The Well-led Podcast

In this comfyHQ episode of the comfy chairs, Kate tackles three everyday leadership questions with her signature blend of clarity, candor, and care.

→ How do I help my team members grow when there’s no clear promotion path?

→ How can I get better at listening instead of jumping in with solutions?

→ What’s one simple way to encourage more ownership from my team?

These questions reveal deeper truths about how leaders define their roles, shape expectations, and support employee success. Kate offers practical tools like sticky-note mindset reminders, expectation-setting checklists, and even T-charts for role reflection. Whether you lead a team of two or twenty, this episode will help you step out of the weeds and into the work of real leadership.

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

What happens when you stop hiring for experience and start hiring for strengths?

In this episode of the comfy chairs, I talk with Dr. Mike Neal, optometrist and founder of Build My Team, about the moment he realized traditional hiring wasn’t working—and what he built instead. Drawing inspiration from Disney and the Ritz-Carlton, Mike created a system that helps small businesses (especially medical practices) hire better, faster, and more fairly. Together, we explore what it means to lead with clarity, reduce bias, and take the emotion out of hiring without losing the human element. We also talk candidly about managing underperformance, creating entry-level roles with purpose, and why predictable systems are a gift to growing teams.

If you're hiring (or thinking about it), this one’s for you.

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

In this comfyHQ installment, Kate tackles three leadership questions that share a common root: self-awareness.

She shares best practices for time management that actually work, rethinks the idea of “work-life balance” through the lens of needs and priorities, and offers a grounded approach to self-advocacy that doesn’t veer into self-serving.

• What are the best practices for time management as a leader?

If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin or struggled to ask for what you need, this episode will help you realign with clarity and courage.

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Show up as trustworthy: A conversation about trust.

🪑🪑 Celebrating two years of big conversations from the comfy chairs.

What makes a leader trustworthy?

In this special anniversary episode of the comfy chairs, Kate and Angela revisit one of the most foundational—and often most fragile—elements of effective leadership: trust.

Together, they unpack how trust shapes team dynamics, leadership credibility, and even business outcomes. This isn’t just about “being nice”—it’s about communication, consistency, and taking responsibility for the flow of information. Angela shares how structured communication cascades and intentional touchpoints foster connection, while Kate explores the link between trust and workplace dignity.

They also talk honestly about what happens when trust breaks down—and what it takes to repair it.

Whether you’re new to leadership or have a few hard-earned scars, this episode invites you to reflect, recalibrate, and keep showing up. Because trust isn’t a trait—it’s a practice.

Connect with Angela on LinkedIn.

Books mentioned during our conversation:

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

www.one23ltd.com

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

These notes contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org, a site dedicated to supporting independent bookstores. As an affiliate, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

In this episode of comfyHQ, Kate tackles three leadership questions that share a common root: self-awareness. She shares best practices for time management that actually work, rethinks the idea of “work-life balance” through the lens of needs and priorities, and offers a grounded approach to self-advocacy that doesn’t veer into self-serving.

If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin or struggled to ask for what you need, this episode will help you realign with clarity and courage.

👉🏻 Have a question for comfyHQ? Share your questions.

👉🏻 Subscribe to the “as easy as” newsletter from onetwentythree ltd.

www.one23ltd.com

https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Everyone owns it. A conversation for leaders about workplace culture.

What makes a workplace feel supportive—and what happens when it doesn’t?

In this episode, clinical social worker and Connect Counseling founder Sarah Harris joins Kate to talk about how culture isn’t just something you talk about; it’s something you live. They explore how communication, physical space, and policies shape the way employees experience their work—and how these elements shift in hybrid and virtual settings.

Sarah shares research-backed insights on the link between culture, mental health, and employee retention (spoiler: culture isn’t a “soft” topic—it’s a strategic one). She also offers practical suggestions for fostering a culture that listens, adapts, and values people as they are.

Whether you’re trying to fix a culture that’s off course or protect one that’s thriving, this conversation will help you see your workplace through a more human—and hopeful—lens.

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Sarah Harris Speaks

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

www.one23ltd.com

https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

In this episode of comfyHQ, we answer two leadership questions that many managers quietly struggle with:

Kate shares practical strategies to lead with consistency, communicate with clarity, and address behavioral issues without falling into the trap of vague “attitude” conversations. From performance management to psychological safety, this episode gives you a grounded, human-centered approach to navigating two of leadership’s toughest challenges.

👉🏻 Have a question for comfyHQ? Share your questions.

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www.one23ltd.com

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Early and well-structured: A conversation about confrontation.

In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate is joined by her father, Charlie, a seasoned leader with experience in higher education, the military, and church governance. Together, they unpack the often-misunderstood relationship between confrontation and leadership. Their conversation explores how direct and kind communication can strengthen teams, prevent unnecessary conflict, and help leaders lead with both clarity and care. From real-time feedback to decision-making under pressure, Charlie shares stories and insights rooted in practice—and in love.

Additional resources mentioned during our conversation:

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

www.one23ltd.com

https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

These notes contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org, a site dedicated to supporting independent bookstores. As an affiliate, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

In this episode of comfyHQ, Kate tackles two key questions about modern leadership:

From structured mentoring programs to managing remote employees with clarity and care, Kate offers practical strategies for leaders who want to build trust, encourage learning, and lead well, no matter where their team is sitting. If you're looking for grounded, human-centered approaches to people leadership, this episode is for you.

👉🏻 Have a question for comfyHQ? Share your questions.

👉🏻 Subscribe to the “as easy as” newsletter from onetwentythree ltd.

www.one23ltd.com

https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Continuously developed: A conversation about student leadership.

Rereleased on July 1, 2025, with corrected audio.

Kate is joined by Emily Barnett, former teacher and current Campaign Development Manager with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to talk about preparing the next generation of leaders. Their conversation explores the importance of developing student leadership, the value of flexibility and dependability, and why investing in youth isn’t an “extra”—it’s a strategic imperative. Highlighting Emily’s work with the Student Visionaries program, this episode encourages community leaders, mentors, and employers alike to take small, deliberate actions that support young people and shape a stronger future workforce.

Additional resources mentioned during our conversation:

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

www.one23ltd.com

https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

These notes contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org, a site dedicated to supporting independent bookstores. As an affiliate, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.