The Leadership Shot

You know what good leadership looks like. The question is whether you're actually doing it. I want to ask you something, and I want you to answer it honestly. When was the last time you did something as a leader that genuinely made you uncomfortable? Not slightly awkward. Actually uncomfortable — where you had to push through real resistance to do it. If you can't answer that quickly, th...

"De-escalation" is the word of the day. But what does it mean? Should you use this word to reply to the tension your team is feeling? Is it a good way to address the activities of ICE in the US if you're working in the US? As someone who's half German with a father who lived through Nazi Germany, I've learned silence is never neutral. My personal history has taught me that...

Stretch goals came out of Jack Welch's GE in the 1990s. Corporate America has been obsessed with them ever since. And they don't work. Here's what actually happens: You dump work on someone, disappear, and call it development. That's not a stretch goal. That's abandonment. In this episode, I'm replacing stretch goals entirely with a 5-step framework for developing peo...

You need an easy plan to begin to level up your team members. In this episode, I share ideas on how to create a simple 90-day plan to change the capabilities of a team member.  This is episode 2 in a 3-part series about The Development Reckoning. Hiring is frozen, you never really paid attention to the people you hired as you kept chasing to hire more, and you now realize you need more out of the...

Hiring is slowing way down as we start 2026.  For years, you've been chasing the next hire, the better candidate, the person who's finally going to solve all your problems. And the people who actually showed up? You gave them onboarding and then . . . nothing! But 66% of CEOs recently said  they're cutting headcount or keeping it flat in 2026. Attrition's plummeting. Hiring&apo...

When you don't say anything, you send a message to your team. The message says, This is OK. Or, I'm OK. with this. So, while you think you're being neutral, you're not at all. Silence isn't neutral.  I want you to consider starting more conversations--they're almost always ones about struggling performance you've avoiding, right? The tiny things you avoid (and do...

You’re overcommitted, overwhelmed, and always the one who gets it done. Sound familiar? Then you might be a hero manager—someone who rescues projects, solves problems, and unintentionally teaches their team to step back instead of stepping up. In this episode of The Leadership Shot , Leila breaks down the signs you’re stuck in hero mode, the hidden costs of doing too much, and five ways to step ba...

We all know the go-to excuse: "I just don’t have time." But what if the problem isn’t your calendar—it’s your priorities, fear, or lack of clarity? In this episode of The Leadership Shot , Leila breaks down what’s really behind the time excuse, how it shows up in leadership, and how to shift from calendar chaos to focused action. If you’re too busy to lead well, this one’s for you.

Every leader says they have high standards—but are they building excellence or exhausting their team? In this episode of The Leadership Shot , Leila unpacks the line between intentional excellence and unrealistic expectations. You’ll learn why some leaders use "high standards" as a shield for micromanagement, how this mindset undermines trust and innovation, and what to do instead to bui...

In this episode of the Leadership Shop Podcast, we're talking about the often misunderstood topic of self-compassion. Self-compassion isn’t weakness. It’s what keeps you sharp, steady, and clear when things go sideways. Let's talk about how it can make you a better leader.

Right now, way too many leaders are introducing AI with a tone that basically says: ‘Learn this or get left behind.’ But what’s actually driving that message isn’t innovation—it’s panic. And panic is a terrible place to lead from. If you want your team to grow, evolve, and embrace AI, you need to stop threatening. I’ll walk you through how to approach this instead. 

You know someone on your team isn’t meeting the mark. And you’re avoiding the conversation. You’re not alone—but you are paying a price. This episode is about how to stop dancing around accountability—and how to say what needs to be said without damaging the relationship.

Are you struggling to develop leaders in your organization? You’re not alone! Today, we’ll discuss the common pitfalls to avoid and the best practices to implement when it comes to leadership development. Let’s ensure that your future leaders are equipped to face the challenges ahead.

Ever wondered why some leaders seem to thrive under pressure while others crumble? The secret lies in resilience. In this episode, we'll dive deep into what resilience really means, why it's essential for long-term success, and how you can cultivate it in yourself and your team. From developing a growth mindset to practicing self-care, we've got you covered.

Executive offsites can be a game-changer, but only if done right. In this episode, we’ll dive into the essential steps for planning impactful offsites that foster collaboration and innovation, while also highlighting the common pitfalls to avoid. Let’s make your next offsite one for the books!

Dealing with a high-performing employee who constantly brings negativity to the table can feel like walking a tightrope. You need their expertise, but their attitude is dragging the team down. In this episode, I’ll share strategies for tackling this delicate situation, ensuring you not only address the negativity but also foster a more positive and collaborative environment.

As the 2024 elections draw near, political discussions are bound to heat up in the workplace. How do you, as a leader, navigate these conversations while maintaining a positive and productive environment? Today, I’ll explore how to create a culture of open communication, set boundaries around political discussions, and maintain a productive work environment amid the chaos of election fever.

I recently had a potential client ask me for an example of when coaching isn’t the right step for a leader. I had several examples to share, and I thought it would be a helpful podcast episode. Partnering with an executive coach can make a significant difference in your life as a leader. It’s a big investment of time and money, and you need to be in the right place for coaching--and also know what...

You've been offered an opportunity to work with an executive coach, but you're not quite what that entails or what you should be looking for to make sure it's a good fit for you. In this episode I'm sharing an inside look at what to expect and what you should be looking for to get the most of an executive coaching experience.

In this episode I'm sharing the 20 top things that executives coaches do. If you've ever wondered what working with an executive coach looks like, then today's podcast will give you an inside look at the most common benefits and outcomes you can expect. 

Transitioning from being a peer to becoming a manager of your former friends can be a delicate process, a bit like navigating a minefield of inside jokes and shared memories.  I’m going to highlight the common pitfalls as you navigate this transformation because let's face it, you don't want to be the manager who's known for the wrong reasons. 

As a leader, you spend a good amount of time talking. But likely (or should) spend even more time listening. And being a good listener doesn’t come naturally to many of us. We think well if we can physically hear--we have the ability to hear--then listening is pretty darn easy. I bet you’ve been in situations where you’ve been passionately speaking, and the person opposite you is there, but you ge...

Optimism fuels motivation, fosters resilience, and inspires innovation. On the other hand, realism encourages prudent decision-making and helps you and your team manage expectations. Can you be enthusiastic and realistic at the same time? And be yourself? Yes, you can, and I’ll help you prepare to be optimistic when coaching your team. I’m not going to tell you to fake it until you make it, either...

Does venting have a place at work? Is it productive? As a leader, should you encourage or discourage it? In this episode I'm talking about the positives and negatives of venting in the workplace, what to watch out for, and how it can be done productively. As a leader, you can strike a good balance when it comes to venting. You want to set boundaries. You want to encourage open communication a...

It can be really easy (tempting) to dismiss AI as something you don't need to worry about or something that won't impact you or something that can't help you in your role as a leader. In this episode, I ask my friend and collaborator Rick Crisci to start us off on a journey of learning about AI. Rick defines key terms and puts AI in perspective for those of us who aren't techni...