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Leadership gets easier when you stop trying to be the hero and start building the village. We sit down with Kyle Cronk, president and CEO of a YMCA and an executive and life coach, to unpack a simple but radical truth: leadership is about people. Kyle shares how he moved from answer‑giver to convener, and why co‑creating guiding principles with his team outperforms any top‑down manifesto.

You’ll hear how those principles evolved to include equity as the organisation committed to being anti‑racist and multicultural. Kyle explains his BAR framework—belonging, achievement and relationships—and brings it to life with stories, from the first bubbles in a baby swim class to the measurable lift in staff engagement and member retention. We dive into practical systems: empowering 30 managers to lead through shared values, monthly leadership cadences that keep teams aligned, and a senior focus on long‑range strategy so communities without big facilities still get a true YMCA experience. Buildings may draw people in, but people and culture make them stay.

Kyle Cronk also breaks down why the best managers are coaches, echoing research like Google’s Project Oxygen. Coaching looks forward, aligns personal goals with organisational aims and treats life and work as one system. That’s how leaders avoid micromanagement, make better decisions faster and keep talent growing. The conversation closes with a clear takeaway: when people feel they belong, believe they can achieve and trust their relationships, almost nothing is off the table.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a colleague who leads others and leave a quick review so more listeners can find these conversations. Your support helps us raise the BAR for every team.

Music, lyrics, guitar and singing by Dr Ariel Rosita King

Teach me to live one day at a time
with courage love and a sense of pride.
Giving me the ability to love and accept myself
so I can go and give it to someone else.
Teach me to live one day at a time.....

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The Business of Life
Dr Ariella (Ariel) Rosita King
Original Song, "Teach Me to Live one Day At A Time"
written, guitar and vocals by Dr. Ariel Rosita King

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