Several years ago I engaged in a debate with a colleague over the nature of People First Leadership. The issue in question was how to make decisions when the interests of people conflict. My colleague took a distinctly utilitarian view on the matter. I did not. What is Utilitarianism? Utilitarianism is an outcomes-based ethical framework that suggests the "right" choice results in the most total utility (i.e., well-being, welfare, happiness, etc.). In other words, we're loo

"I'm going to fire my staff." Those were the first words Villanova men's basketball coach Kevin Willard uttered in response to a sideline reporter's question. Villanova was facing Utah State in the first round of the 2026 NCAA March Madness Tournament, a game Willard's team ultimately lost by 10. During the post-game press conference, Willard clarified his comments claiming they were a joke, but he failed to offer any further explanation. Worse, he failed to apologize. "I'm

We briefly addressed the myth of "accomplishing results through people" in a previous post that dispelled common misconceptions about People First Leadership , but we have since encountered a couple of recent articles that perpetuated this misunderstanding further. Although the articles in question accurately portray other facets of the leadership style, the concept of achieving results through people is antithetical to People First Leadership. Here's why. In short, people a

We've all heard it; we've all said it: "There are too many cooks in the kitchen." The phrase is widely understood as meaning too many people working on a project or decision is counterproductive and inefficient—too many voices or opinions slow down the process and an inferior product results. For the most part, we accept this proverb to be true; however, my work with a recent client caused me to reflect on whether we've been thinking about this illustration accurately. Appeti

Why are people not an organization's greatest asset? The short answer is that people are not assets, they're people. To classify a real, live, breathing person as a line item to be leveraged is not only dehumanizing, it is patently unethical.

When we introduce the concept of People First Leadership to organizations, we often hear the same objections, doubts, and misconceptions. We're at the point now where we've probably heard it all—and then some! In trying to explain ideas and create understanding, sometimes it's helpful to define a new concept by what it is not. So that's why today we're dispelling the top ten People First Leadership myths. Here are the top 10 things that People First Leadership is not . Being

If there's anything we know better than anyone else, it's People First Leadership. You could say we literally wrote the book on it ! That's why we offer specialized leadership development training and culture consulting , so new and seasoned managers alike can equip themselves with the mindsets and tools they need to lead their people well. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, here's a basic breakdown of what the leadership style entails. Defining People First Leade

Recent events have many leaders questioning whether or not they will have relevance in the future. Rest assured, we need people-first leaders now more than ever. Here are 21 things that AI cannot do—authentically—for you or your people. Build trust Foster community Care about your people Empathize Offer purpose, mission, and vision Champion your values Create or change a culture Inspire a team Lead Listen to intuition Read between the lines Experience synergy Look past numbe

Last Thursday, February 26, CEO Jack Dorsey announced that Block (i.e., Square, Cash App, etc.) would be laying off nearly half of its employees. And although, to its credit, the company was supposedly generous with severance packages , make no mistake the move was cold and calculated. Four thousand real people just had their lives turned upside down, and no amount of severance can really compensate for the toll losing a job takes on employees and their families. In a people

Welcome to People Are First Consulting! We're excited to offer the business world a resource to learn more about People First Leadership.