Have you hit a plateau in your leadership journey, feeling overworked and unsure how to break through? You’ve climbed the ranks, but despite your hard work you’re not advancing and you’re battling stress and decision-fatigue leaving you uncertain about your next step. Burnout Proof Leadership is your go-to podcast for shifting your leadership identity, refining your leadership skills, and using polarity intelligence to turn workplace challenges into growth opportunities. Each episode will he ...
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#313: 3 Reasons Leadership Skills Alone Won’t Prevent Burnout—And What Will
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47:14Do you ever feel like you're constantly saying “yes” to everyone—except yourself? Are you struggling with burnout and wondering how to reclaim your energy and leadership identity? In this episode, we sit down with Bradley Hook, author of Start with Values, to explore how values-based leadership is the key to avoiding burnout, making better decision…
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#312: Why Interim Leaders Need Both Leadership Skills & Strategic Vision to Prevent Organizational Burnout
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11:52Are short-term decisions undermining your long-term impact as a leader? In today’s fast-paced leadership landscape, especially with the rise of interim roles and C-suite turnover, many leaders find themselves caught between urgent operational demands and the need to uphold long-term vision. This episode dives deep into this hidden tension — and how…
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#311: How Upgrading Your Leadership Identity Unlocks Career Growth and Saves You Time and Energy
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25:00Are invisible barriers holding you back from reaching the next level in your leadership journey? Many leaders unknowingly operate from outdated leadership norms that lead to burnout, stagnation, and frustration. If you feel stuck despite your hard work, this episode is for you. In today's episode of Burnout Proof Leadership, Michelle and Tracy unco…
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#310: The Feedback Trap: How Over-Focusing on Candor or Diplomacy Leads to Burnout
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10:46Are you unintentionally burning out your team—or yourself—by how you give (or don’t give) feedback? Feedback is a core leadership skill—but most leaders either overuse candor or hide behind diplomacy. In this Polarity Spotlight episode, we uncover the hidden tensions in giving and receiving feedback and explain how these communication patterns shap…
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#309: How to Strengthen Your Leadership Skills Without Sacrificing Well-Being or Purpose
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48:34Are you feeling stuck in your career, battling burnout, or questioning if your work is truly meaningful? What if you had 90,000 hours to make a real impact—without sacrificing your financial stability? In this episode, we sit down with Georgi Enthoven, author of Work That’s Worth It, to explore how professionals can align their leadership skills wi…
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#308: How Smart Leaders Are Using AI to Reduce Burnout & Reinforce Their Leadership Identity
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13:16In this episode, we spotlight the growing tension between artificial intelligence and human intelligence in modern leadership. As AI tools promise faster results and streamlined workflows, many leaders are unknowingly sacrificing core leadership skills and connection, increasing their risk of burnout. This polarity—automated power and human presenc…
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#307: Why Using Your Usual Approaches Won’t Get You Where You Want to Go - How to Redefine Your Leadership Identity for Success
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22:12Are you working harder than ever but still not advancing in your leadership role? If you feel stuck in execution mode, constantly busy but not making meaningful career progress, you might be facing a leadership plateau without even realizing it. Many leaders assume that better time management, pushing harder, or waiting for external changes will ge…
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#306: Beyond a Theory: Why Balancing ‘Let Them” and “Let Me’ is Essential Skill that Shapes Your Identity and Protects You from Burnout
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13:32In this Polarity Spotlight episode, we reveal the hidden polarity behind Mel Robbins' Let Them Theory—and why it’s essential for shaping your leadership identity. Discover the tension between “Let Them” (releasing control) and “Let Me” (reclaiming self-leadership), and why mastering both is key to developing resilient leadership skills while protec…
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#305: The Essential Leadership Skill You’re Ignoring—And Why You Need it to Prevent Burnout and Become a Great Leader
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45:02Feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or like you’re constantly running on empty as a leader? What if the key to avoiding burnout and strengthening your leadership identity wasn’t about doing more—but about being more present? In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure leadership roles, burnout is becoming the norm rather than the exception. Many leaders feel…
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#304: Balancing Speed and Care: The Leadership Skill Most Needed (and Most Ignored)
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10:32In this episode, we dive into a real-time leadership tension: how to lead through accelerated change while still caring deeply for the people carrying that change out. Spoiler alert—this isn’t a simple choice between speed or empathy. It’s a polarity. And knowing how to navigate it is one of the most important leadership skills of our time. You’ll …
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#303: The 1 Leadership Identity Shift you NEED That Stops Burnout & Unlocks Success
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25:38Do you feel like no matter how hard you work, you're still stuck at the same level in your leadership journey? What if working harder isn't actually the key to success—but the very thing holding you back? In this episode of Burnout Proof Leadership, Michelle and Tracy dive deep into the leadership myth that working harder equals success. They revea…
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#302: How Burnout-Proof Leadership Will Transform the Way You Build Your Leadership Identity and Skills
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9:44On April 23rd, we’re officially changing the name of The TRU Leader Podcast to Burnout-Proof Leadership! In this announcement episode, we share: Why we’re making this change (and why now is the perfect time) What’s staying the same (don’t worry—we’re still here every Wednesday!) What new content you can look forward to (hello, Friday bonus episodes…
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#301: Why Resistance to Change Challenges Leadership Identity—And How to Embrace It
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45:08Why does change feel so hard—even when we know it's necessary? What if resistance isn’t the enemy of progress, but the key to unlocking stronger leadership skills and real transformation? In this powerful episode, we dive into the wisdom of resistance and how great leaders learn to navigate it rather than fight it. Whether you're leading a team thr…
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#300: The Leadership Skills Behind 300 Podcast Episodes: Lessons on Teamwork, Growth, and Resilience
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43:12Have you ever wondered what it takes to launch a podcast—and keep it going for 300 episodes? What about leading a long-term initiative without burning out? Most podcasts (and leadership initiatives) don’t make it past the first year. But in this milestone episode, we reflect on the leadership skills, structure, and mindset that have helped us perse…
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#299: The Co-founder Advantage: How Shared Leadership Prevents Burnout & Fuels Success
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32:20What makes a co-founder relationship successful, and how can you use leadership identity to avoid burnout while scaling your business? Many entrepreneurs and business leaders struggle with burnout and decision fatigue, often feeling isolated in their leadership roles. In this episode, we sit down with co-founders Lorie Spence and Carolyn Pritchard …
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#298: 3 Leadership Skills Every Entrepreneur Must Master to Avoid Burnout & Build a Thriving Business
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38:16🔥 Are you leading your business—or is it leading you to burnout? Leadership is already challenging, but when you step into entrepreneurship, the stakes get even higher. How do you build a thriving business without sacrificing your well-being? What if the key to success lies in managing polarities—those hidden forces that drive both resilience and b…
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#297: Why Leadership Identity and Mindset Are the Keys to Overcoming Setbacks and Achieving Success
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29:40🚀 How Does Mindset Shape Your Leadership Journey? Have you ever faced a setback that made you question your path as a leader? What if the key to resilience, success, and leadership identity lies in mastering your mindset? 🔥 Why This Episode is a Must-Listen In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Nick Mornard, entrepreneur, author of Mindse…
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#296: 5 Leadership Skills That Build Trust & Prevent Burnout in High-Performing Teams
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35:42❓ Who’s really responsible for building trust in teams? Trust is the foundation of any high-performing team, but most workplaces struggle to create it. Many leaders think it’s their sole responsibility—but what if the key to trust wasn’t just about leadership? In this episode, Dr. Tracy Christopherson and Michelle Troseth unpack the essential behav…
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#295: Redefining Retirement: Leadership Identity & Avoiding Burnout in Your Encore Career
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50:22In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, we dive into the transformative concept of encore careers with special guest Dr. Michelle Prince, author of "Creating Your Encore Career: A Guide to Finding Purpose and Prosperity in Your THIRD Act." With longer lifespans and shifting cultural norms, retirement is no longer about slowing down—it’s about al…
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#294: Why Coaching Is the Key to Leadership Identity & Avoiding Burnout in High-Level Roles
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45:46In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle are joined by Ruchira Chaudhary. Ruchira shares her transformative journey from unfulfilling careers to a purposeful life as a leadership coach. Drawing from her role as an executive coach at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and her groundbreaking book “Coaching: The …
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#293: How Smart Leaders Prevent Burnout & Build Stronger Teams with Polarity Intelligence®
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34:12In this week’s episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, co-hosts Tracy and Michelle explore the art of building a thriving workplace using Polarity Intelligence®. They dive into the interconnected nature of workplace well-being, emphasizing the need for both physical and psychological safety. The discussion highlights how balancing seemingly opposing pri…
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#292: Resilience & Leadership Identity: Overcoming Burnout in Life’s Storms
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40:02In this moving episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, special guest Dr. Sasha Shillcutt shares her deeply personal journey of resilience through an extraordinary series of challenges. She recounts the heartbreaking loss of her brother-in-law, whose organ donation saved another family member’s life, intertwining grief with gratitude. Amidst this, Sasha’…
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#291: Prioritizing Well-Being in Leadership: Avoiding Burnout & Strengthening Leadership Skills
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47:38In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, co-hosts Tracy and Michelle dive deep into the multifaceted concept of well-being, exploring its significance in both personal and workplace contexts. From mental, physical, and emotional health to social connection, we examine why prioritizing holistic well-being is more critical than ever amid today’s gl…
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#290: Celebrating 7 Years of Leadership Growth: Avoiding Burnout & Strengthening Leadership Identity
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45:40In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, co-hosts Tracy and Michelle celebrate the 7th anniversary of their company, MissingLogic®. They reflect on the journey of their business since its inception in 2018, sharing insights into their decision to launch the company, focusing on their mission to leave a lasting impact by equipping leaders with too…
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#289: Why Leadership Can Feel Lonely & How to Avoid Burnout During Transitions
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37:04This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, we’re joined by special guest Jonathan Bennett, a former management consultant from Ontario, reflects on his transition after selling his company, which served non-profit and public sector organizations. While vacationing in Dublin, he realized the need to plan for his future, leading to a management buyout and …
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#288: Are You Leading Under Chronic Stress? Why It’s Hurting Your Leadership Identity
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42:46This episode of The TRU Leader Podcast features Dr. Alan Rozanski. His career journey which began with a passion for medicine and evolved into a focus on nuclear cardiology, research, and the mind-body connection in heart disease. His interest in silent ischemia and the effects of mental stress on heart health led him from academia to clinical prac…
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#287: Managing Stress for Leadership Success: Preventing Burnout & Strengthening Leadership Skills
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46:48This episode of The TRU Leader Podcast features Pennie Sempell, a lawyer who transitioned to a career in stress management, initially working in a mind-body clinic and later developing innovative strategies for lawyers and healthcare workers. Pennie’s work emphasizes psychological flexibility, which can be improved through interventions like accept…
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#286: Breakthroughs in Leadership: Avoiding Burnout & Strengthening Your Leadership Identity
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43:22In the first-ever episode of The TRU Leader Podcast in 2025, Tracy and Michelle reflect on their evolving New Year’s Eve celebrations, exploring the concept of breakthroughs—both internal and external shifts that significantly impact life and leadership. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-reflection in identifying subconscious beliefs…
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#285: Balancing Leadership Identity & Personal Life: Lessons from Our Growth & New Book
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47:16With a Christmas release day of The TRU Leader Podcast, Michelle and Tracy share their holiday traditions, reflecting on family gatherings and gratitude. They discuss their new book, "Polarity Intelligence: The Missing Logic in Leadership", which promotes a shift from an either/or mindset to a both/and approach for adaptability in leadership. They …
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#284: How The Breakthrough Year Mastermind Transforms Leadership Identity & Prevents Burnout
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43:32In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, Michelle and Tracy are joined by Dr. Mari Tietze and Steve Love, Deb Rio and Mike Edwards, and their husbands- Kevin Moore and Jerry Christopherson and to explore the transformative impact of the Breakthrough Year Mastermind program on personal and relational growth. Through in-person and virtual retreats …
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#283: How Visionary Leaders Avoid Burnout & Build Strong Leadership Skills Through Masterminds
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37:54In this week’s episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, we delve into the topic of community and connection among visionary leaders, distinguishing between having a broad, innovative vision and a personal, goal-oriented vision. Tracy and Michelle discuss the transformative power of collaboration among like-minded individuals, particularly through small g…
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#282: Building Leadership Skills with GRIT®: Avoid Burnout & Strengthen Your Leadership Identity
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41:22In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, special guest Laurie Sudbrink joins us in an in-depth conversation on her GRIT® framework from her book "LEADING with GRIT", which focuses on the key leadership values of Generosity, Respect, Integrity, and Truth. She emphasizes how each component contributes to effective leadership, with generosity foster…
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#281: Avoiding Burnout: Leadership Skills to Stay Resilient & Unstoppable
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34:04In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, hosts Michelle and Tracy explore the concept of Thriving, Resilient, and Unstoppable (TRU) leadership, emphasizing the importance of resilient leaders for the success of organizations, communities, and families. They stress the need for leaders to reassess ingrained norms and limiting beliefs, which often …
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#280: Why Your Leadership Identity Is Shaped by Family Dynamics—And How It Impacts Burnout
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51:00In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, special guest Bonnie Artman Fox tells us about her career journey from oncology nursing to becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist, emphasizing the importance of family dynamics in both addiction recovery and leadership. In her book, *How Did My Family Get in My Office?*, Bonnie explores how earl…
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#279: How Overworked Leaders Can Manage Stress & Avoid Burnout Without Sacrificing Success
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40:00In this episode of The TRU Leader podcast, hosts Michelle and Tracy discuss the pervasive nature of stress in leadership and its impact on well-being. The episode delves into the general adaptation syndrome, which outlines the body’s response to prolonged stress in three stages—alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. They explore stress management strat…
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#278: Is Your Leadership Identity Causing Burnout? The Hidden Struggles of Family Business Leaders
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58:54This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, we're joined by Cathy Carroll, author and a third-generation leader in her family's business. Cathy shares her journey and insights from her book *Hug of War: How to Lead a Family Business with Both Love and Logic*. After two decades in corporate roles, Cathy returned to the family business, encountering tension…
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#277: How Empathetic Leadership Transforms Workplace Culture & Reduces Burnout
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32:12This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle discuss the growing importance of empathetic leadership, especially in the post-pandemic workplace. The dynamic duo explores how the pandemic has increased stress and mental health issues among employees, making empathy in leadership more crucial than ever. They note that the new generation of…
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#276: How Self-Awareness & Leadership Skills Prevent Burnout
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51:34In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, special guest Leslie Galloway discusses her transition from a corporate vice president to founding her own coaching business in 2020. She highlights the importance of authentic leadership and overcoming limiting beliefs for personal and professional growth. Journaling is recommended as a tool to clarify th…
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#275: Leadership Evolution: Avoiding Burnout & Strengthening Leadership Skills in a Rapidly Changing World
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39:54In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle explore the challenges of leading in a rapidly changing world, shaped by technological advancements and disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. They critique traditional leadership models, particularly Lewin’s 1950s change model, as inadequate for today’s VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, C…
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#274: Reclaim the Moment: Leadership Skills to Prevent Burnout and Build Stronger Connections
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35:30This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, Greg Bennick joins us as he talks about his book, "Reclaim the Moment: 7 Strategies to Build a Better Now," which offers practical advice for achieving clarity and focus in a world filled with distractions. Greg emphasizes the importance of self-centering and understanding one's actions to prevent burnout and ma…
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#273: 4 Leadership Mistakes That Lead to Burnout & How to Avoid Them
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32:22This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle discuss the challenges of balancing leadership responsibilities and personal life on their podcast, urging listeners to reflect on their professional and personal goals. They emphasize the need for leaders to define success on their own terms and adapt to today's volatile world. The hosts stre…
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#272: Why Self-Censorship Is Hurting Leadership Skills & Leading to Burnout
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44:00In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle are joined by Elaine Lin Hering. Together, they talk about Elaine’s book, "Unlearning Silence" which addresses the detrimental effects of self-censorship in workplaces, highlighting the contradiction between the societal expectation to speak up and the unsafe environments that often prev…
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#271: The Truth About Workplace Burnout (Leadership Skills & Identity Matter)
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36:12In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle discuss the rising issue of workplace burnout, emphasizing that both individuals and organizations share the responsibility for alleviating it. They highlight the mental health crisis among workers, citing factors like unsustainable workloads and lack of support, with 76% of US workers e…
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#270: Sustaining Leadership Success Without Burnout: Essential Leadership Skills & Strategies
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35:02This episode of The TRU Leader Podcast highlights Teri Sholder, a former healthcare leader who transitioned to starting her own consulting company focused on performance improvement, emphasizing the importance of maintaining successful processes and understanding the drivers of desired outcomes for sustainability. Her company assists with strategy …
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#269: Breaking the Burnout Cycle: Leadership Skills for Sustainable Success
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34:28In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle delves into the national crisis of burnout and mental health issues in the workplace, citing a 2022 US Surgeon General report and a Microsoft survey showing high levels of burnout among managers. The pandemic has shifted expectations around work-life balance, with workers seeking more su…
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#268: Why Ignoring Company Culture Will Burn Out Your Best Leaders
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37:20This episode of The TRU Leader Podcast follows Christy Pretzinger’s journey from freelancing to becoming the CEO of WG Content. It details her transition to building WriterGirl and her focus on the healthcare sector. Pretzinger emphasizes the importance of kindness in business and creating a positive work culture, drawing from her past experiences …
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#267: Mastering Time & Energy as a Leader to Avoid Burnout
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37:06This episode of The TRU Leader Podcast explores the various challenges leaders encounter when managing their time and energy in the face of increasing demands and expectations. It emphasizes the crucial importance of effective time management, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining a balance between work and personal life to avoid burnout and perform …
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#266: Authenticity & Work-Life Balance in Leadership: Avoiding Burnout
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42:54This episode of The TRU Leader Podcast revolves around the importance of authenticity and work-life balance in effective leadership. Our dynamic duo, Tracy and Michelle, and special guest Dr. John Chuck, discuss themes emphasizing personal growth, spiritual connection, and the need for relatable and sustainable leaders who promote work-life balance…
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#265: Developing Adaptive Leadership Skills to Prevent Burnout in a Rapidly Changing World
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32:10In this week's episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle delve into adaptive leadership, a crucial concept in our rapidly changing world. They emphasize diagnosing organizational challenges, experimenting, and embracing continuous learning to improve performance and relationships across industries, advocating for a shift towards adaptab…
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#264: Why Promotions Based on Technical Skills Hurt Leadership & Lead to Burnout
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45:46In this week's episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, special guest Dr. Chris Fuzie, a former law enforcement officer turned leadership expert, shares his journey from poor leadership experiences to earning organizational leadership degrees and teaching nationally post-retirement. He emphasizes preparing individuals for leadership and criticizes promot…
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