Leading FOR the Heart: The Purposeful Approach to Leadership
MICHELLE SLOAN, GUEST WRITERWhen I first stepped into leadership, I was passionate about making a difference in the lives of students. My heart was all in for helping them understand their purpose, talents, and creating opportunities for them to succeed. But the reality of leadership quickly took over. The demands were relentless, and I felt the weight of trying to move a mission forward with what seemed like limited support. The pressure of meeting goals, dealing with resistance, and staying on top of it all began to cloud my original purpose.
I found myself so focused on achieving the mission and accomplishing tasks, that I didn’t take the time to truly invest in the people around me—especially the adults who were part of the school community. In my mind, it was my responsibility to push the mission forward at all costs, and that meant moving quickly, making hard decisions, and sometimes not pausing to connect on a deeper level with my staff or parents. I had learned from my mentor to be "slow to hire, quick to fire"—believing that the mission had to be achieved above all else, and people who didn’t fit into that plan had to go.
But what I didn’t realize at the time was that in my drive to accomplish the mission, I was neglecting the very people who were essential to its success. I wasn’t building relationships, developing my staff, or connecting with parents on a heart level. My focus was almost exclusively on results, and it became clear that something needed to change.
I had to learn a hard lesson: my heart for developing kids wasn’t enough. If I wanted to see real transformation, I had to extend that same level of investment and care to my teachers and staff. Leading FOR the heart became less about achieving a mission and more about inspiring and growing the people around me. Here’s how I came to that realization.
The Challenges of Leading FOR the Heart
Leading with heart wasn’t something I initially struggled with—it was the overwhelming stress of leadership that caused me to lose sight of it. At first, I approached leadership the same way I had always approached teaching: with a heart for making an impact. I loved working with students, teaching and inspiring them, and watching them succeed.
But as the demands of leadership mounted, my focus shifted. The daily pressures—constant meetings, operational challenges, and dealing with difficult situations—took precedence over the relationships I had once prioritized. I felt like I was being pulled in a hundred directions, and the mission of the school became my primary focus. I started to see my role as being the one responsible for moving the mission forward, regardless of the personal connections along the way.
One of the toughest lessons I had to learn was that you can’t accomplish a mission without investing in people. And it wasn’t just about making sure teachers were doing their jobs—it was about truly supporting and developing them, partnering with parents, and building a community that felt connected to the vision of the school.
I realized that in my desire to lead effectively, I had neglected to lead with heart. I wasn’t building trust, I wasn’t fostering relationships, and I wasn’t empowering others to lead alongside me. That was a hard pill to swallow, but it was the turning point in my leadership journey. I had to shift my mindset from simply leading with heart to leading FOR the heart.
Leading FOR the Heart vs. Leading FROM the Heart
One of the key distinctions I had to make on my leadership journey was understanding the difference between leading for the heart and leading from the heart. At first, I thought the two were interchangeable, but the more I reflected, the clearer the differences became.
Leading from the heart is about making decisions based on emotions, being driven by passion for the mission, and trying to accomplish goals with a genuine desire to help others. But it’s reactive. It often comes from a place of personal motivation and empathy—wanting to help people and be part of the solution. While this is a noble approach, it can sometimes lead to burnout or frustration when the demands of leadership don’t align with the emotional intensity of leading from the heart.
Leading for the heart, on the other hand, is about building a culture where people are emotionally and personally invested in the mission and the community. It’s intentional. It’s about creating a lasting environment where heart-driven leadership is embedded into every aspect of the school’s culture. You’re leading not just for immediate results but for the well-being and growth of the people you serve. It’s the difference between being a leader who is emotionally involved and a leader who strategically cultivates an environment where others feel emotionally supported and empowered to achieve the mission.
In my early years as a leader, I led from the heart. I was passionate about the mission, and I cared deeply about my students. But I failed to build an environment where others felt that same connection. Over time, I learned that leading for the heart—by empowering others, connecting emotionally, and focusing on growth over results—was the key to long-term success.
The Heart is at the Center of it All
After coming to terms with the need for change, I began to see leadership differently. Leading for the heart wasn’t just about being empathetic or caring in the moment—it was about creating a long-term vision where people felt valued, heard, and connected to the mission. The heart became the driving force behind every decision I made, but now, it was about more than just my passion for students—it was about connecting that passion to the entire school community.
I learned that the heart of leadership is about cultivating relationships and fostering a sense of belonging among everyone involved—teachers, students, parents, and staff. It’s about leading in a way that prioritizes the emotional well-being of the people who are essential to the mission’s success.
Now, when I walk into a school, I can immediately tell when the heart of leadership is present. There’s a certain energy, a sense of purpose, and a shared commitment that permeates the culture. When leaders prioritize the heart, you can feel it in the way students are engaged, the way teachers are inspired, and the way parents feel like true partners in their children’s education. That’s the kind of culture I strive to create, and it starts with leading FOR the heart.
How to Lead FOR the Heart
Leading FOR the heart means taking purposeful steps to ensure that relationships and emotional connections are central to your leadership approach. Here are some key lessons I’ve learned:
1. Invest in Developing People, Not Just the Mission
It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of leadership and focus solely on the mission. But the truth is, you can’t achieve any mission without the people around you. I had to learn that the hard way. It wasn’t enough to be passionate about students—I had to be passionate about developing my teachers, partnering with parents, and supporting my staff. It goes beyond providing professional development and learning opportunities. It's about personal connections, heartfelt conversations, and truly understanding each person on your team.
When you lead FOR the heart, you’re not just focused on the outcomes—you’re focused on the people who help make those outcomes a reality. Invest in their growth, listen to their concerns, and empower them to take ownership of the mission.
2. Build Relationships That Go Beyond the Surface
Leading FOR the heart means creating authentic, meaningful connections with the people you lead. It’s not enough to have surface-level interactions or occasional check-ins. You need to truly understand what drives your team, what their struggles are, and what they need to succeed.
For me, this meant making time to connect with my teachers, students, and parents on a deeper level. Building trust and fostering open communication became my priority, and it made all the difference.
3. Lead with Purpose, Not Just Emotion
Leading FOR the heart doesn’t mean making every decision based on emotion. It means leading with a clear sense of purpose and aligning every decision with the mission, vision, and values of your school or organization. It’s about creating a culture where people feel connected to a larger purpose and where every action serves the purpose and heart of the school.
When I started leading FOR the heart, I realized that my decisions had to reflect not just what was best for the moment, but what was best for the long-term success of our community. I started asking myself, “How will this decision impact the people I lead, and how does it align with our mission?”
4. Create a Culture of Support and Trust
One of the most important aspects of leading FOR the heart is building a culture where people feel safe, supported, and trusted. This doesn’t happen overnight—it requires consistent effort and intentionality. I made it a point to foster an environment where teachers felt comfortable sharing their struggles, where parents felt heard, and where students knew they were valued.
Leading FOR the heart means creating a space where everyone feels they belong, where their voices matter, and where they can contribute to the mission in meaningful ways.
5. Lead for the Long Term, Not Just the Moment
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that leading FOR the heart is about thinking long-term. It’s not about quick fixes or immediate results—it’s about building a foundation that will sustain the mission for years to come. When you lead FOR the heart, you’re creating a legacy of trust, relationships, and purpose that will continue to grow and thrive.
A Heart-Driven Leadership Community
In my journey to lead FOR the heart, I’m creating a community of like-minded leaders who believe in this approach. And I want to invite you to be a part of that community.
Through Sloan Leadership Solutions, I offer support to leaders like you who are ready to make a lasting difference—not just by leading with compassion, but by leading with purpose. If you’re a new principal looking for guidance, my Leadership Cohort is designed to help you start strong. My VIP Leadership Lounge Membership is the perfect space for all school leaders to grow, connect, and get access to powerful resources.
If you’ve felt the weight of leadership, or if you’ve been struggling to connect with your team in a meaningful way, I’m here to help. Let’s lead FOR the heart—together.
Your Heart-Led Leadership Journey
Leading FOR the heart is about more than just compassion. It’s about purpose, vision, and integrity. It’s about making decisions that will create lasting change, not just quick fixes. And it’s about staying connected to the hearts of those you lead while keeping your own purpose clear and unwavering.
You’ve got this. Lead FOR the heart, and you’ll create a legacy that lasts far beyond the school year.
~Michelle
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MICHELLE SLOAN
Hello! I am Michelle Sloan, a dedicated educator with a fulfilling career spanning 25 years as an elementary teacher and principal.
In addition to my work in the classroom and as a principal, I am passionate about mentoring and coaching other educational leaders. As a principal mentor and coach, I provide guidance and support to help them navigate the complexities of school administration and achieve their professional goals. My work as an educational consultant allows me to share my insights and innovative approaches to enhance teaching and learning experiences.
Beyond my professional life, I am blessed to be a pastor's wife, finding joy and fulfillment in serving and supporting our community alongside my husband. My commitment to education, faith, and service defines who I am, and I am grateful for the opportunities to make a positive impact in both the educational and religious communities.
I'm not just an educational leadership coach ; I'm a catalyst for change, guiding school leaders toward operational excellence, enhanced productivity, and increased unity within schools.
Connect with Michelle today!