Rooted & Rising: Flourishing Leadership in Tough Times, Season 1, Episode 13Small Shifts, Big Impact: Kindness, Leadership, and Human Flourishing with Shaunti Feldhahn
What if the key to flourishing leadership isn’t doing more—but changing small, everyday interactions?
In this insightful and highly practical episode of Flourishing Leadership in Tough Times, Deborah Owen sits down with Harvard-trained social researcher and bestselling author Shaunti Feldhahn to explore:
✅ Why small behavioral shifts can dramatically change relationships and outcomes
✅ How hidden assumptions shape the way we lead and relate to others
✅ The surprising role of kindness as a driver of motivation, connection, and well-being
✅ How leaders can prevent burnout by creating safe, honest conversations
✅ Why instilling hope may be one of the most powerful tools leaders have
Drawing from decades of research, Shaunti shares how something as simple as reframing a question, offering genuine affirmation, or practicing consistent kindness can retrain our thinking—and transform our leadership and relationships.
She also introduces the powerful 30-Day Kindness Challenge, a practical framework that has helped improve 89% of relationships by reshaping mindset and behavior over time.
🎧 Listen now to discover how small shifts can lead to lasting change—and how flourishing leadership is built one interaction at a time.
🔗 Subscribe for more episodes on staying rooted with integrity and rising with courage:https://debbieowen.substack.com/
🔗 Learn more about Shaunti Feldhahn and her work:https://shaunti.com/
🔗 Listen to Shaunti’s podcast, I Wish You Could Hear This:https://shaunti.com/podcast/
Find out more in Shaunti’s books:https://shaunti.com/books-and-studies/
How have small shifts—or acts of kindness—changed your leadership or relationships? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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HERE ARE THE NEURO-BASED ENNEAGRAM BOOKS mentioned in the middle of the episode:
The Lent books, When Sorrow Speaks:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GGQBSX24
The Advent books, The Awaiting:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1Z6QHP5?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1776132046&sr=1-18&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin
Tags:leadership, Shaunti Feldhahn, Deborah Owen, kindness, emotional intelligence, workplace culture, leadership development, human flourishing, relationships, burnout prevention, motivation, connection, neuroscience, habits, Christian leadership, resilience, flourishing leadership, tough times, leadership podcast, personal growth
