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
Release Date: 06/19/2025
Leadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture
Welcome to Part 2 of our series, "Switch Hats, Not Values - Leading with Clarity and Sanity!" In this candid episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond and Kendall Peterson dive deep into the diverse 'hats' leaders juggle daily. They unpack the inherent challenges of balancing these different leadership roles and underscore the paramount importance of clarity in communication. Tammy and Kendall explore the often tricky 'Freeder' role—where the lines between friendship and leadership can blur—and why leaders absolutely must own their roles to maintain respect and foster effective team...
info_outlineLeadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture
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....
info_outlineLeadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture
What if your perceived company culture isn't what your team actually experiences? In this eye-opening episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond sits down with Eyad Mubaied, author of The Culture Driven Organization and founder of Cultivate Culture LLC, to dismantle common myths about organizational culture. Eyad shares powerful insights from his Culture Creation Model, revealing how true culture transformation goes beyond mission statements to align your Philosophy, Process, and People. Discover why leaders must own and shape their culture, rather than outsourcing it to HR, and learn...
info_outlineLeadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture
Tired of workplace drama derailing your team? In this insightful episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond tackles the pervasive issue of workplace drama and its detrimental impact on team dynamics and productivity. She reveals how silent leaders contribute to costly disengagement (over $100 billion annually!) and introduces her leadership power tool: the 'Three Second Rule.' Learn how to effectively address and mitigate drama in real-time by following three simple, yet powerful, steps. Tammy emphasizes the crucial role of leader presence and accountability in fostering a positive work...
info_outlineLeadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture
In this powerful episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond dives deep into a critical, yet often unspoken, challenge: the vital role of HR in effectively escalating difficult issues to leadership to safeguard organizational culture. Tammy acknowledges the very real fear of speaking upward that many HR professionals face, highlighting the common loyalty dilemma that can pit the health of the workplace culture against the perceived need to protect leadership reputation. Bond argues passionately that HR's silence on crucial matters actively erodes trust and allows toxic behaviors to...
info_outlineLeadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture
Are the same complaints echoing through your organization? In this crucial episode of the Leadership Sandbox with Tammy J. Bond, discover why recurring complaints are not just isolated incidents but powerful indicators of deeper, systemic issues within your workplace. Tammy unpacks the alarming statistic that 70% of employees feel their repeated concerns go unaddressed and challenges leaders to move beyond rationalizing these complaints as mere personal grievances. Learn practical strategies to identify patterns, actively engage your teams in problem-solving, and map out the root causes of...
info_outlineLeadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture
In this insightful episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond explores the evolving generational landscape in today's workplaces. She delves into the communication challenges between Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Z, and emphasizes the importance of understanding diverse communication styles. Tammy underscores the need for leaders to foster inclusive environments where all voices are valued, highlighting strategies to bridge generational divides, enhance collaboration, and address the silence that can impede innovation. Whether you're a leader or team member, learn how effective...
info_outlineLeadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture
In this eye-opening episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond tackles the misconceptions about millennials and Gen Z in the workplace. Far from being fragile, these generations are simply frustrated—and their feedback is a goldmine of insights waiting to be uncovered. Tammy emphasizes the critical importance of listening to employees, valuing their concerns, and transforming complaints into opportunities for growth and connection. The episode provides a practical mini-culture reset action plan for HR teams and leaders committed to fostering an inclusive, engaged, and responsive...
info_outlineLeadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture
In this episode of the Leadership Sandbox podcast, Tammy J. Bond highlights a crucial concept in leadership: prioritizing mission over mood. The greatest threats to effective leadership often stem not from external challenges, but from internal negativity. Tammy discusses practical strategies for confronting this negativity and fostering a constructive mindset within yourself and your team. By emphasizing clarity of mission and encouraging positive self-talk, leaders can cultivate resilience and enhance team dynamics. KEY INSIGHTS Focus on Mission: The biggest threat to your leadership isn't...
info_outlineLeadership Sandbox: Strategies to Uplevel Workplace Communication, Team Collaboration, and Your Corporate Culture
In this candid episode of the Leadership Sandbox podcast, Tammy J. Bond explores the challenges of leading through uncertainty. As leaders, it's essential to navigate limbo effectively—whether it’s due to organizational changes, unclear roles, or shifting team dynamics. Tammy emphasizes that silence is not a solution; in fact, it can lead to a dangerous disconnect. By focusing on how to lead courageously during these uncertain times, leaders can create a culture of trust and engagement. KEY INSIGHTS: The Importance of Speaking Up: Silence in leadership can result in indecision and...
info_outlineWelcome 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:
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The "Hats" Concept for Clarity: Learn how intentionally "switching hats" (adopting different roles) provides clarity in communication and sets clear expectations for your team.
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Boundaries are Non-Negotiable: Effective leadership demands setting firm boundaries to maintain professionalism and reduce stress for both you and your team.
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Values as Your Compass: Understand why aligning with your personal values is fundamental for authentic and effective leadership.
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Confronting Avoidance: Discover how avoiding difficult conversations and issues directly leads to negative team dynamics and hinders personal growth.
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Intentional Leadership: Embrace the importance of leading with intention to foster a healthier and more productive work environment.
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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:
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How Kendall Peterson transformed her leadership style using the 'hats' metaphor.
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The profound impact of clarity in leadership on reducing stress and improving team morale.
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Why understanding and integrating personal values is crucial for effective management.
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The benefits of transparency in your leadership style for building stronger relationships.
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How team support is essential for a leader's growth and success.
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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:
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00:00 Introduction to Leadership and the Concept of Hats: Setting the stage for understanding various leadership roles.
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01:39 Kendall's Journey and Leadership Challenges: Hear about Kendall's real-world experiences and the obstacles she navigated.
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04:56 The Importance of Clarity in Leadership: Why clear communication is vital for effective management.
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08:49 Transforming Conversations and Leadership Style: Practical insights into changing your approach to team dynamics.
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12:25 The Impact of Values on Leadership: Exploring how personal values shape your professional approach.
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16:19 Setting Boundaries and Leading with Clarity: Essential strategies for establishing and maintaining professional boundaries.
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19:42 Onboarding New Staff and Establishing Expectations: Best practices for setting a positive tone with new team members.
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23:32 The Role of Team Support in Leadership Growth: How strong team dynamics contribute to a leader's success.
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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