Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

If you were dealing with personal challenges, such as a special needs child or being caretaker of an aging parent, would you feel comfortable sharing them with your boss? Andrea Grant had both situations, and her answer was a resounding NO. In this conversation, you’ll find out why and how her life experiences led to the work she’s doing today. Andrea leads the growth and expansion efforts for the Human Capital division of FutureSense. She partners with organizations to design and execute critical business and HR programs that identify and leverage talent within underrepresented groups. Andrea is also a devoted special needs parent and was the caregiver to her disabled veteran father. Giving back to others is at the core of her being. You’ll discover: Why Andrea didn’t share with anyone in her workplace the personal challenges she was going throughWhat leaders can do to encourage someone to open up about difficult situations they may be dealing with in their personal lives5 areas that FutureSense’s Inclusion Services can add value to clientsSpecific, practical actions organizations can take to implement DEIB practicesThe practical reasons why organizations should care about DEIBCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Being voted a “Best Place to Work” doesn’t happen by accident. Aaron Wilmot shares what’s he learned about creating the kind of culture where people are excited to come to work and put forth their best efforts. He points out several leadership behaviors that are key to this environment, including the investment of time in getting to know people and what’s important to them.  Aaron is the Vice President of People and Talent at AgentSync, one of the Best Places to Work in Denver. Aaron has been working in the People space for nearly 20 years, and he has experience in a range of industries from Ground Handling to SaaS and a variety of stages from mature to start up. You’ll discover: What a Best Place to Work looks likeWhy time, not money, is a key element in leadership The role of the C-suite in creating a positive cultureKey traits Aaron looks for when hiring new employeesThe 5 expectations AgentSync has laid out for leadersCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

When you think of change management, do you imagine a process that takes months or years? Think again. Angela Priest is an extraordinarily skilled facilitator whose 3-day workshops produce immediate and lasting impact. You’ll be inspired as you hear Angela describe her approach, where she involves the right people and gets buy-in from key influencers. You’ll want to take notes to capture all the valuable ideas she shares. Angela is a seasoned executive and operational strategist with a 20-year track record of improving business operations and leading transformative change in technology, SaaS, and digital service industries. As the former head of performance improvement at J.D. Power, she restructured the customer delivery operating model, improving quality, performance, and time-to-value, as part of a strategy that led to a $1.1bn exit.  Angela’s experience extends across a company’s life cycle, from startup through enterprise. As the Founder of Groyu LLC, she provides advisory services to help businesses navigate the intersection between employee needs and operational performance, guiding organizations to scale their businesses, while bolstering employee engagement, customer retention, and profitability through improved operational design strategies. Her simple, pragmatic approach expedites workflows and reduces costs to establish a firm foundation for sustainable business growth. You’ll discover: Experiences Angela had in the corporate world that led her to the work she does today How to blend employee needs with high operational performanceThe 3-day workshop format that Angela uses to achieve rapid transformations with her clientsWhy knowledge transfer often fails to happen effectively…and what to do to fix itThe 3 adult learning principles that apply to knowledge transferCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Is it possible to create a high-trust environment and achieve ambitious business outcomes at the same time? J.C. Lapierre describes how professional services giant PwC is doing just that with its Trust Leadership Institute. You’ll be inspired by J.C.’s enthusiasm for this important project and her passion for her role as a leader. J.C. serves as Chief Strategy and Communications Officer for PwC, based in the firm’s Boston office. A visionary leader, J.C. creates strategy and collaborates with leaders to help develop, communicate, and sustain corporate initiatives. J.C. helped launch PwC’s Trust Leadership Institute.  She also helped create and guide PwC’s CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion – the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. During her 27 years at PwC, J.C. has held leadership roles in human capital and marketing and sales. She was named a 2022 PRWeek Woman of Distinction, as well as 2022 Outstanding In-House Professional of the Year.  J.C. sits on the Board of Flying Kites, a progressive school network in rural Kenya. She’s also an active biker and participates every year in the Pan-Mass Challenge – a fundraising bike-a-thon that benefits the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. You’ll discover: The question J.C. asks herself at the beginning and end of each day in pursuit of her own growthActions J.C. takes to help those on her team grow and developWhat led to the creation of PwC’s Trust Leadership Institute and the benefits CEOs experience from attendingHow PwC demonstrates its commitment to invest in its peopleThe mentorship and sponsorship opportunities PwC provides for every employeeCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Which leadership skills and strengths are important for entrepreneurs in order to build a successful business? Geoffrey Kent shares the ones he needed to use, and they’re the same ones he advises every business leader to develop. You’ll be mesmerized by the stories Geoff tells to illustrate his points. Geoff has been a serial entrepreneur for more than 40 years. As a result of his own experiences, he’s developed a comprehensive methodology to help entrepreneurs build their own unique, customized strategy for responsibly scaling exponential business growth.  Today Geoff teaches entrepreneurs – from business start-ups to those who are growing – how to connect their entrepreneurism with their passion. You’ll discover: The lessons Geoff learned along the way in his own entrepreneurial journeyWhy leaders need to have a clear, compelling vision and be able to articulate it to othersWhat Geoff advises you to focus on instead of the competitionHow Geoff served his customers so powerfully that they became his sales teamThe 3 questions Geoff asks entrepreneurs to determine if they have a viable business ideaCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

One of the most important strengths of an effective leader is empathy. But where do leaders learn this skill when they often feel driven by KPIs and ROIs? Emily Harper describes a compelling approach that Villyge is taking to develop empathic leaders in the context of supporting employees around significant life events. Emily Harper is the Chief Operating Officer of Villyge. It’s a people-first platform that upskills managers in the power of empathic leadership. Emily joined Villyge to redefine the corporate landscape, and she firmly believes that organizations thrive when their employees feel valued, inspired, and empowered to bring their unique perspectives to the table.  Today, Emily is on a mission to increase belonging, dismantle career barriers, and elevate opportunities using the power of technology. Emily is a Certified Public Accountant, and she founded a SaaS company in the accounting space in 2012, as well as a women-focused coaching business in 2018. Most importantly, Emily is a proud mom to her 4-year old, and she is truly dedicated to shaping the future of work for the next generation to come. You’ll discover: Why empathy is an essential skill for every leader How an organization benefits when leaders demonstrate empathyThe unique process Villyge uses to remind managers to practice the skillThe effective onboarding process Villyge uses to ensure active participation by managers and employees alikeCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Did you know that Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, was working on another book before he died in 2012? The book is called Live Life In Crescendo: Your Most Important Work is Always Ahead of You. His co-author was his daughter Cynthia Covey Haller, and she was committed to see the book through to publication. This took several years because of all the stories she included as examples of the “Crescendo Mentality.”  In this unforgettable conversation, Cynthia takes us behind the scenes about the creation of the book and the key message that Stephen was eager to get out to the world in the last years of his life. She also reveals the condition that robbed Stephen of his ability to speak and write near the end. You’ll discover: The story behind the book’s title and subtitleExamples of what the Crescendo Mentality looks like in actionWhy contribution is a key theme running throughout the bookHow Stephen turns the concept of “retirement” upside downWhat you can do to be a “Transition” person who ends unhealthy patterns in a family or communityCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

In your role as a leader and in other areas of your life, what kinds of habits have prevented you from being as effective as you’d like to be? My guest Gregg Vanourek has studied and written about these leadership derailers and common traps of living, and we cover several of them in this conversation. Gregg runs Gregg Vanourek LLC, a training and development firm, and teaches at the University of Denver and Stockholm Business School. He helps people with leadership, personal growth, and life design through his books, courses, workshops, speaking, and coaching.  Gregg has been an entrepreneur for most of his career. He was a tech startup executive at K12 Inc., which is now a market leader with $1 billion in sales. He also co-founded New Mountain Ventures, focused on developing entrepreneurial leaders. Gregg is co-author of three influential books, including LIFE Entrepreneurs about infusing your life with passion and purpose, and Triple Crown Leadership: Building Excellent, Ethical, and Enduring Organizations. He’s working on a new book about the common traps of living. You can take the two assessments Gregg refers to in this interview, “Leadership Derailers” and “Traps Test,” for free on his website. You’ll discover: What Gregg considers the superpowers of leadersWhy both Head and Heart are necessary to lead effectivelyThe #1 leadership derailer that causes problems for leaders and their teamsThe most common traps of living that prevent people from experiencing the success and happiness they desireSpecific suggestions for changing these into positive habitsCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Black women are under-represented in the C-suite. That’s a reality that Dr. Mechelle Roberthon has seen first-hand, and she’s on a mission to turn that around. This is a must-listen interview if your organization is committed to ensuring diversity at all levels, including top executive positions.  Michelle shares important insights from her dissertation research and describes specific actions organizations can take to ensure opportunities for diverse representation at top leadership levels. Mentorship and Sponsorship are key elements of this process. Mechelle is a Certified Professional in Talent Development. Her background includes training delivery, performance improvement, and managing learning programs. She received her Doctor of Education degree from Baylor University and holds a Master of Science in Education with a specialization in Training and Performance Improvement.  Mechelle is an experienced career and professional development instructor. She’s taught over 500 corporate courses and receives consistently high evaluations. Her dynamic teaching style has become a favorite amongst learners. You’ll understand why when you listen to our conversation! You’ll discover: The event that inspired Mechelle to choose her dissertation topicWhat she learned from interviewing Black women already in, or aspiring to, positions in the C-suite4 specific actions you can take to ensure opportunities for diverse representation at top leadership levelsWhat organizations do wrong when someone leaves voluntarilyWhat effective Offboarding looks likeCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Do you faithfully hold weekly 1-1 meetings with each member of your team? Jeremy Barr explains why this is the most important thing you can do as a leader. In this fast-paced conversation, Jeremy shares lots of nuggets about leadership that he’s learned from his various executive roles and now teaches to company founders, business owners, and leaders. He’s on a mission to have a positive impact on 3 billion people, and you’ll be fascinated to learn the approach he’s taking to reach that audacious goal. Jeremy has been CTO, COO, CEO and VC investor. As a leader, he has managed teams of teams of people. He is currently building the world’s largest investor and founder network. He created his company Rocket Mindset to rapidly uplevel the skills of founders and leaders. Jeremy is unique among the guests on this show because of the size of the positive impact he intends to have. Everything Jeremy does is to impact 3 billion people…and have a lot of fun while doing it. To achieve this audacious goal, Jeremy is working with his global team of investors and founders to run, invest in, and advise a ton of companies with the intention of growing them and the humans inside them rapidly.  His favorite things are to find and create high quality, highly evolved humans. You’ll discover: What you should learn during the interview process to ensure you hire the right personHow to make an effective pitch, no matter what idea you’re trying to sellA winning approach when you want to help two people resolve a conflictWhy daily stand-ups with your team create greater clarity, focus, and productivityThe kinds of questions to ask that help your team become autonomousCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro