Meet Billy. Four months into his new role as Director of Operations at a fast-growing EV charging company, he replays a recent one-on-one with his senior manager, and winces. He dominated the conversation. His passion was palpable, but it didn’t land. His team, many of whom were passed over for the promotion he received, seem distant and disengaged. What’s missing? Connection. Trust. Real leadership.
In this episode, Jay is joined by Dr. Nicole Lipkin, organizational psychologist, executive coach, and CEO of Equilibria Leadership Consulting. Drawing from two decades of experience, Nicole explores how leaders like Billy can move beyond good intentions and start creating impact by getting curious, listening more than speaking, and learning how to lead from the inside out.
Nicole shares what it takes to shift from autopilot to intentional influence, why labeling people (like “narcissist” or “empath”) limits growth, and how our upbringing and inner narratives shape how we show up at work. It’s a powerful conversation that challenges assumptions and invites us to look in the mirror, because real leadership starts there.
Notable Quotes
“Until the robots take over, we’re humans working with humans.” – Nicole Lipkin
“People don’t intend to be harmful, but impact is what matters most.” – Jay Abbasi
“Managing people isn’t for everyone. But personal leadership is.” – Nicole Lipkin
About Our Guest
Dr. Nicole Lipkin is a clinical and organizational psychologist, executive coach, and founder of Equilibria Leadership Consulting. She helps leaders transform the way they think, communicate, and influence through a mix of neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and practical leadership tools. Nicole is also the creator of Hey Kiddo, a platform that equips parenting adults with tools to foster mental, emotional, and social health in kids. Her work has been featured on NPR, NBC, Forbes, and CBS.
Resources and Links
Nicole Lipkin
Equilibria Leadership Consulting – https://equilibrialeadership.com/
Website – https://nicolelipkin.com/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelipkin/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/drnicolelipkin/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DrNicoleLipkin/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@drnicolelipkin
X – https://x.com/drnicolelipkin
Jay Abbasi
Website – https://jayabbasi.me/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast
Join Us Next Time
On Friday, Jay shares a personal story about asking his team for feedback, including the discomfort, the insight, and the growth that followed. He’ll walk through how to ask for honest input, how to receive it without getting defensive, and how to apply it to grow as a leader. If you’ve ever hesitated to seek feedback or weren’t sure what to do with it once you got it, this episode is your playbook.
Stay open, stay courageous, and stay committed to growth.
