Better Leadership Team Show

In this episode, I dive into the critical yet often overlooked role of mid-level leaders. Learn why they’re the backbone of your organization and how you can empower them with 8 practical strategies, from clear expectations to leadership development and career pathways. Transform your mid-level leaders, and watch your leadership team—and company—thrive.

What does it take to develop an Olympic-level performance mindset? In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with two-time Olympian Stephanie Roble, a world-class sailor, to explore how elite athletes build resilience, manage pressure, and develop the mindset needed to perform at the highest level.

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with Chalmers Brothers, best-selling author, executive coach, and expert in leadership development. Chalmers dives into the power of conversations in shaping leadership success, introducing concepts like "carefrontation" and the SOAR framework. We discuss how language creates possibilities, why avoiding difficult conversations harms teams, and how leaders can foster trust and authenticity.

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with Kevin Eikenberry, Chief Potential Officer of the Kevin Eikenberry Group, to discuss his groundbreaking book Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence. Kevin shares insights on why most leadership development programs fail, the importance of integrating mindset, skillset, and habit-set, and how leaders can thrive in an increasingly complex world. Discover practical tools like the Cynefin Framework and learn how flexibility in leadership can drive commitment, adapt to change, and foster better team dynamics.

What if failure was the key to success in sales and leadership? In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, Klyn Elsbury shares her incredible journey—from growing up with cystic fibrosis to becoming one of America’s top sales trainers.

We uncover:
Why failure fuels success in leadership and sales
How to build a high-performing sales team (and avoid hiring mistakes)
The three sales personality types every leader should know
Leadership mistakes that kill sales performance—and how to fix them

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with Dr. James Pogue, CEO of JP Enterprises, a professional services firm with a global clientele focused on strengthening the connections between Leaders and Teams which lead to increased Innovation, Creativity, Production and Profits.  JP Enterprises works closely with Leaders who are driving transformational change, helping them align people, plans and processes with Vision and Purpose. 

In this "Mike on the Mic" episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I delve into the cornerstone of every successful leadership team—trust. Learn why vulnerability-based trust is vital for creating open, honest, and high-performing teams. Discover actionable strategies to identify trust gaps, build deeper connections, and create a culture of accountability and commitment.

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, Eric Coryell dives deep into the art of building accountable teams and transforming traditional organizational hierarchies. Drawing from decades of corporate and consulting experience, Eric explores the foundations of team accountability, the pitfalls of leader-led models, and actionable strategies for creating cohesive, high-performing teams.

In this episode of Mike on the Mic, we dive into the importance of feedback as a cornerstone of personal and professional growth. Leaders often struggle to receive honest and constructive feedback, especially at senior levels. Discover six actionable strategies, including 360-degree evaluations, coaching, mastermind groups, and peer accountability exercises, to ensure you’re continuously improving as a leader. Learn how to build a culture of openness and growth within your organization. Whether you’re a CEO, manager, or aspiring leader, these tips will help you elevate your leadership game.

Are you making one of the four biggest mistakes that leadership teams struggle with? In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I uncover the critical errors holding your team back: unclear success measures, juggling too many priorities, neglecting talent development, and thinking too small. Discover actionable strategies to redefine success, focus on what matters, grow your team, and adopt a bold 10X mindset. Whether you're a CEO or a team leader, these insights will transform your leadership approach and help you build a thriving organization. 

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I explore the powerful insights of David J. Friedman, a leading expert on organizational culture. David has authored two influential books and delivered over 750 workshops and keynotes for business leaders. His second book, Culture by Design, is a step-by-step guide to building a strong organizational culture — tailored for today's workplace, including remote environments. As the creator of the CultureWise Operating System, David provides a practical, proven framework that helps organizations develop, implement, and sustain high-performing cultures.

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I dive deep into leadership and mindset with Frank Kitchen, a certified speaking professional with over 30 years of experience in talent development. Known for his innovative, culinary-themed motivational approach, Frank shares valuable insights on building great leadership teams, fostering organizational culture, and inspiring growth. He introduces his "Live Fresh" framework—focused, resourceful, enthusiastic, strong, and honest living—to help leaders and teams achieve extraordinary results.

In this episode of Mike on the Mic, I uncover the secrets to healthy aging and lifelong fulfillment through personal stories and reflections as I approach my 60th birthday. From navigating financial setbacks to redefining success and finding renewed purpose, I delve into the power of keeping your "peak" ahead of you.

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, hold onto your power cables as we welcome Julie Holmes, a tech founder, inventor, and AI entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience transforming enterprise technology.

In this episode, I sit down with Christina Howard, a dynamic executive coach and former HR leader for Fortune 100 companies, to talk about what it takes to truly excel as a leader. Christina shares her insights on the most essential qualities of great leadership, including building trust, cultivating empathy, and fostering psychological safety within teams.

 In this 100th episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I take a moment to reflect on the journey of this podcast and celebrate the milestone with something truly special. I’ve compiled insights from 32 incredible guests, all answering the same question: "What is the most important characteristic of a great leadership team?" The answers are as diverse as they are inspiring, ranging from the importance of trust, open communication, and psychological safety to the value of alignment, empathy, and humility.

 In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with Marc Gross, a partner at Fox Rothschild with over three decades of experience in business litigation and crisis management. Renowned for his creative, tenacious advocacy, Marc handles complex commercial disputes, including corporate conflicts, trade secret issues, real estate disputes, and employment matters.

In this episode of the Better Leadership Team Show, I dive deep into leadership and decision-making with Chris Seifert, author of "Enabling Empowerment." Chris shares actionable insights on how leaders can foster a culture of effective decision-making and break free from the cycle of micromanagement.

In this episode of Mike on the Mic, I tackle one of the most challenging issues in leadership: handling "solid, mediocre performers." While high and low performers receive most of our attention, it's the steady but unremarkable team members who often go unaddressed—potentially holding back organizational excellence.

In this episode of the Better Leadership Team Show, I speak with Joe Mull, employee engagement expert and author of Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work.