The Well-led Podcast

Green square to green square

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0000

Leadership clarity is one of the most practical skills a leader can develop—but it’s also one of the most overlooked. In this conversation, Kate Johnson explores what clarity really means in leadership with Kristie Schoonover, a learning and development leader who works daily with managers trying to align teams, communicate expectations, and support employees through change. Together, they examine how unclear direction creates confusion, burnout, and misaligned work, and why clarity requires deliberate thought work from leaders. You’ll hear practical examples of how team charters, communication norms, and purposeful messaging help leaders connect daily tasks to organizational purpose. The episode also explores how AI tools can support leaders in summarizing information, testing communication, and preparing for different audience reactions.

If you would like practical tools that accompany conversations like this one, you can request the current free leadership toolkit at https://www.one23ltd.com/toolkits

Subscribers to the onetwentythree ltd newsletter receive these resources automatically each month.

About pAper©

pAper© is a practical analog method for personal effectiveness designed to help you build a simple, personalized system for managing your priorities, time, and responsibilities. Instead of relying on pre-designed planners or productivity apps, the pAper© approach teaches you how to create your own tools using handwritten practices.

The goal isn’t to become more organized. The goal is to become more effective—connecting your daily work to the results that matter most.

Learn more about the pAper© learning experience at: www.one23ltd.com/paper

Key takeaways

Leadership clarity connects daily tasks to a larger organizational purpose.
Lack of clarity from leaders can stall teams and lead to burnout.
Team charters and team norms help create shared expectations about how work gets done.
Leaders must create time for “thought work” to develop strategy and direction.
Clarity is different from transparency—clarity organizes information so people can act on it.

Timestamps

[0:00:06] – Setting the Stage: Leadership, Care, and Clarity
[0:01:06] – Christy’s Path: From Marketing Ops to Learning & Development
[0:03:22] – Returning from Leave: Double Change and Deep Ambiguity
[0:05:52] – Personal Life, Positive Stress, and the Cognitive Load of Change
[0:07:30] – The Green Square: How Messages Get Distorted in Transit
[0:10:15] – When Leaders Lack Clarity: Burnout, Purpose, and Team Direction
[0:13:46] – Team Charters: Making Ways of Working Explicit
[0:19:44] – Jazz Band Leadership: Roles, Strengths, and Psychological Safety
[0:29:46] – Thought Work: Putting Thinking Time on the Calendar
[0:38:34] – Using AI for Clarity: Summarizing, Tailoring, and Testing Messages

Keywords

leadership clarity
clear expectations at work
team charter leadership
leadership communication skills
psychological safety teams
thought work leadership
clarity vs transparency leadership
team norms workplace
AI tools for leaders
leadership purpose alignment

Stuck in the swirl

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0000

Clarity is one of the most practical leadership skills, yet its absence is often felt before it is recognized. In this Other Voices episode, two experienced leaders reflect on moments when unclear expectations and conflicting direction disrupted their work. Their insights illustrate how a lack of clarity can affect focus, productivity, confidence, and even personal wellbeing.

Through real examples from healthcare leadership and consulting work, this conversation explores the emotional and practical consequences of unclear expectations, shifting priorities, and inconsistent direction from multiple leaders. The episode also highlights the leadership responsibility to create clear frameworks, align expectations with peers, and communicate priorities in ways that allow employees to work with both focus and autonomy.

Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of why clarity is foundational to effective leadership—and how leaders can reduce confusion, improve productivity, and foster healthier work environments through clear expectations and communication.

About pAper©

The goal isn’t to become more organized. The goal is to become more effective—connecting your daily work to the results that matter most.

Learn more about the pAper© learning experience at: www.one23ltd.com/paper

If you would like practical tools that accompany conversations like this one, you can request the current free leadership toolkit at https://www.one23ltd.com/toolkits Subscribers to the onetwentythree ltd newsletter receive these resources automatically each month.

Guest Information, listed alphabetically

Amy Stockman is a seasoned healthcare executive with a reputation for achieving results in the midst of complex change. She thrives in highly collaborative environments and is often seen as the go-to leader when there is a need to create entirely new programs, processes, and connections.

Michele Wilson is an expert in change leadership, healthcare operations, and storytelling. She has worked in patient-facing roles, served as a change practice leader and master facilitator, overseen the operation of multi-site physician practices, and now works as a leader within a consulting firm to guide the success of teams and large-scale change initiatives.

Michele Wilson | LinkedIn

Key takeaways

Unclear expectations often lead employees to feel stuck, distracted, or unsure how to move forward.
Conflicting direction from multiple leaders is one of the most disruptive forms of unclear leadership.
Lack of clarity can affect productivity, focus, emotional wellbeing, and confidence in work.
Clear frameworks or roadmaps help employees stay motivated and oriented toward goals.
When priorities change, leaders should clearly explain the reason for the shift.
Leadership clarity often begins with alignment between leaders before direction reaches the team.
Resetting expectations is essential when circumstances or goals change.
Clarity is not micromanagement; it helps define autonomy and responsibility.
Reflection on leadership experiences helps leaders improve clarity in communication.
Teams perform better when expectations are visible, shared, and reinforced consistently.

Timestamps

[0:00:00] – Opening & Theme Introduction

[0:01:30] – Amy’s Introduction

[0:02:40] – Three Forms of Lack of Clarity

[0:03:45] – Conflicting Directions from Multiple Leaders

[0:06:13] – Michele’s Introduction

[0:07:10] – Clarity as Framework/Roadmap

[0:08:30] – Emotional & Productivity Impact

[0:10:21] – Kate’s Takeaways on Clarity & Leadership

Keywords

leadership clarity, clear expectations leadership, workplace communication, leadership productivity, management communication, employee autonomy, leadership frameworks, organizational leadership, team productivity, leadership reflection

Clarity, the Mother Skill

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0000

Clarity is one of the most practical leadership skills because it turns ideas into action. In this episode, Kate Johnson explores why clarity is the starting point for supporting employees and enabling performance. She explains how leaders create clarity in three key areas—purpose, communication, and relationships—and how doing so helps teams understand priorities, connect to their work, and move forward with confidence.

The latest companion toolkit is available to request at https://www.one23ltd.com/toolkits and subscribers receive new resources automatically each month via the one23ltd newsletter.

Key takeaways

Clarity is the “mother skill” that allows other leadership skills to function effectively.
Leadership development begins with care, but supporting performance requires practical clarity.
Leaders must make purpose visible and actionable—not just talk about it conceptually.
A simple question can unlock clarity of purpose: What is the purpose of what?Leaders need clarity about their own role, their organization’s mission, and their team’s contribution.
Clear communication requires internal consistency between words, values, and actions.
Employees experience communication as trustworthy when it is straightforward and reliable.
Many workplace engagement issues trace back to a lack of clarity from leadership.
Relationship clarity includes boundaries, connections, and organizational channels.
When leaders illuminate purpose, communication, and relationships, they create the conditions for team success.

Timestamps

[0:00:02] – Introduction of clarity as the “mother skill” in leadership.

[0:00:46] – Link between vulnerability (care) and clarity (support); preview of accountability and feedback.

[0:01:53] – Identification of the podcast: “This is the Well Led Podcast, and I’m your host, Kate Johnson.”

[0:02:21] – Etymology: clarity / claritas = brightness, metaphor of a leader “turning on a light.”

[0:03:29] – Introduction of clarity of purpose and the question: “The purpose of what?”

[0:05:15] – Practical exercise: three questions to clarify leader, company, and team purpose.

[0:06:14] – Shift to clarity of communication and the two kinds of consistency (internal and experienced).

[0:10:09] – Introduction of clarity of relationships (boundaries, connections, channels).

Keywords

leadership clarity, clarity in leadership, leadership communication, leadership purpose, employee engagement, leadership transparency, organizational communication, leadership effectiveness, workplace relationships, leadership development

Relationships are how we get work done

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0000

Why do relationships matter so much at work?

In this quarterly synthesis episode of The Well-led Podcast, Kate Johnson reflects on the leadership competency of demonstrating care. Drawing on the past three months of conversations about vulnerability, empathy, and good humor, she explores how these skills combine to build trust, deepen understanding, and create consistency in leadership. Through a candid discussion with her husband Nate—who brings a different leadership background including scouting, military service, and private industry—the episode examines practical leadership questions:

Where vulnerability should have boundaries,
How empathy works in real workplace situations, and
Why good humor can reset difficult moments.

Together they explore how relationships enable leaders to connect people, solve problems, and move work forward across teams and organizations.

The latest companion toolkit is available to request at https://www.one23ltd.com/toolkits, and subscribers receive new toolkits automatically.

Key takeaways

Demonstrating care is built from three leadership skills: vulnerability, empathy, and good humor.
Vulnerability means acknowledging your humanity while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Trust begins when leaders show they are human and imperfect.
Empathy requires listening and dialogue to understand other perspectives.
People can interpret the same situation in dramatically different ways.
Good humor is the ability to respond thoughtfully to difficulty.
Consistency in leadership behavior strengthens workplace relationships.
Strong relationships help leaders connect people and remove barriers to work.
Apologies are one of the most powerful tools leaders have.
Leaders can model human leadership even when it is not modeled above them.

Timestamps

[0:00:00] Setting the Stage: Leading Like a Human

[0:02:55] Meet Nate: Real-World Leadership Perspectives

[0:05:07] Vulnerability: Making Humanity Visible

[0:13:03] Vulnerable, Not Naked: Finding the Line

[0:17:33] A Common Example: Practicing Appropriate Disclosure

[0:20:01] Empathy on a Jury: Many Views, One Experience

[0:23:45] Empathy vs. Consensus: Boundaries and Roles

[0:25:45] Good Humor in Action: A Story

[0:27:35] Scaling Care: From Small Shops to Large Organizations

[0:37:40] The Power of Apology and Closing Reflections

Keywords

human leadership, leadership vulnerability, empathy in leadership, good humor leadership, mindset, healthy workplace relationships, trust in leadership, organizational effectiveness, leadership emotional intelligence, leadership communication, demonstrating care leadership skill

Choose your starting point

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0000

This episode explores how leaders can actively choose a more balanced, effective mindset—what Kate calls “good humor,” also understood as equanimity. You’ll learn how to recognize unhelpful thinking patterns, replace them with more constructive perspectives, and apply simple practices to stay calm, curious, and intentional—even under pressure. The episode also connects mindset work to real leadership behaviors like giving feedback, managing stress, and repairing missteps.

The latest companion toolkit, “Leading with Empathy: Practical Techniques for Sustainable Leadership,” is available now. Visit https://www.one23ltd.com/toolkits to request your free copy. When you subscribe, you’ll automatically receive future leadership tools and resources from onetwentythree ltd.

Please visit these resources, created by The Conscious Leadership Group:

Locating Yourself - A Key to Conscious Leadership (video)
Locating Yourself: Above or Below? (handout)
Conscious Breathing (meditation)

Key takeaways

Good humor is a practiced leadership skill, not a personality trait
Equanimity means staying calm, aware, and engaged under stress
Mindsets shape leadership behavior more than intentions alone
Writing down your thoughts helps expose limiting beliefs
Replacing—not arguing with—unhelpful thoughts creates change
Feedback avoidance is often a mindset problem, not a skill issue
Visualization and imagination can reshape leadership habits
“Above the line” thinking supports curiosity and openness
Simple reflection practices can shift your state in real time
Recovery after failure requires reflection, grace, and repair

Timestamps

[0:00:00] Equanimity: The Deeper Meaning of Good Humor in Leadership

[0:01:30] Are Leaders Born This Way? Reframing “Natural” Leadership

[0:03:00] Tax Season Truths: A Personal Case Study in Mindset Shifts

[0:04:00] From “I’m Failing” to “Part of the Story”: Rewriting the Money Narrative

[0:05:00] “I’m Bad at Feedback”: The Sneaky Mindset Holding Leaders Back

[0:06:30] Four New Feedback Beliefs: Kindness, Practice, and Growth

[0:07:49] Above or Below the Line? Locating Your Leadership Mood

[0:09:00] More Than Two Possibilities: Staying Open, Curious, and Kind

[0:10:30] Play, Rest, and Peak Performance: Caring for the Whole Team

[0:12:30] When Good Humor Misses the Mark: Reflection, Repair, and Grace

Keywords

leadership mindset, equanimity at work, emotional regulation leadership, giving feedback as a leader, leadership self-awareness, mindset shift techniques, conscious leadership above the line, leadership reflection practice, managing stress at work, leadership development tools

We always have a choice

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0000

Most of the time, we lead in workplaces filled with pressure, uncertainty, and constant change. Do leaders have to approach these circumstances with stress and anxiety? Or is there a different, better choice?

In this episode, Kate Johnson is joined by guest Michele Wilson to explore the role of good humor as a leadership capability. Rather than forced positivity or ignoring difficult realities, good humor is described as the ability to face challenges honestly while choosing care, kindness, and constructive action. Leaders who model this mindset help teams navigate difficult decisions, maintain professionalism, and bring their best selves to work even when circumstances are demanding.

Michele Wilson is an expert in change leadership, healthcare operations, and storytelling. She has worked in patient-facing roles, served as a change practice leader and master facilitator, overseen the operation of multi-site physician practices, and now works as a leader within a consulting firm to guide the success of teams and large-scale change initiatives.

Michele Wilson | LinkedIn

Key takeaways

Good humor is not about jokes or constant positivity—it is a leadership attitude grounded in choice.
Leaders must acknowledge reality without catastrophizing difficult situations.
Every employee always has choices at work, even if they do not like the available options.
Treating employees like adults creates trust and accountability.
Leaders influence workplace culture through the attitude they bring to daily interactions.
Teams repeatedly cycle through forming, storming, norming, and performing as circumstances change.
Leaders must consider both workplace challenges and the personal realities employees bring with them.
Assuming positive intent reduces conflict and improves collaboration.
Global stress and uncertainty have made grace and patience especially important leadership behaviors.
Leadership ultimately centers on helping others bring their best selves to the work.

Timestamps

[0:00:39] Introduction of the focus on good humor and leadership, and setting the intention for a deeper conversation about attitude and choice.

[0:03:59] Working definition of good humor: not forced positivity or denial, but an attitude that embraces both difficulty and capability, grounded in choice.

[0:05:21] Exploration of balance: avoiding both catastrophizing and over‑reliance on humor as deflection; recognizing that some situations are serious.

[0:08:29] Connection between good humor, choice, and leaders demonstrating care by helping people see and navigate their real options during change.

[0:13:09] Explanation of adult‑to‑adult communication in organizations, using return‑to‑office decisions to illustrate how to present expectations and choices.

[0:17:54] Example of using a daily gratitude practice (“three things we’re grateful for”) to structure attitude during a disruptive office move.

[0:22:25] Discussion of the recurring forming–storming–norming–performing cycle and how changing circumstances and life events repeatedly reshape teams.

[0:29:18] Framing recent years as a period of “perpetual amygdala hijack” and the argument for extending grace and lowering reactivity in leadership.

[0:39:24] Final mindset takeaway for leaders: the role is to support the people doing the work, centering their success rather than self-focus.

Keywords

leadership mindset, good humor leadership, leadership attitude, workplace culture leadership, leadership choices, change management leadership, team dynamics leadership, empathy in leadership, leadership communication, bringing your best self to work

Choosing hopefulness and calm

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0000

What does it mean to go to work in good humor—especially when the workplace feels heavy or demanding? In this Other Voices episode of The Well-led Podcast, two experienced leadership practitioners reflect on the role of good humor in leadership. They explore how humor is not simply about laughter, but about a mindset leaders bring with them: a balance of perspective, calm, openness, and humanity. Through personal stories and thoughtful frameworks, the contributors describe how leaders can choose steadiness over reactivity, remain hopeful without ignoring reality, and create environments where people feel safe to engage honestly. This episode offers practical insight into why good humor matters for leadership effectiveness and how leaders can cultivate it in everyday work.

And special thanks to this month’s contributors. Read on to learn more about them.

Jackye Clayton is a writer, podcaster, and HR Tech people leader with 15+ years of experience in talent acquisition, recruiting leadership, and inclusive hiring. She helps leaders and organizations stop guessing and start building high-performing teams with clear, compassionate, and curiosity-driven talent strategies.

Jackye Clayton ♕ - People in Squares | LinkedIn

Jackye Clayton

People Puzzles

Katharine Manning is a speaker, author, and trainer who has spent more than 25 years working at the intersection of trauma and leadership. Her book, The Empathetic Workplace, provides clear direction and support for leaders who want to respond to trauma on the job with compassion, calm, and confidence.

Katharine Manning - Blackbird | LinkedIn

Blackbird

Katharine Manning

Phil Wagar is a seasoned leader with extensive experience in all components of organizational development. He is a master facilitator, specializing in the subjects of leadership, learning, and change, whose strengths lie in ideation, adaptability, and forming deep connections with others.

Phil Wagar | LinkedIn

Key takeaways

Good humor at work is a deliberate mindset, not simply a moment of laughter.
Leaders can choose their emotional posture before entering a meeting or beginning the workday.
Maintaining perspective helps leaders avoid reacting impulsively to everyday frustrations.
A calm and hopeful disposition allows leaders to remain open to feedback and new ideas.
Humor and lightness can make difficult work more manageable without minimizing its seriousness.
When leaders operate without good humor, workplaces can become tense, closed, and overly reactive.
Focusing on purpose and the human impact of work helps sustain a positive leadership mindset.
Cultivating curiosity and learning keeps leaders grounded during challenging situations.
Recognizing the absurd or unexpected aspects of workplace life can help leaders maintain perspective.
Good humor strengthens connection, trust, and resilience within teams.

Timestamps

[0:00:04] – Framing the episode

[0:02:16] – Why good humor at work matters

[0:03:30–0:04:40] – Choosing your stance

[0:05:40–0:06:30] – The cost of humorless leadership

[0:06:30–0:07:09] – Good humor as a leadership competency

[0:07:09–0:09:00] – Volunteering-in-the-rain story

[0:09:00–0:10:16] – Grief, joy, and “grief camp”

[0:10:16–0:13:30] – Definition of good vs. ill humor

[0:13:30–0:19:42] – Four practices for good humor

[0:20:22–end] – Synthesis and call to action

Keywords

leadership humor, good humor at work, leadership mindset, emotional intelligence leadership, workplace culture leadership, leadership emotional regulation, positive leadership habits, workplace perspective and resilience, human leadership, leadership communication

Be positive at the start

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0000

What does it mean to choose your attitude as a leader?

In this episode, you’ll learn how good humor is a leadership skill rooted in choice, mindfulness, and care—not forced positivity. Through personal stories and practical tools, this conversation explores how your mood shapes your team’s experience and how to respond intentionally instead of reacting on autopilot. You’ll walk away with concrete questions and strategies to help you lead with steadiness, awareness, and humanity.

The latest companion toolkit, Leading with Empathy: Practical Techniques for Sustainable Leadership, is available now. Visit https://www.one23ltd.com/toolkits to request your free copy. When you subscribe, you’ll automatically receive future leadership tools and resources from onetwentythree ltd.

Key takeaways

Leaders have a daily choice about their attitude and mood.
Good humor is not about being funny; it is about intentional response.
Your mindset can shape your entire day.
Even in a crisis, you can choose your attitude.
Good humor requires awareness of your influence on others.
Simple self-questions can interrupt reactive behavior.
Engaging your prefrontal cortex helps override fight-or-flight responses.
Toxic positivity damages trust and psychological safety.
Modeling emotional choice empowers your team to do the same.
Good humor balances realism with care, kindness, and accountability.

Timestamps

[0:00:01–0:00:53] – A story about creating family house rules

[0:01:06–0:01:43] – Introducing “good humor” as a leadership skill

[0:01:43–0:02:06] – Welcome to the Well Led Podcast & series context

[0:02:06–0:02:49] – An accident and a decision about attitude

[0:03:08–0:03:52] – Defining “good humor” vs. simple laughter

[0:03:52–0:04:57] – Historical “four humors” explanation

[0:05:33–0:06:46] – Humor and choice-making as leadership skills

[0:06:46–0:08:06] – Managing the “lizard brain” and regaining choice

[0:08:06–0:10:02] – Reflective questions to guide your mood and behavior

[0:08:06–0:09:20] – Reflective questions to guide your mood and behavior

[0:09:20–0:11:10] – Good humor vs. toxic positivity & impact on teams

Keywords

leadership attitude, good humor in leadership, how to choose your mood, emotional regulation for leaders, toxic positivity at work, psychological safety, leadership self-awareness, fight or flight response at work, mindful leadership skills, demonstrating care as a leader

Empathy is a disciplined effort

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode, you will learn how empathy strengthens accountability and improves performance at work. Kate Johnson explains why empathy is not leniency, how mindset shifts shape leadership behavior, and what empathetic accountability looks like in real workplace moments. You will also hear practical guidance for supporting neurodivergent employees and understanding the Double Empathy Problem, so you can lead diverse teams with clarity, trust, and measurable results.

The companion toolkit, Leading with Empathy: Practical Techniques for Sustainable Leadership, is now available from onetwentythree ltd. The worksheets are designed to help you put these ideas into practice immediately and strengthen your leadership habits. Established subscribers receive this and future leadership toolkits automatically.

Looking to learn a little more about empathy and neurodivergence? Here are a few articles to get you started:

Key Takeaways

Empathy is the disciplined effort to understand another person’s experience.
Empathy includes both affective empathy (emotional response) and cognitive empathy (perspective taking).
Listening and presence are the foundation of empathetic leadership.
Empathy strengthens accountability rather than weakening it.
Accountability is a support structure, not punishment.
Empathetic accountability combines care with clear expectations.
Mindset shifts directly influence leadership behavior and performance.
Neurodivergent employees may experience and express empathy differently.
The Double Empathy Problem explains barriers between differing lived experiences.
Small, mindful acts of curiosity and clarity drive sustainable leadership results.

Timestamps

[0:00:01] – Defining empathy in leadership

[0:00:26] – Recap of previous weeks on empathy

[0:01:40] – Core empathetic mindsets for leaders

[0:03:05] – Introducing the Leader’s Toolkit

[0:05:42] – Empathy and accountability connection

[0:07:20] – “Empathetic accountability” defined

[0:08:55] – Neurodivergence and empathy

[0:11:35] – The double empathy problem

[0:13:20] – Practical leadership takeaways

[0:15:25] – Closing and preview of next topic

Keywords

leadership empathy, empathetic accountability, empathy and performance, how to hold employees accountable, cognitive empathy, affective empathy, emotional intelligence at work, neurodiversity in leadership, Double Empathy Problem, improving team performance

Striving to understand

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode, you will learn how to practice empathy as a leadership skill in real workplace situations. Kate Johnson is joined by Katharine Manning, author of The Empathetic Workplace, to explore what empathy actually looks like in action. They discuss how leaders can move beyond good intentions and develop practical behaviors that build trust, strengthen psychological safety, and improve performance. You will walk away with clear steps for responding to employees who are struggling, handling trauma-informed conversations at work, and building a culture where people feel seen, heard, and supported—without lowering standards or sacrificing results.

If this episode prompts you to think more deeply about trust and connection, download the current free Vulnerability and Leadership Toolkit available from onetwentythree ltd. The worksheets are designed to help you put these ideas into practice immediately and strengthen your leadership habits.

Katharine Manning is a speaker, author, and trainer who has spent more than 25 years working at the intersection of trauma and leadership—first as a DOJ attorney advising on responses to crises like the Boston Marathon bombing and the South Carolina AME Church shooting, and now as an expert and thought leader on empathy at work. Her book, The Empathetic Workplace, provides clear direction and support for leaders who want to respond to trauma on the job with compassion, calm, and confidence. Join Katharine’s text list by texting “blackbird” to 833-975-1945 for weekly messages on empathy, leadership, and taking care of ourselves as we take care of others.

Katharine Manning - Blackbird | LinkedIn

Blackbird

Katharine Manning

Key takeaways

Empathy is a striving to understand another person’s experience, not standing in their shoes.
Leadership empathy requires both thought and feeling—cognitive and affective empathy working together.
Listening and acknowledging are the foundation of any empathetic response.
Psychological safety increases when leaders check in regularly with their teams.
Adapting your communication style is part of demonstrating care.
Empathy is a powerful risk management tool because trust fuels transparency.
Most adults have experienced trauma, so leaders should assume someone on their team may be carrying something heavy.
The LASER method (Listen, Acknowledge, Share, Empower, Return) provides a practical framework for responding to trauma disclosures at work.
Modeling vulnerability is different from venting; leaders must maintain healthy boundaries.
Empathy strengthens accountability and performance rather than weakening it.

Timestamps

[0:00:05] Framing the conversation: empathy in the workplace

[0:01:43] Working definitions of empathy and empathetic leadership

[0:04:50] Empathy as a rigorous leadership skill, not a “soft” extra

[0:10:06] Shifting from theory to action: what empathy looks like day‑to‑day

[0:10:40] Practical tool #1: Regular check‑ins and psychological safety

[0:13:28] Practical tool #2: Team “vernacular” (numbers/weather) for honest check‑ins

[0:19:50] Trauma‑informed leadership and the “paper cut vs knife wound” metaphor

[0:26:01] The LASER technique introduced (Listen, Acknowledge, Share, Empower, Return)

[0:32:03] Empathy for self, vulnerability, and the “full cup spills over” idea

[0:40:30] Empathy as a risk‑management tool and closing resources for leaders

Keywords

workplace empathy, empathetic leadership, psychological safety, trauma informed workplace, leadership communication skills, cognitive empathy, affective empathy, accountability and empathy, leadership trust building, LASER method

Empathy is not about being nice

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0000

This episode of The Well-Led Podcast: Other Voices explores what empathy really means in leadership—and why it plays a central role in building trust at work. Rather than treating empathy as a soft skill or personality trait, contributors describe it as a learned practice that requires presence, restraint, and the willingness to sit with discomfort. Through personal stories and professional reflections, this episode helps leaders understand how empathy shows up in real moments and why it changes how people experience leadership.

In this episode, contributors respond to two guiding questions: How do you define empathy? And who taught you to accept empathy from others—and how did that change your leadership? Their answers reveal that empathy is shaped by experience, strengthened through relationships, and essential to creating psychological safety without lowering expectations.

Request your copy of the Vulnerability in Leadership Toolkit.

Guest Information, listed alphabetically

Peggy Mark, Ph.D.

In her role as executive coach and leadership consultant, Peggy leverages her expertise in healthcare leadership, organizational learning, and nursing administration to support executives in discovering their own unique skills as a leader. Peggy is a lifelong student of leadership and organizational change. She finds immense joy in watching others succeed in their leadership journey.

Peggy Mark - Break-Through, LLC | LinkedIn

Utkarsh Narang

Utkarsh is the founder and CEO of IgnitedNeurons, a learning and development consultancy that strives to help its learners build new connections that lead to lasting change. With an extensive background in operations and transformational coaching, he is also the host of the IgnitedNeurons podcast.

Utkarsh Narang - Executive Coach Helping Ambitious Professionals Breakthrough Stuck Careers & Inner Frustration | Ignite Life Method

Ignited Neurons

The IgnitedNeurons Podcast - YouTube

Angela Wale

Angela has a long reputation as an insightful and compassionate professional, leader, and colleague. She currently serves as an executive nurse leader responsible for integrating technology resources with nursing practice, professional development, education and research for a regional health system.

Find Angela on LinkedIn

Key takeaways

Empathy is not about being agreeable, emotional, or soft
Empathy requires presence, not problem-solving
Leaders often need to learn how to receive empathy before offering it
Listening without fixing builds trust and psychological safety
Empathy helps people feel seen, heard, and valued
Empathy does not remove accountability or standards
Slowing down is often the hardest part of empathetic leadership
Leaders model empathy through how they respond to struggle
Trust grows when empathy is consistent, not performative
Empathy strengthens both relationships and results

Timestamps

[0:00:00] – Kate’s introduction to the Well Led Podcast & empathy theme

[0:01:36] – Peggy defines empathy as perspective-taking and compassionate listening

[0:02:40] – Peggy describes her husband teaching her to accept care and vulnerability

[0:05:54] – Utkarsh introduces himself and defines empathy as presence without control or fixing

[0:08:10] – Utkarsh’s coaching moment: being fully seen, silence, and emotional “cracking open”

[0:13:30] – Angela defines empathy as strengthening human connection through validation

[0:18:20] – Angela’s leadership example: resisting the urge to fix and asking how to best support

Keywords

empathy in leadership, building trust at work, empathetic leadership, psychological safety, leadership presence, human-centered leadership, leadership vulnerability, trust at work, emotional intelligence leadership, other voices podcast

Empathy Is the Effort to Understand

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0000

This episode introduces empathy as a core leadership competency and the second essential practice for demonstrating care. Building on the foundation of vulnerability, these Notes on Leading Well explain what empathy is, how it works in the human brain, and why leaders who practice empathy are better equipped to build trust, communicate clearly, and lead people through change.

Listeners will gain a practical understanding of affective and cognitive empathy and how intentional perspective-taking improves employee well-being and organizational effectiveness.

Additional resources to explore:

Key takeaways

Empathy is the effort to understand others
Vulnerability creates the conditions for empathy
Empathy is a leadership competency, not a trait
Affective empathy is feeling with others
Cognitive empathy is perspective-taking
Empathy is rooted in human biology
Empathy strengthens trust at work
Perspective-taking improves leadership decisions
Empathy supports well-being and performance
Empathy becomes care when put into action

Timestamps

[0:00:00] – Introduction to the Well Led Podcast & leadership premise

[0:00:35] – Recap: Vulnerability as a leadership competency

[0:01:27] – Vulnerability as relational and needing sustainability

[0:02:45] – Transition to second competency: Empathy

[0:03:39] – Working definition of empathy + two forms (affective & cognitive)

[0:04:22] – Affective empathy: “feelings about others’ feelings”

[0:05:20] – Cognitive empathy: perspective-taking & To Kill a Mockingbird example

[0:06:34] – Mirror neurons and the biology of empathy

[0:08:35] – What empathy does at work & impact on trust and change

[0:10:25] – Practicing empathy: observation exercise in a public space

Keywords

empathy in leadership
leading with empathy
empathy at work
leadership competencies
demonstrating care
vulnerability and empathy
perspective taking leadership
human centered leadership
employee well-being
psychological safety

Vulnerability and competence: Lessons for effectiveness

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode, you will learn how vulnerability strengthens leadership effectiveness. Rather than treating vulnerability as oversharing or weakness, this lesson clarifies it as a leadership competency grounded in judgment, boundaries, and self-awareness. We translate vulnerability into observable behaviors leaders can practice immediately, outlining what it can look like in day-to-day leadership. You will leave with concrete behaviors you can apply immediately, along with strategies for managing the emotional cost of leading openly without burning out.

Download the one-page resource: Leading with Vulnerability without Burning Out

Key takeaways

Vulnerability is a leadership competency that requires choice and intention
Withholding vulnerability increases silence, self-protection, and disengagement on teams
Leaders can show vulnerability by owning mistakes, admitting limits, and sharing context
Thoughtful vulnerability strengthens credibility rather than undermining competence
Boundaries, judgment, and timing are essential to practicing vulnerability well
Leaders can demonstrate humanity without emotional dumping or loss of authority
Vulnerability carries a cost and requires attention to energy and burnout
Debriefing, decompression, and reflection help leaders sustain vulnerable leadership

Timestamps

[0:00:00] - Introduction: Vulnerability as Daily Leadership Practice

[0:01:30] - Vulnerability Cultivates Team Trust & Collaboration

[0:02:35] - Review of Previous Episodes & Need for Observable Behaviors

[0:03:30] - Listing Human Characteristics Leaders Face

[0:05:00] - Examples: Owning Emotions and Managing Illness

[0:06:40] - Tenderness Toward Teams During Difficult Times

[0:08:00] - Concrete Ways to Model Vulnerability (Mistakes, Ignorance)

[0:09:30] - Accepting Feedback and Building Diverse Teams

[0:11:52] - Managing Costs: Debriefing, Decompression, Reflection

[0:14:56] - Final Takeaways & Next Topic Preview (Empathy)

Keywords

vulnerability and leadership
leadership effectiveness
leadership competence
psychological safety
trust at work
human leadership
leadership behaviors
self-aware leadership
workplace culture
emotional intelligence

Vulnerability Is a Leadership Choice

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Kate Johnson and Peggy Mark explore vulnerability as an intentional leadership choice rather than a personality trait. Listeners will learn how openness, self-awareness, and authenticity create trust, strengthen human connection, and support healthier workplace cultures. Through personal stories and practical reflection, the conversation reframes vulnerability as bravery and a critical skill for leaders who want to lead well.

Key takeaways:

Why vulnerability is a conscious leadership decision
How openness builds trust and credibility
The role of self-awareness in effective leadership
Why vulnerability is not the same as weakness
How admitting mistakes strengthens leadership presence
The impact of authenticity on workplace culture
Navigating conflict without losing compassion
Balancing strength and softness as a leader
How vulnerability supports learning and growth
What brave leadership looks like in practice

Timestamps:

[0:00:05] Introduction to Podcast & Guest

[0:01:16] Defining Vulnerability in Leadership

[0:03:12] Self-Awareness and Leadership Starting Point

[0:05:44] Peggy’s Personal Journey to Vulnerability

[0:09:41] Affirmation of Positive Leadership Impact

[0:09:53] Story: Vulnerability During Emotional Crisis

[0:12:07] Creating Safe Spaces & Two-Way Vulnerability

[0:20:18] Balancing Vulnerability vs. Over-Sharing

[0:29:06] Fear, Boundaries, and Unpredictable Outcomes

[0:35:21] Leadership Success Story from Emergency Department

Keywords:
vulnerability in leadership, leadership authenticity, leadership trust, human-centered leadership, self-awareness at work, brave leadership, workplace culture, psychological safety, leadership growth, effective leadership

Vulnerability Builds Trust at Work

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode, leaders will learn why vulnerability is not a weakness but a critical leadership skill. The conversation explores how openness, honesty, and the willingness to share both successes and failures directly influence trust, psychological safety, and team performance. Listeners will gain practical insight into how vulnerable leadership improves communication, strengthens relationships, and creates environments where people feel safe to contribute fully.

Special thanks to Kim Rohrer for sharing her time and insights this week. Kim is a storyteller and connector who has dedicated her career to creating values-driven corporate cultures and innovative approaches to HR. Founder of Patchwork Portfolio, she blends her expertise and creativity to help leaders communicate with employees, customers, and communities. She shares her insights and experiences at icaretoomuch.substack.com

You can connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimrohrer/

And explore her business website here: https://www.patchworkportfolio.com/ Key Takeaways:• Why leaders often resist vulnerability and how that resistance affects teams• Why employees are more engaged when leaders are open and honest• What Gallup research reveals about engagement and communication• How vulnerability supports innovation and creativity• The role of vulnerability in authentic leadership

Timestamps:

[0:00:03] - Podcast Introduction & Theme Overview

[0:00:50] - Explanation of 'Other Voices' Segment

[0:01:46] - Gallup Research on Leadership & Vulnerability

[0:02:20] - Importance of Humanity in Leadership

[0:03:26] - Kim Rohr’s Introduction

[0:04:00] - Reluctance of Leaders to Show Vulnerability

[0:05:20] - Impact of Hiding Failures/Challenges at Work

[0:06:41] - Summary of Kim’s Perspective: Vulnerability’s Role in Team Dynamics

[0:06:48] - Four Inspirational Quotes on Vulnerability

[0:09:01] - Podcast Closing and Next Episode Preview

Keywords:

vulnerability in leadership, leadership trust, psychological safety, employee engagement, authentic leadership, workplace trust, leadership communication, Gallup research, innovation at work, human-centered leadership

It’s Nice to Know You’re Human

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0000

This episode explains why vulnerability is a foundational leadership skill and how leading well begins with self-leadership, self-awareness, and the courage to be human. You’ll learn what vulnerability actually means in a leadership context, why it strengthens trust rather than weakening authority, and how leaders can practice vulnerability in practical, appropriate ways that support their teams and work.

Key takeaways

Why leadership does not require perfection

How vulnerability builds trust and credibility at work

The difference between vulnerability and oversharing in leadership

Why self-leadership and self-awareness come first

How owning mistakes strengthens leadership effectiveness

Timestamps

0:00:00 Leadership Paradox: Humanity vs. Perfection

0:01:05 Essential Leadership Mindsets Introduced

0:02:14 Self-Leadership and Vulnerability Defined

0:03:50 Story: Leadership Mistake and Vulnerability

0:07:08 Examples: Vulnerability in Practice

0:08:52 Vulnerability Enables Caring Leadership

0:09:35 Navy SEAL Story: Trust Through Vulnerability

0:11:20 Vulnerability as Bravery, Not Weakness

0:12:38 Closing: Podcast Support and Future Topics

Keywords

vulnerability in leadership
human-centered leadership
self-leadership
leadership trust
leadership mistakes
emotional intelligence at work
caring leadership
leadership authenticity
leadership development
workplace trust

End-of-year update from the comfy chairs

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 13:00:00 -0000

Looking ahead: The comfy chairs becomes The Well-Led Podcast

In this final episode of the year, Kate returns with a clear, simple update about the show’s evolution. On January 6th, the comfy chairs will officially relaunch as The Well-Led Podcast, beginning a year-long journey focused on the four essential domains of leadership: Demonstrating Care, Providing Support, Leading with Grace, and Staying Focused on Action.

Kate revisits what’s changing, what remains steady, and why this new structure matters. Listeners will hear about the monthly theme model, the “Notes on Leading Well” format, and the practical tools that will anchor each week. She also previews January’s theme—vulnerability—and how it sets the tone for leading well in the months ahead.

This episode closes the chapter on one season of the podcast and gently opens the door to what’s next. It’s a moment of gratitude, clarity, and optimism for leaders who want to step into the new year with intention.

Culture Keepers

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 13:00:00 -0000

Culture Keepers: A conversation about managing versus leading.

In this conversation, Kate sits down with Layci Nelson, founder of the Transcend Leadership Collective, to explore a deceptively simple question with big implications: What’s the real difference between managing and leading?

Together, they unpack why effective leadership isn’t about choosing one or the other—it’s about integrating both. Layci emphasizes that leaders need fluency in two domains: the operational competence that keeps work moving and the visionary clarity that keeps people aligned and inspired.

They dig into the value of understanding project management basics, paying attention to the details that shape team experience, and staying close enough to the work to remove friction meaningfully. Layci also shares a compelling story of a CEO who transformed his leadership approach by reconnecting with his employees—ultimately improving alignment, engagement, and satisfaction across the organization.

The conversation also returns to core values: how they anchor decision-making, guide behavior, and keep leaders steady when things speed up, slow down, or veer unexpectedly.

Connect with Layci on LinkedIn
Learn more about her business
Listen to the Confessions of a Terrible Leader podcast

The Well-led Podcast

Green square to green square

Stuck in the swirl

Clarity, the Mother Skill

Relationships are how we get work done

Choose your starting point

We always have a choice

Choosing hopefulness and calm

Be positive at the start

Empathy is a disciplined effort

Striving to understand

Empathy is not about being nice

Empathy Is the Effort to Understand

Vulnerability and competence: Lessons for effectiveness

Vulnerability Is a Leadership Choice

Vulnerability Builds Trust at Work

It’s Nice to Know You’re Human

End-of-year update from the comfy chairs

Culture Keepers

Revisit & enjoy: Early and well-structured

Revisit & enjoy: Big Idea Words

Where the comfy chairs is headed next.

Revisit and enjoy "pull them close"

Inviting Input

Time Capsule Tuesday! You can't always win.

You own it

Tuesday Time Capsule! No capes required.

Tiny conversations

Listen again! "What, Why, How"

Seek understanding

Emotional intelligence is the lever

Part of being human

Human leaders

It takes courage

Because they care.

Summer rerun: Make sense of things

Summer rerun: Hold this mindset

Your most impactful self

Stewards of talent

Sticky, productive hires

Awareness & purpose

Show up as trustworthy

Success mindsets

Everyone owns it

Holistic honesty

Early and well-structured

Significant connections

Continuously developed (rereleased on July 1, 2025)

BONUS! Welcome to the club! Introducing the Informed Readers podcast.

Know your people

Landscape of thought

Leading is the work

Continue to be curious

Hold this mindset

Beyond the obvious

Grow stronger together

Experiment with me

Not all-knowing

Connect to perform

big idea words

The 25 problems myth

Elements of style

Explore, Define, Align

Don’t leave this to chance.

Kindness is an act

Make sense of things

The right amount

What, why, how

Pull them close

Manage your own actions

Tell me more

Envision a leader

Natural to the human mind

Coming in 2025: comfyHQ!

Intended for fun

A balance to strike

Opening up opportunities

You don’t have to fake anything

Greater than myself

It’s your signature