Level the Field Leadership

Hosted by Rachel Gallardo, PhD

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Episodes

115

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Leadership isn't about a title—it's about influence. On this channel, I share practical leadership insights through short, 15–20 minute podcast episodes designed to help you grow your leadership skills and expand your impact. You'll also hear conversations with inspiring leaders who are passionate about developing others and making a difference. No matter your title, education, or position, you can lead. My goal is to equip and encourage you with principles you can apply right away to become a more effective leader in every area of life.

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60 recent

October 28, 2026Episode 11420 min

Episode 114: Blueprints Not Band-Aids

Are you leading for today, or are you leading for what’s next? In this episode of Level the Field Leadership, I’m sharing three reasons leaders need to make time for long-term strategic planning: creating direction, anticipating change, and building for long-term success. I’ll also bring in my I-O psychology perspective to explore how strategic thinking helps us make intentional decisions about our people, culture, and future. Because great leaders don’t just manage what’s happening now. They help create what happens next. **** Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello. Follow me on social media: TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadershipLinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠YouTube: ht https://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts. Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in. Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

October 13, 2026Episode 11325 min

Episode 113: SDT and Leading With Purpose

Welcome to today's podcast, Leading With Purpose. In this episode, we're exploring one of the most influential frameworks in organizational psychology: Self-Determination Theory, commonly known as SDT. We'll discuss how effective leaders create thriving workplace cultures by supporting three fundamental human needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. We'll also examine research-backed strategies and quantitative findings that show how SDT influences employee engagement, retention, well-being, and performance. Proverbs 22:29 - Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank - competence is key...it is a core psychological need with SDT...we'll get to it. ***** Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello. Follow me on social media: TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠ YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts. Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in. Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

September 9, 2026Episode 11225 min

Episode 112: Your Team Isn't Under Surveillance

Have you ever wondered whether checking in on your team is leadership... or micromanagement? Hybrid work is now a normal part of many organizations. Many leaders struggle with balancing accountability and autonomy. The biggest mistake leaders make is trying to manage hybrid teams the same way they managed people sitting down the hall. Great hybrid leadership isn't about monitoring people more. It's about creating systems that help people succeed. Today's Scripture: Psalm 118:8 - It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. ***** Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello. Follow me on social media: TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠ YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts. Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in. Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠ #ltfleadership #workplaceculture #leadershipskills #leadershipcoach #iopsychology #iopsych #io #leadershippodcast #spotifypodcast #amazonpodcast #growthmindset #leadershiptip #bealeader #youarealeader #professorlife #writerswhospeak #112 #hybridteams #monitoroutcomes

August 25, 2026Episode 11123 min

Episode 111: Did You React or Respond?

Think about the last time you received an unexpected email, difficult feedback, or bad news. Did you react—or did you respond? Leadership is tested most visibly during moments of uncertainty, conflict, and pressure. Teams often remember less about the problem itself and more about how their leader behaved in the moment. The quality of our leadership is often determined by the space we create between stimulus and action. Today I will explain both and give you an acronym you can use the next time you want to react. Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello. Follow me on social media: TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠ YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts. Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in. Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

June 10, 2026Episode 11021 min

Episode 110: Your Energy, Your Leadership

Many leaders are taught to manage their time, but few are taught to manage their energy. In this episode, explore why understanding your natural rhythms, strengths, and peak performance times can help you lead more effectively, make better decisions, and avoid burnout. Listeners will learn practical strategies for aligning leadership responsibilities with their personal energy patterns to maximize impact and sustain long-term effectiveness. Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello. Follow me on social media: TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠ YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts. Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in. Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

May 27, 2026Episode 10941 min

Episode 109: Building Trust and Taking Initiative with Glenn Poulos

Today’s guest is Glenn Poulos, a seasoned sales leader, author, and speaker with decades of experience in building high-performing sales teams and driving revenue growth. Glenn is best known for his practical, relationship-focused approach to sales, which he outlines in his book Never Sit in the Lobby. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations and professionals move beyond transactional selling to create meaningful, trust-based client relationships. His insights continue to influence leaders and sales professionals looking to elevate both their performance and their impact. To connect with Glenn: Personal website https://glennpoulos.com/ Company website https://progusa.net/ Book https://amzn.to/3whwPh3 Socials https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennpoulos/ https://www.facebook.com/glenn.poulos/ https://www.instagram.com/glenn.poulos/ https://twitter.com/GlennPoulos https://www.youtube.com/@glennpoulos ******* Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello. Follow me on social media: TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠ YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts. Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in.

May 12, 2026Episode 10828 min

Episode 108: All Together Now

This episode explores how five generations are working side-by-side — and great leadership has never mattered more. In this episode, we explore how to turn generational differences into strengths, build unity across ages, and lead with wisdom and vision. Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello. Follow me on social media: TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠ YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts. Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in. Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

April 21, 2026Episode 10738 min

Episode 107: Turning Limitations Into Leadership with Mikael Avatar

Our guest is Mikael Avatar, a leadership coach, artist, and former Paralympic athlete whose life story is nothing short of remarkable. Born with cerebral palsy and given limited expectations early in life, Mikael refused to let those predictions define him. Instead, he went on to compete at the highest level of sport, setting a world record in the long jump at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta. Today, he works with leaders around the world, helping them discover clarity, purpose, and the power of small daily actions that create extraordinary change. Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello. Follow me on social media: TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠ YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts. Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in.

March 24, 202625 min

Episode 106: Quiet Wins

This episode explores how quiet wins—small, consistent, meaningful actions—strengthen leadership and improve workplace culture. Through research-backed insights, listeners will learn why subtle leadership behaviors often outperform loud, charismatic styles, especially in today’s fast-paced and emotionally demanding work environments. Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello. Follow me on social media: 🌟TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership 🌟Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership 🌟LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠ 🌟YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts. Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in. Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

March 11, 2026Episode 10527 min

Episode 105: Is it Apathy or Something Else?

In an era of quiet quitting and shifting workplace dynamics, the greatest threat to a company isn't a lack of talent; it's a lack of care. Today, we will explore the intersection of leadership and professional apathy. We are going to seek to get to the root of the causes of indifference. Whether you're a leader struggling to re-engage a drifting team or a professional trying to reignite your own internal motor, I hope to provide you with the framework of "going through the motions" into true ownership and authentic purpose. ******* Check out my website ⁠⁠https://rachelgallardo.net⁠⁠ to review previous episodes, receive the newsletter, read my blog, or say hello. Follow me on social media: TikTok: @drg_ltfleadership Instagram: @level_the_field_leadership or @rachel_ltfleadership LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgallardo-phd/⁠⁠ YouTube: hthttps://www.youtube.com/@rachel_ltfleader Look for new episodes on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, wherever you listen to podcasts. Remember, being an effective leader is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. The tools we discuss on this podcast can help you level the challenges you face as a leader, no matter what season of leadership you are in. Music by ⁠Oleksii Striapchyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠