The Step UP - Where Leaders, Talent Managers and Leadership Development pros find expert tips for Leadership excellence

Kent Kniebel
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About the Podcast The Step Up brings together experts who help leaders elevate their impact. Each 45-minute episode features conversations with thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators who are changing how we think about leadership development and helping leaders step up their game. Why This Podcast Exists Throughout my career—from my time at organizations like Korn Ferry, Cargill, General Mills, and Buffalo Wild Wings to my current work as an independent leadership consultant—I've witnessed firsthand how leaders struggle during moments of change and transition and when learning higher-level skills. Work never slows down, and leaders often find themselves trying to grow while in the thick of daily demands. The Step Up is designed to provide practical wisdom and actionable strategies that busy leaders can implement immediately to enhance their effectiveness. What to Expect Each episode follows a two-part format: Part One: Leadership Journeys We explore our guest's background, expertise, and unique perspective on leadership development. You'll hear authentic stories about their experiences supporting leaders and the insights they've gained along the way. Part Two: Actionable Strategies Our guests share three specific, practical tools or approaches that you can apply to your leadership right away. We dig into each one, discussing how to implement it effectively in your unique context. Your Host Kent Kniebel brings over 20 years of experience in leadership development, talent management, and DEI consulting to each conversation. Drawing on his background in corporate HR roles and external consulting work, Kent guides discussions that bridge theory and practice, focusing on what really works in today's leadership landscape. Connect with Kent Have questions about the podcast or want to continue the conversation? Connect with Kent on LinkedIn or visit Kniebel Leadership Advisory to learn more about his work supporting leaders during critical transitions.

  1. 3d ago

    Resilience Isn't About Being Bulletproof, It's About Becoming

    Most of us were taught that resilience means gritting your teeth and pushing through. Leadership advisor Angus Nelson challenges that idea head-on — and what he offers instead is both more practical and more human. In this conversation, Kent and Angus explore why a dysregulated nervous system is the most expensive bottleneck in any business, and what leaders can actually do about it. Guest: Angus Nelson is the author of Neuro Resilient Leader and founder of Evolve Leadership — he helps high-performing leaders install what he calls Leadership Stability through his C³ Protocol: Clarity, Capacity, and Composure. In this episode: [00:00] — Why resilience is about becoming, not pressing through[02:26] — Angus's origin story: losing $72K, hitting rock bottom, and finding a new path[06:45] — Redefining resilience: from white-knuckling to absorbing life's lessons[09:31] — Why you can't outwork the pace of AI and market velocity[13:18] — The C³ Protocol: Clarity, Capacity, and Composure unpacked[25:54] — Leadership stability as infrastructure: how a dysregulated leader creates a dysregulated team[29:45] — Practical tools: breathwork, EFT tapping, visualization, meditation, and rewriting your narrative[37:58] — Certainty addiction: why waiting to feel confident is a trap[45:03] — Humanity as competitive advantage in an AI-driven world Resources mentioned: Neuro Resilient Leader by Angus Nelson — freebook.vip (free copy + 10-day experience at time of recording)C³ Protocol (Clarity, Capacity, Composure) — Angus's leadership frameworkEFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique) — search "EFT tapping" for tutorialsBox breathing / breathwork — widely covered on YouTube and in wellness resourcesJack Dorsey's memo on middle management and player-coach leadership — search "Jack Dorsey middle management memo" Links for today's show: Angus Nelson on LinkedInangusnelson.comNeuro Resilient Leader — freebook.vipKent Kniebel on LinkedInThe Promoted Leader Toolkit Music for this podcast comes from a live recording of the song Needle & Thread and is provided with permission by Pert' Near Sandstone. Check them out on pertnearsandstone.com and on all major streaming platforms. Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review wherever you listen — it helps more leaders find the show.

    55 min

  2. Jun 3

    From Engineer to Executive: Learning People Skills the Hard Way

    What happens when your technical brilliance gets you promoted — and then becomes your biggest liability? Frank Sherwood spent his early career as a high-performing engineer who needed "finishing school" to survive leadership. In this conversation, Frank traces his career from aerospace engineering at Rosemount to managing a 500-site global real estate portfolio to joining CBRE — and what each transition demanded of him as a leader. Guest: Frank Sherwood is First Vice President at CBRE, with a 20+ year career in corporate real estate spanning leadership roles at JLL, Staubach, Cushman & Wakefield, and CRESA, including managing real estate portfolios across 75 countries. In this episode: 0:00 — Cold open: Frank's mentor on delivering hard messages with grace3:25 — How Frank went from entry-level engineer to engineering manager almost overnight at Rosemount Aerospace4:31 — The performance review that sent him to "finishing school" — and why people skills became the priority6:30 — Crossing to the service provider side: why Frank called his old vendor to apologize10:27 — Why hiring to your weak side (not your strength) leads to better leadership12:35 — Building cross-functional alliances: lessons from Roger Staubach on client service and peer relationships16:27 — Practical advice for leaders new to a role: ask questions before making decisions25:17 — How to position yourself for promotion: anticipate your boss's needs before they ask27:11 — Frank's core leadership belief: dignity, fairness, and respect for everyone Resources mentioned: What Got You Here Won't Get You There — Marshall Goldsmith (referenced by Kent) — amazon.com searchHow to Win Friends and Influence People — Dale Carnegie (Frank references the Carnegie principle on helping others get what they want) — amazon.com searchHarvard Business Review — hbr.orgThe Economist — economist.comRoger Staubach / The Staubach Company — now part of JLL (search "Roger Staubach commercial real estate")Vern Heath, founder of Rosemount Aerospace (historical reference)CBRE — cbre.com Links for today's show: Frank Sherwood on LinkedInKent Kniebel on LinkedInThe Promoted Leader Toolkit Music for this podcast comes from a live recording of the song Needle & Thread and is provided with permission by Pert' Near Sandstone. Check them out on pertnearsandstone.com and on all major streaming platforms. Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review wherever you listen — it helps more leaders find the show.

    28 min

  3. May 19

    Engagement Isn't a Happy Hour Problem: What Actually Drives Performance

    Most companies measure engagement once a year and then throw a happy hour at the results. Seth Thomas, HR leader at Claris Health, argues that's exactly backwards — engagement lives in the 364 other days, not the survey or the social event. In this conversation, Kent and Seth dig into the real relationship between engagement and performance, why feedback culture is harder to build than it looks, and what leading a fully remote workforce of 30+ states has taught Seth about making connection feel less optional. Guest: Seth Thomas is an HR leader at Claris Health with a background in industrial-organizational psychology, focused on engagement, performance, and building feedback cultures inside software organizations. In this episode: 01:49 — Seth's background: I/O psychology, MTSU grad school, and why he chose in-house HR over consulting06:32 — Why Seth sees engagement as a measure of culture, not just a survey score07:51 — Buffalo Wild Wings case study: tying engagement data directly to beer and wing sales10:29 — The biggest gap Seth sees: expectations and the cost of delayed feedback14:14 — Why managers know feedback matters and still don't give enough of it22:58 — Happy hours as attraction tools, not retention tools — and what actually moves the needle30:16 — Cross-functional tension in software teams and why your direct manager often isn't the person most affecting your engagement39:27 — Leading a fully virtual, 30-state workforce: cameras, recognition rhythms, and recreating the hallway bump44:58 — Advice for leaders looking to get promoted: your team's performance is your performance46:22 — Advice for newly promoted leaders: document, share expectations, and build real-time feedback loops Resources mentioned: Getting Things Done by David Allen — the two-minute rule and task capture system Seth referencesGallup engagement research — stat referenced: 75%+ of employees want feedbackCrucial Conversations / Crucial Feedback training (referenced by Claris Health's internal training team) Links for today's show: Seth Thomas on LinkedInKent Kniebel on LinkedInThe Promoted Leader Toolkit Music for this podcast comes from a live recording of the song Needle & Thread and is provided with permission by Pert' Near Sandstone. Check them out on pertnearsandstone.com and on all major streaming platforms. Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review wherever you listen — it helps more leaders find the show.

    49 min

  4. May 12

    What Do You Need to Shed? Nicole Nelson on Leading Up Through the Ranks

    What actually changes when you stop being the best individual contributor in the room and start being responsible for the people around you? Nicole Nelson has navigated that question at every level of a 20+ year career in CPG sales, from her first people management role covering Southern California and Hawaii to leading cross-functional teams as a Senior Director. In this conversation, she gets specific about the moments that forced her to recalibrate, the mentors who saved her, and why self-assurance beats imposter syndrome every time. Guest: Nicole Nelson is Senior Director of Sales, Distribution and Sales Planning at CJ Schwan's, with a career spanning General Mills, Lactalis, and roles across retail and food service sales. In this episode: 00:02:45 — Nicole's career path: from General Mills sales intern to Senior Director across retail, food service, and sales ops00:12:00 — The first people management role: why even high performers struggle to leave the doing behind00:14:51 — The manager who reset her on day one: "You're not doing the job we hired you for"00:18:58 — Redefining what a "solid day's work" looks like as you move up00:27:23 — The jump to director at General Mills: no onboarding, high stakes, and leading alongside00:32:13 — Managing former peers, former mentors, and the person who wanted the job you got00:38:54 — The loneliness of leadership and why being close-vested is part of the job00:42:43 — Nicole's single best piece of advice for newly promoted leaders: find a feedback partner Resources mentioned: "No bad teams, only bad leaders" — a leadership principle Nicole references throughout (associated with Jocko Willink's Extreme Ownership, search for this)The concept of "leadership aspiration vs. leadership drive" — referenced by Kent from his consulting background in assessment and succession planningSwiss army knife career development — building breadth of skills before depth of title (no specific resource; Nicole references a mentor who shaped this philosophy) Links for today's show: Nicole Nelson on LinkedInKent Kniebel on LinkedInThe Promoted Leader Toolkit Music for this podcast comes from a live recording of the song Needle & Thread and is provided with permission by Pert' Near Sandstone. Check them out on pertnearsandstone.com and on all major streaming platforms. Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review wherever you listen — it helps more leaders find the show.

    46 min

  5. May 5

    Leadership Is an Ecosystem, Not an Event: Rethinking How We Develop Leaders

    Leadership expectations are rising faster than leader preparation. That's the tension at the center of this conversation with Justin Roscoe, VP of Learning and Organizational Development at California Credit Union. Justin makes a sharp case that organizations have been treating leadership development as an event when it needs to be an ecosystem, and the results of getting that wrong show up in turnover, disengagement, and leaders who are stuck managing the shift instead of leading the business. Guest: Justin Roscoe is VP of Learning and Organizational Development at California Credit Union, where he leads training and development for approximately 530 employees. He also serves as VP of Certifications for the San Diego chapter of SHRM. In this episode: 00:11:42 — What we're actually asking of leaders today, and how those expectations have outpaced development00:15:41 — The shift from managing processes to leading the human behind the worker00:16:59 — HR as a cost center: who's responsible for telling the value story?00:22:50 — Why leaders stuck in shift-to-shift thinking never develop strategic vision00:24:48 — The business owner mindset: spending 50% of your time on the business, not just in it00:36:45 — "What got you here won't take you there" and why unlearning is the first job of a newly promoted leader00:42:31 — EQ isn't a future skill, it's a current requirement; how AI raises the bar for human connection00:50:57 — What to unlearn the moment you get promoted: the myth that leaders need all the answers Resources mentioned: Peter Principle — the concept that people are promoted to their level of incompetence (search "Peter Principle Laurence Peter")"What Got You Here Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith (search for this)SHRM certification programs — SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP (shrm.org) Links for today's show: Justin Roscoe on LinkedIn (flag for Kent to fill in)California Credit Union (add link if applicable)Kent Kniebel on LinkedInThe Promoted Leader Toolkit Music for this podcast comes from a live recording of the song Needle & Thread and is provided with permission by Pert' Near Sandstone. Check them out on pertnearsandstone.com and on all major streaming platforms. Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review wherever you listen — it helps more leaders find the show.

    55 min

  6. Apr 30

    Who Owns the People? Navigating the HR–Leader Tension

    Leaders are busy running the business — but leading people is part of the business. So why does that so often fall through the cracks? Kent talks with Jill Gosnell, Corporate Training & Development Manager at Field Aerospace, about the real tension between what HR expects leaders to do and what leaders are actually equipped to handle. Guest: Jill Gosnell has spent her career across corporate L&D, state government, global consulting — and a decade running her own bakery. That hands-on business experience shapes how she thinks about leadership development and the demands on leaders' time. In this episode: 02:39 — Jill's career path: from data entry to bakery owner to L&D leader07:41 — The HR vs. leader tension: who's really responsible for developing people?09:29 — The bakery analogy: how do leaders prioritize when everything feels urgent?13:32 — Why leaders hand difficult conversations back to HR — and what to do instead15:22 — Clarity vs. micromanagement: what's the actual difference?24:43 — Why telling your team you're working on your own leadership builds trust32:02 — Advice for leaders pursuing a promotion34:07 — Advice for newly promoted leaders: you don't have to know everything36:07 — The case for specific, intentional employee recognition Resources mentioned: Blanchard Situational LeadershipPeanut Butter & Jelly Instructions video (search YouTube — you'll find it) Links for today's show: Jill Gosnell on LinkedInKent Kniebel on LinkedInThe Promoted Leader Toolkit Music for this podcast comes from a live recording of the song Needle & Thread and is provided with permission by Pert' Near Sandstone. Check them out on PertNeaerSandstone.com and on all major streaming platforms. Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review wherever you listen — it helps more leaders find the show.

    40 min

  7. Apr 21

    Navigating Promotions: How to Stick the Landing Like a Pro! with Steve Mos

    Steve Moss served as Chief Marketing Officer at Gilbey Canada, Pillsbury International, Nestle Ice Cream and Imation. Global brands are his sweet spot. Steve reversed Smirnoff declines in Canada and set the brand on a path for six consecutive years of growth. He authored the Pillsbury Company's first global brand manual, for the Green Giant brand. Steve introduced Häagen-Dazs to China, its largest market after the US. And he revitalized Drumstick, reversing years of volume declines and creating advertising adopted by Nestle ice cream businesses worldwide. Steve's success in building brands is matched by his passion for developing leaders. Over 50 of his reports have gone on to become VPs or Presidents. In 2017, he founded Executive Springboard, a mentoring business designed to onboard executives, develop leaders and re-engage valued talent. He has recruited a network of over 100 mentors, covering over twenty functions and twelve countries. Steve's board experience includes overseas JVs, start-ups and non-profit organizations. Most newly promoted leaders assume their boss knows what they're supposed to be doing. That assumption gets a lot of people in trouble. In this episode, Steve Moss and I talk about what it actually takes to stick the landing after a promotion. Steve has spent decades developing leaders at the highest levels of global business, and he brings a practitioner's perspective on what separates the leaders who thrive from the ones who quietly struggle. We get into the concept of decision rights, specifically the "do, tell, ask" framework for understanding what you can act on independently, what your boss needs to know after the fact, and what requires explicit sign-off before you move. It sounds simple. Most promoted leaders have never thought about it clearly, and that gap creates friction with their boss from day one. We also spend real time on executive presence, not as a style exercise, but as an authenticity challenge. The leaders who try to perform presence usually undermine themselves. The ones who figure out how to communicate their actual thinking in a way that lands at the executive level, those are the ones who build credibility fast. Takeaways from this conversation: Clarifying decision rights with your boss in the first 30 days prevents the kind of misalignment that quietly derails transitionsExecutive presence is less about polish and more about knowing what you actually think and being able to say it clearlyThe shift from doing to strategizing is harder than it sounds, and most leaders underestimate how long it takes to rewireNavigating peer relationships after a promotion requires more intentionality than most leaders bring to itCoachability is not a soft skill. It is the mechanism by which promoted leaders course-correct before the window closesListening more and talking less is not a communication tip. It is how you build the trust and credibility your new role requires Links for today's show: Steve's LinkedIn PageExecutive SpringBoard's WebsiteKent's LinkedIn Pagehttps://kent.coach/playbook **Music for this podcast comes from the song Needle & Thread and is provided with permission by Pert' Near Sandstone. Check them out on PertNeaerSandstone.com and on all major streaming platforms.**

    46 min

  8. Apr 14

    Unleashing Leadership: Tackling the 7 Leadership Hurdles with Dr. Garland Vance, and Dorothy Wood Vance

    DR. GARLAND VANCE believes every person deserves to work with a great leader, and every leader can be great. He has spent over 25 years helping organizations develop the leaders they need to succeed. He authored Gettin' (un)Busy, which Forbes named “one of the seven books everyone on your team should read” and 2020’s Best Business Book by the AuthorElite Awards. DOROTHY WOOD VANCE has been helping leaders discover and maximize their unique talents and gifts for over 25 years, empowering good leaders to become great. With her husband, Garland, she cofounded AdVance Leadership, which is recognized as one of the Top 20 Leadership Development Companies in America. She and Garland live with their three children in Knoxville,Tennessee. Unleashing your leadership for greater impact is the name of the game today, and we’ve got the dynamic duo, Dr. Garland Vance and Dorothy Wood Vance, in the house to lay down some serious wisdom from their book, "Unleashed Leadership." They dive into the seven key issues that can keep you from making the impact you crave as a leader. Trust me, if you’ve ever wondered where to start when challenges hit, this episode has the answers you need. We’re talking about practical strategies that’ll help you figure out your game plan and tackle those pesky roadblocks head-on. So kick back, grab a drink, and let’s get into how we can all step up our leadership game together! Unleashing your leadership potential is a journey, and today’s chat takes us on a wild ride through the minds of Dr. Garland and Dorothy Wood Vance, the dynamic duo behind the book "Unleashed Leadership." They dive deep into the common challenges that new leaders face, especially those who’ve just been promoted. You know the drill: you get the title but not the toolkit, and suddenly you’re expected to lead like a pro. The Vances nail this experience by pinpointing seven core issues that leaders encounter, each starting with a 'C' — character, competence, capacity, clarity, community, culture, and consistency. They explain how recognizing these issues can help leaders tackle their challenges head-on rather than getting lost in the sea of self-help books or endless online articles that only lead to confusion. What’s refreshing is their approach to leadership character — it’s not just about being morally upright but having the guts to face tough conversations and decisions. They emphasize taking responsibility, and how doing so can transform a leader’s impact, both in the workplace and beyond. The conversation gets even more engaging as they touch on the importance of cultivating a strong sense of community and clarity within teams. If you’re a leader feeling overwhelmed, they share practical tips on how to carve out time for introspection and development — a crucial step in moving from a stressed-out manager to an empowered leader. They urge listeners to think about the relationships they build, not just the tasks they juggle. Delegating effectively and knowing when to step back are vital skills that lead to a thriving workplace culture. The episode is a treasure trove of insights that any leader, especially those stepping into new roles, should definitely tune into. In a nutshell, the episode really gets to the heart of what it means to lead effectively today. The Vances blend personal anecdotes with actionable advice, making this not just a conversation, but a masterclass in unleashing the leader within. So, if you’re ready to step up your game and lead with confidence and clarity, this is the episode you don’t want to miss. Grab a pen and take notes, because these insights are pure gold for anyone looking to make a real impact in their leadership journey. Takeaways: Leaders often struggle with knowing where to start when facing challenges; our episode dives into defining seven core issues that can help them navigate these hurdles effectively.The importance of humility and responsibility in leadership is emphasized; true character is shown in how leaders handle tough conversations and decisions, not just in moral choices.To become more effective, leaders need to assess what skills they require at their new levels after promotion, often needing to let go of previous competencies that no longer serve them.Building strong relationships and understanding team dynamics is crucial; leaders should focus on what they can delegate to empower their teams while carving out time for their own development.We break down the 'Unleashed Leadership' framework into seven key issues, all starting with 'C' to help leaders identify and tackle their biggest obstacles to effectiveness.Leaders should shift their mindset from fear to excitement about their growth journey; embracing change is essential to becoming the leader their teams need. Links for today's show: Dr. Garland Vance's Linked In PageAdVance Leadership's WebsiteUnleashed Leadership Free AudioBookKent's Linked In PagePromoted Leader Playbook **Music for this podcast comes from the song Needle & Thread and is provided with permission by Pert' Near Sandstone. Check them out on PertNeaerSandstone.com and on all major streaming platforms.** *Editing by Fynn Gentle / www.fynngentle.com

    43 min
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About

About the Podcast The Step Up brings together experts who help leaders elevate their impact. Each 45-minute episode features conversations with thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators who are changing how we think about leadership development and helping leaders step up their game. Why This Podcast Exists Throughout my career—from my time at organizations like Korn Ferry, Cargill, General Mills, and Buffalo Wild Wings to my current work as an independent leadership consultant—I've witnessed firsthand how leaders struggle during moments of change and transition and when learning higher-level skills. Work never slows down, and leaders often find themselves trying to grow while in the thick of daily demands. The Step Up is designed to provide practical wisdom and actionable strategies that busy leaders can implement immediately to enhance their effectiveness. What to Expect Each episode follows a two-part format: Part One: Leadership Journeys We explore our guest's background, expertise, and unique perspective on leadership development. You'll hear authentic stories about their experiences supporting leaders and the insights they've gained along the way. Part Two: Actionable Strategies Our guests share three specific, practical tools or approaches that you can apply to your leadership right away. We dig into each one, discussing how to implement it effectively in your unique context. Your Host Kent Kniebel brings over 20 years of experience in leadership development, talent management, and DEI consulting to each conversation. Drawing on his background in corporate HR roles and external consulting work, Kent guides discussions that bridge theory and practice, focusing on what really works in today's leadership landscape. Connect with Kent Have questions about the podcast or want to continue the conversation? Connect with Kent on LinkedIn or visit Kniebel Leadership Advisory to learn more about his work supporting leaders during critical transitions.

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