Andrea Herron is a bold, innovative leader who challenges the status quo to put people first. In this episode, she joins Lee to discuss the critical role of mental health in the workplace.

Andrea shares how leaders can break the stigma around mental illness, foster flexibility, and create supportive environments where everyone can thrive. With practical strategies and thoughtful insights, this conversation is a must-listen for leaders looking to lead with empathy, courage, and intention.

Additional Resources:

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Key Takeaways:

• Create a Consistent and Flexible Environment: Consistency helps individuals know what to expect, reducing the need to be constantly on guard.
• Addressing Explosive Mental Health Events: Following up and initiating conversations about these events is crucial for creating a supportive and empathetic work environment.
• The Power of Genuine Concern: Supporting our team members through ups and downs, while respecting their privacy, fosters trust and builds strong working relationships.

James Christensen, CEO and President of Gateway Bank, joins Lee to share his unconventional journey into banking and how he's reshaping the industry with a fresh, people-first approach.

In this episode, James talks about building a non-traditional bank rooted in creativity, openness, and bold visioning. He also opens up about his experience with burnout and the crucial lessons he learned about boundaries and work-life balance.

It's a candid, inspiring conversation about redefining leadership and business success.

Additional Resources:

Connect with James on LinkedIn

Learn more about Gateway Bank

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Key Takeaways:

• Foster Creativity: When brainstorming, throw away all boundaries and barriers.
• Embrace Work-Life Balance: Take care of yourself both physically and mentally, and be open to the idea that work-life balance is not only possible but essential.
• Build a Strong Team: Your team's strength is a reflection of your own. Prioritize their well-being, involve them in decision-making, and create a supportive environment.

Jen Arnold, CEO of Growth Signals, joins Lee to explore how leaders can foster well-being and trust in the workplace.

Drawing from her expertise and Gallup's five dimensions of well-being, Jen shares actionable strategies for creating a thriving, people-centered culture. With a focus on leadership's direct impact on team health and performance, this conversation offers practical tools and fresh inspiration for leaders ready to elevate their impact.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Jen on LinkedIn

Learn more about Growth Signals

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Learn more about Unleashing Leaders

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Connect with Lee on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways:

• An unleashed leader leans into untapped potential.
• Leaders have a significant impact on the well-being of their team members.
• Building trust is crucial for effective leadership.

John Crowder, Vice President of the Healthcare Vertical at Integrity Solutions, brings decades of experience working with top organizations to this insightful conversation with Lee.

He shares how leaders can shift from listening to respond to truly listening to understand—unlocking deeper insights, stronger relationships, and better outcomes. John also highlights the power of empathetic, consultative leadership and offers practical steps to boost team performance and create lasting impact within your organization.

Additional Resources:

Connect with John on LinkedIn

Learn more about Integrity Solutions

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Learn more about Unleashing Leaders

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Connect with Lee on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways:

• Information discovered is more powerful than information delivered
• Seek to understand before being understood
• Accountability and innovation allow individuals space to verbalize their ideas

In this episode, Lee unpacks the Six Fundamental Human Needs—certainty, variety, significance, connection, growth, and contribution—and how they shape our motivations and behaviors.

He explores how understanding these core drivers can help leaders communicate more effectively, build stronger relationships, and inspire lasting engagement. With practical applications for leadership, coaching, and personal development, this episode offers a powerful framework for unlocking human potential.

Additional Resources:

Attend Unleashing Leaders University!

Learn more about Unleashing Leaders

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Connect with Lee on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways:

1. The Six Fundamental Human Needs Model: Understanding which needs are most important to someone can help tailor communication and motivation strategies.
2. Customizing Communication: Recognizing and addressing these needs can lead to better engagement.
3. Healthy vs. Unhealthy Strategies: Leaders should not only identify the needs but also help individuals find healthier ways to fulfill them.

Angelo Venditti, SVP at AMN Healthcare, is passionate about creating a work culture that brings joy to caregivers and leaders alike. From implementing a four-day work week to promoting innovative support strategies, Angelo focuses on helping his team thrive.

In this episode, he joins Lee Scott to discuss evolving labor market trends, how leaders can adapt, and the importance of showing up with empathy and agility in a rapidly changing world.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Angelo on LinkedIn

Attend Unleashing Leaders University!

Learn more about Unleashing Leaders

Follow Unleashing Leaders on LinkedIn

Connect with Lee on LinkedIn

Follow Unleashing Leaders on Facebook

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Key Takeaways:

• Value of People: The heart of any organization lies in its people.
• Shifting Leadership Behaviors: Leaders need to adapt their behaviors depending on the situation.
• Redefining Efficiency: Efficiency should not be solely based on speed and simplicity.

Jen Bauer, SVP of Marketing and Culture at Miron Construction, joins Lee to share her people-first approach to building a thriving workplace.

With a deep passion for culture, Jen explores how embracing mistakes, valuing fresh perspectives from interns, and investing in early talent development can drive innovation and growth. She also unpacks the challenges of attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market—and how Miron is evolving to meet those demands.

It's a candid conversation about shaping a culture where people and performance thrive together.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Jen on LinkedIn

Learn more about Miron Construction

Attend Unleashing Leaders University!

Learn more about Unleashing Leaders

Follow Unleashing Leaders on LinkedIn

Connect with Lee on LinkedIn

Follow Unleashing Leaders on Facebook

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In this episode, Lee is joined by Michelle Mahaffey, EVP and Chief HR Officer at Community Health Network in Indianapolis. Michelle shares powerful insights on breaking the stigma around mental health and why it's essential for caregivers to also receive care. They explore the importance of accepting support, normalizing the need for help, and finding fulfillment through connection. The conversation also dives into burnout, resilience, and what it takes to build sustainable well-being—especially in the high-demand world of healthcare.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn

Learn more about Community Health Network

Attend Unleashing Leaders University!

Learn more about Unleashing Leaders

Follow Unleashing Leaders on LinkedIn

Connect with Lee on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is a collective effort, not just top-down solutions.
• Building trust and credibility as a new leader.
• The power of active listening and understanding challenges.

In this episode, Lee sits down with Jason Lippert to discuss the power of leadership action plans and personal development in driving organizational success. Jason shares the story of his company's cultural transformation, rooted in clearly defined core values and frontline leadership development. They explore how meaningful conversations and intentional investment in people can elevate engagement, shift culture, and boost performance across the board.

It's a compelling look at what happens when leaders commit to growing themselves and their teams.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Jason Lippert on LinkedIn

Learn more about Lippert Components

Attend Unleashing Leaders University!

Learn more about Unleashing Leaders

Follow Unleashing Leaders on LinkedIn

Connect with Lee on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways:

• There are consequences for NOT having meaningful conversations
• Assign accountability partners or groups for goal accountability
• Improved company culture = higher employee retention and less turnover

On our first episode of The Unleashing Leaders podcast, host Lee Scott is joined by Angela Marshalek, the Director of Training and Organizational Development for Bassett Mechanical.

Angela shares her insights on style under stress and self-awareness, emphasizing the importance of identifying our triggers and managing our responses. Angela proposes mindfulness and resilience as a way to deal with challenging situations and suggests focusing on the present moment rather than dwelling on the past.

Listen in to learn how coaching and feedback are important for understanding employees' perspectives and creating customers for life.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Angela on LinkedIn

Learn more about Bassett Mechanical

Attend Unleashing Leaders University!

Learn more about Unleashing Leaders

Follow Unleashing Leaders on LinkedIn

Connect with Lee on LinkedIn

Follow Unleashing Leaders on Facebook

Follow Unleashing Leaders on Instagram

Key Takeaways:

• Identify patterns in your behavior that lead to stress or positive performance
• Avoid falling into complacency
• Practice gratitude to counteract negative thinking