Human-Centered Leadership

Hello, Human

Let’s start with the obvious: people are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re leading a team, creating a product, or solving a problem, it all comes back to human beings—our needs, our experiences, and our potential. So, hello, human. Good to connect with you.

Human-centered leadership is about keeping it human. It’s about putting people first, understanding their perspectives, and designing solutions that truly work for them. It’s a mindset, a philosophy, and, most importantly, a practice.

The Hilton Experience: A Lesson in Human-Centered Design

I first encountered the power of human-centered design on a large-scale project for Hilton. The goal was to create a learning activation called Loyalty Quest—a six-week experience designed to boost engagement across six Hilton brands. It wasn’t just any training; it was global, reaching over 1,600 participants simultaneously.

To make something that impactful work, we followed the human-centered design process step by step. We started with the audience—understanding what would resonate with Hilton team members and how we could create something tailored just for them. The results spoke for themselves: the game-based learning approach led to a measurable boost in engagement between 20% and 60%, depending on the brand.

For me, the best part of the project was the evaluation phase. We could see the clear impact of taking time to understand our audience and deliver something meaningful. It was a game-changer—and it showed me how human-centered design isn’t just a framework for products or training but a philosophy that can transform leadership too.

Human-Centered Leadership: Putting People First

Human-centered leadership starts with the same principle as human-centered design: consider the person on the other side of the experience. Leadership isn’t just about your perspective—it’s about stepping outside yourself to understand your team, your clients, and your stakeholders.

Think about a leader who only acts on their own instincts. It’s like designing a chair without asking how people might sit in it. True leadership considers the full picture: What motivates others? What barriers are they facing? How can you empower them to succeed?

The best leaders act like designers. They ask thoughtful questions, listen to what’s being said (and what isn’t), and create solutions that help their teams thrive—not just for today but for the future.

The Five Phases of Human-Centered Design—For Leaders

The human-centered design process provides a clear framework that’s just as effective for leadership as it is for design. Let’s break it down:

1. Identify: Get specific about the challenge or opportunity. What’s the problem you’re solving, and who’s involved?
2. Understand: Think situationally and empathize with the people at the heart of the issue. What are their experiences and perspectives?
3. Ideate: Brainstorm potential solutions or transformations. Involve your team in the creative process to ensure a variety of perspectives.
4. Implement: This is where the action happens. Pilot your solution, test it, and adapt as needed.
5. Evaluate: Look at the results, collect feedback, and apply what you’ve learned. This isn’t just about measuring success—it’s about preparing for the next iteration.

When you bring this process to leadership, it ensures that your decisions are thoughtful, inclusive, and designed for real impact.

OK, Let’s Play: Design Your Leadership Path

Let’s make this actionable with a personal exercise to help you think about your leadership journey.

Ready: Reflect on your leadership path as a series of stages. What moments have defined your growth so far?

Set: Identify where you are right now. Are you in a stage of building, transitioning, or refining?

Go:

• Write down key milestones in your leadership journey so far.
• Define your current leadership challenges or opportunities. What needs your attention?
• Brainstorm at least three steps you can take to address those challenges or make the most of opportunities.
• Set a reminder to evaluate your progress in three months, then refine and prepare for your next stage.

Don’t Just Exist, Design

Leadership isn’t something that happens by accident—it’s something you design with intention. Whether you’re shaping your career, managing a project, or building a team, human-centered leadership starts with seeing the bigger picture and putting people at the heart of everything you do.
Start with yourself. Reflect on your goals, your growth, and your vision for the future. Then use those insights to lead others in a way that’s thoughtful, impactful, and human.

Because great leadership isn’t just about managing—it’s about designing.
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Hey there! I’m Blair Bloomston, author of UPLIFTED WEEKLY and your friendly consultant, facilitator, and game-based educator on-call, bringing a passion and penchant for all things play (I’m also alliteratively all-in). As the founder of Leaders Uplifted, I help leaders like you tap into creativity, connection, and confidence to make work feel less like a grind and more like a game. Keep reading with me— I’m here to be your business best friend. Let's go!