Most Leaders Avoid This Skill — And It's Costing You | S2 E11
Download MP3Great leadership advice rarely comes from textbooks. More often, it comes from a single moment, a hard conversation, or a piece of feedback that changes how someone sees themselves as a leader.
In this special compilation episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Angela Gill Nelms brings together powerful moments from past conversations with founders, executives, and leadership experts to explore the advice that has shaped their leadership journeys.
From learning how one conversation can alter the course of a career, to navigating criticism about communication style, to understanding how leaders build connection and resolve conflict, this episode highlights the real-world lessons that leaders carry with them for decades.
You’ll hear insights on how courageous communication strengthens leadership, why curiosity and empathy are essential in team culture, and how great leaders learn to turn feedback, conflict, and uncertainty into growth.
Guests Highlighted in this Episode:
- Aimee: https://youtu.be/Ukjz6NJJfUI?si=5yzQQ0AJNaeoDyg8
- Barrie: Coming soon!
- Bud: https://youtu.be/DMA1L2B5xsM?si=srmjuQMitsuHnMem
- Catharine: https://youtu.be/dQl8Pf0T8Og?si=K3T_4e2FSohZZQfY
- Cathleen: https://youtu.be/A1FVVQ1hmi4?si=3hL9HjSPJwbggHgB
- Eric: https://youtu.be/mMCg-aW8eoQ?si=i5JmIHei6gLUe6j5
- Jonathan: https://youtu.be/KPxqtHuO03A?si=zk3OhvO_mTxcHkRp
- Crystal: https://youtu.be/kKnJMK_BP7w?si=ryuh_2GX7yu2-KD7
The discussion also tackles questions…
- How can one conversation change the trajectory of a career?
- What should leaders do when they’re labeled “too aggressive” or “too direct”?
- How do effective leaders handle workplace conflict before it escalates?
- What leadership habits help teams feel heard, valued, and understood?
- How can leaders create stronger connections with their teams without becoming a therapist?
- What role does curiosity play in leadership and decision-making?
- How can leaders build courage to speak their truth in difficult environments?
- What advice do experienced leaders wish they had received earlier in their careers?
Themes:
- Leadership development through real-world experiences
- Courageous communication in leadership
- Navigating feedback and perception as a leader
- The power of influence and meaningful conversations
- Conflict resolution and leadership curiosity
- Building human connection in professional environments
- Growth mindset and personal leadership evolution
Production
Produced by: The AGN Group
Host: Angela Gill Nelms
Producer: Katie Hart
Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.
Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com
About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.
Social Media Channels:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/
Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2
Want to be a Podcast Guest?
If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, read more here: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/be-our-guest/
Creators and Guests
Host
Angela Gill Nelms
Angela Gill Nelms is a founder, board leader, podcaster, and award-winning entrepreneur with a career spanning SaaS, medical devices, biotech, and clinical research. She builds high-impact teams and organizations rooted in culture, resilience, and strategic execution—helping innovators move ideas from lab to market and leaders grow with intention. She hosts three podcasts that reflect her mission to elevate leadership and accelerate biomedical innovation: Badass Leaders Podcast, Holy Shift! Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow, and Recovery Advocate Network: Coffee & Conversation. Across each show, Angela creates space for honest conversations that drive impact, reduce stigma, and shape the future of leadership and health. A Georgia Tech Academy of Distinguished Alumni honoree and INC 500 award recipient, Angela serves on multiple boards across innovation and mental health ecosystems. Outside of work, she’s beekeeping, blacksmithing, turning wood, or training—6× IRONMAN and lifelong advocate for humans being human.
Producer
Katie Hart
Katie Hart is the Senior Client Relations Manager and Executive Podcast Producer at The AGN Group, where she leads podcast production, brand strategy, and client experience from concept to launch. Equal parts creative and operational powerhouse, she guides clients through branding, recording, and distribution while ensuring every detail runs seamlessly. Known as a customer experience magician, Katie is passionate about making every client and guest feel seen, supported, and celebrated—delivering a five-star experience that amplifies bold stories and builds meaningful impact.
