Episodes

  • Trust, Psychological Safety, and Better Teams: A Conversation with Wes Adams (Part Two)

    Trust, Psychological Safety, and Better Teams: A Conversation with Wes Adams (Part Two)
    May 27 2026
    In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Wes Adams – Founder & CEO of SV Consulting Group, researcher at the University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology Center, and co-author of “Meaningful Work” – Wes breaks down what actually creates high-performing teams and why trust, psychological safety, and communication matter more than most leaders realize.

    Wes explains how great teams encourage diverse ideas, why leaders need to create environments where people feel safe sharing bad news early, and how collaboration improves when teams adopt a “yes, and” mindset instead of shutting ideas down. He also discusses the importance of values-based hiring, intentional onboarding, and how organizations can build stronger cultures by aligning leadership behavior with company values.

    The conversation also explores the future of meaningful work in the age of AI, and why human skills like empathy, adaptability, strategic thinking, and communication are becoming more valuable, not less.This is the second part of a two-part conversation.Topics Covered:
    • Why psychological safety drives team performance
    • The connection between trust and accountability
    • How leaders create environments where people feel safe speaking up
    • Why teams perform better when diverse ideas are welcomed
    • Lessons leaders can learn from improv and the “yes, and” mindset
    • Encouraging participation from quieter or introverted team members
    • The importance of equal airtime in meetings
    • Why remote and hybrid teams require more intentional communication
    • How to respond productively during conflict and disagreement
    • The PEAR model for handling difficult conversations
    • Why character and values matter more than raw talent when hiring
    • The long-term impact of onboarding and first impressions
    • Using positive feedback to reinforce high performance
    • How meaningful work influences accountability and collaboration
    • The role of AI in reshaping work and leadership
    • Why human skills are becoming even more valuable in an AI-driven world
    Links:
    Wes’ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesadams1/
    Wes’ book, “Meaningful Work” - https://amzn.to/430EmSa
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    32 mins
  • Meaningful Work Drives Meaningful Results: A Conversation with Wes Adams (Part One)

    Meaningful Work Drives Meaningful Results: A Conversation with Wes Adams (Part One)
    May 20 2026
    In this episode, Clint talks with Wes Adams – Founder & CEO of SV Consulting Group, researcher at the University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology Center, and co-author of “Meaningful Work” – about what actually drives engagement, performance, and fulfillment at work.

    Wes explains why meaningful work is more than compensation, perks, or job titles, and why leaders who focus on community, contribution, and challenge create teams that are more innovative, resilient, and accountable. He also breaks down the difference between happiness and meaning at work, why meaningful work can exist in any role, and how small leadership behaviors can have a massive impact on team culture and performance.

    Throughout the conversation, Clint and Wes explore the growing importance of human-centered leadership in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world, and why creating meaningful work is quickly becoming one of the most important competitive advantages organizations can build.This is the first part of a two-part conversation.Topics Covered:
    • Why meaningful work is a major driver of performance
    • The “3 Cs” of meaningful work: community, contribution, and challenge
    • Why purpose alone isn’t enough to create engagement
    • The difference between meaningful work and happy work
    • How leaders create environments where people thrive
    • Why community at work matters more than ever
    • Building trust and psychological safety on teams
    • The impact of remote and hybrid work on connection and belonging
    • Why meaningful work can exist in any role or industry
    • The importance of aligning company values with leadership behavior
    • Why positive feedback is one of the most underused leadership skills
    • Helping employees grow through achievable challenge
    • How meaningful work drives accountability and collaboration
    • Why psychological safety improves innovation and adaptability
    • The growing importance of human skills in the age of AI
    Links:
    Wes’ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesadams1/
    Wes’ book, “Meaningful Work” - https://amzn.to/430EmSa
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    43 mins
  • Better Thinking, Better Leadership: A Conversation with M.J. Clark (Part Two)

    Better Thinking, Better Leadership: A Conversation with M.J. Clark (Part Two)
    May 13 2026
    In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with M.J. Clark – Vice President at Integrated Leadership Systems and author of “Leading Through Listening – M.J. dives into the internal side of leadership, explaining how mindset, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence shape the way leaders communicate, handle conflict, and build trust.

    She introduces the ABC model (Activating Event, Belief System, Consequences) as a practical framework for understanding and changing reactions, and explains how leaders can shift from emotional responses to more thoughtful, productive behaviors. M.J. also explores why cognitive dissonance and lack of self-awareness often lead to poor decisions, miscommunication, and even dishonesty in the workplace.

    The conversation also covers how leaders can navigate difficult conversations, de-escalate conflict, and create accountability, while reinforcing why face-to-face communication remains essential for building trust and strong team dynamics.This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

    Topics Covered:
    • The ABC model and how thoughts drive emotions and behavior
    • How to reframe negative thinking into practical, productive responses
    • What cognitive dissonance reveals about self-awareness and behavior
    • Why leaders struggle to accurately assess their own communication style
    • The role of emotional intelligence in handling feedback and conflict
    • How reactive behavior signals low leadership maturity
    • Techniques for de-escalating conflict through tone, pacing, and questions
    • Why asking questions helps shift emotional conversations to logical thinking
    • The importance of face-to-face communication for trust and accountability
    • How to create accountability without formal authority
    • Why starting with trust accelerates relationships and team performance
    • The difference between communication and true conversation
    • Practical ways to close the loop and ensure clarity in communication
    • How journaling and self-observation improve leadership effectiveness
    Links:
    M.J.’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjclark22/
    M.J.’s book, “Leading Through Listening” - https://amzn.to/4ugN22q
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    39 mins
  • The Power of Listening: A Conversation with M.J. Clark (Part One)

    The Power of Listening: A Conversation with M.J. Clark (Part One)
    May 6 2026
    In this episode, Clint talks with M.J. Clark – Vice President at Integrated Leadership Systems and author of “Leading Through Listening” – about why listening is one of the most overlooked yet powerful leadership skills, and how it directly impacts trust, communication, and team performance.

    Drawing from her experience as a leadership consultant and executive coach, M.J. shares how many leaders unintentionally undermine their teams by talking too much, steering conversations, or failing to create an environment where people feel heard. She explains what “quiet leadership” looks like in practice, how to use questions instead of answers to empower teams, and why psychological safety starts with how leaders listen.

    Through personal stories and real-world examples, M.J. highlights how better listening leads to stronger collaboration, more innovative thinking, and deeper respect across teams.This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

    Topics Covered:
    • The difference between talking to lead and listening to lead
    • How “quiet leadership” empowers teams to find their own answers
    • Why leaders who dominate conversations limit team performance
    • The role of psychological safety in open communication
    • How to recognize when a team doesn’t feel heard
    • The concept of conversational turn-taking and why it matters
    • How leaders can draw out quieter voices in meetings
    • The impact of listening on trust, respect, and team dynamics
    • Common communication habits that unintentionally shut people down
    • The connection between listening and better decision-making
    • Why diverse perspectives strengthen team outcomes
    • How self-awareness shapes effective communication
    Links:
    M.J.’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjclark22/
    M.J.’s book, “Leading Through Listening” - https://amzn.to/4ugN22q
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    32 mins
  • Leadership Habits to Reduce Burnout: A Conversation with Paula Davis (Part Two)

    Leadership Habits to Reduce Burnout: A Conversation with Paula Davis (Part Two)
    Apr 29 2026
    In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Paula Davis – Founder and CEO of the Stress & Resilience Institute and author of “Beating Burnout at Work” and “Lead Well” – Paula breaks down the practical leadership behaviors that build stronger teams, increase engagement, and reduce burnout over time.
    She introduces concepts like “sticky recognition” and “thank you plus,” explaining how small, intentional moments of feedback can create lasting impact and reinforce a sense of meaning at work. Paula also discusses how leaders can build trust, strengthen relationships, and create real connection, even in hybrid or remote environments.

    From fostering belonging to responding to wins the right way, this part of the conversation focuses on simple, actionable skills that leaders can apply immediately to improve team performance and resilience.

    This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

    • Topics Covered:
    • What “sticky recognition” is and why it creates lasting impact
    • The concept of mattering and why it drives motivation and retention
    • How to use “thank you plus” to make feedback more meaningful
    • Why leaders often overlook recognition and how to fix it
    • How small moments of acknowledgment reduce burnout and increase engagement
    • Expanding the definition of autonomy beyond time and location
    • How to build community in hybrid and remote teams
    • The role of informal conversations in strengthening team connection
    • Why having a best friend at work impacts performance and wellbeing
    • How to create stronger relationships through active constructive responding (ACR)
    • Common communication habits that unintentionally damage relationships
    • What team resilience looks like before, during, and after challenges
    • How trust, communication, and psychological safety drive better outcomes
    • The surprising link between connection, trust, and team performance

    Links:
    Paula’s website - https://stressandresilience.com/
    Paula’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauladavislaack/
    Paula’s book, “Beating Burnout at Work” - https://amzn.to/4tKzkEG
    Paula’s book, “Lead Well” - https://amzn.to/4mvTqQC
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    31 mins
  • Burnout Isn’t What You Think: A Conversation with Paula Davis (Part One)

    Burnout Isn’t What You Think: A Conversation with Paula Davis (Part One)
    Apr 22 2026
    In this episode, Clint talks with Paula Davis – Founder and CEO of the Stress & Resilience Institute and author of “Beating Burnout at Work” and “Lead Well” – about what burnout really is, why most organizations misunderstand it, and what leaders need to do differently to build resilient, high-performing teams.

    Drawing from her own experience burning out as a lawyer and her work with leaders across industries, Paula explains why burnout is a systemic issue rooted in how work is designed. She breaks down the key drivers of stress and disengagement, why leaders often miss what’s really happening on their teams, and how small, intentional actions can create meaningful change.

    Through practical insights and research-backed frameworks, Paula offers a clearer way to think about workload, team dynamics, and leadership behaviors, helping leaders move from reactive fixes to sustainable performance.

    This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

    Topics Covered:
    • Paula’s journey from law to burnout and into resilience research
    • Why burnout is more than just an individual stress problem
    • The difference between high workload and unmanageable workload
    • Why most wellness programs don’t fix burnout
    • The gap between what leaders think and what employees experience
    • Why burnout is a systemic, culture-driven issue
    • The six core drivers of stress and disengagement in teams
    • How lack of recognition shows up beyond just not hearing “thank you”
    • The role of fairness, transparency, and trust in team health
    • Why leaders are often underprepared to address burnout
    • How meaningful one-on-one conversations drive engagement
    • The impact of constant busyness and overloaded teams
    • Why connection and community break down under pressure
    • The balance between autonomy and belonging in modern work environments
    • How small, consistent leadership actions (“tiny noticeable things”) create resilience


    Links:
    Paula’s website - https://stressandresilience.com/
    Paula’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauladavislaack/
    Paula’s book, “Beating Burnout at Work” - https://amzn.to/4tKzkEG
    Paula’s book, “Lead Well” - https://amzn.to/4mvTqQC
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    36 mins
  • Clarity, Consistency, and Credibility: A Conversation with Mark Fava (Part Two)

    Clarity, Consistency, and Credibility: A Conversation with Mark Fava (Part Two)
    Apr 15 2026
    In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Mark Fava – former U.S. Navy Officer, accomplished aviation attorney, and author of “Lessons from the Admiral” – Mark shares practical leadership lessons on communication, trust, and execution that apply across any organization.

    He explains why exceptional leaders repeat their message with clarity and consistency, how listening builds credibility faster than talking, and why transparency, especially in difficult situations, is critical to maintaining trust and morale.

    Mark also covers how leaders should handle problems early, create environments where people feel safe raising issues, and balance honest feedback with strong team alignment.

    Through real-world examples, he highlights the importance of preparation, accountability, and doing what you say you’re going to do, every time.

    The conversation closes with advice for early-career professionals on leading without authority, overcoming self-doubt, and building a reputation that lasts.

    This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

    Topics Covered:
    • Why consistent messaging is critical for effective leadership
    • How to communicate clearly, concisely, and with impact
    • The “three bullet rule” for simplifying communication
    • Why great leaders listen first, and how it builds credibility
    • The role of transparency in building trust and morale
    • How to handle difficult messages and lead through discomfort
    • Why problems don’t age well, and how to address them early
    • Creating a culture where team members feel safe speaking up
    • The balance between healthy disagreement and team alignment
    • Why preparation drives confidence and performance
    • Leading without authority through reliability and execution
    • The importance of doing what you say you’ll do
    • Overcoming imposter syndrome early in your career
    • Lessons learned from failure and how to reset and move forward
    • The concept of “legacy leadership” and long-term impact
    • Why integrity and reputation are a leader’s most valuable assets

    Links:
    Mark’s website - https://markcfava.com/
    Mark’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcfava/
    Mark’s book, “Lessons from the Admiral” - https://amzn.to/48m9tum
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    30 mins
  • Leadership Under Pressure: A Conversation with Mark Fava (Part One)

    Leadership Under Pressure: A Conversation with Mark Fava (Part One)
    Apr 8 2026
    In this episode, Clint talks with Mark Fava, former U.S. Navy Officer, accomplished aviation attorney, and author of “Lessons from the Admiral” about what real leadership looks like under pressure and the habits that separate good leaders from great ones.

    Drawing from his time as an admiral’s aide, Mark shares firsthand experiences from high-stakes environments where execution, trust, and attention to detail were mission-critical. He explains how doing both the “small” jobs and the high-visibility work equally well builds credibility, why early impressions matter more than most people realize, and how leaders earn trust through consistency, humility, and accountability.

    Through practical stories and hard-earned lessons, Mark bridges the gap between military leadership and the corporate world, offering a clear roadmap for leading teams, building trust, and delivering results when it matters most.

    This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

    Topics Covered:
    Mark’s journey from Naval ROTC to becoming an admiral’s aide
    What it’s like to support senior leadership in high-pressure environments
    Why no task is “below your pay grade” in great leadership
    How early performance shapes long-term reputation
    The importance of attention to detail and flawless execution
    How to build credibility with peers and superiors early in your career
    Why helping others is the fastest way to build trust
    Leadership lessons from working closely with an admiral
    Taking responsibility for mistakes and learning from them
    Why leaders should take the blame and pass the praise
    The importance of understanding expectations and alignment
    How to disagree behind closed doors and align in public
    The difference between communication and conversation in leadership
    Why delivery and timing matter when giving feedback
    Real-world lessons from military leadership that apply to business today

    Links:
    Mark’s website - https://markcfava.com/
    Mark’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcfava/
    Mark’s book, “Lessons from the Admiral” - https://amzn.to/48m9tum
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    36 mins