In this deeply reflective and practical WiLD Conversation Podcast, Dr. Rob McKenna welcomes Randy Conley, Vice President and Trust Practice Leader at The Ken Blanchard Companies, into a conversation that moves beyond trust as a concept and into trust as a relational, moral, and courageous practice.

Together, they explore a reality many leaders experience but few name: trust is often broken not by malice, but by silence, misaligned expectations, and unresolved wounds. At the heart of rebuilding trust, Randy and Rob surface a powerful and often overlooked leadership discipline—forgiveness.

In a cultural moment marked by polarization, cancellation, and quick judgments, this episode challenges leaders to consider a different path. One grounded in humility, confession, and the willingness to acknowledge brokenness, not as weakness, but as the starting point for wholeness. Randy reframes forgiveness as a personal choice rather than a transactional outcome, reminding leaders that unforgiveness quietly erodes the very trust they hope to protect.

The conversation also dives into the real-world complexity of leadership: trust dilemmas, competing loyalties, unspoken expectations, and the tension between accountability and compassion. Rather than offering simplistic answers, Randy offers grounded wisdom, research-backed insight, and practical behaviors leaders can begin applying immediately.

This episode ultimately invites leaders to ask a deeper question: Is it possible to move toward wholeness—personally, relationally, or organizationally—without forgiveness? And if trust always requires risk, are we willing to go first?

In this episode of The WiLD Conversation Podcast, Dr. Rob McKenna sits down with Jeff Schiefelbein, managing partner of Undivided Life, for a courageous conversation about what it truly means to live and lead without fragmentation. Together they unpack why so many leaders feel divided between who they are and who they think they must be to succeed—and what it costs them, their families, and their organizations.

Jeff shares candid stories about integrating faith, family, and vocation, including the moment an ordinary phone call about his miniature donkeys awakened a colleague to the weight of her own divided life. From fears of looking weak, to cultural narratives that glorify “my truth,” to workplaces that unintentionally reward pretending—this conversation goes straight to the heart of the human condition.

Rob and Jeff explore why leaders long for wholeness but struggle to live it, why calling is always communal, and why transformation cannot happen in isolation. They challenge the myth of the “self-made” leader and offer a compelling vision for integrated, human-centered leadership—leadership formed through real relationships, honest self-awareness, and shared development across the people we actually do life with.

Most leaders know instantly that “wholeness” is right, but fear looking weak, uncommitted, or different. Fear—not lack of desire—is the real barrier.

When leaders fake strengths, mute their values, or hide their commitments at home, they advance under false pretenses—and eventually feel trapped by the very role they earned.

Jeff: “Everywhere I go, the more I show up as me—not who the moment wants me to be—the more people thank me for it.”

Contrary to the “live your truth” narrative, calling unfolds with the people who share our lives. The myth of the isolated, self-directed leader is both naïve and harmful.

Breakthrough performance happens when organizations unlock individual potential with coaching, trust, and relational development—not just metrics or quarterly targets.

Faith, family, self-awareness, and leadership aren’t separate lanes. Integrated leaders take wiser risks, steward energy better, and create environments where others can thrive.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Rob McKenna and Ron Carucci dive into the hidden forces that shape honesty, trust, and character inside organizations. Ron—co-founder of Navalent, bestselling author of To Be Honest, and one of the most unflinchingly candid voices in leadership—reveals what 30 years of research and experience have uncovered: honesty isn’t just a virtue. It’s a muscle. And organizations are either strengthening it… or eroding it every day.

Together, Rob and Ron revisit the early days of their collaboration, exploring what it really takes to lead alongside others with authenticity, speed, and grace. They reflect on the messy, beautiful realities of partnership, the tension between pace and presence, the power of emerging leaders, and the organizational conditions that predict whether people will tell the truth—or hide it.

Ron breaks down the four conditions that scientifically predict honesty and trustworthiness on a team, including accountability with dignity, say–do alignment, cross-functional integrity, and true transparency in decision-making. Through candid stories, personal reflection, and practical insights, this episode challenges leaders to examine not just who they are—but the environments they create.

This is a masterclass in leading with integrity in complex times, delivered with the honesty, humor, and clarity that only Ron Carucci can bring.

Leaders must practice honesty daily. Our brains are wired for truth, but our environments often pull us toward fear, self-protection, or silence.

There are four conditions that predict truth-telling or deception. Leaders either reinforce or erode integrity by the systems they tolerate.

If what you claim as a leader doesn’t match what people observe, you institutionalize duplicity.

When people feel seen and respected for their contributions, they are four times more likely to tell the truth.

If a room feels like orchestrated theater, people will seek truth elsewhere—usually in hushed corners.

Cross-functional tensions are where the truth fractures first. Healthy seams = healthy trust.

For more on Ron's work click the links below:

www.navalent.com

www.tobehonest.net

In this compelling WiLD Conversation, global executive, former CEO of Korn Ferry, board director, and growth strategist Ana Dutra joins Rob McKenna to dive deep into the essential, yet paradoxical, foundations of effective leadership: vulnerability, trust, and purpose. Drawing on three decades of experience transforming organizations and leading Korn Ferry's $500M+ consulting business, Ana shares her hard-won wisdom on aligning personal values with professional impact. This conversation offers a powerful perspective on how authentic self-awareness anchors leaders and builds high-performing, high-trust cultures.

This special episode of the WiLD Conversation Podcast features Jeffrey Hunter, the visionary CEO, Founder, and Chairperson of Storyteller Overland. Dr. Rob McKenna is a proud owner of a Storyteller Stealth, giving listeners an intimate look at his personal "mode" and setting the stage for a deeply personal and insightful discussion. Jeffrey shares the origin story of Storyteller Overland, born from a desire to meet unmet needs in the van life community with high-quality, scalable production, allowing adventurers to "focus on the life aspects of van life" with confidence and a "circle of trust."

This conversation offers invaluable lessons for leaders striving to build a thriving business rooted in trust, purpose, and a truly wild spirit of adventure.

From Building Systems to Cultivating People: A Path to Trust and Growth

In this episode of the WiLD Conversation Podcast, host Dr. Rob McKenna sits down with Josh Wylie, President of Villara Building Systems, to reveal a leadership metaphor that reshapes how we think about influence: the builder and the gardener.

Great leaders must be both. Builders focus on visible structures—systems, strategies, and profits. Gardeners nurture what is unseen—the trust, relationships, and culture that make growth sustainable. Wylie shares how Villara Building Systems, a national leader in its industry, has built its mission around “building people, building trust, and building dreams.”

From leveraging the WiLD Trust Index to creating an in-house coaching program, Wylie demonstrates how leaders can systematize trust and invest in people holistically. This conversation is a blueprint for leading organizations with integrity, intentionality, and a relentless commitment to human flourishing.

Patrick Lencioni, one of the most influential voices in organizational health together with Dr. Rob McKenna, dive deep to explore the heart of effective leadership—redefining success, reframing identity, and uncovering the surprising role of brokenness in shaping whole leaders.

This episode of The WiLD Conversation Podcast begins lightheartedly with pet peeves, but quickly moves into transformative insights on humility, trust, and the sacrificial nature of leadership.

Key Takeaways for Leaders:

For more on The Table Group visit:  https://www.tablegroup.com/

For more on The Working Genius visit: https://www.workinggenius.com/

For more on the WiLD Trust Index visit: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index

For more on WiLD Leaders Inc. visit: https://www.wildleaders.org/

In this unmissable episode of The WiLD Conversation podcast, hosts Dr. Rob McKenna and Sabeth Kapahu are joined by the legendary Dr. Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School and the pioneering mind behind the globally transformative concept of psychological safety.

With candor and clarity, Dr. Edmondson challenges long-held beliefs about leadership, trust, and failure. She reframes trust not as something earned over time, but as a deliberate choice—a bold act that inspires others to rise to the occasion. And she cuts through misconceptions about psychological safety, revealing it not as comfort or kindness, but as the courage to foster learning, candor, and intelligent risk-taking.

This conversation is a masterclass for leaders who want to build environments where people are safe to speak up, take smart risks, and grow together.

→ Trust Is a Choice, Not a Prize:

→ Psychological Safety ≠ Comfort:

→ Vulnerability Is Strength:

→ Discernment Over Permission:

What really drives high performance? In this episode, global speaker and leadership strategist Jamie Crosbie joins Dr. Rob McKenna and Sabeth Kapahu on the WiLD Conversation Podcast to challenge the metrics-only mindset and champion the human algorithm—where trust, courage, and clarity fuel sustainable success.

Jamie reminds us: “If outcomes are king, then trust is the crown.” Together, they unpack how courageous leadership, emotional intelligence, and reframing failure can transform feedback into fuel—and cultivate cultures where people thrive, not just perform.

If you’re leading in high-pressure spaces, this one’s for you.

Leadership Takeaways:

🔹 Lead with Metrics and Meaning

🔹 Courage Builds Trust

🔹 Failure Fuels Growth

🔹 Self-Awareness > Strategy Alone

🔹 Find Your People

In this powerful episode of The WiLD Conversation, Dr. Rob McKenna and Sabeth Kapahu sit down with Jose Rodriguez, CEO of Rescue a Generation, to explore what it truly takes to build and rebuild trust—in ourselves, our teams, and the next generation of leaders.

From his courageous journey out of gang life to launching a thriving nonprofit that empowers urban youth across Southern California, Jose offers a raw and hopeful perspective on how trust isn’t earned it’s a daily, intentional choice.

Together, they unpack why vulnerability is the secret ingredient in leadership, how asking better questions, especially with Gen Z, can transform disengagement into deep ownership, and why the only way up is through trust. Whether you’re leading a team, mentoring young people, or working to rebuild broken relationships, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with radical ownership, consistent action, and the kind of trust that changes lives.

💡 Key Leadership Takeaways:

1. Trust Is a Practiced Choice, Not a Trait Trustworthy leadership isn’t something you have—it’s something you do, daily. Jose’s story reveals that choosing trust, especially when it’s risky, is what transforms both leaders and teams.

“Trust is not a trait. It's a practiced and powerful choice.”

2. Beliefs Drive Behaviors: Change doesn't start with commands—it starts with beliefs. Great leaders get curious about what’s underneath the surface.

“If you want to change the behavior, you’ve got to find out what the belief is.”

3. Ask Better Questions: Young leaders don’t need more answers—they need to be seen and heard. Meaningful questions open doors to engagement, trust, and breakthrough.

“We live in an answer culture. But asking the right question can change everything.”

4. Repairing Trust Requires Ownership and Small Steps: Trust breaks in moments, but it’s rebuilt in tiny, consistent acts of ownership, honesty, and repair.

“Every broken commitment is actually a cry for help.”

🔗 Learn more about Rescue a Generation: https://www.rescueageneration.com/

🔗 Learn more about WiLD: https://www.wildleaders.org/

🔗 Download the State of Trust At Work report : https://info.wildleaders.org/state-of-trust-report-registration-0