What if HR leadership wasn't about compliance but about building belonging, trust, and psychological safety?

Jennifer Golynsky has spent decades in HR leadership, and her approach goes far beyond compliance. In this episode, she and Julia explore the neuroscience of belonging, the power of curiosity as a practiced skill, and how to build workplaces where people feel safe enough to fail. From hybrid work strategies that actually work to the importance of not taking rejection of advice personally, Jennifer shares hard-won wisdom for anyone navigating the complexities of leading people.

In This Episode You'll Discover:

• The #1 belief about HR that executives need to unlearn
• Why celebrating failure builds psychologically safe teams
• How to stay regulated when someone comes to you dysregulated
• Hybrid work strategies that increased employee engagement by 42 out of 43 metrics
• Why curiosity is a practiced skill, not just a mindset
• How coaching conversations unlock more potential than directive leadership
• Career advice: Find your village and don't take rejection personally

Key Quote: "It's not your job to convince people. It's better to build the relationship so that when you need something, they ask, 'How can I help?' not 'What do you want?'"Jennifer Golynsky

Connect with Julia:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaklefevre/
Website: https://braverestoration.org/

About Wired to Lead: Hosted by Julia Lefevre, Wired to Lead explores the intersection of neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and leadership. Each episode provides practical strategies to help leaders build self-awareness, resilience, and authenticity.

Ever been told you're "too different" for your industry? Brandon Stanchok turned that feedback into his leadership superpower. He joins Julia to explore how childhood permission to be himself shaped his contrarian style, why he intentionally seeks failure for perspective, and how understanding the neuroscience of insecurity can unlock breakthrough performance. From two years of imposter syndrome to building a thriving culture of "growth-ish" mentality, this episode is essential for leaders ready to drop the corporate mask.

I hope you enjoy this episode!
Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
Julia and the Wired to Lead podcast team

Summary
In this conversation, Julia LeFevre speaks with Heather Howell, CEO of Greater Than, about her journey in leadership, particularly in male-dominated industries like beverages and banking. They discuss the importance of innovation, authenticity, and the unique perspective women bring to leadership roles. Heather shares her experiences at Jack Daniel's and her transition to a health-focused startup, emphasizing the need for supportive workplace cultures and psychological safety. The conversation highlights the significance of collaboration, the power of female perspectives in consumer markets, and the importance of creating environments where everyone can thrive.

Takeaways

• Innovation in leadership is about reshaping industries, not just products.
• Women bring unique insights as primary consumers in the market.
• Authenticity is crucial for female leaders to earn credibility.
• Creating a supportive culture enhances employee performance.
• Psychological safety is essential for fostering creativity and innovation.
• Surrounding yourself with the right people is key to success.
• Women should not be asked questions that would not be posed to men.
• Investing in a culture of safety yields dividends for businesses.
• Embracing change is necessary for brand evolution.
• Collaboration between men and women is vital for progress.

I hope you enjoy this episode!
Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
Julia and the Wired to Lead podcast team

Connect with Julia Lefevre on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaklefevre/
Visit the Brave Restoration website here: https://braverestoration.org/

Listen to Wired to Lead on these podcast platforms:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1hed3JQ5LGi5sQcAXBCYk5
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wired-to-lead/id1818563028
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e45fe954-ce5e-43d9-92ac-cee721d8dc5c/wired-to-lead

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Wired to Lead, hosted by Julia Lefevre, explores the intersection of neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and leadership. Each episode dives into practical strategies and inspiring stories designed to help leaders build self-awareness, resilience, and authenticity in their leadership style. Whether you’re an emerging leader or an executive, Wired to Lead provides tools to develop emotional intelligence, improve team dynamics, and lead with greater clarity and purpose.