Reflections on Leadership

Hosted by Karl Bimshas

BusinessInterviews guestsExplicit

Website RSS feed LinkedIn Instagram TikTok YouTube

Episodes

409

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Leadership advisor, writer, and candid accountability partner, Karl Bimshas, shares quick reflections on leadership, and interviews other busy professionals, to challenge your perspective, provide inspiration, and give insights to help you manage better and lead well.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 30, 202619 min

410. The Price of Feeling Special

In this episode of the Reflections on Leadership podcast, Karl Bimshas discusses "The Price of Feeling Special," especially as we head to the voting booth. The desire to feel special can lead people to excuse a leader’s dishonesty, cruelty, and abuse of power when they believe that leader will deliver something for them. The price is surrendering independent judgment and shared principles, and losing accountability when we excuse in our own leaders what we would condemn in others. *** Strengthening Your Leadership Without Becoming a Jerk: https://www.amazon.com/Strengthen-Your-Leadership-Without-Becoming/dp/B09978T124 For a free Leadership Drift Check™: https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/leadership-drift/ Leadership Resources Subscribe to the Newsletter Here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/reflections-on-leadership-6882027877588717568/ GIVE A DAMN: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Damn-How-Lead-Better/dp/1716414555 Free 3-Part Mini-Course: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/adaptability-and-resilience-mini-course/ Leadership Workbooks: LeadershipWorkbooks.com Download “Navigating Chaos: Principled Defiance and a Call to Lead Better” https://karlbimshas.kit.com/products/navigating-chaos Order the Latest Book, “How to Stay When You Want to Quit”: https://www.amazon.com/Stay-When-Want-Quit-professionals/dp/1312485426 Other Leadership Books by Karl Bimshas: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/bimshas-books/ The Reflections on Leadership blog: bimshasconsulting.com/blog Listen to Past Episodes: https://reflectionsonleadership.org/ Stay Up to Date and Subscribe : http://www.bimshasconsulting.com/contact/sign-up/ *** Be Social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karlbimshas Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsonleadershippodcast/ LinkedIn Business Page : https://www.linkedin.com/company/karlbimshasconsulting/ More resources => https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/links/ *** About Reflections on Leadership: Leadership Strategist and Author Karl Bimshas shares quick reflections on leadership to challenge your perspective and offer insights to help you manage better and lead well. About Karl Bimshas Consulting: We solve leadership-created problems. https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/join/

October 29, 20264 min

409. Leadership Is Too Important to Be an A-hole

In this strongly worded episode of the Reflections on Leadership podcast, Karl Bimshas discusses leadership's importance and responsibilities. Don't Be the A-hole on the Team https://www.lulu.com/shop/karl-bimshas/dont-be-the-a-hole-on-the-team/paperback/product-1kwrm76q.html ? *** Strengthening Your Leadership Without Becoming a Jerk: https://www.amazon.com/Strengthen-Your-Leadership-Without-Becoming/dp/B09978T124 For a free Leadership Drift Check™: https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/leadership-drift/ Leadership Resources Subscribe to the Newsletter Here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/reflections-on-leadership-6882027877588717568/ GIVE A DAMN: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Damn-How-Lead-Better/dp/1716414555 Free 3-Part Mini-Course: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/adaptability-and-resilience-mini-course/ Leadership Workbooks: LeadershipWorkbooks.com Download “Navigating Chaos: Principled Defiance and a Call to Lead Better” https://karlbimshas.kit.com/products/navigating-chaos Order the Latest Book, “How to Stay When You Want to Quit”: https://www.amazon.com/Stay-When-Want-Quit-professionals/dp/1312485426 Other Leadership Books by Karl Bimshas: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/bimshas-books/ The Reflections on Leadership blog: bimshasconsulting.com/blog Listen to Past Episodes: https://reflectionsonleadership.org/ Stay Up to Date and Subscribe : http://www.bimshasconsulting.com/contact/sign-up/ *** Be Social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karlbimshas Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsonleadershippodcast/ LinkedIn Business Page : https://www.linkedin.com/company/karlbimshasconsulting/ More resources => https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/links/ *** About Reflections on Leadership: Leadership Strategist and Author Karl Bimshas shares quick reflections on leadership to challenge your perspective and offer insights to help you manage better and lead well. About Karl Bimshas Consulting: We solve leadership-created problems. https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/join/

October 2, 20267 min

408. Strengthening Leadership Without Becoming a Jerk

In this episode of the Reflections on Leadership podcast, Karl Bimshas discusses how you can become a stronger leader without becoming a more difficult person to work for. Effective leadership includes being able to say, "I got that wrong." Then do something about it. Acknowledge it. Understand it. Repair what needs repairing. Change what needs changing. Then keep going. Strengthening Your Leadership Without Becoming a Jerk: https://www.amazon.com/Strengthen-Your-Leadership-Without-Becoming/dp/B09978T124 *** For a free Leadership Drift Check™: https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/leadership-drift/ Leadership Resources Subscribe to the Newsletter Here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/reflections-on-leadership-6882027877588717568/ GIVE A DAMN: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Damn-How-Lead-Better/dp/1716414555 Free 3-Part Mini-Course: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/adaptability-and-resilience-mini-course/ Leadership Workbooks: LeadershipWorkbooks.com Download “Navigating Chaos: Principled Defiance and a Call to Lead Better” https://karlbimshas.kit.com/products/navigating-chaos Order the Latest Book, “How to Stay When You Want to Quit”: https://www.amazon.com/Stay-When-Want-Quit-professionals/dp/1312485426 Other Leadership Books by Karl Bimshas: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/bimshas-books/ The Reflections on Leadership blog: bimshasconsulting.com/blog Listen to Past Episodes: https://reflectionsonleadership.org/ Stay Up to Date and Subscribe : http://www.bimshasconsulting.com/contact/sign-up/ *** Be Social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karlbimshas Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsonleadershippodcast/ LinkedIn Business Page : https://www.linkedin.com/company/karlbimshasconsulting/ More resources => https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/links/ *** About Reflections on Leadership: Leadership Strategist and Author Karl Bimshas shares quick reflections on leadership to challenge your perspective and offer insights to help you manage better and lead well. About Karl Bimshas Consulting: We solve leadership-created problems. https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/join/

September 22, 20264 min

407. When Your Values Cost You Something

In this episode of the Reflections on Leadership podcast, listen to Karl Bimshas discuss your courage and moral leadership. Most leaders can tell you what they believe. They can point to their values on a wall, in an employee handbook, or in a speech to the organization. But if you don’t responsibly stand up for those values when things get difficult, do you really have them? *** For a free Leadership Drift Check™: https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/leadership-drift/ Leadership Resources Subscribe to the Newsletter Here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/reflections-on-leadership-6882027877588717568/ GIVE A DAMN: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Damn-How-Lead-Better/dp/1716414555 Free 3-Part Mini-Course: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/adaptability-and-resilience-mini-course/ Leadership Workbooks: LeadershipWorkbooks.com Download “Navigating Chaos: Principled Defiance and a Call to Lead Better” https://karlbimshas.kit.com/products/navigating-chaos Order the Latest Book, “How to Stay When You Want to Quit”: https://www.amazon.com/Stay-When-Want-Quit-professionals/dp/1312485426 Other Leadership Books by Karl Bimshas: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/bimshas-books/ The Reflections on Leadership blog: bimshasconsulting.com/blog Listen to Past Episodes: https://reflectionsonleadership.org/ Stay Up to Date and Subscribe : http://www.bimshasconsulting.com/contact/sign-up/ *** Be Social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karlbimshas Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsonleadershippodcast/ LinkedIn Business Page : https://www.linkedin.com/company/karlbimshasconsulting/ More resources => https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/links/ *** About Reflections on Leadership: Leadership Strategist and Author Karl Bimshas shares quick reflections on leadership to challenge your perspective and offer insights to help you manage better and lead well. About Karl Bimshas Consulting: We solve leadership-created problems. https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/join/

September 17, 20266 min

406. The Question Is Good. The Rule Is Not.

In this episode of the Reflections on Leadership podcast, listen to Karl Bimshas urge leaders to resist grading employees. Instead, explore three questions. Are they performing at the level this role requires? If they aren't, do I believe they can get there? Am I willing to do what leadership reasonably should do to find out? *** For a free Leadership Drift Check™: https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/leadership-drift/ Leadership Resources Subscribe to the Newsletter Here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/reflections-on-leadership-6882027877588717568/ GIVE A DAMN: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Damn-How-Lead-Better/dp/1716414555 Free 3-Part Mini-Course: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/adaptability-and-resilience-mini-course/ Leadership Workbooks: LeadershipWorkbooks.com Download “Navigating Chaos: Principled Defiance and a Call to Lead Better” https://karlbimshas.kit.com/products/navigating-chaos Order the Latest Book, “How to Stay When You Want to Quit”: https://www.amazon.com/Stay-When-Want-Quit-professionals/dp/1312485426 Other Leadership Books by Karl Bimshas: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/bimshas-books/ The Reflections on Leadership blog: bimshasconsulting.com/blog Listen to Past Episodes: https://reflectionsonleadership.org/ Stay Up to Date and Subscribe : http://www.bimshasconsulting.com/contact/sign-up/ *** Be Social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karlbimshas Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsonleadershippodcast/ LinkedIn Business Page : https://www.linkedin.com/company/karlbimshasconsulting/ More resources => https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/links/ *** About Reflections on Leadership: Leadership Strategist and Author Karl Bimshas shares quick reflections on leadership to challenge your perspective and offer insights to help you manage better and lead well. About Karl Bimshas Consulting: We solve leadership-created problems. https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/join/

September 15, 20267 min

405. Don’t Bring Me Problems Without Solutions

In this episode of the Reflections on Leadership podcast, listen to Karl Bimshas discuss “Don’t Bring Me Problems Without Solutions,” the phrase leaders should stop saying. Identifying a problem and resolving it are two different skill sets. *** For a free Leadership Drift Check™: https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/leadership-drift/ Leadership Resources Subscribe to the Newsletter Here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/reflections-on-leadership-6882027877588717568/ GIVE A DAMN: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Damn-How-Lead-Better/dp/1716414555 Free 3-Part Mini-Course: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/adaptability-and-resilience-mini-course/ Leadership Workbooks: LeadershipWorkbooks.com Download “Navigating Chaos: Principled Defiance and a Call to Lead Better” https://karlbimshas.kit.com/products/navigating-chaos Order the Latest Book, “How to Stay When You Want to Quit”: https://www.amazon.com/Stay-When-Want-Quit-professionals/dp/1312485426 Other Leadership Books by Karl Bimshas: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/bimshas-books/ The Reflections on Leadership blog: bimshasconsulting.com/blog Listen to Past Episodes: https://reflectionsonleadership.org/ Stay Up to Date and Subscribe : http://www.bimshasconsulting.com/contact/sign-up/ *** Be Social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karlbimshas Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsonleadershippodcast/ LinkedIn Business Page : https://www.linkedin.com/company/karlbimshasconsulting/ More resources => https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/links/ *** About Reflections on Leadership: Leadership Strategist and Author Karl Bimshas shares quick reflections on leadership to challenge your perspective and offer insights to help you manage better and lead well. About Karl Bimshas Consulting: We solve leadership-created problems. https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/join/

August 31, 20266 min

404. Who Says You’re Ready to Lead?

In this episode of the Reflections on Leadership podcast, listen to Karl Bimshas on the five basic commitments to effective leadership. 1. Take responsibility for your impact. 2. Tell yourself the truth. 3. Make decisions. 4. Tell people what they need to hear. 5. Take initiative. *** For a free Leadership Drift Check™: https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/leadership-drift/ Leadership Resources Subscribe to the Newsletter Here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/reflections-on-leadership-6882027877588717568/ GIVE A DAMN: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Damn-How-Lead-Better/dp/1716414555 Free 3-Part Mini-Course: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/adaptability-and-resilience-mini-course/ Leadership Workbooks: LeadershipWorkbooks.com Download “Navigating Chaos: Principled Defiance and a Call to Lead Better” https://karlbimshas.kit.com/products/navigating-chaos Order the Latest Book, “How to Stay When You Want to Quit”: https://www.amazon.com/Stay-When-Want-Quit-professionals/dp/1312485426 Other Leadership Books by Karl Bimshas: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/bimshas-books/ The Reflections on Leadership blog: bimshasconsulting.com/blog Listen to Past Episodes: https://reflectionsonleadership.org/ Stay Up to Date and Subscribe : http://www.bimshasconsulting.com/contact/sign-up/ *** Be Social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karlbimshas Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsonleadershippodcast/ LinkedIn Business Page : https://www.linkedin.com/company/karlbimshasconsulting/ More resources => https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/links/ *** About Reflections on Leadership: Leadership Strategist and Author Karl Bimshas shares quick reflections on leadership to challenge your perspective and offer insights to help you manage better and lead well. About Karl Bimshas Consulting: We solve leadership-created problems. https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/join/

August 25, 20267 min

403. When Feelings Start Making Leadership Decisions

In this episode of the Reflections on Leadership podcast, listen to Karl Bimshas on the seven places leaders often get stuck. 1. Indifference → Make Contact 2. Indecision → Decide 3. Doubt → Use Evidence 4. Worry → Convert 5. Over-caution → Ship 6. Pessimism → Get Data 7. Complaining → Convert or Stop These tendencies are different, but they have something in common: they can make inaction feel reasonable. That's what makes them dangerous. *** For a free Leadership Drift Check™: https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/leadership-drift/ Leadership Resources Subscribe to the Newsletter Here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/reflections-on-leadership-6882027877588717568/ GIVE A DAMN: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Damn-How-Lead-Better/dp/1716414555 Free 3-Part Mini-Course: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/adaptability-and-resilience-mini-course/ Leadership Workbooks: LeadershipWorkbooks.com Download “Navigating Chaos: Principled Defiance and a Call to Lead Better” https://karlbimshas.kit.com/products/navigating-chaos Order the Latest Book, “How to Stay When You Want to Quit”: https://www.amazon.com/Stay-When-Want-Quit-professionals/dp/1312485426 Other Leadership Books by Karl Bimshas: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/bimshas-books/ The Reflections on Leadership blog: bimshasconsulting.com/blog Listen to Past Episodes: https://reflectionsonleadership.org/ Stay Up to Date and Subscribe : http://www.bimshasconsulting.com/contact/sign-up/ *** Be Social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karlbimshas Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsonleadershippodcast/ LinkedIn Business Page : https://www.linkedin.com/company/karlbimshasconsulting/ More resources => https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/links/ *** About Reflections on Leadership: Leadership Strategist and Author Karl Bimshas shares quick reflections on leadership to challenge your perspective and offer insights to help you manage better and lead well. About Karl Bimshas Consulting: We solve leadership-created problems. https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/join/

August 18, 20266 min

402. Accountability Isn’t a Threat

In this episode of the Reflections on Leadership podcast, listen to Karl Bimshas on effective accountability and how it works best as a positive practice that lets people confidently own their commitments, actions, and results. *** For a free Leadership Drift Check™: https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/leadership-drift/ Leadership Resources Subscribe to the Newsletter Here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/reflections-on-leadership-6882027877588717568/ GIVE A DAMN: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Damn-How-Lead-Better/dp/1716414555 Free 3-Part Mini-Course: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/adaptability-and-resilience-mini-course/ Leadership Workbooks: LeadershipWorkbooks.com Download “Navigating Chaos: Principled Defiance and a Call to Lead Better” https://karlbimshas.kit.com/products/navigating-chaos Order the Latest Book, “How to Stay When You Want to Quit”: https://www.amazon.com/Stay-When-Want-Quit-professionals/dp/1312485426 Other Leadership Books by Karl Bimshas: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/bimshas-books/ The Reflections on Leadership blog: bimshasconsulting.com/blog Listen to Past Episodes: https://reflectionsonleadership.org/ Stay Up to Date and Subscribe : http://www.bimshasconsulting.com/contact/sign-up/ *** Be Social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karlbimshas Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsonleadershippodcast/ LinkedIn Business Page : https://www.linkedin.com/company/karlbimshasconsulting/ More resources => https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/links/ *** About Reflections on Leadership: Leadership Strategist and Author Karl Bimshas shares quick reflections on leadership to challenge your perspective and offer insights to help you manage better and lead well. About Karl Bimshas Consulting: We solve leadership-created problems. https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/join/

August 11, 20267 min

401. Leadership Shouldn't Require People to Guess

In this episode of the Reflections on Leadership podcast, listen to Karl Bimshas discuss the value of a Leadership User Guide. What do you consistently value? How do you actually make decisions? What behaviors earn your trust? What behaviors create unnecessary friction? What strengths can others depend on? Where are you still growing? What might people misunderstand about you? What kind of leader are you trying to become? *** For a free Leadership Drift Check™: https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/leadership-drift/ Leadership Resources Subscribe to the Newsletter Here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/reflections-on-leadership-6882027877588717568/ GIVE A DAMN: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Damn-How-Lead-Better/dp/1716414555 Free 3-Part Mini-Course: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/adaptability-and-resilience-mini-course/ Leadership Workbooks: LeadershipWorkbooks.com Download “Navigating Chaos: Principled Defiance and a Call to Lead Better” https://karlbimshas.kit.com/products/navigating-chaos Order the Latest Book, “How to Stay When You Want to Quit”: https://www.amazon.com/Stay-When-Want-Quit-professionals/dp/1312485426 Other Leadership Books by Karl Bimshas: https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/bimshas-books/ The Reflections on Leadership blog: bimshasconsulting.com/blog Listen to Past Episodes: https://reflectionsonleadership.org/ Stay Up to Date and Subscribe : http://www.bimshasconsulting.com/contact/sign-up/ *** Be Social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karlbimshas Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsonleadershippodcast/ LinkedIn Business Page : https://www.linkedin.com/company/karlbimshasconsulting/ More resources => https://www.bimshasconsulting.com/links/ *** About Reflections on Leadership: Leadership Strategist and Author Karl Bimshas shares quick reflections on leadership to challenge your perspective and offer insights to help you manage better and lead well. About Karl Bimshas Consulting: We solve leadership-created problems. https://www.karlbimshasconsulting.com/join/