Understanding Relatability in Leadership
with Rachel DeAlto · hosted by Chris Sund
From lawyer to startup CEO to national TV — why relatability is the most underrated leadership skill, how social media fakes connection, and what it takes to build real trust and respect.
Episode Summary
What does it really take to connect with the people you lead? Rachel DeAlto has studied that question from every angle — as a lawyer, a startup CEO, a television personality, and one of the most sought-after experts on relatability and human connection in the world. She unpacks why relatability is the most underrated leadership skill, how social media creates the illusion of connection without the substance, and what leaders must do intentionally to build the trust and respect that drives real performance.
Key Takeaways
- 01Why relatability is the most underrated leadership skill.
- 02How social media creates performative connection, not real connection.
- 03Building respect through intentional action.
- 04How startup failure can lead to unexpected opportunities.
- 05Why respect is the top trait people seek in leaders.
Standout Quotes
Relatability is not about being liked. It is about being understood.
Respect is not given with a title. It is earned through intention.
Social media makes you feel connected while keeping real connection just out of reach.
Episode Chapters
Tap any chapter to jump straight to that moment on YouTube.
01:00Rachel’s Journey: From Lawyer to CEO to SpeakerPLAY ›
03:01The Heartbreak of Startup FailurePLAY ›
06:08The Role of Media and TV in Rachel’s CareerPLAY ›
09:03Understanding Relatability: The Inspiration Behind Rachel’s BooksPLAY ›
12:09The Impact of Social Media on ConnectionPLAY ›
14:57Building Connections: Advice for the LonelyPLAY ›
18:00Leadership and Relationship BuildingPLAY ›
20:53Creating a Culture of Respect in LeadershipPLAY ›
23:57The Importance of Intentional RespectPLAY ›
26:47Overcoming Bias in RelationshipsPLAY ›
30:02The Power of Human ConnectionPLAY ›
32:47Final Thoughts and Advice for the FuturePLAY ›
About Rachel DeAlto
Rachel DeAlto is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, media personality, and one of the world’s leading experts on relatability, connection, and influence. A former attorney and startup CEO, Rachel has built a career helping leaders and organizations understand what it takes to truly connect with the people around them — and why that skill is the foundation of everything else that matters in leadership.
She is the author of Relatable: How to Connect with Anyone Anywhere (Even If It Scares You), a regular contributor to major media outlets, and a sought-after speaker for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and leadership events worldwide.
Why This Episode Matters
In a world where leaders are more digitally connected than ever and more relationally disconnected than ever, this episode is a timely reminder of what actually drives loyalty, performance, and culture. Rachel makes the case that relatability is not a personality trait — it is a practice, and any leader can learn it.
This episode will change how you think about every relationship you have at work — and give you concrete steps to start building deeper ones today.
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