Dominate Your Day

My guest today Robert Corley Chief Operating Officer of Mercy Ships , offers a refreshing perspective rooted in authenticity and service. His journey from the Navy to leading a global nonprofit is a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership. At the heart of Robert's leadership is a commitment to serving those who serve others. Robert's personal mission is to serve and influence for the g...

The Service Paradox: How Giving Back Energizes You "I don't have time to volunteer. I'm barely keeping up as it is." Sound familiar? Most leaders think service is something you do when you have extra bandwidth. But here's what they don't realize: Service doesn't drain your energy—it multiplies it. Harvard research shows that people who give time or money are 42 percent more likely to be happy. Vol...

On this episode of Dominate Your Day, I speak with Dr. Alise Cortez organizational psychologist, author, speaker, and founder of Gusto, Now! , a human and organizational transformation consultancy. Alise and I delve into the journey of discovering purpose and passion in both personal and professional realms. Alise shares her transformative experiences from her small-town roots to becoming a global...

The Energy Audit that Reveals Why You're Exhausted Here's the productivity lie destroying leaders: "If I just manage my time better, I'll get ahead." You've optimized everything. Downloaded every app. Color-coded your life. Yet you're still running on empty. The problem isn't your time management. It's your energy management. Most leaders are solving the wrong energy problem: trying to fix mental...

My guest today is Althea Gordon , founder and CEO of Transformational Talent Group a boutique HR consulting and career development firm.  Althea shares her journey from law school to becoming a successful HR consultant, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, empathy, and empowerment in leadership. She discusses her career transitions, the challenges of starting her own business, and her commi...

The 5-Minute Presence Practice to Boost Your Leadership Here's the leadership question that makes everyone uncomfortable: In your last three important conversations, were you present or performing? Most leaders spend so much energy managing how they're perceived that they miss opportunities to create real impact. Think about yesterday's most important leadership interaction. Were you thinking abou...

This is part 2 of my wonderful conversation with Eileen Collins , retired U.S. Air Force colonel and first American woman commander of a space shuttle. In this episode, she discusses her leadership style, especially post-Columbia tragedy. Eileen also emphasizes the significance of setting personal mission statements, learning from mistakes, and staying focused despite external distractions. The ep...

Your Leadership GPS Check—Which Element Needs Attention First? Most leaders are navigating their biggest challenges without any internal guidance system. They're leading by reaction instead of intention. By external pressure instead of internal compass. The result? Scattered energy across random priorities instead of focused impact on what matters most. You wouldn't drive across the country withou...

In honor of National Space Week, we're excited to bring you part 1 of this two-part interview series with Eileen Collins , retired U.S. Air Force colonel and first American woman commander of a space shuttle. Our conversation dove deep into what it really takes to lead with authenticity, push through barriers, and stay focused on your personal mission, even when the odds are stacked against you. E...

3 Warning Signs for Your Leadership is More Performance-Based than Authentic You know that nagging feeling when something's off about your leadership but you can't quite name it? Here's what it might be: You've become so skilled at looking like a leader that you've stopped actually leading. The difference between performing leadership and authentic leadership isn't just semantics—it's the differen...

My guest today is Karen Eber a captivating force in the world of storytelling and leadership. She is an award-winning, best-selling author, international consultant, TED and keynote speaker that has educated and inspired over three million people globally. As the CEO and Chief Storyteller of Eber Leadership Group, Karen helps companies build leaders, teams, and culture, one story at a time. Karen'...

Are you a performance-based or presence-based leader? "Authenticity" sounds great—until you're in the room wondering how to actually show up that way. This week's episode dives into the real shift: from performance to presence. Because teams can always tell when you're managing impressions versus contributing real value. You'll learn the four subtle but powerful shifts that move you from polished...

In today's episode, I and a panel of incredible women leaders discuss challenges and triumphs of women in leadership.  The Panelists are: Patty Escoe, VP Texas Plan Operations Vanessa Peace Lauren McKinnon , communications expert and CEO of Project Mockingbird Dr. Steffanie Grossman, licensed psychologist and owner of Dakota Therapy & Consulting Our conversation delves into authentic leadership, t...

Saying yes to everything? Hiding your real opinions? Always "on"? That's not leadership—it's a people-pleasing trap. This week's episode breaks down how lack of boundaries quietly kills authentic personal brands—and what to do instead. Because the strongest personal brands aren't built on being available 24/7. They're built on alignment, clarity, and the courage to say no. To find out more about m...

Lorraine Lee , an award-winning keynote speaker and author, redefines what it means to have a presence. Her journey from LinkedIn to becoming a thought leader highlights the importance of being seen and heard in both physical and digital spaces. Lorraine emphasizes that presence isn't just about commanding a room but also about being intentional in everyday interactions. Her book, "Unforgettable P...

The Cost of the Comparison Game Seeing others win while you feel stuck? That quiet comparison game is draining your focus and creativity. This week's episode unpacks why copying others' success can pull you off track—and how to realign with your own Authentic Imprint. Your most powerful brand isn't about being better. It's about being you. To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilli...

My guest today is Liz Haberberger President of Dale Carnegie Training of St. Louis & Kansas City. Liz's story is a testament to the power of embracing change and pursuing one's passion. Starting as a fourth-grade teacher, Liz found herself at a crossroads, unsure of her future. Her journey took a transformative turn when she stumbled into the world of Dale Carnegie, where she discovered her true c...

The problem with "just be yourself" "Just be yourself." It's the most common advice in personal branding. It's also completely useless. Why? Because most leaders have spent so many years being who they thought they should be that they've lost touch with who they actually are. You can't "just be yourself" if you don't know what that means anymore. Today we're exploring what it means to truly "be yo...

My guest today Sarah Noll Wilson , a renowned executive coach and author, today she talks about how leaders can foster genuine connections and navigate the complexities of human interactions to Leadership. Sarah Noll Wilson's path to leadership was unconventional. With a background in theater, she transitioned into leadership development, driven by a passion for The Journey understanding human beh...

Why Personal Branding Feels So... Icky (And What to Do About It) This month, we're tackling a big myth: that personal branding means being polished, loud, or self-promotional. And for many leaders I work with, that can feel... icky. The truth? The most effective leaders don't try to be impressive—they focus on being irreplaceable. To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com...

Deb Coviello , the "Drop-In CEO," shares her transformative journey from a high-powered corporate role to a fulfilling career as an author, speaker, and consultant. Her story is a testament to the power of authenticity and the courage to embrace change. The Journey to Authenticity: Deb's career began in the corporate world, where she excelled in operational excellence and quality management. Howev...

Decision Fatigue: The Hidden Productivity Killer There's a hidden productivity killer that's costing leaders—and the global economy—billions every year: decision fatigue. By mid-afternoon, your ability to make strategic, mission-aligned choices can drop by up to 50%, leaving you drained and reactive. The problem isn't your willpower; it's that your brain's limited mental energy is being sapped by...

My guest today is Sara Nay. Her journey from intern to CEO at Duct Tape Marketing is a testament to resilience and strategic growth. Her story is not just about personal success but also about empowering small businesses to thrive amidst change. In our conversation, Sara emphasizes the need for businesses to future-proof themselves by understanding the evolving role of AI. At Duct Tape Marketing,...

Energy Management: The Leadership Superpower No One Talks About This week, we're challenging one of the most common myths in leadership: that optimizing your time is the key to success. The truth? Many high-achieving leaders have perfectly organized calendars and they're still exhausted, unfulfilled, and disconnected from their most meaningful goals. In this episode, we explore a powerful shift: m...

After a decade in corporate America, she felt a calling to make a more profound impact. Her journey from a high-powered sales role to founding a nonprofit is a testament to the power of vision and determination. In this episode my guest Jessica Bartnick Co-Founder and CEO of Foundation for Choice shares her story, challenges, and the incredible impact her organization has had on countless lives. T...