The Messy Truth About Leading People

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Digestible bites of insight and inspiration on the people side of leading organizations. Brought to you by The Messy Truth Leadership. themessytruthleadership.com

The Messy Truth About Leading People


    • Apr 15, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 19m AVG DURATION
    • 68 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from The Messy Truth About Leading People with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Messy Truth About Leading People

    Self reflection

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 30:02


    Find the framework mentioned in the episode, here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Conflict in my team

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 25:35


    What should we do when other members of our team are in conflict with each other? How to handle it? Should we ignore it? Should we approach the team leader? We discuss some options if you find yourself in this situation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    How open should I be?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 32:54


    This is a tricky one for most of us. We know we need to open up a little so that we can build relationships with others. But, how much? Do different situations require different responses? Do different people require different responses? And how to factor in the power dynamic? We explore the options in this episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Bad Bosses

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 24:46


    Your first impulse is to just up and quit because you just can't take it anymore. And then you remember you still have to pay your bills and the job market is tight. So, what do you do that preserves your own sanity and well being? We get very practical about how to approach the various archetypal bad bosses. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Jigsaw puzzles can do what?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 34:06


    It's a new year and we wanted to talk about getting centered, in the flow, grounded in a clear headed sense of self. In other words, the fundamental ingredients for showing up as a great leader and team member. Listen to our conversation about finding your zen. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Curiosity

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 43:24


    Did you ever consider that curiosity might be a superpower for leaders? Don't you appreciate when someone is wildly curious about you and your ideas? We have a lot to say on this topic including how organizations don't reward people for taking the time to ask questions, listen deeply and learn more before racing off to solve problems. Join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Leading by Example: What Does That Actually Mean?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 24:22


    Quite often, in our first meeting with an executive who is starting their leadership coaching journey, they define their leadership style as ‘leading by example'. But, what does this really mean? And why are such comments so common? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    How should I deal with a toxic team member?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 31:38


    We've all experienced this but it's really difficult to come up with effective solutions. Whether you are a team member or team leader, listen in as we discuss some successes and failures. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    How to I become more charismatic?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 22:00


    We thought that leaders were no longer urged to be more “charismatic” but our coaching clients beg to differ. We unpack what the hell this means and offer some alternative language. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    You need to work on your executive presence!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 32:43


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Are performance reviews nonsense?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 19:18


    We just had to get this off of our collective chests! So many good intentions, so many rating categories, so many people to review, so many people really want the review and so many bosses simply never get around to it. What's wrong with this picture? Listen in as we b***h and moan. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Everyday Experts - John Higgins

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 30:49


    John talks with us about creating the time and space to know someone else. He talks about what we don't notice when we interact with someone else, about what we take for granted and about how to pause and how to slow down. John is a researcher, academic and writer who is often in HBR, and the Sloan Management Review. He has published a number of books on dialogue, power, and teams. You can find his most recent HBR piece here. If you'd like to contact John and find out about all his brilliant work, you can do so here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Everyday Experts - Nate Zinsser

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 45:29


    Dr. Zinsser, an expert in the psychology of human performance, talks about how to stop history repeating itself; if you failed at something in the past, how to be confident that it won't happen like that in the future. He tells us that to be confident, it does not mean you have to be obnoxious. And he discusses how to be confident even when you do not yet have validation that you can do it. You can find Dr. Zinsser's book, The Confident Mind, here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Everyday Experts - Simon Court

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 42:45


    Simon points out that many founders are reluctant leaders. But they have sufficient self-insight to know they need others to help them. Listen to Simon tell fascinating stories about the growth of two start-ups into unicorns. Simon has been advising start-ups and founders for ages. His cumulative wisdom is in his new book, The Founders' Legacy. Find out more about Simon, here. And you can purchase Simon's brilliant book here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Everyday Leaders - Josh Allen

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 34:57


    Josh is Chief Revenue Officer at Quickbase. He has also worked for LogMeIn, Cargurus, Drift and other tech start-ups. He has extensive experience working with founders. In this conversation, he talks about his own leadership journey, including how he learned to work with founders, and the central role of leaders in building teams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Everyday Leaders; Ki-youn Jung

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 28:05


    Ki-youn tells us about her inspiring leadership journey, from a designer of state-of-the-art microchips in Korea to the founder of her own health tech start-up in Massachusetts. She talks about her long journey of self-discovery, and why it has been so impactful for her. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    The Right Conversation with Dik Veenman

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 32:01


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Everyday Leaders - Andri Rajaobelina

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 35:27


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    When You're Doing the Work But Don't Get Credit

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 25:03


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Doing v Being

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 22:33


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Good Enough, Not Perfect!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 24:33


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Are My Standards Too High?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 17:05


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    What Kind Of Leader Are You? What Kind of Leader Do You Want To Be?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2024 21:54


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    You're Not As Rational As You Think

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 16:26


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Write It Down

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 14:01


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Mining Your Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 19:34


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Turning Inward

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 20:43


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Pay Attention!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 14:56


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Don't Go In Hot

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 13:05


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Deal With Your Mess

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 12:20


    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messytruthleadership.substack.com

    Ep. 37: Why Dialogue is a Critical Leadership Skill with Dik Veenman

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2022 26:36


    This episode is a must-listen for all leaders! In it, we discuss the importance of dialogue for teams and organizations with special guest Dik Veenman. You'll learn what leadership is and isn't in modern organizations and how significant dialogues are. The Right Conversation: https://www.therightconversation.co.uk _____________ Click here to learn more about our TMTL Coaching Experience Visit our website: www.themessytruthleadership.com Purchase our book: https://www.themessytruthleadership.com/book _____________ Have a comment or topic you would like us to discuss? Send us a message!

    Ep. 36: There Is No Hack When It Comes to Leadership Development

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2022 14:36


    Shortcuts may make our lives easier, but there is no shortcut to getting to know yourself and facing hard truths. In this episode of The Messy Truth About Leading People podcast, we discuss why this trend doesn't work well in developing leaders. ____________ Click here to learn more about our TMTL Coaching Experience Visit our website: www.themessytruthleadership.com Purchase our book: https://www.themessytruthleadership.com/book _____________ Have a comment or topic you would like us to discuss? Send us a message!

    Ep. 35: An Unexpected Neighborhood Encounter Becomes a Lesson in Achieving Shared Goals

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2022 17:26


    In this episode, we continue our discussion on discomfort and how it can be a powerful tool for leaders. Nicki shares a random neighborhood encounter that is a lesson to all of us on pushing past the discomfort of working collectively to achieve a shared goal. ____________ Click here to learn more about our Private Audio Leadership Coaching Experience Visit our website: www.themessytruthleadership.com Purchase our book: https://www.themessytruthleadership.com/book _____________ Have a comment or topic you would like us to discuss? Send us a message!

    Ep. 34: How to Lead with Humility

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2022 18:28


    Humility is an important leadership skill. In this episode, we discuss what it looks like, how to develop it, and why it's an incredible asset for team leadership. This episode is full of helpful tips and advice from Nicki and Gavin, our experienced leadership coaches. If you're looking for ways to improve your leadership skills, this is the podcast for you! ______________ Click here to learn more about our Private Audio Leadership Coaching Experience Visit our website: www.themessytruthleadership.com Purchase our book: https://www.themessytruthleadership.com/book _____________ Have a comment or topic you would like us to discuss? Send us a message!

    Ep. 33: How to Tame Your Insecurities and Be a Better Leader

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2022 24:10


    To be human is to feel insecure about ourselves. In this episode Nicki and Gavin explore how insecurities manifest in your leadership style and how you can understand and tame them. ______________ Click here to learn more about our Private Audio Leadership Coaching Experience Visit our website: www.themessytruthleadership.com

    Ep. 32: Forget the How-Tos for Leading in 2021. How Are You Doing with the Human Element?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2021 38:34


    Nicki and Gavin are back with a new episode. This time discussing some ways leaders can make the best of current work situations.

    Preview Episode from our new Leadership Coaching Experience!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2021 13:57


    Thank you for being a subscriber of "The Messy Truth About Leading People" podcast. Here is a preview of the guided insights provided as part of our 6-Month Leadership Coaching Experience mentioned in our last episode. The experience includes a private podcast that will not be shared here, however, we are offering this preview episode to show how the private podcast is different. Click here to visit our website to learn more. We hope you will join us over there.

    Short Announcement and Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2021 1:47


    Hello Listener, here is Gavin with an update.

    Book Recommendation Episode: "Fantasyland"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 4:40


    Nicki and Gavin tell us why they both recommend this book.

    Book Review episode: "Great Expectations"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2021 3:22


    Gavin shares his latest book recommendation.

    Book Review episode: "The Midnight Library"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2021 4:23


    This week Nicki shares her latest book recommendation.

    Ep. 31: Who Should HR and Talent Leaders Send to an Executive Coach?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 14:04


    The final categories from our Willingness to Commit to Self Development framework. These types of executives will benefit from executive coaching. ____________ www.themessytruthleadership.com

    Ep. 30: The Mid-Spectrum of Our Willingness to Commit to Self Development Types

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 17:59


    Learn about three more categories of coachees. This week we explain the mid-spectrum of leaders. From our Willingness to Commit to Self Development framework. ____________ www.themessytruthleadership.com

    Ep. 29: Save Your Executive Coaching Budget Dollars From These 3 Groups

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2021 15:33


    Nicki and Gavin explain the three categories of leaders who probably won't take advantage of executive coaching opportunities. From their "Who Should You Invest In?" framework. ____________ www.themessytruthleadership.com

    Ep. 28: Why Executive Coaching Only Works for Some?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2021 23:13


    Nicki and Gavin introduce their "Who Should You Invest In?" framework that provides a better understanding of which executives will reap the benefits of having an executive coach. Please note that since recording this episode, the number of types has grown to eight. ___________________________ https://www.themessytruthleadership.com

    Book Review Episode: "Becoming a Man: The Story of a Transition"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2021 4:31


    Nicki shares her latest book recommendation.

    Book Review Episode: "Collective Genius"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2021 5:21


    Nicki and Gavin discuss the latest book recommendation.

    Book Review episode: "Humble Leadership"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2021 4:57


    Nicki shares her latest book recommendation.

    Book Review episode: "Thinking Fast and Slow"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2020 4:57


    Gavin shares his pick for this week's book recommendation.

    Book Review episode: "A Gentleman in Moscow"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2020 4:52


    Nicki shares her pick for this week's book recommendation.

    Ep. 20: What's the Difference Between Coaching and Mentoring?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2020 13:18


    A discussion on the key ways mentoring is different than coaching, and advice to those interested in being a mentor or mentee. _____ Click here to learn more about our book.

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