As we step into 2026, I'm seeing a shift that every leader needs to pay attention to. People aren't quitting their jobs they're shrinking inside them.

In this episode, I unpack what that quiet disengagement really looks like and why it's an identity issue, not a motivation or productivity problem.

I walk through three warning signs I'm seeing: Addition Sickness, Quiet Cracking, and Job Hugging and how each one signals misalignment beneath the surface.

Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Burnout is a signal, not a flaw. Patterns like overloading, emotional exhaustion, and clinging to safety are signs of identity misalignment not weakness.

2. You can't subtract until you know who you are. When identity is unclear, everything feels urgent. Clarity allows you to let go of what no longer fits.

3. Leadership rises from identity, not effort. Sustainable leadership comes from aligning your strengths, values, and mission not from doing more or trying harder.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 1: Introduction to Leadership in 2026

Minute 2: Identifying Leadership Misalignments

Minute 5: Taking Action for Authentic Leadership

Resources from This Episode:

Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment

Get a copy of The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within

Plan your days by actively using your strengths with The Strengths Journal™

Book a 30-minute discovery call to discuss your executive and team development needs

In this episode of Dominate Your Day, I speak with Dr. Camille Preston, business psychologist and owner of Aim Leadership, about navigating grief, mental health, and authentic leadership. We unpack the concept of "telescoping grief" how personal and collective loss can merge and become overwhelming and the importance of sitting with those emotions rather than pushing them aside.

We discuss the rising mental health challenges many face today and how small mindset shifts and genuine connection can bring healing. Her new book, Living Real, encourages embracing life's full emotional range and creating community through real conversations.

Camille's focus on managing energy by aligning with strengths rather than forcing performance is a powerful leadership lesson. Her insights remind us that true resilience comes from understanding ourselves deeply and leaning into connection.

Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Living real means feeling the full range of life. Avoiding discomfort leads to burnout and disconnection. Growth and fulfillment come from allowing both the highs and the lows of life.

2. Unprocessed grief compounds over time. When grief is ignored or pushed down, it resurfaces in bigger, messier ways. Healing begins by acknowledging and holding it instead of avoiding it.

3. Lead by sourcing, not forcing. Sustainable leadership comes from knowing your strengths, managing your energy, and making small shifts that let your best self emerge naturally.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 3: Journey of Authenticity

Minute 9: Impact Of Grief and Loss

Minute 15: Living Real and Micro Shifts

Minute 21: Creating Meaningful Connections

Links + Resources from This Episode: Learn more about Camille's work at aimleadership.com

Get a copy of Camille's new book, Living Real: Redifining Success, Pretense, and Happiness

Explore all of Camille's books

Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within

Learn more about The Strengths Journal

"Change me first."

Those three simple words changed everything for me. As we kick off Season 5 of the Dominate Your Day podcast, I want to share my own story. I had outward success—a respected career, titles, and accomplishments that looked great on paper—but felt empty on the inside.

People-pleasing, fixing, and performing leadership left me exhausted and disconnected from who I really was. In this episode, you'll hear how learning to focus on what I could actually control sparked an internal revolution, restored my marriage, reshaped my leadership, and led to the creation of the Authentic Imprint™ formula. I also share what's ahead for the podcast as we enter our fifth year and why this next season will go deeper into real-life transformation stories.

Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Change starts with me. Lasting transformation doesn't come from fixing others or circumstances it begins when I take responsibility for what's happening inside me.

2. Emotional recognition is the multiplier. Strengths, values, and mission only work when paired with emotional recognition the ability to notice and name what's happening inside you before it drives your behavior.

3. You don't need to be more productive you need to be more you. Alignment, not achievement, is the key to sustainable leadership. When you lead from the inside out, transformation ripples through your life, your relationships, and your organization.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 3: The Drama Triangle and Circle of Control

Minute 6: Discovering Authentic Leadership

Minute 9: The Authentic Imprint Formula

Resources from This Episode: Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment

Get a copy of The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within

Plan your days by actively using your strengths with The Strengths Journal™

Book a 30-minute discovery call to discuss your executive and team development needs

My guest today is Gina Riley, a career transition coach and author of "Qualified Isn't Enough." We discuss the importance of storytelling in career transitions, the challenges of the current job market, and the concept of executive presence.

Gina talks about developing a unique value proposition, aligning personal branding with job opportunities, and the significance of authenticity in leadership. Our conversation also covers practical strategies for job seekers, including networking, crafting effective resumes, and preparing for interviews.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 9: Challenges in the Job Market

Minute 15: Developing Executive Presence

Minute 21: Networking and Personal Branding

Minute27: Interview Preparation and Strategies

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

LinkedIn

Instagram

My Book - The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within

Email: hello@danawilliamsco.com

The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here

Every leader has one pattern to break—what's yours?

Ever feel like you're doing the same things and expecting different results? You're not alone. Most leaders don't need more effort they need more awareness.

Here's the truth: your biggest breakthrough is often hiding behind your strongest pattern. We all have automatic responses that once served us but now sabotage us. The perfectionist who delays decisions.

The people-pleaser who says yes to everything. The controller who micromanages instead of empowering. In today's episode, I explore how breaking a pattern isn't about forcing change it's about noticing it, naming it, and choosing differently.

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

LinkedIn

Instagram

My Book - The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within

Email: hello@danawilliamsco.com

The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here

My guest today is Linda Grizely a financial educator and keynote speaker. Her mission? To help women prioritize themselves financially and emotionally.

: Linda's career in financial services began unexpectedly. Initially seeking a role in nonprofits, she found herself drawn to financial education after enrolling in a course that opened doors to the financial services industry. Her passion for helping others led her to become a financial advisor, but she soon realized her true calling was in teaching people how to manage their own finances.

Linda's innovative concept, 'Me Money,' encourages individuals to include themselves as a line item in their budgets.

Linda emphasizes the importance of mindset in financial success. Through her Money Mindset course, she helps women overcome internal blocks and build confidence in managing their finances.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 10: Concept of "Me Money"

Minute 15: The Role of Mindset in Financial Planning Minute

28:00: Real-Life Financial Challenges and Solutions

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: hello@danawilliamsco.com

The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here

Why knowing what to do isn't enough

You already know what to do. Delegate more. Set boundaries. Lead from your strengths. Be authentic. So why aren't you doing it?

The truth is, the gap between knowing and doing is where most transformations die. Today's episode explores the gap between knowing and doing.

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

LinkedIn

Instagram

My Book - The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within

Email: hello@danawilliamsco.com

The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here

On today's episode my guest Dr. Tim Elmore, Author and Founder of Growing Leaders and I discuss leadership across generations, focusing on Gen Z's unique challenges and opportunities.

We explore the importance of empathy, mentorship, and adapting leadership styles to meet the needs of younger generations entering the workforce.

Tim shares his experiences and research, offering practical strategies for engaging and empowering Gen Z leaders.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 3: The Peter Pan Paradox
Minute 9: Empathy and Mentorship
Minute 15: Gen Z in the Workforce
Minute 21: Leadership Strategies for Gen Z

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

LinkedIn

Instagram

My Book - The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within

Email: hello@danawilliamsco.com

The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here