A conversation with Admired Leadership Partner & Executive Coach, Dr. Suzanne Peterson and Wes Bender from CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring the critical distinction between offering opinions versus providing perspectives as a leader. Drawing from decades of Fortune 500 executive coaching experience, this session reveals how leaders can shift from immediate reactions and judgments to broader, more thoughtful approaches that open up dialogue and improve decision-making. Suzanne provides practical frameworks for when to offer opinions versus perspectives, and how this shift develops both individual leaders and their teams.

A conversation with Admired Leadership Partner & Executive Coach, John Cook and Wes Bender from CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring the critical role of feedback in leadership development and team performance. Drawing from legendary coach Pat Summitt's insight that "people fill in the blanks with negative" in the absence of feedback, this session provides practical frameworks for both seeking and delivering feedback effectively. John shares actionable strategies for navigating feedback-sparse environments, leading high performers, and creating feedback-rich cultures where continuous improvement becomes the norm.

A conversation with Admired Leadership Partner & Executive Coach, Carolynne Thomas and Wes Bender from CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring the critical leadership skill of thinking in gray rather than defaulting to black-and-white decision-making. Drawing from real organizational experiences and practical frameworks, this session challenges the conventional wisdom that equates leadership strength with speed of decision-making. Carolyn provides actionable strategies for making higher-quality decisions by embracing complexity, gathering diverse perspectives, and understanding when to decide quickly versus when to maintain optionality.

A conversation with Admired Leadership Partner & Executive Coach, Diana Hong and Wes Bender from CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring how leaders can build stronger relationships by focusing on common goals rather than just common ground. Drawing from practical coaching experience and real-world examples, this session reveals why shared objectives create deeper connections than personality matches or natural commonalities. Diana provides actionable strategies for repairing damaged relationships, building trust incrementally, and creating psychological safety for teams through intentional collaboration.

A conversation with Admired Leadership Executive Coach, Sierra Holland and Wes Bender from CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring how clarity in communication drives employee engagement and decision-making effectiveness. Drawing from the firm's proprietary Clarity Index research tool, this session reveals the five critical topics leaders must communicate with regularity and specificity to achieve better results. Sierra provides practical strategies for creating clarity at both organizational and team levels, emphasizing that message sent is rarely message received without intentional communication design.

A conversation with Admired Leadership Executive Coaches, Ben Stringfellow and Mallory Stacey from CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring how leaders can identify and articulate their core values through examining who they admire. Building on a Field Note that challenges the conventional approach of simply listing virtues, this session provides practical strategies for discovering authentic values that can guide decision-making and shape leadership behavior. The discussion emphasizes the difference between abstract virtues and actionable values while offering concrete methods for translating admiration into personal leadership development.

A conversation with Admired Leadership Executive Coach, David Albritton and Wes Bender from CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring the critical difference between reacting and responding as a leader. Through powerful personal stories from his Navy career and corporate experience, David illustrates how leaders can develop the discipline to create space between triggers and responses, ultimately leading to better outcomes and stronger relationships. The session provides practical strategies for building the behavioral habits that allow leaders to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively in challenging situations.

A conversation with Admired Leadership Executive Coach and Partner, Alan Nelson and Wes Bender from CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring the potential pitfalls of self-assessments in leadership development. Building on their behavioral approach to leadership, this session challenges the widespread reliance on personality assessments and psychometric tools, examining how these instruments can sometimes limit rather than enhance leadership growth. The discussion provides practical alternatives for building self-awareness and team understanding without falling into the trap of fixed mindset thinking.

A conversation with Admired Leadership Partner, Carolynne Thomas, exploring how leaders can create and communicate compelling organizational visions that truly mobilize teams. Building on the premise that most strategic planning processes produce management-speak rather than inspiring direction, this session provides a practical framework for crafting visions with four essential ingredients: strong purpose, vivid imagery, credibility, and cultural resonance. Thomas challenges the conventional approach of developing strategy first and communication second, offering actionable insights for leaders who want their vision to create genuine intrinsic motivation rather than relying solely on extrinsic rewards.

A conversation with Admired Leadership Executive Coach & Partner, John Cook, exploring how leaders can more effectively identify, assess, and develop talent within their organizations. Building on the premise that talent decisions are among the most strategic and symbolic acts a leader can make, this session challenges conventional approaches to high potential programs and provides practical frameworks for recognizing true talent indicators beyond traditional background and track record assessments.

A conversation with Admired Leadership Coach & Partner, Dr. Suzanne Peterson and Admired Leadership Coach, Mallory Stacey from CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring how leaders can develop greater gravitas and executive presence. Building on their previous webinar about leadership style, this session clarifies the distinctions between style, presence, and gravitas while providing practical strategies for leaders looking to expand their range and make a stronger impact in various professional contexts.

A conversation with Bryan Downey, Executive Coach and Managing Director at CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring the art of delegating decisions effectively. Bryan shares insights on how leaders can determine what to delegate, to whom, and with what level of oversight, while using delegation as a powerful tool for team development and organizational performance.

A conversation with Diana Hong, Partner and Executive Coach at CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring the critical distinction between problems and dilemmas in leadership. Diana shares insights on how to identify whether you're facing a solvable problem or a dilemma that must be managed, and provides practical strategies for approaching each effectively to maximize your impact as a leader.

A conversation with Eric Springer, Executive Coach at CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring the foundations of trust in leadership. Eric shares insights on how the most effective leaders build trust through specific behaviors rather than words alone, examining the trust equation (credibility + reliability + intimacy ÷ self-orientation) and practical ways to develop deeper connections. The discussion reveals how actions, measurements, and decisions speak louder than words in establishing authentic trust with teams and colleagues.

A conversation with Katie Angstadt, Partner and Executive Coach at CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring the power of reflection and dialogue in leadership. Katie shares insights on how the most effective leaders intentionally create space for deep reflection, both individually and with their teams, moving beyond the typical organizational patterns to foster greater understanding, connection, and performance.

A conversation with Alan Nelson, Co-Managing Partner and Executive Coach at CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring the intersection of AI and leadership. Alan shares insights on how generative AI is transforming leadership, discusses the human factors leaders must consider when adopting these technologies, and offers practical guidance on how leaders can begin using AI tools effectively while maintaining authenticity and credibility.

Episode Summary A conversation with Suzanne Peterson, Executive Coach and Partner at CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring how leaders can shift from a task-oriented to a relationship-oriented approach to organizing their day. The discussion covers practical strategies for building meaningful connections while maintaining authenticity and efficiency.

Episode Summary A conversation with Lisa Colella, Executive Coach at CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring effective executive onboarding and transition strategies. Lisa shares insights on how new leaders can successfully navigate their first 90 days, build key relationships, and create meaningful impact while being mindful of organizational culture and existing dynamics.

A conversation with Ben Stringfellow, Executive Coach and Partner at CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring how character is revealed not just in times of adversity but also in moments of success. Ben shares insights on the distinction between leadership character and personal character, and how leaders can intentionally demonstrate their values during times of achievement.

A conversation with Diana Hong, Executive Coach and Partner at CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring how leaders can effectively navigate organizational change. Diana shares insights on why people resist change, how to build engagement, and practical strategies for leading change at different organizational levels.