The Dirty Side of Leadership

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The Dirty Side of Leadership

Ron Ward & Kristin Sokoloff

142 episodes

13 hours ago

Send us a text Ron and Kristin expose how manipulation operates in everyday workplaces — from charm tactics to control games — and how leaders can spot the warning signs. Highlights: The Dark Triad at work: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy.How confidence can blur into control.Creating psychological safety to shut down manipulation.The power of self-awareness — knowing your own shadow.Dirty Lesson: The most dangerous manipulator isn’t in the boardroom — it’s the one in your blind spot...

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Entrepreneurship

All content for The Dirty Side of Leadership is the property of Ron Ward & Kristin Sokoloff and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Send us a text Ron and Kristin expose how manipulation operates in everyday workplaces — from charm tactics to control games — and how leaders can spot the warning signs. Highlights: The Dark Triad at work: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy.How confidence can blur into control.Creating psychological safety to shut down manipulation.The power of self-awareness — knowing your own shadow.Dirty Lesson: The most dangerous manipulator isn’t in the boardroom — it’s the one in your blind spot...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/142)

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Dark Psychology at Work: How Manipulation Hides in Plain Sight | Episode 138

Send us a text Ron and Kristin expose how manipulation operates in everyday workplaces — from charm tactics to control games — and how leaders can spot the warning signs. Highlights: The Dark Triad at work: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy.How confidence can blur into control.Creating psychological safety to shut down manipulation.The power of self-awareness — knowing your own shadow.Dirty Lesson: The most dangerous manipulator isn’t in the boardroom — it’s the one in your blind spot...

13 hours ago

35 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Loyalty & Betrayal: How to Spot a Modern Day Judas at Your Table | Episode 137

Send us a text In this episode, Ron and Kristin expose one of leadership’s oldest power games — loyalty and betrayal. From ancient betrayals like Judas and Caesar to modern corporate sabotage, they reveal how leaders can spot a hidden opportunist before it’s too late. This episode blends psychology, real-world examples, and neuroscience to explain why betrayal usually comes from inside the circle — and how to test loyalty without breeding paranoia. “Betrayal doesn’t just reveal the traitor —...

1 week ago

45 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

The Dirty Truth About What Makes a Leader Great | Throwback Episode

Send us a text In this throwback episode, we're going back to episode 7 where Ron and Kristin discuss qualities of great leaders and how you can apply them to your own life. Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff Sponsor: 4Ward Operations Producer: Stephen Ridley Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dir...

2 weeks ago

55 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Mafia Leadership Lessons with John Alite and His Story of Redemption | Episode 136

Send us a text In this episode of The Dirty Side of Leadership, hosts Kristin Sokoloff and Ron Ward explore the tumultuous journey of John Alite — from organized crime enforcer to redemptive leader — and draw powerful parallels between the psychology of crime-leadership and mainstream organizational, corporate, and faith-based leadership. Key Themes: The structure and raw mechanisms of power in the mafia world.The psychology of fear, loyalty, respect, and followership under extreme condition...

3 weeks ago

1 hour 10 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Leadership in Parenting (Part 2) | Episode 135

Send us a text In Part Two of Leadership & Parenting, Ron and Kristin welcome Troy Robison, a faith-centered leader, husband, and father who serves as Head of Sales at AI Vector, the parent company of today’s sponsor, Kovo Home. Together, they explore how leadership and technology intersect in modern parenting. From setting healthy digital boundaries to navigating online influences, Troy offers an inside look at how innovative tools can help parents guide, protect, and empower their chil...

4 weeks ago

56 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Leadership in Parenting (Part 1) | Episode 134

Send us a text In this episode of The Dirty Side of Leadership, Ron and Kristin explore how leadership begins at home. From building trust through daily connection to guiding kids toward strength, kindness, and resilience, this episode reframes parenting as the ultimate test of leadership. They share practical, real-world lessons — including how to model integrity, manage friendships, teach emotional literacy, and help kids fail safely. Ron and Kristin unpack how empathy, consistency, and bou...

1 month ago

24 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Trump Calls All Military Leaders to Quantico: Worth the Cost? | Episode 133

Send us a text In this episode, Kristin and Ron break down two major stories: President Trump’s unprecedented call for hundreds of generals and admirals to meet at Quantico.The mass exodus of over 100,000 federal employees.What looks like crisis is really about leadership, accountability, and culture. From the cost of pulling leaders together, to the fallout of raising workplace standards, we explore the dirty side of leadership—where presence matters, accountability filters out the uncommitt...

1 month ago

39 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Leadership Lessons From Charlie Kirk and the Movement He Built | Episode 132

Send us a text In this episode, Ron and Kristin reflect on the life and leadership of Charlie Kirk, Who was assassinated on September 10, 2025. He was the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA). From his Illinois roots to building one of the nation’s most influential youth organizations, Kirk’s journey offers powerful lessons for leaders in any field. The conversation explores: Starting Young: Courage over credentials.Movement Building: How TPUSA scaled from an idea to hundreds of staff and mi...

1 month ago

49 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Special Guest: John Whitt, Chess Champion & Author of "Checkmate!" | Episode 131

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with John Whitt, a chess champion, business strategist, and author of Checkmate!: Translating Ideas Into Money. With over four decades of experience guiding organizations—ranging from large corporations to small businesses—John brings a unique perspective on strategy, clarity, and transformation. John reveals how the game of chess can be used as a powerful metaphor for leadership and business growth. From anticipating your opponent’s moves to knowin...

1 month ago

50 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Gen Z and the New Workforce | Episode 130

Send us a text Welcome back to The Dirty Side of Leadership, where leadership meets entertainment. In this episode, Ron and Kristin tackle one of the hottest topics in leadership today: Gen Z entering—and reshaping—the modern workforce. From their unique expectations around work-life balance to their comfort with technology, Gen Z is forcing leaders to rethink how organizations recruit, motivate, and retain top talent. But with those fresh perspectives come challenges—different communication...

2 months ago

26 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Leadership Comparisons From the Northwest and the South | Episode 129

Send us a text In this episode, Kristin and Ron compare leadership lessons shaped by culture, language, and tradition in two very different regions of the U.S.: the Northwest and the South. From coded phrases like “Bless your heart” to subtle Northwest expressions like “That’s interesting,” listeners will discover how cultural communication styles can either clarify or complicate leadership. Key Topics Covered How regional sayings reflect leadership and communication styles.Southern leadersh...

2 months ago

44 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Jealousy in the Workplace: When Envy Turns Dangerous | Episode 128

Send us a text Jealousy — it’s the quiet poison of the workplace. From backhanded compliments and gossip to outright sabotage, envy can destroy trust, cripple collaboration, and, in rare cases, even lead to tragedy. In this episode, Ron and Kristin unpack the psychology of jealousy at work, share personal stories, and examine extreme cases where envy spiraled out of control. More importantly, they explore how leaders can recognize jealousy early and create cultures that starve it of power. ...

2 months ago

38 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Special Guest: Former Executive Producer and Author Tom Blomquist | Episode 127

Send us a text In this episode, co-hosts Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff sit down with Tom Blomquist, an award-winning screenwriter, producer, director, and author whose work has shaped some of television’s most iconic shows. From Walker Texas Ranger and The A-Team to Hunter, Farscape, Swamp Thing, and Christy, Tom has had a hand in creating stories that millions of viewers know and love. Beyond television, Tom has directed music videos, produced documentaries, and written four books, including...

2 months ago

1 hour 18 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

The Saboteurs Within: What’s Really Holding You Back | Episode 126

Send us a text In this eye-opening episode, Ron and Kristin dive deep into the dirty side of self-sabotage by taking the Saboteur Assessment from Positive Intelligence. Get ready for a raw, honest conversation about the inner voices that derail leaders—even the high performers. From Hyper-Achiever to Avoider, Stickler to Pleaser, these hidden saboteurs shape how we lead, connect, and even how we fail. Kristin and Ron reveal their personal assessment results and talk about the subtle (and not...

3 months ago

53 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

More Than Survival - Leadership Lessons From the Wild With Jeff Zausch | Episode 125

Send us a text In this gripping episode of The Dirty Side of Leadership, co-hosts Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff sit down with Discovery Channel’s ultimate survivalist, Jeff Zausch. With more survival days under his belt than any contestant in "Naked and Afraid" history, Jeff shares what it takes to thrive in the world’s harshest environments - and how those same traits apply to real-world leadership, mindset, creativity, and overcoming personal and professional adversity. From battling the e...

3 months ago

58 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

My Boss is a Narcissist! | Throwback Episode

Send us a text In this throwback episode, we're going back to the third episode where Ron and Kristin discuss different types of narcissistic bosses! Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff Sponsor: 4Ward Operations Producer: Stephen Ridley Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's be...

3 months ago

59 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

How Pod Bros Changed the Political Landscape in America: What Can We Learn? | Episode 124

Send us a text In this episode, Ron and Kristin don’t just explore leadership—they dive headfirst into the world of power, influence, and how a few mic’d-up men with cigars and bourbon reshaped American politics. Known as the Pod Bros, these influential podcasters became a powerful force during the last presidential election cycle. They interviewed nearly every major conservative candidate, including Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and several individuals now rumored to be in the future Trump cabin...

3 months ago

34 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Toxic Positivity: When Optimism Goes Too Far | Episode 123

Send us a text In this episode, Ron and Kristin define toxic positivity and the fallout of fake morale. They provide information and solutions to combat this issue and they promote authenticity when dealing with issues at work. Of course, there will be humor and relevant stories to enhance the conversation. Don't miss this important discussion. Sources: ChatGpt; https://www.shrm.org/executive-network/insights/preventing-toxic-positivity-in-workplace Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin ...

3 months ago

41 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

Why Modern Women Are Under-Skilled (and Overwhelmed) With Special Guest January Donovan, Founder and CEO of the Internationally Acclaimed "The Woman School" | Episode 122

Send us a text In this landmark episode, The Dirty Side of Leadership welcomes its very first guest—and we came out swinging. January Donovan, founder and CEO of The Woman School, joins Ron and Kristin to unpack why today’s women are emotionally burned out, mentally depleted, and spiritually disoriented. We’re talking about the high cost of removing skill-based training from womanhood, how feminism reshaped our schools and families, and why “empowerment” without practical skills is leaving wo...

4 months ago

1 hour 6 minutes

The Dirty Side of Leadership

How the Chemicals in the Brain Can Enhance Your Leadership | Episode 121

Send us a text In this episode, Ron and Kristin explore the intricate workings of our brain and the chemicals that can enhance leadership skills. They discuss dopamine, oxytocin, endorphins, testosterone and other aspects of the brain. This episode not only provides information on how to access these chemicals, it provides you with tools to administer these chemicals to build and strengthen rapport among family, friends and co-workers/staff. Don't miss this "game-changing" episode! Sources: 4...

4 months ago

45 minutes