In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Virginia Knudsen, the CEO of BOAR, a personal and professional development company focused on leadership. Virginia shared her journey from a successful banking career to becoming a passionate leader in the field of emotional intelligence and leadership development.

We delved into Virginia's background, starting from her early days in banking to her transition into leadership and coaching. She shared her experiences working under different leadership styles and how it shaped her understanding of effective leadership. Virginia highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership and how it forms the foundation of great leadership.

Virginia discussed the birth of BOAR and the unique approach they take towards leadership development. She emphasized the importance of addressing the whole person, not just focusing on professional success but also personal growth. Virginia explained the various programs offered by BOAR, including the NextGen leadership program and the NextGen Level Up for executives.

A key takeaway from the episode was the significance of having tough conversations as a leader. Virginia stressed the importance of providing honest, direct, and timely feedback to help individuals grow and succeed. She shared insights on how to navigate these conversations effectively and the impact it can have on leadership development.