Think about the leaders who’ve shaped you. Some made you feel seen, supported, and capable of more. Others left you questioning yourself long after you stopped working with them. Because every leader leaves something behind.
A mark.
Or a scar.
Your leadership legacy isn’t simply what you accomplish or the results you deliver.
It’s the imprint you leave on people and how they feel, perform, and lead others after you’re no longer in the room.
But we don’t lead from a blank slate.
We bring our experiences, beliefs, fears, and personal stories into every decision we make. Sometimes, that “inside stuff” shows up in ways we never intended.
So, how can you become more intentional about what your leadership will be known for?
My special guest today is Rhoda Banks and she’s simplifying how to build a leadership legacy.
She’ll share how our lived experiences shape the way we lead, where the inner work begins, and how to break patterns that no longer serve us.
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<What’s catching my eye this week>
- 3 hours of (free) focus music for deep concentration - Quiet Quest - Study Music
- Mary’s book is out now! Buy Squash the Sunday Scaries: A Modern Playbook to Rebuild Trust, Transform Culture, and Reignite Your Workforce on Amazon now or your favorite bookstore!
- Hire Mary Baird, PHR to help you run a 30-day Employee Experience Accelerator to listen better to your workforce, rebuild trust in your senior leadership and improve culture at work - The Simplifiers
- 50 powerful questions to help you reflect - The Institute of You
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My challenge for you this week:
How are you going to take what you’ve learned in today’s episode and take action on these new ideas? What’s one thing you’ll do differently? Share it with me, privately or publicly. Snap a photo of you doing the thing, and send me a DM over on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesimplifiers) for added accountability and support!
Episode sponsored in part by Goodboy Agency, providing employer branding redesigns for busy HR Teams:
This episode is brought to you in part by Goodboy, helping HR teams compete for top talent. Goodboy helps midsize companies strengthen their employer brand, attract better candidates, and fill open roles faster. From redesigning your careers page to running targeted recruitment campaigns, they’ll help your company stand out in a crowded talent market. Visit www.goodboyagency.com/simplifiers to learn more.
Links, books and apps mentioned:
Resource: Find Rhoda Banks on LinkedIn - click here
Event: A one-day conference on October 02, 2026 in St. Louis, MI, USA, focused on building community, confidence and courage - Women Unite to Ignite
Book: DAUGHTER of an ASSASSIN TURNING PAIN into POWER: a JOURNEY of FAITH and PERSEVERANCE: A Memoir - Rhoda Banks
Book: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom - Don Miguel Ruiz
- Be impeccable with your word.
- Don’t take anything personally.
- Don’t make assumptions.
- Always do your best.
Podcast: A leadership podcast rooted in real stories, personal growth, and empowerment—with a spotlight on the lived experiences of African American women - Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda
Podcast: How to listen like a (real) leader, featuring Dr. Adam Hickman - The Simplifiers Podcast
Podcast: How to squash the Sunday Scaries (guided visualization) - The Simplifiers Podcast
Mary’s new book is out NOW on Amazon!
My new book, Squash the Sunday Scaries: A Modern Playbook to Rebuild Trust, Transform Culture, and Reignite Your Workforce, is out now — and you can buy it today on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or your favorite independent bookstore. It’s written for HR leaders, people managers, and anyone ready to make work better in a practical, human way. If you’ve been looking for simple tools to improve employee experience, rebuild trust, and create better results for your people and your business, this book is for you. Learn more, visit: https://squashthesundayscaries.com
About Rhoda Banks:
Rhoda Banks - She is a senior human resources and talent executive, executive coach, educator, author, and podcast host with more than 20 years of leadership experience and over a decade in HR, talent management, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and employee experience. She has held executive leadership roles across healthcare, financial services, agriculture, construction, and manufacturing organizations, leading enterprise initiatives in culture, engagement, succession planning, performance management, and leadership development.
Rhoda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, a Master of Arts in Human Resource Training and Development, and a Master of Health Administration. She also earned an AI for HR Professionals certificate through the University of Missouri–St. Louis and holds multiple coaching and leadership assessment certifications.
In addition to her corporate experience, Rhoda is the founder of The Rhoda Experience LLC, host of the Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co. podcast, and an adjunct instructor teaching graduate and undergraduate business and leadership courses. As a Learner Success Coach with Ziplines Education, she is passionate about helping professionals develop future-ready skills, achieve their career goals, and thrive in an evolving workplace.
Where Rhoda hangs out online:
Website: https://www.therhodaexperience.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhoda.banks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therhodaexperience
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhodabanks1
Rhoda’s vote for the perfect guest on The Simplifiers Podcast:
Riunita Martin - She is the author of Build the Leader. Transform the Trajectory. She is a dynamic HR leader, leadership strategist, executive coach, and change management professional with more than 20 years of experience across telecommunications, aerospace and defense, law enforcement, financial services, manufacturing, and government contracting.
She is the founder of LEI Academy™ and creator of The LEI Leadership Method™, combining real-world business insight with practical, people-centered leadership development through simple yet impactful frameworks.
With more than a decade in HR leadership, Riunita has built high-performing teams and partnered with executive and senior leaders to drive organizational effectiveness, workforce strategy, and sustainable performance. She knows firsthand what it takes to help leaders move beyond theory and transform how they lead every day.
…and…
Shannon Norman - She is a keynote speaker, leadership and confidence coach, author, and founder of the Accept The Compliment® movement, a global message changing how people see themselves through two simple words: “Thank you.”
Through her signature talk, The Transformative Power of Accepting Compliments, Shannon uses storytelling, real-life experience, and interactive moments to help audiences recognize and own their value.
With more than 25 years of experience in Human Resources and leadership coaching, she has partnered with emerging leaders and executive teams to build trust, strengthen culture, increase engagement, improve retention, and navigate change. She equips people to build confidence, strengthen relationships, and show up more fully at work and in life.
Shannon also supports organizations through leadership development and team effectiveness using Everything DiSC® and The Five Behaviors®. She is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and former President of the ICF St. Louis chapter.
She earned her MBA from Southeast Missouri State University’s Harrison College of Business as a non-traditional student, shaping her belief that growth and leadership are possible at every stage of life.
At the heart of her work is a simple truth: When people know they matter and feel they belong, they rise.
