Lead With Purpose

Merv Jersak

Most organizations don’t fail because of bad strategy, weak technology, or poor processes. They fail because leadership breaks down in the human moments of execution. The Lead With Purpose Podcast, hosted by leadership consultant and former IT project executive Merv Jersak, explores the real disciplines that determine whether teams struggle under pressure or perform with clarity and cohesion. After four decades working inside complex organizations, Merv saw the same pattern repeated everywhere: high-performing producers promoted into leadership roles but rarely trained in the skills required to guide people through conflict, uncertainty, competing priorities, and organizational pressure. This podcast focuses on those leadership skills. Through conversations with experienced leaders, coaches, and professionals, you’ll hear practical insights on how strong leaders steady themselves under pressure, build trust that speeds collaboration, align teams around shared goals, make disciplined decisions, and create environments where performance becomes sustainable. If you are a mid-level leader, emerging executive, or business owner responsible for delivering results through others, this podcast will challenge how you think about leadership and execution. Because great leadership isn’t just about getting results. It’s about building teams that can achieve them together. Follow the Lead With Purpose Podcast and start leading smarter today.

  1. 14h ago

    Dr. Will Moreland: How to Build a Team Culture People Want to Stay In

    For Your Leadership Toolkit ·       leadership isn't about title, it’s about people ·       people don't care about what you say until they know you care about them ·       praise in public; correct in private ·       no one person is the team ·       feedback is the breakfast of champions ·       the standard is the standard, and the standard does all the correcting ·       start with the end in mind (from “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey) ·       Dr. Will’s JERK rule: Judgmental, Egotistical, Repulsive, Knucklehead ·       request team members’ feedback regarding your leadership   Sound bites "No one person is the team." "Our number one rule is don't be a jerk." "You don't need a bigger title." “I advanced faster than my leadership knowledge.” “You get a write up when you do something good.” “The accountability is the accountability.”   Chapters 03:03 From Compton to the Army: mentorship sparks a leadership mission 06:13 Why leadership is about people, not rank 09:17 Build civility intentionally after a promotion 11:28 Correct mistakes without crushing the person 15:19 Coach abrasive high performers without excusing the harm 18:32 The JERK rule and the limits of individual performance 20:30 Measure culture through P&L (“people love”) and everyday recognition 23:17 Invite honest feedback to become a leader people trust 27:05 Hold volunteers accountable with clear agreed-upon standards 37:00 A practical challenge for emerging leaders   Resources Dr. Will’s Website: https://morelandtraining.com/ Dr. Will on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drwillmoreland/ Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Dr. Will Moreland: How to Build a Team Culture People Want to Stay In

  2. Oct 27

    JJ Birden: Your Team Needs You Ready. Have You Prepared?

    For Your Leadership Toolkit ·       building confidence through preparation and experience ·       creating opportunities when none seem to exist ·       importance of staying calm under pressure ·       leadership habits for continuous improvement ·       role of communication in effective leadership ·       significance of understanding your 'why' in leadership   Sound bites "Every day is game day." “You can't lead if you don't put yourself in a position to lead.” “You rip the door off the hinges and you make opportunity stay.” “I think personal leadership starts before team leadership because you've got to be able to lead yourself.” “Practice is my game day.” “We fell back on our preparation. We fell back on our training.” “Even when you're winning, complacency can cause you to lose.” “He studied like a rookie, he prepared like a veteran, and he led like a pro.” “Even when you don't get the ball, you run the route like you're getting the ball.” “Your calm is your superpower.”   Chapters 01:01 JJ Birden's journey from college to NFL 04:46 The mindset of every day being game day 5:32 Leading from the front and serving with purpose 06:41 Confidence grounded in preparation and creating opportunities 07:36 The importance of seizing opportunities and creating your own 10:14 Paying attention to team members and recognizing potential 12:43 Finding openings through preparation and studying the game 14:23 Maintaining mental toughness and handling hits in leadership 15:03 Deciding when enough information is enough to act 18:50 Practicing communication daily for leadership effectiveness 20:36 Preparation meeting pressure and staying ready 22:15 Challenging complacency and raising the bar 27:26 Reconnecting with your 'why' during tough times   Resources JJ’s Website – https://www.jjbirden.com/ JJ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjbirden/ JJ’s book: “Beat the Coverage” Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    JJ Birden: Your Team Needs You Ready. Have You Prepared?

  3. Oct 20

    Alaina G. Levine: Feeling Stuck? Discover Your Hidden Strengths

    For Your Leadership Toolkit ·       on creating a unicorn career ·       the three-step framework for building an authentic career ·       the importance of intrinsic and extrinsic data in career decisions ·       strategies for effective networking within and outside organizations ·       how to turn your current job into your ideal role ·       the role of self-awareness and data-driven journaling in career growth ·       using joy and pain scorecards to discover your passions ·       handling uncertainty and building confidence as a young leader   Sound bites “It became my lifelong mission to help people see that they have value, choice, and power in building their authentic careers.” “We have to understand the full data set of who we are if we're gonna make the right choices for us.” “You are not expected to know everything about everything.” “Keep the networking up even when you are working.” “Networking is not what can I get, it's what can I give.” “Identifying what brings you joy and what brings you pain, it can be very, very helpful.”    Chapters 04:27 Alaina's journey from mathematics to career coaching 05:40 The concept of a unicorn career and its origins 12:08 The three components of building an authentic career 22:00 Networking as a long-term relationship-building process 28:07 Using joy and pain scores to discover your passions 32:23 Handling uncertainty and outgrowing roles 37:54 Lessons from competitive pool playing and strategic moves   Resources Alaina’s Website – https://alainalevine.com/ Alaina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainaglevine/ Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Alaina G. Levine: Feeling Stuck? Discover Your Hidden Strengths

  4. Oct 13

    Courtney Clark: When to Keep Going, When to Pivot

    For Your Leadership Toolkit ·       the difference between resilience and adaptability ·       resilience is not just bouncing back but adapting to new circumstances ·       how to recognize when to pivot or let go ·       goal supersizing and finding your core purpose ·       the risks of toxic positivity and toxic grit ·       strategies for challenging failing plans respectfully ·       building resilience habits early in your career ·       every yes is a no to something else ·       disengaging from impossible goals is a sign of strength not weakness ·       asking for help is a key resilience habit   Sound bites "Resilience does not come from positivity" “This idea that the plan can fail without me failing.” “Every yes is a no to something else.” “You can't give what you don't have.” “Every pursuit has a price.” “You honestly can't be positive without being realistic.” “If you have to let go of a goal, the problem is that the goal was too small.” “I always say that the enemy of disruption is options.” “Stories solve problems.” “Keep your values, change your mind.”   Chapters 02:10 The misconception of resilience as bouncing back 04:09 Resilience versus positivity and the importance of adaptability 07:24 Rebuilding resilience through adaptability and purpose 08:22 Research insights on grit and goal disengagement 12:06 Knowing when and how to give up wisely 13:31 Resource management and realistic goal setting 19:36 The concept of goal supersizing and finding your core purpose 22:23 The role of flexibility and multiple parallel plans 29:14 Challenging failing plans as a young leader 33:16 The importance of asking for help and building input 37:12 The value of changing your mind and leadership humility 38:40 Balancing grit with growth resilience   Resources Courtney’s Website – www.CourtneyClark.com Courtney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylclark/ Courtney’s free gift: www.shortcutbook.com Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Courtney Clark: When to Keep Going, When to Pivot

  5. Sep 22

    Jim Davidson: When You Face Something Bigger, You Must Become More

    For Your Leadership Toolkit ·       the true meaning of resilience in leadership ·       the importance of flexibility ·       knowing when to turn back is a sign of strong leadership ·       building confidence and competence in teams ·       decision-making under extreme pressure ·       preparing for risks and anticipating challenges ·       confidence must be well-founded, not overblown ·       leadership involves continuous learning from adversity.   Sound bites “When you’re facing something really big, you have to become more and you have to do more.” “Sometimes in mountains and in work situations, there’s times when turning back is the smartest decision.” “Resilience isn’t just being tough, it’s being flexible, agile, recovering after you get beat down.” “Resilient leadership is also a learned skill.” “I’ve learned way more from the times I turned around than from the few times that I summited.” “I don’t want to climb with somebody who hasn’t made the decision to turn around.” “You don’t want to drag down the whole team trying to salvage a bad project or a bad situation.” “We’re looking for people who are good teammates.” “We want to see how we act as a team when the going gets tough.” “An expedition leader needs to be thinking three, four plans ahead.” “You need to be very confident with what you know and be honest about the rest.” “Certainly no one person is as smart as three people or three hundred people put together.” “Going through hardship makes you hardier.” “You can get PTG, post-traumatic growth, literally growth from trauma.” “If you think to yourself somebody needs to do something about that, you’re probably right, and that person is probably you.” “Those small acts allow you to start moving in the direction of bigger actions and better things.”   Chapters 03:06 Jim's experience during the Nepal earthquake on Everest 09:31 Lessons from surviving a crevasse fall and the importance of resilience 10:33 Mountaineering as a crucible for leadership behavior 13:05 Knowing when resilience means changing course or turning back 15:10 Summiting Everest and the internal doubts 20:00 Preparing for risks and planning ahead 22:24 The importance of honesty and confidence in team members 26:36 Handling pressure and avoiding overconfidence 32:24 The concept of post-traumatic growth and resilience 34:00 Advice for emerging leaders on embracing uncertainty   Resources Jim’s Website - https://www.speakingofadventure.com/ Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speakingofadventure/ Jim’s books: The Ledge: An Inspirational Story of Friendship and Survival, The Next Everest: Surviving the Mountain's Deadliest Day and Finding the Resilience to Climb Again Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Jim Davidson: When You Face Something Bigger, You Must Become More

  6. Sep 8

    Mathew Blades: The Conversation You're Avoiding Is Already Costing You

    For Your Leadership Toolkit ·       the “you and me versus the problem” mindset is crucial for collaborative problem-solving ·       the importance of going first in conversations ·       relational programming and its impact on communication ·       how tone and body language influence understanding ·       strategies for handling difficult conversations with superiors ·       the role of vulnerability and honesty in leadership ·       the significance of listening to understand, not respond ·       how to set the stage for productive dialogue   Sound bites “It's not you versus me, it's you and me versus the problem.” “As soon as you make the person the problem, you stop solving the problem.” “That's the point of a conversation is to understand what happens next.” “Most people are never taught the art of a conversation.” “Most of us are bringing a childhood operating system to an adult conversation.” “You don't get to control the outcome.” “Effective communication does not equal agreement.” “They listen to respond. They don't listen to understand.” “You're missing a real opportunity to connect with somebody because you just want to be right.” “The successful people are just better at interrupting the pattern faster.” “Silence often says a lot more than words do.” “Somebody has to be willing to go first or we just keep doing what we've been doing.” “Everybody shows up to the same conversation differently.” “Most problems are solved the moment somebody feels heard.”   Chapters 04:22 The simplicity of having better conversations 06:12 The “Air-Check” method for self-improvement 08:45 Watching back conversations to improve 10:31 Knowing when to let go of certain conversations 11:38 The power of honesty and vulnerability 13:12 Listening to understand versus to respond 15:53 Interrupting patterns for effective communication 17:42 Reprogramming relational patterns from the past 20:18 Creating a safe space for honest dialogue 22:19 The “Sharp Communication” framework 26:15 Making others feel heard to foster trust 28:12 The value of clear outcomes and tone awareness 30:20 Handling conversations with your boss 34:22 Advice for emerging leaders on difficult conversations 38:08 The art of disarming with awareness 39:16 The real-world application of effective communication    Resources Mathew’s Website - https://mathewblades.com/ Mathew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathewblades/ Mathew’s new book: Go First: How Better Conversations Change Everything Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Mathew Blades: The Conversation You're Avoiding Is Already Costing You

  7. Sep 1

    Kymberli Speight: Stop Networking. Start Building Relationships.

    For Your Leadership Toolkit ·       relationship building is a skill that can be learned and developed ·       importance of transformational relationships over transactional ones ·       overcoming challenges as introverted leaders in relationship building ·       your network equals net worth ·       relationships are the currency of growth and success ·       trust is built over time through credibility, reliability, and vulnerability ·       trust can be lost in an instant ·       being intentional and authentic in interactions fosters deeper connections ·       building social capital involves giving value and paying attention to human interactions   Sound bites “If you are interested in the other person, you become interesting.” “When your why is big enough, the facts don't matter.” “If it's going to be in alignment with your goals, even if it scares you, say yes.” “That's a trait of a leader being comfortable with being uncomfortable.” “Part of relationship building is being comfortable in your own skin and knowing that you're valuable.” “People can feel your energy and they can feel your intent.” “If I've been a giver, then when you need something, people are willing to lean forward and help you out.” “It's not transactional. It's actually transformational.” “Pay attention to every single human interaction that you have with someone.” “Great relationships usually give you energy.” “Trust is foundational to any good relationship.” “It takes a while to build trust, but only an instant to break it.”   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Relationship Building in Leadership 02:10 Kymberli Speight's Journey from Military to Leadership Coach 05:39 Buying F-15 Fighter Jets at Age 28 and Building Credibility 06:23 Owning Your Value and Building Respect in Relationships 08:45 Relationship as a Leadership Skill and How to Develop It 09:40 Meeting 100 People in 100 Days: Goals and Lessons Learned 12:06 Maintaining Relationships Over Time and Social Media Strategies 15:19 Relationships as the Currency of Growth for Young Leaders 16:43 Building Trust and Authenticity in Relationships 18:12 The Three-Part Framework for Building Relationships 19:35 Supporting Introverted Leaders in Relationship Building 20:31 Effective Icebreaker Questions for Relationship Conversations 26:39 The Foundation of Trust and How to Build It 33:17 Maintaining Relationships and the Effort Required    Resources Kymberli’s Website - https://kymberlispeight.com/ Kymberli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kymberlispeight/ Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Kymberli Speight: Stop Networking. Start Building Relationships.

  8. Aug 25

    Patrick Donadio: "But I Told Them!" Is Not Communication

    For Your Leadership Toolkit importance of understanding that meaning comes from the receiver, not the sender IMPACT: Intention, Person, Activate, Clarify, Transform role of active listening and checking for understanding common communication mistakes leaders make when delivering difficult messages significance of tailoring communication to the audience and context Seven Times Rule in communication and its application in leadership cultural cues and verbal ticks that affect understanding importance of feedback and self-evaluation in improving communication practical tips for leaders to enhance their communication skills   Sound bites "The meaning of the message doesn't always come from the sender." "Your performance as an individual does not equate with your performance as a leader." "Anybody can talk, but not everybody can communicate with impact." "Yet organizations just make the assumption, if you can talk, you can lead." "What should I keep doing? What should I stop doing? And what could I be doing differently?" "Every communication starts with intention. Think before you speak." "Why am I communicating this message with this person at this time?" "Things will get done if people are clear and understanding." "If people understand the why, they're more likely to accept the how." "Don't just make the assumption that once it's delivered, it's going to be received correctly." "The more we can be concise, the more we can be consistent, the more we can be clear, the better the reception." "It is a process, not an event." "When in doubt, check it out." "What gets rewarded gets repeated."   Chapters 00:00 The true source of message meaning 02:21 Introducing the IMPACT process 06:19 Start with intention in communication 12:53 The importance of explaining the why 13:22 Checking for understanding and active listening 19:36 Cultural cues and verbal ticks in communication 25:58 Common mistakes in delivering difficult messages 28:31 Starting with clear intention before conversations   Resources Learn more:www.PatrickDonadio.com The IMPACT©” Process Model Overview (PDF): https://patrickdonadio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Communicating-with-IMPACT-Wheel.pdf Connect on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdonadio. Speaker/Coach One-Pager (PDF): https://patrickdonadio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Donadio-One-Page-Overview-Speaking-Coaching-24.pdf Get Patrick’s book “Communicating with IMPACT©” on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/vh9a7emContact:https://forms.gle/PxmQQFSPs91w3R9i8 (Questions, Event Bookings, Communication Coaching) Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Patrick Donadio: "But I Told Them!" Is Not Communication
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About

Most organizations don’t fail because of bad strategy, weak technology, or poor processes. They fail because leadership breaks down in the human moments of execution. The Lead With Purpose Podcast, hosted by leadership consultant and former IT project executive Merv Jersak, explores the real disciplines that determine whether teams struggle under pressure or perform with clarity and cohesion. After four decades working inside complex organizations, Merv saw the same pattern repeated everywhere: high-performing producers promoted into leadership roles but rarely trained in the skills required to guide people through conflict, uncertainty, competing priorities, and organizational pressure. This podcast focuses on those leadership skills. Through conversations with experienced leaders, coaches, and professionals, you’ll hear practical insights on how strong leaders steady themselves under pressure, build trust that speeds collaboration, align teams around shared goals, make disciplined decisions, and create environments where performance becomes sustainable. If you are a mid-level leader, emerging executive, or business owner responsible for delivering results through others, this podcast will challenge how you think about leadership and execution. Because great leadership isn’t just about getting results. It’s about building teams that can achieve them together. Follow the Lead With Purpose Podcast and start leading smarter today.

Information

  • Creator
    Merv Jersak
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lead With Purpose
  • Show Website
    Lead With Purpose