Afleveringen
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Episode 6: Building an Empowered Ecosystem - How to Develop a Team That Thrives Without You
"Great leadership isn't about having all the answers â it's about empowering others to find them.â ~Dr. Carol Parker Walsh
Ever feel like you're the bottleneck in your organization? Like nothing gets done unless you're involved? In this episode, we unpack the second pillar of People-Forward Leadershipâ˘: the Empowered Ecosystem. Youâll learn some practical ways to stop being the answer machine and start building a team that can confidently solve problems without you. Through real stories youâll see how shifting your approach can free up your time, reduce your stress, and help your team members grow into the leaders they're capable of becoming.
Key Takeaways:
Stop being the hero â When you constantly provide answers, you're creating dependency, not developing your team. Delegation isn't just passing tasks â True delegation means giving both responsibility AND authority so your team can truly own their work. Create clear decision zones â Help your team understand precisely where they can decide independently and where they need input, eliminating the constant "Can I...?" questions. Demand solutions, not just problems â Train your team to bring recommendations, not just issues, changing the "What should I do?" dynamic. Watch your automatic reactions â Those thoughts like "It's faster if I do it myself" are red flags that you're undermining team development.Resources & LinksâŻ
Learn more about theâŻPeople-Forward Leadership⢠frameworkâŻâŻ Recommended readingâŻon building trust and collaboration in teams.⯠Get theâŻ3 Pillars of People-Forward Leadershipâ˘âŻâŻ Delegation Strategies for People Leaders - LinkedIn Learning CourseCall to ActionâŻ
Connect with us on social forâŻbehind-the-scenes content and leadership tips:âŻ
Linkedin⯠Instagram⯠Facebook⯠YouTube⯠Enjoyed this episode?âŻDonât miss out on the next oneâsubscribe to theâŻPeople-Forward Leadership⢠PodcastâŻonâŻSpotifyâŻorâŻApple Podcasts.⯠Leave a Review:âŻLet us know your biggest takeaway from this episode by leaving a review.âŻThank you for listening!âŻIf you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from a people-forward perspective on leadership. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.âŻ
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The People-Forward Leadership⢠Podcast brings you straightforward talk about becoming a better leader without the academic jargon. Join me every other week for real-world strategies that work in today's workplace.
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Episode 5: BRIDGING THE LEADERSHIP âGAPSâ IN THE TRANSIT INDUSTRY
"Emotional intelligence is the linchpin... If you can't manage self, then you won't be able to handle that $10,000 worth of stress that's coming your way.â ~Billy Terry
This week on the People-Forward Leadership⢠Podcast, I talk with the former Executive Director of the National Transit Institute about the critical leadership skills missing in today's transportation industry. Discover what transportation CEOs say about their leadership challenges, how emotional intelligence is necessary in reshaping technical workplaces, and practical approaches to developing people-forward leaderâ˘s in highly regulated environments. Whether in transportation or another technical field, you'll gain valuable insights on addressing leadership gaps in your organization.
About the Guest:
Billy Terry is the current Vice President for the Northeast Region for AtkinsRĂŠalis and the former Executive Director of the National Transit Institute at Rutgers University. His extensive career includes senior roles at the American Public Transportation Association, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and the District Department of Transportation.
Key Takeaways for Leaders:
Technical Expertise â Leadership Ability: Organizations often promote individuals based on technical skills without providing proper leadership training. Recognize this gap and implement structured development programs to help technical experts transition successfully into leadership roles. Mid-Level Managers Are Your Critical Link: As Billy notes, mid-level managers represent the largest volume of leaders in most organizations and can become efficiency bottlenecks when not properly equipped with communication, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence skills. Make Learning Accessible: When NTI shifted to virtual training during the pandemic, they unexpectedly reached a more diverse audience, including smaller rural agencies that couldn't afford travel expenses. Consider how your leadership development approach might unintentionally exclude valuable talent. Tiered Learning Works Better Than One-Size-Fits-All: Develop different levels of training for varying experience levels rather than "shoehorning" everyone into the same curriculum. This approach dramatically improves engagement and learning outcomes. Micro-Learning Can Bridge the Gap: If comprehensive programs aren't feasible, implement shorter, focused training sessions. As Billy said, "My grandmother used to say something better than nothing" â even partial development is better than none at all."Resources & Links
Learn more about theâŻPeople-Forward Leadership⢠framework⯠Recommended readingâŻon building trust and collaboration in teams. âŻGet theâŻ3 Pillars of People-Forward Leadershipâ˘âŻCall to Action
Connect with us on social forâŻbehind-the-scenes content and leadership tips:
Linkedin Instagram Facebook YouTube Enjoyed this episode?âŻDonât miss out on the next oneâsubscribe to theâŻPeople-Forward Leadership⢠PodcastâŻonâŻSpotifyâŻorâŻApple Podcasts. Leave a Review:âŻLet us know your biggest takeaway from this episode by leaving a review.Thank you for listening!âŻIf you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from a people-forward perspective on leadership. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Episode 4: ELEVATING LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC TRANSIT: A CHIEFâS PEOPLE-FORWARD JOURNEY
âPeople-forward leadership⢠creates freedomâfor your team to grow, for you to delegate effectively, and for the organization to thrive beyond any single leader's tenure.â â Tomika Monterville
In this powerful episode, Tomika Monterville shares her transformative 30-year journey to the executive level and her Chief role at the US Department of Transportationâs Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), revealing how people-forward leadership⢠principles fundamentally changed her management and team development approach. This conversation goes beyond typical leadership advice, offering a masterclass in authentic leadership that balances vulnerability with strength.
Leaders at all levels will find immense value in Tomika's candid discussion of overcoming self-doubt, building dynamic teams across generational divides, and creating psychological safety for difficult conversations. For emerging leaders especially, Tomika's insights on succession planning and developing others provide an actionable blueprint for growth. The episode powerfully demonstrates how investing in people-forward leadership practices doesn't just improve workplace cultureâit directly impacts organizational performance, reduces risks, and creates sustainable success across industries.
About the Guest
Tomika Monterville is a trailblazer in the transportation industry with 30 years of experience. Tomika has had a remarkable journey from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to her current leadership role as Chief of the Federal Railroad Administration.
Key Takeaways
The leadership journey begins with self-awareness: Coaching with the Host helped Tomika recognize her true capabilities and stop "selling herself short," allowing her to lead authentically. It helps to overcome self-doubt and grow as a leader. People-forward leadership has three pillars: Leader awareness, empowered ecosystem, and collective learningâcreating spaces where teams can have "intellectual friction without social friction.â It creates an environment where relationships and trust drive organizational success. Focus on people first, work second: Understanding that employees are humans first helps leaders identify when performance issues require coaching, counseling, or additional training. Leadership is relational, not tactical: The transit industry often promotes based on tenure without equipping supervisors with crucial emotional intelligence and relationship-building skills, which creates costly blind spots and risks. Vulnerability is strength: Allowing team members to shine in their areas of expertise and being open about your own limitations creates stronger, more innovative teams. Create succession pathways through relationships: By building relationships, understanding individual needs, and bringing emerging leaders "to the table," leaders create sustainable growth that outlasts their tenure.Resources & Links
Learn more about the People-Forward Leadership⢠framework Recommended reading on building trust and collaboration in teams. Get the 3 Pillars of People-Forward Leadershipâ˘
Call to Action
Connect with us on social for behind-the-scenes content and leadership tips:LinkedinInstagramFacebookYouTubeEnjoyed this episode? Donât miss out on the next oneâsubscribe to the People-Forward Leadership⢠Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Leave a Review: Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode by leaving a review.Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from a people-forward perspective on leadership. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.
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Episode 3: Driving Change: How a Transit CEO Became a People-Forward Catalyst
âWeâve been conditioned to think leaders must be heavy-handed and have all the answers. Thatâs not me.â â Leann Caver
In this illuminating episode, we sit down with a transit CEO who is working on blending operational excellence with a people-first mindset. She shares her remarkable journey into the CEO role, reflecting on how her innate desire to help people shaped her two-decade career in transit. She also discusses the challenges of leading a newly assembled executive team, embracing a People-Forward Leadership⢠framework, the power of establishing core values, and why embracing authenticity and empathy can be game-changers for leaders everywhere.
About the GuestLeann Caver is the CEO of C-Tran, leading a team of about 450 employees who provide vital transit services to their region and community. With over 20 years in public transportation, sheâs dedicated to uplifting peopleâfrom frontline staff to executive leadersâthrough authentic, empathetic leadership.
Key TakeawaysFrom the Front Lines to the C-Suite
How Leann âfell intoâ transportation as a bus driverHer steady climb through supervisory, managerial, and executive rolesWhy hands-on industry experience fosters respect and trust at every levelRedefining Leadership
Challenging the traditional, top-down mindsetEmbracing vulnerability, empathy, and open communicationOvercoming the fear of not having all the answers immediatelyBuilding a People-Forward Culture
The role of core values in uniting teams and guiding decisionsBreaking down silos and encouraging honest dialogue across departmentsHow personal coaching and team development accelerated the cultural shiftAuthenticity as a Catalyst
Leannâs journey of self-discovery and confidence-buildingModeling transparency and trust to empower direct reportsGiving executives the autonomy to lead while still aligning around a shared visionAdvice for Aspiring and New CEOs
Why embracing a people-first approach yields long-term benefitsHow investing in coaching and leadership development pays offRecognizing the time it takes to shift cultureâand why itâs worth itResources & LinksLearn more about C-Tran and Leann CaverLearn more about the People-Forward Leadership⢠framework Recommended reading on building trust and collaboration in teams.Get the 3 Pillars of People-Forward Leadership⢠Call to Action:Connect with us on social for behind-the-scenes content and leadership tips:LinkedinInstagramFacebookYouTubeEnjoyed this episode? Donât miss out on the next oneâsubscribe to the People-Forward Leadership Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Leave a Review: Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode by leaving a review.Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a colleague or friend who might benefit from a people-forward perspective on leadership. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you tune in for future episodes.
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Episode #2: Leader Awareness: Cultivating Self-Awareness and Vulnerability
This episode focuses on the first pillar of People-Forward Leadership⢠and the heart of effective leadership--leader awareness or self-leadership. Learn how embracing vulnerability and authenticity isn't a sign of weakness but a powerful tool for growth. Some game-changing tools can help you understand your leadership compass. If you're ready to step into the core of what it means to be a People-Forward Leaderâ˘, this episode is for you!
Key Takeaways:
Embracing Vulnerability: Why admitting you don't have all the answers can be one of your greatest strengths.
The Power of Reflective Journaling: Why most leaders aren't as aware as they should be and how this tool can help.
Using DISC For Deeper Awareness: Using Maxwell DISC as a tool for greater insights.
Daily Vulnerability Practice: Learn a simple practice to raise awareness and increase vulnerability.
Featured on This Episode and Additional Resources:
Maxwell DISC Behavior AnalysisThe ROI of DISC: A Clear Path to Better LeadershipCarol Parker Walsh Consulting GroupGet the 3 Pillars of People-Forward Leadershipâ˘Get Time Savvy for Busy LeadersJoin and Connect with Us on Social:
LinkedinInstagramFacebookYouTubeThanks for listening!
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Episode #1: Introducing People-Forward Leadershipâ˘: Why Managing People Matters More Than Ever
This first episode of The People-Forward Leadership⢠Podcast explores why human capital management is more critical than ever in todayâs fast-paced and unpredictable workplace.
This episode introduces People-Forward Leadershipâ˘, a research-based, action-oriented approach that puts people at the center of every decision. It outlines key components of the framework and emphasizes that successful leaders cultivate talent rather than merely manage tasks. When you lead with people in mind, you boost engagement, drive innovation, reduce turnover, and ultimately shape a culture where everyone thrives.
This premiere sets the stage for upcoming conversations with expert âcatalystsââleaders whoâve put these principles into practice. Each episode will deliver concise insights leaders can apply immediately to help develop self-awareness, empower their teams, and build the foundation for a resilient, future-focused organization.
Key Takeaways From This Episode:
The need to shift from simply managing tasks to cultivating talent.A fresh approachâPeople-Forward Leadershipâ˘âdesigned to help you engage, empower, and elevate your teams.Why empathy, active listening, and continuous development are the keys to thriving cultures and high-performing organizations.Featured on This Episode and Additional Resources:
DDI Global Leadership ForecastMcKinsey Women in the Workplace ReportCarol Parker Walsh Consulting GroupGet the 3 Pillars of People-Forward Leadershipâ˘Get Time Savvy for Busy LeadersJoin and Connect with Us on Social:
LinkedinInstagramFacebookYouTubeThanks for listening!
