250: Leaders with Heart Are Emotionally Intelligent

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Jody Levison-Johnson is a licensed clinical social worker with nearly 30 years of experience in human services. She currently serves as the President and CEO of Social Current, an organization focused on advancing the work of the social sector through collaboration, innovation, policy, and practice excellence. Social Current brings together human/social service organizations and partners to leverage their collective experience and research to drive continuous evolution and improvement in the field.\
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Key Takeaways
  • Being too direct and honest can be your biggest strength or your Achilles heel
  • Authenticity is what’s most important to Jody
  • Being emotionally intelligent is one of the most important skills to have as a leader
  • Her organization focuses on advancing the work of the social sector

Jody Levison-Johnson’s Bio

Jody Levison-Johnson is a licensed clinical social worker with nearly 30 years of experience in human services. She currently serves as the President and CEO of Social Current, an organization focused on advancing the work of the social sector through collaboration, innovation, policy, and practice excellence. Social Current brings together human/social service organizations and partners to leverage their collective experience and research to drive continuous evolution and improvement in the field. Jody is a longstanding champion for systems change which results in the ability for individuals and communities to thrive. Over several decades, her career has crossed a variety of settings including private providers and state and local governments. Much of her work has focused on cross-sector alignment to benefit children, youth, and families. Jody’s experience leading system reform efforts across the country has prompted her interest in the environmental contexts that surround leadership of deep change in social and public systems. Jody holds a Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University and a Master of Arts and PhD in Leadership and Change from Antioch University.

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The Listening Guide

Create a listening culture that elevates the employee experience with The Listening Guide.

Through this guide, Heather uncovers how you can ensure those you lead feel heard by taking 3 approaches to listening inside an organization.

  • Understand why listening is the key to employee engagement
  • Learn how the Cycle of Listening contributes to strong workplace relationships
  • Get a practical framework for creating a listening culture that is bidirectional, responsive, and supportive

Download it here.


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Becoming Unshakable With Heather R Younger

Becoming Unshakable is the podcast for leaders, creators, and changemakers who know that true leadership starts from within. Each episode explores what it takes to lead with resilience, compassion, and purpose—without pretending to be perfect.
Through candid conversations with executives, frontline leaders, coaches, and everyday heroes, Heather uncovers the real stories behind growth, setbacks, and transformation. From navigating change to creating emotionally safe cultures, Becoming Unshakable reveals how self-leadership and Caring Leadership can shape people—and workplaces—that cannot be shaken.

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The Cycle of Active Listening

Create a listening culture that elevates the workplace experience for everyone.

Through this guide, uncover how to ensure those in your care at work feel heard and valued, resulting in increased loyalty and satisfaction.

  • Understand why listening is the key to improved engagement
  • Learn how the Cycle of Active Listening contributes to strong workplace relationships
  • Get a practical framework for creating a listening culture that is bidirectional, responsive, and supportive

Contact Heather Today!
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