How to Become a Great Leader | 842

Today's Inside BS Show features leadership coach Renee Scudder and host Dave Lorenzo in a candid, no-fluff conversation about why so many managers struggle when they step into leadership roles. Scudder explains that companies routinely promote top performers for technical skill rather than leadership aptitude, then fail to give them evidence-based training or a coach to guide their first 90 days. The result is costly turnover, stalled growth, and stressed-out teams. 

Key insights they unpack include:

1. Leadership versus management – management is tactical, leadership is strategic and people-centric.
2. Emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and communication skills consistently separate successful leaders from technical geniuses who flame out.
3. Smart firms like Marriott and Disney systematize leadership development through clear culture, metrics, and ongoing coaching.
4. Generational divides and remote work add new complexity; leaders must bridge gaps with deliberate onboarding, hybrid touchpoints, and inclusive language.
5. Celebrations and team bonding still matter, but leaders must model boundaries that keep everyone safe and respected.
6. Not every high performer deserves leadership investment; assess motivation, empathy, and willingness to learn before you write the check. 

Scudder closes with three takeaways: leadership is a learned skill, staying informed is non-negotiable in a fast-shifting world, and every leader’s daily behavior shapes profits, retention, and lives. Nail those three and you will make a great living and live a great life.