Demonstrating Leadership: Actions Beyond Words
What kind of leader are you — really? Not in the vision statement, not in the company all-hands, but in the moment when the pressure is on, the numbers are off, and your team is watching closely. In this episode of Leadership With a Twist, hosts Heather McGonigal and Barbara Schindler dig into one of the most important — and most overlooked — dimensions of leadership development: what are your actions actually demonstrating every single day?
In this episode you will learn:
- Why leadership reputation is built or broken in everyday micro-moments
- How to use an intentional leadership anchor statement to guide your behavior under pressure
- The role of compassion and psychological safety in high-performance cultures
- Why visible self-care is a leadership skill, not a luxury
- How to apply a growth mindset to mistakes — your own and your team's
- Practical questions to help you notice and shift what you are demonstrating
Whether you are a seasoned executive, a first-time manager, or an aspiring leader, this episode gives you a clear framework for closing the gap between the leader you say you want to be and the leader your team experiences every day.
00:00 Welcome Back
01:14 Leadership In Action
04:36 Intentional Leadership
06:21 Compassion Through Curiosity
07:52 Mistakes And Growth Mindset
10:59 Leading Under Pressure
12:16 Self Care That Shows
16:23 Remote Work Reality
18:05 Recenter And Wrap Up
19:19 How To Connect
About the Hosts: Coach Heather and Coach Barbara are the lead Executive Coaches of Empowering Leadership Teams. They specialize in helping entrepreneurial businesses and their teams meet the moment and become the most empowered they can be to work together and achieve optimal results. With deep expertise in leadership development, team dynamics, and navigating organizational transition, they bring practical, actionable wisdom to leaders facing the challenges of today's rapidly changing business environment.
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