What happens when high performance collides with burnout?
In this powerful episode of The Shameless Podcast, host Dzikamai Gangaidzo sits down with Yosi Kossowsky, a former CTO turned leadership coach, to explore how leaders can balance ambition, well-being, and emotional resilience without losing their edge.
With raw honesty and practical wisdom, Yosi shares his transformation from a hyper-analytical engineer into a deeply human-centered leader. He opens up about learning to manage emotions, build genuine connections, and find calm amidst chaos.
From the “X-Factor of Leadership” to the power of curiosity, this conversation redefines what strength looks like at the top and why vulnerability might be the leadership superpower we’ve been avoiding.
You’ll discover:
- Why technical brilliance isn’t enough to inspire followship
- The link between curiosity and emotional resilience
- How miscommunication quietly fuels burnout
- Simple daily rituals to restore balance and clarity
- Why “people problems” are actually growth opportunities
- How community and accountability sustain change
Key Takeaways:
“If people aren’t following you, you’re not leading — you’re just walking.”
Curiosity dissolves judgment; judgment creates exhaustion.
Burnout begins where communication ends.
Vulnerability builds the trust that drives true resilience.
Gratitude, movement, and connection are simple daily resets for any leader.
Challenge of the week:
Pause before reacting.
When faced with frustration or stress, ask:
“What if there’s something here I don’t know yet?”
Curiosity might just be the key to resilience.
Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome & Episode Intro01:34 – Meet Yosi: From CTO to Leadership Coach03:21 – The Leadership Disconnect06:14 – Followship: The True Test of Leadership08:43 – The “Noise to Effectiveness” Ratio09:50 – How Work Stress Mirrors Home Stress14:45 – Curiosity in Action: A Mindset Shift18:10 – Miscommunication, Burnout & Boundaries23:45 – Balancing KPIs and Empathy26:38 – Building Sustainable Change29:24 – From Accountability to Movement33:14 – What Makes a Resilient Leader35:30 – Daily Rituals for Mental Strength38:24 – Quote of the Episode: “Shame erodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.”47:00 – Final Reflections & Where to Find Yosi
Related T4L Course:
The Heart of Leadership — Discover how to lead with authenticity, courage, and empathy while still delivering results.
Transform your leadership at www.T4Leader.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykossowsky/— Book a FREE 30-minute session
Website: www.T4Leader.com | Email: shameless@t4leader.com
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