Learning Leadership: In Practice

Reflections on leadership, learning, and growth in practice.
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Hosted by David Reyes Learning Leadership: In Practice is a reflective podcast exploring leadership as a practice shaped by learning, experience, and honest reflection. Rooted in the concept of learning leadership, inspired by Learning Leadership, the show draws from books, teaching, leadership development work, and real-world experience to examine how leaders grow over time. Episodes include thoughtful reflections, limited series, and insights drawn from both leadership literature and unexpected places. This podcast is for leaders who believe growth does not stop with a title and who are committed to staying curious, continuing to learn, and leading with intention. davidreyes.substack.com

  1. Jun 1

    Episode 13: What PLS Taught Me About Leadership and Community

    There’s a quote from The Office that I have used more times than I can count: “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” That is exactly how I feel when I look back on my time in the Presidential Leadership Scholars program. When I first applied, I knew I would love the intersection of presidential history and leadership development. I have always been fascinated by the decisions presidents made, the moments they navigated, and the way leadership shows up in history. But what I did not fully expect was how meaningful the cohort would become. I came in hoping for a great network of professionals. What I found was a great network of relationships. In this episode, I reflect on what it meant to be part of a cohort of leaders from across the country who were not only accomplished in their own fields, but deeply committed to learning from one another. During one of the most personal seasons of my life, this group became a source of care, encouragement, and friendship. That experience reminded me that leadership development is not just content. It is community. The Presidential Leadership Scholars program describes its approach as one that challenges Scholars to grow in an environment where individual experiences are respected, supported, and valued. Scholars are also encouraged to engage with people whose experiences and perspectives differ from their own, seek understanding even in disagreement, and include diverse perspectives when framing challenges and responses. This episode is the first in a short series where I’ll be unpacking some of the lessons I learned through PLS. But before getting into those themes, I wanted to start with the people. Because the people made the experience what it was. PLS reminded me that meaningful leadership is not meant to be done alone. Leadership is shaped around tables, in conversations, through friendships, and in communities that help us carry what we are called to do. I hope this episode encourages you to think about the people who are shaping your leadership — and the people whose leadership you are helping shape along the way. Learn more about the Presidential Leadership Scholars program and application process here:https://www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org/apply#approach-to-leadership This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidreyes.substack.com

    9 min

  2. May 17

    Episode 12: Learning Leadership Through Deliberate Practice

    In this episode of Learning Leadership in Practice, I close out the Five Fundamentals series from Learning Leadership by James Kouzes and Barry Posner with the fifth and final fundamental: Practice Deliberately. Leadership is not something we learn once, talk about once, or master once. It is something we practice in real moments, real conversations, and real seasons of uncertainty, transition, responsibility, and growth. In this episode, I reflect on how our current leadership moments can become our classroom. The tension we are navigating, the difficult conversation we are preparing for, the decision we are trying to make, and the uncertainty we are carrying can all become places where leadership is formed. I also share how this podcast itself was born out of a disorienting season and became a place to reflect out loud on what I was reading, what I was living, and how those two things were shaping the way I lead. At its core, this episode is a reminder that learning leadership is not just about knowledge. It is about application. It is about practice. It is about paying attention to what life and leadership are teaching us in real time.Deliberate practice invites us to turn our leadership life into a case study. To slow down long enough to ask what we are learning, how we are showing up, and what kind of leader we are becoming. Reflective Questions • What leadership moment are you navigating right now that could become your classroom? • How are you practicing leadership deliberately in the roles, relationships, and responsibilities you already have? • What daily habit could help you become a better learning leader tomorrow than you were today? If this episode resonates with you, feel free to share it with someone who is also committed to growing as a leader. Thanks for learning alongside me. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidreyes.substack.com

    15 min

  3. Apr 13

    Episode 11: Learning Leadership Through Engaging Support

    In this episode of Learning Leadership in Practice, David explores the next principle from Learning Leadership by James Kouzes and Barry Posner: Engage Support. Leadership is not a solo pursuit. Kouzes and Posner’s research makes it clear that the most effective leaders actively seek out the support, wisdom, and feedback of others. You cannot lead alone, and you cannot learn alone. In this episode, David reflects on stepping into a leadership role where he was leading individuals more tenured than he was, and the tension of moving from needing to have answers to learning how to invite others into the process. What began as uncertainty and imposter syndrome became a season of growth as he leaned into the wisdom, feedback, and partnership of those around me. He also explore the importance of building strong connections, seeking out mentors and role models, and developing a posture of curiosity and openness to feedback. Because leadership growth requires both support and trust — and often begins with the willingness to go first. At its core, this episode is a reminder that the best leaders are not those who go it alone, but those who intentionally surround themselves with people who will challenge, encourage, and develop them. Reflective Questions • Who are the people actively shaping your leadership today?• Where might you need to engage support more intentionally in this season? If this episode resonates with you, feel free to share it with someone who is also committed to growing as a leader. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidreyes.substack.com

    11 min
  4. Episode 10: Challenge Yourself

    Mar 23

    Episode 10: Challenge Yourself

    In this third episode of The Five Fundamentals in Practice, we explore the next principle from Learning Leadership by James Kouzes and Barry Posner: Challenge Yourself. Leadership growth does not happen in comfort. It happens in moments of stretch, uncertainty, and adversity. Kouzes and Posner’s research shows that every example of leadership at its best includes challenge, making it not an obstacle, but a training ground. In this episode, I reflect on stepping into leadership after being a high-performing individual contributor and the frustration that comes with moving from competence to learning again. That season reminded me that growth often follows a learning curve, not immediate mastery. The challenge was not something to avoid, but something shaping me into a better leader. We also explore the roles of grit, curiosity, and courage in leadership development, and how adopting a learning mindset enables us to turn setbacks into growth opportunities. Because leadership is not formed easily. It is formed in challenge.Thank you for learning alongside of me. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidreyes.substack.com

    8 min

  5. Mar 8

    Episode 9: The Five Fundamentals of Leadership in Practice (#2)

    I’m continuing the series on Learning Leadership In Practice, exploring the Five Fundamentals of Becoming an Exemplary Leader from Learning Leadership by James Kouzes and Barry Posner. This episode focuses on the second fundamental: Aspire to Excel. Exemplary leaders don’t drift into excellence; they choose it. Aspiring to excel means raising your personal standard and caring deeply about the mission and the people you serve. In this episode, I reflect on how pursuing my doctorate reshaped my mindset around perseverance and growth, and how aspiring to excel today means continuing to learn long after formal education ends. Kouzes and Posner remind us that excellence is not just about achievement; it’s about aligning with your values and committing to continual growth. As you listen, consider: Am I raising my own standard, or drifting toward comfort? Here are some leadership podcasts I would recommend: * Practical Wisdom for Leaders with Scott Allen * Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast * At the Table with Patrick Lencioni * Rethinking with Adam Grant * Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast Thanks for learning alongside of me. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidreyes.substack.com

    7 min

  6. Feb 23

    Episode 8: The Five Fundamentals of Leadership In Practice (#1)

    I’m excited to kick off a brand-new series on Learning Leadership In Practice. After reflecting on the books I read in 2025 over the first seven episodes, we now turn to what I consider a foundational text for this podcast: Learning Leadership by James Kouzes and Barry Posner. Over the next five episodes, I’ll be walking through the Five Fundamentals of Becoming an Exemplary Leader, not just summarizing them, but exploring what they look like in practice. We begin with the first fundamental: Believe You Can Learn to Lead. Too often, our leadership growth is limited not by opportunity, but by belief. Kouzes and Posner argue that leadership is learnable and that the best leaders are the best learners. In this episode, I share a personal story of stepping into leadership over former peers, wrestling with imposter syndrome, and learning that leadership development is ultimately self-development. If leadership is learnable, then growth is always available. I’d love for you to listen, reflect, and consider: Where might limiting beliefs be holding back your leadership growth? Thanks for learning alongside of me. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidreyes.substack.com

    8 min

  7. Feb 16

    Episode 7: Everyday Spaces Shape the Leader You Are Becoming

    Some of the most formative leadership lessons I learned in 2025 did not come from leadership books. They came from stories. From reading about the building of Saturday Night Live in Lorne. From understanding the cultural development behind Broadway. From the grit-filled stories of everyday runners in the New York City Marathon in a Race Like No Other. From reflecting on the quiet power of movement in A Philosophy of Walking. None of these books was written as a leadership manual. And yet, each one shaped how I think about leadership. This episode is about that idea. Leadership is building blocks. It rarely starts with a polished blueprint. It begins with a vision, a disorienting moment, or simply a step taken forward when clarity is limited. Over time, those steps form something more substantial than we could see in the moment. In seasons that felt hazy this past year, I had to remind myself that I was still laying blocks. Even if I couldn’t see the full structure forming. Even if the next step felt small. Sometimes the most important work is simply taking the block that is closest to you and placing it well. Stories helped me see that more clearly. They reminded me that environments shape us. That culture is built intentionally. That grit is often quiet. That reflection often happens in motion. And that leadership is formed in everyday spaces long before it is recognized publicly. This episode is an invitation to read differently. To pay attention to value systems in stories. To notice how characters respond to adversity. To observe how systems are built and sustained. To allow even a “fun” book to shape your leadership imagination. If you are navigating a disorienting season, perhaps the next step is not about gaining more clarity for yourself. Perhaps it is about serving someone else. Encouraging someone. Mentoring someone. Showing up faithfully in the space you are already in. Leadership is not paused during transition. It is practiced differently. As always, thank you for learning alongside me.Books Referenced in This Episode * Lorne by Susan Morrison * Broadway by Fran Leadon * A Race Like No Other by Liz Robbins * A Philosophy of Walking by Frédéric Gros This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidreyes.substack.com

    9 min

  8. Feb 9

    Episode 6: Leadership Under Pressure, Character, and Decision-Making

    This episode sits with a question I found myself returning to again and again in 2025:What does leadership look like when the pressure is real and the noise is loud? This past year, I had the opportunity to participate in the Presidential Leadership Scholars program. It was a formative experience that brought together leaders from across industries, worldviews, and political perspectives to wrestle with how leadership shows up in moments that matter most. Much of my reading during this season centered on presidential leadership, not on policy or accomplishments, but on character. Here is the list of books that I referenced in this episode: 1776 — David McCullough And There Was Light — Jon Meacham Destiny and Power — Jon Meacham Character Matters — Jean Becker Make Your Mark — Mark Updegrove Confronting the Presidents — Bill O’Reilly What stood out to me was how often, under pressure, leadership was less about speaking boldly and more about listening deeply. Less about certainty and more about humility. Time and again, the leaders we studied demonstrated that the strength of a decision was often shaped by the advisors around them, the dialogue they invited, and the values they refused to compromise. This episode reflects on what it means to lead with character when clarity is limited. How authenticity and values set the tone for teams. How leaders can move people forward even when the “why” remains unanswered by anchoring themselves and others in the “what” and the “who.” I also share how the diversity of thought within the PLS community itself became a living example of character-driven leadership. Differences did not divide the group. Shared values, humility, and a willingness to learn from one another created trust, deep relationships, and meaningful dialogue across perspectives. In a world that often rewards volume, speed, and visibility, this episode is an invitation to return to something quieter and more enduring. Leadership rooted in character. Leadership that listens before it speaks. Leadership that understands influence as stewardship rather than spotlight. If you feel discouraged by the current leadership landscape or unsure how to lead well amid pressure and polarization, my hope is that this episode reminds you that character still matters. And that it still has the power to bring people together, shape decisions, and create lasting impact. As always, thanks for learning alongside me. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidreyes.substack.com

    9 min
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About

Hosted by David Reyes Learning Leadership: In Practice is a reflective podcast exploring leadership as a practice shaped by learning, experience, and honest reflection. Rooted in the concept of learning leadership, inspired by Learning Leadership, the show draws from books, teaching, leadership development work, and real-world experience to examine how leaders grow over time. Episodes include thoughtful reflections, limited series, and insights drawn from both leadership literature and unexpected places. This podcast is for leaders who believe growth does not stop with a title and who are committed to staying curious, continuing to learn, and leading with intention. davidreyes.substack.com

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  • Creator
    Reflections on leadership, learning, and growth in practice.
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © David Reyes
  • Show Website
    Learning Leadership: In Practice