In this thoughtful conversation, Anu is joined by leadership coach and professional speaker Ron Rael, a fellow member of the National Speakers Association, to explore what leadership really looks like.

Together, they unpack the difference between loud leadership and effective leadership, the role of self-awareness and accountability, and why presence matters more than perfection in today's complex environments.

Drawing from their work with leaders, teams, and organizations, Anu and Ron reflect on the human side of leadership—how people grow, resist change, avoid responsibility, and ultimately choose whether or not to lead.

This episode is a reflective dialogue for developing and future leaders, empowered mentors, coaches, speakers, and anyone seeking real solutions.

Rather than offering quick fixes, this reflective conversation invites listeners to pause, notice patterns, and consider how leadership shows up in everyday choices.

Key themes include:

• Leadership without ego or performance

• Accountability versus avoidance

• The importance of presence and intentional action

• Coaching as a leadership practice

• What it really means to influence others

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Learn more about Ron Rael:

Ron Rael is a breath of fresh air in the leadership development space. He is known as the Leadership Provocateur who sparks a passion for growth in new and experienced leaders with his bold, sometimes irreverent, yet always insightful approach. With 15 acclaimed books on leadership, Ron has become one of the nation's leading authorities on developing and nurturing emerging leaders.

With over 40 years as a professional leadership presenter and consultant, Ron has coached more than 14,000 leaders across the US and Canada. His clients range from Fortune 500 giants like Starbucks and Microsoft to innovative mid-sized companies and ambitious startups result in more than 50 years of business leadership experience.

Ron's cutting-edge training techniques, including his use of games for leadership development, have made his teachings not just impactful, but unforgettable.

Ron is the creator of the Future Leader System™, a groundbreaking approach that provides fast-growing corporations with a competitive edge through nurturing a deep bench of capable, competent, and confident leaders. He has earned a reputation for helping organizations cultivate leaders who are not only confident and competent but also ethically and emotionally capable.

Colleagues describe him as "the leadership expert who flies under the radar," but those who know him recognize the profound impact he has on leaders and organizations alike.

Ron says, "A presentation is a waste of time if the attendee does not get several 'AHA' moments or cannot use the information immediately. I am usually irreverent, sometimes satirical, and always insightful, and provocative! My unique presentation style reaches employees at all levels. I will deliver hands-on skills which produce immediate results for your organization. My delivery style and leading-edge content results in new-found wisdom the participants can use to become more capable leaders."

Catch up with Ron here:

• RonRael.com
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

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#LeadershipPodcast #HumanCenteredLeadership #IntentionalLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #ProfessionalSpeakers #NationalSpeakersAssociation #LeadershipDevelopment #PresenceOverPerformance

In this episode of Mindful Momentum: Leadership Podcast, host Anu Arora reconnects with her first mentor, Patrick Copeland, now a visionary technology leader whose career spans Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Zendesk, and Moloco.

Together, they explore what it means to lead with authenticity, courage, and compassion in a rapidly evolving AI-driven world.

Patrick shares timeless lessons from his own leadership journey — how mentorship builds capability, why creativity fuels innovation, and how self-reflection unlocks resilience.

He discusses the importance of aligning personal strengths with organizational needs, the evolving nature of feedback and career growth, and why fluency in AI is today's most critical leadership skill.

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Learn more about Patrick Copeland:

Patrick is a technology and product innovation leader who thrives at the intersection of engineering, design, and business strategy. Over a career spanning Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Zendesk, and now Moloco, he has helped shape industry-defining products and billion-dollar businesses while leading global teams through complex transitions.

Patrick's leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, authenticity, and empowerment. He believes great products — and great teams — are built through deep listening, thoughtful iteration, and a balance of innovation with real-world usability.

Known for his "human-centered" approach to technology, Patrick emphasizes creativity, mentorship, and emotional intelligence as the foundations of enduring success.

Beyond his executive roles, Patrick is also an artist, writer, and thinker whose reflections on happiness, leadership, and creativity have inspired thousands worldwide. Connect with him on LinkedIn or AspiringRunwayModel.com.