Accountability and care form the foundation of leadership
One of the most meaningful leadership challenges I have faced came in the nonprofit space, where I was tasked with strengthening an organization’s ability to deliver on its mission while honoring its people-centered values.
Nonprofits often operate with a strong expectation of humility and care, which is part of what makes the work so vital. At the same time, I saw clearly that good intentions alone were not enough. Communities rely on us not only to care, but to deliver. The challenge was how to introduce greater discipline through clearer goals, stronger systems, and more rigorous planning without eroding the spirit of collabortion and purpose that drew people to work.
In practice, that meant making tough choices. At times, collaboration had to give way to clarity. The urgency of the mission required direct and decisive action, even when it was uncomfortable. What I learned is that clarity itself can be a form of care: People do better work when they know exactly where we are headed and why. By holding to that standard, I aimed to show that discipline was not the opposite of compassion. It was one of its most powerful expressions.
The experience taught me a lesson I carry forward. Leadership is not about choosing between boldness and empathy. It is about knowing when each is required and how they reinforce one another. Introducing accountability into a system rooted in care requires patience and humility. It also requires the courage to hold steady when norms resist change, and the willingness to be decisive when the mission demands it.
Over time, I saw what this approach could yield: stronger partnerships, more consistent delivery, and a renewed sense that ambition and service are not at odds. The real challenge was ensuring the work could rise to meet the needs of the people depending on us.
What I took away is simple. Leadership is not about softening hard truths or hardening soft values. It is about weaving them together into something more durable. Accountability and care are not opposites. They are the foundation of leadership that lasts.
