The Leadership Skill That Changes Everything | Dr. Michelle Johnston | Kreatures of Habit Podcast

Dec 31, 2025

Dr. Michelle Johnston, a leadership expert and author, dives deep into the transformative power of connection and emotional intelligence in leadership. She discusses how protecting personal energy is essential for clarity and success, challenging the hustle culture. Exploring technology's impact on relationships, she emphasizes the importance of prioritizing people over tasks and providing boundaries in work life. With actionable insights, Michelle encourages leaders to embrace vulnerability and design meaningful interactions, ultimately redefining productivity for a healthier workplace.

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ADVICE

Calender Your Energy First

Manage your calendar by blocking breaks and sacred time for habits and people.
Put 15-minute buffers between Zooms and schedule family and workout blocks to protect energy.

INSIGHT

Connection Beats Traditional Health Metrics

Connection now determines health and longevity more than exercise or diet.
Technology is eroding that crucial currency and causing loneliness and isolation.

ANECDOTE

150 Days Off As A Business Practice

Gino Wickman told Michael he takes at least 150 days off each year by weekends, vacations, and August sabbatical.
That example reshaped Michael's view on boundaries and sustainable entrepreneurship.

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In this compelling episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with leadership expert and author Dr. Michelle Johnston to explore how connection, emotional intelligence, and self-prioritization can radically transform both our personal lives and the way we lead.

Michael opens the conversation with a simple but powerful concept — the “go-to-bed alarm” — and why protecting your energy and well-being is foundational to happiness, clarity, and success. Michelle joins to discuss her new book, The Seismic Shift in You, which challenges leaders to move away from hustle-driven productivity and toward heart-led, human-centered leadership.

Together, they unpack the crisis of connection in today’s digital world, the toll it takes on executives and teams, and the courage required to lead with vulnerability. From rethinking meetings to redefining productivity and creating space for rest, this conversation offers actionable shifts toward a more meaningful, connected, and sustainable way of living and leading.

You’ll hear insights on:

-Why connection is the new currency of leadership

-The power of emotional intelligence and heart-led decision-making

-How technology is eroding real human connection

-Reframing productivity around energy, presence, and people

-Creating better meeting structures and healthier work cultures

-The role of courage and vulnerability in effective leadership

Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or simply seeking a more fulfilled life, this episode will challenge you to slow down, prioritize yourself, and lead — and live — from a place of connection.

See you next week, Kreatures!

#kreaturesofhabit #leadership #connection #emotionalintelligence #personalgrowth #mindfulliving #workculture #heartledleadership #michellejohnston

TIMESTAMPS:
00:46 Balancing Leadership and Personal Well-being
06:40 The Seismic Shift in Leadership
18:55 Prioritizing Personal Well-being
32:09 Morning Routines
36:39 American Work Culture
39:18 The Power of Connection
01:05:16 Final Thoughts