525: Why Your Obsession with KPIs Is Killing Your Leadership and Culture (Ken Blanchard Would Agree)

525: Why Your Obsession with KPIs Is Killing Your Leadership and Culture (Ken Blanchard Would Agree)

Author: Laura Camacho January 28, 2026 Duration: 25:40

Click here if: You’re a senior leader who’s finally ready to level up, speak up, get recognized and nail that promotion…and you want to work with Laura Camacho to build your Executive Presence in the next 90-120 days.

Click here to pinpoint the specific area in your executive presence that’s keeping you invisible to senior leadership and guarantees you stay working hard as a pack mule who never gets promoted. Download the Executive Presence Scorecard assessment.


Are you leading with executive influence or just holding a title? What if the secret to lasting leadership success isn’t about performance metrics—but something totally unexpected?


In this episode, we explore the legendary leadership philosophy of Ken Blanchard with his longtime collaborator and biographer, Martha Lawrence. If you're feeling overlooked in your role or struggling to gain influence despite stellar results, this conversation reveals the crucial mindset shift that could unlock your next level of leadership.

By the end of today’s conversation with legendary Ken Blanchard’s biographer, Martha Lawrence you’ll know:


🎯Why “catching people doing things right” is more than just feel-good advice—it’s a strategy for building organizational vitality


🧩How Blanchard’s concept of servant leadership can help you grow influence without chasing titles


🚀 Be inspired by real stories of how intentional culture and human-first leadership drive results in high-performing companies


Listen now to discover the timeless leadership principles that can help you gain influence, elevate your team, and transform your impact—starting today.


About our guest:

Martha C. Lawrence, a former editor for Simon & Schuster and Harcourt Publishers, and an executive editor at Blanchard, has worked closely with Ken Blanchard for over twenty years. Her deep understanding of his work and legacy makes her uniquely positioned to tell this compelling story.

Lawrence authored Catch People Doing Things Right: How Ken Blanchard Changed the Way the World Leads (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Hardcover, October 21, 2025.)

This insightful biography explores the origins and evolution of the impactful concept of "Catching People Doing Things Right,” and traces the life of its pioneer, bestselling author of One Minute Manager, and leadership expert, Ken Blanchard. From his beginnings as a self-proclaimed "mediocre student" to becoming a global icon in management thought, the book delves into how Blanchard revolutionized leadership worldwide. He is the co-founder of management and leadership training company, Blanchard.



To learn more visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. New Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.


In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.


By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.


Ever find yourself in a crucial meeting, certain your idea is the right one, only to have the conversation move past you? That specific frustration of being unheard, despite your expertise, is exactly where Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style begins. Hosted by communication strategist Laura Camacho, this podcast digs into the subtle, often unspoken rules of influence within organizations. It’s not about talking louder; it’s about communicating with a clarity and conviction that commands attention and gets results. Each episode moves beyond generic advice, offering practical frameworks for shaping how you’re perceived in high-stakes situations, from boardroom presentations to everyday team interactions. You’ll hear real-world breakdowns of communication successes and missteps, actionable strategies for structuring your thoughts under pressure, and insights into the nonverbal cues that define leadership presence. This is for professionals who are ready to transition from being a participant to becoming a pivotal voice. Tune into this business and careers podcast for a thoughtful, nuanced exploration of what it truly means to lead through your words and demeanor, transforming your potential into tangible impact.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style
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