The Better Boss on Show Up As a Leader: Be The First to Respect
Fringe by PeopleForward Network
Release Date: 04/01/2026
The Better Boss on Show Up As a Leader: Be The First to Respect
Fringe by PeopleForward Network
The fastest way to elevate your leadership doesn’t require a new strategy, a bigger budget, or a corner office. It starts with one word: hello. In this episode of The Better Boss, Gregg breaks down a deceptively simple yet transformational practice called “Be the First to Respect.” Drawing from his early career at John Jay College and the unforgettable example of a president who made everyone feel seen, Gregg reveals why initiating a greeting, and using someone’s name, carries far more influence than most leaders realize. Backed by social psychology and practical experience from the...
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Live from CultureCon: Wrestling with Leadership Chaos with Coleman Williams
Fringe by PeopleForward Network
What happens when every leader in your company defines "leadership" their own way? Spoiler alert: chaos. Live from the CultureCon 2025 studio in Madison, Wisconsin, Nikki Lewallen Gregory teams up with Coleman Williams, co-founder of Wrestling With Talent, to get real about the chaos that comes from undefined leadership. From inconsistent one-on-ones to unclear goal-setting, they explore how structure creates fairness without crossing into micromanagement. They also unpack how companies can onboard leaders with clarity, integrate AI for more effective training, and give employees a consistent,...
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Community Conversation: Purpose Over Profit - Reimagining Success
Fringe by PeopleForward Network
What if chasing profit is actually killing your team's potential? 🎯 Nikki and Jason unpack one of PeopleForward Network’s most powerful culture codes: Purpose Over Profit. They explore what happens when teams stop measuring success in dollars and start designing work around meaning, strengths, and alignment. From sharing candid team experiences, like skipping 4:30 AM workouts for midday movement guilt-free, to building a results-first, flexibility-driven culture, this episode challenges leaders to rethink how we define and pursue success 🧭. Whether you're climbing the ladder, leading...
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Community Conversation: Hell Yes Energy: Making bold choices that align with your purpose
Fringe by PeopleForward Network
Ever been stuck in a “meh” moment, unsure if it’s a yes or a no? 😬 Nikki and Jason dive into a fun, fired-up convo about making bold, aligned decisions, personally and professionally. From saying no without guilt to spotting red flags in client partnerships and making hiring choices that truly light up your team, they cover it all. Nikki also shares powerful takeaways from Mel Robbins’ “Let Them” philosophy and the Why.OS framework that keeps the PFN team living and leading with radical intentionality. Tune in if you’re ready to lead, live, and love like every decision is a...
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Mo-ments of Experience: Limitless Human Connection with Cory Jenks
Fringe by PeopleForward Network
In this episode, Geoffrey Smith and Cory Jenks discuss the importance of human connection in healthcare, the need for innovation, and the challenges faced by healthcare professionals. Cory shares his unique background as a pharmacist and improv comedian, emphasizing the significance of creating meaningful experiences for patients and caregivers alike. They explore the barriers to change within the healthcare system and the potential for individual engagement to drive transformation. The conversation highlights the importance of authentic presence, breaking down self-imposed limits, and the...
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Work Doesn’t Work (Anymore) on Gut + Science: Why Relationships Matter Most with Laurie Cozart
Fringe by PeopleForward Network
What if the secret to better leadership isn’t about doing more, but being more human? In this episode of Work Doesn’t Work (Anymore), Dr. Ryan Darby sits down with leadership expert and founder of Brain Squared Leadership Solutions, Laurie Cozart. With over 10,000 individuals and 500 teams coached, Laurie brings deep insights on how leaders can thrive in today’s complex and rapidly changing workplace. Together, they unpack why hero leadership is outdated, why clarity is the most underrated leadership skill, and how vulnerability and relationship-building are actually strategic...
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Live from CultureCon 2025: Hiring for Heart, Not Just Skill with Eliza Jackson
Fringe by PeopleForward Network
What if your company values weren’t just words on a wall, but a lived, breathing part of your culture that drives every hire, fire, and daily decision? Live from CultureCon 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin, Nikki sits down with Eliza Jackson of ButcherBox for a conversation that flips traditional HR playbooks on their head. With a colorful background that spans finance, kindergarten classrooms, and hypergrowth startups, Eliza brings a refreshingly real perspective on what it takes to build values-driven organizations that actually walk the talk. From rejecting high-performing candidates who...
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Community Conversation: Augment Not Replace: Building People First Teams with AI
Fringe by PeopleForward Network
What if your AI tools were more like teammates than tech? AI isn’t coming for your job, it’s coming to take the busywork off your plate. Jason and Nikki crack open how the PeopleForward Network team is weaving AI into their daily workflows without ditching what makes them... them. From using ChatGPT for parenting convos to building sales proposals, onboarding guides, and culture content, they’re showing how AI can augment your team, not replace it. Expect lightbulb moments and a roadmap for using AI to go further faster while keeping your values and people at the center 💡 ...
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Celebrating The Unleashing Leaders Podcast: Seeing through the Hidden Blindspots of Leadership with Cyrus Aram
Fringe by PeopleForward Network
What if your biggest leadership blind spots were hiding in plain sight? To celebrate 50 episodes of The Unleashing **Leaders Podcast, we're bringing this powerful conversation to Fringe. Host Lee Scott sits down with long-time friend and leadership powerhouse Cyrus Aram, TED speaker, UC Davis professor, and CEO of Unleashing Leaders. Together, they peel back the layers on the hidden blind spots that derail even the most experienced leaders. From culture clashes and conflict to misaligned customer experiences, Cyrus shares hard-earned insights and real-life stories that drive home the...
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Introducing Work Doesn’t Work (Anymore): A New Series on Gut + Science
Fringe by PeopleForward Network
What if the real reason workplace engagement hasn’t budged in 30 years is because we’ve made leadership too complicated? In this kickoff to a powerful new content partnership, Nikki introduces Dr. Ryan Darby, organizational psychologist, leadership simplifier, and founder of WorkStrong. Ryan’s not here for hype. He’s here for habits. Drawing from his deep experience with 34Strong and years of leading large-scale engagement work, Ryan shares why most leadership development fails, and how a simpler, more actionable approach can finally move the needle. You’ll hear the backstory of Work...
info_outlineThe fastest way to elevate your leadership doesn’t require a new strategy, a bigger budget, or a corner office. It starts with one word: hello.
In this episode of The Better Boss, Gregg breaks down a deceptively simple yet transformational practice called “Be the First to Respect.” Drawing from his early career at John Jay College and the unforgettable example of a president who made everyone feel seen, Gregg reveals why initiating a greeting, and using someone’s name, carries far more influence than most leaders realize.
Backed by social psychology and practical experience from the R-Factor Leadership Workshop, Gregg explains how being the first to acknowledge someone removes hesitation, builds instant rapport, and creates a powerful ripple effect of respect throughout your organization.
This isn’t about small talk. It’s about intentional connection. It’s about sending the message that every person matters.
If you want your team to warm up to your ideas, receive your feedback openly, and genuinely respect your leadership, this episode gives you a technique you can use today.
Additional Resources:
Listen to all episodes of The Better Boss on Show Up As a Leader
Connect with Gregg on LinkedIn
Take the Am I a Respectful Leader? Self-Assessment
Learn more about The Center for Respectful Leadership
Invest in Manager Skills with the R-Factor Workshop
Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights!
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network
Key Takeaways:
- Say hello first, it’s a leadership move.
- Use people’s names to affirm their worth.
- Respect reduces social friction instantly.
- Initiation creates a powerful ripple effect.
- Consistency earns trust and reciprocation.