Last year, I launched a Spring Leadership Series to think about leadership in nontraditional ways. As 2024 continued, I presented additional ways to think about leadership during my Olympics Leadership Series and Holiday Leadership Series. With a new year upon us, I've invited 25 thought leaders to share their responses to five questions relating to team-building, reading, and leadership. My #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 began the first day of Spring and continues through June 20th, the first day of Summer.
Before we begin, I'd like to applaud two special individuals for providing the inspiration for this series. First, big applause goes to Erika Andersen, a leadership expert and author who I've had the pleasure of knowing for nearly 15 years, and she's appeared on my blog 13 times since 2011. She wrote an article for Forbes entitled, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders," and that article serves as the core of the series as its first question. Second, I also applaud Joseph Lalonde, a leadership expert and author of a book called REEL LEADERSHIP, for planting the seeds for last year's Spring Leadership Series on my blog. After I read Joe's book, I started looking at movies as well as works of fiction, TV shows, and TV characters with "leadership-tinted glasses."
For today's post, I'd like to introduce Hortense le Gentil, a world-renowned executive leadership coach, speaker, and author based in New York. Her coaching work focuses on CEOs and senior executives on their journey from hero leaders to human leaders. She is the author of the widely acclaimed book Aligned, and recently released her latest book entitled, The Unlocked Leader: Dare to Free Your Own Voice, Lead With Empathy, and Shine Your Light in the World. Le Gentil’s thought leadership is informed by 30 years in business, working across industries including media consulting and advertising, and as an entrepreneur. Her thought-leadership has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., Business Insider, and ThriveGlobal.com. Le Gentil grew up in France, where she was a competitive show jumper during her youth.
QUESTION: Leadership expert and author Erika Andersen wrote an article for Forbes entitled, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders." In the article, Erika compared gardening to management and leadership. What are your thoughts, or was there something that stood out from the article?
HORTENSE LE GENTIL: I love the metaphor of gardening, but the truth is that today, leadership is no longer tied to seasons. It must be spring every day! A leader's role is to cultivate and nurture continuously, thinking about the long-term while also responding to what is happening in the moment. Leadership is about setting the tone and creating an environment where people can grow and thrive. This means being clear on your values, showing up with authenticity, and ensuring your team is aligned. And crucially, it means not tolerating behaviors that contradict your values. Leadership is a daily practice of making conscious choices – what you do or don’t accept defines the culture you create.
SHARE THIS: A leader's role is to cultivate and nurture continuously. ~@hortenseleg #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
QUESTION: What was the most recent example of inspiring leadership that made an impact on you?
HORTENSE LE GENTIL: I was deeply inspired by The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker. Her work is a powerful reminder of why and how we come together: in leadership, in business, and in life. She challenges us to be intentional about gatherings and design them with purpose. Leadership is about creating spaces where people feel connected and valued, where conversations are meaningful, and where we move beyond transactional relationships to truly engaging. It's about making human connections.
SHARE THIS: Leadership is about creating spaces where people feel connected and valued. ~@hortenseleg #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
QUESTION: What is your favorite team-building activity, and why?
HORTENSE LE GENTIL: One of my favorite team-building activities is sharing personal stories. When people open up and share their experiences, values, and perspectives, it fosters deep connection and trust. It allows teams to see one another as whole people, not just colleagues filling roles. This kind of sharing creates empathy, strengthens relationships, and builds a foundation for collaboration. People bring their best selves to work when they feel seen and understood.
QUESTION: Which book is on the top of your to-be-read pile, and why?
HORTENSE LE GENTIL: I am looking forward to reading The Big Life by Ann Shoket. The book explores how ambitious women can design lives that are meaningful, successful, and fulfilling on their own terms. This idea of defining success for yourself resonates deeply with me. Leadership is about aligning with your purpose, making an impact, and crafting a life that feels authentic. I'm excited to dive into her perspective and get her insights.
SHARE THIS: Leadership is about aligning with your purpose, making an impact, and crafting a life that feels authentic. ~@hortenseleg #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
QUESTION: In the past year, has a TV show, film, or work of fiction stood out as a result of its emphasis on leadership?
HORTENSE LE GENTIL: I was struck by the documentary Very Ralph (2019), which explores the life and leadership of Ralph Lauren. His journey is a testament to the power of vision and authenticity. He built a brand not just on fashion, but on a philosophy and an aspirational way of life. What stands out in his leadership is his unwavering commitment to his values and storytelling. He understood that leadership is about inspiring people to believe in a vision. His ability to stay true to his identity while evolving with the world around him is a lesson for any leader.
My gratitude to Hortense for sharing her leadership insights and for being a part of my #SpringLeadershipSeries2025. Did these questions open your eyes to think about leadership in nontraditional ways? That was the hope!
Image Credit: iStock by Getty Images.
Read Erika Andersen's article, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders"
https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikaandersen/2015/05/14/how-springtime-can-make-us-better-leaders/
Read Hortense's previous appearance here on my blog:
Are You the Type of Leader Who Speaks Last? (March 2024)
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/03/are-you-type-of-leader-who-speaks-last.html
Connect with Hortense at these links:
Website: https://www.hortenselegentil.com
The Unlocked Leader Book: https://www.hortenselegentil.com/theunlockedleader
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hortenselegentil
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/hortenseleg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hortenselegentil/
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