87 episodes

Weekly conversations with leadership experts. Hear their stories, get their tools, and be a strong, emotionally intelligent leader.  We feature diverse leaders from all corners of the globe. Culture-impacting discussions include conflict resolution, DEI, and the psychology of leadership. Listeners of Leadership School desire to be emotionally intelligent, well-balanced, and to lead with integrity. 

Leadership School Kyla Cofer

    • Education
    • 4.6 • 10 Ratings

Weekly conversations with leadership experts. Hear their stories, get their tools, and be a strong, emotionally intelligent leader.  We feature diverse leaders from all corners of the globe. Culture-impacting discussions include conflict resolution, DEI, and the psychology of leadership. Listeners of Leadership School desire to be emotionally intelligent, well-balanced, and to lead with integrity. 

    Ep. 87: The Journey of Inclusive Leadership with Guest Sally Helgesen

    Ep. 87: The Journey of Inclusive Leadership with Guest Sally Helgesen

    Tune in to our interesting discussion with Sally Helgesen, acclaimed international author and the world's leading authority on women's leadership. Be prepared to gain profound insights from Sally's latest book that navigates the intricacies of creating an inclusive workplace. Together, we unpack how the corporate environment functions for women, and how to effectively incorporate them into it. From our conversation, you will learn how to confront commonly faced challenges, such as fairness and networking.

    In a deep dive into Sally's innovative ideas, we explore how to reframe narratives and foster more productive relationships. Understand how being genuinely curious and courageous can help handle difficult conversations without feeling defensive.  The potency of an inclusive workspace is underscored, revealing how it can fuel the transformation of professional environments.

    Sally Helgesen, cited in Forbes as the world’s premier expert on women’s
    leadership, is an internationally best-selling author, speaker and leadership
    coach. She has been inducted into the Thinkers 50 Hall of Fame, which
    honors those whose ideas have shaped the field of leadership worldwide. She
    is also ranked number 3 among the world’s thought leaders by Global Gurus.

    Sally’s latest book, Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create
    a More Inclusive Workplace, offers practical ways to build more inclusive
    relationships, teams, and workplaces. It soared to Amazon’s number one top-
    seller in its field in the first week of publication.

    Rising Together builds on Sally’s remarkable success with How Women Rise,
    co-authored with legendary executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, which
    examines the behaviors most likely to get in the way of successful women as
    they move forward in their careers. Rights have been sold in 23 languages.

    Other books include The Female Advantage: Women’s Ways of Leadership,
    hailed as the classic in its field and continuously in print since 1990, and The
    Web of Inclusion: A New Architecture for Building Great Organizations, cited
    in The Wall Street Journal as one of the best books on leadership of all time
    and credited with bringing the language of inclusion into business.

    For over 30 years, Sally has delivered workshops and keynotes for
    companies, partnership firms and associations, working in 37 countries
    around the world. She can be reached at sally@sallyhelgesen.com
    Support the showThanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

    For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

    Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

    All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

    Leadership School Production:
    Produced by Kyla Cofer
    Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
    Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

    • 50 min
    Ep 86: The Power of Everyday Leadership with Guest Brian Unell

    Ep 86: The Power of Everyday Leadership with Guest Brian Unell

    Ever wondered how you can make a difference in your everyday life? Today, we've got Brian Unell, CEO of VantageHealthai and author of Everyday Leadership, You Will Make a Difference, on the show to help you do just that. With a fascinating journey that started with a statistics degree and led him through consulting and healthcare, Brian shares invaluable insights on leadership and company culture that will leave you inspired.

    One key takeaway from our conversation is the powerful role of company culture and how it can be proactively shaped. Brian and I dive into how you can establish a purpose and commitment statement, foster a servant leadership mentality, and navigate the tricky waters of implementing change in large organizations.

    Our discussion then pivots to the profound impact of a growth mindset on communication, courtesy of Carol Dweck's theory. We unravel how internal intentions can color our communication style, fostering a more positive environment. As we round up the episode, we reflect on leadership, growth, and the value of relationships. Discover how mindful communication can transform your interactions and eliminate those pesky preconceived notions that can lead to negative outcomes. This is one episode you don't want to miss!

    Brian is the CEO of VantageHealth.ai which focuses on simplifying the billing and payment processes for patients while reducing costs and increasing revenue for providers/vendors. Brian also founded Thrival Consulting, LLC in 2020 which focuses on expanding leadership at home, work, and in life as an author and speaker. His first book Everyday Leadership: You Will Make A Difference was released in the Fall of 2022. Previously, Brian served as the Vice President, Revenue Cycle at Piedmont Healthcare (PHC) leading 1,500 team members to drive results for 11 hospitals & >1,000 providers. Brian also worked in PHC’s corporate PMO where he developed the business case and served as an accountable executive for a $180M systems integration project implementing Epic and PeopleSoft. 

    Brian has been described as a transformational healthcare executive who has a passion for cultivating talent and driving change to enable sustainable results. Brian defines opportunities, develops strategies, prioritizes initiatives, and drives results via a belief that “Communications and Expectations are 90% of Success” while trying each day to solve more problems than he causes.

    Brian holds three degrees from the University of Florida: BS-Statistics, Master of Business Administration, & Master of Health Administration. Brian currently resides in his hometown of Atlanta with his wife Hilary, fifteen-year-old son Harris and five-year-old daughter Sara.
    Support the showThanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

    For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

    Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

    All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

    Leadership School Production:
    Produced by Kyla Cofer
    Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
    Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

    • 31 min
    Ep. 85: The Emotionally Intelligent Boardroom with Guest Sharon Critchlow

    Ep. 85: The Emotionally Intelligent Boardroom with Guest Sharon Critchlow

    Ever wonder what it takes to navigate the complexities of a boardroom? Sharon Critchlow, an accomplished executive director, accountant, and speaker, joins us to share her journey from a small English town to making her mark in the world of finance and leadership. An expert in the intricate dynamics of board service, Sharon lends her insight on understanding agendas, presenting papers, and the critical role of being a friend within the board.

    Her journey doesn't stop there. Sharon shares how she mastered the art of public speaking and the importance of stepping outside her comfort zone. With an intriguing story and thought-provoking questions, Sharon underscores the centrality of emotional intelligence in our responses to various situations. What if we all responded to each other with empathy and asked questions instead of reacting with our immediate emotional responses? How could our world be different?

    If you've ever considered a board position or are curious about the role emotional intelligence plays in leadership, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Hear Sharon's inspiring story and take away invaluable advice from her experiences in leadership and board service. Prepare to be enlightened on the fascinating world of leadership and board service.

    As an international best-selling writer and speaker Sharon is a vocal changemaker. She brings passion to the subjects of the future of work, diversity, emotional intelligence and environmental social governance.

    Writer of numerous articles published across the globe on wellbeing topics, she is the co-author Amazon best-selling book: "Love Your Life! 100 Tips For More Peace and Happiness."

    Sharon is Director at Discover Your Bounce, which is a personal development and workplace wellness provider and is a qualified Accountant with over 20 years of experience in board roles and growing successful businesses in the financial services sector. Now a qualified coach and mentor, Sharon is passionate about people becoming the best that they can be and allowing their true talents to shine. She continues to share her board experience as a Council member for ACCA, which is a global accountancy provider and as a non executive director of Clarion Housing Association.
    Support the showThanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

    For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

    Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

    All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

    Leadership School Production:
    Produced by Kyla Cofer
    Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
    Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

    • 48 min
    Ep. 84: Innovative Transformation: A Conversation with Guest Daniel Sims

    Ep. 84: Innovative Transformation: A Conversation with Guest Daniel Sims

    Can you imagine turning a struggling local music festival into a half-billion-dollar enterprise? That's the compelling story of our guest today, Daniel Sims, a consultant, author, and a true leader in developing funding systems. Raised in Helena, Arkansas, Daniel’s journey from his modest roots in the nonprofit world to his current work in philanthropy and organizational change is nothing short of inspirational. He gives us an in-depth view of his innovative Allen Sims Transformational Model, a tool designed to revamp systems in organizations, making them more mission-focused and revenue generating.

    Daniel recounts the gripping tale of how he breathed new life into a local music festival in Helena, transforming it from a floundering event into a successful enterprise. This feat not only testifies to Daniel's uncanny ability to understand community needs but also his talent for building equitable strong relationships for fundraising. He also emphasizes the significance of creating safe, equitable community programs, and the need for collecting data and engaging in frank dialogues with community members to ensure the right use of funds.

    We wrap up by discussing the important, and often tricky, issue of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Daniel shares his thoughts on Gallup's Inclusion Index and why he believes it's a must for organizations. If you've ever thought about how you could bring about transformation and positive change in your organization or community, this episode is a goldmine of practical advice and inspiring examples. It's a revealing exploration of the transformative power of community engagement and organizational change. So join us, and let's learn together.

    Daniel Sims is a highly accomplished consultant, speaker, trainer, researcher, and author who has dedicated his career to promoting equity and social justice. He is a recipient of numerous awards and has an unparalleled ability to optimize organizational culture, increase fundraising capacity, and create strategic cultures with a JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) lens. Sims hails from a small, impoverished area in the Arkansas Delta, and he uses his upbringing as a guide to promote justice-led advocacy for all.
    Sims is an influential figure with an unwavering commitment to equity, and he has a remarkable track record of driving transformative systemic change in philanthropic, corporate, and social landscapes. He delivers captivating speeches that inspire action towards creating a more just and equitable world. Daniel has trained and spoken at multiple conferences and events, and his work has been featured on various podcasts, including Lead with Levity, Human Capital Innovations (HCI), and Better Humans at Work. Outside of work, Sims enjoys trivia (he even competed on Jeopardy!), playing Magic: The Gathering, and watching Lucy Worsley documentaries. He resides
    Support the showThanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

    For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

    Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

    All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

    Leadership School Production:
    Produced by Kyla Cofer
    Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
    Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

    • 43 min
    Ep. 83: Conquering Your Corporate Kilimanjaro with Guest Wayne Barringer

    Ep. 83: Conquering Your Corporate Kilimanjaro with Guest Wayne Barringer

    Ever wondered if it is possible to transform a disheartened team into a high-performing, harmonious unit? Join us as we navigate a remarkable journey with Wayne Beringer, the mastermind behind an astounding change at Boeing, where he raised employee satisfaction from a mere 52% to an impressive 90% in just five years. Wayne, with his diverse background in fields like marketing and PR, offers a holistic view on leadership that goes beyond mere job roles.

    Wayne's story draws a parallel between his awe-inspiring experience of scaling Mount Kilimanjaro and his corporate journey of leading a large team at Boeing to its zenith. The same principles he used to confront and conquer his fears on the formidable mountain, he applied to transform a discontented team into a satisfied and high-performing one. His leadership style, a blend of balance and integrity, has been instrumental in creating a fulfilling workspace and enhancing the performance of his team.

    Not just limited to his corporate leadership, Wayne compares the process of corporate transformation to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the 'North Star' of your organization and hiring the best talent to fulfill it. Wayne's insightful narrative seamlessly weaves the lessons from his mountain climbing adventure into his corporate journey, providing valuable insights into leading a team towards greatness. Tune in to get inspired and learn how you too can navigate challenging leadership landscapes.

    Jaro’s mission is to improve creative workplaces.

    And Wayne’s team of corporate leadership and transformation guides has helped
    improve leaders and creative processes, optimize cost models, and rebuild stagnant
    cultures into more fulfilled, mission-driven ones—for companies like Boeing, Hasbro,
    UKG, UW Medicine, SAP/Concur, CU Boulder, and more.

    Wayne knows in-house, as previous to Jaro, Wayne was the Director of Creative &
    Brand at Boeing – where he led one of the industry’s most challenging and most
    successful cultural transformations. When Wayne began in 2013, employee
    satisfaction was 55% and plummeting. When Wayne left in 2020, 88% of employees
    surveyed indicated that they trusted, felt challenged and were fulfilled by their work
    on the team.

    Wayne also has taught at the University of Washington and long ago, ran PR firms
    and ad agencies. Wayne gives back by actively supporting organizations such as Big
    Brothers Big Sisters, Make-A-Wish Foundation and more. He has run a marathon
    and climbed Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro – after which he named his company.
    Support the showThanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

    For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

    Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

    All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

    Leadership School Production:
    Produced by Kyla Cofer
    Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
    Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

    • 37 min
    Ep. 82: The Beauty of Transitions and Growth with Guest Carol Fabrizio

    Ep. 82: The Beauty of Transitions and Growth with Guest Carol Fabrizio

    Ever wondered what's it like to make a major career transition? Join me, as I sit down with the inspiring Carol Fabrizio, a former lawyer turned executive coach and leadership consultant. Carol's journey is filled with insightful tips about navigating transitions, embracing the discomfort of change, and the importance of listening to our intuition. Her experiences shed light on the critical aspects of reshaping one's identity during these significant shifts in life and career.

    Carol emphasizes the role of feedback in our lives and how it aids in self-awareness and decision-making. Drawing from her days as a Chief of Staff, she shares how she learned to view feedback as a data point, a gift that fosters growth. But beyond professional life, we explore how these experiences and learnings apply to our personal lives too. We delve into the essence of intuition, and how experimenting or 'prototyping' can help us understand our gut feelings better.

    Lastly, Carol and I discuss the role of support systems in our leadership journeys. We chat about how a supportive community can help us become exceptional leaders.  So tune in, as we navigate this enriching conversation filled with life and leadership lessons. And remember, it's not about getting it right all the time, it's about learning and growing along the way.

    Carol Fabrizio has made several moves in her life that has resulted in her landing in Illinois to raise her family with her wife and son. Her journey of transitions and positions ranging from big law lawyer, in-house counsel, a chief of staff, and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, have helped her become an expert in transitions.
    While she did not always enjoy the process, she understands the opportunities for beauty and necessity for growth in every transition.
    When she is not coaching, you can find her with her family, reading books, lifting heavy things, being outdoors, or enjoying something chocolate.

    Produced by Kyla Cofer
    Edited by Neel Panji  @ PodLeaF Productions
    Assistant Production Alaina Hulette
    Support the showThanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon.

    For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff.

    Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

    All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself!

    Leadership School Production:
    Produced by Kyla Cofer
    Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions
    Assistant Production Alaina Hulette

    • 35 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
10 Ratings

10 Ratings

Meta-Game ,

Leadership School Podcast

Kyla is a Great interviewer,
Great interviews

ElizG9876 ,

Smart, relatable, and helpful

I enjoy this podcast because Kyla leads discussions with experts that are so relatable to areas of both my professional and personal life. Lots of great knowledge and advice! I can always take something useful away after listening to Leadership School.

tucknroll14 ,

Articulate and authentic.

Good food for thought on a widely misunderstood topic, leadership. Love the emphasis on practicing. Worth the listen!

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