What if leadership isn’t actually hard—it’s just uncomfortable?

In this episode of the Business Impact Lab Podcast, Angela Jackson and LynnAnn Erickson sit down with former Chief People Officer, executive coach, and bestselling author Tom Emery to explore what it means to lead people well in a rapidly changing world.

Tom shares practical insights on navigating difficult conversations, giving feedback without putting people on the defensive, and creating psychological safety through small, intentional changes in leadership behavior. He also challenges leaders to become more comfortable with discomfort, slow down when emotions are high, and recognize the difference between trying to control people and learning how to influence them.

The conversation also turns to AI and the future of work, where Tom offers a refreshingly human perspective: AI may be a significant disruption, but at its core, it is another form of change—and the fundamentals of good leadership still matter.

It’s a thoughtful and practical conversation about feedback, psychological safety, change, and why some of the most effective leadership practices may also be the simplest.

Tom Emery's Bio:

Tom Emery is a sought-after speaker, consultant, performance and team coach, author, podcast host and Founder of HEX, an award-winning people performance consultancy and the bestselling author of People People: Reach Your Full Potential as a Chief HR Officer.

A leading voice in transformational leadership, Tom specialises in executive impact and effectiveness. He brings his experience as a Chief People Officer to his work helping senior leaders and executives unlock high performance with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. His work centres on supporting businesses to build psychological safety, strengthen leadership capability, and unlock human potential.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-emery-b8809818/

https://www.hex-development.com

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Also, check out an opportunity for Utah locals that is coming up at the Woodbury School of Business' Business Impact Lab Den Event:

Impostor Syndrome: Why You Should Care & What You Can Do About It Wednesday, September 16 | 8:30–9:45 a.m. UVU Keller Building, Entrepreneurial Institute (KB 102)

Our special guest, Dr. Bonnie Andersen, Chair of the Physics Department at Utah Valley University, will explore how impostor syndrome can affect not only our confidence as individuals, but also creativity, progress, and leadership within our organizations. You'll learn about the five types of impostor syndrome, practical strategies for managing it, and ways to create your own action plan for moving forward with greater confidence.

Come develop new skills, engage in meaningful conversation, and network with other professionals in our community. Light breakfast refreshments will be provided.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/imposter-syndrome-why-your-should-care-what-you-can-do-about-it-tickets-1998786437039?lid=qicnoiy15ys5&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=ebml&utm_campaign=clab_coex_lcm_dss_mec_mc_mum_0_0_previousorganizer-reactivation&utm_term=US-Provo-1.TwoTowers-Reactivation.PaidTickets-listing.previousorganizer&utm_content=69a699f2-1028-4684-982c-ced9e6f5ec7f__6a8f012d4eb72427c3ba7a12697ffc2b__04a9bfbc-d724-4925-9c4e-ff477bfc3c41__2f69ecc3-4cbb-4b51-b694-2139a92b9a17&aff=ebemnsebconsumeremail

What happens to us when we gain power—and how does that power change what we see, hear, and understand about the people we lead?

In this episode of the Business Impact Lab Podcast, Angela Jackson and LynnAnn Erickson sit down with psychologist, leadership expert, and author Nik Kinley to explore the hidden psychology of leadership and the ideas behind his latest book, The Power Trap.

Nik challenges some familiar assumptions about leadership development, including just how much of ourselves we can actually change. He explains why stress and pressure cause leaders to fall back on deeply ingrained patterns, how power can distance leaders from the people and information they need most, and why even well-intentioned employees may filter what reaches the top.

The conversation also takes an unexpected turn into AI—and why Nik believes AI may amplify some of the very same information problems created by power.

From psychological safety and overconfidence to narcissism, information flow, and the small leadership decisions that quietly accumulate over time, Nik offers a provocative way of thinking about what makes leadership effective—and what leaders can do to avoid falling into the power trap.

Nic Kinley Bio:

Nik has spent more than 35 years working with leaders and organizations. He previously served as Global Head of Leadership Development and Employee Engagement at Barclays and Global Head of Assessment and Coaching at BP, and he has assessed more than 1,200 senior executives for C-suite positions.

His latest book, The Power Trap, examines a fascinating leadership paradox: as leaders gain authority, the information they most need can become harder to access. Employees may filter what they say, bad news can travel more slowly, and at the same time leaders themselves can become more susceptible to overconfidence.

https://nikkinley.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkinley/

What does it take to turn a meaningful idea into a real business?

In this episode of the Business Impact Lab, Angela Jackson and LynnAnn Erickson sit down with Leadelle Parrish, founder of SOS Play and creator of Buzzy Buddy, an innovative comfort bear designed to help children find calm through bilateral stimulation.

Leadelle's entrepreneurial journey began when she saw the calming effect of bilateral stimulation on her grandchildren and went searching for a child-friendly product they could use on their own. When she discovered the product she envisioned didn't exist, she decided to build it.

Leadelle shares the realities of bringing an idea to market—from prototypes, product development, and customer discovery to funding, sales, feedback, and the uncertainty of scaling a young company. She also discusses the unexpected impact Buzzy Buddy is having with families, therapists, and children in foster care.

Along the way, the conversation explores leadership, "feed forward," purpose-driven entrepreneurship, and the courage to move into spaces where you don't yet have all the answers. As Leadelle puts it, sometimes you have to step forward believing that "the ground will rise up to meet you."

It's a conversation about building a business—but even more, about having the courage to begin.

Leadelle Parish's Bio:

Leadelle Parish is the founder of SOS Play, the company behind Buzzy Buddy, an innovative comfort bear designed to help children find calm through bilateral stimulation.

After seeing an opportunity to turn a simple idea into a meaningful business, Leadelle took the leap into entrepreneurship and recently completed her Master of Business Creation at the University of Utah.

She brings a founder’s perspective on building a company from the ground up—navigating product development, sales, funding, setbacks, and the challenge of growing a mission-driven business without losing sight of why it started.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadelle-parish-a1328034a/

https://www.sosplay.com/

https://lassonde.utah.edu/sos-play-bringing-therapeutic-comfort-to-kids-through-innovation/

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Also, check out an opportunity for Utah locals that is coming up at the Woodbury School of Business' Business Impact Lab Den Event:

Impostor Syndrome: Why You Should Care & What You Can Do About It Wednesday, September 16 | 8:30–9:45 a.m. UVU Keller Building, Entrepreneurial Institute (KB 102)

Our special guest, Dr. Bonnie Andersen, Chair of the Physics Department at Utah Valley University, will explore how impostor syndrome can affect not only our confidence as individuals, but also creativity, progress, and leadership within our organizations. You'll learn about the five types of impostor syndrome, practical strategies for managing it, and ways to create your own action plan for moving forward with greater confidence.

Come develop new skills, engage in meaningful conversation, and network with other professionals in our community. Light breakfast refreshments will be provided.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/imposter-syndrome-why-your-should-care-what-you-can-do-about-it-tickets-1998786437039?lid=qicnoiy15ys5&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=ebml&utm_campaign=clab_coex_lcm_dss_mec_mc_mum_0_0_previousorganizer-reactivation&utm_term=US-Provo-1.TwoTowers-Reactivation.PaidTickets-listing.previousorganizer&utm_content=69a699f2-1028-4684-982c-ced9e6f5ec7f__6a8f012d4eb72427c3ba7a12697ffc2b__04a9bfbc-d724-4925-9c4e-ff477bfc3c41__2f69ecc3-4cbb-4b51-b694-2139a92b9a17&aff=ebemnsebconsumeremail