Leadership Principles With Jim Carlough
The Six Pillars of Leadership That Actually Matter
I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Jim Carlough on the latest episode of Coffee and Tea with CarrieVee. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to lead well—to lead with heart, with clarity, with purpose—this conversation is for you.
Jim has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, working his way from entry-level management to company president. Over time, he noticed a pattern we’ve all seen: people getting promoted because they were great at their jobs, but without the support or tools to actually lead. That’s what sparked his book The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership. It’s not about theory. It’s about what works.
Leadership Begins Before You Clock In
One of my favorite moments in the episode was when Jim said leadership doesn’t start when you sit at your desk—it starts when your feet hit the floor in the morning. That’s the mindset shift. Leadership is who you are, not just what you do from 9 to 5.
Jim also shared how integrity is the bedrock of all great leadership. Without it, nothing sticks. He told a powerful story from when he was just 22 years old and won a city council seat. A mentor told him to ask this question every night:
Did I do anything today for my own benefit that came at the expense of someone else?
That question shaped his entire career. That’s what integrity looks like in real life.
Empathy, Compassion, and Really Knowing Your Team
We dove deep into two of the other pillars: empathy and compassion. Jim explained the difference—how compassion is being present with someone’s pain, and empathy is stepping in to help solve it. Both matter. But neither works if you don’t know your people.
Jim believes leadership is about connection. He challenged us to stop avoiding conversations and start getting to know the people we work with. Do you know your team’s names? Their kids’ names? What lights them up? What’s weighing them down? You can’t lead people you don’t understand.
He also shared how, even now, he holds regular one-on-ones where the team member—not him—sets the agenda. It’s their time to talk, and his time to listen. That’s leadership that builds trust.
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The Power of Listening First
If you’re stepping into a leadership role, here’s the best advice Jim gives: when you meet your new team, don’t show up with a big speech. Just show up and listen. Ask questions. Take notes. Be present. That first meeting isn’t about proving anything. It’s about earning trust and building something real.
Jim’s building out an eight-week leadership course that will go even deeper into each of the six pillars, and I’ll be sharing updates as that unfolds. In the meantime, grab his book and spend time with the stories, exercises, and reflections inside. It’s the kind of book you’ll go back to again and again.
Your Journal Prompt This Week
Jim left us with a journal prompt that I absolutely love. Use it. Sit with it. Let it open something up:
What does integrity mean to me, and how do I show up with integrity in my daily life—especially when no one is watching?
Let it take you wherever you need to go. You’ll be amazed at what rises to the surface when you stop and really reflect.
Want a Free Copy of Jim’s Book?
Jim is giving away three signed copies of The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership to the first three people who leave a comment on this episode—either on YouTube or in the show notes. Just drop a takeaway, a question, or something that resonated. Then send me your name (not your address, we’ll handle that part privately), and I’ll pass it on so Jim can send you your copy.
This episode is one you’ll want to come back to more than once. It’s packed with real-world wisdom and heart. If you lead a team, manage a household, or just want to become the kind of person people trust and follow, this one’s for you.
Keep leading with heart. I’ve got your back.
CarrieVee
