Dialing In | Where Connection Meets Performance

Jule Salem
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Business

High performance isn’t just about strategy. It’s about connection. Dialing In is a podcast that explores how connection drives performance in business. Through honest conversations with executives, operators, and founders, we examine the moments when connection strengthens—or breaks down—and what happens next. From trust and communication to alignment, accountability, and execution, Dialing In looks at the human dynamics behind business results and why connection may be one of the most powerful performance advantages an organization can build.

  1. 4d ago

    When Culture Becomes the Competitive Advantage: Leadership Lessons from LinkedIn's First CHRO w/ Steve Cadigan

    Have you ever stopped to ask why your organization does things the way it does? In this episode, Jule sits down with Steve Cadigan, LinkedIn's first Chief Human Resources Officer and author of Workquake, whose leadership helped guide LinkedIn through one of the fastest periods of growth in its history. Steve shares what he learned while helping scale LinkedIn from 400 employees to more than 4,000 and why one simple question changed the way the company approached leadership, recruiting, and culture. Along the way, he explains why the strongest organizations don't follow best practices by default. They challenge assumptions, build trust, and intentionally create environments where people can do their best work. For leaders navigating rapid growth, organizational change, or the evolving role of AI in the workplace, Steve offers practical insights on why culture isn't something you delegate. It's something every leader helps create. In this conversation, Steve and Jule discuss: • Why asking "Why do we do it this way?" can unlock better leadership decisions • How LinkedIn built a culture that became its greatest competitive advantage • Why trust grows through transparency, curiosity, and difficult conversations • How leaders can use AI to strengthen people instead of simply replacing them • Why winning organizations focus on helping people grow, not just keeping them happy If you're leading through growth, building a stronger culture, or trying to prepare your team for what's next, this episode is a reminder that culture isn't built through policies or perks. It's built by leaders who ask better questions, earn trust, and create environments where people can thrive. Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cadigan/ Website: https://www.stevecadigan.com Book: Workquake: Embracing the Aftershocks of COVID-19 to Create a Better Model of Working Connect with Jule: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesalem/ Website: https://www.julesalem.com Dialing In is a leadership podcast for operators, executives, and founders that explores how connection drives performance in business. Each episode looks at the human dynamics behind business results and how stronger connection can create greater trust, alignment, accountability, and ultimately, better performance. Join us and subscribe to the show to be the first to hear new episodes.

  2. Aug 19

    From Direct to Connect: How Brave Leaders Build Cultures People Want to Be Part Of w/ Chris Deaver

    Have you ever sensed something was off within your organization, even when the work was still getting done? In this episode, Jule sits down with Chris Deaver, co-author of Brave Together and a leadership and culture expert whose career has included work with Dell, Disney, and Apple. Chris shares a defining experience early in his career at Dell, when the company was navigating business challenges, leadership changes, and declining employee engagement. Fresh out of his MBA program, Chris began questioning whether the culture that had helped the company succeed in the past was equipped to take it where it wanted to go next. For leaders who sense something within their culture needs to change, Chris's story is a reminder that transformation doesn't always begin with a new strategy. Sometimes it begins with having the courage to notice what's missing and speak up about it. In this conversation, Chris and Jule discuss: • Why the behaviors that made an organization successful in the past may not be enough for its future • How leaders can challenge the status quo and create meaningful culture change • Why connection and innovation are essential alongside strong execution • How identifying and empowering the right leaders can help new behaviors spread throughout an organization • Why self-awareness starts with asking, "What do I need to do differently?" If you've ever felt that something within your organization needs to change, but weren't sure where to begin, this episode is a reminder that building a stronger culture doesn't happen all at once. It starts with seeing things differently, asking better questions, and being brave enough to help create what comes next. Connect with Chris: Website: https://bravecore.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-deaver/ Book: Brave Together Connect with Jule: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesalem/ Website: https://www.julesalem.com/ Download the Free Guide Here: Free Guide | The 5 Warning Signs Your Team Is Disconnected Dialing In is a leadership podcast for operators, executives, and founders that explores how connection drives performance in business. Each episode looks at the human dynamics behind business results and how stronger connection can create greater trust, alignment, accountability, and ultimately, better performance. Join us and subscribe to the show to be the first to hear new episodes.

  3. Aug 5

    When Work Isn't the Hardest Thing: Leadership, Humanity, and Life's Biggest Challenges w/ Jill Wrobel

    Have you ever faced a moment that completely changed the way you lead? In this episode, Jule sits down with Jill Wrobel, Chief Human Resources Officer at Brunswick Corporation, whose leadership has been shaped by both executive experience and life's most unexpected challenges. Jill shares how navigating a deeply personal health journey transformed the way she thinks about work, connection, and supporting others. Rather than seeing leadership as simply driving results, she explains why the strongest leaders create environments where people feel seen, trusted, and empowered to bring their best selves to work. For leaders balancing performance with empathy, navigating difficult conversations, or building stronger workplace cultures, Jill offers practical insights on how genuine connection strengthens both people and business outcomes. In this conversation, Jill and Jule discuss: • Why leading with curiosity creates stronger relationships than leading with assumptions • How managers can support employees through life's most difficult moments without having all the answers • Why connection and accountability work best together, not separately • How organizations can intentionally build cultures where people feel valued and supported • The importance of creating space for people to do their best thinking and best work If you've ever wondered how to lead people through uncertainty, foster trust within your team, or create a culture where both people and performance thrive, this episode is a reminder that great leadership begins with seeing the person before the role. Connection isn't built through perfect answers. It's built through empathy, curiosity, and showing up for people when it matters most. Connect with Jill: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-wrobel/ Recommended Reading: Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons from Special Somebodies by Ian Ziskin (includes Jill's contributed essay and reflection exercise). Connect with Jule: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesalem/ Website: www.julesalem.com Dialing In is a leadership podcast for operators, executives, and founders that explores how connection drives performance in business. Each episode looks at the human dynamics behind business results and how stronger connection can create greater trust, alignment, accountability, and ultimately, better performance. Join us and subscribe to the show to be the first to hear new episodes.

  4. Jul 22

    The Accountability Conversation: How Great Leaders Address Performance Gaps w/ Andrew Carothers

    Have you ever assumed you knew why someone was struggling… only to realize you hadn't asked enough questions? In this episode, Jule sits down with Andrew Carothers—a customer experience leader with deep expertise in communications, digital technology, and building high-performing teams. Andrew shares two contrasting stories of inheriting underperforming employees. While the situations looked nearly identical on the surface, the outcomes were completely different. What made the difference wasn't the performance issue itself—it was the leader's willingness to pause, get curious, and approach accountability with clarity instead of frustration. For leaders navigating difficult conversations, performance challenges, or the pressure to balance accountability with empathy, Andrew's experiences offer a practical reminder that assumptions rarely lead to solutions. Curiosity does. In this conversation, Andrew and Jule discuss: Why pausing before reacting to underperformance changes the entire conversationWhy "clear is kind" removes the guesswork and the guilt—from hard feedbackHow building trust early gives employees the runway to learn from mistakesWhy how you treat one struggling employee is always being watched by the rest of the teamHow transparency turns AI adoption from a threat into a shared opportunityIf you've ever struggled with how to address poor performance, coach someone through a challenge, or decide when it's time to move on, this episode will remind you that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating the conditions for people to succeed—and having the courage to act when they don't. Connect with Andrew: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-carothers/ Connect with Jule: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesalem/ Website: www.julesalem.com Dialing In is a leadership podcast for operators, executives, and founders that explores how connection drives performance in business. Each episode looks at the human dynamics behind business results and how stronger connection can create greater trust, alignment, accountability, and ultimately, better performance. Join us and subscribe to the show to be the first to hear new episodes.

  5. Jul 8

    Scaling Without Losing Connection: How to Grow, Delegate, and Protect Your Culture w/ Maddy Niebauer

    Have you ever been so focused on keeping up with growth that creating connection started slipping to the bottom of the list? In this episode, Jule sits down with Maddy Niebauer—Co-Founder and CEO of VChief, a company that helps organizations scale by providing fractional executive talent and strategic leadership support. Maddy shares what happened as her business experienced rapid growth and the tension that came with trying to scale without losing the culture and connection that made the organization successful in the first place. As the pace accelerated, she realized that sustaining growth wasn't just about getting more work done—it was about creating the space for people and relationships to thrive. For leaders balancing growth, competing priorities, and the constant pressure to do more, Maddy's story is a reminder that connection doesn't happen by accident. It happens by design. In this conversation, Maddy and Jule discuss: • Why rapid growth can unintentionally create disconnection within teams • Why trust—not time—is often the biggest barrier to effective delegation • How setting clear expectations helps teams and clients succeed together • The importance of protecting time for strategic thinking instead of constantly reacting • Why great leaders focus on where they create the most value—not where they can stay the busiest If you've ever felt like there aren't enough hours in the day, you're carrying too much yourself, or your calendar is dictating your priorities, this episode will challenge you to rethink where your time creates the most value. Because great leadership isn't about doing everything. It's about knowing what only you can do. Connect with Maddy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleineniebauer Website: https://vchiefs.com/ Connect with Jule: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesalem/ Website: www.julesalem.com Dialing In is a leadership podcast for operators, executives, and founders that explores how connection drives performance in business. Each episode looks at the human dynamics behind business results and how stronger connection can create greater trust, alignment, accountability, and ultimately, better performance. Join us and subscribe to the show to be the first to hear new episodes.

  6. Jun 24

    Pressure-Proof Leadership: How to Lead with Humanity Without Losing Accountability w/ Sabina Nawaz

    Have you ever been so focused on delivering results that you didn’t realize how your pressure was landing on the people around you? In this episode of Dialing In, Jule sits down with Sabina Nawaz—executive coach, keynote speaker, leadership expert, and author of You’re the Boss. Sabina shares a defining leadership moment that forced her to confront an uncomfortable truth: even with good intentions, the way she was showing up under pressure was creating distance between herself and her team. What began as a candid conversation became a powerful lesson in self-awareness, accountability, and the hidden ways power can shape workplace dynamics. Sabina’s story is a reminder that leaders don’t always see the full impact of their behavior, especially when they are moving fast, carrying responsibility, and trying to deliver. For leaders navigating high expectations, constant change, and the pressure to perform, this conversation offers a clear reminder: intention and impact are not always the same. In this episode, Sabina and Jule discuss: • How power and pressure can quietly erode trust • How to create safer channels for honest feedback • Why accountability starts with the leader • Why caring for people and holding high standards are not competing priorities • The small daily habits that help leaders strengthen connection before it breaks This episode is for any leader who has ever felt the weight of responsibility and wondered how to keep delivering without losing connection with the people they lead. Because connection is rarely lost in one big moment. It is built—or broken—in the small moments that happen every day. And those moments matter more than we think. Connect with Sabina: Website: https://sabinanawaz.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinanawaz/ Connect with Jule: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesalem/ Website: www.julesalem.com Dialing In is a leadership podcast for operators, executives, and founders that explores how connection drives performance in business. Each episode looks at the human dynamics behind business results and how stronger connection can create greater trust, alignment, accountability, and ultimately, better performance. Join us and subscribe to the show to be the first to hear new episodes.

  7. Jun 10

    When the Role Changes: How to Turn Setbacks into Stronger Leadership w/ Casey Jacox

    Have you ever had a setback that challenged not just what you do—but who you are? In this episode, Jule sits down with Casey Jacox—sales & leadership expert, keynote speaker, author of Win the Relationship, Not the Deal, and host of the Quarterback DadCast. Casey shares a defining moment from his teenage years that challenged his sense of identity and changed the path he thought he was on. What followed taught him lasting lessons about vulnerability, resilience, and how to find purpose when circumstances unexpectedly change. For leaders facing setbacks, unexpected challenges, or moments that force them to adapt, Casey's story is a reminder that growth often begins when things don't go according to plan. In this conversation, Casey and Jule discuss: • Why vulnerability and asking for help are often the first steps toward growth as a leader • How adversity can reveal purpose, resilience, and new ways to contribute • The role curiosity plays in building stronger relationships and more effective teams • Why great leaders ask thoughtful questions instead of rushing to provide answers • How slowing down creates space for trust, clarity, and better decision-making • Why focusing on people and relationships leads to stronger long-term results If you're navigating change, leading through uncertainty, or looking to strengthen your impact as a leader, this episode will remind you that some of the most meaningful leadership lessons emerge from the challenges we never saw coming. Because leadership isn't defined by a title or a role. It's defined by how we respond when circumstances change. Connect with Casey: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyjacox/ Website: https://caseyjacox.com/ Connect with Jule: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesalem/ Website: www.julesalem.com Dialing In is a leadership podcast for operators, executives, and founders that explores how connection drives performance in business. Each episode looks at the human dynamics behind business results and how stronger connection can create greater trust, alignment, accountability, and ultimately, better performance. Join us and subscribe to the show to be the first to hear new episodes.

  8. May 27

    The Gap Between Intent and Impact: How Small Communication Breakdowns Erode Trust (and How to Fix It) w/ Melanie Sue Hicks

    Have you ever moved so fast as a leader that your communication started creating confusion instead of clarity? In this episode, Jule sits down with Melanie Sue Hicks—TEDx speaker, author, workforce expert, and founder of Inked Elephant Publishing House. Melanie shares the relatable reality of leading in a fast-paced environment—balancing productivity, communication, expectations, and the pressure to keep things moving. While she was warm and connected in person, she realized her written communication was landing differently. Short emails, limited context, and rushed messages were creating a disconnect between who she was as a leader and how others were experiencing her. For leaders responsible for execution, retention, culture, and performance, her story highlights something that often gets overlooked: The small moments of communication are not small. In this conversation, Melanie and Jule discuss: • Why high-performing leaders can unintentionally create disconnection when they move too fast  • How tone, context, and clarity impact trust in day-to-day communication  • Why small breaks in trust can quietly build into larger culture and performance issues  • The concept of “invisible snake bites” and how unaddressed micro-moments can damage teams over time  • How leaders can create safer feedback loops by receiving feedback well and acting on it  • Why setting expectations early is one of the most practical ways to reduce confusion and resentment  • How leaders can strengthen alignment by making values, behaviors, and communication match If you’re leading a team where the pace is high, the expectations are constant, and the pressure to perform never really stops, this episode will remind you that communication is not just an administrative task. It is a leadership tool. Connect with Melanie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniesuehicks/ Website: https://melaniesuehicks.com/ Connect with Jule: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesalem/ Website: www.julesalem.com Dialing In is a leadership podcast for operators, executives, and founders that explores how connection drives performance in business. Each episode looks at the human dynamics behind business results and how stronger connection can create greater trust, alignment, accountability, and ultimately, better performance. Join us and subscribe to the show to be the first to hear new episodes.

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High performance isn’t just about strategy. It’s about connection. Dialing In is a podcast that explores how connection drives performance in business. Through honest conversations with executives, operators, and founders, we examine the moments when connection strengthens—or breaks down—and what happens next. From trust and communication to alignment, accountability, and execution, Dialing In looks at the human dynamics behind business results and why connection may be one of the most powerful performance advantages an organization can build.

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