Episode 09: Leading with Purpose - The Connection Between Leadership & Management (Bonus Episode) Artwork

UNBOXING OD: Exploring the Work Behind the Work

Unboxing OD is your guide to making sense of Organizational Development - one thoughtful conversation at a time. Hosted by Kenneth Pearson, seasoned OD practitioner and author of The Flow of Five Tiers, this podcast unpacks the complexity of organizational life with clarity, compassion, and a bit of edge.

Whether you're an early-career OD professional, a leader trying to navigate change, or simply someone who believes workplaces can be more human, you'll find grounded insights and actionable takeaways here. While most episodes are solo deep dives into the fieldwork and philosophy behind OD, we also feature voices from the field, bringing in experts, newcomers, and those who challenge the status quo.

No jargon. No endless theory. Just practical wisdom, lived experience, and a steady focus on making organizations better for the people who keep them alive.

Ready to deepen your OD practice? Connect with Kenneth on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/unboxing-od-podcast or visit the Pearson & Pearson LLC website at www.pearsonpearson.llc.

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UNBOXING OD: Exploring the Work Behind the Work

Episode 09: Leading with Purpose - The Connection Between Leadership & Management (Bonus Episode)

February 25, 2025 • Kenneth Pearson • Season 1 • Episode 9

0:00 | 11:50

Leadership and management - two words often used interchangeably, yet they play distinct and complementary roles in shaping organizations. In this special episode of Unboxing OD, we explore how leadership and management work together to drive sustainable success.

This episode holds particular significance as part of my graduate coursework at National University, where I’m pursuing a Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology. I want to extend my gratitude to Dr. Lisa Teeter and the exceptional faculty at National University for their guidance in deepening my understanding of organizational leadership.

We’ll unpack the evolution of leadership, drawing on recent research to explore transformational leadership, the coaching mindset, and the power of trust in leadership effectiveness. We’ll also break down goal-setting frameworks like SMART, WOOP, and PESTEL, showing how data-driven leadership fuels better decision-making.

To bring these ideas to life, we’ll examine a real-world example - a Tribal Government’s emergency response during the COVID-19 pandemic. This case study illustrates how cross-functional leadership, data-informed decision-making, and strategic collaboration helped navigate a crisis and strengthen long-term resilience.

Whether you’re leading a team, managing daily operations, or preparing for a leadership role, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable strategies to help you balance vision with execution.

For those interested in advancing their knowledge in Industrial Organizational Psychology, check out the MSIOP program at Masters Industrial Organizational Psychology | NU.

Join the conversation, and don’t forget to connect with Kenneth on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson to share your questions and ideas for future episodes!

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References

Crossley. C., Taylor, S., Liden, R., Wo, D., & Piccolo, R. (2024). Right from the start: The association between leadership, trust primacy, and customer loyalty. Journal of Business Ethics, 193, 409-426. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-023-05485-y

Eddy, P., VanDerLinden, K., & Hartman, C. (2023). Changing definitions of leadership or same old “hero” leader? Community College Review, 51(1

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