Christopher Connors on How to Become a Champion Leader

What truly separates good leaders from great ones? In this inspiring episode of the Passion Struck Podcast, John R. Miles sits down with Christopher Connors, bestselling author of The Champion Leader: Harnessing the Power of Emotional Intelligence to Build High-Performing Teams. Together, they dive into what it means to lead with purpose, empathy, and emotional intelligence in a world that demands more than just results.

Drawing from his work with top executives, Fortune 500 companies, and years of personal growth, Christopher shares the transformative practices that turn managers into mentors—and leaders into champions. Whether you’re leading a team, growing a business, or shaping your own path, this episode will help you unlock the mindset and habits that fuel authentic leadership and lasting impact.

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Mastering Emotional Intelligence to Elevate Your Leadership

In this dynamic and soul-stirring conversation, John R. Miles and leadership coach Christopher Connors explore how emotional intelligence isn’t just a leadership advantage—it’s a non-negotiable foundation for lasting influence and personal fulfillment.

Christopher opens up about his own transformation from reactive to responsive leadership, the role of feedback in growth, and how self-awareness, gratitude, and connection create a ripple effect that transforms teams and cultures. Drawing on real-world coaching experiences with leaders at Apple, Meta, and Google, he offers a front-row look at the mindset shifts that empower people to lead from a place of authenticity and clarity. This episode is a roadmap for anyone who wants to lead with heart while producing high-impact results.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• Self-awareness changes everything: Christopher shares how embracing feedback—especially from those outside your inner circle—can completely shift your leadership effectiveness.
• Emotional regulation is a skill, not a trait: Through the pause-process-proceed framework, he demonstrates how to move from reaction to intention in high-stress moments.
• Gratitude is a performance tool: Rather than a feel-good concept, gratitude becomes a grounding force that enhances clarity, passion, and decision-making.
• Strategic thinking requires space: Christopher explains how carving out “white space” on your calendar is the secret to deep work, creative problem-solving, and bold ideas.
• Connection is a superpower: From corporate boardrooms to coaching Little League, Connors reveals how empathy and relational leadership are the bedrock of trust and influence.
• Define your priorities or they’ll define you: Using the Eisenhower Matrix and Covey’s quadrants, he provides tactical advice for aligning time, energy, and purpose.

WHY IS THIS EPISODE A MUST-LISTEN?

Because great leadership doesn’t happen by accident. This episode is for anyone tired of burnout-driven leadership and ready to lead with clarity, purpose, and emotional depth. Whether you’re a CEO, a first-time manager, or someone striving to lead yourself more effectively, Christopher’s insights will challenge you to raise your standards—not just for what you accomplish, but for how you show up in the world.

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Why Listening Is the Legacy of a True Champion Leader

One of the most powerful takeaways from my conversation with Christopher D. Connors was his perspective on what real leadership leaves behind. As we reflected on the core of The Champion Leader, it became clear that it’s not just about driving results—it’s about the impact you make through connection.

Chris talked about listening not as a passive act, but as a strategic superpower. He described how the best leaders are often the ones who ask great questions and genuinely listen, not to reply, but to understand. Whether you’re leading a team of five or five thousand, people want to feel seen, heard, and valued.

The legacy of a champion leader isn’t measured in titles or outcomes alone. It’s in the people they empower, the culture they shape, and the trust they build—conversation by conversation, moment by moment. Listening, Chris reminded us, is how it all begins.

Thanks, Christopher Connors

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RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW WITH CHRISTOPHER CONNORS

Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. It’s just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!

1. Chris Connors’ Website
2. Chris Connors’ Instagram
3. Buy Chris Connors’ Book ‘The Champion Leader’
4. APA’s recognition of mattering as critical to child mental health
5. Passion Struck Core Value System: https://passionstruck.com/the-passion-struck-core-belief-system/
6. Listen to Passion Struck’s interviews with New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Seth Godin.
7. Check out Passion Struck’s Episode Starter Packs on Spotify or Passion Struck starter packs to get started with the podcast.

About Today’s Guest, Christopher D. Connors

Christopher D. Connors is one of the world’s leading experts on emotional intelligence. He empowers leaders and individuals to increase their emotional intelligence, achieve results, and build thriving teams. He works with executives and leaders at Fortune 1000 companies and with organizations spanning many industries. His writing has appeared in the World Economic Forum, CNBC, and Thrive Global. His bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence for the Modern Leader, is one of the bestselling emotional intelligence books in the world. Book Authority ranked it #1 on its “The Best Emotional Intelligence Books of All Time” list.

Christopher’s book, The Champion Leader, is a playbook for building high-performing teams with emotional intelligence. His video-based course, Leading with Emotional Intelligence, is one of the top leadership courses on LinkedIn Learning and one of the most-watched emotional intelligence courses in the world. He is also the author of the book, The Value of You.

Christopher is one of the most in-demand leadership speakers in the world. He’s provided keynotes and team-building events to William Morris Endeavor (WME), Northrop Grumman, NAFCU, McKesson, Apple, Google, GDIT, U.S. Army, Edward Jones, State Farm, Merrill Lynch, GitLab, the Florida State government, Farm Credit, and many more.

Christopher is happily married to his lovely southern belle CEO wife and is the proud father of three rambunctious sports-loving boys. He lives in Mount Pleasant, SC.

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