In this season finale of Quest 2 the CORE, Simone and Jonna turn the lens inward and unpack how hosting the podcast became their own leadership lab. They revisited key episodes (from thought traps and emotional agility to courage, delegation, and empowerment) and share where their inner narratives, vulnerabilities and partnership stretched them most. Along the way, they explore what it means to move from chasing "mastery" to developing real fluency in self-awareness and leadership. They close with an invitation: choose one element of CORE and make it a simple practice during the break, so you step into season two as the next version of yourself.

Delegation shows up in every leadership book and meeting and still manages to feel harder than it looks. In this episode, Jonna and Simone dig into why handing work off can trigger anxiety, hesitation, and even a sense of personal risk. They explore the neuroscience behind our instinct to hold on, how identity and past experiences shape our approach, and why many high-potential leaders unintentionally slip into "accidental dictator" mode. The episode wraps with practical insights for building trust, elevating capability, and using delegation as a catalyst for stronger leadership, not just more efficiency.

In Episode 25 of Quest to the CORE, “Adaptability: The Skill Every Leader Needs,” Simone and Jonna unpack what separates steady leaders from those who get stuck when everything shifts. Adaptability isn’t about staying calm—it’s about staying curious. They reveal how the most effective leaders read the moment, reset quickly, and model growth in real time. This episode challenges listeners to stop clinging to plans and start leading through change with clarity, courage, and CORE.

True courage in leadership isn't about bold moves or fearless control; it's about letting go. In this episode, Simone and Jonna unpack professional courage, the discipline to trust others, face fear with clarity, and lead through vulnerability. They explore how courage and vulnerability work together to build safety, drive transformation, and strengthen both team and relationships. Whether at work or at home, this episode challenges leaders to ask: do you trust the system you built enough to step back and let others rise?

Empowerment isn't something leaders hand out, it's something they create. In this episode, Jonna and Simone reframe empowerment from a transfer of power to a condition leaders build through clarity, trust, and space. Using real examples from work and life, they show how removing barriers and fostering safety allows people to step confidently into ownership, creativity, and growth.

Leadership today moves too fast for development to happen only the classrooms or annual reviews. Growth has to unfold in real-time. Jonna and Simone explore what it really means to coach in the flow of work in ways that shape confidence and capability. Using the CORE framework, they show how small, intentional conversations can spark big shifts in how leaders show up for their teams.

Leadership that unlocks growth starts with connection.

In this episode Jonna and Simone explore what it really means to meet people where they are - and why it's not about lowering expectations, but about calibrating direction and support so others can rise to meet them.

They discuss how judgment short-circuits trust, how connection transforms feedback into fuel, and how leaders can adapt their coaching style without compromising standard. Filled with practical questions and real-world examples, this episode helps you lead with empathy, accountability, and precision - meeting people where they are so they can grow beyond where they've been.

Are you operating in the right horizon for your role (today, this quarter, long-term)? We break down how to realign your focus, set up scaffolding (metrics, shared language, etc.) and keep it going with small, repeatable habits. Then we map it to the CORE Framework (Curiosity, Openness, Reflection, Embrace) and leave you with one question: if you could replay one moment form this week for alignment, what would you do differently?

Misalignment steals results. In this episode Jonna and Simone introduce the Strategic Leadership Alignment Model (SLAM), a simple way to ensure your daily work matches your role's real horizon. They unpack the 3 time horizons for leadership work (near-term, mid-term, long-term), what "good" looks like at each level, and the misalignment patterns that create bottlenecks, micromanaging, and trust erosion. How do you know if you are ahead or behind?

Simone and Jonna revisit the CORE framework - Curiosity, Openness, Reflection, and Embrace - and share how their understanding has evolved. What began as simple concepts has become a living practice for leading with depth and authenticity.