In this 100th episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I take a moment to reflect on the journey of this podcast and celebrate the milestone with something truly special. I’ve compiled insights from 32 incredible guests, all answering the same question: "What is the most important characteristic of a great leadership team?" The answers are as diverse as they are inspiring, ranging from the importance of trust, open communication, and psychological safety to the value of alignment, empathy, and humility. These perspectives highlight just how multifaceted great leadership truly is and remind us of the critical role collaboration, clarity, and respect play in building successful teams. Listening to this collection of wisdom feels like a masterclass in leadership, and I hope it inspires you as much as it has inspired me. Here's to strengthening our teams and continuing to make an impact!

Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with Marc Gross, a partner at Fox Rothschild with over three decades of experience in business litigation and crisis management. Renowned for his creative, tenacious advocacy, Marc handles complex commercial disputes, including corporate conflicts, trade secret issues, real estate disputes, and employment matters. He has appeared in federal and state courts across New York, New Jersey, and nationwide, providing skilled trial and appellate representation. Marc has led high-stakes litigation, negotiated favorable settlements, and contributed thought leadership through legal forums and commentary. He has also held leadership roles in prominent legal associations and nonprofits, demonstrating a strong commitment to the legal profession and community service.

Marc shares valuable insights on:

• How to effectively document employee performance issues.
• The importance of clear communication and setting measurable expectations.
• Navigating the legal landscape of at-will employment and minimizing risks when terminating employees.
• The critical role of a comprehensive employee handbook and why it’s indispensable for businesses.

Whether you're a business owner, HR professional, or leader, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you manage challenging employee situations and avoid costly legal battles.

Don’t miss this essential conversation that dives deep into best practices for handling poor performers and protecting your business.

https://www.foxrothschild.com/marc-j-gross

Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

In this episode of the Better Leadership Team Show, I dive deep into leadership and decision-making with Chris Seifert, author of "Enabling Empowerment." Chris shares actionable insights on how leaders can foster a culture of effective decision-making and break free from the cycle of micromanagement. Drawing from his experience as a Navy officer, plant manager, and VP of Operations, Chris introduces a powerful decision-making framework that can transform your team’s performance. His vision is to equip leaders with transformative strategies and decision-making training to build a culture of Principled Entrepreneurship.

Highlights include:

• The root causes of micromanagement and how to overcome them.
• A six-step decision-making framework to guide leaders and teams.
• Building a culture of ownership and principled entrepreneurship.
• Practical strategies for teaching decision-making skills.

Tune in to learn how to empower your team and create a more engaged, productive organization!

👉 For more resources and insights, visit Chris Seifert’s website: www.enablingempowerment.com

Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

In this episode of Mike on the Mic, I tackle one of the most challenging issues in leadership: handling "solid, mediocre performers." While high and low performers receive most of our attention, it's the steady but unremarkable team members who often go unaddressed—potentially holding back organizational excellence. We explore strategies for boosting performance, including weekly one-on-ones, productivity coaching, and even role adjustments to better suit strengths. For those in essential roles, we discuss when it's time to consider "coaching out" as a last resort. Join me for an in-depth look at creating a great team and empowering every team member to reach their potential.

Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

In this episode of the Better Leadership Team Show, I speak with Joe Mull, employee engagement expert and author of Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work. He also hosts the popular Boss Better Now podcast, which was recently named by SHRM as a “can’t miss show for leaders,” along with podcasts from Brené Brown and Harvard Business Review.

He shares insights on how to foster commitment and retain top talent in today's workforce by creating a humane employee experience. Discover why the "Great Resignation" is actually a "Great Upgrade," and learn about Joe’s framework for building “destination workplaces” where employees feel valued and motivated. Key takeaways include the importance of psychological safety, the impact of flexible work options, and how trust is foundational to remote work success.

https://www.joemull.com

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

Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

In this episode, I sit down for an interview with my good friend Owen Fitzpatrick for an in-depth conversation about leadership, personal growth, and some of the most important lessons I’ve learned throughout my life. We cover a wide range of topics, from the challenges of today’s polarized world to the importance of curiosity in leadership.

I also share some personal stories, including how my relationship with my son, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, was transformed through something I call the law of positive intent. We talk about how this concept—believing that others are doing the best they can with the resources they have—has changed the way I approach both my personal and professional life.

We dive into:

• How strong opinions and polarization are impacting the world today.
• Why curiosity is such a critical trait for great leaders.
• How positive intent can help you improve your relationships at work and home.
• My thoughts on aging, finding purpose, and dealing with mortality.
• The ups and downs of parenting and how I’ve grown through my own mistakes.

This episode is packed with stories and reflections on the lessons that have shaped me. I hope it offers you some useful insights and maybe even inspires you to live a more intentional, fulfilled life.

Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

In this episode of Mike on the Mic, I take a personal deep dive into how I help organizations move beyond just having core values written on the wall. Core values, when they’re truly integrated into the heart of a company, can transform culture, boost performance, and drive growth. But all too often, they’re treated as little more than a checkbox exercise.

I’ll share 9 practical strategies that I’ve found to be incredibly effective for ensuring core values are lived and breathed throughout your team. From hiring and onboarding to everyday reinforcement, I’ll show you how these approaches can turn your company’s core values into a real force for success.

Whether you're leading a company, managing a team, or just curious about how to make core values work, this episode is packed with insights and actions you can start using today.

Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

In this episode of The Breakthrough Leadership Team Show, my guest is Jordan Burton, an executive assessor and interviewing trainer with over 17 years of experience. He specializes in training top VC and Private Equity investors and high-growth companies on how to hire the best talent. Jordan was a Partner at the renowned leadership advisory firm ghSMART, a consultant at Bain & Company, and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. At his training firm Talgo, he manages relationships with industry giants like Sequoia Capital, TH Lee, and Palantir Technologies.

Tune in and learn practical strategies for better role definitions, sourcing top talent through networks, and conducting structured interviews that reveal true competencies. Jordan shares insider tips on avoiding common hiring mistakes, building a virtual talent bench, and adapting recruitment for remote work. Whether you’re a leader or HR professional, this conversation offers actionable insights to enhance your hiring processes and build a top-tier team.

Explore more at Talgo.io

Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach