Ep 11: Learning to Love Leadership: the Human Side of Leading Teams w/Helen Honisett

Episode DescriptionAre you struggling to truly love leadership, or wondering why so many talented people hesitate to take on management roles?In this insightful episode of the HEARTset Studio Leadership Podcast, Lisa Virtue sits down with renowned leadership expert Helen Honisett, CEO and Founder of Defy Expectations, to unravel what it really takes to learn to love leadership in today’s fast-changing workplace. Whether you’re a new manager, a burned-out leader, or an ambitious individual contributor questioning the next step, you’ll find research-backed wisdom, real-world examples, and practical strategies to reignite your passion for leading others.Ready to rediscover what leadership could feel like? Hit play and start learning to love leadership today!What You'll Learn in This Episode:The Real Reasons Leaders Fall Out of Love With Leadership: Helen Honisett explains how structural problems—not just people—can derail leaders and why even the best can struggle if the system is broken (00:31).Listening to Understand vs. Listening to Respond: Discover why most leaders miss the mark on true listening and how making this shift can unlock team performance and belonging (05:36).Why Leadership is a Distinct Skill (Not Just a Promotion): Learn why organizations must treat leadership as a unique role, with its own rewards, training, and expectations—separate from technical expertise (09:14).Addressing Burnout and Building Resilience: Hear Helen Honisett’s personal burnout stories and the “red flags” leaders and organizations often miss, plus actionable advice to prevent and recover from leadership fatigue (19:04).Future-Proofing Your Leadership in the Age of AI: Explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping management, why human leaders remain irreplaceable, and what skills will set successful leaders apart going forward (32:57).Should You Take That Promotion?: Get clear, honest criteria for deciding if leadership is right for you—or if you’ll thrive as an expert contributor (30:27).Key Takeaways:Loving leadership is about genuine human connection, self-awareness, and embracing the “coach” mindset—not just achieving goals or climbing laddersThe best leaders know when to listen, when to step back, and how to balance results with well-being—for both their teams and themselvesGreat organizations create parallel career paths for leaders and expert contributors, so everyone can thrive without sacrificing passion or purposeAI can—and will—handle much of the management grunt work, but only real leaders can unlock human potential, offer empathy, and navigate ambiguityPerfect For:New managers, experienced leaders, HR professionals, executive coaches, and anyone considering a leap into leadership or feeling disengaged at work.Search terms:How to love leadershipOvercoming leadership burnoutWhy great leaders quitCoaching mindset for managersLeadership vs. management differenceAI and the future of leadershipBuilding resilient teamsCorporate leadership challengesDefy Expectations Helen HonisettBecoming a better leader podcast