Lead With Purpose

By Merv Jersak

Most organizations don’t fail because of bad strategy, weak technology, or poor processes. They fail because leadership breaks down in the human moments of execution.

The Lead With Purpose Podcast, h... more

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FAQs about Lead With Purpose:

How many episodes does Lead With Purpose have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.

Lead With Purpose episodes:

July 14, 2026Shelley Davis Boyd: Why Hardworking Teams Still Fail
For Your Leadership Toolkit
what is organizational alignment?

the importance of communication and expectations

the role of civility and emotional intelligence

signs of misalignment in teams

strategies for new leaders to create alignment

impact of remote work on organizational culture

the connection between clarity and accountability

common misconceptions about workplace culture

Sound bites
"Uncommunicated expectations are always unmet expectations."
"Accountability is kindness."
"Feedback is just data."
"Alignment doesn't mean we're all thinking the same."
"People need to feel seen, valued, and heard."
"Transactional relationships are really hard to build good cultures."
"You cannot be your authentic self if you don't know who you are."
"You can't overcommunicate during change."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Alignment
01:12 Shelly Davis Boyd's Leadership Journey
04:36 Defining Organizational Alignment in Plain English
05:16 Creating Accountability with Kindness
11:46 Misconceptions About Workplace Culture
14:07 Building Culture Remotely
15:17 The Impact of Civility on Performance
19:03 Developing Leadership Presence and Emotional Intelligence
23:07 Leading Through Change
24:18 First 30 Days as a New Leader
26:38 Fixing Workplace Problems with Leadership

Resources
Shelley’s Website - https://www.essdeeandco.com/
Shelley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleydavisboyd/
Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/
...more
31min
July 07, 2026Scott McKain: How Do I Become a Leader People Remember?
For Your Leadership Toolkit
the marketplace decides if you're truly distinctive, not self-proclamation

leadership is about what you stand for, not just what you do differently

creating distinction means being meaningful to others, not just different

authenticity and humility are key to being a memorable leader

leaders should focus on building their team's capabilities, not just their own

storytelling is a powerful way to engage and inspire teams

in turbulent times, adaptive creativity and communication are vital

leadership is influence, regardless of your title or position

Sound bites
"Differentiation means you're different. Distinction means what you do matters to others."
"AI is for tasks. Relationships are for people."
"Leadership is less about standing out and more about what you're standing for."
"Comparison is the thief of joy."
"I developed this reservoir of goodwill."
"It's not about your title. It's about the influence and impact you're having."
"You don't become distinctive because you claim you are … The marketplace decides whether you're distinctive."
"Distinction is determined by what people say about you when you're not in the room."
"Leaders need to be authentic about the best version of themselves."
"We take leadership seriously, but we don't take ourselves solemnly."
"Great leaders are great storytellers."
"The best leaders I've ever met have a pretty good dose of humility."
"The 'I'm the boss' mentality is one of the biggest challenges in leadership today."
"The first thing you do as a leader is ask questions—not make statements."
"Failure isn't fatal."

Chapters
00:00 The Challenge of Distinction in Leadership
03:36 Scott McKain's Journey to Leadership Distinction
07:15 The Evolution of Leadership Literature
12:40 Leading Without Authority
18:29 The Essence of Memorable Leadership
20:34 Transcending Leadership in Modern Times
23:37 Leading a Diverse Workforce
27:23 The Power of Storytelling in Leadership
29:40 Challenging Leadership Myths
32:05 Authenticity and Distinction in Leadership
36:17 Lessons from Failure
38:10 Advice for New Leaders

Resources
Scott’s Website - https://scottmckain.com/
Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmckain/
Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/
...more
41min
June 23, 2026Staci Danford: The Leadership Mistake That's Driving Your Best People Away
For Your Leadership Toolkit
gratitude as a leadership skill

neuroscience and brain plasticity

impact of gratitude on decision-making

real-time positive reinforcement in teams

building resilience through gratitude

the connection between faith and neuroscience

changing thought patterns from negativity to positivity

practical gratitude exercises for leaders

the role of emotions in leadership decisions

the influence of gratitude on organizational culture
Sound bites
"You smiled at me every time you saw me and you made me feel grateful that I was alive."
"People will stay for less money if they feel appreciated and they feel like their strengths matter."
"The way that you say it matters so much more than what you are saying."
"When you think it, you link it. The more you think it, the tighter you link it."
"Only six percent of people say they think their leader feels grateful for them."
"Leaders who helped people focus on strengths improved sales by 19% and productivity by 29%."
"Most of us know our weaknesses. We need somebody to tell us our strengths."
"A healthy brain creates a healthy system."
"Your feelings will lie. They're not facts."
"You cannot out-trick your brain."
"Your brain is adaptable and changeable up until the day you die."
"Your brain's like your thumbprint. No two brains are alike."

Chapters
00:00 The Overlooked Leadership Skill of Gratitude
03:44 Stacy's Journey from Teacher to Neuroscientist
08:31 Understanding the Brain's Role in Leadership
10:18 The Importance of Gratitude for Young Leaders
16:27 Gratitude as a Practical Leadership Tool
16:56 The Science Behind Gratitude and Brain Chemistry
22:50 Gratitude's Impact on Family and Relationships
27:09 Retraining the Brain for Positivity
31:35 The Power of Gratitude in Leadership
36:31 Overcoming Setbacks and Building Resilience
41:33 The Intersection of Faith and Neuroscience

Resources
Staci’s Website - https://www.stacidanford.com/ OR https://thegratefulbrain.com
Staci on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacidanford/
Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/
...more
50min
June 16, 2026Steven Iwersen: Chaos Is the Catalyst, Disruption the Opportunity
For Your Leadership Toolkit
turning chaos into opportunity

leading through change and disruption

the importance of purpose and core values

trust is built through actions, not just words

emerging leaders should focus on serving their teams

listening more and speaking less is a key leadership habit

disruption reveals a leader's true character

core values should shape organizational behavior

relational leadership fosters trust and collaboration

change is inevitable; how leaders respond is crucial

strategies for emerging leaders without authority

Sound bites
"Chaos is the catalyst for your next opportunity."
"People like to be invited. They don't like to be told."
"It's not a positional thing. It's a relational thing."
"You can't have real championship results if you don't champion your principles."
"If we function from a place of service instead of a place of transaction, people will begin to trust us."
"If we're reacting in fear, we don't see it as an opportunity. We see it as something to avoid."
"The higher the trust level, the more confidence people have in you. The lower the trust level, the less confidence they have."
"It's got to be demonstrated in the actions, not necessarily the words."
"Our core values begin to shape the behaviors, and the behaviors become the heartbeat of who we are."

Chapters
00:00 – Why Disruption Feels Overwhelming
06:47 – Why Fear Is the Default Response to Change
11:43 – Stop Fixating on the Problem
13:22 – How Great Leaders Create Calm
17:31 – Why People Resist Change
20:42 – Leading Without Authority
23:07 – Relational Leadership vs. Positional Leadership
26:06 – Championship Performance and Culture
29:19 – Rapid-Fire Leadership Questions
31:22 – Chaos Is the Catalyst for Opportunity

Resources
Steven’ Website - https://www.steveniwersen.com/
Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveniwersen/
Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/
...more
34min
June 09, 2026Chuck Gallagher: Choices, Consequences, and Second Chances
For Your Leadership Toolkit
leadership begins with personal accountability

small ethical compromises rarely stay small

pressure reveals character and decision-making discipline

rationalization is often the first step toward ethical failure

transparency builds trust faster than perfection

silence in the face of wrongdoing can become complicity

trust is earned through consistent honesty and accountability

ethical leadership requires courage, not just compliance

reputation can be rebuilt, but only through radical ownership and accountability

the easiest unethical decisions often begin with "everybody does it"

leaders must be willing to speak up when something is wrong

Sound bites
"Every one of us is accountable for what takes place in our life."
"Really smart people will do some of the stupidest things and then try to rationalize it later."
"If it's socially acceptable, if it seems like it's okay, if everybody just kind of does it, then it's easy to ignore the potential consequence."
"Too often complacency becomes complicity."
"Character is revealed most clearly under pressure."
"The hardest ethical pressure leaders face is being willing to stand up for the right thing in the face of social pressure not to."
"The truest test of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before the problem becomes an emergency."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Chuck Gallagher's Journey
05:24 The Impact of Losing Everything on Leadership
11:37 Understanding Ethical Decision-Making
15:30 Creating a Culture of Accountability
21:14 Rebuilding Trust After Ethical Failures
25:10 Navigating Ethical Traps in Today's Environment
27:26 The Role of AI in Ethical Behavior
31:56 Rapid Fire Questions and Key Takeaways

Resources
Chuck’s Website - https://chuckgallagher.com
Chuck on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckgallagher/
Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/
...more
38min
June 03, 2026Greg Williams: The Hidden Signals That Influence Negotiations
For Your Leadership Toolkit
leadership begins with self-awareness

read the room before you try to lead the room

your body language speaks before your words do

people believe what they see more than what they hear

silence can be one of a leader's most powerful communication tools

influence starts with understanding what others need and value

leadership is about creating alignment, not winning every interaction

bullies only have as much power in negotiation as others allow them to have

pay attention to emotional triggers before they control your behavior

trust is built through consistency between words and actions

presence, posture, and demeanor affect how others perceive your leadership

every interaction shapes your future relationships and influence

the most effective leaders are intentional about how they show up

Sound bites
"You're always negotiating. What you do today impacts what occurs tomorrow."
"The body always wants to tell the truth."
"When verbal language and body language conflict, follow the body language."
"The bully will push you around to the degree that you allow them to."
"Leadership changes based on what we do, how we do it, when we do it, and with whom we do it."
"Influence begins by understanding the value you bring."
"The fact that you recognize that you're always negotiating means you can prepare better."
"You stand up erect. You place your chest out and your shoulders back. That says, 'I'm here.'"
"People notice your presence before they hear your words."

Chapters
04:11 Understanding Negotiation as a Daily Practice
07:18 The Importance of Body Language in Leadership
10:07 Emotional Intelligence vs. Technical Skills
13:13 Projecting Confidence and Authority
16:16 Reading the Room: Observing Body Language
19:16 Engagement Signals in Meetings
22:53 Maintaining Attention in Meetings
23:33 Using Humor to Engage
24:31 Identifying Confident Body Language
25:51 Understanding Body Language Signals
27:31 The Truth Behind Body Language
28:49 Micro-Expressions Explained
31:23 Negotiating with Influence
33:05 Handling Intimidating Personalities
36:37 Essential Negotiation Skills for Leaders
38:18 Quickfire Questions and Insights

Resources
Greg’s website: https://themasternegotiator.com
Greg’s complimentary resources: https://themasternegotiator.com/wna
Greg on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-master-negotiator/
Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/
...more
46min
May 26, 2026Steve Wangler: Leadership Lessons from a Career in Sales
For Your Leadership Toolkit
personal accountability

sharing responsibility, celebrating team successes, and learning from challenges

leverage strengths of each team member

create an environment for all to succeed

building strong relationships

influence without authority

building trust in leadership

effective communication and emotional intelligence

Sound bites
"You don't build a business, you build people and they build the business."
"Great vision without great people is irrelevant."
"Titles may open doors, but trust keeps them open."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Leadership in Sales
06:02 Personal Accountability and Leadership Lessons
11:06 Building a Brand from the Ground Up
16:19 Influencing Without Authority
20:57 Emotional Intelligence in Sales
26:11 Dealing with Rejection and Resilience
28:24 The Power of Inclusion in Team Dynamics
32:55 The Importance of Communication in Leadership
36:09 Building a Successful Team: Lessons Learned

Resources
Steve Wangler on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevewangler76bb736/
Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/
...more
41min
May 19, 2026Maryann Ehmann: Pressure, Burnout, and the Fear of Not Being Enough
For Your Leadership Toolkit
pressure and burnout

how can faith help?

productivity versus effectiveness

practical view of work-life balance

exhaustion versus proving yourself

when you feel it all depends on you

not destroying yourself to prove yourself

Sound bites
“It's not the work per se, it's the belief that it's all on me.”
"Inner freedom is the prize."
"Love is our fuel."
“Leadership should not require you to destroy yourself in order to prove yourself.”
“We have that pressure to prove ourselves. We have that pressure to do our jobs with excellence or else … everybody has the ‘or-else’ energy that they have to deal with.”

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Leadership Challenges
03:56 Maryann's Journey from Atheism to Faith
06:54 Recognizing Warning Signs of Pressure
09:52 The Psychological Pressure on Young Leaders
12:52 Exhaustion vs. Effectiveness in Leadership
16:00 The Concept of Work-Life Balance
18:58 The Importance of Freedom and Joy in Leadership
21:24 Productivity vs. Effectiveness
24:28 Co-Creating with God in Leadership
27:22 Maryann's Book and Its Core Message

Resources
Maryann’s website: https://MaryannEhmann.com
Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/
...more
39min
May 13, 2026Julie Phillips: Leadership Isn’t a Title—Leadership is Earned
For Your Leadership Toolkit
career progression strategies

leadership traits for success

importance of self-awareness and adaptability

building credibility without boastfulness

navigating landmines and mistakes in leadership

Sound bites
“You have to let people know what you're doing, but you need to do it in a way that's not boastful.”
“Identify leaders and people who are ready for growth … wanting to go beyond.”
“Leadership isn't something you magically arrive at one day … It's something that you intentionally build decision by decision”

Chapters
00:00 From Contributor to Leader: The Journey Begins
03:46 Career Growth: Strategies for Advancement
06:41 Navigating Ambition: Mistakes Young Professionals Make
09:46 The Manager vs. Leader Dichotomy
12:21 Leadership Traits: What Matters Most
15:41 Lessons from Corporate to Entrepreneurial Leadership
18:20 Learning from Mistakes: The Landmines of Leadership
21:26 Qualities Beyond Skills: What to Look For
24:13 Titles vs. True Leadership: Understanding the Difference
26:47 Advice for Young Leaders: Trust Yourself

Resources
A-Fit Staffing - https://www.afitstaffing.com
Julie Phillips on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliephillips/
Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/
...more
30min
May 05, 2026Eva Fanari: People Don’t React to Your Words; They React to Your Presence
For Your Leadership Toolkit
self-awareness as the foundation of leadership

the difference between talking and communicating

managing emotions to influence others

the impact of body language and presence

practicing emotional neutrality daily

reading the room and recognizing emotional cues

the role of cultural background in communication

the importance of silence and asking better questions

Sound bites
“People think that communication is about delivering information first. But the reality is that it's actually managing emotions first.”
"Your greatest work in this life is always yourself."
"People aren't reacting to our words, they're reacting to our presence as leaders."
“Leaders oftentimes confuse their intention with their impact.”
“We are in an information gathering business, and you cannot gather information if you're talking.”
“Silence is your best ally no matter where you go because most people will feel they need to fill it in.”

Chapters
00:00 Mastering Self for Effective Leadership
04:13 The Essence of Communication
07:03 Self-Awareness Under Pressure
10:08 Emotional Blind Spots in Leadership
13:18 Practicing Emotional Neutrality
16:08 Negotiation: The Art of Asking Questions
19:10 The Power of Silence in Communication
22:08 Cultural Influences on Communication
25:06 The Impact of Upbringing on Leadership
28:13 Intuition in Communication
31:12 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Resources
Eva’s Website: https://evafanari.com
Eva Fanari on Substack: https://substack.com/@evafanari?utm_source=top_search
Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/
...more
39min

FAQs about Lead With Purpose:

How many episodes does Lead With Purpose have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.