You’re The Boss, Now What? with Desiree Petrich | Leadership Development for New Managers
This isn’t another “be more confident and host better meetings” podcast for managers.
When you stepped into leadership, everything changed. Assigning tasks now feels risky. Your team dynamics are confusing. Toxic culture might be creeping in. And suddenly, managing isn’t just about work, it’s about showing up as the leader your team needs.
I’m Desiree, the leadership coach who got promoted at 24, led a healthcare facility through the pandemic, and now helps new and aspiring managers build their leadership skills from the inside out. On You’re the Boss, Now What?, you’ll get the actionable tools seasoned experts often miss:
- How to delegate without losing control
- How to build trust, respect, and executive presence
- How to stop feeling overwhelmed and actually enjoy leading
- How to lead impactful team meetings and build a cohesive, high-performing team
- How to fix toxic culture, handle conflict and difficult employees, and hold people accountable
Among the episodes, we also break down popular leadership books, so you can apply what matters and skip what doesn’t.
If you’re wondering why your team doesn’t respect you, why conflict keeps flaring up, or how to get promoted into leadership, you've landed in the right place. Each week, I share candid coaching, real-world frameworks like DISC, Working Genius, and the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, and the kind of clarity you won’t get from a generic Google search.
So if you’re ready to stop second-guessing yourself, elevate your leadership presence, and build a team that actually works, hit play. This podcast is your behind-the-scenes edge to becoming the leader you were meant to be.
This is where we will answer the question; "You're the Boss, Now What?"
Popular episode topics include: We Read The Book “The Six Types of Working Genius” so you don't have to; How to Have Hard Conversations (Like a Hostage Negotiator!), 9 Life Lessons to Cut Your Learning Curve in Half, Why Better Time Management Won’t Fix Your Team’s Problems, Love + Work: Finding Joy in Your Job Isn’t a Luxury - It’s a Necessity!, Can You Be Authentic at Work Without Losing Respect?, How the Right Frameworks Turn Fear into Confidence (Craig Denison), Hiring Like a Pro: Building a Team That Actually Loves Their Work, Strengths vs. Skills: Are You Leading from Your True Strengths?, How to Successfully Go From Doing the Work to Leading the Team
You’re The Boss, Now What? with Desiree Petrich | Leadership Development for New Managers
How to Have Hard Conversations (Like a Hostage Negotiator!)
Hear Scott speak live at the Intentional Leader Summit on August 6th, 2025
Connect with Scott Tillema on Linkedin
Watch Scott's TED Talk: The Secrets of Hostage Negotiators
Recommended Book: Hostage at the Table by George Kohlrieser
Can you lead through conflict—even without trust? Scott Tillema shares hostage negotiation skills that every leader can use to navigate difficult conversations and rebuild trust at work.
What does a hostage negotiator know that can help you manage workplace conflict?
A lot, actually.
In this episode, I’m joined by keynote speaker and former SWAT negotiator Scott Tillema, who brings decades of real-world experience to the conversations leaders dread the most—those awkward, uncomfortable, or downright tense interactions we tend to avoid.
We talk about how to build connection fast (even when trust is gone), what it really means to lead with influence, and why courage—not confidence—is the skill you need to move forward.
And while most of us aren’t trying to talk someone down from a ledge, we are leading people—often without the clarity, tools, or language to move things in the right direction.
If you’ve ever felt stuck between avoiding conflict and wanting a better work culture, this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways
- Why connection—not trust—is the real starting point for influence
- How to coach team members through conflict without being the villain
- What to say to shift someone from combative to collaborative
difficult conversations at work, workplace communication, leadership podcast
new manager tips, managing workplace conflict effectively, how to lead with influence
how to have hard conversations as a manager, conflict resolution strategies for leaders, how to build trust at work after it’s broken
Connect With Desiree on Linkedin
Buy the book - Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead
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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree
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