Advertise on podcast: The Enlightened Executive

What if charisma isn't something you're born with, but something you build?  In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Heather Hansen, former trial attorney, communication expert, and CEO of Belief Builders, to explore how compassionate charisma transforms your leadership presence.  You'll discover:  The neuroscience behind why power can reduce empathy, and how to reverse it  12 proven behaviors that make leaders more charismatic (based on Dr. John Antonakis' research)  The difference between performing leadership and embodying it  Why compassion is a prerequisite, not an accessory, to true influence  Whether you lead in healthcare, tech, or the C-suite, this episode will shift the way you think about presence, power, and persuasion.  Want to grow your influence without losing your authenticity? This is your starting point.  Subscribe and listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. 

Is your leadership model silently draining your team?  In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, energy and culture expert Josh Allan Dykstra challenges the outdated belief that resilience means pushing through. Instead, he offers a new paradigm: designing work around energy flow, not just productivity.  You'll learn:  Why burnout is a design issue, not a personal failing  The leadership reflex that keeps you stuck in overdrive  How to build teams that are energized, not just efficient  A practical roadmap to shift from exhaustion to alignment  This conversation is a must-listen for any leader ready to build sustainable high performance, from the inside out.   Listen now and explore how your leadership patterns may be working against you.  Want to uncover your blind spots? Explore the Enneagram Applied program. 

You may not think of yourself as a performer, but as a leader, your presence is always on stage.  In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm interviews culture and storytelling expert Mike Ganino on the hidden performance behind every company culture. From improv stages to executive boardrooms, Mike reveals how unspoken patterns and leadership presence shape what your team believes, repeats, and trusts.  Together, we explore:  Why culture is always being performed, whether scripted or not  How your leadership presence becomes the company's culture cue  The neuroscience of storytelling and its impact on team engagement  How to "rehearse" the behaviors and values you want your team to embody  Simple, actionable ways to lead with more clarity, intention, and impact  Whether you're scaling a team or leading through change, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you're showing up, and what your team is learning from it.  Don't just manage culture. Lead the one your team performs every day.

Most leaders double down on strategy when pressure hits, but what if the real competitive edge lies in creativity?  In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I speak with Natalie Nixon, creativity strategist and author of Move, Think, Rest, about why creativity, not control, is the next frontier in leadership. Natalie shares her human-centered framework for redesigning work in the face of burnout, complexity, and hybrid teams. You'll learn:  Why creativity is a teachable, practical skill (not just a personality trait)  How the Move / Think / Rest framework can rewire the way you lead  What it takes to "unlearn" outdated leadership reflexes  A powerful question to reimagine how you show up under pressure  If you're ready to stop reacting and start imagining, this conversation is your next step forward.    📘 Explore her book Move, Think, Rest: http://enlightenedexec.com/ep112 🎧 Subscribe to The Enlightened Executive for weekly episodes that blend neuroscience, leadership, and real-world insight 

You can be brilliant with numbers and still miss the pattern that's holding you back. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, financial behaviorist Jacquette Timmons shares the pivotal moment when her longtime CPA asked, "When are you going to stop mortgaging your life?" That one question revealed a blind spot that changed how she approached her business, her money, and her leadership.  We discuss:      Why blind spots form next to your strengths      How success can reinforce outdated habits      The emotional side of financial decisions      One practical step leaders can take to uncover what they can't see on their own  If you've ever wondered whether your leadership habits are still serving you, this episode offers a fresh lens to find out.  🔎 For deeper insight into your leadership patterns, explore Susan's Enneagram Applied tools here.

What if your biggest life challenges became the catalyst for your boldest leadership chapter yet?  Petra Kolber is no stranger to adversity. She's survived cancer twice, pivoted from global fitness icon to mindset coach, and now serves as VP of Mindset for the Daisie Foundation. In this powerful conversation, Petra joins host Susan Drumm to share how midlife became her launchpad, not her slowdown. Together, they explore: Why resilience isn't about bouncing back, but bouncing forward  The mindset shifts that helped Petra rewrite her story How to let go of perfectionism and lead with authenticity What executives can learn from their own moments of disruption Whether you're navigating a personal pivot or feeling the pull to reinvent your leadership path, this episode will challenge you to trade burnout for boldness and live a story you're excited to lead. 🎧 Subscribe to The Enlightened Executive for weekly strategies that spark your personal and leadership evolution. 

What does it really mean to lead with authenticity—and how do you know when it's courageous vs. careless?  In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, host Susan Drumm sits down with Cindy Adams, executive coach and co-founder of The Enneagram in Business Network, to explore one of the most misunderstood leadership traits: authenticity.  Together, we unpack:      Why "saying it like it is" can sometimes sabotage your impact      How your Enneagram type shapes your version of authenticity      The difference between emotional expression and emotional intelligence      How to evolve your communication style as your leadership matures  Whether you're leading a Fortune 500 team or scaling a growing business, this episode will help you lead with more discernment, presence, and power, not just bold expression.  🎧 Listen now to discover how to align your truth with timing, and why how you speak may matter more than what you say. 

What do you do when everything goes sideways? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I sit down with Juliette Kayyem, Harvard professor, former Assistant Secretary at Homeland Security under President Obama, and CNN Senior National Security Analyst. Juliette shares how today's leaders can build resilience before the crisis hits, and what it takes to make clear, confident decisions under pressure. We cover: The neuroscience behind decision-making in high-stress situations Why "urgent calm" is the most underutilized leadership skill How to train your team to act—not panic—in moments of crisis The power of pre-mortems to prevent disaster before it starts Whether you're leading a team, scaling a company, or navigating organizational change, this conversation will equip you to lead with clarity, even in chaos. Follow the show for more conversations that spark your personal evolution—and your leadership revolution.

What if your greatest strength as a CEO is also your biggest limitation? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Allison Maslan, aserial entrepreneur, author, and CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, to explore a critical challenge most high-performing leaders face:  👉 Becoming the bottleneck in their own business.  Allison has built 10 companies and now mentors thousands of CEOs through her Scale-It Method®—a framework for growing businesses that thrive without constant founder involvement.  Together, we dive into:      Why top CEOs unconsciously block their own scale      The hidden cost of over functioning as a leader      How to shift your identity from doer to scaler      The neuroscience behind delegation, trust, and sustainable growth      Actionable strategies to empower your leadership team and reclaim your time  If you're carrying too much, solving too many problems, or secretly afraid to let go—this conversation is your wake-up call.  Because your personal evolution is your leadership revolution.  —————————————— Connect with Allison Maslan Website: www.PinnacleGlobalNetwork.com/Susan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonmaslan/ Take your first step to learning how to scale your business to 8-figures and beyond!

What would you do if you came face to face with the person who murdered your father? Candice Mama chose forgiveness and in doing so transformed her life and her leadership. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive Candice shares her journey from deep resentment to peace and the lessons leaders can use to navigate betrayal conflict and personal hardship.  You will hear how to: Recognize the hidden costs of staying in a victim mindset Shift to a responsible mindset and reclaim your influence Use Candice's War Book exercise to rewrite the stories that hold you back Master emotional self-regulation to lead with clarity and strength Her story is a reminder that forgiveness is not weakness but a choice that frees you to lead with courage and purpose. 

What if your biggest leadership mistakes aren't due to poor judgment—but hidden assumptions?  In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm speaks with Dr. Alan Barnard, one of the world's top decision scientists and a leading expert in the Theory of Constraints. Together, they unpack why even high-performing leaders make bad decisions—and how to avoid the most common traps that derail clarity and performance.  You'll discover:  The 5 biggest decision-making mistakes (and how to avoid them)  How to use emotions as strategic data—not distractions  The role of AI and experimentation in leveling up your leadership  One simple question to surface team resistance and unlock action  If you're ready to make faster, smarter, and more aligned decisions, this episode delivers the mindset shifts and tools to get there.  🎧 Listen now—and lead with sharper insight. 

Discomfort Isn't the Enemy: How to Lead Through Challenge with Sterling Hawkins  What if the key to becoming a breakthrough leader isn't more confidence or clarity—but more discomfort?   In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm talks with Sterling Hawkins—author, keynote speaker, and founder of the "No Matter What" movement—about why the most effective leaders don't avoid discomfort. They leverage it.  Sterling shares his 5-step method for using discomfort to drive growth, from reframing challenges to building real accountability. Learn how to stop resisting discomfort and start using it as a compass toward transformation—for yourself and your team.  You'll learn:  Why discomfort is a critical ingredient in breakthrough leadership  How to spot subtle ways you're avoiding growth The neuroscience behind emotional resistance—and how to rewire it  A powerful mindset shift from Richard Branson that changed the game  How to build a culture where discomfort leads to innovation, not burnout  If you're ready to evolve as a leader, this episode is your invitation to step into the stretch zone. 

The Power of Boundaries: Unlocking Innovation Through Constraints with Rachel Druckenmiller  Episode Description:  What do photographing polar bears in the Arctic and leading high-performing teams have in common? More than you might think.  In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Rachel Druckenmiller—leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and founder of Avenue M Group—to explore how boundaries and constraints can fuel creativity, drive innovation, and empower your team.  Tune in to learn:  Why clear constraints spark smarter problem-solving  How to unlock insights from the front lines of your organization  Why failure shouldn't just be tolerated—but celebrated  How to foster a culture of experimentation without losing control  Rachel's lessons from the wild translate into bold leadership moves you can implement today—especially when the pressure is on.  🎧 Listen now to transform the way you think about limits, leadership, and unleashing your team's potential. 

What if the greatest leadership transformation doesn't start with a new strategy—but with a shift in you?  In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Daniel McCollum joins Susan Drumm to explore how self-awareness, vulnerability, and intentional growth become the foundation for high-performing teams and thriving organizational culture. Together, they unpack why inner development is no longer optional for executives—and how simple, daily practices can help leaders move from reactivity to conscious, values-based influence.  Whether you're leading a team, scaling a company, or driving culture change, this episode will help you:  Move beyond auto-pilot and lead with intention  Create psychological safety through authentic leadership  Use reflection and feedback to evolve your leadership style  Build trust, innovation, and adaptability across your organization  Tune in to learn how your personal growth can unlock your team's full potential—and transform your business from the inside out.  🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more leadership insights every week. 

What if the secret to getting more done—and feeling better doing it—wasn't about pushing harder, but pausing smarter? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I sit down with internationally recognized Qigong master and author Lee Holden to explore how strategic slowing down can unlock your highest leadership energy. Lee shares insights from his new book, Ready, Set, Slow, and breaks down why ancient wisdom and modern science agree: high performance starts with presence, not pressure. If you're ready to lead with more energy, focus, and resilience—without burning out—this episode is your reset button. Tune in now, and start leading from calm, not chaos.