Holding your team accountable without feeling like a micromanager is tough. No one wants to be the boss who’s constantly checking in, chasing deadlines, and fixing mistakes. But when accountability is missing, your team underperforms, and you end up carrying the weight of their unfinished work.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Katie Armentrout to break down the biggest mistakes leaders make when trying to hold their team accountable, and how to avoid them. We’ll talk about why setting clear expectations isn't enough, the role your own leadership habits play in team accountability, and how to correct problems before they turn into bigger issues.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by missed deadlines, unclear communication, or a lack of follow-through, this episode is for you. Let’s get into it.

• Connect with Katie Armentrout

  • Website
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
• Listen to: Are You Great at Your Job, but Not So Much With the People?

• Take the Four Tendencies Quiz (Gretchen Rubin)

• Learn About Working Genius

• How to hold your team accountable without creating resentment
• Why accountability starts with YOU, and how to model it effectively
• The key to setting clear expectations so there’s no confusion
• Why people resist accountability and how to shift the team culture

When you finish listening, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode. Take a screenshot, share it to your LinkedIn or Instagram stories, and tag me @desireepetrich so I can say thanks.

And if you love this show, leaving a quick review is the best way to support it—it helps more leaders like you find these episodes.

So, you’ve just stepped into a leadership role, you’re working toward a promotion, or you’ve been leading for years but know there’s always more to learn. But here’s the thing: no one actually taught you how to lead.

Now, you’re juggling decisions, managing personalities, and wondering, Am I even doing this right?

I’ve been there. I went from being a first-time manager at 24, learning everything the hard way, to running a leadership development company and helping leaders step into their roles with confidence. That’s exactly why I created You're the Boss, Now What?

This is the podcast for managers at every stage—whether you’re new to the role or ready to sharpen your skills—who want to: ✅ Lead with confidence ✅ Communicate with impact ✅ Build teams that actually work together

But don’t expect another stuffy leadership podcast filled with corporate jargon and theories that don’t work in real life. Here, we get into the real stuff: 💡 Tough conversations 💡 Awkward moments 💡 The unspoken struggles of leadership that no one warns you about

And it’s not just me talking. You’ll hear from expert guests, leaders, coaches, and real managers who share their biggest wins, worst mistakes, and the lessons they wish they’d learned sooner.

So, if you’re tired of winging it and want actionable strategies to actually enjoy being a leader, hit Follow and join me every week. Let’s ditch the stress, master the human side of leadership, and turn you into the kind of boss people want to work for.

Because you’re the boss now. Let’s make sure you lead like it.

Have you ever left a meeting thinking that was a complete waste of time? Do your meetings lack structure direction or engagement?

Most meetings feel unproductive and take up valuable time, not to mention they lack real discussions conflict or engagement. Meetings are treated as necessary evils instead of opportunities for strategy and problem-solving.

Bad meetings aren’t just annoying they impact team morale and productivity. People avoid meetings or tune out because they feel ineffective. Without the right structure meetings become pointless status updates instead of spaces for real problem-solving.

In Death by Meeting Patrick Lencioni breaks down four types of meetings that every leader should implement. Understanding and using the right type of meeting at the right time can transform your team’s efficiency and engagement! I’ll walk you through the four meeting structures and how to use them effectively.

By the end of this episode you’ll learn

The two biggest reasons meetings fail inefficiency and boredom Why conflict in meetings is necessary and how to make it productive instead of awkward The four types of meetings and how to use them to structure your team’s discussions

Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni Next Episode in This Series Creativity Inc by Ed Catmull

Make sure to hit subscirbe, so you don't miss next week's episode with our guest Katie Armentrout, to talk about the topic of Accountability

Becoming a manager for the first time can feel overwhelming. You think you should have all the answers, but instead, you’re second-guessing everything. I know because I’ve been there. In this episode, I share the biggest mistakes I made when stepping into leadership at 24 and what I wish I had known to make the transition easier.

Have you ever felt like you have no idea what you’re doing as a leader?

Most first-time managers struggle with imposter syndrome, micromanagement tendencies, and feeling like they need to prove themselves. When I became a manager at 24, I thought leadership meant fixing every problem myself and making sure my team liked me. Instead, I burned myself out, made my team frustrated, and didn’t gain the respect I was hoping for.

This episode is all about the leadership mistakes I made so you don’t have to.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll discover:

• The biggest mistakes I made as a first-time manager and what I should have done differently
• Why trying to fix everything yourself actually hurts your leadership
• How one unexpected challenge changed the way I lead my team

Mentioned in this episode:

• Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni – a must-read for improving workplace communication
• Finish by Jon Acuff – the book that reshaped my leadership mindset and personal growth
• My full list of top leadership books for new managers → IntentionalAction.net/books

When you finish listening, I’d love to hear from you. Take a screenshot of this episode, share it in your Instagram stories, and tag me @DesireePetrich with your biggest takeaway.

While you’re there, follow me on LinkedIn Desiree Petrich where I share practical leadership tips, team leadership strategies, and career growth insights.

Enjoyed this episode? If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps other new managers find this podcast and get the tools they need to lead with confidence.

Coming up next: I Read Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni, So You Don’t Have To. We’ll break down common leadership mistakes, the right way to lead a successful team meeting, and how to avoid unproductive workplace meetings.

Hit follow so you don’t miss it.

Stepping into leadership can feel like stepping into the unknown—but what if you had a battle-tested framework to guide you? Today, I’m talking with former Apache pilot Craig Coyle about why most new leaders struggle in their first 18 months and how you can avoid the same fate. He’s breaking down the five-step preflight checklist every leader needs to stay on course and lead with confidence. If you’re ready to take control and make an impact, let’s get started.

Leading under pressure isn’t easy—especially as a new manager. Former Apache pilot Craig Coyle shares how military leadership principles can help you navigate leadership challenges, avoid common mistakes, and confidently guide your team. If you’re struggling with leadership uncertainty, this episode is for you.

What if leadership had a checklist—just like aviation?

New managers often struggle because they don’t have a clear roadmap for success. They get promoted, handed a title, and then… are expected to figure it out. But great leaders don’t just "wing it"—they follow a structured approach.

Craig Coyle, a former Apache pilot turned leadership coach, reveals how military leadership strategies can transform the way you lead, even in high-pressure corporate environments. From overcoming the critical informed pessimism phase to using his five-step Preflight Checklist for leadership success, Craig shares actionable insights that will help you avoid burnout, build team trust, and confidently lead through uncertainty.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:

✅ Why most new leaders struggle within the first 18 months—and how to avoid it ✅ The 5-step leadership checklist inspired by aviation that ensures success ✅ How to shift from reacting to proactively managing leadership challenges

If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure of your next step as a leader, this episode is your guide.

Connect with Craig Coyle:

🔗 LinkedIn 🔗 Website

Other Links Mentioned in This Episode:

📖 Crucial Conversations 📖 The Four Disciplines of Execution

No one tells you how hard it is to transition from being a great employee to being a great leader—until you’re already in the thick of it. In this episode, I’m breaking down the five hard truths of leadership that no one warns you about, so you can avoid common pitfalls, gain respect, and lead with confidence from day one.

Did anyone ask if you actually wanted to be a manager? Or did you get promoted because you were great at your job, only to realize that leadership is a whole different game?

Too many new managers struggle with the transition from doing the work to leading others in doing the work. And without a roadmap, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, overworked, and unsure of how to actually lead your team.

In this episode, we’re tackling five leadership truths that no one tells you—until it’s too late. You’ll learn what’s keeping new managers stuck, the biggest mistakes to avoid, and how to step into leadership with authority (without losing your sanity).

• Why clinging to your old job is holding you back from leadership success
• The real reason your title alone doesn’t earn you authority
• How meetings can make or break your reputation as a leader
• Why firing someone is inevitable—and how to do it the right way
• How your leadership habits shape company culture, whether you realize it or not

If this episode resonated with you, don’t just sit on it—take action! Pick one of these truths and start implementing a change this week. Then, send me a message on LinkedIn and tell me which one hit home the most.

Know someone who’s struggling with leadership? Send them this episode! Share it with a fellow manager who could use these insights, and let’s make leadership less of a guessing game.

Ever wondered why I’m so passionate about leadership development? In this episode, I share my personal journey—from struggling as a first-time manager to founding my leadership development company. I dive into the lessons I learned, the hardships that shaped me, and why leadership and team engagement are at the heart of everything I do.

Have you ever felt unprepared for leadership, even when you thought you had all the right experience and credentials? I did too.

Stepping into my first management role, I was confident—until I realized I had no idea what I was doing. No training, no roadmap—just trial and error. Then, the unexpected happened. The pandemic hit, pushing me to grow faster than I ever anticipated. Through personal and professional development, I discovered what truly makes teams thrive.

And then came the most personal turning point—losing my mother. Seeing her dedication to work and the toll it took solidified my mission: to help leaders build better workplaces where people don’t just survive but thrive.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:

• How my journey from healthcare to leadership development shaped my mission
• The reality of stepping into leadership without guidance
• Why team engagement is just as crucial as leadership skills

📖 Want to dive deeper? Grab my book Taking Intentional Action

💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Connect with me on LinkedIn and send me a message!

Welcome to another episode of Lead With Confidence!

If you don't have the time to read, but wish you did, this is a good place to start!

In this episode I breakdown the Five Dysfunctions of a Team framework so you can find yourself in the framework, and start to help build a more cohesive team.

Read The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Arbinger Institue books

Leadership and Self Deception

Anatomy of Peace

The Outward Mindset

Read my book Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Thank you for joining me on another episode of Lead With Confidence

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