Average Joe Leadership podcast artwork

PODCAST · education

Average Joe Leadership

Average Joe Leadership is a podcast for everyday people who’ve thought about leading, are thinking about leading, or feel that nagging itch to step up—but don’t come with a fancy title or a corner office. It’s a place for motivation, encouragement, and real-world inspiration, minus the buzzwords and leadership bravado. Think of it as a thought partner and idea spot for learning to lead where you are… coffee optional, ego not required.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 12, 2026 · Source feed

  1. 4

    8 Tenets of Success - Have a Clear Direction

    Send us Fan MailThis episode kicks off an 8-part series on my 8 Tenets of Success. We begin with the foundation of all great leadership: Having a Clear Direction.Direction creates alignment, and helps teams understand where they're going and why it matters. In this episode, we discuss defining where you want to go, where you want to take your team, clarifying roles and responsibilities, communicating with purpose, creating buy-in, evaluating progress, and regularly revisiting what you value most.If people don't know where they're headed, it's difficult to expect them to arrive. Great leaders create clarity, communicate consistently, and keep the vision in front of their teams.Join me as we explore the first of the 8 Tenets of Success and how a clear vision can transform your leadership and your organization.

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    Episode 8: The Assistant

    Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we explore the characteristics of a great assistant and the leader’s responsibility in developing one. We discuss what to look for—initiative, communication, discretion, ownership, and adaptability—and how leaders can build trust, delegate effectively, coach through mistakes, and create growth opportunities. The goal isn’t just finding help; it’s developing a trusted leadership partner.

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    Episode 7: Mothers: The Unsung Leaders

    Send us Fan MailThis special Mother’s Day edition of Average Joe Leadership — “Mothers: The Unsung Leaders”.  We take a closer look at one of the greatest leadership examples many of us will ever experience: moms.From compassion and sacrifice to resilience, hard work, and investing in others, mothers model the kind of leadership that shapes families, workplaces, teams, and lives every single day. In this episode, we unpack the leadership lessons moms naturally demonstrate and how those same principles can help us become stronger leaders in our homes, organizations, and communities.Whether you’re a leader, parent, coach, educator, or simply someone grateful for the influence of a mother figure, this episode is a reminder that some of the most powerful leadership happens quietly, consistently, and behind the scenes.Because sometimes the greatest leaders never ask for the title.

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    Culture Matters!

    Send us Fan MailWe talk a lot about improving organizations, but most people get it wrong, culture isn’t built in a meeting or written into a plan. It’s shaped daily by what you tolerate, what you reinforce, and how you lead when things get hard.In this episode of Average Joe Leadership, we break down what culture really is, why it drives everything, and how everyday leaders can take ownership of it, without titles, buzzwords, or excuses.Real talk. Practical insight. No fluff.

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    How Do We Keep Going?

    Send us Fan MailEffective leadership requires an fuel source that most people ignore. When burnout hits and the energy fades, how do you still show up for your team? We’re diving into the practical habits that protect your drive and ensure you're leading from a place of power, not just a place of exhaustion.

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    Episode 4: The Box

    Send us Fan MailAren't we taught to “think outside the box?” Maybe not so fast, my friend!Today's episode is about leadership, structure, and why operating inside the box might actually make your life easier (and your team happier). We talk about the rules, frameworks, and expectations that keep things running smoothly—and how good leaders know when to lean into them instead of fighting them.If you lead people, projects, or just yourself—and want leadership advice that’s smart, human, and a little fun—this podcast is for you.

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    Episode 3: The Power of Priority

    Send us Fan MailThe power of priority really drives, dictates, and manipulates your day-to-day. Whether it is unspoken or declared, the things in our lives that take up the most time are what we prioritize. The question is, are we prioritizing the things we truly want to bear fruit in? Take a listen to 3 case studies that show how the power of priority can keep us from hitting our personal goals if we don't make some life changes. 

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    Episode 2: Decide and Acknowledge

    Send us Fan MailWe're diving into leadership principles this week! Before you can grow as a leader and maximize your leadership potential, you need to either decide or acknowledge you are a leader! Once you have done that, decide what kind of leader you want to be (Seat Leader, Climber, Stagnant Leader). From there, it will drive your growth as a leader. 

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    Pilot Episode: Why Average Joe Leadership

    Send us Fan MailPilot Episode: Why Average Joe LeadershipThis first episode isn’t the exciting one—and that’s on purpose. It’s the “why” behind Average Joe Leadership.In this pilot, I share a bit of my personal story, how I found myself thinking about leadership when I never set out to be a “leader,” and why this podcast exists in the first place. This is about the everyday moments, quiet nudges, and persistent itch to step up that so many people feel—but don’t always talk about.You won’t find big announcements or bold claims here. Just the foundation for what’s coming: a space for encouragement, motivation, honest reflection, and practical ideas for average people learning to lead right where they are.If leadership has ever crossed your mind—even briefly—this episode is the start of our journey together.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Average Joe Leadership is a podcast for everyday people who’ve thought about leading, are thinking about leading, or feel that nagging itch to step up—but don’t come with a fancy title or a corner office. It’s a place for motivation, encouragement, and real-world inspiration, minus the buzzwords and leadership bravado. Think of it as a thought partner and idea spot for learning to lead where you are… coffee optional, ego not required.

HOSTED BY

Joseph Melms

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Average Joe Leadership have?

Average Joe Leadership currently has 9 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Average Joe Leadership about?

Average Joe Leadership is a podcast for everyday people who’ve thought about leading, are thinking about leading, or feel that nagging itch to step up—but don’t come with a fancy title or a corner office. It’s a place for motivation, encouragement, and real-world inspiration, minus the buzzwords...

How often does Average Joe Leadership release new episodes?

Average Joe Leadership has 9 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Average Joe Leadership?

You can listen to Average Joe Leadership on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Average Joe Leadership?

Average Joe Leadership is created and hosted by Joseph Melms.
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