Advertise on podcast: Strong Leaders Serve with Teri Schmidt

Ever had a leader who made you calmer just by being in the room?  Most of the leaders I work with want to be that steady leader. But in a chaotic, uncertain environment, especially in a stretch moment like a promotion, RIF, or AI Implementation, it gets hard. You’re pulled in many directions, working harder than ever, and still not gaining traction.   Under that kind of pressure, even capable leaders reach for old habits that feel like leadership in the moment: jumping in to solve it themselves, settling on the first explanation that fits, or looking for a sign they’re still doing a good job.  This destroys calm for themselves and their team.  In this episode, I walk through three thinking habits from Jennifer Garvey Berger’s book Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps: How to Thrive in Complexity that may help and leave you with one small thing to try this week. If you want to join other compassionate, driven leaders is discussing this book, join us for Read & Lead on Nov. 11, 2026. Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

Ever feel like you’re working harder than ever, but somehow feeling less competent at your job? That’s one of the most common things I see in the capable, reliable leaders I work with, especially when they’re in a stretch moment like a promotion, a reorg, or a role that suddenly looks very different. Usually it doesn’t mean they’ve lost their ability. It means the job changed around them, and they’re still leading the way the "old" job needed. In this episode, I talk about survival mode (what I call Swirl) and why it makes capable leaders feel incompetent.  You'll leave you with one simple question to notice this week as you find your way back to steadier leadership even in unsteady times. Learn more about survival-mode leadership (swirl) here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/approach Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

Have you ever been the one everyone counts on, and still wondered whether anyone actually sees what you contribute? That's Tano, the tortoise at the center of Justin Jones-Fosu's new fable, Stop Chasing, Start Creating. His chase for recognition pulls him into swirl, and he quits the race before he ever sees the finish line. Justin and I talk about moving from external validation to internal alignment and what to do with the "ache" underneath our chasing. We also share simple practices, like Justin's "unseen practice," for leading with steadiness even when no one is applauding.  Resources Stop Chasing, Start CreatingWork MeaningfulNational Study on Meaningful Work leadership and executive briefsConnect with Justin on LinkedInJustin's other appearance on Strong Leaders Serve Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

Ever feel like you're moving faster and faster but you're not sure what you're actually working toward?  That's the survival mode I've been seeing in so many of the leaders I work with, and it's part of why I'm relaunching Strong Leaders Serve after a longer break than planned since Episode 200.  In this personal opener, I talk about stepping away from a saturated leadership content space, the problem with recycling the same best practices instead of addressing what's underneath, and what this next chapter of the show will focus on: helping you move out of swirl and into steady, sustainable leadership.  Stay tuned for Episode 2, when one of my favorite guests, Justin Jones-Fosu, is back.  Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

To celebrate our 200th (!) episode, we're revisiting some of our favorite conversations from the last 100 episodes.   Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

Have you ever wondered what truly sets great leaders apart in today’s fast-paced workplaces? In this episode, I talked with Andrea Wanerstrand, whose career spans Microsoft, Meta, T-Mobile, and more, to dig into the real meaning behind authenticity, autonomy, and accountability. Andrea shares eye-opening stories about breaking out of comfort zones, fostering trust, and the mindset shift needed to fuel powerful teams. Listen to discover practical tips you can use right away to inspire not just action, but true ownership in your organization. Resources: Website: https://a3culturelab.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawanerstrand/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreawanerstrand/ Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

Feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean you’re broken or unqualified. It often means your world has grown faster than your sense of self. In this episode we go beneath the buzzword of imposter syndrome. We look at it in a different way, as a signal that your identity is expanding. You’ll learn why fighting it with frantic action rarely works, and what to do instead to grow into steady, grounded confidence that lasts.  Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

What does psychological safety really mean beneath the buzzword? In this episode, Jade Garratt, co-founder of Psych Safety and colleague of past guest Tom Geraghty, shares practical ways leaders can move past misconceptions and create environments where teams feel safe to learn, speak up, and perform at their best. Resources: Psych Safety websitePsychological Safety Course: Train the Trainer (highly recommend!)Connect with Jade on LinkedIn Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

What does it really mean to be transparent as a leader, especially when you can’t share everything or when you don’t agree with the direction of change? In this episode, we go beneath the buzzword of transparency.  If you’ve ever struggled with how open to be with your team during times of change, this episode will give you practical ways to lead with honesty, courage, and care. Resources: Lisa Earle McLeod's post about authenticity Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

We’ve all heard the advice to “be an effective communicator.” But what does that really mean beyond the buzzword? In this episode, veteran sports reporter and Talk Sporty to Me founder Jen Mueller shares lessons from 25 years on the sidelines, where conversations happen under pressure, in the heat of wins and losses. Together, we explore how those lessons translate into clearer, more courageous communication for business leaders.  Resources: Jen's websiteConnect with Jen:Facebook https://www.facebook.com/talksportytomeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/talksportytomeYouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/TalkSportyToMe/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmuellertalksporty/ Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

Empowerment sounds good on paper, but in the workplace it often falls short. Especially in leadership stretch moments, like promotions and novel, high-stakes projects, what leaders call empowerment can feel like abandonment to the person on the receiving end.  In this episode, we look at the history of empowerment in organizations, explore how the brain reacts in stretch moments, and share practical ways leaders can provide just the right level of support to turn stretch into strength. Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

Agility is one of today’s favorite leadership buzzwords, but too often it gets reduced to simply moving faster.  In this episode, we go beneath the buzzword to explore what true agility really means: the ability to adapt wisely and steadily in the face of uncertainty.  Drawing on Gallup’s latest global research, we’ll look at why hope is now the number one thing people need from their leaders, and how stability and adaptability can actually fuel that hope.  You’ll hear how leaders can calm their own stress responses, hold space for multiple futures, and model steadiness that sparks possibility,  even in the middle of change fatigue. Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

What if true recognition at work wasn’t about awards or bonuses, but about helping people feel they genuinely matter every single day?  In this episode, Dr. Zach Mercurio joins Teri Schmidt to reveal why small, everyday interactions, not flashy programs, are the secret sauce behind thriving, high-performing teams.  Together, they unpack the science of “mattering,” practical leadership skills you can use today, and why AI will never replace the power of human connection at work.  Resources: Zach's website (with free resources, including a self-assessment)Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

Avoiding difficult conversations, or softening them so much they lose their meaning, can damage trust, confuse your team, and hurt your credibility. In this episode, Teri shares a personal story of how avoiding inside a conversation backfired, and explores how leaders can break the cycle of avoidance with mindset shifts, clarity, and courage. If you've ever lost sleep over a difficult conversation, this one’s for you.  ____________________________________________ If you're tired of avoiding tough conversations or regretting how you handled them, the Courageous Conversations Leadership Sprint is for you. This four-week, small-group coaching experience starting in October uses LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, unlocking creative new perspectives and approaches to difficult conversations. Learn more and reserve your spot at https://www.strongleadersserve.com/build Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching

Welcome to a new season of Strong Leaders Serve—where we’re going beneath the buzzwords. This season, we’re moving past surface-level leadership advice to explore the mindset shifts, self-awareness, and practices that fuel real, lasting impact.  In this kickoff episode, Tamara Myles and Wes Adams—co-authors of Meaningful Work—join me to unpack what actually drives motivation and performance.  We dig into their research-backed framework, the Three Cs (community, contribution, and challenge), and explore the powerful concept of balanced autonomy—a practical way leaders can support growth without micromanaging, even in our ever evolving work environment. Resources: Tamara and Wes's website: https://www.makeworkmeaningful.comConnect with Tamara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaramylesConnect with Wes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesadams1 Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ or via email [email protected]. Get 1-on-1 leadership support here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching