Inspirational Leadership for People Managers, Executives & HR Leaders

Did you attend the 2024 Workhuman Live conference? The conference was brimming with meaningful conversations and impactful sessions. It was also a whirlwind of insights, laughter, and profound moments. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I invite Angela Champ on the show to discuss our individual experiences at the Workhuman conference. Workhuman is committed to the intentional curation of sessions for deep dives into key issues without overwhelming attendees, creating space for genuine connections. It also fosters a community of like-hearted individuals dedicated to reshaping work into a place of purpose and value. Listen in to learn the importance of understanding cultural differences in communication and leadership styles to encourage collaboration and prevent conflicts in diverse workplaces. You will also learn about AI governance, updating language to empower employees, the Queen Bee Syndrome, and more. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/Workhuman2024 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲, 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗧𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: www.kristenharcourt.com

How do you foster diversity and inclusion to drive positive organizational change? Imagine a workplace where every voice is celebrated, and everyone feels a sense of belonging. In an empowered workplace, everyone can take ownership of their journey toward equity and inclusion and feel supported. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Viva Asmelash (she/her) about creating psychological safety in the workplace, plus the systemic change needed in organizations. Viva is a passionate workplace consultant and certified inclusion strategist specializing in forward-thinking employee engagement, equity-centered strategic planning, values-driven branding, and critical team conversations. Viva’s professional purpose is to create environments where people feel truly seen and are inspired to be their best and most authentic selves. As the co-founder of Liberation Labs, she proudly co-designed the first-of-its-kind Culturally-Aware Feedback Training™. She also co-authored the viral 2023 Harvard Business Review article, Creating Psychological Safety for Black Women at Your Company. Listen in to learn the importance of understanding how individuals’ past experiences influence their behaviors and interactions at work. You will also learn the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion work on everyone in your organization. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/VivaAsmelash

What are your important goals, and are you willing to take the time to achieve them? Reaching your full potential requires an investment, but most of us are stuck in an instant gratification mindset. The truth is, it is through the process of working towards your goals that you feel meaning, purpose, and satisfaction. In this solo episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, Kristen discusses how to identify what’s important to you and take the necessary action steps to achieve those goals. She explains the importance of understanding that big goals take time, persistence, commitment, and dedication, not solely focusing on instant gratification. Listen in to learn how to stop self-sabotaging by allowing self-limiting beliefs to take over when good things happen, plus how to overcome the upper limit problem. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Let's connect! I love hearing from my community. Learn more about my programs and services at www.kristenharcourt.com

Are you aware that your leadership style is rooted in your past traumatic experiences? Many leaders are operating from a place of distracting themselves from experiencing the full spectrum of human emotions. But to become a more centered, rooted, grounded, and well-resourced leader, you must do the work needed to heal your trauma experiences. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Kelly L. Campbell (they/she) about healing traumatic experiences to become a better leader. Kelly speaks and writes about trauma, leadership, and consciousness— “The New TLC.” The author of Heal to Lead (Wiley, April 2024), Kelly, is a Trauma-Informed Leadership Coach to emerging and established leaders who know they are meant for more. Kelly’s vision is to empower more than half of humanity to heal its childhood trauma so that we may reimagine and rebuild the world together. Listen in to learn the importance of curiosity and exploring different practices to help you find what works to heal and integrate your trauma. You will also learn how, as a leader or organization, you can support your team by doing things that positively impact their health. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/KellyLCampbell

Are you ready to let go of the drama and restore sanity in the workplace? Drama in the workplace is a time and emotional waste, but with tools like self-reflection and accountability, it can be eliminated. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Cy Wakeman about how the ego works, embracing self-reflection, and diffusing drama in organizations. Cy is a drama researcher, New York Times best-selling author, and 2023 World’s #1 Leadership Guru who is recognized for her Reality-Based approach to leadership. Backed by over 25 years of unparalleled experience partnering with top brands spanning all industries, Cy’s philosophy offers a modern approach to leadership in which employees and managers alike can deliver better results with less drama, higher engagement without entitlement, and more happiness in even the most challenging workplace realities. Cy’s avid fanbase online has surpassed 250,000 followers. Listen in to learn about drama in the workplace, the five sources of drama, and how to clear up drama in an organization. You will also learn the difference between self-reflection and venting and how to evolve and give opportunities for self-reflection. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/PodcastCyWakeman

How do you lead with empathy and build a team of people that align with your core values? When you support and add value to your team without micromanaging them, you enhance their efficiency and productivity, and they become your best brand ambassadors. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Julie Cole about her entrepreneurship journey and the effectiveness of the results-only work environment (ROWE) culture. Julie is a recovered lawyer, a mom of six, and co-founder of Mabel’s Labels. She is also a published author, keynote speaker, engaged community member, and winner of countless entrepreneur awards. In Julie’s latest book, Like a Mother, she shares her inspirational stories and lessons learned through parenting her lively crew of kids and building a multi-million-dollar business with her co-founders. Listen in to learn how leading with empathy while still holding boundaries can help you hire right and retain employees. You will also learn how to integrate your work and life by knowing your needs, asking for help confidently, and owning your boundaries. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/JulieCole

Have you established a speak-up culture as a leader in your organization? For teams and organizations to thrive, it’s crucial to create a speak-up culture where everyone feels psychologically safe to share their ideas, concerns, feedback, and vulnerabilities. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Stephen Shedletzky, or “Shed,” about the positive impact of speak-up culture on teams and organizations. Shed is a sought-after speaker, coach, and advisor and has led hundreds of keynote presentations, workshops, and leadership development programs around the world. He helps leaders listen and nurture the voice of others and supports humble leaders who put their people and purpose first, all while knowing they are both a part of the problems they experience and part of the solutions they seek to create. As a thought-leader on psychological safety in the workplace, he works with leaders in all industries where human beings work. His latest book is called Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up. Listen in to learn about the hard work that goes into psychological safety and its importance for safety, performance, and innovation in organizations. You will also learn how to be a better leader by studying leadership behaviors, getting constant feedback, and committing to leadership practice. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/StephenShedletzky

Is your never-ending busyness a way to avoid reflecting and hearing answers to your big questions? Slowing down forces you to get clarity on whether the choices you’re making are aligned with what you say is important to you. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, Kristen discusses the power of intentionally slowing down and focusing on what truly matters. She explains bigger questions you need to ask yourself to understand what you’re avoiding by not slowing down, plus how to use the holidays to reflect on your 2023 wins, struggles, and learnings. Listen in to learn how slowing down allows you to hear your intuition, identify what truly matters to you, and get your habits aligned. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Let's connect! I love hearing from my community. Learn more about my programs and services at www.kristenharcourt.com

What are some of the things you can do as a leader to make your teams more effective? The major reasons why teams fail to be high-performing are alignment-related and dynamic-related issues. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Liane Davey about her experience working with teams and what leaders need to do to improve their team performance. For the past 25 years, Liane has researched and advised teams on how to achieve high performance. Known as the “teamwork doctor,” she’s worked with teams from the frontlines to the boardroom, across a variety of industries, and around the globe from Boston to Bangkok. In working with hundreds of teams, including 26 Global Fortune 500 companies (and counting), she has developed a unique perspective on the challenges teams face – and how to solve them. Listen in to learn about the layers of trust and the critical role of trust in teams to make things easier. You will also learn the difference between tension and friction in conflict and the importance of being aware of healthy tension. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/PodcastLianeDavey

Are you in a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? A fixed mindset is when you have scarcity thinking, while a growth mindset is thinking from a place of possibilities. You can shift from a fixed mindset at any point; it’s just a matter of choosing and allowing yourself to create new patterns. In this solo episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I discuss the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset and how to adopt a growth mindset. I explain why we need to show ourselves compassion, patience, understanding, and grace as we work through new things and create space for emotions when they arise. Listen in to learn the importance of having a growth mindset to be creative, innovative, and create new things. You will also learn how to challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone and reach your full potential. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Let's connect! I love hearing from my community. Learn more about my programs and services at www.kristenharcourt.com

Do you know who you truly are deep inside? Knowing who you are deep inside and your experiences will guide you to your why, and it will stop you from settling with what you think your why is or what other people tempt you to think it is. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Paru Radia about relationship-building with senior decision-makers and owning who you are. Paru is a rare commodity! Most people fall into one camp as either left-brained or right-brained. Paru, however, has always mixed her logical side with her creative side to thrive while navigating challenging environments, whether in the corporate world or as a founder and entrepreneur. Becoming a C-Suite Whisperer® and Execution Ninja was a natural path for Paru as she has a keen understanding of the corporate world, having been both an employee and a consultant. Listen in to learn how to build interpersonal relationships with senior leaders and develop the confidence to make it about them. You will also learn the importance of highlighting the challenges behind success when inspiring others. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/ParuRadia

How strong are your boundaries at work and in your personal life? Setting healthy boundaries is something most people struggle with due to self-limiting beliefs and patterns you can unlearn. To reap the fruits of setting healthy boundaries, you have to get clear about your needs and stay committed to them. In this solo episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, Kristen discusses the power of learning to set healthy boundaries by getting clear about your needs at work and in life. She explains how self-limiting beliefs such as people pleasing, hyper-achieving, peacemaking, controlling behaviors, avoidant personality, perfectionism, and victim mentality negatively impact setting healthy boundaries. Listen in to learn the importance of having compassion for yourself when setting boundaries because there are systems set up for you to stay within the unhealthy boundaries. Key Takeaways: Standout Quote: ⇢ Let's connect! I love hearing from my community. Learn more about my programs and services at www.kristenharcourt.com

When you feel awkward, do you allow it to keep you stuck or to grow? The difference between good and bad awkward is that good awkward allows you to grow when experiencing uncertainty. To start navigating the good awkward, it’s important to understand how you experience it and reframe its role by naming it. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Henna Pryor, a highly sought-after Workplace Performance Expert and an award-winning 2x TEDx and global keynote speaker, virtual presenter, team facilitator, and professional executive coach. Her clients call her their “secret weapon for impossible change,” an honor she wears proudly. She’s also a lifelong learner – she’s been studying human behavior and performance for over 2 decades and loves to bring a fresh energy to business practices and conversations. Her highly anticipated book, Good Awkward, publishes in September and is available for pre-order now. Listen in to learn the importance of owning awkwardness as an individual and normalizing awkward feelings as a team to create deeper connections. You will also learn how to create intentional moments as a leader to rebuild social skills for the desired communication culture in your organization. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/HennaPryor

Do you utilize your head, heart, and body as centers of intelligence when showing up as a leader? How do you allow people to show up? Do you create safe spaces where people can evolve despite their traumas? In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Carolyn Swora, a certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, as well as a Trauma-Informed Leadership Consultant. She works with small, medium and large organizations across Canada and the United States on becoming more compassionate, human and empathetic places for members of staff. Carolyn uses the Enneagram Personality System to help clients deepen self- awareness into their behavioral patterns. She has a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and has studied Resilience and Workplace Culture Transformation. She has also developed her own transformational leadership development methodologies, which she breaks down in her second book Evolve: The Path to Trauma-Informed Leadership. Listen in to learn about the three centers of intelligence and the importance of recognizing your dominant one as a leader. You will also learn about three types of traumas and how to be trauma-informed as a leader. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/PodcastCarolynSwora

It’s been over two years now since I stopped drinking alcohol, and I’m loving it and don’t miss it at all! Are you, like me, curious about your relationship with alcohol, or are you recognizing how your unconscious choices are stopping you from showing up as the best version of yourself? In this solo episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I share what inspired me to quit alcohol, how I navigated the journey, and the lessons I’ve learned so far. I also explain the never-ending benefits of quitting alcohol and how you can approach this journey. Listen in to learn why you need to ask yourself questions about the role of numbing habits in your life and how your life and purpose can change if you chose to quit. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Let's connect! I love hearing from my community. Learn more about my programs and services at www.kristenharcourt.com

What steps are you taking to build your emotional intelligence and mindfulness as a leader? An inspirational and mindful leader is aware of their own feelings and their teams’ feelings and how they impact their effectiveness. To become this leader, you must intentionally build your relationships by being accountable and leading with compassion. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Marc Lesser, a CEO, executive coach, and Zen teacher known for his engaging, experiential presentations that integrate mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices and training. Before his business and coaching career, Marc was a resident of the San Francisco Zen Center for ten years, and director of Tassajara, Zen Mountain Center, the first Zen monastery in the Western world. He helped develop the world-renowned Search Inside Yourself program within Google – a mindfulness-based emotional intelligence training for leaders which teaches the art of integrating mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and business savvy for creating great corporate cultures and a better world. Listen in to learn how to become a better leader by building trust and connection with your team to make it easier to have difficult conversations. You will also learn the importance of bringing awareness and curiosity to your feelings and other people’s feelings to become better at solving conflict. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/PodcastMarcLesser

Did you attend this year’s Workhuman conference? If yes, what was your experience, and what were your major takeaways? With many speakers and topics ranging from DEIB to pivoting to workplace relationships, Workhuman Live was inspiring, thought-provoking and empowering. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Jackye Clayton and Katee Van Horn. They’re two diversity, equity, & inclusion peeps who love both what they have in common and what makes them different. During the day, they use their superpowers to block bias and end systemic racism within companies and create equitable places to work. They launched the Inclusive AF Podcast in 2020, which is a place where you get to hear real, authentic, and sometimes tough discussions on issues that are important to various communities. Listen in to learn the power of being a professional troublemaker who advocates for others by asking tough questions and speaking up. You will also learn how giving the right energy and interactions can improve innovation in the workplace. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/Workhumanpodcast

Who do you want to be as a leader, and how do you want to engage with your team? Conscious leadership is about recognizing your below-the-line thinking and habits and creating new habits that allow you to lead from above-the-line and teach your team members the same patterns. In this solo episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I discuss the critical role of conscious leadership in creating high-performing teams and organizations. Conscious leadership is about showing up in the world from a place of responding instead of from a place of reactivity. Listen in to learn the difference between the below-the-line victim mentality and the above-the line creator mentality and how to develop the latter. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: “Conscious leadership is the process by which a leader becomes radically responsible, self-aware, and focuses on building a culture of “we” rather than a culture of “me.”- Kristen [00:47] “The more you can neutrally non-judgmentally notice what you’re feeling, the more you can give space for that.”- Kristen [12:23] ⇢ Let's connect! I love hearing from my community. Learn more about my programs and services at www.kristenharcourt.com

What can you do to look differently at what leadership means? In today’s world, leadership is more than meeting the bottom line results or operations; it’s about keeping the pipeline of engaged talented individuals who will continue to expand and evolve the organization. Effective leadership is also the ability to support and accept support from your team without feeling the need to be part of every task. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Sabine Gedeon, the Founder of Gedeon Enterprises, an advisory and professional development firm focused on supporting organizations and leaders in transforming how they lead and approach talent strategy & development. In 2021, Sabine launched SHELeads Network, a professional development and training community for women leaders, in response to the overwhelming changes in society, calling on more women to take the lead in their homes, communities, companies, and businesses. Listen in to learn how to effectively advocate for yourself as a leader by embracing coaching and guidance from your team. You will also learn how to build a network of supporters and your brand to strategically grow your career. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/SabineGedeon

What does the voice in your head tell you throughout your day? Is it positive and empowering or negative and critical? That inner critic was created through years of conditioning and is self-sabotaging and disempowering. In this solo episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I discuss how to practice self-compassion to get rid of the negative voice in your head. I explain how to get curious and aware of that voice, ask yourself the right questions, and shift the way you speak to yourself. Listen in to learn how practicing self-compassion allows you to prioritize self-care and achieve your goals and targets. Key Takeaways: Standout Quotes: ⇢ Let's connect! I love hearing from my community. Learn more about my programs and services at www.kristenharcourt.com