March 20, 2025
Note: This article was originally published as a post on my LinkedIn profile. For more leadership insights and business strategy discussions, you can connect with me on LinkedIn.
There’s one phrase I hear too often in leadership and business circles that makes me want to flip a table:
“It’s not personal, it’s just business.”
I call BS.
Too many leaders hide behind this excuse instead of owning how their actions impact their team.
And honestly? It’s cowardly.
Every business is personal because businesses are made up of people. If you want to build a high-performing team that respects and trusts you, then you have to be willing to lead like a human—not a bulldozer.
I’ve worked with business owners at every level for the last 14 years, and I’ve seen this pattern over and over:
The leaders who struggle to build trust, attract great talent, and keep their team engaged are usually the same ones who refuse to adapt how they communicate.
They expect people to conform to them instead of learning how to meet their team where they are.
So, what separates great leaders from the ones who bulldoze their team?
Here’s what I’ve learned about leadership that can make all the difference.
Assume Positive Intent
The truth is, most people aren’t out to get you. They aren’t trying to make your life harder, drop the ball, or challenge you just for fun.
When you assume positive intent, you shift from looking for problems or traps to looking for solutions and synergy.
It makes us less defensive and more open to hearing what’s actually being said.
Get Curious
You cannot be both curious and judgmental at the same time. The best leaders don’t jump to conclusions—they ask better questions.
If someone on your team says or does something that throws you off, get curious about why or what is going on.
This doesn’t mean you have to agree, but understanding their perspective will help you respond effectively instead of reacting emotionally.
For me, when I get curious, it allows me to feel more empathy and diffuse conflict, not to mention better support them.
Take a Breath Before You Respond
Viktor Frankl said it best.
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
I know it is hard in today’s fast-paced world, but sometimes the best thing you can do is take a beat.
That email you want to fire off? Sit on it. The tense conversation you’re about to have? Take a breath first.
I’ve found everything looks clearer after a good meal, a good sleep, or a good walk.
Remember: Behind Every Title is a Human
A CEO, an employee, a client—every person you interact with brings their own experiences, challenges, and perspectives to the table.
The best leaders know their people well enough to communicate in a way that lands. It’s not about coddling; it’s about knowing how to engage someone in a way that brings out their best.
The irony of all of this?
If you want to scale your business and have a team that operates at a high level, it starts with trust.
Trust in your team—but also their trust in you.
Conclusion
So, if you’ve ever found yourself saying, “It’s not personal, it’s just business,” I challenge you to pause and ask:
➡️ What am I avoiding?
➡️ How could I communicate this better?
➡️ Am I leading in a way that builds trust or breaks it?