Anchored Leadership: For Business Owners Ready to Lead and Not Just Manage

Kari Lotzien
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

For established service business owners who are ready to move from being the person everything runs through to being the leader who built something that runs without them. Anchored Leadership goes deep on what it actually takes to lead well. Host Kari Lotzien brings her experience as a business coach and former clinic owner to real conversations about leadership development, team building, delegation, and building a sustainable business without burning out.

  1. 86 - Why the Business Follows You Home

    20h ago

    86 - Why the Business Follows You Home

    If your business is following you into the rooms it has no business being in (the dinner table, the vacation, the quiet corner at a family gathering) this episode is for you. Kari opens with a personal story that stopped her in her tracks: showing up for her sister's newborn, physically present but mentally still at work, managing a contract negotiation and a client situation that "really couldn't wait." It wasn't a crisis. It was just Tuesday. This episode goes deeper than the usual advice. Not better boundaries. Not just put your phone away. This is about why it's happening, and why that pattern is far more solvable than most people realize. Key Topics Discussed: The Eight-Day Work Week Is Real and the Data Backs It Up Why profitable, established business owners are still working 50–54 hours a week, and what the numbers from the BDC and CFIB actually reveal about the nature of the problem.   This Is Not a Time Management Problem Why the usual advice - better boundaries, more discipline, just put your phone away, misses the point entirely, and what is actually keeping owners stuck.   The Three Stages: Service Provider > Manager > Leader A framework for understanding how most owners move through these roles, where they get stuck in the middle, and why that gap is where the business starts to live in them.   Why Your Business Follows You Everywhere The structural reality behind why you can't fully step away, and why it has nothing to do with being a control freak, lacking trust, or being unwilling to let go.   Why Delegation Doesn't Stick The real reason tasks find their way back to you: not the wrong hire, not the wrong task but a gap in decision-making capacity and unclear expectations underneath the handoff.   The Leadership Question That Changes Everything The shift from "what needs solving?" to "what can be solved without me?" and why that single reframe is what moves you from management into genuine leadership.   Leadership Is a Skill You Were Never Taught Why most owners spend years mastering their craft but were never given the practical tools to lead, and why that means the pattern isn't fixed, it's learnable.   Flexibility Without Presence Isn't Freedom The difference between having the time carved out and actually being there, and why the goal is real presence, not just physical availability. The next cohort of the Anchored Leadership Academy opens this fall, and if this episode resonated with you, now is the time to get started. Before the cohort begins, Kari is running a free two-hour workshop called the Leader's Reset, a practical hands-on look at what it actually means to build the structure that transfers responsibility out of your head and into your business. It is a real glimpse of the work, not just a conversation about it. If you have been waiting for the right moment to make a change that actually lasts, this is where you start.   Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.   Work with Kari:  Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership Coaching Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:  Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    18 min
  2. 85 - Building Business Development Systems That Actually Move the Needle with Kelly Kennedy

    May 26

    85 - Building Business Development Systems That Actually Move the Needle with Kelly Kennedy

    In this episode of Anchored Leadership, Kari Lotzien sits down with Kelly Kennedy, founder and CEO of Capital Business Development, host of The Business Development Podcast, creator of the Catalyst Club Community, and founder of the Business Development Mastery Coaching Program. With nearly two decades of experience in sales and business development, Kelly brings a grounded, practical perspective on what it really takes to grow a business with consistency and confidence. Kari and Kelly explore why great service alone is not enough, how business owners can move past the discomfort of direct outreach, and why structure, follow-up, and community are essential pieces of sustainable growth. Key Topics Discussed: The difference between sales, marketing, and business development Kelly shares how he first discovered business development after being offered the role early in his career and realizing there were very few resources available. That gap eventually became the fuel behind his podcast and coaching work.   Why great service is not enough to grow a business We talk about the trap many service-based business owners fall into: believing that if they provide excellent service, referrals will naturally keep the business growing. That can work for a while, but it often leaves major opportunities on the table.   Making time for business development Kelly recommends blocking dedicated time each week for focused business development activities. Not scrolling, not posting into the void, not hoping the phone rings, but intentionally reaching out, making connections, and asking for the next step.   Getting comfortable with “no” One of the biggest mindset shifts in this episode is learning to see a no as useful information, not personal rejection.   The power of strategic follow-up Kelly explains why one email or one call is rarely enough. People are busy, inboxes are crowded, and timing matters. Consistent, respectful follow-up is not pestering when it is done with professionalism and purpose.   Using podcasting and social media to build visibility We discuss how podcasting can build credibility, create warm introductions, and allow people to understand how you think long before they ever book a call. Kelly also shares why LinkedIn and Instagram have become important tools in his business development strategy.   Creating community without making yourself the centre of the room Kelly shares the story behind Catalyst Club and why he wanted to create a lower-barrier, remote-first community where business owners and experts could connect, learn, and support each other.   Structure creates flexibility One of the strongest leadership takeaways from this conversation is that calendars, systems, batching, and planning ahead do not restrict freedom. They protect it. Kelly shares how he uses planning, content buffers, and focused calendar blocks to keep multiple businesses and podcasts moving. This episode is a reminder that business development does not need to feel pushy, complicated, or disconnected from your values. At its best, it is about being strategic, building relationships, following up with intention, and creating systems that keep your business visible even when life gets full. For small business owners, especially those in service-based businesses, this conversation is a practical nudge to stop waiting for referrals to do all the heavy lifting. Your reputation matters, but so does your willingness to be seen, ask clearly, and follow through consistently.   Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.   Kelly Kennedy is the Founder & CEO of Capital Business Development, host of The Business Development Podcast and I Used To Work There, creator of The Catalyst Club Community, and founder of the Business Development Mastery Coaching Program. Known by many as The Podfather and the Hope Dealer, Kelly brings nearly two decades of sales and business development experience to helping entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and business leaders build better systems, create real momentum, and grow with confidence. Connect with Kelly and learn more about his incredible work here: Websites:https://www.kellykennedyofficial.comhttps://www.capitalbd.ca LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellykennedyofficial/ Podcasts:https://thebusinessdevelopmentpodcast.captivate.fm/listenhttps://iusedtoworkthere.com/listen   Work with Kari:  Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership Coaching Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:  Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    49 min
  3. 84 - Nobody Is Asking You the Right Questions

    May 12

    84 - Nobody Is Asking You the Right Questions

    Most business coaching falls into one of two camps. Hustle culture: scale faster, push harder, your only limit is your mindset. Affirmation culture: you're amazing, you've got this, here's your permission slip. Neither one asks the hard question. And for established owners who have already done the work of building something real, neither one is actually enough. In this episode, Kari gets honest about the gap she sees in the coaching and leadership development space, why the hardest person to lead in your business is you, and what it actually looks like when someone asks the question that makes you go quiet for ten seconds before you answer. That pause? That's where the real work happens. Key Topics Discussed: The Two Dominant Coaching Styles (and Their Limits) Kari breaks down what she sees as the two most common approaches in the coaching space: hustle culture and affirmation culture. Why “More” Isn’t Always the Right Answer For owners past the startup phase, the challenge is rarely effort or discipline. The real question becomes: Am I focused on the right thing? Kari highlights how few frameworks actually pause long enough to ask this and why that gap matters. The Power of the Right Question (and the Silence That Follows) The most impactful coaching doesn’t come from giving answers, it comes from asking the kind of question that makes someone stop and think. Kari explains why that 10–20 second pause is not a problem to fix, but a signal that someone is accessing deeper clarity. The Hardest Person to Lead Is You Leadership isn’t just about managing a team or improving communication. Kari challenges listeners to look inward- at patterns, habits, and decisions that are often running on autopilot.  A Real Example of Misaligned Growth Through a client story, Kari illustrates how a strong, logical growth strategy can still be the wrong decision if it doesn’t align with the life the owner is trying to build. Practical Ways to Create Better Thinking Space This isn’t about overanalyzing everything. Kari shares simple, practical shifts: taking a breath before responding, allowing silence in conversations, using open-ended “what” questions, and resisting the urge to jump in with answers too quickly. If you’ve been feeling like the usual advice (work harder, think bigger, stay positive) isn’t quite enough anymore, this episode offers a different perspective. Not more tactics, not more validation, but a deeper level of reflection. The kind that changes how you lead, how you decide, and ultimately how your business supports your life.   Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you. Find the hours you didn't know you were losing and get the Time Leak Toolkit:  https://kari-lotzien.mykajabi.com/pl/2148756811. For capable, experienced business owners who are always busy but never feel caught up. You want to know exactly where your time is disappearing and more importantly how you can get it back.  Work with Kari:  Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership Coaching Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:  Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min
  4. 83 - The Shift: Designing Your Business To Fit Your Life Today

    Apr 28

    83 - The Shift: Designing Your Business To Fit Your Life Today

    There comes a point in business where the question quietly shifts. It’s no longer just about growth, efficiency, or what the next opportunity is, it becomes something deeper: is this still right for me? In this episode, Kari reflects on a pattern she’s seeing across experienced business owners, and in herself. Beneath conversations about time, systems, and leadership, there’s a quieter layer emerging. A shift from building and pushing forward…to listening, adapting, and intentionally designing what comes next. This is not about starting over. It’s about recognizing that the version of success you built your business on may not fully fit the person you’ve become. Key Topics Discussed: The underlying question many business owners are facing: Am I still building the right thing for who I am now? How learning evolves as you grow - shifting from structured, external input to slower, more reflective, experience-based insight The difference between chasing growth and intentionally designing a business that fits your life Why high-performing owners often default to old patterns, and how awareness allows you to interrupt them earlier What it really means to adapt at this stage of business, when life, relationships, and energy all carry more weight The shift from building systems for efficiency to building systems that create ease and sustainability How holding things more loosely allows your team, systems, and decisions to actually work better The role of a steady nervous system in making strong, grounded leadership decisions Understanding the natural rhythm of leadership, when to push, when to act, and when to step back and reflect A deeper look at what it means to be “anchored” as a leader - not perfect, but aware, steady, and intentional This episode is an invitation to pause not to slow everything down, but to create just enough space to hear your own thinking again. Because at this stage, the answers you’re looking for are rarely found in another strategy or framework. They come from being honest about what fits now, what no longer does, and what you actually want to build moving forward. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you. Find the hours you didn't know you were losing and get the Time Leak Toolkit:  https://kari-lotzien.mykajabi.com/pl/2148756811. For capable, experienced business owners who are always busy but never feel caught up. You want to know exactly where your time is disappearing and more importantly how you can get it back.  Work with Kari:  Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership Coaching Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:  Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    27 min
  5. 82 - Caring for Aging Parents When You're the One Everyone Leans On with Nurse Advocates Pam Dunwald and Linda Kritikos

    Apr 14

    82 - Caring for Aging Parents When You're the One Everyone Leans On with Nurse Advocates Pam Dunwald and Linda Kritikos

    What happens when you’re leading a business, supporting a team, and suddenly stepping into the role of caregiver for an aging parent? In this episode, Kari sits down with nurse advocates Pam and Linda of Nurse Advocate Consulting to unpack one of the most emotionally and logistically complex seasons many business owners face. This is not just about healthcare; it’s about leadership under pressure. They share real stories from decades of experience supporting families through Alzheimer’s, cancer, and unexpected health crises. You’ll hear what most families aren’t prepared for, why the system feels overwhelming, and how to navigate it without losing yourself or your business, in the process. If you’re part of the “sandwich generation” or know this season is coming, this conversation will give you both clarity and relief. Key Topics Discussed: Why caring for aging parents often catches business owners off guard The emotional load of guilt, uncertainty, and responsibility, and how to navigate it The hidden complexity of healthcare systems, insurance, and care coordination How to divide responsibilities within families (like you would in a business) Practical strategies to protect your time while still showing up for your family Why systems, communication, and planning are essential in caregiving The importance of including your loved one in decision-making What advance directives and healthcare power of attorney really mean, and why they matter How to avoid crisis-mode decision-making with proactive planning The role of a healthcare advocate and how they can support your family This is one of those seasons that asks more of you than you expected and not just as a business owner, but as a human being. If you take nothing else from this conversation, let it be this: you don’t have to figure it all out in the middle of a crisis. Start the conversations. Put a few simple systems in place. Ask for support sooner than you think you need it. Because the goal isn’t to carry all of this perfectly, it’s to navigate it in a way that protects your capacity, honours your family, and allows you to keep leading your business without losing yourself in the process. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.   Connect with Pam and Linda and learn more about her incredible work here: Website: www.yournurseadvocateconsulting.com/about-us/ Podcast:www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthcare-redefined-advocating-for-aging-adults-and/id1834004821 LinkedInLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/your-nurse-advocate-consulting-llc/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/yourrnadvocate/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/YourRNAdvocate/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@yournurseadvocateconsulting/ Read their book “Cracking the Hospice Code: Your Nurse Advocates Debunk the Top 10 Misconceptions of Hospice” Find the time you need right now. The Time Leak Toolkit   Work with Kari:  Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership Coaching Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:  Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    47 min
  6. 81 - Your Availabiilty is Costing More than You Realize / Time Management for Overwhelmed Owners

    Mar 31

    81 - Your Availabiilty is Costing More than You Realize / Time Management for Overwhelmed Owners

    If you pride yourself on being available, responsive, and always there for your clients and team… this episode might challenge you. Because what feels like great leadership - being approachable, overdelivering, always saying yes, might actually be the reason you feel constantly pulled, behind, and unable to step into true leadership. In this episode, Kari breaks down the subtle (and very human) ways business owners train their clients and teams to treat their time, and how those patterns quietly create overwhelm, inconsistency, and even resentment. This is not about becoming rigid or unavailable. It’s about becoming aligned. If you’ve ever felt like you can’t catch up, can’t step away, or can’t get to the “big picture” work your business needs…this episode will help you see why. Key Topics Discussed: Why constant availability is not the same as strong leadership How you unintentionally train clients and team members to use (and misuse) your time The difference between planned time vs. pulled time, and why it matters How overdelivering can quietly create inconsistency and confusion in your business The hidden ways leaders undermine their own systems and team expectations Why your team culture is shaped by what you model - not what you say How small, “harmless” exceptions lead to long-term overwhelm and resentment What shifts as you move from service provider > manager > leader Why leadership requires protected, focused time, and how most owners lose it A simple 3-day audit to uncover where your time is actually going At some point, this stops being about time management and starts being about leadership. Not the kind that looks good on paper, but the kind that holds under pressure. You don’t need to become less supportive, less generous, or less available - you just need to become more consistent. Because the truth is, your business will always rise or fall to the standard you model. And when you start protecting your time with the same care you’ve been giving everyone else, you don’t just get your hours back, you finally create the space to lead the business you’ve worked so hard to build. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you. Work with Kari:  Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership Coaching Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:  Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    13 min
  7. 80 - Your Calendar is Lying to You

    Mar 17

    80 - Your Calendar is Lying to You

    One of the most common things small business owners say is: “I just need more time.” But what if the real issue isn’t the big commitments on your calendar, it’s the small moments that quietly steal your attention throughout the day? In this episode of Be the Anchor, Kari invites you to take a closer look at where your time is actually going. Many entrepreneurs plan well, set priorities, and build thoughtful to-do lists, yet still end the day feeling like nothing meaningful moved forward. The truth is that the biggest drains on your time rarely show up on your calendar. Instead, they appear as quick questions, interruptions, late meetings, and small tech distractions. Individually, they seem harmless, but together they create the feeling that your day disappeared. Kari explores the idea of “time leaks” - tiny gaps where minutes slip away unnoticed. When you become aware of these patterns, you can start reclaiming time for leadership, strategy, and meaningful work. You’ll also learn how reclaiming just 15 minutes a day can add up to more than 60 hours in a year, enough to change how you run your business and your life. This episode isn’t about productivity hacks. It’s about awareness first. Once you see where your time is leaking, you can make better decisions about where your attention belongs. If you’ve ever ended the week wondering where your time went, this episode is for you. Key Topics Discussed: Why your calendar doesn’t tell the full story about where your time goes The hidden impact of tiny interruptions throughout your day The concept of “time leaks” and why they matter more than big commitments The difference between planned time and pulled time in your business Three common traps that quietly steal your attention How reclaiming just 15 minutes a day can give you back over 60 hours a year If you’ve been feeling like there’s never enough time, this episode is an invitation to slow down and take an honest look at where your minutes are actually going. The goal isn’t to become more productive overnight or to squeeze more into your day. It’s simply to become aware of the small leaks that quietly drain your time and energy. When you start to notice those patterns, even reclaiming fifteen minutes a day can create meaningful space - for leadership thinking, for strategy, or simply for a little more breathing room in your life. Your time is one of your most valuable resources, and learning to protect it is one of the most important leadership skills you can build. During this episode, Kari introduces The Time Toolkit, a simple and structured process designed to help business owners identify where their time is actually going. The toolkit walks you through a short four-day audit to help uncover the small interruptions and patterns that quietly steal your time. In less than an hour of total work, many business owners discover opportunities to reclaim five or more hours per month. You can find the Time Toolkit link here: Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.   Work with Kari:  Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership Coaching Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:  Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    20 min
  8. 79 - Why Work Life Balance is Failing Us and What Actually Works with Steven Langer

    Mar 3

    79 - Why Work Life Balance is Failing Us and What Actually Works with Steven Langer

    In this conversation, Kari sits down with keynote speaker and author Steven Langer to challenge the idea that work-life balance is the goal. Steven makes the case that balance is a trap: it frames work and life as competing forces, sets an unrealistic 50/50 standard, and leaves high performers stuck in guilt and pendulum-swinging. Instead, Steven introduces work-life coherence, a practical way of living and leading where your work and life fit together and make sense for the season you’re in. Using relatable analogies (the seesaw, the sailing captain, and the hill vs. plateau), they unpack how to create space for complexity, protect your “fulcrum” (health), and lead teams (especially remote teams) with intention, clarity, and trust. Key Topics Discussed: Why chasing “balance” can increase stress, guilt, and burnout The difference between balance and coherence (and why it actually works) How to shift your days from default to intention, without a full life overhaul The real cost of interruptions and why leaders need protected deep work time How “my door is always open” can quietly sabotage leadership capacity The “hill vs. plateau” test for intense seasons: when to push vs. when to redesign What real culture looks like (it’s not yoga-at-lunch or a pizza party) A simple reframe: letting others help you is giving them a gift How recognition impacts engagement and why it often doesn’t “land” Why leadership is lonely at the top…and lonelier in the middle How to build culture and clarity when leading remote or hybrid teams A sailing analogy for leading through stormy seasons: tighten lines, trust the course If work-life balance has felt like a hamster wheel with a guilt soundtrack, this episode offers a better target: coherence, a way to lead and live that makes sense for the season you’re in, while protecting the health and systems that make your success sustainable. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you. As an international keynote and TEDx speaker, Steven cuts through the noise to shift how audiences think about wellness. Blending powerful stories, data, and practical insight, he inspires meaningful change. Steven doesn’t just motivate, he equips audiences with clear, authentic tools they can actually use. Whether speaking to executives, frontline teams, or leaders, people leave feeling seen, understood, and ready to lead and live with intention. His keynotes tackle real-world pressures and offer actionable ways to build healthier workplaces and more coherent lives. If you want clarity and forward momentum, Steven Langer delivers. Connect with Steven and learn more about his incredible work here:www.wellbydesign.cawww.linkedin.com/in/steven-langer-b9b64945 Get his book here: wellbydesign.ca/coherence-compass-book   Work with Kari:  Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership Coaching Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:  Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    59 min
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For established service business owners who are ready to move from being the person everything runs through to being the leader who built something that runs without them. Anchored Leadership goes deep on what it actually takes to lead well. Host Kari Lotzien brings her experience as a business coach and former clinic owner to real conversations about leadership development, team building, delegation, and building a sustainable business without burning out.

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