In this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Christie Smith, Ph.D., co-author of the newly released book Essential: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership. Christie is not just an author but also an internationally recognized speaker, C-suite advisor, and founder of The Humanity Studio. Having worked with some of the biggest names in business—including Apple, Deloitte, and Accenture—she has been at the forefront of redefining what leadership looks like in today’s rapidly evolving world.
During our conversation, Christie dives into why traditional leadership is broken and what it takes to lead in an era of AI, remote work, and shifting workforce expectations. We explore the major disruptions facing leaders today, the $1 trillion problem of women leaving leadership roles, and why trust—not control—is the future of work. Christie also shares insights from her research, including why emotional maturity is now the most important skill for leaders and how businesses can navigate the current leadership crisis.
If you’ve ever questioned whether the old leadership playbook still works—or if you’re trying to stay ahead in a world where adaptability is key—this episode is packed with insights and actionable takeaways. Tune in to learn how to future-proof your leadership, redefine success, and build organizations that put humanity back at the center. Don’t miss it! Now on The Kara Goldin Show!

Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at [email protected]. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.

To learn more about Christie Smith and Essential:
https://www.smith-monahan.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiesmith
https://www.instagram.com/christiesmithphd/

Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/658