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In this powerful and practical episode of the Leadership Paradigm Podcast, host Christina Lee sits down with talent development leader Debbie Masak to unpack one of the most critical — and often misunderstood — elements of leadership development: Return on Investment (ROI).

This conversation moves beyond inspiration and into impact. Debbie shares real-world insights from her journey in talent development, including how she helped design and measure programs that didn’t just feel good — they delivered measurable business results, including an extraordinary 1600% ROI.

Together, Christina and Debbie explore why leadership initiatives must align with business strategy, how visibility accelerates leadership growth, and why personal investment is the cornerstone of professional advancement.

If you're a CEO, HR executive, talent leader, or emerging leader, this episode will challenge you to think differently about how leadership development is funded, measured, and sustained.

Metrics That Matter

Debbie and Christina highlight several measurable indicators organizations should track when evaluating leadership initiatives:

• Promotion and succession readiness rates
• Retention and turnover cost avoidance
• Performance improvement metrics
• Engagement scores
• Productivity gains
• Financial impact tied to leadership performance

Memorable Moment

Debbie shares the story behind a leadership development program that achieved a 1600% return on investment, demonstrating what’s possible when strategy, measurement, and intentional design come together.

Who Should Listen

• CEOs and Executive Leaders
• CHROs and Talent Development Professionals
• Organizational Development Practitioners
• Leadership Coaches
• Emerging Leaders seeking strategic growth
• Anyone responsible for proving the value of leadership initiativesChapters
  
  00:00 Introduction to Leadership Paradigm Podcast
  03:24 Meet Debbie Masak: A Leader in Talent Development
  05:19 Understanding ROI in Leadership Development
  12:07 The Importance of Visibility in Leadership
  17:27 Aligning Leadership Development with Business Impact
  21:41 Investing in Personal Development for Organizational Benefit
  27:20 Measuring Coaching Impact
  39:06 Finding Your Why
  43:40 Rapid Fire Insights
  
  

Thank you for listen to the Leadership Paradigm Podcast | Empowering People. Elevating Performance.

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Ready to stop waiting for perfect timing and start leading with clarity and momentum? We sit down with Jennifer Huffman, Senior Vice President of Solutions Banking at Atlantic Union Bank, to unpack a practical blueprint for accelerated growth: manage your time like a diversified portfolio, build real trust through consistent behavior and vulnerability, and make your impact visible to the decision-makers who matter.

Jennifer shares how she balances executive responsibilities, board leadership, and musicianship without burning out. Her method is refreshingly simple: allocate attention to what matters most, then give each slice 100 percent presence. From there, she dives into the engine of psychological safety—relationship agility, reliable follow-through, and the courage to show you’re still learning. A pivotal moment in her career came from truth-tellers who challenged a transactional style and sparked a long-term commitment to reflection, feedback, and course correction.

We also explore how preparation defeats imposter syndrome. Jennifer’s mantra—“blow your own nose”—means investing in skills, education, and visible outcomes before opportunities appear. She explains what it takes to be “ROI worthy” in the eyes of sponsors: document results, pursue development proactively, and communicate your wins with clarity. Her networking playbook is equally tactical: walk into unfamiliar rooms with a plan, ask precise questions, follow up fast, and convert introductions into durable relationships that align with your goals. Finally, she challenges senior leaders to be “weightless” by sharing relationship capital, opening doors, and treating leadership as a gift meant to be given.

If you’re seeking concrete leadership tactics—time mastery, psychological safety, feedback loops, board readiness, and strategic visibility—this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share with a colleague who’s ready for their next step, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

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summary

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Barry Posner, co-author of 'The Leadership Challenge,' discusses the essence of exemplary leadership, the importance of trust and psychological safety, and the five practices that define effective leadership. He emphasizes the need for continuous learning, the significance of a leadership philosophy, and the impact of nurturing young leaders. The discussion highlights the measurable aspects of leadership through the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) and the role of curiosity in personal and professional growth.

takeaways

• The Leadership Challenge is a foundational text in leadership development.
• Everyone has a story about their personal best as a leader.
• Trust is essential for effective leadership and relationships.
• The five practices of exemplary leadership are accessible to everyone.
• Measuring leadership effectiveness can be done through the LPI.
• Developing young leaders is crucial for future success.
• Curiosity drives continuous learning and engagement.
• A personal leadership philosophy guides decision-making.
• Leaders must be open to learning and self-improvement.
• Creating psychological safety fosters a supportive environment.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Leadership Paradigm

00:00
Exploring Leadership Styles

00:03
Introduction to Leadership and Legacy

04:34
The Impact of The Leadership Challenge

09:19
Trust and Psychological Safety in Leadership

14:27
The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership

19:19
Measuring Leadership Effectiveness with LPI

25:34
Developing Future Leaders

35:22
The Impact of Leadership Training

38:35
The Importance of Leadership Philosophy

48:33
Staying Curious as a Leader