Navigating the Complexities of Leadership Without Losing Yourself with Connie Gao

Welcome back to the Gray Areas podcast! This week, we’re joined by Connie Gao, a leadership coach dedicated to helping smart, driven, and empathetic leaders unlock their full potential. With a background rooted in research-backed frameworks from Columbia Business School and real-world experience in both startup and corporate environments, Connie brings a structured yet empathetic approach to leadership development.

In this episode, we dive into burnout recovery, the gray areas of leadership, and how to balance empathy and accountability. We also explore the fine line between being a supportive leader and avoiding burnout yourself, plus why being the “cool boss” can sometimes backfire.

Highlights include:

• 2:00 – Connie shares her journey from corporate roles to becoming a leadership coach and what inspired the transition.
• 8:00 – Recognizing the early signs of burnout and how leaders can address them before it’s too late.
• 19:30 – Setting effective boundaries as a leader without compromising authority or approachability.
• 23:30 – How to give negative feedback effectively using the SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) framework.
• 30:00 – Navigating ruthless prioritization with your team
• 39:45 – Common leadership traps in startups and how to avoid them.

This episode is packed with actionable insights for leaders at every stage. Tune in to hear Connie Gao’s expert advice on navigating the complexities of leadership without losing yourself in the process!

Connie’s Links:
Instagram
Tiktok
Email Connie to work with her at connie@conniegaocoaching.com