Lead With More: Character-Driven Leadership for Today's Leaders

What happens after the crisis ends? Most leaders focus on surviving the storm — but the real leadership work begins when it's over. In this episode, Tom DeBell sits down with Savio P. Clemente — bestselling author, journalist, TEDx speaker, and two-time cancer survivor — to explore a side of crisis leadership that rarely gets discussed: post-crisis recovery, recalibration, and what it takes to lea...

What separates good leaders from great ones? The ability to tell stories that connect, influence, and inspire action. In this episode, Tom DeBell sits down with speaker, author, and storytelling expert Dr. Danny Brassell to unpack the power of leadership storytelling. You'll discover why the world's most effective leaders are voracious readers, how to build a personal story library you can draw fr...

In this episode of the Modern Leadership Solutions podcast, we explore how leadership awareness directly affects team stress, communication clarity, and execution speed. Many leaders assume that good intent is enough, but without self-awareness and shared language, even well-meaning leaders can unintentionally create friction and slow their teams down. You’ll learn: How leadership friction shows u...

Unexpected change can test even the most experienced leaders. Whether it’s a shift in your organization, a career transition, or a personal disruption, the ability to lead yourself through unexpected change is what determines your long-term effectiveness. In this episode of Modern Leadership Solutions, Tom DeBell sits down with Chip Scholz, author of Small Decisions, Big Shifts, to explore how lea...

In this episode of the Modern Leadership Solutions podcast, Tom discusses the critical importance of preventive maintenance for leadership. He emphasizes that burnout often begins with cognitive decline rather than emotional collapse, highlighting the need for leaders to recognize early warning signs. Tom outlines strategies for maintaining decision clarity, protecting perspective through peer sup...

Is leadership really about finding balance? Or is that the wrong metaphor? In this episode of the Modern Leadership Solutions Podcast, Tom DeBell reframes leadership effectiveness around a more accurate concept: calibration. Rather than striving for a static balance between urgency and vision, structure and flexibility, or reflection and action, effective leaders continually evaluate and adjust wi...

Leadership comes with a powerful side effect that many leaders don’t fully recognize: it amplifies everything. As your role and influence grow, what you do, what you say, and even what you seem to value all carry more weight with the people around you. In this episode of Modern Leadership Solutions , Tom explores why leadership doesn’t make you more important—it makes you louder. Through a real-wo...

What if the greatest leadership risk in your business isn’t a lack of talent—but the way you’re trying to develop it? In this episode of the Modern Leadership Solutions podcast, Tom DeBell sits down with Rich Ashton, author of Growing Your Own , to explore why leadership development looks different—and is often harder—in small businesses than in large corporate environments. During his 45-year car...

In this episode, Tom DeBell explores why so much modern leadership feels confusing and unhealthy , even when influence is clearly present. Building on John Maxwell’s Five Levels of Leadership, Tom adds a critical missing filter— integrity —and explains why influence without character ultimately erodes trust. He challenges leaders to move beyond platform size and follower counts and instead evaluat...

In this episode, Tom discusses the trap of accumulating solutions to problems you don't have. He shares personal experiences and insights on how to avoid mistaking activity for progress and choosing the right problems to solve. Tom talks about the questions he asks himself before pursuing a new solution to ensure it isn't wasted time, energy, or money. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: A Confession Abo...

In this episode of the Modern Leadership Solutions podcast, Tom delves into a common leadership trap that many process-oriented individuals face: the confusion between process goals and product goals. He shares his personal journey as a 'process guy' who has learned that while systems and workflows are essential, they can become a hindrance if they overshadow the actual outcomes. Tom emphasizes th...

In this episode of the Modern Leadership Solutions podcast, Tom discusses the importance of depth over speed in leadership growth. Using the metaphor of a baked potato, he emphasizes that personal growth requires time, commitment, and a structured approach rather than shortcuts. He highlights the difference between exposure and commitment, advocating for deeper training and accountability to foste...

In this episode, Tom discusses the importance of applied learning in leadership. He emphasizes that simply acquiring knowledge is not enough; leaders must capture and act on their learning to foster growth. Find more information about the Readwise app: https://readwise.io/ Interested in learning more? Schedule a free no-obligation call with Tom: https://hlapi.espeakers.com/widget/bookings/tom-debe...

In this episode, Tom and John Miner discuss the concept of the leadership shadow, focusing on the importance of intentional values in shaping leadership influence. They explore how leaders can affect their influence through self-awareness, character, and the alignment of values with actions. The conversation emphasizes the significance of trust, the impact of positive versus fear-driven values, an...

In this episode, Tom DeBell discusses the importance of setting intentional goals that align with a clear life direction. He emphasizes the need for self-assessment before goal-setting and the significance of creating a long-term life plan. Tom outlines a systematic approach to breaking down annual goals into actionable quarterly objectives, highlighting how clarity in leadership can reduce stress...

Summary In this episode, Tom discusses the impact of holiday pressure on leadership styles, contrasting self-focused leaders with intentional, servant leaders. He emphasizes the importance of character, competence, communication, and care during stressful times, and encourages leaders to reflect on their influence on others. The episode concludes with a call to lead with purpose and intention, esp...

Summary: In this episode of the Modern Leadership Solutions podcast, Tom explores John Maxwell's Five Levels of Leadership, emphasizing that leadership is about influence rather than titles. He discusses the first three levels: Position, Permission, and Production, highlighting the importance of relationships and trust in effective leadership. Tom encourages listeners to identify areas for growth...

Summary In this episode, Tom discusses the significance of establishing clear boundaries for the workday through startup and shutdown rituals. He emphasizes the importance of these routines in enhancing productivity and maintaining focus. Tom shares his personal practices for starting and ending the workday, including email management, reflection on daily wins, and setting priorities for the next...

In the inaugural episode of the Modern Leadership Solutions podcast, Tom discusses two foundational concepts of effective leadership: intentionality and the commitment to personal growth. He emphasizes the importance of having a plan and setting boundaries around work to enhance productivity. Tom encourages listeners to develop a personal growth strategy, highlighting that effective leadership is...

Welcome to the Modern Leadership Solutions Podcast. This show is all about helping you become a more effective, intentional leader in a world that isn’t slowing down. Each episode will give you practical steps you can take to grow your influence, sharpen your focus, and get better results — both at work and at home. You’ll also hear conversations with other leaders and experts who will share the s...