The Leadership Growth Podcast

“If you’re not clear on who you are, then the people around you are not going to be clear on where they’re going,” says Dominic George.

Dominic is a leadership strategist, executive coach, and founder of Vision Leadership for Life. He helps high-performing leaders rise into senior leadership without sacrificing their identity, values, or wellbeing.

In this conversation with Daniel and Peter, Dominic offers advice for leaders on how to stay centered on their core “why” without losing themselves to other people’s expectations.

Tune in to learn:

• One exercise to help you “read the room” better
• The limits of “fake it till you make it”
• What to do if you’re in the wrong place for you

“Legacy starts when alignment becomes your leadership standard, not the expectation,” says Dominic. Recenter, find your voice, and take the next step in your leadership journey.

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

In this episode:

1:20 – Introduction: Dominic George

4:54 – Center the Clay

11:39 – Self vs. Expectations

18:18 – “Fake It Till You Make It”

26:05 – What if You’re In the Wrong Place?

33:26 – Lightning Round

Resources:

Dominic George LinkedIn Page

The Authentic Edge: Leading Without Losing Yourself, by Dominic George (Amazon)

Vision Leadership for Life LinkedIn Page

Vision Leadership for Life Newsletter

Vision Leadership for Life Podcast

“71% of U.S. CEOs Experience Imposter Syndrome, New Korn Ferry Research Finds,” Korn Ferry, June 6, 2024

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

6 Ways Leaders can Master Emotional Self-Control

Self-Awareness is the Leadership Quality You Might Not Have

5 Behaviors that Build Emotional Intelligence

4 Truths about Being a Compassionate Leader

How to Increase Your Emotional Intelligence

How to Zoom Out and Manage Your Inner Chatter

The Leadership Self-Assessment Question You Need

How to Win Over the Team When Replacing a Beloved Manager

4 Behaviors to Create Purpose as a Leader

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 you don’t delegate, you risk impairing the growth of your organization, says Daniel in today’s episode of The Leadership Growth Podcast.

“That is a very limiting, very restrictive mindset,” he says. Choosing not to delegate will create bottlenecks in a system, and bottlenecks create inefficiencies.

Delegating can be tough for many leaders. Personality traits, poor experiences, and even fears of micromanaging can interfere with efficient delegation.

But as Daniel and Peter point out, delegation is an essential skill for all leaders to learn–for their own success and the success of their teams.

Tune in to learn:

• Three reasons why you should delegate
• Four steps of effective delegation
• Two vital words to use any time you assign a task

Plus, revisiting the origins of employee benefits, and why the employee experience matters even after someone leaves the organization.

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

In this episode:

2:04 – Insight of the Week

7:55 – Topic: All Things Delegation

8:57 – The 4 Steps of Delegation

13:40 – Why Delegate?

23:52 – The Eisenhower Matrix

35:13 – Lightning Round

Resources:

A Brief History of Employer-Sponsored Healthcare

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

Stewart Leadership Employee Experience Model

How to Delegate Like a Pro

Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time

The Difference Between Important and Urgent

4 Steps to Delegating for Development

3 Ways to Avoid Being a Micromanager

7 Mindset Shifts That Will Make You a Great Manager

The Power of Why in Delegation

The 10 Tenets of Calendar Management

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. 

Many leaders grew up with a mindset that encouraged giving 120% all day, every day.

But giving 120% all the time is not your best, says Amanda Younts, because it’s not sustainable.

Known to her audience as The Midlife Catalyst, Amanda promotes a leadership model that encourages self-compassion–a model that sustains leadership performance and improves the workplace for both leaders and their people.

In this conversation with Daniel and Peter, Amanda shares her philosophy and some practical advice to create sustainable, self-compassionate leadership.

Tune in to learn:

• How to customize your daily routines to your preferences, needs, and energy levels
• The difference between self-compassion and self-care
• Why you should have a “Board of Directors”

“It’s the small things in the day” that help you stay on top of your energy, outlook, and performance, Amanda says. “Your best is good enough.”

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

In this episode:

2:20 – Introduction: Amanda Younts

3:04 – The Relationship Between Leaders and Self-Compassion

7:00 – How Leaders Can Practice Self-Compassion

13:10 – When is Our “Good Enough” Not Good Enough?

17:42 – How to Balance Self-Compassion and Development

20:52 – Managing the Inner Voice

23:28 – Tips for Exercising Self-Compassion

27:32 – The Dangers of Not Practicing Self-Compassion

Resources:

Amanda Younts’s Substack

The Midlife Catalyst Website

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

How to Zoom Out and Manage Your Inner Chatter

Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time

4 Ways “Green Therapy” Can Make You a Better Leader

9 Ways to Live Longer and Lead Better

5 Ways “Cloud Watching” Improves Your Leadership

6 Ways Leaders Can Master Emotional Self-Control

7 Steps to Lessen Your Frustration

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. 

“Each person has their own story,” says Kerim Kfuri, author and host of “The Supply and Demand Show” and President and CEO of The Atlas Network, LLC.

In this conversation with Daniel and Peter, Kerim shares insights gleaned from a lifetime of experiences in a multi-cultural and cross-border world. From growing up as a child of immigrants speaking multiple languages to leading a packing and logistics organization with over 2,000 suppliers around the world, Kerim has learned what works–and what doesn’t–when it comes to working together through global differences.

Tune in to learn:

• How to set the stage for working with others across cultures through survey questions
• Why curiosity is so important in leading across global boundaries
• How generalizations limit our understanding of others

The great leveler in all leadership is communication, Kerim says. Communication helps you “connect the dots and know exactly who and how and what each person’s experiences are.”

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

In this episode:

1:33 – Introduction: Kerim Kfuri

3:18 – Topic: Leading Through Global Differences

5:53 – How to Balance Preconceived Notions with an Open Mind

10:15 – How Kerim’s Background Shaped his Career

19:44 – How to Efficiently Communicate, Understand, and Build Relationships

32:57 – Bringing Understanding to the Global Supply Chain

Resources:

Kerim Kfuri’s Website

“The Supply and Demand Show” (YouTube)

Supply Chain Ups and Downs, by Kerim Kfuri

The Atlas Network, LLC

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

6 Tips for Improving Your Active Listening Skills

Please Help Me Communicate Better!

The 2 Levels in Every Conversation

7 Ways to Become a People First Manager

6 Questions that Strengthen Company Connections

Beyond Engagement Surveys: Creating a Compelling Employee Experience (Webinar)

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 uncertainty hits the marketplace and organizations are forced to lay off employees, there’s an under-discussed byproduct of the upheaval–namely, survivor guilt. How do those who keep their jobs cope with losing friends and colleagues to layoffs?

In this episode, Daniel and Peter offer six clear steps to help layoff survivors deal with the shock, grief, and upheaval presented by keeping their jobs when others lose theirs.

Tune in to learn:

• The one small change you should make to your language that brings big results
• How to gain control in the aftermath of huge organizational changes
• Why it’s more important than ever to focus on wellbeing

“You are not alone,” says Daniel. “Try to not pretend like everything is normal. It’s not!”

Layoffs are not easy for anyone, including survivors. Be patient, give yourself some grace, and employ these tools to help get yourself back on stable footing.

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

In this episode:

1:54 – Memory Lane: The Simulation

6:24 – Topic: Survivor Guilt

7:49 – What is Survivor Guilt?

12:18 – Step #1: Acknowledge Your Feelings

16:15 – Step #2: Communicate Openly

20:19 – Step #3: Focus on Your Role

23:50 – Step #4: Support Your Colleagues

29:15 – Step #5: Focus on Self-Care

33:32 – Step #6: Reflect on What’s Important

36:34 – Lightning Round

Resources:

What is Workplace Survival Syndrome–and How to Cope (Indeed)

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

5 Ways to Help Manage Your Team’s Change Exhaustion

Leading Through Change: How to Future-Proof Your Team

We Are What We Think: 4 Steps to Change Our Personal Stories

4 Truths About Being a Compassionate Leader

The 4 Steps for Managing Constant Change in the Workplace

9 Practices to Boost Your Longevity–and Your Leadership Abilities

Your Brain at Work: Four Strategies to Maximize Your Most Powerful Asset

5 Ways to Encourage a Strong Sense of Wellbeing on Your Team

5 Ways Leaders Can Better Manage Feeling Overwhelmed

Guide: High-Performing Teams

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. 

It’s easy to think a strong executive presence requires an outgoing, gregarious personality.

Not so, suggest Daniel and Peter in today’s episode.

Introverts can “convey that sense of credibility and to be seen as influential, to be seen as a leader” just as well as extroverts, says Daniel.

In this episode, Daniel and Peter explore the advantages and strengths introverted leaders can bring to their positions and offer some suggestions for developing skills to boost their executive presence.

Tune in to learn:

• Two “superpowers” introverts bring to leadership positions
• One important caution for introverted leaders
• Why introverted leaders often present as more authentic

Being a successful introverted leader is “less about changing who you are and more about highlighting what you’re bringing,” says Peter. Join Daniel and Peter to explore how introverted leaders can be exactly the type of leader any organization needs.

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

In this episode:

2:00 – Memory Lane: 12 Angry Men (1957)

4:26 – Topic: Executive Presence for Introverts

8:29 – Extroversion vs. Introversion

12:37 – The Superpowers of Introverted Leaders

18:18 – Why Introverts May Appear More Authentic

21:40 – Emotional Intelligence and the “Pause Factor”

26:09 – Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication

31:44 – Lightning Round

Resources:

12 Angry Men (1957), directed by Sidney Lumet

Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication, by Vanessa Van Edwards

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

Podcast: What is Executive Presence? Part 1

Podcast: What is Executive Presence? Part 2

5 Executive Presence “Superpowers” of Quiet Leaders

The Importance of Body Language in Executive Presence

Executive Presence vs. Executive Influence

Internal vs. External Processing: What is Your Thinking Style?

What Cheetahs Can Teach Us About Decision-Making

How to Hit Your Leadership Recharge Button

6 Tips for Improving Your Active Listening Skills

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. 

“Stress is like a bucket,” says Peter Stewart.

As anyone who has worked in a dysfunctional organization can attest, that bucket can fill to overflowing very quickly when there are no spigots or holes to release the stress.

In today’s conversation, Peter and Daniel discuss how to survive a dysfunctional work situation–what to track, how to deal with it when there are no immediate escapes, and when to leave. 

Tune in to learn:

• Three variables to track to help evaluate a dysfunctional situation
• Practical ideas to cope with a difficult work environment when leaving isn’t an option
• The difference between stress and burnout

Also, join Daniel for the 7-Day Stress Less, Lead More Challenge–a transformative journey designed to help busy leaders build resilience and develop healthy strategies to cope with daily stress.

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

In this episode:

2:15 – Insight of the Week: Bison vs. Cattle

6:44 – Topic: How to Manage Through Organizational Dysfunction

12:05 – 3 Variables to Track

20:22 – What Do You Value?

26:19 – Tips for Dealing with a Dysfunctional Workplace

32:16 – 7-Day Stress Less, Lead More Challenge

35:31 – Lightning Round

Resources:

“The Bison Advantage,” National Bison Association

“What the Yerkes-Dodson Law Says About Stress and Performance,” Healthline

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

7-Day Stress Less, Lead More Challenge

The Dysfunctional Workplace Survival Guide

4 Ways to Survive a Dysfunctional Leader

8 Keys to Managing Conflict Well

What if I Don’t Think That There is a Conflict, but Someone Else Does?

10 Questions to Help You Manage Up

10 Guaranteed Ways to be a Toxic Boss

Toxic Work Culture: The (Not So) Surprising Factor Driving the Great Resignation

9 Practices to Boost Your Longevity–and Your Leadership Abilities

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. 

How do you react to conflict?

Even that simple question can provoke a variety of emotions and responses. Some people look forward to engaging in heated debate, while others walk away or acquiesce to avoid even a hint of discord.

No matter how you feel about it, though, it’s guaranteed that you will inevitably run into disagreements in your workplace–and in all areas of life!

In this episode of The Leadership Growth Podcast, Daniel and Peter examine how to approach conflict in a healthy way.

Tune in to learn:

• A neutral definition of conflict
• Five steps to navigate conflict and preserve relationships
• The one thing everyone can practice to improve conflict resolution

Plus, lessons from a smart Little League coach, and Daniel’s sitcom pet peeve.

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

In this episode:

2:45 – Insight of the Week: Life Lessons from Little League

8:24 – Topic: Navigating Conflict

11:35 – Tip #1: Learn from the Experience

13:35 – Tip #2: Listen to the Other Person

15:55 – Tip #3: Bring in a Mediator

18:33 – Tip #4: Clarify Behavior and Manage Expectations

28:40 – Tip #5: Find Common Ground

32:42 – Lightning Round

Resources:

The Decision Lab: The Recency Effect, explained

The Decision Lab: The Halo Effect explained

Amygdala Hijack (Wikipedia)

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

3 Tips for Managing Conflict in a Virtual Environment

8 Keys to Managing Conflict Well

What if I Don’t Think That There is a Conflict, but Someone Else Does?

4 Ways to Encourage a Healthy Failure Culture

You Are Not Perfect! Mistakes Are a Part of Life!

4 Vital Considerations for Your Team Charter

10 Questions to Help You Manage Up

5 Questions to Answer Before Your Next Hard Conversation

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. 

“Great inspirational leaders are able to connect the bigger picture, that clear vision of what the future may bring, with the actions of today,” says Peter Stewart.

In this second part of a deep dive into Executive Presence, Daniel and Peter look at how good emotional management and an ability to inspire contribute to a strong executive presence.

Tune in to learn:

• Why it’s important to balance authenticity and awareness of others
• How storytelling and metaphor contribute to Executive Presence
• The one thing leaders can do to elevate their Executive Presence and Influence

Plus, leadership lessons from Disneyland, and what different kinds of knives have to do with leadership.

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

To request a leadership presence self-assessment, e-mail us at [email protected]. 

In this episode:

2:35 – Memory Lane: Leadership Lessons from Disneyland

11:08 – Topic: What is Executive Presence?

14:17 – Quadrant III: How You Manage Emotions

27:25 – Quadrant IV: How You Inspire

37:13 – Lightning Round

Resources:

“80 Years Later: The Legacy of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, The Walt Disney Family Museum

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

Stewart Leadership Executive Presence Model

Podcast: Episode 35: What is Executive Presence? (Part 1)

What Is Executive Presence?

Self-Awareness is the Leadership Quality You Might Not Have

5 Behaviors to Help Develop Your Emotional Intelligence

6 Ways to Regulate Your Emotions for Leadership Effectiveness

Storytelling: The One Powerful Leadership Tool You Probably Aren’t Using Enough

The Power of Metaphor in Leadership

Podcast: Episode 1: The Power of Metaphor

5 Questions to Develop Your Personal Philosophy of Leadership

Video: Business Results: Earning Hearts and Minds

Video: The Pirate Ship and the Pixie Dust

Executive Presence and Influence Assessment

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. 

Leaders “take up a lot of space,” says Peter Stewart.

What leaders do in that space can be the difference between great business and people results–and bad ones.

In today’s episode, Daniel and Peter tackle the topic of executive presence–how it’s evolved over the years, what it means today, and how leaders can develop and improve it so they show up with credibility and confidence.

Tune in to learn:

• What a modern model of Executive Presence looks like
• How decision-making impacts Executive Presence
• The one thing leaders can do to establish professional credibility

Executive Presence is about more than just what a leader wears to work. “It’s how you show up as a leader,” says Daniel. Leaders of any age, gender, and personality can develop a well-rounded presence that gets business results and people results.

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

In this episode:

1:59 – Insight of the Week

7:15 – Topic: What is Executive Presence?

11:03 – The Stewart Leadership Executive Presence Model

15:13 – Quadrant I: How You Show up

22:52 – Quadrant II: How You Decide

29:23 – Lightning Round

Resources:

People I (Mostly) Admire Podcast: Interview with Jonathan Levin, President, Stanford University (Freakonomics Radio Network)

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

Stewart Leadership Executive Presence Model

5 Executive Presence Superpowers of Quiet Leaders

The One Crucial Element that Can Boost Executive Presence for Women

5 Ways Your Decision-Making Impacts Your Executive Presence

What Is Executive Presence?

Develop a Strong Executive Presence by Focusing on These 4 Areas

10 Tips that Will Improve Your Presentation Skills

5 Characteristics of Leaders Who Show Up with Authority

4 Steps to Effective Decision-Making

5 Questions to Develop Your Personal Philosophy of Leadership

Video: Business Results: Earning Hearts and Minds

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.