March 3, 2026
Connected leadership has been at the heart of my work for years—but recently, I was reminded just how powerful it truly is.
I had the pleasure of spending time with someone I deeply admire—Marshall Goldsmith, a two-time #1 leadership coach in the world—while we were both attending the Global Gurus event. In our conversation, we talked about something that feels especially relevant at this moment in time.
We talked about not just what it truly means to be a connected leader, but why it is so important right now. Marshall summed it up simply—and powerfully, click here or watch below.
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A Connected Leader Defined
If you want to keep this definition easily accessible, here’s how I define a Connected Leader.
A connected leader prioritizes relationships in everything they do..
- they care about you and the things you care about
- they lead with openness and care,
- they are trusted and trusting
- they empower others and harnesses relationships to drive meaningful, collective impact.
Basically – they don’t just care about performance. They care about people—and the things that matter to them. That distinction may sound subtle, but its impact is anything but.
Why Being A Connected Leader Matters
When people feel genuinely connected to their leaders, they don’t just show up—they engage. They stay longer. They contribute more. And yes, they’re happier at work. In fact, research shows that close work friendships can increase employee satisfaction by as much as 50%.
In a world defined by constant change, uncertainty, and endless options, connection has become one of the most undervalued leadership differentiators.
Here’s the reality many leaders are facing today… People aren’t planning to stay forever. Loyalty is no longer assumed. And your very best talent, well, they have choices.
That’s why connection isn’t a “nice to have.”
It’s a retention strategy.
It’s an engagement strategy.
It’s a relevance strategy.
At its best, connected leadership does more than retain talent—it connects people to purpose.
And it doesn’t require grand gestures. It shows up in the everyday moments:
- Being fully present in conversations
- Asking questions—and actually listening to the answers
- Recognizing people as individuals, not just roles
When leaders demonstrate that they care about who someone is, not just what they do, it changes the dynamic. Work becomes more human. Feedback becomes more meaningful. And relationships become resilient—even during times of change.
Take Action: This Week’s challenge
So here’s a question I’ll leave you with this week.
Who on your team feels truly connected to you—and what’s one small way you could strengthen that connection this week?
Connection is built one interaction at a time. And the leaders who master it are the ones people choose to follow—again and again.
More with Michelle
I was honored to be included in a leadership book review by Belinda O’Neill. Belinda is the founder of Be Inspired to Be. She is an inspirational speaker and will be interviewing me for the Institute of Leadership for their signature, Meet The Author event on March 11th.
Check out what she thought of The Connector’s Advantage below.
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