Best Humans to Work With Award

Let’s be real—leadership isn’t about titles, tenure, or trophies. There are millions of books, trainings, playbooks, and posts out there on “how to lead in uncertain times.” You know why? Because there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for being the kind of human people actually want to follow. Every person at work leads themselves—so by definition, we’re all leaders. And how we show up—for ourselves and for others—is what defines that leadership. This isn’t about theories. It’s about recognizing the people actually doing it. Not writing about it. Not selling it. Living it.

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We’ve all seen it: The senior exec with the title who still thinks command and control brings scalable and sustainable results. The quiet contributor who could lead a team to greatness if only their shine stealing supervisor could drop their ego. The laid off colleague who brought nothing but their best to build people and things in profound ways. Because leadership has nothing to do with where you sit on the org chart—and everything to do with how you show up when it counts. 

 

It lives in how you connect.
How you steady the room.
How you make others feel capable, seen, and supported—especially when things get hard.

That’s who this platform is for.

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The purpose of Best Humans to Work With is to celebrate the humans who show up and lead like it matters—because it does. It celebrates the people who actually make work work—at any level, in any role.
The ones whose integrity shows up when no one’s watching. Whose energy makes you want to rise because they do.
The leaders proving that putting people first isn’t soft—it’s smart. Because results follow people—when you lead them right.

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This isn’t another “top 40 under 40” or a corporate popularity contest. It’s about real leadership in the wild.
Whether it’s coming from the C-suite, the cubicle, or the now unemployed team member who did everything right. In a world where burnout gets normalized and ego often gets rewarded, we’re highlighting those doing it differently. Those rising above the noise, the chaos, and the performative nonsense—and leading with presence, purpose, and alignment.

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What Makes Someone a Best Human to Work With?

This isn’t a thank-you card. It’s a recognition of people-first leaders who can actually deliver results—without micromanaging, fear tactics, or burning people out. Did you work with someone who is now looking for work and you trust they would be a best human to work with at another organization? Nominate them! 

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When considering your nominee, think about:

• WHO – How do they lead from their values? How do they consistently model their character with integrity?

• BE – What energy do they bring into the room? How do they show up when stakes are high, or tensions are real?

• DO – What specific actions, behaviors, or decisions have made a meaningful difference and that move the needle—for you, your team, or your company?

Ask yourself:

• How do they help me grow and learn in a way that made me shine—without casting a shadow on my light?

• How do they make me feel? Is it safe to speak up, to show up fully, and believe in myself around them?

• How do they demonstrate courage, vulnerability, and lead by example when it mattered—not just when it was easy or when the stakes were high?

• How does their presence make things feel more possible, more human, more grounded?

• How are they choosing to put people first and what impact does this have on people/teams/the organization?

• What have they accomplished showing up as they are?

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This isn’t about rank. It’s about impact, alignment, and the way they lead themselves, influence others and generate results by being a best human to work with.

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How We Spotlight the Best

Each month, we highlight humans who were nominated by someone who’s worked with them for at least 6 months—supervisors, teammates, collaborators, direct reports, clients. People who’ve felt their impact up close and can share the result of this impact. 

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Everyone nominated gets a digital badge and recognition. One story is selected for a deeper spotlight. This is a recognition movement grounded in humanity, not hierarchy. It’s for the ones making a difference when it’s hard—not just when it’s convenient. And the stories we share? They’re not fluff. They’re field guides for better leadership—one human at a time. 

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