In The Lead

Daniel and Jordan Rife are musicians. They lead worship, a task that includes everything from strong leadership skills to song writing to musicianship and performance. Every week they put together a new set list with a new band, pumping out creative ideas one after another. In our first conversation on creativity, we're asking them, "how do you do it!?!" You will gain valuable notes on topics such as protecting creative space and developing creative muscle. All this builds the personal foundation for next weeks conversation on leadership skills such as innovation, adaptability and ingenuity.

This second half of our discussion with Dr. Brian Fry covers key communication topics such as being direct, personalizing encouragement, normalizing feedback and fostering virtues. Fry challenges us to "back up into" the character strengths we desire by practicing them. He also shares the power of being direct, saying "this is what I want" or "this is what I am hoping for" in order to create clarity in the team. After all, can we ever be too clear?

Explore the power of presence and vulnerability in leadership communication with Dr. Brian Fry on this episode of In The Lead Podcast. Host Nathan Metz explores strategies for seeking honest feedback and leading with authenticity. Discover why character and intention matter as much as technique, and walk away with actionable questions and insights to transform how you connect, listen, and lead. This episode offers real-world wisdom for building trust and fostering genuine connection.

In this episode of the In The Lead podcast, we unveil the power of passionate leadership with Leslie Hendricks Holt, Executive Director of CASA. Leslie shares how advocating for children in the court system has transformed her life and shaped her leadership style. Listeners will learn about CASA’s mission, the impact of community volunteers, and the importance of leading by example—getting “in the trench” with your team. We also hear wisdom from Cleo Banks, who reminds us that even through hardship, there is always something good to be found.

This episode of In The Lead Podcast explores passion as a vital character strength in leadership. Leslie Hendricks Holt, Executive Director of CASA, shares how her life experiences shaped her leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, investing in people, and seeing the big picture. Social worker Murray Shimmer reflects on his decades-long career helping others, highlighting how connection combats victimhood. Together, they unpack how passion grows from overcoming challenges and fostering meaningful relationships.

We're back with part two of our conversation with the IWU Men's Basketball Coaching staff. In this episode, discover how personal humility translates into effective team leadership, and why it's a strength rather than a weakness. The coaches share inspiring examples of how empowering others and letting go of control can lead to unprecedented success. Learn practical steps to cultivate humility in your leadership style, from empowering team members to serving those who challenge you. This episode offers valuable insights for leaders seeking to create a culture of collaboration, innovation, and shared success. Don't miss this game-changing conversation on transforming your leadership approach. Special guest Helen Cimoch from Addison Pointe closes with some "Words of Wisdom".

This episode explores the power of humility, featuring insights from Indiana Wesleyan University's highly successful basketball program. Led by Coach Greg Tonagel, the team has achieved remarkable success with humility as a core value. The coaches discuss their definition of humility, emphasizing it's not thinking less of oneself, but thinking of others more. They explore how humility is revealed under pressure, its role in team dynamics, and how it's celebrated within their program. The episode highlights the "I Am Third" philosophy (God first, others second, self third) and provides examples of how this approach has positively impacted players' performances and lives beyond basketball.

In Part 2 of this month on Risk, host Nathan Metz speaks with Jean Ross, Founder and CEO of Primary Record, about applying the concepts of personal risk (bravery vs. recklessness and worthiness) to leadership. They explore the importance of creating a safe culture for risk-taking, balancing risk-taking leaders with other personality types on a team, and understanding the strengths of both "dreamers" and "calculators." The episode also features a "Words of Wisdom" segment with Phil McIntire, who shares a personal story of taking a significant business risk to save his family's company. The episode concludes with practical questions for listeners and book recommendations from Jean.

In this episode of "In the Lead," host Nathan Metz interviews Jean Ross, founder and CEO of Primary Record, exploring the theme of risk. Jean shares her journey from healthcare professional to innovative entrepreneur, highlighting her experiences in caregiving and her decision to start her own business. The conversation delves into Jean's perspective on risk-taking, the importance of embracing failure, and the concept of "worthy" risks. Jean's insights on balancing personal life with entrepreneurial ambitions and her approach to reinvention provide valuable lessons for leaders. The episode concludes with practical questions for listeners to reflect on their own relationship with risk and failure in their professional lives.

In this episode of "In the Lead," host Nathan Metz continues his conversation with Ryan Ott, President of TLC Management, focusing on clarity in leadership. They discuss the importance of self-awareness, synthesizing past and present leadership styles, and the value of empowering others. Ryan shares personal experiences that highlight the significance of seeking input and giving permission rather than imposing ideas. The episode concludes with insights from Leslie, emphasizing the ongoing journey of self-discovery and offering thought-provoking questions for developing personal clarity.  

Leadership Lessons

1. A clear leader synthesizes with what's already in place
2. Clear leaders value permission over control
3. Personal clarity allows space for others' strengths  

Notable Quotes

1. "Our business is here for people. People are not here for our business."
2. “Don't allow the perfect direction prevent you from taking them in a good direction”
3. "I'll take the high character, the well-rounded, the emotionally intelligent, the self-aware individual over the MBA or doctorate or any degree."
4. "Too many times when we come into positions, we don't take the time to understand the identity and the mission and what has been done good and pull out that good of the organization or that position before we just point out the deficits."  

Research Mentioned

1. Cornell University study: "What Predicts Executive Success" found that high self-awareness was the strongest predictor of overall success.
2. The Potential Project research: Self-awareness has a more positive impact on leadership than an MBA.
3. Harvard Business Review: Leaders who communicate with clarity nearly double their trustworthiness.  

Book Recommendation

• "The Seven Primal Questions" - A book that unpacks questions motivating our behaviors and helps define identity.  

Practical Questions

1. What's something great your predecessor did that you admire?
2. Where might loosening control actually lead to success?