Uh-Oh: Conversations With Leaders

In this episode of UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders, Dr. Troy Hall and Ben-Jamin Toy sit down with culture renovator and strategic coach Akeela Davis for a raw and powerful discussion on purpose, pivoting, and what happens when success no longer aligns with your values.Akeela shares her “OH” moment: the hard decision to sell a thriving financial advisory business she spent over 15 years building. On the surface, it was a successful venture. But underneath, it was draining her drive. What started as a mission to help people had quietly morphed into a managerial grind that left her feeling disconnected from her purpose. In a move that shocked some and liberated her, she stepped away, not because the business was failing, but because she was failing herself by staying.From a teenage entrepreneur selling candle holders to a culture consultant helping organizations align people with purpose, Akeela walks us through the power of motivational mapping, the weight of values like integrity, and the high cost of ignoring your internal compass. Her story is a masterclass in self-awareness and the kind of courage leaders need if they want to build something that lasts... and feels worth it.If you’ve ever felt stuck in a role that looks good on paper but drains your spirit, this conversation will hit home. And if you're a leader trying to build a culture that keeps people engaged and fulfilled, Akeela’s insights on two-way accountability and motivation will give you a roadmap worth following.

In this episode of UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders, Dr. Troy Hall and Ben-Jamin Toy sit down with Chris Bower, CEO of Endurance Federal Credit Union, for a candid, straight-shooting conversation about what it really takes to lead well.Chris opens up about his leadership evolution, from a task-first, empathy-later mindset to recognizing that truly effective leadership means caring about the whole person. He shares lessons learned the hard way, the value of embracing responsibility early in your career, and why young professionals should stop waiting for permission to grow.What’s inside:- The difference between entitlement and engagement- How empathy became a non-negotiable leadership skill- Why difficult conversations are career-critical- Advice for emerging leaders who want to stand out- A sneak peek at C.A.R.L., the AI leadership assistant built to help you ask for promotions with strategy, not stressThis is the kind of episode that might make you rethink how you lead and how you show up.

What happens when your gut tells you something’s off but you don’t act on it? In this episode of UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders, Cynthia Campbell joins Dr. Troy Hall and Ben-Jamin Toy for a powerful and personal conversation on leadership, intuition, and the hard lessons that come from hesitating at the wrong time.With two decades of experience in the credit union world and a new chapter as founder of Soul Path Leadership, Cynthia unpacks a real-world “UH-OH” moment: a delayed system upgrade that put her team under pressure and forced a fast-tracked transformation. She gets real about how confidence, collaboration, and even gender dynamics can impact decision-making, and why learning to trust your intuition is a non-negotiable leadership skill.Along the way, we talk about discernment, building character through choices, and Cynthia’s two surprising alternative career paths: seminary student and roller derby queen (yes, really).If you've ever struggled with trusting your instincts, presenting bold ideas, or wondering when to push and when to pause, this one’s for you.