You’re the Boss, Now What? with Desiree Petrich | Leadership and Team Development for Managers and Team Leaders

Desiree Petrich - Intentional Action
  • 5.0 (70)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A leadership podcast for managers who want stronger teams, less drama, and more trust at work. If you are a manager of people, this podcast is your playbook for the real challenges of leadership! Each week, your host Desiree Petrich shares practical tools and frameworks from Working Genius, DISC, and The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team to help you: Hold employees accountable without micromanagingHandle conflict at work before it turns into dramaBuild trust and respect as a confident, credible leaderFix a toxic culture and create a team that takes ownershipLead effective team meetings that inspire engagement and action Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire department, you’ll learn actionable strategies to create better communication, deeper trust, and a workplace people actually enjoy showing up to. You’ll also get quick takeaways from bestselling leadership books, so you can skip the fluff and apply what works! You’re the Boss, Now What? is your weekly dose of coaching for managers who want to do more than manage, they want to lead. Popular Topics Include: One-on-one meeting frameworks, handling team conflict, addressing passive-aggressive behavior, rebuilding trust after drama, navigating difficult employees, setting expectations without micromanaging, improving accountability conversations, fixing toxic communication patterns, leading effective team meetings, delegation strategies for overwhelmed managers, increasing team buy-in, coaching underperforming employees, giving feedback that lands, managing impostor syndrome at work, and creating a healthier, more human-centered culture. 

  1. 5D AGO

    3 Ways Meetings Drain Your Team and Create Conflict at Work

    If you are a manager who feels stuck in meetings that go nowhere, you are not alone. Many leaders schedule meetings hoping to create alignment, solve problems, or move work forward, but instead experience meeting fatigue, disengagement, and conflict at work.  In this episode, Desiree explains why meetings without decisions drain your team and your time, how information-heavy meetings quietly disengage employees, and why meetings have become the default response instead of a leadership tool. You will learn how misalignment around meeting purpose leads to frustration, a lack of team accountability, and stalled leadership development. This episode focuses on front-end fixes managers can make before meetings even begin, so meetings become a tool for clarity, trust, and stronger team management rather than a source of stress. Key Takeaways Meetings without clear decisions create frustration, rework, and conflict at workInformation meetings are a major cause of disengagement and meeting fatigue for teamsUsing meetings intentionally is a leadership development skill that improves team accountability As you listen, think about your next meeting and ask yourself what decision actually needs to be made and who owns it. Episode Links:  How to Make Meetings More Effective and Engaging | Lessons from Death By Meeting By Patrick Lencioni The Best Way to Overcome Dysfunction and Build a Cohesive Team | Lessons from 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni  5 Steps to Make One-on-One Meetings Build Trust Instead of Waste Time  Join Desiree's email list to get updated on new episodes! Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead Liked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree Get a curated list of Desiree's favorite books in every genre Connect: Linked In | Instagram | Website

    19 min

  2. JAN 22

    Using a Growth Mindset to Build Trust and Accountability on Teams | Jim Fielding

    Your team says they want to grow—but do they avoid disagreement, fear mistakes, or shut down feedback? A real growth mindset isn’t optimism—it’s how a team handles tension, learning, and risk. In this episode, Desiree is joined by leadership expert Jim Fielding to unpack what a true growth mindset looks like inside teams—not just in individuals. They explore how growth mindset shows up in observable behaviors, including teams that welcome dissent without defensiveness, leaders who create psychological safety without lowering standards, and cultures that reward smart risks and clean recoveries—not just wins. Jim shares practical leadership strategies for fostering growth, from how leaders run meetings and ask better questions to why curiosity matters more than control. They also discuss the difference between being nice and being kind, why fear shuts learning down, and how both leaders and individual contributors can influence team culture—even without the title. If you want a team that speaks up sooner, learns faster, and grows stronger through challenge instead of avoiding it, this episode is a must listen. Links Mentioned & Referenced in Episode: ● Jim Fielding on LinkedIn ● Dare to Lead — Brené Brown ● Start With Why — Simon Sinek ● The Five Dysfunctions of a Team — Patrick Lencioni  Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy: ● The Best Way to Overcome Dysfunction and Build Cohesive Teams | Lessons from The Five Dysfunctions of a Team ● How to Handle a Negative Employee Without Losing Your Best People ● The Strategy That Stops New Hires From Checking Out Early Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead Liked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree Get a curated list of Desiree's favorite books in every genre Connect: Linked In | Instagram | Website

    25 min

  3. JAN 15

    The Reputation That Grows a Manager's Career | Andy Storch

    You work hard. You care deeply. So why does your career growth still feel unclear? If you're a manager doing everything right but waiting for recognition, promotion, or more trust, this episode shows you why. Desiree sits down with Andy Storch, author of Own Your Brand, Own Your Career and host of Talent Development Hot Seat, for a no-fluff talk on personal brand. Not influencer vibes or nonstop posting. This is reputation, trust, and ownership at work. They break down: What personal brand really means inside organizationsWhy hard work alone won't cut it anymoreHow to build credibility by developing your peopleWhy talent-growers become impossible to replaceWalk away knowing career growth is something you build, not wait for. Grow your career. Lead your team better. This shifts how you see visibility, reputation, and leadership.  Resources Own Your Brand, Own Your Career by Andy Storch Free workbook + resources Connect with Andy on LinkedIn Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead Liked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree Get a curated list of Desiree's favorite books in every genre Connect: Linked In | Instagram | Website

    26 min

  4. JAN 8

    3 Mindset Shifts for Setting Sustainable Goals Without Burning Out

    3 Mindset Shifts for Sustainable Goals (Without Burning Out) Have you ever started the year motivated and confident, only to feel behind or overwhelmed a few weeks later? In this episode of You're the Boss, Now What?, Desiree shares three mindset shifts that help leaders set goals and habits in a way that actually lasts, even when life doesn’t go as planned. This is not a New Year’s resolutions episode.  It’s a conversation about sustainability, self-trust, and learning how to lead yourself without burning out. In this episode, we talk about: Why focusing on outcomes creates pressure and frustrationHow input-based habits give you back controlWhy habits should be treated as feedback, not judgmentIf you want to make progress this year without starting over every January, this episode is for you. Next week, Desiree is joined by Andy Storch for a conversation about career growth, ownership, and reputation — without self-promotion and without burnout. Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead Liked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree Get a curated list of Desiree's favorite books in every genre Connect: Linked In | Instagram | Website

    19 min

  5. 12/25/2025

    The One Word That Ends Leadership Overwhelm for New Managers

    Overwhelmed as a manager? Leadership doesn't have to feel this heavy. Desiree Petrich shares one mindset shift to release pressure, beat burnout, and lead with clarity + energy into 2026 Last week we unpacked the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership. Today? We close the year simpler: one word to lighten your load as a new manager. If leadership feels overwhelming right now, you're not alone. Managers often carry too much: expectations to be everything to everyone, 110% performance, juggling work + home. It builds to manager burnout, resentment, drained confidence. In this You're the Boss, Now What? episode, I share release - the mindset shift that drops unhelpful commitments without adding more to-do's. No fixing yourself. Just letting go. You'll Walk Away With: Expectations no longer serving your leadership (and how to spot them)Why doing it all yourself fuels burnout - plus how to stopProof: Leadership can feel meaningful without constant struggleSlow down, reflect, enter 2026 lighter. Perfect for coaching for managers, imposter syndrome in leadership, and new manager tips. Reflection Questions from the Episode: What expectations won't you carry into 2026?Commitments you're dreading? How can you release or delegate them?What's the story making leadership harder than it needs to be?Connect: Follow on LinkedIn for leadership overwhelm tips, team dynamics, work boundaries, better management without burnout. Resources: Habit Tracking App: Strides  Primary Keywords: Coaching for Managers, Leadership Podcast for New Managers, How to Be a Better Manager, Imposter Syndrome in Leadership, New Manager Tips Secondary Keywords: Manager Burnout, Leadership Overwhelm, How to Lead Without Burning Out, Boundaries at Work for Managers, Confidence in Leadership Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead Liked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree Get a curated list of Desiree's favorite books in every genre Connect: Linked In | Instagram | Website

    25 min

  6. 12/18/2025

    How Leaders Build Genius Teams using Play, Rest, and Ally Mindsets | Tessa Kampen

    You can have the perfect strategy and still have a team that’s disengaged, drained, or stuck. These seven commitments are what actually change culture. In Part 3 of this series, Desiree and Tessa walk through the seven commitments that shape your mindset, energy, and team culture—often more than any strategy ever will. You’ll learn: Zone of Genius vs. “I’m ok at this” and why competence keeps you stuck.How to spot contentment vs. complacency so you stop settling for work that drains you.Why rest and play fuel better leadership (and why “busy” is not a badge of honor).How to flip unhelpful stories like “I’m not a good leader” into something true and useful.What you’re really seeking—approval, control, or securityThe shift from scarcity to abundance, especially around time and resources.How to see your team as allies, not obstacles, and why going first is the only way to change culture.Pick one commitment and practice it in a single real situation this week—a meeting, a conflict, or a decision. Tiny, consistent shifts are how you move from surviving leadership to actually enjoying it. Other Episodes mentioned in this podcast:  Using Working Genius to Boost Team Performance Hiring for Task (The Straegy That Stops New Hires From Checking Out Early) Links Mentioned in Episode The 15 Commitments of Conscious LeadershipThe Big Leap by Gay HendricksSoundtracks by Jon AcuffThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick LencioniTaking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead Liked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree Get a curated list of Desiree's favorite books in every genre Connect: Linked In | Instagram | Website

    51 min

  7. 12/11/2025

    Speak Candidly, Stop Gossip, Keep Integrity: The Commitments That Build Trust on Your Team | Tessa Kampen

    You can feel it in your team: everyone’s nice… but no one’s honest. Real opinions happen in side chats, gossip is normal, and you’re overcommitting and burning out trying to “keep the peace.” If you’ve ever thought, “Why won’t my team just say what they really think?” or “Why am I the only one holding everything together?” — this episode is for you. In Part 2 of this series on The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, Desiree and Tessa focus on three to help you stay calm and grounded. Speaking candidly (without blowing things up)  How to pair candor + care so you can say the hard thing while still protecting trust. Eliminating gossip  Why “venting” keeps you stuck and how leaders accidentally encourage it. Practicing integrity so you stop overpromising Getting real about people-pleasing, overcommitting, and dropping balls.You’ll also hear: The difference between appreciation & validationEasy ways to show meaningful appreciationHow these commitments work together to help your team be honest & directAfter listening, choose one conversation you’ve been avoiding and ask: “How can I bring candor, integrity, and appreciation into this so I feel more in control?”    Links Mentioned:  ● The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership ● Radical Candor by Kim Scott ● The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead Liked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree Get a curated list of Desiree's favorite books in every genre Connect: Linked In | Instagram | Website

    39 min

  8. 12/04/2025

    3 Conscious Leadership Commitments That Shift You From Defensive to Grounded| Tessa Kampen

    Most leaders want to lead with clarity,but in real life, it’s easy to slip into blame, defensiveness, people-pleasing, or overwhelm. You’re trying your best, yet you’re drained and stuck in the same patterns with your team. In this episode, Desiree and leadership consultant Tessa break down the first three commitments of Conscious Leadership—taking 100% responsibility, choosing curiosity, and feeling your feelings—and how these shift you from reactive to grounded. You’ll learn: What “above the line vs. below the line” looks like in real conversationsHow to take responsibility without becoming the hero or victimHow curiosity instantly lowers defensivenessWhy naming emotions boosts trust and presenceIf you want to be a calmer, more intentional leader, these three commitments are the foundation. Try this: Pick one current issue and ask: How did I contribute?What am I curious about?What am I feeling right now?Key Takeaways: Responsibility = ownership, not blameCuriosity opens the door to real dialogueYour emotions don’t disqualify you—avoiding them does Links Mentioned:  ● The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership  ● The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks  ● Radical Candor by Kim Scott  ● Soundtracks by Jon Acuff Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead Liked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree Get a curated list of Desiree's favorite books in every genre Connect: Linked In | Instagram | Website

    39 min
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A leadership podcast for managers who want stronger teams, less drama, and more trust at work. If you are a manager of people, this podcast is your playbook for the real challenges of leadership! Each week, your host Desiree Petrich shares practical tools and frameworks from Working Genius, DISC, and The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team to help you: Hold employees accountable without micromanagingHandle conflict at work before it turns into dramaBuild trust and respect as a confident, credible leaderFix a toxic culture and create a team that takes ownershipLead effective team meetings that inspire engagement and action Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire department, you’ll learn actionable strategies to create better communication, deeper trust, and a workplace people actually enjoy showing up to. You’ll also get quick takeaways from bestselling leadership books, so you can skip the fluff and apply what works! You’re the Boss, Now What? is your weekly dose of coaching for managers who want to do more than manage, they want to lead. Popular Topics Include: One-on-one meeting frameworks, handling team conflict, addressing passive-aggressive behavior, rebuilding trust after drama, navigating difficult employees, setting expectations without micromanaging, improving accountability conversations, fixing toxic communication patterns, leading effective team meetings, delegation strategies for overwhelmed managers, increasing team buy-in, coaching underperforming employees, giving feedback that lands, managing impostor syndrome at work, and creating a healthier, more human-centered culture. 

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