ToddCast - Weekly Leadership Nudge

In this episode of the ToddCast – Your Weekly Leadership Nudge, Todd Long celebrates reaching episode five.   Inspired by the simple act of a high five—Todd introduces the concept of “High Five Leadership.”   Using the five fingers of a hand as a framework, he outlines five daily leadership practices: Recognition (thumb), Direction (pointer finger), Reconciliation (middle finger), Commitment (ring finger), and Consistency (pinky).   Todd encourages listeners to reflect on these five qualities through a simple five-minute exercise and choose one action to apply in their leadership.

In this episode, we explore the power of supportive accountability—the kind of accountability that strengthens people rather than pressures them.   Supportive accountability means having a willingness, in a helpful manner, to ensure someone completes a clearly defined task. It’s built on three essentials: care, clear expectations, and a consistent cadence of check-ins. When these pieces come together, trust grows, performance improves, and people experience real personal growth.   We also break down how supportive accountability works across different relationships—managers, peers, employees, and even external coaches—and I share practical exercises you can use for yourself and your team.

In this week’s Weekly Leadership Nudge, Todd explores what happens when leaders push themselves beyond healthy limits. He reflects on his own season of being overwhelmed—job changes, growing family demands, and health challenges all hitting at once—and how common this experience is for many leaders today.   Todd discusses why we become overstretched, the warning signs we often ignore, and the real consequences on our health, relationships, and organizational performance. He also shares practical steps to regain clarity and margin through a simple self-assessment.   Listeners can download an Activity Assessment Template to walk through the process themselves or with their teams.   Activity Assessment Link – Download the document on your computer before using it.

In this episode of the ToddCast - Your Weekly Leadership Nudge, host Todd Long explores the power of intentionally stretching yourself as a leader. Inspired by the story of world-class runner Faith Kipyegon’s pursuit of the sub-four-minute mile, Todd unpacks why stretching matters, how to choose the right areas to grow, and what it takes to build the support systems that make progress possible. You’ll walk away with two practical “try-it-out” exercises—one for your own development and one for your team—designed to help you push beyond routine, embrace challenge, and discover something new. Tune in and take your next step toward becoming a more confident and discerning leader.

In this episode of The ToddCast: Your Weekly Leadership Nudge, Todd Long shares why he launched the podcast—to help listeners become more confident and discerning leaders through practical, real-world insights.   Using his first ride in a self-driving Waymo car as a personal example, Todd explores the idea of getting out of your comfort zone and why growth rarely happens when we stay too comfortable. He unpacks what the comfort zone is, why it matters, and how it can also lead to stagnation if we linger too long.   The episode wraps up with simple “try it out” applications—one personal and one team-based—to help leaders intentionally stretch themselves, all anchored by the reminder that while ships are safe in harbor, that’s not what they’re built for.