Leadership Without Losing Your Soul: Master Communication & Management Skills To Boost Productivity, Teamwork & Ease Overwhelm

What if the secret to becoming a more confident leader and fighting burnout is simply learning to recognize how fear is running the show? Fear doesn’t just sit in the background—it hijacks your leadership, clouds your judgment, and quietly fuels burnout. If you’ve ever avoided a tough conversation, felt isolated at the top, or found yourself paralyzed when the stakes are high, this episode is for you. David unpacks how fear disguises itself as caution, control, and perfectionism—and what to do instead. In this episode, you’ll discover: The 10 subtle leadership mistakes fear causes—and how to stop them before they cost you credibility. Simple mindset shifts and behaviors that restore your courage and re-energize your leadership. Practical tools to lead with clarity, stay connected to your team, and stop fear from driving your decisions. Hit play now to break free from fear-based habits and start leading with the confidence that fights burnout and builds lasting influence. Check out: [01:44] – The scratched car metaphor: A powerful story that reveals how fear of “scratches” in leadership holds you back—and why courage means getting out of the garage. [04:09] – Mistake #2: Fear kills your credibility: Learn how silence and hesitation erode trust with your team—and what to say instead when you’re unsure. [12:47] – The two questions that re-empower you: David shares a simple but transformative mindset shift that helps you move from victimhood to intentional leadership. Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to master a leadership communication skill that helps you be more productive, avoid overwhelm - without hurting relationships or your reputation? If you're feeling overwhelmed by meetings, projects, and endless to-do lists, you're not alone. This episode dives into one of the most underrated leadership superpowers: saying no. Whether it’s your boss, a colleague, or your own inner voice piling on more than you can handle, mastering the art of a thoughtful no can dramatically reduce stress, sharpen your focus, and elevate your effectiveness. Here’s what you’ll walk away with from this episode: Practical, non-confrontational phrases you can use immediately to say no—without guilt or conflict. A powerful framework using the four C’s—connection, clarity, curiosity, and commitment—to guide your no’s with purpose and professionalism. Strategies for saying no to your boss (yes, really!) that actually build trust, respect, and credibility. Press play now to unlock the confidence and language you need to say no with grace—and yes to what truly matters. Check out: 04:42 – Saying Yes to Say No: Learn how to connect with the other person first before delivering a respectful and productive no. 12:28 – How to Say No to Your Boss: A step-by-step example using connection, clarity, curiosity, and commitment to handle one of the toughest workplace conversations. 18:24 – Why Saying No is a Leadership Skill: Understand how clarity helps others make better decisions—and why your team, your boss, and your well-being depend on it. Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Which leadership assumptions are quietly sabotaging your team—and what if you don’t even know you’re making them? If you’ve ever felt stuck in your role—spending too much time on the wrong problems, struggling to connect with your team, or unsure how to level up your influence—this episode is a must. You’ll learn how the stories you tell yourself shape your leadership... and how to rewrite them for better results. In this conversation with coach and author Sean Glaze, you’ll discover: The four most common leadership assumptions and how they silently hold you back. A clear, relatable model for moving from confusion to clarity—from unaware to solutions. How to build a culture that values feedback, clarity, and courageous conversations (without becoming the “nice but ineffective” boss). Tune in now to learn how questioning your assumptions can unlock greater confidence, impact, and performance in your leadership journey. Check out: [03:24] – The Awareness Ladder: Learn the four stages of leadership awareness—why most leaders get stuck at the symptom level and how to move toward real solutions. [08:37] – Challenging Assumptions About Purpose: Discover the #1 assumption that trips up emerging leaders: misunderstanding what their job really is now that they’re in charge. [23:34] – Why Niceness Can Hurt Your Team: Sean breaks down the difference between being nice and being polite, and why avoiding tough conversations can destroy performance. About Sean Glaze As a workplace culture and leadership speaker for over 15 years, Sean has been customizing event experiences to help leaders build "Sticky Cultures". As a team building facilitator and teamwork speaker, he has found that most organizations struggle with one of four areas of culture:1 - Do You Wish Your Employees Were More Like Winning Teammates?2 - Are You Frustrated by People Who Are Just Not Staying Coachable?3 - Would Your Managers Benefit From Becoming More Effective Leaders?4 - Have You Struggled to Discover What Really Drives GREAT Teamwork? Those areas are the four areas he focuses on to build STICKY CULTURES! Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could a surprising communication skill be the hidden reason your hard-working team still struggles with productivity? You're not imagining it. The real culprit behind missed deadlines, communication breakdowns, and lackluster performance often comes down to one overlooked issue: unclear expectations. In this episode of Leadership Without Losing Your Soul, you'll learn how mastering just one leadership skill—clarity—can instantly shift your team from confusion to momentum. Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode: Simple, actionable habits to clarify expectations and eliminate the frustration of "Why didn’t they do that?" A smarter approach to communication that turns meetings and one-on-ones into alignment powerhouses. Pro-level leadership practices that help you uncover blind spots and drive better team results—with less stress. Tune in now and discover how a few clarity habits can transform your team's productivity and your own leadership impact—starting today. Check out: 01:44 – Discover how unmet expectations are at the root of most productivity issues and conflicts. 04:53 – Learn a powerful way to uncover the "why" behind any task so your team stays aligned and motivated. 09:38 – Hear the game-changing habit of “check for understanding” that can instantly boost clarity and performance. Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your leadership strategy unintentionally killing the urgency your team needs to succeed? If you’re leading a team in the middle of a big change or a multi-year strategy rollout, you already know how hard it is to get people moving faster without burning them out or coming off like a micromanaging jerk. This episode is your guide to solving that leadership dilemma—so your team follows through with energy, clarity, and momentum. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why saying “we need more urgency” usually backfires—and what to say instead Five communication habits that instantly create clarity, reduce friction, and build sustainable speed How to remove hidden roadblocks (like risk-aversion, false urgency, and burnout) that quietly kill follow-through If you’re ready to lead your team with focus, urgency, and humanity, hit play and grab five powerful skills you can use today. Check out: 04:41 – Why “urgent” means five different things to five different people—and how to get everyone aligned on what matters most. 05:59 – The #1 communication habit that transforms vague follow-through into concrete results: “Schedule the Finish.” 16:30 – The top roadblocks killing urgency (and what to do instead—especially if you’re the one unintentionally creating them). Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, and conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Struggling to find real work-life balance while juggling endless to-dos and leadership demands? If you're burning out from chasing productivity hacks, working overtime, and still not finding peace or fulfillment, this episode is your wake-up call. Discover why your internal dialogue—not just your workload—is the real source of stress and how to reset your leadership mindset before it costs you your energy, your team, or your purpose. Here’s what you’ll walk away with after listening: A powerful mindset shift to help you break free from the myth of “doing it all” A practical framework for identifying and acting on what matters most each day Clear strategies to lead both yourself and your team with intention, balance, and focus 🎧 Hit play now to escape overwhelm and reclaim your work-life balance by focusing on what matters most. Check out: 02:19 – The “No Limits Mindset” Trap: A relatable and humorous example that reveals how easily we fall into the illusion of limitless capacity—and why that’s so dangerous for leaders. 06:02 – Infinite Need, Finite Me: David breaks down this eye-opening concept to help you recognize your human limits and make smarter, more intentional choices. 16:17 – Leading a Culture That Respects Limits: Practical advice on how to build systems within your team or organization that support balance, prioritize what matters, and reduce overwhelm for everyone. Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the most powerful feedback tool to grow your leadership skills isn’t in your manager’s hands—but yours? Let’s face it—leaders often struggle to get the kind of feedback they actually need to grow. Either it’s anonymous, vague, or just too expensive to implement consistently. But what if you could skip the formalities and get real, useful insights directly from the people you work with every day—without spending a dime? This episode introduces a game-changing approach that puts your growth squarely in your own hands while deepening trust across your team. By listening to this episode, you’ll walk away with: A step-by-step method for conducting your own DIY 360 feedback tour to get precise, actionable insights from your team, peers, and manager. A repeatable framework that strengthens trust and credibility with your colleagues by showing that you truly listen—and follow through. A simple, no-cost way to spark a culture of feedback and growth across your team by role-modeling humility and continuous improvement. Hit play now to discover the DIY 360 strategy that will accelerate your leadership growth and transform your team’s trust—starting today. Check out: [02:37] – Choosing the Right Topic for Feedback Learn why getting ultra-specific with your feedback focus (like narrowing "communication" down to how you deliver feedback or lead meetings) makes all the difference in what you get back. [10:33] – How to Show Up for These Conversations Discover the essential mindset shift—humility, not defense—that turns these interviews into powerful connection and growth moments. [14:46] – The Critical Follow-Through Step Understand how choosing one actionable insight and circling back builds credibility, trust, and momentum for ongoing feedback. Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered if the way you communicate as a leader could destroy trust with your team? Even well-meaning leaders unintentionally send the wrong message through avoidable communication missteps—and when trust slips, so does performance, engagement, and morale. This episode is your radar check: a chance to spot the subtle mistakes that may be holding your leadership back and start making the small shifts that lead to powerful change. By tuning in, you’ll discover: The seven most common communication habits that destroy trust—and how to fix them. Simple, actionable tools like “scheduling the finish” and “responding with regard” to immediately boost clarity and follow-through. Powerful listening and feedback strategies that help your team feel heard, valued, and motivated to perform at their best. Listen now to catch the trust-breaking mistakes you might be missing—and learn exactly how to turn them into connection, clarity, and credibility. Check out: [02:13] – Avoiding Difficult ConversationsLearn how silence can sabotage trust—and get a practical framework (“put the fish on the table”) to address accountability issues with care and clarity. [06:47] – Listening with Curiosity Discover game-changing curiosity questions like “What would a successful outcome do for you?” that help you hear your team fully before jumping to conclusions. [17:41] – Moving Too Fast and Missing Ideas Explore how to “respond with regard” and invite quiet voices and fresh ideas into the conversation without slowing your momentum. Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do great leaders do when a team member says they'll change… but nothing changes? You’ve had the first accountability talk. Maybe even a second. And still—you're stuck in a frustrating loop, repeating yourself while performance stalls. This episode is your next step. Learn how to confidently navigate those tough follow-up conversations without sounding like a broken record—or burning bridges. Here’s what you’ll walk away with: A practical 3-step model (A.R.T.) to escalate accountability conversations while preserving trust and connection. Exact language to use when behavior doesn’t change—even after promises have been made. A clearer path forward, whether it’s coaching improvement or helping someone realize they’re not in the right role. Hit play now to master the next-level skills that make sure your people follow through—without you losing your soul (or your patience). Check out: [02:43] – “The ART of Accountability: Escalating Without Escalating”Discover the three-phase framework—Action, Repetition, Trust—for taking accountability conversations to the next level while preserving the relationship. [07:24] – “Is That a Promise?”Learn how one simple question shifts the tone of the conversation and uncovers hidden barriers to follow through—without turning up the pressure. [09:32] – “Trust is on the Line: What Happens When Commitments Are Broken”David walks through how to lead with concern, not frustration when someone breaks their word—and why it’s your most powerful move as a leader. Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are your accountability feedback conversations falling flat—or worse, backfiring—because you're not sure what to say? If you’ve ever avoided giving tough feedback or struggled to hold someone accountable without damaging the relationship, you’re not alone. This episode unpacks why most accountability issues stem not from performance—but from a lack of clarity—and how to fix that with confidence and compassion. It’s all about creating a workplace where expectations are clear, growth is encouraged, and everyone knows where they stand. Here’s what you’ll walk away with: A 4-word phrase that simplifies even the hardest accountability conversations. A powerful framework—clarity, connection, curiosity, commitment—that helps you get results and build trust. The exact steps and phrases to use so your team knows you care and that you mean business. Play this episode now and learn how to handle accountability conversations like the kind of leader everyone wants to work with. Check out: 02:06 — The Real Root of Accountability Problems David breaks down why 90% of accountability issues aren’t really about performance—they’re about lack of clarity. This section reframes how to think about your role in setting expectations and gives you the first “aha” moment of the episode. 04:56 — The First Step in the Conversation: Connection Here, David introduces how to start accountability conversations by connecting with intent and care. If you've ever worried about sounding harsh or cold, this is where you’ll learn how to balance honesty with compassion. 12:49 — The Missing Step That Makes Accountability Stick Most managers skip this—scheduling the finish—and it’s a game-changer. This part explains why setting a follow-up meeting increases follow-through and how it helps you recognize improvements or escalate when needed. Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices