You're the Boss, Now What? | Team Emotional Intelligence for Managers and Leaders

Holding your team accountable without feeling like a micromanager is tough. No one wants to be the boss who’s constantly checking in, chasing deadlines, and fixing mistakes. But when accountability is missing, your team underperforms, and you end up carrying the weight of their unfinished work.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Katie Armentrout to break down the biggest mistakes leaders make when trying to hold their team accountable, and how to avoid them. We’ll talk about why setting clear expectations isn't enough, the role your own leadership habits play in team accountability, and how to correct problems before they turn into bigger issues.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by missed deadlines, unclear communication, or a lack of follow-through, this episode is for you. Let’s get into it.

• Connect with Katie Armentrout 

  • Website
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Facebook 
• Listen to: Are You Great at Your Job, but Not So Much With the People? 

• Take the Four Tendencies Quiz (Gretchen Rubin) 

• Learn About Working Genius

• How to hold your team accountable without creating resentment
• Why accountability starts with YOU, and how to model it effectively
• The key to setting clear expectations so there’s no confusion
• Why people resist accountability and how to shift the team culture

When you finish listening, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode. Take a screenshot, share it to your LinkedIn or Instagram stories, and tag me @desireepetrich so I can say thanks.

And if you love this show, leaving a quick review is the best way to support it—it helps more leaders like you find these episodes.

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Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

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So, you’ve just stepped into a leadership role, you’re working toward a promotion, or you’ve been leading for years but know there’s always more to learn. But here’s the thing: no one actually taught you how to lead.

Now, you’re juggling decisions, managing personalities, and wondering, Am I even doing this right?

I’ve been there. I went from being a first-time manager at 24, learning everything the hard way, to running a leadership development company and helping leaders step into their roles with confidence. That’s exactly why I created You're the Boss, Now What?

This is the podcast for managers at every stage—whether you’re new to the role or ready to sharpen your skills—who want to:✅ Lead with confidence✅ Communicate with impact✅ Build teams that actually work together

But don’t expect another stuffy leadership podcast filled with corporate jargon and theories that don’t work in real life. Here, we get into the real stuff:💡 Tough conversations💡 Awkward moments💡 The unspoken struggles of leadership that no one warns you about

And it’s not just me talking. You’ll hear from expert guests, leaders, coaches, and real managers who share their biggest wins, worst mistakes, and the lessons they wish they’d learned sooner.

So, if you’re tired of winging it and want actionable strategies to actually enjoy being a leader, hit Follow and join me every week. Let’s ditch the stress, master the human side of leadership, and turn you into the kind of boss people want to work for.

Because you’re the boss now. Let’s make sure you lead like it.

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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Have you ever left a meeting thinking that was a complete waste of time?Do your meetings lack structure direction or engagement?

Most meetings feel unproductive and take up valuable time,  not to mention they lack real discussions conflict or engagement.Meetings are treated as necessary evils instead of opportunities for strategy and problem-solving.

Bad meetings aren’t just annoying they impact team morale and productivity. People avoid meetings or tune out because they feel ineffective. Without the right structure meetings become pointless status updates instead of spaces for real problem-solving. 

In Death by Meeting Patrick Lencioni breaks down four types of meetings that every leader should implement. Understanding and using the right type of meeting at the right time can transform your team’s efficiency and engagement!I’ll walk you through the four meeting structures and how to use them effectively. Key Takeaways

By the end of this episode you’ll learn

The two biggest reasons meetings fail inefficiency and boredomWhy conflict in meetings is necessary and how to make it productive instead of awkwardThe four types of meetings and how to use them to structure your team’s discussions

 Additional Links

Death by Meeting by Patrick LencioniNext Episode in This Series Creativity Inc by Ed Catmull

Make sure to hit subscirbe, so you don't miss next week's episode with our guest Katie Armentrout, to talk about the topic of Accountability 

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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Becoming a manager for the first time can feel overwhelming. You think you should have all the answers, but instead, you’re second-guessing everything. I know because I’ve been there. In this episode, I share the biggest mistakes I made when stepping into leadership at 24 and what I wish I had known to make the transition easier.

Have you ever felt like you have no idea what you’re doing as a leader?

Most first-time managers struggle with imposter syndrome, micromanagement tendencies, and feeling like they need to prove themselves. When I became a manager at 24, I thought leadership meant fixing every problem myself and making sure my team liked me. Instead, I burned myself out, made my team frustrated, and didn’t gain the respect I was hoping for.

This episode is all about the leadership mistakes I made so you don’t have to.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll discover:

• The biggest mistakes I made as a first-time manager and what I should have done differently
• Why trying to fix everything yourself actually hurts your leadership
• How one unexpected challenge changed the way I lead my team

Mentioned in this episode:

• Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni – a must-read for improving workplace communication
• Finish by Jon Acuff – the book that reshaped my leadership mindset and personal growth
• My full list of top leadership books for new managers → IntentionalAction.net/books

When you finish listening, I’d love to hear from you.Take a screenshot of this episode, share it in your Instagram stories, and tag me @DesireePetrich with your biggest takeaway.

While you’re there, follow me on LinkedIn Desiree Petrich where I share practical leadership tips, team leadership strategies, and career growth insights.

Enjoyed this episode?If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps other new managers find this podcast and get the tools they need to lead with confidence.

Coming up next:I Read Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni, So You Don’t Have To. We’ll break down common leadership mistakes, the right way to lead a successful team meeting, and how to avoid unproductive workplace meetings.

Hit follow so you don’t miss it.

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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

No one tells you how hard it is to transition from being a great employee to being a great leader—until you’re already in the thick of it. In this episode, I’m breaking down the five hard truths of leadership that no one warns you about, so you can avoid common pitfalls, gain respect, and lead with confidence from day one.

Did anyone ask if you actually wanted to be a manager? Or did you get promoted because you were great at your job, only to realize that leadership is a whole different game?

Too many new managers struggle with the transition from doing the work to leading others in doing the work. And without a roadmap, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, overworked, and unsure of how to actually lead your team.

In this episode, we’re tackling five leadership truths that no one tells you—until it’s too late. You’ll learn what’s keeping new managers stuck, the biggest mistakes to avoid, and how to step into leadership with authority (without losing your sanity).

• Why clinging to your old job is holding you back from leadership success
• The real reason your title alone doesn’t earn you authority
• How meetings can make or break your reputation as a leader
• Why firing someone is inevitable—and how to do it the right way
• How your leadership habits shape company culture, whether you realize it or not

If this episode resonated with you, don’t just sit on it—take action! Pick one of these truths and start implementing a change this week. Then, send me a message on LinkedIn and tell me which one hit home the most.

Know someone who’s struggling with leadership? Send them this episode! Share it with a fellow manager who could use these insights, and let’s make leadership less of a guessing game.

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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Ever wondered why I’m so passionate about leadership development? In this episode, I share my personal journey—from struggling as a first-time manager to founding my leadership development company. I dive into the lessons I learned, the hardships that shaped me, and why leadership and team engagement are at the heart of everything I do. 

Have you ever felt unprepared for leadership, even when you thought you had all the right experience and credentials? I did too.

Stepping into my first management role, I was confident—until I realized I had no idea what I was doing. No training, no roadmap—just trial and error. Then, the unexpected happened. The pandemic hit, pushing me to grow faster than I ever anticipated. Through personal and professional development, I discovered what truly makes teams thrive.

And then came the most personal turning point—losing my mother. Seeing her dedication to work and the toll it took solidified my mission: to help leaders build better workplaces where people don’t just survive but thrive.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:

• How my journey from healthcare to leadership development shaped my mission
• The reality of stepping into leadership without guidance
• Why team engagement is just as crucial as leadership skills

📖 Want to dive deeper? Grab my book Taking Intentional Action

💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Connect with me on LinkedIn and send me a message!

Sign up for Desiree's Weekly newsletter

Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Desiree Petrich breaks down Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team into a simple, relatable guide for new managers. Learn how to build trust, handle conflict, and strengthen team dynamics that actually drive results.

Show Notes

Last week we talked about what to do when you realize you hate your job—and how personal growth can reignite your purpose.

This week, Desiree dives into one of the most transformational leadership books for teams: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni. She’s breaking down this bestselling framework in plain language, so you can skip the theory and start building a stronger, more cohesive team right now.

In this episode, Desiree explains the five key behaviors of a healthy, high-performing team—trust, productive conflict, commitment, accountability, and results—and how each layer builds on the next. You’ll learn what a lack of trust actually looks like, how to turn conflict into collaboration, and why holding each other accountable doesn’t have to feel uncomfortable.

If you’ve ever struggled with team tension, unclear expectations, or feeling like your meetings never go anywhere, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn

• How to build vulnerability-based trust that strengthens your team’s connection
• The difference between destructive conflict and healthy debate
• Why commitment and clarity prevent confusion and frustration
• How to hold employees accountable without micromanaging
• What strong team results look like—and how to get there faster

Key Takeaways

• Trust fuels everything. Teams that trust each other can engage in honest, productive conversations.
• Conflict is healthy. It’s about ideas, not people—and it leads to better decisions.
• Commitment builds clarity. People support what they help create.
• Accountability creates results. When expectations are clear, high performance follows.

Read The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Arbinger Institue books

Leadership and Self Deception 

Anatomy of Peace

The Outward Mindset

Read my book  Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead 

&nb

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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Feeling stuck, unappreciated, or burned out? Desiree Petrich shares three smart options for when you no longer love your job—and how to use confidence, consistency, and mindset to decide your next move.

Show Notes

Last week we talked about delegation—why you avoid it and how to start letting go of tasks that drain you.

This week, we’re talking about what happens when the problem isn’t delegation—it’s that you’re just not happy in your job anymore.

Whether you’re a new manager, mid-level leader, or seasoned professional, feeling undervalued or stuck can make every day feel heavy. In this episode, Desiree Petrich walks through three options for what to do when you’ve mentally checked out of your job—and how to rebuild your confidence while figuring out your next move.

You’ll learn how to reframe your mindset, recognize when to stay or go, and apply the ABCs of Confidence Framework (Acquisition, Belief, and Consistency) to create momentum—no matter what your decision is.

What You’ll Learn

• Why “doing the bare minimum” never solves dissatisfaction at work
 • How to ask for a raise or promotion with confidence and data
 • What to do when you’re not ready to leave but can’t stay stuck
 • How to build skills, belief, and consistency before your next move
 • Why attitude, skills, and energy determine how you experience your job

Key Takeaways

• You can’t control everything—but you can always control your next move.
 • Building skills and relationships while you’re still in the job sets you up for what’s next.
 • Believing in yourself starts with closing the gap between where you are and where you want to go.
 • Sometimes the biggest mindset shift is realizing you might not hate your job—you just stopped growing in it.

Sign up for Desiree's Weekly newsletter

Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or frustrated with your team? Learn the three real reasons managers avoid delegation—and what to do about each one. Build trust, beat burnout, and strengthen your leadership.

Show Notes

Last week we talked about accountability and why trust is the foundation for holding your team to clear standards.
 This week, Desiree Petrich breaks down one of the most common struggles new managers face: delegation.

If you’ve ever felt like it’s just easier to do things yourself, this episode will change how you think about leadership.
 Desiree shares the three hidden reasons leaders struggle to delegate—and the mindset shifts and habits that help you let go without losing control.

You’ll learn how to overcome burnout, trust your team to deliver, and stop holding onto tasks that don’t serve your strengths. Whether you’re leading a small team, running a department, or managing a business on your own, these steps will help you create a stronger, more cohesive team culture.

What You’ll Learn

• The difference between bore out and burnout—and how both block effective leadership
• Why you resist delegating work you dislike (and how to reframe it)
• How to delegate even when you don’t fully trust your team yet
• The real reason “being irreplaceable” hurts your growth
• How delegation builds morale, trust, and accountability across your team

Key Takeaways

• Delegation isn’t dumping—it’s developing people.
• You can’t grow your team if you’re doing everyone’s job.
• Trust builds through clarity, check-ins, and small wins.
• Letting go of control makes you a better manager, not a weaker one.

Sign up for Desiree's Weekly newsletter

Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Adam Grant’s Hidden Potential reveals simple shifts that help new managers grow faster. Learn five lessons to handle conflict, build trust, and find joy in leadership—without burning out.

Show Notes

Last week we talked about accountability and how trust is the foundation for holding your team to clear standards.
 This week, Desiree Petrich dives into five powerful lessons from Hidden Potential by Adam Grant—so you don’t have to read it to get the results.

If you’ve ever wondered how to build trust, handle conflict, or lead with more confidence, this episode breaks down the mindset shifts that help first-time managers unlock their hidden potential.

From understanding the difference between character and personality to finding joy in the daily grind, Desiree shares simple, actionable ways to improve your leadership, strengthen team dynamics, and avoid the common traps that cause new managers to burn out.

What You’ll Learn

• How to prioritize your values over instincts when team personalities clash
 • The difference between being defensive and defending your work
• Why turning the “daily grind” into daily joy unlocks your potential
• How to stop competing with others and start improving yourself
• What the Peter Principle means—and how to promote the right people for the right reasons

Key Takeaways

• Great leaders act from character, not just personality.
• Feedback isn’t an attack—it’s an opportunity for growth when ego steps aside.
• You can’t fix culture by rewarding the wrong skills. Leadership is its own skillset.

Read Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

Read my book  Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead 

Sign up for Desiree's Weekly newsletter

Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...