Lead the People

By Matt Poepsel, PhDBusiness Entrepreneurship Management

Lead the People episodes

December 18, 2025#152: From Chasing Engagement to Unlocking Human Performance (feat. Elena Agaragimova)
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In this episode, Elena Agaragimova explores the evolving relationship between employee engagement and performance. She challenges the idea that traditional engagement strategies are enough and makes the case for shifting toward unlocking human potential through personalization, curiosity, and strategic clarity.
Elena shares how leaders can better align people with their strengths, create space for reflection, and build workplaces that support long-term growth. From outdated career ladders to the power of story, she offers fresh insights for any leader rethinking how to develop talent in today’s world of work.
Key Takeaways:
Engagement is no longer the end goal—human performance is.
People want clarity, purpose, and to feel like they’re growing.
Personalization is key to unlocking individual and team potential.
Reflection and storytelling help people understand and own their path.
Leaders must rethink outdated systems and create space for what matters.
From Our Sponsor:
The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.
Additional Resources:
Elena Agaragimova, Co-Founder:
ShiftWell.ai website: http://www.shiftwell.ai
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

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31 min
December 11, 2025#151: Why Managers Avoid Critical Conversations and What To Do About It (feat. Lee Scott)
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In this episode, leadership coach Lee Scott explores why so many managers avoid hard conversations and what to do about it. He shares how fear, unclear expectations, and lack of training often hold leaders back from saying what needs to be said.
Lee offers practical tools for building the courage and clarity to step into uncomfortable conversations with confidence. From naming the gap between intention and impact to creating environments where feedback is safe and expected, this conversation is a candid look at the human side of leadership growth.
Key Takeaways:
Avoiding hard conversations is often rooted in fear and self-protection.
Clarity of expectations is key to building healthy accountability.
Managers need support and practice to develop relational courage.
Feedback is most effective when it names both intent and impact.
Psychological safety starts with leaders modeling honesty and curiosity.
From Our Sponsor:
The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.
Additional Resources:
Lee Scott, Founder & Chief Change Agent, Unleashing Leaders: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unleashingleaders/
Unleashing Leaders: http://www.unleashingleaders.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Unleashingleaders
Leadership Conversation Series (Course): https://unleashingleadersuniversity.com/leadership-conversations-series
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

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32 min
December 04, 2025#150: Rewriting The Playbook And Leading Others Through Change (feat. Jaime Nolan, CAE)
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In this episode, Jaime Nolan, CAE, shares her journey of transforming organizational culture, challenging outdated systems, and leading with authenticity during times of change. With deep experience in association leadership, Jaime opens up about the personal and professional work required to lead transformation from the inside out.
She reflects on what it takes to build trust across diverse communities, how to unlearn old leadership habits, and why discomfort is often the path to growth. From navigating her own identity to rewriting the playbook with purpose, Jaime’s story offers a powerful look at change, inclusion, and resilience.
Key Takeaways:
Change starts with doing your own inner work before leading others.
Trust is built slowly and requires showing up with consistency and care.
Systems don’t transform until leaders are willing to be uncomfortable.
Authenticity and vulnerability open the door to more inclusive leadership.
Rewriting the playbook means questioning what we’ve always accepted as normal.
From Our Sponsor:
The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.
Additional Resources:
Jaime Nolan, CAE, CEO, National Speakers Association: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimenolan/
National Speakers Association: http://www.nsaspeaker.org
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Experience it for yourself at trypi.com/ltp .
35 min
November 26, 2025#149: The Science And The ‘So What’ Of Mental Fitness (feat. Lissy Alden)
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In this episode, Lissy Alden joins the show to unpack what mental fitness really means and how it applies to leadership. She shares how mindset impacts performance, what it looks like to shift from being hijacked by emotion to intentionally choosing your response, and why self-awareness is the key to change.
Drawing from her experience supporting people leaders across industries, Lissy breaks down how reflection, mental reps, and practical tools can help interrupt old patterns and build new ones. Whether you’re feeling stuck or seeking clarity, this conversation offers simple and powerful insights for rewiring the way you think, lead, and relate.
Key Takeaways:
Mental fitness is the ability to notice, pause, and choose a different response
Most people operate on autopilot and need reflection to shift out of it
Your mindset directly affects how you lead, connect, and perform
Simple tools practiced daily can rewire deeply ingrained patterns
The goal isn’t perfection, it’s increasing self-awareness and agency
From Our Sponsor:
The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.
Additional Resources:
Follow Lissy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lissy-alden/
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Experience it for yourself at trypi.com/ltp .
34 min
November 20, 2025#148: How to Move from Middling to Magnificent (feat. Kelly Meerbott)
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In this episode, executive coach and speaker Kelly Meerbott joins the show to explore how leaders can move from burnout and fragmentation to clarity, connection, and purpose. Drawing on her trauma-informed approach and deep experience with hundreds of C-suite leaders and military officers, Kelly offers a refreshing take on what it means to lead from within.
She discusses how to dismantle outdated leadership conditioning, why emotional clarity fuels courage, and how storytelling can unlock influence and authenticity. From co-founder conflict to middle manager fatigue, Kelly reveals how self-trust, vulnerability, and even humor can rebuild leadership from the inside out.
Key Takeaways:
Leadership starts with clarity, courage, and compassion for yourself.
Self-trust is the foundation for trusting and leading others.
Storytelling is a must-have skill for influence and connection.
Discomfort, silence, and failure are part of the leadership process.
Your power lies in unlearning who you were told to be and remembering who you are.
From Our Sponsor:
The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.
Additional Resources:
Follow Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyameerbott/
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Experience it for yourself at trypi.com/ltp .
35 min
November 13, 2025#147: Navigating Change and Leading Through Crisis (feat. Andy Allaway)
Start with our free behavioral assessment. Go to trypi.com/ltp .

In this episode, CEO Andy Allaway of Empire Flippers joins the show to unpack his journey from corporate manager to leading a fully remote, high-growth global business. Andy shares lessons on navigating hyper-growth, building culture in a distributed team, and stepping into leadership during a time of transformation.
He opens up about the challenges of succeeding a founder-led organization, the importance of hiring for cultural alignment, and what it really means to lead through downturns. From hiring missteps to rebuilding trust and clarity, Andy offers practical advice for managers leading through complexity, pressure, and change.
Key Takeaways:
You can’t scale culture without defining it clearly first.
Growth hides cracks. Downturns reveal them.
Trust is built through clarity, consistency, and communication, especially in remote teams.
Wartime leadership demands decisiveness, not consensus.
Belief in the mission is the foundation for change and resilience.
From Our Sponsor:
The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.
Additional Resources:
Follow Andy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyallaway
Empire Flippers: http://www.empireflippers.com
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Experience it for yourself at trypi.com/ltp .
29 min
November 06, 2025#146: Building Conviction and Scaling Vision with Aaron Wagner
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Aaron Wagner is the Founder of FromwithN and a leadership coach who helps middle managers lead with clarity and confidence. With over two decades of experience in founder-led companies, he's led teams, built leadership development programs, and has turned around underperforming divisions across the country. He's passionate about helping managers grow because he has been there and has lived it. He currently coaches middle managers one-on-one, on Instagram and through his email newsletter The Managers Minute.
In this episode, he explores the power of high standards, how to separate identity from performance, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge your thinking. Aaron also opens up about how family shapes his priorities and why true leadership is about creating opportunity for others.
Key Takeaways:
Growth starts with getting radically honest with yourself.
The right people will elevate your standards and mindset.
Conviction comes from preparation and clarity.
Leadership is about building others, not just businesses.
Identity and performance are connected, but not the same.
From Our Sponsor:
The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.
Additional Resources:
Aaron Wagner, Founder, FromwithN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkwagner/
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Experience it for yourself at trypi.com/ltp .
30 min
October 30, 2025#145: Leadership Lessons from a Navy Submariner with CDR William C. Spears
Start with our free behavioral assessment. Go to trypi.com/ltp .

In this episode, Commander William C. Spears of the U.S. Navy joins the show to share leadership lessons forged under pressure, from commanding nuclear submarines to building resilient, high-performing teams.
He reflects on what it means to lead with trust, humility, and a mission-first mindset, offering tactical insights from over two decades in the Navy. Commander Spears unpacks the difference between compliance and commitment, the critical importance of psychological safety, and why character always outlasts charisma. He also explores how today’s leaders can foster accountability, push through chaos, and build cultures of excellence that outlast any one individual.
Key Takeaways:
Trust is the foundation of strong leadership.
Leaders should aim for commitment, not just compliance.
Psychological safety allows teams to think and speak freely.
Character is more lasting than charisma.
Clear plans help teams perform under pressure.
From Our Sponsor:
The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.
Additional Resources:
CDR William C. Spears
Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy (book): https://a.co/d/1uxjZHa
Website: https://williamcspears.com
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/william-spears-89130443/
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Experience it for yourself at trypi.com/ltp .
39 min
October 23, 2025#144: Culture Doesn’t Just Happen, It’s Built With Intention with Sara Escobar and Corinne Murray
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In this episode, workplace culture experts Sara Escobar and Corinne Murray join the show to challenge outdated ideas about culture, design, and how organizations actually function. Drawing from their experience building people-centered environments at scale, they unpack why culture isn’t a vibe; it’s a system, and how thoughtful infrastructure can transform how people show up at work.
From exploring the invisible forces that shape behavior to redefining how we think about belonging, Sara and Corinne share actionable ways leaders can co-create better ecosystems, not just experiences. They also dig into the tension between fast-moving culture and long-term change, the role of physical and digital environments, and why copying Google’s office design doesn’t make your company innovative.
Key Takeaways:
Culture needs to be intentionally designed, not left to chance.
Belonging happens when systems and behaviors align.
You cannot copy-paste another company’s culture.
Real connection requires more than just physical or digital spaces.
Sustainable change comes from small, consistent actions.
From Our Sponsor:
The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.
Additional Resources:
Read WORK Then Place: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1960299972
Follow Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraescoux/
Follow Corinne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinnejmurray/
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Experience it for yourself at trypi.com/ltp .
34 min
October 16, 2025#143: Belonging Isn’t a Bonus, It’s the Baseline with Ash Hynie
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In this episode, ManageUp founder and CEO Ash Hynie joins the show to rehumanize the way we think about leadership, feedback, and performance. With a background in culinary arts, engineering, and HR, Ash shares how her journey shaped a people-first approach to leadership.
She explains how many managers are promoted without preparation, and how systemic issues like bias and lack of visibility hold employees back. From “last in, first out” layoffs to recency bias in performance reviews, Ash explores how tech can help managers make fairer, faster decisions. Using real-time data and contextual insights, ManageUp supports feedback that aligns with both company values and individual growth.
Key Takeaways:
Many managers are promoted without preparation or support
Feedback works best when it’s timely and practical
AI helps reduce bias and surface hidden impact
Promotions reward visibility, not always contribution
Marginalized groups are being laid off at record rates
From Our Sponsor:
The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.
Additional Resources:
Ash Hynie, Founder & CEO, ManageUP: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-hynie/
ManageUp: http://www.manageup.com/
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Experience it for yourself at trypi.com/ltp .
33 min

About Lead the People

From the publisher's feed

Lead The People is your guide to unlocking your true potential as an authentic leader. Hosted by Dr. Matt Poepsel—The Godfather of Talent Optimization—this podcast dives deep into the art and science…