Episodes

Do your teams need to agree with every decision, or do they need to understand it and move forward together? In this episode, Susan and Tessa unpack the difference between agreement and alignment and why chasing consensus can sometimes weaken clear leadership. They discuss how leaders can build alignment by explaining the why, genuinely hearing input before a decision is made, and providing a clear path forward once the decision is final. It is a reminder that people do not have to love every ch...

What keeps you going when the excitement fades? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the difference between passion and purpose and why leaders cannot rely on motivation alone to sustain meaningful work.They discuss how passion can be energizing but temporary, while purpose provides the commitment and direction needed to move through the difficult middle of any goal. It is a reminder to stop waiting for a perfect feeling of inspiration and instead focus on the problems you are called to solv...

What if one simple question could strengthen your entire team culture? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the power of asking, “How can I help?” and how that mindset can create more connected, supportive workplaces. They discuss modeling helpfulness as a leader, naming it as a team value, celebrating people who step in to support others, and letting go of the fear of overstepping. It is a reminder that you do not need to have every answer to make a difference. Sometimes the most meaningful...

Have you become too comfortable in your leadership? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the idea of meaningful discomfort and why growth often requires us to stretch beyond what feels safe or familiar. They discuss how leaders can raise the bar with clarity, challenge themselves and their teams without pushing too far, pair growth with the right support, and normalize the discomfort that comes with learning something new. It is a reminder that strong leaders do not just ask others to grow. ...

How many open tabs are running in your mind right now? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the mental clutter leaders carry every day, from unfinished tasks and follow ups to meetings, evaluations, and decisions that keep replaying long after the workday ends. They share practical ways to close the loop, including writing things down, creating reliable reminder systems, setting priorities, and giving yourself permission to step away. It is a reminder that boundaries are not about dropping ...

What does clarity look like in your leadership? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore why clarity is one of the most important ways leaders can reduce stress and set their teams up for success. From onboarding new employees to introducing a new process or sharing a vision, they discuss how vague directions can create confusion and frustration. The conversation focuses on being specific, adapting communication to how people learn, giving concrete feedback, and leaving room for questions. It i...

In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore a question every busy leader should consider: Are the people you love getting the best of you, or just the leftovers? They talk about the reality of coming home depleted after giving so much energy to work and how small, intentional moments can help families feel seen and valued. The conversation is not about guilt or trying to be a superhero in every area of life. It is about pausing, managing your energy, and finding simple ways to connect with the peop...

Who is ready to lead if you are unavailable? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore why every leader needs a strong backup plan and why developing the next level of leadership matters long before there is an emergency. They discuss succession planning, giving emerging leaders access to important conversations, and creating opportunities for team members to test out new responsibilities. The conversation is a reminder that great leadership is not about holding all the keys. It is about making s...

In this week's Wednesday episode, Susan and Tessa talk about “keyboard bandits,” those public email callouts and reply all messages that create a gotcha environment and damage trust. They explain why these moments usually come from unmet expectations and why private, human conversation works better than public escalation. Their advice is simple: acknowledge the message, take it offline, and respond with curiosity instead of defensiveness. It is a reminder that strong leadership protects relation...

How do you stay centered when leadership pulls you between empathy and accountability? In this episode, Susan and Tessa use the balance beam as a metaphor for holding tension, staying grounded, and not collapsing too far to either side. They discuss creative tension, the importance of seeing the human while still maintaining clear expectations, and why curiosity can help leaders troubleshoot performance issues more effectively. The conversation is a reminder that strong leadership requires both ...

What you say and how you show up matters whether you are on the clock or off it. In this episode, Susan and Tessa talk about why leaders need to remember that the “microphone is always on” and that people are always watching and listening. They discuss how blurred boundaries, casual speech, gossip, and unprofessional writing can damage trust and credibility, even when it feels private in the moment. The episode is a reminder to stay aware, protect your reputation, and lead in a way you would be ...

What happens when leadership situations are not black and white? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore mental flexibility and why leaders benefit from holding two truths at once instead of rushing to quick judgments. They discuss how curiosity, grace, and a willingness to sit with gray space can help leaders respond with more wisdom and accountability. The conversation is a reminder that stronger leadership often comes from asking, “What else could be true?” rather than settling for the first...

What do you do when your thoughts keep looping and you can’t seem to move forward? In this episode, Susan and Tessa talk about rumination, why it happens, and how leaders can interrupt the cycle before it drains their energy. They explore the value of pausing, naming how you feel, and reconnecting with the kind of leader you want to be so you can shift from overthinking to intentional action. The conversation is a reminder that growth often starts when you stop replaying the story and start choo...

What do you do when complaints start fracturing your culture? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore how leaders can pivot from simply absorbing complaints to turning them into productive, solution-focused conversations. They discuss the value of clear expectations, respectful disagreement, and co-created agreements that keep feedback professional and useful. The conversation is a reminder that complaints do not have to become noise with the right approach, they can become part of building a ...

What happens when criticism, stress, and noise start pulling your focus off course? In this episode, Susan and Tessa talk about how leaders can stay grounded, sort through feedback, and decide what is actually worth carrying forward. They explore the difference between helpful feedback and noise, why it matters to pause before reacting, and how emotional self-regulation can help you respond with clarity instead of defensiveness. The conversation is a reminder that focus is not just about blockin...

What kind of leader do you want to be this year? In this episode, Susan and Tessa invite listeners to pause and reflect on who they were as leaders last year, what strengths they want to keep, and what new areas they want to build moving forward.The Non-Negioable Leader.mp3 The conversation centers on intentional growth, self-reflection, and choosing the characteristics that matter most as leadership evolves. It is a simple reminder that being non-negotiable about your values can also mean being...

What do you do when two good things pull you in different directions? In this episode, Susan and Tessa talk about the professional tug of war leaders face when obligations, learning opportunities, and personal priorities collide. They explore how values, goals, and identity can help guide decisions when you cannot do everything at once. The conversation is a practical reminder that sometimes leadership means choosing what best supports your long-term growth, even if it means missing something in...

What does it look like to hit reset before burnout takes over? In this episode, Susan and Tessa share practical ways leaders can slow down, recharge, and give themselves permission to recover. They explore five reset strategies from taking micro-breaks to ending the day with a transition routine, and add a few of their own favorites like laughter, hydration, and a little extra B12. The conversation is a timely reminder that leaders do their best work when they make space to reset instead of push...

What do you do when a high-performing team member starts showing subtle signs of disrespect? In this episode, Susan and Tessa discuss why professionalism cannot be replaced by expertise and why leaders need to address small behavior shifts before they spread. They walk through a three-step reset: check in with curiosity, name the specific behaviors you have observed, and re-anchor the relationship in clear expectations for respect. The conversation is a reminder that strong teams are built on bo...

What if the most powerful leadership move is not fixing the problem, but pausing long enough to ask the right question? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the “fixer trap” and why high-achieving leaders often need to pivot from solving to supporting. They discuss how stepping back can create space for others to build self-sufficiency, learn through struggle, and find their own solutions. The conversation is a reminder that great leadership is not about rescuing people from every challenge....

What kind of “shoes” are you leading in: stilettos, flip-flops, or trail runners? In this fun episode, Susan and Tessa use footwear as a creative metaphor for leadership styles, exploring the difference between being polished but restrictive, too casual, or grounded and adaptable. They talk about how leaders can get stuck in optics, lose accountability in over-familiarity, or build the kind of flexible, supportive presence that helps teams move forward with trust. The conversation is a playful ...

What do you do when someone pushes your buttons and your first instinct is to react? In this episode, Susan and Tessa unpack emotional triggers and share practical ways leaders can stay grounded, thoughtful, and in control. They walk through five tools for managing triggers: naming the feeling, slowing your body, buying time, redirecting to purpose, and taking the exit ramp when needed. The conversation also adds the power of breathing, paraphrasing, and staying curious so you can respond instea...

What do you do when a mandate lands on your desk and you do not fully agree with it? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore how leaders can stay honest, flexible, and effective when they are asked to carry out decisions they did not make. They discuss the difference between a mandate that conflicts with your ethics and one you simply do not love, and how leaders can still champion the work while adding care, creativity, and support. The conversation includes practical examples like software r...

What if the biggest shift in leadership is not what is happening around you, but how you choose to see it? In this episode, Susan and Tessa talk about “rose-colored glasses” as a leadership mindset that helps you respond with grace instead of frustration. Using a tense airport line as the starting point, they explore how perspective shapes energy, behavior, and the way leaders treat people. The conversation encourages listeners to notice when they are wasting energy on negativity, pause, and ch...