Do you have to sacrifice fortune to lead with heart—or the other way around, or can you do both?

For a long time, I thought you couldn’t have both—that choosing integrity and connection meant letting go of financial success. It’s easy to feel caught between the two, and sometimes it can even lead to judgment from both sides. But over time, I’ve realized that when you prioritize heart—when you build something real, rooted in care and meaning—it’s not only possible to have both, but you often find that the value and success follow more naturally. It’s not the easy route, and it takes a lot more work, but the payoff? It’s often bigger and more sustainable. It requires risks, creativity, and a willingness to stretch yourself beyond what feels comfortable, but the longevity and depth of success you build from that foundation can make it all worth it.

Recently, I read a book called Make No Small Plans. It tells the story of a group of young guys—just in their twenties—who went after something huge. After a series of projects that stretched them beyond reasonable standards, t hey bought a MOUNTAIN and turned it into a thriving ski resort. But what struck me wasn’t just what they achieved, it was how they did it. They didn’t come from wealth, and they didn’t take traditional paths. Instead, they stretched themselves, took calculated risks, and stayed grounded in their beliefs. They trusted in the power of connection and leading with heart. And they proved that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of integrity.

Their story got me reflecting on a few things:

Pushing Yourself Beyond the Comfort Zone
One thing these guys did constantly was stretch themselves. They didn’t wait until they had everything figured out—they took the leap and trusted they’d figure out how to build the parachute on the way down. That mindset, of taking bold risks while betting on your ability to grow, feels like something we could all embrace more. It may feel terrifying, but it’s also how you learn what you’re capable of.

Building with Heart
What stood out most wasn’t just their accomplishments—it was the care they put into how they built them. When they took over the ski resort, they promised the local community they wouldn’t erase its culture, and they kept that promise. They focused on creating genuine connections and meaningful experiences, not just profit. And yet, the success still followed—because they put heart first.

Relationships Matter
At the core of everything they did was a belief in real, meaningful connections. They built community by hosting events and summits, bringing people together to collaborate and dream bigger. They didn’t start with a mindset of monetizing every moment; they started by giving value and trusting the rest would come. Those relationships became the foundation of their growth.

Learning from Failure
Another thing that resonated with me was how they handled failure. They didn’t hide their mistakes—they owned them, fixed what went wrong, and used them as opportunities to grow. That growth mindset, where setbacks are just a part of the process, is something I try to embrace in my own life and work.

Reading their story made me think not only about my own goals but also about the kind of foundation I want to build for my son. He’s six, and he’s already talking about starting a business (he first brought it up when he was five – and this is all him and did not come from me AT ALL). I want to nurture that curiosity and show him that it’s possible to dream big, take risks, and create something meaningful. I want him to see that failing doesn’t mean you stop—it means you learn, adapt, and plow forward.

And for me, this was a reminder of the kind of leader I want to be. Whether it’s for my clients, the people I work with, or my son, I want to show up with heart, build with care, and trust that the rest will follow. The line from the book that really hit me was this: “Great leaders don’t make followers, they make other leaders.” That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave.

PS. My son’s name means The Head, The Heart, and the Spirit. This post reminds me of what my hope for him always was and always will be. And how that can trickle into every part of our own lives.

So, what about you? What comes up for you that resonates in your own life, work, parenting?