Mattering Is the Future of Leadership with Zach Mercurio
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward
Release Date: 12/11/2025
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward
In an industry not known for warmth or emotional intelligence, one CEO is quietly rewriting the rules of leadership. Rosie sits down with Matt Bergmann, CEO of Laketown Electric, to unpack how intentional culture building, human connection, and radical transparency are fueling extraordinary business growth and loyalty. From handwritten notes and leadership academies to crystal-clear career paths and mentorship expectations, Matt shares the simple but powerful practices that help his people feel truly valued and loved. Together, Rosie and Matt explore why relational leadership is becoming even...
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Judgment is fast. Empathy takes intention. Rosie invites listeners to slow down and look beneath the surface of the people around them. Using the iceberg analogy and real everyday examples, Rosie challenges people-first leaders to rethink the stories they tell themselves about others. From hidden struggles like financial pressure and caregiving responsibilities to the quiet emotional loads many carry at work, this episode shines a light on the unseen layers of the human experience. Rosie explores why our brains default to assumption and how curiosity can become a leadership superpower when...
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What if the greatest threat to your organization isn’t disruption, AI, or the economy… but unspoken fear quietly shaping every decision? Rosie sits down with renowned strategist and author John Hagel III, founder of Center for Growth and Beyond Our Edge, as well as the author of “The Journey Beyond Fear.” Together, they unpack how fear of the future silently drives resistance, stifles learning, and fuels the very behaviors that keep teams stuck. From the myth of the “burning platform” to the hidden immune systems inside organizations, John challenges the way we think about change,...
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Leadership is often defined by big decisions and bold strategies, but what if the real difference comes down to the small, consistent moments that shape how people feel every day? Gregg sits down with respected executive and military veteran Bill Guyan to explore the quiet discipline of practicing what they call regular respect. Drawing from experiences leading soldiers in combat and guiding hundreds of employees through the uncertainty of COVID, Bill shares how empathy, humility, and steady communication can transform culture from the inside out. He reflects on lessons learned the hard way,...
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Failure has a terrible PR team. Rosie takes on one of the most common leadership roadblocks she sees in her coaching work, the fear of failure. From perfectionism to people pleasing, so many leaders are wired to avoid missteps at all costs. But what if the real growth edge is not avoiding failure, but building the muscle to fail well? Drawing on the concept of intelligent failures popularized by Amy Edmondson, Rosie reframes failure as a tool for learning, connection, and courage. She shares practical exercises to help you challenge your internal narrative, reflect on past missteps that turned...
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What if the very thing that once broke your confidence could become the fuel that defines your purpose? ✨ Rosie sits down with nationally recognized motivational speaker and award-winning radio host Scott Tavlin to unpack the mindset shifts that turn self-doubt into service. From being excluded as a kid to losing his biggest cheerleader at 24, Scott shares how heartbreak reshaped his definition of success and gave birth to his DREAM framework: Decide, Reasons, Environment, Action, Measure. This conversation is equal parts heart, grit, and practical leadership wisdom. If you’ve ever felt...
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Ever feel like taking a break means falling behind? Rosie flips that narrative, championing a powerful truth: real leaders don’t grind, they recharge. Rosie dives into the science and strategy behind “strategic play,” inspired by research from Adam Grant. She unpacks why rest isn’t a luxury but a leadership necessity, how breaks fuel creativity and deepen learning, and why sustainable impact starts with harmony, not hustle. If you’re used to working weekends and measuring worth by your to-do list, this episode is your permission slip to pause. Rosie shares how even high-performers...
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What if your entire leadership legacy hinged on just 90 days? Neill Marshall and Kurt Mosley have interviewed over 10,000 healthcare executives, and what they discovered might change how you approach the start of any leadership role. The duo joins Rosie to reveal why the first 90 days of a new role aren’t just an onboarding window but a foundation that shapes trust, culture, and long-term credibility. Through stories ranging from CEO pancake breakfasts to hospital dorm mattress overhauls, they share actionable insights and surprising truths about what great leaders do (and avoid) in their...
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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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What if the secret to boosting team engagement isn’t about adding more perks, but eliminating the pain? Rosie breaks down a timeless framework by Patrick Lencioni that remains incredibly relevant in today’s workplace. She dives into the three root causes of job misery, anonymity, irrelevance, and immeasurement, and offers tangible, people-first ways leaders can address them head-on. Whether you're looking to re-energize your team, deepen relationships, or connect daily work to meaningful impact, Rosie shares practical, heartfelt strategies that go beyond theory and into real action. If...
info_outlineWhat if the key to transforming workplace culture isn’t perks or programs, but one powerful, overlooked human need?
Rosie sits down with Zach Mercurio, author of “The Power of Mattering” and one of Inc.'s top 50 leadership experts, to explore why mattering might just be the most important leadership skill of our time.
Together, they unpack how feeling seen, valued, and essential isn’t just a “nice-to-have,” it’s a basic human need that directly impacts engagement, trust, and performance. Zach gives insights on why intuition doesn’t scale, how “soft” skills are now business-critical, and why the future of leadership depends on how we treat each other in the next interaction.
From practical tools like the “Noticing Notebook” to powerful mindset shifts that rehumanize the workplace, this episode is packed with soul and strategy. 💡💬
Additional Resources:
Get Zach’s book: “The Power of Mattering”
Learn more about Zach’s work
Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn
Learn more about Salveo Partners
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network
Key Takeaways:
- Mattering is distinct from belonging or recognition.
- Mattering happens in micro, everyday interactions.
- You can't program your way to engagement.
- Soft skills are essential leadership capabilities.
- Intention and presence matter more than perfection.