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Culture isn’t a poster on the wall; it’s the behavior people feel every day. We unpack how leadership at all levels turns values into action, why true empowerment requires daily coaching, and how identity and mission shape whether a job becomes a source of pride or just a paycheck. Through candid stories—earning a vice president title the hard way, and a bracing town hall where new owners announced a site closure—we explore what happens when culture aligns and when it collapses under pressure.

Greg and I walk through a practical blueprint for building real culture: invest in training that goes beyond theory, set clear standards in the first 90 days, and anchor development in communication, self-leadership, creating a positive environment, developing others, and getting results. The Johnson & Johnson model shows how structure and story can fuse—care for people, disciplined execution, and a shared language of leadership that scales from entry-level to executives. We also widen the lens to roles where purpose is built on task and safety, like skilled trades, where trust and precision define identity just as strongly as mission-driven brands.

Hiring and promotion decisions become the pressure test. We talk about choosing for fit and pride, spotting transferable traits, and avoiding the “greener grass” trap by reading culture signals before you jump. Externally, culture shows up through consistency between mission and products, employee advocacy on LinkedIn and Glassdoor, and authentic community engagement. If the claims match the actions, you can feel it. If they don’t, you can see it. Before accepting an offer or a partnership, ask whether this organization’s identity aligns with your values, growth, and standards.

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Presented by John Wandolowski and Greg Powell

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Ever watched a meeting get hijacked by the loudest voice and wondered what real inclusion would look like instead? We unpack the concrete moves that turn leadership ideals into daily practice: listening before speaking, setting fair norms, inviting quieter voices, and designing systems that help everyone contribute at full capacity—whether your team is in-office, remote, or somewhere in between.

We start by redefining inclusion beyond diversity metrics and get into the manager habits that actually shift culture: humility over ego, curiosity over certainty, and openness over optics. Greg shares how moving his desk to the team’s floor and saying “teach me” transformed engagement, while John walks through handling bullies with private candor and firm boundaries. We break down career reviews that prioritize growth, feedback loops that catch unseen barriers, and the role of ERGs and reverse mentorship in expanding perspective. You’ll hear practical scripts for drawing out quiet contributors, approaches for scheduling and communication that don’t exclude, and recognition tactics that spotlight behind-the-scenes excellence.

Bias and accountability sit at the core of this conversation. We talk about noticing your triggers, not letting a single misstep become a lifetime label, and weaving inclusive behavior into team goals. Trust is the accelerant: start with noble intent, offer stretch assignments with coaching, and build psychological safety so disagreement sharpens ideas instead of shutting people down. If you’re a new manager—or a seasoned one ready to level up—you’ll leave with a usable playbook for inclusive leadership that boosts creativity, productivity, and retention.

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Presented by John Wandolowski and Greg Powell

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Ever felt the room get quieter the moment your title got louder? John and Greg unpacking the hidden epidemic of leadership loneliness—why it shows up, how it quietly shapes decisions and culture, and the practical moves that bring leaders back into real connection without sacrificing authority.

We start with the masks leaders are taught to wear: projecting certainty, playing it cool on camera, and carrying confidential decisions alone. From early supervision lessons to high-stakes executive calls, we trace how distance builds, especially in remote and hybrid settings where spontaneity disappears and “always on” performance replaces authentic presence. Along the way, we challenge the myth that vulnerability weakens leadership, showing how it creates psychological safety, trust, and better outcomes.

Then we get tactical. We break down strategic networking anchored in giving first, not collecting contacts. We explore how peer circles outside your org become true sounding boards, and why coaches and mentors are essential for senior leaders who need honest pushback, blind-spot checks, and resilience tools. You’ll hear how daily habits—informal check-ins, specific questions, and small stories—humanize authority and open space for others to lead. We also tackle the mental loop of rumination and share simple interventions to shift from isolation to action.

By the end, you’ll have a playbook to build stronger networks, model healthy vulnerability, and sustain your energy in roles where the stakes are high and the spotlight is bright. Leadership will always include moments of solitude, but it never has to become a solitary life.

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Presented by John Wandolowski and Greg Powell