The Anxious Achiever

In this engaging discussion, leadership consultant Steve Cuss and Present Voices founder Leah Bonvissuto delve into the intricacies of leadership anxiety. They explore how emotional intelligence and self-awareness can empower leaders in high-pressure environments. The conversation highlights the striking link between anxiety, burnout, and perfectionism. Leah shares insights on managing performance anxiety, while Steve emphasizes the significance of effective communication strategies. Together, they offer valuable tools for leaders to navigate their own anxieties and support their teams.

Vlad Gheorghiu, CEO of Kyan Health and former McKinsey consultant, shares his transformative journey from a high-pressure role to advocating for mental wellness in the workplace. He emphasizes the direct link between employee mental health and organizational success. Discussions include actionable steps for creating supportive work environments, the benefits of athletic principles for well-being, and the importance of effective communication. Gheorghiu also highlights innovative, AI-driven solutions to improve mental health engagement and productivity.

Elle Clark, a leadership development expert with firsthand experience of anxiety, discusses the transformative power of radical transparency in leadership. She opens up about the challenges of disclosing mental health struggles, advocating for a workplace culture that embraces vulnerability. Clark shares her personal journey through anxiety and its impact on her leadership style, emphasizing community support and the importance of authenticity. She reveals how embracing anxiety has led to personal growth, showing that challenges can foster deeper connections and resilience.

David Bedrick, an author and founder of the Santa Fe Institute for Shame-Based Studies, dives into the often-unseen burden of shame we carry daily. He discusses its detrimental effects on mental and physical health, from stifling relationships to preventing personal growth. Bedrick shares strategies for addressing past traumas, the importance of empathy in healing, and how shame manifests in professional settings and financial pressures, particularly for men. He emphasizes the necessity of open dialogues to combat shame and transform our emotional well-being.

Schroeder Stribling, President and CEO of Mental Health America, shares her journey through trauma and addiction, emphasizing the need for vulnerability in leadership. Bobby Hoffman, Chief Deputy at the Hampden Sheriff’s Office, discusses his innovative use of therapy dogs to promote mental health among officers. Together, they tackle the challenges of emotional expression in the workplace, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the importance of compassion in law enforcement. Their insights highlight the power of supportive relationships in fostering healing and connection.

Heather Hansen, an expert on accent bias in the workplace, shares insights on the overlooked impacts of accent perception. She discusses how bias affects individual careers and mental health, especially in multicultural settings. The conversation highlights the ramifications of recent DEI initiative rollbacks and the colonial legacy of language privilege. Hansen also emphasizes the importance of inclusive communication training for leaders to combat these biases and improve workplace dynamics.

Adam Galinsky, a Columbia Business School professor and author of "Inspire," dives into the dynamics of leadership. He discusses how different styles can either motivate or frustrate teams. Anxiety and anger often narrow leaders' perspectives, while insecurity can lead to counterproductive self-promotion. Galinsky emphasizes the power of generosity and gratitude in fostering a positive work environment, advocating for clear communication and empathy. He also shares insights on achieving personal balance through mindfulness, which can enhance leadership effectiveness.

Luvvie Ajayi Jones, a four-time New York Times bestselling author and public speaker, opens up about her struggles as an entrepreneur. She candidly discusses a challenging year that nearly led her company to bankruptcy, emphasizing the toll it took on her mental health. The conversation touches on the importance of authenticity, navigating anxiety during public speaking, and the role of transparency in leadership. Jones highlights how embracing fear and failure can foster growth and resilience in the face of adversity.

Julie Freeman, a digital artist and TED Fellow, joins Anne Morriss and Frances Frei to tackle relevance in the rapidly evolving worlds of tech and art. They explore how experience can be misvalued in favor of youth, offering insights on navigating the perceptions of ageism in creative fields. Freeman shares her innovative project linking fish movements to music, illustrating how art can intersect with nature and technology. The trio discusses maintaining confidence while fostering collaboration with younger artists to ensure lasting impact.

Penn and Kim Holderness, former Amazing Race winners turned entrepreneurs, share their journey of navigating ADHD as a couple. They discuss how they embraced neurodiversity to create a thriving business, offering strategies for balancing emotional dysregulation and task management. The couple highlights finding humor in creative pressures and the importance of adaptable environments for growth. They reflect on their transition from corporate life to creative freedom, embracing risk-taking in the digital landscape while maintaining family support.