334: My Mother: The Life of a Quiet Leader

334: My Mother: The Life of a Quiet Leader

334: My Mother: The Life of a Quiet Leader

What does it mean to lead without fanfare or recognition? In this solo episode, I reflect on the life and legacy of my beloved mother, Doris Melancon—a woman whose quiet strength, unwavering love, and deep wisdom shaped generations. Though Doris never saw herself as a leader, her influence was undeniable and profound.

I honor my mother’s legacy by highlighting the qualities that defined her: humility, generosity, patience, and a steadfast faith that guided her every action. Through personal stories and reflections, you’ll come to understand how true leadership can radiate from a calm, gentle presence—and how one person’s values can ripple out to impact the lives of many.

I’m the co-founder and president of Grow Strong Leaders. We’ve created online resources that help leaders strengthen their character and communication skills to build strong relationships and inspire others to perform at the highest level.

You’ll discover:

  • Why quiet leadership can have the most lasting impact
  • How humility and love become a powerful guiding force
  • What makes a person truly wise and deeply respected
  • The strength behind patience and emotional steadiness
  • How one life of service can shape an entire family legacy

Watch the episode:

Connect with Meredith

        

Meredith’s Resources

Website

Grow Strong Leaders

Books

Connect with Your Team: Mastering the Top 10 Communication Skills

Grow Strong Character

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Say Nothing – A Power Skill

Say Nothing – A Power Skill

SAYING NOTHING – A POWER SKILL

By Dr. Denny Coates

Both my sons are in their 50s, still pursuing highly successful careers in information technology. I check in with them often, and when I do, I make an effort to communicate effectively. I try to be aware of moments when a particular skill will work best for me—as I do with friends, other family members, and business associates. During a recent conversation, I was reminded of something important. Often, the best response is to not respond—saying nothing. There were moments when I felt the urge to give advice, to debate, or to give feedback. But instead, I just let him do the talking.

 

“In the heat of the moment, choose your battles. Sometimes saying nothing is the smartest thing you can do.”

It worked like a charm; it was the most effective thing I could have done. No argument. No implication of criticism. Nothing to push us apart. Just a nonverbal signal that I was thinking about what my son had said.

Saying nothing is a powerful, underappreciated skill.

Instead of reacting, just listen, and let them know nonverbally that you’re hearing and considering what they have to say.

And if you feel you really must say something, ask an open-ended question. Instead of saying, “That doesn’t sound like a good idea,” say “What do you think will happen if you do that?” And then follow up with listening to understand, or a follow-up question, such as “If that happens, how would you feel about that?” But let saying nothing be your lead.

Learn more about listening and asking open-ended questions in Chapters 4 and 5 of Connect with Your Team.

Connect with Your Team Book - Grow Strong Leaders

Connect with Your Team

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.,
and Meredith M. Bell
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333: The Go-Giver Approach to Leadership

333: The Go-Giver Approach to Leadership

333: The Go-Giver Approach to Leadership

What if the secret to success is giving more? In this episode, Meredith Bell speaks with Bob Burg, co-author of The Go-Giver, about why shifting your focus to consistently providing value leads to greater fulfillment and profitability. Bob explains the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success and how they apply to entrepreneurs, leaders, and teams.

You’ll come away inspired by Bob’s deep insights on value-based leadership, the true meaning of influence, and why receptivity is just as important as giving. Whether you’re growing a business or leading a team, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and equip you with timeless, practical wisdom.

The Go-Giver has sold well over a million copies and has been translated into 30 languages. Bob has created The Go-Giver Academy online learning portal featuring The Go-Giver® Success Vault, which includes all of his online courses and other business-building resources.

Bob is an advocate, supporter, and defender of the Free Enterprise system, believing that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve.

You’ll discover:

  • The meaning of a “go-giver”
  • Why giving value is more profitable than chasing money
  • How to lead with authenticity without using it as a crutch
  • The difference between genuine influence and manipulation
  • How being open to receiving fuels your ability to give more

Watch the episode:

 

Connect with Bob

        

Bob’s Resources

Website

Bob Burg

Daily Impact email

The Go-Giver (books)

The Go-Giver Academy/Success Vault

Saleswise Live™ Sales Mastery

The Go Giver Academy

Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Spotify
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Amazon
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Pandora
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on YouTube
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on iheartradio
Leader-team communication and character skills

Grow Strong Character

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.
Order from Amazon
Connect with Your Team Book - Grow Strong Leaders

Connect with Your Team

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.,
and Meredith M. Bell
Order from Amazon
Connect with Your Team Book - Grow Strong Leaders

Peer Coaching Made Simple

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.,
and Meredith M. Bell
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328: Building Real Relationships on LinkedIn

328: Building Real Relationships on LinkedIn

328: Building Real Relationships on LinkedIn

Curious how LinkedIn can actually help you build real business relationships—not just rack up connections? In this episode, LinkedIn expert Bill McCormick shares his journey from traditional sales to becoming a trusted advisor on the platform. Bill reveals why authenticity, curiosity, and genuine engagement are the keys to standing out and building trust, whether you’re networking, recruiting, or growing your business.

We dive into practical tips for optimizing your profile, engaging with others in a meaningful way, and using LinkedIn’s premium features (like Sales Navigator) to your advantage. Bill also shares his thoughts on AI and automation, and why the human touch still matters most. If you want to make LinkedIn work for you—without feeling salesy or inauthentic—this episode is packed with actionable advice you can use right away.

Bill is the Founder of Digi-Sales, a Digital Selling training company, and Digi-Sales Academy, an online video training platform where he shares his passion for helping professionals leverage the power of LinkedIn. Bill first started using digital sales techniques after he and his wife, Sue, started their own promotional product business.
By using social platforms, especially LinkedIn, they were able to build a very successful business. Bill then began to help other business owners, entrepreneurs and sales professionals learn how to use LinkedIn to increase sales.

Bill has conducted training for companies worldwide and specializes in helping to ‘make LinkedIn Human’ – explaining the platform in easy-to-understand ways, and recently launched the All Selling Is Social Podcast.

You’ll discover:

  • How to create a value-driven LinkedIn profile
  • The right way to connect and engage
  • Why curiosity builds trust on LinkedIn
  • Tips for using Sales Navigator effectively
  • The pitfalls of AI and automation on LinkedIn

Watch the episode:

Connect with Bill

  

Bill’s Resources

Website

Digi-Sales

Course

Social Selling Compass Course

Podcast

All Selling Is Social

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Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Apple Podcasts
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Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Pandora
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on YouTube
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Leader-team communication and character skills

Grow Strong Character

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

Order from Amazon
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and Meredith M. Bell
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327: Unleashing Your Authentic Superpowers

327: Unleashing Your Authentic Superpowers

327: Unleashing Your Authentic Superpowers

When you hear the word authenticity, you might think of it as being your true self around other people. Actually, it’s much more than that. In our conversation, Erin Hatzikostas shares her bold and refreshing perspective on authenticity in leadership and life.

As a former corporate CEO turned authenticity advocate, Erin opens up about her journey from a rocky start as an actuary to leading a company with a culture rooted in trust and connection. She introduces her HUMANS framework for authenticity, emphasizing the importance of humility, unexpectedness, and storytelling in building relationships and inspiring others. Erin’s unforgettable stories offer practical ways to embrace imperfection and lead with heart.

Her insights on being unexpected in communication, taking risks, and cataloging imperfect moments will leave you feeling inspired to bring more of your true self into every interaction. This episode is packed with actionable advice for anyone looking to lead authentically, connect deeply, and stand out by simply being real.

Erin is the CEO and founder of b Authentic Inc, a global keynote speaker, and the author of two books, You Do You(ish) and The 50% Rule, the co-host of the podcast, b Cause Work Doesn’t Have to Suck, and coach-sultant. Her TEDx Talk was one of the Top 20 globally most viewed TEDx Talks released in 2021.

You’ll discover:

  • How authenticity can transform leadership and build trust
  • The HUMANS framework: key elements of authentic connection
  • Why embracing imperfection fosters deeper relationships
  • The “50% rule” for breaking free from conventional thinking
  • How storytelling can elevate communication and problem-solving

Watch the episode:

Connect with Erin

      

Erin’s Resources

Website

b Authentic

Podcast

b Cause Work Doesn’t Have to Suck

TEDx Talk

Why You Don’t Have to Compromise For Your Career

Books

You Do You(ish): Unleash Your Authentic Superpowers to Get the Career You Deserve

The 50% Rule

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Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Apple Podcasts
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Leader-team communication and character skills

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Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

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and Meredith M. Bell
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324: Debunking Myths about Introversion

324: Debunking Myths about Introversion

324: Debunking Myths about Introversion

What if your introverted nature wasn’t a limitation but a powerful strength in leadership? Dr. Nicole Bryan shares her personal journey as an introverted leader, debunking common misunderstandings and myths about introversion and highlighting its unique strengths. She emphasizes that introversion is not about being shy but about deriving energy from internal sources, which can be a powerful asset in leadership roles. Nicole’s insights offer a fresh perspective on how introverts can thrive in professional settings.

She also provides practical advice on how introverts can effectively navigate networking and professional challenges without compromising their natural strengths. Whether you’re an introverted leader seeking growth or a manager looking to foster a more inclusive team culture, this episode offers valuable insights and strategies to help you succeed.

Nicole is a certified leadership career coach, organizational consultant, and psychotherapist. She’s spent over 25 years helping introverted women define their own success, lead with confidence, expertly navigate company politics, and secure their executive seat to maximize their income, influence, and impact. She founded TheChangeDoc, LLC, for ambitious women looking to leave a legacy through their leadership. Nicole’s programs integrate psychology, key business principles, organizational behavior, and decades of real-world experience as a corporate executive to empower introverted women to make a difference, lead bolder, and create positive change for themselves, their teams, and the world.

You’ll discover:

  • Common myths about introversion
  • Strategies for introverts to excel in networking
  • The importance of valuing diverse communication styles
  • How to create inclusive environments for introverts
  • Practical tools for understanding team dynamics

Watch the episode:

Connect with Dr. Nicole Bryan

Dr. Nicole Bryan’s Resources

Websites

The Change Doc

Leading Her Way Podcast

 

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Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Spotify
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Amazon
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Pandora
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on YouTube
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on iheartradio
Leader-team communication and character skills

Grow Strong Character

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

Order from Amazon
Connect with Your Team Book - Grow Strong Leaders

Connect with Your Team

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.,
and Meredith M. Bell
Order from Amazon
Connect with Your Team Book - Grow Strong Leaders

Peer Coaching Made Simple

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.,
and Meredith M. Bell

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