Ep. 111: Every Leader NEEDS These Two Things (According to a PhD) w/ Dr. Chad Cardani-Trollinger
From Rhymes with Odd by Ryan Snaadt
May 18, 2026 · 1h 28m · Season 3 · Episode 111
About this episode
In this episode, Ryan Snaadt interviews Dr. Chad Cardani-Trollinger about the essential qualities of effective leadership and the challenges facing new graduates in the workforce.
What does it take to walk away from a thriving, 40-person real estate brokerage in Austin, Texas, to start over in the Iowa classroom? In this episode, host Ryan Snaadt sits down with Dr. Chad Cardani-Trollinger, Director of Undergraduate Leadership Studies at Iowa State University. This conversation is a masterclass for Des Moines business leaders, hiring managers, and entrepreneurs who want to bridge the gap between "managing" and truly "leading."Chad brings a unique perspective—combining the high-pressure "street smarts" of the Texas real estate market with the "book smarts" of a PhD in Leadership. We dive deep into why some of your best performers shouldn't be promoted, how to foster a culture of accountability in a "soft" world, and why the current generation of graduates is struggling to integrate into the Iowa workforce.Connect with Snaadt Media Group:Website: snaadtmedia.comServices: Video Production, Podcast Launching, & Content Strategy.🕒 Topic Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: From Texas Real Estate to Iowa State University.01:38 – The "Sliding Doors" moment: Why Ryan Snaadt didn't get the job (and why it was for…
People in this episode
Host: Ryan Snaadt
Guest: Dr. Chad Cardani-Trollinger
Topics covered
- leadership
- real estate
- business culture
- accountability
- workforce integration
Keywords
- leadership
- real estate
- business leaders
- accountability
- Iowa workforce
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Iowa State University
Places: Austin, Texas, Iowa, Des Moines, Boone, IA
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