Some blog posts arrive quietly.
Others land with weight and warmth.

When Lauren Kaufman’s latest post, People Come First, landed in my inbox, I paused before opening it. Not out of hesitation, but out of trust. I knew, just as I always do, that I would walk away feeling enriched. I would feel inspired. I would be nudged to be better in my own practice after reading her words.

That has been the gift of being a long time reader of Lauren’s work. It has also been the gift of friendship and thought partnership with Lauren.

You can read Lauren’s post here:
https://laurenmkaufman.com/2026/01/07/people-come-first/

Why This Post Is Worth Your Time

Lauren Kaufman is a district leader, a disciplined weekly blogger, and the author of the inspiring book The Leader Inside. She is also someone who writes from lived experience, not from a pedestal. Her posts are never about performance. They are about presence.

Her blog consistently shows up with clarity and heart. When her writing lands in my inbox, I know I will be enriched, inspired, and motivated. Lauren has a way of making her words resonate so deeply that you want to do better and be better.

In People Come First, she reflects on a poignant exchange with another human being. The moment is simple on the surface, yet profound in its implications. The post does not rush toward resolution. It does not offer a checklist or a framework. It invites the reader to slow down and sit with what it truly means to show up for someone else.

That restraint is precisely what makes it powerful.

Here’s the Core of What It Shows

At its heart, this post is about listening. Not listening as a leadership move or a strategic tool, but listening as an act of humanity.

As I continue to delve deeper into human-centered leadership, Lauren’s words echoed something I have been reflecting on myself. Sincere and deep listening is not an accessory to leadership. It is an entry point.

To listen well is to communicate worth.
To listen deeply is to make space.
To listen without fixing is to honor someone’s story.

Lauren reminds us that people do not need us to be impressive. They need us to be present.

What This Stirred in Me

Reading this post led me to reflect on how often leadership culture rewards speed over stillness. We are praised for having answers, for moving quickly, and for resolving things efficiently.

The leaders who have shaped me most were the ones who slowed the moment down. They listened without interruption. They stayed curious. They did not rush me toward clarity before I was ready. Lauren is one of those leaders for me and so many others.

Lauren’s post reinforced a truth I am still learning. Human centered leadership begins long before we speak. It begins in how we listen.

A Thought Partnership That Matters

Lauren is also my most frequent guest on my podcast, Leadership Liner Notes, and the unofficial executive producer of the show. Our conversations consistently ground me and stretch my thinking.

One of our most recent episodes was a co-hosted conversation celebrating and amplifying the work of Elizabeth Dampf, author of Am I Cut Out for This?. The episode explored self doubt, courage, and staying rooted in purpose.

You can listen to that episode here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/am-i-cut-out-for-this-featuring-elizabeth-dampf-and/id1438352351?i=1000722226286

A Question I’m Sitting With

What would change in our schools, our teams, and our systems if we treated listening not as a courtesy, but as a commitment?

This is why I remain a proud and engaged subscriber to Lauren’s blog. Her words do not shout. They resonate.

Today, I am still learning.