On today’s episode of "How Leaders Think," Kenny Lange sits down with Chris Barnes, fractional integrator and executive coach at Wolf’s Edge Integrators, for a transformative conversation on leadership development. Together, they unpack why many leaders struggle to move beyond being high-performing individual contributors and how organizations can shift from a culture of training to true development. Chris shares practical insights on escaping the “reactive” mindset, building conscious leadership, and the importance of self-awareness and growth. With real-world stories, frameworks like The Leadership Circle, and actionable steps for both seasoned executives and emerging leaders, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to elevate their leadership and drive meaningful change in their organization.

Other places to find the “How Leaders Think” podcast:

* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh

* Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

* Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts

* Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Chris Barnes Resources:
Website: https://www.wolfsedgeintegrators.com
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbarnes-leadership/

Books Mentioned:
American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company: https://amzn.to/4iMTMPt
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't: https://amzn.to/3RQ6AJT

#leadershipdevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #PersonalGrowth #ChangeManagement #HowLeadersThink

• (00:00) - How Leaders Think Podcast
• (05:29) - Reactive vs. Conscious Leadership
• (07:35) - "Self-Change Over Changing Others"
• (10:59) - "Comprehensive Leadership Assessment Overview"
• (13:35) - "Keys to Effective Change Leadership"
• (17:01) - Leadership: Aligning and Developing Teams
• (23:27) - Lack of Team Development
• (24:12) - Breaking the Leadership Discipleship Cycle
• (29:54) - Balancing Leadership Development vs. Training
• (31:39) - "Celebrating Exceptional Coaching"
• (35:42) - "Embrace Strengths for Growth"
• (39:57) - "Engage to Enhance Leadership Discussions"

In today’s episode of "How Leaders Think," Kenny Lange sits down with Ian McCoog, author of "Leadership Bites: An Approachable Handbook for Emerging Leaders," for a practical and thoughtful conversation on leadership theory in the modern workplace. Together, they explore the balance between getting results and valuing people, the evolution from transactional to transformational leadership, and the real-world challenges emerging leaders face in standing out without burning out. Ian shares insights on choosing the right leadership models, the importance of reflection and self-awareness, and how leaders can create positive resonance throughout their organizations. Whether you’re climbing the leadership ladder or helping others grow, this episode is filled with actionable wisdom to help you lead with both competence and compassion. Tune in for strategies that will transform the way you think—and lead.

Other places to find the “How Leaders Think” podcast:

* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh

* Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

* Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts

* Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Ian McCoog Resources:
Website: https://www.ianmccoog.com/

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-mccoog-0b872a212

Books Mentioned:
Leadership Bites: An Approachable Handbook for Emerging Leaders: https://amzn.to/4jsqkPU
Bravey: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas: https://amzn.to/3YeTyt2
Head and Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership: https://amzn.to/3YeMaOp

#Leadership #EmergingLeaders #HowLeadersThink #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth

• (00:00) - Balancing Tasks and Valuing People
• (04:44) - Prioritize People for Organizational Success
• (09:20) - Desire for Competent Leadership
• (12:52) - "Tortoise vs. Hare Team Dynamics"
• (16:03) - Approachable Leadership for Emerging Leaders
• (19:46) - Guiding Emerging Leaders' Decisions
• (20:38) - Reflective Leadership and Symbolic Frames
• (23:48) - Left Fielder: Hitters Over Fielders
• (27:25) - "Step Back, Analyze, Move Forward"
• (32:59) - Navigating New Teams as Educated Leaders
• (36:56) - Ripple Effect of Decisions
• (40:38) - Listener Engagement and Episode Impact
• (41:12) - "Engage and Lead Thoughtfully"

On today’s episode of "How Leaders Think," Kenny Lange sits down with Dr. Michael Brabant, founder of Candor and Coherence, for a deep dive into leadership from the inside out. Together, they explore how prevailing definitions of success and productivity often emphasize external achievement—at the expense of true fulfillment. Dr. Brabant candidly shares strategies for helping leaders move from the “shallows” of surface-level influence into the “depths” of authentic self-alignment, unveiling the importance of rest, comfort in one’s own skin, and psychological safety. The conversation touches on recognizing hidden motivations, breaking free from societal and internal indoctrination, and building high-trust, high-performance cultures by leading from a place of inward calm and genuine presence. Packed with practical steps and thought-provoking wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for leaders ready to harmonize their personal and professional lives and lead with greater impact.

Other places to find the “How Leaders Think” podcast:

* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh

* Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

* Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts

* Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Dr. Michael Brabant Resources:
Website: https://candorandcoherence.com/
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-brabant-phd-124963b/

#howleadersthink #Leadership #Podcast #AuthenticLeadership #CandorAndCoherence #PsychologicalSafety #LeadFromWithin