323: Why Imperfect Leaders Make the Biggest Difference with Neil Ghosh

In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin welcomes Neil Ghosh—purpose-driven leader, social impact advocate, and author of Do More Good—to explore a relieving idea: you don’t need to be perfect to make a meaningful difference.

Together, Erin and Neil unpack what purpose-driven leadership actually looks like in real life. They dig into why empathy is a practice, how imperfection builds trust and innovation, and why lasting change almost always starts smaller than we expect.

Neil introduces his GEMSS model—Get Engaged, Empower Others, Micro Philanthropy, Show Up, Start Small—as a practical framework for proactive living and leadership.

Inside This Episode:

• Purpose as a Burnout Antidote: Why purpose anchors decisions, sustains energy, and helps leaders navigate uncertainty.
• The Power of Imperfection: How imperfect leaders create psychological safety, trust, and room for innovation.
• Empathy, Reframed: Why empathy starts with perspective-taking before judgment—and how it changes leadership behavior.
• The GEMSS Model Explained: A simple, actionable framework for doing more good without doing more everything.
• Micro Philanthropy, Macro Impact: How small, consistent actions create ripple effects at work and beyond.
• Unity Without Uniformity: What it really takes to build shared commitment in diverse teams and communities.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Purpose-driven leaders who want impact without burnout
• Humans who care deeply but feel overwhelmed by “doing it all”
• Managers building cultures of trust, empathy, and belonging
• Anyone curious how small, imperfect actions can still change the world

Your Freebie

You’ve tried the emails, the all-hands rollout, and the polished decks, but the vision still isn’t landing.

That’s because people don’t buy into a vision that’s presented to them; they buy into one they help shape.

The 30-Minute Vision-Setting Meeting Template gives you a simple, human-centered way to create alignment, spark ownership, and build real momentum. Download it here.

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
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Connect with Neil Ghosh

• Neil’s LinkedIn
• Neil’s article: “How leaders can be transparent about their belief systems without alienating anyone”
• Neil’s article: “In an Age of Chaos, Leadership Starts with Doing the Right Thing”

Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!

• Erin’s website
• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s TikTok
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• improve it!’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram

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