Inspirational Leadership for People Managers, Executives & HR Leaders
Business & Finance
About
Kristen Harcourt is an Emotional Intelligence Expert and Leadership Catalyst who believes leadership starts from the inside out. On Inspirational Leadership, she brings you a blend of real-talk solo episodes and meaningful conversations with progressive CEOs, visionary HR leaders, and bold thinkers who are reimagining the world of work.If you’re ready to lead with more courage, connection, and impact — and create a workplace where people thrive — you’re in the right place.⇢ Learn more at www.kristenharcourt.com
Episodes
- Scaling Culture Without Losing Humanity with Amanda Small
Amanda Small, VP of People & Culture, shares insights on scaling organizations without sacrificing humanity. The discussion covers how transparency, trust, and clear communication foster a thriving culture, and the role of curiosity in lea…
- Rethinking Leadership & Neuroinclusion with Dr. Ludmila Praslova
Kristen interviews Dr. Ludmila Praslova on neurodiversity in leadership, exploring The Canary Code and how inclusive hiring and workplace design benefit everyone, leading to stronger organizations.
- Leadership & Connection: Courageous Communication with Sage Hobbs
In this episode of Inspirational Leadership, host Kristen Harcourt and Sage Hobbs discuss Hobbs' Communication for Connection framework, emphasizing compassion, clarity, courage, and curiosity to foster psychological safety and build trust.
- The Leadership Capacity Gap
Kristen discusses the Leadership Capacity Gap in this solo episode, defining it as the disconnect between current leadership demands and sustainable internal capacity. She outlines four types of capacity—emotional, cognitive, nervous syste…
- How to Make Meetings Work (and Why Most Fail) with Rebecca Hinds
Rebecca Hinds, an organizational behavior expert, joins Kristen Harcourt on Inspirational Leadership to discuss common meeting failures and provide a framework for effective meetings. The episode covers deciding meeting necessity, designin…
- Travel as a Catalyst for Purpose and Leadership with Jill Valentine
In this episode of Inspirational Leadership , host Kristen Harcourt is joined by transformational travel coach Jill Valentine to explore how travel, service, and self-discovery can become powerful catalysts for purpose-driven leadership. J…
- Coaching Skills Every Leader Needs (But Most Don’t Use)
Many leaders think they’re coaching their people — but more often than not, they’re giving advice, solving problems, or jumping in to fix things. While those intentions come from a good place, they can actually limit your team’s growth, cr…
- From Accidental to Intentional: Leading with Curiosity, Courage & Fun with Joel Hilchey
Have you ever wondered if you became a leader intentionally or if you stumbled into it one day and never looked back? What if leadership wasn’t about having all the answers, but about learning how to play again? In this episode of the Insp…
- Closing the Leadership Gap with Tanveer Naseer
What if the biggest gap in leadership isn’t about strategy, but about how leaders see themselves versus how their teams experience them? Even well-intentioned leaders can miss the mark when it comes to empathy, trust, and connection. In th…
- Burnout to Purpose: A New Way to Lead with Martina Kelades
Are you hiding behind perfectionism, afraid to show your true self? What would happen if you gave yourself permission to slow down, unplug, and embrace your authentic story? There’s a transformative power in vulnerability and self-compassi…
- The Courage to Accept Yourself
In this solo episode of Inspirational Leadership , I’m diving into one of the most powerful—and often most challenging—aspects of personal and professional growth: self-acceptance. We hear so much about building confidence, resilience, and…
- Modern HR: Where Humanity Meets High Performance with Joey Walters
What does it really mean to lead with heart? What does it take to lead with empathy, intention, and impact? Can HR drive business results and create deeply human workplaces? Modern HR is not about people programs; it's about strategic busi…
- The Quiet Discipline of Self-Leadership
In today’s solo episode, I’m diving into a foundational yet often overlooked concept: self-leadership - and more specifically, the quiet discipline it requires. This isn’t the leadership that shows up in boardrooms or performance reviews.…
- Workhuman 2025: AI Meets Human-Centered Leadership
Did you attend Workhuman Live 2025 ? The conference’s theme this year put the spotlight on the fusion of AI and human intelligence. At its core, the event highlighted how artificial intelligence can be a partner in enhancing human decision…
- Lead with Laughter: Why Humor Is a Leadership Superpower with Michael Kerr
Did you know that great leadership isn't about putting on a professional mask or striving for constant seriousness? Great leadership is about fostering a culture of psychological safety and belonging, not by being perfect, but by being hum…
- Networking with Impact: 7 Ways Leaders Can Build Real Relationships
As a leader, how intentional are you about the people you surround yourself with? What would it look like if networking felt less transactional - and more transformational? In this solo episode of The Inspirational Leadership Podcast , we’…
- Leading with Purpose: How to Align Personal and Organizational Impact with Kimberly Davis
What if the most powerful leadership tool wasn’t a strategy or skill—but the courage to show up as your true self, even when it scares you? Showing up as your true self in leadership is important while bravery and self-awareness enable lea…
- Mastering Self-Regulation: How to Respond Instead of React
Do you know what triggers you and how your body responds when dysregulated? How do you master the self-regulation skill? While you can’t control everything that happens to you, you can control how you respond—and that’s where growth and fr…
- Leading with Heart: How Emotional Intelligence Transforms Leadership with Angela Payne
What makes emotional intelligence in leaders so powerful? What would leadership look like if we all embraced emotional intelligence and authenticity as our guiding principles? Emotional intelligence is paramount in not only building authen…
- Meaningful Work and Inclusive Leadership with Justin Jones-Fosu
What does it mean to truly see people—not just acknowledge them, but deeply understand and value their perspectives? How can leaders create environments where diverse voices are not only heard but embraced? In this episode of the Inspirati…
- Conquering The Five Frustrations of Leadership with Corina Walsh
What steps can you take to create an environment where your team feels empowered and valued every day? Although today’s managers face a lot of frustrations in the workplace, there are actionable strategies you can take to strike the right…
- Make 2025 Your Best Year Ever!
Happy New Year! What are your fresh beginnings? How are you setting the pace for the year ahead? If you desire to transform your 2025 to be a great year, you must start it with intentionality and the right mindset. In this solo episode of…
- The Neuroscience of Mindfulness and Meditation with Dorsey Standish
How often do you pause to embrace the simple joys of the present moment? Could you integrate mindfulness into activities you already enjoy? Mindfulness is simply paying attention to the present moment with kindness and curiosity. In this e…
- Healing Toxic Work Cultures Through People-First Leadership with Hamza Khan
Can leadership, grounded in authenticity and care, replace fear with collaboration? Are we ready to rethink what a healthy workplace truly looks like? While traditional leadership focuses on competition, we need love and compassion to crea…
- Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time
What one thing can you do today to boost your energy? It doesn’t matter how perfectly you plan your schedule; if your energy is drained, everything feels like a mountain to climb. Managing energy is about cultivating habits that recharge a…
- Building Leadership Skills for Modern Workplaces with Jevon Wooden
Are you ready to lead with empathetic leadership, collaborate, and build a workplace community? Modern workplace leadership requires more than just technical expertise; it calls for emotional intelligence, trust-building, and encouraging o…
- Transforming Leadership and Fostering Collaborative Success with Glain Roberts-McCabe
How empowered is your team, and do they feel supported by you and each other as a collective? Leadership is evolving, so shifting from a heroic leadership mindset and fostering collective impact through peer-based support is important. To…
- Unlocking Unicorn Leadership for High-Performing Teams with Fahd Alhattab
What sets exceptional leaders apart in today’s fast-paced work environment? How do they inspire high-performing teams while balancing individual growth with collective success? Unicorn leaders are leaders who prioritize team success over i…
- Ensuring Every Voice is Heard and Valued in Your Workplace with Sara Dean
What steps can you take to ensure every voice is heard and valued in your workplace? Imagine walking into a room and knowing that no matter who you are, your ideas matter, your experiences are recognized, and your contributions are celebra…
- Embracing Personal Growth for Organizational Success with Ashley Sardjoe
How can your personal transformation serve as a catalyst for the overall organizational change? Continually challenging yourself and preparing for inevitable changes will help you embrace discomfort, build resilience, and foster a growth m…
- Finding Happiness Within Yourself
Do you often find yourself thinking, "I'll be happy when...?" What if you discovered that's a trap many of us fall into? Waiting for external achievements to bring happiness is a never-ending cycle leading to unhappiness. In this solo epis…
- Achieve Your Big Gorgeous Goals with Julie Ellis
Are you ready to achieve your ambitious goals and elevate your leadership skills? How do you pursue your big gorgeous goals confidently and clearly and approach life with intention and joy? Achieving personal and professional growth as a f…
- The 2024 Workhuman Conference Highlights: Insights, Inspiration & Impact
Did you attend the 2024 Workhuman Live conference? The conference was brimming with meaningful conversations and impactful sessions. It was also a whirlwind of insights, laughter, and profound moments. In this episode of the Inspirational…
- Empowering Workplace Diversity with Systemic Change – Viva Asmelash
How do you foster diversity and inclusion to drive positive organizational change? Imagine a workplace where every voice is celebrated, and everyone feels a sense of belonging. In an empowered workplace, everyone can take ownership of thei…
- How to Reach Your Full Potential and Uplevel Your Life
What are your important goals, and are you willing to take the time to achieve them? Reaching your full potential requires an investment, but most of us are stuck in an instant gratification mindset. The truth is, it is through the process…
- Healing Past Traumas for Better Leadership with Kelly L. Campbell
Are you aware that your leadership style is rooted in your past traumatic experiences? Many leaders are operating from a place of distracting themselves from experiencing the full spectrum of human emotions. But to become a more centered,…
- How To Ditch the Drama and Improve Productivity with Cy Wakeman
Are you ready to let go of the drama and restore sanity in the workplace? Drama in the workplace is a time and emotional waste, but with tools like self-reflection and accountability, it can be eliminated. In this episode of the Inspiratio…
- How To Build a Results-Only Work Environment with Julie Cole
How do you lead with empathy and build a team of people that align with your core values? When you support and add value to your team without micromanaging them, you enhance their efficiency and productivity, and they become your best bran…
- The Power of a Speak-Up Culture with Stephen Shedletzky
Have you established a speak-up culture as a leader in your organization? For teams and organizations to thrive, it’s crucial to create a speak-up culture where everyone feels psychologically safe to share their ideas, concerns, feedback,…
- Less Doing, More Being: Making Space for What Matters Most
Is your never-ending busyness a way to avoid reflecting and hearing answers to your big questions? Slowing down forces you to get clarity on whether the choices you’re making are aligned with what you say is important to you. In this episo…
- How to Increase Efficiency and Achieve High Performance in Teams with Liane Davey
What are some of the things you can do as a leader to make your teams more effective? The major reasons why teams fail to be high-performing are alignment-related and dynamic-related issues. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership…
- Adopting a Growth Mindset
Are you in a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? A fixed mindset is when you have scarcity thinking, while a growth mindset is thinking from a place of possibilities. You can shift from a fixed mindset at any point; it’s just a matter of ch…
- The Power of Knowing and Owning Who You Are with Paru Radia
Do you know who you truly are deep inside? Knowing who you are deep inside and your experiences will guide you to your why, and it will stop you from settling with what you think your why is or what other people tempt you to think it is. I…
- Setting Healthy Boundaries
How strong are your boundaries at work and in your personal life? Setting healthy boundaries is something most people struggle with due to self-limiting beliefs and patterns you can unlearn. To reap the fruits of setting healthy boundaries…
- How To Navigate Good Awkward to Grow Purposefully with Henna Pryor
When you feel awkward, do you allow it to keep you stuck or to grow? The difference between good and bad awkward is that good awkward allows you to grow when experiencing uncertainty. To start navigating the good awkward, it’s important to…
- Roadmap to Trauma-Informed Leadership with Carolyn Swora
Do you utilize your head, heart, and body as centers of intelligence when showing up as a leader? How do you allow people to show up? Do you create safe spaces where people can evolve despite their traumas? In this episode of the Inspirati…
- Why I Stopped Drinking Alcohol
It’s been over two years now since I stopped drinking alcohol, and I’m loving it and don’t miss it at all! Are you, like me, curious about your relationship with alcohol, or are you recognizing how your unconscious choices are stopping you…
- How To Build Relationships with Compassionate Accountability - Marc Lesser
What steps are you taking to build your emotional intelligence and mindfulness as a leader? An inspirational and mindful leader is aware of their own feelings and their teams’ feelings and how they impact their effectiveness. To become thi…
- Workhuman: A Transformative HR Conference
Did you attend this year’s Workhuman conference ? If yes, what was your experience, and what were your major takeaways? With many speakers and topics ranging from DEIB to pivoting to workplace relationships, Workhuman Live was inspiring, t…
- The Critical Role of Conscious Leadership
Who do you want to be as a leader, and how do you want to engage with your team? Conscious leadership is about recognizing your below-the-line thinking and habits and creating new habits that allow you to lead from above-the-line and teach…