In this episode, entrepreneur and copywriter Jamie Blair shares her journey from running her own business in the U.S. to relocating to Malta. She openly discusses the realities versus perceptions of when the dream life on paper doesn't match the lived experience and the difficult decisions that come with personal and professional growth.

• How Jamie pivoted from her copywriting business to a new chapter abroad
• The day-to-day realities of living the self-employed “dream” versus the social media version
• Facing burnout, losing passion for your business, and making big changes
• The emotional impact and self-talk around quitting and starting new
• The importance of self-trust and reframing “sunk costs” on your personal journey

To learn more about Jaime:

Jaime is a brand storyteller and copywriter. She helps businesses uncover the unique story that captures who they are, what they do, and why it matters. Then she turns it into website copy that makes their ideal clients obsessed. Committed to following intuition over convention, she packed two suitcases and her cat and moved to Malta three years ago. Since then she's been figuring out life like everyone else, just with a dreamy sixteenth-century Mediterranean village as a backdrop.

website: jaimeblair.com

Support the show

To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn.

➡ NEXT STEPS

👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI!

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Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com.

Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

#leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

Dr. John O'. Brien joins the show to discuss the real-world impact of rudeness and incivility in both the workplace and at home. Discover the science, strategies, and cultural influences behind everyday interactions.

• Defining incivility and its unintentional vs. intentional aspects
• The psychological and physical effects of rudeness on individuals and teams
• How virtual communication can fuel misunderstandings and negative reactions
• The role of culture, region, and generational factors in perceived rudeness
• Practical techniques for leaders and individuals to address and reduce incivility

Learn more about Dr. O'Brien:

Today’s guest is Dr. John O’Brien, is a psychologist, professional speaker, executive coach, and author based in Portland, Maine. John’s work focuses on helping people and organizations bring more civility, calm, and compassion into everyday life. He is the author of “Rudeness Rehab: Reclaiming Civility in the Workplace and Your Home Space”, a book that blends humor, heart, and science to explore how we can stay grounded and kind—even when stress runs high. John’s engaging style and practical insights have made him a trusted voice on emotional well-being, communication, and personal resilience.

Contact him here: https://linktr.ee/activatesuccess

Support the show

To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn.

➡ NEXT STEPS

👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI!

📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE!

📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.

😍 Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.

Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com.

Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

#leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

• Why the right decision can still damage team trust
• The four most common ways leaders get the how wrong
• What great leadership communication actually looks like in practice
• A simple challenge to apply this week with your own team

Support the show

To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn.

➡ NEXT STEPS

👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI!

📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE!

📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.

😍 Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.

Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com.

Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

#leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

Missed some sessions? You can still grab a seat! Grab a Pass to the Power of Your People Summit!

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the recent Power of Your People Leadership Summit and what it takes to pull off an event like this. Learn what real leadership lessons stuck with Kimberly Benoit and practical takeaways you can apply.

• What went into organizing the leadership summit and why the latest episode was delayed
• Key topics and powerful sessions from the summit, including financial wellness, feedback, and AI
• The difference between knowing the right thing and actually doing it as a leader
• Real-world challenges of asking for help and overcoming the overachiever mindset
• Upcoming August summit details and how to access resources from past events

Support the show

To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn.

➡ NEXT STEPS

👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI!

📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE!

📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.

😍 Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.

Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com.

Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

#leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

Register for Power of Your People HERE: https://poyp26.kimberlyjbenoit.com/?sc=Lk4xlJo8&ac=HsMR77Rg

Join Kimberly Benoit as she breaks down the upcoming Power of Your People Summit focused on practical leadership during uncertain times. Get the info you need to help your team thrive, not just survive.

• Key reasons leaders and teams are struggling right now
• Overview of the Power of Your People Summit (May 12-14, 2026)
• Expert panels and sessions on topics like burnout, tough conversations, AI anxiety, and succession planning
• How the Daily Huddle sessions foster peer learning and real support
• Details on free registration, all-access pass options, and who should attend

#Leadership #TeamManagement #WorkplaceWellness #PeopleSummit #AIDisruption

Support the show

To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn.

➡ NEXT STEPS

👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI!

📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE!

📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.

😍 Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.

Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com.

Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

#leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

Register now for Susan's upcoming Power of Your People Session: https://poyp26.kimberlyjbenoit.com/?sc=Lk4xlJo8&ac=HsMR77Rg

Explore the realities of today’s workplace with Susan Bittner, Strategy Consultant, Talent Developer, Speaker, and Organizational Development expert, as we discuss employee engagement, the evolving job market, and why the “B+ employee” mindset matters more than ever. This episode cuts through the noise on quiet quitting, burnout, and what companies need to do to adapt.

• The impact of a tightening job market on employee engagement and succession planning
• Why quiet quitting and burnout are on the rise—and what’s really fueling these trends
• The outdated expectations around loyalty, promotion, and the “grind culture”
• What the rise of the B+ employee means for organizations and workers alike
• Practical strategies for leaders to create healthier, more sustainable workplaces

More about Susan:

Susan is a highly respected Strategy Consultant, Talent Developer, Speaker, and Organizational Development expert dedicated to helping leaders ignite their best selves. With over two decades of leadership experience in banking, healthcare, agriculture, technology, consulting, and publishing, she brings deep empathy and firsthand insight into the challenges and rewards of leadership. Whether working with clients one-on-one or crafting a strategy for a large organization, her style is always centered on each client’s needs, candid, compassionate, bold, and infused with humor.

She has shaped end-to-end talent strategies for over 16,000 employees, led national action planning, engaged audiences from the stage, and directed the Talent Strategy and Executive Coaching division of a 21-location firm. Skilled in strengths-based coaching and several behavioral assessments including The Harrison Assessment, Myers-Briggs, DiSC, Clifton Strengths ™ and Leadership Circle™, she seamlessly integrates these tools to support meaningful growth

Website:https://www.susanbittner.com/

Support the show

To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn.

➡ NEXT STEPS

👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI!

📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE!

📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.

😍 Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.

Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com.

Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

#leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

Your high performers aren't telling you they're unhappy—until they hand in their resignation. By the time you're conducting an exit interview, it's too late. The solution? Stay interviews.

In this episode, I break down the proactive conversation framework that helps 74% of companies prevent 75% of departures. You'll learn:

• The 5 core questions that uncover why people stay (and what might make them leave)
• How to create psychological safety so high performers tell you the truth
• What to do with the information once you get it—because listening without action destroys trust
• The unique needs of high performers and how to address them
• When to have these conversations (and common timing mistakes to avoid)

With only 28% of organizations conducting stay interviews, this is your competitive advantage. Stop losing your best people because you didn't ask the right questions at the right time.

Support the show

To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn.

➡ NEXT STEPS

👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI!

📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE!

📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.

😍 Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.

Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com.

Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

#leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

Want more on People-First AI? Maximus Lih will be speaking at the Power of Your People Leadership Summit in May— FREE registration HERE.

Leadership isn’t about putting out fires—it's about building systems that prevent them. In this episode, Maximus Lih shares practical strategies for moving from firefighter to fire chief so you can empower your people and scale your impact.

• The difference between hero (firefighter) vs. host (fire chief) mindsets in leadership
• Recognizing when you’re stuck in problem-solving mode and how to shift
• How to effectively allocate your time between high performers and struggling team members
• Using agency instead of control to develop your team and yourself
• Practical advice for leading through layoffs, change, and resource constraints

More about Maximos Lih:

Maximos Lih is an Executive Coach and founder of Emboldened LLC, where he helps small teams scale without losing their edge and leaders grow with purpose and trust. His leadership philosophy was shaped by his grandfather—a self-taught orphan who became a four-star general—who taught him that true greatness is measured by how you make people feel. After immigrating to the U.S. and graduating from UC Berkeley, Maximos joined Google, where he specialized in recruiting top engineering talent before moving to Google Ventures. There, he guided hundreds of founders through rapid growth, witnessing companies like Uber and Flatiron Health scale at remarkable speed. Today, he draws on those experiences to coach the next generation of leaders in building mission-driven, high-performing teams.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximoslih/

#leadership #heromentality #firefightermindset #management #empowerment #agency #startupculture #GoogleVentures #HR #environment #highperformers #problemsolving #micromanagement #decisionmaking #performancemanagement #teamdynamics #controlvsagency #layoffs #resilience #AI #productivity #communication #rolemodels #boundaries #workculture #peoplefirst #leadershipsummit

Support the show

To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn.

➡ NEXT STEPS

👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI!

📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE!

📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.

😍 Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.

Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com.

Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

#leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment