Culture Is A Balance Sheet
Run Toward The Roar
Culture is not a program. Leadership is not a title. And values are not posters on a wall. In this episode, John explores what actually shapes workplace culture and personal leadership. He unpacks the idea that culture is the balance sheet of relational currency, every interaction is either a deposit or a withdrawal. You will hear stories about asking why, owning care instead of outsourcing it, and what really leaks out under pressure. John challenges leaders to move beyond busyness, performance, and presents, and return to presence. If you want to build trust, strengthen engagement, and...
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Leadering NOT Leadership
Run Toward The Roar
What does it really mean to lead? In this thought-provoking episode, we introduce “leadering”—a fresh, action-oriented approach to leadership that goes beyond titles and checklists. Drawing from personal stories on the curling rink and powerful real-life examples, we explore how true leadership is revealed in moments of pressure, rooted in values, and sustained through authentic connection. Discover why “leadering” is about being intentional, encouraging, and accountable, and how it shapes workplace culture, engagement, and well-being. Hear the contrasting stories of two employers...
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Leadership Is Not Outsourcing Care
Run Toward The Roar
Leadership is not about outsourcing care. And it never was. In this video, I talk about something I see happening in organizations everywhere. Leaders are handing the people side of leadership to HR and hoping culture will take care of itself. It doesn’t. It never has. HR is essential. I say that clearly. Policies matter. Procedures matter. Support matters. But culture does not come from a department. It comes from leaders. It shows up in conversations, in silence, and especially under pressure. When things heat up, what leaks out of us is what was already inside us. That is the real...
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Why Your Team Isn’t Taking Action
Run Toward The Roar
In this episode, I walk through a pattern I see everywhere. Leaders build plans. They set priorities. They outline steps. And still nothing moves. I call it the failure to launch. Most organizations rely on performance, productivity, and protocols to drive action. That creates an accountability culture, not a values anchored one. People don’t take initiative when they fear being judged. They would rather look lazy than incompetent. So they hesitate, and leaders end up repeating the same programs every two to five years. I break down why this keeps happening and how leaders can finally break...
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Presence Over Presents: Why Leadership Is a Contact Sport - RTTR032
Run Toward The Roar
In this episode, John Robertson challenges leaders to rethink what it means to show up—especially when life and work feel full. He shares how presence, not performance, defines effective leadership and why the best leaders lead from who they are, not what they have. Listen in for practical ways to connect, show up, and lead well during the busiest season of the year.
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Values in Hot Water to Finish Well - RTTR031
Run Toward The Roar
When life or leadership turns up the heat, the real test isn’t the event—it’s your response. In this episode, John Robertson shares one of his most practical leadership lessons: the “hot water teabag” principle. Whatever is inside you always leaks out when the water gets hot. The same is true for every leader and organization. John explains why values aren’t posters or slogans but everyday behaviors under pressure. He unpacks how to define what matters most before the next crisis arrives, how to identify your non-negotiables, and why your time and money always tell the truth about...
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Why Slowing Down Starts with Asking Why - RTTR030
Run Toward The Roar
In this episode, John Robertson reflects on a simple lesson from his grandkids that reshaped how he views growth and leadership. Watching a four-year-old endlessly ask “why” reminded him that curiosity isn’t just a child’s habit—it’s a crucial tool for adults who want to thrive. John explores how our frustration with “why” often reveals more about us than the question itself. From the way we rush through our mornings to the empty promises of “we should grab coffee sometime,” he challenges listeners to pause and ask what’s really driving their actions. Using his signature...
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Why Your Team Isn’t Taking Action
Run Toward The Roar
In this episode, I walk through a pattern I see everywhere. Leaders build plans. They set priorities. They outline steps. And still nothing moves. I call it the failure to launch. Most organizations rely on performance, productivity, and protocols to drive action. That creates an accountability culture, not a values anchored one. People don’t take initiative when they fear being judged. They would rather look lazy than incompetent. So they hesitate, and leaders end up repeating the same programs every two to five years. I break down why this keeps happening and how leaders can finally break...
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Desire for You to Honor Your Passio Fidelis - RTTR029
Run Toward The Roar
In this episode of Run Toward the Roar, it is John Robertson's desire to encourage and empower you to honor your passion and values. He emphasizes the importance of thriving, not just surviving. He also shares insights on the significance of budgeting, not just financially, but also in terms of time, emotions, physical activities, spirituality, and more. He highlights the key benefits of budgeting, such as financial stability, independence, and peace of mind, and reflects on a unique approach to budgeting time and emotions shared with him by a listener. John reiterates his desire for you to...
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The Lousy Part of Adulting - RTTR028
Run Toward The Roar
In this episode of Run Toward the Roar, host John Robertson dives into the lousy part of adulting and the importance of thriving even when faced with challenges. He discusses the concept of "adulting stinks" and how it requires individuals to do things they don't feel like doing. John also delves into the old English word for patience, "long suffering," and shares a story about how a shift in perspective helped reduce complaints about long wait times at an airport. Through the episode, John expands on the theme of drifting and the significance of not losing sight of one's reference points,...
info_outlineLeadership is not about outsourcing care.
And it never was.
In this video, I talk about something I see happening in organizations everywhere. Leaders are handing the people side of leadership to HR and hoping culture will take care of itself. It doesn’t. It never has.
HR is essential. I say that clearly. Policies matter. Procedures matter. Support matters. But culture does not come from a department. It comes from leaders. It shows up in conversations, in silence, and especially under pressure.
When things heat up, what leaks out of us is what was already inside us. That is the real culture. Not the poster. Not the website. Not the values statement.
I walk through why disengagement keeps growing, why burnout is rising, and why so many leaders feel frustrated even though they are busy doing important work. I also share simple actions leaders can take to stop outsourcing care and start owning the role they already have.
This is about leadering. Showing up. Modeling behavior. Owning culture. Having the conversations that policies can’t fix.
If you care about people, culture, and building a workplace where trust actually exists, this conversation is for you.