In this episode of The Few Leaders Podcast, Boo sits down with Michelle Anne Johnson, former actor turned leadership presence coach, to challenge some of the most outdated ideas in leadership today.

Michelle breaks down why titles, authority, and visibility no longer guarantee influence, and why many leaders are unknowingly operating with high social power and low personal power. Drawing on her experience in television, keynote speaking, and executive coaching, she explains how presence is built internally, not performed, and why purpose doesn’t need to be a grand life mission to be effective.

This conversation explores how leaders can stop showing up cold, lead with more intention in everyday moments, and rethink what confidence actually means. It also tackles why younger generations are less impressed by hierarchy, and what leaders need to shift if they want to stay relevant in an uncertain, fast-moving world.

If you’re tired of leadership advice that focuses on optics instead of substance, this episode offers a sharper, more honest perspective on what it really takes to lead with presence today.

Actionable Takeaway:

1. Having a big title won’t make people follow you; believing in yourself and showing up intentionally will.
2. You don’t need a grand life mission to lead well; you just need to decide how you want to show up in the next meeting.
3. If you want presence, stop trying to perform and start working on what you actually think about yourself.
4. Purpose isn’t something you find once; it’s something you choose every time you walk into a room.
5. Don’t warm up on other people’s time; take a moment to get yourself mentally ready before you speak or lead.
6. Confidence isn’t about being good at something; it’s about believing you’re good enough to deliver.
7. Being authentic doesn’t mean having no filter; it means closing the gap between who you are and how you show up.
8. If a meeting has no clear intention, cancel it; or at least decide what you’re really there to contribute.

Connect with Michelle Anne Johnson:

Learn more about Michelle Anne Johnson

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Connect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:

Learn more about Christian Boucousis

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