Uncommon Leadership – Details, episodes & analysis

Leadership isn't defined by title or authority. It's revealed in presence — how you listen, how you respond, and how your behavior shapes the space around you.   In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, Michael Hunter sits down with Mary Kennedy Thompson, CEO of BNI, for a thoughtful conversation on what it really means to lead.   From an early Marine Corps lesson that reshaped her understanding of service to leading global teams today, Mary reflects on leadership as a lifelong practice grounded in curiosity, authenticity, and care.   Together, they explore how leaders create environments where people can speak up, grow beyond comfort, and feel inspired to bring their whole selves to work.   Because leadership isn't just what you say. It's the culture you create — and the shadow you cast.   What you'll hear in this episode:   • The Marine Corps moment that transformed Mary's understanding of leadership • Why great leaders communicate with a standard of being direct, kind, and transparent • A simple presence practice that shifts how leaders show up • The difference between safe and comfortable workplaces — and why it matters • How leaders create alignment while still honoring the whole person at work • The powerful idea that every leader casts a shadow through their behavior   Tune in for a conversation on presence, trust, and the quiet work of becoming a leader others want to follow.      Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series.   Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw   Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165   Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj   Presented By: UncommonChange   Speaker Bios Mary Kennedy Thompson Mary Kennedy Thompson is the CEO of BNI, the world's largest business networking and referral organization. Her career has been grounded in helping leaders unlock their full potential — a path that began in the U.S. Marine Corps and evolved through entrepreneurship, franchising, and global leadership.   A lifelong student of leadership for more than 40 years, Mary believes that leading with joy, authenticity, and purpose creates stronger teams and better results. She has led multiple high-growth organizations and continues to champion collaboration, trust, and impact across the global business community.   Connect with Mary Kennedy Thompson:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-thompson-cfe-22074410/

  Michael Hunter Michael, the founder of Uncommon Teams, journeys alongside tech leaders to uncover the invisible dynamics that block quality, stall change, and quietly drain energy from their teams. He helps heads of people solve culture puzzles that are subtle, systemic, and deeply human.   When you work with Michael, you get a chance to unlock the heroic leadership within you and your team—and often recover parts of yourselves that may have gotten a little lost along the way. Michael started out debugging code. Then he debugged people. Now he helps people debug themselves.   Because the most powerful upgrade isn't in your tech stack—it's in you.   Connect with Michael Hunter:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/
• Read more about his work: https://uncommonteams.com/

 

[leadership, psychological safety, conscious leadership, workplace culture, leadership influence, purpose driven leadership, human centered leadership, how to inspire teams, uncommon leaders, Michael Hunter, Mary Kennedy Thompson, BNI]

The most expensive thing in your business isn't your tech stack.

It's the message you haven't shared with your team because you're waiting to speak up.

In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I, Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams, sit down with Everett O'Keefe—international bestselling author and founder of Ignite Press—for a conversation about the intersection of innovation, authority, and the moral duty to speak up.

Everett has helped hundreds of experts find their voice, and he's seen firsthand how the status quo doesn't just stall companies—it drains the life out of the people leading them.

From the Penguin Theory of resonance to the seven words that kill team creativity, this episode is a must-watch for anyone who is tired of leaving their whole self at the door.

 

Who This Episode Is For?

• Tech Leaders who feel their team has traded innovation for following the rules.
• Founders who feel the heavy pressure of having to be the Savior every single day.
• Managers who are tired of doing everything right while their team's energy quietly drains away.
• Aspiring Authors who are afraid their message has already been said by someone better.

Tune in now to fully understand the human side of high-performance teams and leadership.

 

Core Takeaway:

Leadership doesn't improve when you defend the past.

It transforms when you have the courage to question it—and the humility to realize that your "messy" truth is exactly what your team needs to hear.

Was this conversation worth your time?

If yes, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series.

 

Get notified on YouTube-

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw

Prefer audio? Stream here:

Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj

  

Presented By: UncommonChange

 

Speaker Bios

Everett O'Keefe

Everett is a dad, husband, and most recently a granddad. He is also an international #1 bestselling author and the founder of Ignite Press. Everett has helped more than 200 people become published bestselling authors, and he has a heart for helping people share their message with the world.

The winner of multiple awards, including the Publish and Profit Award for Excellence in Publishing and the Top Gun Consulting Award, Everett is sought out as a speaker, coach, and consultant by authors and marketing experts worldwide. He helps clients become recognized experts in their fields so they can focus on their own areas of giftedness.

 

Connect with Everett O'Keefe:

Website: https://ignitepress.us/

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

 

Michael Hunter

Michael, the founder of Uncommon Teams, journeys alongside tech leaders to uncover the invisible dynamics that block quality, stall change, and quietly drain energy from their teams. He helps heads of people solve culture puzzles that are subtle, systemic, and deeply human.

When you work with Michael, you get a chance to unlock the heroic leadership within you and your team—and often recover parts of yourselves that may have gotten a little lost along the way. Michael started out debugging code. Then he debugged people. Now he helps people debug themselves.

Because the most powerful upgrade isn't in your tech stack—it's in you.

 

Connect with Michael Hunter:

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

Read more about his work: https://uncommonteams.com

What if the real competitive advantage in your organization isn't your strategy or your technology— but the way you show up for your people when everything feels uncertain?   In this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I'm joined by Jim Carlough—a veteran healthcare executive, strategist, and author.   Jim's journey spans from captaining sports teams in his youth to helping organizations find their footing again. Through every experience, Jim kept returning to the same anchors: persistence, focus, and a genuine responsibility to his team.   And this became the heart of his leadership philosophy. At the heart of Jim's approach are his six pillars of leadership, with integrity as the foundation upon which everything else rests.   Join in as Jim speaks about how he uses data, curiosity, humor, and empathy to recognize:

• When people are struggling
• Build trust during times of transition
• And to help each person find the role—and the path—that genuinely fits who they are.

  Grab a seat. Tune in now.   About the Guest: Jim Carlough Jim is an accomplished business strategist, speaker, and author with over three decades of leadership experience in healthcare, from startups to industry leaders. He is known for building high‑performing teams and guiding organizations through transformational change while keeping people at the center.   Connect with Jim: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimcarlough   About the Host: Michael Hunter Michael partners with top tech leadership teams across six continents to create extraordinary cultures. With 35 years of experience at companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Tableau, he helps leaders sustain meaningful change. Michael believes that only by integrating mind, heart, body, spirit, and intuition can leaders truly navigate change safely and build a lasting legacy of impact + human-centered leadership.    The best way to connect with Michael Hunter is on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ More from Michael Hunter: https://uncommonteams.com/    For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for the Uncommon Leadership newsletter at https://uncommonteams.com    Watch the Uncommon Leadership Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw    Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj    Presented By: Uncommon Change

Are your teams holding back?   Are they experimenting, speaking up, or taking risks when the stakes are high?   If not, you're dealing with a problem that hasn't surfaced yet. And it's not a skill problem. Or a process problem.   It's most likely a culture problem.    When your people don't feel safe, they don't take risks. They hide their vulnerabilities. And in an environment like this, even your best talent stays silent — or quietly leaves.   Hi there! Welcome back!   I'm Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams, and in this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, I'm joined by Fortune Buchholtz—business agility specialist, fractional transformation leader, and AI-assisted agile logician.   Together, we dive deep into the real impact of leadership on culture and business outcomes, exploring:  

• Why traditional command-and-control leadership slows innovation & velocity
• How rewarded vulnerability can transform psychological safety into a strategic advantage
• The invisible costs of a poor work culture [ high attrition rates / high talent acquisition costs]
• How curiosity, transparency, and authenticity can lead to continuous improvement

 

If you're a CXO, founder, or senior leader looking to stop losing talent and trying to scale up with precision—this conversation is for you.   Grab a seat. Hit play. Let's transform the way you show up for your people.   —   Meet the Speakers   Fortune Buchholtz Buchholtz is a business agility specialist with more than 20 years of experience as a fractional transformation leader, AI-assisted agile logician, and certified Scrum Master. Her work lives at the intersection of human systems and technical precision, helping leaders cultivate clarity and trust in an increasingly complex world. She integrates TPS/Lean, agile, and systems thinking into organizations, unlocking continuous improvement at every level.   Find Fortune Buchholtz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fortune-buchholtz-40266229/   Michael Hunter Michael Hunter, The Uncommon Hero, helps tech leaders unlock resilience, adaptability, and ease—without burnout. For over 35 years across six continents, he has partnered with engineering and people leaders at top companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Tableau to retain and elevate talent, build human-centered leadership, and create cultures that support velocity and joy.   Connect with Michael Hunter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Read more about his work: https://uncommonteams.com/ Book a complimentary, no-obligation call: https://calendly.com/uncommonchange/first-contact   —   Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series.   Subscribe and get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw   Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165   Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj    Presented By: UncommonTeams

Why aren't your teams bringing you their best ideas? 
Why are they silent in meetings?

Most likely, they don't feel psychologically safe to speak up. Or they haven't connected with the real you yet. 

If this sounds true for your team, your leadership approach is heading into isolation, and you are facing a quiet crisis. The good news is that it's not too late, and together—we can fix it!

Hi there! I'm Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams, and welcome to another exciting episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast. Joining me today is Rita Malvone, a renowned business performance expert and an executive coach. 

Today, we're diving straight to the core issues of leadership: cultivating the right workplace culture, establishing true psychological safety, and building authentic relationships.

We'll also explore the philosophy of Chiropractic Leadership—the art of finding the small, authentic adjustments that create massive organizational transformation. Through this approach, leaders can slowly realign human connections to unlock team potential.

Because at the end of the day, culture isn't something you do or say. It's about whether your people are willing to express their opinions in a meeting.

Before you go: What's that one small, precise, authentic adjustment you'd like to make as a leader for lasting impact and growth?

Not sure? Grab a seat and hit play. 
Our work begins now. 

--

What We Discuss:
01:04 Intros
04:43 The Work-Life Myth: Choosing Integration over Balance
14:41 The Tigers, Dolphins, and Owls Communication Framework
24:31 Humanizing the Distant CEO
31:32 Communication is about what the receiver receives
34:14 Reacting vs. Responding in Leadership
38:22 The Business Case for Safety
42:20 The "47th in Line" Promotion Story
49:59 The Culture Audit
01:07:39 The Leadership Shadow: Why Authenticity Must Be 24/7

--

In Conversation With:
 
Rita Malvone
A Certified DEI Professional and an ICF ACC coach, Rita is a New Yorker based in Shanghai, committed to driving impactful change through authentic communications. Drawing on her extensive corporate background, she guides industry leaders through corporate transformations, cultural alignment, and team effectiveness. Her notable work includes leading cultural integration for the Volkswagen Anhui NEV Hub and designing new leader programs for Airbus Greater China.
 
Rita Malvone on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritamalvone/
Connect via email: rita@ritamalvone.com

Michael Hunter
Michael Hunter went from debugging code to debugging people. Now he helps people debug themselves. As the host of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, Michael Hunter explores the why, how, and what of authentic leadership. He works primarily with tech leaders and founding teams, helping them navigate organizational chaos and change with resilience and grace.
 
Connect with Michael Hunter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/
Read more about his work: https://uncommonteams.com/

--
Was this conversation worth your time?
If yes, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series.
 
Get notified on YouTube-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw
 

Prefer audio? Stream here:
Apple-
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165
 
Spotify-
https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj
 
 Presented By: UncommonChange

 

When 85% of medical practices in the USA shut their doors, Dr. Ravi Iyer, a Harvard-trained physician and human potential expert, became the last line of defense as he and his team kept theirs open.   Dr. Iyer's mantra, all for one and one for all, led him to serve over 100,000 patients through the chaos and disruption caused by the pandemic.   Hello and welcome to another fascinating episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast—I'm your host, Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams. Today, we are conversing with Dr. Iyer—one of the rare TED speakers whose talks were removed and reinstated twice—shares how his philosophy of attention, connection, and community helped his team thrive while others froze.   His work reframes centuries-old wisdom through modern language, teaching leaders to move from reaction to observation, from narrative to presence, and from chaos to clarity.   He reminds us that leadership isn't about control—it's about creating space. Space for others to expand, to feel safe, and to see possibilities they couldn't see before.   If you're ready for the masterclass on gaining effortless mastery over chaos through empathy, this podcast is for you! Tune in today!

 

-- Sneak-Peek into the Podcast Insights:

• Integrate, don't separate. Real leadership is how you bring all of yourself into every moment.
• Fear is the real virus. Managing emotions is the first step to managing a crisis.
• Innovation isn't complex. It's immediate action born from attention and observation.
• You are not your role or title. You are the awareness within which all stories unfold.
• Five minutes of mindful perception daily can expand your calm, increase clarity, and heighten influence.
• As your inner quiet grows, others feel safer, heard, and empowered to lead themselves.

 

-- Speaker Bios   Dr. Ravi Iyer Dr. Ravi Iyer is a globally recognized iconoclast, a 3x TEDx Speaker, and a Harvard-trained physician/scientist, celebrated for his work in human potential and organizational transformation. His talks, including the viral "The Power of Intentional Focus," have racked up millions of views, positioning him as one of the most-viewed TEDx speakers of 2024. As a neurodiversity pioneer and AuDHD thought leader, Dr. Iyer has spent more than four decades driving transformation across organizations. He's also been recognized by Who's Who in America for reshaping corporate culture and influencing neuro-inclusive policies.   Dr. Ravi Iyer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/driyermd/     Michael Hunter Michael Hunter went from debugging code to debugging people. Now he helps people debug themselves. As the host of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, Michael Hunter explores the why, how, and what of authentic leadership. He works primarily with tech leaders and founding teams, helping them navigate organizational chaos and change with resilience and grace.   Connect with Michael Hunter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Read more about his work: https://uncommonteams.com/     -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series.   Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw     Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165   Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj    Presented By: UncommonChange

A lot of leaders believe that they need to sacrifice themselves to stand out.   But what if prioritizing yourself—your clarity, your energy, and your pace—is the most strategic thing you can do for your team as well as your organization?   What if you had to be a little selfish? Putting on your oxygen mask before you rushed to help everyone else around you?   Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast. I'm your host, Michael Hunter, and today I'm honored to explore what it means to pause, reset, and focus on self with Lynn Juang, the founder of Frameworks Consulting. For two decades, Lynn has helped organizations translate their big vision into actionable frameworks and systems.   Take a seat and join us as we dive deep into the paradox of modern leadership in this episode. From why selfishness is your strategy to why the act of pausing deliberately is the fastest way to sustainable growth—we truly break down what it means for a leader to find their pace.   If you're someone who experiences overwhelm, chaos, or burnout, please don't miss out on this episode!   -- Your Leadership Takeaways From This Episode:   1/ True clarity comes from knowing exactly when to push and when to pause, not just rushing forward.   2/ You cannot lead from an empty well. Practicing healthy selfishness is a great way to prevent burnout and build inner resilience.   3/ Learn to walk away from obsolete processes. Define the "why" for every process so that your team understands where they need to go and can find faster, better ways to get there.   4/ Learn simple, low-lift practices to build your "gut feeling" muscle—a game-changer for when you need to take accurate, high-stakes decisions.   5/ Always start with the Why. Gain context through conversations before making an assumption. Having open conversations about work [ and beyond] creates a psychologically safe environment—something your team needs to trust you and each other.

 

-- Meet the Speakers   Lynn Juang Juang is an award-winning creative leader, strategic consultant, and the founder of Frameworks Consulting. For over two decades, she has partnered with creative leaders, moving their biggest ideas from ambition to reality through strategic clarity and operational structure. As a systems thinker, Juang advises creative agencies on workflows, brand strategy, and operations. Through her work, she aims to unlock creative flow, remove operational hurdles, and build springboards for continuous growth.   Connect with Lynn Juang via email: hello@frameworkconsulting.com Lynn Juang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnjuang/     Michael Hunter Michael Hunter went from debugging code to debugging people. Now he helps people debug themselves. As the host of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, Michael Hunter explores the why, how, and what of authentic leadership. He works primarily with tech leaders and founding teams, helping them navigate organizational chaos and change with resilience and grace.   Connect with Michael Hunter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Read more about his work: https://uncommonteams.com/   -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series.   Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw     Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165   Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj   Presented By: UncommonChange

For the first 15 years of her career, Dr. Amanda Lynne Smith was always the first to arrive and last to leave. And she expected the same relentless pace from everyone around.   Then COVID arrived, and with it, an unexpected gift: the permission to breathe.   But this isn't just a story about work-life balance. It's the story that led to a groundbreaking realization—you cannot keep pouring if your cup is empty. It's about the time when Smith realized that personal resilience is an important business strategy, something a lot of organizations overlook.   Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Uncommon Leadership. I'm Michael Hunter, and today I'm honored to explore what it means to be resilient and courageous with Dr. Smith, who has worked relentlessly for over 25 years to bridge the gap between education and workforce needs.   From "courageous conversations" that build unbreakable teams to a restaurant motto that redefined her leadership, we discuss how leaders can navigate the most challenging business issues by focusing on heart and integrity.   Grab a seat and pay attention if you want to see how resilient your team could be when they finally learn to speak their truth and experience discomfort with grace.

 

-- Podcast Highlights:

• Prioritize filling your own cup (self-care) before you pour into others. When you give permission for self-care, it cascades through teams, families, and communities.
• Investing in culture and employee happiness is a direct financial strategy that saves massive costs on recruitment, onboarding, and boosts customer retention.
• Genuine, heart-led leadership means extending an open door and treating employees like family.
• Uncommon Leadership stems from simple, non-negotiable personal principles: integrity, kindness, speaking your truth, accepting the uncontrollable, and faith.

  --   About the Speakers   Dr. Amanda Lynne Smith   Dr. Amanda Lynne Smith is a dynamic, heart-led C-Suite executive who has spent the last 25 years shaping the future of education and the workforce. She specializes in scaling online education, product development, and building high-performing teams that truly believe in their mission. Smith is focused on using tech-driven solutions to make sure learning directly translates into student success and impactful career outcomes.   Connect with Dr. Amanda Lynne Smith : https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amanda-lynne-smith     Michael Hunter   Michael specializes in moving leaders "from debugging code to debugging people to helping people debug themselves." He hosts the popular Uncommon Leadership Podcast, where he explores how vulnerability, self-awareness, and authentic connection transform teams and drive sustainable growth. His work focuses on navigating organizational chaos and turning complex challenges into stepping stones for innovation and resilient leadership impact.   Connect with Micahel Hunter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/     -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series.   Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw     Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165   Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj     Presented By: UncommonChange

Have you ever hit a personal rock bottom that threatened your entire career?   Our guest today, Dr. Alfredo Borodowski, knows that feeling intimately. Alfredo's story is one of total collapse and remarkable redemption. He didn't find his way back with better systems; he found it by discovering his own forgotten character strengths.   Hello! This is Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams, and I'd love to welcome you to another episode of Uncommon Leadership, where we explore what it truly takes to thrive, not just survive, in today's chaotic world.   Today, I sit down with Dr. Alfredo Borodowski, who helps global firms turn organizational resistance into growth, to uncover the following:  

• The crucial difference between talent and character strengths.
• How knowing your 'Top Five' can boost your performance by up to 18 times.
• Why the old management myths (pressure brings results!) are destroying your culture.
• And how you can navigate personal chaos and find your internal compass through self-knowledge.

 

Get ready to discover why knowing who you are is the ultimate secret to peak performance. Grab a seat, welcome Alfredo Borodowski, and begin a truly transformational conversation!   --   About the Speakers   Alfredo Borodowski   Alfredo Borodowski is a bestselling author and Peak Performance expert who helps leaders harness their strengths. With over three decades of experience advising CEOs and senior leaders at firms like Motorola, his expertise lies in turning workplace resistance into tangible growth. Alfredo's powerful personal story—moving from an esteemed rabbi to overcoming severe mental illness—gives him a unique, empathetic lens for guiding organizations through complex change, always focusing on clarity, empathy, and results.   Connect with  Borodowski :https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfredo-borodowski/   Michael Hunter   Michael specializes in moving leaders "from debugging code to debugging people to helping people debug themselves." He hosts the popular Uncommon Leadership Podcast, where he explores how vulnerability, self-awareness, and authentic connection transform teams and drive sustainable growth. His work focuses on navigating organizational chaos and turning complex challenges into stepping stones for innovation and resilient leadership impact.   Connect with Micahel Hunter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/   -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series.   Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw   Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj     Presented By: UncommonChange

Hello there!   I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams, and I'm so glad you found this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast.   I started this series because I constantly meet leaders battling burnout and searching for deeper impact. While I may not have all the answers you're looking for, I truly believe that professional and personal success hinges on aligning personal fulfillment with business objectives.   And today, my extraordinary guest, Romie Montpeirous from Leadership from the Heart, talks about the role of adaptability and empathy in leadership.   Uncommon leaders embrace adaptability—shifting their approach to meet their team's needs. They're present, self-aware, and help their team find resilience in the face of chaos.   Our conversation then deepens into the surprising link between a leader's vulnerability and a team's loyalty. We explore how to find your own version of work-life balance and why "ready" is always a decision, not a feeling.   Join us, and you just might find the key to a better way of leading, in work and life.   -- Key takeaways from this podcast:

• The most effective leaders move between different styles, adjusting their approach based on the team's needs.
• Trust is earned, not demanded. Authentic team loyalty is a result of a leader's care and empathy, not authority.
• A leader who is present and transparent builds a culture of psychological safety, allowing the team to show up as their full selves.
• Help your team overcome fear and uncertainty by walking them through their "worst-case scenario" to show they are resilient.
• Equilibrium is personal. The goal isn't a rigid work-life balance, but helping each team member find their own unique sense of harmony.

 

-- About the Speakers   Romie Montpeirous Leadership Mentor| Founder & Lead Coach @Leadership From the Heart | Change Management Leader | Expert at Transforming Cultures |   As the founder of Leadership from the Heart, Romie Montpeirous is dedicated to cultivating authentic and empathetic leaders. Romie's philosophy centers on the idea that true excellence emerges when leaders bring their whole selves to their teams.   Specializing in empowering operations leaders, Romie helps clients overcome internal conflicts, boost collaboration, and build resilient, high-performing cultures. Holding an MBA and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Romie is an expert at merging emotional intelligence with data-driven strategies to achieve tangible business results.     Michael Hunter Founder @Uncommon Change | Interlocutor / Curious Host @UncommonLeadership Interview Series | Author | Change & Innovation Partner   I'm Michael Hunter, the founder of Uncommon Teams. All my work is driven by a single mission: to help leaders, CXOs, and founders build uncommon teams.   These are the teams where every person feels valued, psychologically safe, and confident to bring their authentic selves to work. Drawing from my experience with leaders across six continents, I've developed a battle-tested framework that is always precisely customized for you, helping you greet change like an old friend. My deepest satisfaction comes from helping leaders not just envision their legacy, but truly inhabit it. By integrating your whole self into everything you do, you can discover ease, freedom, and a resilient leadership journey that creates a safe organizational culture for everyone.   -- Was this conversation worth your time? If yes, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the Uncommon Leadership Podcast Series.   Get notified on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw   Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165  Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj    Presented By: UncommonChange