103: The Happy Leader, with Dr. Calvin Lawrence

Leadership Jam Session

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Calvin Lawrence—motivational speaker, leadership consultant, and author of the newly released book, The Happy Leader. Calvin brings over 40 years of experience in educational leadership and administration, offering a wealth of wisdom and heartfelt stories from his journey. We dive deep into the essential role that relationships, mindset, and authenticity play in effective leadership, as well as the power of choosing happiness—even during challenging times.

Calvin shares the inspiration behind The Happy Leader, emphasizing that “relationships matter” and exploring how mentorship, learning from failure, and busting through stereotypes have shaped his leadership philosophy. He discusses the importance of being an authentic leader, recounts lessons learned from his own missteps, and highlights practical ways to build trust and connection with your team. Calvin and I also talk candidly about the realities of leadership, including managing personal setbacks, balancing pressure, and the crucial practice of celebrating wins—big and small.

Key takeaways:

• Leadership starts with the quality of your relationships—getting to know your people, learning their names, and treating each individual uniquely.
• Authenticity is vital; people will see through “phony” leadership. Real influence comes from being yourself and building trust over time.
• Happiness is a choice, especially for leaders, and is often fueled by your intent to be a calming, inspiring presence for your team—even in times of chaos.
• Learning from failure is essential. Mistakes are opportunities for growth when leaders are willing to reflect and adjust.
• Breaking through stereotypes, both external and self-imposed, is critical for personal growth and for creating inclusive, empowered teams.
• Leaders should celebrate even the smallest wins, as recognition and genuine positivity help foster a culture of engagement, trust, and performance.
• Great leaders listen more than they speak and cultivate meaningful conversations—connection is at the heart of leadership.
• Trust is hard to build, easy to lose, and must be nurtured constantly in all relationships, both professionally and personally.

Join us for an inspiring, story-filled conversation that will leave you with practical strategies to cultivate happiness, authenticity, and stronger connections as a leader.

Pick up Calvin’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Leader-Relatable-stories-influence/dp/B0DWJXPLMP