In this solo episode of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, I unpack the concept of empathy and leadership. Although considerable research has shown the multiple benefits of empathetic leadership, it may have become a victim of its own success. As it has become increasingly integrated into leadership conversations, there are widespread misunderstandings about what it is and what it is not.

While empathy is often viewed as ‘all about feeling,’ there is more to the concept. I’ll explore its multidimensionality and rather than being one sole element, the secret sauce is how all of this comes together. When only one aspect of empathy is tapped, it’s an incomplete picture.

What You’ll Learn

- The science behind the power of empathy in leadership.

- The most common way people use to define empathy.

- Why affective (e.g., emotional) empathy is only one aspect of high empathy leadership.

- The crucial difference between empathic joining and empathic concern.

- The power of perspective-taking.

- How inaction can be at the heart of leadership excellence.

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Excellence, Strategic Thinking, Personal Growth, Communication, 360-Feedback, Affective Empathy, Cognitive Empathy, Empathic Concern, Empathic Joining, Leading with Intention, Leading with the Heart and Mind, The Power of Thoughtful Inaction, CEO Success

When was the last time you paused before taking action to ask, “What problem am I really trying to solve?” In this episode, I sit down with Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, to unravel what it means to lead with purpose in a rapidly changing world. The conversation starts with her daring career move from a global role at Deloitte to building a new organization from the ground up, which was fueled by a passion for meaningful innovation.

If you’ve ever questioned your own courage to change course or felt the tug-of-war between personal boundaries and professional expectations, Kendra offers practical wisdom. She talks through her steps to manage risk when taking on something new, using self-reflection rather than bravado to guide decision-making. Facing imposter syndrome? She’s been there too, and her advice is grounded and honest: focus on your unique contributions and let curiosity lead, especially when you’re the newcomer in the room.

For leaders building teams, or founders starting with just a vision, the conversation surfaces actionable insights such as the crucial role of constant communication, the importance of recognizing and rewarding small acts of courage in teams, and the need to set and protect personal boundaries to stave off burnout. Kendra is transparent about the challenges of remote work and the ongoing experiment to keep her own organization connected across digital distance.

True leadership is about the quality of the questions we ask ourselves and others. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about how we can do both.

What You’ll Learn

- Strategies for overcoming the fear of career pivots.

- How to motivate teams to embrace innovation… without being annoying!

- Balance operational realities with purpose-driven missions.

- Build a thriving remote team culture.

- Overcoming imposter syndrome and leading as an introvert.

Podcast Timestamps

(00:00) – Career Journey: From Deloitte to Ocean Economy

(07:06) – Innovating with Purpose: Framing the Right Problem

(09:45) – Courage to Change: Navigating Career Transitions

(12:29) – Building Organizations from the Ground Up

(15:17) – Setting Boundaries & Personal Clarity in Leadership

(18:13) – Leading as an Introvert: Speaking, Visibility & Energy

(24:28) – Top Leadership Qualities for Today’s World

(28:15) – Motivating Teams & Driving Innovation

(39:09) – Leading in AI & Tech-Driven Times

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Innovation, Purpose-Driven Leadership, Career Transition, Technology Adoption, Artificial Intelligence, Continuous Learning, Remote Work Culture, Organizational Culture, Psychological Safety, Courage, Resilience, Authenticity, Global Mindset, Diversity in Leadership, Work-Life Boundaries, Imposter Syndrome, Trust, Team-Building, Ethics in AI, Burnout Prevention, Curiosity, Change Management, Mentoring, CEO Success

Do you ever wonder if the quietest voice in the room can truly lead—and win—in a world built for extroverts? This episode of Do Good to Lead Well is a refreshing, insightful journey into that very question, as I sit down with Benjamin Friedman, author of “Silent Strength: The Introvert’s Guide to Building Successful Startups.”

The conversation opens with Benjamin’s “me-search;” his personal and professional quest to understand how introverts can succeed when the business world often favors extroverted traits. Can an introvert be authentic and ambitious, all while driving top-tier results? Absolutely, says Benjamin, but it’s all about leveraging your way of being, rather than trying to fit someone else’s mold.

Listeners will come away with practical advice for managing meetings, leveraging networks, and navigating self-doubt. He also shares tools for raising our self-awareness, the power of a “challenge network,” and the importance of aligning values with the people you build alongside. When fear or imposter syndrome strikes, Friedman reframes those moments as evidence you care and offers ways to harness uncertainty as fuel for growth.

The common thread throughout this episode is one of curiosity and vulnerability. It is about questioning our assumptions and beliefs while building a roadmap to authentic success.

What You’ll Learn

- The power of the quiet leader.

- Self-awareness as a foundation.

- Leveraging a Challenge Network.

- How to harness fear and navigate uncertainty.

- Reframing networking.

- The secret sauce of vulnerability.

Podcast Timestamps

(00:00) – Silent Strength: The Origin Story

(06:01) - The Universal Value of Introvert Insights

(11:42) - Self-Awareness as a Foundation for Success

(18:44) - Reframing Imposter Syndrome & Building Presence

(22:29) - Empowering Introverted Voices in Meetings

(28:56) - The Power of a Challenge Network

(36:15) - Getting Useful Feedback

(40:29) - Navigating Fear, Uncertainty & Opportunity

(45:32) - Thriving as an Introvert in Sales & Networking

(50:25) - Co-Founders, Relationships & Final Insights

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Self-Awareness, Feedback, Personal Growth, Vulnerability, Leading with Intention, Curiosity, Startup Founders, Introverts in Leadership, Challenge Network, Networking Strategies, Sales (for Introverts), Eustress vs Distress, Leveraging Strengths, Authenticity, Managing Meetings, Inclusive Environments, Managing Fear, CEO Success

I’m excited to share Part 2 of my 2025 yearend retrospective, which highlights the most impactful insights shared by our amazing guests, as determined by you, the listener. The goal of this special 2-part episode is to lay the foundation such that 2026 is your best year yet!

What is incredible to me is how similar the core themes were across the different guests who joined us on the program. Not surprisingly, curiosity was a major area of emphasis. In a world of constant change, being curious about ourselves and others is vitally important to unlock our individual and collective potential.

We also touched on the importance of community and belonging to create cultures of peak performance. Emotions were also discussed in depth, not as a distractor, but more as a navigational compass. Becoming friends with our inner worlds and listening intently to the lessons our emotions are trying to teach us was a crucial takeaway from this past year.

Last but not least, and building on the past thread, in a world of AI, it is essential not to delegate our thinking to technology. While it is an invaluable and powerful thought partner, we, the user, needs to continue to be the thought leader. Being more mindful and intentional about the questions we ask is the key to our success!

I hope these episodes provide some actionable insights you can leverage in 2026 and beyond!

What You’ll Learn

- Curiosity: A superpower in leadership and in life

- Social sensitivity and team success

- The 3 C’s of meaningful work: Community, contribution, challenge

- AI as a leadership tool: The CRIT Framework

- Cognitive diversity and team innovation

- Unleashing creativity and problem finding

- Embracing emotions in leadership

- The power of mattering

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Personal growth, Professional Development, Uncomfortable Conversations, Team Dynamics, Individual/Collective Excellence, Mindfulness, Navigating Uncertainty, Embracing Curiosity, Asking Questions, Building Resiliency, Authentic Leadership, Psychological Safety, Positive Change, Managing Stress, Success Principles

Happy New Year! I’m so excited to connect with you as we kick off 2026. This year marks a special milestone for us, as we’re rapidly approaching our 200th episode of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast! Your incredible support and engagement are truly why we continue to attract such amazing guests, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.

Instead of a typical goal-setting episode to start the year, I wanted to do something a little different. I thought it would be wonderful to look back at 2025 and highlight some of the most memorable “mic drop” moments from our extraordinary guests. These are the insights that resonated most with you, based on your comments and messages.

I hope they serve as a powerful playbook for your personal and professional growth in the year ahead!

What You’ll Learn

- The importance of leaning into uncomfortable conversations

- Why uncertainty is not the exception, it’s the rule

- How minimizing our smartphones may maximize resilience

- Using AI to spark our curiosity

- You can leverage the power of purpose everywhere

- The importance of replacing failure with learning moments

- How to use evidence to drive better decisions and make work fair

- The secret to being a Likeable Badass

- Why You Want to Ask Yourself: “Who Am I When No One Is Watching?

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Personal growth, Professional development, Uncomfortable Conversations, Alignment on Purpose, Individual/Collective Excellence, Mindfulness, Navigating Uncertainty, Embracing Curiosity, Asking Questions, Building Resiliency, Authentic Leadership, Learning Moments, Psychological Safety, Likable Badass, Make Work Fair, Evidence-based insights, Positive change, Managing Stress, Success Principles

Welcome to a special holiday installment of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, where I explore how to embrace the festive spirit without feeling overwhelmed by stress. This episode compiles scientific and anecdotal evidence, providing actionable advice for achieving genuine disconnection from work as well as authentic connection with our friends and family. Understand the necessity of truly stepping away from work to allow for restoration, enabling you to start the new year with renewed vigor.

The episode also delves into the importance of being mindful of conversational topics during holiday gatherings. Learn strategies for navigating discussions to maintain a positive and constructive environment, safeguarding your relationships from unnecessary tension.

We will also highlight the perils of pursuing perfection, highlighting that the true essence of the holidays lies in connection and shared moments. Explore the concept of giving experiences as gifts, which create lasting psychological and emotional benefits. I close by sharing perhaps the most meaningful gift we can give those we care about. It is simpler and more powerful than you may think.

What You’ll Learn

- How can we maintain the season’s magic without losing our peace?

- The importance of disconnection for reconnection

- Why we need to set boundaries to show up at our best

- The perils of chasing perfection

- Give the gift of experience

- The power of being intentional about our attention

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Holiday Stress, Relaxation and Recovery, Recharging, Self-Care, Setting Boundaries, The Power of a Positive No, Perfectionism, Nurturing Relationships, Digital Detox, Happiness, Meaningful Life, Well-Being, Interpersonal Connection, Positive Conversations, Positive Communication, Attention Economy, Family Dynamics, Mental Health, Managing Stress, Success Principles

Join us for an enlightening discussion as we explore the intersection of hospitality and leadership with our latest guest, Taylor Scott. Taylor, an accomplished author, keynote speaker, and leadership development consultant, shares insights from his rich career spanning Disney Parks and Resorts, Gaylord Hotels, and Las Vegas landmarks like Wynn and the Cosmopolitan. He reveals the inspiration behind his latest book, "Give Hospitality," a Hawaiian-themed fable that draws on real-life experiences and relationships with influential leaders. Listen in as we discuss the art of storytelling and its power to convey essential leadership principles, while Taylor highlights the role of mentors and personal connections in shaping his narrative.

Discover the transformative essence of hospitality in leadership as we reflect on its role in creating welcoming and inclusive environments. Inspired by a memorable pre-opening speech at Gaylord Palms Resort, we explore how the spirit of hospitality can bridge divides in both personal and professional settings. This conversation emphasizes the importance of generosity, kindness, and the spirit of Aloha in fostering meaningful relationships and driving performance. Taylor shares personal anecdotes that illustrate the impact of empathy and authenticity in leadership, revealing how these qualities build trust and foster a culture of connection.

We also touch on the importance of intentional leadership and organizational transformation, as Taylor shares his journey from Walt Disney World to the bustling scene of Las Vegas. He emphasizes the significance of gratitude and intentionality in overcoming challenges and achieving desired outcomes. In addition, we discuss the dual aspects of giving and receiving hospitality through effective feedback, underscoring the importance of dialogue and constructive conversations. Finally, we highlight the role of personal and organizational values in creating a culture of hospitality, offering practical exercises and metrics to measure success. Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation that promises to inspire and inform.

Key Takeaways

– Hospitality is the ability to make people feel welcome, comfortable, and important, a core competency of transformational leadership that applies across all industries

– Emotional connection drives behavioral change; Jonathan Haidt's "rider and elephant" metaphor shows how emotion (the elephant) provides the energy while logic (the rider) provides direction

– Consistency in leadership behavior, not initial perfection, builds trust and credibility; keep showing up authentically even when facing initial skepticism

– Remote leadership is possible when leaders commit to three non-negotiables: one-on-one meetings, team meetings, and strategic digital communication

Chapters

02:21 Guest Introduction: Taylor Scott's Background and 20-Year Hospitality Career

03:54 The Inspiration Behind Give Hospitality: Hawaiian Theme and Fable Format

05:25 The Story of Kauele Resort: Character Development and Core Values

12:31 The GIVE Framework: Hospitality Rooted in the Spirit of Aloha

14:21 Business Results and Hospitality: The Inseparable Connection Between Relationships and Performance

18:33 Empathy as a Learnable Skill: Building Authentic Connection in Stressful Times

21:01 Consistency in Leadership: Why Daily Behaviors Build Trust More Than Words

27:33 Intentional Leadership: Vision, Mission, and Values as Accountability Anchors

45:50 Leading with Hospitality in Remote and Hybrid Environments

Connect with Craig Dowden and the Do Good to Lead Well Podcast

Website: https://www.craigdowden.com

Guest Contact Information

Taylor Scott: Founder Hospitality, LLC

Website: https://www.leadwithhospitality.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tscott1502/

Email: [email protected]

Books:

- Give Hospitality

- Lead with Hospitality

- Ball Games to Boardrooms

What if your team could achieve unprecedented levels of performance and accountability? Unravel the secrets of transformational leadership in our discussion with Keith Ferrazzi, a trailblazing executive team coach and New York Times bestselling author. Keith's latest book, "Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship," draws from over two decades of research and thousands of team assessments, revealing strategies that have revolutionized giants like General Motors and are now shaping AI-driven transformations.

Ever wondered how to turn conflict into a catalyst for creativity? Keith shares his insights on transforming organizational culture through strategic stress testing. By pioneering the use of small breakout rooms, teams can cultivate psychological safety and facilitate candid feedback. This shift from conflict avoidance to a culture of candor is not just theoretical, learn how it is being applied to achieve significant improvements in team dynamics. We delve into practical shifts and the establishment of a new social contract within teams, underscoring the potential for innovation and resilience in the face of challenges.

During challenging times, how do teams not just survive, but thrive? We spotlight the resilience-building practices that Keith champions, like energy checks and gratitude circles, which have fortified teams during the pandemic. Learn from the success stories of high-performing teams, such as those at Elf Beauty, who leverage modern collaboration techniques for faster product development and competitive pricing. Keith's philosophy of "never lead alone" resonates throughout, advocating for a culture where gratitude and collective success are at the forefront. Engage with us as we embrace passion-fueled leadership and the transformative potential of team dynamics.

What You’ll Learn

- The Power of Co-Elevation.

- Strategies for transforming team dynamics.

- Building unshakeable team resilience.

- Intentional leadership and collaboration in hybrid work.

- Peer coaching and open 360 feedback.

- Embracing gratitude and collective success to revolutionize organizational culture

Podcast Timestamps

(00:00) - Leadership Strategies for High Performing Teams

(09:58) - Transforming Organizational Culture Through Stress Testing

(16:33) - Rewriting the Social Contract

(29:39) - Building Team Resilience and Culture

(45:36) - Leadership as a Core Passion

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Team Dynamics, Co-elevation, High Performance, Accountability, Stress Testing, Organizational Culture, Conflict Avoidance, Candid Feedback, Social Contract, Resilience, Creativity, Energy Checks, Gratitude Circles, Modern Collaboration, Positive Focus, Collective Success, Passion, Engagement, CEO Success

“Great leadership starts with great self-leadership” is a mantra that lies at the heart of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast. This is why I am thrilled to share this episode, where I welcome Margaret C. Andrews, a seasoned executive and leadership expert, who shares the intriguing backstory behind her book, Manage Yourself to Lead Others, which was inspired by a pivotal moment when she was told she lacked self-awareness. This experience led her to explore the vital connection between understanding oneself and effective, sustainable leadership.

Listen in as we guide you through an enlightening exercise to reflect on the traits of your best boss, revealing that a remarkable 85% of these qualities fall under the realm of soft skills or emotional intelligence. Margaret and I address a listener's question on self-awareness, offering methods like 360-degree feedback to gain a clearer understanding of one's impact. The episode continues to explore the challenges of addressing self-awareness and providing constructive feedback, using the SBI (Situation, Behavior, Impact) model to enhance clarity and constructiveness. Our discussion invites you to reconsider what truly makes a great leader and the critical role of empathy and effective communication in leadership.

Enhancing team dynamics is also a focal point of our conversation, with insights into creating personal user manuals and team charters to foster effective teamwork. Margaret shares strategies for transitioning from a subject matter expert to leading a team, emphasizing the importance of intentional leadership. We explore managing up with a boss who lacks self-awareness, highlighting self-care and mental health as crucial components of professional success. As we conclude, we underscore the importance of self-awareness in how we perceive our intentions versus how others feel our impacts, advocating for a mindful approach to leadership that balances transparency and resilience.

What You’ll Learn

- The power and importance of self-awareness in effective leadership.

- How to enhance emotional intelligence for better team dynamics.

- Leveraging 360-feedback for professional development.

- Techniques for delivering impactful and constructive feedback.

- Ways to align intentions with actions to foster trust within a team.

- Methods to build resilience in personal and professional settings.

Podcast Timestamps

(00:00) – Manage Yourself to Lead Others

(09:48) – Soft Skills Are the Heart of Great Leadership

(16:55) – Navigating Feedback Conversations to Build Self-Awareness

(25:04) – Managing Up

(38:37) – Share Your User Manual

(42:22) – The Power of Team Charters

(47:15) – Vulnerability and Building Resilience

(56:16) – Intentions Versus Impacts

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Team Dynamics, Feedback, Personal Growth, Communication, Resilience, Soft Skills, Mental Health, Vulnerability, Transparency, Leading with Intention, Fostering Collaboration, User Manuals, Team Charters, CEO Success

Is empathy truly a superpower in leadership, or does its endless demand threaten to drain the very leaders we rely on? Join me for this month’s solo episode, as I explore the answer to this important question.

As leaders are constantly called upon to exercise empathy, their reserves can run dry, leading to avoidance of hard conversations and emotional exhaustion. Together, we will confront these challenges, recognizing and normalizing our emotional limits while sharing practical strategies to safeguard our empathy reserves.

This episode invites you to reflect on the multifaceted nature of empathy and its powerful role in both our personal and professional lives. We highlight the importance of maintaining empathy in a sustainable way, ensuring leaders can continue to show up with care and accountability. By prioritizing our own well-being, we also model healthy emotional boundaries for those we lead. Tune in to examine how balancing empathy with strategic foresight and ethical clarity can drive success for individuals and organizations alike.

What You’ll Learn

- Dynamic strategies to conquer empathy fatigue

- Techniques to seamlessly balance emotional labor with strategic thinking

- How to establish robust boundaries

- Ways to achieve lasting emotional resilience

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Empathy, Empathy Fatigue, Strategic Thinking, Ethical Decision-Making, Executive Excellence, Setting Boundaries, Compassion Fatigue, Emotional Labor, Emotional Resilience, Sustainable Empathy, CEO Success