Best Teambuilding | Creating More Just Podcasts (2025)

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195. What Leaders Can Learn from Sports Reporting with Jen Mueller 45:06

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31m ago45:06

45:06

We’ve all heard the advice to “be an effective communicator.” But what does that really mean beyond the buzzword? In this episode, veteran sports reporter and Talk Sporty to Me founder Jen Mueller shares lessons from 25 years on the sidelines, where conversations happen under pressure, in the heat of wins and losses. Together, we explore how those …

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194. Empower, Don't Abandon 9:49

7d ago9:49

9:49

Empowerment sounds good on paper, but in the workplace it often falls short. Especially in leadership stretch moments, like promotions and novel, high-stakes projects, what leaders call empowerment can feel like abandonment to the person on the receiving end. In this episode, we look at the history of empowerment in organizations, explore how the b…

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Facilitating Strategic Planning: 7 Things Most Leaders Get Wrong 7:11

10h ago7:11

7:11

Strategic planning facilitation is one of the most high-stakes activities any leader will take on. Get it right, and you’ll rally your team around a clear, inspiring direction. Get it wrong, and you’ll end up with a glossy binder of plans that collect dust while the organization drifts (I call that "credenzaware!"). Here are seven of the most commo…

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193. From Chaos to Calm: Agility that Inspires Hope 9:21

18d ago9:21

9:21

Agility is one of today’s favorite leadership buzzwords, but too often it gets reduced to simply moving faster. In this episode, we go beneath the buzzword to explore what true agility really means: the ability to adapt wisely and steadily in the face of uncertainty. Drawing on Gallup’s latest global research, we’ll look at why hope is now the numb…

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192. Beyond Recognition: The Power of Mattering at Work with Zach Mercurio 45:44

27d ago45:44

45:44

What if true recognition at work wasn’t about awards or bonuses, but about helping people feel they genuinely matter every single day? In this episode, Dr. Zach Mercurio joins Teri Schmidt to reveal why small, everyday interactions, not flashy programs, are the secret sauce behind thriving, high-performing teams. Together, they unpack the science o…

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191. Stop Avoiding It: The Hidden Cost of Skipping Hard Conversations 9:41

1M ago9:41

9:41

Avoiding difficult conversations, or softening them so much they lose their meaning, can damage trust, confuse your team, and hurt your credibility. In this episode, Teri shares a personal story of how avoiding inside a conversation backfired, and explores how leaders can break the cycle of avoidance with mindset shifts, clarity, and courage. If yo…

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Why Offsite Meetings Fail and How to Make Yours Work 7:40

1M ago7:40

7:40

High-stakes meeting facilitator Kristin Arnold shares why offsite meetings fail and how to improve them with strategic meeting facilitation.

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3 Ways to Prioritize Strategic Initiatives 6:32

1M ago6:32

6:32

High-stakes meeting facilitator Kristin Arnold shares how to prioritize strategic initiatives AND create an interrelationship digraph.

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How AI is Transforming Meetings & How to Capture Its Potential 5:42

1M ago5:42

5:42

With all of the invisible help joining our meetings, are meetings becoming more effective? Or less human? Here's how I see AI transforming meetings and a quick tip to explore it's potential with your team.

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190. Making Work Meaningful to Motivate Your Team with Tamara Myles and Wes Adams 45:10

1M ago45:10

45:10

Welcome to a new season of Strong Leaders Serve—where we’re going beneath the buzzwords. This season, we’re moving past surface-level leadership advice to explore the mindset shifts, self-awareness, and practices that fuel real, lasting impact. In this kickoff episode, Tamara Myles and Wes Adams—co-authors of Meaningful Work—join me to unpack what …

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Meeting Makeover: Turn a Monday Moan Fest Into a Power Session 6:04

2M ago6:04

6:04

With a few intentional shifts, a ho-hum meeting can become a high-impact ritual your team actually looks forward to. Here’s a “before and after” look at one team’s transformation from dreaded meeting to dynamic power session.

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10 Micro-Habits of Teams That Consistently Deliver Results 5:07

2M ago5:07

5:07

I was talking with a client about "the small stuff" that makes magic happen. Those seemingly inconspicuous rituals, behaviors, and mindsets that, when practiced consistently, drive extraordinary results. Here are 10 micro-habits I’ve observed in high-performing teams I’ve worked with.

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189. Managing Up and Across 10:47

3M ago10:47

10:47

Struggling to get buy-in from senior leaders—or move things forward across departments when you have no formal authority? This episode is for you. We're diving into the science and strategy of influencing without power, with research-backed techniques from psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics. You’ll walk away with practical ways to m…

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How to Run an Effective Brainstorming Session 4:48

3M ago4:48

4:48

Great brainstorming isn’t magic—it’s well-structured messiness. When you design your session like a sandwich (start with clarity, move into freeform ideation, and close with purposeful evaluation), you give your team the space and structure they need to generate and act on truly original ideas.

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188. Leading through Change & Uncertainty 13:30

3M ago13:30

13:30

Feeling like your team is exhausted by constant change? You're not alone. In this episode of the Strong Leader Serve podcast, we delve into strategies for leading through change with empathy and clarity. Learn five practical ways to help your team navigate change fatigue, from maintaining clarity to managing energy and fostering connections. This e…

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187. The Delegation Dilemma 13:00

3M ago13:00

13:00

Why is delegation so difficult—even when we know it’s essential to leadership? In this episode, we explore the hidden emotional and cognitive barriers that keep leaders stuck in doing instead of leading. You’ll learn why delegation isn’t just a task shift, but a mindset shift—and how redefining success can unlock growth for both you and your team. …

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186. From Avoidance to Impact: Rethinking Difficult Conversations 16:08

3M ago16:08

16:08

In this episode, we explore the leadership skill most of us avoid: difficult conversations. You'll learn the mindset shifts that help you move from avoidance to courage, practical techniques to navigate tough talks with clarity and care, and the ripple effect these conversations can have on trust, team culture, and your own confidence. This episode…

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7 Questions to Ask Before You Call a Meeting 6:19

3M ago6:19

6:19

Before you send that next meeting invitation, ask yourself these seven crucial questions to determine whether you really need a meeting. And if that answer is “yes,” how to make it a good meeting.

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Overconfidence Clouds Judgment — Plan with a Pre-Mortem 5:33

3M ago5:33

5:33

Overconfidence feels good. It’s seductive. But unchecked, it can lead us into risky territory, blindsiding us with problems we could have seen coming. Before charging forward with a decision, especially one that feels too easy or unchallenged, try conducting a “pre-mortem.” Instead of examining what did go wrong after the fact, you imagine what cou…

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185. Shifting Feedback from Threat to Growth 8:48

4M ago8:48

8:48

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…

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184. Leading with Cultural Humility with Dr. Joel Pérez 43:43

4M ago43:43

43:43

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 perfec…

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183. Inefficiency by Design: Creating Impact & Ownership with Luke Mickelson 44:25

4M ago44:25

44:25

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, wh…

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When Team Training is NOT the Answer 3:15

4M ago3:15

3:15

Too often, organizations reach for training when what they really need is alignment and ownership. If your team already knows what great service looks like, repeating the basics won’t move the needle. What they need is a facilitated workshop.

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How to Make Your Team’s Work More Visible to Leadership 7:00

4M ago7:00

7:00

Making your team's contributions visible isn’t just good for them; it reflects positively on you as a leader — highlighting your ability to build, nurture, and lead a high-performing team. Here’s how to ensure your team's work shines brightly across the organization.

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182. Efficiency vs. Resilience with Tom Geraghty 36:46

4M ago36:46

36:46

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 bri…

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Use Metaphors to Focus the Team Vision 8:14

4M ago8:14

8:14

A powerful metaphor isn’t just a cute analogy. It becomes a shared mental model—a common language that helps people visualize the work ahead, understand their role, and navigate the inevitable setbacks along the way. Metaphors are especially helpful when the company culture likes and/or participates in the activity!…

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181. When Leaders Can’t Turn Off: Breaking the Cycle of Constant Doing 9:00

5M ago9:00

9:00

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. Connect on Link…

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180. Leading Through the Tension: Creating High-Performing Diverse Teams with Henrik Bresman 35:02

5M ago35:02

35:02

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 di…

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179. The Hidden Anxiety of Managing Up 8:43

5M ago8:43

8:43

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 t…

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178. Embracing Authority as a Compassionate, Driven Leader? 12:36

5M ago12:36

12:36

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. Connect on Linked…

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177. Redefining Accountability 12:27

5M ago12:27

12:27

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. Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching Set up an intro call with Teri…

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Want a Consistently High-Achieving Team? Start Here. 32:49

5M ago32:49

32:49

What separates the teams that just perform from those that consistently achieve? My friend and colleague Steven Gaffney has been pondering the same thing. The Steven Gaffney Company recently completed a national research study on Consistently High Achieving Teams (CHAT) and joined me on the podcast to unpack the results.…

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176. Building Trusting Relationships at Work with Deborah Ancona 43:31

6M ago43:31

43:31

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…

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175. Leading Remote Teams: Compassion with Results 14:10

6M ago14:10

14:10

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 approac…

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The AI Oreo Cookie Philosophy: How to Use AI Like a Pro (Without Losing the Human Touch) 7:56

6M ago7:56

7:56

AI isn’t magic—but it is a powerful tool to help teams tackle repetitive processes, streamline painful workflows, or add efficiency to tasks that require human intelligence. But just like an Oreo, AI is only as good as the layers you build around it. Let me break it down for you.

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What's the Difference Between a Strategic Plan and a Growth Plan? 7:37

6M ago7:37

7:37

While they may sound similar, a strategic plan and a growth plan serve distinct purposes. One sets the overall direction of your company, and the other focuses on how to expand your market presence and revenue. Understanding the difference can help you prioritize your efforts and ensure your business thrives. The growth plan actually "sits inside" …

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How to Keep Your Book Club From Becoming a Wine-Drinking Gossip Fest (Unless That’s the Goal, in Which Case, Carry On!) 6:58

6M ago6:58

6:58

The best book clubs strike a balance between structured discussion and free-flowing conversation - which is why having a facilitator (or at least some semblance of a plan) is crucial. So, whether your book club is thriving or teetering on the edge of chaos, here are a few ways to keep the discussion engaging, inclusive, and—most importantly—fun.…

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174. Teams in Transition with Henrik Bresman 41:36

6M ago41:36

41:36

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…

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The CFO as Facilitator: Why CFOs Are Uniquely Positioned to Facilitate Cross-Functional Strategy Meetings 9:06

6M ago9:06

9:06

In many organizations, the CFO is viewed as the "numbers person"—the one who tracks financial performance, ensures compliance, and keeps an eye on cash flow. But what if I told you that the CFO is actually one of the best people to facilitate strategic conversations and lead cross-functional teams?

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173. Balancing Compassion and Results in Leadership 7:48

7M ago7:48

7:48

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. Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/ Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongleadersserve.com/coaching Set…

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172. Is Your Brain Blocking your Leadership Growth? with Ursula Pottinga 42:34

7M ago42:34

42:34

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: Ursula's LinkedIn BE Above Leadership Profound Growth (Ursula's website and podcast) C…

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How to Shine in a Self-Managed Team 8:27

7M ago8:27

8:27

Let’s explore how you can lean into your strengths, take initiative, and drive team success—all while positioning yourself as a key contributor and future leader.

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Criteria for Selecting the Best Growth Strategy 5:07

7M ago5:07

5:07

By systematically evaluating growth strategies against these criteria, your team can identify the most viable, impactful, and sustainable growth strategy for the business.

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Season Kickoff: Walking the tightrope as a compassionate, driven leader 9:58

7M ago9:58

9:58

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 …

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Where Does Technology Fit in a Strategic Plan? 3:03

8M ago3:03

3:03

Where does technology fit in a strategic plan? The answer depends on a number of factors. Here's what you need to know.

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16 Growth Strategies to Consider as a Team 4:13

8M ago4:13

4:13

There is a business adage that says, “If you ain’t growing, you’re dying.” As a facilitator of numerous growth strategy sessions, I have found that it is helpful for the team to vet various strategies before meeting to select THE growth strategy. Why? Because the most obvious answer is probably not THE answer unless all on the team are on a freight…

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How to Choose the Right Guide for Your Team: Facilitator, Mediator, or Moderator? 5:56

9M ago5:56

5:56

Here’s a quick guide to help you understand the differences and choose the right fit for your team’s needs.

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Practical Ideas to Foster Belonging and Inclusion on Your Team 5:19

9M ago5:19

5:19

Here are some practical, actionable strategies to help team leaders and members foster a sense of belonging and accelerate the journey toward becoming a high-performing team.

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Charter an Implementation Team To Get Your Project Done 6:24

9M ago6:24

6:24

An implementation team is chartered to implement a specific plan of action. Here's how to facilitate one to achieve your goal.

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‘Twas the Night Before Team Time 2:25

9M ago2:25

2:25

Merry Christmas! Whether you’re looking to energize meetings, solve challenges, or unlock your team’s full potential, I’m here to help. To help you get in the holiday team spirit, here's my take on 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, for teams!