Leveraging Operations in Leadership
Leveraging Operations in Leadership is the podcast for values-driven leaders and business owners who are building small, growing teams. Hosted by Tonya D. Harrison, Founder of Cignal Partners and creator of the LeadOpx™ Framework, each episode explores how to lead with purpose and operate with precision — blending leadership development, team performance, and operational excellence into actionable insights. Whether you’re a business owner scaling your first team or a leader refining how your team operates, you’ll learn how to: Strengthen your leadership systems and decision-making Improve team communication, accountability, and performance Build sustainable operations that reflect your values and support your vision Because great leadership starts with values — but it’s sustained through systems. Join us on this journey to elevate your leadership game and achieve outstanding results with your team.
Episodes
Before you hire your first team member or take on a team for the first time you need more than job descriptions and good intentions. You need a clear plan. In this episode of Leveraging Operations in Leadership, host Tonya D. Harrison shares the five essential things every business owner and corporate leader should do before bringing on a team. From defining your values and shaping team culture to organizi...
Leading a remote team isn’t new, but it’s more common than ever. Long before 2020, companies like IBM and Dell had remote employees, but when COVID hit, the world of work changed overnight. In April 2020, Gallup reported that about 70% of the U.S. workforce was suddenly remote. And even as offices reopened, hybrid and remote work became the new normal.
But here’s the challenge: you can’t lead a remote team the same way...
Have you ever felt like success at work means sacrificing your personal life?
In this episode, I share why work-life integration is more sustainable than balance and how to use your values, non-negotiables, and boundaries to protect what matters most. You’ll discover practical ways to navigate life’s seasons without losing yourself and how to thrive as both a leader and a person.
Your challenge this week: choose three ...
You know that sinking feeling when you start a new job and immediately wonder, “Did I make the right choice?”
That’s exactly what happens to new employees when onboarding falls short. And here’s the truth: once doubt creeps in, it’s hard to undo.
In this episode, we’ll dive into why onboarding is so much more than paperwork, how to avoid giving your new hires “buyer’s remorse,” and what leaders can do to create an...
Ever been stuck between a boss who’s not pulling their weight and an organization that seems to expect 24/7 availability? You’re not alone.
In this AMA episode, I answer:
- How to correct a leader who isn’t doing their job when it affects your results.
- What to do when late nights and evening emails start eating into your family time.
We’ll explore the art of managing up, why boundaries are critical for sustainable ...
Struggling with decision-making as a leader?
In this episode, I introduce the CLEAR Decision-Making Framework — a practical, step-by-step tool to help leaders make confident, timely, and effective decisions.
Time to make better decisions, faster.
Ready to lead more boldly and build a powerhouse team to exceed your goals?
The Leadership Shift Coaching helps leaders lead with confidence, influence outcomes, and build tea...
Pressure doesn’t have to break you—it can build you.
In this episode, I share why resilience is non-negotiable for leaders, the dangers of leading without it, and practical mindset shifts that will help you bounce back stronger.
You’ll learn how to turn pressure into power and lead your team with clarity, steadiness, and confidence in uncertain times.
Ready to lead more boldly and build a powerhouse team to exceed your...
Is your team full of capable people but still struggling to work as one?
Do you find yourself constantly stepping in to fix miscommunication or put out fires?
In this episode of Leveraging Operations in Leadership, we break down why cohesive teams are the true performance advantage—and how to build one from the inside out.
Looking for a safe space to learn, grow, and connect with other leaders like you? Join us for...
Ready to lead more boldly and build a powerhouse team to exceed your goals?
The Leadership Shift Coaching helps leaders lead with confidence, influence outcomes, and build teams that thrive without burning out. https://go.cignalpartners.com/leadershipshift
Get weekly leadership and team development tips straight to your inbox.
Subscribe at https://go.cignalpartners.com/leadnews
Are you constantly busy but never feel like you're actually leading?
You're not alone; many managers and small business leaders are stuck juggling execution, team issues, and strategic goals… without a clear system to manage it all.
In this episode of Leveraging Operations in Leadership, we walk through the P.A.C.E. Framework — a time management system built specifically for leaders who are feeling overwh...
Managing a team isn’t just about getting the work done—it’s about leading people, and people come with personalities, preferences, and past experiences. In this Ask Me Anything episode of Leveraging Operations in Leadership, we’re diving into two of the most pressing leadership questions:
- How do I manage different people with different personalities?
- What do I do when my team doesn’t respect me?
Whether you’re a...
So, you got promoted — now what?
If you’ve stepped into a leadership role and thought, “Why didn’t anyone prepare me for this?” - you’re not alone. In fact, research shows that 60% of new leaders fail within their first 18 months. Not because they’re not capable, but because they weren’t equipped.
In this episode of Leveraging Operations in Leadership, we’re digging into what really happens after the promotion. Because ...
Burnout doesn’t care how talented or dedicated you are, and for many leaders, it creeps in quietly.
In this Leadership Unfiltered episode, I share the raw truth of leading while completely drained — emotionally, physically, and mentally. I reached a breaking point where I resigned without a safety net and cried myself to sleep under the weight of leading a team while trying to keep it together at home.
You’ll walk away ...
In this episode, Tonya breaks down the five key mindset shifts that help leaders escape this validation trap and instead focus on generating real impact and team growth. Discover why trust outweighs likability, how effective delegation and boundaries fuel team performance, and why openly communicating your wins is essential for advancement. Whether you’re a new manager or an experienced leader ready to level up, these...
Are the leadership beliefs you’ve always heard actually sabotaging your success?
In today’s episode, we dig into five persistent leadership myths that sound true, but could be limiting your growth and your team’s performance.
Discover why needing all the answers, proving yourself, glorifying busyness, saying yes to everything, and doing it all yourself are outdated habits, and learn practical strategies to replace them...
Is your team constantly spinning its wheels? Do you find yourself answering the same questions over and over again?
In this episode, Tonya D. Harrison uncovers a simple but powerful shift that could transform how your team works: Standard Operating Procedures. SOPs aren’t just for massive companies – they’re one of the most underrated tools for clarity, consistency, and scaling with confidence.
Tune in to learn how the ...
Is your leadership reactive or intentional? In this episode, we unpack the often-missed but powerful tool of reflection and how it transforms your leadership from managing crises to operating with clarity and purpose. You’ll discover five practical self-assessment techniques – from structured feedback tools to mentor debriefs and weekly retrospectives – that elevate both personal and team performance.
Ready to shift fr...
Feeling caught in the "messy middle" of team leadership? Dive into this episode as we uncover the art of balancing team needs with leadership demands. Discover actionable strategies to align team goals, communicate effectively across all levels, and advocate for your team's needs without overwhelming them.
Get ready to elevate your team's performance! Subscribe to Team Navigator for biweekly insigh...
New to managing a team?
This episode is packed with actionable advice tailored for new leaders.
Join Tonya D. Harrison as she answers common questions, from making time for one-on-one meetings to managing former peers, and offers practical tips on strategic delegation.
Ready to lead more boldly and build a powerhouse team to exceed your goals?
The Leadership Shift Coaching helps leaders lead with confidence, infl...
Are you ready to transform your team’s performance? Dive into today’s episode as we unpack the 5 P's Framework – Principles, People, Performance, Processes and Platforms, and Planning – essential for building and leading exceptional teams.
Whether you're striving to exceed expectations or navigate operational challenges, this episode is packed with actionable insights for leaders at every level.
In ...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
The Herd with Colin Cowherd is a thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.