Explore every episode of the podcast You're the Boss, Now What? | Team Emotional Intelligence for Managers and Leaders
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to Make Hard Conversations Easier | 22 Oct 2026 | 00:28:49 | |
Hard conversations at work will likely never be easy. But when we avoid them, the good people on our teams start filling in the blanks and making up stories about each other, and the wall between us keeps getting higher. In this episode, Desiree shares the WALL Blueprint from her breakout session at the 2026 Intentional Leader Summit. It’s a structure for having the conversations that need to be had, so the good intentions of the good people on your team can actually lead to a team that trusts each other. Whether you’re the boss or not, this one will help you speak up, hold people accountable, and ask for what you need without putting anyone on the defensive. In this episode: So what hard conversation have you been avoiding, and why? RESOURCES: 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Stop Trying to Fit In | 03 Aug 2026 | 00:06:04 | |
This week I'm connecting two ideas: my Breaking the Fourth Wall concept and Brené Brown's research on fitting in versus belonging. Brené's research found something surprising, fitting in and belonging are not the same thing. Fitting in is actually the greatest barrier to belonging. It's a survival strategy: reading the room and becoming who you need to be to get accepted. Belonging is the opposite. It's internal, it's unconditional, and it doesn't ask you to change who you are. I dig into why this matters for leaders who want more self-confidence, what Brené's research says about belonging and standing alone, and how this connects directly to why breaking the fourth wall on your team matters. This week's tip: Notice when you're fitting in. Notice when you're getting smaller. And when you catch it, name the fear, then say the thing anyway. Mentioned in this episode:
Go back and listen to last week's episode on Breaking the Fourth Wall if you haven't already. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| The Secret Behind Every High-Trust Team | 30 Jul 2026 | 00:23:50 | |
You don't have to wait for anyone to go first. You get to choose to be the first. In this episode, Desiree gives you a sneak peek into her brand new keynote, Breaking the Fourth Wall. It's a three-part approach to building trust with your team, and the starting point might surprise you. If your team has lost some ownership, engagement, or hope, this episode gets at the real reason why. Desiree opens with a personal story that reframes what leadership actually requires, then gets into why self-awareness is rarer than most leaders think and why even smart, capable people avoid difficult conversations at work. This is workplace communication and team accountability explained in a way you can actually use, whether you're leading two people or two hundred. What You'll Learn
CTA If your team is dealing with a lack of ownership, engagement, or hope, send Desiree an email. She'll help you figure out what rebuilding trust could look like for your specific team. Hit follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you don't miss next week's episode, where Desiree dives deeper into the candor piece of this framework and breaks down how to make hard conversations easier. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Share Your BHAG | 27 Jul 2026 | 00:04:15 | |
Some goals only get built because someone else believed in them first. This week's tip is simple: share your BHAG. Your Big Hairy Audacious Goal. The one you've been sitting on, half-convinced it's too big to say out loud. Desiree shares the origin story of the Intentional Leader Summit, a leadership development conference that started as a passing comment to a pastor she was working with. No funding. No real plan. Just an idea spoken out loud, and someone willing to say "let's do it." That summit is now in its third year, with over 200 attendees and 30 sponsorship companies, proof that big goals rarely grow in isolation. They grow when someone else gets to believe in them before you fully believe in them yourself. If you've got a goal you've been keeping to yourself, this episode is your nudge to say it out loud. What You'll Learn
Call to Action Links 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| 5 Myths to Unlearn to Become a More Confident Leader | 23 Jul 2026 | 00:16:45 | |
Confidence gets talked about like it's something you're either born with or you're not. Extroverts have it, introverts don't. Some people just have "it" and some people never will. In this episode of You're the Boss, Now What?, Desiree Petrich pushes back on that idea completely. After coaching and speaking to thousands of leaders, she's found that self-leadership, not team dynamics, is usually the number one thing leaders want to work on. Not better meetings. Not less conflict. Confidence. The ability to speak up, to lead with executive presence, to trust their own decisions. This episode is about leadership development from the inside out. Five common beliefs about confident leaders get named, challenged, and turned into something usable. In this episode, you'll learn:
Whether you're managing a small team or leading an entire department, this episode reframes what leadership development actually requires. It's not about looking like you have it together. It's about knowing yourself well enough to lead like you mean it. If this episode helped you rethink what confident leadership looks like: Want more leadership coaching and self-leadership tools in your inbox? Join Desiree live at the Intentional Leader Summit in Marshall, or grab your copy of her book, Taking Intentional Action, to go deeper on the philosophy behind this episode. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Be Proud of Yourself | 20 Jul 2026 | 00:04:51 | |
In this episode:
Try this: Connect with Desiree: 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Delegate to AI Without Losing Your Edge as a Leader | Monica Marquez | 16 Jul 2026 | 00:31:14 | |
AI isn't coming for your job. But it is changing what leadership looks like. In this episode, Desiree sits down with Monica Marquez, founder of FlipWork, to talk about the human side of AI adoption. Monica breaks down why so many leaders feel behind, what your "zone of genius" actually means, and why delegation (yes, the same skill you use with your team) is now the skill that separates leaders who thrive with AI from leaders who get replaced by it. What You'll Learn:
Call to Action: Links Mentioned:
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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Add a Little Whimsy | 13 Jul 2026 | 00:02:57 | |
This week's tip is simple: stop waiting for permission to enjoy your own life. Desiree shares a personal story about her garden, some ceramic mushrooms, and the "mad libs excuse" that almost kept her from adding a little joy to her everyday.
What's one small thing you've been putting off just for you? Add it this week. Let it make you smile. Links & Resources
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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| A Framework for Giving Feedback | Lessons from Radical Candor by Kim Scott | 09 Jul 2026 | 00:19:17 | |
Do you avoid hard conversations, or handle them so bluntly they backfire? In this episode, Desiree read the book Radical Candor by Kim Scott, so you don't have to. This episode breaks down the framework from Kim Scott's Radical Candor, the one Desiree teaches more than almost anything else with the leaders she coaches. In this episode:
One question to try before your next hard conversation: am I about to avoid this, or am I about to be harsh about it? Links mentioned in this episode:
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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Connecting and Communicating Across Generations at Work | Liz Carlson | 02 Jul 2026 | 00:24:02 | |
Right now you're leading up to five generations on the same team, and most of what's getting lost between them has nothing to do with personality. In this episode, Desiree sits down with workplace teacher Liz Carlson to unpack why communication breaks down across generations, what shaped the way each generation shows up at work, and how leaders can start closing the gap without walking on eggshells. Liz shares what she's learned spending years inside real teams, including why 93 percent of communication is nonverbal, how Gen Z is misunderstood rather than broken, and why Gen X, millennials, and boomers each bring their own hardwired communication style to the table. Key Topics Covered:
About Liz Carlson: Liz Carlson is a workplace teacher who spends her time inside real teams, helping leaders close the communication gaps that get in the way of trust and culture. She spent 12 years teaching in higher education, including designing and delivering business communication courses, and now brings that same lens to workplaces navigating five generations under one roof. Intentional Leader Summit 2026 — Liz is a featured speaker. Find more information at intentionalleadersummit.com 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Your Team Doesn't Need a Perfect Boss. They Need a Human One | Kristin Miller | 25 Jun 2026 | 00:20:20 | |
What if the most powerful thing you could do as a leader has nothing to do with strategy, systems, or having all the answers? In this episode, I'm joined by Money Mindset and Life Alignment Coach Kristen Miller for a conversation that started in the comments of a LinkedIn post and was too good to leave there. This isn't a framework episode. There's no tidy checklist at the end. What there is is an honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversation about what it actually looks like to show up as a whole person in your leadership role -- and why that's exactly what your team needs from you. We talk about: Why sharing the behind the scenes of your life makes you a more credible leader, not less professional The leadership cringe confession -- what we both did early on that we'd never do now, and why talking about it matters The real cost of hiding your humanity from your team, even when you think you're protecting them The one question shift that gets you honest answers instead of defensiveness Your team doesn't need a perfect boss. They need a human one. Connect with Kristin Miller on Linkedin 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| When to Let Go: Leadership Lessons for Work, Habits, and Relationships | Jacob Brown | 18 Jun 2026 | 00:23:15 | |
At some point, we all find ourselves holding on to something we know isn't working. A habit. A relationship. A team member. And we have really good reasons for it. Fear, convenience, comparison, not wanting to rock the boat. But what if the cost of holding on is higher than the cost of letting go? In this episode, I sit down with Jacob Brown, author of Avocado Leadership and one of the speakers at this year's Intentional Leader Summit. We dig into a principle he calls slow to hire, quick to fire, and we take it way beyond the workplace. In this episode we talk about: Why leaders hold on to toxic team members longer than they should, and what it's actually costing them How the behavior you tolerate as a leader defines the culture you create The "I know, I'm not, I'm open" framework for having courageous conversations Why boundaries aren't rules you set for other people How to stop holding on out of fear, convenience, or sunk cost Connect with Jacob Brown: Avocado Leadership Book: https://failforwardbrown.com/ Intentional Leader Summit: Jacob is speaking this year. Grab your ticket: www.intentionalleadersummit.com 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Why You Might Not Want To | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:24:02 | |
Have you ever wondered if feeling like a fraud might actually be a sign you're doing something right? In this episode of You're the Boss, Now What?, host Desiree Petrich takes on one of the most common experiences in leadership, imposter syndrome, and reframes it completely. Imposter syndrome was first identified in 1978, and nearly 50 years later, it still shows up in every industry, every experience level, and every area of life. Whether you're a new manager questioning if your team respects you, a parent wondering if you're doing enough, or a leader eyeing your next promotion, the feeling that you're not as capable as others think you are is more universal than most people admit. In this episode, Desiree walks through seven questions that get to the root of what imposter syndrome actually is, where it comes from, and why eliminating it might not be the goal. Here's what she covers: Where imposter syndrome really comes from — and why comparison, societal expectations, and leadership intimidation all play a role The difference between humility and imposter syndrome, and why confusing the two keeps leaders stuck The rubber band theory of personal growth — and why the stretch is exactly where you want to be How to use comparison as a tool for leadership development instead of a trap that holds you back Why borrowing someone else's belief in you is one of the most underrated leadership skills available to new managers Whether we can ever fully overcome imposter syndrome — and what it says about you if you think you already have The difference between hiding your competence and desperately wanting others to see it — and why both come from the same place If you're a new manager trying to figure out what good leadership actually looks like, this episode is for you. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Eat The Lemon | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:05:35 | |
You've heard it your whole life. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And most of the time? That's good advice. But in this week's tip, Desiree challenges the idea that you always have to find the positive spin — and introduces a concept that might give you the permission you didn't know you needed. Sometimes the most self-aware thing you can do is just eat the lemon. In this episode, you'll hear: Why forcing positivity can actually be a form of avoidance — and what that costs you as a leader The difference between reframing a hard situation and actually moving through it Why skipping the disappointment doesn't make it go away — it just shows up later What it looks like to feel the hard thing on purpose so you can move forward with honesty This one is short, personal, and hits differently if you've ever been in a season where the silver lining just wasn't what you needed. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| How to Give Feedback Without Crushing Someone’s Confidence | 22 May 2026 | 00:15:47 | |
Why does feedback feel so uncomfortable at work? Why do annual reviews often feel unhelpful? In this episode, Desiree walks through real workplace scenarios involving feedback, accountability, leadership development, and communication in the workplace. From employees asking for growth feedback and receiving a giant list months later, to managers giving the same feedback year after year without follow-up, this conversation is all about creating a healthier feedback culture on your team. This episode is especially helpful for:
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:
If this episode gave you a new perspective on leadership development, team management, or how to handle conflict at work, take a screenshot while listening and share it to your Instagram stories. Tag me @desireepetrich so I can hear your biggest takeaway. And if you know a manager who struggles with feedback conversations, send this episode their way. IntentionalLeaderAccelerator.com 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Let Them Watch | 19 May 2026 | 00:03:20 | |
Your team is always watching, whether you realize it or not. In this leadership tip episode, Desiree shares why the habits you model at work and at home shape the culture, mindset, and confidence of the people around you. Show Notes: Your team doesn’t just listen to what you say. As a manager or leader, it’s easy to tell your team to prioritize growth, set boundaries, or take care of themselves… while quietly ignoring those things yourself. But leadership development isn’t just taught through meetings and feedback. In this episode, Desiree shares a simple leadership principle that applies both at work and at home: let them watch. From reading leadership books with your office door open to modeling healthy habits and positive self-talk, this episode explores how leading by example shapes team culture, trust, and confidence over time. By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:
If you’ve ever wondered how to build trust as a manager or create a healthier team culture without forcing it, this episode will give you a simple place to start. When you finish listening, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode. Take a screenshot while you’re listening, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @desireepetrich. And if this episode made you think about the example you’re setting as a leader, send it to another manager or team lead who needs to hear it too. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| How to Balance Accountability and Empathy as a Leader | Drew Moldenhauer | 15 May 2026 | 00:32:03 | |
What happens when you care deeply about your team… but they stop respecting your leadership? In this episode, Desiree is joined by Drew from the Iron and Empathy podcast for a conversation about one of the hardest parts of leadership: balancing accountability and empathy. Because if you lean too far one direction, your team feels micromanaged. Lean too far the other way, and expectations start slipping. If you’ve ever avoided a hard conversation, struggled with a difficult employee, or felt frustrated trying to hold people accountable without becoming “the bad guy,” this episode is for you. By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:
When you finish listening, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode. Take a screenshot while listening, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @desireepetrich so I can cheer you on. While you’re there, make sure you’re following me for more leadership development content, new manager tips, and practical strategies to help you build stronger, more cohesive teams. Connect with Drew Moldenhauer on Linkedin Take the Working Genius Assessment 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Find the Tension Between Presence and Progress | 12 May 2026 | 00:04:50 | |
Last week we talked about not letting your intent diminish and how the longer we wait to do something we know we should do, the less likely we are to actually follow through. This week’s leadership tip is a little different. Have you ever found yourself rushing through a season of life, wishing time would speed up so you could finally get to the “good part”? Or maybe you’ve been so distracted by what’s next that you forgot to notice what’s right in front of you. In this short episode, Desiree shares two pieces of advice that seem to conflict with each other: Through stories about childhood, growth, grief, walks down gravel roads, and the reminder to occasionally look up from the noise around us, this episode explores the tension between being fully present and still dreaming about what’s ahead. By the time you finish listening, you’ll discover:
If this episode resonated with you, take a screenshot while listening, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @desireepetrich so I can hear your biggest takeaway. Looking for more leadership tips, leadership development conversations, and practical encouragement for managers and ambitious professionals? Make sure you follow the podcast and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder to slow down and be present today. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Why It’s So Hard to Make Connections as an Adult at Work | Nichelle Lund | 08 May 2026 | 00:20:52 | |
Making connections as an adult feels harder than ever, especially at work. But the problem usually isn’t networking. In this episode, Desiree sits down with Nichelle Lund to talk about communication in the workplace, workplace loneliness, and why relationship-building is one of the most overlooked leadership skills for managers and professionals today. They discuss awkward networking events, making people feel included, building trust at work, and simple ways to create more genuine connections without feeling fake or forced. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:
When you finish listening, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode. Take a screenshot while listening, share it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @desireepetrich! While you’re there, make sure you follow me for more leadership development conversations, new manager tips, and practical leadership skills you can apply immediately at work. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Don't Let Your Intent Diminish | 05 May 2026 | 00:04:36 | |
Have you ever thought, “I’ll do it later”… and then never did? You’re not lazy. You’re not unmotivated. The longer you wait to do something you know you should do, the less likely you are to do it. It starts small. Then your brain steps in to protect you. And now the thing you knew you needed to do… doesn’t get done. This shows up everywhere in leadership: And here’s the problem… It actually creates more stress, more guilt, and starts to chip away at your confidence. Because now you’re reinforcing a belief: If you’re a manager trying to build trust, improve team management, and grow in your leadership development, this matters more than you think. The fix isn’t complicated. By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:
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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| 6 Ways to Re-Engage an Unmotivated Employee and Improve Employee Retention | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:22:48 | |
“My employee doesn’t seem to care anymore… what do I do?” They used to be reliable. And now? You feel like you’re micromanaging just to get the bare minimum. It’s frustrating. Because nothing “big” happened. Here’s the shift most managers miss: It’s not always that they’re lazy. And if you keep treating everyone the same… In this episode, we break down what your employees actually crave from you as a manager. Not theory. Simple shifts that help your team feel understood, valued, and motivated again. Because different people need different things. And when you miss that… Links mentioned in the episode Take your Working Genius assessment How to Motivate an Unmotivated Employee Without MicromanagingThe Manager’s Guide to Working Genius in Team MeetingsHow to Use Working Genius to Boost Team PerformanceSign 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership tips | Make the Appointment | 27 Apr 2026 | 00:05:13 | |
The Last Letter - Rebecca Yarrows Last week we talked about what it looks like when you hit survival mode. What’s the thing you keep putting off? The appointment you haven’t made. It feels small. But here’s the problem… it doesn’t go away. It follows you. In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story about finally making an appointment I had avoided for over a year… and what changed the moment I stopped guessing and just got the answer. Because whether it’s your health, your work, or something simple on your to-do list… It’s better to know. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| How to Motivate an Unmotivated Employee Without Micromanaging | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:15:09 | |
Have you ever had an employee where you think… They used to show up early You try to motivate them Here’s the shift: And most managers do it without realizing it In this episode, we’re breaking down a few mindset shifts to help you look at this differently BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:
Additional episodes to catch-up on Using The 5 Love Languages at Work to Build Loyal Teams How to Stop Your Newhires from Checking Out Early 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Walk into the Wind | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:05:54 | |
Get your copy of Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything feels hard… and you’re just trying to make it through as a manager? The kind of week where your energy is low, your team needs more from you, and your workload keeps growing? This is one of the biggest challenges in leadership development. But by then, it already feels overwhelming. Because mental strength isn’t built in the hard moments. In this episode of the podcast for managers, I’m sharing a simple concept that can completely shift how you approach stress, pressure, and team management. It’s the idea of “walking into the wind.” And it’s about choosing to do hard things before you have to… so when challenges hit—whether it’s conflict, overwhelm, or difficult employees—you’re ready for it. This is especially important when it comes to how to handle conflict at work. They’re the ones who have built the capacity for them. We’re talking about how to build resilience as a leader, how to strengthen your mindset, and how this shows up in your day-to-day leadership and team management—even when nothing feels urgent. By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:
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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| 4 Ways to Get Your Energy Back as a Manager Without Burning Out | 16 Apr 2026 | 00:28:33 | |
If you don’t have energy, you can’t lead well. And yet… most managers are trying to push through exhaustion instead of fixing it. You finish your workday drained. So you tell yourself you’ll rest more. But nothing actually changes. Because the problem isn’t that you’re not trying. In this episode, we break down the 4 buckets that actually help you get your energy back—without adding more to your plate. This is real-life leadership development for busy managers who want to show up better at work and at home. By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:
This episode is your reminder that being a great leader isn’t about doing more. It’s about having enough energy to lead the people around you well. Read Desiree's Book Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead Additional Episodes Secret to All Day Energy (Glucose episode) Mindset Shifts for Sustainable Goals How to Perform at a High Level Without Burning Out 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Fill Your Cup | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:05:40 | |
Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything “right”… As a manager, it’s easy to think the answer is to do more. But what if that’s not the problem? A lot of leaders are already overwhelmed. More meetings. More expectations. More pressure. This is where leadership development gets missed. In this episode, we’re flipping that mindset. Instead of asking what you should add, By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn
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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| How to Get Your Team Working Toward the Same Goals | Lessons from The Culture Code with Tessa Kampen) | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:26:56 | |
In this episode, I sat down with Tessa Kampen to talk about what happens when purpose isn’t clear on a team. Because when people define success differently… Priorities compete Not because people don’t care. We pulled from The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle, The gap between effort… and direction. In this episode:
Resource mentioned: 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Make It Work For You | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:03:59 | |
Have you ever looked at someone else’s job, routine, or leadership style and thought… And then found yourself trying to do it anyway? A lot of managers get stuck here. You’re trying to lead like someone else. And it doesn’t fit. So you start second guessing yourself. This is where most leadership development advice falls short. Because it tells you what to do… In this episode, we’re flipping that. Because not everyone works the same way. Some people love brainstorming and big ideas. Some people love running. Neither is wrong. But when you force yourself into something that doesn’t fit… This episode will help you rethink how you approach your work, your leadership, and your life so you can stop forcing what doesn’t fit and start building something that actually works. By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:
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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Why Conflict at Work Feels Hard | Lessons from The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle | Tessa Kampen | 02 Apr 2026 | 00:27:09 | |
Struggling with hard conversations on your team? In this episode, we’re talking about vulnerability, and what it actually looks like at work. Not oversharing. But the kind of vulnerability that helps managers build trust, improve communication, and handle conflict more effectively. Because when vulnerability is missing:
If you’re working on your leadership development, this is one of the most practical leadership tips you can apply right away. In this episode:
Resources The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle Connect with Tessa Kampen If this episode helped you think differently about your team, share it with another manager. Follow the show for weekly leadership tips on team management, communication, and leadership development. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | You Can't Hurry Love (or Results) | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:04:44 | |
Have you ever felt like you’re putting in the work… but not seeing the results yet? Maybe you’re trying to grow as a leader. And after a few days… or even a few weeks… it feels like nothing is changing. This is where most leaders start to question themselves. Is this working? But here’s the truth… you can’t hurry results. In this episode, Desiree shares a simple but powerful reminder using a real-life story from teaching a group fitness class. Just like building strength physically, leadership development doesn’t show up overnight. In fact, the work often feels hardest right before the results start to show. Whether you're a new manager trying to build confidence, or an experienced leader working on team dynamics, this episode will help you stay consistent even when the results feel slow. Because leadership isn’t about quick wins. By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:
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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| How to Build Psychological Safety on Your Team | Lessons from "The Culture Code" by Daniel Coyle | Tessa Kampen | 26 Mar 2026 | 00:28:37 | |
If your team isn’t speaking up, it’s easy to think it’s a communication issue. But most of the time… it’s not. It’s a safety issue. Have you ever been on a team where… People are nice… but not always honest? This is one of the most common challenges in teams right now. Not because people don’t care. In part one of this three-part “we read so you don’t have to” series on The Culture Code, we’re breaking down psychological safety at work and how it impacts team communication, leadership, and overall team performance. Key Takeaways
Read The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Take the Fist Bump | 23 Mar 2026 | 00:04:37 | |
Have you ever felt like if you can’t give 100%, it’s not worth showing up at all? As a leader, it’s easy to fall into the trap of all-or-nothing thinking. You think you need to be fully energized, fully prepared, and fully “on” to show up well for your team. But the reality is, some days your energy just isn’t there. And when that happens, most people either push themselves into burnout… or they don’t show up at all. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple lesson from a workout that completely shifted how I think about effort, energy, and consistency. Because leadership development isn’t about being perfect every day. It’s about showing up with what you have and building trust with yourself over time. This is your reminder that you don’t need 100% to make progress. You just need to start. Key Takeaways
Check out Millionaire Hoy on Youtube! 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Your Next Leader Is Already on Your Team - A Smarter Approach to Leadership Development | 19 Mar 2026 | 00:18:03 | |
Struggling to fill leadership roles on your team? The answer might not be hiring - it might be developing. In this episode, learn how to turn your current team into confident leaders through intentional leadership development. Have you ever looked at your team and thought… we just don’t have anyone ready for leadership? Not because they’re not capable. This is one of the most common conversations happening in organizations right now. Teams are looking outside for leadership… while overlooking the potential already sitting in the room. And to be fair, this isn’t something most teams are doing wrong. Because leadership development doesn’t happen by accident. In this episode, I’m sharing two real conversations I’ve had with executive teams recently. Both were facing leadership gaps. Both assumed they needed to hire. But what shifted everything… They just needed a more intentional approach to developing them. Key Takeaways
Do you want help developing a Leadership Development strategy? Email: desiree@intentionalaction.net or visit intentionalaction.net 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Create a Positive Spiral | 16 Mar 2026 | 00:04:27 | |
It’s easy to underestimate the impact of small actions. A smile. But those moments don’t stop with the person in front of you. They carry. In this episode, I share a real-life story that reminded me how quickly positivity can spread and how one interaction can completely shift the tone of a day. The question becomes: What kind of ripple effect are you creating? BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:
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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| How Leaders Create a Happier Workplace | Greg Kettner | 12 Mar 2026 | 00:23:13 | |
Do you ever feel like the emotional thermostat of your team? If you're stressed, they feel it. Most leaders think happiness at work is about perks. Ping pong tables. But what if workplace happiness is actually a leadership skill? In this episode, Greg Kettner, founder of WorkHappy, shares how happiness directly impacts productivity, stress levels, and team performance. With 27 years in sales and leadership at companies like Nike, SAP, and the NHL, Greg now helps organizations reduce stress and create healthier team cultures. This conversation is practical. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:
If you lead people, this one is for you. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Check Your Surroundings | 09 Mar 2026 | 00:04:48 | |
In this week’s leadership tips episode, we’re talking about something simple that many leaders overlook: checking your surroundings. Whether you’re at work, leading a meeting, interacting with customers, or simply talking with coworkers, social awareness matters. The conversations we have and the way we include (or unintentionally exclude) the people around us can shape how others experience our leadership. Sometimes it’s as small as noticing when someone is being left out of a conversation. Other times it’s recognizing when a conflict or discussion might be happening in the wrong place or at the wrong time. Strong leadership isn’t just about what you say. It’s about being aware of how your actions affect the people around you. Taking a moment to check your surroundings can help you build better communication, stronger relationships, and a more thoughtful workplace. Check back every week for your weekly leadership tips on life and leadership. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| How Leaders Can Reduce Turnover by Rethinking Team Culture | Eric Termuende | 05 Mar 2026 | 00:23:38 | |
You hired someone with huge potential. You trained them. You invested in them. Six months later, they’re gone. If turnover feels constant, the issue might not be talent. It might be how your culture is being experienced. In this episode, Desiree sits down with global keynote speaker and bestselling author Eric Termuende to unpack what’s actually driving turnover in today’s workplace. They explore why high turnover is often a symptom of a dysfunctional relationship between employees and companies—and how leaders can shift that dynamic. You’ll hear:
If you’re frustrated by disengagement, misalignment, or constant turnover, this conversation will change how you think about culture—and how you lead. ● Eric Termuende’s Book: Rethink Work ●Connect with Eric on LinkedIn Books Recommended by Eric: ● The Culture Code — Daniel Coyle 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Redefine Humility | 02 Mar 2026 | 00:04:30 | |
In this week’s leadership tip, we’re redefining humility at work. After hearing Seth Rogen describe Catherine O’Hara as someone who was both a genius and kind, it sparked an important reminder: confidence and humility are not mutually exclusive. Somewhere along the way, we started confusing humility with shrinking. Downplaying strengths. Pretending we’re not good at something so we don’t seem “too much.” But true humility isn’t thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking of yourself less. It’s secure leadership. It’s knowing your value without needing to announce it. As a leader, you don’t have to choose between being confident and being humble. You can bring strength, generosity, and self-awareness to your team at the same time. Check back every week for your weekly leadership tip on life and leadership. Watch the Instagram Reel that sparked this week's tip! 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| How to Prioritize What Actually Matters at Work for Yourself and Your Team | 26 Feb 2026 | 00:17:53 | |
If everything feels urgent, nothing improves. In this episode, we break down how to prioritize what actually matters at work by asking two simple questions: Is it important? You’ll learn how to:
We walk through real-life examples, including last-minute meetings, “quick” report requests, forgotten school lunch money, and the 23-minute refocus cost of interruptions. Intentional prioritization isn’t about doing less. It’s about placing your energy where it actually moves the needle. And once you learn to do this for yourself, it becomes easier to do it as a team. — Key Takeaways
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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | The Titanic Sank | 23 Feb 2026 | 00:03:45 | |
Have you ever felt ready to step up as a leader… but worried that others didn’t see you that way? In this week’s leadership tip, we’re talking about doubt, yours and theirs. The Titanic was built by professionals, and it still sank. Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for leadership. It’s built through consistent action, ownership, and showing up before you feel fully ready. Check back every Monday for your weekly leadership tip. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| The Manager’s Guide to Working Genius in Team Meetings | Tessa Kampen | 19 Feb 2026 | 00:34:30 | |
Why do your meetings feel exhausting? Why does one person dominate while someone else disengages completely? If you’re leading meetings as a new manager and walking away frustrated, unclear, or stuck repeating the same conversations, this episode will help. Most leaders assume disengagement is about attitude. But it’s usually none of those things. It’s misaligned energy. Desiree and Tessa walk through Patrick Lencioni’s Working Genius framework and explain how each genius shows up inside meetings, and how understanding it improves communication in the workplace, team accountability, and overall team management. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN: • Why meetings feel draining and how to clarify their purpose If you want your team to commit, follow through, and stop dreading meetings, this framework is a practical starting point. The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni Meetings Series
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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Own Your Leadership Style | 16 Feb 2026 | 00:06:32 | |
Have you ever questioned your reaction because of who was watching? In this week’s leadership tip, we talk about owning your leadership style. When you lead based on outside judgment or approval, you risk becoming inconsistent. But when you know your values, trust your intentions, and stay consistent in how you show up, you build real trust and credibility. Check back every Monday for your weekly leadership tip! 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Why Being "Busy" Is Getting in the Way of Effective Leadership | Sarah Ohanesian | 12 Feb 2026 | 00:25:45 | |
If you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and constantly busy—but nothing truly important is moving forward—busyness may be the problem, not the solution. In this episode, Desiree is joined by productivity expert Sarah Ohanesian to challenge the belief that doing more equals leading better. They explore why New Year productivity plans fall apart so quickly, how unrealistic expectations fuel burnout, and why leaders often reward visible busyness instead of meaningful impact. Sarah introduces the idea of the “productivity parade”—work that looks impressive but distracts from what actually matters—and explains how meetings, unclear expectations, and outdated metrics quietly reinforce it. You’ll learn how to identify true non-negotiables, use your calendar as a leadership tool, integrate work and life priorities realistically, and close the clarity gap that drives disengagement. Sarah also shares her COAT framework (Clarity, Organize, Act, Take Time) and a simple time-tracking challenge that helps leaders see where their time is really going. If you want less burnout, more clarity, and a team focused on real results—not just looking busy—this episode is for you. Sarah's Book Recommendation: Rocket Fuel Sarah's Website: SO Productive Sarah's LinkedIn Link to episode: 3 Tools to Get Your Team to Care as Much as You Do 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Leadership Tips | Do it For You | 09 Feb 2026 | 00:03:48 | |
Do you ever notice how easy it is to look to others for reassurance? In this week's leadership tip, we reflects on the reminder that confidence grows when we do things for ourselves, not for approval. When leaders rely too heavily on outside validation, confidence stays fragile. When confidence is built internally, leadership becomes steadier and more grounded. Check back every Monday for your weekly leadership tip! 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| How Managers Build Team Accountability During and After Meetings | 05 Feb 2026 | 00:19:14 | |
Meetings don’t fail because of bad agendas. They fail when decisions don’t turn into action. In this episode of the podcast for managers, Desiree picks up from last week’s conversation on meeting fatigue and zooms in on what happens next. You’ll learn why accountability often feels like micromanagement, how clarity and support change follow through, and what real team accountability actually looks like after meetings end. This episode walks through three things every manager is responsible to their team for: clarity, support, and accountability. When these are present, meetings become a leadership development tool instead of a source of conflict at work. Key Takeaways Listen to more episodes on meeting, conflict and accountability! 3 Ways Meetings Drain Your Team and Create Conflict at WorkA Manager's Guide to Keeping Top Talent and Stopping Negativity Before it Spreads 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| 3 Ways Meetings Drain Your Team and Create Conflict at Work | 29 Jan 2026 | 00:19:29 | |
If you are a manager who feels stuck in meetings that go nowhere, you are not alone. Many leaders schedule meetings hoping to create alignment, solve problems, or move work forward, but instead experience meeting fatigue, disengagement, and conflict at work. In this episode, Desiree explains why meetings without decisions drain your team and your time, how information-heavy meetings quietly disengage employees, and why meetings have become the default response instead of a leadership tool. You will learn how misalignment around meeting purpose leads to frustration, a lack of team accountability, and stalled leadership development. This episode focuses on front-end fixes managers can make before meetings even begin, so meetings become a tool for clarity, trust, and stronger team management rather than a source of stress. Key Takeaways
As you listen, think about your next meeting and ask yourself what decision actually needs to be made and who owns it. Episode Links: How to Make Meetings More Effective and Engaging | Lessons from Death By Meeting By Patrick Lencioni 5 Steps to Make One-on-One Meetings Build Trust Instead of Waste Time Join Desiree's email list to get updated on new episodes! 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| Using a Growth Mindset to Build Trust and Accountability on Teams | Jim Fielding | 22 Jan 2026 | 00:25:03 | |
Your team says they want to grow—but do they avoid disagreement, fear mistakes, or shut down feedback? A real growth mindset isn’t optimism—it’s how a team handles tension, learning, and risk. In this episode, Desiree is joined by leadership expert Jim Fielding to unpack what a true growth mindset looks like inside teams—not just in individuals. They explore how growth mindset shows up in observable behaviors, including teams that welcome dissent without defensiveness, leaders who create psychological safety without lowering standards, and cultures that reward smart risks and clean recoveries—not just wins. Jim shares practical leadership strategies for fostering growth, from how leaders run meetings and ask better questions to why curiosity matters more than control. They also discuss the difference between being nice and being kind, why fear shuts learning down, and how both leaders and individual contributors can influence team culture—even without the title. If you want a team that speaks up sooner, learns faster, and grows stronger through challenge instead of avoiding it, this episode is a must listen. Links Mentioned & Referenced in Episode: ● Jim Fielding on LinkedIn Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy: ● The Best Way to Overcome Dysfunction and Build Cohesive Teams | Lessons from The Five Dysfunctions of a Team 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| The Reputation That Grows a Manager's Career | Andy Storch | 15 Jan 2026 | 00:25:44 | |
You work hard. You care deeply. So why does your career growth still feel unclear? If you're a manager doing everything right but waiting for recognition, promotion, or more trust, this episode shows you why. Desiree sits down with Andy Storch, author of Own Your Brand, Own Your Career and host of Talent Development Hot Seat, for a no-fluff talk on personal brand. Not influencer vibes or nonstop posting. This is reputation, trust, and ownership at work. They break down:
Walk away knowing career growth is something you build, not wait for. Grow your career. Lead your team better. This shifts how you see visibility, reputation, and leadership. Resources Own Your Brand, Own Your Career by Andy Storch 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| 3 Mindset Shifts for Setting Sustainable Goals Without Burning Out | 08 Jan 2026 | 00:18:34 | |
3 Mindset Shifts for Sustainable Goals (Without Burning Out) Have you ever started the year motivated and confident, only to feel behind or overwhelmed a few weeks later? In this episode of You're the Boss, Now What?, Desiree shares three mindset shifts that help leaders set goals and habits in a way that actually lasts, even when life doesn’t go as planned. This is not a New Year’s resolutions episode. In this episode, we talk about:
If you want to make progress this year without starting over every January, this episode is for you. Next week, Desiree is joined by Andy Storch for a conversation about career growth, ownership, and reputation — without self-promotion and without burnout. 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||
| The One Word That Ends Leadership Overwhelm for New Managers | 25 Dec 2025 | 00:24:33 | |
Overwhelmed as a manager? Leadership doesn't have to feel this heavy. Desiree Petrich shares one mindset shift to release pressure, beat burnout, and lead with clarity + energy into 2026 Last week we unpacked the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership. Today? We close the year simpler: one word to lighten your load as a new manager. If leadership feels overwhelming right now, you're not alone. Managers often carry too much: expectations to be everything to everyone, 110% performance, juggling work + home. It builds to manager burnout, resentment, drained confidence. In this You're the Boss, Now What? episode, I share release - the mindset shift that drops unhelpful commitments without adding more to-do's. No fixing yourself. Just letting go. You'll Walk Away With:
Slow down, reflect, enter 2026 lighter. Perfect for coaching for managers, imposter syndrome in leadership, and new manager tips. Reflection Questions from the Episode:
Connect: Follow on LinkedIn for leadership overwhelm tips, team dynamics, work boundaries, better management without burnout. Resources: Primary Keywords: Coaching for Managers, Leadership Podcast for New Managers, How to Be a Better Manager, Imposter Syndrome in Leadership, New Manager Tips 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 If this episode helped you: Share it with anoth... | |||