Podcast Summary

Podcast: Kreatures Of Habit

Episode: The Leadership Skill That Changes Everything
Host: Michael Chernow
Guest: Dr. Michelle Johnston
Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Michael Chernow sits down with Dr. Michelle Johnston, executive coach, best-selling author, and leadership expert. Their wide-ranging conversation explores why connection is an underrated superpower in leadership and life, and how intentional habits and boundaries around time, energy, and relationships drive personal fulfillment and professional success. With stories from their own experiences and research, Michael and Dr. Johnston advocate for a "seismic shift": re-prioritizing relationships—starting with self-connection—to combat today’s crisis of disconnection in the tech-driven, productivity-obsessed world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Connection as the Core Leadership Skill

• Connection beats IQ: Dr. Johnston describes an exercise with leaders at all levels, noting that when asked to name qualities of their best bosses, nearly all responses fall under emotional intelligence, not intellectual ability or functional skills.

  "Your IQ will get you in the door. Absolutely. It's your EQ that makes you a great leader and a great human." — Dr. Johnston [05:16]

• Shift from 'what' to 'who': Both guests agree that success is too often measured in tasks and output rather than quality relationships.

  "Productivity without connection equals emptiness." — Dr. Johnston [24:16]

2. The Crisis of Disconnection

• Technology’s double-edge: The ubiquity of smartphones and remote work is driving social isolation, especially post-pandemic.

  "The number one determinant of our health and our longevity is connection... Yet now we’re looking around, and even in New York City, everyone’s bumping into each other because they’re looking down at their phones." — Dr. Johnston [08:49]

• Personal anecdote: Both hosts share moments where phone use detracted from real-world connection, emphasizing the urgency of the problem.

3. Habits and Calendar Mastery for Fulfillment

• Structuring time for relationships: Michael shares how he color-codes and "chunks" his calendar, placing not just work, but workouts, family breakfast, and date nights as non-negotiables.

  "If they don’t reflect the most important people in your life, come on now..." — Dr. Johnston [24:00] "Every Friday night is date night. It’s in the calendar. Like, it’s just... I do." — Michael Chernow [23:30]

• Setting boundaries is essential: Both lament America’s glorification of constant busyness and shaming of rest, advocating for mandatory time off and modeling work-life balance for teams.

  "I do not expect an email after 6 o’clock. I do not expect you to be on your email before 9. I require you to take vacations twice a year." — Michael Chernow [37:26]

4. Self-Priority Enables Leadership

• Self-care is not selfish: Michael and Michelle stress that prioritizing one’s own wellness is the foundation for showing up fully for others.

  "If you are going to be great at connecting with anybody, you have to be great at connecting with what fuels you, what you should hold sacred." — Dr. Johnston [25:14] "I am my priority, period. Done—before my wife, before my kids, before my business, all of it." — Michael Chernow [28:08]

• The "go-to-bed" alarm: Replacing the end-of-day scroll with disciplined sleep habits fuels morning routines and overall happiness.

  "The go to bed alarm is arguably the most powerful tool anybody can introduce into their lives... going to bed at 9:30 and waking up at 5 or 5:30 is the secret sauce to happiness." — Michael Chernow [30:36/00:00]

5. Leading with Heart in Business

• Humanity in leadership: Dr. Johnston urges leaders to move beyond transactional management—appreciate people as whole humans, not just employees.

  "What I’m advocating for is just—show up human and see your people as human." — Dr. Johnston [39:15]

• Integration over compartmentalization: The notion of having a “work self” and “home self” is outdated. Modern leadership requires authenticity across domains.

6. Practical Tools for Connection

• Meetings as connection opportunities: Dr. Johnston recommends starting meetings with connection-based questions, sharing agendas, and using breakout rooms to foster inclusion and deeper understanding.

  "Begin with a connection question. Get to know your people... Rather than having agenda items, have agenda questions." — Dr. Johnston [52:52]

• Courage and vulnerability: Real connection, especially for type-A or previously “jerk bosses,” demands courage to be vulnerable, receive feedback, and empower others instead of micromanaging.

7. Influence of Foundational Books and Studies

• Dale Carnegie’s 'How to Win Friends and Influence People': Both reflect on its validation that heart-led connection is a strength, not a vulnerability.

  "I felt like the book was written about me... That superpower came to the surface for me and said, 'Holy smokes. This is what I do.'" — Michael Chernow [59:31]

• The Harvard Study of Adult Development: They reference this long-term study proving the single best predictor of happiness is the quality of personal relationships.

  "It matters most, in terms of happiness, the quality of your relationships, your personal relationships." — Michael Chernow [63:04]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the fundamental shift in leadership:

  "Connection pays off; it's not a soft skill, it's a power skill, and you need to work at it. It's got to be intentional."
  — Dr. Johnston [34:43]

• On the trap of productivity:

  "So many executives, particularly CEOs... end up feeling empty because they didn't prioritize relationships."
  — Dr. Johnston [24:44]

• On calendar and priorities:

  "If you don't plan them and put it on your calendar, they don't get done. So that's the shift that I want, is to go from what to who."
  — Dr. Johnston [15:07]

• On setting boundaries for teams:

  "I do not expect a response from an email after 6 o’clock... I require you to take vacations twice a year. It is necessary. You must do it."
  — Michael Chernow [37:26]

• On leading with energy:

  "Energy is not experienced through words necessarily... Eyes wide open and a smile, like, that—what you just did—sent awesome energy my way."
  — Michael Chernow [44:41]

Notable Segment Timestamps

• Connection vs. IQ/EQ in leadership – [04:09–05:38]
• Technology’s impact on genuine connection – [08:45–14:29]
• Structuring the calendar for relationships & wellness – [21:24–24:00], [25:14–28:08]
• Building connection into leadership meetings – [52:33–55:13]
• Dr. Johnston on ‘The Seismic Shift In You’ book – [55:26–58:47]
• Dale Carnegie and the power of connection – [59:04–63:04]
• The Harvard study’s findings on happiness – [62:46–63:26]

The Seismic Shift: Dr. Johnston’s Book

• Purpose: To provide actionable, practical shifts for leaders and individuals to reclaim connection as the core of effective leadership and satisfying life—especially amid AI and tech expansion.
• Seven Necessary Shifts: From prioritizing ‘who’ over ‘what’, putting yourself first, reframing meetings and conversations, to being mindful of energy and language.
• Takeaway: Tiny, intentional tweaks create a life and leadership style centered on meaningful connection.

Conclusion

Michael Chernow and Dr. Michelle Johnston deliver a passionate, evidence-backed argument: connection, not just achievement, shapes our lifelong fulfillment and effectiveness as leaders. The seismic shift required? Start with yourself, carve boundaries for what (and who) matters, and courageously foster real, human interactions—in business and beyond. The episode is both a practical guide and a persuasive rallying cry for anyone ready to trade transactional busyness for a more connected, purpose-driven life.

For more from Dr. Michelle Johnston:

• Book: "The Seismic Shift in You" — Available via Amazon, local bookstores, and audiobook
• Coaching & Resources: michellekjohnston.com

For more on Creatures of Habit and Michael Chernow:

• Creatures of Habit Website (with a 'K')