Bad Bosses, Great Leaders

This episode digs into the DISC styles in a way that feels honest, practical, and eye-opening. Jeff Sigel expands on the basic understanding of the DISC assessment to show each style reacts in a crisis and why some leaders rush toward action while others protect the peace. It is a simple example that reveals a lot about what drives us and what blinds us. We talk about the moments when our instinct...

In this engaging episode, Rebecca Vickers and Traci Austin delve into the heart of people-centric HR practices.  They discuss the art of navigating workplace conflict and transforming complaints into constructive requests. With a focus on trust, clarity, and effective communication, Traci shares her insights on empowering teams and leaders to collaboratively address challenges, ultimately enhancin...

Discover the transformative power of empathy and accountability in leadership with Doris Jackson Shazier, a renowned leadership coach and consultant.  In this episode, Doris shares her unique approach to fostering these essential qualities within organizations. Learn how understanding one's purpose and legacy can enhance leadership effectiveness, and gain insights from Doris's personal journey as...

In this enlightening episode, Rebecca sits down with Katherine Lazaruk to explore the transformative journey from living under limiting beliefs to embracing one's true self.  Katherine shares her personal story of overcoming societal conditioning, the power of self-awareness, and the importance of connecting with our authentic selves.  Tune in to discover how understanding our unique energies can...

Explore the essence of authentic leadership and the transformative power of genuine care in the workplace.  In this episode with leadership expert, Scott Warren, we delve into his journey from the sports and entertainment industry to advocating for empathy and connection in the workplace and beyond. Learn how aligning company values can enhance both employee and customer experiences, with insightf...

Explore the journey of career development for women with Rosie Zilinskas, who shares her insights from over three decades in the insurance industry.  Discover how intentional career navigation and self-advocacy can transform professional paths, and learn practical strategies to overcome common blockers like visibility and confidence.  Rosie offers valuable advice on crafting a personal roadmap to...

In this insightful episode of "Bad Boss's Great Leaders," leadership expert Jim Carlough explores the six pillars of effective leadership. From integrity to humor, Jim shares his journey and the lessons learned over decades of guiding others.  Discover how compassion and empathy can transform your leadership style and why stability and transparency are crucial in today's ever-changing world.  Tune...

What do the world’s top military leaders know about character, competence, and communication that the rest of us miss? Tom Collins is a pediatric cardiologist, leadership researcher, and podcast host who interviewed 51 four-star generals and admirals to uncover the traits that make great leaders across any field.  In this episode, Tom joins Rebecca to share his findings—spanning decades of militar...

What does a monk know about leadership? A lot more than you'd think. In this episode, Rebecca speaks with Madhu Das—former monk, speaker, and founder of the Conscious Success community—about what it means to lead from within. They explore the connection between suffering and self-discovery, the role of values in creating stability, and how conscious leaders regulate their nervous systems in high-s...

In this soulful and deeply practical episode of Bad Bosses, Great Leaders, Regina Huber shares what it means to lead with both heart and mind.  Drawing from her global leadership experiences and personal transformation journey, Regina breaks down her frameworks—including Powerful Leadership Transformation—and offers a refreshing view of self-leadership rooted in emotional awareness, energetic alig...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with leadership coach and DISC expert Scott Maderer about how understanding communication styles can transform the way you lead, manage, and connect with your team.  From the classroom to corporate leadership, Scott shares his journey from science teacher to senior director to full-time coach, and how the DISC framework has helped him build stronger, more self-aware...

Nobody Cares Until You Do: How Real Accountability Sets You Free What if accountability wasn’t a burden, but a breakthrough? In this episode, Rebecca sits down with leadership coach and author Robert J. Hunt to reframe how we think about personal responsibility, team development, and what it truly means to lead with integrity. Known as “the accountability guy,” Robert shares how victim mindsets sh...

What if the thing holding you back isn’t your offer, it’s your mindset? In this raw and powerful episode, entrepreneur and thought leader Nicky Billou joins Rebecca to challenge the way we think about business, leadership, and service. From growing up in Iran during political unrest to building a purpose-driven business in Canada, Nicky shares the lessons his father taught him about compassion, en...

What if your burnout isn’t about the workload but the way you lead? In this episode of Bad Bosses, Great Leaders, I sit down with Eric Williams, founder of Willity, to unpack the invisible decisions that make or break great leadership.  Eric shares the common traps even experienced managers fall into, including why most delegation efforts fail, how unspoken expectations sabotage teams, and what it...

We throw around the term “self-awareness” like everyone knows what it means, but how many of us actually practice it? In this episode of Bad Bosses, Great Leaders, neuroscience-informed leadership coach Yosi Kossowsky breaks down why so many smart people struggle to lead well. From engineers to executives, Yosi’s seen one pattern repeat: people don’t change because they know better, they change wh...

In this episode of the "Bad Bosses Create Leaders" podcast, we delve into the profound impact of little 't' trauma on adult behavior with leadership coach Kurt Bush.  Kurt shares his insights on how past experiences shape our present actions and offers practical advice for overcoming these challenges.  Discover how self-awareness and reflection can transform your personal and professional life, an...

In this behind-the-scenes episode, Luis Roman joins Rebecca to share what really happens at the intersection of HR, leadership, and company culture.  With years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and startup environments, Luis gives us a human-centered take on what it means to lead with integrity, especially when systems fall short and people feel the impact. We talk about: Why HR should b...

You can’t lead AI transformation if you don’t understand how people respond to change. In this episode of Bad Bosses, Great Leaders, change strategist Marina Morgan joins Rebecca to unpack the real obstacles behind AI integration, not software, not infrastructure, but people.  Marina shares how leaders can support emotional resilience, build adaptability, and create space for teams to explore new...

Julie Holunga is on a mission to rid the world of lazy leadership. In this episode of Bad Bosses, Great Leaders, she joins Rebecca to call out the communication habits and leadership defaults that derail even the most well-meaning teams. From overloaded calendars to vague feedback, Julie breaks down the small choices that lead to big problems and shares how intentional leadership helps teams align...

You’re ready to grow. So why does it still feel impossible to move forward? In this empowering episode of Bad Bosses, Great Leaders, coach and author Hilda Fainsod shares how leaders can get out of their own way by learning to identify and interrupt the mental saboteurs that keep them stuck. Drawing from her years of coaching executives through change, Hilda explains how to lead yourself first, es...

Explore the transformative journey of leadership with Chris Gillen as he delves into the concept of "The Villain Trap."  Discover how blame and villainization can silently erode trust within organizations and personal relationships.  Chris shares insights from his book, offering a fresh perspective on moving from a victim mindset to one of ownership, and how this shift can redefine leadership both...

Explore the transformative journey of Betsy Pepine as she navigates life-altering challenges, from a career in pharmaceuticals to thriving in real estate.  Discover how Betsy redefined success by breaking free from societal and self-imposed boxes, embracing change, and finding her true passion.  This episode delves into the power of self-awareness, the courage to pivot, and the importance of writi...

Ever wondered how to transition from being a specialist to a leader without losing your edge?  In this episode, Dipti Patel and Rebecca Vickers explore the art of leadership, sharing insights on preventing burnout, fostering team growth, and balancing data with emotional intelligence.  Whether you're a high performer or guiding one, discover strategies to enhance your leadership journey and make i...

Mentorship has been hijacked by corporate buzzwords and checkbox programs. But what if real mentorship isn’t something you assign, it’s something you earn? In this episode of Bad Bosses, Great Leaders, Dr. Deborah Heiser reframes everything we think we know about mentoring. As a developmental psychologist and founder of The Mentor Project, Deborah breaks down the emotional core of real mentorship,...

In this episode of Bad Bosses, Great Leaders, we’re joined by Jurriaan Kamer, a former software engineer turned organizational change agent, who unpacks what really holds teams and companies back from high performance. From the myth of empowerment to the illusion of strategy, Jurriaan challenges traditional leadership roles and invites us to rethink what it means to lead effectively. Drawing on hi...