The Authentic Leader Show

Welcome to Season 2 of The Authentic Leader Show, the podcast where we transform managers into leaders of high-performing teams. After 125 episodes and over 70 interviews with business leaders in Season 1, I’ve learned one critical truth: Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a choice. And this season, I’m here to help you make that choice. In Season 1, I interviewed leaders from diverse industries, shared leadership strategies, and uncovered what it takes to lead authentically. But as I reflected on everything we’ve accomplished, I realized there’s an opportunity to go deeper—to focus more sharply on a specific audience. That’s why Season 2 is for YOU if you’re one of these groups: 1. A leader of a management team or a business owner, looking to transform your managers into leaders. 2. Or an HR director or HR professional seeking proven tools to develop leaders in your organization. Even if you don't fall into one of these groups 1. A new manager navigating the complexities of leadership for the first time. 2. A struggling manager who knows there’s a better way to lead your team. This season is about equipping you with foundational leadership principles, practical tools, and proven systems that I’ve tested with teams I've led and with the hundreds of managers and leaders I've worked with. If you’ve ever felt like leadership is an uphill battle, this podcast will give you the clarity and confidence you need to lead high-performing teams. Here is what’s coming. First, I’ll be sharing fundamental principles of management and leadership—concepts that many new managers have never been exposed to. Second, I’ll share tools and systems you can use to transform managers into leaders. One of my favorites is my ‘Leader as Coach’ framework, which helps managers move beyond directing tasks and into mentoring their teams to achieve extraordinary results. Finally, you’ll hear from incredible guests—leaders of fast-growing companies, HR professionals, and executives who’ve transformed their teams. You might be wondering, ‘Why does this matter so much to Chris?’ The truth is, I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve struggled as a new manager. I’ve seen firsthand the impact of ineffective leadership on a team. And I’ve dedicated my career to helping others avoid the mistakes I made. The strategies and tools I’ll share in Season 2 aren’t just theoretical. They’re battle-tested. They’ve been validated by hundreds of managers I’ve coached and by the teams I've led. 1. Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss a single episode. 2. Share this episode with someone in your network who’s ready to transform their leadership skills—and when you share it, let them know why you think this episode is valuable. 3. Engage with me! Leadership is a journey, and I’m honored to be part of yours. Let’s transform managers into leaders of high-performing teams, together.

127 - Setting New Managers Up for Success 01/14/2025

Intro - Season 2 of The Authentic Leader Show podcast 01/09/2025

126 - VSCPA Keynote Highlights, Leading in Two Worlds 05/09/2024

126 - VSCPA Keynote Highlights, Leading in Two Worlds Do you volunteer your time and expertise? Are you a leader in your professional or volunteer organization? This episode includes insights for volunteers and volunteer leaders. In this episode, you'll learn: The professional benefits of volunteering: Discover how volunteering your time can develop transferable skills that apply directly to your day job, including communication, delegation, relationship building, strategic thinking, and networking. The importance of clear expectations and accountability: Learn why successful volunteer teams succeed on clear expectations and how to create an environment of accountability that engages the entire team. The top reasons delegation fails (and how to fix them): Unclear expectations, lack of skills, and undefined deadlines are just a few reasons delegation goes wrong. This episode provides a simple 3-step process to ensure successful task assignments within your committee or team. The power of actionable feedback: Effective leaders of volunteer groups provide clear and timely feedback. Discover how to deliver feedback that focuses on solutions and empowers individuals to take action. Turning learnings into action: Attending conferences and training programs is valuable, but the true impact comes from putting what you learn into practice. Learn a simple framework to commit to actions and achieve results. Whether you're a seasoned board member, volunteer leader of committees, or just starting your involvement in an association or organization, this episode offers insights and practical tips to: Enhance your leadership skills through volunteering. Foster successful and accountable volunteer teams. Transfer your volunteer work to your professional environment. Share your experience. Have you ever been part of a high-performing volunteer team? What did you learn from the experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Ready to gain practical leadership tips? Listen to this episode now! /episode/index/show/authenticleadershow/id/31144908

125 - An Authentic Interview with Dr. Naomi Boyd 04/25/2024

124 - An Authentic Interview with Terry Monroe 02/15/2024

123 - An Authentic Interview with Scott Love 01/04/2024

122 - Authentic Interview with Boomer Muth 11/16/2023

121 - Rethinking Promotion 10/19/2023

121 - Rethinking Promotion In this podcast episode, we challenge the common practice of promoting top performers into managerial roles and highlight the potential pitfalls of this assumption. We explore five segments that dive into the complexities of transitioning from being an outstanding individual contributor to a successful manager. The Assumption of Top Performers as Easy Choices There is a routine but often incorrect assumption that top performers will seamlessly transition into managerial roles. I share my personal example that underscores how this assumption can lead to disappointment and underperformance. Identifying Interest and Providing Exposure It’s important to assess a top performer’s genuine interest in managing teams. I share the significance of conducting one-on-one meetings, offering low-risk assignments, and providing constructive feedback to help top performers gain valuable experience before promotion. I address the value of providing exposure to management and leadership skills. The Critical First Steps in New Management Roles It’s critical to establish momentum at the beginning of a new management role. Training and coaching are essential to provide direction, eliminate guesswork, and prevent unnecessary failure. I share some valuable tips and strategies for new managers, emphasizing role clarity, advice-seeking, communication development, and what it means to be a role model. Resources for Business Leaders Organizational leadership plays an important role in setting new managers up for success. It’s important to identify and prioritize managerial and leadership skill gaps. The Leadership Diagnostic Tool for New Managers is an effective tool for this assessment. The New Leader Lab 2-day workshop is also an important resource to equip new managers with foundational tools. The Importance of Supportive Leadership Senior leaders and mentors also play a critical role in supporting new managers. I share a compelling story of how a skilled software engineer successfully transitioned into a managerial role with the support of proactive leadership development. It’s important to foster a culture of mentorship and continuous learning within organizations. This podcast episode encourages us to rethink our approach to promoting and supporting leaders. By considering individual readiness, providing necessary resources, and fostering a culture of mentorship, organizations can ensure that top performers thrive in managerial roles and contribute to overall business success. /episode/index/show/authenticleadershow/id/28348190

120 - Six Essential Skills New Managers Need 09/21/2023

120 - Six Essential Skills New Managers Need Welcome to "The Authentic Leader Show." The podcast for Leaders of Managers as they transform their New Managers into Authentic Leaders of Teams. In today's episode, we're tackling a topic that resonates with countless leaders: "Mastering the Transformation - Six Essential Skills New Managers Need." If you're a new manager navigating the often turbulent waters of leadership, or if you lead management teams, this episode is made for you. The Managerial Transition: Becoming a manager is an achievement in itself, but the transition from being an individual contributor to leading a team is a journey with challenges and self-discovery. Many new managers find themselves realizing that the skills that earned them their promotion are not the same skills that will ensure their success as a leader. It's a transformation that's simple but far from easy. As we explore this transformation today, we'll uncover the six essential skills that every new manager needs to steer their teams toward high performance. The Six Essential Skills: This episode revolves around the ability to communicate effectively with team members, peers, and superiors, including delivering clear messages, building consensus, and active listening. Prioritization, delegation, and efficient workload management are vital to a manager's success. How new managers must motivate, inspire, set positive examples, and provide guidance to their teams. Identifying issues, crafting action plans, and implementing solutions are central to overcoming the myriad challenges new managers face. Building meaningful relationships with team members, peers, and senior managers, which involves empathy, active listening, conflict management, and genuine care for others' success. How new managers must make informed and timely decisions, gather and analyze data, consider various perspectives, and involve their teams in the decision-making process. Embrace the Transformation: Mastering the transition from manager to leader is a journey that starts with honing these six skills. It demands continuous practice, self-reflection, and a willingness to learn and adapt. We encourage you to seek opportunities to develop these skills and seek guidance and feedback along the way. /episode/index/show/authenticleadershow/id/28031727