Lead. Always.

Alex Molden & Megan Carle

Lead Always Podcast: Get tips and foundational principles when it comes to leading others The Lead Always Podcast is a comprehensive guide for both emerging and experienced leaders in the corporate space who want to become more effective in leading others. Whether you're in a Fortune 500 company, a non-profit, or a small to mid-sized business, this podcast will help you develop a strategic plan for your leadership journey. Let’s face it—most individuals focus on positional leadership, but few truly understand that relational leadership is far more impactful when it comes to leading others and achieving long-term success in any industry. **This podcast is for you if you often ask yourself:** - How can I help my employees lead effectively? - How do I navigate the complexities of corporate America? - What’s the most important thing I need to do as a supervisor or manager to lead effectively? - When should I start seeking leadership coaching? - How much should I invest in my leadership development? - How do I address performance issues within my team? - How do I evaluate leaders on my team? - How can I inspire and motivate teams? - How can I build a strong company culture that aligns with our values and goals? - What’s the best way to develop future leaders? - How do I lead effectively through change? - How can I foster diversity, equity, and inclusion to drive innovation and engagement? - How can I continue to grow as a leader in a constantly evolving landscape? - How do I handle conflict and difficult conversations?

Episodes

  1. 2025-02-26

    #11 | Navigating the Luka Doncic Trade: A Cultural Perspective

    In this conversation, Alex Molden and Megan Carle discuss the recent trade of Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers and its implications for team culture and leadership within the Dallas Mavericks. They explore the importance of cultural dynamics in sports organizations, the role of leadership in maintaining accountability, and the challenges of integrating high-performing individuals into a cohesive team environment. The discussion emphasizes the need for strong leadership to uphold cultural integrity and the potential consequences of allowing individual talent to overshadow team values. Takeaways Nico Harrison's trade decision reflects a focus on team culture.Cultural integrity is crucial for long-term success in sports organizations.Leadership must hold individuals accountable for their behavior.High-performing individuals can disrupt team dynamics if not managed well.Removing support staff may not be the solution to cultural issues.Building a strong culture takes time, but it can be easily damaged.Effective onboarding is essential for integrating new talent into a team.Understanding what motivates players is key to fostering a positive culture.LeBron's influence will be critical in Luka's development with the Lakers. Timestamps 03:08 Cultural Dynamics in Sports Organizations 06:03 Leadership and Accountability in Team Culture 09:02 The Role of High-Performing Individuals in Team Settings 11:57 Decision-Making and Cultural Integrity 14:59 Building and Maintaining Team Culture 18:03 Reflections on Leadership and Future Directions Let's Connect: IG | Megan & AlexX | Megan & AlexLinkedIn | Megan & Alexwww.LeadAlways.bizDo you need help with your team's leadership development? Shoot us an email at info@leadalways.biz

    22 min
  2. 2025-02-12

    #10 | Good Leaders put more emphasis on EQ rather than IQ

    In this conversation, Alex Molden and Megan Carle discuss the recent Super Bowl, focusing on the various elements that make the event significant beyond just the game itself. They delve into leadership dynamics observed during the game, particularly the emotional consistency of players like Travis Kelce and Jalen Hurts. The discussion highlights the importance of maintaining a positive leadership presence, even in adversity, and how teams can learn from their experiences to improve future performance. The conversation also touches on the agility of teams in adapting their strategies and the personal reflections of watching the game with family. Takeaways: The Super Bowl is a cultural event beyond just sports.Leadership is crucial in high-pressure situations.Emotional consistency can impact team morale.Teams must adapt their strategies based on performance.Learning from losses is essential for growth.Agility in leadership can lead to better outcomes.Body language can reveal a lot about a team's mindset.Maintaining a positive outlook is vital for leaders.Effective communication is key in team dynamics. Timestamps: 03:04 Leadership Insights from the Game 06:03 Emotional Consistency in Leadership 08:52 Analyzing Team Dynamics and Performance 12:04 Learning from Adversity 15:09 Agility in Strategy and Leadership 17:54 The Eagles' Winning Approach 21:05 Family and Football: A Personal Reflection Let's Connect: IG | Megan & AlexX | Megan & AlexLinkedIn | Megan & Alexwww.LeadAlways.bizDo you need help with your team's leadership development? Shoot us an email at info@leadalways.biz

    25 min
  3. 2025-01-28

    #9 | Discipline is not comfortable but it gives you freedom

    In this conversation, Alex Molden and Megan Carle explore the multifaceted concept of discipline, emphasizing its critical role in achieving long-term success across various domains, including parenting, sports, and corporate culture. They discuss the importance of self-discipline, the consequences of a lack of discipline, and how discipline shapes behavior and routines. The conversation highlights the need for accountability and the cultural aspects of discipline in both personal and professional settings. Takeaways Discipline is essential for long-term success.Self-discipline involves training oneself to follow rules.Consequences are necessary for maintaining discipline.Discipline in parenting leads to better behavior in children.Self-discipline helps individuals separate themselves from the competition.Discipline is a cultural element in organizations and teams.Effective leaders instill discipline in their teams.Discipline informs routines and habits for success.The absence of discipline can lead to missed opportunities.Discipline is a universal concept applicable in all areas of life. Timestamps 00:00 The Importance of Discipline 05:08 Discipline in Parenting 10:03 Self-Discipline and Its Impact 15:00 Discipline in Sports and Corporate Culture 20:02 Consequences and Accountability in Discipline Let's Connect IG | Megan & AlexX | Megan & AlexLinkedIn | Megan & Alexwww.LeadAlways.bizDo you need help with your team's leadership development? Shoot us an email at info@leadalways.biz

    25 min
  4. 2025-01-15

    #8 | How to keep momentum on your side

    In this engaging conversation, Megan Carle and Alex Molden explore the intersection of personal branding, professionalism, and the importance of momentum in sports and business. They share personal anecdotes, discuss the significance of dressing appropriately for business settings, and delve into how momentum can influence performance and decision-making. The dialogue emphasizes the need for energy, positivity, and celebrating small wins to maintain momentum and avoid complacency. Ultimately, they highlight the importance of focusing on the process rather than just the results to foster a successful and dynamic team environment. Takeaways It's important to align your appearance with your brand.Momentum in sports can translate to momentum in business.Celebrating small wins can help maintain team morale.Avoiding complacency is crucial for sustained success.Energy and positivity can influence team dynamics.Focusing on fundamentals can lead to better performance.Don't tie your self-worth to results.Building confidence through small victories is key.Communication and sharing knowledge foster teamwork.Creating a supportive environment helps keep momentum. Timestamps 10:32 Leaving It All on the Field 18:32 Energy and Positivity in Performance Let's Connect IG | Megan & AlexX | Megan & AlexLinkedIn | Megan & Alexwww.LeadAlways.bizDo you need help with your team's leadership development? Shoot us an email at info@leadalways.biz

    26 min
  5. 2024-11-12

    #5 | Workplace Culture: Loneliness to connection and the wins that come with it

    In this episode, Megan and Alex discuss the pervasive issue of loneliness in the workplace, as highlighted by a Harvard Business Review article. They explore the myths surrounding loneliness, the importance of creating meaningful connections, and the role of leaders in fostering a culture of connection. The conversation emphasizes practical strategies for combating loneliness, measuring its impact, and the significance of understanding team dynamics to enhance workplace culture. Takeaways Loneliness at work is a significant issue that needs addressing.Creating opportunities for connection is essential for team dynamics.Myths about loneliness can hinder effective solutions.Leaders play a crucial role in fostering connections among team members.Building meaningful relationships requires understanding individual motivations.Consistency in social interactions strengthens team bonds.Simple and light social activities can enhance workplace culture.Measuring loneliness is as important as measuring performance.Vulnerability among team members can lead to deeper connections.The approach to leadership should prioritize the 'how' over the 'what'. Timestamps 06:03 Myths About Loneliness 11:57 The Role of Leaders in Fostering Connection 18:03 Practical Approaches to Combat Loneliness 23:50 Conclusion and Call to Action Let's connect IG | Megan & AlexX | Megan & AlexLinkedIn | Megan & Alexwww.LeadAlways.bizDo you need help with your team's leadership development? Shoot us an email at info@leadalways.biz

    25 min
  6. 2024-10-29

    #4 | How to empower Leaders to combat workplace bullies

    In this conversation, Alex and Megan delve into the complexities of bullying, particularly in the workplace. They share personal experiences and insights on recognizing different types of bullying, the psychological impact it has on individuals, and the importance of leadership in creating a healthier work environment. Megan emphasizes the need for awareness and understanding of bullying dynamics, while Alex reflects on his own encounters with bullying in various settings. Together, they advocate for better leadership practices to combat bullying and foster a supportive workplace culture. Takeaways Bullying can occur in various forms, both overt and covert.Recognizing the types of bullying is crucial for addressing it effectively.Workplace bullying can lead to significant mental health issues.It's important to document bullying incidents and seek support.Leadership plays a key role in preventing workplace bullying.Compliance is often a dangerous response to bullying.Understanding the patterns of bullying can help in navigating it.Personal experiences with bullying can shape one's perspective on leadership.Creating a culture of empathy and support can reduce bullying incidents.Awareness and education are essential in combating workplace bullying. Timestamps 00:00 Understanding Bullying: A Personal Journey 08:48 Types of Bullying in the Workplace 18:10 Recognizing Patterns and Responses to Bullying 27:00 The Impact of Bullying on Mental Health 30:51 Creating Better Leaders to Combat Bullying Let's connect: IG | Megan & AlexX | Megan & AlexLinkedIn | Megan & Alexwww.LeadAlways.bizDo you need help with your team's leadership development? Shoot us an email at info@leadalways.biz

    34 min
  7. 2024-10-15

    #3 | The Poison of external validation

    In this conversation, Alex and Megan explore the intersection of sports and leadership, drawing parallels between the two fields. They discuss the impact of external validation on success, the importance of staying humble and hungry, and how momentum can shift in both sports and business. The conversation also touches on the role of fans, the necessity of returning to fundamentals after a loss, and the significance of risk-taking in leadership. They conclude by introducing their new leadership development initiative, LEAD. ALWAYS. Takeaways External noise can distract from the details that lead to success.Staying hungry and humble is crucial for continuous improvement.Momentum can shift quickly in sports and business alike.Fans can significantly influence team performance and morale.Returning to fundamentals is essential after a setback.Risk-taking is a vital component of effective leadership.Leaders must create a culture that supports calculated risks.Analyzing failures helps teams improve and avoid future mistakes.Effective communication ensures all team members are aligned.Leadership development is key to fostering better leaders across industries. Timestamps 00:00 The Impact of External Noise on Success 03:01 Lessons from Sports: Staying Hungry and Humble 06:08 Understanding Momentum in Sports and Business 08:52 The Role of Fans and Their Influence 12:02 Recovering from Loss: Fundamentals in Practice 14:54 The Importance of Risk-Taking in Leadership 18:00 Analyzing Failures: Autopsy of a Game Plan 21:01 Launching Leadership Development: LEAD Always Let's connect: IG | Megan & AlexX | Megan & AlexLinkedIn | Megan & Alexwww.LeadAlways.bizDo you need help with your team's leadership development? Shoot us an email at info@leadalways.biz

    30 min
  8. 2024-10-01

    #2 | Failure: what leaders do to extract fruit from it

    In this episode of the Lead Always podcast, hosts Alex Molden and Megan Carle discuss the intersection of sports and corporate leadership. They emphasize the importance of practice, learning from failures, and the value of real-time role-playing in developing effective leadership skills. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of team interactions, the challenges of navigating promotions, and the significance of feedback and cohort support in leadership development. Takeaways: -Connected leaders are the most effective leaders. -Every day is game day for leaders. -Learning from failures is crucial for growth. -Real-time practice is essential in leadership. -Understanding team dynamics enhances performance. -Navigating promotions requires patience and understanding. -Feedback is vital for continuous improvement. -Cohorts provide support and diverse perspectives. -Asking questions fosters problem-solving skills. -Role-playing scenarios prepare leaders for real challenges. Timestamps: 02:58 Learning from Failures in Leadership 06:05 The Importance of Real-Time Practice 08:59 Understanding Team Dynamics 11:49 Navigating Promotions and Expectations 15:03 The Role of Cohorts in Leadership 17:56 Feedback and Continuous Improvement 20:53 Conclusion and Call to Action Let's connect: IG | Megan & AlexX | Megan & AlexLinkedIn | Megan & Alexwww.LeadAlways.bizDo you need help with your team's leadership development? Shoot us an email at info@leadalways.biz

    28 min
  9. 2024-09-24

    #1 | Practicing Leadership: A crucial part to success

    The conversation revolves around the target audience for the podcast and the introduction of the Lead Always leadership development program. Megan & Alex discuss the importance of practicing leadership and the connection between sports and business. They share personal experiences and insights on leadership and the need for connection in leadership roles. The conversation also touches on the challenges of being a leader and the importance of knowing oneself and one's team. The hosts plan to create a podcast that provides a backstage pass to leadership, discussing both the good and the bad. Takeaways: -The podcast is for leaders who want to practice and understand that connected leaders are the most effective. -Practicing leadership is crucial for growth and success. -There is a strong connection between sports and business in terms of leadership. -Knowing oneself and one's team is essential for effective leadership. -Leadership requires building connections and understanding different perspectives. Timestamps: 2:36 Introducing Lead Always Leadership Development Program 9:19 The Importance of Practicing Leadership 15:10 The Connection Between Sports and Business in Leadership 23:24 Knowing Oneself and One's Team 31:29 Building Connections and Understanding Different Perspectives 44:32 The Lead Always Podcast: Insights into Leadership Let's connect: IG | Megan & AlexX | Megan & AlexLinkedIn | Megan & Alexwww.LeadAlways.bizDo you need help with your team's leadership development? Shoot us an email at info@leadalways.biz

    28 min

About

Lead Always Podcast: Get tips and foundational principles when it comes to leading others The Lead Always Podcast is a comprehensive guide for both emerging and experienced leaders in the corporate space who want to become more effective in leading others. Whether you're in a Fortune 500 company, a non-profit, or a small to mid-sized business, this podcast will help you develop a strategic plan for your leadership journey. Let’s face it—most individuals focus on positional leadership, but few truly understand that relational leadership is far more impactful when it comes to leading others and achieving long-term success in any industry. **This podcast is for you if you often ask yourself:** - How can I help my employees lead effectively? - How do I navigate the complexities of corporate America? - What’s the most important thing I need to do as a supervisor or manager to lead effectively? - When should I start seeking leadership coaching? - How much should I invest in my leadership development? - How do I address performance issues within my team? - How do I evaluate leaders on my team? - How can I inspire and motivate teams? - How can I build a strong company culture that aligns with our values and goals? - What’s the best way to develop future leaders? - How do I lead effectively through change? - How can I foster diversity, equity, and inclusion to drive innovation and engagement? - How can I continue to grow as a leader in a constantly evolving landscape? - How do I handle conflict and difficult conversations?