Have you ever lost your cool when you encountered something unexpected? In this solo episode, I describe a situation where I witnessed someone who became emotional and took it out on me. Thankfully, I recognized that she was simply unable to think rationally in the moment, and I didn’t take it personally. I’m the co-founder and president of Grow Strong Leaders. We’ve created online resources that help leaders strengthen their character and communication skills to build strong relationships and i...
Dec 03, 2024•8 min•Ep. 305
If you’ve been in leadership development for a long time, you’re in for a treat with this episode. Our guest, Howard Leong, is the youngest person to appear on the podcast! Don’t let his youth fool you. He is wise beyond his years in his understanding of leadership and personal growth. Howard has been mentored by Asheesh Advani, CEO of Junior Achievement or JA Worldwide, and you’ll see that he’s absorbed key lessons from this extraordinary leader. Howard is featured in a new book that Asheesh co...
Nov 25, 2024•46 min•Ep. 304
In your leadership role, do you see yourself as a salesperson? Mark Hunter makes the case that leadership and sales are the same. You’ll agree that they are when you hear Mark’s definition of those words. It’s just one of many writer-downers in this episode! Mark Hunter is known as “The Sales Hunter,” and he’s recognized as an expert in sales. He is a member of the Sales Hall of Fame. He’s the author of High-Profit Prospecting, High-Profit Selling and most recently , A Mind for Sales , which was...
Nov 19, 2024•45 min•Ep. 303
When you think of the key qualities of an effective leader, what words come to mind? Did you include the word GENEROUS? If not, you will add that word to your list after you listen to this conversation with guest Joe Davis. Joe is the author of a fantastic new book, The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain . This important book is a must-read for every leader because it touches on so many areas that the best leaders learn and practice. Joe exemplifies the type of leade...
Nov 12, 2024•52 min•Ep. 302
Twelve years ago, when my father died, the funeral director made a statement to my mother, my sister, and me that I’ve never forgotten. In this solo episode, I share what he said and how it applied to my father. I also describe seven ways Dad lived that have had a lasting impact on all of us who knew him. I’m the co-founder and president of Grow Strong Leaders. We’ve created online resources that help leaders strengthen their character and communication skills to build strong relationships and i...
Nov 05, 2024•11 min•Ep. 301
This is a very special episode of the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast for 2 reasons: it’s #300, which is a noteworthy milestone for any podcast. And #2, the guest is Steve Chandler, someone whose books have influenced Meredith’s thinking and her life more than any other author. At this point, she’s read 20 of his 30+ books. Steve has been coaching leaders and other coaches for decades. His own coach calls him the Godfather of Coaching. Steve is the Founder of the Coaching Prosperity School, now call...
Oct 29, 2024•59 min•Ep. 300
Immigrants to the United States are not always welcomed with open arms, but that doesn’t stop them from pursuing their dreams. Cynthia Torres arrived in the U.S. from Colombia when she was 25, and she’s a beautiful example of someone who started a business and is having a very positive impact on the people in her community. You’ll be inspired by her story and her accomplishments. Cynthia Torres is a Colombian American who has resided for over 25 years in Oxnard, California, west of Los Angeles. ...
Oct 22, 2024•44 min•Ep. 299
There’s been a lot of controversy post-pandemic between companies and employees about returning to the physical workspace. This episode’s guest, Wayne Turmel, is uniquely qualified to discuss this topic. Wayne was my guest on episode 77 in the fall of 2020 when we were dealing with the early months of COVID-19, and most people were working remotely. In that conversation, we discussed the book he and his co-author, Kevin Eikenberry, published PRE-COVID. It was called The Long-Distance Leader and ...
Oct 15, 2024•53 min•Ep. 298
In this episode, I talk about different ways you can uplevel the way you serve others in your world. When you apply these ideas, you won’t just surprise or delight them, you’ll actually ASTONISH them. I share specific examples of things I’ve done. As you listen, consider how you can incorporate some of them in your own unique way with the people in your life. I’m the co-founder and president of Grow Strong Leaders, a company that publishes software tools and books to help people build strong rel...
Oct 08, 2024•21 min•Ep. 297
When you think about it, leadership and sales have a lot in common. For example, both require the ability to build trust quickly. In this value-packed episode, Larry Levine shares ideas from his new book, Selling In a Post-Trust World , that apply to leaders and salespeople alike. Larry is also the international best-selling author of Selling from the Heart and the co-host of the award-winning Selling from the Heart Podcast. In a world where it can be hard for salespeople to create trust, Larry ...
Oct 01, 2024•50 min•Ep. 296
Sometimes personality tests are used to put people in a box, which can be restrictive and limiting. Markey Read advocates a different approach, one that empowers you to discover your superpowers and use them more often. You’ll enjoy this lively conversation where Markey explains why it’s best to identify and focus on your superpowers and spend far less time on your bozopowers. She and Meredith share personal stories about themselves, revealing how they’ve each learned how to do this in their wor...
Sep 24, 2024•50 min•Ep. 295
If you’ve ever wondered what’s involved in a company being named one of the best places to work, this episode’s guest Angie Redmon pulls back the curtain and reveals key elements. She also explains the commitment and alignment required to build a culture that’s worthy of being recognized. If you’d like to uplevel the culture of your team or entire organization, you’ll gain valuable insights from this conversation. Angie Redmon has invested more than two decades learning what makes good companies...
Sep 17, 2024•47 min•Ep. 294
Think of a person who takes up more real estate in your mind than you’d like…someone whose words or behavior you find annoying, irritating or worse. What if you could transform your attitude towards that person into one of gratitude? In this episode, I describe a simple yet powerful way to help you appreciate the value of every person in your world. I kick things off by sharing a thought-provoking quote from Chapter 7, “Attitude,” in one of my all-time favorite books, The Power of Awareness by N...
Sep 10, 2024•11 min•Ep. 293
If you’ve ever gone through a major transition from one career path to another that’s totally unfamiliar, you may have felt disoriented and unsure of your identity. That often happens to college and professional athletes when they leave the sport that’s been a central part of their identity. This episode’s guest, Jay Dixon, specializes in helping these athletes discover how they can transfer the skills they already have to the business world. You’re going to hear ideas that you can apply to your...
Sep 03, 2024•44 min•Ep. 292
Did you know that two communities only 5 miles apart can have a 20-year difference in life expectancy? That’s a reality in the United States, and Dr. Jean Accius is committed to changing that drastically so everyone has the same opportunity for a longer, healthier life. This topic is just one of many we explored in this deep, meaningful conversation with an exceptional CEO and human being. You’ll be fascinated with Jean’s journey and the compelling stories he shares that illustrate his brillianc...
Aug 27, 2024•51 min•Ep. 291
How did Dr. Antonia (Toni) Novello become the first woman and the first Hispanic to hold the position of U.S. Surgeon General in 1990? Hers is an inspiring story and compelling read as described in her book with Jill Tietjen, Duty Calls: Lessons Learned from an Unexpected Life of Service . In this conversation, we discuss Toni’s career path to that position as well as her role during 9/11 as the New York State Commissioner of the Department of Health. Toni and Jill are both highly accomplished w...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 290
I’ve been hosting my podcast for more than five years, since June 2019, and have never done a solo episode. That changes with this episode! Many of my listeners have requested that I share some of my thoughts about leadership, so I’ve decided to devote one episode each month to speaking directly with you. For this episode, I focused on the topic of character—what it is and two specific areas that show why it’s essential for leadership. My business partner Denny Coates and I have been immersed in...
Aug 13, 2024•17 min•Ep. 289
One of the most important skills a leader can develop is the ability to help others expand their vision of themselves. Ilias Simpson has been practicing this skill for decades; and in this conversation, he gives a masterclass on how to do it effectively. You’ll be mesmerized by the stories he tells to illustrate what he does, and you’ll learn ways to build a culture where people perform at high levels and feel valued at the same time. Ilias is a highly accomplished leader who transforms companie...
Aug 06, 2024•53 min•Ep. 288
Are you helping each person on your team identify areas where they could level up? Dan Kent is a master of meeting people “where they’re at” and then listening for ways they can build on their strengths to become even more effective. In this rich and immensely practical conversation, you’ll learn specific questions you can use in conversations to discover more about another person’s capabilities and aspirations. One of Dan’s superpowers is his ability to not only SEE the strengths in others but ...
Jul 30, 2024•54 min•Ep. 287
Some personal development programs focus on digging into your past to uncover what might be holding you back. Others emphasize getting over your past and focusing exclusively on your future. In this conversation Moustafa Hamwi makes a compelling argument for giving attention to both. He shares practical tips from his book, SLINGSHOT: The Practical Guide to Becoming a Master of Your Destiny, Not a Victim of Your History , that you can begin implementing immediately. Moustafa is a bestselling auth...
Jul 23, 2024•46 min•Ep. 286
There’s a skill that’s critical for success in every aspect of life, and that’s the ability to make good decisions. This episode’s guest, Kandis Porter is co-author with previous guest Damon Lembi of a must-read book on this topic: Good Decisions Equal Success: Stop Decision Anxiety and Start Taking Action . After listening to this conversation, you’re going to want to get a copy of this book for yourself and for every member of your team. It’s that good…and that important for your personal and ...
Jul 17, 2024•47 min•Ep. 286
Character has always been essential for anyone in a leadership position. But what exactly IS character? And is it a fixed aspect of who you are, or can it be developed? In this episode, you’ll learn the answers to those questions from a special guest, Denny Coates, who’s been Meredith’s business partner for almost 33 years. He’s the CEO of Grow Strong Leaders, and his genius is in writing and creating content for the company’s books and products. Denny has studied character for decades, and he’s...
Jul 02, 2024•36 min•Ep. 284
What role does mindset play in achieving your greatest work and personal goals? It’s the foundation for everything! In this inspiring and valuable conversation, Sohee Jun, Ph.D., explains why that is true. We discuss several key ideas from Sohee’s latest book, The Aligned Mindset: Secrets of High-Achieving Women for Navigating Work and Life . Sohee is a premier leadership coach for women, mindset expert, bestselling author, corporate leadership facilitator, TEDx keynote speaker, and thought lead...
Jul 02, 2024•45 min•Ep. 283
It’s not easy to make the transition from high-performing individual contributor to manager in an advertising agency (or in any industry, for that matter). TJ Bennett knows that first-hand because he was promoted to leadership roles with no advance preparation…and no training once he was in the position. In this episode, TJ shares lessons he learned along the way and the three primary areas he helps his coaching clients with. TJ is the creative who helps creatives get creative with their career....
Jun 25, 2024•52 min•Ep. 282
Have you ever thought of yourself as a perfectionist, or do you know someone who is? In this episode, you’ll learn a new term—and a way of being—that will give you a new sense of freedom. Michele Molitor has been helping her clients achieve greater joy and satisfaction in their lives for more than 20 years, and you’re going to love what she has to share as we discuss key ideas from her book, I Am Perfectly Flawsome: How Embracing Imperfection Makes Us Better. Michele Molitor, CPCC, PCC, CCHt, is...
Jun 18, 2024•49 min•Ep. 281
It’s not easy to create a strong, positive culture, and it’s even more challenging to sustain it for 10 years. That’s exactly what Dan Turner and his team have done at Xperigo. And instead of resting on this accomplishment, Dan continues to raise the bar for himself and for his company. Dan has been President and CEO at Xperigo since 2019. He’s also served as COO and Vice President of Business Development. Since joining the company in 2014, Dan has been instrumental in establishing Xperigo as a ...
Jun 11, 2024•51 min•Ep. 280
Do you have a daily mindfulness practice? If you don’t—or you’re not even sure what that is—you’ll find out from guest Pamela Stambaugh why such a practice is an essential part of your day. In this valuable conversation, Pamela explains why focusing on who you are being (BE) needs to precede the actions you take (DO) and the results you want to achieve (HAVE). You’ll learn how to practice 3 As—Accountable, Awake, and Aware—and how they impact your ability to lead and influence others. Pamela is ...
Jun 04, 2024•50 min•Ep. 279
What if you landed your dream job and discovered that it didn’t deliver the fulfillment you were seeking? That’s what happened to Johannes Leerink, and it happened more than once in his career. In this conversation, he shares that journey with us. You’re going to love hearing his story as well as the insights he gained along the way, all of which led to the work he does today. Johannes shares his takeaways from the Proctor & Gamble management training programs and his role as President and G...
May 28, 2024•50 min•Ep. 278
What’s required to work effectively with people from different cultures? Paula Caligiuri has been studying this question for 30 years, and she’s created strategies that leverage your natural strengths while developing cultural agility competencies. You’ll gain valuable insights that you can apply immediately when working with diverse populations locally or globally. Paula is a Distinguished Professor at Northeastern University's D’Amore-McKim School of Business. Before that, she was a professor ...
May 21, 2024•48 min•Ep. 277
This episode is different from any other because the guest, Sigmar Berg, is someone who invented a product that has enhanced the lives of 1000s of people around the world. You’ll find this conversation thought-provoking and enlightening. You’re encouraged to slow down your mind, shift away from what you need to DO, and focus on being fully present to what Sigmar shares in this deeply meaningful conversation. Sigmar is an entrepreneur, architect, and designer. He has dedicated his life to fosteri...
May 14, 2024•44 min•Ep. 276
