Lead With Purpose

Merv Jersak
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Most organizations don’t fail because of bad strategy, weak technology, or poor processes. They fail because leadership breaks down in the human moments of execution. The Lead With Purpose Podcast, hosted by leadership consultant and former IT project executive Merv Jersak, explores the real disciplines that determine whether teams struggle under pressure or perform with clarity and cohesion. After four decades working inside complex organizations, Merv saw the same pattern repeated everywhere: high-performing producers promoted into leadership roles but rarely trained in the skills required to guide people through conflict, uncertainty, competing priorities, and organizational pressure. This podcast focuses on those leadership skills. Through conversations with experienced leaders, coaches, and professionals, you’ll hear practical insights on how strong leaders steady themselves under pressure, build trust that speeds collaboration, align teams around shared goals, make disciplined decisions, and create environments where performance becomes sustainable. If you are a mid-level leader, emerging executive, or business owner responsible for delivering results through others, this podcast will challenge how you think about leadership and execution. Because great leadership isn’t just about getting results. It’s about building teams that can achieve them together. Follow the Lead With Purpose Podcast and start leading smarter today.

  1. 2d ago

    Joanne Gallagher: The Skills That Got You Here Won’t Get You There

    For Your Leadership Toolkit transitioning from expert to leader Micro-Credentialing and professional development the role of critical thinking in leadership building leadership capacity in organizations the impact of AI on workforce skills empathy and influence in leadership   Sound bites “Good culture is what perpetuates good culture.” “I may have the knowledge on how to fix the problem, but what are they seeing?” “Being able to sit in their place for long enough.” “You're not gonna go faster by giving them the answer.” “I didn't give them the answer. I just gave them the details.” “You don't even know how good you are.” “Who is becoming a better leader because you are their leader?”   Chapters 04:09 From Technical Expert to Leadership Developer 05:42 The Importance of Micro-Credentialing in Leadership 07:34 Critical Thinking as a Guardrail for the Future 09:03 The Role of Innovation and Culture in Leadership 10:14 When Expertise Becomes a Liability 12:15 Building Roots and Cultural Integration 13:53 Empathy and Influence in Client Engagement 20:33 Recognizing and Developing Leadership Potential 22:39 Knowing When to Step Back as a Leader 25:46 Micro-Credentialing's Role in Workforce Development 30:25 Rapid Fire Questions: Leadership Perspectives 32:30 Key Takeaways    Resources Joanne’s Website - https://soar.llc/ Joanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-gallagher-pmp-ccmp-hcs-6a6346/ Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Joanne Gallagher: The Skills That Got You Here Won’t Get You There

  2. Aug 11

    Frank Kitchen: He Cleaned Toilets to Build a Winning Team — Here's Why

    For Your Leadership Toolkit belief gaps and their impact on leadership the importance of leaders being visible and doing the work that others don’t want to do organizational culture is both a shared belief system and a set of actions closing the belief gap starts with leaders being visible and authentic feed your mind with positive content fuels mental strength building a culture of trust and ownership requires intentional belief-building strategies for building a positive organizational culture the influence of leadership on team morale and trust   Sound bites “People have to see that you're willing to do what you're going to delegate to them.” “I want to be judged by the people I promote, not the sales that I make.” “When you have a leader who believes in your abilities, then you start to have a certain belief in yourself.” “As leaders we have to be visible.” “We have to have people who have belief in the same objective first, and then we can truly align.” “What are we feeding our brain? What are we feeding our soul daily? Because it's junk in, junk out.” “These are people who aren't going to tell you what you want to hear, it's what you need to hear.” “Culture can fuel your success, or culture can lead to you not cooking up your success.” “Leadership isn't about convincing people that they're not up to it. It's about helping them discover that they're capable of more than they've even imagined for themselves.”   Chapters 00:00 The importance of leaders being visible and doing the 'dirty work' 02:00 Frank's background and journey to becoming the chef of success 04:57 Belief becomes habits and habits become success 09:07 How leaders can inadvertently create belief gaps in teams 11:41 Defining a healthy organizational culture 13:10 Jim's leadership example and its impact on Frank 14:29 Building or rebuilding belief in team members 16:14 The power of visible leadership and modeling behavior 17:34 Belief and alignment in team success 20:25 The impact of belief on team roles and collaboration 22:04 Closing the belief gap to foster a unified culture 24:43 Providing truthful information to build belief 25:52 The five ingredients of mental strength for leaders 29:13 Feeding your mind with positive, growth-oriented content 30:18 Who closed the belief gap for Frank Kitchen 31:15 The influence of students and mentors on belief 32:31 Rapid fire: leadership insights and personal preferences 33:58 The power of belief as a transformation tool 34:24 Culture can fuel or hinder success 35:05 Leadership is about helping people believe in their potential   Resources Frank’s Website - https://www.frankkitchen.com/ Frank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankkitchen/ Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Frank Kitchen: He Cleaned Toilets to Build a Winning Team — Here's Why

  3. Jul 28

    Jerome Wade: Why Talented Teams Underperform

    For Your Leadership Toolkit the importance of leadership “systems” over talent in organizations the five Cs of effective leadership: Clarity, Confidence, Connection, Consistency, Capacity how to create clarity and simplify goals building confidence through humility and decisiveness fostering connection and trust within teams maintaining consistency through daily routines and rhythms growing capacity through personal and team development identifying early signs of leadership misalignment   Sound bites "Clarity can only be measured by its simplicity."  "People follow confidence. They do not follow leaders who lack confidence."  "Leadership is the opportunity to unlock the potential of people, opportunity, and the organization."  "Failure's only failure if you quit. It's not final and it's not fatal."  "Believe in you."  "The deeper the connection the greater the commitment."  "Most organizations don't have a talent problem. They have a systems problem."    Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Why teams often struggle despite having talented members 00:28 Leadership is about systems, not just talent 01:00 The role of leadership in unlocking potential 02:13 Why most organizational failures are system failures 02:24 The five C's of high-impact leadership 03:26 Leadership as influence, not just a role 04:20 Removing barriers vs. unlocking latent potential 05:25 Leadership is about influence, not titles 07:23 Signs of leadership misalignment: communication, connection, confidence 08:40 The power of clarity and simplicity in leadership 12:00 The importance of explicit, specific clarity 16:25 Building connection and trust in teams 18:27 Creating organizational consistency through routines 21:37 The importance of capacity and continual growth 23:48 Addressing low trust and poor alignment in teams 28:05 Overcoming dark days and leadership doubts 30:21 Failure is only final if you quit 33:00 Daily rhythms and routines for sustained success 34:11 How to find and work with leadership experts 35:14 Leadership challenge: aligning team mission and priorities 36:04 Closing thoughts: Lead with purpose and intentionality   Resources Jerome’s Website - https://jeromewade.com/ Jerome on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromewade/ Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Jerome Wade: Why Talented Teams Underperform

  4. Jul 21

    Patricia Fripp: This One Skill Determines Who Gets Promoted

    For Your Leadership Toolkit the importance of communication in leadership how to handle difficult conversations tips for effective meetings and presentations your career is limited more by your ability to explain ideas than by your intelligence storytelling creates lasting impressions and builds trust preparation and structure are key to effective communication leaders should treat every meeting as an opportunity to inspire and connect confidence in storytelling can be built through simple, relatable stories   Sound bites “People will respect a position... but they will fight in the streets for the person they feel they know—the person behind the position.” “The stories are what get repeated in the hall. It's the stories that build the culture.” “You are just an untrained speaker. Why would you expect to be good at any area you've had no time to focus on?” “For a leader, nothing is ordinary because everything has impact.” “You always have to have something to say while you're thinking of what you're going to say.” “Everyone is more interested in themselves than they are in us. We always have to speak as an audience advocate.” “Why would they care about what I'm saying? If they wouldn't, find a way to make them care.” “If your boss gives you 15 minutes and you can give your report in eight or ten, you're gonna get points.” “You don't have to have a title to be a leader. But you do have to communicate.”   Chapters 00:00 The Power of Communication in Leadership 01:53 Patricia Fripp's Journey from Hair Stylist to Communication Expert 04:04 How Storytelling Builds Trust and Leadership Presence 07:02 Turning Speech into a Business: Patricia's Coaching Journey 09:02 Elevating Technical Leaders Through Presentation Skills 12:08 The Role of Stories in Shaping Company Culture 16:07 Building Confidence in Public Speaking 18:05 Making Meetings Engaging and Purposeful 21:51 Using Quotes and History to Enhance Meetings 26:07 Handling Difficult Conversations with Confidence 30:10 Key Communication Habits for New Leaders   Resources Patricia’s Website - https://fripp.com/ Patricia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executivespeechcoach/ Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Patricia Fripp: This One Skill Determines Who Gets Promoted

  5. Jul 14

    Shelley Davis Boyd: Why Hardworking Teams Still Fail

    For Your Leadership Toolkit what is organizational alignment? the importance of communication and expectations the role of civility and emotional intelligence signs of misalignment in teams strategies for new leaders to create alignment impact of remote work on organizational culture the connection between clarity and accountability common misconceptions about workplace culture   Sound bites "Uncommunicated expectations are always unmet expectations."  "Accountability is kindness."  "Feedback is just data."  "Alignment doesn't mean we're all thinking the same."  "People need to feel seen, valued, and heard."  "Transactional relationships are really hard to build good cultures."  "You cannot be your authentic self if you don't know who you are."  "You can't overcommunicate during change."    Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Alignment 01:12 Shelly Davis Boyd's Leadership Journey 04:36 Defining Organizational Alignment in Plain English 05:16 Creating Accountability with Kindness 11:46 Misconceptions About Workplace Culture 14:07 Building Culture Remotely 15:17 The Impact of Civility on Performance 19:03 Developing Leadership Presence and Emotional Intelligence 23:07 Leading Through Change 24:18 First 30 Days as a New Leader 26:38 Fixing Workplace Problems with Leadership   Resources Shelley’s Website - https://www.essdeeandco.com/ Shelley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleydavisboyd/ Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Shelley Davis Boyd: Why Hardworking Teams Still Fail

  6. Jul 7

    Scott McKain: How Do I Become a Leader People Remember?

    For Your Leadership Toolkit the marketplace decides if you're truly distinctive, not self-proclamation leadership is about what you stand for, not just what you do differently creating distinction means being meaningful to others, not just different authenticity and humility are key to being a memorable leader leaders should focus on building their team's capabilities, not just their own storytelling is a powerful way to engage and inspire teams in turbulent times, adaptive creativity and communication are vital leadership is influence, regardless of your title or position   Sound bites "Differentiation means you're different. Distinction means what you do matters to others." "AI is for tasks. Relationships are for people." "Leadership is less about standing out and more about what you're standing for." "Comparison is the thief of joy." "I developed this reservoir of goodwill." "It's not about your title. It's about the influence and impact you're having." "You don't become distinctive because you claim you are … The marketplace decides whether you're distinctive." "Distinction is determined by what people say about you when you're not in the room." "Leaders need to be authentic about the best version of themselves." "We take leadership seriously, but we don't take ourselves solemnly." "Great leaders are great storytellers." "The best leaders I've ever met have a pretty good dose of humility." "The 'I'm the boss' mentality is one of the biggest challenges in leadership today." "The first thing you do as a leader is ask questions—not make statements." "Failure isn't fatal."   Chapters 00:00 The Challenge of Distinction in Leadership 03:36 Scott McKain's Journey to Leadership Distinction 07:15 The Evolution of Leadership Literature 12:40 Leading Without Authority 18:29 The Essence of Memorable Leadership 20:34 Transcending Leadership in Modern Times 23:37 Leading a Diverse Workforce 27:23 The Power of Storytelling in Leadership 29:40 Challenging Leadership Myths 32:05 Authenticity and Distinction in Leadership 36:17 Lessons from Failure 38:10 Advice for New Leaders   Resources Scott’s Website - https://scottmckain.com/ Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmckain/ Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Scott McKain: How Do I Become a Leader People Remember?

  7. Jun 23

    Staci Danford: The Leadership Mistake That's Driving Your Best People Away

    For Your Leadership Toolkit gratitude as a leadership skill neuroscience and brain plasticity impact of gratitude on decision-making real-time positive reinforcement in teams building resilience through gratitude the connection between faith and neuroscience changing thought patterns from negativity to positivity practical gratitude exercises for leaders the role of emotions in leadership decisions the influence of gratitude on organizational culture Sound bites "You smiled at me every time you saw me and you made me feel grateful that I was alive." "People will stay for less money if they feel appreciated and they feel like their strengths matter." "The way that you say it matters so much more than what you are saying." "When you think it, you link it. The more you think it, the tighter you link it." "Only six percent of people say they think their leader feels grateful for them." "Leaders who helped people focus on strengths improved sales by 19% and productivity by 29%." "Most of us know our weaknesses. We need somebody to tell us our strengths." "A healthy brain creates a healthy system." "Your feelings will lie. They're not facts." "You cannot out-trick your brain." "Your brain is adaptable and changeable up until the day you die." "Your brain's like your thumbprint. No two brains are alike."   Chapters 00:00 The Overlooked Leadership Skill of Gratitude 03:44 Stacy's Journey from Teacher to Neuroscientist 08:31 Understanding the Brain's Role in Leadership 10:18 The Importance of Gratitude for Young Leaders 16:27 Gratitude as a Practical Leadership Tool 16:56 The Science Behind Gratitude and Brain Chemistry 22:50 Gratitude's Impact on Family and Relationships 27:09 Retraining the Brain for Positivity 31:35 The Power of Gratitude in Leadership 36:31 Overcoming Setbacks and Building Resilience 41:33 The Intersection of Faith and Neuroscience   Resources Staci’s Website - https://www.stacidanford.com/ OR https://thegratefulbrain.com Staci on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacidanford/ Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Staci Danford: The Leadership Mistake That's Driving Your Best People Away

  8. Jun 16

    Steven Iwersen: Chaos Is the Catalyst, Disruption the Opportunity

    For Your Leadership Toolkit turning chaos into opportunity leading through change and disruption the importance of purpose and core values trust is built through actions, not just words emerging leaders should focus on serving their teams listening more and speaking less is a key leadership habit disruption reveals a leader's true character core values should shape organizational behavior relational leadership fosters trust and collaboration change is inevitable; how leaders respond is crucial strategies for emerging leaders without authority   Sound bites "Chaos is the catalyst for your next opportunity." "People like to be invited. They don't like to be told." "It's not a positional thing. It's a relational thing." "You can't have real championship results if you don't champion your principles." "If we function from a place of service instead of a place of transaction, people will begin to trust us." "If we're reacting in fear, we don't see it as an opportunity. We see it as something to avoid." "The higher the trust level, the more confidence people have in you. The lower the trust level, the less confidence they have." "It's got to be demonstrated in the actions, not necessarily the words." "Our core values begin to shape the behaviors, and the behaviors become the heartbeat of who we are."   Chapters 00:00 – Why Disruption Feels Overwhelming 06:47 – Why Fear Is the Default Response to Change 11:43 – Stop Fixating on the Problem 13:22 – How Great Leaders Create Calm 17:31 – Why People Resist Change 20:42 – Leading Without Authority 23:07 – Relational Leadership vs. Positional Leadership 26:06 – Championship Performance and Culture 29:19 – Rapid-Fire Leadership Questions 31:22 – Chaos Is the Catalyst for Opportunity   Resources Steven’ Website - https://www.steveniwersen.com/ Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveniwersen/ Connect with Merv at www.PeopleFirstProjectManagement.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merv.jersak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mervjersak/

    Steven Iwersen: Chaos Is the Catalyst, Disruption the Opportunity
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About

Most organizations don’t fail because of bad strategy, weak technology, or poor processes. They fail because leadership breaks down in the human moments of execution. The Lead With Purpose Podcast, hosted by leadership consultant and former IT project executive Merv Jersak, explores the real disciplines that determine whether teams struggle under pressure or perform with clarity and cohesion. After four decades working inside complex organizations, Merv saw the same pattern repeated everywhere: high-performing producers promoted into leadership roles but rarely trained in the skills required to guide people through conflict, uncertainty, competing priorities, and organizational pressure. This podcast focuses on those leadership skills. Through conversations with experienced leaders, coaches, and professionals, you’ll hear practical insights on how strong leaders steady themselves under pressure, build trust that speeds collaboration, align teams around shared goals, make disciplined decisions, and create environments where performance becomes sustainable. If you are a mid-level leader, emerging executive, or business owner responsible for delivering results through others, this podcast will challenge how you think about leadership and execution. Because great leadership isn’t just about getting results. It’s about building teams that can achieve them together. Follow the Lead With Purpose Podcast and start leading smarter today.

Information

  • Creator
    Merv Jersak
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lead With Purpose
  • Show Website
    Lead With Purpose