In this episode of Empathetic Presence, I sit down with Christina Blacken, founder of The New Quo, to explore what leadership really means and how more of us can see ourselves as leaders. Christina talks about how storytelling and narrative shape our behaviors and leadership styles - something she's passionate about in her work. We dive into how true leadership isn't just about being in charge, but about influencing people toward goals that benefit everyone.

Christina shares some powerful insights about navigating leadership challenges, bringing ethical and cultural wisdom into our decision-making, and how each of us can step into leadership in our everyday lives. What I love about our conversation is how Christina balances pragmatic optimism with the importance of collective action - reminding us that meaningful change rarely happens through individual efforts. If you're looking to expand your definition of leadership and find your own authentic way to lead, this episode is for you!

Visit Christina's website: https://www.thenewquo.com/

Learn about her learning community: https://courses.thenewquo.com/products/communities/tnqcommunity 

Want to experience Empathetic Presence in action? Join my free monthly workshop and learn tools to express yourself in every setting. Register here. 

00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic

00:29 Meet Christina Blacken

01:44 The Power of Narrative in Leadership

02:43 Redefining Leadership

05:52 Understanding Narrative Intelligence

11:17 Pragmatic Optimism and Collective Leadership

20:54 Ethical and Cultural Wisdom

24:40 Engaging with Christina's Work

27:53 Conclusion and Farewell