Do you want to become the kind of leader people genuinely trust? Could kindness be one of the most overlooked leadership skills today? In this episode, I sit down with John MacPhee, CEO of the Jed Foundation, to talk about how compassionate leadership creates stronger teams, healthier workplaces, and a greater sense of belonging. John shares how his own struggles with anxiety, failing out of college, and an unforgettable conversation with his mother transformed his definition of success and ultimately led him to purpose-driven work. We also dive into what workplaces still get wrong about mental health and the small leadership shifts that can make a lasting difference. Tune in to discover how leading with kindness can strengthen your team, your culture, and yourself. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever [http://shopify.com/anxiousachiever] Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever [http://chime.com/achiever] to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com [http://monarch.com] to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com [http://physicianschoice.com] to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai [http://hipebl.ai] today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Meet John MacPhee, CEO of The Jed Foundation (JED). 05:15 What is kind leadership? 10:00 Can you make difficult decisions without losing compassion? 12:00 How to say "no" with empathy while helping people feel heard. 14:00 What the Jed Foundation has learned about protecting mental health. 20:00 Why psychological safety starts long before someone asks for help. 21:30 What most workplaces still misunderstand about mental health. 27:00 Why purpose gives people a reason to keep going. 33:30 What does it take to create a culture of belonging? 37:00 Kindness as a competitive advantage in leadership. 45:30 Can failure become the foundation of better leadership? 53:00 The leadership lesson every young person deserves. Resources + Links Learn more about the Jed Foundation HERE [https://jedfoundation.org/]! Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever [https://morraam.com/books] Watch the podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMl9YeZwiV56QKDJ73S6Pag]  Find more resources on our website morraam.com [http://morraam.com] Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele [https://www.linkedin.com/in/morraaaronsmele/] + Instagram @morraam [https://www.instagram.com/morraam/] Follow John on LinkedIn: @johnamacphee [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnamacphee/]