Things Leaders Do: Leadership for Managers and Executives

Leading Through Bad News: How to Lead with Clarity, Compassion, and Trust

Episode Description:
 How do you lead when the news is bad—layoffs, downsizing, even tragedy in the workplace?

In this episode of Things Leaders Do, Colby Morris shares three essential tools to help leaders navigate the toughest moments with clarity, compassion, and trust. Grounded in the wisdom of Brené Brown—“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.”—this episode is a blueprint for delivering hard news without damaging your culture or credibility.

Whether you’re preparing for difficult conversations or leading your team through uncertainty, this episode delivers practical leadership moves you can use immediately.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to communicate bad news with honesty and empathy
• What to do when you don’t have all the answers
• How to build trust and stability when your team needs it most
• Why silence and corporate spin erode leadership credibility
• Leadership habits that preserve culture during crisis

About the Host:
 Colby Morris is a leadership strategist, executive coach, and host of Things Leaders Do. He helps leaders build trust, drive performance, and lead with clarity—especially in high-stakes environments.

Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colbymorris
Learn more at: nxtstepadvisors.com (That’s N-X-T, no E)

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

The Leadership Cycle: Building Trust, Relationships, and Influence for Effective Leadership

Episode Summary

Discover how trust, relationships, and influence form a powerful cycle that drives leadership success. In this episode, Colby Morris unpacks John Maxwell’s quote, “Leadership is influence,” and introduces the leadership cycle: trust builds relationships, and relationships earn influence. With actionable tools and real-world examples, you’ll learn how to motivate your team and lead effectively.

What You’ll Learn

• Proven leadership strategies to spark team motivation.
• How to build trust and earn influence with team motivation techniques.
• Why generic leadership fails—and how to use custom leadership approaches.
• The leadership cycle: trust → relationships → influence.

Key Takeaways

1. Motivation is Personal: Use leadership tools like asking great questions to unlock your team’s drive.
2. Influence is Earned: Adapt to your team’s needs and explain the ‘why’ to gain trust.
3. Customize Your Leadership: Tailor your style for maximum impact on each team member.

Real Stories, Real Impact

• Jordan’s Turnaround: A drifting employee becomes a leader when Colby taps into his need for mastery.
• Sarah’s Data Win: A skeptical analyst buys into a system after a numbers-based pitch.
• Mike’s Comeback: A top performer rebounds when given room to own his process.

Leadership Moves (Try One This Week!)

• Tool #1: Ask a team member, “What drives you?”
• Tool #2: Tweak your approach to match someone’s style.
• Tool #3: Ask, “Does my leadership work for you?”

Why It Matters

Leadership isn’t a title—it’s action. This episode gives you practical leadership strategies to build trust, strengthen relationships, and earn influence for real results.

FAQ: Leadership Cycle Explained

• What is the leadership cycle?
  It’s the process where trust builds relationships, and relationships earn influence—the core of effective leadership.
• How does trust impact leadership?
  Trust is the foundation. Without it, relationships weaken, and influence disappears.

Connect with Colby

• LinkedIn: Colby Morris
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/
• Website: nxtstepadvisors.com (N-X-T, no E)
• Want Colby to speak or coach? Hit him up on LinkedIn or the website.

Challenge

Try one tool this week. Did it build trust or boost influence? Share your story in the comments or on LinkedIn with Colby.

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Episode Title: Beat Burnout: Strong Teams in 2025

Host: Colby Morris

Published: March 10, 2025

Available on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Platforms

Episode Overview

Burnout’s not just lurking—it’s eating your team’s lunch and tanking your productivity. In this episode of the TLD Podcast, host Colby Morris breaks down why employee well-being and retention are your leadership superpowers in 2025. With 73% of leaders reporting change fatigue (Forbes, Oct 2024), it’s time to ditch the corporate wellness clichés and fight back. Colby delivers three actionable strategies to beat burnout, boost morale, and build strong teams—no fluff, just stuff you can use right now.

Perfect for leaders wrestling with hybrid teams, workplace stress, or high turnover, this 30-minute episode blends practical tips, real stories, and a kick to act today. Ready to lead stronger in 2025? Let’s roll.

What You’ll Learn

• Why well-being isn’t a perk—it’s a business strategy for retention and productivity.
• How to build psychological safety that beats burnout (hint: it starts with you).
• A framework to redefine workloads and kill the 40-hour myth.
• Tips to lead for energy, not just output, with energy audits and recharge culture.

Show Segments

• Introduction – Colby sets the stage: Burnout’s real, and well-being’s your secret weapon.
• Why Well-Being Matters – The peanut butter and jelly of retention and health—plus a wake-up call on change fatigue.
• Strategy 1: Psychological Safety – Model vulnerability, reward honesty, and ask better questions (with a story that’ll hit home).
• Strategy 2: Redefine Workloads – Quarterly resets, empowering “no,” and a tale of clarity gone wild.
• Strategy 3: Lead for Energy – Energy audits, flexible schedules, and how banning meetings saved a team.
• Wrap-Up & CTA – Pick one strategy, start this week, and connect with Colby for more.

Show Highlights

• Quote of the Episode: “Burnout’s not waiting for the perfect moment—why should you?”
• Story Spotlight: Colby shares how axing pointless meetings cut stress and boosted output by 20%.
• Actionable Challenge: Try an energy audit this week—ask your team what drains them and what fires them up.

Resources Mentioned

• Forbes Article (Oct 2024): 73% of Leaders See Change Fatigue
• Connect with Colby: LinkedIn | NxtStepAdvisors.com
• Workshops & Speaking: Email [email protected]

Subscribe & Share

Loved this episode? Don’t miss the next one—subscribe and share it with a leader fighting burnout—tag @ColbyMorrisTLD on LinkedIn and let’s keep the conversation going.

Drop a review —tell us how you’re beating burnout in 2025. Colby reads every one (and might shout you out!).

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Episode Title: "Stop Chaos Before It Starts: The Leader’s Playbook"

Host: Colby Morris
Episode Overview

Chaos doesn’t have to define your leadership. In this episode, Colby Morris turns Jocko Willink’s chaos-detachment mindset into a proactive game plan. Learn three practical tools—clear expectations, extreme ownership, and relentless communication—to build a team culture that stops mayhem in its tracks. Packed with real-world stories and steps you can use today, this is leadership made simple.

Key Topics: Leadership strategies, chaos-resistant culture, team clarity, ownership, communication

Listen Now!

Available on your favorite podcast platform—search "Things Leaders Do" and hit play!

Key Takeaways

1. Set Clear Expectations: Use Role Clarity Conversations to wipe out confusion and keep chaos away.
2. Build Ownership: Teach your team to ask, “What can I own?”—it’s the ultimate chaos-stopper.
3. Communicate Relentlessly: Run a 10-minute Daily Huddle to keep your team synced and surprises at zero.

Listener Challenge: Try one tool this week—like the Daily Huddle—and let me know how it goes on LinkedIn!

Episode Highlights

• Colby shares how a team turned chaos into calm by asking, “What’s your top three?”—a simple fix with big impact.
• Inspired by Extreme Ownership, hear about a project manager who saved a deadline by stepping up when it wasn’t “his job.”
• The Daily Huddle in action: Colby contrasts a CEO’s launch flop with a team that nailed it through daily syncs.
• A final nudge: Pick one tool and run with it—plus, a hint about next week’s episode!

Resources Mentioned

• Book: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
• Connect with Colby: LinkedIn Profile – 
• (https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/)
• Book Colby for keynotes, workshops, and coaching.
• (nxtstepadvisors.com)

Why You’ll Love This Episode

Overwhelmed by team chaos? Colby Morris, COO and leadership expert, breaks down three tools—clarity, ownership, and communication—to stop mayhem before it starts. From a team turnaround to a deadline-saving win, this episode delivers real examples and a clear plan to lead with less stress. Perfect for new managers or seasoned pros.

Get Involved

• Share Your Story: Have a chaos tale? Connect or message on LinkedIn—it could feature next time!
• Rate & Review: Loved it? Drop a 5-star review on your podcast platform—it helps us reach more leaders.
• Connect: Share your favorite tool with #ThingsLeadersDo and tag @ColbyMorris.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Episode Title: Gen X Leaders vs. Millennials & Gen Z: The Workplace Showdown No One Talks About

Host: Colby Morris
Release Date: [Insert Date, e.g., March 5, 2025]
Episode Overview

Are generational differences derailing your workplace? In this episode of Things Leaders Do, COO Colby Morris dives into the leadership clash no one’s talking about: Gen X versus Millennials and Gen Z. From the “figure it out” grit of Gen X to the feedback-hungry, team-driven Millennials and Gen Z, Colby unpacks what sets these generations apart, why it sparks tension, and how to bridge the gap. Packed with real stories, stats, and actionable strategies, this 14-minute episode is your guide to leading across generations—whether you’re a Gen X boss or a younger manager under one.

Key Topics: Generational leadership styles, workplace communication, team collaboration, feedback strategies

Subscribe: Never miss an episode—hit that subscribe button!

Key Takeaways

• Gen X Leaders: Embrace feedback and collaboration—your grit’s gold, but today’s teams need guidance. Try a 10-minute weekly check-in.
• Millennials & Gen Z Leaders: Proactively seek clarity and deliver results—your Gen X boss values ownership over effort.
• Bridge the Divide: Structured communication (e.g., biweekly huddles) cuts disconnects—Colby’s team proves it with a 20% turnover drop.

Listener Challenge: Spot a generational clash at work. Test a check-in this week—did it shift the vibe? Tell us!

Resources Mentioned

Deloitte Study: 70% of Gen Xers prioritize self-reliance

Pew Research: 60% of Millennials want weekly feedback

Connect with Colby: LinkedIn Profile – Leadership workshops & keynotes. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/)

Why You’ll Love This Episode

Struggling with generational tensions as a leader? Colby Morris, seasoned COO, breaks down the Gen X “figure it out” mindset versus Millennials and Gen Z’s team-driven approach. With real-world stories—like turning a floundering project into a win and slashing turnover 20%—this episode delivers practical tips to unite your team. Whether you’re a Gen X manager adapting to younger crews or a Millennial navigating a hands-off boss, you’ll walk away with strategies to lead smarter today.

Get Involved

Email Us: Got a leadership clash? Send it to [email protected] —Colby might tackle it next!

Rate & Review: Loved this? Drop a 5-star rating—it helps us grow.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
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Show Notes: Promoting High Performers: The Hidden Risks and Strategies for Success

Episode Summary:
Promoting top performers into leadership roles may seem like the natural next step, but what happens when they struggle—or worse, when they never wanted to lead in the first place? In this episode, we explore why great individual contributors don’t always make great leaders, how leadership requires an entirely different skill set, and what organizations can do to better prepare their people for leadership before handing them the title.

Drawing from a personal leadership mistake early in my career, I share how I promoted an exceptional performer into a leadership role—only to realize too late that I had set them up for failure. We’ll also discuss the Michael Jordan principle—why the greatest players aren’t always the best coaches—and how leaders can ensure they’re making the right decisions when it comes to promotions.

If you’re a leader responsible for hiring or promoting team members, this episode will give you practical strategies to assess readiness, develop future leaders, and create career growth paths that don’t force people into roles they don’t want.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why high performance in a role doesn’t automatically translate to leadership success
• How to identify whether someone wants to lead before promoting them
• Actionable ways to develop leaders before they step into leadership positions
• The difference between a Leadership Track and a Mastery Track and why every company should have both
• How to avoid treating leadership as a reward instead of a responsibility

Key Takeaways:

• Ask before you promote: Ensure your top performers actually want to lead and understand the challenges of leadership.
• Prepare leaders early: Use mentoring, shadowing, and leadership opportunities before promoting someone.
• Offer alternative career paths: Not everyone wants to manage people—some thrive in roles where they continue growing as individual contributors.

Resources & Next Steps:

• Let’s connect on LinkedIn: Colby's LinkedIn
• If you found value in this episode, subscribe and share it with another leader who could benefit.
• Looking for a leadership speaker or training for your organization? Contact Colby Here

Subscribe & Review:
Enjoying Things Leaders Do? Take a moment to rate and review the podcast. Your feedback helps more leaders discover these insights and grow in their leadership journey.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Episode Title: Building a Resilient Team: Leadership Strategies for Tough Times

Episode Overview:
Resilience in the workplace is declining—44% of employees report feeling daily stress, and resilience has dropped nearly 30% since 2019. Burnout is real, and teams are struggling to bounce back from setbacks.

As a leader, how do you help your team build resilience so they don’t crack under pressure?

In this episode of Things Leaders Do, host Colby Morris unpacks three key strategies—two for individual resilience and one for team resilience—to create a team that thrives under pressure instead of breaking down.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why resilience is declining in today’s workforce (and how it’s affecting your team)
• The science of mental toughness and how to train your mindset like an athlete
• How small wins create lasting resilience (and how to structure them for your team)
• Why the best teams thrive under pressure and how to build a “challenge-safe” culture
• Research-backed strategies from Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan, and McKinsey

Actionable Leadership Takeaways:

• Reframe stress as a challenge, not a threat—Harvard research shows this is the #1 predictor of resilience
• Use “What-If” Scenarios—Train your team to think ahead so they’re prepared for setbacks before they happen
• Break challenges into smaller wins—Stanford research shows small successes build long-term resilience
• Encourage open debriefs—Resilient teams don’t avoid failure, they learn from it

Bonus: If you need help strengthening resilience in your organization, Colby is available for keynote speaking, corporate trainings, and leadership workshops.

Listen & Subscribe:
Find this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.

Let’s Connect:

• LinkedIn: Connect with Colby for more leadership insights.
• Website: nxtstepadvisors.com – leadership resources & speaking inquiries.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a leader in your network and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Episode Title: How Leaders Become Leaders: 4 Steps You Can Take Today

Episode Overview:
Ever wondered how leaders actually become leaders? It’s not luck, a fancy title, or waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about intentional steps taken over time. In this episode of Things Leaders Do, host Colby Morris breaks down the four key actions that will set you on the path to leadership starting today.

Whether you’re an aspiring leader, a new manager, or someone looking to sharpen your influence, this episode provides a practical blueprint to step into leadership with confidence.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why intentional learning is the foundation of leadership and how to approach it effectively
• How influence—not titles—makes a leader, according to John Maxwell
• The power of mentorship and how to find a mentor who will actually help you grow
• Why leadership is a skill you must practice, and how Colby’s own mentorship journey accelerated his growth

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is a choice, not a position. You don’t have to wait for permission to start leading.
• Be intentional about learning. Read books, listen to podcasts, and apply at least one lesson from everything you consume.
• Find a mentor and actually listen. The right mentor will challenge you, not just tell you what you want to hear.
• Practice leadership every day. Lead small projects, solve problems, and step up where others hesitate.

Bonus: If you need a recommendation for the best leadership books, reach out to Colby, or stay tuned—a new episode on the top leadership books is coming soon.

Listen & Subscribe:
Find this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.

Let’s Connect:

• LinkedIn: Connect with Colby for more leadership insights and conversations.
• Speaking Engagements: Need a speaker for your next event, corporate training, or webinar? Colby is available for leadership talks—reach out today. Visit the website here.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a leader in your network and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Communication Under Ambiguity: How Leaders Can Build Trust Without All the Answers

Episode Description: As a leader, how do you communicate effectively when you don’t have all the answers? In this episode of The TLD Podcast, Colby Morris dives into the challenging yet essential skill of leading through ambiguity. Using real-world examples, Colby explores three actionable strategies to maintain trust, reduce anxiety, and guide your team when the future feels uncertain.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How to acknowledge uncertainty while reassuring your team about what remains stable.
2. The importance of focusing on actionable next steps to keep momentum during unclear times.
3. Why committing to consistent communication—even without updates—builds trust and morale.

Colby also shares the story of a leader who faced declining sales and a disengaged team, illustrating how these strategies helped stabilize both morale and results. Whether you're navigating organizational change, market fluctuations, or internal challenges, this episode is packed with practical advice you can implement today.

CTA: Subscribe to The TLD Podcast for more actionable leadership insights. Don’t forget to share this episode with a fellow leader who could use encouragement. Connect with Colby Morris on LinkedIn  for more resources and discussions on effective leadership strategies. Or, visit Colby's website  for information about booking or contacting Colby. 

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

🎙️ Episode Overview:
Empathy is more than just a leadership buzzword—it’s the key to building trust, strengthening relationships, and driving results. In this episode of Things Leaders Do, host Colby Morris breaks down empathy into actionable strategies that you can implement immediately. Drawing inspiration from Patrick Lencioni and sharing real-life stories, Colby shows how listening, understanding, and tough conversations can transform your leadership impact.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why listening deeply is the foundation of empathy—and how to go beyond surface-level understanding.
• How walking in your team’s shoes builds trust and reveals invaluable insights.
• A proven framework for using empathy during difficult conversations.

Key Takeaways:

• The three levels of listening: surface, context, and emotion—and how to apply them in your daily interactions.
• Practical ways to implement empathy check-ins, such as shadowing employees or engaging in their workflows.
• A step-by-step process to handle tough conversations with clarity and compassion, ensuring trust is maintained.

Quotes from the Episode:

• “The most important thing you can do as a leader is to love your people. And love starts with understanding.” – Patrick Lencioni
• “Empathy isn’t just about feeling; it’s about taking meaningful action that shows you care.”

Action Challenge for This Week:
Find one way to practice empathy:

• Ask better questions during your next one-on-one meeting.
• Shadow a team member to understand their challenges firsthand.
• Prepare for a tough conversation using the empathy framework shared in this episode.

Connect with Colby Morris:

• LinkedIn: Connect with me for more insights, discussions, and leadership tips. https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/
• Speaking Engagements: Interested in bringing these lessons to your organization? Colby is available for corporate trainings, webinars, and more. Reach out to book a session [email protected]

Subscribe & Share:
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with another leader who could benefit from these insights. Together, let’s create a culture of empathy-driven leadership.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com