Podcast appearances and mentions of Marcus Buckingham

Marcus Buckingham — one of the most influential researchers on human performance — just published something that stopped me.Human behavior does not change in response to mildly positive experiences.It only changes when someone says: I love this.Not "I like this." Not "this was good." Love.And most companies are spending all their energy moving people from bad to okay —while ignoring the ones who already love them.Harvard Business Review, May/June 2026. Marcus Buckingham.Outcomes — loyalty, performance, advocacy — accelerate only after crossing a critical emotional threshold. Below it: forgettable. Above it: irreplaceable. Five conditions create love: Control, Harmony, Significance, Warmth, Growth.What We Cover in This EpisodeWhy incremental improvement is spinning your wheels — and what the Love Threshold actually isThe five conditions that create love — in customers and employees equallyTwo restaurants in Berlin, one weekend, two extremes: Love Threshold crossed vs. shatteredWhy love is the core ingredient of Human Experience Design — like the tomato in Italian cuisineThe biggest mistake: studying your detractors while ignoring your fansWhy Amber Asher's warning matters here: "Stop optimizing the soul out of it""Without love, it is not Genuine Human Experience. Love is not a soft feeling. It is the ingredient. Like the tomato in Italian cuisine — without it, it is not Italian."Human or Hype? — This WeekCustomer satisfaction surveys as a loyalty strategy.The Question I Can't Stop Thinking Abouttune into the show.→ This podcast has no advertising budget.It grows because people like you forward it to people like you.If something landed today — share it with one personwho is spending all their energy on what's brokenand none on what's already working.→ Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.→ Leave a review if you can. It makes a real difference.→ Connect with Peggy on LinkedIn: @amelungandpartnersI read every message.→ Free GHX Pressure Test — 12 questions, 5 minutes:amelung-partners.com → Free ToolsAI is great. But humanity is the driving force.See you next Tuesday.— Peggy, your genuine human experience nerd

Chinwe sits down with Nigerian HR executive and leadership advisor Yemi Faseun to explore what risk really means in the context of careers, leadership and personal growth. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience across banking, consulting, telecommunications and entrepreneurship, Yemi shares why he repeatedly left prestigious organisations for unknown opportunities, why he believes "life itself is a risk," and how embracing change has shaped his journey. The conversation moves beyond traditional ideas of risk to examine readiness, change and the future of work. From managing your career like a business and recognising the signals of change before they become crises, to building talent, developing leaders and navigating multi-generational workplaces, Yemi offers practical wisdom for professionals, founders and leaders alike. If you've ever wondered whether to stay where you're comfortable or step into something new, this episode provides a thoughtful framework for taking risks with purpose, preparation and faith. ***** He refers to three books during the interview: First, Break All The Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr Spencer Johnson Our Iceberg Is Melting by by John Kotter and Holger Rathberger The quote "His love, in time past, Forbids me to think. He'll leave me at last. In trouble to sink." comes from the classic Christian hymn Begone, unbelief Spotify · Apple · YouTube Podcasts

Today's author promises to help us unleash the most powerful force in business — love. Join Mike & Cory as they consider what it means to design love in as leaders and experience-makers.Support the ShowBookworm #249: What You're Made For by George RavelingDesign Love In by Marcus BuckinghamLove + Work by Marcus BuckinghamStrengthsFinderStandOutMac Power Users with Marco ArmentOvercastEOS (Entrepreneur Operating System)Ninety.ioRadical Candor by Kim ScottUnreasonable HospitalityThe Book of ElonThe Almanack of Naval RavikantMike's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐Cory's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

How can leaders design work experiences that people don't just tolerate but truly love? Kevin talks with Marcus Buckingham about why love may be the most powerful force in business and why leaders need to take it seriously to create lasting behavior change. Marcus explains that leaders are experience makers, and the best outcomes come when employees and customers have "five" experiences, not merely good or acceptable ones. He introduces the five feelings that help create love at work: control, harmony, significance, warmth of others, and growth, showing how each helps people feel more fully themselves and more connected to the experience. Kevin and Marcus also discuss why many well-intentioned leadership efforts feel hollow when they skip the foundational feelings, how organizations can design love into everyday interactions, and why AI should support (not replace) the human elements that create trust, empathy, and connection. Marcus' Story: Marcus Buckingham is the author of Design Love in: How to Unleash the Most Powerful Force in Business. For over twenty-five years, he has been the world's leading researcher on strengths, engagement, and human performance. He began his career at Gallup and was the co-creator, with Donald O. Clifton, of StrengthsFinder. He is also 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. https://www.youtube.com/c/MarcusBuckinghamTV Looking to Develop Stronger Leaders? Want help developing the leaders in your organization? Reach out to explore how the Kevin Eikenberry Group can support your team at info@kevineikenberry.com.  Book Recommendations First Break All the Rules — Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman Now Discover Your Strengths — Marcus Buckingham & Donald O. Clifton StandOut 2.0 — Marcus Buckingham Nine Lies About Work — Marcus Buckingham & Ashley Goodall Love + Work — Marcus Buckingham Design Love In — Marcus Buckingham An Intimate History of Humanity — Theodore Zeldin Sapiens — Yuval Noah Harari Guns Germs and Steel — Jared Diamond Like this? Solving the Culture Puzzle with Mario Moussa and Derek Newberry The Power of Embracing Life's Difficult Journeys with Payam Zamani Love as a Change Strategy with Mohammad Anwar

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.  

Kelly welcomes Marcus Buckingham back to the podcast. For over 25 years, Marcus has been the world's leading researcher on strengths, engagement, and human performance. He began his career at Gallup and was the co-creator, with Donald O. Clifton, of StrengthsFinder. He is a bestselling author with a brand-new book: “Design Love In: How to Unleash the Most […]

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes back Marcus Buckingham, bestselling author and researcher, to discuss his new book, Design Love In: How to Unleash the Most Powerful Force in Business. For 25 years, Marcus studied the most productive teams, loyal customers, and effective leaders in the world, and the word that kept appearing in his data was one he kept changing: love. Andy and Marcus explore what love actually means in a business context, including how leaders are really experience makers whether they know it or not. You will hear the remarkable story of Josh D'Amaro, the CEO of Disney, and what his leadership reveals about designing love into a team's daily experience. Marcus unpacks the five feelings that lead people to say they love working for a leader, starting with something counterintuitive: control. The conversation also covers tough love, AI's limits as an experience maker, and how these principles can transform how we lead our families too. If you're looking for a fresh, evidence-based look at what drives sustained high performance, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "I kept hearing that word (love) and shame on me, but I did keep changing it because I felt like it was a careless exaggeration of the word like or something." "Don't keep changing the word (love). The word's the word. The question really should be why and how do we replicate it?" "You're paid to change behavior. That's all you're paid to do. You're not paid to run a project. You're paid to change behavior as a leader." "When you send an email, it's not an email. It's an experience for the person on the other end. When you call that team meeting, it's not a team meeting. It's an experience." "You join a company and then you quit your boss." "Undesigned experiences lead to unpredictable outcomes." "It's cowardly, not loving. It's cowardly to leave them in that job." "I am for you. I am for you. That doesn't always mean that I am going to tell you what you wanna hear. It means I want you to flourish." "Loving's an ingredient, right? Loving isn't, 'Be nicer.' Loving's like, 'What are you trying to do for me?'" "The beginning of love is rules. The beginning of love is clarity." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:48 Start of Interview 01:57 Why Marcus Spent Decades Avoiding the Word "Love" 05:47 Misconceptions About Love in Business 11:29 Inside the "Josh Effect" 18:02 What Great Leaders Don't Do 22:13 Local Leadership and Variation in Team Experience 27:54 When Senior Leaders Couldn't Say the Word 31:04 Applying the "Is This Loving or Unloving?" Lens 37:43 Tough Love and Difficult Performance Conversations 46:20 Practical Takeaways: The Five Feelings of Love 50:25 AI and the Role of Love in Leadership 56:34 Designing Love Into Parenting and Family 1:01:26 End of Interview 1:01:57 Andy Comments After the Interview 1:05:03 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Marcus and his work at BuckinghamInstitute.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 252, which is our earlier interview with Marcus Buckingham. That book still impacts how Andy leads years after having Marcus on the first time. Episode 332 with Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel. A discussion about keeping your teams engaged and connected, even if they're not co-located. Episode 324 with Jim Harter. Jim is the Chief Scientist at Gallup and they have an insightful discussion about building resilient and thriving teams. Chat with PMeLa You can chat directly with PMeLa—the podcast's AI persona—to get episode recommendations and answers to your project management and leadership questions. Visit PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/PMeLa to chat with her. Pass the PMP Exam If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader–that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Love in Business, Team Culture, Employee Engagement, Customer Experience, Project Management, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Parenting, Organizational Culture, Experience Design The following music was used for this episode: Music: Summer Morning Full Version by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Lately my wonders and ponders have been really impactful as I'm learning things about myself I either overlooked or didn't realize. Owning my greatness has been a journey, for sure, and I am continuing to pull out bags, look at the contents, and decide to throw some of that baggage out (both literally and figuratively). I've been pondering topics like love at work, fierce conversations (like those Susan Scott tells us about in her book of the same name), attachment vs. commitment, and so much more. In this episode I share some ideas and ponderings that might look like coincidences, but are really the universe working on my behalf. I mention Marcus Buckingham's new book "Design Love In," Byron Katie's "Loving What Is," and Steve Farber's "Love is Just Damn Good Business," as well as this video which inspired the Assume - Receive - Repeat process. https://youtu.be/9CXIYKDIR3c?si=38OaxjFGttBkD7gi Here is the link for the Enlightened Leadership Lab: www.emergentculturelabs.com/leadershiplab 

Everyone says if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. But is that actually true? Marcus Buckingham has spent 30 years crunching the numbers on human performance, and he's got a very specific, and maybe surprising, answer to just how much of your day needs to spark joy before you stop wanting to quit.  You can learn more about his research in his new book Design Love In. At the end of the episode Dan has his own surprise brush with love.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Read my new book, "The Price of Becoming." www.LearningLeader.com/Becoming The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk My Guest: Marcus Buckingham is a Cambridge graduate. He spent nearly 20 years at the Gallup Organization, where he co-created the StrengthsFinder assessment. He is a New York Times bestselling author of influential books, including First, Break All the Rules and Now, Discover Your Strengths. Currently, he leads the People + Performance research at the ADP Research Institute. Key Learnings When you start a business, it's all about love. Seven out of 10 businesses fail, so when you start a business as an entrepreneur, you love what you do, you love your clients, and you surround yourself with people who can love it as much as you do. You all have this passionate delusion that what you're doing is really important and it's gonna work.  Marcus sold his company in 2017 and calls it the biggest mistake of his career. His company was broken down into silos, and the conversation became about maximization, compliance, and efficiency.  "Love is born savoring, it lives in intelligence, but it dies from neglect. Love dies from forgetting."  (Pablo Neruda) When you stop talking about love, you destroy it. Before you sell or scale, ask: Will this lead to more customers falling in love with your company and more employees saying they love working there? If the answer isn't obvious yes, then don't do it. Great companies protect the founder's flame. Walt Disney, Truett Cathy and Chick-fil-A, Apple's passion for design, Southwest Airlines, and Herb Kelleher. When companies lose their connection to the founding passion, they become the machine. The machine doesn't have a soul, and people can all feel it. Love is the most powerful force in business. If you want to drive productive human behavior, repeat visits, advocacy, loyalty, collaboration, high performance, the precursor to that is love.  But we don't say the word. Marcus was with 30 C-suite executives, and they spent two hours talking about data. They couldn't even say the word, love. They came to say it about customers, but never about their own employees. The job of a leader is to change human behavior. You're not paid to hit a goal. You're paid to change behavior so that you hit various goals. You've got two choices: directive (which works temporarily) or designing experiences. If you want sustainable behavior change, experiences drive behaviors, which drive outcomes.  The best leaders are skilled experience makers. That email you just sent? It's an experience. That meeting? It's an experience. Onboarding? It's an experience. Every touchpoint is picking up what you're putting down. Culture is just a series of experiences.  Either you are getting people to say "I love that," or you've failed to change their behavior. "If you are faking your beliefs, I can smell it, and I don't want to follow it." Authenticity is manifested in your beliefs, and they better be coherent with who you authentically are. Your customs are the living manifestation.  The things you customarily do have got to flow from your authenticity and your beliefs. The best leaders have their ABCs line up beautifully - they are authentically who they are, you know exactly what they believe, and their customs bring those authentic beliefs to life. The biggest driver of engagement is your local team leader, not the culture of the company. The culture is like the river, but there's a lot of different eddies. You join a company, but the sun, the moon, and the stars of your work is that local leader. The most important decision you make is who you make the leader of that team. A, B, C: Authenticity, Beliefs, Customs. We reach for authenticity in our leaders. We don't want perfection; we want authenticity because that leads to prediction. If you are authentically you, then I can predict you. I'm not expecting you to be perfect. I want you to be predictable. The definition of love to Marcus: Love is an experience that helps me feel more fully myself over time. Which is flourishing. Most of us go through life balled up like an armadillo, surrounded by armor plating. But inside of us, we want to take what's inside and express it. Love is a forward-facing emotion. We're anticipating goodness, and we have to take the armor off one plate at a time.  A question for all leaders:  What are the things I could practically do to get people on my team to feel like they are safe enough to express their best self on this team? The five sequential feelings of love: Control: "What's this world you've invited me into, and how does it work? " Harmony: "You have to tell people that you know what they're feeling." Significance: "Do you know my story?" Warmth of Others: "Who's with me? How can they help?" Growth: "How will this experience make me more capable?" If a leader understands the five feelings, they have a blueprint to get your team where you want them to go.  Marcus's Audi story: he loved his Audi, then at the end of the lease, he got a robocall. "You are at the end of your lease. You have not turned in the car. You have one week remaining, or you will be charged $500." He wasn't planning to turn it in. He was planning to get another one. Next week, same robocall. He leaned out. It was jarring because he was excited, and Audi was pissed off. They lost him for five years. Audi didn't take harmony seriously. They don't design for experiences; they design for processes. The person at the dealership is in a different silo than the person writing the script for the robocall. No one creates a holistic experience map. We don't design for experiences; we design for processes. Go to a hospital. It's one handoff after another. The person who's supposed to hold the narrative together is you, the patient. The whole thing has been designed for efficiency, not for a holistic experience. Undesigned experiences lead to unpredictable outcomes. Disney builds a berm around the whole park so you can't see out. You can't see the Red Roof Inn next door. Universal Studios doesn't do that. Six Flags doesn't do that. Why? Because Disney is trying to create a holistic experience. These companies think holistically about a human having an experience. The best leaders, when you ask "How do you motivate people?" always say "It depends." It depends on the person. At some point, the experience has got to be individualized. Don't start there. That's why this is sequential. Start with control, then harmony, then significance. Tell them you understand their story and what will change because of that story. The hospitalist movement in hospitals produced the best patient outcomes. They give each patient a guide all the way through the handoff process. Their entire job is to explain you to all the other healthcare professionals and to explain all the other healthcare professionals to you. As a result, you feel held. If you love anyone, you don't imagine they're ever finished. Love is a forward-facing emotion. Growth is the fifth feeling, not the first. We get this wrong when we think about designing love. We build it backwards. We start with growth and warmth. No. What's happening is feeling by feeling, we're taking off one plate of armor. If you haven't taken off the first four, you can't hit them with growth. The simplest thing leaders could do: check in with each of your people for 15 minutes, one by one, every week. Ask them:  How'd you feel about last week?  What are you working on this week?  How can I help?  Do that 52 times a year with each person individually, and you'll hit control, harmony, and over time significance. Marcus is creating an app with an AI design partner. He doesn't want his kids to grow into a world accepting loveless schools, loveless hospitals, loveless workplaces. The app will have a slider: loving/unloving. Let's call it what it is. It's love or not love. It's not okay to live in a loveless world, and we should call out unloving when we see it. Reflection Questions What would happen if you asked yourself before every major decision: "How does this help our customers love us more? How does this help our employees love working here more?" Are you designing experiences or just optimizing processes? What's one touchpoint in your customer or employee journey that feels mechanical and could be redesigned to feel more human? Which of the five feelings (control, harmony, significance, warmth of others, growth) are you strongest at creating for your team? Which one are you weakest at, and what's one thing you could do this week to improve it? Time stamps 00:00 Marcus Buckingham Intro 02:21 The Biggest Mistake: Selling My Company  05:55 Can You Scale Without Losing Love?  07:59 Protecting the Founder's Flame  12:03 Why CEOs Can't Say the Word "Love"  15:42 Your Job: Change Human Behavior  17:55 Experiences Drive Behaviors Drive Outcomes  21:42 Love Is Five Sequential Feelings  25:40 Jesse Cole and Josh D'Amaro: Real Love in Action  29:50 How Do You Prove ROI?  31:32 The Local Leader Drives Everything  32:09 The Scatterplot: Same Company, Different Experiences  33:43 ABCs: Authenticity, Beliefs, Customs  35:41 What Love Actually Means: Flourishing  38:28 The Five Feelings Blueprint  39:00 Feeling #1: Control (What World Am I In?)  40:28 Feeling #2: Harmony (Do You Know What I'm Feeling?)  43:43 We Design for Processes, Not Experiences  47:34 Feelings #3, #4, #5: Significance, Warmth, Growth  53:04 The Simplest Practice for All Leaders: Weekly 15-Minute Check-Ins  57:37 EOPCMore Learning #467: Marcus Buckingham - How Love and Work Must Be Forever Linked #305: Marcus Buckingham & Ashley Goodall - A Leader's Guide to the Real World #676: Jesse Cole - Built for the Fans (Obsession & Excellence)

In Design Love In: How to Unleash the Most Powerful Force in Business, Marcus Buckingham argues that love—not engagement, satisfaction, or motivation—is the only feeling that reliably changes the behavior of employees and customers, and that it can be deliberately designed into business.Buckingham is one of the world's foremost researchers on human performance. He is a former senior vice president at Gallup turned New York Times–best-selling author, having written First, Break All the Rules. In his new book, he draws on decades of research to show that the relationship between experiences and outcomes is not linear—only experiences so positive that people describe them as “love” actually drive loyalty, productivity, and advocacy.In his conversation with Adam Job, senior director at the BCG Henderson Institute, he discusses why love is categorically different from engagement, the five feelings that make up a loving experience, three disciplines leaders can use to design love into their organizations, and why common practices like outsourcing and large spans of control are fundamentally unloving.Key topics discussed: 01:16 | Why love is categorically different from engagement or satisfaction04:43 | The nonlinear relationship between experiences and outcomes08:24 | How experiences drive behaviors that drive outcomes12:34 | Designing love in: the five feelings and three disciplines16:00 | Can love be designed into products, not just experiences?19:13 | The three disciplines: walk the stage, equip the people, sequence the scenes27:39 | Spans of control and the one-to-12 rule30:17 | The limits of artificial experience–makingAdditional inspirations from Marcus Buckingham:First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently (Gallup Press, 2016)

Marcus Buckingham: Design Love In Marcus Buckingham is the author of two of the best-selling business books of all time and has three of Harvard Business Review's most circulated, industry-changing cover articles. After spending two decades studying excellence at the Gallup Organization and co-creating the StrengthsFinder tool, he built his own Coaching + Education firm and has been a prominent researcher on strengths, love, and leadership at work. He is the author of Design Love In: How to Unleash the Most Powerful Force in Business (Amazon, Bookshop)*. Most everyone who listens to this podcast wants to go way beyond just hitting numbers and achieving goals. In addition to that, we want so deeply to see the people the work with flourish in their careers. In this conversation, Marcus and I explore the sequence of five feelings that make this work – and why a lot of it comes down to love. Key Points Love dies, not from being killed – but from forgetting and neglect. The difference is massive in what we give a top rating to and everything else. Love is the deep and unwavering commitment to the flourishing of a human. Shift from leaders making decisions to leaders making experiences. The five feelings follow this sequence: Control Harmony Significance Warmth of others Growth Resources Mentioned Design Love In: How to Unleash the Most Powerful Force in Business by Marcus Buckingham (Amazon, Bookshop)* Design Love In Lovethat.com Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Lead Top-Line Growth, with Tim Sanders (episode 299) Transcend Leadership Struggles Through Your Strengths, with Lisa Cummings (episode 692) Clarifying Values for a Workplace People Love, with Anne Chow (episode 712) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

Marcus Buckingham joins us to challenge the belief that success comes from doing what you're good at. Using decades of research, he argues that what truly drives performance and fulfillment is something else entirely: love. In this episode, we explore why most workplace strategies miss the mark and how focusing on what gives you energy can reshape the way you think about work, and maybe even life. Topics [0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Marcus Buckingham [11:17] The Science of Excellence [17:53] The Importance of Love in Business [22:04] Experiences → Behaviors → Outcomes [32:03] The Myth of Linear Improvement [40:25] The Five Feelings of Love [1:00:49] Red Threads and Experience Intelligence [1:08:18] The Role of AI in Designing Love [1:11:30] Why You Shouldn't Go to a Coldplay Concert [1:18:43] Disney's Approach to Experience Design [1:30:19] Grooving Session: The Power of Love in Work ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Marcus The Buckingham Institute  Design Love In by Marcus Buckingham Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Musical Links Coldplay - Fix You Coldplay - Violet Hill (Live)

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.    I'm thrilled for this show for so many reasons. Today's guest has spent his career challenging how we think about people at work, what drives performance, what builds great teams and what actually helps people thrive. Marcus Buckingham is a New York Times bestselling author and a friend and one of the original pioneers of the strength movement. And now in his new book, Design Love In, he takes that thinking even further, arguing that love, when designed intentionally into how we lead and operate, is one of the most powerful forces in business.   THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders, managers, and individuals who want to better understand what drives high performance and how to build roles and teams around what people naturally do best.   TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…We've been taught to focus on improving our weaknesses but that approach is fundamentally flawed. In this conversation, Marcus explains why excellence comes from doubling down on strengths, not fixing what's broken. He shares how organizations can unlock performance by designing roles around what people love to do, why engagement surveys often miss the mark, and how leaders can create environments where individuals thrive by doing more of what energizes them.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: People grow most when they invest in what they naturally do best. High performance comes from aligning work with what energizes individuals. Traditional feedback and engagement systems often overlook individual strengths. Great leaders focus on outcomes while allowing flexibility in how work gets done.   WHAT I LOVE MOST…Marcus' reminder that excellence isn't built by fixing weaknesses but by understanding and using your strengths every day. It's a simple shift, but it completely changes how we think about performance.   Running Time: 40:16   Subscribe on iTunes    Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X    Find Marcus Online: LinkedIn Buckingham Institute   Marcus' Book: Design Love In: How to Unleash the Most Powerful Force in Business

Business consultant and author Marcus Buckingham explains why love is the most powerful force in businessSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we dive into the architecture of trust, brand, and why the most resilient organizations don't rely on quick fixes. We revisit the case of Johnson & Johnson's Tylenol crisis, looking beyond textbook crisis management to the underlying fabric of a company built on values that withstand disaster.We're joined by Marcus Buckingham, author of Design Love In, who reveals why “love” isn't just a luxury in business, but the essential driver of extreme positive outcomes—far beyond mere employee engagement or customer satisfaction. Marcus challenges us to take love seriously, backing it with data, and offers a blueprint for designing it into day-to-day experiences.We also talk with Lifang He, author of Brand Power Built In. Drawing on her experience at Apple, Amazon, and Ring, she argues compellingly that the strongest brands emerge not from a logo or a campaign, but from products meticulously embedded with care and meaning across every customer touchpoint.Throughout both conversations, we interrogate the difference between what's built in and what's simply bolted on—and why every leader should care about which side of that divide they're on.Five Key Learnings“Love” is Predictive, Not Sentimental: When customers or team members say “I love this,” that reaction drives behaviors like loyalty, advocacy, and retention at exponentially higher rates than milder positive feelings. Don't swap out the concept for weaker synonyms; measure and design for love directly 04:34.Built-In Values Outlast Pressure: Johnson & Johnson's integrity-driven response to crisis wasn't improvised—it was the natural expression of decades-old foundational values placed above shareholder interest. Under stress, only built-in commitments hold 01:10.You Can't Fake or Neglect Real Connection: Love in organizations erodes not through sabotage, but through drift and neglect. Leaders must actively, persistently design and nurture love into everyday practices—or watch it quietly dissolve 08:24.Brand Is the Product Journey: Especially in tech, brand isn't just a veneer or story; it is the full, lived customer experience—every feature, interaction, and support moment. The most valuable brands are indistinguishable from the products themselves 26:18.The Ordinary Tuesday Is Where It Happens: Crisis moments don't define culture—daily operational choices do. The difference is made in routine touchpoints, not performative communications. Leaders should audit actual experiences for where moments of love and brand connection break down 33:37.Get full interviews and bonus content for free! Just join the list at DailyCreativePlus.com.Mentioned in this episode:To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.The Brave Habit is available nowMy new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

Marcus Buckingham, New York Times bestselling author, joins the podcast to make a bold case from his new book, Design Love In. Love is the most powerful driver of business outcomes, and modern workplaces have engineered it out. What does "love" actually mean at work? Why do people wear armor on the job, and how do everyday systems help them take it off? Marcus introduces a blueprint for creating loving experiences built on five sequential emotions, and reveals what happens when organizations try to skip ahead. He also addresses the pressures of the current moment and how AI can either support human flourishing or quietly push love out of work. Most importantly, Marcus offers concrete ways anyone can begin designing love back into work, leadership, learning, and culture with intention, starting now. Resources: Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-buckingham/ Marcus' book: https://www.designlovein.com/ Marcus' company: https://www.lovethat.com/  

What if the secret to sustained business performance isn't strategy, efficiency, or even culture, but love? In this episode, renowned researcher and bestselling author Marcus Buckingham joins host Brandon Laws to discuss his new book Design Love In: How to Unleash the Most Powerful Force in Business. Marcus makes a compelling, data-backed case that "love" isn't a soft concept. It's the most predictive force in driving employee loyalty, customer behavior, and long-term business value. From a behind-the-scenes look at Disney's most beloved executive to a cautionary tale about a Netflix CMO using AI to crank out 26 performance reviews in 20 minutes, this conversation is packed with insights that will fundamentally change how you think about leadership. If you care about building a workplace where people genuinely thrive and a business that sustainably grows, you cannot afford to miss this one. Key Timestamps [00:00:00] — Introduction: Marcus shares the personal, vulnerable story of selling his company and watching love drain out of the organization he built — the catalyst for everything in Design Love In. [00:04:00] — The crisis of trust: Why we're living in the least trusting workplace environment ever recorded, what AI and surveillance are doing to human connection, and how leaders must respond differently today. [00:07:00] — Experience Intelligence: Marcus introduces the core leadership competency that top business schools don't teach — and why experiences, not directives, are the only path to sustained behavior change. [00:09:00] — The Josh Effect: Marcus recounts his days shadowing Josh D'Amaro, a senior Disney executive, and what his instinctive, human-first leadership style reveals about what great experience design actually looks like in practice. [00:18:00] — The business case for love: How data from an 8,000-store retailer proved that the relationship between experience and outcomes isn't linear — it's a hockey stick — and why "fives" are the only scores that matter. [00:24:00] — Why fives and fours are fundamentally different: Marcus explains why lumping top scores together (net promoter score, top-two-box) is a critical mistake, and why the word customers and employees use to describe their best experiences is always love. [00:29:00] — The Experience Continuum: A framework for understanding the spectrum from exploitative to loving experiences — and how to identify where your organization currently falls. [00:36:00] — AI, performance reviews, and the Netflix CMO: A real-world cautionary tale about using AI in ways that quietly destroy the very force that drives business value. [00:42:00] — The Five Feelings of Love: Marcus breaks down the sequential blueprint leaders can use to intentionally design love into any experience — control, harmony, significance, warmth of others, and growth. [00:50:00] — One thing you can do tomorrow: A simple, 15-minute weekly ritual that activates the first three feelings of love and is the single most powerful thing a leader can do to start designing love in. [00:54:00] — Where to find Marcus and the book: Design Love In and the new company, Love That. About the Guest Marcus Buckingham is a researcher, entrepreneur, and bestselling author with roots at Gallup, where he joined in 1987. He has spent decades studying leadership, strengths, and what makes people thrive at work. His new book, Design Love In: How to Unleash the Most Powerful Force in Business, makes the data-driven case that love — properly understood — is the most powerful and predictive force in business. Learn more at designlovein.com or lovethat.com. A Quick Glimpse Into Our Podcast Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders." About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn | Instagram | About Connect with Xenium HR: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

In this episode, Martin sits down with Tena Jolley, founder of Apela Strategic Solutions and a 30-year HR veteran, to break down everything small business owners get wrong about human resources. Timestamps00:50 - Episode & Guest Intro03:44 - Why You Shouldn't DIY HR04:56 - At Will Misconceptions08:49 - Cost and Fractional HR11:26 - What HR Really Covers15:48 - When Hair Is On Fire19:17 - Unemployment Claims Explained22:31 - Progressive Discipline Steps26:55 - Handling Attitude Issues30:19 - Reviews That Look Forward31:03 - No More Annual Ambushes32:27 - Who Should Evaluate33:47 - Work Family Boundaries36:29 - Can People Really Change39:25 - Legacy Employees Costly Lesson42:50 - No Surprises Review Rhythm44:01 - 360 Feedback Done Right47:53 - Bonuses That Drive Results51:10 - Alignment And HR Compliance53:16 - Start Small With HR Help54:40 - Wrap Up And Sign OffKey TakeawaysHR covers far more than hiring and firing; it includes handbooks, job descriptions, compensation strategy, employee training, organizational design, and compliance with federal and state laws.Progressive discipline has four steps: verbal warning, first written reprimand, second write-up, and separation. Each step should be documented and focused on helping the employee succeed.Employee evaluations should happen at least quarterly, not just annually, and should focus on a roadmap forward rather than a year's worth of saved-up grievances.Subjective issues like attitude can be addressed objectively by including conduct expectations in your employee code of conduct and discussing them during the interview process.Keeping underperforming or toxic employees because you're afraid of unemployment claims or confrontation can cost you your best people, your culture, and significant money when you sell the business.Bonus structures should reward measurable outcomes like accuracy, response time, and process improvements rather than flat annual gifts that create entitlement.Fractional HR professionals can work with your budget on a retainer or project basis, starting as small as a single job description, and scale with you over time.Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠First Break All The Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Implementing AI in Your Business Workshop Sign-Up ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠24 Things⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Construction Business Owners Need to Successfully Hire & Train an Executive Assistant⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ a 15-Minute Roadblock CallBuild a Business that Runs without you. Explore our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GrowthKits⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Need Marketing Help? We Recommend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Benali⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Need Help with podcast production? We recommend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Demandcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Checkout ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ More from Tena JolleyApela Strategic SolutionsTena on LinkedInApela on LinkedInMore from Martin Holland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theprofitproblem.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠annealbc.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More from Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠benali.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More from The Cash Flow ContractorSubscribe to our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow On Social:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X(formerly Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Cashflow Contractor

Building a Business People Can't Imagine Losing starts with a bold idea: love is the most powerful force in business. In this episode, Marcus Buckingham explains why experience intelligence drives customer loyalty, employee engagement, and sustainable business growth. You'll learn how to design experiences that move people from satisfaction to true advocacy using a five-step emotional blueprint. If you want to create emotional connection, strengthen brand loyalty, and build a company customers and employees can't imagine a world without, this conversation shows you how. Today we discussed: 00:00 Why Love Belongs in Business 03:25 Measuring Love and Experience Intelligence 07:22 Designing Consistent Experiences 11:57 Broken Experiences and Process Thinking 14:33 Designing Love Into Onboarding 18:22 Love as a Strategic Advantage Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today!

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Ashley Goodall, former Cisco executive and co-author of Nine Lies About Work, about lies we are told about work. For example, we are told that the best companies cascade goals and the best people are well-rounded. We are told that people leave because of ‘culture’ and that feedback is a gift. But what if every one of those statements is a lie?! In this episode, often-repeated work ‘dogmas’ will be dismantled—including the myth of “Company Culture” and the trap of “Work-Life Balance”. Ashley Goodall culls from two decades working in leadership and human resources as a consultant, Fortune 50 executive, speaker, researcher and writer. You’ll learn the Nine Lies About Work and why they are lies. You’ll learn how to genuinely and effectively manage and lead teams in any field. You’ll learn the myths of management. And most importantly, you’ll learn what truly does help teams thrive in the real world… (it’s not what you’ve probably heard in the workplace!) If you lead or want to lead, you cannot afford to miss this episode! LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don't miss an episode! SHOW NOTES: ASHLEY GOODALL: BIO: BOOKS: Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to the Real World, by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall The Problem with Change: And the Essential Nature of Human Performance, by Ashley Goodall ASHLEY’S SUBSTACK: https://ashleygoodall.substack.com/ WEBSITE: https://ashleygoodall.com/

(0:00) Intro(1:36) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel(2:22) Start of interview(3:21) Jennifer's origin story(8:06) Journey to Treasury starting with Sara Lee Corporation, to Cisco and eBay (20-year career in Treasury)(15:05) From Box to CFO roles at Coupons.com and Smartsheet (took it public as CFO)(20:50) Building a Board Career: True Search, Auth0 (acq by Okta), Nerd Wallet, Wyze, Riskified and Klaviyo.(23:40) Private vs. Public Boards(27:47) On founder-led companies(30:01) The Role of Audit Committees(30:50) Navigating AI in the board(36:37) On increased politicization and geopolitics in the boardroom(38:44) CEO-CFO strategy and talking about the hard stuff(40:22) Qualities of a Great Board Member: "The best board members ask the right questions at the right time in the right tone" (from Anita Sands). "They're willing to help in however the company wants them to help."(44:05) Effective Board Meetings(45:59) Books that have greatly influenced her life:Gifts Differing by Isabel Briggs Myers (1980)Discover your Strengths by Donald O. Clifton and Marcus Buckingham (2001)Dare to Lead by Brené Brown (1980)(48:36) Her mentors (50:09) Quotes that she thinks of often or lives her life by "Don't take no for an answer and don't give up" (51:09) An unusual habit or an absurd thing that she loves: Family Search(53:40) The living person she most admires: Taylor SwiftJennifer Ceran is a seasoned finance executive and board member whose career spans treasury leadership, the CFO role, and public and private company board service. Jennifer currently serves on the boards of NerdWallet, Wyze, Riskified, Klaviyo, Flock Safety, and Mesh Payments. You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

What if loving your job has nothing to do with passion, purpose, or perks and everything to do with how often you get to be yourself at work? In this interesting episode with Dr. Bray, he unpacks a powerful idea from Marcus Buckingham that challenges how leaders think about engagement, retention, and performance. Most people are not burned out because they work too hard. They are burned out because they rarely get to do the parts of the job that give them energy. The moments where time disappears. The conversations that feel natural. The problems they solve instinctively. Those moments are not fluff. They are signals. This episode is for leaders who care deeply about their people but sense something is missing. We explore how work can be redesigned in small, meaningful ways that help people experience more energy without changing titles, budgets, or roles. You will hear why engagement surveys often miss the point and how one simple question can unlock stronger performance, deeper connection, and greater resilience on your team. Loving your job is not about doing what you love all day. It is about alignment. And alignment is something every leader can learn to create. You will look at how you work and lead in 2026.  Marcus Buckingham June-July HBR 2022 Quotes by Dr. Bray "The most powerful predictors of engagement and retention are not pay, location, or even belief in the mission—it's whether people are excited to do the work itself." "Helping people find love—or meaning—in some of what they do every day is one of the most important things leaders can do." "You don't need to love 100% of your job. If you love even 50–60% of it, people are far more engaged and far more likely to stay."

It's with a heavy heart that I'm pushing pause on PG-ish. The podcast has been going strong for over six years, and while I've learned much and grown alongside all of you, I realize that it's time for a pivot. This decision didn't happen suddenly, but rather came from a quiet and slow feeling that it was time for a change. Today I'm sharing my thought process behind this decision and the changes I'm making in my own life moving forward. I'll still be on this parenting journey with you, learning and growing and changing. The PG-ish website and all the podcast episodes will still be available, so don't hesitate to reach out any time. I look forward to this next chapter of the journey!   Fan favorite episodes (as well as my own): 241. Own your crazy spots + how to love your teenager well, featuring Lisa Damour 111. Feeling is believing, featuring Lisa Feldman Barrett 232. Love is space making, featuring Marcus Buckingham 282. Bringing love back to the heart of it, an interview with Marcus Buckingham 215. The CliffsNotes to being a badass adult, featuring Jen Sincero   As always, I'd love to hear from you! DM me on IG @pgishparenting, or you can always find me at www.pgishparenting.com.

As 2025 wraps up and 2026 gets started, we thought we'd take a look back on all the great conversations we've had over the past year and pick a few of our favorites to share with you. Whitney and Content Producer Eric Case talk through their reactions to episodes with guests Marcus Buckingham, Joni Eareckson Tada, David Ashcraft and Gabe Salguero.

-----WHERE TO FOLLOW US----- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bestbookbits/?sub_confirmation=1 Website: https://bestbookbits.com Audio: https://bestbookbits.podbean.com/ Stop fixing your weaknesses — start amplifying your strengths. In this video, we break down Go Put Your Strengths to Work by Marcus Buckingham, a powerful guide that teaches you how to identify your natural talents, maximise your performance, and create work that energises you. Buckingham's research shows that people become more productive, more engaged, and more fulfilled when they focus on what they do best. This summary highlights the key principles, exercises, and action steps that help you discover your strengths and apply them effectively in your career and daily life. ⭐ What You'll Learn: How to identify your real strengths (not just what you're “good” at) Why focusing on strengths leads to higher performance The 6 Steps to Strengths Performance How to redesign your job around your strengths How to manage weaknesses without letting them drain your energy Practical tools to boost engagement, confidence, and effectiveness If you're interested in self-improvement, career growth, or personal development, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more book summaries!

 ¿Sabías que solo el 20% de las personas sienten que usan sus fortalezas todos los días en el trabajo?En este episodio analizo Descubre Tus Fortalezas 2.0 (Now, Discover Your Strengths, 2001) de Marcus Buckingham y Donald Clifton, un libro revolucionario que demuestra científicamente por qué enfocarse en corregir debilidades es la forma más rápida de garantizar la mediocridad.Marcus Buckingham y Donald Clifton dirigieron la investigación más exhaustiva sobre excelencia humana jamás realizada: más de 2 millones de entrevistas con las mejores personas en sus campos. Su descubrimiento cambió todo: las fortalezas no son algo que desarrollas, sino patrones neurológicos únicos que ya tienes y que debes identificar, nombrar y multiplicar sistemáticamente.A lo largo del episodio exploramos el sistema completo para transformar tu potencial en resultados:La revolución del paradigma: por qué la ecuación TALENTO + CONOCIMIENTO + HABILIDADES = FORTALEZA cambia completamente cómo entendemos el desarrollo humano. Descubrirás las 4 pistas que revelan tus talentos naturales, cómo el General Colin Powell se convirtió en orador extraordinario sin entrenamiento formal, y por qué intentar ser "completo" es la estrategia más ineficiente del mundo.El sistema StrengthsFinder: la herramienta científica que identifica tus 5 talentos dominantes de entre 34 posibles, basada en décadas de investigación de Gallup. Aprenderás cómo los 34 temas se organizan en 4 dominios, por qué Tiger Woods nunca intentó desarrollar habilidades sociales, y cómo convertir tus patrones neurológicos únicos en ventajas competitivas imparables.La aplicación práctica: estrategias específicas para gestionar debilidades sin obsesionarte con ellas, cómo encontrar roles donde tus fortalezas sean valoradas, y el plan de 90 días para transformar talentos en fortalezas de clase mundial.No es teoría de autoayuda. Es psicología aplicada respaldada por la investigación más robusta jamás realizada sobre rendimiento humano excepcional. Porque cuando descubres qué te hace único y aprendes a aplicarlo sistemáticamente, no solo mejoras tu rendimiento. Transformas completamente tu experiencia de trabajo y vida.La diferencia entre emprendedores que prosperan y los que luchan no está en arreglar sus debilidades. Está en multiplicar sus fortalezas naturales hasta convertirlas en superpoderes.

 ¿Sabías que solo el 20% de las personas sienten que usan sus fortalezas todos los días en el trabajo?En este episodio analizo Descubre Tus Fortalezas 2.0 (Now, Discover Your Strengths, 2001) de Marcus Buckingham y Donald Clifton, un libro revolucionario que demuestra científicamente por qué enfocarse en corregir debilidades es la forma más rápida de garantizar la mediocridad.Marcus Buckingham y Donald Clifton dirigieron la investigación más exhaustiva sobre excelencia humana jamás realizada: más de 2 millones de entrevistas con las mejores personas en sus campos. Su descubrimiento cambió todo: las fortalezas no son algo que desarrollas, sino patrones neurológicos únicos que ya tienes y que debes identificar, nombrar y multiplicar sistemáticamente.A lo largo del episodio exploramos el sistema completo para transformar tu potencial en resultados:La revolución del paradigma: por qué la ecuación TALENTO + CONOCIMIENTO + HABILIDADES = FORTALEZA cambia completamente cómo entendemos el desarrollo humano. Descubrirás las 4 pistas que revelan tus talentos naturales, cómo el General Colin Powell se convirtió en orador extraordinario sin entrenamiento formal, y por qué intentar ser "completo" es la estrategia más ineficiente del mundo.El sistema StrengthsFinder: la herramienta científica que identifica tus 5 talentos dominantes de entre 34 posibles, basada en décadas de investigación de Gallup. Aprenderás cómo los 34 temas se organizan en 4 dominios, por qué Tiger Woods nunca intentó desarrollar habilidades sociales, y cómo convertir tus patrones neurológicos únicos en ventajas competitivas imparables.La aplicación práctica: estrategias específicas para gestionar debilidades sin obsesionarte con ellas, cómo encontrar roles donde tus fortalezas sean valoradas, y el plan de 90 días para transformar talentos en fortalezas de clase mundial.No es teoría de autoayuda. Es psicología aplicada respaldada por la investigación más robusta jamás realizada sobre rendimiento humano excepcional. Porque cuando descubres qué te hace único y aprendes a aplicarlo sistemáticamente, no solo mejoras tu rendimiento. Transformas completamente tu experiencia de trabajo y vida.La diferencia entre emprendedores que prosperan y los que luchan no está en arreglar sus debilidades. Está en multiplicar sus fortalezas naturales hasta convertirlas en superpoderes.

Real estate agents are often the face of the industry, but they wouldn't get far without the brilliant minds working behind the scenes. These are the leaders who keep the entire operation running smoothly with their exceptional administrative and operational skills. Today, I'm joined by three incredible women who have mastered this crucial space: Sherrie Porter, Melissa Ryan, and Stephanie Wolf. They'll share their insights and expertise on what it takes to lead in the real estate industry, from the front office to the back end. Grab your cafecito and join us as we explore how a blend of operational excellence and strategic vision creates a foundation for success. Meet The Leaders Sherrie Porter, Chief Operating Officer,  Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty, sherrie@ewm.com. Melissa Ryan, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of Long & Foster Real Estate, MelissaRyan@hsoa.homeservices.com. Stephanie Wolf, General Manager, Pickford Escrow, swolf@pickfordescrow.com. Breaking the Mold: Three Different Journeys into Real Estate Sherry shares her 38-year journey from an entry-level role to COO, highlighting the relationship-driven nature of real estate and her experience in both residential and operational leadership. Melissa discusses her transition from real estate law to a multifaceted executive role, overseeing property management, legal, and operational functions for thousands of agents. Stephanie recounts her unique entry into escrow, emphasizing California's apprenticeship model and her path from entry-level to managing multiple branches. Defining Leadership Styles Each of the ladies describes their views on a people-centered approach: Stephanie focuses on pragmatism, advocacy, and making sure “people matter.” Sherry emphasizes servant leadership, strategic thinking, and leading by example. Melissa prioritizes a “people first” mindset, ensuring culture and operational efficiency go hand in hand. Building a Culture of Belonging and Support Melissa emphasizes the powerful impact of putting people where their passions and strengths align. Her strategy is less about implementing a single system and more about intentionally understanding what excites each team member. Stephanie underscores the importance of teamwork and an inclusive, collaborative culture across her organization. She credits much of their success to intentionally breaking down silos between departments and operational “core services” (such as escrow and sales). Sherry Porter focuses on maximizing each person's unique strengths and maintaining a mindset of continuous growth and adaptability. She uses insights from books like Marcus Buckingham's Now, Discover Your Strengths to intentionally place people in positions where they naturally excel. Supporting & Elevating Women Stephanie shares how in Southern California, that 87% of escrow branch leaders are women. Her company actively promotes and uplifts women as they grow in their careers by offering training classes, advisory committees, and brainstorming sessions.There's a culture of supporting women at all career stages, so they have opportunities to participate, learn, and advance. Sherry is intentional about seeking out and building a bench of future leaders, especially as her organization experiences changes among top leadership. She empowers women by challenging them, giving them opportunities, and offering her support—focusing on questions that get to the heart of what might help women move forward or get “unstuck.” Melissa believes women in leadership must take responsibility for building a bench of future women leaders. She directly supports women in her organization—though not through a formal mentorship program, she actively identifies talent and provides growth and learning opportunities so women can step into bigger roles. Recommended Resources & Inspiration Stephanie mentioned her admiration for Simon Sinek, quoting, "We have the luxury of looking after ourselves, but we have the honor of looking after each other," which reflects her value of team and collective success. She also follows Mel Robbins for motivation and recommended Mary Claire Haver, a Texas-based doctor who leads a revolution for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.  Melissa highlighted the book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," emphasizing the importance of having a growth mindset, especially in times of industry change. Sherry Porter recommended the book "Now, Discover Your Strengths" by Marcus Buckingham. She also talked about "The Power of Moments" by Chip and Dan Heath. When you help another woman rise, we all shine. And that's how we make an impact. So, let's build each other up and shine brighter than the sun. For more great content from Teresa, connect with her on LinkedIn, join her Women Who Lead Series on Facebook, and subscribe to her YouTube channel. You can find more episodes of Women Who Lead on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else podcasts can be found. This episode is brought to you in part by Venus et Fleur. Are you looking for a great way to show appreciation to family, friends, or even customers? Give them a floral arrangement they won't forget anytime soon. These beautiful arrangements make the perfect closing gift for any realtor to stay top of mind. Visit venusetfleur.com and use code “hsoa20” when ordering for 20% off.

Summary Have you ever wrapped up your workday thinking, “I've been busy all day, but I'm not sure I actually made anything better”? If so, you're not alone, and today's guests are here to help you break that cycle. In this episode, Andy talks with Don Kieffer and Nelson Repenning, co-authors of the new book There's Got to Be a Better Way. Don is a former Harley-Davidson executive who led during some of the company's most challenging years. Nelson is a professor at MIT Sloan who studies why well-intended management tools often fail in practice. Together, they're helping leaders rethink how work actually gets done. In the conversation, you'll learn why so many teams get stuck in firefighting mode, and why that's often not a people issue but a systems issue. You'll hear how to spot the “firefighter-arsonist” pattern, why problem-solving starts with problem-finding, and what it means to “design for discovery.” We also talk about Agile, Lean, invisible handoffs, and even how these ideas apply to family life. If you're looking for insights on how to make your team's work more effective, sustainable, and human-centered, this episode is for you! Sound Bites “Most performance problems are not people problems. They're design problems.” “You get what you design for. And most work isn't designed at all. It just kind of happens.” “Firefighting is not a character flaw. It's a predictable output of a broken system.” “If you don't make the work visible, you can't improve it.” “When no one owns the handoff, it's not really a handoff. It's a drop.” “Success should be easy. That doesn't mean the work isn't hard, but the path to doing it well should be clear.” “Discovery isn't luck. It's a design choice.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:49 Start of Interview 01:59 The Origin Story: How Don and Nelson Collaborated 07:36 Challenges in Implementing Business Tools 13:19 Dynamic Work Design vs. Traditional Methods 25:16 A Lesson from the Factory Floor 26:53 Identifying and Solving Problems in Teams 31:23 The Importance of Connecting the Human Chain 35:46 Making Work Visible: Strategies and Tools 40:34 Applying Work Strategies at Home 42:46 End of Interview 43:12 Andy Comments After the Interview 47:35 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about the book and their work at shiftgear.work/theres-got-to-be-a-better-way-book. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 249 with Aaron Dignan about Brave New Work Episode 252 with Marcus Buckingham about Nine Lies About Work Episode 162 with Jonathan Raymond on culture and leadership mindset Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Business Acumen Topics: Leadership, Project Management, System Design, Agile, Lean, Problem Solving, Collaboration, Organizational Effectiveness, Continuous Improvement, Work Design, Team Performance The following music was used for this episode: Music: Quantum Sparks Full Version by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

What happens when you're great at your job but miserable in it?In this episode, I read an excerpt from Stand Out 2.0 by Marcus Buckingham and share the story of Michael, a capable, kind professional who got promoted out of alignment with his strengths, and ultimately burned out.We explore:Why knowing your strengths isn't optionalThe emotional toll of the “wrong fit”What to do when your work no longer feels like “you”This one's for anyone who's ever asked, “Why does this job drain me?”Contact Us Ask a question or leave a comment, visit shepact.com/voicemail Follow me on Instagram at instagram.com/remiroy Email us: thedrivenintrovert@shepact.com Enjoying the podcast? Share the podcast with a friend: shepact.com/TDIPodcast Leave a review: We'd appreciate it if you could WRITE a review for us. Your support and feedback mean a lot to us. Thank you!

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Jeffrey Hull and Margaret Moore, co-authors of The Science of Leadership: Nine Ways to Expand Your Impact. Drawing from over 50 years of leadership research and tens of thousands of studies, Jeff and Meg offer an accessible roadmap for leaders who want to grow in meaningful, evidence-based ways. As coaches and leaders at the Institute of Coaching, they distill complex research into nine practical leadership capacities that help you expand your impact while staying grounded. In this conversation, they unpack what it means to be a conscious leader and why self-awareness is essential. You'll hear how cultural context affects leadership perceptions, what it takes to be ready to grow, and how to quiet the "ego noise" that can derail your effectiveness. Whether you're managing a team across time zones or parenting in today's high-pressure environment, the insights from this episode are deeply practical and immediately usable. If you're looking for insights on how to lead with more clarity, authenticity, and impact, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Leadership isn't about you as much as it is about your impact on others." "Motivation and confidence are twin engines that power real growth." "Quieting your ego doesn't make you less effective. It gives you clarity." "Cultural norms can shape how leadership is perceived, but respect always translates." "Transformational leadership isn't about having a vision. It's about co-creating one." "Parenting is leadership. And it's one of the best places to practice these capacities." "The book is a self-coaching tool for everyday leaders who want to grow with intention." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:49 Start of Interview 02:00 What From Your Early Life Influenced How You Think About Leadership? 08:00 What Types of Leadership Books Make You Shake Your Head? 11:08 What Do You Mean by Leadership? 17:30 How Do We Know If We're Ready to Grow as Leaders? 21:00 How Do Cultural Norms Affect the Practice of These Capacities? 25:45 What Does It Mean to Be a Conscious Leader? 35:00 What Is a Quiet Ego, and How Do You Quiet Ego Noise? 38:30 What Does Transformational Leadership Look Like in Practice? 40:30 A Practical Way to Develop This Capacity 45:28 What Can Parents Learn From This Book to Lead Better at Home? 48:46 End of Interview 49:20 Andy Comments After the Interview 53:00 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Jeff, Meg, and their work at ScienceOfLeadership.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 344 with Peter Bregman about how you can change other people by setting the conditions under which they're willing to change. Episode 416 with Jim Kouzes. He's been with us four times, each episode exploring research-driven insights on leadership. Episode 252 with Marcus Buckingham about the Nine Lies we believe about work and leadership, and what to do about them. Pass the PMP Exam This Year If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader–that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Self-Awareness, Coaching, Organizational Behavior, Servant Leadership, Team Culture, Feedback, Psychological Safety, Confidence, Change Readiness, Authenticity, Conscious Leadership, Project Management The following music was used for this episode: Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

When you hear the word, feedback, what comes up for you?Most of us do not have a neutral relationship with feedback. It's tangled up with our past experiences, workplace power dynamics, cultural expectations, and–importantly–our early relational wounds.But at its core, feedback is a deeply relational act that has the power to help us unburden rather than re-wound.Which is why it's so frustrating that feedback in leadership and workplace culture is so often done without care, rendering the process performative, detached, and isolating.Some of the constraints that can hamper authentic feedback in the workplace are necessary and protective, but it feels like we've lost the plot for the role and purpose of feedback, and in some cases, have abandoned it altogether.But it is possible to navigate these complex systems intentionally and with clarity. We can make feedback a tool for accountability, care, and growth that helps leaders strengthen their self-awareness and be better advocates for their teams.My guest today helps us unpack how leaders can cultivate a feedback culture that allows for mistakes, growth, and realignment.Therese Huston, Ph.D., is a Cognitive Neuroscientist and Faculty Development Consultant at Seattle University. She was the founding director of the university's Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and is now a consultant for its Center for Faculty Development. Her latest book Sharp: 14 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life with Brain Science is out now from Mayo Clinic Press.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why how and where feedback is delivered matters just as much for positive feedback as negativeStrategies for making feedback a supportive and generative dialogueWhy it's critical to allow others space to process your feedback before you start problem solvingHow starting with your authentic positive intentions can make others more receptive to feedbackWhy it's worth ending the conversation by checking in about their takeawaysHow typical feedback can perpetuate disparities in the workplace, and steps leaders can take to change those dynamicsA tip from Therese's new book to help manage stress and difficult conversationsLearn more about Therese Huston, Ph.D.:WebsiteTwitter: @ThereseHustonConnect on LinkedInLet's Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your SuperpowerSharp: 14 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life with Brain ScienceLearn more about Rebecca:rebeccaching.comWork With RebeccaThe Unburdened Leader on SubstackSign up for the weekly Unburdened Leader EmailResources:Principles: Life and Work, Ray DalioRadical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity, Kim ScottNine Lies about Work: A Freethinking Leader's Guide to the Real World, Marcus Buckingham, Ashley GoodallThe Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever, Michael Bungay StanierThanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well Douglas Stone, Sheila HeenThe 90 second life cycle of an emotionLeslie K. JohnPersonality feedback is holding certain groups back – TextioJob Burnout At 66% In 2025, New Study ShowsEP 123: Befriending Your Nervous System: Building Capacity for Regulation with Deb DanaThe Frozen River, Ariel LawhonAdele - SkyfallShrinking

Send us a textToday, I'm thrilled to welcome a powerhouse in fintech and leadership In The Suite: Gene Farrell, President and CEO of Vanilla.If you think estate planning is confusing, costly, or only for the ultra-wealthy—this episode is going to flip that belief on its head. Gene joins us to talk about how Vanilla is on a mission to reimagine and radically simplify estate planning, making it accessible, human, and empowering for advisors and families alike.This conversation is especially meaningful to me. As someone navigating a personal health journey, I've come to understand just how vital it is to plan ahead—not just for ourselves, but for the people we love. It's not just paperwork. It's peace of mind. And Vanilla is making that possible.Founded in 2019 by renowned entrepreneur and financial advisor Steve Lockshin, Vanilla was born out of a deep understanding of the wealth management space—and a bold vision to modernize how legacy planning gets done. Backed by leaders like Michael Jordan and Bill McNabb, Vanilla is transforming an industry that has long been overdue for innovation.In today's episode, Gene brings both personal passion and professional fire. We talk about everything—from the heartbreaking family experience that fuels his drive at Vanilla, to his journey through giants like Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Smartsheet. Yes, he's the brains behind Coca-Cola Freestyle—you know, that magical machine that lets you mix over 100 drink combinations? Yeah, that was Gene.But this episode goes deeper. We dive into how Vanilla is transforming the advisor-client relationship through intelligent estate planning tools—using AI, intuitive design, and real human connection. You'll hear about the myth of "estate planning is only for the rich,” why 92% of clients want their advisor's help—but only 23% get it—and what you can do about it.Plus, we explore the power of legacy, leadership, and living with intention.So whether you're a fintech founder, financial advisor, or someone navigating your own life planning journey—this episode is packed with wisdom, innovation, and inspiration.Get ready for an unforgettable conversation with one of the most purpose-driven leaders in fintech—right here, In The Suite.Books Referenced:First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and the Gallup OrganizationNow, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus BuckinghamYounger Next Year by Chris Crowley & Henry LodgeToughness Training for Life by James E. LoehrToughness Training for Sport by James E. LoehrWebsites & Tools:Vanilla Download the 2025 State of Estate Planning Report

Season 4, Episode 5 | Why do we crave the reward without the effort—comfort without discomfort? In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch dismantle the patience myth, exposing how chasing shortcuts steals your momentum and growth. You'll discover why leaning into the uncomfortable gap rewires your mindset, how community holds you when you'd normally bail, and simple daily rituals that turn small acts of waiting into real strength. Trade quick fixes for lasting change and step onto the unlikely path of true resilience.Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:33 Patience Unmasked 05:14 Shortcut Illusion 08:19 Emptiness as Ally?10:48 Reward in Resistance 13:04 Community Over Comfort 15:41 Mindset Shift 18:31 Discomfort Signals 23:30 Daily Discomfort Rituals 25:47 Release Perfection 28:32 Redemption and Imperfect Progress 31:50 Challenge Accepted Mentions:CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) - A personal assessment tool developed by Don Clifton and popularized by Marcus Buckingham. It helps individuals identify their top strengths and encourages focusing on these rather than improving weaknesses.James Clear - Author of "Atomic Habits," which discusses the idea of making small changes to improve habits and behavior over time. Mentioned in the context of making deposits into the person you want to become in the future.Steve Magness - Author of "Do Hard Things” and “The Surprising Science of Real Toughness." His work is referenced in relation to understanding the psychology of performance and resilience.Rory McIlroy - Professional golfer who recently won the Masters, completing the career Grand Slam. His journey and psychological coaching are mentioned as an example of overcoming challenges and achieving goals.Courtney Dauwalter - Ultra-endurance athlete known for her mental toughness and ability to endure extreme discomfort. Referenced in the context of embracing discomfort and remodeling the "pain cave.""The Infinite Game" - A book by Simon Sinek that discusses the concept of playing games with an infinite mindset, focusing on long-term goals and continuous improvement rather than short-term wins. Mentioned in relation to focusing on the process rather than the end result."Play Infinite" - The Strong & Awake episode from Season 2, focused on the Anchors that are fundamental to the MWOD community. Listen here.Anchor Actions:Embrace Discomfort as a Signal: When you find yourself in moments of discomfort, whether it's during a workout or a challenging conversation, recognize it as a sign that you're on the right path. Instead of seeking immediate relief or distraction, lean into the discomfort. Use it as a cue to stay present and committed, knowing that this is where growth happens.Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome: Shift your attention from the end goal to the immediate task at hand. Whether you're playing a game or working towards a personal goal, concentrate on each step or point rather than the final result. This approach not only enhances performance but also enriches the experience, allowing you to find satisfaction in the journey itself.Practice Relational Presence: In interactions with others, especially those who challenge you, strive to be fully present. Resist the urge to rush through or avoid these encounters. Instead, engage with empathy and curiosity, seeking to understand the other person's...

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Mark Miller about his book Uncommon Greatness: Five Fundamentals to Transform Your Leadership. They discuss the importance of having leaders who believe in and invest in their teams, contrasting common leaders with those who strive for uncommon greatness. The conversation explores Mark's journey from a vocational track student to a senior leader at Chick-fil-A, highlighting lessons from his childhood and career. Key topics include seeing the future, engaging and developing others, the power of community in teams, and the importance of lifelong learning. If you're looking to level up your ability to lead, this is a great episode for you! Sound Bites "When I walk in a room, I'm trying to figure out how I can add the most value. And sometimes that is to take charge, and sometimes it's to take out the trash." "The differentiator is the level of care and concern people have for each other." "Certainty is not ours to provide — but clarity is." "Lifelong learning is the only path to more influence, impact, and opportunity." "If you're not pursuing something, you're not leading." "You don't want to call them out--you want to call them up." "It's not just about personal excellence--it's about making others better." "It's not about grand gestures. Engagement is built over time through consistent, intentional actions." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:59 Start of Interview 02:50 Mark's Backstory 06:08 A Latin Word to Lead By 07:45 It's More Than Personal Excellence 11:38 How To See the Future 16:45 Maintaining a Customer Bias 18:04 How to Engage and Develop Others 31:12 Advice for Parents 34:03 End Of Interview 34:21 Andy Comments After The Interview 37:16 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Mark and his book at LeadEveryDay.com/Uncommon-Greatness. Also, reach out to Mark via his mobile phone at 678-612-8441. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 410 with Ryan Hawk about his book on excellence. Episode 391 with Adam Bryant about his wonderfully engaging book on becoming a leader. Episode 252 with the Father of the Strengths Movement, Marcus Buckingham. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Team Development, Engagement, Personal Excellence, High-Performance Teams, Lifelong Learning, Influence The following music was used for this episode: Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

“Love” and “work” are not words that are usually thought of in the same context. For today's guest, however, “love” has a measurable and positive impact on the metrics of work. Marcus Buckingham is known for starting the “Strengths Revolution.” He is also a global researcher and New York Times bestselling author, and he recently joined the GLN's David Ashcraft for a conversation about the role that love plays—or should play—in our work. Whether you are a leader who wants to know how to bring the absolute best out of those you lead, or you are curious how to discover the things you truly love (and why they matter at work), we invite you to listen to this episode.  

Happy One Year Anniversary, Libration Nation!

Confidence and communication are the keys to leadership success, but how do you develop them when self-doubt creeps in? In this episode of Stepping Into Your Leadership, host Christine Courtney is joined by the dynamic Blonka Winkfield to kick off a new mini-series on communication.

How does critical feedback affect your team's success? Researchers Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall argue that many managers invest too much energy in correcting weaknesses. Instead, they encourage leaders to focus on developing employees' strengths.Buckingham and Goodall are the authors of the book, Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader's Guide to the Real World and the HBR article “The Feedback Fallacy” In this episode, they explain how to lead more effective conversations about performance by focusing on what your team members do best. Key episode topics include leadership, giving feedback, managing people, performance indicators. HBR On Leadership curates the best case studies and conversations with the world's top business and management experts, to help you unlock the best in those around you. New episodes every week. · Listen to the original HBR IdeaCast episode: What Managers Get Wrong About Feedback (2019)· Find more episodes of HBR IdeaCast.· Discover 100 years of Harvard Business Review articles, case studies, podcasts, and more at HBR.org.]]>

Pathfinder Church | February 2, 2025 | Dion GarrettAccording to Marcus Buckingham, love is not a feeling but “the deep and unwavering commitment to the flourishing of another human.” In this way, generosity is the outward sign of inner love. But how do we learn to love in this way while trying to survive in a dog-eat-dog world? Website | https://pathfinderstl.orgOnline Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/givePodcasts | https://pathfinderstl.org/podcastsFacebook | https://facebook.com/pathfinderstlInstagram | https://instagram.com/pathfinderstlSt. John School | https://stjls.orgContact Us | churchinfo@pathfinderstl.org

In the world of HR, change is often seen as a catalyst for innovation and growth. But HR leaders also need to champion stability without stifling progress. In this episode, we explore themes from Ashley Goodall's latest book, The Problem with Change, which challenges the assumption that constant disruption is always beneficial for business. Goodall draws on his extensive experience leading people and learning functions at Deloitte and Cisco, offering practical examples and fresh insights into how perpetual change can erode employee wellbeing and performance. This is a must-listen episode for HR and business leaders alike.Show notesResources and learningAHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn lounge, exclusive to AHRI members to discuss some of the themes explored in this episode with their HR peers. Become a member today: https://bit.ly/41tcOFuLearn how to manage change more effectively with this short course from AHRI: https://bit.ly/3Drj9HwFurther readingExplore Ashley Goodall's latest book: The Problem with Change And The Essential Nature of Human Performance: https://bit.ly/4gNCMIpExplore Ashley Goodall's book 'Nine Lies About Work', co-authored with Marcus Buckingham: https://bit.ly/4iLbKmrA Radical Rethink of HR (MIT Sloan article) by Ashley Goodall: https://bit.ly/4iKYcre

During this episode, David explains how to create an environment that boosts productivity and workflow. He shares a simple 5 step process any leader can use regardless of the industry they work in to coach and nurture their team. To motivate them, gain their trust, lead by example, remain calm under pressure and get everyone pulling in the same direction and following the right plan. David helps owners and leaders to build their business without having to do it all themselves, so that they have a business that is ready to sell when they are ready. To build your business, so it is ready to sell, without the frustration and overwhelm, Download David's Free Guide '3 reasons you will never sell your business and how to fix it FAST! https://businessbreakthrough.live/3reasons/3-reasons KEY TAKEAWAYS At this time the world needs exceptional leaders. Everyone prefers to work for people they like and trust. For leaders who create a culture of togetherness and collaboration. People leave companies when they are poorly led. That costs a fortune. Good leaders also make great coaches, they nurture talent. Create an inspiring vision. People need a really compelling reason to follow your lead. Motivate your team. People are motivated by three things, achievement, relationship and growth. Motivation is intrinsic and extrinsic. Make a clear plan and execute it. David recommends using the 12-week year approach. He explains why and how to do it, in the podcast. Include how you are going to manage change in your plan. Create trust. You need to care personally about the members of your team and achieving your objectives. When building trust make sure you do not use techniques like manipulative insincerity. Lead with calm, develop your communication skills and work on your personal development to make it easier to do this. BEST MOMENTS “The type of leaders that really bring out the best in people really strive to improve .” “People leave bad managers, not bad companies.” – Marcus Buckingham “If you can link what the organization is going to achieve to what the people, individually in their roles, are going to achieve, then you make that motivation very personal to them.” “Celebrate successes along the way, rather than just waiting for the end game.” “People leave bad managers, not bad companies.” “10% of customer satisfaction earns you 46% more trust.” EPISODE RESOURCES Radical Candor - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radical-Candor-What-Want-Saying-ebook/dp/B01LW1LESC ABOUT THE HOST David Roberts is a highly regarded CEO, mentor, and investor with 30 years of experience across multiple sectors. As an intrapreneur and entrepreneur, David has bought, grown, started and sold several businesses, working with values-driven start-ups, award-winning SMEs, and multinational corporations on strategies for service excellence, leadership, and profitable growth. David’s passion is for purpose and creating an environment where everyone can succeed, through building teams that get things done, execute on their mission with passion, deliver exceptional service and really make a difference. CONTACT METHODS LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-roberts-nu-heat Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DavidRobertsPeopleWithPurpose David’s Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dave.roberts.5076798 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davidcroberts_ Email - david@peoplewithpurpose.live

Chapter 1:Summary of First, Break All the Rules"First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently" is a book by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman, published by Gallup Press. It is based on extensive research conducted by Gallup, which evaluated thousands of interviews with managers across various industries to understand what distinguishes great managers from average ones. Key Concepts:1. Talent vs. Skills: The authors argue that great managers focus on talent rather than just skills. They believe that employees should be placed in roles that align with their inherent talents, as this leads to better performance and job satisfaction.2. Employee Engagement: Engaged employees are more productive, provide better service, and contribute to the overall success of the organization. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding what engages employees and how managers can foster that engagement.3. The Four Keys to Great Management: The book identifies four key areas that great managers address:- Select for Talent: Recruit individuals based on their potential and natural abilities rather than relying exclusively on experience or education.- Define the Right Outcomes: Instead of dictating how work should be done, great managers focus on setting clear outcomes and allowing employees the flexibility to determine the best paths to achieve those results.- Focus on Strengths: Managers should help employees develop their strengths rather than concentrating on improving weaknesses. This strategy leads to higher morale and productivity.- Find the Right Fit: It's crucial to put employees in roles where they can excel, ensuring their talents are utilized effectively.4. The Importance of a Strong Relationship: The book emphasizes that managers should cultivate strong relationships with their employees. Understanding individual needs and motivations is essential for fostering trust and engagement.5. Questions to Gauge Engagement: The authors suggest that asking a few critical questions, such as whether employees know what is expected of them or have opportunities to use their strengths, can help assess and improve employee engagement. Conclusion:"First, Break All the Rules" challenges conventional management wisdom and encourages managers to think differently about how to lead teams. By focusing on individual strengths and creating an engaging workplace environment, managers can drive better performance and satisfaction. The insights provided in the book serve as a guide for effective management practices that prioritize the unique talents of employees.Chapter 2:The Theme of First, Break All the Rules"First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently" is a management book by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman, published by Gallup Press. It is based on extensive research and interviews with managers and employees. Here are some key plot points, character development, and thematic ideas from the book: Key Plot Points1. The Importance of Managers: The book starts with the premise that great managers are crucial to an organization's success. The authors emphasize that quality management can significantly impact employee engagement and retention.2. Break the Conventional Rules: The title reflects the core idea that effective managers often do not follow traditional management wisdom. They focus on what works best for their specific team and circumstances.3. Focus on Employee Strengths: One of the main points is that great managers recognize and cultivate the unique strengths of each employee instead of trying to fix weaknesses. This approach leads to higher engagement and productivity.4. The Employee-engagement Questionnaire: The authors outline a set of questions that can gauge employee...

No burying the lede this week: Employee engagement surveys are broken. We expect them to tell us everything about a workplace's culture—but they often miss the mark, capturing just a sliver of what's going on and usually only symptoms instead of underlying causes. As leaders try to make sense of the data, there's frequently a lot of smoke chasing, but nobody can tell where the fire is, or if there's one at all. Add to that employee distrust around anonymity, spun-up initiatives to make changes that never go anywhere, and the fact that most surveys don't even ask the right questions, and it's no wonder everyone, from the C-suite to the frontline worker, suspects these surveys do more harm than good. In this episode, Rodney and Sam explore what “engagement” actually means, what organizations should be measuring instead and why, and how to truly understand the health of your organization. -------------------------------- Interesting in hearing more about the zones of the ocean? We've got stuff coming soon! Sign up here for first access: https://theready.ck.page/newvision Want future of work insights and experiments you can try delivered to your inbox? Sign up here. Follow us on your favorite platforms for more org design nerdery: LinkedIn Instagram ------------------------------- Mentioned references: RACI episode: AWWTR Ep. 10 performance management episode: BNW Ep. 56 The Ready's OS Canvas "complication" vs "complexity" "state" vs "trait" Marcus Buckingham

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Sam Adeyemi, an influential leader and author of Dear Leader: Your Flagship Guide to Successful Leadership. They discuss the impact of personal backstories on leadership, the importance of principles and values, dealing with self-doubt, and managing multi-generational teams. Dr. Sam shares insights from his personal journey, providing practical advice on leading with empathy, authenticity, and intentional personal branding. This is a great opportunity to be exposed to a globally influential voice on leadership who will inspire you to go from self-doubt to confidence. Sound Bites "Leadership is first about being before it is about doing." "You reproduce who you are." "We never act beyond the capacity of that person that we see inside." "Building your personal brand is not about building your ego and trying to prove to people that you are what you are not." "We all are way better than we think we are. We're more powerful than we think we are." "We actually can't control most of the things that affect our lives, but we can affect the things that are inside of us." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:33 Start Of Interview 07:33 Principles And Values In Leadership 11:00 What Is Authenticity? 12:46 Decision-Making Guided By Values 15:33 The Role Of Identity In Leadership 18:16 Overcoming Self-Doubt 20:08 Overcoming Fear And Embracing Uncertainty 21:18 The Power Of Self-Talk And Identity 22:26 Generational Differences In The Workplace 26:12 Building A Personal Brand Vs. Ego 31:39 Applying Leadership Principles At Home 35:26 End Of Interview 35:48 Andy Comments After The Interview 37:53 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Dr. Sam and his books at SamAdeyemi.com/. If you'd like more on this subject, check out: Episodes 62, 153, and 416 with Jim Kouzes about his book The Leadership Challenge, and Episode 252 with Marcus Buckingham about his book Nine Lies About Work. Prepare to Pass Your Project Management Certification Exam We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMog License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Turning Criticism into GoldIn this episode, we dive deep into the art of effective promotion, exploring key strategies to grab attention and overcome common obstacles that hold you back. Discover how to use short, engaging content and consistent branding to elevate your visibility and drive success in your ventures.Follow Antonio Here:https://www.facebook.com/theatsjrhttps://www.amazon.com/stores/Antonio-T.-Smith-Jr/author/B00M3MPVJ8https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniotsmithjrhttps://antoniotsmithjr.comhttps://www.instagram.com/theatsjrDaily ATS Meeting HighlightsOpening RemarksWelcome to the Daily ATS meeting.Acknowledgment of attendees and excitement for the day.Focus on day 11 of the series, previously discussed one and two-star reviews.Discussion on Negative ReviewsEmphasis on the importance of examining one and two-star reviews.Example given by Antonio on understanding customer dislikes about Facebook and TikTok.Application of the same method to individual businesses, especially motivational speakers and life coaches.Strategies for Business ImprovementUse negative reviews to improve products and services.Focus on what customers dislike to build better offerings.Example: Improving journals by studying top journals' negative reviews.Personal Experiences and InsightsParticipants shared their learning experiences from examining negative reviews.Highlighted the significance of understanding and addressing customer pain points.Importance of executing ideas rather than just thinking about them.Action Items and Homework AssignmentsTasks from Previous SessionsBuilding essential components of the business (book, journal, planner, etc.).Brain dump exercise to gather and organize ideas.Immediate AssignmentsAttendance: Join the "Let's Study a Book" session with Phil and Susan on Monday at 5:30 PM Central.Tangible Deliverables: Submit something visible and concrete related to your project by the end of the day.Investment Opportunity: Participate in investing $5000 in Melissa's company to earn shares and potential returns.Competitive Advantage: Identify and articulate your business's competitive advantage(s) by tomorrow morning.Execution and BuildingDefining BuildingActual progress that can be demonstrated to others.Emphasis on moving from ideas to tangible outputs.Practical ExamplesExample of Antonio's work on Arlenbrook.Importance of showing visible progress.General Advice and EncouragementEncouragement to take it easy on oneself while striving for progress.Reminder that building a business is a step-by-step process.Reassurance that everyone is at different stages and that's okay.Additional SupportUse of tools like Marcus Buckingham's assessment to identify strengths.Emphasis on leveraging strengths for personal and business growth.Guidance on handling personal and external pressures during the building phase.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-secret-to-success/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this special double episode, hear Jennifer Brown discuss her book, How to Be an Inclusive Leader and Marcus Buckingham talk about his book Love + Work. Both thought leaders will deliver keynote sessions at the upcoming Blanchard Leadership Summit to be held October 8-10. 2024 in Dana Point, California. For more information go to blanchard.com/summit2024

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Charlie Gilkey, author of Team Habits: How Small Actions Lead to Extraordinary Results. They discuss how small, often overlooked habits shape team culture and performance. The conversation explores practical approaches for enhancing team dynamics, instilling a sense of belonging, improving decision-making, and addressing everyday 'broken printers' in both professional and familial settings. Charlie shares personal insights from his military upbringing and passion for team-based success, emphasizing that effective change and leadership start at the local team level. This is a practical and engaging discussion that will help you lead your team to the next level of success. Sound Bites "Time in, erodes awareness of." "Be the teammate you want your teammates to be." "Belonging is a macro word that includes feeling appreciated at work, feeling like your contributions and perspective matter, that you have moral and functional trust." "We do it because it's the right thing and because this is how we want to be together and, oh by the way, it has these amazing other benefits." "I would rather over-index on caring." "So many families have a daily 'broken printer' that's called the 'getting to school runaround'." "None of us show up at work and opt-in to the CC thread from hell." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:44 Start of Interview 05:36 The Broken Printer Metaphor 08:43 How We Encourage the CC Thread from Hell 12:21 Team Dynamics 14:56 What If You're Not a Senior Leader? 19:27 Number One Rule of Being a Great Teammate 21:18 Building Belonging Habits 30:14 The Importance of Small Gestures 38:34 Applying Team Habits to Families 44:48 Wrap-up 45:24 Andy Comments After the Interview 50:17 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Charlie and his books at ProductiveFlourishing.com. Contact Charlie to learn how to buy a box of books for you and your team. If you'd like more on this subject, check out: Episode 366 with Michael Timms about his book on accountability Episode 252 with Marcus Buckingham about the episode we discuss in this interview, and Episode 342 with Krister Ungerbock, who uses the term TalkSHIFTS instead of habits. Though the terminology is different, the ideas are complimentary.   Project Management Courses I would love to help you and your team level up your ability to lead and deliver. Join us for an upcoming project management masterclass! They are instructor-led, super engaging, and fine-tuned to help you and your team more confidently lead and deliver. Learn more at courses.i-leadonline.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Laughing Children Full Version by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

What an awesome and incredibly important discussion I have for you today! It's my long-awaited sit-down with none other than Marcus Buckingham. I first got the chance to hear Marcus speak fifteen, or maybe, twenty years ago at the annual Global Leadership Summit in Chicago. Marcus was captivating AND inspiring that day. His new book […] The post 524: How to Find What You Love, Love What You Do, and Do It for the Rest of Your Life with Marcus Buckingham (an Encore Presentation of Episode 417) first appeared on Read to Lead Podcast.