Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

Meredith Bell
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I’m fascinated by what it takes for leaders to live their values consistently, especially when it’s hard.  On the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast, I have candid conversations with senior executives who are working to sustain principled leadership at scale inside complex organizations. We talk about how values are reinforced through leadership capability, organizational systems, and the everyday decisions leaders make.   Our discussions also explore what gets tested when pressure rises—and the personal guardrails leaders rely on to stay aligned.   This podcast is for leaders who believe values should guide real decisions, not just appear on the wall.

  1. 370: DONE Leaders Finish What Matters Most

    2D AGO

    370: DONE Leaders Finish What Matters Most

    Growth doesn’t stall because leaders lack ideas. It stalls because execution gets messy. Andrea Jones, former Intel process engineer and MIT Sloan MBA, turned a painful early career experience into a mission: help organizations execute growth projects with clarity and confidence. That moment of public criticism—driven by unclear expectations—sparked what she now calls Executagility and shaped her definition of DONE leaders: those who take ownership, stay organized, follow through without excuses, and lead with empathy.  You’ll hear why teams struggle with scattered priorities, overloaded employees, and unclear ownership, especially in smaller companies. Andrea outlines the four pillars of Executagility: alignment, competence, available time, and structure. She also connects transparency and prioritization to ethical leadership—because when work stays “in the light,” integrity follows. And she shares how Women Plus Workplaces connects experienced women seeking flexible roles with companies that value their talent.  Andrea is one of those gifted entrepreneurs who sees an issue and then forms a company to address it. It all started when she was at Intel in her role as a Process Engineer in the factory. After years of running growth projects full-time, Andrea went to MIT Sloan, where she earned an MBA, and then completed a Systems Engineering Master's at MIT.  For more than 20 years she has focused on efficient and effective project execution. Andrea is the founder of AJC Company and The Executagility® Company, helping SMBs internalize their own project execution capability with the same team that runs their daily operations. In 2025, she co-founded Women+Workplaces, an online community whose mission is to normalize part-time work when caregiving makes full-time roles challenging. Andrea is the author of two books: The Executagility Field Guide and Stop Starting. Start Finishing: How Executagility Goes the Last Mile. You’ll discover: Why growth projects stall even with strong teamsThe four pillars that determine execution successHow unclear priorities overload your best employeesWhat the DONE acronym reveals about great project managersWhy transparency is a powerful ethical safeguardConnect with Andrea Jones on Social Media LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Andrea's Websites The Executagility® Company AJC Company Women+Workplaces Books The Executagility Field Guide Stop Starting. Start Finishing. How Executagility Goes the Last Mile. Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    42 min
  2. 369: Leading Without Judgment When It Counts

    MAR 24

    369: Leading Without Judgment When It Counts

    Great leadership is revealed in the moments when pressure makes it easiest to abandon your values. Steph Brady shares how falling into management at 21—without training or support—forced her to lead in high-stress situations where her instincts didn’t always align with her values. Those early mistakes became the foundation for a powerful leadership principle: meet people where they are, especially when it’s hardest to do so.  You’ll hear how Steph navigated impostor syndrome, scaled a company from $40 million to $250 million, and built cultures rooted in values alignment, even as demands intensified. Her approach to difficult conversations, hiring, and leadership development centers on clarity, calmness, and intentional action under pressure. If you want to lead with integrity when it matters most, her insights will challenge how you think about leadership.   Steph is a strategic HR, change, and transformation consultant who helps organizations and leaders navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. She’s the former Head of HR, with senior experience across global technology, retail, aviation, and facilities. Steph has a real gift for blending behavioral science, psychology, and neuroscience-informed coaching with real-world business insights. She’s known for warmth, sharp humor, and the rare ability to make complex “people challenges” feel human, doable, and grounded. You’ll discover: How to meet people where they are, especially under stressWhy impostor syndrome intensifies under pressure—and how to manage itA simple framework for navigating difficult conversations when stakes are highHow values-based hiring holds up during rapid growthWhy clarity and calmness determine team performance in high-pressure situationsConnect with Steph Brady  Social Media LinkedIn Instagram Steph's Website  StephBe Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    46 min
  3. 368: Why Nonprofits Must Think Like Businesses

    MAR 18

    368: Why Nonprofits Must Think Like Businesses

    Most nonprofits fail for one simple reason: they don’t run like businesses. Dr. Sharon Elefant learned this firsthand and built her company, The Nonprofit Plug, to help founders close that gap. After beginning her career in hospital administration and later being laid off while finishing her doctorate, she turned her gift for connecting people to resources into a thriving consulting firm with 14 team members serving nonprofits across the country.  You’ll hear how Sharon built a culture grounded in follow-through, accountability, and professional excellence—and why she insists that mission-driven leaders must embrace financial literacy, systems, and quality control. She also shares how she intentionally prepared her team for her 3–6 month maternity leave by developing emerging leaders, transferring ownership of client relationships, and installing processes that allowed her to step away with confidence. If you care about impact, this conversation will challenge you to strengthen the business behind your mission.  Sharon is a nationally recognized nonprofit strategist, educator, and  community advocate, serving as the Founder and CEO of The Nonprofit Plug LLC and The Nonprofit Plug Foundation Inc. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, compliance, financial management, grant writing, and capacity building, she has supported the formation and sustainability of hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the country.  You’ll discover:  How consistent follow-through becomes the foundation of trustWhy nonprofits must operate like businesses to thriveThe systems Sharon uses to ensure 100% quality controlHow to develop emerging leaders through intentional shadowingPractical ways to prepare your team for your temporary absenceConnect with Dr. Sharon Elefant  Social Media LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsharonelefant/  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/thenonprofitplug  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thenonprofitplug/  Website  The Nonprofit Plug https://thenonprofitplug.com/ Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    48 min
  4. 367: Be Yourself at Work

    MAR 10

    367: Be Yourself at Work

    What if being yourself at work wasn’t a risk—but your greatest strength? In this deeply moving conversation, you’ll meet Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and author of Be Yourself at Work. Her presence alone reminds you what leadership can feel like when it’s rooted in humanity, courage, and care.  As you listen, you’re invited to slow down and reflect on who you are beneath the roles you play, especially in moments when pressure makes it tempting to hide behind them. Claude shares how self-awareness, calmness, and intentional kindness help leaders stay grounded when challenges arise, creating workplaces where people don’t have to contort themselves to belong. You’ll hear why leading from the heart isn’t soft—it’s steady—and how the leaders who bring calm, authenticity, and empathy into difficult moments are the ones who build the strongest cultures.  You’ll discover:  How self-awareness becomes the gateway to authentic leadershipWhy belonging matters more than “culture fit”The difference between being nice and practicing real kindnessHow calm leadership steadies teams in uncertain momentsWhat it means to lead with heart—without losing strengthConnect with Claude Silver LinkedIn  Instagram    Website  Claude Silver   Book Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    54 min
  5. 366: Creating a Great Place to Work For All

    MAR 3

    366: Creating a Great Place to Work For All

    What does it really take to lead well when the world—and the workplace—feels deeply divided? You’re invited into a thoughtful, grounded conversation with Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work, as we explore how trust, character, and everyday leadership behaviors shape cultures where people can thrive, no matter their differences.  You’ll hear why great leadership isn’t about perks or slogans, but about how consistently leaders listen, speak, thank, and show respect. Michael shares data-backed insights from decades of employee experience research, explains how companies earn Great Place to Work certification, and makes a compelling case that organizations that care for people—across demographics, beliefs, and roles—don’t just feel better to work in; they also perform better.  Michael is CEO of Great Place To Work, the global research and analytics firm that produces annual distinguished workplace rankings around the world, such as Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, the World’s Best Workplaces, and the 100 Best Workplaces for Women. Michael joined Great Place To Work as CEO in 2015, bringing 30 years of experience leading and growing organizations. Michael is driven by a love of business and an unwavering commitment to fair and equitable treatment.  You’ll discover:  Why trust is the foundation of every great workplaceThe leadership behaviors that matter most to employeesHow Great Place to Work measures fairness for allWhat leaders must do differently in polarized timesWhy people-centered companies outperform long-termConnect with Michael C. Bush LinkedIn Website Great Place to Work Book A Great Place to Work for All  Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    56 min
  6. 365: What Really Builds (or Breaks) Trust

    FEB 24

    365: What Really Builds (or Breaks) Trust

    What does it really mean to trust someone—and how intentional are you about the choices you make every day? You’ll rethink trust from the inside out as Charles Feltman challenges the idea that trust is vague or emotional and reframes it as a conscious decision to make something you value vulnerable to another person’s actions.  You’ll learn how trust works in both directions and why being trustworthy isn’t enough if you’re unwilling to extend trust to others. Charles shares a practical, behavior-based framework built around four key domains—care, sincerity, reliability, and competence—along with real workplace examples that show how trust can be strengthened, assessed, repaired, or rebuilt through honest conversation and clear commitments.  Charles has nearly three decades of experience helping leaders and teams build, maintain, and, when necessary, restore trust. He currently runs trust-building workshops under the banner of Trust at Work® and also speaks on the subject. An overarching goal in his work is that his clients achieve what they consider to be their full potential as leaders and as human beings. He is the author of The Thin Book® of Trust: An Essential Primer for Building Trust at Work. Currently in its 3rd edition, it has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide.  You’ll discover:  How to define trust in clear, practical termsThe four domains that determine whether trust grows or erodesWhy focusing on behavior—not character—matters mostHow leaders can repair trust after a misstepA shared language that makes trust discussable at workConnect with Charles Feltman LinkedIn  Website  Insight Coaching  Books The Thin Book of Trust, 3rd edition: An Essential Primer for Building Trust at Work Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    46 min
  7. 364: Making Global Learning Truly Accessible

    FEB 17

    364: Making Global Learning Truly Accessible

    What if leadership isn’t about confidence or visibility—but about building systems that expand access for others? In this episode, you’ll meet Jiayuan Tian, a social entrepreneur and graduate student at Columbia University SIPA, whose journey through global education reshaped how he understands inequality, opportunity, and leadership. After studying at Minerva University and living across cities around the world, Jiayuan discovered a paradox: the more global his education became, the clearer it was how inaccessible global learning remains for many, often due to invisible barriers like language fluency, insider knowledge, and financial flexibility. That realization led him to co-found OneXplore, a youth-led organization designed to make global learning accessible and humane. Jiayuan shares how his view of leadership has evolved—from personal visibility to leadership as infrastructure: platforms, systems, and cultures that continue to serve people even when the founder steps away. You’ll hear why access itself is a leadership issue, why storytelling carries responsibility, and why leadership is always relational. This episode will invite you to rethink how you design opportunities, support young people, and build organizations that endure through shared ownership and trust.  Under Jiayuan’s leadership, OneXplore has grown into a community of more than 100,000 young people, with partnerships spanning universities, international organizations, embassies, and global nonprofits. You’ll discover:  How leadership can function as infrastructure, not personalityWhy access—not talent—is often the real barrier to opportunityWhat young leaders need most from mentors and employersHow trust and storytelling shape sustainable organizationsWhy community is foundational to effective leadershipConnect with Jiayuan Tian LinkedIn Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    37 min
  8. 363: Human-First Leadership in the AI Era

    FEB 10

    363: Human-First Leadership in the AI Era

    What if the future of leadership isn’t about choosing between people or technology, but learning how to lead both with intention? In this episode, you’ll hear from Gena Hoxha, PhD, Chief People & AI Officer at Ignitium, who is helping organizations embrace AI in a way that strengthens—not replaces—the human side of work.  You’ll discover how Gena’s own leadership journey shaped her belief that AI transformation must be human-first, grounded in trust, clarity, and shared values. She explains what AI leadership really looks like in practice, how leaders can address fear and uncertainty with honesty, and why developing human skills like emotional intelligence and strategic thinking is more important than ever as AI becomes part of everyday work.  Gena is an organizational strategist and leadership expert focused on shaping a future where AI doesn’t just automate what we do, but elevates who we become. Her work is grounded in a simple belief: AI is here to stay, and if we want it to benefit humanity, we have to design for it on purpose. Originally from Albania and now based in San Francisco, Gena has built her career at the intersection of leadership, transformation, and technology. Her work at Ignitium ensures that AI is implemented responsibly and strategically, while empowering people to stay skilled, connected, and inspired.  You’ll discover: What it truly means to lead AI with foresight, not fearHow to connect AI initiatives to your organization’s valuesWhy transparency builds trust during AI transformationThe human skills leaders must strengthen alongside AIHow proactive leadership can shape your career pathLearn more about Gena Hoxha, PhD on LinkedIn.  Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    46 min
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5
out of 5
48 Ratings

About

I’m fascinated by what it takes for leaders to live their values consistently, especially when it’s hard.  On the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast, I have candid conversations with senior executives who are working to sustain principled leadership at scale inside complex organizations. We talk about how values are reinforced through leadership capability, organizational systems, and the everyday decisions leaders make.   Our discussions also explore what gets tested when pressure rises—and the personal guardrails leaders rely on to stay aligned.   This podcast is for leaders who believe values should guide real decisions, not just appear on the wall.

Information

  • Creator
    Meredith Bell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    370
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Grow Strong Leaders Podcast
  • Show Website
    Grow Strong Leaders Podcast