Advertise on podcast: How to Lead with Clay Scroggins and Adam Tarnow

Have you ever been frustrated with someone without actually saying anything to them? I have. And I've noticed something happens when criticism stays in my head: I start collecting evidence. Once I've decided someone is selfish, difficult, lazy, inconsiderate—or whatever verdict I've reached—suddenly I notice everything they do that proves I was right. In this episode, I talk about the difference between discernment and judgment, what unspoken criticism does to our relationships, and why the stories we tell ourselves about other people can become so powerful. And for those of us who follow Jesus, there's another layer to this. Sometimes the most important prayer isn't, “God, would you change them?” It's “God, what needs to change in me?” Because the conversation you're having about someone in your head may be changing the way you see them—even if you never say a word.

In this episode of the How to Lead Podcast, Clay and Ryan Bradley discuss the importance of establishing team norms and fostering a culture of trust and communication within organizations. Ryan shares his journey from athletics to higher education leadership, emphasizing the need for clear expectations and shared values to enhance team dynamics. The conversation highlights practical strategies for creating a supportive work environment, including the significance of overcommunication and celebrating team successes. Ryan encourages leaders to engage their teams in defining norms that resonate with their unique organizational culture, ultimately aiming to empower individuals to thrive in their roles. Takeaways Team norms are essential for creating a cohesive work environment.Clear expectations foster trust among team members.Overcommunication is crucial, especially during challenging times.Defining core values helps guide team behavior.Celebrating unsung heroes reinforces positive team dynamics.Leaders should focus on empowering their teams rather than enforcing rules.An iterative approach to team norms allows for continuous improvement.Engaging the team in discussions about norms enhances buy-in and commitment.Shared expectations can prevent misunderstandings and frustrations.A strong culture is built on trust, communication, and collaboration. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Team Leadership 01:33 Ryan Bradley's Journey in Leadership 03:48 Transitioning to Vice President Role 05:39 Establishing Team Norms 09:22 The Importance of Trust and Shared Expectations 12:37 Defining Core Values and Team Norms 14:51 Creating a Culture of Overcommunication 18:21 Celebrating Team Successes 20:14 Practical Applications of Team Norms 26:33 Encouragement for Team Leaders

Growing older is automatic. Growing up isn't. I've noticed there are a few childish instincts I still haven't completely grown out of. I’m just better at hiding them now. 😂 In this episode, I unpack three: I want it now.What about me?!I'm telling! They show up differently as adults—in impatience, comparison, envy, gossip, and avoiding hard conversations—but the instincts aren't all that different. Maybe maturity isn't getting to the point where those instincts disappear. Maybe it's getting better at recognizing them when they show up—and learning not to let them drive. Because growing older is automatic. Growing up isn't.

Can you be friends with the people you lead—and still hold them accountable? Lauren Seymour believes you can. And she has some credibility on the subject. Lauren leads a team of roughly 600–700 people at Insulet, and she’s one of the best leaders I’ve ever watched when it comes to building genuine relationships while still having hard conversations and holding people accountable. In this conversation, we talk about: • Why relationships can actually make accountability easier• How to give difficult feedback without crushing someone• The difference between authenticity and oversharing• Lauren’s “trust triangle” for involving her team in decisions• How to lead people you don’t naturally connect with• What to do when you and your boss probably aren’t going to be BFFs If you lead people—or work for someone who does—there’s a lot here you can put to work immediately. Subscribe to How to Lead for practical conversations about becoming a better leader at work. Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: ZPOTOQKSGDXGFBG8

What if self-leadership isn’t primarily a discipline problem, but a relationship problem? In this episode, Clay explores the relationship between who you are today and the person who has to live with your decisions tomorrow. He shares three practical ways to become more generous to “future you." And one simple question that can change how you approach your work, calendar, and leadership. David Cain, “Do Things You’ll Love Yourself For” (Read the article on Raptitude)

This summer, we're revisiting some of our most popular episodes. How to End a Meeting - the last in a three part series. Enjoy! Produced and edited by ⁠Sound of a Rose⁠.

This summer, we're revisiting some of our most popular episodes. How to Run a Meeting - the second in a three part series. Enjoy! Produced and edited by ⁠Sound of a Rose⁠.

This summer, we're revisiting some of our most popular episodes. How to Start a Meeting - the first in a three part series. Enjoy! Produced and edited by Sound of a Rose.

A quick update about the future of the Podcast and our plans for the summer.

Everyone wants to stand out at work. Berry Mansfield figured out that the secret isn't being the loudest or the smartest — it's being the easiest. Berry has built an entire career on one principle: be easy to work with. In this episode, he traces how that idea carried him from accounting all the way to the president's chair, and why the simplest principles are usually the most powerful ones.

In this episode, Adam sits down with Jenni Catron, leadership expert, founder of The 4Sight Group, and author of Culture Matters , to talk about one of the most important and most overlooked responsibilities of any leader: building a healthy organizational culture. Jenni brings clarity and practical wisdom to a topic that can feel abstract, and this conversation will leave you with both a better understanding of why culture matters and what you can actually do about it.

We've all done it: said yes before we even finished thinking, then immediately regretted it. Clay and Adam dig into why people-pleasing feels like the kind thing to do, why it isn't, and what it quietly costs you as a leader: trust, clarity, energy, and the hard conversations that only get harder the longer you wait. Plus, five moves to start breaking the reflex this week.

Most leaders run one-on-ones every week. Almost none of them run one-on-ones their people actually want to show up to. The problem isn't effort — it's a fundamental mismatch: you think you're running a status meeting. Your direct report came hoping for something else entirely. In this episode, Adam and Clay break down why the most powerful recurring meeting on your calendar is also the most wasted one — and what to do about it. You'll learn the difference between a status meeting and a trust meeting, what your direct reports actually need from 30 minutes with you, and a handful of small shifts that turn a hollow check-in into the best meeting of someone's week. This podcast is produced by Sound of a Rose.

When 18 out of 23 leaders in a room all gave the same answer — people — to the question "What's the most puzzling part of leadership?", it was hard to ignore. This episode unpacks why. Drawing on a distinction from Arthur Brooks' new book, we explore the difference between complicated problems (ones that can be solved) and complex problems (ones that can only be managed). The cruel irony of leadership? Solve enough complicated problems and you get promoted into a world full of complex ones — and the skills that got you there are almost useless in this new game. If you've ever tried to spreadsheet your way through a relational conflict or a disengaged high performer, this one's for you. We'll talk about what it actually looks like to stop trying to solve the unsolvable — and why leaning into the mystery might be the most important thing you can do as a leader. Podcast produced by ⁠Sound of a Rose

What does it really mean to lead from a place of wholeness and why does trust feel so elusive in today's organizations? In this episode, Adam sits down with Dr. Rob McKenna, author of Whole Leaders, Wild Trust, for a conversation that challenges everything you thought you knew about leadership development. Dr. McKenna explores why the most effective leaders aren't the ones who have it all figured out, but the ones who are willing to show up fully; with their strengths, their struggles, and their humanity intact. He unpacks the idea of "wild trust": the kind of deep, unguarded confidence that teams extend to leaders who are genuinely known, not just professionally polished. Whether you're leading a team of five or an organization of thousands, this episode will leave you rethinking how you show up and what it truly means to be trusted. Learn more about Dr. McKenna: https://www.wildleaders.org/ Pick up a copy of Dr. McKenna's book: https://a.co/d/046Ru6Kb Podcast produced by Sound of a Rose