The Lead Up Podcast

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour delves into the foundational element of leadership: mindset. 

He discusses how a leader’s mindset shapes their approach to challenges, team engagement, and overall organizational success. Mike emphasizes the importance of building a shared vision and the power of belief in driving behavioral change. 

Through practical steps and real-life examples, he illustrates how leaders can foster a culture that empowers teams and promotes a mindset of possibilities. Tune in for actionable insights on transforming your leadership mindset and that of your team to achieve elite leadership.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through [email protected] to share your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to cover in the future.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour sits down with Lindsay Ellis, author of 'Beyond the Ordinary Leader.' 

Lindsay shares her journey from human resources to marketing leadership and discusses the importance of mentorship, introspection, and self-care in leadership. She provides insights into overcoming poor leadership experiences and highlights the significance of cultivating success in others. 

Tune in for valuable lessons on developing extraordinary leadership skills and creating a lasting legacy!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through: [email protected] to let him know your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to speak on in the future.

You can learn more about Lindsay and her book here.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour dives into the art of tactical praise, outlining how leaders can use it to enhance team loyalty and motivation. 

He emphasizes the importance of specific, genuine praise, recognizing efforts as well as results, and balancing public and private recognition. Drawing from his book 'Quit Losing Talent,' Mike provides practical strategies for leaders to improve engagement and reduce turnover. 

Tune in for actionable insights on how to make your praise meaningful and foster a culture of appreciation within your team. 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through: [email protected] to let him know your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to speak on in the future.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour sits down with Brad Englert, author of Spheres of Influence.'

Brad discusses his career journey from Accenture partner to Chief Information Officer at the University of Texas at Austin. Diving into Brad's book, they focus on how leaders can develop influence and authentic business relationships. 

Mike and Brad discuss practical ways to build strong relationships with bosses, direct reports, and executive leaders, as well as differentiating between transactional and meaningful networking. 

Want to explore how to strategically and intentionally build strong, impactful relationships? Give this episode a listen!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through: [email protected] to let him know your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to speak on in the future.

You can learn more about Brad here. 

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour dives into the topic of fearless leadership and how leaders can overcome fear while embracing challenges. 

Mike emphasizes that fear is a natural part of leadership and shares three actionable steps to harness it for growth and resilience. He recounts personal stories and examples of leaders who faced fear head-on, offering insights into the power of mindset shifts, focusing on mission, and celebrating progress over perfection. 

Give this episode a listen, and leave encouraged to reframe fear as an opportunity, use vulnerability and authenticity, and inspire courage within your teams. 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through: [email protected] to let him know your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to speak on in the future.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour engages in a compelling conversation with Captain Mike Abrashoff.

Captain Abrashoff shares his journey of transforming one of the worst-performing ships in the Navy into the best within two years by implementing innovative leadership techniques and fostering a culture of respect and curiosity. 

The discussion delves into the principles of servant leadership, the importance of self-awareness, and actionable strategies for driving engagement and retention in any organization.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through: [email protected] to let him know your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to speak on in the future.

You can learn more about Mike Abrashoff here.

In this episode of The Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour delves into the significance of the first 90 days for new hires in any organization. 

Mike discusses tactics to engage and retain top talent, emphasizing the importance of a structured onboarding process he refers to as 'activation.' He shares actionable strategies for leaders to transform their onboarding stages, from pre-boarding to integration, and highlights the critical role of setting clear expectations and celebrating small wins. 

Drawing from his book 'Quit Losing Talent,' Mike provides insights on how investing time in new hires during their initial 90 days can significantly enhance their long-term productivity and engagement.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through: [email protected] to let him know your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to speak on in the future.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour and guest Mike Paton delve into the significance and importance of processes in leadership. 

Paton, co-author of the book 'Process: How Discipline and Consistency Will Set You and Your Business Free', discusses the myths and benefits related to processes, and the crucial mindset required for implementing discipline within an organization. The conversation highlights how structured processes can enhance employee performance, customer service, and overall organizational consistency. 

For leaders looking to improve operational efficiency and scale their business effectively, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice.
 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through: [email protected] to let him know your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to speak on in the future.

You can find Process: How Discipline and Consistency Will Set You and Your Business Free here

In this week’s episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour discusses the essential habits and tools necessary for effective leadership in a fast-paced environment. 

He provides actionable tips on organization, planning, and time management. Mike emphasizes the importance of categorizing tasks into core, project, and developmental categories and the necessity of scheduling regular 'Think Storm' and roadmap sessions to maintain focus and efficiency. 

Tune in to learn how to reduce overwhelm, enhance productivity, and lead your team more effectively while avoiding burnout.
 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through: [email protected] to let him know your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to speak on in the future.

In this episode of the Lead Up Podcast, host Mike Harbour welcomes leadership consultant and business strategist, Dave Garrison. 

They discuss Dave’s book, 'The Buy-In Advantage: Why Employees Stop Caring and How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Give Their All', which is set to release on June 3, 2025. 

The conversation dives into the importance of purpose, the power of collective genius, and the art of asking questions over giving instructions. Dave shares practical insights and anecdotes on building a buy-in culture, the role of compelling purpose in organizations, and how leaders can harness the collective intelligence of their teams. 

They also touch on the challenges of employee engagement, turnover, and how to transform leadership approaches for better performance and team satisfaction.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a 5-star review on your streaming platform. Mike encourages you to reach out to him through: [email protected] to let him know your thoughts on this episode & to share some topics you would like him to speak on in the future.

You can find The Buy-In Advantage here.