The Leadership Toolkit cover art

The Leadership Toolkit

The Leadership Toolkit

By: Mike Phillips
Listen for free

LIMITED TIME OFFER | £0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Premium Plus auto-renews at £8.99/mo after 3 months. Terms apply.

About this listen

 The Leadership Toolkit with Mike Phillips delivers raw, real, and relevant conversations with top leaders, coaches, and entrepreneurs. Each week, gain actionable strategies to lead with purpose, communicate with impact, and grow yourself and your team. Hosted by leadership expert and keynote speaker Mike Phillips, this podcast equips driven professionals with practical tools to succeed in today’s fast-paced world. Great leaders aren’t born... they’re built. Tune in and start building. #LeadershipSuccess #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #TheLeadershipToolkitMike Phillips Economics
Episodes
  • Tackle Tough Conversations. How To Be The Best Leader | Guest: Dianna Anderson

    Tackle Tough Conversations. How To Be The Best Leader | Guest: Dianna Anderson
    Jan 15 2026
    Hard conversations are unavoidable for leaders. Avoiding them is not optional.In this powerful episode of The Leadership Toolkit, our host Mike Phillips sits down with Dianna Anderson, Co-Founder and CEO of Cylient, to unpack why tough conversations feel so difficult and how leaders can navigate them with confidence, clarity, and purpose.Dianna is the creator of Untying the Knot, a proven framework that helps leaders coach in the moment and move through challenging conversations that stall progress. With more than 55,000 leaders trained worldwide, recognition from Forbes as a pioneer in coaching cultures, and authorship of the first textbook on the ROI of coaching, Dianna brings deep expertise and real-world practicality to this conversation.In this episode, you will learn:Why real coaching is about igniting insight, not giving adviceHow curiosity changes the outcome of difficult conversationsThe difference between coaching and managing, and when each mattersWhy “no choice, no coaching” is a critical leadership principleHow change has changed and why the human side of change matters more than everIf you lead people, coach teams, or want to grow through change instead of resisting it, this episode will give you tools you can use immediately.🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use1️⃣ Shift from judgment to curiosity - Before you try to “fix” anything, get curious about what’s really going on for the person. Curiosity creates safety and opens the door to progress.2️⃣ Use the coaching litmus test: “Is insight ignited?” - Real coaching creates an “aha” moment that changes perspective. If the conversation never sparks insight, it usually turns into advice, pressure, or persuasion.3️⃣ Center yourself before the hard conversation - Go in calm, grounded, and clear. A centered leader sets the emotional tone and makes the conversation feel safer for everyone involved.4️⃣ Make the conversation about service, not your agenda - Ask: “How will this help them?” When your intention is genuinely to help someone grow, resistance drops and collaboration rises.5️⃣ Remember: no choice, no coaching - If the person has no option (it must be done), be direct. Save coaching for after, when you can help them learn, adapt, and improve the way they execute moving forward.Contact Information:Dianna AndersonWeb: Cylient.comLinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/Dianna-Anderson-CylientMike PhillipsEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillipsCredits:Hosted by Mike PhillipsProduced by The Leadership Toolkit TeamGuest: Dianna Anderson, teaching over 55,000 leaders to untie the knot and thrive in business.Watch more episodes of the Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.comIf you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review!Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.Thank you for watching and listening!* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised.*** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • Building Your Dojo: Small Actions That Create Big Leadership Impact | Guest: Sam Demma

    Building Your Dojo: Small Actions That Create Big Leadership Impact | Guest: Sam Demma
    Dec 17 2025

    What if real leadership growth does not come from big moments, but from small, consistent actions practiced every day?


    In this episode of The Leadership Toolkit, Mike Phillips sits down with bestselling author, keynote speaker, and creator Sam Demma for an energizing and deeply practical conversation about leadership, resilience, kindness, and intentional growth.


    Sam shares his journey from career-ending injuries to building a global speaking platform, reaching hundreds of millions of people with messages rooted in empathy and service. Together, Mike and Sam unpack what it truly means to lead with heart, build a personal “dojo” for growth, and stay committed to the work long before anyone is watching.


    🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use

    1️⃣ Build Your Dojo: Every craft needs a place to practice. Whether it’s leadership, communication, sales, or creativity, growth requires a dedicated space and time to sharpen your skills.

    2️⃣ Measure Attendance First: Before worrying about outcomes, focus on showing up. Consistent presence creates momentum and progress takes care of itself over time.

    3️⃣ Lead With Genuine Care: People connect to authenticity, not perfection. A sincere desire to serve and support others carries more weight than polished delivery or titles.

    4️⃣ Stop Playing for the Points: Rediscover the love of the game. When leaders reconnect with why they started, passion replaces burnout and purpose returns.

    5️⃣ Scale Impact Through Others: Let go of what drains you. Outsourcing work that causes anxiety frees you to cast vision, grow the mission, and empower your team.


    Contact Information:

    Sam Demma

    Web: SamDemma.com

    Books: Shop.SamDemma.com

    Instagram: Instagram.com/Sam_Demma

    YouTube: YouTube.com/@Sam_Demma


    Mike Phillips

    Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠

    YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips


    Credits:

    Hosted by Mike Phillips

    Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team

    Guest: Sam Demma: Champion of Kindness, Consistency, and Purpose-Driven Leadership

    Watch more episodes of the Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com


    If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review!


    Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.


    Thank you for watching and listening!


    * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised.


    *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • The Secret to Empowering Unofficial Leaders in Your Workplace | Guest: Karen ansen

    The Secret to Empowering Unofficial Leaders in Your Workplace | Guest: Karen ansen
    Dec 11 2025

    In this powerful episode of The Leadership Toolkit, Mike Phillips sits down with Australian employment lawyer, HR strategist, and leadership coach Karen Ansen, founder of Ignite HR and Ignite Your Purpose.

    Karen is widely known as the person organizations call when the situation is at its toughest. From guiding boards through high-stakes CEO exits to navigating workplace conflict with compassion and clarity, she blends legal precision with heartfelt leadership. Her unique ability to make people feel seen, heard, and understood has positioned her as a trusted advisor to leaders across Australia.


    In this conversation, Mike and Karen break down:

    • Why leaders fear difficult conversations and how to face them with confidence
    • How asking better questions eliminates assumptions and opens true understanding
    • What really happens when people do not feel heard
      The role of “unofficial leaders” and why they often hold more influence than those with titles
    • Simple actions that transform culture and strengthen trust inside any organization
    • How self-awareness, breath work, and authentic leadership help leaders break old patterns and step into their purpose


    Whether you lead a team, want to become a stronger communicator, or are striving to elevate your workplace culture, this episode offers tools and insights you can apply immediately.


    Contact Information:


    Email: karen@ignitehr.com.au

    Linkedin: LinedIn.com/in/KarenAnsen

    Web: IgniteHR.com.au


    Mike Phillips

    Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT

    YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips


    Credits:

    Hosted by Mike Phillips

    Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team

    Guest: Karen Ansen, professional fixer, and empowering unofficial leaders to lead in business


    Watch more episodes of the Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com


    If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review.


    Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.


    Thank you for watching and listening.


    * Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised.


    *** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
No reviews yet