311. How Great Leaders Build Great Teams - Maximos Lih

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Kristine Frost, former CHRO, founder, board director, and attorney by training, with 25 years of leadership experience across the automotive and industrial sectors.Having spent much of her career as one of the only women in the room, Kristine learned how communication, credibility, and influence really operate in demanding environments - from the plant floor to the C-suite. We explore what decades of navigating difficult conversations taught her about leadership, why high performance doesn't automatically translate into influence, and why one of her biggest communication challenges has been learning to talk about her own achievements.In this episode, we discuss:What 25 years of high-stakes leadership taught Kristine about difficult conversationsHow to communicate when what leaders say and what employees hear are very differentHow being one of the only women in the room shaped her communication styleHow to advocate for yourself without feeling that you are braggingTune in for a thought-provoking conversation about leadership, communication, influence, visibility, and finding the confidence to own the value you bring.You can connect with Kristine here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kfroesqWebsite: https://shatteredglassadvisory.com/Email: [email protected] Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 313 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Justin Goodbread, business strategist, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur who has grown and sold seven companies across multiple industries.We explore what it really takes to build a business that can scale beyond its founder. Justin shares why entrepreneurs should think beyond revenue and profit and focus on creating transferable business value, how owner-dependence can limit growth, and why many founders wait too long to prepare their companies for an eventual exit.In this episode, we discuss:The difference between building a profitable business and a valuable businessHow to recognize when the founder has become the biggest bottleneckHow to reduce owner-dependence and build a company that can operate without youThe leadership transition required as a company moves from seven to eight figuresWhat makes a company genuinely valuable and attractive to potential buyersTune in for a practical conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, scaling, business value, and creating a company that gives you greater freedom rather than depending on you for everything.You can connect with Justin here: Home - Justin Goodbread Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Elizabeth Brett, former NBC television reporter, storytelling authority, and communication strategist who helps accomplished women develop a more authentic and powerful voice.Drawing on nearly a decade in broadcast journalism, Elizabeth shares what she learned about creating stories that capture attention and build trust, and why polished communication alone is no longer enough. We explore her Story Alchemy™ methodology, the shift from performance to presence, and why our lived experiences can become one of our most powerful sources of authority, especially in the age of AI.In this episode, we discuss:How to move from polished communication to authentic presenceWhy successful women can outgrow the version of themselves that helped them succeedHow to turn lived experiences into stories that build trust and authorityWhy authentic storytelling is becoming even more important in the age of AIHow leaders can develop a voice that is recognizable, memorable, and truly their ownTune in for an inspiring conversation about storytelling, communication, visibility, and finding the courage to express what you really want to say.You can connect with Elizabeth here: Elizabeth Brett | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Maximos Lih, executive coach and founder of Emboldened LLC. After starting his career at Google, Maximos spent nearly a decade at Google Ventures, where he helped hundreds of founders scale their companies and leadership.We explore what it really takes to build high-performing teams, why founders often become bottlenecks as their companies grow, and how leaders can move from being the “hero” who solves every problem to the “host” who creates the conditions for others to thrive. In this episode, we discuss:How founders can recognize when they have become the bottleneckWhat it means to move from “hero” to “host” as a leaderHow your team’s behavior can become a mirror of your leadershipWhy trust and exceptional talent matter when building great teamsHow leaders can create clarity in fast-growing organizationsTune in for a practical conversation about leadership, high-performing teams, scaling organizations, and creating the conditions for people to do their best work.You can connect with Maximos here: linkedin.com/in/maximoslih Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 310 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Lorraine Armijos, executive coach, consultant, and founder of LAR INSIGHTS. Lorraine began her leadership journey in the U.S. Air Force and brings more than 20 years of experience, including roles with Fortune 500 companies.We explore how leaders can successfully navigate change, turn strategy into action, and build high-performing teams. Lorraine shares why great leadership is increasingly about asking the right questions rather than giving all the answers, and how leaders can move from overwhelm to greater clarity and impact.In this episode, we discuss:How to turn a strong vision into effective executionHow leaders can move from overwhelm to transformational impactWhy great leaders learn to coach rather than simply give ordersHow data can support better leadership decisionsHow process improvement can support sustainable business growthTune in for a practical conversation about leadership, change management, strategy, and creating organizations where people and performance can thrive together.You can connect with Lorraine here: Lorraine Armijos | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 309 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Angélica Pérez-Litwin, clinical psychologist, author, and founder and CEO of Lumin, who has spent more than twenty years working with high-achieving professionals.We explore why some of the most successful people struggle with exhaustion, anxiety, strained relationships, and the feeling that they can never slow down. Angélica introduces the concept of Career Distress Response and explains what happens when professional achievement becomes deeply connected to our identity and self-worth. Drawing from her new book, The Great Unraveling, she also shares how we can move toward Career Harmony — pursuing meaningful ambition without sacrificing ourselves along the way.In this episode, we discuss:The difference between burnout and Career Distress ResponseWhy high achievers can struggle to slow down even when they are exhaustedHow achievement and professional identity can become deeply intertwinedWhy vacations, boundaries, and productivity tools don't always solve the underlying problemHow leaders and organizations unintentionally reward unhealthy patterns of overworkHow to redefine success and build a healthier relationship with ambitionWhat Career Harmony looks like in practiceTune in for a thought-provoking conversation about leadership, ambition, identity, and how to build sustainable success without losing yourself in the process.You can connect with Angélica here: Dr. Angelica Perez-Litwin, PhD, MBA | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Nina Burrowes, psychologist, author, and founder of The Consent Collective. For more than two decades, Nina has worked with judges, universities, and organizations to understand sexual harassment, consent, power, and workplace culture.We explore why traditional approaches to harassment prevention often fail and why understanding human behavior is essential for creating meaningful cultural change. Nina also shares insights from her book All Reasonable Steps and her unusual approach to making complex psychological ideas accessible through cartoons and visual storytelling.In this episode, we discuss:The psychology behind workplace behavior and harassmentHow power and organizational culture influence behaviorWhy policies and compliance alone don't create cultural changeHow leaders can approach difficult conversations with greater confidenceHow education, curiosity, and honest conversations can help prevent harmTune in for a thought-provoking conversation about psychology, leadership, communication, and building healthier workplace cultures.You can connect with Nina here Dr Nina Burrowes | LinkedIn Her book: All Reasonable Steps | Dr Nina Burrowes Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Julian Lighton, bestselling author, Silicon Valley executive coach, and former Chief Strategy Officer with more than 30 years of leadership experience.Julian has worked at McKinsey, led a $4.5 billion division at Cisco, and held senior roles across billion-dollar companies. His latest book, Navigating Your Next, explores a surprisingly simple question: what do you actually want from your career?In this episode, we discuss:How to get clear on what you really want from your careerHow AI, layoffs, and changing workplaces are reshaping career decisionsThe negotiation mistakes even experienced executives makeHow to navigate career transitions with greater confidence and clarityTune in for a practical conversation about career choices, leadership, negotiation, and making the most of the 90,000 hours we spend at work.You can connect with Julian here Julian Lighton | LinkedIn Julian's website: https://www.julianlighton.com/His book: https://www.julianlighton.com/bookThank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Adriana Caliri, executive leadership coach and former corporate leader who spent 25 years in the corporate world, including more than two decades at Nike.We talk about what it takes to build a successful career without losing yourself along the way. Adriana shares her WNGSway™ methodology — Find Your Wings, Learn the Game, Lead Your Way — and explains why authentic leadership begins with understanding who you are, what you bring, and how you want to lead.In this episode, we discuss:How to lead from within instead of seeking external validationWhy seeing work as a “game” can change how you approach your careerHow to find your authentic leadership voiceWhat Adriana learned from working with world-class athletesHow to combine high performance with meaning, joy, and fulfillmentTune in for an inspiring conversation about authentic leadership, career success, and creating impact without losing yourself in the process.You can connect with Adriana here Adriana Caliri | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 305 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Liam Cole, relationship-building specialist, entrepreneur, startup advisor, and Director of a creative agency. Liam has built his career around a simple belief: meaningful relationships are the foundation of extraordinary business outcomes. We explore why networking is often misunderstood, how authentic relationships create long-term success, and why human connection will become an even greater competitive advantage in an AI-driven world. Liam also shares practical strategies for building influence, growing communities, and creating opportunities through generosity rather than transactions.In this episode, we discuss:• Why the best networking never feels like networking• The difference between collecting contacts and building real relationships• Why trust is one of the most valuable leadership skills• How AI is changing communication and where human connection still wins• The biggest networking mistakes founders and executives make• How strategic introductions accelerate business growth• Why small personal gestures can have a bigger impact than digital automationTune in for a practical and inspiring conversation on leadership, communication, networking, and the power of authentic relationships in business and life.You can connect with Liam here Liam Cole | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.