Episodios

  • The 3 C's of Kind Leadership: Courage, Compassion, and Clarity Revealed with guest Dr. Laura Ciel

    The 3 C's of Kind Leadership: Courage, Compassion, and Clarity Revealed with guest Dr. Laura Ciel
    Apr 29 2025
    In this episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, host Gino Degregori interviews Dr. Laura Ciel, a transformational mentor, psychologist, and guide for visionary leaders. With an impressive background including a master's and doctorate in clinical psychology and an MBA, Dr. Ciel has spent over 30 years researching what builds unwavering trust. Dr. Ciel shares her personal transformation journey, which began 23 years ago when her mother died suddenly. This pivotal moment shifted her perspective from an externally-focused, logical approach to leadership toward integrating deeper intuitive wisdom. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes that effective leadership requires balancing logic with intuition, especially in today's chaotic world. The discussion explores Dr. Ciel's definition of kind leadership, which she describes as an integration of courage, compassion, and clarity that builds trust. She stresses that leaders must first care for themselves before they can effectively lead others, and that providing clarity (not necessarily certainty) reduces anxiety within teams during times of change. Dr. Ciel offers insights into the nature of intuition, distinguishing it from emotional reactions or gut feelings. She describes intuition as seeing beyond tangible aspects of situations, which is particularly valuable for entrepreneurs who create things that don't yet exist. The conversation also touches on finding one's purpose, which Dr. Ciel simplifies as showing up in the world as one's fullest, most authentic self. Looking ahead to leadership in the next 5-10 years, Dr. Ciel predicts some "crashing and burning" as old leadership models fail, while leaders who build internal foundations and embrace change will thrive. The episode concludes with rapid-fire questions where Dr. Ciel recommends books like "The Four Agreements" and "When Breath Becomes Air," and shares that she finds alignment through daily nature connection and meditation. 5 Valuable Quotes: "Being a kind leader means a really beautiful integration of courage, compassion, and clarity. And with that, it's the idea that it's not just your words as a leader that matter. It's how you show up. It's who you are." - Dr. Laura Ciel "One of the most unkind things leaders can do is create more confusion, more chaos in what's already a chaotic world." - Dr. Laura Ciel "For everyone who's searching for their purpose... think about this: How do you show up as you, fully you, so that I know you as a whole being? That's where the magic happens." - Dr. Laura Ciel "The people around you are missing out if you're not really going inward and you're not really taking the steps to grow and expand and build your trust in yourself." - Dr. Laura Ciel "Those who go inward and build the foundation now are going to be able to navigate [chaos] in a much more efficient, powerful way... There is such an incredible opportunity right now for leaders, for businesses, for organizations. Unfortunately, it does require change and it requires massive change." - Dr. Laura Ciel 5 Key Takeaways: The Three C's of Kind Leadership: Courage, compassion, and clarity form the foundation of kind leadership and build trust. Leaders need courage to look inward, compassion for themselves and others, and clarity about what is known and unknown. Intuition vs. Emotion: Intuition is different from emotional reactions. It's about seeing beyond tangible aspects of a situation rather than having strong emotional responses, which can be influenced by many external factors. Purpose Is Evolving: Your purpose isn't static but evolves throughout your life. At its core, purpose is about showing up fully as yourself and expressing your authentic being in whatever context you find yourself. Self-Leadership First: You cannot lead others effectively if you aren't caring for yourself. Self-care isn't selfish but essential for high-level leadership. Future Leadership Requires Internal Foundation: Leaders who will thrive in the next decade are those building internal foundations now, embracing change, and integrating both logical and intuitive aspects of leadership. Important Information: Website: Dr. Laura Ciel can be found at drlauraciel.com New Offering: Dr. Ciel mentioned launching a new membership community specifically for women leaders Book Recommendations: "The Four Agreements" by Miguel Ruiz and "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi Chapters: 00:00 The Journey to Holistic Leadership 03:01 Defining Kind Leadership 06:00 The Importance of Self-Care in Leadership 08:45 Clarity and Communication in Times of Change 12:02 The Role of Intuition in Leadership 17:45 Navigating Chaos with Trust and Perspective 25:10 Embracing Gratitude and Positivity 28:10 Navigating Life with Intuition 35:09 The Future of Leadership: Embracing Change 39:20 Essential ...
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    42 m
  • Unlock High-Performing Teams Through Honest Communication & Emotional Safety with guest Steven Gaffney

    Unlock High-Performing Teams Through Honest Communication & Emotional Safety with guest Steven Gaffney
    Apr 23 2025
    In this episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, host Gino Degregori sits down with Steven Gaffney, a globally recognized expert on change management, communication, and team performance. They discuss the crucial role of honest communication in building high-achieving teams and how emotional safety is the foundation of effective leadership. As the author of Unconditional Power, Steven draws on his extensive experience working with Fortune 500 companies, government organizations, and the U.S. military to share practical strategies that foster an environment of trust and openness. Steven outlines five key strategies for creating open communication within any organization: Establishing emotional safety as a leadership priority Practicing strategic vulnerability to build trust Asking direct, open-ended questions that encourage dialogue Rewarding honesty with action to drive growth Sharing what you think others might be thinking to bridge gaps in understanding Through this insightful conversation, you'll learn that kindness in leadership isn't about withholding feedback, it's about fostering an environment where honest, productive conversations can flourish. Steven highlights that emotional safety is critical for unlocking potential and achieving real results. 🎧 Listen now to transform the way you lead, one honest conversation at a time. 5 Key Takeaways: True kindness is honest communication: Withholding feedback stunts growth. Kind leadership thrives when feedback flows freely.Emotional safety is foundational: Before any innovation or feedback can happen, team members must feel emotionally safe.Strategic vulnerability builds trust: Share struggles purposefully, guiding teams toward solutions.Act on feedback: Demonstrating that you value feedback by taking action is the real driver of change.Frame challenges as opportunities: Every problem holds the potential for growth, and the best leaders focus on turning challenges into chances to improve. Resources & Links Mentioned: 🌐 Website: JustBeHonest.com Get a free digital copy of Steven Gaffney’s first book, Just Be Honest, when you mention The Kind Leader Podcast. 📖 Book by Steven Gaffney: Unconditional Power Discover how to lead powerfully through any challenge with practical, proven strategies. 📚 Recommended Reading: Switch: How to Change When Change is Hard by Chip Heath & Dan Heath A powerful guide to making meaningful change, personally and professionally. Chapters 06:05 Mastering Tough Conversations: Strategies for Success 09:59 Building Emotional Safety: The Key to Team Trust 16:00 Why Vulnerability is Essential for Strong Leadership 21:57 Asking the Right Questions: Encouraging Open Dialogue 23:31 Creating a Culture Where Feedback Thrives 25:21 Rewarding Honesty: Turning Feedback Into Action 27:38 Leadership Accountability: Owning Your Role and Impact 29:50 Turning Mistakes Into Learning Opportunities for Growth 32:45 Reframing Challenges: Transforming Obstacles Into Opportunities 36:36 The Future of Leadership: Fostering Emotional Safety for Teams 37:50 Rapid Fire Leadership Insights: Key Tips for Leaders in Action
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    40 m
  • How to Lead Yourself First: Mastering Emotional & Authentic Leadership with Valarie Sandjivy

    How to Lead Yourself First: Mastering Emotional & Authentic Leadership with Valarie Sandjivy
    Apr 16 2025

    What if the key to leading others starts with how you lead yourself?

    In this powerful episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, host Gino Degregori sits down with Valarie Sandjivy, adaptive leadership mentor and business coach, to unpack what modern leadership really looks like. Valarie reveals how true leadership begins from within and why emotional intelligence, authenticity, and soul care are now essential skills for impactful leaders.

    Together, they explore the four pillars of effective leadership—self-leadership, leading others, emotional mastery, and soul care—and how these foundations help leaders thrive while inspiring their teams to do the same.

    This episode is a must-listen for leaders who want to evolve with the times, create meaningful impact, and show up with purpose, presence, and power.

    You’ll Discover:

    • Why the journey to effective leadership begins with mastering yourself.

    • How emotional intelligence is evolving into emotional mastery, and how to cultivate it.

    • The truth about authentic leadership: it’s about being real, not being perfect.

    • Why redefining success around purpose and fulfillment leads to greater impact.

    • How to harmonize your personal and professional life for sustainable leadership.

    Whether you're leading a team or looking to grow as a leader in your own life, Valarie’s insights will challenge, inspire, and empower you.

    🎧 Tune in and learn how to lead with heart, presence, and strength.

    🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:

    ✨ Learn more about Valarie Sandjivy and her work:
    www.ellips.us.com

    🧭 Take Valerie’s Leadership Assessment Quiz:
    ellips.us.com/quiz

    💼 Connect with Valarie on LinkedIn:
    linkedin.com/in/valeriesandjivy

    📚 Book Recommendation from Valerie:
    The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – a guide to presence and spiritual clarity that has deeply influenced her leadership journey.
    Available on Amazon

    Chapters:

    00:00 – Why Adaptive Leadership Is the Future of Work
    02:52 – What It Really Means to Be a Kind Leader
    06:06 – How to Support Employee Growth Without Losing Yourself
    08:58 – The First Pillar: Mastering Self-Leadership
    12:01 – The Second Pillar: Leading Others Through Trust and Purpose
    14:59 – The Third Pillar: Emotional Mastery as a Leadership Superpower
    21:03 – The Fourth Pillar: Practicing Soul Care to Prevent Burnout
    23:40 – Integrating the Four Pillars into Daily Leadership
    25:24 – How to Apply Emotional Intelligence Across Your Team
    27:31 – Rethinking Success: Purpose Over Performance
    30:19 – Building a Leadership Style Rooted in Authenticity
    36:15 – Why Human Connection Is Your Most Powerful Leadership Tool
    39:11 – Mindfulness in Action: Self-Reflection and The Power of Now
    41:20 – Simple Shifts to Accelerate Your Personal and Professional Growth
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    43 m
  • Thrive in Your Career: Overcoming Workplace Challenges & Difficult Bosses with Eric Charran

    Thrive in Your Career: Overcoming Workplace Challenges & Difficult Bosses with Eric Charran
    Apr 2 2025
    Struggling with toxic workplaces or difficult bosses? This episode of The Kind Leader Podcast is for you! Host Gino Degregori sits down with Eric Charran, a tech executive with 25+ years of experience in digital innovation and AI strategies. Eric shares powerful insights from his book Have You Ever Had a Boss That... Succeeding in a Dysfunctional Workplace, providing a roadmap for thriving in toxic environments and mastering leadership. If you’ve ever faced challenging bosses or felt stuck in a negative workplace culture, this episode offers practical strategies to overcome these obstacles and lead with empathy and authenticity. What you'll gain from this episode: Unlock Kind Leadership: Discover how to build a thriving work culture by leading with empathy, setting clear boundaries, and amplifying your team's wins.Master Your Energy: Learn how to pinpoint tasks and environments that drain you, and find out how to shift your focus to what fuels your passion and productivity.Handle Any Boss: Tackle the most common (and frustrating) boss types—whether it's the "Firefighter" or the "Amnesiac"—and gain the tools to navigate them confidently. Build a Winning Culture: Understand why a clear organizational vision is essential, and how to foster an environment where everyone thrives. Lead Through Tech: Explore how digital transformation and AI are shaping leadership, and why human connection will always be the key to success. Whether you're a seasoned leader or new to your career, this episode is packed with actionable tips for navigating any work environment. Take control of your leadership journey and start mastering your workplace today. Listen now! Connect with Eric Charran: Linkedin Instagram Tik Tok Get Eric’s Book: Have You Ever Had a Boss That... Succeeding in a Dysfunctional Workplace – Available on Amazon and other retailers. Book Recommendation: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck – A game-changing book that Eric credits with transforming both his professional and personal life. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Confronting Leadership Challenges 05:03 Unlocking the Power of Kind Leadership 10:14 Harnessing Energy to Thrive in the Workplace 15:07 Mastering the Art of Dealing with Difficult Bosses 22:59 Navigating Common Leadership Obstacles 28:49 Embracing Digital Transformation and AI in Leadership 33:43 Preparing for the Future of Leadership and Talent 36:53 Essential Takeaways and Actionable Insights
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    41 m
  • How to Build a Thriving Workplace Culture with Rose Ann Garza

    How to Build a Thriving Workplace Culture with Rose Ann Garza
    Mar 26 2025

    Want to create a workplace where employees thrive, stay, and feel truly valued? In this episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, Rose Ann Garza, award-winning HR executive and Chief Human Resources Officer at Kerbey Lane, shares actionable insights on fostering a culture that attracts and retains top talent.

    You’ll learn:

    • How corporate kindness directly improves employee retention
    • Why mentorship should be short-term and goal-driven
    • How to embrace microcultures while staying true to core values
    • How to support employees beyond their job roles to boost engagement
    • Practical ways to create open communication and trust in your organization

    If you’re a leader looking to build a workplace where people want to stay and grow, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧

    Connect with Rose Ann Garza:

    🔗 Connect with Rose Ann on LinkedIn: Rose Ann Garza

    Chapters:

    00:00 – Introduction: People-First Leadership
    02:53 – The Power of Kind Leadership
    06:03 – Corporate Kindness & Employee Retention
    09:07 – Rethinking Mentorship for Impact
    12:02 – Building Open Communication & Trust
    15:04 – Supporting Employee Growth
    17:58 – Embracing Microcultures in Teams
    21:02 – Managing Generational Differences
    24:04 – Final Takeaways for Leaders
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    34 m
  • Stop Managing, Start Leading: Why Creating Self-Accountability Culture Outperforms Traditional Authority with guest Susan Inouye

    Stop Managing, Start Leading: Why Creating Self-Accountability Culture Outperforms Traditional Authority with guest Susan Inouye
    Mar 19 2025
    In this episode of the Kind Leader Podcast, Gino Degregori interviews Susan Inouye, a transformational executive coach, about the evolving nature of leadership in today's workplaces. They discuss the importance of kindness, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence in leadership, particularly in engaging younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z. Susan shares her journey from aspiring filmmaker to executive coach, emphasizing the significance of seeing and accepting individuals for who they are. The conversation highlights the Sawubona leadership style, which fosters connection and accountability, and the need for leaders to adapt to the changing expectations of their teams. In this conversation, Susan Inouye discusses the importance of kind leadership and how recognizing the gifts of employees can lead to better retention and productivity. She emphasizes the need to shift from expectations to intentions, fostering authenticity, and creating a sense of belonging in the workplace. The discussion also touches on the evolving nature of leadership, particularly in relation to younger generations who seek compassionate and authentic leaders. Inouye concludes with a call for organizations to prioritize growth and development as core values to enhance overall performance and employee satisfaction. 5 Key Takeaways The Sawubona leadership approach involves seeing and accepting the whole person, including their gifts, strengths, and weaknesses. This creates an environment where people feel valued and contribute their best work.Effective leadership requires both a "soft front" and a "hard back" - compassion and openness combined with core inner strength and conviction.The five essential leadership shifts for today's multi-generational workforce are: from control to connect and receive; from conformity to see and accept; from expectations to intentions; from authority to authenticity; and from bottom line myopia to belonging.Millennials and Gen Z have three core needs in the workplace: to feel heard, to use their gifts, and to have meaning and purpose in their work lives.Traditional metrics may miss hidden value - as demonstrated in the story of "Jack," whose low new customer numbers masked his superior customer retention and profitability. Leaders must look beyond conventional measurements to see employees' true contributions. Sound Bites "A manager holds people accountable, but a leader creates the culture and environment where the people hold themselves accountable. That's the difference between a manager and a leader." - Susan Inouye"When we disconnect from our emotions, we disconnect from ourselves and who we are, and then we disconnect from our people and who they are." - Susan Inouye"When we see bad behavior, there are two questions that a leader should ask: What are the gifts that are trying to come out in this bad behavior? And how do I redirect the gift so it better serves this person and the organization?" - Susan Inouye"Millennials are the first generation that did not have to go through authority to get information. Information used to be used by leaders as leverage over their people. But today, the younger generation can get information like this." - Susan Inouye"Business owners and executives forget that the people are the ones that create the profit. The more that you focus on the growth and development of your people, the byproduct will be increased productivity, revenues, and profitability." - Susan Inouye Links and Resources Susan Inouye's website: SusanInouye.com/kindleaderBook: "Leadership's Perfect Storm" by Susan Inouye (Amazon)The three offers mentioned: Free chapter downloadPurchase the book (proceeds go to Youth Mentoring Connection)Book a discovery call with Susan Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kind Leadership 07:50 The Journey of Susan Inouye 14:53 Defining Kind Leadership 19:22 Engaging Millennials and Gen Z 25:40 Shifting Leadership Paradigms 26:19 Identifying Gifts in Leadership 31:15 From Expectations to Intentions 34:08 Shifting from Authority to Authenticity 35:53 Fostering a Sense of Belonging 41:11 The Future of Leadership 46:16 Final Thoughts on Growth and Development
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    44 m
  • 'I Knew on Day One I Made the Wrong Choice': How Career Missteps Led to Extraordinary Success with guest Katie O'Malley

    'I Knew on Day One I Made the Wrong Choice': How Career Missteps Led to Extraordinary Success with guest Katie O'Malley
    Mar 5 2025
    Katie O'Malley, founder of Encouraged Coaching, shared her fascinating career journey from political science graduate to career coach and leadership educator. After working in political campaigns, nonprofits like the Innocence Project, and commercial real estate, she discovered her true calling in helping others navigate their careers. In 2018, she founded Encouraged Coaching while working at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, eventually going full-time with her business in 2022. The conversation explored themes of authentic leadership, workplace well-being, psychological safety, and the importance of aligning values with career choices. SOUND BITES: 1. "Clear is kind, unclear is unkind. So if you want to be a kind leader, candor is the way, and candor and compassion can travel together." - Katie O'Malley 2. "At worst, work should have a net neutral impact on your life and at best, it's elevating your life outside of work." - Katie O'Malley 3. "People either grow or go. If they're able to." - Katie O'Malley 4. "We change workplace cultures, one employee at a time, one career path at a time, one team at a time." - Katie O'Malley 5. "Start before you're ready. Not ready to apply for that job, apply for it anyway." - Katie O'Malley TAKEAWAYS: 1. True kindness in leadership isn't about being nice - it's about doing no harm and creating psychological safety 2. Employee well-being has five key dimensions: career, financial, community, physical, and emotional 3. Following natural talents rather than just passion can lead to more sustainable career success 4. Authentic leadership doesn't mean showing up however you want - it means aligning behavior with values 5. Creating psychological safety requires leaders to be self-aware and flexible in their communication styles LINKS: - Website: EncouragedCoaching.org - Instagram: @EncouragedCoachChicago - LinkedIn: /Kate O'Malley RECOMMENDED BOOK: "Teams" by Richard Hackman (Harvard Professor Emeritus) Connect with Katie O'Malley through her website or social media platforms to schedule a discovery call and learn more about her coaching services. Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Kind Leadership 13:40 Defining Kindness in Leadership 20:16 Navigating Career Choices and Transitions 22:18 Redefining Passion and Success 25:19 The Importance of Natural Talents 27:40 Employee Well-Being and Workplace Culture 30:44 Creating Career Paths and Growth Opportunities 32:07 The Role of Self-Awareness in Leadership 36:55 Authenticity vs. Professionalism 39:52 The Future of Leadership 41:45 Rapid Fire Insights
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    43 m
  • The MOSAIC Method: A Revolutionary Framework for Authentic Leadership Development with guest Irene Riad

    The MOSAIC Method: A Revolutionary Framework for Authentic Leadership Development with guest Irene Riad
    Feb 26 2025
    In this episode of The Kind Leader podcast, host Gino Degregori interviews Irene Riad, a transformational leader and coach with over 30 years of experience. Irene shares her unique multicultural background, having lived in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UK, and UAE, which shaped her perspective on leadership and culture. She introduces her Mosaic Integral Leadership System, a framework that integrates mind, body, soul, and spirit in leadership development. The conversation explores authentic leadership, compassion in coaching, and living one's legacy. Irene emphasizes that legacy isn't just about what we leave behind, but how we live and impact others in the present. The discussion also touches on self-reflection, cultural awareness, and the future of conscious leadership. VALUABLE QUOTES: "You are your legacy and you're living your legacy now. Whatever you leave behind, you're leaving it in the hearts of people." - Irene Riad"Being a kind leader is being able to blend authenticity with decisiveness... in a way that is authentic and doesn't harm anyone." - Irene Riad"We can only be as compassionate to others as we are to ourselves." - Irene Riad"Legacy is about showing up fully, owning your gifts, taking ownership of your purpose and putting it to work." - Irene Riad"You are powerful and you are enough. So find that dream or go after that dream and don't ever doubt yourself." - Irene Riad KEY TAKEAWAYS: True kind leadership requires balancing authenticity, decisiveness, and compassionSelf-compassion is the foundation for being compassionate with othersCultural awareness and understanding play crucial roles in effective leadershipLegacy is not just about the future - it's about how we show up and impact others todayThe future of leadership involves aligning consciousness with business success IMPORTANT LINKS: LinkedIn: Irene RiadWebsite: www.sightcet.comUpcoming Book: "Radical Becoming: The Superpower of Success" by Irene Riad and Brian Tracy (releasing March 1st) CHAPTERS 00:00 The Journey to Kind Leadership 13:40 Defining Kindness in Leadership 20:16 Navigating Career Choices and Transitions 22:18 Redefining Passion and Success 25:19 The Importance of Natural Talents 27:40 Employee Well-Being and Workplace Culture 30:44 Creating Career Paths and Growth Opportunities 32:07 The Role of Self-Awareness in Leadership 36:55 Authenticity vs. Professionalism 39:52 The Future of Leadership 41:45 Rapid Fire Insights
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    41 m
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