Have you ever wondered what it really takes to grow as a leader, beyond just improving your skills or chasing a new title? In this episode, I’m diving deep into what leadership development truly means, why it’s not just about what you do, but about who you’re becoming, and how shaping your identity is key to becoming someone who can truly inspire and influence others.

I’ll be sharing personal stories and lessons from my own journey, along with insights from my research, to unpack how everyday moments can shape your leadership identity. We’re looking at what it means to own your impact, why bringing your whole self to leadership matters, and how authentic relationships can elevate your influence.

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
• Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
• Follow her in X @drkimleadership
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Have you ever wondered if leaders are born or made? In this episode, I’m busting the myth that leadership is something you’re born with. Real leadership is built over time, through trial and error, reflection, and the courage to keep showing up even when it’s hard.

I’m walking you through some of my own defining moments and what my research has uncovered about how leaders actually grow. We’re diving into why you don’t need a title to lead, how self-efficacy can change everything, and why it’s just as important to learn from bad leadership as it is to learn from great leaders. If you’ve ever doubted whether you’re “leadership material,” this conversation will remind you that it’s not about being a “born leader,” it’s about staying curious, hungry, and committed to becoming the best leader you can be.

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
• Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
• Follow her in X @drkimleadership
• Like her page on Facebook
• Connect with her on LinkedIn

Let’s be clear about something, leadership is not about your position. I know that may go against much of what we have been told but I believe it is so important for us to recognize that leadership goes beyond your title. In this episode, I’m setting the record straight and empowering you to recognize the true power of influence and impact in any role, no matter your title or job description.

I’m diving into the difference between positional power and personal power, exploring what research says about influence, and offering practical tools for leading without official authority. I also dive into how shared leadership can unlock potential in everyone as well as actionable steps to help you own your impact regardless of your title.

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
• Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
• Follow her in X @drkimleadership
• Like her page on Facebook
• Connect with her on LinkedIn

Leadership isn’t just about strategy or execution, it’s about emotional intelligence. In this episode, we’re digging into the real work of leadership including understanding yourself, managing your reactions, reading the room, and building trust through authentic relationships.

I’m walking you through the four key components of emotional intelligence and sharing real, practical strategies that you can use right now. Whether you’re leading a team or leading yourself, this episode will remind you that emotional intelligence isn’t a trait you’re born with, it’s a skill you build. 

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
• Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
• Follow her in X @drkimleadership
• Like her page on Facebook
• Connect with her on LinkedIn

So many of us have found ourselves leading before we felt ready. If you’ve been there, this episode is for you! I’m diving into what it means to be enlisted to lead, not because you signed up for it, but because someone saw something in you and passed the baton on to you.

In this episode, we explore how leadership often begins in moments of uncertainty, the power of being seen before you see yourself, and why growth happens in the messy middle. Whether you’re stepping up or passing the baton, this episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t about being perfect, it’s about showing up, learning forward, and staying true to who you’re becoming.

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
• Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
• Follow her in X @drkimleadership
• Like her page on Facebook
• Connect with her on LinkedIn

If you’ve ever wondered when you’ll finally feel ready to lead, this episode is a must-listen. I’m diving deep into the real journey of leadership, reminding us that the most valuable lessons don’t come from textbooks or titles, but from doing the actual work and learning in real time with real people. No matter where you are on your leadership path, these insights will resonate and inspire you to reflect on your own growth.

In this episode, I’m sharing my own experience with missteps I made early in my leadership journey and the practical ways leaders develop influence, communication skills, and the courage to act when it matters most. We’re covering the surprising patterns in leadership identity development, the skill of leading without formal authority, and the hard lessons learned when trying to do it all yourself.

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
• Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
• Follow her in X @drkimleadership
• Like her page on Facebook
• Connect with her on LinkedIn

Have you ever found yourself stumbling over the question, “So what do you do?” at a party or networking event? Join me as I dive deep into the subtle yet powerful ways our professional identity shapes not only our conversations, but also how we see ourselves at work and beyond and how we can integrate our identity with our work.

In this episode, I share the ways professional identity is shaped—through lived experience, guidance from mentors, and the strength of community, as well as the importance of recognizing that it’s not just about titles, but about aligning your values and purpose with what you do. We’re taking an honest look at the tension between who we are and what we do, why true leadership is more about becoming than simply doing, and reflecting on whether our work is just a job or a meaningful expression of our purpose.

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
• Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
• Follow her in X @drkimleadership
• Like her page on Facebook
• Connect with her on LinkedIn

Welcome to Rise Up and Lead! I am so excited that you are joining me as we explore what it truly means to lead with your authentic identity. In this episode, I am sharing how one phrase reshaped my leadership journey and became the cornerstone of my coaching and research. I am diving into the layers of identity, the power of self-awareness, and the courage it takes to lead with purpose. Whether you're a coach, leader, or on your own growth journey, this conversation invites you to rise, reflect, and lead from within.

Connect with me:

Website: www.drkimleadership.com

Instagram: @DrKimLeadership

Twitter/X: @DrKimLeadership

Facebook: @DrKimLeadership

Welcome to Rise Up and Lead: Real Lessons, Real Stories, Real Talk—a podcast about the true journey of leadership and becoming. Hosted by Dr. Kim—Professional Certified Coach®, leadership strategist, and speaker—this show dives into the moments that shape us, the mindsets that sustain us, and the people who influence us along the way.

Each episode features real conversations with everyday leaders and brief coaching insights that bridge lived experience with research-backed leadership truths. Because leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about identity, emotional intelligence, and the daily decision to RISE.

If you’re ready to grow in who you are and how you lead, you’re in the right place!​