Have you ever wondered what truly sets great leaders apart in today’s fast-paced workplaces? In this episode, I talked with Andrea Wanerstrand, whose career spans Microsoft, Meta, T-Mobile, and more, to dig into the real meaning behind authenticity, autonomy, and accountability. Andrea shares eye-opening stories about breaking out of comfort zones, fostering trust, and the mindset shift needed to fuel powerful teams. Listen to discover practical tips you can use right away to inspire not just action, but true ownership in your organization.

Resources:

• Website: https://a3culturelab.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawanerstrand/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreawanerstrand/

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: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall

Feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean you’re broken or unqualified.

It often means your world has grown faster than your sense of self. In this episode we go beneath the buzzword of imposter syndrome.

We look at it in a different way, as a signal that your identity is expanding. You’ll learn why fighting it with frantic action rarely works, and what to do instead to grow into steady, grounded confidence that lasts.

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: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall

What does psychological safety really mean beneath the buzzword? In this episode, Jade Garratt, co-founder of Psych Safety and colleague of past guest Tom Geraghty, shares practical ways leaders can move past misconceptions and create environments where teams feel safe to learn, speak up, and perform at their best.

Resources:

• Psych Safety website
• Psychological Safety Course: Train the Trainer (highly recommend!)
• Connect with Jade on LinkedIn

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: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall

What does it really mean to be transparent as a leader, especially when you can’t share everything or when you don’t agree with the direction of change?

In this episode, we go beneath the buzzword of transparency.

If you’ve ever struggled with how open to be with your team during times of change, this episode will give you practical ways to lead with honesty, courage, and care.

Resources:

• Lisa Earle McLeod's post about authenticity

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: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall

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 lessons translate into clearer, more courageous communication for business leaders.

Resources:

• Jen's website
• Connect with Jen:
  • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/talksportytome
  • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/talksportytome
  • YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/TalkSportyToMe/
  • LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmuellertalksporty/
    
    
    

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: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall

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 brain reacts in stretch moments, and share practical ways leaders can provide just the right level of support to turn stretch into strength.

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: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall

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 number one thing people need from their leaders, and how stability and adaptability can actually fuel that hope.

You’ll hear how leaders can calm their own stress responses, hold space for multiple futures, and model steadiness that sparks possibility, even in the middle of change fatigue.

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: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall

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 of “mattering,” practical leadership skills you can use today, and why AI will never replace the power of human connection at work.

Resources:

• Zach's website (with free resources, including a self-assessment)
• Connect with Zach on LinkedIn

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: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall