Ed Macha is the CEO of Reliable Controls.
Leadership is a team effort. The measurement of a great leader isn’t in their achievements, but in the quality of the relationships established under their stewardship, the lives affected and the trust gained along the route. In a world addicted to outcomes, efficiency and ceaseless activity, we forget the most significant truth about leading: Nobody gets to the end alone.
The most effective strategies, the most cutting-edge tools and the loftiest goals are only as powerful as the relationships they are founded on. Unsurprisingly, a Gallup meta-analysis of 200,000 manager-led teams found that more engaged managers have more engaged teams, with a flow-on effect of better work output and more positive daily emotions. I’ve found that the converse is also true—unhappy managers typically fail to inspire their teams.
Leaders who prioritize authentic relationships over transactional management help create more resilient organizations and happier people. That’s the big picture, but it’s built on everyday interactions in a healthy work culture.
Leadership As Connection
A single conversation can shift a mindset. A solitary experience can alter the trajectory of a company. The people who recognize the power of relationships unlock opportunities beyond what they alone could achieve. Behind each great achievement I have experienced, the foundation was never strategy alone or execution alone. It was always people.
According to self-determination theory, competence, autonomy and connectedness are universal needs people need to become self-determined. To that, we can add the need for a sense of psychological safety to risk failure. As humans, we are hard-wired for connection, so leaders can model and encourage these attributes directly through relationships with those under our care and benefit ourselves as we use them as opportunities to grow.
I have witnessed how the right relationships elevate projects and entire industries. From commissioning new mining plants to introducing AI-driven process controls, every major turning point for me has involved people—mentors, collaborators and those who pushed me to think differently.
Connection in leadership goes well beyond networking or transactional exchanges. It involves truly seeing people, understanding them and realizing that the role of leadership is to empower others to accomplish what they never thought possible.
The Forces That Shape Us
Some believe success is purely about strategy and execution. But the longer I lead, the more I understand that the people who challenge us are meant to be there. Some enter briefly, teaching us lessons before moving on. Others stay, becoming constants who shape our leadership philosophies and our worldviews.
Research recognizes that healthy dissent can prevent organizations from getting bogged down in myopic thinking. There’s no room in modern leadership for an authoritarian style that defends positions for the sake of being right. It only stifles the kind of pushback necessary for innovation and moving an organization forward.
Throughout my journey, certain individuals forced me to confront aspects of myself I wasn’t ready to face. They challenged my decisions, questioned my assumptions and ultimately helped me grow into the leader I am today. Forget the myth of the leader who stands alone. A great leader surrounds themselves with people who make them better.
Leadership: Presence, Not Just Authority
Too often, leadership is mistaken for dominance, titles or control. True leadership is about presence. We need to show up—not just in the big moments, but in the small ones. Be available when a team member needs guidance, listen when an idea needs refining and foster an environment where people feel empowered to bring their best.
I have seen that the most effective leaders aren’t the loudest or the most commanding; they are the ones who make others feel seen. They bring stability in uncertainty, direction in chaos and trust in every interaction. Instead of seeing leadership as taking control, walk beside people, not above them. Your success will not just be measured by how far you go but also by who walks with you.
Throughout my career, I’ve realized that the greatest moments weren’t in the deals closed or the technologies implemented, but the relationships built, the teams formed and the people who were transformed because of a shared vision.
A great leader doesn’t say, “Follow me.” A great leader says, “Let’s go together.”
The Light We Bring To Others
The greatest gift a leader can give is belief in another person’s potential. The so-called “Pygmalion effect” is quantifiable in workplace settings where people live up or down to our expectations. It can even affect their career progress (paywall). When we find those rare individuals who challenge us to think bigger, push us to grow and make us better, everything changes. We must create an environment where people feel empowered to take risks, think boldly and challenge the status quo.
Remember, the best leaders build legacies through people, and there is power in collective intent. We are talking here about partnerships, not hierarchy; measuring success not by what is achieved but by who we achieve it with. So let’s continue leading with intention, recognizing that the goal is not to stand alone at the top but to bring others with us.
Thank you for the journey.
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