Bad Days Leadership
Bad Days Leadership is a podcast where bad days make better leaders. Hosted by Dr. Matt Paden, President and Managing Partner at Great Days Leadership, each episode explores the moments we’d rather forget, the cringe-worthy decisions, awkward conversations and leadership missteps that taught us the most.
In a relaxed conversation, guests share stories from their own leadership journey like:
- A decision they still wince at
- A boss behavior they vowed never to repeat
- A “bad leader alert” phrase or action they’ll never forget
These honest, often humorous reflections reveal powerful lessons about growth, humility and resilience. Each guest leaves listeners with one piece of practical advice, something they wish they’d known ten years ago.
The show is conversational and authentic, designed to remind us that even our worst days can make us better leaders.
Bad Days Leadership
Latest Episodes
"I Knew It Was a Mistake While I Was Still Saying It" - Coach Matt Doherty on Coaching Scars
Coach Matt Doherty — starter on the 1982 national championship team at North Carolina alongside Michael Jordan and James Worthy, former head coach at UNC, Notre Dame, SMU, and FAU, and now an executive coach and author of Rebound: From Pain to ...
"I Honestly Thought I Was Bad at Everything" — Kacy Maxwell on Red Lines and Rebuilding Confidence
Kacy Maxwell — Chief Marketing Officer and general manager of the marketing technology consulting practice at Provisions Group, and creator of Drawn to Lead — joins Dr. Matt Paden on the Bad Days Leadership podcast. Kacy opens by admitting he h...
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"You've Got to Get Me Out" — Dr. Ken Jones on the Year He Told His Board He Was Breaking
Dr. Ken Jones — president of Oklahoma Christian University, former president of Lubbock Christian University for nineteen years, and co-author of "The Core" with host Dr. Matt Paden — joins the Bad Days Leadership podcast. Ken names the three w...
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"You Fall to the Level of Your Training" w/ Dr. Henry Cloud
Dr. Henry Cloud — New York Times bestselling author of over 45 books including Boundaries, Necessary Endings, and Integrity, and executive coach to CEOs and organizations for decades — joins Dr. Matt Paden on the Bad Days Leadership podcast. Dr...
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"You're Never Persuasive When You're Abrasive" — Randy Gravitt on 40 Years of Leadership Lessons
Randy Gravitt — CEO of Lead Every Day, executive coach to NFL and MLB organizations, and author of Lead Every Day and Winning Begins at Home — joins Dr. Matt Paden on the Bad Days Leadership podcast, and opens by challenging the show's entire p...
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