Ep. 29: How Great Leaders Build High-Performing Teams

Podcast

Ep. 28: How Strong Leaders Actively Negotiate Red Tape

Leaders often treat red tape and policies as immovable barriers and slip into victim mode. Ivan and Cathy break down how to flip that script: become a rebel for the business, negotiate exceptions with clear reasons, capture the real risks of the status quo, and start saying “no” more often than “yes”. Drawing on special operations examples and real client conversations, this episode of Leading Without the BS shows how to operate on an even playing field, influence senior leaders, and create better outcomes for your team and the organization.

Podcast

Ep. 27: Expand Your Leadership Intensity Range Beyond Calm and Composed

Leaders who are too “easygoing” or overly composed often confuse teams about priorities and urgency. Cathy and Ivan explore how a compressed intensity range (think operating only at a 2–3.5 out of 10) sends mixed signals and practical ways to expand range with voice, body language, and Activating Language®. Learn why intensity is information, how positive intensity (curiosity, excitement) works, and why shifting from “appropriate” to “effective” drives better influence and performance.

Podcast

Ep. 26: Why Leaders Lose Impact With Too Many Words

Leaders from technical backgrounds often over-explain, which quietly destroys influence, credibility, and team contribution. Cathy and Ivan break down why saying more works against you, how it signals “I don’t want your input,” and simple fixes: cap your talking to 20–30 seconds, cut 30% of your words in your emails, and the $5 Jar Challenge that fixes over-explaining FAST. These are proven tools you can use in the next meeting to lead without the BS.