THIS Leader Podcast

In this  conversation with parent coach Allison Livingston, we explore how high achievers get emotionally hijacked in difficult situations and learn a 5-step framework to stay connected without getting hooked.  Why High Achievers Get Emotionally Hijacked High-achieving people often struggle with emotional regulation because they expect to be good at everything, including relationships. They have h...

In this conversation with communication expert Salvatore Manzi, we explore how analytical minds and introverted leaders can transform technical brilliance into authentic influence. The Foundation: Presence = Comfort + Authenticity Salvatore defines presence as the intersection of comfort and authenticity—being comfortable being yourself while knowing your topic, understanding your audience, and co...

In this personal episode, Claire shares how her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis became a wake-up call about the urgency of living authentically. She explores why your values, not productivity systems, are the key to fulfillment and effective leadership. The Personal Wake-Up Call Claire opens with a touching note her father wrote: "Claire, I want to go to the grocery store with you." A year later, h...

In this practical episode, I reveal specific skills that transform ordinary meetings into powerful collaborative sessions where everyone contributes fully. The difference between meetings where leaders do all the talking versus those where everyone leaves energized isn't personality, it's facilitative leadership skills.  Understanding Work Flow  All meaningful work follows predictable stages: Idea...

In this conversation with Jessica Deakyne, we explore how she accelerated from transportation coordinator to Chief Operating Officer through servant leadership and intentional community building. The Power of Community and Connection Jessica's career transformation wasn't a solo journey. She emphasizes that successful leaders understand advancement happens through community, not isolation. Her app...

This episode explores why most leaders are unknowingly operating at only 70% of their potential and how aligning with your natural strengths can transform your leadership impact. The Research on Strengths The data from Marcus Buckingham, Don Clifton, and the Gallup Organization is compelling. People who use their strengths daily are three times more likely to report an excellent quality of life an...

In this episode, I share four core strategies that will help you consistently add more value, and make yourself indispensable at work.  In this episode, you'll hear about: The Current Landscape Forbes reports that 77% of people are concerned about AI causing job loss within 12 months, but there's a crucial flip side: wages are rising twice as quickly in industries most exposed to AI. The people ad...

In this episode, Theresa Phillips, a veteran HR professional who has conducted over 700 workplace investigations, we explore how challenging workplace conflicts can become opportunities for transformation and trust-building.  From Fact-Finding to Healing Theresa's journey evolved from simply gathering facts to truly seeing people in their pain and fear. She discovered that when people feel genuine...

In this episode, I explore how our brains are wired to misinterpret others' behavior and I share the life-changing principle that everyone acts from their own  "good reasons." I begin with a painful personal story of being falsely accused of "stealing" a client by a colleague. This experience illustrates how we all "tell stories" about what's happening around us, but real as they may seem, they're...

In this conversation with Irene van der Zande, founder of Kidpower International, we explore how to set and respect workplace boundaries with confidence and kindness. The Boundary Bridge Technique Skilled boundary-setters always start with something positive—what Irene calls a "boundary bridge": Connect first with something positive Use 'and' not, 'but'—bridges don't cut off communication  Be spec...

In this episode, I expose the sneaky forces that gradually erode team culture—subtle issues that well-meaning leaders overlook until significant damage is done. The biggest threats aren't obvious disasters but silent forces that creep in slowly, robbing teams of energy, focus, and trust. These culture killers are correctable, but first, you need to spot them. In this episode, you'll hear about: Th...

In this conversation with Stefka Anderson, HR Director for Global R&D at Driscoll's, we dive into how Driscoll's Global R&D is training leaders to increase  change agility . Together, they designed and delivered a comprehensive 10-month "Change Agility" program, that transformed how their entire function (which includes hundreds of employees and spans multiple disciplines and time zones) engages i...

In this inspiring episode, I challenge leaders to shift from "accidental learning" to intentional development that accelerates career growth and impact. Most leaders treat professional development like a luxury, squeezing it between priorities or leaving it to chance. This reactive approach keeps you scattered and at risk of becoming irrelevant as leadership demands evolve.  In this episode, you'l...

In this episode, Claire explores the dangerous middle ground between unhealthy conflict and artificial harmony, and why smart teams sometimes hold themselves back by avoiding necessary strategic disagreements.  The Hidden Costs of Artificial Harmony  Most conflict avoidance comes from a good place—leaders trying to maintain relationships and avoid hurting feelings. But we've gotten really good at...

In this episode, I share a collaborative approach to project management that actually works, without overwhelming complexity. Fresh from facilitating a 3-hour session where 50 managers successfully drafted project plans, I reveal why traditional project management training fails and what works instead. The secret? You're not managing projects—you're managing people.  In this episode, you'll hear a...

In this conversation with Roxanne Harrison, we explore how ancient wisdom meets modern leadership through the powerful combination of the Enneagram and Qigong practices. From Resistance to Choice Roxanne's journey began with a neck injury that forced her to slow down and discover a pattern of constant resistance—always saying "no before yes." This resistance was actually a protective mechanism cov...

In this special AMA episode, I tackle two real leadership scenarios that feel like herding cats: uniting a fractured team and creating unified execution from scattered individuals. Both situations share the same fundamental challenge: bringing people together to create order out of chaos, whether that involves building a shared team culture or driving collective results toward a strategic vision....

In this episode, I challenge the idea that workplace misery is normal. You have a right to fairness, respect, psychological safety, and meaningful work—but rights without responsibility are just complaints. In this episode, you'll hear about: The Three Essential Roles: Everyone plays these roles in creating workplace culture, regardless of job title Owner Role - Orienting energy toward both happin...

In this inspiring conversation with communication expert Jared Fujishin, we explore his powerful "connection's key is less of me" framework that transforms how leaders build trust, influence, and loyalty. The Foundation: Less of Me, More Connection  The most effective leaders aren't focused on themselves—they're genuinely invested in others. When leaders operate from a "me, me, me" mentality, peop...

In this episode, I explore how to build and sustain a successful mentoring program with Kara Reddig, Deputy City Manager, and Femi Omotesho, Management Analyst from the City of Elk Grove. Why Mentoring Matters More Than Ever  Mentoring isn't just a nice-to-have, it's foundational to developing confident, capable leaders. The City of Elk Grove's program grew organically from a 2019 staff meeting on...

In this inspiring conversation with leadership expert Jonathan Bissell, we explore how to transform your leadership from reactive to intentional and create the kind of culture where people thrive. The Foundation: Belief Creates Transformation Everything starts with a powerful belief: investing in your people pays incredible dividends. When you truly embrace development as a core strategy, you'll c...

In this episode, I explore the concept of psychological safety and share specific communication practices that can transform your team culture. Understanding Psychological Safety: The Four Stages. Building on Harvard professor Amy Edmondson's research and Timothy Clark's framework, I explain how psychological safety develops through four distinct stages: Level 1: Inclusion Safety  – "Do I belong h...

In this episode, I explore why taking real time off is crucial for your leadership. I share my proven framework for making it happen without everything falling apart in your absence.  There's never a convenient time to take vacation; there's always another deadline, another project, another reason to stay connected. But I've discovered that my boldest ideas and biggest breakthroughs happen when I...

In this episode, we dive into the science of emotional contagion and how being intentional about the emotions you project can transform your leadership impact. Have you ever seen someone walk into a room and instantly shift the energy? That's emotional contagion in action. Emotions silently spreading from person to person, often without us realizing it. As leaders, learning to manage this contagio...

In this episode, I explore how identifying and leveraging your natural talents can transform your energy, impact, and results, both for you and your team. Have you ever felt like the daily grind is draining the life out of you? Many leaders I talk with feel this way - not because they don't like their jobs, but because they're spending too much time on tasks that exhaust them and not enough on wor...