Coaching for Leaders

By Dave StachowiakBusiness Careers Management

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Coaching for Leaders episodes

July 21, 2025 741: Getting Better at Transparency, with Minda Harts
Minda Harts: Talk to Me Nice
Minda Harts is a bestselling author, workplace consultant, and sought-after keynote speaker who is redefining what it means to build trust in the workplace. As the bestselling author of The Memo, Right Within, and You Are More Than Magic, Minda has empowered thousands to be their own best advocates and navigate workplace challenges with confidence. She has just released her newest book, Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace.
Sometimes we assume that we’re helping by shielding people from difficult news. But as we all know, virtually everyone wants transparency from leaders. In this conversation, Minda shows us how to get better at it.
Key Points
You’re not helping by shielding people from difficult conversations.
Most everyone assumes baseline behaviors of employees. Employees expect reciprocity through transparency.
We often think about transparency with information that’s known. Just as important is clarity about what’s not known.
Even when you can’t share news, you can put time and resources into what will help people handle a new reality when it arrives.
Transparency provides clear, honest, and timely information.
Promote transparency in roles. A job description is a helpful starting point for this.
Good intentions do not mean good impact. When changes happen, communicate them as quickly as practical.
Resources Mentioned
Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace* by Minda Harts
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
The Path Towards Trusting Relationships, with Edgar Schein and Peter Schein (episode 539)
How to Help Difficult Conversations Go Better, with Sheila Heen (episode 655)
Preparing for a Conversation with Someone You Don’t Trust, with Charles Feltman (episode 708)
Expert Partner
Are you a talent development or human resources leader seeking a coach for an internal client? Coaching for Leaders has partnered with some of the top coaches in the world, including a number of past podcast guests. Help us make an introduction by visiting our Expert Partners Page and telling us what you’re seeking in a coach.
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.
38 min
July 14, 2025450R: The Way to Influence Executives, with Nancy Duarte
Nancy Duarte: DataStory
Nancy Duarte is a communication expert who has been featured in Fortune, Time Magazine, Forbes, Fast Company, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and many others. Her firm, Duarte, Inc., is the global leader behind some of the most influential visual messages in business and culture.
Nancy has written many best-selling books, including Slide:ology, Resonate, and Illuminate. She is the author of the new book DataStory: Explain Data and Inspire Action Through Story*.
In this conversation, Nancy and I discuss the realities of executive life, how executives are measured, and why you should expect to be grilled when briefing them. With intentional preparation, you’ll be prepared to more successfully influence executives both inside the organization — and with your customers.
Key Points
“The higher their level of authority, the more structured and brief your approach should be.” -Nancy Duarte
Time is an essential asset for executives. Appreciating how much they work to maximize efficiency can help you align better with their world.
Craft a recommendation that’s brief and easily skimmable. Leave time for questions and expect to be grilled.
Executives are measured on money (revenue/profit and costs), market (market share and time to market), and exposure (retention and risk).
Know how executives plan to consume information. Tailor your message and medium to align with these preferences.
Resources Mentioned
DataStory: Explain Data and Inspire Action Through Story* by Nancy Duarte
Duarte DataStory
Interview Notes
Download my highlights from DataStory in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
Success on Presentation Day, with David Sparks (episode 159)
Ignite Change Through Storytelling, with Nancy Duarte and Patti Sanchez(episode 268)
Executive Presence with Your Elevator Speech, with Tom Henschel (episode 316)
Get Your Emails Read (Dave’s Journal)
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.
41 min
July 07, 2025610R: How to Help Team Members Find the Right Work, with Patrick Lencioni
Patrick Lencioni: The 6 Types of Working Genius
Patrick Lencioni is founder and president of The Table Group, a firm dedicated to protecting human dignity in the world of work, personal development, and faith. Pat is the author of twelve best-selling books with over seven million copies sold. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team remains a national best-seller and he’s also the author of The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team.
Many of us have heard the invitation from Jim Collin’s book _Good to Great_ to get the right people on the bus. But once the right people are on the bus, how to do you find the right seat for each person? On this episode, Pat and I discuss how to utilize the Working Genius model to find the right work for the right team members.
Key Points
When addressing burnout, the type of work someone does is more significant than the volume of work.
Three stages of work are present for almost every team: ideation, activation, and implementation.
A cup of coffee in an excellent thermos can stay hot an entire day — that’s true of us when we’re aligned with our working geniuses.
Finding the right work for a team member is far easier than finding the right person culturally. Before you look elsewhere, be sure they are in the right seat.
To fill gaps in your team’s geniuses, you can hire, borrow, or find people where competence will suffice for now. Resist the temptation to immediately jump to hiring.
Resources Mentioned
The 6 Types of Working Genius assessment
The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team by Patrick Lencioni
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
How to Get the Ideal Team Player, with Patrick Lencioni (episode 301)
How to Lead an Offsite, with Tom Henschel (episode 377)
The Mindset Leaders Need to Address Burnout, with Christina Maslach(episode 609)
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.
At an inflection point? Request an invitation to apply for the Coaching for Leaders Academy in September.
40 min
June 30, 2025 740: How to Lead Organizational Change, with Michael Bungay Stanier
Michael Bungay Stanier: Change Signal
Michael Bungay Stanier is best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century and recognized as a classic. He was a Rhodes Scholar, and was recently awarded the coaching prize by Thinkers50. He's now the host of the new Change Signal podcast.
If you’re doing change right, it’s going to be messy. In this conversation, Michael Bungay Stanier returns to show us where to start, the key mindsets to have, and the first steps for getting traction.
Key Points
If you’re doing change right, it’s going to be messy.
Before you remove a fence, figure out why it’s there.
Take inspiration from Emily Dickinson: “Tell all the truth but tell it slant.”
Beware giving lip service to the emotional realities of change and then moving forward without really addressing them.
Strategy is a living conversation. Run experiments. Fire bullets before cannonballs.
Motivation is a critical factor in change. Better to be less efficient and have people with you than to force compliance with a “perfect” plan.
Emily Dickinson:
Tell all the truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —
Resources Mentioned
Change Signal podcast hosted by Michael Bungay Stanier
The Coaching Habit* by Michael Bungay Stanier
Related Episodes
Engaging People Through Change, with Cassandra Worthy (episode 571)
How to Approach a Reorg, with Claire Hughes Johnson (episode 621)
How to Prevent a Team From Repeating Mistakes, with Robert “Cujo” Teschner (episode 660)
Expert Partner
Are you a talent development or human resources leader seeking a coach for an internal client? Coaching for Leaders has partnered with some of the top coaches in the world, including a number of past podcast guests. Help us make an introduction by visiting our Expert Partners Page and telling us what you’re seeking in a coach.
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.
40 min
June 23, 2025 739: What Leaders Should Learn from Taylor Swift, with Kevin Evers
Kevin Evers: There’s Nothing Like This
Kevin Evers is a Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review. Passionate about shaping groundbreaking research and amplifying pioneering ideas, he has edited bestselling and award-winning books on high performance, creativity, innovation, digital disruption, marketing, and strategy. He is the author of There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift*.
You may love her music. You may not. You may think she’s a business genius…or perhaps no. But one thing is for sure, you cannot ignore Taylor Swift. In this conversation, Kevin and I explore Swift’s strategic approach and what every leader can learn from her success.
Key Points
Swift knows exactly her “job to be done” and delivers on it consistently.
Swift treats her fans’ emotions and experiences with respect, and they respond in kind.
Andy Grove famously said that only the paranoid survive. It’s one of many traits that helps Swift stay successful.
Swift’s transition to pop was promotion-focused rather than prevention-focused. She led the story of her transformation.
Not only is Swift clear on her vision, but she regularly reflects on the difficult steps to get there.
Swift is a remarkable example of antifragility. Not only does she withstand stress and shocks, but they make her stronger.
Resources Mentioned
There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift* by Kevin Evers
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
Doing Better Than Zero Sum-Thinking, with Renée Mauborgne (episode 641)
The Reason People Make Buying Decisions, with Marcus Collins (episode 664)
How to Keep Improving, with Maurice Ashley (episode 697)
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.
39 min
June 16, 2025 738: How to Partner Well with AI, with Faisal Hoque
Faisal Hoque: Transcend
Faisal Hoque is an award-winning entrepreneur and innovator and founder of SHADOKA and NextChapter. He is a three-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the books: Reinvent, Everything Connects, and Lift. He has just released his newest book: Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI*.
The most compelling use cases for AI aren’t people OR AI – it’s both. Leaders who learn how to partner with AI will almost certainly open doors that many others don’t. In this episode, Faisal and I explore (a few steps on) how to get started.
Key Points
While we think about working with AI as very different than working with people, similar mindsets and skill sets help us with both.
Partnering well with AI means asking better questions and being genuinely interested in the answers.
Experts are limited by their perspective. Beginners are open to possibilities. We should approach AI with a beginner’s mindset.
Using AI well means getting more comfortable with uncertainty. We need to own our ignorance.
Playful discovery helps with our intrinsic motivation to keep going. When using AI, find the fun that keeps you engaged.
This technology will do the logical work far better than any human. To partner well, work to increase your emotional intelligence.
Resources Mentioned
Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI by Faisal Hoque
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
The Way to Be More Self-Aware, with Tasha Eurich (episode 442)
Principles for Using AI at Work, with Ethan Mollick (episode 674)
Becoming an AI-Savvy Leader, with David De Cremer (episode 710)
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.
40 min
June 09, 2025 737: How to Fundraise for Leaders Who Never Wanted to Fundraise, with Alice Ferris
Alice Ferris: GoalBusters
Alice Ferris is the Founding Partner of GoalBusters, a firm working to help small and mighty fundraising teams achieve big impact by planning practical strategies, teaching essential fundraising skills, and doing the hands-on work to turn vision into reality. She has more than 30 years of professional fundraising experience, specializing in strategic and development planning, campaign readiness and development program assessments, board and organizational training, executive leadership coaching, individual giving, and grant proposal evaluation. She’s also a graduate of the Coaching for Leaders Academy.
Fundraising is not a word that sparks joy for most leaders. In fact, many people who do fundraising never planned to have that be part of their career. And yet, almost every leader has an aspect of fundraising in their professional or personal lives. In this conversation, Alice and I explore how to get better at it.
Key Points
Almost every leader is involved with fundraising in some capacity, either personally or professionally.
It’s a myth that fundraising is just asking for money. Most fundraising activities happen outside of the ask.
Consider fundraising goals for must-do activities, maintaining the current state, and aspirational growth.
Most people share health issues with their immediate family and close friends. When your organization is facing headwinds, tell your donors how they can help.
Dedicated attention to fundraising is key for both prioritization and relationship continuity.
Connectors, experts, and closers are all essential roles in the fundraising process. Play to the strengths of both staff and volunteers to fill these roles well.
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Alice on LinkedIn
GoalBusters
Related Episodes
How to Lead Top-Line Growth, with Tim Sanders (episode 299)
How an Executive Aligns with a Board, with Joan Garry (episode 662)
The Reason People Make Buying Decisions, with Marcus Collins (episode 664)
Expert Partner
Beginning a career transition? Feeling stagnant in your current role? Scott Barlow and his team may be able to help as official partners of Coaching for Leaders. To discover more about how his team can support you, get in touch on our expert partners page.
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.
40 min
June 02, 2025 736: How High Performers Land New Business, with Matt Dixon
Matt Dixon: The Activator Advantage
Matt Dixon is Founding Partner of DCM Insights, a global training and advisory firm, and a leading expert in business development and client experience. His first book The Challenger Sale was a #1 Amazon and Wall Street Journal bestseller, and translated in a dozen languages. His newest book with colleagues Rory Channer, Karen Freeman, and Ted McKenna is The Activator Advantage: What Today’s Rainmakers Do Differently*.
At lot of us know the traits of the kind of person who’s successful at attracting new business. What many of us don’t know, is that what’s working today is actually different than what we traditionally think. In this conversation, Matt and I a take a detailed look at the professionals who are landing the most new business – and what they’re doing that works.
Key Points
The loyalty that once existed between professionals and their clients has changed substantially in recent years.
A type of professional called an activator represents the highest performance in business development.
Activators assume their best clients will leave at some point and are consistently working to build a pipeline of opportunities.
Many professionals tend to protect client relationships. In contrast, activators actively bring colleagues into these relationships.
Activators don’t wait for inquiries. They make opportunities happen by building relationships before paid work begins.
Activators go way past birthdays and factual knowledge about others. They discover what’s important to their clients as individuals.
Activators go way past “as is” content and work hard to thoughtfully connect it to a prospect or client’s situation.
Resources Mentioned
The Activator Advantage: What Today’s Rainmakers Do Differently* by Matt Dixon, Rory Channer, Karen Freeman, and Ted McKenna
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
The Surprising Truth About Influencing Others, with Daniel Pink (episode 84)
How to Become the Person You Want to Be, with James Clear (episode 376)
The Way to Earn Attention, with Raja Rajamannar (episode 521)
Expert Partner
Finding it hard to make an impression in a noisy marketplace? Many listeners have reached out to David Hutchens to help their organizations get traction through the power of story. If you’re planning an offsite or training to get better, get in touch with us to start the conversation with David or any of our other expert partners.
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.
40 min
May 26, 2025 735: How to Help People Connect at Work, with Wes Adams
Wes Adams: Meaningful Work
Wes Adams is the CEO of SV Consulting Group, a firm partnering with Fortune 500s and scaling companies to develop high-impact leaders and support high-performing teams. He is also a positive psychology researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studies the leadership practices and organizational structures that help employees thrive. He’s the author, along with Tamara Myles, of Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee*.
A generation ago, work was just work for a lot of folks. Today, we expect more out of our careers than past generations ever did. That means leaders need to be better at helping people find meaning at work. In this conversation, Wes and I discuss how leaders can do better at being catalysts for connection.
Key Points
We expect so much more from work than we did a generation ago. Work is increasingly a place where people seek belonging, purpose, and meaning.
Supporting community in the workplace is a combination of building trust and designing shared experiences.
Just like a balanced investment portfolio, community is a combination of diverse avenues that build a strong foundation.
Consider a simple structure for synchronized breaks to help people connect more intentionally during work.
Invite team members to share a story of them at their best or reflect on a photo/story that has meaning for them at the start of team meetings.
When responding to a joy that a colleague shares, ask a follow-up question that engages and elevates.
Higher difficulty (yet strongly meaningful) activities include shared volunteer work and funding or support for community activities.
By occasionally sharing personal plans, stories, reading lists, or other activities, the leader sets the tone for others feeling safe to connect in this way.
Resources Mentioned
Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee* by Wes Adams and Tamara Myles
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
How to Create Meaningful Gatherings, with Priya Parker (episode 395)
The Beliefs of Inspirational Leaders, with Stephen M. R. Covey (episode 707)
The Way to Notice People Better, with Zach Mercurio (episode 733)
Expert Partner
Are you a talent development or human resources leader seeking a coach for an internal client? Coaching for Leaders has partnered with some of the top coaches in the world, including a number of past podcast guests. Help us make an introduction by visiting our Expert Partners Page and telling us what you’re seeking in a coach.
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.
40 min
May 19, 2025 734: The Path to More Joy in Work and Life, with Judith Joseph
Judith Joseph: High Functioning
Judith Joseph is a Columbia-trained psychiatrist and the founder of and chief investigator at Manhattan Behavioral Medicine, New York City’s premier clinical research site. She’s also a clinical assistant professor in child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan, and chairwoman of the Women in Medicine Board at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is the author of High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy*.
When we think about successful leaders, we often admire those who are loving towards others, can tolerate painful times, and know how to delay gratification. Those are all such important traits – and when we overindex on them, can become counter-productive. In this conversation, Judith and I explore when it’s no longer working and how to find the joy again.
Key Points
Many people who are experiencing high-functioning depression don’t realize it.
High-functioning depression is often triggered by trauma. That can be major trauma, but it can also be more common forms of trauma like divorce, workplace conflict, legal issues, and many more.
Anhedonia is one of the most common ways high-functioning depression reveals itself. It looks like not seeking out joyful activities and also not experiencing joy in activities that used to bring joy.
Masochism is the other common way high-functioning depression shows up. It manifests as a pattern of self-defeating, people-pleasing behavior.
The “superpowers” that come with high-functioning depression are viewed by others and society as strengths. However, over-indexing on being loving, tolerating pain, and delayed gratification are counter-productive over time.
Validation is a starting point for healing. Each person is unique and sometimes it’s helpful to begin with movies or other creative works that help you recognize yourself.
Resources Mentioned
High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy* by Judith Joseph
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
What to Do With Your Feelings, with Lori Gottlieb (episode 438)
The Mindset Leaders Need to Address Burnout, with Christina Maslach (episode 608)
Transcend Leadership Struggles Through Your Strengths, with Lisa Cummings (episode 692)
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.
40 min

About Coaching for Leaders

From the publisher's feed

Leaders aren’t born; they’re made. Many leaders reach points in their careers where what worked yesterday doesn’t work today. This Monday show helps leaders thrive at these key inflection points.…