Podcast Summary

Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

Episode: Seismic Shift in the Age of AI: Building Teams That Feel Seen, Heard, and Valued
Host: Joe Hart, CEO, Dale Carnegie
Guest: Dr. Michelle Johnston, Professor, Executive Coach, and Author
Date: January 13, 2026

Main Theme

This episode explores the urgent need for connection-driven leadership in an era marked by AI, remote work, and growing feelings of isolation. Dr. Michelle Johnston, co-author of "Seismic Shift," joins Joe Hart to discuss practical strategies for leaders to make their teams feel seen, heard, and valued—advancing both well-being and organizational results. The episode dives into actionable insights on authentic relationships, the impact of disconnected workplaces, and how intentional calendar management can counteract the loneliness epidemic.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rising Cost of Disconnection in the Age of AI

• Loneliness Epidemic: Referencing Dr. Vivek Murthy, the US Surgeon General, Michelle notes a “loneliness epidemic,” worsened by technology and remote work.
  • “He called it a loneliness epidemic. And this was before the pandemic. So he was realizing what technology was doing to us…” (08:26)
  • Disconnection is as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
• False Connections: Relying on phones and online meetings gives a false sense of connection, leading to emptiness and isolation.
  • “We have this false sense of connection, and it’s actually leading us to more loneliness and emptiness.” (08:20)
• Impact on Organizations: Disconnected employees are less engaged, less effective, and more likely to leave.

2. Defining Connection in Leadership

• Operational Definition: “Do you feel seen, heard, valued, respected, and appreciated?” (10:15)
  • Real connection requires presence, active listening, and genuine interest.
  • “If you can figure out… how to make your people feel that they matter, boom, you’re a beautiful leader, you’re a successful leader, you’re an effective leader.” (11:13)

3. Practical Shifts Leaders Can Make

• Embedding Connection in Meetings:
  • Begin with relevant connection questions to engage deeper trust and discussion.
    • Example: “Tell us about a time when you came up with your best idea.” (12:49)
  • Move beyond icebreakers—go deeper to foster real engagement.
    • “Leaders need to go deeper with connection. This surface level and talking at people does not work anymore.” (13:20)
• Customized Approach to Connection:
  • Great leaders ask their team how they prefer to connect (one-on-one, in-person, phone, etc.).
    • “She did an experiment. She asked all 10 of her direct reports, how do you want to connect with me in the new year? And every single one of them had a different ask.” (15:13)
  • Servant Leadership: Adapting to individual needs is a form of respect.

4. Overcoming Leadership Blind Spots

• Self-assessment: Leaders often overestimate their connection with teams; true connection cannot be assumed based on mere interaction, especially virtual.
  • “So how do you coach people even to see their own blind spots?” (14:31)
• Ask Deep, Repeated Questions: Dr. Mark Goulston’s “Five Reallys” method—ask “How are you, really?” multiple times to break through superficial answers and gain true understanding. (16:59)

5. The Power and ROI of Connection

• Hard Results from Soft Skills: Connection is not just about feelings; it's the most powerful driver of financial performance, engagement, and productivity.
  • “People think of connection as soft and it is your most powerful skill... because it will drive financial performance.” (11:29)
• Mutual Benefit: Both leader and team thrive when connection is prioritized—a “win-win.”

6. Intentional Calendar Management

• Shifting from "What" to "Who": Leaders typically overload calendars with tasks, neglecting the people side.
  • “Show me your calendar, and I will show your priorities.” (21:16)
  • Start with the most important “who”—yourself—then your team and family.
• Control vs. Victimhood:
  • Leaders (and all professionals) must proactively set boundaries and teach those around them (and their assistants) how to help prioritize what matters.
  • “If you don’t prioritize yourself and make sure that you are number one on the calendar, do you have time to exercise? ...I’m advocating go on connection walks.” (22:12)
• Marshall Goldsmith’s Calendar Exercise:
  • “If you had an extra two hours, how would you spend it? ... If you had to cut out two hours, what would you cut?” (26:56)
  • Helps leaders uncover what energizes and empowers them versus drains them.

7. Mindset & Ownership

• Intentionality: Leadership growth starts with a mindset shift—taking true ownership of your calendar and commitments, not being a victim of busyness.
  • “We need to take command and initiate these kinds of things and recognize we do have control over our calendars.” (31:50)
• Keystone Conversations: Before beginning any collaborative project, have a “keystone conversation” about working styles, expectations, and success measures. (32:34)

8. Actionable Takeaways for Leaders

• Three Ways to Connect Better:
  • Don’t cancel meetings without a personal explanation.
  • Always respond to messages or emails from your team.
  • Delete “but” from your vocabulary—it negates what came before.
    • “Delete but from your vocabulary because it discounts up everything that came before it.” (35:13)
• Prioritize Connection Over Transactions:
  • “Productivity without connection equals emptiness.” (09:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Danger of Neglecting Connection:

  • “You don’t have time not to connect. If you are dismissing connection, then I believe you are leading ineffectively.” — Dr. Michelle Johnston (00:21, repeated at 18:20)

• On What It Means to Connect:

  • “Do you feel seen, heard, valued, respected, and appreciated?” — Dr. Michelle Johnston (10:15)

• On the Power of Questions:

  • “The simpler things, one of the most simple things you can do as a leader, as a human, is… just to ask the question, how are you doing, really?” — Dr. Michelle Johnston (16:57)

• On Calendar Ownership:

  • “Show me your calendar, and I will show your priorities.” — Dr. Michelle Johnston (21:16)
  • “The most important who is you.” — Dr. Michelle Johnston (22:20)

• On Overcoming Burnout:

  • “I got to the point… where I was so burned out after my first book… I had become the pinball in the pinball machine and everybody else is operating it and I’m just bouncing.” — Dr. Michelle Johnston (27:36)

• On Making Time for Family:

  • “She came home for college. She was home a week. She said, Mom, I’ve been home a week and I have barely seen you. What is going on?” — Dr. Michelle Johnston (29:15)

• On Mindset Shift:

  • “If it is to be, it is up to me.” — Joe Hart (37:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:21] – The vital importance of connection for leaders
• [08:00] – Loneliness epidemic & false connection through technology
• [10:15] – Defining connection (seen, heard, valued, respected, appreciated)
• [12:31] – Practical meeting strategies for more connection
• [15:04] – Assessing and asking about individual connection preferences
• [16:57] – The power of “How are you, really?” and asking follow-up questions
• [19:05] – Benefits: Engaged people, better performance, win-win outcomes
• [21:16] – Calendar as a mirror of priorities (“Show me your calendar…”)
• [26:56] – Goldsmith’s “two extra hours” exercise
• [32:34] – Collaboration lessons from working with Marshall Goldsmith
• [34:46] – Three actionable ways to increase connection immediately
• [36:33] – The biggest personal shift for leaders: own your calendar

Action Steps and Final Takeaways

• Ask deeper questions and tailor your approach to each individual.
• Embed connection time intentionally—not just as an afterthought—in meetings, one-on-ones, and your personal life.
• Prioritize people (including yourself!) over endless tasks and transactions.
• Own your schedule. Set boundaries, communicate needs, and structure your days around what energizes and matters most.
• Respond, don’t ignore. Communication is connection.
• Be intentional and initiate. Don’t wait for the right culture—lead it.

By adopting these strategies, leaders can build teams and cultures where people feel truly seen, heard, and valued—even amidst technological disruption and the pressures of modern work.

This summary captures the core themes, insights, standout quotes, and practical guidance from Dr. Michelle Johnston and Joe Hart’s lively conversation, serving as an actionable guide for anyone aiming to take command of their leadership in the age of AI.