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Bad Boss Confessional

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Bad Boss Confessional is the podcast where entrepreneurs, founders, and leaders fess up to their most cringeworthy management moments—the times they micromanaged, blew up in meetings, or simply got it dead wrong. With names changed (to protect the innocent...and guilty), guests walk us through their “bad boss” moment in all its messy glory.
But this isn’t just a cringe-fest—it’s a redemption story.
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This week on Bad Boss Confessional, Beth Fahey welcomes Dominic Sergi, CEO of Clear Height Properties, for a conversation about how unchecked empathy almost held his company back. Dominic shares the hard lesson he learned from keeping the wrong people in the wrong seats for too long, all because he cared too much. What began as a culture built on patience and compassion evolved into one grounded in clarity, accountability, and authentic care. Dominic reveals how a mindset shift from fear to candor transformed his leadership, accelerated growth, and created a workplace where radical honesty builds trust, not resentment. It's a story about letting go, leaning in, and learning to say “yes, and…” instead of “yes, but.” Chapters 00:00 Empathy: Superpower or Kryptonite? 05:09 Learning from a Mentor 09:00 Empathy’s Double-Edged Sword 12:35 Right People, Right Seats 17:29 Mastering the EOS Journey 20:49 Building an Authentic Culture 26:52 The ‘Yes And’ Mindset About:  Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional  Beth's Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos  Guest Links Dominic Sergi is an entrepreneur and investor with a passion for building enduring companies. As CEO of Clear Height Properties, he’s led over $1 billion in industrial real estate transactions, co-founded Cresco Labs, one of the nation’s leading cannabis companies, and launched Westshore Capital Group, his family office built on the belief that patient capital can outperform the market while leaving a lasting legacy. Clear Height Properties: https://www.clearheight.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-sergi-8b5ba24 Sponsor Links Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
This week on Bad Boss Confessional, host and EOS Implementor Beth Fahey sits down with Mike Shannon, CEO of Impruve and author of Sweaty Equity. From surviving Shark Tank to opening his first businesses, Mike opens up about his cringiest leadership missteps, the chaos of scaling to 120 employees, and how embracing systems thinking (and a few bad boss moments) helped him grow as a leader. Expect startup war stories, EOS insights, and a fresh look at how AI is transforming financial advising.   00:00 From Ball Boy to Shark Tank 04:11 Early Entrepreneurial Challenges 10:47 Optimizing Executive Team Meetings 17:48 Impact of Structured Meetings 24:25 Improve: AI for Financial Advisors 36:04 Fear, Failure, Pain, and Systems   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links CEO at Impruve | Author of ‘Sweaty Equity: A Ball Boy, A Billionaire, and the Bonkers Startup Tale You’ve Never Heard’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeshannon101/ Email: mike@impruve.com   Sponsor Links Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
In this episode of Bad Boss Confessional, Beth Fahey welcomes Kathy Bresler, founder of Altar Community, a Chicago-based hub for connection, wellness, and growth. Kathy shares her journey from corporate strategist to reluctant boss and accidental entrepreneur. After years of envisioning a gathering space, she opened Altar in early 2020, just as the pandemic shut everything down. Forced to pivot, she and her community shifted online, building resilience through shared purpose. Kathy reflects on her struggles with leadership, from toggling between being too directive and too accommodating, to learning how to balance vision with execution. She candidly explores perfectionism, self-doubt, and the weight of wanting to be liked while leading. Through it all, Kathy found strength in purpose, community, and a commitment to growth, offering lessons in perseverance and authenticity for every leader who has wrestled with their own bad boss moments. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Accidental Entrepreneurship 01:36 The Vision of Altar Community 03:28 Launching Altar Amidst COVID 06:17 Pivoting to Online Community 11:13 Kathy’s Corporate Background 14:42 Turning Point: Breast Cancer Diagnosis 17:23 Reluctant Boss: Challenges of Leadership 23:05 The Conundrum of Coaching vs. Leading 25:29 Influential Books and Self-Discovery 30:59 Embracing the Entrepreneurial Journey 34:01 Purpose Over Profitability About:  Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional  Beth's Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos  Guest Links Kathy Bresler is the founder of ALTAR Community, a hidden gem in Chicago that’s both a vibrant community and an inspiring event space. ALTAR hosts everything from curated corporate offsites for teams and leaders to speaker series and wellness programs — all designed to help people connect, recharge, and grow. A visionary entrepreneur, Kathy speaks candidly about the messy, humbling, and ultimately transformational journey of turning vision into leadership. Altar Community: https://www.altarcommunity.com/kathy-bresler Sponsor Links Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
This week on Bad Boss Confessional, Beth Fahey sits down with Matt Haney, a seasoned fractional integrator who helps visionary-led teams cut through chaos and get traction. Matt shares the story of a firing he regrets to this day: an ungraceful exit of a 20-year employee during a pandemic downturn. Despite having let go of 15 others with care, this one moment turned combative, cold, and ultimately changed the way he leads forever. Matt unpacks the emotional aftermath, the gut-punch feedback he received, and how it led to a complete shift in his leadership mindset. From learning the power of intentional feedback to never letting someone be “surprised” by a termination, this is a raw, real story about what it means to mess up… and grow. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome & Introducing Matt Haney 01:52 Journey to Fractional Integrator 05:46 A Bungled Termination Story 10:14 Reflecting on a Bad Decision 13:46 Improving Termination Practices 17:46 The Power of Intentional Feedback 21:44 Integrators & Visionary Challenges 27:42 Visionary Transition and Guilt 30:36 Strength as a Weakness: Multitasking 33:15 Be Present, Stay in the Question 39:53 Closing Thoughts About:  Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional  Beth's Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos  Guest Links Matt is a hands-on business operator, serving as a Fractional Integrator, with over 15 years of experience working with visionary founded businesses who have reached a ceiling. What does this mean? Matt helps teams get out of the shit show !  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattlhaney/ Sponsor Links Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
In this episode of Bad Boss Confessional, Beth Fahey, Expert EOS Implementer®, sits down with Rhonda Meyers for a raw and inspiring conversation about the realities of leadership. From navigating adversity and stepping into entrepreneurship, to the courage it takes to stand in your truth, Rhonda shares her journey of growth and resilience.   Together, they unpack the challenges of wearing “six seats” in business, the hidden curse of being highly capable, and the bravery required to lead with both strength and vulnerability. Rhonda opens up about love as both a superpower and kryptonite, the power of authenticity, and the responsibility leaders have to empower others. She leaves listeners with a powerful reminder: “I am enough.”   This episode is a must-listen for leaders seeking honesty, inspiration, and permission to lead with heart.   02:00 From Adversity to Entrepreneurship 05:24 Standing in Your Truth 08:16 Leadership Journey and Growth 11:22 The Burden of Six Seats 16:21 The Curse of Highly Capable People 22:07 Bravery in Leadership and Vulnerability 27:49 Love as a Superpower and Kryptonite 35:32 Authenticity and Empowering Leaders 39:01 I Am Enough: A Leader’s Reflection   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links Rhonda Meyers, is a visionary early childhood education leader. Rhonda has an extraordinary capacity for building collaborative relationships that span from toddlers to school administrators, and her expertise includes program development, strategic business growth, and creating educational environments where every child can thrive.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajmeyers/   Sponsor Links Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
On this week’s episode of Bad Boss Confessional, Beth Fahey chats with EOS implementer John McMahon, who opens up about his toughest management, including the dreaded task of firing an employee. From learning that silence can speak louder than words to discovering the power of open-ended questions, John shares how missteps turned into lessons in empathy, communication, and leadership growth.   01:37 Trial by Fire Leadership 05:22 First Lesson: What Took You So Long? 08:21 The Fear of Firing 11:06 Empathy and Curiosity Muscle 14:32 Reframing Questions and Vulnerability 17:33 Curiosity and Active Listening 20:39 The Power of Silence 25:44 Checking Assumptions and Deepening Relationships 28:50 Empathy Breakthroughs with Clients   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links EOS Implementer John McMahon Website: https://www.trellis-works.com/ Email: john.mcmahon@eosworldwide.com   If you'd like to learn more about Dr. Dino Signore that was mentioned in the podcast follow this link. https://drsignore.com/   Dr. Dino Signore, founder of The Signore Group, is a business psychologist and “second stage sensei” who helps entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and advisors navigate growth challenges. With a focus on both the economic system of a business and the social system of its people, he facilitates leadership development, team dynamics, and organizational performance. Known for asking the right questions rather than prescribing quick fixes, Dr. Signore empowers leaders and their teams to think differently, adapt, and elevate their organizations to the next level.     Sponsor Links Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
Do you think of “process” as boring, rigid, or suffocating? In this episode of Bad Boss Confessional, host Beth Fahey sits down with Lisa Gonzalez, EOS Implementer, lawyer-turned-entrepreneur, and co-author of Process: How Discipline and Consistency Will Set You and Your Business Free. Lisa shares her most cringeworthy leadership moment of secretly creating a six-inch binder of hyper-detailed processes that her team ignored, a project fueled by fear and perfectionism. She reveals the painful lessons behind costly missteps, why buy-in matters more than binders, and how compassion and progress over perfection can transform leadership.   Chapters 00:00 Introducing Lisa Gonzalez 04:09 The Cost of Lacking Process 09:46 Compassion, Perfection, and Process 14:32 Getting Processes Followed by All 22:58 Personal Process Challenges & Wisdom   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links: Website: Website: https://www.lisagonzalez.com.  Email: lisa.gonzalez@eosworldwide.com (paola.machuca1@eosworldwide.com for coordination please)  If you want to dive deeper into turning from Doer to Leader, check out Lisa's OPS leadership peer group at lisagonzalez.com/process-success-cohort   Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible:   Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies.   Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
We’ve all been there: fired up in a meeting, convinced our point is the only one that matters… until we realize the room has gone silent. In this episode of Bad Boss Confessional, host Beth Fahey sits down with Reid Hutchison, COO and integrator of HOH Technology, to unpack a moment he’s not proud of. Reid shares the time he let his emotions hijack a leadership meeting, turning collaboration into tension. The real lesson? How he owned the mistake, apologized in the moment, and rebuilt trust with his team. Reid’s story reminds us that passion can be a strength, but only when it is balanced with self-awareness and respect for others. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction 01:37 HOH Technology’s Legacy 04:39 A Bad Meeting Moment 08:47 The Importance of Apology 13:17 Building Self-Awareness and Health 16:17 Rebuilding Trust and Consistency 20:19 Team Accountability and Growth 24:37 Facilitation Challenges and Ads 28:47 The ‘WAIT’ Acronym and Conclusion About:  Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association. Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional  Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos  Guest Links HOH Technology: https://hohwatertechnology.com/ Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
This week, Beth Fahey sits down with Kelly Knight of EOS Worldwide to talk about the messy (and meaningful) side of leadership. From a vacation epiphany that reshaped her company’s mission to the tough call of laying off 38 employees, Kelly opens up about mistakes, lessons, and the power of vulnerability in business. Tune in for real talk on staying true to your core focus, building trust, and leading with courage.   00:00 The Core Focus Dilemma 04:08 The Pitfalls of Software Expansion 08:49 Overcoming Embarrassment with Vulnerability 12:57 Lessons from Leadership Mistakes 18:41 Preventing Future Missteps 23:22 Restructuring for Alignment 28:24 Advice on Organizational Structure   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellypknight/   Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
In this episode of Bad Boss Confessional, host and EOS Implementer Beth Fahey sits down with Brian Dosal, CEO and co-founder of Strety, to talk about the messy side of leadership, ignoring red flags, hiring missteps, and the tough calls that come with rapid growth. Brian shares his entrepreneurial lessons on humility, adaptability, and why holding onto under performers can cost you your best people.   03:11 The Difficult Decision to Let Go 07:34 Ignoring Red Flags and Outgrowing Roles 11:04 The Impact of Loyalty on Tough Decisions 15:02 Hiring Heavy Hitters and First-Time Managers 19:34 Strety: The EOS Software Platform 24:02 Honesty, Not Kindness in Leadership   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdosal/   Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible:   Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies.   Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
On this episode of Bad Boss Confessional, host and EOS Implementer Beth Fahey sits down with Lynda Martin to unpack the lessons learned from bulldozing through leadership missteps. From failed ventures and perfectionism to the power of slowing down, Lynda shares how embracing the physical, emotional, and spiritual sides of leadership transformed her career. Expect honest stories, big breakthroughs, and plenty of laughs as they explore what it really takes to grow as a leader.   03:01 Integrating Life and Business 07:07 The Bulldozer Visionary Blunder 12:56 Learning from Failure & Perfectionism 16:56 Slowing Down and Personal Growth 22:04 EOS, Humanity, and Influential Resources 26:02 Business as Service to Humanity 31:21 Future Vision & Lotus Blossom Tattoo   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynda-martin-eos/   Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible:   Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies.   Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
08: Clarity is Key

08: Clarity is Key

2025-09-1034:49

What happens when a fast-moving entrepreneur skips clarity and hires quickly? This week on Bad Boss Confessional, EOS Implementer Beth Fahey welcomes Drew Spurgers to unpack a hilariously painful hiring misstep, the chaos it created, and how clear communication (or lack thereof) can make or break your team. From titles that confuse to sales goals that actually work, Drew shares hard-won lessons about leadership, trust, and the power of saying exactly what you mean. This is your crash course in what not to do (and how to turn it around), with a reminder that clarity isn’t optional!    00:00 The Importance of Clarity in Communication 02:51 Meet Drew Spurgers 04:04 Drew’s Entrepreneurial Journey 06:19 Lessons from Past Mistakes 08:14 A Tough Hiring Experience 10:00 The Emotional Roller Coaster of Leadership 11:24 Clarity is Key 15:01 The Power of Clear Communication 20:01 Setting Measurable Goals 22:03 Navigating Team Dynamics 26:46 Learning from Mistakes 30:41 Assuming Positive Intent   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links Email: drew.spurgers@eosworldwide.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dspurgers   Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
Beth Fahey is joined by fellow EOS coach, implementer, and entrepreneur Jim Coyle, who shares his journey from childhood candy bar hustler to managing a Chicago bar. He opens up about the pitfalls of hiring friends, the emotional weight of leadership, and why management isn't for everyone. This episode brings laughs, lessons, and the wisdom every founder needs.   00:26 Meet Jim Coyle 02:07 Jim’s Entrepreneurial Journey 04:06 The Challenges of Managing Friends 06:19 Lessons from the Bar Business 09:03 Realizations About Management 13:00 Finding the Right Fit 15:01 The Role of a Practice Manager 18:08 Understanding GWC 20:20 The Paradox of Leadership 24:40 The Beauty of Purpose 27:49 Final Thoughts and Reflections   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links EOS Profile: https://www.eosworldwide.com/jim-coyle Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcoylenexus/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcoylenexus/ Email: jcoyle@eosworldwide.com   Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
Have your emotions ever hijacked your leadership? In this episode of Bad Boss Confessional, host Beth Fahey talks with Jill Young, EOS expert and creator of Coaching Magic, about three cringe-worthy moments that changed her approach to leadership. From losing her cool with an employee asking for a raise to firing someone who didn’t see it coming, Jill shares how these painful lessons taught her the power of responding thoughtfully instead of reacting emotionally. This candid conversation reminds us that even seasoned leaders have moments when they act like a bad boss, and recognizing these moments is where real growth begins.   01:08 Introducing Jill Young 02:18 Reflecting on Leadership Mistakes 05:22 The Importance of Emotional Awareness 08:03 Learning from Reflection 11:30 Responding vs. Reacting 14:00 Stepping into Your Best Self 19:03 The Power of Apology 22:29 Facing Difficult Conversations 26:10 Entering the Love 28:06 Tattoo of Remembrance 30:01 What’s Next for Jill?   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links Website:  www.jillyoung.com Email: jill@jillyoung.com   Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
In this episode of Bad Boss Confessional, EOS implementer Beth Fahey sits down with Miranda Barrett, founder of Mind the Mic Consulting, to unpack a leadership low point that rocked her confidence and reshaped her career. From onboarding fails and harsh feedback to a bombshell resignation that called her integrity into question, Miranda shares the painful—but powerful—lessons that helped her build trust, lead with transparency, and simplify management with EOS tools.   01:45 Meet Miranda Barrett 03:26 First Steps into Leadership 04:56 The Challenges of Management 06:31 A Cringeworthy Leadership Moment 11:50 Lessons Learned from Feedback 16:09 Evolving as a Leader 20:00 Revisiting Performance Reviews 24:21 Core Values and Business Growth 25:15 Mind the Mic Consulting 27:30 Tattoo of Wisdom   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos     Guest Links Website: https://www.mindthemic.com/ Email: miranda@mindthemic.com   Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.   Recommended Reading and Resources Radical Candor - https://www.radicalcandor.com/the-book/ 9-Whys - https://whyinstitute.com/tag/9-whys/
Jonathan Reynolds, CEO of Titus Talent, joins EOS Implementer Beth Fahey on Bad Boss Confessional to share the hard-earned lessons behind his biggest leadership missteps. From hiring failures to communication breakdowns, Jonathan reveals how applying EOS principles, empowering teams, and leading with clarity transformed his management style, and his company’s success. A must-listen for founders and business leaders seeking better hiring, smarter delegation, and stronger organizational health.   00:45 Meet Jonathan Reynolds 03:00 The Dirty Underbelly of Recruiting 05:09 Hiring for Performance 08:20 Onboarding Success 10:11 A Hiring Confession 15:06 The Visionary’s Blind Spots 19:15 Vulnerability in Leadership 22:00 The Power of Sabbaticals 27:48 Encouraging Risk and Growth 30:00 Cultivating Trust in Leadership 36:07 The Importance of Clarity 41:48 Understanding Different Perspectives 47:12 Building a Culture of Generosity   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links Website: https://www.titustalent.com/ Website: https://jonathandreynolds.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanreynolds/   Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.   Recommended Reading: Right Seats, Right People
When creative ideas crash and egos flare, even the most seasoned leaders can stumble spectacularly. This week, Vistage chair and facilitation expert Francine Lasky joins host and EOS Implementer Beth Fahey to confess her most cringeworthy leadership missteps—think brutally rejected ideas, painfully misunderstood meetings, and explosive clashes with powerhouse personalities. Tune in for raw, hard-won wisdom on vulnerability, buy-in, and building purpose-driven conversations that actually work.   01:11 Meet Francine Lasky 03:01 The Weight of Expectations 06:42 Francine’s Cringeworthy Moment 10:04 The Reality of Creative Ideas 14:44 Strategies for Improvement 17:05 The Art of Gathering 24:04 Preparation is Key 29:00 Building Trust Through Vulnerability 32:36 The Power of Intention 40:00 Learning from Disagreements 44:20 Embracing Growth and Purpose 46:00 Connecting with Francine Lasky   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelasky/ Email: francinelasky@gmail.com   Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.   Recommended Reading https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-gathering-priya-parker/1127329849?ean=9781594634932 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-let-them-theory-mel-robbins/1146342595?ean=9781401971366 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mindset-carol-s-dweck/1100167257?ean=9780345472328 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/think-again-adam-grant/1137570667 https://www.amazon.com/Crowns-Until-Suited-Rummy-Style-Purple/dp/B00000IV35?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1
What happens when Beth Fahey’s own coach, Shasheen Shah, confesses his journey from high-powered hustler to heart-led healer? In this candid conversation, Shasheen reveals how chasing success nearly broke him—and how raw feedback, failure, and deep self-work rewired his path. From walking away from a tech industry failure to confronting childhood wounds and loneliness, he opens up about ego traps, emotional breakthroughs, and authentic self-care. It’s an honest talk about shadow work, self-worth, and learning to find joy from the inside out.   01:17 Meet Shasheen Shah 03:31 Shasheen’s Journey to Coaching 08:15 The Shift to Coaching 11:19 From Ego to Empathy 15:09 The Inner Critic 20:05 The Relationship with Self 22:29 Lessons from ‘A Beautiful Mind’ 28:40 The Invitation to Heal 31:00 The Loneliness of Achievement 33:27 The Role of Coaching 36:47 Shadow Work and Client Profiles 38:05 Embracing Vulnerability 40:22 Returning to the Heart 42:14 Connecting with Shasheen   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey  Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links Shasheen Shah Website:  https://www.shasheen.com/ Substack:  https://substack.com/@shasheen   Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
01: Too Busy to Lead

01: Too Busy to Lead

2025-07-2350:07

Can you lead when you're stuck in the chaos? In this episode, Beth Fahey chats with René Boer—author of How to Be a Great Boss—about ego, empathy, and the messy art of leadership. From cringe-worthy missteps to hard-won wisdom, René shares real stories and practical tools, revealing why soft skills might be your secret weapon. Perfect for anyone who's ever doubted their leadership abilities—spoiler alert: you probably are cut out for this, you just need better tools.   00:00 Meet Rene Boer: The Mentor 02:10 The Journey to Leadership 05:30 The Challenges of Modern Leadership 09:05 Writing ‘How to Be a Great Boss’ 12:35 The Importance of Communication 17:25 Confessions of a Bad Boss 26:10 Evolving as a Leader 29:39 The Weight of Leadership 33:46 The Call to Greatness 36:19 The Reality of Leadership Teams 40:09 Lessons in Listening 46:00 Building Connections   About: Beth Fahey is a leadership coach, Expert EOS Implementer, and co-creator of the How to Be a Great Boss Workshops. With nearly 40 years of hands-on leadership experience, Beth has worn many hats: from working in film and owning a bakery to leading a national trade association.   Now, as the host of The Bad Boss Confessional, she shares candid stories about the challenges of leadership, mistakes made, lessons learned, and the path to becoming the kind of boss your team actually wants to follow. Through humor, honesty, and heart, Beth is on a mission to help leaders grow, one confession at a time.   Show Links For more information about Beth Fahey follow the links below. Website: www.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethFaheyEOS Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethfaheyeos/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bethfaheyeos LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ Bad Boss Confessional YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badbossconfessional Beth's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethfaheyeos   Guest Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rene-boer-0833407/ Ph: 708.369.8190 Email: reneaboer@outlook.com   Recommended Reading https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/youre-not-listening-kate-murphy/1131637438?ean=9781250779878 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-7-habits-of-highly-effective-people-stephen-r-covey/1136602703?ean=9781982137274 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-be-a-great-boss-gino-wickman/1123362924?ean=9781942952848   Thanks to our Sponsors A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this episode possible: Titus Talent – Helping organizations make the best hiring decisions with performance-based talent strategies. Strety – Empowering teams through strategic planning and performance management tools built for modern workforces.
00: Coming Soon!

00: Coming Soon!

2025-05-0900:20

Coming soon! 
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