What if being the calmest person in the room is actually your best leadership move?

In this episode of Leadership Rules, we sit down with longtime friend, educator, and strategic change whisperer Kellie Ady—and it's a mic-drop masterclass in leading with empathy, clarity, and (real talk) patience.

From disastrous tech rollouts to unexpected mentorship wins, Kellie shares what she's learned about navigating change without losing your humanity—or your team’s trust. We dive into adaptive leadership, why communication is often an illusion, and how to influence culture even when you don’t have a title.

🎯 Highlights include:

• Why people don’t resist change—they fear loss
• The "CPR" leadership sticker you’ll want for your laptop
• How to lead even when you’re not on the org chart
• Why trust breaks when communication assumes too much
• What it means to be the cheerleader of people, not change

Whether you're a district leader, startup founder, middle manager, or just trying to steer your own life with more intention, Kellie’s wisdom will help you stop forcing it and start facilitating it.

📌 Bonus: You’ll learn why whiteboards, chalk, and “not the drink I ordered” are all part of this story.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Then go be the calmest person in your room.

Connect with Kellie here: www.linkedin.com​

In this episode of Leadership Rules, we’re joined by two powerhouses of purpose: Craig Fisher—talent strategist, keynote speaker, and author of Paint Your Store—and Kory Kirby—publishing phenom and founder of Little Cabin Press. Together, they crack open what it really means to build a brand that reflects who you are, not just what you do.

🚫 This isn’t another résumé-polishing, cover-letter-agonizing kind of chat.

✅ This is about showing up with intention, telling your story before someone tells it for you, and leading your life like the CEO you already are.

🎯 Highlights include:

- The “Paint Your Store” mindset—and why everyone needs one
- Why most job seekers are doing it backwards (and how to flip it)
- From bug-infested cabin to bestselling books: Kory’s journey
- Craig’s 4-list self-awareness exercise (bookmark this!)
- How AI is a tool—but character is the competitive advantage
- Leadership rules that are simple, sticky, and soul-deep

Whether you’re fresh out of school or ten years into your career, this conversation is a reminder that your presence *is* your brand—and you can either design it or let it happen by default. The choice is yours.

🖌️ Paint your store.

🎤 Tell your story.

💼 Lead your life.

Connect with them on LinkedIn:
Craig Fisher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wcraigfisher/
Kory Kirby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/korykirby/

In this episode of Leadership Rules, Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio sit down with Milam Miller—keynote speaker, leadership coach, and self-proclaimed real-life Ted Lasso. With a background in international sports leadership and a new book on the way (The Charisma Craft), Milam brings stories and wisdom from the pitch to the boardroom.

From building a $20M sales team in European football to launching his leadership practice “Be Confident and Kind,” Milam shares what it means to lead with heart, harness charisma, and create cultures that actually work. We dive into quitting corporate, leadership reinvention, and whether Season 4 of Ted Lasso should happen (spoiler: he's all in).

📌 Topics we cover:

• Why “Fake it till you make it” is outdated advice
• Charisma as a leadership skill: authentic, bold, curious
• High-functioning teams & what sports taught us about leadership
• The link between Ted Lasso, trust, and culture
• Milam’s take on evolving your “why” and honoring your next chapter

🔥 Whether you're a leadership geek, Ted Lasso fan, or just need a reminder to lead with curiosity—this episode delivers.

👀 Learn more about Milam at www.beconfidentandkind.com

🔗 Follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram for fresh takes on soft skills and leadership growth.