The Likeable Leader: Why People Follow (and Why They Don’t) with Jason Young

What if being a great leader isn’t about having all the answers, but about how people feel when they’re around you?

In this episode, Jason Young (see bio below) joins me on The Corporate Couch for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about leadership, emotional intelligence, burnout, and why “likability” may be one of the most underrated leadership skills in business today.

Jason shares stories from his early life, formative mentors, and unexpected career pivots that shaped his approach to leadership. We dive into the moments that changed his trajectory, including an unforgettable job interview that exposed a blind spot around emotional intelligence and ultimately became the catalyst for his work as a leadership consultant, speaker, and author.

We also unpack ideas from his book The Likeable Leader, explore why burnout is not a badge of honor, and discuss how leaders can create cultures where people feel seen, valued, and motivated to follow. Along the way, Jason offers practical insights on mentoring, self-awareness, emotional regulation, and what it really means to lead in a people-first way.

This episode is thoughtful, honest, and surprisingly fun, especially if you care about building teams people actually want to be part of.

 

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About ​Jason: Jason Young, PhD, is a leadership consultant, speaker, and author with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations and churches build thriving, people-first cultures. With doctoral degrees in hospitality and leadership, Jason is known for his practical, story-driven, and research-based approach to leadership, emotional intelligence, and team health.​ He has partnered with a wide range of clients, including Chick-fil-A, Delta Air Lines, Google, Procter & Gamble, Global Leadership Summit, North Point Ministries, and many other respected organizations, to design strategies that improve guest experience, build healthy leaders, enhance team engagement, and reduce burnout. His work includes keynotes, workshops, coaching, and consulting, all centered on creating psychologically safe, high-performing environments.