Leadership Powered by Common Sense

Philip Schett, OKR expert from Berlin who helps organizations align teams and drive performance. He explains what OKRs are versus KPIs. He discusses when OKRs matter most and how they bridge strategy and execution. He covers common goal-setting failures, implementation steps, pitfalls to avoid, and the leadership mindset needed for success.

John Sheldon, former Marine turned leadership coach and founder of BellaWood Coaching, helps front-line owners and sales leaders craft purpose-driven leadership. He talks about spotting and developing gritty high-potential team members. He explains using life stories to uncover personal purpose. He outlines building an authentic leadership framework and balancing blunt truth with empathy.

Chris Sprague, leadership advisor and founder of Enluma Leadership Group, shares practical approaches to boost team performance. He discusses how leaders model behavior to set norms. He explains coaching people to solve problems, uncovering meaning in mundane work, and using purpose, trust, and peer pressure to lift engagement. He also covers growing mid-level managers and when to step forward or back as a leader.

Andrew Ackerman, entrepreneur, investor in 70+ startups and author of The Entrepreneur's Odyssey. He discusses the psycho-emotional costs of starting a business. He compares risks across life stages and practical impacts of family and finances. He explains de-risking tests, traction and scaling, and the tradeoff between control and growth.

Sherry Yellin, brain science expert and author of The Science of High Performance Leadership, explains how the brain shapes learning and team performance. She outlines the CRANIUM strategies, why safety and trust matter, and how clarity, agency, and small wins reduce resistance. Practical ideas on whole-to-parts learning, motivation, and building belonging are explored in short, actionable discussions.

Introduction Hello again everyone. This is Doug, and you’re listening to Leadership Powered by Common Sense. One of the big things, if you’re a leader, you got to make some big decisions along the way. And my guest is someone who himself is helping others learn how to make better big decisions and overcome some […] The post Why Leaders Avoid Big Decisions and Fail | E 470 first appeared on Leadership Powered by Common Sense.

Most entrepreneurs know their stuff — but when it's time to explain what they actually do, things fall apart. In this episode of Leadership Powered by Common Sense, Dr. Steve Greene shares why clarity beats cleverness every time, why trying to be everything to everyone is a fast track to being forgettable, and how a well-built lead magnet can do the heavy lifting your elevator pitch never could. Whether you're a startup finding your footing or a seasoned business owner wondering why revenue isn't matching your effort, this conversation is your wake-up call to simplify, focus, and communicate like the expert you already are. The post Why Customers Don’t Understand Your Business | Ep 469 first appeared on Leadership Powered by Common Sense.

Kelly Resendez, entrepreneur, executive, author, and co‑owner of Go Bundance Women, shares her shift from high‑stress top producer to leadership rooted in self‑awareness. They explore doing the inner work first. Short takes include focusing on one skill per quarter, creating a leader's "owner's manual," mapping love languages and attachment styles to work, and keeping human connection central in an AI world.

From Homeless to Millionaire — And Why That Wasn’t Enough: Mark Silverman’s Story Introduction Hello again everyone. This is Doug Thorpe, and you’re listening to leadership, powered by common sense, as we often do. We’ve got an interesting guest who has a great story of their journey, challenges in early life that led to some […] The post The Hidden Crisis Inside Successful Leaders | Ep 467 first appeared on Leadership Powered by Common Sense.

Introduction Well. Hey, everybody. We’re back with Leadership Powered by Common Sense. This is Doug Thorpe. And if your business is in selling on Amazon, I’ve got a man that can help you with your reputation management and being sure that people aren’t taking advantage of things that they might not need to be doing, […] The post How to Fight Fake Reviews on Amazon — A Seller’s Guide to Success | Ep 466 first appeared on Leadership Powered by Common Sense.