ON YOUR WAY

ON YOUR WAY

by Darla Betzer Bonk
BusinessEducation
Season 2025
ON YOUR WAY TO HAVING AN EMOTIONAL EDGE IN LEADERSHIP
In this powerful episode of "ON YOUR WAY," host Darla Bonk challenges the myth that emotion has no place in business leadership. Discover how embracing your emotional intelligence can transform you from a good leader to a great one.Key Points: Leaders with high emotional intelligence are 34% more effective at leading change and managing staff Employees with empathetic leaders see a 76% increase in engagement and a 61% boost in creativity High emotional intelligence accounts for 90% of what sets top performers apart Organizations with emotionally intelligent leaders are 4 times more likely to retain skilled employees Darla shares actionable steps to cultivate emotional intelligence in leadership: Practice self-awareness Cultivate empathy Communicate openly and honestly Lead by example in showing emotion Learn how to: Celebrate wins with your team Create space for emotional expression Use vulnerability to connect with your employees Align your company's mission with personal values Tune in to discover how injecting passion into your leadership style can skyrocket your success and transform your entire organization. Remember, as Darla says, "As long as there's breath in your body, you have the power to change your circumstances."Don't miss this game-changing episode that will revolutionize your approach to leadership and help you get ON YOUR WAY to building the life and business you love! #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessSuccess #EmployeeEngagement
S2025 · E3
Feb 3, 2025
18:47
On Your Way to Love, Legacy & Leadership
Darla provides motivation and business tools to help you overcome the obstacles In your way so you can get ON YOUR WAY to building and living the life you love! In this episode, Darla shares five key questions every leader should be asking themselves in the areas of family, finance, faith, fulfillment, fun, fitness, future, and freedom.
S2025 · E2
Jan 8, 2025
7:40
ON YOUR WAY TO A TRULY HAPPY YEAR!
Darla Bonk, CEO & Founder of Darla Bonk Consulting, shares business and motivational lessons to help you, whether you are a CEO, Executive, Entrepreneur or successful individual contributor, overcome the obstacles IN your way so you can get ON YOUR WAY to B.A.L.L. Out! BUILD AND LIVE the LIFE you LOVE! In this episode, Darla shares how to reflect, review, refocus, and recast your game plan for a truly happy and successful 2025!
S2025 · E1
Jan 1, 2025
11:33
Season 3
ON YOUR WAY TO BUILDING TRUST THROUGH AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP
What do 120 executive interviews reveal about the leaders who actually move the needle? Mark Gordon, managing editor of the Business Observer and host of "From the Corner Office" podcast, sits down to share what separates transformational CEOs from the rest—and it's not what you'd expect. Florida's business landscape is shifting fast. Affordability is breaking traditional hiring models, and the executives winning this battle have discovered something counterintuitive. Gordon reveals the unconventional strategies they're deploying while others are still talking about "the problem." Culture isn't soft—it's strategic. But Gordon uncovers a specific leadership trait that top performers share, one that most executives actively avoid because it feels uncomfortable. The payoff? Organizations that attract A-players and keep them. Here's what nobody's talking about: Your story might be your most underutilized asset. Gordon shares why vulnerability in leadership isn't weakness—it's competitive advantage. He breaks down real examples of executives who transformed setbacks into breakthroughs, and the specific framework they used. The trust factor. Gordon explains the one question business leaders should ask themselves more often but don't—and why answering it honestly could be the difference between incremental growth and exponential impact. If you're ready to move beyond risk-averse thinking and build an organization people actually want to be part of, this conversation delivers executive alignment strategies you can implement immediately. Want to connect with Mark? Here's how: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-gordon-7860b83/ https://www.businessobserverfl.com/
S3 · E38
Oct 5, 2025
33:06
On Your Way from Leadership to Mentorship
From Leadership to Mentorship with Shawn Smith (Boston Red Sox, GM – Florida Operations) SHOW NOTES: What does it take to move from being the one “in charge” to the one who champions others? In this conversation, I sit down with Shawn Smith, General Manager of Florida Operations for the Boston Red Sox, to unpack how mentorship multiplies impact—on teams, culture, and long-term results. We talk spring-training scale, building trust, developing leaders at every level, and the simple rhythms that turn experience into someone else’s advantage. Why Listen Learn a practical framework for shifting from doer/decider to developer/mentor Hear inside-baseball (literally) stories on aligning operations, player development, and community Walk away with a 90-day mentorship game plan you can put into practice this quarter Key Takeaways Mentorship is leverage: One leader can move a project; a mentor can move a generation. Clarity > control: Clear standards, consistent check-ins, and shared scorecards beat micromanagement. Trust compounds: Small wins, seen and celebrated, build the confidence required for stretch roles. Proximity matters: Mentors create intentional touchpoints—pre-briefs, post-mortems, and walk-arounds. Playbooks prevent drift: Document the “how we do it here” so growth doesn’t dilute culture. The 90-Day Mentorship Challenge Pick 2 people (one emerging leader, one peer). Set a cadence: 30 minutes, every other week. Run this loop: goals → reps → feedback → next rep. Measure 3 metrics: ownership, decision quality, and communication speed. Celebrate a visible win at day 90. “Leadership is measured by outcomes. Mentorship is measured by others’ outcomes—long after you leave the room.” Shawn Smith serves as General Manager, Florida Operations for the Boston Red Sox, overseeing the club’s operations in Florida, including spring training and community engagement. Links & Mentions Boston Red Sox – Florida Operations (Spring Training) Connect with Shawn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnhpsmith/ Connect with Darla: www.darlabonk.com | @DarlaBonkConsulting Call to Action If this episode sparked something, share it with a leader who’s ready to become a mentor—and leave a 5-star review to help more leaders find the show.
S3 · E37
Sep 1, 2025
38:27
On Your Way to Setting the Tone
I finally got to sit down with the one and only Beau Groover and have a discussion about all things manufacturing, leadership and entrepreneurship! You don't want to miss it. Check out Beau Groover at: https://www.theeffectivesyndicate.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/beaugroover or grab his book: "Building a Kickass Culture"
S3 · E15
Dec 2, 2024
36:50
On Your Way to Live, Learn, Lead!
In our pursuit of professional excellence as entrepreneurs, executives, and leaders, we often neglect the very essence of what makes life worth living. We chase metrics, KPIs, and bottom lines, forgetting that the most important performance indicator is our own fulfillment. Today, I challenge you to redefine success. True success isn't just about what you achieve in the boardroom; it's about creating a life you're excited to wake up to every morning. In the pursuit of being someone willing to B.A.L.L. out, Build AND Live the Life you Love you have to real with the person in the mirror and take back your accountability and responsibility to YOURSELF! It's time to LIVE, LEARN & LEAD!
S3 · E14
Sep 14, 2024
23:55
On Your Way to the Next Level as a Business Owner
This is THE episode I am most excited about! I had the privilege of sitting down with my business mentor and coach, the one and only Melissa Henault, CEO & Founder of Burn Out to All Out! We talk all things business, motherhood, marriage and how to ensure you stay running your business in the smart way as you grow and scale instead of your business running you! You don't want to miss this! You can find information about Melissa at https://burnouttoallout.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-henault/ Podcast: https://burnouttoallout.co/podcast/
S3 · E13
Sep 4, 2024
54:40
On Your Way to Replicating Yourself as a Leader
How are you building in resilience in your leadership team? How are you replicating yourself? How are you building in a succession plan that will leave your business in great hands? Let's talk about it!
S3 · E12
Jun 17, 2024
19:10
On Your Way to Career Advancement
In this week's episode, Darla interviews Kate Pozeznik, Founder of Quirk, a bold personal branding and career consulting firm that helps accelerate the careers of trailblazing women executives and rising professional seeking a life of fulfillment and freedom through the development of career marketing materials, digital personal branding, and client-centered coaching.
S3 · E11
Jun 17, 2024
44:07
1 of 4