If you’ve ever said, “I just need to manage my time better,” or “If they were more efficient, we’d be fine,” this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, we’re flipping the script on strengths and weaknesses at work. While most people focus on improving tactical skills like organization or productivity, the real game-changer is how we show up relationally. You’ll learn how relational weaknesses, like defensiveness, passive-aggressive behavior, and poor communication, are quietly killing trust and morale on your team, even when everything looks like it’s running smoothly.

Whether you're leading a team or just trying to be a better teammate, this episode will help you see the true cause of disconnection, and what to do about it.

🧠 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why improving your tactical skills might not fix your team problems
• The difference between tactical and relational strengths and weaknesses
• Real-world relational weaknesses that silently destroy workplace culture
• What it really means to be defensive (and how to shift it)
• Why being approachable matters more than being available
• How to start showing up as a human-centered leader... today

📌 Resources Mentioned:

• Previous episode: Love + Work with Tessa Kampen
• Connect with me on LinkedIn

✅ Subscribe & Review:

If this episode challenged your thinking or gave you something practical to try, I’d love for you to hit subscribe, leave a rating + review, and share it with a teammate who might be focusing on the wrong things.

🔜 Next Week:

We’re taking this conversation one step further. With graduation season in full swing, I’m sharing the hard truths I wish I had learned sooner, about self-discipline, ownership, and what it really means to lead yourself well.

Being the boss is both a privilege and a responsibility. Now what are you going to do with it?

• tactical vs relational strengths
• relational weaknesses in the workplace
• leadership development podcast
• how to improve team dynamics
• building trust at work
• defensive behavior at work
• human-centered leadership
• emotional intelligence in leadership

We read the book Love + Work By Marcus Buckingham so you don't have to!

Can you really love your job - or is that just wishful thinking? In this episode, Desiree and guest Tessa Kampen unpack Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham and what it means for new leaders trying to build careers that actually light them up.

Show Notes:
Last week we talked about redefining leadership with Craig Denison - how breaking the mold can make you a stronger, more authentic leader.

This week, we’re asking a question many leaders are afraid to face:

What if you’re succeeding... but in the wrong thing?

In this conversation, Tessa Kampen joins Desiree to break down the lessons inside Marcus Buckingham’s Love + Work and what every leader needs to know about burnout, joy, and doing work that matters.

If you're constantly putting out fires, questioning your path, or wondering why you feel so disconnected even in a “good” job - this episode will hit home.

Spoiler: Joy at work isn’t optional. It’s strategic.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll discover:

• How to identify your “red threads” (and why they’re crucial to career longevity)
• Why only loving 20% of your job can drastically reduce burnout
• What leaders can do today to create more joy and connection on their team

When you finish listening, we'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode. Find us on LinkedIn, and share what hit home for you!

Take 30 seconds to ask your team what part of their job they love most - and what they wish they could do more of. The answers might surprise you - and help you lead more effectively.

Guest & Additional Links:
Connect with Desiree and Tessa on LinkedIn
Grab a copy of Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham

new manager tips, leadership podcast, leadership development, how to avoid burnout as a leader, leadership mindset, workplace communication
how to find joy in your job, managing burnout as a manager, how to create team connection
how to stop feeling overwhelmed as a manager, imposter syndrome in leadership, transitioning from employee to manager

Are authenticity and professionalism at odds, or are we just defining them wrong?

If you're a first-time manager trying to gain respect without losing yourself, you’re not alone. Most new leaders feel stuck between “being real” and “being taken seriously,” and it’s affecting your executive presence, your team’s trust, and how you show up in every meeting.

The truth? You don’t have to choose.

Authenticity and professionalism aren’t enemies. They’re tools. And when you know how to use both, you’ll finally feel like the leader you were meant to be.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
• Why being authentic doesn’t mean oversharing (and being professional doesn’t mean polished to perfection)
• The mindset shift that helps you show up as you, without losing credibility
• How to define expectations and culture so you can confidently lead with clarity

When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode.
Take a screenshot of you listening, post it on LinkedIn, and tag me @Desiree Petrich

While you’re there, connect with me on LinkedIn to see how I help new and aspiring leaders grow their executive presence, delegate with confidence, and lead with clarity—without burning out.

Keywords: leadership podcast, new manager tips, executive presence, leadership development, first-time manager, leadership mindset, how to delegate tasks, leading with confidence, how to gain respect as a manager, developing executive presence for career growth, transitioning from employee to manager, imposter syndrome in leadership, how to set expectations as a new manager, why your team doesn’t respect you, practical leadership tips, building trust with your team, how to be a leader people actually follow

What if you're not a bad leader—just using the wrong blueprint? Craig Denison shares how practical tools and mindset shifts can turn anxious new managers into confident, empowered leaders.

Craig Denison is the creator of 90 Day Leader, a framework-based leadership development program designed to help new and accidental managers lead with confidence, without burning out. He's also a former team member of Patrick Lencioni’s Table Group, and a firm believer that leadership is more about clarity and humility than charisma.

Last week we talked about why great team meetings aren’t about structure, they’re about trust. This week, we’re digging into what happens when you don’t feel like you fit the “leader mold” and how to build confidence anyway.

Have you ever felt like you just weren’t cut out to be a manager? Like you don’t have the charisma, confidence, or presence that a “real” leader is supposed to have? You’re not alone, and more importantly, you’re not wrong for feeling that way.

In this episode, Craig Denison shares how the internal archetypes we build of what leadership should look like often stop us from showing up as ourselves—and what to do instead. Whether you’re introverted, unsure, or unexpectedly promoted, this conversation will help you let go of the pressure to be “the boss” and start leading in a way that feels good and actually works.

We cover:

• What makes leadership feel like a burden (and how to shift it to a privilege)

• Why humility and self-awareness matter more than confidence

• Two practical tools you can use TODAY to become a more empowered leader

• Most new leaders aren’t trained, they’re just promoted. Frameworks help fill that gap.

• Trying to mimic a “perfect” leader archetype makes leadership harder (and less effective).

• Humility is the shortcut to peace, progress, and better team performance.

Learn more about Craig’s work at https://90dayleader.comFollow Craig on LinkedIn: Craig Denison

Hiring the right people isn’t just about qualifications, it’s about building a culture that works. In this episode, Tessa Kampen joins me to break down how leaders can shift from hiring for titles to hiring for strengths. We explore why job descriptions should focus on tasks instead of just experience, how to ensure new hires truly love their work, and the dangers of misleading candidates in the hiring process. I also share a personal story of what happens when a job doesn’t align with expectations. If you’re ready to stop the cycle of disengagement and build a team that thrives, this episode is for you!

Ever wonder why some hires seem disengaged just months into the job? It might have started with your job description.

Many leaders focus too much on hiring for titles instead of hiring for tasks. The result? New hires who quickly realize the job isn't what they expected. Tessa Kampen joins me today to discuss how leaders can create strength-based hiring processes that lead to engaged, high-performing teams.

We’re covering:

• The #1 hiring mistake that leads to early disengagement
• Why job descriptions should focus on tasks, not just titles
• How to communicate company culture transparently during interviews
• The long-term impact of hiring employees who genuinely love their work

Plus, I share a personal story about a job where the reality didn’t match the promises, and how that shaped my approach to leadership today

✔️ How to structure job descriptions to attract the right candidates✔️ Why transparency in hiring is key to retention and culture fit✔️ The questions every leader should ask before making a hiring decision

👉 Join the conversation: Share your hiring wins (or horror stories) with me on Linkedin. Let’s talk about what’s working,and what’s not!

Loved this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow leader who’s hiring right now!

Connect with Tessa Kampen:

• Website
• LinkedIn

Books Mentioned:📖 Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham📖 The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle

Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for you. In this episode, We explore the difference between strengths, gifts, and competencies, and how they impact leadership. Learn how to lean into your true strengths, avoid burnout, and build a strengths-based culture that actually lasts.

Have you ever felt drained at work, even though you're good at what you do? Or wondered why a job that once energized you now feels exhausting? You’re not alone. Many new managers and experienced leaders alike struggle with distinguishing between what they excel at and what truly fuels them.

In this episode, we explore:

• The difference between strengths, gifts, and competencies, and why knowing this can change how you lead.
• How to recognize when your “strength” is actually just a skill you’ve built over time.
• What to do when you feel obligated to stay in a role because it's needed, even if it drains you.

I also share a real-life example from a listener who is great at her job but finds it emotionally exhausting. We discuss whether finding fulfillment outside of work can be enough to offset frustration in a draining role.

As a leader, it’s your job to help your team align their strengths with their responsibilities while balancing the demands of the business. But that’s easier said than done. How do you build a strengths-based culture that doesn’t fade when the day-to-day demands pile up? That’s what we’ll be tackling in the next episode with my guest, Tessa Kampen.

• Just because you're good at something doesn’t mean you should be doing it.
• Strengths are what energize you, gifts and competencies are just skills you’ve developed.
• Leaders must be intentional about building a strengths-based culture that lasts beyond a workshop.

Please take a moment to rate and review the podcast, it helps new listeners find the show!

📌 Connect with Tessa Kampen on Linkedin, or on her website

Being great at your job doesn’t automatically make you a great leader. In this episode, leadership coach Joe Raasch joins me to break down the challenges new managers face when stepping into leadership for the first time. We discuss the mindset shift from individual contributor to people leader, how to stop micromanaging, and why leadership is more than just getting things done.

You were a top performer, a go-to expert, the one everyone relied on. Then you got promoted. Now, instead of doing the work, you're leading the people who do. But no one really prepares you for the shift.

Stepping into leadership is about more than just getting promoted. It’s a whole new skill set, one that many new managers struggle to develop. If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at leadership, questioned whether you made the right choice, or found yourself slipping back into old habits, you’re not alone.

In this episode, leadership coach Joe and I dive into:

• Why so many top performers struggle as new managers
• The difference between doing the work and leading the people
• How micromanaging isn’t always about control, it’s about comfort
• The tough reality of leading former coworkers and why it can feel lonely
• How to start proving yourself as a leader before you even have the title

• Why leadership is a people job, not a process job
• How to shift from task-doer to team-builder
• Ways to build leadership skills before officially stepping into a role

If this episode helped you, leave a review and let me know what resonated most. Your feedback helps more new managers find the show.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn, or book a call with him on his website!

Check out the episode 5 Truths No One Told You About Becoming a Manager

What if great leadership wasn’t about having all the answers, but about creating an environment where your team can thrive? In this episode, we dive into Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull and uncover the leadership lessons that made Pixar a powerhouse of creativity and innovation. If you’re looking to build trust, encourage problem-solving, and stop micromanaging, this episode is for you.

Are you unknowingly stifling your team’s potential? Many leaders feel stuck between wanting to empower their employees and fearing mistakes or loss of control. But as Creativity, Inc. reveals, the best leaders create a culture of accountability, trust, and open communication.

In this episode, we break down:✅ Why you don’t need permission to take responsibility, and why waiting for approval can kill innovation✅ The power of open communication , and how Pixar avoided corporate hierarchy bottlenecks✅ How removing the fear of failure makes teams more creative and engaged✅ What Creativity, Inc. taught me about adaptive integrity, staying true to your values while evolving as a leader

This episode will challenge the way you think about leadership, risk-taking, and what it really means to empower your team.

• How to encourage proactive problem-solving without micromanaging
• The one question that helps leaders shift from control to trust
• Why fostering a culture of accountability can make or break your team’s success

When you finish listening, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway! Take a screenshot of this episode, share it on Instagram stories, and tag me @desireepetrich.

🔹 Website: Intentional Action🔹 LinkedIn🔹 Instagram: @desireepetrich

📖 Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull

Next month we’re tackling Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni, diving into how to identify and leverage your team’s strengths for maximum impact!