We've All Done It: Leadership Development Tips for New & Struggling Leaders

Kimberly J Benoit
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Has a toxic person ever made your life hell at work?! Heck yea! But if we’ve all seen it - we’ve all done it, too! For a fresh and funny take on leadership, fulfillment, and engagement - join workplace toxicity expert and bestselling author, Kimberly J Benoit for the We’ve All Done It™ Podcast: Leadership Development Tips for New & Struggling Leaders. In this eye-opening series, get real about the role we each play in a toxic workplace and discover how we can kick toxic cultures from the inside out. With a judgment-free, humor-full perspective, Kimberly asks tough yet valuable questions of successful leaders from across industries and around the world. If you’ve ever struggled with an awful manager, dysfunctional situations, or challenging team dynamics, you’ll laugh and learn with each new episode of relatable stories, humbling moments, and actionable advice for better-navigating toxicity both at work and within ourselves.

  1. 3D AGO

    Leadership Skills for Burnout, AI Disruption & Difficult Conversations | Power of Your People

    Register for Power of Your People HERE: https://poyp26.kimberlyjbenoit.com/?sc=Lk4xlJo8&ac=HsMR77Rg Join Kimberly Benoit as she breaks down the upcoming Power of Your People Summit focused on practical leadership during uncertain times. Get the info you need to help your team thrive, not just survive. Key reasons leaders and teams are struggling right nowOverview of the Power of Your People Summit (May 12-14, 2026)Expert panels and sessions on topics like burnout, tough conversations, AI anxiety, and succession planningHow the Daily Huddle sessions foster peer learning and real supportDetails on free registration, all-access pass options, and who should attend#Leadership #TeamManagement #WorkplaceWellness #PeopleSummit #AIDisruption Save your seat today at the Power of Your People Leadership Summit! Support the show To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn. ➡ NEXT STEPS 👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI! 📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE! 📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.  😍  Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.   Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com. Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay #leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

    27 min

  2. APR 27

    Why Employees Are Setting Boundaries and What Leaders Can Do About It

    Register now for Susan's upcoming Power of Your People Session: https://poyp26.kimberlyjbenoit.com/?sc=Lk4xlJo8&ac=HsMR77Rg Explore the realities of today’s workplace with Susan Bittner, Strategy Consultant, Talent Developer, Speaker, and Organizational Development expert, as we discuss employee engagement, the evolving job market, and why the “B+ employee” mindset matters more than ever. This episode cuts through the noise on quiet quitting, burnout, and what companies need to do to adapt. The impact of a tightening job market on employee engagement and succession planningWhy quiet quitting and burnout are on the rise—and what’s really fueling these trendsThe outdated expectations around loyalty, promotion, and the “grind culture”What the rise of the B+ employee means for organizations and workers alikePractical strategies for leaders to create healthier, more sustainable workplacesMore about Susan: Susan is a highly respected Strategy Consultant, Talent Developer, Speaker, and Organizational Development expert dedicated to helping leaders ignite their best selves. With over two decades of leadership experience in banking, healthcare, agriculture, technology, consulting, and publishing, she brings deep empathy and firsthand insight into the challenges and rewards of leadership. Whether working with clients one-on-one or crafting a strategy for a large organization, her style is always centered on each client’s needs, candid, compassionate, bold, and infused with humor. She has shaped end-to-end talent strategies for over 16,000 employees, led national action planning, engaged audiences from the stage, and directed the Talent Strategy and Executive Coaching division of a 21-location firm. Skilled in strengths-based coaching and several behavioral assessments including The Harrison Assessment, Myers-Briggs, DiSC, Clifton Strengths ™ and Leadership Circle™, she seamlessly integrates these tools to support meaningful growth Website:https://www.susanbittner.com/ Save your seat today at the Power of Your People Leadership Summit! Support the show To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn. ➡ NEXT STEPS 👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI! 📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE! 📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.  😍  Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.   Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com. Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay #leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

    44 min

  3. APR 19

    Stay Conversations: How to Retain High Performers Before They Quit

    Your high performers aren't telling you they're unhappy—until they hand in their resignation. By the time you're conducting an exit interview, it's too late. The solution? Stay interviews. In this episode, I break down the proactive conversation framework that helps 74% of companies prevent 75% of departures. You'll learn: The 5 core questions that uncover why people stay (and what might make them leave)How to create psychological safety so high performers tell you the truthWhat to do with the information once you get it—because listening without action destroys trustThe unique needs of high performers and how to address themWhen to have these conversations (and common timing mistakes to avoid)With only 28% of organizations conducting stay interviews, this is your competitive advantage. Stop losing your best people because you didn't ask the right questions at the right time. Support the show To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn. ➡ NEXT STEPS 👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI! 📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE! 📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.  😍  Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.   Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com. Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay #leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

    23 min

  4. APR 5

    Breaking Out of Firefighter Mode: Creating Thriving Environments in Leadership

    Want more on People-First AI? Maximus Lih will be speaking at the Power of Your People Leadership Summit in May— FREE registration HERE. Leadership isn’t about putting out fires—it's about building systems that prevent them. In this episode, Maximus Lih shares practical strategies for moving from firefighter to fire chief so you can empower your people and scale your impact. The difference between hero (firefighter) vs. host (fire chief) mindsets in leadershipRecognizing when you’re stuck in problem-solving mode and how to shiftHow to effectively allocate your time between high performers and struggling team membersUsing agency instead of control to develop your team and yourselfPractical advice for leading through layoffs, change, and resource constraintsMore about Maximos Lih: Maximos Lih is an Executive Coach and founder of Emboldened LLC, where he helps small teams scale without losing their edge and leaders grow with purpose and trust. His leadership philosophy was shaped by his grandfather—a self-taught orphan who became a four-star general—who taught him that true greatness is measured by how you make people feel. After immigrating to the U.S. and graduating from UC Berkeley, Maximos joined Google, where he specialized in recruiting top engineering talent before moving to Google Ventures. There, he guided hundreds of founders through rapid growth, witnessing companies like Uber and Flatiron Health scale at remarkable speed. Today, he draws on those experiences to coach the next generation of leaders in building mission-driven, high-performing teams. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximoslih/  #leadership #heromentality #firefightermindset #management #empowerment #agency #startupculture #GoogleVentures #HR #environment #highperformers #problemsolving #micromanagement #decisionmaking #performancemanagement #teamdynamics #controlvsagency #layoffs #resilience #AI #productivity #communication #rolemodels #boundaries #workculture #peoplefirst #leadershipsummit Save your seat today at the Power of Your People Leadership Summit! Support the show To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn. ➡ NEXT STEPS 👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI! 📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE! 📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.  😍  Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.   Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com. Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay #leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

    50 min

  5. MAR 22

    The Feedback You're Not Getting (And Why That's a Problem)

    In this episode, Kimberly tackles the challenge of receiving feedback as a leader and how it impacts trust and team culture. Learn actionable ways to ask for feedback, handle tough conversations, and turn input into real change. Why trust in leadership is dropping and why feedback mattersHow to create a safe environment for candid feedbackSpecific, actionable questions to ask your team for meaningful responsesTips on handling uncomfortable or negative feedback without getting defensiveSteps to act on feedback and rebuild trust within your teamReady to start getting real feedback and building stronger leadership? Tune in now! #leadership #feedback #trust #employeeSatisfaction #employeeTurnover #openCommunication #honestFeedback #selfReflection #safeEnvironment #actionableFeedback #teamBuilding #rapport #defensiveness #continuousImprovement #perception #takeAction #buildCulture #vulnerability #feedbackSystems #askQuestions #reflection #dialogue #followUp Save your seat today at the Power of Your People Leadership Summit! Support the show To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn. ➡ NEXT STEPS 👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI! 📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE! 📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.  😍  Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.   Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com. Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay #leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

    26 min

  6. MAR 15

    Employee Engagement & Retention: How Compassionate HR Drives Results

    To learn more about the Power of Your People Summit: https://poyp26.kimberlyjbenoit.com/ Discover how compassionate HR and human connection can transform your workplace culture. In this episode, wellness expert Jillian Bernstein shares actionable strategies for building a people-first environment without breaking the bank. Why compassionate HR matters and how it’s different from traditional HR approachesSimple, no-cost ways leaders can make employees feel seen and valuedThe importance of psychological safety and human connection at workHow well-being programs support team loyalty and productivityTips for integrating micro-gratitude and recognition into your leadership routineJillian Bernstein Bio: Jillian Bernstein, CEO & Founder of The Wellness Extension, provides concierge HR services to small businesses who want to foster community and build connection among their colleagues. It takes effort to support your people and keep them engaged in the business, and that is where Jillian excels — creating systems and strategies that make this complex work manageable and effective. With over 20 years of experience in human resources and consulting, Jillian has hands-on expertise implementing every aspect of people operations, from benefits administration and compensation structure to talent management, all while maintaining focus on employee well-being and team engagement. She holds a BS in Economics from The George Washington University. Her mission is to help organizations grow, retain, and engage talent to achieve the ultimate trifecta: high retention rates, happy employees, and sustainable bottom-line growth. She has been on several podcasts, most recently interviewed for Better Having Met Them, was featured in BoldJourney magazine and has spoken at DisruptHR in Baltimore, MD. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellness_extension/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianbernstein/ #wellness #workplaceculture #employeeengagement #compassionateHR #leadership #humanconnection #burnout #smallbusiness #teambuilding #mentalhealth #psychologicalsafety #gratitude #employeeretention #recognition #vulnerability #workplacewellbeing #remoteteams #companycul Save your seat today at the Power of Your People Leadership Summit! Support the show To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn. ➡ NEXT STEPS 👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI! 📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE! 📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.  😍  Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.   Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com. Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay #leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

    34 min

  7. MAR 8

    Who Is the Right Leadership Partner? Meet Kimberly Benoit

    Learn about the Leader Learning Lab (kimberlyjbenoit.com/lab) Learn about the upcoming Power of Your People Leadership Summit - May 12-14, 2026 (https://poyp26.kimberlyjbenoit.com/) Schedule a free consult to learn more about individual support (kimberlyjbenoit.com/consult) Curious about who Kimberly Benoit is and why she’s passionate about leadership development? In this episode, Kimberly shares her background, approach, and what you can expect if you work with her. Kimberly’s unique experience leading across healthcare, retail, criminal justice, and consulting Why she rejects cookie-cutter solutions in favor of tailored, actionable support Her commitment to both challenging and supporting leaders for real growth How she makes leadership development accessible and community-driven Who’s the right (and wrong) fit for working with her, and ways to get involved #LeadershipDevelopment, #Coaching, #LeaderLearningLab, #LeadershipSummit, #Accountability, #TeamChallenges, #PracticalTools, #Community, #ActionOverPerfection, #SelfImprovement, #LeadershipSupport, #Honesty, #Feedback, #LeadershipStrategies, #PersonalGrowth, #Transformation, #AccessibleTraining, #LeadershipResources, #LeaderCoaching, #LeadershipPodcast Support the show To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn. Support the show To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn. ➡ NEXT STEPS 👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI! 📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE! 📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.  😍  Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.   Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com. Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay #leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

    16 min

  8. FEB 15

    Financial Planning for Leaders: Strategies to Prepare for Life's Unpredictable Moments

    In this episode of the WADI podcast, host Kimberly Benoit sits down with financial advisor Jenevieve Lenz for an empowering conversation about women, leadership, and financial literacy. They break down intimidating finance jargon, share real-life stories, and offer actionable tips for women professionals and small business owners. Jenevieve Lenz explains the vital difference between investment advisors and financial planners, the importance of working with a fiduciary, and how to proactively build a solid financial foundation before life throws you a curveball.  If you’re ready to feel more confident with your money, avoid common mistakes, and get practical strategies on budgeting, emergency funds, and navigating transitions like layoffs or starting your own business, this episode is for you. Kimberly Benoit and Jenevieve Lenz also discuss the unique obstacles women face in finance—and why it’s crucial to take charge of your financial story. ---  About Jenevieve: Jeneviève Lenz is the proud owner and founder of Lenz4Women Consulting. She enjoys sharing a variety of financial education topics with professional women who are most often dealing with one or more major transitions in their life.  Jeneviève as a third generation entrepreneur,  passionate about providing financial insight and integrated support.  She provides first class education to help women avoid  many common financial pitfalls.  Her reasons for becoming a financial advisor, educator and financial planning professional are routed in her family’s history of entrepreneurs. Several things unraveled with her grandfather’s estate from a financial and estate planning perspective that could have been avoided.  She realized that many single women and savvy business owners face quite a few challenges as they near retirement and get older.  Many of these "financial hiccups" can be avoided with key education and careful and integrated planning. https://www.lenz4women.com/ #FinancialLiteracy #WomenInFinance #Leadership #PersonalFinance #Fiduciary #WomenEmpowerment #FinanceTips #WADIpodcast #GenevieveLenz #KimberlyBenoit #MoneyConfidence Save your seat today at the Power of Your People Leadership Summit! Support the show To learn more about Kimberly J Benoit or how you can work with her, check out her website, kimberlyjbenoit.com, or find her on LinkedIn. ➡ NEXT STEPS 👋 Say hi on Instagram and and share your favorite takeaway from this episode in your stories. Be sure to tag @kimberlyjbenoit so I can say HI! 📖 Purchase a copy of We've All Done It: Getting Real About the Role We Each Play in a Toxic Workplace HERE! 📆 Book a call to discuss how we can work together.  😍  Loving the show? Hit subscribe/follow so you don’t miss out on more podcasting tips.   Have comments or questions about this episode, send them to podcast@kimberlyjbenoit.com. Special thanks to Esplanade Studios for mastering support & Melissa Argyle Designs. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay #leadership #wevealldoneit #professionaldevelopment

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Has a toxic person ever made your life hell at work?! Heck yea! But if we’ve all seen it - we’ve all done it, too! For a fresh and funny take on leadership, fulfillment, and engagement - join workplace toxicity expert and bestselling author, Kimberly J Benoit for the We’ve All Done It™ Podcast: Leadership Development Tips for New & Struggling Leaders. In this eye-opening series, get real about the role we each play in a toxic workplace and discover how we can kick toxic cultures from the inside out. With a judgment-free, humor-full perspective, Kimberly asks tough yet valuable questions of successful leaders from across industries and around the world. If you’ve ever struggled with an awful manager, dysfunctional situations, or challenging team dynamics, you’ll laugh and learn with each new episode of relatable stories, humbling moments, and actionable advice for better-navigating toxicity both at work and within ourselves.

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