#1 Todd Eden, Founder of Bluestag Leadership: Lead with Presence and Authenticity

Introduction to the Guest

Todd Eden transforms how leaders and teams work— by focusing on deep, practical change that sticks. An award-winning coach, facilitator, and program designer, he has helped senior leaders worldwide build trust, clarity, and performance. Before founding Bluestag, Todd held leadership roles at Rolls-Royce and Britvic, co-founded a social enterprise delivering emotional intelligence programs at UK universities, and taught leadership at Cambridge. He’s the author of the Own Life book series and a Samaritans volunteer, supporting people in crisis. ​At Bluestag, he helps leaders bring presence, humanity, and impact into the way they lead—every breath, every step, every day.

Summary

In this conversation, Todd Eden discusses the importance of mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and authenticity in leadership. He emphasizes the need for leaders to create space for thoughtful engagement and genuine human connection, especially in a hybrid work environment. Todd shares insights on building strong teams, measuring leadership success, and navigating conflicts through honest conversations. He also explores the role of AI in enhancing human connection and the necessity of being present in our interactions.

Takeaways

• Authenticity is essential for effective leadership.

• Creating space for thoughtfulness is crucial for leaders.

• Emotional intelligence involves awareness of one's emotions and thoughts.

• Strong teams thrive on presence and connection.

• AI can enhance human connection by handling routine tasks.

• Conflict often arises from misaligned goals and communication styles.

• Leaders must prioritize quality conversations over tactical discussions.

• Mindfulness in leadership fosters a more engaged workforce.

• The importance of being present cannot be overstated in team dynamics.

• Leadership development should focus on multi-dimensional growth rather than single skills.