Podcasts about c suite

How do you succeed in a world that demands your attention 24/7 ?In this episode, Bill Gallagher sits down with Fred Marshall, CEO, investor, and author of Thrive: The Antidote to Future Shock, to explore how to navigate anxiety, information overload, and rapid change. Fred shares practical ways to restore your attention, simplify your life, and build a meaningful future using intentional habits.(06:13) Why We're All Feeling Overwhelmed*We're living in an age of constant input.*The average person checks their phone dozens of times a day, fragmenting focus.*This makes it difficult to think deeply, build meaningful work, or feel in control of your life.(16:04) When Change Outpaces Our Ability to Adapt*Future shock happens when the pace of change exceeds our ability to process it.*Technology, economics, and social systems are shifting from linear to exponential growth.*This creates anxiety, uncertainty, and a sense of constantly “falling behind.”(21:01) Take Back Control*Instead of stressing about global uncertainty, focus on what's within your control.*Build a weekly rhythm of small, consistent actions toward your desired future.*Choosing where to invest your time and energy is the antidote to overwhelm.(25:20) Shift from Consumption to Creation*Most people are stuck consuming content instead of creating value.*Endless scrolling leads to distraction, anxiety, and lack of meaning.*Creating, whether in business, relationships, or personal growth; builds fulfillment and momentum.Thanks to Fred Marshall for being on the show!Connect with Fred on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredric-marshall-1984bb/Learn more about his work: https://thrivefutureyou.com/Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshopBill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoachVisit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgallMentioned in this episode:Busy is Broken bookOur new book, Busy is Broken, coming this September. Sign up for the release at busyisbroken.com

This episode breaks down why introverted Black women are uniquely positioned for executive leadership and how to build executive presence without code-switching, over-performing, or burning yourself out.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why corporate environments reward performative extroversion (and how it's holding you back)The execution-to-executive gap and why high performers get stuck at mid-level leadershipThe 5 introverted leadership strengths that actually drive executive successThis Episode Is For You If:You've been told to “speak up more” or “be more visible”You're a high-performing Director or VP who feels overlooked for senior rolesYou're tired of trying to lead in a way that doesn't feel naturalYou know you're capable of more… but something isn't clickingIf you're ready to build executive presence your way — without code-switching or performing — I have only 2 private coaching spots available this quarter.Schedule your free pre-coaching call here - we'll discuss your leadership career goals and decide if the program is a good match.Let's define what executive leadership looks like for you.

Career disruption is accelerating across the economy — and few people have navigated it more boldly than Maryam Banikarim. The former CMO of Univision, Gannett, and Hyatt, and host of The Messy Parts podcast, Banikarim joins Rapid Response to share hard-won wisdom about C-suite politics, and ultimately betting on yourself. Growing up in Iran during the time of revolution, Banikarim offers a unique perspective on the current Middle East conflict — and her determined search for hope amid the chaos.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CultureWerk: The Twelve Pillars of Leadership Multiplication by Tom Kereszti https://www.amazon.com/CultureWerk-Twelve-Pillars-Leadership-Multiplication/dp/166578833X Leadershipdisciples.com What if you could build organizations that thrive without you? In CultureWerk, you’ll discover the 12 Cultural Pillars that transform exhausted executives into architects of self-sustaining success. These aren’t consultant theories-they’re hard-won lessons from Tom Kereszti’s journey through five continents, turning disasters into triumphs for companies like Colgate-Palmolive, Benckiser, and Strauss Group. You’ll learn the same frameworks that helped transform a money-bleeding Prague operation into a profit powerhouse. The partnership approach that outmaneuvered Sara Lee and Kraft in acquisition battles. The trust-building secrets Navy SEALs use to turn ordinary people into extraordinary teams. Why Disney-Pixar created billions while Daimler-Chrysler destroyed value-and how to ensure you’re on the right side of that equation. But here’s what matters most: you’ll finally understand why your best people leave (hint: it’s not the money), why your team waits for you to solve everything (you trained them to), and how to break the cycle that’s keeping you trapped. This book won’t just change how you lead-it will free you from the prison of being indispensable. You’ll build something more valuable than a successful business: a legacy that multiplies through others. Your future self-rested, strategic, and watching your organization thrive without your constant intervention-starts here. You’re the only one who can close the big deals and fix the real problems-that’s not leadership, that’s a life sentence. Discover the 12 pillars that transform organizations and executives into architects of self-sustaining cultures where leaders emerge naturally at every level. “CultureWerk is not another leadership book built on theory-it’s a masterclass forged in the real world. Tom Kereszti doesn’t just talk about culture; he shows you how to engineer it, protect it, and multiply it so your organization can thrive long after you step out of the room. What makes this book rare is its focus on leadership multiplication, not leadership dependency. Too many organizations rise only as high as their most visible leader. CultureWerk teaches you how to embed leadership so deeply into your culture that your people grow, your teams self-correct, and your mission outlives any single personality. Through the Twelve Pillars, Tom delivers a practical, global, and deeply human blueprint for building teams that perform with excellence and sustain impact across generations. This is the kind of book that changes how you lead on Monday morning-not just how you think on Sunday night. If you are serious about building a culture that scales, lasts, and multiplies leaders at every level, CultureWerk is not optional-it’s essential.” – Chris Robinson USA Today Bestselling Author, From Drift to Drive Executive Vice President, Maxwell Leadership “Different companies, different industries, strategies, technologies, and products – peel it all back, and what ultimately seals a company’s success is its culture. This book focuses precisely on that – on what truly transforms organizations into lasting legacies. It brings together the vast experience, deep insights, and extensive knowledge that Tom – whom I’ve had the privilege of knowing since our days at Strauss – possesses.” – Erez Vigodman Co-Founder Terra-A AG, Former President & CEO of Teva Pharmaceuticals, ADAMA and Strauss Group. “I get asked to “endorse” a lot of books these days, and I always count it an honor. This book is quite different in the fact that I know the author personally and have had the privilege of seeing firsthand the fruit of his life up close. As a member of my church, Tom is a brilliant man, originally born in Hungary immigrated to the USA and this books carry’s a potent fusion of ‘old world’ Austro/Hungarian nobility, fused with ‘new world’ USA entrepreneurial pragmatism. About the author Tom is an industry influencer and is a highly sought-after coach, speaker, educator, and mentor. Tom's new book C-Suite and Beyond was just published by Harper Collins. His approach to leadership comes from a lifetime of international experience. He has built and led executive teams in Fortune 500 companies in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the United States. His accomplishments include establishing global alliances, acquiring companies, leading successful start-ups, and creating brands. Tom is a certified member of the John Maxwell group, a leadership training organization built to grow and equip others to do remarkable things and lead fulfilling lives. Tom's servant leadership principles are time proven and founded on biblical principles. “Man of God, leader of men.” That vision statement has guided every life choice Tom has made since 1995. Tom is down to earth and able to strike a balance between business challenges and common-sense solutions. His motivational and engaging style will leave you with practical and applicable solutions that you can put into practice. He is passionate about mentoring and coaching executives. He will empower you, your team, and your company to succeed. Tom is also an international speaker.

What does it mean to flourish as leaders and cultures? Jason Barger is joined by the Founders of Safarini Leadership in dialogue about lessons from tribal elders. Jason is joined by Boris Maguire and Oli Raison, founders of Safarini Leadership, for a fascinating conversation on how indigenous wisdom from Northern Kenya can transform modern executive leadership. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! Summary: In an era of hyper-connectivity but profound human disconnection, what can global executives learn from the nomadic Samburu tribe? In this episode of The Thermostat, Jason V. Barger connects with Boris Maguire and Oli Raison to explore the Safarini Leadership Project. By guiding leaders on foot through Africa's remote landscapes, Boris and Oli facilitate an intersection between modern corporate strategy and ancient tribal wisdom. https://safarinileadership.com/ The conversation centers on Naboisho—the Samburu concept of "coming together"—and how it serves as a blueprint for resilience and corporate culture. They address the "culture of narcissism" in Western leadership and offer a radical alternative: a model where leadership in teams is a collective act of service rather than a quest for personal power. From "eternal accountability" to the "lazy tree of wisdom," this episode challenges the standard metrics of success and redefines what it means for a leader to truly flourish. Essential listening for C-Suite executives, founders, and people leaders, this episode offers a cross-cultural perspective on generational collaboration, the strategic value of self-awareness, and the necessity of purpose-driven connection in the 2026 workplace. Episode Notes & Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: Jason introduces the Safarini Leadership Project and the concept of "breathing good oxygen" into global leadership. [00:02] Meet Boris & Oli: The founders share their journey from tech and energy sectors to leading transformational treks in Northern Kenya. [00:07] The Philosophy of Naboisho: Oli explains the Samburu belief of "we are because they are" and how communal resilience is built in the world's harshest climates. [00:11] The Flourishing Study: Boris connects Safarini's work to the Global Human Flourishing Study, emphasizing why purpose and human connection are core business strategies. [00:15] The Autonomy-Connection Balance: A look at how modern society has prioritized independence at the cost of the connections that allow leaders to thrive. [00:20] The Age Set System: A deep dive into Samburu social structure. How they handle generational transitions and mentorship without the friction often found in Western organizations. [00:24] Consistency of Values: Boris discusses how ritualized investment in the next generation ensures a cultural torch is passed on without losing its flame. [00:28] Eternal Accountability: A powerful story of a debt repaid 70 years later, illustrating how the "E.A.T." (Empathy, Accountability, Trust) framework works in an oral culture. [00:34] The Lazy Tree of Wisdom: Oli explains the Samburu approach to time and why prioritizing harmony over speed leads to more sustainable decision-making. [00:42] The 30% Engagement Boost: Boris cites data on how self-aware leaders drive higher profit and why immersion in a "radically different" culture is the ultimate teacher. Key Takeaways for Leaders: Collective Leadership: Shift from the "CEO as hero" model to a participatory culture where leadership is an act of service for the whole. Time Awareness: Reframe time not just as a commodity to be spent, but as an experience to be shared, allowing for deeper listening and consensus. Radical Immersion: Understand that true self-awareness often requires stepping completely out of your home culture to see your own leadership "thermostat" clearly. Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/flourishing-leaders-boris-maguire-oli-raison/ Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with b usiness leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com   Like or Follow Jason

Career disruption is accelerating across the economy — and few people have navigated it more boldly than Maryam Banikarim. The former CMO of Univision, Gannett, and Hyatt, and host of The Messy Parts podcast, Banikarim joins Rapid Response to share hard-won wisdom about C-suite politics, and ultimately betting on yourself. Growing up in Iran during the time of revolution, Banikarim offers a unique perspective on the current Middle East conflict — and her determined search for hope amid the chaos.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to the C-Suite for Christ Podcast, where war isn't just a metaphor it's a spiritual and moral reality. In this episode, Paul M. Neuberger rips the mask off sanitized Christianity and tackles what so many refuse to face: evil is real, appeasement is deadly, and sometimes standing for Christ means standing against tyrants, oppressors, and the forces that threaten the innocent.This is not about echoing the world's safe slogans.It's about knowing when to love, yes—but also when to fight. It's about praying for peace, defending the weak, and never confusing passivity with righteousness. The Bible doesn't call us to be soft—it calls us to be bold.Jesus is still Lord—on the battlefield, in the boardroom, and in every season of conflict.So, what will YOU do when the world's evil demands your response?"A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." – Ecclesiastes 3:8Episode Highlights08:39 – Pretending evil doesn't exist is not compassion, it's naivete. Ignoring evil doesn't make someone morally superior, it often makes them dangerously passive. And history has taught us a painful lesson again and again and again that when evil is allowed to operate unchecked, the consequences are catastrophic.26:53 – Many individuals suspected something terrible was unfolding, but they convinced themselves it wasn't their responsibility to intervene. Others were simply afraid...Scripture speaks directly to this kind of moral failure when it says this in Isaiah 1:17. Learn to do right, seek justice, defend the oppressed...God doesn't call his people to passive faith. He calls them to active justice.51:24 – Every soldier who defends innocent lives, every leader who stands against tyranny, every believer who refuses to compromise truth—all of them are participating in the broader struggle between good and evil that has defined human history. But Christians fight that battle with a unique confidence. We know how the story ends. Evil doesn't ultimately triumph. Tyranny doesn't rule forever. Violence doesn't define eternity. Christ does.Connect with Paul M. NeubergerWebsite

Long-time executive coach and Coaching Real Leaders host, Muriel Wilkins, takes questions from listeners, past guests and community members and helps them unpack some of the thorniest workplace challenges they face. In this episode, she's joined by her producer Mary Dooe to talk about when business partnerships go bad, what to do when you make a significant mistake at work, and more. Connect with Muriel:Website: murielwilkins.comLinkedIn: @Muriel Maignan Wilkins Instagram: @CoachMurielWIlkins Join the Coaching Real Leaders Community: coachingrealleaderscommunity.comRead Muriel's book: LeadershipUnblocked.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 Mar 2026. Dubai schools operator Taaleem is supporting teaching staff while preparing contingency plans for the next academic term amid regional uncertainty. CEO Alan Williamson joins us. Plus, it’s our C-Suite with Standard Chartered, featuring the career journey of Professor Dame Heather McGregor of Heriot-Watt Dubai. With oil still above $100 a barrel after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Amena Bakr of Kpler breaks down the energy market impact. And despite uncertainty, Dubai property deals continue, with Driven Properties founder Abdullah Alajaji discussing what that says about investor confidence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diana Brandl is a longtime C-Suite assistant, and host of the Executive Office Insights podcast.In this spotlight episode, Diana speaks with Donata Boston - former Madonna family assistant.Show Notes -> leaderassistant.com/367 --It's the last day of the offsite and it was exactly what the team needed. The CEO pulls you aside to say, “Thank you. This was next level.”Your secret? You used Offsite. They handled the venues, negotiations, and logistics – so you could focus on shaping the experience.Sound too good to be true? It's actually within reach. (And it can even save you money.)See how at leaderassistant.com/offsite. --Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.More from The Leader Assistant... Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.com The Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membership Events -> leaderassistantlive.com Free Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

The Defense Secretary says he's not concerned about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, but one energy and geopolitical analyst says the timeline for a resumption of safe passage could take far longer than the administration predicts. Then, Adobe announcing a leadership change. A look at how the next generation of software CEOs will have to adopt to fend off disruption fears. Plus, the CEO of Wheaton Precious Metals. On earnings and the impact to the industry from the Iran war. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Executive cyber liability - new regulations and the responsibility to actSupporting your C-Suite with a framework for defining, tracking, and reporting security KPIsBridging the gap to your C-Suite - leveraging attack surface management and employee insight for strategic governanceThom Langford, Host, teissTalkhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomlangford/Edd Hardy, Director Cyber Security, AlixPartnershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/eddhardyBjörn Orri Guðmundsson, CEO & Founder, Aftrahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bj%C3%B6rn-orri-gu%C3%B0mundsson-b7b62527

Bill shares how meditation, breathwork, and simple daily practices have helped him manage focus and maintain clarity; even when everything feels like it's happening all at once. He reflects on how small habits at the beginning and end of the day can shape your mindset, and why learning to manage your attention is one of the most important leadership skills today.Topics explored in this episode:(01:31) Meditation as a Leadership Tool*Bill shares that he began learning meditation as a child and still practices it today.*Meditation, mindfulness, and breathwork help calm the “crazy brain” and restore focus.*These practices create space to reconnect with what truly matters.(06:14) Managing Attention in the Age of Notifications*Turning off alerts helps, but the deeper skill is learning not to react to every interruption.*The real challenge is managing your own attention, not just managing technology.*Mindfulness practices help leaders return their focus to what matters most.(08:52) How You Start and End the Day Shapes Everything*The way you close one day often determines how the next day begins.*Morning routines that include reflection, stillness, or movement can dramatically improve focus.*Small shifts in daily habits can create lasting changes in clarity and energy.Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshopBill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoachVisit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

Hard work alone won't get you noticed by the people who run the company. Promotions and big opportunities usually go to the people executives know, trust, and remember. In this episode, I'm breaking down how to get on the radar of the C-suite and what you need to do to stand out when the big opportunities appear.Timestamps0:54 – Storytime: The time I met the COO and made an impression.3:04 – Every Moment Counts: Treat any interaction with the C-Suite like the Olympics.6:57 – Get In Their Mind: When you understand how you think, you can tailor your approach. 8:42 – Get Visible: When they don't know you, they can help you. 10:25 – What Im Learning Right Now: A new segment where I share something I'm learning recently. Let me know what you think in the comments. 11:08 – Challenge for Listeners: Get visible in the next two weeks. Career & Leadership CoachingWant a better career? Clients who work with us earn 57% more and get promoted 3x faster on average: Book your free career clarity call here.Free ResourcesThe Brag Sheet (free Career Achievement Tracker): HereTake the free Career Fulfillment quiz: HereEngageNew episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe.Send in your career, leadership, or self-development questions and I'll answer them on air.Email: theintrovertleader@gmail.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/austinchopkinsYouTube: ​Austin HopkinsCareer Coaching: www.sts-coaching.com

Generative AI is reshaping how leaders think, decide, and communicate. Used thoughtfully, it can sharpen strategic thinking and accelerate decision-making. But when GenAI output replaces genuine insight, it can expose leaders who can't defend their thinking under pressure. In this episode of Leadership Lounge, Emma Combe sits down with Amy Scissons, Sean Dineen, and Fawad Bajwa to explore how senior leaders can harness GenAI's potential while avoiding its pitfalls. They discuss: How C-suite leaders are using GenAI in their work The growing concern about "workslop"—GenAI-generated output that lacks real insight The critical skills needed to pressure-test GenAI output and avoid shallow thinking Why transparency and accountability matter more as GenAI becomes embedded in workflows “Leaders carry a lot of wisdom. They need to feed that wisdom into AI and educate it. Context is king.” Sean Dineen, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates Four things you'll learn from this episode: 1. GenAI can elevate strategic thinking: senior leaders are using GenAI as a sparring partner to pressure-test decisions, create board personas, and refine their perspectives before high-stakes moments. 2. Polish doesn't equal depth: GenAI-generated output can look impressive, but it can also lack substance. Leaders who can't defend their thinking under scrutiny will be exposed. 3. Critical thinking is your competitive advantage: the ability to interrogate GenAI output, provide context, and apply wisdom separates leaders who use GenAI effectively from those who outsource their judgment. 4. Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable: leaders must own their outputs, regardless of how much GenAI contributed to the process. In this episode, we will cover: (02:00) Using GenAI as a sparring partner and creating board personas to pressure-test strategic thinking. (04:39) Why senior leaders should experiment with GenAI tools to build confidence before trusting them with critical decisions. (09:05) The personal risk for leaders who rely on seemingly polished GenAI output without developing their own point of view. (09:50) How GenAI can create false flattery and why leaders need to ask it to be critical. (10:50) Why credibility is a leader's currency—and how shallow GenAI-generated thinking can erode trust. (13.13) Why critical thinking—built through struggle and learning from mistakes—is the most essential leadership skill in a GenAI world. (16:20) The importance of transparency and accountability when using GenAI tools. (17:45) How GenAI output reflects your approach: clear and thoughtful inputs amplify clarity; rushed inputs amplify shallowness. A closer look at the research from this episode: Boston Consulting Group, AI at Work 2025: Momentum Builds, but Gaps Remain | BCG Russell Reynolds Associates, Season 5 - Ep. 2 | AI or Die: A Conversation with Coveo Chairman and CEO Louis Têtu | Redefiners - Podcast Series | Russell Reynolds Associates Harvard Business Review, AI-Generated “Workslop” Is Destroying Productivity Russell Reynolds Associates, Global Leadership Monitor | Russell Reynolds Associates Russell Reynolds Associates, Season 3 - Ep. 18 | A Front Row Seat to the AI Revolution with Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith – Part 2 | Redefiners - Podcast Series | Russell Reynolds Associates

Each year, the March Madness NCAA basketball tournaments remind us of valuable lessons as it relates to leadership, team cultures, belief, strategy and execution. Jason explores the intersection of high-stakes athletics and organizational health, revealing how the drama of the "Big Dance" provides a blueprint for building championship-caliber teams. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! Summary: Every March, the world stops to watch underdogs topple giants and teams achieve the impossible. But if we only see the basketball, we miss the masterclass in corporate culture and leadership in teams happening right in front of us. In this episode of The Thermostat, Jason V Barger deconstructs why the most talented rosters often flame out while "connected" teams advance. In an era of transactional recruiting and high-priced talent, March Madness serves as a powerful reminder that culture—not just capital—drives sustainable performance. Jason identifies the five critical elements that allow teams to thrive under immense pressure: unwavering belief, visible connection, proactive responses to adversity, agile execution, and intentional leadership. Essential listening for C-Suite executives, managers, and anyone leading a group through "madness," this episode offers a strategic framework for calibrating your team's thermostat. Learn how to foster a spirit of shared ownership and why "being in the dance" is the first step to an extraordinary breakthrough. Episode Notes & Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: Jason welcomes listeners to Season 10, setting the stage for a conversation on the universal leadership lessons found in the greatest three weeks in sports. [00:03] The CBS Jingle: A look at why March represents hope, camaraderie, and the annual reminder that any team can accomplish something exceptional. [00:06] Talent vs. Culture: Why the most expensive rosters don't always win and how "transformational recruiting" creates teams that play better together than they do individually. [00:08] The "In the Dance" Mindset: A discussion on opportunity and possibility. If your team has a seat at the table, they have the potential to advance. [00:09] Element 1: Unwavering Belief: The foundational role of shared conviction. Jason highlights historical "Cinderella" stories as case studies in the power of collective belief. [00:10] Element 2: Visible Connection: How to spot a winning culture through body language, role clarity, and a unified mission. [00:11] Element 3: Owning the Stumble: A look at how elite teams handle adversity without finger-pointing or blame, choosing instead to stay calm in the chaos. [00:12] Element 4: Preparation & Agility: The intersection of a solid plan and the ability to execute adjustments in real-time. [00:13] Element 5: Setting the Temperature: How leaders use gratitude and focus to bring out the best in others during high-pressure moments. [00:15] Selection Sunday & Scouting: Jason shares his passion for the game and invites listeners to connect on social media for deeper bracket analysis and culture-building tips. Key Takeaways for Leaders: Reciprocal Accountability: Build a team where everyone owns the outcome, especially when the "bounce of the ball" doesn't go your way. Transformational Culture: Move beyond transactional management. Focus on how your "best five" can play together, rather than just acquiring five "best individuals." Calibrating the Response: Train your team for adversity so that when the "madness" arrives, your collective response is proactive rather than reactive. Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/top-lessons-march-madness/ Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason

This episode is for anyone who has ever thought, “I could do more, but should I?” Ashley shares how she went from starting out as a Spanish interpreter to get her “foot in the door” to becoming a three-time CEO, leading hospitals through COVID and then humbly stepping back into the role of a “team of one” to launch her own company, MedCurate. You'll learn exactly why she's been named a 2026 Woman of Achievement, what it really takes to start and scale a company and how confidence, support and a willingness to pivot can change your trajectory. You'll hear about the importance of Tri Delta in Ashley's life today and lighten things up with a rapid-fire round that proves even powerhouse leaders have favorite songs and perfect Saturdays. This conversation is honest, practical and just the right mix of inspiration and advice for anyone listening!

Every producer wants to land massive enterprise accounts, but very few are willing to embrace the daily, unglamorous grind required to get there.In this episode, Andy Neary sits down with Michael Hart of Dillingham Insurance to discuss how the grueling discipline of college football translates directly into building a $1.6M employee benefits book from scratch. Michael shares the exact advice his college coach gave him - “Hard work and consistency beats talent every day" - and how he applies that exact mindset to his daily sales pipeline.We break down the critical difference between pitching and listening, how to use the "six degrees of separation" to successfully prospect into the C-Suite , and why intentional collaboration is the ultimate weapon for closing complex, self-funded cases. Michael also shares his elite post-mortem strategy for handling a Broker of Record (BOR) loss without burning bridges , ensuring you learn from the defeat just like a championship team watching game film.▶▶ Sign Up For Your Free Discovery Callcompletegameu.com/agaKEY MOMENTS0:00 - From Medical Sales to Insurance: The Early Grind04:30 - Transitioning from Worksite to Full Benefits Consulting10:15 - The Rookie Ego Check: Stop Pitching and Start Listening13:50 - The 6 Degrees of Prospecting (How to Connect with CFOs)21:30 - Moving Your Pipeline One Step Every Single Day24:35 - Why Consistency Always Beats Talent (The College Linebacker Mindset)33:10 - How to Handle a BOR Loss Like a Championship Team39:20 - Morning Routines, Goal Setting, and Elite HabitsCONNECT WITH ANDY NEARY

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Jim Mazany, CEO of P.F. Chang's, a pan-Asian bistro concept that has grown to about 200 locations in 30-plus years. P.F. Chang's has experienced a lot of turnover in the C-Suite recently, and the business has clearly suffered for it; sales have been trending down the past couple of years. Jim was hired late last year to help lead a turnaround, and he brought a sterling resume with him: He's spent three-plus decades in full service, including stops at SPB Hospitality, TGI Fridays, and Joe's Crab Shack. Jim joined the podcast to talk about the early wins in his first few months on the job and about what his past experiences have taught him about jumpstarting restaurant companies.In this conversation, you'll find out why:Talent walks in your door every single dayRestaurant turnarounds start with employeesYour own off-premises business may be getting in your wayHolidays offer the perfect spark to jumpstart a brandHave feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at sam.oches@informa.com.

The only way to progress in your career is to do things you've never done before – aka, sign up for stretch opportunities.Stretch roles and projects are the rocket fuel that can power your career forward…and the trial-by-fire that can burn you out.Whether you're holding yourself back from asking for one (and knowing it's holding your career back too)...Or whether you're actively in one, and trying not to let your imposter syndrome eat you alive…The 3 skills in this episode are what you need to survive, thrive, and grow in the stretch zone.Want to take this to the next level with a custom game plan for your situation? Book a Free Career Audit and let's do a deep dive: https://poojavcoaching.com/contact Want to learn the specific stretch opportunities you need to secure a C-suite role? Register for my workshop, Charting Your Course to the C-Suite: www.hbswa.org/csuiteMar2026 And email me anytime with thoughts, feedback, and topics you'd like to see covered on the podcast! ⁠⁠pooja@poojavcoaching.com⁠⁠

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[AI WEEKLY NEWS RUNDOWN] The Pentagon's War on Claude, OpenAI's GPT-5.4 Leap, and the $599 MacBook Neo

Why do we seek wealth—and does it actually make us happy? In this thought-provoking episode of The Self Esteem and Confidence Mindset, we sit down with Johann Berlin, Co-founder & CEO of TruWorth and author of "Wealth and Why We Seek It," to explore the psychology behind our relationship with money, what true worth really means, and how human-centered leadership is transforming how we think about success, fulfillment, and value.Johann brings insights from his C-Suite experience in learning & development, behavior change platforms, and asset management, plus his thought leadership featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Washington Post, Psychology Today, and more. As a TEDx speaker and invited presenter at Stanford, Dartmouth, The World Bank, Amazon, and Microsoft, Johann reveals how understanding our deeper motivations around wealth can unlock authentic confidence and purpose.You can find more from Johann here:IG: https://www.instagram.com/johannbberlinBook presale: https://www.truworthshift.com/thebookTruWorth Programs: https://www.truworthshift.com

Let's be honest. The world feels a little nuts right now. Divided. Loud. Unsettled. Tired. And organizations don't exist outside of that. They absorb it. So in this episode, we ask a simple but uncomfortable question: What does OD need to be when the world feels like it's coming apart? And maybe even harder… How do we act hopeful when we don't always feel hopeful ourselves? That's not fluff. That's leadership. Instead of offering grand theories, we get practical. We suggest starting here: Stop trying to fix everything. Start by finding the energy. In every organization — even the messy ones — there are pockets of good energy. People who still care. Teams that still want to build something better. Conversations that feel constructive instead of draining. If you think in systems, you know this is true. OD's job? Go find that energy. Name it. Amplify it. Build from it. We also talk about diagnosing energy instead of just diagnosing problems. Ask: • Where do people feel most alive? • Where do meetings feel productive? • Where is there momentum — even if it's small? Energy is data. And then we double down on participation. Because when people help shape the way forward, they create the hope they're looking for. Participation isn't soft. It's catalytic. We close with a practical exercise inspired by Power vs. Force by David Hawkins — a simple way to surface the life-giving energies (like courage and willingness) versus the draining ones (like fear and blame) that may be shaping your culture more than you realize. Consider this episode another tool for your toolkit. Not because we have all the answers. But because in chaotic times, OD isn't just about alignment and strategy. It's about stewarding energy. And if OD can't create hope… Who will?

Guest post by Sara Daw, who is Group CEO of The CFO Centre and The Liberti Group, and the author of Strategy and Leadership as Service – How the Access Economy Meets the C-Suite, which explores the fractional leadership trend. It's official – our modern workforce is blended. More companies are made up not only of full-time employees but also freelancers, contractors, gig workers, and fractional leaders. Not all work now fits the "one person, one job" approach. Instead, roles are unbundling across a wider workforce. It's all about accessing the right skill, at the right time, from anywhere. Leading People Who Don't Work for You As a leader, if you want to build a business that lasts, you need to rethink how you engage with everyone contributing to your mission – not just those on the payroll. So, what do the different players of the blended workforce bring to the table, and how can you lead them as one? The blended workforce Our workforce now consists of four main groups of people: 1. Core Employees – stable and committed individuals on the payroll 2. Fractional C-Suite – flexible, strategic and innovative leaders who work with a portfolio of companies on a pay-as-you-go basis 3. Technical Project Freelancers – flexible and skills-rich individuals like your digital nomads who complete project-based work 4. Temporary Contract Workers & Outsourcing – efficient and flexible talent who complete lighter-skilled tasks at high volume This blended workforce is a strategic approach to meet a business's needs effectively over time, especially as the skills we need in our organisations are increasingly only available in the freelance market. Working together, these wider teams can adapt to changing demands and provide specialist expertise quickly and flexibly to maximise productivity. So, how can you lead this wider workforce together as one? See it as a relationship, not a resource It's tempting to see external talent as merely a temporary resource. These individuals complete an isolated volume of work, taking care of less 'important' tasks than your core employees because it's less risky. But to truly capitalise on the benefits of a blended workforce requires a mindset shift away from this thinking. As a leader, you must start seeing the wider workforce you engage with as part of your workforce. The key is building emotional relationships right from the first project. When you bring in external talent, familiarise them with your culture, the way you and your core employed teams work, and make the effort to learn about them and the way they work too. That way, the relationship moves from transactional to collaborative, with every player more invested in achieving desired outcomes together. Measure the outputs, not the inputs Traditional and contract talent alike want flexibility in their work lives to choose how they complete tasks and achieve goals. This requires leaders to shift their focus to measure outputs, not inputs. Rather than getting caught up over hours worked, give your blended workforce the flexibility to decide what way works best for them to deliver the work that needs to be done. As a leader, it is still your responsibility to set the direction, parameters and purpose of the work. But once this is done, and everyone is on the same page, leave them to it while being available for support if needed. This way, a deeper level of shared trust is developed, and individuals feel a stronger sense of control in the roles. This increases each worker's interest, involvement and creativity – which is vital for a functional blended workforce. Conclusion Moving forward, blended workforces will become the norm for businesses. Each type of worker will bring their own skills and ways of working – it's up to leaders to bring harmony. By building emotional relationships and measuring outputs with flexibility, leaders can create one wider culture and team working collaboratively towards a shared mission. Sara Daw is Group CEO of The CFO C...

What makes a small business attractive to buyers? In this episode, Bill Gallagher sits down with Phil Risher, founder of Flash Consulting, to unpack how service businesses can grow quickly and become attractive acquisition targets. Phil shares how he helped scale a home service company from $2.7M to $5M and sell it within two years by focusing on marketing systems, data, and repeatable customer acquisition. They explore why recurring revenue, strong margins, and systems that remove the owner from operations dramatically increase company value(05:47) You Don't Need a $10M Business to Sell*Many founders believe they must reach $10M in revenue before selling.*But smaller companies can still sell for strong valuations.*Bill shares an example of a company under $4M in revenue selling for around $21M.(18:20) Why Most Service Businesses Lose Leads*Many companies lose potential customers simply because they fail to follow up.*If someone fills out a form or calls but doesn't answer the first callback, the lead often disappears.*A simple system of texts, emails, and follow-up outreach dramatically improves conversion rates.(33:03) The “Key Person Risk” That Kills Business Sales*One of the biggest obstacles to selling a company is owner dependence.*If the owner is the primary salesperson or operator, buyers see risk.*Building a professional sales team and documented processes increases valuation.(36:50) Systems Turn a Job Into a Sellable Company*A business becomes valuable when it runs on systems instead of the founder.*Marketing, sales intake, follow-up, and operations must be documented.*When the owner steps back and the company still grows, buyers become interested.Thanks to Phil Risher for being on the show!Connect with Phil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philrisherLearn more about his work: https://phlashconsulting.com/about-phlash-consulting/Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshopBill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoachVisit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

Are you ready for truth that cuts, heals, and transforms? This Savior Speakers episode arms you with Christ-centered conviction that refuses to water down the gospel. Dr. Rita Renee steps forward with unapologetic clarity, challenging leaders to honor Scripture with courage, humility, and unwavering accountability.Dive deep into a bold teaching for the C-Suite and beyond—one that refuses safe conversations and calls out the spiritual cost of lukewarm faith. If you're tired of clichés and hungry for biblical integrity, this episode summons you to grow in context, maturity, and obedience.Scripture says, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." –2 Timothy 2:15Are you ready to stop trading comfort for calling? Discover why divine authority backs those who lead with both accountability and grace.Tune in. Transformation awaits.Episode Highlights06:08 - It has nothing to do about if two or three come together, God is in the midst when we pray. Because guess what? God is everywhere. He's not in one location. There is no existence, no location, no demographic that God is not present in. So we don't have to be together for him to be present because he's omnipresent.14:28 – Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loose in heaven. God grants authority when his process is followed. This is what it's talking about. It's not talking about you putting your neck on the devil and all that. That's not what he's talking about. I've given you these rules, this law, this process to follow. And because you're following this process, I've already gave you the go-ahead in heaven because this is the word of God.21:31 – So Jesus assures his presence in faithful biblical decision making. He's there whenever we include him, when we follow his process, his word. We don't have to second-guess ourselves because it's not about emotions anymore. It's not about ourselves anymore. It's not about how close we are. It's not about our best friend. It's not about any of those things, family members. This is about the word of God. This is about authority, and it has nothing to do about attendance, and especially when it comes to prayer. Connect with Dr. Rita ReneeLinkedInInstagramFacebook 

In senior roles, you are expected to have a point of view. You are promoted for judgment and decisiveness. But there is a structural risk that emerges at VP and SVP levels: the instinct to defend your position can reduce your ability to move work forward.In this episode of Grounded and Aligned™, Karen Gombault examines what happens when relational alignment at the top is not deliberately built. If you are operating with a broad scope and cross-functional accountability, execution depends less on being correct and more on whether your boss, peers, and team are positioned to support your decisions.The episode looks at:How the need to be right can narrow influence with your boss and affect when and how you are consultedWhat misalignment with peers does to cooperation, information flow, and execution speedWhy teams comply but disengage when leaders over-index on certaintyHow political capital is built or reduced through everyday interactionsThe difference between individual correctness and coordinated progressAt senior levels, momentum is built on relationships. You are accountable for outcomes that require other people's cooperation. The question is not whether you are right. It is whether you can move forward decisions and initiatives - THAT is your job.Next stepsIf your scope has recently expanded and you are operating with greater visibility and stakeholder complexity, a short, structured reset can materially improve how you deploy your time and authority.Book a Focus-15 with former C-Suite executive Karen Gombault. In 15 minutes, you will clarify what requires your attention now, what no longer does, where to focus to reinforce authority, and one concrete adjustment to implement immediately. You will leave with a clear direction for the next 30 days.

In a world of constant change and advances in technology, Artificial Intelligence is also raising the bar on Emotional Intelligence. Jason Barger explains. Jason explores the critical intersection of high-tech and high-touch, explaining why the rise of Artificial Intelligence makes human Emotional Intelligence more valuable than ever before. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! Summary: As we move toward a future where AI handles our data, our schedules, and even our strategic analysis, what remains for the human leader? In this episode of The Thermostat, Jason V Barger deconstructs the "AI" of Authentic Interaction. He argues that rather than making leaders obsolete, technology is actually raising the bar for corporate culture and leadership in teams. Drawing from recent Forbes predictions for 2030 and current workforce trends, Jason identifies why the "scarcity premium" of the next decade will be placed on empathy, transparency, and genuine human connection. This conversation moves beyond the "scary" or "exciting" headlines of automation to address the core mechanics of how elite leaders build high-trust ecosystems. Essential listening for C-Suite executives and managers navigating the technological tide, this episode offers a strategic framework for doubling down on the traits that AI cannot duplicate: vulnerability, motive transparency, and authentic purpose. Episode Notes & Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: Jason welcomes listeners to Season 10, reflecting on over 300 episodes dedicated to calibrating the leadership thermostat. [00:03] The AI Paradox: Why artificial intelligence is the most discussed topic in boardrooms today and the spectrum of fear and excitement surrounding it. [00:06] Predictions for 2030: A breakdown of the Forbes forecast—from AI therapists and accountants to the normalization of humanoid robots in the workplace. [00:08] The Authentic Interaction (AI) Framework: Jason introduces his thesis: The more advanced technology becomes, the more humans crave authentic interaction. [00:09] Authenticity as a Trust Driver: Revisiting the three pillars of trust (Authenticity, Logic, and Empathy) and why showing up genuinely is now a competitive advantage. [00:10] Pillar 1: Genuineness: The importance of leaders admitting imperfections and sharing their vision to attract and retain top talent. [00:11] Pillar 2: Transparency: How proactive sharing of information and motives prevents the "manipulation" trap and drives engagement. [00:12] Pillar 3: Connection: Addressing the fundamental human need to belong to a mission greater than oneself, which no algorithm can satisfy. [00:13] Closing Questions: Jason leaves leaders with a challenge to evaluate how they are valuing the human experience in a technological age. Key Takeaways for Leaders: The Scarcity Premium: Recognize that as tasks become automated, human-centric leadership traits (EQ) become your most valuable assets. Motive Transparency: Build trust by being radically transparent about the "why" behind strategic shifts and technological adoption. Culture as an Ecosystem: Focus on building a "Human-First" culture that uses technology to enhance, not replace, human connection. Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/ai-raises-the-bar-on-eq/ Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https:/ /www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason

Episode Summary David is the founder of Strategy Shift. He's worked with 50 CEOs and hundreds of C-Suite executives to design bold strategies, supercharge their leadership, and transform their culture in 30 countries.He's a contributor to Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Review, and Strategy+Business, and a guest lecturer at the London Business School. He is a former senior partner in Strategy&, PwC. Who's your ideal client and what's the biggest challenge they face? What are the common mistakes people make when trying to solve that problem? What is one valuable free action that our audience can implement that will help with that issue? What is one valuable free resource that you can direct people to that will help with that issue? What's the one question I should have asked you that would be of great value to our audience? When was the last time you experienced Goosebumps with your family and why? High-Stakes Meetings Toolkit Butterfly Effects Get in touch with David: Website, LinkedIn Stakeholder Confidence Focus Turn board skepticism into enthusiastic alignment with the KAIROS assessment system. Book your 30-minute KAIROS Strategic Assessment (€147) and receive frameworks that build unwavering stakeholder trust in your strategic timing. Only 5 spots are available this week. https://www.uwedockhorn.com/research

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   In this episode, Justin interviews Randy Nornes, the 2025 Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award Winner, about his career. They talk about uncertainty and a long-term approach to risk. Randy won the 2025 Goodell Award for his lifetime achievements. He is a problem solver. Randy advises risk professionals not to focus on what they did yesterday, but on what is happening today, and to stay current with risks such as AI and cyber risk. Randy talks about how staying with Aon for years has given him the latitude to look across the company and focus on the next risk. Listen for tips on laying the groundwork before the risks.   Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:16] About this episode of RIMScast. Our guest is 2025 Goodell Award Winner Randy Nornes. We will learn all about his fascinating career and his risk philosophies. But first… [:42] RIMS Virtual Workshops. On March 10th and 11th, we have a two-day course led by John Button for the RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep. [:53] On March 17th and 18th, RIMS will align with AFERM for a two-day RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep Course. [1:01] On March 4th and 5th, we have a virtual workshop, "Facilitating Risk-Based Decision Making", with Joe Milan. On April 15th, we have a virtual workshop covering "Emerging Risks", led by Joseph Mayo. [1:18] Register today and strengthen your risk knowledge. RIMS members always enjoy deep discounts on the virtual workshops. [1:26] Webinars. On March 6th, RIMS presents "Hard Hats & High Stakes: Women Leaders Shaping Construction Risk Management". We'll be joined by a Chief Risk Officer, an underwriter, and a broker. [1:40] They will explore their career paths, risk and safety philosophies, and lend some insight as to why this is the time for the next generation of leaders to rise. [1:51] For a quick preview, check out last week's episode with Cynthia Garcia. She is the Chief Risk Officer from Bernards, who will be joining us on that exciting panel. [2:00] On March 12th, Global Risk Consultants returns with "Don't Waste the Soft Market: Where to Reinvest Insurance Savings Before the Window Closes". Register for these and other webinars by visiting RIMS.org/webinars and the links in this episode's show notes. [2:20] On with the Show! Our guest today, Randy Nornes, is the 2025 Harry and Dorothy Goodel Award Winner. [2:29] Named after the first President of RIMS and his wife, the Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award honors an individual who has furthered the goals of risk management and the Society through outstanding service and lifetime achievement. [2:41] Randy Nornes exemplifies all that and more. He has been with Aon for 38-plus years. Currently, Randy is the Executive Vice President and Enterprise Client Partner for Technology, Media, and the Communications Industry. He has done some volunteer work, which we will talk about. [3:00] Randy has a fascinating career. We're going to learn about it as well as his leadership style, his risk philosophy, and how he is keeping Aon at the forefront of AI innovation. [3:09] [If you've been to RISKWORLD, you've seen Randy in the halls and the educational sessions. He has been an ever-present force there. And he is a highly-regarded member of the Chicago RIMS Chapter. Let's get to it! [3:23] Interview! 2025 Goodel Award Winner, Randy Nornes, welcome to RIMScast! [3:44] Randy is proud of that award. He wonders, after receiving a lifetime achievement award, what's next? Retirement? Should he write a book? [4:11] On the day of the award, Randy was backstage with Martha Stewart and had a chance to visit with her and discuss risk management. [4:21] Randy's wife and one of his sons were in the audience. When Martha Stewart came out and spoke, she referred to their conversation. Randy gained credibility at home that Martha Stewart listened to what he had to say! [4:52] Justin says that RISKWORLD 2025 was fantastic! Randy says he has probably attended three dozen RISKWORLD conferences. He says they get better and are different every time. You can see, decade by decade, what's important. [5:31] There is a wonderful profile on Randy Nornes, written by Russ Banham, in the special Awards edition of RIMS Risk Management Magazine. It is still available online. That's how Justin got to know Randy Nornes before this interview. [5:57] Randy always tries to link up with what the next big thing is. Since late 2025, Randy has been leading Aon's AI infrastructure efforts, from the financing of data centers, to the construction, to the development, to the operation, and to the energy attached to that.  [6:28] AI is the next big thing. Randy says that 40% of GDP is coming through the lens of building AI infrastructure. Aon has a big team for it, and that's what Randy does every day. He says it's massive, exciting, and relentless. [7:03] Randy says, Because it's coming so fast and furious, it's not something you have time to sit back and think about. He says we're seeing this thing evolve week by week. It's global. Risk management is at the center of making it all work. [7:27] Randy says there's a different lens depending on where you sit in the AI infrastructure world. Everyone is thinking about the risks of the construction, the operation, the access to power, and the climate. It's all melded into one thing. [7:48] Randy calls the Chicago RIMS Chapter big and vibrant. Chicago is unique in having representation from so many different industries. It's not highly concentrated. People have a lot of lenses to look at risks through. It makes for good conversations. [8:11] Justin notes that last year's Risk Manager of the Year, Jennifer Pack, was from Chicago. The Rising Star, Megan Smalter, was originally from Chicago. Randy has spent time on the West and East Coasts, and he finds the Chicago Chapter unique, with 25 different industries. [8:49] Justin gives a shout-out to Julie Bean, the 2024 Heart of RIMS Award Winner. Justin says Randy is in great company. The talent coming out of Chicago brings something special to RIMS. [9:27] Randy was going to be a banker. A banker manages risk around lending and projects. It's not a huge leap to get to the world of risk management from there. [9:44] In the 1980s, it was a turbulent time for banking. We had just come out of a tough inflationary period, with real estate bankruptcies and banks and savings and loans going under. His advisor told him not to go into banking. [10:18] Randy interviewed someone from Chubb. Chubb was scaling up a new product, Directors' and Officers' insurance. Randy was good at case studies in business school. Underwriting D&O insurance is a case study. Randy thought he could do that job. [10:54] Randy started at Chubb and ended where he is today. In 1987, Randy moved to Frank B. Hall, acquired by Aon in 1992. He was young and a good worker, so he was kept by the company. He says it was a trip working alongside Pat Ryan and learning the business at Chubb. [11:48] Pat Ryan took Randy and others under his wing. He is a great mentor. Randy credits him for access. Randy mentions other early supporters, Al Diamond and Skip Dunn. With Pat Ryan, Randy was always looking for the next big risk to come along or a new framework. [13:00] In the 1990s, governance, Sarbanes-Oxley, and enterprise risk frameworks came to the forefront, following bankruptcies of major companies that had appeared to be successful. [13:28] When enterprise risk became a thing, it needed frameworks. That led Randy to build one of the first enterprise-risk-focused teams to help companies think about it. This was before COSO. [13:55] Randy says a lot of the clients they dealt with in those early days were in industries where someone had already gone through some trauma, and they wanted to make sure they weren't next up. It was a lot of, "Hurry up and make sure we're OK!" [14:26] Randy says, in the 1990s, they were doing risk modeling. The reinsurance teams had risk models that ran on AS400 mainframe computers. They had to book computing time to run a scenario with a set of assumptions. They would run 10,000 simulations in a day. [14:55] If they wanted to change the assumptions, they had to book another time. [15:02] Now it's all on the laptop. The quality of data is significantly higher. They can do it in real time. Risk managers today may not recognize how lucky they are. [15:24] Randy says, We're always trying to decide what problem we're trying to solve for and what we know about that particular issue. The modeling is the entry point to know what to do or what matters. [16:10] Randy thinks risk is a terrible word. We risk professionals have a hard time communicating with people who aren't in our space when we use the word risk. Everyone has a different definition of risk. Randy says everyone can get on board with certainty and uncertainty. [16:34] Randy says, what we're doing with modeling is trying to understand what the distance between certainty and uncertainty looks like. Then, we have to decide what's comfortable and where our tolerance is. Then, decide what to do with the part that we want to get rid of. [16:48] That's at the core of risk management, and it hasn't changed in decades. The tools we have now have changed dramatically. [16:56] Justin cites Christy Kaufman from the profile article, who said that Randy is far more than a traditional broker; he is a thought partner and a problem-solver. Justin asks what allows Randy to move beyond transactional work into a strategic advisory mindset. [17:19] Randy says insurance is a complete waste of money, unless you can show how you're adding value. You can get there by showing this uncertainty spectrum and understanding it. [17:58] Randy says the mindset is, "I've parachuted in. What do we have going on?" If I did that today, I'd be looking at supply chain issues. It's amazing when you have that lens. Early on, he looked at a supply chain that was "perfect, end-to-end" on spreadsheets. [18:27] Everything was manually entered. Managers were judged on average inventory levels, and wanted to keep the levels as low as possible. To game the system, they ran inventory at the lowest level.  [18:57] They would raise the inventory at the end of the month to make it look like they were on target. It was not a real-time inventory. It looked like risk management was fine, but the chance of a stockout or a long-term impact was pretty great. [19:24] A Quick Break! RISKWORLD 2026 will be held from May 3rd through the 6th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. RISKWORLD attracts more than 10,000 risk professionals across the globe. It's time to Connect, Cultivate, and Collaborate with them. [19:43] Booth sales are open now. General registration and speaker registration are also open right now. Marketplace and hospitality badges will be available starting on March 3rd. Links are in this episode's show notes, and be sure to check out RIMS.org for more information. [20:02] Save the dates March 18th and 19th, 2026, for the RIMS Legislative Summit, which will be held in Washington, D.C.! Join us in Washington, D.C. for two days of Congressional meetings, networking, and advocating on behalf of the risk management community. [20:19] Visit RIMS.org/advocacy for more information and to register. Also, check out the prior episode of RIMScast, Episode 378, featuring RIMS General Counsel and Vice President of External Affairs, Mark Prysock, as we discuss the top priorities for RIMS in 2026 and beyond. [20:39] The Second Annual RIMS Texas Regional Conference will be held in San Antonio from August 10th through August 12th. [20:46] The call for submissions for educational sessions is open through March 18th. Check out the link in this episode's show notes and make a pitch! Hopefully, you get selected, and we'll see you in San Antonio! [20:59] Let's Return to Our Interview with 2025 Goodel Award Winner, Randy Nornes! [21:19] Justin asks how Randy delivers good or bad news to a high-level executive. Randy says he was gifted by his radio announcer father with a very calm demeanor. You're delivering what it is, based on some fact. Randy has had to deliver a lot of crazy facts over the years. [22:29] Early in his career, Randy had a financial institution client. They had some major issues. He was standing outside the boardroom, ready to go in to tell them whether they had insurance or not. They did not. He was on the phone with London, working out some coverage. [23:28] He got the message while he was in there that they had managed to land something for the client, so he could pivot. His colleagues said they couldn't believe how calm he had been, going in. [24:11] Randy says it's best to set the landscape with executives before extra risk is taken, showing alternatives and strategy, so if something happens, it was foreseen, you were just unlucky in that year. [24:53] If you hadn't done the front-end work and gotten everybody onboard to see why it was the right strategy, then the news of unanticipated issues gets a lot harder to deliver. [25:04] There's a lot of front-end work to do. To drop bad news on people without any prep is going to be a lot harder. Being transparent and on the same page, especially with finance people, makes communication easy. This flows up to the CFO and higher. Set the foundation. [25:51] Randy has 100s of people focused on data centers. They have analysts and use AI for some things. There are people from the financial institution vertical, construction, operations, cyber, AI, energy, and renewal. They gather together. It's multidisciplinary, under one umbrella. [27:05] Randy says his leadership style is collaborative. He tries to lift the whole team, orchestrating how it comes together. He lets them have the success they deserve. Randy is a strong proponent of mentorship. It's the secret to his success. [27:50] Randy has worked with some people for his entire career, as clients, colleagues, or competitors, and he stays connected with them. Hundreds of people fit that profile. [28:17] Another Quick Break! The Spencer Educational Foundation's Risk Manager on Campus application period will open on April 1st, 2026, and it will close on June 30th. Grant awardees, colleges, and universities are typically notified in September. [28:43] The Course Development Grant application deadline for Interval Number 2 will be on June 15th, 2026. Award notifications will be sent out in late July. [28:57] General Grant applications will open on May 1st, 2026, and the application deadline is July 30th. Internship Grant applications open on August 15th and close on October 15th. [29:10] Links to each of these grants are in this episode's show notes. Visit SpencerEd.org for more information. [29:18] Let's Conclude Our Interview with 2025 Goodel Award Winner, Randy Nornes. [29:39] Randy worked with Pat Ryan to lead the Risk Management and Financial Guarantee Team for Chicago's 2016 Summer Olympic bid. Randy says when Pat retired as CEO of Aon, he took on this project to head Chicago's Olympic bid. He invited Randy to the project. [30:19] In an Olympic Bid, the city has to sign a Host City Agreement that says they will take on the risks of delivering the Games. There's an effective financial guarantee. Globally, it is often done on a country level. That's not how it operates in the U.S. [30:43] Pat and Randy had to figure out how to de-risk the games so that what the city's guarantee would look like was limited because the team had built insurance and risk management. On the construction side, they had contractors take on risks. [31:03] They created a de-risking model. It was the first time anyone had done that for an Olympic Games. Chicago was not successful, but the work the team did on de-risking the Games became the model that a lot of Western cities took on for their Olympic bids. [32:03] Randy says you start with a line-item budget that the bid team puts out. A big part of it is the construction of venues, living spaces, technology, including massive broadcast bandwidth, tens of thousands of volunteers to transport and train, and secure. [32:35] Randy says they took the line-item budget and worked on each item separately, to create certainty and shrink the distance between certain and uncertain, so that when they put the umbrella guarantee on top of it, it touched a lot fewer things and had a lot more certainty. [33:01] The biggest thing the umbrella policy covered is delivering the Games on a certain date. No delays. All the costs are front-end. If, for some reason, the Games don't happen: terrorism, global war, or pandemic, you're stuck with all those front-end costs. It's the worst case. [33:39] The closer you get to the event, the more risk you have. Then you have the three or four weeks when you're delivering the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games. [33:49] Randy says it was interesting. They did a white paper on it, "How to De-risk Games." It was done to encourage cities not to be afraid to host the Games. [34:19] Randy says, over the years, when cities in North America are bidding for Winter or Summer, they reach out, and Pat and Randy give them the template. San Francisco, LA, Boston, and Calgary all asked for it. [34:51] Most of the people on the Bid Committee were on the City level. It was Mayor Daley, his staff, and 50 aldermen. Randy says, We gave them lots of transparency into what we were doing. [35:16] Randy says they provided 1,200 pages of material, in 3-ring binders, for each of the aldermen. They also put all the text on discs to search electronically. Later, an alderman called Randy, angry because he couldn't listen to the disc in his car. Randy explained it to him. [3:24] Randy thinks a city should be thankful to host the Olympic Games. They make the city sparkle. The city gets a big influx of outside money. Chicago would have gotten a lot of Federal money. The transportation system would have been upgraded. It would make the city better. [36:49] Randy describes how London and Paris were improved by hosting the Olympic Games. If you're thinking of bidding, it's worth it. Randy wishes Chicago's bid had been successful. [37:33] Justin and Randy comment on the Milan Winter Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The next Winter Olympics will be on the French side of the Alps. [38:01] Justin says that Chicago is known for its colorful history of notorious characters. [38:45] Justin asks Randy about Project Six. Project Six came out of the Olympic Bid. Seeing corruption in the city government, Randy and a few committee members put together Project Six, referring to the six business leaders who partnered with Elliot Ness to go after Al Capone. [39:44] They set up Project Six as a nonprofit whistleblower organization so people could come to report corruption. They got hundreds of whistleblower tips. They published things and gave information on criminal activity to Federal prosecutors. [40:07] Some things were not criminal but unethical. When the Chicago Cubs were playing in the World Series, public officials paid face value for Cubs tickets instead of the market price. Project Six brought it to the ethics committee, and they changed that practice for tickets. [41:31] Randy says they did not make a lot of friends in public office. Project Six is closed. [41:47] Randy talks about angering a bunch of people in public office. They went after Project Six because they weren't getting whistleblower tips on Republicans. There might have been one Republican commissioner in Chicago. [42:20] Randy says some of the senior people they ruffled went after donors. So it was a better idea to shut it down. It ran for three and a half years. [42:41] Randy says the biggest frustration was how slow things move. It takes years for some convictions to go through. You would like justice to happen faster. Randy hopes that when high-profile people go to prison, others pause to consider. [43:59] Randy gives his advice on what separates a good risk manager or problem solver from a great one. He says not to get too focused on what you did yesterday. Every day, step back and ask, Am I still doing the right stuff? Am I focused on the right thing? [44:26] You have a fixed amount of money to spend to solve your risk problems. You're insuring your buildings for fire, but over time, you've engineered them to be fire-resistant. There is less risk. At the same time, you have AI, cyber risk, and new things that come in. [44:48] Is it better to direct money to solve cyber risk and take on more risk for property? Don't get hung up on what you did yesterday. Stepping back and staying on top of what's happening with the business has never been more important. [45:17] Businesses are transforming before our eyes, and AI is leading the transformation. Make sure you're interacting with your business to stay current on what the business is all about. [46:02] Randy says being at Aon a long time has given him a lot of latitude to do all the things he has done. He can look for new things, cut across the towers that exist and think about risk at the broadest level. [46:40] If you move company to company, you'll step into the new role, fix a few things, and move to the next company. You won't have the latitude to experiment with new things or ask what comes next. You're there because you're needed at that time. [47:07] Randy says, That can be comfortable. But don't get too comfortable and make sure you're staying current. [47:17] We really appreciate you joining us here on the show. I want to wish you congratulations again on the Goodel Award. It's a big honor here at RIMS, and you certainly deserve it. [47:27] I look forward to meeting you in Philadelphia, from May 3rd through the 6th at RISKWORLD! Thank you so much for joining us here on RIMScast, Randy! [47:40] Special thanks again to 2025 Goodel Award Winner, Randy Nornes, for joining us here on RIMSCast! A link to his profile in RIMS Risk Management Magazine's Awards Edition 2025 is in this episode's show notes. [47:57] He's one of our men in Chicago. Check out ChicagoRIMS.org. They have a live event coming up called "Nuclear Verdicts: Live Mock Trial for Evaluating Litigation Risk and Strategy"  at the Aon Center (Chicago), on March 11th. You might see Randy there! [48:14] We've got the Chicago RIMS Annual Golf Outing on September 21st, and the 11th Annual Chicagoland Risk Forum on September 24th at the Old Post Office in Chicago. They're one of our most active and vibrant chapters, so check out those events and visit ChicagoRIMS.org. [48:34] Plug Time! You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in the show notes. [49:02] RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [49:20] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [49:37] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [49:54] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [50:08] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. Please remember to subscribe to RIMScast on your favorite podcasting app. You can email us at Content@RIMS.org. [50:20] Practice good risk management, stay safe, and thank you again for your continuous support!   Links: RIMS Legislative Summit — March 18-19, 2026 on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. | Register now! RISKWORLD 2026 Registration — Open for exhibitors, members, and non-members! Reserve your booth at RISKWORLD 2026! Spencer Educational Foundation — Scholarships and Grants RIMS Texas Regional Conference 2026 Education Content Submission — Deadline March 18, 2026! RIMS-CRO Certificate Program In Advanced Enterprise Risk Management | April ‒ June 2026 Cohort | Led by James Lam RIMS Compensation Survey 2025 — Download Today RIMS Risk Management magazine | Contribute | Awards Edition 2025 RIMS Now RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) | Insights Video Series Featuring Joe Milan! The Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center RIMS Diversity Equity Inclusion Council RIMS-CRMP Story, featuring John Button RIMScast Canada — Episodes Now Live RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy Upcoming RIMS-CRMP Prep Virtual Workshops: RIMS-CRMP Exam PrepMarch 10‒11 | April 21‒22 | June 9‒10 RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep with AFERM | March 17‒18 Full RIMS-CRMP Prep Course Schedule See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops RIMS Virtual Workshop – Facilitating Risk-Based Decision Making | March 4‒5 | Register Now Risk Appetite Management | March 25‒26 Claims Management | April 7‒8 Emerging Risks | April 15 | Register Now! Upcoming RIMS Webinars: Hard Hats & High Stakes: Women Leaders Shaping Construction Risk Management | March 6 | Presented by RIMS Don't Waste the Soft Market: Where to Reinvest Insurance Savings Before the Window Closes | March 12 | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants RIMS.org/Webinars   Related RIMScast Episodes: "Investing In Yourself with RIMS 2026 President Manny Padilla" "RIMS 2024 Goodell Award Winner Eamonn Cunningham"   Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: Secondary Perils, Major Risks: The New Face of Weather-Related Challenges | Sponsored by AXA XL (New!) "The ART of Risk: Rethinking Risk Through Insight, Design, and Innovation" | Sponsored by Alliant "Mastering ERM: Leveraging Internal and External Risk Factors" | Sponsored by Diligent "Cyberrisk: Preparing Beyond 2025" | Sponsored by Alliant "The New Reality of Risk Engineering: From Code Compliance to Resilience" | Sponsored by AXA XL "Change Management: AI's Role in Loss Control and Property Insurance" | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company "Demystifying Multinational Fronting Insurance Programs" | Sponsored by Zurich "Understanding Third-Party Litigation Funding" | Sponsored by Zurich "What Risk Managers Can Learn From School Shootings" | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog "Simplifying the Challenges of OSHA Recordkeeping" | Sponsored by Medcor "How Insurance Builds Resilience Against An Active Assailant Attack" | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog "Third-Party and Cyber Risk Management Tips" | Sponsored by Alliant   RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — Featuring RIMS President Manny Padilla!   RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model®   Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information.   Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org.   Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.   About our guest: Randy Nornes, at Aon   Production and engineering provided by Podfly.

In a business that's dominated by men, Kristi Beaudoin has earned her way into the C-Suite, leading acquisitions while integrating AI and technology at Coastal Waste & Recycling. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites Beaudoin to share insight on her industry.

She's an ambitious leader with a strong vision to drive value and growth for the company. But she's concerned that plan may now be in jeopardy due to lack of buy-in from her boss. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her on how to handle getting the alignment needed to move a strategy forward.Connect with Muriel:Website: murielwilkins.comLinkedIn: @Muriel Maignan Wilkins Instagram: @CoachMurielWIlkins Join the Coaching Real Leaders Community: coachingrealleaderscommunity.comRead Muriel's book: LeadershipUnblocked.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"  I want people to walk away from any engagement they have with me saying that I'm not a bad bloke, that I was keen to listen, and that I wanted to help."   This is a special episode only available to our podcast subscribers, which we call The Mini Chief. These are short, sharp highlights from our fabulous guests, where you get a 5 to 10 minute snapshot from their full episode. This Mini Chief episode features Paul Nicolaou, the Executive Director of Business Sydney. His full episode is titled The 3Ps of building an insanely valuable network, daring to be different, and making people happy. You can find the full audio and show notes here:

Have you ever earned the internal promotion you worked for… and felt nothing?   No adrenaline. No goosebumps. Saw the announcement go out and went back to whatever you were doing prior.   There's a reason that happens, especially at Senior Director, VP, and C-Suite levels.   And it has nothing to do with compensation.   I break it down in today's podcast episode.   FREE TRAINING Register for The Catapult Your Career Bootcamp (http://thecatapultbootcamp.com) WORK WITH US Join the Catapult Your Career Program (http://cycprogram.com) GET IN TOUCH Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stellaodogwu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_intelle/ Email: contact@intelle.us Text: 949-519-4554

Diana Brandl is a longtime C-Suite assistant, and host of the Executive Office Insights podcast.In this spotlight episode, Diana speaks with Lauren Bradley about how EAs can thrive.Show Notes -> leaderassistant.com/365 --It's the last day of the offsite and it was exactly what the team needed. The CEO pulls you aside to say, “Thank you. This was next level.”Your secret? You used Offsite. They handled the venues, negotiations, and logistics – so you could focus on shaping the experience.Sound too good to be true? It's actually within reach. (And it can even save you money.)See how at leaderassistant.com/offsite. --Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.More from The Leader Assistant... Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.com The Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membership Events -> leaderassistantlive.com Free Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

“As I unpacked that with them in their interviews, some of them came to tears because something that is so personal and what some people discounted outside of the walls as something emotional, actually had value and meaning outside of the walls of that church and into very hard-hitting corporate America.” – L. Michelle Smith Today's featured bestselling, award-winning bookcaster is a keynote speaker, Certified Personal & Executive Coach, Fortune 100 C-Suite advisor, and the founder of No Silos Communications LLC, L. Michelle Smith. Michelle and I had a fun on a bun chat about her new book, “Call and Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church”, how her upbringing in the Black church shaped her communication and leadership skills, and more!Key Things You'll Learn:What inspired Michelle to write her latest bookHow a pack of chewing gum got her into TCUSome practical advice for writers seeking to make an impact and grow their audienceThree major lessons Michelle learned from starting, running, and growing her podcastsMichelle's Site: https://www.lmichellesmith.com/Michelle's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08DG76T6N/allbooksMichelle's Podcast, “The Culture Soup Podcast”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-culture-soup-podcast/id1437715578The opening track is titled, “Unknown From M.E. | Sonic Adventure 2 ~ City Pop Remix” by Iridium Beats. To listen to and download the full track, click the following link. https://www.patreon.com/posts/sonic-adventure-136084016 Please support today's podcast to keep this content coming! CashApp: $DomBrightmonDonate on PayPal: @DBrightmonBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dombrightmonGet Going North T-Shirts, Stickers, and More: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/dom-brightmonThe Going North Advancement Compass: https://a.co/d/bA9awotYou May Also Like…306 – Be The SPARK with Simon T. Bailey: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-306-be-the-spark-with-simon-t-bailey-simontbailey/420 – The UPside of Failure with Tiana Sanchez: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-420-the-upside-of-failure-with-tiana-sanchez-likearealboss/#Holiday Bonus Ep. – Read Until You Understand with Dr. Farah Griffin (@FJasmineG): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/holiday-bonus-ep-read-until-you-understand-with-dr-farah-griffin-fjasmineg/1057 – Higher Education Leadership Lessons for Navigating Crisis and Change with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum (@BDTSpelman): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-1057-higher-education-leadership-lessons-for-navigating-crisis-and-change-with-dr-beverly-dan/257 – It's Time To Fly Away with Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/257-its-time-to-fly-away-with-dr-froswa-booker-drew-froswa/1056 – Faith Driven Leadership Tips for Living a Both/And Life with Dr. Kevin Foreman (@bishopforeman): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-1056-faith-driven-leadership-tips-for-living-a-bothand-life-with-dr-kevin-foreman-bishopfo/1016 – Hustle, Flow, or Let It Go? with Dr. Portia Preston: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-1016-hustle-flow-or-let-it-go-with-dr-portia-preston/466 – Sabotage with Brandon Wilson: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-466-sabotage-with-brandon-wilson-wilbroninc/868 – How Women Can Thrive After Corporate Setbacks with Dr. Elizabeth Carter (@eacaappeal): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-868-how-women-can-thrive-after-corporate-setbacks-with-dr-elizabeth-carter-eacaappeal/365 – My Poetry Is the Beauty You Overlook with Kim B. Miller: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-365-my-poetry-is-the-beauty-you-overlook-with-kim-b-miller-pwcpoetlaur2020/316 – Ubuntu Leadership with Dr. LaMarr Darnell Shields: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-316-ubuntu-leadership-with-dr-lamarr-darnell-shields-lamarrdshields/680 – The Influence Lottery Ticket for Having High Impact with Kelly Swanson (@motivationspkr): https://shorturl.at/WTUsx

Carl Quintanilla, Michael Santoli, and David Faber kicked off the hour with a deep dive on the story of the day: Nvidia earnings, as shares turned lower despite a big beat. Truist CIO Keith Lerner discussed the high bar for investors - and dueling dynamics between software and the semis, before the team broke down the state of the Big Tech trade with one analyst who's still bullish on Nvidia here.  Also in focus: the view from the C-Suite... Hear the CEO of IMAX talk the company's record earnings - and who he thinks should acquire Warner Brothers Discovery... Along with the CEO of Zoom - fresh off results hitting shares double digits.  Squawk on the Street Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is episode 815. Read the complee transcription on the Sales Game Changers Podcast website. Watch the video of this podcast on YouTube here. This is an Office Hours – Sales Professors Unplugged sub-brand of the Sales Game Changers Podcast. The Sales Game Changers Podcast was recognized by YesWare as the top sales podcast. Read the announcement here. FeedSpot named the Sales Game Changers Podcast at a top 20 Sales Podcast and top 8 Sales Leadership Podcast! Subscribe to the Sales Game Changers Podcast now on Apple Podcasts! Purchase Fred Diamond's best-sellers Love, Hope, Lyme: What Family Members, Partners, and Friends Who Love a Chronic Lyme Survivor Need to Know and Insights for Sales Game Changers now! On today's show, we interviewed Dr. Andrea Dixon, Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Baylor University. Find Dr. Dixon on LinkedIn.  DR. DIXON'S TIP: "We can't just be preparing students for an initial role. We have to prepare students for their career and for life."

What if the biggest obstacle in your organization isn't resistance — but thinking? In this episode, Bob 'n Joyce explore why smart leaders keep applying logical, linear solutions to problems that require something different. Drawing on the work of Edward de Bono and his ideas on lateral thinking, we examine why better analysis doesn't always produce better outcomes. True creativity — the kind that shifts culture and unlocks strategy — happens when leaders deliberately disrupt their own patterns of thought. That doesn't come naturally. It takes structure, intention, and often a skilled OD practitioner willing to redirect the conversation sideways. We share practical ways to apply these concepts in your organization, including how to: • Interrupt entrenched thinking • Expand options before narrowing them • Facilitate conversations that create possibility instead of reinforcing positions If you're an OD professional or executive leader, this conversation may challenge how you approach your next strategic discussion. Sometimes progress doesn't require more effort. It requires a different question.

In leadership, trust isn't a given—it's earned, protected, and sometimes rebuilt. This episode gets practical about the quiet power of credibility and how to lead without playing politics. - How do you build trust with IT, attorneys, and senior leadership—without overplaying your hand? - What do you do when you're caught off guard, and your credibility is on the line? - What are the trade-offs between being liked and being respected—and how do you navigate them with intention? - And what happens when trust breaks down? We share a moment that didn't go as planned, and the lessons that followed. This episode earns its place in the series by grounding listeners in the real work of influence—before we dive into heavier leadership terrain. If you've ever led from the middle, the margins, or the hot seat, this one's for you.

Are you growing your company or are you keeping it small by being the hero?In this solo episode, Bill unpacks the hidden addiction leaders have to being needed; constantly jumping in, solving problems, and staying essential to everything. While this mindset may help you start a company, it will quietly sabotage your ability to scale it.Topics explored in this episode:(00:03) The Fastest Way to Stay Small *Staying essential to everything keeps your company small *Jumping in to solve every problem prevents team growth *Being the hero steals others' opportunity to level up(03:31) The Addiction to Being Needed *Leaders often love being the hero and solving problems *Hero mindset requires “victims”, which creates weak and dependent teams *Real leadership means developing problem-solvers, not being the problem-solver(09:19) Practical Delegation Shift *Before solving a task, ask: Who should own this? *Assign work based on others' strengths and pride points *Even imperfect recognition builds trust and engagement *Speak specifically to why someone is right for the challengeBill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshopBill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoachVisit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

Transformation continues to be the word at the top of leaders' minds. Whether it's due to changes in technology with AI, market shifts, the regulatory landscape, or unexpected global events, leaders are looking to transform their organization's operations and culture to be more agile, innovative, and resilient. In today's Redefiners, Marla Oates and Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic talk with former Telstra CEO and managing Director, Andy Penn, about how he led the transformation of Australia's largest telecommunications company. Andy shares what it was like stepping into the CEO role at Telstra at a turbulent time for the company, its customers, and the board. He talks about the key lessons he learned leading a multi-year company-wide transformation effort, and how he put the right team and culture together to get it done. He also talks about his current roles in cybersecurity, providing critical insights on how to prepare for and deter cyber-attacks. We'll also hear from Tuck Rickards, a leadership advisor at Russell Reynolds Associates, who will discuss what he believes is the leadership formula for effective AI transformation. Four things you'll learn from this episode: The key steps and KPIs when implementing a transformation project Tips on putting together the right leadership team and organizational culture to help make reinvention happen How to prepare for cyber-security risks while balance the productivity benefits of AI projects How to successfully transition from CEO to board and advisory roles If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: Talking Transformational Leadership with RRA's CEO Constantine Alexandrakis Leadership Lounge: How to Build a Top-Performing C-suite: The Leadership Blueprint for Sustained High Performance Trust Your Gut: AXA's Thomas Buberl Talks Transformation and Reinvention Leadership Lounge: From Firefighting to Future-Building: How Leaders Can Master Perpetual Transformation Driving Transformation with Volvo Cars President and CEO Jim Rowan Leadership Lounge: Unleashing AI's potential: Are you ready to lead the charge? Learn more with the latest research from Russell Reynolds Associates: Adapt or Die in the Age of Perpetual Transformation Why Most AI Transformations Fail Before They Start

Cultures are impacted by emotional intelligence and closing the gap between our intentions and our actions. Jason is joined by author and Harvard professor, Margaret Andrews, for an engaging conversation. Jason is joined by Margaret C. Andrews, Harvard University professor and seasoned executive, for a masterclass on the interpersonal dynamics that drive modern organizational success. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! Summary: In an era where employee engagement has hit a ten-year low, how do elite leaders bridge the gap between corporate vision and the daily human experience? In this episode, Jason V. Barger sits down with Margaret C. Andrews to explore the shift from "soft skills" to "power skills." Margaret, a faculty member at Harvard who has worked with giants like Amazon and the United Nations, shares why emotional intelligence (EQ) and self-awareness are the ultimate competitive advantages in 2026. This conversation moves beyond theoretical management to the heart of "Culture-Making." Jason and Margaret deconstruct the "knowing-doing gap"—the space between understanding leadership principles and actually embodying them under pressure. They explore the critical distinction between being a "culture taker" versus a "culture maker," and how executives can use perspective-taking to resolve the cultural dissonance that often leads to cynicism and turnover. Essential listening for C-Suite executives, academic leaders, and managers at all levels, this episode offers a nuanced look at generational diversity, the "Chief Culture Officer" role of the CEO, and why walking beside your team is more effective than leading from the front. Episode Notes & Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: Jason sets the stage for a conversation on co-creating cultures that bring out the best in people during a time of low trust. [00:03] Meet Margaret Andrews: From master's swim teams to Harvard lecture halls, Margaret introduces her "excitement meter" and the Facets of Strategy. [00:06] The Harvard Perspective: Margaret discusses her courses on Managing Yourself and Leading Others, emphasizing that there is no "single right answer" in leadership—only context. [00:09] The Engagement Crisis: A look at recent data showing 10-year lows in engagement and why only 23% of employees trust their leadership's direction. [00:11] Culture Takers vs. Culture Makers: Margaret defines why most employees are culture takers and how the CEO must act as the "Chief Culture Officer" to move the needle. [00:15] The Satya Nadella Case Study: An analysis of how Microsoft's CEO transformed a legacy culture by being an "insider on the sideline" and changing who got the "seats on the bus." [00:19] Cultural Dissonance: Why "sharp elbows" in leadership destroy collaboration and how promotion criteria serve as the loudest signal of what a company truly values. [00:23] Identifying Your Heroes: The power of stories in transmitting culture. To change your culture, you must change who your organization celebrates as a "hero." [00:27] The "Soft Skills" Crusade: Jason and Margaret discuss why interpersonal skills are actually "superpowers" and why MIT alums consistently wish they had paid more attention to Organizational Behavior. [00:31] The EQ Quadrants: A breakdown of self-awareness, self-management, social competency, and empathy in the high-stakes environment of executive leadership. [00:37] The 6 vs. 9 Perspective: A viral analogy for the workplace—how two leaders can be looking at the same problem, seeing different "numbers," and both be "right" from their vantage point. [00:41] Digital Natives & The "Why": A deep look at Gen Z and Millennials. Why these generations don't need "hovering" leaders, but rather partners to walk beside them. Key Takeaways for Leaders: The Knowing-Doing Gap: Real credit in leadership isn't given for knowing you should listen or be empathetic; it's only given for doing it consistently. Vantage Point Curiosity: Replace judgment with curiosity. When a team member disagrees, ask what "vantage point" they are standing at to see the problem differently. Hero Alignment: Audit the stories told in your halls. Do your "office legends" embody the culture you want to build, or the one you are trying to leave behind? Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/culture-making-margaret-andrews/ Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason

In this Matthews Mentality Podcast episode, host Kyle Matthews interviews Dr. Debra Clary, founder and CEO of the Clary Group and author of The Curiosity Curve (launching with Fast Company in October 2025). Clary shares how she grew up feeling like an underdog and used that mindset to outwork others, beginning her career as a 4:00 AM Frito-Lay route driver in Detroit before moving into leadership roles at major organizations including Coca-Cola, Jack Daniels, Papa John's, and Humana. She recounts learning credibility through discipline, building trust with backdoor receivers to increase route sales, earning a promotion to manager in nine months, and discovering the “power of a question” after being publicly accused of damaging truck tires that weren't hers. Clary describes being fired after a corporate shakeup at Frito-Lay, landing at Coca-Cola through a recruiter connection, saving the Papa John's account by gathering franchisee feedback and securing a video from Coca-Cola president Jack Stahl, then later being hired—and fired—by Papa John's. After joining Jack Daniels as VP of strategy, she earned a doctorate at George Washington University and later moved to Humana, where she founded and ran a Leadership Institute developing the top 600 leaders, then supported enterprise-wide onboarding and performance efforts under a new CEO. The conversation centers on her 2019 “joke, question, and puzzle” that led her to commission MIT researchers to study curiosity and performance, ultimately prompting her to leave corporate life, start her firm, and build a framework for balancing curiosity and decisiveness. Clary explains the book's “optimal amount of curiosity” and the four drivers of curiosity—exploration, openness, inspirational creativity, and focused engagement—while also discussing working motherhood, getting help to scale at home, women supporting women in leadership, and the realities of entrepreneurship, including taxes, hiring support, and the long sales cycle before momentum arrived in her third year.00:00 Underdog Mindset02:26 Why Curiosity Matters03:03 The Italy Train Moment05:07 MIT Research Breakthrough06:03 Writing the Curiosity Curve09:16 Growing Up in Michigan12:35 Frito Lay Route Driver15:32 Hacking Route Sales18:21 Union Rules and Weekends19:23 CEO Notices the Spike24:52 From Driver to Manager25:45 Leading Different People33:15 Hard Lessons on Firing35:57 Women in Corporate America37:26 Women Supporting Women39:48 Women Supporting Women40:11 Fired at Frito Lay42:57 Risk Taking Lessons43:32 Reebok Storm Connection44:30 Coke GM to Global45:05 Saving Papa Johns46:30 Calling the President48:05 Leaving Coke Reflection48:59 Hired Then Fired Again50:53 Jack Daniels Lifeline53:18 Working Mom Survival56:15 Family Business Culture57:24 Doctorate Grind59:37 Curiosity as Driver01:02:59 Humana Leadership Institute01:06:19 Called to Entrepreneurship01:09:13 Founder Reality Check01:11:02 When It Finally Clicked01:13:20 Craziest Investor Day01:15:51 Legacy and Curiosity Curve01:18:02 Curiosity Framework01:19:39 Closing and Where to Find

Is the end really nigh? Will AI replace you?In this episode, Bill sits down with Geoff Woods, author of The AI-Driven Leader, to unpack what actually separates leaders who dabble in AI from those who use it to transform decision-making. They explore why AI adoption fails when leaders treat it like a productivity hack instead of a strategic thought partner. Geoff introduces the CRIT framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task) and explains why the quality of your input determines the quality of your output.Topics explored in this episode:(05:50) Strategy First, Technology Second*AI adoption should never be the goal, business strategy is the goal.*AI can either accelerate your objectives or distract you from them.*The difference isn't the tech, it's the leader using it.(14:55) The CRIT Framework for Better AI Thinking*Garbage in --> garbage out. Rich context determines quality output.*Have AI interview you one question at a time to deepen clarity.*Ask for “top 3 high-impact, non-obvious strategies” and not generic answers.(18:55) The First Output Is Always the Worst Output*AI's first answer is just a draft and never the final product.*Give feedback: what you like, dislike, and want changed.*Switch personas (e.g., challenger, ideal customer, board member) to pressure-test ideas.*AI improves through iteration, just like strategic thinking does.(37:25) AI as a Strategic Question Engine*A CEO facing bankruptcy used CRIT to consult AI as a debt restructuring expert.*AI asked sharper questions than he had considered; uncovering hidden leverage.*Within minutes, it generated a “non-obvious” strategy that restored hope.Thanks to Geoff Woods for being on the show!Connect with Diane on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/geoff-woods-8534774Learn more about his work: https://www.aileadership.com/Get his book: The Ai-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions – https://www.aileadership.com/bookBill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshopBill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoachVisit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these...

From uncovering the belief that's quietly holding you back… to mapping your path to the C-suite… to recovering after a career-defining mistake — executive coach Muriel Wilkins is back with real, unscripted coaching conversations that take you inside the lives of leaders at pivotal moments. And for the first time ever, you'll get new episodes twice a month, all year long - no more waiting between seasons.Listen in as leaders wrestle with ambition, visibility, competition, fulfillment, and the hard challenges that come with the job. Plus, check out a brand-new monthly series — Ask Muriel Anything — where Muriel answers the toughest leadership questions straight from listeners.The new season of Coaching Real Leaders drops March 2. Connect with Muriel:Website: murielwilkins.comLinkedIn: @Muriel Maignan Wilkins Instagram: @CoachMurielWIlkins Join the Coaching Real Leaders Community: coachingrealleaderscommunity.comRead Muriel's book: LeadershipUnblocked.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.