Chris Goede

One of the most important—and often neglected—responsibilities of leadership is building bench strength. Most leaders don’t think about it until a key player leaves, gets promoted, or becomes unavailable. But by then, it’s usually too late. The truth is, strong benches are built long before they’re needed. At the heart of this idea is Level 4 leadership in the 5...

Leadership grows clearer when you grasp how influence vs authority shapes the way people respond to your direction. Many leaders feel the push to deliver strong outcomes and recognize that real commitment rises when they build trust, connection, and shared purpose with their teams. In the Maxwell Leadership Podcast episode “Leader Change: From Position to Influence,” Perry Holley and Chris...

Leaders who practice how to improve negotiation skills raise performance while strengthening relationships. Progress takes shape when they tune in to what people value and move the conversation forward with calm clarity that invites cooperation. As these skills mature, leaders gain influence that people recognize and trust. Decisions feel fair, momentum holds, and partnerships deepen, elevating the leader’s voice and...

Accountability is a tough word for many leaders because it often gets confused with blame. But true accountability is much deeper than taking the fall when something goes wrong; it’s really about ownership. It’s stepping up, taking responsibility for the outcome from the very beginning, and setting the tone for everyone who follows your lead. Over the years, I’ve found...

When it comes to leadership, most people fall into one of two categories: climbers or connectors.Climbers focus on personal career advancement—the next position, promotion, or win. Connectors, on the other hand, prioritize team development, collaboration, and trust. We can all picture leaders who fit each category. But here’s the real question: Which one are you? If I’m being honest, I...

Leadership communication shapes how people connect and work together. Every word a leader shares influences trust, clarity, and culture. When you understand how you measure communication effectiveness, you begin to see that leadership is reflected in how your message lives within the people who hear it. Even strong communicators can miss how their words land. Knowing whether your communication is...