People Leadership Stories: Chief Experience Officer

This month, I interviewed several past participants of the Leading People Program™ (LPP) to check in and see how their leadership and life, may have shifted since their experience. A.W., Chief Experience Officer, Good Trip Adventures, joined my spring 2025 cohort. This is their progress about six months later.

Q. Are there specific changes you made to your leadership style since participating in the Leading People Program™?

A. I've become much more intentional about pausing, both in conversations and before responding to emails or situations. These pauses allow me to engage with greater emotional intelligence and ensure I'm bringing a positive, thoughtful attitude to my interactions. I've also embraced the principle that 'clear is kind,' which has helped me hold my direct reports more accountable while maintaining supportive, honest communication.

Q. What tools or frameworks have you used, and is there a positive result or change you can share?

A. I've implemented several frameworks from the program with measurable impact. I conduct regular Monthly Meet Ups (MMUs) to maintain accountability and track progress. I also audited our team meetings to clarify ownership and leadership, then provided my direct reports with LPP structures and best practices for running effective meetings. Additionally, I've shared many of the program's tools with a direct report who is in their own leadership development journey, which has given me valuable opportunities to practice coaching skills.

Q. When you reflect on your current responsibilities and meetings, as well as your ability to take care of yourself, what do you notice you have adjusted since taking the Leading People Program™?

A. I've become much better at setting boundaries around my working hours while also being more strategic about delegation, making myself available for support at designated times rather than being "always on." The LPP program gave me the mental confidence and tools to handle any leadership situation with greater ease and effectiveness. Overall, I feel like I've grown tremendously, easily 180% since completing this program.

Q. Would you like to share any specific results, changes, or effects that have occurred for you personally or professionally that you directly correlate with the knowledge and perspective you gained since taking Leading People Program™?

A. The impact has been significant both personally and professionally. I've done a much better job setting clear expectations and goals for my team, which has created greater alignment and accountability. Personally, I feel considerably less stressed even though the workload remains demanding, a testament to how the tools and mindset shifts have changed my approach. My communication with team members has improved across the board, and the team is running more smoothly; the "oil is working well into the machine." Of course, there's always room for growth, which is why I find myself regularly reflecting on the program materials. Having that packet to revisit has been invaluable for continuous improvement.

Q. Anything else you would like to share with me?

A. I want to give special thanks to you, Casey. You consistently create space for people to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn without judgment, your approach is incredibly inviting and supportive. You are someone I genuinely aspire to be as a leader. Thank you for always showing up with deep empathy. I'm continually impressed by your coaching ability and your masterful use of pauses to demonstrate emotional intelligence in action. I cannot thank you enough for creating such a transformative learning environment where I could truly grow.

Learn more about the Leading People Program™. Join the next open enrollment or contact me if you have six or more team members interested in a private cohort.