167: Leaders with Heart Understand that Caring is About Action

by
Subscribe to the Leadership with Heart Podcast:

In this episode, Heather speaks directly with her listeners about the inspiration behind her book and some updates regarding the Caring Leadership Ecosystem of the book, assessment, and community.

Key Takeaways:

  • Leaders must make their employees feel seen and heard.
  • The Caring Leadership community is now open.
  • There is a free version of the Caring Leadership assessment.
  • The Caring Leadership ecosystem is a support system for individuals who want to be better.
  • Leading with Heart creates a ripple effect.

Caring Leadership is showing concern and kindness to those you lead in very consistent ways. - Heather R. Younger #leadershipwithheart Share on X

Why Did I Write This Book?

In the past I had experienced leaders who made it obvious that they did not care for me or my peers. As an only child I feel closer to my friends, coworkers, and peers than most people because everyone is my brother and sister. Seeing how many of the leaders I interacted with did not take the time to treat their employees like humans inspired me to go out of my way to make a difference. I like to lead with care, heart and compassion and I wanted to influence others to do this as well.

Caring Leadership Ecosystem

I want to take a moment and update you on what’s been happening and where this journey of Caring Leadership has taken me. When I was writing my book, The Art of Caring Leadership, I had this vision of creating a support system for my readers, viewers, and listeners. This vision was greater than myself and my book, but really a way to extend the belief system within the book into an interactive platform with other caring-leaders-in-development.

One Manager at a Time

Although I’ve had my fair share of managers who didn’t show up as Caring Leaders, I have also had a few who did and they have stuck with me. I had a manager, early in my career, who could sense that I felt unheard within the company. He took the time to sit me down and address my concerns even though I had never mentioned it. A simple 5 minute conversation allowed me to feel seen, heard, and motivated to be able to do my job.

Get on the Caring Leadership journey and be better. - Heather R. Younger #leadershipwithheart Share on X

Mentions

Connect with Heather on LinkedIn

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts

Listen to the podcast on Spotify

Becoming Unshakeable Podcast

With Heather R. Younger

Becoming Unshakable is the podcast for leaders, creators, and changemakers who know TRUE LEADERSHIP starts from within.

Each episode explores what it takes to lead with resilience, compassion, and purpose while staying human through it all.

Through candid conversations with executives, frontline leaders, coaches, and everyday heroes, Heather uncovers the real stories behind growth, compassion, setbacks, and transformation.

From navigating change to creating emotionally safe cultures, Becoming Unshakable reveals what it really takes to create leaders—and organizations—that can’t be shaken.

Listen Now >
Browse Episodes >
Hi, I'm Heather

I've been through every type of
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE
you can think of.

Layoffs, reorgs, mergers, acquisitions and major technology shifts. More than 20 years leading teams through high-stakes situations where results mattered, people depended on me, and decisions couldn't wait.

Those years taught me how to lead. But they also showed me the hidden cost of always being the one who holds it all together.

During our second reorg in less than a year, I walked out of a meeting with no say in what was happening, just marching orders. When my team asked how the meeting went, I should have said, “Give me 15 minutes to process this.” But I didn't. Instead, I let them absorb every ounce of my frustration.

Then I saw their faces.

The people who looked to me for stability had just watched me unravel. What was that teaching them about their ability to handle the pressure?

That moment changed how I saw my role as a leader. Leading teams isn't only about grit or resilience. It's about how your presence builds the trust your team needs to function when things get hard.

Today, I help organizations build unshakable leaders, teams, and cultures. Because when leaders become the calm teams can count on, organizations don't just survive change, they come out strong enough to handle what’s next.

Book Heather >
Heather Sitting
Heather_Younger_The_Cycle_of_Active_Listening_Guide

The Cycle of Active Listening

Create a listening culture that elevates the workplace experience for everyone.

Through this guide, uncover how to ensure those in your care at work feel heard and valued, resulting in increased loyalty and satisfaction.

  • Understand why listening is the key to improved engagement
  • Learn how the Cycle of Active Listening contributes to strong workplace relationships
  • Get a practical framework for creating a listening culture that is bidirectional, responsive, and supportive

Contact Heather Today!
+1 403-398-8488

Contact
Contact

I'm really interested in...

(select all that apply)*

I can be reached at...

Additional Comments

Contact Heather Today!
+1 403-398-8488

Contact
Contact

I'm really interested in...

(select all that apply)*

I can be reached at...

Additional Comments