The TRU Leader Podcast

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, Michelle and Tracy are joined by Dr. Mari Tietze and Steve Love, Deb Rio and Mike Edwards, and their husbands- Kevin Moore and Jerry Christopherson and to explore the transformative impact of the Breakthrough Year Mastermind program on personal and relational growth. Through in-person and virtual retreats featuring meditation, journaling, and education, the mastermind fosters deep connections and meaningful self-discovery. Mari and Deb share how the program has boosted their self-esteem and work-life balance, with their husbands’ support playing a vital role in their journey. Steve and Mike reflect on the positive changes in their wives, attributing much of the growth to the leadership group’s influence. The conversation highlights the value of shared activities, like Enneagram sessions, in strengthening relationships and understanding. Tracy and Michelle’s mindful coaching style and dynamic energy are praised for creating a supportive and uplifting environment that blends laughter with learning. Their book, "Polarity Intelligence: The Missing Logic and Leadership" is also recognized as a key resource for participants' personal growth and happiness. Themes of balance, partnership, and polarity intelligence are emphasized as essential tools for fostering stronger relationships and greater joy in life. Are you looking for a breakthrough this 2025? Step into the new year the right by joining our Breakthrough Mastermind!  We are taking a limited number of leaders into our next mastermind group. Apply for the Breakthrough Year Mastermind in the full show notes below: For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

In this week’s episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, we delve into the topic of community and connection among visionary leaders, distinguishing between having a broad, innovative vision and a personal, goal-oriented vision. Tracy and Michelle discuss the transformative power of collaboration among like-minded individuals, particularly through small groups called masterminds, where leaders support each other in achieving their goals. They highlight how overcoming traditional norms that promote isolation can foster creativity and innovation, using examples of personal milestones achieved through group accountability and encouragement. Additionally, the episode underscores the benefits of a supportive mastermind community focused on professional growth, collaboration, and mentorship. Regular calls, updates on individual goals, and workshops balance personal aspirations with team dynamics, promoting effective communication and resource sharing for larger-scale change. Tracy and Michelle’s Breakthrough Year Mastermind program is now open to new participants, aiming for diversity and mutual support, with limited seats available through an application process. Overall, effective leadership is portrayed as being rooted in building connections and leveraging collective wisdom to drive progress and resilience. Tune in today! For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, special guest Laurie Sudbrink joins us in an in-depth conversation on her GRIT® framework from her book "LEADING with GRIT", which focuses on the key leadership values of Generosity, Respect, Integrity, and Truth. She emphasizes how each component contributes to effective leadership, with generosity fostering an abundance mindset, respect beginning with self-care, integrity keeping leaders true to their values, and truth creating trust and personal growth. Laurie also introduces a self-assessment tool to help leaders evaluate their attributes related to GRIT, encouraging self-awareness and authentic leadership. The discussion explores Laurie’s five-step methodology for sustainable change—self-awareness, desire, knowledge, action, and perseverance—highlighting the role of accountability and the need for direct communication. The episode stresses the importance of ongoing self-reflection, transparency, and personal development for leadership success. Tune in now! For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, hosts Michelle and Tracy explore the concept of Thriving, Resilient, and Unstoppable (TRU) leadership, emphasizing the importance of resilient leaders for the success of organizations, communities, and families. They stress the need for leaders to reassess ingrained norms and limiting beliefs, which often lead to burnout, highlighting how the misconception that hard work alone guarantees success can be detrimental. Drawing on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the discussion reveals that many leaders operate at basic survival levels, struggling to meet their own needs in a complex environment. Emotional connections and relationships are underscored as essential for leadership success, with self-actualization being the ultimate goal for TRU leaders. The episode delves into key strategies for leadership development, focusing on balancing professional achievements with personal fulfillment. Mentorship is framed around managing four core polarities: work-life balance, self-care, rest, and maintaining relationships. To help leaders achieve their goals, the podcast introduces a dynamic balance plan that includes setting boundaries, calendar blocking, and prioritization. Finally, the concept of “being it first” encourages leaders to embody resilience and leadership qualities before taking action, helping them overcome fears and limiting beliefs to thrive both professionally and personally. Tune in now! For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, special guest Bonnie Artman Fox tells us about her career journey from oncology nursing to becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist, emphasizing the importance of family dynamics in both addiction recovery and leadership. In her book, *How Did My Family Get in My Office?*, Bonnie explores how early life experiences shape professional behaviors, particularly for leaders with abrasive interpersonal skills. Her transition into leadership coaching highlights the value of self-awareness, linking family dynamics to workplace conflicts and illustrating how mentorship and therapy helped her grow emotionally and professionally. The book introduces the “4 R’s of resolution” framework, which focuses on acknowledging emotional wounds, taking responsibility for past behaviors, maintaining respect and boundaries in difficult relationships, and fostering continuous personal growth. Bonnie’s personal stories, along with real-world examples, show how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and empathy can improve both leadership effectiveness and interpersonal dynamics. By managing polarities and understanding the impact of upbringing, leaders can foster healthier work environments, balancing candor and kindness in their interactions. Tune in today! For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC   https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

In this episode of The TRU Leader podcast, hosts Michelle and Tracy discuss the pervasive nature of stress in leadership and its impact on well-being. The episode delves into the general adaptation syndrome, which outlines the body’s response to prolonged stress in three stages—alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. They explore stress management strategies to prevent burnout, drawing from Michelle’s personal experience with stress-induced vision problems. The conversation highlights the concept of "microstressors," subtle but persistent stress factors that can accumulate and lead to significant emotional tolls. Citing research by Rob Cross and Karen Dillon, they emphasize that high achievers often face unique stressors, such as managing both work and family responsibilities. The hosts challenge common leadership norms that create undue pressure, such as the need for certainty and avoidance of vulnerability, and propose healthier leadership practices. They introduce a stress continuum model to help leaders gauge their stress levels, along with having a polarity mindset to balance competing values like self-care and caring for others. Leadership is likened to a marathon, requiring both endurance and recovery. The episode also encourages proactive strategies like open communication, prioritization, and mindfulness. To further discuss these themes, listeners are encouraged to join our FREE webinar titled “From Stress to Success: The Formula for Leaders to Excel Professionally and Personally” which offering tools to help leaders thrive both professionally and personally. Register here. For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, we're joined by Cathy Carroll, author and a third-generation leader in her family's business. Cathy shares her journey and insights from her book *Hug of War: How to Lead a Family Business with Both Love and Logic*. After two decades in corporate roles, Cathy returned to the family business, encountering tensions between her profit-driven approach and her father’s investment-focused mindset. The narrative explores the complexities of managing familial relationships alongside business operations, particularly during generational transitions that often lead to conflict due to differing values. Non-family executives also face challenges, exemplified by a COO who felt demoted because of family-driven decisions. Emotional intelligence is highlighted as key to balancing personal relationships and professional responsibilities. Cathy underscores the importance of understanding family dynamics, balancing long-term goals with adaptability, and navigating polarities like tradition and innovation. Governance and succession planning in family businesses require unique approaches, balancing set criteria with flexibility for unexpected talent. Polarity thinking is introduced as a method for managing conflicts by holding opposing truths simultaneously, such as investment and profit harvesting and privileges and responsibilities. Cathy emphasizes that recognizing these polarities and differing perspectives is essential for improving the overall functioning of family-owned businesses, particularly during leadership transitions. For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/

This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle discuss the growing importance of empathetic leadership, especially in the post-pandemic workplace. The dynamic duo explores how the pandemic has increased stress and mental health issues among employees, making empathy in leadership more crucial than ever. They note that the new generation of workers values leadership that prioritizes their well-being and happiness, and research shows that empathetic leadership improves employee engagement and fosters healthier work environments with better work-life balance. The episode explains that empathetic leadership involves understanding and connecting with employees' needs and emotions, strengthening workplace relationships and overall performance. Traditionally, leadership focused on productivity rather than relationships, often discouraging empathy. However, there's a growing recognition of the importance of relationships within organizations, leading to a shift towards empathetic leadership practices that positively influence workplace culture. If you’re looking for ways to create a balanced work-life culture as a leader, this is one episode you shouldn’t miss. Tune in now! For full show notes and links, visit  https://www.missinglogic.com/truleader If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/missinglogic-llc https://www.facebook.com/missinglogicLLC https://twitter.com/MissingLogicLLC https://www.instagram.com/missinglogic_llc/