Falling Into Leadership Podcast Media Kit
A practical and relatable leadership conversation drawn from more than 550 coached leaders,
supported by the story of Sally, a fictional yet deeply real leadership journey.
This page provides
podcasters with everything needed to host Steve Riddle as a guest.
About Falling Into Leadership
Falling Into Leadership tells the coaching journey of Sally, a fictional yet deeply familiar
composite drawn from the experiences of hundreds of leaders Steve has worked with over the years.
It explores what really shapes modern leaders as they navigate uncertainty, self doubt, pressure
and growth in real time.
The book began as a seven–year project grounded in Steve’s coaching practice and the lived
experiences leaders shared with him. In the final eighteen months, his mother, Kath Riddle,
joined the project and brought the narrative to life. Kath shaped Sally’s voice, strengthened
the emotional clarity of the story and elevated the manuscript with thoughtful editing,
structure and storytelling craft.
Together, the combination of Steve’s leadership insight and Kath’s narrative refinement creates
a book that blends practical tools with a human, relatable storyline. Falling Into Leadership
gives readers a grounded and realistic view of how leaders grow, adapt and learn, and provides
frameworks they can apply immediately with clarity and purpose.
Why Interview Steve
A grounded voice, real experience and a narrative that resonates with modern leaders.
A Rare Blend of Experience and Humanity
Steve brings more than fifteen years of coaching conversations with leaders at every level. His perspective is grounded, practical and shaped by real pressure, uncertainty and personal growth. Listeners connect quickly to the calm, relatable way he explains modern leadership.
Clarity Without the Clichés and Hyperbole
Steve cuts through noise and jargon. He translates emotional intelligence, accountability and leadership presence into language people understand instantly, making the conversation accessible without losing depth or credibility. His insights land because they are lived, not theoretical.
A Story That Reflects Real Leaders and Culture
Sally, shaped significantly through Kath’s narrative work, anchors the book in humanity. Her journey reflects the doubts, pressures and breakthroughs leaders rarely discuss. This gives interviews a richer, more personal dimension that resonates strongly with audiences.
Suggested Interview Topics
Conversation themes that open up honest, grounded and memorable insights into modern leadership.
Why Leaders So Often ‘Fall Into’ Leadership
Many people step into leadership without intention or preparation. Steve explores how this happens, what it means for confidence and competence, and how leaders shift toward more deliberate, grounded practice.
The Emotional Weight Leaders Carry
Leadership often comes with pressure, self doubt and quiet expectations. Steve explains what leaders rarely admit openly, and how presence and emotional intelligence help them stay steady under strain.
Accountability Without Fear
Steve unpacks why accountability frequently becomes punitive or avoided, and how leaders build real ownership through clarity, relationships and trust rather than force or compliance.
The Reality of Middle Management
Middle managers often experience the lowest psychological safety. Steve discusses why this happens and how leaders in the middle can influence upwards, protect their energy and lead effectively.
Reflective Leadership in Practice
Steve explores how self awareness shapes behaviour, decision making and confidence, and why reflective habits strengthen leadership more than technical skill alone.
The Story Behind Sally
Steve explains the creative process behind Sally and how Kath’s narrative insight brought emotional clarity and humanity to the book. Listeners resonate strongly with a character shaped from hundreds of real coaching conversations.
Sample Interview Questions
Thought-provoking prompts that lead to meaningful, grounded and memorable conversations.
What prompts someone to ‘fall into’ leadership?
Steve explores why so many leaders arrive in their roles without a plan or preparation, what this means for confidence and capability, and the turning points that shift someone from accidental leadership to intentional leadership.
What do leaders struggle with that they rarely admit?
Drawing from hundreds of coaching conversations, Steve shares the hidden emotional burdens leaders carry and why vulnerability, doubt and pressure often sit behind well-polished exteriors.
How does Sally reflect real leadership journeys?
Steve explains how Sally was shaped from real experiences and how Kath’s narrative work brought her emotional complexity to life, making her relatable to readers across industries and roles.
Why is accountability so misunderstood?
Steve unpacks why accountability often becomes punitive or avoided, and explains how clarity, relationships and shared expectations create genuine ownership and team performance.
What does emotional intelligence look like in practice?
Moving beyond buzzwords, Steve describes the real moments where emotional intelligence matters most, and how leaders can build presence and awareness even during high-pressure situations.
How has coaching 550+ leaders shaped your own view of leadership?
A reflective conversation about what Steve has learned through the stories, challenges and breakthroughs of leaders he has coached, and how those insights shaped the heart of the book.
For more on Steve’s leadership philosophy and CoachStation's services, visit the
Falling Into Leadership main page
,
explore
What We Do
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