Today on the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Yosi Kossowsky, an executive coach with 18 years of experience and a fascinating journey from engineering to mastering human behavior. We dove into the powerful role self-awareness and emotional intelligence play in leadership, the neuroscience behind communication, and why understanding your own perspectives is essential for team success. If you’re ready to elevate your leadership, embrace curiosity, and drive impact through better relationships, this episode is packed with insights you can start applying today. Don’t miss it!

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00:00 Journey to Emotional Wellness

03:37 Understanding Emotions in Engineering

07:40 From Communication to Purposeful Coaching

12:17 Embracing Curiosity Over Assumptions

17:26 "Communication Before Business Systems?"

21:35 Challenging Leadership and Self-Awareness

24:37 "Understanding Autobiographical Lenses"

27:11 Ensuring Effective Communication Understanding

32:19 Spray Paint Miscommunication Mishap

36:17 Bridging Differences for Success

40:40 Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

42:18 Empathy and Understanding Historical Bias

48:28 Advice for Future Leadership Education

51:14 "10% of Adults Use AI"

52:41 Podcast Episode Follow Reminder

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Here are 3 key takeaways from our conversation:

🔹 Self-awareness is foundational: True leadership growth starts by recognizing your own emotional patterns and personal biases, and understanding how they affect your interactions and decisions.

🔹 Curiosity over assumptions: Instead of assuming you fully understand others (or that they fully understand you), lead with curiosity. Ask questions like “Help me understand…” to open real dialogue and minimize miscommunication.

🔹 Communication is a skill, not a given: Even the most well-intentioned leaders can fall into the trap of poor communication. Actively practicing clear communication and follow-up—especially in cross-cultural, diverse, or virtual teams—can drastically improve team outcomes and integration.

If you’re looking to elevate your leadership impact, start with yourself and how you connect with others. Want more actionable insights? Catch the full episode or connect with Yosi Kossowsky on LinkedIn for more on conscious leadership and emotional wellness.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Yosi's Website

https://www.k-torconsulting.com/

LinkedIn

Yosi's book recommendation:

https://a.co/d/eMjb8fp

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with the incredible Deborah Crowe, who shared her journey from neurotrauma case manager to heart-centered leadership coach. We talked about what truly matters at the top, the dangers of burnout, and why leading with empathy and self-care isn’t just good for your health—it’s good for your business. If you want to build impact without sacrificing your well-being, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Tap in for insights on authentic leadership, life lessons, and lasting legacy.

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00:00 From Medicine to Leadership Coaching

03:37 Regrets of the Dying

09:03 Legacy Reflections and Regrets

10:42 Busyness Trap: Unlearned Lessons

13:27 "Detach Emotions From Activities"

18:59 "Digital Influence on Future Leaders"

23:26 Digital Detox for Self-Care

24:34 Life Without TV: Creative Living

30:00 Fear of Authenticity in Leadership

32:51 Encouraging Honest Conversations

34:19 Heart-Centered Leadership's Business Impact

40:31 Embracing Imperfection in Leadership

42:00 Learning to Fail

45:51 Rapid Fire Leadership Questions

48:30 "My iPad: A Digital Escape"

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Here are my top 3 takeaways that every leader should consider:

• Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s vital: Deborah’s experience with executives facing end-of-life regrets showed that sacrificing health and relationships for “success” leads to loneliness, not fulfillment.

• White space in your calendar is critical: Back-to-back meetings aren’t a badge of honor. Building in downtime helps you be present and make better decisions for yourself and your team.

• People over profit, always: Heart-centered leadership is about investing in genuine connections. When you put people first, the business results will follow.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Deborah's Website

LinkedIn

Deborah's Book

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Andy Neillie—business owner, best-selling author, and passionate leadership consultant. We explored how true leadership goes beyond management, diving into Andy’s four leadership essentials: conviction, competence, character, and covenant. Andy shared real-life stories on why people don’t leave jobs, they leave bad bosses, and how great leaders create cultures that attract and retain top talent. Whether you run a Fortune 500 or a three-person team, these principles make all the difference. Don’t miss these actionable insights to elevate your leadership and boost retention!

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00:00 Character Defines Leadership

06:06 Executive Coaching for Leaders

08:29 "Cultural Onboarding Unveiled"

13:26 Leadership Challenges During Change

15:33 Employee Retention Through Competence

20:10 "Transitioning Sales Managers' Challenge"

20:45 Upskilling Others is True Success

25:49 Harnessing AI for Business Success

29:08 "Creative Employee Reward Strategies"

33:00 "Siri Enthusiast's Tech Journey"

34:47 "Stay Connected & Listen In"

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Three key takeaways:

🔹 Character is the Foundation of Leadership: As Andy put it, "You’ll never be a better leader than you are a person." Integrity, humility, and authenticity aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re essential for earning trust and keeping teams engaged.

🔹 The Four Leadership Necessities: Andy shared his framework—Conviction, Competence, Character, and Covenant. Leaders who build on these pillars foster strong cultures, retain top talent, and attract new team members eager to contribute.

🔹 Retention Is Everyone’s Job: Leadership isn’t just about managing tasks. It’s about championing your team, removing roadblocks, and demonstrating that people matter. This pays back in loyalty and performance, especially in today’s competitive job market.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Andy's Website

LinkedIn

Andy's Books

freebies

book recommendations:

Good to Great

The Discipline of Market Leaders