Playing In the Sandbox

In the third part of our "Communication Lies Leaders Believe" series, Tammy tackles one of the most common myths leaders tell themselves: "I'm a good listener." She powerfully argues that listening is not just about having an open-door policy. It's about seeking to understand from the other person’s perspective. Tammy breaks down the three levels of listening—transactional, active, and transformational—and challenges l...

In this episode of The Leadership Sandbox, Tammy dives into the recent Cracker Barrel rebranding debacle. This corporate misstep, a $700 million gamble aimed at attracting a younger demographic, led to a 14% stock drop and a massive customer backlash. Tammy dissects the four major lies leaders told themselves that led to this catastrophic failure.

You'll discover why a brand's most valuable asset lives in ...

In the second installment of the "Communication Lies Leaders Believe" series, Tammy J. Bond tackles a myth that keeps countless leaders "stuck": the lie that giving direct feedback makes you mean. Tammy powerfully argues that direct feedback doesn't make you mean—it makes you a manager. This episode is a call to courage for every leader who has let their discomfort drive silence. Tammy shares how this avoidance leads t...

Welcome to the start of our SIX PART SERIES, "Communication Lies Leaders Believe." In this episode, Tammy J. Bond tackles a common and costly workplace myth: the idea that an employee who says they're "overwhelmed" simply needs more support. Tammy reveals: when a direct report can't articulate their workload, they're not overwhelmed—they're underperforming and avoiding accountability.

Tammy provides a prac...

Are you struggling to build the vibrant culture you want because you're still clinging to old habits? In this episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond directly challenges leaders to stop "babysitting dysfunction" and confront the "pink elephant" in the room. Tammy argues that you can't build a bold new future by dragging around yesterday's playbook. Culture doesn't change by decree; it changes by disruption.

Are you constantly chasing perfection, or are you truly celebrating progress? In this insightful episode of the Leadership Sandbox podcast, Tammy J. Bond challenges leaders to shift their focus from the dreaded "gap" of what hasn't been accomplished to the powerful "gain" of what has. Tammy passionately advocates for a gain-driven mindset, urging leaders to move beyond self-sabotage by acknowledging every step forward,...

Ever feel your thoughts getting hijacked by tension in a tough conversation? In this transformative episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond explores the profound impact of simply taking a moment to pause in communication. Discover how this seemingly simple action can unlock clarity, deepen understanding, and lead to significantly more effective conversations, even in high-stakes situations.

Tammy ...

Are toxic behaviors holding your organization back? In this impactful episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond reveals the crucial link between addressing workplace toxicity and cultivating a thriving, healthy culture. She highlights the astounding financial and productivity benefits of actively eliminating negativity – showing that eliminating toxic behaviors can save two to four times more than hiring a super...

Are toxic behaviors silently draining your organization's energy and budget? In this episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond passionately confronts the severe impact of toxic leadership on workplace culture and productivity. She highlights why leaders, particularly at the C-suite level, must address negative behaviors that can cost organizations billions annually in lost employee retention and plummeting team ...

Welcome to the powerful conclusion of our three-part series, "Switch Hats, Not Values - Leading with Clarity and Sanity!" In this reshared episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond brings it all home by diving into the crucial concept of the various 'hats' leaders wear and why understanding them is paramount for effective communication and healthy team dynamics.

Tammy reiterates and expands on the f...

Welcome to Part 2 of our series, "Switch Hats, Not Values - Leading with Clarity and Sanity!" In this candid episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond and Kendall Peterson dive deep into the diverse 'hats' leaders juggle daily. They unpack the inherent challenges of balancing these different leadership roles and underscore the paramount importance of clarity in communication.

Tammy and Kendall explo...

Welcome to Part 1 of our illuminating series, "Switch Hats, Not Values - Leading with Clarity and Sanity!" In this episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond sits down with Kendall Peterson, Early Learning Manager for the Quinault Nation. Kendall shares her transformative leadership journey through the powerful metaphor of 'switching hats,' revealing how adopting different leadership roles has revolutionized her ...

What if your perceived company culture isn't what your team actually experiences? In this eye-opening episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond sits down with Eyad Mubaied, author of The Culture Driven Organization and founder of Cultivate Culture LLC, to dismantle common myths about organizational culture.

Eyad shares powerful insights from his Culture Creation Model, revealing how true culture tra...

Tired of workplace drama derailing your team? In this insightful episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond tackles the pervasive issue of workplace drama and its detrimental impact on team dynamics and productivity. She reveals how silent leaders contribute to costly disengagement (over $100 billion annually!) and introduces her leadership power tool: the 'Three Second Rule.'

In this powerful episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond dives deep into a critical, yet often unspoken, challenge: the vital role of HR in effectively escalating difficult issues to leadership to safeguard organizational culture. Tammy acknowledges the very real fear of speaking upward that many HR professionals face, highlighting the common loyalty dilemma that can pit the health of the workplace culture aga...

Are the same complaints echoing through your organization? In this crucial episode of the Leadership Sandbox with Tammy J. Bond, discover why recurring complaints are not just isolated incidents but powerful indicators of deeper, systemic issues within your workplace. Tammy unpacks the alarming statistic that 70% of employees feel their repeated concerns go unaddressed and challenges leaders to move beyond rationalizin...

In this insightful episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond explores the evolving generational landscape in today's workplaces. She delves into the communication challenges between Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Z, and emphasizes the importance of understanding diverse communication styles. Tammy underscores the need for leaders to foster inclusive environments where all voices are valued, highlighting...

In this eye-opening episode of the Leadership Sandbox, Tammy J. Bond tackles the misconceptions about millennials and Gen Z in the workplace. Far from being fragile, these generations are simply frustrated—and their feedback is a goldmine of insights waiting to be uncovered. Tammy emphasizes the critical importance of listening to employees, valuing their concerns, and transforming complaints into opportunities for gro...

In this episode of the Leadership Sandbox podcast, Tammy J. Bond highlights a crucial concept in leadership: prioritizing mission over mood. The greatest threats to effective leadership often stem not from external challenges, but from internal negativity. Tammy discusses practical strategies for confronting this negativity and fostering a constructive mindset within yourself and your team. By emphasizing clarity of mi...