Transforming Leadership Through Humanity and Connection

What if the greatest disruption in business isn’t AI—it's a crisis of human connection? What if the leadership skills we once dismissed as “soft” are now the most essential powers for thriving in a fractured, fast-changing world?

That’s exactly what today’s guest, Dr. Christie Smith, unpacks in her groundbreaking new book Essential: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership.

Christie is a globally respected leadership advisor, former managing principal at Deloitte, and has worked with iconic companies like Apple, Accenture, and more. Her insights have been featured in Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, and Forbes—and today, she brings her powerful perspective to Passion Struck.

Full Shownotes here:  https://passionstruck.com/christie-smith-embrace-human-powered-leadership/

In this conversation, we explore how to lead with intentionality, empathy, and authentic power—even in a world that feels increasingly disconnected. We dig into:

• Why “soft skills” are actually power skills—and how to develop them
• How distributed teams and AI are challenging everything we know about leadership
• The new pillars of human-centered organizations: trust, well-being, and psychological safety
• How to create environments where people truly matter—and thrive because of it

Christie doesn't just talk about theory—she brings real-world strategies for building purpose-driven cultures that adapt, inspire, and endure.

Connect with Dr. Christie Smith: https://www.christiesmith.phd/

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Next on Passion Struck:
In the next episode of Passion Struck, John sits down with Anne Marie Anderson, an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, sports journalist, and leadership expert. Anne Marie has spent years breaking barriers in sports media, navigating high-stakes environments, and coaching top athletes and executives on leadership, resilience, and communication. In our conversation, we'll dive into the mental frameworks of high performers, the art of storytelling, and how to build confidence in any field.

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Catch More of Passion Struck:

• My solo episode on 4 Powerful Trust-Building Exercises for Strong Teams and Relationships
• Can't miss my episode with Gabriella Rosen Kellerman on Thriving in the Future of Work
• My episode with Ethan Mollick on the Impact of AI on Life and Work
• Catch my interview with Morgan Housel on How to Use the Past Wisely to Forge the Future
• Listen to my interview with Jacob Morgan on the Vital Power of Leading With Vulnerability

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