Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

Hosted by Meredith Bell

Business Careers Entrepreneurship Management

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Episodes

390

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

I’m fascinated by what it takes for leaders to live their values consistently, especially when it’s hard. On the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast, I have candid conversations with senior executives who are sustaining principled leadership inside complex organizations. We explore how leadership capability, organizational systems, and the everyday decisions reinforce values. Our discussions also explore what gets tested when pressure rises—and the personal guardrails leaders rely on to stay aligned. If you believe values should guide real decisions—not just appear on the wall—you'll feel right at home here.

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60 recent

August 18, 2026Episode 39053 min

390: Would YOU Want to Work for YOU?

What kind of experience do other people have when they work with you? It's a simple question—and one that can transform the way you lead. In this conversation, executive coach and bestselling author Brenda Bence shares lessons from coaching CEOs around the world, along with pivotal moments from her own leadership journey. Through unforgettable stories and practical examples, she explains why great leaders build people before they build businesses, why curiosity and listening matter more than having all the answers, and why the best leaders continually examine the impact they have on others. Whether you lead an organization, a team, or simply want to become a better colleague, Brenda offers wisdom that will challenge you to think differently about the kind of leader you're becoming. Brenda Bence is recognized by Thinkers50 as a Coaching Legend and is ranked by Global Gurus as one of the world's top three executive coaches. She is a Hall of Fame professional speaker and the award-winning author of 12 books, including her latest, Would YOU Want to Work for YOU™? Known as the "Billion Dollar Coach," Brenda has coached dozens of C-Suite executives from many of the world's largest and most recognized corporations. Her passion lies at the intersection of leadership and branding, helping leaders build both the organizations they lead and the individual leadership brands they leave behind. Through Brenda’s coaching, global keynote speeches, and award-winning books, she has inspired and developed hundreds of thousands of leaders around the world. You'll Discover Why growing people must be part of every business strategy. The mindset shift every leader must make to move from expert to leader. How understanding what motivates each employee dramatically improves engagement and retention. Why middle managers determine whether organizational change succeeds or fails. How listening and curiosity create stronger leaders than certainty and control. Connect with Brenda Bence LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendabence Website Brenda Bence https://www.BrendaBence.com Books Would YOU Want to Work for YOU? https://www.amazon.com/Would-YOU-Want-Work-Performance/dp/B0H5RDP3N1 Leading YOU https://www.amazon.com/Leading-YOU-self-leadership-executive-success/dp/1942718012 Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

August 7, 2026Episode 38949 min

389: The Power of Being Fully Present

What if one of the most important leadership skills isn't speaking more clearly, making faster decisions, or solving problems more quickly—but simply being fully present? In this thoughtful conversation, psychologist and coach Dr. Pam Garcy shares practical ways to quiet the mental stories that pull us away from the people and moments that matter most. Drawing from her book The Present Coach , Pam explains why returning to the present is a practice, not a destination, and how slowing down allows us to respond with greater wisdom, calmness, and compassion. Together we explore what happens in our minds and bodies when we're under pressure, why our presence influences everyone around us, and how simple daily practices can help us become steadier leaders, partners, parents, and friends. Along the way, Pam shares moving personal stories and practical techniques you can begin using immediately—including one surprisingly simple exercise that may forever change the way you drink your morning coffee. Dr. Pam Garcy, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, coach, author, and teacher with over two decades of experience supporting individuals and professionals in meaningful personal change. Her work integrates psychological depth, presence-based practices, and practical tools for emotional regulation, self-leadership, and sustainable growth—an integration that forms the foundation of The Present Coach . You'll discover Why returning matters more than perfection Practical ways to regain calm under pressure How stories quietly shape your reactions Why your presence influences everyone around you Simple daily practices that build lasting awareness Connect with Pam Garcy, PhD on Social Media LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-d-garcy-ph-d-5507439/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrPamGarcy/ Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/drpamgarcyprosperity Website My Inner Guide https://www.myinnerguide.com/ Books The Present Coach: Your Companion Guide to Traversing Life with Clients https://www.amazon.com/Present-Coach-Companion-Traversing-Clients/dp/1600252303 Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

August 4, 2026Episode 38850 min

388: Why Values Aren't Enough

Most organizations can describe their values. The real challenge is helping people live them when pressure, habits, and competing priorities get in the way. In this thought-provoking conversation, Stephen Paskoff explains why changing behavior—not simply communicating expectations—is the true work of leadership. Drawing on four decades of experience helping organizations create respectful, accountable workplaces, Steve shares unforgettable stories that reveal how managers shape culture, why habits matter more than policies, and what it really takes to influence behavior over time. You'll hear the remarkable healthcare stories that transformed Steve's thinking, the leadership lesson he learned as a teenager selling shoes, and a simple exercise that will forever change how you think about leading people. Whether you're responsible for one employee or thousands, this episode will challenge you to move beyond values statements and begin creating the daily behaviors that define exceptional cultures. Stephen is the founder and Chair of Employment Learning Innovations, Inc. (ELI), a learning and human capital consulting company. ELI works with public and private organizations to build lawful, productive workplaces that maximize results and reduce compliance and other risks. He is a nationally recognized speaker and author on workplace legal issues. Before founding ELI in 1986, Stephen was an EEOC trial attorney and partner in a management law firm. He is the author of two books, Teaching Big Shots to Behave and Other Human Resource Challenges and Civility Rules! A New Business Approach for Boosting Results and Cutting Risks . You'll discover Why values alone don't change behavior How leaders build lasting workplace habits What managers communicate without realizing it Why respect drives better business results How everyday actions shape organizational culture Connect with Stephen Paskoff on Social Media LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliinc Website Employment Learning Innovations https://eliinc.com/ Books Civility Rules! A New Business Approach for Boosting Results and Cutting Risks https://www.amazon.com/CIVILITY-Business-Approach-Boosting-Results/dp/0692601570 Teaching Big Shots to Behave and Other Human Resource Challenges https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Shots-Behave-Resources-Challenges/dp/0975895001 Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

July 28, 2026Episode 38753 min

387: Who Wins Under Pressure?

What happens when values collide with results and a difficult decision has to be made? Earl Rattray spent more than three decades helping organizations answer that question in real time. Drawing on his experience leading global ethics and compliance efforts at Colgate-Palmolive, Earl shares why values only become meaningful when they're tested, how managers shape culture more than policies ever can, and why trust is the foundation of every healthy workplace. You'll hear stories from Earl's visits to teams around the world, lessons learned from employees who challenged his assumptions, and the experience early in his career that revealed his own courage. Whether you're leading a team or influencing culture from any position, you'll come away thinking differently about speaking up, earning trust, and what it really means to do the right thing when the stakes are high. Earl spent more than two decades as a senior ethics and compliance executive at Colgate-Palmolive, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Global Ethics and Compliance. In that role, he built and led a compliance program operating across more than 200 countries and territories. He also advised C-Suite leaders and Board committees on institutional integrity, governance strategy, and emerging risk. Under Earl’s leadership, the company was recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 16 consecutive years — one of the most rigorous ethics distinctions in the corporate world. His mission is to help organizations build compliance programs and ethical cultures that hold up under real-world pressure. He believes that principled leadership is not a policy or a program. It is a daily practice, most visible in the moments when doing the right thing comes at a cost. You'll discover Why values matter most under pressure How managers shape everyday workplace culture What creates genuine psychological safety Why trust is leadership's most valuable currency How courage grows when you speak up Connect with Earl Rattray Social Media LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/earl-rattray-32535189/ Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

July 21, 2026Episode 38646 min

386: One Conversation Can Change a Life

What if the most important leadership moment of your career lasts only five minutes? Angela Burgess believes that meaningful change often begins with a single conversation. In this episode, she shares the story of a manager who saw potential in her when she was struggling, offered a different perspective, and changed the trajectory of her career. That experience shaped Angela's belief that leaders have an extraordinary opportunity to help people see possibilities in themselves that they cannot yet see on their own. As Founder and CEO of Broad Oaks Consulting, Angela works with nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and advisors who need to navigate conversations that many people avoid. Along the way, she has become a passionate advocate for curiosity, active listening, and encouragement. You'll hear why asking better questions matters, why listening is more than hearing words, and how small acts of genuine caring can leave a lasting impact long after we forget we ever made them. You'll discover Why one conversation can alter a career How curiosity creates deeper connections What great listeners do differently Why encouragement matters more than you realize How to serve others through conversation Connect with Angela Burgess on Social Media LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelaburgesshtx Facebook https://www.facebook.com/broadoaksconsulting YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlHvCYUSmc0 Resources Website Angela Burgess https://angelaburgesshtx.com Broad Oaks Consulting https://broadoaksconsulting.com/ Book Are You On the Right Bus?: Navigating Change on the Road to Success https://www.amazon.com/Are-You-Right-Bus-Navigating/dp/B0D2JG5D5K Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

July 14, 2026Episode 38542 min

385: The Behavior You're Willing to Tolerate

What if your culture isn't defined by your values, but by the behavior you're willing to tolerate? Steve Harris has spent decades helping organizations create environments where employees feel safe speaking up, leaders model the right behaviors, and ethics become part of everyday decision-making. As Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer at Lincoln Financial, Steve shares practical examples of how organizations can build trust, strengthen accountability, and help managers create psychological safety within their teams. You'll hear how Lincoln reframed speaking up from a compliance obligation to a business imperative, why frontline managers have such a powerful influence on culture, and how one difficult experience early in Steve's career shaped his view of the difference between what is legal and what is ethical. His stories offer valuable lessons for any leader who wants values to guide behavior when decisions become difficult. In his role as Senior Vice President and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer at Lincoln Financial, Steve leads the company's enterprise compliance and sustainability programs and helps shape a culture of ethical decision-making across more than 11,000 employees. Under Steve’s leadership, Lincoln Financial has been recognized five times as one of Ethisphere's World's Most Ethical Companies. Before joining Lincoln, Steve spent more than a decade at The Hartford, another long-time Ethisphere honoree, and he’s built a reputation for helping organizations integrate ethics into business strategy, leadership, and culture. He's also a frequent speaker on ethics and compliance and serves on several industry and academic advisory boards. You'll discover: Why speaking up drives business success How managers create psychological safety What trust looks like in practice Why listening builds stronger cultures The difference between law and ethics Connect with Steve Harris on Social Media LinkedIn Website Lincoln Financial Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

July 7, 2026Episode 38412 min

384: Helping Isn’t Always Helping

What if your desire to help is actually getting in someone else's way? You may think you're supporting, protecting, or guiding others, but sometimes your good intentions can unintentionally limit their growth, confidence, and sense of purpose. Drawing from a deeply personal experience with my father, I explore how helping can cross the line into rescuing, controlling, or satisfying our own need to be right. You'll discover why this lesson matters not only in your personal relationships but also in your role as a leader, where the urge to solve problems can prevent others from developing their own capabilities and strengths. I’m the co-founder and president of Grow Strong Leaders. We provide assessment and development systems that help leaders strengthen their character and communication skills so they can consistently live their values and sustain strong, high-trust cultures—especially under pressure. You'll discover: Why helping can sometimes feel controlling How rescuing prevents growth and confidence What your need to be right costs Why leaders should ask more questions The difference between support and interference Connect with Meredith on Social Media LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithmbell Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MeredithMBell Twitter https://x.com/meredithmbell Instagram https://www.instagram.com/meredithmbell/ Website Grow Strong Leaders https://growstrongleaders.com/ Books Connect with Your Team: Mastering the Top 10 Communication Skills : https://amzn.to/3jL0pEI Grow Strong Character https://tinyurl.com/3zwcanxa Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

June 30, 2026Episode 38347 min

383: How JLL Practices Integrity Every Day

How do you sustain an ethical culture across 113,000 employees in more than 80 countries with a team of just four ethics professionals? Kendall Mills shares how JLL has built one of the world's most enduring ethics programs, earning recognition from Ethisphere 19 times as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. She explains how ethics becomes more than a policy or annual training requirement when leaders consistently reinforce trust, transparency, accountability, and speaking up. Kendall also shares a defining moment early in her career when she was pressured to alter an investigation report, and the decision she made that shaped her approach to leadership. Throughout our conversation, she reveals how organizations can operationalize integrity, create psychological safety, build trust at scale, and help employees make the right decisions even when nobody is watching. Kendall is a licensed attorney and Certified Information Privacy Professional. She started her career at a Fortune 100 insurance company where she led more than 250 internal investigations, including matters involving C-suite executives. Today, she serves as Executive Director of Ethics & Compliance for the Americas at JLL, a Fortune 200 commercial real estate firm, where she also has global oversight for the ethics program spanning the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. Kendall is known for translating complex regulatory issues into practical guidance, implementing compliance programs that work in the real world, and partnering with leadership to strengthen cultures of integrity and accountability. Her team develops the investigation trends and risk insights that go directly to JLL's Board, giving senior leadership clear visibility into where the risks are and what's being done about them. A Fellow of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Kendall is passionate about elevating compliance as a strategic function and developing a high-performing, globally aligned team. You’ll discover: How JLL scales ethics across 80+ countries Why integrity starts with small decisions What builds trust in speaking-up cultures How leaders create psychological safety Why accountability strengthens organizational trust Connect with Kendall on Social Media LinkedIn Resources JLL Ethics Everywhere Annual Report Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

June 17, 2026Episode 38250 min

382: Leading with a Viewpoint and Grace

Do you need to know more than everyone else to be an effective leader? Chris Ware believes the answer is no. Throughout his career, he has repeatedly stepped into leadership roles where others had deeper expertise, yet he learned how to build trust, credibility, and engagement without relying on authority or having all the answers. As Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary at Itron, Chris shares lessons from his experiences as a federal prosecutor, business leader, and legal executive. You'll hear memorable stories about learning from failure, making ethical decisions under pressure, understanding the "why" behind people's actions, and creating cultures where communication, trust, and speaking up are part of everyday leadership. You’ll discover: Why leaders need a viewpoint early How grace strengthens trust and credibility What failure taught Chris about listening Why ethical decisions rarely require speed How simple habits build strong cultures Connect with Chris Ware on Social Media LinkedIn Website Chris’s employer Itron Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

June 16, 2026Episode 38153 min

381: Why Marvell Employees Actually Speak Up

What makes employees feel safe enough to speak up when something feels wrong? Eva Lehman shares how ethical cultures are built through leadership behaviors, trust, consistency, and systems that reinforce integrity every day. As Vice President and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer at Marvell Technology, Eva offers a behind-the-scenes look at how their culture shapes employee behavior far beyond policies and compliance training. You’ll hear how Marvell’s leadership team reinforces ethical decision-making across a global organization, why middle managers are critical to sustaining trust, and how employees are empowered to raise concerns without fear. Eva also shares personal reflections about the difficult moments leaders face when values are tested, and why courage, empathy, and support from leadership matter so much in those situations. You’ll discover: Why employees hesitate to speak up How leaders reinforce ethical culture daily What builds trust across global organizations Why managers are the ones shaping workplace microcultures How Marvell approaches responsible AI governance Connect with Eva Lehman on Social Media LinkedIn Website Eva’s employer, Marvell Technology Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn