Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

Have you ever felt like certain patterns in your life keep repeating, no matter how much you try to change? Rich Habets shares the concept of “scripts”—deeply ingrained, unconscious behaviors shaped by past experiences that influence how we see ourselves and interact with the world. By recognizing and rewriting these scripts, we can break free from limiting beliefs and create more empowering, fulfilling experiences in both our personal and professional lives. We also explore the power of conscious choice—how shifting from “getting from” to “bringing to” transforms the way we approach relationships, work, and everyday moments. Rich’s stories from his new book, Being Your Own Authority, illustrate how mindfulness and self-awareness allow us to step into our own authority. If you’re ready to embrace self-discovery, cultivate trust, and align your actions with your values, this episode will leave you inspired to take the next step on your journey. Rich is a former executive turned coach and strategist who has spent over 25 years working with leaders, founders, and organizations worldwide. Rich has helped thousands of individuals and businesses break free from limiting patterns and create powerful transformations. He specializes in leadership, mindset shifts, and game-changing strategies that help individuals and organizations solve intractable problems by being fully themselves and dismantling the stories that have held them back. You’ll discover: How unconscious "scripts" shape your decisions and how to identify themThe transformative power of shifting from "getting from" to "bringing to" in everything you doWhy self-awareness and mindfulness are essential for personal growthWhy taking a stand for your values builds trust and authenticityPractical ways to step into your personal power and create new possibilitiesCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedIn

In this powerful episode, Dr. Beth Kaplan returns to discuss her groundbreaking book, Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point. She opens with her personal journey through workplace trauma. Beth reveals the critical distinction between inclusion and belonging—explaining that while others determine inclusion, belonging is an internal decision that requires staying true to yourself without compromising your values.  You’ll be moved by Beth's compelling message about the dangers of self-sacrifice in toxic work environments and the crucial role managers play in fostering genuine belonging. She offers practical strategies for recognizing workplace trauma, setting healthy boundaries, and prioritizing self-care before company loyalty. Whether you're struggling in a challenging workplace or leading a team and want to create a culture of authentic belonging, this episode offers specific strategies you can start using today. Beth is a visionary thought leader, researcher, and keynote speaker who has redefined how we look at belonging and how to be our best selves. She works with companies to enhance employee engagement and retention while significantly lowering turnover costs. Beth is currently pioneering a groundbreaking belonging tool with the University of Pennsylvania, designed to measure belonging and predict the propensity to thrive.  You’ll discover: Why belonging is an internal decision rather than something granted by othersThe warning signs of workplace traumaHow managers can become the number one factor in creating environments where people truly belong through empathy and "stay interviews"Practical strategies for setting boundaries and prioritizing your wellbeing without sacrificing your authentic self for a jobThe dangerous impact of using "family" language in workplace settings Check out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedIn

Conflict is inevitable, but how leaders handle it makes all the difference. In this episode, vicki abadesco! shares a real-world example of a well-known organization struggling with team conflict and how small miscommunications can escalate when left unresolved. She explains how our upbringing shapes our approach to conflict and why developing emotional intelligence is essential for effective leadership. Through her work with both executives and young children, vicki highlights the importance of clear communication, emotional awareness, and accountability in building strong teams and relationships. vicki also introduces practical tools like the "emotional balloon" and the "cleanup process" to help individuals recognize their emotions, take responsibility for their actions, and repair relationships when mistakes happen. Whether you're leading a team, raising a family, or simply striving to communicate better, this episode will provide insights and strategies to help you lead with empathy, transparency, and authenticity. vicki is a nonprofit leader and mentor renowned for her unwavering commitment to growth and lifelong learning. Through her organization, Soul Shoppe, she and her team have touched the hearts and minds of over one million elementary school students with their conflict resolution and peacemaking curriculum. vicki has created a lasting impact, nurturing a generation of emotionally intelligent individuals who can build strong relationships and foster inclusive communities. You’ll discover: Why conflict resolution is a critical leadership skillHow early life experiences shape communication habitsThe "emotional balloon" metaphor for managing emotionsA 5-step process for acknowledging mistakes and making amendsHow teaching emotional intelligence to kids can inspire better leadership in adultsCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedIn

Company culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of an organization’s success or failure. Brad Federman shares how businesses can create a culture that balances people and results. He explains where many organizations go wrong when developing their values and why culture must be designed to outlast leadership changes. Brad also reveals how companies can avoid common pitfalls, such as tolerating bad behavior and adopting trendy policies without considering business needs. We dive into practical strategies for aligning culture with business goals, reinforcing positive behaviors, and holding leaders accountable. Brad describes the importance of continuous culture audits and experiential activities that make culture tangible. Whether you’re a business leader, HR professional, or culture champion, this episode provides actionable insights to create an environment where employees thrive and customers stay engaged. Brad is the founder of PerformancePoint, a firm dedicated to helping organizations engage employees, strengthen customer relationships, and cultivate resilient, collaborative cultures through effective leadership. With over 25 years of corporate experience, he’s worked with global companies like Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Nordstrom, and Mayo Clinic. Brad is an international speaker and the author of Cultivating Culture: 101 Ways to Foster Engagement in 15 Minutes or Less. You’ll discover: The biggest mistakes companies make when defining their valuesWhy culture must be stable, not built around a single leaderHow to hold employees and leaders accountable for cultureThe role of feedback and culture workouts in shaping workplace normsStrategies for overcoming resistance to cultural changeCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedIn

Have you ever found yourself not speaking up, whether it’s in a 1:1 situation or in a group? For a variety of reasons, women often hold back instead of using their voice. Jennifer Wilkov, founder and CEO of Speak Up Women, learned to speak up in a powerful way herself and now teaches other women to do the same. Whether you're looking to build confidence, advocate for yourself, or become a more effective leader, you’ll take away actionable strategies to amplify your own voice.Jennifer shares her personal journey, from a successful career as a certified financial planner to an unexpected wrongful conviction that tested her resilience. Rather than staying silent, she turned her experience into a movement—empowering women to embrace their self-worth and use their voice with confidence.Speak Up Women is a community that’s cultivating women’s self-expression and empowerment. Jennifer speaks to women through her inspiring personal message, “You have the right to remain fabulous! – regardless of any situation, circumstance or condition.” She is passionate about elevating the self-esteem of women everywhere and encouraging their self-worth. You’ll discover: What a wrongful conviction taught Jennifer about speaking upWhy women hesitate to speak up…and the situations where they often hold backWhat Speak Up Women is…and is not How you can speak up for others who don’t have a voiceJennifer’s work with interns to develop future leadersCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedIn

In this eye-opening episode, we're joined by Erica Salmon Byrne, a leading expert in business ethics and compliance. Erica shares her fascinating journey from litigation attorney to becoming a key figure in shaping ethical business practices worldwide at Ethisphere. We dive deep into the upcoming announcement of the 2025 World's Most Ethical Companies, exploring what sets these organizations apart and why ethical behavior is not just good for society, but also for the bottom line. Whether you're a small business owner or part of a large corporation, this episode offers practical advice on how to integrate ethics into your daily operations and long-term strategy. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the foremost experts in the field and discover how your organization can join the ranks of the world's most ethical companies. Erica is Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Chair of Ethisphere. Previously serving as CEO, she’s now responsible for ensuring continuous and strong growth for the company while maintaining the key principle that good businesses do better. She’s also the Chair of their Business Ethics Leadership Alliance, which serves ethics and compliance practitioners around the globe. You’ll discover: The link between ethical practices and financial performance Why effective leadership skills are crucial in maintaining a strong, compliant company cultureThe importance of defining and communicating your organization’s “why” to all stakeholdersThe criteria Ethisphere uses to select winners for the World’s Most Ethical Companies awardHow to integrate ethics into your daily operations and long-term strategyCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedIn

What wisdom could you extract from someone who’s had over 40 years of experience as a leader? An amazing amount, if that leader is Oakland McCulloch. You’ll hear practical ideas and stories that will inspire you to elevate your own leadership. Better known as Oak, our guest’s 40-plus years of leadership experience includes 23 in the U.S. Army, followed by various civilian positions. While in the Army, he was deployed overseas multiple times. Oak’s last position in the Army was a three-year tour as Professor of Military Science at the University of South Alabama, where he led the training and commissioning of Lieutenants and tripled the size of the program. Oak is the author of an excellent book, Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be, and he’s now an internationally recognized keynote speaker on leadership and success. As you listen to this conversation, you’ll see that Oak is a true servant leader.You’ll discover: What two high school mentors taught Oak about leadershipHow Oak defines leadershipWhat’s required to build a culture of trustWhy Oak says, “Becoming a micromanager is the #1 mistake a leader can make.” The importance of preparing young people for leadership roles—and what to focus onCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedIn

Have you ever noticed how two people can experience the same event but walk away with entirely different perspectives?  In this episode, I share a striking contrast between two individuals on a birdwatching trip.  Their reactions caused me to reflect on how our attitudes shape our experiences and the energy we bring to those around us. I’m the co-founder and president of Grow Strong Leaders. We’ve created online resources that help leaders strengthen their character and communication skills to build strong relationships and inspire others to perform at the highest level.  You’ll discover: How your words and reactions influence those around youThe key mindset shift that leads to greater joy and connectionHow to become more intentional about the perspective you bring to every situationA simple yet powerful way to enhance your leadership and relationshipsCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedIn

Change can be daunting, no matter what size your organization is. Our guest Dr. Mary Lippitt sheds light on the common fears—fear of the future, fear of the process, and fear of unintended consequences—that often accompany new initiatives.  Mary shares how organizations can address complexity through holistic strategies that emphasize listening, collaboration, and adaptability. We also discuss the power of asking the right questions to surface hidden concerns and ensure buy-in from all levels of an organization. Mary is a renowned thought leader in the field of organizational development. She’s an award-winning author, speaker, and consultant. As President and Founder of Enterprise Management, Mary has more than 30 years of experience implementing change, delivering results, and boosting strategic thinking. As a researcher, Mary has studied the strategic and critical thinking patterns of 6,000 leaders. She is proud to be a second generation Organizational Development professional, following in the footsteps of her father Gordon and uncle Ron. Her new book Leadersheep: Saving the Herd offers a fable about successfully executing change along with the steps necessary to make change stick.  You’ll discover: Why top-down approaches often fail and how leaders can stay engaged to create lasting changeHow to achieve a clear and actionable vision by leveraging situational awareness and data-driven decision-makingWhat you can do to identify gaps, monitor progress, and make necessary course corrections when implementing changeThe benefits of adopting a situational mindset to enhance leadership flexibilityCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedIn

Not everyone has equal access to mentoring and sponsorship opportunities. Ayana Carroll is on a mission to change that for Black mid-level managers. In her work with clients and in our conversation for this interview, Ayana shares valuable tips that can help those managers as well as those who make decisions around promotions. Ayana is the Founder of ARC Consulting, and she’s dedicated to elevating Black mid-level professionals into transformative leaders. With over 25 years of HR leadership and DEI expertise, Ayana specializes in breaking down barriers to leadership, including limited access to high-visibility projects, mentorship gaps, and challenges in self-advocacy. As the first Black professional to rise to the level of Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Fluence, Ayana created and led the company’s first DEI department. This pioneering initiative established pathways for diverse hires, increased representation in leadership, and drove inclusion at all levels. Ayana has extensive experience coaching C-suite leaders as well as mid-level managers, creating tailored learning paths to accelerate their development. She also volunteers with various homeless organizations to support individuals on their journey to stability and success. You’ll discover: Why Ayana focuses her work on mid-level managersThe current narrative around Black talent…and how Ayana is reshaping itWhat mentors and sponsors can doWhy STAY interviews are vital to retaining talentHow Ayana helps managers create a plan for career developmentCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedIn