Leadership Matters- A Podcast by The Bailey Group

Why Your People Come Before Your Strategy | Glen Gunderson

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Glen Gunderson, President and CEO of YMCA of the North, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a wide-ranging conversation on purpose-driven leadership, whole person well-being, and building community in a divided world. Glenn shares the defining moments and crucibles that shaped his leadership journey, why vulnerability took him a decade to embrace, and how the Y is evolving from swim and gym to a force for whole community well-being. He reflects on leading across six generations, the role of AI in advancing social impact, the decline of third places, and why he believes love and service will ultimately win out. If you lead with purpose, this one is for you.

The Loneliness Nobody Warns Leaders About | Barb Krantz Taylor

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Barb Krantz Taylor, co-principal and executive coach at The Bailey Group, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for an honest conversation on loneliness in leadership. Barb explores why leaders at the top so often feel isolated, how to navigate the fine line between oversharing and undersharing, and why transparency doesn't mean letting it all hang out. She reflects on the shifting expectations of modern leaders, the power of naming your emotions, and why replacing "I should" with "I could" might be one of the most freeing shifts a leader can make. If you've ever felt alone at the top, this one's for you.

The Science of Showing Up | Sally Cornet

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Sally Cornet, Executive CHRO Counselor at McLean & Company, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a fascinating conversation on the science of the mind and how it shapes leadership. Sally unpacks what NLP actually is, why 90% of your brain operates on autopilot, and how that invisible programming impacts the way leaders show up. She shares why vulnerability builds more trust than perfection, how flexibility drives influence, and what it really takes to break free from the mental superhighways keeping leaders stuck. She also offers a simple but powerful first step any leader can take this week to start creating new ones.

Right People, Right Seats, Real Results | Anne Schoolcraft

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Anne Schoolcraft, certified EOS implementer at EOS Worldwide, joins host Kaylee Thompson for an honest conversation on leadership, accountability, and what it really takes to build high-functioning teams. Anne shares her unexpected path from stay-at-home mom to running a family business through a financial turnaround - and eventually finding her calling as an EOS implementer. She unpacks why right people in right seats is the foundation of accountability, how visionary-integrator tension plays out in real life, and why slowing down to identify the root issue is the discipline most teams resist. Anne also shares practical tools for keeping teams aligned and moving forward together.

What Most Leaders Get Wrong About Communication | Kara Kuykendall

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Kara Kuykendall, Founder of True North Leadership, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a grounding conversation on alignment, communication, and what it truly takes to lead people through change. Kara shares her 27-year career journey and why she left corporate America to help executives close the gap between strategy and execution. She unpacks why alignment breaks down between the leadership room and the front lines, what stability really means in today's workplace, and how leaders can embrace AI without losing the people behind the work. Kara also shares a powerful reflection exercise to help every leader communicate with more intention and impact.