Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

Meredith Bell
  • 5.0 (48)
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  • Updated Weekly

I’m fascinated by what it takes for leaders to live their values consistently, especially when it’s hard.  On the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast, I have candid conversations with senior executives who are sustaining principled leadership inside complex organizations. We explore how leadership capability, organizational systems, and the everyday decisions reinforce values.   Our discussions also explore what gets tested when pressure rises—and the personal guardrails leaders rely on to stay aligned.    If you believe values should guide real decisions—not just appear on the wall—you'll feel right at home here. 

  1. 6d ago

    393: What 50 Cups of Coffee Can Build

    What if one conversation could change your career—but fifty could change your life? Dr. Elizabeth Fried explains why building meaningful relationships isn't about collecting contacts; it's about investing in what she calls relationship capital. Whether you're changing careers, seeking greater visibility, or simply wanting stronger professional relationships, you'll discover a practical approach that replaces awkward networking with genuine curiosity and service.  Elizabeth shares unforgettable stories from coaching Navy SEALs and other Special Operations personnel as they transition into civilian careers, along with examples of helping corporate leaders become more influential inside their organizations. You'll discover how to recognize your own hidden strengths, evaluate organizational culture before making a move, and create lasting relationships by focusing on others rather than yourself.   You'll Discover Why relationship capital outlasts networkingHow fifty conversations build confidenceWhat hidden strengths you may overlookWhy culture matters before accepting opportunitiesHow curiosity creates stronger relationshipsConnect with Dr. Fried Social Media LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfried/ Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.fried YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/user/nefried Website  Elizabeth Fried  Https://executivecoachingfirms.com  Book Strategic Networking: A Practical Playbook https://a.co/d/04poLVnk Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    393: What 50 Cups of Coffee Can Build

  2. Sep 1

    392: What Are You Built to Do?

    Have you ever been successful at work but felt like something was missing? You may have been doing work you were capable of—but not the work you were built to do. That disconnect affects not only your own fulfillment but also the people you lead.  Leadership coach Greg Harrod explains why self-awareness is the foundation of great leadership and how understanding the unique ways people contribute can transform teams. Through his personal stories and practical examples, you'll discover why extending grace, valuing differences, and placing people where they naturally thrive leads to stronger relationships, greater productivity, and healthier organizations.  Greg is a business coach who helps leaders identify where clarity is breaking down so they can stop carrying work their teams should own and build a team they're proud to lead. He brings more than 30 years of manufacturing experience to his coaching. Outside of coaching, Greg and his wife Kiersten raise a small flock of sheep in southeastern Kansas.  You'll Discover Why self-awareness changes how you lead. How pressure causes leaders to reclaim work. What work naturally energizes you. Why understanding replaces judgment. How different strengths strengthen every team.Connect with Greg Harrod on Social Media LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-harrod/  Website  Leadership Clarity Scorecard https://gregharrod.com/leadershipclarityscorecard/  Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    392: What Are You Built to Do?

  3. Aug 25

    391: The Hidden Cost of Misalignment

    How much does misalignment really cost? Most people think about missed goals or lost revenue. Anthony "AJ" Vaughan challenges you to look deeper and consider the human cost when leaders fail to communicate, listen, and create environments where people feel safe speaking up.  Through stories from his own successes and painful failures, AJ explains why alignment begins long before strategy meetings. You'll discover how honest communication, thoughtful onboarding, rewarding courage, and putting employees first can transform the way people work together. By the end of this episode, you'll likely find yourself looking differently at your own team—and asking where better communication could prevent tomorrow's biggest problems.  AJ is a partnerships and growth leader, an HR tech strategist, and founder of The E1B2 Collective, built on the belief that when organizations put employees first, stronger business outcomes follow. He works across three areas—leadership behavior, employee experience, and business performance— to help companies close the gap between what they say matters and how their teams actually operate. AJ is also the host of The Business of Alignment podcast, where he has led more than 1,000 conversations with HR and business leaders around trust, clarity, alignment, and what it really takes to build healthy organizations.  You'll discover Why misalignment hurts people before profits How one ignored conversation changed AJ's career What great onboarding really accomplishes Why rewarding courage changes culture How honest communication prevents costly mistakesConnect with Anthony (AJ) Vaughan on Social Media LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-vaughan-8ba8a8172/  Website  The E1B2 Collective https://thee1b2collective.com/  Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    391: The Hidden Cost of Misalignment

  4. Aug 18

    390: Would YOU Want to Work for YOU?

    What kind of experience do other people have when they work with you? It's a simple question—and one that can transform the way you lead.  In this conversation, executive coach and bestselling author Brenda Bence shares lessons from coaching CEOs around the world, along with pivotal moments from her own leadership journey. Through unforgettable stories and practical examples, she explains why great leaders build people before they build businesses, why curiosity and listening matter more than having all the answers, and why the best leaders continually examine the impact they have on others.  Whether you lead an organization, a team, or simply want to become a better colleague, Brenda offers wisdom that will challenge you to think differently about the kind of leader you're becoming.  Brenda Bence is recognized by Thinkers50 as a Coaching Legend and is ranked by Global Gurus as one of the world's top three executive coaches. She is a Hall of Fame professional speaker and the award-winning author of 12 books, including her latest, Would YOU Want to Work for YOU™?  Known as the "Billion Dollar Coach," Brenda has coached dozens of C-Suite executives from many of the world's largest and most recognized corporations. Her passion lies at the intersection of leadership and branding, helping leaders build both the organizations they lead and the individual leadership brands they leave behind. Through Brenda’s coaching, global keynote speeches, and award-winning books, she has inspired and developed hundreds of thousands of leaders around the world.   You'll Discover Why growing people must be part of every business strategy. The mindset shift every leader must make to move from expert to leader. How understanding what motivates each employee dramatically improves engagement and retention. Why middle managers determine whether organizational change succeeds or fails. How listening and curiosity create stronger leaders than certainty and control.Connect with Brenda Bence  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendabence Website  Brenda Bence https://www.BrendaBence.com  Books Would YOU Want to Work for YOU?  https://www.amazon.com/Would-YOU-Want-Work-Performance/dp/B0H5RDP3N1 Leading YOU  https://www.amazon.com/Leading-YOU-self-leadership-executive-success/dp/1942718012  Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    390: Would YOU Want to Work for YOU?

  5. Aug 7

    389: The Power of Being Fully Present

    What if one of the most important leadership skills isn't speaking more clearly, making faster decisions, or solving problems more quickly—but simply being fully present? In this thoughtful conversation, psychologist and coach Dr. Pam Garcy shares practical ways to quiet the mental stories that pull us away from the people and moments that matter most. Drawing from her book The Present Coach, Pam explains why returning to the present is a practice, not a destination, and how slowing down allows us to respond with greater wisdom, calmness, and compassion.   Together we explore what happens in our minds and bodies when we're under pressure, why our presence influences everyone around us, and how simple daily practices can help us become steadier leaders, partners, parents, and friends. Along the way, Pam shares moving personal stories and practical techniques you can begin using immediately—including one surprisingly simple exercise that may forever change the way you drink your morning coffee.   Dr. Pam Garcy, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, coach, author, and teacher with over two decades of experience supporting individuals and professionals in meaningful personal change. Her work integrates psychological depth, presence-based practices, and practical tools for emotional regulation, self-leadership, and sustainable growth—an integration that forms the foundation of The Present Coach.  You'll discover Why returning matters more than perfection Practical ways to regain calm under pressure How stories quietly shape your reactions Why your presence influences everyone around you Simple daily practices that build lasting awarenessConnect with Pam Garcy, PhD on Social Media LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-d-garcy-ph-d-5507439/  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrPamGarcy/ Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/drpamgarcyprosperity Website  My Inner Guide https://www.myinnerguide.com/ Books The Present Coach: Your Companion Guide to Traversing Life with Clients https://www.amazon.com/Present-Coach-Companion-Traversing-Clients/dp/1600252303  Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    389: The Power of Being Fully Present

  6. Aug 4

    388: Why Values Aren't Enough

    Most organizations can describe their values. The real challenge is helping people live them when pressure, habits, and competing priorities get in the way.  In this thought-provoking conversation, Stephen Paskoff explains why changing behavior—not simply communicating expectations—is the true work of leadership. Drawing on four decades of experience helping organizations create respectful, accountable workplaces, Steve shares unforgettable stories that reveal how managers shape culture, why habits matter more than policies, and what it really takes to influence behavior over time.  You'll hear the remarkable healthcare stories that transformed Steve's thinking, the leadership lesson he learned as a teenager selling shoes, and a simple exercise that will forever change how you think about leading people. Whether you're responsible for one employee or thousands, this episode will challenge you to move beyond values statements and begin creating the daily behaviors that define exceptional cultures.  Stephen is the founder and Chair of Employment Learning Innovations, Inc. (ELI), a learning and human capital consulting company. ELI works with public and private organizations to build lawful, productive workplaces that maximize results and reduce compliance and other risks. He is a nationally recognized speaker and author on workplace legal issues. Before founding ELI in 1986, Stephen was an EEOC trial attorney and partner in a management law firm. He is the author of two books, Teaching Big Shots to Behave and Other Human Resource Challenges and Civility Rules! A New Business Approach for Boosting Results and Cutting Risks.   You'll discover Why values alone don't change behavior How leaders build lasting workplace habits What managers communicate without realizing it Why respect drives better business results How everyday actions shape organizational culture Connect with Stephen Paskoff on Social Media LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliinc   Website  Employment Learning Innovations https://eliinc.com/  Books Civility Rules! A New Business Approach for Boosting Results and Cutting Risks  https://www.amazon.com/CIVILITY-Business-Approach-Boosting-Results/dp/0692601570   Teaching Big Shots to Behave and Other Human Resource Challenges  https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Shots-Behave-Resources-Challenges/dp/0975895001  Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    388: Why Values Aren't Enough

  7. Jul 28

    387: Who Wins Under Pressure?

    What happens when values collide with results and a difficult decision has to be made? Earl Rattray spent more than three decades helping organizations answer that question in real time. Drawing on his experience leading global ethics and compliance efforts at Colgate-Palmolive, Earl shares why values only become meaningful when they're tested, how managers shape culture more than policies ever can, and why trust is the foundation of every healthy workplace.   You'll hear stories from Earl's visits to teams around the world, lessons learned from employees who challenged his assumptions, and the experience early in his career that revealed his own courage. Whether you're leading a team or influencing culture from any position, you'll come away thinking differently about speaking up, earning trust, and what it really means to do the right thing when the stakes are high.  Earl spent more than two decades as a senior ethics and compliance executive at Colgate-Palmolive, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Global Ethics and Compliance. In that role, he built and led a compliance program operating across more than 200 countries and territories. He also advised C-Suite leaders and Board committees on institutional integrity, governance strategy, and emerging risk.   Under Earl’s leadership, the company was recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 16 consecutive years — one of the most rigorous ethics distinctions in the corporate world. His mission is to help organizations build compliance programs and ethical cultures that hold up under real-world pressure. He believes that principled leadership is not a policy or a program. It is a daily practice, most visible in the moments when doing the right thing comes at a cost.  You'll discover Why values matter most under pressure How managers shape everyday workplace culture What creates genuine psychological safety Why trust is leadership's most valuable currency How courage grows when you speak up  Connect with Earl Rattray Social Media LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/earl-rattray-32535189/  Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    387: Who Wins Under Pressure?

  8. Jul 21

    386: One Conversation Can Change a Life

    What if the most important leadership moment of your career lasts only five minutes?  Angela Burgess believes that meaningful change often begins with a single conversation. In this episode, she shares the story of a manager who saw potential in her when she was struggling, offered a different perspective, and changed the trajectory of her career. That experience shaped Angela's belief that leaders have an extraordinary opportunity to help people see possibilities in themselves that they cannot yet see on their own.   As Founder and CEO of Broad Oaks Consulting, Angela works with nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and advisors who need to navigate conversations that many people avoid. Along the way, she has become a passionate advocate for curiosity, active listening, and encouragement. You'll hear why asking better questions matters, why listening is more than hearing words, and how small acts of genuine caring can leave a lasting impact long after we forget we ever made them.  You'll discover Why one conversation can alter a career How curiosity creates deeper connections What great listeners do differently Why encouragement matters more than you realize How to serve others through conversation Connect with Angela Burgess on Social Media LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelaburgesshtx Facebook https://www.facebook.com/broadoaksconsulting  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlHvCYUSmc0 Resources Website  Angela Burgess https://angelaburgesshtx.com Broad Oaks Consulting https://broadoaksconsulting.com/  Book Are You On the Right Bus?: Navigating Change on the Road to Success  https://www.amazon.com/Are-You-Right-Bus-Navigating/dp/B0D2JG5D5K  Check out all the episodes Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn

    386: One Conversation Can Change a Life
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5
out of 5
48 Ratings

About

I’m fascinated by what it takes for leaders to live their values consistently, especially when it’s hard.  On the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast, I have candid conversations with senior executives who are sustaining principled leadership inside complex organizations. We explore how leadership capability, organizational systems, and the everyday decisions reinforce values.   Our discussions also explore what gets tested when pressure rises—and the personal guardrails leaders rely on to stay aligned.    If you believe values should guide real decisions—not just appear on the wall—you'll feel right at home here. 

Information

  • Creator
    Meredith Bell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    393
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Grow Strong Leaders Podcast
  • Show Website
    Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

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