Leadership Story Talks | Jerome & Julienne Discuss Dropping Cover

“He didn’t say a word. He just stood up and hugged me.”

For our 200th episode of Leadership Story Talks, we reflect on one of the most powerful moments from our conversation with Kenny Leahman — a former CIA operative, executive coach, and leadership consultant whose life story is filled with unexpected turns.

The story we chose to explore centers on a moment of profound vulnerability. After years of hiding a core part of himself, Kenny made the decision to “drop cover” and come out to a former boss and mentor — a decorated Marine whose reaction Kenny feared and could not predict. Instead of judgment, criticism, or rejection, he was met with something much simpler and much more powerful: a hug.

In this debrief, we explore the assumptions we carry into difficult conversations, the courage it takes to align our actions with our values, and how often our fears about how others will respond turn out to be wrong. Kenny’s story reminds us that some of the most significant leadership moments happen not through speeches or strategies, but through empathy, presence, and trust.

We also discuss the remarkable way Kenny translated lessons learned in intelligence work—listening, cultural awareness, relationship-building, and trust—into his work as a coach and leadership advisor. His story offers a powerful reminder that the skills required to build trust in high-stakes environments are often the very same skills that help leaders succeed in boardrooms, classrooms, and organizations.

Most of all, this conversation invites us to reflect on the moments in our own lives when someone showed up for us in exactly the way we needed—and how those seemingly small moments can shape the course of our lives for years to come.

You'll Hear:

- Why Kenny’s decision to “drop cover” became a defining moment in his life
- How assumptions and fears can distort our expectations of others
- What it means to bring your actions back into alignment with your values
- The leadership lesson hidden inside a simple hug
- Why trust is built through presence, empathy, and consistency
- How Kenny carried lessons from intelligence work into executive coaching
- The surprising connections between leadership, listening, and human connection
- A reflection on the people who showed up for us when it mattered most

Resources: 

- Kenny Leahman Interview: A Life Uncovered with Kenny Leahman

Learn more about the LISTENING LAB here

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Buy Julienne’s book here