
Advertise on podcast: Inspirational Leadership for People Managers, Executives & HR Leaders
Rating
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This podcast has
145 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Kristen HarcourtExplicit
No
Date created
2020/02/07
Latest episode
2026/09/28
Average duration
43 min.
Release period
26 days
Description
Kristen Harcourt is an Emotional Intelligence Expert and Leadership Catalyst who believes leadership starts from the inside out. On Inspirational Leadership, she brings you a blend of real-talk solo episodes and meaningful conversations with progressive CEOs, visionary HR leaders, and bold thinkers who are reimagining the world of work. If you’re ready to lead with more courage, connection, and impact — and create a workplace where people thrive — you’re in the right place. ⇢ Learn more at www.kristenharcourt.com
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Check latest episodes from Inspirational Leadership for People Managers, Executives & HR Leaders podcast
Fueled by Feedback: Building Trust and a Culture of Candor with Melissa Eisler
2026/09/28
What if feedback isn’t actually the problem, but a symptom of something deeper?
In this episode of Inspirational Leadership, I’m joined by Melissa Eisler, Master Certified Executive Coach, team facilitator, founder of Wide Lens Leadership, and author of Fueled by Feedback: Rethinking the System That Shapes Leadership, Trust, and Culture.
Drawing on her experience coaching senior leaders and teams, Melissa shares why building a culture of feedback starts with self-awareness, trust, and psychological safety. We explore how leaders can move beyond traditional feedback approaches to create more candid, collaborative, and high-performing teams.
In this episode, we explore:
Why feedback often fails: How a lack of trust, psychological safety, and self-awareness can prevent feedback from flowing freely and landing effectively.
The leader’s role in building a feedback culture: Why learning to receive feedback, recognizing blind spots, and leading by example are essential to creating an environment where people feel safe to speak up.
Balancing candor with care: How leaders can communicate honestly while demonstrating genuine care, and why good intentions don’t always translate into the impact we want to have.
The power of self-awareness and self-regulation: How recognizing emotional triggers, slowing down, and approaching conversations with curiosity can transform the way leaders give feedback and connect with their teams.
Creating a culture where feedback thrives: Practical ways organizations can embed feedback into onboarding, team check-ins, performance reviews, and everyday leadership practices.
Whether you’re a senior leader, HR professional, or someone passionate about building healthier workplace cultures, this conversation offers valuable insights into how feedback can become a foundation for trust, growth, and stronger leadership.
About Melissa Eisler
Melissa Eisler is a Master Certified Executive Coach, team facilitator, and founder of Wide Lens Leadership. With over a decade of coaching experience and 15 years in corporate leadership, she helps senior leaders and teams navigate complexity, change, and growth while building cultures rooted in trust, feedback, and accountability. She is the author of Fueled by Feedback: Rethinking the System That Shapes Leadership, Trust, and Culture.
About Inspirational Leadership
Inspirational Leadership is hosted by Kristen Harcourt, Emotional Intelligence Expert, Executive Coach, Leadership Trainer, Keynote Speaker, and Podcast Host.
Through conversations with inspiring leaders, experts, and thinkers, Kristen explores the ideas, behaviours, and practices that help us become more conscious, courageous, and inspirational leaders.
Learn more about Kristen and her work in executive coaching, leadership training, and transformational keynotes at www.kristenharcourt.com
Embracing Change as Your Leadership Superpower with Ashwini Balasubramanian
2026/09/14
What if, instead of trying to avoid or manage change, we learned to harness it as a source of growth, adaptability and leadership impact?
In this episode of Inspirational Leadership, I’m joined by Ashwini Balasubramanian, VP of R&D at 3M and author of Map Your Ascent: Embracing Change as Your Leadership Superpower. With 23 years of experience leading global teams, Ashwini shares how embracing change has shaped her career and her approach to leadership.
In this conversation, we explore:
Why change can be something to harness rather than fear, and how to distinguish stress that stretches us from stress that depletes us.
Ashwini’s 3P framework — Personality, Perspectives and Presence — and how understanding our beliefs and wiring can help us navigate change more effectively.
Why leaders need to be willing to ask for help, acknowledge what they don’t know and challenge beliefs that may no longer serve them.
How holding strong opinions loosely allows leaders to remain curious, adaptable and open to different perspectives while building psychological safety and trust.
Why generosity, influence and developing others create a more lasting leadership impact than authority, politics or becoming indispensable.
About Ashwini Balasubramanian
Ashwini Balasubramanian is VP of R&D at 3M and author of Map Your Ascent: Embracing Change as Your Leadership Superpower. With 23 years of experience leading global teams across technology, product innovation and corporate strategy, she is passionate about helping leaders and organizations harness change, build influence and create lasting impact. She is also a keynote speaker on ESG and leadership topics worldwide.
About Inspirational Leadership
Inspirational Leadership is hosted by Kristen Harcourt, Emotional Intelligence Expert, Executive Coach, Leadership Trainer, Keynote Speaker, and Podcast Host.
Through conversations with inspiring leaders, experts, and thinkers, Kristen explores the ideas, behaviours, and practices that help us become more conscious, courageous, and inspirational leaders.
Learn more about Kristen and her work in executive coaching, leadership training, and transformational keynotes at www.kristenharcourt.com
The Hidden Cost of How We Work Together with Mamie Kanfer Stewart
2026/08/10
What if the biggest challenges on your team aren't actually about performance—but about how people work together?
In this episode of Inspirational Leadership, I’m joined by Mamie Kanfer Stewart, founder of Meteor, leader of the One Goal Meeting movement, and host of the Modern Manager podcast. Mamie helps managers and organizations create smarter, happier workplaces by building high-performing teams, fostering trust, and transforming the way people collaborate.
Together, we explore what gets in the way of effective collaboration and how leaders can create greater clarity, trust, and alignment within their teams.
In this episode, we explore:
Why the way we work together mattersand how ineffective practices can quietly drain productivity, engagement, and energy.
How clarity creates better collaboration, from defining desired outcomes to establishing shared expectations and clearer ways of working.
Why teams need to examine how they work together, including evaluating meeting culture and creating team playbooks that make collaboration easier.
How leaders can reduce friction between teamsby addressing assumptions, clarifying roles and expectations, and creating stronger cross-functional relationships.
How AI can support better leadership, helping managers prepare for conversations, recognize patterns, challenge their thinking, and become more intentional leaders.
⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/MamieKanferStewart
About Mamie Kanfer Stewart
Mamie Kanfer Stewart is the founder of Meteor, leader of the One Goal Meeting movement, and host of the Modern Manager podcast. She helps managers and organizations build smarter, happier workplaces by creating high-performing teams, fostering trust, and transforming the way people collaborate.
About Inspirational Leadership
Inspirational Leadership is hosted by Kristen Harcourt, Emotional Intelligence Expert, Executive Coach, Leadership Trainer, Keynote Speaker, and Podcast Host.
Through conversations with inspiring leaders, experts, and thinkers, Kristen explores the ideas, behaviours, and practices that help us become more conscious, courageous, and inspirational leaders.
Learn more about Kristen and her work in executive coaching, leadership training, and transformational keynotes at www.kristenharcourt.com
Why Making Yourself a Priority Makes You a Better Leader with Lisa Lounsbury
2026/07/13
What does it really mean to make wellness a priority?
In this episode of Inspirational Leadership, Kristen sits down with wellness and resilience expert Lisa Lounsbury to explore how making ourselves a priority is the foundation for sustainable well-being, stronger leadership, and healthier workplaces.
Together, they discuss the mindset shifts that help healthy habits stick, the importance of leading by example, why menopause deserves more open conversation, and how organizations can create cultures that truly support employee well-being.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why making yourself a priority isn't selfish—it's essential
How small mindset shifts and keystone habits create lasting change
Breaking the stigma around menopause and advocating for your health
How leaders can model well-being and build healthier workplace cultures
Practical strategies to support resilience, wellness, and long-term success
About Lisa Lounsbury
Lisa Lounsbury is a resilience and well-being expert, certified lifestyle wellness and menopause coach, speaker, author of Making Wellness a Priority, and founder of New Day Wellness. For more than 30 years, she has helped individuals and organizations build healthier, more resilient workplaces by making wellness a core part of leadership and culture.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who is passionate about creating healthier lives, stronger leaders, and workplaces where people thrive.
➡️ 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
Why Every Leader Needs a Mentor with Helen Patterson
2026/06/22
What role has mentorship played in your leadership journey?
In this episode of Inspirational Leadership, Kristen sits down with workplace culture expert, speaker, and author Helen Patterson to explore the incredible impact of mentorship—on our careers, our confidence, and the cultures we create.
Together, they discuss the differences between mentoring, coaching, and sponsorship, why mentorship is one of the most powerful tools for developing people and leaders, and how creating a culture of mentorship can create a ripple effect throughout organizations and communities.
In this episode, we discuss:
The difference between mentoring, coaching, and sponsorship
Why mentorship accelerates leadership growth
How mentors help us see what we can't always see in ourselves
Practical advice for finding a mentor and becoming one
Building workplace cultures where people thrive through mentorship
About Helen Patterson
Helen Patterson is a workplace culture expert, speaker, mentor, and author of Create a Mentor Culture: How to Mentor with Heart and Start a Ripple Effect. She helps organizations build people-first cultures where mentoring, connection, and leadership development create lasting impact.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who is passionate about developing leaders and creating workplaces where people thrive.
➡️ 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 Most Trusted Leaders Aren't the Smartest — They're the Safest
2026/06/08
What makes people trust a leader?
Many leaders believe trust is built through expertise, intelligence, or having all the answers. But in reality, trust is often built through something far more powerful: emotional safety.
In this episode of Inspirational Leadership, Kristen Harcourt explores why the most trusted leaders create environments where people feel safe to speak up, make mistakes, share ideas, and have honest conversations. She discusses the connection between emotional safety, trust, culture, and performance, and why emotional regulation is one of the most important leadership skills today.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why leadership is an emotional experience
• Common behaviors that unintentionally erode trust
• The difference between being nice and creating safety
• How emotionally safe leaders foster accountability and high performance
• Reflection questions to help you assess your own leadership impact
Whether you're leading a team, an organization, or simply looking to strengthen your influence, this episode will challenge you to think differently about what it truly means to earn trust as a leader.
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
Resilient Leadership: Staying Grounded Through Change with Jay Abassi
2026/05/25
In this powerful episode of Inspirational Leadership, Kristen sits down with speaker, coach, and mindfulness expert Jay Abassi for a deeply honest conversation about resilience, burnout, emotional intelligence, and what it truly means to lead with humanity.
After the sudden loss of his father in 2014, Jay experienced a profound wake-up call that transformed every area of his life. From burnout, stress, and feeling disconnected in a high-pressure corporate environment to leading national training programs at Tesla, Jay shares the personal journey that inspired his mission to help leaders thrive through change and uncertainty.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why high performers often suppress emotions — and how emotional intelligence transforms leadership
Practical tools for preventing burnout and building resilience in high-pressure environments
How mindfulness and meditation help leaders become more self-aware and intentional
The balance between empathy, accountability, and creating psychologically safe teams
Why leading from love, compassion, and vulnerability creates stronger workplace cultures
About the Guest
Jay Abassi is a speaker, coach, and trainer specializing in mindfulness, resilience, and leadership development. He has worked with leaders from organizations including Google, Amazon, and Wells Fargo, helping individuals and teams thrive in high-performance environments.
⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/JayAbassi
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
Scaling Culture Without Losing Humanity with Amanda Small
2026/05/04
In this episode, Kristen Harcourt sits down with Amanda Small, VP of People & Culture, to explore how organizations can scale without losing what makes them human.
Amanda shares her unique journey from artist to executive, and how creativity, curiosity, and operational discipline shape strong leadership. They discuss what truly drives a thriving culture—highlighting the power of transparency, trust, and clear communication.
If you're navigating growth, change, or team overwhelm, this episode offers practical insights to help you lead with clarity and intention.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why culture is co-created—not owned by HR
How transparency and communication build trust
The role of curiosity in effective leadership
How focusing on top priorities reduces overwhelm
Why defining “done” matters for execution
What actually creates a strong, sustainable culture
About the Guest
Amanda Small is a People & Culture executive with experience in high-growth tech and fintech, helping organizations scale while staying human-centered.
⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/AmandaSmall
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
Rethinking Leadership & Neuroinclusion with Dr. Ludmila Praslova
2026/04/06
In this episode of Inspirational Leadership, Kristen sits down with Dr. Ludmila Praslova to explore how neurodiversity can reshape the way we lead, hire, and build workplace cultures.
They unpack the concept behind The Canary Code, why traditional hiring practices often miss great talent, and how designing for neurodivergent individuals creates better environments for everyone.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that inclusive, human-centered leadership isn’t just the right thing to do—it leads to stronger, more effective organizations.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What neurodiversity really means in the workplace
Why interviews often fail to assess true capability
How to create more inclusive hiring and onboarding practices
The importance of transparent career paths beyond people management
What great leadership looks like in a neurodiverse world
About the Guest
Dr. Ludmila Praslova is an organizational psychologist, Thinkers50 Radar honoree, and author of The Canary Code. She helps organizations build more inclusive, human-centered workplaces.
⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/LudmilaPraslova
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
Leadership & Connection: Courageous Communication with Sage Hobbs
2026/03/16
In this episode of Inspirational Leadership, host Kristen Harcourt sits down with leadership coach and author Sage Hobbs to explore how leaders can build stronger relationships and healthier team cultures through more intentional communication.
Sage shares insights from her book Naked Communication and introduces her framework Communication for Connection—a leadership approach centered on compassion, clarity, courage, and curiosity.
Together they discuss how leaders can create psychological safety, navigate difficult conversations, and build trust through more thoughtful communication.
In this episode:
What “communication for connection” means for leaders
Why curiosity is a leadership superpower
The importance of clarity in leadership communication
How courageous conversations build stronger teams
Simple steps to improve your communication today
⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/SageHobbs
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 Leadership Capacity Gap
2026/02/23
Have you ever felt like nothing is technically wrong in your leadership role… and yet it feels heavier than it used to?
You’re performing. You’re respected. The results are there.
But the complexity is harder to hold. The meetings drain you more. Your reactions surprise you.
In this solo episode of Inspirational Leadership, Kristen explores The Leadership Capacity Gap — the space between what your role now requires and what your current internal capacity can sustainably hold.
This isn’t about competence.
It’s about expansion.
You’ll discover:
The four types of leadership capacity: emotional, cognitive, nervous system, and identity
Why working harder won’t close the gap
How high performers quietly outgrow their internal wiring
What expanding your capacity looks like in real leadership moments
If you’re a high-achieving leader who feels stretched, reactive, or quietly exhausted, this episode will give you language — and a path forward.
Because leadership growth at this level isn’t about adding more tools.
It’s about expanding who you are able to be in the room.
If this episode resonated, it may be a sign you’re at your next leadership edge.
Kristen partners with leaders who are ready to expand their capacity — not just their results.
If you’re ready to explore what that next level looks like for you, connect with her on LinkedIn or visit https://kristenharcourt.com/ to start the conversation.
How to Make Meetings Work (and Why Most Fail) with Rebecca Hinds
2026/02/09
Too many meetings. Too little impact.
In this episode of Inspirational Leadership, Kristen Harcourt is joined by Rebecca Hinds, organizational behavior expert and author of Your Best Meeting Ever, to unpack why meetings feel broken — and how leaders can fix them.
Rebecca shares a practical framework for deciding which meetings should exist, how to design meetings that actually drive decisions and alignment, and why collaboration — not busyness — is the real driver of performance.
This conversation is a must-listen for leaders, managers, and professionals who want fewer meetings, better collaboration, and more meaningful work.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why most meetings fail before they even start
The 4D + CEO Test to decide if a meeting is necessary
When meetings should be async instead
How collaboration culture impacts performance
Why one-on-one meetings matter more than ever
Practical ways to reclaim your calendar
About the guest:
Rebecca Hinds is a leading expert on organizational behavior and the future of work. She holds a PhD from Stanford, founded Asana’s Work Innovation Lab, and leads the Work AI Institute at Glean.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.rebeccahinds.com/
⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/RebeccaHinds
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
Travel as a Catalyst for Purpose and Leadership with Jill Valentine
2026/01/26
In this episode of Inspirational Leadership, host Kristen Harcourt is joined by transformational travel coach Jill Valentine to explore how travel, service, and self-discovery can become powerful catalysts for purpose-driven leadership.
Jill shares how stepping outside routine and into meaningful travel experiences creates perspective, expands awareness, and helps leaders reconnect with what truly matters. Together, we discuss why success without purpose can feel empty — and how service, reflection, and self-knowledge lead to more grounded, emotionally intelligent leadership.
What you’ll learn:
Why travel accelerates self-discovery and clarity
How service deepens meaning and fulfillment
The difference between self-discovery and constant personal growth
Why knowing yourself is the foundation of effective leadership
How leaders can integrate insight without burning everything down
About the Guest:
Jill Valentine is a transformational travel coach and founder of UGO Impact, creating immersive coaching and volunteer experiences around the world that support personal growth, community partnership, and sustainable impact.
🔗 Learn more: UGO Impact
⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/PodcastJillValentine
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
Coaching Skills Every Leader Needs (But Most Don’t Use)
2025/11/03
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
2025/10/06
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
Podcast reviews
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Yogi_Dorsey 2026/08/10
Valuable, concise expert advice
Throughly enjoy the wisdom and guests!
Jay_Abbasi 2026/05/29
Meaningful and practical
Kristen is clearly an expert on Emotional Intelligence, and she talks about it in a way that’s relatable and digestible. She’s also a fantastic host, ...
V. Asmelash 2024/05/02
Open and Insightful
I appreciate Kristen’s insights and they way she allows the conversation to flow with her guests. Anything that emerges, Kristen shows she is ready an...
Alan Stein 2022/07/26
Such a fun and helpful show!
I really enjoy the guests and topics… and Kristen does a masterful job facilitating helpful convos!
Melissa_Lee 2022/07/25
Fascinating perspectives
I look forward to new episodes on Kristen’s podcast. Full of insights and perspectives on management and leadership. Highly recommend giving it a list...
Ejtcat 2022/07/18
Authentic and sustainable leadership
Good leaders aren’t born, they’re cultivated. Especially in such a fast moving time when emotional intelligence is standard and not an extra. Great po...
bizzwriter 2022/07/18
Top notch leadership podcast
There are a lot of leadership podcasts around, but without a doubt, Kristen Harcourt’s is one of the best. I really enjoy her personal take on leaders...
CoreyBlake9000 2022/07/18
Personal and Powerful
Kristen is an insanely personal podcast host with remarkable energy, enthusiasm, and a willingness to take risks with her guests that offer her listen...
oliviabaker13 2022/07/14
Insightful, engaging, and inspirational!
Kristen and her stellar guests shine the brightest of lights on what it means to be a leader! Insightful, engaging, and (of course) inspirational are ...
Lexinic 2021/11/03
A go-to podcast for all things thought leadership
I've been a long-time fan of Kristen and her podcast, and I have newfound respect for her skills as an interviewer after being a guest. Kristen knows ...
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