loader from loading.io

Beyond Business as Usual ft. Dr. Heather Backstrom

Uncommon Leadership

Release Date: 08/13/2025

How Do You Go From Stressed To Strategic? ft. Evie Brockwell show art How Do You Go From Stressed To Strategic? ft. Evie Brockwell

Uncommon Leadership

Hey there! I'm Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams, and I'm genuinely glad you're here.   If you've found your way to this podcast, it tells me you're ready to embrace change like an old friend, and I'm here to make that process easy for you—especially if you're currently feeling like you're running on empty or sacrificing your well-being just to keep up.   Because in this powerful episode, I sit down with the incredible Evie Brockwell to dive deep into something that I'd like to call the Energy Paradox. Here, we uncover why chasing "more" might actually be holding you back from the...

info_outline
Beyond Reacting: Lead with Uncommon Clarity ft. Eric Charran show art Beyond Reacting: Lead with Uncommon Clarity ft. Eric Charran

Uncommon Leadership

As leaders, we often find ourselves navigating a landscape of constant change. Unexpected challenges.   And the constant pressure of having all the answers.   So, if you're feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or simply know there's a deeper, more authentic way to lead—you are in the right place.   Hello and welcome to another episode of the Uncommon Leadership podcast. Today, I'm honored to sit down with Eric Charran, an author and thought leader, who has spearheaded innovative data strategies and AI/ML solutions at giants like Microsoft and Capital One.   Eric is known for...

info_outline
Beyond Business as Usual ft. Dr. Heather Backstrom show art Beyond Business as Usual ft. Dr. Heather Backstrom

Uncommon Leadership

Are you a leader, founder, or CXO grappling with change, overwhelm, or burnout in your organization?   Do you wonder about the real ROI of focusing on employee well-being and internal development?   If so, you've come to the right place!   Hello and welcome to another episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast.   Here, I, Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams, explore how you can align personal fulfillment with business success, create authentic teams, and cultivate resilience to thrive in today's fast-paced business world.   Joining me today is the incredible Dr. Heather...

info_outline
What's Really Holding Your Team Back? ft. Natasha Sell show art What's Really Holding Your Team Back? ft. Natasha Sell

Uncommon Leadership

What if I told you that the key to unlocking even greater success isn't another strategy, but a raw, honest look at how you lead yourself and your team?   In this Uncommon Leadership episode, I'm joined by Natasha Sell, co-founder of Sutra.co.   Natasha's journey reveals that true leadership, especially for entrepreneurs, is a profound path of personal growth that demands your whole self.   We explore why ignoring this inner work can quietly hinder your venture, and how even a few minutes of stillness can pave the way to unparalleled clarity and engagement.   Discover how...

info_outline
Your Biggest Mistake Is Your Best Data Point ft. Phil Hornby show art Your Biggest Mistake Is Your Best Data Point ft. Phil Hornby

Uncommon Leadership

With 56% of leaders hitting burnout in 2024 and a staggering 43% of companies losing half their leadership teams, it's clear modern leadership is heading into a burnout phase.   But the question remains: Why?   On this episode of the Uncommon Leadership podcast, I dive into the core issues with highly experienced product leader and coach — Phil Hornby. Phil's unique blend of technical acumen, business insight, and human-centric skills makes his perspective invaluable.   Together, we unpack some crucial reasons behind this alarming trend:   ↪ The immense pressure to hide...

info_outline
Stop Hiding: Your Company Can't Afford It! ft. David Mantica show art Stop Hiding: Your Company Can't Afford It! ft. David Mantica

Uncommon Leadership

Is your leadership style secretly costing your company millions?   Many leaders today fall prey to the dangerous pressure of hiding their true selves.   And this is draining more than just energy.   It's slowly piling up invisible walls within your team—stifling innovation, and quietly sabotaging your bottom line.   The old playbook for leaders is failing in today's unpredictable world. It's creating environments of fear, distrust, and burnout, leaving organizations vulnerable to the chaos of rapid change.   So today, on the newest episode of the Uncommon Leadership...

info_outline
What You're Afraid to Face Will Cost You Everything ft. Dan Tocchini show art What You're Afraid to Face Will Cost You Everything ft. Dan Tocchini

Uncommon Leadership

Imagine being constantly caught off guard by problems you never saw coming, while carrying the weight of leadership decisions that could make or break your organization.   It's a tough spot, and frankly, a sad reality for many leaders who've unintentionally built walls, missing crucial insights that could save them millions.   Welcome to another powerful episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast! I'm Michael Hunter, and today, I'm honored to speak with someone who's witnessed this costly pattern firsthand: Dan Tocchini.   Tocchini is a true leadership transformation expert,...

info_outline
Build Teams That Will Follow You Anywhere ft. Wes Clines show art Build Teams That Will Follow You Anywhere ft. Wes Clines

Uncommon Leadership

Ever wonder why some teams thrive through chaos while others crumble?   It's not about micromanagement or perfect plans—it's about trust. It's about fierce loyalty.   In this powerful episode, I, Michael Hunter, and DocuSign's Director of Engineering, Wes Clines, decode the true essence of an uncommon leader.   Wes shares his battle-tested "hacks" to transform teams through transparency, consistency, and non-negotiable, genuine communications.   More than just theory, this conversation offers a peek into a leader's essential toolkit, showing you how to move beyond...

info_outline
Empathy: The Foundation of Powerful Teams show art Empathy: The Foundation of Powerful Teams

Uncommon Leadership

Hello there!   I'm Michael Hunter, founder of Uncommon Teams, and I'm so glad you found this episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast.   I started this series because I constantly meet leaders battling burnout and searching for deeper impact.   While I may not have all the answers you're looking for, I truly believe that professional and personal success hinges on aligning personal fulfillment with business objectives.    And today, my extraordinary guest, Stephen Snyder, reveals how he found his compass.   Stephen, a seasoned insurance and employee benefits...

info_outline
The Uncommon Path to Time, Trust, and Thriving Teams show art The Uncommon Path to Time, Trust, and Thriving Teams

Uncommon Leadership

Whether you're battling burnout, striving for breakthrough innovation, or simply sense that something isn't quite right with your leadership journey, you are far from alone.   And, you've arrived at an exciting episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, which just might help you navigate these feelings.   In this episode, I, Michael Hunter, sit down with the incredible Viveka von Rosen—a celebrated LinkedIn expert, bestselling author, and transformational speaker who literally lives by her philosophy of "playing all day."    Together, we uncover the hidden truths behind...

info_outline
 
More Episodes
Are you a leader, founder, or CXO grappling with change, overwhelm, or burnout in your organization?
 
Do you wonder about the real ROI of focusing on employee well-being and internal development?
 
If so, you've come to the right place!
 
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast.
 
Here, I, Michael Hunter from Uncommon Teams, explore how you can align personal fulfillment with business success, create authentic teams, and cultivate resilience to thrive in today's fast-paced business world.
 
Joining me today is the incredible Dr. Heather Backstrom—an executive coach, author, and speaker who empowers leaders to model psychological safety and integrate their whole selves for greater business impact.
 
Today's episode is a deep dive into why treating your team as humans isn't just a nice practice, but a non-negotiable for sustainable success.
 
In this newest episode of the Uncommon Leadership Podcast, you'll discover:
 
  • The shocking business value behind soft skills.
  • The concept of integrating your whole self and why it's critical for authentic leadership.
  • Why psychological safety isn't just a buzzword, but the foundation for a truly empowered team.
  • A practical framework for understanding organizational overwhelm.
  • The profound power of value alignment and why recognizing your choices, even in tough situations, can bring peace and clarity.

 

If this intrigues you or might help with some of the concerns you're facing within your organization, tune in now.
 
For more help, feel free to connect with us—we'd love to help in any way we can!
 
Happy Watching!  
--
About the Speakers
 
Dr. Heather Backstrom
Dr. Heather Backstrom is an accomplished executive coach, speaker, and author—dedicated to cultivating strong, confident, and inclusive leaders.
 
With a doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University and an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential, Dr. Heather coaches executives across diverse industries like finance, biotech, retail, municipalities, aerospace, media, healthcare, and nonprofit.
 
She's the award-winning author of Collaborative Confidence: How Women Leaders Can Activate Self-Awareness, Amplify Their Authentic Talents and Accelerate Workplace Change, reflecting her passion for empowering women leaders.
 
Dr. Heather focuses on helping leaders elevate their impact, build psychologically safe teams, and strengthen cross-organizational relationships.
 
Get in touch with Dr. Heather Backstrom ↓
 
LinkedIn:

 

Michael Hunter
Michael Hunter is the founder of Uncommon Teams and the compelling voice behind the Uncommon Leadership podcast.
 
For over 35 years, he's guided leaders across six continents, helping them navigate the demanding realities of burnout, overwhelm, and the multifaceted challenges of today's global business landscape.
 
He champions the creation of truly authentic and resilient teams, guiding leaders to align their personal fulfillment with profound business success. His unique approach enables individuals and teams to move beyond merely surviving daily pressures, into a state where they can truly thrive and innovate with ease.
 
Michael's mission is to help leaders, CEOs, and founding teams create and inhabit their legacy, elevating themselves in a way that is safe and sustainable.
 
Want to build an uncommon, unstoppable team? Get in touch with Michael Hunter ↓
 
LinkedIn
 
Website:
 
Newsletter:
 
Podcast:
 
Presented By: Uncommon Change