You’re The Boss, Now What? with Desiree Petrich | Leadership Development for New Managers
This isn’t another “be more confident and host better meetings” podcast for managers. When you stepped into leadership, everything changed. Assigning tasks now feels risky. Your team dynamics are confusing. Toxic culture might be creeping in. And suddenly, managing isn’t just about work, it’s about showing up as the leader your team needs. I’m Desiree, the leadership coach who got promoted at 24, led a healthcare facility through the pandemic, and now helps new and aspiring managers build their leadership skills from the inside out. On You’re the Boss, Now What?, you’ll get the actionable tools seasoned experts often miss: How to delegate without losing control How to build trust, respect, and executive presence How to stop feeling overwhelmed and actually enjoy leading How to lead impactful team meetings and build a cohesive, high-performing team How to fix toxic culture, handle conflict and difficult employees, and hold people accountable Among the episodes, we also break down popular leadership books, so you can apply what matters and skip what doesn’t. If you’re wondering why your team doesn’t respect you, why conflict keeps flaring up, or how to get promoted into leadership, you've landed in the right place. Each week, I share candid coaching, real-world frameworks like DISC, Working Genius, and the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, and the kind of clarity you won’t get from a generic Google search. So if you’re ready to stop second-guessing yourself, elevate your leadership presence, and build a team that actually works, hit play. This podcast is your behind-the-scenes edge to becoming the leader you were meant to be. This is where we will answer the question; "You're the Boss, Now What?" Popular episode topics include: We Read The Book “The Six Types of Working Genius” so you don't have to; How to Have Hard Conversations (Like a Hostage Negotiator!), 9 Life Lessons to Cut Your Learning Curve in Half, Why Better Time Management Won’t Fix Your Team’s Problems, Love + Work: Finding Joy in Your Job Isn’t a Luxury - It’s a Necessity!, Can You Be Authentic at Work Without Losing Respect?, How the Right Frameworks Turn Fear into Confidence (Craig Denison), Hiring Like a Pro: Building a Team That Actually Loves Their Work, Strengths vs. Skills: Are You Leading from Your True Strengths?, How to Successfully Go From Doing the Work to Leading the Team
Episodes
Guest - Heather Italiano, High-Energy Speaker and Facilitator
Book - The 5 Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell
Are your employees following you because they want to, or because they have to? In this episode, Heather Italiano unpacks the Five Levels of Leadership and how new managers can build trust, increase influence, and avoid falling into the trap of positional leadership.
Have you ever felt like your team only listens beca...
Find Desiree Petrich and Tessa Kampen on Linkedin!
Watch Desiree's Disrupt HR Talk: You're The Problem, and It's affecting Your Team!
Struggling with difficult employees or clashing coworkers? In this episode, Desiree Petrich and Tessa Kampen unpack practical ways to improve team dynamics and work with people you don’t like.
You rarely to choose who you work with. Whether it’s a coworker who triggers your inner eye...
Links
You’ve offered raises, perks, and flexible schedules, so why does your team still seem disengaged? In this episode, we explore the real reasons employees check out and what you can do to re-engage them.
In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the book The Truth About Employee Engagement by Patrick Lencioni and exploring the real rea...
Struggling to unplug, set boundaries, or move your body after a long day? This Ask Me Anything episode tackles three of the biggest challenges new managers face with actionable mindset shifts and tools that make a real difference.
Ever feel like your brain won’t shut off even when your body’s ready to?
You're not alone.
In today’s Ask Me Anything episode, we’re diving into three of the most common challenges high-achie...
Resilience isn’t just something you build after a crisis. In this episode, you’ll learn how to strengthen your mindset, build emotional stamina, and proactively prepare for life’s hard moments, so you can handle them with more calm, clarity, and confidence.
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Do you only feel strong...
Elisa Ellis, Founder of Turnkey Style
Visit Elisa's Webiste
Buy the Book: The Style Advantage
Stylist Elisa Ellis shares how what you wear can shift how you lead. Learn how to feel more confident, aligned, and respected—without changing who you are.
Last week we talked about what’s really behind employee disengagement—and how to fix it.
This week, we're diving into something leaders rarely talk about but feel eve...
Connect with Tessa Kampen on LinkedIn
Buy The Book 6 Types of Working Genius
Take the Working Genius Assessment
Unlock better team communication and self-awareness with the Working Genius framework. In this episode, we break down the 6 types and how understanding your genius can change the way you lead and collaborate.
What if understanding how you work best could completely transform how your team works together?
If you&a...
Hear Scott speak live at the Intentional Leader Summit on August 6th, 2025
Connect with Scott Tillema on Linkedin
Watch Scott's TED Talk: The Secrets of Hostage Negotiators
Recommended Book: Hostage at the Table by George Kohlrieser
Can you lead through conflict—even without trust? Scott Tillema shares hostage negotiation skills that every leader can use to navigate difficult conversations and rebuild tru...
- Book List (Leadership, Personal Development, Parenting)
- List of Assessments (Take DISC or Working Genius and get a free coaching debrief!)
- Read the Book: Taking Intentional Action
These 9 life lessons aren’t in a textbook, but they should be. Whether you're a new grad, a new manager, or someone guiding the next generation, this episode helps you grow with purpose, confidence, and self-awareness.
Most of us don’...
If you’ve ever said, “I just need to manage my time better,” or “If they were more efficient, we’d be fine,” this episode is for you.
In today’s conversation, we’re flipping the script on strengths and weaknesses at work. While most people focus on improving tactical skills like organization or productivity, the real game-changer is how we show up relationally. You’ll learn how relational weaknesses, like defensiveness, passive-aggr...
We read the book Love + Work By Marcus Buckingham so you don't have to!
Can you really love your job - or is that just wishful thinking? In this episode, Desiree and guest Tessa Kampen unpack Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham and what it means for new leaders trying to build careers that actually light them up.
Show Notes:
Last week we talked about redefining leadership with Craig Denison - how breaking the mold can make you...
Are authenticity and professionalism at odds, or are we just defining them wrong?
If you're a first-time manager trying to gain respect without losing yourself, you’re not alone. Most new leaders feel stuck between “being real” and “being taken seriously,” and it’s affecting your executive presence, your team’s trust, and how you show up in every meeting.
The truth? You don’t have to choose.
Authenticity and professionalism aren’...
What if you're not a bad leader—just using the wrong blueprint? Craig Denison shares how practical tools and mindset shifts can turn anxious new managers into confident, empowered leaders.
Craig Denison is the creator of 90 Day Leader, a framework-based leadership development program designed to help new and accidental managers lead with confidence, without burning out. He's also a former team member of Patrick Lencioni’s...
Hiring the right people isn’t just about qualifications, it’s about building a culture that works. In this episode, Tessa Kampen joins me to break down how leaders can shift from hiring for titles to hiring for strengths. We explore why job descriptions should focus on tasks instead of just experience, how to ensure new hires truly love their work, and the dangers of misleading candidates in the hiring process. I also share a perso...
Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for you. In this episode, We explore the difference between strengths, gifts, and competencies, and how they impact leadership. Learn how to lean into your true strengths, avoid burnout, and build a strengths-based culture that actually lasts.
Have you ever felt drained at work, even though you're good at what you do? Or wondered why a job that once energi...
Being great at your job doesn’t automatically make you a great leader. In this episode, leadership coach Joe Raasch joins me to break down the challenges new managers face when stepping into leadership for the first time. We discuss the mindset shift from individual contributor to people leader, how to stop micromanaging, and why leadership is more than just getting things done.
You were a top performer, a go-to expert, the one eve...
What if great leadership wasn’t about having all the answers, but about creating an environment where your team can thrive? In this episode, we dive into Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull and uncover the leadership lessons that made Pixar a powerhouse of creativity and innovation. If you’re looking to build trust, encourage problem-solving...
Not everyone loves networking. Maybe you’re not a fan of small talk, maybe you feel like you never get anything out of it, or maybe you just don’t see the point. But here’s the reality, whether you love it or hate it, in-person networking is one of the most powerful ways to grow your career, build influence, and open new opportunities. And the best part? You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room or work the entire crowd f...
Feedback can feel awkward, whether you’re giving it, receiving it, or wondering if it’s even worth it when nothing seems to change. But without a strong feedback culture, your team won’t grow, and you’ll keep running into the same issues. Today, Jen Recla is back to break down what psychological safety actually looks like at work, how to make feedback feel useful instead of personal, and the biggest mistakes leaders make when tryin...
Feeling overwhelmed by your workload? You’re not alone. Leaders everywhere struggle with time management, prioritization, and setting boundaries. In this episode, leadership expert Jen Recla shares why your relationship with time is holding you back, and how to shift it so you can reclaim control over your schedule, focus on what truly matters, and avoid burnout.
Do you constantly feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day? Are...
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