RISE TO LEAD

Unlocking the Power of Identity in Leadership

What makes certain leaders stand out effortlessly, drawing people in with their presence? In this episode, Kevin Britz explores the concept of contagious identity—how individuals shape their influence, step into their power, and shift their mindset to take ownership of their roles. He shares how deeply ingrained beliefs can hold people back and how breaking free from past narratives unlocks new possibilities. Leadership, he argues, is about self-awareness and the ability to create an environment where others feel empowered. Tune in to discover how embracing your identity can transform your leadership impact.

Building Unapologetic Confidence in Leadership

We also discuss how true leadership is rooted in unapologetic confidence. We explore how being intentional with your communication and actions can shape perceptions and build trust. Kevin shares how confidence isn’t about being boastful, but about being grounded in your abilities and values. We dive into how this kind of self-assurance inspires others to follow suit, creating a powerful, authentic leadership presence.

About Kevin Britz:

Kevin Britz, from Gauteng, South Africa, is a dynamic leadership coach, speaker, marketing strategist, and the influential host of The Lunchtime Series, where he engages with global experts to share actionable insights on leadership, team performance, and personal growth. With over 15 years of industry experience, Kevin is renowned for empowering individuals and organizations to reach their highest potential.

As a Prosci Certified Change Manager, NLP Master

Practitioner, and Leadership Management International Associate, Kevin designs and delivers powerful workshops that help teams break through barriers, enhance collaboration, and achieve sustainable success. His expertise spans strategic leadership, human behavior, and innovative marketing, making him a transformative force in professional development.

Kevin is also actively growing Contagious Identity, integrating its principles into his teachings to help leaders and teams unlock their full potential. Recognized as the legendary voice of “Steve” from FNB’s iconic radio ads, he brings an engaging presence and sharp insights to every conversation—redefining career journeys and inspiring thousands worldwide.

www.kevinbritz.com

www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbritz-leadership

www.facebook.com/leadershipbydesignsa/

www.youtube.com/@TheLunchtimeSeries

www.kevinbritz.com/book/

https://linktr.ee/kevinbritz

The Power of Small Company Experiences

James Deaker from California (originally from New Zealand) reflects on the valuable lessons he learned from his time in small companies, sharing insights on how these environments encourage innovation, flexibility, and problem-solving. James highlights how working without predefined roles allowed him to take on diverse responsibilities and tackle challenges that pushed him out of his comfort zone. He explains how this mindset later shaped his approach in larger corporations and helped him challenge the status quo, even when it wasn’t the easiest route.

Adaptability in Leadership

James highlights the value of adaptability in leadership. He shares how key skills—like a willingness to learn and the ability to engage with diverse teams—remain essential across different environments. James discusses the importance of tailoring management approaches to the unique dynamics of each team and situation. He also delves into his own experiences, emphasizing how effective leadership often comes from a deep understanding of both the people and the context within which you work.

About James Deaker:

James Deaker from California is the host of The Yield Doctor, a podcast and video series that explores the intricacies of pricing and yield management in the digital advertising industry. Originally from New Zealand, James earned his Ph.D. at Stanford University in Engineering-Economic Systems and Operations Research before launching a 20-year career in digital advertising. With leadership roles at Yahoo, Microsoft, Verizon Media, Oath, and Rapt, James has seen the industry evolve from the inside. Now, as the CEO and Founder of Korukea Media, James now helps businesses optimize their advertising strategies and unlock the full potential of their digital assets.

www.korukeamedia.com

www.linkedin.com/in/deaker/

www.youtube.com/@jamesdeaker

https://deaker.podbean.com/

What does it take to rise above challenges and create a life of impact?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Summer Watson from Washington, DC to discuss overcoming obstacles, finding purpose, and taking bold steps toward success. Summer introduces us to KORE, which stands for how we Kinetically connect, Organically learn from one another, Reshape lives through diverse interaction, and Empower one another to promote change. We explore cross-generational mentorship as well as the mindset shifts and key decisions that shape a fulfilling path.

Embracing Differences and Finding Connection

Summer and I reflect on the impact of feeling different and how shared experiences can lead to meaningful connections. We acknowledge that everyone’s story shapes who they are, but there’s power in embracing those differences and finding common ground with others. Summer shares how, even in moments of isolation or misunderstanding, these formative experiences sparked a deeper understanding of self and others. This insight reinforces the idea that uniqueness should be celebrated because it’s through our individual stories that we truly connect. Summer discusses the power of understanding others' experiences through a phenomenological lens. By listening reflectively and asking clarifying questions, leaders can connect with diverse perspectives. This approach fosters respect and collaboration, allowing leaders to assess needs and desires before creating impactful solutions.

About Summer Watson:

Dr. Summe r Watson, MHS, PhD from Washington, DC, is a High-Performance Coach, Dr. of Psychology, Podcaster, Event Producer, Live Show Host, Author, Mentor, and Military Spouse of over 21-years. Dr. Watson is also the owner of KORE Women, which supports companies to develop thriving cross-generational leadership and mentorship programs fostering healthy and sustainable communities. KORE stands for how we Kinetically connect, Organically learn from one another, Reshape lives through diverse interaction, and Empower one another to promote change, which are values that run through everything Dr. Watson does from running her business, podcasting, to creating community events and community development.

LinkedIn: Summer Watson, MHS, PhD

Instagram: @KOREWomen

TikTok: @KOREWomen

Facebook: @KOREWomen

KORE Women podcast:

www.korewomen.com/podcast/

Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kore-women-podcast/id1401140103

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf5GH2n5JM1HuRBIzWgDPLg

Setting SMART Goals for Career Success

In this episode, Tabatha Jones from California shares the power of setting SMART goals for career and personal growth. We explore why many professionals neglect to set specific goals for their careers and how establishing a clear vision is the essential foundation. Tabatha illustrates this with inspiring stories of clients who took small but bold actions, achieving promotions and entrepreneurial breakthroughs.

Overcoming Self-Doubt & Building Confidence to Excel in Your Career

Tabatha explains the power of overcoming self-doubt and embracing confidence as a key driver for career success. She highlights how many women’s fears and insecurities can prevent them from stepping into leadership roles, and how confronting these challenges can unlock new opportunities. Through practical strategies, Tabatha encourages listeners to set clear boundaries, make bold decisions, and focus on personal growth, ultimately empowering them to break through barriers and achieve their career goals.

About Tabatha Jones:

Tabatha Jones is the CEO of Empowered Leadership Coaching, a Career Advancement & Leadership Coach, author. With 20+ years of leadership experience, she took the leap from corporate America into coaching at the age of 50 where she now helps ambitious women break through career barriers, build unshakable confidence, and secure promotions faster. Her clients achieve leadership success by developing strategic career plans, elevating their visibility, and positioning themselves as top candidates for advancement. She specializes in working with gen-x women who are done playing small and want to make the next years the best of their career.

www.empowered-leader.com

www.linkedin.com/in/tabatha-jones-4485854

 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empowered

leadership-coaching-with-tabatha/id1769107570

Building Trust Through Vision, Collaboration, and Authentic Leadership

Jenny Alday Townsend from Florida shares how a clear vision and goal have driven her company’s success, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. By inspiring students and teachers to take ownership of education and enabling her team to teach with autonomy, Jenny creates a non-judgmental, empowering environment. She emphasizes the importance of mutual reliance, balancing leadership responsibilities while allowing employees to grow independently. Jenny reflects on learning to step back, giving her team space to own their journeys while maintaining strong, trusting relationships.

Applying the "Stroke It" Method to Business Success

Jenny shares how the “Stroke It” method goes beyond validation—it’s about personalized acknowledgment, fostering a workplace where employees feel genuinely appreciated. She starts with an intake form to learn each team member’s preferences, from favorite coffee to love languages. This allows her to tailor gestures of recognition, like surprising a committed team member with their favorite treats and a handwritten note. Jenny also adapts her approach to individual preferences for praise, using tools like DISC analysis to determine if public recognition, a private note, or a casual conversation is most effective.

Beyond gestures, transparency and trust are central to her leadership philosophy. By openly communicating challenges, like financial constraints, Jenny ensures her team understands the bigger picture while maintaining engagement

About Jenny Alday Townsend:

Jenny Alday Townsend is a keynote speaker, podcaster, Amazon Best Selling author, and thriving businesswoman focused on inspiring individuals to achieve balance in their professional lives and marriage.

Having experienced and triumphed over her marital challenges, she penned the book Stroke It. It is a means of supporting others facing similar struggles. Jenny is the proud proprietor of Music Compound, a renowned music academy that has garnered accolades such as Best Woman-Owned Business and Small Business of the Year. In recognition of her outstanding achievements, Jenny was honored with the Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2019. Now happily married, Jenny enjoys traveling, savoring delectable cuisine, and cherishing quality time spent with loved ones.

www.jennyaldaytownsend.com

www.linkedin.com/in/jennyaldaytownsend

https://www.youtube.com/@JennyTownsend

www.facebook.com/jennyaldaytownsend/

www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/

Amazon (Book): https://a.co/d/41Rcm48

www.jennyaldaytownsend.com/podcast

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Business

Vince Warnock from Victoria, Australia, opens up about his experience with imposter syndrome, from feeling out of place at a business breakfast to confronting his inner doubts while achieving success. He shares how a pivotal conversation revealed that even high achievers often feel like frauds.

AI's Role in Revolutionizing Writing and Publishing

Vince shares how AI has revolutionized writing and publishing, especially for neurodivergent authors. He highlights how AI has eradicated writer's block, making it easier for authors to articulate their ideas and structure their thoughts. AI also plays a crucial role in generating book descriptions, outshining his team’s efforts and allowing them to focus on other creative tasks (which they also preferred). Additionally, AI has leveled the playing field for authors diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, providing them with the support they need to write and publish effectively.

Harnessing AI for Business Growth and Innovation

Vince talks about how AI is revolutionizing businesses across industries. For example, it also offers new ways to engage with customers. By embracing AI, businesses can not only improve efficiency but also unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. The key is to integrate AI thoughtfully and continuously adapt to its evolving capabilities.

About Vince Warnock:

Vince Warnock, based in Australia, is an eleven-times best-selling author, publisher and award-winning Marketing and Visibility coach. He is known for his expertise in neuro-marketing, publishing, and AI and has been presented with numerous awards, including being included in the Fearless50, a program designed by Adobe to recognize the world's top 50 marketers. Vince is also the host of the top 1.5% podcast “Chasing the Insights” and the founder of ATG Publishing and the Sisterhood of AI.

https://chasingtheinsights.com  

www.linkedin.com/in/vdub01  

www.facebook.com/chasingtheinsights  

www.instagram.com/chasingtheinsights

https://twitter.com/vdub01   

https://chasingtheinsights.com/podcast

Embracing the Five Pillars of Leadership

In this episode, I speak with Bernie Borges from Florida about his approach to leadership and the vital role of self-awareness in shaping leadership styles. We explore how leaders can better support their teams by focusing on the five key pillars of life: health, fitness, career, relationships, and legacy. Bernie discusses how leaders, who understand and fulfill these pillars for themselves, can lead with empathy, creating an environment that nurtures both personal and team growth. He shares insights from his research on fulfillment versus happiness and emphasizes the importance of providing resources that help employees thrive in all aspects of their lives.

Building Connections through Vulnerability and Holistic Leadership

Leaders can build deeper connections with their teams by openly sharing aspects of their own fulfillment journey. This vulnerability fosters authenticity and relatability, helping close the gap between leader and team. When leaders are bold enough to be human, it strengthens trust, loyalty, and overall team engagement. By focusing on the holistic view of their team members and fostering empathy, leaders can challenge conventional thinking and create an intentional culture that drives sustained engagement and innovation without alienating those who prefer the status quo.

About Bernie Borges:

Bernie Borges is the host of the Midlife Fulfilled Podcast and the Fulfillment Architect at Thrive Media. Borges partners with leaders at organizations to design and implement tailored strategies that foster a more fulfilled and thriving multigenerational workforce. Borges helps leaders cultivate a balanced and meaningful work environment by developing a Fulfillment Centric Leadership™ approach focused on optimizing employees’ five key pillars: Health, Fitness, Career, Relationships, and Legacy. Leveraging his decades of marketing and communications experience, he leads workshops and helps facilitate effective strategies that help business leaders to optimize employee well-being and engagement, leading to increased productivity, higher retention, and career satisfaction.

www.midlifefulfilled.com

www.linkedin.com/in/bernieborges

www.youtube.com/@midlifefulfilled

www.facebook.com/bernie.borges

www.instagram.com/bernieborges

https://x.com/bernieborges

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-ful

lled-podcast-thriving-beyond-40-without/id1608001601

Shifting from Victim to Visionary

Kris Whitehead from New Hampshire shares how his love for storytelling and community shaped his purpose. Raised by a generous grandfather, Kris learned the importance of giving and creating harmony within abundance. Through his journey, he transitioned from a scarcity mindset to a place of inner peace, realizing that true success lies in personal integrity and uplifting others. Today, he encourages acts of kindness and seeks to share the gift of peace with everyone he encounters.

The Power of Humility and Intuition in Leadership

Kris reflects on the harmony he observed between his conservative father and liberal stepmother, which taught him the value of openness and understanding differing perspectives. He connects this to leadership, stressing the importance of humility, experience, and fostering other leaders. Additionally, Kris emphasizes the role of intuition in leadership, suggesting that when accessed authentically, it can strengthen one's leadership style and effectiveness in unique ways.

About Kris Whitehead:

Kris Whitehead, Leadership|Business|Mindset Coach, is the founder of Iconic Alliance - a whole life and business coaching program designed to help business owners and entrepreneurs excel in every area of their lives. He believes a holistic approach to coaching that encompasses every aspect of a person’s life is the best way to help his clients build successful and sustainable businesses.

Kris first started in the coaching space in 2010 with his program Think To Succeed. Along with his late business partner Lonnie Robertson, Kris grew Think To Succeed to a world-wide coaching practice in mere months. He has now brought all of that experience and knowledge, along with over 25 years as a business owner in multiple other industries, to the Iconic Alliance program. Kris not only is a Best-Selling author, but also currently owns and operates 3 successful businesses, and has grown 5 over the last 17 years - ranging from 2 renovation and design companies, real estate investing, and several profitable online businesses. He was also the Director of Executive Coaching for an online coaching and development company that he helped build to 8 figures. His goal is to help YOU win… at business, at relationships, and life!

www.linkedin.com/in/kriswhitehead/

www.youtube.com/@kriswhiteheadofficial

www.facebook.com/thekriswhitehead

www.instagram.com/kris_whitehead_official/

https://a.co/d/7OrxiA2

Podcast: https://iconicalliance.com/podcast-9103-6507

Michelle Hawk from Oregon discusses her childhood connection to animism, the belief that all things are alive and interconnected. She shares her journey from feeling isolated with her unique perspective to finding belonging in shamanic practices. Combining spirituality with science, Michelle explores the transformative process of alchemy as a means of personal growth and self-actualization.

Michelle highlights the stages of transformation as a cyclical process of personal growth, explaining the essential phases:

Purging: Letting go of physical and emotional objects that no longer align with your identity.

Dissolution: Confronting feelings, beliefs, and subconscious patterns that hold you back.

Separation: Analyzing what you want to keep, what to discard, and what new things to embrace.

Conjunction: Bringing together initial ideas or actions (like a first draft), though it's a work in progress.

Michelle also discusses the natural tendency of humans to prefer familiarity over uncertainty due to deep-seated neurological wiring. She emphasizes the importance of trusting intuition while navigating transformation, using alchemy as a map for personal and leadership growth.

Leaders can embrace these cycles of change to guide teams through challenges and foster meaningful growth.

About Michelle Hawk:

Michelle Hawk is an Alchemist, Shaman, Master Healer and Spiritual Mentor, who began practicing Shamanism in 2003 at age 15. A naturally gifted psychic and intuitive channel, Michelle’s work with Alchemy, Shamanic energies, and multiple certifications as a Master Healer allow her to offer the deepest level of transformational work. She mentors and trains practitioners in Alchemy, Shamanism and the healing arts, and helps people master their intuitive gifts and magical birthright.

www.michellehawk.com

www.youtube.com/@ShamanSisterSessions

www.instagram.com/michellehawk

www.youtube.com/@ShamanSisterSessions

Download your FREE guide to the 7 Stages of Alchemy: https://michellehawk.com/gift-for-you

Shifting Leadership Mindsets for Lasting Impact

In this episode, Scott McCarthy from Ontario, Canada, shares how his military experience influences his leadership approach today. He discusses the unique leadership cycle in the military, where roles change every 2-3 years, and how this mindset applies to any leadership position. He emphasizes the importance of preparing for leadership transitions and establishing processes that outlast individual leaders. His leadership philosophy focuses on creating lasting change—not on a leader’s temporary presence, but on the continuity of the team’s success.

Delegation Done Right: Letting Go to Lead Better

Scott underscores that delegation is more than handing over large tasks; it's a continuous process we engage in daily, from asking someone to do dishes to using Zoom for this conversation. The essence of delegation is authorizing others to make decisions, which frees up leaders to focus on higher-level strategic thinking. He emphasizes the importance of shedding the ego, which often blocks delegation, by realizing that others may handle tasks better or differently. Scott also introduces his framework: starting with understanding intent—what needs to be achieved—and the desired end state—where we want to be. This approach enables teams to take ownership and act with greater autonomy.

Building Strong Leadership Habits for Success

Scott also shares practical habits for leaders to thrive, like integrating a daily morning routine. These habits help leaders maintain mental clarity, elevate productivity, and improve overall well-being, ultimately benefiting both themselves and their teams.

About Scott McCarthy:

Scott McCarthy is the Chief Leadership Officer at Moving Forward Leadership. Scott’s leadership journey ignited early, as a young visionary eager to direct and strategize. His prowess led him to the Canadian Army, where he swiftly rose through the ranks, commanding an 80 soldier platoon at 24 and a 200-member Logistics Squadron at 33. A firm believer in the universality of leadership skills, Scott advocates for delegation as a key to organizational success and teamwork as the heart of high performance. His philosophy is clear: leaders must create a lasting legacy that endures beyond their tenure. Now, as a senior Canadian Army officer and Chief Leadership Officer at Moving Forward Leadership, Scott continues to inspire through his podcast, sharing wisdom from two decades of military experience. His message is a clarion call to all aspiring leaders to embrace their potential, lead with purpose, and craft a legacy that stands the test of time.

www.movingforwardleadership.com

www.linkedin.com/in/scottcmccarthy

www.facebook.com/movingforwardleadership

www.instagram.com/leaddontboss

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