Fri, 08 May 2026 11:36:29 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2037254 en-us © 2026 Lead with The Essentials yes f151a9bc-795b-5224-95b5-2096d2c04e7f David Gazek episodic false 22 short episodes for leaders of an organization and anyone intent on joining their ranks. These tools are essential for organizational checkups and sustained health because of the vaccine they provide against organizational problems, the high stakes of not using them, and the enormous benefit that flows to the bottom line. Collectively they can be a mainstay of your leadership craft.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) David Gazek https://storage.buzzsprout.com/mfgd1lbkqzdz3qajg858glejosfy?.jpg https://www.buzzsprout.com/2037254 Episode 22: Vulnerability In this 8-minute episode on vulnerability, the last in this series of Lead with the Essentials, we’ll look at the power of leading by dropping your armor – the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors you use to protect yourself – so you can show up to a conversation with an open heart and an open mind to serve the work and your team, not your ego 

]]> In this 8-minute episode on vulnerability, the last in this series of Lead with the Essentials, we’ll look at the power of leading by dropping your armor – the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors you use to protect yourself – so you can show up to a conversation with an open heart and an open mind to serve the work and your team, not your ego 

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-12435142 Mon, 13 Mar 2023 19:00:00 -0700 505 22 full false Episode 21: Cross-training In this 8-minute episode on cross-training, we’ll look at the value of cross-training, which at minimum, is a low-cost insurance policy and disaster prevention plan that significantly increases your ability to maintain an effective and efficient organization, when people with key skill sets and institutional knowledge are not available or no longer around.

]]> In this 8-minute episode on cross-training, we’ll look at the value of cross-training, which at minimum, is a low-cost insurance policy and disaster prevention plan that significantly increases your ability to maintain an effective and efficient organization, when people with key skill sets and institutional knowledge are not available or no longer around.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-12435079 Mon, 13 Mar 2023 19:00:00 -0700 480 21 full false Episode 20: Conflict resolution In this 9-minute episode on conflict resolution, we’ll look at how resolving conflict is a process of shifting your mindset from an entrenched, “either/or” position to “the relationship”, where you recognize the counterproductive pattern of your actions and reactions, examine the lens through which you both see the issues, and restructure past thinking that no longer serves you so you can reframe your approach, disrupt the pattern, and potentially find common ground.

]]> In this 9-minute episode on conflict resolution, we’ll look at how resolving conflict is a process of shifting your mindset from an entrenched, “either/or” position to “the relationship”, where you recognize the counterproductive pattern of your actions and reactions, examine the lens through which you both see the issues, and restructure past thinking that no longer serves you so you can reframe your approach, disrupt the pattern, and potentially find common ground.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-12431463 Mon, 13 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0700 545 20 full false Episode 19: The "Huh?" moment In this 8-minute episode on the Huh? Moment, we’ll look at what to do at those times when someone’s comment, behavior, action, or even inaction is inappropriate, unexpected, or hard to make sense of, and your instinct is to brush it aside, rather than trust your internal voice and treat it as a warning sign that you take seriously.

]]> In this 8-minute episode on the Huh? Moment, we’ll look at what to do at those times when someone’s comment, behavior, action, or even inaction is inappropriate, unexpected, or hard to make sense of, and your instinct is to brush it aside, rather than trust your internal voice and treat it as a warning sign that you take seriously.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-12385704 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0800 507 19 full false Episode 18: Joint accountability In this 8-minute episode on joint accountability, we’ll look at what it takes to be jointly accountable, the signs of accountability gaps that become normalized when we feel helpless and powerless, and what’s at risk when that happens.

]]> In this 8-minute episode on joint accountability, we’ll look at what it takes to be jointly accountable, the signs of accountability gaps that become normalized when we feel helpless and powerless, and what’s at risk when that happens.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-12336364 Mon, 27 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0800 471 18 full false Episode 17: Succession planning In this 8-minute episode on succession planning, we’ll look at how succession planning is a tool for managing risk and protecting company and shareholder value when change occurs in the leadership of your company.

]]> In this 8-minute episode on succession planning, we’ll look at how succession planning is a tool for managing risk and protecting company and shareholder value when change occurs in the leadership of your company.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-12259942 Wed, 15 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0800 465 17 full false Episode 16: Leadership development In this 9-minute episode on leadership development, we’ll look at what it takes to become a transformational leader who models behaviors that increase individual and team engagement and their sense of what they can achieve, and that permeate the organization with a mindset for excellence that leads to better performance.   

]]> In this 9-minute episode on leadership development, we’ll look at what it takes to become a transformational leader who models behaviors that increase individual and team engagement and their sense of what they can achieve, and that permeate the organization with a mindset for excellence that leads to better performance.   

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-12231113 Sat, 11 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0800 553 16 full false Episode 15: Change management In this 8-minute episode on change management, we’ll look at the preparation and planning, the socializing and implementation, and the embedding and assessment that’s needed for people to fully embrace change and adapt to it, so that change management shifts from a process of hoping for desired results to a plan for meeting and exceeding them.  

]]> In this 8-minute episode on change management, we’ll look at the preparation and planning, the socializing and implementation, and the embedding and assessment that’s needed for people to fully embrace change and adapt to it, so that change management shifts from a process of hoping for desired results to a plan for meeting and exceeding them.  

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-12111716 Tue, 24 Jan 2023 13:00:00 -0800 486 15 full false Episode 14: Problem-solving and decision-making In this 8-minute episode on problem-solving and decision-making, we’ll look at a reliable way to solve problems and make decisions that brings greater consistency and consensus, and a greater likelihood of achieving desired results, so you and your leadership team aren’t reinventing the wheel with every challenge that arises. 

]]> In this 8-minute episode on problem-solving and decision-making, we’ll look at a reliable way to solve problems and make decisions that brings greater consistency and consensus, and a greater likelihood of achieving desired results, so you and your leadership team aren’t reinventing the wheel with every challenge that arises. 

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-12089767 Sat, 21 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0800 496 14 full false Episode 13: Project management In this 7-minute episode on project management, we’ll look at what it takes to successfully lead a team from planning to execution in a climate of collaboration, where people work together because they want to, not because they must.

]]> In this 7-minute episode on project management, we’ll look at what it takes to successfully lead a team from planning to execution in a climate of collaboration, where people work together because they want to, not because they must.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-12031276 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0800 448 13 full false Episode 12: Meeting management In this 7-minute episode on meeting management, we’ll look at how the way you and others manage meetings can be the difference between opportunity seized or lost, productivity gained or stalled, and time well spent or wasted.

]]> In this 7-minute episode on meeting management, we’ll look at how the way you and others manage meetings can be the difference between opportunity seized or lost, productivity gained or stalled, and time well spent or wasted.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-11968290 Mon, 02 Jan 2023 19:00:00 -0800 451 12 full false Episode 11: Feedback In this 8-minute episode on feedback, we’ll look at why feedback is necessary to provide your employees with the information and guidance they need to make sure their work stays on track to reach your mutual goals, like a steering wheel is necessary to make sure your car stays in its lane to reach your destination.

]]> In this 8-minute episode on feedback, we’ll look at why feedback is necessary to provide your employees with the information and guidance they need to make sure their work stays on track to reach your mutual goals, like a steering wheel is necessary to make sure your car stays in its lane to reach your destination.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-11789129 Wed, 30 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0800 496 11 full false Episode 10: Difficult conversation In this 8-minute episode on a difficult conversation, we’ll look at what’s at stake when you avoid a difficult conversation, and how your approach to it can shift your anticipation and the conversation from dread and anxt to gratitude and relief.

]]> In this 8-minute episode on a difficult conversation, we’ll look at what’s at stake when you avoid a difficult conversation, and how your approach to it can shift your anticipation and the conversation from dread and anxt to gratitude and relief.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-11776183 Mon, 28 Nov 2022 13:00:00 -0800 464 10 full false Episode 9: Communication In this 8-minute episode on communication, we’ll look at the irony of communication. We need it more than any other tool and yet we take it the most for granted, even though the way we communicate can make or break a business deal and be the difference between collaboration and chaos, and moving in sync or in circles.

]]> In this 8-minute episode on communication, we’ll look at the irony of communication. We need it more than any other tool and yet we take it the most for granted, even though the way we communicate can make or break a business deal and be the difference between collaboration and chaos, and moving in sync or in circles.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-11776163 Mon, 28 Nov 2022 13:00:00 -0800 478 9 full false Episode 8: Reward system In this 7-minute episode on a reward system, we’ll look at the power of monetary and non-monetary rewards to encourage, acknowledge, and reinforce specific performance and behavior that’s aligned with your company’s goals, targeted key results, and culture – and why the payoff is priceless.

]]> In this 7-minute episode on a reward system, we’ll look at the power of monetary and non-monetary rewards to encourage, acknowledge, and reinforce specific performance and behavior that’s aligned with your company’s goals, targeted key results, and culture – and why the payoff is priceless.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-11776051 Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:00:00 -0800 424 8 full false Episode 7: Authority, power, and influence In this 7-minute episode on authority, power, and influence, we’ll look at why teams struggle to accomplish their task when they lack the combination of authority power and influence to get it done, and how balancing their scope with the composition of the team so they have all three makes the difference between their success and failure.

]]> In this 7-minute episode on authority, power, and influence, we’ll look at why teams struggle to accomplish their task when they lack the combination of authority power and influence to get it done, and how balancing their scope with the composition of the team so they have all three makes the difference between their success and failure.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-11775645 Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:00:00 -0800 420 7 full false Episode 6: Roles, responsibilities, and relationships In this 8-minute episode on roles, responsibilities, and relationships, we’ll look at why clarity and flexibility around the 3Rs are key to a highly functioning organization, no matter what organizational structure you choose, and why you need to give the 3Rs that underpin your structure the same level of thought, care, and attention as the 3Rs that underpinned your education.

]]> In this 8-minute episode on roles, responsibilities, and relationships, we’ll look at why clarity and flexibility around the 3Rs are key to a highly functioning organization, no matter what organizational structure you choose, and why you need to give the 3Rs that underpin your structure the same level of thought, care, and attention as the 3Rs that underpinned your education.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-11691816 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0800 452 1 6 full false Episode 5: Employee-centric mindset An employee-centric mindset is the path to exceptional performance. In this 8-minute episode, we’ll see that there are two essential components of that mindset: a psychologically safe workplace and an understanding of what your employees need to fully engage and succeed along with your commitment to meet those needs, where appropriate and possible.

]]> An employee-centric mindset is the path to exceptional performance. In this 8-minute episode, we’ll see that there are two essential components of that mindset: a psychologically safe workplace and an understanding of what your employees need to fully engage and succeed along with your commitment to meet those needs, where appropriate and possible.

]]> Buzzsprout-11447265 Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:00:00 -0700 500 5 full false Episode 4: Balanced leadership team In this 8-minute episode on the tool of a balanced leadership team, we’ll look inside the formula for a balanced leadership team to see that it must be a complimentary group of individuals who can produce, administer, envision, and integrate – and why you risk being pulled down a path of chaos and compromised productivity if that balance is missing.  

]]> In this 8-minute episode on the tool of a balanced leadership team, we’ll look inside the formula for a balanced leadership team to see that it must be a complimentary group of individuals who can produce, administer, envision, and integrate – and why you risk being pulled down a path of chaos and compromised productivity if that balance is missing.  

]]> Buzzsprout-11430026 Mon, 03 Oct 2022 10:00:00 -0700 485 4 full false Episode 3: Strategic planning Strategic planning is not just a box to be checked. It’s a living blueprint for your business. Putting it in the context of The Essentials is meant to give it new meaning. In this 7-minute episode, we’ll learn how the strategic plan becomes a compelling portrait of the vision of the company and a rutter for managing change, guiding decision-making, and steering the organization.

]]> Strategic planning is not just a box to be checked. It’s a living blueprint for your business. Putting it in the context of The Essentials is meant to give it new meaning. In this 7-minute episode, we’ll learn how the strategic plan becomes a compelling portrait of the vision of the company and a rutter for managing change, guiding decision-making, and steering the organization.

]]> Buzzsprout-11429937 Mon, 03 Oct 2022 10:00:00 -0700 445 3 full false Episode 2: Mutual trust and respect Mutual trust and respect is the first tool in the toolbox because none of the other tools work without it. It’s the root and lifeblood of a healthy organization. In this 9-minute episode, we’ll look at how mutual trust and respect bond people together more effectively than the latest perks and enticements, star talent, and workplace trends – and why there’s no stronger recipe for employee engagement and retention. 

]]> Mutual trust and respect is the first tool in the toolbox because none of the other tools work without it. It’s the root and lifeblood of a healthy organization. In this 9-minute episode, we’ll look at how mutual trust and respect bond people together more effectively than the latest perks and enticements, star talent, and workplace trends – and why there’s no stronger recipe for employee engagement and retention. 

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-11429906 Mon, 03 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0700 531 2 full false Episode 1: What's inside We start the podcast with number 1 of 22 short episodes on essential tools for leaders of an organization and anyone intent on joining their ranks. In this 8-minute episode, “What’s Inside”, we’ll get an overview of all the tools in the toolbox and their value to you.

]]> We start the podcast with number 1 of 22 short episodes on essential tools for leaders of an organization and anyone intent on joining their ranks. In this 8-minute episode, “What’s Inside”, we’ll get an overview of all the tools in the toolbox and their value to you.

]]> David Gazek Buzzsprout-11429870 Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0700 457 1 full false