Leveraging Operations in Leadership
Leveraging Operations in Leadership is the podcast for values-driven leaders and business owners who are building small, growing teams.
Hosted by Tonya D. Harrison, Founder of Cignal Partners and creator of the LeadOpx™ Framework, each episode explores how to lead with purpose and operate with precision — blending leadership development, team performance, and operational excellence into actionable insights.
Whether you’re a business owner scaling your first team or a leader refining how your team operates, you’ll learn how to:
- Strengthen your leadership systems and decision-making
- Improve team communication, accountability, and performance
- Build sustainable operations that reflect your values and support your vision
Because great leadership starts with values — but it’s sustained through systems.
Join us on this journey to elevate your leadership game and achieve outstanding results with your team.
Episodes
47 episodes
The Leader’s Checklist: 5 Things to Do Before Bringing on a Team
Before you hire your first team member or take on a team for the first time you need more than job descriptions and good intentions. You need a clear plan. In this episode of Leveraging Operations in Leadership, host Tonya ...
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Episode 46
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19:34
Beyond Zoom: Best Practices for Leading Remote Teams
Leading a remote team isn’t new, but it’s more common than ever. Long before 2020, companies like IBM and Dell had remote employees, but when COVID hit, the world of work changed overnight. In April 2020, Gallup reported that about 70% of th...
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Episode 45
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29:41
Work-Life Integration in Every Season: Lead Without Losing Yourself
Have you ever felt like success at work means sacrificing your personal life? In this episode, I share why work-life integration is more sustainable than balance and how to use your values, non-negotiables, and boundaries to protect...
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Episode 44
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20:42
Don’t Make Them Regret Saying Yes – Onboarding That Works
You know that sinking feeling when you start a new job and immediately wonder, “Did I make the right choice?” That’s exactly what happens to new employees when onboarding falls short. And here’s the truth: once doubt creeps ...
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Episode 43
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24:21
AMA: Managing Up and Protecting Your Boundaries
Ever been stuck between a boss who’s not pulling their weight and an organization that seems to expect 24/7 availability? You’re not alone.In this AMA episode, I answer:How to correct a leader who isn’t doing their job when i...
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Episode 42
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21:17
Make Decisions with Confidence: Stop Wasting Time on Bad Decisions
Struggling with decision-making as a leader? In this episode, I introduce the CLEAR Decision-Making Framework — a practical, step-by-step tool to help leaders make confident, timely, and effective decisions. Time ...
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Episode 41
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16:16
From Pressure to Power: How Leaders Bounce Back Stronger
Pressure doesn’t have to break you—it can build you. In this episode, I share why resilience is non-negotiable for leaders, the dangers of leading without it, and practical mindset shifts that will help you bounce back stro...
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Episode 40
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16:16
How to Build a Cohesive Team That Actually Works Together
Is your team full of capable people but still struggling to work as one? Do you find yourself constantly stepping in to fix miscommunication or put out fires?In this episode of Leveraging Operations in Leadership, we br...
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Episode 39
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17:15
Time Management for Leaders: Get the Right Things Done
Are you constantly busy but never feel like you're actually leading?You're not alone; many managers and small business leaders are stuck juggling execution, team issues, and strategic goals… without a clear system to manage it all.In...
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Episode 37
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35:33
Managing People Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: Let’s Talk Leadership Challenges
Managing a team isn’t just about getting the work done—it’s about leading people, and people come with personalities, preferences, and past experiences. In this Ask Me Anything episode of Leveraging Operations in Leadership<...
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Episode 36
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16:09
Promotion Is Not Preparation: Avoid the 60% Failure Trap
So, you got promoted — now what?If you’ve stepped into a leadership role and thought, “Why didn’t anyone prepare me for this?” - you’re not alone. In fact, research shows that 60% of new leaders fail within their first 18 mon...
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Episode 35
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14:49
Leading on Empty
Burnout doesn’t care how talented or dedicated you are, and for many leaders, it creeps in quietly.In this Leadership Unfiltered episode, I share the raw truth of leading while completely drained — emotionally, physically...
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Episode 34
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20:05
From Proving to Positioning: How Strategic Leaders Deliver Value
In this episode, Tonya breaks down the five key mindset shifts that help leaders escape this validation trap and instead focus on generating real impact and team growth. Discover why trust outweighs likability, how effective delegation and boun...
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Episode 33
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29:09
The Five Leadership Traps Holding You Back from Excellence
Are the leadership beliefs you’ve always heard actually sabotaging your success? In today’s episode, we dig into five persistent leadership myths that sound true, but could be limiting your growth and your team’s performance....
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Episode 32
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27:08
SOPs: The Secret Weapon for Scalable, High-Performing Teams
Is your team constantly spinning its wheels? Do you find yourself answering the same questions over and over again?In this episode, Tonya D. Harrison uncovers a simple but powerful shift that could transform how your team works: Standard...
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Episode 31
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13:03
Pause, Reflect, Lead: The Leadership Secret Weapon You’re Probably Ignoring
Is your leadership reactive or intentional? In this episode, we unpack the often-missed but powerful tool of reflection and how it transforms your leadership from managing crises to operating with clarity and purpose. You’ll discover five pract...
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Episode 30
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18:05
Mastering the Middle: How to Balance Team and Leadership Demands
Feeling caught in the "messy middle" of team leadership? Dive into this episode as we uncover the art of balancing team needs with leadership demands. Discover actionable strategies to align team goals, communicate effectively across all levels...
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Episode 29
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26:21
Top Five Leadership Challenges and How to Overcome Them
New to managing a team? This episode is packed with actionable advice tailored for new leaders. Join Tonya D. Harrison as she answers common questions, from making time for one-on-one meetings to managing former peers...
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Episode 28
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28:07
Mastering the 5 P Framework for High-Performance Teams
Are you ready to transform your team’s performance? Dive into today’s episode as we unpack the 5 P's Framework – Principles, People, Performance, Processes and Platforms, and Planning – essential for building and leading exceptional teams. ...
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Episode 27
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19:08
Strength in Silence: Leveraging Introversion for Leaders' Success
Introversion in leadership is a powerful yet underestimated topic, which we explore in today’s episode. Join me as we uncover the myths surrounding introverted leaders and highlight their unique strengths, offering practical strategies for turn...
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Episode 26
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21:30
The Power of Principles: Building Trust and Resilience in Leadership
Ever felt the sting of being overlooked for a promotion? It's a situation many can relate to, but the real question is: How do you maintain your integrity and drive amidst such a disappointment? Principles in leadership – it’s a cr...
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Episode 25
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18:42
Breaking the Hire, Fire, Rehire Cycle: Building a Stable, High-Performing Team
Unlock the secrets to breaking free from the exhausting cycle of hiring, firing, and rehiring. What if you could transform your team into a stable, high-performing powerhouse? Join me, Tanya D. Harrison, on the Operations Toolbox podcast, as we...
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Episode 24
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23:21
Delegation Tactics for Elevated Team Performance
Could your leadership effectiveness be limited by your inability to delegate? Join Tanya D Harrison as she unpacks why over 70% of leaders find delegation challenging and how a shift in mindset can liberate you from control issues and lack of t...
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Episode 23
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14:46
From Vision to Victory: Practical Goal Setting Tactics for Teams
Can your team achieve more with better planning? Today’s episode of the Operations Toolbox podcast is designed to provide you with the tools and insights to transform high-level business goals into actionable strategies. Join me, Tonya D, as we...
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Episode 22
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31:47