Secret Thoughts of CEOS Ep. 138

Self Awareness & Emotional Intelligence with Stephanie Chung

In this electric and eye-opening episode, Chris Yonker sits down with aviation pioneer and leadership strategist Stephanie Chung to unpack what it truly takes to lead in today’s world of diverse teams, generational differences, and ever-shifting business landscapes. Stephanie, the first African American president of a private aviation company in the U.S. and former CGO of Wheels Up, blends boardroom brilliance with neuroscience-backed leadership insight.

From building trust through body language to unlocking innovation by embracing difference, Stephanie shares stories from her jet-fueled career and her newest book Ally Leadership. Whether you're a CEO, a team leader, or a parent navigating complex human dynamics, this episode will stretch your perspective on influence, equity, and modern leadership.

Timestamps

• 01:45 - Meet Kristi Baxter and Chris Yonker: their backgrounds in family business, coaching, 01:45 – Introduction to Stephanie Chung and her aviation leadership journey
• 05:10 – Why we default to leading and selling in our own style - and why it limits us
• 07:15 – Six generations in the workforce: a communication and leadership wake-up call
• 09:45 – How the brain evaluates trust - and the power of facial expressions
• 13:00 – Ask, Listen, Learn, Act: the “ALLY” leadership model and its impact
• 19:00 – Dropping preconceived notions: how bias forms and how to meet people where they are
• 23:00 – Finding business in unlikely places: a story of jet sales and chicken farms
• 29:30 – Navigating generational differences around work-life values
• 33:00 – Meeting dynamics and how to create true psychological safety
• 35:00 – E.A.R.N. Model: How to truly earn allyship as a leader
• 39:00 – Why every team member should walk a mile in another’s shoes
• 44:45 – One question every leader should ask to connect personally and meaningfully
• 46:30 – Where to learn more from Stephanie and access her leadership resources

Quotes

· “It’s not about how you communicate. It’s about how they prefer to be communicated with.” [08:25]

· “Bias isn’t always bad. But we must be aware of it - especially when we’re leading people who aren’t like us.” [19:30]

· “Employees want leaders who are better communicators. Not just with words, but with presence and action.” [44:50]

Websites:

· fambizforum.com.

· www.chrisyonker.com

· StephanieChung.com

· YourAllyInLeadership.com - Sign up for Stephanie’s neuroscience-backed leadership newsletter

Stephanie is not just an #1 international best-selling author; she's a force of strategic innovation, a beacon of change, and a titan in the world of business growth and human capital management. With over 30 years of experience, Stephanie has cultivated a reputation for turning challenges into opportunities and transforming growing businesses into thriving hubs of success. In her book, Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You, Stephanie Chung provides practical strategies for leaders willing to admit they don’t have all the answers, accept that their perspective isn’t the only one, and commit to learning about people different from themselves.

Secret Thoughts of CEOS Ep. 137

Succession Beyond the Transition: Gaining confidence while strengthening leadership and family relationships with Kristi Baxter

In this masterclass-style episode, Chris Yonker and Kristi Baxter deliver a powerful, holistic perspective on the complex realities of succession planning. With decades of experience working with privately held and family-owned businesses—from $1M operations to $10B enterprises—Chris and Kristi unpack the emotional, strategic, and structural dimensions of continuity planning.

This session goes far beyond strategy and legal frameworks; it ventures into the inner work required for a successful transition across generations. Whether you're preparing to step back, step in, or steward a legacy across generations, this episode offers the roadmap—and reflection prompts—you need now.

Timestamps

• 01:45 - Meet Kristi Baxter and Chris Yonker: their backgrounds in family business, coaching, and enterprise leadership
• 08:30 - The story of Jeff: when life changes the plan and succession gets real
• 13:10 - Why succession is not an event, but a journey
• 16:30 - The top concerns facing family businesses today
• 21:00 - Common succession mistakes: replacing ourselves, unequal contribution, and CEOs who won’t let go
• 29:45 - Should we sell or keep the business? The family-first lens on exit decisions
• 33:15 - Why traditional advisors aren’t enough and how to build a holistic team
• 38:10 - Chris & Kristi’s five-part succession methodology
• 43:00 - Diving deeper: self-awareness, readiness, and leadership development
• 49:00 - Governance, continuity, and what makes a transition successful
• 54:10 - Blind spots that derail transitions and how to name them
• 59:45 - The importance of facilitating difficult conversations in family systems
• 1:05:30 - Where to begin: tools, surveys, and one powerful question

Quotes

· "Succession isn't an event, it's a journey of stewardship. And the journey starts now." [13:10]

· "You can't build the future with the emotional weight of the past running the show." [53:45]

· "Your organization is only as strong as the people in it. You are in the people business first." [43:15]

Websites:

fambizforum.com.

www.chrisyonker.com

Contact Kristi: kristi@chrisyonker.com

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