Here's the leadership truth nobody talks about: you don't have to like everyone on your team. But you do have to lead them.

Karen Suchsland joins Jen to tackle the taboo topic of managing team members you don't click with. From unconscious avoidance behaviors to the crucial difference between liking and respecting, this conversation gives you practical strategies for leading effectively even when personal chemistry is lacking.

You'll discover why personality differences often mask performance issues, how to set boundaries without damaging relationships, and the simple inventory exercise that reveals if you're unconsciously playing favorites.

Follow The Made Leader for more leadership insights and strategies.

Connect with Jen:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenparnold/

• Website: https://growthsignals.co/

Connect with Karen:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-suchsland/

What happens when the leadership style that made you successful in your last role just doesn't click with your new organization? In this monthly coaching episode, host, Jen Arnold and leadership coach Julie Binter tackle what to do when your leadership style clashes with your organization's culture.

You'll discover how to ask the right interview questions to avoid mismatches, why your first six months might not tell the whole story, and practical strategies for deciding whether to adapt or move on. Plus, they share why hiring people just like you might backfire when you're already struggling with culture fit.

Whether you're dealing with this challenge now or want to be prepared for your next role, this conversation gives you the tools to navigate organizational fit with confidence.

Follow The Made Leader for more leadership insights and strategies.

For full show notes, visit www.growthsignals.co

Connect with Julie –

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliebinter/

Website: https://www.clearthewaycoach.com/

Connect with Jen-

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenparnold/

Website: https://growthsignals.co/

Think trauma-capable leadership is only for first responders? Think again. Layoffs, organizational changes, and workplace crises require the same leadership skills that help teams thrive in high-stress environments.

Podcast guest, Dr. Gretchen Schmelzer, is a licensed psychologist, executive coach and consultant who has worked for 25 years with the complex issues of trauma, integration, and behavior change across every level of system from individuals.

In this episode, Gretchen breaks down her ARTS framework and shares why good leadership is the best predictor of team resilience. You'll learn how to have difficult conversations without taking on your team's emotions, why empathizing "up" the system matters just as much as supporting your people, and concrete steps to build your trauma-capable leadership skills.

Whether you're managing through a crisis or just want to be better prepared for a future one, this episode gives you practical strategies you can use starting tomorrow.

Follow The Made Leader for more leadership insights and strategies.

For links mentioned, visit www.growthsignals.co

Think being a manager today is just about getting work done? Think again. In this LinkedIn Live conversation, Kamaria and I break down how the manager role has exploded into counselor, coach, strategist, and enforcer – often without any training or support.

We get real about why managers are caught in the middle of competing demands, why most people want to become managers for the wrong reasons, and the loneliness that comes with the territory.

Plus, we tackle the uncomfortable truth about why organizations invest in senior leaders but leave front-line managers to figure it out alone.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the expectations placed on managers today, this conversation will validate your experience and give you perspective on what needs to change.

Follow The Made Leader for more leadership insights and strategies.

For links mentioned, visit www.growthsignals.co

What if the secret to a high-performance team isn't working harder as the leader, but getting your team to actually care? Laura Martin, co-founder and CEO of The Glinda Group, shares the foundational steps every leader should take when joining a new team, plus the crucial mistake that taught her when to stop seeking consensus and start making decisions.

You'll discover practical strategies for creating team accountability, establishing norms that stick, and addressing behavioral issues most leaders avoid. Laura explains how to delegate ownership (not just tasks) and why "clear is kind" when building team performance.

Follow The Made Leader for more leadership insights and strategies.

For links mentioned, visit growthsignals.co

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraemartin1/

Connect with Jen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenparnold/

You're already a leader but your career feels stalled. In this episode, Jen Arnold and Karen Suchsland unpack the real reasons you might not be getting promoted. From misaligned roles and unclear visibility to lack of strategic impact, they break down what holds leaders back after they've landed their first role - and how to move forward.

If you're doing the work but not getting ahead, this conversation will help you assess your current state, take meaningful action, and regain control of your leadership growth.

Download the Promotion Troubleshooting Guide referenced in this podcast at: https://bit.ly/MadeLeaderGuide

For links mentioned, visit www.growthsignals.co

Follow The Made Leader for more leadership insights and strategies.

Think hospitality leadership is just about customer service? Think again. In this episode, HR leader Junid Sanchez reveals why hospitality is like boot camp for leadership skills - and what every middle manager can learn from an industry that forces you to think fast, connect authentically, and lead when everything keeps moving.

In this episode, you'll discover why "marinating" on decisions beats rushing to judgment, how one piece of direct feedback transformed Junid's leadership approach, and why sometimes missing out on a promotion is exactly what your career needs.

Plus, hear the ice cream cart story that perfectly captures what happens when leaders have autonomy to show employee appreciation.

Whether you're in hospitality or any other industry, Junid's insights will help you build the kind of leadership presence that makes people actually want to work for you.

Follow The Made Leader for more leadership insights and strategies.

For links mentioned, visit www.growthsignals.co

Join The Made Leader Community by May 30th at https://bit.ly/MadeLeaderCommunity

Are you and your team ready for AI, or are you still hoping it's just another business fad that will fade away? While executives debate high-level AI strategies, middle managers are caught in the trenches, needing practical approaches that balance real-world implementation with their team's day-to-day responsibilities.

In this episode, AI-HR strategist Theresa Fesinstine cuts through the noise with practical advice on leading teams through the AI revolution. You'll discover how to move beyond just polishing emails, have tough conversations about automation, and implement AI tools your team will actually use.

No technical jargon or unrealistic strategies—just straightforward guidance on balancing people and technology in your leadership approach. Whether you're AI-curious or AI-anxious, you'll walk away with action steps you can start tomorrow.

Follow The Made Leader for more leadership insights and strategies.

For links mentioned, visit www.growthsignals.co

Join The Made Leader Community by May 30th at https://bit.ly/MadeLeaderCommunity

Are your employees just collecting paychecks, or are they giving you their best work? In this episode, authors Tamara Myles and Wes Adams reveal the science behind meaningful work through their powerful "Three C's" framework: Community, Contribution, and Challenge.

You'll discover why purpose alone isn't enough, how one simple thank-you per week can cut employee burnout in half, and practical strategies any middle manager can implement—even without organizational support.

Whether you're leading a team of two or twenty, the strategies in this episode will help you create an environment where employees bring their best selves to work. By focusing on community, contribution, and challenge, you'll not only boost performance metrics but transform your leadership impact.

Follow The Made Leader for more leadership insights and strategies.

For links mentioned, visit www.growthsignals.co

Frustrated by endless status updates and feeling stuck in the details? Project management expert Paul Koetke reveals practical strategies for middle managers drowning in deliverables.

With the right project management approach, you can transform chaos into clarity and make better decisions with less effort. Paul's down-to-earth strategies will help you master practical project management techniques to streamline your workload, boost team communication, and transform your leadership approach.

Learn how to create systems that actually reduce your workload, transform boring update meetings into action sessions, and communicate effectively up and down the organization. Stop wasting time collecting data nobody uses and start leading instead of just managing.

Links Mentioned:

Website: koetkeconsulting.com

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulkoetke/

The Made Leader Community: https://growthsignals.co/leadership-training/