

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

16 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.

159 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.

128 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.

65 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!

29 snips
Sep 5, 2025 • 12min
Embracing Both Technology and People, with Elham Bidar
Elham Bidar, a cardiothoracic surgeon and head of surgery in Maastricht, shares his insights on merging technology with people in healthcare leadership. He discusses the behavioral challenges leaders face and the importance of teamwork. Elham highlights the role of emotional intelligence and genuine care, coining the term 'unreasonable hospitality' to enhance colleague interactions and patient support. He stresses the transformation leaders undergo through self-discovery and practical application of skills, emphasizing the need to look beyond technical abilities.

106 snips
Sep 1, 2025 • 29min
747: How to Get Out of a Rut, with Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Anne-Laure Le Cunff, an award-winning neuroscientist and founder of Ness Labs, dives into the art of breaking free from life's ruts. She challenges traditional goal-setting, highlighting how 'tiny experiments' can spark transformation. Discover the power of focusing on outputs over outcomes, and learn how small shifts can lead to significant growth. With practical tools like the 'Plus Minus Next' method, she emphasizes the importance of internal indicators of success, fostering joy and adaptability in personal and professional life.

42 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 18min
Stop What’s Holding You Back, with Anna Bellini
Anna Bellini, R&D director in Denmark and a Coaching for Leaders Academy alum, shares her inspiring journey navigating leadership across Italy, Sweden, and Denmark. She discusses the importance of emotional intelligence in managing workplace relationships and how constructive feedback aids growth. Anna highlights using personal stories to build trust within diverse teams and emphasizes stopping unproductive behaviors to facilitate effective leadership. Her insights reflect a deep understanding of collaboration as a means to foster personal and professional development.

124 snips
Aug 25, 2025 • 39min
746: How to Make Small Talk with Executives, with Lorraine K. Lee
Lorraine K. Lee, a LinkedIn Top Voice and author of Unforgettable Presence, shares her insights on mastering small talk with executives. She emphasizes that small talk is crucial for building deeper relationships and highlights the importance of preparation. Lorraine offers practical tips like threading conversations for balance and approaching discussions with curiosity. She also discusses overcoming the challenges introverts face in networking and shares strategies to make meaningful connections, making small talk manageable and even enjoyable.