The unCorporate Leader | Leadership, Communication, Teamwork, Productivity, Strategy

The unCorporate Leader | Leadership, Communication, Teamwork, Productivity, Strategy

By Silvia Johnson - C-Suite Exec, Board Member, Leadership CoachBusinessCareersManagement
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The unCorporate Leader | Leadership, Communication, Teamwork, Productivity, Strategy episodes

  • EP14: What to Do When Your Budget Gets Cut and Your Team Takes the Hit

    Hey un-Corporate Leader,

    Welcome to Episode 14 of the un-Corporate Leader Podcast — where this week, we're tackling one of the most frustrating realities of leadership right now: what do you do when your budget gets slashed, part of your team gets laid off, and you're left to pick up the pieces?

    Globally, we're in a period of contraction. And one of the most damaging patterns that comes with it is decision-makers without context making sweeping changes — changes that create more work, more uncertainty, and more pressure for the leaders left behind.

    So, if you're a Director, VP, or middle manager staring down that reality right now, this episode is for you.

    In this week's episode, we'll cover:

    • How to recover when your budget was cut without you ever being invited to the conversation
    • How to build your own strategic planning and budgeting process — so you're never caught off guard again
    • Why having the facts and figures at your fingertips is non-negotiable
    • When and how to plant the seed now to ensure you have a seat at the table next budget cycle
    • Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode. 🎙️

      Additional Resources Based on This Episode:

      Podcast Episodes: https://theuncorporateleader.com/podcast/

      • EP2: 4 Behaviors to implement for strategic leadership
      • EP3: The 5 questions that help create a best-in-class strategic plan
      • Blog: How to Tell a Crisp Story About Your Work in Under Two Minutes
      • Join the Community If you haven't already, join the un-Corporate Leader Community at https://theuncorporateleader.com

        Want more clarity? If you're navigating a culture fit situation and not sure how to handle it, apply for a Clarity Call with Silvia — limited spots are available now: https://forms.gle/LFL6m7LkR4qwaUhu5

        15 min
      • EP13: Leading Through Chaos: How to Be the Calm in the Storm

        Hey un-Corporate Leader,

        Welcome to Episode 13 — where we talk about staying composed under pressure, even when the chaos around you feels relentless.

        Times are uncertain. Leaders are being tested. And while it's completely human to feel the instability, this is also your moment. The leaders who rise right now aren't the ones who have all the answers — they're the ones who can be the calm in the storm.

        In this episode, we cover:

        • Why executives are people too — and how understanding that changes your leadership approach entirely
        • How to leapfrog your career during uncertain times by leading with clarity and confidence
        • What your team needs from you right now to feel energized, supported, and ready to follow your lead
        • These are the leadership skills that separate the good from the great — and the good news is, they're learnable.

          Referenced in Today's Episode:

          • EP 1: Top 3 Leadership Strategies to Minimize Burnout
          • How to Lead Through Big Emotions Without Losing Your Edge
          • Want more clarity? Apply for a Clarity Call with Silvia — limited spots available: https://forms.gle/LFL6m7LkR4qwaUhu5

            Got questions? Send them to [email protected] and yours might be answered in a future episode.

            15 min
          • EP12: Priorities or Performance: Why Your Employee Isn't Delivering — and What to Do About It

            before you assume it's a talent problem, there are really only 2 categories to explore: Priorities or Employee Performance. And knowing which one you're dealing with makes all the difference.

            I'll walk you through a simple framework that will help you diagnose what's really going on — so you can stop guessing and start leading with clarity.

            In this week's episode, we'll cover:

            • How to tell if it's a Priorities problem — and why clear Communication Strategies matter more than you think
            • How to identify a Performance Management gap — whether it's a skill, capability, or desire issue
            • Why Change Management is key when expectations shift but no one got the memo
            • How to have the tough, transparent conversations that actually move things forward around Employee Development
            • Why clarity is king — and how great Leadership Coaching creates space for your team to feel seen and supported
            • Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode. 🎙️

              Best,

              Silvia

              Referenced in Today's Episode:

              Join the Community If you haven't already, join the un-Corporate Leader Community at https://theuncorporateleader.com

              Podcast Episodes: https://theuncorporateleader.com/podcast/

              • EP8: You don't have a talent problem (yet)
              • EP9: "Culture Fit" is not a gut feeling
              • Your team is not your family (blog)
              • Want more clarity? If you're navigating a culture fit situation and not sure how to handle it, apply for a Clarity Call with Silvia — limited spots are available now: https://forms.gle/LFL6m7LkR4qwaUhu5

                Got questions? I have answers! Send them to [email protected] and I may answer yours on a future episode.

                18 min
              • EP11: 3-step audit for ensuring an effective Strategic Plan

                Hey un-Corporate Leader,

                Welcome to Episode 11 of the un-Corporate Leader Podcast — where this week we're diving into a 3-step audit for ensuring an effective Strategic Plan.

                Whether your Strategic Plan is brand new or has been in place for a while without gaining traction, this episode will help you figure out what's working — and where you might need to change your approach.

                In this week's episode, we'll cover:

                • Why your Strategic Plan isn't gaining traction
                • The one area you need to focus on to make the biggest impact
                • Whether you are unintentionally creating more work for your team
                • Have you accidentally left people in the dark on key constraints or parameters
                • Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode. 🎙️

                  Referenced in Today's Episode:

                  EP3: The 5 Questions That Help Create a Best-in-Class Strategic Plan

                  Join the un-Corporate Leader Community at theuncorporateleader.com

                  Got questions? I have answers! Send them to [email protected] and I may answer yours on a future episode.

                  11 min
                • EP10: 4 Steps to ensure executive presence in meetings

                  Hey un-Corporate Leader,

                  Welcome to Episode 10 of the un-Corporate Leader Podcast — where this week, we're talking about showing up and maintaining Executive Presence in meetings.

                  Whether we like it or not, people will judge you on a first impression. When you have limited time, you need to take control.

                  Even if this is something you already do well, use these steps to teach others on your team how to do the same — and take control of your team brand. The better you and your team is thought of, the easier it will be to influence for success!

                  In this week's episode, we cover:

                  • Being prepared in the context of meetings, especially difficult ones. This is a key leadership skill every leader needs to master.
                  • How to Elevate Your Talking Points — Using effective communication to succinctly share why what you're presenting matters at the right level for the room.
                  • Practicing your pitch — Practice yes, but how you do this and WHY it impacts your leadership style to help your brand.
                  • Taking in the Feedback – Listening deeply is leadership gold and essential to help you influence further, driving better impact for your organization.
                  • Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode. 🎙️

                     

                    Referenced in Today's Episode:

                    Join the Community If you haven't already, join the un-Corporate Leader Community at theuncorporateleader.com

                    EP6: 3 Steps to Influence and Executive

                    Want more clarity? If you're navigating a culture fit situation and not sure how to handle it, apply for a Clarity Call with Silvia — limited spots are available now: https://forms.gle/LFL6m7LkR4qwaUhu5

                    Got questions? I have answers! Send them to [email protected] and I may answer yours on a future episode.

                    19 min
                  • EP9: “Culture Fit" Is Not a Gut Feeling

                    Hey un-Corporate Leader,

                    Welcome to Episode 9 of the un-Corporate Leader Podcast — where this week we tackle one of the most misused phrases in leadership: culture fit.

                    You know what it's like — something feels off with a team member, and you can't quite put your finger on it. So you call it a culture fit issue. But if that's all you've got, that's a problem — and a legal and bias risk you don't want to ignore.

                    Handled correctly though, culture fit is one of the most powerful tools you have as a leader. The key? You have to actually define it.

                    In this week's episode, we'll cover:

                    • Why "culture fit" without definition is a slippery slope full of bias and legal risk
                    • What culture fit actually means — and why it's about the HOW, not just the WHAT
                    • How to define your culture in behavioral terms so you can hire, manage, and have real conversations with confidence
                    • Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode. 🎙️

                      Referenced in Today's Episode:

                      Join the Community If you haven't already, join the un-Corporate Leader Community at theuncorporateleader.com

                      Podcast Episodes: https://theuncorporateleader.com/podcast/

                      • EP8: You Don't Have a Talent Problem (Yet)
                      • EP3: The 5 questions that help create a best-in-class strategic plan
                      • Want more clarity? If you're navigating a culture fit situation and not sure how to handle it, apply for a Clarity Call with Silvia — limited spots are available now: https://forms.gle/LFL6m7LkR4qwaUhu5

                        Got questions? I have answers! Send them to [email protected] and I may answer yours on a future episode.

                        23 min
                      • EP8: You don't have a Talent problem (Yet)

                        Hey un-Corporate Leader,podc

                        Welcome to Episode 8 of the un-Corporate Leader Podcast — where this week we tackle one of the most common frustrations I hear from leaders: What do I do when I have a talent problem?

                        You know what it's like — someone on your team isn't delivering, and you're already mentally drafting the corrective action plan. But what if the issue isn't them? What if the real gap is clarity — and it starts with you?

                        In this week's episode, we'll cover:

                        • Why focusing on talent too soon can actually slow you down
                        • How to audit whether the real problem is expectations, not performance
                        • The simple conversation framework that helps employees rise to the occasion — or self-select out
                        • Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode. 🎙️

                           

                          Referenced in Today's Episode:

                          Join the Community If you haven't already, join the un-Corporate Leader Community at theuncorporateleader.com

                          Podcast Episodes: https://theuncorporateleader.com/podcast/

                          • EP7: The 3 steps to see why your organization isn’t delivering
                          • EP2: 4 Behaviors to implement for Strategic Leadership
                          • Want more clarity? If you're stuck on a people situation and not sure whether it's them or the system around them, apply for a Clarity Call with Silvia — limited spots are available now: https://forms.gle/LFL6m7LkR4qwaUhu5

                            Got questions? I have answers! Send them to [email protected] and I may answer yours on a future episode.

                            16 min
                          • EP7: The 3 steps to diagnose why your organization isn’t delivering

                            Hey un-Corporate Leader,

                            Welcome to Episode 7 of the un-Corporate Leader Podcast — where this week we take a moment, as Leaders, to diagnose our organization when it isn't quite working.

                            You know what it's like — you think you have all the pieces in place, and yet it still seems really hard to get things done. You assume you have the right talent, communication, and resources, but something is still off.

                            In my capacity as HR Business Partner, I was often sent in when organizations weren't delivering. It seemed like it might be a talent issue, but leadership was unsure. Every time, I would use this 3-step audit to see where the dysfunction was within the org — and now you can do the same.

                            In this week's episode, we'll cover:

                            • Why the talent isn't always the problem
                            • How to step-by-step audit your org to better understand what truly needs to change
                            • Check in to see if you need a little help to better see what's wrong in your org
                            • Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode. 🎙️

                               

                              Referenced in Today’s Episode:

                              Join the Community If you haven't already, join the un-Corporate Leader Community at theuncorporateleader.com

                              Podcast Episodes: https://theuncorporateleader.com/podcast/

                              • Episode 3 – The 5 questions that help create a best-in-class strategic plan
                              • Episode 2 – The 4 Behaviors You Need to Implement to Become a Strategic Leader – including the almighty 80/20 rule
                              • Want more clarity? If something's not working and you suspect burnout might be creeping in, apply for a Clarity Conversation with Silvia — limited spots are available now: https://forms.gle/LFL6m7LkR4qwaUhu5

                                Got questions? I have answers! Send them to [email protected] and I may answer yours on a future episode.

                                18 min
                              • EP6: 3 Steps to Influence any Exec

                                Hey un-Corporate Leader,

                                Welcome to Episode 6 of the un-Corporate Leader Podcast — where this week we're diving into 3 Steps to Influence Any Executive.

                                You know the moment. You've laid out the perfect rollout plan for your project, program, or strategy — and then you're asked to have just one more conversation with that exec.

                                You happily schedule a quick 30-minute chat, fully expecting it to wrap in 15. But you're barely two slides in when the whole thing goes sideways.

                                If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

                                In this week's episode, we'll cover:

                                • How to pivot when your "easy" meeting gets hijacked by someone else's triggers — and the leadership skills to get it back on track
                                • How to identify your allies before you need them — a critical part of leadership development
                                • The key to effective communication with senior executives — even the difficult ones
                                • How to spot potential detractors and navigate around them before it's too late
                                • Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode. 🎙️

                                   

                                  Referenced in Today’s Episode:

                                  Join the Community If you haven't already, join the un-Corporate Leader Community at theuncorporateleader.com

                                  Triggered by Triggers: Blog post with the neuroscience behind being triggered https://theuncorporateleader.com/blog/

                                  Episode 5 - The 3 Leadership Skills that Create Executive Presence: https://theuncorporateleader.com/podcast/

                                  Want more clarity? If something's not working and you suspect burnout might be creeping in, apply for a Clarity Conversation with Silvia — limited spots are available now: https://forms.gle/LFL6m7LkR4qwaUhu5

                                  Got questions? I have answers! Send them to [email protected] and I may answer yours on a future episode.

                                  16 min
                                • EP5: The 3 Leadership Skills that Create Executive Presence

                                  Hey un-Corporate Leader,

                                  Welcome to Episode 5 of the un-Corporate Leader Podcast — where we focus on Executive Presence. In a world where it is hard to determine what the "right" Leadership Qualities are, we explore the amorphous world of Executive Presence, what it is, and the 3 Leadership Strategies you need to execute against to be seen as a true leader.

                                  You can be the best at your job, but if you aren't seen as having Executive Presence there will be a limit to how far you can go. Don't just focus on dressing the part and having a good PowerPoint — focus on:

                                  • Ensuring you and your team are highly thought of — a cornerstone of strong Leadership Traits
                                  • Practicing Effective Communication by listening and asking clarifying questions before moving forward on new endeavors
                                  • Spending time understanding the larger landscape and articulating your Strategy for what's next
                                  • There are many layers and nuggets here, so grab your drink of choice and enjoy this week's episode!

                                    Best,

                                    Silvia

                                     

                                    • Join the Community! If you haven't already, join the un-Corporate Leader Community at theuncorporateleader.com
                                    • Got questions? I have answers! Send them to [email protected] and I may answer yours on a future episode.
                                    • Want more clarity? If something's not working and you suspect burnout might be creeping in, apply for a Clarity Conversation with Silvia — limited spots are available now: https://forms.gle/LFL6m7LkR4qwaUhu5
                                    • 25 min

                                    About The unCorporate Leader | Leadership, Communication, Teamwork, Productivity, Strategy

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                                    The un-Corporate Leader: next-level leadership—without next-level burnout