What if being the calmest person in the room is actually your best leadership move?

In this episode of Leadership Rules, we sit down with longtime friend, educator, and strategic change whisperer Kellie Ady—and it's a mic-drop masterclass in leading with empathy, clarity, and (real talk) patience.

From disastrous tech rollouts to unexpected mentorship wins, Kellie shares what she's learned about navigating change without losing your humanity—or your team’s trust. We dive into adaptive leadership, why communication is often an illusion, and how to influence culture even when you don’t have a title.

🎯 Highlights include:

• Why people don’t resist change—they fear loss
• The "CPR" leadership sticker you’ll want for your laptop
• How to lead even when you’re not on the org chart
• Why trust breaks when communication assumes too much
• What it means to be the cheerleader of people, not change

Whether you're a district leader, startup founder, middle manager, or just trying to steer your own life with more intention, Kellie’s wisdom will help you stop forcing it and start facilitating it.

📌 Bonus: You’ll learn why whiteboards, chalk, and “not the drink I ordered” are all part of this story.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Then go be the calmest person in your room.

Connect with Kellie here: www.linkedin.com​

In this episode of Leadership Rules, we’re joined by two powerhouses of purpose: Craig Fisher—talent strategist, keynote speaker, and author of Paint Your Store—and Kory Kirby—publishing phenom and founder of Little Cabin Press. Together, they crack open what it really means to build a brand that reflects who you are, not just what you do.

🚫 This isn’t another résumé-polishing, cover-letter-agonizing kind of chat.

✅ This is about showing up with intention, telling your story before someone tells it for you, and leading your life like the CEO you already are.

🎯 Highlights include:

- The “Paint Your Store” mindset—and why everyone needs one
- Why most job seekers are doing it backwards (and how to flip it)
- From bug-infested cabin to bestselling books: Kory’s journey
- Craig’s 4-list self-awareness exercise (bookmark this!)
- How AI is a tool—but character is the competitive advantage
- Leadership rules that are simple, sticky, and soul-deep

Whether you’re fresh out of school or ten years into your career, this conversation is a reminder that your presence *is* your brand—and you can either design it or let it happen by default. The choice is yours.

🖌️ Paint your store.

🎤 Tell your story.

💼 Lead your life.

Connect with them on LinkedIn:
Craig Fisher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wcraigfisher/
Kory Kirby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/korykirby/

In this episode of Leadership Rules, Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio sit down with Milam Miller—keynote speaker, leadership coach, and self-proclaimed real-life Ted Lasso. With a background in international sports leadership and a new book on the way (The Charisma Craft), Milam brings stories and wisdom from the pitch to the boardroom.

From building a $20M sales team in European football to launching his leadership practice “Be Confident and Kind,” Milam shares what it means to lead with heart, harness charisma, and create cultures that actually work. We dive into quitting corporate, leadership reinvention, and whether Season 4 of Ted Lasso should happen (spoiler: he's all in).

📌 Topics we cover:

• Why “Fake it till you make it” is outdated advice
• Charisma as a leadership skill: authentic, bold, curious
• High-functioning teams & what sports taught us about leadership
• The link between Ted Lasso, trust, and culture
• Milam’s take on evolving your “why” and honoring your next chapter

🔥 Whether you're a leadership geek, Ted Lasso fan, or just need a reminder to lead with curiosity—this episode delivers.

👀 Learn more about Milam at www.beconfidentandkind.com

🔗 Follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram for fresh takes on soft skills and leadership growth.

What happens when one of the world’s most influential engineering minds sits down to talk Ted Lasso, leadership, soft skills, and the art of communication?

You get an episode brimming with humility, humor, and hard-won wisdom.

🎧 In our latest Leadership Rules podcast, Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio had the pleasure of talking to Luca Rossi — founder of the powerhouse newsletter Refactoring (140K+ subscribers strong 💪).

Here’s a taste of what we unpacked:
• The real reason soft skills drive engineering success (especially in an AI world)
• Why empathy is NOT the enemy of productivity
• The underrated power of personal taglines & communication guides
• And yes, Luca's take on Ted Lasso’s most overlooked leader (hint: It’s Keely 👏)

🧠 If you lead people — or aspire to — this one’s for you.

#LeadItLikeLasso #LeadershipRules #EngineeringLeadership #SoftSkillsMatter #CommunicationInTech #TedLassoLeadership #Refactoring #LucaRossi #PodcastDrop #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment

🎧 In this episode of Leadership Rules, Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio welcome Andrew Levine and Scott Johnson, the innovative minds behind the newsletter Slightly Smarter. Dive into a discussion that explores the power of concise learning and actionable insights derived from leadership and business books.

🔑 Episode Highlights:

⚡ Bite-Sized Learning: Discover how Slightly Smarter condenses complex ideas from extensive reads into digestible, impactful takeaways, helping leaders grow without the overwhelm.

⚡ Community Building: Learn about the journey of creating a vibrant community of eager learners and leaders, and how this platform is transforming the way knowledge is consumed and applied.

🌟 Special Guest Insights: Andrew and Scott share their unique entrepreneurial paths, the challenges they've navigated, and the innovative approach that Slightly Smarter brings to professional growth.

✨ Leadership Philosophies: Engage with their thoughts on how leadership is both an art and a science, reflecting on their personal experiences and how they mold the content for their audience.

📘 From Newsletter to Network: Hear about their plans to expand their reach beyond the newsletter, creating interactive, real-world applications of their curated knowledge through events - Check out their BookJams! BookJams.com

🎙️ Engagement and Impact: Delve into how Slightly Smarter fosters engagement and measures impact, offering insights into building an effective content-driven community.

📚 Lead It Like Lasso: For more inspiration on transformative leadership and personal growth, explore our book for actionable insights and guidance.

🔗 Connect with Our Guests: Learn more about the mission of Slightly Smarter and how you can be part of their learning community at SlightlySmarter.com.

#LeadershipPodcast #LearningInLeadership #CommunityBuilding #LeadItLikeLasso

In today’s podcast, Nick Coniglio and Marnie Stockman are excited to welcome Melissa Kwan, CEO and co-founder of eWebinar—a platform that automates webinars so founders and teams can reclaim their time and focus on what truly matters. Melissa is a three-time bootstrapper with one exit, a global digital nomad, and a fierce advocate for life-first leadership.

Episode Highlights:

⚽ Bootstrapping with Purpose: Melissa shares her journey of building three companies without outside funding and why she believes success isn't about scale—it's about alignment with your values and lifestyle.

⚽ Trust, Branding, and the Power of Showing Up: We explore Melissa’s approach to building a trusted brand without hype, and how authenticity and vulnerability are her superpowers in a sea of startup noise.

Special Guest Insights:

Melissa opens up about the lessons learned from costly strategy missteps, the importance of personal integrity in leadership, and how to lead by example—even when no one’s watching.

✅ Marketing Myths & Founder Realities: Melissa breaks down the myth of hockey-stick growth and shares a refreshingly honest take on slow, sustainable progress.

✅ Your Founder Next Door: Melissa talks about building community, leading with honesty, and using personal branding to foster genuine connection—not just visibility.

💡 Key Takeaway: This episode is a masterclass in grounded leadership. Melissa’s journey challenges the traditional success narrative and offers a new lens for founders and leaders who want to build boldly—but on their own terms.

📚 Lead It Like Lasso: For more leadership inspiration and actionable insights, check out our book—your playbook for leading with heart, integrity, and impact.

📣 Connect with Melissa Kwan:

Explore Melissa’s work at eWebinar.com and subscribe to her newsletter at melissakwan.com.

#LeadershipPodcast #StartupLife #BootstrappedFounder #PersonalLeadership #LeadItLikeLasso #MelissaKwan #eWebinar #DigitalNomadLeadership #AuthenticBranding

Welcome to another enriching episode of Leadership Rules! In today's podcast, Nick Coniglio and Marnie Stockman are excited to welcome Matt DeHart, founder of the innovative Teach from DeHart Academy. This unique middle school in Pittsburgh is set to open in fall 2025 and aims to not only educate students but also to tackle poverty by providing comprehensive support and education to entire families.

Episode Highlights:

⚽ Innovative Education Model: Matt introduces his groundbreaking approach to education at Teach from DeHart Academy, which integrates academic learning with crucial support services for families, aiming to uplift entire communities from poverty.

⚽ Leadership and Community Impact: Explore Matt's vision for generational change and how his personal and family legacy of impactful community service shapes his leadership and the academy's mission.

Special Guest Insights:

Matt shares the inspirational story behind his career in education and his passion for making a significant difference in the lives of his students and their families.

✅ Building a Legacy: Dive into Matt's approach to creating a lasting impact through education and community service, emphasizing the importance of supporting not just students but their entire families.

✅ The Power of Personal Leadership: Matt discusses the importance of emotional availability, vulnerability, and authenticity in leadership, drawing parallels with the beloved character Ted Lasso from the series that inspires many of his own leadership principles.

💡 Key Takeaway: This episode highlights the transformative power of education when combined with a deep commitment to community and personal growth. Matt's approach redefines the role of a school in a community, turning it into a hub of opportunity and support.

📚 Lead It Like Lasso: For more insights into leadership and making a significant impact, check out our book for further inspiration and guidance.

📣 Connect with Matt DeHart: Learn more about Teach from DeHart Academy and how you can support their mission at TeachFromDeHart.org.

#LeadershipPodcast #EducationInnovation #CommunityImpact #LeadItLikeLasso

In this special edition of the Leadership Rules podcast, Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio explore the crucial aspects of personal and organizational leadership with key members from the University of Georgia's Institute for Leadership Advancement (ILA). The guests include Stacey Campbell, the director of ILA, alongside students Robert Black and EB Billig, who share their insights and experiences from the program.

Episode Highlights:

⚽ The Importance of Personal Leadership: Insights into how ILA shapes leaders through rigorous programs, emphasizing self-awareness and leadership practice.

⚽ Student Experiences: Robert and EB discuss how ILA's focus on personal leadership has prepared them for real-world challenges and enhanced their career readiness.

⚽ Leadership Development in Academic Settings: Stacey Campbell provides an in-depth look at the structure and impact of ILA's leadership programs, stressing the blend of academic and practical approaches to developing leaders.

Special Guest Insights:

Stacey, Robert, and EB share transformative stories from their journeys, highlighting the significant impact of ILA's values-driven approach on their personal and professional growth.

✅ Impact of Self-Discovery on Leadership: The discussion delves into how understanding personal strengths and weaknesses plays a crucial role in effective leadership.

✅ Future Aspirations and Leadership Paths: The students share their post-graduation plans and how ILA has equipped them for future successes.

💡 Key Takeaway: This episode underscores the necessity of investing in personal leadership skills at an early stage, preparing for impactful careers and meaningful lives.

📚 Lead It Like Lasso: Enhance your leadership skills with actionable insights from our book, inspired by lessons from the podcast and beyond.

📣 Connect with Our Guests: Learn more about ILA and the fantastic work being done at UGA by visiting their website or reaching out directly to Stacey Campbell via email.

#LeadershipPodcast #PersonalLeadership #UniversityOfGeorgia #LeadItLikeLasso