EEC 424: Why Employee Connection Is Becoming a Leadership Imperative, with Jonathan Thorp

As the visionary leader of Quantum Connections, Jonathan spearheads Quantum Connections' strategy to support its mission to bring the power of dialogue to workplaces and individuals while expanding the organization's global influence. What are performance metrics missing? What is most important to retain employees today in a environment where 70% if employees are disengaged from the company they work for? What is missing when you only use compensation, perks, or flexibility as retention tools? How can you scale and strengthen relationships? What role does connection play in periods of uncertainty? Jonathan Thorp As the visionary leader of Quantum Connections, Jonathan spearheads Quantum Connections' strategy to support its mission to bring the power of dialogue to workplaces and individuals while expanding the organization's global influence. Under his guidance, Quantum Connections seamlessly integrates the Safe Conversations Dialogue Methodology with the dedication of its practitioners, significantly enhancing the company's impact and reach. Jonathan's expertise spans three distinct career paths—naval aviation, corporate training, and academia—providing him with a wealth of insights into adult learning. His diverse experiences have honed his understanding of optimal learning patterns, effective leadership strategies, and the importance of nurturing curiosity in students for enduring impact Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Pamela Steele, PhD, is an educational psychologist, certified mediator, and conflict resolution trainer who helps people communicate effectively and define practical, realistic ways to meet challenges head-on. How did you get from where you started professionally to where you are today? What inspired you to write your book? What personality characteristics do you believe have supported your growth and survival, given all the losses you've experienced? What do you hope people will take away from reading your book or hearing this interview? Pamela Steele Pamela Steele, PhD, is an educational psychologist, certified mediator, and conflict resolution trainer who helps people communicate effectively and define practical, realistic ways to meet challenges head-on. She has held executive leadership roles in four industries: Education, Financial, Media, and Healthcare. Pamela is the Managing Partner of Navigate Grief, through which she has supported clients through end-of-life discussions and decision-making and facilitated workshops on Living Deeply, Dying Well. Dr. Steele is the author of Nights of Hunger: A Cocktail of Grief, Dreams and Dating for Old-Ass Women. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Brit Nicole found herself leaving an abusive marriage with nothing. No money. No backup plan. Just herself, my dog, and the belief that she could build something — anything — from scratch. Tell me what challenges you have confronted and how, despite it you created a thriving business? What does "being happy without an agenda" mean to you? What are the similarities and differences between overcoming an abusive husband and being betrayed in business? How do you overcome people who project their own fears onto you because it's not something they would do? Brit Nicole Brit Nicole found herself leaving an abusive marriage with nothing. No money. No backup plan. Just herself, my dog, and the belief that she could build something — anything — from scratch. Brit remembers sitting in the quiet of that season, no clients, no certainty, just a journal full of prayers and the fire to figure it out. She told herself right then that she wasn't going to spend her life building someone else's dream. If she was capable of working that hard for the wrong people, she was going to work that hard for herself. Brit identified a market gap that nobody else saw in the early 2010s. Digital marketing wasn't even on the radar in her city, so she flew to New York to learn directly from established agencies. She returned with knowledge that didn't exist locally, secured a loan with her dad's help, and installed digital TVs throughout town and the mall. Brit built, scaled and sold that by the age of 22. Brit is interested in helping women create what they actually want. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Tiffany Jones is a Greenville, SC native who grew up in a culture where mental illness was stigmatized and often silenced. After almost 20 years of hiding and suffering quietly, Tiffany was determined to find real answers. Where does your interest in mental health come from? What do you mean when you say you have to be with the right people? What are the signs of a person being depression? What are the different types of shame, and how to overcome them? What happens if someone with depression self-medicates? Tiffany Jones Tiffany Jones is a Greenville, SC native who grew up in a culture where mental illness was stigmatized and often silenced. After almost 20 years of hiding and suffering quietly, Tiffany was determined to find real answers. Through this journey, she discovered not only her own healing but a renewed purpose. She became an author and public speaker to further share her message of hope. Today, Tiffany is committed to helping others access the understanding, tools, and resources they need to build healthier, more resilient lives. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Helen Malinowski, LICSW, SEP, is the founder of the Somatic Integration Institute and the Catalyst Collective. She is passionate about supporting clinicians in building sustainable, nourishing practices that prevent burnout and compassion fatigue. Why are so many experienced clinicians burning out, even when they love their work—and what can be done to prevent it? How does somatic regulation transform both clinical effectiveness and practitioner wellbeing? What makes community support essential—not optional—for sustaining a long-term clinical career? How can clinicians grow their practice without sacrificing themselves in the process? What are the biggest myths clinicians believe about burnout, and what actually keeps practitioners resourced for decades? Helen Malinowski, LICSW, SEP, is the founder of the Somatic Integration Institute and the Catalyst Collective. She is passionate about supporting clinicians in building sustainable, nourishing practices that prevent burnout and compassion fatigue. Through the Catalyst Collective, she creates transformational community spaces where established practitioners can grow their impact while staying deeply resourced and connected. Helen believes clinicians deserve to thrive, not just survive. She works with practitioners who are ready to invest in their growth while also honoring their need for support and sustainability. Through somatic approaches and deep community connection, she helps clinicians build practices that sustain them for the long haul. When she's not working with clients or leading cohorts, you'll find Helen running, hiking, at the beach with her dog, or connecting with friends over good conversation. As a mother navigating the beautiful complexity of family life, she understands firsthand the importance of building work that nourishes rather than depletes. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Randall Thames is an author, CEO, and Executive Leadership Advisor of Inspirit Institute, a Concierge Executive Leader Agency providing bespoke representation for current and aspiring CEOs. How did 8-year-old Randall go from "less than ordinary" to discovering his superpower? What internal 'dragons' prevent leaders from reaching 'Inevitable Outcomes'? Why leave corporate success to help others discover their superpower? What is "Process as Armor" and how does it neutralize adversaries? What's one quick win to 'elevate in place' and gain executive influence today? Randall Thames Randall Thames is an author, CEO, and Executive Leadership Advisor of Inspirit Institute, a Concierge Executive Leader Agency providing bespoke representation for current and aspiring CEOs. Also an ordained pastor and a former Senior Partner at Korn Ferry and Adjunct Faculty at Johns Hopkins University, he masterfully blends coaching, spiritual insight, and cognitive reframing to guide leaders and organizations to "Inevitable Outcomes™". Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Julius Lassalle is a leadership consultant, coach, and author based in Berlin who specializes in Embodied Leadership. After experiencing "Führungsfrust" (leadership frustration) during his 5+ years leading teams in high-pressure tech and e-commerce environments, Julius developed a revolutionary methodology that integrates psychology, neuroscience, and somatic practices. How did your experience working with leadership frustration lead you to develop Embodied Leadership? What role does somatic intelligence play in helping executives who resist traditional emotional intelligence approaches? How can coaches use body-based interventions to break through with difficult leaders? How do you identify when traditional coaching approaches aren't working and when to integrate body-based methods? What is your framework for helping leaders develop authentic emotional intelligence without triggering defensiveness Julius Lassalle Julius Lassalle is a leadership consultant, coach, and author based in Berlin who specializes in Embodied Leadership. After experiencing "Führungsfrust" (leadership frustration) during his 5+ years leading teams in high-pressure tech and e-commerce environments, Julius developed a revolutionary methodology that integrates psychology, neuroscience, and somatic practices. He holds a Psychology degree from Technical University Berlin and is a certified Professional Coach (DBVC). As co-author of "Self-Empowered Leadership: and contributor to Harvard Business Manager, Julius has established himself as a thought leader in the field. He currently serves as Chair of the Board at the European Association for Gestalt Therapy and is the founder of the Alive School of Embodied Leadership & Transformation, working with organizations ranging from 51 to 10,000+ employees. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

If Swissair went bankrupt in the past, Swiss International Airlines in Swiss Romand is beginning to thrive with Lorenzo Stoll, and stay tuned, it is just the beginning. Dr. Katrina Burrus asked what he attributes to some of his leadership successes at Swiss International Airlines with the following questions: What is one trait he possesses that makes him an effective leader at Swiss? How does he overcome challenges? What routine does he attribute to his success at Swiss International Airlines? How does he relieve his stress? What is one piece of advice he would give to a younger version of himself? For you, Lorenzo Stoll shares his biggest failure and his biggest passion. Who is Lorenzo Stoll? Lorenzo Stoll, born in 1971, joined SWISS in October 2013. Holding a diploma from the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, he started his career working in the tourism and leisure industry at the Montreux-Vevey Tourism Office. Lorenzo Stoll comes to SWISS from the Nestlé organization, where he has held various executive functions with a strong focus on customer and marketing affairs over the past 12 years. In 2007, he assumed responsibility for the global sales of Nestlé Waters, and two years later, he was appointed Chief Commercial Officer of Nestlé Waters Switzerland. As SWISS's Head of Western Switzerland, he is in charge of all aspects of SWISS's business unit in Geneva, and stay tuned for the changes that will be happening at SWISS. Lorenzo Stoll was asked: What trait of his does he attribute to making him an effective leader? How does he challenge himself to overcome resistance? What routine does he attribute to his success? How does he relieve stress? What advice would he give to a younger version of himself? What was his biggest failure? How can we get the cheapest flights at Swiss?

Dr. Seth Berkley walks us through his successful leadership journey as CEO of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. Tune in to learn more through Dr. Katrina Burrus's questions. What is your leadership strategy? What is one leadership trait you possess that makes you an effective leader? How did you use that trait to build organizational success? What were some of the biggest challenges in your career and how did you overcome them? Take us to your biggest failure? Who in your life had a lasting impact on your leadership journey? How do you motivate your employees and provide inspiring leadership? Who is Seth Berkley? Dr. Seth Berkley joined the GAVI Alliance as its CEO in August 2011. The GAVI Alliance is a public-private partnership whose mission is to save children's lives and protect public health by increasing access to immunization in developing countries. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Swiss law professor Xavier Oberson discusses with host Dr. Katrina Burrus the experiences and challenges to which he now attributes his successful international law practice. Who is Xavier Oberson? Xavier Oberson is a Professor in Swiss and International Tax Law at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. After his studies at the University of Geneva, he obtained his law degree and his Doctorate in 1990.  He then pursued graduate studies and research at Harvard Law School, where he also completed the International Tax Program (ITP) in 1992. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.