Leaders must GROW first. The Grounding & Growing Leadership Podcast is for leaders who want to grow themselves, build healthier teams and create organizations where people and performance thrive. Hosted by ALIGN founder and CEO Tara Gronhovd, each episode tackles the real challenges of leadership through candid conversations, practical tools and fresh perspectives on trust, accountability, developing people, navigating change, strengthening culture and building organizational capacity. Because better leadership improves how business works and the quality of people's lives.
Performance Review Systems that Work with Stephanie Theisen - Episode 141
Welcome back, friends! In this episode of the Grounding and Growing Leadership Podcast, Tara is joined by co-host and ALIGN’s Chief Strategy Officer, Stephanie Theisen, to rethink the traditional performance review. They explore why annual reviews often fall short and how clear goals, regular feedback, and ongoing coaching can create a more effective approach to performance management. Tara and Stephanie also discuss navigating employee pushback around growth and shifting from reactive conversations to proactive coaching. The takeaway: performance management shouldn’t be a once-a-year event, but an ongoing rhythm that helps employees grow, understand expectations, and perform at their best.
Registration for our next Grounded Leadership (https://aligntransform.com/grounded-leadership-program/) cohort is now open!
Registration for our next Coaching For Performance (https://aligntransform.com/growth-focused-leadership/) cohort is now open!
Registration for our next Managers Essentials Course (https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=jca_3FibtEqwk7IUe0XAJW6m74KA3CdBg97EI6vtxrBUQlZJSVBEVTFPV0ZUUEVBMjVQU0pZTU9UUi4u) is now open!
Comments or questions about this episode? Ideas for future podcast topics and guests? We’d love to hear from you!
Resources:
ALIGN (https://aligntransform.com/)
GROW Leadership Capacity Assessment (https://aligntransform.com/grow/)
10 Sept 2026
Let's Name The Elephant: The Power of True Leadership ALIGNment with Stephanie Theisen - Episode 140
Welcome back, friends! In this episode of the Grounding and Growing Leadership Podcast, Tara is joined by co-host and ALIGN’s Chief Strategy Officer, Stephanie Theisen, to explore what true leadership alignment looks like, and what happens when expectations,communication, and priorities aren’t clear. They discuss how a lack of bench strength and unclear expectations can lead to burnout, disengagement, and leaders holding onto responsibilities they need to let go of.
Tara and Stephanie share practical ways leadership teams can strengthen alignment through clear mission, vision, andvalues, regular check-ins, psychological safety, and honest conversations about the “elephants” in the room. The takeaway: alignment isn’t a one-time conversation;it requires intentional communication, accountability, and consistent practice to keep teams moving in the same direction.
Registration for our next Grounded Leadership (https://aligntransform.com/grounded-leadership-program/) cohort is now open!
Registration for our next Coaching For Performance (https://aligntransform.com/growth-focused-leadership/) cohort is now open!
Registration for our next Managers Essentials Course (https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=jca_3FibtEqwk7IUe0XAJW6m74KA3CdBg97EI6vtxrBUQlZJSVBEVTFPV0ZUUEVBMjVQU0pZTU9UUi4u) is now open!
Comments or questions about this episode? Ideas for future podcasttopics and guests? We’d love to hear from you!
Resources:
ALIGN (https://aligntransform.com/)
GROW Leadership Capacity Assessment (https://aligntransform.com/grow/)
21 Aug 2026
Rebuilding and Restoring Trust in the Workplace with Pamela Nelson
Welcome back, friends! In this episode of the Grounding and Growing Leadership Podcast, Tara's joined by co-host and ALIGN coach Pamela Nelson for a thoughtful conversation about building, breaking, and repairing trust in the workplace. Together, they explore the four dimensions of trust and discuss how leaders can identify what's really at the root of trust challenges instead of making assumptions or avoiding difficult conversations.
Tara and Pamela share practical strategies for rebuilding trust through greater self-awareness, honest communication, and intentional repair. They introduce a simple frame work for navigating trust conversations and remind listeners that meaningful change always starts with looking inward. Whether you're leading a team or strengthening relationships with colleagues, this episode offers action able insights for creating healthier, more trusting workplaces.
Registration for our next Grounded Leadership (https://aligntransform.com/grounded-leadership-program/) cohort is now open!
Registration for our next Coaching For Performance (https://aligntransform.com/growth-focused-leadership/) cohort is now open!
Registration for our new Managers Essentials Course (https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=jca_3FibtEqwk7IUe0XAJW6m74KA3CdBg97EI6vtxrBUQlZJSVBEVTFPV0ZUUEVBMjVQU0pZTU9UUi4u) is now open!
At the Grounding and Growing Leadership podcast, we believe everyone is a leader and that leadership starts with you. Join Tara Gronhovd, Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach and e2Grow High Performing Team Coach, and Pamela Nelson, Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach, Counselor, and Spiritual Director, as we navigate conversations to grow you and your teams on your leadership journeys.
Clifton Strengths (aka Strengths finder) is an assessment that is based on positive psychology and measures core motivations. It’s an extremely powerful tool for personal and professional development as well as improving team dynamics. You will hear us reference Strengths frequently in our podcasts. If you are interested in learning more and taking the Clifton Strengths assessment for you or your team, please reach out to tara@aligntransform.com (https://d.docs.live.net/dbbbb1cb59505fdf/Documents/Align%20Files/a%20podcast%20notes/tara@aligntransform.com).
Comments or questions about this episode? Ideas for future podcast topics and guests? We’d love to hear from you!
Resources:
ALIGN (https://aligntransform.com/)
Restoring Trust at Work ALIGN Q3 Workshop (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/align-q3-workshop-restoring-trust-at-work-tickets-1983991409714?aff=oddtdtcreator)
OILS Resource (https://aligntransform.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ALIGN-OILS-resource.pdf)
The Thin Book of Trust - Charles Feltman (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/770101/the-thin-book-of-trust-third-edition-by-charles-feltman/)
Who has been a guest on Grounding and Growing Leadership Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Ty Lewis
Dr Ashley Lang
Olivia LaRose
Jon Acuff
Lisa Cummings
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
17 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 63 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
95
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
77
Contact Grounding and Growing Leadership Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Grounding and Growing Leadership Podcast
Who hosts Grounding and Growing Leadership Podcast?
Pamela Nelson and Tara Gronhovd host the show. Published by Hosted by Tara Gronhovd | Powered by ALIGN.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Grounding and Growing Leadership Podcast take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Host of Grounding and Growing Leadership Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
