How do you lead your career—before it leads you?
In this episode of The Tessa Tubbs Podcast, Tessa sits down with Gavin Naimer, Founder and President of Granite International Executive Search, to explore what it means to approach your career with clarity, courage, and intention.
With decades of experience helping senior executives navigate high-stakes transitions, Gavin shares practical wisdom on how to:
Identify what truly energizes and satisfies you in your work.
Have honest career conversations—especially when your manager isn’t supportive.
Build trusted networks both inside and outside your organization.
Involve your family early when major career decisions are on the table.
Make smart pivots—even when it means taking a step sideways or back to move forward.
This episode is filled with grounded, actionable advice for anyone who’s ever felt “stuck” or uncertain about what’s next. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, Gavin’s perspective will help you align your work with your values—and your ambition with your authentic self.
🎧 Listen now and learn how to lead your career with greater purpose, balance, and intentionality.
Download the free companion resource "Leading Your Career Before It Leads You:
A practical guide to taking charge of your professional journey"
https://tessatubbs.com/leading-your-career-before-it-leads-you-guide/
About Gavin Naimer:
Gavin is the Founder and President of Granite International Executive Search, a retained executive search firm specializing in hiring senior executives for the insurance industry. Granite international conducts global and North American searches for its clients across all corporate functions. Over the years, Gavin has recruited many accomplished leaders, enabling his clients to drive innovation, remain competitive, and achieve their business goals.
Gavin established Granite International over 20 years ago with a commitment to providing trusted counsel to clients in senior leadership recruitment and offering candid advice to candidates in the management of their careers. Gavin previously held senior positions at both boutique and global executive search firms. He began his career as a trial lawyer at a highly respected Toronto law firm.
Gavin holds a BA with Great Distinction in Political Science from McGill University, along with dual law degrees in Civil and Common Law from McGill’s Faculty of Law. He is also a member of the Law Society of Ontario. Outside the boardroom, Gavin is passionate about education and community service — having served on the Board of Directors at Leo Baeck Day School and chaired its Human Resources Committee. He has also been an avid coach of youth hockey and basketball.
Visit www.graniteintl.com to learn more about Granite International Executive Search
In this solo episode of The Tessa Tubbs Podcast, Tessa explores how leaders can move beyond surface-level benefits and meaningfully invest in the health, happiness, and engagement of their teams. Especially in hybrid and remote workplaces, connection and intentionality matter more than ever.
You’ll learn:
Why well-being begins with relationships and trust.
How to support the whole person at every stage of their career.
Why loneliness has become a workplace epidemic—and what leaders can do about it.
Practical steps to create environments where employees feel seen, valued, and motivated to thrive.
Whether you’re leading a large organization or a small team, this episode offers practical wisdom to help you engage employee well-being in ways that improve both culture and performance.
🎧 Tune in now and discover how to lead with greater care and intentionality.
What keeps you going when the challenges keep stacking up?
In this solo special episode of The Tessa Tubbs Podcast, Tessa pulls back the curtain on what truly fuels her motivation. Spoiler: it’s not hustle or external rewards—it’s the play of strategic thinking.
From solving complex problems over a cup of coffee to navigating client resistance, entrepreneurship, and even family dynamics, Tessa reveals why leaning into complexity actually unlocks her creativity.
You’ll discover:
How creativity emerges when you stop chasing it.
Why complexity can be a playground instead of a burden.
Practical ways to create space for reflection, problem-solving, and breakthrough insights.
Whether you’re leading a team, growing a business, or managing life’s messy dynamics, this episode offers fresh perspective on how to stay energized and engaged in the face of complexity.
🎧 Listen now and explore what might keep you motivated when things get challenging.
Every leader asks it: How do I keep my best people engaged and committed?
In this special solo episode of The Tessa Tubbs Podcast, Tessa explores what organizations often overlook when it comes to retention—and why clinging to mediocrity costs far more than turnover.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
Why holding onto “warm bodies” disguised as talent drives top performers away.
How culture and reputation shape your ability to attract and retain excellence.
The difference between macro culture (organization-wide) and micro cultures (teams).
Practical steps leaders can take to create an environment where top performers thrive.
Top talent knows their value. If your organization doesn’t reflect it back, they won’t stay.
This episode offers actionable insights to help leaders build a culture that not only attracts but also sustains high performers over the long term.
Listen now and learn how to keep your best people—by building the kind of environment they never want to leave.
In this special episode of The Tessa Tubbs Podcast, Tessa welcomes longtime friend, trusted advisor, and renowned executive coach Andra Brooks for a deeply insightful conversation on leadership wisdom that endures across industries, decades, and contexts.
Andra is an executive coach and organizational consultant with more than 30 years of experience in a wide variety of industries: financial services, energy, petrochemical, consumer products, pharmaceutical, biotech, technology as well as non-profits. Working across the globe, she combines psychology and business in her work with senior and C-suite leaders in roles that are of great scale, scope and complexity.
Together, Tessa and Andra explore timeless truths that shape effective leadership, including:
Why self-awareness and self-identity are the bedrock of leadership success.
How to cultivate curiosity and forward-thinking in rapidly changing environments.
The importance of communication, both speaking and listening, in shaping culture and influence.
Common tripwires that derail leaders, from resistance to change to lack of stakeholder awareness.
Practical tools like stakeholder analysis and empathy mapping that help leaders build trust and stronger partnerships.
This conversation is packed with practical wisdom, reflection prompts, and actionable insights for leaders at every stage of their journey.
🔗 Bonus Resource: https://tessatubbs.com/wisdom-across-a-career-reflection-action-guide-free-resource/
Download a free tool inspired by today’s discussion to help you apply Andra’s timeless leadership lessons in your own context.
Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, this episode will leave you inspired to pause, reflect, and lead with greater clarity, curiosity, and courage.
Discover how authenticity and intentionality can transform your leadership style in the latest episode of the Tessa Tubbs Podcast. Join Tessa as she engages in a powerful conversation with Ed Holinski, Chief Development Officer at Vistage Michigan, exploring the essential practices of self-leadership, overcoming internal barriers, and fostering genuine team engagement.
In this episode, Ed shares valuable insights and practical strategies for leaders seeking clarity, confidence, and sustainable success.
Don't miss out on these game-changing insights!
Listen now and elevate your leadership journey
Download the free resource HERE
Connect with Ed Holinski:
LinkedIn: Ed Holinski
Learn more about Vistage Michigan:
LinkedIn: Vistage Michigan
Empower yourself. Lead authentically. Listen today!
In this short but powerful episode, Tessa Tubbs explores the dual forces of order and chaos—and how great leaders don’t seek silence, but clarity. In a world of shifting priorities, global disruptions, and relentless noise, the true art of leadership lies in anchoring yourself to inner truth. Tessa shares practical insights on tuning out distractions, re-centering your mindset, and leading from a place of purpose rather than panic.
If you're a mid to senior-level leader feeling the weight of uncertainty, this episode is your calm within the storm.
🔗 Ready to reclaim your clarity? Press play and start leading from your center.
In this "change of pace" episode of the Tessa Tubbs Podcast, Tessa shares surprising leadership insights drawn from the action-packed 2013 film "Red 2", staring Bruce Willis. Learn how excellence, strategic stakeholder management, flawless execution, and personal vulnerability converge in effective leadership. Join Tessa as she bridges Hollywood intrigue with practical leadership skills you can apply today.
Visit tessatubbs.com for more.
On this episode of the Tessa Tubbs Podcast, Tessa shares her personal experiences navigating the crucial role that a leader’s emotional tone plays in team dynamics and productivity. She opens up about her journey from impulsively sharing her reactions to strategically managing her communication to better support and lead her team. Tune in to learn how you can enhance your own leadership effectiveness by striking the right emotional balance.
For additional resources, visit tessatubbs.com.
In times of geopolitical turmoil and uncertainty, how can leaders navigate challenges with clarity yet remain open to unexpected opportunities? In this insightful episode, we explore why effective leadership involves meticulous planning coupled with the courage to hope. Learn how wisdom transcends mere knowledge, empowering leaders to adapt to unforeseen changes and discover opportunities even amidst chaos. Tune in to uncover the powerful balance of planning clearly while leading hopefully.
As we approach the end of 2024, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by deadlines, holiday plans, and the pressure of preparing for a successful 2025. But what if you could close out the year with clarity, energy, and purpose instead of stress and chaos?
In this special episode of The Tessa Tubbs Podcast I share 3 simple yet powerful leadership hacks to help you: Reflect: Take just 10 minutes to identify this year’s biggest wins, lessons, and remaining priorities. Recognize: Show meaningful appreciation for your team in ways that boost morale and motivation. Reset: Focus on one actionable goal to create momentum heading into 2025.
These hacks are practical, effective, and easy to implement—whether you’re managing a team, leading a project, or simply striving for personal growth.
💡 Key Takeaway: The way you finish this year will shape how you start the next. Leadership isn’t just about long-term planning; it’s about being intentional in the moment.
🎧 Tune in now to learn how to reflect, recognize, and reset like a leader. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with your fellow leaders. Let’s finish 2024 strong—together!
🔗 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Connect with me:
💻 Visit www.tessatubbs.com for more leadership resources.
📲 Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for exclusive content and updates.
💬 We’d love to hear from you! Share your biggest takeaway or how you plan to finish the year strong by leaving a comment or tagging us on social media using #FinishStrong2024.
Stay inspired. Stay empowered. And keep leading with purpose.
Leadership is evolving, and staying ahead means adapting to a world driven by AI, hybrid work environments, and complex ethical decisions. In this episode, host Tessa Tubbs dives deep into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of leadership. Discover actionable strategies to integrate AI effectively, balance productivity in hybrid teams, and lead with integrity even in the face of tough decisions.
This episode also includes a free resource—our comprehensive ebook, The Future of Leadership. Download it for practical tools and reflection exercises to transform your leadership style.
👉 Subscribe now and join the conversation:
What’s your biggest leadership challenge? Share your thoughts on LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube.
🎧 Tune in and empower your journey to becoming the leader of tomorrow, today.
Visit www.tessatubbs.com if you are interested in learning more.
In uncertain times, leaders are faced with the challenge of guiding their teams through uncharted territory. Join Tessa Tubbs in this powerful episode as she unpacks essential strategies for effective crisis leadership. From maintaining resilience and fostering empathy to mastering transparent communication, this episode delivers actionable insights to help leaders navigate difficult times with confidence.
Key Takeaways:
Crisis Management: Learn how resilience and value-driven decisions can steer your team through challenging situations. Empathy in Leadership: Discover how showing genuine concern for your team’s well-being can build trust and engagement, even when times are tough. Effective Crisis Communication: Understand the importance of clear, consistent updates to prevent uncertainty and maintain confidence among team members.
Perfect for current and aspiring leaders across industries, this episode provides real-world examples and practical steps to ensure you’re prepared to lead effectively, even in the most challenging moments. Download the Leadership in Times of Crisis Cheat Sheet for extra tools to guide you, and share your thoughts with us on social media.
👉 Listen now to elevate your crisis leadership skills and make a lasting impact when it matters most.
#LeadershipInCrisis #EmpathyInLeadership #CrisisManagement #ResilientLeadership #CareerTracks
In this episode Tessa Tubbs explores a powerful and relatable topic for leaders at all levels: the desire to make a personal impact. Are you yearning to lead with more purpose? Do you want your leadership to create lasting change? You’re not alone. In this episode, Tessa delves into actionable strategies for amplifying your leadership impact, from influencing positive change within your organization to making a broader societal difference.
Through inspiring stories of leaders like Eliana, Mateo, and Kwame, we’ll uncover key lessons in social responsibility, legacy building, and the ripple effect of impactful leadership. Whether you're leading a team or looking to elevate your influence, this episode will provide insights and motivation to help you leave a meaningful legacy.
Tune in for practical tips, real-world examples, and a call to set your own impact-driven goals. Ready to take your leadership to the next level? This episode is for you!
Feeling the pressure as fall ramps up? You're not alone. With end-of-year deadlines and mounting responsibilities, burnout can hit hard for leaders and teams alike. In this special episode Tessa Tubbs shares a practical "Emotional Resilience Cheat Sheet" to help you take control of stress and avoid burnout during this busy season.
Tune in to discover:
Why fall is a peak time for burnout and how to manage it
Three essential strategies for building emotional resilience
Tips for setting boundaries, taking restorative breaks, and supporting your team
The science behind stress recovery and its impact on your well-being
Don't wait for the burnout to strike—learn how to recharge, stay focused, and lead your team through fall’s challenges with strength and intention.
🎧 Listen now to equip yourself with tools for a stress-free season and take on our leadership challenge to put these strategies into action.
⬇️Download The Emotional Resilience Cheat Sheet here to reference any time that you are starting to feel burnout creep in: https://tessatubbs.com/get-the-resilience-cheat-sheet-for-fall-stress//
In this episode of The Tessa Tubbs Podcast, Tessa dives into the critical role of collaboration and teamwork in leadership. Whether you're managing a small group or leading a large organization, fostering a team-oriented environment is key to driving success. Tessa shares real-world examples and actionable strategies to help you build high-performing teams that leverage individual strengths to achieve collective goals.
Tune in to learn how to:
Foster trust and open communication within your team Implement strategies that encourage collaboration across departments Lead by example to inspire a culture of teamwork and unity
You'll also hear success stories from leaders like Emma and Michael, who overcame initial team challenges and transformed their work environments through intentional collaboration.
Don't miss out on insights that could help you enhance your leadership approach and build stronger, more cohesive teams!
Key Takeaways:
Building a high-performing team requires more than gathering talent; it demands intentional collaboration and trust. Collaborative leadership drives innovation and improves both team performance and morale. Leaders must model collaboration to inspire team-wide change.
Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear your thoughts! After listening, share your experiences in fostering collaboration with your team and the strategies that worked for you.
For Leadership Resources Visit: tessatubbs.com
In this episode of Empowering The Tessa Tubbs Podcast, Tessa explores the vital leadership traits of being open-minded and curious. As a leader, embracing curiosity can spark innovation, challenge the status quo, and foster a culture of continuous improvement within your team.
Join host Tessa Tubbs as she shares powerful stories of leaders who transformed their teams and organizations by adopting an open-minded and curious mindset. Discover practical strategies to cultivate these traits in your leadership journey, and learn how asking the right questions can unlock new possibilities for growth and success.
Whether you're looking to improve your own leadership approach or inspire your team to think outside the box, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead with curiosity and confidence.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How curiosity drives innovation and leadership growth. The importance of challenging the status quo for better outcomes. Strategies to foster continuous improvement in your leadership and team.
Tune in and get ready to lead with curiosity!
In this special episode of The Tessa Tubbs Podcast,Tessa takes a pause from the regular series to focus on the critical skill of emotional mastery in leadership. As leaders, we often face high-pressure situations that can trigger impulsive reactions, but true leadership is about responding with intention and purpose.
Join Tessa as she shares her personal journey from being a reactive leader to one who leads with clarity and intention. You'll learn how to recognize your emotional triggers, feel your emotions without immediately reacting, and redirect that energy into constructive leadership actions. Tessa also provides practical strategies, including mindful breathing, reflective journaling, and positive reframing, to help you master your emotions and lead more effectively.
This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you transform reactive patterns into intentional leadership. Whether you're dealing with challenging feedback, tight deadlines, or difficult team dynamics, these strategies will equip you to navigate your leadership journey with greater emotional intelligence and purpose.
Tune in to discover how mastering your emotions can empower you to lead with greater impact. And don’t forget to share your experiences and reflections on LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube to keep the conversation going. Let's continue to support each other in leading with intention, not reaction.
In this insightful episode of The Tessa Tubbs Podcast, Tessa takes a deep dive into the essential concept of the "Law of Responsibility," inspired by Dr. Henry Cloud's work. This episode is a must-listen for leaders who are striving to create healthier, more effective teams by fostering a culture of accountability and empowerment.
Tessa explains how the law of responsibility can transform leadership practices, particularly in situations where boundaries and accountability are crucial. She emphasizes the importance of guiding team members without taking on their responsibilities, which can hinder their growth and perpetuate dependency.
Through the story of a manager named Sarah, Tessa illustrates the pitfalls of over-managing and the benefits of allowing team members to handle their own emotions and conflicts. She also provides practical strategies for leaders to apply the law of responsibility, including setting boundaries, empowering others, and addressing irresponsibility within the team.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
Understanding the balance between support and accountability as a leader. Practical steps to empower team members while ensuring they take ownership of their roles. How to manage the fear of failure in your team and use it as a growth opportunity.
By applying these principles, leaders can create a more resilient organization where every individual is empowered to take charge of their own actions, behaviors, and growth.
Join Tessa as she shares her experiences and offers actionable advice to help you become a more effective leader. Don't forget to share your thoughts and experiences on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
Listen now and learn how to lead with responsibility and integrity!
Looking for resources to use in your leadership journey? Check out or website! tessatubbs.com
In this compelling episode of The Tessa Tubbs Podcast, Tessa delves into the core of ethical and values-driven leadership. Join Tessa as she explores the fundamental principles that guide ethical decision-making and the importance of integrity in leadership. Through personal anecdotes and real-life examples, Tessa shares how aligning personal values with organizational goals can foster a cohesive and motivated team.
Listeners will hear about Tessa's defining moments in her career, including a critical decision to walk away from a lucrative opportunity to uphold her ethical standards. She emphasizes the significance of maintaining integrity even when faced with pressure to compromise.
This episode covers: Ethical Leadership Principles: Learn how ethical leadership serves as a compass in complex decision-making processes. Integrity in Leadership: Discover the impact of consistent, transparent, and trustworthy leadership. Values Alignment: Understand the importance of aligning personal values with organizational missions for greater engagement and innovation.
Reflect on your own leadership journey as Tessa prompts you to consider your ethical compass and how you navigate dilemmas. Gain insights into fostering a values-driven culture within your organization and the benefits it brings.
Tune in to this insightful episode to elevate your leadership journey with integrity and purpose. Visit tessatubbs.com for additional resources and join the conversation on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.
Empower yourself to lead with ethics and values today!