How to Be a Great Boss: Creating Ethical and Competent Teams | Derrick Van Mell | Ep 83

Hey friends, it’s Wisdom here! In this episode, I sat down with Derrick Van Mell, a true advocate for better management and ethical leadership. We dove deep into why everyone deserves a boss who helps them feel safe, appreciated, and proud—and how powerful that is for any team or workplace. Derrick shared stories from his own career (yep, including what it’s like to have a bad boss!) and broke down why ethics and competence should always go hand-in-hand. We also talked about the difference between managers and leaders, how management can be a genuine calling, and simple, practical ways to run better meetings that actually matter. My hope is that you finish this episode inspired to raise your leadership game, treat your power with care, and build a culture where everyone thrives. Let’s keep growing together!

Connect with Derrick Van MellLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrickvanmell/

I’m building an online business in public — sharing every win, setback, and “I can’t believe that happened” moment along the way. If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to start from scratch, come along for the ride. Join the journey at https://wisdom.beehiiv.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:18 The Belief: Everyone Deserves a Good Boss

02:13 Contrasting Good and Bad Bosses

02:56 Defining Bad Bosses and Their Impact

03:34 The Core Difference: Putting Others First

03:56 Founding the Center for Management Terms and Practices

04:48 The Need for Universal Management Standards

05:24 The Journey to Creating Standards

06:27 The Benefits and Adoption of Standards

07:16 Real Stories That Validated the Mission

08:02 Ethics and Competence: The Twin Pillars of Leadership

09:21 How Ethics and Competence Connect in Practice

09:43 Clarifying Manager, Management, Leader, and Leadership

10:31 Defining Manager vs. Leader

11:35 The Confusion of Management Titles Globally

12:37 Management as a Calling, Not Just a Job

13:59 Stories Illustrating Leadership as a Calling

16:13 The Pledge of Managerial Power

17:37 Ethics of Power and Influence in Management

18:41 Ethical Use of Power and Information in the Digital Age

20:25 The Four Questions for Using Power Ethically

20:47 Ethics of Information, Honesty, and Trust

21:55 Sharing Information Transparently in Business

23:31 The Value of Honest Communication for Trust

24:46 Influence vs. Manipulation as a Leader

25:51 Listening and Feedback in Leadership Communication

28:08 Clarifying Communication Through Active Listening

29:28 How to Run Focused, Productive Meetings

30:15 Types and Goals of Business Meetings

31:42 Practical Steps for Great Meetings and Participation

33:24 The Quarter Page Meeting Planner Tool

34:02 Preparing Participants for Effective Meetings

35:32 Advice for Young Managers in the Digital Age

37:04 Making Purpose and Human Connection a Priority

39:21 Closing Thoughts and Resource Links

41:25 Final Thanks and Episode Wrap-Up