The Hidden Work of Leadership

Are you listening? If not, there may be more at stake than you realize. For Rhonda Butler—professor, executive leadership coach, and director of Women's L.I.F.T. Fellowship—failing to listen can do real harm, leading to an erosion of trust, silencing other voices, and tarnishing reputations. However, when leaders do listen (and apologize when they fall short), trust is strengthened and wisdom flou...

In the world of mental health care, wellness is often reduced to a lowering of symptoms. While fewer symptoms are vital to health and healing, it doesn't always lead to a thriving life. So then, how does one view mental health through a wider lens—the lens of flourishing? In this episode of The Hidden Work of Leadership , Michaela O'Donnell talks with Mark Eastburg, president and CEO of Pine Rest...

Take a moment and think of some of the best wisdom or advice you've heard from the top businesspeople. What did you hear? Chances are you didn't hear things like, "Discussing failure is outdated." Or "I have never practiced being a leader." And you certainly didn't hear, "The world does not need better leaders." That is, unless you're getting advice from Daniel Fong.   In this episode of The Hidde...

Agency is a word we hear a lot these days. But what does it mean to live, work, and lead out of it? Particularly, what does it mean to act with agency in moments of crisis? For wellness coach and management consultant Gustavo Santos, the wisdom of recovering our agency begins with paying attention to our bodies and ends in freedom. In this episode of The Hidden Work of Leadership , Michaela and Gu...

So much of life seems to be uncharted. From the rise of AI and its still unknown impact on work to global crises that stir anxiety, to the shifting seasons in our personal lives involving family, relationships, and health. With each new challenge comes another decision to make—and most aren't easy. So, what do you do when you don't know what to do? It takes courage and vulnerability—especially as...

In a time of increased isolation, finding ourselves within a community feels more important than ever. We ache for wisdom—wisdom that is embodied and drawn from shared experiences. But what happens when entire histories of generational traumas are erased, leaving us without the wisdom that comes from it? Or when we cling to the "lone warrior" myth, only to find it unsustainable for leadership and...

Too often, we assume our desires are bad or sinful—something to suppress or eliminate. But what if our desires were actually a pathway into knowing more deeply who God created us to be and our unique purpose in the world?   In this episode of The Hidden Work of Leadership, Michaela O'Donnell is joined by Tracey Gee, author of The Magic of Knowing What You Want: A Practical Guide to Unearthing the...

If the old adage is true that wisdom is "caught, not taught," how do we live and lead wisely amid deepening social fractures and growing isolation? In this conversation, Uli Chi, author of The Wise Leader , joins Michaela O'Donnell to help us understand what it means to lead wisely in a complex world—and the importance of not doing it alone. In this episode, they discuss, the mysterious nature of...

Season 1 has been a blast! We have loved having Lisa be our co-host and interviewing business leaders, authors, and therapists about how they were formed as leaders in the midst of disruption. In this final episode for the season, Lisa flips the script and puts Michaela in the interview seat. They talk about How learning to be present to her kids has helped Michaela be present as a leader; The ada...

On this episode, Michaela and Lisa welcome Tod Bolsinger. Tod is the Senior Congregational Strategist for the Church Leadership Institute, Affiliate Professor of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary, and co-owner and principal of AE Sloan Leadership. He has written nine books, speaks all over the world, and worked with organizations like Baylor University, World Vision, InterVarsity...

In this episode, Michaela and Lisa speak with Steve Sawyer. Steve's story is an example of The uncommon posture of knowing yourself deeply and working out of that knowledge; Staying in your headlights as a leader; Building a culture of trust, stewardship, and mentorship. Steve recently retired after 40+ years of working at Woodruff-Sawyer & Co., one of the largest independent insurance brokerage f...

It is a rare experience to feel fully known, especially for leaders. But what if the version of us that others expect us to be doesn't line up with what feels most authentic? In this episode, Michaela and Lisa welcome Dr. Jessica ChenFeng. Dr. ChenFeng is Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Theological Seminary. She is known in the field of marriage and family therapy for...

On this episode of The Hidden Work of Leadership, Michaela and Lisa welcome Jasmine Bellamy. Jasmine describes herself as a love scholar-practitioner who is a catalyst for business and culture transformation. She is the founder and spiritual director of Love 101 Ministries and is the host of the The Call to Love Experience podcast. Jasmine is also the former Vice President of Merchandising, Planni...

On this episode of the podcast, Michaela welcomes Lisa Pratt Slayton, Founding Partner and CEO of Tamim Partners, LLC and co-author of their new book Life in Flux . Lisa unpacks lessons she's learned the hard way that have shaped her into the leader she is today. Leadership lessons like   The cost of overextending ourselves to please others; Defining ourselves to a system; and How she's used the E...

Welcome to the first episode of The Hidden Work of Leadership podcast! In this episode, host Michaela O'Donnell talks about   How frequently we're headed into, in the middle of, or emerging from life transitions; The need for new leadership skills to navigate these life transitions; and How one of the traits of a great leader can help us find our way forward. Michaela O'Donnell is the Executive Di...