Leadership Ripples with Leah Fink

Have you ever considered the best way to get to know a new staff member on your team?  What kinds of questions should you ask them?  It is critical to prioritize relationship-building right from the start, and this episode dives into how to make that conversation effective.  As a leader, you have a beautiful opportunity to deeply understand their new team members’ values and preferences, setting t...

Does transitioning a team from a traditional office setting to a remote or hybrid model lead to sacrificing productivity or engagement?  In this episode we explore the real-world challenges leaders face when navigating the shift to remote work, from communication breakdowns to trust issues,  and dive deep into the broader impact of individual actions and preferences on workplace culture. Learn how...

How much should leaders be responsible in supporting an insecure team member?  Unlock the secrets to nurturing self-confidence within your team without crossing into personal accountability. Join me as we dissect the nuanced role of leadership in striking a balance that promotes emotional well-being and professional growth.  Learn how to foster a healthy environment for your interactions with your...

Have you ever felt as though your staff do not value self-reflection? In this episode, we chew over how self-reflection can vary from one person to another and why it's critical for leaders to first cultivate self awareness.  Diving into some of the reasons why you might not be seeing introspective practices,  we also shed light on personal agendas that often lurk beneath the surface of our i...

When the office dynamic shifts with the departure of a team member, how do you navigate the new normal? Discover how to steer your team through these transitions with grace, and delve into the complexities of addressing the real impacts these changes can have on people. Transform the way you communicate during times of change with strategies that resonate on a personal level, and learn how to fost...

Have you ever grappled with the tension between standing by your values and managing the fear of what you might lose? In this episode, we tackle this head-on, offering insights into the leader's dilemma of fear versus value-based decision-making.  We explore the brain's predilection for seeing danger over opportunity, and how that can skew our leadership strategies. Join us as we navigat...

How can you possibly create a sense of safety and ally-ship on your team when you have a volatile staff member? As a leader, you're bound to face conflicts, but it's how you handle these disturbances that can either safeguard or shake the very foundations of your team's wellbeing. We dissect the critical steps for ensuring safety, seeking support, and making a choice about how you s...

What is the impact when someone lies to you?  When your relationship with your staff is shaken by a lie, it damages the bedrock of your connection. There can be an emotional whirlwind that leaders face when trust is breached, and it can be hard to stay calm and collected.  Here we offer a roadmap to rebuild this vital foundation with care, eschewing the pitfalls of micromanagement for a path that...

How do you handle the delicate art of mending damaged professional relationships. Even the most well-intentioned leaders can find themselves having caused unintentional but impactful harm. But fear not, this episode is your roadmap to restoring trust, leveraging emotional intelligence, and the transformative power of a heartfelt apology. We unpack the intricacies of issuing apologies that pave the...

Have you ever tried to have open discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion but end up feeling misunderstood and frustrated? Join us for a reflective conversation that peels back the layers of this sensitive subject.  The journey into workplace gender dynamics takes a deeper look at the concept of privilege and how it subtly influences our interactions, often going unnoticed. Let's explo...

Have you ever found yourself baffled by the motivations of your older or younger colleagues, or frustrated with how they show up in the workplace? Join us as we navigate the nuanced choreography of guiding a team bursting with generational diversity.  As we peel back the layers of generational values, we confront the cultural and era-specific influences that have shaped workplace expectations and...

Could the key to bolstering your team's growth lie in the way you allocate professional development funds? In this episode, we unravel the threads of individual ambition and collective efficiency in the fabric of professional growth. This exploration isn't just about finding a sweet spot for your team's development budget; it's about forging a strategy to ensure these choices r...

Have you ever struggled to voice your concerns up the ladder?  This week we zero in on the challenges of trying to create change when you have less power, and how to navigate that power differential with finesse.  Through approaching with empathy and intention, we impart some tried-and-true strategies for wielding your influence effectively and collaboratively.  Are you tired of feeling powerless...

Have you ever finished a workday and been completely wiped from caring for your team?  Embark on a journey with us as we uncover how burnout's tendrils extend beyond personal trials and entangle the very fabric of our work culture. We lay bare the ethical dimensions of self-care in leadership, and invite a reflection of the mindsets that may be trapping you in stress and guilt. Are you tired...

Have you ever found yourself locked in an intricate dance of tug-of-war, not with ropes, but with the intangible threads of authority? It's the kind of struggle that can capsize even the most seasoned leader. Join us as we navigate through the deep and often turbulent seas of leadership dynamics and power struggles, going beyond the behaviours themselves to the deeper needs and strategies tha...

Where does the time go?  In this episode, we dissect the intricacies of how to dedicate your time based on your position.  With a spotlight on the balance of delegation and the dangers of clinging to the comfort zones of past roles, we lay bare the transformative path from being overwhelmed to in control.  This week's narrative is further enriched as we delve into the subtle art of clarifying...

Embarking on an organizational change can feel like setting sail into a stormy sea. In our latest episode, we navigate these waters, offering you the strategies and lifelines needed to maintain clarity and support within your team during the most tumultuous of transitions.  You'll gain insights into communication, managing reactions, bolstering your team with vital information, and ensuring y...

Ever found yourself at the crossroads of a workplace disagreement, unsure how to navigate the choppy waters without capsizing the team dynamic?  In this episode, we explore strategies transforming potential confrontations into opportunities for genuine connection and understanding.  What would change for your team if you could shift communication from a place of judgment and demands to one of feel...

Have you ever felt like you've been thrust into leadership without a say in the matter? Join me, as I uncover the complexities of leadership, especially for those who didn't set out to be leaders.  This episode is a candid look at the weight of leadership responsibilities and the very human struggle to find personal fulfillment when your career path takes an unexpected turn into manageme...

As the clock strikes midnight and the confetti settles, we're all brimming with resolutions that promise a fresh start. But what makes this year's aspirations different from the forgotten gym memberships of yesteryears?   We'll dissect the anatomy of goals, the illusion of willpower, and the critical perspective needed to be able to properly resource ourselves and our teams for succ...

Imagine transforming every piece of feedback you give into a stepping stone for trust and growth—sounds powerful, right? That's exactly what we're unpacking in this episode, as we venture into the delicate dance of feedback within the workplace.  By embracing feedback as a regular practice, rather than a dreaded confrontation, we unlock its capacity to bolster team dynamics, enhance perf...

Do you ever struggle with giving feedback you have been holding onto for a long time? Do you yearn for a work environment where feedback fosters growth, change, and positive relationships? This episode is a deep dive into the harsh truth about evading feedback and its detrimental effects, and inspires you to see feedback as a relational tool rather than a confrontation, necessary for nurturing a h...

Ever wondered how you can step up your leadership game and provide the right kind of support to your middle managers (and whole team)? Well, your search ends here. This episode is a deep dive into the 4 core components you need to be providing for the people you support if you want them to be successful.   If you are lacking in any one of these areas, it could explain why you are having challenges...

Ever felt isolated in your leadership journey, trying to balance being in a 'power sandwich', and finding it difficult to connect with anyone?  Let's talk about navigating the often lonely road of leadership,  discussing vulnerability and invulnerability in leadership roles. How do you strike a balance without overburdening your employees?  How do you get support for yourself when y...

What do you do when you know you need to give someone some constructive feedback? Join us as we explore the line between task-based and relationship-based feedback, and learn how to frame feedback in a constructive, respectful manner. In this deep dive, we discuss how feedback can be a powerful tool in enhancing relationships and fostering trust within a team.  We'll also discover why it&apos...