“You can’t build trust without relatability and authenticity—when your team knows you’re genuine, trust naturally follows.”

In this episode, Craig Anderson sits down with Kyle McDowell, author of Begin With We and founder of Kyle McDowell Inc., to discuss his evolution as a leader and the principles that have shaped his leadership philosophy. Kyle shares how his transformative journey led to the creation of his “10 We’s”—a set of principles designed to foster trust, authenticity, and collaboration within teams.

Reflecting on the highs and lows of his corporate career, Kyle opens up about the mistakes that shaped his leadership style, the challenges of stepping away from the corporate world, and the lessons he learned about relatability and building a culture of excellence.

After You Listen:

• Connect with Kyle McDowell on LinkedIn

• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

• Subscribe to Craig’s "The Evolving Leader" newsletter

Key Takeaways:

• Earn trust by leading with authenticity and relatability

• Inspire teams by removing barriers and empowering them to excel

• Foster a culture of excellence through shared principles and accountability

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(02:10) Leadership lightning round

(07:30) Lessons from leadership mistakes

(13:40) The power of self-reflection in leadership

(18:15) The “10 We’s” and their impact on team culture

(23:10) Overcoming skepticism and earning trust

(30:00) Balancing empathy and accountability as a leader

(37:00) Advice for new and experienced leaders alike

“You can’t lead an organization unless you have people coming alongside you to accomplish that task.”

In this episode, Craig Anderson sits down with Christiana Thornton, CEO of Granite Edvance, to talk about her evolution as a leader and the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership philosophy. Christiana reflects on her journey, from stepping into her first major leadership role to assembling a high-performing team that drives organizational success. She shares the challenges of navigating isolation as a new leader, balancing people-pleasing tendencies with the need for decisiveness, and learning to trust and delegate effectively.

After You Listen:

• Connect with Christiana Thornton on LinkedIn

• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

• Subscribe to Craig’s "The Evolving Leader" newsletter

Key Takeaways:

• Build trust with your team by fostering confidence and collaboration to unlock greater potential

• Lead with confidence by making tough decisions and acting decisively, even when it’s unpopular

• Delegate effectively and empower others by leveraging your team’s strengths to achieve more together

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(02:10) Leadership lightning round

(07:01) The power of trust in leadership

(10:16) Overcoming isolation as a new leader

(13:30) Lessons in delegation and collaboration

(17:45) Balancing ambition with boundaries

(22:20) Building aligned teams for long-term success

“You're setting the direction. But how you get from Point A to Point B is really up to that person.”

In this episode, Craig Anderson sits down with Chrystal Struben, President and CEO at AYS Inc, to share her journey as a leader navigating the complexities of nonprofit organizations. Chrystal reflects on her experience following a 34-year founder, sharing how she developed her unique leadership style while building trust and driving organizational growth.

Chrystal shares the challenges of balancing compassion with accountability and emphasizes the importance of clear communication and empowering teams. With her leadership philosophy, “Be the compass, not the map,” and inspiration from thought leaders like Gino Wickman, she offers practical insights on building trust, managing change, and communicating vision effectively.

After You Listen:

• Connect with Chrystal Struben on LinkedIn

• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

• Subscribe to Craig’s "The Evolving Leader" newsletter

Key Takeaways:

• Set the big vision for your team. Guide, and don’t micromanage

• Embrace structure. Consistency builds trust and clarity, reduces chaos, and aids in smoother operations

• Learn from mentors. Their insights can provide invaluable support and perspective on your leadership journey

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(02:36) Lightning round with leadership insights

(07:13) Be the compass, not the map

(08:28) Building structure to guide your team

(12:39) Why vision must come first in leadership

(16:04) Balancing compassion with leadership authority

(19:51) Leading in mission-driven organizations