ConvHERsations with Kristie

In this episode of ConvHERsations with Kristie, she’s joined by Nicole Mennicke—Fractional Integrator, Kolbe coach, and speaker—for a powerful conversation on the evolving relationship between first and second in command leaders.

Together, they unpack what Nicole calls the four seasons of the Visionary-Integrator relationship: embracing the suck, building trust, riding high, and enduring the stumble. This episode dives deep into what happens when alignment falters, how to rebuild after a stumble, and why self-awareness and vulnerability are essential to creating a leadership team that works in sync.

Nicole shares practical tools like the “Scale of 1 to Care,” “Levels of Yes,” and the value of starting every same-page meeting with a Head-Heart-Body check-in. They also explore what happens when roles aren’t clearly defined and how to avoid the common pitfall of stepping on each other’s toes.

It’s a candid and refreshing look at the real work it takes to lead together—with humility, trust, and shared purpose.

In this episode of ConvHERsations with Kristie, she sits down with Shannon Johnston, founder of Creating Sisterhood, for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about what it really takes to end the cycle of “mean girl” behavior.

Shannon shares how a painful moment in her daughter Avery’s life sparked the creation of programs designed to help young girls—and their caregivers—navigate friendship struggles, build emotional intelligence, and foster genuine connection. Together, they explore the science behind why exclusion and bullying often begin around age eight, how adults can unintentionally reinforce toxic patterns, and what it looks like to raise girls with the tools to set boundaries, use their voice, and build others up.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing starts at home—and that we all have a role to play in creating kinder, stronger communities for the next generation. Shannon also talks about how EOS helped her bring this movement to life and the importance of leading with both head and heart.

In this powerful episode of ConvHERsations with Kristie, Kristie Clayton is joined by Ginny Haas, Integrator and Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Radcom, to explore a bold new approach to performance improvement—one that’s rooted in accomplishments, not just activity.

Ginny shares how her team is revolutionizing the traditional job description by focusing on measurable outputs and clear expectations instead of vague behaviors or overstuffed task lists. Together, she and Kristie dive into the six boxes of performance thinking, the role of job aids in building consistency, and why great training starts with clarity—not complexity.

This conversation is packed with practical insights for leaders, managers, and integrators looking to create more alignment, reduce turnover, and help their team members love their work. Whether you're onboarding new hires or planning your org chart for growth, Ginny's framework offers a smarter, more supportive way to set people up for success.

In this heartfelt episode of ConvHERsations with Kristie, Kristie Clayton welcomes coach, speaker, and facilitator Kim Boudreaux-Smith for a powerful conversation about owning your voice, silencing imposter syndrome, and showing up as your most authentic self.

Kim shares her deeply personal story of being told to "tone it down" as a young girl, navigating a male-dominated corporate world, and ultimately hitting a breaking point that forced her to reevaluate everything. Through her experiences, she now helps high-achieving women—and a few good men—find their bold voice, speak with confidence, and stop hiding behind inauthentic personas.

Together, Kim and Kristie explore the emotional toll of comparison, the pressure of external expectations, and the internal narratives that hold us back. They offer practical tools for self-awareness, self-talk, and reclaiming your power as a communicator and leader.

If you've ever struggled with feeling "not enough" or exhausted by trying to be who others expect you to be, this episode is a must-watch.

In this episode of ConvHERsations with Kristie, Kristie Clayton sits down with John Glon, founder of Shifted Careers and seasoned HR leader, for a refreshingly honest conversation about career pivots, conscious leadership, and what it takes to build truly healthy teams.

John shares his personal journey from burnout to breakthrough, including how a layoff became the unexpected catalyst for starting his own business. He and Kristie explore how vulnerability, self-awareness, and accountability are key to both individual and organizational growth.

They dig into what it means to lead with intention, how to create psychological safety at work, and why hiring for values—not just skills—is the path to long-term success. If you’ve ever felt misaligned in your role or struggled with tough leadership conversations, this episode is filled with insights to help you shift into something better.

In this episode of ConvHERsations with Kristie, Kristie Clayton sits down with Bill Poole, founder of Convergo, to talk all things sales systems, visionary transitions, and the importance of structure in scaling a business.

Bill shares how his journey from copier sales to sales consulting led him to help businesses implement better sales processes that align with their operating systems—like EOS, Pinnacle, and Scaling Up. Together, he and Kristie unpack the often-overlooked sales gap in business operating systems, and how visionaries can successfully transition out of the sales seat without dropping the ball.

From hiring your first salesperson to building a repeatable sales structure, this conversation is full of practical advice for founders, integrators, and leadership teams. Bill emphasizes the value of having the right message, systems, and people in place—and why structure actually enables creativity and growth.

Whether you're running on EOS or not, if sales feels like a bottleneck in your business, this episode will give you the roadmap (and confidence) to fix it.

In this powerful episode of ConvHERsations with Kristie, host Kristie Clayton is joined by Rachel Lebowitz—EOS Implementer®, author, and coach—to explore the complex and often unspoken dynamics between visionaries and integrators. Rachel draws on her background in codependency recovery to share how traits commonly found in entrepreneurs—like impulsivity, intensity, and addiction to “more”—can create burnout, self-doubt, and enmeshment for the integrators who support them.

They dive deep into why second-in-command leaders often feel overwhelmed, how to break free from the “needless and wantless” mindset, and what it really means to show up empowered. Rachel introduces her framework for integrators to develop “ADD”—Assertiveness, Decisiveness, and Discernment—and shares how to avoid people-pleasing, use imposter syndrome as fuel, and lead with confidence.

This episode is a must-listen for any integrator navigating the push-pull of visionary energy, and for visionaries who want to better support (and be supported by) their second-in-command.

In this heartfelt episode of ConvHERsations with Kristie, Kristie Clayton is joined by Stephanie Day, Fractional COO and founder of The Fractional Leap, for a powerful conversation about identity, leadership, and redefining success—on your own terms.

Stephanie opens up about her journey from project management to fractional leadership, navigating new motherhood, postpartum depression, and the pressure society places on women to “do it all.” Together, Kristie and Stephanie discuss the importance of listening to your own needs, unlearning outdated expectations, and giving yourself permission to pivot—whether in career, family, or lifestyle.

This episode is for every woman who’s ever felt stuck, uncertain, or unseen. It’s a reminder that your timeline is your own, your version of success is valid, and you’re not alone. From embracing the chaos to finding joy in the pivot, Stephanie shares wisdom that will resonate deeply with leaders at every stage of life and career.

In this episode of ConvHERsations with Kristie, host Kristie Clayton sits down with longtime talent optimization expert Melissa Ortiz to talk about what it really means to get the right people in the right seats. Together, they explore how tools like Predictive Index and StrengthsFinder can help leaders understand their team members deeply, develop them intentionally, and create workplaces where everyone can thrive.

From stories of leadership growth to the often-overlooked importance of receiving compliments well, this conversation is packed with insights on employee engagement, development planning, and how to avoid costly people mistakes. Melissa shares how personal reflection, specific feedback, and role clarity can drive retention and performance—and why A players deserve more attention than they usually get.

Whether you're a second-in-command leader, a business owner, or someone passionate about building strong teams, this episode will leave you with practical ways to lead better and bring out the best in others.

In this episode of ConvHERsations, Kristie sits down with sales strategist and community favorite Kate Norton to talk all things sales, service, and second-in-command leadership.

Kate brings a refreshing perspective to the sales world—one rooted in service, not pressure. Together, she and Kristie dive into what it means to sell with purpose, why some salespeople feel out of alignment, and how tools like a Proven Process or Client Experience Map can elevate your sales approach from transactional to transformational.

This episode also explores how Integrators and Sales Leaders can partner effectively, delegate based on strengths, and create playbooks that fuel both creativity and consistency. Whether you’re a founder trying to step out of the sales seat or a salesperson searching for clarity, this conversation is packed with actionable advice (and a few mic-drop moments).

🔥 Key Takeaways:

• Sales should feel like service, not struggle
• The power of visual sales tools like a Proven Process
• How Integrators and sales teams can co-create structure for success
• Why knowing your unique ability (and your energy vampires!) matters