Lead the People

Updated: 04 Sep 2025 • 140 episodes
www.mattpoepsel.com/podcasts/lead-the-people

Lead The People is your guide to unlocking your true potential as an authentic leader. Hosted by Dr. Matt Poepsel—The Godfather of Talent Optimization—this podcast dives deep into the art and science of what it takes to lead at the next level. With insightful conversations and practical strategies, each episode equips executives, strategic HR pros, and aspiring leaders with the tools it takes to boost performance, inspire teams, and drive meaningful impact. Whether exploring the latest workplace trends or tackling real-world leadership challenges, Lead The People offers an enlightened approach to leadership. Embark on a rewarding journey to become the leader your people deserve—the leader you were meant to be.

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After years of hosting this podcast and interviewing incredible leaders, I've identified the tools that solve the most common manager challenges: lack of time, uncertainty about doing things right, and feeling constantly behind.  Todoist - Master Your Time and Tasks A comprehensive task management system that transform

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In this episode, Mike Zani, CEO of The Predictive Index and author of The Science of Dream Teams, joins the show to break down how behavioral science can transform hiring, culture, and leadership. From his Olympic sailing background to leading a talent optimization platform used by over 10,000 companies, Mike shares pr

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In this episode, Matt Rieck, Chief Human Resources Officer at End Zone Insurance and author of The Employee Retention Bible, joins the show to share proven strategies for keeping your best people. From rethinking turnover as a natural business function to designing better company meetings and succession plans, Matt unp

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Adam Weber has helped grow organizations, lead people-first teams, and navigate the tension between humanity and performance. In this episode of Lead The People, Adam Weber and Matt Poepsel talks about why real leadership starts with presence. They unpack the dangers of over-indexing on metrics, how burnout is often hi

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Leigh Elena Henderson spent years in corporate HR — until the system she upheld broke her down. In this episode, Leigh shares her powerful story of leaving the corporate world behind and using her voice to expose the realities so many employees face in silence. From toxic culture to broken policies, she unpacks the ten

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What happens when people don’t feel seen, needed, or valued at work? In this episode, author and researcher Zach Mercurio joins Matt Poepsel for a powerful conversation on mattering — the often-missing ingredient in modern leadership. They explore why recognition isn’t enough, how to build cultures where people feel ir

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