In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede discuss the concerning trend of "quiet cracking" affecting employees. They explain that quiet cracking is a persistent feeling of unhappiness and being overwhelmed that leads to disengagement, poor performance, and increased desire to quit. Holley and Goede offer practical suggestions for leaders to address this issue, such as providing training and development, giving recognition and connection, and creating psychological safety. They also emphasize...
Nov 13, 2025•23 min
In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore how leaders can identify and cultivate the potential in their team members. They discuss the importance of having the right mindset and seeing people as valuable assets to develop, rather than just means to an end. The hosts also share practical strategies for encouraging and nurturing growth, such as providing opportunities that stretch people beyond their comfort zones and offering specific, authentic encouragement. Throughout the episode, ...
Nov 06, 2025•24 min
In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley explore the evolution of servant leadership and its increasing relevance in today's business landscape. They discuss how servant leadership now prioritizes emotional resilience, empowering team members, and leveraging technology to create personal connections at scale. They also emphasize the importance of connecting daily work to a greater purpose, which is especially crucial for engaging younger generations in the workforce. Additionally, they high...
Oct 30, 2025•22 min
Perry Holley and Chris Goede stress the need for organizations to intentionally develop their leadership pipeline before promotions. They advise identifying emerging leaders by competencies—not just technical skills—and offering stretch assignments, mentoring, and shadowing to build influence early. They also recommend separate tracks for technical and leadership growth and celebrating when leaders apply what they've learned to reinforce a culture of development. Become a Maxwell Leadership Cert...
Oct 23, 2025•20 min
In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede discuss the transition from being an individual contributor to becoming a leader. They provide practical tips for soloists to prepare themselves for leadership roles, such as leading without a title, building relationships, and managing themselves effectively. They also encourage soloists to let go of being the expert and celebrate team wins, fostering an abundance mentality. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of studying leadership, asking ...
Oct 16, 2025•18 min
Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the concept of the multi-hat leader and the importance of adapting to different leadership situations. They outline four essential hats—coach, advisor, leader, and mentor—and share insights on when and how to switch between them. Drawing from personal experiences, they offer practical advice for overcoming the challenges of wearing multiple hats and choosing the right one to lead effectively. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member!...
Oct 09, 2025•26 min
In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley explore the importance of team unity and how leaders can drive it within their organizations. They discuss the need for leaders to define what unity looks like in terms of behaviors and actions, setting a shared expectation for the team. They also suggest ways leaders can build trust and vulnerability among team members, such as having each person share their strengths, areas for improvement, and personal stories. Additionally, they propose creating ...
Oct 02, 2025•21 min
In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the importance of critical thinking for leaders. They explain how critical thinking helps leaders enhance their problem-solving skills, make informed decisions, and communicate more effectively. The hosts also share practical tips for developing critical thinking skills, such as asking thoughtful questions, evaluating information sources, and considering multiple perspectives. Additionally, they encourage leaders to engage in diverse conversa...
Sep 25, 2025•25 min
In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore how leaders can develop confidence in themselves and their abilities. They share insights from Bill Belichick's book, The Art of Winning, which emphasizes the importance of preparation, mastering details, and owning mistakes in building confidence. They also discuss the value of creating challenging scenarios for teams to help them perform under pressure and be ready to respond in real-world situations. Furthermore, they examine the paradox o...
Sep 18, 2025•20 min
Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore gravitas as a key element of leadership presence and influence. They share practical ways to develop it—building self-awareness, communicating with confidence and humility, and staying calm under pressure. With consistency and integrity, leaders can inspire trust, command attention, and strengthen connections with their teams. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member! Get the Maxwell Leadership Growth Plan!...
Sep 11, 2025•25 min
In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore strategies for working effectively with complicated people. They discuss the importance of seeing individuals as people rather than problems and offer practical tools for fostering collaboration and understanding. They also emphasize the role of clear communication in reducing friction and frustration when working with difficult colleagues. Additionally, they highlight the value of setting boundaries to protect time, energy, and productivity ...
Sep 04, 2025•20 min
In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley explore the concept of balancing the push and pull of leadership. They discuss the importance of building positive relationships, demonstrating technical competence, and showing consistency in order to establish trust with team members. The hosts explain the dangers of focusing too heavily on either the push (driving for results) or the pull (inspiring and empowering others) aspects of leadership, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach. Through...
Aug 28, 2025•18 min
In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley explore the key attributes and mindsets leaders need to embrace to lead their teams to victory. They discuss the importance of taking full responsibility as a leader, especially in times of difficulty or setbacks, as this builds trust and accountability within the team. They also stress the significance of having a unified vision that is clearly communicated and understood by all team members, ensuring everyone is working towards the same goals. Furt...
Aug 21, 2025•21 min
In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley unpack the power of momentum and why it's a game-changer for leadership and team performance. They explore how momentum starts—with a clear vision, realistic goals, and a culture of collaboration—and why leaders must protect the "spark" that sets it in motion. You'll hear practical strategies and real-world examples to help you build, sustain, and amplify momentum, while avoiding common missteps that can bring it to a halt. Become a Maxwell Leadershi...
Aug 14, 2025•32 min
In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede address the common assumption that only extroverts can be effective leaders. They highlight the unique strengths and abilities that introverted leaders bring to the table, such as their ability to steady a room, think deeply, and listen closely. They also discuss how introverted leaders excel in one-on-one situations, providing motivation through empathy and supporting people with intention and care. Additionally, they explore how the 5 Levels of Lea...
Aug 07, 2025•16 min
Inclusive communication is key to building trust and belonging on any team. This episode explores practical ways leaders can communicate more effectively—by listening actively, using inclusive language, and encouraging diverse perspectives. You'll also get tips for running more inclusive meetings, like sharing agendas in advance, setting clear expectations, and making space for all voices to be heard. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member! Get the Maxwell Leadership Growth Plan!...
Jul 31, 2025•22 min
Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the concept of unwritten rules and their impact on inclusive leadership. They explain how these implied expectations can unintentionally exclude team members and hinder their sense of belonging within the organization. Holley and Goede provide practical strategies for leaders to identify and address their own unwritten rules, such as asking the team for feedback and auditing decision-making processes. They also stress the importance of celebrating curiosity, ...
Jul 24, 2025•25 min
Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the importance of empathy in leadership and how it shapes a culture where people feel seen, valued, and cared for, ultimately driving higher retention and engagement. They share practical strategies for developing empathy, including staying curious, asking open-ended questions, and leading with vulnerability and transparency. The conversation highlights the role of emotional intelligence, authenticity, and modeling empathetic behavior to foster a culture of u...
Jul 17, 2025•23 min
Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the importance of authenticity in leadership, offering insights on how leaders can cultivate self-awareness, recognize their unique strengths and weaknesses, and consistently communicate their core values. They emphasize the power of vulnerability and transparency in building genuine connections with team members and highlight the value of daily self-reflection as a catalyst for personal growth and greater compassion for others. Become a Maxwell Leadership Ce...
Jul 10, 2025•22 min
Join Perry Holley and Chris Goede as they share strategies for developing charisma and its role in effective leadership. They explain that charisma is not an innate trait but a learnable skill that involves focusing on others, making them feel valued, and connecting with them genuinely. They introduce a three-part model for developing charisma: becoming interested in people, investing in people, and being interesting to people. References: Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member!...
Jul 03, 2025•22 min
In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley discuss strategies for leading a remote workforce effectively. They share insightful data from a recent Gallup report, which reveals the engagement levels and overall well-being of remote, hybrid, and on-site employees. Chris and Perry explore the factors that contribute to the mental and emotional challenges faced by remote workers, such as physical distance, excessive autonomy, and technology frustrations. They also provide practical tips for leade...
Jun 26, 2025•25 min•Ep. 350
In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the concept of micromanagement and its potential benefits in leadership. They discuss the importance of leaders ensuring their expectations are clearly communicated and fully understood by their teams to drive the desired outcomes. They also stress the need for leaders to be aware of what's happening in their organizations so they can provide necessary support and course corrections. Additionally, they highlight the significance of building s...
Jun 19, 2025•21 min
In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley discuss the importance of effective feedback for leaders with guest Jeff Hancher. They explore the different types of feedback, such as directive, supportive, and collaborative, and how leaders can determine the best approach for each situation. Jeff shares personal stories that illustrate the power of earning the right to give feedback and the transformative impact it can have on leadership development. References: Download the FREE Learner Guide fo...
Jun 12, 2025•32 min
In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede welcome guest Jeff Hancher to discuss the importance of giving firm feedback as a leader. Jeff shares his expertise on how leaders can deliver challenging conversations effectively, tying it to the engagement and performance of their teams. He provides a practical framework for earning the right to give tough feedback by setting clear expectations, investing time in people, and ensuring accountability. Jeff also shares a personal story illustrating t...
Jun 05, 2025•30 min
Chris Goede and Perry Holley explore how leaders can effectively handle criticism. They encourage leaders to maintain humility and face criticism directly, being open to feedback while also discerning whether it is constructive or not. They recommend determining if action is required based on the criticism and, if so, taking steps to address the issue and restore relationships with the criticizers. Finally, they advise leaders to reflect on criticism, capture lessons learned and allow it to shap...
May 29, 2025•25 min
In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley explore the concept of delivering appreciated value to customers. They explain the importance of going beyond simply providing value to align that value with the true needs of the customer. They also emphasize the need to exceed client expectations and make the value personally relevant to create an emotional connection and foster loyalty. The episode offers valuable insights for businesses seeking to enhance their value proposition and build stronge...
May 22, 2025•20 min
Perry Holley and Chris Goede share a powerful 7-step model for building an extraordinary culture within an organization. They show how leaders must continuously inform their teams about the core values and mission, while also involving them in the experience to boost morale and commitment. They stress the importance of leaders inspiring others by being present, setting an example, and living out the culture they aim to create. References: Download the FREE Learner Guide for this episode at Maxwe...
May 15, 2025•21 min
In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley explore the concept of delivering "WOW" experiences to customers. They discuss the importance of being distinctive rather than just different from competitors to create unique and memorable moments for clients. The hosts also introduce the idea of identifying "un-WOWs," which are areas where the customer experience falls short and needs improvement. They encourage leaders to actively seek out these "un-WOWs " and take immediate action to address them...
May 08, 2025•17 min
Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the differences between leaders who attract followers vs. those who attract other leaders. They point out that leaders who attract followers may experience some success, but leaders who attract leaders will experience incredible success. Throughout the conversation, Holley and Goede provide examples and insights to help listeners understand what it takes to become a leader who attracts and develops other leaders. References: Download the FREE Learner Guide fo...
May 01, 2025•20 min
Chris Goede and Perry Holley explore the difference between being an influencer and a person of influence. They discuss four phases of influence: modeling, motivating, mentoring, and multiplying. Explaining that modeling involves people observing a leader's actions, reactions, and interactions, while motivating requires engaging and connecting with individuals on an emotional level. Mentoring, they suggest, involves guiding others through personal and professional growth, while multiplying empow...
Apr 24, 2025•19 min
