You’re the Boss, Now What? with Desiree Petrich | Leadership and Team Development for Managers and Team Leaders

Overwhelmed as a manager? Leadership doesn't have to feel this heavy. Desiree Petrich shares one mindset shift to release pressure, beat burnout, and lead with clarity + energy into 2026

Last week we unpacked the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership. Today? We close the year simpler: one word to lighten your load as a new manager.

If leadership feels overwhelming right now, you're not alone. Managers often carry too much:...

You can have the perfect strategy and still have a team that’s disengaged, drained, or stuck. These seven commitments are what actually change culture.

In Part 3 of this series, Desiree and Tessa walk through the seven commitments that shape your mindset, energy, and team culture—often more than any strategy ever will.

You’ll learn:

• Zone of Genius vs. “I’m ok at this” and why competence keeps you stuck.
• How to spot contentment vs. ...

You can feel it in your team: everyone’s nice… but no one’s honest. Real opinions happen in side chats, gossip is normal, and you’re overcommitting and burning out trying to “keep the peace.” If you’ve ever thought, “Why won’t my team just say what they really think?” or “Why am I the only one holding everything together?” — this episode is for you.

In Part 2 of this series on The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, Desiree and ...

Most leaders want to lead with clarity,but in real life, it’s easy to slip into blame, defensiveness, people-pleasing, or overwhelm. You’re trying your best, yet you’re drained and stuck in the same patterns with your team.

In this episode, Desiree and leadership consultant Tessa break down the first three commitments of Conscious Leadership—taking 100% responsibility, choosing curiosity, and feeling your feelings—and how these shif...

Most people hear the word “gratitude” and think of journaling or writing lists. But for leaders, gratitude is something much deeper, it’s a shift in how you show up at work, how you navigate pressure, and how you lead your team through tough moments.

The truth is, many leaders operate in constant survival mode. You’re reacting, firefighting, carrying the emotional weight of your team, and trying to stay composed even when you’re str...

Communication at work is starting to feel artificial. In this episode, we break down how leaders can use human fluency to build trust, create psychological safety, and communicate with clarity without losing professionalism.

Have you ever left a meeting wondering if anyone actually said what they meant?

If so, you're not alone. Remote work, AI tools, and the pressure to “sound professional” are creating communication that looks ...

Take your DISC or Working Genius assessment

Your team finally hits its stride, but how do you keep it that way? Learn the simple mindset that prevents conflict before it starts, builds trust fast, and keeps meetings focused. Practical scripts you can use today. 

Last week we talked about five steps to turn workplace drama into team trust. The week before that, how to handle a negative employee. Today we protect those gains ...

Workplace conflict doesn’t just disappear, it spreads. Learn five practical steps to rebuild trust, strengthen communication, and fix a toxic culture so your team can perform at its best.

If you’ve ever walked into a meeting and felt the tension before anyone said a word, this episode is for you.

When workplace drama turns into silence, gossip, or passive-aggressive behavior, you’re not just managing conflict, you’re managing cu...

One negative employee can tank performance by 30 to 40 percent. Learn how to tell the difference between realism and pessimism, protect team dynamics, and know when it’s time to let someone go with confidence.

 Last week we talked about imposter syndrome, storytelling, and executive presence with a communication Matt Mosich. This week we shift from the stories in your head to the stories on your team.

If you’ve inherited a high perfo...

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong in your leadership role — or that you’re just “faking it” — you’re not alone.
 This episode will show you how to stop letting imposter syndrome run the show and start leading with presence and authority.

Matt, an executive communication and storytelling coach, shares how he went from hiding behind self-doubt to helping CEOs and founders find their voice — and how you can do the same.

By t...

Part two of our energy mini-series! Learn five glucose hacks to help first-time managers stay focused, avoid the afternoon crash, and lead their teams with steady energy all day long.

Listen to Part 1: New Manager Tips for Better Sleep to Make You a More Confident and In-Control Manager

Last week we talked about how sleep impacts your energy as a leader.
This week, we’re tackling the other half of the equation—what’s actually ha...

New managers don’t need another hack, they need sleep that supports leadership. Sleep coach Morgan Adams shares simple circadian rhythm habits so you show up clear-minded, calm, and confident at work.

Last week we talked about building trust and holding employees accountable with effective one-on-ones. This week, we’re zooming out: your energy and focus start long before the meeting, while you sleep.

Struggling to lead with conf...

Last week we talked about accountability and why trust is the foundation for holding employees accountable. This week, let’s get practical.

The problem? One-on-ones often feel awkward, get canceled, or turn into quick status updates. Managers end up doing all the talking, rushing through them, or skipping them entirely until annual reviews roll around. The result? Frustration, missed opportunities, and a team that doesn’t feel suppo...

Ever feel like managing a team means carrying everyone’s mistakes, conflicts, and missed deadlines on your shoulders? You’re not alone. Many first-time managers fall into people-pleasing, micromanaging, or doing the work themselves instead of coaching their team. That weight leads to burnout, toxic culture, and imposter syndrome in leadership.

But managing isn’t about fixing, it’s about building. In this episode, Desiree Petrich unp...

Do you ever feel like posting on LinkedIn is only for job seekers or entrepreneurs?

That belief is holding you back. The truth is, your presence online is your modern-day resume, and the confidence it builds spills into every corner of your leadership.

In this conversation with Liam Darmody, founder of Liam’s Brandstand, we dig into why building your personal brand is less about “playing the algorithm” and more about learning who you...

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Do you ever feel like a theme or lesson keeps showing up in your life on repeat—almost like déjà vu? That’s been me lately with words like honesty, integrity, and self-trust.

In this episode, I’m diving into Ryan Leak’s book Leveling Up. I thought it would be just personal development, but halfway through I realized: personal development and leadership development are the same conversation. This book held up a mirro...

Take the 5 Love Languages Assessment (for free!) 

Do you ever feel like your appreciation isn’t landing with your team?

New managers often rely on the “golden rule”, treat others how you want to be treated. But that approach leaves gaps, frustrates employees, and creates disengagement. The better approach? Learn how your team wants to be appreciated, and match your recognition style to theirs.

In this episode, Desiree breaks down the ...

Feeling stuck, complacent, or burned out at work? In this episode, Jason Barnaby shares how to reignite your fire, overcome fear, and create meaningful culture through intentional action.

In this episode, we're shifting gears into something every new manager and leader wrestles with,  how do you keep your spark alive when comfort zones and fear want to hold you back?

I’m joined by Jason Barnaby, Chief Fire Starter of Fire S...

Guest: Tessa Kampen - Team Engagement Catalyst

Why are Gen Z and millennials avoiding leadership? In this conversation with Tessa, we unpack the future of leadership, bridging generations, and what new managers must do to create trust, mentorship, and lasting influence.

Additional Links 

• A New Kind of Diversity by Tim Elmore 
• The 5 Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell
• How the Right Frameworks Turn Fear into Confidence | Craig Deniso...