Communication Skills Archives

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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315: The Lens You Choose Shapes Your Life

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332: Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence

Are your leadership habits helping you adapt…or holding you back? Kevin Eikenberry shares highlights from his new book, Flexible Leadership, and explores what it truly means to lead with confidence in uncertain times.

Using the powerful image of a tree, deeply rooted yet able to bend, Kevin offers a fresh take on how leaders can stay grounded in their values while adapting their approach. The discussion covers the essential elements of mindset, skillset, and habitset, and how each one shapes a leader’s ability to navigate complexity with clarity and purpose.

This conversation brings practical wisdom and real-life application to the forefront. The concept of the “confidence-competence loop” offers a hopeful reminder that growth builds momentum. Whether you’re leading a team, managing change, or working on personal development, you’ll find actionable insights for growing stronger through flexibility.

Kevin is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, a leadership and learning company based in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a team across the United States. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations and leaders from at least 53 countries become more effective.

You’ll discover:

How to stay grounded in your values while adapting your approach
The power of “it depends” in shifting perspective
What the confidence-competence loop means for leaders
Why resistance isn’t a problem—it’s an invitation
How to use questions to unlock better decisions

Watch the episode:

Connect with Kevin

Kevin’s Resources

Website

The Kevin Eikenberry Group

Free Masterclass on Building Confidence

Podcast

Blog

Books

Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence

The Long-Distance Team: Designing Your Team for Everyone’s Success

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082: How to Keep Teammates Engaged and Connected While Working Remotely

216: Design a Long-Distance Team for Everyone’s Success

Leader-team communication and character skills

Grow Strong Character

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

Order from Amazon

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

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

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331: How Self-Leadership Shapes Your Personal Brand

What if the only thing standing between you and stronger leadership is the way you see and lead yourself? In this conversation, Ben Albert shares how losing his job during the pandemic became the catalyst for his growth as an entrepreneur and podcaster.

We explore why self-leadership matters, especially when no one else is steering the ship, and how habits, relationships, and honest feedback can help you grow. Ben also explains how self-care, personal branding, and seeking out mentors can transform your impact on others and yourself.

We also discuss overcoming fears, turning weaknesses into strengths, and the power of empathy and curiosity in personal development. Ben describes building a supportive community of growth-minded leaders and why genuine connections are the foundation of lasting success. Whether you’re looking to lead more effectively or become a better version of yourself, you’ll find practical ideas and inspiration in this episode.

Ben hosts a network of 5 podcasts called “Real Business Connections,” ranked in the top 1% globally. He also runs a massively successful marketing firm, Balbert Marketing. Ben is on a mission to move the needle on one million lives, one conversation at a time.

You’ll discover:

How self-leadership can empower you during times of uncertainty and change.
The role of self-care in supporting both personal growth and your ability to lead others.
Why personal branding matters and how to shape the way others perceive you.
Practical ideas for overcoming fears and turning past weaknesses into strengths.
The benefits of joining a growth-minded community for networking and ongoing development.

Watch the episode:

Connect with Ben

Ben’s Website

Real Business Connections

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076: Create a Powerful Personal Brand for Your Business

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Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

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

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and Meredith M. Bell

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330: Coaching Character as the Foundation of Leadership

What if the real secret to great leadership isn’t found in strategy or skill, but in the strength of your character? This conversation with Dane Deutsch explores how character forms the true foundation of leadership, shaped by his own family values, military service, and years of leading diverse teams.

Through stories from the Air Force and his own experience as a CEO, Dane reveals why caring for people and building trust matter more than any title or technique. His insights show that whether you’re coaching athletes, running a business, or guiding a community, authentic leadership always begins with character.

Dane also introduces the “tricycle effect,” illustrating how qualities like trustworthiness, respect, and responsibility steer both personal and professional growth. From practical tools for self-coaching to the power of empathy and humility, you’ll come away inspired to strengthen your own character skills, build genuine connections, and lead with heart in every area of life.

Dane was a Commander in the US Air Force and first applied character skills in the military. He’s the CEO of LMDC Academy, which stands for Leadership Management and Development in Character. Over the past 40 years, he’s coached and trained athletes, businesses, and teams. Dane owned a cybersecurity company and sold it in 2020. He’s also taught classes on cybersecurity at the university level. He and his wife own a gymnastics training center for pre-k to high school students, and character is the #1 skill they teach, followed by leadership, and then technical skills. Dane’s most recent book is titled Coach-Ability and The Tricycle Effect: Coaching Character as the Foundation of Leadership.

You’ll discover:

Why character skills are the true foundation of great leadership
How self-talk and body posture can help you manage anxiety and boost confidence
The “tricycle effect” and how it can guide your personal and professional growth
Real stories about empathy, humility, and the power of being coachable
Practical ways to develop trust, respect, and authentic connections in any area of your life

Watch the episode:

Connect with Dane

Dane’s Resources

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284: You Can Grow Strong Character

GROWING STRONG CHARACTER FOR LEADERSHIP

Grow Strong Character

Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

Order from Amazon

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

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and Meredith M. Bell

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329: Being a Force for Good in the World

What if the real key to powerful leadership is tuning in to your inner wisdom? Coco Sellman brings this idea to life by sharing how listening to that quiet inner voice and acting with integrity can transform not just your own journey, but also the lives of those you lead. Through stories of founding multiple companies and guiding teams through challenges like the pandemic, Coco highlights how self-leadership, reinvention, and daily rituals help unlock personal and professional growth.

You’ll learn how transformational leadership goes beyond innovation, creating environments where people are genuinely empowered to grow and contribute their unique strengths. Coco’s insights into finding one’s “highest and best use” offer a fresh perspective on aligning daily actions with greater purpose. From nurturing nurses to redefining high-performance cultures, this episode is packed with wisdom for anyone seeking to lead with heart, clarity, and impact.

Coco is such a big believer in the idea that business is a force for good that she founded and is the CEO of a company called A Force for Good. Her focus is to support purpose-driven women founders in unlocking exponential growth and prosperity. Coco is well qualified for this role. She has more than 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, has launched five companies, and guided over 500 startups.

Her recent venture, Allumé Home Care, reached eight-figure revenues and seven-figure profits in just four years before a successful exit in 2024. Coco’s book, A Force for Good, offers a detailed roadmap that inspires societal change through women-led enterprises.