00:14 — Introduction
Ken Huey: Today’s guest is Amanda Timonere, a clinical executive, entrepreneur, and founder of Zenful Collective, where she’s on a mission to repair and reimagine behavioral health and leadership. With nearly a decade of experience leading multi-site organizations, Amanda specializes in program development, compliance, and building emotionally intelligent, trauma-informed teams.
00:58 — Why Behavioral Health?
Ken Huey: Is there a specific why for you — why you do what you do?
Amanda Timonere: My why started when I was a little girl. I grew up in a household where I was often the emotional stabilizer, the person people came to talk to. Psychology 101 was my gateway into this field — and I’ve loved it ever since.
01:42 — The Birth of Zenful Collective
Ken Huey: Tell us what brought you to create Zenful Collective.
Amanda Timonere: It started from my passion for leadership. I wanted to model compassion, integrity, and emotional intelligence — qualities often missing in behavioral health. Zenful Collective helps leaders grow intentionally and lead human-centered, sustainable teams.
02:31 — Defining Human-Centered Leadership
Ken Huey: How would you define human-centered leadership in clinical settings?
Amanda Timonere: It’s remembering that staff and clients are people first, not numbers. It’s about authenticity, empathy, and ensuring both staff and clients are supported as whole people.
03:02 — Common Leadership Mistakes
Ken Huey: What mistakes do organizations make with leadership?
Amanda Timonere: They treat leadership as a checklist — forgetting staff well-being. When we neglect our teams, client care suffers. Leadership is about showing up with empathy and awareness.
03:48 — Inclusive Leadership and Blind Spots
Ken Huey: What mistakes do organizations make around inclusive leadership?
Amanda Timonere: Hiring one diverse leader or holding one training isn’t enough. Inclusion must be structural and ongoing. And we must address leadership blind spots — biases that go unchecked because the self-work isn’t done.
04:31 — Identifying Leadership Blind Spots
Ken Huey: How do you help leaders become aware of blind spots?
Amanda Timonere: That’s where Zenful Collective comes in. We observe, talk to staff, and create open dialogue. Mentorship and self-awareness are key. Leaders must notice when they’re activated — and do the internal work.
05:47 — Building Self-Awareness Without Outside Help
Ken Huey: How can organizations build self-awareness without external consultants?
Amanda Timonere: Through supervision, open team meetings, and accountability. When we avoid hard conversations, culture suffers. Honest dialogue builds trust and growth.
06:40 — Balancing Compliance and Innovation
Ken Huey: In a space where compliance and innovation often compete, how do you balance them?
Amanda Timonere: Compliance sets the guardrails. Innovation keeps us growing. Compliance isn’t a barrier — it’s a foundation that allows creativity to flourish.
07:57 — The Role of Emotional Intelligence
Ken Huey: What role does emotional intelligence play in leadership?
Amanda Timonere: Leaders who lack emotional intelligence create toxic environments. Emotional intelligence is the difference between authority and influence.
08:15 — Transforming Dysfunctional Teams
Ken Huey: How do you transform a dysfunctional team?
Amanda Timonere: Observe and listen first. Identify misalignments between values and practice. Transformation isn’t a quick fix — it’s about realignment and building intentional culture.
08:57 — Reactive vs. Intentional Leadership
Ken Huey: What’s the difference between reactive and intentional cultures?
Amanda Timonere: Reactive leaders operate in survival mode — clouded and stressed. Intentional leaders pause, reflect, and make aligned decisions that sustain growth.
09:47 — Leadership Turnover in Behavioral Health
Ken Huey: Why is there so much turnover in executive leadership?
Amanda Timonere: Leaders are overextended and burned out. They carry too much, leaving no space to lead effectively. Burnout and misalignment drive turnover — not lack of skill. Thriving organizations define clear roles, mentorship, and wellness at the executive level.
11:21 — The Future of Behavioral Health Leadership
Ken Huey: Where do you see leadership going in the next five years?
Amanda Timonere: Toward emotionally intelligent, heart-centered leadership. The old top-down model is fading. Authenticity and collaboration are becoming the standard — and I’m hopeful for that shift.
12:42 — Coaching Leaders Through Burnout
Ken Huey: How do you coach leaders through burnout?
Amanda Timonere: Start with the basics — rediscover what grounds you. Build reflection and mindfulness into your routine. Journaling helps leaders reconnect with purpose and awareness.
13:21 — Digital Tools for Leadership
Ken Huey: What digital tools have you created that you’re most proud of?
Amanda Timonere: I built a digital journal for leaders — a space to reflect, process, and grow. It’s a blend of clinical structure and creativity designed to make leadership development accessible and personal.
14:00 — Measuring Success in Leadership Transformation
Ken Huey: How do you measure success with leadership teams?
Amanda Timonere: Success isn’t just numbers — it’s alignment and sustainability. It’s whether staff feel supported, leaders communicate well, and values are reflected in practice. True success is when teams act proactively, not reactively.
14:31 — Closing Remarks
Ken Huey: Amanda, thank you for sharing your insight and your heart. Zenful Collective is changing how we think about leadership — and it couldn’t be more timely.
