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(un)leaderly—atypical leadership

(un)leaderly—atypical leadership

Barbara Iverson 10 Episodes Jul 22, 2026

Welcome to (un)leaderly, the podcast that looks at the world through an atypical leadership perspective. Each week, host Barbara Iverson and her occasional guests take a topic, break it down and discuss how it relates to leadership or managing teams while considering how things might look different with better or worse leadership, or if someone was better at managing themselves. Barbara uses stories from her life to illuminate topics and make them relatable. If you are a leadership professional, an HR professional, are currently leading a team or part of a team, or if you enjoy looking at life through an unexpected lens, this is the podcast for you. Episodes drop on Wednesdays, and Barbara offers a challenge to listeners at the end of each one.

Episodes

Quick update! We're taking a vacation!
Quick update! We're taking a vacation! Jul 22, 2026 123 Send us Fan MailWelcome to (un)leaderly, the podcast that looks at the world through an atypical leadership perspective. We're taking a short summer break, and we have new episodes ready to go the first week of September. So be sure to like, follow, subscribe, leave a review, all the things! And check back in with us in September. If you want to catch up on old episodes, now is a great time t
The Decider Leader, making decisions in a vacuum
The Decider Leader, making decisions in a vacuum Jul 15, 2026 1339 Send us Fan MailWelcome to (un)leaderly, the podcast that looks at the world through an atypical leadership perspective. In this episode, host Barbara Iverson continues the series on non-canonical leadership types by looking at what she calls Decider Leaders. She tells the story of Mark, an imaginary leader who gets in way over his head and tries to lead through the strength of his decisions. Tune
The tale of Fred and Barney (Equipping leaders vs Visionaries)
The tale of Fred and Barney (Equipping leaders vs Visionaries) Jul 8, 2026 1187 Send us Fan MailWelcome to (un)leaderly, the podcast that looks at the world through an atypical leadership perspective. In this episode, host Barbara Iverson continues the series on non-canonical leadership types by looking at what she calls Equipping Leaders, and especially comparing them to Visionary types. She tells the story of a company she helped get started and the two different men leadin
Interview with Dr. Nathan Higdon, PhD., part 2
Interview with Dr. Nathan Higdon, PhD., part 2 Jul 1, 2026 2095 Send us Fan MailWelcome to (un)leaderly, the podcast that looks at the world through an atypical leadership perspective. In this episode, host Barbara Iverson talks with her friend Nathan Higdon, who is a professor of marketing, among other things. They talk about how they tend to lead, the differences between transactional leaders and relational leaders, as well as the trap of the adage "Fak
Extra! What I've been loving in June
Extra! What I've been loving in June Jun 30, 2026 781 Send us Fan MailThis is (un)leaderly extras, which doesn't quite follow the format of the podcast. In this extra: what I've been loving in June...hint: it's all about the ice, baby! Each month I'll share what I've been enjoying, whether it's a product I like or some piece of media I want to talk about, anything. And no, it's not an ad; I'm not getting paid f
Interview with Dr. Nathan Higdon, PhD., part 1
Interview with Dr. Nathan Higdon, PhD., part 1 Jun 24, 2026 1946 Send us Fan MailWelcome to (un)leaderly, the podcast that looks at the world through an atypical leadership perspective. In this episode, host Barbara Iverson talks with her friend Nathan Higdon, who is a professor of marketing, among other things. They talk about their own young years and markers of leadership often pegged to children and young adults. This is a fun, informal conversation about t
The trap of the Buddy Leader
The trap of the Buddy Leader Jun 17, 2026 1673 Send us Fan MailWelcome to (un)leaderly, the podcast that looks at the world through a leadership perspective. In this episode, host Barbara Iverson talks about leaders who are so concerned that they are liked or seen as one of the cool kids by those they should be leading that they make poor decisions. She talks about how the decisions by those Buddy Leaders can come back around in painful, unwan
Transforming vulnerability from weakness to superpower
Transforming vulnerability from weakness to superpower Jun 10, 2026 2686 Send us Fan MailWelcome to (un)leaderly, the podcast that looks at the world through a leadership perspective. In this episode, host Barbara Iverson talks about leaders being vulnerable with their teams, companies, and even peers. She tells stories of her experiences with leaders who refused to be vulnerable and how that hindered their relationships with their team members. She also links vulnerab
How does a Scarcity mindset hold you or your team back?
How does a Scarcity mindset hold you or your team back? Jun 3, 2026 1896 Send us Fan MailWelcome to (un)leaderly, the podcast that looks at the world through an atypical leadership perspective. In this episode, host Barbara Iverson talks about scarcity and abundance mindsets. When we can identify the mindset we're in, we can be aware of the decisions we're making and how they will affect ourselves and our team or organizational culture.Barbara tells stories f
Matriarchy? Patriarchy? Is there REALLY a difference?
Matriarchy? Patriarchy? Is there REALLY a difference? May 27, 2026 3031 Send us Fan MailWelcome to (un)leaderly, the podcast that looks at the world through a leadership perspective. In this episode, host Barbara Iverson talks about the differences between Matriarchal and Patriarchal systems (spoiler: they're not the same system just led by different genders). She tells stories of her experiences with people who misunderstand the goals and who deliberately try to
Extra! Relationship Stages
Extra! Relationship Stages May 22, 2026 459 Send us Fan MailThis is (un)leaderly extras, where something from a previous episode sparks a few more thoughts but not a full episode. In this extra: how Team Development Stages apply to Personal Relationships as well. Welcome to (un)leaderly, the podcast that looks at the world through an atypical leadership perspective. Host Barbara Iverson tells stories from her life and looks at the world thr
Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing (how teams develop)
Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing (how teams develop) May 20, 2026 2126 Send us Fan MailWelcome to (un)leaderly, the podcast that looks at the world through a leadership perspective. In this episode, host Barbara Iverson talks about team development stages based on the work of Bruce Tuckman. Understanding how teams do (and don't) develop is key to creating safe and productive work environments.Barbara tells stories from her life and looks at the world through an

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