
Leadership & Life Essentials
A Radio Show
A weekly show that delivers concise, actionable insights on effective leadership
Listen
Current Episode:
Sound Sugar Radio
Monday - Friday @ 11:00 am
(repeats approximately every 90 minutes)
Past Episodes:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
(or listen from the show page)
Episode 28: Leadership and Life Bookshelf: The Happiness Advantage – How Happiness Leads to Success
Happiness isn’t just a result of success—it’s the key to achieving it. Drawing from The Happiness Advantage, we explore how a positive mindset boosts performance, resilience, and relationships. Learn practical strategies to rewire your brain for happiness and unlock greater success.
Episode 27: The Trust Factor: Building Stronger Teams & Relationships
Trust is the foundation of every great team, but it doesn’t happen by accident. Explore how to build, maintain, and rebuild trust—whether in leadership, teams, or personal relationships. Tune in for practical strategies and real-world insights to strengthen trust in your workplace and beyond.
Episode 26: More than a Gold Star: The Lasting Power of Recognition
Recognition isn’t just a childhood reward—it’s a powerful leadership tool that drives engagement, retention, and team success. From small shoutouts to formal programs, acknowledging effort and achievement builds trust, strengthens culture, and boosts performance. Explore why recognition matters, common barriers, and simple ways to make it a daily habit in your leadership.
Episode 25: Unlocking Your DISC Report: Turning Insights into Action
Your DISC report is packed with insights—but how do you actually use them? Learn how to leverage your strengths, stay motivated, and adapt to different styles for better communication and teamwork. Plus, I’ll share personal examples of how DISC has helped me navigate work and relationships.
Episode 24: Leadership and Life Bookshelf: Dare to Lead – Courageous Leadership in Action
What does it take to be a courageous leader? Dive into Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead and explore key lessons on vulnerability, trust, and resilience. Learn how to embrace discomfort, build stronger teams, and lead with authenticity.
Episode 23: Core Values That Stick: From Empty Promises to Everyday Actions
Core values shouldn’t just be feel-good statements—they should shape every decision in your organization. In this episode, we’ll explore why core values often fail, how to define them in actionable terms, and what it takes to build a culture where values are lived, not just listed.
Episode 22: Mastering Conflict with 'I Statements': A Simple Tool for Better Conversations
Discover how "I statements" can transform conflicts into productive conversations. Learn a simple four-step approach to express feelings and needs without creating defensiveness. Plus, get practical tips and examples to start using this technique right away.
Episode 21: Best Day, Worst Day: Using DISC to Understand and Manage Motivation
Explore how understanding your best and worst days can help improve motivation and productivity using the DISC model. Learn how each DISC style thrives and struggles in different environments, and discover practical tips for managing each type. Tune in to cultivate more "best days" and build stronger, more effective teams.
Episode 20: Leadership and Life Bookshelf: Unlocking Success with Atomic Habits
Dive into James Clear’s Atomic Habits, exploring how small changes can lead to remarkable personal and professional growth. Learn about the four laws of behavior change—Make it Obvious, Attractive, Easy, and Satisfying—and how to apply them to build lasting habits. Whether you’re looking to improve your leadership skills or daily routines, this episode offers practical tips to create meaningful, sustainable change.
Episode 19: Beyond SMART Goals: A Reflective Approach to Achieving More
Goal-setting isn’t just about creating SMART objectives—it’s about reflecting, adapting, and celebrating along the way. In this episode, we’ll explore how to break down big goals, embrace setbacks as learning opportunities, and align your goals with what truly matters. Whether you call them resolutions, intentions, or aspirations, let’s make them work for you this year!
Episode 18: The Case for Quiet Leadership: The Power of Listening
Quiet leadership isn’t about saying less—it’s about hearing more. By stepping back and creating space for others to contribute, we empower our teams, foster innovation, and build trust. Take a small step today toward listening more intentionally, and you’ll be surprised by the impact it has—not just on your leadership, but on your entire organization.
Episode 17: Under Pressure: Navigating DISC Styles in Stressful Situations
Under pressure, we often revert to our natural DISC style, which can unintentionally create challenges in communication and teamwork. By understanding how each style reacts under stress—both in ourselves and others—we can improve relationships, build empathy, and foster more effective collaboration. Awareness is the first step toward adapting our behavior and strengthening connections in any environment.
Episode 16: Leadership and Life Bookshelf: Radical Candor – the Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback
Radical Candor by Kim Scott provides a powerful framework for giving effective feedback by balancing care personally and challenging directly. Through engaging stories and practical advice, the book helps leaders build trust, improve team dynamics, and foster growth. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to master the art of meaningful communication and guidance.
Episode 15: Speak Their Language: Using DISC to Communicate with Impact
Effective communication requires adapting your approach to each DISC style. Avoid overwhelming Ds with details, skipping rapport with Is, rushing decisions with Ss, or being imprecise with Cs. By understanding these pitfalls, you can foster better connections and achieve more successful outcomes.
Episode 14: Reflect to Lead: Unlocking Growth Through Consistent Self-Awareness
Reflective practice is a powerful tool for leaders, enabling them to learn, grow, and make better decisions. By setting aside regular time for self-assessment, leaders can celebrate successes, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen team relationships. Start small—consistent reflection builds resilience, deepens self-awareness, and fosters lasting growth.
Episode 13: Feedback that Fuels Growth: Tailoring Your Approach for Maximum Impact
Effective feedback can be a game-changer for growth, but tailoring it to fit each team member’s unique style is key. Learn how to give feedback that resonates by understanding different personality types, creating a safe space for improvement, and transforming critiques into actionable insights. This episode explores practical steps to make your feedback meaningful and impactful.
Episode 12: Mastering the Art of Delegation: Empower Your Team and Reclaim Your Time
Discover the keys to effective delegation, why it’s a critical skill for leaders, and how to overcome common obstacles that hold people back. Learn practical tips for delegating successfully, empowering your team, and freeing up your time to focus on what truly matters. Get ready to elevate both your leadership and your team’s potential.
Episode 11: Leadership and Life Bookshelf: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Discover how to overcome common barriers to teamwork with insights from Patrick Lencioni's The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. This episode unpacks the essential elements that build a cohesive, results-driven team, offering practical tips for cultivating trust, accountability, and commitment. Tune in for a roadmap to help any team work better together.
Episode 10: Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: Using DISC to Strengthen Your Leadership Approach
Discover how to tailor your management style using DISC insights! Learn practical ways to bring out the best in each personality type—Dominant, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness—by understanding their strengths and what they need from you as a leader. Build stronger, more effective teams with these actionable tips on communication and motivation.
Episode 9: Tackle Your Tasks: A Simple Guide to Prioritizing with the Eisenhower Box
Dive into the Eisenhower Box, a powerful prioritization tool that helps you focus on what truly matters. Learn how to categorize tasks into four key quadrants—urgent, important, delegate, and delete—to reclaim your time and reduce stress. With practical examples and actionable tips, this episode is your guide to staying organized and productive!
