In this solo episode, I open up about one of the most emotional experiences of my life after dropping my son off at the United States Naval Academy. It stirred something profound within me, and I felt compelled to share what I learned about self-leadership, emotional resilience, and staying grounded during life’s most significant transitions.

I discuss what it means to be truly unshakable, not by avoiding emotions, but by standing firm in our values and leading ourselves through difficult moments with honesty and compassion. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about clarity, progress, and choosing to lead from a place of strength and grace, even when the ground feels unsteady.

I also reflect on what it looks like to stop waiting for permission. To be your green light. Watching my son step into his purpose reminded me that we all can lead ourselves with intention. And when we do, we become the kind of leaders others naturally want to follow.

In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Laura Chevalier, Chief Growth Officer at Optomi Professional Services, for a conversation that explores the powerful intersection of data, grace, and self-leadership.

Laura shares her remarkable journey from teaching and sports to building a thriving IT consulting startup and leading a division focused on uplifting rural communities and military families. We talk candidly about how faith, humility, and a willingness to fail have shaped her path and opened doors she never imagined.

We also dig into what it means to live and lead with intention, how to give ourselves grace without losing our edge, and why authentic self-leadership is never a finished product but an evolving practice. Laura’s stories about saying yes to big leaps, trusting her instincts, and finding joy in the messiness of growth remind us that strong leadership always starts within.

If you’ve ever wondered how to hold high standards without losing heart, how to balance speed and presence, or how to trust your gut while inviting feedback, this episode is for you.

Listen in and reflect on what it means to lead yourself through every season with courage, curiosity, and grace.

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In this episode, I sit down with Lorna Little, President and CEO of St. Anne’s Family Services in Los Angeles. Lorna leads an organization that touches the lives of thousands of families facing housing insecurity, young mothers seeking stability, and children who need a safe start.

Our conversation goes deep into what it means to lead from both lived experience and professional training. Lorna shares how her own journey as a young mother and adoptee fuels her mission to build programs that change lives for the better. She explains why balancing high support with high accountability is not a feel-good slogan but a daily discipline that keeps her team effective and her community served.

We talk about the real cost of not supporting families early, why leaders must stand firm in their power even when feedback stings, and how caring leadership still demands measurable results. Lorna also reminds us to protect our own energy, nurture our creative sides, and never forget why we started this work in the first place.

If you have ever wondered what true, heart-centered nonprofit leadership looks like behind the budget lines, you will find so much wisdom here.

Take a moment to listen, reflect, and share this episode with someone who cares as much as you do.

On this episode of the Leadership with Heart podcast, I’m joined by someone very special to me, Andy Boian, founder of Dovetail Solutions and a longtime friend and collaborator. Andy first joined me on the show back in 2020 and was also featured in my book The Art of Caring Leadership. Since then, a great deal has changed, both for him and his company, and I was thrilled to bring him back to discuss where he stands now as a leader and how his journey has unfolded.

We discussed what it means to grow an organization with intention, to lead by listening, and to cultivate a culture where people feel safe enough to share their truth. Andy shared how he continues to live by the philosophy of speaking last, something he mentioned in our first interview that has stuck with me ever since. It’s not just a tactic; it’s a way of honoring the voices around him and building trust from the inside out.

Andy also opened up about how his company has evolved over the past five years, how they’ve weathered disruption and grown their reach, and how he’s now thinking about legacy. He shared that he’s entering a season of succession planning, gradually preparing to pass the torch while continuing to serve as a mentor and advisor. His desire to give back, to teach, and to write about what he’s learned was inspiring to hear.

We also discussed the role of AI in communication and storytelling as well as the importance of maintaining the human element in our work. As a speechwriter, Andy knows that words matter, but so do context, presence, tone, and lived experience. AI can assist, but it cannot replace the empathy or emotional insight that comes from years of connection.

What stood out most in our conversation was Andy’s consistency. He still believes in telling the truth, even when it’s hard. He still creates space for people to think, feel, and lead themselves toward their solutions. And he still leads with care, humility, and a deep understanding that trust is earned every single day.

If you’ve ever struggled with how to hold space as a leader, how to grow through grief, or how to lead a team without controlling every detail, this conversation will offer real encouragement. Andy reminds us that leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about knowing when to step back, when to listen, and when to let others rise.

In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Tracy Nolan, Senior Vice President of MarketPoint at Humana, for a candid and powerful conversation about what it truly means to lead with both strength and compassion.

Tracy has spent her career guiding large teams through complex transformations, including overseeing 14,000 employees during the merger of Sprint and T-Mobile at the height of the pandemic. Her ability to remain focused on people, even in the most high-pressure environments, is what sets her apart. This is a conversation about rejecting the myth that caring is soft or ineffective. Tracy shows that empathy and accountability can not only coexist but also fuel one another.

She shares stories of leading through layoffs with humanity, building trust through weekly listening sessions, and constantly preparing her teams for the future by investing in their growth and readiness. Tracy discusses openly what it means to create a culture where performance expectations are clear and where people feel supported, heard, and valued. Her approach to leadership is rooted in genuine connection, honest communication, and the belief that strong leadership starts with caring about your people.

If you've ever questioned whether it's possible to lead with heart while driving real results, Tracy proves that you don't have to choose. You can do both. And in today’s workplace, doing both may be the only way to lead well.

In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with someone I genuinely admire, both professionally and personally. Kevin Eikenberry joins me to discuss his newest book, Flexible Leadership, and together, we explore what it truly means to lead with flexibility during times of constant change.

As someone who believes deeply in the power of self-leadership, this conversation is significant. Kevin and I share the belief that, while much about leadership remains the same, the context in which we lead has shifted significantly. The pace of change, the uncertainty around us, and the complexity of the workplace have all made flexibility not just helpful but necessary.

Throughout our discussion, Kevin talks about how leaders often operate on autopilot. We fall back on habits, old models, and assumptions. But authentic leadership today requires a willingness to pause, reflect, and adjust. I shared my own experiences in this regard, mainly how being open to change has enabled me to evolve through various seasons of my life and career.

We also discussed identity and how easy it is to define ourselves in rigid ways that limit our growth. Kevin offered a powerful metaphor about trees that helped me rethink what consistency means. It's not about doing things the same way every time. It's about being rooted in your values while adapting to the moment at hand.

If you've ever wondered how to stay grounded while evolving or how to remain open without losing your sense of direction, you'll find this conversation valuable. We didn't just talk about the theory. We discussed what flexibility looks like in real-life moments, both at home and at work, as well as within ourselves.

This episode is filled with truth, curiosity, and reflection that every leader can benefit from. I hope it challenges and inspires you in the best ways

Click the following link, KevinEikenberry.com/gift , to listen to Kevin’s podcast and receive a generous free gift.

What does it take to lead with heart in one of the most demanding, misunderstood public service sectors? In this episode of the Leadership With Heart Podcast, I spoke with Billie Jo McCarley, Deputy Director of Operations at the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department.

From the moment I saw her speak on a panel, I was drawn to her clarity, purpose, and grounded approach to leading in a system that rarely gets the spotlight it deserves. Her words were honest, her tone firm, and her leadership style deeply human.

Billie Jo shares her journey from a union kid in upstate New York to a Marine Corps officer, and now to her executive role overseeing one of the largest utilities in the country. She brings a refreshingly straightforward style to leadership, one rooted in ownership, structure, and service. What resonated most was how she balances military precision with a deep sense of emotional intelligence and faith. Her mantra is simple: understand people, respect their uniqueness, and make hard decisions without ever stripping someone of their dignity.

We explored how she builds high-performing teams by focusing on talent, alignment, clarity, and trust. She described her people as “scrappy builders,” but also reminded us that every person comes with a story, and our job as leaders is to create a space where that story matters. Whether shifting someone to a better-fitting role or navigating tough conversations with fairness and compassion, Billie Jo never loses sight of the mission: to serve the people of Miami-Dade County with integrity and purpose.

Her belief that leadership is not about softening expectations but elevating them through care stayed with me. You can be clear, direct, and firm, and still lead with a heart full of compassion. That’s the real balance we’re all trying to strike, especially in times of uncertainty, change, and disruption.

So here’s my question: What does leadership with heart look like in your world, and how are you holding space for others while still pushing them to grow?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Share your reflections with me, and let’s continue the conversation.

What does it take to grow a business from 3 million to over 350 million dollars without losing sight of your purpose, people, or principles? In this Leadership With Heart Podcast episode, I reconnect with Ron Alvesteffer, President and CEO of Service Express, who returns with even more perspective, humility, and wisdom than when we first spoke years ago.

Ron shares what it means to lead a fast-growing organization in today's business world without focusing only on numbers or scale. At the core of his message is a deep belief that culture starts with people and that sustainable growth is built on the foundation of hiring, empowering, and retaining the right talent.

Ron opens up about how his leadership philosophy has evolved since he was first featured in my book The Art of Caring Leadership, and how his commitment to continuous learning, coaching, and intentionality keeps him energized in the face of new challenges.

In our conversation, Ron discusses embracing the journey, not just the milestones. He reflects on lessons learned through failure, why running toward problems is often where the most significant breakthroughs happen, and how he continues to sharpen his self-leadership skills even as his role expands. We also explore how to hold people accountable with care, avoid the burnout trap of being "busy," and what it means to be a leader who builds other leaders.

Whether you're a CEO, team manager, or someone simply trying to figure out your next move, there's something in this episode for you. Ron's story is a reminder that growth—real, meaningful growth—isn't about shortcuts. It's about showing up, doing the work, staying humble, and staying hungry.

What challenges have shaped your leadership the most? And how do you make space to keep growing when the pace doesn't slow? Let me know what resonated with you and share your thoughts after listening.