The Leadership Growth Podcast

Hosted by Daniel & Peter Stewart

Business Management

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Aug 2026

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Timely, relevant leadership topics to help you grow your ability to lead effectively. New episodes every other Tuesday since January 30, 2024.

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60 recent

August 11, 2026Episode 6935 min

How Smart Organizations Assess Their Leaders

When it comes to leadership assessments, there’s never a “one-size-fits-all” approach, says Peter Stewart. “There are some key questions we need to think about before you begin the assessment process so that you are selecting the right method, you're selecting the right resources or formal assessments or whatever you're doing, to help get the results you want,” he says. In today’s episode, Daniel and Peter take a deep dive into leadership assessments, examining the purpose of assessments, the typical use cases for assessments, which types of assessments are appropriate, and how to understand assessment reports. Tune in to learn: Four clear cases for leadership assessments Mistakes and pitfalls to avoid in assessing leaders The most important things to do before assessing leaders Having a formal leadership assessment process is one of the best ways for organizations to make sure they select the right leaders for their open positions and further develop those leaders for future roles. When designed and implemented for the unique needs of the organization, a good assessment process will help optimize and integrate individual leadership strengths and help both the organization and the leader deliver results. Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ — Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: Stewart Leadership Assessments When Should I Use a LEAD NOW! Assessment? 6 Ways to Leverage the Power of 360° Assessments for Your Leaders The Advantages of an Online 360° Assessment Succession Planning for Success Connecting Strategy with Talent Development, Part 1 (Podcast) Connecting Strategy with Talent Development, Part 2 (Podcast) Turnover to Tenure: How Succession Planning can Stabilize Leadership and Position Organizations for Long-Term Growth — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #assessments #360assessments #successionplanning #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube .

July 28, 2026Episode 6837 min

Why Building a Skill Stack Matters More Than the Career Ladder

In an ever-changing marketplace, career currency won’t be job titles or resumes, says Angela Finlay. “It’s the skills we bring to the table that will be the most critical piece” of career development and growth. Angela is a Chief Human Capital Strategist, Fractional and Interim Chief HR Officer with over 25 years leading talent strategy inside Fortune 150 enterprises, global organizations, and growth stage companies. She is the author of Skill Stacking: Taking Ownership of Your Career in Changing Times . In this conversation with Daniel and Peter, Angela discusses the importance of individual skills in the age of AI–and why organizations need to broaden how they look at hiring new talent. “It's not just job titles,” she says. “I want to know everything I can about you and what you've done and projects and volunteer things you've done and all of these other outside activities that allow me to start to look at you from a skill level perspective.” Tune in to learn: The five types of skills to stack The simple tool to help you recognize and articulate your skills Why the gig economy is a good thing–and how leaders can lean into it effectively Angela suggests that anyone can start to contribute to creating a skills-based marketplace by intentionally listing skills developed across every area of life. When we start to think about skills across the five stacks, “we'd be amazed at what we do and what we actually bring to the table, that will never show up on our resume.” Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ — Resources and Links Windward Human Capital Management website Angela Finlay LinkedIn Skill Stacking: Taking Ownership of Your Career in Changing Times (Amazon link) Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources 6 Career Goal Strategies Every Leader Needs in Uncertain Times 5 Tools to Own Your Career and Inspire Engagement Strategic Resilience in the Age of AI (Podcast) Leading in the Age of AI (Podcast) 10 Questions to Develop the Best Individual Action Plan The New Business Imperative: Career Development (White Paper) The Top Four Leadership Potential Indicators LEAD NOW! Skills for Creating Purpose as a Manager 8 Skills Every Middle Manager Needs to Develop The Coming Manager Shortage: 7 Moves Every Leader Must Make Now 3 Tips for Leading Through the AI Digital Transformation — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #careers #careerdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube .

July 14, 2026Episode 6741 min

AI in Leadership: Two Approaches with Different Results

“If you’re just getting lemmings to vote for cliff diving,” says today’s guest, that may not be the best way to lead in the modern AI landscape. Julian Lighton is an executive coach with over 30 years experience advising, hiring, and developing leaders. He is the author of the new book, Navigating Your Next: Discover the Career You Want and the Path to Get There. In today’s episode, Julian joins Daniel and Peter to look at different approaches to leadership when AI joins the organization. Julian suggests that the current AI playing field is split between two approaches. “We have one set of people that really view AI as a wonderful thing and that we're headed towards a singularity, and that this is terrific because it means that you can avoid more human contact, the messy wetware in the system,” he says. The other camp believes “in empowering human beings and so look at AI at most as a co-pilot, not a replacement.” Tune in to learn: How AI applies to “red ocean problems and blue ocean problems” Why the fundamentals of leadership are still essential How the “rule of three” applies to career growth in the age of AI No matter how the future shapes up, it’s clear that AI is here to stay, and Julian says that being a bystander isn’t the way to meet career goals. “No matter what stage of your career you are, you have to start getting proactive now,” he says. “And the fastest and easiest way to do that is to go after the fundamentals and to start practicing them.” Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ — Resources and Links Julian Lighton LinkedIn Navigating Your Next: Discover the Career You Want and the Path to Get There (Amazon page) Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: The Fundamentals of Leadership (Video) How to Become an AI-Native Organization (Podcast) Develop Your Managers by Focusing on These 8 Skillsets (Article) 6 Essential Skills to Teach Managers (Article) Upskilling Managers to Meet New Challenges (Article) 4 Ways to Encourage a Healthy Failure Culture (Articles) 4 Mistakes Leaders Make with AI–And What to Do Instead (Article) Building Psychological Safety at Work: 6 Tips (Article) Creating Psychological Safety in Remote Teams (Webinar) — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube .

June 30, 2026Episode 6640 min

The Fundamentals of Leadership

Lead is a verb, says today’s guest, John Zorbini. John is a successful executive coach, consultant, speaker, facilitator, and adjunct professor and long-time colleague of the Stewart Leadership team. For 30 years, John has held various leadership roles for three of Wisconsin's largest employers, spending 25 of those years in the Chief Human Resources Officer position. In today’s conversation, Daniel, Peter, and John take an in-depth look at the fundamentals of leadership and what it takes to succeed in a leadership role. Tune in to learn: How leadership is more like a reliable Ford pickup than a shiny new Ferarri The valuable practice from medicine that can drive leadership success The one thing all engaged employees have in common Ultimately, John says, if leaders can’t connect and inspire their people, they’ll struggle to deliver results. “If you can't inspire commitment, everything else is going to be pretty meaningless,” he says. Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ — Resources and Links: John Zorbini LinkedIn John Zorbini Bio at Stewart Leadership Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: John Zorbini resources at Stewart Leadership LEAD NOW! Leadership Development Model 5 Ways to Inspire Your Team 10 Tips to Inspire Commitment 5 Tools to Own Your Career and Inspire Engagement How to Create a Strong Digital Executive Presence Buying Hands and Feet 6 Tips to Support Remote and Hybrid Team Well-Being 6 Tips to Make 1:1 Meetings More Effective — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube .

June 16, 2026Episode 6534 min

The Humanity Gap: What AI Can't Replace

What happens when you stop trusting your gut and let AI do your thinking? Today’s guest says that’s when people start to lose themselves inside AI. “Instead of coming to a problem with your own brief or with your own kind of institutional knowledge, you're letting AI drive your own narrative for you and then just accepting that as fact,” says Elizabeth Rosenberg. Elizabeth is the Founder of both The Good Advice Company and Chief Spiritual Officer. As an experienced PR and communications professional specializing in personal branding and intuitive intelligence, she joins Daniel and Peter in this episode to share her insights into how leaders can fully leverage AI without losing their humanity. Tune in to learn: How to set boundaries around AI usage How to best leverage AI while building a unique personal brand What NOT to do in building a personal thought leadership brand As a proponent of AI, Elizabeth says leaders shouldn’t hide from it. “Embrace it,” she says, but balance AI usage with an equal amount of time outside or connecting with other humans. “Nature and people and relationships and connection and community are the things that actually bring us into old age and keep us alive.” Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ — Resources and Links Elizabeth Rosenberg LinkedIn The Good Advice Company Chief Spiritual Officer Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: 3 Tips for Leading Through the AI Digital Transformation 4 Mistakes Leaders Make with AI–and What to Do Instead 3 Tips for Leading Through Uncertainty The AI Integration Roadmap Strategic Planning for Unpredictable Times The Value of Wasting Time 4 Ways “Green Therapy” Can Make You a Better Leader 9 Ways to Live Longer and Lead Better 5 Ways “Cloud Watching” Improves Your Leadership — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube .

June 2, 2026Episode 6432 min

Adversity Doesn't End Your Story, It Rewrites It

Everyone faces adversity. Today’s guest asks, “If something happens that derails your life, what is the initiative that you're willing to take to pave the road to make things possible?” After losing his sight in 2011, André van Hall learned first-hand what it meant to face adversity and reinvent himself. After a career in hospitality, he pivoted to become an author, speaker, and self-styled Curiosity Instigator. In this episode, André talks to Daniel and Peter about the circumstances that led to the loss of his vision, how he dealt with the obstacles his new reality presented, and what he learned in the process of reinventing himself. Tune in to learn: The role of curiosity in overcoming adversity and reinventing oneself The importance of humility in facing challenges The difference between judging and assessing A rebuilt life is not a lesser life, says André. “Curiosity truly is the ray of sunlight that gives us the possibilities of what can be.” Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ — Resources and Links André van Hall TEDx Talk André van Hall Website The Curiosity of Change: How to Bring Light to the Dark Side of Change, André van Hall (Amazon) Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: How to Stay Relevant at Work 6 Tips to Build a Learning Organization 7 Ways Leaders Develop Themselves and Others 5 EQ Lessons from a Leader Who Turned Criticism Into Growth 7 Ways to Become a Servant Leader 8 Characteristics of Servant Leaders — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube .

May 19, 2026Episode 6336 min

The Friction Problem Nobody's Talking About

From food delivery to dating, much of modern life is designed to help us eliminate friction. But today’s guest suggests that we may have eliminated too much friction. Ross Blankenship is an organizational psychologist, executive coach, and author who works with CEOs and senior leadership teams on the human side of leadership. In his forthcoming book, Friction: Uncover the Power of Leading Through Tension, Ross and his co-author, Maggie Sass, explore how leaders can lead through friction for better decisions, stronger relationships, and healthier performance. In this conversation, Daniel, Peter, and Ross discuss why the right amount of friction is key to learning and leading for long-term success. Ross points to studies that show when learning is more difficult, retention is higher. “If you take too much of the friction out of my thinking… then I’m not really thinking about it anymore,” he says. Tune in to learn: The different types of friction that affect how people work and lead Why a little bit of friction is actually good How “sticking points” can help improve thinking Like most beneficial practices, leveraging and navigating friction starts with habits. Find “the very simplest, smallest version of a task,” says Ross, and reflect or put energy into thinking about that friction. “That’s the kind of habit that can start to change your identity over time.” Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ — Resources and Links Everyday Leadership Website Ross Blankenship’s Substack “Theory of Change” Tuesday Advisors Ross Blankenship website Ross Blankenship LinkedIn Friction: Uncover the Power of Leading Through Tension (August 2026) Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: Why this One Skill is a Non-Negotiable for Your Next-Level Leaders 8 Tips to Manage Critical Feedback 5 IQ Lessons from a Leader Who Turned Criticism Into Growth Burned Out vs. Bored Out: The Hidden Engagement Crisis 6 Ways Leaders can Master Emotional Self-Control How to Increase Your Emotional Intelligence 8 Keys to Managing Conflict Well — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube .

May 5, 2026Episode 6230 min

Don't Let Your Organization Fall Behind on AI

By the time you read this sentence, the AI landscape has already changed, says Bala Muthiah, Director of Engineering for Lyft. “It’s like A Tale of Two Cities ,” he says, citing the tension between champions and skeptics. “There are dreamers, and we need them. And there is a realism when code goes to production.” In this conversation with Daniel and Peter, Bala shares his insights about how to balance aspirations around the great potential of AI with a healthy dose of realism about its capabilities and use cases. Tune in to learn: A framework to help apply AI with a “human first” approach What you should NOT do to promote AI literacy Why leaders should let go of AI FOMO Ultimately, Bala encourages leaders to be curious. “As a leader, the number one job is to help your team be their best,” he says. Being curious “is always going to be the winning formula.” Questions, or comments? E-mail us at podcast@stewartleadership.com — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ — Resources and Links Bala Muthiah LinkedIn Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: 4 Mistakes Leaders Make with AI–and What to Do Instead 4 Ways to Encourage a Healthy Failure Culture The AI Integration Roadmap How to Stay Relevant at Work 6 Ways to Gain Support for Organizational Change The 4 Steps for Managing Constant Change in the Workplace 4 Ways to Develop a Strategy of Adaptation 5 Signs You’re Ready for Digital Transformation — #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube .

April 21, 2026Episode 6137 min

Strategic Resilience in the Age of AI

Resilience isn't a personality trait, says today's guest, Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier. "It is a state” that runs from high to low on a continuum. Dr. Pelletier, also known as MH, is a leadership psychologist, executive coach, and senior leader with over twenty years of experience across the corporate, insurance, and governance sectors. Her award-winning book, The Resilience Plan , was named a “Top Five Book to Read” by both Inc. Magazine and Forbes . In this episode, MH joins Daniel and Peter to examine what resilience means for today's leaders and how to apply strategic thinking to today’s challenges. Tune in to learn: Why resilience exists on a continuum The three pillars for building resilience in the age of AI How leaders can support team resilience The answer to facing the relentless pace of the AI-world isn’t heroic endurance, says MH. Rather, it's a calmer brain. With strategic thinking, leaders can strengthen resilience for both themselves and their teams. Questions, comments, or topic ideas? Drop us an e-mail at podcast@stewartleadership.com . — Listen to The Leadership Growth Podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/6tYdz1gQAxHIQMeNXtkA3z?si=5cf424f1e2954749 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadership-growth-podcast/id1726606341 — Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ — Resources and Links Dr. Marie-Hélène (“MH”) Pelletier website The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health (Amazon link) Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: https://stewartleadership.com/lead-in-uncertain-times/ https://stewartleadership.com/leading-through-uncertainty/ https://stewartleadership.com/improve-your-work-life-integration-by-managing-microstress/ https://stewartleadership.com/how-to-zoom-out-and-manage-your-inner-chatter/ https://stewartleadership.com/4-ways-to-encourage-a-growth-mindset-culture/ #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoaching #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube .

April 7, 2026Episode 6037 min

Navigating Constant Change: A Strengths Perspective

“Change fatigue is real,” says today’s guest, Tiffany Harvey. “And everyone really navigates change very differently.” Tiffany is a Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths® coach and client partner to Gallup. She led the CliftonStrengths program at Southwest Airlines for five years and now works as a Human Resources Manager at HOAM Ventures. In this episode, Tiffany talks to Daniel and Peter about what strengths really are, how they can inform your leadership style and approach, and why knowing your strengths can help you deal with a constantly changing business environment. Tune in to learn: How to deal with “strength envy” Whether it’s possible to overuse a strength Why curiosity could be key to understanding co-workers and direct reports in a whole new way When faced with constant change, Tiffany says, it’s not about being fearless or embracing disruptive change. “It’s about being very mindful and intentional about selecting one or two strengths” that can help you navigate the changes you’re facing. Questions, comments, or topic ideas? Drop us an e-mail at podcast@stewartleadership.com . Listen to The Leadership Growth Podcast New episodes drop every other Tuesday! https://open.spotify.com/show/6tYdz1gQAxHIQMeNXtkA3z?si=5cf424f1e2954749 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadership-growth-podcast/id1726606341 Sign up for Stewart Leadership's newsletter: https://stewartleadership.com/newsletter/ Resources and Links Gallup CliftonStrengths® Assessment Tiffany Harvey on LinkedIn Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources: https://stewartleadership.com/5-ways-to-help-manage-your-teams-change-exhaustion-2/ https://stewartleadership.com/leading-through-change-how-to-future-proof-your-team/ https://stewartleadership.com/the-4-steps-for-managing-constant-change-in-the-workplace/ https://stewartleadership.com/five-ways-to-test-your-ability-to-sustain-change/ #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoaching #StewartLeadership #LeadershipGrowthPodcast If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube .