My Leadership Experience
There are currently 193 member states recognized by the United Nations, each governed by presidents, monarchs, dictators or other forms of leadership. These leaders make decisions that shape economies, societies, and global policies, impacting billions of lives. Yet, when we look at our daily experiences, who has more influence over our well-being—the leader of our country or our direct manager?
The answer is clear: our boss, our manager, our leader at work. The workplace is where we spend the majority of our waking hours, and the quality of leadership we experience directly impacts our health, happiness, and ability to thrive. This is why I believe that the future of leadership must shift from control to care, from profit to purpose, and from authority to responsibility.
The Workplace as a Source of Crisis or Growth
According to Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, the crisis of human well-being begins with stress—and most of that stress comes from the workplace. Studies show that:
74% of people say their job is their biggest source of stress.
Heart attacks increase by 20% on Monday mornings, revealing the severe toll of work-related anxiety.
Employees lose an average of 31.2 working days per year due to health-related issues, with mental and physical stress accounting for over 84% of productivity loss.
The way leaders treat people at work is not just a business issue—it is a public health issue. Organizations that operate with fear, pressure, and a lack of human connection are not just harming their people; they are contributing to a larger crisis in society.
Who Shapes Our Future—Governments or Organizations?
The world has over 359 million companies, with the majority of economic activity centered in the Northern Hemisphere, where 90% of the human population resides. SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) are the backbone of the global economy, and their leadership structures define how billions of people experience life.
This raises a fundamental question: Should governments or organizations be leading the way in shaping the world of tomorrow? Governments create policies, but businesses create cultures—they shape the experiences, opportunities, and environments in which people live and work.
Looking into the future, I believe we will see a shift from traditional nation-states to community-driven organizations, where businesses take on more responsibility for well-being, purpose, and sustainability.
The Leadership Challenge: Why I Believe in Leading by Serving People
Leadership is no longer just about profitability or efficiency—it is about responsibility for the human beings within an organization. Over the years, I have seen firsthand how leadership that prioritizes people transforms not only businesses but also lives.
This is why I believe in leading by serving people—a model that recognizes that:
Leaders Are Caregivers, Not Controllers – People do not work for organizations; they work for other people. Leadership is about serving those within your span of care.
Work and Health Are Inseparable – If stress at work is the leading cause of health problems, then leadership must address well-being as a priority, not an afterthought.
Purpose Drives Performance – People want meaning, not just a paycheck. Organizations that create a sense of purpose, belonging, and growth will be the ones that thrive in the future.
Why This Is the Way Forward
I believe that the way we lead organizations will define the next era of human progress. If businesses continue to operate as they always have—driven only by profit, efficiency, and short-term success—we will continue to see burnout, stress, and disengagement at an unprecedented scale.
But if we shift toward leading by serving people, where leaders care, organizations nurture, and work becomes a source of fulfillment rather than stress, we will create a future where business is not just about economic growth but about human flourishing.
This is the way forward. Not just for business, but for society and the planet.
