“In grief or loss, love-led leaders accept that it’s a learning process as every day means navigating life differently.” -N. Anderson
I recently lost a close family member, and while grief is never easy, love-led leadership has equipped me with tools I never imagined would help me confront loss so intimately.
As I face this difficult season, love-led leadership isn’t just about showing up for others—it’s also being fully present for myself, even in the moments that hurt the most.
Presence in the Midst of Loss
One of the core principles of love-led leadership is being 100% present. This means staying engaged, even when everything in you wants to flee. In the past, when life got hard, my instinct was to run—to retreat from any kind of pain. Instead of pushing away the emotions that grief brings, love-led leadership has taught me to hold space for the hard things. It’s not about fixing the pain or rushing to a resolution. It’s learning to sit with it, allowing myself to feel it fully, and trusting that in that space, there is growth.
Thich Nhat Hanh beautifully explains this idea in his quote, “Without suffering you cannot grow. Without suffering you cannot get the peace and joy you deserve.”
Vulnerability Necessary for Growth
In addition to being present, love-led leadership encourages vulnerability.
Being vulnerable with others about grief can be hard, but it’s also been healing. Margaret Perry, LCSW, explains it beautifully: “Being emotionally vulnerable is an important aspect of building authentic connections with others. When we dare to express our true emotions and insecurities, we create a safe space for trust and openness. This, in turn, encourages others to do the same.”
This mutual openness doesn’t just make grief easier to bear—it strengthens relationships. Remember, although loss changes us, it doesn’t have to isolate us. In fact, it can be an open door to deeper connection and understanding.
Turning Pain into Strength
As I continue to navigate this journey of loss, I am grateful for the continued lessons of love-led leadership. I encourage you to consider how love-led leadership might help you in your own times of difficulty. Whether in the face of loss, disappointment, or fear, the principles of love-led leadership can provide a framework for embracing life’s most painful moments with presence, vulnerability, and courage.
Here’s to leading and healing with love,
Nicki
Tags: compassionate leadership, emotions, heart centered leadership, leadership and grief, leadership journey, leading with love, love-led leadership, vulnerability