Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

They can't meet an expectation you've never made clear. Michael D. Morrison discovered that lesson the hard way after entering a business partnership without first defining the values, boundaries, and expectations that mattered most to him. What followed became a painful, years-long experience that affected employees, clients, and vendors—and fundamentally changed how he thinks about leadership.

You'll hear why Michael believes so many workplace frustrations begin with assumptions rather than bad intentions, and how something as simple as a messy desk can expose a much bigger leadership problem. He also shares why asking for help is especially difficult for leaders, how clear boundaries create freedom rather than restriction, and why taking intentional action often means stopping long enough to fix what's actually broken.

Michael is a business coach, speaker, author, entrepreneur, and host of the globally ranked Top 10% podcast Small Business Pivots. An entrepreneur for nearly three decades, Michael has spent more than half that time helping business owners find clarity, overcome obstacles, and build businesses that create greater freedom, purpose, and lasting success.

Today, he works with entrepreneurs who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about their next step, helping them break through limitations, unlock new possibilities, and build businesses that don't depend entirely on them. Whether he's coaching one-on-one, speaking from the stage, or interviewing successful entrepreneurs, Michael's mission is to be a voice of hope and encouragement, inspiring others to become more than they currently believe is possible.

 You'll discover

• Why your unspoken expectations create unnecessary frustration 
• How clear boundaries prevent conflict before it starts 
• What asking for help requires from you 
• Why slowing down can help you move faster 
• How intentional action gets you beyond the status quo

Connect with Michael Morrison on Social Media

LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/

YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc 

Websites 

Michael D. Morrison  https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/ 

Small Business Blog  https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/articles 

Podcast 

Small Business Pivots  https://smallbusinesspivots.buzzsprout.com/share 

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Great leaders know how to turn the temperature down when everyone else is turning it up. Roxanne Petraeus discovered that early as a U.S. Army officer, watching the leaders she most admired become calmer as situations grew more stressful. Today, as CEO of Ethena, she draws on those lessons to lead through uncertainty, develop other leaders, and create an environment where people can think clearly instead of reacting from fear. 

You'll hear how Roxanne responded when COVID derailed a critical fundraising effort, why she believes bad news should never be sugarcoated, and what being one of very few women in both the Army and venture capital taught her about confidence and authenticity. She also explains why your most important work as a leader may be the conversations that produce nothing tangible, how your behavior signals what you'll tolerate, and why learning something new in public—including AI—may be one of the most powerful ways to lead. 

Roxanne is the co-founder and CEO of Ethena, a compliance training company trusted by more than 2,000 organizations, including Pinterest, Zendesk, Notion, and Figma. A U.S. Army veteran, Roxanne served as an engineer officer in Afghanistan and later as a Civil Affairs officer supporting Special Operations. She went on to become a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford and worked at McKinsey before co-founding Ethena.  

Since launching Ethena in 2019, Roxanne has raised $50 million in venture capital while building a company focused on taking workplace compliance beyond simply checking the box. Throughout her career, she has maintained a deep interest in learning about and practicing effective leadership.  

You'll discover

• How your calmness changes others under pressure 
• Why transparency builds trust during uncertainty 
• What helps you lead without being the expert 
• How your behavior signals what you'll tolerate 
• Why learning publicly gives others courage

 Connect with Roxanne Petraeus on Social Media

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxanne-bras-petraeus-2292b8109/ 

 Website 

Ethena https://www.goethena.com/

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Your values become real when you're willing to pay a price for them. Shalini Rajoo believes the real test of leadership isn't what you say you value, but what you're willing to risk when those values collide with pressure, expectations, and organizational rewards. Drawing on more than two decades across law, ethics and compliance, organizational culture, and leadership, she reveals why the gap between what leaders say and what they do teaches people far more than any values statement ever could. 

You'll hear what happened when Shalini chose honesty over winning a coveted recognition for her organization—and wondered whether that decision might cost her role. You'll also discover why leaders underestimate the ripple effect of their behavior, how clarity about who you are strengthens courage, and why developing people requires something very different from managing resources. Ultimately, you're invited to consider a bigger question: What will remain because you led? 

Shalini’s career began in South Africa, where she served as a prosecutor and later held leadership roles in government. She went on to practice law in New York and hold a senior leadership position at a Fortune 500 company. Today, Shalini is the founder of Shalini Rajoo Advisory. She helps executives and leadership teams identify where leadership behavior, team dynamics, and organizational systems have fallen out of alignment—and build organizations that hold together under pressure.  

You'll discover

• Why your values matter most when they cost you 
• How your behavior teaches others what leadership means 
• What fear keeps you from being transparent 
• Why managing resources isn't developing people 
• What your leadership will leave behind

Connect with Shalini Rajoo on Social Media

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalinirajoo/

Website 

Shalini Rajoo https://www.shalinirajoo.com/ 

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What would you do if you didn’t wait for confidence first? John Mollura knows what it's like to appear highly successful while privately questioning whether you're good enough. During 15 years supporting NASA and elite U.S. military units, perfectionism became his protection against being exposed—and eventually taught him that waiting until you're completely ready can come with serious costs.

 You'll hear how to separate the data from the drama your mind creates, regain clarity when everything feels important, and stop allowing fear to dictate your next move. John shares practical frameworks for responding instead of reacting, recovering quickly from mistakes, and taking action before confidence arrives. Because confidence isn't what allows you to act. It's what you build when you act bravely despite the fear.

 John is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, and author of the upcoming book Let It Fly: Stop Overthinking. Take Action. Live with Confidence. He helps capable leaders stop overthinking, cut through mental noise, and take the next right action before they feel fully ready. He has coached over 400 high-performing professionals and delivered keynotes across the U.S. and internationally. His message is simple: overwhelm is not a sign you are incapable. It’s usually a sign that too many things feel important at the same time. Clarity comes first. Confidence follows action. 

 You'll Discover:

• Why perfectionism may be protecting you from judgment
• How overwhelm weakens your ability to make decisions
• What separates useful data from destructive drama
• How you can reset quickly after mistakes
• Why action and bravery build your confidence

Connect with John Mollura on Social Media

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mollura

 Website 

John Mollura  https://johnmollura.com

Free Navigators Masterclass  https://johnmollura.com/freestuff

Book

Let It Fly: Stop Overthinking. Take Action. Live with Confidence

https://johnmollura.com/let-it-fly-book 

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What if one conversation could change your career—but fifty could change your life? Dr. Elizabeth Fried explains why building meaningful relationships isn't about collecting contacts; it's about investing in what she calls relationship capital. Whether you're changing careers, seeking greater visibility, or simply wanting stronger professional relationships, you'll discover a practical approach that replaces awkward networking with genuine curiosity and service. 

Elizabeth shares unforgettable stories from coaching Navy SEALs and other Special Operations personnel as they transition into civilian careers, along with examples of helping corporate leaders become more influential inside their organizations. You'll discover how to recognize your own hidden strengths, evaluate organizational culture before making a move, and create lasting relationships by focusing on others rather than yourself.  

You'll Discover

• Why relationship capital outlasts networking
• How fifty conversations build confidence
• What hidden strengths you may overlook
• Why culture matters before accepting opportunities
• How curiosity creates stronger relationships

Connect with Dr. Fried Social Media

LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfried/

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.fried

YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/user/nefried

Website 

Elizabeth Fried  Https://executivecoachingfirms.com

 Book

Strategic Networking: A Practical Playbook

https://a.co/d/04poLVnk

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Have you ever been successful at work but felt like something was missing? You may have been doing work you were capable of—but not the work you were built to do. That disconnect affects not only your own fulfillment but also the people you lead. 

Leadership coach Greg Harrod explains why self-awareness is the foundation of great leadership and how understanding the unique ways people contribute can transform teams. Through his personal stories and practical examples, you'll discover why extending grace, valuing differences, and placing people where they naturally thrive leads to stronger relationships, greater productivity, and healthier organizations. 

Greg is a business coach who helps leaders identify where clarity is breaking down so they can stop carrying work their teams should own and build a team they're proud to lead. He brings more than 30 years of manufacturing experience to his coaching. Outside of coaching, Greg and his wife Kiersten raise a small flock of sheep in southeastern Kansas. 

You'll Discover

• Why self-awareness changes how you lead. 
• How pressure causes leaders to reclaim work. 
• What work naturally energizes you. 
• Why understanding replaces judgment. 
• How different strengths strengthen every team.

Connect with Greg Harrod on Social Media

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-harrod/ 

Website 

Leadership Clarity Scorecard https://gregharrod.com/leadershipclarityscorecard/ 

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How much does misalignment really cost? Most people think about missed goals or lost revenue. Anthony "AJ" Vaughan challenges you to look deeper and consider the human cost when leaders fail to communicate, listen, and create environments where people feel safe speaking up. 

Through stories from his own successes and painful failures, AJ explains why alignment begins long before strategy meetings. You'll discover how honest communication, thoughtful onboarding, rewarding courage, and putting employees first can transform the way people work together. By the end of this episode, you'll likely find yourself looking differently at your own team—and asking where better communication could prevent tomorrow's biggest problems. 

AJ is a partnerships and growth leader, an HR tech strategist, and founder of The E1B2 Collective, built on the belief that when organizations put employees first, stronger business outcomes follow. He works across three areas—leadership behavior, employee experience, and business performance— to help companies close the gap between what they say matters and how their teams actually operate. AJ is also the host of The Business of Alignment podcast, where he has led more than 1,000 conversations with HR and business leaders around trust, clarity, alignment, and what it really takes to build healthy organizations. 

You'll discover

• Why misalignment hurts people before profits 
• How one ignored conversation changed AJ's career 
• What great onboarding really accomplishes 
• Why rewarding courage changes culture 
• How honest communication prevents costly mistakes

Connect with Anthony (AJ) Vaughan on Social Media

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-vaughan-8ba8a8172/ 

Website 

The E1B2 Collective https://thee1b2collective.com/ 

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What kind of experience do other people have when they work with you? It's a simple question—and one that can transform the way you lead. 

In this conversation, executive coach and bestselling author Brenda Bence shares lessons from coaching CEOs around the world, along with pivotal moments from her own leadership journey. Through unforgettable stories and practical examples, she explains why great leaders build people before they build businesses, why curiosity and listening matter more than having all the answers, and why the best leaders continually examine the impact they have on others. 

Whether you lead an organization, a team, or simply want to become a better colleague, Brenda offers wisdom that will challenge you to think differently about the kind of leader you're becoming. 

Brenda Bence is recognized by Thinkers50 as a Coaching Legend and is ranked by Global Gurus as one of the world's top three executive coaches. She is a Hall of Fame professional speaker and the award-winning author of 12 books, including her latest, Would YOU Want to Work for YOU™? 

Known as the "Billion Dollar Coach," Brenda has coached dozens of C-Suite executives from many of the world's largest and most recognized corporations. Her passion lies at the intersection of leadership and branding, helping leaders build both the organizations they lead and the individual leadership brands they leave behind. Through Brenda’s coaching, global keynote speeches, and award-winning books, she has inspired and developed hundreds of thousands of leaders around the world.  

You'll Discover

• Why growing people must be part of every business strategy. 
• The mindset shift every leader must make to move from expert to leader. 
• How understanding what motivates each employee dramatically improves engagement and retention. 
• Why middle managers determine whether organizational change succeeds or fails. 
• How listening and curiosity create stronger leaders than certainty and control.

Connect with Brenda Bence 

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendabence

Website 

Brenda Bence https://www.BrendaBence.com

 Books

Would YOU Want to Work for YOU? 

https://www.amazon.com/Would-YOU-Want-Work-Performance/dp/B0H5RDP3N1

Leading YOU 

https://www.amazon.com/Leading-YOU-self-leadership-executive-success/dp/1942718012 

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What if one of the most important leadership skills isn't speaking more clearly, making faster decisions, or solving problems more quickly—but simply being fully present?

In this thoughtful conversation, psychologist and coach Dr. Pam Garcy shares practical ways to quiet the mental stories that pull us away from the people and moments that matter most. Drawing from her book The Present Coach, Pam explains why returning to the present is a practice, not a destination, and how slowing down allows us to respond with greater wisdom, calmness, and compassion.  

Together we explore what happens in our minds and bodies when we're under pressure, why our presence influences everyone around us, and how simple daily practices can help us become steadier leaders, partners, parents, and friends. Along the way, Pam shares moving personal stories and practical techniques you can begin using immediately—including one surprisingly simple exercise that may forever change the way you drink your morning coffee.  

Dr. Pam Garcy, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, coach, author, and teacher with over two decades of experience supporting individuals and professionals in meaningful personal change. Her work integrates psychological depth, presence-based practices, and practical tools for emotional regulation, self-leadership, and sustainable growth—an integration that forms the foundation of The Present Coach. 

You'll discover

• Why returning matters more than perfection 
• Practical ways to regain calm under pressure 
• How stories quietly shape your reactions 
• Why your presence influences everyone around you 
• Simple daily practices that build lasting awareness

Connect with Pam Garcy, PhD on Social Media

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-d-garcy-ph-d-5507439/ 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrPamGarcy/

Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/drpamgarcyprosperity

Website 

My Inner Guide https://www.myinnerguide.com/

Books

The Present Coach: Your Companion Guide to Traversing Life with Clients
https://www.amazon.com/Present-Coach-Companion-Traversing-Clients/dp/1600252303 

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Most organizations can describe their values. The real challenge is helping people live them when pressure, habits, and competing priorities get in the way. 

In this thought-provoking conversation, Stephen Paskoff explains why changing behavior—not simply communicating expectations—is the true work of leadership. Drawing on four decades of experience helping organizations create respectful, accountable workplaces, Steve shares unforgettable stories that reveal how managers shape culture, why habits matter more than policies, and what it really takes to influence behavior over time. 

You'll hear the remarkable healthcare stories that transformed Steve's thinking, the leadership lesson he learned as a teenager selling shoes, and a simple exercise that will forever change how you think about leading people. Whether you're responsible for one employee or thousands, this episode will challenge you to move beyond values statements and begin creating the daily behaviors that define exceptional cultures. 

Stephen is the founder and Chair of Employment Learning Innovations, Inc. (ELI), a learning and human capital consulting company. ELI works with public and private organizations to build lawful, productive workplaces that maximize results and reduce compliance and other risks. He is a nationally recognized speaker and author on workplace legal issues. Before founding ELI in 1986, Stephen was an EEOC trial attorney and partner in a management law firm. He is the author of two books, Teaching Big Shots to Behave and Other Human Resource Challenges and Civility Rules! A New Business Approach for Boosting Results and Cutting Risks.  

You'll discover

• Why values alone don't change behavior 
• How leaders build lasting workplace habits 
• What managers communicate without realizing it 
• Why respect drives better business results 
• How everyday actions shape organizational culture 

Connect with Stephen Paskoff on Social Media

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliinc  

Website 

Employment Learning Innovations https://eliinc.com/ 

Books

Civility Rules! A New Business Approach for Boosting Results and Cutting Risks  https://www.amazon.com/CIVILITY-Business-Approach-Boosting-Results/dp/0692601570  

Teaching Big Shots to Behave and Other Human Resource Challenges  https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Shots-Behave-Resources-Challenges/dp/0975895001 

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