IDD Leader

What blind spots keep leaders from building thriving teams? In this insightful follow-up conversation with Dr. Caitlin Bailey and Kristen Loomis Greenidge, co-directors of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities, we explore the hidden assumptions that quietly undermine leaders.

You’ll hear how blind spots can stall growth, hurt outcomes, and drive turnover—and more importantly, how leaders can buil...

What makes a leader truly grow? In this powerful conversation with Dr. Caitlin Bailey and Kristen Loomis Greenidge, co-directors of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities, we explore the aha moments that transform leaders—sometimes bringing them to tears. 

You’ll hear why DSPs don’t leave because of the people they serve, but often because of their boss or coworkers, and how leadership development...

What does it take to lead in Autism and IDD services without burning out—or burning bridges? Dr. Peter Gerhardt shares surprising lessons on adapting your leadership style, keeping your team motivated, and making the work deeply meaningful for those you serve.

Learn more:
https://www.makeitmeaningful.info/home

Ready to level up your team's leadership? I've got a free playbook for you: The Turnover Fi...

In the field of human services, the needs are vast and the mission is clear. But when leaders are pulled in a thousand different directions, it's easy to feel stressed by the competing demands on every side.

In this episode, Dr. Peter Gerhardt breaks through the complexity with simple yet profound words of wisdom from his renowned career in leadership. Enjoy this masterclass on leadership in the field of autism and de...

It’s one thing to have values on the wall—it’s another to see them come to life in day-to-day decisions, especially on the frontlines. In this episode, Dr. Syard Evans returns to share how her team at Arkansas Support Network builds real values alignment across the organization—not through posters, but through clarity, consistency, and trust.

She gives a peak behind the curtain and it's still a work in progress--but they are se...

How can AI help your organization provide values-based, person-centered care? And what are the risks and benefits?

In this episode, Dr. Syard Evans shares what is already happening at her organization—how they have developed an AI tool that moves them even further toward their innovative approach to providing care. And she gives examples of how other human services providers can do the same. 

Learn more about AI at Arkansas Support N...

Is this a "good idea" or something that will actually move the needle when it comes to reducing staff turnover?

This is Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Dennis Reid, and in it he unpacks practical steps to take at your organization to most effectively decide how to address staff turnover. 

We all know that staff retention is a complex issue and it can be tough to know "What's the best initiative we can launch ri...

In Part 1 of this powerful interview, Dr. Dennis Reid—renowned author of The Supervisor’s Guidebook—shares how to train supervisors effectively, what to do if a supervisor is struggling, and how to start developing future leaders from your DSP team. If you want to improve staff performance, reduce drama, and build stronger supervisors, this episode is packed with practical gold.

🎧 Watch to discover:

--Why real-wo...

The problem isn't the people. It's the process. 

Fix your recruiting process and your vacancies will drop.

This episode offers 12 simple changes that make a huge difference in improving your hiring funnel. And if you want a blank Hiring Funnel Worksheet to help you in that process, get yours at iddleader.com/funnel. 

Ready to level up your team's leadership? I've got a free playbook for you: The Turnover Fix Playbo...

If you're at all involved in the hiring process of Direct Support Professionals (or you oversee the people who do), then this episode is for you! 

Drop your agency's job vacancy rate and stop burning through overtime costs. Leverage the power of behavior science to stop getting ghosted on interviews, to keep your best candidates engaged, and to stop the "Swiss cheese effect" that too many vacancies create.

Ready t...

Anyone involved in management knows the painful decision: "Can this underperforming team member be changed or do I need to let them go?"

This episode breaks down the behavioral science of why this dynamic often drags on for too long at IDD agencies (and at many other businesses) and how to quickly implement a system that makes it clear when to help them change and when to cut them loose. 

Ready to level up your team's ...

Too often, mission-driven organizations end up driving their people into burnout. We've all seen it--but how can you burnout-proof your workforce?

In this episode, Nate breaks down the behavioral science of burnout and provides three easy next steps to stop it at your organization.

Ready to level up your team's leadership? I've got a free playbook for you: The Turnover Fix Playbook: 4 Simple Supervisor Habits that Redu...

Sweaty palms and a knot in your stomach? Or a raised voice and regrets later? Whatever your 'style' of handling tough conversations with employees, you can benefit from a clear, 3-sentence script that will help guide you through these uncomfortable moments.

In this episode, Nate breaks down the science behind tough conversations with employees and how you can make them easier, less-stressful, and much more effective at bri...

Many human services leaders struggle with finding the right balance between work and the rest of life. It's a demanding, heart-and-soul line of work that lends itself to frequent crises which can happen at all hours. 

And yet, neglecting to promote (or protect) work/life balance for yourself or your staff is a recipe for burnout... and for perpetuating the revolving door of staff and leaders.

Instead of telling everyone to suck ...

If you've ever wondered about the long-term impact of investing in your staff, Core Services has been innovative and unrelenting in their efforts... And they are getting a huge return on investment!

Executive director Nick Filarelli explains why Core Services "bares their soul" on their website, how they dropped to an astoundingly low vacancy rate, and the ingredients to their staffing secret sauce. This pow...

What if I told you that a zero-dollar, 15-minute strategy could transform your team? Would you believe me?

If your frontline supervisors (or you) are constantly putting out fires, can't get your team to take initiative, or are the last to know when something's going wrong--this episode is for you.

In it, Nate will unpack the art and science of a strategy that will turn these dynamics around so that your staff engage in best...

When someone gets promoted to supervisor, it's usually because they had great performance, not necessarily because they had great people skills. Sure, if they have been providing direct support, they will be good at that aspect of people skills, but what about providing feedback, addressing concerns, and asking questions to reduce team drama? 

It's a different skillset!

How can we help make sure that they get it?? In this e...

Sometimes, you know they're on the verge.

But, is there a way to win them back??

Good news--the answer is yes! In this episode, Nate will discuss who's worth trying to save, a simple step-by-step process to win them back, and how to proactively build an experience that people don't want to leave. 

Plus, it covers common stuck spots and how to overcome them.

Ready to level up your team's leadership? I've got a f...