The Science of Charisma: How Compassion Creates Influence with Heather Hansen
Release Date: 01/26/2026
The Science of Charisma: How Compassion Creates Influence with Heather Hansen
The Enlightened Executive
What if charisma isn’t something you’re born with, but something you build? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Heather Hansen, former trial attorney, communication expert, and CEO of Belief Builders, to explore how compassionate charisma transforms your leadership presence. You’ll discover: The neuroscience behind why power can reduce empathy, and how to reverse it 12 proven behaviors that make leaders more charismatic (based on Dr. John Antonakis' research) The difference between performing leadership and embodying...
info_outline
Burnout Is Not the Problem—It’s a Design Flaw
The Enlightened Executive
Is your leadership model silently draining your team? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, energy and culture expert Josh Allan Dykstra challenges the outdated belief that resilience means pushing through. Instead, he offers a new paradigm: designing work around energy flow, not just productivity. You’ll learn: Why burnout is a design issue, not a personal failing The leadership reflex that keeps you stuck in overdrive How to build teams that are energized, not just efficient A practical roadmap to shift from exhaustion to alignment This...
info_outline
Is Your Team Performing the Culture You Want?
The Enlightened Executive
You may not think of yourself as a performer, but as a leader, your presence is always on stage. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm interviews culture and storytelling expert Mike Ganino on the hidden performance behind every company culture. From improv stages to executive boardrooms, Mike reveals how unspoken patterns and leadership presence shape what your team believes, repeats, and trusts. Together, we explore: Why culture is always being performed, whether scripted or not How your leadership presence becomes the company’s culture...
info_outline
Unlocking Creativity: The Leadership Advantage You’re Overlooking with Natalie Nixon
The Enlightened Executive
Most leaders double down on strategy when pressure hits, but what if the real competitive edge lies in creativity? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I speak with Natalie Nixon, creativity strategist and author of Move, Think, Rest, about why creativity, not control, is the next frontier in leadership. Natalie shares her human-centered framework for redesigning work in the face of burnout, complexity, and hybrid teams. You’ll learn: Why creativity is a teachable, practical skill (not just a personality trait) How the Move / Think / Rest framework can rewire the...
info_outline
When Smart Leaders Miss What’s Right in Front of Them: A Conversation with Jacquette Timmons
The Enlightened Executive
You can be brilliant with numbers and still miss the pattern that’s holding you back. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, financial behaviorist Jacquette Timmons shares the pivotal moment when her longtime CPA asked, “When are you going to stop mortgaging your life?” That one question revealed a blind spot that changed how she approached her business, her money, and her leadership. We discuss: Why blind spots form next to your strengths How success can reinforce outdated habits The emotional side of financial...
info_outline
The Midlife Remix: Petra Kolber on Resilience, Reinvention & Leading with Joy
The Enlightened Executive
What if your biggest life challenges became the catalyst for your boldest leadership chapter yet? Petra Kolber is no stranger to adversity. She’s survived cancer twice, pivoted from global fitness icon to mindset coach, and now serves as VP of Mindset for the Daisie Foundation. In this powerful conversation, Petra joins host Susan Drumm to share how midlife became her launchpad, not her slowdown. Together, they explore: Why resilience isn’t about bouncing back, but bouncing forward The mindset shifts that helped Petra rewrite her story How to let go of perfectionism and lead...
info_outline
Courageous Authenticity: How to Lead with Wisdom, Not Just Boldness
The Enlightened Executive
What does it really mean to lead with authenticity—and how do you know when it's courageous vs. careless? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, host Susan Drumm sits down with Cindy Adams, executive coach and co-founder of The Enneagram in Business Network, to explore one of the most misunderstood leadership traits: authenticity. Together, we unpack: Why "saying it like it is" can sometimes sabotage your impact How your Enneagram type shapes your version of authenticity The difference between emotional...
info_outline
How to Lead Through Chaos with Crisis Expert Juliette Kayyem
The Enlightened Executive
What do you do when everything goes sideways? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I sit down with Juliette Kayyem, Harvard professor, former Assistant Secretary at Homeland Security under President Obama, and CNN Senior National Security Analyst. Juliette shares how today’s leaders can build resilience before the crisis hits, and what it takes to make clear, confident decisions under pressure. We cover: The neuroscience behind decision-making in high-stress situations Why “urgent calm” is the most underutilized leadership skill How to train your team to act—not panic—in...
info_outline
The CEO Bottleneck: How to Build a Business That Runs Without You
The Enlightened Executive
What if your greatest strength as a CEO is also your biggest limitation? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Allison Maslan, aserial entrepreneur, author, and CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, to explore a critical challenge most high-performing leaders face: 👉 Becoming the bottleneck in their own business. Allison has built 10 companies and now mentors thousands of CEOs through her Scale-It Method®—a framework for growing businesses that thrive without constant founder involvement. Together, we dive into: Why top...
info_outline
The Leadership Power of Forgiveness with Candice Mama
The Enlightened Executive
What would you do if you came face to face with the person who murdered your father? Candice Mama chose forgiveness and in doing so transformed her life and her leadership. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive Candice shares her journey from deep resentment to peace and the lessons leaders can use to navigate betrayal conflict and personal hardship. You will hear how to: Recognize the hidden costs of staying in a victim mindset Shift to a responsible mindset and reclaim your influence Use Candice’s War Book exercise to rewrite the stories that hold you back Master emotional...
info_outlineWhat if charisma isn’t something you’re born with, but something you build?
In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Heather Hansen, former trial attorney, communication expert, and CEO of Belief Builders, to explore how compassionate charisma transforms your leadership presence.
You’ll discover:
- The neuroscience behind why power can reduce empathy, and how to reverse it
- 12 proven behaviors that make leaders more charismatic (based on Dr. John Antonakis' research)
- The difference between performing leadership and embodying it
- Why compassion is a prerequisite, not an accessory, to true influence
Whether you lead in healthcare, tech, or the C-suite, this episode will shift the way you think about presence, power, and persuasion.
Want to grow your influence without losing your authenticity?
This is your starting point.
Subscribe and listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.