337: Never Delegate Again—Unless You’re Doing It Like This

What if delegation wasn’t about getting tasks off your plate, but about helping your people grow? This episode explores a powerful reframe of delegation as a leadership tool for development. Brad Federman shares insights from his book Never Delegate Again, challenging outdated models like the Eisenhower Matrix and offering a modern, growth-oriented approach that builds both people and performance. He introduces the Growth Matrix, a practical framework for assigning tasks in ways that stretch capabilities while avoiding overload or misalignment.

You’ll hear real-life stories that bring Brad’s strategies to life, including how he helped a burned-out employee reclaim her career path and why feedback needs to be treated like a long-term investment.

We discuss the mindset shifts required for effective leadership today, such as prioritizing coaching over control and seeing possibility in others. This conversation is a must-listen for leaders who want to empower their teams, build emotional intelligence, and lead with purpose in a fast-changing world.

Brad is the founder of PerformancePoint, a firm dedicated to helping organizations engage employees, strengthen customer relationships, and cultivate resilient, collaborative cultures through effective leadership.

You’ll discover:

Why traditional delegation models are no longer effective
The critical role of mindset in leadership success
How to use the Growth Matrix to assign tasks for development
How to coach your team for confidence, not just compliance
What “investment feedback” looks like in practice

Watch the episode:

Connect with Brad

Brad’s Resources

Websites

PerformancePoint

Brad Federman

Books

Never Delegate Again: Uncover the Secret to Growing Your Company, Your People, and Yourself – Coming soon!

Cultivating Culture: 101 Ways to Foster Engagement in 15 Minutes or Less

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319: Cultivating a Culture That Lasts

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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

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

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Peer Coaching Made Simple

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

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336: Tools to Tackle Tough Conversations

What if you could navigate even the most challenging conversations with calmness, clarity, and confidence? This in-depth conversation with David Wood explores just that, diving into how to communicate more effectively in high-stakes moments, whether at work or in life. David shares his unique approach to coaching and communication, combining emotional awareness with practical tools. His latest innovation, WhisperLead AI, helps leaders role-play difficult conversations, receive coaching prompts, and even get real-time support during live interactions.

Our discussion goes beyond mechanics to emphasize authenticity and vulnerability as leadership strengths. David unpacks common pitfalls in conflict—like poor framing, making assumptions, or avoiding others’ perspectives—and offers techniques for building trust and achieving shared outcomes. Whether you’re leading a team or seeking better communication in your personal life, this conversation delivers practical wisdom and fresh ideas you can start using immediately.

David left behind a high-powered career as a Consulting Actuary for Ford, Sony Music, and Chanel—trading Park Avenue boardrooms for a mission to transform lives and businesses. He didn’t just start a coaching business; he built the world’s largest coaching business at the time, ranking #1 on Google for “life coaching”, serving 150,000 coaches globally.

But David’s story is about more than success—it’s about resilience. He’s survived a paraglider collapse and a fractured spine, battled anxiety and depression, and most recently, took on acting in Hollywood! Today, he helps leaders 4X their clarity AND productivity, and to love their life.

You’ll discover:

A powerful method for framing difficult conversations with positive intent
Why asking for the other person’s perspective first can shift everything
How AI tools like WhisperLead can coach you in real-time
The link between vulnerability and stronger leadership
A practical model for brainstorming solutions collaboratively

Watch the episode:

David’s Resources

Website

Focus.ceo

WhisperLead coaching tool

Free business/life assessment

Book

The Mouse in The Room—Because the Elephant Isn’t Alone

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100: Become More Focused, Fearless and Highly Productive

Grow Strong Character

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

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

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Peer Coaching Made Simple

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

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335: How a Shared Family Legacy Shaped a Purpose-Driven Business

What happens when a mother and daughter build a business grounded in legacy, love, and leadership? June Perry-Stevens and Krystle Rogers share the powerful story of their mother-daughter business partnership, rooted in a family lineage that dates back to ancestors who were enslaved.

Their bond is built on mutual respect, deep trust, and a shared commitment to community, excellence, and generational leadership. Their company, Best Ed Business, has evolved through intentional partnerships and a clear focus on delivering exceptional service, all while staying grounded in values passed down through generations.

Together, June and Krystle model what it means to lead with integrity and love. Their conversation touches on honoring the past while building for the future, the importance of empowering women, and the role of relationship-building in business success. With a lineage of strength behind them and a heart for service, they demonstrate how legacy can be both a source of pride and a call to purpose.

You’ll discover:

The power of intergenerational leadership built on respect and trust
Why leading with love and service creates lasting customer relationships
The importance of appreciating differences and individual strengths
How one family lives into a history of resilience and excellence
Practical ways to empower women and uplift communities through business

Watch the episode:

Connect with June and Krystle

Resources

Website

Best Ed Business

Grow Strong Character

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

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Connect with Your Team

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

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Peer Coaching Made Simple

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

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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

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

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122: Making the Most of Your Moments

Would You Rather Argue or Have a DIALOGUE?

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.