Confessions of a Terrible Leader

In this engaging episode, Mary and Layci explore how employees can navigate difficult bosses, offering practical advice, personal stories, and mental models to maintain agency and well-being in challenging work environments. Keywords: leadership, workplace, difficult bosses, employee strategies, mental health, career growth Key topics: Control what you can control in the workplace Recognizing diff...

In this must-listen interview, career coach and leadership expert Dr. Benjamin Ritter dives deep into the complexities of modern leadership. Tune in to explore: The Crucial Distinction: Learn how to differentiate between genuinely toxic behavior and simple underskilled leadership—and why understanding the difference is vital for organizational health. Empowering Your Team: Discover Dr. Ritter's pr...

In the second installment of this essential Q&A, Producer Mary and Layci delve deeper into the dynamic world of 2026 leadership. This session moves beyond surface-level trends, focusing instead on the critical inner work required for effective leadership. They explore the nuanced art of managing human energy in the workplace, the necessity of understanding systemic complexity, and why radical...

In this insightful and deeply practical interview, we sit down with Jeanne Omlor, a powerhouse in the world of business and leadership coaching. Jeanne shares her compelling professional evolution, tracing her path from the foundational work of traditional offline coaching to her current position as a leading, vocal advocate for sustainable, organic marketing strategies and the transformative powe...

Fostering Belonging and Leading with Authenticity - Insights from Gina Casazza In this episode, Gina Casazza shares powerful lessons on leadership, belonging, and embracing failure as a growth tool. Her story highlights how authentic leadership can transform teams and personal fulfillment. Whether you're in a corporate setting or on a personal growth journey, Gina's insights provide a blueprint fo...

What happens when the life that looks perfect on the outside feels hollow on the inside? In this compelling episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader , Layci dives deep with Kevin Palmieri , a man who traded a life of surface-level success for one of genuine impact. Kevin shares his raw, personal journey of recognizing that a lack of self-belief was holding him back, even when he had everything...

In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, Layci Nelson speaks with Ronjini Joshua, CEO and founder of Silver Telegram, about the intricacies of public relations, especially in the tech industry. Ronjini shares her journey into tech PR, the importance of effective communication, and how to identify the right time for organizations to invest in PR. They discuss budgeting for PR services,...

In the latest Q&A of "Confessions of a Terrible Leader," Producer Mary and Layci dive into a lively discussion about the significant shifts currently reshaping the world of leadership. The conversation immediately zeroes in on a critical concern: the noticeable and worrying decline in trust that organizations across the board are facing. This erosion of trust isn't just an HR problem; it poses...

In this episode of "Confessions of a Terrible Leader," host Layci Nelson welcomes Glenn Sandifer, a seasoned executive in the security industry with over 20 years of experience. Glenn shares his journey of leading teams and the importance of effective communication, empathy, and adaptability in leadership. He emphasizes the need for leaders to understand their teams' dynamics, especially when many...

In this episode of 'Confessions of a Terrible Leader', host Layci Nelson reflects on her biggest mistake of 2025, focusing on the detrimental effects of phone habits on mental health. The conversation transitions into the importance of establishing meaningful morning routines and grounding rituals to enhance productivity and wellbeing. As they wrap up the year, Layci and Producer Mary express grat...

In this episode of 'Confessions of a Terrible Leader', Layci engages with credibility expert Mitchell Levy to explore the multifaceted concept of credibility in leadership. They discuss the importance of trust, the role of integrity, and the necessity of coachability in effective leadership. Through personal anecdotes and insights, they highlight how leaders can assess their credibility and the cr...

In this episode, Layci and Producer Mary discuss how leaders can finish strong during the busy holiday season. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the multiple commitments everyone has during this period, both at work and at home. Layci provides concrete steps for effective prioritization and maintaining productivity without burning out. The episode also covers the importance of meaningfu...

In this episode of 'Confessions of a Terrible Leader', Layci Nelson speaks with Dana Sherwin about her framework, the Thinking Patient, which empowers individuals to take charge of their healthcare. Dana shares her personal health journey, emphasizing the importance of patient engagement, preparation, and effective communication with healthcare providers. The conversation highlights the need for p...

In this episode of 'Confessions of a Terrible Leader', Layci Nelson shares her personal experiences with grief, particularly the loss of her father and father-in-law. The conversation delves into the complexities of leading through grief, the nature of grief itself, and the importance of communication and vulnerability in leadership. Layci emphasizes that grief is a universal experience that affec...

In this episode of 'Confessions of a Terrible Leader,' Layci Nelson welcomes Colleen Malmassari, founder of Back40 Advisors, to discuss the intricacies of leadership and HR operations. They delve into Colleen's journey from accounting to HR, the challenges of managing back-office functions, and the importance of small, sustainable changes in business. The conversation also touches on vulnerability...

In this episode of "Confessions of a Terrible Leader," Mary Skop and Layci Nelson tackle pressing leadership challenges, particularly the CEO succession crisis and declining leadership pipelines. They differentiate between vision casting and operational skills, arguing that an overemphasis on the latter hinders the development of strategic leaders. Layci stresses the critical need for robust inter...

Navigating Immigration Complexities, feat. Andy Semotiuk, US & Canadian Immigration Lawyer Get ready for a fascinating new episode of 'Confessions of a Terrible Leader,' where Layci Nelson chats with the amazing Andy Semotiuk. Andy is a seasoned US and Canadian immigration attorney, so he brings a wealth of knowledge and a truly unique perspective to the often-intense world of immigration poli...

Are you ready to take your leadership to new heights? Join us as we dive into The Lift, an intensive program designed to equip emerging leaders with the practical skills and mindset needed to thrive in today's fast-paced business world. In this episode, Layci and Mary chat about how The Lift can help you: Accelerate your leadership journey: Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine you...

In this compelling and timely episode, Layci delves into the critical challenges of modern professional life, sitting down with the esteemed Dr. Malissa Clark. Together, they confront the pervasive issues of burnout and overwork, exploring their detrimental effects on both individual well-being and organizational success in today's relentlessly fast-paced work environment. Dr. Clark, a leading exp...

 In this insightful episode, join Mary and Layci as they guide new graduates through the exciting yet often daunting transition from the academic world to the professional workforce. Discover why curiosity and the art of asking good questions are your most powerful assets as a fresh professional. Learn to embrace your unique perspective, overcoming the intimidation of limited experience, and lever...

In this episode of "Confessions of a Terrible Leader," Layci sits down with Blaine Heilman, the newest member of the Transcend Leadership Collective, to explore the remarkable stories of women breaking barriers in agriculture. From Blaine's beginnings as a "bin baby" in the Yakima Valley to becoming a trailblazer in a male-dominated industry, this conversation delves into the challenges and triump...

In this high-impact, rapid-fire episode, Layci Nelson, founder of Transcend Leadership Collective, joins producer Mary Skop to take on one of the most persistent and toxic workplace challenges: gossip. From the psychology behind why it happens to the subtle signs it's infecting your culture, this episode is packed with real talk, leadership lessons, and practical tools for handling gossip in a way...

Welcome back to Confessions of a Terrible Leader! In this episode, Layci chats with the brilliant Shermin Kruse—an author, professor, and TEDx producer. Dive into Shermin's personal journey of stoic empathy, a concept blending stoic resilience and empathic understanding, and how it shaped her leadership style. Get ready for practical tips on reading the room, emotional regulation, and leading with...

In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, host Layci Nelson and producer Mary Skop break down the comprehensive services offered by Transcend Leadership Collective. Layci explains how the company employs a HHART-first leadership philosophy to provide customized solutions in strategic planning, coaching, and workshops. Learn how these services are designed to foster effective leadership,...

Embracing Challenges and Finding Purpose, feat. Terry Tucker of Motivational Check In this episode of 'Confessions of a Terrible Leader,' Layci welcomes Terry Tucker, an author, speaker, and former NCAA collegiate player. Together, they discuss the importance of being coachable, the invaluable lessons learned from facing adversity, and how failure can lead to immense personal growth. Terry shares...