Conflict. Just the word is enough to make many of us uncomfortable. Whether it’s the tension in a meeting, the conversation you keep putting off, or the unspoken disagreement that lingers like background noise — conflict is everywhere at work. But most of us were never taught how to deal with it. So, we avoid it.

In this episode, we take a deeper, more human look at why we avoid conflict, how that avoidance impacts your well-being, your relationships, and even your career — and most importantly, how to handle it skillfully, not fearfully.

You’ll be guided through a self-assessment, hear relatable truths about our biological aversion to confrontation, and learn practical tips for managing conflict with clarity, confidence, and empathy.

What’s in it for you?

• Understand the Real Reasons You Avoid Conflict
• Discover the Top 3 Sources of Workplace Conflict
• Gain Practical, Ready-to-Use Conflict Management Tips
• Shift Your Mindset from Conflict-Averse to Conflict-Ready
• Improve Mental Health and Self-Esteem

Whether you lead people, are dealing with conflict at work, or just someone tired of walking on eggshells generally, this episode will give you the tools, language, and mindset you need to stop fearing conflict and start taking control of it.

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Ready to take your personal development to the next level? Visit www.theleadershipmovement.net to request access to our FREE quick start guides, self-assessments, and other resources that you can use to turn your new knowledge into practice.

Let’s be real, have you ever left a meeting or walked out of a room and thought, “Did anyone even notice I was there?” If so, you are not alone. In this episode, we're getting into what it really means to have presence, not fake confidence, not being the loudest voice, but the kind of presence that sticks with people long after you've left the room.

We’ll talk about why presence is often the silent deal-maker (or deal-breaker), and how you can tap into it without pretending to be someone you're not.

What’s in it for you?

• Learn why your great ideas might not be landing—and how presence can change that.
• Understand the invisible signals that make people take you seriously (or not).
• Bust the myth that you have to be extroverted to have presence.
• Get practical tips to show up with intention, even if you're nervous.
• Discover the difference between being heard AND being remembered.

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or just plain invisible, this episode is your reminder, and your roadmap, for how to own the room without raising your voice or rubbing people the wrong way.

Resources:

PREP Model (Point, Reason, Example, Point)

Executive Presence 2.0: Leadership in an Age of Inclusion (Hardcover) | Harvard Book Store

Executive Warfare

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Ready to take your personal development to the next level? Visit www.theleadershipmovement.net to request access to our FREE quick start guides, self-assessments, and other resources that you can use to turn your new knowledge into practice.

Tired of being ignored, overlooked, or misunderstood? Here’s the harsh truth: communication is the real currency of influence, and most people — including executives — are terrible at it.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the common communication mistakes that quietly destroy credibility and opportunity. Learn how to frame your messages to tap into self-interest, shift your language so they listen, master emotional and outcome-driven messaging, and use our simple 3-question tool to immediately boost your ability to persuade, connect, and be remembered.

What's In It For You?
You'll walk away knowing exactly how to:
✅ Craft messages people actually listen to and act on
✅ Influence conversations, decisions, and even careers — including your own
✅ Position yourself as a leader others want to follow

Master these skills and you'll have a competitive edge most people will never even see coming.

Ready to stop being ignored and start being impossible to overlook?
We've got your back!

References:

What does WIIFM Mean (and Why is it Important?)

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Ready to take your personal development to the next level? Visit www.theleadershipmovement.net to request access to our FREE quick start guides, self-assessments, and other resources that you can use to turn your new knowledge into practice.

Ever been asked, “Where do you want to be in 5 or 10 years?” and your brain just… blanked? Yeah, most people have that reaction — and honestly, it’s not your fault. In this episode, I’m sharing a real-world, no-fluff process I’ve used with tons of people to help them figure out what they actually want from their career (and life), even if they’re starting from zero.

I’ll walk you through the exact steps that helped me go from burnout and confusion to building a career I’m proud of — and how you can do the same.

Here’s what we’re getting into:

• Why it’s totally normal to not know your “dream job” (and how to start figuring it out)
• A simple framework to help you discover your why
• The truth about full-time jobs, freelancing, and starting your own thing — and what fits you best
• How to tell if you’re more of a generalist or a specialist (and why it matters)

If you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, or just ready for something new, this episode is your starting point. You might be one conversation away from a new vision for your life — let’s make it this one.

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Ready to take your personal development to the next level? Visit www.theleadershipmovement.net to request access to our FREE quick start guides, self-assessments, and other resources that you can use to turn your new knowledge into practice.

The future of work is changing faster than anyone imagined, driven by AI, automation, global uncertainty, and rapid technological breakthroughs. But while jobs may change, the core skills for success in a human world remain timeless.

In this episode, we break down the 5 Superskills we believe are critical for thriving in the unpredictable world ahead. These are the human skills that won’t just help you survive — they’ll help you lead, adapt, and stay ahead of the curve no matter what the future throws your way.

Join us as we dive into:
✅ Why financial intelligence is a must-have skill
✅ The power of critical thinking in an age of misinformation
✅ How deep focus can become your superpower in a world full of distractions
✅ Why reading remains one of the greatest tools for growth and leadership
✅ The game-changing impact of emotional intelligence on relationships and resilience

Whether you’re leading a team, managing your own career, or simply looking to stay sharp, these 5 superskills will help you future-proof yourself and keep learning, growing, and winning in the face of change.

Tune in now — your future self will thank you.

Resources:

The Crash Course: An Honest Approach to Facing the Future of Our Economy, Energy, and Environment: Martenson, Chris: 9781394168866: Amazon.com: Books

The Future Is Faster Than You Think - How Converging Technologies Are Transforming Business, Industries, and Our Lives

The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness: Housel, Morgan: 9780857197689: Amazon.com: Books

Emotional Intelligence 2.0: Greaves, Jean, Bradberry, Travis, Lencioni, Patrick M.: 9780974320625: Amazon.com: Books

HBR's 10 Must Reads on Emotional Intelligence (with featured article "What Makes a Leader?" by Daniel Goleman)

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Ready to take your personal development to the next level? Visit www.theleadershipmovement.net to request access to our FREE quick start guides, self-assessments, and other resources that you can use to turn your new knowledge into practice.

Everyone has heard the saying "People don’t leave bad jobs, they leave bad bosses." but what happens when it’s not just the boss…it’s the whole damn system?

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on toxic workplace politics. The kind of slow-burn dysfunction that erodes trust, kills morale, and leaves high performers doubting their worth. From weaponized company values to gaslighting, from cult-like cliques to weaponized positivity, we’re breaking down the eight most toxic politics that are quietly ruining the modern workplace.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: no company is perfect. There are no unicorns, just different flavors of dysfunction. So how do you figure out which “brand of BS” is tolerable for you? When do you know it’s time to walk away?

🧠 What’s in it for you?

✅ A breakdown of the 8 most toxic political behaviors in modern organizations
✅ Real-world examples of how these behaviors show up—subtly and overtly
✅ Strategies to emotionally protect yourself while you plot your exit
✅ Permission to prioritize your health over the illusion of loyalty

Support the show

Ready to take your personal development to the next level? Visit www.theleadershipmovement.net to request access to our FREE quick start guides, self-assessments, and other resources that you can use to turn your new knowledge into practice.

Tired of unclear priorities, overwhelming workloads, or poor and destructive decisions being made from above? In todays episode we provide guidance on taking back control — even when you’re not in a position of power.

Chris breaks down the real skill that separates influential professionals from the rest: managing up. Learn how to influence decisions, protect yourself politically, and push back on unrealistic expectations without damaging your reputation and minizine backlash.

What’s in it for you?

• A strategy to get clarity when everything feels like “priority #1”
• Proven ways to raise concerns without sounding confrontational
• Tools to frame your ideas in terms your leaders will actually hear
• Techniques to support a manager who’s willing to fight for the team

If you want more impact, more influence, and less chaos this is your starting point.

Support the show

Ready to take your personal development to the next level? Visit www.theleadershipmovement.net to request access to our FREE quick start guides, self-assessments, and other resources that you can use to turn your new knowledge into practice.

Think promotions are based solely on hard work and performance? Think again. In this episode, we break the promotion down into 3 distinct stages and explain the politics you need to understand at each stage to make it to the next.

You’ll learn:

• Why being great at your job isn’t enough
• How the behind-the-scenes promotion process really works
• What managers are actually looking for (and not saying)
• How to navigate the politics after you land the role

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or unsure how to play the game, this episode will give you the clarity—and the strategy—to take control of your advancement. Let’s get you moving forward with your eyes wide open.

Support the show

Ready to take your personal development to the next level? Visit www.theleadershipmovement.net to request access to our FREE quick start guides, self-assessments, and other resources that you can use to turn your new knowledge into practice.