Ep. 35: Observable Behaviors Drive Accountability and Performance

Leaders don’t burn out from lack of effort – they burn out from grinding the wrong behaviors.

Hosts Cathy Maday and Ivan Konermann break down what Scott Brady, Regional VP at Siemens, did differently: shifting from lagging key performance indicators to Key Behavior Indicators (KBIs) to improve leadership performance, accountability, and feedback without burnout.

You’ll learn why doubling down on effort increases stress, how to define externally observable behavior, and how to coach performance management in a way top performers actually want.

by Joni Holmes

October 14, 2026

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Ep. 34: Consistency Is Boring (And That’s Why You Need It)

There is no magic pill for high performance – just boring, consistent reps. In this episode of Leading Without the BS, Cathy and Ivan break down why high performers succeed: daily reps, showing up, and embracing the boring work. From Michael Phelps to competitive shooting to frontline managers, they show how high performance habits are built through unsexy daily practice in listening, language, and follow-through.

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Ep. 33: Why Compassion Drives Accountability Better Than Empathy

What if empathy is burning you out as a leader? Cathy Maday sits down with Heather Hopkins to break down empathy vs. compassion in leadership and how to drive leadership accountability without guilt, over-functioning, or burnout.

Learn why jumping in the hole with your team backfires, how to hold behavioral accountability around boundaries, asking for help, and saying no – and how compassionate leadership keeps high standards without shielding your team.

Perfect for business owners and managers navigating accountability, team performance, and healthy boundaries.

Podcast

Ep. 32: How to Motivate Your Team Without Being Their Motivation

Leaders – stop trying to motivate others and start by asking the right questions. Wingspan Performance Advisors, Ivan and Heather, unpack “big-hat” leadership, why support roles belong at the table, and how to turn “who am I to speak up?” into real ownership and co-creation. If you’re leading and looking for practical tools that deliver results without the BS, this one’s for you.