In this episode, I’m joined by Marc Koehler, a former U.S. Navy submarine officer. His unique perspective, gained from leading in a nuclear submarine where every action has consequences and complacency can be catastrophic, offers some of the clearest thinking on leadership I've heard in a long time. Marc shares how his experiences taught him lessons about accountability, emotional influence, and self-leadership that every leader on land needs to hear.

What struck me most is Marc’s belief that leadership isn’t something we wait to be given. We must choose to step into it, regardless of our title or time on the team. He shares practical stories from his time aboard the USS Pogi, from navigating dangerous missions with a crew whose average age was 23, to learning how to lead through presence, not authority.

Marc explains how submarine culture requires everyone to be seen as a leader and to see themselves as one. When you’re hundreds of feet below the surface, the person closest to the problem must take charge, whether they’ve been onboard for three years or three days. That belief forms the foundation of his leadership framework, Fast Attack Leadership.

We also explore what it means to emotionally regulate under pressure, how leaders can transfer thinking instead of just giving answers, and why connecting every task, no matter how small, to the bigger mission makes all the difference in team performance and culture.

If you’ve ever wrestled with how to balance accountability and care, or how to build leadership capacity at every level of your team, this conversation has the potential to reframe your entire approach and inspire a new way of leading.

So here’s my question for you: How are you creating a culture where everyone sees themselves as a leader? And what would change in your organisation if they did?

Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

What happens when a scientist decides to lead from the heart? In this Leadership of the Heart podcast episode, Heather welcomes Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M.

Jayshree's journey challenges traditional leadership narratives, proving that influence and impact do not require a title or permission. Her path from technical expert to global science ambassador is an authenticity, resilience, and service masterclass.

Jayshree reflects on how a role that had never existed before was created around her unique blend of expertise and advocacy. She shares how being a scientist doesn't just mean working in a lab, but also communicating ideas, connecting across disciplines, and leading by example. Her role at 3M evolved because she consistently showed up with heart and rigor, which she believes anyone can do from their own rung of the ladder.

The conversation also introduces her concept of "leakproof leadership," a philosophy built on twelve practical qualities drawn from decades of experience. It's not just theory. These are grounded insights shaped in the trenches of product development and innovation. Jayshree discusses the value of vision, strategy, active listening, learning, and purpose-driven work, all of which are critical to leading in any environment.

She also reframes the meaning of STEM. For her, it is not just science, technology, engineering, and math. It is skills, talent, expertise, and mindset. It is about showing up fully, learning continuously, and finding meaning in the work you do.

What does it mean to lead without a title? And how can you turn your experience into something that inspires others to act? Listen in and share your thoughts. What rung of the ladder are you standing on, and how are you leading from there?

In this episode of Leadership with Heart, Shawn Hanks, CEO of Premiere Speakers Bureau, reflects on his evolution from sales leader to CEO. He shares the pivotal lessons that shaped his leadership, including when he learned that offering his opinion too soon in meetings unintentionally stifled the voices around him.

Rather than leading with answers, Shawn now leads with questions and listens first, giving his team the space to bring forward their insights.This conversation is grounded in humility and real-world experience.

Shawn opens up about the difference between knowing and living the exemplary leadership phrases. He speaks about the gap between theory and practice, the challenge of leading former peers, and the importance of self-awareness at every growth stage. His daily journaling practice shows how he maintains clarity and perspective over time, treating each entry as a conversation with his future self.

You’ll also hear about Shawn’s belief in gratitude as a leadership skill, not just a mindset. His approach to leadership blends emotional maturity, vulnerability, and the quiet strength of consistency. Whether handling a business decision or helping a team member course correctly, his message is clear: people want to follow human beings, not polished personas.

So here’s something to think about. In your meetings and conversations, are you genuinely listening for new ideas or unintentionally shaping the answers before they are spoken? Let us know how you create space for diverse thinking in your leadership.