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🔍In this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode, Elaine Williams welcomes Ron Reich back for part two of their conversation on leadership, mission statements, and the ripple effect of healthy (or toxic) workplace culture. Ron shares powerful real-world stories from his decades of leadership training—including one tearful turning point with a struggling plant manager—and how true leadership starts with empathy, self-awareness, and connection.

Elaine also shares a vulnerable moment of realization about how she sometimes becomes her own worst boss—and how entrepreneurs often recreate chaotic environments out of habit. Together, they dive into what it means to truly lead, whether you’re managing a team or managing yourself.

🎧 Don’t miss this conversation packed with honesty, warmth, and wisdom.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Why many leaders unintentionally isolate themselves—and how to shift to a collaborative mindset.
• The surprising leadership gap solopreneurs face with themselves.
• How emotional self-awareness is key to effective, empathetic leadership.
• The transformative power of vulnerability in teams and in personal growth.
• Why “preparation is a form of love”—and how it builds trust in speaking and training environments.

📌 Quotes for Social Media:

1. “Leadership is not ‘I’ll fix it myself.’ It’s: ‘Who else has ideas?’” – Ron Reich
2. “Solo entrepreneurs need mission statements too—because you’re leading yourself.” – Elaine Williams
3. “Culture is how it feels to work with you, whether you’re managing others or just managing yourself.”
4. “You don’t have to carry it all alone. That’s the lie that keeps leaders stuck.”
5. “A smile and a breath can shift the entire room—and your nervous system.”
6. “Healing happens when we stop recreating chaos and start choosing compassion.”
7. “Preparation is love in action—whether you’re leading a team or taking the mic.” – Ron Reich

Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams:
Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel
Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website
Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date!

Send us a text

Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams:
Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel
Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website
Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date!

Send us a text

📝 Show Notes Summary

In this powerful episode, Elaine welcomes her first male guest to Captivate the Mic — master trainer, leadership consultant, and communicator Ron Reich. Together, they explore what leadership truly looks like in 2025 and how the best leaders today are creating space, safety, and culture from the inside out.

Ron shares wisdom on how to handle emotionally charged situations using his “PRD Model” (Pause, Reflect, Decide), and offers strategies for building psychological safety, even in blue-collar or high-turnover environments. From feedback stories to leadership blind spots, this conversation is rich with actionable insight and surprising depth.

💡 Key Takeaways

• PRD Model: Pause, Reflect, then Decide — a powerful tool for responding vs. reacting
• **Why “What’s NOT Changing” is vital during times of transition
• **The real difference between managing and leading
• **How feedback (even the tough kind) can sharpen your leadership if you listen deeply
• **Why top-down culture-building often fails — and what works instead
• **Creating psychological safety starts before the training even begins
• **How to invite quieter team members to contribute without forcing them

🔥 Pull Quotes

• “We don’t talk enough about what’s not changing — that’s where the anchor is.”
• “Leadership isn’t about talking more. It’s about creating the space so others feel safe enough to speak.”
• “You know you’re leading well when you can sit back and drink tea.”
• “Great cultures aren’t dictated. They’re co-created.”

Ron Reich – Leadership Expert | Executive Coach | Corporate Trainer

Ron Reich is a seasoned leadership consultant and executive coach with over 28 years of experience in training design, development, and facilitation. He specializes in cultivating high-performing leaders through impactful leadership and management development, executive coaching, supervision training, and dynamic team-building experiences.

With a deep understanding of organizational behavior and communication dynamics, Ron is known for creating safe, transformative learning environments where individuals and teams thrive. His engaging facilitation style and practical, real-world insights have made him a trusted partner for companies across a wide range of industries.

A lifelong learner and voracious reader, Ron stays at the forefront of leadership trends, research, and best practices through his daily habit of reading articles, newsletters, and books. He brings that curiosity and rigor to every training session and coaching conversation, helping clients evolve with purpose and precision.

Elaine and Ron have been colleagues and friends for years. They both LOVE personal development and the unlimited possibilities of human potential and all things leadership!

Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams:
Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel
Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website
Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date!