Dr. Michelle K. Johnston, bestselling author of The Seismic Shift in Leadership, shares how authentic human connection can help leaders stop losing their team to digital burnout and transform organisational performance. From advising top executives to speaking on global stages, Michelle reveals the strategies that make connection a driver for trust, engagement, and sustainable growth.

In this episode, host Brendan McGurgan dives into Michelle's insights, unpacking the mindset, practices, and rituals that allow leaders—especially SME founders and executives—to build meaningful relationships while scaling their businesses.

Episode Highlights:

• The alarming price of disconnection: loneliness, depression, and even premature death are rising—what leaders can do to reverse the trend

• How focusing on relationships, rituals, and rhythms strengthens teams and drives results

• Practical strategies to build meaningful connection in meetings, including asking purposeful "connection questions"

• Why slowing down to connect actually helps leaders move faster and achieve better outcomes

• How SMEs can integrate connection into their culture, even amid virtual fatigue and high-pressure growth

• The role of gratitude and personal check-ins in cultivating trust and engagement

Meet Dr. Michelle K. Johnston

Dr. Michelle K. Johnston is an award-winning leadership expert, keynote speaker, and executive coach recognised globally for her work in connection-driven leadership. She teaches as a Distinguished Professor of Business at Loyola University New Orleans and coaches executives from Ochsner Health, JP Morgan Chase, MongoDB, and more. Her podcast, The Seismic Shift, ranks in the top 10% globally and features candid conversations with leaders transforming culture through connection.

Key Topics Covered:

→ The price of disconnection in modern organisations → Building stronger teams through rituals, rhythms, and deliberate relationships → Practical ways to create connection in meetings and daily workflows → The science and practice of gratitude as a leadership tool → Balancing technology and human presence in high-growth SMEs → How authentic connection drives trust, performance, and sustainable scaling

Who Should Listen

This episode is essential for SME leaders, founders, executives, HR professionals, and anyone looking to lead with humanity while scaling their business. Michelle's insights provide actionable guidance to create high-performing, connected teams without losing the human touch.

About Dr. Michelle K. Johnston

Dr. Michelle K. Johnston is a global leadership expert blending academic insight with real-world impact. She is the author of The Seismic Shift in Leadership, a top-ten executive coach, keynote speaker, and professor, empowering leaders to scale with purpose and authenticity.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drmichellejohnston

Podcast: The Seismic Shift

Website: https://www.michellejohnston.com

About ScaleX™ and Simple Scaling

ScaleX™ Insider is brought to you by Simple Scaling — creators of the ScaleX™ Accelerator Programme. A 12-month journey for ambitious SME leaders combining strategy, mindset work, and peer support to break through growth plateaus.

Host: Brendan McGurgan Website: simplescaling.com

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