The Step UP – Where Leaders, Talent Managers and Leadership Development pros find expert tips for Leadership excellence
The Step UP - Where Leaders, Talent Managers and Leadership Development pros find expert tips for Leadership excellence
Podcast Description
About the Podcast
The Step Up brings together experts who help leaders elevate their impact. Each 45-minute episode features conversations with thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators who are changing how we think about leadership development and helping leaders step up their game.
Why This Podcast Exists
Throughout my career—from my time at organizations like Korn Ferry, Cargill, General Mills, and Buffalo Wild Wings to my current work as an independent leadership consultant—I've witnessed firsthand how leaders struggle during moments of change and transition and when learning higher-level skills. Work never slows down, and leaders often find themselves trying to grow while in the thick of daily demands.
The Step Up is designed to provide practical wisdom and actionable strategies that busy leaders can implement immediately to enhance their effectiveness.
What to Expect
Each episode follows a two-part format:
Part One: Leadership Journeys
We explore our guest's background, expertise, and unique perspective on leadership development. You'll hear authentic stories about their experiences supporting leaders and the insights they've gained along the way.
Part Two: Actionable Strategies
Our guests share three specific, practical tools or approaches that you can apply to your leadership right away. We dig into each one, discussing how to implement it effectively in your unique context.
Your Host
Kent Kniebel brings over 20 years of experience in leadership development, talent management, and DEI consulting to each conversation. Drawing on his background in corporate HR roles and external consulting work, Kent guides discussions that bridge theory and practice, focusing on what really works in today's leadership landscape.
Connect with Kent
Have questions about the podcast or want to continue the conversation? Connect with Kent on LinkedIn or visit Kniebel Leadership Advisory to learn more about his work supporting leaders during critical transitions.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes of leadership development, change management, and coaching with episodes that explore various topics like how discomfort fosters growth, integrating leadership training into daily workflows, and the importance of coachability after promotions. Specific episode examples include insights on managing change with Nick Tasler and strategies for scaling leadership training with Bri Flynn.

About the Podcast
The Step Up brings together experts who help leaders elevate their impact. Each 45-minute episode features conversations with thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators who are changing how we think about leadership development and helping leaders step up their game.
Why This Podcast Exists
Throughout my career—from my time at organizations like Korn Ferry, Cargill, General Mills, and Buffalo Wild Wings to my current work as an independent leadership consultant—I’ve witnessed firsthand how leaders struggle during moments of change and transition and when learning higher-level skills. Work never slows down, and leaders often find themselves trying to grow while in the thick of daily demands.
The Step Up is designed to provide practical wisdom and actionable strategies that busy leaders can implement immediately to enhance their effectiveness.
What to Expect
Each episode follows a two-part format:
Part One: Leadership Journeys
We explore our guest’s background, expertise, and unique perspective on leadership development. You’ll hear authentic stories about their experiences supporting leaders and the insights they’ve gained along the way.
Part Two: Actionable Strategies
Our guests share three specific, practical tools or approaches that you can apply to your leadership right away. We dig into each one, discussing how to implement it effectively in your unique context.
Your Host
Kent Kniebel brings over 20 years of experience in leadership development, talent management, and DEI consulting to each conversation. Drawing on his background in corporate HR roles and external consulting work, Kent guides discussions that bridge theory and practice, focusing on what really works in today’s leadership landscape.
Connect with Kent
Have questions about the podcast or want to continue the conversation? Connect with Kent on LinkedIn or visit Kniebel Leadership Advisory to learn more about his work supporting leaders during critical transitions.
As a certified executive coach, Organizational Development strategist, Impact Measurement & Learning expert, and founder of The Trusted Edge, Kasia Hatcher helps strong women and mission-driven organizations lead with clarity, grounded confidence, and measurable impact. Her 20+ years across 20+ countries includes coaching political appointees, senior foreign service officials, and leaders at Google, Deloitte, and the U.S. State Department. Her approach blends systems thinking, human-centered design, emotional intelligence, and a faith-rooted belief in the power of leading from the inside out.
Today, we’re talking about scaling your business while building and/or maintaining your culture.
A good coach doesn’t just hand you a roadmap; they trust you’ve got the answers within and help you ask the right questions to bridge that pesky inside action gap. Today, we’re diving deep into the art of building and maintaining a kickass culture while scaling your business, especially for all you women founders out there. Our guest, the brilliant Kasha Hatcher, shares her journey from international development to coaching, where she emphasizes that creating a thriving workplace culture starts with intention and trust. We chat about the importance of slowing down to make those aligned decisions that can propel your growth without burning out. So, if you’re ready to step up your leadership game and cultivate a vibe that keeps your team engaged and thriving, you’re in for a treat!
Navigating the wild world of scaling a business can feel like trying to juggle flaming swords while riding a unicycle, right? In this enlightening chat, we’re diving deep into the nitty-gritty of creating a solid company culture as you grow from a one-person show into a bustling team. Kasia Hatcher, our brilliant guest, shares her journey from international development to executive coaching, highlighting the importance of intentional culture-building from the get-go. She emphasizes that a good coach, much like her, won’t just hand you the answers on a silver platter; instead, they’ll help you dig deep into your own motivations and insights. We explore the trials and triumphs of women founders, the inner battles of perfectionism, and the necessity of trust—both in yourself and in your team. This isn’t just about managing people; it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and connected to the mission, even as the ship sails into uncharted waters. So grab your headphones, kick back, and let’s unpack how to scale smartly and sustainably while keeping a vibrant culture alive. Trust me, you won’t want to miss these gems of wisdom!
Takeaways:
- A great coach won’t just hand you answers; they’ll create space for you to find them yourself, which is pretty dope.
- Trust is key in coaching—helping clients bridge the gap between insight and action is what it’s all about.
- When scaling a business, intentionally crafting your culture from day one is crucial for long-term success and team alignment.
- Women founders often struggle with perfectionism and trusting others, which can hold back their business growth.
- Creating a culture that promotes trust and shared understanding among team members leads to better collaboration and innovation.
- Slowing down to make aligned decisions is way more effective than rushing through tasks—remember, quality over quantity!
Links for today’s show:
**Music for this podcast comes from the song Needle & Thread and is provided with permission by Pert’ Near Sandstone. Check them out on PertNeaerSandstone.com and on all major streaming platforms.**
*Editing by Fynn Gentle / www.fynngentle.com

Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.