Why Leaders Struggle with Emotional Depth (And How to Fix It) | Adam Dorsay | 627
Release Date: 02/20/2025
Leveraging Thought Leadership
What if your greatest impact as a leader begins after your "official" career ends? , former Managing Director and Senior Partner at and author of "", joins Peter Winick to share insights from his extraordinary shift from consulting titan to impactful thought leader. Joe reveals how the disruptions of COVID-19 inspired him to write his book—not just as a professional calling card, but to encourage executives to lead with heartfelt generosity and empathy. He emphasizes that legacy leadership isn't measured by revenue alone but by meaningful connections, personal growth, and empowering...
info_outlineLeveraging Thought Leadership
How do you grab the attention of the smartest person in the room and introduce an idea that could fundamentally change their approach to leadership? In this insightful episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, , President of and author of The Leadership Wake Up Call, joins Bill Sherman to discuss her pioneering work in developing emotional intelligence (EQ) for surgeon leaders—a skill set largely overlooked in traditional medical training. Gina shares how her journey from managing medical device teams in Fortune 500 healthcare organizations led her to recognize a critical gap: Surgeons...
info_outlineLeveraging Thought Leadership
What if the worst-performing team you’ve ever seen could become the best—without changing a single person? Today, Peter Winick sits down with , former U.S. Navy captain and author of the mega-bestseller "". Michael shares the extraordinary turnaround story of the USS Benfold—once one of the lowest-ranked ships in the fleet—and how he transformed its culture by focusing on something rare in the military: personal connection. He didn’t ask for a new crew. He didn’t get a bigger budget. What he did instead? Interviewed all 310 sailors, created personal index cards with their goals,...
info_outlineLeveraging Thought Leadership
What happens when a philosopher, a pyrotechnics entrepreneur, and a tech ethicist walk into a boardroom? You get —author of , host of a by the same name, and founder of , a consultancy helping Fortune 500 companies navigate the ethical risks of AI. In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, we explore the collision of ethics, emerging tech, and organizational complexity. Reid shares his unorthodox journey from selling fireworks out of a Honda to advising top executives on responsible AI. He discusses how AI creeps into organizations like a Trojan horse—through HR, marketing, and...
info_outlineLeveraging Thought Leadership
How do you prepare a first-time leader to succeed when everyone’s watching? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Bill speaks with , former and author of the upcoming book " "(June 2025). Noel spent his distinguished career at UPS mentoring new leaders and guiding them through the challenging transition from individual contributor to manager. Recognizing a critical gap in available resources specifically designed for newly promoted frontline leaders, he decided to write the book he wished he'd had earlier in his career. Noel introduces powerful frameworks, including the "4 by...
info_outlineLeveraging Thought Leadership
How do you build genuine trust when AI-driven automation floods our lives? In this engaging episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, I sit down with , author of "", to explore the irreplaceable role of authentic human connection in today's tech-heavy marketing landscape. Ashley argues that while AI can streamline content creation and amplify messaging, the core elements of trust—authenticity, empathy, and credibility—can only be forged through real human interactions. We discuss practical ways marketers can move beyond outdated funnel approaches, introducing Ashley's innovative "Content...
info_outlineLeveraging Thought Leadership
What if your next client already feels like they know you—before you’ve ever spoken a word? This week on Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter talks with , founder of , a peer advisory group for high-performing CEOs. Jim shares insights from advising over 125 CEOs across 40 states, leading organizations with revenues from $25 million to over $2 billion. His unique perspective offers a window into how top leaders are using thought leadership as both consumers and creators. We dig into why CEOs crave curated content that helps them grow—and why books and podcasts still dominate their...
info_outlineLeveraging Thought Leadership
Have you ever wondered why some nonprofits make a huge impact while others struggle to grow? The difference isn't always their mission—it’s their ability to fundraise and scale effectively. , founder of the , joins us today to reveal why bigger doesn’t always mean better in the nonprofit sector. James spent 25 years witnessing smaller nonprofits achieve incredible results—only to remain largely invisible due to weak fundraising skills. We dive into the critical business skills most nonprofit founders lack, from building fundraising teams to understanding marketing ROI. James explains...
info_outlineLeveraging Thought Leadership
What if your greatest business challenge could become your launchpad into thought leadership? Today, Bill Sherman sits down with , visionary behind and bestselling author of , to explore how a journey from entrepreneur to industry thought leader unfolds—often unintentionally. Aaron shares how his frustration with data gaps in the home care space led to the founding of a data analytics company and, unexpectedly, a national reputation as a thought leader. Along the way, he leveraged the insights of thinkers like Brian Tracy and Michael Gerber, and later deepened his impact through a...
info_outlineLeveraging Thought Leadership
Can a 150-year-old New York City institution thrive in the digital age? , CEO of the iconic , joins us to reveal how they turned crisis into innovation. Founded to support immigrant communities, the Y evolved into a world-renowned cultural hub. Seth shares how, despite the initial shock of COVID-19 closures, the organization quickly pivoted, transforming itself into a global digital platform overnight. Discover how they scaled online to reach millions—expanding their audience far beyond Manhattan. Seth explains key lessons learned, including tapping into an international market hungry for...
info_outlineAre you truly connected—to yourself, to others, to your purpose?
Dr. Adam Dorsay, psychologist, TEDx speaker, and author, joins me for a deep conversation on how connection shapes our lives. From working with Silicon Valley execs to writing his new book Super Psyched, Adam explores the ways we build (or neglect) meaningful connections.
We dive into the challenges of self-awareness, the dangers of distraction, and why so many high-achievers struggle with emotional depth. Adam shares powerful insights on how small, intentional shifts can lead to richer relationships, greater resilience, and a more fulfilling life.
He also opens up about his own journey—overcoming dyslexia and ADHD, reinventing himself in midlife, and learning to communicate his ideas in a way that truly resonates. Whether you’re a leader, creator, or someone seeking more meaning, this episode will inspire you to rethink how you engage with the world around you.
And if you’ve ever struggled to finish a book, Adam has some surprising lessons on what it really takes to turn big ideas into something lasting.
Tune in to rethink connection, intention, and what it means to be truly alive.
• Connection Starts with You – Many people look outward when they feel disconnected, blaming relationships, work, or circumstances. But real, lasting connection begins with self-awareness and intentionality. If you don’t connect with yourself first, every other connection will suffer.
• Distraction is the Enemy of Meaningful Relationships – Social media, endless to-do lists, and digital distractions are stealing our ability to be present. Small, intentional actions—like sending a thoughtful voice message or truly listening in a conversation—can transform our personal and professional relationships.
• Intentional Living Requires Effort – Most people let life happen to them rather than actively shaping their experiences. Taking time to reflect on what truly brings joy and fulfillment can help avoid the regret of “love left on the table.” Thought leaders must apply the same strategic thinking to their personal lives as they do to their work.
Adam explores the critical role of self-awareness and intentionality in building meaningful connections. In this short video, Peter highlights how a lack of self-awareness can unknowingly lead to self-sabotage.