You’re the Boss, Now What? with Desiree Petrich | Leadership and Team Development for Managers and Team Leaders
A leadership podcast for managers who want stronger teams, less drama, and more trust at work.If you are a manager of people, this podcast is your playbook for the real challenges of leadership!Each week, your host Desiree Petrich shares practical tools and frameworks from Working Genius, DISC, and The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team to help you:Hold employees accountable without micromanagingHandle conflict at work before it turns into dramaBuild trust and respect as a confident, credible leaderFix a toxic culture and create a team that takes ownershipLead effective team meetings that inspire engagement and actionWhether you’re leading a...
6 Ways to Re-Engage an Unmotivated Employee and Improve Employee Retention
“My employee doesn’t seem to care anymore… what do I do?”
They used to be reliable.
Motivated.
Easy to manage.
And now?
You feel like you’re micromanaging just to get the bare minimum.
It’s frustrating.
And honestly… a little confusing.
Because nothing “big” happened.
Here’s the shift most managers miss:
It’s not always that they’re lazy.
It’s that something changed.
And if you keep treating everyone the same…
you’ll keep losing your best people without rea...
Leadership tips | Make the Appointment
The Last Letter - Rebecca Yarrows
Last week we talked about what it looks like when you hit survival mode.
This week is one simple step to get yourself out of it.
What’s the thing you keep putting off?
The appointment you haven’t made.
The email you haven’t sent.
The task that keeps popping into your head… over and over again.
It feels small.
It feels like a minor inconvenience.
So you keep pushing it to “later.”
But here’s the problem...
How to Motivate an Unmotivated Employee Without Micromanaging
Have you ever had an employee where you think…
“Do you even care anymore?”
They used to show up early
They used to go above and beyond
And now… something feels off
You try to motivate them
But nothing seems to work
Here’s the shift:
You can’t make someone care
But you can make it easier for them to stop caring
And most managers do it without realizing it
In this episode, we’re breaking down a few mindset shifts to help you look at thi...
Leadership Tips | Walk into the Wind
Get your copy of Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead
Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything feels hard… and you’re just trying to make it through as a manager?
The kind of week where your energy is low, your team needs more from you, and your workload keeps growing?
This is one of the biggest challenges in leadership development.
Most managers wait until things get hard to figure out how to handle it.
But by then, it already feels...
4 Ways to Get Your Energy Back as a Manager Without Burning Out
If you don’t have energy, you can’t lead well.
And yet… most managers are trying to push through exhaustion instead of fixing it.
You finish your workday drained.
You go home with nothing left to give.
And the things you want to do? They keep getting pushed to the bottom of the list.
So you tell yourself you’ll rest more.
You’ll take a break.
You’ll “fill your cup.”
But nothing actually changes.
Because the problem isn’t that you’re not trying.
It’s th...
Leadership Tips | Fill Your Cup
Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything “right”…
but still running on empty?
As a manager, it’s easy to think the answer is to do more.
More routines. More habits. More discipline.
But what if that’s not the problem?
A lot of leaders are already overwhelmed.
Their schedules are full. Their energy is low.
And their default solution is to keep adding.
More meetings. More expectations. More pressure.
This is where leadership development gets missed.
Because energy isn’t built by adding more…
How to Get Your Team Working Toward the Same Goals | Lessons from The Culture Code with Tessa Kampen)
In this episode, I sat down with Tessa Kampen to talk about what happens when purpose isn’t clear on a team.
Because when people define success differently…
you start to feel it.
Priorities compete
Communication gets messy
Work slows down
Not because people don’t care.
Because they’re aiming at different targets.
We pulled from The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle,
but really this is about what we both see happening on teams every day.
The gap between effort… and direction.
In this epis...
Leadership Tips | Make It Work For You
Have you ever looked at someone else’s job, routine, or leadership style and thought…
“Why would anyone enjoy that?”
And then found yourself trying to do it anyway?
A lot of managers get stuck here.
You’re trying to lead like someone else.
Work like someone else.
Structure your time like someone else.
And it doesn’t fit.
So you start second guessing yourself.
You feel inconsistent.
And leadership feels harder than it needs to.
This is where most leadership development advice falls shor...
Why Conflict at Work Feels Hard | Lessons from The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle | Tessa Kampen
Struggling with hard conversations on your team?
In this episode, we’re talking about vulnerability, and what it actually looks like at work.
Not oversharing.
Not making things uncomfortable.
But the kind of vulnerability that helps managers build trust, improve communication, and handle conflict more effectively.
Because when vulnerability is missing:
feedback gets avoided tension builds and small issues turn into bigger problemsIf you’re working on your leadership development, this is one of the most practical leadership tips you can apply right away.
In this epi...
Leadership Tips | You Can't Hurry Love (or Results)
Have you ever felt like you’re putting in the work… but not seeing the results yet?
Maybe you’re trying to grow as a leader.
Trying to build a stronger team.
Trying to improve communication, delegation, or team accountability.
And after a few days… or even a few weeks… it feels like nothing is changing.
This is where most leaders start to question themselves.
Is this working?
Am I doing the right things?
Should I just go back to what’s easier?
But here’s the truth… you c...
How to Build Psychological Safety on Your Team | Lessons from "The Culture Code" by Daniel Coyle | Tessa Kampen
If your team isn’t speaking up, it’s easy to think it’s a communication issue.
But most of the time… it’s not.
It’s a safety issue.
Have you ever been on a team where…
People are nice… but not always honest?
Meetings happen… but nothing really changes?
Something feels off… but no one’s saying it out loud?
This is one of the most common challenges in teams right now.
Not because people don’t care.
Not because they aren’t capable.But because it d...
Leadership Tips | Take the Fist Bump
Have you ever felt like if you can’t give 100%, it’s not worth showing up at all?
As a leader, it’s easy to fall into the trap of all-or-nothing thinking. You think you need to be fully energized, fully prepared, and fully “on” to show up well for your team. But the reality is, some days your energy just isn’t there.
And when that happens, most people either push themselves into burnout… or they don’t show up at all.
In this episode, I’m sharing a simple lesson from a workout that com...
Your Next Leader Is Already on Your Team - A Smarter Approach to Leadership Development
Struggling to fill leadership roles on your team? The answer might not be hiring - it might be developing. In this episode, learn how to turn your current team into confident leaders through intentional leadership development.
Have you ever looked at your team and thought… we just don’t have anyone ready for leadership?
Not because they’re not capable.
But because no one feels quite ready yet.
This is one of the most common conversations happening in organizations right now. Teams are looking outside for leadership… while overlooking the potenti...
Leadership Tips | Create a Positive Spiral
It’s easy to underestimate the impact of small actions.
A smile.
A compliment.
A simple “thank you.”
But those moments don’t stop with the person in front of you. They carry.
In this episode, I share a real-life story that reminded me how quickly positivity can spread and how one interaction can completely shift the tone of a day.
The question becomes:
What kind of ripple effect are you creating?
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:
How small actions create a pos...How Leaders Create a Happier Workplace | Greg Kettner
Do you ever feel like the emotional thermostat of your team?
If you're stressed, they feel it.
If you're overwhelmed, it spreads.
Most leaders think happiness at work is about perks.
Ping pong tables.
Free lunches.
Better benefits.
But what if workplace happiness is actually a leadership skill?
In this episode, Greg Kettner, founder of WorkHappy, shares how happiness directly impacts productivity, stress levels, and team performance.
With 27 years in sales and leadership at companies like Nike, SAP, and the NHL, Greg now helps org...
Leadership Tips | Check Your Surroundings
In this week’s leadership tips episode, we’re talking about something simple that many leaders overlook: checking your surroundings.
Whether you’re at work, leading a meeting, interacting with customers, or simply talking with coworkers, social awareness matters. The conversations we have and the way we include (or unintentionally exclude) the people around us can shape how others experience our leadership.
Sometimes it’s as small as noticing when someone is being left out of a conversation. Other times it’s recognizing when a conflict or discussion might be happening in the wrong place or at the...
How Leaders Can Reduce Turnover by Rethinking Team Culture | Eric Termuende
You hired someone with huge potential. You trained them. You invested in them. Six months later, they’re gone.
If turnover feels constant, the issue might not be talent. It might be how your culture is being experienced.
In this episode, Desiree sits down with global keynote speaker and bestselling author Eric Termuende to unpack what’s actually driving turnover in today’s workplace.
They explore why high turnover is often a symptom of a dysfunctional relationship between employees and companies—and how leaders can shift that dynamic.
You’ll hear:<...
Leadership Tips | Redefine Humility
In this week’s leadership tip, we’re redefining humility at work. After hearing Seth Rogen describe Catherine O’Hara as someone who was both a genius and kind, it sparked an important reminder: confidence and humility are not mutually exclusive.
Somewhere along the way, we started confusing humility with shrinking. Downplaying strengths. Pretending we’re not good at something so we don’t seem “too much.” But true humility isn’t thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking of yourself less. It’s secure leadership. It’s knowing your value without needing to announce it.
As a leader, you don...
How to Prioritize What Actually Matters at Work for Yourself and Your Team
If everything feels urgent, nothing improves.
In this episode, we break down how to prioritize what actually matters at work by asking two simple questions:
Is it important?
Is it urgent?
You’ll learn how to:
Stop reacting to every email and requestReduce distractions and protect deep workSet boundaries with your boss and teamAvoid doing everything at 50%We walk through real-life examples, including last-minute meetings, “quick” report requests, forgotten school lunch money, and the 23-minute refocus cost of interruptions.
Intentional prioritization isn’t about doing less. It’s about plac...
Leadership Tips | The Titanic Sank
Have you ever felt ready to step up as a leader… but worried that others didn’t see you that way?
In this week’s leadership tip, we’re talking about doubt, yours and theirs. The Titanic was built by professionals, and it still sank. Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for leadership. It’s built through consistent action, ownership, and showing up before you feel fully ready.
Check back every Monday for your weekly leadership tip.
This podcast for managers is here to help you:
• Grow your leadership development
• Navigate team management w...
The Manager’s Guide to Working Genius in Team Meetings | Tessa Kampen
Why do your meetings feel exhausting?
Why does one person dominate while someone else disengages completely?
If you’re leading meetings as a new manager and walking away frustrated, unclear, or stuck repeating the same conversations, this episode will help.
Most leaders assume disengagement is about attitude.
They assume domination is about ego.
They assume lack of follow-through is laziness.
But it’s usually none of those things.
It’s misaligned energy.
Desiree and Tessa walk through Patrick Lencioni’s Working Genius framework and explain how each g...
Leadership Tips | Own Your Leadership Style
Have you ever questioned your reaction because of who was watching?
In this week’s leadership tip, we talk about owning your leadership style. When you lead based on outside judgment or approval, you risk becoming inconsistent. But when you know your values, trust your intentions, and stay consistent in how you show up, you build real trust and credibility.
Check back every Monday for your weekly leadership tip!
This podcast for managers is here to help you:
• Grow your leadership development
• Navigate team management with confidence
• Learn how to handle...
Why Being "Busy" Is Getting in the Way of Effective Leadership | Sarah Ohanesian
If you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and constantly busy—but nothing truly important is moving forward—busyness may be the problem, not the solution.
In this episode, Desiree is joined by productivity expert Sarah Ohanesian to challenge the belief that doing more equals leading better.
They explore why New Year productivity plans fall apart so quickly, how unrealistic expectations fuel burnout, and why leaders often reward visible busyness instead of meaningful impact. Sarah introduces the idea of the “productivity parade”—work that looks impressive but distracts from what actually matters—and explains how meetings...
Leadership Tips | Do it For You
Do you ever notice how easy it is to look to others for reassurance?
In this week's leadership tip, we reflects on the reminder that confidence grows when we do things for ourselves, not for approval. When leaders rely too heavily on outside validation, confidence stays fragile. When confidence is built internally, leadership becomes steadier and more grounded.
Check back every Monday for your weekly leadership tip!
This podcast for managers is here to help you:
• Grow your leadership development
• Navigate team management with confidence
• Learn how to handle conflict...
How Managers Build Team Accountability During and After Meetings
Meetings don’t fail because of bad agendas. They fail when decisions don’t turn into action.
In this episode of the podcast for managers, Desiree picks up from last week’s conversation on meeting fatigue and zooms in on what happens next. You’ll learn why accountability often feels like micromanagement, how clarity and support change follow through, and what real team accountability actually looks like after meetings end.
This episode walks through three things every manager is responsible to their team for: clarity, support, and accountability. When these are present, meetings become a leadersh...
3 Ways Meetings Drain Your Team and Create Conflict at Work
If you are a manager who feels stuck in meetings that go nowhere, you are not alone. Many leaders schedule meetings hoping to create alignment, solve problems, or move work forward, but instead experience meeting fatigue, disengagement, and conflict at work.
In this episode, Desiree explains why meetings without decisions drain your team and your time, how information-heavy meetings quietly disengage employees, and why meetings have become the default response instead of a leadership tool. You will learn how misalignment around meeting purpose leads to frustration, a lack of team accountability, and stalled leadership development. This episode f...
Using a Growth Mindset to Build Trust and Accountability on Teams | Jim Fielding
Your team says they want to grow—but do they avoid disagreement, fear mistakes, or shut down feedback? A real growth mindset isn’t optimism—it’s how a team handles tension, learning, and risk.
In this episode, Desiree is joined by leadership expert Jim Fielding to unpack what a true growth mindset looks like inside teams—not just in individuals.
They explore how growth mindset shows up in observable behaviors, including teams that welcome dissent without defensiveness, leaders who create psychological safety without lowering standards, and cultures that reward smart risk...
The Reputation That Grows a Manager's Career | Andy Storch
You work hard. You care deeply. So why does your career growth still feel unclear?
If you're a manager doing everything right but waiting for recognition, promotion, or more trust, this episode shows you why.
Desiree sits down with Andy Storch, author of Own Your Brand, Own Your Career and host of Talent Development Hot Seat, for a no-fluff talk on personal brand.
Not influencer vibes or nonstop posting. This is reputation, trust, and ownership at work.
They break down:
What personal...3 Mindset Shifts for Setting Sustainable Goals Without Burning Out
3 Mindset Shifts for Sustainable Goals (Without Burning Out)
Have you ever started the year motivated and confident, only to feel behind or overwhelmed a few weeks later?
In this episode of You're the Boss, Now What?, Desiree shares three mindset shifts that help leaders set goals and habits in a way that actually lasts, even when life doesn’t go as planned.
This is not a New Year’s resolutions episode.
It’s a conversation about sustainability, self-trust, and learning how to lead yourself without burning out.
In this ep...
The One Word That Ends Leadership Overwhelm for New Managers
Overwhelmed as a manager? Leadership doesn't have to feel this heavy. Desiree Petrich shares one mindset shift to release pressure, beat burnout, and lead with clarity + energy into 2026
Last week we unpacked the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership. Today? We close the year simpler: one word to lighten your load as a new manager.
If leadership feels overwhelming right now, you're not alone. Managers often carry too much: expectations to be everything to everyone, 110% performance, juggling work + home. It builds to manager burnout, resentment, drained confidence.
In this You're the Boss, Now What? episode...
How Leaders Build Genius Teams using Play, Rest, and Ally Mindsets | Tessa Kampen
You can have the perfect strategy and still have a team that’s disengaged, drained, or stuck. These seven commitments are what actually change culture.
In Part 3 of this series, Desiree and Tessa walk through the seven commitments that shape your mindset, energy, and team culture—often more than any strategy ever will.
You’ll learn:
Zone of Genius vs. “I’m ok at this” and why competence keeps you stuck.How to spot contentment vs. complacency so you stop settling for work that drains you.Why rest a...Speak Candidly, Stop Gossip, Keep Integrity: The Commitments That Build Trust on Your Team | Tessa Kampen
You can feel it in your team: everyone’s nice… but no one’s honest. Real opinions happen in side chats, gossip is normal, and you’re overcommitting and burning out trying to “keep the peace.” If you’ve ever thought, “Why won’t my team just say what they really think?” or “Why am I the only one holding everything together?” — this episode is for you.
In Part 2 of this series on The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, Desiree and Tessa focus on three to help you stay calm and grounded...
3 Conscious Leadership Commitments That Shift You From Defensive to Grounded| Tessa Kampen
Most leaders want to lead with clarity,but in real life, it’s easy to slip into blame, defensiveness, people-pleasing, or overwhelm. You’re trying your best, yet you’re drained and stuck in the same patterns with your team.
In this episode, Desiree and leadership consultant Tessa break down the first three commitments of Conscious Leadership—taking 100% responsibility, choosing curiosity, and feeling your feelings—and how these shift you from reactive to grounded.
You’ll learn:
What “above the line vs. below the line” looks like in real conversationsHow to take responsibility w...4 Ways Gratitude Helps Managers Build Trust and Stronger Teams
Most people hear the word “gratitude” and think of journaling or writing lists. But for leaders, gratitude is something much deeper, it’s a shift in how you show up at work, how you navigate pressure, and how you lead your team through tough moments.
The truth is, many leaders operate in constant survival mode. You’re reacting, firefighting, carrying the emotional weight of your team, and trying to stay composed even when you’re stretched thin. And when that becomes normal, confidence drops, relationships strain, and work starts feeling heavier than it should.
In this episo...
How Managers Keep Teams Connected in an AI-Driven Workplace | Nadine Lavigne
Communication at work is starting to feel artificial. In this episode, we break down how leaders can use human fluency to build trust, create psychological safety, and communicate with clarity without losing professionalism.
Have you ever left a meeting wondering if anyone actually said what they meant?
If so, you're not alone. Remote work, AI tools, and the pressure to “sound professional” are creating communication that looks polished on the outside but lacks honesty on the inside. And when communication feels more like performance than collaboration, team dynamics break down, trust erodes, and even...
How Managers Prevent Team Conflict Before It Escalates
Take your DISC or Working Genius assessment
Your team finally hits its stride, but how do you keep it that way? Learn the simple mindset that prevents conflict before it starts, builds trust fast, and keeps meetings focused. Practical scripts you can use today.
Last week we talked about five steps to turn workplace drama into team trust. The week before that, how to handle a negative employee. Today we protect those gains by shifting how you show up, before issues grow.
Teams slip back into artificial harmony, side c...
5 Steps to Rebuild Trust and Handle Conflict at Work as a Manager
Workplace conflict doesn’t just disappear, it spreads. Learn five practical steps to rebuild trust, strengthen communication, and fix a toxic culture so your team can perform at its best.
If you’ve ever walked into a meeting and felt the tension before anyone said a word, this episode is for you.
When workplace drama turns into silence, gossip, or passive-aggressive behavior, you’re not just managing conflict, you’re managing culture.
In this episode of You’re the Boss, Now What?, leadership coach Desiree Petrich shares the five steps...
A Manager’s Guide to Keeping Top Talent and Stopping Negativity Before It Spreads
One negative employee can tank performance by 30 to 40 percent. Learn how to tell the difference between realism and pessimism, protect team dynamics, and know when it’s time to let someone go with confidence.
Last week we talked about imposter syndrome, storytelling, and executive presence with a communication Matt Mosich. This week we shift from the stories in your head to the stories on your team.
If you’ve inherited a high performer who drags down morale, you’re not alone. Many first-time managers avoid action because conflict feels risky and backfilling is hard. Meanwhile, your be...
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Lead with Confidence | Matt Mosich
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong in your leadership role — or that you’re just “faking it” — you’re not alone.
This episode will show you how to stop letting imposter syndrome run the show and start leading with presence and authority.
Matt, an executive communication and storytelling coach, shares how he went from hiding behind self-doubt to helping CEOs and founders find their voice — and how you can do the same.
By the time you finish listening, you’ll discover:
How to identify the stories holding you back and rewrite themWhat...The Secret to All-Day Energy for Leaders (It’s Not More Coffee)
Part two of our energy mini-series! Learn five glucose hacks to help first-time managers stay focused, avoid the afternoon crash, and lead their teams with steady energy all day long.
Listen to Part 1: New Manager Tips for Better Sleep to Make You a More Confident and In-Control Manager
Last week we talked about how sleep impacts your energy as a leader.
This week, we’re tackling the other half of the equation—what’s actually happening in your body all day that makes you tired, irritable, and unfocused.
I...
