The Real Leadership Podcast

An Unexpected Leadership Lesson

In this first episode of Season 5, Chris shares a deeply personal story from a recent trip to Sayulita, Mexico, where an unexpected and tense situation unfolded around him.
In the middle of uncertainty and disruption, Chris found himself facing a real test, not of strategy, but of presence.
Rather than reacting with fear, he leaned into calm, awareness, and balance. What followed became a powerful reflection on what leadership truly looks like when things don’t go as planned.
This episode is about staying grounded in chaos, managing your internal state, and leading yourself first, especially when the environment around you feels anything but stable.

From Intensity to Intention: Lessons from Executive Coaching/Guest: Jonathan Cook

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Cook from Cisco to talk about his executive coaching journey and the real shifts he made along the way. Jonathan came into the process moving at a constant 100-miles-an-hour pace, brilliant, intense, and always ready to jump in with full force. Through our work together, he learned how to soften some of those rough edges, recognize when speed was serving him and when it wasn’t, and choose his leadership approach with more intention. As he puts it, not every situation calls for the same level of intensity; sometimes what’s needed is a lighter, more precise touch. It was a privilege to watch him grow into a more balanced, thoughtful, and effective leader, and I’m excited to share that story here.

Your Leadership Questions, Answered! Vol 1.

In this episode, I’m doing something a little different. Over the past few months, a lot of you have sent in great questions,  thoughtful, honest questions about the real challenges of leading and working with others.
Things like: how do I stay calm when work gets stressful? How do I set boundaries without looking disengaged? How do I adapt my communication style to different personalities? What do I do when someone on the team undermines others? How can I lead effectively if I don’t have formal authority? And how do I navigate office politics without losing my integrity?
They’re all important, and I’ve taken time to unpack each one in a meaningful way,  with ideas and tools that I hope will help you show up as a stronger, impactful leader.

Recharge Your Leadership: 10 Energy Drains to Avoid

In this episode, I talk about the ten biggest drains on our energy at work, and more importantly, what we can do about them.
From toxic coworkers who sap morale, to noisy environments that make it hard to focus, to ergonomic setups that leave us tired and sore, these small but constant frictions add up. We also face inbox overload, endless meetings, unclear priorities, and the creeping burnout that comes from trying to do it all.
But here’s the good news: every one of these drains has a practical solution. Setting boundaries with difficult colleagues. Using noise-cancelling strategies. Adjusting your workstation for comfort and posture. Streamlining your email. Building better meeting habits. Clarifying what actually matters day-to-day.
The truth is, you don’t need a radical change to reclaim your energy, you need a series of small, intentional shifts. That’s what we dive into today: how to plug the leaks, one by one, and create the conditions for focus, flow, and sustainable energy at work.

Level Up Your Leadership with Strategic Communication/ Guest: Joanna Piros

Welcome to The Real Leadership Podcast. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Joanna Piros, a seasoned journalist turned communications coach and consultant, whose work blends media savvy with real-world leadership needs. Joanna has helped thousands of leaders learn how to light up a room, inspire their teams, and communicate with clarity and confidence.
What stood out in our conversation was how much the landscape of leadership communication has shifted. Joanna spoke about the move away from rigid, polished messaging toward something far more powerful: authenticity. Today’s most effective leaders are open, vulnerable, and real, and that’s exactly what helps them connect.
In our conversation, Joanna brings that to life with real examples, from leaders navigating a crisis with heartfelt honesty to crafting communication strategies that don’t just serve organizations, but individuals.
We’ll dive deep into how these more human, transparent approaches help build trust, inspire teams, and, ultimately, lead more effectively. If you’ve ever wondered how to show up as a more impactful communicator, or what it really means to lead with your words, this conversation is full of insights.

Rethinking Productivity: Find Your Rhythm

In this short solo episode, Chris dives into a common leadership frustration: putting in long hours but still feeling unproductive. You’ve been in meetings, replying to emails, juggling tasks, but at the end of the day, it still feels like you got nothing meaningful done. Sound familiar? Chris unpacks why that happens and how the secret to real productivity might be as simple as working with your natural rhythm. Early bird or night owl? Team collaborator or solo deep thinker? It’s about knowing yourself, having honest conversations, and building a rhythm that fuels real progress. 

The Truth About Networking/ Guest: Patrick Stafford-Smith

In this episode of The Real Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Patrick Stafford-Smith, CEO of the North Vancouver Chamber, to talk about something that’s often misunderstood and for many, uncomfortable: networking.
Patrick and I both used to be a bit skeptical about networking. We didn’t see the point at first, and like many people, we weren’t exactly eager to dive into it. That awkward feeling in a crowded room, the pressure to “work the room,” or the idea that networking means selling yourself. But over time, we’ve come to see networking differently and in this conversation, we unpack how that shift happened.
We talk about the power of being authentic, the importance of timing, and why networking should start with two goals: to learn and to help. If you're a seasoned connector or someone who dreads small talk, there’s something here for you.
Let’s talk about the truth behind networking and how to make it work in a way that feels real.

Finding Balance in Leadership/ Guest: VJ Terzić

In this episode of The Real Leadership Podcast, I sit down with VJ Tarzić, an incredible Employee Engagement Coach & Consultant whose life journey, from growing up in Yugoslavia to leading teams and coaching executives, has shaped a powerful perspective on leadership, connection, and purpose.
VJ shares how his personal and professional experiences have led him to help leaders find more balance in their lives. We talk about his approach to bridging divides—whether cultural, personal, or organizational—and the four key pillars he believes every leader should nurture: work, play, health, and love.
It’s a conversation about looking to the past to better understand the future, and about how choosing to lead with humanity can transform not just our organizations, but ourselves.

Energy Boosting Tips for Leaders

Welcome to The Real Leadership Podcast with Chris Obst! In this episode, Chris shares 10 actionable tips to boost your energy throughout the workday—so you don’t just power through your job but also have energy left for your family and personal life. From strategic breaks to smarter planning, these simple yet effective strategies will help you stay sharp, focused, and productive. Tune in to learn how to work smarter, not harder!

Guest: Bryan Belmont/ Great Leaders Grow Leaders

In this episode, I’m joined by Bryan Belmont, who shares stories and insights from his incredible career at Microsoft, where he served as Corporate Vice President for Customer Service & Support. Bryan led a global team of thousands of technical professionals, all dedicated to helping customers and partners achieve success. 
Now retired, Bryan reflects on his journey, his focus on prioritizing meaningful work over promotions, and why fostering mental health in the workplace is more important than ever. He also opens up about the value of connecting with people authentically—whether they’re colleagues, customers, or friends—and how these conversations shaped his approach to leadership.
Bryan is now spending quality time with family, friends, and his love of music, while continuing to share his expertise as a Senior Advisor with BCG. Join us for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation with a leader who truly understands what it means to empower others.