Episode 12: The Leadership Tightrope: Balancing People, Performance & Trust

Episode 16: LIVE Event

What happens when you put leaders from HR, Legal, Operations, Change Management, Community Outreach, and Organizational Development in the same room and ask them to talk candidly about leadership? You get an hour of honest conversation, challenging perspectives, practical lessons, and a reminder that leadership is never a solo sport.  During our first-ever Leading Out Loud LIVE event, our panel explored some of the biggest leadership challenges organizations face today: ✅ Building trust and credibility ✅ Leading through rapid growth and change ✅ Preventing burnout before it becomes normalized ✅ Creating alignment across departments with competing priorities ✅ Balancing operational performance with people-first leadership ✅ Developing cultures where accountability and psychological safety can coexist One of my favorite takeaways was the recurring theme that leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about creating environments where people feel heard, respected, and empowered to contribute. Whether we were discussing scaling organizations, emotional intelligence, integrity, or cross-functional collaboration, the conversation kept returning to one central idea: Culture is built through everyday leadership behaviors. The panel shared powerful insights on everything from listening as a leadership skill, to the importance of visibility, to why emotional regulation may be one of the most underrated leadership competencies today. We also tackled the reality that growth without infrastructure, communication, and cultural alignment often creates more problems than it solves.  A huge thank you to our incredible panelists: * Amanda Dunaway * Evie Staples * Sandra Beckett * Dr. Shandell Maxwell * Alastair Gamble And thank you to everyone who joined, participated, and helped make this first live event such a success. This conversation reinforced something I've learned throughout my career: The strongest organizations aren't built by leaders working in silos. They're built by leaders willing to learn from one another, challenge assumptions, and collaborate across functions for a shared purpose. Here's to many more Leading Out Loud LIVE conversations!

Episode 15: Leading Medical Excellence Across the Veterinary Profession

Leadership in veterinary medicine isn’t just about medicine—it’s about people, systems, mentorship, and the environments we create for teams to thrive. In the latest episode of Leading Out Loud, Dr. Kelly Cairns shares her journey from clinician to enterprise leadership and what the profession must rethink as veterinary medicine continues to evolve.  One of the most powerful themes from this conversation was the idea that “medical excellence” extends far beyond clinical knowledge. Dr. Cairns challenged the notion that great medicine is only about technical skill, emphasizing the critical role of communication, psychological safety, mentorship, and operational support in delivering sustainable patient care. Perhaps most importantly, we explored the idea that careers—and identities—evolve. Veterinary medicine may be one part of who we are, but it should never be the sole measure of our worth.  This conversation is an honest look at leadership, growth, sustainability, and the future of our profession—and why the willingness to rethink old models may ultimately be what moves veterinary medicine forward.   Keywords: veterinary leadership, medical excellence, emotional intelligence, mentorship and burnout prevention Key Topics: ·      Clinician to Leadership Transitions ·      Sustainable Veterinary Cultures ·      Evolution of Veterinary Education   Guest Information: Dr. Kelly Cairns LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-cairns-68425060/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-cairns-68425060/] Website: http://www.kellycairns.com/ [http://www.kellycairns.com/]     Host Information: Bridget Rollins LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins [http://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins] Kings Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true]   This full Episode from Leading Out Loud is available NOW on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts. #leadership [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23leadership&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #management [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23management&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #healthcare [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23healthcare&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #mentorship [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23mentorship&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23podcast&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #leadingoutloud [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23leadingoutloud&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED]

Episode 14: Leading Under Pressure: Leadership Lessons from Emergency Medicine

In this episode of Leading Out Loud, David Liss shares the realities of leadership in veterinary emergency medicine. Drawing from his experience as an RVT, hospital leader, and Vice President of Nursing Operations at VEG, David shares how the ER environment builds resilience, adaptability, and the ability to lead calmly through chaos.  The conversation highlights what makes high-performing emergency teams successful—from continuous improvement and psychological safety to strong communication and leadership presence. David emphasizes the importance of showing up for teams across all shifts, especially overnight staff, while also discussing the balance between reactive problem-solving and long-term strategic thinking.  We also share practical advice for veterinary professionals looking to grow into leadership roles, encouraging them to embrace learning, seek feedback, and focus on building sustainable systems rather than constantly putting out fires. At its core, this episode is a powerful discussion about leading people through high-pressure environments with empathy, curiosity, and consistency.  Keywords: veterinary leadership, emergency medicine, resilience, team culture, operational leadership Key Topics: * Leadership in Veterinary Emergency Medicine * Building High-Performing ER Teams * Transitioning from Clinical Roles to Leadership   Guest Information: David Liss LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-liss-6915743b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-liss-6915743b/]     Host Information: Bridget Rollins LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins [http://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins] Kings Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true]   This full Episode from Leading Out Loud will be available May 19th on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts. #leadership [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23leadership&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #management [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23management&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #healthcare [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23healthcare&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #mentorship [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23mentorship&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23podcast&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #leadingoutloud [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23leadingoutloud&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED]

Episode 13: Say It Anyways: The Truth About Public Speaking

Public speaking isn’t just for big stages—it’s a core leadership skill. In this episode of Leading Out Loud, Rachel Teichberg shares how confidence is built through practice, not perfection, and why even experienced leaders still feel the nerves. Her biggest shift? Embracing vulnerability. By sharing personal experiences, she transformed how she connects with audiences—proving authenticity drives impact more than polished delivery. Rachel also breaks down what makes a speaker effective: • Start small and build confidence over time • Focus on engaged listeners—not skeptics • Adapt in real time to keep your audience connected At its core, public speaking is about moving people. Whether in a staff meeting or on stage, your ability to communicate clearly and authentically is what drives influence. Keywords: public speaking, leadership communication, vulnerability, audience engagement and confidence building Key Topics: Building Confidence in Public Speaking The Role of Vulnerability in Communication Engaging and Adapting to Your Audience Guest Information: Rachel Teichberg, CVPM, CVBL, CCFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelteichberg/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelteichberg/] Host Information: Bridget Rollins LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins [http://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins] Kings Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true] This full Episode from Leading Out Loud is Available NOW on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts. #leadership #management #healthcare #mentorship #podcast #leadingoutloud

Episode 12: The Leadership Tightrope: Balancing People, Performance & Trust

In this episode of Leading Out Loud, HR executive Artie Odoms helps unpack one of the most misunderstood dynamics in leadership: how to navigate tension, communication, and people decisions without losing trust—or yourself—in the process. This powerful conversation digs into what leadership actually requires today. From demystifying HR to tackling real-world challenges like employee engagement, turnover, and tough conversations, this episode is a masterclass in balancing results with humanity. Great leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking better questions, communicating with clarity, and creating an environment where people feel heard, respected, and invested. You’ll hear practical insights on: * Why transparency builds trust faster than perks ever will * How to balance business outcomes with genuine care for your team * The hidden cost of avoiding difficult conversations (and how to handle them well) * Why “one-size-fits-all” leadership doesn’t work—and what to do instead * How data, feedback, and honest dialogue can transform team performance Artie also shares hard-earned wisdom from years in HR leadership, including the truth about engagement surveys, exit interviews, and the real drivers behind employee retention. This episode is a reminder that leadership is not about control—it’s about connection. When you invest in your people, communicate with intention, and lead with both data and compassion, you don’t just manage teams… you build cultures that perform. Whether you’re a new leader or a seasoned executive, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership—and give you practical tools to lead more effectively starting today.   Keywords: leadership communication, employee engagement, HR strategy, team performance, organizational culture   Key Topics: Balancing People & Performance Communication & Trust in Leadership Modern HR as a Strategic Partner   Guest Information: Artie Odoms LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthuro/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthuro/]   Host Information: Bridget Rollins LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins [http://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins] Kings Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true]   #leadership [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23leadership&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #management [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23management&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #healthcare [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23healthcare&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #mentorship [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23mentorship&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23podcast&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #leadingoutloud [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23leadingoutloud&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED]