About this episode

Michelle K. Johnston, Ph.D. discusses the importance of genuine human connection in leadership amidst rising productivity and disconnection in the age of AI.

What happens when productivity keeps rising, but people feel more disconnected than ever? In this episode, Michelle K. Johnston, Ph.D., challenges leaders to make a seismic shift back to genuine human connection in an age of AI, nonstop notifications, and relentless busyness. Michelle shares her powerful insight, “Productivity without connection equals emptiness,” and explains why checking boxes without meaningful relationships leaves leaders and teams drained rather than fulfilled. This conversation is packed with practical leadership moments, from why real connection means feeling seen, heard, valued, respected, and appreciated, to how your calendar quietly reveals what you truly prioritize. You’ll also hear simple but impactful practices, like removing the word “but” from feedback and asking people how they prefer to connect. Drawing from her work with Marshall Goldsmith and decades of executive coaching, Michelle offers ideas you can use immediately to lead with greater impact, humanity, and purpose.

People in this episode

Hosts: Dale Carnegie Flagship Podcast, Joe Hart

Guest: Michelle K. Johnston, Ph.D.

Topics covered

• AI
• human connection
• leadership
• team dynamics
• productivity
• executive coaching

Keywords

• leadership
• human connection
• productivity
• team dynamics
• executive coaching
• feedback
• communication

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Marshall Goldsmith

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