How do great leaders build cohesive teams, create psychological safety, and work effectively with difficult people?

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne talks with Tessa Kampen, facilitator and team engagement expert, about what it takes to create workplaces where people feel valued, understood, included, and energized.

Tessa shares why strong teams begin with understanding the people behind the job, not simply implementing better systems and processes. She explains the four stages of psychological safety, including inclusion safety, learner safety, challenger safety, and contributor safety, and why each one plays an important role in building trust and employee engagement.

You will also discover a powerful new way to think about difficult coworkers. Tessa challenges leaders to look in the mirror and ask, “What is it like on the other side of me?” before labeling someone else as difficult. She explains how curiosity, humility, self-awareness, and understanding can transform workplace relationships.

Plus, hear Tessa's memorable beach ball analogy for understanding another person's perspective and why understanding does not require agreement.

If you are a leader, manager, HR professional, team member, or anyone who wants to improve workplace culture, communication, trust, and connection, this episode is packed with practical leadership strategies you can use immediately.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Contact Tessa: https://tessakampen.com/

Contact Desi: https://www.desipayne.com/

What if the difficult person at work isn’t actually difficult, but dysregulated?

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with neuroscience expert and speaker Vanessa McNeal to explore how understanding the brain and nervous system can transform workplace relationships, reduce conflict, and help leaders create healthier, more energized teams.

Vanessa shares practical strategies for dealing with difficult coworkers and employees, navigating challenging conversations, managing workplace stress, and recognizing the role nervous system regulation plays in leadership. You’ll learn how curiosity can replace judgment, why communication is critical during conflict, and how leaders can support employees experiencing burnout and overwhelm.

Vanessa also explains why an energized leader is magnetic, someone who can bring positivity and energy while also showing compassion, emotional intelligence, and presence when life gets difficult.

If you’ve ever struggled with a demanding boss, difficult coworker, burned-out employee, or stressful workplace relationship, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective and practical tools to respond differently.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Contact Vanessa: https://www.vanessamcneal.com/

Contact Desi: https://www.desipayne.com/

What does it take to transform unimaginable adversity into determination, purpose, and success?

In this inspiring episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Mensur Pudic, a Bosnian American motivational speaker, personal development coach, award-winning author, natural bodybuilder, and powerlifter. Mensur shares his powerful journey from experiencing war and genocide as a young child in Bosnia to arriving in Iowa as a refugee with only the clothes on his back.

He reveals how childhood trauma shaped his mindset, why he spent years operating in survival mode, and how personal growth helped him replace fear with faith, resilience, and purpose. Mensur also explains how our thoughts create beliefs, our beliefs influence our actions, and our actions ultimately determine our results.

Listeners will discover practical strategies for overcoming negative thinking, challenging limiting beliefs, creating meaningful goals, and developing the discipline required to achieve them. Mensur also shares three ways to become simply motivated: work toward meaningful progress, find something that deeply inspires you, and surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that your past may shape you, but it does not have to limit your future.

To contact Mensur, go to: https://simply-motivated.com/

To contact Desi, go to: https://www.desipayne.com/

What separates memorable leaders from forgettable ones?

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne talks with author, leadership expert, and professional illusionist Ken Hartley about the leadership illusions that can prevent people from building trust, communicating effectively, and creating a meaningful legacy.

Ken shares powerful insights from his book Leadership Illusions, including why a title does not automatically earn respect, why communication is not complete until understanding occurs, and why trust should be given until mistrust is earned. He also explains why leadership is not measured only by accomplishments, but by the lives we influence and the legacy we leave behind.

The conversation also explores Ken’s newest book, Calling the Presidents: Leadership Lessons from Every Commander in Chief. After spending 12 years visiting presidential libraries, homes, museums, birthplaces, and gravesites, Ken uncovered leadership lessons from every U.S. president.

You will hear fascinating stories about Franklin Pierce, James K. Polk, Grover Cleveland, James Monroe, and Jimmy Carter, along with practical lessons about remembering people’s names, setting a clear vision, telling the truth, establishing boundaries, delegating responsibility, and leading with integrity.

Listen to discover how energized leaders prioritize growth, connect before they communicate, influence without relying on a title, and create a legacy that lives on through others.

To contact Ken go to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-hartley/

To order "Calling the Presidents," go to: www.callingthepresidents.com

To contact Desi go to: https://www.desipayne.com/

In this inspiring episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Holly Hoffman, former Survivor Nicaragua contestant, motivational speaker, and author, to talk about resilience, mindset, courage, and what it really takes to survive life’s toughest challenges.

Holly shares what it was like to be dropped into the jungle with little food, constant rain, snakes, rats, howler monkeys, and no communication with her family. She opens up about the moment she nearly quit on day five, the powerful conversation with Jimmy Johnson that helped her get back up, and how one sentence, “We really need you,” changed the direction of her game.

This episode is packed with leadership lessons, workplace inspiration, and practical reminders for anyone facing burnout, uncertainty, adversity, or a difficult season. Holly and Desi discuss the power of asking for help, choosing your mindset, stepping out of your comfort zone, finding purpose, and surrounding yourself with people who lift you up.

Whether you are a leader, employee, speaker, entrepreneur, or someone who needs encouragement to keep going, this conversation will remind you that you are never one day short of changing your mindset, taking a new opportunity, and getting back up.

What does it take to transform a school district, rebuild employee morale, and create a culture where students and staff feel valued?

In this inspiring episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Mike McGrory on his final day as Superintendent of the Ottumwa Community School District. Mike reflects on his leadership journey, the lessons he learned throughout his career, and the bold initiatives that helped transform the district.

Mike shares how listening to employees and community members helped rebuild trust, why optimism is essential for energized leadership, and how giving people the resources they need creates a stronger workplace culture. He also discusses the district’s “Be the Best” vision, free breakfast and lunch programs, expanded preschool access, brain-based retreat rooms, improved learning environments, and the decision to remove cell phones from schools.

You will also hear Mike’s practical advice for leaders, including why leaders should avoid making decisions based on emotion, empower others to challenge their thinking, and remain focused on the vision while staying flexible about how they achieve it.

This episode is filled with valuable leadership lessons for superintendents, principals, educators, business leaders, and anyone who wants to build trust, improve workplace culture, strengthen employee engagement, and create meaningful organizational change.

In this inspiring episode of the Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Eddie Slowikowski, a peak performance expert, professional speaker, former elite runner, and author of The Four Minute Formula. Eddie shares his powerful journey from chasing an Olympic dream to becoming a full time speaker for more than 30 years.

Eddie opens up about breaking the four minute mile, winning a gold medal while representing the United States, and discovering his true calling after one unexpected speech to 1,000 teenagers changed the direction of his life. Through personal stories, humor, and wisdom, Eddie teaches listeners how big goals, belief, visualization, preparation, pain, service, and legacy all play a role in creating a life of purpose and impact.

This episode is perfect for leaders, speakers, educators, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to improve their mindset, build resilience, pursue meaningful goals, and serve others with greater intention. Eddie also shares practical insights from his book The Four Minute Formula, including how to define what you want, believe it is possible, prepare for challenges, and help others reach their own potential.

Listeners will walk away encouraged to dream bigger, stay committed to the journey, and remember that the magic is not just in the destination, but in who you become along the way.

Connect with Eddie: 

 https://www.eddiespeak.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiespeak/

Eddie's Movie Recommendation: S.I.N.G. Street

Connect with Desi:

https://www.desipayne.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker

www.youtube.com/c/desipayne

Desi is a leading authority on positive workplace culture, stress management, and team engagement. An award-winning international keynote speaker, she equips professionals with actionable strategies to “Make Your Current Job Your Dream Job,” even when stress and pressure are high. Drawing on a 35-year hospital career, entrepreneurship, and her personal triumph as a cancer survivor, she equips teams to overcome burnout, negativity, and overwhelm in high-pressure environments. Desi has delivered keynotes and workshops in 27 states and internationally for hundreds of organizations, known for blending actionable tools with humor and memorable storytelling. She is a certified John Maxwell Leadership Trainer, a regular TV personality on Hello Iowa!, host of The Energized Leader podcast, and author of three books on stress and workplace culture.

In this energizing episode, Desi Payne welcomes Christine Trippi, known as The Wise Pineapple, hospitality expert, speaker, author of Yes Is the Answer, and creator of powerful customer service strategies that help leaders and teams create unforgettable experiences.

Christine shares how she began her hotel career at just 17 years old and grew into leadership by learning the power of hospitality, positive energy, and the simple but transformational practice of beginning with “yes.” Through moving stories from the hotel industry, including a powerful birthday surprise for two young boys, Christine reminds us that every interaction is an opportunity to change someone’s world.

This conversation explores how leaders can build a positive workplace culture, train teams to think creatively, improve customer service, reduce negativity, and help employees feel good at their jobs. Christine also explains how the reticular activating system impacts our mindset, why gratitude helps teams look for the good, and how leaders can replace automatic “no” responses with solution-focused language.

Whether you work in hospitality, leadership, customer service, education, healthcare, sales, or any people-centered profession, this episode will inspire you to lead with heart, create more yes moments, and build a culture where employees and customers feel valued.

Connect with Christine: https://www.thewisepineapple.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8D%8Dchristine-trippi-56105311/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF0kM0pVVew

Connect with Desi:

https://www.desipayne.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker

www.youtube.com/c/desipayne

Desi is a leading authority on positive workplace culture, stress management, and team engagement. An award-winning international keynote speaker, she equips professionals with actionable strategies to “Make Your Current Job Your Dream Job,” even when stress and pressure are high. Drawing on a 35-year hospital career, entrepreneurship, and her personal triumph as a cancer survivor, she equips teams to overcome burnout, negativity, and overwhelm in high-pressure environments. Desi has delivered keynotes and workshops in 27 states and internationally for hundreds of organizations, known for blending actionable tools with humor and memorable storytelling. She is a certified John Maxwell Leadership Trainer, a regular TV personality on Hello Iowa!, host of The Energized Leader podcast, and author of three books on stress and workplace culture.

In this energizing episode, Desi Payne sits down with leadership expert Antoinette Griffin to explore how understanding your natural communication and energy style can make you a more effective leader. Together, they discuss the differences between introverts, extroverts, ambiverts, omniverts, and attroverts, and why self-awareness is essential for building stronger relationships, increasing influence, and creating a positive workplace culture.

Antoinette shares practical insight on how leaders can recognize their strengths, identify blind spots, and adapt their communication style to connect better with their teams. From the quiet power of introverted leaders to the outgoing energy of extroverted leaders, this conversation helps listeners understand how different personality styles impact leadership, team dynamics, communication, and workplace engagement.

You will also hear powerful lessons on body language, emotional awareness, social intelligence, and why energized leaders must learn to be the thermostat, not just read the temperature in the room. If you are a leader, speaker, business owner, educator, or team member who wants to improve communication, build trust, boost employee engagement, and create a more energized workplace culture, this episode is for you.

Connect with Antoinnette: https://www.griffdevelopment.com/about/about-antoinette/

Connect with Desi: https://www.desipayne.com/

Desi is a leading authority on positive workplace culture, stress management, and team engagement. An award-winning international keynote speaker, she equips professionals with actionable strategies to “Make Your Current Job Your Dream Job,” even when stress and pressure are high. Drawing on a 35-year hospital career, entrepreneurship, and her personal triumph as a cancer survivor, she equips teams to overcome burnout, negativity, and overwhelm in high-pressure environments. Desi has delivered keynotes and workshops in 27 states and internationally for hundreds of organizations, known for blending actionable tools with humor and memorable storytelling. She is a certified John Maxwell Leadership Trainer, a regular TV personality on Hello Iowa!, host of The Energized Leader podcast, and author of three books on stress and workplace culture.

In this inspiring episode, Desi Payne sits down with Dave Kauffman, international relationship speaker, Master DISC trainer, entrepreneur, business coach, business owner, and pilot, to talk about how leaders can create stronger relationships, healthier workplace cultures, and more energized teams.

Dave shares his journey from Amish Mennonite farm boy to successful business owner and leadership coach, revealing how ambition, strategy, self-awareness, and communication all played a role in his growth. He explains why DISC personality training is one of the most powerful tools for leaders, teams, sales professionals, families, and anyone who wants to communicate more effectively.

Listeners will learn how understanding the DISC personality styles can improve workplace relationships, reduce conflict, increase empathy, and help leaders adapt their communication style to the people they serve. Dave also shares why energized leaders need mission, vision, and purpose, how authenticity builds trust during difficult seasons, and why leadership is not positional, it is relational.

This episode is perfect for leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs, managers, coaches, and team members who want to improve communication, build trust, create a positive workplace culture, and become more intentional in how they lead and relate to others.

Connect with Dave:  https://davekauffmanspeaks.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davekauffmanspeaks/

Connect with Desi:

https://www.desipayne.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker

www.youtube.com/c/desipayne