Why Heart-Centered Leaders Build Better Businesses
Why Heart-Centered Leaders Build Better Businesses  
Podcast: NXC Podcast Network
Published On: Tue Mar 31 2026
Description: In this episode of Lean Into Lead, Trevor Muir sits down with Kelly Paisley, CEO of The I.T. Company, for a raw conversation on what it really means to lead with heart while running a business. If you're looking for business advice on building culture over chasing profits, letting go of control, and showing up as a human being for your team, this episode delivers the unfiltered truth from someone who hit rock bottom and rebuilt himself into the leader his son could look up to. Kelly Paisley is the CEO and Managing Partner of The I.T. Company Ltd., Airdrie, Alberta's largest IT provider celebrating over 15 years in business. Kelly co-founded the company with Andrew Bennett after the two worked together as an internal corporate IT team before starting an internet cafe and gaming center. What began as IT support "for beer and dinner" for friends starting businesses grew into a full managed services company serving engineering, legal, accounting, oil and gas, and logistics industries. Kelly is a mentor for the City of Airdrie's SMARTstart entrepreneur program, a self-taught technician since before the internet existed, and a dad who spends time with his son boxing, playing baseball, reading, and attending comic book conventions. His leadership philosophy: "I'm not growing a business. I'm building a culture." Trevor Muir is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, and author helping leaders turn their "someday into today." He is Director of Global Business Development with Surepoint Group, founder of the Surepoint Someday to Today initiative, and author of "Addiction to Poetry." Through the Lean Into Lead podcast, Trevor creates space for raw conversations about vulnerability, authenticity, and heart-centered leadership. Chapters: 0:00 - Why Entrepreneurs Have a Problem With Authority 3:00 - From Internet Cafe to IT Company 7:00 - The Responsibility of People Depending on You 10:00 - Leading Through Divorce and Personal Trauma 15:00 - Radical Acceptance: Everything Is Exactly as It Should Be 20:00 - Building Culture Over Growing Business 24:00 - Why You Should Let Your Staff Fail 27:00 - The Hiring Lesson: You're Also in Charge of Firing 30:00 - Last Words: Always Make the Right Choice Connect with Kelly Paisley: 🔗 Company: The I.T. Company (theitco.ca) 🔗 LinkedIn: Kelly Paisley Connect with Trevor Muir: 🔗 Website: trevormuir.ca 🔗 Book: "Addiction to Poetry" About Lean Into Lead: Raw conversations, real leadership, real responsibility. Lean Into Lead explores heart-centered leadership and the courage it takes to show up authentically for your team, your family, and yourself. ⚡ Powered by NXC Podcast Network #thenxcpodcastnetwork #leanintolead #leadership