Leadership Matters Podcast

Empathy is a critical leadership core competency. Empathy enhances trust, improves your communication, and aids in optimising the performance of those you serve. Skills such as active listening and displays of compassion and vulnerability contribute to the effectiveness of the empathetic leader.  Where is President Trump in his first 100 days as an empathetic leader? This podcast addresses his actions and performance.

Decoupling is the elimination, alteration, or removal of a long-standing practice or arrangement. Trade and tariffs are sparking this debate about whether to decouple from China and/or other countries that have been trading partners for the United States. But decoupling is pervasive. It impacts not only business but also politics, personal relations, academia, and even institutions as deeply rooted as religion. The courses chosen will significantly impact our world going forward. Decoupling awareness, understanding, and management are essential for leaders.

Senator Cory Booker spoke for over 25 consecutive hours on the floor of the United States Senate this week. He Spoke Up and he Spoke Out. It was not a partisan speech.  It was a speech about right and wrong. As leaders, we are all called to do the right thing. This is our call to action.  Speaking Up and Speaking Out is a leader's call to action. We do this with our voice and with our vote. Speak Up and Speak Out.

Michael Lewis's new book Who is Government, The Untold Story of Public Service, is highlighted in this episode. One essay from Casey Cep called The Sentinel is focused on and read from. The essay highlights the good of public survival and public servants. Ronald E. Walters, the leader of the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is highlighted. Ron Walters is an exemplary public servant. Ron Walters is an exemplary leader.

The first impression of the Trump administration's effort to negotiate a peace between Ukraine and Russia was an abysmal failure. This makes getting the next steps, even more important. The Finnish President, Alexander Stubb, in an interview with the Atlantic Council's Frederick Kempe at the Munich Security Conference, details three key points to advancing peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. This episode discusses each of these three key points.

You never have a second chance to make a first impression. This is key in negotiations. This week President Trump began negotiations with senior representatives from the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabia. Absent were representatives from Ukraine. Also absent were representatives from Europe and the NATO alliance. This first impression and what President Trump has said has caused alarm around the world. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. Trump's first impression was a resounding leadership failure.

This first two weeks of the Trump Presidency 2.0 has been appalling. The words fealty and autocrat are commonly used to describe President Trump's actions and conduct during his first two weeks. Real estate transactions as American policy is anything but leadership. The many and varied attempts to remove people, services, offices, and entire agencies from the federal government are not what voters expected when they voted Trump into office. They expected him to help them. He has not.

A call to action is an important and effective leadership tool, a tool essential for us all to engage as we enter 2025. Misinformation, disinformation, and lying must be challenged. Leaders from any and all political persuasions must speak the truth, be grounded in facts, and call out that which is simply not true. Leaders are not perfect, but seeking to do the right thing is their halcyon call. 2025 is a Call to Action time for leaders.

The 39th President of the United States will be laid to rest this week in Plains, Georgia. Jimmy Carter was a man of faith and resilience. Steadfast in his core values, his respect for others, and his lifelong quest to do the right thing are cornerstones for Jimmy Carter, the leader. He has been attributed to living a life of the beatitudes. It seems an appropriate and accurate description.  Jimmy Carter's post-presidency, without the backdrop of the political stage, shows Jimmy Carter as a true leader.

Happy Holidays! As we close out 2024 I encourage everyone to think about this past year - where we've been, when we are, and to think about charting the course for the coming new year. This episode focuses on a Thought Leader, Paul Krugman, who has done just that. For the past 25 years, Paul Krugman has written opinion pieces for the New York Times. He is retiring. Today, we read his last column.

Innovation is the foundation of America's success. From our very beginnings to today we have ridden innovation wave to innovation wave. We are now entering our sixth wave of innovation, the move from fossil fuels to green and sustainable technologies. Highlighted in this episode are two companies, Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation. Each seeks to bring electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL) to public transportation - piloted vehicles carrying up to four passengers, and payloads up to 1,000 pounds. 

Donald Trump is the President-elect of the United States of America. He has won the Electoral College, the popular vote, The US Senate, and the US House of Representatives. He has literal control of the Supreme Court and is immune from prosecution in his presidential acts. He is in control.  Leadership could not be more important in these troubling times. This episode offers a brief response to what leaders can and should do when our elected leader is not a leader.

With one week to go until the Presidential election in the United States, I thought it important to pause, and exhale from the barrage of media to seek votes and final campaign contributions. This episode celebrates an unknown, but truly exemplary leader, Thelma Mothershed Wair. She passed away this past week. She was a member of the Little Rock Nine, and the first black girl to integrate a previous white-only high school.

The 2024 Nobel Prize for Economic Sciences was awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson. Their work “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity” is particularly timely as we approach election day in the United States. “Societies with a poor rule of law and institutions that exploit their population do not generate growth or change for the better.” A very timely message as we approach the election.  Vote.

On September 18, 2024, the Federal Reserve of the United States cut interest by 50 basis points. This is a clear signal that it is time for monetary policy in the United States to be recalibrated. The dual mandates of the Fed to seek full employment and stable inflation brought about today's long-awaited decision. An exemplary leadership moment by Jay Powell, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Happy Labor Day 2024! This episode recognizes the worth and dignity of labor. Quotes on labor are given from Sophocles, Adam Smith, John D. Rockefeller, and Richard Freeman. The tension between capitalism and democracy, the tension between shareholders and workers, and the balancing act that leaders must navigate to strive to ensure that a rising tide does raise all boats, the challenge to do the right thing; this is the challenge of leaders on this Labor Day.

Steve Kerr, the Coach of the Olympic Gold medal-winning U.S. men's basketball team is showcased. Following the Olympics, coach Kerr was asked to speak in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention. He spoke on leadership. It is important in this year's election and leadership is important in our lives. Steve Kerr raises five points for every leader to emulate.

This episode raises the spectre of the future of international relations.  Who prevails in the United States presidential election in November will define the value proposition of our role in diplomatic leadership.  Will we choose war or will we choose diplomacy?  Will we create, maintain, and fund alliances to defend those in need or will we not?  Our vote will determine the answer to these key leadership questions and the future of our world order.         ReplyReply allForward   Add reaction

This episode showcases the ultimate mission of leadership- to do the right thing.  A Good example is President Biden passing the torch of leadership to a younger generation.  A Bad example is shown in Senator J.D. Vance's accepting his role and responsibilities to be Donald Trump's Vice-President pick.  Lastly, an Ugly example is demonstrated by the moral, ethical, and legal ineptitude of an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas.  Thomas and Vance have sold themselves out to wealth power and position.  Biden has chosen to do the right thing.

This episode addresses the stark contrast between the two candidates for President of the United States. One seeking autocracy and autocratic rule.  The other seeking to advance democracy, but not seeing the opportunities to pass the torch to a younger and highly qualified group of leaders.  Leadership is about doing the right thing.  Both could learn from this simple, yet profound, axiom. The election this coming November is existential.  From a leadership perspective, the choice is clear.

This episode showcases Kindness as a leadership core competency.  Kindness is free. It is uplifting and can have a ripple effect on others. Kindness is needed in our turbulent and troubled world and can play a consequential and strategic role in your leadership journey. Incorporate kindness in your leadership practice.

The economic competition between China and the West could not be more important.  There exists no central agency or authority to manage or lead this critical effort.  A coordinated approach with friends and allies is essential. This episode lays out a beginning framework for such an effort.  Defense and diplomacy are not enough.  We need economic leadership to prevail. 

Mr. Goh Choon Phong, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Singapore Airlines was awarded the 2024 Airline Transport World Excellence in Leadership Award. His leadership journey has been remarkable. His drive to be customer-centric, meaning both employees and travelers, has proven an important leadership benchmark for success; be process-driven rather than outcome-based. Service excellence, product leadership, and network ease are his three pillars of leadership - an exemplary leader, with exemplary values for each of us to follow.    

Trust is based upon trustworthy behavior. Trust is an essential leadership core competency. What you say and what you do are the connecting dots to trustworthy behavior. For leadership to be effective it must be consistent. In this episode, Dr. Bedker looks back at two previous episodes and updates their continued untrustworthy behavior. The First Congressional District of Virginia and the Boeing Commercial Aircraft Company are showcased.

The issue of homelessness is a far too frequent presence in our lives. Cities across our nation offer a disturbing display of a challenging and multivariate public health issue. From resource funding, to training, knowledge, and experience for public health leaders, to every one of us; we must be aware and sensitive to help those in need. The challenges are numerous and the time to mitigate homelessness may be lengthy, but we all must be aware of our common call to help those in need. A particular mention of homeless veterans is offered.

Our world is troubled and it is turbulent. Leadership today is more needed and necessary than ever before. There is leadership strength in numbers. Each of us must speak up, speak out, and defend the truth, defend facts, and as we are all called to do: do the right thing. We know what the right thing is; the call to action for each of us is to do the right thing. 

This episode showcases an exemplary leader, Thurgood Marshall. The first African-American to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. A believer in realism, not textualism. A believer in equal protection.  Justice Marshall was a notable supporter of human, individual, and civil rights. In doing this he personified the quest of this podcast: do the right thing.

In this episode Dr. Bedker goes back to the very reason for this podcast; the halcyon call for leaders to “do the right thing.” In our troubled and turbulent world, leaders may find difficulty in doing the right thing. The case is made that doing the right thing, even in the most difficult of times, is the ultimate responsibility of leaders. Tell the truth, do not operate from fear, and give hope to those you lead.

In this episode, Dr. Bedker follows up on the Boeing leadership story that began in Episode 22. Follow-up is an important leadership competency and Dr. Bedker models this competency in this episode. Judgment and decision-making are highlighted. Incidents and events by suppliers and Boeing's regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are documented. 

In this most important episode, Dr. Bedker discusses the current inflection point of U.S. global leadership. Does the United States retreat to isolationism and unravel the many global alliances that have accounted for peace and prosperity, or do we persevere in the grand experiment of democracy? Thought leaders and elected officials are quoted in this episode, from radio host Charlemagne Tha God to Ambassador John Herbst, to Dr. Fiona Hill. The article concludes by quoting Vice President Kamala Harris's remarks at the Munich Security Conference.

In this episode, Dr. Bedker takes a complex topic with many moving parts and synthesizes the topic to better understand the role of leadership of the Federal Reserve. Chairman Jay Powell, the leader of the Fed is showcased. His many leadership challenges to provide a stable and growing economy with full employment is an immense challenge. Leadership core competencies of judgment and decision-making are highlighted.

Dr. John Bedker operationalizes key leadership core competencies for our troubled world. What leadership competencies do each of us need, as leaders, in these turbulent times?  John unpacks several of them. From reflection to grounding in the truth, to empathy, Dr. Bedker operationalizes these leadership core competencies. Frequently practicing these competencies with genuineness, and intent over time is essential and needed in our world today.

In this first episode of 2024, Dr. Bedker takes a look ahead into the new year. Tom Standage, the editor of The World Ahead 2024 has written the cover article for The Economist and this piece serves as the source for this year's first episode. A top 10 list is given by Standage as ‘themes to watch” in 2024. Dr. Bedker provides a contextual leadership framework for each of these themes. 2024 will be a year of many challenges for leaders.

In this year-end episode Dr. Bedker delivers a review of this past year's episodes. It has been a busy and very challenging year for leaders and leadership. From institutions to individuals Dr. Bedker has showcased the good and the bad. Exemplary leaders such as Steve Kerr and Bill Russell began the year and fellow exemplars Rosalyn Carter and Charlie Munger, both having recently passed are showcased more recently. Leadership truly is critical in our world today. Leaders have never been more important.

In this episode, Dr. Bedker quotes two iconic leaders, Rosalynn Carter and Charlie Munger, as a means to share their lives of exemplars in leadership.  Rosalynn Carter, the first lady of Georgia and first lady of the United States, and Charlie Munger, vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, the hugely successful investment company are showcased for their lives of exemplary leadership.  We all can learn from their lifetimes of leadership by example.  They modeled the leadership way.

In this episode Dr. Bedker talks a walk down the leadership boardwalk. He showcases current social, political, economic, military, labor and sports leadership events in our world today.  This episode is a cameo for leaders across several of the central components of our lives. Are we “doing the right thing” from a leadership perspective? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. Each is given attention in this contemporaneous episode.

The episode focuses on a key leadership axiom: "For leadership to be effective it must be consistent." Historical and current examples are given from a David Leonhardt article to showcase both the successes and failures of leaders as they try to lead diverse groups. For leaders to do the right thing, they may be able to effect positive change through eliminating or mitigating even one variable in a leadership challenge. The metaphor of the fire triangle is offered to make this point.

The leadership of the United States House of Representatives is a mess. The former senior leader, the Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy was ousted. Two weeks have passed and the Representative, Jim Jordan, that has been seeking the speakership has faltered on his first two attempts to win the votes necessary to become Speaker. In this episode Dr. Bedker details those events and provides a leadership picture for the opposing party, the Democratic Party. Hakeem Jeffries, the Minority Leader is showcased.

In this 40th episode of the Dr. John Bedker Leadership Podcast, Dr. Bedker highlights the background and results of the Motion to Vacate the office of the Speaker of the Unites States House of Representatives, Representative Kevin McCarthy.  The Speaker was removed by a vote of a small number of his fellow Republican members.  The leadership deficiencies of  Speaker McCarthy are clear and consistent.  Congressional leadership needs to lead to govern.  Speaker McCarthy did neither.

In this episode, Dr. Bedker shares the many and varied leadership core competencies of women.  Women in leadership do not get the attention it deserves. Women can be and are excellent leaders. Dr. Bedker highlights a real-life example in this episode; the launch of the first American into space. The movie “Hidden Figures” is detailed and the women who made the computations for launch. Women and leadership provide a benchmark for all of us. Cheers, to women and leadership.

In this Labor Day episode, Dr. Bedker highlights current research and the first-ever release on the benefits of labor unions by the Department of the Treasury.  Comments by Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen are given.  The focus is on processes rather than outcomes and to focus on problem-solving rather than problem identification.  A specific encounter over the Labor Day weekend is given to clarify much remains to be done to “do the right thing” by labor leaders and their corporate employers.  

In this final installment on collectivism, Dr. Bedker addresses the issue of government leaders.  Civil unrest and political unrest are at heightened states not seen before in our turbulent world.  The leadership calling of government leaders could not be more timely or critical.  Dr. Bedker addresses both the USA experience and the international experience.  This episode concludes with 5 axioms for government leaders.

In Part 2 of this series on collectivism, Dr. Bedker speaks about specific examples and specific companies' experiences with collectivism and unions.  The tension between capitalism and democracy is revisited.  A new Harvard Business School case study on Amazon and its unionization genesis is addressed.  This episode provides a snapshot of the current union contract status across American corporations and institutions.  The episode closes with a positive note, a tentative agreement for the workers and company, UPS.

In this episode, Dr. Bedker makes the case for collectivism.  The benefits of a collective workforce, a union, are made and research results are given by leading scholars.  The paradox of labor interests versus corporations' interests is highlighted.  There is a tension between capitalism and democracy.  A collectively organized workforce is good for workers, their families, and society.  This is at odds with the financial interests of stockholders and corporate leadership.  Should the few win or the many prevail?

In this episode, Dr. Bedker addresses an important leadership core competency in our often turbulent world: compassion.  Compassion is described as a “soft skill,” but is really quite an important and challenging skill for leaders to bring to their leadership practice.  Compassion requires bringing empathy with action to those you serve, with authenticity and altruism.  Compassionate leadership research, detailed in this episode, pays significant benefits to leaders, those they serve, and their organizations.

In this 4th of July 2023 episode, Dr. John Bedker addresses the “first freedoms” of the Declaration of Independence.  Specifically, John addresses the first freedom, the freedom of religion.  John showcases the actions of the delegates of the Southern Baptist Convention to remove women as Pastors from Southern Baptist churches.  The case is made that this is a political move and not a moral, ethical, or biblically founded move.  Women have every right to lead, every capability to lead and represent some of our nation's most capable faith leaders.  Removing women from leadership in the Southern Baptist Church is another example of religious institutional leadership failure.

In this episode, Dr. John Bedker showcases the Saudi Wealth Fund takeover of professional golf.  Sportwashing is highlighted as the means for the leader of Saudi Arabia and his associates to “paint lipstick on a pig.”  The numerous civil rights and human rights violations of Saudi Arabia are meant to be placated with the many sports and entertainment investments by the Saudi Personal Investment Fund (PIF). This is sportwashing.  This episode demonstrates a leader doing the wrong thing and others accepting their moral bankruptcy.  This episode is a case of money versus morality and money won. An example of leadership failure.

In this episode on judgment and decision making, two critical leadership core competencies, Dr. John Bedker showcases former Congresswoman Liz Cheney's removal from leadership in the U.S. Congress and her unsuccessful run for reelection to the congressional seat from Wyoming, as an exemplar of both sound judgment and sound decision making.  Doing the right thing may have consequences, consequences of significance, but those consequences are far nobler than siding with misinformation, disinformation, and lying.  Liz Cheney's remarks as the commencement speaker at her alma mater, Colorado College are offered.

In this third installment of the Dr. John Bedker Leadership Podcast, The Leadership Case for a New Civil Rights Movement, John advances a call to action for leaders.  The need to speak up, speak out, and to vote.  So many issues are in need of transformative change and this episode raises a number of them.  What is needed is for leaders to lead.  Not be passive, not be quiet, and not be slow to act.  It is a time for clear and timely action, for legislation, and for a change in our elected officials who choose not to represent the majority of Americans.  The leadership case is made for a new civil rights movement.  One we all must lead.          

In Part 2 of The Leadership Case for a New Civil Rights Movement, Dr. John Bedker raises the case for leaders to engage, speak out, speak up and Vote. Elected officials are not representing the people they are charged to represent. The clear majority of Americans have voices in favor of legislative change. In Part 2 of the Dr. John Bedker Leadership Podcast the case is advanced for both gun legislation and reproductive rights legislation. Two key civil rights that the majority of Americans agree and want their voices to be heard. Each of us, is called to speak up, speak out and Vote. This is the responsibility of each and every one of us.  We all must lead.

This episode of the Dr. John Bedker Leadership Podcast kicks off a series of podcasts making a case for leaders to engage and support the new civil rights movement in the United States.  The foundation is laid in this opening episode for a grassroots movement for leaders to “do the right thing.”  We should not have to wonder when dropping off a child at school in the morning if they will be safe and sound each day; or if they will come home at all.  The gun culture and ensuing gun violence in America are just one of the many critical issues for which leaders need to lead.