In this episode, we explore the idea that leadership isn’t about a title—it’s about how you show up, the influence you have, and the impact you leave behind. Richard and I break down the difference between charisma and charm. Charm might win a room for a moment, but charisma leaves a lasting impression—it’s about creating real, authentic connections that make people feel seen, heard, and better about themselves.

Charisma isn’t about spotlighting yourself. It’s about understanding others—their emotions, their motivations—and helping them see their own potential. That’s the kind of leadership people remember.

We also talk about how the speed of life and our dependence on technology can dull our human edge. Remote work, packed calendars, and back-to-back Zooms leave little room for reflection or meaningful connection. Richard points out that when every interaction feels transactional, we lose the emotional depth that real leadership requires.

The antidote? Be intentional. Create small pauses. Give yourself even a minute between meetings to reset, refocus, and reconnect—not just with others, but with yourself.

Charisma isn’t just something you’re born with—it’s something you can build. Richard shares practical steps:

• Start by setting an intention before every interaction. Ask yourself, What kind of energy do I want to bring into this room?

• Tune into your emotional state. If you're stressed or scattered, slow your breathing. Ground yourself.

• Pay attention to how you show up—not just what you say, but how you make people feel.

Leadership lives in those quiet transitions—between meetings, before calls, in the spaces where you choose how to respond.

We also dig into authenticity and that quiet voice of doubt so many of us wrestle with—imposter syndrome. Richard shares a simple but powerful idea: run small experiments. Share a little more of who you are in low-risk spaces. Let people see the human behind the role. You’ll be surprised by how it builds connection—and confidence.

We talk about how authenticity isn’t weakness. It’s your strength. Especially for women in leadership who often navigate the tension between being assertive and being seen as “too much” or “not enough,” authenticity can be a powerful anchor. Practice vulnerability in safe circles. Then bring it into the bigger arenas where it matters most.

Leadership also means taking the time to reflect. Richard encourages building a daily rhythm of looking back—not just on what you did, but how it made you feel. What energized you? What drained you? These patterns reveal your values. And once you know what drives you, you can lead with more clarity and purpose.

We close the conversation by talking about psychological safety. It’s more than a buzzword—it’s the foundation for real leadership. If people don’t feel safe to speak up, you’ll never get their best thinking. As a leader, your job is to create space where people feel they can take risks, share honestly, and show up as themselves.

If leadership is about impact, then charisma, authenticity, and reflection are the tools that help you leave a mark that lasts. This episode is about learning how to lead not just with your head, but with your heart.

Connect With Richard:

website: www.richard-reid.com

email: richard@pinnaclewellbeingservice.com

Connect with Tim:

Website: timstatingtheobvious.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw

Instagram: @TimStating

Tiktok: @timstatingtheobvious

#LeadershipDevelopment #Charisma #EmotionalIntelligence #AuthenticLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #CommunicationSkills #RichardBranson #OprahWinfrey #BusinessCoaching #LeadershipPodcast

Leadership has evolved. It’s no longer about titles or hierarchy—it’s about trust, influence, and connection. That’s why The Seven Commitments of a Great Team by Jon Gordon stands out. This book doesn’t just inspire—it equips. It gives you a practical framework for leading people in a way that builds trust, clarity, and shared purpose, especially when teams feel stretched, disconnected, or uncertain about their direction.

Leadership isn’t confined to boardrooms or org charts. It’s about how you treat people, how you handle pressure, and how you create an environment where others can thrive. Whether you’re leading in business, your home, or your community—people deserve leadership rooted in character. That’s what this book offers: usable, real-world insights for becoming the kind of leader others want to follow.

Gordon starts with what matters most: trust. Without it, a group of people is just that—a group. Not a team. He lays out practical trust-building habits like weekly check-ins where team members share wins and challenges. These small moments become the foundation for deeper connection and accountability.

Another critical takeaway is clarity. Misunderstandings, especially in hybrid or decentralized teams, can derail momentum fast. Gordon emphasizes that it’s not just about having a vision—it’s about repeating it, refining it, and helping people see how they fit into it. Clarity creates ownership.

Then there’s accountability, reframed in a way that’s not about micromanagement—it’s about commitment. He offers a tool I particularly like: personal commitment contracts. Simple, powerful, and effective. People don’t just say what they’re going to do—they put it in writing and own it.

This book is short, sharp, and full of takeaways you can use immediately. Each chapter ends with actionable steps, making it easy to translate principles into behavior. That said, if your team is dealing with deep dysfunction or serious cultural issues, this book may feel like a starting point rather than a full solution.

Still, it’s a book I’d recommend to any leader—new or experienced—who wants to build a team that performs with purpose. The Seven Commitments of a Great Team gives you a language, a structure, and a mindset that’s built for real life—not just the classroom. If leadership matters to you, this is one to keep close.

Connect with Tim

Website: timstatingtheobvious.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw

Instagram: @TimStating

Tiktok: @timstatingtheobvious

#Leadership #Teamwork #Trust #Communication #Accountability #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamBuilding #JohnGordon #SevenCommitments

What separates great leaders from average ones? It’s not strategy—it’s character. In this episode of Tim Stating the Obvious, we explore why self-leadership is the foundation of effective leadership and how building integrity, consistency, and personal values creates lasting influence.

You’ll learn how to define your core leadership values, build habits that strengthen ethical decision-making, and reflect daily to ensure your actions align with your mission. If you're looking to grow as a purpose-driven leader, this episode delivers practical tools and mindset shifts that will help you lead yourself—and others—with clarity and conviction.

Whether you're an executive, new manager, or emerging team leader, this conversation will help you move beyond leadership performance and into character-based leadership transformation.

Connect with Tim:

Website: timstatingtheobvious.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw

Instagram: @TimStating

Tiktok: @timstatingtheobvious

#leadershipskills #LeadershipDevelopment #howtolead #ethicalleadership #corevalues #selfawareness #personalgrowth #beknowdo