Meet the Author of 'The Myth of the Fearless Leader'

Fear shows up in every career, even when your title says “leader.” We sit down with Dr. Tonya Jackman Hampton, Ph.D. PCC, an organizational development practitioner, executive coach, and former chief human resources officer whose career runs from early teen jobs to building ethics programs, shaping workplace culture, and leading change inside major organizations. Her story is full of real turning points: mentorship that redirects her into HR, a merger that triggers a layoff while she’s pregnant, and the hard-earned confidence that comes from learning how to land on your feet again and again.The heart of the conversation comes from her book, 'The Myth of the Fearless Leader,' and the research behind it. She explains how her doctoral dissertation explored leaders’ relationship with fear, and how her own breast cancer journey pushed the work from theory into something urgently practical. You’ll hear her EASE fear transformation method (Engage, Explore, Execute) as a clear alternative to fight, flight, or freeze, with ideas you can apply to personal decisions, team dynamics, and organizational transformation.If you care about leadership development, change management, HR credibility, coaching standards, and building healthier workplace relationships, this one gives you language and tools you can use right away.Subscribe, rate, and share, then send us your take: where are you feeling fear at work right now, and what would “execute” look like for you?Send us Fan MailWant to be interviewed? You can remain anonymous. Voice distortion now available. Email or Text us!