The Courage of a Leader

This is where top leaders tell real stories about achieving extraordinary results and share practical advice and techniques you can immediately apply for your own success. This is where you will get inspired and take bold, courageous action. Host of The Courage of a Leader™, Amy Riley is a renowned keynote speaker, #1 international best-selling author and sought-after leadership consultant who has been transforming leaders – at all levels – for more than 2 decades. Guests on The Courage of a Leader™ are powerful, successful leaders who are passionate about authentic, engaging, difference-making leadership. Amy gets beyond the theory and dives deep with her guests about how things really work, so you walk away with tangible ideas to grow your influence, inspire your team, and get extraordinary results. Join us to step into the full power of your leadership and achieve what you care about most. Here’s where you’ll ignite The Courage of a Leader! To apply for the show or to book Amy Riley as a guest or keynote speaker, visit The Courage of a Leader website at www.courageofaleader.com.

The Courage of a Leader is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 82.

Unknown Host hosts The Courage of a Leader, a business show with 0 episodes published.

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  Episode #128

  Courage in Action: When Things Don’t Go as Planned – Leading Through Setbacks

  Sep 22, 202629 minS1

  What should we do as leaders when things don’t go according to plan? Setbacks are inevitable. How we respond to them shapes our credibility, our teams, and the leaders we become. In this episode, we explore five hard questions that emerge when a decision fails, a goal is missed, or circumstances force us to rethink the plan. We examine how to respond before defensiveness takes over, how to decide whether persistence or a change in direction is called for, and how to separate genuine accountability from taking responsibility for everything. We also look at what our teams need from us when they are disappointed and how we can create space for learning without rushing everyone toward positivity. A setback does not automatically make us stronger leaders. Growth comes from what we choose to examine and what we change because of it. When we reflect rather than ruminate, turn lessons into new behaviors, and keep taking meaningful risks, we can move forward with greater wisdom, clarity, and courage. Key Takeaways: Respond Before You React: Explore what leadership requires in the first moments after a plan falls apart. Know When to Change Course: Consider the questions that can reveal whether persistence or a pivot is needed. Own What Is Yours: Examine how leaders can take accountability without assuming responsibility for every contributing factor. Help the Team Recover: Discover what people may need from their leader before they are ready to move forward. Turn Setbacks Into Growth: Learn what separates meaningful reflection from simply reliving a difficult leadership experience. Resources from The Courage of a Leader The Inspire Your Team to Greatness assessment (the Courage Assessment ) - In less than 10 minutes, find out where you’re empowering and inadvertently kills productivity, and get a custom report that will tell you step by step what you need to have your team get more done. Get it here: https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/ You don't need to have all the answers to lead well. Get your copy of the Clarity Kit for just $17 to learn the five practices to bring more clarity, confidence and courage into your leadership - https://courageofaleader.com/the-clarity-kit/ About the Host: Amy L. Riley is an internationally renowned speaker, author and consultant. She has over 2 decades of experience developing leaders at all levels. Her clients include Cisco Systems, Deloitte and Barclays. As a trusted leadership coach and consultant, Amy has worked with hundreds of leaders one-on-one, and thousands more as part of a group, to fully step into their leadership, create amazing teams and achieve extraordinary results. Amy’s most popular keynote speeches are: The Courage of a Leader: The Power of a Leadership Legacy The Courage of a Leader: Create a Competitive Advantage with Sustainable, Results-Producing Cross-System Collaboration The Courage of a Leader: Accelerate Trust with Your Team, Customers and Community The Courage of a Leader: How to Build a Happy and Successful Hybrid Team Her new book is a #1 international best-seller and is entitled, The Courage of a Leader: How to Inspire, Engage and Get Extraordinary Results. http://www.courageofaleader.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyshoopriley Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the, podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: The Inspire Your Team to Greatness Assessment (The Courage Assessment) https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/

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  Episode #127

  Courage in Action: How Exceptional Leaders Accelerate Trust

  Sep 8, 202625 minS1

  How can we build trust faster as leaders? Trust grows over time, yet we have more ability to accelerate it than we may realize. Sometimes, a single courageous action can change how someone experiences our leadership. We look at five questions every leader should be asking about trust. We examine what happens when we extend trust first, how everyday behaviors strengthen credibility and connection, and where our good intentions may not match the way others experience us. We also explore what appropriate transparency looks like during uncertainty and why saying “I don’t know yet” can be more trustworthy than silence. We also confront what happens when we get it wrong. A mistake does not automatically have to destroy trust. How we own it, apologize, make it right, and communicate what others can expect from us next can reveal our integrity in powerful ways. When we are willing to go first, trust becomes something we actively create through the choices we make every day. Key Takeaways: Extend Trust First: Explore what can change when we stop waiting for others to earn every ounce of trust before we offer it. Notice What Builds Trust Daily: Consider which everyday leadership behaviors may be strengthening trust, and which ones may be quietly weakening it. Examine How Others Experience You: Discover why our intentions are only part of the trust equation and what else leaders need to pay attention to. Lead Transparently Through Uncertainty: Explore what trustworthy communication can look like when we do not yet have all the answers. Repair Trust When It Breaks: Consider what matters most after a mistake and how our response can shape what happens next. Resources Mentioned The Inspire Your Team to Greatness assessment (the Courage Assessment ) - In less than 10 minutes, find out where you’re empowering and inadvertently kills productivity, and get a custom report that will tell you step by step what you need to have your team get more done. Get it here: https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/ You don't need to have all the answers to lead well. Get your copy of the Clarity Kit for just $17 to learn the five practices to bring more clarity, confidence and courage into your leadership - https://courageofaleader.com/the-clarity-kit/ About the Host: Amy L. Riley is an internationally renowned speaker, author and consultant. She has over 2 decades of experience developing leaders at all levels. Her clients include Cisco Systems, Deloitte and Barclays. As a trusted leadership coach and consultant, Amy has worked with hundreds of leaders one-on-one, and thousands more as part of a group, to fully step into their leadership, create amazing teams and achieve extraordinary results. Amy’s most popular keynote speeches are: The Courage of a Leader: The Power of a Leadership Legacy The Courage of a Leader: Create a Competitive Advantage with Sustainable, Results-Producing Cross-System Collaboration The Courage of a Leader: Accelerate Trust with Your Team, Customers and Community The Courage of a Leader: How to Build a Happy and Successful Hybrid Team Her new book is a #1 international best-seller and is entitled, The Courage of a Leader: How to Inspire, Engage and Get Extraordinary Results. http://www.courageofaleader.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyshoopriley Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the, podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: The Inspire Your Team to Greatness Assessment (The Courage Assessment) https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/

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  Episode #126

  Fearless Feedback: Say What Needs to Be Said Without Damaging the Relationship | Katie O’Brien Ceccarini

  Aug 18, 202637 minS1

  How do you give difficult feedback without damaging trust? Katie O’Brien Ceccarini, author of Fearless Feedback: Everything Managers Have Never Been Taught About Feedback and founder of Endurance Management Coaching, brings two decades of experience leading, managing, and training teams. She shares how leaders can prepare for hard conversations, navigate emotional reactions, and say what needs to be said while preserving the relationship. Katie explains that fearless feedback starts before we ever choose the right words. It begins with our mindset, the strength of the relationship, and the intention we bring into the conversation. When we believe in the other person’s ability to grow, we are more likely to communicate with conviction, clarity, and care. She also shows us how to stay present when feedback brings up defensiveness, emotion, silence, or resistance. Instead of reacting to what we see on the surface, we can get curious about what may be happening underneath. We can acknowledge someone’s experience without abandoning the message, and we can refocus the conversation without turning it into a debate. When we strengthen our mindset, relationships, and delivery, we can give feedback with greater courage, build trust through difficult moments, and create conversations that help people grow. Key Takeaways: Prepare Your Mindset for Feedback: Explore how the beliefs you bring into a conversation can shape how your message is received. Strengthen the Relationship First: Consider how trust and safety can create a stronger foundation for honest feedback. Open the Conversation Well: Discover how a thoughtful headline can make difficult feedback easier to hear and engage with. Navigate Difficult Reactions: Examine how the HEAR framework can help you respond when feedback triggers defensiveness, emotion, or resistance. Make a Better Second Choice: Learn how noticing your first reaction can help you approach challenging feedback conversations with greater courage. Resources Mentioned The Inspire Your Team to Greatness assessment (the Courage Assessment ) - In less than 10 minutes, find out where you’re empowering and inadvertently kills productivity, and get a custom report that will tell you step by step what you need to have your team get more done. Get it here: https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/ You don't need to have all the answers to lead well. Get your copy of the Clarity Kit for just $17 to learn the five practices to bring more clarity, confidence and courage into your leadership - https://courageofaleader.com/the-clarity-kit/ About the Guest: Katie is a developer of people with two decades of experience leading, managing, and training teams. Her career spans early education, a decade at Yelp where she created and scaled all Customer Success training, and then as Head of Learning & Development at Opendoor she elevated employee onboarding and leadership development. She has the rare ability to bridge the gap between what HR and L&D leaders need and what actually lands with leaders in the business. In 2026, she published Fearless Feedback: Everything Managers Have Never Been Taught About Feedback , a practical guide that equips managers for the development and performance conversations that HR professionals depend on them to have. Today, Katie runs Endurance Management Coaching, partnering with organizations like eBay, Munchkin, Vital Farms, and PAN Communications to develop their managers and leaders. Over the past 20 years, she’s managed, trained, and developed thousands of people, and everything she teaches comes from real teams, real conversations, and real results. Katie’s leadership style is best described as human, with standards. She cares deeply and holds a high bar. When she’s not working, she’s getting dirty at the barn with her horse, training for triathlons, or hanging out with her son and husband in Denver. https://www.enduranceboss.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-ceccarini About the Host: Amy L. Riley is an internationally renowned speaker, author and consultant. She has over 2 decades of experience developing leaders at all levels. Her clients include Cisco Systems, Deloitte and Barclays. As a trusted leadership coach and consultant, Amy has worked with hundreds of leaders one-on-one, and thousands more as part of a group, to fully step into their leadership, create amazing teams and achieve extraordinary results. Amy’s most popular keynote speeches are: The Courage of a Leader: The Power of a Leadership Legacy The Courage of a Leader: Create a Competitive Advantage with Sustainable, Results-Producing Cross-System Collaboration The Courage of a Leader: Accelerate Trust with Your Team, Customers and Community The Courage of a Leader: How to Build a Happy and Successful Hybrid Team Her new book is a #1 international best-seller and is entitled, The Courage of a Leader: How to Inspire, Engage and Get Extraordinary Results. http://www.courageofaleader.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyshoopriley Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the, podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: The Inspire Your Team to Greatness Assessment (The Courage Assessment) https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/

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  Episode #125

  The Five Habits Courageous Leaders Use to Prevent Burnout | Sophie Anderson

  Aug 4, 202632 minS1

  We often treat burnout as a personal failure when it is really a warning that our demands have exceeded our available time, energy, and support. Burnout prevention specialist Sophie Anderson shares five courageous habits that help us protect our energy before exhaustion takes over. She challenges us and helps us see how to practically get honest about our priorities, pause before automatically saying yes, create stronger technology boundaries, speak openly when our capacity is stretched, and make space for rest even when guilt shows up. Her perspective reminds us that capability and capacity are not the same, and that being able to do something does not always mean we have the energy or resources to take it on. By noticing the pressure we place on ourselves and making intentional changes, we can reduce overwhelm, support healthier teams, and lead with greater clarity and sustainability. Key Takeaways: Be Clear on Your Priorities: Explore how sorting what truly matters can reduce pressure and create greater focus. Say Maybe Before Saying Yes: Consider how pausing before committing can protect your time and prevent unnecessary overload. Implement Tech Boundaries: Discover how small changes to notifications and availability can reduce distraction and overwhelm. Speak Up About Overwhelm: Examine why honest conversations about capacity can strengthen support and reduce shame. Build in Rest and Recovery: Learn how making space for recovery can help you sustain your energy and leadership. Resources Mentioned Download your copy of the 5 Courageous Habits to Prevent Burnout for Leaders poster at https://www.sophieanderson.au/courage The Inspire Your Team to Greatness assessment (the Courage Assessment ) - In less than 10 minutes, find out where you’re empowering and inadvertently kills productivity, and get a custom report that will tell you step by step what you need to have your team get more done. Get it here: https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/ You don't need to have all the answers to lead well. Get your copy of the Clarity Kit for just $17 to learn the five practices to bring more clarity, confidence and courage into your leadership - https://courageofaleader.com/the-clarity-kit/ About the Guest: Sophie Anderson is a burnout prevention specialist and the creator of the Anderson Model of Burnout Prevention (AMBP™) - a practical framework that maps how burnout accumulates across three zones: Activation, Over-functioning and Depletion, and identifies the intervention points that stop professionals from crossing the threshold into burnout. She works with professionals, leaders and organisations across Australia and worldwide through personal coaching, keynotes and workplace wellbeing programs. Connect with Sophie at : https://www.sophieanderson.au/contact or hello@sophieanderson.au https://www.sophieanderson.au/ambp-framework About the Host: Amy L. Riley is an internationally renowned speaker, author and consultant. She has over 2 decades of experience developing leaders at all levels. Her clients include Cisco Systems, Deloitte and Barclays. As a trusted leadership coach and consultant, Amy has worked with hundreds of leaders one-on-one, and thousands more as part of a group, to fully step into their leadership, create amazing teams and achieve extraordinary results. Amy’s most popular keynote speeches are: The Courage of a Leader: The Power of a Leadership Legacy The Courage of a Leader: Create a Competitive Advantage with Sustainable, Results-Producing Cross-System Collaboration The Courage of a Leader: Accelerate Trust with Your Team, Customers and Community The Courage of a Leader: How to Build a Happy and Successful Hybrid Team Her new book is a #1 international best-seller and is entitled, The Courage of a Leader: How to Inspire, Engage and Get Extraordinary Results. http://www.courageofaleader.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyshoopriley Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the, podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: The Inspire Your Team to Greatness Assessment (The Courage Assessment) https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/

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  Episode #123

  Courage In Action: Inspiring Lasting Engagement

  Jun 30, 202634 minS1

  What if the biggest driver of employee engagement isn't charisma? Amy challenges one of leadership's most common misconceptions, showing why authenticity, presence, and intentional leadership inspire people far more than motivational speeches or big personalities. Through five practical leadership questions, she shares strategies for reconnecting disengaged employees, building trust through everyday interactions, creating a compelling purpose and a clear finish line that exponentially increase engagement, and leading with confidence during times of uncertainty. Amy reminds leaders that lasting engagement is built through consistent presence, honest communication, and making people feel valued. Every interaction is an opportunity to strengthen trust, inspire others, and shape a workplace culture where people can thrive! Want to go deeper? Email info@courageofaleader.com and ask for Chapter 9: Build the Ultimate Corporate Culture from Amy's bestselling book, The Courage of a Leader: How to Inspire, Engage, and Get Extraordinary Results . It's a free resource that expands on the ideas of trust, engagement, compelling purpose, and courageous leadership shared in this episode. Key Takeaways: Trust Over Charisma – Why authentic leadership creates deeper and more lasting engagement than personality alone. Purpose That Inspires – How a compelling purpose and a clear finish line help people connect to meaningful work. Curiosity Before Assumptions – The role genuine conversations play in rebuilding trust with disengaged employees. Consistency Creates Culture – Why everyday leadership behaviors shape trust and engagement more than occasional big moments. Leading Through Uncertainty – How honesty, presence, and vulnerability help teams stay connected when the future feels unclear. Resources Get Your Free Copy of The Inspire Your Team to Greatness assessment (the Courage Assessment ) - In less than 10 minutes, find out where you’re empowering and inadvertently kills productivity, and get a custom report that will tell you step by step what you need to have your team get more done. Get it here: https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/ You don't need to have all the answers to lead well. Get your copy of the Clarity Kit for just $17 to learn the five practices to bring more clarity, confidence and courage into your leadership - https://courageofaleader.com/the-clarity-kit/ About the Host: Amy L. Riley is an internationally renowned speaker, author and consultant. She has over 2 decades of experience developing leaders at all levels. Her clients include Cisco Systems, Deloitte and Barclays. As a trusted leadership coach and consultant, Amy has worked with hundreds of leaders one-on-one, and thousands more as part of a group, to fully step into their leadership, create amazing teams and achieve extraordinary results. Amy’s most popular keynote speeches are: The Courage of a Leader: The Power of a Leadership Legacy The Courage of a Leader: Create a Competitive Advantage with Sustainable, Results-Producing Cross-System Collaboration The Courage of a Leader: Accelerate Trust with Your Team, Customers and Community The Courage of a Leader: How to Build a Happy and Successful Hybrid Team Her new book is a #1 international best-seller and is entitled, The Courage of a Leader: How to Inspire, Engage and Get Extraordinary Results. http://www.courageofaleader.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyshoopriley Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the, podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode: The Inspire Your Team to Greatness Assessment (The Courage Assessment) https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/

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