Feedback is one of the most powerful tools a leader has - and one of the hardest to use well. Too often, leaders avoid it, sugarcoat it, or deliver it so vaguely that it never lands. The result? Teams left guessing, disengaged, and missing out on their full potential.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we unpack:

•  Why most leaders struggle to give feedback (and how it holds teams back)

•  The difference between empty praise, harsh critique, and feedback that actually helps people grow

• Three types of brave feedback you can start practicing right away

• Practical scripts and examples you can use in your next conversation

• A weekly challenge to turn feedback into a rhythm, not a rarity

You’ll learn how to give feedback that feels less like confrontation and more like an invitation - one that fuels performance, strengthens trust, and transforms relationships. Because your team doesn’t need you to be flawless. They need you to be honest, kind, and brave.

What if your good intentions as a leader are actually holding your team back?

It happens more often than you think. Many well-meaning leaders unintentionally stall their team’s growth by fixing problems too quickly, jumping in to save the day, or making decisions before their team even has the chance to try. While it feels helpful in the moment, it often creates dependence instead of development. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we uncover:

• The surprising ways over-helping and over-fixing slow your team’s growth

• The hidden costs of over-functioning as a leader

• How to shift from being the hero to being the coach your team really needs

• Five practical coaching skills that spark clarity, accountability, and growth in your team

• Small Brave Moves you can make this week to unlock your team’s potential

Brave leadership isn’t about having all the answers - it’s about creating the conditions for your people to grow into their own. Listen in to learn how to step back, coach more, and stop unintentionally stalling the very growth you want to see.

Real employee engagement starts with how your team feels every day, not just during the annual survey.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I’m sharing five powerful, no-cost ways to boost engagement that any leader can start using right now. These are practical, human-centered actions that build trust, spark motivation, and create a team culture people don’t want to leave.

You’ll learn how to:

1. Clarify team expectations with the How We Work conversation

2. Celebrate micro wins to keep momentum high

3. Make one-on-ones more human (and way more impactful)

4. Trade micromanagement for autonomy and trust

5. Foster growth opportunities even when promotions aren’t available

If you’re ready to create a workplace where people feel seen, valued, and fired up to give their best, this episode is your playbook.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I’m joined by internationally experienced leadership coach and courage catalyst Noomi Melchior Natan for a conversation every leader navigating hard or busy seasons needs to hear.

We explore what it means to thrive, not just survive, during the most demanding chapters of leadership, and how to stay connected to your courage, clarity, and conviction when the pressure is high.

Noomi shares her signature framework—The Four Powers: Leading, Being, Doing, and Staying—and how each one can help you face uncertainty, make bold moves, and preserve your energy in the process.

We discuss:

• Why your identity and inner narrative can either limit or liberate you

• How to stop over-functioning and start protecting your greatest asset—you

• What it looks like to build “staying power” in a world of constant change

• A small brave move you can start today to build sustainable leadership strength

Whether you’re leading through change, burnout, self-doubt, or big decisions, this episode will help you reconnect to what truly fuels your leadership and take small brave steps toward a more powerful and grounded version of yourself.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're talking about one of the most overlooked yet powerful leadership practices - meaningful one-on-one meetings.

Let’s be honest: most one-on-ones are either inconsistent, rushed, or overly focused on status updates. But when done right, they’re your secret weapon for building trust, boosting engagement, and retaining top talent.

I'll teach you:

• Why most one-on-ones fall flat - and how to fix them

• The real reason leaders avoid one-on-ones (hint: it’s not time)

• Powerful questions to ask in your next one-on-one that go beyond the surface

• How to turn feedback into a gift instead of a threat

• Why one-on-ones are not just a “nice to have” but a strategic advantage

If you’ve been known to reschedule these conversations, or are wondering if they even matter, this episode will change the way you think about one-on-ones, and the way your team feels about you.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we’re exploring something that might seem like a luxury—but is actually a leadership necessity: Flow and Ease®.

If you’re a high-achieving leader who’s feeling overwhelmed, overbooked, or stretched thin, this conversation is for you. Because here’s the truth: hustle doesn’t equal impact. And letting go of control doesn’t mean letting go of your standards.

We'll be discussing:

• What Flow and Ease® actually means in the context of brave leadership

• Why micromanagement is often fear in disguise

• The surprising leadership edge of emotional regulation and grounded energy

• Small, brave shifts that create clarity, calm, and powerful ripple effects

• How to stop contributing to the chaos—and start leading from a place of presence

You don’t have to prove your worth through burnout. Your clarity, calm, and boundaries aren’t soft—they’re strategic. And when you lead with flow, your team rises with you. 

If you’re ready to stop gripping so tightly and start leading with more trust, intentionality, and energy—without losing your drive—this one’s for you. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're discussing one of the most relevant challenges in leadership today—how to lead remote and hybrid teams without falling into the trap of micromanagement.

Because let’s be honest: working from anywhere can quickly turn into disconnected everywhere if we’re not intentional.

We explore:

• How to create real connection without constant check-ins

• Why micromanagement is fear in disguise—and how to lead with trust instead

• Three rhythms that build strong remote teams (including the rituals I use with my own remote team)

• The mindset shifts every brave leader needs in the virtual world

• And three Small Brave Moves you can make this week to boost clarity, trust, and team momentum

If you’ve ever felt the urge to hover, over-communicate, or overcorrect in remote settings, this episode will help you step into brave, intentional leadership—no matter where your team is located.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast,  we dive into one of the biggest reasons leaders avoid hard conversations—the fear of emotional reactions. 

Whether it’s tears, silence, deflection, or defensiveness, these responses can make even the most seasoned leaders second-guess themselves. But brave leaders don’t avoid the discomfort—they prepare for it.

We explore:

• The four most common emotional reactions during tough talks

• How to respond with calm, clarity, and compassion

• What to say when someone shuts down, cries, or pushes back

• How to stay centered and protect your energy in emotionally charged moments

If you’ve been holding back from saying what needs to be said because you’re unsure how they’ll respond, this episode gives you the tools, mindset, and language to show up bravely—no matter the emotion in the room.

Learn how to lead through emotion with grace and grit—and turn tough conversations into transformative ones.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast we’re diving into a non-negotiable for building high-performing, innovative teams: psychological safety.

You’ve probably heard the term before, but let’s get one thing straight—it’s not just an HR thing. It’s a leadership thing. In fact, it’s the foundation of every courageous, collaborative, and high-impact team Nicole has ever worked with.

Nicole breaks down exactly what psychological safety is (and what it isn’t), why it’s essential for performance and retention, and how you can start building it today—especially when the pressure is high.

If you want your team to take smart risks, challenge the status quo, and own their mistakes, then they need to trust that it’s safe to speak up. That starts with you. 

Nicole shares personal stories from inside the boardroom, real examples of what happens when safety is missing, and three Small Brave Moves you can implement today to create a space where honesty, creativity, and courageous conversations thrive. 

If you want to build a culture where your team doesn’t just follow—they lead—this is your episode. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we challenge the hustle culture myth that faster is always better—and explore why the bravest leaders are the ones who dare to slow down. 

We explore why brave leaders aren’t the ones burning the candle at both ends—but the ones carving out time to think deeply, act intentionally, and lead with clarity. You’ll learn how constant motion leads to misalignment, burnout, and poor decision-making, while strategic stillness unlocks innovation, presence, and purpose. 

Nicole shares the Small Brave Moves she's made to redesign her own calendar and routines—plus a few hard-earned lessons from burnout recovery. Whether you’re a mid-level leader or C-suite exec, this episode will help you lead with more clarity, energy, and purpose. 

Plus, Nicole shares an exclusive invitation to podcast listeners to attend a transformational leadership experience designed to help executive women reclaim their energy, amplify their light, and elevate their leadership. 

If your calendar is packed but your impact feels stalled, this is your invitation to hit pause—and lead forward with intention. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle a challenge that many powerhouse women in leadership quietly face: the constant tug-of-war between being seen as too much or not enough.

We unpack the double standards women leaders often navigate—where authority can be labeled as “aggressive,” and warmth mistaken for weakness—and offer a new model: one where you don’t have to choose between being respected or relatable.

From clarity without control to real talk and radical humanity, you’ll walk away with five practical mindset and behavior shifts that will help you lead with both power and grace.

Plus, Nicole shares an exclusive invitation to podcast listeners to attend a transformational leadership experience designed to help executive women reclaim their energy, amplify their light, and elevate their leadership. 

If you're tired of the tightrope and ready to rewrite the rules, this episode is your next brave move.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore one of the hardest but most necessary parts of leadership—recovering from failure. Whether it’s a misstep, a missed deadline, or a moment you wish you could take back, failure is inevitable for every leader.

But here’s the truth: what defines your leadership isn’t the mistake—it’s how you respond.

We break down the three types of leadership failures—slips, trips, and falls—and provide a clear, practical roadmap to bounce back with confidence and integrity. You’ll learn how to own your mistakes, rebuild trust, and turn failure into fuel for growth. Plus, I share a recent high-stakes leadership stumble of my own and how I handled it in real-time.

If you’ve ever struggled with guilt after messing up, or worried your credibility took a hit, this episode will give you the mindset and tools to fail forward and come back even stronger.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle the hidden leadership habit that’s sabotaging your confidence and credibility—negative self-talk.

Whether it’s those quiet, critical thoughts or the self-deprecating jokes you make to be relatable, the way you speak about yourself matters. It shapes how others see you and how you show up as a leader.

From real-life stories to powerful mindset shifts, we’ll explore how negative self-talk chips away at your leadership and how to replace it with 3 Small Brave Moves that build self-assurance. You’ll learn how to reframe limiting language, catch yourself in the moment, and create a leadership presence that is grounded in confidence and clarity.

If you’re ready to stop undermining yourself and start owning your voice, this one’s for you. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're stepping into a different kind of brave leadership—the leadership of your health. I'm joined by Julie Griffin, executive health coach, certified functional medicine health coach, and former corporate HR leader with over 30 years of experience. 

Julie brings a powerful blend of executive-level insight and deep knowledge of functional medicine and lifestyle behavior change to help high-achieving executive women prioritize their well-being.

If you're a leader who puts everyone else first, this episode will challenge you to rethink that—and give you practical, brave ways to reclaim your energy and your leadership from the inside out.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore what it really takes to detoxify a workplace and lead with courage and grace.

I'm joined by Alan Utley, keynote speaker, certified leadership coach, and the HR pro behind the concept of fanatical grace. With 25 years of experience in senior HR roles, Alan shares powerful stories about the small brave moves that helped him shift from perfectionism to authenticity—and from conflict to connection.

We dive into how grace isn't about weakness, but about creating space for imperfection, leading with humanity, and building cultures where people can thrive.

Learn how to navigate tough conversations, choose relationships over being right, and lead with more flow, forgiveness, and bold compassion. If you're ready to make your workplace healthier and your leadership braver, this one's for you.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the concept of butterfly moments—those seemingly small but powerful shifts in thought or behavior that spark meaningful transformation in your leadership journey. 

From quiet realizations to courageous decisions, these moments often arrive during times of discomfort, clarity, or reflection. Learn how to recognize, embrace, and create more of these transformative turning points in your leadership. 

Nicole shares real-life examples and strategies for using butterfly moments to build momentum, inspire your team, and course-correct your leadership path. Tune in and discover how to harness the subtle but mighty shifts that elevate how you lead—one Small Brave Move at a time.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle one of the most misunderstood elements of leadership: conflict. While most leaders shy away from it, the truth is that conflict—when handled well—can be a powerful catalyst for trust, innovation, and accountability.

We'll discuss the costly impact of conflict avoidance and share how reframing conflict as an opportunity can strengthen both leadership and team culture. 

You’ll learn how to build psychological safety, model calm and constructive dialogue, and approach tough moments with curiosity instead of fear.

Tune in for practical tools and brave mindset shifts to help you turn conflict into a leadership superpower.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into one of the most challenging aspects of leadership—working with toxic people. Whether it's a difficult colleague, boss, or client, toxic behaviors can chip away at your energy, confidence, and clarity. But here's the truth: you may not be able to change them, but you can control how you show up.

We explore:

• How to reclaim your power in toxic environments

• Boundaries that protect your energy and sanity

• Mindset shifts to stop taking others’ negativity personally

• Brave ways to respond—without getting pulled into the drama

• And the ultimate Small Brave Move: how to lead a tough talk that just might create change

If you’ve ever found yourself drained after a conversation, dreading a certain meeting, or questioning your ability to lead because of someone else's behavior—this episode is for you. 

Learn how to rise above toxicity, preserve your leadership presence, and lead with courage.

Are you leading your team through disruption—or waiting to be disrupted?

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore what it really takes to lead through disruption and embrace innovation, especially in the age of AI. 

I’m joined by Trent Gillespie—former Amazon executive, AI strategist, and creator of the AI Sprint framework—who shares how leaders can navigate change, unlock innovation, and use AI to drive real results with clarity and courage.

Trent shares the Small Brave Moves that led him to leave a high-profile role at Amazon to help mid-sized companies become AI-powered growth engines. We unpack what’s changing in business (spoiler: it’s everything), and how leaders can prepare their teams, rethink innovation, and take strategic action—fast. 

If you're curious about: 

✅ Why AI is accelerating innovation—and what that means for your business
✅ The mindset shift leaders must make now to avoid falling behind
✅ How to equip your team to embrace AI with confidence
✅ What it looks like to lead bravely through uncertainty and change

This episode is your roadmap to thinking strategically, leading proactively, and shaping the future—one Small Brave Move (or ChatGPT prompt) at a time.

If I stopped you in the hallway and asked, ‘What’s your leadership philosophy?’—would you have an answer?

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore why having a personal leadership philosophy is one of the most important tools for leading with clarity and confidence.

 We break down how a clear, personal leadership philosophy can:
 ✅ Build trust through consistency and clarity
 ✅ Guide your decision-making during uncertainty and tough conversations
 ✅ Help you stay grounded in what matters most
 ✅ Make you a more confident, resilient, and authentic leader 

Learn how to define your leadership philosophy in a way that’s personal, authentic, and actionable. I share practical steps to identify your core beliefs, clarify your values, and articulate your leadership style—all in a way that helps you stay grounded in who you are and how you want to lead.

Tune in to discover how creating your own leadership blueprint can help you make better decisions, build trust, and show up with courage—one small brave move at a time.