The Power of Relationships: Hot Habits, HopeMakers, and Conscious Leadership with Greg Zlevor

How Pausing, Noticing, and Choosing Transforms the Way We Lead

In this Big Juicy episode of Hot Habits, Dr. Tamsin Astor sits down with Greg Zlevor—president of Westwood International, founder of HopeMakers, and a renowned authority in leadership development. Their conversation uncovers the vital role of relationships, the reality behind hopeful leadership, and why reflection is the ultimate superpower for both personal and professional impact.

Building Human-Centered Leadership through Relationships

What drives powerful leadership in our age of disruption and rapid change? For Greg Zlevor, the answer is deceptively simple: relationships. Growing up in a vibrant, open-door household that welcomed over 30 non-family members, he witnessed firsthand the impact of connection, trust, and genuine appreciation—themes that wound through his youth like threads in a fabric. These real-time lessons in community became foundational to his work transforming organizational cultures and elevating leaders worldwide.

At Hot Habits, Dr. Tamsin Astor and Greg Zlevor agreed that our nervous system sets the tone for every room we enter. Whether it’s a business meeting, a silent retreat, or family dinner, the energy and intention we carry create the blueprint others unconsciously follow. Relationships aren’t just “nice to have”—they are the infrastructure of meaningful leadership and sustainable results.

Hope and Authentic Transformation in Leadership

In a social climate where words like “hope” risk being co-opted by toxic positivity or empty marketing, Greg Zlevor is on a mission to reclaim its substance. At HopeMakers, hope is not blind optimism—it’s a practice rooted in remembering our ability to figure things out, even when the way forward is blurry. Through carefully crafted community experiences, participants tap into past moments of resilience, drawing energy from victories they may have overlooked.

Instead of “just hoping” things will change, leaders are encouraged to ask: “What did I do the last time this happened? How can I apply or build on that now?” It’s the marriage of story, self-inquiry, and supportive network that transforms hope from a word into a tangible advantage.

Pausing to Notice and Choose: The Core of Conscious Leadership

One of the most Big Juicy takeaways is the power found in pausing, noticing, and choosing. Dr. Tamsin Astor describes this as the muscle meditation builds—granting us the space between stimulus and response, where our true freedom lives. When leaders learn to pause, they disrupt the survival-driven “scan for problems” wiring of the brain and consciously decide how to respond instead of react.

Both Tamsin & Greg share personal stories of real-world slips—missed meetings, judgments, family triggers—but agree that the true growth happens not from being perfect in the moment, but from the willingness to reflect, own mistakes, and chart a new course.

The Myth of “Not Enough Time” and the Value of Trust

In the rush of corporate life, a lingering myth persists: there’s no time to nurture relationships or build trust. But as Greg Zlevor’s decades-long work with global organizations and his own field experiments reveal, taking time upfront for authentic connection and values alignment pays dividends that outlast short-term hustle. The teams that slow down to know each other, understand strengths, and cultivate trust consistently outperform, weather adversity, and support individual and collective growth.

In the age of AI and breakneck change, who we trust—and the quality of those relationships—becomes even more essential.

How to Lead with Hot Habits: Practical Takeaways

Ready for your own transformation? Here are the actionable “hot habits” that Greg Zlevor and Dr. Tamsin Astor recommend:

• Cultivate a Habit of Pausing: Whether through meditation, journaling, exercise, or mindful walks, intentionally create moments where you can breathe, reflect, and interrupt automatic habits.

• Question Your Stories: Ask yourself, “Who would I be without this story?” and consider alternative narratives that offer greater resourcefulness and hope.

• Find Your Non-Colluding Allies: Surround yourself with people who challenge you lovingly—those who listen, reflect, and help you expand, not just agree.

• Lead with Appreciation: Practice appreciating others in real-time. Genuine, specific feedback builds lasting trust and engagement.

Conclusion: Conscious Leadership Starts Within

Leadership isn’t about titles or outcomes—it’s about how we show up in relationship to ourselves and each other. By pausing, noticing, and choosing with intention, we build cultures of trust, hope, and true transformation from the inside out.

Want to cultivate your own epic leadership habits? Revisit this conversation, share it with your teams, and let these practices reshape how you lead.