Leadership From The Heart | Transformational Leadership Insights

Hosted by Romie Montpeiorus | Leadership Development Expert

Business Management Education

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

About the show

Welcome to Leadership From The Heart, your go-to podcast for leadership, personal growth, and leadership development. Host Romie Montpeiorus explores authentic leadership principles and transformational leadership strategies that foster genuine connection and operational excellence. Each episode features expert interviews and practical insights on topics like manager vs leader, leadership mindset, and executive coaching. Whether you're aiming to elevate your leadership skills or embark on a path of personal growth, this podcast offers actionable guidance to unlock your potential. Join us and transform your leadership journey today. Welcome to Leadership from the Heart . Website Contact

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 23, 2026Episode 6636 min

The Asset Gap | Transformational Leadership Meets Benefits Strategy

Leaders say people are their greatest asset. But do their wellness programs, benefits choices, workplace culture, and retention strategies actually prove it? In this episode of Leadership From The Heart , host Romie Montpeirous sits down with Dan Cosgrove of Better Benefits USA to explore how transformational leadership shows up through authentic employee engagement, employee wellness, benefits strategy, and real business outcomes—not just HR talk. As healthcare costs continue to challenge employers and employees, Dan makes the case that employee benefits are a leadership and business strategy , not simply an HR responsibility. Together, Romie and Dan unpack what it means to create a workplace where employee well-being and high performance can coexist —and why taking better care of your people may also create better outcomes for the business. In This Episode: Why employee wellness belongs in the business strategy How transformational leadership moves beyond saying “people are our greatest asset” The connection between employee engagement, employee retention, workplace culture, and business performance Why CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and senior leaders should understand their employee benefits strategy How rising healthcare costs impact employers and employees Why organizations should audit the benefits employees actually use Preventative care and alternative approaches to workplace wellness Why fear of change keeps leaders attached to outdated systems How flexibility, remote work, autonomy, and trust influence the employee experience Why high-performing teams should focus on results—not simply hours worked The role of emotional intelligence in hiring and company culture Why blanket workplace policies can undermine trust How job candidates can evaluate whether a company genuinely cares about its employees What the future of employee benefits and workplace wellness could look like The Leadership Question If people really are your greatest asset, where does caring for them rank among your actual business priorities? Not your mission statement. Not your careers page. Your decisions. Connect With Dan Cosgrove Dan Cosgrove is the founder of Better Benefits USA , a nonprofit focused on helping organizations rethink employee benefits and healthcare costs. Better Benefits USA: https://betterbenefitsusa.org LinkedIn: Search Dan Cosgrove — look for the family emoji in his name. Continue Your Leadership Development 1:1 Mentorship Strengthen your leadership identity, executive presence, strategic thinking, communication, emotional intelligence, and ability to operate at the next level. https://client.leadershipfromtheheart.co/In-Take Join The Leadership Circle A leadership community for deeper conversations, practical development, connection, and continued growth. https://www.skool.com/the-leadership-circle-7912/about Leadership From The Heart Website: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co Email: info@leadershipfromtheheart.co

August 26, 2026Episode 6621 min

Stop Interviewing Like You're Trying to Get Picked | Executive Interview Tips

If you're an accomplished leader who suddenly starts questioning yourself the moment you walk into an interview, this episode is for you. You've led teams, solved difficult business problems, navigated conflict, developed people, delivered results, and made high-stakes decisions. But then someone asks, "Tell me about yourself," and suddenly you're searching for the "right" answer. That's where strong leaders can lose their executive presence . In this episode of Leadership From The Heart , Romie Montpeirous explores executive interview preparation, leadership interview tips, behavioral interview questions, interview confidence, executive presence, and the leadership mindset required to interview at the Director, VP, and executive level. Because a senior leadership interview isn't about performing well enough to get picked. It's about clearly communicating how you think, how you lead, what you've accomplished, and what happens when responsibility is placed in your hands. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why accomplished leaders sometimes become "applicants" during high-stakes interviews How your leadership mindset affects interview performance Why answering the actual question is one of the most important executive interview skills How to prepare for behavioral interview questions without memorizing scripted answers Why 5–7 strong leadership stories are more valuable than preparing 50 interview answers How to use the STAR interview method without sounding rehearsed How to communicate decision-making, emotional intelligence, leadership philosophy, and strategic thinking How to identify the business problem behind a Director, VP, or executive position What interviewers are really evaluating with leadership interview questions How to manage interview anxiety and use silence confidently How executive presence changes the way you answer difficult questions Why senior leaders should interview the company back Questions to ask during a senior leadership interview How to evaluate culture, expectations, decision-making authority, and team health Ready to Take Your Leadership Further? 1:1 Mentorship Strengthen your leadership identity, executive presence, strategic thinking, communication, confidence, and ability to operate at the next level. Apply: https://client.leadershipfromtheheart.co/In-Take Join The Leadership Circle A community for leaders committed to growing, connecting, and becoming better leaders without losing themselves in the process. Join: https://www.skool.com/the-leadership-circle-7912/about Leadership From The Heart Website: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co Email: info@leadershipfromtheheart.co

August 12, 2026Episode 6535 min

Resilience Without the Rebound | Leadership Mindset Shift

Most leaders are trapped in a "bounce back" cycle—recovering, resetting, repeating. But real resilience isn't about bouncing back to where you were. It's about moving forward as a leader. In this episode, Romie unpacks how nervous system awareness and authentic leadership mindset shift transform resilience from a survival skill into a transformational growth practice. Discover the difference between reactive recovery and intentional evolution. In this episode of Leadership From The Heart, Romie sits down with leadership coach and resilience expert Russell Harvey to challenge one of the biggest misconceptions in leadership today. With over 20 years of experience and more than 6,000 hours coaching executives and board-level leaders, Russell shares why resilient leadership isn't about pushing harder—it's about learning, adapting, and leading with greater awareness. Together, they explore how resilience shapes executive presence, organizational culture, emotional intelligence, and our ability to navigate uncertainty without losing ourselves. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by change, struggled to lead through pressure, or wondered how great leaders remain grounded during chaos, this conversation is for you. In This Episode: Why resilience is about moving forward—not bouncing back The difference between endurance and true resilience How self-awareness creates stronger leaders Why pressure reveals who we already are The relationship between resilience and executive presence Building resilient teams instead of simply managing change Why curiosity is one of the most overlooked leadership skills Emotional resilience vs. mental resilience Creating organizations that are well—not simply offering wellness programs The role leaders play in building resilient cultures Memorable Quote "Resilience isn't about bouncing back. It's about springing forward with learning." — Russell Harvey About Russell Harvey Russell Harvey, known as The Resilience Coach , has spent more than two decades helping organizations develop resilient leaders, healthier cultures, and stronger teams. Through executive coaching, leadership development, and organizational consulting, Russell helps leaders navigate uncertainty while creating workplaces that become a force for good. 🌐 Website: https://www.theresiliencecoach.co.uk Connect with Russell: • LinkedIn • The Resilience Coach Leadership From The Heart 🌐 Website Join The Leadership Circle (Now Open!) Join today: The Leadership Circle New Leader Mentorship https://www.leadershipfromtheheart.co/services 📧 Questions? info@leadershipfromtheheart.co

July 1, 2026Episode 6520 min

Leading with Fear | The Hidden Leadership Blocks

Fear isn’t the problem. It’s the messenger. In this episode of Leadership From The Heart, Romie continues the conversation on leadership identity by exploring how fear quietly shapes the way we lead. From people-pleasing and perfectionism to avoiding difficult conversations and constantly seeking approval, many leadership behaviors aren’t character flaws—they’re protection patterns. If you’ve ever wondered why you know what to do but still struggle to do it, this episode will help you uncover what’s happening beneath the surface. Rather than focusing on new leadership techniques, Romie challenges listeners to examine the unconscious fears driving their decisions and discover how transformational leadership begins with honest self-awareness. In This Episode: Why fear often disguises itself as leadership behaviors The connection between people-pleasing and fear of disappointing others Perfectionism versus true excellence How fear impacts executive presence and decision-making Why difficult conversations are opportunities for growth The difference between protecting yourself and serving others Leadership patterns that quietly limit your impact Building courage through self-awareness instead of confidence Why transformational leadership starts with letting go—not adding more Key Takeaway Leadership doesn’t become transformational because you know more. It becomes transformational when you understand what’s driving your behavior. Fear often reveals where you’ve lost alignment with your values, your purpose, and your authentic leadership. The goal isn’t to eliminate fear. The goal is to become aware enough that fear no longer gets to make your decisions. Because courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s choosing alignment anyway. Connect with Leadership From The Heart Website: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co Email: info@leadershipfromtheheart.co Join The Leadership Circle Waitlist Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely. Join a growing community of leaders committed to emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, authentic leadership, and personal growth. Get early access to exclusive trainings, live workshops, leadership conversations, and mentorship opportunities. New Leader Mentorship Program Ready to lead with greater confidence, influence, and clarity? The New Leader Mentorship Program helps emerging and experienced leaders: • Build executive presence • Lead difficult conversations with confidence • Develop emotional intelligence • Strengthen trust and accountability • Think strategically at the next level • Lead from authenticity instead of fear Learn more at: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co

June 24, 2026Episode 6417 min

Unpack Your Baggage | Transformational Leadership Starts Within

What if leadership isn't as hard as it feels? What if the real challenge isn't a lack of skill, strategy, or experience—but the baggage you're carrying? In this episode of Leadership From The Heart, Romie explores one of the most overlooked aspects of leadership development: the unresolved fears, limiting beliefs, protection patterns, and identity stories that quietly shape how leaders show up every day. While most leadership training teaches communication, delegation, accountability, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking, many leadership struggles have little to do with knowledge—and everything to do with what sits beneath the surface. Why do some leaders struggle to trust? Why does feedback feel personal? Why do difficult conversations get avoided? Why does micromanagement show up even when leaders know better? The answer may not be a leadership skill gap. It may be a baggage problem. In This Episode: Why transformational leadership starts with self-awareness How old stories influence present-day leadership behavior The hidden connection between fear and control Leadership identity and protection patterns Why leaders avoid difficult conversations The psychology behind trust, delegation, and feedback Comparison, competition, and contribution in leadership How emotional intelligence creates better relationships The role of awareness in leadership growth Why unlearning is often more important than learning Connect with Leadership From The Heart 🌐 Website: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co 📧 Email: info@leadershipfromtheheart.co Join The Leadership Circle Waitlist Leadership doesn't have to be lonely. Join a community of leaders committed to growth, self-awareness, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and authentic leadership. Get early access to trainings, workshops, leadership conversations, challenges, and mentorship opportunities. New Leader Mentorship Program Whether you're a new supervisor, manager, or emerging leader, the New Leader Mentorship Program helps you: • Build confidence and influence • Lead difficult conversations • Strengthen executive presence • Develop emotional intelligence • Build trust and accountability • Operate one level above your title Learn more at: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co

June 17, 2026Episode 6312 min

Working Together | Leadership Conversation on Gender & Power

What if the biggest challenge in workplace collaboration isn't men or women? What if it's the stories we carry about each other? In this episode of Leadership From The Heart, Romie explores how unconscious beliefs about gender, communication, power, and past experiences shape the way we show up at work. Through the lens of emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and relational intelligence, she challenges leaders to move beyond assumptions and toward understanding. This isn't a conversation about men versus women. It's a conversation about awareness. Because the strongest teams aren't made up of people who think alike. They're made up of people who trust each other enough to think differently. In This Episode: Why workplace conflict is often caused by interpretation, not intention The hidden stories and assumptions we bring into leadership How confirmation bias impacts workplace relationships Why men and women often misunderstand each other's communication styles The role of emotional intelligence in cross-gender collaboration Directness, care, and leadership communication Relational Intelligence and its impact on team performance Building psychological safety without sacrificing accountability How trust creates innovation, contribution, and stronger outcomes Why conscious leadership is the future of work Key Takeaway The future of leadership is not men versus women. It's conscious people learning how to work together. When we become aware of the stories we carry, the assumptions we make, and the fears we project, we create stronger teams, better conversations, and healthier workplaces. Because leadership happens in relationships. And the quality of our leadership is often limited by the quality of our relationships. Connect with Leadership From The Heart 🌐 Website: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co 📧 Email: info@leadershipfromtheheart.co Join The Leadership Circle Waitlist Leadership doesn't have to be lonely. Join a community of leaders committed to growth, self-awareness, strategic thinking, and authentic leadership. Get early access to trainings, conversations, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. New Leader Mentorship Program Whether you're a new supervisor, manager, or emerging leader, the New Leader Mentorship Program helps you: • Build confidence and influence • Lead difficult conversations • Develop emotional intelligence • Strengthen executive presence • Build trust and accountability • Operate one level above your title Learn more at: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co

June 11, 2026Episode 6219 min

Managing vs Leading | Why Leadership Development Stalls

Most people believe leadership begins when they receive the title. It doesn't. Leadership begins when you become the kind of person leadership requires. In this episode of Leadership From The Heart, Romie explores one of the biggest gaps in modern organizations: the difference between managing and leading. Many high performers get promoted because they're great at execution. They can hit goals, manage projects, and drive results. But operational excellence alone doesn't automatically create leadership maturity. Leadership requires something deeper. It requires emotional regulation, self-awareness, uncertainty tolerance, trust, and the ability to develop people instead of creating dependency. Romie breaks down why so many leaders get stuck in management mode, how the nervous system influences leadership behavior, and the identity shifts required to move from controlling outcomes to building capability. In This Episode: • Why leadership is an identity shift, not a promotion • The difference between authority and influence • Why management feels safer than leadership • Control vs trust in leadership • The role of emotional intelligence in leadership growth • How nervous system patterns impact decision-making • Relational Intelligence and psychological safety • Why great leaders build people, not dependency • Moving from hero to builder leadership • Creating trust during uncertainty Key Takeaway Management asks: "How do I get this done?" Leadership asks: "How do I develop someone who can do this without me?" The future belongs to leaders who can create clarity during uncertainty, build trust instead of control, and develop people who can thrive without constant oversight. Because leadership isn't about getting promoted. It's about becoming. Connect with Leadership From The Heart 🌐 Website: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co 📧 Email: info@leadershipfromtheheart.co Join The Leadership Circle Waitlist Leadership can be lonely. The Leadership Circle is a community for leaders who want mentorship, growth, real conversations, practical tools, and support from people who understand the journey. Join the waitlist and be the first to know when doors open. New Leader Mentorship Program The New Leader Mentorship Program helps supervisors, managers, and emerging leaders navigate the transition into leadership with confidence. Learn how to: • Build trust • Lead difficult conversations • Increase influence • Think strategically • Develop executive presence • Operate one level above your title Learn More: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co

June 3, 2026Episode 6158 min

Identity at Work | Authenticity in Leadership Development

The Identity Split: Can You Be Yourself at Work Without Sacrificing Executive Presence? Can you be your authentic self at work without sacrificing executive presence? In this episode of Leadership From The Heart, Romie welcomes back Kat and Rich for a grounded, honest conversation about the identity split leaders experience in the workplace —the tension between who we are professionally and who we are privately. Together, they unpack what happens when ambition is driven by fear versus truth , why so many professionals feel disconnected at work, and how leadership development often requires more inner work than we realize. This episode explores: ✔️ Professionalism vs suppression — are we being strategic or hiding ourselves? ✔️ Executive presence and authentic leadership ✔️ Fear-based ambition vs truth-based ambition ✔️ Imposter syndrome and leadership identity ✔️ The pressure leaders feel in higher-level rooms ✔️ Workplace culture, trust, and emotional intelligence ✔️ Why leaders often feel disconnected from themselves ✔️ How healing, self-awareness, and accountability impact leadership performance ✔️ The future of leadership in an AI-driven world ✔️ Why humanity, standards, and strategy must coexist Romie, Kat, and Rich also explore a powerful question: What happens when the leader is disconnected from themselves? Because when leadership disconnects, culture often follows. The conversation dives into psychological safety, emotional maturity, leadership accountability, and why the strongest leaders aren’t the ones pretending to have all the answers—but the ones willing to be human while holding standards. Key Takeaways From This Episode: • The hidden cost of splitting your identity at work • Why many leaders mistake suppression for professionalism • How executive presence does NOT require becoming someone else • The difference between fear-driven ambition and truth-driven ambition • Why high performers often need support, not pressure • The role nervous system regulation and self-awareness play in leadership • Why connection may become the competitive advantage of future leadership A powerful reminder from this episode: You do not have to lose yourself to lead. The future of leadership may belong to the people willing to integrate strategy, humanity, standards, accountability, and authenticity. Connect With Our Guests Kat Ladcani Mindset coach helping women reconnect with their inner voice, self-trust, and joy through breathwork, stillness, and healing practices. Instagram: @katladcani LinkedIn: Kat Ladcani Rich (Richard) Corporate leader, creative thinker, and passionate advocate for authentic conversations around leadership, ambition, identity, and workplace growth. @ode Leadership From The Heart Resources 🌐 Website: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co 💛 Join The Leadership Circle Community Waitlist 🚀 Next Level Leader Mentorship Interested? Reach out directly. 📩 Email: info@leadershipfromtheheart.co 🎙️ Subscribe to Leadership From The Heart for weekly conversations around leadership, emotional intelligence, workplace culture, growth, strategy, and bringing more humanity back into leadership.

May 27, 2026Episode 6030 min

The Future of Leadership | Strategy, Soul & Executive Presence

The Leader Behind the Leader: Why Leadership Development Starts Within In a world obsessed with AI, automation, and skills-based hiring, true leadership development starts from within. In this solo episode of Leadership From The Heart , Romie explores the soul-centered strategy that separates transformational leaders from the rest—and why the most powerful leadership moves happen when you understand the leader behind the leader . Because here’s the truth: Most leadership problems are not leadership problems. They’re human problems showing up at work. Micromanagement. Avoidance. Emotional reactivity. Politics. Burnout. Poor communication. What if these aren’t failures of leadership skill… but symptoms of deeper internal patterns? After nearly 20 years in operations leadership, Romie challenges conventional executive coaching models and breaks down why strategy, execution, communication, and confidence alone are no longer enough. Because authentic, heart-centered leadership demands something deeper: Self-awareness. Emotional maturity. Identity work. Strategic thinking. Accountability. Humanity. Leadership doesn’t just reveal skill. Leadership amplifies who you already are. And in a future increasingly shaped by AI and automation, the human side of leadership becomes even more important—not less. In This Episode: Why leadership problems are often human problems in disguise The hidden emotional patterns affecting performance and culture Why executive coaching sometimes misses the mark by focusing only on external performance The connection between burnout, identity, fear, politics, avoidance, and emotional regulation Why AI makes human-centered leadership more valuable than ever How to become a transformational leader through inner work + strategy What it means to understand the leader behind the leader Why standards, accountability, compassion, and emotional intelligence can coexist Powerful Reflection Questions: Ask yourself: What part of me is currently leading? fear? scarcity? ego? clarity? And: Am I solving symptoms… or the root cause? 🌐 Connect with Romie Website: Leadership From The Heart Join The Leadership Circle Waitlist A leadership community for growth-minded leaders focused on emotional intelligence, strategy, courage, healing, accountability, and real leadership conversations. New Leader Mentorship / Next Level Leader Mentorship For leaders ready to operate at the next level through strategy, identity work, emotional maturity, executive thinking, and heart-centered leadership. 📩 Email: info@leadershipfromtheheart.co

May 20, 2026Episode 5929 min

Your Nervous System Is Affecting Your Leadership Development

In this episode of the Leadership From The Heart podcast, Romie explores the connection between leadership, nervous system regulation, emotional intelligence, relational intelligence, and executive performance. Many overwhelmed leaders and high performers believe their leadership challenges come from strategy, execution, or communication — when in reality, they are operating from stress, anxiety, emotional reactivity, and survival mode. This episode breaks down: nervous system regulation in leadership reactive vs regulated leadership vagal authority and calm executive presence relational intelligence in teams emotional contagion in workplace culture psychological safety leadership anxiety and micromanagement executive decision-making under pressure self-awareness and emotional regulation strategic thinking and identity work Romie discusses why leaders: overwork micromanage hesitate emotionally overreact avoid difficult decisions struggle with trust and delegation This episode is for leaders, executives, managers, entrepreneurs, and high performers who want to develop emotional intelligence, executive presence, self-trust, and sustainable leadership without losing themselves in the process. 🌐 Connect With Me: Website: www.leadershipfromtheheart.co Join The Waitlist! The Leadership Circle (Community): A space for leaders who want real growth, real conversations, and real support. Founding members get early access and exclusive opportunities. 1:1 New Leader Mentorship: Designed for leaders stepping into their next level— from supervisor to executive—who want clarity, confidence, and real leadership capability (not just a title). Email: 📩 info@leadershipfromtheheart.co