Episodios

  • Essential Leadership Skills for New Leaders with Bruce Mayhew

    Essential Leadership Skills for New Leaders with Bruce Mayhew
    Apr 10 2026
    Summary Most leaders step into their role without formal training. That gap often leads to uncertainty, hesitation, and missed opportunities to build trust early. In this episode of The Leadership Habit, Bruce Mayhew shares practical leadership skills for new leaders, focusing on building confidence, establishing trust, and creating a strong team culture from day one. Meet Bruce Mayhew Bruce Mayhew is a corporate trainer, keynote speaker, and author with over 20 years of experience helping leaders improve team performance and workplace culture. After working in leadership roles at Scotiabank, he saw how leadership directly impacts engagement, trust, and results. His latest book, The Path of an Inspired Leader, is designed as a practical guide covering more than 18 real-world leadership scenarios. Each chapter focuses on situations leaders face, from hiring and feedback to building trust and managing change. Why Leadership Skills for New Leaders Matter More Than Ever Many professionals are promoted into leadership roles without the tools to succeed. They are expected to lead, but never taught how. As Bruce explains, this creates hesitation: “They don’t want to ruffle any feathers… they think they have to sit back and really learn the ropes for two months or six months.” The problem is not capability. It is a lack of clarity. New leaders often wait for permission instead of setting direction. But strong leadership requires stepping in early to shape the environment your team operates in. What Confidence Really Means in Leadership One of the most important leadership skills for new leaders is confidence. But confidence is often misunderstood. It is not about having all the answers. Bruce reframes it clearly: “Confidence isn’t control… confidence isn’t knowing everything.” Instead, confidence looks like: – Being clear about the environment you want to create – Being willing to make mistakes – Trusting your team before they prove themselves Strong leaders do not walk in trying to prove their worth. They walk in reinforcing the value of others. How to Build Trust as a New Leader If there is one skill that defines effective leadership, it is trust. Trust is not built through speeches or titles. It is built through behavior. Bruce shares a powerful example of a leader who transformed a disengaged team in just weeks by focusing on trust and transparency. What did that leader do? – Spoke to people directly and consistently – Created a relaxed, human environment – Asked for input and feedback – Clearly shared a vision for the team The shift was immediate because people felt seen, heard, and safe. One simple but powerful reminder: “You can’t command respect. You have to give respect to get respect.” The same is true for trust. Set the Tone Early Instead of Waiting A common mistake new leaders make is waiting too long to establish expectations. They observe. They analyze. They hold back. But your team is forming opinions immediately. Strong leaders take action early by: – Introducing themselves personally – Sharing how they lead – Setting expectations around communication and accountability – Creating clarity around team culture Even small actions, like where you sit or how often you engage, send strong signals. Leadership is always being interpreted. Turn Company Values Into Real Leadership Tools Many organizations have values posted on a wall or website. Few teams actually use them. Bruce offers a simple exercise that every leader can apply: Take your company values and discuss them with your team. Ask: – What does this value actually mean in our daily work? – What does it look like in action? – Where do we see gaps? This creates shared understanding and reduces confusion. You can go further by asking: – What additional values do we want to define as a team? When people help define expectations, they are far more likely to follow them. How to Handle Difficult Conversations as a Leader Avoiding difficult conversations is one of the fastest ways to lose credibility as a leader. Relationship building is crucial to becoming an effective leader. Bruce makes an important distinction: “Difficult conversations don’t have to be conflict… if you leave them alone, then they will become conflict.” The goal is not to avoid discomfort. It is to address it early. A simple leadership approach: – Set expectations for feedback from the beginning – Ask for permission to give input – Focus on improvement, not blame For example: If I see something that could help you improve, do I have permission to share it? This creates a culture where feedback is normal, not threatening. Leadership Is About Creating the Right Environment At its core, leadership is not about control. It is about creating the conditions where people can succeed. That includes: – Psychological safety – Clear expectations – Open communication – Accountability in both directions ...
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    41 m
  • AI and Leadership Responsibility with Sylvie di Giusto

    AI and Leadership Responsibility with Sylvie di Giusto
    Mar 27 2026
    AI is changing how we work, lead, and make decisions. For many leaders, that shift brings uncertainty. Will AI replace roles? What skills will still matter? And how should leaders respond? In this episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast, Jenn DeWall sits down with Sylvie di Giusto to explore what it means to stay “Forever Human” in an AI-driven world. Their conversation challenges fear-based thinking and offers a practical path forward. AI is not something to compete with. It is something to understand, adapt to, and use with intention. Meet Sylvie di Giusto, CSP, Hall of Fame Speaker Sylvie di Giusto is an international keynote speaker, author, and leadership consultant who helps organizations lead better, sell faster, and influence with intention. With decades of corporate experience and a unique 3D holographic speaking style, she brings forward-thinking insights on leadership presence, perception, and human behavior. Her expertise has been integrated into Crestcom’s curriculum for years, helping leaders around the world strengthen communication, emotional intelligence, and decision-making. AI Isn’t the First Disruption—and It Won’t Be the Last One of the most important takeaways from this conversation is perspective. AI may feel new, but disruption is not. Every major technological advancement has created uncertainty, fear, and resistance before eventually becoming part of everyday life. As Sylvie explains, “Humans have a tendency to fear and panic first and see everything as a threat rather than an opportunity.” From the printing press to the internet, leaders have always faced moments where they had to choose between resisting change and adapting to it. The same is true today. AI is not going away. The question is not whether it will impact your role, but how you will respond to that impact. Sylvie makes this clear when she explains that the real risk lies in choosing not to adapt. Leaders who ignore AI may eventually find themselves replaced, not because AI is inherently better, but because they chose not to evolve alongside it. Don’t Compete with AI. Complement It. A central theme of this episode is a mindset shift that every leader must embrace. Many professionals are trying to compete with AI by working faster, producing more, or relying heavily on automation. But that approach misses the point. Sylvie puts it simply, “The goal was never to beat the machine. It is to build with it.” AI will always outperform humans in speed, data processing, and memory. Trying to compete in those areas is not sustainable. The real opportunity lies in focusing on what AI cannot do. Leadership in the AI era is about combining strengths. AI handles efficiency. Leaders bring judgment, context, and human understanding. When used together, the result is far more powerful than either alone. Where AI Wins—and Where Leaders Still Matter AI’s strengths are undeniable. It can analyze data at scale, generate content instantly, and automate repetitive tasks. But leadership has never been defined by those capabilities alone. Take speed as an example. AI can respond instantly, but speed is not always the right answer. Sylvie advises the listeners that “AI will always win the race… but only humans know when actually you have to slow down.” Leaders understand timing. They recognize when a situation requires pause, reflection, or a more thoughtful approach. That level of discernment cannot be automated. The same is true for data. AI can retrieve information quickly, but it does not understand meaning. Leaders interpret data through experience, emotion, and context. They connect information to real-world impact, making decisions that go beyond what the data alone can suggest. And when it comes to relationships, AI falls even shorter. It can mimic tone, but it cannot build trust. As AI-generated communication becomes more common, leaders face a new challenge: ensuring authenticity remains intact. Sylvie highlights this shift clearly: “There is this new level of mistrust… people are not sure anymore what comes from the machine and what comes from the humans.” Because of this, transparency and authenticity are no longer optional. They are essential. Why Soft Skills Are Making a Comeback For years, organizations prioritized efficiency, technical skills, and productivity. But AI is now outperforming humans in many of those areas, shifting the value back to human-centered capabilities. Sylvie emphasizes that, “there will be a big comeback for soft skills because those are the skills that AI cannot replicate.” Skills like emotional intelligence, communication, adaptability, and critical thinking are becoming more valuable, not less. Leaders who invest in these areas will be better equipped to navigate complexity, build trust, and guide teams through change. This is a major opportunity. While AI handles the mechanical aspects of work, leaders can focus on what drives performance at a deeper ...
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    49 m
  • How to Spark Innovation at Work with Melissa Dinwiddie

    How to Spark Innovation at Work with Melissa Dinwiddie
    Mar 13 2026
    Summary Innovation at work rarely happens because leaders demand better ideas. It happens when leaders create the right conditions for ideas to emerge. In this episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast, creativity strategist Melissa Dinwiddie explains how leaders can spark innovation by encouraging experimentation, reducing perfectionism, and helping teams learn faster through small “micro-experiments.” Innovation is often described as a competitive advantage, but many organizations struggle to consistently generate new ideas. In this episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast, host Jenn DeWall speaks with creativity strategist Melissa Dinwiddie about how leaders can remove barriers to creativity and help their teams experiment, learn, and generate innovative solutions. Meet Melissa Dinwiddie, Creativity Instigator Melissa Dinwiddie is a Juilliard-trained dancer turned creativity instigator, innovation strategist, and author of The Creative Sandbox Way and Innovation at Work. She is the Chief Instigator and Lead Facilitator at Creative Sandbox Solutions, where she helps leaders and teams overcome creative barriers, strengthen collaboration, and unlock innovative thinking. Drawing from her background as a professional artist and creativity coach, Melissa developed practical frameworks that help teams move past perfectionism and rediscover the power of experimentation and play when solving complex problems. Why Innovation at Work Often Stalls Many organizations expect innovation, but unknowingly create conditions that prevent it. One of the biggest barriers is uncertainty. Innovation requires doing something new, which means stepping away from established best practices. For many employees, that feels risky. Another major barrier is perfectionism. High-performing professionals often believe every idea must be polished before it is shared. The result is hesitation, overthinking, and stalled progress. Melissa explains that when people feel pressure to be perfect, they often stop experimenting altogether. Instead of sharing unfinished ideas, they wait until something feels safe to present. Unfortunately, innovation rarely works that way. The Leadership Framework for Creating Innovation at Work Melissa introduces a simple approach called “Create the Impossible,” designed to help leaders break through barriers to innovation in the workplace. The framework encourages leaders to help teams explore ideas, experiment without fear of failure, and learn quickly from every attempt. The approach focuses on three behaviors that help teams move ideas forward. Play Hard: Encourage Exploration and Curiosity Play is not about wasting time. It is about exploration. When teams experiment, test ideas, and explore possibilities without immediate pressure to succeed, they unlock new perspectives and creative thinking. Exploration creates the mental space where innovation begins. Make “Crap”: Break the Perfectionism Barrier Innovation requires generating many imperfect ideas before discovering the best ones. Melissa explains that low-fidelity ideas help teams bypass perfectionism and restore momentum. When people feel safe producing imperfect work, they become more willing to experiment and share ideas. Learn Fast: Turn Experiments Into Insights The final step focuses on learning from every experiment. Instead of obsessing over whether an idea is perfect, teams focus on what they can learn from each attempt. Organizations that learn quickly improve faster and maintain a steady pace of innovation. Three Practical Micro-Experiments to Spark Innovation on Your Team Melissa’s book, Innovation at Work, includes 52 micro-experiments that leaders can run with their teams. These small exercises help teams think differently without requiring large workshops or lengthy innovation sessions. Here are three examples discussed in the episode. The “Crappy First Draft” Exercise Teams set a timer for ten minutes and deliberately create a terrible first draft of an idea or project. The goal is not quality. The goal is momentum. By removing pressure to be perfect, the exercise helps people move ideas forward and encourages open idea sharing. Silent Sync: Equalizing Participation in Meetings In this exercise, team members write ideas simultaneously in a shared document without speaking. This prevents meetings from being dominated by the loudest voices and ensures every team member has the opportunity to contribute ideas. For leaders managing diverse personalities, this technique helps create a more inclusive and balanced conversation. Make It Smaller: Turning Big Ideas Into Action When a project feels overwhelming, leaders ask one simple question: What is the smallest version of this that would still create value this week? Breaking large goals into smaller steps reduces anxiety and helps teams move from thinking to action. Where to Find More From Melissa Dinwiddie Connect with Melissa Dinwiddie on LinkedInVisit her website at ...
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    39 m
  • Leading Through Change with Rebecca Reynolds

    Leading Through Change with Rebecca Reynolds
    Feb 20 2026
    Change is unavoidable in today’s workplace. But confusion, resistance, and stalled initiatives don’t have to be. In this episode of The Leadership Habit, Jenn DeWall sits down with change strategist Rebecca Reynolds to explore why most transformations struggle—and how leaders can guide their teams through change with clarity, confidence, and lasting impact. Meet Rebecca Reynolds, CEO & Strategist Rebecca Reynolds is the founder and CEO of RRC and a trusted advisor to leaders navigating complex organizational change. With more than 30 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and public sector organizations, she helps executives align teams, strengthen communication, and lead transformations that stick. Rebecca is also the author of Thresholds of Change: The Way Through Transformational Times, a practical playbook for guiding personal and organizational transformation. Her work focuses on designing change processes that support leaders while keeping people engaged, resilient, and focused on results. Why Most Change Initiatives Struggle In the episode, Reynolds shares a powerful insight: nearly 70% of people naturally resist change. That means most leaders are working against human instinct when introducing new strategies, systems, or priorities. Too often, organizations treat change as a one-time announcement rather than a structured journey. Leaders introduce a new idea, hope it works, and move on. When results fall short, teams become frustrated and disengaged. Sustainable change requires intention, pacing, and continuous communication—not quick fixes. The Four Thresholds of Change Reynolds’ “Thresholds of Change” framework explains how people and organizations move through transformation in predictable stages. 1. Instigation: Recognizing Early Warning Signs This stage is about noticing when something is no longer working. Declining morale, repeated mistakes, missed deadlines, and customer complaints are all indicators that change may be necessary. Effective leaders pay attention early, before small problems become major disruptions. 2. The Liminal Stage: Creating Space for Insight Often called the “messy middle,” this phase is where many leaders lose patience. Instead of rushing to solutions, Reynolds encourages leaders to pause and listen. This stage allows teams to challenge assumptions, explore possibilities, and develop better ideas. It is uncomfortable—but essential for meaningful change. 3. Metabolization: Testing New Approaches Once clarity emerges, teams begin experimenting. Leaders pilot ideas, gather feedback, and refine processes. This stage builds confidence and helps employees feel ownership of the change. 4. Manifestation: Making Change Stick In the final stage, the organization operates with stronger alignment and renewed momentum. Performance improves, people trust the direction, and new habits become part of everyday work. When leaders engage the full process, change becomes lasting rather than temporary. Where Leaders Commonly Go Wrong Throughout the conversation, Jenn and Rebecca highlight several common mistakes that derail transformation: Treating major change like routine managementAssuming everyone is comfortable with uncertaintyIgnoring frontline perspectivesSkipping reflection and planning timeCommunicating decisions only after they are finalized One key takeaway is that leaders are often more adaptable than their teams. Without intentional support, this gap leads to resistance and frustration. Why Collaboration Matters in Change Successful change is rarely built in isolation. Instead of designing plans behind closed doors, strong leaders invite input throughout the process. This improves solutions, builds trust, and prevents costly blind spots. When people feel heard and involved, they are far more likely to support new initiatives. Applying These Lessons in Your Organization This episode offers practical guidance for leaders at every level. As you reflect, consider: What signals might you be overlooking?Have you created space for honest dialogue?Are you moving too quickly to “fix” things?Who needs to be involved earlier? Change does not fail because people are incapable. It fails when leaders underestimate its complexity. Learn More from Rebecca Reynolds Explore Rebecca’s work and resources, visit her website: rebeccareynoldsconsulting.comYou can also learn more through her book Thresholds of Change: The Way Through Transformational Times, which provides tools and frameworks for navigating transformation with confidence. One of the biggest reasons change efforts stall is that teams aren’t aligned on how significant the change actually is. To help with that, Rebecca is offering Leadership Habit listeners a complimentary tool called The Change Scale Assessment. It helps leadership teams quickly align on the true scale of change they’re facing—before decisions are made or momentum is lost. Designed for groups of any size, the ...
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    51 m
  • Minisode: Empowerment, Engagement, and Better Decisions at Work

    Minisode: Empowerment, Engagement, and Better Decisions at Work
    Feb 6 2026
    Employee engagement is at its lowest point in more than a decade. Many organizations are filled with talented, capable people who want to contribute, yet hesitate to take action. The missing link is often not skill or motivation. It is empowerment. In a recent minisode of The Leadership Habit, host Jenn DeWall delivers a focused masterclass on how empowerment drives better decisions, stronger ownership, and sustainable performance. This episode explores why empowered leaders and teams consistently outperform those operating in environments of hesitation and dependency. Why Empowerment Matters More Than Ever Low engagement, burnout, and slow decision-making are becoming common challenges across industries. Teams are capable, but without clear authority, confidence, and trust, they often wait for approval instead of taking initiative. As Jenn explains in the episode: “Empowerment is equipping people with the authority, confidence, information, and psychological safety to make meaningful decisions.” Without these elements, leaders become bottlenecks. Projects stall. Innovation slows. Accountability weakens. Empowerment is what turns leadership development into measurable business impact. What Does Real Empowerment Look Like? In the minisode, Jenn outlines four essential components of empowerment: 1. Authority: People must know what decisions they are allowed to make. 2. Confidence They need training, support, and trust to act effectively. 3. Information They must have access to the right data, tools, and context. 4. Psychological Safety They need to feel safe taking risks without fear of punishment. When even one of these is missing, hesitation grows, and performance suffers. The ABCs of Self-Empowerment Empowerment does not start with policies or programs. It starts with leaders themselves. Jenn introduces the ABC framework for self-empowerment: A: Know What You Own Understand which decisions belong to you and which can be delegated. B: Trust Your Judgment Waiting for perfect information increases stress and delays results. C: Give Yourself Permission to Decide You will never feel 100 percent ready. Progress requires action. As Jenn reminds listeners: “Not making a decision is still a decision.” Avoiding choices often creates bigger problems than making an imperfect one. How Empowered Leaders Reduce Burnout and Decision Fatigue Many leaders struggle with decision fatigue after managing constant demands. Over time, this leads to hesitation, stress, and disengagement. In the episode, Jenn shares practical ways to overcome this: Make important decisions earlier in the dayLimit unnecessary optionsSet time limits for decision-makingAvoid major choices when tired, overwhelmed, or emotionally floodedBuild reflection habits to strengthen confidence She also encourages leaders to regularly document wins to reinforce self-trust and momentum. Delegation That Builds Leaders, Not Dependency One of the most powerful sections of the minisode focuses on delegation. Too often, leaders delegate tasks without context. This creates dependency rather than growth. Jenn distinguishes between task delegation and thinking delegation. When you delegate tasks, you may say something like, “Do this. Follow these steps.” However, if you are delegating thinking, it may sound more like, “Here is the desired outcome, how would you approach this?” To delegate effectively, leaders must provide: Information – Relevant facts, expectations, and constraintsWhy – The purpose behind the workAuthority – Clear permission to decide When these elements are present, teams make faster, smarter decisions and require less supervision. The Benefits of Empowered Teams When empowerment becomes part of workplace culture, organizations experience: Higher engagementFaster decision-makingGreater innovationIncreased accountabilityImproved retentionStronger leadership pipelines Jenn summarizes it clearly: “You can’t empower others if you can’t empower yourself.” Empowered leaders create empowered organizations. Want to Go Deeper into Empowered Leadership? If you want to take a deeper dive into empowered leadership, the first step is to listen to the full episode! Then, explore Crestcom’s additional leadership resources designed to help leaders apply these principles in real-world settings, including: The Empowerment eBookAn on-demand empowerment webinar You can also request a complimentary leadership skills workshop to bring these concepts directly to your team. The post Minisode: Empowerment, Engagement, and Better Decisions at Work appeared first on Crestcom International.
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    23 m
  • How To Escape the Delegation Trap with Atiba de Souza

    How To Escape the Delegation Trap with Atiba de Souza
    Jan 23 2026
    Escape the Delegation Trap and Empower Your Team Many leaders believe delegation is simply about assigning tasks. In reality, poor delegation is one of the biggest drivers of burnout, bottlenecks, and disengaged teams. In the latest episode of The Leadership Habit, host Jenn DeWall sits down with CEO strategist and productivity expert Atiba de Souza, author of The Delegation Trap. Together, they unpack why most leaders feel stuck answering the same questions, doing too much themselves, and struggling to build true bench strength on their teams. This conversation goes beyond delegation theory. Atiba shares hard-earned lessons from more than 30 years in business and coaching, along with a practical framework leaders can use immediately to help their teams think more clearly, take ownership, and perform at a higher level. Meet Atiba de Souza, Author and Entrepreneur Atiba de Souza is known as a secret weapon for organizations with underperforming teams. As a CEO, strategist, and team productivity expert, he helps leaders remove delegation bottlenecks and transform how work gets done. With more than three decades of business experience and over 15 years as a championship football coach, Atiba brings a rare blend of real-world leadership, team development, and performance discipline. His work focuses on practical frameworks that improve productivity by teaching leaders to empower others rather than becoming bottlenecks themselves. Why Delegation Breaks Down Many leaders start with good intentions. They train their teams. They explain expectations. They provide resources. Yet over time, the same frustrations appear: Leaders answer the same questions repeatedlyDecisions funnel upwardManagers feel overwhelmed and burned outTeams hesitate to act without approval As Atiba explains in the episode, this often leads leaders to believe they have a people problem when in reality they have a delegation problem. Too often, delegation becomes telling instead of teaching. When leaders jump in with answers, they unintentionally train their teams to depend on them rather than think for themselves. The Delegation Trap Atiba describes the “delegation trap” as the moment leaders realize their business or team cannot move without them. Even when performance looks strong on the surface, leaders feel trapped because: The organization relies on their constant inputTime off feels impossibleGrowth is limited by their own capacity In the episode, Atiba shares how he discovered this problem firsthand when he realized he spent much of his day answering questions he felt he had already addressed. That realization became the catalyst for developing a new way to delegate that focuses on thinking, not just doing. The CASE Method: A Better Way to Delegate At the heart of Atiba’s book is a simple but powerful framework called the CASE Method. Rather than telling people what to do, this approach helps leaders coach their teams to think through problems independently. C – Challenges Leaders begin by asking team members what challenges they encountered. This opens the conversation without judgment and creates psychological safety. A – Articulate Next, employees articulate each step they took. This allows leaders to see how the person is thinking, not just what outcome they reached. S – Study Together, leaders and employees study selected steps, exploring assumptions, decisions, and outcomes. Instead of correcting mistakes directly, leaders ask questions that guide discovery. This is where learning accelerates. Employees begin connecting cause and effect on their own. E – Easier Than Expected Finally, leaders ask what felt easier than expected. This step often reveals hidden strengths and talents leaders may not have recognized. Over time, this process helps employees move beyond task completion and toward true ownership. Why Teaching People How to Think Matters Throughout the conversation, one message stands out: effective leaders do not teach people what to do. They teach people how to think. Atiba explains that as artificial intelligence continues to reshape work, leadership will increasingly depend on asking better questions rather than providing faster answers. Leaders who rely on telling will struggle. Leaders who coach thinking will build resilient, adaptable teams. This shift requires curiosity, patience, and restraint. It also requires leaders to talk less and listen more. A Powerful Reminder for Leaders One of the most impactful moments in the episode comes when Atiba shares a personal story from early in his coaching journey. After a difficult season, his young son told him he never wanted to play football again because of his coaching style. That moment forced Atiba to look in the mirror and confront an uncomfortable truth: leadership without empowerment creates disengagement. The lesson applies far beyond sports. Leaders must be willing to examine their own habits and recognize when their approach may be ...
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  • Crestcom Spotlight: How Leadership Has Evolved Over 20 Years With Heather Rosenfeld

    Crestcom Spotlight: How Leadership Has Evolved Over 20 Years With Heather Rosenfeld
    Jan 20 2026
    Leadership does not stand still. It changes as people change, as work changes, and as expectations evolve. In this special spotlight episode of The Leadership Habit, host Jenn DeWall speaks with Heather Rosenfeld, a Crestcom franchise owner celebrating 20 years of leadership development experience. Heather’s perspective is grounded in real-world application. Over two decades, she has worked with leaders across industries, generations, and shifting workplace norms. Her insights reveal not only how leadership has changed, but also what leaders must do to remain effective today. Meet Heather Rosenfeld Heather Rosenfeld is a Crestcom franchise owner and Area Representative serving the Massachusetts market since 2005. Originally from the United Kingdom, Heather built her early career working with diverse teams before transitioning into leadership development in the United States. In her 20 year tenure with Crestcom, she has facilitated hundreds of leadership workshops, helping leaders move from task-focused management to people-centered leadership. Heather believes leadership development is a lifelong journey — one that shapes both professional success and personal growth. How Leadership Has Changed Over the Last 20 Years Over the past two decades, leadership expectations have shifted in fundamental ways. Changes in workforce dynamics, communication norms, and employee expectations have reshaped how leaders are expected to show up every day. In this episode, Heather and Jenn discuss how the core responsibility of leadership remains the same, but how leaders achieve results has evolved significantly. From Authority-Based Leadership to Engagement Twenty years ago, leadership often relied on hierarchy and authority. Leaders gave instructions, and teams were expected to follow. Today, effective leadership looks very different. Heather explains that modern leaders must focus on engagement, collaboration, and shared purpose. Employees want to understand how their work matters and how they contribute to outcomes. Leadership has shifted from control to connection. Leadership in an Era of Constant Change Change has always existed in organizations, but the pace has accelerated dramatically. Technology, market shifts, and evolving workforce expectations mean leaders are navigating overlapping changes rather than isolated ones. Heather highlights that while change is faster, human reactions to change remain the same. Leaders must recognize resistance, provide support, and guide people through uncertainty with empathy and clarity. Managing a Multigenerational Workforce One of the biggest leadership shifts over the past 20 years is generational diversity. Leaders today may be working with up to five generations at once, each with different communication styles, motivations, and expectations. Heather emphasizes that successful leadership requires self-awareness and adaptability. There is no single leadership style that works for everyone. Leaders must learn to bring different perspectives together while fostering alignment and trust. What’s Still the Same: Leadership Is Still About People Despite advances in technology and changes in work structure, one truth remains constant: leadership is about people. Heather stresses the importance of trust, listening, and meaningful connection. Email and messaging tools may improve efficiency, but they do not replace human interaction. Trust is built through conversations, curiosity, and consistent engagement, not just transactions. 4 Leadership Lessons From 20 Years of Experience In this episode, Heather shared four clear leadership lessons she has learned over the last two decades: 1. Maintain a Teachable Attitude Leaders who thrive remain open to learning. A growth mindset allows leaders to adapt, reflect, and improve rather than resist change. 2. Listen With Intention Leadership effectiveness increases when leaders listen more than they speak. Asking questions and staying curious builds stronger relationships and better outcomes. 3. Set Clear Expectations Many leadership challenges stem from unspoken assumptions. Clear norms around communication, technology use, and collaboration reduce friction and confusion. 4. Lead the Whole Person Leadership development impacts more than performance. The skills leaders build at work influence confidence, relationships, and decision-making beyond the workplace. Continue the Conversation Leadership growth does not happen in isolation. If Heather’s perspective resonated with you and sparked reflection on how your own leadership has evolved (or needs to), this is an opportunity to keep the conversation going. Be sure to listen to the full episode to get all of Heather’s insights! You can connect with Heather Rosenfeld on LinkedIn to follow her insights, engage in leadership conversations, and learn more about the work she does supporting leaders and organizations through meaningful development. If you are exploring what leadership ...
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  • How To Slow Down and Lead Better With Jordan Peace

    How To Slow Down and Lead Better With Jordan Peace
    Jan 9 2026
    As a new year begins, many leaders feel pressure to move faster, set bigger goals, and accomplish more. Calendars fill quickly. Expectations rise. The pace rarely slows. But what if becoming a better leader starts with doing the opposite? In the latest episode of The Leadership Habit, host Jenn DeWall is joined by entrepreneur and CEO Jordan Peace to explore how stillness can improve leadership clarity, decision-making, and connection. Their conversation challenges the belief that constant motion leads to better results and offers leaders a practical habit that supports long-term effectiveness. Meet Jordan Peace, CEO and Founder of Fringe Jordan Peace is the CEO and co-founder of Fringe, a husband, and a father of five. He describes himself as an ADHD entrepreneur navigating the realities of leadership, family life, and business growth at the same time. Jordan is also the author of an upcoming book titled Stop, which challenges modern addiction to speed, distraction, and hustle. His work focuses on helping leaders rediscover stillness, presence, and meaning in both their professional and personal lives. Rather than positioning himself as an expert who has everything figured out, Jordan openly shares that his interest in stillness stems from necessity. Like many leaders, he has experienced what happens when life moves too fast for reflection. Why Leaders Struggle to Slow Down Most leaders understand the value of slowing down. Yet few actually do it. Jordan explains that over-scheduling, constant communication, and endless task lists have become the norm. Leaders move quickly from one decision to the next without pausing to reflect, process, or connect. One reason stillness feels uncomfortable is that it forces leaders to feel. Without distractions, emotions surface. Stress, frustration, fear, or uncertainty become harder to ignore. For many high performers, staying busy becomes a way to avoid those feelings altogether. The cost of avoiding stillness shows up in leadership behavior. Leaders react instead of respond. They assume intent. They miss nuance. Over time, this creates unnecessary conflict, weakens trust, and strains relationships at work and at home. Stillness, Jordan argues, creates space to think more clearly and see situations with greater perspective. How Stillness Improves Leadership Clarity When leaders move too fast, decisions often become reactive. There is little room to consider context, explore alternatives, or seek understanding. Stillness slows the moment just enough to allow clarity to emerge. Jordan shares that slowing down helps leaders recognize the gray areas that are often missed in high-pressure environments. It supports better listening, stronger empathy, and more thoughtful problem-solving. This habit is especially important in leadership roles where decisions affect people, culture, and long-term outcomes. Taking time to pause reduces unnecessary tension and helps leaders respond with intention rather than impulse. A Simple Stillness Practice Leaders Can Start Today Stillness does not require hours of meditation or a complicated routine. Jordan emphasizes that the practice can be simple and accessible. He recommends starting with three steps: Choose a new physical space that is not associated with work or tasksLeave your phone behind to remove interruptionsBring only a pen and paper The goal is not productivity. There is no agenda or checklist. A helpful starting prompt is simple: What am I feeling right now? Not busy. Not overwhelmed. Actual emotions such as frustration, fear, hope, or gratitude. This question helps leaders move thoughts out of their heads and into awareness. Over time, it builds self-awareness and emotional intelligence, both essential leadership skills. How To Slow Down and Lead Better at Work Practicing stillness strengthens leadership in practical ways. Leaders who slow down are more likely to: Listen with intentionNavigate conflict with clarityBuild trust through presenceMake better decisions under pressureLead with empathy and consistency Stillness is not about doing less permanently. It is about creating the space needed to lead well. As Jordan explains, leaders are often forced to step back due to burnout, illness, or crisis. Choosing stillness earlier helps prevent those outcomes and supports sustainable leadership over time. Learn More From Jordan Peace To continue exploring Jordan’s work on stillness, leadership, and intentional living, you can follow and connect with him online. Jordan regularly shares insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and navigating a fast-paced world with greater clarity and presence. Connect with Jordan Peace on LinkedInCheck out the How People Work podcastBe on the lookout for his upcoming book, Stop Start the Year With a Stronger Leadership Habit Stillness is a leadership habit that supports focus, connection, and long-term performance. It helps leaders show up with clarity and intention in an environment that ...
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