My Coaching Tips with Client Tom Hootman

“Great leaders do not just share information. They create enough safety for real dialogue.”In this special episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession shares a conversation from her appearance as a guest on Marketing B-Sides, the podcast hosted by Tom Hootman, Founder & CEO of Mixtape Digital. Together, they break down what leadership really looks like beneath the surface, from burnout and communication to nervous system regulation, self-awareness, and the patterns that keep high performers stuck. Through honest reflection, practical insight, and real examples from business, Rebecca offers a grounded perspective on how leaders can care for themselves, communicate more effectively, and lead with greater clarity and humanity. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why burnout is often tied to misalignment, not just workload  How better questions and real dialogue create stronger buy-in and trust  Why caring for yourself is not separate from leadership, but central to itThings to listen for:(00:00) Introduction(01:26) Rebecca joins Tom on Marketing B-Sides(05:06) The songs that tell Rebecca’s story(11:53) What dysregulation really means(13:34) How leaders’ needs have changed over time(21:05) Running from pain or moving toward purpose(23:50) Why familiar pain can feel safer than change(26:25) What real self-care looks like for leaders(29:55) The trap of external validation(31:55) Understanding the two kinds of tired(35:36) Why top performers burn out(37:37) Communication is more than talking(44:12) The one-on-ones that build trust Connect with Tom:Website: https://www.mixtapedigital.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashootman/ Listen to Marketing B-Sides: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-marketing-b-sides/id1832517490 Connect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/