Podcasts about great leadership

Automation and AI are rewriting the rules of work, leaving CHROs grappling with a challenge to preserve humanity that fuels innovation. When technology starts moving faster than people, the real test of leadership begins. In this episode, CHRO Katie Watson shares how she's leading an AI revolution without losing the heart of business at Western Digital, a 55-year-old tech company powering the world's data. We explore how Western Digital is modernizing every corner of its workforce—from fully automated "lights-out" factories in Thailand to AI-assisted engineering and HR systems—while protecting what makes work meaningful. Katie shares how upskilling programs have helped thousands of employees transition into higher-value roles, why "AI champions" are key to driving adoption, and how human connection must remain at the center of digital change. She also discusses how HR and business leaders can govern AI responsibly, build comfort with experimentation, and help employees see technology as a collaborator rather than a threat. The tension between innovation and humanity begins as the AI takeover lingers, but the future of work isn't about choosing between people or technology, but learning how they can grow stronger together. ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/   Future-ready organizations are built, not hoped for. My latest book, -The 8 Laws of Employee Experience shows how. Preorder here: 8EXLaws.com

“Great leadership starts with great self-leadership” is a mantra that lies at the heart of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast. This is why I am thrilled to share this episode, where I welcome Margaret C. Andrews, a seasoned executive and leadership expert, who shares the intriguing backstory behind her book, Manage Yourself to Lead Others, which was inspired by a pivotal moment when she was told she lacked self-awareness. This experience led her to explore the vital connection between understanding oneself and effective, sustainable leadership.Listen in as we guide you through an enlightening exercise to reflect on the traits of your best boss, revealing that a remarkable 85% of these qualities fall under the realm of soft skills or emotional intelligence. Margaret and I address a listener's question on self-awareness, offering methods like 360-degree feedback to gain a clearer understanding of one's impact. The episode continues to explore the challenges of addressing self-awareness and providing constructive feedback, using the SBI (Situation, Behavior, Impact) model to enhance clarity and constructiveness. Our discussion invites you to reconsider what truly makes a great leader and the critical role of empathy and effective communication in leadership.Enhancing team dynamics is also a focal point of our conversation, with insights into creating personal user manuals and team charters to foster effective teamwork. Margaret shares strategies for transitioning from a subject matter expert to leading a team, emphasizing the importance of intentional leadership. We explore managing up with a boss who lacks self-awareness, highlighting self-care and mental health as crucial components of professional success. As we conclude, we underscore the importance of self-awareness in how we perceive our intentions versus how others feel our impacts, advocating for a mindful approach to leadership that balances transparency and resilience.What You'll Learn- The power and importance of self-awareness in effective leadership.- How to enhance emotional intelligence for better team dynamics.- Leveraging 360-feedback for professional development.- Techniques for delivering impactful and constructive feedback.- Ways to align intentions with actions to foster trust within a team.- Methods to build resilience in personal and professional settings.Podcast Timestamps(00:00) – Manage Yourself to Lead Others(09:48) – Soft Skills Are the Heart of Great Leadership(16:55) – Navigating Feedback Conversations to Build Self-Awareness(25:04) – Managing Up(38:37) – Share Your User Manual(42:22) – The Power of Team Charters(47:15) – Vulnerability and Building Resilience(56:16) – Intentions Versus Impacts KEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Team Dynamics, Feedback, Personal Growth, Communication, Resilience, Soft Skills, Mental Health, Vulnerability, Transparency, Leading with Intention, Fostering Collaboration, User Manuals, Team Charters, CEO Success

In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina Madden dive into what they call “The Great Leadership Reset”. A shift happening across teams, industries, and the job market as expectations for leaders rise and the tolerance for being merely “average” disappears. They break down what it actually means to outperform the norm, why so many leaders get stuck in outdated habits, and how to reset your mindset so you can lead with intention, ownership, and real influence. If you've been feeling the pressure to elevate your performance or redefine how you show up at work, this conversation will help you see what “beating average” truly looks like in today's world.

While technology is transforming work, the real competitive advantage lies in human curiosity, creativity, and connection—because AI can optimize efficiency, but only people can create joy. In this episode, Deborah Borg, Chief People and Culture Officer at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), joins us to explore how one of the world's most innovative companies is reimagining talent strategy through the fusion of AI, analytics, and human creativity. Deborah shares how IFF—home to the scents, flavors, and enzymes found in everyday products—builds its people strategy around both science and soul. She walks through the entire talent lifecycle, from AI-assisted recruiting and predictive analytics in engagement to apprenticeship-based mentoring for niche roles like perfumers and scientists. The conversation unpacks how IFF balances technology with human judgment, ensuring cultural fit and creativity remain central as AI accelerates hiring and decision-making. Deborah also reveals how IFF's cross-functional AI Council governs innovation responsibly, enabling experimentation without losing the human touch. ------------ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/   Future-ready organizations are built, not hoped for. My latest book, -The 8 Laws of Employee Experience shows how. Preorder here: 8EXLaws.com

When a leader reaches the top, the climb doesn't stop, it just changes shape. The real challenge isn't getting to the corner office, it's knowing how to stay relevant, resilient, and ready for what's next. The best CEOs don't just lead well once; they lead well through change, mastering the cycles of their own growth. In this episode, I sit down with Kurt Strovink, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and Global Head of McKinsey's CEO Practice, to break down the cyclical nature of leadership from his book A CEO for All Seasons: Mastering the Cycles of Leadership. Drawing from research on 200 high-performing CEOs, we explore the four seasons of leadership—stepping up, starting strong, staying ahead, and sending it forward—and what distinguishes those who sustain excellence over time. We dive into how cognitive diversity strengthens decision-making, servant leadership keeps power grounded in purpose, and renewal strategies prevent success from breeding complacency. We also explore how great CEOs develop resilience under pressure and create leadership factories that outlast them. This episode offers CHROs a playbook to help leaders evolve through every phase of their journey, and build organizations capable of thriving through every season of change. ------------ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/ Looking for what actually moves the needle on performance and retention? It's in The 8 Laws of Employee Experience. Preorder here: 8EXLaws.com

Stories of Impact is a podcast for veterans that shares real stories from combat to healing. Learn how the ORF provides mental health resources for veterans.

Growth tests the soul of every organization. As companies expand, consistency often replaces compassion—but CAVA proves you can scale without losing humanity. With 400 restaurants and 12,000 team members, CAVA has built a culture that's as grounded as it is consistent through a people framework rooted in heart, health, and humanity. In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Costanza, Chief People Officer of CAVA, to unpack exactly how they've done it—diving into their MVC framework (Mission, Values, and Competencies) that turns ideals into action. We explore their recognition systems like MVC Awards and Value Cards, the CCT Program that trains leaders as culture coaches, and Impact Plans that replace performance reviews with real-time growth. Kelly also shares how CAVA brings connection to life through the Love Button and Allies in Motion (AIM) programs, integrates culture across the employee lifecycle, and balances AI innovation with human warmth. This episode offers every CHRO a practical look at how to bring values to life, connect them to performance, and make culture come alive. ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/ Future-ready organizations are built, not hoped for. My latest book, -The 8 Laws of Employee Experience shows how. Preorder here: 8EXLaws.com

What makes a great leader? Olympian Sherry Winn and executive Aaron Battista explore how true leadership begins with understanding yourself first.In this episode, they discuss:Why self-awareness is the foundation of strong leadershipHow confidence and humility work hand in handLessons from real-world experience—not theoryIt's a thoughtful conversation about leadership, growth, and the mindset needed to make a lasting impact. Listen now and discover how the best leaders lead from within.#TALRadio #Leadership #SelfAwareness #PersonalGrowth #OlympicMinds #WinningLeadership #SherryWinn #Touchalife#TALRadio

In this episode of The Leadership Podcast, Niels Brabandt explores the decisive factor that determines whether hybrid work succeeds or fails: leadership quality. Drawing on new evidence from the MIT Sloan Management Review, Brabandt examines why hybrid work itself is not the real challenge — ineffective leadership is. He unpacks how executives fall into filter bubbles and echo chambers, how opinion replaces evidence in boardrooms, and why leaders who manage by presence rather than by performance undermine both trust and results. Listeners will gain practical, research-based insights on: How to design hybrid models that strengthen engagement and accountability. Why evidence-based leadership outperforms intuition and hierarchy. The role of culture, credibility, and competence in modern workplaces. How leaders can build organisations that thrive on flexibility and trust. Citing work by MIT Sloan and Professor Tsedal Neeley (Harvard Business School), Niels Brabandt connects academic research with real-world leadership practice — offering a clear roadmap for decision-makers navigating the future of work. For more on sustainable, evidence-based leadership, visit www.NB-Networks.biz and connect with Niels Brabandt on LinkedIn. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact to Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/ 

What if the Bible isn't a rulebook but a guide to what's true about life and leadership? In this conversation, Pastor Colt and Dr. Ron sit down with Phil Olson, founder of Beyond Sunday, to explore how God's truth shapes great leadership in both ministry and the marketplace. Phil unpacks how timeless biblical principles, like honor, rest, and trust, transform the way we lead teams, steward influence, and balance identity and purpose. You'll hear stories from real executives, lessons from the Ten Commandments of Business, and practical wisdom pastors and leaders can apply right now.Contact Phil Olson at philolson@beyondsunday.biz or visit gobeyondsunday.com to learn more about Beyond Sunday.You an also follow/contact him on linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-olsen-bsi/

Uber moves more than 36 million trips a day, a scale that would overwhelm most systems. But as AI reshapes every corner of business, even a tech giant like Uber must evolve faster than ever. The real question is, how do you lead an organization this massive through an AI revolution without losing reliability, human connection, or trust? In this episode, I sit down with Praveen Neppalli Naga, Uber's Chief Technology Officer for Mobility and Delivery, to explore the leadership blueprint driving Uber's AI-powered transformation. He shares how Uber is transforming its software engineering systems using tools like Cursor and agentic AI workflows, integrating machine learning into real-time marketplace technology, and balancing automation with human oversight to avoid what he calls "AI slop." We also dive into how his teams are preparing for autonomous vehicles, managing global scale across 36 million daily trips, and rethinking the engineering culture to adopt AI responsibly and sustainably. For CHROs, this episode reveals how to lead large-scale transformation by aligning people, technology, and purpose, and how to build a culture where AI doesn't replace human capability, but amplifies it.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/ Future-ready organizations are built, not hoped for. My latest book, -The 8 Laws of Employee Experience shows how. Preorder here: 8EXLaws.com

In this episode of The Executive Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Tim Elmore, founder and CEO of Growing Leaders and author of The Future Begins with Z, to explore one of the most pressing challenges — and greatest opportunities — facing today's executives: leading Generation Z.As the age of authority declines and the age of maturity rises, leaders are navigating a new reality. Gen Z employees bring intuition, innovation, and digital fluency — yet often enter the workforce still developing key soft skills and emotional intelligence. With millions of seasoned workers retiring and a smaller generation stepping in to fill the gap, getting this right isn't optional — it's essential.Dr. Elmore shares nine practical strategies for engaging, developing, and retaining Gen Z talent, including how to:Interview and onboard younger employees for long-term successDeliver firm feedback while protecting fragile confidenceMotivate, mentor, and manage across generationsEquip emerging leaders whose EQ matches their IQIf you're ready to move from frustration to fascination — and turn generational differences into a competitive advantage — this conversation is for you.The future of leadership begins now… and it begins with Z.About Tim ElmoreDr. Tim Elmore is founder of Growing Leaders (GrowingLeaders.com), an Atlanta‐based non‐profit organization created to develop emerging leaders. His work grew out of 20 years of serving alongside Dr. John C. Maxwell. Elmore has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, USA Today, Psychology Today, and he's been featured on CNN's Headline News, Fox Business, Newsmax TV and Fox and Friends to talk about leading multiple generations in the marketplace. He has written over 35 books, including Habitudes: Images That Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes, Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership, and A New Kind of Diversity: Making the Different Generations on Your Team a Competitive Advantage. His latest book, The Future Begins with Z: Nine Strategies to Lead Generation Z As They Upset the Workplace, is out now. You can find his work at: TimElmore.com.

As companies race to adapt to the rapid AI takeover, many are discovering that their biggest challenge isn't technological change, but knowing what their people can actually do. For CHROs, this means gaining real visibility into workforce skills, so they can move beyond job titles and legacy systems to make faster, smarter talent decisions. In this episode, Mikael Wornoo, Co-Founder and President of TechWolf, joins us to explore how AI and data are reshaping the future of HR through the rise of the skill-based organization—a model that looks beyond job titles to map, measure, and mobilize employee skills at scale. We unpack how organizations can build clean, standardized data layers to power smarter workforce decisions, enable internal mobility through AI-driven talent marketplaces, and forecast future skill needs amid accelerating automation. The conversation also dives into the limits of AI in capturing "invisible skills" like empathy and collaboration, the leadership mindset needed to balance human judgment with machine intelligence, and what the future of work and education might look like in an age of human–AI collaboration. A must-listen for CHROs who want to evolve from HR management to strategic workforce design and lead their organizations confidently into the AI era. ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

The real challenge for today's HR leaders isn't adopting AI, but ensuring people still feel seen, heard, and valued in a world shaped by it. Today's CHROs face a powerful question: how can we design organizations that are as human as they are high-performing? At Novartis, this challenge sparked a bold rethink of what it means to lead, grow, and belong. In this episode, Rob Kowalski, Chief People and Organization Officer at Novartis, shares how the company is reimagining HR through human-centered experiences that transform culture into a living system. He unpacks Novartis' Inspired, Curious, and Unbossed culture framework, the "behaviors in action" that make culture discussable, and programs like Future Me that redefine career growth through lattices instead of ladders. Rob also explores how storytelling connects every employee—scientists to HR teams—to patient impact, why leaders must balance empowerment with accountability, and how "unbossed" leadership is reshaping management itself. From AI coaching tools to redefining what growth and retention really mean, this conversation gives CHROs a fresh blueprint for building organizations that are truly human by design. ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

What does it take to build a culture so strong that it powers 68 ships, 100,000 employees, and 12 million ecstatic guests each year? In this episode, Richard Fain, former CEO and current Chairman of Royal Caribbean Group, shares how he led the company's evolution from a small cruise line into a $16 billion global powerhouse by anchoring performance in purpose and people. Drawing from his new book, Delivering the WoW: Culture as a Catalyst for Lasting Success, Richard unpacks the mindset behind Royal Caribbean's growth—from defining culture as a shared North Star to prioritizing fit over fitness in hiring and leadership. He explains how the company grew leaders through cross-functional rotations, built transparency through metrics like guest satisfaction and employee Net Promoter Scores, and created alignment through a shared “culture dashboard.” Along the way, he highlights lessons from bold innovations like the VR Innovation Lab—and even a runaway blimp experiment—that shaped a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. Every CHRO who believes culture is the new competitive advantage will find in this episode the proof and the playbook for making it real.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

What if business leaders cared for their employees the way loving parents care for their children? That simple, profound shift of treating employees like family actually became the engine behind a $4 billion global success story. In this episode, Bob Chapman, Chairman of Barry-Wehmiller, also known as The CEO Who Put Humanity Back into Business, pulls back the curtain on how to build an organization that seamlessly combines economic strength with genuine human care. He explains how Barry-Wehmiller grew from an $18 million struggling manufacturer into a $4 billion global company by designing a balanced business model and fueling it with a “culture of care.” Bob also breaks down the three teachable skills behind his leadership philosophy: empathetic listening, recognition and celebration, and a culture of service. He also advocates for “hard love, not layoffs,” aiming for natural attrition and efficient design instead of job cuts because fear-based management, and short-term thinking destroy both people and performance. He even addresses the role of AI in business, arguing that technology can enhance humanity when guided by leaders who care. For CHROs leading cultural transformation, this episode offers a blueprint for turning human care into a lasting competitive advantage. ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Active Listening in Leadership Michael and Mick explored why active listening is at the core of great leadership. Rather than listening just to reply, they emphasized listening to truly understand — making people feel seen and valued. Mick shared a recent insight from the “experience revolution,” where 75% of client satisfaction is based on how people feel, not just on what gets done. Together, they highlighted how leaders can build stronger teams by asking questions like, “What are you proud of that we may not be recognizing?” Loyalty Beyond Reason in Hospitality Michael reflected on his personal loyalty to certain hotels, often choosing them over more convenient options. He compared this to sports stadiums and entertainment venues that deliver unforgettable experiences, inspiring loyalty that defies logic. Mick expanded on this concept of “loyalty beyond reason,” sharing lessons from global stadium designers who helped shape experiences for the World Cup and Olympics. Experiences Over Material Possessions Michael shared how he and his wife prioritize experiences over material goods, recognizing that memories last far longer than products like appliances or smartphones. Experiences spark creativity, curiosity, and joy, and he explained how leaders who design meaningful client experiences not only enrich their work but also strengthen long-term relationships and outcomes. Harmony in Work and Life Mick reframed the common idea of “work-life balance” into a broader vision of life integration. He encouraged leaders to step away from rigid linear thinking and embrace space for creativity and lateral ideas. With finite time, he advised finding mentors who offer honest feedback and guidance. Michael echoed these insights, noting that harmony — not balance — is what allows people to thrive personally and professionally. Embracing Challenges for Personal Growth The conversation turned to resilience and growth under pressure. Michael stressed the importance of focusing on what can be controlled — mindset, habits, and health — while Mick used his “orange juice” analogy to illustrate that how we respond to challenges reveals our preparation. Both agreed that being challenged is vital to staying relevant and avoiding stagnation, especially when surrounded by people who care enough to push us forward. Networking and Next Steps To close, Michael and Mick discussed ways listeners can continue learning from Mick's work through his Instagram, LinkedIn, and website. The conversation underscored how leadership rooted in listening, loyalty, and life integration can transform both personal growth and organizational success. Website:  https://www.2blimitless.com/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mick-todd-a887b313/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/2blimitless/?hl=en    

In this inspiring episode of the Sisterhood of Sweat, host Linda Mitchell welcomes back Tricia Brouk—award-winning director, author, founder of The Big Talk Academy, and creator of The Wise Leopard. Together, they dive into Tricia's new book Being Smart Is Stupid: Why Embracing the Wisdom of Your Buddha Nature Is the Secret to Great Leadership. This conversation explores how true leadership comes from intuition, emotional intelligence, and humility—not intellect or control. Tricia shares stories from her multi-decade career, her three companies, and her belief that communication with dignity, curiosity, and respect can unite us across differences. Here's a polished Apple Podcasts description for your Sisterhood of Sweat episode with Tricia Brouk — including intro, questions, themes, and links:

CHROs today face a pressing mandate: how to build cultures of clarity and belonging while navigating hybrid work, rising employee expectations, and the disruptive pace of AI. The risk of drifting into transactional cultures is real, yet so is the opportunity to shape organizations where culture drives performance and technology enables growth. The question for CHROs is, how do you create alignment while preparing your workforce for what's next? In this episode, Paulo Pisano, EVP and CHRO at Booking Holdings—and the leader shaping the Future of Work for 24,000 employees—shares how culture and AI intersect to redefine leadership. He explains why culture is ultimately about how people get things done, why clarity is the cornerstone of inclusion, and what it means to bring your “whole professional self” to work. Paulo also addresses polarizing topics at work, the trade-offs of remote versus office culture, and how employee sentiment, trust in leadership, and decision effectiveness can be measured as cultural indicators. Finally, he offers a forward-looking view on how generative and agentic AI—through both HR applications and customer-facing tools—are accelerating productivity and experimentation, and what this means for reskilling and the future role of HR in shaping culture.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

We've all had that moment: working at a job we dislike, then moving to a nearly identical role at a different company, and suddenly loving it. The work didn't change, the industry didn't change, and the location didn't change. So what did? The answer is the environment. In today's Leadership Spark, we explore why employee experience has become the foundation of modern workplaces. Drawing on research, case studies, and over 150 executive interviews, I share why employee experience is not about perks, but about fundamentally changing how organizations shape the environment in which work gets done. Every employee's experience comes down to three things: culture, technology, and physical space. Organizations can't control the work employees choose to do, but they can control the environment around it, and that environment determines whether people love or hate their jobs.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

The future of work is unfolding faster than anyone expected, and leaders are scrambling to keep up. In this special Best of the Quarter episode, we revisit two standout conversations that tackle the future of work from very different, yet complementary angles. Charlotte Eaton, Chief People Officer at Arm, shares how the company is rolling out AI tools to thousands of employees, the cultural shifts required to keep pace with rapid technological change, and the risks of outsourcing human thinking to machines. Joe Hart, President and CEO of Dale Carnegie, explores why timeless human skills like empathy, trust, and confidence are more vital than ever, especially as younger generations enter the workforce and AI reshapes how we work. Together, these episodes reveal that the future of work isn't about choosing between people or technology—it's about how leaders bring both together. ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Bad leadership doesn't just hurt engagement. It can literally hurt people. Studies show that working under a poor leader is one of the leading causes of stress, contributing to health issues like cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, great leaders don't just make work enjoyable. They shape culture, values, and even society itself. In today's Leadership Spark, I explore why leadership matters more than ever and what it will take to be a leader in the future. I share insights from my extensive research, including interviews with 140 CEOs from some of the world's biggest organizations and a global LinkedIn study with nearly 14,000 employees. Together, these conversations reveal how leadership is being redefined in the face of AI, globalization, and the changing expectations of employees, and why every leader needs to rethink their role as a lighthouse for the future. ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

What does it really take to lead one of the world's largest organizations through massive disruption and into the future? When the business collapsed overnight during the pandemic, CHRO and EVP of Global Operations Services Ty Breland helped steer Marriott through the crisis while reshaping how leaders think about resilience and growth. In this episode, he offers a blueprint for balancing authenticity, technology, and human connection in times of change. We explore how Marriott navigated the crisis and built resilience for the future. Ty stresses that well-being must expand beyond physical health to include financial and mental dimensions, and that leaders need to move from annual surveys to real-time listening so employees feel genuinely heard. On technology, his philosophy is clear: be “tech-enabled but human-centered,” which means to automate repetitive tasks but protect space for authentic human connection. He also reframes change management as “change acceleration,” built on alignment over consensus and fueled by healthy debate. To prepare for what's ahead, Ty emphasizes developing workforces that are curious, courageous, and collaborative—equipped to treat change as a constant and ready to adapt through agile scenario planning.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Work is supposed to be human, but too often it feels like the opposite. For decades, we've built organizations on outdated assumptions: managers as “slave drivers,” employees as “cogs,” and work itself as “drudgery.” No wonder so many people feel disconnected. In today's Leadership Spark, I break down what employee experience really means and why it's the foundation of the future of work. We start by unpacking the basic concept of “experience” itself, how it shapes our memories, and why those memories define the relationships employees want, or don't want, to have with their organizations. From there, we explore the flawed assumptions we've built work on, and what it takes to shift from a model of utility, where people need to work, to one of experience, where people want to show up. The future of work isn't about cake, ping-pong tables, or corporate slogans. It's about designing organizations where humanity comes first.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Leadership may come with titles, pay, and freedom, but it also demands sacrifice, and too often, leaders forget this truth. When they do, organizations slip into coddling cultures, unclear values, and employees unprepared for the realities of work. In this episode, Patrick Lencioni, CEO of The Table Group and bestselling author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and Working Genius, breaks down what leadership really requires and why so many organizations get it wrong. We explore why true leadership is rooted in service, clarity, and accountability, not perks or comfort, and caution against the dangers of companies trying to be “everything to everyone.” We also explore the balance between inclusion and responsibility, the widespread misuse of psychological safety, and how overemphasizing well-being can unintentionally weaken resilience. This conversation is a reminder that leaders must be brutally clear about values, hire for humility, hunger, and smarts, and embrace discomfort as the foundation for growth and long-term success.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

What makes vulnerability in leadership powerful, but also dangerous? Leaders often confuse vulnerability with simply admitting mistakes or showing emotions. But without the right foundation, being “open” can backfire, leaving you looking weak or incompetent instead of inspiring trust. In today's Leadership Spark, the spotlight is on the eight attributes of vulnerable leaders, distilled from my conversations with over 100 global CEOs. The discussion reveals that vulnerability on its own isn't enough. It has to be paired with strong leadership qualities. We'll unpack the three crucial attributes leaders need, such as competence, self-confidence, and motivation. You'll hear real-world stories from failed $150M bets to CEOs battling panic attacks that show how uncomfortable but necessary vulnerability is.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

What if I told you that being smart gets you in the room, but wisdom keeps you there?  Drawing from my experiences with high-achieving leaders across various fields—from cancer surgeons to CEOs to mayoral candidates—I share how wisdom trumps being smart in creating lasting impacts. In this episode, we'll explore: Why being smart can make you successful, but wisdom makes you significant The key differences between being smart and being wise What it means to lead from your Buddha nature (and why it's not about religion) Five practical steps to cultivate wisdom-based leadership How the most effective speakers step onto the stage to serve their audience, not to show how brilliant they are Plus, learn about my new book, "Being Smart is Stupid: Why Embracing Your Buddha Nature is the Secret to Great Leadership," and how to access a private Q&A with me. More from Tricia  Join me LIVE for my Free Monthly Workshop Explore my content and follow me on YouTube Follow me on Instagram  Connect with me on Facebook  Connect with me on LinkedIn  Visit my website at TriciaBrouk.com 

What does it really take to reach the top of an organization? Beyond the glossy titles and corner offices lies a culture of sacrifice, long hours, and relentless client demands that shape modern leadership. In this episode, we sit down with Pat Tomlinson, CEO of Mercer, to explore the realities of work culture, the growing “996” trend of long hours, and the sacrifices it takes to rise to senior leadership. Pat shares candid reflections on his own work ethic and why hard work, visibility, and flexibility remain cornerstones for career growth, particularly in professional services. From there, the conversation expands into major workplace shifts—declining birth rates, longevity risk, and the mounting pressures on healthcare and retirement systems. We also discuss the war for talent, the evolving role of employee experience and wellness programs, and the balance between organizational support and individual accountability. Finally, we explore AI's impact on work, why productivity gains require redesigning jobs rather than bolting on technology, and the cultural challenges leaders face in adopting these tools.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

We often talk about employee engagement, but before that comes something deeper: experience itself. Just like we invest our own time and money into personal experiences that create lasting memories, employees evaluate their organizations through the experiences they have at work. The problem? For over a century, companies have designed work as if humans were robots—linear, rigid, process-driven, and void of humanity. From definitions of “manager” as “slave driver” to “employee” as “cog,” the very language of work reveals how broken the system has been. But times have changed. In today's Leadership Spark, we'll unpack the true meaning of experience at work and why it's become the defining factor of the future workplace. If organizations want to attract, retain, and inspire talent, they must redesign around humanity, not utility. This episode explores why experience is the missing link between engagement and performance, and how leaders can bring humanity back to work.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Why do so many great leaders burn out? In this episode of the Linch with a Leader podcast, host Mike Linch sits down with Dr. Karyn Gordon, CEO, author of The Three Chairs, and leadership/relationship expert, to talk about the one skill every leader needs but often neglects: self-care.Whether you're leading a business, church, nonprofit, or family, this conversation will help you discover why self-care is not selfish and is the secret to great leadership, strong culture, and lasting influence.Mike's Leadership Lessons:- Leaders must balance self-care with caring for their teams.- The three chairs concept is timeless and applicable across various contexts.- Emotions in leadership are contagious and impact team culture.- Finding and maintaining purpose is crucial for effective leadership.- Professional growth should be a priority for leaders and organizations.- Play and laughter are essential for reducing stress in the workplace.- Clear goals enhance confidence and engagement among team members.- Regular check-ins and cadences help maintain focus on purpose.- Investing in employee development is key to retention and engagement.- Leaders should seek to understand their divine purpose and align their actions accordingly.Welcome to the Linch with a Leader Podcast, where you're invited to join the spiritual principles behind big success, with host Mike Linch.Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode: Watch: @linchwithaleader Prefer just listening? SUBSCRIBE to the podcast here:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dJfeLbikJlKlBqAx6mDYW?si=6ffed84956cb4848Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/linch-with-a-leader/id1279929826Find show notes and more information at: www.mikelinch.comFollow for EVERYDAY leadership content and interaction:Follow on X: https://x.com/mikelinch?s=20Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikelinch?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==https://www.instagram.com/mikelinch/?...JOIN Mike for a Sunday at NorthStar Church:www.northstarchurch.org Watch: @nsckennesaw

AI is shaping the future of work, no doubt, but are organizations truly ready to harness its full potential? Beyond the hype, leaders are grappling with challenges around AI adoption, cultural resistance, and the fear of losing human judgment in the process. What do leaders need to know about balancing AI's promise with its pitfalls? In this episode, Peter Mahoney, Chief Commercial Officer at GoTo (formerly LogMeIn), reflects on decades of technology transformation and what it reveals about today's AI moment. We explore why AI feels both overhyped and underutilized, the gap between IT leaders and employees, and how workplace culture influences adoption. Peter highlights where AI already delivers real productivity gains—from virtual assistants enhancing customer experience to tools that accelerate workflow integration and employee training. At the same time, he warns about the risks of over-reliance, AI limitations, and the need for leaders to protect critical thinking in their organizations. You'll gain a clear view of how leaders can use AI responsibly to innovate, protect culture, and guide the future of work. ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

What if your leadership skills were truly borderless? Could you step into any culture, any team, anywhere in the world—and still thrive? That's the challenge and opportunity of developing a Global Citizen mindset, one of the most crucial traits for leaders today. In today's Leadership Spark, I share why the Global Citizen mindset is a non-negotiable skill for modern leaders. I tell the story of a remarkable CEO who defied cultural limitations in Morocco, built her career across multiple countries, and earned the nickname “Water Lady” for brokering a major deal between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. We explore how leading in different cultures teaches unique lessons—like patience in Japan or entrepreneurship in the U.S.—and why cultural blind spots, such as Disney's failed “Euro Disney” launch, can sink even the strongest brands. You can't lead a world-sized organization without a world-sized mindset. Check out what it means to build this mindset in this episode.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Send us a textImagine a world where every voice is heard, where empathy leads to genuine dialogue, and where personal transformation fuels leadership growth. How can we harness the power of our voice to inspire change and empowerment in ourselves and others? Join us in this compelling episode as we sit down with Tricia Brouk, an award-winning director, producer, author, and speaker, who transitioned from a successful dance career to a powerful advocate for amplifying voices. Through her Big Talk Academy, Tricia has become a thought leader in communication, championing the importance of empathy and the courage needed for authentic conversations. Tricia's new book, Being Smart Is Stupid: Why Embracing the Wisdom of Your Buddha Nature is the Secret to Great Leadership, explores the question: What if everything you've been told about leadership is wrong?We delve into Tricia's latest entrepreneural venture, The Wise Leopard, focusing on empowering women in midlife. In our current troubled environment, we talk frankly about how choosing love over fear and speaking out can lead to transformative change. Chapters with Timestamps:00:03: The Power of Your Voice 07:43: Being Smart Is Stupid10:39: Empowering Women in Midlife25:03: Choose Love, Speak Out, Have Courage Links:Preorder Being Smart Is Stupid: Why Embracing the Wisdom of Your Buddha Nature is the Secret to Great LeadershipConnect with Tricia Brouk on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.Listen to The Big Talk With Tricia BroukLearn more about:The Big Talk AcademyThe Wise LeopardTricia Brouk's websiteDon't forget to subscribe to the Adventures in Learning podcast and leave a review! Your voice matters, and we'd love to hear from you. Thanks for celebrating three years of storytelling with us!Support the showSubscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

On today's episode, Andy answers live call-in questions on how to prioritize personal growth as a giver, the best way to upgrade your circle to find friends who push you further, and how to lead with impact when new to leadership.

In business and in life, the most dangerous risk you can take is avoiding risk altogether. Whether it's leading a team, making strategic investments, or navigating unpredictable markets, risk is always present, yet most leaders misunderstand how to harness it. In this episode, Jim McCormick, best-selling author (The First Time Manager, The Power of Risk) and founder of the Research Institute of Risk Intelligence, shares lessons from 5,590 skydives, high-stakes political decision-making, and years of advising executives on building “risk intelligent” organizations. He breaks down why people are naturally risk-averse, the two-part “Risk Equation” leaders must master, and how to balance instigators and mitigators for optimal decision-making. You'll learn how to assess opportunities using ideal, most likely, and worst-case scenarios, implement “Possibility of Success Enhancement Measures” (POSSUMS) to improve outcomes, and set guardrails that encourage innovation without micromanagement. Jim also explores how to measure personal and team Risk Quotients, create cultures that reward constructive risk-taking—even when initiatives fail—and avoid the trap of over-relying on AI for critical decisions.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/  

The way we manage people today is built on ideas from over 100 years ago—ideas designed for factory floors, not modern workplaces. Management was originally created to enforce control, standardize behavior, and ensure compliance. Engagement, empowerment, and innovation? None of those were part of the equation. And yet, many organizations still operate with that outdated playbook, whether they admit it or not. In today's Leadership Spark, I break down how the roots of management are still shaping the way we lead today, and why that must change. From the rigid philosophies of Frederick Taylor and Henry Fayol to the mindless “yes sir” culture revealed in David Marquet's story as a submarine captain, we explore the dangers of blind obedience, outdated control models, and transactional leadership. You'll also hear how even the words we use, such as manager, employee, and work still reflect an antiquated, dehumanizing view of the workplace. Things are changing, and if you want to lead the future, better start rejecting the “slave driver and cog” model now and build cultures based on trust, empowerment, and shared responsibility. ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Why do we struggle with conflict even when we know it's important? In today's polarized and high-stakes workplace, leaders are more afraid than ever to say the wrong thing or engage in tough conversations. But avoiding conflict doesn't protect relationships, it slowly breaks them. In this episode, Bob Bordone, Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School, shares why conflict isn't something to fear, but something to practice and turn into a tool for connection. You'll learn how to build conflict resilience by recognizing your default conflict style (fight, flight, freeze, fawn, or fester), why avoidance is the “slow kill” of meaningful relationships, and how to approach disagreement with assertiveness and empathy. We also tackle how to know when to engage in conflict and when to let it go, handling workplace tension and generational differences, why most workplaces misunderstand psychological safety, and why grace—not censorship—is the antidote to cancel culture. This episode will show you why discomfort isn't something to run from and give you the mindset and tools to handle conflict with more clarity, confidence, and care.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

If aliens landed on Earth and observed how we work, they'd probably be baffled. We spend most of our lives doing this thing called “work,” yet so many people feel unfulfilled, undervalued, and stuck in roles that don't inspire them. It's even baked into our language. Look up synonyms for “employee,” “manager,” or “work” and you'll find words like cog, zookeeper, and drudgery. Something's clearly broken. But the good news? It's starting to change. In today's Leadership Spark, I break down the five major trends reshaping how we define work: the rise of new behaviors driven by tech, generational shifts in values, globalization, increased mobility, and disruptive technologies like AI and automation. We also explore why traditional employee engagement just isn't cutting it anymore, despite massive investment, engagement scores remain low. You'll learn why employee experience is the real path forward. If you want to understand where the future of work is headed and what it takes to lead in it, this one's for you.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Why are so many employees entering the workforce unsure of themselves, lacking confidence, and not quite ready to thrive? And with AI automating more tasks by the day, what should leaders actually be focusing on to future-proof their people? The world is flooded with information at the speed of light, yet starved of real connection and human skills. So how do we bridge the growing gap between soft skills and hard results? In this episode, Joe Hart, President and CEO of Dale Carnegie, joins us to unpack how to future-proof your workforce by re-centering on timeless human principles like empathy, trust, and communication. We explore why emotional and social intelligence, not technical expertise, will define leadership success in an AI-powered world. You'll learn how to better understand and lead across generations by shifting from judgment to curiosity, why building confidence and connection should be at the heart of your talent strategy, and why real growth starts with personal responsibility. Plus, we dive into how leaders can prepare Gen Z to be job-ready through more confidence-building and less criticism, and how to balance high-tech tools with high-touch leadership.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

What if your employee perks are actually backfiring… making people disengage faster, not stay longer? The way we attract and retain talent is overdue for a serious reset. In today's Leadership Spark, we dive into why the traditional employer-employee relationship is broken and what leaders must change to stay relevant. You'll learn how outdated recruitment practices no longer work in a world where candidates interview you just as much as you interview them. We also unpack why engagement initiatives like free lunches or yoga classes, aren't fixing anything long-term, and how companies end up trapped in a cycle of quick-fix perks that fail to build a lasting connection. You'll discover the real reason behind declining engagement scores, the hidden trap of the “hedonic treadmill,” and why the next evolution of leadership is about building genuine experiences, not selling false promises.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

So much of what holds leaders back isn't strategy or skill. It's the invisible mindset traps we don't even realize we're stuck in. Most leadership challenges are created by unconscious patterns running the show beneath the surface. In this episode, we dig into what it really takes to break those patterns with Diana Chapman, executive coach and co-author of The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership. We explore how leaders unknowingly operate from fear instead of trust, how ego-driven patterns around control, approval, and security quietly sabotage progress, and why taking radical responsibility is a game-changer. Diana also breaks down the Drama Triangle—the victim, villain, and hero roles we slip into—and reveals how to break free from reactivity and drama to lead with more clarity and presence. We unpack why addiction to comfort and being right can quietly derail your leadership impact, and explore the dangers of greed in leadership, and what it really means to show up in a state of trust and curiosity.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

What if your office is making people miserable… and you don't even see it? We now live in a world of hybrid work. The spaces we work in, the technology we use, and the culture we experience shape us more than we realize. If you're still only focusing on tasks and performance while ignoring the environments that make or break engagement, you're already falling behind. In today's Leadership Spark, we uncover the three hidden forces driving employee experience: physical space, technology, and corporate culture. You'll hear how these environments impact mental health, motivation, and performance, and what you can do to fix the silent culture killers draining your people. This episode will also show you why corporate culture is really the side effects of working at your company, and why modern leaders must see themselves as the front line of human connection, not just task management.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Having a boss who causes harm or holds leadership values that clash with yours is rarely a positive experience. But time and again, I've seen how negative role models can motivate people to lead better and do better. Poor leadership often sparks a commitment to do things differently and more effectively as we grow. So maybe, in the long run, even bad leaders leave us with something valuable? When I learned of Dr. Karen Hills Pruden's work in leadership, partly inspired by her experience of having endured two incompetent leaders in close succession, I was eager to hear her story and learn from her.  In this episode, she shares her incredibly valuable lessons learned. Dr. Pruden is the CEO of Pruden Global Business Solutions Consulting (PGBSC), a premier professional development and leadership training company. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Pruden has created trademarked frameworks that drive transformational change for leaders and organizations worldwide.  PGBSC programs are built on powerful, proven methodologies, including the Amplify Your Value framework, which helps leaders leverage their expertise to advance; the LPT (Learn, Practice, Teach) framework, designed to create a continuous cycle of learning and growth; and the PE (Professional Equity) framework, which empowers professionals to convert their experience into measurable business success.  Pruden Global specializes in cultivating leadership excellence, ensuring that our clients are not only seen and heard but also positioned to make a lasting impact.  Dr. Pruden is a Bestselling Author, published over 30 times, a sought-after Global Leadership Speaker, and a guest on radio, podcasts, and television. Listen in to hear Karen share: What women really need to make the leap into the C-suite, and how women sell themselves short when reaching for C-suite roles  What she learned about the “Dos and Don'ts of Leadership” after having two incompetent leaders in two years Her philosophy that “silence is not a superpower” and how to use your voice in strategic ways when you're working under an ineffective or incompetent leader How to maintain your professional integrity and motivation when faced with leadership that doesn't align with your organization's values or your own leadership standards  How her experiences with poor leaders allowed her to create her own leadership methodologies and frameworks Links Mentioned: Register for Sara's October Influence & Ignite Retreat for Women Business Owners: saradean.com/retreat Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Dr. Pruden: drkarenhillpruden.com Get Dr. Pruden's Free Download: 20 Things to Ask for to Raise Your Total Compensation Package: https://pro.speakerhub.com/speaker-feedback/?qr=d2fcc364-e93d-46fc-9eb3-2d7145a99535 Connect with Dr. Pruden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkarenhillspruden/ Sister Leaders Community: sistersleadersconference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AI is moving faster than any of us can keep up. Every week brings a new tool, every month a new disruption, and leaders everywhere are left scrambling to understand what this means for their people, their culture, and their future. In this episode, I sit down with Charlotte Eaton, Chief People Officer at Arm—the company powering almost every smartphone on the planet—to explore how AI is fundamentally transforming the workplace. We discuss the skyrocketing demand for AI talent, how companies like Arm are rolling out AI tools across their workforce, and the growing pressure on leaders to stay ahead of rapid technological shifts. Charlotte shares insights on building an AI-ready culture, the risks of outsourcing human thinking to machines, and how leadership mindsets must evolve to thrive in this new era. We also explore the future of work, from the rise of AI co-pilots and system-based thinking to changing views on education, hiring, and organizational design. If you're struggling to make sense of AI's rapid takeover, this episode is for you.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

The world of work is changing faster than ever! Globalization, mobility, millennials, technology, and new behaviors are transforming how we lead. In today's Leadership Spark episode, I break down these five trends reshaping work and reveal why they're forcing every manager to become a better leader. I explore how these shifts are making traditional management obsolete, why people no longer need to work for your company, and what it takes to create an environment where they want to. Get ready to rethink your leadership approach to attract and inspire top talent in today's competitive job market. This is an episode you can't miss.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Most leaders avoid tough conversations out of fear—of seeming harsh, being misunderstood, or facing backlash. But the conversations we dodge are often the key to growth, accountability, and psychological safety. In this episode, Paul Falcone, bestselling author & former CHRO of Nickelodeon Animation, breaks down how leaders can approach tough conversations with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Paul introduces powerful frameworks like the “Performance vs. Conduct” model and the “iron hand with a velvet glove” approach to help leaders hold people accountable without alienating them. He explains why career development and respect in the workplace go hand in hand—and how to deliver feedback that actually builds trust instead of breaking it. We also discuss the delicate balance between psychological safety and high standards, the risks of having too much sensitivity in today's workplace, and how values-based leadership is quickly becoming a CEO-level priority. Paul shares real-world strategies like quarterly development check-ins, “safe word” communication systems, and team-led accountability sessions to help leaders build stronger relationships while reinforcing high performance and conduct.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

What can a world chess champion teach us about the future of work? More than you think. Just like Magnus Carlsen challenged convention to become the greatest player in history, leaders today need to rethink everything about how we work, lead, and build organizations. This episode explores why challenging convention is no longer optional. We unpack the five trends reshaping work—new employee behaviors, exponential technology growth, a millennial-majority workforce, mobility, and globalization—and why clinging to outdated assumptions is a losing strategy. From redefining what it means to be a manager or employee to understanding the Josh's of the world who thrive without traditional paths, we learn that the future belongs to leaders who aren't afraid to question norms, rethink structure, and design organizations people actually want to be part of.   ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

In this episode of The Big Talk Podcast, I'm examining the concept of Buddha Nature as a key to effective leadership and impactful speaking.    As I share insights from my upcoming book, Being Smart is Stupid: Why Embracing the Wisdom of Your Buddha Nature is the Secret to Great Leadership, I reveal the importance of accessing your inner wisdom, compassion, and clarity. I also share real-life examples and practical steps to cultivate these qualities.   In this episode, we'll explore: The four summer practices to access your Buddha nature: curious presence, embodying gratitude, letting go of control, and serving with joy Why summer is the perfect training ground for wise leadership practices How to transform from "smart" leadership to wise leadership that heals and inspires The difference between speaking from ego versus speaking from authentic wisdom   More from Tricia  Join my signature speaker certification program, The Big Talk Academy Join me LIVE for my Free Monthly Workshop Explore my content and follow me on YouTube Follow me on Instagram  Connect with me on Facebook  Connect with me on LinkedIn  Visit my website at TriciaBrouk.com

Great ideas often die, not because they're wrong, but because no one knows how to influence others to act on them. In leading today's complex organizations, it's not enough to be right. The real challenge for leaders is getting people to change behavior, and stay changed. In this episode, we sit down with Joseph Grenny, co-author of Crucial Conversations and one of the world's leading experts on influence and behavior change, to unpack the science and strategy behind lasting behavior change using his powerful Six Sources of Influence framework. We explore the difference between persuasion and true influence, why most change efforts fail, and how even well-intentioned leaders often rely on the wrong tools—like incentives or policies—when they should be focusing on motivation, social systems, and structural design. Joseph shares real-world stories, including how The Other Side Academy transformed the lives of former felons without a single failed drug test in over a decade. We also look at corporate examples, such as how to pitch ideas internally, how to harness peer pressure the right way, diagnose resistance to change, and why influence always begins with empathy, not authority. ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Leadership is a word that has become completely bastardized in modern culture. Everywhere you turn, someone is hyping you up on why you need to become a better leader, the benefits of leading versus following, and how exactly you should do it. But what if I told you, it's not the tactics that make you a leader but the mindsets that spell the difference. My good friend, brother, and leadership coach, Kipp Sorensen, joins me today to talk about what it really means to lead in a world where every man thinks they're leading well. We address the two types of destructive leaders, the “BAR” acronym (behavior, actions, results) and which to focus on, how 83% of people in the workforce view their position in the company (and what you can do about it), why a “compensation” package is about more than just money, and the do's and don't's of effective leadership. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and Business Talk   01:48 - Exploring Leadership Challenges   04:30 - How Authority Changes People   06:18 - Persecutors vs. Rescuers in Leadership   10:26 - Stanford Prison Experiment Insights   13:07 - Balancing Motivation and Honesty   17:19 - Becoming a Leader-Coach   21:41 - The Mindset of Great Leadership   23:21 - Applying Leadership at Home   29:49 - Defining the Leader-Coach Role   36:31 - Balancing Accountability and Empathy   41:29 - Focusing on Results, Not Behaviors   49:54 - Ownership and Choice in Leadership   56:00 - Handling Limited Resources   01:02:09 - Leading Family vs. Employees   01:09:20 - Closing and Kipp's Contact Info Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready