Ever feel like managing a team means carrying everyone’s mistakes, conflicts, and missed deadlines on your shoulders? You’re not alone. Many first-time managers fall into people-pleasing, micromanaging, or doing the work themselves instead of coaching their team. That weight leads to burnout, toxic culture, and imposter syndrome in leadership. But managing isn’t about fixing, it’s about building. In this episode, Desiree Petrich unpacks how to build a team that feels like a community: one bui...
Do you ever feel like posting on LinkedIn is only for job seekers or entrepreneurs? That belief is holding you back. The truth is, your presence online is your modern-day resume, and the confidence it builds spills into every corner of your leadership. In this conversation with Liam Darmody, founder of Liam’s Brandstand, we dig into why building your personal brand is less about “playing the algorithm” and more about learning who you are as a leader. You’ll hear how Liam went from reluctant p...
Rate the Podcast! Do you ever feel like a theme or lesson keeps showing up in your life on repeat—almost like déjà vu? That’s been me lately with words like honesty, integrity, and self-trust. In this episode, I’m diving into Ryan Leak’s book Leveling Up. I thought it would be just personal development, but halfway through I realized: personal development and leadership development are the same conversation. This book held up a mirror and forced me to ask some hard questions I think every new...
Take the 5 Love Languages Assessment (for free!) Do you ever feel like your appreciation isn’t landing with your team? New managers often rely on the “golden rule”, treat others how you want to be treated. But that approach leaves gaps, frustrates employees, and creates disengagement. The better approach? Learn how your team wants to be appreciated, and match your recognition style to theirs. In this episode, Desiree breaks down the five love languages at work, show you how to adapt the...
Feeling stuck, complacent, or burned out at work? In this episode, Jason Barnaby shares how to reignite your fire, overcome fear, and create meaningful culture through intentional action. In this episode, we're shifting gears into something every new manager and leader wrestles with, how do you keep your spark alive when comfort zones and fear want to hold you back? I’m joined by Jason Barnaby, Chief Fire Starter of Fire Starters Inc., who has made it his mission to help people and or...
Guest: Tessa Kampen - Team Engagement Catalyst Why are Gen Z and millennials avoiding leadership? In this conversation with Tessa, we unpack the future of leadership, bridging generations, and what new managers must do to create trust, mentorship, and lasting influence. Additional Links A New Kind of Diversity by Tim Elmore The 5 Levels of Leadership by John MaxwellHow the Right Frameworks Turn Fear into Confidence | Craig Denison Why don’t younger generations want ...
Discover how to grow your head, heart, and gut intelligence to strengthen emotional intelligence, build trust, hold employees accountable, and create a thriving team culture as a new manager. In this episode you’ll learn how to identify your dominant center (even without a personality assessment) and practical ways to grow all three so you can: Build trust and credibility with your teamHold employees accountable without micromanagingHandle conflict with confidenceLead effective team meeting...
Guest - Heather Italiano, High-Energy Speaker and Facilitator Book - The 5 Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell Are your employees following you because they want to, or because they have to? In this episode, Heather Italiano unpacks the Five Levels of Leadership and how new managers can build trust, increase influence, and avoid falling into the trap of positional leadership. Have you ever felt like your team only listens because they have to, not because they want to? That’s t...
Find Desiree Petrich and Tessa Kampen on Linkedin! Watch Desiree's Disrupt HR Talk: You're The Problem, and It's affecting Your Team! Struggling with difficult employees or clashing coworkers? In this episode, Desiree Petrich and Tessa Kampen unpack practical ways to improve team dynamics and work with people you don’t like. You rarely to choose who you work with. Whether it’s a coworker who triggers your inner eye roll or a difficult employee who's throwing off your team dynamics, you stil...
Links The Truth About Employee Engagement by Patrick LencioniList of my Favorite Books You’ve offered raises, perks, and flexible schedules, so why does your team still seem disengaged? In this episode, we explore the real reasons employees check out and what you can do to re-engage them. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the book The Truth About Employee Engagement by Patrick Lencioni and exploring the real reason behind low morale, quiet quitting, and disengagement. ...
Struggling to unplug, set boundaries, or move your body after a long day? This Ask Me Anything episode tackles three of the biggest challenges new managers face with actionable mindset shifts and tools that make a real difference. Ever feel like your brain won’t shut off even when your body’s ready to? You're not alone. In today’s Ask Me Anything episode, we’re diving into three of the most common challenges high-achieving professionals face in leadership: setting boundaries without g...
Get the Foundation of Self FrameworkTake your personality assessment Resilience isn’t just something you build after a crisis. In this episode, you’ll learn how to strengthen your mindset, build emotional stamina, and proactively prepare for life’s hard moments, so you can handle them with more calm, clarity, and confidence. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you only feel strong after everything falls apart? Resilience isn’t something we should only...
Elisa Ellis, Founder of Turnkey Style Visit Elisa's Webiste Buy the Book: The Style Advantage Stylist Elisa Ellis shares how what you wear can shift how you lead. Learn how to feel more confident, aligned, and respected—without changing who you are. Last week we talked about what’s really behind employee disengagement—and how to fix it. This week, we're diving into something leaders rarely talk about but feel every day: how your clothes impact your confidence and aut...
Connect with Tessa Kampen on LinkedIn Buy The Book 6 Types of Working Genius Take the Working Genius Assessment Unlock better team communication and self-awareness with the Working Genius framework. In this episode, we break down the 6 types and how understanding your genius can change the way you lead and collaborate. What if understanding how you work best could completely transform how your team works together? If you're a new manager trying to lead with confide...
Hear Scott speak live at the Intentional Leader Summit on August 6th, 2025 Connect with Scott Tillema on Linkedin Watch Scott's TED Talk: The Secrets of Hostage Negotiators Recommended Book: Hostage at the Table by George Kohlrieser Can you lead through conflict—even without trust? Scott Tillema shares hostage negotiation skills that every leader can use to navigate difficult conversations and rebuild trust at work. What does a hostage negotiator know that can help you manage wo...
Book List (Leadership, Personal Development, Parenting) List of Assessments (Take DISC or Working Genius and get a free coaching debrief!)Read the Book: Taking Intentional Action These 9 life lessons aren’t in a textbook, but they should be. Whether you're a new grad, a new manager, or someone guiding the next generation, this episode helps you grow with purpose, confidence, and self-awareness. Most of us don’t learn life’s biggest lessons in high school, college, or even from a mento...
If you’ve ever said, “I just need to manage my time better,” or “If they were more efficient, we’d be fine,” this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, we’re flipping the script on strengths and weaknesses at work. While most people focus on improving tactical skills like organization or productivity, the real game-changer is how we show up relationally. You’ll learn how relational weaknesses, like defensiveness, passive-aggressive behavior, and poor communication, are quietly killing ...
We read the book Love + Work By Marcus Buckingham so you don't have to! Can you really love your job - or is that just wishful thinking? In this episode, Desiree and guest Tessa Kampen unpack Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham and what it means for new leaders trying to build careers that actually light them up. Show Notes: Last week we talked about redefining leadership with Craig Denison - how breaking the mold can make you a stronger, more authentic leader. This week, we’re asking a questio...
Are authenticity and professionalism at odds, or are we just defining them wrong? If you're a first-time manager trying to gain respect without losing yourself, you’re not alone. Most new leaders feel stuck between “being real” and “being taken seriously,” and it’s affecting your executive presence, your team’s trust, and how you show up in every meeting. The truth? You don’t have to choose. Authenticity and professionalism aren’t enemies. They’re tools. And when you know how to use both, you...
What if you're not a bad leader—just using the wrong blueprint? Craig Denison shares how practical tools and mindset shifts can turn anxious new managers into confident, empowered leaders. Craig Denison is the creator of 90 Day Leader, a framework-based leadership development program designed to help new and accidental managers lead with confidence, without burning out. He's also a former team member of Patrick Lencioni’s Table Group, and a firm believer that leadership is more about c...