Quick Take | Tips to Help Executives and Leaders Grow
Susie Tomenchok and James Capps
129 episodes
3 months ago
What if your loyalty shouldn't lie with your direct reports, but with your peers? In this episode, we dive into the “First Team” leadership approach, a mindset shift that challenges the traditional org chart. We talk about why prioritizing your colleagues at the same level can create stronger alignment, better culture, and fewer headaches for everyone involved. We also get into why endless one-on-ones can dilute your message, how cross-functional meetings can build trust, and what happens whe...
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What if your loyalty shouldn't lie with your direct reports, but with your peers? In this episode, we dive into the “First Team” leadership approach, a mindset shift that challenges the traditional org chart. We talk about why prioritizing your colleagues at the same level can create stronger alignment, better culture, and fewer headaches for everyone involved. We also get into why endless one-on-ones can dilute your message, how cross-functional meetings can build trust, and what happens whe...
What if your loyalty shouldn't lie with your direct reports, but with your peers? In this episode, we dive into the “First Team” leadership approach, a mindset shift that challenges the traditional org chart. We talk about why prioritizing your colleagues at the same level can create stronger alignment, better culture, and fewer headaches for everyone involved. We also get into why endless one-on-ones can dilute your message, how cross-functional meetings can build trust, and what happens whe...
AI can help us move faster, work smarter, and even prep for a one-on-one. But what happens when we start using it as a substitute for human connection? In this episode, we explore the tension between efficiency and empathy. From trust breakdowns to team assignments gone sideways, we talk about how easy it is to default to AI and what gets lost when we do. This one’s for leaders who are navigating the hype while trying to keep their teams grounded, connected, and human. Key Takeaways from This...
We’re taught to celebrate the loudest voice in the room. But what if the most effective leaders are the ones who say less and listen more? In this conversation, we unpack the surprising strengths of introverted leaders. From creating space for others to showing up with quiet confidence, we explore how these traits shift team dynamics, build trust, and challenge what leadership is supposed to look like. If you’ve ever wondered whether you need to be more “out there” to lead well, this one’s fo...
Can you be a good leader and still want to be liked? Or does that instinct hold you back? In this episode, we dig into the tension between being likable and being effective. We talk about how the people-pleasing gene that makes you successful early on can become a liability when tough calls need to be made. From leading your former peers to finding language for your leadership shift, we explore what it takes to step into authority without losing your humanity. Key Takeaways from This Episode:...
Think Gen Z is leading the charge on AI? Not so fast. It turns out your middle managers might be the ones best positioned to drive real change. In this episode, we talk about why this layer of leadership is so critical to AI adoption. From curiosity and context to bridging top-down vision with on-the-ground execution, they’re uniquely equipped to make it real. We get into what works, where companies are getting stuck, and how to create safe spaces for experimentation without all the pressure...
You know that person who always interrupts or hijacks the meeting? Most teams do. And when no one addresses it, everyone loses. In this episode, we talk about why civility still matters, maybe more than ever. We dig into how small behaviors erode trust, how to spot the patterns early, and what leaders can do in real time to shift the tone. Because culture isn’t just a values slide, it’s every micro-interaction that tells people whether they belong. Key Takeaways from This Episode: Why incivil...
The old school nine-to-five doesn’t fit today’s work, or today’s workers. Still, so many leaders fall back on time as a stand-in for productivity. In this episode, we unpack what it actually means to lead for outcomes. We talk about energy cycles, what red light has to do with your brain, and how to have the right conversations with your team about when and how they work best. Because when people stop trying to look busy and start working in the zone, everything changes. Key Takeaways from Th...
Middle managers are overworked, overlooked, and often under-supported. Yet they’re the glue holding organizations together—and right now, many of them are stuck in a cycle of burnout and invisibility. In this episode, we dig into why this layer matters more than ever, how it’s being neglected, and what leaders need to do about it. From internal mobility to rethinking face time, we explore the small shifts that can re-engage your most critical players. Key Takeaways from This Episode: Why midd...
AI is changing the game—and it’s got people on edge. From high-profile layoffs to execs declaring they won’t hire devs again, there’s a new kind of fear spreading through teams. In this episode, we talk about what leaders can actually do. We get into the emotional side of AI disruption, why radical transparency matters more than ever, and how to create stability when the future’s unclear. Whether you’ve got a strategy or you’re scrambling to build one, these are the conversations your team n...
AI is everywhere, but not everyone is excited. In this episode, we explore the growing anxiety employees feel about AI and what leaders can do when they don’t have all the answers. Susie and James unpack new survey data, generational differences in AI concerns, and the deeper fear many employees have: What’s my value if AI can do my job faster? Rather than offering silver-bullet solutions, this episode returns to foundational leadership principles of transparency, upskilling, empathy and rec...
You said it clearly, so why isn’t your team acting on it? In this episode, Susie and James dig into a subtle but critical leadership challenge: the time gap between when something is said and when it’s truly heard, understood, and internalized. From the "percolation effect" to the myth that silence means clarity, they explore why leaders often misjudge the impact of their communication—and what to do instead. Whether you're introducing a new strategy, shifting culture, or giving feedback, th...
Middle managers are often the most overlooked—and overloaded—leaders in an organization. Caught between executive pressure and team expectations, they’re expected to influence without authority, stay motivated under stress, and manage up, down, and sideways. So how do you actually thrive in the middle? In this episode, Susie and James shine a light on the unique challenges and potential of the middle layer. They explore how this group quietly drives results, holds critical relationships, and...
Should leaders be able to do their team's work—or is that missing the point entirely? In this episode, Susie and James unpack a question that comes up more often than you'd think: what’s the role of expertise in leadership, and where does it get in the way? From executives who feel pressure to know every detail, to newly promoted managers who struggle to let go of their old job, this conversation explores the emotional and practical tension of leading people whose work you can’t (and maybe s...
Not all feedback is spoken—and often, the most important signals from your team are the ones they don’t say out loud. In this episode, Susie and James explore what it means to recognize and respond to the subtle cues that indicate misalignment, anxiety, or disengagement. From meetings that lead to more meetings, to team members repeating questions or avoiding decisions, these quiet behaviors often reveal deeper issues with leadership, clarity, or trust. Susie shares real-world examples from ...
When motivation fades in the middle layers of leadership, the ripple effect can stall an entire organization. In this episode, Susie and James unpack why VPs and middle managers often feel stuck—and what leaders can do to reignite energy, ownership, and engagement at this critical level. They explore strategies like reframing roles, creating "mini CEO" opportunities, and introducing shadow boards to give rising leaders more ownership and visibility. Whether you're managing this layer or sitt...
Bringing back a former executive can feel like a safe bet, after all, they know the business, the people, the playbook. But is it really the right move? In this episode, Susie and James explore the complicated reality of rehiring former leaders. From muscle memory and cultural fit to chemistry shifts and new expectations, it’s never as simple as picking up where you left off. They also share personal stories of being asked to return, the risks of assuming someone will “slide right back in,” a...
As technology evolves at lightning speed, executive leaders are facing a tough question: just how technical do you need to be? In this episode, Susie and James sit down with award-winning coach and former engineer Angie Cullen to unpack the growing tension between technical expertise and people leadership—especially for those leading in tech-first or tech-enabled companies. Together, they explore why some engineers struggle with the transition to leadership, how companies can support growth o...
Leadership is a human skill—but what if AI could help you sharpen it? In this episode, Susie and James explore how leaders can use AI not to replace their instincts, but to strengthen them. From analyzing your communication patterns to crafting better questions for your team, AI can be a powerful tool for improving awareness, curiosity, and connection. They walk through three key principles of strong leadership—listening more than you talk, asking open-ended questions, and swapping "why" for ...
As AI becomes central to business strategy, a new kind of leadership tension is emerging: everyone wants to “own” it. But should anyone? In this episode, Susie and James dig into the growing turf war at the executive level—where AI sits, who leads it, and how companies should be thinking about cross-functional ownership. From C-suite power plays to the pitfalls of territorial thinking, they unpack why AI is more like a superhighway than a department—and why every leader needs their own lane. ...
We’ve all heard the stories: the most successful leaders wake up at 3AM, journal, cold plunge, and run six miles before sunrise. But… is that actually what makes them great? In this episode, we challenge the myth of the “perfect morning routine” and ask what really supports strong leadership. Susie and James explore the small, intentional habits that shape their mornings—and why the best routine might be the one that works for you. From breaking the email-first habit to choosing when (and how...
Quick Take | Tips to Help Executives and Leaders Grow
What if your loyalty shouldn't lie with your direct reports, but with your peers? In this episode, we dive into the “First Team” leadership approach, a mindset shift that challenges the traditional org chart. We talk about why prioritizing your colleagues at the same level can create stronger alignment, better culture, and fewer headaches for everyone involved. We also get into why endless one-on-ones can dilute your message, how cross-functional meetings can build trust, and what happens whe...
