Episode 10: "Think Different, Lead Different: How Your Mindset Shapes Your Leadership Legacy" 

"The greatest leaders understand that leadership isn't just about what you do – it's about who you become and help others become through the power of belief and expectation." ~ Dr. Carol Parker Walsh 

In this season finale episode, our host explores the powerful connection between leadership thinking patterns and leadership results. Drawing from cognitive behavioral theory, the episode reveals how leaders' beliefs about themselves and their teams directly create the outcomes they experience. When leaders believe their team members lack potential, they unconsciously create environments that limit growth. Conversely, when leaders adopt growth-oriented thinking, they unlock hidden capabilities in themselves and others. This episode matters because many leadership challenges stem not from lack of skill or strategy, but from limiting thought patterns that create self-fulfilling prophecies. By examining and expanding their thinking, leaders can break through performance plateaus and develop truly exceptional teams. 

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Episode 9: Generational Leadership: Bridging Divides for a People-Forward Workplace 

"People-Forward Leadership means putting people at the center – all people, across all generations. When you do that well, you unlock engagement, innovation, and performance levels that would otherwise remain untapped." ~ Dr. Carol Parker Walsh 

This episode of the People-Forward Leadership™ podcast explores the complex dynamics of leading across multiple generations in today's workplace. For the first time in history, organizations are navigating the challenges and opportunities of having up to five generations working side by side. Understanding how each generation perceives leadership differently isn't just interesting—it's essential for creating high-performing teams and reducing costly turnover in our increasingly diverse workforce. You'll learn practical, research-backed strategies for adapting leadership approaches while maintaining authenticity and building cohesive teams that leverage generational diversity as a competitive advantage. 

Key Takeaways: 

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Episode 8: From New to Great: Mastering the Fundamentals of Exceptional People-Forward Leadership™ 

“You don't have to be the smartest person in the room to be a good leader and to become a multiplier.” ~Mick Spiers 

In this episode of The People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast, Mick Spiers, bestselling author of "You're A Leader, Now What?: The Proven Path to High Performance Leadership,” joins as the special guest. As founder of The Leadership Project and an experienced executive with a track record of developing high-performance teams in global organizations, Mick shares his transformative journey from struggling new manager to inspirational leader. The conversation delves into the critical mindset shifts required when transitioning from individual contributor to leader, exploring how the very skills that make someone exceptional in their field can become obstacles in leadership. This episode provides actionable insights for both new and established leaders seeking to create environments where people feel valued, heard, and motivated to do their best work. 

Key Takeaways 

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Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from a people-forward perspective on leadership. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes. 

The People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast offers straightforward advice on becoming a better leader without the academic jargon. Join me every other week for real-world strategies that actually work in today's workplace.  

Episode 7: Fostering Collective Learning - Creating a Culture Where Innovation Flourishes 

Want your team to innovate more? The secret might surprise you – it's not about hiring more creative people; it's about making it safe for them to actually share their ideas! In this episode, the People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast continues its tour of the people-forward leadership™ framework by diving into Collective Learning. We explain why psychological safety isn't just feel-good fluff but a business essential that directly impacts the bottom line. Listeners will learn practical ways to create an environment where people feel comfortable speaking up, taking smart risks, and turning mistakes into stepping stones rather than career-enders. This episode combines everything we've covered about self-awareness and team empowerment to show how they create the foundation for a continuously learning organization. Don't miss this one if you're tired of stale ideas and want to unlock your team's full creative potential! 

Key Takeaways: 

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Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from a people-forward perspective on leadership. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.  

The People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast offers straightforward advice on becoming a better leader without the academic jargon. Join me every other week for real-world strategies that actually work in today's workplace. 

Episode 6: Building an Empowered Ecosystem - How to Develop a Team That Thrives Without You

"Great leadership isn't about having all the answers – it's about empowering others to find them.” ~Dr. Carol Parker Walsh 

Ever feel like you're the bottleneck in your organization? Like nothing gets done unless you're involved? In this episode, we unpack the second pillar of People-Forward Leadership™: the Empowered Ecosystem. You’ll learn some practical ways to stop being the answer machine and start building a team that can confidently solve problems without you. Through real stories you’ll see how shifting your approach can free up your time, reduce your stress, and help your team members grow into the leaders they're capable of becoming. 

Key Takeaways: 

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The People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast brings you straightforward talk about becoming a better leader without the academic jargon. Join me every other week for real-world strategies that work in today's workplace. 

Episode 5: BRIDGING THE LEADERSHIP “GAPS” IN THE TRANSIT INDUSTRY 

"Emotional intelligence is the linchpin... If you can't manage self, then you won't be able to handle that $10,000 worth of stress that's coming your way.” ~Billy Terry 

This week on the People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast, I talk with the former Executive Director of the National Transit Institute about the critical leadership skills missing in today's transportation industry. Discover what transportation CEOs say about their leadership challenges, how emotional intelligence is necessary in reshaping technical workplaces, and practical approaches to developing people-forward leader™s in highly regulated environments. Whether in transportation or another technical field, you'll gain valuable insights on addressing leadership gaps in your organization. 

About the Guest: 

Billy Terry is the current Vice President for the Northeast Region for AtkinsRéalis and the former Executive Director of the National Transit Institute at Rutgers University. His extensive career includes senior roles at the American Public Transportation Association, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and the District Department of Transportation. 

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Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from a people-forward perspective on leadership. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes. 

Episode 4: ELEVATING LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC TRANSIT: A CHIEF’S PEOPLE-FORWARD JOURNEY 

“People-forward leadership™ creates freedom—for your team to grow, for you to delegate effectively, and for the organization to thrive beyond any single leader's tenure.” – Tomika Monterville

In this powerful episode, Tomika Monterville shares her transformative 30-year journey to the executive level and her Chief role at the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), revealing how people-forward leadership™ principles fundamentally changed her management and team development approach. This conversation goes beyond typical leadership advice, offering a masterclass in authentic leadership that balances vulnerability with strength.

Leaders at all levels will find immense value in Tomika's candid discussion of overcoming self-doubt, building dynamic teams across generational divides, and creating psychological safety for difficult conversations. For emerging leaders especially, Tomika's insights on succession planning and developing others provide an actionable blueprint for growth. The episode powerfully demonstrates how investing in people-forward leadership practices doesn't just improve workplace culture—it directly impacts organizational performance, reduces risks, and creates sustainable success across industries.

About the Guest

Tomika Monterville is a trailblazer in the transportation industry with 30 years of experience. Tomika has had a remarkable journey from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to her current leadership role as Chief of the Federal Railroad Administration.

Key Takeaways

Resources & Links

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Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from a people-forward perspective on leadership. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.

“We’ve been conditioned to think leaders must be heavy-handed and have all the answers. That’s not me.” – Leann Caver

In this illuminating episode, we sit down with a transit CEO who is working on blending operational excellence with a people-first mindset. She shares her remarkable journey into the CEO role, reflecting on how her innate desire to help people shaped her two-decade career in transit. She also discusses the challenges of leading a newly assembled executive team, embracing a People-Forward Leadership™ framework, the power of establishing core values, and why embracing authenticity and empathy can be game-changers for leaders everywhere.

Leann Caver is the CEO of C-Tran, leading a team of about 450 employees who provide vital transit services to their region and community. With over 20 years in public transportation, she’s dedicated to uplifting people—from frontline staff to executive leaders—through authentic, empathetic leadership.

From the Front Lines to the C-Suite

Redefining Leadership

Building a People-Forward Culture

Authenticity as a Catalyst

Advice for Aspiring and New CEOs

Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from a people-forward perspective on leadership. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.

This episode focuses on the first pillar of People-Forward Leadership™ and the heart of effective leadership--leader awareness or self-leadership. Learn how embracing vulnerability and authenticity isn't a sign of weakness but a powerful tool for growth. Some game-changing tools can help you understand your leadership compass. If you're ready to step into the core of what it means to be a People-Forward Leader™, this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways:

Embracing Vulnerability: Why admitting you don't have all the answers can be one of your greatest strengths. 

The Power of Reflective Journaling: Why most leaders aren't as aware as they should be and how this tool can help. 

Using DISC For Deeper Awareness: Using Maxwell DISC as a tool for greater insights. 

Daily Vulnerability Practice: Learn a simple practice to raise awareness and increase vulnerability. 

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This first episode of The People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast explores why human capital management is more critical than ever in today’s fast-paced and unpredictable workplace. 

This episode introduces People-Forward Leadership™, a research-based, action-oriented approach that puts people at the center of every decision. It outlines key components of the framework and emphasizes that successful leaders cultivate talent rather than merely manage tasks. When you lead with people in mind, you boost engagement, drive innovation, reduce turnover, and ultimately shape a culture where everyone thrives. 

This premiere sets the stage for upcoming conversations with expert “catalysts”—leaders who’ve put these principles into practice. Each episode will deliver concise insights leaders can apply immediately to help develop self-awareness, empower their teams, and build the foundation for a resilient, future-focused organization.

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