Growing with Grace: The Kind of Leadership Casey Lightbody Offers

 There are moments in our professional lives that gently but profoundly shift something inside us.

Not with fireworks. Not with big announcements. But with sincerity. With presence. With someone who chooses to listen really listen without judgment.

I experienced one of those moments recently. And it came from a meeting with someone I’ve come to deeply respect and admire: Casey Lightbody.

A Safe Space to Be Heard

"Vulnerability is how you connect and grow."

Casey replied warmly:

“You’re so very welcome. Vulnerability is hard but it’s how you connect and grow. Thank you for sharing! Remember when I told you that I was really invested in you?
Remember when I said I can teach you but not the good attitude, the energy and positivity?
I’m in a long-term relationship with you.”

And just like that, I was reminded: leadership isn’t just about KPIs and deadlines.

It’s about people. Real people. Their stories. Their fears. Their aspirations.

It’s about giving someone the space to grow even if they’re still rough around the edges, even if they cry in meetings, even if they’re still learning how to speak up without feeling guilty. Our team meeting that day wasn’t out of the ordinary in format. But it became extraordinary in meaning. I had been carrying the weight of some past experiences scars, really from previous client interactions. The kind that make you hold your breath before speaking up. The kind that silence your courage, even when you know you need to ask questions or voice out how you truly feel.

So when I said:

“Thank you so much for today’s meeting, @Casey Lightbody. 

It was actually my first time opening up about something that really scares me, especially because of the things I’ve experienced with previous clients. Being vulnerable is never easy for me; it’s one of the things I fear most, because in the past, it’s often led to judgment or blame. But today felt different. I truly appreciate your transparency and the way you listened. Feeling heard means a lot, and I’m really grateful for that. I’ll take my lunch first, then I’ll prioritise Megan and move on to the spreadsheet right after.”

I meant every word. I was shaking a little inside when I hit send. But her reply? That’s when the shift happened.

“Speak up. I won’t bite.”

During that same meeting, Casey said something simple but it hit me like a wave:

“You know what we’re lacking here is communication. Speak up if you don’t understand anything. If you have clarification. It’s okay with me. I won’t bite.”

And she said it with sincerity.

That’s what made me cry.
Not because I was sad.
But because I felt safe.

Do you know how rare that is? To find someone in leadership who says, “It’s okay if you don’t get it yet. Just talk to me.”Not with sarcasm. Not with passive-aggression. Just… openness.

She gave me permission to be imperfect. And in doing so, she gave me a chance to be better.

The Power of Listening Without Judgment

There’s something incredibly healing when someone listens without rushing to fix you.

Casey didn’t offer a solution to my fear that day.
She didn’t say, “Oh don’t feel that way.”
She just listened.
She held space.

And in her space, I found a little more of my voice.

Lessons I’m Carrying with Me

Here are a few golden truths I’m holding close from that meeting:

1. Safe leaders build safe teams.
   When people feel heard, they don’t shut down they shine.

2. Being vulnerable isn’t weakness it’s growth in motion.
   Like Casey said, “Vulnerability is how you connect and grow.” It’s scary, but it’s also powerful.

3. Communication isn’t just about talking it’s about creating space for people to be human.
   “Speak up if you don’t understand,” she said. That invitation might seem small, but to someone who’s used to hiding, it’s everything.

4. True leadership is rooted in relationships.
   Casey said she’s “in a long-term relationship” with me not just in work, but in growth, trust, and belief. That’s leadership worth staying for.

Letter to Casey....

Dear Casey,

I just wanted to take a moment to write this from the deepest part of my heart.

Thank you.

Thank you for seeing me not just as someone who ticks tasks off a list, but as a human being, navigating both the bright and uncertain spaces of life. Yesterday’s meeting wasn’t just another call in the calendar. It was something I’ll remember for a long time.

It was the first time in a long time that I felt safe enough to open up about something that’s been quietly weighing me down. I’ve learned to keep my guard up because past experiences taught me that vulnerability often leads to judgment. But with you, it was different. You listened not just to respond, but to understand. And that kind of listening? That’s rare. That’s powerful. That’s healing.

When you said, “I’m in a long-term relationship with you,” I couldn’t help but smile through the emotion welling up in me. Because you weren’t just talking about work you were talking about trust, commitment, and belief. You reminded me that good leadership is not about perfection, but about presence. Not about knowing it all, but about being willing to walk alongside someone while they learn.

And when you said with such sincerity, “Speak up if you don’t understand anything. It’s okay with me. I won’t bite,” I felt something shift inside me. That simple line felt like a hand reaching out and saying: You are safe here. Your voice matters.

In a world that often demands we hide our fears and doubts, you’ve created a space where it’s okay to grow, stumble, speak up, and even cry without shame. And that kind of space is a blessing. You are a blessing.

I feel incredibly grateful blessed beyond words to be working with someone who leads with both strength and softness, someone who values honesty over appearances, and growth over perfection. You don’t just empower people to do their work; you empower them to be more fully themselves. And for that, I’ll always be thankful.

Thank you for being the kind of leader who makes it easier to show up every day not because we have to, but because we want to.

In a world that moves so fast, your leadership reminds me to slow down… to breathe… to be brave in the quiet ways.

As Brené Brown once said:

“Vulnerability is not winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up when you can’t control the outcome.”

And because of you, I’m learning to show up anyway.

With all my gratitude,
Vianie
🤍