Why Individualized Greetings Build Trust, According to Justin Wright

In a recent LinkedIn post, Justin Wright highlights a powerful lesson in leadership and emotional intelligence, drawing inspiration from a teacher’s daily classroom interactions. Wright uses the teacher’s method of offering students a choice of greetings—a hug, a bow, a high-five, a fist bump, or a silly dance—to illustrate the importance of understanding and meeting individual needs.

As Justin Wright observes:

“17 kids. 17 different preferences. Zero assumptions. She doesn’t greet them the way she wants. She greets them the way they need.”

The Power of Individualized Recognition

Wright posits that this approach, which he terms “emotional intelligence in action,” is a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of effective leadership. He argues that the foundational element is curiosity—a genuine desire to learn what each person requires, rather than imposing a uniform standard.

According to Justin Wright, the most effective leaders he knows make an effort to understand each team member’s preferred mode of interaction. He outlines key questions leaders should ask:

• How do you prefer to receive feedback?
• What does support look like for you?
• How do you want your wins celebrated?

This personalized approach, Wright acknowledges, demands more effort than a one-size-fits-all strategy. However, he asserts that the payoff is significant and authentic.

Building Unshakeable Trust

The core benefit of such individualized attention, as highlighted by Wright, is the cultivation of trust. He explains that when individuals feel genuinely seen and acknowledged for who they are, rather than merely as employees fulfilling a role, their engagement and commitment deepen.

Justin Wright elaborates on the impact:

“When people feel seen as individuals, (not just workers filling a role) they show up differently. They give more, they stay longer, they fight for your success.”

This perspective challenges the notion that emotional intelligence is merely a ‘soft skill.’ Wright strongly advocates for its status as a fundamental leadership competency.

Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Superpower

In his post, Wright reframes emotional intelligence not as an optional add-on, but as a critical driver of team performance and loyalty. He suggests that by understanding and adapting to individual needs, leaders can unlock greater discretionary effort and foster a more resilient and dedicated workforce.

The underlying principle, as Wright emphasizes, is that genuine connection and recognition lead to tangible business outcomes. He concludes by encouraging leaders to adopt this mindset:

“Emotional intelligence isn’t a soft skill. It’s a leadership superpower.”

Wright’s insights underscore the profound impact that personalized leadership can have on building strong, trust-based relationships within an organization, ultimately leading to increased performance and retention.