Episode 21: The Power of Forgiveness in Leadership — Drop the Rocks and Claim Your Joy

In this episode of The Joy CEO Podcast, I’m diving into a topic that’s been truly transformative in my own leadership journey: forgiveness. For so many high-achieving professionals, the weight we carry isn’t just from deadlines or responsibilities—it’s from unhealed moments of the past.

I share the four types of forgiveness that have helped me and my clients find more peace and clarity: forgiving your younger self, your parents, your past blockers, and everyone else. Each represents a “rock” we’ve been carrying—one we can finally choose to set down.

I also introduce what I call the Hula Hoop Principle, a simple but powerful mindset shift that helps you focus on what’s actually within your control and release what isn’t.

To help you put these ideas into practice, I close the episode with a seven-day “Forgive to Win” challenge—a gentle invitation to lighten your emotional load, one day at a time, and make space for more joy, confidence, and ease in your leadership.

🔑 What You’ll Learn

• Why forgiveness is one of the most powerful (and underused) leadership tools.
• How to “drop the rocks” by forgiving your younger self, your parents, past blockers, and everyone else.
• How the Hula Hoop Principle can help you stay focused on what’s within your control.
• Simple, daily steps to make forgiveness a lifelong habit of freedom and clarity.

💬 Reflection Prompts

Use these questions to go deeper after listening:

1. Which “rock” feels heaviest for me right now—and why am I still holding it?
2. What might change in my leadership if I chose to forgive myself for past mistakes?
3. How have old resentments or unmet expectations shaped the way I lead today?
4. Where in my life or career do I need to apply the Hula Hoop Principle?
5. What would it look like—and feel like—to finally lead with a lighter heart?

🌿 Who This Episode Is For

This episode is for driven, heart-centered professionals who want to lead with more clarity, compassion, and joy.

It’s especially for you if:

• You’ve achieved success on paper but still feel weighed down emotionally.
• You’re ready to stop replaying old stories that hold you back.
• You want to show up as a more grounded, authentic, and emotionally intelligent leader—at work and at home.

🌸 Your Challenge

Join me in the Seven-Day Forgive to Win Challenge. Each day, identify one “rock” you’re ready to drop—and notice how your energy, perspective, and joy begin to shift.

🕒 Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Introduction to the Joy CEO Podcast

00:49 – The Power of Forgiveness

03:21 – Forgiving Myself: The First Rock

04:43 – Forgiving My Parents: The Second Rock

07:16 – Forgiving the Blockers: The Third Rock

08:17 – Forgiving Everyone Else: The Fourth Rock

09:17 – The Hula Hoop Principle

15:27 – Seven-Day Forgive to Win Challenge

21:20 – Conclusion and Next Steps

22:24 – Closing Remarks and Call to Action

📩 Want to Go Deeper?

• Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
• Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.com

⭐️ Leave a review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show

📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace