Seasons Leadership Podcast

In this insightful and practical episode, Susan and Debbie explore what it really means to lead with a quality mindset. Quality isn’t just a department, a checklist, or the QA team’s job—it’s a cultural commitment that starts at the top. Drawing on years of leadership experience, they share how a focus on quality influences everything from customer trust to team morale and why it must be built in from the beginning—not corrected at the end. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to define, model, and reinforce quality in your leadership practice—and how to avoid the common pitfall of confusing quality with perfectionism. Whether you're leading a team or contributing to one, this episode will challenge and inspire you to raise the bar. 🔑 Key Takeaways Quality is everyone’s responsibility, but it starts with leadership. Leaders must set expectations, model behavior, and reinforce a quality mindset across the organization. Compliance and quality are not the same. Just “checking the box” doesn't ensure excellence. True quality aligns with customer expectations, team collaboration, and continuous improvement. Beware of the perfectionism trap. A healthy quality mindset prioritizes high standards without creating fear or micromanagement. Real leadership means enabling others. Quality leaders support their teams by providing tools, removing roadblocks, and listening to feedback. Storytelling is powerful. Sharing examples of what quality looks like in real life helps people internalize and live out these standards. Ask the right questions. “Is this the best we can do for our customer—within our parameters?” can shift the conversation from shortcuts to excellence. ⏱️ Episode Highlights + Timestamps 00:01 – What does “quality” even mean? Susan and Debbie introduce the topic and reflect on how quality is felt more than defined. They share personal experiences of recognizing when something lacks quality—and why that matters. 01:45 – Why quality is personal Debbie shares how her value of excellence drives her insistence on high-quality work. Susan adds that noticing poor quality can feel like a poke in the arm and very frustrating—especially once you start looking for it. 03:00 – Stradivarius vs. dollar store Susan uses a vivid analogy to highlight the difference between something crafted with care and something mass-produced without attention to detail. 04:45 – Is AI lowering the quality bar? Debbie raises concerns about over-reliance on AI. It’s not that AI isn’t capable of producing high-quality work—it’s that people often don’t take the time to verify, personalize, or correct it. 07:00 – The leader’s role in defining quality Susan explains that leaders must define what quality looks like for their teams. Without clarity, people are left guessing—and quality suffers. 08:15 – Leading vs. managing quality Susan and Debbie revisit the distinction between leadership and management, applying it to quality. Leading quality means setting expectations and building a culture; managing quality means overseeing processes and compliance. They emphasize that both are important, and a leader must strike a balance to ensure excellent quality standards. 10:00 – The human element of quality Leaders must support their teams with the right tools, environment, and communication. Debbie emphasizes that expecting quality without enabling it sets people up for failure. 11:00 – Pitfall #1: Confusing compliance with quality Just because something checks a box doesn’t mean it’s excellent. Susan and Debbie explain how true quality goes beyond minimum requirements and is rooted in care and continuous improvement. 13:00 – Pitfall #2: Prioritizing schedule or cost over quality Debbie shares her strongly held belief: “If you focus on quality first, schedule and cost will follow.” Cutting corners to save time or money often creates bigger problems later. 14:45 – Pitfall #3: Mistaking perfectionism for quality Susan recounts how some leaders use “quality” as a shield for micromanagement and perfectionism. Debbie notes the key difference—quality inspires, while perfectionism stifles. 18:00 – Quality must be built in, not corrected in Placing the burden of quality solely on QA teams is a recipe for failure. Leaders must integrate quality from the start—and model it every day. 20:00 – When leaders go too far Susan describes a situation where a leader’s obsession with perfect grammar in emails stifled communication and collaboration. The takeaway: don’t confuse perfectionism for quality. 24:45 – Building a quality culture Debbie and Susan outline ways to foster a true quality mindset: Set clear expectations Reinforce quality in real-time Ask questions to uncover assumptions Share stories and real-life examples Celebrate in-the-moment wins 29:00 – Your leadership challenge Susan and Debbie offer a call to action: Reflect on your own mindset. Are you leading with quality? Is your team empowered to do their best work? What’s your legacy when it comes to excellence? 32:40 – Share your story Susan and Debbie invite listeners to share their own quality stories—what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what they’ve learned. They may feature your insights in a future episode! 🛠️ Leadership Actions You Can Take Today Check your mindset: Are you leading with quality as your top priority—or just managing to deadlines and budgets? Start your meetings with a quality check-in. Invite your team to share how they’re achieving quality or where there are gaps. Recognize quality in the moment. Don’t wait until a project wraps up to highlight good work. Encourage honest feedback. Make space for real conversations that can surface improvement opportunities. Model continuous improvement. Share your stories—failures, lessons, and course corrections—to build a safe, growth-oriented culture.

In this energizing and practical episode, Susan and Debbie introduce a powerful leadership tool they call the Leadership and Management System (LMS)—a deceptively simple, highly effective way to create clarity, momentum, and alignment across any organization. From high-stakes Boeing projects to startup chaos, they share how this system brings people together, drives results, and fosters a culture where excellence isn’t left to chance—it’s designed and lived. Whether you're a seasoned executive or just starting your leadership journey, this episode will leave you inspired—and equipped—to build your own leadership and management system.   ⏰ Episode Breakdown & Key Highlights: 00:01 – A “magical” leadership tool? Debbie kicks off the episode with a wink to the transformative (but practical) nature of today’s topic: a leadership and management system. Susan and Debbie reaffirm the Seasons Leadership mission: making excellent leadership the worldwide standard. 00:40 – What is excellent leadership, really? Susan defines excellent leadership as a way of being, doing, and serving—inspiring others toward the greater good. Debbie adds that leadership requires creating strong relationships and setting a clear direction. 01:26 – Leadership vs. Management: Don't blur the lines Susan reflects on how many (including herself) use “leadership” and “management” interchangeably—but they’re different.  Leadership = People, direction, and purpose  Management = Processes, plans, and coordination Debbie explains that both are essential and often must coexist within the same individual—especially in smaller or fast-moving organizations. 02:25 – A helpful comparison + Peter Drucker wisdom Susan shares a comparison from the Daniels College of Business:  Leaders align with mission, monitor motivation, and set direction.   Managers organize, staff, and monitor performance. Debbie adds Peter Drucker’s classic quote: “Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things.” 03:20 – Wearing multiple hats with intention Great leaders know when they’re acting as a leader, a manager—or even a coach. Susan and Debbie emphasize the importance of switching hats with awareness, especially in complex or fast-changing environments. 04:30 – Introducing the Leadership and Management System (LMS) Debbie unveils the big concept: A shared, transparent system that aligns everyone in an organization around how leadership and management are practiced. This tool sets expectations and eliminates confusion about how decisions are made, priorities are set, and progress is tracked. 05:28 – The essential elements of an LMS Susan and Debbie walk through what every Leadership and Management System should include:  Vision: Where the organization is headed  Mission: Why it exists  Values: Behavioral expectations and decision-making guardrails  Operating Principles & Practices: How people work together  Stakeholders: Who is invested in the organization’s success  Processes: Step-by-step actions that guide consistent outcomes 07:16 – Why leaders should start with a system Susan stresses the importance of beginning with values and operating principles—setting a cultural and directional foundation. A clear LMS helps avoid misalignment and chaos. 08:21 – Startup story: Creating order from chaos Susan shares how she applied a Leadership and Management System in a startup environment where people were doing “everything, all at once.” By introducing structure and rhythm (starting with the Business Plan Review, or BPR), the team gained clarity, focus, and measurable progress—even amid constant innovation. 10:28 – Good intentions aren’t enough Debbie points out that even with great intentions, teams can pull in different directions if there’s no unifying system. Once the system is in place, the transformation can be dramatic. 11:48 – Building buy-in: From skepticism to momentum Susan acknowledges that creatives may resist structure at first—but when they start seeing progress, enthusiasm grows. Structure doesn't stifle creativity—it channels it. 12:57 – Helping individuals see their role in the bigger picture Debbie explains how a strong LMS connects individual roles to the organization’s overall success. This fosters motivation and engagement—people understand why they’re doing what they’re doing. 13:47 – A motivating force for teams Susan shares that when people feel aligned with the vision and mission, they’re more likely to be engaged, excited, and productive. A good system connects the dots for everyone. 14:24 – Legendary example: Alan Mulally’s “Working Together” system Susan reflects on her time working with Alan on the Boeing 777 program. His “Working Together” system included:  Direct involvement from all functions  Inclusion of all stakeholders  Transparency and alignment This system drove a culture of accountability and unity—producing extraordinary results in both aerospace and automotive industries (Boeing and later, Ford). 18:48 – The leader must model the system Debbie makes it clear: You can’t delegate this. If the leader isn’t committed, the system will fail. Successful systems are lived from the top. 20:00 – Another example: Baldrige + Boeing Defense Debbie shares her experience implementing the Baldrige Excellence Framework in a defense division at Boeing. Initially unsure of what a “leadership system” even was, they defined their own—borrowing elements from Alan’s system and tailoring it to their organization. The result? Widespread adoption, better alignment, and proud employees who understood the “why” behind their work. 22:16 – It caught on like wildfire Debbie describes how teams began pointing to the LMS during presentations—embedding it into the fabric of how they worked. It created a shared language and rhythm. 23:19 – Simple but not easy Susan reflects on how the concept is straightforward, but consistency is the challenge. The system only works when leaders commit to using it every day. 23:43 – The LMS Checklist (Recap) Debbie and Susan summarize the core elements again:  Vision  Mission  Values  Operating Principles & Practices  Stakeholders  Processes And remember: The leader must own it and be relentless in applying it.  24:17 – Your leadership challenge Create your own Leadership & Management System—or review the one you have. Is it complete? Is it working? 24:46 – Need help? Seasons Leadership is here Susan invites listeners to explore their Elemental Leadership course and reach out for guidance in building an LMS tailored to your organization. 24:53 – Until next time…  Debbie signs off with a final word of encouragement: “Go do good things.”   💬 Join the Conversation:Debbie and Susan would love to hear your insights. Share your leadership journey with the Seasons Leadership community on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seasons-leadership-development/    🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights.👍 Rate & Review to help others discover the Seasons Leadership Podcast.📩 Share this episode with a fellow leader ready to lead with purpose.

What if a simple cup of coffee could transform your team’s performance? In this episode, Susan and Debbie dive deep into the often-overlooked secret to sustainable business success—relationships. Discover why strong, intentional connections are more than “nice-to-haves”—they are essential, strategic advantages. Learn about the Swedish tradition of Fika, how it fosters trust, communication, innovation, and what it looks like in action—from startups to global teams. Whether you lead a team of 5 or 5,000, this conversation will inspire you to pause, connect, and lead with purpose.   ⏰ Episode Breakdown & Key Highlights: 00:03 – Susan sets the tone: Can a coffee break really transform your business? 00:40 – Debbie dives in: Why relationships aren’t soft skills—they’re business essentials. 01:41 – Quality relationships = quality results: Susan breaks down the chain reaction from trust to outcomes. 03:15 – Debbie ties in the concept of “built-in quality” starting from relationships. 04:34 – Blame game vs. Relationship game: The shift that changes team dynamics for the better. 06:01 – Start at the beginning: How to check the relational health of your stakeholders. 06:53 – The business cost of poor relationships: Missed opportunities and slow execution. 07:32 – Enter Fika: The Swedish tradition that rehumanizes connection at work. 08:20 – Susan’s real-world Fika story: How a weekly ritual transformed a fast-growing team. 11:01 – Inclusivity without pressure: Fika’s magic for introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between. 13:13 – Why Fika works: trust, psychological safety, equal voice. 15:09 – Reinforcing culture through ritual: How Fika strengthens values like collaboration and innovation. 16:45 – How to get started with Fika: 4 simple steps to build relational momentum. 20:28 – Virtual Fika? Yes, it still works—even remotely. Just add intention. 22:34 – Scaling Fika in large organizations: Susan’s bold (and successful) experiment with thousands. 26:02 – Measuring success: Stronger collaboration, faster innovation, and aligned action. 28:48 – Call to Action: Schedule your own Fika this week—no agenda, just connection. 💡 Key Takeaways Business is personal. Behind every innovation, deal, or decision are people—and relationships matter. Trust accelerates performance. High-quality relationships sharpen thinking, improve actions, and lead to better outcomes. Fika is more than coffee. It’s a leadership practice of intentional connection that scales from 1:1s to enterprise-wide impact. Simple habits create cultural shifts. When leaders model authenticity, others feel empowered to connect and collaborate. 💬 Join the Conversation:Debbie and Susan would love to hear your insights. Share your leadership journey with the Seasons Leadership community on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seasons-leadership-development/    🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights.👍 Rate & Review to help others discover the Seasons Leadership Podcast.📩 Share this episode with a fellow leader ready to lead with purpose.

In this engaging episode of the Seasons Leadership Podcast, Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland delve into the essential leadership practice of setting meaningful intentions. Unlike typical goal-setting, intentions provide clarity and purpose, grounding leaders in their vision, mission, and values—especially during uncertain times. Debbie and Susan share personal stories, explore the AIM SMART framework, and offer practical accountability strategies to help leaders turn their intentions into impactful progress.   ⏰ Episode Breakdown & Key Highlights: 00:00 | Welcome & Why Setting Intentions Matters Debbie and Susan kick off the episode by discussing how intention-setting differs from goal-setting. Leadership is a continuous journey—intentions bring clarity and focus. 01:26 | Staying Grounded in a Changing World Susan shares insights on how being grounded in intention helps navigate uncertainty. Revisiting and adjusting intentions is key as life and leadership demands evolve. 03:20 | The Foundational Leadership Triad Debbie explains the triad: Vision: Where you’re headed. Mission: Why you exist. Values: How you show up and operate. Aligning intentions with these elements creates clarity and impact. 04:39 | Intention as Your Leadership Compass Debbie shares a simple mantra: “Shampoo, rinse, repeat.” Recommit to your intentions regularly and make adjustments when needed. 06:41 | Making Intentions Part of Your Routine Susan suggests incorporating intention-setting into weekly reflections. Leadership requires ongoing connection to your purpose—“set it and forget it” doesn’t work. 07:43 | Getting Started When You Feel Stuck Debbie recommends starting with micro-steps when the big picture feels overwhelming. Use the leadership triad as a filter for decision-making. 09:30 | Small Steps, Big Progress Susan emphasizes the power of momentum—clarity emerges through action. Flexibility is crucial; adjust your approach as you learn. 11:46 | The AIM SMART Framework Debbie breaks down the AIM SMART process: AIM: Acceptable: Minimum achievement. Ideal: Best-case scenario. Middle: Realistic but challenging target. SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound. “When you define success before you start, you recognize progress as it happens.” — Debbie 13:40 | Building Momentum with Small Wins Susan discusses how celebrating progress builds confidence and keeps motivation high. 19:05 | Accountability: Your Leadership Accelerator Debbie shares how accountability partners have helped her stay committed to personal goals. Susan highlights the "Don’t Break the Chain" method—plus the important reminder: Never skip two days in a row. 22:11 | Leading with Intentions That Guide Teams Leaders can inspire teams by setting clear, time-bound intentions linked to a broader vision. Susan prompts leaders to ask: “What does success look like next quarter? Next year?” 24:04 | Real-Life Application: Health as a Leadership Practice Debbie applies the AIM SMART framework to personal wellness goals, showcasing the value of tracking progress over time. 28:02 | Embracing Change, Leading with Intention “Change is inevitable. Growth is intentional.” — Susan Leaders who embrace discomfort open new opportunities for themselves and others. 29:40 | Final Insights & Action Steps Debbie offers actionable next steps: Write down your vision, mission, values, and intention. Schedule regular reflections. Find accountability methods that work for you. Start now. Adjust as you grow.   ✨ Key Quotes: “Leadership is about showing up intentionally every season of your life.” — Susan “Sustainable leadership happens when you lead in alignment with your values.” — Debbie   💬 Join the Conversation:Debbie and Susan would love to hear your insights. Share your leadership journey with the Seasons Leadership community on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seasons-leadership-development/    🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights.👍 Rate & Review to help others discover the Seasons Leadership Podcast.📩 Share this episode with a fellow leader ready to lead with purpose.

We dive deeper into the Foundational Leadership Triad that defines your mission, vision and values and focus on mission or your “why.” Join us and learn the importance of finding your why and how through this practice of self-awareness you can feel more fulfilled and prepared to lead boldly and naturally. Show notes: (0:56) Leadership is the ability to inspire and motivate people to action. Excellent leadership is understanding yourself. We are how we lead. We briefly explain the Foundational Leadership Triad and how mission or your “why” is connected to your actions. (5:01) Leaders that are successful are so mission driven that they get out of their own way, own ego and own fears of failing because their why is so important. We share how articulating this strong sense of purpose and aligning it with your life gives you power and energy. (8:00) We examine this process through the shared journey of many clients and co-workers we have encountered that have struggled in work situations, not knowing the best path to take. We offer “finding your why” as a shortcut to the right path. (10:40) We talk about Simon Sinek and his impact on this area of leadership development. His book, Start with Why is about discovering your purpose and your “why.” We give examples of how people have been distracted from their why because of outside pressures and the alignment of purpose that comes with finding it again. (16:40) We give you the steps to finding your why including practicing self-awareness and self-reflection, seeking guidance from others and then writing down your purpose statement. We encourage you to go through this process multiple times and adjust. (19:10) We share our Seasons Leadership mission and our personal “whys.” You will see the alignment between the Seasons Leadership mission and us as unique individuals. We acknowledge that individuals cannot always choose to have their work and purpose aligned. Priorities change but ultimately you should be aligned with your purpose for the long term.

Welcome to season 6 of the Seasons Leadership Podcast. Listeners have asked us to go deeper on leadership topics so we will bring you this renewed focus throughout season 6. We start with a deep discussion on foundational leadership knowledge which includes four areas of knowledge: industry, organization, stakeholders and business model or operations. We encourage you to approach your leadership journey as an ongoing process of reinvention, adaptation and renewal. As you listen to this episode, think about what you could implement in your own leadership immediately that will increase your level of excellence as a leader. Show notes: (2:58) Know the industry you are in. This isn't only for business leaders - this is for leaders anywhere that you find yourself - you need to know about your industry. We share tips on how you can obtain this knowledge and encourage you to act proactively. (5:54) Know your organization, what it is all about and what is the mission, vision, values and the culture. This is not easy to just look that up, instead you need to be observant of how to get things done “here.” We share stories about how important it is to know the structure of your organization and to know “who is who” and the structure of the business. This knowledge will give you clues on how decisions are made and how processes flow through the organization so as you strategize how you provide value to the organization; you can be effective. Otherwise, you are just waving your sword in the air and not hitting anything. This knowledge will demonstrate that you are an invested and interested partner in your organization, making you more effective. (10:55) Know your stakeholders, who they are for your organization and what they care most about. Part of understanding them is knowing, unique to each one, what they need - customers, shareholders, suppliers, employees, all these different stakeholders have different needs. We share insight into Alan Mulally’s connected culture of Working Together and Love by Design and how it encourages leaders to align with their personal values and show up authentically which is key to being an excellent leader. (16:57) Know the business model including how your organization is making money. This is relevant for all organizations, even not for profit, you need to know how the organization you work for does what it does to keep doing what it is doing. (18:45) How to make this foundational knowledge real for you and your team. We share examples of how we did this for teams we’ve led and recap the importance of obtaining foundational leadership knowledge.

Join us as we once again explore the transition of the seasons. With winter starting in the Northern Hemisphere, we explore the metaphor of the season of winter. Regardless of the physical season you are in, you may be experiencing winter. Learn more about these cycles of change at: seasonsleadership.com. Show Notes: We examine the cyclical nature of seasons and reflect on the importance of making the most of this change. We share what’s new for us as we head into winter. Feeling pulled in a new direction and feeling ungrounded. We are both looking forward to rest and renewal. We recognize this time of reflection to mull things over and look ahead. We share what lessons we have learned this year as we prepare to transition to winter. Slow down and don’t rush into decisions and trust the process! Finally, the dogs make a guest appearance! Meet Cinnamon and Snickers. Enjoy and embrace all the season has to offer!

We are excited to share the outcome of our 2025 Strategic Planning session. This is an annual practice we recommend for all leaders, to review your mission, vision and values and make any necessary updates or adjustments to achieve the goals of your business or organization.Through this process we affirmed our vision to make excellent leadership the worldwide standard as our guiding light. As we approach 2025, we have decided it’s time to go deeper into what it means to be an excellent leader. This means we will be moving to a monthly podcast that will bring you richer discussion focused on an aspect of leadership excellence.   We are so grateful for this community and the opportunity to bring you leadership insights through our podcast. This change will allow us to continue to deliver on our promise to give you insights and actions you can immediately take to make your leadership more excellent. We share more exciting changes coming soon to Seasons Leadership in this preview.  We look forward to bringing you more leadership excellence in 2025!Join Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list

Join me, Susan Ireland, as I talk with Seasoned Leader and previous podcast guest Kimberly Adams about gratitude, positivity and community in this special Thanksgiving episode. Kimberly, an artist, author, art instructor, business owner and executive leader shares her leadership perspective on the importance of shifting your energy to positivity. You will be inspired by our discussion to lead with gratitude.Show Notes:(1:23) We start with thoughts on gratefulness. Kimberly shares her recovery mindset and how being grateful needs to be a consistent practice.(6:11) Skillsets – Kimberly shares the wisdom of recognizing the skills you have acquired along the way to help you as a leader. We talk about the negative bias humans tend to have and how practicing gratefulness can rewire your brain for positivity. (9:22) We talk about the amazing gift it is to tell someone when you observe their strength. A hallmark of a great leader is being able to see other's superpowers. Kimberly and I discuss the importance of recognizing and appreciating individual strengths, both in ourselves and others. Discover how leaders can uplift their teams by acknowledging these unique qualities, all while avoiding the trap of comparison. (11:29) We reflect on what we are grateful for now. Watch on YouTube to see all the beautiful fall colors and the special gift I have for Kimberly which supports the Love Your Brain Foundation.About Kimberly: Based on Bainbridge Island, Kimberly spends time in her studio blending modern contemporary art with a hint of impressionism, painting with her fingertips and unconventional tools to create richly textured, colorful pieces. She has published books helping beginners and beyond explore their creative side by taking complex subjects and simplifying them into easy-to-follow steps. Her work inspires joy and positivity on every canvas. Her art can be seen on her website and at Cole Gallery in Edmonds WA. Resources:Integrating Passion Into Work Life, profile on Kimberly Adams Staying Curious with Kimberly Adams Tremper - Seasons Leadership Podcast LoveYourBrain, foundation link www.artbykimberlyadams.comJoin Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list

Join me, Susan Ireland, as I catch up again with Beth Schryer, global corporate business leader, who has been a featured guest on both our Women in Leadership Podcast and the Seasons Leadership Podcast. Beth shares her recent experience transitioning to a new company and how it has influenced how she measures success. We talk about daily leadership practices, what it means to be trustworthy and a good listener and self-care. This discussion highlights many of our core leadership values through personal stories of leadership.Show Notes:(2:25)  Choosing the type of leader you want to be, Beth relates how she finds those moments of choice in her own leadership. We talk about daily leadership practices and how to get better results.(8:10) Beth shares how she “starts with trust,” and how having the outlook that “everyone is in it for the right reasons,” leads to a more energizing outlook. (11:15) We break down how to be a better listener by making space for everyone. We give practical tips on how to invite people into the culture you expect. (19:21) Next, we talk about the chain of command, how people’s perceptions of how hierarchies should work influence their engagement and emphasize the need to thank people for giving you bad news.(21:00) Beth talks about transitioning companies and how she found points of sameness across large corporations. We highlight fundamental elements found in every job and share how we manage aspects of the job we don’t like. (25:40) Leaders draw on a whole suite of good practices and we highlight a few. We talk about leaders not having all the answers and how leaders need to encourage people to find their own resolution. (28:40) Self-care and success, Beth shares her personal philosophy that there is not a work life balance but just work life choices. She admits to being an advice-giving monster.(36:40) We conclude our discussion with humility being one of the best qualities in a leader. Nobody gets there by themselves, and we recognize it takes an army along the way to be a great leader. (44:00) Beth shares a unique and fun challenge she gave her team that some are tackling with the help of Microsoft AI – to write the best story of how she broke her finger.About Beth: Beth Schryer is the head of Global Workplace Services (GWS) at Microsoft. She is responsible for the planning, delivery, and operations of Microsoft’s global real estate portfolio of approximately 42M square feet, comprised of over 600 buildings in 110 countries. Prior to Microsoft, Beth led Facilities Management for The Boeing Company encompassing safe, high-quality facilities and real estate solutions across the office, factory, warehouse, and laboratory portfolio. She also held numerous Business Operations leadership roles in the commercial airplanes business unit including the 737, 767 and 787 airplane programs (P&L) and the Manufacturing & Safety function.Join Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list

Join us as we talk to Kristen Bruner a chief human resources officer with more than 25 years of experience. We talk about executive presence, hacks for self-care and leadership, what it means to be mission driven and how self-awareness can be the most important aspect of your leadership approach. Our episode highlights the collaborative role of HR professionals and leaders in creating cultures that align with company values, driving both engagement and accountability. With actionable insights into performance management, employee relations and organizational design, Kristen's advice is timeless for leaders looking to enhance the employee experience.Show Notes:(2:55) Kristen talks about being tall and how that has influenced her executive presence. She urges all leaders to get comfortable with who you are and “don't dim your lights.” We talk about creating the space for others to be the best version of themselves. Kristen shares how she creates space to encourage leaders to know themselves through continuous learning, listening and having a growth mindset.(7:35) We discuss what motivates Kristen to keep showing up as a leader. She shares that it is the opportunity to create human organizations. "The way we are designing the work creates the best possible experience for our employees so they can go on and do great things." Kristen is currently passionate about individual self as leaders - how do we help people understand themselves more. She recognizes the need to turn this work selfward. She shares an example about reframing what achievement means for her. (15:22) The quest for self-care for Kristen starts with the Glucose Goddess. We talk about how this influencer has helped her find hacks she can easily follow. We turn this into a discussion of leadership hacks which Kristen shares including scheduling time, meal prep and a weekly review. Kristen warns that you should run your calendar, or your calendar will run you. We talk about how successful leaders need a system to help process information and lacking that is what often drives people to seek coaching. (25:28) The responsibility of leaders – we acknowledge the respect needed for the work. Kristen shares from her perspective how to stay connected to your team through consistency and stability. “It is a privilege and not a right to be a leader.” We agree that since leadership is about influencing others’ lives it should be important. Kristen brings the discussion back to self-awareness.(33:12) Kristen shares her future travel plans and her final advice: “Be the leader that people remember and want to emulate when asked and don’t be the leader people want to be the opposite.” About Kristen: Kristen Bruner serves as chief human resources officer and corporate vice president at Huron. She has more than 25 years of experience driving high-performance cultures across many industries, guiding talent management, strategic change, leadership development, and operating model design. Join Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list

Join us for our passion-filled discussion with Dr. Pam Johnson as we explore the lessons the animal world has to teach us about leadership. Pam shares her experience as a veterinarian and how this calling shaped her career trajectory. Her compassionate and effective approach to leadership will inspire you to look to your own passions for inspiration in your leadership.Show Notes:(2:45) Pam shares her origin story of becoming a leader and eventually a veterinarian. From losing her mother at an early age, to earning a second degree to follow her passions to the right career path, Pam talks about how these experiences built a foundation for her leadership. When she graduated from vet school, she thought she was just going to be a veterinarian and then she realized she was going to run a business and lead a team of people. We talk about what it means to be a student of leadership.(11:19) We talk about the risk of becoming stagnant in your career journey and Pam’s philosophy on different types of leaders. Learn from our discussion on the need to sometimes shift relationships and maintain a growth mindset. (16:45) We confront some uncomfortable truths about the veterinary industry, that the profession has the highest suicide rate. Pam shares how she strives to help keep veterinary medicine more relational and how to fight burnout. She advocates for her platform through her new venture Veterinary Mastermind. (20:55) Taking leadership to the next level – we recognize that it starts with leadership of self (one of Season Leadership’s four acorns). Pam talks about expanding her circle of influence to have a larger ripple effect in the industry. After a successful career caring for animals and owners, she wanted a space to reach more people. We agree that to be successful in expanding your influence you need to own your own space first. 25:55 Equine intelligence. Pam shares a beautiful lesson leaders can learn from working with horses – they don’t shift for you. To lead a horse, or a group of people it has to be a relationship of trust and collaboration, so you shift to meet them. About Pam: Dr Pam Johnson is the founder of Veterinary Masterminds, a coaching and leadership development company based in Newnan, GA. Veterinary Masterminds is dedicated to providing compassionate support for pet owners and veterinary professionals. Pam was the owner and hospital director of Dogwood Veterinary Hospital and Laser Center, an AAHA accredited hospital, prior to selling to Mission Veterinary Partners in 2021. Pam received a BA from the University of Montevallo on full scholarship in women's basketball, a BS from Auburn University, and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn. She has benefited from numerous leadership and business training programs including the University of Notre Dame Executive Leadership. Resources:@veterinarymastermindJoin Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list

Join us as we reflect on four years of fall reflections. At Seasons Leadership we use the seasons as a powerful tool for understanding transitions and cycles in leadership, offering you actionable insights to navigate these changes. Fall is a time of integration and reflection. Get inspired to dig into your own journey this fall and reflect on what is serving you and what is no longer serving you. We share our own fall transitions and more exciting news about our Elemental Leadership course.   Show Notes:(3:25) Evolution: How is the fourth podcast on fall different for us? We reflect on how we have evolved.(5:30) Transitions and integration: We recognize through all our senses what we experience in the transition from summer to fall and connect those inspirations into integrating all these different things from your life. (9:00) Loss and growth at the same time: We talk about this time of transition and notice that many leaders come to us for coaching when they are experiencing fall. (11:00) Updating business practices: We discuss how we always spend time in fall looking at our business strategy.(13:25) Personal transitions: We share our personal transitions and talk about harvesting all the work we have done in the last four years.(17:45) Take the time to reflect: We conclude the podcast asking questions and giving strategic advice to make the most of fall. How are things showing up in your leadership? Think about your strategic planning. Take responsibility for your life, nurture it and take care of yourself. Explore the possibilities!Join Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list

Join us as we talk to Frances Chang, chief operating officer at Andovar, a language services company. Frances opens up about the core values that keep her grounded, the power of searching for your passions and the significance of building a robust support network. Discover how leadership is not just about managing others but is a journey of self-improvement and fostering genuine connections.Show Notes:(1:30) Frances shares her background, including being an alum of the Seasons Leadership Program and a current student of our new Elemental Leadership Course. She talks about her multinational experience and her passion for languages.(11:33) We discuss the higher stakes of making a mistake when your level at work increases. Frances shares how she helps alleviate pressure and stress by finding a support network at work. We share advice on how to keep connections strong. (15:27) Frances shares her belief that leaders should work to find something they like but that you don’t need to have a passion to be successful, rather it is about the journey of finding new things and possibly something that you like through that journey. (21:30) Frances talks about one of her favorite books by Adam Grant. Unlearning what you already know – we share stories about this realization for each of us and how being an excellent leader requires humility and the ability to listen to diverse perspectives. (25:12) Actionable advice: Frances shares the importance of having a foundation to ground you and the humility to seek advice from trusted allies at work.  (31:45) We end the discussion acknowledging the importance of knowing who you are and how you shouldn’t separate your work self from your other self. Frances encourages listeners to truly show up as who you are and that who you are is how you lead.  About Frances: Frances currently holds the title of Chief Operating Officer at Andovar, a leading language service provider, where she combines her passion for cultures and peoples with over a decade of operational experience across continents and industries. As a fervent linguist herself, she speaks four languages and is currently picking up a fifth one (Thai). Originally from Taiwan, Frances now resides in Bangkok with her husband and their rescue pup, Junior. She is an alum of the Seasons Leadership Program.Join Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list

Join me, Debbie Collard, for this inspirational conversation with Barb Wilson, chief financial administrative officer at Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. Listen to Barb's journey, deeply rooted in family values, which has shaped her extensive career across both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Discover how Barb's leadership style, honed from her early days at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing, emphasizes respect, inclusion, and community engagement. Learn about her significant role at the Girl Scouts, where she oversees a substantial budget and various departments, ensuring the mission to empower the next generation of women leaders is well-funded and effective.Show Notes:(5:40) We talk about values-based leadership. Barb shares an example of her core value of family. She advises leaders to think about what is really driving you so you can stay in alignment with your values. (7:20) Barb shares a story about her unique leadership opportunity transitioning to another culture and environment in the Czech Republic. She talks about how she viewed the opportunity as “only upside” and made the most of her leadership experience. (12:53) We talk about leadership excellence and Barb emphasizes the importance of leaders recognizing the next leaders and how she helps other leaders grow. (15:48) Passions, favorite jobs, strategic discussions and developing a rolodex of mentors - we talk about all the things that lead to a rewarding career. (24:50) Actionable advice – Barb leaves listeners with this: never forget where you came from, and leadership is a life-long commitment.  About Barb: Barb is the Chief Financial Administrative Officer for Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri where she is a key strategic partner and collaborator, guiding the organization's financial oversight for accounting, business services, retail, property management, capital projects, risk management, contracts, and technology functions of the organization. Prior to her current position, Wilson served as Senior Finance Director with The Boeing Company where she held a variety of progressively senior roles in finance and program management. A native of St. Louis, she has actively participated volunteering time in her community and is a very proud Girl Scout Alumna. Barb holds a B.S. degree in business administration, with a concentration in management, from Auburn University. She has also earned an M.B.A. degree, and M.A. degree in computer resources and information management from Webster University and a M.S. degree in national resource strategy from National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces. She is a graduate of the 2007-2008 FOCUS Leadership St. Louis® program and alumni of Defense Acquisition University.Join Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list

This episode of the Seasons Leadership Podcast dives into the importance of investing in yourself for long-term success and growth. We share personal stories that illustrate how minor, everyday choices can accumulate into substantial rewards on your leadership journey.Show Notes: (1:25) Everyone agrees with it, but they just don't do it. We break down why people choose not to invest in themselves. (4:46) We share what it means to invest in yourself through gaining knowledge incrementally. How seemingly small investments amount to large pay offs in the long run. (7:40) We observe that the most successful leaders are the ones who have invested in themselves. We talk about some inspiring stories from the 2024 Summer Olympics and the importance of having a clear vision of what you want.(11:20) You are worth it! We talk about why it is not being selfish to invest in yourself and the example you set for others.(17:00) Coming soon you will have the opportunity to invest in yourself by taking our new, online leadership course Elemental Leadership. Don't wait for anyone else to give you permission, if you want to be a better leader, invest in yourself today.  Join Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list

Join me, Susan Ireland, for my mind-shifting discussion with Sile Walsh about helping leaders enhance their inclusion practices in the workplace. Sile throws away the blame game when it comes to inclusivity and instead encourages a model of thinking that inclusivity helps everyone do their jobs better. She roots her practical advice in real-world solutions, challenging us to pursue the best thing we can do with our reality versus chasing golden solutions. She brings a new approach to inclusivity in leadership and the workplace that will change how you approach your own leadership. Show Notes (2:52) Sile shares, from her years of experience working with leaders, that the main challenges leaders face come down to core things including learning to be inclusive or engaging in inclusivity. The simple idea she promotes is if you include people in the solution, the solution will be more effective.(6:00) The inclusivity gap, Sile asserts exists when leaders question, “what does inclusivity have to do with my job?” We talk about how to help people see that inclusivity helps you be a better leader and accomplish your job more effectively.(9:39) Sile breaks down some of the 13 practices and principles for effective leadership, arguing that if a leader is not effective, it is because they are not following or practicing one of these practices or principles. She advocates for finding solutions rooted in reality – what is the best thing we can do with this reality versus chasing golden solutions.(13:40) Inclusion is an invitation to co-create your workplace reality. Sile shares examples of how people from different experiences also have different expectations and how we most co-create spaces for everyone to feel safe to participate. (19:38) Sile shares inspiring advice on how to shift your mindset from “people are hard to reach” to “needing to get better at having conversations that result in inclusion.” If we think about inclusion as a leadership practice, we can then work to close the gap. (23:55) What parts of you do you reject? Sile talks through a thought exercise all leaders should face before working on inclusion – identifying what needs of their own do they first reject? (29:07) What’s in it for me? We discuss how to motivate leaders to seek inclusion because it is good for their work (and how blame and shame don’t work to motivate this needed change). About Sile: Sile Walsh specializes in inclusive Leadership. She is a lecturer, facilitator, coach and consultant and has worked internationally with over 22k leaders and organizations for over a decade. Sile is a PhD candidate studying inclusive leadership in the school of psychology and has a professional background in coaching psychology and organizational development.  Resources:Website: silewalsh.comJoin Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list

Join us as we respond to listener questions and recount our unique journeys— how Susan's passion for Program Management and Business Operations catapulted her into executive roles, while Debbie’s early leadership duties in the military set a foundation she hadn't anticipated. This episode we dive deep and share more of our stories delivering on our promise to the Seasons Leadership community we made at the beginning of the year. Lots of our answers are connected to why we started Seasons Leadership to help you proactively steer your career to make a meaningful impact. Questions (0:55) How did you decide to be a leader and an executive and what advice would you give yourself earlier in your career? (6:30) If you had a time machine what is the inflection point in your career that you would reapproach? (10:50) What brings you joy in retirement that wasn't in your baseline plan?(13:30) What do you wish you knew about business management or leadership earlier in your career? (16:35) Who are your leadership role models? (20:25) What was the defining moment for you in your career and why? Resources:Seasons Leadership: www.seasonsleadership.comSeasons Leadership Patreon Community: www.patreon.com/seasonsleadershipJoin Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list

Join us for our high energy discussion of the season of summer and get inspired to make the most of the season. We talk about the cyclical nature of the seasons, define summer and encourage you to ride the ebb and flow. We dive into how summer vibes bring a sense of flourishing and fun. Summer is a great time for discovery and cultivating new ideas and inspiration. Need more inspiration? Listen to our summer playlist and send us your additions - we would love to include your favorite songs of the season. We also preview what is coming next for Seasons Leadership - three new Leadership Elements for our Patreon community (join today!) and our Elemental Leadership course. Listen in or watch and get in on the summer fun. This episode is packed with valuable lessons to help you embrace change and make the most of every season in your leadership journey.Resources:Seasons Leadership Summer Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/01sJYDm5FRlTvHTK9av0JH?si=fc09c36155d24e2d Seasons Leadership Patreon Community: www.patreon.com/seasonsleadership Summer Rerun | The Almanac | Seasons Leadership ProgramJoin Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list

Join us for part two of our discussion with Celeste Ford, board chair and founder of Stellar Solutions, and Janet Grondin, CEO of Stellar Solutions, where we focus on how to navigate leadership transitions successfully. Together, they reveal a playbook for how to complete a leadership transition which includes continuous coaching, clear communication, and thoughtful planning.Show Notes:(1:00) Succession planning: Celeste talks about how she followed her gut and knew when it was time to transition from CEO to something new. (4:20) The role of coaching: Janet talks about deviating from your plan and the role coaching plays in transition.(8:22) How to let go: Celeste shares how she let go of being the CEO, going out on a win (Baldrige) and announcing on the fourth of July. (12:40) Breaking down the transition: Janet relays what she does for a new role transition talking through her thought process step-by-step. (15:10) How to take care of yourself: The leaders acknowledge that we are always in transition at some point. We swap strategies for how to stimulate yourself physically and mentally. About Celeste: She founded Stellar Solutions in 1995 and served as CEO until 2018 with the mission to deliver high-impact performance for defense, intelligence, commercial, civil and international clients. She established Stellar Solutions Foundation in 1998, QuakeFinder humanitarian R&D program in 2001, and expanded Stellar’s global presence. She launched Stellar Ventures in 2022 to invest in the next generation of space technology companies. Celeste is Board Chair and Founder of Stellar Solutions, Inc., a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award-winning aerospace engineering company. She is Managing Director at Stellar Ventures.About Janet: She is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Stellar Solutions Inc., a small, woman-owned business and leading provider of high-impact engineering services to significant intelligence, defense, civil, commercial, and international customers for the past 29 years. Prior to this role, she served as Vice President for Intelligence Programs, Vice President, Defense Programs and Director of Emerging Space Capabilities. Janet is a former Northrop Grumman Director and a retired USAF Colonel with 30+ years of experience in navigation, remote sensing, satellite communications, launch, space superiority, and launch ranges.Resources:Part 1: Leading Dream Jobs in Aerospace with Celeste Ford and Janet Grondin - Seasons Leadership Podcast www.stellarsolutions.comhttps://baldrigefoundation.orgJoin Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland, certified coaches and co-founders of Seasons Leadership, in making positive leadership the norm rather than the exception on Wednesdays on the Seasons Leadership Podcast. And now you can join our community of values-based leaders on Seasons Leadership Patreon at Patreon.com/seasonsleadership or sign up for our Elemental Leadership Course waitlist: https://seasonsleadership.mykajabi.com/elemental-leadership-course-wait-list