330: Leadership Is a Choice: Building Self-Efficacy Through a Behavioral Approach with Wesley Bender

What if your greatest leadership move isn't climbing the ladder, but choosing to show up differently, every single day? Nikki sits down with Wesley Bender, a leadership coach who believes the most powerful leaders aren't defined by titles or personality types, but by their actions. Together, they unpack the bold idea that leadership is a choice, grounded in behavior and built through self-efficacy: the belief that your actions can shape outcomes. Wesley brings a refreshing challenge to traditional frameworks and dives into why admired leaders stand out: not just because they drive performance, but because people actually want to follow them. From personal stories to practical takeaways, this episode is a masterclass in what it means to model the way, at home, in the workplace, and everywhere in between. Tune in to rethink what leadership really looks like. 🌌   Additional Resources: Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn Explore the Field Notes page at Admired Leadership Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Nikki's Key Takeaways: Leadership is a daily behavioral choice, not a title. Self-efficacy drives lasting leadership impact and growth. Admired leaders combine results with genuine followership. Behavioral leadership builds better habits than assessments alone. Real leadership shows up through consistent, intentional action.  

What if the most powerful tool in your leadership toolkit isn't strategy or structure, but love? Nikki sits down with Mark Mears, bestselling author, speaker, and former C-suite executive. to explore his revolutionary new framework: LOVE (Listen, Observe, Value, Empower). After a career shake-up that sparked deep personal insight, Mark redefined what it means to lead and thrive at work. From high-stakes boardrooms to heartfelt human moments, Mark shares how love in its most actionable form can transform culture, inspire growth, and re-engage teams in a world desperate for purpose-driven leadership. This isn't fluff, it's the fuel that moves people and results alike. ❤️ Tune in and discover how to build not just a culture, but a true community.   Additional Resources: Get Mark's Book! "LOVE@WORK" Take the LOVE@WORK Assessment Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Nikki's Key Takeaways: Shift from "command & control" to "love & connection." Lead with L.O.V.E.: Listen, Observe, Value, Empower. Create community, not just culture. Anchor work in purpose, not just performance. Practice humility and grace as a daily leadership discipline.  

What if the only thing standing between you and your big dream was… just starting? Nikki and David tackle the excuses, fears, and perfection traps that keep us stuck on the sidelines. From the myth of "not being ready yet" to the fear of failing in front of others, they share real stories and reframes that prove you're good enough to start right now. You'll hear why momentum builds confidence, how failure is really just feedback, and why declaring your goals out loud creates unstoppable energy. Whether it's launching a podcast, building a business, or finally chasing that thing you've been putting off, this conversation is your nudge to stop waiting and start doing. 🔥   Additional Resources: Follow Addicted to Betterment wherever you listen to podcasts! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with David on LinkedIn Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Perfection is the enemy of progress, and momentum creates confidence. You don't need more time, clarity, or credentials… you need to start. Reframe negative self-talk: "I'm not qualified" becomes "I'm called to do this." Failure isn't final; it's feedback that teaches and strengthens. Declaring your commitment out loud creates accountability and accelerates action.  

What if chasing profit is actually killing your team's potential? 🎯 Nikki and Jason unpack one of PeopleForward Network's most powerful culture codes: Purpose Over Profit. They explore what happens when teams stop measuring success in dollars and start designing work around meaning, strengths, and alignment. From sharing candid team experiences, like skipping 4:30 AM workouts for midday movement guilt-free, to building a results-first, flexibility-driven culture, this episode challenges leaders to rethink how we define and pursue success 🧭. Whether you're climbing the ladder, leading others, or reevaluating your own path, this conversation is packed with stories and strategies to help you shift focus from hustle to heart ❤️. It's not just about how much you earn, it's about how deeply your work matters.   Additional Resources: Join the PFN Community! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Purpose fuels performance more than profit ever will. Work-life integration drives meaningful work culture. Great leaders connect roles to individual purpose. Team alignment requires clear, shared outcomes. Purpose evolves through life's changing seasons.  

Ever feel like you're doing everything right, but still stuck? It's not your strategy…it's your subconscious. Nikki chats with transformational speaker and coach Roya Mattis, creator of the Trifecta Method. Roya dives deep into the invisible forces that hold high performers back, those hidden subconscious blocks formed before we even turned seven. 😳 Through stories, science, and soul, she explains how rewiring happens not just in the mind, but also in the body and even at the DNA level. Roya also breaks down the powerful balance between masculine and feminine energy, and why the most impactful leaders master both. If you've ever felt stuck, exhausted, or like your potential is just out of reach despite doing all the "right" things…this one's for you. ⚖️   Additional Resources: Connect with Roya on LinkedIn Learn more on Roya's website Schedule a call with Roya! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Subconscious patterns form before age seven. Awareness alone won't rewire limiting beliefs. True transformation involves mind, body, and DNA. Feminine energy is essential for deep leadership. Presence begins with simple daily grounding rituals.  

What's the real reason some leaders instantly command a room while others struggle to connect? Katherine unpacks the secret sauce behind authentic leadership: executive presence. But don't mistake it for just charisma or a polished look. This is about substance over style, connection over performance, and leading with confidence, clarity, and calm. She explores why presence, not just words, shapes how people trust, respect, and follow you. You'll learn how to shift from filler words to powerful pauses, how to read a room and adapt with empathy, and why showing up with grounded confidence builds psychological safety for your team. Whether you're leading a team meeting or navigating high-stakes moments, this episode offers practical, people-first strategies to grow your presence, without losing your authenticity. 💡   Additional Resources: Master Your Executive Presence! Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Get the book: Presence by Amy Cuddy Get the book: Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Presence starts before you speak a single word. Trustworthiness is prioritized over competence in first impressions. Executive presence is built, not born. Vulnerability must be balanced with leadership authority. Alignment between words and actions builds trust.  

What if your next-level leadership has nothing to do with spreadsheets, strategy, or AI, and everything to do with your emotions? Emotional intelligence coach and EQ-i 2.0 Master Jamelle Lindo joins Nikki to reveal why emotional empowerment is the real superpower for leaders navigating today's fast-paced, tech-heavy world. Jamelle unpacks how to turn emotions from a liability into a leadership asset that fuels clarity, courage, and connection. From real-life transformation stories to practical frameworks, you'll learn how to pivot from emotional avoidance to engagement and build emotional skills that actually move the needle.   Additional Resources: Connect with Jamelle on LinkedIn Start leading with Emotional Empowerment today! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Emotions are data, not distractions. Self-awareness is foundational for emotional growth. Emotional empowerment starts with mindset shifts. Suppressing emotion leads to friction and burnout. Empathy requires intentional, active listening.  

What if the secret to high-performing teams isn't more strategy, but more alignment? 🚣 Nikki is joined by Anadel Alberti, founder of Audaciously Authentic, to discuss what it really means to build aligned teams. Spoiler: It's not about off-sites or one-time trainings. It's about creating spaces where trust thrives, vision is shared, and communication is clear (not assumed). Anadel shares how leaders can foster accountability with empathy, build trust through presence, and co-create vision that actually fuels commitment. You'll walk away rethinking how your team shows up, and how alignment might just be your biggest performance unlock.   Additional Resources: Connect with Anadel on LinkedIn Learn more about Audaciously Authentic Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Alignment is rowing together by choice, not obligation. Communication requires clarity, not assumptions. Accountability equals ownership with empathy. Vision succeeds when co-created. Trust begins with presence and consistency.  

What do pets, perks, and productivity have in common? Nikki teams up once again with Michelle Yates of PetPartners, bringing in the dynamic Mark Rosenthal to shake up how we think about employee benefits. They dive into why "nice-to-have" benefits are now need-to-have, and how understanding your people (and their furry family members 🐕) is the game-changer for attracting and retaining top talent. From multi-generational expectations and mental health support to surprising stats on pet parents and financial stress, this episode is packed with insights that challenge the status quo and inspire leaders to rethink, reframe, and rework their approach to benefits. You'll leave with a fresh appreciation for just how much a pet-inclusive workplace can do for your culture. 🐾✨   Additional Resources: Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn how to create pet-friendly workspaces with the Dogs at Work Guide! Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn Learn more about OnePack Plan by PetPartners Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Benefits must support holistic employee wellbeing. Customization is key to engaging diverse workforces. Pets are essential dependents for many employees. Perks must reflect real employee priorities and stressors. Clear communication is critical to benefits impact.   Works Cited: KRC Research conducted an online survey on behalf of OnePack Plan by Pet Partners among n=1,000 employed US adults 18-65. The sample included n=750 pet owners and n=250 non-pet owners. The study was fielded between August 19 - August 22, 2024. Cohen Research Group in conjunction with OnePack Plan by PetPartners and the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) conducted an online survey over a two-week period from February 22 to March 7, 2024, with 1,021 HR professionals working for medium or large companies in the United States and Canada. By design, half of the respondents work at companies currently offering pet health insurance to their employees and half did not offer it to them. For terms and conditions visit: www.petpartners.com/sample-policies. Products are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, (NAIC #26581), and produced by PetPartners, Inc. (NPN #7612549; CA license #0F27261 PPI Pet Insurance Agency, Inc.).  

What if working less could actually make your business more successful? 💡 Nikki chats with Dr. Sabrina Starling, aka The Business Psychologist, who's here to flip your workweek on its head. Dr. Sabrina isn't just talking theory, she's living proof that you can grow a wildly successful business on just 25 hours a week (and she's now rocking a 10-hour week!). They dive into the power of radical intentionality, how to prioritize $10,000/hour tasks, and why delegating like a pro creates massive growth opportunities for your team. If you've ever dreamed of more margin, more impact, and way less grind... this one's your permission slip. 📝   Additional Resources: Discover How To Make Your Time Worth $10,000 An Hour Connect with Dr. Sabrina Starling on LinkedIn Learn more about Tap The Potential Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Work should support life, not the other way. Identify and protect $10,000/hour activities. Delegate low-value tasks to enable team growth. Hard stops and unplugged time fuel effectiveness. A-players thrive with clear results and strengths.