How Great Leaders Make Time

Corporate teams are burned out, managers are overwhelmed, and everyone claims they “don’t have time.” In this episode of Shedding the Corporate Bitch, executive coach Bernadette Boas breaks down the truth: great leaders make time—because developing people is their number one responsibility.Using real leadership examples and actionable coaching strategies, Bernadette reveals how managers can transform into powerhouse leaders by shifting how they think about time. This episode is packed with practical, usable tools—no fluff, no theory without action. Expect to walk away with a new perspective and real steps you can start using today.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN– The difference between managers and true leaders – Why time is a leadership tool—and how to invest it wisely – How to use goals as alignment, accountability, and clarity tools – The 4D framework (Delegate, Delay, Delete, Do) for managing overwhelm – How to master time blocking for yourself and your team – Techniques for setting boundaries without damaging relationships – How to coach team members who are drowning in priorities – Why reflection is essential for leadership growth – How to model time-management behaviors that elevate team cultureWHO THIS EPISODE IS FORCorporate leaders, new managers, HR professionals, executive teams, emerging leaders, and anyone committed to leading people—not just managing tasks.CTAIf this conversation helps you rethink how you lead, share it with your team or leadership peers. Subscribe for more weekly episodes that elevate the way you lead, coach, and show up in your corporate career.CONNECT WITH BERNADETTEWebsite: Ball of Fire Coaching LinkedIn: Bernadette Boas Podcast: Shedding the Corporate BitchTAGS (YouTube SEO)Leadership development, corporate leadership, manager training, time management tips, coaching employees, people leadership, productivity for leaders, employee engagement, workplace culture, executive coaching, career growth, professional developmentSupport the show

Half of corporate change initiatives fail. Not because your people resist—but because your leadership model does.In this powerhouse conversation, Bernadette Boas sits down with Dr. Mary Lippitt, founder of Enterprise Management and author of Leader Sheep: Saving the Herd, to expose why “command and control” leadership is killing transformation—and what actually drives sustainable change.After four decades leading transformations across industries, Dr. Lippitt reveals the five critical components that make change stick—and why most leaders get them wrong. You’ll discover:Why announcing the vision and delegating the rest guarantees failure.How to turn resistance into real progress (and why “change” feels bad but “progress” feels empowering).The hidden ingredient missing from every leadership competency framework.The four monthly team questions that build trust, creativity, and commitment.If your organization is stuck in change fatigue, this episode will rewrite how you lead.Chapters / Timestamps: 00:00 – Why 50% of Change Initiatives Fail 02:00 – Meet Dr. Mary Lippitt and the Origin of Leader Sheep 04:30 – Why the “Command and Control” Era Is Over 07:00 – How to Turn Resistance into Progress 09:00 – The 5 Components That Make Change Stick 10:00 – Vision: Crafting Change People Believe In 11:00 – Competencies: Building the Skills for Change 12:00 – Incentives: The Secret to Motivation and Buy-In 14:00 – Resources and Action Planning: Leading with Clarity 18:00 – Why “On-Time and On-Budget” Doesn’t Equal Success 20:00 – The Generational Shift in Leadership Expectations 22:00 – How to Engage Passive or Silent Team Members 25:00 – The Power of Pilots and Peer Advocacy 27:00 – Four Monthly Questions That Build Trust and Innovation 29:00 – Respect as the Foundation of Modern Leadership 31:00 – The One Habit Every Leader Should Start TodayConnect with Dr. Mary Lippitt: enterprisemgt.comWhether you’re an HR executive, change leader, or CEO, this episode is your roadmap to turning failed initiatives into thriving transformation.👉 LISTEN NOW📘 Get her book: Leader Sheep: Saving the Herd 🔔 Subscribe for more bold, actionable conversations that redefine leadership. 💬 Share this with your team or that colleague who says, “Our people just resist change.”Support the show

Are you waiting for a promotion to start leading? STOP. Leadership isn't about your position on an org chart—it's about your influence, clarity, and purpose. In this game-changing episode, executive coach Bernadette Boas reveals why everyone is already a leader and how to elevate your value starting TODAY.If you're a corporate professional, people manager, or HR leader who wants to drive real results without waiting for permission, this episode is your blueprint.💡 WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER:✓ The 3 Pillars of Powerful Leadership: Influence, Clarity & Purpose [02:00]✓ A Simple Leadership Assessment (Are You Already Leading?) [02:00]✓ Why Value Isn't What You Know—It's What Others Gain From What You Know [09:00]✓ The "Elevate, Anticipate, Lead" Framework for Career Acceleration [14:00]✓ How to Lead Without Direct Reports (Real Story from Corporate) [04:00]✓ Leadership Litmus Test: Would Your Absence Be Felt Immediately? [29:00]⏱️ KEY TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction: Leadership Beyond Job Titles02:00 - Leadership Self-Assessment04:00 - Real Story: Leading Without an Org Chart07:00 - Breaking Down Influence, Clarity & Purpose09:00 - The Foundation: Leave People & Places Better Than You Found Them14:00 - The Elevate, Anticipate, Lead Framework Explained27:00 - Positioning Yourself as a Strategic Thought Leader29:00 - Sheryl Sandberg's Powerful Leadership Quote30:00 - 4 Strategies to Lead From Where You Are NOW31:00 - Ask Questions, Not Statements (Communication Game-Changer)33:00 - Connect the Dots: Help Your Team See the Bigger Picture34:00 - Become the Problem Solver, Not the Problem Identifier35:00 - Champion Others' Success & Growth36:00 - Wrap-Up & Free Resources🔥 BOTTOM LINE:You don't need authority to be a leader. You need intention, attention, and initiative. Whether you're an individual contributor or managing a team of 100, you already have influence—now it's time to amplify it. This episode gives you the exact strategies to elevate your value, anticipate what's needed, and lead like the powerhouse you're meant to be.---💼 PERFECT FOR:• Corporate professionals ready to increase their influence• HR leaders developing emerging talent• People managers building high-performing teams• Individual contributors wanting to be seen as leaders• Anyone stuck waiting for a title to start making an impact🎁 FREE RESOURCES MENTIONED:1. Self-Assessment for Measuring Your Value to Your Team - tiny.cc/valueselfassessment2. 10 Proven Tactics for Elevating Your Value - tiny.cc/10tacticstoelevate🚀 TAKE ACTION NOW:✅ Rate and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts✅ Subscribe so you never miss an episode✅ Share this with a colleague who needs to hear this message✅ DM Bernadette on LinkedIn for your free leadership resources - @bernadetteboas✅ Implement ONE strategy from this episode this week📲 CONNECT WITH BERNADETTE BOAS:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/bernadetteboasInstagram: @shedthecorpbitchWebsite: balloffirecoaching.comEmail: [email protected]🎧 SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW:Don't miss the next episode of Shedding the Corporate Bitch—where corporate professionals, leaders, and ambitious go-getters come to ditch the drama, crush the doubt, and turn their Support the show

What if being emotional, vulnerable, and transparent could actually be your greatest leadership advantage?In this powerful episode, Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada's Ocean Supercluster, shatters the myth that effective leaders must separate their personal and professional lives. Leading a national innovation initiative with a majority-female team, Kendra shares raw, honest stories about adopting her daughter while climbing the corporate ladder, managing family health crises, and why scoring "high on emotion" as a CEO became her superpower—not her weakness.You'll discover:Why transparency builds trust faster than perfection ever willThe "24-hour rule" that prevents career-damaging emotional reactionsHow to reframe problems instead of falling in love with solutionsWhy purpose-driven leadership naturally creates emotional investmentHow to create truly inclusive policies (starting with your language)The truth about work-life "blend" vs. "balance"—and why it mattersWhy there's never a "perfect time" to step into leadershipThe Challenge: This week, examine one area where you're hiding your authentic self at work. What would it look like to bring more transparency to that situation? Share your insights with your team or a trusted colleague.Key Timestamps: [00:01:00] - Introduction: Can you lead effectively without sacrificing your personal life? [00:03:00] - The power of women in tech and innovation [00:05:00] - Why diversity of thought solves complex challenges [00:07:00] - The evolution from "private life stays private" to authentic leadership [00:08:00] - Kendra's adoption journey: When transparency transformed her career [00:11:00] - Remote work as a strategic talent advantage [00:14:00] - Why men need work-life blend too (and the "babysitting" problem) [00:15:00] - Language matters: From "maternity leave" to "parental leave" [00:18:00] - Being an "emotional CEO": Liability or superpower? [00:19:00] - Purpose creates emotion, emotion creates power [00:24:00] - The 24-hour rule: Sleep on it before you send it [00:25:00] - Focus on purpose, not path: Your North Star in chaos [00:26:00] - "Are you trying to be pregnant or be a mom?" Reframing the problem [00:27:00] - We need leaders in the mess—there's no perfect time [00:28:00] - Setting personal boundaries in an age of transparencyConnect with Kendra MacDonald: Canada's Ocean SuperclusterCall to Action: Ready to transform your leadership approach? Subscribe to Shedding the Corporate Bitch Podcast for weekly episodes that challenge conventional corporate wisdom. Share this episode with a leader who needs permission to show up as their whole self.Rate & Review: If this episode resonated with you, please leave a 5-star review and share what you learned. Your reviews help us reach more leaders ready to embrace authentic, purpose-driven leadership.Next Steps:Subscribe so you never miss an episodeShare this with your leadership team or HR departmentJoin the conversation on LinkedIn and Instagram @SheddingTheCorporateBitch#AuthenticLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #WorkLifeBlend #PurposeDrivenLeadership #WomenInTech #HRLeadership #ModernWorkplace #LeadershipDevelopmentSupport the show

aWhat happens when your best employees become your worst managers? Across corporate America, we're facing what experts call the "Accidental Manager Crisis." A staggering 60-80% of new managers receive ZERO formal leadership training before being thrown into people management roles.The result? Burned-out managers, disengaged teams, and cultures quietly crumbling from the inside. Your top performer just got promoted—but technical excellence doesn't equal leadership ability. Without the right training, support, and mindset shift, you're setting them up to fail.This isn't just an HR problem. It's a business crisis that costs organizations millions in turnover, lost productivity, and damaged culture.🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS: In this episode, executive coach and leadership expert Bernadette Boas breaks down:✅ The Real Cost of Unprepared Leaders ✅ How Accidental Managers Are Created ✅ 5 Actionable Steps to Transform Accidental Managers into Intentional Leaders:✅ The Bonus Step ✅ The Power of Vulnerability ⏱️ TOP TIMESTAMPS[00:00] Introduction: The Accidental Manager Crisis Defined[03:00] How Accidental Managers Are Created (And Why It's Dangerous)[06:30] The Team Impact: Micromanaging, Neglect & Broken Trust[07:30] The Business Impact: Low Engagement, High Turnover & Toxic Culture[13:00] STEP 1: Redefine How You Promote (Readiness Assessments & Critical Questions)[15:30] STEP 2: Build a Leadership Onboarding Program (Structure, Mentorship & Training)[18:00] STEP 3: Redefine Success Metrics (Team Outcomes vs. Personal Outcomes)[21:00] STEP 4: Create Systems & Peer Support Networks[23:00] STEP 5: Normalize the Human Side of Leadership (Vulnerability as Strength)[26:00] Hold Leaders Accountable (Tie People Goals to Compensation)[29:00] BONUS: Get Creative with Career Paths (Not Everyone Should Manage People)[30:30] Call to Action & Next Episode Preview📚 RESOURCES MENTIONEDLeadership Assessment Tools (360 Assessments, DISC)Ball of Fire Coaching: ballfirecoaching.comFree Discovery Call: coachmebernadette.com/discoverycallPodcast Website: ballfirecoaching.com/podcast🔥 COMING NEXTNext Episode: Vulnerability as a Superpower in Leadership with Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada's Ocean Supercluster. You won't want to miss this powerful conversation!🎙️ ABOUT THE SHOWShedding the Corporate Bitch transforms today's managers into tomorrow's powerhouse leaders. Hosted by Bernadette Boas—executive coach, author, and leadership expert—this podcast tackles the real challenges corporate professionals face and provides actionable strategies for leadership excellence, team performance, and career growth.📱 WATCH & SUBSCRIBEYouTube: Shedding the Corporate Bitch Channel Apple Podcasts: Shedding the Corporate Bitch Spotify: Shedding the Corporate Bitch Website: ballfirecoaching.com/podcastSupport the show

Your team is showing up. But are they really working?In this game-changing episode, host Bernadette Boas sat down over the summer with Rebecca Reed, global Workplace Well-being Specialist and creator of the Mental Flex Method, to expose the silent productivity killer costing organizations 10 times more than sick days: presenteeism.When employees are physically present but mentally checked out, it's not just a morale problem—it's a financial crisis. In the UK, presenteeism accounts for £24 billion of the £51 billion annual cost of poor mental health. In the US, that's $1,500 per employee per year compared to just $150 for absenteeism.This isn't another "add a wellness program" conversation. This is about recognizing trauma responses disguised as productivity, fixing broken systems instead of blaming people, and creating psychological safety that actually works.If you're an HR leader, C-suite executive, manager, or anyone responsible for team performance, this episode will fundamentally change how you approach workplace wellbeing.What You'll Learn✅ The shocking cost difference between presenteeism and absenteeism (and why you should care)✅ How to identify when hyper-productivity is actually a fear response, not ambition✅ The real reason your wellness initiatives fail (hint: it's not the program itself)✅ How "accidental managers" are contributing to team disengagement✅ The hidden influencers in your workplace who can drive culture change without C-suite buy-in✅ Nervous system regulation techniques that actually work for high performers✅ Practical strategies to create psychological safety where people feel safe to challenge, struggle, and be humanKey Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction: The silent productivity killer destroying your business[00:01:00] Meet Rebecca Reed: From personal wellbeing journey to global workplace specialist[00:03:00] What is presenteeism? Understanding "bums on seats, but nobody's home"[00:04:00] The shocking cost: Why presenteeism is 10x more expensive than absenteeism[00:06:00] The "accidental manager" problem: Why promotional ladders create unprepared leaders[00:12:00] The hyper-productivity trap: How fight response disguises itself as high performance[00:14:00] Creating safety: The foundation of everything in workplace wellbeing[00:22:00] The HR burnout crisis: Why the people caring for everyone are drowning[00:24:00] The Influentials: How 1/10 of people drive what the other 9/10 think and do[00:32:00] Leadership strategies: Four ways to support your team's wellbeing right now[00:36:00] Final takeaways and resourcesFeatured GuestRebecca Reed Global Workplace Wellbeing Specialist | Founder of Siendo | Creator of the Mental Flex MethodRebecca helps organizations transform their approach to workplace wellbeing through science-backed strategies that address root causes, not just symptoms. After her own profound wellbeing journey, she's dedicated to helping leaders understand the real drivers of burnout, disengagement, and presenteeism.🌐 Learn more: siendo.co.ukResources Mentioned📖 "Finding Inner Safety" by Dr. Nerina Ramlakhan - Essential reading on nervous system regulation and creating internal safety📖 Support the show

Are you working harder than ever but still getting passed over for promotions? Your problem isn't effort—it's visibility and strategy.In this episode, Bernadette Boas reveals why 78% of professionals believe their manager has no influence on their career advancement—and how understanding managing up creates a massive competitive advantage for those who get it right.Most professionals think managing up means being a "yes person" or playing politics. They're wrong. Managing up is strategic leadership that makes you indispensable while advancing your career and supporting your team.What You'll Learn: 8 actionable strategies to effectively manage up starting this week • How to bring solutions instead of complaints (and why this matters) • The visibility framework that gets you noticed for the right reasons • Why leaders actually want you to challenge them (and how to do it respectfully) • Communication mistakes that make your boss tune you out • The self-advocacy approach that doesn't feel like bragging • How to anticipate needs before they're voiced • Why emotional intelligence is your career currency • The alignment conversation that changes everythingTimestamps[00:00] Introduction: What is managing up really about?[03:00] The foundational principle: Leave people and places better than you found them[09:00] What managing up is (and what it isn't)[14:00] Myth #1: Hard work and long hours will get you ahead[16:00] Myth #2: Managing up means being a yes person[18:00] Myth #3: You can't push back or create healthy tension[20:00] Mistake #1: Bringing complaints without solutions[22:00] Mistake #2: Overloading your boss with problems you could solve[23:00] Mistake #3: Failing to adapt to your boss's communication style[26:00] Mistake #4: Assuming your boss understands your workload and impact[28:00] Mistake #5: Inconsistent follow-through destroys trust[30:00] Mistake #6: Not seeking visibility for your contributions[32:00 - 46:00] 8 Strategies [48:00] Summary: Managing up is about managing your impact[50:00] Your challenge: Pick one strategy for the next 7 days[52:00] Final thoughts and next episode previewConnect with Bernadette BoasWebsite: https://balloffirecoaching.comBook a Discovery Call: coachmebernadette.com/discovery-call LinkedIn: @BernadetteBoas Podcast Website: balloffirecoaching.com/podcastNext EpisodePresenteeism: The Silent Culture Killer with Rebecca Reed Discover how showing up without being present is destroying your culture—and what to do about it.Support the show

Are you constantly saying "sorry" for the smallest thing? Smoothing over tensions? Fixing everyone else's problems while your own leadership presence suffers? You're not alone - and it's costing you more than you think.In this game-changing episode, powerhouse coach Kelly Travis reveals the hidden toll of over-apologizing and people-pleasing among high-achieving professionals. Discover how internalized roles like "the fixer," "the good girl," and "the perfectionist" are unconsciously driving your leadership decisions and holding you back from your true potential.🎯 What You'll Learn:The childhood programming that's sabotaging your adult leadershipWhy your team feels insecure when you constantly apologizeHow to identify if you're "the helper," "the achiever," or "the good girl"A powerful exercise to transform your inner dialogueSimple language swaps that instantly boost your executive presence💪 Ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and real self-trust? This episode is your wake-up call to stop operating on autopilot and start making deeply aligned leadership decisions.Timestamps[00:02:00] - Meet Kelly Travis: Competitive Athlete, Coach & Mom [00:03:00] - Competition Lessons: Why Women Apologize for Success[00:06:00] - The Breakthrough Moment: Why Kelly Focuses on Apologizing[00:09:00] - Childhood Programming: Who You Had to Be vs. Who You Are Now[00:11:00] - The Comfort Zone Trap: Why We Stay in Familiar Patterns[00:13:00] - Simple Email Fix: "Thanks for Your Patience" vs. "Sorry I'm Late"[00:14:00] - The Four Types: Perfectionist, Helper, Achiever, Peacemaker[00:17:00] - When These Roles Become Toxic in Leadership[00:19:00] - The Self-Awareness Continuum: From Autopilot to Integration [00:22:00] - Red Flag Warning Signs You're Stuck in Old Patterns [00:31:00] - What Others Really Think When You Over-Apologize📝 TAKE ACTION:Count your apologies for one week - you might be shocked!Replace one "sorry" email with "thanks for understanding" this weekAsk yourself "Is this thought useful?" when you catch negative self-talkYOUR GUEST:Kelly Travis is a powerhouse coach, team dynamics expert, and certified Enneagram practitioner who specializes in helping high-achieving women break free from outdated patterns that sabotage their leadership. As a competitive athlete and single mom, Kelly brings a unique perspective on performance, resilience, and authentic leadership.Connect with Kelly:Website: KellyTravis.netPodcast: Ready When You AreInstagram: @WithKellyTravisYOUR HOST:Bernadette Boas is an executive coach, author, and host of Shedding the Corporate Bitch podcast. She transforms today's managers into tomorrow's powerhouse leaders through her no-nonsense approach to leadership development.Website:🎧 LOVED THIS EPISODE? Subscribe and leave a 5-star review to help other leaders find this show!📱 FOLLOW US:Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast appYouTube: Shedding The Bitch TV ChannelWebsite: BallOfFireCoaching.com/pSupport the show

Do you have a “good guy, but…” on your team? They’re smart, hardworking, maybe even a top producer—but they gossip, interrupt, or stir up conflict. You know it. Your team knows it. And yet, you hesitate to act.In this episode of Shedding the Corporate Bitch, Bernadette Boas exposes the hidden cost of excusing a good guy, but..., even when it comes from your most likable or high-performing team members.You’ll learn:Why the “good guy, but…” mentality sabotages trust, culture, and resultsThe personal fears and biases that keep leaders from actingHow one person’s bad behavior spreads like wildfire across a teamSix practical steps to spot, address, and resolve these issues earlyHow to redefine accountability so it feels like courage—not crueltyIf you’re serious about building high-performing teams and protecting your credibility as a leader, this episode is a must-listen.Listen + Subscribe:Apple Podcasts | Spotify| DOWNLOAD our free Powerhouse Communication Assessment to begin your journey to shift away from the good-guy syndrome. Support the show

Are you resilient—or just surviving? In this episode of Shedding the Corporate Bitch, I sit down with Russell Harvey, “The Resilience Coach,” to challenge how leaders and HR managers think about resilience. Together, we unpack why resilience isn’t about “bouncing back” but about springing forward with learning.If you’re a leader navigating burnout, constant change, and underperforming teams, this episode will show you how to shift from coping to thriving and build a team that’s unstoppable.⏱ Episode Timestamps[00:02] What a truly resilient leader looks like[00:06] The 3 things leaders are actually responsible for[00:12] Why delegating brilliantly fuels succession planning[00:16] The resilience wheel: 7 dimensions every leader must know[00:22] How social connection—not happy hours—builds stronger teams[00:27] Why your “top five” people shape your leadership style[00:31] Reflection practice: What behaviors serve you vs. hold you back[00:38] Why resilience is proactive, not reactive💡 What You’ll LearnThe difference between coping, surviving, and thriving as a leaderHow to simplify leadership down to three core responsibilitiesThe power of delegation for growth and succession planningPractical ways to remove blockages and clear the path for your teamHow to use the Resilience Wheel to strengthen yourself and your teamWhy resilience is about choice, not crisisResources & LinksConnect with Russell Harvey at theresiliencecoach.co.ukFollow me, Bernadette Boas, on LinkedIn for bold leadership insightsSubscribe to Shedding the Corporate Bitch wherever you listen to podcastsCall to ActionIf this episode sparked insight, share it with your colleagues and HR leaders who need to hear it. Leave us a rating and review to help more leaders find the show. And don’t just listen—take action: choose one way this week to build resilience into your leadership.Support the show