What do you do when someone spills your secret...before you've had the chance to speak your truth?

That's exactly what happened to Leslie - a beloved, non-nonsense leader known for her compassion and integrity - when her boss found out she was planning to leave... from someone outside the company.

In this episode, Velma walks you through a career moment that could've shattered trust - and how consistent authenticity turned it into a bridge, not a breakdown.

You'll hear:

A story that hits close to home - awkward meetings, honest words, and leadership grace.

The science behind why authenticity creates psychological safety.

A big idea to reshape how you show up - especially when the stakes are high.

🎁Plus: Grab your free download with: 8 Ways to Handle Workplace Conflict Without Losing Your Cool (or Your Mind) ➡️Available now at LeadersPathway.com

If you're leading people - or preparing to - this episode is for you.

Because surface-level leadership is out... and real connection starts with real you.

Struggling to lead a team member who shuts down, pushes back, or seems impossible to reach? You’re not alone—and this episode delivers the breakthrough you’ve been craving.

In this high-impact episode of Leaders Pathway, Velma Knowles doesn’t hand out fluff—she delivers a laser-focused painkiller for one of leadership’s most emotionally draining challenges: disconnection.

💥 Discover the second secret in Velma’s five-part blueprint to build stronger connections at work: the power of a specific, well-placed compliment.

Forget generic “good jobs.” This episode reveals how a single, honest compliment—rooted in precision and truth—melted years of tension for one coaching client named Susan. What happened next was nothing short of a workplace transformation.

🔍 Learn the neuroscience of appreciation vs. recognition, and why your team craves one far more than the other. You’ll walk away knowing exactly how to speak to your team’s deepest emotional drivers—without manipulation, fluff, or forced cheerleading.

❤️ Want to go deeper? Explore the 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace and learn how to personalize praise so it actually lands. Click here to unlock the series »

🔥 Velma leaves you with a bold, actionable challenge that could flip your workplace dynamic in just 24 hours.

If you’re ready to turn cold, resistant relationships into collaborative, trust-filled partnerships, hit play now.

Your next promotion might just depend on it.

Struggling to connect with someone at work? You’re not alone.

Whether you’re leading a team, managing up, or collaborating with colleagues, better workplace relationships start with one simple but powerful shift: finding common ground.

In this episode, I share a personal story—how a migraine patch, of all things, helped me build a meaningful connection with someone I once avoided.

💡 You’ll learn how this moment turned a frustrating relationship into a productive partnership—and how you can do the same.

✅ Discover the first of 5 simple steps to strengthen your workplace relationships

✅ Learn why connection is the secret ingredient to better communication, collaboration, and trust

✅ Hear how leaders like YOU can turn everyday moments into breakthroughs

✅ Get real-world strategies to stop being a headache… or getting one from someone else

👇 Ready to level up your leadership communication?

🎯 Book your FREE leadership coaching call now at LeadersPathway.com

Let’s uncover the roadblocks holding you back and build the connection strategy that fits your leadership style.

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned—more powerful connection steps are coming your way to help you build stronger workplace relationships that last.

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#LeadersPathway