“Leadership is about turning people into doers.”

In this episode, Craig Anderson talks with Marc Rust, CEO and Founder of Consequently Creative, about the intersection of creativity, leadership, and vision. Marc shares his journey from creative director to business owner, highlighting the importance of setting clear standards, fostering initiative, and balancing passion with structure. He talks about how hiring people with strong personal passions leads to stronger teams, why fear holds so many leaders back, and how gratitude can open doors to success. Marc also reflects on leadership lessons from Richard Branson, the power of audacity, and why finishing what you start is just as crucial as starting in the first place.

After You Listen:

• Connect with Marc Rust on LinkedIn

• Visit Marc’s website at marcrust.com

• Check out Consequently Creative

• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

• Subscribe to Craig’s "The Evolving Leader" newsletter
  
  

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace audacity and take initiative, even when the path isn’t clear

• Hire people with personal passions and foster an environment where creativity thrives

• Set a clear vision, reinforce appreciation, and don’t let fear hold you back
  
  

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(01:25) Marc’s early leadership journey
(02:38) Lightning round: leadership insights
(09:08) How creativity and leadership intersect
(16:05) Hiring passionate people and building great teams
(20:30) The role of vision in scaling a business
(24:54) Why gratitude and appreciation matter in leadership
(28:15) Leadership advice Marc would give his younger self

“It’s not about being the smartest in the room—it’s about creating space for others to contribute.”

In this episode, Craig P. Anderson welcomes Tricia Naddaff, President of Management Research Group, to explore what it really means to lead through change, complexity, and feedback. Tricia shares how her earliest leadership lessons—like being a fourth-grade bus stop monitor—shaped her approach to self-awareness, responsibility, and building resilient teams. Craig and Tricia discuss why context matters as much as vision, how neuroscience reveals our leadership habits, and what happens when leaders shift from “I have to know everything” to “we’ll figure it out together.” Drawing from humanitarian work and years of coaching leaders, Tricia offers practical, human-centered advice for anyone who wants to grow as a leader—no matter where they start.

After You Listen:

• Connect with Tricia Naddaff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricianaddaff/

• Learn more about Management Research Group: https://www.mrg.com/

• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigpanderson/

• Sign up for Craig’s Monthly Business Leadership Webinars: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3GDgSdp_RfGqegxIXIbAYg

Key Takeaways

• Self-awareness is foundational for authentic leadership

• Context, objectives, and resources shape every leadership decision

• Feedback is a tool for growth, not judgment

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(02:31) Why neuroscience matters for leaders

(05:44) Lessons from leading in humanitarian settings

(09:35) Defining leadership beyond style or vision

(16:24) Navigating raw moments and team dynamics

(18:25) Early leadership experiences and learning from feedback

(21:21) The importance of self-knowledge

(24:46) Tricia’s evolving leadership style

(29:50) Advice Tricia would give her younger self

“It’s okay to not know the answers, but it’s not okay to sit on that.”

In this episode, Craig P. Anderson speaks with Sean McDonald, President of MOR Associates, about navigating leadership in the face of autonomy, uncertainty, and change. Sean shares how his early experiences taught him to step into responsibility before he had a title - and why that mindset remains critical today. Sean and Craig explore the challenges leaders face when they don’t have all the answers, how to build trust during turbulent times, and why empathy requires action. Drawing on his own experiences and working with not-for-profit leaders, Sean offers a grounded, forward-looking perspective on leadership development.

After You Listen:

• Connect with Sean McDonald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcdonaldsean/

• Check out MOR Associates: https://morassociates.com/

• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigpanderson/

• Sign up for Craig’s Monthly Business Leadership Webinars: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3GDgSdp_RfGqegxIXIbAYg

Key Takeaways:

• Autonomy builds leadership muscles, especially when support is limited

• Listening creates trust, but action builds momentum

• In times of uncertainty, focus on what you can control

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(01:25) Recommended reading for leaders

(02:47) Lessons Sean learned from his father

(04:24) Leadership as choice, movement, and impact

(06:27) Navigating leadership in nonprofits

(09:02) Insights from Sean’s first leadership experience

(11:35) The impact of AI on leadership

(16:31) Sean’s professional leadership journey

(22:00) Challenges in leadership during change

(27:15) Advice for young leaders