Leading with Grit w/ Kyle Ewing

Leading with grit is more than a leadership mantra; it’s the real-life story of how Kyle Ewing turned stacks of unsold paper in his basement into TerraSlate, a multi-million-dollar company whose waterproof, rip-proof products are now used by the U.S. military, biotech firms, restaurants, and even the NFL. His journey is proof that persistence, creativity, and accountability can transform even the “boring” into something extraordinary. In our conversation on this week’s episode of Reflect Forward, Kyle shares how grit became his core value, the engine that carried him from stacks of unsold paper in his basement to scaling a thriving company. We talk about what it really takes to sell a product nobody thinks they need, why accountability creates stronger teams, and how leaders can flip the pyramid to serve their people and customers better. If you’ve ever wondered how to lead through challenges, embrace mistakes, and build a culture rooted in ownership, this episode will inspire you to see grit not as a buzzword, but as a daily leadership practice. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • The origin story of TerraSlate: from wrinkled passports to waterproof menus and military manuals • How to pivot when your first idea flops and find true product-market fit • Why consistency and persistence are the secret weapons in sales and entrepreneurship • The power of psychological safety and accountability in building strong teams • How leaders scale by delegating authority and removing roadblocks Key Takeaways 1. Grit is the ultimate differentiator. Success comes from persistence, iteration, and showing up consistently, even when no one believes in your idea. 2. Accountability builds culture. The best employees own their mistakes and create systems to prevent them in the future. 3. Leaders must flip the pyramid. Your job is to remove roadblocks so your team can shine and serve customers. 4. Selling is serving. Relationships and trust matter more than hard closes; people buy from people they like. 5. Hire A-players early. Pay for top talent and let go of mediocrity quickly to unlock growth. Mic Drop Moments • “Leading with grit means owning mistakes and turning them into momentum.” • “I work for my employees; they work for the customer.” • “You’re 2,000 cold calls away from success—consistency wins.” • “The buck always stops with the leader. Own it, fix it, move forward.” About Kyle Ewing Kyle Ewing is the founder and CEO of TerraSlate, makers of waterproof, rip-proof paper for mission-critical environments and everyday durability. TerraSlate serves industries ranging from hospitality to defense, and Kyle also writes the LinkedIn newsletter Ideas to Empires. Connect with Kyle LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleewing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=bizkyle Instagram: @bizkyle https://www.instagram.com/bizkyle/ TikTok: @bizkyle https://www.tiktok.com/@bizkyle YouTube: @bizkyle https://www.youtube.com/@bizkyle Connect with Kerry Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/

Complacency is the slow death of leadership. When we tolerate “good enough,” we quietly set the ceiling for our team’s potential—and our own. When you say “good enough” is acceptable, you erode excellence. You send the message that mediocrity is tolerated, and that message ripples across culture, morale, and results. People disengage. Teams plateau. Opportunities slip away. As Jim Collins reminds us: “Good is the enemy of great.” And Gallup’s research backs it up: only about 2 in 10 employees strongly agree that their performance is managed in a way that motivates them to do outstanding work. That’s what happens when leaders accept mediocrity instead of inspiring excellence. The good news is that raising the bar doesn’t mean driving people to exhaustion. Excellence isn’t about perfection; it’s about clarity, ownership, and progress. As Brené Brown says, “Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” When leaders clearly define expectations, celebrate growth, and model accountability, teams rise to meet higher standards. And it starts with us. We can’t expect our people to reject complacency if we’re coasting ourselves. Abraham Lincoln put it simply: “Whatever you are, be a good one.” Holding ourselves accountable to higher standards inspires trust, builds credibility, and makes excellence contagious. In this episode of Reflect Forward, I introduce a tool I call the Ownership Audit, a quarterly practice designed to identify and eliminate complacency within yourself, your team, and your organization. I’ll walk you through how to use it to ask the hard questions, check for alignment with your mission and values, and take courageous action when “good enough” has crept in. Because the truth is, mediocrity doesn’t just cost culture, it costs money. McKinsey research shows that companies with high-performance cultures are 3.7 times more likely to be top financial performers. Steve Jobs once said, “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.” As leaders, we must become that yardstick. We must model what it looks like to expect and deliver excellence, not perfection, but the commitment to always do better. Mic Drop Moments • “Complacency is the slow death of leadership.” • “When leaders tolerate ‘good enough,’ they set the ceiling for their team’s potential.” • “Mediocrity doesn’t just cost culture; it costs money.” • “Excellence isn’t perfection; it’s clarity and ownership.” • “If you tolerate average, you’ll never unlock extraordinary.” Key Takeaways 1. Tolerating “good enough” erodes both culture and results. 2. Complacency spreads like a virus; leaders set the bar. 3. Raising standards is about clarity and compassion, not perfection. 4. The Ownership Audit helps leaders spot and eliminate mediocrity. 5. Holding yourself accountable to higher standards inspires trust, energizes your team, and keeps complacency from creeping in. Timestamps • 00:00 – Why “good enough” is dangerous • 02:05 – The StoneAge story: breaking the dealer model • 08:42 – The psychology of “good enough” • 12:30 – The ripple effect of complacency • 16:10 – Raising standards without burnout • 21:18 – Holding yourself accountable • 27:45 – The Ownership Audit framework • 35:10 – Closing thoughts and call to action Connect with Kerry Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/

Great leaders build courage What if the biggest risk to your leadership isn’t failure, but staying stuck where you are? Playing it safe may feel comfortable, but over time it erodes growth, impact, and confidence. That’s why bravery is the defining trait of great leaders. In this week’s Reflect Forward episode, The Bravery Effect: How Leaders Build Courage, I sit down with Jill Schulman, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer, leadership development expert, and founder of Breakthrough Leadership Group. Jill has dedicated her career to studying the science of bravery, resilience, and peak performance, helping leaders reframe fear not as a barrier but as a signal for growth. Her story is remarkable, going from combat engineering in the Marine Corps to a thriving pharmaceutical career and then leaping into entrepreneurship. Along the way, Jill discovered that bravery isn’t about being fearless. It’s about taking meaningful action in the presence of fear which every leader needs if they want to step out of the rut and into real influence. In this powerful conversation, Jill and I explore: • Why fear—not failure—is often the greatest barrier to leadership growth • How micro-moments of bravery build resilience and confidence over time • The importance of aligning your career with your strengths and values • How to overcome self-doubt by taking action, not waiting for motivation • Why vulnerability is at the heart of true courage Jill also shares insights from her new book, The Bravery Effect, written as a parable to help readers build their bravery “muscle” one small act at a time. Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, having a tough conversation, or making a major career change, Jill shows us how courage compounds into transformation. Listen to the full conversation on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube. Mic Drop Moments 💥 “If you’re waiting to feel confident or motivated before you act, you’ll be waiting forever. Action creates confidence. Action fuels motivation.” 💥 “If you don’t feel fear, it’s not bravery. The presence of fear is what makes courage possible.” 💥 “Everyday bravery isn’t about running into a burning building. It’s raising your hand in a meeting, having the hard conversation, or saying yes to the stretch assignment. Those choices compound and that’s how you change your life.” Key Takeaways 1. Bravery is not the absence of fear; it’s action in the presence of it. 2. Confidence and motivation come after you take action, not before. 3. Micro-moments of bravery compound over time into life-changing courage. 4. Aligning your work with your strengths and values leads to lasting fulfillment. 5. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s the gateway to true courage. Connect with Jill Company website: https://breakthroughleadershipgroup.com/ Personal website: https://jillschulman.com/ Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillaschulman/ https://www.instagram.com/jillschulman https://www.facebook.com/jill.schulman.5/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiS29aCCoaDGEDPLc6JJklQ The Bravery Effect: https://www.amazon.com/Bravery-Effect-Teaching-Conquering-Achieving/dp/B0F2BBPR35 Connect with Kerry Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/

What the best leaders do when no one is watching is what truly defines them. Leadership integrity isn’t built in front of a crowd; it’s forged in the quiet, unseen moments when no one is keeping score. The choices you make in private—whether to cut a corner, live your values, or own a mistake—are the foundation for building trust as a leader. When you consistently choose the harder right over the easier wrong, you strengthen self-trust, gain unshakable confidence, and set the tone for your entire culture. Leading with values in private is what makes people believe in you in public. It’s easy to show up strong when the spotlight is on. But it’s what you do when the room is empty, the pressure is high, and the easier wrong beckons that proves whether you’re a leader worth following. In this week’s episode of Reflect Forward, I share the moments that tested my integrity behind the scenes, such as halting the launch of a new product, even though it cost us time and money, because I refused to cut corners. I talk about owning mistakes before anyone noticed, walking away from a big client who didn’t align with our values, and protecting a team member’s reputation when exposing them would have been easier. None of those choices made headlines. Most people never even knew. But those decisions shaped me into a leader I can trust and when you trust yourself to live your values no matter what, your team will too. As J.C. Watts famously said, “Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking.” And as Carl Jung reminds us, “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” This episode will inspire you to reflect on your own behind-the-scenes leadership habits and give you three simple practices to strengthen your integrity muscle—so that when the world is watching, you’ll lead with magnetic confidence. Key Takeaways 1. Integrity in private is the foundation of trust in public. Don’t ruin trust by making poor decisions when no one’s watching. 2. Confidence comes from self-trust. Every time you choose the harder right over the easier wrong, you reinforce the belief that you can count on yourself. 3. The ripple effect is real. Quiet, values-driven choices shape culture and reputation far more than speeches ever will. Mic Drop Moment “The easiest time to lower your standards is when no one’s around to see. The best leaders raise them instead.” Connect with Kerry Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/

Choose love over fear. It’s more than a feel-good mantra. It’s a radical leadership choice that can transform teams, ignite innovation, and turn crisis into opportunity. Washington Speakers Bureau President Ryan Heil has built his career proving that love, not fear, is the real competitive advantage in business and life. In this episode of Reflect Forward: Advice for Leaders, I sit down with Ryan to unpack how this philosophy has shaped his journey from professional baseball to earning a PhD in organizational culture, co-authoring Choose Love Not Fear with his father, and leading a major turnaround at one of the most influential organizations in the speaking industry. We explore why choosing love over fear creates stronger teams, deeper trust, and cultures that can adapt to disruption—plus how Ryan and his team navigated the pandemic’s devastating impact on the speaking industry to emerge stronger than ever. Key Takeaways: • Love is a leadership strategy – Choosing love over fear builds trust, engagement, and sustainable performance. • Fear-based leadership fails in the long run – It may get short-term compliance, but it erodes creativity, passion, and loyalty. • Creative abrasion fuels innovation – Healthy conflict, when guided with respect, produces better ideas and stronger solutions. • Culture change starts one belief at a time – Turnarounds require relentless clarity on values, vision, and “why.” • Relationships are the real currency – They outlast trends, technologies, and even market disruptions. • Crisis is a catalyst for reinvention – Use uncertainty to question old assumptions and build better ways forward. • Your team may not always love you back – But consistent, steady leadership earns respect and trust over time. Mic Drop Moments: • “It’s easy to lead with fear. But fear makes us dumber. Love unleashes human potential.” • “We don’t have speaker contracts—we have handshakes. Integrity is the glue that holds our relationships together.” • “Success is temporary. So is failure. The real skill is knowing how to pivot fast.” • “AI can recommend a speaker, but it can’t tell you who will stay after the keynote to shake every hand.” • “Love your team even when they don’t love you back. That’s leadership.” Connect with Ryan: • Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmheil/ • Learn more about Washington Speakers Bureau: https://www.wsb.com/ • Get the book Choose Love Not Fear: https://www.amazon.com/Choose-Love-Not-Fear-Engagement/dp/1734105135 Connect with Kerry Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/

Ever wanted to send that scathing email or slam the door shut after someone disappointed you? We all have. But here’s the hard truth: Don’t burn that bridge—your future self might need it. In this episode of Reflect Forward, I dive into one of the most overlooked leadership strategies: choosing compassion over retaliation, even when you feel wronged. Especially when you feel wronged. Because the way you show up during conflict doesn’t just define your character—it shapes your future opportunities. The Real Reason We Lash Out—and Why We Must Resist When someone quits unexpectedly, underdelivers, or betrays your trust, your brain goes into fight-or-flight mode. The amygdala floods your system with cortisol. Logic shrinks. Ego inflates. We react from fear, not clarity. But strong leaders don’t lead from reactivity. They lead from ownership. Unfortunately, business culture conditions us to compete at all costs. We’re taught to dominate, win, and protect what’s “ours.” That scarcity mindset convinces us that success is limited—and anyone who threatens ours must be the enemy. But real leadership requires a different path. Mic Drop Moment: “You don’t need to win every time to be successful. You need to lead every time with integrity.” The Law of Unexpected Returns Here’s the magic: the kindness you extend today often circles back to benefit you later. Sometimes years later. Maybe it’s the employee you part ways with gracefully who refers top talent to you later. Or the competitor you treat respectfully who becomes your partner in a surprising venture. The point is: you never know. And in tight-knit industries, your reputation is your currency. Mic Drop Moment: “Every interaction is a seed—and the most valuable harvests come from the bridges you didn’t burn.” Compassion Isn’t Weakness. It’s Strategy. Forgiveness doesn’t mean condoning poor behavior. It means not carrying resentment. You can set boundaries and still choose compassion. You can walk away from someone and still treat them with grace. Mic Drop Moment: “Just because the relationship looks like this today doesn’t mean it will look like this forever.” The long game of leadership means leaving the door open—even if it’s only a crack. Five Ways to Lead With Compassion—Even When It’s Hard 1. Pause before reacting. Ask yourself: “What’s the story I’m telling myself right now?” 2. Assume positive intent. Even if you’re hurt. Especially if you’re hurt. 3. Use “I” statements. Lead with your truth, not with blame. 4. Reach out with grace. A kind message can shift everything. 5. Zoom out. Will this matter five years from now? How do you want to be remembered? Key Takeaways • Lashing out is human. Leading with ownership is leadership. • Scarcity thinking creates enemies. Long-term thinking builds networks. • Your reputation travels. People remember how you made them feel. • Grace is strategic. Leave room for future reconnection. • Forgiveness fosters emotional maturity, team health, and future growth. Call to Action: Lead With Integrity, Even in Discomfort Think of one person you’ve mentally written off. Someone you feel hurt by. Ask yourself: • What kind of relationship would I want with them in five years? • What’s one small act of compassion I can offer—today? Maybe it’s a message. Maybe it’s just letting go. Either way, take the high road. Because your future self just might thank you. Connect with Kerry Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/

Authentic leadership through inner work is more than a practice, it’s the key to unlocking your full potential and creating lasting impact as a leader. In this powerful episode of Reflect Forward, I sit down with Carrie Freeman, CEO and General Manager of Vara Winery and Distillery, who shares how embracing vulnerability, intuition, and self-awareness has completely transformed her leadership style and elevated her success. Carrie’s extraordinary journey from global innovation executive to winery CEO illustrates how leading from the inside out creates deeper connections, stronger teams, and greater fulfillment. Carrie has a fascinating background, transitioning from her role as co-CEO of SecondMuse, a global innovation company that collaborated with organizations such as NASA, the White House, and the World Bank, to now running a thriving winery and distillery. We discuss the realities of operating a winery, examining how Carrie’s leadership skills enabled her to enter an industry where she initially lacked expertise—and why being an outsider can sometimes provide the fresh perspective a business needs most. Throughout our conversation, Carrie highlights the misconception that humans are purely rational decision-makers. She emphasizes that relying exclusively on logic can limit our ability to lead effectively. By tapping into intuition, emotion, and inner wisdom, leaders can gain deeper insights, make better decisions, and build stronger relationships. Mic Drop Moment: • “Expertise is valuable, but curiosity is a superpower. When you admit you don't know everything, you unlock your team's full potential.” • “Sometimes there isn’t a problem to solve. True leadership is knowing when to step back and let things unfold.” What You'll Learn in This Episode: • Why Expertise Isn’t Everything • Inner Work as the Foundation for Outer Success • Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energy • Vulnerability as a Strength Key Takeaways: 1. Be Curious, Not Just Expert: Embrace curiosity and humility; empowering your team can often yield better solutions than claiming expertise. 2. Listen to Your Intuition: Great leaders trust their gut and heart as much as their intellect; purely rational decisions often miss deeper insights. 3. Integrate, Don’t Balance: Leadership is not about perfect balance but about discerning when to engage action-oriented or intuitive energies effectively. 4. Lead with Vulnerability: Authenticity and vulnerability build deeper trust, stronger relationships, and a healthier organizational culture. 5. Recognize There Isn’t Always a Problem to Solve: Resist the urge to fix everything; sometimes stepping back and allowing situations to naturally evolve is the best course of action. About Carrie Freeman: Carrie Freeman is the CEO and General Manager of Vara Winery and Distillery in Albuquerque, NM, and previously served as co-CEO of SecondMuse, a global innovation consultancy. Passionate about authentic leadership, innovation, and sustainability, Carrie guides leaders and businesses toward deeper success by emphasizing self-awareness, purpose, and authenticity. Connect with Carrie Freeman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-freeman/ Learn more about Vara Winery and Distillery or order their award-winning wines at www.varawines.com Connect with Kerry Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/

Most leaders travel alone for work. But how many take a real solo vacation—just for themselves, not for business? I recently took my first-ever solo trip through Peru and Ecuador, and it changed me. I reconnected with myself. I reflected deeply. I came back more grounded, clear, and confident as a leader. In this episode of Reflect Forward, I share why every leader should consider a solo vacation, how it strengthens your leadership, and how you can plan a meaningful trip that resets your mindset and helps you lead with intention. Why Solo Time Is Essential for Modern Leaders 1. Clarity requires solitude 2. Breaking routine unlocks creativity 3. Being alone builds self-leadership 4. Presence deepens connection How to Take a Transformational Solo Vacation • Choose a place that stretches you—culturally, spiritually, physically • Unplug completely—no work emails, no “just checking in” • Journal and reflect—capture what you learn • Say yes to connection—talk to strangers, share stories • Pay attention to your thoughts—notice what comes up in the stillness Key Takeaways 1. Solo time is a powerful leadership tool 2. Travel breaks patterns and expands your thinking 3. Self-trust comes from being alone and handling challenges 4. Presence builds deeper, more authentic relationships 5. Insight and clarity are born in stillness, not hustle Mic Drop Moment “You cannot lead others from a place of internal chaos or disconnection. But when you take time to be alone, you find clarity, and that transforms everything.” Call to Action Book the trip. Go somewhere alone. Reflect. Get uncomfortable. You’ll come back more empowered, present, and effective as a leader and as a human. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Why solo vacations matter for leadership 02:30 – My first solo trip to Peru and Ecuador 05:12 – Creating my Dreams List and making the trip happen 07:45 – The emotional arc: excitement, fear, empowerment, loneliness 10:20 – How solo travel differs from solo business travel 13:05 – Reflection as the foundation of self-leadership 15:12 – Why clarity requires solitude (HBR statistic) 17:28 – Breaking routine to gain perspective and creativity 20:40 – What Columbia Business School says about novel experiences 22:30 – Strengthening self-leadership through solo challenges 26:00 – Realizing I like myself: processing growth and healing 28:44 – Presence, stillness, and the power of being with yourself 30:50 – Connecting deeply with strangers while traveling alone 33:20 – Why authentic presence builds better leadership 35:40 – The most common excuses leaders make—and how to challenge them 40:22 – How to take a transformational solo vacation: 5 tips 45:18 – Key takeaways from the experience 48:30 – Final thoughts and call to action: Book the trip If you liked this… Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/

Every great leader has a powerful story, but how effectively you tell that story can define your success. Don Yaeger, renowned Hall of Fame keynote speaker, executive coach, and twelve-time New York Times bestselling author, believes storytelling is the secret to exceptional leadership and high-performing teams. From his time as an associate editor at Sports Illustrated to his current role as host of the acclaimed podcast “The Corporate Competitor,” Don has built his career by helping leaders harness the transformative power of stories to inspire, connect, and drive momentum. After meeting Don at the Real Leaders Unite Summit, I was captivated by his ability to connect with his audience. In this week’s episode, Don shares insights into mastering storytelling, leveraging momentum, and creating cultures that foster team success. Get ready to learn how your powerful stories can elevate your leadership and team performance. Key Takeaways: • Storytelling is not innate; it’s a skill anyone can master with intentional practice and coaching. • Deeply knowing your audience significantly amplifies your impact as a leader. • Exceptional teams consistently create “feel-it” moments, making every team member feel integral to their broader purpose. • Cultivating a mentoring culture organically enriches team dynamics and fosters ongoing excellence. • Embracing and leveraging change and momentum can turn setbacks into meaningful opportunities. Mic Drop Moments: • “Never waste a loss. If something bad happens, that’s a great time for us to get better.” • “Leadership and storytelling aren’t genetic gifts. They’re skills anyone can and should develop.” • “Purpose has to flow from leadership to the frontline, connecting everyone deeply to why their work matters.” Connect with Don • Website: https://donyaeger.com/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donyaeger/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donyaeger/# • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donyaeger • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@corporatecompetitorpodcast • X: https://x.com/donyaeger • The New Science of Momentum Book • 45 Storytelling Prompts by Don Yaeger (Free Resource) Episode Highlights & Timestamps: • Understanding Your Audience (03:12) • Mastering Storytelling (07:25) • Developing a Library of Stories (13:42) • The Transition from Writer to Speaker (19:50) • Building Exceptional Teams (27:05) • Creating “Feel-It” Moments (33:40) • Mentoring Culture vs. Mentoring Programs (38:10) • Navigating Change and Momentum (42:20) • The New Science of Momentum (49:45) If you liked this… Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/

Workplace drama is everywhere because people are everywhere. But just because it is common does not mean it is acceptable. Left unchecked, drama can become a cultural quicksand. It slows progress, fractures trust and kills momentum. In this episode of Reflect Forward, I break down why drama exists, how leaders unknowingly contribute to it, and most importantly, how to stop it in its tracks. This is not just about managing others. Leaders must be willing to hold up a mirror and ask, 'Am I contributing to this or helping solve it?' We will explore the roots of drama, how storytelling and emotional triggers create chaos, and the exact steps leaders can take to build a culture grounded in ownership, trust, and clean conflict resolution. I also share a personal story about how I created drama in my own company through unclear communication and what I learned about taking responsibility. What You Will Learn • The true definition of workplace drama and how it shows up in your culture • Why gossip, blame, and storytelling feel good in the moment but cost your team dearly • How to help your employees recognize and own their emotional triggers • What it means for leaders to model emotional regulation • Five strategies to shut down drama and create a healthier, more focused culture Key Takeaways 1. Drama is a distraction from growth. Recognize it and name it before it spreads. 2. Your culture is shaped by how you and your team handle hard emotions and hard conversations. 3. Leaders must model emotional regulation. You are the mirror. 4. Help people shift from blame to ownership by asking what role they played and what they can do. 5. Teach your team to question their stories. Ask, Is this true? What else could be true? Why does this bother me so much. Reflect Forward Challenge Where are you tolerating or contributing to workplace drama? What is one action you can take today to shift the tone? If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who is navigating workplace drama. When leaders choose ownership over reactivity, we all win. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. And if you have not yet, check out my book The Ownership Mindset for more practical leadership tools like these. Let us lead well and lead with intention. Timestamps 00:00 Why workplace drama is normal but dangerous 03:15 My own misstep and how unclear communication caused chaos 06:50 Defining drama and why it matters 09:05 What Cy Wakeman teaches about drama and psychological safety 10:35 The hidden cost of drama at work 12:20 Root causes from unclear expectations to inconsistent leadership 15:10 The real issue beneath it all is storytelling 17:00 Strategy one: Name it immediately 18:20 Strategy two: Encourage ownership thinking 20:00 Strategy three: Teach trigger awareness 25:00 Strategy four: Set clear cultural norms 27:00 Strategy five: Model clean conflict resolution 30:10 How leaders get sucked in and why accountability matters 32:50 Stay above the swirl through curiosity and emotional discipline 36:00 Surrounding yourself with truth tellers 37:30 Final reflection on integrity and leadership If you liked this… Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/