You’re the Boss, Now What? with Desiree Petrich | Leadership and Team Development for Managers and Team Leaders

It’s easy to underestimate the impact of small actions. A smile.  A compliment.  A simple “thank you.” But those moments don’t stop with the person in front of you. They carry. In this episode, I share a real-life story that reminded me how quickly positivity can spread and how one interaction can completely shift the tone of a day. The question becomes: What kind of ripple effect are you creating...

Do you ever feel like the emotional thermostat of your team? If you're stressed, they feel it.  If you're overwhelmed, it spreads. Most leaders think happiness at work is about perks. Ping pong tables.  Free lunches.  Better benefits. But what if workplace happiness is actually a leadership skill? In this episode, Greg Kettner, founder of WorkHappy, shares how happiness directly impacts...

In this week’s leadership tips episode, we’re talking about something simple that many leaders overlook: checking your surroundings. Whether you’re at work, leading a meeting, interacting with customers, or simply talking with coworkers, social awareness matters. The conversations we have and the way we include (or unintentionally exclude) the people around us can shape how others experience our l...

You hired someone with huge potential. You trained them. You invested in them. Six months later, they’re gone. If turnover feels constant, the issue might not be talent. It might be how your culture is being experienced. In this episode, Desiree sits down with global keynote speaker and bestselling author Eric Termuende to unpack what’s actually driving turnover in today’s workplace. They explore...

In this week’s leadership tip, we’re redefining humility at work. After hearing Seth Rogen describe Catherine O’Hara as someone who was both a genius and kind, it sparked an important reminder: confidence and humility are not mutually exclusive. Somewhere along the way, we started confusing humility with shrinking. Downplaying strengths. Pretending we’re not good at something so we don’t seem “too...

If everything feels urgent, nothing improves. In this episode, we break down how to prioritize what actually matters at work by asking two simple questions: Is it important? Is it urgent? You’ll learn how to: Stop reacting to every email and request Reduce distractions and protect deep work Set boundaries with your boss and team Avoid doing everything at 50% We walk through real-life examples, inc...

Have you ever felt ready to step up as a leader… but worried that others didn’t see you that way? In this week’s leadership tip, we’re talking about doubt, yours and theirs. The Titanic was built by professionals, and it still sank. Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for leadership. It’s built through consistent action, ownership, and showing up before you feel fully ready. Check back every Monday fo...

Why do your meetings feel exhausting? Why does one person dominate while someone else disengages completely? If you’re leading meetings as a new manager and walking away frustrated, unclear, or stuck repeating the same conversations, this episode will help. Most leaders assume disengagement is about attitude.  They assume domination is about ego.  They assume lack of follow-through is laziness. Bu...

Have you ever questioned your reaction because of who was watching? In this week’s leadership tip, we talk about owning your leadership style. When you lead based on outside judgment or approval, you risk becoming inconsistent. But when you know your values, trust your intentions, and stay consistent in how you show up, you build real trust and credibility. Check back every Monday for your weekly...

If you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and constantly busy—but nothing truly important is moving forward—busyness may be the problem, not the solution. In this episode, Desiree is joined by productivity expert Sarah Ohanesian to challenge the belief that doing more equals leading better. They explore why New Year productivity plans fall apart so quickly, how unrealistic expectations fuel burnout, and...

Do you ever notice how easy it is to look to others for reassurance? In this week's leadership tip, we reflects on the reminder that confidence grows when we do things for ourselves, not for approval. When leaders rely too heavily on outside validation, confidence stays fragile. When confidence is built internally, leadership becomes steadier and more grounded. Check back every Monday for you...

Meetings don’t fail because of bad agendas. They fail when decisions don’t turn into action. In this episode of the podcast for managers, Desiree picks up from last week’s conversation on meeting fatigue and zooms in on what happens next. You’ll learn why accountability often feels like micromanagement, how clarity and support change follow through, and what real team accountability actually looks...

If you are a manager who feels stuck in meetings that go nowhere, you are not alone. Many leaders schedule meetings hoping to create alignment, solve problems, or move work forward, but instead experience meeting fatigue, disengagement, and conflict at work.  In this episode, Desiree explains why meetings without decisions drain your team and your time, how information-heavy meetings quietly disen...

Your team says they want to grow—but do they avoid disagreement, fear mistakes, or shut down feedback? A real growth mindset isn’t optimism—it’s how a team handles tension, learning, and risk. In this episode, Desiree is joined by leadership expert Jim Fielding to unpack what a true growth mindset looks like inside teams—not just in individuals. They explore how growth mindset shows up in observab...

You work hard. You care deeply. So why does your career growth still feel unclear? If you're a manager doing everything right but waiting for recognition, promotion, or more trust, this episode shows you why. Desiree sits down with Andy Storch, author of Own Your Brand, Own Your Career and host of Talent Development Hot Seat, for a no-fluff talk on personal brand. Not influencer vibes or nons...

3 Mindset Shifts for Sustainable Goals (Without Burning Out) Have you ever started the year motivated and confident, only to feel behind or overwhelmed a few weeks later? In this episode of You're the Boss, Now What?, Desiree shares three mindset shifts that help leaders set goals and habits in a way that actually lasts, even when life doesn’t go as planned. This is not a New Year’s resolutio...

Overwhelmed as a manager? Leadership doesn't have to feel this heavy. Desiree Petrich shares one mindset shift to release pressure, beat burnout, and lead with clarity + energy into 2026 Last week we unpacked the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership . Today? We close the year simpler: one word to lighten your load as a new manager. If leadership feels overwhelming right now, you're not...

You can have the perfect strategy and still have a team that’s disengaged, drained, or stuck. These seven commitments are what actually change culture. In Part 3 of this series, Desiree and Tessa walk through the seven commitments that shape your mindset, energy, and team culture—often more than any strategy ever will. You’ll learn: Zone of Genius vs. “I’m ok at this” and why competence keeps you...

You can feel it in your team: everyone’s nice … but no one’s honest. Real opinions happen in side chats, gossip is normal, and you’re overcommitting and burning out trying to “keep the peace.” If you’ve ever thought, “Why won’t my team just say what they really think?” or “Why am I the only one holding everything together?” — this episode is for you. In Part 2 of this series on The 15 Commitments...

Most leaders want to lead with clarity,but in real life, it’s easy to slip into blame, defensiveness, people-pleasing, or overwhelm. You’re trying your best, yet you’re drained and stuck in the same patterns with your team. In this episode, Desiree and leadership consultant Tessa break down the first three commitments of Conscious Leadership— taking 100% responsibility, choosing curiosity, and fee...

Most people hear the word “gratitude” and think of journaling or writing lists. But for leaders, gratitude is something much deeper, it’s a shift in how you show up at work, how you navigate pressure, and how you lead your team through tough moments. The truth is, many leaders operate in constant survival mode. You’re reacting, firefighting, carrying the emotional weight of your team, and trying t...

Communication at work is starting to feel artificial. In this episode, we break down how leaders can use human fluency to build trust, create psychological safety, and communicate with clarity without losing professionalism. Have you ever left a meeting wondering if anyone actually said what they meant? If so, you're not alone. Remote work, AI tools, and the pressure to “sound professional” a...

Take your DISC or Working Genius assessment Your team finally hits its stride, but how do you keep it that way? Learn the simple mindset that prevents conflict before it starts, builds trust fast, and keeps meetings focused. Practical scripts you can use today.  Last week we talked about five steps to turn workplace drama into team trust. The week before that, how to handle a negative employee. To...

Workplace conflict doesn’t just disappear, it spreads. Learn five practical steps to rebuild trust, strengthen communication, and fix a toxic culture so your team can perform at its best. If you’ve ever walked into a meeting and felt the tension before anyone said a word, this episode is for you. When workplace drama turns into silence, gossip, or passive-aggressive behavior, you’re not just manag...

One negative employee can tank performance by 30 to 40 percent. Learn how to tell the difference between realism and pessimism, protect team dynamics, and know when it’s time to let someone go with confidence.  Last week we talked about imposter syndrome, storytelling, and executive presence with a communication Matt Mosich. This week we shift from the stories in your head to the stories on your t...