Ep 30. From Founder to Leader: Creating Impact Beyond the Exit with Mike Desjardins
What if emotional intelligence was the real foundation of great leadership and the legacy you leave behind?
In this episode of The Legacy Branding Podcast, I’m joined by Mike Desjardins, strategic advisor, founder of ViRTUS, and one of the most emotionally intelligent leaders I’ve ever met.
Mike doesn’t just talk about leadership, he lives it. From building a purpose-driven business to guiding others through high-stakes transitions, his journey is a beautiful example of leading with intention, clarity, and heart.
We talk about what it means to grow people, not just companies, and how the way we show up (especially in the hard moments) is what truly defines our legacy. Mike also shares powerful insights on emotional intelligence, the difference between reacting and responding, and why your personal brand matters long after you leave the business behind.
If you’re a founder, a leader, or just someone who wants to show up more fully, this one’s for you. Tune in, you might never see leadership the same way again.
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Mike Desjardins is the CEO of ViRTUS, where he helps leaders grow through emotional intelligence and strategy execution. With over 20 years of experience advising entrepreneurs, public companies, and the public sector, Mike brings a rare blend of strategic clarity and human-centered leadership.
A graduate of UBC’s Sauder School of Business, he’s a Top 40 Under 40 recipient and former President of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Vancouver Chapter. Mike is passionate about personal growth, mentoring, and building teams that create lasting impact, both inside organizations and far beyond them.
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Mike Desjardins’s Website -
00:00 – Instant connection, and going deep from the start
01:25 – The myth of leadership as a destination
03:00 – Emotional intelligence: from taboo to essential in leadership
05:10 – Mindfulness and self-awareness
07:40 – Why emotional intelligence is the rebar in your leadership foundation
09:10 – The ripple effect: how leadership growth impacts everyone around you
11:00 – Clear and kind: the tangible shifts emotional intelligence creates
13:00 – Advice for founders navigating the stress of an exit
15:00 – Why buyers care more about your team than your leadership
17:10 – The value of a founder’s personal brand
19:00 – What happens when your personal brand overshadows the company
21:00 – The wake we leave behind: a powerful metaphor for impact
25:00 – Parenting with emotional intelligence
28:10 – Responding vs. reacting: a skill we all need
30:00 – What legacy means to Mike