Giving feedback is often seen as a potential source of conflict and so the hope becomes the situation will magically change without intervention. That is rarely the case which is why sharing and receiving is so critical for leaders.

In this episode, Ashley Monk, Founder and CEO of Onya, with her wealth of experience in leadership and building a successful business, provides invaluable insights on how to give feedback effectively. She emphasizes the importance of personal development and self-awareness for leaders, addressing the personal bottlenecks that may hinder growth. Ashley's biggest lesson is that leadership is about influence, not simply barking orders or relying on positional authority.

Tune in to learn from Ashley's journey and gain practical tips on giving feedback, developing self-awareness, and becoming a leader worth following.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

When you’re still an employee, it’s easy to want to be hands-on with everything you do. But you can’t act the same way as a leader. You can set the vision, but you have to trust your team enough to turn it into a reality.

In this episode, Brian Schools, President and CEO of Chartway Credit Union, shares how he’s learned the value of learning to step back, not just to empower his team to become leaders themselves, but to make better business decisions. Along the way, you’ll also be reminded why sometimes the best option isn’t to act, but to take a pause instead.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of The Next Level by Scott Eblin and The Trusted Leader by David Horsager
• Connect with Brian on LinkedIn
• Visit Chartway and the Chartway Promise Foundation
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

When you become a leader of a small company, the team becomes a witness to your growth. That might also mean being with you on days when you aren’t your best. But how you handle moments of frustration at the team goes a long way towards forging the leader you aim to be.

In this episode, Adam Weber, SVP of Community at 15Five and host of the HR Superstars podcast, shares how he overcame the struggles of falling into the leadership role unexpectedly. Listen to learn why landing a leadership position might not actually mean the end of your growth journey, but the beginning of one.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up by Jerry Colona
• Listen to HR Superstars
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

How transparent are you with your team? How about your clients?

In this episode, Travis Brown, the CEO of Mojo Up Marketing + Media, shares how knowing oneself and being comfortable with who you are is essential for effective leadership. Openly acknowledging and taking ownership of mistakes demonstrates authenticity and a commitment to continuous leadership improvement. Listen in as Travis encourages leaders to reflect on their own leadership journeys and consider the role of character and humility in their approach.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of Becoming a Person of Influence: How to Positively Impact the Lives of Others
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Leaders experience challenges you can never truly understand until you’ve sat in that chair yourself. It’s what makes the role so difficult; at the same time, it can unleash your resourcefulness to influence others and do everything you can to enable your business to thrive.

In this episode, Santiago Jaramillo, three-time exited CEO turned Executive Coach, talks about how he’s overcome the challenges of leadership, especially in times when he was unsure of how he was going to deliver on his promises to stakeholders.

Listen in to understand you aren’t alone in your struggles and doubts as a leader, and why it’s okay for you not to have the skills of a one-person team.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up by Jerry Colona
• Visit WithSanti.com
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Delegating is hard when you’ve developed extreme ownership about your role in the company. But it’s one of the essential lessons every leader needs to learn to elevate the team and truly win together.

In this episode, Jess Carter, Vice President of Client Experience & Delivery Operations at Resultant, talks about the whirlwind of change her life went through during COVID that made her flip her leadership style around. Listen in to learn how the path of sustainable leadership is about meeting people where they are and respecting the period they’re in their own process.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of Endurance by Alfred Lansing and the works of Patrick Lencioni
• Take a listen to Jess’s podcast, Data Driven Leadership
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

When Julie Goodman, CEO of Indy Arts Council, reflected on the great leaders she’s had in the past—the ones that have made a lasting effect on her career and life—she realized one thing: They all cultivated great cultures.

In this episode, Julie shares how her early experience leading her marching band taught her the value of team and fostering community and why she’s cultivated those principles ever since. Listen in to hear about the importance of building a positive workplace culture, understanding your responsibilities as a leader, and being in alignment with the work that you do.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
• Visit Indyarts.org
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Sunny Lu Williams, President of TechServ Corporation, saw the toll that leadership can take on you early in her life; her parents were both entrepreneurs. Now, as the leader of her organization, she’s taken those experiences and the lessons they taught her to create a culture that’s sustainable and fits what her employees need.

In this episode, Sunny talks about how her past colors her work ethic and influences how she leads others. Along the way, you’ll learn about the value of documenting what you’ve learned and how experience, not age, is something we should acknowledge more.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of Good to Great by Jim Collins
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

“Leaders are meant to serve. It's not an ego trip. It's how you serve your team.”

When Kyle Lacy, now CMO of Jellyfish, took on his first leadership role, it was all about him and his performance. But over time, he's learned to check his ego at the door and focus on pouring into his people instead to achieve more success than he ever thought possible.

In this episode, Kyle shares his insights on investing in team members' career growth, managing stress, and understanding how to effectively lead and motivate people. Listen in for a deeper understanding of what servant leadership looks like and how to put it into practice.

After You Listen:

• Get your copies of Do Better Work by Max Yoder and How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Being a visible leader isn't the same as being an accessible leader, the latter requires you to put in the time and effort to really get to know your people.

In this episode, we're joined by Simon Kardynal, host of the Trench Leadership Podcast and Contract Manager and Squadron Warrant Officer for the Canadian Department of National Defense. The insights Simon has gained through his military experience can be applied to various leadership roles in any industry. Whether you are a seasoned executive or a new team leader, Simon's story offers valuable insights into the key qualities successful leaders need to develop. Listen in to hear about the impact of building authentic relationships with your team, asking open-ended questions, and regularly checking on your mental state.

After You Listen:

• Learn more about Margaret J. Wheatley and her books
• Take a listen to Simon's Podcast
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations