The Better Conversations Podcast

If you’ve ever wondered how to handle workplace conflict, lead through team conflict, or stop workplace drama before it spreads, this episode is for you. Kara shares exactly what she’d do if her employees weren’t getting along—and how you can use these same conflict resolution strategies for leaders to build a healthy team culture. You’ll learn how to manage employee conflict, coach your team thro...

If you’ve ever thought, “This meeting could have been an email,” you’re not alone. The average company spends up to  15% of its personnel budget  on meetings — and most of that time isn’t spent well. In this episode, leadership coach  Kara List  shares how to take back control of your calendar and make meetings  work for you , not against you. You’ll learn how to lead meetings with purpose, care,...

In this episode of The Better Conversations Podcast, Kara List breaks down why silence is one of the cruelest leadership mistakes you can make—and how to replace avoidance with clarity, kindness, and impact. You’ll learn:-Why avoiding feedback creates fear, low performance, and turnover -How high performers lose confidence when leaders stay quiet -The CLEAR feedback framework (with real examples y...

Struggling to deliver bad news at work without creating chaos? Learn how clarity and empathy can help you lead tough conversations that build trust instead of confusion. Delivering bad news at work is one of the hardest parts of leadership. Most leaders don’t fail because of what they say, but how they say it. When conversations aren’t clear, they blow up into confusion, chaos, and hurt. In this e...

Feeling exhausted from trying to do it all? In this episode, I share why hustle culture is stealing your joy and how to break free from burnout as a leader, working mom, or busy professional. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by endless to-do lists, team responsibilities, or family demands, this episode will help you step into healthy leadership without the exhaustion. Don't Forget the OCEAN ROL...

Your words matter more than your title. In this video, Kara List, leadership coach and host of The Better Conversations Podcast, shares the 5 sayings that will determine your impact as a leader. Whether you lead a small team or an entire organization, these signature phrases you repeat shape your workplace culture, influence how your team sees you, and create a lasting leadership legacy. If you’ve...

When an employee refuses to help a coworker and says, “That’s not my job,” it can trigger frustration, self-doubt, or even anger. In this episode, I’ll show you how to respond—not with ego or avoidance, but with confident, clear leadership. You’ll learn the exact words to say and how to shift the conversation from pushback to partnership. Whether you’re dealing with resistance, non-compliance, or...

Feeling drained from nonstop conversations, endless meetings, and constant team needs? You're not alone. In this episode of The Better Conversations Podcast , Kara shares 4 practical tips to beat leadership burnout and protect your energy—without disconnecting from your team. Learn how to recover from burnout, shift your leadership mindset, and build emotionally sustainable habits that help you le...

Awkward at work? You're not alone. In this video, learn how to master small talk at work, build trust, and connect with your team using my “2-Minute Talks” method. Whether you’re an introvert, new manager, or just tired of surface-level chats, these leadership communication tips will help you turn microwave convos and hallway chats into real moments of influence. Get the Better Conversations W...

Struggling to give honest feedback without feeling awkward, anxious, or overly emotional? You're not alone—and you're not a bad leader for dreading it. In this episode of The Better Conversations Podcast , Kara List shares her proven 3-step framework that makes hard conversations at work feel more natural, confident, and effective. Whether you’re managing underperformance, addressing behav...

After a year of connecting with so many of you, one truth stands out: culture is built in the everyday conversations we have at work. And if we want a better culture, we need better conversations . In this short episode, I’m sharing why I’m making a big change, what’s coming next, and how this podcast (and my new weekly newsletter!) will help you lead with more clarity, confidence, and connection—...

For years, I struggled with giving honest feedback. I thought I had to be perfect, have all the answers, or sugarcoat what needed to be said. But what I’ve learned is that mindset beats method. And these 5 truths? They make feedback so much easier—and far more effective.✅ Why the goal of feedback is not your comfort ✅ How to shift from monologue to meaningful conversation ✅ Why “you might be wr...

Feeling like you’re not qualified to lead? Struggling with imposter syndrome as a new or growing leader? In this video, leadership coach Kara List shares the truth about what makes someone truly qualified—and it’s probably not what you think. Whether you're managing a team, running a project, or stepping into leadership for the first time, this episode will help you feel empowered and equipped...

Even if you love your team, you might be asking yourself, “Is this as good as it gets?” Or maybe you feel stuck with the “B team.” Here’s a hard truth: if your team isn’t performing like you want, it might not be their fault. It might actually be yours—not because you’re a bad leader, but because you may be unknowingly creating 4 common roadblocks that hold your team back from becoming the A team....

Want to improve your workplace culture and boost team morale in 2025? In this episode of The Culture Keepers Podcast , leadership coach Kara List shares 7 practical strategies to build a positive, high-performing team culture —even if your team feels disengaged or burned out. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, you’ll learn how to build trust, encourage feedback, foster connecti...

Today, we’re tackling one of leadership's hardest and most important moments: what to do when someone on your team drops the ball. You’ll learn a 4-step framework to handle missed goals with compassion and clarity—without shaming your team or lowering your standards. We’ll talk about the emotional tension between kindness and accountability, and how to navigate it with confidence. You'll w...

Want to build a stronger, more motivated team? Most leaders default to vague praise like “good job”—but that’s not enough. In this episode, leadership coach Kara List shares 3 practical coaching strategies that will completely shift how your team hears feedback and responds. You’ll learn how to train your brain to spot what’s going right, how to coach for connection, development, and culture , and...

Your employee just got defensive—now what? In this episode, you'll learn exactly what to say and do when a team member shuts down, pushes back, or gets emotional during feedback conversations. If you've ever struggled with employees who take feedback personally or derail productive conversations, this is for you. Whether you're a new manager, experienced leader, or HR professional, these communica...

In today's episode, I'm sharing the real reason being a nice boss might be holding you — and your team — back. We’ll discuss why “nice” leadership often leads to frustration, resentment, and underperformance and how to shift toward kind leadership that drives real growth, trust, and results. You’ll learn: ✨ The difference between being nice and being kind ✨ How to handle missed deadlines...

Are you a small business owner or entrepreneur trying to grow your team—but you’re buried in tasks and have zero time to figure it all out? This episode is your lifeline. In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Layla Pomper of ProcessDriven to talk about: ✅ How to delegate when you're overwhelmed ✅ What roles you should be wearing as a founder ✅ The first steps to building a team you...

What is momentum and how do we get it and keep it as business leaders? Today, John Meyer joins the Culture Keepers Podcast to give some actionable tips to help us figure out what is working and KEEP DOING IT!Videos & resources mentioned in this episode:🔗 John Meyer's "30 DAY MONTH OF LESS" CHALLENGE: https://leadmore.kit.com/less 🔗 Connect with John on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/...

If you want a thriving workplace culture, the best way to get there is through simple, everyday habits of culture building. This episode walks you through how to consistently strengthen your workplace culture with small, manageable steps. Learn how to break free from the all-or-nothing trap, overcome setbacks, and build habits that empower your team to thrive. You'll also get actionable tips o...

There is A LOT of leadership advice out there—some really good, and some I am glad I passed on.  Not all advice works in real life, and as leaders, it’s crucial to filter out what truly helps you and your team.  Today I share 5 pieces of bad leadership advice that I’m glad I didn’t listen to—and I’m excited to share why these leadership tips can actually make leadership harder, not easier! 📧 Join...

🚀 FREE GUIDE: Ultimate Meeting Kickoff Guide: https://www.heykaralist.com/kickoff Are you more of a leader or a manager , and which one is actually better? In this insightful conversation with Mark Beebe , we explain why great leadership requires both strong management (systems and structure) and effective leadership (culture and people). Without either, you get complete chaos. But if you tip the...

What really drives top-performing teams? Is it talent, productivity, innovation, or funding? While those factors matter, the true secret to team success is something unexpected— connection. In this episode, I share why workplace connection is the key to boosting employee engagement, retention, and productivity. 👥 Feeling disconnected at work? Studies show that nearly 60% of employees feel disenga...