Feedback Part 1 - Giving Feedback: How to Do It Right

Hosts: Ed Schaefer and Andy Siegmund Episode: 07 Runtime: Approximately 40 minutes Release Date: June 17, 2025 Website: leadershipexploredpod.com

🎙 Episode Description:

In part one of this two-part series on feedback, Ed Schaefer and Andy Siegmund dive deep into what it takes to give effective feedback—the kind that’s actually useful, timely, and leads to growth.

Too often, feedback is vague, late, or sugarcoated to the point of being meaningless. But when done right, it becomes one of the most powerful leadership tools available. In this episode, Ed and Andy explore how to deliver feedback that builds trust, drives performance, and contributes to a healthy workplace culture.

They break down:

* What makes feedback effective (and what doesn’t)

* The difference between commentary, judgment, and real feedback

* Why timing and specificity matter more than perfection

* Actionable frameworks for giving feedback clearly and respectfully

* The importance of trust, consistency, and setting the tone as a leader

Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned executive, this episode offers concrete strategies and candid stories to help you navigate one of the trickiest parts of leadership with confidence.

👉 Stay tuned for Part 2, where they’ll tackle the equally important (and often overlooked) skill of receiving feedback well.

🔍 Episode Highlights:

⏳ [01:14] – What makes feedback actually helpful: timely, actionable, and focused on improvement ⏳ [03:02] – The importance of forward-looking feedback vs. backward-facing judgment ⏳ [05:25] – Real-life examples of feedback that came too late to be useful ⏳ [07:44] – Why vague or softened feedback undermines growth ⏳ [12:47] – Coaching vs. teaching: finding the balance in giving guidance ⏳ [18:05] – A 4-step best practice for giving effective feedback ⏳ [23:12] – Why observations matter more than assumptions ⏳ [24:59] – Connecting behavior to impact: why context matters ⏳ [29:23] – Building a feedback culture starts with trust ⏳ [33:15] – The power of positive feedback—and why it's essential for trust and motivation ⏳ [37:09] – Avoiding the “compliment sandwich” and giving honest, direct feedback ⏳ [39:14] – What to do when someone isn’t ready to receive feedback ⏳ [40:07] – Final thoughts: giving feedback is a leadership responsibility

Visit leadershipexploredpod.com for full show notes, resources, and more ways to take your leadership to the next level.

📌 New episodes drop every other Tuesday. Be sure to follow Leadership Explored wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 Got a topic you’d love us to explore? Email us at leadershipexplored@gmail.com

Funk Game Loop Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Hosts: Ed Schaefer and Andy Siegmund

Episode: 06

Runtime: Approximately 30 minutes

Release Date: June 3, 2025

Website: leadershipexploredpod.com

Episode Description:

In this episode of Leadership Explored, Ed Schaefer and Andy Siegmund tackle the comparison trap—a leadership challenge that impacts individuals, businesses, and teams alike.

While benchmarking against industry giants like Google, Apple, and Amazon seems like a smart strategy, comparison often does more harm than good. It can lead to unrealistic expectations, misaligned strategies, and a loss of identity.

Ed and Andy discuss:

* Why organizations obsess over chasing the “best”—and why that’s often misguided.

* How comparison can erode confidence and stifle innovation.

* The myth of hiring the best—and why fit, context, and team dynamics matter more than individual prestige.

* Strategies to shift from comparison to meaningful progress that actually benefits your leadership and business.

This episode is packed with real-world insights and practical takeaways to help leaders break free from the comparison trap and focus on what truly works for their teams and organizations.

Episode Highlights:

⏳ [00:52] – Why comparison is wired into human nature but can be a trap.⏳ [05:13] – The dangers of idolizing industry giants like Google and Apple without understanding their context.⏳ [10:27] – Why best practices aren’t always the best for your organization.⏳ [14:12] – The myth of hiring top talent—why elite hires don’t always translate to success.⏳ [19:44] – Team chemistry matters more than rockstar employees.⏳ [23:49] – Shifting from comparison to real improvement—how leaders can focus on solving their actual problems.⏳ [28:01] – Final takeaways: Comparisons should inform, not dictate, your leadership and strategy.

Visit leadershipexploredpod.com for detailed show notes and additional resources.

Follow Leadership Explored on your favorite podcast platform to stay updated with our latest episodes.

💡 Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Send your suggestions to leadershipexplored@gmail.com.

Funk Game Loop Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Remote-First Organizations

The Reality of Remote First: Why It’s More Than Just Location

Hosts: Ed Schaefer and Andy Siegmund Episode: 05 Runtime: Approximately 45 minutes Release Date: May 20, 2025 Website: leadershipexploredpod.com

Episode Description:

In this episode of Leadership Explored, Ed Schaefer and Andy Siegmund tackle the realities of remote-first organizations. While many companies transitioned to remote work during the pandemic, few actually became remote-first. The difference? Intentionality.

Remote-first work isn’t just about letting employees work from home—it requires a fundamental shift in how organizations communicate, collaborate, and build culture. Without these changes, the same workplace problems that existed in-person get amplified in a remote setting.

Our hosts discuss:

* Why most companies didn’t actually become remote-first.

* The biggest challenges in remote and hybrid work environments.

* The importance of intentional communication and meeting culture.

* Why in-person gatherings still matter—even for fully distributed teams.

* How documentation and knowledge sharing must evolve in remote organizations.

Whether you're leading a remote team, working in a hybrid environment, or trying to build a more effective distributed workforce, this episode is packed with insights to help you create a remote-first culture that actually works.

Episode Highlights:

[01:30] – Did most companies actually become remote-first? (Spoiler: No.) [03:45] – Why remote-first organizations require intentional design. [07:15] – The hidden challenges of remote work beyond just meetings. [12:00] – How early team formation impacts remote success. [15:30] – The role of in-person gatherings in sustaining remote relationships. [21:45] – Why remote meetings need more preparation, not less. [27:10] – The impact of camera-on vs. camera-off culture. [30:45] – The challenge of managing knowledge without office tribalism. [34:15] – How documentation can make or break a remote team. [38:30] – Actionable takeaways to improve communication in remote environments.

Resources & Links:

Visit leadershipexploredpod.com for full show notes, additional insights, and leadership resources.

Follow Leadership Explored on your favorite podcast platform to stay updated with our latest episodes.

Have a topic you’d like us to cover? Send your suggestions to leadershipexplored@gmail.com

Funk Game Loop Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Is Character Fate: Hiring for Character – Does It Predict Success?

Hosts: Ed Schaefer and Andy SiegmundEpisode: 04Runtime: Approximately 45 minutesRelease Date: May 6, 2025Website: leadershipexploredpod.com

Episode Description:

In this episode of Leadership Explored, Ed Schaefer and Andy Siegmund dive into the nuanced and sometimes controversial topic of hiring for character. Organizations increasingly emphasize values-based hiring, but does it actually predict success? How do we assess character effectively without falling into the trap of unconscious bias, personality test overreliance, or hiring for culture fit at the expense of diversity?

Our hosts discuss:

* The role of character in hiring and leadership.

* The pros and cons of personality tests, values assessments, and behavioral interviews.

* Why high-performing, low-trust individuals can erode team culture.

* How to balance hiring for character with hiring for competence.

* The importance of learning agility and self-awareness in long-term success.

Ed and Andy provide thought-provoking insights and practical strategies to help leaders refine their hiring process—ensuring they’re not just finding the right fit for today but building adaptable, high-trust teams for the future.

Episode Highlights:

[01:00] – The importance (and challenges) of assessing character in hiring.[04:30] – How organizations over-rely on personality and values-based assessments.[08:15] – Behavioral vs. hypothetical interview questions: What actually works?[13:45] – The risk of hiring “people like us” and the impact on diversity.[19:20] – The dangers of the high performer, low trust hire.[26:00] – Why trust and adaptability outweigh rigid personality “fit.”[35:10] – How learning agility predicts long-term success.[42:30] – Actionable strategies to improve your hiring process.

Visit leadershipexploredpod.com for detailed show notes and additional resources.

Follow Leadership Explored on your favorite podcast platform to stay updated with our latest episodes.

Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Send your suggestions to leadershipexplored@gmail.com.

Funk Game Loop Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Pros and Cons of RTO

Hosts: Ed Schaefer and Andy SiegmundEpisode: 02Runtime: Approximately 40 minutesRelease Date: April 8, 2025 Website: leadershipexploredpod.com

Episode Description:

In this episode of Leadership Explored, Ed Schaefer and Andy Siegmund dive into the hot topic of Return-to-Office (RTO) policies. With many organizations navigating the post-pandemic shift, the pros and cons of RTO remain contentious among leaders and employees alike.

Our hosts discuss:

* The leadership challenges of implementing RTO.

* Employee perspectives and balancing flexibility with productivity.

* How RTO impacts organizational culture, innovation, and collaboration.

* Practical strategies for creating inclusive and effective RTO policies.

They share insights, real-life examples, and actionable takeaways for leaders who want to make the right decisions for their teams.

Episode Highlights:

* [05:30]: Breaking down the major advantages of RTO.

* [12:45]: Exploring the pitfalls and risks of mandatory office policies.

* [22:00]: The role of psychological safety in a hybrid work culture.

* [32:15]: Case studies of organizations successfully navigating the RTO transition.

Visit our website leadershipexploredpod.com for show notes and additional resources.

Follow Leadership Explored on your favorite podcast platform to stay updated with our latest episodes.

Have a topic you’d like us to cover? Send us your suggestions at leadershipexplored@gmail.com

Funk Game Loop Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Welcome to Leadership Explored

Hosts: Ed Schaefer and Andy Siegmund

Episode: 01

Runtime: Approximately 20 minutes

Release Date: April 8, 2025

Website: leadershipexploredpod.com

Episode Description:

Welcome to the very first episode of Leadership Explored — a podcast for curious, thoughtful, and intentional leaders. In this inaugural episode, co-hosts Ed Schaefer and Andy Siegmund introduce themselves, share what inspired the creation of the show, and reflect on what they hope it brings to listeners.

You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at their leadership journeys, the kinds of conversations you can expect on future episodes, and the philosophy that underpins this podcast: leadership isn’t a fixed formula — it’s something we explore, question, and grow into.

Whether you're an experienced leader, a new manager, or someone aspiring to lead with more integrity and impact, this podcast is for you.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

🎙️ How Leadership Explored came to be — and why it's intentionally a work in progress.

🔍 Why leadership conversations often lack nuance — and how this podcast aims to change that.

🛠️ What makes leadership effective (hint: it’s not 10x productivity).

🎵 The surprising leadership lessons Andy learned from his background in music.

🤝 The value of reflection, curiosity, and honest disagreement in leadership development.

💬 Why this podcast is more “working session” than “expert interview.”

Episode Highlights:

⏳ [00:00] – Meet your hosts: Ed and Andy kick off the show and reflect on their leadership paths.⏳ [02:18] – Why Ed started the podcast — and why he invited Andy to join him.⏳ [04:31] – What we hope listeners take away from each episode: reflection, support, and small experiments.⏳ [06:59] – The tone and structure of the show — curiosity over certainty.⏳ [08:44] – Who this podcast is really for: from new managers to seasoned leaders seeking fresh perspectives.⏳ [11:02] – What sets Leadership Explored apart from other leadership podcasts.⏳ [12:57] – Personal stories that shaped how we think about leadership today.⏳ [17:16] – Topics we’re most excited about — from leadership ethics to comparison traps.⏳ [18:52] – Final thoughts and how to stay connected.

🔗 Visit leadershipexploredpod.com for detailed show notes and additional resources.

🎧 Follow Leadership Explored on your favorite podcast platform to stay updated with new episodes every other Tuesday.

💡 Have a topic you’d love us to explore? Send your suggestions to: leadershipexplored@gmail.com

Funk Game Loop Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Leadership isn’t what it used to be. Workplaces are evolving, expectations are shifting, and leaders today face more complexity than ever before.

That’s why we created Leadership Explored—a podcast where we take an honest look at what it really takes to lead in today’s world. We’re diving into the challenges leaders face, the decisions that shape teams and organizations, and the strategies that actually make a difference.

Join Ed Schaefer and Andy Siegmund as they explore leadership from different angles—what works, what doesn’t, and how leaders can adapt, grow, and lead with impact.

🎙 First episodes drop April 8, 2025. New episodes release every other Tuesday. Subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts!