In this episode, Theresa Cantley welcomes leadership advisor and storyteller Matt Stone for a wide-ranging, deeply human conversation about leadership, trust, and connection.
Building Organizational Trust Through Human Connection
Matt shares how growing up in a military family — moving frequently and constantly being “the new kid” — taught him the power of building trust quickly through relationships. These early experiences shaped his belief that connection, not credentials, creates opportunity.
Leadership Is About Relationships, Not Just Results
Theresa and Matt explore how leaders often focus on outcomes while neglecting relationships — and how this imbalance erodes trust, engagement, and performance over time.
Why Small Conversations Matter
One of the most powerful insights from this episode is Matt’s explanation that relationships are never static — they’re either moving closer together or further apart. Avoiding small, uncomfortable conversations creates distance that eventually leads to major breakdowns.
Lessons from Law and Organizational Conflict
Drawing from his background in family law, Matt explains how breakdowns in trust mirror what happens in businesses — and why unresolved tension almost always results in lose-lose outcomes.
Rebuilding Organizational Trust
Matt outlines how rebuilding trust starts by putting the “issue” aside and addressing the human relationship first. Once people feel heard, seen, and respected, collaboration becomes possible again.
The Inside-Out Approach to Leadership
Theresa shares her leadership framework focused on internal alignment — helping leaders reconnect with who they are and who they want to be — before expecting alignment from others.
Storytelling as a Trust Accelerator
Matt introduces Amped, his new venture designed to help founders and CEOs tell their stories on camera. He explains why video is one of the most powerful tools for building trust before a meeting, pitch, or partnership ever begins.
Authenticity, Video, and Being Seen
The conversation explores why being “authentic” on camera is difficult, why over-polishing kills trust, and how storytelling helps the right people connect — while naturally repelling the wrong ones.
The Conversations We Avoid at Work
Matt highlights one of the most overlooked leadership challenges: how personal experiences, past trauma, and unprocessed emotions silently interfere with communication and decision-making inside organizations.
Final Leadership Reflection
This episode closes with a powerful reminder: leadership is not about perfection — it’s about presence, curiosity, and the willingness to have honest conversations that strengthen trust over time.
BOOK A C-SUITE SNAPSHOT:
If you’re ready to uncover the blind spots in your business and get the results you want, book a C-Suite Snapshot with me. We’ll take one hour together to uncover the things that are breaking down and create a personalized plan for the next 60 to 90 days to move the needle. Book a C-Suite Snapshot with Theresa
BOOK A COFFEE CHAT:
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