Better Understanding with Susan MacKenty Brady

Your People Aren’t Resources - They’re Your Greatest Return

In this episode of the Better Understanding Podcast, Susan MacKenty Brady sits down with leadership strategist and author Andrés Tapia to challenge leaders to rethink how they lead in a rapidly changing world. His core idea: inclusive leadership drives performance. When people feel seen, valued, and challenged, they contribute more and unlock discretionary effort that fuels stronger individual, team, and organizational results. Andrés encourages leaders to treat talent as a generative asset, not a fixed resource, and to focus less on control and more on creating environments where people can thrive—especially during times of disruption. He also introduces his “Character GPS,” a framework of seven traits—authenticity, purpose, courage, resilience, kindness, humility, and gratitude—that help leaders stay grounded, navigate uncertainty, and lead with humanity.

Leading Through All The Difference

Difference is everywhere in today’s workplace - competing priorities, different interpretations of data, generational expectations, risk tolerance, speed versus caution. The real leadership challenge isn’t understanding differences. It’s leading through it. In this episode of The Better Understanding Podcast, Susan MacKenty Brady sits down with her All the Difference co-authors, Stuart Kliman and Lieutenant General (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith, to explore why leaders struggle to turn difference into value - and what happens when they don’t. Drawing on decades of experience across business, negotiation, government, and the military, Stu, Les, and Susan unpack how leadership landmines show up in everyday moments and why silence, false alignment, and missed perspectives quietly drain performance. Together, they explore: Why modern leadership is defined by competing perspectives, not just competing priorities What the “landmines of managing difference” look like in real leadership moments Why silence in meetings is often the most expensive signal leaders ignore How strong leaders unintentionally shut down the perspectives they need most The six Target Actions that help leaders convert difference into trust, alignment, and performance Because difference doesn’t create value on its own. Leadership does.

Decades in the Making: Leadership Lessons from Women’s Sports

Women’s sports are no longer a niche story — they’re a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and authentic growth. In this episode, Susan MacKenty Brady welcomes Simmons Professor of Practice Justine Pouravelis and former NHL executive Bryant McBride to explore what leaders in every industry can learn from the explosive rise of women’s sports — from the structural impact of Title IX to the visibility revolution fueled by social media, to the WNBA’s bold embrace of authenticity and community. This conversation goes beyond metrics and KPIs. It’s about humility. Humanity. The long game. And the magic that happens when a collective truly has each other’s backs. Together, they unpack: Why sports are one of the most powerful real-time leadership laboratories The difference between good teams and great teams — and the role of selfless accountability How trust breaks down (and how to rebuild it) Why resilience — the ability to get back up — matters more than talent What businesses can learn from the WNBA’s deep connection to its fanbase Why joy may be the most underrated leadership advantage of all If you’ve ever asked how to build teams that last, create cultures of trust, or lead with both performance and purpose — this episode is your playbook.

The Power of Purpose-Driven Leadership with Sandi Fenwick

Leadership that transforms organizations and communities is both visionary and deeply human — and Sandi Fenwick exemplifies it. As the first female CEO of Boston Children’s Hospital, Sandi led a $2.8B global healthcare and research enterprise through growth, innovation, and unprecedented challenges, including the pandemic. In this episode of Better Understanding, Sandi shares the lessons that guided her journey: the power of preparation, courage, and character; how to cultivate teams that thrive; and the importance of leading from your best self. She reflects on building cultures of dignity and connection, investing in relationships that matter, and navigating high-stakes decisions with clarity and care. Listeners will come away inspired to: Lead with passion, courage, and morality in complex organizations Create environments where teams feel valued, empowered, and connected Approach leadership as a journey of significance, balancing impact with personal growth. Sandi’s story is a masterclass in purposeful leadership, showing how intentional, human-centered decision-making elevates both people and performance.

Less Is the New More: Leading with Clarity in an Overloaded World

In this episode of The Better Understanding, leadership expert Juliet Funt shares a simple but powerful idea: doing less can help you achieve more. Today’s leaders are ambitious and hardworking, but constant busyness can drain energy, creativity, and focus. Juliet explains why the “always-on” mindset - made even more intense by AI and nonstop communication - keeps many leaders stuck in reactive mode. She offers practical ways to reclaim your time and headspace, including: Building white space wedges—small pauses between meetings to reflect, process, and plan. Cutting out tasks, meetings, and obligations that aren’t adding value. Simple strategies for managing email, meetings, and endless to-dos. Tips for leaders at every stage—from those just starting out to senior executives under heavy pressure. Juliet shows how giving yourself even a few minutes of margin each day can boost clarity, creativity, and influence. This episode is packed with actionable insights for any leader who wants to work smarter, not just harder.