Leadership for Regular People

Many leadership development programs are designed for people who sit in corner offices and conference rooms. But what about the leaders on the front line who might not have ever thought of themselves as leaders at all? In this episode, Brady sits down with David Reyes, Manager of Talent Development at Southwest Airlines and adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University, to talk about what it really takes to develop leaders at every level of an organization.

David Reyes, Ed.D., is a talent development leader, leadership educator, speaker, and Presidential Leadership Scholar. He has spent his career bridging the gap between leadership theory and real-world application across corporate, higher education, and ministry contexts. He currently serves as Manager of Talent Development at Southwest Airlines and teaches Communication Styles and Key Business Success at Dallas Baptist University. He is based in Dallas, Texas, and you can learn more about him by visiting his LinkedIn or checking out his “Learning Leadership: In Practice” podcast.

Clear Path Leadership exists to help organizations build stronger leaders, because stronger leaders build stronger companies. They focus on making leadership development a permanent part of how your team operates, not a one-time training event. If you're ready to invest in the kind of leadership that actually sticks, visit clearpathokc.com or reach out at [email protected].

From the episode

- More about “Transformative Learning Theory”
- Clear Path Leadership's “Plan My Program” app
- “The Meaning of Your Life” - Arthur Brooks

We tend to picture the leader at the top of the pyramid. Lyndi Zavy says it's the opposite: the leader is at the bottom, holding everyone else up. In this episode, Brady sits down with Lyndi Zavy, leadership consultant, speaker, and author of Cheerleading from Quicksand, for an honest conversation about burnout, boundaries, grief, and what it actually looks like to find your footing again when your own foundation isn't solid.

Lyndi Zavy, M.A., PHR, is a consultant, speaker, and founder of Rivers & Roads Organizational Development. A former healthcare COO and self-described recovering HR professional, she helps leaders and entrepreneurs build healthier, more sustainable ways to work. You can connect with Lyndi on LinkedIn, follow her on Instagram, or visit her organization's website. 
Clear Path Leadership exists to help organizations build stronger leaders, because stronger leaders build stronger companies. They focus on making leadership development a permanent part of how your team operates, not a one-time training event. If you're ready to invest in the kind of leadership that actually sticks, visit our website or send us an email.

Grab your copy of "Cheerleading from Quicksand" today!

Lyndi's book recommendation: "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi

What if the secret to greater impact isn't doing more, but caring more deeply about fewer things? 

In this episode, Brady sits down with Sarah Roberts, Vice President of Programs at Inasmuch Foundation, for a conversation about long-term leadership, the courage to prune well, and what two decades of community-centered work have taught her about showing up with clarity and purpose.

Sarah Roberts has served as Vice President of Programs at Inasmuch Foundation for more than 20 years, where she works to connect community across education, human services, journalism, and community enhancement in Oklahoma. Before joining Inasmuch, she taught fifth grade in Tennessee. She is based in Oklahoma City and you can connect with her on LinkedIn. You can also learn more about InAsMuch Foundation from their website or social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn).

Clear Path Leadership exists to help organizations build stronger leaders, because stronger leaders build stronger companies. They focus on making leadership development a permanent part of how your team operates, not a one-time training event. If you're ready to invest in the kind of leadership that actually sticks, visit our website or send us an email.

Link to the Washington Post article on Claremore, OK Sarah references

"Necessary Endings" by Henry Cloud

What if purpose isn't something you have to find? What if it's something you're already living?

In this episode, Brady sits down with Bruce Waller to reframe one of leadership's most talked-about topics. They explore what it looks like to build a career that matters, how to identify your gifts by listening to what others say about you, and why helping people, one conversation at a time, is the simplest and most powerful place to start.

Bruce Waller is a relocation executive, keynote speaker, and bestselling author of Drive With Purpose: Move Your Career from Success to Significance. You can learn more about Bruce on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Clear Path Leadership exists to help organizations build stronger leaders, because stronger leaders build stronger companies. They focus on making leadership development a permanent part of how your team operates, not a one-time training event. If you're ready to invest in the kind of leadership that actually sticks, visit clearpathokc.com or reach out at [email protected].

Kelly Warren has been a Training Coordinator at OneOK for 2 1/2 years. She focuses on supporting operational leadership with training resources and is especially passionate about personal and leadership development. You can learn more about Kelly by following her on LinkedIn.

Clear Path Leadership helps organizations grow with practical, coaching-driven leadership development. Through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements, Brady equips leaders to think clearly, take ownership, and develop the people around them. If you’re looking to strengthen your leadership or bring this kind of development to your team, learn more at https://clearpathokc.com or contact our team at [email protected].

In this episode, Brady sits down with Ashley Simpson to explore what it really looks like to lead when you’re not in charge and how that mindset shapes both personal growth and organizational impact. They talk through Ashley’s journey from intern to Executive Director, the realities of nonprofit leadership, and why leadership is more about how you show up than the title you hold. The conversation also goes deeper into the emotional side of leadership, including how to navigate grief, loss, and the weight of supporting others while still taking care of yourself. 

Ashley Simpson is the Executive Director of Cavett Kids Foundation, a nonprofit based in Oklahoma City that serves children and youth facing chronic and life-threatening illnesses through camps, programs, and year-round support. She began her journey with the organization as an intern in 2012 and has since grown into a key leader focused on expanding impact, strengthening programs, and serving families across the state. To learn more about Cavett Kids or get involved, visit https://cavettkids.org.

Clear Path Leadership exists to help individuals and organizations grow through practical, coaching-driven leadership development. Through one-on-one coaching, group programs, and speaking engagements, Brady equips leaders to think clearly, take ownership, and develop the people around them. If you’re looking to strengthen your leadership or bring this kind of development to your team, you can learn more at https://clearpathokc.com or you can contact our team directly at [email protected].

In this episode, Brady continues his leadership lessons from 2025 and shares two ideas that surfaced again and again in his coaching and training conversations. 

First, you’ll learn why time management doesn’t begin with better scheduling, but with elimination. Brady unpacks the uncomfortable truth that every yes is multiple nos, why busyness is often a belief problem, and how saying no to a good thing can create space for a better one.

Next, he tackles the growing influence of artificial intelligence in leadership. Brady explains why AI will not replace human leadership, what it can and cannot do, and why the future belongs to leaders who pair discernment with humility. You’ll walk away with two practical reflection questions to help you leverage AI without losing the human skills that matter most.

To schedule a complimentary leadership strategy session or to learn more about how Clear Path can develop your leaders, send an email to [email protected] or visit clearpathokc.com to learn more.

Leadership is changing, and what worked a decade ago isn’t always what works today.

In this episode, Brady shares two leadership lessons that kept showing up again and again in his coaching and training work throughout 2025. You’ll learn why leadership begins with influence, not authority, and what it actually looks like to lead when you’re not in charge. You'll also hear about why effective leaders must hold long-term optimism and short-term realism at the same time, and what happens when either one is missing.

To receive Brady's free "Leading Up" workbook, send an email to [email protected] with the subject line "Leading Up." 

In this episode, Brady sits down with Victor Flores, Principal at REDW and one of Oklahoma’s most connected leaders, to talk about the art and psychology of networking. Victor shares how he went from being a shy kid with a stutter to leading in healthcare, tribal finance, and business development, all while building thousands of genuine professional relationships. From speed-dating strategies to long-game trust-building, this conversation is packed with real talk, encouragement, and a surprising amount of wisdom about showing up, standing out, and staying grounded. Connect with Victor on LinkedIn and learn more about the work he's doing with the Oklahoma Tribal Financial Consortium and the Oklahoma Native Impact Study. #bettertogether 

In this episode, Brady sits down with Dr. Chris Culver to dive into the rapidly evolving relationship between leadership and artificial intelligence. They explore the limits of AI, the skills leaders will need to succeed in the future, practical ways to incorporate AI into your daily work, and how technology might actually enhance human connection instead of replacing it. Whether you're an early adopter or a little skeptical of AI's role in leadership, this conversation will challenge you to think differently and equip you to lead more effectively in the years ahead.