The Leader Lab
Episodes
Let's Talk Self-Awareness
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Self-awareness is one of the keys to healthy leadership. For years we've deployed our Self-Reflection and Leadership Health worksheet during leadershi...
Book Cover Reveal
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join us in The Leader Lab for a new episode where we reveal the cover of Chad's upcoming book, "Win the Battle Against Burnout," which is set to launc...
The Leader Lab | 2025 Reflections
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join the entire Forward Partners team as we reflect on our big wins and lessons from 2025, and share what we're most excited about in 2026. What leade...
The Leader Lab is back!
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Leader Lab is back! We're committing to releasing new episodes for 2026. The Leader Lab was always intended to be a place to experiment with diffe...
What's next in The Leader Lab?
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Time for an update on The Leader Lab! Join us behind the scenes as we share what’s coming next for the podcast. Plus some exciting updates on Chad’...
Stories Holding Forward Partners Back
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We recently identified some stories that were holding back Forward Partners. How were we able to rewrite those stories to free us up as a team to take...
Being Intentional About Bad Habits
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can we bring intentionality to our bad habits in a way that can actually help them be good for us? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This is th...
Leadership in Parenting
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Determining the story we choose to believe helps us create a better version of ourselves. This applies to leadership in the workplace, but it also app...
Vulnerability is Attractive
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vulnerability is always scary. How can we overcome our fear of vulnerability to truly become great leaders? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. T...
Quitting at the End of the Day
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the rhythms people seem to struggle with a lot is when to power through at the end of the day and finish a project or check a few more tasks. H...
Honoring Commitments to Yourself
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are often quick to honor commitments to others. How dedicated are we to honoring commitments to ourselves? How would it change our lives and organi...
Creating the Life You Want
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last 20 episodes we’ve discussed investing in ourselves, creating the future, and living on purpose. If we combine all of those concepts an...
Leaving it All On the Table
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The end of a person’s career is one of the most important seasons. How you finish not only determines the impact you have at the end, and the extent...
Bringing Heart to Your Leadership
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You can do all the right things as a leader, but if it's clear you don't care then those actions will fall flat for your people. Let's talk about brin...
Getting Professional Help
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's dive into the realm of professional help as part of our leadership development. How do we know we need a coach or therapist? How do we find one?...
Creating the Future
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." – Peter Drucker Let’s explore the ability of every leader to create the future. The L...
Measuring True Productivity
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Productivity is measured by the importance and impact of the things we do, not just the number of tasks completed." — Israa Nasir, Toxic Productivi...
Living on Purpose
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talk a lot about purpose and how it changes everything. I know we can be guilty of thinking of purpose in big sweeping terms like impact and legacy...
Remote vs. In-Person Work
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There seems to be a lot of chaos right now around remote work vs. in-person work. Some companies are hybrid, while others are on either extreme end of...
Speed is the enemy of curiosity.
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Speed is vital in emergency situations, but in normal situations it can create chaos. How can we learn to remain curious when finding solutions? Can w...
Intentional Rhythms of Work
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re explaining our new system for monitoring how intense our weeks are to help keep us from burning out. The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab....
Embracing Organizational Values
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do we help people to understand and embrace our values? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This is the home for all the leadership developme...
Progress vs. Perfection
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We work with a lot of people that get stuck in the trap of perfection, and we know the saying progress not perfection, but how do we actually embrace ...
You've done enough.
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We often struggle to stop at the end of a day or week and feel like it’s enough. How does that hurt and how can we accept our efforts as enough? The...
Self-Renewal is the Real Work
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode we explore two great quotes, the first is from Marcel Brunel, “I will never graduate from the school of self-awareness.” The ...
Leaders Sacrifice
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership involves sacrifice, but does our own health have to be sacrificed to be a successful leader? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This ...
The Gap and The Gain
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We should be making more. We should have a promotion. We should, should, should. Can a new perspective on where we are today create patience, peace, a...
The Role of Purpose in Rest
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Needing to rest doesn’t seem to be enough to motivate us to actually rest. What do we need to embrace in order to prioritize rest for ourselves? The...
The Benefit of Forward Movement
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keep Moving Forward is not only the motto for Forward Partners, it’s also a leadership philosophy that has real benefits when we embrace it. How can...
When Success Isn’t Satisfying
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when you achieve a big success you’ve been chasing for a long time, and find it unsatisfying. What’s next? The Leader LabWelcome to T...
Don’t Wait for Resolutions
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New Year’s resolutions rarely work (only between 8 and 20 percent of the time). Knowing that they are wildly ineffective, can we find more effective...
The Secret to Multiplying Capacity
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Your potential isn’t determined by what you do. Your potential is determined by the leaders you empower." — Craig Groeschell The Leader LabWelco...
The Overscheduling Epidemic
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us are overscheduled and spend our days running from meeting to meeting, rarely feeling like we accomplish the important things we need to get...
Countering Signs of Burnout
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There are four common signs of burnout, and each one robs us of a key to being a healthy leader. How can we invest in those keys to get them back, fig...
The Power of Mentorship
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve talked about the need to find good mentors and how to do it. Now let’s talk about the powerful benefits of being a mentor. The Leader...
Fighting Fear with Focus
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our fears are designed to keep us trapped in our comfort zone, where it’s safe. How can we use another f-word — focus — to help us overcome thos...
Write A To-Don't List
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So often our most important work is interrupted by less-important tasks. We’re all familiar with a to-do list. Let’s explore the value of a to-don...
Dealing with Turnover
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
50% of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier’s crew turns over every 9 months. What can we learn from the Navy about how to handle turnover with minimal chal...
Achieving Mastery & Success
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When chasing mastery or success, our view of what that journey will look like can skew how we approach productivity and achievement. Are you playing a...
Preparing for Difficult Conversations
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Difficult conversations are scary, especially between leaders and teams. We’ll discuss three key questions to prepare for difficult, but successful,...
Overcoming Big Losses
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Overcoming big losses like being fired requires so much resilience, and it’s often hard to find that in the moment. How do we recover from big losse...
Are leaders born or created?
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we answer the age-old question: are leaders born or created? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This is the home for all the leadership de...
Defeating Burnout is a Team Sport
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Winning the battle against burnout is both an individual fight and a team sport. In this episode, we explore ways that organizations can help their te...
The Blame Game
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When anything goes wrong, we are hardwired to blame the person closest to the problem. However, blame causes more problems than it solves. How can we ...
Learning to Lead Up
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leading up is often so scary that we avoid it. However, it’s also required to help leaders become aware of their blindspots, and damage that might b...
Leader Lab is Changing
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We have some important changes to The Leader Lab. As always we want to share those changes with our audience as well as pull back the curtain to show ...
The Antidote for Fear
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As leaders, we take action, but what is behind those actions matters. If we are acting because we are afraid, that fear will just create more fear. Wh...
Effective Accountability
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Accountability is an elusive thing for most teams, and a requirement for success. How can you establish effective accountability for your teams? The L...
Focusing Your Leadership
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Choosing what to prioritize as a leader is often difficult, but we have a quote that will make it very simple. “What is it that only I can do?” —...
Having Time vs. Taking Time
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all have the same 24 hours in the day, so why is “I don’t have the time,” the common excuse for why we don’t do the truly important work of...
Our mission is to thrive.
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” ― May...
It’s cool to care.
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We like to think our team has evolved beyond middle school, but the reality is many of us still function like we did decades ago — in a race to show...
The Contradictions of Success
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"He who cannot rest, cannot work; he who cannot let go, cannot hold on; he who cannot find footing, cannot go forward." — Harry Emerson Fosdick Ofte...
Proactive vs. Reactive
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is the difference between a proactive leader and a reactive leader? Which do you think you are? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. Th...
Being a Delusional Leader
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It takes a special kind of crazy to lead an organization. What is the proper balance of delusional belief in the future, and realistic assessment of t...
The Art of Self-Awareness
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"The problem isn't being lost, it's not admitting that you're lost. Because once you admit you're lost, you're no longer lost. You know what to do. Yo...
The Secret Benefit of Vulnerability
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Being vulnerable is a terrifying proposition for most leaders. We’ve been taught that it is a weakness, but study after study shows that it is part ...
Be vs. Do
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We focus on what we’re going to do, and that’s often a great starting point. That is the beginning of the team, but we also have to remember to de...
Defining Excellence
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why is it so important for teams to define words for their team? We all agree on what excellence, ownership, and service mean, right? Very, very wrong...
Overcoming Your Limitations
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“If you argue for your limitations you get to keep them. But if you argue for your possibilities you get to create them!” ― Kelly Lee Phipps The...
What’s love got to do with it?
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Using the word love in the workplace is fraught with potential liabilities and challenges. However, when applied appropriately, there are some big pot...
Dealing with Office Drama
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Office drama can wreck teams. Ultimately if we are busy fighting back when drama happens, we become trapped in it? How can we learn to fight forward i...
Setting Clear Priorities
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. As a leader, we should create an environment where we can openly discuss both priorities and capac...
Reframing Failure
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A person’s view of failure often determines everything from their willingness to take risk to their self-worth. It also determines the most importan...
Great Leadership is Quiet
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We often gravitate to leaders who are bold, loud, and action-oriented. There are obviously advantages to that type of leader, but is there a more succ...
Wiio’s Law of Communication
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Communication is the biggest challenge holding most teams back because it is so complex. Communication done well requires an added level of intentiona...
Finding Fulfillment
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Most of us live our lives by accident — we live it as it happens. Fulfillment comes when we live our lives on purpose." — Simon Sinek The Leader ...
The Vital Time to Prioritize Yourself
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When is it the most vital to prioritize ourselves over our other obligations? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This is the home for all the le...
Leaders Go First
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How can we get our teams to lead and communicate with vulnerability? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This is the home for all the leadership ...
THE Leadership Question
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is the most important question in leadership? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This is the home for all the leadership development conten...
The Source of All Solutions
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How can we persevere as leaders when we spend all of our time solving our team’s problems? How do we create a culture where they can find some solut...
Developing Healthy Resilience
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we talk about how the mixing of multiple generations in the workplace is helping us learn healthy resilience. The Leader LabWelcome to The Leade...
Choosing a Mindset for Success
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to ...
A Powerful Morning Routine
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Showing up as a healthy leader begins first thing in the morning. How you invest in yourself matters! How can you create a powerful morning routine if...
Redefining Success
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How can redefining success for your team create more unity and productivity? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This is the home for all the lea...
Making a Difference in a Broken System Part 3
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we close out our three-part series, Making a Difference in a Broken System. Want to listen to part 1? Here's a link: wwww.forwardpartners.net/po...
Making a Difference in a Broken System Part 2
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for part 2 of Making a Difference in a Broken System. If you missed part 1, here is a link: wwww.forwardpartners.net/podcasts/the-leader-lab/e...
Making a Difference in a Broken System Part 1
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So many people are struggling in their organization. Often they feel disempowered because the systems around them are so broken. Leaving is always an ...
Our Job is the Why
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the fastest ways to provide clarity is to provide the why. How can we ensure “why” is at the center of every conversation we have? The Lead...
The Value of Hard Conversations
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We often struggle to have hard conversations. As leaders, how can we get our team to have difficult, but effective conversations? The Leader LabWelcom...
Egotistical Leadership
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What role does ego play in our leadership? Is there a good form of ego? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This is the home for all the leadersh...
Grace is Not a Free Pass
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The question we use to evaluate emotional health as a leader is, “have you been leading and communicating with grace and empathy.” Grace often mak...
Understanding Before Agreement
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we tackle a question. “I’m getting frustrated with my coworkers. We seem to spend more time trying to get past disagreements about what we s...
Hiring for Character
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Each hire matters deeply to your team. How can you ensure you are hiring the right person for the role? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This ...
Supporting Without Micromanaging
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How can we ensure our teams are successful without veering into micromanagement? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This is the home for all the...
Adding Humanity to Your Task List
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Often we let our task lists overflow with urgent items, but we neglect the truly important work of leadership — connection, rest, and development. L...
Let’s Take a Break
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we are both announcing a two to three week break for new episodes, and exploring how we make decisions as a company when we have too m...
Destroying Distractions
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we learn from a quote by Louise Hay. “I will not be distracted by noise, chatter, or setbacks. Patience, commitment, grace, and purpose will g...
The Secret Sign of Burnout
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode we discuss one of the secret signs of burnout? Are you suffering from it? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This is the ho...
Performance Improvement Plans are a joke.
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s talk about why performance improvement plans rarely work and what we should replace them with. The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This i...
Episode 100
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our 100th episode! We are thrilled to have reached this milestone and could not have done it without all of you. Thank you for listening, s...
Should you fake it until you make it?
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many people build careers on the foundation of fake it ‘til you make it. What are some of the pitfalls of this thinking as we learn to navigate new ...
Leadership Styles
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone obviously has a different leadership style. Is there a certain leadership style that is better than the rest? The Leader LabWelcome to The Le...
Preemptively Creating Culture
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A great organizational culture has to be intentionally created. If we are not intentional about creating and investing in it, a negative culture will ...
When an employee asks, “Why?”
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leading younger generations involves a lot of explaining “why?”. Today let’s talk about why this is actually a good thing, and not just a challe...
Don’t Give Up On People
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are times when we have a person who is stuck, but we can’t fire them. Now what? Let’s talk about why we can’t give up on their development...
Leading With Humility
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What can we learn from Mother Theresa about leading thriving teams? The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader Lab. This is the home for all the leadership d...
Creating A Thriving Team Part 3
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we wrap up our examination of our definition for Thriving Teams. The final element — working for growth and impact — helps us go b...
Creating A Thriving Team Part 2
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As we continue to explore our definition for Thriving Teams, today we’re talking about how we can equip our teams to champion healthy leadership. Th...
Creating A Thriving Team Part 1
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we begin breaking down our definition of a Thriving Team, beginning with the role purpose plays in thriving. The Leader LabWelcome to The Leader...