For Leaders By Leaders

Kathy Andrews

You’re a good leader. You might even be a great one. Whether you’re leading a team of one, two, or three thousand, how you lead determines whether you survive or thrive in the workplace. I’m Kathy Andrews, and this is the For Leaders, By Leaders podcast. We’re here for insightful conversations with real leaders, sharing inspiration and practical advice to help you unlock the best in yourself and those around you. When you face those moments where you ask yourself, “What do I do?” or “How can I do better?”, this podcast is here to guide you. With interviews from influential leaders across industries—CEOs, entrepreneurs, authors, and thought leaders—we’ll dive into their personal stories, pivotal moments, and the strategies that led to their success. Each episode explores real-world scenarios, leadership challenges, and offers practical, actionable tools that you can apply immediately. Think of this as a leadership coach in your pocket. Join us on your favourite platform, and take your leadership to the next level.

  1. Jul 2

    On Stages of Burnout/ Guest: Debbie Pearmain – Principal, One Stop HR

    Why do high-performing, responsible leaders often struggle the most? Debbie Pearmain reveals the hidden truth: it's not a capability crisis, it's a capacity crisis. Drawing from 25 years in leadership development and her own burnout recovery, she shares how leaders move through three critical stages from functional stress to full burnout.   Through practical frameworks and proven strategies, this episode will help you recognise the warning signs, implement recovery disciplines, and understand why wellness isn't a luxury – it's a leadership competency that directly impacts your team's performance.   In this episode, we explore: (00:00) Introduction (04:38) Capacity crisis vs capability crisis (05:12) Stage one: functional stress and calendar architecture reset (08:30) Creating strategic filters for better decision making (13:24) Why self-management unlocks sustained high performance (16:26) Stage two: overextended leaders running on stress chemistry (19:35) Boundaries upgrade: controlling availability and emotional load (21:40) Stage three: burnout, detachment and confidence erosion (23:19) Why high performers don't know how to rest safely (25:06) Three types of recovery: physical, cognitive, and emotional (28:57) Capacity before efficiency: regulating your nervous system first (30:30) Your state spreads: wellness as leadership competency   Connect with Debbie Pearmain here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-lang-pearmain-116551/  Website: https://onestophr.ca/  Interested in developing more effective leadership skills? Connect with Cinga today here.

    On Stages of Burnout/ Guest: Debbie Pearmain – Principal, One Stop HR
  2. Jun 4

    On Leadership Lessons from Youth Sports/ Guest: Scott Rintoul – Broadcaster, Podcaster, Content Creator

    Why do some teams excel while others struggle, despite similar talent and resources? Scott Rintoul reveals how youth sports mirrors corporate dynamics, exploring the parallels between coaching and leadership. Drawing from his broadcasting experience and Better Sports Parents podcast, he uncovers why understanding individual motivation trumps generic team building.   This conversation will help you rethink leadership fundamentals, from establishing clear values to creating authentic buy-in across generations with vastly different workplace expectations.   In this episode, we explore: (00:00) Introduction (04:39) Understanding individual motivations within team structures (07:51) How miscommunication creates confusion between authority figures (10:13) Building organisational alignment from ownership to front lines (13:26) Getting genuine buy-in through collaborative goal setting (16:56) The relationship foundation that enables effective leadership (19:25) Making every role feel valued within the larger mission (22:47) Adapting leadership styles for generational workplace shifts (25:43) Moving beyond culture buzzwords to actionable value implementation (32:08) Why leaders must understand what brings people to the starting line   Connect with Scott Rintoul here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottrintoul/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottrintoulpro/  Interested in developing more effective leadership skills? Connect with Cinga today here.

    On Leadership Lessons from Youth Sports/ Guest: Scott Rintoul – Broadcaster, Podcaster, Content Creator
  3. Apr 3

    On Scale and Hyper Growth/ Guest: Michelle Rider, Chief Marketing Officer

    What if the secret to hypergrowth isn't about the latest marketing tools, but about completely abandoning your internal assumptions? In this episode, Michelle Rider, former Amazon marketing leader and creator of the Zero to 90 methodology, challenges leaders to stop believing their own story and start building from the customer's perspective backwards.   From her humble beginnings, secretly writing down business terms at Kellogg to scaling marketing campaigns at global giants like Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Teladoc, Michelle reveals how she consistently doubled revenue by focusing on one core principle: putting yourself in the daily life of the consumer.   In this episode, we explore: (00:00) Introduction (03:45) Combining instinct, data, and trends for business growth (05:20) The critical focus areas for rapid scaling (07:03) The Xero to 90 methodology (14:49) How AI tools like ChatGPT do not replace strategic thinking (18:49) The Teladoc case study about customer-focused messaging (25:52) Scaling strategies – repeat what works, stick to the top ideas (29:54) Getting authentic customer language by solving their pain points   Connect with Michelle Rider here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejrider/  Website: http://www.michelle-rider.com/  Article – How Telemedicine Helped Me Save My Son: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-use-telehealth-services-michelle-rider/  Interested in developing more effective leadership skills? Connect with Cinga today here.

    On Scale and Hyper Growth/ Guest: Michelle Rider, Chief Marketing Officer
  4. Mar 5

    On Needs Based Communication/ Guest: Mark Watson, Leadership Consultant at McLean Watson

    Leadership coach Mark Watson to dive deep into needs-based communication, a powerful framework rooted in the work of Marshall Rosenberg and popularised through Nonviolent Communication.   Tune into this episode as we unpack how this four-step approach – starting with the facts, naming feelings, identifying needs, and making clear requests – can transform the way leaders connect, build trust, and navigate challenging conversations. Mark also shares how mastering authentic communication isn't just for conflict resolution but is foundational for thriving teams and organisations.   In this episode, we explore: (00:00) Introduction (05:38) Leading with strategy and clear communication (08:28) Using NVC (Nonviolent Communication) as a leadership tool (11:07) The difference between feelings and judgments (15:05) When a CEO shuts down input in a meeting (18:22) Connecting feelings to underlying needs (21:27) Doing the inner work to resolve conflict (23:49) The legacy of nonviolent communication (26:28) The power of observing and asking (31:16) Building empathy through compassionate communication (34:03) Authentic leadership through better communication   Connect with Mark Watson here: Mark Watson’s LinkedIn McLean Watson Website The Center for Nonviolent Communication Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg Interested in developing more effective leadership skills? Connect with Cinga today here.

    On Needs Based Communication/ Guest: Mark Watson, Leadership Consultant at McLean Watson
  5. 10/22/2025

    On The Brain at Work/ Guest: Jaime Lama, Regional Director, NLI

    Today, we’re exploring how neuroscience and technology are reshaping leadership with Jaime Lama from the NeuroLeadership Institute. As a psychologist with 30 years in HR and consulting, Jaime brings deep expertise in guiding organisations through change.   Jaime breaks down how the brain drives behaviour, from survival instincts to the role of emotions in decision-making. We discuss emotional regulation, unconscious bias and how leaders can better understand the unconscious drivers behind daily choices. Whether you lead a small team or thousands, you’ll gain practical insights on psychological safety, growth mindset, and the human skills technology can’t replace.   Tune in to this episode as we explore: (05:58) Origins of the brain’s organisational principles (07:55) Brain’s threat detection network (12:47) Experience bias and brain function (16:15) Bias in AI and how to navigate it (19:42) How our brains evolved for survival (21:40) Amplified intelligence through AI collaboration (25:26) Dynamics of AI and human growth (28:58) Evolving brains for collaborative leadership (30:31) Clarity and mental health during COVID (33:49) Psychological safety boosts performance (39:24) Leadership accountability in changing times (40:31) Leadership and trust dynamics   Connect with Jaime Lama here: Connect with Jaime Lama on LinkedIn NeuroLeadership Institute on LinkedIn NeuroLeadership Institute Website Interested in developing more effective leadership skills? Connect with Cinga today here.

    On The Brain at Work/ Guest: Jaime Lama, Regional Director, NLI

About

You’re a good leader. You might even be a great one. Whether you’re leading a team of one, two, or three thousand, how you lead determines whether you survive or thrive in the workplace. I’m Kathy Andrews, and this is the For Leaders, By Leaders podcast. We’re here for insightful conversations with real leaders, sharing inspiration and practical advice to help you unlock the best in yourself and those around you. When you face those moments where you ask yourself, “What do I do?” or “How can I do better?”, this podcast is here to guide you. With interviews from influential leaders across industries—CEOs, entrepreneurs, authors, and thought leaders—we’ll dive into their personal stories, pivotal moments, and the strategies that led to their success. Each episode explores real-world scenarios, leadership challenges, and offers practical, actionable tools that you can apply immediately. Think of this as a leadership coach in your pocket. Join us on your favourite platform, and take your leadership to the next level.