In this episode of Relationships Rule, I had a great conversation with Mike Desjardins, CEO of ViRTUS, about what leadership really looks like when it’s grounded in relationships.

We started with a powerful idea, that leadership has very little to do with titles or results, and everything to do with whether people actually want to follow you. From there, our conversation unfolded into a thoughtful exploration of emotional intelligence, trust, and the small, intentional actions that make a big difference in business relationships.

Mike shared how his work focuses on developing leaders at every level, and why emotional intelligence is the foundation that everything else is built on. We talked about the importance of listening for understanding, not agreement, and how that simple shift can completely change the way we communicate and resolve conflict.

One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing how Mike and his team create meaningful client relationships through thoughtful, personalized gestures. These are not big, flashy moments, but small, intentional actions that show people they are truly seen and valued.

We also explored how leaders can build trust by consistently asking for feedback, empowering their teams to take initiative, and creating a culture where people feel heard and supported.

This episode is a wonderful reminder that business is built on relationships, and that the way we show up as leaders has a lasting impact on everyone around us.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership is defined by followership, not titles or authority
• Emotional intelligence is the foundation of effective leadership
• Listening for understanding builds trust and reduces conflict
• Small, thoughtful gestures can have a lasting impact on relationships
• Trust is built through consistency, feedback, and genuine care

Mike can be found at:

mikedesjardins.com (Blog)

virtusinc.com (Company)

In appreciation for being here, I have some gifts for you:

A LinkedIn Checklist for setting up your fully optimized Profile:

An opportunity to test drive the Follow Up system I recommend by checking this presentation page - you won’t regret it.

AND … Don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn and be eligible for my complimentary LinkedIn profile audit – I do one each month for a lucky listener!

Connect with me:

http://JanicePorter.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janiceporter/

https://www.facebook.com/janiceporter1

https://www.instagram.com/socjanice/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and

think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social

media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a note in

the comment section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can

subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcast review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and

greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple, which

exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute,

please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.