For too long, leadership has been synonymous with hard edges; decisiveness without emotion, performance over people, and strategy without soul. But a growing wave of leadership experts and high-performing organisations are challenging that paradigm. Among them is Reem Borrows, a leadership strategist, executive coach, and founder of Dreem Coaching and Consulting, who argues that leading with heart isn’t a weakness, but a competitive advantage in business.
“The myth that empathy makes you soft is outdated and commercially dangerous,” says Reem. “ Leaders who thrive are those who combine head and heart. Emotional intelligence isn’t a trade-off for results, it’s how you actually get results.”
Why the Old Playbook No Longer Works
With over 25 years of experience in leadership development, business growth, and human performance, Reem has seen firsthand how traditional, hierarchical models of leadership struggle to meet the demands of the modern workplace. Today’s business environment is faster, flatter, and far more complex. Employees are no longer motivated by command-and-control tactics; they crave authenticity, clarity, and purpose.
Reem notes that organisations that cling to outdated leadership models often find themselves plagued by disengagement, siloed communication, and unsustainable performance. By contrast, those who adopt a more holistic approach, grounded in emotional intelligence, trust, and human connection, see stronger cultures, deeper loyalty, and ultimately, better commercial outcomes.
The Evidence Is Clear: Compassion Fuels Performance
Reem’s work at Dreem Coaching and Consulting is backed by more than anecdotes. Her programs integrate neuroscience, organisational psychology, and behavioural science into a signature leadership model known as the Health, Head, and Heart Framework. This model helps leaders align wellbeing, intellect, and empathy to lead with clarity, courage, and impact.
“Human-centred leadership isn’t fluffy,” Reem explains. “It’s about being radically clear on your goals, radically honest about where you stand, and radically committed to closing the gap with heart.”
This alignment has tangible effects. Research increasingly supports what Borrows and her clients already know from experience: Empathetic leadership improves innovation, reduces burnout, increases team performance, and boosts profitability. Studies from Harvard Business Review and Deloitte have consistently found that organisations led with emotional intelligence outperform those that aren’t.
Inside Dreem: Where Strategy Meets Soul
At Dreem Coaching and Consulting, Borrows and Gloria Rees have built a leadership development practice that delivers true transformation. The firm’s programs are deeply personalised, values-led, and anchored in Dreem’s Theory of Change strategy framework. This methodology enables clients to define a long-term vision, articulate clear outcomes, and align every initiative with meaningful impact.
“We don’t deliver ‘off-the-shelf’ programs,” Reem says. “Every engagement is built on deep partnership, because real change only happens when people trust you enough to be honest, and feel supported enough to grow.”
That partnership ethos has helped Dreem earn its reputation not just as a training provider but as a trusted advisor to leaders and organisations seeking culture change, strategic clarity, and sustainable success. Their clients span industries, from corporate to community, and share a common goal: to lead with purpose without sacrificing performance.
The Business Case for Heart
In the boardroom, the language of empathy is finally starting to shift from “nice to have” to “must-have.” Reem believes this evolution is long overdue. “There’s nothing ‘soft’ about leading through complexity, holding space for uncertainty, or inspiring people through change,” she says. “That takes immense strength and discipline.”
She also makes a compelling business case. As the workforce becomes more values-driven and diverse, and as technological disruption continues to upend old norms, leaders need both technical expertise and emotional literacy. They must be able to manage nuance, navigate conflict, and foster environments where creativity, trust, and high performance can coexist.
Reem puts it simply: “The new competitive edge isn’t just strategic, it’s relational. Heart-centred leadership is how modern leaders win.”
Coming Soon: Reframing Leadership for the Future Book Launch
Reem Borrows’ approach to leadership isn’t about replacing commercial acumen with compassion. It’s about integrating the two. She teaches that when leaders align who they are with what they do, extraordinary results follow. That alignment becomes a force multiplier, driving clearer decisions, stronger teams, and more resilient organisations.
At its core, her message is both disruptive and human: you don’t have to choose between success and soul. You just need to lead with intention and heart. To learn more about the Dreem approach or stay updated on the book launch, visit dreem.com.au.
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