Margaret Moore: The Science of Leadership Based on 50 Years of Research

Episode recap:  Today’s guest is Margaret Morre, MBA, co-author of The Science of Leadership: Nine Ways to Expand Your Impact. Margaret and Marcel discussed the translation of scientific research into practical leadership practices and the nine key leadership capacities. They explored concepts such as conscious leadership, mindfulness, and the "quiet ego," while examining specific leadership qualities and the importance of maintaining healthy relationships and fostering forgiveness in the workplace. The discussion concluded with conversations about shared leadership, the role of AI in leadership development, and the concept of love as an action in leadership contexts.  Bio: Margaret Moore, MBA, blends leadership, coaching, and science, including thirty years in C-suite roles, co-leading four successful start-ups in biotechnology and coaching, and two decades of professional coaching and coach training. For 25 years, she has been a prolific translator of science into coaching, training, and leadership practice. Margaret's vision for this book is to help bring scientists, leaders, and coaches together to foster leadership excellence and support everyday leaders far and wide.

Quotes: 

• "Leadership is the highest expression of human endeavor. It’s a calling, a legacy." 
• "The more whole you are, the more you feel like you’re flying instead of trudging uphill." 
• "A relationship is a cycle of back and forth, empathy and compassion. The more relational leaders are, the more they can be influential." 

 

Takeaways: 

• Reflect on your leadership: Are you developing capacities at the self, relational, and systemic levels? 
• Practice conscious leadership by cultivating presence and integrating your fears into strengths. 
• Build trust and influence by focusing on relationships, empathy, and forgiveness—not just transactions. 
• Embrace shared leadership by engaging people at all levels in vision, strategy, and implementation. 
• Take responsibility for shaping technology (like AI) with intention, values, and accountability. 
• Pause regularly to assess what your team or organization needs—compassion, agility, or a new perspective. 

 

Timestamps: 

[00:00] Introduction and the cost of poor leadership   

[00:04] The science behind effective leadership   

[03:43] Margaret Moore’s background and approach to translating research   

[10:00] The nine leadership capacities and their organization   

[12:41] Self, other, and systems-oriented leadership   

[13:21] Conscious leadership and the quiet ego   

[18:07] Example of conscious leadership: Astronaut Sunita Williams   

[20:23] Relational leadership and the importance of trust   

[34:21] The rise of AI and the need for responsible leadership   

[40:07] Leading with love and values   

[43:07] The power of pausing and choosing the right leadership approach   

[44:48] Closing thoughts and resources 

Conclusion: 

Strong leadership today requires a blend of self-awareness, relational intelligence, and systemic thinking. Moving beyond rigid, top-down models allows leaders to create cultures of trust, meaning, and adaptability. The most effective leaders are those who continually grow, model their values, and choose the right approach for each moment. Real change starts with those who lead by example, shaping not just organizations, but the future of leadership itself. 

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