First, Leader Yourself: A 3-Part Series on the Foundations of Positive Leadership (with an award-winning CEO)

What makes great executives stand out? I’m thrilled to share Part 1 of a 3-part series that will explore the foundations of positive leadership. Throughout this special set of episodes, I will be sharing the stage with Kevin Ford, the award-winning CEO of Calian who recently stepped down. In this episode, Kevin and I start the conversation by taking an honest look at why leading yourself matters most. We unpack the critical role of self-awareness, sharing a powerful personal journey that moved Kevin from early-career overconfidence to the life-changing benefits of welcoming tough feedback.We also discuss insightful research, amplified with real-life examples that makes the case that self-awareness isn’t soft. Our discussion touches on structured approaches (like 360 reviews) and everyday, observational cues that help leaders read the room and adjust in real time. We reframe humility as a leadership strength, curiosity as the operational side of great leadership, and positivity as the superpower needed to weather today’s challenges.If you’re searching for ways to advance your leadership, build resilience, and foster authentic relationships, this episode provides an actionable roadmap to transform self-awareness from a buzzword into your most valuable asset.What You’ll Learn- Self-Awareness is foundational- Feedback is a gift: Receive it well- Embracing (tough) feedback, can be transformative.- Make time for self-reflection.- Curiosity is operationalized humility.- Positive energy matters, especially in tough times.- Legacy is about the journey. Podcast Timestamps(00:00) - Introduction to the 3-Part Series(00:42) - Guest Introduction: Kevin Ford's Leadership Journey(03:26) - The Importance of Leading Yourself(04:11) – The Role of Self-Awareness in Executive Success(06:08) - Transformative Feedback: The Value of Tough Conversations(09:46) - Processing Feedback and Humility in Leadership(12:12) - Creating Upward Feedback Culture(14:24) - Reading the Room: Observational Self-Awareness(16:43) - Internal and External Self-Awareness(17:56) - Addressing Time Constraints and Feedback Reluctance(22:18) - Curiosity as a Driver of Self-Awareness(24:21) - Humility, Curiosity, and Leadership Legacy(29:04) - Self-Awareness and Decisive Leadership(32:59) - Positive Energy and Well-being in Leadership(37:48) - Practical Steps for Sustaining Positive Energy(41:45) - Final Reflections on Self-AwarenessKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Self-Awareness, Leadership Development, Executive Feedback, 360 Assessments, Upward Feedback, Humility in Leadership, Curiosity, Culture, Authenticity, Positive Energy, Well-Being, Mental Health, Physical Health, Energy Management, Legacy, Organizational Culture, Coaching, Empathy, Constructive Criticism, Personal Growth, Employee Engagement, Resilience, Performance Review, Self-Reflection, Emotional Intelligence, CEO Success