The Better Leadership Team Show

Mike Goldman
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

The Better Leadership Team Show helps growth-minded, mid-market CEO's to grow their business without losing their minds. It’s hosted by Leadership Team Coach, Mike Goldman. If you find yourself overwhelmed by all of the obstacles in the way to building a great business, this show will help you improve top and bottom-line growth, fulfillment and the value your company adds to the world. If you want to save years of frustration, time and dollars trying to figure it out on your own, check out this show!!

  1. 1d ago

    De-Escalation Skills Every Leader Needs, From a Former SWAT Negotiator with Jessi Beyer

    In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with Jessi Beyer, a crisis mental health professional, TEDx speaker, and former SWAT negotiator, to explore what leaders need to know about de-escalation, active listening, and supporting employees through difficult moments. Jessi explains why having an Employee Assistance Program is not enough to create a crisis-ready organization. We talk about recognizing changes in employee behavior, why everyday human connection matters, and what to do when someone actually opens up about what they are going through. Jessi also walks me through six tactical active listening skills used in crisis and hostage negotiation that leaders can apply in everyday conversations. We discuss why trying to fix someone’s problem or make it sound better can actually get in the way, why silence is such a powerful communication tool, and how listening creates the trust necessary to eventually move someone toward action. These skills are not only useful during a mental health crisis. They can help leaders build stronger relationships, navigate difficult conversations, create greater trust, and develop a more resilient workplace culture. Key Takeaways: Why EAPs should be a resource, not an organization’s entire mental health strategyHow to recognize meaningful changes from an employee’s normal behaviorWhy small, consistent check-ins can build significant trustThe warning signs leaders and coworkers should pay attention toWhy relationships matter more than organizational hierarchy when someone needs supportWhy leaders should resist trying to immediately fix or minimize someone’s problemSix tactical active listening skills that can improve difficult conversationsHow reflection, mirroring, open-ended questions, summaries, and silence work in practiceWhy active listening should eventually lead toward an appropriate actionHow a genuine apology can repair a conversation when you get something wrongWhy scenario-based practice is essential for crisis readinessHow these skills strengthen leadership and organizational culture even outside a crisisConnect With Jessi Beyer Jessi Beyer Crisis mental health professional, former SWAT negotiator, TEDx speaker Website: Crisis Readiness Group LinkedIn: Jessi Beyer / @JessiBeyer Free Crisis Readiness Diagnostic: Available through the Crisis Readiness Group website. Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

  2. Sep 29

    5 Excuses to Keep a Toxic Star

    What happens when your highest-performing employee is also damaging your culture? In this Mike on the Mic episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I’m tackling one of the hardest decisions leaders face: what to do with a top producer who delivers incredible results but consistently violates your organization’s core values. I’ve seen leaders tolerate toxic behavior because someone brings in revenue, has been with the company for years, seems impossible to replace, or might eventually respond to coaching. But every exception sends a message to the rest of the team about what your values are actually worth. I break down the five most common excuses leaders use to keep toxic top performers and explain why the true cost of keeping them goes far beyond what appears on a sales or productivity report. Key Takeaways: Why performance must include both productivity and culture fitThe hidden organizational cost of a toxic top producerWhy being short-staffed may not be as dangerous as keeping the wrong personHow loyalty can become an excuse for avoiding a difficult decisionWhy productivity issues are often more coachable than culture-fit problemsHow fear of lawsuits and negative reactions can weaken your cultureWhy doing nothing is still a leadership decisionHow to identify the excuse preventing you from taking actionYour best people are watching what you tolerate. If your core values are truly non-negotiable, they have to apply to everyone—including the people delivering your biggest numbers. Resources Mentioned Visit my website: mike-goldman.com Take the Talent Density Quick Assessment: mike-goldman.com/talent-density-quick-assessment Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

  3. Sep 22

    How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World with Shawn Vanderhoven

    How can leaders create more focus in a world filled with constant distractions? In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with Shawn Vanderhoven, Partner at The Wiseman Group and author of Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World, to explore why today's biggest leadership challenge isn't working harder—it's creating the conditions for brilliant work. We discuss why great leadership teams encourage every voice, how to delegate more effectively, why leaders struggle to eliminate important work, and practical ways to reduce digital distractions while helping teams focus on what truly matters. We also explore how AI is changing leadership and why better prioritization has never been more important. If you're looking to improve your leadership team, create more focused execution, and help your people produce higher-impact work, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can implement immediately. Key Takeaways Why psychological safety begins with the least powerful voice being heard.How strategic pauses create better long-term execution.A better approach to delegation through partnership.Why leaders must learn to say no to important work.Practical ways to eliminate digital distractions.How to create protected time for deep work.Why AI increases the need for better prioritization—not more activity.How emotional distractions quietly reduce team performance.Guest Contact Information: Shawn Vanderhoven Book Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy WorldBook website: www.pausebook.coOrganization The Wiseman Group Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

  4. Sep 15

    Why Winning Doesn’t Always Create Confidence with Jilyne Jarvis

    On this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with Jilyne Jarvis, retired U.S. Ski Team member, seven-time NCAA All-American, and co-founder of Z Girls, to explore why winning doesn't always create confidence. We talk about the critical difference between confidence and self-worth, why so many high achievers struggle with imposter syndrome, and how leaders can build healthier teams by modeling vulnerability, self-awareness, and humility. Jilyne shares practical tools that athletes use to overcome fear, explains why "Do It Scared" has become a guiding principle, and offers actionable strategies every leader can use to prevent burnout and build lasting confidence. Whether you're leading an organization, growing a business, or simply trying to become a stronger leader, this conversation will challenge the way you think about success and help you build confidence that isn't dependent on achievement. Key Takeaways -Why confidence and self-worth are not the same thing -The leadership power of self-awareness and humility -How imposter syndrome affects high achievers -Why "Do It Scared" is a powerful leadership mindset -Practical ways to recognize and prevent burnout -How to create a culture where vulnerability strengthens performance -Simple habits that build lasting confidence Connect with Jilyne Jarvis Website: Z Girls — https://zgirls.org LinkedIn: Jilyne Jarvis Other social media: @jilyne Speaking, leadership development, and Z Girls information available through the Z Girls website. Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

  5. Sep 8

    Why Do Most Leaders Fail to Lead? with Alain Hunkins

    Why do so many leaders struggle despite having access to countless books, podcasts, and leadership training? In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with leadership expert and author Alain Hunkins to explore why only a small percentage of employees believe their leaders lead well—and what separates truly effective leaders from the rest. We discuss why clarity should be every leadership team's top priority, the importance of balancing empathy with accountability, and Alain's Three C Leadership Framework: Connection, Communication, and Collaboration. We also dive into why feedback is one of the fastest ways to improve as a leader, how vulnerability builds trust, and practical ways leaders can create environments where people consistently perform at their best. Whether you lead a small team or a global organization, this conversation is packed with practical leadership insights you can apply immediately. Key Takeaways Why clarity is the most important characteristic of great leadership teamsThe Three C Leadership Framework: Connection, Communication, and CollaborationWhy leaders often mistake good intentions for effective leadershipHow empathy and accountability work togetherThe importance of creating shared understanding instead of simply communicatingWhy honest feedback is essential for leadership growthHow vulnerability creates authentic trust within teamsPractical ways to improve meetings, communication, and collaborationIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review to help more leaders build stronger teams. Connect with Alain Hunkins Website: https://alainhunkins.com Email: alain@alainhunkins.com Book: Cracking the Leadership Code: Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

  6. Sep 1

    How to Operationalize Culture with Anya Soto

    Culture isn't built by inspirational posters or carefully written mission statements—it’s built through the systems, behaviors, and decisions leaders make every day. In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with workforce strategist Anya Soto to explore what it really means to operationalize culture as organizations grow. We discuss why trust begins with difficult conversations, how to translate values into measurable behaviors, why onboarding is often the biggest missed opportunity, and how leaders unintentionally destroy culture by tolerating the wrong behaviors. We also dive into hiring for outcomes instead of tasks, building coaching capabilities in managers, creating scalable people systems, and ensuring strategy cascades throughout the organization. If you're leading a growing company and want your culture to become a competitive advantage instead of a vague aspiration, this episode provides practical frameworks you can implement immediately. In this episode, you'll learn: Why culture is a system—not a feelingHow to translate values into daily behaviorsThe biggest hiring mistakes growing companies makeWhy onboarding determines long-term successHow managers become the true owners of cultureWhy what leaders tolerate defines organizational cultureHow to build trust through consistent leadershipHow to operationalize culture as your company scalesConnect with Anya Soto Website: https://www.culturecraftersus.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anyasoto/ Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

  7. Aug 25

    Manage the Madness and Free Your Team to Do Great Work with Dr. Liane Davey

    In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with Dr. Liane Davey, internationally recognized as the Teamwork Doctor and author of Thought Load: Manage the Madness and Free Your Team to Do Great Work. We explore why so many leaders and teams feel overwhelmed even when they're working harder than ever—and why workload isn't actually the biggest problem. We discuss the hidden concept of thought load, how leaders unintentionally create mental and emotional overload for their teams, and practical strategies for reducing distractions, improving prioritization, processing emotions more effectively, and leading with greater clarity. We also dive into the impact AI is having on modern work, why more productivity doesn't always mean less stress, and how leaders can create healthier, higher-performing organizations by focusing on outcomes instead of activity. If you're leading a team through constant change, competing priorities, and increasing complexity, this conversation offers practical insights you can implement immediately. https://lianedavey.com/ Check out my new book! 👇 https://lianedavey.com/books/thoughtload/ Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

  8. Aug 18

    The Untapped Value of Age in the Workforce with Dan Pontefract

    n this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with Dan Pontefract, leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and author of The Future of Work is Gray, to explore one of the most overlooked challenges facing organizations today: the untapped value of age in the workforce. We discuss why demographic shifts, longer careers, and age bias are creating what Dan calls “age debt” and why many organizations are unknowingly losing critical knowledge, wisdom, and expertise. Dan introduces his Rivers, Rocks, and Rubies framework, explains the concept of crystallized intelligence, and shares practical strategies leaders can use to capture institutional knowledge before it walks out the door. We also dive into how AI should complement human intelligence rather than replace it, why age-diverse teams consistently outperform homogeneous ones, and what forward-thinking organizations like BMW are doing to preserve experience while developing future leaders. If you’re a CEO, business owner, or leadership team member looking to build a stronger organization for the future, this conversation will challenge the way you think about talent, succession planning, and workforce strategy. Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

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About

The Better Leadership Team Show helps growth-minded, mid-market CEO's to grow their business without losing their minds. It’s hosted by Leadership Team Coach, Mike Goldman. If you find yourself overwhelmed by all of the obstacles in the way to building a great business, this show will help you improve top and bottom-line growth, fulfillment and the value your company adds to the world. If you want to save years of frustration, time and dollars trying to figure it out on your own, check out this show!!

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Goldman
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    194
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Better Leadership Team Show
  • Show Website
    The Better Leadership Team Show

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