Finding Your North Star: The Leadership Strategy That Starts with Joy

Finding Your North Star: The Leadership Strategy That Starts with Joy

In this episode of The Joy CEO Podcast, Lori Pine explores what it truly means to find your North Star, the simple truth she arrived at after decades spent surviving a demanding career and raising her sons, with little room for a bigger question. Her north star today is radically small on purpose: help one person. In every phone call, coaching session, Connect gathering, and speaking event, that's the only question she's answering. . This episode also challenges the common misconception that joy is something we earn once life is perfect. Lori explains why joy is different from happiness—it isn't dependent on circumstances, and it can exist alongside grief, uncertainty, or struggle. This episode makes the case that joy is the strategy, not the consolation prize, and closes with a direct question for the listener: who is the one person in front of you today, and what would it look like to let that be enough? If you've been questioning your purpose, feeling disconnected from your work, or wondering what really matters, this episode offers a powerful invitation to return to yourself. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS: YOUR NORTH STAR ISN'T FOUND OUTSIDE OF YOU Titles, promotions, money, and recognition may feel like the destination, but they rarely provide lasting fulfillment. Your North Star is discovered by looking inward and identifying what truly gives your life meaning. HELPING ONE PERSON IS ENOUGH Lori shares how shifting from trying to reach everyone to intentionally helping one person changed everything. One conversation, one client, one post, or one act of encouragement can create a ripple effect you may never fully see. EGO CHASES PERFORMANCE. PURPOSE CREATES IMPACT. There was a season when Lori believed saying "yes" to everything was the path to success. Looking back, she recognizes how ego often disguises itself as ambition. Real leadership comes from alignment, not constant proving. JOY IS DIFFERENT THAN HAPPINESS Happiness depends on circumstances. Joy lives underneath every circumstance. It doesn't erase grief, disappointment, or uncertainty—but it can exist alongside them and guide how we lead. SMALL DAILY WINS BUILD REAL CONFIDENCE Instead of measuring success by external milestones, Lori encourages listeners to audit the moments where they honored their values, kept promises to themselves, or made a meaningful difference. LET JOY BECOME YOUR LEADERSHIP STRATEGY Joy isn't a reward reserved for after success—it becomes the strategy that helps you make better decisions, stay grounded, and lead with authenticity instead of exhaustion. 🔎 MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: * The concept of finding your personal North Star as your guiding purpose. * The distinction between joy and happiness, and why joy is available regardless of circumstances. * Lori's personal journey through career success, loss, survival seasons, and redefining leadership. * The "One Person Mission"—measuring success by lives impacted rather than followers, titles, or recognition. * Daily self-audits as a way to build confidence, self-trust, and self-esteem. ✨ REFLECTION PROMPTS: * What has been your North Star up until now—and is it still serving you? * Are your biggest decisions being driven by purpose or by performance? * Where have you been measuring success by someone else's definition? * What would it look like to help just one person today? * If joy became your strategy instead of your reward, how would your leadership change? 🧠 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR: * Women leaders redefining what success looks like. * Professionals who feel successful on paper but disconnected internally. * High achievers recovering from burnout or constant striving. * Entrepreneurs and executives searching for deeper purpose. * Anyone wanting to lead with greater intention, joy, and lasting impact. 📩 WANT TO GO DEEPER? Follow Lori on https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripineLinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripine] to continue the conversation * Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: https://www.loripine.com/discovery-callloripine.com [https://www.loripine.com/discovery-call] 🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast ⭐️ Leave a review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-ceo/id1817292260] to help other heart-centered leaders find the show 📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace

Part Two: The Steps I Took To Reclaim Myself

SUMMARY: In part two of this deeply personal series, host Lori Pyne shares how a collapse outside a New York deli became the wake-up call that changed the trajectory of her life and leadership. After years of chasing achievement, identity, and external validation, Lori began the inner work that would eventually shape her philosophy that joy isn't separate from success—it fuels it. This episode explores the hidden cost of tying your worth to your title, the discomfort that comes when high achievers slow down, and why so many women instinctively fill empty space with more work instead of reflection. Lori shares practical tools for regulating your nervous system, breaking free from people-pleasing, and reconnecting with the person underneath the performance. If you've built a successful life but still feel exhausted, disconnected, or unsure who you are outside of what you do—this episode is for you. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS: THE IDENTITY TRAP IS REAL Many ambitious leaders become so attached to their titles, achievements, and image that they lose sight of who they are outside of work. When your identity becomes your role, every setback feels personal—and stepping away feels impossible. Audience follow-up → If your job title disappeared tomorrow, how would you describe yourself? THE VOID ISN'T THE PROBLEM—IT'S THE INVITATION When high achievers finally slow down, they often encounter what Lori calls "the void"—an uncomfortable space where busyness no longer distracts from deeper questions. The instinct is often to fill that space with more doing. Growth begins when you stay long enough to listen. Audience follow-up → What have you been avoiding by staying busy? YOUR WORTH IS NOT YOUR PRODUCTIVITY Lori challenges the belief that value comes from output, achievement, or being the person everyone depends on. Grounded leadership comes from presence, not constant performance. Audience follow-up → Where are you measuring your value by what you produce rather than who you are? IT'S TIME FOR A CORPORATE EXORCISM People-pleasing, perfectionism, over-functioning, and saying yes when you mean no aren't leadership strengths—they're survival strategies. Leadership in alignment requires boundaries, even when they disappoint other people. Audience follow-up → What boundary have you been avoiding because you're afraid of letting someone down? YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM NEEDS LEADERSHIP TOO Stress isn't only a mindset issue—it's physical. Lori shares practices that helped her regulate her body and return to herself, including breathwork, yoga, time in nature, movement, and intentionally seeking moments of awe. Audience follow-up → What helps your body feel safe enough to slow down? SMALL HABITS CREATE BIG SHIFTS Transformation rarely happens through dramatic change. Micro-habits practiced consistently create sustainable leadership and lasting wellbeing. Audience follow-up → What's one small daily habit that would help you reconnect with yourself this week? HEALING DOESN'T HAPPEN ALONE Therapy, coaching, retreats, and supportive communities can provide the space and mirrors we often can't create for ourselves. Growth accelerates when you're surrounded by people committed to becoming more fully themselves. Audience follow-up → Who supports the version of you you're becoming? 🔎 MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: * The Identity Trap — when achievement and titles become your entire sense of self. * The Void — the uncomfortable space that appears when busyness stops and self-reflection begins. * Corporate Exorcism — Lori's framework for releasing people-pleasing, perfectionism, and over-functioning. * Nervous System Regulation Practices — including breathwork, yoga, movement, nature, and awe. * Micro-Habits — small, repeatable actions that support sustainable change. * Therapy, Retreats, and Community — essential support structures for long-term growth and alignment. ✨ REFLECTION PROMPTS: * Who am I when I'm not producing, performing, or achieving? * What am I using work to avoid feeling? * Where do I need stronger boundaries to protect my energy? * What brings me genuine joy—and when was the last time I made space for it? * What would leadership look like if I stopped proving and started aligning? 🧠 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR: * High-performing women who feel exhausted despite their success * Leaders navigating burnout or questioning their identity outside work * Executives ready to lead from alignment rather than obligation * Professionals working to overcome people-pleasing and perfectionism * Anyone curious about the connection between nervous system health, joy, and sustainable leadership 📩 WANT TO GO DEEPER? Follow Lori on https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripineLinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripine] to continue the conversation * Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: https://www.loripine.com/discovery-callloripine.com [https://www.loripine.com/discovery-call] 🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast ⭐️ Leave a review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-ceo/id1817292260] to help other heart-centered leaders find the show 📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace

The Real Origin Story of The Joy CEO: When Burnout Became My Wake-Up Call

SUMMARY: In this deeply personal episode, I share the story that became the foundation of The Joy CEO. It’s a story I don’t tell often—one that begins in 2008 when I was juggling a new leadership role near New York City, relocating across the country, navigating a divorce, and raising two young boys. On the outside, I looked like I had everything under control. On the inside, my body was sounding alarms I refused to hear. After months of stress, sleep deprivation, and pushing through exhaustion, I collapsed outside a deli and woke up in the back of an ambulance after experiencing a grand mal seizure. That moment forced me to confront a truth so many high-achieving women face: just because you can carry it all doesn’t mean you should. In this episode, I explore the hidden cost of high performance, the warning signs we often ignore, and why joy is not a luxury—it’s a leadership strategy. I also share research showing that leaders who cultivate joy and wellbeing are more productive, creative, and resilient than those operating from constant stress and survival mode. This is part one of a two-part series on the real origin story of The Joy CEO and the inner transformation that changed everything. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS: HIGH PERFORMANCE CAN HIDE A BREAKING POINT Many ambitious women become so skilled at carrying responsibility that they stop recognizing when they’re overwhelmed. YOUR BODY OFTEN KNOWS BEFORE YOUR MIND DOES Stress doesn't always show up as a breakdown. It can appear as exhaustion, headaches, anxiety, poor sleep, irritability, or chronic tension long before a crisis occurs. SURVIVAL MODE IS NOT SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP Operating on adrenaline may create short-term results, but it comes at a cost. Constant hustle can disconnect you from creativity, clarity, and joy. JOY IS A LEADERSHIP ADVANTAGE Research highlighted in this episode shows that leaders who experience greater wellbeing and positive emotions are more productive, innovative, and effective. SELF-AWARENESS IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD CHANGE Transformation begins when we pause long enough to notice what's happening internally rather than pushing through discomfort. YOU DON'T HAVE TO EARN REST Many high achievers believe rest is something they deserve only after achieving enough. This mindset often leads to burnout. 🔎 MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: * Lori's 2008 grand mal seizure that became a turning point in her life and leadership journey * The "I've Got It" high-performer mindset * The impact of chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and emotional overload * Research from Harvard and McKinsey on the connection between joy, wellbeing, productivity, creativity, and business performance * The concept of joyful leadership as a sustainable alternative to hustle culture * The upcoming Part Two episode exploring the inner work and mindset shifts that followed this life-changing experience ✨ REFLECTION PROMPTS: * What warning signs have I been minimizing or ignoring? * Where am I relying on willpower instead of support? * What does my body need from me right now? * How has stress affected the way I show up as a leader? * If joy became a leadership priority, what would I do differently this week? 🧠 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR: * High-achieving women balancing leadership, family, and personal challenges * Executives and professionals who feel successful but exhausted * Leaders experiencing stress, overwhelm, or early signs of burnout * Women who are tired of carrying everything alone * Anyone seeking a more sustainable, joyful approach to success and leadership 💛 FAVORITE QUOTE: "The very thing that made me successful—the belief that I could handle it all—was the thing that nearly broke me." 📩 WANT TO GO DEEPER? Follow Lori on https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripineLinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripine] to continue the conversation * Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: https://www.loripine.com/discovery-callloripine.com [https://www.loripine.com/discovery-call] 🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast ⭐️ Leave a review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-ceo/id1817292260] to help other heart-centered leaders find the show 📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace

Episode 56: The Moment You Realize It Wasn't You—How the Right Environment Changes Everything

SUMMARY: In this episode, I share a realization that completely changed the way I think about leadership, confidence, and career growth: sometimes the problem isn't you—it's the room you're in. For years, I believed that if I worked harder, proved myself more, and pushed through challenges, I could succeed anywhere. But looking back, I can see how certain environments quietly chipped away at my confidence while others helped me thrive. Using the story of NBA star Jalen Brunson's transformation from being viewed as a supporting player in Dallas to becoming a franchise leader in New York, I explore how the right environment can unlock potential that was always there. I also share my own experience working at Anheuser-Busch under leadership that made me question my value, and how everything changed when I joined Coca-Cola and found a culture where my strengths were recognized and supported. If you've been feeling stuck, overlooked, or like you're constantly proving yourself, this episode is a reminder that sometimes growth doesn't require becoming someone different—it requires finding a room where you can fully be yourself. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS: YOUR ENVIRONMENT SHAPES YOUR CONFIDENCE The room you're in has a powerful impact on how you see yourself. When your contributions are minimized or overlooked, it's easy to assume you're the problem. Audience follow-up → Where in your life are you receiving signals that make you question your value? NOT ALL FEEDBACK IS ABOUT YOU Sometimes what isn't being said is just as important as what is. The lack of support, opportunity, or recognition may reveal more about the environment than your abilities. Audience follow-up → What "feedback" have you internalized that may actually be a reflection of the culture around you? GREAT LEADERS BUILD AROUND STRENGTHS The Knicks didn't ask Jalen Brunson to become someone else—they built around what he already did well. Strong leaders and organizations create conditions where people can thrive. Audience follow-up → Are your strengths being leveraged in your current role, or are you constantly compensating for weaknesses? SELF-DOUBT OFTEN STARTS IN THE WRONG ROOM Repeated exposure to environments that don't value your perspective can slowly erode confidence, even when you're highly capable. Audience follow-up → Have you mistaken an environmental issue for a personal deficiency? SOMETIMES GROWTH REQUIRES A DIFFERENT ROOM There comes a point when advocating for yourself isn't enough. If the environment refuses to change, it may be time to find a place where your value is recognized. Audience follow-up → What would become possible if you stopped trying to convince the wrong people of your worth? 🔎 MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: * Jalen Brunson – His journey from Dallas to New York and how the right environment unlocked his leadership potential. * Anheuser-Busch – Lori's early leadership experience and lessons learned about workplace culture. * The Coca-Cola Company – The environment where Lori rebuilt confidence and thrived professionally. * Leadership environments and the hidden impact they have on confidence, performance, and career growth. ✨ REFLECTION PROMPTS: * Where have I been blaming myself for something that was actually environmental? * What messages am I receiving from the people and culture around me? * Do I feel supported, valued, and seen in my current environment? * What strengths do I bring that aren't being fully recognized? * What would it look like to move toward a room that expands me instead of shrinking me? 🧠 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR: * Women leaders who feel stuck despite working hard * High performers questioning their confidence or capability * Professionals navigating difficult workplace cultures * Executives considering a career move or leadership transition * Anyone who has ever wondered, "Maybe I'm just not good enough" This episode is a reminder that your potential isn't determined by the room you're in. Sometimes the breakthrough comes when you stop questioning yourself and start questioning whether the environment is worthy of your gifts. 📩 WANT TO GO DEEPER? Follow Lori on https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripineLinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripine] to continue the conversation * Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: https://www.loripine.com/discovery-callloripine.com [https://www.loripine.com/discovery-call] 🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast ⭐️ Leave a review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-ceo/id1817292260] to help other heart-centered leaders find the show 📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace

Episode 55: The Hidden cost of making it look easy

Summary: In this solo episode of The Joy CEO Podcast, I’m sharing a conversation that hit me harder than I expected. A mentor once told me, “Your biggest problem is that you make it look easy.” At first, I took it as a compliment. But the more I reflected on it, the more I realized it was actually pointing to a hidden challenge many ambitious women face. When you’re known as the person who always has it together, people stop checking in. And eventually, you stop checking in with yourself. In this episode, I unpack what I call the Permission Problem—the belief that because we’re capable, we shouldn’t need support. I share my own experience leading a large, travel-heavy team while silently battling exhaustion, and why burnout isn’t always about workload. Sometimes it’s about feeling like you’re not allowed to struggle. If you've ever been the strong one, the reliable one, or the person everyone depends on, this episode is an invitation to stop performing fine and start being honest about what you need. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS MAKING IT LOOK EASY CAN BECOME A TRAP For years, I wore competence like armor. The problem? When you make everything look effortless, people assume you don’t need help. Audience follow-up → Where in your life are you performing strength instead of allowing support? BURNOUT ISN'T ALWAYS A TIME MANAGEMENT PROBLEM Research shows that burnout is rising among high performers, especially women leaders. The issue often isn't productivity—it’s carrying everything alone. Audience follow-up → Are you overwhelmed because of your workload, or because you're trying to carry it without support? THE STRONGEST PERSON IN THE ROOM STILL NEEDS SOMEONE I share a season in 2019 when I was traveling constantly, leading a large team, and outwardly succeeding while privately feeling depleted. Audience follow-up → Who knows how you're really doing right now? STOP PERFORMING COMPETENCE YOU DON'T FEEL There's a difference between being capable and pretending everything is okay. Leadership doesn't require perfection. Audience follow-up → What truth have you been editing out when someone asks, "How are you?" BUILD AN INNER CIRCLE BEFORE YOU NEED ONE Whether it's a partner, friend, therapist, mentor, or coach, every leader needs people who can hold space for honesty. Audience follow-up → Do you have a circle where you can be fully yourself—not just your professional self? PERMISSION STARTS WITHIN No title, promotion, or achievement will give you permission to rest, receive support, or be human. That permission has to come from you. Audience follow-up → What would change if you gave yourself permission to ask for help today? 🔎 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Gallup workplace burnout research * McKinsey research on women in leadership * Lori's 2019 leadership experience managing a large, travel-heavy team * The concept of the "Load-Bearing Wall" leader * Building a personal support system and inner circle ✨ REFLECTION PROMPTS * Have I become so good at coping that people no longer know when I'm struggling? * Where am I performing competence instead of telling the truth? * Who are the people I trust enough to be honest with? * What support do I need that I haven't asked for? * What would it look like to pursue ambition without carrying everything alone? 🧠 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR * High-achieving women in corporate leadership * Entrepreneurs carrying the weight of their business alone * Leaders experiencing burnout despite external success * Women who struggle to ask for help * Anyone who feels responsible for holding everything together 📩 WANT TO GO DEEPER? Follow Lori on https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripineLinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripine] to continue the conversation * Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: https://www.loripine.com/discovery-callloripine.com [https://www.loripine.com/discovery-call] 🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast ⭐️ Leave a review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-ceo/id1817292260] to help other heart-centered leaders find the show 📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace