EP202: Leadership is Human
LEADERSHIP IS A PRIVILEGE.
And it requires a focus on humanity.
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(The notes below are only a brief bullet point summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email to angie@angie-robinson.com.
This week’s post is all about a phrase I say often—leadership is human. I wanted to take time to explain exactly what I mean when I say it, because it has shaped nearly every part of how I lead, coach, and support others.
A Story That Changed My Leadership
I want to start with a story I think about often, especially given what we see publicly around leadership today. I recorded this episode on November 18, 2025, and it was impossible not to think about what behaviors are currently getting airtime in our country. Many of them do not reflect human leadership.
This isn’t about politics. It’s about humanity.
The story takes place early in my career, during my time with Hyatt Hotels in Denver. After completing the Management in Training program, I was placed in housekeeping as an Assistant Executive Housekeeper. Later, I moved into HR thanks to a leader who took a chance on me—David Rice.
One of the employees I worked with was Oumar. He was joyful, warm, and someone who brought light into every space he entered. He was supporting his family back in Africa while he worked in the U.S.
On November 18, 1997—28 years to the day from when I recorded this—Oumar was murdered while waiting for the bus after his shift. It was a racially motivated hate crime. A woman named Jeannie attempted to intervene and was shot as well. She survived but was permanently paralyzed.
The next morning, I arrived at work early. David was already there. He told me what had happened. It was devastating.
But what happened next is where leadership comes in.
Leading Through Humanity
This wasn’t something we could “check at the door.” It wasn’t something to gloss over in the name of business operations.
Our leaders showed up with humanness, compassion, space, time, and support.
Yes, we had guests to serve and a business to run. But we didn’t ignore the impact this tragedy had on our people. Leadership wasn’t separate from life. It was intertwined with it.
This experience shaped my belief that:
We lead humans, not roles. We don’t stop being human when we walk into work.
What It Means to Say “Leadership Is Human”
This phrase has become a cornerstone of my work.
Leadership is not about titles. It’s about behaviors, influence, and supporting real humans with real lives.
People bring everything with them—their emotions, histories, identities, fears, hopes, trauma, and joy.
Pretending otherwise creates disconnection and harm. Humans are not employee numbers or profit margins. They are people with stories who deserve to be seen, valued, and treated with dignity.
The Hard Stuff and the Joyful Stuff
Across my career, I’ve supported people through grief, divorce, mental health challenges, caregiving, addiction, hormonal changes, and more. Humans don’t have compartments. Real life affects our presence, performance, and energy.
And it’s not just the hard stuff—we get to be part of the joyful moments too. Babies, marriages, milestones, inside jokes, team celebrations. Leadership gives us the privilege of being invited into people’s lives.
If you want the privilege of leading people through their hardest moments, you also need to show up for the joyful ones.
What Human Leadership Is Not
Unfortunately, we see a lot of examples of non-human leadership:
• Narcissism
• Power-over dynamics
• Blame and shame
• Bullying and name-calling
• Ignoring feedback
• Retaliation
• Dismissing impact
These behaviors create fear and disengagement. They disconnect leaders from their own humanity—and from the humanity of others.
Human Leadership Does Not Mean “Soft”
We absolutely still need accountability, results, and performance. I’ve had to have the tough conversations and make difficult decisions many times in my career.
But it’s how we do it that matters.
→With curiosity instead of assumptions.
→With courage to hold real conversations.
→With humility to repair when needed.
→With compassion balanced with accountability.
→With awareness of the ripple effects of our words and actions.
Awareness is the bridge between intention and impact.
A Dedication
On this anniversary of his death, I want to dedicate this episode to Oumar—for what his life and his loss taught me.
And to all the humans throughout my career who have allowed me into their stories. The good, the bad, and everything in between.
Thank you for choosing to lead with more humanity. We need it now more than ever.
What Do You Think?
Where are you leading like a human? And where might you be armoring up?
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