Coaching for Leaders
Dave Stachowiak
Leaders aren’t born, they’re made. This Monday show helps you discover leadership wisdom through insightful conversations. Independently produced weekly since 2011, Dr. Dave Stachowiak brings perspective from a thriving, global leadership academy, plus more than 15 years of leadership at Dale Carnegie. Bestselling authors, expert researchers, deep conversation, and regular dialogue with listeners have attracted 40 million downloads and over 250K followers on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Activate your FREE membership to access the entire leadership and management library at CoachingforLeaders.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
26 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 39min
755: How to Lead a Meaningful Cultural Shift, with David Hutchens
In this engaging discussion, David Hutchens, a renowned storytelling consultant, shares insights on the power of narrative in shaping organizational culture. He explores how leaders can use their own stories to foster meaningful cultural shifts, emphasizing the importance of human and emotional connections during change. Hutchens also highlights the difference between 'embodied' stories from leaders and 'received' stories from employees. He offers tips on eliciting authentic employee narratives through intentional prompts, demonstrating how storytelling can drive cultural behavior.
69 snips
Oct 18, 2025 • 32min
754: Five Steps to Solve a Problem, with Monica Chartier
In this insightful discussion, Monica Chartier, a seasoned group product manager and Coaching for Leaders Fellow, shares her expertise in using design thinking to solve organizational challenges. She outlines a five-step process: starting with empathy through intentional listening, defining the real problem, co-creating testable ideas, prototyping small experiments, and cultivating an iterative leadership habit. Monica emphasizes the importance of user involvement and continuous adaptation, making problem-solving a dynamic and collaborative process.
66 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 40min
753: The Key Norm of a High Performing Team, with Vanessa Druskat
Vanessa Druskat, an associate professor and advisor for Fortune 500 companies, dives into the essence of high-performing teams. She reveals that individual talent doesn't guarantee success—it's the sense of belonging that really matters. Vanessa emphasizes the importance of team norms, understanding colleagues, and starting meetings with check-ins. She shares creative ways to foster connection, like using personal objects to spark conversations. Learn how team interactions can vastly outperform even the most skilled individuals.
81 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 40min
752: How to Start the Top Job, with Scott Keller
Scott Keller, a senior partner at McKinsey and bestselling author, shares insights on how new CEOs can thrive in their roles. He reveals that a staggering one-third to one-half fail within 18 months due to a mismanaged start. Scott emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the organization over personal goals, conducting broad listening tours, and communicating clearly. He discusses strategies like radical candor and intense preparation for key events, all aimed at fostering trust and effective leadership right from the beginning.
81 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 35min
751: Leadership Through Our Common Humanity, with Neil Ghosh
Neil Ghosh, a seasoned executive with over 30 years in diverse sectors, shares his insights on leadership through our common humanity. He emphasizes the importance of learning from everyone, regardless of differences in age or ideology. Ghosh highlights the power of empathy, mentioning lessons from the Dalai Lama about compassion. He advocates for quiet generosity and peer mentoring, noting how small actions can lead to significant change. With examples like the friendship between Ginsburg and Scalia, he underscores the value of respectful disagreement and unity in leadership.
211 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 39min
750: Six Questions Every Leader Should Ask Themselves, with Margaret Andrews
In this engaging discussion, Margaret Andrews, a seasoned executive and author of 'Manage Yourself to Lead Others,' dives into the essence of effective leadership through self-understanding. She shares six pivotal questions that can transform how leaders view themselves, touching on the influence of personal experiences, defining success, core values, and emotional awareness. Margaret emphasizes that true leadership is about adaptability and recognizing the strengths of team members, highlighting that interpersonal skills are key to impactful leadership.
139 snips
Sep 15, 2025 • 37min
749: How to Balance Positive and Constructive Feedback, with Mark Crowley
Mark Crowley, a leading voice in workplace leadership and author of "Lead from the Heart," shares insights on balancing positive and constructive feedback in the workplace. He discusses the ideal 4:1 positivity ratio—four positive interactions for every critical comment. The conversation delves into the shift towards prioritizing employee well-being in a post-COVID world, moving beyond mere engagement metrics. Crowley emphasizes the importance of fostering strong relationships through authentic, supportive communication that encourages both growth and morale.
74 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 21min
Making Space to Move Forward, with Tracey Gardner
Tracey Gardner, a higher education administrator and certified coach, joins the conversation to highlight the importance of creating space for change. She shares insights on how intentional reflection shapes leadership development and the emotional hurdles during career transitions. Tracey emphasizes the value of community and feedback for personal growth while discussing the need to embrace uncertainty in leadership. Her journey reinforces that flexible goal-setting and supportive networks are key to navigating the complexities of leadership.
84 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 28min
Five Ways to Thrive Through Inflection Points
Discover five transformative strategies for leaders navigating crucial inflection points. Learn how to distinguish between redirecting and merely responding to challenges. Set strong team norms to improve communication and cohesion. Find out why asking a second question can unlock deeper insights. Visualize future commitments to motivate your team today. Finally, explore the unique way of holding a 'funeral' for outdated practices, helping teams embrace change with emotional clarity.
115 snips
Sep 8, 2025 • 38min
748: What Really Matters for Team Success, with Colin Fisher
Colin Fisher, an Associate Professor at UCL and author of "The Collective Edge," dives into the hidden dynamics of team success. He reveals that a staggering 60% of effectiveness comes from team structure, while 30% hinges on the launch. Coaching? Just 10%! Colin emphasizes the importance of clear goals and well-defined roles in fostering collaboration. He also highlights how genuine diversity goes beyond demographics, advocating for varied skills to spark innovation. Get ready to rethink how you build and lead teams!
