Coaching for Leaders
Dave Stachowiak
Leaders aren’t born; they’re made. Many leaders reach points in their careers where what worked yesterday doesn’t work today. This Monday show helps leaders thrive at these key inflection points. Independently produced weekly since 2011, Dr. Dave Stachowiak shares insights from a decade of leading a global leadership academy, plus more than 15 years of leadership at Dale Carnegie. Bestselling authors, proven leaders, expert thinkers, and deep conversation have attracted 50 million downloads and over 300,000 followers. Join the FREE membership to search the entire leadership and management library by topic at CoachingforLeaders.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
23 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 39min
763: Leading with Poise When the Stakes are High, with Eileen Collins
In this captivating discussion, Eileen Collins, retired U.S. Air Force colonel and the first American woman to pilot a space shuttle, shares insights from her groundbreaking career. She reveals how early challenges built her resilience and how she coped with sudden fame. Eileen emphasizes the importance of focusing on the mission and preparing for high-pressure moments. She discusses balancing quick decision-making with consultative approaches and the critical role of family support during missions. A true pioneer, Eileen inspires the next generation in aviation and space.
30 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 37min
762: Show Up Better, Faster, with Claude Silver
In this engaging conversation, Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and author, dives into the importance of authenticity at work. She emphasizes how our internal 'songs' affect our mood and behaviors, urging listeners to confront harmful self-labels. Using her own journey as an example, Claude introduces the LIE framework to help individuals recognize and reframe limiting beliefs. She highlights the value of community and patience in evolving one's self-perception, encouraging everyone to envision a more empowered future self.
14 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 25min
Listener Survey Results
The latest listener survey reveals key struggles like team transitions and leadership challenges. Surprisingly, time management emerges as a blind spot for many. Feedback urges a balance of concise formats while maintaining depth. Excitingly, Dave introduces Focus 5, offering weekly actionable insights. Plus, a new AI tool is on the horizon to enhance content discoverability. The podcast celebrates impressive milestones while expressing gratitude to its growing community.
31 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 35min
761: Notice Disruption and Innovate Through It, with Steve Blank
Steve Blank, an adjunct professor and pioneer of the Lean Startup movement, shares his insights on recognizing and navigating disruption. He reflects on historical examples, like carriage makers transitioning to automobiles, emphasizing that visionary founders drive significant pivots rather than hired CEOs. Blank warns of structural disincentives that hinder businesses from innovating, urging mid-level managers to evaluate their companies' commitment to real innovation. He distinguishes between 'innovation theater' and genuine progress, advocating for measurable outcomes over superficial demos.
99 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 40min
760: The Kind of Curiosity Leaders Often Miss, with Shannon Minifie
In a captivating discussion, Shannon Minifie, CEO of Box of Crayons and learning-development expert, dives into the often-overlooked aspects of curiosity in leadership. She reveals how fear of making mistakes can waste hours in the workweek and highlights the paradox of leaders wanting feedback while struggling to give it. Shannon distinguishes between intellectual and relational curiosity, emphasizing that the latter builds trust. With her seven essential questions, she guides leaders on how to ask effectively and stay curious before jumping to advice.
39 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 38min
759: The Way to Build Collective Power, with Ruchika T. Malhotra
Ruchika T. Malhotra, founder of Candour and inclusion strategy expert, shares transformative ideas on collaboration over competition. She emphasizes the power of inviting others to the table, highlighting the impact of genuine praise without expectation. Ruchika advocates for asking deeper questions to build trust and encourages transparency in professional relationships to foster collective wealth. Her insights on evaluating connections and promoting community through small gestures inspire listeners to rethink how we engage with one another in our careers.
137 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 39min
758: How to See What Others Miss, with Kirstin Ferguson
Kirstin Ferguson, a top management thinker and author, joins Christy Albright and Rissa Sorensen-Unruh to dive into the intricate nature of grief. They clarify definitions like bereavement and mourning, and explain anticipatory grief's impact, especially in institutional settings. The trio explores how grief is nonlinear and influenced by personal relationships, advocating for compassion in supportive environments. They introduce the HERO model—hope, efficacy, resiliency, and optimism—as essential tools for navigating grief, emphasizing self-compassion and curiosity as vital skills.
97 snips
Nov 3, 2025 • 40min
757: The Key Elements of a Powerful Personal Brand, with Goldie Chan
Goldie Chan, founder of Warm Robots and author of Personal Branding for Introverts, shares her insights on powerful personal branding. She emphasizes the five C's: Clarity, Consistency, Competency, Confidence, and Community. Goldie encourages listeners to define three key words that reflect their identity, maintain consistent online presence, and prioritize promoting their ideas over self-promotion. Her approach highlights how calm confidence can foster trust and build a compelling brand, even for introverts. Tune in for practical tips to enhance your personal brand!
126 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 40min
756: When It Feels Like You Don’t Belong, with Muriel Wilkins
Muriel Wilkins, founder and CEO of Paravis Partners and a seasoned executive coach, dives into the common yet disorienting feeling of not belonging in leadership roles. She discusses how this sensation can emerge during career transitions and the vicious cycles it creates. Muriel emphasizes the importance of focusing on one’s own responses rather than external behaviors. She encourages leaders to act with conviction, articulate their unique value, and build supportive relationships, highlighting that self-worth should not hinge on acceptance from others.
84 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.
