Richard Stark - The leadership behaviors series | EPS #61

This is part of our Leadership Behavior Series, where we're diving deeper into some of the 21 behaviors from my new book on human-centric CX transformation: Once You See It.

In this episode, Richard and I talk about something that I think is really foundational for leaders: embracing your courage. And I don't mean the loud, heroic kind. I mean the quiet, daily kind — the kind that asks you: am I taking the easy path, or the right one?

Because here's the thing: courage is twofold. There's the courage to stand for what you believe in, especially when the short-term pressure is on and the world is pulling you somewhere else. And then there's the courage of vulnerability — of leading without all the answers in a world that's more uncertain than ever. Both matter. Both are hard. And both are worth talking about.

Some things we cover:

• Why courage is the real foundation underneath every leadership behaviour
• The two directions of courage — standing firm AND leading with vulnerability
• Why facing your own patterns is the biggest leadership assignment of all
• The difference between performing leadership behaviours and truly embodying them
• The noble warrior concept: how to lead with drive and purpose without losing your humanity
• Why resistance to change is often grief in disguise — and what to do with that
• How to name your core fears and choose not to be blocked by them

I think what I love most about this conversation is how Richard connects courage to compassion. The leaders who've truly integrated their own adversity are the ones who create the most genuine psychological safety around them. Not through a workshop. Through their humanity.

Whether you're a CEO leading a major transformation or just someone who wants to show up more fully, I hope this gives you permission to feel the fear — and go anyway.

Timestamps

(00:00) – Introduction & why courage is the foundation of leadership
(01:49) – The two directions of courage: standing firm and leading with vulnerability
(07:30) – The inward journey: facing your own patterns (09:04) – From human doings back to human beings
(18:53) – Doing it vs. living it: performing vs. embodying leadership
(20:24) – The noble warrior: drive, purpose, and humanity combined
(24:32) – Holding courage when you meet resistance
(29:02) – The authenticity trap
(30:58) – What blocks most leaders: three levels of adult

NEW! Once You See It - Executive Guide to Human-Centric CX Transformation by Dr. Zanna van der Aa is out now!
It contains a unique combination of perspectives: the CEO perspective and the CX transformation lead perspective.
And in between these two parts of the book, she also shares a chapter on the role of AI in experience.

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More info?
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/zannavdun/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@dr.zannavanderaa
Website -> https://zannavanderaa.com/
Dutch version podcast -> https://beleving.buzzsprout.com