326: Harnessing AI as a Strategic Thought Partner in Leadership

326: Harnessing AI as a Strategic Thought Partner in Leadership

326: Harnessing AI as a Strategic Thought Partner in Leadership

How can leaders use AI to unlock new levels of strategic thinking and team collaboration? Meredith sits down with Geoff Woods, author of The AI Driven Leader, to explore how AI is transforming leadership and decision-making. Geoff shares his personal journey from fear of AI to embracing it as a powerful tool for growth, offering practical examples of how leaders can use AI to tackle challenges like restructuring debt or addressing toxic workplace dynamics.

Geoff also dives into actionable strategies for empowering teams, including three essential questions every leader should ask to better understand their team’s strengths and needs. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or aspiring leader, this episode will inspire you to rethink your approach to leadership in the age of AI and equip you with tools to harness technology as a thought partner—not a replacement—for human judgment and creativity.

Geoff is not only the #1 bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader, he’s also the host of the AI-Driven Leader podcast and Founder of AI Leadership. He’s created The AI-Driven Leadership Collective™, a network of executives collaborating to harness AI to build better businesses and better lives.

You’ll discover:

  • How artificial intelligence enhances strategic decision-making
  • What you can do to prompt AI to ask you thought-provoking questions
  • Practical ways to use AI as a thought partner
  • Strategies for overcoming fear of new technology
  • The CRIT framework for effective AI communication

Watch the episode:

Connect with Geoff

Geoff’s Resources

Website

AI Leadership

Book

The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions

 

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Leader-team communication and character skills

Grow Strong Character

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

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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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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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325: Scaling Your Impact Without Burning Out

325: Scaling Your Impact Without Burning Out

325: Scaling Your Impact Without Burning Out

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your workload, unsure how to delegate effectively, or hesitant about bringing new people onto your team? Erin Bradley shares her powerful journey from burnout and anxiety to finding true freedom and fulfillment in her work. She opens up about the common leadership fears around hiring, delegating, and trusting others, and how shifting her mindset changed everything.

Whether you’re leading a team or stepping into a new role at your company, you’ll find practical insights in Erin’s approach to leadership. She reveals three essential questions every leader should ask their team members and explains how genuine curiosity, service-oriented leadership, and thoughtful delegation can transform your workplace culture. If you’re ready to scale your impact without sacrificing your well-being (or sanity!), this episode is a must-listen.

As a mortgage lender, Erin learned the hard way just how difficult entrepreneurship and sales success can be. From flat broke to six figures and burnout, Erin has been through it all. She quickly discovered that the stress of being overwhelmed is no less painful than financial stress.

After redesigning her business to support her dream life, Erin has been on a mission to teach others to do the same. She is a dynamic speaker and trainer, host of the real estate podcast Pursuing Freedom, and author of an outstanding book Pursuing Freedom. She’s created a community for realtors and lenders called the Pursuing Freedom Collective.

You’ll discover:

  • How curiosity transforms leadership conversations
  • 3 key questions to ask your team
  • How to overcome fear and take action
  • Ways to scale impact without burnout
  • Why service-oriented leadership boosts team performance

Watch the episode:

Connect with Erin

      

Erin’s Resources

Website

Pursuing Freedom

Book

Pursuing Freedom

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278: A Progress Maker’s Journey to Freedom

 

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Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

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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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322: Being Your Own Authority

322: Being Your Own Authority

322: Being Your Own Authority

Have you ever felt like certain patterns in your life keep repeating, no matter how much you try to change? Rich Habets shares the concept of “scripts”—deeply ingrained, unconscious behaviors shaped by past experiences that influence how we see ourselves and interact with the world. By recognizing and rewriting these scripts, we can break free from limiting beliefs and create more empowering, fulfilling experiences in both our personal and professional lives.

We also explore the power of conscious choice—how shifting from “getting from” to “bringing to” transforms the way we approach relationships, work, and everyday moments. Rich’s stories from his new book, Being Your Own Authority, illustrate how mindfulness and self-awareness allow us to step into our own authority. If you’re ready to embrace self-discovery, cultivate trust, and align your actions with your values, this episode will leave you inspired to take the next step on your journey.

Rich is a former executive turned coach and strategist who has spent over 25 years working with leaders, founders, and organizations worldwide. Rich has helped thousands of individuals and businesses break free from limiting patterns and create powerful transformations. He specializes in leadership, mindset shifts, and game-changing strategies that help individuals and organizations solve intractable problems by being fully themselves and dismantling the stories that have held them back.

You’ll discover:

  • How unconscious “scripts” shape your decisions and how to identify them
  • The transformative power of shifting from “getting from” to “bringing to” in everything you do
  • Why self-awareness and mindfulness are essential for personal growth
  • Why taking a stand for your values builds trust and authenticity
  • Practical ways to step into your personal power and create new possibilities

Watch the episode:

Connect with Rich

    

Rich’s Resources

Website

Richard Habets

Book

Being Your Own Authority

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321: Braving the Workplace and the Role of Belonging

321: Braving the Workplace and the Role of Belonging

321: Braving the Workplace and the Role of Belonging

In this powerful episode, Dr. Beth Kaplan returns to discuss her groundbreaking book, Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point. She opens with her personal journey through workplace trauma. Beth reveals the critical distinction between inclusion and belonging—explaining that while others determine inclusion, belonging is an internal decision that requires staying true to yourself without compromising your values.

You’ll be moved by Beth’s compelling message about the dangers of self-sacrifice in toxic work environments and the crucial role managers play in fostering genuine belonging. She offers practical strategies for recognizing workplace trauma, setting healthy boundaries, and prioritizing self-care before company loyalty. Whether you’re struggling in a challenging workplace or leading a team and want to create a culture of authentic belonging, this episode offers specific strategies you can start using today.

Beth is a visionary thought leader, researcher, and keynote speaker who has redefined how we look at belonging and how to be our best selves. She works with companies to enhance employee engagement and retention while significantly lowering turnover costs. Beth is currently pioneering a groundbreaking belonging tool with the University of Pennsylvania, designed to measure belonging and predict the propensity to thrive.

You’ll discover:

  • Why belonging is an internal decision rather than something granted by others
  • The warning signs of workplace trauma
  • How managers can become the number one factor in creating environments where people truly belong through empathy and “stay interviews”
  • Practical strategies for setting boundaries and prioritizing your wellbeing without sacrificing your authentic self for a job
  • The dangerous impact of using “family” language in workplace settings

Watch the episode:

 

Connect with Dr. Beth Kaplan

    

Dr. Beth Kaplan’s Resources

Website

Dr. Beth Kaplan

Book page

Book

Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point

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Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

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and Meredith M. Bell
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and Meredith M. Bell

Order from Amazon