Leading Outward

Are you one of our new listeners? Welcome! We’re giving away a free Leading Outward sweatshirt to any U.S. listener who hasn’t yet left a written review. Just upload a screenshot at leadingoutward.com and we’ll send one your way!In season 2, we'll be taking you into the exact moments leaders realize they’re the problem.You’ll hear raw, unscripted coaching sessions with leaders navigating high-stakes decisions and the impact of hard childhoods. While you can find leadership theory everyone, we show you real change that happens in the raw, sometimes clunky moments of professional and personal leadership. New episodes drop every Tuesday starting September 16.

When was the last time you vented about someone? And why didn’t you just talk to them instead? In this season finale, we hear from three listeners whose lives shifted because of the show: a mom who saw her son differently, a leader who publicly owned his coaching experience, and a son who finally had an honest conversation with his parents. These are stories of ownership, agency, and the space where real change starts.  Topics we address: 01:05 — How we unintentionally take away people’s growth when we speak for them 07:20 — How vulnerability can make people see you as a more credible leader 10:30 — Why venting feels good but never solves the problem 13:50 — How to remove the difficulty out of hard conversations 18:00 — How old stories keep us from seeing who someone is now Have a leadership challenge or question you’d like us to explore on the show? Submit it here!  Need help developing your leaders or organization? Schedule a complimentary strategy session.

What was it all for? You've shared the vision, trained the team, and gave them everything they needed to succeed.And they still aren't following through.In part two of this raw coaching series, Daniel—a high school principal—continues to wrestle with this leadership challenge. What starts as a reflection on stalled execution becomes a deep reckoning with busyness, control, and the fear of leading in a way that might cost you your people. If you’ve ever felt the weight of being ultimately responsible for the outcomes and still coming up short then this episode is for you.Ideas we explore: 01:20 — Why your team might be slow to act 06:10 — What gets lost when you rush connection 10:40 — How busyness is shaping the way you lead 14:00 — The fear of being truly seen 18:00 — What it actually takes to change a leadership habit Have a leadership challenge or question you’d like us to explore on the show? Submit it here!  Need help developing your leaders or organization? Schedule a complimentary strategy session. 

Do your high standards stifle your team's growth? A school principal dives deep into the tension between leadership and control, revealing how his quest for excellence can sometimes hold back his team. The conversation reveals the subtle strains on relationships caused by micromanagement and the struggle of balancing responsibility with effective delegation. Self-awareness emerges as a theme, highlighting how personal insecurities can cloud decision-making. This candid discussion invites listeners to reconsider their own leadership styles.

In this discussion, Daren Forbes, a seasoned funeral director with nearly 40 years of experience, shares insights alongside Dr. Steve Jackson, a dedicated physician. They dive into the emotional toll of caregiving, discussing how to combat feelings of exhaustion and resentment. Forbes recounts transformative stories that reveal the power of empathy and connection when serving grieving families. They stress the importance of fostering an outward mindset, reducing burnout through team support, and unlocking creativity even in the toughest times.

This discussion dives into the struggles of letting loved ones make their own choices, even when you worry they're off track. It reveals how idealized expectations can sabotage relationships and emphasizes that true love isn't self-serving. The conversation also highlights the cost of needing to be right, which hinders connection. Through the lens of family dynamics, it showcases the courage needed to truly see and acknowledge others, forging stronger relationships by embracing empathy and understanding.

Is your desire to be helpful actually hindering your team's growth? An engaging coaching session reveals how stepping in can signal a lack of trust and create bottlenecks. Leaders often find comfort in solving problems but risk stunting their team's independence. Tough feedback is essential for growth, and the expectancy effect shows leadership beliefs can significantly boost performance. Ultimately, true empowerment lies in fostering self-sufficiency and creating a culture of accountability.

Carey Jones, a former Flying Training Wing Vice Commander and retired fighter pilot, joins the conversation on leadership and precision. He shares insights on creating teams that act decisively without waiting for directives and the challenge of maintaining high performance in uncertain conditions. The discussion explores balancing clarity with ambiguity and the importance of effective feedback loops. Carey emphasizes the necessity of empowering teams to understand the 'why' behind their actions, ensuring alignment and adaptability in organizational strategies.

Naomi Franchetti, a retired U.S. Air Force commander, shares her insights on leading with authenticity and connection. She discusses the tension between authority and empathy, highlighting how real engagement can transform team dynamics. Naomi explores the challenges of accountability in high-pressure environments, particularly in military culture. She emphasizes the role of vulnerability in fostering trust and enhancing organizational culture. Listen in to discover how embracing humanity can elevate leadership and motivate teams to rise to challenges willingly.

Chip Huth, an Arbinger coach, helps Jeremy, a senior leader with a rich military background, tackle the complexities of leading a new team. They discuss feelings of inadequacy and the struggle for credibility, emphasizing the power of curiosity and humility in leadership. Chip highlights the importance of accountability and how self-doubt can hinder personal growth. Their candid conversation uncovers how past communication mistakes can be transformed into opportunities for building trust, ultimately leading to stronger team dynamics.