In this conversation, Mary Brigden shares her unique journey from being one of the few women at the Naval Academy to navigating her career in the corporate world. She discusses the challenges of isolation, the importance of community, and how her upbringing shaped her leadership style. Mary reflects on the balance between being a tough leader and infusing empathy into her approach, as well as the lessons learned during her transition from military to corporate life. She emphasizes the significance of laughter, vulnerability, and understanding individual priorities in fostering a supportive work environment.

Sound bites

"When your team is under stress, you as a leader need to display calm confidence."

"You can do it all, just not all at once."

Chapters

00:00 Mary Brigden's Journey to the Naval Academy

06:50 Coping with Isolation and Finding Community

13:33 Leadership Style: Balancing Toughness and Empathy

21:10 Transitioning from Military to Corporate Life

29:14 Navigating Choppy Waters: Lessons Learned

38:51 Building a Culture of Care

In this episode, Sokit Beauty founder Yoona So shares her inspiring journey from corporate finance to skincare entrepreneur, revealing how her multicultural roots shaped her holistic approach to beauty. She opens up about the courage it takes to pursue passion, the power of self-care over self-criticism, and the confidence that comes from embracing your natural self. Along the way, Yoona highlights the importance of community, connection, and redefining beauty on your own terms.

Sound bites

"Korean skincare is about holistic beauty."

"I don't hide behind makeup anymore."

"Human connection is incredibly valuable."

Chapters

00:00 Cultural Roots and Their Impact

03:43 From Corporate to Skincare Entrepreneur

06:16 The Evolution of Beauty Standards

09:11 Holistic Approaches to Skincare

11:24 Personal Stories and Transformations

14:01 Empowerment Through Skincare

16:32 Advice for Corporate Professionals

19:18 Building Community and Connection

21:45 Building a Culture of Care

Learn more about Sokit Beauty: https://sokitbeauty.com/

Leadership isn’t just strategy, it’s self-awareness. In this episode of E3: Engage and Empower with Empathy, McKinsey senior partner emeritus Hans-Werner Kaas reveals how empathy, self-reflection, and emotional intelligence build resilient leaders and stronger organizations. Discover why listening is a CEO’s secret weapon and how personal growth drives business success.

Chapters

00:00 Self-Reflection as a Leadership Tool

06:05 Building Organizational Resilience

17:10 Practical Advice for Leaders

21:04 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

22:52 Building a Culture of Care

Resources:

The Journey of a CEO Book: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/journey-of-leadership

The CEO as Chief Resilience Officer: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/the-ceo-as-chief-resilience-officer