The Servant Leadership Podcast

Servant leadership starts with clear agreements, honest feedback, and a commitment to helping others grow. Stephen Dean Crawford of InteraWorks joins the podcast to explain why alignment creates accountability and how to put that principle into practice.A Marine Corps veteran and former executive overseeing global operations, Stephen shares why he took a 60% pay cut to pursue work centered on developing people. His story opens a practical conversation about finding purpose, building trust, and leading with intention.In this episode, we explore:• Why accountability is a gift rather than a punishment• How clear agreements prevent missed expectations• The difference between praising people and acknowledging their impact• How to lead through influence, regardless of your title• Why effective leaders adapt their feedback to each person• How to focus on what you can control and influence• The Effective EDGE approach: Empty, Decide, Group, and Execute• Using your calendar to make time for your commitmentsWhether you’re a new manager, an experienced executive, or someone who wants to make a positive difference, this conversation offers practical ways to lead and work with greater purpose.What’s one agreement you could clarify with your team this week? Share it in the comments.Subscribe for more conversations about servant leadership, personal growth, and making a positive impact. Share this episode with someone who’s growing as a leader.Follow Steven Crawford:https://linkedin.com/in/steven-crawford-productivity/https://interaworks.com/TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Stephen Crawford00:53 From Humble Beginnings to the Marine Corps03:30 What Makes Someone a Natural Leader?06:01 Why Stephen Took a 60% Pay Cut13:30 What Is Conscious Leadership?14:38 The True Meaning of Servant Leadership16:38 Why Acknowledgment Beats Praise18:25 How Small Actions Create Lasting Impact20:23 How to Reduce Stress and Focus on What You Control22:18 Leadership Advice for Young Professionals27:41 Control, Influence, and Emotional Responsibility32:07 Why Organizations Must Invest in Their People34:25 Why Work-Life Balance Doesn't Work36:55 Time Management and the Effective Edge System38:18 The EDGE Productivity Method Explained40:52 Building Better Productivity Habits45:15 Leadership Development for Every Organization47:05 Why Alignment Creates Accountability50:05 Turning Setbacks Into Opportunities53:37 Final Thoughts and Closing#servantleadership #leadershipdevelopment #accountabilityWant to keep the conversation going? Book a 15 minute conversation with Greg: adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connectionWatch full episodes and shorts on YouTube: Aden Leadership on YouTubeFollow Greg: adenleadership.com | LinkedIn | Facebook

Build trust, unite your team, and lead with empathy. Greg Aden and Coach Jim Johnson explore servant leadership through the remarkable J-Mac story.What does it take to help people succeed when the pressure is on?In this episode of the Servant Leadership Podcast, Greg Aden welcomes basketball coach, speaker, and author Coach Jim Johnson for a conversation about leadership development, accountability, and creating a team culture where people feel heard.Jim shares the story of Jason “J-Mac” McElwain’s unforgettable basketball game and the experiences behind his book, Dreams Really Do Come True. Greg asks what happened behind the scenes, how Jim handled a divided team, and what changed when he became willing to listen and admit he didn’t have every answer.Together, they explore seven leadership principles, including clarifying your vision, building trust, effective communication, leading by example, and serving others. Jim explains why leaders need a personal mission statement, consistent boundaries, and an intentional plan for growth.The conversation also turns to parenting, supporting a child’s individual interests, and the responsibility leaders have to model the behavior they expect. Whether you lead a business, coach a team, or raise a family, these lessons offer practical ways to become more curious, empathetic, and accountable.Follow Coach Jim Johnson:https://linkedin.com/in/coachjimjohnson/https://coachjimjohnson.com/Want to keep the conversation going? If something here landed with you, if you have a question about how Greg works with leaders and their teams, or if you just want to share your own experience, book a 15-minute conversation with Greg: https://adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connection/Follow Greg Aden:https://adenleadership.com/https://linkedin.com/in/greg-aden-leadership/https://facebook.com/adenleadership/#servantleadership  #leadershipdevelopment  #GregAden #CoachJimJohnson #JMacCHAPTERS00:00 Welcome and episode preview01:03 Why Jim wrote his book02:46 The J-Mac basketball story11:04 Leading a team through adversity17:50 A message from InteraWorks18:43 Bringing leadership lessons beyond basketball19:09 Lead yourself and define your mission22:08 Accountability and consistent standards25:31 Clear boundaries and team culture26:17 Jim’s seven leadership principles28:37 Learning to become a better leader32:52 Parenting and leading by example38:43 Caring, challenging, and servant leadership40:37 Greg’s closing leadership reflections42:07 Episode takeawaysWant to keep the conversation going? Book a 15 minute conversation with Greg: adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connectionWatch full episodes and shorts on YouTube: Aden Leadership on YouTubeFollow Greg: adenleadership.com | LinkedIn | Facebook

Great leaders build trust, not fear. Brian Packer reveals how servant leadership, psychological safety, and strong values create successful teams.In this episode of the Servant Leadership Podcast, host Greg Aden sits down with Brian Packer, founder of Legacy Sustained, to explore what separates great leaders from toxic leaders and how leadership decisions shape the future of organizations.With over 20 years of consulting experience, Brian shares his approach to leadership development, building a positive workplace culture, and helping organizations achieve long-term success.Together, Greg and Brian discuss the importance of leading with integrity, accountability, empathy, and courage. They explain why psychological safety allows employees to ask questions, share ideas, and grow without fear of judgment. Brian also explores the difference between values and principles, why command-and-control leadership can damage organizations, and how servant leaders build stronger teams through trust and collaboration.The conversation also challenges traditional business leadership by emphasizing sustainable growth, employee development, and customer relationships over short-term profits.Whether you're a business owner, executive, manager, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader, this conversation offers practical leadership lessons to help you build trust, improve team performance, and create a lasting legacy.Follow Brian Packer:https://linkedin.com/in/brianspacker/https://legacysustained.com/Want to keep the conversation going? If something here landed with you, if you have a question about how Greg works with leaders and their teams, or if you just want to share your own experience, book a 15-minute conversation with Greg: https://adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connection/Follow Greg Aden:https://adenleadership.com/https://linkedin.com/in/greg-aden-leadership/https://facebook.com/adenleadership/Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Brian Packer04:58 Who Is Brian Packer? Leadership and Personal Values07:23 How Toxic Leadership Hurts Organizations09:19 Building a Lasting Leadership Legacy12:53 Brian's Journey Into Leadership Coaching15:24 Values vs. Principles in Leadership19:39 Why Empathy and Curiosity Matter20:55 Sponsor: InteraWorks21:47 Creating Psychological Safety at Work25:06 Why Leaders Fail to Create Safe Environments27:53 Servant Leadership vs. Command and Control31:18 Long-Term Success vs. Short-Term Profits34:09 How Small Actions Create Lasting Change36:59 Leading Without Fear39:10 One Daily Choice That Makes You a Better Leader40:15 Why Great Teams Need Systems, Not HeroesWant to keep the conversation going? Book a 15 minute conversation with Greg: adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connectionWatch full episodes and shorts on YouTube: Aden Leadership on YouTubeFollow Greg: adenleadership.com | LinkedIn | Facebook

What makes a great leader? David Kong and Greg Aden explore servant leadership, owning mistakes, and building a legacy beyond your title.Greg Aden welcomes David Kong, former Best Western CEO and founder of It’s Personal Stories, to the Servant Leadership Podcast for a candid conversation about leadership development, accountability, empathy, and the impact we leave on other people.David explains why working hard alone isn’t enough to advance your career, and why mentors, advocates, and taking responsibility matter. He shares how owning a costly mistake helped build trust, what he learned from a major business setback, and why helping others succeed remains meaningful long after a job title disappears.Greg and David explore what servant leadership looks like in everyday conversations: making time for people, listening with curiosity, responding with empathy, and showing up as a human being. Greg also shares why he teaches small shifts in behavior, how leadership habits carry into parenting, and the personal legacy behind the words “Dad inspired us.”Whether you’re a new manager, an executive, or a hospitality professional, this episode offers practical leadership lessons for strengthening relationships and leading with humility.Connect with David Kong on LinkedIn:https://linkedin.com/in/davidkongbw/Want to keep the conversation going? If something here landed with you, if you have a question about how Greg works with leaders and their teams, or if you just want to share your own experience, book a 15-minute conversation with Greg: https://adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connection/Follow Greg Aden:https://adenleadership.com/https://linkedin.com/in/greg-aden-leadership/https://facebook.com/adenleadership/Subscribe to Aden Leadership for more conversations about servant leadership, communication, and building stronger teams. Share this episode with a leader you care about.What do you want people to remember about your leadership? Tell us in the comments!#servantleadership #leadershippodcast #executiveleadership #leadershipdevelopment #executivecoaching #courageousconversations #workplaceculture #communication #management CHAPTERS00:00 Introducing David Kong00:49 Giving back and developing future leaders04:48 Why hard work alone isn’t enough07:46 Owning mistakes and building trust11:47 Facing challenges constructively13:31 Leading through a major setback17:13 How do you want to be remembered?19:52 Interaworks sponsor message20:44 Making an impact beyond your title23:56 Career achievements versus lasting influence26:26 Remembering Kirk Kinsell29:58 Great leaders make time for people32:05 Curiosity, empathy, and everyday leadership35:46 Making leadership training stick36:41 Small shifts that become lasting habits39:46 “Dad inspired us”: Greg’s leadership legacy41:52 Intentional communication and relationships44:57 Gratitude during difficult times47:08 Greg’s closing reflectionsWant to keep the conversation going? Book a 15 minute conversation with Greg: adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connectionWatch full episodes and shorts on YouTube: Aden Leadership on YouTubeFollow Greg: adenleadership.com | LinkedIn | Facebook

In this episode of the Servant Leadership Podcast, Greg Aden sits down with executive coach and strategic consultant Avy Leghziel to talk about what leadership really looks like when work gets messy, unpredictable, and chaotic. Avy shares insights from his doctoral research on executive performance in chaotic environments and explains why leaders should not always try to eliminate uncertainty. Greg and Avy explore courageous conversations, workplace culture, leadership values, empathy, communication, emotional triggers, executive coaching, organizational development, and the importance of asking better questions. They also discuss why people avoid difficult conversations, how leaders can create stronger connections with their teams, and how curiosity, honesty, and servant leadership can lead to better decisions, stronger relationships, and improved performance. This conversation is especially valuable for executives, managers, business leaders, coaches, and anyone working to become a more effective leader.Follow Avy Leghziel:https://linkedin.com/in/avyleg/https://avyleg.com/Want to keep the conversation going? If something here landed with you, if you have a question about how Greg works with leaders and their teams, or if you just want to share your own experience, book a 15-minute conversation with Greg: https://adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connection/Follow Greg Aden:https://adenleadership.com/https://linkedin.com/in/greg-aden-leadership/https://facebook.com/adenleadership/#servantleadership #leadershippodcast #executiveleadership #leadershipdevelopment #executivecoaching #courageousconversations #workplaceculture #communication #management CHAPTERS00:00 Meet Avy Leghziel01:11 Executive Coaching and Studying Chaos03:56 The Leadership Moment That Started Avy’s Research04:59 Why We Should Stop Fighting Chaos06:21 Management Versus Leadership08:38 Was Avy’s Boss Actually Being a Leader?09:34 Stop Aiming for Leadership Utopia10:12 Vision Versus Criteria for Success11:10 Understanding the Forces Affecting Your Organization11:45 Workplace Politics, Competition, and Culture14:55 How Values Shape Leadership16:54 InteraWorks17:45 Why We Avoid Courageous Conversations18:34 Our Fear of Surprises19:17 The Problem With Performative Politeness20:40 Greg’s Approach to Courageous Conversations22:02 What Happens When We Get Triggered23:39 Using Difficult Moments to Create Connection25:49 How to Have Deeper Conversations27:41 Turning Workplace Problems Into Better Questions30:07 Why Are We Here?31:25 Collaboration Instead of Competition33:06 Invite People to Shift, Not Change34:48 Better Conversations Create Better Performance36:52 Greg’s Final TakeawaysWant to keep the conversation going? Book a 15 minute conversation with Greg: adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connectionWatch full episodes and shorts on YouTube: Aden Leadership on YouTubeFollow Greg: adenleadership.com | LinkedIn | Facebook

Why do skilled, credentialed leaders and experts still struggle to stand out? Personal branding for leaders starts with knowing what makes your work different and saying it with confidence. Greg Aden talks with Fabi Paoline, a brand messaging expert with more than 18 years of experience helping business owners, experts, and leaders communicate their value.In this conversation:- Why credentials alone are not enough, and why understanding your buyer's behavior matters- How to identify your "power buyers" and discover your "angle of mastery"- How to turn what you offer from a "nice to have" into a "need to have" and own your message in sales and leadership- Fabi's two lessons for young professionals: trust yourself, and know that setbacks are not finalConnect with Fabi:https://linkedin.com/in/fabipaolini/Want to keep the conversation going? If something here landed with you, if you have a question about how Greg works with leaders and their teams, or if you just want to share your own experience, book a 15-minute conversation with Greg: https://adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connection/Follow Greg Aden:https://adenleadership.com/https://linkedin.com/in/greg-aden-leadership/https://facebook.com/adenleadership/#servantleadership  #leadershippodcast  #brandmessaging  #personalbrand  #leadership  #entrepreneurship  #businessstrategy  #sales  #marketing CHAPTERS00:00 Meet Fabi Paoline01:27 How Fabi Learned the Power of Communication04:10 Extracting the Genius From Your Expertise06:21 Building a Brand Around Legacy09:23 When You Are the Brand11:16 Finding Your Power Buyers12:08 Your Angle of Mastery15:42 Turning a “Nice to Have” Into a “Need to Have”17:28 Adaptability, Curiosity, and Servant Leadership20:06 InteraWorks20:56 The Mentors Behind Fabi’s Success23:12 Why Sales Should Serve the Buyer24:00 Empathy and Understanding Other People26:03 Trust Yourself28:59 Turn Roadblocks Into Innovation30:47 Greg’s Approach to Servant Leadership33:32 Impacting the Next Generation36:01 How to Improve Your Brand Message38:08 Greg’s Final TakeawaysWant to keep the conversation going? Book a 15 minute conversation with Greg: adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connectionWatch full episodes and shorts on YouTube: Aden Leadership on YouTubeFollow Greg: adenleadership.com | LinkedIn | Facebook

What happens when being great at your job becomes the reason nobody lets you grow? If you are wondering how to manage high performers without trapping them in the role they already do well, this conversation offers a better path. Greg Aden talks with Sarah Howard, CEO and partner of Edenburg Hospitality, about her climb from hotel housekeeping to company leadership and the mentor who gave her permission to try unfamiliar work, make mistakes, and learn.In this conversation:- Why giving people permission to stretch and fail helps high performers become leaders- How turning down the wrong project can serve a client better than saying yes- What trusting employees to do the jobs you trained them for really looks like- Why collaboration can accomplish more than compromise, and what leadership has in common with parentingConnect with Sarah Howard:https://linkedin.com/in/showard08/https://edenburghospitality.com/Sponsored by Interaworks.Follow my socials!https://adenleadership.com/https://linkedin.com/in/greg-aden-leadership/https://facebook.com/adenleadership/CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction00:34 Meet Sarah Howard01:26 From Housekeeper to Hospitality Leader04:39 Lessons from Red Roof08:54 The Mentor Who Made Room for Growth10:57 Taking a Career Risk During the Pandemic12:43 Joining Edenburg Hospitality16:16 Building a Business Around Service19:34 Interaworks Sponsor Break20:26 Learning Courage from an Unlikely Mentor22:53 Why Good Sales Starts with Curiosity25:08 Working as Partners29:38 Where Hospitality Meets Audacity31:32 Trusting Your Team to Do Their Job32:50 What Parenting Teaches Us About Leadership36:01 Collaboration Instead of Compromise38:51 Believe You Belong40:16 Greg’s Closing ThoughtsWant to keep the conversation going? Book a 15 minute conversation with Greg: adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connectionWatch full episodes and shorts on YouTube: Aden Leadership on YouTubeFollow Greg: adenleadership.com | LinkedIn | Facebook

What do you do when a successful career still leaves you feeling unfulfilled? Coach Russell Davis joins Greg Aden to talk about finding purpose at work, letting go of people-pleasing, and leading from a place of self-worth instead of a need to prove something. Russell shares how a strict upbringing shaped his need for approval and how his family's infertility journey led him to question the life he thought he should be living.In this conversation:- How limiting beliefs and the stories we tell ourselves shape the way we lead- Why judgment gets in the way of connection, and what changes when you stop feeling you have something to prove- What meaningful listening looks like: being present and seeking to understand what lies beneath someone's words- How leadership connects with parenting, purpose, and the daily question: Who are you being?Connect with Russell Davis:https://russell-davis.com/https://linkedin.com/in/russellhdavis/Follow my socials!https://adenleadership.com/https://linkedin.com/in/greg-aden-leadership/https://facebook.com/adenleadership/#servantleadership  #russelldavis #gregaden #authenticleadership  #livewithpurpose  #personalgrowth  #inspiredliving  #mindsetshift  #meaningfulconnections  #leadershippodcastWant to keep the conversation going? Book a 15 minute conversation with Greg: adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connectionWatch full episodes and shorts on YouTube: Aden Leadership on YouTubeFollow Greg: adenleadership.com | LinkedIn | Facebook

What does it cost your team and your family when you are in the room but not really there? Learning how to be present as a leader starts with noticing your own distractions, especially the phone, and the message they send to the people around you. Executive coach and author Stephanie Wachman shares the moment her two year old son ran to his dad instead of her, and how it led her to leave a big corporate job, go to coaching school, and help people own their time.In this conversation:- Why every distraction costs roughly 25 minutes, and what checking your phone tells the person sitting across from you- A simple method Stephanie uses with clients: tell people exactly when they get their phone back so being present does not create anxiety- Why she sees one life rather than work life balance, and how to find the distractions that are costing you- How leaders can protect culture and manage change as AI disrupts professional servicesStephanie also talks about her volunteer work with the Association for Corporate Growth, NextStep, a new no cost mentor program for young professionals, coaching veterans reentering the corporate world, and teaching time and stress tools at the University of Colorado Law School.Connect with Stephanie Wachman, founder of Symetree Strategies:http://stephaniewachman.com/https://linkedin.com/in/stephaniewachman/Stephanie's books:OWN Your TimeSell Without Being SalesyThank you to InteraWorks for sponsoring the Servant Leadership Podcast.Want to keep the conversation going? If something here landed with you, if you have a question about how I work with leaders and their teams, or if you just want to share your own experience, book a 15 minute conversation with me.https://adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connectionFollow my socials!https://adenleadership.com/https://linkedin.com/in/greg-aden-leadership/https://facebook.com/adenleadership/#ServantLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #Leadership #Productivity #WorkplaceCultureWant to keep the conversation going? Book a 15 minute conversation with Greg: adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connectionWatch full episodes and shorts on YouTube: Aden Leadership on YouTubeFollow Greg: adenleadership.com | LinkedIn | Facebook

What does servant leadership look like when it has to hold up at work and at home, even after the hardest loss imaginable? Heather Wood spent more than 20 years leading people in financial services, then built Stupendous Love after losing her daughter Ava and her husband in 2023. She and Greg Aden talk honestly about that loss, about men's mental health and how hard it still is for men to find an outlet, and about why love is a practice, not just a feeling.In this conversation:- Why putting people in a box hurts your team, and how staying curious about what gives someone energy and what drains it helps them do their best work- How to tell your team plainly that they can bring you their frustration before it turns into an explosion- Why consistency between how you lead at work and how you show up at home matters more than most leaders admit- The SHUVA idea, that everyone wants to be seen, heard, understood, valued and appreciated, and how to use it in a one on one meeting or at the dinner tableHeather Wood, founder of Stupendous Love:https://linkedin.com/company/stupendous-love/https://stupendouslove.com/Want to keep the conversation going? If something here landed with you, if you have a question about how I work with leaders and their teams, or if you just want to share your own experience, book a 15 minute conversation with me.https://adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connectionFollow my socials!https://adenleadership.com/https://linkedin.com/in/greg-aden-leadership/https://facebook.com/adenleadership/#ServantLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #Leadership #Relationships #PurposeWant to keep the conversation going? Book a 15 minute conversation with Greg: adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connectionWatch full episodes and shorts on YouTube: Aden Leadership on YouTubeFollow Greg: adenleadership.com | LinkedIn | Facebook