Leading Beyond the Status Quo – Al Gonzalez

While there are countless people advising us to take risks and learn from our failures, there are not many, if any, advisors that tell us HOW to learn from our mistakes and failures. This week, we are joined by clinical psychologist, speaker, and author Guy Winch to discuss a 4 step process that anyone can use to investigate failure for … Read more about this episode...

As you heard from me last week, on average, managers start leadership training at the age of 42. This is around 10 years after they begin supervising people! This week we are being joined by Courtney Sheeley and Ethan Burwell, two young leaders that applied the 5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership to organize a Volunteer Expo on their campus, … Read more about this episode...

According to HBR.Org, on average, managers first get leadership training at age 42. That is 10 years after they begin supervising people! Gillian Davis, author of the book The First Time leader joins us to talk about her book and how it can help anyone shorten the learning curve in transitioning from management to leadership. … Read more about this episode...

This week, I get the chance to offer an alternative to the very common saying that goes: You Fake it til you make it. AND, I get the opportunity to talk about this with Ted Speaker and Huffington Post columnist, Angela Maiers! Stay tuned because this week, Angela and I not only get into why Faking it til we make … Read more about this episode...

This week’s show is all about the high costs of recruitment and employee turnover. Join us to explore how strengths and passion that can help business owners and supervisors coach abrasive employees in order to avoid the high costs that come with the turnover they may cause by leaving or by causing others to leave the company. … Read more about this episode...

This week we will be learning from a training and development professional who uses training to create a culture of engagement and inclusion. Tal Shnall, an expert in the hospitality industry and host of the Lead with Giants TV, shares information on how he includes and engages his staff in the process of serving their customers while living and communicating … Read more about this episode...

This week we are joined by forgiveness expert, Professor Kim Cameron, from the University of Michigan. As you will hear from Kim: ” Forgiveness is not weak, cowardly, or a retreat. It is a gift that requires strength and the ability to create transformational change. “ During the show, we explore the tale of Rosita and Roberto, a story … Read more about this episode...

Join us this week as our guest Hoda Maalouf and I share stories of leading through the adversity we have faced in different parts of the world. As you will learn, although we come from completely different backgrounds, we have used courage and resilience to overcome the adversities of drugs and war to lead better lives and help others. … Read more about this episode...

Would you like your business to be over 60% more likely to survive an economic recession? How about running that kind of business by catering to the public good, engaging employees and satisfying investors? Sound too good to be true? Dirk Sampselle, Founder of B Revolution, Inc. and CEO of B Revolution Consulting, joins us to discuss how the … Read more about this episode...

A recent Gallup poll found that 70 percent of American workers are disengaged from their jobs. The consequences are many, but Gallup estimates that actively disengaged employees cost the U.S. as much as $550 billion in economic activity each year. This week, we explore 3 behaviors that we can all avoid to foster work cultures of inclusion and engagement. Plus … Read more about this episode...

This week we are joined by Brigadier General, John Michel to tackle the question; Can Leadership be Learned? We will discuss a very honest article, posted by a student on the K-State Collegian on her negative experience with a leadership program and her sincere opinion that leadership is something that can NOT be learned. It turns out that General Michel … Read more about this episode...

Join us this week for part 2 of my interview with Bob Burg, the author of the recently released book, Adversaries into Allies. Win People without Manipulation or Coercion. Last week, Bob and I dove into the topics of setting our default setting to calm to ensure that we are not letting frustration lead us to believe our own assumptions … Read more about this episode...

Are we slaves to a Negative Operating System that we don’t even know we have? Are our assumptions and belief system leading us in to conflict situations by blinding us to the truth of a situation? This week we are join by best selling author Bob Burg, who has recently released his latest book Adversaries into Allies, Win … Read more about this episode...

Hello friends, due to some unexpected delays in travel, I am unable to do my show this week. Join us next week to hear from the amazing Bob Burg and the story of Penny, the customer support specialist that taught me a lesson on responding instead of reacting. I hope you enjoy my earlier show on leading past our bullying … Read more about this episode...

Do you use indirect feedback at work? Do you know the advantages and disadvantages of this model? Join us this week as we explore how indirect feedback, while popular, may be an exclusive process that creates false perceptions and actually hurt someone’s professional reputation. In the show, we will explore a system that managers can use to model the … Read more about this episode...

Can leadership be taught? Are Managers or Supervisors Leaders? It is easy to be a boss that uses her or his authority to give orders, but, to be a leader, you have to be someone that engages others and maximizes their ability to meet their goals. Are you a supervisor? Do you know if others consider you to be a … Read more about this episode...

After hours of battling the demons of self-doubt during a sleepless night, I fell asleep peacefully thanks to this thought: Leadership requires us to tell the demons of self-doubt, to shut the hell up! This week I dedicate the show to a 3 step process that anyone can use to overcome self-doubt. Join us to learn how, leveraging our strengths, … Read more about this episode...

Are you aware of the three massive marketing mistakes business owners make? Do you have a year long strategy on how to use Referral Based Marketing? This week we are joined by David Makar, an expert in the area of Referral Based Marketing. David has helped hundreds of business professionals avoid the three massive mistakes we tend to make.… Read more about this episode...

As we enter into the holiday season, I want to dedicate this week’s show to being grateful in life. Not just for all the blessings that we have, but for the setbacks as well! How does this relate to leadership? That’s a fair question. This past weekend my wife had a bad fall and ended up in the ER with … Read more about this episode...

Have you ever considered using hope and fun to help you take risks and deal with failure? Wether we are leading a team of people, a family, or even our professional development, taking risks is almost certain. This week, we are joined by Ellen Castro, a best selling author and international consultant who has succeeded in life by using … Read more about this episode...

In the words of Stephen R. Covey, most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. Do you seek to understand or do you seek to be understood? This week, I dedicate the show to the concept of listening and Kevin Watson, an international leadership and culture change coach, shares some … Read more about this episode...

What do you do if your VP is in conflict with another executive and you have to manage a project with both of their teams? This week, our show is based on a real situation I went through early in my career when an trusted advisor told me: “Al, there are two dinosaurs throwing rocks at each other and the … Read more about this episode...

When you give constructive feedback, are you tough on the behavior or tough on the person? Is your feedback actionable and specific? Or is your feedback personal and judging? This week my good friend, David Hain, Director of Transformation Partners, joins us to explore the origins of feedback and how to view feedback, positive or not, as a … Read more about this episode...

Is your understanding of how to use the social web for business about 140 characters or less? Or are you one of the few business owners that use the social web as an way to significantly increase your networking efforts? This week we are joined by thought leader Dionne Kasian-Lew to explore how any business owner or executive can … Read more about this episode...

Do you follow an inclusive and peaceful process that helps you resolve conflict with others? Can you have a meaningful exchange with others who have hurt you without blaming them? If the answer to those questions is no, there may be a few 12 year olds that can lead through conflict better than you. This week, Kate Salmon, a Montesorri … Read more about this episode...

Did you know that 71% of all workers in the US are disengaged? While many diversity efforts are providing visual evidence of success, the number of disengaged employees in the workplace remains at a very high level. Why is this? Because we have a lot of work to do in the area of Inclusion! This week we are joined by … Read more about this episode...

How does a homeless 17 year old get accepted into an ivy-league university and goes on to lead efforts with the grandchildren of Mahatma Ghandi, the CEO of Zappos, and members of the New England Patriots? As you will learn, with courage, positive energy, and humility! Join us this week as we learn the inspirational and moving story of Erik … Read more about this episode...

Did you know that our current debt is over 16.7 TRILLION dollars? That is correct. Our debt has JUMPED from around 3 trillion dollars to almost 17 Trillion dollars, in less than ten years! Does your retirement plan include assets that appreciate with increasing debt and a declining dollar? Finis Cole, Senior Account Executive with American Bullion, join us … Read more about this episode...

In today’s competitive business environment, online learning and MOOCs are getting a lot of attention. This week we are joined by the President and CEO of Educause, Dr. Diana Oblinger, to explore the amazing learning opportunities available to everyone of us. Any company, regardless of size or budget, can help their employees develop their skills for free, or at a … Read more about this episode...

Did you know that organizations with more women on their boards have a 53% higher return on equity? Not only that,research shows that The DiversityInc Top 50 companies have outperformed the S&P 500 by more than 20% over a ten year period. Still, we are at the infancy of inclusion. Join us this week to explore the visible AND invisible … Read more about this episode...

Did you know that happiness is linked to the level of inclusion in the workplace? Research shows that when we are happy, we are more open and less biased towards others! Not only that, we are more accepting of our friends and colleagues when we are happy. Join us this week as we explore the critical role of happiness in … Read more about this episode...

How does a software company help the community have affordable access to nutritious, organic foods? How can this same company use their dedication to the community as a way to recruit empolyees and generate business? Join us today to learn about a business certification called the Benefit Corporation, or B-Corp, from Elisa Miller-Out, Chief Executive Officer of the software … Read more about this episode...

Join us this week to learn about an a step by step model to stop blaming others and take responsibility for our own actions. Leadership expert and former FBI agent, La Rae Quy shares a model that can help all of us behave our way to success instead of spending time and energy blaming others! … Read more about this episode...

Join us this week to learn about the incredible leadership transformation that is happening in Guatemala. Leadership consultant and John Maxwell Team coach, Barry Smith shares the inspirational and moving story of how 150 coaches set out to train twenty four thousand educators and leaders in two days! While the obstacles and challenges the people of Guatemala are facing may … Read more about this episode...

Are you familar with the concept of diversity and inclusion? Do you know the difference between these terms? Join us this week, for an in-depth look at the topic of inclusion and how, although related to diversity, it is completely different and highly complex. We will explore exclusion behaviors and actions that are mostly accepted in the workplace and how … Read more about this episode...

Are learning, networking and being a global citizen leadership components? Are branding and marketing strategic components of any business? This week, we are joined by leadership expert, David Hain as we focus on how leaders can use the social web, not only as a learning and networking resource, but as a way to establish and market their business. All … Read more about this episode...

Join us this week as we explore a loan program that most bankers don’t want the small business owner to know about. Chris Hurn, author of the Entrepreneurs Secret to Creating Wealth and CEO of Mercantile Capital Corporation, shares tools and techniques that make owning commercial property easier than what the banks want us to think! As you will … Read more about this episode...

Join us this week, as we continue our exploration of Latino leadership with Juana Bordas, author of The Power of Latino Leadership. If you are not latino, The Power of Latino leadership is a MUST read to better understand the latino community, our history, and how to leverage our strengths in order to run successful organizations while creating a … Read more about this episode...

Can latinos play a role in overcoming many of the challenges affecting our workforce? Can the rich and festive heritage of the fastest growing segment of our population bring some PASION and GUSTO to the workplace? This week, author Juana Bordas, joins us to discuss her book, The Power of Latino Leadership, and how to connect with and leverage … Read more about this episode...

As a kid, I was an overt and mean bully. As a manager, I learned ways of bullying covertly by hiding behind my authority. Although I may not have been as bad as other bosses, I was still a bully and very good at getting away with it. Join us this week as I share the painful lessons I learned … Read more about this episode...

Did you know that the the majority of managers attend leadership training 10 years after they start supervising people. 10 YEARS. On average, supervisor attend leadership training at age 42! This is the case for #futureleaders, that can change the status quo! In today’s show, we are joined by Brian Huggins, a Cornell University Junior and recipient of the … Read more about this episode...

Have you ever heard the phrase: People join organizations but leave managers? Are you the type of manager people leave or the type of leader that people stay for and want to work with? In today’s show, we will be exploring a model called Appreciative Inquiry that can help leaders approach difficult issues in a positive manner and inspire others … Read more about this episode...

What does a shouting match between two doctors in the OR minutes before the emergency C-Section of my second child has to do with team building? Everything. Join us this week as we explore the importance of team building as it relates to the quality of service or product we provide. Jim Volkhausen, Assistant Director of the Cornell Team and … Read more about this episode...

As you will learn in this show, the answer to the question above is directly related to the quality of your leadership and your ability to succeed in business. In today’s show, Bob Burg, co-author of the best selling book The Go-Giver, joins us to share his thoughts on how his 5 laws of stratospheric success can help you improve … Read more about this episode...

Studies show that around 80 percent of workers are not passionate about what they do. Gallup estimates that disengaged employees are costing our economy around $350 billion dollars a year! Some of our best talent is lying dormant in our workplace as employees doze through their days with little or no motivation to innovate. Maya Mathias, author of How To … Read more about this episode...

Developing a culture of trust where employees use their creative freedom to consistently exceed expectations depends on clear expectations from both the manager and the employees. As long as the expectations are met on both sides, with lots of communication and consistent actions, the relationship will grow and the performance will more than likely continue to be excellent. Join us … Read more about this episode...

No matter how far we climb the corporate ladder, we have to model the way in order to inspire others to perform and execute our vision. Leaders need to understand and perfect the art of leadership that will help engage and motivate their staff. Abrasive behavior and poor communication are the opposite of good leadership. Joins us this week … Read more about this episode...

Today’s workplace is plagued by bullying, disengaged employees, and managers who lack the tools and experience to influence others or maximize their team’s efforts. What every staff member wants more than anything is to enjoy a trusting relationship with their supervisors and their colleagues, in order be engaged and motivated at work. Joins us this week as we explore the … Read more about this episode...