The Better Leadership Team Show

In this Mike on the Mic episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I talk about why so many strategic plans fall apart just weeks after a powerful retreat.

You’ve experienced it. The leadership team aligns around a clear vision and three big priorities. Energy is high. Focus is sharp. And then, slowly, new ideas, “small projects,” and extra asks start creeping in.

Before you know it, your rocks are slipping, your team feels overwhel...

In this Mike on the Mic episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I share the six characteristics that define a truly effective strategic plan. Drawing on over 35 years of coaching and consulting experience, I explain why most strategic plans fail and what leaders must do differently to drive focus, execution, and results. This episode breaks down how clarity, alignment, impact, speed, urgency, and accountability work together to...

In this Mike on the Mic episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I explore one of the most overlooked leadership questions: What’s the right size for your senior leadership team? I break down why oversized teams slow decisions, weaken trust, and derail strategy, and how missing key voices creates execution risk. I also share a practical two-team model that helps leaders balance inclusion, accountability, and speed. If you want a...

Disruption is everywhere—from AI and restructuring to personal challenges leaders can’t ignore. In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I’m joined by Kim Bohr, President and COO of Spark Effect, to explore how leadership teams can lead through disruption without breaking trust.

We dive into Spark Effect’s research on organizational trust, the real impact of AI on fear and alignment, and the leadership behaviors that buil...

In this Mike on the Mic episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I challenge the way most organizations think about employee engagement. Engagement isn’t something you measure or delegate to HR—it’s something leaders create every day through how they engage their people.

I share six practical, immediately actionable ways leaders can increase engagement by changing their own behaviors—from accelerator sessions and stay interviews ...

In this Mike on the Mic episode, I break down why conflict isn’t a leadership problem—it’s a leadership strategy. I explain why most teams either avoid conflict or engage in the wrong kind, how that damages decisions and execution, and what leaders can do to build healthy, idea-based debate. I also share real client stories, clear ground rules, and eight practical tools you can use immediately to turn conflict into a competitive ad...

In this Mike on the Mic episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I tackle one of the toughest leadership challenges: accountability without authority. I explain why accountability breaks down in cross-functional environments, how silos and finger-pointing form, and what senior leaders must do differently to drive results when they don’t control every lever. I also share practical mindset shifts and eight concrete strategies lead...

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I’m joined by Chris Happ, Founder of Virtuous AI, to unpack how business leaders can use AI to close execution gaps, move faster, and compete more effectively—without massive budgets or technical teams. We explore why AI must be CEO-led, how business AI differs from consumer tools, and how mid-market organizations can turn speed into a competitive advantage. If you’re trying to mo...

In this Mike on the Mic episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I explain why relationships—not job boards or recruiters—must become your number one hiring strategy. I break down the true cost of mediocre hires, why resumes no longer differentiate top talent, and how to build a virtual bench of superstars before you need them. I also share practical strategies for employee referrals, alumni programs, and leadership-team involve...

Roni Jacknow is the CEO of RJ Coaching & Consulting and recently retired after more than 17 years leading talent development at Kaiser Permanente. Her background spans leadership roles across multiple industries, including finance positions at Chevron and Charles Schwab, before transitioning fully into the talent development space. She is deeply passionate about employee and leadership development, wellbeing, and cultivating wo...

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with strategy advisor and author Alex M. H. Smith to break down what real strategy looks like—and why most leadership teams are misaligned without even realizing it. We explore why strategy is not a goal, why “better” is not a winning position, and why companies succeed when they refuse to compete and instead create truly unique value.

Alex shares practical insights on h...

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I talk with executive coach and keynote speaker Kathryn Landis about leading through uncertainty and overcoming decision paralysis. We explore why indecision costs organizations millions, how leaders can manage up and down effectively, and how to identify personal “tells” of stress that undermine leadership effectiveness. Kathryn also shares how shared purpose, delegation, and vul...

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I talk with retired executive and Navy veteran Scott Millson, author of The Frequency of Excellence. We explore how leaders can “tune into excellence” by cultivating a growth mindset, fostering mentorship, and leading with reflection and humor. Scott shares his powerful B5 Framework and insights from decades of leadership experience — including why culture is the shadow of the lea...

In this Mike on the Mic episode, I unpack the five biggest blind spots that cause leaders to unintentionally create the very problems they complain about.

From blaming others and silencing honest feedback to confusing activity for results, I reveal how these hidden habits quietly undermine trust, accountability, and culture. You’ll learn how to recognize these patterns, model ownership, and transform your leadership approach to buil...

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I talk with Danielle Baldwin, author of Sparking Greatness, about how leaders can create inspired, high-performing teams. We explore the difference between motivation and inspiration, the five elements of truly inspiring stories (Courage, Hardship, Authenticity, Resilience, and Transformation), and how leaders can cultivate trust, vulnerability, and stillness to spark greatness in...

In this Mike on the Mic episode, I unpack the five pillars for rooting out mediocrity and building teams that truly thrive.

I explore how to create a powerful vision, set high expectations, establish relentless accountability, increase talent density, and invest in your best people.

If you’re ready to break free from “good enough” and lead a high-performing, growth-driven team, this episode will give you the roadmap.

Thanks for l...

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with executive coach and author Marc A. Wolfe, whose book Yeah, But: Cut Through the Noise to Live, Learn and Lead Better helps leaders and teams dismantle the excuses that hold them back.

We talk about why “yeah, but” thinking kills innovation, how to transform pushback into clarity, and how the best leadership teams replace excuses with curiosity and collaboration. Mar...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Laura Sicola—cognitive linguist, executive coach, and author of Speaking to Influence—to explore how leaders can communicate with greater impact on stage, in the boardroom, and over Zoom.

We dig into the “expert’s curse,” the importance of repeating and reinforcing vision, and how to align what you say with how you say it so your message truly connects. We also cover common vocal pitfalls like up...