Leaderful

How to Design a Meaningful Meeting with Monica Pauls

We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Monica Pauls for a deeply practical conversation about designing and facilitating high-impact meetings.
Monica is the Chair of the Department of Child Studies and Social Work and an Associate Professor at Mount Royal University. In this episode, she joins us (along with Nic Etheridge Calder) in real-time to workshop an upcoming full-day team meeting, exploring the very real challenges leaders face when trying to create meetings that are engaging, productive, and genuinely meaningful.
Together, we dig into;👉 Why so many team meetings feel overloaded, unfocused, or performative👉 How unclear purpose creates confusion, disengagement, and “meetings after the meeting.”👉 The hidden role power dynamics play in participation, decision-making, and silence👉 How leaders can design meetings that create both efficiency and authentic engagement👉 The importance of balancing process, pace, and presence in group facilitation👉 Practical strategies for increasing participation without forcing consensus👉 Why designing for human connection is just as important as designing for outcomes👉 How small, intentional shifts can dramatically improve team meetings over time
This conversation is an honest behind-the-scenes look at the complexity of leading collaborative spaces - especially in environments where relationships are strong, but underlying tensions or disengagement may still exist beneath the surface.
If you lead teams, facilitate meetings, or are trying to create spaces where people feel genuinely included, heard, and invested, this episode offers practical tools, thoughtful reflection, and a powerful reminder that great meetings rarely happen by accident.Learn more about The Co. → a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.

Decolonizing Leadership and AI with Christian Ortiz

If you're listening from Calgary, Alberta (before June 18th, 2026) - join us for an afternoon workshop exploring Power, Equity, Bias and AI.
In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Christian Ortiz, an Afro-Indigenous decolonial social scientist, technologist, and founder of Justice AI GPT, the first decolonial AI framework designed to confront systemic bias at its roots. Drawing on decades of experience in digital transformation, systems thinking, and decolonial research, Christian explores how bias operates not just at an individual level, but as part of the invisible operating systems that shape our workplaces, relationships, leadership, and society.
This conversation dives into the intersections of power, language, bias, leadership, and AI - and what becomes possible when leaders begin questioning the systems they’ve inherited rather than simply adapting to them.
Together, Jeff and Christian unpack how implicit conditioning shapes the way we lead, communicate, and make decisions, and why meaningful organizational change requires more than surface-level diversity initiatives or individual bias training.
In this episode, we explore:• Why bias is a systemic issue, not simply an individual problem• The difference between “implicit bias” and “implicit conditioning”• How language functions as power (and how it shapes organizational culture and policy)• Why AI tools can either reinforce systemic harm or help uncover it• How Justice AI GPT helps leaders identify hidden bias in communication, policies, and decision-making• The relationship between power, responsibility, and leadership• Why duality, nuance, and deep listening are essential leadership skills• How leaders can create more human-centred organizations without relying on shame or blame• The role of curiosity, self-awareness, and powerful questions in creating meaningful change
If you’re a leader navigating complexity, culture, equity, or organizational change - and you’re curious about how power and bias shape the systems around you - this episode offers a thoughtful, challenging, and deeply human conversation about what it means to lead with greater awareness and responsibility.
Learn more about The Co. → a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.

Exploring Internal Family Systems Coaching with Janet Livingstone

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Janet Livingstone, an Internal Family Systems-informed coach and facilitator with global experience helping leaders develop emotional intelligence, navigate complexity, and unlock deeper self-awareness. Drawing on her work across cultures and industries (from Central Europe to Asia), Janet shares a rich perspective on how leadership is shaped by context, identity, and the unseen inner dynamics we all carry.
This conversation moves beyond surface-level leadership advice and into the inner world of leaders: the parts of ourselves that drive behaviour, the emotions we avoid, and the patterns that quietly shape our teams.
Together, we explore how developing emotional intelligence isn’t a solo pursuit, but a collective, relational practice - and how leaders can create the conditions for more honest, human, and effective collaboration.
In this episode, we explore:
Why emotional intelligence is a foundational (and learnable) leadership skill
How Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help leaders understand their inner “parts” and patterns
The impact of culture and history on leadership styles and assumptions
Why self-awareness is a team sport, not an individual exercise
How leaders can shift from “expert” to facilitator to unlock team intelligence
Creative approaches to team development, including role play, somatic awareness, and even music
If you’re a leader navigating complexity, culture, or change - and are ready to look inward as a path to leading outward more effectively - this episode offers both practical insight and a powerful reframe of what leadership really requires.
Learn more about The Co. → a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.

Power in the Boardroom: Aligning Your Nonprofit Board for Increased Trust and Impact

WORKSHOP ALERT: Join Nic, Laura and Jeff for "The Aligned Board", a hands-on 2-part virtual workshop designed to help board members step into their power with wisdom and skill.
Learn more here (spring and fall 2026 dates available).
In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Nic Etheridge Calder and Laura Istead to explore one of the most critical (and often overlooked) dynamics in the social impact sector: the relationship between boards and executive teams.
Drawing on their lived experience as board members, executive leaders, and advisors, Nic and Laura unpack what gets in the way of alignment, why even well-intentioned boards struggle, and what it takes to build trust, clarity, and shared purpose at the top of an organization.
This conversation moves beyond governance models and into the real, human dynamics that shape board effectiveness - power, communication, expectations, and culture. From disengaging meetings and unclear roles to overfunctioning board members and under-supported executive directors, we explore the patterns that quietly undermine impact, and the practical ways leaders can begin to shift them.
In this episode, we explore:
Why boards must be treated as teams (and what happens when they aren’t)
The hidden power dynamics that shape board-executive relationships
Common patterns that lead to misalignment, disengagement, and tension
How to build trust through curiosity, vulnerability, and shared expectations
The real organizational cost of a disconnected or ineffective board
Simple practices that create stronger meetings, better decisions, and deeper alignment
If you’re a board member, executive director, or leader navigating complexity in the nonprofit sector, this episode offers grounded insights and practical tools to help you build a more aligned, effective, and human-centred leadership system.
Learn more about The Co. -> a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.
Check out The Aligned Board -> a workshop for nonprofit board members to align their good intentions with their impact on the organization and team they support.

The 6P's of High Impact Meetings with Nic Etheridge Calder

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Nic Etheridge Calder, founder of Invoke Coaching, to explore how leaders can design and facilitate meetings that actually move the needle. Drawing on years of experience in leadership development and team facilitation, Nic brings a practical and human-centred lens to one of the most overlooked aspects of organizational life: meetings.
Together, we unpack the “6 P’s of High-Impact Meetings” - a simple but powerful framework for transforming meetings from routine, mediocre time-fillers into intentional, engaging, and outcome-driven spaces. This conversation goes beyond agendas and logistics, diving into the deeper dynamics that shape how teams gather, make decisions, and collaborate.
In this episode, we explore:
Why most meetings fail (and how lack of clarity around purpose quietly derails outcomes)
How to rethink inclusion and ensure the right people (not just more people) are in the room
The hidden influence of power dynamics - and how they shape who speaks, who stays silent, and what decisions get made
Why facilitation is a critical leadership skill, not an optional add-on
How presence, energy, and pace can make or break a meeting’s effectiveness
Practical ways to redesign your meetings so they lead to real clarity, ownership, and action
If you’ve ever left a meeting wondering what was accomplished - or sensed that your team is capable of more than what shows up in the room - this episode offers a clear, actionable framework to rethink how you gather and lead.
Learn more about The Co. -> a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.

Power, Accountability and Relational Leadership with Dr. Amanda Aguilera

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Amanda Aguilera, Executive Director of the Right Use of Power Institute, to explore what it really means to understand and navigate power in our leadership, our relationships, and our systems.
Drawing on decades of experience, Amanda shares a deeply nuanced perspective on power - not as something we possess, but as a dynamic present in every interaction - and how this shift can fundamentally change the way we lead and relate.
This conversation moves beyond simplified, binary thinking and into the complexity of real leadership: the tensions between vulnerability and responsibility, the impact of power differentials, and the importance of cultivating what Amanda calls “right relationship.”
Together, we unpack how our assumptions about power shape our behaviour, our organizations, and ultimately, our ability to build trust and navigate conflict in meaningful ways.
In this episode, we explore:
Why understanding power as a dynamic (not a possession) changes everything
The concept of “right relationship” and why it’s never a fixed state
How leaders can balance vulnerability with responsibility (and why both matter)
The hidden ways power shows up through roles, status, and systems
Practical ways to distribute power more equitably without losing accountability
The importance of slowing down to examine mental models and assumptions
Why doing this work in a community, not alone, is essential
If you’re a leader navigating complexity, power dynamics, or cultural change, this episode offers a powerful reframe and practical insights to support more conscious, human-centred leadership.
Learn more about The Co. → a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.

Accountability, Culture, and Leadership in Complex Systems with Mike Derricott

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Mike Derricott, a seasoned municipal executive and former Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Cochrane, to explore the realities of leading complex public-serving organizations.
Drawing on his experience guiding rapidly growing municipalities, Mike shares candid insights about leadership under pressure - where competing stakeholder expectations, rapid growth, and public accountability collide. From navigating the tension between collaboration and decisiveness to building cultures of accountability in human-centred organizations, this conversation explores what it really takes to lead when the work is messy, political, and deeply consequential.
Together, we unpack the subtle dynamics that shape leadership teams: the discomfort of using power responsibly, the risks of consensus-driven decision-making, and the importance of creating clear expectations for behaviour and performance.
This conversation moves beyond leadership theory and into the practical realities of building mature, high-performing teams in complex systems.
In this episode, we explore:
Why consensus-based decision making can quietly erode accountability
The hidden risks of prioritizing process over outcomes in public organizations
How leaders can balance collaboration with decisive action
Why effective teams must develop a tolerance for “messiness” and discomfort
The difference between welcoming people and accepting all behaviours
Why accountability is one of the greatest forms of respect a leader can offer
If you lead in government, nonprofits, or any mission-driven organization, this episode offers grounded wisdom about building cultures that are both human-centred and high-performing.
Learn more about The Co. → a leadership development community for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.

Leadership When it Matters Most with James Docherty

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with James Docherty, Assistant Deputy Fire Chief at the Calgary Fire Department, to explore what leadership looks like when the stakes are real, the pressure is high, and the margin for error is slim.
Drawing on decades of experience leading in complex, high-risk environments, James shares grounded insights on decision-making, trust, accountability, and culture - and what leaders in any sector can learn from emergency services.
This conversation moves beyond theory and into the lived realities of leadership: the moments that test us, the habits that shape culture, and the responsibilities that come with authority.
In this episode, we explore:
How leaders can balance decisiveness with humanity and care
Why feedback must be normalized long before problems arise
The hidden leadership failures behind many performance issues
How culture change really happens — and why it can’t be forced
The role of humility, awareness, and presence in building trust
If you’re a leader navigating complexity, growth, or change, this episode offers practical wisdom you can apply immediately.
Learn more about The Co. -> a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.

Leadership, Power and Positive Impact with Virginia Hervey and Denise Manderson

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we’re joined by Virginia Hervey and Denise Manderson, longtime leaders at Hull Services, for a grounded conversation about trauma-informed leadership, sector capacity, and leading in complex human systems.
Virginia and Denise share Hull’s evolution from a primarily campus-based care model to a broad continuum focused on early intervention, prevention, and building resilience within families, communities, and systems. Rather than positioning Hull as the answer to every challenge, they articulate a clear commitment to building capacity across the sector, so fewer families require intensive interventions.
The conversation also explores Hull’s leadership and culture work with The Ally Co., which began as a search for leadership training and quickly became something deeper. They reflect on the importance of slowing down, co-creating leadership development that truly fits the organization, and having honest conversations about power, intention, and impact. Shared language, reflective practice, and relationship-centred leadership emerge as critical levers for culture change.
Zooming out, the episode tackles persistent nonprofit sector challenges - burnout, retention, system overload, and competing demands - and offers a hopeful, practical case for more intentional, collaborative, and power-conscious leadership.
This episode is a must-listen for leaders working in trauma-exposed, mission-driven environments who want their leadership to reflect the care, dignity, and outcomes they’re striving to create.
🔍 Also covered in this episode:
Translating evidence-based and clinical models into everyday practice
Why intention vs. impact is a core leadership skill
How shared language shapes culture and accountability
The role of leadership development in reducing burnout and supporting retention
Why early intervention and prevention matter for long-term impact
Learn more about The Co. -> a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders. 

From Artificial Harmony to "First Who, Then What" with Ian Frith & Laila Hobbs

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we welcome Ian, a leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Forge Works Advisory. Ian shares the deeply personal and professional journey that led him to leave the company he was leading, sparked by the work of The Ally Co. to uncover deeper organizational truths.
Ian describes how the initial engagement with The Ally Co. was intended to solve for communication and power dynamics within the team. However, the work quickly revealed a more fundamental problem: an artificial alignment and misalignment in the company's direction and people's roles. This revelation forced Ian to confront the brutal facts and make a difficult, but necessary, decision for the good of the organization.
 
Drawing on his philosophy that success hinges on getting the "human bit right" , Ian unpacks the difference between a team that is merely surviving versus one that is truly thriving. He passionately argues against the term "soft skills," noting that they are, in fact, the hardest skills to master and are the fundamental ingredients for business success. This conviction is the driving force behind his new venture, Forge Works Advisory, which helps founders and owners build enduring strength and high-performing human systems.
 
You'll hear a mature perspective on how difficult outcomes—like moving on from a company you love—can often be the right outcomes. This conversation is a must-listen for any founder, CEO, or leader who feels their company isn't "clicking," even with a clear strategy and vision.
 
🔍 Also covered in this episode:
The signs of organizational dysfunction like pre-meetings, water cooler chat, and venting.
 
The difference between a "playbook" consulting approach and a more consultative, human-centric engagement.
 
How to create a "safe space" for team members to share without fear of retribution.
 
The crucial importance of hiring for fit over being 100% technical acumen.
 
Why Ian calls for a new term to replace "soft skills".
 
How Forge Works Advisory helps companies define their needs before making huge investments in full-time roles like a COO.
Learn more about The Co. → a leadership development opportunity for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.