The Six Pillars of Leadership: Integrity, Mentorship, and Leading with Heart with Jim Carlough

Episode notes

In this heartfelt and wisdom-filled episode of Leadership from the Heart , Romie sits down with Jim Carlough—seasoned business strategist, speaker, and author of The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership . With over 30 years of leadership experience across startups and major healthcare organizations, Jim opens up about how leaders are developed—not born—and why integrity is a non-negotiable foundation. He shares emotional stories of compassion-driven leadership, the difference between empathy and compassion, and why humor matters more than you think. If you’ve ever questioned your leadership potential or felt overwhelmed in today’s shifting landscape, this episode will remind you that mentorship, consistency, and care are key to lasting impact. Topics include: Why leaders are developed, not born The story behind Jim’s six pillars: Integrity, Compassion, Empathy, Focus, Stability, Humor Powerful mentorship lessons from Ross Perot Real-life stories that bring leadership to life How to find (and be) a mentor Why leaders must balance transparency with trust Listen now and leave with practical wisdom, emotional truth, and a renewed sense of purpose.