Great leadership starts with connecting as a person, not commanding from a position. In this episode, Karin Reed is joined by Mark Carpenter, the best-selling author of “Lead Like a Person, Not a Position,” to discuss how leaders can prioritize human connection over authority. Mark shares the personal regrets that fueled his mission to help leaders avoid the pitfalls of positional power and lead with empathy and humanity.

Through a career anecdote, Mark points out the consequences of leadership that’s rooted in authority—damaged trust, strained relationships, and high turnover—and explains why treating team members as people rather than subordinates is essential in today’s knowledge-based economy.

Mark introduces three actionable behaviors for leading like a person: listening intently to understand issues fully, communicating clearly to build trust, and recognizing contributions in meaningful ways. These habits do not only strengthen teams but also foster environments where people thrive.

The episode also tackles the challenge of leading authentically in cultures that reward hierarchy. Mark provides insights on whether those environments align with a leader’s values and shares a success story of a leader who embraced these principles to build a solid team.

Mark’s final takeaway? Leadership is a choice. Be intentional about the legacy you want to create.

Quotes

• “The times that I had the most regrets about were the times when I treated people less well than they deserve. I didn't treat people like the people they deserve to be treated like.” (01:56 | Mark Carpenter)
• “If you’re not listening intently, you are likely, as a leader, to come up with a brilliant solution to the wrong problem.” (11:45 | Mark Carpenter)
• “You can’t hold people accountable for behaviors that you haven’t made clear to them. And so, communicating intentionally is being really clear about what those expectations are.” (16:13 | Mark Carpenter)
• “Be intentional and conscious about who you want to be as a leader and what legacy you want to leave behind as a leader.” (25:34 | Mark Carpenter)

Links

Connect with Mark Carpenter:

Website: LeadLikeAPerson.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-carpenter-0b55221/

Connect with Karin Reed:

Website: www.speakerdynamics.com

Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/

Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

"If we're going to communicate something to anyone, particularly a large organization, we've got to ensure that they are aware of the condition that we're in, aware of the change." says John Cerqueira, founder of Pinwheel Associates. In this episode, John joins Karin Reed to explore the art of leading through change and communicating that well, offering strategies to ensure that transitions are not only understood but embraced.

John introduces the ADKAR model—Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement—as a practical framework for engaging employees and sustaining progress.

Can leaders balance the logistics of change with the human element? John believes they can. By prioritizing transparency, fostering buy-in, and reinforcing initiatives, leaders can turn resistance into alignment. He shares a case study from a global pharmaceutical company that successfully implemented change through thoughtful communication and consistent follow-through.

John also reflects on his personal experience running for public office, applying principles like gratitude, service, and abundance to manage uncertainty and build trust.

Whether you’re leading a team through a significant shift or planning for future changes, this episode offers practical advice to help you inspire confidence, manage uncertainty, and create meaningful impact.

Quotes

• "If we're going to communicate something to anyone, particularly a large organization, we've got to ensure that they are aware of the condition that we're in, aware of the change." (9:44 | John Cerqueira)
• “The fundamental model that I rely on is a model of call it: gratitude, service, and abundance, to offset and neutralize the natural fear of change and to make way for us to operate in terms of service, which is really the path, the motive that allows us to show up as our best selves.” (23:05 | John Cerqueira)
• "It is super important to recognize the human emotional element. We are emotional creatures, not just because we've been groomed to be that way from a physiological perspective." (28:37 | John Cerqueira)
• “Recognizing that every individual, when they experience change, is prone to feeling threatened is particularly important. And I don't mean you have to pull punches, but just recognizing that to manage your messaging, recognizing that to manage the frustration that I see a lot of leaders feeling when they think, ‘Gosh, this is so simple. Why doesn't everyone just follow this path?’ is helpful for everybody.” (29:25 | John Cerqueira)

Links

Connect with John Cerqueira:

Website: pinwheelassociates.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-cerqueira-5a22963/

Connect with Karin Reed:

Website: www.speakerdynamics.com

Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/

Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“One of my favorite things about doing this podcast has been the opportunity to learn new things. And I hope that you've had the same opportunity as well in listening to these conversations. I'm really excited to continue the conversation next year with all of you,” shares Karin Reed, as she reflects on the podcast’s journey. She expresses heartfelt gratitude for the incredible support from listeners and takes a look back at some of the most impactful moments from episodes from the past year.

Karin revisits her conversation with Matt Abrahams, who reframed small talk as a meaningful opportunity for connection, and J.D. Schramm, who highlighted the power of storytelling to make data relatable. She also shares Guy Kawasaki’s perspective on taking action and making decisions right, Dorie Clark’s advice to pursue what captivates you for personal and professional fulfillment, and Julia Korn’s strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome through vulnerability and intentional self-reflection.

This episode is both a celebration of growth and a source of inspiration for the year ahead. Karin invites listeners to carry these insights forward and share their communication challenges for future episodes as she prepares to welcome new guests and fresh perspectives for 2025.

Quotes

• "We have to rebrand small talk. Big things happen during small talk. We connect, we collaborate, we build trust, future relationships." (01:43 | Matt Abrahams)
• "You first have to understand the data and then you have to figure out a narrative that lets other people understand it." (06:07 | J.D. Schramm)
• "If you want to be remarkable, the way you do that is you make a difference. You make the world a better place." (09:11 | Guy Kawasaki)
• “If you're optimizing for interesting, you're choosing things that are genuinely meaningful and cool to you. It doesn't have to be meaningful to society in the sense of like you're saving a life every day, but I mean, it could be. It's something that is interesting enough to you that it almost feels like its own reward.” (Dorie Clark | 14:05)
• "Imposter syndrome loves shame. That's its breeding ground. It loves secrecy." (16:10 | Julia Korn)

Links

Connect with Karin Reed:

Website: www.speakerdynamics.com

Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/

Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm