Building Team Trust

In this “Mike on the Mic” episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I delve into the cornerstone of every successful leadership team—trust. Learn why vulnerability-based trust is vital for creating open, honest, and high-performing teams. Discover actionable strategies to identify trust gaps, build deeper connections, and create a culture of accountability and commitment.
Building a Behavior-Based Culture with David J Friedman

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I explore the powerful insights of David J. Friedman, a leading expert on organizational culture. David has authored two influential books and delivered over 750 workshops and keynotes for business leaders. His second book, Culture by Design, is a step-by-step guide to building a strong organizational culture — tailored for today’s workplace, including remote environments. As the creator of the CultureWise Operating System, David provides a practical, proven framework that helps organizations develop, implement, and sustain high-performing cultures.
The Secret to Healthy Aging

In this episode of Mike on the Mic, I uncover the secrets to healthy aging and lifelong fulfillment through personal stories and reflections as I approach my 60th birthday. From navigating financial setbacks to redefining success and finding renewed purpose, I delve into the power of keeping your “peak” ahead of you.
100th Episode – The Most Important Characteristic of Great Leadership Teams

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.
How to Lower Your Risk of Terminating an Employee with Marc Gross

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.
Igniting Commitment and Keeping Top Talent with Joe Mull

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.
9 Ways to Bring Core Values to Life

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.
Doing Remote and Hybrid Right with Wayne Turmel

In this episode of the Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with Wayne Turmel, a remote and hybrid work expert from the Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent 26 years fascinated by how people communicate- or don’t- at work. He’s the author of 16 books, including The Long Distance Leader. Wayne shares his insights on the future of work, leadership in a remote environment, and the essential components of building successful hybrid teams.
The Power of Openness and Honesty with Ken Bogard and Grace Gavin

In this episode of the Better Leadership Team Show, I chat with Ken Bogart and Grace Gavin, co-founders of Know Honesty, about the power of openness and honesty in leadership and communication. We explore their six practices for fostering genuine dialogue, including breaking down communication barriers, embracing vulnerability, and using their Pursuit of Honesty Assessment to measure progress.
From Adversity to Advantage with John Register

In this episode of the Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with John Register, a decorated Persian Gulf war veteran, Paralympic silver medalist, and a true leader in turning adversity into an advantage. John shares his remarkable journey from experiencing a life-changing accident to becoming a global influencer and leadership coach. We explore his ‘Amputate to Elevate’ model, diving into how it can be applied to both personal and professional transformations.