Mainline Executive Coaching ACT

Rich Baron and Maikel Bailey

Steam Locomotives were some of the most powerful machines ever built. They represented vision, ingenuity, collaboration, and extraordinary human achievement. However, to get to the next destination, they had to be directed to the mainline. This required someone directing the train through a series of switches to reach the right destination. Just like these amazing machines, leaders and organizations alike need the right direction and “switching” to reach their destinations—this is the essence of Intelligent Leadership® (IL). IL is a transformational, results-driven leadership growth philosophy and process that ignites, cultivates, and polishes an individual’s heart, mind, and soul in support of creating a truly exceptional leadership and cultural capability in an organization.   At its core, Intelligent Leadership (IL) empowers leaders to unlock their full potential—transforming their leadership capabilities and the organizations they serve. Pioneered by John Mattone, recognized as the world’s #1 executive coach, IL provides a proven roadmap for achieving sustained leadership excellence and organizational success. IL provides the framework that is needed in today’s world for leaders and organizations to set the right direction and execute the required “switching” to reach their goals. IL is not just a philosophy; it’s a process that addresses the dual dimensions of leadership—the inner core and the outer core. By developing character, values, and beliefs (inner core) alongside strategic competencies like communication, vision, and execution (outer core), leaders can achieve alignment and drive extraordinary outcomes. Intelligent Leadership has impacted the lives of millions of leaders and thousands of organizations across the globe—55 nations and still counting.   The hosts of  Mainline Executive Coaching ACT Podcast are Rich Baron—Chief Operating Officer of John Mattone Global (JMG) and IL Master Executive Coach and Maikel Bailey-IL Master Executive Coach. With over 50 years of combined success in executive leadership, cultural transformation, and executive and emerging leader development, Rich Baron and Maikel Bailey bring to light some of the most pressing issues facing leaders and organizations today. Hand-picked and personally mentored by John Mattone, your hosts Rich and Maikel will partner with you to improve your leadership ability and cultural transformation in ways you never thought possible. John Mattone makes frequent guest appearances on the Podcast. Email: rich@johnmattone.com or mbailey@intelligentleadershipec.com Websites: www.johnmattone.comhttps://www.richbaronexecutivecoaching.com/https://maikelbailey.com/JMG’s Mainline Executive Coaching ACT has been recognized by FeedSpot as the world’s #1 Executive Coaching Podcast. This recognition is based on an evaluation of numerous podcasts on the internet, taking into account factors such as web traffic, social media followers, and timeliness. The podcast enjoys a substantial following in more than 100 countries and 1,000 cities across the globe. Leaders, Lead Well! https://blog.feedspot.com/executive_coaching_podcasts/

  1. Jun 18

    The Smartest Person in the Room Doesn't Think So: STEM Excellence and the Imposter Syndrome Paradox

    Thank you for all of your support. Please let us know what you think about our podcast and what topic you may want to hear from us. Leaders, Lead Well! Imagine earning top grades in engineering, conducting groundbreaking research in artificial intelligence, or competing at the highest levels of mathematics—and still feeling like you don't belong. It sounds contradictory, yet it's one of the most common experiences among high-achieving STEM students. Despite impressive accomplishments, many of the brightest minds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics live with a persistent fear that their success is undeserved and that, sooner or later, someone will discover they're not as capable as everyone believes. In this episode, we explore the fascinating paradox of imposter syndrome in STEM education. Why do some of the most accomplished students struggle to recognize their own competence? How do competitive environments, perfectionism, and constant exposure to exceptionally talented peers contribute to feelings of inadequacy? And what can educators, leaders, coaches, and students themselves do to break this cycle? Join Rich and Maikel as we study up on the hidden challenges facing today's brightest STEM students, uncover the psychology behind imposter syndrome, explore real-world stories of achievement and self-doubt, and examine how executive coaching can help break the paradox by increasing self-awareness, challenging limiting beliefs, building authentic confidence, and accelerating leadership maturity. Together, we'll discover practical strategies for developing the resilience, mindset, and inner confidence needed to thrive in STEM and beyond. All in this episode of Mainline Executive Coaching ACT. Leaders, Lead Well! Thank you to all of our listeners in over 140 countries and 1,600 cities worldwide, we greatly appreciate your support! We truly hope that what we bring to our listeners will improve your ability as leaders. Mainline Executive Coaching ACT has been recognized by FeedSpot as one of the top Executive Coaching Podcast in the world based on thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media, followers & freshness. https://blog.feedspot.com/executive_coaching_podcasts/ John Mattone Global:                                                                                                          https://johnmattone.com/ Rich Baron: rbaron@richbaronexecutivecoaching.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-baron/ rich@johnmattone.com Maikel Bailey: mbailey@intelligentleadershipec.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/maikelbailey/ https://maikelbailey.com/

    47 min
  2. Jun 14

    Your Company Is Lying to You: The Hidden Trust Crisis Destroying Organizations from Within

    Thank you for all of your support. Please let us know what you think about our podcast and what topic you may want to hear from us. Leaders, Lead Well! What is the most dangerous lie in business? The one that most leaders don't even realize they're telling. The truth is, most leaders don't lie. But many organizations tell stories that employees no longer believe. "We value transparency." "We care about our people." "We encourage innovation." "We want honest feedback." The problem? Employees don't judge leadership by what leaders say. They judge leadership by what they experience. And when words and actions don't align, trust begins to disappear. Not overnight. Not because of one bad decision. But through hundreds of small moments where people conclude: "They don't mean what they say." The most dangerous threat to culture isn't conflict, turnover, or AI. It's the widening gap between leadership intent and employee experience. Because once trust is lost, everything becomes harder: Communication. Accountability. Engagement. Innovation. Execution. And rebuilding trust takes far longer than destroying it. So here's the question: Does your organization have a culture problem... or a trust problem? On this episode of Mainline Executive Coaching ACT, Rich Baron and Maikel Bailey tackle one of the most overlooked and consequential leadership challenges facing organizations today: The Most Dangerous Lie in Business: The One Nobody Knows They're Telling Leaders, Lead Well! Thank you to all of our listeners in over 140 countries and 1,600 cities worldwide, we greatly appreciate your support! We truly hope that what we bring to our listeners will improve your ability as leaders. Mainline Executive Coaching ACT has been recognized by FeedSpot as one of the top Executive Coaching Podcast in the world based on thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media, followers & freshness. https://blog.feedspot.com/executive_coaching_podcasts/ John Mattone Global:                                                                                                          https://johnmattone.com/ Rich Baron: rbaron@richbaronexecutivecoaching.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-baron/ rich@johnmattone.com Maikel Bailey: mbailey@intelligentleadershipec.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/maikelbailey/ https://maikelbailey.com/

    53 min
  3. May 30

    What If YOUR Leadership IS the Problem?

    Thank you for all of your support. Please let us know what you think about our podcast and what topic you may want to hear from us. Leaders, Lead Well! Organizations today are facing unprecedented levels of burnout, disengagement, mistrust, and complexity. So leaders do what they've always been taught to do. They work harder. Create new strategies. Implement new systems. Increase oversight. Tighten controls. Yet the problems persist. Which raises an uncomfortable question. What if YOU are the problem? Not because you're a bad leader. Not because you're failing. But because the very leadership habits, assumptions, and behaviors that helped you succeed may now be limiting your organization's ability to thrive. In this thought-provoking episode of Mainline Executive Coaching ACT, hosts Rich Baron and Maikel Bailey sit down with internationally recognized leadership consultant, executive coach, and author Thom Dennis to discuss his groundbreaking book, Rewilding the Corporate Mind: Rediscovering Nature's Blueprint for Leadership in an Age of Disruption and Division. As organizations struggle with increasing complexity, uncertainty, burnout, disengagement, and cultural fragmentation, Thom challenges conventional leadership wisdom and invites us to view organizations through a fundamentally different lens—not as machines to be controlled, but as living systems designed to adapt, evolve, and flourish. Drawing from nature, systems thinking, neuroscience, and decades of leadership development experience, Thom argues that many of today's leadership challenges stem from outdated assumptions rooted in fear, hierarchy, and control. In their place, he proposes a more regenerative approach built on trust, adaptability, connection, and human flourishing. During this engaging conversation, Rich, Maikel, and Thom explore: Why traditional command-and-control leadership models are losing effectivenessThe hidden costs of over-management and excessive controlWhat natural ecosystems can teach us about resilience and adaptabilityHow trust, belonging, and psychological safety fuel high performanceThe difference between sustainable leadership and regenerative leadershipWhy leaders must embrace complexity rather than attempt to control itPractical ways to "rewild" leadership, culture, and organizational thinkingThis episode is not about blaming leaders. It's about challenging leaders to examine whether the answers they're seeking require a fundamentally different question. Because before we ask what's wrong with our people, our teams, or our organizations, perhaps we need to ask: What if YOUR leadership IS the problem? Thom Dennis joins Rich and Maikel for a fascinating exploration of leadership, culture, resilience, and the future of work—and discover why the future may belong not to the leaders who can control the most, but to those who can create the conditions where people and organizations can naturally thrive. Contact Thom at:  thom@serenityinleadership.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomdennis/ https://www.serenityinleadership.com/ Leaders, Lead Well! Thank you to all of our listeners in over 140 countries and 1,600 cities worldwide, we greatly appreciate your support! We truly hope that what we bring to our listeners will improve your ability as leaders. Mainline Executive Coaching ACT has been recognized by FeedSpot as one of the top Executive Coaching Podcast in the world based on thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media, followers & freshness. https://blog.feedspot.com/executive_coaching_podcasts/ John Mattone Global:                                                                                                          https://johnmattone.com/ Rich Baron: rbaron@richbaronexecutivecoaching.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-baron/ rich@johnmattone.com Maikel Bailey: mbailey@intelligentleadershipec.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/maikelbailey/ https://maikelbailey.com/

    55 min
  4. May 16

    Why Would You Trust AI to Coach Your Future Leaders?

    Thank you for all of your support. Please let us know what you think about our podcast and what topic you may want to hear from us. Leaders, Lead Well! The big question being asked today is: What is the future of executive coaching in the age of AI? Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing how leaders learn, communicate, make decisions, and even how they receive coaching. But can AI truly replace the human connection, emotional intelligence, trust, and vulnerability required for transformational leadership development? Joining us today is executive coach, consultant, and leadership advisor Megan Broker. Megan has spent decades helping leaders close the gap between their intent and their impact — developing stronger cultures, more self-aware leaders, and healthier organizations. In this conversation, we explore: The opportunities AI creates for expanding access to coachingThe limitations of AI in handling complexity, emotion, and vulnerabilityThe seductive nature of AI engagementWhy human connection still matters in leadership developmentAnd whether AI is becoming a leadership tool… or a leadership crutchThis is not a conversation about whether AI is coming. It’s already here. The real question is: What happens to leadership when technology begins replacing human reflection, feedback, and connection? And if organizations choose the wrong coaching path... what does that future look like? Megan Broker joins Rich and Maikel as they dive headfirst into one of the most disruptive and important conversations impacting leadership and executive coaching today on this episode of Mainline Executive Coaching ACT. You can reach Megan Broker at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/megan-broker-consulting/ https://www.meganbrokerconsulting.com/ Megan@MeganBrokerConsulting.com Leaders, Lead Well! Thank you to all of our listeners in over 140 countries and 1,600 cities worldwide, we greatly appreciate your support! We truly hope that what we bring to our listeners will improve your ability as leaders. Mainline Executive Coaching ACT has been recognized by FeedSpot as one of the top Executive Coaching Podcast in the world based on thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media, followers & freshness. https://blog.feedspot.com/executive_coaching_podcasts/ John Mattone Global:                                                                                                          https://johnmattone.com/ Rich Baron: rbaron@richbaronexecutivecoaching.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-baron/ rich@johnmattone.com Maikel Bailey: mbailey@intelligentleadershipec.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/maikelbailey/ https://maikelbailey.com/

    42 min
  5. Apr 25

    If You Can’t Read Your Team, You’re Not Leading It - Part Two

    Thank you for all of your support. Please let us know what you think about our podcast and what topic you may want to hear from us. Leaders, Lead Well! Most leaders now know the problem: They’re not actually reading their teams. But awareness alone doesn’t fix anything. In Part 2, Rich and Maikel move past the blind spot—and get into what actually separates leaders who guess from leaders who truly see. Because the truth is, leaders don’t fail to read their teams by accident. They fail for very specific, predictable reasons: They don’t know their people. They think they know them—but don’t. They avoid the hard conversations. They rely on data instead of dialogue. Or worse… they’re afraid of what they might uncover. And that’s where leadership either levels up—or breaks down. In this second part of the series, Rich and Maikel unpack the real barriers that keep leaders disconnected from their teams—and more importantly, the practical, no-excuses actions you can take immediately to fix it.  This isn’t theory.  This is what you can start doing Monday morning: How to build real insight into your people in minutes—not months.  How to create conversations that unlock truth instead of surface-level updates.  How to develop the core leadership “superpowers” that drive trust, retention, and performance.  And how to eliminate the costly leadership blind spots before they turn into turnover, disengagement, and culture breakdown. Because when you truly learn to read your team: Engagement rises. Trust deepens. Performance multiplies. And leadership stops feeling like guesswork. Miss this—and you’ll keep leading in the dark. Master it—and you become the kind of leader people don’t leave. Join Rich and Maikel for Part 2 of this powerful series on Mainline Executive Coaching ACT—where leadership gets real, practical, and immediately actionable. Leaders, Lead Well! Thank you to all of our listeners in over 140 countries and 1,600 cities worldwide, we greatly appreciate your support! We truly hope that what we bring to our listeners will improve your ability as leaders. Mainline Executive Coaching ACT has been recognized by FeedSpot as one of the top Executive Coaching Podcast in the world based on thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media, followers & freshness. https://blog.feedspot.com/executive_coaching_podcasts/ John Mattone Global:                                                                                                          https://johnmattone.com/ Rich Baron: rbaron@richbaronexecutivecoaching.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-baron/ rich@johnmattone.com Maikel Bailey: mbailey@intelligentleadershipec.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/maikelbailey/ https://maikelbailey.com/

    1h 13m
  6. Mar 19

    If You Can’t Read Your Team, You’re Not Leading It - Part One

    Thank you for all of your support. Please let us know what you think about our podcast and what topic you may want to hear from us. Leaders, Lead Well! Most leaders think they know their teams. They don’t. And that blind spot is costing them more than they realize. Leaders aren’t reading their teams—they’re guessing. Projecting. Avoiding. Hiding behind data instead of having real conversations. Some don’t know their people at all. Others think they do—and are completely wrong. Quite frankly, this is not just a soft skill! And what you don’t see in your team will eventually hurt you. Quiet quitting. Hidden resistance. Talent walking out the door. Decisions made in the dark. Join Rich and Maikel as we shoot straight at the real reasons leaders fail to read their teams—and how to fix it before it becomes a leadership liability- in this first part of a two-part series on Mainline Executive Coaching ACT. #Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Culture #Trust #EmployeeEngagement #JohnMattoneGlobal Leaders, Lead Well! Thank you to all of our listeners in over 140 countries and 1,600 cities worldwide, we greatly appreciate your support! We truly hope that what we bring to our listeners will improve your ability as leaders. Mainline Executive Coaching ACT has been recognized by FeedSpot as one of the top Executive Coaching Podcast in the world based on thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media, followers & freshness. https://blog.feedspot.com/executive_coaching_podcasts/ John Mattone Global:                                                                                                          https://johnmattone.com/ Rich Baron: rbaron@richbaronexecutivecoaching.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-baron/ rich@johnmattone.com Maikel Bailey: mbailey@intelligentleadershipec.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/maikelbailey/ https://maikelbailey.com/

    1h 2m
  7. Feb 13

    Who You Are at Home Is How You Lead Under Pressure with Katarina Polonska

    Thank you for all of your support. Please let us know what you think about our podcast and what topic you may want to hear from us. Leaders, Lead Well! In this must-listen episode of Mainline Executive Coaching ACT, Katarina Polonska delivers a powerful reminder that leadership is never confined to the boardroom — it is shaped, tested, and revealed in our closest personal relationships. While many executives strive to compartmentalize their personal and professional lives, Katarina explores the deeper truth: who you are at home is who you become under pressure at work. From emotional regulation and relational maturity to stress spillover and legacy, this conversation uncovers the often unseen connection between personal alignment and executive effectiveness. If leadership is influence, then influence begins in relationship. This episode challenges leaders to examine the inner architecture behind their performance — and offers critical insight into how strengthening personal relationships can elevate clarity, trust, and impact at the highest levels. This is not just a conversation about balance. It’s a conversation about integration, maturity, and the kind of leader you are becoming. Katarina joins Rich and Maikel for a candid, thought-provoking dive into the world of executive relationships — where personal alignment meets professional impact, and where the quality of your closest relationships ultimately shapes the quality of your leadership. Contact info for Katarina: https://www.katarinapolonska.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarinapolonska/  #MainlineExecutiveCoachingACT  #ExecutiveCoaching  #LeadershipDevelopment  #RelationalLeadership  #EmotionalIntelligence  #ExecutivePresence  #LeadershipMaturity  #TrustAndInfluence  #CLevelLeadership  #LeadershipUnderPressure  #OrganizationalCulture  #JohnMattoneGlobal  #FeedSpot  Leaders, Lead Well! Thank you to all of our listeners in over 140 countries and 1,600 cities worldwide, we greatly appreciate your support! We truly hope that what we bring to our listeners will improve your ability as leaders. Mainline Executive Coaching ACT has been recognized by FeedSpot as one of the top Executive Coaching Podcast in the world based on thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media, followers & freshness. https://blog.feedspot.com/executive_coaching_podcasts/ John Mattone Global:                                                                                                          https://johnmattone.com/ Rich Baron: rbaron@richbaronexecutivecoaching.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-baron/ rich@johnmattone.com Maikel Bailey: mbailey@intelligentleadershipec.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/maikelbailey/ https://maikelbailey.com/

    52 min
  8. Jan 23

    Leadership Beyond the Org Chart with Global CHRO Patrick Duriaux

    Thank you for all of your support. Please let us know what you think about our podcast and what topic you may want to hear from us. Leaders, Lead Well! Most organizations say they have a succession plan. Very few are actually do. The simple fact is this: succession planning is not about replacing people. It’s about building leadership capacity and ensuring continuity—before risk turns into reality. Yet too often, succession planning is treated like an emergency response instead of a strategic priority. And when there’s no real plan, the cost is high: eroded culture, stalled strategy, and a loss of trust at the very top. It’s no wonder boards are increasingly nervous about leadership pipelines. Once again, we are joined by Patrick Duriaux, a globally recognized authority in HR and succession planning. Patrick is a global CHRO and seasoned HR leader with over twenty years of experience driving cultural transformation, leadership development, and performance improvement in international organizations. A certified Intelligent Leadership® Master Coach trained by John Mattone, he brings more than a decade of coaching expertise focused on emotional intelligence, human connection, and purposeful growth.  Patrick joins Rich and Maikel as we reframe succession planning for what it truly is—not an HR process, but a strategic leadership system. Not a conversation about today’s roles, but a future-focused dialogue about capability, readiness, and leadership maturity.   Because real succession planning sends a powerful culture signal:  We don’t just fill roles here. We develop leaders. Patrick"s Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickduriaux/ info@hrtouch.ch www.hrtouch.ch info@alto.cool https://www.alto.cool/ Leaders, Lead Well! Thank you to all of our listeners in over 140 countries and 1,600 cities worldwide, we greatly appreciate your support! We truly hope that what we bring to our listeners will improve your ability as leaders. Mainline Executive Coaching ACT has been recognized by FeedSpot as one of the top Executive Coaching Podcast in the world based on thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media, followers & freshness. https://blog.feedspot.com/executive_coaching_podcasts/ John Mattone Global:                                                                                                          https://johnmattone.com/ Rich Baron: rbaron@richbaronexecutivecoaching.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-baron/ rich@johnmattone.com Maikel Bailey: mbailey@intelligentleadershipec.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/maikelbailey/ https://maikelbailey.com/

    50 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Steam Locomotives were some of the most powerful machines ever built. They represented vision, ingenuity, collaboration, and extraordinary human achievement. However, to get to the next destination, they had to be directed to the mainline. This required someone directing the train through a series of switches to reach the right destination. Just like these amazing machines, leaders and organizations alike need the right direction and “switching” to reach their destinations—this is the essence of Intelligent Leadership® (IL). IL is a transformational, results-driven leadership growth philosophy and process that ignites, cultivates, and polishes an individual’s heart, mind, and soul in support of creating a truly exceptional leadership and cultural capability in an organization.   At its core, Intelligent Leadership (IL) empowers leaders to unlock their full potential—transforming their leadership capabilities and the organizations they serve. Pioneered by John Mattone, recognized as the world’s #1 executive coach, IL provides a proven roadmap for achieving sustained leadership excellence and organizational success. IL provides the framework that is needed in today’s world for leaders and organizations to set the right direction and execute the required “switching” to reach their goals. IL is not just a philosophy; it’s a process that addresses the dual dimensions of leadership—the inner core and the outer core. By developing character, values, and beliefs (inner core) alongside strategic competencies like communication, vision, and execution (outer core), leaders can achieve alignment and drive extraordinary outcomes. Intelligent Leadership has impacted the lives of millions of leaders and thousands of organizations across the globe—55 nations and still counting.   The hosts of  Mainline Executive Coaching ACT Podcast are Rich Baron—Chief Operating Officer of John Mattone Global (JMG) and IL Master Executive Coach and Maikel Bailey-IL Master Executive Coach. With over 50 years of combined success in executive leadership, cultural transformation, and executive and emerging leader development, Rich Baron and Maikel Bailey bring to light some of the most pressing issues facing leaders and organizations today. Hand-picked and personally mentored by John Mattone, your hosts Rich and Maikel will partner with you to improve your leadership ability and cultural transformation in ways you never thought possible. John Mattone makes frequent guest appearances on the Podcast. Email: rich@johnmattone.com or mbailey@intelligentleadershipec.com Websites: www.johnmattone.comhttps://www.richbaronexecutivecoaching.com/https://maikelbailey.com/JMG’s Mainline Executive Coaching ACT has been recognized by FeedSpot as the world’s #1 Executive Coaching Podcast. This recognition is based on an evaluation of numerous podcasts on the internet, taking into account factors such as web traffic, social media followers, and timeliness. The podcast enjoys a substantial following in more than 100 countries and 1,000 cities across the globe. Leaders, Lead Well! https://blog.feedspot.com/executive_coaching_podcasts/