The Well-led Podcast
The Well-led Podcast is a leadership podcast that explores the balance between achieving results and managing people. It encourages leaders to bring care, support, and grace to their teams, emphasizing the need for human leadership in the workplace. Formerly known as the Comfy Chairs Podcast, it is produced by WRKdefined Podcast Network.
Episodes
Creating the conditions
What does it take to create an environment where people can thrive?
We close the quarter by connecting authenticity, creativity, and safety to the conditions people need to perform. Our guest, Scott Harvey draws on his experience in law enforcement and hostage negotiation to share his thoughts on rapport, clear feedback, and the conversations leaders sometimes avoid. He also shares his CALM fra
Make choice visible
What does it take to make work safer for people? In this lesson for effectiveness, Kate Johnson closes the month’s discussion of safety with three lessons drawn from conversations with Stephanie Lemek, Dr. Benjamin Ritter, and Jessica Donahue. She considers physical, financial, and psychological safety, then offers a practical method leaders can use: name what a job or assignment requires, and mak
Safety has to be there
Safety is not simply a workplace benefit. It is a pre-existing condition that makes authenticity, creativity, critical thinking, and strong performance possible. In this episode, Kate Johnson talks with Jessica Donahue, founder of Adjunct Leadership Consulting, about what physical, financial, and psychological safety look like at work—and why all three are under pressure.
Drawing on Jessica’s exp
The power of saying I don’t know
What makes it possible for someone to admit a mistake at work?
In this Other Voices episode of The Well-Led Podcast, Stephanie Lemek and Dr. Benjamin Ritter explore how psychological safety shapes the employee experience. Stephanie explains why leaders create safety by acknowledging their own mistakes, uncertainty, and imperfection. Benjamin considers the relationship between a supportive environ
Leading well means creating safety
What does workplace safety mean beyond preventing physical harm?
In this episode of The Well-Led Podcast, Kate Johnson examines safety as a leadership skill—and as the condition that allows authenticity and creativity to flourish at work. We explore three forms of safety that human leaders must consider: physical safety, financial safety, and psychological safety. Kate connects each one to
Replay! Clarity, the mother skill.
The Well-led Podcast is on a break! Enjoy this replay as a means of refreshing and staying grounded in the work of human leadership.
Clarity is one of the most practical leadership skills because it turns ideas into action. In this episode, Kate Johnson explores why clarity is the starting point for supporting employees and enabling performance. She explains how leaders create clarity in three k
Change your hat to change your mind
Leadership creativity is more than generating novel ideas. It is the thought work behind effective choice-making. In this Lesson for Effectiveness, Kate Johnson shares three practical activities leaders can use to strengthen creativity, examine problems from different perspectives, anticipate challenges, and make better-informed decisions.
If you would like practical tools that accompany co
Go play
Creativity is often misunderstood as artistic talent or spontaneous inspiration, but effective leaders know it is something much more practical. Creativity is the ability to imagine new possibilities, solve problems, adapt to uncertainty, and create environments where innovation can flourish. In this episode, Kate Johnson is joined by Glory Lichon, Melissa Norcross, and Kristen Pavle and Dave Goru
An expression of critical thinking
What does creativity have to do with leadership? More than you might think.
When many people hear the word creativity, they picture artists, musicians, or designers. In reality, and in leadership, creativity is something much broader and much more essential. Rather than artistic talent, leadership creativity is an expression of critical thinking: the ability to generate ideas, recognize the right
Do not pretend to be perfect
Authentic leadership is not about revealing every emotion or lowering expectations. It is about accepting your humanity while remaining accountable for results.
In this episode, you'll learn why grace is a leadership discipline rather than leniency, how psychological safety supports learning instead of comfort, why accountability and grace strengthen one another, and three practical habits
How am I the best me?
What does it actually mean to be an authentic leader?
In this conversation, we explore why authenticity is much more than "just being yourself." Kate Johnson and Melissa Norcross examine humility as the foundation of authentic leadership, discussing self-awareness, trust, purpose, psychological safety, and the importance of recognizing both strengths and limitations. Along the way, they challeng
Authentic doesn't have to be one version
What does it really mean to be authentic at work? In this Other Voices episode, two contributors share very different experiences of authenticity, masking, self-expression, and organizational fit. Their stories explore why authenticity can become easier with experience, how workplace culture shapes our ability to show up fully, and why being multifaceted is not the same as being inauthentic.
If y
Working while human
Leadership doesn't require perfection. It requires humanity.
In this opening episode of the "Choosing Grace" series, Kate Johnson explores why authenticity is not simply a personality trait but a practical leadership skill. By embracing humility, integrity, and liberty, leaders become better equipped to build trust, navigate mistakes, remove barriers, and create workplaces where both people and r
We get results.
How do leaders produce results that last?
In this quarterly conversation, Kate Johnson reflects on the leadership lessons from the past three months—clarity, accountability, and feedback—and explains how they work together to create employee certainty. Joined by Glory Lichon, the discussion explores why support is more than encouragement; it is the daily practice of reducing uncertainty so peo
Feedback is a true story
Feedback is one of the most important ways leaders provide support—but only when it is grounded in clarity, delivered with care, and followed by meaningful action.
In this Lesson for Effectiveness episode of The Well-led Podcast, Kate Johnson summarizes the key leadership lessons from a month focused on feedback. Learn how to shift feedback from a moment of correction into an ongoing practice of
A story of support
Episode Description
Feedback is not a one-time event, a required correction, or a gift someone should simply accept. Done well, feedback is an ongoing conversation that helps people understand the story of their work—the impact they are having, the progress they are making, and the support available to help them continue growing.
In this episode of The Well-led Podcast, Kate Johnson welcomes Kim
What am I missing here?
Feedback is one of the most practical tools leaders have for helping people grow, but many of us still hesitate to give it or ask for it. In this Other Voices episode of The Well-led Podcast, guests Mary Tettenhorst and Frank Sawyer explore why feedback can feel uncomfortable, how trust changes the conversation, and why effective feedback requires care, clarity, courage, and a willingness to learn
Feedback completes the circuit
Feedback is one of the core skills leaders use to provide support, but it only works when it is connected to clarity and accountability. In this episode, Kate Johnson explores why feedback matters, what makes feedback effective, and how leaders can prepare, deliver, and follow up on feedback in a way that is specific, credible, and kind. Listeners will learn how feedback completes the performance
What good expectations look like
Accountability is often misunderstood as punishment, correction, or control. In this episode of The Well-led Podcast, Kate Johnson reframes accountability as a leadership practice rooted in clarity, trust, communication, and shared understanding. You’ll learn how leaders create accountability before performance problems ever appear by setting expectations that make work visible, understandable, an
Listen again: It's nice to know you're human.
As this season of The Well-led Podcast moves deeper into clarity, accountability, and feedback, it feels important to revisit the episode that started the whole framework: vulnerability.
Revisit this episode to consider why vulnerability is a foundational leadership skill and how leading well begins with self-leadership, self-awareness, and the courage to be human. You’ll learn what vulnerabilit
How will I know?
Accountability is often treated like punishment or oversight, but in practice, it is much more connected to clarity, consistency, trust, and personal responsibility. In this episode of The Well-led Podcast, Kate Johnson shares reflections from two contributors with very different leadership experiences and perspectives. Together, they explore how accountability changes across roles, relationships,
Accountability begins at the beginning
What does accountability really mean in leadership—and why does it so often feel like punishment? In this episode, Kate Johnson reframes accountability as an essential leadership process that supports performance, rather than a reaction to failure. You’ll learn how accountability connects directly to clarity, why it must be established before work begins, and how leaders can sustain it through obs
What does clarity look like?
Clarity is one of the most important leadership skills—and one of the most overlooked. In this episode, you’ll learn what clarity actually looks like in practice, when it matters most, and how to apply it before work begins, at the start of work, and during times of change. You’ll walk away with simple, repeatable actions that improve focus, reduce stress, and help your team perform at a higher le
Green square to green square
Leadership clarity is one of the most practical skills a leader can develop—but it’s also one of the most overlooked. In this conversation, Kate Johnson explores what clarity really means in leadership with Kristie Schoonover, a learning and development leader who works daily with managers trying to align teams, communicate expectations, and support employees through change. Together, they examine
Stuck in the swirl
Clarity is one of the most practical leadership skills, yet its absence is often felt before it is recognized. In this Other Voices episode, two experienced leaders reflect on moments when unclear expectations and conflicting direction disrupted their work. Their insights illustrate how a lack of clarity can affect focus, productivity, confidence, and even personal wellbeing.
Through real examp
Clarity, the Mother Skill
Clarity is one of the most practical leadership skills because it turns ideas into action. In this episode, Kate Johnson explores why clarity is the starting point for supporting employees and enabling performance. She explains how leaders create clarity in three key areas—purpose, communication, and relationships—and how doing so helps teams understand priorities, connect to their work, and move
Relationships are how we get work done
Why do relationships matter so much at work?
In this quarterly synthesis episode of The Well-led Podcast, Kate Johnson reflects on the leadership competency of demonstrating care. Drawing on the past three months of conversations about vulnerability, empathy, and good humor, she explores how these skills combine to build trust, deepen understanding, and create consistency in leadership. Through
Choose your starting point
This episode explores how leaders can actively choose a more balanced, effective mindset—what Kate calls “good humor,” also understood as equanimity. You’ll learn how to recognize unhelpful thinking patterns, replace them with more constructive perspectives, and apply simple practices to stay calm, curious, and intentional—even under pressure. The episode also connects mindset work to real leaders
We always have a choice
Most of the time, we lead in workplaces filled with pressure, uncertainty, and constant change. Do leaders have to approach these circumstances with stress and anxiety? Or is there a different, better choice?
In this episode, Kate Johnson is joined by guest Michele Wilson to explore the role of good humor as a leadership capability. Rather than forced positivity or ignoring difficult realities,
Choosing hopefulness and calm
What does it mean to go to work in good humor—especially when the workplace feels heavy or demanding? In this Other Voices episode of The Well-led Podcast, two experienced leadership practitioners reflect on the role of good humor in leadership. They explore how humor is not simply about laughter, but about a mindset leaders bring with them: a balance of perspective, calm, openness, and humanity.
Be positive at the start
What does it mean to choose your attitude as a leader?
In this episode, you’ll learn how good humor is a leadership skill rooted in choice, mindfulness, and care—not forced positivity. Through personal stories and practical tools, this conversation explores how your mood shapes your team’s experience and how to respond intentionally instead of reacting on autopilot. You’ll walk away with concr
Empathy is a disciplined effort
In this episode, you will learn how empathy strengthens accountability and improves performance at work. Kate Johnson explains why empathy is not leniency, how mindset shifts shape leadership behavior, and what empathetic accountability looks like in real workplace moments. You will also hear practical guidance for supporting neurodivergent employees and understanding the Double Empathy Problem, s
Striving to understand
In this episode, you will learn how to practice empathy as a leadership skill in real workplace situations. Kate Johnson is joined by Katharine Manning, author of The Empathetic Workplace, to explore what empathy actually looks like in action. They discuss how leaders can move beyond good intentions and develop practical behaviors that build trust, strengthen psychological safety, and improve perf
Empathy is not about being nice
This episode of The Well-Led Podcast: Other Voices explores what empathy really means in leadership—and why it plays a central role in building trust at work. Rather than treating empathy as a soft skill or personality trait, contributors describe it as a learned practice that requires presence, restraint, and the willingness to sit with discomfort. Through personal stories and professional reflec
Empathy Is the Effort to Understand
This episode introduces empathy as a core leadership competency and the second essential practice for demonstrating care. Building on the foundation of vulnerability, these Notes on Leading Well explain what empathy is, how it works in the human brain, and why leaders who practice empathy are better equipped to build trust, communicate clearly, and lead people through change.
Listeners will gain
Vulnerability and competence: Lessons for effectiveness
In this episode, you will learn how vulnerability strengthens leadership effectiveness. Rather than treating vulnerability as oversharing or weakness, this lesson clarifies it as a leadership competency grounded in judgment, boundaries, and self-awareness. We translate vulnerability into observable behaviors leaders can practice immediately, outlining what it can look like in day-to-day leadershi
Vulnerability Is a Leadership Choice
In this episode, Kate Johnson and Peggy Mark explore vulnerability as an intentional leadership choice rather than a personality trait. Listeners will learn how openness, self-awareness, and authenticity create trust, strengthen human connection, and support healthier workplace cultures. Through personal stories and practical reflection, the conversation reframes vulnerability as bravery and a cri
Vulnerability Builds Trust at Work
In this episode, leaders will learn why vulnerability is not a weakness but a critical leadership skill. The conversation explores how openness, honesty, and the willingness to share both successes and failures directly influence trust, psychological safety, and team performance. Listeners will gain practical insight into how vulnerable leadership improves communication, strengthens relationships,
It’s Nice to Know You’re Human
This episode explains why vulnerability is a foundational leadership skill and how leading well begins with self-leadership, self-awareness, and the courage to be human. You’ll learn what vulnerability actually means in a leadership context, why it strengthens trust rather than weakening authority, and how leaders can practice vulnerability in practical, appropriate ways that support their teams a
End-of-year update from the comfy chairs
Looking ahead: The comfy chairs becomes The Well-Led Podcast
In this final episode of the year, Kate returns with a clear, simple update about the show’s evolution. On January 6th, the comfy chairs will officially relaunch as The Well-Led Podcast, beginning a year-long journey focused on the four essential domains of leadership: Demonstrating Care, Providing Support, Leading with Grace, and Stayin
Culture Keepers
Culture Keepers: A conversation about managing versus leading.
In this conversation, Kate sits down with Layci Nelson, founder of the Transcend Leadership Collective, to explore a deceptively simple question with big implications: What’s the real difference between managing and leading?
Together, they unpack why effective leadership isn’t about choosing one or the other—it’s about integrating bot
Revisit & enjoy: Early and well-structured
Revisit & enjoy: Early, direct, and well-structured conversations
As we near the end of the year, we’re resurfacing one of the most practical and personal conversations we’ve shared on the comfy chairs. In this rerun, Kate sits down with her dad, Charlie—a leader with decades of experience in higher education, the military, and church governance—to talk about why early, direct, and kind confrontat
Revisit & enjoy: Big Idea Words
Revisit & enjoy: Making sense of leadership, management, and the feedback we’d rather avoid
As we wind down the year, we’re resurfacing one of the most downloaded comfyHQ episodes—a listener favorite about three things leaders wrestle with all the time: feedback, the leadership/management divide, and the workplace words we toss around without checking for shared meaning.
In this rerun, we explore
Where the comfy chairs is headed next.
In this special update, Kate shares an important announcement about the future of the podcast. Beginning in January 2026, the comfy chairs will officially become The Well-Led Podcast—a show dedicated to helping leaders stay grounded, self-aware, and effective in the moments where professionalism meets imperfection.
Kate walks through what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and why now is the ri
Revisit and enjoy "pull them close"
Pull Them Close: A Conversation about Grief
As we move into the holiday season—a time that can amplify both joy and tenderness—we’re revisiting one of our most meaningful conversations on the comfy chairs. In this encore episode, host Kate Johnson welcomes Justin Clifford, CEO of Bereave, for a heartfelt exploration of how workplaces can better support employees navigating grief and loss.
Togethe
Inviting Input
Inviting Input: A conversation about co-creating the workplace.
In this conversation, Kate sits down with Patrick Farran, PhD—co-founder and CEO of Ad Lucem Group—to explore the leadership practices that help teams move from compliance to genuine engagement. Patrick introduces appreciative inquiry as a strengths-based discipline built on better questions: ones that draw out what’s already workin
Time Capsule Tuesday! You can't always win.
We're making another visit to the comfy chairs archive with this episode, where Kate is joined by a very special guest, her husband, Nate.
Kate and Nate explore the practical considerations of high-reliability organizations and what we can all learn from a balanced approach to excellence and understanding.
Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curiou
You own it
You own it: A conversation about career growth.
In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate Johnson sits down with Jamie Chambron, Chief Coach at the Career Agility System, to talk about what it really means to own your career. From portfolio careers to personal branding, Kate and Jamie unpack how professionals can approach their work with intention and curiosity—especially in a changing, unpredicta
Tuesday Time Capsule! No capes required.
Join us for a trip in the Way-back Machine! We're headed to where and when it all started for the comfy chairs. Enjoy this “Tuesday Time Capsule” replay of Episode One: Please don’t take away my superhero cape!
Kate's colleague and friend, Angela Wale, joined her for the inaugural recording to talk about some timeless leadership topics. Whether you want to learn more about responsibility, delega
Tiny conversations
Tiny conversations: A conversation about workplace gossip.
Workplace gossip has a reputation problem — but what if we’ve been looking at it all wrong?
In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate Johnson sits down with Rebecca Taylor, co-founder of SkillCycle and host of HR Confessions, to explore the nuance behind “tiny conversations.” They define gossip, unpack its role in shaping culture, and di
Listen again! "What, Why, How"
Enjoy this rerun of "What, why, how: A comfyHQ Q&A"
In this bite-sized episode of the comfy chairs, we’re diving into two essential leadership questions:
How can you delegate effectively without micromanaging?
What’s the best approach to giving constructive feedback?
Join me as we break down common misconceptions about micromanagement, explore how clarity is the key to delegation, and discover th
Seek understanding
Seek understanding: A conversation about questions and learning.
Questions can unlock more than answers ever will.
In this conversation, Amber Johnson, PhD, joins Kate to explore the power of great questions in leadership and learning. They talk about curiosity, empathy, and why a playful mindset matters just as much as a strategic one.
Connect with Amber on LinkedIn
Learn more about her busine
Emotional intelligence is the lever
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is often described as the “soft side” of leadership — but in practice, it’s the lever that turns leadership effort into real influence.
In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate Johnson unpacks the four dimensions of EQ: self-awareness, self-management, awareness of others, and relationship management. Along the way, she shares why empathy is the through line connecting
Part of being human
Part of being human: A conversation about vulnerability and bias.
Bias isn’t always intentional—it’s often unconscious, shaped by survival instincts and reinforced by daily habits. In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate Johnson sits down with leadership coach and licensed clinical social worker Sarah Harris to explore how bias influences workplace culture, decision-making, and team dynamics.
F
Human leaders
In this comfyHQ installment of the comfy chairs podcast, Kate explores two core leadership questions:
How can I manage my insecurities while projecting confidence? We walk through practical steps for naming, containing, and balancing your insecurities with a clear-eyed view of your strengths. This isn’t about false bravado — it’s about cultivating honest self-awareness and healthy confidence.
It takes courage
In this episode of the comfy chairs, I sit down with Thom Dennis to talk about leadership mindsets and what it means to “rewild” corporate culture.
Thom shares stories from his eclectic journey and how each stage has shaped his perspective on leadership. Together, we explore why mindset matters as much as action, the balance of masculine and feminine energies in leadership, and how trust, presence
Because they care.
In this comfyHQ episode of the comfy chairs,we tackle two common leadership struggles: how to set boundaries without seeming unavailable, and what to do when you catch yourself avoiding a tough conversation. With practical examples and reflective insights, Kate shows how both challenges come down to the same leadership essentials—clarity, care, and courage.
👉🏻 Have a question for comfyHQ? Share y
Summer rerun: Make sense of things
We’re taking our first-ever Summer hiatus here at the comfy chairs! We’ll be back with all-new episodes on September 2nd. Until then, we've curated a few of our shorter, comfyHQ episodes for you to revisit and enjoy.
So, this week, here's "make sense of things," where we provide answers to help you harness the power of stories as leadership tools and provide practical strategies for navigating amb
Summer rerun: Hold this mindset
We’re taking our first-ever Summer hiatus here at the comfy chairs! We’ll be back with all-new episodes on September 2nd. Until then, we've curated a few of our shorter, comfyHQ episodes for you to revisit and enjoy.
So, this week, here's "hold this mindset," where we answer questions about balancing empathy and authority, and modeling accountability without harshness.
👉🏻 Have a question for com
Your most impactful self
Your most impactful self: A conversation about identifying blind spots.
In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate Johnson sits down with Benah Parker, PhD, a social psychologist and executive coach, to explore the power of intentional identity in leadership. Together, they delve into the importance of self-awareness and how blind spots can derail leadership effectiveness. Bena shares her five-step
Stewards of talent
In this comfyHQ episode of the comfy chairs, Kate tackles three everyday leadership questions with her signature blend of clarity, candor, and care.
→ How do I help my team members grow when there’s no clear promotion path?
→ How can I get better at listening instead of jumping in with solutions?
→ What’s one simple way to encourage more ownership from my team?
These questions reveal deeper tr
Sticky, productive hires
What happens when you stop hiring for experience and start hiring for strengths?
In this episode of the comfy chairs, I talk with Dr. Mike Neal, optometrist and founder of Build My Team, about the moment he realized traditional hiring wasn’t working—and what he built instead. Drawing inspiration from Disney and the Ritz-Carlton, Mike created a system that helps small businesses (especially medica
Awareness & purpose
In this comfyHQ installment, Kate tackles three leadership questions that share a common root: self-awareness.
She shares best practices for time management that actually work, rethinks the idea of “work-life balance” through the lens of needs and priorities, and offers a grounded approach to self-advocacy that doesn’t veer into self-serving.
What are the best practices for time management as a
Show up as trustworthy
Show up as trustworthy: A conversation about trust.
🪑🪑 Celebrating two years of big conversations from the comfy chairs.
What makes a leader trustworthy?
In this special anniversary episode of the comfy chairs, Kate and Angela revisit one of the most foundational—and often most fragile—elements of effective leadership: trust.
Together, they unpack how trust shapes team dynamics, leadership
Success mindsets
In this episode of comfyHQ, Kate tackles three leadership questions that share a common root: self-awareness. She shares best practices for time management that actually work, rethinks the idea of “work-life balance” through the lens of needs and priorities, and offers a grounded approach to self-advocacy that doesn’t veer into self-serving.
What are the best practices for time management as a l
Everyone owns it
Everyone owns it. A conversation for leaders about workplace culture.
What makes a workplace feel supportive—and what happens when it doesn’t?
In this episode, clinical social worker and Connect Counseling founder Sarah Harris joins Kate to talk about how culture isn’t just something you talk about; it’s something you live. They explore how communication, physical space, and policies shape the w
Holistic honesty
In this episode of comfyHQ, we answer two leadership questions that many managers quietly struggle with:
How do leaders cultivate trust and credibility with their teams?
How do I handle a team member who has great skills but a bad attitude?
Kate shares practical strategies to lead with consistency, communicate with clarity, and address behavioral issues without falling into the trap of vague “
Early and well-structured
Early and well-structured: A conversation about confrontation.
In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate is joined by her father, Charlie, a seasoned leader with experience in higher education, the military, and church governance. Together, they unpack the often-misunderstood relationship between confrontation and leadership. Their conversation explores how direct and kind communication can stren
Significant connections
In this episode of comfyHQ, Kate tackles two key questions about modern leadership:
What role does mentorship play in leadership development?
How do you lead a remote or hybrid team effectively?
From structured mentoring programs to managing remote employees with clarity and care, Kate offers practical strategies for leaders who want to build trust, encourage learning, and lead well, no matter
Continuously developed (rereleased on July 1, 2025)
Continuously developed: A conversation about student leadership.
Rereleased on July 1, 2025, with corrected audio.
Kate is joined by Emily Barnett, former teacher and current Campaign Development Manager with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to talk about preparing the next generation of leaders. Their conversation explores the importance of developing student leadership, the value of flexibilit
BONUS! Welcome to the club! Introducing the Informed Readers podcast.
BONUS! Welcome to the club! Introducing the Informed Readers podcast.
📚 Big opinions. Awesome books. And one shared belief: Reading makes us better leaders.
Here at the comfy chairs, I've been collaborating with Stephanie Lemek with The Wounded Workforce to launch a new podcast called Informed Readers—for people who love to talk about books and think about how stories shape the way we lead, lear
Know your people
In this comfyHQ episode, we tackle three critical leadership challenges:
Motivating teams through difficult times,
Managing burnout, and
Navigating the stress of constant change.
Through practical advice and personal anecdotes, Kate shares insights on how to communicate effectively, set realistic expectations, and create a sustainable work environment. Learn how to spot early signs of burnout
Landscape of thought
Landscape of thought: A conversation about critical thinking.
In this episode, Kate welcomes Amelia Menk Brown, founder and CEO of Knowzy (formerly MyCited), for a thoughtful conversation about critical thinking, metacognition, and inclusive leadership. Together, they explore what it means to lead with intention—not by directing, but by cultivating communities where diverse perspectives and deep
Leading is the work
In this comfyHQ episode, we’re answering two questions that hit close to home for many leaders:
How can I make space for learning when my calendar is packed?
How can I balance being a high performer with leading others effectively?
Kate challenges the idea that these are opposing demands—and offers practical ways to rethink your time, your role, and your definition of high performance. From t
Continue to be curious
Continue to be curious: A conversation about lifelong learning.
In this special episode of the comfy chairs, Kate sits down with someone who shaped her own learning journey—her mother.
With nearly three decades of experience leading a church education program, Kate’s mom brings a rich perspective to this conversation about growth, vocation, and the quiet power of community. Together, they reflec
Hold this mindset
Balancing empathy and authority. Modeling accountability without harshness. These are questions that come up often in leadership conversations—and they point to something deeper: mindset.
In this episode, I’m exploring the relationship between power and empathy, the process of accountability as a shared practice, and how small shifts in mindset can shape the way leaders show up every day. This is
Beyond the obvious
Beyond the obvious: A conversation about questions.
In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate talks with leadership development consultant Amber Johnson, PhD, about the power of questions in leadership and everyday conversations. Amber shares how the best leaders don’t just have answers—they ask better questions. From sparking “uncommon insight” to building emotional safety, they explore how ques
Grow stronger together
In this comfyHQ episode of the comfy chairs, we’re talking about what it really takes to build strong, adaptable teams—starting with two foundational leadership questions:
How do I foster a culture of continuous learning?
How do I develop resilience and mental toughness as a leader?
We explore the mindsets, habits, and frameworks that help leaders grow alongside their teams—and show up with st
Experiment with me
Experiment with me: A conversation about human-centric teams.
What does it mean to lead in a truly human-centric way—and what gets in our way when we try?
In this episode, Kate is joined by Rachel Anderson, owner of Pivot Studies, a fractional CMO, and leadership coach who invites us to experiment with a different kind of leadership—one rooted in curiosity, courage, and care. Together, they unpac
Not all-knowing
In this comfyHQ episode, we’re looking at three everyday leadership challenges: when your team over-relies on you, when you don’t have the answers, and how to make it safe for people to ask questions. These moments are common—and fixable. We explore practical ways to shift patterns, build trust, and lead with clarity, even in uncertainty.
👉🏻 Have a question for comfyHQ? Share your questions.
👉🏻 Su
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