Lessons in Leadership: Balancing Results and Empathy
If I asked you to name a leader who gracefully balances strong business results & human empathy, who comes to mind?
For me, it’s Julia Hartz.
From startup roots, to navigating a pandemic that changed gathering forever, to building a global platform that empowers creators to bring communities together - there’s no question that under her leadership, Eventbrite is a successful, enduring business.
But it’s how she values the people who work for her that sets her leadership apart in my mind.
What I learned about balanced, human-centric leadership at Eventbrite:
We’re all human.
Put your own oxygen mask on before helping others.
Prioritize & invest in being your best, healthiest self.
When it comes to balancing being a good business leader and partner, mom, daughter, etc - hope is not a plan. Intentionally plan each week to include balance.
Empathy is a critical business strength.
Be fair, and be kind (which is different from being nice).
Assume your team won’t retire with your company, and optimize to be the workplace where they felt they did their best work.
There is power in human connection. Fostering a workplace culture that breeds deep human connection is a great retention strategy.
Have a growth mindset.
You don't need to always have the right answers. You need to be willing to seek out truths and understand multiple perspectives.
Stay humble enough to know you always have more to learn.
If you want to bring the Make-it-Happen magic into your own business, we’d boil it down to this:
Hire for grit, determination, courage, integrity, and good judgment.
Make the mission clear.
Foster a culture that balances strong business results & empathy.
