Grounded Engagement

About Grounded Engagement

Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership is hosted by Kristina Katayama, whole systems change consultant and founder of Be Possible, with 25+ years of experience across 30+ countries. Each episode is an honest conversation with leaders doing the real work of culture change, equity, and belonging in their organisations. If you lead people and want to go deeper than frameworks and training programmes, this show is for you.

Publisher

Kristina Katayama

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Jun 2026

Latest episode

28 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Sept 2026

   SE01 E10 How Connection Drives Better Performance | Edgar Hernandez

   What does it really take to lead across cultures, improve performance, and create meaningful change? In this episode of Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership, Kristina Katayama sits down with Edgar Hernandez to explore the human side of leadership, lean transformation, and organizational performance. Edgar shares powerful lessons from more than 25 years of leadership experience across the U.S. and Mexico, including how cultural differences can shape communication, motivation, accountability, and business results. From turning around a struggling manufacturing operation in Brazil to helping bridge cultural gaps between U.S. and Mexican teams, Edgar reveals why technical solutions alone aren't enough. The real breakthrough often begins with trust, empathy, curiosity, and genuine human connection. In this conversation, you'll discover: • Why connecting with people is Edgar's "secret" to leadership • How cross-cultural differences can impact performance and communication • Why leaders need to understand the people behind the numbers • How asking the right questions can unlock solutions from experienced employees • The hidden cost of low morale, poor communication, and disengagement • How transparency can improve productivity, quality, retention, and accountability • Why leaders should experience the culture they're trying to lead • How a simple shift in communication transformed employee performance • Why empathy isn't just a "soft skill" — it can have a measurable business impact • The leadership lesson Edgar learned as a young production worker • How one leader helped a plant custodian earn his education and eventually become an engineer At the heart of this conversation is a simple leadership principle: people perform differently when they feel heard, respected, trusted, and valued. Whether you're an executive, manufacturing leader, operations professional, HR leader, Lean practitioner, or someone looking to become a more effective leader, this conversation offers practical insights into building stronger teams and creating sustainable organizational change. Welcome to Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership conversations about leadership, connection, culture, and the human potential behind organizational performance. #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #CrossCulturalLeadership #LeanTransformation #OrganizationalCulture #ManufacturingLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #HumanCenteredLeadership #GroundedEngagement #LiberatingLeadership Connect with Edgar Hernandez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgarhernandez-ops/ If this conversation stayed with you, share it with a leader in your life. That's how this work travels. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Kristina and the Grounded Engagement podcast team Connect with Kristina Katayama on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristina-katayama-029834 Visit the Be Possible website here: bepossible.com Listen to Grounded Engagement on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033t4qPBxizCWyIisE77pC Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded-engagement/id1896884338 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9f6697fa-3ece-4e35-9588-5be82ace196d #groundedengagement #kristinakatayama #liberatingleadership #culturalchange #organizationalleadership #leadershipdevelopment #psychologicalsafety #workplaceCulture #equityandbelonging #systemschange #leadWithHumility #continuousImprovement #orgDevelopment Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership is a podcast for leaders who know that real change goes deeper than tools, frameworks, and training programmes. Hosted by Kristina Katayama, founder of Be Possible and a whole systems change consultant with over 25 years of experience across 30+ countries, each episode is a genuine conversation with leaders navigating the hardest parts of organisational life — culture gaps, leadership transitions, equity work that stalls, and the tension between who an organisation says it is and what people actually experience every day. Kristina brings a rare combination of cross-sector pattern recognition, relational depth, and a belief that transformation starts with how people relate to each other — not with the next initiative or intervention. Her guests are the leaders doing that work in real organisations, in real time. If you lead a team, a department, or an entire organisation and you're ready for honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a culture of belonging and vitality, this show is for you.

2. 

   14 Sept 2026

   SE01 E09 Leadership, Power & the Trap of Authenticity | Julie Diamond

   Why do smart, capable leaders sometimes feel powerless even when they have significant authority? In this episode of Grounded Engagement, Kristina Katayama speaks with Dr. Julie Diamond, founder of Diamond Leadership and author of Power, A User’s Guide, about the psychology of power, leadership, influence, and what happens when we confuse the power of our role with our own power. Julie explores why leaders often focus more on the power they lack than the power they have, and how this can affect decision-making, relationships, team dynamics, and organizational culture. In this conversation, they explore: • Why leaders lead from the power they feel rather than the power they actually have • The difference between positional power and personal power • The overlooked power of experience, expertise, belonging, and relationships • The three traps of power leaders need to recognize • Why people often see a leader’s role before they see the person • Why authenticity and emotional intelligence, while important, aren't enough on their own • How power can create blind spots and disconnect leaders from the impact they're having • Why leadership requires restraint, self-regulation, and knowing when to step back • How leaders can unintentionally micromanage while believing they're helping • How to develop influence without formal authority • Why feedback becomes harder to receive as you gain power • What power and leadership look like as AI rapidly changes organizations and society Julie also shares stories from her coaching work that reveal how good intentions can have very different effects when you're operating from a position of power. At its heart, this conversation asks a fundamental leadership question: How do we recognize and use the power we have without losing ourselves in the role? Whether you're a CEO, executive, manager, emerging leader, or someone trying to create change without formal authority, this episode offers a deeper perspective on leadership, power dynamics, influence, agency, and organizational life. Grounded Engagement explores what it means to lead with greater awareness, humanity, and effectiveness. Connect with Julie Diamond on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliediamond5331/ If this conversation stayed with you, share it with a leader in your life. That's how this work travels. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Kristina and the Grounded Engagement podcast team Connect with Kristina Katayama on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristina-katayama-029834 Visit the Be Possible website: bepossible.com Listen to Grounded Engagement on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033t4qPBxizCWyIisE77pC Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded-engagement/id1896884338 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9f6697fa-3ece-4e35-9588-5be82ace196d #GroundedEngagement #KristinaKatayama #Leadership #Power #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipPsychology #OrganizationalCulture #Influence #Management #EmotionalIntelligence #CulturalChange #PsychologicalSafety #WorkplaceCulture #EquityAndBelonging #SystemsChange #LeadWithHumility #ContinuousImprovement #OrgDevelopment #LiberatingLeadership Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership is a podcast for leaders who know that real change goes deeper than tools, frameworks, and training programmes. Hosted by Kristina Katayama, founder of Be Possible and a whole systems change consultant with over 25 years of experience across 30+ countries, each episode is a genuine conversation with leaders navigating the hardest parts of organisational life — culture gaps, leadership transitions, equity work that stalls, and the tension between who an organisation says it is and what people actually experience every day. Kristina brings a rare combination of cross-sector pattern recognition, relational depth, and a belief that transformation starts with how people relate to each other — not with the next initiative or intervention. Her guests are the leaders doing that work in real organisations, in real time. If you lead a team, a department, or an entire organisation and you're ready for honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a culture of belonging and vitality, this show is for you.

3. 

   31 Aug 2026

   SE01 E08 From Survival Mode to Authentic Leadership | Amy Lackey

   What does it really take to become an effective leader without losing yourself along the way? In this powerful conversation, we explore the realities of leadership, workplace culture, emotional labor, trust, creativity, and the importance of staying authentic in your career. Our guest reflects on her journey from being a “reluctant leader” to understanding the value of advocacy, delegation, coaching, and bringing people together. She shares honest lessons about what happens when leaders become focused on survival, why employees can disengage when credibility is lost, and how giving people the space to take ownership can help them grow. We also explore the often-overlooked role of producers, project managers, and program managers — the people who act as the “glue” between teams, connect the dots, anticipate risks, clear obstacles, and help everyone move toward the same goal. From “done is better than perfect” to the importance of letting go of ego, this conversation offers practical leadership lessons for managers, creatives, executives, and anyone navigating a complex workplace. Key topics covered: • Authentic leadership and finding your voice • The emotional labor of managing people • Building trust and credibility at work • Why great leaders know when to let go • Delegation, ownership, and developing future leaders • Managing egos and difficult feedback • Creativity vs. business priorities • Why “done is better than perfect” • The hidden value of project and program managers • Leading through constant organizational change • Advocacy, clarity, and trust in leadership • How to stop making yourself smaller to survive at work • The importance of mentorship and vulnerability • Creating stronger teams through diverse perspectives The biggest takeaway? Leadership isn't about having all the answers or being the person in the spotlight. Sometimes, the most powerful thing a leader can do is create clarity, build trust, advocate for their team, and give others the opportunity to succeed. If you're interested in leadership development, authentic leadership, workplace culture, emotional intelligence, management, creativity, or career growth, this conversation is for you. Connect with Amy Lackey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-lackey/ If this conversation stayed with you, share it with a leader in your life. That's how this work travels. Give this episode a like, share it, and subscribe so you don't miss new conversations and insights each week. – Kristina and the Grounded Engagement podcast team Connect with Kristina Katayama on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristina-katayama-029834 Visit Be Possible: bepossible.com Listen to Grounded Engagement: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033t4qPBxizCWyIisE77pC Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded-engagement/id1896884338 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9f6697fa-3ece-4e35-9588-5be82ace196 Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership is a podcast for leaders who know that real change goes deeper than tools, frameworks, and training programmes. Hosted by Kristina Katayama, founder of Be Possible and a whole systems change consultant with over 25 years of experience across 30+ countries, each episode is a genuine conversation with leaders navigating the hardest parts of organisational life — culture gaps, leadership transitions, equity work that stalls, and the tension between who an organisation says it is and what people actually experience every day. Kristina brings a rare combination of cross-sector pattern recognition, relational depth, and a belief that transformation starts with how people relate to each other — not with the next initiative or intervention. Her guests are the leaders doing that work in real organisations, in real time. If you lead a team, a department, or an entire organisation and you're ready for honest conversations about what it actually takes to build a culture of belonging and vitality, this show is for you. #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #AuthenticLeadership #Management #WorkplaceCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #CareerGrowth #LeadershipLessons #TeamLeadership #Mentorship #GroundedEngagement #KristinaKatayama #LiberatingLeadership #CulturalChange #OrganizationalLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #EquityAndBelonging #SystemsChange #LeadWithHumility #ContinuousImprovement #OrgDevelopment

4. 

   18 Aug 2026

   SE01 E07 How One Leader Turned Adversity Into Purpose | Stephan Blanford

   What does it mean to lead with courage, purpose, and a commitment to the greater good? In this powerful episode of Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership, Kristina Katayama speaks with Stephan Blanford about his extraordinary leadership journey — from being elected president of his fifth-grade class to serving on the Seattle Public Schools Board, advocating for equitable education, leading statewide children’s advocacy efforts, and becoming Executive Director of Earshot Jazz. Stephan shares how he learned to challenge the status quo, speak truth to power, and embrace the agency he once didn't believe he had. He reflects on pivotal moments in his journey, including moving from Colorado to Seattle with little money and no job, addressing inequities in Seattle's highly capable education program, and advocating for the Fair Start for Kids Act. The conversation explores what it really takes to become a leader — even without a title. Stephan discusses courage, persistence, mentorship, community, equity, personal agency, and the importance of planting seeds for a future you may never personally benefit from. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why leadership often begins with refusing to accept the status quo • How to develop the courage to speak truth to power • Why agency can change the trajectory of your life • The difference between sanctioned and unsanctioned leadership • How mentors and community can shape a leader's journey • Why persistence matters when the odds are stacked against you • The importance of equitable access to education and opportunity • How leaders can plant seeds for generations to come If you're interested in leadership development, social impact, education equity, community leadership, or finding the courage to create change, this conversation offers powerful lessons and inspiration. Connect with Stephan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephan-blanford/ Subscribe for more conversations about grounded leadership, meaningful change, and the people creating a more equitable future. #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LiberatingLeadership #Equity #EducationEquity #SocialImpact #CommunityLeadership #SpeakTruthToPower #Agency #GroundedEngagement I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Kristina and the Grounded Engagement podcast team Connect with Kristina Katayama on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristina-katayama-029834 Visit Be Possible: bepossible.com Listen to Grounded Engagement on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033t4qPBxizCWyIisE77pC Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded-engagement/id1896884338 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9f6697fa-3ece-4e35-9588-5be82ace196d #groundedengagement #kristinakatayama #liberatingleadership #culturalchange #organizationalleadership #leadershipdevelopment #psychologicalsafety #workplaceCulture #equityandbelonging #systemschange #leadWithHumility #continuousImprovement #orgDevelopment Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership is a podcast for leaders who know that real change goes deeper than tools, frameworks, and training programmes. Hosted by Kristina Katayama, founder of Be Possible and a whole systems change consultant with over 25 years of experience across 30+ countries, each episode features genuine conversations with leaders navigating the hardest parts of organisational life — culture gaps, leadership transitions, equity work that stalls, and the tension between who an organisation says it is and what people actually experience every day. Kristina brings a rare combination of cross-sector pattern recognition, relational depth, and a belief that transformation starts with how people relate to each other — not with the next initiative or intervention. Her guests are leaders doing that work in real organisations, in real time. If you lead a team, department, or entire organisation and you're ready for honest conversations about what it actually takes to build a culture of belonging and vitality, this show is for you.

5. 

   11 Aug 2026

   SE01 E06 AI Won’t Replace Human Leadership | Laura McGann

   What does leadership look like when change never stops  and nobody has the full answer? In this episode of Grounded Engagement, Liberating Leadership, Kristina Katayama sits down with Laura McGann, a senior change and HR leader, to explore what it really takes to lead through AI, uncertainty, organizational change, and the rapidly evolving future of work. Laura shares her personal experience of realizing that AI had made her a technology leader despite never setting out to become one. Together, Kristina and Laura explore how leaders can move beyond fear and resistance to embrace AI while keeping people, connection, and humanity at the center. They discuss: • Why AI is changing the role and identity of today's leaders • How leaders can navigate constant organizational change and change fatigue • Why psychological safety matters more than ever • How vulnerability, curiosity, and courage can strengthen leadership • Why leaders need to learn and unlearn at the same time • How AI can free people from repetitive work and create more space for human connection • Why high performance is becoming a team sport rather than an individual achievement • How leaders can support employees who are at different stages of AI adoption • The importance of naming uncertainty instead of pretending to have all the answers • How leaders can redefine their identity for the future of work • Why staying one step ahead may be more important than having all the answers • How to lead with purpose, inspiration, and humanity during times of uncertainty Laura also shares a powerful lesson for managers and leaders navigating this moment: you already have much of what it takes. Courage, curiosity, connection, and a willingness to learn together may be more valuable than having a perfect playbook. If you're a leader, manager, HR professional, change management professional, or anyone trying to understand the impact of AI on the future of work, this conversation offers practical insights into leading through uncertainty while keeping people at the center. Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, organizational change, AI, psychological safety, and the future of work. #Leadership #AI #FutureOfWork #ChangeManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #PsychologicalSafety #HR #OrganizationalChange #AILeadership #FutureOfLeadership I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Kristina and the Grounded Engagement podcast team Connect with Kristina Katayama on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristina-katayama-029834 Visit the Be Possible website here: bepossible.com Listen to Grounded Engagement on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033t4qPBxizCWyIisE77pC Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded-engagement/id1896884338 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9f6697fa-3ece-4e35-9588-5be82ace196d #groundedengagement #kristinakatayama #liberatingleadership #culturalchange #organizationalleadership #leadershipdevelopment #psychologicalsafety #workplaceCulture #equityandbelonging #systemschange #leadWithHumility #continuousImprovement #orgDevelopment Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership is a podcast for leaders who know that real change goes deeper than tools, frameworks, and training programmes. Hosted by Kristina Katayama, founder of Be Possible and a whole systems change consultant with over 25 years of experience across 30+ countries, each episode is a genuine conversation with leaders navigating the hardest parts of organisational life — culture gaps, leadership transitions, equity work that stalls, and the tension between who an organisation says it is and what people actually experience every day. Kristina brings a rare combination of cross-sector pattern recognition, relational depth, and a belief that transformation starts with how people relate to each other — not with the next initiative or intervention. Her guests are the leaders doing that work in real organisations, in real time. If you lead a team, a department, or an entire organisation and you're ready for honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a culture of belonging and vitality, this show is for you.

6. 

   28 Jul 2026

   SE01 E05 Leadership Saves Lives | Raymie Fernandez

   What does it truly mean to be a leader? In this inspiring episode of Grounded Engagement, host Kristina Katayama sits down with Raymie Fernandez, COO of Dream Charter Schools, to explore how authentic leadership, emotional intelligence, and community can transform lives. Growing up in Harlem, Raymie shares the personal experiences, mentors, and family values that shaped his leadership philosophy. From launching the innovative Scratch Kitchen Program to combat food insecurity to empowering the next generation of leaders, he explains why leadership is about service, resilience, and making people feel seen. This conversation dives deep into navigating conflict, embracing authenticity, breaking barriers as a Latinx leader, and investing in young people to create stronger communities. Whether you're a leader, educator, entrepreneur, student, or someone looking to grow personally, this episode is packed with actionable insights and powerful life lessons. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "Leadership saves lives" is more than just a slogan The impact of the Scratch Kitchen Program on student well-being How emotional intelligence makes better leaders Why authenticity builds stronger teams and communities Turning conflict into connection and growth The importance of mentorship and servant leadership Lessons from Harlem that shaped Remy's leadership journey How to break barriers while staying true to your values Why investing in youth creates lasting change The mindset behind resilient, purpose-driven leadership Memorable Quotes: ✔️ "Leadership saves lives." ✔️ "Control your controllables." ✔️ "Life is about choices." ✔️ "Every storm passes." ✔️ "Your trials are your testimony." ✔️ "There's power in authenticity." If you enjoyed this conversation, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who wants to become a better leader and make a positive impact in their community. #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #RemyFernandez #KristinaKatayama #GroundedEngagement #DreamCharterSchools #ServantLeadership #CommunityLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #LatinxLeadership #Education #FoodSecurity #Authenticity #PersonalGrowth #YouthEmpowerment #ConflictResolution #Harlem #Podcast #LeadershipPodcast I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Kristina and the Grounded Engagement podcast team Connect with Kristina Katayama on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristina-katayama-029834 Visit the Be Possible website here: bepossible.com Listen to Grounded Engagement on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033t4qPBxizCWyIisE77pC Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded-engagement/id1896884338 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9f6697fa-3ece-4e35-9588-5be82ace196d #groundedengagement #kristinakatayama #liberatingleadership #culturalchange #organizationalleadership #leadershipdevelopment #psychologicalsafety #workplaceCulture #equityandbelonging #systemschange #leadWithHumility #continuousImprovement #orgDevelopment Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership is a podcast for leaders who know that real change goes deeper than tools, frameworks, and training programmes. Hosted by Kristina Katayama, founder of Be Possible and a whole systems change consultant with over 25 years of experience across 30+ countries, each episode is a genuine conversation with leaders navigating the hardest parts of organisational life — culture gaps, leadership transitions, equity work that stalls, and the tension between who an organisation says it is and what people actually experience every day. Kristina brings a rare combination of cross-sector pattern recognition, relational depth, and a belief that transformation starts with how people relate to each other — not with the next initiative or intervention. Her guests are the leaders doing that work in real organisations, in real time. If you lead a team, a department, or an entire organisation and you're ready for honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a culture of belonging and vitality, this show is for you.

7. 

   14 Jul 2026

   SE01 E04 How to Lead Through Conflict, Change & Uncertainty | Barry Johnson

   What does it really take to lead through complexity, conflict, and social change without falling into either/or thinking? In this powerful conversation, Kristina Katayama sits down with leadership thinker and Polarity Thinking pioneer Barry Johnson to explore how leaders, organizations, and societies can navigate tension, power, change, and human development more effectively. Barry shares insights from decades of work on polarity thinking — the practice of moving beyond simplistic “problem/solution” thinking to better understand the interdependent tensions that shape leadership, relationships, organizations, and culture. Together, they unpack some of the biggest challenges of our time: power and power dynamics, social change, emotional development, racism, sexism, polarization, leadership resilience, and the difference between claiming power and sharing power. Barry explains why so many leaders and systems get stuck in unsustainable patterns, and how a more integrated, both/and mindset can help us lead with greater wisdom, accountability, compassion, and effectiveness. This episode is a deep exploration of leadership development, emotional intelligence, systems thinking, organizational resilience, social transformation, and what it means to engage conflict and complexity without dehumanizing others. If you’re interested in leadership, culture change, systems change, organizational development, DEI, social impact, or personal growth, this conversation is packed with insight. In this episode, we discuss: * What polarity thinking is and why it matters for leadership * The difference between either/or thinking and both/and thinking * Human development, vertical development, and emotional intelligence * Power dynamics, leadership, and the misuse of power * Racism, sexism, class, and the structures that sustain inequity * Why change efforts fail when they ignore interdependence * How leaders can navigate conflict, uncertainty, and competing priorities * Accountability, compassion, and seeing people more completely * Organizational resilience and how to lead through complexity * Why social change requires a more integrated approach to power and systems Whether you’re an executive, founder, coach, consultant, HR leader, change-maker, or simply someone trying to understand how to lead more effectively in a polarized world, this conversation offers a thoughtful and deeply relevant framework. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone interested in leadership, organizational change, social impact, systems thinking, and personal development. #Leadership #BarryJohnson #PolarityThinking #SystemsThinking #LeadershipDevelopment #OrganizationalDevelopment #ChangeManagement #PowerDynamics #SocialChange #EmotionalIntelligence #Resilience #DEI #CultureChange #ExecutiveLeadership #HumanDevelopment Connect with  Barry Johnson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-johnson-32871056/ If this conversation stayed with you, share it with a leader in your life. That's how this work travels. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Kristina and the Grounded Engagement podcast team Connect with Kristina Katayama on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristina-katayama-029834 Visit the Be Possible website here: bepossible.com Listen to Grounded Engagement on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033t4qPBxizCWyIisE77pC Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded-engagement/id1896884338 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9f6697fa-3ece-4e35-9588-5be82ace196d #groundedengagement #kristinakatayama #liberatingleadership #culturalchange #organizationalleadership #leadershipdevelopment #psychologicalsafety #workplaceCulture #equityandbelonging #systemschange #leadWithHumility #continuousImprovement #orgDevelopment Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership is a podcast for leaders who know that real change goes deeper than tools, frameworks, and training programmes. Hosted by Kristina Katayama, founder of Be Possible and a whole systems change consultant with over 25 years of experience across 30+ countries, each episode is a genuine conversation with leaders navigating the hardest parts of organisational life — culture gaps, leadership transitions, equity work that stalls, and the tension between who an organisation says it is and what people actually experience every day. Kristina brings a rare combination of cross-sector pattern recognition, relational depth, and a belief that transformation starts with how people relate to each other — not with the next initiative or intervention. Her guests are the leaders doing that work in real organisations, in real time. If you lead a team, a department, or an entire organisation and you're ready for honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a culture of belonging and vitality, this show is for you.

8. 

   7 Jul 2026

   SE01 E03 How to Lead Through Uncertainty Without Losing Your Team | Rick Hefner

   What separates leaders who build lasting impact from those who simply solve problems? In this episode of Grounded Engagement, Liberating Leadership, Kristina Katayama sits down with Dr. Rick Hefner, Senior Director at the Caltech Center for Technology and Management Education, to explore what it truly means to develop people, create learning organizations, and lead through uncertainty. Drawing on over 45 years of experience in aerospace, systems engineering, organizational transformation, Lean Six Sigma, AI adoption, and leadership development, Rick shares powerful lessons on building trust, creating psychologically safe teams, managing change, and shifting from being the expert in the room to becoming a multiplier of others' potential. Whether you're a new manager, an aspiring leader, or an experienced executive navigating change, this conversation offers practical insights into leadership, innovation, resilience, and lifelong learning. In this episode: ✅ The difference between fixing problems and developing people ✅ Leading organizations through uncertainty and change ✅ Creating psychological safety for innovation and experimentation ✅ How to manage resistance to change and technology adoption ✅ The transition from expert contributor to servant leader ✅ Building high-performing teams through trust and shared purpose ✅ Why lifelong learning is the most important leadership skill ✅ Lessons from aerospace engineering, Lean Six Sigma, and AI transformation ✅ Turning conflict into collaboration ✅ Leadership failures that became powerful learning moments Key Takeaway "The real work of leadership isn't about driving change—it's about building the capacity that remains after you're gone." About Dr. Rick Hefner Dr. Rick Hefner is a leadership expert, systems engineer, researcher, author, and Senior Director at the Caltech Center for Technology and Management Education. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations improve performance, adopt emerging technologies, and develop the next generation of leaders. 📌 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, organizational development, emotional intelligence, innovation, and human-centered leadership. #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Management #ServantLeadership #OrganizationalDevelopment #ChangeManagement #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence #LearningOrganization #PsychologicalSafety #TeamLeadership #LeanSixSigma #PersonalDevelopment #BusinessLeadership #GroundedEngagement Connect with Rick Hefner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickhefner/ If this conversation stayed with you, share it with a leader in your life. That's how this work travels. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Kristina and the Grounded Engagement podcast team Connect with Kristina Katayama on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristina-katayama-029834 Visit the Be Possible website here: bepossible.com Listen to Grounded Engagement on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033t4qPBxizCWyIisE77pC Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded-engagement/id1896884338 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9f6697fa-3ece-4e35-9588-5be82ace196d #groundedengagement #kristinakatayama #liberatingleadership #culturalchange #organizationalleadership #leadershipdevelopment #psychologicalsafety #workplaceCulture #equityandbelonging #systemschange #leadWithHumility #continuousImprovement #orgDevelopment Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership is a podcast for leaders who know that real change goes deeper than tools, frameworks, and training programmes. Hosted by Kristina Katayama, founder of Be Possible and a whole systems change consultant with over 25 years of experience across 30+ countries, each episode is a genuine conversation with leaders navigating the hardest parts of organisational life — culture gaps, leadership transitions, equity work that stalls, and the tension between who an organisation says it is and what people actually experience every day. Kristina brings a rare combination of cross-sector pattern recognition, relational depth, and a belief that transformation starts with how people relate to each other — not with the next initiative or intervention. Her guests are the leaders doing that work in real organisations, in real time. If you lead a team, a department, or an entire organisation and you're ready for honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a culture of belonging and vitality, this show is for you.

9. 

   30 Jun 2026

   SE01 E02 What Is Leadership When the Stakes Are Real? Lessons from 25 Years in Law Enforcement | James Herrington

   Jim Herrington grew up the eighth of nine kids in Kansas City, raised largely by his mother and siblings in a household where you learned fast how to get along, advocate for each other, and show up for the people around you. He spent over 25 years as a Kansas City police officer before becoming Director of Safety and Emergency Management at Kansas City University -- and the through line across all of it is the same: the leaders who actually changed people weren't the ones with the best credentials or the highest test scores. They were the ones who showed up as human beings first. In this conversation with Kristina Katayama, Jim reflects on what two and a half decades of working with people in crisis taught him about leadership, accountability, and what it means to genuinely have someone's back. He talks about what it felt like to fail the sergeant's exam five times and keep going, about the supervisors who led through fear versus the ones who quietly changed the room without ever raising their voice, and about a moment at a train station -- just after becoming a grandfather for the first time -- that he still considers the most important thing he ever did in uniform. What you'll take away from this conversation: Why the leaders who shaped Jim most weren't always the good ones, and what learning from a bad boss actually looks like in practice What 25 years of policing taught him about meeting people at their worst and why that's where real leadership begins The quiet supervisor who de-escalated a situation from 50 feet away, without saying a word about what Jim was doing wrong Why failing the sergeant's exam five times didn't stop him, and what kept him going when the system didn't reflect what he knew he could do How active shooter training actually changes behaviour, and why compliance-first programmes often miss the point entirely What his mother's fierce advocacy for him as a struggling reader taught him about what people need from their leaders Connect with Jim Herrington on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-herrington-mba-cpp-2ba4192a If this conversation stayed with you, share it with a leader in your life. That's how this work travels. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Kristina and the Grounded Engagement podcast team Connect with Kristina Katayama on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristina-katayama-029834 Visit the Be Possible website here: bepossible.com Listen to Grounded Engagement on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033t4qPBxizCWyIisE77pC Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded-engagement/id1896884338 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9f6697fa-3ece-4e35-9588-5be82ace196d #groundedengagement #kristinakatayama #liberatingleadership #culturalchange #organizationalleadership #leadershipdevelopment #psychologicalsafety #workplaceCulture #equityandbelonging #systemschange #leadWithHumility #continuousImprovement #orgDevelopment Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership is a podcast for leaders who know that real change goes deeper than tools, frameworks, and training programmes. Hosted by Kristina Katayama, founder of Be Possible and a whole systems change consultant with over 25 years of experience across 30+ countries, each episode is a genuine conversation with leaders navigating the hardest parts of organisational life — culture gaps, leadership transitions, equity work that stalls, and the tension between who an organisation says it is and what people actually experience every day. Kristina brings a rare combination of cross-sector pattern recognition, relational depth, and a belief that transformation starts with how people relate to each other — not with the next initiative or intervention. Her guests are the leaders doing that work in real organisations, in real time. If you lead a team, a department, or an entire organisation and you're ready for honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a culture of belonging and vitality, this show is for you.

10. 

    16 Jun 2026

    SE1 E01 Why Most Organizations Stop Improving After Winning a Prize (And How the Best Ones Don't) | Ken Snyder

    Welcome to the very first episode of the Grounded Engagement Podcast hosted by Kristina Katayama! What actually separates organizations that keep getting better from the ones that plateau or decline? Ken Snyder, Executive Director of the Shingo Institute at Utah State University's Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, has spent decades studying exactly this. Drawing on 40 years of Shingo Prize data and his own 30-year career in manufacturing leadership, Ken breaks down the three things he wishes he'd known as a leader — and why most organizations are measuring the wrong things entirely. In this conversation, Ken and Kristina explore why KPIs are what Shingo himself called "death certificates" — by the time you're reading the results, it's already too late. They dig into what it really means to lead with humility (hint: it doesn't mean being soft), how psychological safety and trust create the conditions for continuous improvement, and why the best organizations eventually reach a point where the team improves faster than leadership ever could on its own. What you'll take away from this episode: Why tracking results instead of behaviors is the single biggest reason improvement efforts fail How purpose and systems either drive or destroy the right behaviors in an organization The difference between leaders who can navigate tension and those who can't Why humble leaders can actually demand more from their teams, not less How psychological safety directly impacts an organization's ability to improve The inflection point where great cultures become self-sustaining Connect with Ken Snyder: linkedin.com/in/snyderken Explore the Shingo Institute: shingo.org I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Kristina and the Grounded Engagement podcast team Connect with Kristina Katayama on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristina-katayama-029834 Visit the Be Possible website here: bepossible.com Listen to Grounded Engagement on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033t4qPBxizCWyIisE77pC Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded-engagement/id1896884338 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9f6697fa-3ece-4e35-9588-5be82ace196d #groundedengagement #kristinakatayama #liberatingleadership #culturalchange #organizationalleadership #leadershipdevelopment #psychologicalsafety #workplaceCulture #equityandbelonging #systemschange #leadWithHumility #continuousImprovement #orgDevelopment Grounded Engagement: Liberating Leadership is a podcast for leaders who know that real change goes deeper than tools, frameworks, and training programmes. Hosted by Kristina Katayama, founder of Be Possible and a whole systems change consultant with over 25 years of experience across 30+ countries, each episode is a genuine conversation with leaders navigating the hardest parts of organisational life — culture gaps, leadership transitions, equity work that stalls, and the tension between who an organisation says it is and what people actually experience every day. Kristina brings a rare combination of cross-sector pattern recognition, relational depth, and a belief that transformation starts with how people relate to each other — not with the next initiative or intervention. Her guests are the leaders doing that work in real organisations, in real time. If you lead a team, a department, or an entire organisation and you're ready for honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a culture of belonging and vitality, this show is for you.

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