Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie Ward

What if investing in first-time employees could shape the future of work? 🍦 Rosie sits down with Meggan Kerkenbush, co-owner of the iconic Bridgeman's Ice Cream brand, to explore how a 90-year-old company is thriving by leading with heart, purpose, and people-first practices. From serving up sundaes to teaching life skills, Meggan shares how their small business is building future-ready leaders, one scoop at a time. They discuss the value of community partnerships, supporting team members through personal adversity, and why flexibility and intentionality are non-negotiable in modern leadership. Meggan opens up about navigating her husband's ALS diagnosis while running a seasonal business and why showing up as your full, human self is the most important leadership trait of all. Whether you're leading a multigenerational team, managing part-timers, or just needing a reminder that your work matters beyond the bottom line, this one's for you.   Additional Resources: Connect with Meggan on LinkedIn Learn more about Bridgeman's Follow Bridgeman's on Instragram Follow Bridgeman's on TikTok Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Pivoting is essential for sustainable, human-centered leadership. Invest in youth employees, even if temporary. Life challenges require leadership rooted in flexibility. Strong communities start with intentional business involvement. Showing up imperfectly is still leadership.  

What if endurance isn't about pushing through, but tuning in? Rosie revisits her days teaching endurance spin classes to reflect on what true endurance means in our lives today. She invites us to rethink our relationship with hard moments: not as something to get through, but something to be present in. From savoring a rainy walk to being truly moved by the presence of loved ones, Rosie challenges us to stop just enduring life and start deeply experiencing it. Through personal stories and heartfelt reflection, she offers a compelling invitation to reconnect with the beauty, even in the mundane. Because when we stop enduring and start engaging, we unlock our true sparkle. ✨   Additional Resources: Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Endurance challenges us mentally, not just physically Life is more than pushing through to the next thing Presence turns ordinary moments into extraordinary ones We often endure instead of embracing the journey Let go of autopilot and rediscover your sparkle  

What if the first step to better leadership isn't strategy, but respect? Rosie officially welcomes Gregg Ward to the Show Up As a Leader family with a bold new series: The Better Boss. In this intro episode, they explore the urgent need for human-centric leadership in today's VUCA world. Gregg shares how his unconventional path, from theater to training NYPD officers in de-escalation, shaped his life's mission: helping leaders communicate with compassion and lead with respect. Together, they dive into why managers at every level feel overwhelmed, how stress fuels disrespect, and why "just give me the tool" isn't just a cry for help, but a call for practicality. You'll get a sneak peek at what to expect from this powerful monthly series, including short-burst learning and real-world demos of proven techniques like Respectful Listening. Whether you're a new manager, seasoned exec, or someone who's tired of the command-and-control playbook, this is your invite to show up differently. Don't be a butthead… be a better boss!   Additional Resources: Connect with Gregg on LinkedIn Learn more about The Center for Respectful Leadership Invest in Manager Skills with the R-Factor Workshop Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Respect starts with you, don't wait for others first Stress is the root of most disrespectful behavior One practical skill at a time makes change stick People don't need fluff, they need useful tools Listening to understand calms conflict and builds trust  

What if the secret to transforming workplace culture is simply refusing to tolerate bad leadership? Rosie sits down with Eric Harkins, leadership consultant, keynote speaker, and author of "Great Leaders Make Sure Monday Mornings Don't Suck." With over 25 years of experience reshaping how leaders lead, Eric shares the two critical things that keep organizations from being great, and what to do about them. Together, they unpack why underperformance and toxic leadership persist, even in companies striving for people-first cultures. From the importance of courageous conversations to building a leadership model rooted in self-awareness, Eric lays out his practical LEAD framework to create workplaces people actually want to show up for. If you've ever rolled your eyes on a Monday morning or felt stuck working with someone who drains your energy, this episode is your call to action. Get ready to laugh, learn, and rethink what it really means to show up as a leader.   Additional Resources: Get Eric's book - "Great Leaders Make Sure Monday Mornings Don't Suck" Connect with Eric on LinkedIn Check out Eric's website for more! Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Leadership starts with self-awareness and accountability Under-performers destroy culture faster than anything Courageous conversations are non-negotiable for real leadership Subject matter experts don't equal good people leaders Build teams where Monday mornings don't suck  

What if your "best" looked completely different today than it did yesterday, and that was still enough? Rosie shares a vulnerable and powerful reflection drawn from the Dare to Lead curriculum, challenging the way we judge ourselves and others. She unpacks what it really means to be our best, fully authentic selves, even when we're struggling, and why assuming others are doing their best can be a game-changer for leadership and life. With her signature mix of heart, clarity, and real talk, Rosie invites us to drop perfection, embrace boundaries, and lead from a place of grace. Whether you're supporting a struggling team member or battling your own inner critic, this short but mighty message will inspire you to lead with more empathy, impact, and authenticity. Tune in and discover the kind of leadership that meets people, yourself included, exactly where they are.   Additional Resources: Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Your best changes with seasons. Grace is essential. Judgment blocks leadership and authentic human connection. Boundaries uphold generosity, not cancel it. Leadership is presence, not perfection. Everyone's struggling, assume best intentions.  

What if the root of today's workplace dysfunction isn't strategy or skills, but a basic human disconnect? Rosie sits down with Gregg Ward, founder of the Center for Respectful Leadership, to explore the crisis of disrespect in our workplaces and society. With a background that spans theater, journalism, and groundbreaking police training, Gregg shares how respect isn't just a nicety, it's a critical leadership skill tied to performance, connection, and healing. They dive into the neuroscience of respect, generational shifts, and how even small behaviors like interrupting can quietly erode trust. From the R Factor Workshop to little league umpiring, Gregg models what it means to lead with empathy, accountability, and courage. If you've ever felt frustrated by incivility, overwhelmed by AI-driven change, or unsure how to help your team thrive, this conversation will bring both clarity and hope. Respect is a feeling. Respect is a choice. And it's one we need now more than ever.   Additional Resources: Connect with Gregg on LinkedIn Watch Gregg's TEDx: Confessions of an Accidental Killer Learn more about The Center for Respectful Leadership Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Respect is felt, not thought. It's deeply emotional Workplace disrespect is at a 50-year high Stress fuels most disrespectful behavior Respectful leadership can be learned and modeled One leader can shift an entire culture  

What if the most important thing your team needs right now isn't a new strategy, but a reset? Rosie invites us to consider the intentional, proactive resets we often overlook. While momentary resets help us realign in the middle of chaos, Rosie challenges us to go further, and to step out of the momentum and create space for reflection, realignment, and recalibration. Whether it's after a major project, a season of change, or just the end of a week, these moments are ripe for choosing how we want to move forward. Rosie leaves listeners with a clear invitation: stop riding the wave of life on autopilot. Take the wheel. Plan your resets. Drive your own growth.   Additional Resources: Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Schedule proactive resets, not just reactive ones. Reflect weekly on what worked and didn't. Life's momentum can blur intentional living. Be the driver, not just the passenger. Resets help realign goals with current realities.  

🚨 The leadership pipeline is crumbling. Gen Z doesn't want in. Current leaders want out. So… what now? In this episode of the Courageous Leadership Series, Dr. Rosie Ward brings it all home with urgent, research-backed insights into what it truly takes to become a future-ready, human-centered leader. This isn't just another chat. Rosie unpacks the "why" behind her years of research and gives a bold reality check: without rethinking how we lead, workplaces will continue to feel lonely, disconnected, and unsustainable With Nikki Lewallen Gregory guiding the conversation, Rosie dives into sobering data on burnout, disconnection, and the leadership pipeline crisis, but also offers a path forward. Learn about her three-pronged approach to future-proof leadership that begins with inner work, strengthens team trust, and embeds systems for real, lasting change. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or questioned your place in leadership, this episode will reignite your sense of purpose and provide practical tools to lead with courage, connection, and clarity. Let's build workplaces where people actually want to show up. 💡   Additional Resources: Get the Future Proofing Leadership White Paper! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Human connection is irreplaceable in the AI age. Leadership must start with personal transformation and self-awareness. Current and future leaders are avoiding formal leadership roles. Culture change requires systemic, not just individual, transformation. Emotional safety and team trust are foundational for change.  

What if the key to stronger leadership isn't pushing through, but slowing down? Rosie gets personal about what it really takes to lead well when life gets messy. From unexpected stressors to brain fog and simple mistakes, Rosie shares how she's learning to extend more grace, to herself and others, and how that shift is actually making her more effective. She explores how to move from judgment to curiosity, chaos to clarity, and exhaustion to empowerment. By applying leadership tools like "above the line" thinking to her own challenges, Rosie models what it looks like to recalibrate without shame. It's not about perfection. It's about presence, intention, and progress. Whether you're leading a team or just trying to get through a tough season, this one's a must-listen reminder that giving yourself more grace isn't letting go, it's leveling up. 💫   Additional Resources: Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Slow down to avoid avoidable mistakes. Ask for and accept help. Build buffer time into your schedule. Practice self-compassion over self-judgment. Grace fosters resilience and effectiveness.  

What if the key to transforming workplace culture isn't perks or programs, but one powerful, overlooked human need? Rosie sits down with Zach Mercurio, author of "The Power of Mattering" and one of Inc.'s top 50 leadership experts, to explore why mattering might just be the most important leadership skill of our time. Together, they unpack how feeling seen, valued, and essential isn't just a "nice-to-have," it's a basic human need that directly impacts engagement, trust, and performance. Zach gives insights on why intuition doesn't scale, how "soft" skills are now business-critical, and why the future of leadership depends on how we treat each other in the next interaction. From practical tools like the "Noticing Notebook" to powerful mindset shifts that rehumanize the workplace, this episode is packed with soul and strategy. 💡💬   Additional Resources: Get Zach's book: "The Power of Mattering" Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Learn more about Zach's work Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Mattering is distinct from belonging or recognition. Mattering happens in micro, everyday interactions. You can't program your way to engagement. Soft skills are essential leadership capabilities. Intention and presence matter more than perfection.  

What if loving your job wasn't a luxury, but your right? Rosie sits down with growth strategist, executive coach, and keynote speaker Gretchen Schott to unpack the powerful idea of leading with love and why joy at work isn't just possible, it's a choice. They dive into what it really means to feel affirmed and significant in your role, the difference between being nice and kind, and why being a loving leader doesn't mean being soft. Gretchen shares her framework for leadership rooted in humility, confidence, and motivation, and offers practical, real-world ways to bring more meaning, energy, and connection to your work. If you've ever wondered how to thrive (not just survive) in your career, this episode is your permission slip to lead, and live, with love. 💖   Additional Resources: Get Gretchen's book: "Joy@Work: When Women Lead" Listen to Gretchen's podcast: Leading Well Connect with Gretchen on LinkedIn Learn more about Gretchen's work Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Joy at work is a daily, personal choice. Leadership combines humility, confidence, and motivation. Influence, not authority, defines true leadership. Soft skills are essential power skills. Kindness requires clarity, not avoidance.  

How often do you find yourself thinking, "They should know better," or "Why would they do it that way?" Rosie gets real about our human tendency to judge, and how that instinct quietly blocks us from truly showing up for others. She shares a transformative mindset shift inspired by the Center for Courage and Renewal's Circle of Trust touchstone: When the going gets rough, turn to wonder. 💭✨ Rosie invites us to pause judgment and instead lean into curiosity. What might be happening beneath the surface? What if there's more to the story? These small shifts can dramatically improve how we lead, relate, and support those around us. If you've been feeling disconnected, reactive, or overwhelmed lately, this episode offers a grounded, actionable path forward, rooted in compassion and courage. Let's turn to wonder and see what opens up.   Additional Resources: Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Judgment blocks our ability to serve others. Wonder invites curiosity over criticism. Curiosity strengthens personal and team connections. Choosing wonder builds courage in tough moments. Turning to wonder enhances relational effectiveness.  

What if the key to leadership isn't having all the answers, but being brave enough to show up without them? Rosie sits down with Melanie Stuber, former corporate exec turned culture guide and CEO of Cultivate and Thrive, to talk about the real work behind authentic leadership. From shedding the pressure to be "perfect" in a male-dominated industry to building a personal board of directors that actually fuels your growth, Melanie shares her journey of choosing courage over control and presence over polish. 💬 Together, they unpack what it truly means to thrive as a leader in today's world, where connection is currency, and vulnerability isn't a weakness, but a superpower. Melanie's practical frameworks, reflection questions, and perspective shifts will leave you thinking deeply about how you show up, for yourself and your people. Whether you're navigating a career pivot, leading a team, or just tired of playing small, this conversation will give you the tools, and the nudge, you need to lead with purpose and power. ✨   Additional Resources: Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn Learn more about Culture and Thrive Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Vulnerability builds trust and stronger team connections. Self-awareness is often overestimated but crucial. Authentic leadership inspires more than perfection does. Everyone needs a personal board of directors. Leadership starts with knowing your own value.  

Feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list? Rosie introduces a powerful four-bucket framework that helps you sort your work into what energizes you, what's just neutral, what drains you, and what you wish you had time for. This isn't just about productivity. It's about clarity, boundaries, and aligning with your strengths. Whether you're a leader ready to optimize your team's gifts or simply craving more fulfillment in your day-to-day, Rosie shows you how this simple reflection exercise can open up honest conversations and create space for everyone's sparkle to shine ✨.   Additional Resources: Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Bucket tasks into love, neutral, drain, and aspirational. Use insights to set boundaries and advocate for needs. Identify tasks to delegate or drop without guilt. Align work with your strengths and natural flow. Help your team operate from their zones of genius.  

How do you scale a people-first culture without sacrificing speed or consistency? Rosie dives into a real, transparent conversation with Tim Leman, CEO of Gibson, as he shares how embracing process became the unexpected accelerator for growth, speed, and consistency across a multi-location business. From recruiting top talent using assessments like Kolbe and Working Genius to creating psychological safety through team-based transparency, Tim breaks down exactly how they've built a high-performance culture without losing their heart. He even gets vulnerable about ego, stepping back from a big opportunity, and how a good system can actually bring freedom. ⚙️ If you think systems kill creativity, this episode might just change your mind.   Additional Resources: Connect with Tim on LinkedIn Learn more about Gibson Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Systems create speed, not rigidity. Assessments improve team fit and communication. Leaders must know when to step back. Clarity fuels aligned, empowered teams. Growth demands process, transparency, and resilience.  

What if the way you label people is quietly eroding trust, connection, and collaboration in your workplace? Rosie unpacks a powerful truth many leaders overlook: when we define people by their roles, titles, or conditions, we strip away their humanity. Whether it's calling someone "a diabetic" or placing a CEO on a pedestal, these seemingly small habits can create distance and reinforce hierarchy. Rosie invites us to pause and shift our lens, and to see the person first. 🫶 This isn't about theory. It's a real-world challenge to catch ourselves in those micro-moments when judgment creeps in and instead choose curiosity and connection. 🤝 Get ready for a refreshingly honest take on what it really means to lead with heart and re-humanize the spaces we work in.   Additional Resources: Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Labels reduce people to roles or conditions. Titles don't define a person's worth. Everyone has insecurities regardless of position. See the human behind the label. Curiosity fosters connection; judgment breeds disconnection.  

What if the secret to scaling leadership across 70,000 people wasn't strategy, but staying human? Rosie catches up with Brian Garish, an unapologetically people-first leader who brings equal parts strategy, humility, and heart. From mopping floors at Walgreens at 16 to guiding global teams across 20+ countries, Brian shares real talk about staying grounded, leading with courage, and putting purpose over ego. They dive into the art of listening at scale, why leadership is about how you make people feel, and how culture isn't what's on the wall, it's what happens in the halls. Laughter, reflection, and practical gems unfold, highlighting what it means to lead more humanely, whether at the helm of a global organization or creating impact in everyday spaces. 🐾   Additional Resources: Connect with Brian on LinkedIn Learn more about Mars Veterinary Health Follow Mars Veterinary Health on LinkedIn Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Leadership is about how people feel, not what you do. Stay connected to frontline realities, not just strategy. Listening without follow-up erodes trust and culture. Values must be lived, not framed on the wall. Accountability and compassion can, and must, coexist.  

What if your biggest breakthroughs came after you wanted to quit?🥋 Rosie gets real about grit, resilience, and the surprising lessons learned from watching her son earn his black belt in TaeKwonDo. Rosie takes us behind the scenes of this journey to unpack why passion isn't enough, what it means to show up when it's hard, and how committing to the bigger picture (even when it's uncomfortable) can transform who we become. Whether you're facing a challenge, tempted to throw in the towel, or just need a spark of motivation, this Rosie in My Pocket will inspire you to dig deep, stay the course, and embrace that black belt attitude. ✨   Additional Resources: Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Passion fades; commitment carries you forward. Grit matters more than initial excitement. Growth comes from pushing through resistance. Don't give up. Ask for help instead. Show up even when it's hard.  

What if the real secret to great leadership isn't about being in charge, but about being in tune with people? Rosie sits down with Alain Hunkins, author of "Cracking the Leadership Code" and a man who's worked with over 3,000 leadership groups across 29 countries. Together, they explore what it really means to lead in today's world (hint: it's way less about commanding and way more about connecting). From redefining leadership as a learnable skill to unpacking the three Cs (Connection, Communication, and Collaboration), this episode dives deep into the systems, habits, and mindsets that create truly human workplaces. Alain challenges us to look in the mirror, get curious instead of defensive, and build workplaces where people actually want to show up.   Additional Resources: Get Alain's book: "Cracking the Leadership Code" Connect with Alain on LinkedIn Learn more about The Facilitative Mindset Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Leadership is about facilitating human potential, not authority. Connection begins with consistent, credible, human behavior. Clear communication requires shared understanding, not assumptions. Collaboration thrives on safety, energy, ownership, and purpose. Great leaders operate by design, not default.  

🚦What if hitting every red light was exactly what you needed? Rosie turns a frustrating drive full of red lights into a powerful reflection on life, leadership, and the magic of slowing down. Instead of blowing through the signs that tell us to pause, what if we embraced them as invitations to stop, breathe, and tune in? Rosie challenges our go-go-go mindset and explores how those seemingly annoying interruptions, on the road and in life, might actually be divine nudges to reflect, reset, and lead with greater presence. So next time you hit a red light, don't just sit there... take the moment, soak it in, and move forward with clarity.   Additional Resources: Connect with Rosie on LinkedIn Learn more about Salveo Partners Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Red lights are invitations to pause and reflect. We often rush due to an action bias. Pausing helps us lead with intention. Stillness reveals what we might be ignoring. Interruptions can be gifts, not annoyances.