Leaderful

WORKSHOP ALERT: Join Nic, Laura and Jeff for "The Aligned Board", a hands-on 2-part virtual workshop designed to help board members step into their power with wisdom and skill. Learn more here (spring and fall 2026 dates available). In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Nic Etheridge Calder and Laura Istead to explore one of the most critical (and often overlooked) dynamics in the social impact sector: the relationship between boards and executive teams. Drawing on their lived experience as board members, executive leaders, and advisors, Nic and Laura unpack what gets in the way of alignment, why even well-intentioned boards struggle, and what it takes to build trust, clarity, and shared purpose at the top of an organization. This conversation moves beyond governance models and into the real, human dynamics that shape board effectiveness - power, communication, expectations, and culture. From disengaging meetings and unclear roles to overfunctioning board members and under-supported executive directors, we explore the patterns that quietly undermine impact, and the practical ways leaders can begin to shift them. In this episode, we explore: Why boards must be treated as teams (and what happens when they aren’t) The hidden power dynamics that shape board-executive relationships Common patterns that lead to misalignment, disengagement, and tension How to build trust through curiosity, vulnerability, and shared expectations The real organizational cost of a disconnected or ineffective board Simple practices that create stronger meetings, better decisions, and deeper alignment If you’re a board member, executive director, or leader navigating complexity in the nonprofit sector, this episode offers grounded insights and practical tools to help you build a more aligned, effective, and human-centred leadership system. Learn more about The Co. -> a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders. Check out The Aligned Board -> a workshop for nonprofit board members to align their good intentions with their impact on the organization and team they support.

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Nic Etheridge Calder, founder of Invoke Coaching, to explore how leaders can design and facilitate meetings that actually move the needle. Drawing on years of experience in leadership development and team facilitation, Nic brings a practical and human-centred lens to one of the most overlooked aspects of organizational life: meetings. Together, we unpack the “6 P’s of High-Impact Meetings” - a simple but powerful framework for transforming meetings from routine, mediocre time-fillers into intentional, engaging, and outcome-driven spaces. This conversation goes beyond agendas and logistics, diving into the deeper dynamics that shape how teams gather, make decisions, and collaborate. In this episode, we explore: Why most meetings fail (and how lack of clarity around purpose quietly derails outcomes) How to rethink inclusion and ensure the right people (not just more people) are in the room The hidden influence of power dynamics - and how they shape who speaks, who stays silent, and what decisions get made Why facilitation is a critical leadership skill, not an optional add-on How presence, energy, and pace can make or break a meeting’s effectiveness Practical ways to redesign your meetings so they lead to real clarity, ownership, and action If you’ve ever left a meeting wondering what was accomplished - or sensed that your team is capable of more than what shows up in the room - this episode offers a clear, actionable framework to rethink how you gather and lead. Learn more about The Co. -> a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Amanda Aguilera, Executive Director of the Right Use of Power Institute, to explore what it really means to understand and navigate power in our leadership, our relationships, and our systems. Drawing on decades of experience, Amanda shares a deeply nuanced perspective on power - not as something we possess, but as a dynamic present in every interaction - and how this shift can fundamentally change the way we lead and relate. This conversation moves beyond simplified, binary thinking and into the complexity of real leadership: the tensions between vulnerability and responsibility, the impact of power differentials, and the importance of cultivating what Amanda calls “right relationship.” Together, we unpack how our assumptions about power shape our behaviour, our organizations, and ultimately, our ability to build trust and navigate conflict in meaningful ways. In this episode, we explore: Why understanding power as a dynamic (not a possession) changes everything The concept of “right relationship” and why it’s never a fixed state How leaders can balance vulnerability with responsibility (and why both matter) The hidden ways power shows up through roles, status, and systems Practical ways to distribute power more equitably without losing accountability The importance of slowing down to examine mental models and assumptions Why doing this work in a community, not alone, is essential If you’re a leader navigating complexity, power dynamics, or cultural change, this episode offers a powerful reframe and practical insights to support more conscious, human-centred leadership. Learn more about The Co. → a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Mike Derricott, a seasoned municipal executive and former Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Cochrane, to explore the realities of leading complex public-serving organizations. Drawing on his experience guiding rapidly growing municipalities, Mike shares candid insights about leadership under pressure - where competing stakeholder expectations, rapid growth, and public accountability collide. From navigating the tension between collaboration and decisiveness to building cultures of accountability in human-centred organizations, this conversation explores what it really takes to lead when the work is messy, political, and deeply consequential. Together, we unpack the subtle dynamics that shape leadership teams: the discomfort of using power responsibly, the risks of consensus-driven decision-making, and the importance of creating clear expectations for behaviour and performance. This conversation moves beyond leadership theory and into the practical realities of building mature, high-performing teams in complex systems. In this episode, we explore: Why consensus-based decision making can quietly erode accountability The hidden risks of prioritizing process over outcomes in public organizations How leaders can balance collaboration with decisive action Why effective teams must develop a tolerance for “messiness” and discomfort The difference between welcoming people and accepting all behaviours Why accountability is one of the greatest forms of respect a leader can offer If you lead in government, nonprofits, or any mission-driven organization, this episode offers grounded wisdom about building cultures that are both human-centred and high-performing. Learn more about The Co. → a leadership development community for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with James Docherty, Assistant Deputy Fire Chief at the Calgary Fire Department, to explore what leadership looks like when the stakes are real, the pressure is high, and the margin for error is slim. Drawing on decades of experience leading in complex, high-risk environments, James shares grounded insights on decision-making, trust, accountability, and culture - and what leaders in any sector can learn from emergency services. This conversation moves beyond theory and into the lived realities of leadership: the moments that test us, the habits that shape culture, and the responsibilities that come with authority. In this episode, we explore: How leaders can balance decisiveness with humanity and care Why feedback must be normalized long before problems arise The hidden leadership failures behind many performance issues How culture change really happens — and why it can’t be forced The role of humility, awareness, and presence in building trust If you’re a leader navigating complexity, growth, or change, this episode offers practical wisdom you can apply immediately. Learn more about The Co. -> a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we’re joined by Virginia Hervey and Denise Manderson, longtime leaders at Hull Services, for a grounded conversation about trauma-informed leadership, sector capacity, and leading in complex human systems. Virginia and Denise share Hull’s evolution from a primarily campus-based care model to a broad continuum focused on early intervention, prevention, and building resilience within families, communities, and systems. Rather than positioning Hull as the answer to every challenge, they articulate a clear commitment to building capacity across the sector, so fewer families require intensive interventions. The conversation also explores Hull’s leadership and culture work with The Ally Co., which began as a search for leadership training and quickly became something deeper. They reflect on the importance of slowing down, co-creating leadership development that truly fits the organization, and having honest conversations about power, intention, and impact. Shared language, reflective practice, and relationship-centred leadership emerge as critical levers for culture change. Zooming out, the episode tackles persistent nonprofit sector challenges - burnout, retention, system overload, and competing demands - and offers a hopeful, practical case for more intentional, collaborative, and power-conscious leadership. This episode is a must-listen for leaders working in trauma-exposed, mission-driven environments who want their leadership to reflect the care, dignity, and outcomes they’re striving to create. 🔍 Also covered in this episode: Translating evidence-based and clinical models into everyday practice Why intention vs. impact is a core leadership skill How shared language shapes culture and accountability The role of leadership development in reducing burnout and supporting retention Why early intervention and prevention matter for long-term impact Learn more about The Co. -> a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders. 

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we welcome Ian, a leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Forge Works Advisory. Ian shares the deeply personal and professional journey that led him to leave the company he was leading, sparked by the work of The Ally Co. to uncover deeper organizational truths. Ian describes how the initial engagement with The Ally Co. was intended to solve for communication and power dynamics within the team. However, the work quickly revealed a more fundamental problem: an artificial alignment and misalignment in the company's direction and people's roles. This revelation forced Ian to confront the brutal facts and make a difficult, but necessary, decision for the good of the organization.   Drawing on his philosophy that success hinges on getting the "human bit right" , Ian unpacks the difference between a team that is merely surviving versus one that is truly thriving. He passionately argues against the term "soft skills," noting that they are, in fact, the hardest skills to master and are the fundamental ingredients for business success. This conviction is the driving force behind his new venture, Forge Works Advisory, which helps founders and owners build enduring strength and high-performing human systems.   You'll hear a mature perspective on how difficult outcomes—like moving on from a company you love—can often be the right outcomes. This conversation is a must-listen for any founder, CEO, or leader who feels their company isn't "clicking," even with a clear strategy and vision.   🔍 Also covered in this episode: The signs of organizational dysfunction like pre-meetings, water cooler chat, and venting.   The difference between a "playbook" consulting approach and a more consultative, human-centric engagement.   How to create a "safe space" for team members to share without fear of retribution.   The crucial importance of hiring for fit over being 100% technical acumen.   Why Ian calls for a new term to replace "soft skills".   How Forge Works Advisory helps companies define their needs before making huge investments in full-time roles like a COO.  

In this episode of the Leaderful Podcast, Pablo is joined by leadership coach and fractional COO Tina Mathas. Together, they unpack the deeply human side of startup scaling—from control and ego to purpose, burnout, and how hard it is to let go of your “business baby.” Drawing on decades of combined experience, Tina and Pablo explore what keeps founders from scaling effectively, and why bringing in a fractional COO can be a game-changer. You'll hear real stories of founders hitting their limits, the importance of reconnecting to values, and why “being nice” can sometimes be a leadership liability. They also share how fractional roles—when done right—can bring clarity, structure, and renewed focus to growing teams, and how trusted advisors can serve as the mirror founders often need to move forward. 🔍 Also covered in this episode: What ego and fear have to do with founder burnout The value of trusted advisors vs. tactical consultants How misaligned values create friction—and how to fix it What it really means to “fall back in love” with your business The difference between people-pleasing and service-oriented leadership Signs it might be time to bring in a fractional COO Whether you’re running a fast-growing startup or supporting one from the inside, this episode is filled with hard truths and compassionate strategies to help you grow—without losing yourself along the way.

In this episode of the Leaderful Podcast, Jeff and trusted advisor Denyelle Fraser sit down with Dr. Christen Behzadi—anesthesiologist turned DEI strategist and founder of IIC Firm—for a rich, honest conversation on what it really takes to create inclusive, high-functioning teams in today’s complex organizational climate. Dr. Behzadi shares how her intercultural experience and early advocacy shaped her transition into equity work, and why she believes true DEI success starts with organizational maturity—not media trends or token efforts. Together, they unpack what readiness really looks like, why passive leadership is so harmful, and how methodical, diagnostic approaches can create lasting change. You’ll hear how Dr. Behzadi strategically assesses organizations before engaging, why she avoids “identity deep dives” until the groundwork is laid, and how equity work done wrong can cause more harm than good. 🔍 Also covered in this episode: The backlash against DEI—and what’s fueling it How to assess if your organization is actually ready for equity work The link between team connection and sustainable DEI outcomes Why power, not identity, should be the starting point for equity training How leaders can reduce harm by understanding their role power The importance of maturity, not urgency, in long-term DEI success Whether you're a DEI consultant, a team leader, or an executive navigating the future of inclusive leadership, this episode offers sharp insights and grounded strategies to help you do this work well—and do it right.

In this episode of the Leaderful Podcast, Jeff is joined by Nogol Madani—engineer turned workplace culture strategist and founder of Glee Factor—for a deep dive into psychological safety and why it matters more than ever. Nogol shares her journey from engineering to exploring what makes teams thrive, and how a pivotal moment sparked her obsession with inclusion, team dynamics, and performance. Together, she and Jeff explore what psychological safety really is (and what it’s not), how it impacts learning and innovation, and how leaders can create conditions for candor, trust, and contribution. You’ll hear practical tips for fostering psychological safety in meetings, rituals to open space for team voices, and the subtle habits that either build or erode trust on teams. Plus, Nogol shares why human skills are more important than ever in the age of AI—and how leaders can embrace intentional, human-centred transformation. 🔍 Also covered in this episode: Common myths about psychological safety What to look for in teams with low safety Simple meeting rituals that boost trust The connection between inclusion and innovation Why culture work is all about daily behaviors, not big pronouncements Whether you're a CEO, a people manager, or just curious about creating better team environments, this episode offers real-world strategies to bring psychological safety from theory to practice.

In this episode, Jeff Couillard and Pablo Romero dive into The Ally Co.’s Leadership Impact 360°s, powerful experiences designed to support both professional and personal development through a combination of useful feedback, meaningful review, and focused action. They discuss some of the reasons people struggle to request and receive meaningful feedback through typical performance review processes and present an opportunity to approach this important growth process differently.   Along the way, Pablo and Jeff take us through TACO’s Leadership Impact 360° client journey, exploring how intentional design and facilitation can help participants:  Engage in feedback discussions that (truly) help  Identify alignments and gaps that currently exist in different relationships   Focus in on what’s most important to them  Take action to make measurable progress  Deepen connection and trust in their relationships  The Leaderful Podcast explores the use of power within teams and organizations, through the stories and perspectives of impact-conscious leaders who are disrupting outdated thinking, systems, and ways of working.  Have an idea for other topics you think we should be exploring? We’d love to hear it! Here’s where you can find us:   Website  Email  LinkedIn 

In their transition from working women to working mothers, Erin Smith and Saphina Benimadhu-Waters both had unique but challenging return-to-work experiences that didn’t support them in the way they needed. Now, as co-founders of The Debut Co., they provide professional coaching to help parents take charge of their career journey and help organizations champion equity. They describe a truly equitable workplace as one where a person of any gender can be a caregiver and earn equal pay for equal work.    In this episode, Saphina and Erin sit down with Co.CEOs Jeff and Pablo to talk about how they’re working to help people operationalize their power within the workplace to create individual and systemic change.     Mentioned in this episode:  Power dynamics  The CLEAR coaching model  For the Love of Men by Liz Plank (book)   Pay Up by Reshma Saujani (book)  Daily Stoic (newsletter)  Diary of a CEO (podcast)    The Leaderful Podcast explores the use of power within teams and organizations, through the stories and perspectives of impact-conscious leaders who are disrupting outdated thinking, systems, and ways of working.    Have an idea for other topics you think we should be exploring? We’d love to hear it! Here’s where you can find us:   Website  Email  LinkedIn 

Tammy Arseneau is a consultant and coach who takes a science-based, systems-level approach to help leaders at all levels get to the root of common workplace challenges and build resiliency. In this episode, she joins Co.CEOs Jeff and Pablo to discuss:  Why change can be so hard for individuals, teams and organizations.  What leaders can do differently to operationalize their leadership and their power.  How neuroscience can help us build capacity for engaging in crucial conversations that lead to better outcomes.     Also mentioned in this episode:  Impact assessments (our version of true 360° feedback reviews)  Trusted advising  Find Tammy on LinkedIn and learn more about Cortical Consulting and Coaching     The Leaderful Podcast explores human-centred, systems-conscious approaches to leadership and building high-functioning teams. We focus on the core problems of burnout, disconnection, conflict, misuses of power, unethical leadership and stuckness on teams and within organizations.  Got an idea for other topics you think we should be exploring? We’d love to hear it! Here’s where you can find us:   Website  Email  LinkedIn 

In this episode of the Leaderful Podcast, Pablo and Jeff are joined by Lindsay Sheldrake to discuss how fractional COOs can help leaders get out of operational quicksand and into their strategic role(s), activate people around vision through focus and with trust, and operationalize power through more conscious ways of working.  Lindsay Sheldrake is a wife, a mother, a project manager, a purpose-driven leader—and a trusted advisor at The Ally Co.  Be sure to connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn! The Leaderful Podcast explores human-centred, systems-conscious approaches to leadership and building high-functioning teams. We focus on the core problems of burnout, disconnection, conflict, misuses of power, unethical leadership and stuckness on teams and within organizations.  Also mentioned in this episode:  Leadership support  The power dynamic (up-power and down-power)  Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)  The Four Disciplines of Execution (4DX) framework  Have suggestions for topics we should be exploring? We’d love to hear them! Here’s where you can find us:   Website  Email (team@theallyco.world) LinkedIn 

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we reflect on the last three years of The Ally Co.'s purpose and mission to create 'leaderful' teams. 🤔 What does being 'leaderful' mean and what have we been observing (and learning)? A few insights from our conversation about creating 'leaderfulness' on teams: 🧭 Foundational Alignment -- Leaderful teams are foundationally aligned on the impact (goals, outcomes, objectives) they are seeking to accomplish as a collective, and how their core values are expected to be operationalized through key decisions, actions, and behaviours. 🌟 Power & Communication -- Leaderful teams are aware of the power dynamics and systemic forces at play for them, and therefore regularly create space for engaging in deep listening, meaningful dialogue, and purposeful direction activities. 🎁 Safety & Feedback -- Leaderful teams engage in healthy tension and conflict, by creating inclusive and safe spaces for team members to regularly (and meaningfully) request, provide, and make sense of feedback - for the sake of connection, innovation, and performance. 🛶 Traction & Accountability -- Leaderful teams elevate each other - individually and collectively - by regularly clarifying and recognizing their roles, responsibilities, and contributions. They hold each other accountable, ask for help, and celebrate their learnings (misses and all). 🔒 Connection & Trust -- There is a richness that comes from embracing diverse thoughts and perspectives, particularly from those who have been marginalized. Inclusivity not only drives innovation but also builds deeper connections and trust.   Learn more about our work with impact-conscious leaders by visiting our website, joining the conversation on LinkedIn or dropping us a note at team@theallyco.world.

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, Pablo and Jeff reflect on a part of our work that we've been doing more and more of with impact-conscious leaders and their teams - helping them with the operationalization of their core organizational values. 📽 Here are some takeaways! 🧭 Defining & Clarifying Values -- Many organizations and teams stop at nice-sounding lists with one-word values. This means they often miss out on the benefits of clearly articulated expectations for key behaviours associated (and maybe more importantly, not associated) with their values. Performative value statements can lead to misalignment, disconnection, distrust. 🏗 Core vs. Other Types of Values -- Distinguishing core values from 'table-stakes', 'permission-to-play," and/or 'aspirational' values, is important. Core values are the cornerstones or foundation of a team's or organization's culture. They help foster shared connection, understanding, alignment, and agreement. They are powerful drivers for high-functioning teams, if operationalized in the right way. 📢 Feedback & Accountability -- Establishing regular feedback rhythms is key for the collective operationalization of values. Clearly (and consciously) communicating the do and don't behaviours of your core values - through recognition, story-telling, and coaching - is how people will come to internalize and align their behaviours collectively. Thank you for listening, and let us know what other topics you think we should be exploring!   Learn more about our work with impact-conscious leaders by visiting our website, joining the conversation on LinkedIn or dropping us a note at team@theallyco.world.

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, Co.CEOs (Pablo Romero and Jeff Couillard) reflect on TACO's journey this past year. Part of their discussion focused on the latest positioning of our offerings in today's leadership and culture space, and what's become clearer in our work to create leaderful teams.  Some highlights from the conversation:  ⚡ Foundational Alignment & Leaderfulness -- Any meaningful change (e.g. developing adaptive capacity) requires power-based and systems-conscious leadership. The cultivation of awareness, skill, and alignment across organizational levels starts at the top.   🔄 Purposeful Direction & Ways of Working -- Leaders must clearly communicate how values will be (and not be) operationalized, and what expectations they have of themselves and others in aligning organizational intention and impact. How a team works together - decision-making, feedback, meetings, etc. - should reflect its core values, priorities, and intended impact.   🌟 Trusted Advising for Impact-Conscious Leaders -- TACO is focused on supporting leaders and teams who want to use their power to positively disrupt outdated thinking, systems, and ways of working. Our two core leadership archetypes are known as Courageous Activists and Supporting Sponsors.   🧩 Getting Unstuck & Achieving Clarity -- TACO's Trusted Advisor work helps leaders and their teams to get unstuck by helping them to cultivate new levels of awareness, skill, and capacity. This involves exploring behavioral patterns, redesigning workflows and processes, and fostering deeper levels of connection and performance.  ----more---- Learn more about our work with impact-conscious leaders by visiting our website, joining the conversation on LinkedIn or dropping us a note at team@theallyco.world.

Co.CEOs Jessica Xiomara García and Emily Drake of Learning for Action - an organization helping create and support equitable learning cultures in the social sector - join Jeff and Pablo to discuss the nuances of harmonizing equity-grounded and data-informed approaches into organizational practices.   Listen in as they explore:  Co.CEO origins stories => Giving us insight into how Emily and Jessica's personal backgrounds and experiences helped shape their leadership and operational philosophies at Learning for Action.  Equity-Grounded Leadership => Integrating attention to power, privilege, and identity to better serve our diverse communities.  Data-Informed Decision-Making => Staying conscious of an over-reliance on quantitative methods, and valuing participatory and qualitative data.  Relational Integrity => Working from the inside-out to develop alignment through equitable practices that foster healthy tension and debate and inform purposeful direction.  The Direction of Social Sector Consulting => Sharing thoughts on how consulting practices can evolve to better support learning, effectiveness, and equity in the social sector.  About Jessica and Emily Jessica Xiomara García is a dedicated advocate for racial equity and social justice with over fifteen years of experience at LFA. She excels in directing research projects, facilitating engagements, and providing diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting. Jessica brings a deep expertise in youth development, women’s empowerment, and environmental education.  Emily Boer Drake brings twenty years of nonprofit and philanthropic sector experience, specializing in learning systems, capacity building, and evaluation frameworks. Emily's expertise lies in understanding organizational dynamics, implementing learning questions, and customizing learning systems to match organizational culture and resources.  Thank you for tuning in! Interested in learning more about The Ally Co.? Find us on LinkedIn Explore our model for leaderful workplace cultures Connect with our Co.CEOs Jeff Couillard and Pablo Romero    

Consultant, designer and strategist in the field of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Denyelle Fraser, joins our Co.CEO Jeff Couillard to discuss the opportunities and challenges of leading sustainable and systems-conscious change and transformation projects with an EDI focus. Listen in as they explore: The importance of moving beyond EDI check-box initiatives The value of centering the voices and perspectives of the people being served Denyelle's experience helping teams design and deliver more equitable and just services The Onion Tool from Community Wise Resource Centre About Denyelle As an equity-based designer, Denyelle brings a unique perspective to the table, focusing not only on driving systems change using innovative approaches, but also on designing for equity and social impact. She has a deep understanding of the ways in which design can be used as a tool for creating positive social change and is committed to using her skills to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion into all aspects of an organization. Outside of her work, Denyelle is a textbook introvert that values family time with her husband and 2 yr old. A true Torontonian at heart, still adjusting to "Yahoo" since her move to Calgary in 2021. And a lover of "mockumentary" style tv sitcoms.  Connect with her on LinkedIn here.

Educator, innovator and advocate in the field of neurodiversity employment, Dave Thompson, joins our Co.CEO Jeff Couillard to discuss the opportunities and challenges of fostering psychologically safe workplaces for neurodiverse employees - and how that effort benefits everyone. Listen in as they explore: The importance of 'challenger safety'  How coaching is for everyone - not just neurodivergent employees How to make sense of common terminology Dave's experience helping teams foster more meaningful connection and neuro-friendly workplaces About Dave As Director of Strategic Programs for Potentia, Dave supports companies in becoming more neuroinclusive through training on best practices, as well as recruiting and providing ongoing support to neurodistinct professionals. His work is fed by a desire to see the world of work continue to evolve through increased opportunity, flexibility, empathy, acceptance, and support for neurodistinct professionals. He believes that diversity, including neurodiversity, makes the world of work a better, more productive, innovative and understanding place. Outside of his work, Dave is a proud father, husband and punk rocker. 🎸 Find him on LinkedIn here. Interested in learning more about The Ally Co.? Find us on LinkedIn Explore our upcoming Transformational Leadership workshops Connect with our Co.CEOs Jeff Couillard and Pablo Romero