Level the Field Leadership

Great leaders are lifelong learners—but there is a difference between gaining knowledge and developing wisdom. In this episode, we explore how reading can shape the way leaders think, make decisions, understand people, and navigate the challenges of leadership.

Nick Hutchison joins me for a conversation about the power of books, intentional learning, and turning what we read into meaningful action. We discuss how leaders can move beyond simply consuming information and begin applying the lessons they encounter in books to their leadership, relationships, and everyday lives.

Together, we explore the role reading has played in Nick’s own personal growth, how leaders can develop a purposeful reading habit despite busy schedules, and how to determine which ideas are worth embracing, questioning, or putting into practice.

Most importantly, this conversation challenges us to ask: Are we simply reading to know more, or are we reading to become wiser?

Follow Nick on Social Media:

Instagram: @nicklovesbooks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bookthinkers/

Website: https://nickhutchison.online/about-me/

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Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello.

Follow me  on social media:

TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership

Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadershipLinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader

Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in.

Are you leading for today, or are you leading for what’s next?

In this episode of Level the Field Leadership, I’m sharing three reasons leaders need to make time for long-term strategic planning: creating direction, anticipating change, and building for long-term success.

I’ll also bring in my I-O psychology perspective to explore how strategic thinking helps us make intentional decisions about our people, culture, and future.

Because great leaders don’t just manage what’s happening now. They help create what happens next.

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Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello.

Follow me  on social media:

TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership

Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadershipLinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader

Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in.

Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

Welcome to today's podcast, Leading With Purpose. In this episode, we're exploring one of the most influential frameworks in organizational psychology: Self-Determination Theory, commonly known as SDT.

We'll discuss how effective leaders create thriving workplace cultures by supporting three fundamental human needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

We'll also examine research-backed strategies and quantitative findings that show how SDT influences employee engagement, retention, well-being, and performance.

Proverbs 22:29 - Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank - competence is key...it is a core psychological need with SDT...we'll get to it.

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Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello.

Follow me  on social media:

TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership

Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠

YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader

Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in.

Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

Have you ever wondered whether checking in on your team is leadership... or micromanagement?

Hybrid work is now a normal part of many organizations. Many leaders struggle with balancing accountability and autonomy.

The biggest mistake leaders make is trying to manage hybrid teams the same way they managed people sitting down the hall.

Great hybrid leadership isn't about monitoring people more. It's about creating systems that help people succeed.

Today's Scripture: Psalm 118:8 - It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

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Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello.

Follow me  on social media:

TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership

Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠

YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader

Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in.

Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

#ltfleadership #workplaceculture #leadershipskills #leadershipcoach #iopsychology #iopsych #io #leadershippodcast #spotifypodcast #amazonpodcast #growthmindset #leadershiptip #bealeader #youarealeader #professorlife #writerswhospeak #112 #hybridteams #monitoroutcomes

Think about the last time you received an unexpected email, difficult feedback, or bad news. Did you react—or did you respond?

Leadership is tested most visibly during moments of uncertainty, conflict, and pressure. Teams often remember less about the problem itself and more about how their leader behaved in the moment.

The quality of our leadership is often determined by the space we create between stimulus and action. Today I will explain both and give you an acronym you can use the next time you want to react.

Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello.

Follow me  on social media:

TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership

Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠

YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader

Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in.

Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

Many leaders are taught to manage their time, but few are taught to manage their energy. In this episode, explore why understanding your natural rhythms, strengths, and peak performance times can help you lead more effectively, make better decisions, and avoid burnout. Listeners will learn practical strategies for aligning leadership responsibilities with their personal energy patterns to maximize impact and sustain long-term effectiveness.

Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello.

Follow me  on social media:

TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership

Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠

YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader

Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in.

Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

Today’s guest is Glenn Poulos, a seasoned sales leader, author, and speaker with decades of experience in building high-performing sales teams and driving revenue growth. Glenn is best known for his practical, relationship-focused approach to sales, which he outlines in his book Never Sit in the Lobby.

Throughout his career, he has helped organizations and professionals move beyond transactional selling to create meaningful, trust-based client relationships. His insights continue to influence leaders and sales professionals looking to elevate both their performance and their impact.

To connect with Glenn:

Personal website   https://glennpoulos.com/
Company website https://progusa.net/
Book https://amzn.to/3whwPh3

Socials

https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennpoulos/
https://www.facebook.com/glenn.poulos/
https://www.instagram.com/glenn.poulos/
https://twitter.com/GlennPoulos
https://www.youtube.com/@glennpoulos

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Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello.

Follow me  on social media:

TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership

Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠

YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader

Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in.

This episode explores how five generations are working side-by-side — and great leadership has never mattered more. In this episode, we explore how to turn generational differences into strengths, build unity across ages, and lead with wisdom and vision.

Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello.

Follow me  on social media:

TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership

Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠

YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader

Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in.

Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

Our guest is Mikael Avatar, a leadership coach, artist, and former Paralympic athlete whose life story is nothing short of remarkable. Born with cerebral palsy and given limited expectations early in life, Mikael refused to let those predictions define him. Instead, he went on to compete at the highest level of sport, setting a world record in the long jump at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta.

Today, he works with leaders around the world, helping them discover clarity, purpose, and the power of small daily actions that create extraordinary change.

Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello.

Follow me  on social media:

TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership

Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠

YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader

Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in.

This episode explores how quiet wins—small, consistent, meaningful actions—strengthen leadership and improve workplace culture. Through research-backed insights, listeners will learn why subtle leadership behaviors often outperform loud, charismatic styles, especially in today’s fast-paced and emotionally demanding work environments.

Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello.

Follow me  on social media:

🌟TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership

🌟Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership

🌟LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠

🌟YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader

Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in.

Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠