Leadership Energy: How Your Stress Affects Your Team | Growth by Design

In this episode of Growth by Design, Rob Graham and Ross Rosner dig into a topic that shows up in every organization, whether leaders realize it or not, leadership energy.

The conversation centers on a simple but often overlooked reality. Teams tend to mirror the emotional tone set at the top. When leaders operate in constant urgency or unmanaged stress, that pressure travels quickly through the organization, often showing up as burnout, disengagement, or confusion.

Rob and Ross talk through common leadership pitfalls, including living in reaction mode, failing to define true priorities, and skipping recovery altogether. They also share practical ways leaders can create stability through clear communication, consistent expectations, and intentional rhythms that allow teams to perform without feeling overwhelmed.

You’ll hear real-world perspective on managing stress as a leader, why recovery is not a luxury, and how small shifts in presence and clarity can have an outsized impact on culture and performance.

This episode is for leaders who want calmer teams, better decision-making, and a more sustainable way to lead.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to leadership energy

01:06 The contagious nature of stress

01:45 Common leadership pitfalls

03:00 The importance of recovery rhythm

07:07 Weekly check-ins and stabilizing leadership

09:44 Personal stress management

11:21 Final thoughts and takeaways

The High Cost of Being Nice: Effective Feedback for Business Growth | Growth by Design

Being nice can feel like the right move in leadership. But avoiding feedback comes at a real cost.

In this episode of Growth by Design, hosts Rob Graham and Ross Rosner unpack why silence is not kindness, and how feedback avoidance quietly undermines teams, performance, and long-term growth. Strong leadership is not about staying comfortable. It is about being clear.

Through real-world examples, Rob and Ross explore what happens when tough conversations are delayed, and how structured feedback creates healthier teams and better outcomes. When managers and employees communicate early and consistently, expectations improve and trust follows.

The episode also introduces a simple three-part feedback framework, observation, impact, and expectations. This approach helps leaders address issues without emotion or confusion, keeping conversations focused on progress rather than blame.

For anyone managing people, this conversation matters. Addressing feedback head-on is one of the most effective ways to protect culture, support teams, and drive meaningful business growth.

00:00 Introduction to Growth by Design 00:51 The Cost of Delayed Feedback 02:36 Importance of Feedback Loops 07:37 Real-Life Examples and Solutions 09:36 Effective Feedback Strategies 12:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Power Duo: Why CEO and CHRO Alignment Transforms Businesses | Growth by Design

In this episode of Growth by Design, Rob Graham and Ross Rosner dig into one of the most important, and often underestimated, leadership relationships in any organization, the alignment between the CEO and the CHRO.

The conversation starts with how the role of HR has evolved. What was once viewed as largely administrative is now a strategic function that directly influences growth, culture, and performance. Rob and Ross talk through why companies that treat HR as a true business partner consistently outperform those that don’t.

Using data-backed insight and real-world experience, they explore what strong CEO and CHRO alignment actually looks like in practice. Shared vision, joint accountability, clear communication, and decisions grounded in data all play a role in turning people strategy into a real competitive advantage.

This episode offers practical takeaways for leaders who want better execution, stronger teams, and a people strategy that supports the broader business goals, not one that operates in a silo.

If you’re a CEO, CHRO, or senior leader looking to strengthen how your organization thinks about talent and leadership, this conversation is well worth your time.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Growth by Design

00:12 The CEO and CHRO partnership

00:36 The evolving role of HR

01:32 Why HR is a strategic function

02:53 HR’s role in business decisions

07:54 Communication and leadership alignment

09:58 Practical takeaways and conclusion