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Tired of surface-level leadership hacks? Ready to learn genuine presence, deepen your influence, and build unwavering trust with your team? Welcome to The Reins of Leadership, hosted by Business Leadership Strategist Merinda Smith. This is your essential resource for transforming not just what you do as a leader, but who you are. We go beyond theory, offering practical strategies illuminated by an unexpected source of wisdom: the intuitive world of horses and donkeys. On this podcast, you wi ...
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Have you ever found yourself avoiding being too direct with your team, worried that clarity might come off as harsh? What if your softness - your care, empathy, and gentle nature wasn’t the problem… but the lack of structure around it was? You’ve been trying to lead from the heart, but it’s not working the way you hoped… and your team might be feel…
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Why Giving Your Horse (and Your Team) Space Leads to Success
20:36
20:36
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20:36
Ever find yourself over-correcting others work, or do you feel the urge to constantly check in on your team, dictate how tasks are done, or even redo their projects? You've been setting up for success, but your instinct to control the minutiae might actually be hindering the outcome. Does that anxious feeling of needing to make sure everything is p…
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Beyond the Smile that's hiding potential Burn Out.
15:23
15:23
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15:23
Is your star player always saying "yes," taking on more, and smiling through it all? What if that incredible willingness is masking deep stress, putting them on a collision course with burnout... or worse, an unexpected exit? Too many leaders miss the subtle signs until it's too late. In this episode of The Reins of Leadership, we step into the are…
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The Lens Shift - Transformational Learning and Leadership
18:00
18:00
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18:00
Have you ever felt stuck, applying the same leadership approaches but not getting the results you want? Or maybe you've achieved success on paper, yet feel something is missing? This episode explores Transformational Learning – a process of changing how you see the world, yourself, and your role as a leader. Discover the 'lens shift' – that moment …
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Carly Shorter on Communicating Powerfully & Going Below the Surface
40:18
40:18
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40:18
Have you ever felt the pressure in those critical moments – presenting to your team, sharing a big idea, leading a difficult conversation – and worried your message didn't truly land? Or sensed there was more potential for connection and impact in the room, but weren't sure how to bring it to life? Maybe you've felt like important things are going …
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How Your Energy Triggers Resistance in others.
19:46
19:46
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19:46
Ever feel like you're hitting a brick wall with someone on your team? They seem obstructive, resistant to change, maybe even defiant – making leadership feel like a battle. But what if that "difficult" behaviour isn't what it seems on the surface? What if it's not intentional disruption, but a defense mechanism rooted in fear? If you can relate – f…
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When Your Leadership Feels Off and What the Horses can Reveal
13:50
13:50
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13:50
Ever have that nagging feeling that your leadership just isn't landing? Maybe your team interactions feel strained, your message isn't quite connecting, or you simply feel... off? You know something's misaligned, but you can't put your finger on it. This episode tackles that elusive feeling head-on. That sense of dissonance often stems from a gap b…
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Beyond the Yard: Leadership Lessons from Life on the Road
27:18
27:18
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27:18
Have you ever felt like you were stuck inside the yard of your own life -looking out, knowing there’s more, but unsure how to step beyond the open gate? What if the space you need to grow isn’t found in doing more, but in reconnecting with nature, with stillness, with your own inner compass? You’ve been trying to lead, to show up, to hold it all to…
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The Horse Who Played Small: Are You Holding Your Leadership Back?
20:26
20:26
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20:26
Do you ever feel like you're meant for more impact, but something holds you back? Maybe you hesitate to speak up, avoid taking risks, or dim your own light to 'keep the peace'? You're not alone. Many leaders unknowingly limit their potential by "playing small." Can you relate? Does that feeling of 'keeping small' sound familiar? We get it… The pres…
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Communication Secrets from the Pony Paddock for leaders
20:53
20:53
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20:53
Have you ever spent ages developing the perfect email or speech, only for the message to completely fall flat or be misunderstood? Do you sometimes feel like despite your best efforts to communicate clearly, there’s a disconnect with your team? You’ve been trying to articulate your vision or give feedback constructively... but it’s just not landing…
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Loosening the Grip: Lessons in Control from the stable
16:15
16:15
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16:15
Have you ever felt that intense pressure to oversee every single detail on a project? Do you find yourself micromanaging your team, driven by a fear that things won't get done right unless you do them or dictate every step? Perhaps you know you should trust your team more, but letting go feels risky, even overwhelming... and it's leaving you feelin…
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