ON YOUR WAY

Darla Betzer Bonk

It's time to get ON YOUR WAY to pursuing, building and catching your dreams! Darla shares business and personal experiences as a recovering bad decision maker turned serial entrepreneur to help you overcome obstacles and get ON YOUR WAY to living the life you were meant to have! It's not too late the build the life you love!

  1. ON YOUR WAY TO BUILDING TRUST THROUGH AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP

    10/05/2025

    ON YOUR WAY TO BUILDING TRUST THROUGH AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP

    What do 120 executive interviews reveal about the leaders who actually move the needle? Mark Gordon, managing editor of the Business Observer and host of "From the Corner Office" podcast, sits down to share what separates transformational CEOs from the rest—and it's not what you'd expect. Florida's business landscape is shifting fast. Affordability is breaking traditional hiring models, and the executives winning this battle have discovered something counterintuitive. Gordon reveals the unconventional strategies they're deploying while others are still talking about "the problem." Culture isn't soft—it's strategic. But Gordon uncovers a specific leadership trait that top performers share, one that most executives actively avoid because it feels uncomfortable. The payoff? Organizations that attract A-players and keep them. Here's what nobody's talking about: Your story might be your most underutilized asset. Gordon shares why vulnerability in leadership isn't weakness—it's competitive advantage. He breaks down real examples of executives who transformed setbacks into breakthroughs, and the specific framework they used. The trust factor. Gordon explains the one question business leaders should ask themselves more often but don't—and why answering it honestly could be the difference between incremental growth and exponential impact. If you're ready to move beyond risk-averse thinking and build an organization people actually want to be part of, this conversation delivers executive alignment strategies you can implement immediately. Want to connect with Mark? Here's how: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-gordon-7860b83/ https://www.businessobserverfl.com/

    33 min
  2. On Your Way from Leadership to Mentorship

    09/01/2025

    On Your Way from Leadership to Mentorship

    From Leadership to Mentorship with Shawn Smith (Boston Red Sox, GM – Florida Operations) SHOW NOTES: What does it take to move from being the one “in charge” to the one who champions others? In this conversation, I sit down with Shawn Smith, General Manager of Florida Operations for the Boston Red Sox, to unpack how mentorship multiplies impact—on teams, culture, and long-term results. We talk spring-training scale, building trust, developing leaders at every level, and the simple rhythms that turn experience into someone else’s advantage. Why Listen Learn a practical framework for shifting from doer/decider to developer/mentorHear inside-baseball (literally) stories on aligning operations, player development, and communityWalk away with a 90-day mentorship game plan you can put into practice this quarterKey Takeaways Mentorship is leverage: One leader can move a project; a mentor can move a generation.Clarity > control: Clear standards, consistent check-ins, and shared scorecards beat micromanagement.Trust compounds: Small wins, seen and celebrated, build the confidence required for stretch roles.Proximity matters: Mentors create intentional touchpoints—pre-briefs, post-mortems, and walk-arounds.Playbooks prevent drift: Document the “how we do it here” so growth doesn’t dilute culture.The 90-Day Mentorship Challenge Pick 2 people (one emerging leader, one peer).Set a cadence: 30 minutes, every other week.Run this loop: goals → reps → feedback → next rep.Measure 3 metrics: ownership, decision quality, and communication speed.Celebrate a visible win at day 90.“Leadership is measured by outcomes. Mentorship is measured by others’ outcomes—long after you leave the room.” Shawn Smith serves as General Manager, Florida Operations for the Boston Red Sox, overseeing the club’s operations in Florida, including spring training and community engagement. Links & Mentions Boston Red Sox – Florida Operations (Spring Training)Connect with Shawn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnhpsmith/Connect with Darla: www.darlabonk.com | @DarlaBonkConsultingCall to Action If this episode sparked something, share it with a leader who’s ready to become a mentor—and leave a 5-star review to help more leaders find the show.

    38 min
  3. 02/03/2025

    ON YOUR WAY TO HAVING AN EMOTIONAL EDGE IN LEADERSHIP

    In this powerful episode of "ON YOUR WAY," host Darla Bonk challenges the myth that emotion has no place in business leadership. Discover how embracing your emotional intelligence can transform you from a good leader to a great one.Key Points: Leaders with high emotional intelligence are 34% more effective at leading change and managing staffEmployees with empathetic leaders see a 76% increase in engagement and a 61% boost in creativityHigh emotional intelligence accounts for 90% of what sets top performers apartOrganizations with emotionally intelligent leaders are 4 times more likely to retain skilled employeesDarla shares actionable steps to cultivate emotional intelligence in leadership: Practice self-awarenessCultivate empathyCommunicate openly and honestlyLead by example in showing emotionLearn how to: Celebrate wins with your teamCreate space for emotional expressionUse vulnerability to connect with your employeesAlign your company's mission with personal valuesTune in to discover how injecting passion into your leadership style can skyrocket your success and transform your entire organization. Remember, as Darla says, "As long as there's breath in your body, you have the power to change your circumstances."Don't miss this game-changing episode that will revolutionize your approach to leadership and help you get ON YOUR WAY to building the life and business you love! #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessSuccess #EmployeeEngagement

    19 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

It's time to get ON YOUR WAY to pursuing, building and catching your dreams! Darla shares business and personal experiences as a recovering bad decision maker turned serial entrepreneur to help you overcome obstacles and get ON YOUR WAY to living the life you were meant to have! It's not too late the build the life you love!