Underdog Leadership Podcast

Ever wonder how that woman does it? You know the oneshe knows everyone, is in the right room at the right time, and has the perfect connection for what youre looking for. This week, Jenny Mitchell pulls back the curtain on the not-so-secret, yet rarely talked about, art of building and maintaining a powerful leadership network.

In this episode, Jenny shares the real reasons behind why strong leaders arent just good at their jobstheyre connected, curated, and community-driven.

Whether you're an extrovert who thrives in a crowd or an introvert who excels one-on-one, community building is a skill you can learn. Ill share practical tips, the benefits of nurturing your network, and how to make time for new connectionseven when your schedule feels full.

This episode is for ambitious, compassionate women who want to lead with impact and build meaningful relationships along the way. Lets get started.

Key Takeaways:

1. Strong communities are built with intention, not luck.

2. Networking is essential for leadership and growth.

3. Compassionate leadership includes accountability.

4. Maintaining and celebrating relationships strengthens your network.

5. Choose networking methods that align with your stylebut do it consistently.

Chapters:

00:00 Building Strong Communities: The Foundation of Leadership

02:54 The Importance of Networking for Leaders

05:59 Masterminds and Collaborative Support

09:12 Digital Networking: Leveraging Online Platforms

12:11 Feeding Your Network: Maintaining Relationships

14:54 Strategic Connections: Future Networking

18:13 Creating Meaningful Communities and Retreats

If you loved this episode, youll also enjoy:

• Episode 6.1 - Work Life Integration: Lessons Learned from a Workaholic Woman: https://chavender.com/underdog-leadership-podcast/work-life-integration-lessons-learned-from-a-workaholic-woman/

• Episode 6.4 - Compassionate Accountability for Leaders (ft. Nate Regier): https://chavender.com/underdog-leadership-podcast/compassionate-accountability-for-leaders/

• Episode 4.7 - How to Leverage the Enneagram for Crucial Conversations: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ixwdvlzwy8whjr90r0S8Q?si=JN9P7OoiSxKkRg3X6gsYPw

Buy the Embracing Ambition Book: https://chavender.com/embracing-ambition-the-book/

Book a discovery call:https://calendly.com/jennychavender/30min?back=1&month=2022-09

Lean into Meaningful Conversations with this complimentary 20 minute video all about the tools and techniques for moving conversations forward: https://youtu.be/zv1N_ZsDEAs

Don't miss an episode by joining my Podcast VIP Email List: https://chavender.activehosted.com/f/27

Catch me on email: [email protected]

Check out my website: chavender.com

Hop on over to Instagram: @jennychavender

Let's connect on LinkedIn: Jenny Mitchell, CFRE, CEC, DMA

"See" me on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Q97-c98aPUmfhzlpswfsw

In this week’s Uncut episode, Jenny Mitchell takes us back to basics with a quick and practical set of "cue cards" — essential reminders for anyone stepping into leadership for the first time. This episode serves as a companion piece to last week’s conversation with Katie McMillan about navigating the first year as a new executive director and the role coaching can play.

Leadership is a marathon, not a sprint. Remember to embrace patience and persistence as key leadership traits. If you’re stepping into a leadership role, this episode is packed with practical wisdom to help you stay grounded and purposeful in your first months and beyond.

Listener Reflection:
What is one area in your leadership where you might need to slow down and focus more on planning and pacing, rather than rushing to act?

Listen to Episode 6.6 here: https://chavender.com/underdog-leadership-podcast/navigating-leadership-as-a-new-executive-director/

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✨Buy the Embracing Ambition Book: https://chavender.com/embracing-ambition-the-book/

Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/jennychavender/30min?back=1&month=2022-09

Lean into Meaningful Conversations with this complimentary 20 minute video all about the tools and techniques for moving conversations forward: https://youtu.be/zv1N_ZsDEAs

Don't miss an episode by joining my Podcast VIP Email List: https://chavender.activehosted.com/f/27

Catch me on email: [email protected]

Check out my website: chavender.com

Hop on over to Instagram: @jennychavender

Let's connect on LinkedIn: Jenny Mitchell, CFRE, CEC, DMA

"See" me on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Q97-c98aPUmfhzlpswfsw

Stepping into a new leadership role can feel like sailing into uncharted, rocky waters—exciting AND terrifying. Your inner critic is loud, your confidence shaken, and the pressure to lead feels overwhelming.

In this episode, Jenny Mitchell chats with Katie McMillan, Executive Director of the Milton District Health Foundation, who shares real, raw lessons from her first year as a newly appointed leader. Katie opens up about the moment she knew it was time to move from a supporting role into leadership, the challenges of owning decisions, and how coaching became one of her secret weapon to thrive.

Hear how Katie invited her board to invest in her growth, while embracing a leadership style that’s about listening, learning, and empowering others—not having all the answers.

Key Takeaways:

1. Gain experience by trying new things and embracing challenges.

2. Coaching builds confidence and supports leadership growth.

3. Trust and compassionate listening are essential to effective leadership.

4. Ask the right questions to resolve conflict and foster team ownership.

5. Understand organizational dynamics and balance action with planning for success.
   
   

Chapters:

00:00 Navigating Leadership Transitions

02:56 The Role of Coaching in Leadership

05:48 Building Trust and Vulnerability

08:52 Listening and Learning as a Leader

12:01 Conflict Resolution and Decision Making

15:01 Understanding Organizational Politics

18:05 Balancing Doing and Planning

21:02 Compassionate Leadership and Accountability

If you loved this episode, you’ll also enjoy:

• Episode 2.1 - Transformational Leadership in Six Steps or Less: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1U4BkH5ru2TsKQ5cB7ggAG?si=ZSiW5ALiTJaUNcDqVWWxxQ  

• Episode 4.4 - How to Get (More) Comfortable Doing New Things: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Z0fLQ0ciclFjUzQbnuuZY?si=DPSqYUCySUa0rrHzV12KNg  

• Episode 5.7 - Career Transitions and How to Navigate Them: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0aerfLW3l6EGYP69HFFTz1?si=eoMMiLe3QSiEOmEqS1JfJg  

—

✨Buy the Embracing Ambition Book: https://chavender.com/embracing-ambition-the-book/

Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/jennychavender/30min?back=1&month=2022-09

Lean into Meaningful Conversations with this complimentary 20 minute video all about the tools and techniques for moving conversations forward: https://youtu.be/zv1N_ZsDEAs

Don't miss an episode by joining my Podcast VIP Email List: https://chavender.activehosted.com/f/27

Catch me on email: [email protected]

Check out my website: chavender.com

Hop on over to Instagram: @jennychavender

Let's connect on LinkedIn: Jenny Mitchell, CFRE, CEC, DMA

"See" me on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Q97-c98aPUmfhzlpswfsw

Connect with Katie

If you want to learn more or get in touch with Katie, here’s how:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/katie-mcmillan-3683a84b
  
  

• Email: [email protected]
  
  

Feel free to reach out and connect with her!

Feeling overwhelmed and pulled in a million directions? Take a load off, and have a listen! This episode is a lifeline to clarity.

Jenny shares her go-to brain dump exercise—a powerful, simple practice she uses with clients, teams, even her partner—to cut through chaos and zero in on what really matters. Inspired by a Warren Buffett story about ruthless prioritization, this short session walks you through a process to clear mental clutter, sort your goals, and start taking aligned, strategic action.

Jenny guides you to:
- Brainstorm freely and get it all out of your head
- Identify your “parking lot” ideas (hello, accordion!)
- Circle your gut-level priorities
- Map those priorities into your actual calendar
- And stop moving the goalposts on yourself

If you’ve been craving clarity, purpose, and some good practical wisdom, this episode delivers. Listen now and get focused on your next one thing.

Listener Reflection:
What did your brain dump reveal about where you're spending your energy—and does it align with what truly matters to you right now?

Listen to Episode 6.5 here: https://chavender.com/underdog-leadership-podcast/the-one-thing-all-leaders-must-do/

—

✨Buy the Embracing Ambition Book: https://chavender.com/embracing-ambition-the-book/

Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/jennychavender/30min?back=1&month=2022-09

Lean into Meaningful Conversations with this complimentary 20 minute video all about the tools and techniques for moving conversations forward: https://youtu.be/zv1N_ZsDEAs

Don't miss an episode by joining my Podcast VIP Email List: https://chavender.activehosted.com/f/27

Catch me on email: [email protected]

Check out my website: chavender.com

Hop on over to Instagram: @jennychavender

Let's connect on LinkedIn: Jenny Mitchell, CFRE, CEC, DMA

"See" me on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Q97-c98aPUmfhzlpswfsw

In this solo episode, Jenny Mitchell takes listeners deep into one of the most critical skills every leader must master: the ability to prioritize with clarity and conviction. Drawing inspiration from Gary Keller’s book The One Thing, Jenny explores how simplification is not a sign of weakness, but a strategic power move.

She shares personal stories — like the shift from pedaling faster to pedaling smarter — and explains how true leadership begins when we train our attention on high-value tasks, streamline operations, and boldly say no to what no longer serves our purpose.

Jenny also breaks down the common growth cycle leaders face: Grow → Plateau → Streamline → Reflect → Grow Again, emphasizing the need to pause and assess before scaling.

Key Takeaways:

1. Focus on what matters most – Not everything is equal; prioritize high-impact tasks.

2. Simplify and streamline – Reduce complexity to boost efficiency and clarity.
   Invest energy strategically – Choose where to focus your time and attention.

3. Let go to grow – Release what no longer serves you to make space for progress.

4. Stay adaptable and well – Embrace change and support productivity with habits like exercise and visualization.

Chapters:

00:00 Finding Your One Thing

02:50 The Importance of Simplification

06:02 Streamlining for Success

08:53 Prioritizing High-Value Tasks

12:01 The Power of Focus and Attention

14:50 Visualizing Success

18:14 Making Strategic Choices

21:09 Embracing Change and Growth

If you loved this episode, you’ll also enjoy:

• Episode 6.1 - UNCUT: https://chavender.com/underdog-leadership-podcast/uncut-episode-6-1/ 

• Episode 4.8 - Goodbye to Perfection, Hello to Flourishing with Homaira Kabir: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4RNZUB4GwYH1xQNRIRl8Ct?si=5FlTY5w0QoygLxqLGEXVlA 

• Episode 4.1 - Giving Yourself Permission to Do the Big Thing: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Z8LsituOzOpjfcx1xDMTs?si=kbwU1zI6TQScmHYnVWWTEA 

—

✨Buy the Embracing Ambition Book: https://chavender.com/embracing-ambition-the-book/

Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/jennychavender/30min?back=1&month=2022-09

Lean into Meaningful Conversations with this complimentary 20 minute video all about the tools and techniques for moving conversations forward: https://youtu.be/zv1N_ZsDEAs

Don't miss an episode by joining my Podcast VIP Email List: https://chavender.activehosted.com/f/27

Catch me on email: [email protected]

Check out my website: chavender.com

Hop on over to Instagram: @jennychavender

Let's connect on LinkedIn: Jenny Mitchell, CFRE, CEC, DMA

"See" me on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Q97-c98aPUmfhzlpswfsw