Envision a leader: A conversation about humanity in leadership.

What if leadership wasn't about perfection but about embracing humanity? In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate Johnson sits down with Mandee Bowsmith to explore a new vision for what it means to lead. Together, they take aim at outdated leadership models and champion an approach rooted in psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and authenticity.

The conversation goes to the heart of what challenges leaders: how to foster trust, admit mistakes, and create safe environments for growth.

The episode calls on organizations to rethink their leadership development strategies and asks: How can we equip leaders to be lifelong learners and empathetic builders of culture? If you've ever questioned the systems that shape leadership today or sought a more human-centered approach, this episode will help you imagine a new kind of leadership.

• Connect with Mandee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandee-bowsmith-ms-cec-75570148/
• Visit her website: https://www.bluenoteresources.com/

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Natural to the human mind: A conversation about fear.

In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate sits down with Utkarsh, a coach and consultant, to explore fear as both a challenge and a catalyst for growth. Together, they unpack how fear shapes leadership and personal growth, from navigating rejection and failure to embracing vulnerability with resilience.

Utkarsh shares his journey of transforming fear into action and highlights the power of anchoring ourselves in personal values like growth and love. Kate reflects on the role of joy as a counterbalance to fear, offering practical insights on how leaders can cultivate courage, seek feedback with grace, and find joy in everyday moments.

This conversation delves into the cultural and societal pressures that magnify fear, the value of empathy, and how leaders can foster a growth mindset to ignite positive change. Tune in for a reflective dialogue about embracing change, staying grounded in your values, and living a life aligned with purpose and joy.

• Connect with Utkarsh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/utkarsh-narang/
• Visit his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsPFWPXiS6agGDuSDcluPXg
• View his TEDx talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aj0btxnBLo

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

Additional resources about fear and/or mentioned during our conversation:

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Get ready for comfyHQ, a bite-sized series where your leadership and learning questions take center stage.

Submit your hard questions for the comfy chairs here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

Subscribe to the comfy chairs today and get ready for comfyHQ.

The work may be hard, but the chairs here are comfy.

So, be on the lookout for the first comfyHQ answers, coming January 7th.

Intended for fun: A conversation about team-building.

What does it really mean to build a high-performing team?

Spoiler: it’s not about icebreakers or quick-fix trust exercises.

In this episode of the comfy chairs, we tackle the art and architecture of team building with Jeremy LaDuke, owner of Epic Nine Marketing Outfitters. We dive into the essential mindsets and practices that help leaders create thriving teams, focusing on what truly matters: fostering one-on-one connections, celebrating successes, addressing unspoken tensions, and embracing vulnerability as leaders.

Whether you’re inheriting a team with a complex history or building one from scratch, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about team building. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on what it takes to lead teams to success!

Connect with Jeremy and learn more about this business:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyladuke/
• https://epicnine.com/
• https://theclimbclub.com/

Additional resources mentioned during our conversation:

Books!

• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't, by Jim Collins
• Climb: The Risks and Rewards of Elevating Your Brand, by Jeremy LaDuke
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, by Patrick M Lencioni
• The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team, by Patrick M. Lencioni

Sorry, but you have to die (How the 16 personalities would communicate your execution)

A basic overview of Malcolm Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

A balance to strike: A conversation about humor at work

In this episode of the comfy chairs, host Kate Johnson sits down with Kim Minnick, an HR leader with a knack for weaving humor into the sometimes-rigid landscape of human resources. They dive into the power of humor in the workplace, exploring how it can be a bridge for connection, resilience, and even creativity in day-to-day interactions. Kim shares stories of navigating the challenging dynamics of an inherited team with limited management skills, balancing her HR responsibilities while often being the “paperwork enforcer.” She believes, though, that HR should be more than the enforcer—it should empower managers to lead effectively.

From an employee’s crusade against sugary drinks to navigating the fine line between humor and professionalism, Kim and Kate discuss the role of laughter in easing workplace tensions and fostering inclusivity. With insights on using humor to connect meaningfully and improv techniques to enhance listening and response skills, this episode offers listeners practical ways to bring lightheartedness to work while maintaining respect and empathy. Tune in to discover how humor can shift perspectives, soften hardships, and, ultimately, bring a little more humanity to the workplace.

• Connect with Kim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-minnick/
• Visit her website: https://www.codetravellerhr.com/offerings

Awesome books we mentioned:

• Bittersweet by Susan Cain
• The Book of Joy by Douglas Abrams

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Opening up opportunities: A conversation about advocacy and stories.

In this episode, I am joined by Thomas Wilson, owner and CEO of R&H Creative Advocacy, to discuss the power of shared storytelling and its role in creating psychological safety and celebrating neurodiversity.

Thomas shares his passion for using sensory-friendly settings and inclusive storytelling to empower underserved communities. We unpack the mission of R&H Creative Advocacy, which focuses on advocacy through shared narratives that embrace mental health and cultural acceptance. Our conversation explores practical steps organizations can take to design event spaces and experiences that accommodate diverse sensory, physical, and emotional needs.

We also devote time to the importance of empathy in leadership and the shared responsibility we all have in building more compassionate, accessible spaces.

This episode offers valuable lessons for leaders looking to foster psychological safety and celebrate the unique perspectives within their communities.

• Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-wilson-42762927b/
• Visit his website: https://www.rhcreativeadvocacyandstorytelling.net/
• Read his blog: https://rhcreativeadvocacyandstorytelling.wordpress.com/

Additional resources:

Learn more about the Employment First Initiative: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/employment-first

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https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

You don’t have to fake anything: A conversation about listening.

Deepen your understanding and expand your language about what works best when it comes to listening. In this episode, we focus on how to learn more about the interplay of thoughts, actions, and emotions that occur when we speak and when we listen.

With guest Bailey Massey.

Connect with Bailey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bailey-massey/

Visit her website: https://baileymasseyglobal.com/

Additional resources and information:

• What is active listening? (Harvard Business Review article by Amy Gallo)
• What is active listening? (Article from the Center for Creative Leadership)
• The Four Agreements (book by Don Miguel Ruiz)
• You’re Not Listening (book by Kate Murphy)

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https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Greater than myself: A conversation about purpose.

Connect with Chase on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-friedman/

Visit his website: https://vanquishmediagroup.com/

Additional resources about overthinking and/or mentioned during our conversation:

• https://www.greatplacetowork.com/resources/blog/how-managers-can-help-frontline-employees-connect-to-purpose
• https://www.greatplacetowork.com/resources/blog/purpose-at-work-predicts-if-employees-will-stay-or-quit-their-jobs
• https://vanquishmediagroup.com/embracing-your-why-how-to-live-a-purpose-driven-life/
• https://vanquishmediagroup.com/the-purpose-driven-brand-advantage-why-your-why-matters-more-than-ever/

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https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

It’s your signature: A conversation about character.

Connect with David on LinkedIn

Visit the Edge Leadership Academy website

Subscribe to the Finish Friday newsletter

Additional resources mentioned during our conversation:

• How Are Character and Personality Different
• Soundtracks by John Acuff
• The Wisdom of Psychopaths by Kevin Dutton
• The Stanford Marshmallow Experiment: A description and a video
• The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
• Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry

www.one23ltd.com

https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Honoring your word: A conversation about accountability and trust.

Visit Wayne’s website: https://www.uglymugmarketing.com/

Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fireyourself/

Mentioned during our conversation:

Information from Crucial Learning defining the fundamental attribution error: https://cruciallearning.com/glossary/#fundamental-attribution-error

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https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/