Podcasts about great leadership

We have all worked at a place where we felt like just another number in a spreadsheet. It is incredibly frustrating when you offer feedback that seems to vanish into a black hole of corporate bureaucracy. But what if your company actually treated your voice like a strategic roadmap for the future? In this episode, DJ Casto, the EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Synchrony, joins us to explore how his team transformed their culture to become the number one best place to work in 2026. DJ shares the secrets behind their decade-long journey of separation from GE Capital and how they climbed the rankings by anchoring their identity in the concept of trust. We dive deep into their philosophy of co-creation, where active listening through quarterly pulse surveys and roundtables allows employees to directly design the culture they want to inhabit. Discover how Synchrony applies agile software principles to HR by launching minimal viable products for benefits like personalized wellness coaches and on-site therapists to see what truly resonates with the workforce. We also tackle the modern challenge of AI, moving past the doom and gloom to discuss how technology can actually unlock human creativity and fulfill more enriched roles. You'll learn how to foster employee accountability through a focus on critical experiences rather than rigid job paths. This episode unpacks how you can build a high-trust organization where continuous improvement is a lifestyle rather than a one-time goal. Watch the full video on YouTube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: https://bit.ly/8exlaws

In this episode of Beyond Potential, Tom Emery and Tom Mason are joined by Max Klau, founder of the Centre for Courageous Wholeness, for a powerful conversation on servant leadership, shadow work, self-awareness, and the future of leadership development. Together, they explore why every leader has both “light” and “shadow”, how unconscious behaviours shape teams and organisations, and why leadership growth starts with inner development, not just external performance. Max shares insights from his work developing servant leaders across education, politics, and coaching, including the impact of helping leaders confront the gap between who they aspire to be and how they actually show up under pressure. The conversation also explores: Why self-awareness alone isn't enough How shadow shows up in leadership and organisational culture The relationship between coaching, integrity, and emotional responsibility Why AI is making inner development more important than ever How leaders can build habits of reflection without overcomplicating the process A thought-provoking episode for leaders, coaches, and anyone interested in conscious leadership and personal growth.   Connect with Max on LinkedIn Find out more about the Centre for Courageous Wholeness Max's book: Developing Servant Leaders at Scale Find out more about Max

What if one of the most powerful drivers of performance, engagement, and loyalty at work isn't strategy, technology, or mindset—but love? In this episode of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer sits down with Marcus Buckingham, one of the world's leading researchers on strengths, engagement, and human performance, to discuss insights from his latest book, Design Love In: How to Unleash the Most Powerful Force in Business. Marcus shares why organizations are facing a growing trust and engagement crisis, what leaders often get wrong when trying to motivate employees, and why creating positive experiences may be one of the most overlooked leadership responsibilities today. Tune in to learn: • Why love belongs in the leadership conversation • How positive experiences impact engagement, performance, and retention • The difference between managing people and helping them flourish • How organizations can create workplaces people genuinely love Whether you're leading a team, building a culture, or looking to elevate your impact as a leader, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what drives sustainable success. ABOUT MARCUS BUCKINGHAM: For over twenty-five years, Marcus Buckingham has been the world's leading researcher on strengths, engagement, and human performance. He began his career at Gallup and was the cocreator, with Donald O. Clifton, of StrengthsFinder. He is the New York Times–bestselling author or coauthor of many books, including First, Break All the Rules; Now, Discover Your Strengths; StandOut 2.0; Nine Lies about Work; and Love + Work. He has two of Harvard Business Review's most circulated, industry-changing cover articles and has been the subject of in-depth profiles in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Forbes, Fortune, Fast Company, TODAY, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Connect with Marcus:   Order his book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1647829917?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TF6RMHSXMAGSAXKZ6EF3&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TF6RMHSXMAGSAXKZ6EF3&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TF6RMHSXMAGSAXKZ6EF3&bestFormat=true    Website: https://www.buckinghaminstitute.com/    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-buckingham/  About the Host of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer: Kristel Bauer is a corporate wellness and performance expert, keynote speaker and TEDx speaker supporting organizations and individuals on their journeys for more happiness and success. She is the award-winning author of Work-Life Tango: Finding Happiness, Harmony, and Peak Performance Wherever You Work (John Murray Business November 19, 2024). With Kristel's healthcare background, she provides data driven actionable strategies to leverage happiness and high-power habits to drive growth mindsets, peak performance, profitability, well-being and a culture of excellence. Kristel's keynotes provide insights to "Live Greatly" while promoting leadership development and team building. Kristel is the creator and host of her global top self-improvement podcast, Live Greatly. She is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur, and she is an influencer in the business and wellness space having been recognized as a Top 10 Social Media Influencer of 2021 in Forbes. As an Integrative Medicine Fellow & Physician Assistant having practiced clinically in Integrative Psychiatry, Kristel has a unique perspective into attaining a mindset for more happiness and success. Kristel has presented to groups from the American Gas Association, Bank of America, bp, Commercial Metals Company, General Mills, Northwestern University, Santander Bank and many more. Kristel's work has been featured in Forbes and she has had multiple TV appearances including NBC News Daily, ABC News Live, FOX Weather, ABC 7 Chicago, WGN Daytime Chicago and more. Kristel lives in the Chicago, IL area and she can be booked for speaking engagements worldwide. To Book Kristel as a speaker for your next event, click here. Website: www.livegreatly.co  Follow Kristel Bauer on: Instagram: @livegreatly_co  LinkedIn: Kristel Bauer Twitter: @livegreatly_co Facebook: @livegreatly.co Youtube: Live Greatly, Kristel Bauer To Watch Kristel Bauer's TEDx talk of Redefining Work/Life Balance in a COVID-19 World click here. Click HERE to check out Kristel's corporate wellness and leadership blog Click HERE to check out Kristel's Travel and Wellness Blog Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Always seek the guidance of your physician for any recommendations specific to you or for any questions regarding your specific health, your sleep patterns changes to diet and exercise, or any medical conditions.  Always consult your physician before starting any supplements or new lifestyle programs. All information, views and statements shared on the Live Greatly podcast are purely the opinions of the authors, and are not medical advice or treatment recommendations.  They have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration.  Opinions of guests are their own and Kristel Bauer & this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests.  Neither Kristel Bauer nor this podcast takes responsibility for possible health consequences of a person or persons following the information in this educational content.  Always consult your physician for recommendations specific to you.  

Have you ever walked into a meeting and felt like everyone was just wearing a mask of professional perfection while their true selves stayed hidden in the parking lot? It is easy to get lost in the data and the dashboards of modern work, but we often forget that the people behind those numbers are what actually drive the results. We all want to be part of a team where we are seen for who we really are rather than just what we can produce. In this episode, I sit down with Veronique Subileau, the Senior Vice President of HR at UGI Corporation, to explore the invisible roots of corporate culture that turn a 140-year-old energy company into a breakthrough environment. Veronique shares her unique philosophy on why leaders must touch the heart before speaking about results, offering practical tools like her four core questions regarding fun and purpose to foster deep human connection. You'll learn how to navigate the tension between high-performance standards and radical authenticity through the company's poetic values framework while discovering why the shadow you cast as a leader determines the energy of your entire team. We also dive into the future of work as Veronique explains how to invest in humans as much as technology by using AI to unleash time so employees can shift from being human doings to true human beings. This episode redefines the role of the leader as a human prompt engineer who knows how to pull unique creativity and heart out of a workforce in an increasingly automated world. Watch the full video on YouTube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: https://bit.ly/8exlaws

Send us Fan MailMost leadership advice sounds inspiring until you have to practice it with real pressure, real people, and real consequences. Our host, Chris Comeaux sits down with Mark Miller,  former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A and bestselling co-author of The Secret and Lead Every Day, to get brutally practical about servant leadership, ego, and why the best leaders stop asking “How do I get more from my team?” and start asking “How do I help my team win?”They talk about why the servant-leader mindset is hard to adopt in the first place: it often isn't modeled, it isn't taught, and our default human setting leans toward “me and mine.” Mark shares research that puts a spotlight on the real obstacle many leaders face, ego, and we explore how it shows up in everyday decisions, team dynamics, and organizational culture.Mark addresses the tension that trips up even well-meaning managers: how do you serve people while still holding them accountable? Mark makes the case that accountability is not a harsh tool, it's a gift that helps people reach their potential, and he explains why great leaders keep results and relationships high at the same time. Mark also dig into Lead Every Day, a leadership operating system built around three disciplines: becoming a better leader, improving team performance, and strengthening the organization, plus the simplest daily push that changes everything: start where you are, use what you've got, and do what you can.If you care about leadership development, team performance, and building a healthy culture that still delivers results, this conversation will give you language, stories, and next steps you can use immediately. Subscribe, share this with a leader who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Guest:Mark Miller, Business Leader, Wall Street Journal and International Best-Selling Author, Communicator, and Co-Founder of Lead Every DayHost:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of LeadershipThe Anatomy of Leadership podcast explores the art and science of leadership through candid, insightful conversations with thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers from a variety of industries. Hosted by Chris Comeaux, each episode dives into the mindsets, habits, and strategies that empower leaders to thrive in complex, fast-changing environments. With topics ranging from organizational culture and emotional intelligence to navigating disruption and inspiring teams, the show blends real-world stories with practical takeaways. The goal is simple yet ambitious: to equip leaders at every level with the tools, perspectives, and inspiration they need to lead with vision, empathy, and impact.https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership

Most leadership advice sounds inspiring until you have to practice it with real pressure, real people, and real consequences. Our host, Chris Comeaux sits down with Mark Miller,  former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A and bestselling co-author of The Secret and Lead Every Day, to get brutally practical about servant leadership, ego, and why the best leaders stop asking “How do I get more from my team?” and start asking “How do I help my team win?”They talk about why the servant-leader mindset is hard to adopt in the first place: it often isn't modeled, it isn't taught, and our default human setting leans toward “me and mine.” Mark shares research that puts a spotlight on the real obstacle many leaders face, ego, and we explore how it shows up in everyday decisions, team dynamics, and organizational culture.Mark addresses the tension that trips up even well-meaning managers: how do you serve people while still holding them accountable? Mark makes the case that accountability is not a harsh tool, it's a gift that helps people reach their potential, and he explains why great leaders keep results and relationships high at the same time. Mark also dig into Lead Every Day, a leadership operating system built around three disciplines: becoming a better leader, improving team performance, and strengthening the organization, plus the simplest daily push that changes everything: start where you are, use what you've got, and do what you can.If you care about leadership development, team performance, and building a healthy culture that still delivers results, this conversation will give you language, stories, and next steps you can use immediately. Subscribe, share this with a leader who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Guest:Mark Miller, Business Leader, Wall Street Journal and International Best-Selling Author, Communicator, and Co-Founder of Lead Every DayHost:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of LeadershipTeleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to build a leadership culture that scales across generations, industries, and millions of customer interactions? In this powerful conversation, Chris Comeaux sits down with Mark Miller — former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A and bestselling author of The Secret — to explore the principles behind extraordinary leadership. From his humble beginnings as an hourly team member to helping shape Chick-fil-A's leadership development strategy, Mark shares hard-earned wisdom about influence, intentionality, and what truly drives organizational growth.  Throughout the episode, Mark unpacks the foundational leadership framework behind the acronym SERVE: See the Future, Engage and Develop Others, Reinvent Continuously, Value Results and Relationships, and Embody the Values.  He explains why leadership is ultimately about service — not position — and why organizations that fail to intentionally develop leaders will eventually plateau.  Chris and Mark also discuss the tension between results and relationships, the importance of creating a common definition of leadership, and how healthcare, hospice, and nonprofit leaders can prepare for the future by multiplying leadership capacity throughout their organizations.  For leaders navigating complexity, growth, or organizational transformation, this episode offers practical insight and timeless leadership principles from one of the most respected leadership voices connected to the Chick-fil-A legacy. Key TakeawaysGreat leadership requires balancing both results and relationships— not choosing one over the other.Organizations plateau when leadership development does not scale with growth.Leadership is fundamentally about serving strategically, not simply being helpful or nice.Strong cultures are built when organizations create a shared definition of leadership.Continuous learning and reinvention are essential for long-term leadership effectiveness.If this conversation challenged and encouraged you, share this episode with another leader in your organization.  Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations designed to help healthcare leaders, nonprofit executives, hospice professionals, and business leaders live and lead with greater purpose, clarity, and impact.  And don't miss Part Two of this powerful discussion with Mark Miller.Guest:Mark Miller, Business Leader, Wall Street Journal and International Best-Selling Author, Communicator, and Co-Founder of Lead Every DayHost:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS | Author of The Anatomy of LeadershipTeleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcastThe Anatomy of Leadership podcast explores the art and science of leadership through candid, insightful conversations with thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers from a variety of industries. Hosted by Chris Comeaux, each episode dives into the mindsets, habits, and strategies that empower leaders to thrive in complex, fast-changing environments. With topics ranging from organizational culture and emotional intelligence to navigating disruption and inspiring teams, the show blends real-world stories with practical takeaways. The goal is simple yet ambitious: to equip leaders at every level with the tools, perspectives, and inspiration they need to lead with vision, empathy, and impact.https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership

What does it take to build a leadership culture that scales across generations, industries, and millions of customer interactions? In this powerful conversation, Chris Comeaux sits down with Mark Miller — former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A and bestselling author of The Secret — to explore the principles behind extraordinary leadership. From his humble beginnings as an hourly team member to helping shape Chick-fil-A's leadership development strategy, Mark shares hard-earned wisdom about influence, intentionality, and what truly drives organizational growth.  Throughout the episode, Mark unpacks the foundational leadership framework behind the acronym SERVE: See the Future, Engage and Develop Others, Reinvent Continuously, Value Results and Relationships, and Embody the Values.  He explains why leadership is ultimately about service — not position — and why organizations that fail to intentionally develop leaders will eventually plateau.  Chris and Mark also discuss the tension between results and relationships, the importance of creating a common definition of leadership, and how healthcare, hospice, and nonprofit leaders can prepare for the future by multiplying leadership capacity throughout their organizations.  For leaders navigating complexity, growth, or organizational transformation, this episode offers practical insight and timeless leadership principles from one of the most respected leadership voices connected to the Chick-fil-A legacy. Key TakeawaysGreat leadership requires balancing both results and relationships— not choosing one over the other.Organizations plateau when leadership development does not scale with growth.Leadership is fundamentally about serving strategically, not simply being helpful or nice.Strong cultures are built when organizations create a shared definition of leadership.Continuous learning and reinvention are essential for long-term leadership effectiveness.If this conversation challenged and encouraged you, share this episode with another leader in your organization.  Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations designed to help healthcare leaders, nonprofit executives, hospice professionals, and business leaders live and lead with greater purpose, clarity, and impact.  And don't miss Part Two of this powerful discussion with Mark Miller.Guest:Mark Miller, Business Leader, Wall Street Journal and International Best-Selling Author, Communicator, and Co-Founder of Lead Every DayHost:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS | Author of The Anatomy of LeadershipTeleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

This week on The Hamilton Review Podcast, we're pleased to welcome best selling author and international speaker, Tim Elmore. In this two part conversation, Tim discusses his book, 12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid: Leading Your Kids to Succeed in Life. You're deeply committed to helping your kids succeed. But you're concerned―why are so many graduates unprepared to enter the workforce and face life on their own? You're doing your best to raise healthy children, but sometimes you wonder, am I really helping them? Tim Elmore shares with our audience how to avoid twelve critical mistakes parents unintentionally make.  Parents will learn a lot from this thought provoking conversation.  Tim is Founder of Growing Leaders, 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 been featured on CNN's Headline News, Fox Business, Newsmax TV and Fox & Friends to talk about leading multiple generations in the marketplace. He has written 40 books, including Habitudes: Images That Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes, and Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership. His latest book, The Future Begins with Z: Nine Strategies to Lead Generation Z As They Disrupt the Workplace, releases fall of 2025.  You can find his work at: TimElmore.com. How to contact Tim Elmore:   Tim Elmore official website   12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid: Leading Your Kids To Succeed in Life - by Tim Elmore   Tim Elmore - Instagram   How to contact Dr. Bob: Dr. Bob on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChztMVtPCLJkiXvv7H5tpDQ Dr. Bob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drroberthamilton/ Dr. Bob on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bob.hamilton.1656 Dr. Bob's Seven Secrets Of The Newborn website: https://7secretsofthenewborn.com/ Dr. Bob's website: https://roberthamiltonmd.com/ Pacific Ocean Pediatrics: http://www.pacificoceanpediatrics.com/

What happens when you stop focusing on human resources and start focusing on the human experience? Technology is advancing faster than human nature can keep up. If you want to stay relevant, you need a fundamental cultural reset, not just new software.  In this interview, Laura Cushing, the Chief People Experience Officer at Pacific Life, discusses the evolving intersection of organizational culture, employee engagement, and artificial intelligence. She emphasizes a strategic shift toward accountability and transparency as the balance of power moves back toward employers in a post-pandemic landscape. To prepare for an AI-driven future, Pacific Life has implemented a Gen AI Academy and Innovation Labs to demystify technology and help staff reimagine their workflows. Cushing highlights the rising importance of "power skills"—human-centric abilities like coaching and visionary leadership—which remain essential as technical tasks become automated. Ultimately, she argues that HR leaders must cultivate deep business acumen and proactive trust-building to successfully guide their workforces through digital transformation. Watch the full video on YouTube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: https://bit.ly/8exlaws

If your organization isn't obsessed with how fast your people can learn, you're already falling behind in the race to "out-learn" the competition. In this episode, I'm joined by Susan LaMonica, the Chief Human Resource Officer at Citizens Financial Group—a super-regional bank with $226 billion in assets and 18,000 employees.  We explore how they are driving a massive workforce transformation to build a team that is ready for the future of work. We dive deep into their journey of becoming a skills-based organization and how they use a "skills taxonomy" and an internal talent marketplace to support mobility and career development. Susan also explains their "measured approach" to AI governance within a heavily regulated industry, including the role of their Generative AI Council. We unpack their "Reimagine the Bank" initiative, where they are rethinking 47 different business processes to drive value and effectiveness. From launching internal "gigs" to tracking productivity metrics like customer NPS and employee sentiment, this conversation is a strategic guide for any leader looking to blend high-tech tools with a human-centered culture. Watch the full video on YouTube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: https://bit.ly/8exlaws

Why do teams matter in our organizations? Being a member of a team is about more than just showing up for work. A team gives you a sense of belonging, purpose, and pride in what you do. With the rise of "quiet quitting," true teamwork is becoming harder and harder to find in the workforce, so how can you continue to lead your team to thrive and succeed? In this fan favorite replay episode, Julie Campbell talks about the value of teams within our businesses (and beyond) and to teach you the five simple and powerful virtues of a great leader.  Julie is the president and CEO of the Severn Leadership Group, making the world a better place through virtuous leadership. She spent 20 years serving in the US Navy in various leadership positions in space systems, electronic warfare, and communications, followed by 10 years leading teams in the defense and information technology industries.    Topics covered in this episode include: How to build a cohesive team  Ways a team can drive your business forward  What makes a great team leader    As a Leading Lady, I know you care about the success and well-being of every one of your team members. Tune in to find out what you can do to make sure you are showing up for them as the best leader you can be.  Show notes available at www.leadinglady-coaching.com/podcast   Resources Mentioned:  Check Out Severn Leadership: www.severnleadership.org  Have you joined the Leading Ladies Facebook Group yet?! I would love to see you in there! Head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadingLadiesAAL to join! Let's connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aalcoaching Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leading.lady.coach/

The traditional corporate ladder is a relic of the past. While we once viewed career growth as a predictable, linear climb, today's AI-driven landscape has replaced that fixed path with a much more fluid reality. In this episode, Denise Kulikowsky, CPO of Tapestry, joins me to explore the rise of the non-linear career path and how forward-thinking companies are formalizing professional fluidity to drive innovation. Tapestry, the parent company of Coach and Kate Spade, utilizes a "walk, run, fly" AI strategy where tools are treated as enablers for employees to proactively direct their own development. Denise reframes the concern that using AI is "cheating" by emphasizing that it is an efficiency tool, provided employees remain accountable for the final output. Denise highlights key strategies like the Talent Communities program, which facilitates six-month global job swaps for senior managers and directors to drive cultural immersion. The company also uses a "magic and logic" approach to build success profiles that define future-ready behaviors like leading with courage and activating the vision. Additionally, she shares insights on bridging the gap between frontline and corporate roles through rotational programs that bring store leaders into the home office. Get the strategic blueprint you need for building a resilient workforce that is adaptable to technological advancement. Watch the full video on YouTube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com

On this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I break down 10 questions great leadership teams should never stop asking. In a world where answers get stale fast, strong leadership teams stay sharp by asking better questions that improve focus, talent decisions, execution, accountability, and culture.I walk through the questions that matter most, why they matter, and where they belong in your leadership meeting rhythm, from weekly check-ins to annual planning retreats. If you want a stronger leadership team and a better company, this episode will help you rethink the way your team leads, decides, and grows.Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

A massive wave of retirements known as "Peak 65" is creating a serious crisis for organizations as decades of institutional knowledge begin to walk out the door. This shift in workforce demographics means we must act now to secure our talent pipeline before these experts leave for good. In this episode, CHRO Robin Benoit shares how she and her team at FM are tackling this challenge at its core. We explore their unique mentorship program called AKA (Accelerating Knowledge Advancement), which pulls experts away from their day jobs to help newer employees reach senior-level career growth years ahead of schedule. Robin explains the balance between AI optimization and human interaction, highlighting the danger of using technology to automate entry-level work in a way that "kills off" the learning process for future leaders. We discuss building a "career lattice" for internal mobility and why we need transparent retirement conversations to ensure experienced workers don't block promotion paths while we still benefit from their wisdom through reverse mentorship. This episode is essential for CHROs who want to use succession planning and employee engagement to thrive in the future of work. Watch the full video on YouTube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com

What does values-based leadership really look like in practice, and why does it matter for high performance?In this episode, we explore how the best leaders go beyond results and focus on the behaviours and values that drive sustainable success. Because high performance isn't just about hitting targets, it's about how those results are achieved and the impact leaders have on their teams.We break down how values shape culture, influence decision-making, and set the standard for performance across an organisation. Plus, we discuss the risks of prioritising outcomes over behaviour, and why that approach can quietly damage teams over time.-----Follow The People Performance Podcast for leadership, culture, and high-performance insights:Instagram: @peopleperformancepodcastTikTok: @peopleperformancepod

It feels like we are on a fast treadmill because technology and AI are changing work so quickly. It is hard to stay ahead when old ways of doing things no longer work in this new, advanced digital world. In this episode, Sue Davies, EVP & CHRO of Markel, discusses navigating organizational transformation and how to build resilience in an AI-driven world. We uncover the "ABCS" (Awareness, Buy-in, Competence, and Sustainability) framework for organizational change to guide employees through the anxieties of technological change. We explore the shift from the traditional career ladder to internal talent mobility and why individual accountability is the key to upskilling for the future of work. Sue also shares how AI tools, like Co-pilot can speed up employee training while keeping human interaction and trust at the center of the business. From reflections on a 40-year career to modern AI pilots, Sue shares a clear focus on building workforce adaptability without losing the human touch. This episode provides a strategic roadmap for CHROs looking to lead their people through AI transformation with confidence and empathy. Watch the full video on YouTube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com

In this episode, I share how competing against a two-time world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shaped my understanding of leadership and personal growth. I highlight the significance of hard work and preparation, drawing parallels between competition and leadership challenges in business. I discuss overcoming fears, resilience, and the continuous journey of growth, likening the path to success to the pursuit of a black belt. I outline three key lessons: growth knows no limits, preparation is vital, and the most significant battles occur within our minds. I hope to inspire listeners to embrace their leadership journeys with courage and resilience. Episode Highlights & Time Stamps 3:26 Lessons from Competing 6:32 Facing Fear and Doubt 8:14 Key Takeaways for Leaders 9:41 Creating Better Leadership Teams

Ben Braxley, PT, DPT is a Board Certified Neurologic Physical Therapist and Senior Program Coordinator at Emory University's Center for Physical Therapy and Movement Science. With nearly two decades of clinical experience since earning his doctorate from Emory University in 2006, Dr. Braxley has emerged as a dynamic leader who bridges clinical excellence with strategic advocacy and professional governance.Currently serving as President of APTA Georgia, Dr. Braxley has been an active member of the Georgia Physical Therapy Association since 2003, holding multiple leadership positions including Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates. His extensive involvement in professional governance includes chairing APTA's Nominating Committee and serving on various committees at the chapter level for both Georgia and California and within the Academy of Leadership and Innovation and Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy.What distinguishes Dr. Braxley's leadership approach is his commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing healthcare advocacy. He recently participated in the AMPAC Campaign School in Washington, DC—a rigorous political education program designed by the American Medical Association—where he trained alongside physicians as one of only two non-physician health professionals in attendance. This experience has informed his work in developing political education pathways specifically tailored for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, including his efforts to establish campaign training programs within Georgia's RM Barney Poole Leadership Academy.Dr. Braxley's diverse clinical background spans neurologic rehabilitation, outpatient orthopedics, and specialized populations across Georgia, California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as Rwanda. He has translated this clinical expertise into thoughtful leadership through numerous speaking engagements at national conferences and podcasts, addressing topics ranging from professional ethics and member engagement strategies to advocacy and political participation. As a recognized expert in both clinical practice and professional affairs, Dr. Braxley brings valuable insights into the intersection of healthcare, regulatory policy, and strategic leadership development.  

In this solo episode of Where Work Meets Life, Dr. Laura explores leadership through a bell curve, illustrating the range of leaders found in today's organizations. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience as an organizational psychologist, Dr. Laura explains how leaders often rise not through careful selection, but through promotions based on technical skill or ambition. She outlines the spectrum from toxic bosses to truly great leaders and reflects on how leadership quality shapes culture, employee engagement, and organizational health. She asks us to consider where our own leaders fall on the continuum and what it would take to move leadership from merely adequate to genuinely inspiring. Dr. Laura emphasizes that great leadership is not accidental. It requires intentional hiring and thoughtful promotion processes and involves ongoing development rather than one-time training efforts. She highlights the power of mentorship and self-insight as essential qualities that help leaders grow. In a time marked by burnout, mental health challenges, and global uncertainty, Dr. Laura stresses that organizations need more great leaders who understand that people and culture drive long-term success. She offers a thoughtful reflection on leadership responsibility and a call for both organizations and individuals to invest in developing leaders who bring out the best in others. “Leading human beings is an honor and a privilege, and too often people are promoted into leadership roles without the ingredients that help someone truly thrive as a people leader.” - Dr. Laura About Dr. Laura: Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is a work and career psychologist and thought leader on the evolution of work. She has always been fascinated by how work intersects with life and loves to use her expertise to improve organizations and help people thrive. Her passion for taking creative ideas and launching them into successful business strategies led her to start three counselling psychology practices (Calgary Career Counselling, Canada Career Counselling, and Synthesis Psychology), as well as six different business brands offering organizational assessment and consulting services. Dr. Laura is honoured to have been selected as a Woman of Distinction in Canada in 2014 and received a Canadian Woman of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018. Her new book, I Wish I'd Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss, is available for purchase on Amazon now. Resources: “I Wish I'd Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss” by Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett Dr. Laura on LinkedIn Where Work Meets Life™ on YouTube Learn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.live For more resources, look into Dr. Laura's organizations:  Canada Career Counselling Synthesis Psychology Order Dr. Laura's new book today: I Wish I'd Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating a Toxic Boss Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Technology is moving faster than ever, and many of us feel the pressure to keep up without losing our human touch. We need a clear path to help our teams embrace change while building a culture of trust and growth. In this episode, Lisa Coulson, SVP and Chief Human Resource Officer at Principal Financial Group, joins me to talk about what it means to build an AI-literate workforce at its core within financial services. We explore how their data literacy and employee training program reached 90% of workers and how internal AI tools like "Page" and "Penny" helped with their AI adoption. Lisa shares their step-by-step "funnel" approach to reskilling and upskilling, the impact of AI in leadership development, and how to build an internal talent marketplace to match employee skills with new roles. We also tackle the necessity of governance in a regulated industry and the ongoing challenge of measuring AI's ROI and productivity gains during a workforce transformation. This episode is every CHRO's clear guide for leading a digital shift while keeping the employee experience strong. Watch the full video on YouTube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com

April 17, 2026: Employer power has officially returned and workers are accepting things they never would have a year ago — but is that actually a bad thing? Then, teen boys are dating their AI chatbots and experts are warning about what that means for the future workforce. And finally, Gallup's 2026 State of the Global Workplace report reveals that global employee engagement has hit a five-year low — and what employees say they actually want from their leaders might surprise you. Watch the full episode on YouTube.   ---------- 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 you lead people, you design experiences—do it on purpose with The 8 Laws of Employee Experience. Order now: 8EXlaws.com

Companies today are rushing to build an AI strategy, but they often forget to create a human strategy to match it. As technology takes over daily tasks, keeping the human element alive at work is a huge challenge for business leaders. In this episode, Kathie Patterson, Chief Human Resources Officer at Ally, joins us to explore how to balance new AI tools with human emotional intelligence. We uncover how to roll out AI to employees for better efficiency while making sure a human is always in the loop for the moments that truly matter. Kathie explains why leaders need strong EQ and training in crucial conversations to handle conflicts, since frustrating moments like getting stuck in dead-end phone trees prove that people still crave real human connection during stressful times. We also explore balancing workplace empathy with business accountability, offering real support like mental health and fertility benefits without treating adult employees like children. Finally, we look at how to adapt to generational shifts, like Gen Z entering the workplace, and the risks of using AI for HR tasks like hiring and promotions. CHROs will find this episode essential for building a future-ready culture that embraces both high-tech tools and deep human connection. Watch the full video on YouTube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com

Leadership does not live in books, job titles, or good intentions. It's a daily practice. What does your daily leadership practice look like? Caryn O'Sullivan, CEO and founder of Drapery Street, joins me to share how she practices leadership, and what that means for you, your team, and your business. Caryn walks us through how she went from doing it all herself to empowering others with frameworks like Dare to Lead, EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), StoryBrand, and Working Genius. You'll hear how she's created a "leadership stack" at Drapery Street based on the frameworks used to operate the business. This conversation is about unlocking the daily habits and systems that make all the difference when leading your company during times of change and challenge. Your team needs your courage, your self-awareness, and your willingness to "rumble" with tough conversations. Caryn's journey shows how building systems and practicing vulnerability transform your business and your culture. By the end of this episode, you'll know how to move leadership from something you read about in books to something you live every day. You'll hear how self-awareness sets your business up for resilience, and how practicing healthy communication gives your team the confidence to support each other and your clients alike. This episode is about creating reliable, repeatable leadership habits to build a company where everyone thrives.   Episode Highlights (00:00) What "leadership in practice" looks like—and why systems matter (02:23) Are leaders born or can leadership be learned? 03:00) The power of vulnerability and courageous conversations in business (07:00) How self-awareness builds trust and guides company culture (08:00) Building a "leadership" stack (11:43) How changing mindsets transforms your team, your business, and yourself (17:40) Creating a company where everyone works in their genius (22:10) Why self-awareness is now a top hiring priority (23:58) Defining your "why"—and what true success and fulfillment looks like (26:48) Compensating talent, recognizing blind spots, and growing leaders (28:57) What keeps leaders going on tough days—finding joy in learning (30:46) How to balance strengths, feedback, and leadership succession (34:24) Caryn's leadership advice for CEOs   Connect with Caryn O'Sullivan https://www.draperystreet.com/ Caryn O'Sullivan on LinkedIn cosullivan@draperystreet.com   About Andrea Butcher Andrea Butcher is a visionary business leader, executive coach, and keynote speaker—she empowers leaders to gain clarity through the chaos by being MORE of who they already are. Her experiences—serving as CEO, leading at an executive level, and working in and leading global teams—make her uniquely qualified to support leadership and business success. She hosts the popular leadership podcast, Being [at Work] with a global audience of over 600,000 listeners and is the author of The Power in the Pivot (Red Thread Publishing 2022) and HR Kit for Dummies (Wiley 2023).   Connect with Andrea https://www.abundantempowerment.com/ Connect with Andrea Butcher on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/leaderdevelopmentcoach/   Abundant Empowerment Upcoming Events https://www.abundantempowerment.com/events   Subscribe to the Podcast Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe in Spotify    

We often think our reactions at work are about what's happening in the moment: a frustrating colleague, a difficult conversation, or a stressful situation.But what if those reactions are actually coming from somewhere else?For many managers, moments of irritation, defensiveness, or emotional overwhelm can feel confusing or even unprofessional. But these responses aren't random and they're not a sign that something is wrong with you.Fortunately, this week's guest explains how our past experiences shape our present-day interactions and how developing self-awareness can help us respond more thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically.Nidhi Tewari is a therapist and leadership expert who helps individuals and organizations build emotional intelligence, navigate interpersonal dynamics, and create healthier, more connected workplaces.In this conversation, we explore why certain people trigger us, how to recognize when your reaction is disproportionate to the moment, and a simple framework you can use to regulate your emotions and lead more effectively. We also discuss how to support team members through difficult moments without crossing the line into becoming their therapist.Conversation Topics(00:00) Introduction(01:41) The Science of Attunement: How We Sync With Others(03:38) Body Language, Energy, and Emotional Contagion(05:11) Attuning to Organizational Culture and Unspoken Norms(06:37) Case Study: Supporting Neurodivergent Teams(08:28) The CHECK-IN Framework for Difficult Conversations(13:32) Attunement in Remote Work: What Changes(15:56) Spotting Behavioral Shifts and Subtle Signals(17:18) Connection Gaps: Why Conversations Break Down(23:27) From Fixer to Explorer + A Story of Great Leadership(32:41) [Extended Episode Only] How to support employees while maintaining boundaries(36:52) [Extended Episode Only] The importance of normalizing and validating emotions(39:21) [Extended Episode Only] The right way to refer employees to additional support

Preparing a global team for a world that changes by the minute can feel like a race against time, especially when 80% of jobs face major shifts by 2030. In this episode, we tackle the challenge of turning that fear into a high-performance culture that stays ahead of the technology curve. Tracy Platt, CHRO of Newell Brands, joins us to explore top strategies for AI adoption, focusing on the move toward "agentic commerce" and the urgent need for AI literacy across the whole company. We also unpack simple ways to put AI into daily work, like cutting performance management review times from two hours down to 30 minutes. Our discussion highlights the shift from tracking vanity metrics to measuring real business results and why human judgment is the ultimate guardrail for AI-driven work. Tracy shares how managing ambiguity has become the most valuable currency for modern leaders in this brave new world. For CHROs, this episode is your clear roadmap for leading your talent strategy and workforce planning through the rapid evolution of the future of work. Watch the full video on YouTube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com

April 3, 2026: Two major academic papers dropped today alongside fresh labor market data, and together they paint the clearest picture yet of what AI will actually do to the economy and to work. Stanford economists show that 87% of U.S. productivity growth since 1950 came from automation — and explain why AI's impact will be real but slower than the hype due to "weak links" in production. A Chicago Fed forecasting paper reveals that even expert economists admit the range of outcomes is genuinely wide. On top of that: AI is now the #1 cited reason for tech layoffs, a new Forrester study finds most workers still don't know how to use the AI tools their companies deployed, Jack Dorsey argues AI should replace middle management entirely, a startup built an AI coworker that monitors your work and reports to your boss, and OpenAI just bought a media company to control the narrative. Seven stories, one through line: the disruption is real, the timeline is uncertain, and the window to prepare is open right now. Watch on Youtube ---------- 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

The first quarter of 2026 was not just a collection of headlines. It was a definitive "hard reset" for the global workforce, marking the moment where the gap between legacy systems and the new AI-driven reality finally collapsed. In this episode of Future Ready Leadership, we're revisiting the top stories that made it to our Best of the First Quarter edition. We start with the trillion-dollar software sell-off, where the market's reaction to AI-driven workflows signaled a massive shift from humans performing manual tasks to supervising automated systems. This move toward radical accountability is further exemplified by Citigroup's declaration of the end of the "effort era," as CEO Jane Fraser mandated that employees be judged solely on measurable results rather than visible busy work. We then examine Amazon's internal talent mobility strategy, which reframes automation-related job changes as an opportunity for redeployment by giving staff 90 days to find new internal roles. This leads into a discussion on the reset of the HR technology operating model, as boards begin to question the value of traditional seat-based licensing now that AI is becoming the primary interface for data. Finally, we analyze Accenture's decision to tie promotions to AI usage, highlighting the need for a "human judgment receipt" to ensure leaders are rewarding actual performance improvement rather than mere "corporate theater". Watch the full video on YouTube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com

March 24, 2026: Three major research reports dropped today with a combined picture of where AI and work actually stand right now. A landmark NBER working paper of nearly 750 CFOs finds AI had zero measurable employment effect in 2025 — but projects roughly 500,000 job losses this year, concentrated in clerical and administrative roles. The same paper finds a productivity paradox: executives believe AI is working before the revenue proves it, echoing a pattern economists last saw with the personal computer. Anthropic's new Economic Index reveals something most organizations are completely missing: experienced AI users have a 10% higher success rate than newcomers — not because of what they're doing, but because of how long they've been doing it. AI fluency compounds like a skill, not a software license. And a major Gallup survey finds college graduates are more pessimistic about finding a job than at any time since 2013, with software developer postings down 29% and marketing down 27% — but the real explanation goes deeper than AI displacement alone. Watch the full video on YouTube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com

In this insightful interview, Dr. Anthony Giannoumis shares profound lessons on leadership, cultural intelligence, and the importance of empathy in diverse environments. Discover how listening, curiosity, and understanding different perspectives can transform teams and personal growth. In this engaging conversation, Dr. Giannoumis shares insights on learning from diverse perspectives, the importance of humility, and the value of kindness in a polarized world. Krish Palaniappan explores topics from cultural diversity to personal growth, offering a rich tapestry of stories and lessons.

The real bottleneck to AI isn't the code; it's our own ego. We're so hooked on being the "expert" that we've forgotten how to be beginners again, and in a world changing this fast, that's a dangerous place to be. If we want to move forward, we must trade the safety of our legacy habits for the "productive discomfort" of constant unlearning. In this episode, Microsoft's Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Amy Coleman, joins us to talk about managing 220,000 employees through a growth mindset and explore the deep link between AI, culture, and leadership. Amy shares how to embrace adaptive leadership, which basically means leading even when you don't have all the answers. She explains why decreasing proximity is the secret to keeping trust alive during massive change by bringing employees closer to the "why" behind every decision. We get tactical as we uncover strategies for large-scale re-skilling, shifting from just tracking activity to rewarding real impact, and using talent redeployment to make sure people can grow their careers without leaving the company. Amy highlights why human judgment and empathy are more valuable than ever, how responsible AI is non-negotiable, and how Microsoft stays scrappy by letting "citizen developers" use AI to disrupt old systems from the bottom up. This episode is your guide to scaling a culture where employees feel like the company truly has their back as they reinvent their careers. ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher talks with Karl Staib, founder of Systematic Leader, about why leadership needs more than good intentions. They explore how better systems shape habits, improve communication, strengthen accountability, and create healthier workplace cultures.Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It's packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human. Want more from our conversations on the show? Subscribe to the R@W Notes Newsletter! It's where I share top takeaways from our guests, the resources that fuel their success, and my personal insights on how we as leaders more human. And we need more human. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Sign up today to keep your leadership journey on the right path. And connect with me for more great content!Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on YoutubeFollow on LinkedinFollow on InstagramFollow me on ThreadsFollow on TikTokEmail me anytime 

March 20, 2026:  The White House dropped its national AI legislative framework today — I go through the whole thing, because there's a provision about preempting state AI laws that is one of the most consequential things to happen in AI policy in years. A columnist at The Sunday Times made an argument that stopped me: the real AI risk isn't losing your job — it's what happens to your retirement if AI disrupts your career at 50 instead of 30. Most people aren't thinking about it this way. They should be. Jensen Huang proposed paying engineers in AI tokens worth half their salary, on top of cash. I explain what tokens are, why elite engineers are leaving high-paying jobs over GPU access, and what it means that the unit of value in the AI economy is shifting from time to compute. The New York Times is calling it tokenmaxxing. And JPMorgan deployed AI to monitor junior bankers' hours — not because they're over-reporting, but because they're deliberately hiding how much they're actually working. Watch the full episode on YouTube ---------- 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/ Stop patching problems and start designing an intentional workplace. The 8 Laws of Employee Experience gives you the how. Order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com

March 19, 2026: Jensen Huang had one of the biggest weeks in tech at Nvidia's GTC — but his sharpest line wasn't about chips. When asked why companies are laying off workers, he said simply: because they're out of imagination. We unpack what that means, plus his surprise take on compensation from the All-In podcast. Then Cognizant drops a bombshell update to its 2023 workforce study: 93% of jobs impacted by AI, $4.5 trillion in labor shifting to machines, six years ahead of schedule. Their own words: "We underestimated the technology." But two CEOs are pushing back on the doom narrative — Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick says humans will be "super fine" until AGI arrives, and Tech Mahindra CEO Mohit Joshi argues the demand for human labor isn't going anywhere, and has the data to back it up. We close with JPMorgan Chase's 2026 tech trends report and the concept quietly reshaping what leaders actually do: context engineering. Watch the full episode on YouTube ---------- 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/ Stop patching problems and start designing an intentional workplace. The 8 Laws of Employee Experience gives you the how. Order your copy: 8EXlaws.com

What do you get when an introvert ends up running one of the most iconic hospitality resorts in the country?A very good reminder that the loudest person in the room isn't always the best leaderThis week, after what feels like about 17 years of trying to line up diaries, I finally sat down with the legend that is Chris Eigelaar, Managing Director of The Belfry Hotel & Resort.Now, if you know The Belfry, you'll know it's not exactly a sleepy little B&B with a bowl of mints on reception.We're talking world famous golf, huge events, 468 bedrooms, 1,100+ team members, a £90m transformation, and the kind of sporting history that makes golf fans go a bit weak at the knees.And yet, underneath all of that, Chris is one of the most grounded, thoughtful leaders you could hope to meet.We talk about growing up in hotels in South Africa, arriving in London with a thousand quid and a return ticket, learning that he was a much better front of house operator than chef… and why understanding yourself might be one of the most important things you ever do in leadership.Also, yes, there is a story involving a documentary, a fake power cut, and a perfectly timed on camera jump.Which is, obviously, exactly the sort of thing I'm here for.In this episode, Chris and I get into…• Growing up in a hotel family, where hospitality was basically in the wallpaper• His dad giving him two career options: the Navy… or hospitality• Starting out wanting to be a chef before being politely redirected elsewhere• Moving to London with £1,000, traveller's cheques, and vibes• Picking up whatever work he could get, including some wonderfully random shifts• Helping open the Sofitel St James and building his early career in luxury hospitality• Why he briefly left hotels… then realised he missed the madness• Landing at The Belfry and leading one of the most iconic resorts in the UK• What it really takes to deliver a £90m investment programme in a live business• Why he believes in a flat structure, open doors, and walking the floor• Learning not to force yourself into someone else's leadership mould• Why being an introvert in hospitality is not a weakness• The power of good mentors… and the lessons bad ones teach you too• Resilience, togetherness, and what tough moments reveal about teams• Why one great golf shot is enough to make you think you're Tiger Woods for 3 secondsSome cracking quotes from Chris“Hospitality chooses you”“Just be comfortable with yourself”“My role is to remove barriers so people can do their jobs”“There's no right or wrong leadership style, it's how you use it”“If one person does it, everybody does it, that's hospitality”Why this episode is worth your earsThis one's for anyone who's ever felt like they didn't quite fit the “standard” idea of what a hospitality leader is supposed to look like.Chris is proof that you don't need to be the biggest voice in the room.You don't need to be all jazz hands and noise (Sorry, I'll tone it down... I won't)You just need to know your people, know yourself, and create the sort of environment where others can do their best work.Also, if you fancy a bit of behind-the-scenes Belfry brilliance, leadership wisdom, golf chat, and a story about jumping away from an electrical unit on camera…You're in very safe hands.Show PartnersA big shout out to the first of today's show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.Try RotaCloud's time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/philThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Many managers today spend more time on paperwork and individual tasks than actually coaching their teams. This lack of true leadership hurts the employee experience and stops a business strategy from succeeding. In this episode, Emily Field and I talk about her strategic transition from a McKinsey partner to becoming a first-time Chief People Officer at LPL Financial. She shares her initial 30-day "learning tour" where she focused on listening to employees to understand the company's unique culture before building her people strategy. We also unpacked her "People Leader Operating System" and a "talent flywheel" designed to improve the talent lifecycle from hire to retire. We explore the 50/50 performance management split to measure both business outcomes and human values, as well as using AI as a "superpower" to assist work while keeping human judgment as the main partner. Emily also explains the "people P&L" dashboard to track leadership data, the "align-empower-reinforce" model for training 1,300 leaders, and the importance of rewiring business processes to remove friction for employees. For CHROs, this is your guide to scaling a people-first culture and building a future-proof organization. ---------- 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. Order here: 8exlaws.com

Many leaders today are exhausted. The demands of service, the pressure of results, and the constant pace of change can quietly pull leaders into what Dr. Matt Paden calls “the fog.” In this episode, Scott and Scott sit down with leadership coach and author Dr. Matt Paden to unpack what burnout really looks like and how leaders can find their way back to clarity and purpose. The conversation centers on servant leadership, resilience, and the power of reconnecting to your personal North Star. If you have ever felt the weight of leadership isolation or watched your energy slowly drain, this episode offers a practical reset. You will walk away with mindset shifts and leadership habits that help teams trust more deeply, perform more consistently, and sustain momentum over the long run.  In this episode we talk about and answer these questions:  • what leadership burnout looks like before it becomes obvious  • how “the fog” leads leaders to isolation and poor decisions  • why purpose acts as a resilience engine during difficult seasons  • how shifting from “got to” thinking to “get to” thinking changes leadership presence  • what servant leadership looks like when building high trust teams  • how leaders can regain energy by focusing on effort, attitude, and purpose  Click Here to Submit Your Questions  Links from show:  Emerging Leaders program from ServiStar  Check out our Coaching for Performance course The Core: Eight Principles to Great Leadership by Dr. Matt Paden  Subscribe to ServiStar Leadership Podcast on your favorite streaming service 

Episode 193 | Why Great Leadership Creates Great Wealth | Financial Planning, Wealth Building & Leadership Development for Entrepreneurs   What separates high-earning entrepreneurs who build lasting wealth from those who just make good money? According to financial planner and leadership coach Mando Sallavanti, it starts with how you lead.   In this episode of the Heartbeat for Hire Podcast, wealth management expert and Freedom Path Wealth founder Mando Sallavanti III, CFP®, CEPA, ChFC® breaks down the direct connection between great leadership, financial freedom, and building a life by design — not by default. Mando went from grinding cold calls in Scranton, PA to managing a nationwide client base of $500K+ earners, speaking on national stages, and coaching financial advisors across the country. His journey is a masterclass in leadership transformation, business growth, and strategic wealth building.   In this conversation, Mando gets real about the leadership identity crisis that changed everything — trading an ego-driven, command-and-control style for one rooted in empowerment, delegation, and hiring for potential. He also breaks down his signature "credit card game" — a wealth strategy entrepreneurs and business owners are using to fund luxury travel and premium life experiences without sacrificing long-term financial goals. In this episode, you'll learn:   1️⃣ How to shift from ego-driven leadership to a model built on empowerment and accountability — and why it builds better teams and bigger businesses faster 2️⃣ The wealth-building strategy high-earning entrepreneurs are sleeping on: leveraging business expenses through strategic credit card use to fund premium life experiences 3️⃣ Why hiring for potential over credentials is the leadership move that scales businesses — and how Mando applied it inside a financial services firm Perfect for: entrepreneurs, small business owners, financial advisors, sales leaders, high-income professionals, wealth management clients, anyone building a leadership culture, and executives managing equity comp, real estate, or closely held businesses.   About Mando Sallavanti Mando Sallavanti is the founder of Freedom Path Wealth, a modern financial planning firm serving successful families earning $500K+ — executives managing equity compensation, real estate, and closely held businesses who need clarity, philosophy: Spend it like you mean it. Beyond client work, Mando is one of the most followed financial professionals on LinkedIn (46,000+ followers) and coaches financial advisors nationwide on building profitable, planning-first practices using the same tactical frameworks and personal brand strategies that took him from cold calls to national stages.

While many companies focus only on buying new AI tools, the real secret to success often lies in changing how leaders think and act to drive a massive business turnaround. In this episode, Anna White, EVP and Chief People Officer at Lumen, joins the show to discuss how a major networking company is transforming its business through a deep focus on leadership and AI. We explore how leaders must shift from being "knowers" to "learners" by embracing curiosity and a growth mindset. The discussion covers practical steps like launching an AI literacy academy for all employees, using "Dare to Lead" training to build courage, and managing the risks of "work slop" by ensuring human judgment always checks AI work. We also dive into real examples of AI pilots, such as the GoalPro tool for aligning targets, and examine how to prepare for a future hybrid workforce where humans manage AI agents. This conversation offers a clear roadmap for HR leaders handling the complex mix of culture change and digital transformation. ---------- 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. Order here: 8exlaws.com

March 5, 2026: The company making AI (Anthropic) just published real data on what AI is actually doing to jobs — and the finding that should concern everyone isn't layoffs. It's that the hiring door for workers aged 22 to 25 has quietly dropped 14% in AI-exposed fields since ChatGPT launched. Today we cover four stories: Stanford's Erik Brynjolfsson on why minimum wage increases are accelerating robot adoption. Anthropic's brand new labor market study — and why you should read it with a critical eye. The February job cut numbers, which look better than January but hide a more troubling signal. And Vinod Khosla predicting today's five-year-olds will never need jobs — a claim we push back on hard. The data is in. It's more complicated than either side wants to admit.   Watch the full episode on YouTube   ----- 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/ Stop patching problems and start designing an intentional workplace. The 8 Laws of Employee Experience gives you the how. Order your copy: 8EXlaws.com

March 6, 2026: The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February — and the headline number is almost the least interesting part of the story. When you break down where the losses actually came from, you get a picture far more complicated than the AI-took-our-jobs narrative dominating social media right now. Healthcare, tech, federal government, manufacturing, transportation — each sector tells a different story, and together they reveal a labor market being squeezed from multiple directions at once: AI, tariffs, Baby Boomer retirements, post-pandemic correction, and a geopolitical shock that just sent oil past $87 a barrel. Meanwhile, the Fed is openly questioning whether it even has the tools to respond — because cutting rates doesn't create jobs for people whose skills have structurally shifted out of demand. Also this week: Uber's CEO says don't come here if you want to coast — and why that lands so differently in this economic moment. A new survey reveals that 90% of companies have AI chatbots but almost none have integrated AI into real workflows — and that gap is driving some dangerous workforce decisions. And the Bank of England just started war-gaming what happens if AI triggers a full economic shock.  Watch on YouTube ----- 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. Order here: 8EXlaws.com

March 4, 2026: The ECB just released new data showing companies that use AI are hiring, not firing — but the full story of what happened to bank tellers reveals why that optimism has a shelf life. USAA CEO Juan Andrade says Gen Z won't be as well off as Boomers and Gen X, and the numbers are stark: entry-level job postings down 29% globally, Gen Z financial insecurity up 18 points in a single year, and an average net worth of negative $22,000. Slack cofounder Stewart Butterfield says most of what passes for work in large organizations isn't actually work — he calls it hyper-realistic worklike activities, and the data shows it's costing U.S. companies $37 billion a year in ineffective meetings alone. And a neuroscientist who testified before the U.S. Senate says Silicon Valley convinced schools they were broken when they weren't, spent $30 billion putting screens in classrooms, and produced the first generation in modern history to score lower on cognitive tests than their parents — and now AI in classrooms is about to repeat the exact same mistake. Watch the full episode on Youtube ----- 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 you lead people, you design experiences—do it on purpose with The 8 Laws of Employee Experience. Order now: 8EXlaws.com

March 3, 2026: The hype around AI and jobs is loud. The actual data tells a more nuanced story. This week, Stanford economist Nick Bloom released the most rigorous study yet on AI's impact on employment and productivity — surveying nearly 6,000 executives across four countries with the Federal Reserve and Bank of England. The findings are striking: 90% of firms report zero employment impact from AI so far, yet US executives are planning to cut over two million jobs in the next three years based on gains that haven't materialized yet. We break down what that gap means for workers, leaders, and organizations. Plus: CNN pushes back on the viral AI doom-loop narrative — and why "don't freak out yet" isn't the same as "you're fine." Why 43% of workers want to change careers but almost none will — and the psychological trap behind what researchers are calling "job hugging." And the central irony of the AI economy: the companies spending trillions to automate knowledge work can't build the infrastructure to run it because there aren't enough electricians — and why Gen Z is starting to pay attention. ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com

In Episode 89 of Durable Value, host Ryan Swehla sits down with Matt Slepin, Co-Head of Real Estate at ZRG Partners, to unpack what great leadership and succession really look like in today's real estate industry. Matt shares his fascinating 25-year journey in executive search, from lobbying for low-income housing to building and selling his own firm. We dive into the real succession challenges facing today's real estate leaders, the institutional rise of multifamily, and how AI and technology are rewriting the playbook for talent and decision-making in the industry.00:00 - Introduction 02:30 - From Lobbying to Real Estate Development05:45 - Career Interruptions & Finding the Right Fit13:20 - How Multifamily Became Institutional18:30 - The Rise of Specialty Asset Classes & REITs24:00 - Entrepreneurship & Starting Terrace Search Partners29:45 - Succession Planning Challenges in Real Estate34:15 - The Sale to ZRG Partners38:30 - Benefits of Joining a Larger Firm42:00 - Semi-Retirement & What's Next45:15 - AI, Technology & The Future of Real Estate51:30 - Advice for Real Estate Careers Beyond Deal-Making56:00 - Final Thoughts & Closing

Many parents and leaders are wondering if a college degree is still worth the high educational costs. With student debt reaching nearly $2 trillion and the AI impact changing the future of work, the traditional path to success is facing a major disruption. In this episode, Eric Gertler, Executive Chairman and CEO of US News and World Report, joins us to talk about the "broken compact" in higher education and how college rankings are changing as consumer trust falls. We explore how university leadership must move away from focusing on real estate growth and instead prioritize critical thinking, internships, and lifelong learning. We also cover the growing demand for high-paying trades like electrical work over four-year degrees and a story from Eric's time in government where a hospital leader identified the need for data analysts years before it became a trend. This episode helps CHROs build better talent strategies by showing how to find and train workers based on their actual skill development in a job market where actual skills matter more than a diploma. Watch on Youtube ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com  

Many companies try to solve low morale with simple perks like wellness apps, but workers often care more about real pay and career growth. The big challenge today is keeping frontline employees happy while the world worries about AI impact and high turnover. What could be the most substantial, meaningful investments leaders can make that truly build real loyalty? In this episode, Paul Marchand, EVP and CHRO of Charter Communications, more popularly known as Spectrum, discusses how to invest in people to create a better customer experience. He explains the strategy behind helping a 95,000-person workforce through absorbing rising benefit costs and programs like frictionless, prepaid tuition reimbursement and a unique employee stock purchase plan designed to build an owner mindset. Paul shares how "open mic" sessions at Charter improve their employee retention, and the way Spectrum GPT is being used to make HR more efficient. We also explore the 'high school pathways' initiative, upcoming M&A integration with Cox Communications, and how HR role evolution is turning leaders into Chief Future of Work Officers, going far beyond traditional employee management. This episode shows CHROs how to use a people-first strategy to build a resilient and competitive workforce.

Leaders today face a critical AI dilemma: move too quickly and risk producing low-quality "work slop," or move too slowly and sacrifice a crucial competitive edge in innovation. But one global real estate powerhouse, managing 3% of the world's GDP, has successfully navigated this tightrope for nearly three years, offering a proven model for enterprise AI adoption. In this episode, Prologis CHRO Nathaalie Carey reveals how the company solved this dilemma with an "innovation first" strategy, a journey that began by deploying an enterprise version of ChatGPT well ahead of the curve. Prologis achieved this by deliberately empowering its workforce, intentionally prioritizing widespread innovation over premature governance. By providing direct access to tools, supported by strategic training, the company drove 95% adoption rate and sparked over 1,000 crowdsourced custom GPTs. Carey explains how the company built trust by reframing AI as a "bargain" to trade mundane tasks for high-value strategic work. She also details the company's evolution from using AI for basic information gathering to utilizing it for complex decision-making and upcoming "agentic AI" workflows for processes like underwriting and background checks. Carey argues that as AI becomes a "great equalizer" for technical skills, the true competitive advantage lies in balancing technological speed with authentic human connection and the power of human imagination. ---------- 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/ Stop patching problems and start designing an intentional workplace. The 8 Laws of Employee Experience gives you the how. Order your copy: 8EXlaws.com

The old playbooks for leadership no longer apply when your top performers might never step foot in a traditional office. It's time to move past the superficial logistics of where people sit and uncover the specific cultural habits that maintain high standards and relentless speed as your organization evolves. In this episode, LJ Brock, Chief People Officer at Coinbase, joins me to explore the high-stakes evolution of leading a remote-first organization that scales without losing its competitive edge. We dive into the practical reality of managing 5,000 global employees, moving beyond the "return to office" debate to discuss Coinbase's "magnet, not mandate" hub strategy and their recent pivot toward mandatory quarterly in-person sessions designed specifically for execution. LJ pulls back the curtain on the unique operating system that powers their culture—including the bold decision to outlaw committees—and shares the specific decision-making frameworks, like the Directly Responsible Individual (DRI) and Problem Proposed Solution (PPS) models, that ensure individual accountability remains front and center. From tackling the nuances of performance management and asynchronous collaboration to leveraging AI for future efficiency, this conversation is a must-watch for CHROs who want to build a high-performance culture that prioritizes measurable results over physical proximity. ---------- 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/ Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—order a copy here: 8EXlaws.com

Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist, the bestselling author of Good Inside, and the founder of a parenting platform used by millions. Known for her practical, psychology-based approach to parenting, Dr. Becky shares how the same principles that help parents raise resilient children can make you a much more effective leader. In this conversation, she breaks down why all human systems—whether families or companies—operate on the same fundamental principles, and how understanding these dynamics can make you more effective in every relationship.We discuss:1. Why repair—not perfection—defines strong leadership2. Why you need to connect before you correct to build cooperation and trust3. The “most generous interpretation” framework for handling difficult behaviors4. How to correctly set boundaries (vs. making requests)5. The power of “I believe you, and I believe in you”6. What it looks like to be a “sturdy” leader—Brought to you by:Merge—Fast, secure integrations for your products and agents: https://merge.dev/lennyMetaview—The AI platform for recruiting: https://metaview.ai/lennyFramer—Builder better websites faster: https://framer.com/lenny—Episode transcript: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/dr-becky-on-the-surprising-overlap—Archive of all Lenny's Podcast transcripts: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/yxi4s2w998p1gvtpu4193/AMdNPR8AOw0lMklwtnC0TrQ?rlkey=j06x0nipoti519e0xgm23zsn9&st=ahz0fj11&dl=0—Where to find Dr. Becky Kennedy:• X: https://x.com/GoodInside• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbecky• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbeckyatgoodinside• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drbeckyatgoodinside• Website: https://www.goodinside.com—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction to Dr. Becky Kennedy(05:14) Connecting parenting and leadership(08:40) The power of repair(11:05) Connecting before correcting(17:45) Good Inside framework at work(22:08) The most generous interpretation (MGI)(25:46) Curiosity over judgment(27:07) Understanding behavior change(31:08) What potty training can teach us about workplace behavior(34:40) Naming your intention(35:41) Sturdy leadership(40:52) How to set boundaries well(46:33) The role of leadership and consensus(50:50) The importance of being “locatable”(52:40) A powerful story of betrayal and realization(57:12) Building resilience over happiness(01:00:34) The power of the phrase “I believe you, and I believe in you.”(01:09:08) The Good Inside community and resources(01:16:22) AI corner(01:19:52) Good Inside's mission(01:22:26) Lightning round and final thoughts—Referenced:• Shreyas Doshi on pre-mortems, the LNO framework, the three levels of product work, why most execution problems are strategy problems, and ROI vs. opportunity cost thinking: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/episode-3-shreyas-doshi• Radical Candor: From theory to practice with author Kim Scott: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/radical-candor-from-theory-to-practice• From ChatGPT to Instagram to Uber: The quiet architect behind the world's most popular products | Peter Deng: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-quiet-architect-peter-deng• Punch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punch_(play)• Figma: https://www.figma.com• Andrew Hogan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahhogan• Replit: https://replit.com• Behind the product: Replit | Amjad Masad (co-founder and CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/behind-the-product-replit-amjad-masad• Lovable: https://lovable.dev• Building Lovable: $10M ARR in 60 days with 15 people | Anton Osika (co-founder and CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/building-lovable-anton-osika• Claude: https://claude.ai• ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com• Secrets We Keep on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81697668• K Pop Demon Hunters on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81498621• Liberty puzzles: https://libertypuzzles.com—Recommended books:• Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Candor-Revised-Kick-Ass-Humanity/dp/1250235375• Good Inside: A Practical Guide to Resilient Parenting Prioritizing Connection Over Correction: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Inside-Guide-Becoming-Parent/dp/0063159481• Leave Me Alone!: A Good Inside Story About Deeply Feeling Kids: https://www.amazon.com/Leave-Me-Alone-Inside-Feeling/dp/1250413117• The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Moments-Certain-Experiences-Extraordinary/dp/1501147765/• The Messy Middle: Finding Your Way Through the Hardest and Most Crucial Part of Any Bold Venture: https://www.amazon.com/Messy-Middle-Finding-Through-Hardest/dp/0735218072• Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration: https://www.amazon.com/Creativity-Inc-Expanded-Overcoming-Inspiration/dp/0593594649—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. To hear more, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com