Winning With People | The Compass Vol. XV

Welcome to Volume XV

Leadership has always been about people, but over the last few months, that truth has become more apparent to me than ever.

Stepping into the role of Interim Head of School means helping care for nearly 600 students, more than 90 employees, and thousands of parents, alumni, donors, and other stakeholders.

And nearly every opportunity, challenge, decision, and difficult conversation has something in common:

People.

Business is about people. Leadership is about people. Fundraising is about people. Ministry is about people.

We can build better strategies, stronger systems, and healthier organizations—but ultimately, our ability to make an impact will always depend on our ability to build relationships with people.

This month, we're talking about what it means to Win With People.

Thanks for reading The Compass. Lets dig in!

Thought of the Month: Winning With People

You don't have the luxury of not liking people if you want to thrive as a leader.

Whatever you're leading—a business, nonprofit, ministry, or team—you're in the people business. You're hiring people, developing people, serving people, solving problems for people, and inspiring people to believe in what you're building. Nearly everything we do as leaders comes back to human interaction.

Jesus understood this better than anyone. When asked about the greatest commandment, He said to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. But He didn't stop there:

“And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” — Matthew 22:39 (ESV)

Love God. Love people.

This is arguably the most practical leadership principle. And loving people isn't complicated—it shows up in how we lead every day. Listen well. Ask great questions. Have the hard conversations. Celebrate people. Show up when it matters. Build trust before you need it.

Strategies, systems, and execution matter, but never become so focused on building the organization that you forget you're building it with people and for people.

People aren't an interruption to the work. People are the work.

What We’re Working On

You guessed it: Relationships.

Internal relationships. External relationships. Client relationships. Donor relationships. Employee relationships. Family relationships. Friend relationships.

Every day we're working with leaders who are trying to strengthen organizations, grow businesses, raise money, navigate change, or solve difficult problems.

And beneath almost every one of those challenges are relationships.

The right conversation can restore trust.

The right introduction can create an opportunity.

The right question can uncover a problem.

The right relationship can completely change the trajectory of an organization.

Sometimes the most important work on your calendar isn't another meeting or another task.

It's lunch or a round of golf with the right people.

Leader’s Resource

📖 Crucial Conversations — Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler & Emily Gregory

Winning with people doesn't mean avoiding difficult conversations.

In fact, healthy relationships often require them.

Crucial Conversations provides practical tools for navigating conversations where opinions differ, emotions run high, and the stakes matter.

One of the marks of mature leadership is learning how to tell the truth, listen well, preserve trust, and move relationships forward—even when the conversation isn't easy.

If your leadership requires people—and it does—this is a resource worth having on your shelf.

From The Blog: Fundraising Events—What's the Point?

I've seen organizations put hundreds of hours into fundraising events that generate minimal return. I've also seen one relationship, stewarded wisely, turn a single lunch into a multimillion-dollar commitment.

That's the secret: events don't raise money. Relationships do.

The best events simply create opportunities to deepen relationships, introduce new people to your mission, and build connections that last long after everyone goes home.

👉 Read: Fundraising Events—What's the Point?

Share The Compass

Leadership is better when we don't do it alone.

Who is someone in your life who makes you a better leader?

A colleague? Mentor? Friend? Board member? Pastor? Coach?

Consider forwarding them this edition of The Compass with a simple message:

“I'm grateful you're one of my people.”

And if The Compass can encourage them in their own leadership journey, invite them to subscribe and join us each month.

Catch up on past issues at The Compass.

Let’s Connect

Relationships shouldn't end with a newsletter.

One of my favorite parts of what we do at Savini Solutions is getting to know leaders, hearing what they're building, understanding the challenges they're facing, and helping them find a way forward.

No gimmicks. No complicated sales pitch.

Let's have a conversation.

If you're leading an organization, building something meaningful, navigating a challenge, or simply want to connect, I'd love to hear from you.

Because at the end of the day, that's where almost everything worthwhile begins:

A relationship.

@SaviniSolutions | @JustinSavini

Let’s Connect