"Leadership isn't the Castle, it's the Culture You Build Inside it"

Empowering Brilliance: A Modern Approach to Leadership with Cassidy Browning

“Listen, listen, listen… and then find new ways to listen in all directions.” ~Cassidy In this energizing and insight-packed episode, Cassidy Browning shares what it truly means to lead with intention in a volatile, ever-changing world. From building trust through integrity and follow-through to creating “black box” spaces for experimentation and growth, Cassidy unpacks practical strategies that rehumanize the workplace. Her conductor metaphor reminds us that great leaders don’t make all the music; they coordinate and elevate the brilliance of others. If you’re navigating change, leading through uncertainty, or cultivating a mindset to learn, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to listen differently. Resources Mentioned in the Episode: VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous environments) The Leadership Challenge (Book) is a source of the three pillars of trust and the quote about fun and trust-building. Metaphors & Practices Worth Noting * Black Box Theater metaphor * Conductor metaphor * “First Pancake” / “Shitty First Draft” mindset * “For the right now” language shift * Strategically going rogue * Rickrolling as a trust-building ritual * Values-based storytelling & recognition

People First Leadership and Embracing Mistakes with Christopher Todd

What do you get when you cross a military-trained marketer, a cooperative utility leader, and someone who casually drops wisdom like, “You can’t micromanage greatness?" You get Chris Todd. In this episode, we discuss servant leadership, building trust by owning your mistakes, and why psychological safety is non-negotiable for a team that thrives. Chris also shares how releasing sheep under solar panels is part of their innovative, community-first approach (yes, you read that right). If you’re leading a team, or want to, this episode is packed with stories, strategy, and the kind of practical wisdom you’ll want to quote in your next meeting. “A great leader is someone whose impact is still felt even after they leave.” ~ Chris Learning Loot. Connect with Chris * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophermtodd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophermtodd/] * Northeasteren REMC website: https://nremc.com/ [https://nremc.com/] Resources: * AAR (After Action Review) [https://pinnacle-leaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Leaders_Guide_to_AAR.pdf]– Military-origin framework used for reflection: What was supposed to happen? What did happen? What went well? What didn’t? * Agrovoltaics (aka “Voltaic”) – Combining solar panels with agriculture and grazing (referenced with sheep in solar fields)

Leadership Without The Cape with Yolanda Larner

Ever wonder what it really looks like to lead with empathy, strategy, and just the right amount of nerdy Comic Con flair? In this episode, we sit down with Yolanda Larner, Director of Ops, ATD chapter president, and all-around leadership rockstar, to talk about what separates a good leader from a great one. In this podcast interview, she shares how she empowers introverts, navigates tough conversations with care, and builds self-directed teams that still make her feel needed. One of our favorite lines? "You’re a reflection of me, and I’m a reflection of you." Give it a listen. I promise you’ll walk away inspired and ready to level up your leadership game. “Trust is everything. When your team trusts you—and you trust them—that’s when leadership becomes partnership.” ~Yolanda Connect with Yolanda: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolandalarner/ Email: yolanda.traning@outlook.com Learning Loot ... Reach out to Yolanda to learn more about the frameworks and methods she mentioned in this episode: * * EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) – referenced as a team meeting framework used in her organization. * * Train-the-Trainer Bootcamp – referenced as a foundational learning experience. * * Epic, Cerner, Allscripts, Athena Health – electronic health record (EHR) platforms Yolanda trained on. * ATD Courses – taken for management development and leadership skills.

"Leadership isn't the Castle, it's the Culture You Build Inside it"

Ever wonder what really separates a good leader from a great one? 💬 Spoiler: it’s not charisma, it’s character...and maybe the courage to embrace a little chaos. If you're tired of leadership advice that feels more like a corporate checklist than real talk, this episode is for you. Gray McDowell shows up with refreshing honesty, story-driven wisdom, and a modern take on leadership that includes roundtables, radical candor, and even a nod to Ted Lasso. He’ll have you rethinking pressure ...“Pressure doesn’t make diamonds, it reveals whether you were pretending to be one”... and reimagining team dynamics before your next meeting. Whether you lead a team or aspire to, you’ll walk away with clarity, courage, and maybe even your own Excalibur. Trust me, this is one of those episodes you’ll want to take notes on and share with your favorite overworked manager. Connect with Gray LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/williamgraymcdowell1 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamgraymcdowell1] Publication: Transforming Florida into the 'Smart State': HR's Role in Workforce Development and Economic Growth [https://shrmfloridanewswire.org/transforming-florida-into-the-smart-state-hrs-role-in-workforce-development-and-economic-growth/] Medium Publication: The American Meme: How Performativistic Politics Went Global [https://medium.com/@w.gray.mcdowell/the-american-meme-how-performative-politics-went-global-a8c14c26ee3f] Shared Resources 📚 Books: * Crafting the Corporate Camelot by Gray McDowell (Guest’s book) Coming Soon! * The Five Dysfunctions of a Team [https://a.co/d/6nEGvUb]by Patrick Lencioni * High Conflict [https://a.co/d/gnOQaIx]by Amanda Ripley * The Fearless Organization by Amy Edmondson [https://a.co/d/2jZvagX] * Atomic Habits [https://a.co/d/fm9Lo0q]by James Clear

Small Moments, Big Impact: People First Leadership Habits with Megan Humphries

If you’ve ever thought performance management was just paperwork and annual reviews, think again. In this episode, Megan Humphries drops truth bombs and tools that every leader needs, like why delegation is a trust exercise and how one-on-ones can be your secret weapon. One of our favorite mic-drop moments? “When you delegate something, you’re saying, ‘I believe in you.’” Megan’s passion for people development shines through, and her practical, down-to-earth advice will have you rethinking how you lead, coach, and recognize your team. Seriously, grab a notebook or open your notes app, because you’ll want to steal a few of these gems. 🛠️ Learning Loot... A Treasure of Referenced Material * SMART Goal Worksheet [https://onedrive.live.com/:w:/g/personal/1E2FBB474DABAB14/EcQpzvfQp45EkNRklOenYisBU6M2y_i8G-H5h2WeBp81Ow?resid=1E2FBB474DABAB14!sf7ce29c4a7d0448e90d46494e7a7622b&ithint=file%2Cdocx&e=e7dYk1&migratedtospo=true&redeem=aHR0cHM6Ly8xZHJ2Lm1zL3cvYy8xZTJmYmI0NzRkYWJhYjE0L0VjUXB6dmZRcDQ1RWtOUmtsT2VuWWlzQlU2TTJ5X2k4Ry1INWgyV2VCcDgxT3c_ZT1lN2RZazE] * One-on-One Meeting Agenda Template [https://onedrive.live.com/personal/1e2fbb474dabab14/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7Baedd4260-48db-4c76-a54a-cfc90b285a53%7D&action=default&redeem=aHR0cHM6Ly8xZHJ2Lm1zL3cvYy8xZTJmYmI0NzRkYWJhYjE0L0VXQkMzYTdiU0haTXBVclB5UXNvV2xNQmhFQ3ZWdVNNY2xxdzlRWExEbmtNekE_ZT1BajFHUGg&slrid=72abbda1-b0b3-9000-dd04-1962bcbb06f2&originalPath=aHR0cHM6Ly8xZHJ2Lm1zL3cvYy8xZTJmYmI0NzRkYWJhYjE0L0VXQkMzYTdiU0haTXBVclB5UXNvV2xNQmhFQ3ZWdVNNY2xxdzlRWExEbmtNekE_cnRpbWU9YTQ4X2t3X2czVWc&CID=804a8bc3-2ed1-4227-b337-771f23933314&_SRM=0:G:88] * Keep, Start, Stop Feedback Framework [https://onedrive.live.com/?redeem=aHR0cHM6Ly8xZHJ2Lm1zL2IvYy8xZTJmYmI0NzRkYWJhYjE0L0VZZXM5NEZja2VaQWc0bEdtcGRTcjVnQkFJVjNVRndMQUI0R0F2ZGdWTVJ0NWc%5FZT14QWtPYXU&cid=1E2FBB474DABAB14&id=1E2FBB474DABAB14%21s81f7ac87915c40e68389469a9752af98&parId=1E2FBB474DABAB14%21sfa1007b6f8824553974c2baca7cc3fe3&o=OneUp] Books * The One Minute Manager [https://a.co/d/bU27QWL]by Ken Blanchard * Crucial Conversations [https://a.co/d/9YTJyJO] by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler 🤖 Connect with Megan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganlhumphries/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganlhumphries/]