Podcasts about leadership project

What if your calendar isn't a badge of honor but a map of wasted potential? We sit down with Rebecca Hinds, PhD and author of Your Best Meeting Ever, to challenge the idea that more meetings mean more value—and to rebuild meeting culture from the ground up. Rebecca unpacks the visibility bias that equates busyness with status, explains why meetings multiply when clarity disappears, and shows leaders how to design time together like a product with purpose, users, and measurable outcomes.We dive into the 4D rule—only meet to decide, debate, discuss, or develop—and how that single filter slashes status updates and nudges real work back to async. You'll learn why eight is a magic ceiling for decision meetings, how to include voices without overinviting through pre-reads and transparent notes, and the art of closing the loop so people feel heard even when their idea isn't acted on yet. Rebecca shares counterintuitive time design: odd-start meetings to beat Parkinson's Law, strategic buffers to prevent “meeting hangovers,” and the cultural signal sent when you end early because the purpose is done. Ready for a reset? This episode explores “meeting doomsday,” a 48-hour calendar cleanse where every meeting must earn its place. The biggest gains come from small redesigns like shorter meetings and fewer attendees. You'll also learn how to use ROTI feedback, clearer agendas, and technology the right way to improve focus and decision-making. If you're tired of back-to-back Zooms and wondering when real work happens, this conversation gives you a practical blueprint. You'll gain clear norms, language to protect your team's time, and leadership moves that turn meetings into a competitive advantage. Subscribe, sSend a textMake your podcast work for your business - Listen to Podcasting AmplifiedPractical strategies to turn your podcast into a business growth engine.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) at Utah State University has recently published a research brief, “The Status of Women in Utah Politics: A 2026 Update,” that explores national and state trends in women’s political representation. Susan Madsen, Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project, joins to discuss what results they found from this project and what Utah can do better.

Women hold about a third of public offices in Utah. That's according to new data released by the Women and Leadership Project at Utah State University, which looked at the highest executive positions down to each individual city council seat. In this Deep Dive, guest host Heather Peterson speaks with Dr. Susan Madsen, Director of the Utah Women and Leadership Project, about their report and how she sees the state of women in politics here in Utah. Midday Executive Producer Andy Cupp joins the conversation and shares a recorded interview between himself and Erin Rider, a former candidate for Congress and the Salt Lake County Mayor, who talks about what it's like to run for office as a woman.

Disconnection doesn't usually explode—it leaks in through a thousand tiny moments until voices go quiet and energy fades. We sat down with leadership futurist and change strategist Melinda McCormack to chart a path back: a practical, human way to lead with empathy that drives performance without sacrificing people.Melinda shares her personal journey through loss alongside high-stakes corporate change, revealing how trauma and bias can make even the strongest leaders feel small and unseen. From those lived lessons comes PULSE, a five-step framework that turns empathy into action: clarify Purpose aligned to values, Unlock your emotional code to shift from reaction to response, Learn tools like vulnerability and humility, Shift with daily habits that stick, and Embrace change by balancing the heart that feels with the mind that leads. We dive into why emotional fitness is a trainable skill, how mirror neurons make culture contagious, and what leaders can do to create psychological safety so teams feel seen, heard, and valued.Expect clear, usable tactics you can try today. You'll hear how a single ten-second pause can flip a heated exchange, how to spot slow-burn disengagement before it becomes quiet quitting, and why “listening is the quiet art of influence.” We unpack triggers, cognitive biases, and the subtle ways meetings spiral into aggression and defensiveness—and we show how to bring them back to focus, trust, and useful outcomes. If you've ever wondered how to make empathy a competitive edge, this conversation gives you the map and the mindset to start.

Ever feel like your team has more to give—and you can't quite unlock it? We dig into the uncomfortable truth that many leaders become bottlenecks without meaning to, then map a path to becoming a catalyst who unlocks energy, ownership, and momentum. With award-winning leadership and high performance coach Tracy Clark, we examine why strategy and skills (the “trunk”) only go so far, and how deeper work in mindset, self-awareness, and identity (the “roots”) drives real, sustained results.Tracy shows how to close the gap between intention and impact by starting in the mirror. We get tactical about identity—moving from “think differently” to “be differently”—through immersive play, a one-line identity anchor like “I am a determined catalyst,” and a simple pre-meeting reset that shifts your state on demand. We also unpack her three-part definition of play as intense curiosity, radical open-mindedness, and proactive experimentation. Expect practical moves: rule-flipping core assumptions, designing low-risk tests, and letting silence do the work so your team steps up.The conversation goes beyond personal change to collective momentum. We explore how to create a “team of catalysts” with shared behaviors that make independent thinking normal: surfacing tensions early, challenging assumptions weekly, shipping small experiments fast, and measuring learning alongside results. Along the way we connect empathy and deep listening to performance, drawing on ideas popularized by Chris Voss and the enduring truth that people remember how you make them feel.If you're ready to trade control for trust, certainty for curiosity, and busyness for leverage, this one's for you. Listen, choose your one-word identity for the week, and try the catalyst experiment in your next meeting. If it sparks an insight, share the episode with a leader who needs it, subscribe on your favorite podcast app or YouTube, and leave a review to help others find the show.

Jane Hyun is the leading authority for leveraging culture and differences to drive innovation. Often called an "interpreter," she has been a trusted coach for over 20 years to thousands of leaders at Fortune 500 companies including PepsiCo, Clorox, Merck, and USGA, as well as schools and nonprofits, guiding their growth by building their cross-cultural capability. She is the pioneering author of Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Leadership Toolkit for Asians and the co-author of Flex: The New Playbook for Managing Across Differences. Through her Cultural Fluency in Leadership Project, Jane enjoys helping leaders forge stronger teams by closing the gaps that get in the way of growth and collaboration.She has been featured on CNN, CNBC, and NPR and has written for Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, and The Wall Street Journal on the topics of culture, career development, and onboarding. As a sought-after speaker, Jane has keynoted at Microsoft, ESPN, the International Coaches Federation (ICF), and the Conferences for Women. Recently, Jane received the Marshall Goldsmith 50 Leading Global Coaches Award as the #1 Coach for Cultural Fluency and the NAAAP Vision 100 Award.Her life's calling is to help others flourish in their workplaces and in their communities.In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to build a meaningful, sustainable consulting practice by leveraging cultural fluency and staying true to your values.Jane and I discuss:Jane's career journey from corporate to consulting [03:02]How Jane developed her cultural fluency specialty [05:27]Assessing and improving cultural fluency in leaders [08:32]How Jane's business has evolved over 20 years [12:31]The importance of saying no to the wrong clients [14:45]The role of community and peer support in business growth [17:42]Integrating personal and professional life as an entrepreneur [19:35]The strategic importance of rest and self-care [22:11]Seeing growth as an iterative process [24:00]Learn more about Jane at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-hyun?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app , https://www.instagram.com/janehyun_author/, and Substack ______________________________________________________________About Smashing the PlateauSmashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who've left corporate life to build something of their own.Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests offer real strategies to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms, with...

Imagine a world where we all loved our work. And work loved us back! Okay, that's just not gonna happen, says professional development and executive coach Jenn Urso. … Read More » The post Work is Not Meant to Love You appeared first on Insurance Journal TV.

Imagine a world where we all loved our work. And work loved us back! Okay, that's just not gonna happen, says professional development and executive coach Jenn Urso. … Read More » The post Work is Not Meant to Love You appeared first on Insurance Journal TV.

Think you had a busy month but didn't move the needle? We unpack why progress often feels invisible and how to make it tangible by changing small behaviors that create big ripples. This solo cast stitches together January's standout insights on culture, pressure, change, influence, and feedback—then turns them into simple moves you can apply within 24 hours.We start with a hard truth from Bill Benjamin: your culture is revealed under pressure. When stress spikes, untrained emotional intelligence drops, shortcuts sneak in, and safety evaporates. We walk through practical ways to slow your cadence, protect standards, and keep access to reality. From there, Hugh Thomas reframes change as identity work, not a project plan. People grieve loss—of familiarity, status, and confidence—so leaders must acknowledge loss before asking for alignment. Expect clear prompts you can use to surface the real obstacles and rebuild commitment through honesty rather than false certainty.Next, Salvatore Manzi brings a candid reminder: good intent does not equal good impact. Influence lives in how you're received. We break down presence, pacing, and listening as the levers that lower threat and help your message land. Then we move into the Lead Better series on YouTube, where we de-risk feedback with brain-based insights and practical tools. You'll learn the micro yes to gain permission, the calibrate reality step to align perceptions, the SPI model to deliver clarity without judgment, and the close-the-loop move to lock agreements. Structure beats good intentions when trust is on the line.We close by turning reflection into action: give one real piece of feedback you've been avoiding, run one alignment conversation about “what good looks like,” or remove one piece of interference holding your team back. Leaders who win the year don't do more; they do what matters, more consistently. If these ideas hit home, subscribe, share with a leader who's ready to level up, and leave a quick review telling us which action you'll take today.Send us a textSupport the show✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

What we often call “communication problems” are really clarity problems. Leadership communication coach Salvatore Manzi breaks down why smart ideas stall, why meetings favor fast talkers, and how leaders can make messages land, be remembered, and drive action. From start to finish, this episode focuses on practical moves you can try today.We explore hidden biases that shape conversations: delay bias that sidelines reflective thinkers, the spotlight effect that inflates self-judgment, and the curse of knowledge that turns expertise into confusion. Salvatore reframes Q&A as a relationship check, showing how to buy thinking time, reflect questions back, and structure discussions so both quick responders and slower processors contribute.Feeling nervous before speaking is normal. The episode covers reframing fear as excitement, using posture, breath, and focus to project confidence, and leveraging afformations to prime performance. You'll also learn to craft an emotional journey with cadence, pause, and tone, turn complex data into memorable metaphors, give specific feedback, and use context checks to keep your audience engaged.

In this episode, we discuss a recently released white paper titled “Belonging in Utah: Findings from Community Conversations with Women of Color.” The white paper draws from seven focus groups with Women of Color along the Wasatch Front to identify shared and community-specific themes related to their experiences. The findings reveal both interconnected challenges and those unique to specific racial and ethnic communities. The goal of this work is to elevate diverse perspectives and encourage leaders and community members to consider additional insights that foster greater inclusion and belonging throughout the state. Understanding what helps Utah women of color build a sense of belonging shows us not only where the state is progressing, but where meaningful work still needs to be done. In today's episode, we'll break down what belonging looks like, why it matters, and how these insights can guide efforts to make Utah a better place for everyone. Dr. Susan Madsen, an Extension Professor of Leadership at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two guests. First, Kolene Anderson, former Associate Director at the Utah Women and Leadership Project. Second, Nadia Cates, former Multicultural Outreach Coordinator at the Utah Women and Leadership Project. Support the show

Change rarely fails because people don't care; it fails because we misunderstand what drives behavior. With author and change leadership expert Huw Thomas, we dig into the real forces underneath stalled transformations: loss aversion, identity threats, and the quiet stories we tell ourselves that keep us clinging to the status quo. From childhood curiosity to adult routines, we unpack how our wiring prioritizes safety, why we catastrophize the unlikely, and how a few practical shifts can restore agency and momentum.Huw shares a candid look at navigating personal and professional change—moving countries, facing a health crisis, and reframing setbacks as stepping stones. We explore the messy middle of change and the identity tension it creates, including the classic “expert with the legendary spreadsheet” who resists a new system because it threatens who they are at work. Instead of erasing the old self, we talk about upgrading to version 2.0: preserving dignity, building new capability, and making the future identity feel real through micro-wins, visibility, and support.You'll learn concrete tools: pattern interrupts to test assumptions, emotional labeling to reduce intensity, future-self framing to re-anchor perspective, and success mapping that pairs a vivid destination with the true cost of inaction. We also preview why organizational change is so hard—scale, diversity, influence networks—and why technology and processes don't create value until humans believe they can, want to, and know how to use them. If you're ready to stop focusing on barriers and start steering toward the gaps, this conversation offers a clear, humane roadmap.If this sparked an insight, share it with one person who needs it, hit subscribe on your favorite podcast app or YouTube, and leave a review to help more leaders find the show. What's one small behavior you'll change this week, and what support will make it stick?

81% of Utahns agree that childcare access is a big problem, according to new research from the Utah Women and Leadership Project. Pressure is growing for employers and policymakers to expand the state’s childcare solutions. Susan Madsen, Director of the Utah Women and Leadership Project, joins the show to discuss the issue at hand and how it can be addressed.

When tension spikes, leaders don't rise to the occasion; they fall to their default. Today we dig into those defaults with Bill Benjamin, co-author of The Last 8%, and unpack why smart, well-intentioned people either blow up or go quiet when it matters most—and how to do better without losing your edge.We start by naming the two patterns that quietly define culture under pressure: the messmaker who reacts with heat and the avoider who retreats to keep the peace. Bill explains the brain science behind both, from cortisol searing memories to the fear of social judgment that feels like physical pain. That lens changes everything: people remember you in the hard moments, not the easy ones. So we get practical. Bill shares SOS—Stop, Oxygenate, Seek information—as a simple, reliable way to step out of fight-or-flight, regain working memory, and turn certainty into curiosity. Small moves like a sip of water, open palms, or one deep breath can buy the six seconds you need to choose a better response.We then move into preparation for planned hard conversations. Clarify the exact last 8 percent you must say, set a positive intention that signals safety, and ask open questions so the other person talks first. You'll hear why many people self-diagnose if given space, how to draw out their last 8 percent, and how to model being coachable without giving up standards. We close with tactics to reset a reputation: share your growth edge with genuine vulnerability, invite real-time cues from your team, and follow up to measure progress. The result is a culture where people trade ego for empathy, certainty for curiosity, and silence for shared truth.If this sparked an insight, share it with one person who needs it. Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast app, and leave a quick review to help more leaders find the show. Which are you under pressure—messmaker or avoider—and what last 8 percent will you tackle this week?

In this episode, we discuss a recently released research snapshot titled, “Substance Use Disorders Among Utah Women: A 2025 Update.” This snapshot examines how substance use disorders (SUDs) affect women in Utah and across the United States. Using state and national data, the report explores whether Utah's patterns align with or diverge from national trends. The analysis highlights three key areas: prevalence and demographic differences in substance use among women; the intersection of women's health, pregnancy, and trauma; and current efforts and programs aimed at reducing substance use disorders throughout Utah. What stories do the data tell about women's experiences with substance use in Utah? We'll explore all of that and more in today's episode. Dr. Susan Madsen, an Extension Professor of Leadership at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two guests. First, Corinne Clarkson, co-author of the report and Research Associate for the Utah Women & Leadership Project. Second, Rachel Denton, co-author of the report and a licensed clinical social worker. Support the show

A new year doesn't need a louder pep talk; it needs a clearer compass. We start 2026 by trading resolutions for direction and building a plan around identity, not intensity. Through honest reflection on 2025—what made us proud and what quietly drained us—we sketch a practical framework to design a year you'll be proud to live, not just survive.We walk through four anchors that hold everything in place: health and energy, leadership and impact, craft and learning, and family and life. For health, we focus on consistency and recovery so progress compounds without burnout. For leadership, we commit to showing up authentically—coaching more than controlling, preparing for meetings with intention, and closing each day with a five-question reflection that checks whether we acted in line with our values. For craft, we go for depth over volume: fewer projects, fully finished, and psychology learning translated into actionable tools. For family, we protect presence with simple rituals and honest capacity, so the people closest to us experience our attention, not our leftovers.Two levers make the whole system work: time and autonomy. Guard them and your habits stick; lose them and everything drifts. We close with a challenge: define your anchors, choose habits that survive low‑motivation days, and decide what you'll say no to so your yes actually counts. Along the way, we preview upcoming conversations on emotional leadership, behavior change, and clear communication, plus a new Lead Better video series turning practical psychology into tools you can use.If this resonated, subscribe, share it with someone who needs a reset, and tell us your 2026 anchors. What will you build by design this year?Send us a textSupport the show✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

Forget the “new year, new you” slogans. We trade hype for honesty and design a year that actually fits your values and energy. We start by reframing 2025 with a pride audit: the tough moments you handled with more grace, the people you helped, and the places you chose integrity over convenience. That grounding matters because leaders often spot gaps faster than growth, and without pride, we keep chasing the next milestone without ever arriving.From there, we run a clean truth audit—no shame, just ownership. What did you call important but never scheduled? Which habits drained your best energy? We unpack the long game and why consistency beats intensity. Drawing on Atomic Habits, we shift from outcome obsession to identity and systems: the real flex is the small habit you don't break. We explore the math of compounding and the mindset that keeps you steady when motivation fades.We also bring in a powerful lens on courage from Emmy-winning broadcaster and author Anne-Marie Anderson. Audacity isn't recklessness; it's aligned, season-aware boldness. You'll define one brave Q1 swing, then make it practical with the Three Wins Weekly framework—one win for work, one for health, one for relationships—and protect them with time blocks that match your natural rhythms. Add Michael Bungay Stanier's minimum viable start to break inertia, and layer Brendan Burchard's daily intentionality so you show up how your team needs: curious, inspiring, or decisive. We close with a tight 2026 plan: choose a compass word, pick three outcomes, build weekly systems and accountability, and lock in that audacious move.Ready to stop living by default and start living by design? Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a reset, and tell us your 2026 theme and your one bold swing. Let's build a year you're proud to live—one block, one habit, one courageous step at a time.Send us a textSupport the show✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

In this episode, we discuss a recently released research brief titled “What Utah College Students Think about Teaching as a Career: An Analysis by Gender.” Using data collected by Envision Utah, a nonprofit organization that engages Utahns in collaborative, bottom-up decision-making, this brief explores the perceptions of Utah college students as they consider and prepare for their careers. The findings offer important insights about the pipeline of teachers and provide recommendations for attracting and retaining the best educators for Utah's classrooms. What do these findings reveal about the past, present, and future of teachers and education in Utah? We'll explore all of that and more in today's episode. Dr. Susan Madsen, a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by Eric Dahlin, co-author of the report and Associate Professor of Sociology at Brigham Young University.Support the show

Audacity isn't about being wild; it's about taking bold risks that are worth it for the season you're in. We sit down with three‑time Emmy Award‑winning sports broadcaster and author Anne‑Marie Anderson to unpack how leaders can move from second‑guessing to decisive action without ignoring reality. Anne‑Marie shares the simple test she uses to separate worth‑it risks from reckless moves, and why the outcomes you fear are almost never at the extremes your brain imagines.We get practical about failure, too. Anne‑Marie reframes rejection as data and shows how celebrating “misses” publicly builds trust and performance on teams. You'll learn how to name and disarm your inner critic, why small experiments beat grand plans, and how to choose challenges that stretch rather than shatter confidence. For anyone wrestling with imposter syndrome or highlight‑reel comparison, this is a grounded path back to action.Then we tackle the quiet twins that stall growth: time and money. Anne‑Marie breaks down the urgency fallacy and gives a repeatable approach to reclaiming your day with four focused 15‑minute blocks. We cover honest audits of calendars and bank balances, plus a re‑evaluation loop across career, health, and relationships so your progress matches what you actually value. The conversation closes with a powerful tool—the “front row.” Learn how to curate people who know your goals, push with care, and hold you to your commitments, and how a single clear ask can unlock surprising opportunities.If this resonated, tap follow, share this with a leader who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review to help more people find the show. Your next audacious move starts now—what's the one small swing you'll take in the next 24 hours?

In this episode, we discuss a recently released research snapshot titled “Utah Gender Pay Gap: A 2025 Update.” The snapshot provides an update to the 2017 and 2021 reports, offering an overview of the gender pay gap. It defines what the gender pay gap is, its components, and why it matters. It also examines the unique economic, cultural, and structural factors that contribute to Utah's especially wide gap. Understanding these patterns helps us see not only where we are, but also how far we've come and what work still lies ahead. We'll unpack all of that and more in today's episode.Dr. Susan Madsen, a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two guests. First, Brittany Davies, Head of People and Culture at Fullcast, and a spoke leader for A Bolder Way Forward's Gender Pay Gap spoke. Second, Brie Sparks, Statewide Impact Manager at the Utah Women & Leadership Project. Support the show

Strategy isn't supposed to live in a slide deck. It should breathe in daily choices, team rituals, and the way people talk about their work. We sit down with Hans Lagerweij, author of The Why Whisperer, to unpack why 95 percent of employees can't state their company's strategy—and what leaders can do to fix it without adding more meetings or more slides.Hans introduces the Six C's of execution—clear communication, consistent reinforcement, cultural alignment, continuous improvement, collaborative engagement, and celebrating success—and shows how they turn plans into momentum. We dig into the reverse elevator pitch, a simple test that forces clarity: if you can't explain your strategy in 30 seconds, you aren't ready to roll it out. From there, we explore how to link the macro why (direction and purpose) to the micro why (the meaning behind each task and decision) so everyone can see their part in the bigger picture.We also tackle silos and misaligned incentives, revealing why functions often work at cross purposes and how shared objectives and cross-functional teams restore speed and trust. Hans shares practical ways to invite frontline ideas—idea boxes, listening forums, lightweight feedback loops—and how small, timely celebrations create pride and keep energy high. Instead of chasing buy-in, we make the case for shared ownership, where people help shape the how and feel responsible for results.If you're ready to turn strategy from an annual event into a daily habit, this conversation will give you the tools and language to start today. Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs it, and leave a review to tell us which “C” you'll implement first.

Leadership lives in the moments people spend with you—every check-in, every decision explained, every hard conversation you choose to have. To celebrate 300 episodes, we pull together the clearest patterns from hundreds of leaders, psychologists, authors, and operators and turn them into practical moves you can use tomorrow.We start with meaning. People don't just want a job; they want to know why their work matters and who benefits. You'll hear how to connect the macro why of your team's purpose with the micro why behind tasks and decisions, so your people shift from compliance to care. From there, we go deep on emotional intelligence as modern table stakes: noticing and naming emotions, creating space to respond rather than react, and using empathy to choose actions that steady a room and strengthen trust.Culture comes into focus through our relationship with failure and feedback. High-performing teams don't dodge mistakes—they learn from them. We share a five-question daily reflection and the SBIA feedback framework to move from blame to systems and from avoidance to growth. We then explore diversity of thought and psychological safety as real performance levers: who gets heard, who gets interrupted, and how to reward healthy debate so inclusion becomes muscle, not motto. Finally, we highlight listening as a leadership superpower—reflecting back meaning, asking better questions, and helping people walk away clearer than they arrived.You'll also hear gratitude for the listeners, guests, and the team who make this community possible, plus a look at what's next: deeper psychology in leadership, real-world Q&A, and more ways to connect. If this conversation sparks something, share it with a leader ready to grow, hit subscribe, and leave a quick review to help others find us. What small action will you take this week to make someone feel seen, heard, and valued?Send us a textSupport the show✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

What kind of leader are you becoming: one who earns trust or one who enforces compliance? We take a clear-eyed look at leadership through four lenses—service, courage, resilience, and inclusion—drawing on highlights from Steve Fortunato, Jim Fielding, Kijuan Amey, and Stephanie Chung to turn big ideas into practical actions you can use this week.Steve's insights on service and storytelling show why facts inform but stories transform, helping teams reconnect to purpose and feel seen. Jim's journey across Disney and The Gap reveals how authenticity and empathy create safe speed during change, where people move faster because fear drops and clarity rises. Kijuan's post‑traumatic growth reframes adversity with a powerful line—losing sight without losing vision—reminding us to ask “What now?” and bounce forward with intent. Stephanie's ally leadership invites us to pay attention to our attention—what we reward and ignore—so we amplify quiet voices, embrace healthy conflict, and unlock the innovation that diverse teams naturally generate.Across these themes, the message is simple: leadership is human. Presence beats perfection when you show up to serve, listen, and adapt. You'll leave with four practical moves: share one authentic story that reconnects your team to purpose; lead with empathy by checking how people are doing, not just what they're doing; after setbacks, identify the next small step within your control; and intentionally invite a voice that hasn't been heard. We close with reflective prompts to help you align your actions with your values and build a culture where people don't just follow—you earn their belief.If this conversation sparked an insight, share it with a colleague, subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast app, and leave a quick review so others can find the show. Your support helps more leaders trade ego for empathy and certainty for curiosity.Send us a textSupport the show✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

What if the most powerful thing you did as a leader was to stop talking? Stephanie Chung—trailblazing aviation executive and author of Ally Leadership—joins us to show how silence, better questions, and intentional design turn diversity into decisions people own.We start with the hard truth: diverse teams win, but only when every voice is heard. Stephanie shares how she navigated a male-dominated industry and distilled what works into the EARN system: establish psychological safety, assure alignment, rally the troops with a compelling vision, and navigate the narrows when turbulence hits. We get specific about meeting design—who speaks, who gets cut off, and what to do in the micro-moments when someone says, “I see it differently.” You'll learn how to prep quiet voices before they walk into the room, use silence as a thinking tool, and move from leader-led solutions to team-generated plans that build real ownership.We also tackle the generational shift reshaping work. Younger teammates aren't anti-work; they're anti-waste. Stephanie challenges us to prioritize outcomes over optics, encourage healthy debate, and treat “Why do we do it this way?” as a design question, not a threat. The conversation stretches into sales leadership and customer value: teach your team how the business makes money, understand your customer's economics, and stop discounting—start unlocking value. Along the way, practical tactics like cross-department “walk a mile,” Amazon-style six-page memos, and three alignment questions make inclusion tangible and repeatable.

In this episode we discuss a recently released research snapshot titled “Cosmetic Surgery and Body Image Among Utah Women: A 2025 Update.” This snapshot examines how cultural, social, religious, and personal factors influence body image, perceptions of cosmetic surgery and beauty standards in Utah. Using state and national data, the report explores whether Utah's reputation for high rates of elective cosmetic procedures reflects reality or perception. The analysis highlights four areas: beauty standards, cosmetic surgery trends, cultural influences, and efforts to promote positive body image. What do these findings reveal about how these areas influence body image among Utah women, and the efforts underway to promote greater confidence and self-acceptance? We'll explore all of that and more in today's episode. Dr. Susan Madsen, a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by Corinne Clarkson, co-author of the report and a research associate at the Utah Women & Leadership Project. Support the show

What would you do if you woke up and the world was dark? Kijuan Amey, an Air Force in‑flight refueling specialist with a promising path to the cockpit, opened his eyes after a crash to find he'd lost his sight. The story that follows isn't about platitudes—it's about rebuilding a life through faith, gratitude, and the unglamorous work of learning every step again.We dig into the pivotal shift from “why me” to “why not me,” and how that mindset turned blame into agency. Kijuan walks us through the hard basics—orientation with a white cane, mastering daily tasks, and honoring the process without skipping steps. Along the way, he shares how reflection at the gym, adaptive sports, and expert coaching revived confidence and expanded what seemed possible. The refrain “give it time” becomes a practical strategy: patience paired with action compounds into progress.Leaders will recognize themselves in the aviation checklist analogy: miss one step and outcomes can be catastrophic. We explore the power of reframing “have to” as “get to,” the role of community in sustaining momentum, and why vision is mental even when sight is gone. Expect insights on resilience, habits, mindset, and purpose that apply whether you're navigating trauma, leading a team, or training for your next milestone.If the idea of starting small and staying consistent resonates, this conversation will meet you where you are and challenge you to take the next step. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs a push, and leave a review with the one step you'll take this week. Your vision gets clearer with practice.

In this episode, we discuss a recently released research snapshot titled “Utah Women and Fertility: Trends and Changes from 1970–2023.” This snapshot examines how cultural, social, economic, religious, and personal factors have shaped childbearing decisions in Utah over time. Using state and national data, the report explores whether Utah's fertility trends align with or diverge from national patterns. The analysis highlights four key areas: fertility trends, marital status, cultural contexts by decade, and considerations for the future. What do these findings reveal about the past, present, and future of fertility trends in Utah? We'll explore all of that and more in today's episode. Dr. Susan Madsen, a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by Dr. April Townsend, co-author of the report and a research fellow for the Utah Women & Leadership Project. Support the show

Feeling the pressure to have all the answers? You're not alone. Mick Spiers sits down with Jim Fielding—former senior executive at Disney, Fox, and DreamWorks, and author of All Pride No Ego—to explore why modern leadership rewards curiosity over certainty. Together, they unpack how to build teams that think bravely, speak freely, and perform under pressure.Jim takes us inside his pandemic pivot from corporate operator to coach and storyteller, revealing the ten leadership lessons he wishes he knew at 25. The conversation dives into the politicization of DEI and the real challenge leaders face today: teams are already diverse in background and thought. The true edge lies in creating workplaces where people feel safe, respected, and heard. Jim shares how leaders can adapt their language—focusing on community, collaboration, and belonging—while still holding managers accountable for the behaviors that drive inclusion.The episode also tackles the chill around free speech, the mechanics of psychological safety, and how leaders can navigate political diversity at work. Jim outlines a calmer, more thoughtful approach: slow down for facts, invite dissent on purpose, and turn meetings into engines of learning. From supporting employees through sudden policy shifts to encouraging civic participation without partisanship, this episode offers practical tools and a steady compass for leading with empathy, courage, and curiosity.

What if the fastest way to unlock performance isn't to lead louder, but to host better? We sit down with best-selling author Steve Fortunato to rethink leadership through the lens of hospitality—not the restaurant kind, the human kind. Steve reveals why so much “look at me” leadership creates a vicious cycle of entitlement, and how the host mindset flips the script to “look at you,” building trust, engagement, and shared ownership.We dig into three practical principles you can apply today. First, speak the good: start by changing the inner voice you lead from, then actively name strengths in colleagues, clients, and your company to counter negativity bias and build momentum. Second, honor the other: elevate dignity with real curiosity, mine for the gold, and apply what you learn through personalized recognition, better questions, and tailored support. Third, earn respect, don't expect it: stand in their shoes to understand pressures and constraints, and pursue reconciliation when things go wrong so relationships are restored, not just transactions.Throughout the conversation, Steve connects leadership and hospitality with vivid stories: power dynamics that make customers feel “lucky to be here,” the ecosystem of value that requires giving before getting, and how small hosting rituals—clear openings, inviting voices, pronouncing names right, closing loops—quietly transform culture. We close with a simple loop to keep you improving: celebrate what worked, then pick one thing to refine next time. If you're ready to trade performative heroics for meaningful hosting, this one will change how you run meetings, lead projects, and serve customers.

What if the hardest leadership skills are the most human ones? We pull together a month of conversations and share a playbook for leading with presence, purpose, and care—so people don't just survive at work, they come alive. From micro moments that create mattering, to authentic leadership that fits like your own skin, to change communication that removes uncertainty, to feedback that is firm and compassionate, the thread is clear: people follow care, not titles.We start with the power of mattering inspired by Zach Mercurio: making people feel seen, heard, valued, and needed. You'll hear practical ways to turn small interactions into a performance flywheel, including the underrated art of the second impression. Then we explore Matt Poepsel's path from imitation to authenticity, using a leadership credo and a values-behavior audit to align mission accomplishment with employee welfare. Expect takeaways for coaching new managers so they don't copy past mistakes but build a style they can sustain.We dig into change leadership with John Martinka's reminder that during mergers and acquisitions, the real asset is people. Learn how to communicate early, honest, and often; reframe fear into opportunity; and fill the rumor vacuum with clarity and hope. Finally, Jeff Hancher shows how feedback, delivered with care, transforms potential. We unpack the FEAR traps that block tough conversations and lay out a simple, repeatable approach to candid coaching that builds trust and accelerates growth.Walk away with three anchoring questions: who needs to hear they matter, how will you show up as your authentic self, and which honest conversation will you have today. If the ideas sparked something, tap follow, share this with a leader who needs it, and leave a quick review telling us which practice you'll try first.Send us a textSupport the show✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

Utah is seeing a rise in the use of cosmetic surgery to alter young people's appearance. Dr. Susan Madsen, Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project, joined Holly and Greg to say why this is happening and why the "Utah Look" is so harmful.

What if the toughest conversation on your calendar is the very thing that unlocks respect, growth, and retention? We sit down with leadership expert and best-selling author Jeff Hancher to demystify feedback and turn a dreaded chore into a repeatable system for building high-trust, high-performance teams.Jeff shares a clear framework for setting expectations and choosing the right feedback style for the moment: directive when safety or standards are on the line, collaborative when you need ownership from a seasoned pro, and supportive when a proven performer hits a dip. We talk through common blockers—fear of fallout, emotional reactions, and not knowing how to start—and replace them with practical language leaders can use today. You'll hear how to earn the right to be candid through steady “deposits,” why annual reviews create blind spots, and how weekly one-on-ones become the engine of engagement.Along the way, Jeff's personal story shows the power of firm feedback delivered with care. A manager who held the line and held space changed his trajectory—and his loyalty—forever. We explore how to move from people pleasing to respect, how to ask questions that reveal self-awareness, and why withholding feedback is unfair to the person and the business. Expect simple phrases, a cadence you can sustain all year, and a playbook for confident, compassionate conversations that actually change behavior.Ready to trade avoidance for impact? Press play, then share this episode with a leader who avoids tough talks. If it resonated, follow the show, leave a quick review, and tell us which feedback style you'll try first. Your team will thank you.

In this episode we discuss a recently released policy brief titled “The Status of Women and Entrepreneurship in Utah: A 2025 Update.” This report builds on earlier studies from 2016 and 2020, offering fresh insights into the progress women entrepreneurs have made in Utah's booming economy, as well as the challenges that still remain. Drawing from recent data, national trends, and expert perspectives, the research provides a clear picture of where women-owned businesses are thriving and where barriers continue to hold them back. What do these findings tell us about the future of entrepreneurship for Utah women, and what solutions are emerging to strengthen their success? We'll explore all of that and more in today's episode.Dr. Susan Madsen, a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by two guests. First, Ann Marie Wallace, State Director of the Women's Business Center of Utah, and a spoke leader for the Entrepreneurship Spoke in A Bolder Way Forward. Second, Dr. April Townsend, co-author of the report and a research fellow for the Utah Women & Leadership Project.Support the show

Change hits like a wave, and most teams feel it first as fear. We sat down with M&A veteran John Martinka to unpack how to turn that fear into focus when ownership or leadership shifts. Our conversation gets practical fast: reframing uncertainty, rewarding continuity, and communicating with a steady cadence even when legal guardrails limit what you can say.We walk through the three‑legged stool of trust across employees, seller, and buyer, and why retention bonuses tied to time and performance protect both people and the deal. John explains why buyers invest in teams, not just contracts, and how smart leaders involve key talent early without spooking the organization. We also explore how shop‑floor ideas often hold the best growth levers, and how a new owner's curiosity plus targeted capital can unlock stalled improvements. From culture risk and turnover to customer stickiness and margin discipline, we connect the dots between people decisions and enterprise value.If you've been asked to present to a prospective buyer, you'll hear how to share the positive truth: clear wins, real risks, and where capital accelerates value, including measured adoption of AI that augments your team. Founders weighing an exit get a grounded checklist on valuation basics—profitability, growth, customer concentration, tenure, and owner dependency—and how to build a bench so the business thrives without a single linchpin.Ready to lead through change with confidence and calm consistency? Hit play, subscribe for more leadership deep dives, and share this episode with a colleague who's navigating a merger or transition. Your review helps more leaders find the show.Send us a textSupport the show✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

What if leadership isn't about pushing harder on performance, but about showing up with presence that energizes people and elevates outcomes? We sit down with Dr. Matt Poepsel—psychologist, Boston College professor, host of Lead the People, and author of Expand the Circle—to rewire how we think about leading in a world of AI disruption, remote ambiguity, and rising burnout. Matt shares how he moved from a “rubbish manager” copying others to a grounded leader who balances mission and people in equal measure, and he offers a practical path to do the same.We dig into the leadership craft: clarifying values, aligning actions, and noticing what energizes or drains each person on your team. Matt explains why awareness is a performance tool, not a luxury, and how small, intentional shifts—like redesigning meetings for different thinking styles—unlock better ideas, trust, and speed. You'll learn his outside-in/inside-out model: set intention by prioritizing customers and partners first, then take action by owning what you can control—your clarity, your cadence, your follow-through.From healing separation through vulnerability to transforming “teams of executives” into true “executive teams,” this conversation is packed with usable frameworks and grounded stories. We also explore how to build a shared values language, create meaningful team identity, and ask the question that changes everything: What is it like to experience you as a leader?If you're ready to replace autopilot with intention and expand your circle from self to team to system, this one's for you. Subscribe, share with a colleague who leads people, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so we can keep raising the standard of leadership together.

In this episode we discussed a recently released research snapshot titled “Utah Women and Mental Health: A 2025 Update.” This research provides an updated overview of women's mental health in Utah, drawing on recent statewide data and analysis to better understand current rates, contributing factors, and efforts to improve well-being for girls, women, and their families. Findings show that Utah ranks second in the nation for adults living with any mental illness, with women reporting depression at nearly double the rate of men. The research also highlights underlying factors such as adverse childhood experiences, sexual violence and domestic abuse, and gender-based discrimination, all of which significantly impact women's mental and behavioral health. Together, these insights offer a clearer picture of the barriers Utah women face and set the stage for strategies and solutions we'll explore further.Dr. Susan Madsen, a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by Sadie Wilde, the lead author of the report and a Professional Practice Assistant Professor at Utah State University Extension.  Support the show

What if the key to motivation and well-being isn't finding your purpose, but first believing you're worthy of having one? Zach Mercurio returns to The Leadership Project with a powerful insight: “It is almost impossible for anything to matter to someone who doesn't first believe that they matter.” He explains why many self-help books and engagement programs fall short — because they overlook the human need to matter and feel significant to others.In his new book The Power of Mattering, Zach reveals how feeling seen, valued, and needed drives our sense of purpose. When we feel we matter, we gain the confidence to add value — creating a cycle where feeling valued leads to contributing more. Yet in today's rushed, digital world, our ability to connect deeply has faded. As Zach says, “Hurry and care cannot coexist.”The solution lies in three simple habits: noticing others, affirming their impact, and needing them. These small acts cost nothing but can transform how people experience their worth. Zach challenges leaders to ask, “When you feel that you matter to me, what am I doing?” — and to do more of it. Because when people feel they matter, they do things that matter.

What if your culture is decided not by a manifesto, but by the conversation your frontline supervisor has at 9:12 a.m.? This solo deep dive distills September's standout lessons into a practical playbook you can use today—clear prompts, coaching moves, and values-in-action routines that turn intent into impact.We unpack five anchors. First, trust offered early and often is an accelerator: set a clear vision, step back without disappearing, and stay available to remove blockers. Next, listening is a skill, not a reflex. Using PAVE (paraphrase, admit, validate, empathize) and the four C's (conscious, committed, curious, compassionate), we design for shared meaning so two people don't leave the same meeting with different realities. Then we move to mattering: connect strategy to micro-whys, ask who benefits if we nail this work, and clear the path like a creator, not a victim of circumstances.Values earn their stripes when the pressure peaks. We show how to pre-commit to red lines, name the value most at stake before tough decisions, and choose behaviors that prove integrity in the room. Finally, we ground culture on the front line. Train supervisors to set expectations, coach in the open, and use curiosity-based postmortems that build judgment instead of blame. We also tackle the danger of silence; without timely updates, people write their own stories. Learn how to narrate the “no update yet” moments to protect trust.You'll leave with scripts to start better one-on-ones, practical questions for debriefs, and simple habits that make people feel seen, heard, and valued. If you're ready to strengthen your supervisor bench, make listening visible, and give trust on purpose, this playbook is your next step. Subscribe, share with a leader who needs it, and leave a review telling us which move you'll try first.Send us a textSupport the show✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

Have you ever noticed your team hesitating before sharing bad news? That pause often reveals the power distance leaders unintentionally create. In this conversation with Phillip B. Wilson, author of The Approachability Playbook and The Leadershift Playbook, we explore how unapproachable leadership sabotages effectiveness and silences truth.Phil explains how our brains default to the “villain assumption”—attributing negative intent to others while excusing our own actions with context. When paired with confirmation bias, this creates cultures where honesty is stifled. His antidote is the “hero assumption”: believing people fundamentally want to do great work and succeed. He shares his own humbling leadership lessons, including the moment a key team member refused to work for him despite his reputation.We also unpack Phil's Connection Model of approachability: creating the right space (being available), generating the right feeling (listening to understand), and taking the right action (following through). These simple but powerful practices shrink power gaps, build trust, and transform leadership impact. The most successful leaders aren't those with all the answers—they're the ones who create environments where people feel safe to bring forward problems, questions, and ideas.

In this episode of The Leadership Project, host Mick welcomes Tamara Jackson, founder of Beacon Ship and the Beacon Show. They delve into how belief, resilience, and gratitude translate into everyday leadership, creating meaningful impact, and the integration of faith into the workplace. Tamara shares her journey from a successful corporate career to entrepreneurship, inspired by a personal tragedy, emphasizing the importance of faith-driven decision making, and the GRASP framework (Gather, Reflect, Ask, Strategize, Proceed with Faith). The episode underscores the significance of being a beacon of hope, aligning personal values with professional actions, and striving for significance over mere success.

In this episode we discussed a recently released research and policy brief titled “Utah Women in STEM Education: A 2025 Update.” The good news is that Utah women's participation in the STEM workforce has grown, from 17.1% in 2015, to 24.0% in 2023. Yet, there is still a huge gap. Importantly, you cannot get more women in STEM unless more women get college degrees in STEM areas, which means there is interest and preparation at the high school, middle-school, and I would even say the elementary school levels in a variety of fields related to science, technology, engineering, and math.    Dr. Susan Madsen (a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward) interviewed two guests to the podcast for this episode. First, Dr. Stacy Firth (an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Utah, specializing in K-12 and undergraduate engineering education) and Dr. Robyn Blackburn (a research fellow at the Utah Women & Leadership Project and one of the authors of this research brief). Support the show

What does it mean to truly thrive as a leader? Rand Selig, veteran investment banker and founder of Selig Capital Group, shares how he left Wall Street to design a firm—and a life—built on intention. By limiting his clients to five at a time, he created space to be present with family, serve his community, and still build an award-winning company.Rand highlights the difference between management and leadership. Management is about efficiency, but leadership ensures the ladder is leaning against the right wall. Leaders articulate the “why” that inspires people and then step aside to let talent thrive. His four career sabbaticals also reconnected him with purpose and prevented burnout.True leadership means living by values, not external expectations. Are you climbing the right wall? Do your people feel they get to work or that they have to? Thriving personally allows us to create the conditions for others to thrive as well.

What if the most powerful leadership skill isn't about what you say, but how deeply you listen? Julian Treasure, five-time TED speaker and author of Sound Affects, returns to The Leadership Project with a bold warning: the world's listening is fading, and the consequences are enormous. Miscommunication costs organizations trillions, yet only 8% of employees believe their leaders are good listeners.Listening isn't just hearing — it's a conscious skill shaped by culture, experience, and belief. Treasure shares practical tools like the PAVE method (Paraphrase, Admit, Validate, Empathize) to help leaders bridge divides and create real understanding. In today's noisy world of constant alerts and distractions, the ability to listen with presence has never been more vital.True breakthroughs happen in two places: deep, mutual listening or in silence. For leaders who want to inspire trust, boost engagement, and deliver results, mastering conscious listening may be the highest-leverage skill of all. Are you ready to move beyond hearing to truly understanding?

Think about the best leader you've ever had – someone who trusted you, empowered your growth, and celebrated your successes. Now contrast that with the worst leader – the micromanager who left lasting scars. This gap defines William Davis' leadership philosophy, shaped by nearly four decades in corporate America. He reminds us that “leadership is deceptively simple, but simple doesn't mean easy.”Davis shares stories that bring this to life – from helping a young professional recover from toxic leadership to creating opportunities for team members to shine by presenting their own work. His message is clear: true leadership isn't about personal achievements but about building trust, creating safe environments, and lifting others to succeed.Leadership carries a profound responsibility, influencing not just work but mental health, family life, and society. With 78% of Americans believing corporate leadership is failing, the call is not for more leaders but better ones. This episode challenges you to reflect: are you creating a culture where people thrive, or just survive?

What if the mark of extraordinary leadership isn't found in having all the answers, but in asking the right questions? This eye-opening episode distills powerful insights from recent conversations with leadership experts Gary Cohen, Scott Burgmeyer, and Joe Davis—revealing a leadership framework built on curiosity, development, and generosity.Gary Cohen's journey from founding a company to growing it to 2,200 employees taught him a crucial lesson: leaders who constantly provide answers become organizational bottlenecks. The pivotal shift happens when leaders move from information-gathering to asking questions that empower others to think, act, and own solutions. This simple change transforms you from an answer-giver to a true multiplier, unleashing potential throughout your organization while satisfying people's fundamental needs for autonomy and recognition.Scott Burgmeyer adds another dimension by emphasizing that leadership isn't just about leading today's business—it's about consciously building tomorrow's leaders. His powerful personal journey reminds us that often we can't "read the label from inside the jar"—sometimes others see leadership potential in us before we recognize it ourselves. The true measure of leadership becomes not just what you accomplish, but who you develop along the way.Joe Davis completes this leadership trifecta with his concept of "generous leadership"—bringing vulnerability, authenticity, and genuine presence to your role. This approach isn't weakness; it's creating the psychological safety needed for teams to acknowledge mistakes, seek help, and collaborate effectively. Perhaps the most valuable gift? Your undivided attention—increasingly rare in our distracted world, yet precisely what makes people feel truly seen and valued.These insights are further enriched by glimpses into our new Psychology and Leadership series, exploring how understanding the brain's functioning transforms leadership effectiveness. From the astonishing case of Phineas Gage to recognizing how our unconscious patterns influence decisions, these psychological insights help us lead with greater intention and empathy.Ready to transform your leadership apSend us a textSupport the show✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

Leadership transformed through the power of giving – this is the core of our conversation with Joe Davis, former head of North America for Boston Consulting Group and author of The Generous Leader. With 37 years of leadership experience, Davis challenges the old command-and-control model and shows how generosity unlocks greater outcomes. As he puts it, "Leadership isn't about yourself, but about unlocking the capabilities of those with whom you work."His philosophy is built on seven pillars: connecting personally, listening generously, showing vulnerability, practicing inclusivity, serving as an ally, developing others, and recognizing contributions. Vulnerability, in particular, proves powerful. Davis notes, "I think 'I don't know' are three of the most powerful words any leader can use." Rather than weakening authority, honesty builds trust and sparks team creativity.The discussion also turns practical with lessons on timely, specific feedback. Davis recalls failing early in his career by saving feedback until year-end reviews, learning instead that coaching must be ongoing. Whether you lead a team or an entire organization, this episode offers actionable ways to elevate your impact through generosity. Which of the seven will you focus on first?

We're #1 - for the worst state in the nation for women's equality! That’s according to WalletHub's latest ranking. That's 10 years in a row now. Live analysis on these results from the Utah Women & Leadership Project, after the break.

What if leadership isn't just about driving results today, but building tomorrow's leaders? Scott Burgmeyer, co-founder of the BecomeMore Group, introduces a simple equation: Performance = Potential – Interference. Instead of adding more strategies or tools, great leaders create breakthroughs by removing barriers — policies, processes, or even self-doubt — unlocking exponential growth.He emphasizes strategic thinking as a neglected but vital skill. In today's reactive culture, leaders must carve out time to reflect, starting with 10 minutes a week. By asking, What's working? What's not? What will I do differently? leaders can shift from busyness to clarity. Growth comes through the “squirm factor,” where discomfort fuels progress.Scott believes true leaders don't create followers, they create more leaders. By asking questions instead of always giving answers, they spark independence and transformation. His challenge: remove interferences, think deeply, embrace discomfort, and commit to developing leaders who develop leaders — because the future depends on it.

Every leader knows the rush of validation when someone brings you a problem and you solve it on the spot. But Gary Cohen, founder of CO2 Coaching and author of Just Ask Leadership, learned that this habit can limit your team's potential and make you the organizational bottleneck. While growing his company from a $4,000 investment to 2,200 employees, he and his business partner became overwhelmed by constant questions. The solution wasn't giving faster answers—it was becoming question-askers instead of answer-givers.In interviews with over 100 exceptional leaders – from Fortune 500 executives to four-star generals – Cohen discovered they all had a moment where they shifted from being “the answer person” to “the question person.” For General Jack Chain, a promotion made him realize his role had fundamentally changed. For ConAgra's Mike Harper, moving from engineering to R&D forced him to lead experts whose knowledge far exceeded his own. These shifts inspired frameworks like the GPS model (Goal-Position-Strategy) for focused conversations and the PEAK model, which guides leaders through four questioning styles – Professor, Innovator, Judge, and Director – to spark breakthroughs.Cohen's most powerful insight is that most team members already know the answers. They don't need you to solve their problems—they need you to help them uncover solutions themselves. When they do, ownership skyrockets, and so does performance. The path to multiplying your leadership impact starts with changing your identity from “the teller” to “the asker.” Everything else follows from that transformation.

  A startling two-hundred-twelve thousand women have left the workforce since January according to the most recent job report. It is believed that it's due to a rollback in flexibility in 2025 in a large scale as President Donald Trump changed the workforce and ordered federal employees to be in office five days a week. We go into the details of how these changes in the workforce, alongside companies trimming their benefits, is making it harder for working women to make it work. On the bright side, The Utah Women & Leadership Project has released their new research snapshot and it's showing that Utah is a top job market in the nation for women in STEM-related careers, but there are significant gaps in K-12 education and workforce representation. Kolene Anderson, Utah Women & Leadership Project Associate Director, bring Greg and Holly in on the research they found in the report.