Kristen and Mike explore The Go-Giver Leader by Bob Burg and John David Mann, a parable that flips traditional command-and-control leadership on its head. Through the story of Ben, an ambitious M&A executive who discovers that true influence comes from yielding rather than forcing, listeners will learn why the best leaders don't take leadership - they give it away. Mike brings his signature tangents, while Kristen keeps things grounded with practical insights. If you've ever wondered why some leaders inspire fierce loyalty while others barely get compliance, this episode reveals the five keys that separate legendary leaders from mere managers. Fair warning: there's some serious cheese in this book, but the lessons underneath are pure gold.

Highlights:

• Using "I," "me," and "my" repeatedly sends the wrong message - leadership isn't about making everything about you
• Anyone can create a vision, but the real challenge is holding fast to it when everyone else loses sight during difficult times
• Influence pulls people toward you like gravity, while convincing pushes and overcomes by argument - completely different approaches
• Like heating wood to reveal beautiful colors, applying belief (not pressure) brings out the best in people
• While competence is baseline, people need to trust your character - what happens when life scratches your soul matters more than your resume
• Giving away power actually increases your influence, though this advice doesn't apply equally to all leaders in all situations
• The book uniquely addresses how tragedy and loss leave authentic marks that show up in business and leadership
• The best way to increase influence is to give it away - great leadership is never about the leader

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• The Go-Giver Leader by Bob Burg and John David Mann
• The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann
• Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink
• The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier
• What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
• Good to Great by Jim Collins
• Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

Podcast Website: www.loveandleadershippod.com
Instagram: @loveleaderpod

Follow us on LinkedIn!
Kristen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbsharkey/
Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-364970111/

Learn more about Kristen's leadership coaching and facilitation services: http://www.emboldify.com

You've probably heard "leadership versus management" debates many times, but Kristen and Mike break it down in a way that actually makes sense. This isn't about which one is better - spoiler alert: you need both. Instead, they explore how these distinct skill sets work together and why understanding the difference can transform your career. From Confucius to Navy SEALs, they share practical insights on when to lead people versus manage systems, common myths that trip up even experienced professionals, and why the best leaders toggle between both modes throughout their day. If you've ever wondered whether you're managing when you should be leading (or vice versa), this episode will give you the clarity to know which hat to wear when.

Highlights:

• The Core Distinction: Leadership = vision and inspiration ("why" and "what"). Management = operations and execution ("how")
• Kotter's Framework: Leadership establishes direction, aligns people, motivates. Management plans/budgets, organizes/staffs, controls/problem-solves
• Why Both Matter: Successful leaders toggle between both modes throughout their day
• Leadership can be learned through study and practice - you're not born with it
• Common Myths Debunked: Leadership isn't higher status than management, you can lead from any role, both require ongoing development
• The Coaching Approach: Keeps you focused on vision and mentorship while avoiding micromanagement
• Managing Systems, Leading People: Manage processes, lead and inspire the people within them
• Continuous Growth: Leadership development is lifelong, requiring constant learning and self-reflection

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Start With Why by Simon Sinek
• Good to Great by Jim Collins
• Turn the Ship Around by Captain L. David Marquet
• The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
• Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
• Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

Podcast Website: www.loveandleadershippod.com
Instagram: @loveleaderpod

Follow us on LinkedIn!
Kristen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbsharkey/
Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-364970111/

Learn more about Kristen's leadership coaching and facilitation services: http://www.emboldify.com

Kristen and Mike kick off their new Buzzword Breakdown series by tackling psychological safety, a term often referenced in leadership discussions without clear explanation. Created by Harvard professor Amy Edmondson, psychological safety is the belief that you won't be punished for speaking up with ideas, questions, or concerns. Research shows it's the #1 predictor of high-performing teams - more important than who's on the team. Despite its importance, many misconceptions exist around what psychological safety actually means and how to create it. Whether you lead a team or are part of one, understanding this concept can transform your workplace relationships and help everyone do their best work.

Highlights:

• Introduction of the new Buzzword Breakdown series format
• Amy Edmondson coined "psychological safety" in 1999 while researching hospital teams
• Psychological safety is a team concept that predicts high performance (Google's Project Aristotle)
• Myth: It's about being nice (Reality: It's about candor with respect)
• Myth: You can declare a space "safe" (Reality: Actions create it)
• Myth: It's a luxury (Reality: It's essential for effective teams)
• Signs of low safety: silence in meetings, blame culture, fear of failure
• Signs of high safety: challenging ideas without fear, open discussion of mistakes
• Leaders create it through: admitting uncertainty, sharing lessons from mistakes, thanking people for speaking up

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• The Fearless Organization by Amy Edmondson
• Amy Edmondson on LinkedIn
• HBR: What Is Psychological Safety?
• HBR: What People Get Wrong About Psychological Safety
• McKinsey: What is Psychological Safety?
• Previous Love and Leadership episodes:
  • #37 Workplace Buzzwords
  • #31 Motivating Employees
  • #38 How to Win Friends and Influence People
  • #17 Interview with Rebecca Yang

Podcast Website: www.loveandleadershippod.com
Instagram: @loveleaderpod

Follow us on LinkedIn!
Kristen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbsharkey/
Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-364970111/

Learn more about Kristen's leadership coaching and facilitation services: http://www.emboldify.com