Coates Consulting Group

Lead Like You Mean It, People!

Business EN ↓ 5 episodes

Lead Like You Mean It, People! is a bold, real-talk leadership podcast hosted by business coach and keynote speaker Carla Coates. Twice a month, Carla sits down with extraordinary leaders—from fire chiefs and nonprofit founders to executives and entrepreneurs—who have led through crisis, broken barriers, and built teams that thrive. This isn’t your average leadership podcast. We go beyond buzzwords to uncover what it really takes to lead with authenticity, humility, and courage—especially when the stakes are high and the pressure is real. If you’re a mid-level professional looking to grow, a s...

Author

Coates Consulting Group

Episodes

Ep 5: The Worst Day of My Life – My 9/11 Pentagon Story 22.09.2025 32:27

What does it mean to lead when the unthinkable happens? In this deeply personal episode, Carla Coates shares her own story of being at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. For Carla, 9/11 was not just history. It was lived experience. She recounts the moments of fear, survival, and reflection that shaped both her life and her leadership. From resilience in the face of chaos to the importance of hum...

Ep 4: Perception, Persuasion, and the Power of Story in Leadership with Michael Chaleff 21.09.2025 41:54

What do magic, law, and leadership have in common? More than you think. In this captivating episode, Carla Coates sits down with Michael Chaleff, executive coach, storyteller, magician, and former U.S. Naval officer whose career has spanned decades in the military, the Department of Justice, and now as founder of Practical Influence . Michael reveals how the art of storytelling shapes leadership,...

Ep 3: Authentic Leadership Unleashed with Gary Hibbs 21.09.2025 41:45

What happens when a seasoned executive hits rock bottom and chooses to rebuild with authenticity and courage? In this inspiring episode, Carla Coates sits down with transformative leader Gary Hibbs, CEO and Founder of Unleashed to Lead , Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, and former senior executive with over 30 years in leadership development and organizational growth. Gary shares his raw and po...

Ep: 2 – Blazing Trails & Breaking Barriers with Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr 10.08.2025 40:18

What does it take to lead when lives are on the line? In this powerful episode, Carla Coates sits down with Retired Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr — a trailblazer who broke barriers to become Chief of three different fire districts in a male-dominated field. From making split-second decisions that meant the difference between life and death to leading teams through intense challenges, Rhoda shares the...

Ep: 1 – Heed the Call: From Crisis to Community with MarieYolaine Toms 28.07.2025 46:25

In the premiere episode of Lead Like You Mean It, People! , business coach and keynote speaker Carla Coates sits down with MarieYolaine Toms—a powerhouse financial coach, nonprofit founder, and certified Pilates instructor—whose extraordinary journey begins with personal crisis and leads to a global mission. From nearly losing her ability to walk to leading a post-earthquake recovery movement in H...