The Gift of Leadership

"It's December, and whatever your background, chances are you will be lavishing gifts on loved ones this month. This holiday season, however, you might consider giving the gift of leadership. Leadership gifts don't come in wrapping paper and an adhesive bow. They can't be ordered online or shipped overnight. They are the quiet, deliberate practices that make people feel seen, valued, and empowered. The gold, frankincense and myrrh of leadership gifts are listening, growth and appreciation."

"Stevan Bernard, former CSO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, has long championed the power of presence. "Too often," he says, "leaders prepare to respond rather than truly hear." For him, listening is not passive. It's active engagement. Be. Here. Now. Something as simple as restating and clarifying what's been said at the end of a conversation not only shows you've paid attention but it also can reveal surprising insights."

""As a leader, I've made it a priority to listen," Jakson recalls. "I listened to understand the emotional landscape, the operational challenges, and the deeper context of our work." Listening became a way to connect, to share burdens, and to build resilience. "It was a gift I gave and received," he says. "It shaped my leadership in ways no manual ever could.""

Leadership can be given through everyday practices that make people feel seen, valued, and empowered, rather than through material gifts. Listening functions as active engagement and presence, not a passive pause before responding. Restating and clarifying at the end of a conversation demonstrates attention and can surface new insights. Leaders who attend closely to emotional, operational, and contextual details can connect, share burdens, and build resilience, especially in high-stress environments. Many leaders default to speaking or solving immediately, but prioritizing listening reshapes relationships and strengthens leadership effectiveness over time.

Read at Securitymagazine