I’ll never forget the day we helped to secure an $8 million deal. I shared this powerful moment with 1000+ leaders in Portugal.
The numbers were significant. The excitement was real. But what stayed with me most wasn’t the deal itself, it was the people behind it.
At that time, my team and I were performing at our highest innovation peak. Ideas flowed effortlessly. We challenged one another, built systems that worked, and created something that didn’t just move the needle, it redefined it.
Shortly after that deal closed, everything shifted.
I was named CEO of a tech startup built around the very platform we had developed, a platform born from our collective brilliance, grit, and belief that innovation thrives in inclusive environments.
It was thrilling… and terrifying.
There were no clients yet. No safety net. No guarantees.
Still, one by one, my team chose to come with me.
They walked away from higher salaries, predictable paths, and stability to build something that didn’t yet exist.
When I asked why, they looked at me and said three simple words that I’ll never forget:
“We trust you.”
That moment hit me deeply.
I remember sitting quietly later that night, thinking about what that really meant. Why would smart, talented people choose uncertainty over comfort?
And then it became clear: It wasn’t about me. It was about how they felt under my leadership.
The Data Behind Inclusive Leadership
According to research by Deloitte, 83% of employees who feel included are more innovative, and teams with inclusive leaders are 17% more likely to report high performance.
I saw those numbers play out in real life. Inclusion wasn’t just a value, it was the engine behind our innovation.
My team didn’t follow me because of authority. They followed because they had been part of something that valued their voices, ideas, and growth.
That’s the heart of inclusive leadership, creating environments where people feel safe enough to take risks, share bold ideas, and co-create solutions.
The Real Lesson
When your leadership is rooted in inclusion, your team doesn’t just perform, they believe.
And belief is more powerful than any paycheck. It’s what makes people move mountains, build the impossible, and stay committed even when the path isn’t clear.
I used to think securing an $8 million deal was the highlight. Now I know the real win was earning something far more valuable, trust.
Because leadership isn’t about position. It’s about creating spaces where people can thrive, innovate, and follow you into the unknown, not because they have to, but because they choose to.
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