Podcasts about leadership lab

In this special pop-up episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of what it's really like to work with me, how I coach, how I consult, what you can expect from me, and what I'll expect from you. Because you're not a newbie anymore. It's time to stop taking newbie advice. We're talking about the real, messy leadership issues like: the underperformer you've tolerated too long, the manager who won't lead, the promotion you're unsure about, the org chart that no longer works, and the fact that far too much still lands on your desk. Bring me the mess. That's the work. You no longer have to tackle these challenges alone.  APPLY TO JOIN the upcoming new cohort of the Leadership Lab.

"I like that it's hard. I just don't think it needs to be harsh."Chef Duane Keller spent a year turning around the kitchen at Bellmead Country Club in Thomson, Georgia — cutting cost of goods in half and nearly doubling sales — while running on a leadership philosophy he calls gentle pressure. This episode also brings in his sous chef Damon and general manager Josh Morris, so you get the same turnaround from three different seats in the room, and the answer to a much bigger question: what a year of consistent, unglamorous pressure actually costs and returns.Registration for the free monthly Leadership Lab is open — a live working space for chefs ready to lead without losing themselves — @ https://thecheflifebrigade.com/thelabThe Slicer StoryChef Duane didn't walk into Bellmead with a five-year plan. He walked in and asked one question: do we have a slicer? The answer was yes — sitting unused in the storeroom, while the kitchen kept buying pre-sliced deli meat instead of prepping from scratch. In his own words, there had been "no effort, and therefore no results." Twelve months later, cost of goods was cut in half and sales were nearly double what they'd been. Turnaround leadership, it turns out, rarely starts with vision. It starts with somebody finally asking the obvious question nobody else bothered to.The Pathology Report Nobody ReadThen the conversation turns, and Duane tells you something he didn't have to. He survived two cancers at the same time — worked through it, radioactive pill and all, taking $3,000 shots every day while running full food-and-beverage operations. The nurses administering them didn't even know what they were for. It later came out that his own doctors had sat on his pathology report and forgotten to read it — the report that could have caught things sooner. He almost died from an administrative mistake, not the disease itself.He doesn't tell this story for sympathy. He tells it because it's the actual foundation under everything else he says about leadership. "I look at every day as a gift," he says. Not as a slogan — as the thing that happened to him after he nearly lost the option to have any more of them.Trust But VerifySous chef Daymon didn't come up through culinary school. He spent ten years running a Bed Bath & Beyond location before the company folded — cooking was his wife's idea, not a childhood dream. When Duane's first sous chef left, Damon didn't get handed the job because he was next in line. Duane made him earn it: testing his menu ideas, watching how he communicated, waiting to see if the commitment was real. Damon's own framing for it, borrowed from a saying he picked up in a military family: trust, but verify. He got the promotion. More importantly, both of them learned they could rely on each other before either one had to find out the hard way.Cashing In the BoardroomGeneral manager Josh Morris used to just be a member here — then a board director, then the guy who "cashed in the boardroom and headed to the administrative office" when the GM seat opened up. A year later he calls it a brand-new club, a brand-new vibe. He's also honest that it's been "way harder than I thought it was gonna be," and that the cost has been real — time away from a three-year-old daughter chief among it. He credits Duane's collaborative style directly: "It's not a y'all and me. We're all gonna be a team."Cook With Your HeartAsk Duane what he wants his legacy to be and he doesn't reach for a résumé line, even though he's got plenty to reach for — James Beard recognition, cooking for three sitting presidents, a feature in Golf Kitchen. He says it plainly: anybody who believes they can cook with their heart. "Because all that is, is caring." Most of us armor up somewhere along the way in this industry to survive it. The chefs worth working for are the ones who stayed soft enough underneath the armor to still mean it.The Gentle Pressure MethodPut it all together and you get Duane's actual operating system: invest in your people daily, give feedback constantly, his own number is ten times an hour, seventy percent praise — bring people along instead of demanding instant mastery, and let trust compound for about a year before you shift into more warmth. None of it is complicated. All of it requires doing it every single day, without exception, without theatrics."A little bit every day, a little gentle pressure. That's how people improve."Chapters00:00:00 — Gentle Pressure Introduced00:02:42 — Club Turnaround Story00:07:51 — Career Growth and Future00:08:21 — Cancer and Gratitude00:10:38 — Mentorship and Learning00:14:40 — Damon's Kitchen Journey00:18:41 — Earning Trust in the Brigade00:23:58 — Passion Beyond the Hustle00:27:40 — Perspective Shift After Illness00:31:55 — Memorable Events and Math00:35:55 — Teaching Through Food00:37:47 — Leading with Heart00:42:12 — Legacy and Softness00:45:22 — Josh's Club Background00:47:46 — Measuring Renovation Success00:50:41 — Collaborative Leadership00:53:41 — Self-Care and Delegation00:55:49 — Weather and Membership Growth00:58:46 — Wellness and Family Time01:02:13 — Gentle Pressure Philosophy01:04:49 — Advice for Young ChefsResearch LinksBelle Meade Country Club Chef Duane KellerSubscribe to The Recipe for Your Success NewsletterLearn more at Chef Life CoachingFollow Chef Life RadioStay Tall & Frosty. And Lead from the Heart. —Adam.

You've put in the work: read the books, tuned into the podcasts, built the systems, hired great people. Yet, every time things get shaky, it's faster and feels safer to jump in and fix it yourself. But what if the real issue isn't a lack of effort or information, but that generic leadership advice can't tell you if you're actually solving the right problem? It's time for a different approach. The Leadership Lab is not another course. It's a personalized coaching platform for women who run established, service-based businesses with teams of five or more (many remote!), who are ready to break free from old habits that keep them trapped inside their own businesses. Inside the Leadership Lab, you'll get: Honest, tailored feedback on your unique team and leadership structure Practical strategies to develop future leaders (not just more doers) Peer relationships with women who get the pressure of payroll, growth, and hard conversations Ready to make breakthroughs that reset how you lead and how your team performs? Tune in to learn more and book a call with Shelli: stackingyourteam.com/leadership-lab Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Chef Keiona Jackson became the first African-American and first female executive chef in Oxford, Mississippi; then walked away from six figures and a kitchen she loved when her body finally said what her mouth wouldn't. This episode is for anyone who's ever been praised for their grit and never asked what that grit was actually costing them.-------------Registration for the free monthly Leadership Lab is open — a live working space for chefs ready to lead without losing themselves — @ https://thecheflifebrigade.com/thelab--------------"You have to value yourself and your worth more than a title or two accolades — or appeasing somebody, or a credibility, whatever the driving force is behind doing something that your intuition told you not to do."Standing on a Sugar BucketChef Keiona's story doesn't start in a professional kitchen. It starts in Mississippi, five years old, standing on a gallon sugar bucket next to her grandmother so she could reach the counter. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everybody in the neighborhood knew that if you were hungry, you could find a plate at her grandmother's house — any part of the day.She didn't set out to chase titles. She started an aviation mechanic job for Jeep and accidentally built a catering company on the side — business cards from Vistaprint, an EIN, no idea she was technically operating illegally. All she wanted was to feed people and watch them smile. That was the whole plan.The plan changed because other people kept seeing something in her that she wasn't looking for.Becoming the First — and Paying the Tax Nobody Talks AboutIn 2018, Keiona became the first African-American executive chef and the first female executive chef in Oxford, Mississippi. She calls it an honor. She's also honest that it wasn't celebrated the way it should have been, in a town she describes plainly as racist-centric.She was in kitchens with the "good old boys" who told her she wasn't good enough to be anything but a prep cook or a dishwasher — after she'd already worked her way past those positions. She was, more often than not, the only woman and the only Black woman in the room. She had to earn respect from men who didn't extend it by default, just so they'd do their jobs.She didn't do it to be a trailblazer. She did it because she wanted the next person who looked like her to have an easier path than she did. "I didn't want to be the only African-American executive chef," she says. "I want to mentor people to come in that look like me to take that position."What Actually Surprised Her About the JobAsk most people what it's like to become an executive chef and you'll get a story about pressure, pace, plating. Ask Keiona and she'll tell you about systems and processes — the invisible infrastructure most kitchens don't have, and the reason so many restaurants fail long before anyone notices."As an executive chef, you are a mother, a mentor, a leader, a cook, a paper pusher," she says. She still has employees from 2018 who call to check on her. She leads by example — if she asks someone to deep clean, she's on her knees next to them, because she doesn't want to explain what she wants. She wants to show it.That instinct comes partly from her master's in psychology, which she never formally used as a career — she uses it every day with her team instead. Her coaching philosophy is simple and hard to actually practice: "You have to humanize the experience." Take the business logic out of the moment when someone's struggling. See them as a whole human being, not a pair of hands on a schedule.The Cost of Being the One Who Can Do AnythingHere's where the episode turns. Because being that reliable, that skilled, that willing to carry the kitchen on your back — it works, right up until it doesn't.A company that bought the hotel she used to run in Oxford asked her to come back and restore it. She still had a heart for that place. It was home. Against her own discernment — the part of her that was telling her not to go back — she said yes.She got the property back into Marriott compliance. She stood up a rooftop restaurant short-staffed, in the slow season, while corporate told her they were "solely dependent on her expertise" — and then micromanaged every decision she made. Seven days a week. Twelve to fifteen hours a day.Her body started keeping score before her mind admitted anything was wrong. Memory loss. A stutter that came and went. And one day, trying to get on an elevator at work, she pushed the button — and her feet simply wouldn't move. Her brain sent the signal. Her body didn't answer. People were behind her trying to get off, and she couldn't make herself step forward.She resigned October 7th. It took nearly six months to be restored, mentally and physically.Can Resilience Actually Be a Hindrance?We asked her directly: can endurance and resilience — the very traits that got her here — actually be a bad thing?"It's absolutely a hindrance," she says, without hesitating.That's the hammer of this episode. Not that resilience is bad. That resilience without a boundary attached to it isn't strength — it's a slower, quieter way of disappearing. You have to value yourself and your worth more than a title, more than an accolade, more than the credibility of proving you can do it again. Whatever the driving force is behind ignoring your own intuition, you have to value yourself over it.Putting Her Brain on PaperSince then, Keiona has spent months doing something that sounds unglamorous and is actually the whole turnaround: she wrote it all down. A thousand Google Sheets and docs. Fifteen years of operational knowledge that used to live only in her head — the reason she was always the one everyone called — finally on paper, so someone else could actually step in."It was a heavy weight," she says, "and I can feel it lifting from my chest when I submitted the last document."That's what delegation actually looks like when it's not a productivity buzzword. It's relief. It's the difference between being needed and being trapped.Boundaries, Routine, and the Discipline of NoThese days, her mornings start with prayer and meditation. She's in the gym regularly. She reads for the pure pleasure of it again, because that's a version of herself she'd lost. And she names the one skill that changed everything: learning to say no."No is the biggest thing for me," she says. "The ability to say no and to understand that you don't have to accept everything." In the past couple of years, she's walked away from more deals than she's said yes to — a hard reversal for someone who used to jump on every opportunity out of fear it wouldn't come again, and who's been burned by people who took her ideas because she gave too freely, too fast.What She's Building NowKeiona isn't stepping back from the industry — she's rebuilding it from underneath. She's launching the Mississippi Culinary Reentry Program Initiative, training and placing returning citizens in culinary jobs. Seeds to Skillet brings kids in her hometown of Oakland, Mississippi into the kitchen and the garden, teaching them to grow their own food and eventually cook a graduation dinner for their community. And she built the Operator's Playbook — an app that puts real restaurant SOPs, costing sheets, and P&L education in front of small operators who can't afford a consultant.All of it traces back to one line she repeats twice in this conversation, once for herself and once for anyone still building without a map: "I want to be that person that I didn't have."Chapters00:00 - Cold Open: The Elevator That Wouldn't Move01:45 - Welcome, Chef Keiona Jackson02:14 - From a Sugar Bucket in Mississippi to Culinary School04:42 - Becoming Oxford, Mississippi's First Black and First Female Executive Chef08:08 -The Mentors Who Believed First10:42 - What Nobody Tells You About Running a Kitchen13:19 - Humanizing the Team, Not Just Managing It16:13 - The Bolognese Test: Chasing Validation in Italy17:34 - Living With Imposter Syndrome20:04 - Building What She Didn't Have: Reentry Program, Seeds to Skillet, the Operator's Playbook27:47 - Can Resilience Become a Hindrance?29:44 - The Elevator That Wouldn't Move (For Real This Time)34:16 - Boundaries, Delegation, and Putting Her Brain on Paper36:59 - The Power of NoChef Keiona JacksonAB Techniccal College | Culinary ProgramCarolina Health & WellnessRegister for The Leadership LabThe Recipe For Your Success NewsletterStay Tall & Frosty. And Lead from the Heart. —Adam.Podcast Copyright — Chef Life Media LLC

Leadership in construction is lonely. The 2 a.m. gut-check calls. The mistakes nobody at the office needs to know about. The moments where "fake it till you make it" stops working and you just need someone who gets it.This episode, Jesse opens the door to something new: the Construction Leadership Lab: a peer community built for leaders who are done pretending they have it all figured out.This isn't a networking group. It isn't a highlight reel. It's a room for GCs, subs, owners reps, coaches, and service providers across the U.S. and Canada who are ready to trade the polished version of leadership for the real one.What's inside:Monthly live calls — recorded and shared as a members-only podcast, so nobody misses a sessionFishbowl coaching — bring real problems, get real input, leave with a real commitmentBook study — one book every three months, discussed as a group, not just read aloneSelfish Servant Cheat Sheets — a weekly newsletter built to make leadership stickThe Vault — templates and checklists ready to use on the job, not just in theoryThree rules keep the room honest: be generous, be fearless, be cool. Ask how people want to be treated. Be more interested than interesting. Know when to pass the mic.If leadership in construction has ever cost you sleep, this is the group built for that.Listen now. Then go save your seat in the Lab.00:00 Leadership Is Human00:20 Why Leaders Need Support01:52 Introducing The Lab02:50 Core Features Overview04:52 Calls Schedule and Focus05:09 Book Study Deep Dives08:12 Fishbowl Problem Solving11:07 Commitments and Accountability13:05 Weekly Newsletter Value13:46 Content Vault Resources15:17 Mission and Purpose16:17 Community Guidelines21:53 Join or Keep ListeningLets leave the Construction Industry Better than We Found It https://www.depthbuilder.com/construction-leadership-labDownload the free PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be 

Are you a small business owner considering hiring family members, or maybe you already work alongside relatives and are looking for guidance on setting boundaries, leading effectively, and keeping relationships strong? In this episode, I connect with Myra Sanchez, owner of Hope for Healing Therapy in McAllen, Texas, for a transparent and practical conversation about the realities of leading family in business. You'll hear firsthand accounts of what works and what doesn't, from defining roles and separating work talk from family time, to handling feedback, avoiding favoritism, and staying accountable to the team. Myra shares the struggles, successes, and the priceless lessons she's learned growing her thriving practice with family members by her side. Connect with Mayra Sanchez Website  Instagram  Facebook  Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets.

Have you ever wondered what's easier? A mobile team, a remote team, or an in person team? In this episode, I connect with Ellen Nightingale, co-owner of Early Learning Partners, who leads a fully mobile therapy practice with a team of 30. We tackled the myths around remote leadership and revealed why mobile teams actually need more intentional systems, structure, and real connection.  Ellen shares what's worked, what hasn't, as she peels back the curtain on what it's really like to lead a fast-growing, fully mobile therapy practice, and how this model is worlds apart from the typical remote or in-office setup. Connect with Ellen Nightingale: Website Instagram Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets.

Let's break down how building a culture where direct, respectful conversations are the norm helps drive accountability, trust, and results. When you model open communication and empower your team to have those "adult conversations," you stop drama before it starts and build a stronger, high-performing workplace. Remember, confrontation is your friend when growing as a leader. ☀️ Limited Time! Grab Your Spot: The Leadership Intensive Sessions & Team Trainings Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets.

Have you ever wondered why some team members question every decision, expect endless flexibility, or assume loyalty alone deserves instant promotion? In this episode we explore how entitlement is built over time, not just by society or past employers, but sometimes by leaders themselves.  We'll unpack why this mindset is on the rise, how it manifests, and most importantly, how you can address it without becoming the villain. Plus, discover how fostering accountability and opportunity side by side sets the stage for a stronger, high-performing team. Stay tuned for strategies, real-world scenarios, and fresh perspectives on creating a culture where responsibility and recognition go hand in hand. ☀️ SPOTS ARE LIMITED: The Leadership Intensive Sessions & Team Trainings Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets.

Have you ever thought hiring a former coworker would be the safest bet for your business? Think again. Today I break down the real risks behind bringing familiar faces onto your team, from blurred boundaries and outdated assumptions to costly payroll mistakes and hidden favoritism. Familiarity doesn't guarantee a great fit. Make strategic hires, not emotional ones, and lead your team with confidence into a stronger future. ☀️ SPOTS ARE LIMITED: The Leadership Intensive Sessions & Team Trainings Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets.

Today, I'm sharing lessons from six incredible women redefining what it means to lead with experience. From Meryl Streep to Margaret Atwood, these leaders teach us that it's possible to love your work and your family, that reinvention has no expiration date, that confidence is built over time, and that your voice becomes more valuable with age. Success is about learning, evolving, and redefining what's possible at every stage. Your value compounds with experience! ☀️ CHECK OUT: The Leadership Intensive Sessions & Team Trainings Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets.

From unhelpful front-desk staff to slipping dress-code standards, I riff on real stories and explain why these small details can have a big impact on your brand, your bottom line, and your culture. I'm also sharing some leadership strategies for setting clear expectations and coaching your team to shine, so you can create a workplace that's memorable for all the right reasons.  If you're tired of being let down by team members who just don't get the basics, this episode is for you.  ☀️ CHECK OUT The Leadership Intensive Sessions & Team Trainings Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets.

I started a supper club. Each month, I meet with inspiring women for meaningful conversation and authentic friendships. There's no selling or pressure, just open discussions, deep respect, and a supportive community. We share stories, learn from each other, and create genuine bonds.  If you want to grow your leadership and fill that gap for true connection, try launching your own supper club. It might just be the spark your life and business need. ☀️ CHECK OUT The Leadership Intensive Sessions & Team Trainings Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets.

In the second episode of our summer series all about Life and Leadership, I'm sharing three of my favorite strategies that I personally use all year round, and you can too, so that you can take control of your schedule, embrace outsourcing, and set clear boundaries on obligations.  

We are kicking off our summer series with a focus on what it really means to create work-life integration as a woman leader. If you've been chasing the myth of work-life balance, it's time to try something more achievable.  In this episode, I'm giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how I help my clients carve out intentional, distraction-free time to focus on the highest value leadership work. Whether that's planning, performance management, or those big decisions that keep getting pushed aside. I'll break down why leadership work is real work, how to protect this time in your busy schedule, and why your business (and your wellbeing) depend on it.   

Today you'll meet Kara Aubin, founder of the Ayurvedic Wellness Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Kara shares: How she transitioned from seeing clients at home to opening a thriving brick-and-mortar center The magic of focusing less on cramming in content, and more on creating 'spaciousness' for true transformation in retreats and programs The behind-the-scenes of running a multi-faceted business that integrates clinical services, education, and retail, and the hard-won lessons of hiring and building a unique team Her evolution as a leader: letting go of overfunctioning, building robust systems, and developing other leaders so she can step back from being the bottleneck If you want heartfelt, practical insights on building a sustainable team and business, plus a dose of inspiration from a leader who's doing deep, meaningful work, this episode is for you. Connect with Kara Aubin: Website Ayurvedic Wellness Center Instagram Kara's Instagram

In this episode, I'm sharing real reasons with real examples of why your team members walk out the door. Spoiler alert: it's not usually about the money. We dig into the overlooked truth that people quit leaders, not companies. If you've ever felt gut-punched by turnover, struggled with unresolved issues on your team, or wondered why your high-performers seem disengaged, this episode is for you.

What if the loyalty you have for those early team members is actually holding your business back?  In today's episode, I break down the tough truth: not everyone who helped you build your business is meant to help you scale it. You'll learn why holding onto longstanding team members out of loyalty can quietly cost you performance, profit, and your reputation.  I'll show you how to separate appreciation from the actual needs of your business, and why strong leadership means making brave decisions for the future, not just rewarding history. If you've been feeling that tension, it's time to lead forward.  

How do leaders stay steady in the storm of tough choices? This week, I sit down with Jack Briggs, a retired major general with a 30-year career in the military who is also a highly seasoned, for a masterclass in pressure-tested decision making.The episode debunks the myth that high-stakes choices are unique to the military or boardroom. Instead, Jack argues, “pressure is pressure,” whether the risk is reputational, operational, or personal. The discussion highlights the three traits of the best decision makers: anchoring decisions in firm principles, seeking help with humility, and making the call… decisively, not reactively.Listeners will come away with four essential questions to use in any crisis and learn why reframing “crises” into a set of solvable problems is vital for calm, effective leadership. This conversation is a must for anyone seeking practical, repeatable strategies to lead well, even when the stakes—and the anxieties—are high.What You'll Learn- Anchor your decisions in principles.- Lead with humility and build your team.- Distinguish between problems and crises.- The power of a structured decision framework.- Be decisive and own the outcome.- Focus on your sphere of influence.Podcast Timestamps03:18 Jack's origin story: from the Thunderbirds to the Air Force Academy05:37 When leadership first appeared: Boy Scouts, the leadership laboratory, and the Eagle Scout07:37 The Air Force Academy as a leadership lab: authority vs. responsibility10:42 Being the snowplow: how to delegate without abandoning accountability14:11 Leadership is a science and an art: training the recipe, then adapting it16:41 Combat to boardroom: why pressure is pressure regardless of context19:19 Defending North America: leading at continental scale21:28 The three characteristics of the best decision makers23:24 The archer analogy: principles, input, decisiveness26:45 What leaders get wrong: fighting the fight they wish they had28:06 Mob rule, Moses, and principled decision-making32:11 Crisis vs. problem: why language matters under pressure33:10 Snowstorms and problem buckets: a real-world example35:26 The four questions for high-stress decisions40:01 Checklists that work: laminate it and they will keep it43:18 Humility plus decisiveness: being disagree-able45:36 Choosing the least worst option and owning it48:35 Final thoughts: stop chasing outcomes, start leading in your three feetKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Decision Making, Decision Making Under Pressure, Humility, Air Force Career, Military Leadership, Air Force Academy, Leadership Lab, Principles-Based Decisions, Delegating Authority, Crisis Management, Operational Risk, Financial Risk, Reputational Risk, Pressure in Leadership, Crisis vs Problem, Crisis Communication, CEO Success

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the "bottleneck trap," that sneaky phase where your business can't scale because every decision runs through you. It's not a motivation or hiring problem; it's about your leadership structure. I'll show you how to shift from operator to leader without lowering your standards or burning out. If you're ready to get out from under the weight of running everything, unleash your team's full potential, and finally have a business that runs with you, not on your back, this episode is a game-changer. Grab your copy of my new book, "Mom's Going on a business Trip," here: momisgoingonabusinesstrip.com Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Are you tired of delegation falling flat in your business? When you delegate without clear ownership, decision rights, or accountability, everything comes right back to you. The key is setting up a structure where outcomes, not just tasks, are owned, measured, and regularly reviewed.  Stop being the bottleneck or the safety net. Become the leader who sets standards and empowers your team to win.   Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Feeling overwhelmed by the invisible workload at home, even as you lead and grow your business? Lisa Woodruff, creator of Organize365, joins me to unpack the real pressures facing women as household managers from the myth of decluttering to the massive mental load we carry.  She shares actionable systems to reclaim your time and energy, so you can organize your life like a CEO. The key takeaway? Organization isn't about having it all together. It's about how your space makes you feel. It's not about pretty baskets and labelled jars. Give yourself permission to do less, set boundaries, and lead at home as powerfully as you do at work. Connect with Lisa Woodruff Tune into the Organize 365 Podcast Website Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Pre-order the Escaping Quicksand book Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

If your clients only get the best when a certain team member is working, or if you keep hearing "they should just know this stuff," it's time for a leadership reset.  In this episode, I'm sharing four practical standards you can set today to immediately elevate your team's performance, boost referrals, and finally guarantee a reliable brand experience every single day. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Are you feeling like your business is thriving, but leadership feels tougher than ever? Today, I'm sharing the three big questions every successful entrepreneur faces: How do I stop being the bottleneck? How do I hold people accountable without pushing them away? And why does leadership feel harder, even as the wins stack up?  The real answer is, your business needs a new level of leadership from you. When you focus on clear roles, real accountability, and intentional leadership, you can finally build a team that performs without burning you out.   Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

"If you don't figure out a way to treat your carriers ethically and help them make money, you're not going to have them." - Michael Riccio, former TIA Chairman and founder of More Than Miles Consulting In this episode, Kelly Barner is joined by two leaders from the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA): Michael Riccio, former TIA Chairman and founder of More Than Miles Consulting, and David Abell, CEO of AM Transport Services and a TIA Board Member. Together, they explore the newly launched Freight Leadership Lab, a program designed to elevate leadership, ethics, and professionalism across the freight brokerage industry. From personal career journeys to the realities of ethical decision-making under pressure, this conversation offers both practical insights and a compelling vision for the future of freight. Listen in to hear Mike, David, and Kelly discuss: How the TIA's new Freight Leadership Lab is developing the next generation of freight brokerage leaders The importance of ethics in freight brokerage, including how leaders can navigate gray-area decisions under time pressure Practical insights into the role of culture, values, and "extreme ownership" in building stronger teams and better decision-making habits A broader perspective on the future of freight brokerage, including why investing in people and relationships is key to raising professional standards across the industry This conversation goes beyond freight—it's about leadership under pressure, ethical decision-making, and building sustainable businesses. Whether you're in logistics, procurement, or any fast-moving industry, the lessons here are broadly applicable. Links: Mike Riccio on LinkedIn David Abell on LinkedIn TIA's Freight Leadership Lab Kelly Barner on LinkedIn Art of Supply LinkedIn newsletter  Art of Supply on AOP Subscribe to the Art of Procurement Newsletter  

We welcome back retail leader Jenn Luna for a special "Where Are They Now?" update. Jenn has been busy expanding her portfolio of retail shops across Tacoma, Washington, while fostering an upbeat, authentic team culture that delights customers and supports product makers. She's also become an influential advocate for retail shop owners regularly traveling to Washington, D.C. with the National Retail Federation and even appearing on CNN with Jake Tapper to spotlight the real impact of tariffs on small businesses. Get ready for practical leadership insights, honest moments and a few tears, as Jen offers an inside look at her retail journey and the lessons she's learned about business, growth, and impact. Connect with Jenn Luna: LinkedIn Paper Luxe Instagram Curious Bear Toys Instagram Kindship  Previous Episodes: Episode 327: Retail Leadership, What Makes You Stand Out with Jenn Luna Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter  

You'll enjoy this "where are they now" episode with Jodie Sheraton where she shares openly about the real, behind-the-scenes work it takes to build a team that's not dependent on the founder for every decision. She started with a dozen and now has 30 team members with 7 team leaders and 3 businesses. She's here to talk candidly about shifting mindsets, finding your identity as a leader (not just a business owner), and the power of building systems and structure so you can step back and see your business thrive. You'll hear practical strategies, pivotal "aha" moments, and a heart-to-heart look at how growth as a leader creates lasting impact. If you're ready to stop carrying the weight of your business on your own shoulders, and want to see what's truly possible when you empower others, press play.  Connect with Jodie Sheraton: LinkedIn Instagram Get Jodie's Book, The Confident Dietician Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter  

Even with thriving revenue, reputation, and a waitlist, leadership challenges can still keep you up at night. Success actually amplifies people problems, from tricky pay requests to toxic team dynamics.  Today, we're exploring why established businesses must evolve their leadership because clear structures, performance standards, and confident communication are key.  When you raise your standards, your best people step up, your culture stabilizes, and your confidence grows.   Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Those "quick thoughts," sent by text, Slack, or email, may feel efficient, but they're creating more drama than you realize. Today, we'll dive into the hidden costs of digital drive-bys: miscommunication, defensiveness, performance confusion, and lost momentum and how digital communication can quietly chip away at trust, clarity, and your workplace culture. It's time to rethink your approach. Ask yourself if this situation deserves a real conversation instead of a quick message. True leadership is all about presence and meaningful connections, not just dispatching information.  Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

On today's episode of the Stacking Your Team Podcast, I sat down with Karen Pavlidis, founder of Child and Teen Solutions in Seattle. Karen revealed how adding intentional structure to her business shifted everything, from attracting top talent to creating clear career pathways and building a thriving, accountable team culture. If you're ready to stop guessing and start leading your business with purpose, this episode delivers the inspiration and tools you need to elevate your leadership and your team. Connect with Karen Pavlidis: Website LinkedIn Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Have you ever wondered whether opening a second location is truly the next right step for you?  In this episode, I dive deep into the reality of expansion. I share the three non-negotiables you MUST have before you even think about signing another lease: proof, predictability, and people. You'll hear real stories from my clients about what worked, what crashed, and the hard lessons learned along the way. If you've ever felt pressured by others to "just open another location," or you're simply bursting at the seams and considering expansion, this episode will help you slow down, ask the right questions, and build the leadership systems and team structure that actually set you up for sustainable growth. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Join us for a "where are they now" catch up conversation with former Leadership Lab client Jessie Ginsburg of Pediatric Therapy Playhouse and Sensory SLP.  You'll appreciate how open she is to talk about the cost of losing team members as they join another practice or open their own, including the emotional toll this took on her. She's evolved her leadership to a better place now where she accepts the turnover while also tightening up her hiring, onboarding and productivity processes to ensure her practice is profitable, regardless of any team structure ups and downs.  With two businesses and five boys all under the age of nine, you might be wondering "how does she do it all?" Jessie gives us a look inside her home support plan, her leadership team structure in both businesses, her future plans and confirms. She's designing a life that best fits what she wants, not what society or her industry is telling her she should want. Connect with Jessie Ginsburg: Instagram YouTube Private Practice Website Sensory SLP Website Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

In this stripped-down, off-the-cuff episode, Shelli speaks directly to leaders navigating heavy times. With constant news headlines being brought into the workplace how do you acknowledge the reality without amplifying the anxiety? How do you allow space for concerns while keeping standards high and focus sharp? In this timely conversation, Shelli shares how to steady your team when the world feels unsteady, and why calm is a leadership skill. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Most burnout isn't caused by workload—it's caused by misalignment. That uncomfortable truth emerged from a live Leadership Lab session where chefs gathered to confront the weight they'd been carrying that wasn't actually theirs to hold.Register for The Leadership Lab"Naming the problem automatically means you are owning it. You can't name it and walk away."In this episode of Chef Life Radio, we explore the profound difference between leadership defined by frantic motion and leadership anchored in grounded presence. What you'll hear isn't motivation or theory—it's the raw clarity that surfaces when chefs slow down long enough to tell the truth about where they're misaligned.The Weight That Doesn't Belong to YouDiscover the two types of misalignment that drain culinary leaders:External disconnect between expectations and reality of your resourcesInternal chasm between your current role and internalized idealsWhy fighting the reality of your job creates constant subconscious struggle.Through real examples from the session, we examine how a high-volume operations manager can exhaust themselves trying to be a bespoke artisan chef, and why that identity conflict becomes the true source of burnout.AB Techniccal College | Culinary ProgramThe Leadership Loop for Permanent ChangeLearn the five-step framework that moves you from seeing dysfunction to enacting lasting transformation:Sensing problems through presence and attentionNaming issues (which automatically means owning them)Communicating clearly without system blamingModeling the correct behavior yourselfHolding the line when integrity conflicts with keeping people comfortableFrom Effort Extraction to PresenceExplore how successful chefs identified their version of "unnecessary spreadsheets"—those extra tasks we create to validate our worth through visible effort rather than actual impact:Why over-delivering often serves our need for validation, not client needsThe difference between motion and meaningful progressHow to ground leadership in clarity instead of excessive effortThe Power of Choice You've Been AvoidingConfront the terrifying reality that you still have agency in your career and life. We examine why inaction feels safer than acknowledging choice, and how old agreements made years ago continue dictating your present reality without conscious review.The conversation reveals why beating yourself up over past choices is unproductive, and how context changes everything about what decisions serve you now.Operational Definitions That Set You FreeThrough the story of a chef whose company is literally called "Culinary Mechanic," discover how accepting the reality of your role—rather than fighting for a romanticized...

Are you ready for a real behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build, lead, and grow a thriving multi-location brick-and-mortar private practice? I'm thrilled to introduce you to Carla Willock, founder and Clinical Director of Victoria's Speech and Language Centre in Victoria, British Columbia. Here's what makes this episode a must-listen: Carla pulls back the curtain on hard leadership decisions, scaling from solo-practice to a powerhouse team, and what it means to create real impact in her local community (including reaching underserved First Nations kids and managing government-funded autism care). She also shares bravely about growing pains including contract breaches, international hiring challenges, and the personal growth required to step fully into the CEO role. Connect with Carla Willock Facebook Instagram Private Practice Website Responsive Feeding Website Connect with Jessie Ginsburg on Instagram Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter    

What would you do if your business slowly drifts out of your hands? Katie MacKenzie sares the hard decisions she made in just seven months, from restructuring her team and introducing real operating systems to stepping back into visible leadership. The result? A stronger, more productive business, a major revenue milestone, and more presence at home. If you've ever wondered whether your business is running you, this conversation will hit close to home. Connect with Kate MacKenzie: Instagram Facebook Website Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

In Davos waren vorige week alle ogen gericht op de internationale elite. Macron paradeerde zelfverzekerd rond met een kek pilotenmontuurtje, Trump bulderde als vanouds richting zijn voormalige Europese bondgenoten en Rutte bewoog met zijn bekende joligheid tussen de groten der aarde, als ware het een doodgewone JOVD-borrel. Toch, zegt prof. dr. Mark van Vugt, doet het er allemaal minder toe dan we denken. Een opvallend geluid van iemand die aan de VU het zogeheten Leadership Lab leidt, maar hij legt graag uit waarom dat niet tegenstrijdig is. Zijn aandacht gaat ditmaal uit naar het peloton dat minzaam achter de koplopers aan fietst. Want wat is een leider zonder volgers? Waarom klinkt ‘volgzaam zijn' — volgens Van Vugt ten onrechte — als iets dat je beter kunt afleren? En wat zegt de evolutionaire psychologie over wie we volgen, en waarom? Artikel van Vugt in HP/De Tijd: https://www.hpdetijd.nl/columns-opinie/column/47689/volgers-maken-de-geschiedenis (https://www.hpdetijd.nl/columns-opinie/column/47689/volgers-maken-de-geschiedenis)

Thinking about renovating your workplace or maybe you just want some practical ideas to update your space as your team grows? In this week's episode of the Stacking Your Team Podcast, I'm indulging my inner workspace design junkie by sitting down with industry expert Sylvie Allain, founder of Bureau Living. Together, we dive deep into the real strategies that take office design from bland and functional to a true powerhouse for your brand, your team's performance, and your retention efforts. Connect with Sylvie Allain: LinkedIn Instagram  Website Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

A peek inside of the minds and hearts of the incredible women in the Leadership Lab, including the pivotal moments, challenges, and breakthroughs they experienced wrapping up this past year. From letting go of micromanagement to holding teams truly accountable, we're talking about the hardest (and most freeing) parts of leadership. You'll also hear real stories about making tough staffing decisions, finally setting boundaries, and building business systems that don't require you to hold everyone's hand. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Are you leading a brick-and-mortar business and feeling frustrated with advice that just does not match your daily reality? This week, I am pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to lead a team in a physical workplace. Real leadership means guiding your team confidently, making decisions on the spot, and creating a workplace that thrives even when you are not there every minute.  Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter    

Get the inside scoop on the most important meeting you'll host this year: the New Year kickoff. We explore why this single meeting sets the tone for the entire year, how it motivates and inspires your team, and specifically, how you can use it to drive commitment, build trust, and spark genuine growth in your business. Whether you love or loathe meetings, I'll show you how to craft one that's meaningful, productive, and completely aligned with your vision as a CEO. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter      

I pulled back the curtain to share the real wins, wobbles, and surprises that shaped my 2025 journey. From celebrating a year cancer-free and navigating loss, to building powerful tools for leaders and launching bold new projects, it's about leading through life's tough seasons and rising stronger. Join the waitlist here for our Private Podcast for ambitious professionals at 1000 Islands Leadership Consulting. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter  

For this special holiday episode, I wanted to invite you to make the most of those cozy moments and little pockets of downtime this season, whether you're baking cookies, taking a walk, or simply sneaking away from the noise. I've personally curated a list of six of our most downloaded, most talked-about episodes from this past year. The ones that sparked the biggest shifts and aha moments for women leaders like you. These episodes are packed with insights, tough love, and simple strategies to help you lead smarter, not harder, as you step into the new year. Download the podcast companion workbook here. Episode List: EP 353: 3 Signs You're Overpaying Your Contractors EP 350: Creative Ways to Motivate Your Team EP 320: The Difference Between Managing and Leading EP 324: How to Onboard a New Team Member EP 301: Real Stories of Abrupt Change Leading to Success EP 322: How to Host Team Meetings Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Are you truly ready to lead at a higher level? If you've built a business, hired people, and now find yourself wondering if you've got what it takes to build a leadership team that runs the business while you move it forward, this episode is for you. I'll walk you through four key questions designed to help you determine if you're ready for that next phase of professional development. You'll hear real-life stories from my clients, discover why stepping out of the daily grind can totally transform your business and life, and learn how you can stop micromanaging and start leading with confidence.     Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Ever feel like your business only runs smoothly when you're around? In today's episode, I share the real secret to consistent service, lower turnover, and a reputation that gets people buzzing: frontline leadership. It's not about doing it all yourself.  It's about empowering shift leaders and supervisors who keep things running, uphold your standards, and create a culture that people want to be part of. Want to stop being the bottleneck and start building a team that thrives, even when you're not there? Tune in to learn how to stack your team with the leaders your business truly needs!   Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter  

Whether you're running a business or leading a team, the smartest thing you can do is say "yes" to the small things that create a big impact. Providing healthy snacks, setting a clear dress code, and celebrating your team's wins show your people you care and boost both morale and loyalty. These yeses aren't just feel-good gestures, they're proven ways to elevate company culture and build a high-performing team. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Whether you realize it or not, your team is thinking about what AI means for their jobs and for your business. Based on my own experience leading multimillion-dollar automation projects at Procter & Gamble, I know firsthand how technology can transform the way people work. In this episode, I'll break down what's really happening with AI and jobs, explain why AI is so much more than ChatGPT, and show you where humans remain absolutely irreplaceable. I'll share honest, practical ways you can bring up AI during your next 1:1 conversations, giving your team clarity and reassurance instead of fear. You'll learn how to guide your people through these changes, set smart boundaries, and keep your business human-centered, even while embracing the advantages that AI brings. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter      

Are you tired of watching simple workplace tasks become time-consuming headaches for your growing team? Join me in this episode where I break down the everyday activities that can make or break morale and productivity, without blowing your budget or overhauling everything. If you want smart, actionable leadership strategies to build a powerhouse team that runs smoothly (without constant handholding and micromanagement), this episode is your no-fluff guide to streamlining your systems and empowering your people. You'll hear real-life examples from clients, practical tips using tools you probably already have, and the simple fixes that foster a culture of confidence, clarity, and trust. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Have you ever noticed how your team's energy shifts once they realize you're serious about raising the bar? In this episode, I'm sharing three powerful leadership moves that have the potential to instantly transform your team's attitude with no big speeches required. These moves might feel bold or even a little uncomfortable at first, but trust me, they're all about rebuilding trust, accountability, and performance. I've watched teams break free from drama and low effort just by making these leadership changes.   Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Want to take your team building to the next level? In this episode, I shared why activities like trivia nights or axe throwing might be fun, but don't truly develop your team or business culture. Instead, I reveal my favorite business-focused exercise: teaching your team service with empathy. I walk you through real-life scenarios that boost understanding, improve client interactions, and create a culture where everyone feels valued and respected. If you want to level up your leadership and build a team that truly thrives, this is the episode you don't want to miss! Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter