A practical guide for emerging executives who want to lead with empathy without sacrificing results. By Shweta Maniar Why do aggressive leadership styles capture headlines while empathetic leaders quietly deliver exceptional results? The answer might surprise you: leaders who prioritize trust, empathy, and genuine human connection aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving. And the data proves what… Read the full article

By Amanda J. Felkey, PhD INTRODUCTION Effective leadership is fundamentally about people. Yet many leadership practices still assume that those being led will engage, contribute and perform in similar ways. Research across education, psychology and organizational science shows the opposite: Individuals vary widely in how they prefer to interact, problem-solve, collaborate and grow. When leaders… Read the full article

PLJ Recognizes our2025 BLACK LEADERSHIPAward Winners In this edition, we proudly present the sixth annual Black Leadership Awards, celebrating outstanding Black leaders. Nominated by their employers or colleagues, these individuals exemplify confidence, determination, and high performance. They are purpose-driven professionals who add significant value to their coworkers, customers, communities, and the organizations they serve. These… Read the full article

By Profiles in Leadership Journal Leadership is often described as providing direction, speaking up, and making quick decisions. In many workplaces, influence seems to belong to the person who talks the most, presses hardest for an outcome, or carries the largest title. There is another way leadership can work. Some leaders rely less on asserting… Read the full article

By Profiles in Leadership Journal In our work with leadership, we focus on the areas that have the greatest impact. Each quarter, that focus shapes the awards we choose to recognize. For 1Q 2026, we are honoring four expressions of leadership that quietly shape organizations, often long before outcomes are fully visible or formally acknowledged.… Read the full article

By Profiles in Leadership Journal How Leadership Elevates Today’s Culture of Appreciation Organizations everywhere are rediscovering a simple truth. People thrive when their work is seen, valued, and acknowledged. Many companies now use internal tools that encourage frequent praise, support peer to peer appreciation, and keep accomplishments visible inside the workplace. These systems have become… Read the full article

PLJ Recognizes our 2025 Third QuarterEmerging Leaders Award Winners For more than two decades, Profiles in Leadership Journal has been dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating a diverse range of leaders. Our primary goal has always been to showcase individuals who have made significant impacts in their organizations and communities. We take great pride in presenting… Read the full article

The 5th Annual Native American/Indigenous Leadership Awards PLJ Salutes a New Native American Indigenous Leadership Award Winner For more than two decades, Profiles in Leadership Journal has honored outstanding individuals who have forged new paths. These individuals have overcome challenges, mentored others, advanced their community, and excelled in their chosen professions. PLJ is again honoring… Read the full article

James R. Rector, Founder and Publisher Profiles in Leadership Journal Across many organizations, belonging has become part of the everyday language of leadership. People want to feel recognized. They want to know whether their work and presence matter. A sense of belonging provides that grounding. It reduces the uncertainty people often feel when they are… Read the full article

PLJ Salutes our Third AnnualVeteran Leadership Award Winners For more than two decades, Profiles in Leadership Journal has honored outstanding individuals who have blazed new trails. They have welcomed challenges, mentored others and excelled in their chosen fields. We are honoring Veteran Leaders with our Third Annual Veteran Leadership Awards. The four profiles that appear… Read the full article