The Leadership Code

In this episode, former Amazon executive John Rossman takes us behind the scenes of one of the most innovative companies in the world to explore what truly drives high-performing teams.

As the author of Big Bet Leadership and The Amazon Way series, John introduces a powerful question every leader must wrestle with:
Are your employees mercenaries—or missionaries?

Mercenaries work for a paycheck. Missionaries fight for a cause. The difference is the key to building a resilient, innovative, and purpose-driven organization.

Drawing from his experience launching the Amazon Marketplace and leading large-scale transformation efforts, John shares:

• The leadership principles that fueled Amazon’s explosive growth

• How to create a culture where people are deeply committed to the mission—not just the metrics

• Why innovation flourishes when teams are trusted to act like owners

• Practical strategies leaders can use to inspire belief and build alignment at every level

Whether you lead a startup, a government agency, or a global enterprise, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you lead—and how to turn your team into a force for impact.

If you’ve ever wondered how to transform compliance into conviction and loyalty into lasting results, this episode is your playbook.

To learn more about John Rossman and his work, visit https://rossmanpartners.com

Crises don’t just challenge organizations—they reveal the very core of leadership. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Edward Segal, one of the nation’s leading experts on crisis management and author of The Crisis Casebook: Lessons in Crisis Management from the World’s Leading Brands and Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies.

Edward has spent decades advising leaders and studying how some of the world’s most recognized brands navigate disaster. From corporate scandals and public relations nightmares to cybersecurity breaches and natural disasters, he’s seen firsthand what separates organizations that recover and rebuild trust from those that crumble under pressure.

Together, we explore:

• Why so many leaders underestimate the likelihood and impact of a crisis

• The critical first steps leaders must take in the earliest hours of chaos

• How to balance transparency and brand protection when communicating under fire

• The evolving role of social media in shaping public perception during a crisis

• Practical strategies for rebuilding trust and resilience after the storm passes

Whether you’re leading a team, a company, or an entire community, this conversation will equip you with insights and strategies to prepare for the unexpected—and to lead with courage and clarity when it matters most.

If you want to ensure you and your organization are crisis-ready, this is a must-listen episode.

To learn more about Edward and his work, visit https://www.crisiscasebook.com/

To download a free crisis management template, click here: https://www.crisiscasebook.com/free-crisis-management-plan

In this episode of The Leadership Code Podcast, we sit down with Ernesto Gómez, a seasoned executive whose three-decade career spans entrepreneurial ventures and global corporate leadership.

From building food service businesses in the U.S. and Mexico to leading human capital strategies for Sigma Alimentos and Grupo Alfa—two powerhouse organizations with a combined workforce of over 120,000—Ernesto brings a rare perspective on leadership, transformation, and the critical importance of succession planning.

Together, we explore why succession planning is often an afterthought until it becomes a crisis—and how to shift from reactive backfills to proactive talent development.

Ernesto shares insights from his global work leading cultural and talent initiatives, offering practical strategies for identifying and developing high-potential talent, embedding succession into daily leadership practice, and creating equitable access to leadership roles for underrepresented groups.

We also tackle the psychology of leadership—what it takes to prepare successors without feeling threatened, how to measure what matters, and where organizations should begin if they’re just now taking succession seriously.

Whether you're a C-suite executive, HR leader, or emerging leader preparing to shape the future, this episode offers a blueprint for turning succession from a risk into a strategic advantage.

Approachability isn’t about being “nice.” It’s about being present. It’s about building trust before there’s a crisis, creating space for truth to surface, and modeling the kind of leadership that makes growth possible—for your team and for yourself.

In this episode of The Leadership Code, we’re joined by Steve Worthy, Head of Growth at Competitor IQ (CIQ) and founder of The Campus, a leadership development platform redefining how we develop leaders in fast-paced industries like banking and retail. Steve is the mind behind the S.M.I.L.E. Approachability™️ Framework, a modern model that helps leaders foster trust, inspire teams, and expand their impact—without sacrificing performance.

We break down:

• Why many leaders think they’re approachable (but aren’t)

• What self-awareness and mindful listening really look like in practice

• How to lead former peers and manage up without losing credibility

• What role empathy and trust play in fostering high-performing, psychologically safe teams

🔍 The S.M.I.L.E. Framework:

• Self-Awareness

• Mindful Listening

• Inspiring Trust

• Lead by Example

• Effective Empathy

Whether you’re an emerging leader, managing a legacy team, or guiding an organization through growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights for leading with both strength and humility.

Learn more about Steve at www.worthyretail.com/now

In today’s high-velocity work environments, where deadlines loom, priorities shift by the hour, and the pressure to perform never lets up, empathy can feel like a luxury we can’t afford. But what if that thinking is backwards?

In this episode of The Leadership Code, we’re joined by Rebecca Shaddix—a powerhouse strategist and founder of Strategica Partners—who’s helped organizations generate over $450 million in revenue growth in just three and a half years. With her sharp eye for product-market fit and her signature blend of analytical thinking and emotional intelligence, Rebecca argues that empathy isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a performance multiplier.

We explore:

• What empathy actually looks like in fast-paced, high-stakes teams

• How to lead with heart without losing your edge

• Why emotionally intelligent leaders build stronger products, cultures, and bottom lines

• What you can do today to foster empathy across teams—especially in roles where metrics often overshadow meaning

Whether you're scaling a startup, leading cross-functional teams, or trying to stay grounded in the chaos—this conversation will challenge your assumptions and equip you with practical tools to lead with both clarity and compassion.

Whether you're leading a small team or an entire organization, chances are you've felt the weight of frustration—where nothing seems to stick, clarity is elusive, and results don’t reflect your effort.

Joining us on The Leadership Code is internationally recognized executive coach, author, and founder of The Oxley Group, Andrew Oxley. He’s worked with over 2,000 leaders across industries—from CNN and Cartier to TK Elevator and Progressive.

In his new book, The 4 Faces of Frustration, Andrew unpacks the four hidden dynamics that quietly sabotage leaders and teams.

We kick off with the fictional yet all-too-real story of Jack Staff, a new CEO thrown into chaos without a map. From there, Andrew walks us through each “face” of frustration, how to recognize them, and how to move forward with clarity, ownership, and traction.

Highlights include:

• A practical framework for diagnosing and addressing invisible leadership breakdowns

• Why some of the most dangerous frustrations are the quietest

• How to turn frustration into forward momentum—not burnout

• The role emotional intelligence plays in navigating ambiguity

• Real stories from the field that illustrate what’s possible when leaders step into clarity

If you’ve ever felt stuck, reactive, or stretched thin—this conversation will leave you feeling seen, equipped, and ready to lead from a more grounded place.

“Frustration isn’t the problem—it’s the breadcrumb. It’s pointing to something deeper.” — Andrew Oxley

Tune in and discover how to name your frustration, reframe your approach, and lead with renewed purpose.

Learn more about Andrew here: https://www.transformingresults.com

While the business world often chases complex perks and shiny engagement programs, the truth is, what makes people stay often comes down to the simple, human things. Things like trust, respect, meaningful work, and leadership behaviors that foster connection, not just compliance.

In today's episode of The Leadership Code, we're diving into a topic that every leader—at every level—should care about: 

Creating a workplace where people want to work—and want to stick around.

What are the everyday actions leaders can take to make their teams feel valued, heard, and motivated? 

What are the subtle signs leaders miss that tell people, "This is not the place for me?" 

And how do we move from workplaces that people tolerate, to cultures they choose—over and over again?

Joining me for this conversation is Kelly Hall, Founder of Live L.A.R.G.E. LLC, a management consulting and coaching firm helping leaders and teams make the shift from simply surviving to truly thriving—both in business and in life.

Kelly brings over 30 years of global leadership experience, having led diverse teams across industries and around the world. She also brings a unique perspective from shaping a self-directed company, where teams operate with autonomy, purpose, and trust.

Throughout her career, Kelly has been drawn to the tough spaces—chaos, uncertainty, and struggling businesses. She’s known for helping leaders and teams rebuild trust, cut through the noise, reduce the drama, and focus on what matters most. 

Her passion? Unleashing the collective spirit, experience, and energy of the team—because at the end of the day, THAT, is the real engine behind every thriving workplace.

Her new book is Love Works: Transforming the Workplace with Purpose and Authenticity (Fedd Books; March 4, 2025). Learn more at KellyWinegardenHall.com.

In today’s episode, we dive deep into one of the most challenging yet crucial aspects of leadership: Navigating the Emotional Journey of Change. Change is inevitable, but how we manage the emotions that come with it can define the success or failure of both individuals and organizations.

Change isn’t just about new systems, processes, or structures; it’s about people—people grappling with fear, uncertainty, excitement, and even resistance. So, how do we lead in a way that recognizes the emotional human side of transformation?

Joining me today to discuss this topic is Jonathan Bennett, an advisor and executive coach for purpose-driven leaders who need help solving their organization’s toughest obstacles. 

With experience in urban, rural, remote, and First Nations communities, Jonathan’s expertise is in social purpose business strategy, governance, branding, change, and communications. 

His coaching draws on 25 years of creativity and leadership success as a CEO, board member, and founder, and he is known for his deep-listening and his breakthrough solutions that create insights and new strategies.

To listen to Jonathan's conversations with other leaders, click here: https://clearlythen.com/listen

In this episode, we flip the leadership playbook and explore what it truly means to lead through culture—and why this approach is not just timely, but essential in today’s complex, fast-moving workplace.

Joining me is Ken Wilcox, former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and a globally respected voice on leadership, culture, and the future of work. Drawing from his experiences leading SVB through transformative growth in both the U.S. and China, Ken offers a masterclass in leadership that prioritizes people, trust, and humility over traditional command-and-control models.

Together, we unpack:

• Why humility is not just a personal virtue but a leadership strategy.

• How psychological safety fuels innovation and risk-taking.

• The shift from control to empowerment—and how to balance that with accountability.

• How leaders can spot when their ego is clouding decision-making—and what to do about it.

• Practical ways leaders can shape culture without micromanaging.

• Lessons from Leading Through Culture that are especially powerful for organizations navigating rapid change or growth.

Ken also shares his personal reflections on how leaders can build cultures where people want to do their best work—when no one is watching.

If you’re an emerging or experienced leader looking to foster a values-driven, high-performing culture, this conversation is for you.

Today’s episode is all about a topic that separates the companies who thrive from the ones who stumble: Why your people strategy is just as important as your financial strategy.

I’m thrilled to welcome two powerhouse guests who know this terrain inside and out: Howard Cleveland  and Meg Crosby, co-founders of PeopleCap Advisors.

Howard is a recognized executive coach, people strategist, and growth advisor. With over 25 years of leadership, consulting, and coaching experience, he’s been a trusted partner to leaders navigating challenges at every stage of growth — helping them gain clarity, confidence, and alignment between people and business goals.

Meg is a master of scaling high-growth companies. With deep experience working alongside private equity firms and portfolio CEOs, she helps build high-performing, sustainable organizations ready to tackle the pressures of rapid expansion. Before co-founding PeopleCap, Meg led Google’s HR M&A team, overseeing people-related due diligence and integration on more than 35 global acquisitions. She’s also the co-author of the forthcoming book, Running the Gauntlet: Proven Strategies for High Growth Leaders, coming out April 2025.

In this conversation, we’ll explore how aligning people and financial strategy isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s a make-or-break leadership responsibility. You’ll hear insights on scaling, culture, leadership bottlenecks, and how to future-proof your organization for long-term success.

Let’s dive in.