Leadership Lab: Confidence Skills, Emotional Intelligence, and Career Growth for Women Leaders

Episoade

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  Sharpen Your Negotiation Skills Starting Today With Tactical Empathy 08.08.2026 42min

  Most negotiation advice tells you to push harder or hold your ground longer. Jonathan B. Smith says the real leverage is empathy.Jonathan is a negotiation expert and trainer with The Black Swan Group. He trained directly under Chris Voss, co-authored the bestseller Fight Less, Win More, and has spent years teaching executives how strong negotiation skills come from understanding the other person before you ever state your ask.Jamie and Jonathan break down how to read the room in a negotiation using a technique called labeling, why staying quiet after a hard question works better than filling the silence, and how a Chris Voss negotiation technique called a no-oriented question prompted a response just 11 hours after months of silence.They also unpack tactical empathy as applied emotional intelligence, the exact phrasing Jonathan uses when a prospect or professional contact has gone quiet, and a simple daily habit that builds negotiation skills in low-stakes moments like a rideshare ride or a rental car counter. Jamie shares how 42 women in her program collectively added nearly a million dollars in compensation last year through their negotiation efforts.If you've ever gone silent instead of asking for what you're worth, press play before your next hard conversation.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Why Empathy Beats Aggression in Negotiation03:30 What Tactical Empathy Means05:00 How to Hunt for Black Swans in Every Negotiation08:33 The Label That Changed a Security Guard's Whole Demeanor12:51 Why Dynamic Silence Makes People Talk16:12 The Three Negotiation Tones and When to Use Each One19:14 Why Data and Logic Alone Never Close a Deal23:12 The CAVIAAR Method for Getting Into the Right Frame of Mind26:58 The No Oriented Question That Beats Ghosting34:39 Practicing Negotiation With an Uber Driver or a Rental Car CounterConnect with Jonathan B. Smith:Newsletter - Salary Negotiation - https://www.blackswanltd.com/newsletter/topic/salary-negotiation  CAVIAAR MethodPurchase your copy of Fight Less, Win MoreJonathan B. Smith is a negotiation expert and trainer with The Black Swan Group, and author of the best-selling book Fight Less, Win More. Trained in Tactical Empathy® by former FBI negotiator Chris Voss, Jonathan helps leaders navigate high-stakes conversations with clarity, confidence, and connection. In Fight Less, Win More, he and co-author Derek Gaunt reveal how to apply field-tested negotiation techniques, from active listening to uncovering hidden motivations, to everyday business and personal interactions. The book offers practical guidance for reducing friction, resolving conflict, and achieving better outcomes without manipulation or compromise. A former entrepreneur and seasoned business coach, Jonathan has helped thousands of executives scale with intention and communicate with impact. Whether working with CEOs or family-owned businesses, he teaches a simple truth: the key to negotiation isn’t talking more, it’s listening better. Jonathan is a Commercial Pilot, dog trainer, and avid offshore fisherman.Connect with Jamie McKinney:Enrollment is open for the 3 Pillars of Leadership course! Find more info and book your Discovery CallVisit Jamie's websitePodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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  Why Female Athletes Make Resilient Business Leaders 01.08.2026 39min

  What do 94% of female C-suite executives have in common? They played sports. On Leadership Lab, host Jamie McKinney talks with Bonnie Bernstein, founder and CEO of Walk Swiftly Productions. Bonnie spent three decades as an Emmy Award-winning journalist covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, and college sports for ESPN, ABC, and CBS. She created ABC's The Champion's Edge, a series that follows women athletes turned business leaders across law, medicine, and the C-suite.Bonnie tells Jamie about the moment the idea for the show hit her, 10 years before it aired. She talks about the years of “no” she heard while building a database of more than 250 women, and the two questions she asks herself every time a pitch falls flat.The conversation turns personal too. Bonnie describes a health scare that landed her in a hospital bed alone, and what it taught her about burnout and self-care. She and Jamie talk through resilience, career confidence, and why so many women in leadership trace their instincts back to a locker room instead of a boardroom.Press play to hear the weekly practice Bonnie uses to find her own North Star, and the sports lessons for career success she has picked up from hundreds of female athletes turned business leaders who made the same leap she did. New episodes of Leadership Lab drop every week.Episode Breakdown:00:00 The 94% Statistic Behind Women Athletes and the C-Suite03:58 Breaking Ground as Reno's First Female Sports Anchor06:33 The 10 Year Origin Story Behind The Champion's Edge08:19 Turning Rejection Into Fuel While Building a Platform09:19 Reframing No as Another Opportunity10:43 Why Relationships Drive Career Breakthroughs11:32 Leadership Lessons for Women Who Never Played Sports16:42 Leadership Shows Up Far Beyond the Boardroom19:36 Why Failure Is Part of the Path to Success21:38 Rejection as an Invitation to Reevaluate Your Circle23:36 Staying Grounded While Breaking New Ground24:43 When Ambition Turns Into Endurance Instead of Fun27:49 A Health Scare That Changed How Bonnie Works28:23 Learning to Say No Without Fear30:54 Meditation as a Foundation for Resilience33:23 Building Community Through The Athlete Effect35:47 A Weekly Experiment to Reclaim Your Purpose37:54 Why Coaches Matter for Women in LeadershipLink: Listen to the previous episodeConnect with Bonnie Bernstein:Know more about Bonnie Connect with Bonnie on LinkedInSubscribe to The Champion’s Edge's Youtube channel Listen to the The Athlete Effect on Spotify Listen to the The Athlete Effect on Apple Podcast Listen to the The Athlete Effect on AudibleConnect with Jamie McKinney:jamiemckinney.com/lab Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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  Executive Presence Tips to Speak With Authority in Any Room 25.07.2026 49min

  You do not need the deepest voice or the tallest frame to own a room. Executive presence is a skill that can be learned at any stage of your career. Jamie McKinney's guest this week has spent more than a decade teaching it to Fortune 10 leaders, yet he developed those same skills himself as a self-described shy kid who once wanted to disappear.Jeff Davenport, an executive communication coach at Davenport Communications, joins the Leadership Lab to share how to build confidence in public speaking without faking a thing. He breaks down the opening framework he uses to earn an audience’s trust from the first sentence. It is a step many speakers skip when they begin with a topic instead of giving people a reason to listen.Jeff and Jamie also cover how to sound confident at work when your body wants to shrink instead of stand tall. He explains a simple physical reset borrowed from research on power poses, one that shifts your voice and posture in seconds, and shares a four-step approach to what to say when you don't know the answer, one that builds trust instead of exposing a gap.For anyone who wants to command a room without changing who they are, this conversation offers practical language and physical cues you can use in your very next meeting.Press play and start practicing before your next high-stakes moment.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Why Executive Presence Has Nothing to Do With Height or Volume03:07 The Shy Kid Who Became an Executive Communication Coach04:49 Why Imitating Great Speakers Builds Your Own Voice Faster07:31 The Top Button Rule for Opening Any Talk09:52 Empathy Authority Agenda for Audiences Who Do Not Speak Your Language12:32 The One Question That Should Drive Every Presentation15:07 How to Build Confidence in Public Speaking Before You Walk In17:00 Becoming the Subject Matter Expert in the Room18:02 A Four Step Script for What to Say When You Don't Know the Answer21:07 The Body Brain Feedback Loop for Instant Confidence24:00 How to Stop Mumbling With Your Hands and Take Up Space28:25 How to Stop Nervous Tells Like Shaking Knees30:46 The Three Ways People Show Up in a Room and Which One Wins33:21 What to Do the Moment You Make a Mistake39:11 Why Raising the Stakes in Your Head Makes You Worse Not Better42:21 Teaching the Next Generation of Women to Speak With Authority45:13 One Experiment to Practice Executive Presence This WeekAbout Jeff DavenportJeff Davenport has more than a decade of experience as an executive communication coach, acclaimed speechwriter, and keynote speaker. During a long stint at the legendary leadership communication agency Duarte and now at Davenport Communications, Jeff has worked with Fortune 10 C-suite executives, engineers, and sales teams, improving their communication skills. Whether he’s doing 1:1 coaching or leading dynamic workshops, Jeff helps diverse professionals enhance their communicative impact.Connect with Jeff Davenport:Visit ⁠the Davenport Communications website⁠Get Jeff's communication courseConnect with Jamie McKinney:⁠jamiemckinney.com/lab Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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  Assertive vs. Aggressive: A Female CEO's Playbook for Being Direct 11.07.2026 47min

  Women are often told to be clear, confident, and decisive, then questioned the moment they are. Cyre Mercedes Quiñones knows that tension well, and she has built her leadership around proving that direct does not mean aggressive.The CEO of iMasons joins Jamie McKinney on Leadership Lab to unpack assertive vs. aggressive communication, the line so many ambitious women feel they're constantly walking, and how getting it right changed the way she leads. Cyre opens up about growing up in the Bronx with two parents struggling with addiction, the shame she carried for years, and the mentor who told her that trust is built through authenticity, not polish.That single piece of advice reshaped how she leads.The episode covers courage vs. confidence in leadership, the real difference between bluntness and directness, and why imposter syndrome showed up even on the path to the CEO seat, and how she moved through it anyway. Cyre shares the phrase that changed how she shows up in every hard conversation, and why authentic leadership for women looks nothing like the loud, armored version so many of us were taught to perform. She also breaks down the difference between directness and bluntness, the distinction so many women mislabel as assertive vs. aggressive.If you have ever wondered whether being fully yourself and being taken seriously can coexist at the executive level, this episode is your answer.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Meet Cyre Mercedes Quiñones, CEO of iMasons03:19 Navigating Shame Without a Roadmap05:43 Choosing Authenticity Over a Corporate Performance09:39 How Vulnerability Helped Cyre Build Trust at Work12:02 Assertive vs. Aggressive, The Difference Between Directness and Bluntness15:44 Redefining Executive Presence Beyond Loud and Hard33:06 Coach vs. Mentor, Building Your Support Network34:39 Why Courage Comes Before Confidence38:10 Leading Through Divorce and Personal Tests41:11 Rehearse Till It's Verse, Beating Imposter Syndrome43:11 The Vision for iMasons and What Comes NextAbout Cyre Mercedes Quiñones:Cyre Mercedes Quiñones is the Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Masons (iMasons), a leading global nonprofit professional association dedicated to advancing digital infrastructure for the benefit of people and the planet. With more than 15 years of experience spanning technology, business strategy, and digital infrastructure, Cyre has built a reputation as a transformational leader who brings together industry, government, and communities to solve some of the sector's most pressing challenges. Her leadership has been recognized globally, including being named the inaugural recipient of Data Center Dynamics' (DCD) Data Center Woman of the Year in 2023 and one of HITEC's Top 100 Hispanics in Technology. Cyre is passionate about building digital infrastructure responsibly—championing sustainability, community partnership, workforce development, and inclusive leadership. As CEO, she is positioning iMasons as the industry's trusted neutral convening authority and bringing together leaders across the digital infrastructure ecosystem to accelerate collaboration and deliver measurable, lasting impact for responsible infrastructure advancement around the world.Links:iMasons State of the Digital Infrastructure Industry - Annual Report 2025Connect with Jamie McKinney:jamiemckinney.com/lab How to Have a Difficult Conversation FREE ResourceJoin the Leadership Laboratory CommunityPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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  Positive Intelligence for Women Leaders: How to Name Your Saboteur and Take Back Control 27.06.2026 48min

  The voice telling you you're not ready? It has a name. And you can stop it.Positive Intelligence for women leaders is the framework Jamie McKinney wished she had found sooner. She found it at the lowest point of her life, and when it worked where everything else had failed, she knew it had to be part of the Leadership Lab.Through the story of Sydney, a driven and capable woman who spent 11 months rehearsing a conversation with her boss and never had it, Jamie breaks down why the gap is rarely about skill. It's about thought patterns. And thought patterns are completely changeable.She introduces PQ, the mental fitness framework that sits underneath both IQ and EQ, and explains why it's the most malleable of the three. You'll learn how to spot the saboteur voice in your head, how to measure where you stand with a PQ Score Assessment, and how to use a five-step operating system to stop reacting and start responding. Sydney's score went from 23 to 74 in three months. Same woman, same job, same boss. Different mental operating system.This is the episode for anyone who knows they're capable of more but keeps getting in their own way.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Why Your Mindset Is the Real Career Barrier02:26 How Negative Thoughts Work (And Why You Have More Power Than You Think)04:53 Sydney's Story: When Self-Doubt Blocks Career Growth07:19 What Is Positive Intelligence for Women Leaders09:45 How to Read Your PQ Score11:53 How Sydney Went from a 23 to a 74 in Three Months14:19 PQ Reps: Your Mental Fitness Workout32:56 Saboteur vs. Sage: Hyperachiever and Stickler Compared37:40 The Five-Step PQ Operating System41:03 How to Hear Your Saboteur and Steer It45:25 Take the Free PQ Score Assessment and Saboteur QuizConnect with Jamie McKinney:Take the PQ assessmentsVisit Jamie's websiteFollow Jamie on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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  Emotional Intelligence: The Leadership Skill Nobody Taught You 20.06.2026 39min

  Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the gap holding most ambitious women back - not IQ, not strategy, not credentials, not work ethic. Host Jamie McKinney believes EQ is the leadership skill almost no one was taught, and it's quietly keeping talented women from the next step in their careers. The good news? EQ is a skill. You can learn it and grow it.Through the story of Kate, a high performer who landed a major promotion and then quietly started to unravel, Jamie shares why emotional intelligence is the foundation most leadership programs skip. She breaks down the two pillars of EQ you have the most control over, plus four shifts you can use before your next high-stakes moment.The episode also digs into why EQ beats IQ as a predictor of leadership success, and why that gap keeps widening. As AI takes over more of the cognitive work, emotional intelligence becomes the skill that keeps you relevant and hard to replace.Episode Breakdown:00:00 What a Weighted Vest Teaches Us About Emotional Intelligence07:12 Growing Into a Bigger Role and Why Discomfort Is Normal09:33 What No One Ever Taught Us About Emotions and Leadership11:52 The Four Pillars of EQ and Where to Start14:10 Why EQ Outperforms IQ in the Age of AI16:28 The Difference Between a Real Threat and a Perceived One21:10 The Hidden Cost of Low EQ on Your Career and Your Team23:31 Curiosity vs Judgment: The Identity Shift That Changes Everything25:58 How to Use Your Emotions as Data Points Instead of Liabilities28:10 Shift 1: Name the Vest Before High-Stakes Moments30:20 Shift 2 and 3: Separate Fact From Fear and Regulate Before You Respond32:46 Shift 4: The Curiosity Move That Keeps You in the Driver's Seat35:13 Kate's Turning Point and the Free EQ AssessmentConnect with Jamie McKinney:Visit the Leadership Lab websiteFollow Jamie on InstagramTake the EQ QuizListen to the previous episode - Identifying and owning your giftsBook references:(1) The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher(2) Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI by Aneesh Raman and Ryan RoslanskyPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
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  Identifying and owning your gifts 09.01.2026 24min

  Welcome back to the Leadership Lab, labcats! In today’s episode, host Jamie McKinney dives into one of her favorite topics—uncovering and owning your unique strengths, gifts, and superpowers. Too often, especially for women, we downplay or overlook what makes us truly exceptional, assuming everyone has the same abilities. But as Jamie McKinney reminds us, the qualities and skills that come naturally to you are exactly what fuel your growth, your happiness, and your indispensability at work.Through inspiring stories, practical prompts, and actionable experiments, Jamie McKinney helps listeners recognize those “hit it to me” skills—the things you do with confidence, joy, and natural flair. Learn how to flex these strengths, build energy and resilience even during tough seasons, and communicate your value to managers and teams. Whether you’re looking to boost your leadership, create more visibility at work, or simply feel more lit up by what you do every day, this episode has the encouragement and tools you need to claim your superpowers and put them into action.Let’s get ready to name it, claim it, and bring your strengths to the forefront—because when you own what makes you brilliant, everyone wins!
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  Financial well-being 18.12.2025 35min

  Welcome to episode 15 of the Leadership Lab podcast! In this special conversation, Jamie McKinney sits down with financial experts Kathleen Phillips and Chelsea Kessler to tackle a topic that is often overlooked in leadership circles: financial confidence and security. As women who grew up hearing that money talk was taboo, our hosts and guests break down those old paradigms to show how mastering your finances directly fuels your leadership skills and personal confidence.You’ll hear inspiring stories of women who transformed their financial lives, practical advice on managing debt and savings, the difference between saving and investing, and concrete steps for building a spending plan that feels both empowering and aligned with what matters most. Kathleen Phillips and Chelsea Kessler share the lessons they learned through their own life experiences, and reveal how working with a trusted advisor can offer clarity, confidence, and accountability - without judgment or complexity.Whether you’re single, partnered, just starting your financial journey or looking to refine it, this episode is packed with strategies and mindset shifts to help you take control of your money, and leadership future. Get ready to learn, experiment, and grow in both wealth and well-being!We'd love to hear from you! For comments or to explore opportunities to partner, please contact us at Contact@JamieMcKinney.com. Download your personal budget template here
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  Leadership vs Management: Mindset Shifts Every Aspiring Leader Should Know 12.12.2025 42min

  Welcome back to the Leadership Lab, the podcast where leadership is approached as an experiment, and growth is the ultimate goal! In this episode, host Jamie McKinney welcomes Ryan Castle, co-founder of Level 10 Leaders - a global leadership development system praised for helping leaders focus on what truly matters. With stories from the front lines of leadership transformation, Ryan shares inspiring case studies of real-life mindset shifts, from turning around a “grumpy” team member to preparing organizations for explosive growth in unpredictable times.Jamie and Ryan dive deep into the crucial distinction between management and leadership mindsets, exploring how leaders can foster self-awareness, create space for others, and master both the strategic “big picture” and the nitty-gritty of execution. Ryan also opens up about his personal routines for managing stress and bringing positive energy to his team, while offering actionable advice for aspiring and experienced leaders alike.Whether you’re moving into a leadership role, wanting to build a stronger team, or just looking for inspiration to lead, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and encouraging stories. So get ready to pause, observe, choose, and take your leadership skills to the next level!https://www.level10leaders.com/https://www.level10leaders.com/the-active-manager-book
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  Impress Top Leaders: A Proven Checklist for Leading Efficient and Effective Meetings 03.12.2025 43min

  Welcome to the Leadership Lab! In today’s episode, host Jamie McKinney is joined by Jim Beilstein, Vice President of Global Operations and Supply Chain at Owens Corning’s insulation business. With over two decades of leadership experience across supply chain, manufacturing, and innovation, plus a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, Jim Beilstein brings a deep well of insight on what truly makes meetings productive.This episode dives into the art and science of leading high-stakes meetings, providing you with practical strategies, a proven preparation checklist, and real-world anecdotes. Whether you’re prepping to stand out in front of senior leadership or simply aiming to make every meeting an effective use of time, you’ll learn how clarity on outcomes, purposeful agendas, stakeholder mapping, and thoughtful preparation can transform workplace conversations.Tune in for leadership lessons inspired by golf, surprising data-driven meeting tips, and actionable ways to elevate your own executive presence. If you want to level up your next big meeting - or coach others to do so, this is the episode for you!Checklist for Meeting Preparation:1. Have clarity on the outcome.2. Map your stakeholders.3. Organize pre-reads and send ahead..4. Anticipate your audience's questions.5. Practice. We'd love to hear from you! For comments or to explore opportunities to partner, please contact us at Contact@JamieMcKinney.com.Use Promo code, PODCAST for $100 off of your membership at www.JamieMcKinney.com/lab 
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  From Stress to Strength: Transformative Nervous System Strategies for Leaders  25.11.2025 43min

  Welcome back to the Leadership Lab, where practical leadership wisdom meets real-world application. In this episode, host Jamie McKinney welcomes nervous system business coach Lindsay Troxell for an insightful conversation on stress, resilience, and how our bodies profoundly shape our leadership capabilities.Did you know that more than half of employees, and especially women, show up to work feeling stressed every day? That stress isn't just uncomfortable; it directly impacts our clarity of thought, quality of decisions, and how we respond under pressure. Lindsay Troxell, with over 20 years of experience coaching leaders in high-stress industries, reveals why regulating your nervous system is foundational to executive presence and sustainable high performance.Together, Jamie McKinney and Lindsay Troxell break down the science behind stress responses, explain how to identify when you're in a reactive state, and share simple, actionable tools, from breathwork to grounding exercises, to help you regain composure in tough moments. You'll learn why achieving your best isn't about pushing harder, but about cultivating internal safety and self-awareness.Whether you're leading a team or simply striving to bring your best self to work, this episode is packed with strategies to expand your resilience and unlock more authentic, effective leadership. So turn up the volume, grab your notebook, and get ready for an experiment in transformative self-leadership, right here in the Leadership Lab!We'd love to hear from you! For comments or to explore opportunities to partner, please contact us at Contact@JamieMcKinney.com. Referenced video:https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNipvSttDvr/?hl=en
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  How Support Systems Shape Leadership Success and Career Pivots 13.11.2025 32min

  Welcome back to the Leadership Laboratory podcast! In today’s episode, hosts Jamie McKinney and Katerina Yared dive deep into the art of career mapping and how to truly take ownership of your professional journey. Katerina Yared, a dynamic energy scientist with more than 20 years of experience across the traditional and new energy sectors, shares her powerful story of resilience, curiosity, and personal growth. From her early days as one of the few women on offshore rigs to leading international societies and pivoting into new fields like geothermal energy and carbon capture, Katerina Yared unpacks how optimism, skill-building, and a trusted support system have helped her thrive through industry shifts and career pivots. If you’ve ever wondered how to reinvent yourself, lead with confidence, or use feedback and curiosity as your secret weapons, this episode will inspire you to experiment, and take action - on your own leadership path.
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  Holistic Leadership: Applying Work Skills to Secure Better Healthcare Outcomes 06.11.2025 30min

  Welcome to another episode of the Leadership Lab podcast, where holistic leadership takes center stage – exploring how self-care outside of work is just as important as leading effectively within the workplace. In today’s episode, host Jamie McKinney sits down with Dr. Maggie Teliska, a trailblazing chemist and senior battery energy storage technical manager at Transgrid Energy. Not only is Maggie recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in CleanTech, but she’s also a chronic illness survivor who transformed her medical challenges into powerful leadership lessons.Jamie and Maggie dive deep into Maggie’s harrowing experience of surviving a sudden cardiac event, the hurdles women often face in healthcare advocacy, and how leadership principles can help navigate daunting doctor’s offices and exam rooms. You’ll discover how crafting concise “sound bites” and practicing self-advocacy can be life-changing, both at work and in medical settings. Maggie’s journey offers actionable advice and inspiring wisdom, reminding us all of the power of preparation, clarity, and confidence, even when the stakes are high.Grab your notebook - today’s episode is full of practical strategies you’ll want to remember, whether you’re leading a meeting or discussing your health. Let’s jump in!
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  Speaking Up at Work: Strategies for Making Your Voice Stand Out 30.10.2025 37min

  Welcome to the Leadership Lab podcast! In this episode, host Jamie McKinney sits down with Dena Lund, a trailblazing retired CEO and chemical engineer with three decades of experience leading organizations through transition and growth in the oil and gas industry. Jamie and Dena dive into the all-too-common challenge of making your voice heard in the workplace, especially when pitching new ideas or advocating for change. Drawing on both scientific research and hard-won career lessons, Dena shares her "5x Rule," the proven strategy that meaningful change often requires voicing your ideas multiple times, in multiple ways, before they gain traction. Through engaging stories - like how she and her colleagues navigated a high-stakes decision that needed to be asked five different times - Dena offers practical advice on influencing decisions, aligning with values, gaining allies, and persisting through initial resistance. Whether you're looking to master the art of the ask, advocate for yourself, or lead your team through tough transitions, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring encouragement to help you experiment, grow, and find your authentic leadership voice.#leadership #speakup #podcast #womensleadership
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  Progress Over Perfection: Experimental Leadership Tools for Real-Life Success 23.10.2025 30min

  Welcome back to Leadership Lab, where we don’t just talk about leadership theory, we experiment with real, practical steps you can instantly apply. On today’s episode, host Jamie McKinney sits down with Lauren Palandino, a seasoned continuous improvement professional, to tackle one of the most elusive challenges facing high achievers: work-life balance.But Lauren didn’t just try to chase balance - she’s helping us redefine it. Instead of striving for a perfect, unattainable equilibrium, Lauren shares the empowering metaphor that changed everything for her: life’s priorities as piano keys, not a set of rigid levers. With major “white key” priorities, smaller “black key” commitments, and the freedom to play chords rather than just single notes, Lauren shows us how to find a more forgiving, achievable rhythm as a leader, a parent, and a person.Along the way, Jamie and Lauren get real about anxiety, boundaries, organizational chaos, and the everyday moments that add up, like five sips of water or five minutes reading to her son. Lauren opens up about the emotional journey of embracing her new identity as a mom, finding creativity in goal setting, and the power of accountability partners on the path to personal and professional growth.Ready to ditch perfection and embrace progress? This episode is packed with practical strategies, relatable stories, and just the right amount of encouragement for anyone struggling to juggle work, family, and self-care, all culminating in Lauren’s celebration of a well-earned promotion, on her own terms.So tune in, grab your metaphorical piano, and get ready to experiment with a new approach to work-life rhythm, progress over perfection, every time.
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  The Power of Candid Feedback: Growing as a Leader in Challenging Environments 16.10.2025 26min

  Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Leadership Lab! In today’s show, host Jamie McKinney sits down with Emily Zanto, a process engineer and project manager at Anvil Corporation, to explore the journey of claiming your seat at the table—especially when the environment can be daunting. Emily opens up about her path from a new engineering graduate to becoming the youngest member of her company’s board of directors. With honesty and humor, she shares personal stories about battling imposter syndrome, the importance of cultivating a strong support network, and how feedback—both spicy and supportive—has shaped her growth.Emily’s story highlights the power of experimenting with your leadership style, embracing candid feedback, and reframing roadblocks as stepping stones. Along the way, she reflects on the balancing act of motherhood and career, and the significance of authenticity and connection in building a legacy of leadership. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to grow into new leadership opportunities, this conversation is full of wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools you can use to confidently own your place at any table. So grab your notebook and get ready to be inspired to take your own next bold step!
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  How Intersectional Data Drives True Gender Equity in the Workplace 09.10.2025 45min

  Welcome back to the Leadership Lab! In today's episode, host Jamie McKinney sits down with the whip-smart and inspiring Katica Roy, a renowned gender economist, former Global 500 executive, and CEO who's making waves on national media and in boardrooms across the country. Katica shares her unique journey, from being the daughter of immigrants and refugees to becoming a LinkedIn Top Voice and one of Colorado's most celebrated entrepreneurs.Together, Jamie and Katica unpack what it really means to be a gender economist, why equitable systems are not only the right thing to do but a vital economic opportunity, and how recent shifts in the workforce - like the troubling exodus of Black women - are shaping the future of work for everyone. Katica brings clarity to complex topics like intersectionality in workplace data, the pitfalls of rolling back DEI initiatives, and the real economic impact when companies sideline equity.You'll hear practical stories from Katica about fighting for equal pay, negotiating compensation, and the actionable ways individuals and companies can move the needle on gender equity. Whether you're leading a team, building your own career, or just passionate about building a fairer workplace, this episode is loaded with insights, motivation, and concrete strategies you can put to use immediately. Tune in and get ready to experiment with your leadership style, progress over perfection, every step of the way!If you enjoyed today’s conversation with Katica Roy, be sure to connect with her online! LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katicaroy/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katicaroy/New York Times front pageArticle feature: In Trump’s Federal Work Force Cuts, Black Women Are Among the Hardest HitVideo Feature: Why Black Women Are Seeing Job LossesShareholders of 30 companies worth $13 trillion defeat anti-DEI ProposalsHR Brew: Target CEO Brian Cornell is stepping downDesign Observer Column I mentioned: Why scaling back on equity is more than risky — it’s economically irresponsibleMSBNC: 300,000 Black women have left the labor force in 3 months. It’s not a coincidence.Fortune: Future CEOs, erased: the economic cost of losing Black women in the workforceForbes (this has the Lily Ledbetter story): How My Dad Taught Me To Fight For Equal Pay
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  Overcoming Career Static: Building Confidence and Clarity in Your Leadership Path 02.10.2025 28min

  Welcome back to the Leadership Lab podcast! In today’s episode, host Jamie McKinney sits down with Missie Hills, an accomplished engineer and strategy leader with more than 16 years in the energy industry. Missie shares her journey of finding clarity in her career path a struggle so many of us face, and how a series of “leadership experiments” helped her cut through the mental noise to identify her unique strengths. We dive into the tools and techniques that supported Missie as she navigated professional challenges, tackled self-limiting beliefs, and learned to lead confidently through complex, “gray space” situations. From the power of coaching and the importance of celebrating your wins, to the transformative effect of investing in personal development, this conversation is full of immediately applicable insights for anyone looking to experiment with and grow their leadership style. If you’re craving more clarity, calm in the storm, and actionable steps toward your next career milestone, this episode was made for you. Let’s get started!
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  Leadership vs Management: Mindset Shifts Every Aspiring Leader Should Know 25.09.2025 41min

  Welcome back to the Leadership Lab, the podcast where leadership is approached as an experiment, and growth is the ultimate goal! In this episode, host Jamie McKinney welcomes Ryan Castle, co-founder of Level 10 Leaders - a global leadership development system praised for helping leaders focus on what truly matters. With stories from the front lines of leadership transformation, Ryan shares inspiring case studies of real-life mindset shifts, from turning around a “grumpy” team member to preparing organizations for explosive growth in unpredictable times.Jamie and Ryan dive deep into the crucial distinction between management and leadership mindsets, exploring how leaders can foster self-awareness, create space for others, and master both the strategic “big picture” and the nitty-gritty of execution. Ryan also opens up about his personal routines for managing stress and bringing positive energy to his team, while offering actionable advice for aspiring and experienced leaders alike.Whether you’re moving into a leadership role, wanting to build a stronger team, or just looking for inspiration to lead, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and encouraging stories. So get ready to pause, observe, choose, and take your leadership skills to the next level!https://www.level10leaders.com/https://www.level10leaders.com/the-active-manager-book
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  Conquering Imposter Syndrome: Four Steps to Tame Self-Doubt and Build Confidence 23.09.2025 16min

  Welcome to the Leadership Lab! In today’s empowering episode, host Jamie McKinney tackles a familiar foe for so many high-achievers - imposter syndrome. If you’ve ever felt that lurking doubt or questioned whether you truly belong in your position, this episode is your go-to pep talk. Jamie shares relatable stories from the Leadership Lab community and introduces a major reframe: what if it’s not imposter syndrome that’s holding you back, but simply an “imposter moment”?With gentle guidance and practical advice, Jamie walks you through a four-step framework to manage self-doubt when it strikes, so you can recognize it, ground yourself, challenge unhelpful narratives, and move forward with action. You’ll hear about the “missing tile theory” and learn why it’s normal for your brain to fixate on what’s missing, rather than celebrating your strengths.Get ready to walk away with plug-and-play solutions you can use today to silence that inner critic and reclaim your confidence. If you’re ready to experiment, grow, and own your brilliance, tune in and discover why you’re absolutely not alone, and exactly where you’re meant to be.