Culture Keepers

Culture Keepers: A conversation about managing versus leading. In this conversation, Kate sits down with Layci Nelson, founder of the Transcend Leadership Collective, to explore a deceptively simple question with big implications: What’s the real difference between managing and leading? Together, they unpack why effective leadership isn’t about choosing one or the other—it’s about integrating both. Layci emphasizes that leaders need fluency in two domains: the operational competence that keeps work moving and the visionary clarity that keeps people aligned and inspired. They dig into the value of understanding project management basics, paying attention to the details that shape team experience, and staying close enough to the work to remove friction meaningfully. Layci also shares a compelling story of a CEO who transformed his leadership approach by reconnecting with his employees—ultimately improving alignment, engagement, and satisfaction across the organization. The conversation also returns to core values: how they anchor decision-making, guide behavior, and keep leaders steady when things speed up, slow down, or veer unexpectedly. Connect with Layci on LinkedIn Learn more about her business Listen to the Confessions of a Terrible Leader podcast www.one23ltd.com https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/ Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay