The Heart and Purpose of Great Leadership: Libby Doran

In this episode of Leadership Matters by The Bailey Group, Kaylee Thompson talks with Libby Doran, Founder of Doran Leadership Partners, about what it truly means to lead with courage, humanity, and clarity. Libby traces her journey from international development work with USAID in the Horn of Africa to boutique management consulting and ultimately building her own executive search firm. Along the way, she shares how early experiences in global aid shaped her beliefs about privilege, education, and economic mobility – and how those lessons now inform the way she advises leaders and organizations. Libby reflects on the power of values-based decision-making, why having hard conversations is an act of care, and how to navigate seasons of uncertainty as a business owner without burning out. She also offers a candid look into executive search: why so many leadership hires fail, what organizations overlook when they focus only on experience, and how to create the right “habitat” for new leaders to thrive. If you’re looking for thoughtful, grounded leadership wisdom that meets the moment we’re in today, this episode delivers powerful insights you won’t want to miss.