Leadership in Action: How Love Builds Team Alignment

Leadership isn’t always about strategic plans or executive retreats. Sometimes, it’s found in a quiet hallway, in a steady presence, or in a warm greeting that anchors a whole community.

This month, as many of us head "back to school," I’m honored to spotlight one of my greatest mentors and role models: my mother, Cathy Collett.

Cathy has dedicated her entire career, spanning nearly five decades, to Catholic education. As principal of Mary Queen of Apostles School in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, she has led with unwavering commitment, humility, and what she calls her guiding word: love.

“If I had to choose one word to describe teaching or my role as an administrator, I would choose love. It is in love that you find faith, that you find compassion.” — Cathy Collett, Golden Apple Award Acceptance Speech

Throughout her journey, Cathy has shown that communication isn’t a “soft skill” — it’s the operational backbone of a thriving culture. From merging schools and building new traditions to teaching generations of students (including her own children and grandchildren), she has modeled that alignment isn’t just a leadership concept; it’s a lived, daily practice.

When facing difficult changes, like a school merger that could have divided a community, she focused on honoring past experiences while inviting everyone to help shape something new. It was messy, emotional, and deeply human, and it worked because she built it on love, trust, and open communication.

Her story reminds us that we don’t stop at insight; we embed behavior. Real alignment isn’t about a plan on paper. It’s about the small, consistent actions that build trust and belonging day after day.

A personal note

I’ve learned countless lessons from my mother about leadership, courage, and what it really means to support people. Her legacy lives on not only in the generations of families she has taught but also in how I approach my own work with leaders and teams today.

Who has shaped your view of leadership? I invite you to connect on LinkedIn and share a story about a mentor who influenced you, or reach out to explore how we can bring these same values into your organization.

Book a complimentary discovery call. Let’s create a ripple effect of trust and alignment together.

Cathy Collett - Winner of the Inaugural Principal's Golden Apple Award, 2025