Inspirational Leadership for People Managers, Executives & HR Leaders

Coaching Skills Every Leader Needs (But Most Don’t Use)

Many leaders think they’re coaching their people — but more often than not, they’re giving advice, solving problems, or jumping in to fix things. While those intentions come from a good place, they can actually limit your team’s growth, creativity, and accountability.

In this solo episode of Inspirational Leadership, I’m diving into the coaching skills every leader needs, but most don’t use — and how you can start applying them right away.

You don’t need to be a certified coach to use these skills. You just need to slow down, be curious, and make small, intentional shifts in how you lead conversations.

 What You’ll Learn:

• The difference between coaching and advising — and why most leaders confuse the two
• Four simple coaching skills that instantly strengthen trust and engagement
• A practical framework (GROW) you can use in any one-on-one conversation
• Powerful coaching questions that help your team think for themselves
• How to create a culture of ownership and accountability through coaching

When leaders shift from telling to asking, they unlock potential, deepen trust, and create teams that thrive.

🎧 Tune in to learn how small coaching moments can lead to big transformation — for you, your people, and your culture.

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow leader or tag me on LinkedIn with your biggest takeaway! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a dose of real, practical leadership wisdom.

➡️ Join the conversation on LinkedIn

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 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: www.kristenharcourt.com

From Accidental to Intentional: Leading with Curiosity, Courage & Fun with Joel Hilchey

Have you ever wondered if you became a leader intentionally or if you stumbled into it one day and never looked back? What if leadership wasn’t about having all the answers, but about learning how to play again?

In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Joel Hilchey about what it really means to lead like a human. In addition to leading the Beanstalk Creative team, Joel maintains a busy schedule as a keynote speaker, creating unforgettable spectacles on stage. He's the father of 3 kids, and he attempts to be a good husband. Joel has authored 4 books (2 of them with Brandon Love), his latest one is called: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 6½ 𝘏𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘺 𝘋𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴. He taught engineering for over a decade at McMaster University, where he was named one of the Top 150+ Alumni. He’s a seasoned barbershop quartet singer, he formerly chaired the board of the world-renowned Hamilton Children’s Choir, and he's a semi-competitive joggler (that's right... juggling whilst jogging).

Listen in to learn about the accidental manager problem and how a lack of training creates a ripple effect in organizations. You will also learn the many faces of poor leadership — feedback fumbling, credit stealing, finger-pointing, inconsistency, and mediocrity mongering.

Key Takeaways:

• How to blend meaning and play to create stronger workplace cultures to avoid killing creativity.
• The concept of the accidental manager, why it’s so widespread, and the four key leadership functions.
• The difference between task-focused and people-focused leadership, and how to balance them.
• The importance of intentional calendar design and unstructured time for reflection and long-term thinking.
• How to focus on only three main priorities to prevent divided attention and achieve true productivity.
• The three ways leaders mishandle feedback and how to build a culture of real-time, conversational feedback.
• The importance of balancing flexibility with predictability in leadership decisions.

Standout Quotes:

• “We need enough predictability for people to feel stable and do good work, but we need enough flexibility to actually adapt to what’s happening around us.”- Joel [33:11]
• “Bosses need to have a philosophy about how to handle differences in performance in the team.”- Joel [49:12]

⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/JoelHilchey

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow leader or tag me on LinkedIn with your biggest takeaway! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a dose of real, practical leadership wisdom.

➡️ Join the conversation on LinkedIn

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 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: www.kristenharcourt.com

Closing the Leadership Gap with Tanveer Naseer

What if the biggest gap in leadership isn’t about strategy, but about how leaders see themselves versus how their teams experience them? Even well-intentioned leaders can miss the mark when it comes to empathy, trust, and connection.

In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Tanveer Naseer about his unconventional journey, reflections on leadership, empathy, and purpose. Tanveer is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker and award-winning leadership writer. He is also the Founder and CEO of Tanveer Naseer Leadership, a leadership corporate training and consulting firm that works with executives and managers to help them develop practical leadership and team-building competencies to drive organizational growth and development. He is the recipient of several awards and recognitions as one of the world's top thinkers in the leadership sphere, including being recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts.

Listen in to learn how nonverbal cues and unspoken truths can reveal cracks in leadership that words alone never will. You will also learn why leadership isn’t about holding on to employees forever, but about helping them grow so much that they eventually outgrow their role.

Key Takeaways:

• How reflecting on peak experiences and storytelling reveals where to find energy and purpose.
• The role of emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion in effective leadership.
• How leaders can validate, listen, and recognize employees without always having solutions.
• Why leaders must first learn before practicing leadership skills, beginning with honest self-awareness.
• How small, consistent efforts in listening and asking better questions change team dynamics.
• Why recognizing employees’ strengths and passions fuels long-term engagement.

Standout Quotes:

• “The latest studies have shown that on average, it takes 10 years for someone who's just started a formal leadership role to get any kind of leadership training.”- Tanveer Naseer [21:48]
• “When you really treat people well and invest in them, your reputation speaks for itself out there in the marketplace as well.”- Kristen Harcourt [41:30]

⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/TanveerNaseer

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow leader or tag me on LinkedIn with your biggest takeaway! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a dose of real, practical leadership wisdom.

➡️ Join the conversation on LinkedIn

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 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: www.kristenharcourt.com

Burnout to Purpose: A New Way to Lead with Martina Kelades

Are you hiding behind perfectionism, afraid to show your true self? What would happen if you gave yourself permission to slow down, unplug, and embrace your authentic story? There’s a transformative power in vulnerability and self-compassion – slowing down and creating stillness in life allows us to hear our own truth.

In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Martina Kelades about dismantling the stigma around mental health, leading with courage, and redefining success on your own terms. Martina is a professional storyteller and a multi-passionate artist – an actor, public speaker and podcast host dedicated to dismantling mental and emotional health stigma. Drawing on her acting background, she leverages the art of storytelling to inspire others to live an intentional and courageous life. Martina founded “Life Out Loud Mental Health Consulting & Creatives,” a mental health promotion company and a platform that shares unfiltered stories supporting those experiencing mental health challenges and those who dare to live a life on purpose.

Listen in to learn the importance of creating space for real conversations and redefining success beyond the hustle culture. You will also learn that success isn’t about hustling harder but living more intentionally, creating community, and honoring the heart.

Key Takeaways:

• The hidden toll of supporting others and carrying unspoken emotional burdens.
• The importance of shifting from hustle culture to intentional, heart-centered living.
• The importance of checking in with yourself and managing energy from a place of overflow.
• The power of unplugging from social media and news to reduce anxiety and improve mental health.
• Understanding leadership as an individual responsibility and the importance of self-awareness.
• How to use authenticity and vulnerability as tools for building connection and belonging.

Standout Quotes:

• “It’s in the stillness that we are able to hear the answers, and that’s what we need to get back to.”- Martina [26:34]
• “When we’re supporting others, it's important to have compassion and grace, and we also need that for ourselves as well.”- Martina [33:28]
• “We’re designed as human beings to be in community and to feel a sense of belonging; that is part of our genetic makeup.”- Martina [39:41]

⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/MartinaKelades

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow leader or tag me on LinkedIn with your biggest takeaway! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a dose of real, practical leadership wisdom.

➡️ Join the conversation on LinkedIn

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 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: www.kristenharcourt.com

The Courage to Accept Yourself

In this solo episode of Inspirational Leadership, I’m diving into one of the most powerful—and often most challenging—aspects of personal and professional growth: self-acceptance.

We hear so much about building confidence, resilience, and leadership presence. But underneath all of that is a deeper question I want to explore with you:
Can you accept yourself fully, just as you are, even when you fall short of perfection?

I’ll be sharing how self-acceptance shows up at work—allowing us to make mistakes, admit we don’t have all the answers, and embrace both our strengths and our limitations. And I’ll also talk about how this plays out in life outside of work: the body image struggles, the “never enough” thinking, and the ways we chase material success to try to fill a deeper void.

This episode is an invitation to stop looking for wholeness in all the wrong places—and start recognizing that you’re already enough.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• Why self-acceptance is essential for authentic leadership
• How perfectionism shows up in the workplace and damages culture
• The connection between self-worth, materialism, and overachievement
• Why women, in particular, struggle with body acceptance and "never enough" thinking
• Reflective questions to help you practice radical self-acceptance
• How embracing your whole self leads to greater confidence, resilience, and heart-centered leadership

Loved This Episode?

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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 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: www.kristenharcourt.com

Modern HR: Where Humanity Meets High Performance with Joey Walters

What does it really mean to lead with heart? What does it take to lead with empathy, intention, and impact? Can HR drive business results and create deeply human workplaces? Modern HR is not about people programs; it's about strategic business acceleration rooted in empathy and values.

In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Joey Walters about how human-centric leadership transforms organizations from the inside out. Joey is an accomplished strategic business executive with more than 25 years of experience in Human Resources across the United States and Canada. His expertise ranges from organizational and leadership agility, talent acquisition, performance management, talent development, succession planning, employee engagement, health benefits, compensation, and mergers & acquisitions. He’s currently the VP of HR at Schneider Electric. Joey believes the true value of HR is in creating and executing a people strategy that aligns with the business, focused on engaging team members to perform at their highest level to deliver business success and growth.

Listen in to learn why inspirational leadership doesn’t come from perfection but from empathy, communication, and modeling what it means to be human. You will also learn the importance of creating psychological safety, asking the hard questions, showing up authentically, and prioritizing wellness to sustain impact.

Key Takeaways:

• The evolving role of HR: from grassroots support to strategic business driver.
• How to live company values authentically, not just display them on walls.
• The importance of having a clear and compelling vision to drive teams forward effectively.
• How to foster trust and psychological safety within teams by asking thoughtful and open-ended questions.
• How leadership is revealed during moments of uncertainty and ambiguity.
• How vulnerability in leadership builds authentic relationships and strengthens trust and transparency.

Standout Quotes:

• “When creating a vision, you have to bring your employees and your customers as part of the solution to really understand what type of culture you're trying to build.”- Joey Walters [06:24]
• “We don't know how much we can affect other people in their development, in the feedback that we give them, so be very cognizant of how you give and receive feedback.”- Joey Walters [29:48]

⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/JoeyWalters

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow leader or tag me on LinkedIn with your biggest takeaway! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a dose of real, practical leadership wisdom.

➡️ Join the conversation on LinkedIn

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 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: www.kristenharcourt.com

The Quiet Discipline of Self-Leadership

In today’s solo episode, I’m diving into a foundational yet often overlooked concept: self-leadership - and more specifically, the quiet discipline it requires.

This isn’t the leadership that shows up in boardrooms or performance reviews. This is the kind of leadership that happens behind the scenes, when no one’s watching and no one is handing out gold stars.

It’s the invisible work that builds trust, resilience, and clarity - and it's the foundation for leading others well.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• What self-leadership really means beyond the buzzword
• Why the hardest leadership moments are often the ones no one sees
• How your private decisions shape your public impact
• The subtle signs you may be out of alignment with your values
• Why external performance doesn't always reflect internal leadership
• A simple practice to build inner trust and consistency over time

✨ Reflection Question:

What's one small act of self-leadership you can choose today - even if no one sees it but you?

Let’s Continue the Conversation:

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear what your version of quiet self-leadership looks like. Tag me on LinkedIn or Instagram and share your thoughts, or send me a message - I always love connecting with leaders who are doing the deep inner work.

Loved This Episode?

Please consider sharing it with a colleague or friend who’s walking their own leadership journey. And if you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: www.kristenharcourt.com

Workhuman 2025: AI Meets Human-Centered Leadership

Did you attend Workhuman Live 2025? The conference’s theme this year put the spotlight on the fusion of AI and human intelligence. At its core, the event highlighted how artificial intelligence can be a partner in enhancing human decision-making, not a substitute for it.

In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership Podcast, I invite Jackye Clayton to discuss each of our individual experiences at this year’s Workhuman conference. Jackye is a strategic voice at the intersection of HR technology, AI, and talent innovation. As founder of People Puzzles™, she helps companies bridge the trust gap in HR tech, translating complex innovations into human-first, credible solutions. Known for her dynamic presence as a LinkedIn influencer, sought-after speaker, and Associate Editor at HR Gazette, Jackye’s approach blends bold insights with authentic connection, empowering leaders to drive strategic, sustainable change in the workplace.

Listen in to learn how AI should support strategy, not suppress humanity, and that modern workplaces must balance tech advancement with emotional intelligence and collaboration. You will also learn about the themes of conscious leadership, psychological safety, and the critical need to move beyond the outdated zero-sum game mindset in organizations.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of intentional AI use and employee experimentation.
• The role of data ethics, aggregation, and accurate storytelling in HR.
• Why there’s a reinforcement that AI should serve people, not replace purpose-driven work.
• Why authentic human interaction, like appreciation and check-ins, is the true face of leadership.
• Understanding the challenges of creating real change in DEI work.
• The complexity of microcultures within organizations and how shifting company culture requires addressing these layers.
• How the Workhuman conference experience fosters deep community and belonging.
• The importance of expanding recognition beyond the workplace to family and other support systems.

Standout Quotes:

• “Feedback is what we’ve already done and advice is forward-looking.”- Jackye [19:42]
• “Don’t wait for confidence, action is what creates confidence, not the other way around.”- Kristen [21:32]
• “Humanity is not going anywhere; the importance of human skills is not going anywhere; we just need to integrate them with the AI.”- Kristen [38:11]

⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/Workhuman2025

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow leader or tag me on LinkedIn with your biggest takeaway! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a dose of real, practical leadership wisdom.

➡️ Join the conversation on LinkedIn

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 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: www.kristenharcourt.com

Lead with Laughter: Why Humor Is a Leadership Superpower with Michael Kerr

Did you know that great leadership isn't about putting on a professional mask or striving for constant seriousness? Great leadership is about fostering a culture of psychological safety and belonging, not by being perfect, but by being human.

In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Michael Kerr about the urgent need for more humane, happy, and humor-driven workplace cultures. Michael is a Canadian Speaking Hall of Fame inductee, an international business speaker, a very funny motivational speaker, and workshop trainer, he’s also the author of nine books. For more than 25 years, Michael has traveled the world researching, writing, and speaking about inspiring workplace cultures, inspiring leaders, and businesses that leverage their humor resources to drive outrageous results for their employees and their customers. He has delivered his captivating keynote presentations and training workshops to more than 3,000 audiences, from Austria to Australia, from Boston to Bermuda, from Cleveland to Calgary.

Listen in to learn how positive workplace cultures and the strategic use of humor contribute to higher engagement, reduced burnout, and extraordinary business results. You will also learn about the transformative power of creating people-centered, high-accountability workplace cultures.

Key Takeaways:

• How simple actions like regular check-ins can make a profound impact on engagement and culture.
• The value of building workplaces that energize rather than exhaust people.
• Concrete benefits of humor: improved productivity, engagement, innovation, and retention.
• How making meetings fun can lead to more honest and productive conversations.
• How celebrating mistakes as a leader builds psychological safety and normalizes failure as part of innovation.
• The importance of leading with humanity by balancing business outcomes with emotional well-being.

Standout Quotes:

• “As a leader, you’re highly contagious with your behaviors, attitudes, and emotions, so think about the mood you want to set.”- Michael Kerr [15:45]
• “When we practice a healthy sense of humor as leaders, we tend to trust those leaders more because they come across as more real.”- Michael Kerr [19:11]
• “Better to have no values than to trumpet your values and then do the opposite or not live up to them because all you're doing is creating mistrust and creating cynical employees.”- Michael Kerr [26:18]

⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/PodcastMichaelKerr

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow leader or tag me on LinkedIn with your biggest takeaway! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a dose of real, practical leadership wisdom.

➡️ Join the conversation on LinkedIn

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 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: www.kristenharcourt.com

Networking with Impact: 7 Ways Leaders Can Build Real Relationships

As a leader, how intentional are you about the people you surround yourself with? What would it look like if networking felt less transactional - and more transformational?

In this solo episode of The Inspirational Leadership Podcast, we’re unpacking what it truly means to network as a leader. Forget the business card swaps and elevator pitches - this is about building genuine, strategic, and lasting relationships that support your leadership journey.

Whether you’re a seasoned exec or stepping into your first leadership role, these 7 actionable tips will help you show up with purpose, lead through connection, and build a network that actually matters.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• Why curiosity is more powerful than credentials
• How to show up to events with clear intention
• The secret to nurturing - not just collecting - connections
• Why having a clear point of view strengthens your presence
• The importance of aligning networking with your natural leadership style
• How generosity fuels trust and influence
• Simple ways to make networking a habit, not a hustle

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow leader or tag me on LinkedIn with your biggest takeaway! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a dose of real, practical leadership wisdom.

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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 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: www.kristenharcourt.com