BookThinkers: Life-Changing Books 265. James Shin | The Leader's Soul
Join us for BookThinkers LIVE 2025! Happening November 9, 2025!
https://www.bookthinkers.com/book-thinkers-live-2025
In today’s episode, we have the pleasure to interview James Shin, author of The Leader’s Soul.
James is the Founder and CEO of Blue Koi Global Partners and holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Penn State. With more than 25 years leading rapid, sustainable growth across global markets, he’s known for transforming operations, supply chains, and procurement while developing leaders who can carry the mission forward.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to define what “good” looks like and lead with a long-term view, how great leaders “take arrows” to protect their teams while building a strong pipeline of future leaders, and simple weekly practices—reading, reflection, travel, time in nature, and with family—that sharpen judgment and resilience.
We hope enjoy this incredible conversation with James Shin.
To Learn More about James and buy his book visit:
The Book:https://a.co/d/gh0uSsL
Website/Socials:
https://www.bluekoiglobal.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-j-shin/
https://www.instagram.com/james.j.shin/
Chapters:
1:26 What is true, good leadership?
4:38 The effectiveness of reading as a learning method
11:06 You can tell a leader by counting the number of arrows in his ass
12:59 Fundamental leadership principles
14:13 How to grow drastically as a young leader
18:00 How traveling helps you understand people
20:34 Culture shocks between Corea & The U.S.A
22:47 Lessons from slowing down in nature
25:50 What James has learned from his family
27:55 Finding ways to spend more time with your children
29:50 The effect of developing new leaders
31:12 The biggest mistake James has made as a leader
34:25 Where to connect with James and his work
35:13 Final thoughts & advice
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