Firstly we need to consider what intentional leadership is— for me it’s linked to leading with purpose, clarity, and vision. But as I’ve undertaken my own coaching learning and research, it’s intrinsically linked to how we shape up as a leader- the Head, heart and body, and our belief systems, how we embody leadership in our selves- it the shape of us as a leader, and our aware of this and intentionally showing up. How we hold on to this intention and what it ,means to us is crucial because this forms your leadership presence and how people experience and perceive this. You lead with your head, heart, body and belief systems, your spirit. You embody your whole human self.
Brene Brown- emphasises the importance of vulnerability, courage, and empathy in creating intentional leadership. For me this also speaks to my core values and commitments-curiosity, learning enabling joyful purpose. It’s serious business, not fluffy stuff.
So love in leadership—not romantic love, is care, respect, and commitment to people’s growth, as opposed to fear… with the core aspects of motivation empathy, growth, and fulfilment for self and others and the organsiation rather than control, compliance, and avoiding failure. This doesn’t remove accountability, but grounds this in compassionate focus on development and learning rather than any punitive or compliance led approaches. It’s not a fluffy approach. Brown explores about the balance between accountability and love. She acknowledges that tough conversations and accountability are necessary in leadership, but they must be done with care and respect, rather than through shame or fear. “Accountability without empathy is cruelty.”
An intentional leadership with love sustains values-led leadership and offers an open and authentic communicative culture between humans. creating a culture of safety, trust and connection, all core needs for engagement and collaborative creativity, rather than being fearful of making mistakes, thus enabling positive self esteem. So if we consider why this matters: we can develop more engaged and empowered individuals and teams, sustained staffing in a climate of higher trust, focused on key goals and ultimately achieving long-term success.
In terms of Leading with Intention of love I reflected on what underpins this:
• Know Your “Why” – Clarify your purpose as a leader.What matters, what’s your passion?
• Set Clear Values – Define what you stand for and how it guides decisions, and behaviours. How does this support alignment?
• Be Present & Mindful – Active listening, adaptability, and presence. All too easy to judge or use judgement in pressured situations-where can you explore perspectives, consider possibilities?
SIndra Nooyi – Former CEO of PepsiCo embodied some of these principles. She is known for leading PepsiCo with a clear vision, and her leadership style was grounded in a deep sense of care and love for her employees. She was not only committed to the company’s growth but also creating a culture that nurtured growth in her people.
One of the most striking examples of her intentional leadership was her focus on “Performance with Purpose,” a philosophy that aimed to balance financial growth with social responsibility. She made decisions with empathy, considering how they would impact employees, communities, and the environment.
Nooyi’s leadership was also defined by her ability to be authentic. She once shared that she led with “love and kindness,” ensuring that her leadership style reflected respect, humility, and a focus on long-term relationships. She emphasized how leaders should be servant-hearted and focus on nurturing people’s growth, not just driving results.
My Key Takeaways from her leadership:
1. Leading with Purpose: Nooyi’s “Performance with Purpose” initiative demonstrated that intentional leadership is about aligning personal and organisational values, balancing profit with positive social impact.
2. Empathy Over Ego: By personally acknowledging the parents of her top executives, Nooyi showed that leadership with love means recognizing the humanity behind the people who contribute to your success.
3. Authenticity in Leadership: Nooyi led with authenticity and vulnerability, sharing her true self and allowing her humanity to connect with others. Leadership isn’t about being perfect, but about being real and caring.
4. Long-Term Relationships: Her focus on nurturing meaningful relationships within PepsiCo created a culture where people felt valued, which translated to higher employee engagement, loyalty, and success.
We can also go to Brene Brown’s Love as Courageous Leadership
In her book “Dare to Lead,” Brown defines leadership as a practice of showing up, being seen, and being brave enough to lead with heart. She often highlights that “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” For Brown, leading with love means leading with both courage and vulnerability—being deeply committed to the well-being of your team while making tough decisions.
Leading with love is an intentional, courageous, and empathetic approach to leadership that prioritises the well-being, growth, and success of others while driving results. It is not about being “nice” or “fluffy,” but about fostering trust, connection, and accountability in a way that supports and empowers people. It enables them to challenge and overcome perceived boundaries rather than limiting them within tight compliance driven parameters. Leading with love can have Boundless Possibilities.
