Advertise on podcast: PeopleFirst! with Morag Barrett

In this episode of People First!, Morag Barrett talks with Preston Poore—executive coach, author, and former Coca-Cola leader—about his new book, How Is Greater Than What: The Simple Formula for Success in Leadership. They discuss why how you lead matters more than what you accomplish, the role of identity and integrity in effective leadership, and how to stay grounded in a world shaped by technology and AI. In this episode, you'll learn: Why “start with who” might matter more than “start with why”The link between integrity, trust, and authentic leadershipLessons from Preston’s 30-year corporate careerHow faith, values, and self-awareness shape long-term successPerfect for leaders, managers, and professionals seeking practical insights on character, connection, and culture in the modern workplace. Learn More: https://prestonpoore.com/

In this People First! episode, I sit down with my dear friend and fellow connection-evangelist Dr. Michelle K. Johnston — top executive coach, business professor, bestselling author, and now the voice behind The Seismic Shift in You. We dig into the uncomfortable truth:We’re more digitally connected than at any time in human history… …and yet more lonely, isolated, anxious, and burnt out than ever before. Michelle calls it a “crisis of disconnection” — one backed by global research, neuroscience, and the devastating health data shared by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. In this episode we explore: Why connection is a biological need — as essential as food and waterHow hybrid work, AI, and phone addiction are accelerating a global loneliness epidemicThe seven seismic shifts leaders must make — starting with shifting from what to whoWhy productivity without connection creates emptiness (Michelle’s newest mic-drop quote)How the calendar has become the biggest predictor of well-beingThe difference between communication and true connectionWhy leaders must intentionally design moments — not just meetingsThe wake-up call Michelle experienced when her daughter came home and said, “Mom, I haven’t seen you.”If you’re feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or suspicious that the “new normal” doesn’t feel normal at all… this episode will give you grounding and a path forward. Learn more: michellekjohnston.com The Seismic Shift in You now available everywhere books are sold.

In this People First! conversation, I sit down with Mark C. Crowley — visionary leader, bestselling author, and longtime advocate for human-centered leadership — to unpack the big idea behind his new book, The Power of Employee Wellbeing. Mark spent 25+ years leading in financial services, disproving the myth that performance comes from pressure, control, and fear. His data-backed approach shows the opposite: people thrive when leaders care about them as human beings, not just producers. And wellbeing — not engagement — is the real lever. His personal story sets the stage: early trauma, an unexpected mentor who offered belonging, and a career built on giving others the support he never had . In this episode, he breaks down why wellbeing drives performance, why engagement surveys failed, and what leaders must do now. ⭐ What we cover: The emotional roots of human motivation — and why “thinking” has far less to do with performance than we assumeWhy engagement scores didn’t budge for a decade, despite billions spent on themThe simple, actionable wellbeing questions that uncover what actually improves performanceThe #1 driver of wellbeing — belonging — and why people quit teams, not companiesHow fear shuts down trust, innovation, and contributionWhat leaders get wrong about caring (“love your people” is not soft — it’s science)How to ask for honest feedback when your employees want to tell you you’re great (even when you aren’t)Why every leader must answer the question: Do your people feel they matter here?Mark’s message is blunt but hopeful: wellbeing is not a perk — it’s a performance strategy. And you don’t need a company-wide initiative to start changing outcomes. You can start today. 📗 Learn more about Mark: Website: markccrowley.com LinkedIn: Mark C. Crowley Books: The Power of Employee Wellbeing and Lead from the Heart

Most of us were taught to “check emotions at the door.”Turns out… your nervous system never got that memo. In this week’s People First! episode, I sit down with Andrea Wanerstrand, a leadership strategist and founder of A3 Culture Lab, who helps leaders shift from burnout to bold influence. We talk about: 💭 The three brains you bring to every conversation ⚡ Why awareness isn’t enough — and what to do with it 💬 How to show up with intention, even on the tough days Andrea’s insights blend neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and practical leadership wisdom in a way that makes you stop and think about how you feel at work — and how others feel around you. 🎙️ Tune in to hear how to reset your mindset, regulate your energy, and lead with authenticity. Learn more about Andrea:Website: https://a3culturelab.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawanerstrand/

This week, Morag welcomes back Alaina Love—CEO of Purpose Linked Consulting, co-author of The Purpose Linked Organization, and author of the inspiring new book Permission to Be You. A former scientist and global HR executive turned leadership coach, Alaina blends psychology, purpose research, and personal storytelling to guide leaders and individuals toward lives of alignment, meaning, and authenticity. In this conversation, Alaina opens up about the decade-long journey of writing her new book, the courage it took to tell deeply personal stories, and the practical framework she developed—the Ten Passion Archetypes—that helps us understand what truly drives us. 🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss: 02:30 — Permission Starts with YouAfter ten years and a few false starts, Alaina realized she needed to stop writing the book others expected—and instead write the one she was meant to create. The result? A deeply personal and universal guide to living a flourishing life. 06:00 — Purpose Is Personal, Not PrescribedBuilding on her earlier work The Purpose Linked Organization, Alaina turns inward—helping readers discover their unique passions and how they can navigate life’s pivotal moments with greater self-understanding and resilience. 14:00 — Discovering Your Passion ArchetypesFrom the Creator and Connector to the Healer, Transformer, and Builder, Alaina introduces ten archetypes that shape our motivations and strengths. Understanding your top three, she says, helps you find your flow—and your right environment for thriving. 19:00 — Nothing to Fix, Only to EmbraceUnlike many personality tools, Alaina’s model isn’t about deficits—it’s about self-acceptance. “Your passions are your passions,” she says. “They’re your natural colors. You don’t need to fix who you are—just understand and honor it.” 💡 This Episode Is for: Leaders, professionals, and anyone ready to stop living by others’ scripts and start leading—and living—from their authentic purpose and passions. 🔗 Where to Learn More: Permission to Be You — Available now in print, ebook, and audiobookPermissionToBeYouBook.com — Free toolkit and self-reflection resourcesThePurposeLink.com — Alaina’s corporate consulting and leadership development workConnect with Alaina Love on LinkedIn

In this special two-for-one episode, Morag welcomes back Dr. Jeffrey Hull—Executive Director at the Institute of Coaching, Harvard Medical School Affiliate—and leadership scientist and coach Margaret Moore, co-founder of the Institute of Coaching and CEO of Wellcoaches Corporation. Together, they unpack their new book, The Science of Leadership: Nine Ways to Expand Your Impact, a groundbreaking synthesis of 50 years of research distilled into nine evidence-based capacities every leader can grow. Blending neuroscience, behavioral science, and coaching wisdom, Jeffrey and Margaret reveal how to lead consciously, connect deeply, and transform not only your team but yourself. 🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss: 05:30 — Why Nine? The Map of Modern LeadershipAfter analyzing over 15,000 research papers, Jeffrey and Margaret identified nine interconnected capacities—from consciousness and authenticity to compassion and transformation—that together form a holistic framework for lifelong leadership growth. 10:45 — The Roots of Leadership: Self Before SystemLeadership starts within. The first three capacities—Conscious, Authentic, and Agile Leadership—build the foundation for everything else by developing awareness, aligning values, and cultivating flexibility in thought, emotion, and action. 14:30 — From Self to Others: Relational, Positive & Compassionate LeadershipGreat leaders create connection and safety. Jeffrey and Margaret explore how empathy evolves into compassion—an active care for others and the systems they inhabit—and why true influence begins with resonance, not control. 18:40 — The Power of Shared, Servant, and Transformational LeadershipThe final three capacities challenge hierarchy and ego. Sharing leadership, serving others, and pursuing transformation require humility, courage, and an ever-evolving mindset. As Margaret says, “Transformation isn’t finding yourself—it’s expanding yourself.” 💡 This Episode Is for:Leaders at every level—from emerging managers to seasoned executives—who want to integrate science-backed practices with self-awareness, compassion, and purpose to elevate their leadership impact. 🔗 Where to Learn More: The Science of Leadership: Nine Ways to Expand Your Impact — Available nowInstituteofCoaching.org — Research, tools, and certification programsConnect with Dr. Jeffrey Hull and Margaret Moore on LinkedIn

This week, Morag sits down with Margaret Andrews—executive educator, Harvard instructor, founder of The MYLO Center, and author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others. Drawing from her years teaching leadership and working with organizations like Amazon, Wayfair, Walmart, and the United Nations, Margaret offers powerful lessons on self-awareness, trust, and emotional intelligence as the true cornerstones of effective leadership. With personal candor, Margaret shares how one difficult piece of feedback became the catalyst for her research, her Harvard course, and ultimately her book—reminding us that the best leaders are always managing themselves first. 🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss: 03:00 — Trust Is Built in NanosecondsTrust isn’t earned in years—it’s built (and broken) in moments. Margaret explains why “do what you say, say what you do” remains the ultimate leadership rule. 07:00 — Self-Awareness Starts with HonestyA painful but pivotal career moment taught Margaret that understanding herself was the first step to leading others. Awareness of how we impact people—and curiosity about how they experience us—is where leadership transformation begins. 13:00 — Aggressive Self-Rescue: Bouncing Back from SetbacksBorrowing from white-water rafting safety lessons, Margaret shares her philosophy of “aggressive self-rescue” for career challenges: pause, process, then act intentionally. 16:00 — Emotions Aren’t Soft—They’re StrategicEmotional intelligence, or “relationship skills,” isn’t optional. Margaret emphasizes that reading the room, owning your emotional state, and recognizing others’ cues are what distinguish leaders people actually want to follow. 💡 This Episode Is for:Emerging and experienced leaders ready to deepen self-awareness, build trust faster, recover from career missteps, and lead with humanity in hybrid workplaces. 🔗 Where to Learn More: Manage Yourself to Lead Others — Available nowMargaretAndrews.com — Resources and leadership insightsConnect with Margaret C. Andrews on LinkedIn

We’re excited to welcome back David Cohen—globally recognized thought leader, executive coach, and author of Selecting the Best: Fostering a Workforce Driven by Values for Lasting Success. With over 30 years of experience advising leaders and organizations on five continents, David brings a clear message: skills may get you hired, but values determine whether you (and your organization) thrive. From his early consulting days to his latest book, David explains why authentic values alignment—not just technical expertise—is the key to building resilient, high-performing teams. 🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss: 03:00 — Relationships Drive EverythingDavid shares how a single relationship—built over 30 years ago—opened doors, sustained his career, and underscores why lasting success is built on trust, respect, and connection. 08:00 — Hire for Values, Not Just SkillsKnowledge and skills are teachable, but values-driven behavior determines whether someone will fit, flourish, and stay. Hiring without considering values is one of the fastest paths to disengagement and turnover. 12:00 — The Integrity TrapWhy “integrity” isn’t really a value—it’s the sum total of living your values. When organizations plaster it on walls but don’t live it, cynicism and distrust follow. 17:00 — How to Ask Better Interview QuestionsDavid explains why ambiguous, behavioral questions (“Tell me about a time…”) reveal far more than canned Q&A—and how silence can be a powerful tool in uncovering authentic stories. 💡 This Episode Is for: Leaders, recruiters, HR professionals, and job seekers who want to understand how values shape hiring, retention, and long-term success. 🔗 Where to Learn More: Selecting the Best — Available now on AmazonSAGltd.com — David’s consulting firmConnect with David Cohen (David S. Cohen) on LinkedIn

This week, Morag is joined by Dr. Rosie Ward—CEO of Salveo Partners, award-winning author and podcast host, and fierce advocate for rehumanizing workplaces. Rosie’s new book, Future Proofing Leadership: Navigating Change and Disruption to Thrive in an Uncertain World, explores how to upgrade our “faulty programs,” break free from self-protective patterns, and lead with courage and connection. With humor, candor, and science-backed insights, Rosie reveals why embracing our messy humanity is the key to thriving in times of disruption. 🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss: 04:00 — We’re Wired for Connection, Yet More Disconnected Than Ever Despite being biologically hardwired for relationships, technology, faulty programming, and disruption have left us lonelier than ever. Rosie explains why feeling seen and heard is as essential as food and water. 10:30 — Faulty Programs That Hold Us Back From the Overachiever to the Martyr, Perfectionist, People Pleaser, and more—Rosie unpacks the seven faulty programs that sabotage us and how to start upgrading them. 18:00 — Inner Game vs. Outer Game Why training alone doesn’t stick unless we first update our “inner operating system.” Self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and narrative rewiring are the foundations for lasting leadership change. 24:00 — The 3x3x3 Challenge to Build Connection A simple daily practice: take three minutes to reach out to three people for three months. This small act of showing up for others strengthens relationships and boosts wellbeing. 💡 This Episode Is for: Leaders, change agents, and anyone tired of hustling and “doing it all” who wants to show up authentically, break free of head trash, and rehumanize work and life. 🔗 Where to Learn More: SalveoPartners.com — Rosie’s company site with resources and white papersDrRosieWard.com — blog, podcast, and book infoConnect with Dr. Rosie Ward on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube

This week, Morag is joined by Jonathan Stutz—President of Global Diversity Partners, Inc., former leader at Amazon, Microsoft, and Zulily, and co-author (with Eddie Pate) of Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders: A Guide to Building a Culture of Belonging. With over 25 years of experience in leadership, Jonathan shares how inclusion is not a “program” but a daily practice—and why creating cultures of belonging is both a moral imperative and a business advantage. 🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss: 02:00 — Relationships Are the Legacy That LastsJonathan reflects on how mentors, colleagues, and friendships are the true markers of success—long after projects and titles are forgotten. 06:00 — Inclusion Before DiversityUsing the “home” metaphor, Jonathan explains why focusing on inclusion first ensures that diverse hires don’t walk out the back door—and how belonging fuels retention and performance. 13:00 — Dropping Pebbles to Create RipplesInclusive leadership doesn’t require grand gestures. Jonathan shares how small, daily actions—like stopping interruptions in meetings or pressing “pause” on microaggressions—create ripples that shift culture over time. 20:00 — From Gap Analysis to Real ChangeWhy throwing programs at the wall isn’t enough. Jonathan outlines how assessing culture, listening to marginalized voices, and cutting data by intersectionality lead to meaningful strategies for equity and belonging. 💡 This Episode Is for: Leaders, HR professionals, and changemakers who want to move beyond well-intentioned diversity statements and instead create tangible, lasting cultures of belonging. 🔗 Where to Learn More: Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders by Jonathan Stutz & Eddie PateInclusivePebbles.com — resources, videos, and toolsGlobalDiversityPartners.net — Jonathan’s consulting practiceConnect with Jonathan Stutz on LinkedIn

In this episode of People First, Morag is joined by Meredith Waters—high-performance coach, transformational strategist, and founder of Thriving at Water’s Edge. With over two decades in high-stakes global leadership, including post-conflict zones and climate-vulnerable regions, Meredith has developed the Resilient Ambition Framework to help individuals and mission-driven teams move through disruption with clarity, adaptability, and purpose. From the concept of “ambition disruption” to embracing intentional “fallow periods,” Meredith shares practical tools for reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth. 🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss: 03:00 — The Power of Lifting Others Up Meredith reflects on the military-inspired mindset of training others to do your job—and how removing competition builds stronger teams, deeper trust, and mutual success. 07:30 — What Is Ambition Disruption? Learn how career ceilings, missed promotions, personal loss, or major industry changes can trigger “life quakes”—and why recognizing them is the first step toward intentional growth. 10:00 — Embracing the Fallow Period Meredith explains how to use transitional periods to rest, reassess, and explore new goals. This pause isn’t inactivity—it’s purposeful cultivation of what comes next. 16:30 — Evolving Forward vs. Bouncing Back Through her Resilient Ambition Framework, Meredith outlines how to gain clarity, build emotional resilience, and realign ambitions—so you don’t just return to “business as usual” but adapt for a more fulfilling path. 💡 This Episode Is for: Leaders, changemakers, and high performers navigating disruption who want to turn uncertainty into a launchpad for intentional, sustainable growth. 🔗 Where to Learn More: Thriving at Water’s EdgeConnect with Meredith Waters on LinkedInFollow Thriving at Water’s Edge on Facebook and LinkedIn

This week, we welcome award-winning global learning executive and author Jeanine Mathó to People First. Jeanine shares her deeply personal journey from the height of corporate success through burnout and loss — only to emerge with a powerful new vision for what lasting success can truly look and feel like. In this conversation, Jeanine introduces her new book Live Your Opus: Reclaim Your Energy, Redefine Success, and Create a Life That Truly Matters, written for high-achieving professionals who may look successful on the outside, but feel misaligned or depleted within. 🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss: 03:45 — Burnout Is Not a WeaknessAfter hitting a personal wall following the sudden loss of her mother and relentless corporate demands, Jeanine reframes burnout as a moment of awakening—not failure—and explains how we can learn from it before hitting the edge. 08:40 — High Achievement ≠ High PerformanceWhat separates Olympic athletes from overworked professionals? Energy management. Jeanine explains why working harder doesn’t always lead to better results—and how to build recovery, alignment, and endurance into your ambition. 13:00 — Your Energy Is Your PowerJeanine introduces the Opus 8 Energy System and the three anchoring pillars: Stability, Alignment, and Endurance. These are not abstract ideas, but practical pathways to lead from a place of vitality and intention. 21:00 — You Are Your Greatest WorkForget the titles and accolades. Jeanine urges us to reclaim authorship of our stories, own our voices, and treat our lives as the most meaningful masterpiece we’ll ever create—our opus. 💡 This Episode Is for:Leaders, founders, executives, and ambitious professionals feeling the toll of success and wondering: “Is this it?” If you’re ready to shift from depletion to purpose, this conversation is your call to action. 🔗 Where to Learn More: Live Your Opus — Available Fall 2025Connect with Jeanine Matho on LinkedInStay tuned for pre-order links and updates through Jeanine’s professional channels

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Bobbi Wegner—psychologist, Harvard lecturer, and founder of GROOPS—to People First!. With her unique blend of clinical and organizational psychology, Bobbi shares how leaders can evolve from taskmasters to team coaches by leveraging simple psychological tools that drive connection, performance, and well-being. In a world where workplace disconnection is at an all-time high, Bobbi’s insights are a timely reminder that relationships are not just a “nice to have”—they’re a business imperative. 🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss: 03:00 — The Power of One Person Dr. Lee, Bobbi’s college professor, sparked a lifelong journey into health psychology and human connection. This reminder: small encouragements can have ripple effects that last decades. 07:45 — What GROOOPS Gets Right About Work Bobbi explains how her company, GROOPS, equips psychologists to support leaders in real-time with scalable, low-cost coaching—anchored in human connection and real science. 10:00 — Cohesion = Connection + Performance Why psychological safety and team cohesion matter more than ever. Bobbi shares stats and strategies proving that relational health isn’t just about morale—it’s directly tied to profit, retention, and innovation. 14:00 — Coaching > Commanding Using the ORS framework from motivational interviewing, leaders can build trust and autonomy by asking better questions, affirming effort, and reflecting back understanding—without adding more to their plate. 💡 This Episode Is for: Team leaders, HR professionals, educators, and forward-thinking executives who want to stop managing tasks and start cultivating thriving cultures. 🔗 Where to Learn More: joinGROOPS.com — Bobbi’s company offering psychology-driven coaching at scaleDrBobbiWegner.comHarvard Graduate School of Education & Extension School ProgramsConnect with Bobbi on LinkedIn

This week, Morag sits down with Sabina Nawaz—executive coach, former Microsoft executive, and author of You Are the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be and Others Need. Sabina brings a sharp, compassionate lens to the messy reality of leadership—especially how pressure, not power, causes even the best bosses to behave badly. From lessons learned in Microsoft’s high-stakes executive suites to real-world tools for becoming a better boss (without burning out), Sabina shares insight with warmth, clarity, and actionable wisdom. 🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss: 02:58 — The Generosity Effect: Channel Your Inner Jane Sabina honors her former colleague Jane, whose abundant generosity left a permanent mark on her leadership style—and reminds us all to show up with presence and practical kindness, even across silos. 05:30 — It’s Not Power That Corrupts—It’s Pressure Sabina breaks down how even well-meaning leaders shift into bad boss behaviors when pressure spikes—and why being self-aware, especially about tone and body language, is crucial as you gain more influence. 11:00 — When Good Bosses Go Rogue In a raw story of her own, Sabina recalls the jarring moment she learned her team feared her after returning from parental leave—and how unchecked pressure warped her leadership. Her turnaround offers a candid playbook for course-correcting with humility. 17:00 — Micro-Habits, Major Change Forget the silver bullet. Sabina advocates starting small—like being the third to speak in a meeting or shutting your laptop five minutes earlier. These micro-habits can compound into powerful shifts in behavior, perception, and trust. 💡 This Episode Is for: Leaders in transition, newly promoted managers, and high performers who want to grow their leadership without losing themselves—or their teams—in the process. 🔗 Where to Learn More: SabinaNawaz.com – Book resources, tools, and Sabina’s newsletter PressureProofYou Are the Boss — Available wherever books are soldConnect with Sabina on LinkedIn

We’re excited to welcome Suzie Bishop, Vice President of Product Development at the Center for Leadership Studies and member of the Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches community. In this episode, Suzie shares how the timeless model of Situational Leadership is being reimagined for today's workplace—and why trust, adaptability, and honest feedback loops are essential for thriving teams. From her early mentors to her current work co-authoring two major leadership books (yes, two!), Suzie brings clarity, humility, and real-world wisdom to the conversation. 🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss: 02:00 — Opening Doors and Paying It ForwardSuzie reflects on two people who shaped her leadership journey. 06:00 — Leadership Is Task-Based, Not One-Size-Fits-AllSituational Leadership teaches leaders to flex their style depending on the specific task at hand and the individual’s readiness. Suzie explains the model with clarity, emphasizing how behaviors—not job titles—drive performance success. 13:00 — Why Situational Leadership Still Matters (50 Years On)Suzie shares how the model has stood the test of time because it’s simple, behavioral, and rooted in human connection. Its relevance today is even stronger as organizations grapple with change, disengagement, and the demand for more personalized leadership. 21:00 — Coaching vs. Managing: What Power Looks Like in PracticeSuzie explores how the same leadership model functions differently in executive coaching versus management—highlighting key nuances in trust, expertise, and legitimate power. 💡 This Episode Is for:Leaders, coaches, HR professionals, and anyone looking to lead with greater self-awareness, relationship savvy, and adaptability in times of change. 🔗 Where to Learn More: Suzie Bishop on LinkedInSituational.comCenter for Leadership Studies updates on LinkedIn