Season 08, Ashutosh Garg, Female, English, Business Leader, Human Resources, USA

BOSS Leadership & the Power of Kindness | Susie Gidseg, Author and Corporate Leader

Posted on by inknuts
29
Oct

BOSS Leadership & the Power of Kindness | Susie Gidseg, Author and Corporate Leader

  • Navigating the sudden transition to remote leadership.
  • Taking responsibility for the team’s success during uncertainty.

Podcast

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Overview

In this engaging episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg speaks with Susie Gidseg, author of BOSS: Becoming the Leader You Always Wished You Had, about the power of kindness, vulnerability, and intentional leadership.

Drawing on personal experiences and practical leadership lessons, Susie explores how leaders can build trust, communicate with clarity, and create supportive, high-performing teams—even during uncertain times. The conversation examines why many managers lack formal leadership training, how kindness can strengthen organizational culture, and why effective leadership begins with understanding and supporting people.

00:45 — Becoming a Manager Just Before the Pandemic

  • Navigating the sudden transition to remote leadership.
  • Taking responsibility for the team’s success during uncertainty.
  • Prioritizing collective achievement and team support.

01:52 — Embracing Multiple Interests and Owning Your Story

  • Experiencing two rounds of workforce reductions in one year.
  • Embracing a multifaceted identity as a strategist, artist, writer, podcaster, and dancer.
  • Recognizing the importance of owning and sharing one’s story.

03:11 — How Leadership Experiences Shape Kindness

  • Learning from negative leadership characterized by poor communication and limited support.
  • Recognizing the value of leaders who advocate for, mentor, and empower their teams.
  • Understanding how leaders can help people feel seen, valued, and respected.

05:03 — The Story Behind BOSS

  • How encouragement from a previous team inspired the book.
  • Promoting a culture in which people no longer have to endure bad bosses.
  • Using personal stories to share meaningful leadership lessons.

06:45 — Why Managers Need Leadership Training

  • Understanding the “high performer paradox.”
  • Recognizing the difference between individual performance and effective leadership.
  • Valuing leadership and individual-contributor career paths equally.

08:06 — Building Genuine Trust Within Teams

  • Understanding why genuine trust allows people to question and challenge ideas.
  • Recognizing that silence can indicate fear rather than trust.
  • Encouraging open dialogue and respecting team members’ contributions.

09:51 — Why Kindness Is a Leadership Advantage

  • Exploring kindness as a driver of high-performing teams.
  • Creating a culture of mutual support, trust, and appreciation.
  • Recognizing employees as whole people, not merely workers.

11:19 — “Clear Is Kind”: The Value of Honest Feedback

  • Giving direct, constructive, and honest feedback.
  • Balancing positive recognition with opportunities for improvement.
  • Approaching difficult conversations with clarity and genuine care.

13:16 — Leading Like a Human Being Under Pressure

  • Checking in with team members beyond routine work-related questions.
  • Adapting leadership to individual needs and circumstances.
  • Valuing people alongside performance and results.

15:00 — Learning from Leadership Mistakes

  • Recognizing assumptions about how others work.
  • Adapting leadership approaches to different personalities and strengths.
  • Embracing vulnerability and acknowledging mistakes.

16:33 — Helping High Performers Take Up Space

  • Encouraging people to advocate for themselves and their ideas.
  • Taking initiative rather than waiting for permission.
  • Recognizing opportunities for growth and contribution.

RESOURCES

Learn more about Susie Gidseg and her work through her LinkedIn profile.

ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?

One of the key messages from this episode is that kindness is not simply a “nice-to-have”—it is an essential part of a strong organizational culture. High-performing teams are built on mutual trust, respect, appreciation, and support.

What does kindness in leadership mean to you? Share your perspective in the comments.

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Profile

  • Susie Gidseg is the author of BOSS: Becoming the Leader You Always Wished You Had.

  • Advocates for kindness, vulnerability, and intentional leadership to build stronger workplace relationships.

  • Emphasizes trust, clear communication, and employee support as foundations of high-performing teams.

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