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April 15th, 2026

Why People Trust Leaders More Than Brands | Jess Jensen on Authentic Leadership

  1. Why People Trust Leaders More Than Brands | Jess Jensen on Authentic Leadership Mike Phillips 43:31

What makes people trust a leader in today’s world?

In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit, Mike Phillips is joined by Jess Jensen, founder of Co-pilot Communications and former leader with experience at Microsoft, Qualcomm, and Adidas.

Jess shares how leaders can build a stronger personal brand, why executive presence matters more than ever, and why people trust people more than brands.

Mike and Jess discuss:

• How Jess helped create one of the first Adidas Facebook pages

• The leap from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship

• How to know if you have an entrepreneurial mindset

• Why authenticity matters more than perfection

• The role of AI in leadership communication

• How to build your personal brand before you need it

🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use

1️⃣ Build your personal brand before you need it. Do not wait until you launch a business, seek a promotion, or face a transition. Start building trust and visibility now.

2️⃣ People trust people more than brands. Leaders who share real stories, real experiences, and a clear point of view create stronger influence than polished corporate messaging.

3️⃣ Stop chasing perfection. Authenticity and consistency matter far more than trying to appear flawless. The leaders who win are the ones willing to show up and improve over time.

4️⃣ Use AI as a tool, not a substitute. Let it help you organize ideas, move faster, and sharpen your message, but make sure your content still sounds like you.

5️⃣ Think like a builder. Entrepreneurial leaders constantly ask, “How could this be better?” They look for gaps, create solutions, and take action instead of waiting for permission.

If you are a leader, entrepreneur, manager, or business owner who wants to communicate more effectively and build greater influence, this episode is packed with practical insights you can use right away.

Contact Information:

Jess Jensen

Links: CopilotCommunications.comLinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/JessicaKJensen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mike Phillips

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠

YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips

Credits:

Hosted by Mike Phillips

Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team

Guest: Jess Jensen, your leadership copilot and branding magician

Watch more episodes of the Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com

If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review!

Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues. Thank you for watching and listening!

* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised.

*** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

Mike Phillips Host of The Leadership Toolkit

Mike Phillips: Leadership Educator and host of The Leadership Toolkit podcast

Mike Phillips is a seasoned Leadership Consultant and Coach based in Colorado Springs, renowned for his contributions to leadership education, sales training, and motivational speaking. He hosts the definitive podcast for leadership education, The Leadership Toolkit. He hosts a dynamic website dedicated to empowering professionals through innovative educational content. With over 30 years in leadership and coaching, combined with two decades in sales and marketing, Mike brings a wealth of experience to his roles as an educator, podcast host, YouTuber, and coach. He has a proven track record of guiding individuals and teams to achieve exceptional business success.

Mike specializes in a broad range of disciplines including leadership, business management, facilities management, organization, public speaking, and call center operations. His expertise extends to sales training, marketing, and advertising, as well as negotiation and mediation. Through his podcast and various training programs, Mike shares actionable insights and strategies, making him a valuable resource for professionals striving to excel in their careers.