In this episode of Inside the Leader's Mind, David Suson sits down with Robynn Storey, Founder of Storeyline Resumes, to explore what leadership looks like when ego steps aside and humanity takes the lead. Robynn shares her unconventional journey from a high-level corporate role at Pepsi to waiting tables, and ultimately building a multi-million-dollar, fully remote company rooted in kindness, accountability, and trust.

Robynn explains why she hires for character over credentials, how loyalty is earned rather than demanded, and why culture is built through everyday human moments rather than perks or programs. From sending care packages to protecting work-life balance, her leadership philosophy proves that compassion and high performance are not opposites—they are partners.

• Leadership without ego creates stronger loyalty and engagement

• Culture is built in everyday human moments, not corporate perks

• Hiring for character leads to long-term success and retention

• Transparency and kindness drive performance more than fear

• Strong leaders protect people, not just results

• "If someone on your team can call you for personal advice, you've won."

• "Culture isn't a program. It's how you treat people when life happens."

• "People will never work harder for you when you are mean to them."

• "Success isn't privilege. It's the result of effort and care."

• "We are not brain surgeons. I want people to go have a life."

• 00:00 – Introduction to Robynn Storey

• 03:25 – Leaving corporate life and redefining success

• 05:56 – Ego, identity, and waiting tables

• 09:48 – Hustle mentality and leadership balance

• 15:50 – Loyalty, care, and human-centered culture

• 23:32 – Leadership lessons from corporate America

• 29:35 – Hiring failures and automated systems

• 37:55 – What truly creates strong culture

• 45:22 – The donut question and final reflections

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynnstorey/

• Website: storeylineresumes.com

Summary
Lee Caraher, CEO of Double Forte, explains how her PR and strategic communications firm helps clients reach business goals by improving how they connect with employees, customers, partners, and the public. She traces her path from a medieval history degree to tech PR, and why agency work accelerates learning. After 9/11 and her mother's stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis, Lee founded Double Forte (now 23 years old) to build a values-led agency that could flex around family needs. She describes early growth by focusing on a short list of trusted relationships, protecting culture with the "no assholes" client rule, and leading with high input, low democracy, high appreciation, and high standards so the team stays relevant through constant change, including AI.

Takeaways

• High input, low democracy: gather input widely, then decide and share the rationale.

• High appreciation: specific, contextual praise improves performance and reduces wasted effort.

• Culture guardrails matter: the "no assholes" rule can limit revenue but protects teams.

• Hiring well isn't enough—leaders often wait too long to fire or re-seat someone.

• Empathy doesn't mean lowering standards; it means support + timelines + role shifts when life happens.

• Leaders must communicate a clear path in change: "Here's the road we're taking."

Soundbites

• "We help our clients achieve their business goal through communication."

• "High input, low democracy."

• "Teams who feel appreciated outperform those who don't."

• "No assholes."

• "If you don't think you can improve… leave now."

• "Agencies succeed only if they're relevant now and next."

• "My definition of success is money, time, people."

Timestamps

• 00:01 – Meet Lee Caraher and Double Forte

• 02:31 – What Double Forte does: business goals via communication

• 03:02 – From medieval history to PR and why agencies train

• 05:18 – 9/11 + mom's diagnosis → starting Double Forte

• 06:57 – The "first 11 people" strategy for landing clients

• 08:09 – Culture rules and the no assholes line

• 10:24 – Biggest lesson: leaders are often slow to fire

• 11:57 – Leadership pillars: input, appreciation, high standards

• 13:28 – 360 wake-up call: appreciation must be visible

• 19:08 – Empathy with standards: timelines and "park yourself"

• 22:29 – Leading through constant change and AI uncertainty

• 24:46 – Color-coding the calendar: in vs on the business

• 35:18 – Her success definition: money, time, people

• 37:09 – How to reach Lee

Contact links for the guest

• Double Forte: double-forte.com

• Lee Caraher: lee-karaher.com

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecaraher/

• Email: lkaraher@double-forte.com

Keyword tags
Lee Caraher, Double Forte, Leadership, Strategic Communications, Public Relations, Team Culture, Appreciation, Employee Retention, Decision-Making, Empathy, Client Selection, AI Change

In this episode of Inside the Leader's Mind, David Suson sits down with Alex Rodriguez, a veteran government affairs strategist, CEO of Conduit Government Relations, and Chairman and CEO of DCG Public Affairs.

With more than 30 years advising Fortune 500 companies, public agencies, and nonprofit leaders, Alex operates at the intersection of policy, power, and public perception. He also brings a unique perspective shaped by over five decades as a lifelong martial artist and sixth-degree black belt.

This conversation explores what quiet leadership really looks like. Alex shares why communication and empathy are not weaknesses but force multipliers, how discipline from martial arts translates directly into leadership under pressure, and why compassion is the often-overlooked sixth tenet of effective leadership.

From navigating complex government systems and high-stakes water policy decisions to the personal cost of choosing purpose over prestige, Alex offers grounded wisdom on leading with clarity, integrity, and balance. This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about dominance. It is about presence, perspective, and precision.

• Great leadership is rooted in communication and empathy, not control or ego

• The discipline learned through martial arts directly shapes calm, effective leadership

• Compassion is not weakness. It is a strategic advantage

• The best leaders turn pressure into precision by staying grounded and intentional

• Leadership begins at home and carries into the boardroom

• Failure is not something to avoid. It is proof that you are trying

• The "middle way" creates balance, clarity, and sustainable success

• "If I'm an asshole in the boardroom, I'm probably an asshole at home."

• "Empathy isn't weakness. It's how you stay human under pressure."

• "Leadership doesn't need to be loud to be powerful."

• "I want peace of mind more than power or position."

• "If you don't fail, you're not taking risks."

• 00:00 – Introduction & Background

• 03:00 – Navigating Government, Influence, and Strategy

• 07:30 – Water Policy, the Salton Sea, and Defining Leadership Moments

• 11:00 – Martial Arts, Discipline, and Empathy

• 16:00 – Quiet Leadership and Compassion

• 21:00 – Is Empathy a Weakness?

• 26:00 – Turning Pressure Into Precision

• 31:00 – The Cost of Leadership and Choosing Purpose

• 34:30 – Final Reflections and How to Connect

• Website: https://www.dcgco.com

• Books: Available on Amazon

  • The Way of Walking Alone

  • A Stick in Time

  • 365 Days of Martial Valor