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What does it actually take to lead well when the pressure is high? In this episode, I’m talking with Pat Ryder, retired Air Force Major General and former Pentagon press secretary, about leadership, communication, trust, and the experiences that shaped how he leads. Pat spent 32 years in the U.S. Air Force, with a career that took him from public affairs and CENTCOM’s counter-ISIS mission to the Pentagon briefing room. We talk about the leaders who shaped him, the moments that tested him, and what he learned about staying calm, building trust, and stepping into opportunities that felt bigger than he was ready for. A few things we get into: Why Pat sees servant leadership as the foundation of good leadershipWhat leading in a 24/7 crisis environment taught him about pressure and burnoutWhy communication is a leadership skill, not just a public affairs skillHow stretch assignments helped prepare him for bigger rolesWhat actually builds trust between a leader and their teamWhy leaders need to understand the mission, communicate the why, and give people room to leadAnd somewhere in there, we talk about the time an admin assistant basically told him to chill. 😂 If you're leading people, growing into leadership, or just trying to get better at handling the moments that matter, I think you'll get a lot out of this conversation. Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

What does a binder have to do with leadership? In this mini episode, Kathy Knichel shares how something as simple as documenting what she learned in her role actually helped her build confidence and set the next person up for success. We also talk about what it really means to help people succeed and making sure they don't have to start from zero. A simple story with a pretty good leadership lesson. Listen to my full conversation with Kathy, at Ep 43, here.  Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

What if you approached a difficult conversation by assuming the most generous explanation for the other person’s behavior? In this mini episode, Sara revisits an early conversation with Brooke Brzozowske about compassionate leadership and handling conflict with curiosity instead of jumping to conclusions. Brooke shares a real leadership moment involving a direct report, what she learned by slowing down and listening, and why sometimes the best way forward is to meet someone where they are. In this episode: Approaching difficult conversations with curiosity and generosityHow our assumptions shape the way we leadListening before jumping into problem-solvingBalancing clear expectations with compassionMeeting people where they areThanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

What happens when your team goes quiet? You ask, “Does anyone have any questions or concerns?” and there's crickets.  Sometimes that silence isn't about your team. It might be about how they experience your power as a leader. In this episode of Lead Into It, Sara Greco breaks down the five types of power in leadership and how the way you use them can either build trust and psychological safety or accidentally create silence. Sara also explores the connection between leadership power and psychological safety, including why psychological safety doesn't mean lowering the bar or avoiding accountability. In this episode, you'll learn: The five types of power and how they show up in everyday leadershipHow your leadership style can influence whether your team speaks up or stays quietWhy compliance isn't the same as commitmentHow coercive power can get short-term results while damaging long-term trustWhy expert and referent power are so important for effective leadershipWhat psychological safety actually means for managersHow to hold people accountable while still creating a culture of learningPractical phrases you can use to encourage more honest communication Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace: The workbook includes an overview of the five types of power, reflection questions to help you identify where you tend to default, and practical questions and phrases you can use with your team. Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

Who says you have to wait until January 1st to decide you want to do something differently? September has its own kind of reset energy, and we should use it. Instead of waiting for Monday, the first of the month, or for life to magically calm down, what if you picked your own moment to start? In this episode, Sara talks about why September can be the perfect time to reset your goals, why trying to change everything at once usually doesn't work, and the simple question she wants you to ask yourself before the end of the year: What's one thing I can actually do between now and the end of the year that would make this better? No vision board required. Just pick your thing, put it on the calendar, and start. Because you don't need a new year. You need a Tuesday. Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

Okay, confession: I am definitely guilty of listening to respond sometimes. 🙋‍♀️ You know what I mean. Someone is talking and instead of actually listening to what they're saying, you're already thinking about what you're going to say next, how you're going to help, or how you're going to solve the problem. And as leaders, I think we can be especially guilty of this. We spend SO much time learning how to communicate, influence, persuade, and get our point across. But how much time do we actually spend learning how to listen? In this mini episode, we're going back into the Lead Into It archives for a clip from my conversation with Scott Miller from Episode 12. Scott, a leadership expert, author and form FranklinCovey executive, talks about listening to respond vs. listening to understand and why listening is such an important (but often overlooked) leadership skill. He also gets into what makes us poor listeners, why we interrupt, and how our instinct to solve someone's problem can actually get in the way of good communication. And then he shares a surprisingly simple way to practice active listening: when that little voice in your head says, “Okay, they're done talking now,” wait 10 seconds. In this mini episode, we talk about: Listening to respond vs. listening to understandWhy active listening is an important leadership skillHow listening skills can make you a better leader and communicatorWhy leaders can fall into “persuasion mode” instead of really listeningWhy we feel the need to solve other people's problemsWhy we interrupt—and what might be happening in our brains when we doA simple 10-second technique to practice better listeningHow better listening can strengthen leadership, empathy, and relationshipsIf you're working on your leadership development, communication skills, or simply trying to become a better listener, this is a good little coffee-break episode for you. And if you want the full conversation with Scott, go check out Episode 12 of Lead Into It. We talked about his book, his leadership experience, and a whole lot more. Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

What can making coffee teach you about leadership? More than you might think. In this rewind episode of Lead Into It, Sara Greco revisits her conversation with Debbie Storey, retired AT&T executive, to talk about the mindset shifts, career lessons, and leadership principles that helped Debbie navigate an incredible career at BellSouth and AT&T. From a seemingly ordinary task like making coffee to leading large organizations and helping develop leaders across a global workforce, Debbie shares how changing your perspective can change your career trajectory. They talk about what it means to bring the right mindset to your work, why boundaries are essential for sustainable leadership, and how being willing to learn from every experience can help you maximize your potential. Whether you're navigating your next career move, leading a team, or simply trying to become a more intentional leader, Debbie's story is a reminder that leadership lessons can show up in the most unexpected places. In this episode, you'll hear about:  How a simple task like making coffee became an unexpected career lesson  The mindset shift that can change how you approach your work  Why setting boundaries is an important part of effective leadership  Lessons from leading teams and organizations through career transitions  How to maximize your potential without losing yourself in the process  What aspiring leaders can learn from a career spanning BellSouth and AT&TThanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

What happens when you're 24 years old, working your ass off, building a successful career and suddenly you're told you might only have six months to live? For Dave Guttman that moment completely changed the way he thought about success. Thankfully, the diagnosis was wrong. But the experience forced Dave to step back and ask a much bigger question: What was all that work actually for? That question became a turning point in how he approached his career, his relationships, and eventually, his leadership philosophy. In this episode, Dave and I talk about:  The health scare that became one of the biggest inflection points of Dave's life—and how it changed his perspective on success.  Why Dave shifted toward servant leadership and decided to make success the side effect rather than the goal. The influence Dave's parents had on his ambition, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness.  His experience at Wharton and the lessons he learned through the Small Business Development Center by working directly with business owners.  Why Dave believes humility, curiosity, discipline, and fair-mindedness can matter more than raw talent when you're building a team.  The interview process Dave uses to get beyond the polished answers, including open-ended questions, case studies, projects, reference checks, and 90-day plans.  The difference between solving the problem and holding someone accountable—and why good leaders need to be able to do both.  Why leaders should deflect credit, absorb blame, and be willing to publicly own their mistakes.  How psychological safety and accountability can actually work together rather than being opposites.  Why firing someone should never come as a surprise—and how waiting too long can impact an entire team.  How Dave uses core values as a practical filter for hiring, promotions, recognition, and rewards.  Why peer-driven recognition can help reinforce the culture you actually want to build.  And why leadership isn't necessarily for everyone—and why the values of the people and organizations you work for matter so much, especially early in your career.About Dave Guttman Dave Guttman brings decades of experience in business and leadership to this conversation, sharing lessons he's learned from building teams, hiring and developing people, making mistakes, and—perhaps most importantly—learning how to lead with humility. How six words changed my life | Dave Guttman | TEDxSDSU Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

What if fear isn't actually protecting you… but just stealing your time and energy? In this rewind episode of Lead Into It, I'm revisiting my conversation with Melissa Chiranky Bozich about something most of us have dealt with at some point: fear, self-doubt, overthinking, and worrying way too much about what other people think. Melissa has an incredible background in dance, including performing as a Dallas Stars Ice Girl, dancing for the Dallas Mavericks, and eventually becoming a captain. But what makes her story especially interesting from a leadership perspective is how she took some difficult experiences early in her career and used them to intentionally shape the kind of leader she wanted to become. We talk about confidence, anxiety, comparison, performance pressure, and the stories we create in our own heads. Melissa also shares how she learned to separate facts from assumptions, recognize what was really underneath her fear, and use simple mindset practices to build confidence. And there's a leadership lesson running through the entire conversation: you don't get to choose every experience you have, but you do get to choose what you do with them. Whether you're trying to build confidence, overcome fear, stop overthinking, become a better leader, or simply get out of your own head, I think this conversation is worth another listen. In This Episode: Why fear can get way too much credit—and how it can quietly steal our time, energy, and confidenceMelissa's journey from lifelong dancer to Dallas Stars Ice Girl, Dallas Mavericks dancer, and professional dance team captainHow a difficult experience as a rookie influenced the way Melissa chose to lead othersThe pressure, comparison, anxiety, and self-doubt that can come with competitive performance environmentsHow Melissa learned to distinguish what she actually knew from what she was assumingWhy worrying about what other people think can keep us stuckThe mindset shift behind the idea that what other people think of me is none of my businessHow Melissa created dance classes where people could feel welcomed, supported, and confident rather than pressured to be perfectThe evolution from teaching dance in person to creating virtual classes and launching an online business with her partner, NoahHow Melissa balances entrepreneurship, choreography, teaching, and a full-time careerWhat Melissa learned about leadership and responsibility as a captainHow self-awareness and recovery work helped Melissa better understand the root of her anxiety and fearWhy fear can distort our perception of what's actually happeningHow focusing on joy, energy, and connection can matter more than getting every move perfectMelissa's simple confidence mantra and how she uses it before performingThanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

Truth be told, none of us enjoy feeling uncomfortable. Whether it's giving difficult feedback, speaking up in a meeting, trying something new, or making a big life decision, our instinct is usually to avoid it. But what if discomfort isn't something to try to escape? What if it's actually pointing you toward growth? In this episode, I'm sharing why discomfort is one of the most underrated leadership (and life) skills you can develop. We'll talk about why your brain wants to keep you safe, how to recognize the physical signs of discomfort, and practical ways to move through it instead of letting it stop you. If you've been waiting until you feel "ready," this episode is your reminder that courage usually comes first and then confidence follows. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why discomfort is often a sign you're growing—not failing.The roller coaster analogy that changes the way you think about fear.What's actually happening in your brain and body when you feel uncomfortable.How to tell the difference between discomfort and danger.Simple ways to reframe fear as excitement.Why focusing on the outcome can make taking the first step easier.Brené Brown's reminder that you can't choose both courage and comfort.Everyday opportunities to practice getting more comfortable being uncomfortable.Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about trusting yourself enough to make the decision anyway. In this rewind episode, leadership coach and author Marisa Santoro returns to Lead Into It to talk about her book, Own Your Authority, and one of my favorite leadership topics: learning to trust your instincts. So many leaders second-guess themselves. They wait for permission, hesitate to speak up, or question whether they've earned a seat at the table. Marisa reminds us that authority isn't something someone else gives you. It starts with how you lead yourself. We also dive into influence, boundaries, relationship building, and why some of the best leadership lessons come from the moments when your advice isn't followed. If you've ever questioned your decisions, struggled with confidence, or wondered how to lead with more conviction, this conversation is one you'll come back to. In this episode, we discuss: What inspired Marisa to write Own Your Authority and why intuition became the foundation of the bookWhy self-leadership is the first step to leading others wellHow to trust your instincts without ignoring facts or feedbackWhat happens when leaders stay silent instead of speaking upWhy influence is built through relationships, not titlesHow to navigate situations where your recommendations aren't accepted—and why you're still leadingThe leadership lessons Marisa learned from her immigrant family about asking for and offering helpPractical advice for newer leaders looking to build confidence and stronger decision-making skillsWhy your personal brand should evolve as you grow, while staying rooted in your valuesHow to promote yourself authentically without feeling like you're braggingAbout Marisa Marisa Santoro is a former Wall Street technology executive, leadership coach, and founder of In Our Shoes, where she helps leaders develop confidence, communicate with intention, and lead authentically. She is the creator of the Gutsy Leadership System and author of Own Your Authority, a practical guide to leading yourself first so you can lead others with greater confidence and purpose. Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

Some conversations are worth listening to more than once. This is one of them. In this rewind episode, I'm joined by leadership coach and former Wall Street tech executive Marisa Santoro to talk about something so many of us do without even realizing it: apologizing for taking up space. Whether it's saying "I'm sorry" when you don't need to, hiding behind words like just, or softening your ideas before you've even shared them, these small habits can quietly chip away at your confidence and credibility. Marisa shares practical tools to help you communicate with more intention, own your voice, and lead with confidence without pretending to be someone you're not. If you've ever left a meeting wishing you'd spoken up, struggled to be heard, or wondered how to project more confidence at work, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss: Marisa's journey from a 20-year Wall Street tech career to becoming a leadership coachWhat the Gutsy Leadership System is and why leadership starts with trusting yourselfWhy fear, self-doubt, and the desire to be liked often hold leaders backWhat it really means to "speak without apology"How words like "just," "but," and unnecessary apologies can weaken your messageThe simple question that can completely change how you communicate: "How do I want to be perceived?"The Rule of Three and how it helps you communicate with more clarity and impactPractical ways to build executive presence in meetings, presentations, and everyday conversationsHow to adapt your communication for different audiences without losing your authenticityWhy confidence isn't about being the loudest person in the room—it's about being intentionalGuest: Marisa Santoro is a former tech executive turned leadership coach and founder of In Our Shoes, where she teaches the Gutsy Leadership System. She's also known for her talk "Speaking Without Apology," which started as a program for NYU and later became a TEDx talk. Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

What does leadership really look like over time? I almost didn't share this story. I've been holding onto it for a while because I wasn't sure I was ready to tell it. It's easy to share the wins. It's a lot harder to talk about the burnout, the difficult leaders, the career pivots, and the moments where you have no idea what you're doing. But those are the experiences that shaped me the most. And if I encourage others to lead with authenticity and keep learning, I should be willing to do the same. In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my own leadership journey—from joining the Air Force as a brand-new lieutenant to becoming a leadership coach and business owner. Because I realized that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about who you become through the experiences that shape you. In this episode, I share: My leadership journey through the military, corporate America, and entrepreneurship.What great leaders did differently—and what I learned from the ones who struggled.Why grace, humility, and being approachable matter more than having all the answers.The role self-awareness plays in becoming a stronger leader.Learning to focus on what's actually within your control.How understanding your strengths (and owning your weaknesses) can change the way you lead.Why building relationships through networking and simple coffee chats has been one of the best career investments I've made.Navigating burnout, career transitions, and unexpected pivots.How coaching changed the way I think about leadership.A simple reflection practice you can start using today to continue growing as a leader. Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

Okay, this one's a little spicy. In this episode, Sara is dropping some hot takes — the kind that sound controversial until you actually think about them for two seconds. Inbox zero? Myth. Answering emails on vacation? Not the flex you think it is. Being "busy" all the time? Might just mean you're bad at saying no. Sara gets into why the way we've all been taught to "do" work is kind of broken — and what it actually looks like to build a career that fits into your life instead of swallowing it whole. She also gets into a few truths that might feel a little uncomfortable, like why you don't owe anyone workplace friendship, and why leadership was never actually about the title on your business card. If you've ever felt like you had to be constantly available, endlessly busy, or fully "on" to be taken seriously at work — this episode is your permission slip to stop. Tune in, and let us know which hot take you agree with the hardest. Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

Unlock the secret to transforming your leadership with feedback that fuels growth and trust. In this rewind episode, we revisit an impactful conversation with Kelly Waltman, founder and CEO of SLC Consulting and author of Elevate Connection: Cultivate an Engaged, Inspired, Productive and Profitable Team Culture.  This converation is about the art of feedback — giving, receiving, and cultivating a feedback-friendly culture. Whether you're a leader, team member, or aspiring professional, understanding how to navigate feedback can transform your relationships and organizational dynamics. Key Topics: The importance of feedback as a core leadership skillBuilding a feedback culture where giving and receiving feedback is ongoing and woven into daily interactionsMyths and truths about fear and vulnerability in feedback conversationsPractical steps for creating safe spaces and incentivizing feedback processesThe STOMPS model for effective feedback: Safe space, Timing, Objective, Balance, Specific, and Follow-upStrategies to start requesting and giving feedback within your sphere of influenceThe impact of cultural differences on feedback styles and communication normsActionable tips for practicing and improving feedback skills through role-play and accountability partnershipsResources including books like Brene Brown’s works and Kim Scott’s Radical Candor for deeper learningKelly’s recommended first step: asking for feedback and genuinely listening  Timestamps:   01:10 - Defining feedback culture and its importance  04:21 - How to create a feedback culture within teams  06:36 - Overcoming fear and setting the stage for open dialogues  08:24 - Assessing where your team is on the feedback readiness spectrum  09:46 - Small steps for individuals to improve their feedback skills  10:14 - Understanding and addressing the fear of giving and receiving feedback  12:29 - The role of vulnerability and psychological safety in feedback  15:28 - Asking non-threatening, open-ended questions to initiate feedback  16:36 - Setting the right tone and modeling feedback behaviors  20:30 - The STOMPS framework for providing effective feedback  23:36 - Practicing feedback through role-play and accountability partners  25:11 - Creating an environment where feedback leads to growth  27:22 - The emotional and cultural aspects of feedback styles  30:26 - Recognizing feedback's role in career development and leadership efficacy  32:17 - Examples of both ineffective and effective feedback scenarios  34:46 - The importance of respectful, specific, and timely feedback  37:11 - Using feedback to facilitate change management and team buy-in  38:29 - Ensuring a safe, relationship-based environment for feedback  40:44 - How to receive feedback effectively without defensiveness  43:52 - Building a culture of appreciation and valuing input  45:50 - Feedback across cultures and international styles   Connect with Kelly Waltman:  WebsiteLinkedIn  Don’t forget: The foundation of a strong team or organization is built on honest, respectful, and continual feedback. Start today by asking for feedback in your sphere of influence and lead by example. Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!