Soar Higher With Jason Ballard
Welcome to Soar Higher with Jason Ballard. A Podcast developed for leaders by leaders to motivate you to reach your highest altitude possible by providing you with proven strategies, resources, and expert business advice that will accelerate your personal and professional success beyond what you thought was possible. This podcast is hosted by Jason Ballard, one of the top-rated business & executive coaches in the U.S. From growing up in the family construction business, to serving in the military, to leading 12 organizations all over the world to award-winning success, Jason’s passion is to empower the next generation of leaders to achieve more and make a positive impact in the world. Join Jason each week as he explore the “ins and outs” of running a business, creating winning cultures, developing aspiring leaders, solving workplace challenges, and helping people achieve their career aspirations.
Episodes

6 days ago
6 days ago
In this episode, Coach Jason Ballard is joined by leadership expert Shawn Dawley, who shares his journey from a plane mechanic and combat pilot to a sought-after leadership consultant. He discusses his mission to help individuals unlock their full potential, the challenges leaders face in today’s fast-changing world, and the importance of focusing on personal well-being and meaningful connections. Dawley offers practical advice on embracing change, overcoming imposter syndrome, and engaging in difficult conversations to create lasting positive impact in both professional and personal life.
01:01 The Current Leadership Landscape04:08 Shawn’s Journey to Leadership Coaching08:30 The Art of Public Speaking20:29 The Importance of Purpose in Leadership
25:24 Paying It Forward: A Leader’s Responsibility
28:06 Interpersonal Dynamics: The Common Thread
30:51 Navigating Change in a Rapidly Evolving World
32:20 Letting Go: Overcoming Internal Barriers
35:07 The Art of Difficult Conversations
38:06 Expectations and the Reality of Change
41:37 Finding Balance in a Technological World
48:27 The Power of Reading Over Scrolling
Show Links/ Social Links
Get in touch with me:
Website: https://www.soarhighercoaching.com
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard
LinkedIn: Soar Higher: https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Check out Shawn’s work:
Website: https://www.shawndawley.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnmdawley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Shawn-M-Dawley/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnmdawley/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shawnmdawley
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relational-leadership/id1685208662

Monday Feb 17, 2025
E141: The Great Detachment: How Leaders Can Reignite Employee Engagement
Monday Feb 17, 2025
Monday Feb 17, 2025
Coach Jason Ballard explores the growing issue of employee detachment in the workplace, driven by a disconnect between leaders and their teams. He highlights the communication gaps and the lack of clear company goals, which lead to disengaged employees and lower productivity. Drawing from his military experience, Jason shares practical strategies for improving morale, breaking down work barriers, and building a sense of purpose among the team. He also discusses the impact of remote work on communication with the importance of leadership making creative ways to have a connected and motivated workforce.
1:36 The Disconnect Between Leaders and Employees
6:24 The Role of Leadership in Employee Engagement
9:16 Connecting Employees to the Bigger Picture
18:30 Ensuring Employees Feel Valued
26:06 Navigating Remote Work Challenges
34:54 Work-Life Balance: Finding the Right Boundaries
39:32 Reviving Engagement: Strategies for Success
Show Links/ Social Links
Get in touch with me:
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
www.soarhighercoaching.com - https://www.soarhighercoaching.com

Monday Feb 10, 2025
E140: Prioritizing Mental Health in Business
Monday Feb 10, 2025
Monday Feb 10, 2025
Jason Ballard is joined by Owen Marcus, co-founder of MELD, where they explore the crucial intersection of mental health and business. They discuss how burnout, especially among leaders and entrepreneurs, often comes from the pressure of success and neglecting emotional well-being. Owen shares about MELD’s holistic approach, which integrates therapies and executive coaching to help men overcome stress, improve relationships, and build emotional expressiveness. If you struggle with vulnerability, connection, and support, you do not want to miss out on this episode!
1:09 The Importance of Mental Health
08:05 The Focus on Men
14:03 Stress and Its Impact
19:10 The Shift Towards Connection
25:00 The Cycle of Comparison
31:43 The MELD Framework: A Path to Connection
37:15 Tailored Approaches to Individual Needs
46:02 Investing in Yourself for Greater Impact
Show Links/ Social Links
Get in touch with me:
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
www.soarhighercoaching.com - https://www.soarhighercoaching.com
Check out Owen’s work:
Website: https://meld.community
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meld.men/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meldmen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meldmenscommunity/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MELD-men
X: https://x.com/meldmen

Monday Feb 03, 2025
E139: Delegate or Fail: The Key to Successful Leadership
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Monday Feb 03, 2025
In this episode, Jason Ballard tackles the essential skill of delegation for leaders and business owners. He explores why delegating effectively is far more efficient than handling tasks alone, offering strategies to avoid common setbacks like micromanagement and unclear expectations. Jason emphasizes how delegation, when done correctly, can enhance productivity, build trust, and create a better culture for long-term success in any organization.
2:32 The Importance of Planning and Strategy
9:19 Defining Delegation
20:24 The Consequences of Poor Delegation
22:34 Strategies for Effective Delegation
31:11 The Eisenhower Box Explained
34:05 Selecting the Right People for Delegation
36:43 Effective Communication in Delegation
39:07 The Art of Follow-Up
Show Links/ Social Links
Get in touch with me:
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
www.soarhighercoaching.com - https://www.soarhighercoaching.com

Monday Jan 27, 2025
E138: How To Build A Winning Work Culture
Monday Jan 27, 2025
Monday Jan 27, 2025
Coach Jason Ballard shares advice on the evolving landscape of company culture as we head into 2025. With the rise of hybrid work, shifting generational dynamics, and the aftermath of the pandemic, many organizations face challenges in keeping their cultures engaging and aligned with employee needs. While Jason emphasizes the importance of trust, collaboration, and a sense of belonging to motivate teams, leaders are urged to evaluate their culture, adapt to new demands, and ensure a work environment that supports both personal and professional growth.
4:04 Defining Your Company Culture
6:42 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Business
15:30 Addressing Culture and Retention Issues
21:48 The Power of Recognition
27:01 Nine Key Takeaways for a Winning Culture
39:32 The Path to a Thriving Company Culture
Show Links/ Social Links
Get in touch with me:
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
www.soarhighercoaching.com - https://www.soarhighercoaching.com

Monday Jan 13, 2025
E137: Leading A Multi-Generational Workforce
Monday Jan 13, 2025
Monday Jan 13, 2025
Coach Jason Ballard sits down with executive coach and author Susan Inouye to discuss strategies for effective leadership in today’s evolving business landscape. As millennials and Gen Z rise to leadership roles, Susan highlights the importance of adaptive thinking, self-awareness, and fostering team cohesion across generations. She also shares insights on how to navigate the shifting workplace dynamics and cultivate a culture of connection, authenticity, and growth to thrive in the face of change.
3:40 Susan’s Journey to Coaching
9:10 The Importance of Gifts vs. Strengths
15:16 The Millennial Mindset
20:29 Building Sustainable Leadership
26:12 Navigating the Millennial Landscape
34:54 The Millennial Perspective on Work-Life Balance
39:00 Five Leadership Shifts for Modern Organizations
45:25 The Essence of Effective Leadership
Show Links/ Social Links
Get in touch with me:
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
www.soarhighercoaching.com - https://www.soarhighercoaching.com
Check out Susan’s work:
Website: https://susaninouye.com/soarhigher/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-inouye-083384b/
X: https://x.com/InouyeSusan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susaninouye2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan_inouye/

Monday Dec 30, 2024
E136: Celebrate to Elevate: The Power of Recognition for Success
Monday Dec 30, 2024
Monday Dec 30, 2024
Join Jason Ballard as he emphasizes the importance of celebrating successes to boost morale and enhance organizational culture, especially as the year comes to a close. He explains how recognizing achievements can improve team dynamics, foster collaboration, and realign focus on performance goals. With a focus on the importance of periodic recognition, Jason highlights how leaders can inspire innovation by acknowledging the hard work that often goes unnoticed. If you want your team to feel more like a team, you don’t want to miss this episode!
02:14 Recognizing Wins: A Leader’s Responsibility
Six Benefits of Celebrating Success
7:27 Taking Inventory of Success
12:14 Resetting Minds and Focusing on Positivity
13:11 Compiling and Sharing Data
16:33 Driving Employee Engagement
21:28 The Power of Recognition
27:54 Building Continuity and Legacy
30:43 Regular Celebrations: A New Approach
Show Links/ Social Links
Get in touch with me:
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
www.soarhighercoaching.com - https://www.soarhighercoaching.com

Monday Dec 16, 2024
E135: What's Really Holding You Back In Your Business?
Monday Dec 16, 2024
Monday Dec 16, 2024
In this episode, Jason Ballard is joined by Dr. Justin Hiebert, CEO of New Frontier Media, who shares his journey of founding a business focused on leadership health and burnout prevention. They discuss the importance of prioritizing well-being, setting systematic goals, and using Justin’s 4M process, mindset, management, marketing, and money. If you struggle with time management, business growth, and self-reflection, this episode can help you SOAR to your highest potential!
3:04 The Journey to Coaching
10:30 Leading by Example
19:38 The Decision-Making Process
22:01 Productivity vs. Busyness
24:12 Implementing the 4M Model
30:01 The Need for Clarity in Leadership
36:14 Signs of Leadership Misalignment
43:08 Living Whelmed: A New Perspective
47:12 Final Takeaways and Resources
Show Links/ Social Links
Get in touch with me:
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
www.soarhighercoaching.com - https://www.soarhighercoaching.com
Check out Justin’s work:
Website: https://newfrontierconsult.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newfrontierconsult.com/
Email: justin@newfrontierconsult.com
Phone: (661) 750-2183

Monday Dec 02, 2024
E134: Breaking Free from Micromanagement
Monday Dec 02, 2024
Monday Dec 02, 2024
Jason Ballard is joined by Chris Seifert, CEO of Enabling Empowerment, to discuss the harmful effects of micromanagement from leadership. Pulling from his military background as a submarine officer, Chris shares some of his knowledge on teamwork, integrity, and effective communication as they explore the importance of empowering employees to make decisions, creating a culture of involvement, and shifting from employees being dependent on managers, to be more successful in the long term. If you or someone you know is a micromanager, hurting the growth of the company, and would like to stop, you don’t not want to miss this episode!
4:01 The Importance of Decision-Making Skills
6:43 Life on a Submarine
10:58 Navigating the High Seas of Leadership
19:02 Building a Strong Organizational Culture
29:36 Empowering Decision-Making
33:01 The Micromanagement Dilemma
40:56 Breaking Free from Micromanagement
46:05 Recognizing Micromanagement Signs
Show Links/ Social Links
Get in touch with me:
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
www.soarhighercoaching.com - https://www.soarhighercoaching.com
Check out Chris’ work:
Website: https://enablingempowerment.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherseifert/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Enabling-Empowerment-Leadership-Micromanagement-Decision-Makers/dp/1961781549
Email: chris.seifert@enablingempowerment.com

Monday Nov 25, 2024
E133: Is Being the 'Dumbest' in the Room the Key to Success?
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Join Jason Ballard as he dives into the importance of being “the dumbest person in the room.” Have you ever worked in a place where someone always had to be the smartest in the room? Or are you that person? While the smartest people in the room are too busy telling everyone how things are done, the dumbest person is the last one to speak, listening to everything everyone else has to say, asks the right questions, and is able to share responsibility amongst the team accordingly. Check out this episode, so you don’t miss out these key topics and stay the dumbest person in the room!
7:35 -What’s really going on when people try to be the smartest in the room?
16:34 -Problems when someone tries to know it all
Reasons why being the dumbest person in the room can help you be better
26:39 -It helps learning
31:43 -Sparks creativity
33:41 -Makes sure you don’t miss something
34:45 -Everybody has shared responsibility
37:56 -Iron sharpens iron
41:27 -Set people up for success
Show Links/ Social Links
Get in touch with me:
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
www.soarhighercoaching.com - https://www.soarhighercoaching.com