Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

Meredith Bell
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In the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast, host Meredith Bell interviews business leaders who are committed to their own growth and the development of their people.

  1. 357: Clarifying Leadership Expectations for Stronger Teams

    1D AGO

    357: Clarifying Leadership Expectations for Stronger Teams

    Are your team members clear about what you really expect from them? In this compelling conversation, you’ll hear Megan Robinson share how confusion and unspoken assumptions can erode trust and productivity—and what leaders can do to prevent that.   You’ll hear how Megan helps leaders transform vague expectations into specific, teachable behaviors that drive growth. She also reveals why “professional guilt” often holds leaders back and how to replace it with curiosity and compassion. If you’ve ever wondered how to give feedback that builds confidence instead of defensiveness, this episode will give you practical insights and stories you’ll want to remember.  Megan is the Founder at E Leader Experience and works with individuals and teams to develop self-leadership skills that grow companies. She started her career in marketing and climbed her way through the corporate ladder at advertising agencies and Fortune 500 companies. Then she caught the entrepreneur bug and started her own marketing company.   After yet another “Business Therapy” session, Megan discovered her true passion was in coaching. Inspired by her own successful career in corporate and entrepreneurial environments, she makes leadership approachable for everyone, regardless of title, position, or experience. Megan is also the host of the Culture Connections Podcast and the Past President of ATD Chicago, the leading learning and development organization in Chicagoland.    You’ll discover:  Why feedback fails when leaders assume understandingHow to turn performance gaps into learning opportunitiesThe role of clarity and language in setting expectationsSimple ways to test assumptions and create shared meaningHow self-awareness and intention make feedback transformativeCheck out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn Follow Meredith on Twitter Download the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

    47 min
  2. 356: Love As the Ultimate Leadership Action

    DEC 16

    356: Love As the Ultimate Leadership Action

    What if love—not control—was the driving force behind your leadership? In this thought-provoking conversation, Trevor Timbeck invites you to explore leadership through the lens of “loving as a verb.” Co-author of The Power of Love with Steve Chandler, Trevor explains how viewing love as an action, rather than a static feeling, can transform the way you lead, parent, and connect with others. He shares how a simple question—“What would love do?”—can shift your mindset in moments of frustration, helping you respond with awareness and compassion instead of reaction or control.  You’ll hear Trevor and Meredith discuss what he calls “emotioning,” a way of understanding emotion as a domain of action rather than a feeling to be managed. Through personal stories of parenting and coaching leaders, Trevor reveals how genuine leadership emerges from acceptance and presence, not authority or demand. His insights challenge conventional thinking about power, control, and influence, offering a refreshing and deeply human perspective on what it means to lead with love.  You’ll discover:  Why love is a powerful verb—not just a feelingHow to shift from controlling to allowing in leadershipWhat “emotioning” means and how it shapes your actionsHow asking “What would love do?” can change any situationWhy true leadership begins with awareness and acceptanceCheck out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn Follow Meredith on Twitter Download the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

    50 min
  3. 355: How to Master Executive Transitions

    DEC 9

    355: How to Master Executive Transitions

    Did you know that 40% of executives fail in their new roles within the first 18 months…and it’s rarely due to lack of technical skills? In this insightful conversation, you’ll hear from Navid Nazemian, an executive transition coach and author of Mastering Executive Transitions. He shares the real reasons leaders derail during role changes and what can be done to dramatically improve their odds of success.  Navid describes the cultural, political, and interpersonal challenges that make or break new leaders. You’ll learn why transitions take far longer than the often-cited 90 days, and how his “Double Diamond Framework” helps executives cut derailment risk and accelerate productivity by more than half. Whether you’re moving into a new role or coaching others who are, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to make your next transition a true success.  Navid has been ranked as the #1 Executive Coach for 3 years by CEO Today. He’s a leading authority on executive transitions and leadership impact. Navid is the author of the international bestseller Mastering Executive Transitions: The Definitive Guide. His focus is on supporting senior leaders as they transition into new roles, and he’s a trusted advisor to C-level leaders worldwide. He brings to his work 20 years of HR leadership across five countries and six industries.   You’ll discover:  Why 40% of executives fail in new roles—and how to avoid itThe critical difference between executive coaching and transition coachingHow the Double Diamond Framework shortens time to impactThe five C’s every executive should master before day oneWhy pre-boarding is the secret weapon of successful leadersCheck out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn Follow Meredith on Twitter Download the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

    44 min
  4. 354: Tilting Futures: Empowering Young Adults to Lead

    DEC 2

    354: Tilting Futures: Empowering Young Adults to Lead

    What if young people learned to lead by tackling real-world problems instead of waiting for “someday”? In this inspiring conversation, you’ll meet Erin Lewellen, CEO of Tilting Futures, an organization that empowers youth around the globe to step into leadership through immersive, purpose-driven experiences. Erin shares how her own background—as a coach, educator, and social entrepreneur—shaped her belief that true learning happens through action, reflection, and collaboration. You’ll hear how Tilting Futures’ Take Action Lab program helps students engage with human rights or environmental issues through apprenticeships, academic learning, and community impact. Meredith and Erin explore how these hands-on opportunities give participants clarity about their purpose, confidence in their abilities, and the courage to take on global challenges. Erin also reveals how her team fosters healthy disagreement, emotional awareness, and curiosity—skills essential for every leader who wants to create positive change.  Erin has been with an exceptional organization called Tilting Futures for 11 years, and she has served as CEO for the past 3 years. Before joining Tilting Futures, Erin was Vice President of School Partnerships for Revolution Foods and served as Bay Area Director for Playworks. For 20 years, she coached the Varsity Girls’ Basketball team at Emery High, and she’s an avid supporter of girls in sports.  You’ll discover:  How global immersion helps young people build resilience, empathy, and leadership skillsWhy “tilt moments” transform self-doubt into personal growth and confidenceHow to make education more relevant through experiential learningThe power of emotional intelligence and healthy disagreement in team dynamicsHow curiosity fuels innovation and learning from mistakesCheck out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn Follow Meredith on Twitter Download the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

    50 min
  5. 353: How Great Leaders Execute Strategy with Clarity First

    NOV 18

    353: How Great Leaders Execute Strategy with Clarity First

    Have you ever wondered why so many well-designed strategies fail in execution? Tim Ohai reveals that the real problem isn’t poor planning, it’s poor decision-making. Drawing on decades of global experience, he shares how strategy is best understood as a series of decisions rather than as a static plan. You’ll learn how clarity at every handoff—from leadership to teams—determines whether people can actually deliver on what’s expected.  You’ll also discover the human side of strategy. We explore how ego, fear, and unclear accountability derail even the best intentions—and what leaders can do to reverse it. Through engaging stories and practical insights, Tim explains how to replace confusion with empowerment, align decisions with outcomes, and approach leadership as stewardship rather than control. If you’re ready to transform how your organization thinks and acts, this episode will show you how to make clarity your greatest competitive advantage.  Tim has spent decades helping leaders around the world uncover what’s getting in the way of their teams—and their own success—and then guiding them to take meaningful action. As a consultant, coach, author, and speaker, Tim combines business best practices with psychological insights to drive performance that’s both healthy and sustainable. He’s also the host of the How to NOT Execute Your Strategy Podcast, and we explored some key ideas from his upcoming book, The Zen of Strategic Execution.  Why strategic execution fails even when plans look solid.How defining strategy as a series of decisions changes everything.The three universal drives that shape team behavior.Practical ways to reduce fear and ego in your culture.How stewardship leads to stronger alignment and engagement.Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn Follow Meredith on Twitter Download the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

    46 min
  6. 352: Inside Principal Financial Group’s Culture of Ethics

    NOV 11

    352: Inside Principal Financial Group’s Culture of Ethics

    Want a behind-the-scenes look at how real leaders make ethics practical on a day-to-day basis? In this conversation with Noreen Fierro at Principal Financial Group®, you’ll hear how, as Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, she builds trust by asking questions, owning mistakes, and keeping teams aligned to values, not just outcomes. You’ll also get an insider’s view of the rigorous Ethisphere “World’s Most Ethical Companies” application—what it takes, why cross-functional collaboration matters, and how to sustain momentum over months.  You’ll come away with fresh, usable ideas: pausing unsustainable busywork, watching for stress signals, and turning misses into shared learning instead of blame. Plus, you’ll discover a mentoring approach grounded in humility, self-awareness, and long-term relationships that helps people grow with confidence.   Noreen is Senior Vice President and Enterprise Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer at Principal Financial Group®. She joined Principal® in 2022. Her career spans 30 years in the financial services industry, both in-house in legal and compliance roles and as outside counsel. Prior to joining Principal in 2022, she was Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer at Guardian Life and before that held various senior-level positions at Prudential Financial. You’ll hear Noreen’s passion for strong leadership in our conversation, and she speaks often about it at industry events.  You’ll discover:  How vulnerability (and “I don’t know yet”) elevates leadership.A practical playbook for complex, months-long ethics initiatives. What to do after a miss: learn, don’t blame. Ways to protect your team’s capacity and values in real time.A mentoring style that blends humility, curiosity, and care.Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn Follow Meredith on Twitter Download the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

    43 min
  7. 351: Navigating Leadership in the Age of AI

    NOV 5

    351: Navigating Leadership in the Age of AI

    What if you had to step into a CEO role at just 22, with no formal business training? That’s exactly what Thiago Da Costa did, and he quickly discovered that leadership is best learned on the job. In this episode, Thiago shares what it was like to build and grow a company that Autodesk later acquired, leading teams of up to 300 people and adapting to constant organizational change. He reflects on the lessons learned about authenticity, cultural alignment, and the compromises leaders must navigate to stay true to their values while driving results. You’ll also hear how Thiago is now leveraging AI to shape the future of work. From hiring and skill development to automating routine tasks, Thiago offers a fascinating look at how AI can enhance—not replace—human leadership. He shares practical insights about using AI for personalized guidance, preparing for tough conversations, and freeing leaders to focus on what matters most: engaging meaningfully with people. His vision of AI as a partner in leadership offers a compelling roadmap for today’s leaders who want to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.  Thiago is a product visionary, an AI futurist, and a serial entrepreneur. He sold his first company to Autodesk and is now building the future of work with Datagrid, where he’s Founder and CEO. Datagrid is an AI platform that turns your company’s data into intelligent agents. These agents automate workflows, surface real-time insights, and supercharge decision-making.  You’ll discover:  The hard-earned lessons Thiago acquired as a first-time CEO at 22.Why aligning with an organization’s culture and DNA is essential.How AI agents are transforming routine business tasks.Ways AI can enhance communication and feedback for leaders.The future of hiring in an AI-driven workplace.Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn Follow Meredith on Twitter Download the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

    35 min
  8. 350: Creating Yourself, Others, and Your World

    OCT 28

    350: Creating Yourself, Others, and Your World

    What if you realized you’re already creating every moment of your life—yourself, others, and the world around you? In this milestone 350th episode, I reflect on what it truly means to be a creator in all three areas. Drawing inspiration from master coaches Steve Hardison and Steve Chandler, I explore how daily intentions, conscious thoughts, and deliberate actions shape who we become and how we experience others. You’ll be inspired to see every encounter and circumstance as an opportunity to create something meaningful—with kindness, awareness, and purpose.  I’m the co-founder and president of Grow Strong Leaders. We’ve created online resources that help leaders strengthen their character and communication skills to build strong relationships and inspire others to perform at the highest level.   You’ll discover:  How to consciously create the person you want to be each day.Why your thoughts and beliefs “create” how others show up for you.A powerful way to bring intention to every interaction.How to transform challenges by asking, “What do I want to create?”The liberating truth that you are already a powerful creator.Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn Follow Meredith on Twitter Download the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

    19 min
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About

In the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast, host Meredith Bell interviews business leaders who are committed to their own growth and the development of their people.

Information

  • Creator
    Meredith Bell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    357
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Grow Strong Leaders Podcast
  • Show Website
    Grow Strong Leaders Podcast