Leadership in Quarters: 15-Minute Culture Insights

Joshua Seldin - Leadership & Culture Expert
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  • Management

Josh Seldin is a seasoned Director of Manufacturing at a Fortune 50 company, with deep expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, and maintenance systems. With a proven track record of operational excellence, Josh brings not only technical mastery but also a human-centered leadership philosophy to every environment he leads. He is also the author of Constructing a Healthy Culture. Josh has a deep passion for building workplace cultures where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to bring their best selves to work every day. At the core of Josh's leadership approach is a commitment to developing leaders—both emerging and experienced—who can coach effectively, build trust, and lead with empathy. His focus is on cultivating psychologically safe environments, enhancing communication, and fostering inclusion across all levels of an organization. All of this builds the foundation and inspiration behind the Leadership in Quarters Podcast, where you can hear Josh and other industry leading Leadership Experts discuss different leadership and culture building topics. You can also find my YouTube interview series at YouTube.com/@leadinquarters

  1. Episode 87: Leading Beyond Survival: Swapping the Monkey Brain for Psychological Safety | Dr Luissa Kiprono

    22 Jun

    Episode 87: Leading Beyond Survival: Swapping the Monkey Brain for Psychological Safety | Dr Luissa Kiprono

    "Survival mode leadership is reactive. It's not intentional. Decisions are made through urgency, scarcity, and fear of failure instead of bringing together the mission, the values, and the people around you." High-risk pregnancy physician specialist, Air Force veteran, and author Dr. Luissa Kiprono joins host Josh Seldin to explore what it truly means to lead beyond survival mode. Dr. Kiprono draws on her incredible journey—from surviving communist Romania to overcoming personal trauma—to dissect the underlying neuroscience of how fear paralyzes modern workplace cultures. Josh and Dr. Kiprono break down why the primitive "monkey brain" defaults to fight-or-flight reactions during high-stakes corporate pressure, and how conscious leaders can train themselves to find the space between action and reaction. They discuss the deep systemic cost of suffocating, toxic workplace environments—such as the "glorified suffering" and malignant blame cultures historically found in medical residencies—and contrast them with thriving organizations built on vulnerable communication, mutual trust, and robust succession planning. From learning how to defuse your own internal projection traps to empowering the "schedulers" and frontline technicians in your organization, this episode offers a vital, trauma-informed blueprint for building a resilient, psychologically safe culture. Key Takeaways: ✅ The Primitive Brain Trap: Understanding the neuroscience of why your "monkey brain" defaults to reactionary, fear-based decisions under pressure rather than leveraging the prefrontal cortex. ✅ Pausing the Reflex: Practical, learned behaviors—like taking a tactical timeout or sleeping on a hot email—to create space between a high-stakes trigger and a civilized reply. ✅ The Palpable Room Temperature: Recognizing how hypervigilance, workplace gossip, and fear of punishment destroy team engagement and cause employees to wait for the other shoe to drop. ✅ Dethroning the Rite of Passage: Why thriving organizations must shift away from historical "malignant environments" that glorify past suffering as a prerequisite for current success. ✅ Eradicating the Word "Just": How top-tier leaders build deep trust and uncover the hidden risks below the surface by eliminating self-diminishing language from frontline staff. ✅ Thriving Through Adversity: Shifting the leadership paradigm to realize that a healthy culture isn't defined by the absence of challenges, but by the presence of collaborative resilience when things break down. Connect with Dr. Luissa Kiprono: Websites: www.drluissak.com www.telemedmfm.com HQ Hub: https://linktr.ee/drluissak Book: Special Ed (Signed + Bookmark): https://drluissak.com/book-us/ Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/... trauma-triumph-and-the-making/id1734426832 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0EOlEcb... LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-luissa-k-mfm-author-leader Facebook: www.facebook.com/luissa.kip Instagram: www.instagram.com/drluissak/ Contact Josh: leadinquarters@gmail.com Follow Leadership in Quarters: @leadinquarters on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Artwork: Adam Powell Music: Bensound License code: CACCELOIJIRNMRRT Artist: : Benjamin Tissot #LeadershipInQuarters #DrLuissaKiprono #LeadingBeyondSurvival #PsychologicalSafety #NeuroscienceOfLeadership #TraumaInformedLeadership #CorporateCulture #ExecutiveCoaching #VulnerableLeadership #JoshSeldin #YourGrowthAscent

    30 min
  2. Episode 86: The Feedback Shift: Moving from Directives to Co-Active Growth | Joel Silverstone

    15 Jun

    Episode 86: The Feedback Shift: Moving from Directives to Co-Active Growth | Joel Silverstone

    "Leaders often hinder team motivation by projecting their own logic and values onto others instead of using curiosity to uncover individual drivers." Communication coach and former actor Joel Silverstone joins host Josh Seldin to transform how leaders approach motivation and professional accountability. Joel pulls back the curtain on the psychology of human behavior, showing leaders how to move away from rigid, directive feedback and step into a co-active, conversational framework focused on future growth. Josh and Joel explore why projecting your own personal motivations onto a team member fails, how to master the art of remaining deeply present and listening actively, and the power of being soft on the person while remaining hard on the problem. From utilizing curiosity as a tool to uncover hidden professional drivers to navigating high-stakes feedback conversations, this episode provides a sharp, real-world playbook on how to build a sustainable, high-performing culture through authentic communication. Key Takeaways: ✅ The Projection Trap: Why assuming your team members are motivated by the same logic and values as you is a major leadership blind spot. ✅ Curiosity Over Certainty: How replacing assumptions with genuine curiosity allows you to uncover what actually drives individual performance. ✅ The Co-Active Feedback Model: Shifting away from top-down directive feedback to a collaborative, growth-focused conversation. ✅ Deep Presence in Communication: Strategies for overcoming the internal noise to listen actively and remain fully present with your team. ✅ Soft on Person, Hard on Problem: A communication framework for protecting human relationships and psychological safety while maintaining uncompromising standards for performance. ✅ Unlocking Team Motivation: Practical tools from the world of performance and coaching to transform how your team engages with constructive criticism. Connect with Joel Silverstone: LinkedIn: / joelsilverstone Website: https://thisfeelsright.ca/ Instagram: / this.feels.right Contact Josh: leadinquarters@gmail.com Follow Leadership in Quarters: @leadinquarters on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Artwork: Adam Powell Music I Use: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music License code: XLTFEA63G4NDR8GZ Artist: : Benjamin Tissot #LeadershipInQuarters #JoelSilverstone #EffectiveFeedback #TeamMotivation #CoActiveCoaching #CorporateCulture #ExecutiveCoaching #CommunicationSkills #JoshSeldin #YourGrowthAscent

    27 min
  3. Episode 85: Influencing Without Authority: The Human Factor of Silo Leadership | David Fung

    8 Jun

    Episode 85: Influencing Without Authority: The Human Factor of Silo Leadership | David Fung

    "It costs you nothing to be respectful, but it will cost you relationships if you assume the worst in other people every time." Former Salesforce Senior Director David Fung joins host Josh Seldin to tackle the ultimate challenge of matrixed organizations: how to get things done when you aren't the boss. David pulls back the curtain on the psychology of human behavior, showing leaders how to move away from command-and-control tactics and step into a culture of high-yielding influence. Josh and David explore the "What's in it for me?" (WIIFM) factor, why flatter organizations require a complete abandonment of corporate egos, and how to successfully hold peers accountable when deadlines slip. From building cross-functional "piggy banks" of trust to dealing with holiday weekend emergencies, this episode provides a sharp, real-world playbook on how to lead effectively using credibility, authentic connection, and strategic relevance. Key Takeaways: ✅ The Authority Fallacy: Why relying on a title or organizational hierarchy to drive priorities results in checked-out teams who only do the bare minimum. ✅ The Influencer Triad: Mastering the three requirements of non-authoritative leadership—establishing deep structural credibility, forging human connection, and maintaining radical relevance. ✅ Bypassing the Transactional Trap: How to stop treating corporate relationships like a fast-food order and start building genuine, proactive rapport across departments. ✅ Uncovering Hidden Leverage: Strategies for finding shared commonalities and collective alignment across seemingly disconnected departmental silos. ✅ Peer-to-Peer Accountability: A live roleplay framework for politely but firmly holding cross-functional colleagues accountable to their commitments through the lens of integrity. ✅ The True Cost of Respect: Understanding how a baseline of humility, transparency, and empathy acts as your most powerful currency for sustainable, long-term career success. Connect with David Fung: Podcast: https://coachfulcoaching.com/podcast Website: http://www.coachfulcoaching.com/ Contact Josh: leadinquarters@gmail.com Follow Leadership in Quarters: @leadinquarters on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Artwork: Adam Powell Music I Use: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music License code: RFDYFOWDK3BYX6UZ Artist: : Benjamin Tissot #LeadershipInQuarters #DavidFung #InfluenceWithoutAuthority #CrossFunctionalLeadership #CorporateCulture #ExecutiveCoaching #TechLeadership #JoshSeldin #YourGrowthAscent

    28 min
  4. Episode 84: Humor as a Business Skill: Leading Through Tension and Irony | Jan McInnis

    1 Jun

    Episode 84: Humor as a Business Skill: Leading Through Tension and Irony | Jan McInnis

    "People want to work with the people they want to have a beer or a glass of wine with." Television monologue writer, author, and clean comedian Jan McInnis joins host Josh Seldin to prove that humor isn't just for the comedy club: it's a critical tool in the executive toolkit. Jan shares her front-line secrets from speaking to organizations like the Federal Reserve and the Mayo Clinic, showing leaders how to safely navigate the fine line of "too soon" comedy and leverage the humanizing power of self-deprecating wit. Josh and Jan dig into how leaders can command a room like a seasoned stand-up, manage corporate "hecklers" without losing power, and bypass standard corporate tunnel vision by intentionally scanning their environment for ironies. From coping with frozen salaries in Iowa to navigating truck drivers in a church basement, this episode is a masterclass in reading the room and breaking the ice when the pressure is on. Key Takeaways: ✅ The Energy Reset: How a single well-timed observation can instantly release the physiological tension of a room stuck in a low-energy or high-stress rut. ✅ The Anatomy of a Business Joke: Why leaders should avoid hot-button topics (politics, religion) and focus strictly on situational ironies and self-deprecating humor. ✅ Handling the Corporate Heckler: Learning from comedians how to diffuse disruptive, attention-seeking team members ("Bobs") without forfeiting your authority. ✅ Bypassing Corporate Blinders: How to trade presentation tunnel vision for sharp situational awareness by scanning agendas, environments, and team vibes. ✅ The Meme Advantage: Utilizing cartoons, idioms, altered acronyms, and visual memes to increase email open rates and reinforce dry corporate documentation. ✅ Starting Small: Embracing the "open mic" approach to management by testing out small, authentic expressions of humor before anchoring major company keynotes with it. Connect with Jan McInnis: Website: https://theworklady.com/ Substack: https://janmcinnis.sub... Instagram:  / jan.mcinnis Contact Josh: leadinquarters@gmail.com Follow Leadership in Quarters: @leadinquarters on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Artwork: Adam Powell Music by Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License code: FK3H7T3WKW6EAGTE Artist: : Benjamin Tissot #LeadershipInQuarters #JanMcInnis #HumorInBusiness #ExecutivePresence #ApproachableLeadership #CorporateCulture #ReadTheRoom #JoshSeldin #YourGrowthAscent

    30 min
  5. Episode 83: The ROI of Heart-Centered Leadership: Overcoming Corporate Ego With Energy | Alison Kermode

    25 May

    Episode 83: The ROI of Heart-Centered Leadership: Overcoming Corporate Ego With Energy | Alison Kermode

    "The mind overcomplicates things. The heart simplifies." Corporate growth strategist and author Alison Kermode joins host Josh Seldin to pull back the curtain on a critical resource most executive spreadsheets completely miss: employee energy. Alison shares how she used energetic awareness to help scale a company by over $1 billion and details a staggering 200% revenue turnaround achieved simply by shifting a team's emotional climate. Josh and Alison dissect the corporate ego—the hyper-defensive, protective mindset that creates silos, stifles collaboration, and breeds "Negative Nellies." They discuss practical ways to audit a meeting's vibe, why leaders need to run away from the term "soft skills," and how integrating a "heart-centered advantage" is the ultimate counterweight to the cold, transactional energy of artificial intelligence. Key Takeaways: ✅ The 200% Revenue Blueprint: Real-world proof that shifting a workplace from fear-based to heart-centered directly accelerates financial metrics. ✅ The Incredible Hulk Mindset: Recognizing how an overdeveloped corporate ego causes leaders to overcomplicate problems and drown in defensive data. ✅ The EVOL&ved Framework: Understanding the mathematical balance of culture—aiming for 51% heart energy (EVOL/ Love backwards) and 49% mind energy (ved). ✅ Meeting Vibe Metrics: How to spot the early warning signs of cultural decline, including sudden defensiveness and "dog and pony show" presentations. ✅ The Meta-Moment Reset: A simple, under-a-minute biological tool using conscious breathing to override a high-stress, hijacked brain state. ✅ The Counter-AI Strategy: Why human-centered customer service is becoming the highest-value corporate differentiator as transactional tech scales. Connect with Alison Kermode: Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/yolarobe... YouTube: / @theevolvedtraining Instagram: / theevolvedtraining LinkedIn: / alison-kermode-919b713 Facebook: / theevolvedtraining Training: https://theevolvedtraining.com/ Consulting: https://kermodecollaborative.com/ Heart-Centered Movement Online Store (Apparel and Books): https://theevolvedstore.com/ Contact Josh: leadinquarters@gmail.com Follow Leadership in Quarters: @leadinquarters on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Artwork: Adam Powell Music by https://www.bensound.com License code: 29DY2CU2ZSVPR45P Artist: : Benjamin Tissot #LeadershipInQuarters #AlisonKermode #HeartCenteredLeadership #CorporateCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #EgoVsHeart #ResilientLeadership #JoshSeldin #YourGrowthAscent

    31 min
  6. Episode 82: The Neuroscience of Leadership: Embodied Change and Mirror Neurons | Ursula Pottinga

    18 May

    Episode 82: The Neuroscience of Leadership: Embodied Change and Mirror Neurons | Ursula Pottinga

    "We are human beings, not human doings." Ursula Pottinga joins host Josh Seldin to challenge high-achieving leaders who try to intellectualize every problem while completely ignoring the body. Did you know that 90% of the information processed by your system originates in the body before it ever reaches the brain? Josh and Ursula dive deep into the mechanics of nervous system regulation, the power of the "mirror neuron system" in team dynamics, and the hidden biological cost of emotional suppression. They offer practical neuroscience tools to move leaders from a state of wobbly dysregulation to grounded presence, providing a fascinating look at how curiosity and brain science can transform workplace culture in 2026. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ The Embodied Brain: Why the body holds the deeper wisdom and data required for sustainable behavior modification. ✅ Nervous System Regulation: How your physiological state directly dictates the effectiveness, clarity, and empathy of your leadership actions. ✅ The Mirror Neuron System: The science behind how leaders unconsciously broadcast their stress or calm to their entire team. ✅ The Danger of Suppression: Why pretending "everything is fine" increases your chemical stress load and leads to sideways "leaks" like road rage or sudden outbursts. ✅ Name It to Tame It: How simply verbalizing a difficult emotion immediately triggers a calming biochemical response in the nervous system. ✅ Neuroplasticity & Habits: How to break out of old, ineffective "neural highways" and consciously wire new pathways for leadership success. ✅ Leading Neurodiversity & Differences: Why curiosity is the ultimate tool for supporting neurodivergent, generational, and cultural differences in modern organizations. ✅ Complaints as Requests: How to reframe team complaints as unspoken requests and transition your culture into a solution-focused powerhouse. Connect with Ursula Pottinga: Her Website: https://www.profoundgrowth.com/podcasts LinkedIn: / ursula-pottinga Contact Josh: leadinquarters@gmail.com Follow Leadership in Quarters: @leadinquarters on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Artwork: Adam Powell Music by Bensound License code: J4NFQF252P8MPOWY Artist: : Benjamin Tissot #LeadershipInQuarters #UrsulaPottinga #NeuroscienceOfLeadership #EmbodiedChange #NervousSystemRegulation #Neuroplasticity #PsychologicalSafety #YourGrowthAscent #JoshSeldin

    31 min
  7. Episode 81: Building High-Trust Cultures: Co-Creation and Braving Fear | Ian Clawson

    10 May

    Episode 81: Building High-Trust Cultures: Co-Creation and Braving Fear | Ian Clawson

    "How do we work together?" While many leaders focus on working harder or working smarter, cultural strategist Ian Clawson joins Josh Seldin to argue that the most important question is how we co-create. Ian, the co-author of Brave Together, discusses why even high-performing teams can feel disconnected and how leaders can identify the "fear-based" behaviors—blame, complaining, and excuses—that stall growth. In this episode, you'll learn why a "safe space" isn't enough and how to build a "brave space" where the best ideas win. Josh and Ian explore the "Mirror Test" for leaders, the power of leading with curious questions, and how to balance the high standards of execution with the humanity required for long-term cultural health. Key Takeaways: ✅ Inclusion vs. Belonging: Understanding the organizational and individual roles in creating a connected team. ✅ The 3 Faces of Fear: How to spot blame, complaining, and excuses as indicators of underlying psychological barriers. ✅ Leading with Questions: Why the best leaders don't have all the answers and how to use curiosity as a strategic tool. ✅ The Mirror Test: Shifting the mindset from "What's wrong with them?" to "How must I change my approach?". ✅ Standards vs. Expectations: How to avoid the "suffocating" trap of micromanagement by focusing on directional standards. ✅ Co-Creation: Moving beyond the "lone wolf" executor mentality to design a better collective experience. Connect with Ian Clawson: LinkedIn: / ian-clawson-bravecore His Website: https://bravecore.co/ His Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1265386676/... Contact Josh: leadinquarters@gmail.com Follow Leadership in Quarters: @leadinquarters on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Artwork: Adam Powell Royalty Free Music: https://www.bensound.com License code: ZP5F5MP5C8LJEFXG Artist: : Benjamin Tissot #LeadershipInQuarters #IanClawson #BraveTogether #WorkplaceCulture #HighTrustTeams #CoCreation #PsychologicalSafety #LeadershipDevelopment #JoshSeldin

    33 min
  8. Episode 80: Unlocking Empathetic Leadership: Vulnerability and Resilience | Dr. Marline C. Duroseau

    3 May

    Episode 80: Unlocking Empathetic Leadership: Vulnerability and Resilience | Dr. Marline C. Duroseau

    "In order for your team to produce for you, you have to have that vulnerability as well." Dr. Mar joins Josh to dismantle the myth that vulnerability is a "soft skill" or a sign of weakness in positions of power. Instead, they discuss how showing humanity allows organizations to thrive during times of extreme disruption, such as the global challenges faced by the healthcare industry during COVID-19. Josh and Dr. Mar dive deep into the differences in how men and women navigate vulnerability, the danger of the "I did it, why can't you?" mentality, and the critical balance between being an empathetic leader and maintaining accountability. They provide a roadmap for leaders to move from "Chaos to Calm" by developing self-awareness and building bridges of trust rather than barriers of ego. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ The Vulnerability Reframe: Why bringing humanity into stoic work is a requirement for modern organizational success. ✅ Gender Stereotypes in Leadership: How to overcome the different societal pressures placed on men and women regarding emotional expression. ✅ Leading Through Disruption: Real-world lessons from the front lines of healthcare on how empathy saves teams during crises. ✅ The Balance of Calm and Stern: How to be a "no-nonsense" leader while remaining a safe space for your team. ✅ Building Bridges vs. Barriers: Why curiosity and asking "what help is needed?" is more effective than scolding or shaming. ✅ Emotional Regulation: The importance of self-awareness and knowing your own "level" before attempting to lead others. Connect with Dr. Marline C. Duroseau: Her Website: http://www.mcdbe.com/ Chaos to Calm™ : masterclass.mcdbe.com Contact Josh: leadinquarters@gmail.com Follow Leadership in Quarters: @leadinquarters on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok @leadinquarters Artwork: Adam Powell Music: https://www.bensound.com License code: BOPECP4TGJ7IJYEH Artist: : Benjamin Tissot #LeadershipInQuarters #DrMarlineDuroseau #EmpatheticLeadership #VulnerabilityInWorkplace #ResilientLeadership #ChaosToCalm #PsychologicalSafety #JoshSeldin #YourGrowthAscent

    34 min
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About

Josh Seldin is a seasoned Director of Manufacturing at a Fortune 50 company, with deep expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, and maintenance systems. With a proven track record of operational excellence, Josh brings not only technical mastery but also a human-centered leadership philosophy to every environment he leads. He is also the author of Constructing a Healthy Culture. Josh has a deep passion for building workplace cultures where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to bring their best selves to work every day. At the core of Josh's leadership approach is a commitment to developing leaders—both emerging and experienced—who can coach effectively, build trust, and lead with empathy. His focus is on cultivating psychologically safe environments, enhancing communication, and fostering inclusion across all levels of an organization. All of this builds the foundation and inspiration behind the Leadership in Quarters Podcast, where you can hear Josh and other industry leading Leadership Experts discuss different leadership and culture building topics. You can also find my YouTube interview series at YouTube.com/@leadinquarters

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