What do horses and leadership have in common? According to executive leadership coach and author of The Unlocked Leader: Dare to Free Your Own Voice, Lead with Empathy, and Shine Your Light in the World Hortense le Gentil, a lot more than you might think. In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Hortense shares how lessons learned from show jumping shaped her understanding of empathy, communication, and trust—core elements of great leadership. She explores how leaders, like riders, must align with their teams, anticipate obstacles, and
build trust to achieve success.

Hortense's journey to becoming a world-renowned executive coach wasn't conventional. She didn’t set out to be a coach—she simply wanted to help others. Over time, her unique insights and human-centered approach to leadership attracted top executives and organizations looking to go beyond strategy and truly connect with their teams.

In this conversation, Peter and Hortense discuss the difference
between transactional coaching and transformative coaching. They dive into the common challenges executives face—self-doubt, old narratives, and the struggle to balance strategic execution with authentic leadership. Hortense reveals how she helps leaders break free from limiting beliefs and redefine their leadership identity.

The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of thought
leadership, the shift from traditional keynote speaking to more
interactive formats like fireside chats, and why authenticity is the
key to making a real impact. If you’re ready to unlock your leadership potential and shine your light in the world, this episode is a must-listen.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is about alignment and trust. Just like in show jumping, leaders must align with their teams, anticipate obstacles, and build trust to achieve success. Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about connection.

• Authenticity drives impact. Leaders who embrace their true selves and lead with empathy create stronger, more engaged teams. Authenticity is the key to unlocking leadership potential and making a meaningful impact.

• The landscape of thought leadership is evolving. Traditional
keynotes are being replaced by more interactive formats like fireside chats, allowing for deeper, more personalized engagement with audiences.