Welcome to the very first episode of the Executive Connect Podcast—a show for the next generation of business leaders. I’m your host, Melissa Aarskaug, and in this debut episode, I’m joined by Michèle Kline, bestselling author and founder of Kline Hospitality. Michèle shares how she walked away from toxic leadership environments to create something of her own—and how she now helps others do the same. From emotional intelligence to asking the right questions, we talk about what it really takes to lead from the front—not from behind a desk. We spoke about:
• When to walk away from toxic workplaces and step into leadership on your terms
• Why emotional intelligence is essential—and how you can actually develop it
• The power of asking the right questions to bridge gaps in your team
• How to lead meaningful change that starts at the top
• And more strategies to unlock leadership potential in yourself and others
Timestamps:
00:00 – Meet Michèle Kline and her origin story in hospitality
04:12 – Recognizing when it’s time to move on from toxic leadership
08:30 – What emotional intelligence really looks like in the workplace
13:00 – Asking better questions to lead better teams
17:50 – Building change from the top: how to be the example
21:35 – Michèle’s coaching insights for new and emerging leaders
Guest:
Michèle Kline
Founder of Kline Hospitality | Certified Coach | Co-creator of WTF! Walk The Floors
LinkedIn
Host:
Melissa Aarskaug
Executive Connect | Website
YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect
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