In this episode, I sit down with leadership coach and author Jenni Catron to unpack Culture Matters: A Framework for Helping Your Team Grow, Thrive, and Be Unstoppable. We explore why culture must be built by design rather than left to default, how leaders can honestly assess their current culture, and practical ways to turn values from words on a wall into lived behaviors. Jenni walks through her five-phase framework—Assess, Define, Build, Equip, Commit—and shares actionable to...
Leaders get into trouble when they treat HR as compliance or as a fire extinguisher. Jonathan and risk advisor Kevin Norton outline how to make HR a strategic ally—reducing legal exposure, strengthening culture, and improving outcomes. Highlights HR belongs at the strategy table; involve them early on org design, promotions, and separations.Consistency and documentation are your best legal and cultural defenses.Proactive steps: annual handbook/legal review, EPLI coverage, secure files, ...
Want to make a bigger impact without doing more work? Great leadership starts with a better mindset. In this episode, I’ll show you how to 10x, or more, your leadership impact by thinking differently. You’ll learn why most leadership behaviors don’t stick, and how to unlock sustainable change by focusing on three powerful questions that reframe your team’s purpose, creativity, and results. Backed by research from Daniel Goleman and cognitive science, this is a mindset shift every leader needs...
Leaders don’t just raise money—they build partnerships. In this episode, Master Certified Coach and longtime executive coach Patricia Rachel Schwartz shares her strengths-based, story-driven approach to building relationships that “pay off for everyone”—your team, donors, board, and the people you serve. We unpack her “360 Win” mindset, appreciative inquiry (AI), and the RBP spiral (Identify → Inform → Interest → Invite → Invest) so you can move from one-off asks to lasting alliances. ...
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How to Lead Change (Without Losing Your Team) — with Dr. Hans Finzel Dr. Hans Finzel returns to Change Agent Leadership to unpack the big idea behind his book Change Is Like a Slinky—why change is messy, unpredictable, and essential if you want your organization to survive and thrive. We talk practical leadership moves: building a guiding coalition, over-communicating the “why,” converting adversaries into advocates, and aligning your board, leaders, and teams so momentum sticks. Guest...
How to Communicate Well—Personally, at Work, and as a Leader Download your free How to Communicate Well in all areas of life Toolkit: https://jonathanhankin.com/?msopen=/content-library/node/how-to-communicate-well In this episode, I dive into the critical role of effective communication in leadership. Highlighting how superior communication skills can help navigate tough conversations, build relationships, and lead teams through change. We then break down essential considerations for improvi...
In this episode of Change Agent Leadership, I sit down with author, speaker, and leadership consultant Kadi Cole to talk about her groundbreaking book, Developing Female Leaders. With over 25 years of leadership experience—including as an executive director at one of America’s largest multi-site churches—Kadi brings research, clarity, and practical insight into a conversation many leaders struggle to have. We explore: • Why developing female leaders is essential for mission success • The di...
How to Set Your Meetings Up for Success | Make Every Meeting Count Download the free Meeting Prep Toolkit with a Checklist, Agenda Template, and more: https://jonathanhankin.com/?msopen=/content-library/node/the-meeting-prep-toolkit Tired of unproductive meetings that waste time and drain energy? In this episode, executive coach Jonathan Hankin walks you through exactly how to set up your meetings for success—before they even begin. Whether you’re leading one-on-ones, team syncs, or strategy ...
What are the biggest mistakes leaders make—and how do we avoid them? In this episode of Change Agent Leadership, Executive Coach Jonathan Hankin sits down with bestselling author and global leadership expert Dr. Hans Finzel to unpack the timeless lessons from his book, The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make. With over two decades leading international teams and equipping leaders across five continents, Dr. Finzel brings practical wisdom, personal stories, and hard-earned insights every leader need...
Download your free R.A.F.T. Transition Toolkit (PDF) https://jonathan-hankin.kit.com/b28f92032b In this powerful episode of Change Agent Leadership, Jonathan Hankin is joined by certified coach and transition expert Heather Hankin to explore how to transition well in life, leadership, and family. Together, they unpack the RAFT framework—Reconciliation, Affirmation, Farewell, and Thinking Destination—offering a step-by-step guide for navigating personal and professional transitions with intent...
In this episode of Change Agent Leadership, executive coach Jonathan Hankin dives into how to navigate life’s biggest transitions—without losing your footing. From career shifts to relationship changes, financial challenges to personal loss, transitions can feel overwhelming. But they don’t have to be paralyzing. Jonathan shares four universal steps to help you not just survive, but thrive through change: 00:00 Introduction to Navigating Transitions 00:19 Understanding the Stress of Transitio...
Talk More, Listen Less—to Yourself: How to Reframe Negative Self-Talk and Lead with Confidence. In this episode of Change Agent Leadership, Jonathan Hankin flips the classic phrase “talk less, listen more” on its head—and applies it to your internal dialogue. You’ll learn why your inner voice is often your biggest critic and how to reframe that voice to boost confidence, reduce discouragement, and grow as a leader. Jonathan outlines 4 actionable steps to change your internal conversation: Mon...
In this episode of Change Agent Leadership, host Jonathan Hankin breaks down the core framework from the book Switch by Chip and Dan Heath: the Rider, the Elephant, and the Path. Whether you’re leading a team, shifting organizational culture, or tackling personal habits, real change requires aligning emotion, logic, and environment. Jonathan shares key strategies to: Direct the Rider with bright spots and clear movesMotivate the Elephant with emotion and identityShape the Path through ...
How to Give Feedback That Transforms Your Team | Radical Candor by Kim Scott In this episode of Change Agent Leadership, Jonathan Hankin dives deep into Radical Candor, Kim Scott’s powerful framework for giving feedback that actually helps your team grow. You’ll learn the four quadrants of feedback—Radical Candor, Obnoxious Aggression, Ruinous Empathy, and Manipulative Insincerity—and how to avoid common leadership pitfalls. This episode is packed with practical strategies and real-world l...
In this episode of the Change Agent Leadership Podcast, we discuss crucial steps for recovering from burnout and coming back stronger. Jonathan Hankin shares personal experiences and offers actionable advice on reflecting, recalibrating, rediscovering meaning, realigning with boundaries, and reconnecting with supportive people. Key points include recognizing burnout without shame, engaging in deep rest, reflecting on past joys, setting healthier boundaries, and celebrating small wins. ...
Avoid Burnout: 4 Key Strategies for Leaders and Professionals In this episode of the Change Agent Leadership Podcast, host Jonathan Hankin dives deep into the pervasive issue of burnout among leaders, managers, and professionals. He discusses the definition and implications of burnout, sharing his personal experience from 2015. Jonathan offers four practical strategies to prevent burnout, including self-awareness checks, identifying root causes, implementing self-compassion habits, and creati...
Effortless Goal Setting with the C.L.E.A.R. Framework Why do most goals fall apart within weeks? In this episode of Change Agent Leadership, Executive Coach Jonathan Hankin reveals the 5 reasons goals often fail—and introduces a powerful, practical tool to fix them: the C.L.E.A.R. Goal Framework. C.L.E.A.R. stands for: • Clarity – Define success in measurable, actionable terms • Link to Purpose – Connect your goal to what really matters • Evaluate – Break goals down into w...
In this episode of the Change Agent Leadership Podcast, we dive into one of the most critical skills for any leader: navigating crucial conversations with confidence and clarity. Drawing from the best-selling book Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler, I explore what makes a conversation “crucial”—opposing opinions, strong emotions, and high stakes—and why most people either avoid these moments or mishandle them. You’ll learn how to recognize when a conversation...
Mastering Time Management: Practical Strategies for Leaders Feeling overwhelmed, busy but not effective, or struggling to find time for what truly matters? In this episode of Change Agent Leadership, executive coach Jonathan Hankin shares powerful, actionable strategies to revolutionize your approach to time management. Discover how to: Conduct a Time Audit – uncover exactly where your time goes and reclaim lost hours. Prioritize with Purpose – use the Eisenhower Matrix to clearly identify...