The Leadership Initiative

Hosted by InitiativeOne

Business Education

Website RSS feed

Episodes

115

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

About the show

The Leadership Initiative Podcast connects with leaders worldwide to offer strategies and tools for maximizing your impact and transforming your life.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 21, 202639 min

Why Your Team Doesn't Trust Your Title (And What to Do)

Master essential Leadership Lessons with Sheriff Matt Joski. Discover why Trust in Leadership is the ultimate foundation for longevity and success in high-pressure roles. 🚀 In this episode of the Leadership Initiative, Dr. Fred Johnson sits down with Sheriff Matt Joski to uncover the secrets behind a successful 20-year career in law enforcement and public service. We explore how Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Vulnerability can transform a toxic environment into a winning team.

May 7, 202646 min

Stop Being a Victim: The 100% Accountability Rule

Master these essential Leadership Lessons to drive Healthcare Innovation and transform your organization with Dr. Alan Roga and Dr. Fred Johnson. In this episode of the Leadership Initiative, Dr. Fred Johnson sits down with Dr. Alan Roga, a 'unicorn' in the field of medicine who pioneered virtual ER care. They dive deep into the mechanics of Change Management and how to maintain 100% Accountability in Leadership even when facing 'bold resistance' from industry infrastructure.

April 23, 202636 min

Power vs. Authority: The Secret to Why People Actually Follow You

In this episode of the Leadership Initiative, Dr. Fred Johnson sits down with Aaron Sadoff, President of Marian University, to dismantle the myth that happiness is 'fufu' and reveal why it is a high-stakes competitive advantage. Discover how positive psychology can revolutionize organizational culture and why the most effective leaders focus on building authority through trust rather than relying on power. We dive deep into the 'Two Arrows' parable to explain why pain is inevitable but suffering is a choice. Learn how to implement the 'Tetris Effect' to scan for the good in your team and why forgiveness is the ultimate leadership superpower for personal and professional resilience.

April 9, 202657 min

The Better Human, Better Leader Principle: A Roundtable on Education Leadership

Join our leadership roundtable as they discuss why 30 years of "classroom management" training fails without personal transformation. Discover why being a "better human" is the prerequisite for being a better leader.

March 26, 202646 min

Why "I Want to Help You" is the Ultimate Leadership Strategy

In this exclusive InitiativeOne interview, Dr. Fred Johnson sits down with Andrea Billups—a veteran national reporter and editor whose expertise spans from the First Lady and political policy to fashion and celebrity news. They talk about stopping pre-judging yourself and starting to show up as your authentic self. Andrea and Fred discuss why honesty—even when it's uncomfortable or "sassy"—is the key to breaking through monumental career pivots.

February 26, 202646 min

Why You Must Kill Your Need for Comfort to Lead

Wrestling with Imposter Syndrome and feeling uncomfortable as a leader? Mike Ferreira, CEO of Meetings Made Easy, and leadership expert and InitiativeOne founder Dr. Fred Johnson reveal why even the most successful leaders feel it every day.

February 5, 202654 min

Tennessee Titans Reporter Nick Suss On How Leadership Drives NFL Success

In this episode of the Leadership Initiative, Dr. Fred Johnson interviews Nick Suss, a veteran NFL beat reporter for The Tennessean. Nick shares his unique journey, from being known as the "ESPN kid" at age ten to covering the Tennessee Titans and the complexities of the NFL. They discuss leadership and success within the league, highlighting Nick's fair, candid approach to journalism that prioritizes integrity over sensationalism.

January 22, 202647 min

Business Coach & Entrepreneur Justin Goodbread Reveals His Success Roadmap

In this powerful episode of the Leadership Initiative, Dr. Fred Johnson sits down with Justin Goodbread, founder of The Deca Millionaire Way, author, and expert in business valuation. Justin shares the three essential criteria for success that he has observed in elite leaders worldwide: Crystal Clear Vision, Deep Wounding (Hardship), and Repurposed Channeling.

January 8, 202653 min

From the MLB to Private Equity: The Mindset Secrets of Elite Teammates

Can you be a great leader without being a terrific teammate? Join Dr. Fred Johnson and former professional baseball player turned Private Equity Managing Partner, Bobby Kingsbury, as they explore the visceral connection between sports and high-stakes business leadership. From representing Team Greece in the 2004 Olympics to leading MCM Capital Partners, Bobby shares the "Quentin Tarantino" version of his career, jumping between the mental grind of a 162-game season and the pressure of investing millions for others. Learn why Bobby believes that pressure is merely the result of not being prepared and how to overcome the "5 inches between your ears" to achieve continuous improvement.

December 18, 202555 min

The 1 NFL Trait That Guarantees Success in Business (It's Not Talent)

Join Dr. Fred Johnson for a captivating interview with former NFL player and entrepreneur Brennan Scarlett (Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins), founder of Scarlett Creative. Brennan's story is a masterclass in successful career transition, a journey where many athletes fail. In this powerful conversation, Brennan shares the universal principles for creating a great team, whether in an NFL locker room or a cutting-edge business.