The Unleashing Leaders Podcast

Sheriff Matt Clifford of Idaho's largest law enforcement agency shares powerful leadership lessons from his 23-year career in public service.  In this conversation with Lee, he explores how empowering teams, adapting to change, and building strong community relationships are key to maintaining public trust. From his start at Boise State to shaping safety policies in the Treasure Valley, Sheriff Cl...

With a background of breaking down silos and fostering unity within professional services, Randie Dial discusses the transformative journey from a culture of isolated microcultures to one where collaboration reigns supreme. Randie and  Lee  uncover the story behind CliftonLarsonAllen's (CLA) pivotal shift that led to securing a game-changing $4 billion client and sparked a shift towards a client-c...

Tria Deibert, SVP of Culture and Team Member Well-being at Hackensack Meridian Health, brings a fresh perspective from her marketing roots to leading cultural transformation in a 35,000+ employee organization. In her conversation with Lee, Tria highlights the power of appreciative inquiry, positive storytelling, and peer mentoring to strengthen leadership and equity. She also shares her return to...

Kevin Gearheart, the president of Rehab Medical, demonstrates the potency of leader alignment and a growth mindset. In this episode, he delves into the evolution of strategic planning and the disciplined execution that drove nearly 30% yearly growth over eight years alongside Lee. Addressing the complexities of infrastructure enhancement and the strategic gamble of product focus shifts, Kevin shar...

In this episode, Estrella Parker illuminates the importance of asking the right questions. As the chief people officer at Cupertino Electric, her role extends far beyond the conventional boundaries, delving into the challenges of productivity, skilled labor shortages, and the digital revolution in construction. Engaging in a thought-provoking dialogue with Lee, Estrella unveils her personal mantra...

John Brown, COO of GEHA Health, shares his journey from engineering to executive leadership, shaped by a lattice-style career across diverse roles.  Now serving nearly 2 million members, John joins Lee Scott to discuss the value of ditching rigid rulebooks in favor of a culture of innovation. He highlights the impact of unscripted conversations, authentic connection, and turning insight into actio...

Jen Casimiro, a strategic leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), joins Lee to share how her passion for basketball shaped her leadership philosophy. Jen breaks down how leading with values, staying authentic, and ensuring every voice is heard can transform workplace culture. Her insights offer a powerful blueprint for building inclusive teams that thrive on trust, empowerment, and share...

In this episode, Lee explores how gratitude and goal-setting can unlock greater impact and fulfillment. Using real-life leadership examples, he highlights the power of comparing our current reality to an alternate "what if" to deepen perspective. Lee emphasizes grounding in gratitude and setting goals that inspire without overwhelming.  Tune in to discover how these practices can elevate your lead...

Adam Goodman leads with self-awareness and a commitment to growth, creating a culture rooted in trust and honest dialogue. In this episode, he joins Lee to discuss generational leadership, recognizing untapped career potential, and confronting systemic racism in the workplace. With impact stretching from Phoenix to Albuquerque, Adam's leadership journey offers powerful lessons for anyone seeking t...

Lisa Sterling, Chief People Officer at Perceptyx, joins Lee to share her bold approach to leadership and her passion for using AI to drive transformation.  In this episode, Lisa explores the value of embracing workplace friction, the impact of diverse teams, and how intelligent nudging can spark meaningful behavior change. She also unpacks how AI can elevate human creativity and connection at work...

Andrea Herron is a bold, innovative leader who challenges the status quo to put people first. In this episode, she joins Lee to discuss the critical role of mental health in the workplace. Andrea shares how leaders can break the stigma around mental illness, foster flexibility, and create supportive environments where everyone can thrive. With practical strategies and thoughtful insights, this con...

James Christensen, CEO and President of Gateway Bank, joins Lee to share his unconventional journey into banking and how he's reshaping the industry with a fresh, people-first approach. In this episode, James talks about building a non-traditional bank rooted in creativity, openness, and bold visioning. He also opens up about his experience with burnout and the crucial lessons he learned about bou...

Jen Arnold, CEO of Growth Signals, joins Lee to explore how leaders can foster well-being and trust in the workplace. Drawing from her expertise and Gallup's five dimensions of well-being, Jen shares actionable strategies for creating a thriving, people-centered culture. With a focus on leadership's direct impact on team health and performance, this conversation offers practical tools and fresh in...

John Crowder, Vice President of the Healthcare Vertical at Integrity Solutions, brings decades of experience working with top organizations to this insightful conversation with Lee. He shares how leaders can shift from listening to respond to truly listening to understand—unlocking deeper insights, stronger relationships, and better outcomes. John also highlights the power of empathetic, consultat...

In this episode, Lee unpacks the Six Fundamental Human Needs—certainty, variety, significance, connection, growth, and contribution—and how they shape our motivations and behaviors. He explores how understanding these core drivers can help leaders communicate more effectively, build stronger relationships, and inspire lasting engagement. With practical applications for leadership, coaching, and pe...

Angelo Venditti, SVP at AMN Healthcare, is passionate about creating a work culture that brings joy to caregivers and leaders alike. From implementing a four-day work week to promoting innovative support strategies, Angelo focuses on helping his team thrive. In this episode, he joins Lee Scott to discuss evolving labor market trends, how leaders can adapt, and the importance of showing up with emp...

Jen Bauer, SVP of Marketing and Culture at Miron Construction, joins Lee to share her people-first approach to building a thriving workplace. With a deep passion for culture, Jen explores how embracing mistakes, valuing fresh perspectives from interns, and investing in early talent development can drive innovation and growth. She also unpacks the challenges of attracting and retaining top talent i...

In this episode, Lee is joined by Michelle Mahaffey, EVP and Chief HR Officer at Community Health Network in Indianapolis. Michelle shares powerful insights on breaking the stigma around mental health and why it's essential for caregivers to also receive care. They explore the importance of accepting support, normalizing the need for help, and finding fulfillment through connection. The conversati...

In this episode, Lee sits down with Jason Lippert to discuss the power of leadership action plans and personal development in driving organizational success. Jason shares the story of his company's cultural transformation, rooted in clearly defined core values and frontline leadership development. They explore how meaningful conversations and intentional investment in people can elevate engagement...

On our first episode of The Unleashing Leaders podcast, host Lee Scott is joined by Angela Marshalek, the Director of Training and Organizational Development for Bassett Mechanical.  Angela shares her insights on style under stress and self-awareness, emphasizing the importance of identifying our triggers and managing our responses. Angela proposes mindfulness and resilience as a way to deal with...

Leaders - are your teams wrestling with complex challenges? You are not alone. The Unleashing Leaders Podcast will empower you with stories and strategies from leaders facing similar situations. Host Lee Scott, Founder and Chief Change Agent of Unleashing Leaders works with guests across industries to distill patterns and solutions for these challenges. Each episode provides practical steps to str...