James Zeigler:
When Integrity Saves Lives
As a child, James Zeigler learned the power—and the price—of telling the truth. That lesson carried him through a military career, leadership roles, and a near-death experience that forced him to reassess everything.
Bio
James is a husband, father, grandfather, keynote speaker, author, and a friend to many.
He is a seasoned leader with over 35 years of experience in healthcare, specializing in
helping individuals achieve a harmonious blend of leadership and life through self-
awareness and the reduction of both internal and external bullying. His work focuses on
empowering people to build stronger, more effective relationships, both personally and
professionally, by enhancing their communication and listening skills.
Throughout his career, James has held significant leadership roles, including
owner/operator of a private speech-language pathology practice, assistant professor,
Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Executive Officer. He has managed organizations
with operating budgets of up to $800 million and led teams of over 4,000 Full-Time
Equivalent Employees (FTEE). A proud U.S. Air Force Veteran, James also served as a
Senior Executive Service Member in the Veterans Health Administration, where he
contributed to shaping policy and leadership within the federal government. He holds a
life appointment by the President of the United States of America.
As a keynote and inspirational speaker, James is passionate about guiding others to
discover their full potential. His mission is simple: to equip people with the confidence to “one another”, fostering kindness, collaboration, and respect. His vision is to reduce
bullying by coming alongside the accusatory voice within each of us and partnering,
paving the way for a safer, more compassionate world. James is also a certified
Professional Christian Leadership Coach trained by the Professional Christian Coaching
Institute and Coach Training Institute. Hot off the press in November 2024, James
released his book: Chemical Courage: Reframing the bully within for a healthier world.
In this book he carefully protects the identity of over 70 anonymous contributors who
shared stories of being bullied and gives a compelling message from a near death
experience of his own.
James is also an ordained minister, a budding author, and a lover of music. He enjoys
playing guitar and writing worship music, finding inspiration in the beauty of life, faith,
and service. He and his wife, Brenda have two grown children. They live in rural
Wisconsin, where they cherish time with their granddaughters and bird and squirrel
watching.
At his core, James believes that people are beautiful and have much to beheld—both
within themselves and in the relationships they cultivate. Through coaching, he helps
others discover this truth, enabling them to flourish with and for one another.
Topics
- The hidden impact of childhood trauma on leadership and success
- How chronic stress and cortisol nearly ended my life
- The lifelong power—and burden—of being a truth-teller
- Military discipline vs. corporate leadership: What I learned
- The intersection of faith, intuition, and medical science
- How workplace toxicity physically affects our health
- The difference between acute stress and chronic stress
- Overcoming internal and external bullies in leadership
- Balancing career ambition with faith and family values
- How near-death experiences shift our perspective on life
Guiding Questions
- You’ve talked about the importance of truth-telling—how did that lesson first shape your life?
- Looking back, do you think your childhood experiences set the stage for how you approached leadership?
- What was your first warning sign that stress was taking a toll on your health?
- Can you walk us through the night of your near-death experience?
- You mentioned the role of an angel in your survival—how do you interpret that event today?
- What did your military career teach you about resilience and discipline?
- How does workplace culture contribute to chronic stress, and what can leaders do about it?
- Many high achievers struggle with work-life balance. How did you navigate that challenge, and what would you do differently?
- What advice would you give to leaders who feel like they’re “grinding” themselves into the ground?
- If someone is experiencing extreme stress but doesn’t recognize the warning signs, what should they look for?