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087: SERIES: Switch Hats, Not Values - Leading with Clarity and Sanity | PART 1: You Can’t Lead What You’re Avoiding with Guest Kendall Peterson

Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Release Date: 06/19/2025

098: The Listening Lie: 098: The Listening Lie: "I'm a Good Listener" (3 of 6 Part Series)

Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

In the third part of our "Communication Lies Leaders Believe" series, Tammy tackles one of the most common myths leaders tell themselves: "I'm a good listener." She powerfully argues that listening is not just about having an open-door policy. It's about seeking to understand from the other person’s perspective. Tammy breaks down the three levels of listening—transactional, active, and transformational—and challenges leaders to move beyond simply hearing words. The true measure of a leader's listening skills isn't their intention; it’s whether their team feels seen, heard, and...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

In this episode of The Leadership Sandbox, Tammy dives into the recent Cracker Barrel rebranding debacle. This corporate misstep, a $700 million gamble aimed at attracting a younger demographic, led to a 14% stock drop and a massive customer backlash. Tammy dissects the four major lies leaders told themselves that led to this catastrophic failure. You'll discover why a brand's most valuable asset lives in the memory and emotion of its customers—and what happens when you strip that away. This isn't just a story about a failed rebrand; it's a critical leadership lesson on the dangers of...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

In the second installment of the "Communication Lies Leaders Believe" series, Tammy J. Bond tackles a myth that keeps countless leaders "stuck": the lie that giving direct feedback makes you mean. Tammy powerfully argues that direct feedback doesn't make you mean—it makes you a manager. This episode is a call to courage for every leader who has let their discomfort drive silence. Tammy shares how this avoidance leads to resentment and underperformance and provides a practical framework, the SBIE model (Situation, Behavior, Impact, Expectation), for delivering feedback that is both direct and...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Welcome to the start of our SIX PART SERIES, "Communication Lies Leaders Believe." In this episode, Tammy J. Bond tackles a common and costly workplace myth: the idea that an employee who says they're "overwhelmed" simply needs more support. Tammy reveals: when a direct report can't articulate their workload, they're not overwhelmed—they're underperforming and avoiding accountability. Tammy provides a practical, no-nonsense strategy to get to the root of the problem. She introduces the "Squeeze Technique," a method to transform excuses into ownership. It's about providing the clarity,...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Are you struggling to build the vibrant culture you want because you're still clinging to old habits? In this episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond directly challenges leaders to stop "babysitting dysfunction" and confront the "pink elephant" in the room. Tammy argues that you can't build a bold new future by dragging around yesterday's playbook. Culture doesn't change by decree; it changes by disruption. This episode is a call to action for leaders to stop over-analyzing their culture like a crime scene and start renovating it for the future. Tammy provides a clear-eyed look at how...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Are you constantly chasing perfection, or are you truly celebrating progress? In this insightful episode of the Leadership Sandbox podcast, Tammy J. Bond challenges leaders to shift their focus from the dreaded "gap" of what hasn't been accomplished to the powerful "gain" of what has. Tammy passionately advocates for a gain-driven mindset, urging leaders to move beyond self-sabotage by acknowledging every step forward, learning from failures, and fostering a truly positive team environment. Discover how conducting a "gain audit" can transform your perspective, enhance motivation, and...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Ever feel your thoughts getting hijacked by tension in a tough conversation? In this transformative episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond explores the profound impact of simply taking a moment to pause in communication. Discover how this seemingly simple action can unlock clarity, deepen understanding, and lead to significantly more effective conversations, even in high-stakes situations. Tammy delves into how emotional awareness allows you to apply the power of pause to avoid being reactive and move toward solutions. Learn how a well-timed pause gives you the space to regulate your...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Are toxic behaviors holding your organization back? In this impactful episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond reveals the crucial link between addressing workplace toxicity and cultivating a thriving, healthy culture. She highlights the astounding financial and productivity benefits of actively eliminating negativity – showing that eliminating toxic behaviors can save two to four times more than hiring a superstar! Tammy champions the power of a "call-out culture" (in the best sense!) where leaders proactively address issues, establish clear ground rules, and reclaim valuable time...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Are toxic behaviors silently draining your organization's energy and budget? In this episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond passionately confronts the severe impact of toxic leadership on workplace culture and productivity. She highlights why leaders, particularly at the C-suite level, must address negative behaviors that can cost organizations billions annually in lost employee retention and plummeting team morale. Tammy dives into the startling financial implications of ignoring toxicity – from high turnover rates (54% of employees are likely to quit due to toxic leaders!) to...

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Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture

Welcome to the powerful conclusion of our three-part series, "Switch Hats, Not Values - Leading with Clarity and Sanity!" In this reshared episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond brings it all home by diving into the crucial concept of the various 'hats' leaders wear and why understanding them is paramount for effective communication and healthy team dynamics. Tammy reiterates and expands on the five distinct leadership hats: the foundational Values Hat, the visionary Leader Hat, the decisive Boss Hat, the often-tricky Friend Hat, and the action-oriented Just Do It Hat. She explains...

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Welcome to Part 1 of our illuminating series, "Switch Hats, Not Values - Leading with Clarity and Sanity!" In this episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond sits down with Kendall Peterson, Early Learning Manager for the Quinault Nation. Kendall shares her transformative leadership journey through the powerful metaphor of 'switching hats,' revealing how adopting different leadership roles has revolutionized her communication and enhanced team dynamics.

This conversation dives deep into why clarity in leadership is non-negotiable and the inherent challenges of setting crucial boundaries. You'll explore how deeply personal values intertwine with professional relationships and discover the significant impact of leading with intention. Kendall's experiences highlight that avoiding difficult conversations ultimately leads to negative team outcomes. Tune in to learn how transparency about your leadership style can foster a healthier work environment and propel your personal growth as a leader.

Key Takeaways for Leaders:

  • The "Hats" Concept for Clarity: Learn how intentionally "switching hats" (adopting different roles) provides clarity in communication and sets clear expectations for your team.

  • Boundaries are Non-Negotiable: Effective leadership demands setting firm boundaries to maintain professionalism and reduce stress for both you and your team.

  • Values as Your Compass: Understand why aligning with your personal values is fundamental for authentic and effective leadership.

  • Confronting Avoidance: Discover how avoiding difficult conversations and issues directly leads to negative team dynamics and hinders personal growth.

  • Intentional Leadership: Embrace the importance of leading with intention to foster a healthier and more productive work environment.

  • Onboarding for Success: Learn how clear expectations set during onboarding new staff lay the groundwork for a positive team dynamic.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

  • How Kendall Peterson transformed her leadership style using the 'hats' metaphor.

  • The profound impact of clarity in leadership on reducing stress and improving team morale.

  • Why understanding and integrating personal values is crucial for effective management.

  • The benefits of transparency in your leadership style for building stronger relationships.

  • How team support is essential for a leader's growth and success.

  • Strategies for avoiding difficult conversations and their impact on team dynamics.

Meet Kendall:

Kendall Peterson has more than 20 years of service in programs supporting children and families, and 9 years as the Early Learning Manager for the Quinault Indian Nation. She oversees Head Start, Early Head Start, and licensed childcare programming for the Nation, building strong, culturally responsive early learning environments grounded in community values.

Kendall is passionate about meeting families where they are and offering programming that helps them grow. She brings a reflective, practical approach to her own leadership journey, and is committed to mentoring her team to help them discover and realize their passions and potential. She has successfully navigated the complexities of Tribal governance, federal and state early learning regulations, and diverse stakeholder expectations, while keeping the needs of children, families, and staff at the center of her work. She brings a practical, reflective approach to leadership and is eager to share real-world strategies for staying grounded while managing competing roles.

Chapters:

  • 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and the Concept of Hats: Setting the stage for understanding various leadership roles.

  • 01:39 Kendall's Journey and Leadership Challenges: Hear about Kendall's real-world experiences and the obstacles she navigated.

  • 04:56 The Importance of Clarity in Leadership: Why clear communication is vital for effective management.

  • 08:49 Transforming Conversations and Leadership Style: Practical insights into changing your approach to team dynamics.

  • 12:25 The Impact of Values on Leadership: Exploring how personal values shape your professional approach.

  • 16:19 Setting Boundaries and Leading with Clarity: Essential strategies for establishing and maintaining professional boundaries.

  • 19:42 Onboarding New Staff and Establishing Expectations: Best practices for setting a positive tone with new team members.

  • 23:32 The Role of Team Support in Leadership Growth: How strong team dynamics contribute to a leader's success.

  • 27:12 Conclusion and Future Conversations on Leadership: Wrapping up Part 1 and looking ahead in the series.

Ready to lead with intention and master the art of 'switching hats' without losing your core values? Tune into Part 1 of this empowering series on the Leadership Sandbox!
Learn More Here: bondgroupenterprises.com/podcast