Lead Through It with Kim and Jada

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What do you do when your team feels off, culture feels heavy, and “fixing it” feels overwhelming?

In this episode, we’re coming off a powerful conversation about what great culture looks like and bringing it back down to reality. Because most leaders aren’t starting from scratch… they’re stepping into something messy, unclear, or already strained.

So where do you begin?

We break it down into simple, actionable steps. Not a full culture overhaul. Not a 12-month plan. Just the next right move.

We talk about:

•  Why trying to fix everything at once will backfire 
•  How to identify one change that actually moves the needle 
•  The power of honest, low-pressure conversations with your team 
•  How to get a real read on your culture without overcomplicating it 
•  What 1% better actually looks like in practice 

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this episode will help you take that first step and build momentum from there.

Because getting your team back on track doesn’t start with a big move. It starts with a small one done well.

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If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

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What does it actually take to build a culture people don’t want to leave?

In this episode, we sit down with Cheryl Holland, Founder of Abacus Planning Group, to unpack what exceptional culture looks like in practice, not theory.

This is not about perks or pizza parties. It is about the intentional, daily work of valuing people, building trust, and creating systems that support both performance and humanity.

Cheryl shares how her team built a culture so strong that it shows up without prompting, why praise is a leadership skill most people get wrong, and how culture must be embedded into hiring, onboarding, feedback, and decision-making.

We also go deeper into the hard side of leadership. Cheryl opens up about a defining moment when multiple team members exited at once, including a breach of trust, and what that revealed about leadership, accountability, and strengthening culture under pressure.

If you are a leader trying to “fix culture,” this conversation will challenge how you think about it entirely.

Key takeaways:

•  Why people cannot care for others if they do not feel cared for first 
•  How to use specific praise to build stronger, more effective teams 
•  What it really means to build culture into the DNA of an organization 
•  How to lead through trust-breaking moments and come out stronger 
•  Why attention, not time, may be your most valuable leadership tool 

This episode is a masterclass in leading with intention, even when it is hard.

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

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Most leaders treat LinkedIn like an afterthought. Something they’ll “get to eventually.” But the truth is, whether you’re active or not, you already have a presence there. And it’s either working for you or against you.

In this episode, we break down why LinkedIn is no longer optional for leaders. It’s one of the most powerful tools you have to build credibility, attract opportunities, and communicate what you actually stand for.

We talk about the real reason leaders avoid showing up, what people are actually looking for when they find your profile, and how to use LinkedIn in a way that feels authentic, not forced or performative.

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t need LinkedIn” or “I don’t know what to post,” this conversation will challenge that and give you a practical way forward.

Because leadership doesn’t just happen in rooms anymore. It happens online too.

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

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What are you really promising the people you serve?

In this quick-fire debrief, we unpack a powerful idea from our conversation with Melanie Huggins: your brand promise means nothing if it is not reflected in your everyday behaviors.

It is easy to talk about culture at a high level. Most organizations have values on the wall, in the handbook, or in a strategic plan. But what actually matters is how those values show up in real moments, in real decisions, and in how people are treated day to day.

We explore what it looks like to move culture from a buzzword to something operational. From defining non-negotiables to making hard decisions that truly reflect your values, even when it costs you. Because if you are not willing to uphold your values when it is uncomfortable, they are not really your values.

You will also hear why culture is built in the small, everyday interactions, not the big initiatives, and how aligning internal behaviors with external promises is what builds real trust with your customers, clients, and communities.

Because at the end of the day, your promise is not what you say. It is what people consistently experience.

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

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If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “Why won’t my team just take initiative?” you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common frustrations leaders face.

In this episode of Lead Through IT, Jada and Kim tackle the leadership question that sits underneath that frustration. Why do capable, smart people sometimes wait to be told what to do? And what can leaders do to create an environment where initiative actually happens?

They explore the hidden dynamics that often hold teams back. From unclear expectations to fear of making the wrong decision, many organizations unintentionally train people to wait instead of act. Jada and Kim break down how leadership habits, organizational culture, and communication patterns can quietly shape whether employees step up or stay silent.

Throughout the conversation, they share practical ways leaders can build trust, clarify ownership, and create the kind of culture where people feel confident taking action without being asked.

If you’ve ever wondered why initiative seems to disappear inside otherwise talented teams, this episode will help you rethink the leadership patterns that might be driving it.

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

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In this powerful episode of Lead Through It, Jada and Kim are joined by Lyndsay Dowd, a top-tier sales leader, coach, and the author of Top-Down Culture. With 23 years of experience at IBM and a family legacy in the corporate world, Lyndsay shares the raw, transformative story of an unexpected career turning point at age 50 and how that moment became the push that led her to build a thriving coaching business. 

This conversation is a masterclass in modern leadership and emotional resilience, covering:

• The Myth of Perfection: Why Lyndsay is proud to admit she was fired and how "naming the shame" became her greatest source of power and authenticity.
• Irresistible Culture vs. Micromanagement: A deep dive into why micromanagement is rooted in insecurity and how the best leaders lead with trust and psychological safety.
• The "Maverick and Hustler" Approach: How to foster a team environment that celebrates "weirdness," unconventional ideas, and human connection through storytelling.
• The Personal Board of Advisors: Why every leader needs a "kitchen cabinet" of people who remind them who they are when their confidence is shaken.
• The One Question Every Leader Should Ask: Lyndsay shares the most humbling and effective question you can ask your team: "How can I be the best leader for you?"

Whether you're navigating a career setback or looking to evolve your leadership style for the modern workforce, Lyndsay’s high-energy wisdom and practical tactics will leave you inspired to lead from the heart.

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

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In this episode of Lead Through It, hosts Jada and Kim sit down with Caroline Pennington, a powerhouse in the world of executive recruitment and personal branding. Caroline shares her journey from placing entry-level temporary employees to working with Fortune 500 boards and C-suite executives.

Throughout the conversation, the trio explores:

• The LinkedIn "Secret Sauce": How Caroline grew her following from zero to over 13,000 in two years and the specific strategies she uses to grab the attention of high-level decision-makers.
• The Art of the "Un-Salesy" DM: Why simple, sincere outreach is more effective than automated pitches.
• Navigating the Side-Hustle Transition: Tips for starting a business while working a corporate job, including how to communicate with your current employer and managing "moonlighting" policies.
• Embracing the "Suck": A candid discussion on why you must be okay with being imperfect when you first start out.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a senior leader, or looking to supercharge your professional presence, this episode offers actionable wisdom on building a brand that resonates.

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

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What if the key to building a strong culture isn’t about you at all?

In this episode, Kim and Jada sit down with Melanie Huggins, CEO of Girl Scouts of South Carolina Mountains to Midlands and former CEO of Richland Library, for a candid conversation about leadership, burnout, reinvention, and what it really takes to build a culture that lasts.

With more than thirty years of leadership experience, Melanie shares hard-earned lessons from transforming a large public institution, navigating COVID-era exhaustion, and stepping into a new CEO role where culture change is still unfolding in real time.

Together, they explore:

• Why culture is built in the details no one sees
• What it means to “operationalize equity”
• How brand promises must match internal behaviors
• Why culture change takes longer than you think
• The tension between honoring legacy and leading transformation
• Recognizing burnout before it reshapes who you are
• Creating space to pause, reflect, and make brave decisions

Melanie offers a powerful reframe: culture is not about what leaders prefer or how they want to operate. It is about the people you serve. The customer. The member. The girl at camp. The parent who must trust you.

If your organization is in a hard culture moment, if you are leading through change, or if you are quietly wondering whether it’s time for your own next chapter, this conversation will meet you there.

Because building culture is not about ego.It is about alignment. It is about trust. And sometimes, it is about knowing when something is over so something new can begin.

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

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What does it look like to step into the CEO seat…and refuse to do it the traditional way?

In this episode, Kim and Jada sit down with Danielle Pickens, a two-time CEO who is redefining what executive leadership can look like. After fifteen years as an independent consultant building her own company on flexibility and boundaries, Danielle stepped into the CEO role at Urban Schools Human Capital Academy. But she did not leave her independent work behind. Instead, she is pioneering something different: a fractional CEO model rooted in sustainability, clarity, and intentional leadership.

Danielle shares what it really feels like to move from doer to strategist, from contractor to accountable executive, and from setting clean scope boundaries to holding ultimate responsibility for everything. She opens up about the mental shift of carrying organizational weight, the sleep-stealing pressure of “everything is in scope,” and the systems she has had to build both professionally and personally to make this new season work.

You will hear:

• What a fractional CEO actually does and how it challenges traditional leadership expectations
• The four grounding questions Danielle returns to when urgency starts to take over
• How to clarify a true North Star and eliminate work that does not align
• Why not everything deserves an A effort and how a C+ can sometimes be exactly right
• The reality of renegotiating roles at home and at work when your leadership season changes
• How to lead former peers when you step into the top role
• The danger of overfunctioning and how to design systems that prevent it
• Why creating twenty minutes of reflective space each week can change your trajectory

This is a conversation about boundaries, identity, sustainability, and courage. It is about leading in a way that feels aligned with who you are, not just what the role has historically required. Danielle reminds us that leadership does not have to mean burnout, and that pioneering new models is uncomfortable but necessary.

If you are stepping into a bigger role, rethinking how you work, or trying to build something that lasts, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

Press play and ask yourself:
What kind of leader do I actually want to be?

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

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When life feels heavy, the news feels overwhelming, and everything seems just a little unsteady, leadership doesn’t get easier. It gets more human.

In this episode, Kim and Jada get real about what it looks like to lead when both personal life and the world around us feel messy. From flat tires and pantry tears to national events that leave people emotionally drained, they unpack how leaders can show up with steadiness, care, and authenticity without pretending to have all the answers.

They talk through practical ways to support teams during uncertain and emotionally charged times, why avoiding hard moments can erode trust, and how simple check-ins can make a meaningful difference. The conversation also dives into self-leadership, emotional regulation, and why leaders must take their own mental and emotional health seriously if they want to lead others well.

This episode is a reminder that leadership right now isn’t about fixing everything. It’s about creating space, staying grounded, and showing up as a whole human for other whole humans.

If you’ve been wondering how to lead with compassion, clarity, and stability when everything feels like a lot, this one’s for you.

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]