154. Leadership Lessons for Engaged Teams, with Adrian Gostick

Most leadership talks worship strategy decks.

This conversation is about what your people actually FEEL when they work for you.

I'm sitting down with bestselling author and leadership + culture expert Adrian Gostick to talk about what really drives performance in 2026: culture and empathy, not just strategy decks and town halls.

From recognition rituals to meeting design, we unpack how leaders can build teams that are engaged, energized, and clear on the purpose of their work.

🎙️ Why this delivers impact for event pros:

✅ Start with culture, not slides – Your leadership plan only works if people feel enabled, energized, and clear on where you're going—not just "aligned" in a deck.

✅ Empathy as a power skill – Empathy and compassion are now top of the leadership stack; simple check-ins and clearer vision-setting calm anxious teams.

✅ Recognition that drives behavior – Weekly, specific praise tied to values (not "nice job") makes people feel seen—and repeat the right actions.

✅ Lead like a sculptor – Strip away fear, confusion, and red tape so people can take smart risks, fail fast, and fix fast.

✅ Purpose as an anxiety filter – Clear purpose at team and personal levels helps people make better career calls and stay grounded when everything else moves.

✅ Meeting design as micro-culture – Use themes, stories, and real prep to turn your conference into a living example of your values—not just a slogan on a banner.

Listen to the full conversation with Adrian Gostick today.

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