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The Conversation with Clinton M. Padgett

The Conversation with Clinton M. Padgett

Written by: Clinton M. Padgett
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 Did you realize the key to business and team success finds its roots deep in conversation? Join Clint Padgett, who’s built his career helping Fortune 100 companies optimize their businesses, as he interviews leaders who encourage employees to learn, challenge, and grow. If you want to effectively manage people and optimize results, this is the podcast for you. The Conversation with Clinton M. Padgett from Forbes Books.Copyright Forbes Books Economics
Episodes
  • Burnout Isn’t What You Think: A Conversation with Paula Davis (Part One)

    Burnout Isn’t What You Think: A Conversation with Paula Davis (Part One)
    Apr 22 2026
    In this episode, Clint talks with Paula Davis – Founder and CEO of the Stress & Resilience Institute and author of “Beating Burnout at Work” and “Lead Well” – about what burnout really is, why most organizations misunderstand it, and what leaders need to do differently to build resilient, high-performing teams.

    Drawing from her own experience burning out as a lawyer and her work with leaders across industries, Paula explains why burnout is a systemic issue rooted in how work is designed. She breaks down the key drivers of stress and disengagement, why leaders often miss what’s really happening on their teams, and how small, intentional actions can create meaningful change.

    Through practical insights and research-backed frameworks, Paula offers a clearer way to think about workload, team dynamics, and leadership behaviors, helping leaders move from reactive fixes to sustainable performance.

    This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

    Topics Covered:
    • Paula’s journey from law to burnout and into resilience research
    • Why burnout is more than just an individual stress problem
    • The difference between high workload and unmanageable workload
    • Why most wellness programs don’t fix burnout
    • The gap between what leaders think and what employees experience
    • Why burnout is a systemic, culture-driven issue
    • The six core drivers of stress and disengagement in teams
    • How lack of recognition shows up beyond just not hearing “thank you”
    • The role of fairness, transparency, and trust in team health
    • Why leaders are often underprepared to address burnout
    • How meaningful one-on-one conversations drive engagement
    • The impact of constant busyness and overloaded teams
    • Why connection and community break down under pressure
    • The balance between autonomy and belonging in modern work environments
    • How small, consistent leadership actions (“tiny noticeable things”) create resilience


    Links:
    Paula’s website - https://stressandresilience.com/
    Paula’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauladavislaack/
    Paula’s book, “Beating Burnout at Work” - https://amzn.to/4tKzkEG
    Paula’s book, “Lead Well” - https://amzn.to/4mvTqQC
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    36 mins
  • Clarity, Consistency, and Credibility: A Conversation with Mark Fava (Part Two)

    Clarity, Consistency, and Credibility: A Conversation with Mark Fava (Part Two)
    Apr 15 2026
    In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Mark Fava – former U.S. Navy Officer, accomplished aviation attorney, and author of “Lessons from the Admiral” – Mark shares practical leadership lessons on communication, trust, and execution that apply across any organization.

    He explains why exceptional leaders repeat their message with clarity and consistency, how listening builds credibility faster than talking, and why transparency, especially in difficult situations, is critical to maintaining trust and morale.

    Mark also covers how leaders should handle problems early, create environments where people feel safe raising issues, and balance honest feedback with strong team alignment.

    Through real-world examples, he highlights the importance of preparation, accountability, and doing what you say you’re going to do, every time.

    The conversation closes with advice for early-career professionals on leading without authority, overcoming self-doubt, and building a reputation that lasts.

    This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

    Topics Covered:
    • Why consistent messaging is critical for effective leadership
    • How to communicate clearly, concisely, and with impact
    • The “three bullet rule” for simplifying communication
    • Why great leaders listen first, and how it builds credibility
    • The role of transparency in building trust and morale
    • How to handle difficult messages and lead through discomfort
    • Why problems don’t age well, and how to address them early
    • Creating a culture where team members feel safe speaking up
    • The balance between healthy disagreement and team alignment
    • Why preparation drives confidence and performance
    • Leading without authority through reliability and execution
    • The importance of doing what you say you’ll do
    • Overcoming imposter syndrome early in your career
    • Lessons learned from failure and how to reset and move forward
    • The concept of “legacy leadership” and long-term impact
    • Why integrity and reputation are a leader’s most valuable assets

    Links:
    Mark’s website - https://markcfava.com/
    Mark’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcfava/
    Mark’s book, “Lessons from the Admiral” - https://amzn.to/48m9tum
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    30 mins
  • Leadership Under Pressure: A Conversation with Mark Fava (Part One)

    Leadership Under Pressure: A Conversation with Mark Fava (Part One)
    Apr 8 2026
    In this episode, Clint talks with Mark Fava, former U.S. Navy Officer, accomplished aviation attorney, and author of “Lessons from the Admiral” about what real leadership looks like under pressure and the habits that separate good leaders from great ones.

    Drawing from his time as an admiral’s aide, Mark shares firsthand experiences from high-stakes environments where execution, trust, and attention to detail were mission-critical. He explains how doing both the “small” jobs and the high-visibility work equally well builds credibility, why early impressions matter more than most people realize, and how leaders earn trust through consistency, humility, and accountability.

    Through practical stories and hard-earned lessons, Mark bridges the gap between military leadership and the corporate world, offering a clear roadmap for leading teams, building trust, and delivering results when it matters most.

    This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

    Topics Covered:
    Mark’s journey from Naval ROTC to becoming an admiral’s aide
    What it’s like to support senior leadership in high-pressure environments
    Why no task is “below your pay grade” in great leadership
    How early performance shapes long-term reputation
    The importance of attention to detail and flawless execution
    How to build credibility with peers and superiors early in your career
    Why helping others is the fastest way to build trust
    Leadership lessons from working closely with an admiral
    Taking responsibility for mistakes and learning from them
    Why leaders should take the blame and pass the praise
    The importance of understanding expectations and alignment
    How to disagree behind closed doors and align in public
    The difference between communication and conversation in leadership
    Why delivery and timing matter when giving feedback
    Real-world lessons from military leadership that apply to business today

    Links:
    Mark’s website - https://markcfava.com/
    Mark’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcfava/
    Mark’s book, “Lessons from the Admiral” - https://amzn.to/48m9tum
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    36 mins
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