The Leadership Vision Blog & Podcast Archive
How Susan Inouye is Transforming Leadership Through Human Connection
What happens when leaders truly see their people—not just for what they do, but for who they are? In this powerful episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, we talk with Susan Inouye, executive coach and author of Leadership’s Perfect Storm. She shares the transformational impact of Sawubona Leadership, a method rooted in the Zulu greeting “I see you.” Along with co-hosts Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring, we explore how identifying people’s innate gifts—especially the ones hidden behind “bad behavior”—can shift culture, increase performance, and create lasting belonging. Listen in and reflect on what gifts might be hiding in plain sight on your team.
The Folds That Shape Us: Embracing Life’s Permanent Creases
In this episode of The Leadership Vision Podcast, Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring explore the metaphor of “folds”—those permanent creases in our lives shaped by early experiences. From work ethic to limiting beliefs, our folds tell stories that influence how we lead and live. Discover how to name them, embrace them, and even refold them into something new. Tune in to reflect on the folds that have shaped your own story.
Unfolded Maps: Discover Your Inner Landscape of Leadership
In this episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring explore one of the central ideas of their book Unfolded: the metaphor of maps. Our maps represent our inner landscapes—our lived experiences, values, and relationships—and they hold both the well-traveled roads of habit and the hidden folds where growth emerges.
Together, we discuss how reflection, not just action, can unlock meaning from our stories. We look at how origin stories shape leadership, why seasons of life matter, and how mentors and guides can help us read our maps with fresh eyes. Brian and Linda remind us that our maps are not something to hide but to honor—with dignity, compassion, and curiosity.
Whether you’re a leader navigating change or someone seeking personal clarity, this conversation invites you to pause and ask: What does your map look like, and what story is it telling about you?
Work That Shapes Us: A Labor Day Reflection on Purpose and Leadership
In this short Labor Day reflection, we share an unexpected leadership insight inspired by the Benedictine monks’ philosophy of work. Drawing on the ancient motto Ora et Labora—“Pray and Work”—this episode explores how viewing our work as sacred, balanced, and community-driven can transform the way we lead and build team culture.
Whether you’re running a team, leading a company, or simply reevaluating your relationship with work, this episode invites you to reframe work as more than just a task—it’s a shaping force.
How Your Strengths Shape the Way You Communicate
How do your unique Strengths shape the way you communicate? In this episode of The Leadership Vision Podcast, Nathan Freeburg, Dr. Linda Schubring, and Brian Schubring explore the deep connection between identity and communication. Drawing from decades of consulting experience and their book Unfolded, they reveal four shaping influences—family, culture, environment, and time in history—that define how we express ourselves and listen to others. You’ll hear real client stories, practical strategies for adapting your communication, and insights into why nonverbal cues matter just as much as words. Whether you’re leading a team, navigating relationships, or simply wanting to connect more effectively, this episode will help you communicate with greater clarity, empathy, and impact. Listen now and discover one change you can make in your next conversation.
Cultivating Daily Gratitude: A Transformative Approach for Leaders
In this episode, we’re exploring daily gratitude, not just as a simple act of saying “thank you,” but as a transformative practice that can enhance our lives and leadership. Gratitude is not only a holiday-specific reflection but a habit that can bring physical, mental, and relational benefits, making a profound impact on our daily lives.
Transforming Workplace Culture: Insights from Coach Kon
In today’s competitive marketplace, creating a workplace culture that engages and empowers employees is more than just a strategic goal—it’s a necessity. At the heart of this transformation is Konstantinos Apostolopoulos, better known as Coach Kon, a renowned international speaker, author of The Engagement Blueprint, and CEO of Fresh Business Solutions. In this episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, Coach Kon shares his journey, insights, and strategies for redefining workplace culture. Enjoy!
Alignment Without Conformity: How Teams Can Fly in the Same Direction
In this episode of The Leadership Vision Podcast, Nathan Freeburg, Dr. Linda Schubring, and Brian Schubring explore what alignment truly means in team settings—dispelling the myth that alignment requires conformity. Using metaphors from nature, like the organized flight patterns of geese and the dynamic, colorful movement of flamingos, we delve into the complexities of alignment. We discuss why it’s essential for effective teamwork, and how it often looks messier than we might expect. Our conversation highlights that alignment isn’t about uniformity; rather, it’s a shared commitment to move in the same direction while also leveraging each person’s unique Strengths. Enjoy!
Embracing Resilience: Insights from Russell Harvey on Thriving, Not Just Surviving
In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Russell Harvey, known as “The Resilience Coach.” Russell brings over 20 years of experience in leadership, resilience, and organizational development to the table. His mission is to positively impact 100,000 people by 2025. In our conversation, we explore his key insights on building resilience and how leaders can foster this invaluable quality within their teams. Enjoy!
Embracing Strategic Resilience in Leadership
In this episode of the Leadership Vision podcast, we dive into our archives of interviews we’ve done with guests to talk about strategic resilience in leadership. We share insights from four distinguished leaders, featuring interviews with Rich Horwath, Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, Martin Gonzales, and Amy Schoenthal. Our discussions cover essential topics including strategic thinking, creating resilience plans, addressing team challenges, and reframing setbacks for growth. This episode is aimed at helping leaders enhance both their personal and professional effectiveness, especially during times of crisis. Enjoy!
Embracing the Dynamic Role of Chief of Staff with Maggie Olson
In this episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, we chat with Maggie Olsen, founder and CEO of Nova, Chief of Staff, about her dynamic role and extensive experience serving high-level leaders at Nordstrom, Starbucks, and T-Mobile. Maggie sheds light on fostering entrepreneurship, navigating feedback, maintaining consistency in leadership, and the nuances of emotional regulation for leaders. The discussion focuses on trust-building, adapting to failures, balancing flexibility, and the importance of personal well-being for professional effectiveness. Maggie also introduces Nova’s certification course and other services while highlighting the significant role of feedback culture and continual learning in leadership. Enjoy!
Exploring Themes for Effective Cultural Change in Organizations
In this episode of the Leadership Vision podcast, hosts Nathan Freeburg, Brian Schubring, and Dr. Linda Schubring discuss how recurring themes in leadership and team structures can shape cultural change within organizations. Drawing from their experience with a particular leadership team, they explore nine universal themes—climate, optimism, investment, vision, buy-in, accountability, mission, and leadership’s role. They emphasize identifying and capitalizing on positive changes to accelerate organizational transformation. The conversation also highlights the importance of understanding an organization’s climate, fostering optimism, investing in leadership at all levels, ensuring strong alignment with mission and vision, and maintaining clear accountability. The episode aims to provide listeners with insights to enhance their own team dynamics and leadership practices. ENJOY!
The Power of Compassionate Leadership with Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth
In this episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, we have the pleasure of talking with Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth, the founder of Hollingsworth Consulting and author of ‘The Compassionate Advantage.’ She shares her journey from academia to consulting and emphasizes the growing importance of compassionate leadership in our modern world. Together, we explore crucial strategies like compassionate accountability, self-care, and the creation of healing work environments. Dr. Hollingsworth provides us with practical insights on how to integrate compassion into leadership, offering stories and actionable advice that can help foster a positive team culture. We discuss real-world applications of compassionate action in workplaces and the impact these strategies have on leadership and team dynamics. This conversation encourages us to consider how we can apply these compassionate leadership principles to improve our own team environments and navigate challenges more effectively. ENJOY!
Enhancing Team Dynamics Through Trust and Psychological Safety
In this episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, we discuss the concepts of trust and psychological safety and their impact on team innovation and resilience. The discussion explores core ideas, practical steps, and actionable strategies for fostering an environment where team members feel safe to share ideas without fear of negative consequences. The conversation also touches on the role of Strengths in team dynamics and how leaders and team members can build trust and improve communication and collaboration. Listeners will gain valuable insights and real-world examples to implement these concepts within their teams to build a positive, high-performing team culture. Enjoy!
Building Positive Team Culture Using Agile Principles with Dennis Stevens
In this episode of the Leadership Vision podcast, we sit down with Dennis Stevens, an enterprise Agile coach and founder of OrgWright with 30 years of experience. We discuss the evolving relevance of Agile principles and practices, particularly in the context of the post-pandemic business world. The conversation explores the difference between superficial Agile practices and fostering true team coherence and adaptability.
Dennis shares insights on creating effective teamwork conditions, reflecting on his experiences and lessons from the Agile community, the military, and transformational leadership. The discussion also addresses the challenges of consistent team alignment, clarity of roles, and the significance of first principles and purposeful rhythm in organizational success. Enjoy!
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