Cerius Leadership with Kristen McAlister

Fight. Flight. Freeze. Or… Fearless?

This week on the Cerius Leadership podcast with Dr. Tonya Hampton, we’re getting real about one of the biggest obstacles leaders face — fear. We’re diving into:

🔹The most common fears holding leaders back

🔹Why embracing fear is more powerful than facing it

🔹The Engage. Explore. Execute. mindset

🔹Techniques like the “Lid Lifter” and Positive Intelligence practices

🔹A powerful reminder: Not everyone will like you — and that’s okay

Tonya is a CEO, Author, Executive Coach, Speaker, Consultant, award winning CHRO/CPO and OD practitioner. She has 30 years of experience, effectively leading and cultivating

organizations or cultures to be inclusive and engaging. She has led Fortune 500

companies and nonprofit organizations.

Fear doesn’t disappear when you step into leadership. But how you respond to it can define the kind of leader you become. Tune in for practical tools and transformative perspectives

to help you move from reactive to resilient.

#IntentionalLeadership #FearlessLeadership #ExecutiveGrowth

#EmbraceTheFear #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessLeadership #MindsetMatters

#PositiveIntelligence

Show Notes:

Cerius for Clients: https://ceriusexecutives.com/

Cerius for Executives: https://ceriusexecutives.com/executives

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerius-interim-executive-solutions/

What do McDonald’s and a hair salon have in common?

According to Leila Velez—more than you might think.

In this episode, Leila shares how her teenage job at McDonald’s laid the foundation for building one of Brazil’s most successful beauty brands. From perfecting the product and process before expansion to creating a culture so strong that customers became employees, Leila’s journey

is one of grit, growth, and global vision. We dive into:

• How fast food taught her business fundamentals
• The power of patience before scaling
• Building a customer-first culture
• Overcoming her biggest obstacle: Access to capital
• The “customer caravan” that followed her brand across borders
• Her latest venture: Tech-enabled, personalized hair care
• Why every entrepreneur should get comfortable with trial and error

Whether you’re growing a service business or dreaming of international expansion, Leila’s story will inspire you to lead with clarity, culture, and courage.

At 19, Leila opened her first business: Beleza Natural (natural beauty). The company grew to become the largest beauty institute chain specialized in curly hair treatments in Brazil. Leila is a guest speaker about entrepreneurship, innovation, and management.

Tune in and discover the surprising link between golden arches and great hair.

#IntentionalLeadership

#Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #CustomerExperience

Show Notes:

Cerius for Clients: https://ceriusexecutives.com/

Cerius for Executives: https://ceriusexecutives.com/executives

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerius-interim-executive-solutions/

Kristen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenmcalister/

Leila’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leilavelez/

Before you invest time, money, and resources into building the next big thing—stop and ask: What are we really solving for?

In this week’s episode, I am joined by @Amy. We dive into how leaders can leverage technology, creativity, and customer insights to move fast without breaking the bank. Whether you’re leading a startup or scaling a legacy company, these lessons apply. We cover:

• How to test a business idea without building the whole thing
• Bold tech transformations—regardless of company size
• Why everything starts (and ends) with the customer
• The smartest way to decide: Do we stop, pivot, or amplify?
• What a “good” team actually looks like
• Creating space to try, fail, and ultimately succeed.

Amy leads change using a diplomatic, collaborative approach that garners support. She is an advocate for Agile methodology, and speaks about her transformation success at Agile conferences. 

You don’t need a massive budget or perfect plan—you need clarity, agility, and the right team.

Tune in to get inspired and start testing smarter.

#IntetentionalLeadership #Innovation #TechnologyStrategy

#CustomerFirst #MVP #Leadership #FractionalLeadership

Show Notes:

Cerius for Clients: https://ceriusexecutives.com/

Cerius for Executives: https://ceriusexecutives.com/executives

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerius-interim-executive-solutions/

The workforce has changed—has your talent strategy kept up?

In this game-changing episode of Cerius Leadership, we’re challenging everything you thought you knew about HR, leadership, and the evolving world of work. From outdated performance reviews to rigid career ladders, it’s time to rethink it all.

Join us as we dive into the shift toward a skills-based economy, where power skills like adaptability, collaboration, and emotional intelligence reign supreme. Discover why the career lattice has replaced the ladder and how outcome-driven leadership is reshaping what it means to lead effectively. We’ll also explore:

• The rise of Augmented Intelligence (AI) and how it can elevate—not replace—your people
• Performance management practices to ditch and what to build instead
• Creating dynamic communication and feedback loops that actually drive results
• Why succession planning needs to start long before someone exits
• And the critical need to redefine the leadership role for the future of work

Whether you’re a CEO, HR leader, or team builder, this episode is your blueprint for staying ahead in a world where talent is everything.

Ken is a human resources and talent management champion with a specialization in educations, workforce development, and leverage AI for business.

#IntentionalLeadership #InterimHumanResource #Talent

Show Notes:

Cerius for Clients: https://ceriusexecutives.com/

Cerius for Executives: https://ceriusexecutives.com/executives

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerius-interim-executive-solutions/

Is your company structured for success?

Getting the right operating structure in place isn’t just about org charts—it’s about setting up your teams to win. In the latest episode of the Cerius Leadership Podcast, Kristina Karcic, joins us to break down how to align your organization’s structure and teams with its direction and

destination. What’s inside this episode?

• How to design an operating structure that drives business goals
• Why agility is key to staying competitive
• Performance management & rewards that benefit both talent and company growth
• The power of communication—translation, trust, and inclusivity
• Preparing the next generation of leaders for success
• Key takeaway: Take the time to get clarity—then give clarity.

Kristina is a dynamic HR leader with over two decades of experience transforming human capital strategies across global organizations.

#IntentionalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #CEO #TalentManagement #Podcast #InterimManagement

Show Notes:

Cerius for Clients: https://ceriusexecutives.com/

Cerius for Executives: https://ceriusexecutives.com/executives

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerius-interim-executive-solutions/

What makes a great company? It starts with being a great place to work.

In our latest episode, we sit down with Tish Hodge, an incredible all-around culture champion. With deep expertise in HR, leadership, and workplace transformation, Tish shares powerful insights on: The evolution of HR—where it’s been and where it’s going

• Keeping top talent through stay interviews & culture committees
• Total rewards that go beyond compensation
• The role of communication & engagement in company success
• Diversity of thought and why it’s essential for innovation
• The power of consistency—in policies, decisions, and leadership behaviors

Why fearless leadership is the key to creating a thriving workplace If you’re an executive, HR leader, or business owner looking to build a company where people want to stay and grow—this episode is a must-listen. #IntentionalLeadership #HRLeadership #InterimHR #Culture

#FutureOfWork #Podcast

Show Notes:

Cerius for Clients: https://ceriusexecutives.com/

Cerius for Executives: https://ceriusexecutives.com/executives

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerius-interim-executive-solutions/

The landscape of leadership is shifting—fast. In this episode of Cerius Leadership, we sit down with Anika Gakovic, to explore the evolving demands on today’s leaders and the skills that will define success in the digital era.

Drawing from decades of experience helping executives transition into their next big role, Anika shares how leadership expectations have transformed—from the industrial age to the knowledge economy, and now the digital era. As trust, belonging, and purpose take center stage in the workplace, leaders must adapt to create meaningful employee experiences that drive results. We break down the five essential leadership skills for the future:

• Intentions & Priorities – Align vision, build discipline, and trust your preparation.
• Mindfulness & Self-Awareness – Expand situational awareness and overcome self-limiting beliefs.
• Relationships First – Foster trust, master storytelling, and embrace leadership as a responsibility.
• Courageous Conversations – Solve the right problems, engage with curiosity, and drive accountability.
• Resilience & Wellness – Manage energy, embrace adaptability, and create a sustainable pace.

Anika is a coach and business psychologist. She has taken her decades and education both as an executive to articulate and drive the what, how, and why of business leadership. Anika, thank you for joining us today. This is an exciting time in business as we see a number of shifts going on in the workforce and how they will impact how we lead our businesses and our teams.

Anika shares practical insights, real-world examples, and actionable takeaways to help leaders at all levels navigate the complexities of the modern workplace. #IntentionalLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork

Show Notes:

Cerius for Clients: https://ceriusexecutives.com/

Cerius for Executives: https://ceriusexecutives.com/executives

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerius-interim-executive-solutions/

Risk Mitigation in Business—Aligning HR & Legal for Success

Nothing derails business growth faster than lawsuits and employee relations issues. Small and mid-sized companies often face unexpected legal and HR challenges that can slow progress—or worse, put the business at risk.

In this episode of Cerius Leadership, we sit down with Darren Chiappetta, to break down how leaders can align HR and legal strategies to proactively mitigate risk, make informed decisions, and keep their company moving forward. What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The Common Pitfalls – Where misalignment between HR, legal, and leadership can stall growth and innovation.
• The Role of HR & Legal – How to leverage their insights as data points for decision-making, not roadblocks.
• Proactive vs. Reactive Risk Management – Why there’s no such thing as an informal complaint and how to stay ahead of potential legal issues.
• Defining Responsibilities Clearly – Who handles what? Setting expectations for risk management, legal counsel, and HR leadership.
• Key Takeaways for Leaders – From finding the right legal & HR advisors to knowing when to trust your intuition and take action.

Darren is a Labor & Employment attorney, Global HR Compliance/Employee Relations executive, and HR leader with substantial experience in the Tourism/Hospitality and Media/Entertainment industries.

Risk mitigation isn’t about stopping progress—it’s about protecting it. Tune in to hear expert insights that will help you make the tough calls, avoid legal landmines, and build a company that thrives. #IntentionalLeadership #RiskMitigation #HRLeadership #BusinessGrowth

Show Notes:

Cerius for Clients: https://ceriusexecutives.com/

Cerius for Executives: https://ceriusexecutives.com/executives

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerius-interim-executive-solutions/

What if your business could control its narrative, gain brand exposure, and connect deeply with your audience—just like a top PR firm?

In this episode of Cerius Leadership, we sit down with Caroline McBride, a PR expert with extensive experience in hospitality, tech, education, and beauty. Whether you’re leading a $100 million company or running a business of one, Caroline breaks down the essential strategies to help you think like a PR powerhouse. What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The Purpose of PR – Why it’s more than just media coverage; it’s about storytelling, credibility, and trust.
• Types of PR & Media – Earned vs. Paid Media, Social Media’s role, and how to get the right kind of attention.
• Getting Earned Media – What makes your business newsworthy? Learn how to craft a compelling story that the media wants to cover.
• Your Online Footprint – You’re already doing PR—make sure it’s the right PR. How to clean up and optimize your digital presence.
• Expanding Your PR Reach – Mastering media relations, landing interviews, and building relationships with journalists and podcast hosts.
• Measuring PR Success – How to track placements, reach, website traffic, and the Real Housewives effect (yes, really!).

Caroline is a public relations expert with extensive experience in hospitality, tech, education, and beauty industries. From creating a PR strategy to measuring your impact, Caroline shares insider tips, real-world examples, and tactical takeaways to help you elevate your brand.

PR isn’t just for big companies—it’s for anyone who wants to shape their reputation and grow their business. Ready to own your narrative? Tune in now! #IntentionalLeadership #PublicRelations #BrandGrowth

Show Notes:

Cerius for Clients: https://ceriusexecutives.com/

Cerius for Executives: https://ceriusexecutives.com/executives

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerius-interim-executive-solutions/

Caroline’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinemcbride/

What do the most successful leaders and organizations—both in the military and business—have in common? A balance between three essential pillars: Vision, Strategy, and People.

In this episode of Cerius Leadership, we sit down with Joe Polanin, a leader with over three decades of experience in and out of the military, to break down the fundamentals of lasting success. These three pillars are not just independent components—they are interdependent forces that must work in harmony to drive meaningful results.

Joe shares battle-tested insights from leadership in high-stakes environments, revealing how these three elements must align for any team, business, or mission to succeed. Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a company, or managing a team, mastering Vision, Strategy, and People will be the key to unlocking your full potential.

Joe has a distinguished military career that includes advising many senior defense and military officials from a U.S. President to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff. He leverages his military leadership experience now helping businesses create success, even in the most chaotic situations.#IntentionalLeadership #LeadershipFundamentals #VisionStrategyPeople

Show Notes:

Cerius for Clients: https://ceriusexecutives.com/

Cerius for Executives: https://ceriusexecutives.com/executives

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerius-interim-executive-solutions/