The Leadership Growth Podcast

Everyone faces adversity. Today’s guest asks, “If something happens that derails your life, what is the initiative that you're willing to take to pave the road to make things possible?”

After losing his sight in 2011, André van Hall learned first-hand what it meant to face adversity and reinvent himself. After a career in hospitality, he pivoted to become an author, speaker, and self-styled Curiosity Instigator.

In this episode, André talks to Daniel and Peter about the circumstances that led to the loss of his vision, how he dealt with the obstacles his new reality presented, and what he learned in the process of reinventing himself.

Tune in to learn:

• The role of curiosity in overcoming adversity and reinventing oneself
• The importance of humility in facing challenges
• The difference between judging and assessing

A rebuilt life is not a lesser life, says André. “Curiosity truly is the ray of sunlight that gives us the possibilities of what can be.”

Questions, or comments? E-mail us at [email protected]

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Resources and Links

André van Hall TEDx Talk

André van Hall Website

The Curiosity of Change: How to Bring Light to the Dark Side of Change, André van Hall (Amazon)

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

How to Stay Relevant at Work

6 Tips to Build a Learning Organization

7 Ways Leaders Develop Themselves and Others

5 EQ Lessons from a Leader Who Turned Criticism Into Growth

7 Ways to Become a Servant Leader

8 Characteristics of Servant Leaders

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#leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. 

From food delivery to dating, much of modern life is designed to help us eliminate friction.

But today’s guest suggests that we may have eliminated too much friction.

Ross Blankenship is an organizational psychologist, executive coach, and author who works with CEOs and senior leadership teams on the human side of leadership. In his forthcoming book, Friction: Uncover the Power of Leading Through Tension, Ross and his co-author, Maggie Sass, explore how leaders can lead through friction for better decisions, stronger relationships, and healthier performance.

In this conversation, Daniel, Peter, and Ross discuss why the right amount of friction is key to learning and leading for long-term success.

Ross points to studies that show when learning is more difficult, retention is higher. “If you take too much of the friction out of my thinking… then I’m not really thinking about it anymore,” he says.

Tune in to learn:

• The different types of friction that affect how people work and lead
• Why a little bit of friction is actually good
• How “sticking points” can help improve thinking

Like most beneficial practices, leveraging and navigating friction starts with habits. Find “the very simplest, smallest version of a task,” says Ross, and reflect or put energy into thinking about that friction. “That’s the kind of habit that can start to change your identity over time.”

Questions, or comments? E-mail us at [email protected]

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Resources and Links

Everyday Leadership Website

Ross Blankenship’s Substack “Theory of Change”

Tuesday Advisors

Ross Blankenship website

Ross Blankenship LinkedIn

Friction: Uncover the Power of Leading Through Tension (August 2026)

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

Why this One Skill is a Non-Negotiable for Your Next-Level Leaders

8 Tips to Manage Critical Feedback

5 IQ Lessons from a Leader Who Turned Criticism Into Growth

Burned Out vs. Bored Out: The Hidden Engagement Crisis

6 Ways Leaders can Master Emotional Self-Control

How to Increase Your Emotional Intelligence

8 Keys to Managing Conflict Well

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#leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. 

By the time you read this sentence, the AI landscape has already changed, says Bala Muthiah, Director of Engineering for Lyft.

“It’s like A Tale of Two Cities,” he says, citing the tension between champions and skeptics. “There are dreamers, and we need them. And there is a realism when code goes to production.”

In this conversation with Daniel and Peter, Bala shares his insights about how to balance aspirations around the great potential of AI with a healthy dose of realism about its capabilities and use cases.

Tune in to learn:

• A framework to help apply AI with a “human first” approach
• What you should NOT do to promote AI literacy
• Why leaders should let go of AI FOMO

Ultimately, Bala encourages leaders to be curious. “As a leader, the number one job is to help your team be their best,” he says. Being curious “is always going to be the winning formula.”

Questions, or comments? E-mail us at [email protected]

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Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/

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Resources and Links

Bala Muthiah LinkedIn

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

4 Mistakes Leaders Make with AI–and What to Do Instead

4 Ways to Encourage a Healthy Failure Culture

The AI Integration Roadmap

How to Stay Relevant at Work

6 Ways to Gain Support for Organizational Change

The 4 Steps for Managing Constant Change in the Workplace

4 Ways to Develop a Strategy of Adaptation

5 Signs You’re Ready for Digital Transformation

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#leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Resilience isn't a personality trait, says today's guest, Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier. "It is a state” that runs from high to low on a continuum.

Dr. Pelletier, also known as MH, is a leadership psychologist, executive coach, and senior leader with over twenty years of experience across the corporate, insurance, and governance sectors. Her award-winning book, The Resilience Plan, was named a “Top Five Book to Read” by both Inc. Magazine and Forbes.

In this episode, MH joins Daniel and Peter to examine what resilience means for today's leaders and how to apply strategic thinking to today’s challenges.

Tune in to learn:

• Why resilience exists on a continuum
• The three pillars for building resilience in the age of AI
• How leaders can support team resilience

The answer to facing the relentless pace of the AI-world isn’t heroic endurance, says MH. Rather, it's a calmer brain. With strategic thinking, leaders can strengthen resilience for both themselves and their teams.

Questions, comments, or topic ideas? Drop us an e-mail at [email protected].

—

Listen to The Leadership Growth Podcast!

https://open.spotify.com/show/6tYdz1gQAxHIQMeNXtkA3z?si=5cf424f1e2954749

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadership-growth-podcast/id1726606341

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Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/

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Resources and Links

Dr. Marie-Hélène (“MH”) Pelletier website

The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health (Amazon link)

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

https://stewartleadership.com/lead-in-uncertain-times/

https://stewartleadership.com/leading-through-uncertainty/

https://stewartleadership.com/improve-your-work-life-integration-by-managing-microstress/

https://stewartleadership.com/how-to-zoom-out-and-manage-your-inner-chatter/

https://stewartleadership.com/4-ways-to-encourage-a-growth-mindset-culture/

#leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoaching #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. 

“Change fatigue is real,” says today’s guest, Tiffany Harvey. “And everyone really navigates change very differently.”

Tiffany is a Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths® coach and client partner to Gallup. She led the CliftonStrengths program at Southwest Airlines for five years and now works as a Human Resources Manager at HOAM Ventures.

In this episode, Tiffany talks to Daniel and Peter about what strengths really are, how they can inform your leadership style and approach, and why knowing your strengths can help you deal with a constantly changing business environment.

Tune in to learn:

• How to deal with “strength envy”
• Whether it’s possible to overuse a strength
• Why curiosity could be key to understanding co-workers and direct reports in a whole new way

When faced with constant change, Tiffany says, it’s not about being fearless or embracing disruptive change. “It’s about being very mindful and intentional about selecting one or two strengths” that can help you navigate the changes you’re facing.

Questions, comments, or topic ideas? Drop us an e-mail at [email protected].

Listen to The Leadership Growth Podcast New episodes drop every other Tuesday!

https://open.spotify.com/show/6tYdz1gQAxHIQMeNXtkA3z?si=5cf424f1e2954749

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadership-growth-podcast/id1726606341

Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/

Resources and Links

Gallup CliftonStrengths® Assessment

Tiffany Harvey on LinkedIn

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

https://stewartleadership.com/5-ways-to-help-manage-your-teams-change-exhaustion-2/

https://stewartleadership.com/leading-through-change-how-to-future-proof-your-team/

https://stewartleadership.com/the-4-steps-for-managing-constant-change-in-the-workplace/

https://stewartleadership.com/five-ways-to-test-your-ability-to-sustain-change/

#leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoaching #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Between 45 and 50% of your daily actions are habitual, says today’s guest, Dr. Ron Dufresne.

Dr. Dufresne is a Professor of Management and Director of the Leadership, Ethics and Organizational Sustainability Program at St. Joseph’s University. He focuses on leadership and ethics with a particular emphasis on the role of character in leadership.

Daniel and Peter welcome Ron to discuss habits and their role in leadership. Ron suggests that habits aren’t all bad. They “take away a lot of the need for that deliberative, very cognitively taxing work that we need to do as leaders,” he says, and allow us to “focus our attention on the things that really matter.”

But habits may not always serve who we want to be as leaders–or as humans.

Tune in to learn:

• How to know when it’s time to change a habit
• How to break a habit loop and start a new one
• Two essential leadership habits to start cultivating for long-term success

Aristotle suggested that habits are practices of character, says Dr. Dufresne. “We are what we habitually do.” When we approach our habits with intentionality and self-reflection, we can become the leaders we want to be.

Questions, or comments? E-mail us at [email protected]

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Resources and Links

Dr. Ron Dufresne LinkedIn Profile

Dr. Ron Dufresne St. Joseph’s University page

“Psychology of Habit,” Wendy Wood and Dennis Rünger, Reviews in Advance, Sept. 1, 2015.

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

https://stewartleadership.com/character-driven-leadership/

https://stewartleadership.com/decision-making-impacts-executive-presence/

https://stewartleadership.com/the-power-of-habits-what-leaders-can-learn-from-tom-brady/

https://stewartleadership.com/4-ways-to-create-personal-change/

https://stewartleadership.com/your-brain-at-work-four-strategies-to-maximize-your-most-powerful-asset/

https://stewartleadership.com/6-ways-to-help-regulate-your-emotions-for-leadership-effectiveness/

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#leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. 

What if the same drive that built your career is quietly eroding your relationships at home?

When leaders ignore how their behaviors at work are affecting their most important relationships, it leads to exhaustion and burnout, says Lisa Skeffington. “It’s that constant pushing through the whole time, and it’s depleting your physiology without you even realizing that it happens,” she says.

Lisa is a multi-award winning psychotherapist, executive coach, and author with over 25 years in private practice. She joins Daniel and Peter to discuss emotional wealth and how to bring your best self to both work and home.

Tune in to learn:

• Key characteristics of a mentally and emotionally strong leader
• The three pillars of emotional wealth
• Some daily practices that can help develop emotional wealth

Lisa promotes a shift in mindset around success–away from “achieving more and having more” to “being fully present and connected to the life and the people we have around us so that we begin to regard emotional wealth as seriously as financial wealth.”

Questions, comments, or topic ideas? Drop us an e-mail at [email protected].

Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/

A weekly message from SL, sharing practical ways to grow your leadership.

Resources and Links

How to Connect with Lisa:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-skeffington
• Website: https://www.empoweredmomentum.com/

Lisa’s Free resources: https://welcome.empoweredmomentum.com/

• Self-Esteem Reality Check Audit
• Free preview of Lisa’s book From Anxious to Empowered
• Handbooks for anxious teens

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

https://stewartleadership.com/6-ways-to-help-regulate-your-emotions-for-leadership-effectiveness/

https://stewartleadership.com/five-behaviors-to-help-develop-your-emotional-intelligence/

https://stewartleadership.com/increasing-your-emotional-intelligence-how-do-others-react-to-you-2/

https://stewartleadership.com/fight-flight-freeze-our-brains-on-feedback/

#leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoaching #LeadershipGrowthPodcast

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Whether it’s your first leadership role or one you’ve entered after decades of leading people, one thing is sure: your first 90 days in a new position can make or break your tenure.

In today’s conversation, Daniel and Peter look at what leaders should and shouldn’t do during their first 90 days. “It’s not a standard checklist for everybody,” says Peter, “and not everybody’s going to come in and do it the exact same way.”

Tune in to learn:

• Why you shouldn’t spend your entire 90 days listening
• The danger of focusing on your favorite aspects of your role
• How to cultivate a good working relationship with your boss

Plus, a fun conversation about the origins of some of the most iconic American companies–and the lessons a huge pivot can offer leaders.

Questions, comments, or topic ideas? Drop us an e-mail at [email protected].

—

Listen to The Leadership Growth Podcast New episodes every other Tuesday!

https://open.spotify.com/show/6tYdz1gQAxHIQMeNXtkA3z?si=5cf424f1e2954749

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadership-growth-podcast/id1726606341

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Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/

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Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

https://stewartleadership.com/ten-ways-to-successfully-launch-into-your-first-90-days/

https://stewartleadership.com/10-tips-to-maximize-your-impact-in-your-first-90-days/

https://stewartleadership.com/what-c-level-executives-need-for-their-first-100-days/

https://stewartleadership.com/how-to-win-over-the-team-when-replacing-a-beloved-manager-2/

https://stewartleadership.com/10-questions-to-help-you-manage-up/

https://stewartleadership.com/changing-your-approach-leading-different-processing-styles/

https://stewartleadership.com/the-power-of-imagination-in-planning/

https://stewartleadership.com/manage-your-energy-not-your-time/

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#leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoaching #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast #first90days

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. 

When it comes to AI, just about everyone is experiencing some “fear of missing out” right now, says Melissa Reeve. “It’s not just executives. It’s not just your average individual. It’s even people who are writing the code.”

Humans are “not equipped to absorb these changes so quickly,” she says.

Melissa is the creator of the Hyperadaptive Model and author of Hyperadaptive: Rewiring the Enterprise to Become AI-Native. She spent 25 years as an executive and Agile thought leader, which led to pioneering work in Agile marketing and her role as the first VP of Marketing at Scaled Agile. She also co-founded the Agile Marketing Alliance.

In this conversation with Daniel and Peter, Melissa discusses how organizations can shift into a 21st Century model with AI integration.

Tune in to learn:

• What an AI-native organization looks like
• What most organizations are missing when it comes to AI integration
• What precedence can teach us about how to integrate AI

Using examples like McDonald’s, Unilever, and Moderna, Melissa shows that AI isn’t just for programmers–it’s a leap forward that can improve organizational operations and work environments for everyone.

Drop us an e-mail at [email protected].

—

Listen to The Leadership Growth Podcast!

https://open.spotify.com/show/6tYdz1gQAxHIQMeNXtkA3z?si=5cf424f1e2954749

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadership-growth-podcast/id1726606341

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Resources and Links

Hyperadaptive: Rewiring the Enterprise to Become AI-Native (IT Revolution link) (Amazon link)

“The Five Stages of Becoming AI-Native: The Hyperadaptive Model” (article)

Hyperadaptive Solutions website

Melissa Reeve LinkedIn

“The Overlooked Key to Leading Through Chaos,” MIT Sloan Management Review “Sensemaking” Article 

#leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoaching

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Do you have 27 years of experience or one year repeated 27 times?

Too many people find themselves stuck on repeat in their careers–doing the same thing over and over without new challenges or opportunities. While it’s true that everyone bears some responsibility for personal career development, organizations should be part of that process as well.

In part two of their conversation about connecting strategy with talent development, Daniel and Peter look at how organizations can use the “3D” process to develop future-ready talent. This episode focuses on parts two and three of the process–Discuss and Develop.

Tune in to learn:

• The key steps in Discussion and Development of talent
• The vital question leaders often forget to ask when considering individuals for development
• The reason work quality isn’t always the most important consideration in a talent discussion

As organizations look ahead to development conversations in 2026 and beyond, the 3D process can be an important tool to put into use. “We’ve seen this process work across organizations,” says Peter. “It makes a difference in both the short- and the long-term.”

Questions, comments, or topic ideas? Drop us an e-mail at [email protected].

Listen to The Leadership Growth Podcast New episodes drop every other Tuesday!

https://www.youtube.com/@stewartleadershipvideos/featured

https://open.spotify.com/show/6tYdz1gQAxHIQMeNXtkA3z?si=5cf424f1e2954749

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadership-growth-podcast/id1726606341

Resources and Links

Nine-Box Performance Grid Template (Indeed): https://www.indeed.com/hire/c/info/nine-box-performance-grid

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

• How to Create an Effective Action Plan for Development: https://stewartleadership.com/how-to-create-an-effective-action-plan-for-development/
• Connecting Strategy with Talent Development, Part 1: https://stewartleadership.com/six-tips-for-productive-career-conversations-with-your-team/
• 4 Suggestions for Giving Brain-Friendly Feedback: https://stewartleadership.com/4-suggestions-for-giving-brain-friendly-feedback/

#leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #talentstrategy #talentdevelopment #successionplanning #leadershipcoaching #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.