Looking For AND

Omar Harris is back!!! And, we're excited to have him talk about his new book, "Be a J.E.D.I. Leader, Not a Boss." In this episode, we talk about how J.E.D.I. leaders are the right fit for building diverse organizations, representing multi-cultural clients, focusing on strengths and identifying the "brutal truths." Oh yeah, and we'll tell you exactly what J.E.D.I. stands for...

On this week's episode, Hile and I tackle two of the foundational elements of emotional intelligence (EQ): emotional self-awareness and empathy. Countless books and articles have been written about these skills and Hile helped me realize something that I had not thought of...there are really just two sides to the same coin. We explore how leaders high in these skills can manage themselves and others in more effective ways. And, we discuss a handful of tips and tricks to help you build your emotional self-awareness and empathy.

What drives you to work harder and persevere longer? What activities or behaviors drain you and leave you feeling depleted? What is motivation and why might it be important for us to consider as leaders? Hile Rutledge joins me this week to answer these questions and more while sharing some exciting news about his firm's new offering, the DRiV assessment. DRiV is a scientifically validated development tool that enables you to capitalize on individual and collective drivers to help your people become better leaders, stronger team members, and more satisfied, productive employees. In short, it helps you understand the WHY behind the WHAT.

You are a successful sales rep and you've exceeded your quota every month that you've been with your company. In fact, you're the highest ranked rep in the country. What's next for you? Sales management? Not so fast...Peter Oliver author of "Making the Climb - From Salesperson to Salesmanager" joins us this week to talk about the book, his biggest mistake as a new manager, the key question to ask yourself when considering a management position and (my favorite topic recently) the role of humility when leading others. Click here to connect with Peter on LinkedIn to see if he can help your sales team!

This week, Hile and I talk about one of the best CEOs of the last 40 years, Katharine Graham. We use the 2017 movie "The Post" as a backdrop where Graham (played by Meryl Streep) wrestles with the complexities of taking a company public, testing the first amendment and proving she can lead with a Board that initially sees her as incapable. We talk about her growth as a leader, her courage, how her values came into play and how she processed an agonizing decision.

It is probably fair to say that at one point in time or another, we have all contemplated some of the following questions: Who am I? What is my purpose? What do I want to be when I grow up? After years of working with professionals across the globe, Leslie Ehm, stumbled on a number of principles that she believes can help answer these questions. In this week's show, we talk about her new book, "Swagger - Unleash Everything You Are and Become Everything You Want." We talk about how her book is different from most self-help writing, why people feel the need to hide their true selves, why finding your Swagger is NOT arrogant, some of the common Swagger blockers and how finding your truth actually serves the greater good.

In 1986, the film Hoosiers was released and told the story of a small high school in Indiana where the boys basketball team defies the odds with a new coach to make a run at the state title. It's the classic David & Goliath story and it's loosely based on a real high school in the mid-1950s. Hile and I use the movie to talk about how the coach led this small team (it only had 7 players) against state powerhouses, a town that wanted the coach to be fired and a star player who wasn't on the team. We talk about admitting mistakes, resilience, compassion and listening to the team.

Many people suffer from depression on a daily basis. The hard part is learning to live with it. Getting up and getting moving can seem like an insurmountable chore. You know you need to be productive but your brain just won’t cooperate. Getting It Done When You’re Depressed, offers 50 strategies to break the cycle of inactivity that so often accompanies depression. These strategies are practical and easily applicable for anyone trying to lead a lifetime of productivity, regardless of your mood. Author, speaker and expert, Julie Fast, joins me to talk about her book and why it is so important for people with severe depression.

Hile and I are still interested in being a little more like Ted Lasso - one episode was not enough! In this episode we chat about courage, self-awareness, purpose and psychological safety. We also dig into a couple of our favorite Lasso quotes and the "big idea." (Hint: We both agree on what it is and why it's so important for leaders!) If you haven't watched Ted Lasso on Apple TV+, get to it!

Do you have Zoom fatigue? Are you just tired of meeting, altogether? In this week's episode one of the best facilitators I have ever witnessed joins us to share his secrets to getting rid of the "meeting monsters." Brian Tarallo, Managing Director Lizard Brain Solutions, talks about how online meetings can actually be BETTER than those that are in-person (and I agree!) with just a little bit of effort. Please join us for some useful tips and tools to make your meetings great as we discuss his new book, "Surviving the Horror of Online Meetings - How to facilitate & manage meeting monsters."

Have you watched the Apple TV+ show about an American football coach who is hired to manage a Premier League soccer club in the UK? Hile and I liked it because it was funny, emotional and entertaining. And, we realized that it was chock-full of leadership lessons. So, we decided to dedicate an episode (ok, 2 episodes!!!) to discussing what lessons we think Ted Lasso can teach you. In this episode, we talk about receiving feedback, soliciting ideas, being vulnerable and the importance of engaging at all levels of the organization. What's your favorite Ted Lasso lesson? Spoiler alert: We talk about specific scenes, characters and outcomes. You may want to watch this 10-episode series before you listen...or listen to the podcast then watch it with an eye on learning!

Problems arise every day, in business, government and non-profit organizations. Unfortunately, leaders often trade 'looking busy' and activity for real progress. Kristen Cox, former Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Management and budget for the state of Utah and recipient of Governing Magazine's "Public Official of the Year" award joins us to talk about a book she co-authored with Yishai Ashlag - "Stop Decorating the Fish - Which solutions to ignore and which problems really matter." Cox and Ashlag use a simple story about a dwindling fish population in the fictional town of Busyville to demonstrate the "Seductive 7" approaches that frequently keep leaders from truly solving big problems. In this episode we dive into the Seductive 7, how framing problems is half the battle, why we should walk away from some problems and how her blindness made helps her think differently.

Hile is back and he REALLY self-aware!! Or, is he?? Hile and I talk about the importance of emotional self-awareness, how it is related to empathy and how we can learn it from others (even our 20-year old sons!). You will walk away from this episode with several simple, science-backed tools for improving your emotional self-awareness, so please let us know which one makes the most sense for you. Finally, please don't forget to head over to www.OKA-online.com and check out their new assessment, DRiV - learn what drives you and what drains you!

On average, about 4,000 self-improvement books are published each year. Often, they call upon years of extensive research and have wonderful, science-backed tips for improving our lives. In this week's episode, we talk to William B. Irvine, PhD, Professor of Philosophy at Wright State University about his new book, The Stoic Challenge - A Philosopher's Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer, and More Resilient. And, while the book is new, the teachings are not. We discuss how the Stoics got it right several thousand years ago. Their goal was to live a life of tranquility and Irvine has done a masterful job of bringing Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus (Bill's favorite, right now) and Seneca back to life with practical, life-changing tips that today's researchers might with they had thought of.

In this episode Hile and Doug dig into some interesting topics like self-awareness, trust, delegation, conflict and curiosity. We argue that there are a handful of essential skills that most leaders will need to be successful and that acquiring these skills builds an upward spiral of improvement. What do you think is necessary to be a good leader in today's world?

Have you ever met an incredibly peaceful, compassionate person who gives you their full attention? Feels good, right? Please welcome Timothy Dukes, co-author of Present Company - Cultivating Cultures of High Performance in Teams and Organizations to the podcast. Within seconds of hearing his voice, listening to his wisdom and contemplating his ideas, you will want to get a copy of the book and dive right in. In this episode, we define "presence," we talk about it's effect on teams, what enables presence and one simple thing we can all do to be present with our colleagues, friends and families, right now.

"What is your favorite movie?" Hile and I pose this question to each other and do our best to find the lessons in our top ten movies. Hile's list includes Tootsie, The Godfather and Field of Dreams. Doug talks about Rogue One, Talladega Nights and Miracle, to name a few. We found courage, transformation, humility, vision and emotional intelligence in our favorite characters. Please join us for a lively conversation, a few surprises and some tips for being a better leader.

What are the most critical aspects of being a great leader? While there are literally thousands of books on this subject, Capt. Mark Brouker takes a stab at this in his new book, "Lessons From the Navy: How to Earn Trust, Lead Teams, and Achieve Organizational Excellence." In this week's episode of Looking for AND, we talk about the "six critical behaviors" that Brouker has identified and we dig into each one. This is probably one of the more practical shows we have had in a while. Please join us as we discuss respect, listening, Colin Powell, culture and (my favorite) humility.

Hile Rutledge is back for another great conversation about leadership! This week, we ponder the question, "Who is your favorite non-fiction leader?" As expected, the answers we both give to this question take us down a couple of different paths. We talk about having a vision, the role of empathy, how execution is critical and the role of growth and learning. We also get into the downside of optimism and how humility just might be in short supply. Please join us for another lively conversation as we explore the AND of leadership. Be sure to check out www.OKA-online.com to check out a new assessment that helps explain what drives us and what drains us. Please also check out www.DRHleadership.com for a wide variety of leadership courses and services.

Dr. Oleg Konovalov wanted to be an explorer when he was a kid. His vision was to investigate this beautiful planet to solve it's greatest mysteries. As Oleg matured and paid attention to his surroundings, he decided to explore something we know less about...people. In his latest book, "The Vision Code - How To Create And Execute A Compelling Vision For Your Business," Oleg writes about the need for a positive, compelling vision, how to develop this vision, what mistakes to avoid and why it will help you, your company and even your family navigate this complex, every-changing world.

Welcome back (and forward!) to Hile Rutledge, President and Principal Consultant of OKA! Hile joined us way back in lucky episode #13 to talk all things emotional intelligence. Since then, Hile and Doug have had a number of conversations that got Doug thinking, "What if we recorded more of these discussions?" So, Hile and Doug put their heads together and decided to just talk and hit the Record button. (Unfortunately, that means Doug gets more time to talk...) Moving forward, Hile and Doug will talk about numerous topics, all related to "leadership." Hile will join Doug every other episode and we are excited to have him!

What is the key to making better decisions? Dan Markovitz, author of "The Conclusion Trap - Four Steps to Better Decisions" argues that one of the biggest mistakes we all make is the idea that we do not understand the issue at hand as well as we could. We often rush into our decisions without having a clear, complete idea of what is in front of us. As a "lean thinking" expert with years of experience helping non-profits, government agencies and corporations, Markovitz leads us through the four steps and gives us practical advice for just about any decision or problem we may encounter. A great book...an excellent interview!

Do we REALLY need another leadership book? If you are talking about "The Four Fields of Leadership - How People and Organizations Can Thrive In A Hyperconnected World," then the answer is a resounding, "YES!" Author, coach and consultant Tom Goodell brings a simple framework to the leadership field that took over 20 years to morph into this important book. We talk about emotional intelligence, how his enterprise architecture background influenced his thinking and the four unifying principles that make this a must-read for leaders at any level.

What do Volkswagen, Wells Fargo and NASA have in common? At one point, each of these organizations with storied histories experienced a major, public failure that was a result of "catastrophic leadership." My guest, Chris Lewis, and I talk about how it's time to put an entirely new lens on leadership. His new book, "The Infinite Leader - Balancing the Demands of Modern Business Leadership" encourages us to consider both long and short term ways of thinking. In addition, he tells us to embrace imagination, empathy, humility, humor and (above all else) courage. We talk about the usefulness of the "Zero Model" and how DaVinci's Vitruvian Man sketch can be used to help leaders at all levels strive for balance.

Clint has nearly 25 years experience developing and directing organizations’ recruiting and sales strategies, as well as coaching and mentoring "C-level" executives. In this episode, he and I talk about the art of business negotiation and his new book, "Negotiating from the Inside Out: A Playbook for Business Success." This book is entirely focused on the business negotiator and can help you avoid the most common mistakes, learn how your personality may affect how your negotiate and give you a simple process to improve your outcomes.

Alan Robinson, PhD, argues that most creativity comes from the bottom up. That is, frontline employees are the source of the most and best ideas that will make your company more effective. And, he has the research to back it up. On this week's episode, we talk about an oldie AND a goodie..."Corporate Creativity - How Innovation and Improvement Actually Happen." It was published in 1997 and is still one of my favorite books. Dr. Robinson shares some insights on why it's important for leaders to demonstrate humility, why power gets in the way of good ideas and how Toyota processes over five million ideas a year!

What can Star Wars teach us about modern day leadership? How is a 50+ year old concept (servant leadership) more important than ever? Why do some managers engage in toxic behaviors? Please join Omar Harris and I as we try to answer these questions and discuss his new book, "The Servant Leader's Manifesto." We also discuss some of the top toxic behaviors, how to let go of micromanaging and the importance of humility. And, as a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Omar shares why Head Coach Mike Tomlin is a great example for us all.

Josh Weiss is back! He's got a new book ("The Book of Real-World Negotiations: Successful Strategies From Business, Government, and Daily Life") that helps all of us create more "AND-like" situations when we negotiate. On this week's episode we dive head first into the myths of negotiation, what is the best way to plan, why information is the "currency of negotiation" and how to help the other person form a collaborative mindset. Josh and I also discuss the role of emotional intelligence, why it's important to create a "possiblist" frame when negotiating and a question that opens the door to generating more options (one of the most important parts of a sticky negotiation).

What do you think when you see the title of a book being "It's All Possible - How to lead an epic life and unleash the high performance hero within you?" I'm a big believer in the positive role of optimism, hope and positive emotions AND I'm kind of a skeptic by nature. Well Rob Hartnett, set me straight...he's no skeptic and he does not believe in being overly optimistic. Rob has been studying successful people for decades and now he's sharing his secrets. Join us when we talk about being realistically optimistic, when you are really in control and five questions Rob asks himself just about every day.

When was the last time you thought of developing your own character? How would you feel if you knew there were multiple stages to character development that directly impacted your ability to be effective at work and find peace in your professional life? Terri Jacke, executive coach and author of "Is This A Lousy Job Or Is It Me? A Real-Life Guide For Achieving Success At Work" takes us through these stages and helps us understand how to learn from each stage and move to the next. Some great advice that you will not want to miss!

Shannon Polly, MAPP, PCC, joins us this week to talk about one of my favorite topics...strengths! Shannon is super qualified to do this as a graduate of the Master's in Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania. And, she co-authored Character Strengths Matter - How To Live A Full Life - an excellent source of tips, research and tools for putting your strengths to work. In this episode, we talk about applying our strengths in these difficult times, what they mean for parents and which strengths we may want to target, right now.

Did you know that a recent survey revealed that only 23% of employees think their leaders are doing well? Alain Hunkins, author of Cracking The Leadership Code - Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders, has made it his mission to increase that number. On the podcast, we talk about how yesterday's leaders have passed down some bad habits, why empathy is so important, why it's critical to be present, how being authentic makes us more effective and what chimpanzees can teach us during a pandemic.

In these difficult times I thought it would be helpful and uplifting to bring Roger Firestien back to the podcast. The Godfather of creativity and I talk about how we can be more creative in these difficult times. We spend some time talking about how people are already being more creative. We talk about Nutella brownies and how creativity gives us hope! Roger talks about his latest article regarding being creative while working from home and he shares 5 concrete tips: 1 - Find your creative space 2 - Identifying your creative time of day 3 - Why taking breaks & naps are so important 4 - How incubation can surface your best ideas 5 - How to 'force' connections to come up with new ideas Roger's most recent book, Create In A Flash - A Leader's Recipe For Breakthrough Innovation, is available at Amazon.com.

Bob Kulhand, CEO of Business Improv is back! This week's episode is a second look at how using improv techniques can help us at home and work. We explore the roots of "Yes, AND..." while applying them to being resilient and adaptable. We also explore some of the misconceptions of "Yes, AND..." and when "Yes, but..." might be appropriate. Bob puts me on the spot to teach an improv activity we can all use at the dinner table and offers a host of resources to help you bring "Yes, AND..." into your life!

We liked Ryan Niemiec, PhD (author of "The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate and Ignite Your Positive Personality") so much that we decided to bring him back for another interview. This time, we're focused on what the science tells us about being resilient and using our strengths. So, this time around we talk about why it might be best to start with what's going right before you jump into fixing a problem, how painful emotions are more powerful than the comfortable ones (like joy, hope, awe, gratitude, etc), how an under-use of our strengths can negatively affect our physical health and a 3-step process for applying our strengths to an adversity.

What happens when the CEO of a company embraces the power of AND? You get Treehouse - A company dedicated to teaching people how to design & code online. And, what's so great about that? CEO and co-founder Ryan Carson was driven to build this company because he felt that a career in coding should not require an expensive college degree. Ryan leads by a number of core values and a dream to making a lucrative career in coding accessible to the masses, not just the privileged. We talk about trust, accountability, living a balanced life, false dichotomies and the movie he watches a little too often...The Matrix!

What prevents us for asking for what we want? Why do we hold back from complaining when the situation does not meet our standards? How can we do a better job of listening to complaints and acting upon them? Amy Fish, author of "I Wanted Fries with That: How to Ask for What You Want and Get What You Need," helps us answer these questions along with a couple of parenting tips that many of us will appreciate! And, if you stick around until the end of the episode, she will teach you how to get that travel refund you wanted...

How do our egos get in the way of being great leaders? When our primary motivators are power, prestige, reward and recognition, it is almost impossible to lead effectively in today's world where employees are increasingly looking for meaning, autonomy, authenticity and a higher purpose for the work that they and their organizations do every day. Danielle Grant, Director LeaderShape Global, joins us this week to talk about "transpersonal" leadership where leaders understand that there is more to life than just their self interests. Transpersonal leaders have found the sweetspot between emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence and general IQ. They get better results and they reject the old way of leading with command and control. Please join us for a spirited discussion as we talk about Danielle's new book, Leading Beyond The Ego - How To Become A Transpersonal Leader.

Think about the last time someone came to you with a problem. Chances are you gave them some advice. And, it felt good. This is usually our default reaction as giving advice can be a sign of power and prestige. According to best-selling author and coaching guru, Michael Bungay Stanier, we are better off resisting this very normal urge. In his new book, The Advice Trap - Be Humble, Stay Curious & Change the Way You Lead Forever, you will learn the simple, powerful tools that the most effective leaders, parents and people employ to help others. In this episode, Michael talks about staying curious "just a little longer," how we can all be more "coach-like," and how asking more questions empowers those we lead and love. And, he has some interesting thoughts on the future of coaching...

This week's guest has not only embraced AND-like thinking in her own life, she has brought it to her organization. Chang Liu, Director of the Loudoun County Public Library was born in China and emigrated to the US 32 years ago. With a passion for learning and a set of encouraging parents, Chang has set about to make learning accessible, interesting and engaging. Chang's leadership has helped her staff to create an award-winning system of 10 libraries and over 300 employees that serve a population of 400,000+ residents in Northern VA. And, why do libraries even exist when we have smart phones and the internet? As Chang says, "Libraries may be one of the most important forms of democracy we have, today." They offer accessible, free learning for all who enter. By tapping the creativity of her staff and creating a psychologically safe workplace, her organization recently won the American Library Association Excellence in Programming Award - the most prestigious award for a library system. Now, go get a library card and learn about what you have been missing!

Have you ever had a decision or problem that just didn't seem to go away? If you're a leader, you have probably confronted the idea of putting more structure in place OR giving people more flexibility. You may have considered the benefits of centralizing a certain function a couple of years after de-centralizing... Kelly Lewis joins us this week to talk about a new book that she authored with Brian Emerson - Navigating Polarities - Using Both/And Thinking to Lead Transformation. In this episode we learn how we can be better off actually "navigating" these issues may be a better approach for all involved. Kelly shares a very touching story from her childhood that may have been the spark for her interest in polarity thinking and how the "third way" can be transformational.

What is leadership? Most dictionaries offer a definition that takes into account "causing or directing others" towards a goal or mission. David Marquet, former United States Navy submarine commander argues that great leadership is almost all about the language used to get the best long-term results possible. On this week's episode, David and I discuss his new book, Leadership Is Language - The Hidden Power of What You Say and What You Don't. We talk about how important it is to avoid binary questions, why it is so important that employees have the ability to say "No," and how psychological safety is critical for a team's success.

Candace is on faculty at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and Georgetown Law School, teaching courses called Arts of Communication and Negotiation. She is also the President of Candid Communications which serves to change the world for good by changing behavior. In this episode, you will learn the secrets to having great dialogue by talking at the right level, choosing a healthy goal and preparing. Oh, and a dose of curiosity and humility don't hurt, either...

How much and how well do you sleep, on average? For the last couple of years, I have been on a crusade to improve my sleep. And, Giles Watkins new book (Positive Sleep - A holistic approach to resolve sleep issues and transform your life) has the answers I've been looking for all this time! Giles and I discuss how much sleep is needed by most people, why sleep is so important and how it can be your "secret weapon" in a competitive business world. He shares his top three tips for getting a good night's sleep and why business leaders might need to take this more seriously.

Ok, so that's a pretty cool title for a book! And... Bob Kuhan joins us for a fun discussion about how adopting a "yes AND" mindset can lead to greater productivity, improved communication and more creativity. In this episode, Bob and I discuss how mindfulness can make us better communicators, how "yes AND" promotes the sharing of ideas and why postponing judgment critical to cultivating ideas and exceptional problem solving. Getting To "YES, AND" - The Art of Business Improv is a great book AND Bob is a great interview!

How many jobs will be lost with the coming AI and automation revolution? What tasks will be replaced? Which careers will be obsolete in 10 years? Olivier Blanchard co-author of Human/Machine - The Future of our Partnership with Machines argues that these may not be the best questions to be asking. Instead, let's 'look for the AND' in the partnerships that we can create to benefit employees, leaders and consumers. Blanchard does not want to paint an overly rosy picture. He and his co-author (Daniel Newman) suggest that we re-frame our goals, the direction we take and look at this through a more positive lens than simply the negative aspects.

When was the last time that you finished a meeting that you attended and thought, "Wow! That was a great meeting...I wish it was longer!" It's probably somewhere between a long time ago and never. Rae Ringel, executive coach and consultant, joins me to talk about how we can stop this epidemic of wasted time and design better meetings. She talks about how many should attend, who should attend and two things everyone must do BEFORE the meeting even starts. This is a can't-miss episode for anyone who plans, facilitates or attends meetings!

Bob Rosen, Chairman and CEO of Healthy Companies International, joins us to talk all things leadership. Bob is a psychologist with over 30 years of experience coaching CEOs at Fortune 500 companies and conducting research on what makes great leaders. He recommends that leaders consider being confident AND humble which allows them to empathize and listen more effectively. Leaders must learn to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations and that they need to take care of themselves, first. Come join us as we talk about the grounded, conscious leader of the future.

How do you define courage? After speaking with Jack Fairweather, author of "The Volunteer: One Man, An Underground Army & the Secret Mission to Destroy Auschwitz, I am convinced that one of the ultimate examples is a 39 year-old Polish underground operative named Witold Pilecki. Pilecki VOLUNTEERED to be a prisoner at the infamous Auschwitz death camp beginning in 1940. The goal was to help the Allies get first-hand information on the camp. It is a study in grace, sacrifice, empathy and courage, among other positives human qualities. It's an episode you won't want to miss and a book you will want to read.

Jen Brown, author of  Think on Your Feet - Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Impromptu Communication Skills on the Job, helps us understand how learning improv skills doesn't just make you funny. It's a life skill that can help you communicate more effectively. She has taught everyone from 3 year olds to CEOs these skills. Tune in for a couple of laughs and some practical tips!

I have heard too many people say something like, "Once I get X done, then I can focus a little more on myself so I can get in shape, eat better, etc." Impact entrepreneur and well-being expert Megan McNealy joins me for a lively discussion about why this is all wrong. Based on tons of research and her own personal experiences with an autoimmune disease, cancer and stressful career, Megan introduces us to a simple, science-backed approach that is centered on mind, body AND spirit. And, she argues...don't wait for the right time to take of yourself. This approach leads to success in other domains of your life. Check out Megan's new book, Reinvent the Wheel: How Top Executives Leverage Well-Being for Success (available, 10/22/19) and you can get more wisdom, tips and tools on Megan's website!