Leading with heart in a metrics-obsessed world with Adam Weber
Adam Weber is an executive coach who helps leaders manage pressure and sift through competing inputs to assert meaningful change and lead as their authentic selves. Adam knows the pressure of leadership firsthand. He’s co-founded and sold two tech companies, including Emplify, where he also served as Chief People Officer. He also served as the Chief Evangelist for 15Five. Adam is a leading voice in the strategic HR movement. He’s the best-selling author of Lead Like a Human, was named a Top Voice in HR by LinkedIn, and his expertise has appeared in publications such as HR Executive Magazine, Forbes and Fast Company.
HOST
Matt Poepsel, PhD
Vice President & Godfather of Talent Optimization
GUEST
Adam Weber
Executive Coach & Author of Lead Like a Human
Adam Weber has helped grow organizations, lead people-first teams, and navigate the tension between humanity and performance.
In this episode of Lead The People, Adam Weber and Matt Poepsel talks about why real leadership starts with presence. They unpack the dangers of over-indexing on metrics, how burnout is often hidden in high-performers, and why leading with vulnerability isn’t a weakness — it’s the work. From building connected cultures to redefining success beyond KPIs, Adam shares what it means to create space for both results and rest.
If you’ve ever felt torn between driving outcomes and staying human, this conversation is the permission slip you didn’t know you needed.
Key Takeaways:
- Real leadership starts with being present, not just being productive.
- Burnout often hides in your top performers — don’t mistake output for wellbeing.
- Vulnerability is a strength that builds trust and psychological safety.
- Culture is created in the daily interactions, not just the big moments.
- The best leaders balance being people-first and performance-driven.
Additional Resources:
Adam Weber Executive Coach & Author of Lead Like a Human: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetadam
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com
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