Lead Culture with Jenni Catron

Hosted by Art of Leadership Network

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Episodes

345

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Healthy leadership creates healthy culture. On LeadCulture with Jenni Catron , you’ll gain practical leadership development insights to help you lead with clarity and build a thriving organizational culture. Drawing from decades of executive experience and conversations with trusted business leaders, Jenni equips CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, and managers with tools to strengthen team health, align vision and values, and create workplaces where people and performance thrive. If you’re serious about growing as a leader and building a values-driven culture that lasts, you’re in the right place.

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60 recent

September 24, 202638 min

341 | Discipline, Grace, and Friendship at Work with Marcylle Combs

Can you be friends with the people you lead? Most HR advice says no. In this conversation, Jenni sits down with Marcylle Combs , entrepreneur, executive mentor, and author of Never Hire Your Friends , to talk about why friendship at work, handled well, can be a leader's greatest asset. Marcylle has spent more than three decades leading organizations. Her leadership story started with a hard moment. Early in her career as a young home health branch manager, she learned that her entire team had met with the company owner to complain about her. A wise colleague gave her two choices: sit down with every employee, or start firing them. Marcylle chose to listen. That moment turned a reluctant manager into a lifelong student of leadership, with a goal of being both the hardest and the best boss her people would ever have. Jenni and Marcylle dig into what Marcylle calls "friendship management," the ongoing tension between discipline and grace, and why clear expectations are what make close relationships at work possible. They also talk about what emerging leaders need from those of us who have been leading for decades. What you'll hear Marcylle's leadership wake-up call, and why she chose to listen instead of clean house How to hold people to a high standard while making sure they know you care Why knowing when to give discipline and when to give grace takes mentoring, not just a policy manual Why Never Hire Your Friends really means always hire your friends, and the three pillars behind it: honor, honesty, and humility Setting ground rules for friendships at work, from "boss hat vs. friend hat" to what an email, a text, or a phone call signals How senior leaders can better understand and mentor a younger generation whose experience is very different from their own Marcylle's encouragement: the only person you can change is yourself, so keep learning and keep investing in others Connect with Marcylle Combs Website: https://www.marcyllecombs.com/ Book: Never Hire Your Friends Podcast: 50% with Marcylle Combs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcylle-combs-65978425 We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

September 10, 202639 min

340 | Trust Is Built in Systems of Repair with Dr. Rob McKenna

Trust is the thing every leader depends on and almost no one builds on purpose. In this conversation, Jenni sits down with Dr. Rob McKenna, founder of WiLD Leaders and author of Whole Leaders, Wild Trust , to talk about why trust is a byproduct of leader development, not a topic you can lecture your way into. Dr. Rob has spent decades running longitudinal leadership studies, including a six-and-a-half-year study following 120 leaders in aerospace, plus research with several thousand engineers moving into leadership roles and a multi-year study of leaders in large church organizations. What emerged surprised him: as teams did the work of understanding their own competence, motivation, and purpose together, they started trusting each other — without anyone naming trust as the goal. Jenni and Dr. Rob dig into why trust feels like air (essential, invisible, impossible to grab), what happens when a CEO's read on their culture is rosier than their employees', and the single question a leader can bring to their team on Monday morning that opens the door to real candor. What you'll hear Why leader development and trust building turn out to be the same work Whether trust is genuinely harder to build today, and what social media may be doing to our appetite for candor The trust quadrant: team trust on one axis, organizational trust on the other — and what it means to be in the "jungle" versus the "stronghold" The uncomfortable pattern in the data: leaders of low-trust organizations tend to think things are better than they are, while high-trust CEOs are accurate or under -rate their own culture Why the leaders most afraid to measure trust are usually the ones who already know it's low Jenni on the delta between how leaders experience culture and how employees do Connect with Dr. Rob McKenna WiLD Leaders: wildleaders.org Contact the team — contact@wildleaders.org The Leading Under Pressure Inventory and other assessments — wildleaders.org/the-wild-toolkit Book: Whole Leaders, Wild Trust We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

August 27, 202636 min

339 | The Hidden Reason Middle Management Is Burning People Out with Adam Tarnow

In this episode, Jenni talks with leadership development specialist and author Adam Tarnow about why middle management feels like an impossible role, and why it may actually be the most important one in an organization. They unpack the tension of carrying responsibility without full control, and Adam shares a practical framework for navigating the stress of leadership without burning out. In this episode, Adam explains why the middle is where execution happens, why so many managers feel stuck in a “valley,” and how leaders can regain a sense of agency by focusing on what they can control. He also offers a simple sentence-based tool from his book The Fog of Work that helps leaders move from overwhelm to action. Key Topics Jenni introduces the episode by framing culture as either a strategic asset or a liability, especially during growth, merger, or crisis. Adam shares why he wrote The Fog of Work and why middle managers became his focus after years of living in that role himself. They discuss how middle management used to be a respected position, and how pop culture turned it into a punchline. Adam explains why middle managers are often the “verbs in the sentence” of an organization - the people who make execution happen. The conversation highlights the pressure of being a player-coach: managing your own work while leading others. Jenni names the “they” problem - the tendency to blame vague forces instead of recognizing personal influence and agency. Adam describes middle management as a valley where problems roll downhill and collect, creating stress, ambiguity, and accountability without full control. He introduces the idea that the real question is not “How do I get out?” but “How do I get through?” Adam shares the fog clearing sentence: “I don’t control blank, but I do control blank, so I will blank.” They connect the middle of an organization to the middle of a story, where growth, character, and transformation happen. Jenni and Adam both emphasize that leaders can improve culture by focusing on what they can influence directly, especially within their own teams. The episode closes with encouragement for senior leaders to equip middle managers with practical tools, not just expectations. We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

August 20, 202612 min

338 | Communication in Team Culture with Special Guest River

In this episode, Jenni Catron and her 11-year-old nephew River explore the fundamentals of team culture through engaging stories and insights. River shares his unique perspective on support, communication, focus, and the impact of individual roles in shaping a positive culture. Takeaways: Support is the most important aspect of culture. Effective communication is crucial for team success. Focus and commitment drive team performance. Everyone has a role in shaping culture, regardless of age. Positive culture can be maintained or ruined by individual actions. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest River 01:00 Why we call it Switch Week and family traditions 01:30 River introduces himself and his love for sports 02:27 River shares his thoughts on support in culture 02:56 Support in sports and teams 03:23 The importance of communication in team culture 04:21 Learning from communication in pickleball 05:16 Communication during baseball games 05:45 The impact of fast plays and clear communication 07:16 Focus and distraction in sports 08:11 The responsibility of leaders and team members in culture 09:12 The influence of positivity and encouragement 09:36 Recognizing individual roles in culture 10:31 Culture as a fragile ecosystem 11:00 River’s perspective on culture and youth influence 11:31 Closing thoughts and call to action We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

August 12, 202619 min

337 | Protecting the Rhythms that Keep You Healthy, Purposeful, and Present as a Leader

In this episode of Lead Culture , Jenni Catron shares what she learned during an extended summer break and why stepping back can be essential for sustainable leadership. She reflects on the tension between doing and being, the challenge of slowing down, and how time away revealed deeper questions about purpose, significance, and identity.Jenni opens with a reminder that culture does not take care of itself and that leaders must lead with intention. She then shares how her sabbatical included time with friends and family, reading, rest, and intentional disconnection from social media, email, and Slack. Even though the break was restful, it also surfaced a struggle many overachievers face: feeling significant only when they are productive.A major takeaway from the episode is that nothing magical happened on sabbatical — and that was the point. Instead of chasing big ideas or a new vision, Jenni focused on stillness, presence, and making space for what matters most. She describes how this time helped her recognize the importance of creative space, mental rest, and the right-brain work of meaning-making and reflection.Jenni also connects her personal experience to a broader cultural insight, referencing Arthur Brooks’ research on how modern life often overvalues efficiency and problem-solving while undernourishing meaning, creativity, and human connection. She shares how this tension was made even more vivid in the wake of an EF3 tornado in her community, where people rallied together and reminded her that people are the point. Key Takeaways Healthy leaders need rhythms that sustain them. Rest is productive when it creates space for meaning and clarity. Leaders often confuse being with doing. Creativity, stillness, and reflection are essential leadership practices. People should remain the priority, even in busy or crisis-filled seasons. Questions Jenni Asks Leaders What can you do that disrupts your rhythms and lowers your heart rate? How can you disconnect your doing from your being? Are you making space for quiet, creativity, and presence? What rhythms do you need to lead in a healthy, sustainable way? Resources Mentioned Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer The Sabbatical Journey by Alan Briggs The Meaning of Life by Arthur Brooks Jenni’s book Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-given Influence Closing Encouragement Jenni ends by encouraging leaders to protect the rhythms that keep them healthy, purposeful, and present — not only for their own well-being, but for the health of their teams and cultures. To connect with Jenni, email jennicatron@get4sight.com. We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

June 16, 202620 min

336 | Why Intentional Rest Is a Leadership Strategy

As the 4Sight Group celebrates its 10th anniversary and Jenni Catron marks a personal milestone year, she shares why she is stepping away for a four-week sabbatical for the first time in her career. In this honest conversation, Jenni reflects on nearly three decades of nonstop work, the lessons she has learned about burnout, and the importance of creating margin before exhaustion forces it. She discusses what led her to make this decision, what she hopes to gain from the experience, and how intentional rest can help leaders gain perspective, renew their energy, and lead well for the long haul. Whether a month-long sabbatical feels possible or not, this episode offers a challenge for every leader: What would intentional rest look like for you this summer? From disconnecting on vacation to stepping away from social media or simply creating space to slow down, Jenni encourages listeners to prioritize rhythms of rest that support healthy leadership and thriving organizations. We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

June 4, 202637 min

335 | The Missing Key to Employee Engagement: Why Appreciation Matters More Than Recognition with Dr. William Attaway

In this episode, Jenni sits down with Dr. William Attaway, CEO of Appreciation at Work, for a conversation about what it really means to help people feel seen, known, and valued at work. Drawing from decades of leadership coaching and his work with organizations across a wide range of industries, William shares why appreciation is different from recognition—and why that distinction matters more than most leaders realize. Together, Jenni and William explore how appreciation impacts employee engagement, retention, productivity, and trust, while offering practical ways leaders can build cultures where people thrive. You'll hear insights on: Why recognition rewards performance, but appreciation values the person How leaders can maintain both high accountability and genuine encouragement The connection between clarity, trust, and employee engagement Why self-awareness is one of the most important leadership disciplines What healthy leaders do consistently that struggling leaders often neglect How to navigate workplace uncertainty and technological change without losing the human element of leadership Throughout the conversation, Jenni and William reinforce a core leadership truth: culture is built one interaction at a time. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, they engage more deeply, contribute more fully, and help create the kind of culture everyone wants to be part of. Dr. William Attaway is the CEO of Appreciation at Work, founder of Catalytic Leadership , author of Catalytic Leadership: 12 Keys to Becoming an Intentional Leader Who Makes a Difference , and host of the Catalytic Leadership Podcast . Learn more about his work at appreciationatwork.com and catalyticleadership.net . We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

May 19, 2026Episode 33419 min

334 | 5 Summer Leadership Strategies to Boost Team Culture and Employee Engagement

What happens to workplace culture during the summer? In this episode, Jenni Catron explores how leaders can work with the rhythms of summer instead of fighting against them. Learn practical ways to improve employee engagement, prevent team disengagement, and strengthen organizational culture through intentional leadership. Jenni shares five simple but powerful strategies including flexible schedules, smarter meetings, summer team activities, and prioritizing high-impact work that can help leaders boost morale and maintain momentum during the busiest vacation season of the year. Download the Summer Engagement Conversation Guide We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

May 6, 2026Episode 33340 min

333 | 7 Keys to Building Remarkable Teams (and the Traps That Hold Them Back)

What does it actually take to build a remarkable team? In this episode, Jenni Catron talks with Slingshot Group CEO Tim Foot about the patterns they’ve both seen across hundreds of teams including what works, what doesn’t, and where things tend to break down. Tim shares the seven key signatures of remarkable teams, along with the common traps that quietly stall progress. From misalignment and unclear messaging to avoiding healthy conflict, this conversation helps you see where your team may be getting stuck and what to do about it. At the center of it all is a simple idea: if your mission matters, your team matters more. The Biggest Takeaways: The 7 key signatures that shape healthy, high-performing teams Why team awareness matters just as much as self-awareness Where most teams drift out of alignment (and how to catch it early) The difference between functional teams and teams that produce real impact How to approach conflict in a way that strengthens—not fractures—your team Next Steps Take the team assessment: reachingforremarkable.com Get the book: Reaching for Remarkable by Tim Foot Share this episode with your team and use it to start a conversation About Our Guest Tim Foot is CEO and President of Slingshot Group, where he works with organizations to build strong, healthy teams through staffing and coaching. His work focuses on helping leaders move teams from simply getting by to doing meaningful, aligned work together. You can learn more about Tim here . We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

April 21, 2026Episode 33221 min

332 | The Culture Code: How Great Leaders Use Language to Shape Winning Teams

What if the biggest problem in your organization isn’t strategy—but culture? In this episode, leadership and culture expert Jenni Catron unpacks a shocking reality: only 31% of U.S. employees are engaged at work —and most leaders don’t know how to fix it. You’ll discover why traditional “core values” exercises fail, how culture is actually formed, and the powerful (often overlooked) role language plays in shaping team behavior . Through a fascinating example from The Masters golf tournament, Jenni reveals how intentional language reflects deeper values—and how you can apply the same principle to your organization. This episode will help you: Understand why your current values aren’t driving results Learn how strong leaders create clarity, trust, and engagement Turn vague values into actionable behaviors your team lives daily Build a culture that performs under pressure—not just when things are easy If your team feels disconnected, inconsistent, or stuck, this is your roadmap to building a culture that actually works. Register for the Values Intensive Workshop here. We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!