The Kind Leader

Gino Degregori

Navigating Business with Empathy! This podcast is to inspire and equip current and aspiring business leaders to incorporate kindness and empathy into their leadership styles. By presenting real-world examples, interviews with thought leaders, and actionable strategies, the podcast aims to shift the paradigm of leadership from merely transactional to more compassionate and ethical, but most importantly transformational. We want to also serve as a platform to encourage strong, kind leadership that not only enhances corporate performance but also makes a generational impact by transforming organizational cultures for the better. The target audience includes corporate executives, managers, small business owners, and tech leaders who are interested in nurturing more humane, sustainable work environments while driving business success.

  1. 5d ago

    The CARES Framework: Clarity | Understand Yourself Before You Lead Others

    For years, Gino Degregori tried to become the leader he thought everyone else needed. The confident CEO. The person with every answer. The leader involved in every decision. But the harder he tried to become that person, the further he moved from the leader he actually was. After 18 years of building Bravo, Gino began to understand that leadership clarity does not start with strategy, vision, or a title. It starts with knowing yourself. In this first deep dive into the CARES Framework, Gino explores Clarity, the C in CARES, and why understanding your strengths, limitations, and natural leadership style must come before leading anyone else. He shares his evolution from a behind-the-scenes developer to CEO, the imposter syndrome that followed him along the way, and the assessment that finally gave him language for the leader he had been trying to understand. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why trying to become the "ideal leader" can pull you away from yourself • How clarity helps disrupt imposter syndrome • What Gino learned about his strengths and blind spots • Why leaders do not need to have every answer • How focusing on your strengths can create more value than fixing every weakness • Why letting go may be the thing your team needs most • Three questions that reveal how others experience your leadership • How self-awareness helps you lead more authentically at work and at home This conversation goes far beyond personality assessments or leadership styles. It is about letting go of who you think you are supposed to be, and gaining the clarity to become who you are meant to be. Because before you can lead others with confidence, you have to understand the person doing the leading.   Resources Mentioned • The CARES Framework Toolkit: Explore all five elements of the CARES Framework and download the toolkit: https://www.thekindleaderpodcast.com/cares-framework/ • The Kind Leader Newsletter: Subscribe for new episodes, leadership insights, and practical resources: https://www.thekindleaderpodcast.com/ • Predictive Index Behavioral Assessment: A behavioral assessment designed to help individuals understand their natural strengths, working style, and potential blind spots. https://www.predictiveindex.com/assessments/behavioral-assessment/ • Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: A personality assessment that can provide additional language for understanding how you process information, make decisions, and interact with others. https://www.themyersbriggs.com/en-us/explore-solutions/mbti   Connect with The Kind Leader Podcast: Website: TheKindLeaderPodcast.com YouTube: Kind Leader Podcast Apple Podcasts: The Kind Leader Spotify: The Kind Leader Email: thekindleader@bravocg.com

    The CARES Framework: Clarity | Understand Yourself Before You Lead Others
  2. Jul 22

    The Kind Leader Rewind | After 17 Bosses, Someone Finally Listened.

    "You are my seventeenth boss." "Why should I care?" Those seven words became one of the most unforgettable leadership moments in the history of The Kind Leader Podcast. In this first Kind Leader Rewind, Gino Degregori revisits a powerful conversation with cybersecurity leader Haj Ramos, CIO and SVP at Ginnie Mae, and reflects on the story that helped shape the CARES Framework. After leading through more than three decades in cybersecurity, Haj discovered that transforming a team doesn't always start with strategy. Sometimes it starts with listening. Together, you'll revisit: Why great leaders lead by example, empathy, and empowerment The story of the employee who had stopped believing in leaders How one conversation completely changed a person's career Why people don't need another boss, they need someone who genuinely cares The connection between listening and psychological safety How creating trust unlocks hidden potential Why feeling seen changes the way people lead and contribute How this story inspired part of the CARES Framework This conversation goes far beyond revisiting a past episode. It's about remembering that leadership isn't measured by how many people report to you. It's measured by how many people feel heard because of you. Because sometimes the most powerful thing a leader can do… …is simply listen.   Resources Mentioned: Original Episode: Episode 74 — Kind Leadership Under Pressure: Russell "Haj" Ramos on Trust, Security & Human-Centered Technology The CARES Framework Toolkit: Explore the five traits at the heart of kind leadership and download the toolkit: ⁠thekindleaderpodcast.com/cares-framework The Kind Leader Newsletter: Get leadership insights, new episodes, and resources delivered to your inbox: thekindleaderpodcast.com   Connect with The Kind Leader Podcast: Website: TheKindLeaderPodcast.com YouTube: Kind Leader Podcast Apple Podcasts: The Kind Leader Spotify: The Kind Leader Email: thekindleader@bravocg.com

    The Kind Leader Rewind | After 17 Bosses, Someone Finally Listened.
  3. Jul 8

    Why Great Leaders Make People Stay

    In a world where changing jobs every few years has become the norm, Michael Roop made a different choice. He stayed. For more than 22 years. Not because change wasn't possible. But because every great leader he followed gave him another reason to stay. In this special 100th episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, Gino Degregori sits down with Michael Roop, Managing Director at Accenture Federal Services, to explore why people don't stay because of policies, perks, or paychecks. They stay because someone keeps investing in them. Together, Gino and Mike explore: • Why psychological safety builds lasting teams • How consistency creates trust during uncertainty • Why people follow leaders, not companies • The role mentors play in long-term career growth • How great leaders respond when everything changes • Why strong relationships outperform constant job-hopping • How intentional culture shapes retention • Why leaders must be kind to themselves before leading others well This conversation goes far beyond career longevity. It's about understanding why some leaders inspire people to stay, grow, and give their best year after year. Because great leaders don't just build successful teams. They build places people never want to leave.     Connect with Michael Roop LinkedIn: Michael Roop Connect with The Kind Leader Podcast: Website: TheKindLeaderPodcast.com YouTube: Kind Leader Podcast Apple Podcasts: The Kind Leader Spotify: The Kind Leader Email: thekindleader@bravocg.com

    Why Great Leaders Make People Stay
  4. Jul 1

    The Hidden Cost Of Employees Feeling Unseen

    60% of employees feel unnoticed by their manager. Most leaders think that's an engagement problem. Sally Mildren believes it's a biological one. In this powerful episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, Gino Degregori sits down with marketing strategist, leadership educator, and author Sally Mildren to explore why feeling seen isn't just good leadership, it's a fundamental human need. Drawing from neuroscience, healthcare leadership, and decades of executive experience, Sally explains why our brains are wired for connection, how loneliness quietly impacts performance, and why leaders who create psychological safety unlock stronger, healthier teams. Together, Gino and Sally explore: Why feeling unseen activates the brain's threat response How human connection improves trust, collaboration, and performance Why clarity is one of the greatest acts of kindness a leader can offer The critical role middle managers play in shaping culture Why psychological safety drives better leadership How curiosity helps leaders uncover what motivates people Why communication matters more than generational differences The biological reason employees need to feel seen and valued This conversation goes far beyond employee engagement. It's about understanding that people don't thrive because they're managed. They thrive because they feel seen. Because connection isn't a leadership luxury. It's part of how we're wired.   Connect with Sally Mildren: LinkedIn: Sally Mildren Common Well Marketing: commonwellmarketing.com The Leadership Cafe: theleadershipcafe.com   Resources Mentioned: Leading Real People: A Guide to Human-Centric Leadership for Today's New and Middle Managers by Sally Mildren Work and Love  by Marcus Buckingham   Connect with The Kind Leader Podcast: Website: TheKindLeaderPodcast.com YouTube: Kind Leader Podcast Apple Podcasts: The Kind Leader Spotify: The Kind Leader Email: thekindleader@bravocg.com

    The Hidden Cost Of Employees Feeling Unseen
  5. Jun 17

    The Hidden Cost Of Being The Nice Leader

    Everyone wants to work with the nice leader. The patient one. The supportive one. The one who always says yes. But what if being nice is quietly holding you back? In this episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, Gino Degregori sits down with technology executive and longtime colleague Eric Schrier to explore a challenge many leaders face but rarely talk about: The tension between being nice and being kind. After more than 30 years leading teams across industries and cultures, Eric has learned that constantly saying yes, avoiding disappointment, and carrying more than your share may feel helpful in the moment. But over time, it can leave leaders overwhelmed, overstretched, and unable to create the impact they want. Together, Gino and Eric explore: The difference between kindness and niceness Why some leaders struggle to say no The hidden cost of always being the reliable one How self-reflection improves leadership How leaders become overstretched without realizing it Why being kind to yourself is just as important as being kind to others This conversation goes far beyond leadership styles. It's about the tension between keeping the peace and telling the truth. Because niceness keeps the peace. But kindness keeps the truth.   Connect with Eric Schrier: LinkedIn: Eric Schrier Email: eschrier@bravocg.com Connect with The Kind Leader Podcast: Website: TheKindLeaderPodcast.com YouTube: Kind Leader Podcast Apple Podcasts: The Kind Leader Spotify: The Kind Leader Email: thekindleader@bravocg.com

    The Hidden Cost Of Being The Nice Leader
  6. Jun 10

    The Traits That Make You Successful May Be Burning You Out

    What if the traits that helped you succeed are the same traits quietly pushing you toward burnout? In this powerful episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, Gino Degregori sits down with executive coach, author, and founder of Gem Consulting Solutions, Julien Godbarge, to explore why some of our greatest strengths can become our most dangerous blind spots. After experiencing a full burnout while leading as a CEO, Julien discovered something many leaders never see coming: The habits that fuel success often disguise themselves as the warning signs of burnout. Together, Gino and Julien explore: Why burnout is often caused by hidden blind spots, not workload alone How high achievers unknowingly turn strengths into liabilities The danger of the "no pain, no gain" mindset Why leaders find safety in constant momentum The hidden cost of ignoring stress and emotional processing How mindfulness helps leaders interrupt unhealthy patterns Why sleep may be the first warning sign leaders overlook How isolation makes burnout worse Why success should never come at the expense of your humanity This conversation goes far beyond burnout. It's about recognizing the patterns that drive achievement while quietly pulling you away from the life you're trying to build. Because the goal isn't just to succeed. It's to build a life and career you don't have to recover from.     Connect with Julien Godbarge: Website: TenBlindSpots.com LinkedIn: Julien Godbarge   Resources Mentioned: Crash and Burn: How To Identify, Manage, and Prevent Burnout by Julien Godbarge The 10 Blind Spots Assessment: TenBlindSpots.com   Connect with The Kind Leader Podcast: Website: konect.to/thekindleaderpodcast YouTube: Kind Leader Podcast Apple Podcasts: The Kind Leader Spotify: The Kind Leader Email: thekindleader@bravocg.com

    The Traits That Make You Successful May Be Burning You Out
  7. Jun 3

    You Can't Lead Others Until You Lead Yourself

    Most leaders think their biggest challenge is managing other people. Tinna Jackson believes it's managing themselves. In this powerful episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, Gino Degregori sits down with executive coach, bestselling author, and former U.S. Senate Deputy Chief of Staff Tinna Jackson to explore why self-awareness may be the foundation of every great leader. After a decade inside the U.S. Senate, Tinna learned a difficult lesson: The behaviors that limit our leadership are often the ones we can't see. Together, Gino and Tinna explore: • Why leadership begins with self-awareness • How childhood experiences shape the way we lead • The connection between ego, power, and influence • Why influence matters more than authority • How unexamined blind spots create chaos inside teams • Why asking for help is a leadership strength • The role of mentorship, feedback, and personal growth • How leaders can build stronger relationships through trust and authenticity This conversation goes far beyond leadership development. It's about having the courage to understand yourself before trying to lead anyone else. Because the hardest person you'll ever lead is yourself.   Connect with Tinna Jackson: Website: tinnajackson.com LinkedIn: E. Tinna Jackson Instagram: @iamtinnajackson Youtube: Tinna Jackson   Resources Mentioned: The Power Play Journal by Tinna Jackson   Connect with The Kind Leader Podcast: Website: konect.to/thekindleaderpodcast YouTube: Kind Leader Podcast Apple Podcasts: The Kind Leader Spotify: The Kind Leader Email: thekindleader@bravocg.com     Chapters 0:00 Why Power and Kindness Belong Together 1:51 From the U.S. Senate to Self-Aware Leadership 2:46 What Kind Leadership Really Requires 4:04 The Leader Who Made Everyone Feel Seen 5:41 Why Workplace Empathy Can't Be Optional Anymore 10:13 The Chaos Leaders Create Without Self-Awareness 13:09 How Childhood Triggers Follow Us Into Work 17:35 Power Isn't the Problem. Ego Is. 23:07 How Anyone Can Build Influence Without a Title 27:10 The Feedback That Changed Tinna's Leadership 34:34 Flip the Mic: Staying Kind When You're Burned Out 38:41 Rapid Fire Questions 43:09 Give Yourself Grace and Ask for Support

    You Can't Lead Others Until You Lead Yourself

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Navigating Business with Empathy! This podcast is to inspire and equip current and aspiring business leaders to incorporate kindness and empathy into their leadership styles. By presenting real-world examples, interviews with thought leaders, and actionable strategies, the podcast aims to shift the paradigm of leadership from merely transactional to more compassionate and ethical, but most importantly transformational. We want to also serve as a platform to encourage strong, kind leadership that not only enhances corporate performance but also makes a generational impact by transforming organizational cultures for the better. The target audience includes corporate executives, managers, small business owners, and tech leaders who are interested in nurturing more humane, sustainable work environments while driving business success.