Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Leading With Softness

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 happening beneath the surface.

---

Leadership Lessons from High-Pressure Worlds

Jodi’s early leadership development began in theater and wedding planning. Two industries where improvisation, grace under pressure, and “no excuses” execution are simply part of the job. In those worlds, there is no room for do-overs. The show must go on, and every role matters.

What she took away from those environments was a visceral understanding of teamwork, collective energy, and the impact a leader has on the emotional tone of a space. A good leader could uplift the entire production, while a poor one could bring it down completely.

But those early experiences taught her something else, too: this approach was largely outside-in: performance-driven, perfection-focused, and endlessly demanding.

---

Discovering Softness and Self-Trust

It wasn’t until she transitioned into energy coaching that Jodi encountered an entirely different leadership paradigm — one centered on intuition, internal wisdom, and softness.

Through the mentorship of Magali Pesha, Jodi learned to check in with herself first, trust what arose internally, and release the comparison mindset that so often dominates performance-driven work.

This shift allowed her to embrace a “both/and” approach:

• Structure and softness

• Adaptability and self-awareness

• Responsibility and compassion

Leadership, she realized, is not about having all the answers. It’s about knowing yourself well enough to respond with grounded clarity. 

---

The Power of Honest Self-Awareness

A major theme in our conversation was the role of honest self-awareness: the willingness to confront the parts of ourselves that feel uncomfortable, unpolished, or vulnerable.

Jodi described self-awareness as an unfolding process, one that “isn’t for the faint of heart.” It brings us face-to-face with the parts of ourselves we’d rather avoid like insecurity, fear, jealousy, comparison, not-enoughness.

But when we can hold softness toward those parts instead of shame, transformation becomes possible. “Every part has a place at the table,” she shared. “Even the prickly ones.” 

---

The Beauty in the Mess

Jodi’s current work as an energy coach and EFT practitioner helps clients sit with the “messy middle” of their emotions, honor whatever is true in the moment, and create space for relief, perspective, and growth.

Rather than bypassing discomfort or rushing toward solutions, she teaches her clients to witness and mirror their own experiences: a practice she believes is profoundly missing in many people’s lives.

Because before you can build on something, she says, you need a solid foundation — not one made of denial or perfectionism, but of truth and compassion. 

---

Why Softness Belongs in Leadership

One of the most beautiful throughlines of this episode is Jodi’s reflection on softness as a leadership strength.

Softness does not replace accountability, structure, or high standards. It tempers them.
It helps leaders:

• Connect more deeply with their teams

• Build safer environments for expression and creativity

• Respond instead of react

• Lead with humility, presence, and emotional intelligence

Ultimately, softness makes people feel seen, heard, and capable. 

---

Connect with Jodi Gagné

You can connect with Jodi on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook, where she shares insights on energy, emotional freedom techniques (EFT), and compassionate self-development. She also offers opportunities to continue the conversation on her website.