In a recent episode of The Advisory Board Podcast, host Dave Hansen sat down with Iris Grimm, a seasoned leadership coach and founder of the Dog-Gone Leadership program. With more than 20 years of experience in executive coaching and a unique background blending cultural insights and canine behavior, Iris offers a fresh, down-to-earth take on what it means to be a great leader. Her perspective is especially valuable for franchisors and multi-location business owners looking to scale while staying connected with their teams.
In this episode, Iris breaks down three core pillars that shape effective leadership, particularly during uncertain times. These ideas aren’t theories—they come from decades of experience coaching leaders and observing how trust, emotional awareness, and consistent communication lead to better outcomes. Her advice is especially timely for franchise leaders who often balance growth and operational complexity across locations.
Below, we explore the key takeaways from Iris’s conversation with Dave, highlighting where in the episode you can hear each soundbite for yourself.
Listen to the full episode: The Advisory Board Podcast on Spreaker.
Flexibility and Emotional Awareness (08:43 – 10:50)
Iris kicks off her leadership framework by emphasizing the importance of adaptability. In today’s fast-moving world, leaders are expected to pivot quickly while still maintaining their values. This is especially true in franchising, where every location may present a different challenge. Iris encourages leaders to assess what each team member needs and adjust their leadership approach accordingly.
She uses her experience working with dogs as a lens to examine human behavior in the workplace. Just like animals respond differently to training based on their temperament, employees respond to leadership based on how well they are understood and supported. For franchise owners, being flexible in approach while staying consistent with core values helps build trust, improve morale, and drive performance.
The Core of Emotional Intelligence (13:17 – 15:25)
Next, Iris focuses on the role of emotional intelligence in shaping a successful team culture. She explains that leaders serve as the emotional thermostat of their organization. Their mood, tone, and communication style ripple throughout the workplace. If a leader brings in stress, it sets the entire team on edge, affecting focus and productivity.
Her insights into neuroscience help illustrate the link between emotional awareness and decision-making. In high-stress environments—common in multi-location or franchise systems—team members often default to survival mode. This makes it harder to collaborate, problem-solve, and innovate. Iris encourages leaders to invest in their emotional growth so they can better regulate themselves and create an environment that invites trust and reduces tension.
This principle aligns well with the support systems provided by platforms like ClientTether, which enable better communication and lead management across franchise networks.
Leaders as Evolving Role Models (15:31 – 17:45)
The third major theme in the podcast centers on self-improvement. According to Iris, leaders must model the behavior they want to see in their teams. That means showing commitment to learning, being open to feedback, and tackling tough tasks alongside their staff. This approach fosters respect and builds a culture of accountability.
She emphasizes that when leaders continue to evolve, they don’t just improve their own performance—they encourage others to do the same. This idea is particularly important in franchising, where the example set by a corporate team can directly influence how franchisees lead their own units.
Whether it’s participating in leadership development programs or simply taking the time to reflect and adjust, leaders who consistently grow help their entire organization rise with them.
Empathy and Understanding in Leadership (19:13 – 21:20)
Iris also discusses how vital it is for leaders to understand their team members as individuals. Taking the time to get to know employees—what motivates them, what challenges they face—can go a long way toward building lasting trust.
She points out that empathy doesn’t mean lowering expectations. Instead, it’s about making people feel seen and valued. This kind of leadership helps reduce turnover, boost engagement, and create a workplace where people feel safe enough to do their best work. For franchisors managing dozens or even hundreds of franchisees, investing in these kinds of relationships can significantly affect long-term brand health and growth.
Embracing Mistakes for Growth (32:31 – 34:30)
The episode wraps with a powerful message about learning through mistakes. Iris stresses that progress comes from trying, failing, and improving—not from playing it safe. Leaders who model a growth mindset and respond to failure with curiosity rather than punishment help create a resilient and innovative culture.
She uses her dog training background to draw a parallel to leadership: in both worlds, mistakes are opportunities to build confidence and refine skills. Encouraging experimentation and learning from setbacks can help franchise teams adapt faster and build momentum.
For franchise systems, especially those working with new or first-time operators, this mindset is key to keeping teams motivated and moving forward—even when challenges arise.
Wrap-Up Thoughts
This episode of The Advisory Board Podcast offers a clear roadmap for franchise leaders looking to elevate their leadership skills. Through Iris Grimm’s perspective, listeners gain a grounded, actionable understanding of what great leadership looks like in real-world settings. Her three-pillar model—emotional growth, coaching mindset, and conversation mastery—serves as a helpful framework for leaders in any business, but especially in the franchise space.
Franchise owners and operators will find that Iris’s advice aligns closely with the demands of managing across multiple locations. Her focus on adaptability, empathy, and communication helps simplify what can often feel like a complex job. As the franchising world continues to evolve, these principles provide a reliable foundation for sustainable success.
To learn more about leadership development or explore Iris’s coaching services, visit irisgrimm.com.
To discover CRM solutions tailored for franchise operations, visit ClientTether.
And if you’d like to hear the full conversation, tune in to the episode on Spreaker.
