Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Leading With Softness
Illustrating Leadership
In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I had the joy of speaking with Jodi Gagne, Energy coach, EFT practitioner, and former theater stage manager and wedding planner. Jodi’s career path is anything but linear, and that’s exactly what makes her leadership insights so powerful. From high-pressure environments where there are no second chances to the deeply introspective world of energy coaching, Jodi’s story teaches us that leadership isn’t just about strength, structure, or decisiveness. It’s also about softness, self-trust, and the courage to explore what’s...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: The Power of the Pause
Illustrating Leadership
A lot of new leaders feel pressure to have the right answer right away. And a lot of seasoned leaders get into trouble when they succomb to this pressure. In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I explore one of the most underestimated leadership tools out there: the pause. We live in a world that rewards speed. Fast replies, quick decisions, and constant motion. But some of the best leadership moves come not from rushing forward, but from taking a breath, slowing down, and leading with intention. Quick Doesn’t Always Mean Effective We often glorify leaders who...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Listening to Your Body
Illustrating Leadership
In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Joanna Lund-Pops, embodied career and leadership coach, to explore how reconnecting with our bodies can transform the way we lead, make decisions, and sustain our energy — especially in the nonprofit and social impact space. Joanna helps changemakers move beyond the “do more with less” mindset and instead reclaim the bold, impactful careers and lives they were meant to have. Her insights remind us that great leadership doesn’t come from the head alone — it comes from the whole self. What Embodied Leadership...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: The Leader as a Mirror
Illustrating Leadership
In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I explore one of the most transformative mindset shifts for any leader...moving from being the fixer to becoming the coach. When you step into leadership, it’s natural to think your role is to have all the answers. But true leadership isn’t about solving every problem. It’s about helping your team discover their own solutions and strength. From Fixing to Reflecting As leaders, it’s easy to fall into what I call the “fix-it” mindset: rushing in to smooth things over, solve problems, and protect your team from struggle....
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Lead Yourself First
Illustrating Leadership
In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I had the honor of speaking with Chris Kruger — retired U.S. Army infantryman and Black Hawk pilot turned author. Chris spent over two decades in the military, completing multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan before retiring and embarking on a new chapter as a writer and mental health advocate. His story is one of resilience, self-awareness, and the power of empathetic leadership — both in uniform and beyond it. A Career Built on Service and Growth Chris joined the Army in 2000, drawn to the challenge of infantry life and the...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Balancing Empathy & High Standards
Illustrating Leadership
In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I dive into one of the biggest tensions leaders face: balancing empathy with effectiveness. Can you really lead with both heart and high standards? I believe the answer is yes — not only can you, but the best leaders do. Rethinking What It Means to Lead with Compassion Many new and emerging leaders fall into the false belief that they have to choose between being compassionate or being effective. They worry that being too empathetic will make them seem weak or that prioritizing results will make them seem cold. But the truth is,...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Time is Valuable
Illustrating Leadership
In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Tara Haislip, founder of Grounded Energy 111 and host of the upcoming Burn the Script podcast. Tara’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and redefining what success really means. From professional dancer to paralegal to health coach and now entrepreneur, her journey reflects what happens when we stop following everyone else’s rules and start creating our own. A Nonlinear Path to Purpose Tara’s career path has been anything but traditional. She began as a professional dancer, performing at a high level but...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Coming back from burnout
Illustrating Leadership
In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I had the joy of talking with Christy Nichol, burnout recovery specialist and former sports therapist. Christy shared her journey of navigating burnout—twice—and how those experiences shaped her passion for helping high-performing professionals and entrepreneurs reclaim their energy, restore balance, and rediscover joy. Her story is a powerful reminder that self-care and authenticity aren’t luxuries in leadership—they’re essentials. From Sports Therapy to Burnout Recovery Christy’s career began as a successful sports...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Reframing Feedback
Illustrating Leadership
In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I explore one of the most essential—and often most challenging—skills for leaders: feedback. Whether you’re offering it or receiving it, feedback can stir up discomfort, self-doubt, or defensiveness. But when it’s done well, it becomes one of the strongest tools we have for building trust, growth, and connection on our teams. Reframing Feedback as a Leadership Tool Many leaders approach feedback as if it’s inherently negative or confrontational, but feedback is simply information. It’s not a judgment of your...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: The Importance of Company Culture
Illustrating Leadership
In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Marianna Kinnee, founder of Might in Motion and Director of Facility Implementation at Vector. Marianna’s career journey—from internships in manufacturing to leadership in the tech startup and supply chain space—illustrates the power of diverse perspectives, intentional mentorship, and data-driven decision-making in shaping modern leadership. Learning from Internships and Early Lessons Marianna’s leadership story began with two pivotal internships. At a paper mill, she discovered that while chemical engineering...
info_outlineAs a leader, it's difficult to get enough rest, let alone good quality sleep. Many of us find ourselves trapped in a cycle of sleeplessness, stress, and compromised productivity. On this episode of the Illustrating Leadership podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Monica LeBaron, a seasoned sleep coach and author of Sleep Simplified. Our conversation shed light on the transformative power of sleep and how leaders can harness it to enhance their personal and professional lives.
Meet Monica LeBaron: From Personal Struggle to Sleep Expert
Monica's journey into the world of sleep coaching began with her personal struggles. Born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, Monica navigated a successful career in business that took her to China. However, the pressures of life led her to experience anxiety, depression, and insomnia. With time, Monica discovered simple tools that turned her life around, igniting her passion to help others achieve the same.
The Role of Sleep in Leadership
In our discussion, Monica emphasized the importance of sleep, especially for leaders balancing multiple responsibilities. Leaders often face immense pressure, which can disrupt sleep and, in turn, impact performance. Sleep, according to Monica, acts as the "secret sauce for success," allowing the body to restore and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Common Sleep Challenges and Solutions
Monica highlighted several barriers to sleep, with a surprising focus on mindset. Leaders often feel guilty about resting, believing they must continually push their limits. Creativity can also keep minds buzzing late into the night. Monica suggested practical solutions, such as Yoga Nidra, an exercise providing an hour's worth of rest in just ten minutes. She also recommended practices like journaling to offload thoughts and make room for rest.
Crafting a Personalized Sleep Routine
Understanding the effectiveness of personalized solutions, Monica provides tailored sleep routines, focusing on individual needs. Her approach includes identifying the root causes of sleep disturbances and creating a simple, practical plan for improvement.
Embrace the Seasons of Life
To achieve restful nights, Monica advises recognizing the various cycles in life—be it the weather, personal milestones, or even hormonal changes. By understanding these cycles, leaders can better anticipate and accommodate their unique sleep needs.
About Sleep Simplified
Monica's book, Sleep Simplified, is an accessible guide offering tools to reduce sleep anxiety and finish the stress cycle. This resource is designed to be practical, with lessons that take only a few pages to digest, making it perfect for those short on time but keen to improve their sleep.
Free Resource: Yoga Nidra Audio
Monica generously offers complimentary access to her Yoga Nidra recording, a perfect tool for those struggling with sleep onset or nighttime awakenings. This audio guide requires no Wi-Fi, allowing for restful practices anytime, anywhere.
Connect with Monica
Monica's insights emphasize that leaders deserve rest just as much as they deserve success. By embracing customized sleep strategies, they can elevate their leadership capabilities and unlock their full potential. To learn more about Monica's work and how to start your journey to better sleep, check out her website, read her book, and follow her on Instagram!
Your host, Jessica Wright, is a Life & Career Development Coach for Leaders and the Founder of Wright Life Coaching, LLC. You can follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Learn more about Leadership Masterclass, the private podcast and community at www.jessicawright.online/leadership-masterclass.
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