The CARES Framework: 5 Traits Every Kind Leader Shares

The CARES Framework: 5 Traits Every Kind Leader Shares

After 97 conversations with leaders from around the world, Gino Degregori noticed a pattern: The leaders people trust most don't just excel at one thing. They consistently get five things right. The challenge? Most leaders only master one or two. In this solo episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, Gino introduces the CARES Framework, a leadership model built from nearly 100 conversations exploring what kindness truly looks like in practice. Together, you'll explore: • Why leadership starts with clarity before strategy • How accountability and kindness can coexist • Why trust is built long before you need it • The difference between real empathy and performative empathy • Why service is the foundation of leadership • The hidden cost of leading from power instead of purpose • The five traits that consistently appear in kind leaders This conversation goes far beyond leadership theory. It's about understanding which leadership habits you're already practicing and which ones may be quietly holding you back. Because great leaders aren't defined by what they achieve. They're remembered for how they impact the people around them. Connect with The Kind Leader Podcast: * Website: TheKindLeaderPodcast.com [https://thekindleaderpodcast.com] * YouTube: Kind Leader Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@KindLeaderPodcast] * Apple Podcasts: The Kind Leader [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kind-leader/id1721837974] * Spotify: The Kind Leader [https://open.spotify.com/show/4S8XNY8SgN2KSxcpQpPPxv?si=9e8a45b1419f4448] * Email: thekindleader@bravocg.com [thekindleader@bravocg.com]

The Hidden Cost Of Being The Nice Leader

Everyone wants to work with the nice leader. The patient one. The supportive one. The one who always says yes. But what if being nice is quietly holding you back? In this episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, Gino Degregori sits down with technology executive and longtime colleague Eric Schrier to explore a challenge many leaders face but rarely talk about: The tension between being nice and being kind. After more than 30 years leading teams across industries and cultures, Eric has learned that constantly saying yes, avoiding disappointment, and carrying more than your share may feel helpful in the moment. But over time, it can leave leaders overwhelmed, overstretched, and unable to create the impact they want. Together, Gino and Eric explore: * The difference between kindness and niceness * Why some leaders struggle to say no * The hidden cost of always being the reliable one * How self-reflection improves leadership * How leaders become overstretched without realizing it * Why being kind to yourself is just as important as being kind to others This conversation goes far beyond leadership styles. It's about the tension between keeping the peace and telling the truth. Because niceness keeps the peace. But kindness keeps the truth. Connect with Eric Schrier: * LinkedIn: Eric Schrier [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eschrier/] * Email: eschrier@bravocg.com Connect with The Kind Leader Podcast: * Website: TheKindLeaderPodcast.com [https://thekindleaderpodcast.com] * YouTube: Kind Leader Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@KindLeaderPodcast] * Apple Podcasts: The Kind Leader [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kind-leader/id1721837974] * Spotify: The Kind Leader [https://open.spotify.com/show/4S8XNY8SgN2KSxcpQpPPxv?si=9e8a45b1419f4448] * Email: thekindleader@bravocg.com [thekindleader@bravocg.com]

The Traits That Make You Successful May Be Burning You Out

What if the traits that helped you succeed are the same traits quietly pushing you toward burnout? In this powerful episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, Gino Degregori sits down with executive coach, author, and founder of Gem Consulting Solutions, Julien Godbarge, to explore why some of our greatest strengths can become our most dangerous blind spots. After experiencing a full burnout while leading as a CEO, Julien discovered something many leaders never see coming: The habits that fuel success often disguise themselves as the warning signs of burnout. Together, Gino and Julien explore: * Why burnout is often caused by hidden blind spots, not workload alone * How high achievers unknowingly turn strengths into liabilities * The danger of the "no pain, no gain" mindset * Why leaders find safety in constant momentum * The hidden cost of ignoring stress and emotional processing * How mindfulness helps leaders interrupt unhealthy patterns * Why sleep may be the first warning sign leaders overlook * How isolation makes burnout worse * Why success should never come at the expense of your humanity This conversation goes far beyond burnout. It's about recognizing the patterns that drive achievement while quietly pulling you away from the life you're trying to build. Because the goal isn't just to succeed. It's to build a life and career you don't have to recover from. Connect with Julien Godbarge: * Website: TenBlindSpots.com [https://tenblindspots.com] * LinkedIn: Julien Godbarge [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliengodbarge/] Resources Mentioned: * Crash and Burn: How To Identify, Manage, and Prevent Burnout [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GM1HCKSW] by Julien Godbarge * The 10 Blind Spots Assessment: TenBlindSpots.com [https://tenblindspots.com] Connect with The Kind Leader Podcast: * Website: konect.to/thekindleaderpodcast [https://konect.to/thekindleaderpodcast] * YouTube: Kind Leader Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@KindLeaderPodcast] * Apple Podcasts: The Kind Leader [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kind-leader/id1721837974] * Spotify: The Kind Leader [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kind-leader/id1721837974] * Email: thekindleader@bravocg.com [thekindleader@bravocg.com]

You Can't Lead Others Until You Lead Yourself

Most leaders think their biggest challenge is managing other people. Tinna Jackson believes it's managing themselves. In this powerful episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, Gino Degregori sits down with executive coach, bestselling author, and former U.S. Senate Deputy Chief of Staff Tinna Jackson to explore why self-awareness may be the foundation of every great leader. After a decade inside the U.S. Senate, Tinna learned a difficult lesson: The behaviors that limit our leadership are often the ones we can't see. Together, Gino and Tinna explore: • Why leadership begins with self-awareness • How childhood experiences shape the way we lead • The connection between ego, power, and influence • Why influence matters more than authority • How unexamined blind spots create chaos inside teams • Why asking for help is a leadership strength • The role of mentorship, feedback, and personal growth • How leaders can build stronger relationships through trust and authenticity This conversation goes far beyond leadership development. It's about having the courage to understand yourself before trying to lead anyone else. Because the hardest person you'll ever lead is yourself. Connect with Tinna Jackson: * Website: tinnajackson.com [https://tinnajackson.com] * LinkedIn: E. Tinna Jackson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinna-jackson/] * Instagram: @iamtinnajackson [https://www.instagram.com/iamtinnajackson/] * Youtube: Tinna Jackson [https://www.youtube.com/@tinnajackson] Resources Mentioned: * The Power Play Journal [https://thepowerplayjournal.com] by Tinna Jackson Connect with The Kind Leader Podcast: * Website: konect.to/thekindleaderpodcast [https://konect.to/thekindleaderpodcast] * YouTube: Kind Leader Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@KindLeaderPodcast] * Apple Podcasts: The Kind Leader [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kind-leader/id1721837974] * Spotify: The Kind Leader [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kind-leader/id1721837974] * Email: thekindleader@bravocg.com [thekindleader@bravocg.com] Chapters * 0:00 Why Power and Kindness Belong Together * 1:51 From the U.S. Senate to Self-Aware Leadership * 2:46 What Kind Leadership Really Requires * 4:04 The Leader Who Made Everyone Feel Seen * 5:41 Why Workplace Empathy Can't Be Optional Anymore * 10:13 The Chaos Leaders Create Without Self-Awareness * 13:09 How Childhood Triggers Follow Us Into Work * 17:35 Power Isn't the Problem. Ego Is. * 23:07 How Anyone Can Build Influence Without a Title * 27:10 The Feedback That Changed Tinna's Leadership * 34:34 Flip the Mic: Staying Kind When You're Burned Out * 38:41 Rapid Fire Questions * 43:09 Give Yourself Grace and Ask for Support

The 4 Habits That Feel Like Kindness, But Aren't

In the first solo episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, Gino shares one of the hardest leadership lessons he's learned: The things that make us feel like kind leaders aren't always kind at all. Avoiding hard conversations. Keeping the peace. Protecting people from discomfort. They may feel caring in the moment. But over time, they quietly erode trust, weaken teams, and create distance. Through a personal story and practical reflection, Gino explores: • Why kindness without accountability creates chaos • The difference between being nice and being kind • The four "near enemies" of kind leadership • Why avoiding hard conversations becomes a disservice • The hidden cost of conflict avoidance and toxic positivity • Three questions you can use this week to lead with more clarity and care This conversation goes far beyond leadership advice. It's about recognizing the habits that feel right in the moment but quietly create damage over time. Because great leadership isn't avoiding hard conversations. It's caring enough to have them. Connect with The Kind Leader Podcast: * Website: www.konect.to/thekindleaderpodcast [https://konect.to/thekindleaderpodcast] * YouTube: Kind Leader Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@KindLeaderPodcast] * Apple Podcasts: The Kind Leader [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kind-leader/id1721837974] * Spotify: The Kind Leader [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kind-leader/id1721837974] * Email: thekindleader@bravocg.com [thekindleader@bravocg.com] Chapters * 0:00 Why Most Leaders Get Kindness Wrong * 2:25 Kindness Without Accountability Creates Chaos * 4:07 The Hard Conversation I Avoided for Too Long * 7:01 The 4 Habits That Feel Like Kindness, But Aren't * 9:12 Three Questions Every Leader Should Ask This Week * 11:25 The CARES Framework: What's Coming Next