Strong Leaders Serve with Teri Schmidt
The leadership podcast for people who are in leadership not for the status and power, but instead to use that status and power to turn potential into performance for positive change. Hosted by Teri Schmidt, Leadership Coach & CEO of Strong Leaders Serve. Each week we focus on supporting leaders who are dealing with the overwhelming realities of transitioning into and operating in roles where their success isn't just defined by their performance, but by the performance of their team. Roles where they are responsible for building trust, promoting psychological safety, conflict management, taking care of their team member's wellbeing, motivating other humans, and managing up, all while trying to GET THINGS DONE. Through solo episodes with focused and relevant leadership tips and inspirational interviews with seasoned leaders and experts, we help leaders get past their overwhelm to careers of courageous impact. Listeners hone their skills in making their workplaces more compassionate and just through their leadership.
Episodes
Have you ever received feedback that felt like a personal attack, even when you knew it shouldn’t be?
In this episode, Teri Schmidt shares a vulnerable story from her own life and reveals why our brains react defensively when our ideas feel tied to our identity.
Discover the neuroscience behind this reaction, learn powerful tools to create distance between who you are and what you believe, and hear how LEGO® Serious Play® can actu...
What if leadership wasn’t about having the right answers, but about asking better questions? In this episode, Dr. Joel Pérez shares how cultural humility—not just cultural competency—can transform how we lead, build inclusive teams, and create lasting organizational change. We explore why humility is a leadership strength, how to move beyond perfectionism, and what it takes to lead with curiosity in today’s complex world.
Resources...
When it comes to leadership, efficiency isn’t always the goal—especially if it means leaving people out of the process.
In this episode, CNN Hero and Sleep in Heavenly Peace founder Luke Mickelson shares how “inefficiency by design” became a powerful strategy for building both beds and belonging. We explore what it means to lead through service, why volunteer experience matters as much as the mission, and how to turn purpose into a...
Ever wonder if squeezing every ounce of efficiency from your team could actually leave you vulnerable when the unexpected strikes?
In this episode, Teri welcomes back Tom Geraghty for a candid look at the critical—and often overlooked—tension between efficiency and resilience.
Together, they unpack why hyper-optimization can lead to burnout and brittleness, and share practical strategies for leaders to build adaptability into their...
Are you a leader who wants to rest—but finds yourself reaching for one more task instead?
In this episode, we explore why high-achieving, compassionate leaders struggle to truly unplug, even when they think they’re resting. You’ll learn the neuroscience behind this pattern—and how to shift from constant doing to genuine restoration.
Looking for a community of leaders where you can tackle real challenges, share wins, and grow toget...
Building a diverse team doesn't automatically lead to better performance — and without the right environment, it can even create new challenges.
In this episode, Teri is joined again by leadership and team performance expert Henrik Bresman to explore why psychological safety is the key to unlocking the true potential of diverse teams. We’ll also discuss practical steps leaders can take to foster belonging, innovation, and res...
Have you ever held back from asking a question or saying "no" because you were afraid it might insinuate that your boss isn’t competent, credible, or caring?
That fear—known as insinuation anxiety—can keep even the most skilled leaders from speaking up when it matters most. In this episode, we explore why managing up is emotionally tricky and how to ask tough questions without compromising trust.
If we're not in leadership for the title, how do we effectively face the challenges that come with transitioning into and through different levels of positional authority?
In this episode, we talk through the main challenges faced by compassionate, driven leaders in these situations and provide practical ideas for addressing them.
Looking for a community of leaders where you can tackle real challenges, share wins, and grow toget...
What if holding someone accountable is one of the most caring things you can do as a leader?
Listen for practical tips to shift accountability from control to care.
Looking for a community of leaders where you can tackle real challenges, share wins, and grow together—without office politics getting in the way? Join Leadership Thought Partners, a coach-led, group-directed space launching in July—early bird pricing ends May 31, 2025 at...
Do you sometimes struggle to build trusting relationships in your workplace, especially with the distance of remote and hybrid work?
You're not alone. In this episode, I talked with MIT Professor Deborah Ancona about the essential skills of inquiry, advocacy, and connecting that leaders can use to foster trust inside and outside their organizations.
Discover the power of balancing these skills in a distributed leadership mode...
Are you finding it tough to lead remote teams with both compassion and efficiency? In this episode of Strong Leaders Serve, Teri Schmidt dives into the challenges leaders face in remote and hybrid environments, discussing the balance between driving results and maintaining empathetic connections.
Explore the neuroscience that influences our approach to leadership and gather actionable strategies to enhance team cohesion from afar. ...
Are you ready to discover the secrets behind successful team dynamics in a world where traditional structures are rapidly evolving?
In this episode of Strong Leaders Serve, Teri Schmidt talks with INSEAD Professor Henrik Bresman to explore the concept of X Teams and how embracing external engagement is crucial for high-performing teams amidst these transitions.
Professor Bresman highlights how leaders can create a balanced environm...
Do you feel torn between being a compassionate leader and driving business results?
You’re not alone.
Listen as we unveil the CARE model—a practical guide to leading with both heart and head.
Looking for a community of leaders where you can tackle real challenges, share wins, and grow together—without office politics getting in the way? Join Leadership Thought Partners, a coach-led, group-directed space launching in July—early bird...
Do you feel stuck in your efforts to make positive changes in your leadership? Your brain's drive to save energy may be to blame.
Join Teri Schmidt and Ursula Pottinga as they discuss how your brain can get in the way of change and what to do about it.
Resources:
Looking for a community of leaders where you can tackle real chal...
Leading in a way that meets the demands for fast results at the same time as you develop those around you is not easy.
In this episode, host Teri Schmidt kicks off the new season in which she will be diving into the paradoxes of strong leadership and how to balance achieving results with genuinely caring for your team. From dealing with a stifling workload and disconnection to mastering delegation and difficult conversations, this ...
Are you someone who always has the best intentions of reflecting before starting a new year, but often gets stuck in the holiday/end-of-year busy-ness instead?
If so, this short season-finale episode with a simple challenge is for you.
Looking for a community of leaders where you can tackle real challenges, share wins, and grow together—without office politics getting in the way? Join Leadership Thought Partn...
Ever wondered how you can lead with both strength and compassion in an unpredictable world? In one of Teri's favorite conversations of the podcast, she chatted with Patrick Boland, a leadership consultant who’s blending ancient wisdom, scientific research, and the work of contemplative leader, Richard Rohr.
We're breaking down the power of contemplative leadership—perfect for those compassionate, driven leaders ...
If you're in the US, Happy Thanksgiving! I am grateful for you!
We want to hear from you AND we'll reward you for it. Listen for the details and a tip to make this year's Thanksgiving dinner conversation go a little more smoothly.
Remember, send your email to teri@strongleadersserve.com with the subject line "Workplace Listening."
Resources:
Supporting people leaders isn't just a nice-to-have; it's an economic imperative for thriving teams and successful organizations.
On this episode we're chatting with Cheryl Fields Tyler, founder of Blue Beyond Consulting, about their groundbreaking research report, "Winning on the People Side of Business."
Learn how to balance high expectations with deep trust, support your mid-level man...
Leadership can be isolating...but it doesn't need to be.
In this behind-the-scenes episode of Strong Leaders Serve, Teri shares her top piece of advice for leaders: stop trying to do it all alone.
Lauren and Teri also discuss the origin story of Strong Leaders Serve's definition of leadership, common misconceptions that Teri sees among leaders, and the value of community in helping leaders thrive. Discov...
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