Contagious Culture

#48 | Creating a Culture of Excellence Across Teams

What separates good teams from truly excellent ones? In this episode, we break down the principles of building a culture of excellence, lessons drawn from experiences with Orange Theory, ranked the #1 fitness studio in the U.S. by USA Today.
Excellence always starts with the personal. Do you really know your team members—their stories, milestones, and what drives them? Stories bind us together, and trust is built when leaders share and connect authentically. From there, standards, systems, and accountability do the heavy lifting.
We’ll explore:
Why stories, not just strategy, are the glue that holds teams together
How gossip and negativity destroy culture and what to do instead
The importance of clear standards and systems for hiring, evaluation, and even firing
How to celebrate progress, build confidence, and create space for people to win
Why trust, flexibility, and freedom are the foundation of high-performing teams
Excellence is never an accident. It’s the result of intentional leadership, disciplined systems, and an unwavering commitment to both people and product. Whether you’re in fitness, education, or business, this episode will equip you to lead teams where excellence isn’t just expected, it’s contagious.
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#47 | Transforming Leadership From the Inside Out W/ Nicole Smith

In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Smith, a dynamic leader, coach, and culture shifter, to explore what it truly means to transform leadership from the inside out. Nicole shares her journey of self-discovery and growth, offering powerful insights on how authenticity, resilience, and intentional reflection shape effective leadership. Together, we unpack strategies leaders can use to build trust, empower their teams, and create environments where people thrive.
Whether you’re leading in education, business, or your community, this conversation will challenge you to look inward, align your values with your actions, and step into leadership that is both contagious and transformative.
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#46 | How Church Made Me a Better Teacher and Educational Leader

What if the culture of the Black church held the blueprint for building thriving classrooms? In this episode, we explore the deep parallels between church culture and classroom culture, and why the rituals, gratitude, and sense of community found in churches can transform how educators lead.
From the moment you walk into a church, being greeted at the door, lifted by worship, guided through structure, and inspired by the message—you experience intentional culture. That same intentionality can shape classrooms where students feel seen, valued, and ready to grow.
We’ll unpack questions like:
When was the last time you thanked a student just for showing up?
How can leaders model gratitude to inspire belonging and accountability?
What would it look like for a classroom to radiate vision, fellowship, service, and ownership?
Iron sharpens iron, but sharpening requires friction and growth. Healthy culture in both churches and classrooms is about love at the doorway, service in action, accountability in practice, and vision that speaks without words.
Tune in and discover how educators can build spaces where students don’t just attend, they thrive.
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#45 | From the School to Prison Pipeline to the TEDx Stage W/ LeRon Barton

From being labeled and pushed toward the school-to-prison pipeline to standing confidently on the TEDx stage, LeRon Barton’s story is one of resilience, courage, and transformation.
In this episode, LeRon shares his personal journey of overcoming systemic barriers, the role writing played in shaping his voice, and how he uses storytelling to challenge narratives around race, masculinity, and redemption. We dive into the power of mentorship, the importance of second chances, and how leaders can create environments where young people are seen for their potential, not their mistakes.
Whether you’re an educator, leader, or anyone passionate about equity and impact, this conversation will inspire you to reimagine what’s possible when we lead with empathy and purpose.
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#44 | Raising Leaders, Not Just Learners

In Episode 44 of Contagious Culture, Kyle King explores the vital shift from simply educating students to intentionally developing them as leaders. Discover strategies to cultivate leadership mindsets, empower student voice, and build a culture where learners step up with confidence and purpose.
Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or parent, this episode will inspire you to nurture the next generation of leaders who will shape the future with character and vision.
 
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#43 | The 4-Step Method Every Fundraiser Needs

In Episode 43 of Contagious Culture, Kyle King breaks down a simple yet powerful 4-step method that every successful fundraiser must master. From building authentic relationships to crafting compelling asks and closing with confidence, this episode equips leaders with a clear roadmap to increase donor engagement and secure sustainable support.
Whether you're new to fundraising or looking to sharpen your approach, these steps will help you fund your mission with clarity and impact.
 
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#42 | Align to Advance: 7 Steps to Get Leaders Moving in the Same Direction

In Episode 42 of Contagious Culture, Kyle King reveals the seven essential steps every organization must take to align leadership around a clear and unified mission.
Whether you're facing internal friction, inconsistent messaging, or mission drift, this episode gives you practical strategies to unify your team, clarify your purpose, and build unstoppable momentum. Tune in to learn how alignment isn’t just a strategy, it’s a culture accelerator. 
 
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#41 | Customer Experience is Key: Nurturing Donor Relationships Forward

In Episode 41 of Contagious Culture, Kyle King shifts the lens on fundraising by applying powerful customer experience principles to donor engagement. Discover how to move beyond one-time transactions and into long-term, mission-aligned relationships with donors.
From personalized communication to value-driven stewardship, this episode equips school and nonprofit leaders with the tools to turn donors into true partners. If you want your supporters to feel seen, valued, and inspired to keep giving, this one’s for you.
 
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📞 Schedule Your Call Here
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👉🏽 Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn