Reality-Based Leadership

106: AI for Leaders: Better Decisions Faster

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Alex Dorr explores a forward-thinking leadership topic: how to use AI to enhance decision-making, reduce workplace drama, and unlock ...

105: Why High Performers are Hard to Lead (and How Great Leaders Handle It)

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Alex Dorr explores a nuanced leadership question: why can high performers be difficult to lead? Drawing from conversations sparked by...

104: Feeling Disengaged at Work?

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Alex Dorr tackles a challenge that impacts nearly every workplace: disengagement. Prompted by sobering data that nearly 70% of employ...

103: How Drama Multiplies

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Alex Dorr explores a powerful and often overlooked leadership question: does drama have an even bigger impact than we think? Building...

102: The Best Leaders Keep it Simple

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Alex Dorr unpacks a counterintuitive idea for leaders: the best leadership approach is often the most boring—predictable, steady, a...

101: Silent Drama vs Loud Drama

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Alex introduces a refreshed format for the Reality Based Leadership podcast and explores a leadership challenge he frequently hears f...

Rooted in Reality: Fear, Boundaries, and the Call to Connection

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this intimate conversation, Cy and Charlie Pleasant, LCSW dive into the messy beauty of being human in today's challenging environments — explori...

Negativity At Work And How To Address It (Question from a fan)

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Cy and Alex were able to take a fan question that was submitted through the website. The question focused on what to do about ...

Careful To Not Weaponize Reality-Based Leadership With Your Team

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode is all about a common pattern that happens when people are really excited about Reality-Based Leadership, or they just learned som...

Data we HAD to share - Our Leadership Development Learning Series and Process

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Cy and Alex share some incredible insights from Reality-Based Leadership's Leadership Development Series! While many know them for th...

Silence -The Most Underused Tool For Great Leadership

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A leader recently asked Alex and Cy, "What happens when you're trying Reality-Based Leadership or using a tool and everything goes silent? Does that m...

Handling Fake Buy-In From Employees

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One of the top three biggest questions we get at Reality-Based Leadership is, How do I get my team to buy-in? How do I get them to buy into what needs...

Creating Structure to Give Freedom to Employees

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many leaders struggle with giving freedom for their employees to do their best work, because they forget to provide some structure for them to work in...

Disruption-Proofing your team from change with Business Readiness

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you're a leader that is currently leading your team through change, transformation, innovation, and noticing that there is a lot of resistance conc...

A Step by Step to Coaching Beyond Drama and Excuses

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Cy and Alex discuss an important leadership concept they discovered while working on content for Alex's new book. Traditional leaders...

Few Loud Resistors, Many Silent Supporters

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Cy and Alex talk about activating the silent majority at work. Alex and Cy share how they are noticing a trend where leaders are gett...

Are You Over Managing and Under Leading?

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Alex and Cy talk about a pattern they're seeing out there that is really hurting leaders, creating conflict and burning them out. ...

Legacy driven or Outcome driven leadership with Mike Lee

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Alex and Cy connected with Mike Lee to talk about the new rules of the future of leadership. Although these rules are simple rules that you might alre...

Hope Needs A Comeback in Healthcare

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cy and Alex got looking ahead at their schedules and couldn't believe we're already a month away from National Nurse's day, National Nurse's week, Nat...

Over-functioning or Helping Too Much with Reality-Based Leadership?

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One of the core philosophies of living Reality-Based Leadership at work is to stop judging, start helping. People love this as a way to get started a...

Keeping the humanness at work when using Reality-Based Leadership

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever thought that doing Reality-Based Leadership might take the humanness out of work? What Alex and Cy cover in this session is that RBL actually bri...

What's IN and what's OUT in leadership this year?

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Cy and Alex on this episode as they're diving into the latest trends for 2024, inspired by the fun ideas they've seen on TikTok and social media....

Toxic geniuses and high-performers that are high-drama

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Cy and Alex in this thought-provoking episode where they answer the challenging question of what to do with a 'toxic genius' or a high-perfomer t...

Loud drama or silent drama at work? Here's the difference.

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Cy and Alex on this episode as they chat through the times someones shares, "But, we don't really have drama here." This is often where the loud ...

Speak Up Culture?...Tell me more!

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Cy and Alex as they have a fascinating conversation with Stephen Shedletzky (Shed) on how to Create a Speak Up Culture. Listen along as they dive...

[NEW SEASON] Trust at work and how it fits with Reality-Based Leadership

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Back by popular demand, Cy and Alex sit down to talk about the latest topics in leadership as they are out speaking on the circuit with the top leader...

Me & We...The Best of Both Worlds

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Cy in her interview with the amazing Dr. Laura, an Industrial/Organizational and Career Psychologist who has over 20+ years experience in the fi...

The Great Midlife Edit

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Cy in her interview with Chip Conley, founder of Modern Elder Academy where they discuss his transition from being a boutique hotelier for 24yrs ...

Moving Through Fear

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Cy in her interview with Adrian Koehler, host of The Naked Leadership Podcast where they discuss his transition from pediatric intensive care to ...

Normalizing the Mess

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Cy in her discussion with Tim Davisson, former #1 consultant at Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) as they dive into the reality of imposter sy...

Moving Beyond "Hustle Culture"

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Cy chats with Henry Albrecht, founder of Limeade, an industry-leading SaaS employee well-being company about the lessons he has glean...

Transcending Polarized Thinking and Other New Leadership Competencies

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Cy is joined by Mike Robbins, an expert in bringing humans together to do great work, to talk about the new leadership competencies o...

Love Belongs In the Workplace

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Renee Smith, founder and CEO of A Human Workplace joins Cy on this episode to make the case for LOVE and why it belongs in the workplace.  A great co...

Mindfulness Belongs in the Workplace

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever assume that mindfulness is what we do outside of the workplace to try and deal with the stress inside the workplace? That practices like m...

Helping Hope Make a Comeback in Healthcare

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Cy Wakeman is joined by Tad Worku, songwriter, singer, Nurse Practitioner, ER / Trauma nurse, and Mission Coach at Inland Empire Heal...

Overcoming Burnout and Thriving at Work-Life Control with Brave Boundaries

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bestselling Author Dr. Sasha Shillcutt joins Cy in this episode to offer guidance and practical tools to help us all set boundaries to protect our phy...

Closing the Confidence Gap - Own Who You Are, Trust Yourself and Take Your Next Brave Step

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kelli Thompson, Women's Leadership Coach and Speaker joins Cy on this episode to talk all things confidence. Her new book: Closing the Confidence Gap ...

Finding Genius in the Collective - Healthcare Edition

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If there is one thing we have learned in recent times, it's that we do not have to do it alone! Resiliency is not about being the toughest in the room...

The Power of Self-Reflection

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Cy talks with Robert Pardi, Transformational Life Coach, Author, Speaker about the power that self-reflection plays in healing oursel...

S4,E19: Radical Adaptability - Competing in the New World of Work

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Keith Ferrazzi, the networking guru and author of "Never Eat Alone" joins Cy on this episode to share the  findings and very practical high value pra...

S4E18: Enough - Improving Your Life by Doing Less

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ali Novitsky, M.D. joins Cy on her last podcast of 2021 with counter intuitive strategies to optimize your well-being.  As a life coach and health en...

S4E17: Creating Peak Performance In the Midst of Disruption

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jessica Tietjen, author of Exceptional Life R-Evolution and founder of Evolving to Exceptional joins Cy to talk about strategies to not only reach pea...

S4E16: Best Retention Strategy Ever - Go Deep to Build Devotion on Teams

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

People are not a means to an end and aren't fulfilled being cogs in the wheel achieving some stated objective for the business and the Great Resignati...

S4E15: Connections are the Antidote to Feeling Burned Out

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Connections are the antidote to feeling burned out….   In this episode, Sasha Shillcutt, MD, MS and Cy get together to chat about burnout, resilien...

S4E14: Moving Beyond Conversations to Action in Equity

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alli Myatt and Courtney Tungate, the co-founders of The Equity Practice join Cy in this episode of the No Ego Podcast to share what they have learned ...

S4E13: The Executive's Productivity Paradigm, with Richard Medcalf

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Medcalf is Founder of Xquadrant and an executive coach to some of the world's most impressive and successful CEOs and their teams.  In this ...

S4E12: Becoming a Peaceful Powered Leader

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jared Narlock, Speaker and Talent Development Coach, and author of Becoming a Peaceful Powered Leader, joins Cy in this episode to share the habits an...

S4E11: Tending to Your Mental Health with Jamie Zuckerman

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cy is joined by her favorite IG licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Jamie Zuckerman to talk all about her observations on the pandemic 's effect on our...

S4E10: Becoming a Boundary Boss with Terri Cole, MSW, LCSW

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The last year has revealed to many of us that the current state of our boundaries is disordered and in need of repair to avoid exhaustion and burnout....

S4E9: Gleb Tsipursky, Returning to the Office

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With the vaccine situation improving, you are likely thinking about, or in the process of returning to the office. Gleb and I cover helpful benchmarki...

S4E8: Erica Dhawan, Digital Body Language

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Erica Dhawan, author of Digital Body Language, joins me this week to discuss her new book and building connection in the digital era. 

S4E7: Company Character - The Foundation for Building Resilience and Agility in Times of Constant Change ft. Frank Calderoni

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Frank Calderoni - Chief Executive Officer of Anaplan joins Cy on this episode to talk about how he has used company character to align brand, strateg...

S4E6: Hope Makes A Comeback

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are certainly heading towards some pleasure, some decadence.  Many predict something similar to the roaring 20's that followed the Spanish flu pan...

S4:E5 Self Reflection

30 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Feelings have good information – goal is to experience them completely. Important for leaders to develop the ability to hold space for people to sh...

S4E3: Breaking Projection

23 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we break down Projection and how it is showing up in our hybrid workplaces. We need to change the way in which we are having conversations a...

S4E2: Evolve Yourself

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Season 4 is in full swing! In this episode I break down ways to build your inner wisdom using some tools and tricks adapted to today's challenges. 

S4E1: Modern Leadership in Challenging Times

08 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I have a short version of my most recent keynote addressing living Reality-Based in these challenging times!

Challenges and Coping with Covid ft. Jacqueline Anderegg, LCMSW

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Uncertainty and ambiguity are universally difficult mind states for all human beings that inevitably produce stress, anxiety, and fear. If this is pe...

What We Mean When We Talk About "Trust"

08 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When I hear people talk about trust in the workplace, I get concerned because we make it sound like something we can create for another. But that leav...

How Learned Helplessness Affects You Daily

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you are blaming others for your circumstances and not taking control of your own actions, that is when your ego really comes out swinging. And I ...

This is Where Conflict Comes From

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I want to talk about conflict. As a researcher, I've spent so many hours dissecting and trying to understand conflict and why it h...

Expectancy vs Expectations

11 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I talk about why you should live your life with great expectancy instead of expectations. There's a big difference, so I want you ...

Accountability Is Not A Dirty Word

04 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Accountability: it's a topic I bring up a lot because I believe it is one of the most misunderstood words in today's workplace. How do you measure for...

Suffering Is Completely Optional

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With the holidays approaching, and the added stress that can come with them, I thought I'd focus on one big topic of mine today: that suffering is com...

Stop Enabling: The Best Way to Foster Accountability

14 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, I answer the often asked question, "How do I make someone change?" with a surprising answer. You can't make anyone do anything...

How to Start Change Without Leadership Buy-In

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I got wind of a fan who was starting their own Reality-Based leadership Revolution at their company so I surprised them with a phone call. We managed ...

Business Readiness, Not Change Management

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, the last of the exclusive book club calls, I talk about why I believe our approach to change management has been one of the biggest f...

Exclusive No Ego Book Club Chat Part II

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Another great episode for you guys today - last month I hosted a number of informal, exclusive, member-only chats for everyone in my book club. Excite...

No Ego Book Club Chat Part I

16 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I'm switching things up a bit! Recently I had an exclusive call with all the members of my No Ego Book Club where I talked for a bit ...

Go Be Great

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For this episode today, I want to go a little bit deeper into how exactly you can get your team to understand what great looks like quickly. How can y...

What Would Great Look Like?

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In episode 5, I tell a story from my time as a leader in the healthcare system working with nurses. A nurse came to me and asked to speak with me and ...

Stop Judging, Start Helping

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's podcast, I talk about one of the core philosophies of my reality-based leadership: stop judging, start helping. It's integral for an organi...

Your Natural State

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode today is about what I believe to be my greatest idea, the discovery that I feel is my biggest contribution to society. That idea is thi...

The Power of Co-creation

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I want to talk about a concept called "Co-Creation". Most of us don't know we have the access to it and how important of a resource it can be i...

Stop Believing Everything You Think

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Your ego narrates the world in your favor. This means you're always getting a distorted interpretation of reality. Learn how to get mentally flexible ...

Letting Go - Becoming Willing to Experience the Mystery in Life

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our culture we often try shoulder through adversity and difficulty with a focus on "mastery" - how can I figure it out, master the skills required,...

S3E15: Being of Value is the Key Impact in Times of Crisis

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Think great connections that add value can't happen virtually – think again. Maha Abouelenein, now Chief Value Officer at Vaynermedia, slipped into ...

Gratitude – Not Just Counting Your Blessings – Counting It All as a Blessing

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week I continue my reflections and teachings on gratitude even when life is messy. I share how my gratitude practice evolved from just counting m...

Evolve Yourself! - From Gratitude to Generosity (Part 1)

07 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

These may be challenging, unprecedented times, but these are OUR times. Cy flies solo in the podcast and makes the call to greatness for all of us -...

Accountability in Tough Times, Continued

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A big topic of discussion today is if accountability is still relevant. I continue to answer fan questions about fostering accountability while also e...

S3E14: Accountability in Tough Times - Kind or Cruel

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I return to you all with a solo episode to respond to the many questions from leaders wondering if accountability is still relevant in times of crises...

S3E13: Returning to Work? Best Practices in Our New Reality

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Morgan of Buzzaroony LLC - an HR consultant, coach, speaker, writer and request guest on the No Ego Podcast gives her practical advice direct fr...

S3E12: Peace, Love and Happiness

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I gave my good friend and mentor Steven Matthew Adams a ring to get his best strategies on living peacefully and happily as the world remains on lock ...

S3E11: The Keys to Driving Engagement in the Midst of COVID

03 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Doug Claffey, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Energage joins Cy to share some surprising research results on employee engagement during the worl...

What is Being Revealed to Us?

27 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode with Sasha Shillcutt, MD is FILLED with great strategies to finding joy, even in the midst of the pandemic. Join in to learn how we use o...

Becoming Leader Allies

20 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dear Cy has returned to Season 3 as Cy responds to listeners emails on their current challenges. In response to a great email from a fan asking for wa...

Growth After Trauma

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Recently I've been reminded of Post-Traumatic Growth and our ability to transform after some pretty difficult experiences. Many are wondering at this ...

What Are You Not Yet Free From?

06 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this past weekend from the 4th of July, I reflected a lot on Freedom - the ultimate pursuit for many.  I recount how Independence Day  changed in...

Facilitating Healing Conversations at Work

29 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As leaders, we are being stretched to use get fluent in a variety of new competencies and this week, I will be going deep into the art of "Holding Spa...

Are You Resilient?

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I believe resilience is one of the most important competencies we can develop as individuals and businesses if we want success, peace, and happiness. ...

Moving Past Hurt Feelings & Understanding Our Triggers

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

During stressful times or big change, have you noticed that it's easier to get our feelings hurt, and we are quickly triggered by the actions or words...

Building Your Resilience During Uncertainty

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week I am sharing a conversation I had on Facebook Live about resilience. I think many of us are learning a lot about ourselves since this pandem...

How To Be An Ally

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is a special episode I am reposting this week as it deserves to be heard again at this very difficult time in our country. It's a conversation wi...

Dealing with Resentment and Anger

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're going to a more vulnerable place. We're going to talk about things or people in your life you are feeling resentment towards, or are ...

Accountability with Empathy

25 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about accountability. Do you think this is a taboo topic right now with your team or co-workers? Here's the secret folks. We can cultivate ...

Understanding and Dealing with Anxiety

18 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I have an important topic to cover this week that I think many of us are feeling right now or have felt at some point during this pandemic: anxiety. M...

Holding Space For Others and Making Amends

11 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, I want to talk about how we can hold space for others, widen our perspective of what others are going through, and not allow our ego to mak...

What We're Learning About Ourselves

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boy, are we learning a lot about ourselves and others during this quarantine! Have you stopped to notice and pay attention? This podcast is all about ...

Processing ALL Your Emotions

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today's podcast is a rapid-fire of questions all related to how we're doing - emotionally - during this pandemic. No two people are experiencing this ...

Getting Perspective

20 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Two themes are emerging for me in your pandemic questions this week: finding space for others and getting perspective. Our egos are flaring up right n...