Creating a Future of Love and Balance: Authentic Leadership Insights from Polina Makievsky

In a recent episode of the humanscape podcast, Polina Makievsky, President and CEO of Penfield Children’s Center, shared her insights on authentic leadership, balancing professional and personal life, and fostering a culture of love and care within an organization. As someone who has been at the helm of Penfield since January 2023, Polina brings over 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience, a deep passion for helping people, and a commitment to realizing the full potential of organizations and individuals alike.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Penfield Children’s Center is its core value of Lead with Love, a principle that not only aligns with, but requires team members across the organization to demonstrate authentic leadership. As mentioned in the podcast episode, “If culture were children, Penfield leads with love.” This value is not just a slogan but a guiding principle that shapes the organization’s approach to its mission and its people. The idea of incorporating love as a core value is powerful and unique, especially in the often impersonal world of business. At Penfield, love is operationalized in various ways, from how they do performance management to daily interactions among staff and with the children they serve.

Polina encourages other organizations to embrace love as a core value, suggesting that it can lead to a more genuine and fulfilling work environment. She agrees with us: Employees are drawn to values that feel real and actionable, rather than generic corporate buzzwords. This authentic approach helps create a strong, committed team that is passionate about their work and their impact on the community. Authentic leadership around core values is about fostering a lasting, positive impact on both the organization and the community it serves.

Polina also touches on the challenges of balancing a demanding career with personal life, particularly as a mother. She candidly shares her pride in her two children and the ongoing effort to balance being a mom with her professional responsibilities. This balance is challenging and something she – and many others – often keep behind the scenes, but it is a significant part of her life that she is proud of.

In her journey, Polina has learned to give herself permission to prioritize family alongside her professional commitments. The traditional model where work always comes first and personal life is kept separate, doesn’t have to live on. It’s important for leaders to create an environment where people can take care of all aspects of their lives while still being accountable and productive at work…bringing work to life and life to work, as we say at humanworks8.

Polina is passionate about the idea that work and personal life can coexist harmoniously, and she strives to create policies and practices that reflect this belief for her teams. Recognizing and adapting to the needs of her team, many of whom are parents with young children, Polina has championed small modifications in the workplace, including flexible scheduling and a more supportive environment for parents.

Another key theme in the conversation is change readiness and the importance of diversity in teams. Polina highlights the need for organizations to be proactive in managing change and to build a culture where change is a continuous process rather than a one-time event. She also emphasizes the value of diverse perspectives in problem-solving and decision-making, advocating for a team composition that includes various skills and viewpoints to drive innovation and effectiveness.

Polina’s leadership at Penfield Children’s Center exemplifies a forward-thinking, compassionate approach to nonprofit management. By leading with love, balancing personal and professional life, and fostering a supportive and diverse work culture, she sets a powerful example of authentic leadership. Her insights remind us that creating a better future often starts with the values we embrace and the way we treat those around us. Authentic leadership is not just about achieving immediate goals but ensuring long-term success and well-being for the organization and its people.

1. Flexible Work Environments: Creating policies that allow for flexible scheduling can help employees manage their personal and professional lives more effectively.

2. Employee Well-being: Prioritizing the well-being of employees leads to a more engaged and productive workforce.

3. Authentic Values: Implementing values that resonate deeply with employees fosters a strong organizational culture and loyalty.

4. Diversity and Inclusion: Building diverse teams enhances creativity and problem-solving capabilities.