Things Leaders Do
Colby Morris
Things Leaders Do is the go-to podcast for leaders who want real, actionable strategies—not just theory. Whether you're a new leader stepping into management or a seasoned executive refining your skills, host Colby Morris delivers practical tools and processes you can start using today to lead with confidence, clarity, and impact.
Each episode breaks down key leadership topics with humor, insight, and real-world application, covering:
✅ How to communicate effectively and build trust in your team
✅ The secrets to high-performance leadership and team culture
✅ Handling setbacks and leading under pressure
✅ How to be a people-first leader without losing accountability
✅ Mastering the balance between strategy, execution, and influence
No fluff. No vague concepts. Just tactical advice that helps you grow as a leader and drive real results in your business or organization.
Subscribe now and join thousands of leaders leveling up their skills. Because leadership isn’t about what you say—it’s about what you do.
🔑 Keywords: leadership, leadership development, new managers, executive coaching, team culture, business growth, personal development, management strategies, communication skills, success, accountability, productivity
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Top 10 Things Leaders Do Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Things Leaders Do episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Things Leaders Do for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Things Leaders Do episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Stop Chaos Before It Starts: The Leader’s Playbook
Things Leaders Do
03/05/25 • 12 min
Episode Title: "Stop Chaos Before It Starts: The Leader’s Playbook"
Host: Colby Morris
Episode Overview
Chaos doesn’t have to define your leadership. In this episode, Colby Morris turns Jocko Willink’s chaos-detachment mindset into a proactive game plan. Learn three practical tools—clear expectations, extreme ownership, and relentless communication—to build a team culture that stops mayhem in its tracks. Packed with real-world stories and steps you can use today, this is leadership made simple.
Key Topics: Leadership strategies, chaos-resistant culture, team clarity, ownership, communication
Listen Now!
Available on your favorite podcast platform—search "Things Leaders Do" and hit play!
Key Takeaways
- Set Clear Expectations: Use Role Clarity Conversations to wipe out confusion and keep chaos away.
- Build Ownership: Teach your team to ask, “What can I own?”—it’s the ultimate chaos-stopper.
- Communicate Relentlessly: Run a 10-minute Daily Huddle to keep your team synced and surprises at zero.
Listener Challenge: Try one tool this week—like the Daily Huddle—and let me know how it goes on LinkedIn!
Episode Highlights
- Colby shares how a team turned chaos into calm by asking, “What’s your top three?”—a simple fix with big impact.
- Inspired by Extreme Ownership, hear about a project manager who saved a deadline by stepping up when it wasn’t “his job.”
- The Daily Huddle in action: Colby contrasts a CEO’s launch flop with a team that nailed it through daily syncs.
- A final nudge: Pick one tool and run with it—plus, a hint about next week’s episode!
Resources Mentioned
- Book: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
- Connect with Colby: LinkedIn Profile –
- (https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/)
- Book Colby for keynotes, workshops, and coaching.
- (nxtstepadvisors.com)
Why You’ll Love This Episode
Overwhelmed by team chaos? Colby Morris, COO and leadership expert, breaks down three tools—clarity, ownership, and communication—to stop mayhem before it starts. From a team turnaround to a deadline-saving win, this episode delivers real examples and a clear plan to lead with less stress. Perfect for new managers or seasoned pros.
SEO Keywords: Leadership in chaos, proactive culture building, team clarity, ownership, communication strategies
Get Involved
- Share Your Story: Have a chaos tale? Connect or message on LinkedIn—it could feature next time!
- Rate & Review: Loved it? Drop a 5-star review on your podcast platform—it helps us reach more leaders.
- Connect: Share your favorite tool with #ThingsLeadersDo and tag @ColbyMorris.
- Colby's LinkedIn Profile
- Things Leaders Do Instagram
11/06/24 • 16 min
Leading Under Pressure: 3 Powerful Strategies to Thrive in High-Stakes Environments
In today’s episode of the Things Leaders Do podcast, Colby Morris tackles a crucial topic for leaders navigating challenging, high-stakes environments. When everything is moving fast, and chaos feels like the only constant, how do you stay grounded and lead effectively?
Colby shares three unique, actionable strategies that empower leaders to remain clear-headed and make purposeful decisions under pressure. This episode goes beyond the basics, offering practical advice designed for those moments when there’s no time to waste.
What You’ll Learn:
- Proactive Adaptability: How to mentally prepare for the unexpected through “what-if” scenario planning.
- Leveraging Team Strengths in Real-Time: The power of tapping into each team member’s unique skills—and why training them to be problem solvers is key.
- Reflect Before Reacting: A three-step method to keep yourself intentional and avoid knee-jerk reactions in chaotic situations.
Actionable Takeaways: Gain tools you can apply today to become a more effective, resilient leader who thrives even when things get tough.
Key Highlights:
- Leading in High-Stakes Situations: Why preparation and adaptability are essential for confident leadership
- Building Problem Solvers: Empowering your team to take initiative when it matters most
- Clarity Under Pressure: How self-reflection can be your greatest tool to stay strategic
Connect with Colby on LinkedIn
Join Colby on LinkedIn for more insights and to share your leadership experiences! [Link in show notes]
Subscribe & Share
If this episode gave you new insights, subscribe to Things Leaders Do and share it with another leader in your network.
SEO Keywords: high-stakes leadership, leading under pressure, leadership podcast, team strengths, problem-solving team culture, proactive leadership, reflective decision-making, Colby Morris podcast
Debunking the Myths of Psychological Safety for GenX Leaders
Things Leaders Do
10/23/24 • 12 min
Debunking the Myths of Psychological Safety for GenX Leaders
In this episode of the Things Leaders Do podcast, Colby Morris tackles a hot topic in leadership: psychological safety—but with a twist for GenX leaders. Raised in a “tough love” work environment, many GenXers have misconceptions about what psychological safety really means. Is it about avoiding hard conversations? Does it lead to a soft, unaccountable workplace? Colby is here to break those myths wide open.
You’ll learn:
- What psychological safety really is and how it impacts innovation and team performance.
- Why psychological safety is not about avoiding accountability—it’s about creating a culture where people feel safe to contribute, take risks, and own their mistakes.
- How to challenge your team with care, encourage calculated risk-taking, and build trust through mistakes.
- Actionable steps you can take today to start building psychological safety without losing the edge that makes you a great leader.
With relatable stories, humor, and real-life examples, Colby provides a practical roadmap for leaders looking to unlock their team’s potential through psychological safety.
If you’re a GenX leader who’s skeptical of this new leadership trend, this episode will give you the clarity and tools you need to use psychological safety to drive results—without sacrificing accountability or high performance.
Key Takeaways:
- Debunking common myths around psychological safety for GenX leaders
- Challenging your team in ways that encourage growth, not fear
- How to create a safe space for risk-taking and innovation
- Turning mistakes into learning opportunities to build trust
Connect with Colby on LinkedIn:
Join the conversation and connect with Colby on LinkedIn for more insights into leadership and organizational culture. [Link in show notes.]
Subscribe & Share:
If you found this episode valuable, subscribe to Things Leaders Do and share it with another leader in your network. Don’t miss weekly episodes packed with actionable leadership advice.
Succession Planning Will Save Your Company
Things Leaders Do
12/05/23 • 13 min
Succession Planning to Save Your Company
This episode dives deep into the critical but often neglected topic of succession planning. It's not just a fancy buzzword, it's a strategic tool that can make your organization resilient and ready for the future.
Key Takeaways:
- Why it matters: Mitigate risks, boost employee engagement, retain top talent, and ensure a smooth transition when key players move on (lottery win, anyone?).
- Building blocks: Identify key positions, assess your talent pool (don't force the rockstars!), and create career paths with clear expectations.
- Making it work: Develop training, provide mentors, and encourage cross-functional experiences. Communication is key!
- Real-world example: Upbring integrated succession planning into their performance management system, creating a talent pipeline for all leadership positions.
- Tools and tips: Use forms like the Supervisory Skills Verification Form to identify internal leadership potential. Regularly discuss career aspirations in one-on-ones, and leverage mentorship programs.
- Challenges and solutions: Address resistance to change, favoritism concerns, and internal competition with clear communication, employee involvement, and transparency.
- Remember: It's an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Update your plan regularly and commit to your team's growth.
To find out more about Upbring and how you can help, visit their website.
Ready to future-proof your organization? Subscribe, rate, and review "Things Leaders Do"! Connect with Colby on LinkedIn and Instagram to share your thoughts on succession planning.
If AI Can Do Your Job, It’s Time to Lead Differently
Things Leaders Do
04/22/25 • 9 min
If AI Can Do Your Job, It’s Time to Lead Differently
Episode Description:
If AI can do your job, what exactly are you bringing to the table?
This week on Things Leaders Do, Colby Morris delivers a direct challenge to every leader navigating the rise of artificial intelligence:
You can’t automate emotional intelligence.
You can’t delegate trust.
And you sure can’t replace real leadership with a chatbot.
In this short, high-impact episode, you’ll learn:
- Why your team is silently wondering if their work still matters—and how to lead through the fear.
- What AI can do exceptionally well—and what it will never be able to do.
- Why emotional intelligence (EQ) is the one skill that separates real leaders from human-shaped task bots.
- How to use AI as a tool—without using it as a crutch.
- Why the future of leadership is more human, not less.
This episode is designed for your drive to work or wind-down after—so you can listen, reflect, and lead differently by the time you show up.
🔗 Want to connect with Colby or book him to speak? Visit nxtstepadvisors.com or connect with Colby on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/)
Subscribe. Share it with another leader. And show up like only you can.
And you know why? Because those are the things that leaders do.
Part 2: How to Deliver Employee Reviews That Don’t Suck (And Actually Grow Your People)
Things Leaders Do
04/15/25 • 14 min
How to Deliver Employee Reviews That Don’t Suck (And Actually Grow Your People) Part 2
Too many employee reviews feel like an ambush.
But when leaders approach reviews as the culmination of a year’s worth of growth—not a once-a-year evaluation—everything changes.
In this episode of Things Leaders Do, Colby Morris walks you through how to conduct employee reviews that build trust, reinforce clarity, and inspire performance. This is Part 2 of our series on Employee Development and Annual Reviews, and we’re focused on the delivery—how to lead the actual conversation with confidence and care.
You'll learn:
- How to make monthly 1:1s the foundation of your review process
- Why great reviews are never a surprise—and what to do if they are
- When and how to schedule reviews to reduce anxiety and build consistency
- How to reframe the review as a story, not just a score
- A simple, objective framework to evaluate SMART goals using real data
Whether the year was full of wins, setbacks, or something in between, this episode will help you turn your review process into a people-first leadership tool—not a performance trap.
Want more leadership insights or training for your team?
Colby Morris provides keynotes, leadership coaching, and custom workshops to help organizations build strong, people-first cultures.
Connect with Colby:
- LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/) and join the ongoing conversation about what real leadership looks like today.
Subscribe, share, and start leading reviews that grow people—not blindside them.
04/10/25 • 13 min
Employee Reviews That Don’t Suck (And Actually Grow Your People)
Let’s be honest: most employee reviews suck. They’re vague, awkward, once-a-year rituals that everyone dreads—and nobody grows from.
But they don’t have to be.
In this episode of Things Leaders Do, Colby Morris breaks down how to build employee development plans that actually work—with SMART goals that connect to your team’s real career aspirations, and a system to track progress month after month.
You’ll learn:
✅ How to ditch the checkbox review culture
✅ How to build SMART goals your team actually cares about
✅ How to break annual goals into quarterly and monthly wins
✅ How to create a simple, powerful one-page development plan
✅ And why most reviews feel like punishment—but don’t have to
If you want to stop phoning it in and start building a culture where reviews lead to real growth, this episode is your roadmap. Plus, Colby shares real-life stories (yes, even the ones where he learned the hard way), so you can skip the mistakes and level up your leadership game faster.
🔔 Subscribe. Share it with the leader who’s still using last year’s copy-paste review template.
And if you’re looking for keynote speakers, workshops, or coaching that doesn’t suck either—Colby’s your guy.
Connect with Colby on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/)
or at his webpage: nxtstepadvisors.com (no "E" in NXT)
Mentoring and Coaching: Developing the Next Generation of Leaders
Things Leaders Do
04/03/25 • 15 min
Mentoring and Coaching: Developing the Next Generation of Leaders
Description:
Discover how to empower the next generation of leaders through effective mentoring and coaching in this episode of the TLD podcast! Join leadership expert Colby Morris as he reveals actionable strategies for leadership development. Learn why your true legacy as a leader lies in the leaders you nurture, not just your own successes.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to spot future leaders with high potential for growth
- A practical, step-by-step guide to impactful mentoring conversations
- The importance of real-time, honest feedback in shaping leadership skills
- Top training resources, including must-read books and courses for leaders
- Ways to set clear leadership expectations and provide ongoing support
Perfect for executives, managers, or anyone eager to enhance their leadership approach, this episode delivers practical mentoring tips and coaching strategies to build a team of confident, capable leaders. Packed with inspiring stories and expert advice, it’s your go-to resource for leadership training and development.
Connect with Colby
- LinkedIn: Colby Morris
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/
- Website: nxtstepadvisors.com (N-X-T, no E)
Want Colby to speak or coach? Hit him up on LinkedIn or the website.
Subscribe now to transform your leadership journey and start developing the next generation of leaders today!
Tags: #Leadership #Mentoring #Coaching #LeadershipDevelopment #NextGenerationLeaders
03/27/25 • 13 min
Leading Through Bad News: How to Lead with Clarity, Compassion, and Trust
Episode Description:
How do you lead when the news is bad—layoffs, downsizing, even tragedy in the workplace?
In this episode of Things Leaders Do, Colby Morris shares three essential tools to help leaders navigate the toughest moments with clarity, compassion, and trust. Grounded in the wisdom of Brené Brown—“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.”—this episode is a blueprint for delivering hard news without damaging your culture or credibility.
Whether you’re preparing for difficult conversations or leading your team through uncertainty, this episode delivers practical leadership moves you can use immediately.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to communicate bad news with honesty and empathy
- What to do when you don’t have all the answers
- How to build trust and stability when your team needs it most
- Why silence and corporate spin erode leadership credibility
- Leadership habits that preserve culture during crisis
About the Host:
Colby Morris is a leadership strategist, executive coach, and host of Things Leaders Do. He helps leaders build trust, drive performance, and lead with clarity—especially in high-stakes environments.
Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colbymorris
Learn more at: nxtstepadvisors.com (That’s N-X-T, no E)
The Leadership Cycle: Building Trust, Relationships, and Influence for Effective Leadership
Things Leaders Do
03/20/25 • 11 min
The Leadership Cycle: Building Trust, Relationships, and Influence for Effective Leadership
Episode Summary
Discover how trust, relationships, and influence form a powerful cycle that drives leadership success. In this episode, Colby Morris unpacks John Maxwell’s quote, “Leadership is influence,” and introduces the leadership cycle: trust builds relationships, and relationships earn influence. With actionable tools and real-world examples, you’ll learn how to motivate your team and lead effectively.
What You’ll Learn
- Proven leadership strategies to spark team motivation.
- How to build trust and earn influence with team motivation techniques.
- Why generic leadership fails—and how to use custom leadership approaches.
- The leadership cycle: trust → relationships → influence.
Key Takeaways
- Motivation is Personal: Use leadership tools like asking great questions to unlock your team’s drive.
- Influence is Earned: Adapt to your team’s needs and explain the ‘why’ to gain trust.
- Customize Your Leadership: Tailor your style for maximum impact on each team member.
Real Stories, Real Impact
- Jordan’s Turnaround: A drifting employee becomes a leader when Colby taps into his need for mastery.
- Sarah’s Data Win: A skeptical analyst buys into a system after a numbers-based pitch.
- Mike’s Comeback: A top performer rebounds when given room to own his process.
Leadership Moves (Try One This Week!)
- Tool #1: Ask a team member, “What drives you?”
- Tool #2: Tweak your approach to match someone’s style.
- Tool #3: Ask, “Does my leadership work for you?”
Why It Matters
Leadership isn’t a title—it’s action. This episode gives you practical leadership strategies to build trust, strengthen relationships, and earn influence for real results.
FAQ: Leadership Cycle Explained
- What is the leadership cycle?
It’s the process where trust builds relationships, and relationships earn influence—the core of effective leadership. - How does trust impact leadership?
Trust is the foundation. Without it, relationships weaken, and influence disappears.
Connect with Colby
- LinkedIn: Colby Morris
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/
- Website: nxtstepadvisors.com (N-X-T, no E)
- Want Colby to speak or coach? Hit him up on LinkedIn or the website.
Challenge
Try one tool this week. Did it build trust or boost influence? Share your story in the comments or on LinkedIn with Colby.
Subscribe & Share
Loved this? Subscribe and share it with a leader who needs it. Let’s move leadership forward!
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FAQ
How many episodes does Things Leaders Do have?
Things Leaders Do currently has 85 episodes available.
What topics does Things Leaders Do cover?
The podcast is about Success, Accountability, Leadership, Personal Development, Productivity, Podcasts, Executive Coaching, Self-Improvement, Education, Business Growth, Leadership Development and Business.
What is the most popular episode on Things Leaders Do?
The episode title 'Part 2: How to Deliver Employee Reviews That Don’t Suck (And Actually Grow Your People)' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Things Leaders Do?
The average episode length on Things Leaders Do is 14 minutes.
How often are episodes of Things Leaders Do released?
Episodes of Things Leaders Do are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Things Leaders Do?
The first episode of Things Leaders Do was released on Aug 2, 2023.
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