Leadership Magic

What if leadership didn't have to feel so heavy this year? In this episode, I bring together our recent reflections on intention, vision, and what truly matters — and I tackle a belief that quietly holds many leaders back: the idea that investing in yourself is selfish or indulgent. Leadership can be rewarding and meaningful, but it can also feel overwhelming, lonely, and uncertain. I share why le...

It's a new year, and with it comes fresh energy, possibility, and a chance to lead with more clarity and intention. In this episode, I explore why leaders need a vision , not just goals—and how vision, intention, and your one guiding word work together to anchor your leadership. This conversation isn't about productivity or pressure. It's about purpose, self-leadership, and becoming the leader you...

As we close out 2025, I want to gently shift our focus forward — with intention. In this final episode of the year, I return to a practice I've been using for more than a decade: choosing  one word as a guiding focus. This isn't about perfection or rules. It's about clarity. I share why this practice still matters to me, how it evolves as we evolve, and how choosing a word can help you, especially...

As we continue to talk through the end-of-year, I'm inviting you to do something that feels simple - but is actually strategic: pause . Before we jump into goal-setting for 2026, we need to create space to breathe, reset, and reconnect with what actually matters. In this episode, I talk about why the pause isn't "soft" leadership - it's  responsible leadership. When we slow down, we regain clarity...

As we close out the year, it's so tempting to skip straight to the goals, the vision boards, and the shiny new planner… but if we don't pause to reflect, we often repeat the same patterns. In this short episode, I'm kicking off a 3-part end-of-year series to help you reflect, reset, and step into 2026 with clarity and intention. We'll take a "look back" with curiosity (not judgment) and walk throu...

In this episode, I'm flipping the feedback conversation and focusing on the receiver instead of the giver. As leaders, we're constantly told how to deliver clear, meaningful feedback—but we're also on the receiving end from bosses, boards, peers, and our own teams. How we receive feedback is just as critical as how we give it. I'll walk you through: Why feedback really matters for growth, confiden...

In this episode, I'm diving into something every leader experiences at some point: avoidance. Specifically, the hidden cost of avoiding the conversations you know you need to have. As we head into performance and review season, clarity, transparency, and alignment matter more than ever—and yet this is also the time when avoiding tough conversations sneaks in the most. Avoidance is human. But as le...

In this episode, I'm diving deep into a phrase I say all the time: leadership is human. I share a personal story from early in my career—one that shaped how I understand leadership, humanity, and the responsibility we hold when we lead others. We explore why humans don't leave their lives at the door when they come to work, how real leadership must honor the whole person, and why awareness, compas...

In this episode, I'm answering your leadership questions — real challenges and curiosities that so many leaders navigate every day. We dig into preparing for leadership roles, uncovering organizational blind spots, what to focus on for future development, navigating compensation conversations, the mindset shifts that matter most, and the coaching questions that open new possibilities. I'm also sha...

In this week's episode, I share why self-awareness is the foundation of sustainable leadership—the "pixie dust" that gives your skills something solid to stand on. I walk through five pillars of self-awareness (who you are, your values, your why, your future self, and your brain/beliefs), how to spot the "cracks in the foundation" like burnout or miscommunication, and the role of community as your...

In this week's episode, I share why self-awareness is the foundation of sustainable leadership—the "pixie dust" that gives your skills something solid to stand on. I walk through five pillars of self-awareness (who you are, your values, your why, your future self, and your brain/beliefs), how to spot the "cracks in the foundation" like burnout or miscommunication, and the role of community as your...

In this episode, I share a surprising shift in my own Insights Discovery profile - and what it reveals about real, lasting growth. After years of sitting in "Coordinating Supporter" (Type 31), my 2025 profile moved to "Helping Supporter" (Type 30): still Earth Green at the core, but with more Sunshine Yellow and a softer Cool Blue. I unpack what changed (and why), how self-awareness evolves, and p...

In this episode, I'm rounding out Episodes 195 and 196 by talking about what happens  after the clarity — when the noise creeps back in and distractions pull us off course. We'll explore the difference between internal and external obstacles, how to manage your energy (not just your time), and what it really means to stay consistent and anchored in your values. If you've ever set great intentions...

In this follow-up to Episode 195, I move from awareness to action. When the world feels loud, the antidote is choosing what's  yours to control—and doubling down on it. I share how to find your focus, what fuels it, and where I'm personally recommitting (self‑care, human leadership, and daily actions that create change). You'll walk away with simple prompts to name your 1–3 priorities and lead wit...

Feeling stretched thin by the noise, change, and uncertainty around you? In this episode, I walk through a simple exercise that helped me step out of overwhelm: naming what I can control—and what I can't. We explore mindset, boundaries, energy, self-care, and how these choices translate to your leadership. When we refocus on the controllables, we reclaim clarity, confidence, and connection—the key...

In this episode, I share why the fastest way to stronger leadership isn't having the quickest answer—it's cultivating curiosity. I unpack the difference between jumping to solutions and offering advice after listening, and I walk through practical ways to slow down, listen to understand, and ask better questions. You'll leave with simple prompts, a question bank starter, and a challenge to try so...

In this episode, I'm diving into the ripple effect of a leader's words. Words like always and never may feel small, but they carry incredible weight. They can box people in, fuel blame, and shut down possibility. As leaders, the way we speak doesn't just shape conversations—it shapes culture. Join me as I explore how to replace absolutes with curiosity, nuance, and possibility, both in our leaders...

In this episode, I'm diving into one of the biggest truths I've learned over nearly 30 years in leadership and human resources: skills alone aren't enough. You can learn every model, framework, or productivity hack out there, but if your mindset doesn't shift underneath, the behavior won't stick. I share real-world examples - from health goals to communication breakdowns, delegation struggles, and...

This week, I'm continuing the conversation we started in Episode 190 about workplace silos. In Part 1, we explored what silos are, how they form, and the impact they have if left unchecked. Now, in Part 2, I'm sharing the practical side: The Blueprint for Building Bridges . I'll walk you through the four components - Vision, Awareness, Adaptation, and Activation - along with the glue that holds th...

In this episode of Leadership Magic , I'm sharing Part One of my recent keynote talk, Breaking Down Silos & Building Bridges . If you've ever felt the frustration of having a great idea stall out because it got tangled up in red tape, competing priorities, or departmental walls, this conversation is for you. I'll explore why silos aren't usually created out of malice, how they show up in organizat...

I may have a unique way of looking at the world - but I can't help it. Even while sitting in the audience of the Broadway production of  Beauty and the Beast , I found myself pulling out leadership lessons. In this episode, I share some fun (and maybe surprising) connections between Disney's tale as old as time and the way we lead. From Insights Discovery color energies reflected in characters lik...

In this Pixie Dust Pep Talk, I'm here to remind you that leadership isn't about being loud, polished, or perfectly confident—it's about having the courage to speak up, even when your voice shakes. Drawing from my own experiences and stories from others, I explore why nerves show up, what holds us back, and how using your voice can create a ripple effect of truth-telling and courage. You'll leave w...

Welcome to Episode 187 of the Leadership Magic Podcast and another Pixie Dust Pep Talk—a short but powerful reminder about the human side of leadership. This week's message: You don't need to prove your worth. If you've ever felt like your value is measured by your productivity or your calendar, this one is for you. I get personal about how the pressure to perform shaped my early leadership and ho...

In this Pixie Dust Pep Talk, I want to remind you that small efforts still count . Leadership doesn't always need to be loud or bold—some of the most powerful moments are the quiet, almost invisible ones. From a quick check-in to a simple pause before reacting, these micro-moments create lasting impact. In a world that expects big answers and bold actions, this episode is a gentle encouragement to...

Welcome to a new mini-series: Pixie Dust Pep Talks —short bursts of encouragement for your leadership and your life. In this episode, I share a message for leaders feeling stretched thin: You are allowed to pause . Through metaphor and reflection,I explore why rest is essential to sustainable leadership. If you've been running on fumes, this is your reminder that strength isn't in the hustle—it's...