The management of people is among the most complicated aspects of professional work environments. If we were only ever working with technology and tools, we’d have the power to manipulate and make them work for us. But that kind of tactic in managing people doesn't work. 

In life, at home and at work, people make up the environments we live in. And people are unique. There is not one person on the planet who is the same as the next. From a DNA standpoint, every individual is uniquely gifted and skilled. And with those gifts and skills comes the opportunity for individuals to contribute to work in amazing ways. 

Everyone has the autonomous right to place value where they believe it exists. And, when we force members to place value in things they might not agree with or fully understand, our tactics are seen as manipulative and underhanded. We simply have not considered what others value. 

And when organizations and leaders forget this, they simply cannot lead. People do not trust people who do not value them. And so people management is absolutely one of the most important areas of leadership and work. As a project manager and as a change manager there are tools and techniques that you can use to help the work alone. But as a people manager you have to dig deep. You have to own your idiosyncrasies, and in the midst of understanding yourself, you have to grow in your emotional intelligence. 

In order to lead well with people, you must practice empathy. It's not just about walking a mile in someone else's shoes. It's actually taking the time to listen to and recognize what an individual brings to the table that you want to understand, and know that understanding them will make your ability to support them and to work with them all the better.