Think being nice and avoiding conflict makes you a better leader? Think again.

Kelcy Heringer played nice until she saw that real respect comes from honesty, not people-pleasing. Now she’s all about leveling the playing field and speaking up even when it’s uncomfortable.

Blake Lucas learned the hard way that sugarcoating feedback doesn’t help his team or his credibility. When one of his reports kept getting passed over for promotions without understanding why, he realized he was avoiding the tough conversations that really mattered.

Having managed thousands of people between them, Kelcy and Blake help us understand why dancing around and avoiding hard conversations with teammates holds everyone back. Because giving clear, helpful feedback isn’t mean. It’s real leadership.

GUEST

Kelcy Heringer
Business & Exec Accelerator

Kelcy helps high-growth companies and top-impact leaders fast-track growth. Her approach has helped 847+ people get promoted within 3-12 months, and helps hundreds of high achievers confidently grow their careers.

Connect with Kelcy on LinkedIn

Follow Kelcy on Instagram @kelcy_heringer

SHE DID WHAT?
Got a wild customer service story or a sticky patient situation to share? If your tale makes it into our "She did what?" segment, we'll send a thank you gift you'll actually love. Promise, no cheap swag here. Send us a message or voicemail at practicelandpodcast.com.

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HOSTS

Blake Lucas, Senior Director of Customer Experience at PatientFi

Blake oversees a dedicated team responsible for managing patient and provider inquiries, troubleshooting technical issues, and handling any unexpected challenges that come their way. With a strong focus on delivering exceptional service, he ensures that both patients and providers receive the support they need for a seamless experience.

Learn more about PatientFi

Andrea Watkins, VP of Practice Growth at Studio III Marketing

Andrea Watkins, Vice President of Practice Growth at Studio 3, coaches plastic surgery and aesthetics teams on patient acquisition, lead management, and practice efficiency to drive measurable growth. Formerly COO of a multi-million-dollar practice that nearly tripled revenue under her leadership, she now partners with over 100 practices nationwide—helping them capture and analyze data, streamline consultations and booking, and align staff training with business goals. With a directive yet approachable, non-salesy style, Andrea turns data into action, empowering practices to boost conversions, maximize marketing, and elevate the patient experience in a competitive market.


Learn more about Studio III Marketing and LeadLoop CRM for plastic surgery practices and medical spas. 

Co-hosts: Andrea Watkins & Blake Lucas
Producer: Eva Sheie @ The Axis
Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart
Engineering: Ian Powell
Theme music: Full Time Job, Mindme
Cover Art: Dan Childs

Practiceland is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io