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Can business have a heart?
Here we are in February. So much has happened already and yet 2025 is still in its infancy.
In January, ahead of delivering a senior leadership keynote, I was asked by one of my clients to read the book: The Heart of Business by Hubert Joly.
Now, I like a good business book, but I’ll admit – often I read them more out of curiosity, duty and diligence, than from a place of pleasure and excitement. 🙄🤭
So imagine my surprise when, just in the opening chapter of the audiobook, I heard words that brought a surprised smile to my face and caused a huge sigh of relief.
Says Joly: “Purpose and human connections constitute the very heart of business.”
“More and more people hold the system responsible for social fractures and environmental degradation. Employees, customers, and even shareholders expect much more from corporations than a blind pursuit of profit.”
Joly, the former CEO of consumer electronics brand, Best Buy, and an ex-McKinsey consultant, shares a leadership philosophy centred on purpose, human connection, and unleashing people’s potential – not just chasing financial success. He argues that great leadership isn’t about authority or control but about inspiring people and creating environments where they can thrive.
Hubert Joly revived Best Buy by prioritising people, customer service, and strategic partnerships. His leadership boosted profitability and helped the company thrive despite e-commerce challenges.
It’s a refreshing perspective – especially in these stressful, ever-changing times – and a necessary reminder that leading with heart and focusing on human beings is not only the right thing to do, but also a powerful way to drive real impact.
Watch an interview with Joly here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtiUMAYOcG8
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES?
January was a whirlwind. I kicked off the year with trips to New York and California, and now I’m finally catching my breath before diving into what’s shaping up to be an interesting year ahead.
Keynotes and workshops on Empathy are ever popular, and it’s heartening that many organisations are doubling down on their efforts to create environments of belonging, brave communication and emotional connection.
Highlights include speaking on Emotional Intelligence to the CEO and 200 senior leaders from a 55,000 person healthcare organisation, and on Empathy to a cohort of MBA students from Imperial Colleage, London.
I also enjoyed delivering a half-day training on Presence and Influence to a group of project managers across Europe.
How do presentation skills tie in with empathy?
Well, when we’re preparing our communication, it’s easy to overlook the role of perspective taking and putting ourselves in our listeners’ shoes.
But by being curious and asking thoughtful questions, we can gain valuable insights into others’ perspectives, helping us tailor our message for greater impact. Instead of making assumptions, we create space for genuine understanding, leading to better outcomes for everyone.
INSPIRE INCLUSION: THE POWER OF LISTENING
One of the things I love about Joly’s book is how he emphasises the power of listening as a key part of inclusion. He reminds us that leaders aren’t there to have all the answers – they’re there to create an environment where people feel heard, valued, and empowered.
This article about Inclusive Listening has some interesting insights, including the difference between “giving” attention and “paying’ attention.
With USA Black History Month already here, I’m excited to be returning to a client from last year to continue important conversations around inclusion.
The client, a global luxury goods brand, is keen to convey to all its staff that their DEI agenda is still fully supported. The session will be highly interactive with plenty of opportunities for audience members to share and support each other.
And with Women’s History Month just around the corner in March, I’ll be speaking at events in London and Ireland. If you’re looking for a speaker to bring fresh insights to your organisation, there are still a few slots available – contact Heather@sholakaye.net to find out more.
COMMUNICATION CORNER: HOW TO ADD TRANSPARENCY TO THE MIX!
Hubert Joly highlights the importance of transparency in leadership and communication – not just saying the right things, but truly aligning words with actions.
A keynote attendee recently wrote to me on LinkedIn. They shared that their manager had hinted that they didn’t like their work approach, and had begun trying to micromanage them.
If your manager or a colleague isn’t transparent with you, here are some strategies that might encourage them to change and be more open.
Proactively Share Updates – Regularly provide clear summaries of your work before they ask. This builds trust and reduces their need to check in constantly.
Ask Open-Ended Questions – Instead of assuming their concerns, ask: “What would help you feel more comfortable delegating this task?” or “Can you share more about the bigger picture so I can align my work accordingly?”
Clarify Expectations – Request specifics on decision-making and approval processes. A simple “What level of detail do you need from me to feel comfortable?” can set clearer boundaries.
Frame Transparency as a Win-Win – Position openness as beneficial to both of you: “It would really help me deliver better results if I understood more about your priorities and concerns.”
I enjoyed this article on Transparent Communication Strategies for managers: https://blog.proactioninternational.com/en/workplace-transparency-a-guide-for-managers
Another way to encourage trust and connection is by adjusting how we use our voices. Did you know you can add warmth to your tone by extending your vowels? This is a useful skill, especially when you’re feeling defensive or need to soften your message.
If you’re interested in a Communication Workshop – whether a one-hour session, half-day, or full-day – reach out, and let’s chat about how we can work together.
Participants describe these sessions as ‘Super informative and interactive’, and ‘Extremely valuable and practical’.
That’s it for this month! If you have something to share, don’t hold back. I truly love hearing from you 🙂
Take care, and let’s look out for each other.
All the best,
Shola
Hi, I’m Shola and I help you create a people-first culture. My work sits at the intersection of Inclusion, Communication & Emotional Intelligence.
My keynote talks and workshops help your leaders and employees create high-performing work environments where people feel a sense of belonging and psychological safety. Sessions are high energy, interactive, and every participant walks away with at least one practical framework for connecting and collaborating more effectively.
Sound good to you? Please reach out and let’s discuss your next event! 🙂🎤✨