Redefining Leadership with Confidence: Culture Shifts That Drive Lasting Growth
True leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about the confidence to create cultures where people thrive. This episode shows you how.
On Empower Her Radio, host Dr. Corey Winn welcomes leadership strategist Traci Austin, Chief Talent Officer and Founder of Elevated Talent Consulting, for a conversation that flips traditional leadership on its head. With decades of experience working in HR and workforce development, Traci brings a fresh perspective on what it really takes to build leadership and confidence, especially in industries that rarely get the spotlight, like the trades.
This episode isn’t about theory or buzzwords. It’s about the real, often overlooked challenges leaders face in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Traci and Corey dive into why confidence isn’t just a personal trait but a leadership skill, how culture shapes every decision you make, and what it looks like to create workplaces where people actually want to stay and grow.
If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with more confidence, or if leadership in your world could look different from the corporate model you’ve been shown, this conversation will give you a new lens. You’ll leave with fresh insights, but more importantly, you’ll feel empowered to ask the bigger questions about your own leadership journey.
What You’ll Learn:
[00:02:28] The Leadership Gap No One Is Talking About
[00:03:12] A New Way to Think About Culture and Confidence
[00:05:11] The Workshop That Can Redefine Your Career Path
[00:07:41] The Surprising First Step to Unlocking Leadership Confidence
[00:09:10] Why Moving Toward Something Changes Everything
[00:11:04] The Secret to Feeling Confident in the Right Role
[00:16:05] What Happens When Core Values Drive Every Decision
[00:17:40] How Onboarding Can Make or Break Leadership Growth
[00:20:47] The Game-Changer of Playing to Your Strengths
[00:31:35] The One Question That Can Transform Any Meeting
Quotes That Hit Hard:
“Culture is simply the behavior we allow or don’t allow.” – Traci Austin
“Don’t ever leave a job until you can learn to love it.” – Traci Austin
“We all have strengths and weaknesses. Great teams turn up the strengths instead of playing whack-a-mole with weaknesses.” – Traci Austin
“All a belief is, is a thought you’ve thought over and over again until you believe it’s a fact.” – Traci Austin
Actions You Can Take Today:
- Define Your Core Values. Write down the 3–5 non-negotiables that guide your work and life.
- Give Yourself Permission. Literally write, “I give myself permission to…” and finish the sentence with what you need most right now.
- Reframe Your Job. Ask yourself: Am I moving away from something or toward something better?
- Try “Are you complete?” End your next meeting with this question to ensure alignment and presence.
- Audit Your Team’s Strengths. Stop focusing on weaknesses, look for ways to amplify what each person does best.
About Traci Austin:
Traci Austin is the Founder and CEO of Elevated Talent Consulting, where she partners with contractor businesses to retain top talent, develop field-ready leaders, and create thriving workplaces that attract quality hires through culture, not gimmicks. Having grown up in the field herself, she truly understands the unique challenges and dynamics of trade-based organizations. With over two decades of human resources expertise focused on these industries, she empowers leaders to lead with greater impact, efficiency, and purpose. Traci also hosts The People Strategy Podcast, which has produced 214 episodes delivering actionable leadership insights for industries often overlooked in mainstream business conversations.
Brought to You By:
The People Strategy Podcast is sponsored by the Leadership Development Program, offered through Elevated Talent Consulting.
Are you ready to help your new and emerging leaders finish strong and start new chapters with confidence? The Leadership Development Program provides practical, real-world coaching and tools for leaders navigating the shift from individual contributor to people manager. With a focus on time management, delegation, coaching, accountability, and change, this program is designed for the unique realities of today’s workplace.
If you want to empower your leaders to complete what matters and lead with impact, discover more at Elevated Talent Consulting.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- Connect with Traci Austin on LinkedIn
- Elevated Talent Consulting
- The People Strategy Podcast
- Leadership Development Program
- Connect with Dr. Corey Winn
- Empower HER Radio Podcast
- Download the Tough Talk Blueprint
