Care Is the Cornerstone: Why Leadership Starts with People

Lessons from the Wall – Part 1: Inner Mindset

Care Is the Cornerstone

A while back, I snapped a photo of a wall in a colleague’s office, a patchwork of quotes taped up like a personal manifesto. Leadership reminders. Cultural truths. Hard-earned lessons.

I took the picture because I knew: This is who I want to be.
Not the boss I had. The boss I wish I’d had.

Now, as the founder of Township Design, I come back to these quotes often—especially this one:

“The secret to being a good leader is to actually care about your employees.”

It’s not flashy. It’s not complicated. But it’s one of the most transformative truths I’ve learned.

What Does “Care” Actually Mean?

It’s not about handing out swag or saying “we’re like family.” Genuine care shows up in the quiet decisions:

• Protecting your team’s time
  
• Checking in when you don’t have to
  
• Advocating for people when no one’s watching
  
• Giving space for truth, even when it’s messy
  

In the past, I worked in environments where care was optional or conditional. At Township Design, I’ve built something different. Something intentional. We don’t just aim for beautiful landscapes—we strive for a beautiful process, too.

How This Shows Up at Township Design

Whether it’s a team member, a client, or a collaborator, I want people to feel the care baked into every step:

• Homeowners feel heard, not herded through a design process.
  
• Builders know we respect their timelines and protect their reputation.
  
• Contractors get clear plans, responsive communication, and honest expectations.
  

Because when people feel cared for, they give their best, and they come back.

The Honest Truth

Caring takes effort. It takes time. And it’s not always the fastest route to the finish line.
But it’s the only way I want to build anything, especially this business.

Ask Yourself:

• Do people walk away from working with me feeling seen?
  
• Am I building a company that values care as much as craft?
  
• What would change if I led more with empathy and less with urgency?
  

You don’t have to be perfect to be a good leader.
But if you genuinely care about your people, your process, your clients, you’ll create something worth following.