Leading While Human

In this special bonus episode of Leading While Human, co-hosts Sean Gaillard and Dr. Sonia Matthew sit down with acclaimed author and executive leadership coach Marcel Schwantes, author of Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love. Be a Kick-Ass Boss. Together they explore what it truly means to lead with heart, courage, and compassion in a world that too often celebrates hierarchy over humanity.Marcel shares powerful insights on how leaders can cultivate trust, foster belonging, and practice radical love in everyday leadership. They dive into actionable strategies for building teams where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to do their best work not through fear or command, but through genuine connection and purpose. Whether you’re leading a classroom, a corporate team, or a community, this conversation will leave you inspired to show up more human in every room you enter.Learn more about Marcel’s work at https://www.marcelschwantes.com/ and discover how humane leadership can transform your teams, your culture, and your impact.Tune in to reimagine what leadership can be: human first, always.

🎙 Season Finale of Leading While HumanIn this season finale episode, hosts Dr. Sonia Matthew and Sean Gaillard welcome the inspiring and insightful Dr. Donya Ball for a powerful and upbeat conversation centered on what it truly means to lead while human.Dr. Donya Ball is an internationally respected keynote speaker, leadership expert, professor, and executive coach with more than two decades of experience supporting leaders across education and organizational spaces. Her work is grounded in clarity, courage, and practical wisdom, helping leaders navigate complexity while staying rooted in purpose and people first practices. You can learn more about her work and order her books at https://www.donyaball.com/.Donya is the author of two impactful leadership books available on her site, Against The Wind: Leadership At 36,000 Feet and Adjusting The Sails: Weathering The Storms of Administrative Leadership. Both works offer timely guidance for leaders facing turbulence, change, and the weight of responsibility.In this episode, Donya shares her powerful concept of the Leadership Trifecta, offering a thoughtful and actionable framework that challenges leaders to reflect on how they show up, how they serve others, and how they sustain themselves in the work.This season finale is filled with energy, honesty, and hope. It is a fitting close to a season devoted to belonging, courage, and leading with humanity at the center.

🎙️ Leading While HumanEpisode 3 with Lauren KaufmanCo hosted by Sean Gaillard and Dr. Sonia MatthewIn this third inaugural episode of Leading While Human, we are joined by Lauren Kaufman, author of The Leader Inside. This conversation centers on leadership that begins within and is rooted in presence, courage, and humanity.Lauren shares reflections on leading from the inside out, staying grounded in complex times, and choosing authenticity over performance. This episode invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters in leadership and in life.You can subscribe to Lauren’s blog and order a copy of The Leader Inside athttps://laurenmkaufman.com/Thank you for listening and for being part of the Leading While Human community.

In this powerful second episode of #LeadingWhileHuman, hosts Sean Gaillard and Dr. Sonia Matthew sit down with Principal Baruti Kafele, internationally renowned speaker, author, and veteran school leader. Together, they explore what it truly means to lead people not programs in schools and communities where the work demands heart, clarity, and courage.Leadership Beyond Titles: Baruti Kafele shares how leadership is defined by relationships and presence more than positional power.Leading While Human: Meaningful insights on being a leader who listens first, responds with empathy, and stays grounded under pressure.Practical Guidance for Educators: Real stories, hard-earned wisdom, and actionable takeaways for educators and leaders at every level.Belonging, Community & Culture: Why culture is co-created, not dictated and how leaders can cultivate environments where people feel seen, heard, and valued.Purpose Before Performance: A reminder that outcomes matter, but how we engage with people matters even more.Principal Baruti Kafele is a leading voice in education, celebrated for his work in instructional leadership, teacher development, and fostering meaningful school cultures. He is an author, keynote speaker, and former principal whose approach emphasizes equity, excellence, and humanity in leadership.Learn more about his work at 👉 https://principalkafele.com/

Episode 1: Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket In our premiere episode, we sit with Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket , wife, mother, principal, TEDx speaker, author, and President of the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals. A lifelong educator and advocate named a Top 100 Influencer in education, Rachel shares her journey from classroom teacher to transformational leader, wisdom on relational leadership, joy in challenging seasons, and practical insights for anyone leading with heart. Learn more about Rachel and her work: https://sites.google.com/view/the-principals-journey-website/homeKey Takeaways:• How human connection shapes leadership• Navigating leadership transitions with courage• Sustaining purpose and joy in demanding rolesTune in for a conversation that inspires you to lead while deeply and boldly human.