The Better Boss: Be The First to Respect
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward
Release Date: 02/25/2026
Amping Up Human-Centered Leadership with Matt Bergmann
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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Rosie in My Pocket: Everyone's Going Through Something
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward
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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Leading Beyond Fear and Into Growth with John Hagel III
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward
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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The Better Boss: Practice Regular Respect with Bill Guyan
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward
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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Rosie in My Pocket: Failing Well
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward
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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The DREAM Framework for Bold Leaders with Scott Tavlin
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward
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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Rosie in My Pocket: The Value of Taking Breaks
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward
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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Setting the Tone in 90 Days with Neill Marshall & Kurt Mosley
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward
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 Better Boss: Be The First to Respect
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward
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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Rosie in My Pocket: Remedy 3 Causes of Job Misery
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward
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_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:
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
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.