In our fast-paced, hyperconnected world, it’s easy to feel fragmented—pulled in a million directions by work pressures, social expectations, and the constant buzz of technology. Yet when we pause and consider what truly unites us, we find that compassion, understanding, and genuine human connection can pave the way for profound change. In a recent episode of the Rosabel Unscripted Podcast, host Rosabel Zohfeld sat down with leadership coach and author Steven Howard to explore his new book,
Humany Mindset: Change the World by Changing Your Mindset. Below is a distillation of their conversation—an invitation for you to cultivate a more compassionate, human-centered approach in your own life, workplace, and community.
From Global Marketing to Global Empathy
A Four-Decade Journey Around the World
Steven Howard’s professional journey spans over forty years, taking him from corporate leadership roles at Texas Instruments in Dallas to living and working in Singapore, Australia, and Mexico City. Those early experiences—immersed in diverse cultures—ignited his belief that “we have so much more in common than we have differences.” He recounts how navigating different cultural norms in Asia taught him firsthand that there is no single “right” way to do things. Today, he argues, we face a similar choice: focusing on what divides us or building on what unites us.
“I fell in love with being in an international environment and dealing with people of different cultures. We tend to emphasize our differences, but the truth is, our shared humanity matters far more.”
— Steven Howard
The Birth of Humany Leadership
From Classroom Workshops to One-on-One Coaching
Around twenty-five years ago, Steven began facilitating leadership workshops and noticed a recurring theme: younger managers felt ill-equipped to lead with authenticity. They wanted to guide their teams in a people-centered way, but their own bosses modeled a “my way or the highway” mentality. That disconnect prompted Steven to shift from large-scale training sessions to individualized coaching, helping aspiring leaders develop empathy, effective communication, and the ability to bring out the best in their teams.
Introducing Humany
The term “Humany” merges human, humanity, and harmony. Steven’s first book on this concept—Humany Leadership—challenged the notion that harmony in the workplace is impossible. He cites examples of small, high-functioning teams within larger, conflict-ridden organizations that achieved remarkable results simply by respecting each person’s unique perspective. Out of that foundation, Steven expanded the idea beyond corporate settings to encompass our everyday interactions—giving rise to Humany Mindset.
“Leadership isn’t about managing resources or head counts. It’s about leading human beings—each with their own needs, stressors, and aspirations. When we lead with empathy and respect, extraordinary things happen.”
— Steven Howard
Core Principles of the Humany Mindset
1. Focus on What Unites Us, Not What Divides Us
It’s easy to get caught up in differences—political beliefs, cultural backgrounds, or even communication styles. Yet Steven insists that true progress begins when we recognize our shared goals: safe neighborhoods, thriving schools, supportive workplaces. By choosing compassion over judgment, we can foster environments where everyone feels valued.
“We live in such a divisive world...fights at airports, on airplanes, even in theme parks. But what if we chose to treat each other with kindness and respect, especially when we disagree?”
— Steven Howard
2. Cultivate Your Emotional Wake
Steven introduces the concept of an “emotional wake”—the impact you leave behind after any interaction. Whether it’s the checkout clerk at your local grocery store or a coworker in a stressful meeting, each encounter creates an emotional ripple. By becoming intentional—smiling, making eye contact, offering a sincere “good morning”—you can shift an entire atmosphere.
Example from Mexico City: Steven describes how, during his time in Mexico, nearly everyone greeted him with a warm “Buenos días.” Here in the U.S., many people walk by without even making eye contact. Simply choosing to offer a friendly greeting can break through that barrier and leave a positive emotional wake—for both you and the other person.
“The emotional wake is the impact you have on someone after you interact with them. It can be positive, negative, or neutral. If you set out each day to have positive interactions with five people, those five people might each do the same—and before you know it, hundreds of people feel the ripple effect.”
— Steven Howard
3. Practice the Power of Five
Perhaps the most talked-about principle in Humany Mindset is the “Power of Five.” The rule is simple: have at least five intentional, positive interactions with different people each day. It could be as small as holding a door open, helping a neighbor carry groceries, or genuinely asking a coworker how their day is going. If each of those five people extends kindness to five more, the exponential effect can be staggering.
“If each person you connect with pays it forward—even in a small way—you can indirectly impact 30 people in the first round, 150 in the next, and so on. And the same applies to negative interactions, so which legacy do you want to leave behind?”
— Steven Howard
4. Acknowledge and Manage Stress
In today’s busy world, stress is a leading contributor to burnout, poor decision-making, and strained relationships. Steven emphasizes that we must treat mental fatigue with the same seriousness as physical exhaustion. For example, research shows that being awake for 24 hours can impair your brain as much as having a 0.08% blood alcohol level. Yet employees often soldier on instead of taking a short break—sometimes with dire consequences, especially in high-stakes environments like healthcare.
“In the emergency room, if a nurse loses two patients in one shift, it can cause emotional trauma. A ‘humanly leader’ would recognize that and encourage a brief mental break—because a clear, focused mind is crucial for patient safety.”
— Steven Howard
Real-Life Impact: Stories of Humany in Action
Green Screen Breakthrough
In one memorable anecdote, Steven recalls a pre-production meeting for the movie Gorillas in the Mist. A young intern suggested using green screen technology to avoid having actors spend extra months in the jungle—saving the production nearly $20 million. Initially, many in the room dismissed her because of her youth and inexperience. But a leader who practiced Humany listened patiently, asked her to expand on the idea, and realized its potential. That outcome would never have happened if the leader had been dismissive.
From “Free Speech Isn’t Free” to Speaking Up
Although not directly from Steven’s transcript, his emphasis on creating environments where people feel safe to speak connects with a broader principle: true free speech often requires courage and compassion. By choosing to give others the benefit of the doubt and encouraging open dialogue, we protect the hard-won value that “free speech isn’t free.”
Changing Workplace Culture
Whether you’re a small-team manager or CEO, you have the power to influence culture. Steven suggests reframing leadership by asking yourself: “Am I leading head counts or leading human hearts?” By treating each team member as an individual—tailoring your approach to their personality, strengths, and needs—you build trust, reduce turnover, and unlock creativity.
Takeaways for Everyday Life
- Recognize Your Emotional Wake. Start each day by setting the intention to leave a positive impact on everyone you encounter.
- Aim for Five. Practice the Power of Five daily—small acts of kindness compound quickly.
- Value Mental Well-Being. Don’t equate mental fatigue with weakness. Encourage brief breaks, naps, or moments of mindfulness to keep your mind sharp.
- Lead with Humanity. Whether you’re a first-time manager or a CEO, remember that every decision affects real people—each with their own challenges and dreams.
- Bridge Divides. Seek to understand “why” rather than rushing to judge. Forgiving the reason someone acted out can open the door to deeper reconciliation.
How to Connect and Keep the Conversation Going
If Steven Howard’s insights resonated with you, or if you’re eager to dive deeper into the Humany concept, here’s how to connect:
About Rosabel Unscripted Podcast
At Rosabel Unscripted Podcast (formerly Life Unscripted), host Rosabel Zohfeld brings heart-centered conversations to light—covering topics from personal growth and wellness to leadership and social impact. If you found this article inspiring, please check out our social channels below:
— Rosabel Zohfeld
