Leadership is the Conversation: Let's Talk

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Welcome to the podcast, Leadership is the Conversation, a free-form discussion among business executives on leadership development.

Equis Consulting


    • Jan 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 15m AVG DURATION
    • 45 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Leadership is the Conversation: Let's Talk

    Inside the Leaders Studio with Karen Bradbury, Vice-President of Talent Management, Unum (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 22:50


    Program Description:  In this episode, Karen shares with us the lessons that she learned in her early years as a manager in the retail drugstore industry through several human resource positions.  All leading her to the current position of Vice-President of Talent Management for this Fortune 500 insurance company.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Crossing The Leadership Divide…From Managing Processes to Leading Others (Part Two)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 11:27


    Program Description:  In this episode, Darrin Walton, Executive Director of Claims, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance shares with us his discovery of the book The Leap to Leader How Ambitious Managers Make the Jump to Leadership by Adam Bryant, Harvard Business Review Press.  Darrin, who has been leading others for the better part of 30 years, shares with us what drew him to this book and why these practical ideas may benefit you on your own leadership journey.    Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Crossing The Leadership Divide…From Managing Processes to Leading Others (Part One)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 15:46


    Program Description:  In this episode, Darrin Walton, Executive Director of Claims, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance shares with us his discovery of the book The Leap to Leader How Ambitious Managers Make the Jump to Leadership by Adam Bryant, Harvard Business Review Press.  Darrin, who has been leading others for the better part of 30 years, shares with us what drew him to this book and why these practical ideas may benefit you on your own leadership journey.    Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Inside the Leader's Studio with Rick Kuster, Senior Vice-President, Chief Marketing Officer, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 13:02


    Program Description:  Today you will meet Rick Kuster, Senior Vice-President Chief Marketing Officer, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance.  Listen in as Rick acknowledges those early mentors who saw his potential and set him on his leadership path.  A journey that took Rick out of his preference for leading one-on-one to leading hundreds.  Rick reminds us to trust ourselves, be “who we are” and resist the pressure to lead like others.  This one-one-one conversation is the second in our new series of “Inside the Leader's Studio.”  Inside the Leader's Studio will explore how today's working leaders became who they are and how they lead.Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Inside the Leader's Studio with Rick Kuster, Senior Vice-President, Chief Marketing Officer, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 13:17


    Program Description:  Today you will meet Rick Kuster, Senior Vice-President Chief Marketing Officer, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance.  Listen in as Rick acknowledges those early mentors who saw his potential and set him on his leadership path.  A journey that took Rick out of his preference for leading one-on-one to leading hundreds.  Rick reminds us to trust ourselves, be “who we are” and resist the pressure to lead like others.  This one-one-one conversation is the second in our new series of “Inside the Leader's Studio.”  Inside the Leader's Studio will explore how today's working leaders became who they are and how they lead.Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Inside the Leader's Studio with Bill Montgomery, President & CEO of Celina Insurance Group

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 18:58


    S4:E3Program Description:  This one-one-one conversation with Bill Montgomery, President & CEO of Celina Insurance Group is the first in our new series “Inside the Leader's Studio.”   This series, hosted by Jim Dickson, Managing Partner, Equis Consulting will explore how today's working leaders became who they are and how they lead.  Listen in as Bill shares with us his life experiences that would later shape his leadership style.  From his early formative years in athletics and Scouting to a law degree and then at age 28, being elected to the Indiana House of Representatives, serving two terms.  All different paths leading to his current role as President and CEO of Celina Insurance Group in Celina, Ohio.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Manager as Coach (Part Two)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 14:48


    Program Description:  In this episode, Jim Dickson, Senior Consultant and Executive Coach at Equis Consulting shares his impressions of Michael Bungay Stanier's book The Coaching Habit. Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Manager as Coach (Part One)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2023 12:39


    Program Description:  In this episode, Jim Dickson, Senior Consultant and Executive Coach at Equis Consulting shares his impressions of Michael Bungay Stanier's book The Coaching Habit:  Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Good, Right & Fair; A Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Conversation with Firouzeh Dittmar (Part Two)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2022 17:33


    Program Description:  In this episode, Firouzeh Dittmar, Regional Property Manager with Sheehan Property Management, shares her passion and purpose for creating a work environment where everyone can bring their authentic self.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Good, Right & Fair; A Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Conversation with Firouzeh Dittmar (Part One)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2022 19:11


    Program Description:  In this episode, Firouzeh Dittmar, Regional Property Manager with Sheehan Property Management, shares her passion and purpose for creating a work environment where everyone can bring their authentic self.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    How Is Your Company Positioned for “The Great Talent Reshuffle”? (Part Two)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2022 12:41


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear from our guest, Michael Brode, Vice-President of Educational and Technical Services at the Property and Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), as we discuss how PLRB supports the insurance industry and in particular the challenges associated with a changing workforce.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    How Is Your Company Positioned for “The Great Talent Reshuffle”? (Part One)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2022 15:56


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear from our guest, Michael Brode, Vice-President of Educational and Technical Services at the Property and Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), as we discuss how PLRB supports the insurance industry and in particular the challenges associated with a changing workforce.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Does Your Company's Vision Capture Its Heart & Soul? (Part Three)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2022 16:57


    Program Description:  In this episode, we conclude our conversation with Jamie Terry, Vice-President of Organizational Development at Mountain West Farm Bureau Insurance Company, as we discuss their journey to develop a vision that reflects the company's heart and soul.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Does Your Company's Vision Capture Its Heart & Soul? (Part Two)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2022 18:37


    Program Description:  In this episode, we continue our conversation with Jamie Terry, Vice-President of Organizational Development at Mountain West Farm Bureau Insurance Company, as we discuss their journey to develop a vision that reflects the company's heart and soul.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Does Your Company's Vision Capture Its Heart and Soul? (Part One)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2022 15:38


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear from our guest, Jamie Terry, Vice-President of Organizational Development at Mountain West Farm Bureau Insurance Company, as we discuss their journey to develop a vision that reflects the company's heart and soul.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Professional Development in a Hybrid Work World (Part Three)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 16:13


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear from our guest, Tyler Marker, Director of Marketing and Professional Development at Zidan Management Group, as we discuss how professional development has adapted to the ongoing pandemic and the evolving hybrid work world.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Professional Development in a Hybrid Work World (Part Two)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2022 14:18


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear from our guest, Tyler Marker, Director of Marketing and Professional Development at Zidan Management Group, as we discuss how professional development has adapted to the ongoing pandemic and the evolving hybrid work world.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Professional Development in a Hybrid Work World (Part One)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2022 17:07


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear from our guest, Tyler Marker, Director of Marketing and Professional Development at Zidan Management Group, as we discuss how professional development has adapted to the ongoing pandemic and the evolving hybrid work world.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Lessons Learned in 2021 (Part Three)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2022 8:12


    In this episode, we reflect on all our great guests this year and what we have learned. Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Lessons Learned in 2021 (Part Two)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2021 10:39


    In this episode, we reflect on all our great guests this year and what we have learned. Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group. 

    Lessons Learned in 2021 (Part One)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2021 20:13


    Program Description:  In this episode, we reflect on all our great guests this year and what we have learned. Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Avoiding The Great Resignation: Creating Value for Your Employees

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2021 13:13


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear our guests, Christy Curry, Education Services Manager, and Chad Doerr, Leadership Training Consultant, from Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance discuss recent trends from our emerging workplace.   Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Development Strategies for Our Emerging Workplace

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2021 10:27


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear our guests, Christy Curry, Education Services Manager, and Chad Doerr, Leadership Training Consultant, from Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance discuss new development strategies for our emerging workplace.   Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Our Shared Responsibility for Connection

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2021 18:22


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear our guests, Christy Curry, Education Services Manager, and Chad Doerr, Leadership Training Consultant, from Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance discuss our shared responsibility for staying connected and valuing each other in our evolving work culture.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    LAUNCH: A Career Development Strategy for Retaining Employees (Part Four)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2021 16:54


    Program Description:  In this final episode of a four-part series, we hear our guests, Kim Gibson, Program Director for Talent Strategies, Unum Group and Mary Atwood, HR Program Manager, Global Talent Strategy, Unum Group discuss their strategy for engaging and retaining employees through their innovative and highly successful career development approach.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    LAUNCH: A Career Development Strategy for Retaining Employees (Part Three)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2021 16:12


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear our guests, Kim Gibson, Program Director for Talent Strategies, Unum Group and Mary Atwood, HR Program Manager, Global Talent Strategy, Unum Group discuss their strategy for engaging and retaining employees through their innovative and highly successful career development approach.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    LAUNCH: A Career Development Strategy for Retaining Employees (Part Two)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2021 12:45


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear our guests, Kim Gibson, Program Director for Talent Strategies, Unum Group and Mary Atwood, HR Program Manager, Global Talent Strategy, Unum Group discuss their strategy for engaging and retaining employees through their innovative and highly successful career development approach.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    LAUNCH: A Career Development Strategy for Retaining Employees (Part One)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2021 15:23


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear our guests, Kim Gibson, Program Director for Talent Strategies, Unum Group and Mary Atwood, HR Program Manager, Global Talent Strategy, Unum Group discuss their strategy for engaging and retaining employees through their innovative and highly successful career development approach.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Back in the Office: An HR Perspective (Part Three)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 10:11


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear from our guests, Christine Purdy, Director of Human Resources, Celina Insurance Group and Jamie Terry, Vice-President of Organizational Development, Mountain West Farm Bureau Insurance Company discuss how companies are ensuring the safe return of their employees to the office.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group 

    Back in the Office: An HR Perspective (Part Two)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 15:05


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear from our guests, Christine Purdy, Director of Human Resources, Celina Insurance Group and Jamie Terry, Vice-President of Organizational Development, Mountain West Farm Bureau Insurance Company discuss how companies are ensuring the safe return of their employees to the office.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Back in the Office: An HR Perspective (Part One)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 15:51


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear from our guests, Christine Purdy, Director of Human Resources, Celina Insurance Group and Jamie Terry, Vice-President of Organizational Development, Mountain West Farm Bureau Insurance Company discuss how companies are ensuring the safe return of their employees to the office.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Leading Remote Employees (Part Three)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2021 16:49


    Program Description:  In this last episode of our three-part series, we hear from our guest, Anne McMillan, Senior Director of Claims, Celina Insurance Group discuss her experience in leading remote employees.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Leading Remote Employees (Part Two)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2021 15:50


    Program Description:  In this second episode of a three-part series, we hear from our guest, Anne McMillan, Senior Director of Claims, Celina Insurance Group discuss her experience in leading remote employees.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    Leading Remote Employees (Part One)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2021 14:44


    Program Description:  In this first episode of a three-part series, we hear from our guest, Anne McMillan, Senior Director of Claims, Celina Insurance Group discuss her experience in leading remote employees.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    As a Leader, What Should I Be Asking Myself?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2021 13:26


    Program Description:  In this first episode of our second season, we explore the importance of self-reflection and pose the question “As a leader, what should I be asking myself on a fairly routine basis?” 

    The 2020 Path from Problem to Opportunity

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2020 13:17


    Program Description:  In this episode, we close out 2020 by recognizing our clients' creativity and resilience in developing their leaders.  It is this atmosphere of commitment and creative problem solving that gives us hope as we look forward to 2021. 

    Threading The Needle For Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2020 14:48


    Program Description:  In this episode, we explore our definitions of training and development and why this distinction is important for leaders as they are challenged to deliver results and build relationships. 

    How Do Successful Leaders Encourage Innovation? (Part Two)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2020 14:42


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear from our guest, Karen Bradbury, Vice-President of Learning and Development, Unum Group discuss “psychological safety” and “vulnerability” as key components for promoting innovation inside the corporate culture.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    How Do Successful Leaders Encourage Innovation? (Part One)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 15:38


    Program Description:  In this episode, we hear from our guest, Karen Bradbury, Vice-President of Learning and Development, Unum Group on defining and promoting innovation inside the corporate culture.  Please note that all views expressed in this podcast are the opinions of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group.

    How Does My Company Benefit From Coaching? (Coaching Series Part Five)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 15:06


    Program Description:  In this episode, we continue the coaching conversation with two high-performing sales professionals. Listen as we explore the broader benefits of executive coaching to the organization.

    How Do I Benefit From Coaching? (Coaching Series Part Four)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 15:44


    Program Description:  In this episode, we invite you into the coaching conversation with two high-performing sales professionals.  Learn from their experience in selecting and working with an executive coach.

    When Does A Coach Need A Coach? (Coaching Series Part Three)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2020 15:05


    In our previous podcast we explored the question -  When Do I Need a Coach?  In this episode we ask our coaches the same question.  Listen to find out what our coaches look for when selecting their own coaches.

    When Do I Need A Coach? (Coaching Series Part Two)

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 31, 2020 16:39


    In our previous podcast we explored assessments as a baseline for opening the coaching conversation and addressing the question - Where Am I Still Struggling?  In this episode we continue that conversation and explore the next question in a leader's development journey - When Do I Need a Coach?

    Where Am I Still Struggling? (Coaching Series Part One)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2020 15:21


    In our previous podcast we explored the importance of having an outside resource for your professional development.  This week we'll discuss assessments as a baseline for opening the coaching conversation and moving your development forward. 

    Leadership is the Conversation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2020 16:33


    Our topic today is “Leadership is the Conversation.”  We'll explore what this phrase means to us and why creating space for “intentional” conversations is crucial to developing your leadership brand.

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