Leadership often demands a delicate balance of decisiveness, vision, and the ability to connect deeply with others. In his insightful reflections, Matt Lesser offers a framework for creating flourishing organizations by focusing on three key pillars: empathy, empowerment, and excellence. These principles serve as a blueprint for leaders striving to build environments where individuals and teams can thrive.
The Journey to Leadership: Lessons from Hardship
Matt’s leadership journey began in his family business, a path marked by early responsibility and immense challenges. At just 24 years old, he found himself at the helm, facing a cascade of unforeseen problems. The weight of these challenges led to a period of profound personal struggle, culminating in what he describes as a life-altering realization: “I need God, and I need others.” This pivotal moment reshaped his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and vulnerability.
He acknowledges that his natural inclination was to tackle challenges alone, a trait many leaders can relate to. However, his experiences taught him the value of interdependence. “I cannot do life alone,” he shares, reflecting on the transformation that emerged from his darkest hours. This humility became the foundation for his approach to leadership, where embracing the support of others is not just a strategy but a necessity.
The Power of Sharing Stories
One of the most striking insights Matt offers is the importance of storytelling in leadership. When consulting with organizations, he often begins by encouraging leaders to share their stories. This practice fosters a sense of humanity and connection, breaking down barriers and building trust. Matt recounts instances where leaders, after sharing deeply personal experiences, witnessed a profound shift in team dynamics.
“When we’re willing to be vulnerable and take off the mask for a moment, it creates a bond,” he explains. This vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but a tool for building authentic relationships within an organization. Leaders who embrace their own stories inspire others to do the same, creating a culture of openness and mutual respect.
The Three Pillars of Flourishing Organizations
At the heart of Matt’s philosophy are three pillars that guide organizations toward long-term success: empathy, empowerment, and excellence. These pillars are not abstract ideals but practical principles that can transform organizational culture.
Empathy: Restoring Humanity to Leadership
Empathy, Matt believes, is about truly understanding the people you lead—from the entry-level employee to the executive team. “We’re human beings, not human doings,” he emphasizes, reminding leaders of the universal need to be seen, heard, and valued. Empathy goes beyond listening; it requires leaders to connect with their teams on a personal level, fostering an environment where individuals feel understood and supported.
Matt’s stories illustrate how empathy can revolutionize team dynamics. In one organization, he facilitated a session where leaders shared their personal journeys. The result was transformative: tears, hugs, and a renewed sense of unity. The team, which had previously struggled with high turnover, experienced a dramatic improvement in engagement and loyalty. “Empathy restores humanity to organizations,” Matt asserts, and the ripple effects of this approach can be profound.
Empowerment: Trusting Your Team
Empowerment is about trusting people to do the jobs they were hired to do. All too often, leaders unintentionally stifle creativity and engagement by micromanaging or imposing rigid controls. Matt highlights the importance of effective delegation, ensuring employees have the tools, resources, and authority to excel in their roles.
“If you want to increase growth, you have to decrease control,” he explains, emphasizing the inverse relationship between these two factors. Empowerment requires leaders to step back, trust their teams, and provide clarity on the organization’s vision. When employees understand the “why” behind their work, they become more engaged and motivated, contributing to a culture of innovation and accountability.
One example Matt shares involves a company struggling with high turnover among middle managers. By implementing structured delegation and clear boundaries for decision-making, the organization experienced a significant reduction in turnover and an increase in employee satisfaction. Empowerment, when practiced effectively, unlocks the potential of individuals and teams alike.
Excellence: Striving for the Best
Excellence, as Matt defines it, is about doing the best you can with what you have—every single day. Importantly, excellence is not synonymous with perfection. “Sometimes you have a bad day, and even on your bad day, you can still give your best,” he notes. This perspective encourages leaders and teams to focus on consistent effort rather than unattainable ideals.
From an organizational standpoint, excellence requires alignment. Matt underscores the importance of having clear and practiced values, not merely aspirational statements displayed on a wall. He recalls working with a company where the values listed in their office were not reflected in their daily operations. After urging the leadership team to align their actions with their stated values, the company saw remarkable improvements in quality and morale.
“Are your values practiced or aspired?” Matt challenges, highlighting the need for authenticity in organizational culture.
Humility: The Key to Unlocking Potential
Underlying all three pillars is a fundamental quality: humility. “If you’re not teachable and coachable, it’s very difficult to grow as a leader,” Matt observes. Humility allows leaders to recognize that they don’t have all the answers and that collaboration is essential for success. It’s a mindset that fosters learning, adaptability, and resilience.
Humility also connects back to Matt’s personal journey of surrender. By letting go of the need to control every outcome, he discovered greater joy and purpose in his work. This lesson is a powerful reminder that true leadership is not about asserting authority but about serving others and creating an environment where everyone can flourish.
Bringing It All Together
Empathy, empowerment, and excellence are more than just concepts—they are actionable strategies that can transform the way organizations operate. By fostering a culture of understanding, trust, and dedication, leaders can create workplaces where people feel valued and inspired to do their best work.
Matt’s insights serve as a call to action for leaders at every level. Whether you’re navigating challenges, striving to build a stronger team, or seeking to align your values with your actions, these principles provide a roadmap for success. In the words of Matt, “We cannot do this alone. We need others, and we need to lead with purpose.”
Listen to the episode: Gut + Science | 244: Pillars of a Flourishing Organization with Matt Lesser
Key Takeaways:
- Leaders should share their personal stories to foster connection and trust within their teams. Vulnerability humanizes leaders, breaking down barriers and creating deeper bonds that enhance team dynamics and loyalty.
- Leaders must understand and value their team members on a human level, recognizing their inherent need to be heard and appreciated. Empathy isn’t just a soft skill but a transformative force that strengthens engagement and reduces turnover.
- Effective delegation and trust empower employees to perform at their best. By decreasing control and allowing team members to make decisions within clear boundaries, leaders can increase innovation, satisfaction, and overall organizational growth.
- Excellence involves doing your best with what you have each day, even on challenging days. It’s about aligning actions with organizational values and ensuring those values are consistently practiced rather than merely aspirational.
- A teachable and collaborative mindset is crucial for successful leadership. Humility enables leaders to learn, adapt, and foster an environment where collective success is prioritized over individual authority.
Things to listen for:
[00:03:47] Embrace lessons and overcome challenges.
[00:08:40] Approach to investment included relational and impact.
[00:15:00] Empathy, empowerment, excellence in understanding and connection.
[00:16:22] Delegating poorly leads to disengagement and dissatisfaction.
[00:20:19] Colleagues bonded, now team feels unified.
[00:23:43] Training on effective delegation and empowerment strategies
[00:26:53] Consistent effort needed, align mission and values.
[00:32:22 Sharing stories, purpose-driven leadership, empathy, empowerment.
[00:33:12] Trust, excellence, and practicing our values.
