Episodes
211
Latest episode
Nov 2025
Language
EN-US
The leadership podcast for people who are in leadership not for the status and power, but instead to use that status and power to turn potential into performance for positive change. Hosted by Teri Schmidt, Leadership Coach & CEO of Strong Leaders Serve. Each week we focus on supporting leaders who are dealing with the overwhelming realities of transitioning into and operating in roles where their success isn't just defined by their performance, but by the performance of their team. Roles where they are responsible for building trust, promoting psychological safety, conflict management, taking care of their team member's wellbeing, motivating other humans, and managing up, all while trying to GET THINGS DONE. Through solo episodes with focused and relevant leadership tips and inspirational interviews with seasoned leaders and experts, we help leaders get past their overwhelm to careers of courageous impact. Listeners hone their skills in making their workplaces more compassionate and just through their leadership.
To celebrate our 200th (!) episode, we're revisiting some of our favorite conversations from the last 100 episodes. Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coachingSet up an intro call with Teri: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall
Have you ever wondered what truly sets great leaders apart in today’s fast-paced workplaces? In this episode, I talked with Andrea Wanerstrand, whose career spans Microsoft, Meta, T-Mobile, and more, to dig into the real meaning behind authenticity, autonomy, and accountability. Andrea shares eye-opening stories about breaking out of comfort zones, fostering trust, and the mindset shift needed to fuel powerful teams. Listen to discover practical tips you can use right away to inspire not just action, but true ownership in your organization.Resources:Website: https://a3culturelab.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawanerstrand/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreawanerstrand/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coachingSet up an intro call with Teri: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall
Feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean you’re broken or unqualified.It often means your world has grown faster than your sense of self. In this episode we go beneath the buzzword of imposter syndrome.We look at it in a different way, as a signal that your identity is expanding. You’ll learn why fighting it with frantic action rarely works, and what to do instead to grow into steady, grounded confidence that lasts. Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coachingSet up an intro call with Teri: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall
What does psychological safety really mean beneath the buzzword? In this episode, Jade Garratt, co-founder of Psych Safety and colleague of past guest Tom Geraghty, shares practical ways leaders can move past misconceptions and create environments where teams feel safe to learn, speak up, and perform at their best.Resources:Psych Safety websitePsychological Safety Course: Train the Trainer (highly recommend!)Connect with Jade on LinkedInConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coachingSet up an intro call with Teri: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall
What does it really mean to be transparent as a leader, especially when you can’t share everything or when you don’t agree with the direction of change?In this episode, we go beneath the buzzword of transparency. If you’ve ever struggled with how open to be with your team during times of change, this episode will give you practical ways to lead with honesty, courage, and care.Resources:Lisa Earle McLeod's post about authenticityConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coachingSet up an intro call with Teri: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall
We’ve all heard the advice to “be an effective communicator.” But what does that really mean beyond the buzzword? In this episode, veteran sports reporter and Talk Sporty to Me founder Jen Mueller shares lessons from 25 years on the sidelines, where conversations happen under pressure, in the heat of wins and losses. Together, we explore how those lessons translate into clearer, more courageous communication for business leaders. Resources:Jen's websiteConnect with Jen:Facebook https://www.facebook.com/talksportytomeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/talksportytomeYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/TalkSportyToMe/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmuellertalksporty/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coachingSet up an intro call with Teri: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall
Empowerment sounds good on paper, but in the workplace it often falls short.Especially in leadership stretch moments, like promotions and novel, high-stakes projects, what leaders call empowerment can feel like abandonment to the person on the receiving end. In this episode, we look at the history of empowerment in organizations, explore how the brain reacts in stretch moments, and share practical ways leaders can provide just the right level of support to turn stretch into strength.Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coachingSet up an intro call with Teri: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall
Agility is one of today’s favorite leadership buzzwords, but too often it gets reduced to simply moving faster. In this episode, we go beneath the buzzword to explore what true agility really means: the ability to adapt wisely and steadily in the face of uncertainty. Drawing on Gallup’s latest global research, we’ll look at why hope is now the number one thing people need from their leaders, and how stability and adaptability can actually fuel that hope. You’ll hear how leaders can calm their own stress responses, hold space for multiple futures, and model steadiness that sparks possibility, even in the middle of change fatigue.Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coachingSet up an intro call with Teri: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall
What if true recognition at work wasn’t about awards or bonuses, but about helping people feel they genuinely matter every single day? In this episode, Dr. Zach Mercurio joins Teri Schmidt to reveal why small, everyday interactions, not flashy programs, are the secret sauce behind thriving, high-performing teams. Together, they unpack the science of “mattering,” practical leadership skills you can use today, and why AI will never replace the power of human connection at work. Resources:Zach's website (with free resources, including a self-assessment)Connect with Zach on LinkedInConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coachingSet up an intro call with Teri: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall
Avoiding difficult conversations, or softening them so much they lose their meaning, can damage trust, confuse your team, and hurt your credibility. In this episode, Teri shares a personal story of how avoiding inside a conversation backfired, and explores how leaders can break the cycle of avoidance with mindset shifts, clarity, and courage. If you've ever lost sleep over a difficult conversation, this one’s for you. ____________________________________________If you're tired of avoiding tough conversations or regretting how you handled them, the Courageous Conversations Leadership Sprint is for you. This four-week, small-group coaching experience starting in October uses LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, unlocking creative new perspectives and approaches to difficult conversations.Learn more and reserve your spot at https://www.strongleadersserve.com/buildConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coachingSet up an intro call with Teri: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall
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