Your team’s truest potential comes to life when you cultivate an environment of emotional safety.

In this episode of Executive Evolution, our host Craig Anderson is joined by Steven Gaffney, President and CEO of Steven Gaffney Company, to share invaluable insights into the heart of effective leadership. Steven shares how creating a culture where communication thrives can prevent the debilitating build-up of issues within your business and offers powerful personal anecdotes, highlighting how speaking up and addressing the unsaid not only alleviates stress but also strengthens teams.

Join us as Steven shares his masterclass for those looking to improve their leadership skills and drive meaningful change.

After You Listen:

Get your copy of Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip & Dan Heath

Connect with Steven on LinkedIn

Check out Steven Gaffney Company

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Key Takeaways:

• Cultivate an emotionally safe environment to foster open communication and address problems before they escalate
• Encourage leaders to elicit unfiltered feedback and make accountable decisions without primarily seeking consensus
• Mentor and coach future leaders to promote leadership development and drive continuous innovation within the organization

Things to listen for:

[02:09] Lightning round with Steven

[07:25] Mood's have an impact on productivity and interaction

[12:17] Communication and problem-solving are crucial for success

[14:00] Seek help and support during tough times

[19:55] Seek input, but be accountable for your final decision

[23:56] Be open, stay alert, reassess and adapt

[27:37] What advice Steven would give to her younger self

[30:18] Craigs takeaways

Leadership is not always about being center stage. It's about being able to hold other people up, help them feel supported, and guide them to success.

In this episode of Executive Evolution, our host Craig Anderson sits down with Liz Higgins, the founder and therapist at Millennial Life Counseling, to dive into her journey as a leader. Liz dives into the importance of relationships, the impact of coaching and mentorship, and the significance of self-awareness in leadership.

Join us as Liz shares her wealth of leadership experience and how to navigate the challenging waters of leadership.

After You Listen:

Get your copy of Hero on a Mission by Donald Miller

Connect with Liz on LinkedIn

Check out Millennial Life Counseling

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Authenticity… it’s a word we hear a lot.

And leading with authenticity is the key puzzle piece to creating a successful team.

In this episode, Kathleen Steffey, CEO and Founder of Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search, joins us to discuss the evolution of her leadership style, the impact of authentic communication on her team and clients, and the importance of maintaining one's spirit amidst the challenges of leadership.

Join us as Kathleen shares her how-to guide on leading a successful, passion-filled team.

After You Listen:

Get your copy of Geno: In Pursuit of Perfection by Geno Auriemma

Connect with Kathleen on LinkedIn

Check out Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Becoming a successful leader begins with knowing your ‘why.’ It’s the foundation for building a strong culture and developing an effective team.

In this episode, Heather Heuman, CEO and founder of Sweet Tea Social Media Marketing, joins us to share her entrepreneurial wisdom and leadership insights. She brings a unique angle to leading a virtual team, the positives of owning your weaknesses, and understanding your personal ‘why.’

Join us as Heather shares her how-to guide on becoming the best leader you can be, while developing a team and culture that excels.

After You Listen:

Get your copy of Start with Why by Simon Sinek

Connect with Heather on LinkedIn

Check out Sweet Tea Social Marketing

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Roadblocks are a given when it comes to leadership. But it’s how you deal with these roadblocks that matters.

In this episode, Rachel Downey, founder, CEO, and Executive Producer of Share Your Genius, joins us to share her personal story into leadership and valuable lessons that can help us navigate our own leadership paths with more confidence and resilience.

Join us as we unpack Rachel’s 5 tips to navigating challenges, seizing opportunities, and evolving through self-awareness and intentional actions.

After You Listen:

Get your copy of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn

Check out Share Your Genius

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

The younger generation is the future of leadership. And it’s our responsibility to equip them with the right tools and knowledge to succeed in their leadership roles.

In this episode, professor, advisor, and performance coach, Nick Smarrelli, dives into the big challenges faced by young leaders and how to overcome them. He also discusses the the evolution of leadership in the workplace and the importance of understanding individual team members' unique traits rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Join us as we share actionable advice for nurturing the next generation of leaders and how to develop them to become successful.

After You Listen:

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

In the fast-paced world of leadership, it's easy to get caught up in the power and status that come with the role. Leading with humility, relating to others, and demonstrating humility can create a more positive and inclusive leadership environment.

In this episode, Performance and Executive Coach, Andrea Petrone shares his invaluable insights into the challenges and lessons of transitioning into a C-suite role, particularly the importance of mindset, humility, and clear communication.

Join us as we unpack the essential attributes of successful C-suite leaders and explore the journey of evolving into an outstanding executive.

After You Listen:

Get your copy of The Five Temptations of a CEO by Patrick Lencioni

Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn

Check out The World Class Leaders Show

Follow Andrea on Youtube

Sign up for Andrea’s Newsletter

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

When thinking about sales leadership, there are specific challenges that you’ll go through, but there are also a vast amount of opportunities that arise.

In this episode, Matt Nettleton, President at Sandler DBT, joins us to share his insights on the key roles of successful sales leaders, the importance of setting up the right systems and creating a culture where making mistakes are encouraged. He also goes into detail on the long-term practices that contribute to the success of sales leaders.

Join us are we share the secrets to mastering sales leadership that unlock doors of opportunities.

After You Listen:

Get your copy of The Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations