Leading Organizations That Matter

In this episode, I share a surprising moment after a guest lecture that made me rethink what people really want from leaders. The students didn’t care about my turnaround frameworks - they wanted to know how careers actually unfold: the choices, the pivots, the regrets, the risks. It pushed me to consider shifting the podcast slightly toward those deeper, practical questions about building a meani...

In this episode, I wrestle with a question that’s become increasingly real for me: Does faith fit in our professional lives? For most of my career, I kept my faith and my work in separate rooms, door firmly shut. But lately, that door has been opening... through podcast guests, LinkedIn engagement, and the growing cultural hunger for something deeper and more enduring. I share what I’m noticing, w...

In this episode of Leading Organizations That Matter , I dig into the myth of multitasking and how modern technology has rewired our brains. From the constant pull of screens to the illusion of productivity during Zoom meetings, I explore why we feel busier yet less present. I also highlight the growing cultural backlash... from vinyl records to dumb phones...  and offer a simple, powerful practic...

I’ve seen more harm come from avoiding conflict than from facing it. Leaders who fear tension often create cultures where silence becomes the norm... and that silence slowly corrodes trust, mission, and morale. In my book, Saving Organizations That Matter , I talk about why learning to disagree well is essential for any team that wants to grow. Disagreement, offered respectfully, is a gift. It sha...

In this episode, I look at what leaders can learn from one of aviation’s simplest but most transformative tools: the pre‑flight checklist. After a fatal 1935 crash, Boeing realized that even expert pilots need more than confidence - they need a system. And leaders are no different. I break down how a checklist helps us reduce avoidable mistakes, anticipate turbulence, align our teams, and define s...

Are you the pitcher… or the catcher? In this episode of Leading Organizations That Matter , I share a simple lesson from a 1990s golf pro that reshaped how I think about leadership.

In this episode of Leading Organizations That Matter , I dive into the strange, fascinating rise of Eddie Dalton — the soulful, chart‑topping singer. Here, I explore why Eddie’s success leaves us feeling both outraged and oddly indifferent , what’s at stake for human creativity, and why the “blank sheet of paper” still matters more than ever. Bottom line: If creativity becomes effortless… do we lo...

What if the clearest way to think isn’t in your head at all... but on the page? In this episode, I explore why writing isn’t just a creative act, but a leadership discipline. Drawing on Flannery O’Connor, the rise of AI‑generated text, and my own unexpected path into journaling, I makes the case that putting pen to paper might be the most powerful tool you have for decision‑making, clarity, and gr...

What if the way you see the world is shaping the way you lead - without you even realizing it? In this episode, I draw on a surprising source - photography - to explore why some leaders naturally zoom out to the big picture while others instinctively focus on the smallest details. And more importantly, why the most effective leaders learn to do both. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re seeing t...

What does it take to lead a mission‑driven health care organization with clarity and heart? In this episode, I sit down with Renee McInnes, CEO of Croí Health, to talk about purpose, culture, and the real work of caring for both patients and the people who serve them. It’s an honest, energizing look at leadership in a time when health care needs it most. During this episode, I reference an earlier...

What does it mean to truly accompany someone at the end of life? In this episode, I sit down with Maureen Groden, author of When a Loved One Is Dying , to explore the wisdom, clarity, and compassion she offers to families navigating one of life’s most tender passages. We talk about what to expect, how to stay present, and how small acts of love can become moments of profound meaning. If you’ve eve...

What if being “data driven” isn’t actually about the data at all? This week, I unpack a deceptively simple confession from a client and reveal the two hidden skills every leader needs - but most never develop. One is about understanding the dashboard of your organization. The other is about turning numbers into a story people will actually follow. If you’ve ever wondered why your metrics don’t mov...

What can a photography workshop teach us about leadership? More than you’d think. This episode breaks down why a strong portfolio matters, how to separate real expertise from polished marketing, and what every leader should look for when selecting a coach or consultant.

We all love positivity - but what happens when it becomes performative, relentless, or downright harmful? In this episode, I dig into the rise of toxic positivity, why it’s everywhere online, and how it can leave us feeling more disconnected and less authentic.

This milestone episode explores what happens when the roles we play become so separate that we start to feel divided from ourselves. Drawing on a candid personal story and a powerful coaching conversation, it looks at how compartmentalization can quietly shape our lives and what it takes to move toward greater authenticity and integration. If you’ve ever felt like different parts of your life don’...

So many leaders say, “I want to be more strategic”—but what does that really mean? In this episode of Leading Organizations That Matter , I break down the myths and offer four practical ways to sharpen your strategic thinking and lead with greater clarity, impact, and purpose. If you’re ready to elevate how you see, decide, and act, this one’s for you.

In this week's episode, I take on the AI revolution with a candid confession: I use the tools - but refuse to let them write for me. In this episode, I describe the moment I realized that I was standing at the edge of a creative waterfall, the five reasons I'm pulling back, and what authenticity looks like in a world where everyone suddenly has “superpowers.” From the erosion of human sk...

A milestone episode kicks off Season 3 as I pull back the curtain on what nearly 100 episodes have revealed about what listeners truly crave: honest reflections on leadership, meaning, faith, and the pursuit of work that actually matters. With the show far outlasting most podcasts, I share the surprising data shaping what comes next—shorter, sharper episodes, a renewed commitment to audio-first st...

We all chase something—grades, success, recognition, comfort, connection. Chasing can be good, but it can also lead us astray. In a world of likes, outrage, marketing hooks, and even AI pretending to be us, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Recently, a friend told me, ‘You seem to value authenticity.’ That simple observation made me pause and ask: What am I really chasing? In this epi...

Strategic plans used to be something boards revisited every three to five years. But today, the pace of change—and the unexpected shocks we’ve all lived through—are forcing boards to ask new questions: How do we stay involved over time? And how will we know when it’s time to shift? In this episode, I share three practical strategies that can give boards a clearer line of sight into progress, keep...

One of my most popular episodes was about building a personal knowledge management system. And here’s the surprising truth: the system itself matters less than the discipline of using it. Today, I’m sharing a simple life hack that’s saved me countless times—because let’s face it, our future selves are often forgetful, distracted, and, well… a little doltish. The trick? Leave breadcrumbs. Clear ins...

In my work with mission-driven organizations, I’ve seen how trust isn’t just a virtue—it’s a strategy. The way we initiate conversations says everything about our integrity, our intent, and our respect for others. Sales and development efforts rooted in honesty build relationships that last. The rest? Just noise that is best ignored.

Forget the tools—do you have a system? In this episode, I explore why personal knowledge management isn’t about the latest app—it’s about discipline, consistency, and devotion. From steno pads to second brains, I discuss what separates high performers from the forgetful, and why even seasoned executives need a system they trust.

Can you really have your cake and eat it too in nonprofit M&A? In this episode, we explore the mindset behind mergers, acquisitions, and strategic affiliations—not the math, but the meaning. When organizations face pressure to scale without sacrificing identity, leaders are often sent on a quest for the impossible. Tune in as we unpack the cross currents, the trade-offs, and the conversations...

In a world flooded with AI-generated content, standing out is harder than ever. In this episode, I explore what it really takes to rise above the noise—and why your unique voice matters more now than ever. Fountain pens. Film photography. Franklin Planners. Maybe the future isn’t faster. Maybe it’s more… rum raisinish.