We’ve all heard the buzz around artificial intelligence, business intelligence, and strategic intelligence. But in a world obsessed with data and efficiency, there’s one form of intelligence that often gets overlooked—and it might be the most important of all: emotional intelligence.

In this week’s episode of the LeadCulture Podcast during the Summer of Leadership series, Jenni unpacks why EQ is the skill every culture-carrying leader must develop. From self-awareness to relationship management, emotional intelligence is what helps you build trust, lead through change, and create a culture where people thrive—not just survive.

You’ll hear:

• Why EQ often goes underdeveloped in high-capacity leaders
• The story of how Jenni’s drive once created blind spots with her team
• A breakdown of the four key components of emotional intelligence
• Practical ways to grow your EQ and lead with greater empathy and awareness

Let’s build cultures where people feel seen, valued, and understood.

Let’s lead different.

🎧 Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s episode on Communication.

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In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron kicks off our Summer of Leadership series by spotlighting the most overlooked but foundational leadership skill: self-leadership. As leaders rise through the ranks, many realize they were trained to be led—but not necessarily to lead themselves. Jenni unpacks the personal and organizational impact of this shift, emphasizing how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and disciplined routines form the bedrock of effective leadership.

Through honest insights and practical strategies, Jenni challenges leaders to own their growth, model a growth mindset, and align daily behaviors with core values. You'll learn why organizational culture is shaped by how leaders show up every day—and how leading yourself well is the first step to leading others with clarity, confidence, and consistency.

Whether you're stepping into a new role or seeking to deepen your leadership influence, this episode will inspire you to take meaningful ownership of your development—and remind you that growth is contagious.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-leadership is the foundation of effective leadership.
• Leaders must shift from being led to leading themselves.
• Daily leader behaviors shape organizational culture.
• Growth mindset and ongoing learning are non-negotiable.
• Taking ownership of your development drives team success.
• Strong self-leadership boosts morale and retention.
• Growth is contagious—lead yourself to lead your team.

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:

1. Review us on Apple podcasts
2. Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts.
3. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

This summer, leadership gets personal.

In this kickoff to the Summer of Leadership series, Jenni Catron invites you into a focused season of growth—because leadership isn't just about strategy, it's about you.

Leaders today are navigating more pressure than ever. And what your team needs most isn’t a new policy—it’s a more grounded, self-aware, communicative you. That’s why Jenni is diving into the eight essential leadership skills that shape culture from the inside out:

→ Self-leadership
→ Emotional intelligence
→ Communication
→ Decision-making
→ Delegation
→ Accountability
→ Feedback
→ Ownership

These are the human skills that build unstoppable teams and thriving cultures. In this episode, Jenni outlines each one and explains why developing them isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Whether you lead five people or five hundred, this episode is your invitation to reflect, reset, and re-engage with the habits that fuel healthy leadership.

🛠️ Takeaway: Your leadership sets the tone. And this summer, you have the opportunity to raise it.

📍Listen now and commit to becoming the kind of leader your culture can thrive under.

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:

1. Review us on Apple podcasts
2. Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts.
3. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

As we head into summer—a season when team energy can dip and distractions rise—it’s more important than ever to ensure your people feel seen, valued, and appreciated. In this week’s episode, Jenni Catron breaks down why employee appreciation isn’t just a feel-good bonus—it’s a strategic leadership move that strengthens organizational culture, boosts motivation, and builds trust.

Why this conversation matters now:
According to Gallup, employees who feel recognized are 4x more likely to be engaged. Yet 65% of workers say they haven’t received any form of recognition in the last year (Workhuman & Gallup, 2023). That’s a gap leaders can’t afford to ignore—especially as we enter a season where burnout and disengagement can quietly take hold.

Jenni unpacks:
✅ Why appreciation must become a cultural norm, not a calendar event
✅ No-cost strategies to increase motivation and belonging
✅ Creative ideas like “post-it parties” and gratitude rituals that leaders can start today
✅ How simple gestures—like handwritten notes—can shift the tone of your entire team

Whether you lead five or fifty, this episode will equip you with practical, meaningful ways to build a culture of gratitude—one action at a time.

🎧 Take a listen. Then forward it to a fellow leader who needs the reminder too.

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:

1. Review us on Apple podcasts
2. Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts.
3. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a quiet epidemic. Across every industry, leaders are exhausted, teams are stretched thin, and emotional resilience is wearing down. And it’s not just happening out there. It’s happening to us—in boardrooms, church offices, classrooms, and Zoom calls.

That’s why we’re revisiting one of our most timely and needed conversations: Scott Savage’s raw and hope-filled journey through burnout, wilderness seasons, and the rhythms that restore us.

Scott, a pastor and writer, shares what really happens when a leader hits the wall—and how to recover with grace, intention, and new resolve. If you’re feeling the pressure (or know someone who is), this episode is essential listening.

💥 Why this episode matters now:

New research shows:

• Burnout is now one of the top three reasons employees leave organizations (Gallup, 2024).
• Emotional exhaustion is contagious—leaders who aren’t well unintentionally wear out their teams.
• Leaders who build in recovery rhythms like sabbaticals lead more engaged, resilient, and loyal teams.

🎧 What you'll take away:

• What burnout really feels like—and why it often creeps in slowly
• How to reframe a “wilderness season” from something to escape into something that transforms
• The leadership power of sabbaticals and sustainable rhythms
• How to lead yourself so you can lead others well
• Practical ways to build a culture that prioritizes health, not just hustle

👀 Don’t miss this if you’re a leader who:

• Feels like you’re running on fumes
• Is navigating team disengagement or high turnover
• Wants to build a healthier, more sustainable leadership culture
• Is ready to lead from wholeness, not hustle

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:

1. Review us on Apple podcasts
2. Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts.
3. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the LeadCulture Podcast, Jenni Catron sits down with Ashley Warren to dive into the core of leadership and team culture. They discuss the critical role of self-awareness in leadership, the importance of creating a culture of clarity and care, and the practical strategies that help leaders foster an engaged, thriving team. Drawing from their own experiences, Jenni and Ashley explore how leaders can better support their teams through understanding individual strengths, practicing empathy, and maintaining clear communication. Tune in for actionable insights that will empower you to lead with confidence and cultivate a positive, high-performing team culture.

Key Takeaways:

• The role of self-leadership in effective team management.
• How clarity and care can drive team success.
• The importance of checking in on your team's emotional and mental well-being.
• Balancing driven leadership with empathy.
• Building relationships within your team for greater performance.

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:

1. Review us on Apple podcasts
2. Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts.
3. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the Lead Culture podcast, Jenni Catron dives into a critical yet often overlooked leadership tool: the organizational chart. Great leadership demands more than vision — it requires building a structure that fosters clarity, alignment, and momentum.

Jenni walks leaders through a practical, step-by-step framework for reevaluating their org charts, helping you steward both your people and your mission more effectively. Whether you're leading a small team or a growing organization, you'll learn how to design an organizational structure that supports team culture, strengthens strategy, and empowers individuals to succeed.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why a great org chart reflects the sacred privilege of leadership.
• How to balance stewardship of individuals with the mission of the organization.
• Why clarity in roles and responsibilities is essential for team alignment.
• How to start by defining core functions — before assigning any roles.
• How to clarify the role of the senior leader and determine their span of care.
• Why direct reports should be structured around core functions, not just convenience.
• How to evaluate team members' strengths and weaknesses for better role alignment.
• Why the reevaluation process should be repeated at every organizational layer.
• How a well-structured org chart creates momentum and drives mission fulfillment.

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:

1. Review us on Apple podcasts
2. Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts.
3. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of LeadCulture, Jenni Catron returns to one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in a leader’s toolkit: the organizational chart. But this isn’t your typical HR conversation. Jenni unpacks how org charts—when designed with intention—become a strategic force for clarity, culture, and communication.

You’ll hear how a clear structure empowers better decision-making, aligns your team with purpose, and eliminates confusion around roles and responsibilities. Jenni also explores the hidden symptoms of dysfunctional org charts—like miscommunication, burnout, and power struggles—and gives leaders practical insight into designing charts that truly serve their mission.

Whether you’re leading a team of 5 or 500, this episode will reframe the way you view organizational structure and inspire you to lead with clarity and confidence.

"A well-designed org chart isn’t red tape—it’s a roadmap to team health, clarity, and mission-aligned leadership."

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:

1. Review us on Apple podcasts
2. Subscribe - we’re available wherever you listen to podcasts.
3. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!