Can you envision being able to leave your business for a month-long vacation? Seems impossible, right? Not if you delegate with clarity and take the time to put the proper systems in place.

In this episode, Layci shares how she is preparing her team to keep the business running while she enjoys a much-deserved Scandinavian adventure with her family. Drawing upon past experiences and some examples of what *not* to do, this episode will equip you with the tools you need to take the vacation and trust that your team can not only survive, but thrive when they are confident in what is expected of them.

To learn more about effective delegation and team management, visit www.transcendleadershipcollective.com to check out our workshop offerings and free resources for business leaders.

Confessions of a Terrible Leader is hosted by Layci Nelson and produced by Mary Skop. Music is by Leif Olsen and Mary Skop from the band "⁠⁠⁠⁠The Number of Months.⁠⁠⁠⁠"

In this episode, you'll get to hear Layci unpack why she supports tracking personal development on company time. Wait; what?? You might be asking why on earth would you take the time to track personal development on company time? This may seem highly counterintuitive at first, but stay with us.

First of all, we're not talking about unpacking the depths of your personal trauma in team meetings. Nor are we talking about spending half the meeting comparing notes on morning routines. But we are talking about...

-Brief check-ins on things like sleep habits

-What we're doing to cultivate mindfulness and joy

-How we're managing stress

All within just a few minutes of checking in with each other.

Layci challenges leaders to consider their workers as whole humans whose personal development directly affects their quality of work. Listen in!

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

https://www.transcendleadershipcollective.com/

https://www.transcendleadershipcollective.com/coaching

Sign up for The Lift!!

https://www.transcendleadershipcollective.com/theliftleadershipdevelopment

Confessions of a Terrible Leader is hosted by Layci Nelson and produced by Mary Skop. Music is by Leif Olsen and Mary Skop from the band "⁠⁠The Number of Months.⁠⁠"

In this conversation, Liz Orr, the Gordon Ramsay of the Enneagram and Associate University Chaplain at Wake Forest University, shares her journey from university chaplain to Enneagram expert and author. She discusses the unexpected growth of her Enneagram Instagram page, her transition to university chaplaincy, and the intersection of the Enneagram with her work. Liz also reflects on her leadership journey, the challenges she faced, and the lessons she learned along the way.

Links from this episode:

https://chaplain.wfu.edu/chaplains-office/chaplains-staff/liz-orr/

https://www.instagram.com/rudeassenneagram/

https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/

The Essential Enneagram, by Dr. David Daniels and Dr. Virginia Price

https://drdaviddaniels.com/

https://www.bookmarksnc.org/book/9780593593899

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722658/the-unfiltered-enneagram-by-elizabeth-orr/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:55 The Growth of the Enneagram Instagram Page

06:01 The Intersection of Enneagram and University Chaplaincy

10:05 Reflections on Personal Growth and Leadership Wisdom

14:58 The Impact of the Enneagram on Personal and Professional Development

Confessions of a Terrible Leader is hosted by Layci Nelson and edited and produced by Fixation Point Productions. Music is by Mary Skop and Leif Olsen from the band The Number of Months.

Amanda Bedell, the Business Chaos Sorter, shares her journey from running a bakery business to becoming a consultant helping business owners get their chaos sorted. She talks about the challenges she faced, including financial struggles and the need to sell her business. Amanda emphasizes the importance of looking at the numbers and making strategic decisions to improve profitability. She also discusses her focus on helping women in male-dominated industries, particularly in the trades and construction. Amanda's confession revolves around her experience of micromanaging and the lesson she learned about letting go of the process and trusting her team.

LINKS IN THIS EPISODE:

https://www.instagram.com/amandabedell

https://bccbusinessconsulting.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabedell/

Confessions of a Terrible Leader is hosted by Layci Nelson and edited and produced by Fixation Point Productions. Music is by Leif Olsen and Mary Skop from the band The Number of Months.

Happy New Year from all of us here at Transcend Leadership Collective! We wish only the very best for you in 2024!

Listen in on today's podcast as Layci shares a sneak peek of what's in store for Transcend Leadership Collective in 2024 and how you (yes, you!) can become a part of the leadership revolution.

To learn more about the Compass Sessions, click here.

To get on Layci's 1:1 coaching waitlist, click here.

To learn more about how Transcend Leadership Collective can help you and your team scale greater heights in 2024, click here.

Confessions of a Terrible Leader is hosted by Layci Nelson and produced by Mary Skop. Music is by Leif Olsen and Mary Skop from the band "⁠⁠⁠The Number of Months.⁠⁠⁠"

In the second installment of this essential Q&A, Producer Mary and Layci delve deeper into the dynamic world of 2026 leadership. This session moves beyond surface-level trends, focusing instead on the critical inner work required for effective leadership. They explore the nuanced art of managing human energy in the workplace, the necessity of understanding systemic complexity, and why radical authenticity and robust self-regulation are no longer optional—but vital anchors for navigating today's uncertain and rapidly changing environment.

Key Topics:

Leadership shift from managing performance to managing human energy

Impact of AI on leadership identity and decision-making

Importance of self-awareness and self-regulation for leaders

The role of authenticity and transparency in leadership

Understanding complexity and culture in leadership

Takeaways:

Leadership is shifting from performance management to managing human energy.

AI collaboration is disrupting traditional leadership identities.

Self-awareness and self-regulation are crucial for navigating uncertainty.

Authenticity and transparency build trust and improve team dynamics.

Leaders need to develop a deeper understanding of complexity and culture.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Confessions

01:16 Recap of Previous Leadership Trends

01:53 Current Market Observations and Divergence from Trends

02:50 Leadership Shifts in 2026: From Performance to Human Energy

04:02 Impact of AI on Leadership Identity and Decision-Making

05:17 Developing Leadership in a Complex, Disconnected World

07:05 Advice for Leaders Under Pressure

08:09 Internal Strategies: Self-Regulation and Nervous System Awareness

11:27 External Strategies: Authenticity and Transparency

12:41 Practical Steps for Leaders: Small Changes for Big Impact

13:58 Future of Leadership Development: Blending Mainstream and Cutting Edge

14:54 Starting Points for Leadership Growth

15:47 Conclusion and Resources for Leaders

WATCH ON YOUTUBE!

EPISODE LINKS:

Transcend Leadership Collective - https://transcendleadershipcollective.com/

Harvard Business Review - https://hbr.org/

Deloitte Insights - https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights.html

🗞️Subscribe to the newsletter:

https://www.transcendleadershipcollective.com/newsletter-signup

🎙️🎵🎛️Confessions of a Terrible Leader is hosted by Layci Nelson and edited and produced by Fixation Point Productions. Music is by Leif Olsen and Mary Skop from the band The Number of Months.

What happens when the life that looks perfect on the outside feels hollow on the inside?

In this compelling episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, Layci dives deep with Kevin Palmieri, a man who traded a life of surface-level success for one of genuine impact. Kevin shares his raw, personal journey of recognizing that a lack of self-belief was holding him back, even when he had everything 'on paper.'

Tune in as they unpack critical lessons for any entrepreneur or leader, including:

• The Power of the 'Dream Chaser' Mindset: Beyond simply setting goals, Kevin breaks down the absolute commitment and relentless self-work required to not just chase your dreams, but to become the person who achieves them.
• The Uncomfortable Truth About Vulnerability in Leadership: Kevin shares candid stories of how past mistakes and a fear of exposure led to fractured relationships. Learn why psychological safety isn't just a buzzword, but the bedrock of a high-performing team, and how embracing vulnerability is the ultimate leadership strength.
• Navigating Partnerships Without Sacrificing Your Relationship: Business partnerships can be explosive. Layci and Kevin discuss the delicate balance of maintaining clarity, healthy communication, and personal boundaries, ensuring the business thrives without destroying the personal connection.
• Crisis-Proofing Your Leadership: Don't wait for a breakdown to start working on yourself. The conversation concludes with actionable advice on cultivating deep self-awareness and practicing vulnerability before the pressure cooker of a crisis forces you to.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to stop faking it and start forging a path of authentic, committed, and impactful leadership.

Takeaways:

Dream chasers aspire to more and commit to personal growth.

Self-belief is crucial for taking audacious steps in life.

Vulnerability in leadership can shift team dynamics.

Building partnerships requires shared core values and beliefs.

Recognizing comfort zones is essential for growth.

Feedback is a vital part of personal and professional development.

Practice vulnerability when life is stable, not just in crisis.

Understanding your triggers can improve relationships.

Psychological safety fosters transformation and closeness.

The journey of self-improvement is never truly complete.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Confessions

01:36 Understanding Dream Chasers

04:44 The Journey of Self-Discovery

09:28 Building Strong Partnerships

13:16 Pushing Through Comfort Zones

19:18 The Balance of Vulnerability in Leadership

23:59 Practical Steps for Growth

27:51 Conclusion and Resources

WATCH ON YOUTUBE!

EPISODE LINKS:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri/

https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/

🗞️Subscribe to the newsletter:

https://www.transcendleadershipcollective.com/newsletter-signup

🎙️🎵🎛️Confessions of a Terrible Leader is hosted by Layci Nelson and edited and produced by Fixation Point Productions. Music is by Leif Olsen and Mary Skop from the band The Number of Months.

In the latest Q&A of "Confessions of a Terrible Leader," Producer Mary and Layci dive into a lively discussion about the significant shifts currently reshaping the world of leadership. The conversation immediately zeroes in on a critical concern: the noticeable and worrying decline in trust that organizations across the board are facing.

This erosion of trust isn't just an HR problem; it poses a genuine threat to a company's ability to thrive and sustain itself. The rigid, antiquated "boss-and-tell" leadership styles are quickly becoming obsolete—they are actively detrimental to creating a modern, effective workplace.

What do today's employees truly value? People aren't merely showing up for a paycheck or a title anymore; they are genuinely seeking meaningful connection and a sense of purpose in their professional lives. This profound shift in priorities mandates a serious transformation in leadership. The old model, built on hierarchy and power, is being replaced by a much more authentic, human-centered approach.

The central message of the episode is an earnest call for leaders to embrace the current era. Layci explains that to truly succeed in 2026, leaders must move beyond strict, authoritarian management and adopt a model that champions collaboration and mutual understanding. This new approach requires leaders to cultivate an environment where vulnerability is safe, communication is transparent, and the unique contributions of every individual are valued far more than adherence to rigid rules. The future of exceptional leadership, as Mary and Layci thoughtfully explore, is deeply rooted in empathy, a shared vision, and a sincere appreciation for the remarkable people who drive the company forward.

Keywords

leadership trends, trust in organizations, human-centered leadership, 2026 leadership, employee engagement, command and control, AI in leadership, workplace wellness, sustainable performance, leadership challenges

Takeaways

Trust is at an all-time low in organizations.

Control and command leadership styles are becoming obsolete.

Leaders must adapt to a human-centered approach to foster connection.

AI should complement human judgment, not replace it.

Understanding systemic issues is crucial for addressing employee burnout.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Trends 2026

01:13 The Crisis of Trust in Leadership

06:01 Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI

10:50 Balancing Competing Demands in Leadership

17:41 Understanding Burnout as a Systemic Issue

23:42 Adapting Leadership Styles for a Changing World

WATCH ON YOUTUBE!

EPISODE LINKS:

🗞️Subscribe to the newsletter:

https://www.transcendleadershipcollective.com/newsletter-signup

🎙️🎵🎛️Confessions of a Terrible Leader is hosted by Layci Nelson and edited and produced by Fixation Point Productions. Music is by Leif Olsen and Mary Skop from the band The Number of Months.