God is much larger than our finite brains can comprehend. This God we know and love—this God we have experienced—is big enough to hold it all. The question is, can we put aside our fears and prejudices and get on board with that? -Shannon K. Evans

Yasmin Dodds recently authored this excellent article, Are You A Gracious Leader? , excerpted from her book Graciously Assertive: How Becoming a Better Human Makes You a Better Leader. Over the past week, I have benefited from several robust conversations with long-time collaborators, and I am grateful for this gift of time and space. I have spent time thinking about if/how I practice the important principles outlined by Yasmin. It’s definitely a process, but I am striving toward the better.

Over the weekend we visited an amusement park on Saturday, and spent the afternoon on the beach on Sunday. Watching our kids enjoy the water rides and rollercoasters, and play soccer on the beach together, brought happiness to our heart. This week, summer is over and school is back in session…God is good. Blessings on your week ahead!

“Gracious” Leadership Principles:

1. Value emotional safety. Create an environment where individuals feel safe to express their true thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or repercussion.

2. Practice radical humility. Approach interactions with humility, recognizing that you do not have all the answers and that every perspective is valuable.

3. Engage in active listening. Listen with the intent to understand, not just to respond. This involves giving your full attention and reflecting back what you hear to ensure comprehension.

4. Practice acceptance. Accept others as they are, without trying to change or judge them. This fosters a sense of belonging and respect.

5. Try being nonjudgmental. Suspend judgment and approach each interaction with an open mind. This encourages honest and open communication.

6. Demonstrate compassion. Show genuine care and concern for others. Compassionate leaders inspire trust and loyalty in their teams.

“Implementing these principles can transform your workplace culture. Start by setting the tone in meetings and interactions, demonstrating these behaviors consistently. Encourage your team to do the same by modeling active listening, empathy and nonjudgment. Becoming a better leader involves becoming a better human being.”