Action Lab Leadership Podcast

Danny Gruening

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Honest, unfiltered conversations with business leaders about the mistakes, pivots, and lessons that shape their growth.

16 juin

Michelle Gruening: When Curiosity Turns Into Procrastination

"Any strength taken to the extreme can be a detriment." In this episode of the Action Lab Leadership Podcast, Danny is joined by Michelle Gruening, a coach at Action Lab Leadership (and his wife!). Together, they dive into the messy, human side of leadership. They pull back the curtain on how well-meaning habits can secretly sabotage your team's growth and your own progress. Michelle shares her personal leadership journey, from leading a team twice her age early in her career to finding her balance in the tech industry. She breaks down the thin line between staying genuinely curious and falling into the trap of hyper-fixation procrastination. Inside the Episode: The Protection Paradox: Why shielding your team from heavy workloads or tough clients might actually be hurting their ability to grow. Taming the Thunder: Michelle’s evolution from giving overly blunt feedback to being too soft, and how she learned to address behaviors instead of identities. The Ukulele Lesson: A powerful reminder to stop setting goals you don't actually care about. When Curiosity stalls Progress: How to spot the red flag when curiosity shifts from a strength into procrastination. Leadership as a Muscle: Why failure in business is exactly like lifting weights to failure in the gym; it’s the only way to grow. Transactional vs. Transformational: Looking past the transient nature of short-term staff to build relationships that leave a lasting ripple effect. Keeping Promises to Yourself: The single fastest, most surefire action you can take today to rebuild your self-confidence. True leadership doesn’t require perfection; it requires the willingness to be curious, reflect on your decisions, and learn as you go.

40 min
10 juin

[Solo] Why Waiting for Motivation Is Killing Your Progress

If you wait for motivation to show up, you might be waiting forever. In this solo episode of the Action Lab Leadership Podcast, Danny breaks down a common trap that keeps high achievers, managers, and business owners stuck: waiting around for inspiration to strike before tackling a major project. He introduces a powerful framework called the Cycle of Motivation, a five-part flywheel that shifts the focus from waiting for a feeling to controlling the habits that actually make progress. Danny shares tactical advice on how to build consistent optimism, reverse-engineer momentum, and apply practical mantras to keep your business moving forward even when life disrupts your routine. Inside the Episode The Trap of Waiting: Why waiting for motivation before taking action results in stagnant projects and zero progress. Flipping the Script: How to intentionally train your brain out of its natural bias for negativity by asking a simple, positive question. The Morning Reset: Why avoiding your phone for the first 15 to 30 minutes of the day protects your mental foundation. Shrink the Step: A practical strategy to break down massive, overwhelming tasks until it becomes ridiculous not to do them. Suck But Don't Skip: An empowering execution mindset that prioritizes consistency over "feeling like it". The Train Metaphor: Understand why a small hurdle can stop you completely if you don't keep moving. The Mount Kilimanjaro Reset: How Danny and his wife rebuilt their momentum from scratch after an unexpected health setback threatened their goals. True motivation isn't something you wait for; it is something you build through the daily choices you fully control.

18 min
30 avr.

Ed Golebiowski: Why I Left Corporate America to Build Something Real

If you want your team to share in your vision, you have to be the first one to set the standard. In this episode of the Action Lab Leadership Podcast, Danny sits down with Ed Golebiowski, owner of Zero Gravity Adventure Park. Ed discusses the unique dynamics of running a family business where his sons are also his employees and explains why he left a high-level corporate career for the fulfillment of the entertainment industry. He shares practical advice on leading by example and why the best managers are those who leave the counter and engage with customers on the floor. Ed also tells the story of a community initiative that started as a local way to support hospital workers and eventually gained traction in nine different countries. Inside the Episode Leading by Example: Why Ed views leadership as a way to set expectations for both his sons and his staff. Boss Mode vs. Home Mode: How to navigate the shift in roles when working with family members. The Communication Gap: Why failing to share your expectations leads to resentment within your team. Beyond the Counter: The importance of high-touch leadership and getting managers onto the floor. Dignified Coaching: How to train first-time employees on basic skills without being insulting. Corporate vs. Fulfillment: Why Ed walked away from a high-paying role in financial insurance to return to a creative career path. The Viral Pizza Portal: How a simple idea to help essential employees during Covid turned into a global community win. Give Them a Shot: Why owners should look at their staff and give the next generation a chance to lead. Ed’s journey is a powerful reminder that leadership is about more than just managing operations; it's about the courage to bet on yourself and the commitment to bring others along with you.

33 min
21 avr.

Chris Epstein: Solving Problems the Fun Way

If you are waiting for a guarantee of success before you try something new, you’ve already stopped leading. In this episode of the Action Lab Leadership Podcast, Danny sits down with Chris Epstein, Business Development Officer at Laserforce. Drawing from his background as a football coach and teacher, Chris shares why the most effective leaders focus on driving progress through camaraderie rather than rank. He makes a compelling case for why "taking creative swings" is essential, even when those swings end in a miss. Chris also dives into the importance of showing up authentically in business, arguing that the best professional relationships are built when you are unapologetically yourself. Inside the Episode: Leadership as a Reflex: Why true leadership is the natural instinct to make sure your team is taken care of and progressing together. The Position Coach Perspective: How to take a mountain of complex data and funnel it into actionable communication for your team. Taking the Two-Point Conversion: Why you should be willing to solve problems in unique, fun ways; and why you have to be okay when you miss. The Power of Authenticity: Why trying to be someone you're not can actually prevent you from building real relationships. Rewiring the To-Do List: How to break the childhood "chores" mentality and set an intentional pace for long-term sustainability. The Loneliness of the Top: Why joining a community or mastermind is the right move for any high-level leader. Chris’s perspective is a refreshing reminder that leadership isn't about the clout of a title; it's about camaraderie and the courage to play the game creatively.

37 min
8 avr.

Sven Rösch: Why Leaders Never Clock Out

If you view leadership as a 9-to-5 job description, you are missing the true power of your influence. In this episode of the Action Lab Leadership Podcast, Danny sits down with Sven Rösch, the Head of Sales at Valo Motion. Sven shares a vulnerable look at a pivotal moment early in his career when he was nearly fired for a lack of results. His turnaround didn't come from following a stricter process, but from a radical shift in mindset: he decided to stop following bullet points and start being genuinely curious about the people in front of him. From the high-stakes world of motorcycle racing to the technical challenges of rock climbing, Sven explains why excellence is the byproduct of better technique and a service-oriented heart. Inside the Episode: The Identity of a Leader: Why leadership is a choice to be a positive influence that doesn't end when you clock out. The Curiosity Cure: How Sven saved his career by deciding to be fascinated by the stories of his clients. Don’t Ride Faster, Ride Better: Why focusing on the process (not the lap time) is the secret to long-term business success. The Climber’s Spark: Why seeing a team member surpass your own skill set is the ultimate "job well done" for a leader. Sparring Partners: The importance of having a trusted network you can collaborate with and learn from. Reflected Experience: Why wisdom doesn't happen automatically and how to intentionally extract lessons from difficult times. Sven’s journey is a powerful reminder that when you lead with curiosity and focus on the person instead of the process, the results tend to take care of themselves.

39 min
10 mars

Jeff Willy: I Love When People Make Mistakes

If you aren’t creating a space where it is safe to fail, you are accidentally capping your team’s potential. If your team is afraid to mess up, they are likely afraid to grow. In this episode of the Action Lab Leadership Podcast, Danny talks with Jeff Willy, owner of Loveland Laser Tag and co-owner of Time Emporium Escape Rooms, about why he actively celebrates mistakes in his business. Jeff shares his journey from a "do everything himself" business owner to a mentor who empowers his team to challenge his ideas, even when it means being proven wrong. From a floor-stripping disaster that cost $12,000 to the "loaded fries" menu debate, Jeff explains why leadership isn't about having the perfect plan, but about seeing the potential in your people and helping them reach their own dreams. Inside the Episode: The Potential Superpower: Why Jeff interacts with his staff based on who they want to become, not just who they are today. The $12,000 Teaching Moment: How a massive mistake became a milestone for one of his managers instead of a reason to fire them. The CPU Myth: Why multitasking is a lie and how Jeff uses his background in computer programming to focus on what matters. Listening Mode: Jeff’s personal challenge to talk less and listen more to unlock the "hidden" genius of his team. Leading Without a Map: Why Jeff has stopped worrying about the exact "path" to a goal and started trusting his team to find the way. Ownership vs. Employment: How to identify and nurture the rare employees who view your business with an "owner's eye". Jeff’s insights provide a blueprint for any leader looking to build a culture of psychological safety, high ambition, and genuine partnership.

38 min
17 févr.

Megan Burtch: Why Helping Others Grow is the Greatest Reward

Leadership isn’t a task to be completed. It’s a garden to be nurtured. Leadership is easy when you’re just handing out tasks, but it’s a different game when you’re trying to help people grow. In this episode of the Action Lab Leadership Podcast, Danny sits down with Megan Burtch of Redemption Plus to discuss why leading a team is a lot like being a "plant lady". Megan shares how her love for gardening helped her realize that true leadership requires patience, individualized care, and a focus on long-term growth over instant gratification. Megan opens up about the "proud mama bear" joy that comes from watching a team member achieve a milestone and shares hard-earned lessons on shifting from a high-achieving "doer" to an empowering "leader". Inside the Episode: Leading Like a Plant Lady: Why every person on your team needs a different "fertilizer schedule" or coaching style to thrive. Mowing vs. Planting: The difference between the instant gratification of task completion and the patient, rewarding process of people growth. The High-Achiever Trap: How Megan is learning to "delegate to elevate" and move beyond the burnout-inducing need to do it all herself. Meeting People Where They Are: The importance of reading the room and adjusting your energy to support your team through stress. Venting at the Top: Why you should never complain downward and how to find healthy ways to process the pressure of leadership. The Power of Admitting You're Wrong: Why owning your mistakes is the fastest way to build trust and encourage team-wide growth. Megan’s stories are a masterclass in the empathy and patience required to nurture a high-performing culture that lasts.

32 min
10 févr.

Sara Paz: Why You Aren't Failing Enough

If you aren't failing, you might be playing it too safe. In this episode of the Action Lab Leadership Podcast, Danny talks with Sara Paz, Chief Marketing Officer at Embed, about why the most successful leaders prioritize professional adventure over perfection. Sara shares her philosophy on leading high-performing teams by removing political obstacles and providing a safety net that gives people the courage to take massive risks. From sending marketing winners to the edge of space on a Russian MiG to navigating personal life quakes, Sara explains why leadership is about bringing out the best in people and helping them discover the unique gift only they can offer the world. Inside the Episode: The Safety Net Strategy: How providing a secure environment allows your team to innovate and fail forward without fear. Professional Adventures: Why Sara tells her team there is nowhere to hide and why that leads to the best work of their lives. Greatness vs. The Greatest: A deep dive into why greatness is inclusive and internal, while being the greatest is competitive and exclusive. The Note Only You Can Sing: Why the purpose of life is discovering your unique gift and putting it in service of your goals. Confident in Uncertainty: How to stay grounded and take action when you don’t have all the answers. Squeezing Life Dry: Sara’s "milk it to the bone" mantra for making the most of your one life and your health. Sara’s insights provide a masterclass in how to lead yourself first so that you can effectively lead others toward extraordinary results.

50 min

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Podcast Trailer - Join Me For These Unfiltered Conversations

Welcome to the Action Lab Leadership Podcast, where I have honest, unfiltered conversations with business leaders. I’m Danny, founder of Action Lab Leadership. After years of working with business owners, I wanted to go deeper than the highlights — I wanted to explore the real stories of leadership and growth. That’s why I created this podcast. People love hearing about success, but I want to talk about the messy journey that happens along the way — the mistakes, the pivots, and the lessons that shape how great leaders actually think and grow. Here’s what you can expect: every week, I sit down for a long-form, honest conversation with someone who’s building something meaningful. We’ll talk about mindset, failure, growth, and what it truly takes to lead with purpose. If you're a business owner, a manager, or simply someone who wants to grow in how you think and lead — you’ll feel right at home here. If that sounds like you, hit follow or subscribe — and join me for these conversations.

12/11/2025

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1 min

Honest, unfiltered conversations with business leaders about the mistakes, pivots, and lessons that shape their growth.

Création

Danny Gruening
Années d’activité

2025 - 2026
Épisodes

19
Classification

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Action Lab Leadership Podcast