Leadership Unscripted

AI is something every leader is hearing about, but many are still unsure what it actually means for their role, their teams, and the future of their organizations. In this episode of Leadership Unscripted, we get practical about what leading in the age of AI really looks like and how leaders can prepare themselves and their people for what's ahead. Host Ashley Vest is joined by Eric Stauffer, Director of Learning Innovation and Technology at SkillOps, an instructional designer and certified executive coach who helps professionals at every level build the skills they need to work alongside AI. Together, they have an honest conversation about the opportunities and the uncertainties this shift brings.

They explore what AI agents are and how they're already showing up in the workplace, why leaders need to know where the "human in the loop" belongs, and how AI could flatten organizations and change who counts as a leader. Eric shares why the skills we once called "soft skills" are becoming power skills. Emotional intelligence, communication, executive presence, and business storytelling will matter more than ever as technical work shifts to AI. He also offers practical advice for anyone who hasn't used AI yet and doesn't know where to start. The throughline: AI won't replace great leadership. It makes the human side of leading more valuable than ever, and a growth mindset is the best way to meet the change.

If you're looking for practical ways to lead with confidence through change and prepare your team for the future of work, this conversation is for you. Tune in and take these insights with you as you lead, because the leaders who keep learning are the ones who will thrive in what comes next.

Racing was in Sabré Cook's blood before she even took her first breath — literally born the same day as her hometown's Supercross race. From go-karts before age 8 to competing at the highest levels of motorsport, Sabré has built a career (and a business) around performing under pressure and leading teams that win.

In this episode, Sabré Cook, professional racecar driver, opens up about what high performance really looks like, why trust on a team comes down to consistent execution over time, and how she's had to grow from doing everything herself into a leader who sets vision, delegates, and coaches. She also shares candid reflections on the moments that pushed her to stand up for herself, and the leadership advice she carries into everything she does: you have to lead yourself before you can lead others.

Whether you're managing a race team, a business, or anyone at all, this conversation is full of hard-won lessons on trust, self-awareness, and building a team that performs at its best.

Motivation is something every leader wants more of—for themselves and their teams—but it's often misunderstood as something that just happens (or doesn't). In this episode of Leadership Unscripted, we get practical about what really drives lasting motivation and how leaders can cultivate it on purpose. Host Ashley Vest is joined by Ilene Collins, a mental health and leadership coach who brings more than 30 years of experience leading a successful real estate company, for an honest conversation about keeping yourself and your team energized—even when things get hard.

Together they explore where leaders most often get stuck on motivation, how to sustain it over the long haul rather than in short bursts, and how to tell the difference between a motivation dip and something deeper like burnout. Ilene shares why clarity, communication, and genuine care are the foundation of trust and engagement, the small day-to-day actions that move the needle more than leaders realize, and where to start when motivation needs a reset. The throughline: motivation isn't about quick fixes—it's about creating an environment where people feel valued and supported, even through change and uncertainty.

If you're looking for actionable ways to lead authentically and build a positive team culture, this conversation is for you. Tune in and take these insights with you as you lead—because small, consistent actions often make the biggest impact.

What does it actually mean to lead authentically — not as a concept, but on a Tuesday morning when things get hard?

In this episode of Leadership Unscripted, I sit down with Ashley Pineiro, Director of Human Resources at Dine Development Corporation and owner of AP Workforce Solutions, to get real about what authentic leadership looks like in practice. Ashley's work centers on employee engagement, leadership development, and building people strategies that drive meaningful impact — and she brings that expertise to life in a conversation that is as practical as it is honest.

We dig into the gap that trips up so many leaders: the space between what you say and what you do. Ashley shares a candid story from her own leadership journey that reveals how even well-intentioned leaders can send the wrong message without ever realizing it — and how closing that gap changes everything.

We also explore how to stay true to yourself under pressure, why transparency doesn't mean sharing everything, how vulnerability actually builds credibility rather than undermining it, and why the leaders people most want to follow don't lead from power — they lead from genuine connection.

If you've ever wondered whether being "real" at work could cost you your authority, this episode will change the way you think about that.

Burnout is one of those topics that never stops being relevant—and in this episode of Leadership Unscripted, we dig into what it really is and what leaders can actually do about it. Host Ashley Vest is joined by Dr. Alicia King Anderson, author of the recently published book Burnout Recovery, for an honest conversation about how burnout shows up, why it's so often missed, and how leaders can protect both themselves and their teams.

Together they explore what burnout really is from a clinical perspective and how it differs from everyday stress and disengagement, along with the subtle signs leaders often miss in their people—and in themselves. Dr. Anderson shares practical ways to set healthy boundaries, the first steps to take if you're already burned out, and simple daily habits that build lasting resilience. The throughline: setting boundaries and modeling healthy habits isn't letting your team down—it's showing them what sustainable success looks like.

Want to go deeper? Dr. Anderson's book Burnout Recovery, and her manager training program is linked below with a special discount code for our listeners.

🔗 Burnout Recovery: A Neurodivergent-Friendly Guide to Healing Burnout Through Nature's Wisdom

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Accountability conversations are some of the most important—and most avoided—moments in leadership.

In this episode of Leadership Unscripted, host Ashley Vest sits down with Justin Hale, Master Trainer with Crucial Learning and co-author of the latest edition of Crucial Accountability, to unpack why leaders so often stay silent when performance gaps appear—and what it really takes to address them effectively.

Together, they explore why avoidance and silence are the most common responses to performance issues, and what's happening psychologically when leaders choose not to speak up. They also dig into how to balance empathy and accountability without lowering standards, why performance challenges are often misdiagnosed as motivation problems instead of gaps in ability or clarity, and how leading with curiosity—rather than judgment—creates better dialogue and stronger outcomes.

This conversation challenges the idea that leaders must choose between being kind or being firm, offering practical insight into how honest, respectful accountability conversations can strengthen trust, improve performance, and shape healthier team cultures.

If you've ever thought, "I know I should address this, but I don't want to make it worse," this episode is for you. And if you like the content in this episode, be sure to purchase the latest edition of Crucial Accountability, wherever books are sold.

In this month's episode of Leadership Unscripted, host Ashley Vest sits down with Meagan Starks, Director of Local Programs at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, for a powerful and practical conversation on inclusion, belonging, and the everyday choices that shape team culture.

Meagan breaks down the true meaning of diversity, inclusion, and belonging, highlighting how belonging is the emotional outcome of inclusion done well. Together, they explore why inclusion isn't just a "nice to have," but a performance strategy that fuels creativity, collaboration, and engagement across workplaces and organizations.

In this episode of Leadership Unscripted, host Ashley Vest talks with CEO of DX Learning and author of CARE to Win, Alex Draper, about his C.A.R.E. framework—Clarity, Autonomy, Relationships, and Equity—and how these elements work together to create psychological safety and high‑performing teams. Alex shares the personal inspiration behind the book, the dangers of ambiguity, and why leaders must overcome the "illusion of agreement" to build trust. He offers practical habits leaders can use immediately, from improving meeting clarity to giving people more ownership. The conversation closes with two powerful themes: be curious, not judgmental, and use vulnerability as a multiplier for stronger cultures.

For more insights, check out Alex's book CARE to Win, available on Amazon.

In this episode, Ashley sits down with Michelle Baker, Chief People Officer at FORUM Credit Union, for a powerful conversation on leading through change and uncertainty. Michelle shares real-world insights on staying grounded, building trust with your team, and moving forward with confidence—even when the road ahead isn't fully clear.

Be sure to check out Michelle Baker's podcast, Career Dreams, a great resource for insights, tools, and conversations focused on advancing your career.

In this episode of Leadership Unscripted, host Ashley Vest sits down with Doug Hensch, CEO of DRH Group and an experienced executive coach, to explore the transformative power of language in leadership. Together, they unpack practical strategies for creating psychological safety, fostering innovation, and empowering teams through intent-based leadership—a concept inspired by David Marquet's Leadership is Language. Doug shares actionable insights on shifting from a command-and-control style to a culture of curiosity and collaboration. You'll learn about the "ladder of leadership" approach, how modeling vulnerability builds trust, and why simple language shifts can make a big impact. The conversation also dives into encouraging dissent, avoiding groupthink, and balancing execution with reflection for better decision-making. Real-world examples—from Navy submarines to corporate case studies—bring these ideas to life. If you're ready to lead with humility, curiosity, and confidence—even when you don't have all the answers—this episode is for you. And don't forget to grab Doug Hensch's latest book, Re-Thinking Curiosity: How to Lead When You Don't Have All the Answers, available now wherever books are sold