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.
Anna Marie Samson is a people-focused leader, strategist, and culture builder with a passion for helping organizations grow without losing what makes them human.
With experience spanning learning and development, talent management, and organizational effectiveness, Anna Marie has spent her career designing systems that unlock performance, engagement, and joy at work.
With over two decades of shaping people strategy in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments such as Celanese, FedEx, and Wingstop, she brings experience leading global talent teams across manufacturing, retail, and hospitality sectors.
In her current role as Vice President of Learning, People, and Culture at Nothing Bundt Cakes she leads the creation of scalable HR infrastructure, enterprise learning strategy, leadership development systems, and culture initiatives, that supports 800 locations.
Anna Marie brings a unique combination of operational discipline and strategic foresight in helping teams scale, leaders grow, and cultures thrive through periods of change. Whether she’s building learning ecosystems, coaching leaders, or shaping company culture, Anna Marie brings clarity, warmth, and a bias toward action. Outside of work, she’s a mom of three, a connector, and a lifelong learner who believes that great leadership starts with curiosity, courage, and care.
We’re diving deep into the art of leadership today, and let me tell you, the main takeaway is all about embracing mistakes as part of the journey. We’re chatting with Anna Marie Samson, the VP of People for Nothing Bundt Cakes, and she’s got some golden nuggets of wisdom to share about how leaders can create a culture where it’s okay to fail. The episode kicks off with a refreshing reminder that indecision can drain more time and resources than making the wrong call. We’ll talk about how giving your team the green light to experiment can supercharge their willingness to engage and innovate. Plus, we’ll unpack the power of transparency in leadership and how asking the right questions can elevate decision-making quality. So grab your favorite snack—maybe a bundt cake, if you can—and let’s get into some real talk about making leadership easier and more impactful!
Ever felt like the corporate world is a rollercoaster? Well, grab your seatbelt because we’re diving into the chaos of leadership in this episode! Kent Kniebel, your trusty host, chats with Anna Marie Samson, the VP of People at Nothing Bundt Cakes (yup, the yummy cake place!). They kick things off by discussing how indecision can cost organizations more than making the wrong call. Anna Marie shares some gold nuggets from her experience, emphasizing that leaders should encourage risk-taking and experimentation. It’s all about creating that safe space where teams can make mistakes, learn quickly, and bounce back like a rubber ball. You’ll get a peek into the evolution of HR as they navigate the complexities of leadership roles. The duo also highlights the importance of transparency in leadership—sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly to build trust and engagement within teams. So, if you’re looking to step up your leadership game and create a more invigorating environment for your crew, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
Takeaways:
- Effective leaders recognize that failure is part of the journey, encouraging teams to learn from mistakes.
- Indecision can be more costly than making a wrong decision, so leaders should promote action.
- Building strong relationships with team members drives engagement and ultimately improves performance.
- Transparency in leadership fosters trust and empowers team members to contribute meaningfully to decisions.
- Encouraging reflective practices in teams enhances their decision-making abilities and promotes growth.
- HR should support leaders by aligning their efforts with organizational goals and prioritizing impactful initiatives.
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.