Disruption isn’t a matter of if—it’s a matter of when. And when it comes, your culture will either crack or stretch. In this episode, we sit down with Kim Bohr, President & COO of SparkEffect, to unpack the findings from the 2025 Trust in Turbulence™ report and explore why trust has become a measurable business driver—not just a soft virtue.
Kim introduces her Trust Elasticity™ framework, which reveals how organizations can absorb shocks, protect trust, and even grow stronger after disruption. We discuss the stark difference between organizations that earn the Trust Dividend™—higher retention, reputation, and revenue—and those that fall into a trust deficit, where mismanaged crises erode confidence and future readiness.
You’ll learn:
Why 71% of employees faced disruption in the last two years—and what it means for leaders.
The critical role of frontline leaders in building (and sometimes breaking) trust.
How the five trust domains—strategic clarity, psychological safety, cultural belonging, systems trust, and fairness—shape resilience.
Practical steps leaders can take today to make trust measurable, visible, and scalable.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your culture can survive the next shake-up, this episode will give you the data, frameworks, and leadership practices to not just endure disruption—but turn it into a competitive advantage.
Check out www.sparkeffect.com/theleadershipcode for a copy of the research paper and field guide. Also, check out Kim's Courage to Advance podcast.
No matter how you slice it, bad leaders will eventually suffocate your business. They drain morale, drive away top talent, and create cultures where innovation goes to die.
Take it from the expert, Mita Mallick. Not only did she write the book on the topic, she’s lived it. In her upcoming book, The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses (Wiley, Sept. 2025), Mita unpacks the lessons we can all take away from bad bosses—and how to prevent those same mistakes from being repeated.
Mita joined me on this episode of The Leadership Code podcast for a powerful conversation about why companies keep hiring the wrong managers, how those choices shape workplace culture, and what we can do to finally break the cycle.
Whether you’ve experienced the fallout of a bad boss or are working to build a healthier, more inclusive culture, this episode offers practical insights and real-world strategies to help you lead differently—and better.
Tune in, take notes, and get ready to rethink what great leadership really looks like.
In this episode of the Leadership Code, we confront a challenge many senior HR and culture leaders know too well: being asked to stay silent while employees look to you for protection, voice, and visibility.
My guest, Luaskya C. Nonon, Esq. —attorney, award-winning diversity leader, executive coach, and author of Embracing the Future of Work—joins the conversation to unpack what it means to lead in the middle of competing demands. Together, we explore the hidden pressures leaders face, the erosion of culture under executive mandates, and the strategies leaders can use to preserve their values without losing themselves in the process.
From recognizing early warning signs of cultural retreat to empowering managers as culture carriers, this episode offers practical insights and real-world examples for anyone committed to building people-first workplaces.
If you’ve ever felt caught between executive expectations and the voices of your people, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone—and that your influence still matters.
What makes communication more than just a skill—and instead, a true leadership competency?
In today’s episode of The Leadership Code, we explore that question with someone who has built his career on helping leaders find their voice and their impact—Matthew Hill.
Matthew’s journey is anything but conventional. He’s trained executives in corporate boardrooms, facilitated learning in classrooms across the globe, and even tested his timing on stand-up comedy stages. That unique mix of experience gives him a rare ability to bring wit, warmth, and wisdom to the art of communication.
As a leadership trainer, intercultural facilitator, and presentation coach, Matthew has worked with organizations from EY to GE Capital, helping executives, emerging leaders, and teams unlock confidence, clarity, and influence—especially in the conversations that matter most.
So if you’ve ever wondered how to lead through language, build trust across cultures, or turn everyday interactions into moments of real influence, you’re in for a treat.
To learn more about Matthew Hill, visit https://presentation-skills.uk
In this episode, former Amazon executive John Rossman takes us behind the scenes of one of the most innovative companies in the world to explore what truly drives high-performing teams.
As the author of Big Bet Leadership and The Amazon Way series, John introduces a powerful question every leader must wrestle with:
Are your employees mercenaries—or missionaries?
Mercenaries work for a paycheck. Missionaries fight for a cause. The difference is the key to building a resilient, innovative, and purpose-driven organization.
Drawing from his experience launching the Amazon Marketplace and leading large-scale transformation efforts, John shares:
The leadership principles that fueled Amazon’s explosive growth
How to create a culture where people are deeply committed to the mission—not just the metrics
Why innovation flourishes when teams are trusted to act like owners
Practical strategies leaders can use to inspire belief and build alignment at every level
Whether you lead a startup, a government agency, or a global enterprise, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you lead—and how to turn your team into a force for impact.
If you’ve ever wondered how to transform compliance into conviction and loyalty into lasting results, this episode is your playbook.
To learn more about John Rossman and his work, visit https://rossmanpartners.com
Crises don’t just challenge organizations—they reveal the very core of leadership. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Edward Segal, one of the nation’s leading experts on crisis management and author of The Crisis Casebook: Lessons in Crisis Management from the World’s Leading Brands and Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies.
Edward has spent decades advising leaders and studying how some of the world’s most recognized brands navigate disaster. From corporate scandals and public relations nightmares to cybersecurity breaches and natural disasters, he’s seen firsthand what separates organizations that recover and rebuild trust from those that crumble under pressure.
Together, we explore:
Why so many leaders underestimate the likelihood and impact of a crisis
The critical first steps leaders must take in the earliest hours of chaos
How to balance transparency and brand protection when communicating under fire
The evolving role of social media in shaping public perception during a crisis
Practical strategies for rebuilding trust and resilience after the storm passes
Whether you’re leading a team, a company, or an entire community, this conversation will equip you with insights and strategies to prepare for the unexpected—and to lead with courage and clarity when it matters most.
If you want to ensure you and your organization are crisis-ready, this is a must-listen episode.
To learn more about Edward and his work, visit https://www.crisiscasebook.com/
To download a free crisis management template, click here: https://www.crisiscasebook.com/free-crisis-management-plan
In this episode of The Leadership Code Podcast, we sit down with Ernesto Gómez, a seasoned executive whose three-decade career spans entrepreneurial ventures and global corporate leadership.
From building food service businesses in the U.S. and Mexico to leading human capital strategies for Sigma Alimentos and Grupo Alfa—two powerhouse organizations with a combined workforce of over 120,000—Ernesto brings a rare perspective on leadership, transformation, and the critical importance of succession planning.
Together, we explore why succession planning is often an afterthought until it becomes a crisis—and how to shift from reactive backfills to proactive talent development.
Ernesto shares insights from his global work leading cultural and talent initiatives, offering practical strategies for identifying and developing high-potential talent, embedding succession into daily leadership practice, and creating equitable access to leadership roles for underrepresented groups.
We also tackle the psychology of leadership—what it takes to prepare successors without feeling threatened, how to measure what matters, and where organizations should begin if they’re just now taking succession seriously.
Whether you're a C-suite executive, HR leader, or emerging leader preparing to shape the future, this episode offers a blueprint for turning succession from a risk into a strategic advantage.
Approachability isn’t about being “nice.” It’s about being present. It’s about building trust before there’s a crisis, creating space for truth to surface, and modeling the kind of leadership that makes growth possible—for your team and for yourself.
In this episode of The Leadership Code, we’re joined by Steve Worthy, Head of Growth at Competitor IQ (CIQ) and founder of The Campus, a leadership development platform redefining how we develop leaders in fast-paced industries like banking and retail. Steve is the mind behind the S.M.I.L.E. Approachability™️ Framework, a modern model that helps leaders foster trust, inspire teams, and expand their impact—without sacrificing performance.
We break down:
Why many leaders think they’re approachable (but aren’t)
What self-awareness and mindful listening really look like in practice
How to lead former peers and manage up without losing credibility
What role empathy and trust play in fostering high-performing, psychologically safe teams
🔍 The S.M.I.L.E. Framework:
Self-Awareness
Mindful Listening
Inspiring Trust
Lead by Example
Effective Empathy
Whether you’re an emerging leader, managing a legacy team, or guiding an organization through growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights for leading with both strength and humility.
Learn more about Steve at www.worthyretail.com/now
In today’s high-velocity work environments, where deadlines loom, priorities shift by the hour, and the pressure to perform never lets up, empathy can feel like a luxury we can’t afford. But what if that thinking is backwards?
In this episode of The Leadership Code, we’re joined by Rebecca Shaddix—a powerhouse strategist and founder of Strategica Partners—who’s helped organizations generate over $450 million in revenue growth in just three and a half years. With her sharp eye for product-market fit and her signature blend of analytical thinking and emotional intelligence, Rebecca argues that empathy isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a performance multiplier.
We explore:
What empathy actually looks like in fast-paced, high-stakes teams
How to lead with heart without losing your edge
Why emotionally intelligent leaders build stronger products, cultures, and bottom lines
What you can do today to foster empathy across teams—especially in roles where metrics often overshadow meaning
Whether you're scaling a startup, leading cross-functional teams, or trying to stay grounded in the chaos—this conversation will challenge your assumptions and equip you with practical tools to lead with both clarity and compassion.
Whether you're leading a small team or an entire organization, chances are you've felt the weight of frustration—where nothing seems to stick, clarity is elusive, and results don’t reflect your effort.
Joining us on The Leadership Code is internationally recognized executive coach, author, and founder of The Oxley Group, Andrew Oxley. He’s worked with over 2,000 leaders across industries—from CNN and Cartier to TK Elevator and Progressive.
In his new book, The 4 Faces of Frustration, Andrew unpacks the four hidden dynamics that quietly sabotage leaders and teams.
We kick off with the fictional yet all-too-real story of Jack Staff, a new CEO thrown into chaos without a map. From there, Andrew walks us through each “face” of frustration, how to recognize them, and how to move forward with clarity, ownership, and traction.
Highlights include:
A practical framework for diagnosing and addressing invisible leadership breakdowns
Why some of the most dangerous frustrations are the quietest
How to turn frustration into forward momentum—not burnout
The role emotional intelligence plays in navigating ambiguity
Real stories from the field that illustrate what’s possible when leaders step into clarity
If you’ve ever felt stuck, reactive, or stretched thin—this conversation will leave you feeling seen, equipped, and ready to lead from a more grounded place.
“Frustration isn’t the problem—it’s the breadcrumb. It’s pointing to something deeper.” — Andrew Oxley
Tune in and discover how to name your frustration, reframe your approach, and lead with renewed purpose.
Learn more about Andrew here: https://www.transformingresults.com
While the business world often chases complex perks and shiny engagement programs, the truth is, what makes people stay often comes down to the simple, human things. Things like trust, respect, meaningful work, and leadership behaviors that foster connection, not just compliance.
In today's episode of The Leadership Code, we're diving into a topic that every leader—at every level—should care about:
Creating a workplace where people want to work—and want to stick around.
What are the everyday actions leaders can take to make their teams feel valued, heard, and motivated?
What are the subtle signs leaders miss that tell people, "This is not the place for me?"
And how do we move from workplaces that people tolerate, to cultures they choose—over and over again?
Joining me for this conversation is Kelly Hall, Founder of Live L.A.R.G.E. LLC, a management consulting and coaching firm helping leaders and teams make the shift from simply surviving to truly thriving—both in business and in life.
Kelly brings over 30 years of global leadership experience, having led diverse teams across industries and around the world. She also brings a unique perspective from shaping a self-directed company, where teams operate with autonomy, purpose, and trust.
Throughout her career, Kelly has been drawn to the tough spaces—chaos, uncertainty, and struggling businesses. She’s known for helping leaders and teams rebuild trust, cut through the noise, reduce the drama, and focus on what matters most.
Her passion? Unleashing the collective spirit, experience, and energy of the team—because at the end of the day, THAT, is the real engine behind every thriving workplace.
Her new book is Love Works: Transforming the Workplace with Purpose and Authenticity (Fedd Books; March 4, 2025). Learn more at KellyWinegardenHall.com.
In today’s episode, we dive deep into one of the most challenging yet crucial aspects of leadership: Navigating the Emotional Journey of Change. Change is inevitable, but how we manage the emotions that come with it can define the success or failure of both individuals and organizations.
Change isn’t just about new systems, processes, or structures; it’s about people—people grappling with fear, uncertainty, excitement, and even resistance. So, how do we lead in a way that recognizes the emotional human side of transformation?
Joining me today to discuss this topic is Jonathan Bennett, an advisor and executive coach for purpose-driven leaders who need help solving their organization’s toughest obstacles.
With experience in urban, rural, remote, and First Nations communities, Jonathan’s expertise is in social purpose business strategy, governance, branding, change, and communications.
His coaching draws on 25 years of creativity and leadership success as a CEO, board member, and founder, and he is known for his deep-listening and his breakthrough solutions that create insights and new strategies.
To listen to Jonathan's conversations with other leaders, click here: https://clearlythen.com/listen
#NavigatingChange #LeadershipThroughChange #ChangeManagement #ThrivingThroughChange #ChangeLeadership
In this episode, we flip the leadership playbook and explore what it truly means to lead through culture—and why this approach is not just timely, but essential in today’s complex, fast-moving workplace.
Joining me is Ken Wilcox, former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and a globally respected voice on leadership, culture, and the future of work. Drawing from his experiences leading SVB through transformative growth in both the U.S. and China, Ken offers a masterclass in leadership that prioritizes people, trust, and humility over traditional command-and-control models.
Together, we unpack:
Why humility is not just a personal virtue but a leadership strategy.
How psychological safety fuels innovation and risk-taking.
The shift from control to empowerment—and how to balance that with accountability.
How leaders can spot when their ego is clouding decision-making—and what to do about it.
Practical ways leaders can shape culture without micromanaging.
Lessons from Leading Through Culture that are especially powerful for organizations navigating rapid change or growth.
Ken also shares his personal reflections on how leaders can build cultures where people want to do their best work—when no one is watching.
If you’re an emerging or experienced leader looking to foster a values-driven, high-performing culture, this conversation is for you.
Today’s episode is all about a topic that separates the companies who thrive from the ones who stumble: Why your people strategy is just as important as your financial strategy.
I’m thrilled to welcome two powerhouse guests who know this terrain inside and out: Howard Cleveland and Meg Crosby, co-founders of PeopleCap Advisors.
Howard is a recognized executive coach, people strategist, and growth advisor. With over 25 years of leadership, consulting, and coaching experience, he’s been a trusted partner to leaders navigating challenges at every stage of growth — helping them gain clarity, confidence, and alignment between people and business goals.
Meg is a master of scaling high-growth companies. With deep experience working alongside private equity firms and portfolio CEOs, she helps build high-performing, sustainable organizations ready to tackle the pressures of rapid expansion. Before co-founding PeopleCap, Meg led Google’s HR M&A team, overseeing people-related due diligence and integration on more than 35 global acquisitions. She’s also the co-author of the forthcoming book, Running the Gauntlet: Proven Strategies for High Growth Leaders, coming out April 2025.
In this conversation, we’ll explore how aligning people and financial strategy isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s a make-or-break leadership responsibility. You’ll hear insights on scaling, culture, leadership bottlenecks, and how to future-proof your organization for long-term success.
Let’s dive in.
Today we dive deep into the art — and challenge — of scaling with purpose. My guest, Amrit Dhaliwal, knows this terrain firsthand. As a former franchisee in the domiciliary care sector, Amrit built his franchise into a £1 million turnover business, developed a core team of 70, and earned the prestigious Franchisee of the Year award — all in just four years.
In this episode, we explore:
✅ What scaling really means (beyond just growth)
✅ How to scale well without losing sight of your mission
✅ Navigating change in today’s unpredictable environment
✅ How to stay anchored to your organization’s purpose even as everything around you shifts
If you’re a leader, founder, or entrepreneur looking to scale — but want to do it intentionally and not just chaotically — this conversation is for you.
Let’s get into it!
When the ground is shifting beneath your feet, how do you lead with clarity, confidence, and calm?
In this episode of The Leadership Code, host Fred Gatty sits down with renowned strategist and author Dr. Rebecca Homkes to tackle one of today’s most pressing leadership challenges: staying focused and effective in a world of constant change.
Dr. Homkes—Faculty at Duke Corporate Executive Education, Lecturer at London Business School, and author of Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times—brings her global perspective and deep expertise to the conversation. Together, they explore how leaders can avoid common pitfalls, reset priorities, and foster psychological safety, even when uncertainty runs high.
Whether you're facing internal disruption, market volatility, or global uncertainty, this episode is packed with actionable insights on:
The key mindset shift leaders must embrace in volatile times
How to communicate with clarity and build trust
Practical tools to reduce noise and realign focus
What separates successful leaders under pressure
The most essential leadership skills for the road ahead
If you’re navigating turbulence and striving to lead with purpose, this episode is your playbook.
🎧 Tune in and walk away ready to survive, reset, and thrive.
Today, we are diving deep into adaptive leadership—a framework that equips leaders to thrive in uncertainty, respond to rapid change, and mobilize people toward meaningful transformation.
So, what does it really take to lead adaptively? How can leaders shift from rigid, top-down decision-making to a more flexible and resilient approach? And how do they navigate resistance when change feels uncomfortable?
To help us unpack these questions, I’m joined by Valarie Sandjivy, an adaptive leadership mentor and business coach with over 20 years of experience. As the founder of Ellipus, she helps executives, C-suite leaders, and entrepreneurs to lead with emotional intelligence, adaptability, and innovation. She combines her corporate expertise with a creative, intuitive approach to leadership, helping clients build scalable systems while fostering personal and professional transformation.
Enjoy the discussion!
In this episode, we dive into the evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with Kelli Lester, Co-founder and Partner of Onyx Rising. With over two decades of experience in leadership development, coaching, and change management, Kelli brings a wealth of knowledge on how organizations can move beyond performative DEI efforts to create truly inclusive workplaces.
As a recognized leader—named one of EBONY’s “30 Young Leaders of the Future”—Kelli has a deep passion for fostering environments where inclusive leadership and employee well-being thrive. In our conversation, we discuss:
This episode is not about politics or corporate checkboxes—it’s a real, thought-provoking conversation about where DEI stands today and where it’s headed. Whether you’re a leader, an HR professional, or simply someone curious about how workplace culture is evolving, this discussion offers practical insights and candid reflections on the future of inclusion and equity in the workplace.
In this episode of The Leadership Code Podcast, host Fred Gatty sits down with world-renowned leadership and culture expert Dr. Thomas R. Krause to explore how leaders’ decisions—both big and small—shape organizational culture, often without them even realizing it.
Drawing on decades of experience in behavioral science and leadership consulting, Dr. Krause explains why up to 70% of workplace culture is directly influenced by leadership behaviors (Harvard Business Review, 2018). He shares real-world examples of how leadership decisions—whether in communication, risk-taking, or crisis management—can either reinforce or undermine a company’s values and long-term success.
Key topics discussed in this episode include:
The unseen impact of leadership decisions on culture
Common blind spots leaders have when shaping workplace behavior
How small, everyday choices can create a ripple effect throughout an organization
The role of trust, psychological safety, and accountability in a healthy culture
How organizations can measure and sustain meaningful culture change
Dr. Krause also shares insights from his latest book, If Your Culture Could Talk – A Story About Culture Change, offering practical strategies for leaders who want to align their decision-making with the culture they aspire to create.
Whether you’re a senior executive, team leader, or aspiring change maker, this episode will challenge you to rethink how your actions influence those around you—and what steps you can take to build a culture of trust, engagement, and excellence.
Listen now to learn how leadership decisions shape the DNA of an organization!
Did you know...
70% of transformation efforts fail due to culture-related issues (Kotter, 2012)?
Only 31% of employees strongly agree that their company has a positive culture (Gallup, 2023)?
Toxic workplace cultures cost U.S. businesses over $223 billion in turnover in just five years (SHRM, 2019)?
76% of employees say culture directly impacts their productivity (MIT Sloan Management Review, 2021)?
Corporate culture isn’t just a trendy phrase—it’s the backbone of employee engagement, retention, and overall organizational success. Yet, despite its importance, many companies struggle to foster a truly positive and sustainable workplace environment.
So, where are organizations going wrong?
Why do leaders struggle to cultivate cultures that foster trust, collaboration, and innovation? And most importantly—how can we fix it?
To break this down, I’m joined by Barbara Patchen, Founder & Head Coach at Moonlight Strategy and an experienced organizational psychology practitioner. With a career spanning leadership roles in talent and organizational development—partnering with companies like Hyatt Hotels, Uber, Expedia, Cigna, CVS, and T-Mobile. Barbara brings a wealth of knowledge on how to build thriving workplaces in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving business landscape.
🔹 Understanding the Problem
🔹 Root Causes of Culture Failure
🔹 Cultural Pitfalls & Barriers to Change
🔹 Strategies for Building a Thriving Culture
🔹 Leadership & Accountability
🔹 Future of Workplace Culture
Barbara offers actionable insights on how organizations can stop treating culture as an afterthought and start making it a competitive advantage. If you’re a leader, HR professional, or someone passionate about transforming workplace culture, this episode is a must-listen.
🎧 Tune in to uncover why so many companies fail at creating healthy cultures—and how yours can get it right.
