In this comfyHQ episode, we’re answering two questions that hit close to home for many leaders:

1. How can I make space for learning when my calendar is packed?
2. How can I balance being a high performer with leading others effectively?

Kate challenges the idea that these are opposing demands—and offers practical ways to rethink your time, your role, and your definition of high performance. From the 70-20-10 model of learning to a simple strengths-based audit, this episode offers clear, compassionate strategies to help you lead with more intention and less overwhelm.

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Continue to be curious: A conversation about lifelong learning.

In this special episode of the comfy chairs, Kate sits down with someone who shaped her own learning journey—her mother.

With nearly three decades of experience leading a church education program, Kate’s mom brings a rich perspective to this conversation about growth, vocation, and the quiet power of community. Together, they reflect on how curiosity, empathy, and endurance show up in leadership—and why learning is always, at its core, relational. If you’ve ever wondered how our personal lives shape our professional selves (and vice versa), this one is worth a listen.

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Balancing empathy and authority. Modeling accountability without harshness. These are questions that come up often in leadership conversations—and they point to something deeper: mindset.

In this episode, I’m exploring the relationship between power and empathy, the process of accountability as a shared practice, and how small shifts in mindset can shape the way leaders show up every day. This is an episode about reflection, relationships, and the quiet choices that make leadership work.

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Beyond the obvious: A conversation about questions.

In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate talks with leadership development consultant Amber Johnson, PhD, about the power of questions in leadership and everyday conversations. Amber shares how the best leaders don’t just have answers—they ask better questions. From sparking “uncommon insight” to building emotional safety, they explore how questions shift dynamics, foster deeper connection, and strengthen teams. Amber also offers practical examples, like her list of 50 alternatives to "How are you?"—designed to make conversations more human, more helpful, and more honest.

• Connect with Amber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberajohnson/
• Learn more about her business: http://amberajohnson.com/
• Subscribe to her Substack: https://amberajohnson.substack.com/
• The specific article I promised to link to that addresses the RUTS model: What conversation are you ignoring?
• Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberandersonjohnson/

Additional resources mentioned during our conversation:

• Change Your Questions, Change Your Life, by Marilee Adams

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

These notes contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org, a site dedicated to supporting independent bookstores. As an affiliate, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

In this comfyHQ episode of the comfy chairs, we’re talking about what it really takes to build strong, adaptable teams—starting with two foundational leadership questions:

• How do I foster a culture of continuous learning?
• How do I develop resilience and mental toughness as a leader?

We explore the mindsets, habits, and frameworks that help leaders grow alongside their teams—and show up with steadiness, curiosity, and compassion, even when things feel uncertain. If you’re leading in the middle of change or helping others stretch into something new, this one’s for you.

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📚Books mentioned in today’s episode:

• Soundtracks by Jon Acuff
• Managing Change with Personal Resilience by Linda Hoopes and Mark Kelly

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

These notes contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org, a site dedicated to supporting independent bookstores. As an affiliate, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Experiment with me: A conversation about human-centric teams.

What does it mean to lead in a truly human-centric way—and what gets in our way when we try?

In this episode, Kate is joined by Rachel Anderson, owner of Pivot Studies, a fractional CMO, and leadership coach who invites us to experiment with a different kind of leadership—one rooted in curiosity, courage, and care. Together, they unpack the tension leaders often feel between meeting organizational goals and tending to the well-being of their people.

Rachel shares her definition of human-centric leadership: prioritizing the growth and development of individuals while still delivering results. She offers pragmatic examples, from crafting meaningful team values to rethinking the way we structure time off. Kate and Rachel explore why self-awareness is the bedrock of leadership, why metrics need human interpretation, and why small, people-first decisions ripple outward in powerful ways.

If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s room for kindness in strategic planning—or how to create a team culture that says “I’ve got you”—this episode is for you.

Listen in and explore:

• How to define team values that support a human-centric culture
• Why retaining talent is more profitable (and more human) than replacing it
• What it means to experiment with leadership practices, even when you’re unsure of the outcome

• Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn.
• Join the waitlist for Rachel's book, The Human-Centric Leadership Manual
• Learn more about Pivot Studios

Additional resources mentioned during our conversation:

• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
• Together Is Better by Simon Sinek
• Gottman Institute
• Listen again: season 2, episode 5, That person you can go to.

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

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https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

These notes contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org, a site dedicated to supporting independent bookstores. As an affiliate, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

In this comfyHQ episode, we’re looking at three everyday leadership challenges: when your team over-relies on you, when you don’t have the answers, and how to make it safe for people to ask questions. These moments are common—and fixable. We explore practical ways to shift patterns, build trust, and lead with clarity, even in uncertainty.

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Connect to perform: A conversation about developing leadership teams.

What makes a leadership team truly great? In this episode, I sit down with James Madison, CEO of On Purpose Life, to explore the traits that elevate leadership teams—starting with purpose, alignment, and trust. From personal vision statements to the power of humility and relational health, this conversation is a masterclass in intentional leadership.

Listen in, reflect on your leadership team's energy, and ask yourself: are you leading on purpose?

• Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesfmadison/
• Learn more about his business: https://www.onpurpose-life.com/

Here are links to explore the books and other resources we mentioned:

• 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan
• The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
• Watch this short video to learn about Lencioni’s concept of “Team #1.”
• I goofed and called this model “Anderson” when it’s really Tuckman’s Stages of Group Development.
• The Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model
• And definitely look into this under-rated TV show: Sports Night

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

www.one23ltd.com

https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

These notes contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org, a site dedicated to supporting independent bookstores. As an affiliate, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

We hear it all the time: “Managers manage, leaders lead.” But is that really true? In this episode of comfyHQ, I explore the distinction between leadership and management—why we tend to separate them, why that might be a mistake, and what actually matters when it comes to guiding people and work.

We also tackle two other big topics: workplace language and feedback. Some leadership buzzwords—like mission, vision, and strategy—get thrown around constantly, but do we all mean the same thing when we use them? And when it comes to feedback—especially the kind we don’t want to hear—how can we handle it in a way that actually helps us grow?

It’s all about clarity—whether in leadership, language, or learning from feedback.

These shorter episodes are designed to spark reflection and build your leadership toolkit. Have a question for comfyHQ? Share it with us here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

The 25 problems myth: A conversation about problem-solving.

In this episode of the comfy chairs, I sit down with Jamie Flinchbaugh to unpack the complexities of leadership problem-solving. We challenge the conventional “bring me solutions” mindset, exploring why real leadership requires both structure and imagination. Jamie shares insights on the power of coaching, the necessity of sponsorship, and why problem-solving is less about quick fixes and more about an ongoing, intentional practice.

Connect with Jamie and learn more about his business:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieflinchbaugh/
• https://www.jflinch.com

Find his book here: People Solve Problems

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

www.one23ltd.com

https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

These notes contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org, a site dedicated to supporting independent bookstores. As an affiliate, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.