What Leaders Need Now

Having the right people and talent on your team is critical to your team’s success and your own. The trick is not only selecting the right people but also identifying and helping their talents blossom. My guest, Michael Sloan, VP of Human Resources at CommonSpirit Health and author of “Unlocking Talent,” discusses the qualities and behaviors you should look for beyond experience and hard skills. We also examine the importance of team cohesiveness to an organization’s health. I hope you enjoy listening to what Michael has to say.

I had the opportunity to preview a new book by Dr. Damian Goldvarg, “Lead with a Coaching Mindset: How the Best Leaders Unlock Potential”, which was released on September 2nd, 2025. Dr. Goldvarg, Ph.D., is not only an author but also an internationally accredited and well-known expert in leadership, with thirty years of experience in the fields of leadership coaching, training, and research. He lectures and studies around the world on the topic. In addition to book preview, I jumped at the opportunity to sit down and talk with Dr. Goldvarg about the book and discuss why some organizational cultures reinforce a leadership style of “command and control,” vs. a coaching style that Dr. Goldvarg (and I!) advocate. This is an especially timely subject as Gallup’s 2025 “State of the Global Workplace” report recently highlighted concerning findings about employee as well as leadership engagement.

Andrea dives into what emotional intelligence is and why leaders need to keep expanding and developing their EQ in this four-part series. In part four, Andrea focuses on building stronger relationships with intentional effort and expanding your comfort zone.

Andrea dives into what emotional intelligence is and why leaders need to keep expanding and developing their EQ in this four-part series. In part three, Andrea focuses on reading others, shifting our attention outward and the different levels of listening.

Andrea dives into what emotional intelligence is and why leaders need to keep expanding and developing their EQ in this four-part series. In part two, Andrea focuses on self-management of our emotions and giving ourselves a “split-second space” to get centered.

Andrea dives into what emotional intelligence is and why leaders need to keep expanding and developing their EQ in this four-part series. In part one, Andrea focuses on self-awareness and getting into tune with your emotions.

I had the opportunity to sit down with my longtime colleague and friend, Randy Hain, and his business partner, Brandon Smith, to discuss leadership courage and findings in my What Leaders Need Now Leadership Assessment. They asked some thought-provoking questions and provided me with the opportunity to explain why courage in the workplace is so important for leaders today.

A few months ago a previous podcast guest recommended a book to me and suggested I talk to the author. Thank you, Dr. Cascario! Psychology researcher and author, Tania Luna, wrote a very special book on power, Lead Together: Stop Squirreling Away Power and Build a Better Team. Her approach to the bold topic of power within teams was fascinating and unexpected. As I said in my podcast, “Her book will draw you in, make you smile, and, possibly, even make you laugh out loud. But make no mistake, the insights are profound!” Her “story” needs to be shared far and wide and will encourage you to “stop hoarding your nuts” and share your leadership power with others.