Building and Leading High Performance and Championship Teams with Chantal Vallée
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
Release Date: 08/06/2025
The Remarkable Leadership Podcast
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Does the seasoning make the meal? In this episode of Remarkable TV, Kevin Eikenberry takes us into the kitchen to explore how small changes can transform good into great — both in cooking and in leadership. Discover why one small, intentional improvement can have a big impact on your effectiveness as a leader. Just like seasoning, leadership skills don’t need to be added in overwhelming amounts — the right one, in the right dose, makes all the difference. Watch now to learn how you can sprinkle in the right skill to elevate your leadership. Want more growth opportunities? Join us at...
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What happens when you realize you matter? In this episode, Kevin talks with Zach Mercurio about the often-overlooked human need to feel important and how leaders at all levels can foster this through everyday interactions. Zach explains how his early research with custodial staff showed that small, intentional moments—like being seen, acknowledged, and validated—are the building blocks of meaning at work. These "moments of mattering," he says, aren't about big gestures but about real human connection. Kevin and Zach also explore the link between mattering and trust, the challenge of...
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Are you an expert who’s stopped being curious? In this episode of Remarkable TV, Kevin Eikenberry explores the idea of the curious expert—a rare but powerful combination of knowledge and curiosity. You’ll discover why expertise alone isn’t enough in today’s fast-changing world, and why curiosity is the key to staying relevant, adaptable, and effective as a leader. Kevin shares how to balance what you know with what you still need to learn, and how doing so can help you build trust, grow as a leader, and remain a lifelong learner. 🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode: Why...
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Are you wearing your learning glasses? 🕶 In this episode of Remarkable TV, Kevin Eikenberry shares how changing your perspective can turn everyday moments—whether frustrating or joyful—into powerful learning opportunities. From handling setbacks to pursuing goals, coaching others, and even enjoying a good book or movie, Kevin explains practical ways to keep your "learning glasses" on and see the world differently. 📌 You’ll discover: What “learning glasses” are and why they matter When to put them on (hint: almost anytime!) How to practice this mindset in just 15...
info_outlineWhat lessons can leaders draw from championship-winning coaches? Kevin is joined by Chantal Vallée, who discusses her academic research on leadership and coaching success across sports, business, education, and healthcare. She identified four essential elements shared by great leaders: a compelling vision, strong organizational skills, a focus on individual development, and the ability to utilize key leadership traits. Together, Kevin and Chantal explore topics like setting a vision, handling pressure, and trusting the process. Chantal also offers practical tools for leadership, including the Council of Advisors and symbolic team-building exercises.
Listen For
00:00 Welcome to the Remarkable Leadership Podcast
00:39 Join Our Live Recordings
01:05 About Flexible Leadership
01:32 Introducing Chantal Vallée
02:48 Chantal’s Journey from Player to Coach
04:14 Why Chantal Wrote Her Book
05:13 Research Behind High-Performance Teams
06:28 Applying Research to Build a Championship Team
07:09 The Four-Part Leadership Framework
08:57 The Power of Vision
09:38 Organizational Skills as a Leadership Pillar
10:37 Investing in Individual Growth
11:12 Leadership Attributes: The Full Spectrum
11:42 Connecting to Flexible Leadership
12:02 Clarifying Organizational Skills
12:54 The Five-Year Vision and Recruiting
14:17 Making the Vision Real Through Staged Goals
16:19 Trusting the Process
17:28 Sacrificing Short-Term Wins for Long-Term Culture
18:29 Teaching Culture Through Strategic Decisions
19:13 Undervalued Leadership Attribute
20:27 The Importance of Lifelong Learning
21:34 Building a Council of Advisors
24:17 Inclusive Decision-Making as a Leader
25:06 Leading After a Crushing Defeat
26:10 Symbolism of the Hill and Letting Go
28:32 Applying Coaching Lessons to Business Leadership
28:52 Coaching Men’s Professional Basketball
30:22 Rapid Organizational Transformation
30:35 What Chantal Does for Fun
31:22 Recommended Book: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself
32:14 Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Chantal's Story: Chantal Vallée is the author of Dare to Win: The Blueprint to Building and Leading High Performance and Championship Teams. She is the Windsor Lancers Women’s Basketball Coach and transformed a last-place team into five-time national champions. She was also the first woman worldwide to coach and manage a men’s professional team (Hamilton Honey Badgers), guiding them to the finals. Chantal Vallée lives in Windsor, ON.
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Flexible Leadership is every leader’s guide to greater success in a world of increasing complexity and chaos.
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