June 1, 2025 • 28 mins
Gratitude is more than saying "thank you." It’s a transformative mindset—a way of approaching life that brings clarity, connection, and deep personal growth. In this powerful episode of Inspirations for Your Life, I’m John C. Morley, and I invite you to journey with me as we explore how leading with empathy, kindness, integrity, and purpose can unlock the true power of gratitude. Whether you’re navigating challenges or celebrating wins, embracing these values can build resilience, deepen trust, and inspire others. Through real-world insights and mindset shifts, we’ll uncover how gratitude can be the guiding light in both personal and professional life. 💡💖 1️⃣ 💞 Lead with empathy and genuine care
Empathy is the heartbeat of meaningful connection. When you lead with genuine care, you show others that their emotions, thoughts, and experiences truly matter. This creates a ripple effect of compassion that fosters stronger teams, deeper friendships, and lasting trust. Empathy isn’t about fixing—it’s about feeling with someone and offering your presence without judgment. Whether you're a leader, friend, or family member, your ability to connect with others on a human level will always make the biggest impact. 2️⃣ 🌈 Practice kindness to foster connection
Kindness is a universal language that bridges all differences. It doesn’t require grand gestures—small, sincere acts of kindness can change someone’s entire day. Practicing kindness consistently creates a culture of mutual respect, inclusion, and genuine warmth. When you lead with kindness, others feel safe, seen, and valued, which paves the way for honest dialogue and real relationships. Kindness is magnetic—it attracts positive energy and multiplies the good in the world. 3️⃣ ⚖️ Uphold integrity in every action
Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. It’s not just about honesty—it's about aligning your actions with your values. When you consistently uphold integrity, people know they can trust you, which builds your credibility and influence over time. Whether in business, friendship, or leadership, integrity serves as your moral compass. It protects your reputation and reinforces a culture of accountability wherever you go. 4️⃣ 🤝 Build and maintain trust consistently
Trust isn’t built overnight—it’s earned day by day through consistent words and actions. Whether you're managing a team, building a relationship, or nurturing a community, trust is the foundation. It's easy to lose and hard to regain, which is why it's vital to protect it. By following through on commitments, owning mistakes, and communicating openly, you nurture a trust-filled environment where collaboration and innovation can thrive. 5️⃣ 🌟 Focus on values to create lasting impact
When you ground your actions in core values, you build a legacy that extends far beyond your accomplishments. Values provide clarity in times of uncertainty and keep your purpose front and center. They influence your decisions, shape your behavior, and affect the lives of those around you. By focusing on values, you not only achieve success—you create meaning. And meaningful work is what truly resonates and endures. 6️⃣ 👀 Model the behavior you wish to see
Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about example. People pay attention to what you do more than what you say. When you model integrity, gratitude, patience, and resilience, others are inspired to do the same. Be the change you want to see in your home, office, or community. Your behavior sets the tone, shapes the culture, and teaches others how to lead by example too. 7️⃣ 🗣️ Speak with honesty and compassion
Honesty is important, but it’s how you deliver the truth that matters most. Speaking with compassion builds understanding instead of defensiveness. It's about being real without being ruthless. When you combine honesty with empathy, you create conversations that heal, connect, and move people forward. It’s no
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Episode Transcript
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(00:20):
Hey guys, it is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
It is great to be with you on
Inspirations for Your Life.
It's the first, it's June 1st today.
Welcome everyone.
It's just about 6.30 here on the
East Coast.
And welcome everyone to the show.
You know, we have a fantastic master topic
for the week, and that is timeless principles
(00:41):
for living with intention and integrity.
And by the way, we're Series 4, Show
23.
And today's granular topic is lead with love,
kindness, and integrity to build trust and lasting
impact.
Series 4, Show 23.
Episode number two, guys.
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
(01:02):
If you are new here, I want to
welcome you to the show.
If you're coming back, well, of course, welcome
back.
It's always great to have you here.
Do check out BelieveMeAchieved.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations, which you can do
24 hours a day, obviously when you're not
watching the show.
Well, gratitude is more than saying thank you,
folks.
It's a transformative mindset, a way of approaching
(01:22):
life that brings a way of approaching what
we do every day, clarity, connection, and a
deep personal growth.
In this powerful episode of Inspirations for Your
Life, I am John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur, podcast host, and coach, and
I invite you to journey with me together
(01:42):
as we explore how leading with empathy, kindness,
integrity, and purpose can unlock the true power
of gratitude.
Whether you're navigating challenges or celebrating wins, embracing
these values can build resilience deep in trust
and inspire others.
Through real world insights and mindset shifts, we'll
uncover how gratitude can be the guiding light
(02:05):
in both personal and professional life.
Let's kick it off.
All right.
Number one, lead with empathy and genuine care.
Lead with empathy and genuine care.
That's something that has to come from the
heart.
That's not something you can fake, guys.
Empathy is, well, it's the heartbeat of meaningful
(02:25):
connections.
I think that's an important thing.
When we think of all this, it's really
important because you lead with genuine care.
You show others your true emotions, your thoughts,
and your experiences, and they truly matter, folks.
(02:45):
This creates a ripple effect of compassion that
fosters stronger teams, deeper friendships, and lasting trust.
It's not those fleeting things you find from
going on apps or things that you find
from trying to connect with somebody that you
don't even know because you think you want
to get to know them, or maybe you're
looking to do business with somebody, but you
(03:06):
have no real interest in what is important
to them in business.
As I said, it creates a ripple effect
of compassion that fosters a stronger connection with
the teams and friendships, et cetera.
Empathy isn't about guys fixing.
It's about feeling with someone and offering your
presence without judgment.
I know that's hard, but it's important to
(03:29):
do, especially as I believe today is June
1st, which is also kicking off Pride Month.
We should embrace the concept that we can
live the life we want to, but not
the one someone else is making us take.
If you don't lead with truth and with
what's in your heart, you're going to be
(03:49):
sad, and you're going to be sorry.
That's really important.
Whether you're a leader, a friend, or a
family member, your ability to connect with others
on human levels will always make the biggest
impact.
Number two, practice kindness to foster connection.
This isn't something you just do once in
a while.
It's something you have to do over and
over again.
(04:10):
Kindness, guys, is a universal language that bridges
all differences.
It doesn't require grand gestures.
Small, sincere acts of kindness can change someone's
entire day, holding open the door for them,
giving them, let's say, a praise of maybe
something they're wearing or a smile or something
(04:31):
like that, but do it with sincerity.
Practicing kindness consistently creates a culture of mutual
respect, inclusion, and genuine warmth.
When you lead with kindness, others feel safe
around you, seen, and, of course, valued, which
paves the way for honest dialogue and real
relationship in the future.
Once you, let's say, acted in an inappropriate
(04:56):
manner and you tried to, let's say, fake
your way through it, you've lost all your
credibility, guys.
You've lost all your credibility.
It's important to understand how this works.
Why?
Because it can change our lives.
All right?
It can change our lives.
(05:16):
Number three, uphold integrity in every action.
Now, I'm talking about upholding integrity even when
no one else is watching.
Well, John, why do I have to do
that?
That's exactly the point.
Do it even when other people are not
watching.
That's really important.
Integrity is doing the right thing even, as
I said, when no one's watching, and it's
not just about honesty.
(05:36):
It's about aligning your actions with your true
core values.
When you consistently show up and uphold integrity
and let's show your core values, people know
that they can trust you.
They want to be around you, which builds,
well, very strong credibility and influence over time.
Whether it's in business, it's a friendship or
(05:56):
leadership, integrity serves as your moral compass.
We've said this before.
It protects your reputation and reinforces a culture
of accountability wherever you go.
Number four, build and maintain trust consistently.
Trust isn't built overnight.
It's earned day by day.
Through consistent words and actions, whether you're managing
(06:19):
a team, building a relationship, or nurturing a
community, trust is the foundation, guys.
It is the cornerstone that makes the building
strong.
It is the beam that supports the entire
foundation.
It's a load-bearing wall, right?
(06:40):
It's easy to lose and it might be
hard to regain, which is why it's vital
to protect it.
By following through on commitments, owning your mistakes,
and communicating openly, you nurture a trust-filled
environment where collaboration and innovation can thrive.
(07:00):
It's not about me trying to be better
than anyone, no.
It's about me just showing up for who
I am.
So, I think that's a very, very important
thing.
Number five, focus on values to create lasting
impact.
When you ground your actions in core values,
you build a legacy that extends far beyond
(07:22):
your accomplishments.
Values provide clarity in times of uncertainty and
keep your purpose front and center.
Anyone's able to support you when things are
going well, right, when the sun is shining,
but it takes a true friend, somebody who's
really rooted in the core, to be able
to help you when it's a rainy day
or things are a little bit challenging, okay?
So that's important.
(07:44):
And these values, they influence your decisions, they
shape your behavior, and they affect the lives
of those around you.
Let me say that again.
They influence your decision, they shape your behavior,
and they affect the lives of those around
you.
By focusing on values, you not only achieve
success, you create meaning.
(08:05):
And meaningful work is what truly resonates and
endures.
And I know that's something that a lot
of you are probably saying, John, I have
no clue what all this means, okay?
But I'm here to tell you that it's
something that you need to understand, okay?
Model the behavior you wish to see.
Number six, leadership isn't about titles, guys.
It's about examples.
(08:25):
People pay attention to what you do more
than what you say.
When you model integrity, gratitude, patience, and resilience,
others are truly inspired to do the same
back.
Be the change you want to see in
your home, your office, or your community.
As Gandhi said, be the change you'd like
(08:46):
to see, right?
Really powerful.
Your behavior sets the tone, it shapes the
culture, and teaches others how to lead by
example, too.
Number seven, speak with honesty and compassion.
You're not speaking to try to manipulate someone.
That's really an important thing, okay?
Honesty is important, but it's how you deliver
(09:08):
the truth that matters most.
Speaking with compassion builds understanding.
Instead of defensiveness, it's about being real without
being ruthless.
When you combine honesty with empathy, you create
conversations that heal, connect, and move people forward.
It's not just about what's said, but how
it's said.
(09:30):
That's leaving a lasting impression.
That's really key, guys.
Number eight, make decisions guided by core values.
That sounds like something that's hard, but it's
the truth.
And I hope you'll understand that.
Life is full of choices, but when you
(09:51):
make decisions based on your core values, you
stay true to yourself.
This creates consistency in your leadership, your relationships,
and your legacy.
Let your values act as your internal GPS,
even when the path is unclear or it's
unpopular.
Staying aligned with what truly matters keeps you
grounded and respected.
But many people take a path that has
(10:15):
been followed by others, and that path is
not filled with truth and integrity.
Just because other people have taken it doesn't
mean it's a path you should take.
You want to live with truth and integrity.
I think it's important to realize that.
Number nine, create safe spaces for others to
(10:36):
grow.
Growth requires vulnerability, folks, and vulnerability requires safety.
When you create environments where people feel heard,
respected, and free to be themselves, transformation just
magically happens.
Whether it's at home, work, or within your
community, psychological safety fuels creativity, confidence, and connection.
(10:57):
Support others in their growth by offering encouragement,
feedback, and space to be imperfect.
Number 10, choose patience over pressure.
In a fast-paced world that we live
in, patience is a powerful virtue.
It allows people the time and the grace
to just grow, learn, and adapt at their
(11:18):
own pace.
Pressure often creates resistance.
While patience nurtures progress, this is key.
When you choose patience, you show trust in
the process and respect for the journey.
Great leaders and teachers understand that transformation doesn't
happen overnight.
It takes time, support, and understanding.
(11:38):
Number 11, earn respect through consistent actions.
It's not about proving who you are by
what you say, guys.
It's really important to understand, okay?
So respect is not something you demand.
It's something you earn.
And the way you earn it is by
(11:59):
consistently showing up and doing what you say
you're going to do.
And standing firm in your character.
People respect those who are reliable, fair, and
authentic.
By embodying these traits day in and day
out, you build a reputation that speaks for
itself.
Number 12, value people over performance.
(12:20):
There was a wise person who was on
my show not too long ago, maybe about
six months to a year ago, Jen Drummond.
And she said, people before peaks.
What that meant is when your mind wanted
to get to the top of the mountain,
we can't sacrifice the people first to get
to the peak, right?
Performance matters, but people matter more.
I think that's what Jen was telling us
(12:41):
about a year ago.
When you put people first, you create a
culture of loyalty, of collaboration, and true excellence.
See beyond the titles and the metrics to
recognize the humanity in everyone you meet.
When individuals feel valued, not just for what
they do, but for who they are, they
show up with more heart, drive, and dedication.
(13:03):
Encourage and uplift others.
Everyone needs a cheerleader.
Sometimes your words of encouragement can spark courage,
restore hope, and remind someone of their worth.
Choose to uplift rather than criticize, to celebrate
rather than compete.
When you make it your mission to support
others, you create an upward spiral of motivation
(13:24):
and positivity that spreads far beyond your circle.
We all know about the downward spiral, right?
That's not new.
You can have an upward spiral too, where
things just keep going up, up, up, up,
up, in a positive direction.
Number 14, let your actions reflect your heart.
This one gets deep, guys.
Talk is very easy.
We often say talk is cheap.
(13:45):
If your actions that reveal your true intentions
is the key.
When your behavior is fueled by love, compassion,
and integrity, people feel it.
Authenticity shines through when your actions match your
inner values.
Don't just talk about making a difference, guys.
Live it.
(14:06):
Your heart-led actions will inspire more than
any speech ever could, and will get other
people to get curious and suddenly want to
do the same.
Number 15, inspire through humility.
This is one of my favorites and service.
True leaders serve first.
There's some people I know that have some
(14:26):
shows on here, and they have this mission
of serving first.
And although it seems to, let's say, baffle
a lot of people into saying that's really
cool, I think it's important to understand it,
okay?
And so this is very, very important.
And so when you think about this, what
(14:48):
does it all mean?
It means we have to be ourselves.
Does that make sense?
And that might sound hard for some people
to understand.
But when we act from our core, like
who we are inside, then life becomes better,
(15:13):
okay?
And it becomes better because of who we
now are in our lives, all right?
True leaders serve first.
They understand that greatness isn't found in accolades.
But in lifting others up, humility allows you
(15:33):
to connect without an ego, to listen without
defensiveness, and to lead without dominating.
When you serve others with an open heart,
you become a beacon of hope.
An inspiration, proof that purpose and gratitude are
powerful forces for change.
And I think that's something that a lot
of our world misses.
Why?
(15:53):
Because they've been taught by culture that you're
not going to get anywhere that way.
But I disagree.
You can get a lot more with honey
than you can with being nasty, right?
It's kind of like the proverbial.
So what I want to do now is
give you some personal lessons and stories.
(16:17):
Basically, one per point today.
And I hope that this will inspire you
to not only enact in these ways, but
we'll get other people to take that pathway
as well.
I think that's something a lot of people
don't understand and don't realize.
(16:39):
And maybe you'll think about it a different
way.
Okay, maybe.
But then again, you might be second guessing
yourself.
And I want to tell you that you
can't second guess yourself, okay?
(17:00):
It has to be about truth from the
heart.
That's not an easy thing to do, guys.
Truth from the heart.
Lead with empathy and genuine care.
I remember helping a team member who was
going through a personal crisis.
Instead of focusing on deadlines, I simply asked,
(17:22):
how can I support you right now?
That moment of empathy changed our working relationship
to a completely new dynamic.
It reminded me that leadership is never just
about tasks.
It's about people and what mattered to them.
Number two, practice kindness to foster connections.
Not for an agenda you have.
One morning, I complimented a stranger just out
of the blue on their unique tie while
(17:43):
grabbing a cup of tea.
He smiled and said, that made my day.
Kindness costs nothing.
But its impact is insurmountable in a positive
way.
And it's greater than we ever could realize.
So let's start being kind.
A small word or gesture can truly uplift
someone when they need it most.
(18:05):
Number three, upload integrity in every action.
Even when everybody around you says, don't act
like that, you need to ignore them.
There was a time I offered a shortcut
in a business deal.
Something legal, but not ethical.
I declined that.
The harder path felt better because it aligned
with my true core values.
(18:26):
That decision earned long-term respect for me,
which proved more valuable than any short-term
gain.
Number four, build and maintain trust consistently.
A client once told me, I choose you
because you always follow through.
That stuck with me.
For many years.
Trust isn't built on big promises.
(18:47):
It's built on the small consistent actions like
showing up, like I'm following up with you.
I sent an email back as promised.
Following up as promised.
And when they keep seeing that for a
while, then they know you're really doing what
you say.
But it helps remind them.
Trust isn't built on the big promises.
It's built on the small little things, the
consistent actions.
Like the showing up, like replying when you
(19:08):
say you will.
And being real even when it's uncomfortable.
I think that's a very, very important thing,
guys.
And I know that can be hard, okay?
Number five, focus on values to create lasting
impact.
(19:31):
When I started Divided Organizations, I didn't focus
on the numbers.
Even with my chamber that I had taken
over.
I focused on creating value.
Creating networking that's not about the business card,
but it's about the true relationships.
That focus attracted the right kind of people.
Now, it wasn't easy, guys.
(19:52):
And today, it's growing steadily because we're rooted
in authenticity and shared purpose.
There are a lot of people out there
that I can tell you, don't even list
my events.
Why?
Because we have a no-nonsense policy for
not abusing our members.
We're not about throwing business cards at you.
We're not wallpapering your home or your office
(20:12):
with business cards.
We're here to create relationships.
It's not the number of cards you get,
guys.
But it's the quality of the cards you
get.
Can you follow up with these people?
Or is it just gonna be a dead
end?
Number six, model the behavior you wish to
see.
At a networking event, I noticed someone standing
alone.
(20:32):
I introduced myself and invited them to join
our circle.
Later, they told me it was the highlight
of their night.
That moment reminded me others will follow your
example when you lead with inclusion and warmth.
Number seven, speak with honesty and compassion.
I once had to give constructive feedback to
a friend who was part of a project.
Instead of criticizing, I said, here's what I
(20:54):
appreciate.
And here's where we can grow.
That honest yet kind approach opened a great
conversation and strengthened our bond.
He appreciated the way I did that.
Number eight, make your decisions guided by your
core values.
I don't care what somebody tells you.
You need to be honed to that, all
(21:20):
right?
I think that's an important thing to understand,
okay?
Stick to those core values.
Because when you do, your life changes.
Your life changes.
And making a choice to be guided by
your core values is important.
Turning down a profitable project because it clashes
(21:41):
with your ethical and moral standards, that's true
integrity.
It's not easy to do that because the
money seems high, but it's necessary.
And that decision brought peace of mind to
me and still does to this day.
It opened doors to even the more aligned
opportunities.
I remember before I was graduating college, and
I knew I was going into my own
business, but then I got offered a position
(22:02):
with the government.
And they wanted, well, it was actually a
contract with the government, and they wanted me
to develop.
And I knew what they wanted.
And I said, I'll do whatever you'd like,
as long as I'm not going to be
writing software or building hardware that's going to
destroy people.
And the guy just kind of like, you
could tell his like stomach sunk.
(22:23):
He knew I was on to him.
And I said, if there's anything else beside
that, I'm happy to talk with you.
He was like, well, you know, we're offering
really good money.
We have a really good benefit package.
I said, I don't care.
To me, what I'm doing means more than
what it's paying.
(22:44):
He was shocked.
Number nine, guys, create safe spaces for others
to grow.
At one of our events, I had a
shy attendee thank me for making it okay
to be quiet.
That hit me hard.
I realized that growth doesn't always look loud
or confident.
Sometimes it's silent.
Our rule is to make space for every
kind of voice to thrive.
(23:04):
Some people want to see things.
Some people want to hear things.
Some people want to do things.
Does that make sense?
I hope it does.
Because a safe space is not something you
do just because you have to.
(23:26):
It should be something you're doing because it's
one of your core values.
Again, if any of these things I'm saying
you should do is something that clashes with
who you are as a person, then don't
do it.
Number 10, choose patience over pressure all the
time.
When mentoring someone, it was another entrepreneur, I
had to remind myself to slow down.
They needed time to process ideas and build
(23:47):
confidence.
My patience gave them room to evolve and
months later, they launched their first successful venture
on their own terms.
Number 11, earn the respect through consistent actions.
Over the years, people have told me, John,
you're someone who does what he says.
That consistency didn't happen overnight.
It was built day in and day out
through every project, delivered and every promise kept.
(24:10):
Respect grows where consistently lives.
We have another policy.
If we do work for you in one
of my companies, regardless of what it was,
let's take my tech company.
The problem still exists after we've spent the
time.
Let's say we fix the problem and it
comes back, we will not charge you if
you followed our suggestions to fix that problem.
(24:31):
These are things that are about integrity, guys.
That's really important.
Number 12, value people, guys, over performance.
People over performance.
That's a real tough one, guys.
Value people over performance.
(24:52):
At a tech conference, I spent more time
learning about the attendees than trying to tell
people about my business.
One man later became a loyal client, not
because of what I offered, but because he
felt I genuinely cared about him and his
business.
People don't forget how you make them feel.
They forget what you gave them.
They'll forget what you told them, but they'll
never forget how you made them feel.
(25:14):
Number 13, encourage and uplift others.
This is important.
A friend was about to give up on
writing his book.
I reminded him of their gift and said,
you know, the world needs your voice.
Months later, he published it.
Never underestimate the power of encouragement.
You might be the reason someone doesn't quit.
So make sure you are that voice for
(25:37):
them.
Number 14, let your actions reflect your heart.
I once helped organize a volunteer day for
a local non-profit without telling anyone.
The joy of seeing families smile reminded me
that the best work isn't always visible.
It's done from the heart.
Your impact is greatest when your motives are
pure.
So let your actions reflect your heart, even
(25:59):
when that might seem like a hard thing
to do.
Number 15, inspire with humility and, of course,
service.
I've hosted dozens of events, but I never
forget to thank the people who show up,
clean up, and cheer us on.
I stay after to stack chairs, answer questions,
and listen.
Leadership isn't being in the front all the
(26:19):
time.
It's being willing to serve at every level
that's needed.
A few of my parting thoughts tonight.
If you choose to incorporate these principles into
your daily life and make it a commitment,
a choice to lead from the inside out,
not from the outside, from the inside out,
when you choose gratitude, empathy, and integrity, you
(26:42):
not only elevate your life, but the lives
of everyone around you.
I hope, ladies and gentlemen, that this episode
will be a reminder that the most powerful
way to lead is with your heart.
Now, I know a lot of people out
there are going to say, well, you know,
whoever has the biggest voice, whoever has the
most people following them, whoever seems to be
(27:04):
the one in control, like a dictator.
That's not a leader.
That's a dictator.
That's somebody that's following and leading because, well,
they're making people fearful.
That's not the way to lead, guys.
Lead from your heart.
Connect with people.
And realize that when you do this, others
are going to be so, like, taken back
(27:26):
in a good way.
A way that allows them to not only
connect with you, but to connect to another
part of themselves that they didn't even know
existed.
I think those are very important things, folks.
And right now, if you choose to take
this advice that I've given you, I can
promise you your life will be better.
(27:47):
And so will those around you.
Don't do it one day and say, you
know what, I had enough.
No, this isn't like you have one chip
or one piece of candy and say goodbye.
No, this is about you adopting a philosophy
that you're going to live this way for
a very, very long time.
(28:07):
And I think that's an important thing, guys.
That you can make this choice.
You can make this difference.
All right, guys.
I'm John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur.
Do check out BelieveMeAchieve.com.
I'll catch you real soon, everyone.
(28:54):
Bye.
Hey guys, it is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
It is great to be with you on
Inspirations for Your Life.
It's the first, it's June 1st today.
Welcome everyone.
It's just about 6.30 here on the
East Coast.
And welcome everyone to the show.
You know, we have a fantastic master topic
for the week, and that is timeless principles
(00:41):
for living with intention and integrity.
And by the way, we're Series 4, Show
23.
And today's granular topic is lead with love,
kindness, and integrity to build trust and lasting
impact.
Series 4, Show 23.
Episode number two, guys.
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
(01:02):
If you are new here, I want to
welcome you to the show.
If you're coming back, well, of course, welcome
back.
It's always great to have you here.
Do check out BelieveMeAchieved.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations, which you can do
24 hours a day, obviously when you're not
watching the show.
Well, gratitude is more than saying thank you,
folks.
It's a transformative mindset, a way of approaching
(01:22):
life that brings a way of approaching what
we do every day, clarity, connection, and a
deep personal growth.
In this powerful episode of Inspirations for Your
Life, I am John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur, podcast host, and coach, and
I invite you to journey with me together
(01:42):
as we explore how leading with empathy, kindness,
integrity, and purpose can unlock the true power
of gratitude.
Whether you're navigating challenges or celebrating wins, embracing
these values can build resilience deep in trust
and inspire others.
Through real world insights and mindset shifts, we'll
uncover how gratitude can be the guiding light
(02:05):
in both personal and professional life.
Let's kick it off.
All right.
Number one, lead with empathy and genuine care.
Lead with empathy and genuine care.
That's something that has to come from the
heart.
That's not something you can fake, guys.
Empathy is, well, it's the heartbeat of meaningful
(02:25):
connections.
I think that's an important thing.
When we think of all this, it's really
important because you lead with genuine care.
You show others your true emotions, your thoughts,
and your experiences, and they truly matter, folks.
(02:45):
This creates a ripple effect of compassion that
fosters stronger teams, deeper friendships, and lasting trust.
It's not those fleeting things you find from
going on apps or things that you find
from trying to connect with somebody that you
don't even know because you think you want
to get to know them, or maybe you're
looking to do business with somebody, but you
(03:06):
have no real interest in what is important
to them in business.
As I said, it creates a ripple effect
of compassion that fosters a stronger connection with
the teams and friendships, et cetera.
Empathy isn't about guys fixing.
It's about feeling with someone and offering your
presence without judgment.
I know that's hard, but it's important to
(03:29):
do, especially as I believe today is June
1st, which is also kicking off Pride Month.
We should embrace the concept that we can
live the life we want to, but not
the one someone else is making us take.
If you don't lead with truth and with
what's in your heart, you're going to be
(03:49):
sad, and you're going to be sorry.
That's really important.
Whether you're a leader, a friend, or a
family member, your ability to connect with others
on human levels will always make the biggest
impact.
Number two, practice kindness to foster connection.
This isn't something you just do once in
a while.
It's something you have to do over and
over again.
(04:10):
Kindness, guys, is a universal language that bridges
all differences.
It doesn't require grand gestures.
Small, sincere acts of kindness can change someone's
entire day, holding open the door for them,
giving them, let's say, a praise of maybe
something they're wearing or a smile or something
(04:31):
like that, but do it with sincerity.
Practicing kindness consistently creates a culture of mutual
respect, inclusion, and genuine warmth.
When you lead with kindness, others feel safe
around you, seen, and, of course, valued, which
paves the way for honest dialogue and real
relationship in the future.
Once you, let's say, acted in an inappropriate
(04:56):
manner and you tried to, let's say, fake
your way through it, you've lost all your
credibility, guys.
You've lost all your credibility.
It's important to understand how this works.
Why?
Because it can change our lives.
All right?
It can change our lives.
(05:16):
Number three, uphold integrity in every action.
Now, I'm talking about upholding integrity even when
no one else is watching.
Well, John, why do I have to do
that?
That's exactly the point.
Do it even when other people are not
watching.
That's really important.
Integrity is doing the right thing even, as
I said, when no one's watching, and it's
not just about honesty.
(05:36):
It's about aligning your actions with your true
core values.
When you consistently show up and uphold integrity
and let's show your core values, people know
that they can trust you.
They want to be around you, which builds,
well, very strong credibility and influence over time.
Whether it's in business, it's a friendship or
(05:56):
leadership, integrity serves as your moral compass.
We've said this before.
It protects your reputation and reinforces a culture
of accountability wherever you go.
Number four, build and maintain trust consistently.
Trust isn't built overnight.
It's earned day by day.
Through consistent words and actions, whether you're managing
(06:19):
a team, building a relationship, or nurturing a
community, trust is the foundation, guys.
It is the cornerstone that makes the building
strong.
It is the beam that supports the entire
foundation.
It's a load-bearing wall, right?
(06:40):
It's easy to lose and it might be
hard to regain, which is why it's vital
to protect it.
By following through on commitments, owning your mistakes,
and communicating openly, you nurture a trust-filled
environment where collaboration and innovation can thrive.
(07:00):
It's not about me trying to be better
than anyone, no.
It's about me just showing up for who
I am.
So, I think that's a very, very important
thing.
Number five, focus on values to create lasting
impact.
When you ground your actions in core values,
you build a legacy that extends far beyond
(07:22):
your accomplishments.
Values provide clarity in times of uncertainty and
keep your purpose front and center.
Anyone's able to support you when things are
going well, right, when the sun is shining,
but it takes a true friend, somebody who's
really rooted in the core, to be able
to help you when it's a rainy day
or things are a little bit challenging, okay?
So that's important.
(07:44):
And these values, they influence your decisions, they
shape your behavior, and they affect the lives
of those around you.
Let me say that again.
They influence your decision, they shape your behavior,
and they affect the lives of those around
you.
By focusing on values, you not only achieve
success, you create meaning.
(08:05):
And meaningful work is what truly resonates and
endures.
And I know that's something that a lot
of you are probably saying, John, I have
no clue what all this means, okay?
But I'm here to tell you that it's
something that you need to understand, okay?
Model the behavior you wish to see.
Number six, leadership isn't about titles, guys.
It's about examples.
(08:25):
People pay attention to what you do more
than what you say.
When you model integrity, gratitude, patience, and resilience,
others are truly inspired to do the same
back.
Be the change you want to see in
your home, your office, or your community.
As Gandhi said, be the change you'd like
(08:46):
to see, right?
Really powerful.
Your behavior sets the tone, it shapes the
culture, and teaches others how to lead by
example, too.
Number seven, speak with honesty and compassion.
You're not speaking to try to manipulate someone.
That's really an important thing, okay?
Honesty is important, but it's how you deliver
(09:08):
the truth that matters most.
Speaking with compassion builds understanding.
Instead of defensiveness, it's about being real without
being ruthless.
When you combine honesty with empathy, you create
conversations that heal, connect, and move people forward.
It's not just about what's said, but how
it's said.
(09:30):
That's leaving a lasting impression.
That's really key, guys.
Number eight, make decisions guided by core values.
That sounds like something that's hard, but it's
the truth.
And I hope you'll understand that.
Life is full of choices, but when you
(09:51):
make decisions based on your core values, you
stay true to yourself.
This creates consistency in your leadership, your relationships,
and your legacy.
Let your values act as your internal GPS,
even when the path is unclear or it's
unpopular.
Staying aligned with what truly matters keeps you
grounded and respected.
But many people take a path that has
(10:15):
been followed by others, and that path is
not filled with truth and integrity.
Just because other people have taken it doesn't
mean it's a path you should take.
You want to live with truth and integrity.
I think it's important to realize that.
Number nine, create safe spaces for others to
(10:36):
grow.
Growth requires vulnerability, folks, and vulnerability requires safety.
When you create environments where people feel heard,
respected, and free to be themselves, transformation just
magically happens.
Whether it's at home, work, or within your
community, psychological safety fuels creativity, confidence, and connection.
(10:57):
Support others in their growth by offering encouragement,
feedback, and space to be imperfect.
Number 10, choose patience over pressure.
In a fast-paced world that we live
in, patience is a powerful virtue.
It allows people the time and the grace
to just grow, learn, and adapt at their
(11:18):
own pace.
Pressure often creates resistance.
While patience nurtures progress, this is key.
When you choose patience, you show trust in
the process and respect for the journey.
Great leaders and teachers understand that transformation doesn't
happen overnight.
It takes time, support, and understanding.
(11:38):
Number 11, earn respect through consistent actions.
It's not about proving who you are by
what you say, guys.
It's really important to understand, okay?
So respect is not something you demand.
It's something you earn.
And the way you earn it is by
(11:59):
consistently showing up and doing what you say
you're going to do.
And standing firm in your character.
People respect those who are reliable, fair, and
authentic.
By embodying these traits day in and day
out, you build a reputation that speaks for
itself.
Number 12, value people over performance.
(12:20):
There was a wise person who was on
my show not too long ago, maybe about
six months to a year ago, Jen Drummond.
And she said, people before peaks.
What that meant is when your mind wanted
to get to the top of the mountain,
we can't sacrifice the people first to get
to the peak, right?
Performance matters, but people matter more.
I think that's what Jen was telling us
(12:41):
about a year ago.
When you put people first, you create a
culture of loyalty, of collaboration, and true excellence.
See beyond the titles and the metrics to
recognize the humanity in everyone you meet.
When individuals feel valued, not just for what
they do, but for who they are, they
show up with more heart, drive, and dedication.
(13:03):
Encourage and uplift others.
Everyone needs a cheerleader.
Sometimes your words of encouragement can spark courage,
restore hope, and remind someone of their worth.
Choose to uplift rather than criticize, to celebrate
rather than compete.
When you make it your mission to support
others, you create an upward spiral of motivation
(13:24):
and positivity that spreads far beyond your circle.
We all know about the downward spiral, right?
That's not new.
You can have an upward spiral too, where
things just keep going up, up, up, up,
up, in a positive direction.
Number 14, let your actions reflect your heart.
This one gets deep, guys.
Talk is very easy.
We often say talk is cheap.
(13:45):
If your actions that reveal your true intentions
is the key.
When your behavior is fueled by love, compassion,
and integrity, people feel it.
Authenticity shines through when your actions match your
inner values.
Don't just talk about making a difference, guys.
Live it.
(14:06):
Your heart-led actions will inspire more than
any speech ever could, and will get other
people to get curious and suddenly want to
do the same.
Number 15, inspire through humility.
This is one of my favorites and service.
True leaders serve first.
There's some people I know that have some
(14:26):
shows on here, and they have this mission
of serving first.
And although it seems to, let's say, baffle
a lot of people into saying that's really
cool, I think it's important to understand it,
okay?
And so this is very, very important.
And so when you think about this, what
(14:48):
does it all mean?
It means we have to be ourselves.
Does that make sense?
And that might sound hard for some people
to understand.
But when we act from our core, like
who we are inside, then life becomes better,
(15:13):
okay?
And it becomes better because of who we
now are in our lives, all right?
True leaders serve first.
They understand that greatness isn't found in accolades.
But in lifting others up, humility allows you
(15:33):
to connect without an ego, to listen without
defensiveness, and to lead without dominating.
When you serve others with an open heart,
you become a beacon of hope.
An inspiration, proof that purpose and gratitude are
powerful forces for change.
And I think that's something that a lot
of our world misses.
Why?
(15:53):
Because they've been taught by culture that you're
not going to get anywhere that way.
But I disagree.
You can get a lot more with honey
than you can with being nasty, right?
It's kind of like the proverbial.
So what I want to do now is
give you some personal lessons and stories.
(16:17):
Basically, one per point today.
And I hope that this will inspire you
to not only enact in these ways, but
we'll get other people to take that pathway
as well.
I think that's something a lot of people
don't understand and don't realize.
(16:39):
And maybe you'll think about it a different
way.
Okay, maybe.
But then again, you might be second guessing
yourself.
And I want to tell you that you
can't second guess yourself, okay?
(17:00):
It has to be about truth from the
heart.
That's not an easy thing to do, guys.
Truth from the heart.
Lead with empathy and genuine care.
I remember helping a team member who was
going through a personal crisis.
Instead of focusing on deadlines, I simply asked,
(17:22):
how can I support you right now?
That moment of empathy changed our working relationship
to a completely new dynamic.
It reminded me that leadership is never just
about tasks.
It's about people and what mattered to them.
Number two, practice kindness to foster connections.
Not for an agenda you have.
One morning, I complimented a stranger just out
of the blue on their unique tie while
(17:43):
grabbing a cup of tea.
He smiled and said, that made my day.
Kindness costs nothing.
But its impact is insurmountable in a positive
way.
And it's greater than we ever could realize.
So let's start being kind.
A small word or gesture can truly uplift
someone when they need it most.
(18:05):
Number three, upload integrity in every action.
Even when everybody around you says, don't act
like that, you need to ignore them.
There was a time I offered a shortcut
in a business deal.
Something legal, but not ethical.
I declined that.
The harder path felt better because it aligned
with my true core values.
(18:26):
That decision earned long-term respect for me,
which proved more valuable than any short-term
gain.
Number four, build and maintain trust consistently.
A client once told me, I choose you
because you always follow through.
That stuck with me.
For many years.
Trust isn't built on big promises.
(18:47):
It's built on the small consistent actions like
showing up, like I'm following up with you.
I sent an email back as promised.
Following up as promised.
And when they keep seeing that for a
while, then they know you're really doing what
you say.
But it helps remind them.
Trust isn't built on the big promises.
It's built on the small little things, the
consistent actions.
Like the showing up, like replying when you
(19:08):
say you will.
And being real even when it's uncomfortable.
I think that's a very, very important thing,
guys.
And I know that can be hard, okay?
Number five, focus on values to create lasting
impact.
(19:31):
When I started Divided Organizations, I didn't focus
on the numbers.
Even with my chamber that I had taken
over.
I focused on creating value.
Creating networking that's not about the business card,
but it's about the true relationships.
That focus attracted the right kind of people.
Now, it wasn't easy, guys.
(19:52):
And today, it's growing steadily because we're rooted
in authenticity and shared purpose.
There are a lot of people out there
that I can tell you, don't even list
my events.
Why?
Because we have a no-nonsense policy for
not abusing our members.
We're not about throwing business cards at you.
We're not wallpapering your home or your office
(20:12):
with business cards.
We're here to create relationships.
It's not the number of cards you get,
guys.
But it's the quality of the cards you
get.
Can you follow up with these people?
Or is it just gonna be a dead
end?
Number six, model the behavior you wish to
see.
At a networking event, I noticed someone standing
alone.
(20:32):
I introduced myself and invited them to join
our circle.
Later, they told me it was the highlight
of their night.
That moment reminded me others will follow your
example when you lead with inclusion and warmth.
Number seven, speak with honesty and compassion.
I once had to give constructive feedback to
a friend who was part of a project.
Instead of criticizing, I said, here's what I
(20:54):
appreciate.
And here's where we can grow.
That honest yet kind approach opened a great
conversation and strengthened our bond.
He appreciated the way I did that.
Number eight, make your decisions guided by your
core values.
I don't care what somebody tells you.
You need to be honed to that, all
(21:20):
right?
I think that's an important thing to understand,
okay?
Stick to those core values.
Because when you do, your life changes.
Your life changes.
And making a choice to be guided by
your core values is important.
Turning down a profitable project because it clashes
(21:41):
with your ethical and moral standards, that's true
integrity.
It's not easy to do that because the
money seems high, but it's necessary.
And that decision brought peace of mind to
me and still does to this day.
It opened doors to even the more aligned
opportunities.
I remember before I was graduating college, and
I knew I was going into my own
business, but then I got offered a position
(22:02):
with the government.
And they wanted, well, it was actually a
contract with the government, and they wanted me
to develop.
And I knew what they wanted.
And I said, I'll do whatever you'd like,
as long as I'm not going to be
writing software or building hardware that's going to
destroy people.
And the guy just kind of like, you
could tell his like stomach sunk.
(22:23):
He knew I was on to him.
And I said, if there's anything else beside
that, I'm happy to talk with you.
He was like, well, you know, we're offering
really good money.
We have a really good benefit package.
I said, I don't care.
To me, what I'm doing means more than
what it's paying.
(22:44):
He was shocked.
Number nine, guys, create safe spaces for others
to grow.
At one of our events, I had a
shy attendee thank me for making it okay
to be quiet.
That hit me hard.
I realized that growth doesn't always look loud
or confident.
Sometimes it's silent.
Our rule is to make space for every
kind of voice to thrive.
(23:04):
Some people want to see things.
Some people want to hear things.
Some people want to do things.
Does that make sense?
I hope it does.
Because a safe space is not something you
do just because you have to.
(23:26):
It should be something you're doing because it's
one of your core values.
Again, if any of these things I'm saying
you should do is something that clashes with
who you are as a person, then don't
do it.
Number 10, choose patience over pressure all the
time.
When mentoring someone, it was another entrepreneur, I
had to remind myself to slow down.
They needed time to process ideas and build
(23:47):
confidence.
My patience gave them room to evolve and
months later, they launched their first successful venture
on their own terms.
Number 11, earn the respect through consistent actions.
Over the years, people have told me, John,
you're someone who does what he says.
That consistency didn't happen overnight.
It was built day in and day out
through every project, delivered and every promise kept.
(24:10):
Respect grows where consistently lives.
We have another policy.
If we do work for you in one
of my companies, regardless of what it was,
let's take my tech company.
The problem still exists after we've spent the
time.
Let's say we fix the problem and it
comes back, we will not charge you if
you followed our suggestions to fix that problem.
(24:31):
These are things that are about integrity, guys.
That's really important.
Number 12, value people, guys, over performance.
People over performance.
That's a real tough one, guys.
Value people over performance.
(24:52):
At a tech conference, I spent more time
learning about the attendees than trying to tell
people about my business.
One man later became a loyal client, not
because of what I offered, but because he
felt I genuinely cared about him and his
business.
People don't forget how you make them feel.
They forget what you gave them.
They'll forget what you told them, but they'll
never forget how you made them feel.
(25:14):
Number 13, encourage and uplift others.
This is important.
A friend was about to give up on
writing his book.
I reminded him of their gift and said,
you know, the world needs your voice.
Months later, he published it.
Never underestimate the power of encouragement.
You might be the reason someone doesn't quit.
So make sure you are that voice for
(25:37):
them.
Number 14, let your actions reflect your heart.
I once helped organize a volunteer day for
a local non-profit without telling anyone.
The joy of seeing families smile reminded me
that the best work isn't always visible.
It's done from the heart.
Your impact is greatest when your motives are
pure.
So let your actions reflect your heart, even
(25:59):
when that might seem like a hard thing
to do.
Number 15, inspire with humility and, of course,
service.
I've hosted dozens of events, but I never
forget to thank the people who show up,
clean up, and cheer us on.
I stay after to stack chairs, answer questions,
and listen.
Leadership isn't being in the front all the
(26:19):
time.
It's being willing to serve at every level
that's needed.
A few of my parting thoughts tonight.
If you choose to incorporate these principles into
your daily life and make it a commitment,
a choice to lead from the inside out,
not from the outside, from the inside out,
when you choose gratitude, empathy, and integrity, you
(26:42):
not only elevate your life, but the lives
of everyone around you.
I hope, ladies and gentlemen, that this episode
will be a reminder that the most powerful
way to lead is with your heart.
Now, I know a lot of people out
there are going to say, well, you know,
whoever has the biggest voice, whoever has the
most people following them, whoever seems to be
(27:04):
the one in control, like a dictator.
That's not a leader.
That's a dictator.
That's somebody that's following and leading because, well,
they're making people fearful.
That's not the way to lead, guys.
Lead from your heart.
Connect with people.
And realize that when you do this, others
are going to be so, like, taken back
(27:26):
in a good way.
A way that allows them to not only
connect with you, but to connect to another
part of themselves that they didn't even know
existed.
I think those are very important things, folks.
And right now, if you choose to take
this advice that I've given you, I can
promise you your life will be better.
(27:47):
And so will those around you.
Don't do it one day and say, you
know what, I had enough.
No, this isn't like you have one chip
or one piece of candy and say goodbye.
No, this is about you adopting a philosophy
that you're going to live this way for
a very, very long time.
(28:07):
And I think that's an important thing, guys.
That you can make this choice.
You can make this difference.
All right, guys.
I'm John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur.
Do check out BelieveMeAchieve.com.
I'll catch you real soon, everyone.
(28:54):
Bye.
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