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AI is changing the way organizations work, and leaders are being asked to figure out what it means for their teams, their businesses, and their future  often before anyone actually knows the answer. In this episode, I share lessons from a recent leadership panel I moderated with Linda Rutherford, Dr. Marc Nivet, and Emily Crawford about what it really looks like to lead through uncertainty and change. The key isn't becoming the expert or waiting until you feel ready. It's learning how to take the next honest step, develop the expertise around you, stay connected to your team's capacity, and build the playbook as you go. Top 3 Takeaways 1. You don't need the whole playbook. When you're leading through something new, waiting for certainty can keep you stuck. Leadership often means taking the next step and building the path as you go. 2. You don't have to be the expert  develop one on your team. Your job isn't to master every new technology. Know your strengths, identify the people on your team who are curious and capable, and give them room to develop the expertise. 3. Pay attention to capacity, not just output. Ask your team, "What's getting in the way of you doing your best work?" That simple question can uncover obstacles and capacity issues before they become bigger problems. Episode Minutes: Minute 1: Looking For A Non-existent Playbook Minute 3: You don't Have To Be The Expert Minute 4: Leading Through A Period When The Bar Keeps Changing Links + Resources from This Episode: Watch the Accelerating Leadership Wellbeing Panel on Youtube or listen on Spotify or Apple Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within  Learn more about The Strengths Journal

Change is happening faster than ever from AI and digital transformation to increasingly distracted and stretched teams. But effective leadership through change isn't always about doing more. Sometimes, it requires changing how you see your role. This special episode was recorded at the live Accelerating Leadership Wellbeing Panel, which took place on August 25, 2026, hosted by Bank of Texas. I was joined by three remarkable leaders who have navigated change at scale: Linda Rutherford — Former Chief Administration Officer and current Executive Advisor at Southwest Airlines, with 33 years of experience leading through change. Dr. Marc Nivet — Executive Vice President at UT Southwestern Medical Center, bringing three decades of leadership experience in academic medicine. Emily Crawford — A leader in change management and AI transformation at Credera, helping major organizations navigate what's next. Together, we explored what it really takes to lead through change when your people  and you are already stretched thin. Top 3 Takeaways 1. Capacity matters as much as capability. Leaders can't effectively lead change when they're running on empty. 2. Leadership starts from within. How you see your role shapes how you lead through uncertainty. 3. Doing more isn't always the answer. Sometimes the most powerful leadership move is to shift how you show up. Episode Minutes: Minute 17: Leading through uncertainty as a vessel, not a hero Minute 37: Why AI must be tied to objectives, not treated as a checkbox Minute 48: Communication during change and why silence is risky Minute 60: Grace, good-enough leadership, and asking what blocks best work Links + Resources from This Episode: Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

In this episode, I'm joined by Shaunna Black, a transformation and turnaround leader who has spent decades helping organizations navigate change and move from chaos to clarity. We talk about why successful transformation starts with people not action plans and why leaders must enter challenging situations as students first, listening, learning, and building trust before trying to fix anything. Shaunna shares her approach to servant leadership, creating cultures rooted in trust and psychological safety, and leading from the inside out during times of uncertainty. We also explore the current challenges leaders are facing with disengagement, layoffs, AI, and organizational change and why heart-centered leadership may be more important now than ever. At the heart of our conversation is a powerful reminder: relationship is the container in which all work is done. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Lead from the inside out. Before you can effectively lead others through chaos, you have to develop self-awareness, practice self-care, and create calm within yourself. 2. Enter transformation as a student, not a hero. Listen to people, understand the history, and build trust before coming in with solutions. People need to know that you care before they care what you know. 3. Make relationships the priority. Your job as a leader isn't simply to get things done. It's to serve the people who get the work done—and create an environment where they feel safe, valued, connected, and empowered to succeed Episode Minutes: Minute 5: Leadership Roots: Culture Of Service, Sports and Family Minute 13: How Purpose, Trust, Accountability, and servant leadership shape a healthy culture Minute 38: How overwhelmed leaders need to tune out the noise and start with self-awareness and self-care. Minute 45: Leading With Heart Links + Resources from This Episode: Learn more about Shaunna's work at www.shaunnablack.com Get Shaunna's book, Leading with Heart Connect with Shaunna Black on LinkedIn Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

What happens when being a helpful, highly involved leader actually keeps your team from growing? In this episode, I share the story of a leader who solved problems, answered questions, and did the work herself because she cared deeply about getting things right. You'll discover how shifting from solving to coaching, and from delegating tasks to handing off real decisions, can build trust, strengthen your team's judgment, and create greater ownership and accountability. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Being helpful can create dependency. When leaders constantly step in to solve problems, they can unintentionally prevent their teams from developing confidence and judgment. 2. Coach instead of solve. Pause before jumping in, ask "What would you do here?" and give your team space to work through the answer. 3. Delegate decisions, not just tasks. True empowerment means letting go of the wheel not simply handing off the work while keeping control of the important decisions.  Episode Minutes: Minute 2: Executing vs Leading Minute 4: The Difference Between Bossing and Coaching Minute 7: Leading Differently Links + Resources from This Episode:  Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

What happens when uncertainty hits and a good leader suddenly falls back into old habits? In this episode, I explore why even capable, self-aware leaders can revert to command-and-control when pressure rises and how to recognize when you're leading authentically versus performing the version of leadership you think others expect. You'll learn a simple question to interrupt reactive patterns, identify when you're tempted to take ownership back from your team, and recognize when organizational structures not just personal habits are getting in the way of effective leadership. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Pressure can trigger old leadership patterns. Even leaders who have done the work can revert to familiar behaviors when uncertainty feels threatening. 2. Authentic leadership requires a moment of choice. Ask yourself: Am I leading from who I actually am, or performing who I think I'm supposed to be? 3. Not every leadership challenge is personal. Structural barriers can limit your team's ownership, so leaders need to distinguish between what they can change themselves and what needs to be addressed within the system. Episode Minutes: Minute 1: The Moment Change Gets Real Minute 3: Authentic Imprint vs Default Performance Minute 6: Give Trust to Get Trust Links + Resources from This Episode: Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

This summer on Dominate Your Day, we are returning to the episode vault to bring back experts to discuss each of Gallup's five essential areas of wellbeing: Purpose, Social, Financial, Physical, and Community. Today we explore Community Wellbeing  what Gallup defines as liking where you live, feeling safe, and having pride in and belonging to something larger than yourself. Sharon Eubank global humanitarian leader and author of Doing Small Things with Great Love explains why you are most powerful where you live and why the right small act at the right time changes everything. Jessica Bartnick co-founder and CEO of Foundation for CHOICE, a Dallas nonprofit that has helped thousands of low-income students get into and through college shares what happens when one person wakes up and decides to do something. Wendy Steele founder of Impact100 and author of Invitation to Impact talks about how gathering women around one shared goal turned $1,000 into $123 million across 65 chapters worldwide. Episode Minutes: Minute 2: You Are Most Powerful Where You Live Minute 8: Waking Up To Change The World Minute 15: Not I But We Minute 20: The Internal Revolution Links + Resources from This Episode: Get a copy of Sharon Eubank's book Doing Small Things with Great Love Find service opportunities near you at www.justserve.org Learn more about Foundation for Choice at www.foundationforchoice.org Learn more about Impact 100 at www.impact100global.org Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

A team that consistently delivers results isn't always a healthy team. In this episode, we explore why high-performing teams can still become stuck in passive waiting hesitant to share ideas, embrace change, or take risks. Learn the three leadership shifts that help teams move from fear to trust: building psychological safety, fostering collaboration over competition, and modeling calm under pressure. Sometimes the biggest culture changes begin with one simple conversation. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Psychological safety fuels innovation. People are far more likely to share ideas and embrace change when they know honesty won't be punished. 2. Collaboration creates stronger teams. Publicly celebrating shared wins and focusing on collective success builds trust, engagement, and retention. 3. Culture changes one conversation at a time. Leaders don't need a major initiative to create change—they need the courage to go first and ask honest questions. Episode Minutes: Minute 2: Collaboration versus competition Minute 4: "Teams borrow their leader's nervous system far more than they borrow their leader's strategy." Minute 5: The small conversation that starts change Links + Resources from This Episode: Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

This summer on Dominate Your Day, we are returning to the episode vault to bring back experts to discuss each of Gallup's five essential areas of wellbeing: Purpose, Social, Financial, Physical, and Community. Today we explore Social Wellbeing what Gallup identifies as having strong relationships and love in your life. According to Gallup, people who are thriving in social wellbeing have several hours of meaningful social interaction every single day. Yet we are living through a loneliness epidemic unlike anything we have seen before. This episode is for every leader who feels it. Dr. Camille Preston business psychologist, executive coach, and author of Living Real discusses the danger of shallowing and why the world is craving real connection. Shari Leid connection coach, friendship expert, author of Table for 51 and Flip the Box, and founder of the Flip the Box Method shares what happened when she shared a meal with a stranger in all 50 states and what it taught her about why we struggle to connect. Andy Lopata professional relationship strategist and author of six books explains the blended mindset that makes relationships work and the Curiosity Cycle that builds trust. Episode Minutes: Minute 4: Life as A Sine Wave Minute 8: What Stops Us From Connecting Minute 16: The Curiosity Cycle Links + Resources from This Episode: Learn more about Dr. Camille Preston's work at www.aimleadership.com Get a copy of Dr. Camille Preston's book, Living Real: Redifining Success, Pretense, and Happiness Get Dr. Camille Preston's Living Real Gathering Kit at www.livingreal.aimleadership.com Learn more about Shari Leid's work at www.animperfectlyperfectlife.com Get a copy of Shari Leid's books Table for 51 and Flip the Box Find Andy Lopata's books, podcast, and assessments here Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

Waiting is never just "waiting." In this episode, I explore the difference between passive waiting where growth quietly stalls while you wait for circumstances to change and active waiting, where you continue learning, building, and leading even when the timeline is out of your control. Through the powerful example of Admiral James Stockdale, you'll discover that resilience isn't about controlling the outcome it's about choosing how you show up in the middle of uncertainty. You'll also walk away with four practical questions to help you stay intentional, hopeful, and moving forward while you wait. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Waiting is a leadership choice. You may not control the timeline, but you can control how you respond to it. 2. Active waiting creates momentum. Continue learning, building, and investing in others, even when the outcome hasn't arrived. 3. Awareness comes first. Simply recognizing whether you're in passive or active waiting is the first step toward leading with greater resilience and purpose. Episode Minutes: Minute 1: Admiral Stockdale's story and what it teaches about endurance Minute 3: Understanding passive versus active waiting Minute 5: Recognizing authority vs. posture in leadership Links + Resources from This Episode: Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

In this episode of Dominate Your Day, I sit down with executive leader Juli Primeaux for a conversation about what leadership really looks like in today's fast-changing, distracted workplace. Juli shares what it means to lead through organizational change and uncertainty while staying grounded in who you are. We talk about the connection between CliftonStrengths, self-awareness, and authentic leadership, and why understanding your strengths can become a true "cheat code" for navigating tough decisions and leading people well. From practical strategies for managing stress to insightful lessons on leading across generations, this episode is full of wisdom every leader needs right now. And trust me, you'll want to hear Julie's unforgettable advice about "not loading bombs on planes." Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Your strengths are powerful but only when you understand how they show up under stress. Self-awareness helps leaders recognize both their superpowers and their blind spots. 2. Authenticity builds trust. Teams don't need perfect leaders; they need real leaders who communicate clearly, stay grounded, and model vulnerability. 3. Well-being isn't optional for leaders. Taking pauses, creating small wins, and intentionally refilling your bucket are essential for sustainable leadership. Episode Minutes: Minute 12: Developing a personal mission and connecting core values to leadership purpose Minute 17: The importance of self-care, taking pauses, and refill strategies Minute 31: Emotional recognition and self-regulation techniques for stress management Minute 39: Advice for leaders facing chaos and disconnection with their teams Links + Resources from This Episode: Connect with Juli Primeaux on LinkedIn Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment  Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

What if one of the most powerful things you could do for your team takes only five minutes? In this episode, I explore why relational energy may be the most overlooked factor in leadership wellbeing especially during seasons of rapid change. I share a simple but powerful shift that helped a high-performing team feel more connected, seen, and energized, and why small moments of recognition can have a bigger impact on team resilience than most leaders realize. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Relational energy is a critical leadership resource. Beyond physical, emotional, and mental energy, relational energy fuels trust, connection, and belonging. When it's strong, teams communicate openly and stay engaged; when it's depleted, work can quickly become transactional. 2. Fast-moving change often erodes connection first. During busy or high-growth seasons, leaders naturally prioritize deliverables and deadlines. But when recognition and human connection disappear, team resilience begins to weaken even if performance still looks strong on the surface. 3. Small moments of recognition create lasting impact. Asking one simple question "What's one win from this week?" can restore visibility, reinforce progress, and strengthen team connection. Sometimes the smallest leadership practices create the biggest cultural shifts. Episode Minutes: Minute 3: Managing Emotional States Minute 5: Protecting Relational Energy Minute 6: Introducing wins to boost relational energy Links + Resources from This Episode: Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

This summer on Dominate Your Day, we are returning to the episode vault to bring back experts to discuss each of Gallup's five essential areas of wellbeing: Purpose, Social, Financial, Physical, and Community. Today we explore Career Wellbeing  what Gallup defines as liking what you do every day and having a sense of purpose in your work. Only 20 percent of people globally say they are thriving in this area. This episode is for the other 80 percent. Gina Riley  executive career coach and author of Qualified Isn't Enough shares why your authentic story is your greatest career asset. Angela Burgess  founder of Broad Oaks Consulting describes what it feels like when your values stop aligning with your work, and what happens when you find the courage to go a different path. Georgie Enthoven author of Work That's Worth It talks about the 90,000 hours every leader has and the questions we need to start asking. Michelle Merritt Chief Strategy Officer of D&S Executive Career Management explains why 85 percent of opportunities come through people and how to work that truth intentionally. Episode Minutes: Minute 5: The Developer Strength Story Minute 8: Success is not Linear Minute 15: Introverts Make The Best Networkers Links + Resources from This Episode: Learn more about Gina's work at www.ginarileyconsulting.com Learn more about Angela's work at www.broadoaksconsulting.com Learn more about Georgie's work at www.georgienthoven.com Connect with Michelle Meritt on LinkedIn Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

What if the reason you feel depleted as a leader has less to do with working too hard and more to do with misdiagnosing what's actually draining you? In this episode of Dominate Your Day, I unpack a powerful coaching conversation about leadership burnout, the hidden cost of too many open loops, and why traditional advice like "just rest more" often falls short. I also introduce a framework that has helped leaders better understand how their energy is being spent so they can lead with more clarity, focus, and intention especially in seasons of rapid growth and constant change. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Not all burnout is physical diagnose the right type of depletion. Feeling exhausted doesn't always mean you need more sleep or rest. Leaders operate from four energy currencies physical, emotional, mental, and relational—and sustainable recovery starts with identifying which one is running low. 2. Mental depletion often comes from too many open loops. High performers can become overwhelmed not from lack of motivation, but from constant context switching, competing priorities, and work that feels never-ending. One of the most effective antidotes is creating focus and reducing cognitive overload. 3. Make the work feel completable. A focused 90-day window helps transform an overwhelming long-term vision into actionable priorities. By clarifying what matters most right now and intentionally setting aside what doesn't leaders can reduce stress, regain clarity, and lead with greater energy and purpose. Episode Minutes: Minute 2: The high-performing leader's burnout concern Minute 4: Introduction to the four energy tanks Minute 7: Practical self-inventory for energy assessment Links + Resources from This Episode: Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

This summer on Dominate Your Day, we are returning to the episode vault to bring back experts to discuss each of Gallup's five essential areas of wellbeing: Purpose, Social, Financial, Physical, and Community. Today we explore Physical Wellbeing an area that leaders often try to ignore and "push through" the discomfort for the sake of productivity. In this episode, Dr. Gloria Salvo (listen to episode #258) talks about how unhealed trauma affects the body on a physical level, and shares her confidence that healing is available for everyone. Cardiologist Dr. Alan Rozanski (listen to episode #214) tells us about the researched connection between purpose and heart health. Shelley Loving (listen to episode #162) shares the story of her husband's heart attack scare and the life-saving importance of proper nutrition. This is an important episode for all leaders! Episode Minutes: Minute 4: How Stress Lives In The Body Minute 9: How Mental Stress Affects The Heart Minute 25: Changing Your Mindset about Food Links + Resources from This Episode: Visit www.returntowholeness.com to learn more about Dr. Gloria Salvo's work Read research articles from Dr. Alan Rozanski on PubMD Learn more about Shelley Loving's work at www.shelleycanhelp.com Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

Instead of measuring success by tasks completed or constant busyness, what if we measured it by whether or not we made choices that were in alignment with our authentic identity, strengths, and values? In this episode, I introduce a practical framework for intentional daily design: starting the day with a clear intention, focusing on the three most meaningful actions tied to personal strengths, and ending the day with reflection rather than mere completion. This is a must-listen for any leader who is successful on paper, but feeling "off" on the inside. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. True productivity is about alignment, not output. Being busy or efficient does not necessarily mean living or leading in a meaningful way. Sustainable leadership comes from aligning daily actions with personal values and strengths. 2. Intentionality not your task list should guide the day. Starting the day with a clear intention helps leaders make decisions that reflect who they want to be, rather than simply reacting to demands. 3. The worth of your day is more than productivity alone. Asking questions like "Am I satisfied with how I showed up today?" creates a healthier and more authentic definition of productivity than checking off tasks alone. Episode Minutes: Minute 2: What it means to Dominate Your Day Minute 5: Intentional Daily Design In Practice Minute 8: Are You Satisfied With How You Showed Up Today Links + Resources from This Episode: Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal