What if the fastest way to become a stronger leader is not doing more, but stepping away?

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, host Desi Payne sits down with Linda Doherty, Chief Operating Officer of the Academy of Hair Design in Springfield, Missouri, to talk about burnout recovery, leadership sabbaticals, and how to recharge your energy after tough seasons like COVID. Linda shares her real story of hitting a brick wall after years of carrying responsibility in both education and business, then becoming the first person at her company to take a 30 day sabbatical in New Zealand.

You will hear practical leadership strategies for preventing burnout, how to unplug without abandoning your team, and why slowing down can improve decision making, health, and workplace culture. Linda also explains how her organization builds an energized culture through core values you can feel: FUN, Excellence, Love, and Transformation. Plus, she shares how community service, like providing haircuts and wellness services at the Springfield Dream Center and Harmony House, boosts morale and reinforces purpose for employees.

If you are a leader, educator, or business owner feeling exhausted, this conversation will help you reset, reconnect to your purpose, and build a healthier, more energized workplace.

Connect with Linda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-daugherty-mba-a9456810b/

CONNECT WITH DESI:

https://www.desipayne.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker

www.youtube.com/c/desipayne

Instagram: @Desi.Payne

Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker

Recognition is not fluff. It is fuel for performance, retention, and workplace culture.

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne interviews Dr. Bob Nelson, a world-renowned expert on employee recognition and appreciation and the bestselling author behind 1,001 Ways to Reward Employees. With 30 plus books to his name, Dr. Nelson shares practical, real-world strategies leaders can use to energize employees, boost engagement, and build a culture where people feel valued, respected, and motivated.

You will hear why positive reinforcement works, what gets in the way for busy managers, and how to recognize employees without spending money. Dr. Nelson shares powerful stories from organizations like the IRS and Disney, plus simple leadership habits like asking “Are you okay?” and inviting employees to share ideas that improve results. If you want to improve morale, reduce burnout, and create a workplace where people want to do their best work, this conversation is for you.

Connect with Dr. Bob Nelson:

www.drbobnelson.com

https://www.nelson-motivation.com/

CONNECT WITH DESI:

https://www.desipayne.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker

www.youtube.com/c/desipayne

Instagram: @Desi.Payne

Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker

Desi Payne is an international keynote speaker who helps overwhelmed employees overcome and prevent burnout—so they can experience renewed energy and motivation to work, boosted morale, happier employees, and a positive workplace culture.

With experience as a business owner, a 25-year hospital career, a family legacy of owning 35 restaurants, and the lived perspective of a breast cancer survivor, Desi knows resilience firsthand and delivers practical tools audiences can use immediately. She has inspired thousands of leaders and partnered with hundreds of organizations.

Desi is a regular guest on the lifestyle show Hello Iowa! and the host of The Energized Leader podcast, where she shares practical strategies to manage stress, boost energy, and lead with positivity—at work and in life. She is the author of Manage Stress Without Losing Your Mind, Give Me Some Chocolate...I’m Stressed!, and Do You Work with the Living Dead? and is a John Maxwell Leadership Trainer.

What does Olympic level resilience look like in real life leadership? In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, host Desi Payne sits down with Nikki Stone, Olympic gold medalist and motivational speaker, for a powerful conversation about mental toughness, resilience, and leading under pressure.

Nikki shares the moment 10 doctors told her she would never return to aerial skiing and how she rebuilt her body and mindset to come back and win Olympic gold. You will hear practical strategies leaders can use to stay focused in high pressure environments, including thought stopping, preparing for worst case conditions, and focusing on the next step instead of the applause.

You will also learn Nikki’s “turtle effect” for success, why clarity and trust create a positive workplace culture, and how energized leaders instill energy in others to drive performance. If you are leading a team, building culture, or pushing through obstacles, this episode will help you bounce back stronger and lead with confidence.