What if the so-called soft skills are actually the ones driving your hardest results? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller, TEDx speaker, EQ coach, and author of The Empathic Leader. Dr. Melissa breaks down her definition of empathy as understanding and connection through perspective taking. She shares how a simple practice of walking the halls for 20 minutes a day helped one director turn his department profitable for the first time in seven years within just 90 days.

From conducting orchestras and playing with Ray Charles to consulting in healthcare and revamping surgery centers, Dr. Melissa's unconventional path taught her that culture drips down from the top. Leaders must walk their talk, not just speak it.

What You Will Learn:

The harsh reality that toxic workplace behavior often continues because systems are designed to protect institutions and powerful individuals rather than vulnerable employees who speak up.

Why there have been 43 different definitions of empathy since it emerged as a discipline around 1910.

The comprehensive definition of empathy as understanding and connection through perspective taking.

How perspective taking means seeing a situation through someone else's eyes and asking how you would feel if you walked in their shoes rather than judging from your position.

The critical truth that culture drips down from the top and leaders must walk their talk rather than just speaking about values.

How being complicit happens when you see toxic behavior occurring but allow it to continue.

The power of reputation when revolving door workplaces become known in the marketplace.

Why leaders who can effectively use empathy can increase productivity.

How middle management leaders who are aspiring to top levels tend to be most receptive to empathy training.

The four step framework for self empathy starting with self observation without judgment.

Why charity starts at home and leaders must develop self empathy first before they can genuinely give empathy to anyone else on their team or in their organization.

Resource:

Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller EQ Via Empathy

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What if the biggest crisis in modern leadership isn’t weakness but confusion? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with John Krotec, U.S. Army veteran, serial entrepreneur, and founder of NeoMasculinity Solutions. John shares how a childhood trauma and later TBI catalyzed his journey into creative healing, radical self-honesty, and purpose-driven leadership.

This episode challenges listeners to ask themselves yes questions, embrace authenticity, and join the movement of visionary leaders committed to leaving a lasting legacy for humanity's future.

What You Will Learn:

Why being the person on the outside doing your own thing and encouraging others to do the same can be a more powerful form of leadership.

How having high energy and natural charisma that attracts people to you even at a young age signals innate leadership qualities you may not fully understand until later.

Why self-improvement as a consistent practice starting in childhood builds the foundation for lifelong leadership development.

The foundational truth that great leaders might be confused internally but they never show it and instead remain very decisive in their actions and communication.

Why self-love is the baseline for all authentic leadership.

How traumatic childhood events that remain hidden for decades can fundamentally change who you are and block your capacity to trust people and lead effectively.

The transformative power of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.

Why leaders who truly love themselves will naturally love the people they lead and make wiser decisions as a result of this self acceptance and care.

The important distinction between people in leadership positions versus authentic archetypal leaders.

How the connection between the words toxic and masculinity represents a larger emasculation project.

The six forms of information in the modern world.

Why the primary gender role of protection that goes back thousands of years still matters today.

How the future of humanity relies on children being able to discern truth from lies, facts from fiction, and reality from fantasy in an increasingly confusing digital landscape.

The power of the Human Intuition Sniff Test which asks critical questions.

Why the Sentinel Handbook was intentionally written at an eighth grade reading level and translated into nine languages to make critical thinking accessible to everyone worldwide.

The importance of asking yourself yes questions.

Resource:

John Krotec LinkedIn

Leading Visionaries Podcast

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What if the bravest leadership move isn’t scaling up—but tearing down and rebuilding what truly fits your soul? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Camille L. Miller, bestselling author and Soul Professional® founder. Camille shares how she holds “big vision,” partners with her spirit team (lovingly called “Gus”), and leads by deconstructing models that no longer serve.

What You Will Learn:

The critical difference between being the leader who holds the vision and being the one who implements every tactical detail of that vision.

Why nonprofit work can pull you back repeatedly, even after you leave, and how this pattern reveals your deeper mission beyond any single organizational structure.

How winning a multimillion-dollar grant without implementation knowledge can create leadership opportunities you never imagined.

How defunding can actually be the universe forcing you to stop doing work that no longer aligns with your highest purpose and soul mission.

The phenomenon of receiving huge downloads of clarity about your next steps when you finally stop the constant doing and allow space for receiving.

How the concept that 10X is easier than 2X can inspire you to drop everything that's merely working to make space for what's truly transformative.

Why membership models aren't landing the way they used to and how people now crave real connection and engagement over passive belonging to online communities.

How major companies like Apple and Amazon survived by dropping what no longer served them and focusing on what does serve them moving forward.

The emerging archetype of collaborative leadership modeled after bees working together for the hive rather than traditional hierarchical corporate structures.

Why limiting beliefs about monetizing your gifts are absolutely untrue and how lifestyle design can integrate your natural talents into sustainable business models.

Resource:

Camille L. Miller Soul Professional

Leading Visionaries Podcast

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