Integrity Over Scale with Dr. Leili Sadaghiani

We are keeping the stories going with our Cautionary tales.

In this episode, leadership coach Leili examines Joseph Stalin as a cautionary case study in how power, fear, and unchecked control can destroy an organization from within. Using Barbara Kellerman’s framework of bad leadership, she explores Stalin’s cruelty, rigidity, and unpredictability—and connects those patterns to the quieter warning signs that can a...

What does it take to build a business with discipline, purpose, and real staying power? Erika Crandall shares the unexpected path that took her from military service and corporate burnout to building the bookkeeping business she truly loves. You’ll discover:

• Why starting with a “bad fit” business can still teach you exactly what you need to know
• How Rich Dad Poor Dad helped her rethink the rat race and choose ow...

Welcome to the next Cautionary Tale episode. We talk about Theranos and the fall of Elizabeth Holmes. 

Elizabeth Holmes is the perfect warning tale for anyone who works inside a company, follows a visionary leader, or has ever wanted a story to be true so badly they stopped asking hard questions. This episode breaks down how Theranos went from billion-dollar hype to criminal fraud—and why the real lesson is not just about...

Leili sits down with Cass McKay, a Prescott, Arizona business owner in payment processing and merchant services, to talk about what it means to build a business on relationships instead of transactions. The conversation covers her move from corporate life into entrepreneurship, the role of self-accountability, and why authenticity matters in a low-trust industry.

We discuss practical ways business owners can save money, avoid restri...

This part II continues the conversation on hidden bias by showing how leaders can protect their self-trust when their decisions are being judged through unfair assumptions. It uses the Heidi/Howard study to illustrate how the same behavior can be praised in one person and criticized in another, then offers practical tools for staying grounded under scrutiny: naming the moment, pausing before reacting, asking what you’d decide...

How Genetic Testing Can Prevent Women From Feeling Their Bodies "Failed" Them With Emily Blue

Unlock the hidden power of your DNA to transform your motherhood journey: before conception, during pregnancy, and beyond. 

Emily Blue, founder of Maternal Genomics Institute, shares how personalized genetic testing is revolutionizing maternal care and dispelling the myth that "your body failed you." 

Discover how this innovative ap...

Hard decisions get harder when you know you’re being watched. If you’ve ever felt like other people get the benefit of the doubt while your judgment gets put on trial, this episode shows you how to protect your decision-making before scrutiny starts to distort it.

Leili Sadaghiani returns with a solo episode focused on one of the most frustrating realities in leadership: having to prove your competence over and over agai...

Most women believe leadership and success are about fitting into a predefined box until they hear Breeanya Hinkel’s story of breaking free. 

From thriving amidst the challenges of a recession to leading Prescott’s women’s community, Brianna reveals how authentic storytelling, community focus, and embracing change can elevate women in business and life. Her journey from graphic designer to magazine owner and co...

Unlock the secret to transforming food waste into a global movement, Bernie shares how a simple idea rooted in culture and AI is changing the way we manage our pantries forever. Discover the inspiring story of a former military officer turned innovative founder, who turned frustration with food waste into a mission to save the planet, one meal at a time.

This episode dives deep into how Bernie built Quicine, an app born from persona...

Most entrepreneurs overlook the power of a simple, unglamorous business until it becomes a life-changing opportunity. Trisha Fagelman turned pet waste removal into a thriving company, proving that serving your community can lead to real success and authenticity.

In this inspiring episode, Trisha shares how she built her business from scratch in just one year without any advertising, relying solely on word of mouth and genuine servic...

Unlock the true power of AI without losing sight of what matters, people. In this eye-opening episode, Anslem Elumogo-Gardner reveals how small businesses and leaders can harness AI responsibly, ethically, and effectively to thrive in an uncertain economic landscape.Most companies stumble not because AI isn’t useful, but because they’re paralyzed by noise, confusion, and fear. 

Anslem shares surprising data about th...

Ever wondered if AI will replace you? It's a fear many share. But here’s the twist: AI doesn’t replace leadership... it actually elevates it.

In my conversation with Robert Wawoe, we dive deep into how AI enhances business operations, but only when paired with clear human judgment.

AI can amplify your capabilities, but if your processes are messy, it will only create faster confusion. So, clarity is key!

The real lesso...

Most organizations are one influential bad adviser away from catastrophe and the story of Rasputin reveals why influence often trumps authority and how myths can dismantle even the strongest regimes.

What if the biggest danger isn’t a villain in a title, but someone unseen, wielding power through dependence, perception, and emotional intimacy?In this eye-opening episode, we dissect Rasputin’s rise from Siberian peasant ...

Most people see aviation as just flying ... but for Kelsey, it's about breaking barriers and redefining norms as a woman in aerospace. From a childhood fascination with roller coasters to becoming a pilot and now a training manager, her journey exemplifies resilience, authenticity, and the power of visibility in a male-dominated industry.

Discover. how she navigates gender stereotypes, leadership challenges, and cultural expectation...

Ever feel like technology is taking over but forgetting the human touch?

Here’s why we must prioritize empathy in leadership!

I speak with Hector Villasenor. He shares insights on the intersection of AI and human-centered leadership.

While tech evolves fast, remember:

- We’re working with people who have emotions, backgrounds, and stories.

- A simple "How are you today?" can foster a safe workplace.

- Leaders must understand ...

Meet Jakson, the newest member of the Integrity Over Scale Podcast.

Confidence is essential for leadership, but unchecked confidence can quietly become ego, blind spots, and relational damage. This episode slows down the moment where confidence tips from asset to liability and invites leaders to examine where that might be happening in their own behavior.

Our sincere apologies for the sound echoing here and there. It was our first t...

Welcome to Integrity Over Scale, the podcast where leadership coach Dr. Leili Sadaghiani gets honest about what leadership actually costs, and what it gives back when you do it right.

You walk into the meeting and before you say a word, something in you starts adjusting. Your voice changes. Your face changes. You reach for certainty faster than you actually feel it. You're not lying. You're performing the version of leadership you w...

Authentic Leadership: Being Real Without Being a Jerk explores what it truly means to “be yourself” as a leader without using authenticity as an excuse for bluntness, rigidity, or ego. In this episode, Dr. Leili Sadaghiani unpacks the core elements of authentic leadership—self-awareness, relational transparency, balanced processing, and a grounded moral compass—and shows how each one plays out in real organi...