In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin welcomes Neil Ghosh—purpose-driven leader, social impact advocate, and author of Do More Good—to explore a relieving idea: you don’t need to be perfect to make a meaningful difference. Together, Erin and Neil unpack what purpose-driven leadership actually looks like in real life. They dig into why empathy is a practice, how imperfection builds trust and innovation, and why lasting change almost always starts smaller than we expect. Neil introduces his GEMSS model—Get Engaged, Empower Others, Micro Philanthropy, Show Up, Start Small—as a practical framework for proactive living and leadership. Inside This Episode:Purpose as a Burnout Antidote: Why purpose anchors decisions, sustains energy, and helps leaders navigate uncertainty.The Power of Imperfection: How imperfect leaders create psychological safety, trust, and room for innovation.Empathy, Reframed: Why empathy starts with perspective-taking before judgment—and how it changes leadership behavior.The GEMSS Model Explained: A simple, actionable framework for doing more good without doing more everything.Micro Philanthropy, Macro Impact: How small, consistent actions create ripple effects at work and beyond.Unity Without Uniformity: What it really takes to build shared commitment in diverse teams and communities. Who This Episode Is For:Purpose-driven leaders who want impact without burnoutHumans who care deeply but feel overwhelmed by “doing it all”Managers building cultures of trust, empathy, and belongingAnyone curious how small, imperfect actions can still change the world Your Freebie You’ve tried the emails, the all-hands rollout, and the polished decks, but the vision still isn’t landing. That’s because people don’t buy into a vision that’s presented to them; they buy into one they help shape. The 30-Minute Vision-Setting Meeting Template gives you a simple, human-centered way to create alignment, spark ownership, and build real momentum. Download it here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have a question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 1 email a week from us? Our well-loved Fail Fourward Friday gives you 4 Fails, 3 Awakenings, 2 Ideas, and 1 Laugh from the week that reminded us what being human is all about: to make failure a habit, be a lifelong learner, explore more, and never pass up an opportunity to laugh. Subscribe here. Connect with Neil GhoshNeil’s LinkedInNeil’s article: “How leaders can be transparent about their belief systems without alienating anyone”Neil’s article: “In an Age of Chaos, Leadership Starts with Doing the Right Thing” Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.