When bravery is mistaken for fearlessness, leaders often feel like frauds the moment they experience a racing heart or sweaty palms. But according to U.S. Marine Corps veteran and leadership expert Jill Schulman, bravery isn't the absence of fear, it’s the willingness to act in spite of it.

In this episode, Dr. Matt Poepsel sits down with Jill to discuss the science behind The Bravery Effect. They explore how bravery is a physical muscle that can be trained, the biological "activation energy" that comes from being told you can't succeed, and why the modern obsession with comfort is actually a causal predictor of anxiety and depression.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Science of Scared: Reframing fear as "rocket fuel" that prepares your body for peak performance.
• The Mentor Mindset: Why the kindest act for a team is balancing high standards with unwavering support.
• The Neurological Workout: How acting in the presence of fear physically reshapes and strengthens your brain.
• The Comfort Trap: Why "experiential avoidance" and seeking ease are direct predictors of anxiety and depression.
• Activation Energy: Using external discouragement as a catalyst to prove others wrong and fuel your goals.
• The 75-Year-Old Mentor: A simple mental exercise to bypass immediate fear by consulting your future self.

Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Jill Schulman
(00:10) Bravery isn’t fearlessness
(03:50) The “watch me” catalyst
(10:10) High expectations aren’t mean
(17:10) Stress can be fuel for performance
(20:15) The comfort trap
(25:20) Doing it scared

Resources:

Follow Jill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillaschulman/

Jill’s website: https://www.jillschulman.com

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Follow Predictive Index on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-predictive-index/

Subscribe to The Predictive Index on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@thepredictiveindex?si=zyj8aS18Z_1HMrVp

Created in partnership with Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/

In this episode, Matt Poepsel sits down with Daphne to discuss The Leadership Trilogy, a three-book collection designed to help leaders at every level lead with clarity and confidence. They explore the critical shift from “tasking” to “coaching,” empowering a stressed team through simple changes in conversation, and commanding executive presence regardless of one’s official title.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. The Coaching Mindset: How to move beyond task-checking & spark real growth
2. Getting employees to buy-in by connecting daily work to the big picture
3. Commanding a room and building credibility, title or no title
4. Helping everyone understand the way the business actually works

Highlights:

(00:00) What Coaching Really Means
(00:49) Meet Daphne B. Latimore
(02:01) The employee journey as an ecosystem
(07:16) Relate and equate
(12:46) Behavior as the driver of culture
(16:03) Coaching mindset for managers
(23:13) Demystifying executive presence
(23:26) Leading without a title

Resources:

Follow Daphne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphneblatimore/
Daphne’s website: https://dblatimore.com/

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Follow Predictive Index on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-predictive-index/

Subscribe to The Predictive Index on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@thepredictiveindex?si=zyj8aS18Z_1HMrVp

Created in partnership with Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/

Jevon Wooden, CEO of BrightMind Consulting Group, is a speaker, coach, and author of two books, including From Functional to Phenomenal. A Bronze Star recipient and Army veteran, his expertise in leadership and business strategy has been featured in Forbes, Inc., and Fast Company.

Key Takeaways:

1. Many new managers are promoted for technical excellence but receive little leadership training.
2. Empathy and emotional intelligence are essential for navigating pressure from both executives and teams.
3. Uncertainty becomes opportunity when leaders focus on what they can control and stay curious.
4. Clarity starts by defining the real problem and accurately labeling emotions before acting.
5. Strong cultures are built by understanding people’s motivations, communication styles, and sense of belonging.

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI, including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels, across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Follow Jevon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jevonwooden/

Follow Jevon on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jevonspeaks

From Functional to Phenomenal (book): https://jevonwooden.com/functionaltophenomenal/

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Subscribe to The Predictive Index on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@thepredictiveindex?si=zyj8aS18Z_1HMrVp

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Alaina G. Levine, CSP, is a professional speaker, corporate comedian, science writer, coach, and author of books, including Networking for Nerds, which beat out Einstein for an award (REALLY!), and Create Your Unicorn Career. As an expert in STEM workforce and career development, she travels the planet collaborating with organizations who want to recruit, retain, and grow their STEM talent and leverage the power of their STEM unicorns. NASA said she is worth her weight in gold! She has spoken 1000+ times for clients in 35 US states, 16 nations and on 5 continents, and has written 500+ articles for publications like Scientific American, National Geographic News Watch, and the World Economic Forum. Alaina is the winner of over 20 business awards, including the Tucson Leader of the Year award (previously bestowed upon a former US Surgeon General), and the Johnson Lecturer in Science Communications at Penn State University. She studied Arabic, Egyptology, and mathematics at the American University in Cairo as a US Department of Defense Boren Fellow, and holds bachelors degrees in mathematics and anthropology from the University of Arizona. And here's a fun fact: as an undergraduate, she was a championship billiards player and competed in national tournaments under her nickname, Lady Dyn-o-mite.

Key Takeaways:

1. New managers need support and permission to lead with empathy.
2. Leaders often default to outdated or ineffective management styles.
3. Safe, people-first cultures lead to better team performance.
4. Accountability and kindness can go hand in hand.
5. Simple tools help managers gain confidence and clarity.

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI, including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels, across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Follow Alaina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainaglevine/

Follow Alaina on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alaina.levine

Follow Alaina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alainaglevine/

Visit her website: https://alainalevine.com/

Take a look at her book: https://www.amazon.com/Create-Your-Unicorn-Career-Practical/dp/B0GDRNNG8G/ Email Alaina: alaina@alainalevine.com

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Subscribe to The Predictive Index on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thepredictiveindex?si=zyj8aS18Z_1HMrVp

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Daria Rudnik is a Team Architect and Executive Leadership Coach, author of CLICKING, and co-author of The AI Revolution.

A former Chief People Officer and ex-Deloitte professional, she brings over 15 years of international executive experience. Having lived in three countries and worked with clients across six continents, Daria has helped leaders from Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing startups navigate global financial crises, wars, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Daria helps leaders build high-performing teams in a world of rapid change and disruption. She does this through a mix of team and leadership coaching, and an AI-powered coaching tool she developed.

Key Takeaways:

1. Daria emphasizes that HR should be viewed as a strategic partner, not just an administrative function.
2. She shares how building trust and understanding business needs are essential for HR to add value.
3. The importance of giving and receiving feedback is discussed as a growth opportunity.
4. Daria reflects on how career transitions can be powerful moments for reflection and alignment.
5. She highlights the need to balance structure with adaptability when building people strategies.

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI, including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels, across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Follow Daria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariarudnik

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Subscribe to The Predictive Index on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@thepredictiveindex?si=zyj8aS18Z_1HMrVp

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Cristina Amigoni is a leadership, culture, and team transformation expert, author of The Authenticity Upgrade: Rebooting Leadership for Real Humans, and co-founder of Siamo, a human-centric leadership and culture consultancy. Her work focuses on helping leaders and teams communicate more effectively, navigate change with less friction, and build cultures grounded in trust, clarity, and connection.

Cristina brings together emotional intelligence, deep listening, and real-world organizational experience to help leaders understand how human behavior shapes performance. She is the creator of the LAVA communication framework (Listening, Acknowledging, Validating, Asking Open-Ended Questions) and integrates tools like Working Genius to strengthen team cohesion and collaboration.

She is also the co-host of the podcast Uncover the Human, where she explores authenticity, leadership, and what it takes to build workplaces that work for real humans.

Alex Cullimore is the co-founder of Siamo and co-host of the podcast "Uncover the Human," both of which explore how to work with human nature rather than against it. Through a winding career path through writing, consulting, coaching, coding, and even comedy, Alex has focused on finding the truth and humor in life to help everyone live a little better.

When he is not coaching, consulting, or writing, Alex enjoys learning new languages, traveling, painting, creating acronyms, and caring for his six cats.

Key Takeaways:

1. Slowing down creates space for reflection and intentional action.

2. Psychological safety is key to authentic contribution and trust.

3. Leaders grow by staying present instead of fixing everything.

4. Coaching helps align values with behavior.

5. People perform better when they feel heard and trusted.

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI, including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels, across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Follow Cristina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-amigoni/

Follow Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexcullimore/

Visit their website: https://www.wearesiamo.com

Listen to their podcast: https://www.wearesiamo.com/our-podcast

Check out their book: https://a.co/d/6ECOZys

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Subscribe to The Predictive Index on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@thepredictiveindex?si=zyj8aS18Z_1HMrVp

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Faisal Hoque is a best-selling author, serial entrepreneur, and futurist focused on guiding leaders through transformation and disruption. In this episode, he explores the intersection of mindfulness, innovation, and sustainable leadership, drawing on decades of experience building companies, writing influential books, and navigating systems change. Faisal emphasizes the importance of aligning internal purpose with external impact, grounding leadership in awareness and resilience, and staying adaptive amid rapid change. Through thoughtful dialogue and powerful stories, he shares how leaders can cultivate clarity, foster trust, and move from reactivity to intentionality in both business and life.

Key Takeaways:

1. Mindfulness creates the foundation for sustainable leadership.
2. Leaders must align inner clarity with external impact.
3. Disruption is constant resilience and adaptability are critical.
4. Purpose-driven innovation leads to long-term transformation.
5. Trust and emotional awareness are essential for leading change.

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI, including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels, across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Follow Faisal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faisalhoque/

Visit Faisal’s website: https://faisalhoque.com/

Listen to Faisal’s podcast: https://faisalhoque.com/podcasts/

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Subscribe to The Predictive Index on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@thepredictiveindex?si=zyj8aS18Z_1HMrVp

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Dr. Jeffrey Yip is a business school professor at Simon Fraser University and a leadership scholar known for his Listen and Build approach to leading change. Through his work with executive leaders and organizations, Jeffrey helps people rethink resistance, not as something to push through, but as a signal that something meaningful is happening beneath the surface. In this episode, he explores how resistance shows up in the nervous system when change feels threatening, and why anxiety and exhaustion are at the heart of so much organizational pushback. Drawing on real-world leadership examples, he introduces the concept of “pain storming” and shows how listening first creates clarity, trust, and momentum. With a grounded and human-centered perspective, Jeffrey offers leaders a practical way to navigate change by understanding people before trying to move them.

Key Takeaways:

1. Resistance is a signal, not a flaw, it shows where something feels unsafe or unresolved.

2. Change feels hardest when it threatens security, competence, or control.

3. Listening first helps leaders move faster with less friction.

4. Real progress starts by understanding the problem before jumping to solutions.

5. Effective change comes from leading people, not just managing process.

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI, including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels, across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Jeffrey Yip, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Simon Fraser University: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yipjeffrey/ Check out Listening Works: https://www.listeningworks.ca/ Take a look at Jeffrey’s blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/nz/blog/listen-and-build

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Subscribe to The Predictive Index on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@thepredictiveindex?si=zyj8aS18Z_1HMrVp

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/