In this episode of The Best Boss Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Sandy Fiaschetti, founder and managing partner at Lodestone People Consulting, to discuss a subject every leader needs to master: how to transform human potential into real, measurable value.
Dr. Fiaschetti brings an extraordinary blend of psychology and business acumen. She and her team specialize in helping private equity firms and their portfolio companies accelerate value by optimizing leadership and organizational alignment. And while the setting may be high-stakes finance, her approach is deeply human.
What sets Sandy apart is her emphasis on structure. “People are unpredictable,” she says, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t be scientific about how we assess and develop them.” Lodestone uses a rigorous three-part process: assess, align, and advise. This includes personality instruments, real-time simulations, and structured interviews designed to test for competencies in real business contexts. It’s behavioral science meets executive coaching—with impressive results.
But this episode goes beyond tools. We dive into what the *best bosses* actually do.
According to Sandy, the best leaders are curious, resilient, and secure enough to say, “I don’t know—what do you think?” They’re not afraid to empower their teams, not with blind trust but within a thoughtful framework that sets parameters and expectations. That distinction matters. As Sandy explains, real empowerment isn’t “dump and run”—it’s creating a space where others can succeed without micromanagement.
She calls it “setting the fences and letting people play.” And the results speak for themselves.
We also discuss how trust is the antidote to micromanagement. Employees don’t want total autonomy—they want to know they’re trusted to do the job well. Great bosses know when to step in, and when to step back.
Sandy’s take on abundance versus scarcity is one of the most impactful parts of our conversation. Too many leaders still believe that success is finite—that for them to win, someone else must lose. Sandy challenges that mentality, urging leaders to adopt a mindset of collaboration over competition. The best results, she reminds us, happen when everyone is set up to succeed.
Sandy also shares a personal story about her best bosses—two former leaders who trusted her with big challenges and supported her through the outcomes, even when they weren’t perfect. That early vote of confidence shaped her career and built the foundation for her own leadership philosophy.
Whether you work in private equity, healthcare, tech, or anywhere in between, this episode offers a fresh, practical perspective on effective leadership.
💬 And in the meantime, what’s the one word or phrase that made your boss the BEST BOSS?
👉 Share it here: https://dianescottinc.com/one
Sandy’s message is clear: when you treat people like the strategic asset they are, outcomes improve—faster. Leadership isn’t just about vision. It’s about enabling others to realize theirs.
