Part II: From Fear to Feedback: Rewiring Your Team’s Communication DNA
Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders Podcast with Mike Lejeune
Release Date: 05/12/2025
Part I: Seeing the Whole Picture: Leading with Systems Thinking and Emotional Clarity
Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders Podcast with Mike Lejeune
Frankie Berkoben joins Mike Lejeune to explore how her path from climate science to coaching unfolded. She opens up about navigating a “career wobble,” discovering she had ADHD, and how that transformed her understanding of leadership, systems thinking, and the way people show up at work. Summary This episode explores the intersection of neurodiversity and leadership. Frankie shares how her ADHD diagnosis helped her redefine success, the power of self-coaching, and why curiosity and emotional intelligence are vital for leaders who want to create truly inclusive environments. Highlights...
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Part II: Seeing the Whole Picture: Leading with Systems Thinking and Emotional Clarity
Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders Podcast with Mike Lejeune
In Part 2, Mike and Frankie explore the deeper layers of effective leadership—from creating psychological safety to clarifying priorities and building trust through communication. The conversation shifts toward emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and how leaders can adapt to support diverse thinkers. Summary Frankie breaks down the role of processing styles, verbal communication, and emotional clarity in building high-performing teams. Mike brings humor and real-world reflection as they unpack what happens when leaders slow down, explain the “why,” and truly listen. Highlights &...
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Part II: From Fear to Feedback: Rewiring Your Team’s Communication DNA
Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders Podcast with Mike Lejeune
Mike and Stephen dive deeper into what makes a team consistently excel. They explore why humility is such a powerful trait in a leader and how staying curious can unlock new ideas from your team. Stephen shares how genuine listening – not just hearing words – builds trust and uncovers issues leaders might otherwise miss. The discussion shifts to the art of asking great questions. Stephen explains that sometimes posing the right question can lead your team to find the answer themselves, which empowers everyone. They also talk about getting your whole team involved in problem-solving,...
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Part I: From Fear to Feedback: Rewiring Your Team’s Communication DNA
Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders Podcast with Mike Lejeune
In Part 1 of Mike Lejeune’s interview with Stephen Gaffney on Strategies for Tomorrow’s Leaders, they delve into what it takes to build a consistently high-achieving team. Stephen emphasizes that trust and honest communication are essential for great teamwork. He and Mike discuss how leaders can create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing concerns and real feedback—without fear. Stephen explains that when people feel emotionally safe, they're more likely to speak up about problems and contribute ideas, which ultimately drives better results. In fact, he shares...
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Part II: Leadership Rejuvenation: The Surprising Edge Hidden in Midlife’s Storm
Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders Podcast with Mike Lejeune
Introduction In Part 2, Aneace Haddad dives into leading teams in chaotic times. Learn how to ditch the “addiction to certainty” and build a C-suite that thrives in ambiguity. Summary Aneace reveals why even seasoned leaders struggle with uncertainty in teams – and how to foster collective resilience. He shares practical steps to shift from “closing the deal” to staying open, using neuroscience and real-world examples. Highlights Why “herding cats” fails: Building a C-suite team ≠ stacking superstar individuals. The paradox: Comfort with uncertainty grows with age, but...
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Part I: Leadership Rejuvenation: The Surprising Edge Hidden in Midlife’s Storm
Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders Podcast with Mike Lejeune
Introduction Join Mike Lejeune and global leadership expert Aneace Haddad as they explore how midlife challenges can unlock unexpected leadership strengths. Aneace shares his journey from tech CEO to executive coach, revealing why midlife’s turbulence is a catalyst for growth. Summary Aneace discusses the “perfect storm” of midlife – a time when leaders often face burnout, identity shifts, and the need to redefine their value. He unpacks why clinging to old habits (like “telling” instead of empowering teams) limits growth and how embracing humility and uncertainty can reignite...
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Part II: Regrowth: Unlocking Human Potential to Lead Tomorrow's Organizations
Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders Podcast with Mike Lejeune
Introduction: Welcome back! In Part 2 of our conversation with Ernesto Gomez, we dive deeper into the practical aspects of fostering engaged, purpose-driven teams. Ernesto expands on his framework introduced in Part 1, focusing on the three crucial dimensions that unlock potential: talent density, culture, and mindset. Learn actionable strategies to cultivate these areas within your own organization and empower your team to reach new heights. Summary: Building on the foundation laid in Part 1, Ernesto Gomez elaborates on his "talent density, culture, and mindset" system for maximizing team...
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Part I: Regrowth: Unlocking Human Potential to Lead Tomorrow's Organizations
Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders Podcast with Mike Lejeune
Introduction: Ever wonder why even the most talented teams sometimes underperform? In this episode of Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders, we kick off a fascinating two-part conversation with Ernesto Gomez, a seasoned leader who served as the CHRO of a major global corporation. Ernesto shares his unique perspective on unlocking team potential, drawing from his experience leading a massive workforce and engaging with top executives. Get ready to rethink how you're building your teams and fostering growth. Summary: In Part 1 of our interview with Ernesto Gomez, we delve into the fundamental...
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Part II: Reset Before You Lead: Emotional Awareness in High-Stakes Environments
Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders Podcast with Mike Lejeune
In this second part of "Reset Before You Lead: Emotional Awareness in High-Stakes Environments", Mike Lejeune and Andrea Wanerstrand continue their discussion on leadership, emotional intelligence, and building effective teams. They delve into the nuances of productive versus destructive tension, the power of kindness over niceness, and the importance of clarity in communication. Andrea shares insights from her experience at Microsoft, particularly the shift from a "know-it-all" to a "learn-it-all" culture. They explore the transition from transactional to relationship-based selling and...
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Part I: Reset Before You Lead: Emotional Awareness in High-Stakes Environments
Leadership Strategies for Tomorrow's Leaders Podcast with Mike Lejeune
In this captivating first part of "Reset Before You Lead: Emotional Awareness in High-Stakes Environments",Mike Lejeune welcomes Andrea Wanerstrand, founder and CEO of A3 Culture Lab. Andrea brings a wealth of experience from global giants like T-Mobile and Microsoft, where she led global performance management. Today, she focuses on cultivating human-centric cultures, emphasizing authenticity, autonomy, and accountability. Mike and Andrea dive into the concept of "what worries you masters you," exploring how fear and uncertainty impact leadership and team dynamics. They discuss the...
info_outlineMike and Stephen dive deeper into what makes a team consistently excel. They explore why humility is such a powerful trait in a leader and how staying curious can unlock new ideas from your team. Stephen shares how genuine listening – not just hearing words – builds trust and uncovers issues leaders might otherwise miss.
The discussion shifts to the art of asking great questions. Stephen explains that sometimes posing the right question can lead your team to find the answer themselves, which empowers everyone. They also talk about getting your whole team involved in problem-solving, instead of the leader tackling every challenge alone. Throughout the conversation, Stephen highlights the often underestimated impact of appreciation. He reveals how something as simple as a heartfelt “thank you” can energize your team and motivate people to go the extra mile. It’s a down-to-earth, insight-packed conversation that leaves you with practical ideas you can start using with your own team right away.
Highlights
- The surprising way humility makes a team perform better
- How a leader’s genuine curiosity can spark creativity in their team
- What “listening like a leader” really means in practice
- Why asking questions often works better than giving your team answers
- Engaging your team in problem-solving instead of tackling every issue alone
- A fresh take on showing appreciation – how a sincere thank-you boosts morale
Key Takeaways
- Embrace humility: Admit you don’t have all the answers and ask your team for input.
- Stay curious: Keep asking “why?” and learning from your team members every day.
- Listen actively: Give your full attention, and ask follow-up questions to truly understand your people.
- Ask rather than tell: Guide your team with thoughtful questions instead of just issuing orders.
- Solve problems together: Involve your team in brainstorming solutions to build buy-in and confidence.
- Show genuine appreciation: Let people know you value their work – small thank-yous go a long way.
Connect with Steven on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevengaffneycompany/