Podcasts about enlightened executive

What if the secret to getting more done—and feeling better doing it—wasn't about pushing harder, but pausing smarter? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I sit down with internationally recognized Qigong master and author Lee Holden to explore how strategic slowing down can unlock your highest leadership energy. Lee shares insights from his new book, Ready, Set, Slow, and breaks down why ancient wisdom and modern science agree: high performance starts with presence, not pressure. If you're ready to lead with more energy, focus, and resilience—without burning out—this episode is your reset button. Tune in now, and start leading from calm, not chaos. 

Does this resonate? For years, I believed leadership was about pushing harder, working longer, and showing up no matter how depleted I felt. It seemed like success demanded constant resilience—never slowing down. But that old narrative, as my guest Jayne Warrilow shared, doesn't create great leaders. It creates burnout. Isolation. Disconnection. Jayne is an entrepreneur and thought leader, and founder of Sacred Changemakers. a global community that hosts a school of human consciousness. In our conversation on The Enlightened Executive, she opened up about her journey from overachieving workhorse to authentic, human-centered leader—and the leadership transformations that followed. Jayne's insights struck a deep chord. Here's what we uncovered—and how you can apply it to your own leadership. Ready to learn the power of authentic leadership? Then you won't want to miss this enlightening episode! 

Enlightened leaders are wholly candid, with themselves and their teams, and deliver that truth with compassion. Have you realized that power within yourself? I recently had the pleasure of hosting Matt Hudson on "The Enlightened Executive," a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to making a positive impact through truth, love, and leadership. Over time, this pursuit led him to a profound realization—true fulfillment lies not in the accolades or financial gain but in service to others and making a meaningful impact on the world. This awakening transformed Matt's approach to both business and life, prompting him to prioritize purpose over profit and measure success by the positive difference he makes, rather than the balance in his bank account. Our conversation underscored that success doesn't just revolve around financial gains, but also hinges on impactful, purpose-driven leadership. Want to learn how our personal evolution directly impacts our leadership effectiveness? Then don't miss this enlightening episode! 

The Power of Music in LeadershipIn a recent podcast episode, the host had an enlightening conversation with Susan Drumm, CEO of Meritage Leadership Development and author of the USA Today bestselling book, "The Leader's Playlist: Unleash the Power of Music and Neuroscience to Transform Your Leadership and Your Life". This episode delves into the fascinating intersection of music, neuroscience, and leadership, exploring how music can serve as a transformative tool for personal and professional growth. Susan, with over 20 years of experience in leadership development, has a remarkable ability to recognize and disrupt unproductive patterns in leaders, helping them build high-performance teams.Susan's book, "The Leader's Playlist", emphasizes the power of music in leadership. Leaders often face the challenge of achieving exceptional results in an environment characterized by rapid change and complexity. Many find themselves stuck in unproductive patterns that hinder their effectiveness. Susan introduces the idea that music can be a secret weapon in recognizing and disrupting these patterns. For example, she shares a compelling story about a chief marketing officer who struggled with feelings of exclusion. Through coaching, Susan helped her identify the root of this pattern, create a playlist that represented her feelings, and develop a new playlist that embodied her desired emotional state, ultimately improving her relationships with colleagues.Susan explains that music's ability to change emotional states is well-known, but its potential to help identify and transform limiting patterns is less recognized. Music activates all four regions of the brain, making it a powerful tool for personal development. By pairing behavioral changes with music, individuals can accelerate their transformation and achieve their goals more effectively. Susan encourages leaders to be intentional about their music choices, using it as a tool for state change and personal growth. The episode concludes with Susan inviting listeners to visit her website, [susandrumm.com](https://www.susandrumm.com), where they can take a quiz to discover their path to enlightened leadership and receive a downloadable playlist to help them create their own music-based transformation.About Susan Drumm:Susan Drumm is a CEO Advisor, speaker, USA Today bestselling author, and leadership coach dedicated to empowering leaders and their teams to thrive in today's disruptive landscape. With extensive experience coaching billionaire CEOs, high-profile political figures, and Fortune 100 executives, she leverages her diverse academic background—including graduate degrees from Harvard Law School and Carnegie Mellon University—to inform her unique coaching approach.As a Master Certified Coach (MCC) through the International Coaching Federation, Susan holds multiple certifications, including HeartMath™ and the Integrative Enneagram. She is the two-time bestselling author of *The Leader's Playlist*, where she explores how music and childhood experiences impact leadership.Her podcast, "The Enlightened Executive", ranks in the top 2% globally, featuring groundbreaking strategies for personal and leadership effectiveness. Susan's clientele spans various industries, including tech, healthcare, and finance, with notable organizations such as KPMG and Oracle.Before founding Meritage Leadership Development, Susan held senior consulting roles at The Boston Consulting Group and NBC/GE. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, she is an active member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization and enjoys travel, hiking, and spending time with her toy Australian Shepherd, Jasmine.About Meritage Leadership Development:Meritage is a leadership consulting firm built on the principle that people are the most important asset of any business. We know that without high-performance leadership and aligned teams, no company can reach its full...

Episode 114: Susan Drumm & Her Book, The Leader's Playlist: Unleash The Power of Music and Neuroscience to Transform Your Leadership and Your Life ABOUT SUSAN Susan Drumm is a CEO Advisor, Speaker, USA Today Bestselling Author and Leadership Coach focused on helping leaders and their teams to develop the capacity and mindsets to lead in today's disruptive environment. She has personally coached billionaire CEOs, high profile political figures, prominent Fortune 100 executive teams and incredible entrepreneurs that set out to disrupt the marketplace. She is the two-time #1 bestselling author of The Leader's Playlist: unleash the power of music and neuroscience to transform your leadership and your life. Susan's YouTube channel and podcast, The Enlightened Executive, is ranked in the top 2% of podcasts globally. In the show, she spotlights ground-breaking techniques and strategies to help executives and entrepreneurs get the edge in personal and leadership effectiveness. Susan's firm, Meritage Leadership Development, works with C-suite executives from financial services, private equity, tech, healthcare, professional services, media, consumer products, consulting and law. She has worked with organizations such as KPMG, Oracle, Viacom, Microsoft, Conde Nast, L'Oreal, A&E Networks, USS Steel and Cisco. CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS · When it comes to having an eclectic background, each step infuses the leadership development work that we do today. · Developing a skill set and losing interest in its application. · Strategy - Culture = Dead In The Water · Measuring the seemingly unmeasurable. · "What am I going to do with the rest of my life?" · How acting taught Susan to deal with her inner critic. · "It's okay if you don't figure it out. It's about collecting experiences, because if you stay open, the background will come together." · "If you keep looking and keep pursuing where that sort of bliss or passion will come from, you'll find it." · "Childhood wounds and experiences...give you a super power, but they also can come with a liability." · Returning home to an inherent sense of play: Spirit of Play + Fostering Creativity = Producing Best Work · Susan's Super Power: Patter Recognition & Disruption, which lead to Freedom. · From watching her father: I was never going to suffer in a job I didn't like. · "You are who you are in everything you do." The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Susan is, Have you learned about what triggers you in life in order to elevate yourself above it to lead others? FIND SUSAN Website: meritageleadership.com/ Website: susandrumm.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susan-drumm The Enlighted Leadership Quiz: https://susandrumm.com/quiz/ LinkedIn – Full Podcast Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/episode-114-susan-drumm-her-book-leaders-playlist-john-m--kzjye/?trackingId=zo4vjrH8Rfycz9KvgSFCKw%3D%3D CHAPTERS 00:00 - The Book Leads Podcast - Susan Drumm 00:58- Introduction & Bio 02:57- Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work? 04:14- How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now? 16:16- How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child? 17:57- What is your superpower? 19:42 - What does leadership mean to you? 20:53- Can you introduce us to the book we're discussing? 23:38- The importance of music in Susan's life. 25:27- Can you provide a general overview of the book? 28:09- What lessons have you taken away from the book? 37:34- What's next for your writing? 38:56 - Where Susan's aptitude for disruption comes from. 42:01- What book has inspired you? 44:55- What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.) This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations. Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes: Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Apple Podcasts Read About The Book Leads – Blog Post For more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last Week's Leadership Lessons, if you haven't already!

Fear and anxiety often feel like enemies to be vanquished...but what if instead we saw them as signals guiding us toward growth and expansion? This is the transformative message Colonel Martha McSally, the first female fighter pilot and former U.S. Senator, brought to our latest episode of "The Enlightened Executive." Join us as we explore Martha's journey, from overcoming early personal adversities to becoming the first woman to command a fighter squadron in combat, and her leadership insights. Through powerful stories from her military career, such as her first solo flight in an A-10 aircraft, Martha shares insights into her philosophy on managing fear and risk. Ready to step out of your comfort zone and deeply connect with your true self? Then don't miss this enlightening episode! 

Susan Drumm a Leadership Coach and CEO of Meritage Leadership on a mission to help leaders and their teams to develop the capacity and mindsets to lead in today's disruptive environment. She has personally coached billionaire CEOs, prominent Fortune 50 executive teams and incredible entrepreneurs that set out to disrupt the marketplace. Her firm, Meritage Leadership, uses a cadre of 15 seasoned coaches and consultants who work with senior leaders and executive teams. She is also the host of the podcast and YouTube channel The Enlightened Executive, where she interviews founders and CEOs on the most cutting-edge programs, assessments, apps and techniques in personal and leadership effectiveness. Meritage works with private equity firms and their emerging portfolio companies, as well as large corporations such as Oracle, Viacom, KPMG, A&E Networks, Genentech and others. Susan has graduate degrees from Harvard Law School, Carnegie Mellon University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

How important is understanding and nurturing the human element in a world dominated by technology? I explored this concept on my podcast The Enlightened Executive with Bryan Kramer, renowned for his groundbreaking "H2H philosophy" on human-to-human connections. Bryan shared his inspiring perspective on the topics of human connection, leadership, and the future role of AI in the business world. We covered a lot of ground, from the importance of simplicity, empathy, and imperfection in business to practical tips on embracing a coaching mentality to putting guiderails around the use of AI in your organization. Ready to learn how businesses can prioritize human interactions over automated processes? Then don't miss this enlightening interview! 

An inspired and empowered team is a high-performing team. What are you doing as a leader to create that culture for your employees? I recently had the pleasure of speaking with a powerful enlightened executive, Tim Lupinacci, CEO of Baker Donelson, on The Enlightened Executive podcast. Tim shares his fascinating leadership journey, which was sparked by a difficult boss who saw his potential early on. That experience taught him the importance of being open to feedback and continually learning from others. Ready to learn how to lead with purpose? Then you won't want to miss this enlightening episode!

There is a “Proximity Revolution” sweeping through every industry. Have you considered what this means for your business? Simply put, we can move even closer to on-demand customer fulfillment in ways we could have only imagined before. This is *Proximity* and is a game changer for any forward-thinking leader. In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive, I explored this idea with Rob Wolcott, an esteemed expert in innovation strategy and co-founder of Twin Global. Rob founded the seeds of his groundbreaking concept, *Proximity*, during a tech conference in 2014. Frustrated by repetitive and superficial presentations, he pondered a profound question: what fundamentally distinguishes the digital era from the industrial age? Driven by this curiosity, Wolcott embarked on a quest to explore the deeper implications of digital transformation. Ready to learn what it takes to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology? Then don't miss this enlightening interview! 

Rhythm and music are primal forces that can elevate awareness of both ourselves and others. But they can do more than just that… music and rhythm can be used to enhance collaboration and connectivity within teams. Doug Manuel, an inspiring documentarian, and rhythm enthusiast, shares his journey and the incredible ways he has used drumming to transform professional connections. In my recent conversation with Doug on The Enlightened Executive, we explored what we can learn from music and communal living, particularly in rural African communities, to enhance leadership skills and organizational culture. Ready to learn how the power of rhythm and music can foster leadership and effective collaboration? Then don't miss this enlightening interview!

Imagine translating a horse's sensitivity to human emotions into understanding, improving your leadership style. Fascinating, right? In today's volatile business environment, recognizing and harnessing the power of our emotions can revolutionize the way we lead. I had a transformative discussion with Lucinda Vette, a renowned equine coach, about equine-assisted coaching—a method that digs deep into understanding leadership energy and emotional intelligence through our connection with horses. But I didn't just discuss it, I went down to the Miraval Resort in Tucson, AZ and experienced this powerful modality firsthand. One of their pioneering programs is Equine Coaching, where equine specialists help you practice balancing leadership and cooperation skills with a nonverbal companion. Discover how engaging with horses can redefine your leadership approach by tuning into this week's episode of The Enlightened Executive. Ready to learn about the compelling connection between leadership effectiveness and emotional intelligence? Then don't miss this enlightening interview!

Enlightened leadership is not reserved for ancient philosophers or yogis meditating in remote caves—it is crucial for today's leaders too. This week on The Enlightened Executive podcast, David Meltzer shares his personal journey from the brink of financial ruin to a life enriched with purpose, value, and service to others. As the former CEO of a renowned sports and entertainment agency, David is now on a mission that transcends beyond corporate confines: empowering over 1 billion people to find happiness. In this episode, he shares how incorporating his practices into your daily routine will fuel your path to becoming an enlightened leader, one who leads with intent, authenticity, and, most importantly, a happy heart. Ready to learn how to become a conscious leader? Then don't miss this enlightening interview!

Leading a multigenerational workforce is becoming increasingly complex. Each generation brings a unique set of skills, perspectives, and expectations to the table. Dr. Scott De Long, a serial entrepreneur with a doctorate in leadership, shares successful strategies to bridge the generational divide on this week's episode of The Enlightened Executive. In today's business world, effective leadership requires more than just issuing orders and expecting obedience. The command-and-control approach is ineffective compared to leadership that empowers and inspires. This is the essence of my recent conversation with Scott, whose insights on leadership are reshaping how we think about steering our teams towards success. In this episode, we discussed the wisdom of connecting with multi-generational team members, understanding their motivations, and leveraging the strengths that each generation brings to the table. Want to learn how to work more effectively with younger generations? Then don't miss this enlightening interview!

Today's episode of the Second in Command podcast is a recast of a conversation between Cameron and Susan Drumm, host of The Enlightened Executive podcast. During the episode, Cameron discusses his passion for enhancing leadership within companies. He highlights the importance of CEOs investing in their leadership teams, notably their second in command, to foster substantial business growth. Through his company, The COO Alliance, and his innovative course, "Invest in Your Leaders," Cameron aims to equip senior management with the necessary tools for success, emphasizing the transformative power of learning from peer environments over traditional educational systems.Cameron introduces the concept of the "Vivid Vision," a powerful tool he created to clarify and communicate a company's future state in a detailed, four-to-five-page document. This vision, crafted by the CEO, encapsulates all aspects of the company three years down the line, serving as a north star for the leadership team to strategize and operationalize. By drawing a parallel to constructing a home, he illustrates the necessity of a clear vision to guide the execution of strategies, bypassing the inefficiencies of traditional mission statements. This approach ensures that everyone in the organization aligns with the CEO's vision, fostering a cohesive effort towards common goals.The episode further explores Cameron's personal growth strategies and his philosophy on leadership development. Emphasizing the importance of focusing on one's unique abilities and delegating lesser tasks, he advocates for continuous learning targeted at immediate needs and projects. He criticizes the traditional education system and generic business advice for their lack of applicability and encourages leaders to cultivate their teams' strengths and capabilities. By adopting this tailored approach to personal and team development, Cameron believes that leaders can more effectively drive their organizations toward success, making his insights invaluable for CEOs and entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses.Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:The value of learning from peer environments over traditional educational systems. (1:39)The podcast highlights the critical role that second-in-command figures, like COOs, play in supporting the CEO and driving the company's vision forward. (3:26)The concept of a "Vivid Vision," a detailed 4-5 page document that outlines the company's future as envisioned by the CEO. - Cameron Herold (5:30)The importance of focusing on one's unique abilities and delegating tasks that fall outside of these strengths. (17:08)A common blind spot among CEOs: the focus on self-growth rather than developing their leadership teams. (27:53)The inefficiency of consuming random business advice, and the importance of targeted learning — focusing on acquiring knowledge that is directly relevant to current projects or challenges. (30:25)And much more...Resources:Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book “Meetings Suck: Turning One of The Most Loathed Elements of Business into One of the Most Valuable”Get Cameron's online course – Invest In Your...

The best business advice you'll receive is likely unorthodox. Do you ever feel like you hear the same ole' business advice over-and-over, perhaps just packaged in a slightly different way? Do you ever wonder if anyone is truly saying something new about how to approach enterprise growth? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Dr. Dill unveils a unique perspective on the building blocks of thriving businesses: creating a relationship plan, keeping challenges at the forefront, and the power of a generous mindset. He shares three strategies executives and entrepreneurs can implement to think outside the box and foster business growth. Ready to discover the essential catalyst for taking your business to the next level? Then don't miss this enlightening interview!

By now, you can't get help being bombarded with news of how AI is going to change everything. But what does that really mean for YOU? The power of AI in augmenting human capabilities and optimizing operations has launched businesses into a new era of efficiency and competitiveness. Joining me on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Mike Koenigs, speaker, serial entrepreneur with five successful exits, and 17x bestselling author. As an expert in maximizing time, effort, and impact, Mike shares strategic advice for other executives serious about using AI to propel them and their businesses forward. Want to learn how to align your business goals with AI solutions? Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

Leaders have the power to either expand or inadvertently inhibit the growth of those around them. Essentially, consider that you are either acting as a multiplier or diminisher of team performance. Multipliers operate under the belief that their team is intelligent and capable, fostering an environment where others can thrive. In contrast, diminishers assume that their team can't succeed without their constant guidance, and create a hub-and-spoke environment. Joining me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Liz Wiseman. Liz is a researcher, advisor, and author of the New York Times bestseller Multipliers and the Wall Street Journal bestseller Impact Players. Liz's research illustrates how leaders can either be catalysts for growth or, despite their best intentions, hinder the potential of those around them. In this episode, we explore practical tools leaders can use to identify their multiplier and diminisher tendencies, along with strategies to bring out the best in their team. Want to learn why playing big sometimes means playing small? Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

Adverse experiences and childhood wounds filter into our careers and leadership, influencing our potential.   Traumatic experiences may impose limitations on our personal and professional life. These limitations are often challenging to identify, and even more difficult to overcome. Intentionally dealing with the experiences of our past enables us to chart a different path forward so we can thrive personally and professionally.   Joining me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Doug Dane, a survivor who overcame a harrowing childhood filled with emotional, physical, and sexual abuse to achieve personal freedom, healthy relationships, and professional success. As an international keynote speaker and mindset mentor, he has turned his personal experience into a duplicable system to help people discover their true identity and live a life free of guilt or shame.   In this episode, Doug shares practical strategies leaders can implement today to release the burdens of their past and step into their full leadership potential.  Ready to discover your true identity and live a life free of guilt or shame?   Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

Music has the power to enhance our team and personal effectiveness.  Wondering how?   Certain songs have the ability to trigger powerful emotions and memories within us. By harnessing this power, we can intentionally use music to subconsciously boost our moods, productivity and motivation.   Joining me on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Jonathan Elias, one of the most influential composers in the advertising world focused on audio branding. Jonathan is responsible for groundbreaking work for countless brands and is the recipient of virtually every major advertising honor. Jonathan's work as a record producer, Grammy-nominated artist, and film and trailer composer includes collaborations with Duran Duran, BB King, David Bowie, and countless more.   In this episode, Jonathan and I explore music's emotional impact and share 3 essential strategies for using music as an unconventional but powerful leadership tool. Ready to learn how to use music as a powerful leadership tool?   Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

If you're a leader who is only focused on profitability and productivity, consider that you might be doing just the bare minimum. The enlightened, modern leader is intentional about using their position to contribute to a more equitable organization.   Joining me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast, Spring Walsham is a well-known meditation teacher, author, and visionary leader based in Oakland, California. Spring is considered a pioneer in bringing mindfulness-based practices to diverse communities and shares her expertise with us from a leadership perspective.   In this episode, Spring examines the timeless teachings of Harriet Tubman and their relevance in today's complex world. Tubman's example encourages us to weave a heart-centered approach and mindfulness practices into our leadership for greater personal and social impact.   Ready to learn how we can use our influence to build a more equitable and sustainable future?   Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

High achievers are primed to buy into common misconceptions around happiness and fulfillment.   Traditional external markers of success – money, status, fame – cause leaders to focus on “more” and “when,” which actively robs them of actual fulfillment and happiness. True fulfillment is a deep sense of contentment and well-being that comes from living in alignment with one's values and purpose. By shifting their focus from external validation to internal growth, high-achieving leaders will experience greater fulfillment while stepping into more impactful and legendary leadership.   Today on The Enlightened Executive podcast, Tommy Breedlove joins us to discuss a more fulfilling professional journey. Tommy is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of the book "Legendary." His program, the "Legendary Life Movement," challenges high achievers to break free from the pursuit of material success and embrace their legendary leadership qualities.   In this episode, we explore the essence of legendary leadership and how aspiring leaders can harness the power of self-awareness to find greater fulfillment.   Want to learn how leaders can transform their leadership without sacrificing meaning and fulfillment in their lives?   Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

Unfortunately, many people are just not very good at listening, leading to missed opportunities and strained relationships.   As CEOs, executives, and leaders, we get impatient with listening, and all too often dominate conversations that shut others down. Listening is not just hearing words; it is an active and engaged process that involves seeking to understand and attuning to others emotions.   Joining me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Dr. Mark Goulston, a listening coach, author, and former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer. His latest best-selling book, "Just Listen," helps individuals unlock their full potential through better listening skills. With a background in psychiatry, Dr. Goulston teaches executives to be better listeners while discovering what may be holding them back in their interactions.   In this episode, Mark shares practical ways executives can expand their understanding of listening as both presenters and listeners.   Want to learn why enhancing your listening skills is a lifelong journey that can positively impact your personal and professional relationships?   Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

If you're not prioritizing capacity building on your team, you're stunting its potential.   Leaders who are serious about building high performing teams achieve sustainable growth through capacity building. And yet what you may not know is effective capacity building should extend beyond professional development and into a much more holistic approach.   Bob Glazer, a renowned serial entrepreneur, award-winning executive, bestselling author, and keynote speaker, joins me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast. Bob is the founder and chairman of Acceleration Partners, a global marketing agency. He has a deep passion for helping individuals and teams build their capacity. In his latest book, "Elevate Your Team," Bob shares valuable insights and practical strategies to foster growth and elevate performance.   In this episode, Bob expands our understanding of capacity building and provides leaders with three actionable strategies for creating capacity within their team.   Want to learn how to identify which elements of capacity building are currently underrepresented in your organization and how to make a plan to prioritize them?   Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

Rapid evolution is the only constant.    The pace of change in today's world is exponentially growing, as is its increasing complexity.    Driving factors such as artificial intelligence, the remote and hybrid workforce, and global sustainable business practices make it imperative for leaders to adapt quickly in order to stay relevant. The most successful leaders operating in this ever-changing business landscape are not only exceptional at adaptation, but they anticipate it.    Today on the Enlightened Executive podcast, Warren Rustand, the former CEO of Providence Service Corporation, a multi-billion-dollar social services and healthcare company, shares valuable leadership insights from his significant years of experience. With an impressive background in creating, leading, and growing a variety of successful organizations, Warren highlights the importance of learning, adapting, and staying ahead of the curve.   In this episode, Warren provides three practical strategies for navigating the complexities of the rapidly evolving business landscape.   Want to learn how to navigate challenges and lead your organization toward success in the face of change?   Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

Successful leaders master the skill of management… that is, self-management before managing others.   The ability to identify, understand and manage your own triggers is an essential leadership skill. Making sound decisions, pursuing long-term goals and adopting an authentic leadership posture is all dependent on self-regulation in the face of internal and external obstacles.   Today's guest on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Josselyne Herman-Saccio, master coach in the Art Of Being Unmessablewith. Being unmessablewith is not about overpowering or manipulating the external world; it's about transforming your internal landscape to respond to life's challenges and triggers in a way that aligns with your aspirations.   In this episode, Josselyne shares three crucial tools executives can implement in order to be unmessablewith.   Want to learn how to empower yourself to navigate triggers and obstacles with grace and authenticity?   Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

Could your voice be keeping you from having the leadership impact you desire?   The way leaders convey their message influences how it is received. Our voice is not only a conduit for our words but also a vehicle for conveying authenticity and influence. Vocal awareness and mastery can support executives striving to become influential leaders and communicators. Your voice is central to your identity.   Today on The Enlightened Executive podcast, Arthur Joseph, a renowned classical singer and voice coach, shares profound insights into the power of voice and its impact on communication, using my own voice as an example. Vocal awareness helps leaders convey vision, inspire action, and create an authentic connection with team members and stakeholders.   In this episode, Arthur equips executives with 3 principles for harnessing the power of vocal awareness.   Want to learn how to use your voice to be more influential?   Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

Are you feeling stuck in a negative mindset? Then, join us and discover how your playlist can make you feel better and shift your mental state…and sleep! Susan Drumm, CEO advisor, American best-selling author, and leadership coach, talks about how music impacts her life. Her book, The Leader's Playlist, offers a fresh perspective on how music can create new neural pathways for you and help you develop the right mindset to lead in today's disruptive environment. Tune in and get ready to groove your way to an energized, productive, and well-rested you! GUEST BIO:Susan Drumm is a CEO Advisor, USA Today Bestselling Author and Leadership Coach focused on helping leaders and their teams to develop the capacity and mindsets to lead in today's disruptive environment. She has personally coached billionaire CEOs, high profile political figures, prominent Fortune 100 executive teams and incredible entrepreneurs that set out to disrupt the marketplace.Susan draws on many disciplines in her approach.  She has graduate degrees from Harvard Law School, Carnegie Mellon University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.  Susan obtained the highest level of coaching certification as Master Certified Coach (MCC) through the International Coaching Federation.  Susan also holds certifications in HeartMath™, Integrative Enneagram (Level 2), EQ Learning in Action, Havening Techniques®, The Leadership Circle and is a Certified Forum Facilitator for YPO (Young President's Organization).She is the two-time #1 bestselling author of The Leader's Playlist:  unleash the power of music and neuroscience to transform your leadership and your life.  In the book, Susan unveils a groundbreaking process that outlines how our childhood wounds show up in our ability to lead others and how music can heal those wounds.Susan's YouTube channel and podcast, The Enlightened Executive, is ranked in the top 2% of podcasts globally.  In the show, she spotlights ground-breaking techniques and strategies to help executives and entrepreneurs get the edge in personal and leadership effectiveness.  Guests include founders of these programs and the executives who have experienced them — and dig into what they are, what they offer, and whether they actually work to help you evolve personally and professionally. Susan's clients include C-suite executives from financial services, private equity, tech, healthcare, professional services, media, consumer products, consulting and law.  She has worked with organizations such as KPMG, Oracle, Viacom, Microsoft, Conde Nast, L'Oreal, A&E Networks, USS Steel and Cisco.Prior to founding Meritage Leadership Development, Susan was a Senior Consultant for The Boston Consulting Group, Director of Marketing and Master Black Belt for NBC/GE and Associate Partner at The Trium Group in leadership development consulting.Susan is a member of EO (Entrepreneur's Organization) and volunteers her time with several boards and organizations including Selfless Givers.  Susan serves clients globally and lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.  She is passionate about travel, hiking, Pilates and healthy living and her puppy Jasmine, a toy Australian Shepherd. SHOW NOTES: 

Music is more than a form of entertainment or artistic expression. It's a powerful leadership tool and a resource for well-being.   As I share in my own book, leaders who use music strategically boost their mental health and revolutionize their leadership skills. And it's why I was absolutely thrilled to recently get connected to Barry Goldstein, who joined me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast.    Barry is a musician who has composed and produced music. His bestselling book, The Secret Language of the Heart, has become a “go-to” resource for utilizing music beyond art and entertainment. In addition, Barry has worked with the “Father of Biohacking” Dave Asprey and reached the Billboard Top Ten New Age albums with New York Times Best Selling Authors Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Daniel Amen, Neale Donald Walsch, and Anita Moorjani. In this episode, Barry shares effective strategies for executives who are eager to incorporate music into their well-being repertoire.    Music not only has the ability to connect people from different cultures and backgrounds, but it can also have a profound impact on our health and well-being.    Want to learn why you should integrate music into your day?    Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

Could striving to become a perfect leader keep you from becoming an effective leader?   Authenticity is a buzzword commonly cited in leadership circles, but the journey to actually becoming an authentic leader requires more introspection than discussion.    This week, on The Enlightened Executive podcast, our guest Melissa Bernstein discusses self-acceptance and authentic leadership.    Melissa Bernstein is an entrepreneur, creative, and working mother of six. Melissa has spent the last 30 years helping children discover themselves, their passions, and their purpose through open-ended play. In this episode, she shares how to become a more authentic and conscious leader who accepts and embraces the full spectrum of emotions.   Melissa also shares the power of listening to your internal voice, the importance of education in finding self-acceptance, and how to embrace the past while stepping bravely into the future.   Want to learn about self-acceptance and how to become a more authentic leader? Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

Everyone knows trust is key to business success. But actually building trust? That can feel intangible and impossible.    Creating common ground, fostering collaboration, and establishing alignment build trust and lead to high performance.    This week, on The Enlightened Executive podcast, Sue Dyer joins us to discuss the barriers to trust and how we can practically build trust in our teams. Sue is one of the world's leading experts on trust and the author of the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon best-selling book, “The Trusted Leader: Use the Partnering Approach to Become the Trusted Leader People Want to Follow.”    Sue also shares the key principles of partnering, the importance of prioritizing initiatives, and the connection between trust and fear.    Ready for an informative conversation on how to become a trustworthy leader? Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

Talent retention is not just a strategy, it's a mindset. It's a mindset because it requires a shift in the way that organizations approach the management of their employees.   Mike Harbour is a former military veteran turned successful business owner, whose mission is to deliver excellence in leadership and personal development solutions. In this episode of the Enlightened Executive podcast, he shares his insights on how organizations can shift their approach to employee management.   Mike leverages his experiences as a medical service corps officer in the U.S. Army, along with almost 30 years of leadership experience in the healthcare industry, as a leader in hospital operations, leadership training and development, sales, talent management and executive search.   From harnessing employee potential to systematizing development, Mike outlines three essential strategies for keeping top performers engaged and committed to the company's mission. We also discuss the importance of systematizing development to create a culture of learning and development, improve efficiency, align employee development with business goals, and retain top talent.   Want to make sure your top talent isn't lured away? Then don't miss this enlightening interview.

We're connected worldwide. At the same time, we're more disconnected than ever. COVID-19 showed us it's possible to work and live in a borderless society.   But in a hybrid or remote work environment, how can we reconnect with our teams and colleagues in a meaningful way?   Joining me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Deb Crowe, a heart-centered leader who thrives on helping people become successful and fulfilled. Deb is an executive and business coach with 32+ years of global experience with top Fortune 500.   In this interview, Deb shares her definition of heart-centered leadership, plus, twenty qualities of heart-centered leaders, along with three words you should consider removing from your vocabulary so that you can have more authentic and deeper conversations.   Ready to become a heart-centered leader? Then don't miss this enlightening episode.

When you listen to a song, the way you connect to it, the emotions it evokes in you, and the way that you interpret the meaning of the song, is an experience that is uniquely yours. One person may listen to a song and find it empowering and motivating. Another person may listen to that same song, and feel like it triggers negative emotions in them or brings them down.   So, have you ever thought about the impact that the music you regularly listen to has on your emotions and on your life? Your current playlist may be in need of a major update.   Some songs might be keeping you stuck in a negative emotions loop, as they reinforce a negative belief that you would like to get rid of. Other songs have the ability to free you from those negative emotions and turbocharge your life in a positive way.   In this week's Leadership Insights edition of The Enlightened Executive podcast, host Susan Drumm discusses the power of music, and the importance of creating a playlist that can transform your life for the better.

The relationship between a CEO and a COO is akin to that of yin and yang. Each leader uses their unique abilities and interests to help the company grow, all while staying in their own lane.   The key is to find a truly compatible counterpart, build a foundation of trust and honesty, and have confidence in the other person's ability to get the job done without having to constantly check-in with each other.   Cameron Herold is someone who truly understands this dynamic from having accumulated 25+ years of corporate management experience, built two $100 million companies before the age of 42, and founded the COO Alliance. He has also written several business books, including his new book, The Second in Command.   In this episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, Cameron shares the DOs and DON'Ts of hiring (and if necessary, firing) a COO, common misconceptions, challenges, and two things COOs can start doing tomorrow to become the leader they're meant to be.   Ready to unleash the power of the COO? Don't miss this enlightening interview.

Did you know that only about 10% of your happiness comes from outside conditions and circumstances? Which means that 90% of your happiness is within your control, generated internally.   Backed by 1000s of research studies spanning several decades, these percentages make up the happiness formula. This week, on The Enlightened Executive podcast, Robert Mack joins as a guest to discuss the drivers of happiness.   Robert Mack is a positive psychology expert, executive coach, and bestselling author of the book, Happiness from the Inside Out. He is also a TV host and producer for OWN and E!. Rob's work has been endorsed by the likes of Oprah and Vanessa Williams.   In this episode, Mack shares the happiness formula, what causes happiness, what happiness causes, and how to deal with unhappy people in our lives.   Robert also shares how it took a suicide attempt for him to experience true happiness, how to use micro-meditation to clear your mind, and how happiness relates to religion and spirituality.   Ready to make 2023 your happiest year yet? Tune in to this enlightening interview.

Most every business wants to be a beacon of diversity and inclusion. Yet, with the incoming workforce being more diverse than ever, why does this goal seem increasingly hard to achieve?   It appears that with embedded biases, and hesitancies toward being viewed as too direct when asking minorities to speak up, encouraging and amplifying diversity down through the ranks of an organization has become a struggle. So, how do you successfully pass on high-level company values to mid-level managers?   Nima George seems to have discovered the answer. She is the Director of Resources at Google, where she oversees strategic infrastructure planning for computer and network resources and efficiency management for Google ads, commerce, payments, and engineering. However, as one of the DEI leads for the Google Ads department, much of her attention focuses on nurturing her team's minds and amplifying their diverse voices.   In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, Nima shares the importance of creating a workforce and culture that prioritizes inclusion, belonging, and a space for people to thrive. She also discusses the most common challenges that leaders face when building and motivating cognitively diverse teams.   Do you tend to stay within the walls of comfort, when it comes to expanding the diversity on your team? In what ways can you grow beyond it? Build an environment where your team feels that they have the support and space to thrive, and you'll blow the doors open on what you are all able to accomplish. Don't miss this enlightening interview.

There comes a time when every leader realizes that they have a “bellyful.” A moment where you see, with absolute clarity, that your current course of action no longer works for you, and you're ready for drastic and intentional change.   So, when that moment comes, how will you turn things around and discover your path forward?   In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, coach, motivational speaker, and author, Laban Ditchburn, shares with us how having the courage to ask for help, illuminated his path toward sobriety and the driving force that continues to make him one of the world's most positively influential speakers.   Is there an area of your life that you've had a bellyful? When was the last time you asked for help? Explore Laban's journey of radical change and find inspiration for your own transformation.

Leaders usually like to be in control. Every action you take is toward a goal. Every step along the way is often thoughtfully planned. When you cannot see the way forward, you tend to step back and reassess where you veered off the path.   But you may tend to focus too quickly on “the how.” What would happen if you ask “why” instead? What if the core reason behind your goals, is just as important as the goals themselves?   In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, angel investor, Brian Andrés Helmick, shares how learning to surrender his expectations and releasing control, led him down an amazing and rewarding road in life. By letting go and assuming that he didn't always know what was best, Brian started on a path that he had not foreseen: from investing to entrepreneurship, to a spiritual journey, to impact investing.   Listen in and explore how stepping back, loosening the reins, and embracing the concept of letting go, can actually elevate your leadership, and change your life for the better.

It's often thought that the pillar of a good leader is someone with the ability to put the needs of the team before their own. But neglecting your needs does nothing but hold your team back and limits your effectiveness. By denying the primal needs of your mind, body, and soul, you won't have the mental, physical, or emotional strength to fulfill the duties you've taken on.   You strengthen your skills when you take control of how you operate as a leader, by prioritizing and honoring the needs of your well-being. When you do this, you develop a sound foundation for leadership that allows you to perform at your highest capacity for those around you every day.   When you develop a mindset that understands the importance of your needs and how it affects your team's ability to succeed, you take steps toward becoming resilient. And being resilient is one of the most important skills leaders can have.   In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, we welcome guest Jim Hotaling, former Commander in Chief Master Sergeant of the Air National Guard, with 20+ years in Special Forces, who is currently the head of leadership development and assessment at N2Growth. Jim previously served as an advisor to senior executives within the US Department of Defense, which gave him a unique perspective on leadership and resilience.   Jim practices and teaches leadership from the fundamental belief that to weather the pressures of leadership and maintain the strengths of a leader's various skills, you must learn to put your needs first. In this episode, Jim demystifies the idea of being selfish while sharing what it takes to build resiliency and a healthy approach to the “never quit” mentality.

What happens when you combine leadership, brain research and music? You get an exciting new form of research that can help us when we get stuck in our patterns and thoughts and can't move forward. You also get today's guest. In today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show, Sue chats with Susan Drum, CEO and Chief Empowerment Officer of Meritage Leadership Development, speaker, author of 'The Leader's Playlist' and host of The Enlightened Executive podcast and YouTube Channel. During the episode, Sue and Susan discuss how she went from having graduate degrees from Harvard Law School, Carnegie Mellon University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art to nearly 20 years of brain research and leadership development. Susan offers some insights into the ways music can help shift deep patterns and thereby help make leaders more effective in their work. They also discuss why Susan chose to write her book, 'The Leader's Playlist' now - because she believes that the divisiveness in today's society and the breakdown in communications that stems from it is getting in the way of relationships. Join Sue and Susan for this fascinating discussion into changing our perspective and even our brain using the power of music. If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: How Susan's graduate degrees from Harvard Law School, Carnegie Mellon University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art lead her to a career in leadership development. How music can help shift the deep patterns that govern our lives and thereby help make us more effective as leaders. Why Susan's book, 'The Leader's Playlist' needed to be written now more than ever. And so much more... Resources: https://susandrumm.com/ (Susan's website) https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-drumm (Susan's Linkedin) https://theleadersplaylistbook.com/ (The Leader's Playlist book) https://sudyco.com/ (Sudyco website) https://sudyco.com/news/ (Lead with Trust Newsletter) Sue's Email: suedyer@sudyco.com

How Memories, Experiences, and Patterns Impact Leadership Style Shep Hyken interviews Susan Drumm, CEO & Chief Empowerment Officer of Meritage Leadership Development and the author of The Leader's Playlist: Unleash the Power of Music and Neuroscience to Transform Your Leadership and Your Life. She shares how to use music to improve your leadership style and make the changes that no longer serve you. Top Takeaways:   ·      Our childhood “wounds” show up in the way we lead others. Leaders don't just react based on what is happening at the moment. Some reactions are triggered by old patterns and experiences.   ·      Old memories and experiences are deep-seated patterns that trigger different reactions in different leaders, even when they face a similar situation. These patterns become the leader's "internal playlist."   ·      A leader's internal playlist is the “music” playing in the background. It sets up how leaders see themselves and the world. It shows up in their leadership styles and how they work with their employees.   ·      The leader's playlist affects the employee experience. This playlist, based on past experiences, impacts the way a leader acts toward people (employees), which eventually trickles down to the customer experience.   ·      How you retain and engage your employees, how your company is doing, how you show up for your family, and how you feel about yourself are all symptoms of an underlying playlist of how you view the world.   ·      Plus, Susan Drumm reveals the top song on her internal playlist. Tune in! Quotes:  "How music impacts a person is very personal. It is not about the genre of music that you listen to or include in your internal playlist. It is about what emotional state that music puts you in."   About:    Susan Drumm is a keynote speaker, CEO, and Leadership Coach. She is the host of The Enlightened Executive, Chief Empowerment Office of Meritage Leadership Development, and the author of The Leader's Playlist: Unleash the Power of Music and Neuroscience to Transform Your Leadership and Your Life.   Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have a playlist that is running in the background of our lives that acts as a ceiling on our effectiveness. The impact of your current playlist may show up in insidious ways. As a leader, you may be feeling you can't retain or engage your people. You may feel burned out, or your team may be overwhelmed by the pace of change. You may feel that you can't delegate or trust your team to deliver.  The good news, according to Susan Drumm, our guest in Episode 116 of The Mindset Game® podcast and author of The Leader's Playlist, is that you can leverage the power of music and neuroscience to transform your leadership and your life. Susan discusses the following: The power of music to help make change stick, by priming the neurological landscape to form new neural pathways in a faster, more efficient way.  A process for uncovering a leader's internal playlist, which directly reduces their leadership effectiveness and personal happiness.  The impact of creating a new playlist to make better decisions by expanding your perception on what is really occurring in the moment vs. filtering data based on old neural pathways.  Susan Drumm has personally coached billionaire CEOs, high-profile political figures, prominent Fortune 100 executive teams as well as incredible entrepreneurs that set out to disrupt the marketplace. She is CEO and Chief Empowerment Officer of her own firm, Meritage Leadership. She is also the host of the podcast and YouTube channel The Enlightened Executive, where she interviews founders and CEOs on the most cutting-edge programs and techniques in personal and leadership effectiveness.  To learn more about The Leader's Playlist and get in touch with Susan, visit https://susandrumm.com To subscribe to The Mindset Game podcast, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.  

Susan's powerful new book "The Leader's Playlist - Unleash the Power of Music and Neuroscience to Transform Your Leadership and Your Life! Susan unveils a groundbreaking process that outlines how our childhood wounds show up in our ability to lead others and how music can heal those wounds. Maybe you're having a hard time retaining or engaging your people. Or perhaps you're feeling burnout or that you can't delegate or trust your team to deliver. These problems and other leadership challenges can be addressed by shifting how you show up as a leader, and music is the catalyst.Drawing on neuroscience and leadership research, Drumm's process uses the power of music to, first, help you recognize when an old, detrimental neural pathway (the old playlist, established by childhood wounds) is activated and, second, guide you to strengthen a new neural pathway (a new playlist). The book will help you:• Make better decisions by widening your lens of perception in the moment rather than filtering data according to old neural pathways• Attract others who are as committed as you are to a mission• Scale your business more efficiently because you're more effective at influencing and inspiring others rather than defending and controlling• Develop deeper and more meaningful personal and work relationshipsWith newfound freedom from the weight of the old playlist, you will unleash energy to focus on a meaningful mission, find more joy, and lead in a way that brings out the best in others.Susan Drumm is a CEO Advisor and Leadership Coach focused on helping leaders and their teams to develop the capacity and mindsets to lead in today's disruptive environment. She has personally coached billionaire CEOs, high-ranking political figures, prominent Fortune 50 executive teams as well as incredible entrepreneurs that set out to disrupt the marketplace.Her firm, Meritage Leadership, uses a cadre of seasoned coaches and consultants who work with senior leaders and executive teams. She is also the host of the podcast and YouTube channel  @Enlightened Executive with Susan Drumm where she interviews founders and CEOs on the most cutting-edge programs, assessments, apps and techniques in personal and leadership effectiveness. While working with fast-moving organizations and industries, Susan discovered that there are three levels of leadership: individual, team, and system-wide — all of which need to be developed to meet the complexity of today's environment. Meritage developed a blended, whole-systems approach that enables organizations to transform more rapidly than the simple “1:1 coaching plan” most other firms offer.Susan is a member of EO (Entrepreneur's Organization) and volunteers her time with several boards and organizations including Selfless Givers. Susan serves clients globally and lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is passionate about travel, hiking, Pilates, meditation retreats and her “fur baby,” Jasmine, a toy Australian Shepherd.Find all Susan's work here!https://theleadersplaylistbook.com/https://meritageleadership.com/https://susandrumm.com/Find all Laban's work herehttps://linktr.ee/LabanDitchburnSupport the showYour host is Laban Ditchburn aka "World's Best Courage Coach". Have you read Laban's book? Bet on You - (it's awesome!). Bet on You - Paperback, Kindle and Audiobook (in my voice!). I love to connect in person, but until then you'll find your favourite social media via the link below! https://linktr.ee/LabanDitchburn

BioGinny was most recently Director, Executive Recruiting at Google from August 2016 until November 2020. In this role, she led the Diversity, Non-tech Recruiting, and the Leadership Internal Mobility teams. Before Google, Ginny was a Partner at Spencer Stuart, the global executive search firm, where she co-founded and led the firm's Global Diversity Practice.  Currently, Ginny runs Ginny Clarke, LLC, her own talent and leadership consulting business. She is also an active keynote speaker, host and creator of podcast Fifth Dimensional Leadership, and the author of Career Mapping: Charting Your Course in the New World of Work (2011).Connect with Ginny Clarke!Website: http://www.ginnyclarke.comEmail: ginny@ginnyclarke.comTwitter: @GinnyClarkeFacebook: Ginny.Clarke.5Instagram: @ginny_clarkePinterest: @ginnyann8LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnyclarke/

Leadership looks pretty nice for the Tim Cook and Warren Buffet's of the world. They're widely recognized for their contributions, and by every account, they've attained success.   But what about the leaders who aren't making headlines? What about the leaders climbing the leadership ladder and making a conscious impact, albeit away from the public eye?   These are the leaders Dorie Clark thinks should be in the spotlight. She believes that in today's world, unfortunately the loudest voices are the ones that win, and not the people who actually are the best leaders or have the best ideas.   To correct this injustice, Dorie wants to teach people the skills they need to ensure they're recognized for their expertise. She helps individuals and companies get their best ideas heard, “rather than being the tree that falls in the forest because it's so crowded and so noisy.”   In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, best-selling author and professional speaker, Dorie Clark, shares how she teaches unsung leaders to make their voices heard and the steps you can take to be recognized for the effective leader you are.

As you rise through the ranks of leadership, experiencing setbacks and failure is inevitable. But as many successful leaders will share, what we often judge as failures are merely opportunities to grow and learn.   How you respond to the tests you face will make the difference in your ability to lead successfully. Instead of looking to place blame, you have to look for your opportunity to gain insight from every experience. Take the responsibility of approaching the situation with neutrality.   What actions caused you to get to this point? What angles could it have been approached from differently?   By stepping back and collecting the facts without emotion, the shortcomings become evident, and you can then plan out how to make more strategic action.   In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, co-founder and CEO of WebinarNinja, and host of the $100 MBA show, Omar Zenhom, shares valuable lessons on what we can learn from undesirable outcomes to become better entrepreneurs.

What does it mean to be a leader? By shifting the mindset that you alone have the answers, you can create a space for employees to find their own solutions and take pride in enriching the company.   As a result, you can become a leader that does more than lead but also scales the capacity and capability of others.   In this week's episode of The Enlightened Executive, we spoke with Dr. ​​Louise van Rhyn, winner of the prestigious Thinker's 50 award in 2021, and designer of the innovative Partners for Possibility program.   If you're looking to create a company culture that encourages and motivates your workers while also making transformational changes within your community, then you can't settle for being a “leader.” You have to become a conscious leader.   Tune into this episode to learn how to lead in a way that develops the capabilities of others with less effort from you "leading."

The benefits of hiring remote workers are many—lower overhead, higher morale, better productivity, and efficiency. Thus, we see more and more organizations are shifting to, and growing, their remote workforce.   As the leader of a remote team, you may feel like you're still adapting, and learning how best to manage your remote team members.   So, what do you need to do differently to effectively lead your remote team, and keep them happy?   Your job is to guide and support your team members, by managing communication, trust, efficiency, and keeping them aligned on tasks and priorities as the team works remotely.   In this Leadership Insights episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, I am going to share six of my best, learned-the-hard-way tips, for managing a remote team.

The metaverse and web 3.0 are here — are you and your business ready? What can we as leaders do to prepare ourselves for how business will change?   Software is becoming more human-like than some humans; cities have digitals twins; even people have digital twins. You may find yourself scratching your head wondering “what just happened?”   Leaders, what change in your own state of mind will you need to implement, to stay relevant in the era of web 3.0?   In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, co-founder and executive director of Transformative Tech, the largest and most respected authority on well-being technologies, Nichol Bradford, guides us through what executives and entrepreneurs need to know about the metaverse and the web 3.0 as they become more prominent in our lives.

Susan Drumm is the Founder and CEO of Meritage Leadership, a leadership consulting firm built on the principle that people are the most important asset of any business. Susan is an advisor and leadership coach focused on helping leaders and their teams develop the capacity and mindsets to lead in today's disruptive environment. She has been running the boutique consulting firm since 2006 and has graduate degrees from Harvard Law School, Carnegie Mellon University, and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.  In 2021, Susan launched a YouTube channel and podcast called The Enlightened Executive, where she spotlights groundbreaking techniques and strategies to help executives and entrepreneurs get the edge in personal and leadership effectiveness. She is a member of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and volunteers her time with several boards and organizations including Board Developer and Selfless Givers. Susan serves clients globally and lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is passionate about travel, hiking, pilates, and healthy living. She recently added a new family member, Jasmine, a Toy Australian shepherd. In this episode… If you have reached your limits and are tired of living the kind of life you currently live, then it's time for you to make changes. If you want to be present and live an authentic life, it's important that you stop old, unproductive patterns and embrace new habits.   Susan Drumm advises women to use music to make shifts in their lives. It's not just about listening to good music but creating playlists of uplifting songs that resonate with you. You have to build your self-worth, confidence, and feminine energy, and learn how to trust yourself. In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Susan Drumm, the Founder and CEO of Meritage Leadership, to talk about how music can transform your leadership and your life. Susan also talks about the value of leveraging relationships to build a business, the lessons she learned from doing drama, and how to use music intentionally to get where you want to be. Stay tuned.

Should leaders work on improving their weaknesses, or should they focus on leveraging their strengths?   It's natural for leaders to want to strive for excellence. If something is broken, you want to fix it. If you realize you need to grow in an area, you seek professional development to improve your skills.   And while self-awareness can be an uncomfortable process, it's necessary to grow as a leader and a company.   In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, international speaker and author, David Rendall, shares his unique approach to finding success as a leader, and explains why he believes leaders should lean into their personal strengths, rather than worry about their weaknesses.

The next thirty years will bring advancements we can't imagine. From augmented reality and the metaverse to enhancements in technology and automation, the sky isn't the limit anymore.   Whether we like it or not, the world continues to change. So how can you prepare yourself to stay ahead in this ever-changing digital world?   Ben Lytle is a successful CEO, serial entrepreneur and author. He has launched five companies, including two currently on the New York Stock Exchange. His best-known company, Anthem, is number twenty-three on the Fortune 500, with a market cap of over $100B.   On the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, Ben walks us through the importance of advancing your potential and accelerating your wisdom in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution—the evolution of technology through digitization, artificial intelligence, and the metaverse.

Having trouble sourcing new talent? Here's a surprising solution for expanding your talent pool.   Consider offering an apprenticeship at your company. But, what about training and experience?   Most executives and entrepreneurs look to hire employees who have a college degree, or that already have a certain amount of experience. Instead, challenge the notion that talent must complete a bachelor's degree before providing value. Find and retain capable talent through apprenticeship.   On the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, Petra Schmidt, a managing partner at Aon's Enterprise Client Group and member of Aon's Apprentice Program Leadership Group, explains the benefits of the apprenticeship model and how to use it to expand your talent pool and drive employee retention.

When it comes to sales, most executives and entrepreneurs want instant gratification. You don't want the needle to move five or ten years from now, you want that ROI today.   But what if slow progress leads to more growth in the long run? What if being selfless, not ruthless, is the key to long-term success?    If you want to build trust with clients and create a community of advocates for your business, be a resource to others first.   Selfless service is doing everything in your power to help as many people in front of you as you can. Without worrying about how it will benefit you or your business in the long term.   On the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, bestselling author and entrepreneur, Jonathan Keyser, explains why selfless service is the key factor in driving trust and building brand loyalty. He shares his own process for building trust and provides tools for practicing selfless leadership.

Are entrepreneurs the main drivers of innovation?    Conventionally, the most groundbreaking ideas are thought to come from entrepreneurs and executives. But innovative ideas can come from passionate and driven employees as well, if you know how to unleash the power of their creativity.    Without psychological safety, employees won't feel comfortable brainstorming or sharing their ideas out loud with the rest of the group. As a leader, you need to create the conditions that allow your employees to thrive, contribute, feel engaged, and collaborate with one another.    Want to encourage innovation in your organization?    In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, bestselling author Kaihan Krippendorff, shares his process for encouraging innovative ideas and explains how leaders can create a psychologically safe environment to foster creativity in the workplace.

For most executives and entrepreneurs, the four-day workweek feels like a pipe dream. When you're working 50-60 hours a week, it's hard to picture eliminating an entire workday.    There's not enough time in the day to get everything done as it is. What about revenue? Employee productivity?   With less time at work, how will your company stay competitive?    Yet, more and more companies are shifting to this new work schedule. They are finding that the four-day workweek actually prevents burnout, engages employees, and ultimately improves their businesses.    In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, author and podcast host, Joe Sanok, shares the science and productivity gains behind the four-day workweek, and explains how to implement new schedule practices at your company.

What if finding joy outside of work is one secret to finding joy at work? Think of the last time you felt true joy. Maybe it was going for a walk at the beach. Painting. Playing tennis. What lights you up?    So often, your career, family, and responsibilities prevent you from feeling connected to your dreams for your life.  But dreams aren't meant to be forgotten.    What if you could reignite your passion for your dreams? How would that joy impact your life at home and at work?    In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, bestselling author and consultant, Dane Espegard, explains his Dreams System and shares how leaders can re-engage their teams by helping employees reconnect with their personal dreams.

Mental health and emotional well being aren't just buzzwords anymore. Today, mental health is an essential component of the enlightened workplace and it is crucial for leaders to promote mental health across their organizations. The first step conscious leaders can take to help others is to find balance and to understand their own mental, emotional, and physical health. Then they can go beyond protecting their personal brain health, by promoting the mental health and wellbeing of their employees, too. By setting the foundation with a balanced brain, executives and entrepreneurs can more effectively lead high-performing, emotionally intelligent teams. In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, expert Lee Gerdes, tells us why he believes brain optimization is the first step to rebalancing and minimizing the impact of stress. He also shares stress management tools, emotional awareness techniques, and brain optimizing strategies that you can put into practice with your whole team.

If business is a game, how do you play to win? As a leader, it's natural to put pressure on yourself to avoid losing at all costs. The stakes are high. Your business is your livelihood. You have investors and employees counting on you. But the most effective leaders are like football coaches. They don't quit after one single loss: they're resilient to setbacks and comfortable testing new strategies. In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, expert Sophie McLean, shares how leaders can become innovators and risk-takers in their businesses (and, in turn, live a more fulfilling life).

Without mutual trust, how can your team members be open to receiving important feedback?   Building a strong and collaborative team for your company takes being a conscious leader. So how can executives and entrepreneurs build deep trust within their teams?   In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, Christopher Michel shares how encouraging open communication and giving direct feedback regularly, will help you create deep trust within your team and a company culture of trust and excellence.

Susan Drumm helps leaders get the most from their organizations through self-awareness. She is a CEO Advisor, Leadership Coach and founder of Meritage Leadership. She has 20 years of experience coaching top leadership and has worked with organizations such as KPMG, Oracle, Viacom and Microsoft. She is also the host of the Enlightened Executive podcast and a top rated, global keynote speaker. Susan joined host Robert Glazer on the Elevate Podcast to discuss how leaders can become more enlightened about their own tendencies and get better results.

Can a Gratitude Process Improve Employee Retention?   Every single company wants to work with the best employees, because talented people are the reason what helps make a company successful. But what if despite offering the best working opportunities, your employee retention rates are very poor?   In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, Chris Schembra shares the transformational power of gratitude and how to foster a sense of community in a virtual and in-person workplace.

As leaders, it can be tough to make corporate decisions that align with big issues because the shift in operations would create a disruption to business as usual. And then, shareholders might jump ship after the potential short-term loss of that disruption — or would they?   Andrew Behar has data that proves the opposite is usually true: Shareholders care deeply about corporate commitment to big issues and won't abandon companies who sacrifice short-term profit to uphold those values. In fact, most major companies are rewarded by shareholders for these types of decisions - and he has the data to prove it.   This week on The Enlightened Executive, we are joined by Andrew Behar. Andrew is the CEO of As You Sow, the nation's leading non-profit practitioner of shareholder advocacy and engagement. In this video, he shares why leaders who commit to addressing big issues enjoy better business outcomes and longevity.

Do you think you can get your team to give you honest feedback? Like no-holds-barred honest?   Many of my clients tell me they struggle to get real feedback from their direct reports and I'm not surprised.   In this Leadership Insight episode of The Enlightened Executive, we discuss four keys you can implement to get honest feedback from your team. Often, team members are afraid to be honest about their concerns, leading to leaders thinking they don't need to change which ultimately leads to problems remaining unresolved. I don't want this to happen to you or your team! Tune in for tips on how to elicit honest, helpful feedback from your direct reports.   Do you need help getting honest feedback from your team? We'd love to help you create an environment where that can happen. Learn more about this topic here: https://meritageleadership.com/honest-feedback-from-your-team/

What would happen if you stepped away from your routine for a full week… to focus on crafting your future?   In today's episode of The Enlightened Executive, we are joined by Matt Brannagan, the Director of Faculty at the Hoffman Institute to discuss hitting the “reset” button on your life and creating change. The Hoffman Institute is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to transformative adult education, spiritual growth, and the personal dimensions of leadership. The Hoffman Institute's flagship offer is a 7-day residential retreat for those who are committed to creating change.   He also shares how the Hoffman Institute addresses patterns like… Feeling disconnected from others because you haven't reconciled your past Listening to messages from your past as though they were happening in the present   If you're interested in learning more about the Hoffman Institute, you can visit their website: www.hoffmaninstitute.org

Without knowing how the current health crisis will progress, leaders are scrambling to decide whether to reopen offices or to allow employees to continue to work from home. Many have landed somewhere in the middle with a hybrid model, neither 100% remote nor 100% in-person.   According to Robert Glazer, the hybrid model is both the most common choice and the riskiest. The risk lies in the temptation to adopt a hybrid model without outlining clear details. As he puts it, “Hybrid needs to be a strategy, not the absence of a strategy.”   In this week's episode of The Enlightened Executive, we are joined by Robert Glazer to discuss the benefits and challenges of adapting a hybrid-work model. As the CEO of Accelerated Partners, Robert has successfully led a hybrid remote team for 14 years. His leadership has earned the company numerous industry and company culture awards, including Glassdoor's Employees' Choice Awards two years in a row.

Quick question for you: Do you think emotional intelligence is important in the workplace?   In this Leadership Insight episode of the Enlightened Executive, we discuss how you can assess your emotional intelligence. To receive the most honest assessment of your emotional intelligence, we would recommend a professional 360 assessment, however, if you're interested in testing the waters first, in this episode we offer 10 questions for a DIY 360 assessment.   Emotional intelligence is important in the workplace because it can't be outsourced to a robot or a factory, it's no longer a “soft skill” -- it's now an essential skill, and the higher your EQ, the more likely you are to get hired and promoted. If you're interested in taking a full assessment or want to work on raising your emotional intelligence, let's get connected.

While teams made up with people with similar personalities and perspectives may enjoy smooth meetings, they may not be the most productive teams. It's not good for your company (or your clients or margins) to be staffed exclusively by people who share the same worldview, the same personality type, or the same approach to business.   In fact, every company would benefit from hiring for cognitive diversity — even if it creates conflict.   Why? Because the conflict that arises from cognitive diversity is good conflict.   In this Leadership Insight episode of The Enlightened Executive, we dive into the topic of why you need cognitive diversity on your team. It's actually conflict that results in better products, happier customers, more effective systems, and fewer missteps. In this episode I discuss the definition of cognitive diversity, what sort of conflict arises from it, and how you can make sure you have a cognitively diverse team.

Susan Drumm is a CEO Advisor and Leadership Coach with over 20 years   of experience leading teams and senior executives to achieve their   potential. Her consulting firm, Meritage Leadership, focuses on leader   and team effectiveness by helping leaders develop the capacity and   mindsets to lead in today's disruptive environment. Meritage utilizes   over a dozen exceptional coaches in its senior leadership programs.  Susan draws on many disciplines in her approach. She has graduate degrees from Harvard Law School, Carnegie  Mellon University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Susan obtained the highest level of  coaching certification as Master Certified Coach (MCC) through the International Coaching Federation. Susan  also holds certifications in HeartMath™, Integrative Enneagram (Level 2), EQ Learning in Action, Havening  Techniques®, The Leadership Circle and is a Certified Forum Facilitator for YPO (Young President's Organization).  While working with fast-moving organizations and industries, Susan discovered that there are three levels of  leadership: individual, team, and system-wide — all of which need to be developed to meet the complexity of  today's environment. Meritage developed a blended, whole-systems approach that enables organizations to  transform more rapidly than the simple “1:1 coaching plan” most other firms offer.  Susan's clients include C-suite executives from financial services, private equity, tech, healthcare, professional  services, media, consumer products, consulting and law. She has worked with organizations such as KPMG,  Oracle, Viacom, Microsoft, Conde Nast, L'Oreal, A&E Networks, Cisco, Merrill Lynch, Symantec, Merck, KCI,  Staples, MTV Networks and Genentech.  Prior to founding Meritage Leadership Development, Susan was a Senior Consultant for The Boston Consulting  Group, Director of Marketing and Master Black Belt for NBC/GE and Associate Partner at The Trium Group in  leadership development consulting.  In 2021, Susan launched a YouTube channel and podcast called The Enlightened Executive, where she  spotlights ground-breaking techniques and strategies to help executives and entrepreneurs get the edge in  personal and leadership effectiveness. Guests include founders of these programs and the executives who  have experienced them — and dig into what they are, what they offer, and whether they actually work to help  you evolve personally and professionally.  Susan is a member of EO (Entrepreneur's Organization) and volunteers her time with several boards and  organizations including Board Developer and Selfless Givers. Susan serves clients globally and lives in Scottsdale,  Arizona. She is passionate about travel, hiking, Pilates and healthy living and recently added a new family  member, Jasmine, a toy Australian Shepherd.  https://twitter.com/drummleadership https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-drumm-bb09732/ https://SusanDrumm.com/BreakfastLeadership    Support the Breakfast Leadership Network! Burnout Proof Your Life Online Course. Enter the code NINETY at checkout, to save 90% off the course: https://breakfastleadership.teachable.com/p/burnout-proof-your-life Hire Michael to speak at your event: https://BreakfastLeadership.com/speaking Burnout proof your life with the new book Burnout Proof:  How To Establish Boundaries To Avoid The Negativity Of Stress https://amzn.to/2JkbKxQ Buy Michael's life-altering book: 369 Days: How To Survive A Year of Worst-Case Scenario: https://www.amazon.com/369-Days-Survive-Worst-Case-Scenarios-ebook/dp/B074CCLKZP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502047423&sr=8-1&keywords=369+days Contribute on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bfastleadership Or PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/bfastleadership Breakfast Leadership Network Merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/breakfast-leadership-network Like, Rate and Review the Breakfast Leadership Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/breakfast-leadership/id1207338410

What's your current process for making a complex, high-stakes decision as a leader? Do you conduct extensive research? Rely on your intuition? Ask for advice from trusted parties?   Most decision-making models include some version of each of these components. But few actually guide you through a specific, logical research process — and fewer still include built-in cognitive bias challenges. That's what makes the AREA Method different.   In this week's episode of The Enlightened Executive, we are joined by Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, the developer of the AREA Method — a decision-making system for individuals, companies, and nonprofits to solve complex problems.   AREA is an acronym that stands for Absolute information, Relative sources, Exploration and Exploitation, and Analysis.   As a result of applying this process, leaders end up with a documented trail of ordered steps they took to arrive at their decision, including self-reflection. This trail not only makes them feel more confident in their final decision but also helps improve buy-in from team members who now have proof they did their due diligence.

Who would you be without your ambition to attain success? Is your ambition driven by the need to create financial stability or make your mark on the world? Many leaders would candidly cite those motivators as the reason for their success.   Patrick McKenna was no different. He had built his incredibly successful career as an investor and entrepreneur — motivated by a desire to leave his small hometown and prove to others he could make something of himself. And yet, as he looked deeper, he saw that behind that ambition was a fear of failure.   In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Patrick also talks about… Why living in a “love motivation” is a good investment thesis How to use meditation to let go of fear-based ambition The daily practices that help leaders work toward enlightenment

If you’re not embodying your authentic self, your team will sense that and begin to lose trust in you as a leader. The solution? Accessing your original thoughts and getting quiet through meditation.   In this week’s episode of The Enlightened Executive, Dina Kaplan joins Susan to discuss how meditation helps you become a more authentic leader. Dina is founder/CEO of The Path and a certified meditation teacher who leads teacher training programs, retreats and meditations for brands, festivals, companies and conferences around the world. She has studied and practiced dozens of techniques including mindfulness, compassion, mantra, Vipassana and more.  .    They also discuss...   How attending a meditation retreat (such as the one by The Path, called Mela) can help you get in touch with your most honest self The insight she experienced at her first meditation retreat, which propelled her to change how she was showing up in the world How you can practice meditation for profound shifts without quitting your job and moving to a cave for a year   For more information about The Path and their meditation retreat, Mela, visit www.thepath.com.

Is artificial intelligence really going to change everything in business? If we look to recent implementations of AI in the workplace, the answer is yes.    Computational social science is a groundbreaking new field that allows AI technology to discover human behavior and help leaders improve their performance. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, we dive into this topic with David Shrier, a globally recognized thought leader in technology and innovation.  “[Through AI] we can decode human behavior and understand mindset shift mathematically, and take actions that cause people to change behavior.” David says that AI may one day take over jobs like executive coaching as well. Is AI something to be afraid of?

Today, I'm speaking with Susan Drumm. Susan is a CEO Advisor and Leadership Coach with over 20 years of experience helping C-suite teams and senior executives develop their leadership skills so they can take their business to the next level.  Her consulting firm, Meritage Leadership has worked with organizations such as KPMG, Oracle, Viacom, Microsoft, L'Oreal, A&E Networks, Cisco, Merrill Lynch, MTV Networks and many more!  Susan also just launched The Enlightened Executive, a podcast that spotlights ground-breaking techniques and strategies to help executives and entrepreneurs get an edge when it comes to their leadership effectiveness.  In this conversation, we're diving deep into The Enneagram — a personality assessment that you can use to identify your unique capabilities and level up your leadership skills in all areas of life. Whether you want to strengthen your skills as an investor, build a strong team that will allow you to scale your business, or show up big for your family, this tool can help you realize your full potential, both personally and professionally! Key Takeaways The importance of being able to effectively connect & communicate with people on your team. How to use The Enneagram to uncover your strengths and weaknesses, develop as a leader, and become a better investor.  Why cognitive diversity is such an important factor when it comes to scaling a company. The importance of knowing who to surround yourself with, so you can strengthen your weakest areas in life.  A powerful visualization process that will help you accomplish your biggest goals and dreams. How to use gratitude to better understand your core values.  Why money is not the determining factor for your level of happiness. Want the Full Show Notes? To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit JustinDonald.com/20 Get the Lifestyle Investor Book! To get access to The Lifestyle Investor: The 10 Commandments of Cashflow Investing for Passive Income and Financial Freedom visit JustinDonald.com/book Rate & Review If you enjoyed today's episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button in Apple Podcasts, (or wherever you listen) so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review. Reviews go a long way in helping us build awareness so that we can impact even more people. THANK YOU! Connect with Justin Donald Facebook YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Twitter

How are you thinking differently? Jean-Claude Pierre is not your typical chemical industry leader I would suggest. In the industry, following the legacy of his grandfather, it was through an encounter with Natural Step founder Karl-Henrik Robèrt that he realized the harm it creates in the world, and started his path in sustainability. A philosopher and pragmatist, a reflective practitioner, he bridges business and academic worlds. He even did his PhD on sustainability and ancient Chinese wisdom whilst working in China. Our conversation explores hopes and challenges for the industry, green chemistry and biomimicry, systemic change, levels of consciousness, nested circles, self management and autonomous teams amongst it all. And leading with conviction and curiousity. Episode Extras Find Jean-Claude Pierre on Linked-In. Pierre, Jean-Claude (2020) “Developing a Sustainabile Employee-owned Chemical Company in Handbook of Systems Science pp 1-26 https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-981-13-0370-8_74-1 Natural Step https://thenaturalstep.org/approach/ Website dedicated to the work of Clare W Graves https://www.clarewgraves.com Eisenstein C (2018), Climate: a new story https://charleseisenstein.org/books/climate-a-new-story/ Wahl D, Designing Regenerative Cultures https://www.triarchypress.net/drc.html Semco Style Institute https://semcostyle.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5u7m3s6k7wIVnAWiAx3ZXQ5GEAAYASAAEgKq0vD_BwE Reference to Lorraine Smith (interviewed on episode 30 of the #earthconversepodcast but this is here ‘how are you serving life' piece: https://youtu.be/BZzAAgMbmHM NEW HERE? ABOUT EARTH CONVERSE AND I Hi, I am Penelope Mavor, podcast host and founder of Earth Converse a nature-based leadership collaborative helping leaders have the conversations they need to: with themselves, each other and the earth. Please get in touch for executive coaching and leadership development programmes. https://linktr.ee/EarthConverse Email: info@earthconverse.com And the wind, the trees...