Behind the Frontline

Hosted by Frontline Training Solutions

Business Management EducationInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Apr 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Join us Behind the Frontline, a podcast hosted by Frontline Training Solutions' Creative Director, Nic Dampier, and Managing Director, Nathan Leaman, where we facilitate in-depth discussions around timeless solutions for everyday workplace and workforce challenges. At Frontline Training Solutions, an Express Employment Professionals company, we create thriving organizations where everyone matters through training, consulting, coaching and real solutions to everyday challenges in the workplace. To learn more about the solutions we have available for your company, visit us at www.frontlineon.com. Subscribe to @BehindtheFrontline on YouTube to watch the video version of this podcast to gain valuable solutions to help you and your company both grow and thrive.

Listen to episodes

42 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 4238 min

Episode 042 - Burnout, Boundaries, and Better Leadership

In this episode of Behind the Frontline, Nic Dampier is joined by Trina Poston, Senior Organizational Consultant at Frontline Training Solutions, to continue the conversation from the recent webinar, Burnout and Boundaries, and explore how leaders can recognize, prevent, and respond to burnout in the workplace.Together, they discuss why burnout is often more than an individual struggle—it can be a sign that work is not being clearly prioritized, properly resourced, or realistically distributed. Trina shares practical ways leaders can evaluate workload, spot patterns like absenteeism and presenteeism, and create healthier conversations around capacity without lowering accountability or performance expectations.The conversation dives into the tension many leaders face: how to stretch people in ways that build resilience without creating unhealthy strain. Nic and Trina talk about the risk high performers face when they become the default landing place for every urgent project, and how tools like workload rosters, Kanban boards, calendar blocking, delayed email sends, and recovery time can help teams bring visibility and structure to the work.Trina also speaks directly to leaders who may be experiencing burnout themselves, encouraging them to pay attention to signs like working late, logging on during vacation, physical stress symptoms, irritability, and the inability to truly rest. The episode explores how a burned-out leader can unintentionally shape team culture, even when they never say anything out loud.If you’re a business leader, HR professional, manager, or high performer trying to build a healthier and more sustainable workplace, this episode will help you move from reacting to burnout to creating practical systems of support, clarity, and accountability.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Contact us today to learn how Frontline Training Solutions can support your leadership and organizational development goals.

April 8, 2026Episode 4130 min

Episode 041 - Preparing for the Workforce Ahead

In this episode of Behind the Frontline, Nic Dampier is joined by David Robb and Mike Lee to unpack key insights from their recent webinar, The Workforce Ahead, and what employers need to understand about the future of talent.Together, they explore the current state of the labor market, including the temporary talent surplus many organizations are experiencing — and why it may be creating a false sense of security. While hiring may feel easier today, David and Mike explain why long-term demographic trends, including declining birth rates and workforce participation, are setting the stage for a significant talent shortage in the years ahead.The conversation dives into the growing gap between available talent and the skills employers actually need, particularly in skilled trades and technical roles. They discuss how organizations can proactively build talent pipelines through apprenticeships, mentorship, and knowledge transfer, rather than waiting for the crisis to arrive.David and Mike also address the evolving role of AI in the workplace — where it’s being overestimated, where it’s underutilized, and how leaders can move beyond experimentation into meaningful implementation. They challenge organizations to rethink how they hire, develop, and deploy talent in a world where efficiency, adaptability, and multi-skilled employees are becoming essential.Throughout the episode, a consistent theme emerges: the organizations that will win in the future are those that take a proactive, strategic approach today. From becoming an employer of choice to investing in people at every level, leaders must shift their focus from short-term tactics to long-term workforce strategy.If you’re a business leader, HR professional, or hiring manager trying to make sense of where the workforce is headed, this episode will help you move from reacting to planning — and from uncertainty to intentional action.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Contact us today to learn how Frontline Training Solutions can support your leadership and organizational development goals.

March 25, 2026Episode 401 hr 12 min

Episode 040 - Why Most Leaders Get This Wrong

In this episode of Behind the Frontline, Nic Dampier sits down with Ryan Williams, Leadership & Team Development Manager at Frontline Training Solutions, to unpack one of the most critical leadership tensions facing organizations today: the balance between connection and challenge.Building on Frontline’s recent webinar The Balance of Leadership, Ryan shares how even well-intentioned leaders can unintentionally create environments of stress, disengagement, or stagnation by leaning too far in one direction. Through practical examples and real-world scenarios, he explores why leadership is not about choosing between caring for people or driving results—but learning how to do both, consistently and intentionally.Together, Nic and Ryan dive into:- Why leaders often misread their own leadership style—and the cost of that blind spot- The difference between compliance and true commitment from your team- How underlying beliefs quietly shape leadership behavior (often without us realizing it)- Why “my door is always open” might be doing more harm than good- What healthy, effective feedback actually looks like in practiceThey also introduce the powerful Balcony vs. Dance Floor concept, helping leaders understand when to zoom out for strategic clarity and when to step in to connect with their team’s real, day-to-day experience.This conversation is both honest and practical—designed to challenge assumptions, sharpen awareness, and give leaders clear next steps they can apply immediately.If you’ve ever wondered why your leadership isn’t landing the way you intend—or how to better support your team while still driving performance—this episode is for you.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Contact us today to learn how Frontline Training Solutions can support your leadership and organizational development goals.

February 28, 2026Episode 391 hr 0 min

Episode 039 - Why Team Dynamics Determine Retention.

In this follow-up conversation to Frontline Training Solutions’ recent webinar on coaching, Nic Dampier sits down with Lorraine Medici, Director of Training and Development at Frontline, to unpack what effective coaching really looks like in day-to-day leadership conversations.Building on the frameworks introduced in the webinar, Lorraine breaks down the core coaching tools leaders need to diagnose and address performance challenges without defaulting to fixing, lecturing, or micromanaging. Together, Nic and Lorraine explore the Hill–Will–Skill model as a practical way to identify whether barriers are organizational, motivational, or skill-based—and why leaders often jump to solving the wrong problem. They discuss how curiosity, open-ended questions, and intentional listening can shift power dynamics, build trust, and create accountability without eroding relationships.The conversation dives deep into real-world coaching moments, including how to use clarifying, barrier, and action questions effectively; how to recognize red flags that a leader hasn’t fully diagnosed the issue; and why asking “what else?” can be one of the most powerful tools in a coaching conversation. Nic and Lorraine also model a live coaching dialogue, illustrating how curiosity, reflection, and validation help leaders move from frustration to clarity.This episode offers practical, immediately usable insights for leaders at all levels—especially those who want to stop firefighting, develop self-reliant problem solvers, and create environments where people take ownership of their work.Whether you’re leading frontline teams, managing professionals, or developing future leaders, this conversation challenges common assumptions about coaching and provides grounded strategies to make it stick.Tune in to Behind the Frontline for honest conversations that equip leaders to coach with confidence, curiosity, and purpose.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Contact us today to learn how Frontline Training Solutions can support your leadership and organizational development goals.

January 29, 2026Episode 3840 min

Episode 038 - Coaching That Works: Using Curiosity to Unlock Accountability

In this follow-up conversation to Frontline Training Solutions’ recent webinar on coaching, Nic Dampier sits down with Lorraine Medici, Director of Training and Development at Frontline, to unpack what effective coaching really looks like in day-to-day leadership conversations.Building on the frameworks introduced in the webinar, Lorraine breaks down the core coaching tools leaders need to diagnose and address performance challenges without defaulting to fixing, lecturing, or micromanaging. Together, Nic and Lorraine explore the Hill–Will–Skill model as a practical way to identify whether barriers are organizational, motivational, or skill-based—and why leaders often jump to solving the wrong problem. They discuss how curiosity, open-ended questions, and intentional listening can shift power dynamics, build trust, and create accountability without eroding relationships.The conversation dives deep into real-world coaching moments, including how to use clarifying, barrier, and action questions effectively; how to recognize red flags that a leader hasn’t fully diagnosed the issue; and why asking “what else?” can be one of the most powerful tools in a coaching conversation. Nic and Lorraine also model a live coaching dialogue, illustrating how curiosity, reflection, and validation help leaders move from frustration to clarity.This episode offers practical, immediately usable insights for leaders at all levels—especially those who want to stop firefighting, develop self-reliant problem solvers, and create environments where people take ownership of their work. Whether you’re leading frontline teams, managing professionals, or developing future leaders, this conversation challenges common assumptions about coaching and provides grounded strategies to make it stick.Tune in to Behind the Frontline for honest conversations that equip leaders to coach with confidence, curiosity, and purpose.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Contact us today to learn how Frontline Training Solutions can support your leadership and organizational development goals.

December 26, 2025Episode 3758 min

Episode 037 - Why Motivation Breaks Down at Work (and What To Do About It)

In this follow-up conversation to Frontline Training Solutions’ popular webinar on workplace motivation, Nic Dampier sits down with Ryan Williams, Leadership and Team Development Manager at Frontline, to go deeper into what truly drives — and diminishes — motivation at work.Building on the frameworks shared in the webinar, Ryan unpacks three critical concepts every leader must understand: why perks and pay alone don’t motivate people, how intrinsic motivation is shaped by autonomy, competence, and connection, and how unseen friction inside systems and processes quietly erodes engagement over time.Together, Nic and Ryan explore real-world leadership challenges — from the hidden costs of micromanagement to the unintended consequences of over-relying on incentives — and challenge leaders to reflect on the environments they’re creating. They discuss how well-intentioned leaders often undermine motivation without realizing it, why “hands-off” leadership isn’t the same as autonomy support, and how clarity, curiosity, and coaching conversations can unlock ownership and follow-through.This episode also dives into practical applications leaders can use immediately, including identifying friction in performance management, onboarding, and daily workflows, designing meetings where all voices are heard, and shifting from control-based leadership to cultures built on trust, accountability, and growth.Whether you lead people on the frontlines, manage teams in manufacturing or professional environments, or are rethinking how to retain and engage talent in today’s shifting workforce, this conversation offers grounded insights and actionable strategies to help motivation stick — not just spike.Tune in to Behind the Frontline for honest conversations that challenge assumptions and equip leaders to build workplaces where people want to show up, grow, and contribute.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Learn more at www.frontlineon.com, where we partner with organizations to create thriving workplaces where everyone matters.Contact us today to discover how Frontline Training Solutions can support your leadership and organizational development goals.

November 19, 2025Episode 3642 min

Episode 036 - Pretty Good Isn’t Good Enough: Raising the Bar on Customer Experience

In this follow-up conversation to our popular webinar “Pretty Good Isn’t Good Enough,” Nic Dampier sits down with Frontline Training Solutions experts Alec McGuire and Lorraine Medici to explore what separates organizations that deliver truly exceptional customer experiences from those that settle for “good enough.”Alec and Lorraine unpack the real costs of inconsistent customer service, why internal customer experience matters just as much as external, and how leaders can create a culture where ownership, empathy, and accountability show up in daily behaviors—not just in training rooms. Together, we dive deeper into the practical frameworks shared in the webinar, including the power of emotional connection, recovery conversations that rebuild trust, and the mindset shift required for teams to choose excellence over convenience.Whether you lead a frontline team, oversee customer-facing operations, or want to strengthen your organization’s service culture, this episode offers actionable insights to help you raise the bar and move from “pretty good” to unforgettable.Tune in and take your customer experience to the next level.Subscribe to Behind the Frontline wherever you get your podcasts for honest conversations and actionable strategies that help your organization grow, lead, and thrive.Learn more at www.frontlineon.com, where we create thriving organizations where everyone matters.Contact us today to find out how Frontline can support your leadership and organizational development goals.

October 28, 2025Episode 3543 min

Episode 035 - Spotting Behavioral Red Flags in the Workplace

In this episode of Behind the Frontline, Nic Dampier sits down with Jason Russell, Founder and President of SEC Protects and former U.S. Secret Service Agent, and Pete Gerkin, Senior Lead Consultant and 26-year veteran of the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, to discuss behavioral threat assessment and how organizations can create safer, more aware workplaces. Joined by Janis Petrini, Co-Owner of Frontline Training Solutions and Express Employment Professionals Grand Rapids, the conversation explores how to spot early warning signs, de-escalate conflicts, and build psychological safety across teams.Learn what to look for when behaviors shift, why proactive de-escalation and communication training are essential, and how leaders can strengthen connection and care before issues escalate. Learn more about SEC at www.secprotects.com.Subscribe to Behind the Frontline wherever you get your podcasts for honest conversations and actionable strategies that help your organization grow, lead, and thrive.Learn more at frontlineon.com, where we create thriving organizations where everyone matters.Contact us today to find out how Frontline can support your leadership and organizational development goals.

September 22, 2025Episode 3550 min

Episode 034 - Myth or Fact - What makes a good leader?

Welcome to Behind the Frontline, the podcast where we have real conversations about real workplace challenges, hosted by Nic Dampier, Creative Director at Frontline Training Solutions.In this episode of Behind the Frontline, Nic is joined by Nathan Leaman, President at Frontline Training Solutions, and Ryan Williams, Leadership & Team Development Manager. Together, they dive into a lively game of Myth or Fact, tackling some of the most common beliefs about leadership in today’s workplace. Listeners will walk away with a clearer picture of the qualities that matter most in leadership—and a few myths busted along the way.If you’re navigating your own leadership journey or developing the next generation of leaders, this episode will spark thought, challenge assumptions, and equip you with ideas to bring back to your workplace.Check out the blog mentioned in the episode here: https://frontlineon.com/blog/the-balcony-and-the-dance-floor-what-every-new-leader-needs-to-know/Subscribe to Behind the Frontline wherever you get your podcasts for honest conversations and actionable strategies that help your organization grow, lead, and thrive.Learn more at frontlineon.com, where we create thriving organizations where everyone matters.Contact us today to find out how Frontline can support your leadership and organizational development goals.

August 7, 2025Episode 3343 min

Episode 033 - What is the Cost of Bad Leadership?

Welcome to Behind the Frontline, the podcast where we have real conversations about real workplace challenges, hosted by Nic Dampier, Creative Director at Frontline Training Solutions.In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Jimmy Nelson and Ryan Williams from Frontline Training Solutions to talk about something that every organization faces, but few want to name: the true cost of bad leadership. From toxic cultures and high turnover to stalled growth and disengaged teams, ineffective leadership leaves a wake that’s deeper than most leaders realize.We unpacked what poor leadership really looks like on the ground, why it happens, and, most importantly, what organizations can do about it. Whether you’re navigating tough personalities, seeing early signs of dysfunction, or trying to rebuild trust, this conversation is packed with practical insights, real-world scenarios, and next steps to start shifting your leadership culture for the better.You’ll also hear how to make the business case for leadership development, even if your leaders aren’t “bad”—just not yet great.Subscribe to Behind the Frontline for honest conversations and actionable strategies that help your organization grow, lead, and thrive.Learn more at frontlineon.com, where we create thriving organizations where everyone matters.Contact us today to find out how Frontline can support your leadership and organizational development goals.