Episodes

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...

What if the walls around you could actually help your team think bigger? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore how art in the workplace can do more than decorate a space — it can spark creativity, shape identity, and influence motivation. They discuss ideas like success walls, failure walls, and other visual cues that help leaders and teams stay inspired and intentional about the environment they are creating. The conversation is a reminder that what you surround yourself with matters, and t...

What happens when a simple email turns into a leadership test? In this episode, Susan and Tessa talk about response time, how to handle follow-up thoughtfully, and why a quick “received” or clear expectation can reduce confusion and frustration. They explore the importance of closing the loop, presuming positive intent, and setting communication norms that work for your team. This conversation is a practical reminder that strong communication is not just about replying fast—it is about replying...

What if the “me” in your team is affecting the whole team more than you realize? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore how self-awareness, identity, and individual behavior shape the health of a team, and why strong leadership starts with looking inward. They discuss the tension between personal needs and collective goals, the importance of accountability, and how leaders can show up in ways that strengthen trust instead of unintentionally creating friction. This conversation is a reminder t...

How do you lead people through change when the feelings are just as real as the strategy? In this episode, Susan and Tessa unpack the emotional reality of change and explain why resistance, sadness, anger, and uncertainty are all normal parts of the process. Susan and Tessa talk about the change curve, the brain’s instinct to protect us from the unknown, and how leaders can support themselves and others without making those emotions wrong. The conversation offers practical encouragement for che...

What if the habit you want to build is easier than you think? In this episode, Susan and Tessa talk about habit stacking, a simple strategy for attaching a new habit to something you already do automatically. They share how this approach can make goals like self-care, mindfulness, culture-building, and better leadership practices feel more manageable and realistic. The conversation is practical and encouraging, reminding listeners that small changes anchored to existing routines can create lasti...

What if the strongest leaders are the ones who know when to step back and let someone else shine? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the idea of a “backup shift,” encouraging leaders to move out of the spotlight and create space for others to grow, lead, and be recognized. They connect this lesson to the end-of-year season in schools and the mid-year reset in business, showing how true leadership includes humility, trust, and intentional empowerment. It is a timely reminder that you do not...

Leadership can be lonely, and in this episode, Susan and Tessa introduce the idea of a “text level circle” as a low-pressure way for leaders to stay grounded and supported. They talk about building a small group of trusted peers outside your building who understand the realities of leadership, can offer perspective without judgment, and help you process tough moments in real time. The conversation also explores how leaders can stay authentic while still speaking about team members with respect, ...

As the school year or a big project comes to a close, it is easy to focus only on what did not go perfectly and forget the progress that happened along the way. In this episode, Susan and Tessa talk about what it means to end strong by paying attention to the data, the growth, and the small corrections that helped move the work forward. They reflect on how data can be a helpful friend rather than a punishment, giving leaders a clearer picture of what worked, what needs to shift, and how to carry...

Leading when you are tired is a reality many leaders face, especially during the spring season when the demands keep piling up. In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the difference between physical tiredness and emotional tiredness, and why each one calls for a different kind of response. They discuss practical ways to stay steady, from getting more rest and using small energy resets to pausing before decisions so you can respond instead of react. Listeners will hear why it is so important to...

When leaders say, “We have never done that before,” are they protecting the team, or avoiding growth? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore how that phrase can reveal discomfort with change, caution, or a reluctance to challenge old routines. They discuss why innovation often starts with curiosity, why leaders need room to experiment, and how progress can stall when “never” becomes the reason something is not tried. Listeners will hear a thoughtful conversation about moving from habit to poss...

Who you surround yourself with at work can shape your reputation, your growth, and even the culture of the team around you. In this episode, Susan and Tessa talk about the challenge of workplace friendships, especially for new employees who are still trying to find where they fit, and the fine line leaders walk when they want to influence culture without policing who people spend time with. They explore how leaders can create more positive connections, make team values visible, and address nega...

What if your leadership style was a language, and the people around you were trying to interpret it every day? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore five leadership languages, from direction and control to servant leadership, and how each one shapes the way leaders communicate, motivate, and support their teams. They reflect on the strengths and challenges of each style, and why effective leadership often requires more than leaning into one comfortable mode. Listeners will hear how self asses...

Who saw your light before you saw it in yourself? In this episode, Susan and Tessa reflect on the mentors, teachers, and leaders who recognized their gifts early and helped shape the paths they would eventually follow. They discuss the responsibility leaders have to notice potential in others, speak encouragement over them, and create opportunities for hidden strengths to grow into visible confidence and leadership. Listeners will hear why simple words of affirmation can have a lasting impact, e...