reading them, whether you mean to send them or not.
Your team is constantly asking themselves:
(more…)by Paul Cummings
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – John C. Maxwell
Great leadership isn’t just about strategy, goals, or results. It’s about people.
When you lead from the heart, you create a culture where trust, passion, and purpose thrive—and that’s where real success happens. Have you given much thought to what bad leadership costs organizations?
The Heart of a Leader: The ROI of Authentic Leadership
(more…)Every leader knows the importance of listening, yet distractions are a constant challenge. A phone vibrates. A notification pops up. Someone walks by your office. Even your own thoughts about the next meeting or unfinished work can pull you away from the person in front of you. These moments matter more than we think.
The first step toward being fully present is noticing when your focus slips. Distraction often starts small. Your eyes flicker toward an email alert, or your mind wanders to a pending decision. These tiny moments may seem harmless, but they interrupt the connection and reduce your ability to truly hear the other person.
(more…)Strong communication is not just about what you say. It’s about how you say it and how you listen. Leaders who adapt their approach to match the preferences of the person they are speaking with build stronger relationships and create more effective conversations.
People have different communication needs. Some thrive on direct, concise messages. Others prefer detailed context before making decisions. Some process ideas out loud, while others need time to reflect before responding. When you understand these differences, you can adjust how you speak and listen to make your message land more effectively.
(more…)Stress has a reputation for being harmful. But not all stress is bad. In fact, a healthy level of stress can keep you alert, focused, and motivated. The key is knowing when you’re in that optimal zone and when you’ve tipped past it. Leaders who can recognize that sweet spot are better equipped to manage energy, make clear decisions, and stay productive without burning out.
The optimal stress zone feels like a challenge, not a threat. It’s the space where your brain is alert, your focus is sharp, and your energy is steady. You may feel pressure, but it drives performance instead of draining it. This zone keeps you engaged. It’s what athletes call “flow.” Work feels hard, but it also feels good.
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At the heart of every high-performing organization is a strong leader – someone who drives the vision, creates the company culture and knows how to call the shots in a time of crisis. Wouldn’t it be great if every company had multiple leaders like that?
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