E41: Nikki Vassallo on The Real Work of Leadership: Walking Beside Your Team

In this episode of Othman’s Leadership Podcast, Dr. Reda Othman sits down with Nikki Vassallo, President of the ATD Central Massachusetts Chapter and a seasoned learning and development leader, for a powerful conversation on what it truly means to lead by example. Nikki shares hard-earned wisdom and honest reflections on how leaders can shift from being doers to being developers. She unpacks: How ego gets in the way of leadership—and how humility unlocks growth Why the best leaders don’t hoard tasks but empower others through stretch assignments How lifting your team when they’re not in the room builds trust and loyalty Why delegation isn’t a sign of weakness but the key to building capacity—for others and yourself How coaching with questions instead of answers fuels deeper engagement and learning Through compelling stories and practical strategies, Nikki shows us how leading alongside your team—not above them—creates sustainable success and mutual growth. Whether you’re a new manager or a senior executive, this episode will inspire you to reflect on how you lead and challenge you to grow others as you grow yourself. 🎧 Tune in to learn how you can build a team that doesn’t just follow you—but thrives because of you.