In this episode of Leadership Matters by The Bailey Group, Kaylee Thomsen talks with Mike Braun, founder of Pivotal Advisors, about what great leaders actually do. Mike shares how strong leaders shift from being the “answer man” to a coach who asks better questions, builds clarity, encourages feedback, and redefines accountability. Drawing on experience with 4,000+ companies, he explains why promoting top performers doesn’t always create great managers and why transparency matters most during tough moments. They also discuss how to scale teams, define success realistically, and move from daily operations to true leadership. If you’re a founder, sales leader, or manager who wants to build healthier teams and drive stronger results, this episode is packed with practical lessons you can apply right away.

In this episode of Leadership Matters by The Bailey Group, host Kaylee Thomsen brings together a panel of The Bailey Group’s executive coaches for an honest, heartfelt conversation about what truly shapes great leaders. They explore the power of the right conversation at the right time, the pivotal decisions that changed their trajectories, and the mistakes that became turning points. Through stories of executive presence, conflict, vulnerability, and growth, the panel pulls back the curtain on what really happens in executive coaching—and how meaningful reflection creates healthier workplaces, stronger teams, and better humans.If you care about leading with purpose and growing as both a professional and a person, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Leadership Matters, we sit down with Craig Warren, CEO of Washburn Center for Children, for a powerful conversation about what it means to lead with courage, curiosity, and care, especially when the environment feels chaotic.

Craig’s leadership journey has been anything but linear. From his formative experiences in the U.S. military to his work in nonprofit leadership, he’s learned that no book or training fully prepares you for the moments when things don’t go your way. Drawing from both the battlefield and the boardroom, Craig shares how those early lessons taught him to “keep moving” through uncertainty and to cultivate resilience rooted in purpose.

Together, we explore how he’s navigated what he calls “crisis stacking,” why he believes in energy management over time management, and how curiosity fuels his ability to stay grounded and forward-looking as a leader. Craig also brings his passion for mental health advocacy to the conversation, offering insights into early interventions that build healthier children, and, ultimately, a healthier society and workforce.

If you care about leading through complexity without losing your humanity, this conversation will remind you that the most courageous leaders are the ones who stay curious, keep moving, and lead with heart.

In this episode of Leadership Matters, Sals Mondelli joins us for a candid conversation about what it means to lead with heart, resilience, and a relentless commitment to growth. Drawing from his diverse leadership journey, Sals shares how authenticity, trust, and clear vision shape strong teams and lasting impact.

Tune in to hear practical leadership wisdom, personal stories, and strategies for creating meaningful change in any organization.

In this episode of Leadership Matters, we sit down with Jim Willenbring to explore what it means to lead with clarity, trust, and intention. Jim shares pivotal lessons from his leadership journey, reflecting on how effective leaders create space for growth, empower their teams, and navigate complex challenges with confidence.

Whether you’re leading a team, an organization, or shaping your own leadership path, this conversation offers practical insights and real-world wisdom you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Leadership Matters, host Kaylee Thomsen sits down with Ann Houser, CEO of The Bailey Group, to explore what it means to lead leaders. With decades of experience as an executive coach and now as CEO, Ann shares how she blends strategy and self-awareness to guide both her organization and her clients through complexity.
She opens up about her own leadership journey — the lessons, challenges, and mindset shifts that have shaped her — and offers insights for anyone striving to lead with clarity, courage, and purpose.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to lead at the highest level — and how to stay grounded while doing it — this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Leadership Matters, host Kaylee Thomsen sits down with Barb Krantz Taylor, psychologist, executive coach, and Principal Consultant at The Bailey Group, to explore what it truly means to lead with humanity. Barb shares lessons from decades of guiding leaders — from embracing vulnerability to cultivating emotional intelligence — and offers a powerful reminder that great leadership begins with self-awareness.

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