In The Lead

For an episode on celebration, I gathered a few of my friends around a table. They also happen to be coworkers...but as you'll hear from the conversation, they know a thing or two about the topic. Over the course of four short segments, you'll grab a few tips and tricks to help you grow in your encouragement and celebration of others.

Building of our last conversation on listening, Amy here identifies the specific impacts in leadership. The power of a listening leader is felt in every corner of the team and on every level. This episode is full of notable ideas, key takeaways and practical steps that work here and now.

What is the most treasured and rare strengths that should be normal and accessible? Listening. It sounds like an easy task. Just don't talk. Listen. But it's more than that...it's a skill. For this episode, host Nathan Metz met up with one of the best listeners he's known, Amy Luedtke. In this first episode on the topic, they discuss listening in a way that may be completely new to you. All you ne...

Why does change in leadership fail? Often, it's not the plan—it's the preparation. This episode explores the three crucial steps before change: "Seeing" reality, "Majoring on the Majors" to focus energy, and "Rallying Around the Why" to create shared commitment. Learn how to stop fixing symptoms and start leading toward a better future.

Change is the only constant. Our personal relationship with change has a dramatic impact on the way we lead through change. In this first episode on the subject, we'll focus on three ideas related to personal change. You'll get a clear picture to consider and then a minute to reflect. Take this time to invest in yourself for meaningful growth.

We're back for part two with the chaplains conversation about empathy. Sitting around a kitchen table, Alissa, Taylor and Brad share thoughts and experiences about the relationship between empathy and leadership. This rich dialogue is packed with ideas, tools and methods that will transform your leadership!

Join host Nathan Metz as he invites three chaplains for lunch around his kitchen table. They discuss empathy from all angles! What does it look like? What does it cost? How can it grow?

Leading with integrity is easier said than done. It's not just about setting goals, rules or boundaries. It's about keeping to those lines, even if it means losing sometimes. In this second episode with special guest, Gary Ott, we're covering some of the harder angles of integrity as it applies to leadership. Gary shares some of his stories and insights from nearly forty years of business.

Gary Ott founded TLC Management in the late 1980's and led thirty years of growth by doing it the right way. In this first half of our conversation, Gary outlines what he believes to be central to personal integrity. Along the way, he shares stories of his highs and lows, deep challenges and the valuable lessons he's picked up through it all.

There is a common belief in the workspace that good workers show their value with more effort, more time, and more energy. There's a difference between "more work"and "good work". In fact, in this episode we learn that working harder sometimes yields less productivity! As guest Brian Scramlin reminds us: "you can't beat biology". 

Rest is more than just sleep. It's easier than vacation. It's as necessary as water. Without rest, your body doesn't have what it needs to perform highly or healthily for the long haul. What is it? What does it do? What happens when it doesn't happen? We're joined by guest, Brian Scramlin, to gather a few insights, look at it from a new angle and even give it some real time practice. 

Step into the rolling hills of Rebi, Alberta, and join us for a special episode of In the Lead as we visit Jeanette Oak, one of Canada’s most celebrated authors. At 90, Jeanette reflects on a lifetime of creativity, sharing wisdom on balancing innovation with life’s responsibilities, the importance of rest, and the enduring drive to express oneself. Discover practical insights for leaders seeking...

Daniel and Jordan Rife are musicians. They lead worship, a task that includes everything from strong leadership skills to song writing to musicianship and performance. Every week they put together a new set list with a new band, pumping out creative ideas one after another. In our first conversation on creativity, we're asking them, "how do you do it!?!" You will gain valuable notes on topics such...

This second half of our discussion with Dr. Brian Fry covers key communication topics such as being direct, personalizing encouragement, normalizing feedback and fostering virtues. Fry challenges us to "back up into" the character strengths we desire by practicing them. He also shares the power of being direct, saying "this is what I want" or "this is what I am hoping for" in order to create clari...

Explore the power of presence and vulnerability in leadership communication with Dr. Brian Fry on this episode of In The Lead Podcast. Host Nathan Metz explores strategies for seeking honest feedback and leading with authenticity. Discover why character and intention matter as much as technique, and walk away with actionable questions and insights to transform how you connect, listen, and lead. Th...

In this episode of the In The Lead podcast, we unveil the power of passionate leadership with Leslie Hendricks Holt, Executive Director of CASA. Leslie shares how advocating for children in the court system has transformed her life and shaped her leadership style. Listeners will learn about CASA’s mission, the impact of community volunteers, and the importance of leading by example—getting “in the...

This episode of In The Lead Podcast explores passion as a vital character strength in leadership. Leslie Hendricks Holt, Executive Director of CASA, shares how her life experiences shaped her leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, investing in people, and seeing the big picture. Social worker Murray Shimmer reflects on his decades-long career helping others, highlighting...

We're back with part two of our conversation with the IWU Men's Basketball Coaching staff. In this episode, discover how personal humility translates into effective team leadership, and why it's a strength rather than a weakness. The coaches share inspiring examples of how empowering others and letting go of control can lead to unprecedented success. Learn practical steps to cultivate humility in...

This episode explores the power of humility, featuring insights from Indiana Wesleyan University's highly successful basketball program. Led by Coach Greg Tonagel, the team has achieved remarkable success with humility as a core value. The coaches discuss their definition of humility, emphasizing it's not thinking less of oneself, but thinking of others more. They explore how humility is revealed...

In Part 2 of this month on Risk, host Nathan Metz speaks with Jean Ross, Founder and CEO of Primary Record, about applying the concepts of personal risk (bravery vs. recklessness and worthiness) to leadership. They explore the importance of creating a safe culture for risk-taking, balancing risk-taking leaders with other personality types on a team, and understanding the strengths of both "dreamer...

In this episode of "In the Lead," host Nathan Metz interviews Jean Ross, founder and CEO of Primary Record, exploring the theme of risk. Jean shares her journey from healthcare professional to innovative entrepreneur, highlighting her experiences in caregiving and her decision to start her own business. The conversation delves into Jean's perspective on risk-taking, the importance of embracing fai...

In this episode of "In the Lead," host Nathan Metz continues his conversation with Ryan Ott, President of TLC Management, focusing on clarity in leadership. They discuss the importance of self-awareness, synthesizing past and present leadership styles, and the value of empowering others. Ryan shares personal experiences that highlight the significance of seeking input and giving permission rather...

Welcome to the In The Lead Podcast! In this first episode, host Nathan Metz sits down with Ryan Ott, President and CEO of TLC Management, to discuss personal clarity as it relates to self-awareness , recognizing gifts and weaknesses , and creating an effective personal mission statement . They delve into the core principles of self-awareness, the importance of honest self-reflection , and the bene...

You are In the Lead! Join us as we explore the significance character that fueal great leaders. This podcast features engaging interviews with guests providing insight through experience. New episodes released every first and third Monday beginning January 6th, 2025! This podcast is produced by TLC Management for the TLC family across Indiana, Ohio and Florida. Not with TLC? Welcome. You are a lea...