Podcast appearances and mentions of Mark C Crowley

What if the way most companies are run today—chasing short-term profits, cutting corners, exploiting customers, and ignoring employee well-being—is actually the opposite of what creates lasting organizational success? Eric Ries, author of the bestselling The Lean Startup and in his new book, Incorruptible, has spent decades studying how organizations can thrive over the long term while genuinely improving the lives of employees, customers, and communities. In Incorruptible, he argues that the most enduring, high-performing companies are guided by a mission that advances human flourishing and a principled ethos that shapes every decision and action. These organizations resist shortcuts, prioritize employee well-being, and refuse to squeeze customers—proving that ethics and excellence are inseparable. Eric brings these ideas to life with vivid examples. He examines 3M, where a strong corporate ethos fueled groundbreaking innovation like Post-it Notes, and shows what happens when organizations like them abandon their guiding principles. He highlights Sol Price's Price Club, a discount retailer which built extraordinary success by treating employees and customers with care, and how that culture carried forward when Price Club merged with Costco, where Jim Sinegal continued the same principles at an even larger scale. The conversation dives into why so few companies pursue this “road less traveled,” the perils of short-term thinking, and how leaders, boards, and investors can embrace principled, long-term leadership. Eric also shares actionable insights for individual leaders who want to build an incorruptible culture within their own teams—even when systems often reward the opposite. For anyone who cares about creating workplaces where employees thrive, where all people are treated with respect and dignity, and where long-term success doesn't come at the expense of human well-being, this episode is packed with insights and practical lessons. Listen now to discover how incorruptible organizations are built, why they matter, and what it takes to lead with principles, purpose, and care in a world that too often values the opposite. The post Eric Ries: Why Most Companies Are Built to Fail appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

Beliefs are one of the most powerful—and least examined—forces shaping human life. They determine what we notice, what we ignore, what we attempt, what we avoid, and ultimately what we believe is possible for ourselves and for others. Long before we act, long before we speak, long before we even consciously choose, our beliefs are already organizing our perception of reality. In this conversation, Shawn Achor brings us into the deeper architecture behind that idea. Shawn is one of the world's leading researchers in the field of positive psychology and human performance. He is widely known for his bestselling book The Happiness Advantage, which challenged a long-standing assumption in psychology and business: that success leads to happiness. Instead, Shawn's research shows the reverse is often true—our level of happiness, optimism, and mindset significantly influences our ability to succeed in the first place. His work has reached millions through his writing, research, and one of the most widely viewed TED Talks of all time, The Happy Secret to Better Work. In his newest book, The Power of Belief, Shawn turns his attention to a question that has fascinated philosophers, psychologists, theologians, and scientists for centuries: why do beliefs exert such an outsized influence over human behavior, performance, resilience, and well-being? At the center of his work is a deceptively simple idea: beliefs are not passive thoughts we hold about the world—they are active filters that shape the world we experience. They influence how we interpret stress and opportunity, how we respond to setbacks, and even whether we see ourselves as capable of growth or constrained by circumstance. Some beliefs expand us. Others quietly constrain us. Beliefs such as “I matter,” “my behavior has impact,” or “I have something to contribute” tend to unlock motivation, resilience, and connection. Meanwhile, more limiting internal narratives—“I'm not ready,” “I can't do this,” or “it's safer not to try”—can quietly narrow ambition and diminish possibility long before external circumstances ever get in the way. What makes Shawn's approach particularly compelling is that he grounds these ideas not in philosophy or motivational thinking, but in research across neuroscience, behavioral science, and organizational psychology. His work explores how beliefs become self-reinforcing systems that shape attention, interpretation, decision-making, and ultimately outcomes. This conversation goes beyond individual mindset. It touches something deeper about leadership, culture, and human flourishing. Because every organization is, whether intentionally or not, a belief system. People are constantly asking themselves questions like: Do I matter here? Does my work matter? Am I supported? Are problems solvable? Do I belong? The answers people perceive—often unconsciously—shape everything from performance and engagement to resilience and well-being. At its core, this episode is about the invisible narratives that run human life. The stories we repeat to ourselves become the boundaries of what we believe is possible. And if we can learn to see those narratives more clearly, we may also learn how to expand them. This is a conversation about perception, possibility, and the quiet power of belief to shape not just what we achieve—but who we become. The post Shawn Achor: The Power of Belief and the Hidden Architecture of Human Performance appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

In an era marked by remote work, digital convenience, and a documented 24% decline in everyday social interactions, many leaders are noticing a subtle but significant erosion of human connection — both in their personal lives and across their organizations. Our guest is Dr. Gillian Sandstrom, associate professor of psychology at the University of Sussex and author of the new book Once Upon a Stranger: The Science of How Small Talk Can Add Up To a Big Life. Sandstrom has spent 16 years researching the often-overlooked power of brief conversations with strangers — what she calls “micro-social interactions.” Her work reveals that these small moments are far from trivial. Talking to strangers can meaningfully improve mood, reduce anxiety, strengthen our sense of belonging, spark curiosity, and even lead to surprising insights or unexpected opportunities. Yet most people dramatically underestimate these benefits and overestimate the discomfort involved. For leaders, the implications extend well beyond personal well-being. In workplaces where belonging remains a fundamental human need — sitting near the top of Maslow's hierarchy after basic security — fostering even these tiny moments of genuine connection can elevate employee morale, combat isolation, and help create cultures where people feel truly seen and valued. The conversation explores practical ways leaders can apply these insights: from how they start meetings and interact with team members to the everyday environments they shape that make natural human exchange more likely. The discussion also examines the real psychological barriers that hold people back — including fear of rejection, which research shows is far rarer than we predict — and offers practical steps for building comfort over time. A memorable statistics class experiment involving simple greetings provides direct, actionable lessons for anyone in a leadership role. Sandstrom's research, recently featured in The New York Times, challenges the modern habit of moving through our days in relative silence. It invites a gentler, more connected way of showing up — both as individuals and as leaders. As the episode makes clear, meaningful improvements in well-being and organizational health often arise not from grand gestures, but from the cumulative power of many small interactions. Tune in to discover why reintroducing these everyday moments of connection may be one of the simplest yet most powerful levers available to leaders today — and how small talk (yes, small talk!) can add up to a bigger, richer life and a more humane workplace.  It is a really cool and uncommonly insightful conversation! The post Gillian Sandstrom: How Talking to Strangers Boosts Well-Being and Leadership Impact appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

Leaders who care about employee well-being are facing a hidden challenge that most aren't talking about enough: widespread disconnection. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Brigham Young University and Director of the Social Connection & Health Lab, has spent more than two decades showing how human connection — or the lack of it — directly shapes our physical and mental health. Her groundbreaking research helped shape the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on loneliness and isolation, and she is currently leading the landmark Social Connection in America survey, a 25-year national study tracking the true state of social connection across the country. The early data paints a concerning picture. 41% of American adults report feeling lonely at least some of the time. Nearly three-quarters get together with close relationships only twice a month or less. Many have surprisingly small social networks, and participation in groups or community life has dropped sharply. These patterns matter deeply for organizations because disconnection doesn't stay at home — it follows people into work. In our conversation, Julianne explains how weak social connections contribute to higher burnout, increased mental health struggles, lower energy and focus, and greater challenges with retention and performance. She makes a clear case that strong relationships and a genuine sense of belonging are not nice-to-have perks. They are foundational to human health and resilience — and therefore to healthy, high-performing teams. We explore why disconnection has become so common in modern life, how it quietly affects people at work, and — most importantly — what leaders can actually do about it. Rather than treating connection as an occasional team-building exercise, we discuss how to make building close, supportive relationships and real belonging a consistent part of daily leadership practice. This conversation offers fresh insight and practical ideas for any leader who wants to create a workplace where people feel truly seen, supported, and connected. Because when individuals feel strong social ties at work, both their well-being and their contribution improve in meaningful ways.If you're committed to the well-being of your team — and recognize that your own well-being is also tied to the quality of your relationships — this discussion with Julianne will give you new and uncommon perspective, and tools you can put into practice right away.   The post Julianne Holt-Lunstad: Connection Is the Most Powerful Tool Leaders Are Ignoring appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

A photographic portrait of Julie Claeys When a global professional services firm decides that employee well-being deserves C-suite ownership — complete with metrics, guardrails, and consequences — it signals a major leap from perks to strategy. To that end, Frank Giampietro serves as the Americas Chief Well-Being Officer at Ernst Young (EY), leading well-being strategy across 12 countries and tens of thousands of employees. His role reflects a deliberate decision by EY to treat well-being as a business imperative — not an HR initiative, not a benefits package, and most certainly not a feel-good campaign. Post-COVID, EY identified a series of operational realities that couldn't be ignored. Client demand accelerated while teams operated in hybrid and remote environments. In many areas, workloads intensified, teams grew leaner, and leaders lost the informal visibility that once helped them detect burnout or disengagement early. At the same time, employee expectations fundamentally shifted. Flexibility, mental health support, and humane leadership became baseline expectations — not differentiators. The risks were clear: attrition, presenteeism, disengagement, and burnout threatened client delivery, institutional knowledge, and long-term growth. Frank explains how EY responded by building systems to identify overload sooner, redefining leadership expectations, and introducing measurable insight through tools like its Vitality Index — combining employee feedback with operational data to give leaders real-time visibility into how their teams are doing. He also addresses the question many organizations struggle with: what does managerial accountability actually look like. What authority does a Chief Well-Being Officer have? How are leaders expected to show up differently? And what happens when even high-performing leaders fall short or even harm their teams' well-being? For leaders who want to move beyond aspiration and embed well-being into the way work truly gets done, this episode offers a concrete, candid and compelling blueprint. The post Frank Giampietro: How EY's Chief Well-Being Officer Drives Impact appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

Jen Fisher is a pioneering leader in workplace well-being and human-centered leadership. She became the first Chief Well–being Officer at Deloitte US, creating a role that, as far as we know, no other major company in the world had ever established. In that role, she helped reshape how one of the largest professional services firms approaches employee wellbeing, connection, and sustainable performance, demonstrating that supporting people isn't optional — it's essential to leadership and organizational success. Her new book, Hope IS The Strategy, builds on these experiences, reframing hope not as a soft or sentimental concept, but as a practical, strategic tool leaders can use to guide teams, foster resilience, and drive meaningful change in the workplace. In this conversation, Jen shares her personal journey from relentless overwork and burnout — long hours, constant emails, and defining her worth by productivity — to a life and career guided by wellbeing and intentional leadership. We explore why so many high achievers fall into the trap of tying value to output, and how leaders can cultivate cultures that truly support people, elevate resilience, and inspire connection. We also dive into hope as a leadership strategy: why it matters, how it can be developed in teams, and what it looks like in practice when leaders prioritize wellbeing. Jen offers practical guidance for creating humane workplaces, making employee well-being a shared responsibility, and leading with empathy, clarity, and heart. For anyone seeking to transform their approach to leadership, culture, and performance, this episode provides both candid stories and actionable insights. The post Jen Fisher: Leading With Hope And Well-Being appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

How can leaders use emotional intelligence to create workplaces where employees flourish? We explore the science and practice of emotional wisdom, examining how leaders can harness the interplay between emotion and reason to foster well-being, connection, and high performance in their teams. Josh Freedman, named one of the top 50 management and leadership experts by Inc. Magazine, is a global authority on emotions and emotional intelligence. He has spent decades helping leaders develop the skills to better understand themselves and connect with their teams. In our wonderful conversation, Josh reveals the “secret power” most leaders overlook: emotional intelligence — more specifically, the ability to understand and harness emotions in oneself and others to drive connection, well-being, and performance. Josh's new book, Emotion Rules: The Science and Practice of Emotional Wisdom, provides a practical roadmap for leaders who want to apply emotional intelligence to improve both individual and organizational performance. Drawing on decades of research and practice, the book challenges the myth that great leaders are cool, detached, and relentlessly rational. Instead, Josh shows that emotion and reason are deeply intertwined — and that understanding this interplay is essential for effective leadership. Our conversation explores the idea that humans aren't strictly rational beings, as highlighted by New York Times columnist David Brooks, who recently described our minds as “swirls” — dynamic, interconnected systems where emotion and reason are inseparable. Josh explains why this framing is critical for leaders who want to support employee well-being. We also examine how historical and cultural myths have shaped the way business views emotion, and what leaders can do to shift these outdated perspectives. Practical skills for leaders are a key focus. Josh shares how to connect with one's own feelings, reflect on emotional data, and act with presence. He introduces the TFA Triangle, showing how Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions interact, and how understanding this helps leaders respond more effectively to employees, especially during times of stress or change. Josh explains emotional contagion and how leaders shape the overall culture and atmosphere of their teams. He also addresses one of today's most pressing organizational challenges: burnout, explaining why it is driven more by unmet emotional needs than logistics — and what leaders can do to prevent it and support their teams. The post Joshua Freedman: The Secret Power Leaders Ignore appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

One of our all-time favorite guests, Daniel Coyle returns for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on human flourishing, belonging, and what leaders often misunderstand about employee well-being. Coyle is widely known for his ability to translate rigorous research into clear, actionable insights for leaders, and seven years ago, he joined us to discuss The Culture Code – an episode that has gone on to be one of the most downloaded conversations in our show's history. Daniel is back with a new book, Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment, which challenges conventional thinking about well-being at work. Rather than focusing on individual habits, resilience training, or wellness initiatives, Coyle explores the deeper relational and environmental conditions that allow people to thrive together. The core premise is deceptively simple but deeply disruptive: flourishing is not something people achieve alone. Coyle argues that individuals become their fullest selves through meaningful relationships and through a felt sense of belonging to something larger than themselves. For leaders, this reframes well-being as an outcome of culture—not a program to be managed. Trust, connection, and shared purpose matter more than perks, and leadership behavior plays a decisive role in shaping whether those conditions exist. The discussion also examines a defining paradox of modern work: people are more digitally connected than ever, yet increasingly isolated. Coyle explains how many workplaces unintentionally undermine the conditions required for real connection—and how leaders often reinforce this through excessive control, speed, and over-reliance on hierarchy. Insights are drawn from unexpected places, including a trust-building practice used by a basketball coach at Penn State University, a powerful moment of collective reflection led by Fred “Mr.” Rogers, and a community that consistently produces Olympic athletes. Together, these examples point toward a more humane model of leadership—one centered on humility, shared ownership, and creating the conditions where people can truly flourish. This is a conversation for leaders who sense that something essential is missing in today's workplaces—and who are ready to rethink how connection, trust, and meaning are actually built. It offers a compelling reminder that when leaders focus on creating the right conditions, well-being and performance don't compete—they reinforce one another. The post Daniel Coyle: How Leaders Create The Conditions For Flourishing appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

On this episode of Managing with Mind and Heart, Ethan Nash sits down with leadership expert, author, and podcaster Mark C. Crowley to discuss his recent book The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move Beyond Engagement to Build Flourishing Teams. Together, they explore the book's central idea: when employees feel cared for and respected at work, they're far more likely to respond with the same care and respect for their organization and teammates. Tune in to hear their conversation on what heart-centered leadership looks like, and how it can transform workplace culture and performance. Check out Mark's podcast, Lead From The Heart, here. Text the word "LEADING" to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

Some organizations have no heart at all. The best have three! That's the thesis of the new book, The Octopus Organization: A Guide to Thriving in a World of Continuous Transformation, co-authored by our guests, Phil Le Brun and Jana Werner. Both work with leaders operating at global scale—Phil as an Executive in Residence at Amazon Web Services, and Jana as a Global Executive Advisor at AWS—helping organizations navigate complexity, change, and continuous transformation. In their book, Phil and Jana introduce a clear contrast between what they call Tin Man organizations and Octopus organizations. Tin Man organizations are rigid, highly centralized, and overly dependent on a small group of decision-makers at the top. Like the character in The Wizard of Oz, they operate with structure but no heart. Decision-making slows, intelligence gets trapped in the hierarchy, and employees often wait for direction rather than contributing meaningfully. Octopus organizations, by contrast, are alive with three hearts. They are intelligent, adaptive, and responsive. A strong central purpose keeps everyone aligned, but authority and decision-making are distributed to the people closest to the work. Teams are empowered to sense, decide, and act, allowing the organization to learn, adapt, and thrive in real time. A central contribution of the book is the identification of what Phil and Jana call organizational “anti-patterns”—recurring leadership behaviors and systems that feel reasonable in the moment but consistently undermine clarity, trust, cohesion, and performance. These patterns exist even in organizations with talented people and strong intentions. In this episode, we explore several anti-patterns in depth: the lack of clarity that leaves people guessing what truly matters; the overuse of corporate jargon that creates distance and mistrust; purpose statements that are words on a page rather than guides for behavior; and cultures that elevate individual stars at the expense of cohesive, high-performing teams. We also discuss why fast, open information flow is essential for adaptability and well-being. Phil and Jana also reconfirm our own understanding that well-being cannot be created through perks or programs—it emerges from how people are treated, trusted, and empowered, and how work is designed and decisions flow. For leaders who care about performance, well-being, and building more humane organizations, this episode offers practical insight into creating workplaces that truly thrive. The post Phil Le-Brun & Jana Werner: How Organizations Thrive When They Have Three Hearts appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

How can organizations make employee well-being a leadership responsibility, not just an employee responsibility?Why is belonging the number one driver of employee well-being?My guest on this episode is Mark C. Crowley, a pioneer in workplace leadership, speaker, and bestselling author of Lead from the Heart and The Power of Employee Well-Being.During our conversation, Mark and I discuss the following: Why leading with the heart is often misunderstood as being "soft" in business settings.How pulse surveys, when paired with real accountability systems, can transform manager behavior and team performance.Why belonging is the number one driver of employee well-beingWhy employee well-being is the leader's responsibility, not the employee's and the research that proves it.Why HR leaders need to challenge decisions that prioritize short-term financial metrics over long-term culture and people.Connecting with Mark: Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn more about Mark's books and podcastEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader's Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless is joined by Mark C. Crowley - bestselling author and leadership expert - to explore why employee wellbeing has become one of the most critical leadership issues today. Drawing on insights from his latest book, The Power of Employee Wellbeing, Mark explains why traditional engagement approaches fall short, how wellbeing directly impacts performance and retention, and why belonging plays such a powerful role in how people show up at work. Together, William and Mark discuss burnout, leadership boundaries, emotional intelligence, and the small but meaningful actions leaders can take to create healthier, more sustainable workplaces. This episode is a practical, research-informed conversation for leaders who want to build teams that don't just perform, but thrive. Find out more about the work Mark does here: Mark C Crowley - Heart 2.0 - New Book Is Coming - Mark C. Crowley

For decades, Wall Street has rewarded short-term thinking: layoffs, cost-cutting, and squeezing employees. Let's be honest, investors have never been concerned about workers or their well-being. But that era is ending. David Van Adelsberg, CEO and co-founder of Irrational Capital (alongside renowned behavioral economist Dan Ariely), has helped produce some of the most rigorous research on the connection between employee well-being and long-term business performance. The work draws on data from thousands of publicly traded companies over more than a decade—and the results are hard to ignore. Irrational Capital's research shows that companies ranking in the top 20% for employee well-being significantly outperform those in the bottom 20%—by nearly six percentage points over 11 years. Even more striking, their study proves intrinsic factors like trust, clarity, innovation, and connection are consistently more important drivers of company performance than extrinsic rewards such as pay and benefits. In other words, caring and supportive leaders matter more than what they pay. For years, CEOs and boards have nodded toward employee well-being without taking decisive action. Now, with investors and market analysts clearly rewarding companies that get it right, ignoring how people feel at work is no longer optional. In our conversation, David explains how his research was conducted, what surprised him most, and the practical implications for leadership teams still on the sidelines (not a bright future). For leaders wanting proof that supporting the human needs in employees is worthwhile, we've never had greater information to share. The post David Van Adelsberg: Why Wall Street Is Betting on Employee Well-Being appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

Due to a technical problem with Apple Podcasts, we had to reissue this episode to ensure all subscribers received it.  Sorry if it’s a duplicate for some. For only the second time since launching the Lead From The Heart podcast eight years ago, Mark is opening a new season by speaking directly to you—without a guest. In 2018, Mark used the very first episode to introduce himself and his mission for the show. As this new season begins, he felt it was important to pause again, reflect, and—once more—clearly frame the context for what lies ahead. Over the past seven years, the podcast has featured 170 remarkable guests—CEOs, researchers, academics, and thinkers whose work helped shape and advance a leadership philosophy that was once considered unconventional. What began as a challenge to traditional management thinking has steadily become part of the mainstream conversation about leadership, performance, and culture. Today, many of Mark's ideas that once provoked debate—or even ridicule—are no longer contested. In this solo episode, Mark revisits why he created the podcast, what it set out to influence, and how the leadership landscape has changed since it began. As you'll hear, Season 8 marks an important inflection point. Mark introduces a new dimension he's adding to the show—one designed to keep the podcast vital and relevant while aligning it more closely with the moment leaders now find themselves in. Just before the new year, Mark published an article in Fast Company outlining why he believes employee well-being is poised to become a true business priority. In this episode, he expands on that thinking and explains how the podcast will support leaders navigating what comes next. The post Mark C. Crowley: The Next Era Of The Lead From The Heart Podcast! appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

For only the second time since launching the Lead From The Heart podcast in 2018, Mark is opening a new season by speaking directly to you—without a guest. Eight years ago, Mark used the very first episode to introduce himself and his mission for the show. As this new season begins, he felt it was important to pause again, reflect, and—once more—clearly frame the context for what lies ahead. Over the past seven years, the podcast has featured more than 170 remarkable guests—CEOs, researchers, academics, and thinkers whose work helped shape and advance a leadership philosophy that was once considered unconventional. What began as a challenge to traditional management thinking has steadily become part of the mainstream conversation about leadership, performance, and culture. Today, many of Mark's ideas that once provoked debate—or even ridicule—are no longer contested. In this solo episode, Mark revisits why he created the podcast, what it set out to influence, and how the leadership landscape has changed since it began. As you'll hear, Season 8 marks an important inflection point. Mark introduces a new dimension he's adding to the show—one designed to keep the podcast vital and relevant while aligning it more closely with the moment leaders now find themselves in. Just before the new year, Mark published an article in Fast Company outlining why he believes employee well-being is poised to become a true business priority. In this episode, he expands on that thinking and explains how the podcast will support leaders navigating what comes next. The post Mark C. Crowley: The Future Of The Lead From The Heart Podcast appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    The first chapter of my new book, The Power of Employee Well-Being is titled Know Thyself—and for good reason. I've long believed that the most important work a leader can do begins inward, with deeply understanding who you are, how you show up, and the patterns that shape your behavior. That's exactly what […] The post Margaret Andrews: Why Leading Others Begins with Understanding Yourself appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Mark Thompson is widely recognized as the world's #1 CEO coach, bringing more than 30 years of experience preparing top executives and boards — from global corporations to fast-growing startups — to step confidently into their next leadership roles. As founding Chairman of the Chief Executive Alliance and former Chief Experience Officer at […] The post Mark Thompson — The #1 Coach to CEOs Prepares Leaders for Their Next Opportunity appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

Unlock the secrets to peak performance and human-centered leadership with Mark C. Crowley, a trailblazer in the field and bestselling author, as he joins the "Do Good to Lead Well" podcast. Discover how prioritizing employee well-being over conventional engagement metrics is transforming organizations globally. Mark's latest book, "The Power of Employee Well-Being," challenges the status quo by asking us to redefine what team flourishing really looks like while providing an evidence-rich and practical roadmap to make it happen.Our conversation begins by encouraging organizations to shift from outdated annual engagement surveys to the immediacy of pulse surveys, uncovering their impact on leadership accountability and organizational responsiveness. Mark also highlights the necessity of leadership commitment to move beyond performative measures, ensuring initiatives are authentic and impactful.As hybrid workspaces become the standard, we discuss the critical importance of fostering connection and a sense of belonging, regardless of physical location. From maintaining and deepening the quality of relationships through regular one-on-one meetings to using office time to build social ties, we explore strategies for hybrid success. Plus, with the rising influence of AI, we emphasize the need for transparency and empathy in workforce management, ensuring that technological advancements do not compromise our humanity. Join us in this enlightening episode full of actionable, scientifically supported insights and strategies for leaders committed to driving success by leveraging the power of employee.What You'll Learn- The importance of prioritizing employee well-being in leadership.- How pulse surveys can provide valuable insights into employee satisfaction.- The vital role of leadership commitment in realizing the power of employee well-being.- Strategies for successfully managing hybrid workplaces.- The transformative impacts of AI on modern workplaces.- The role of authentic engagement in driving organizational success.Podcast Timestamps(00:00) – The Failure of Employee Engagement(09:27) - Transforming Organizations Through Pulse Surveys(16:40) - The Impact of Employee Well-Being(21:18) - Friendship and Belonging at Work (102 Seconds)(36:40) - Leading With Love in Leadership(44:24) - Creating Connection in Hybrid Workplaces(50:24) – Employee Well-Being in an AI WorldKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Human Leadership, Employee Well-Being, Organizational Success, Engagement Surveys, Pulse Surveys, Workplace Happiness, Hybrid Workplaces, AI, Transparency, Leading with Empathy, Continuous Learning, Fostering Connection, Increasing A Sense of Belonging, Remote Work, Self-Leadership, CEO Success

    Have you ever noticed how many people — even highly successful leaders — live in constant overdrive? They're productive, disciplined, and always “on,” but inside, they're exhausted. That's survival mode — and according to Jon Rosemberg, author of A Guide to Thriving: The Science Behind Breaking Old Patterns, Reclaiming Your Agency, and Finding Meaning, […] The post Jon Rosemberg: How To Break Out Of Survival Mode — And Start Thriving appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Why Do Smart, Capable Leaders So Often Get In Their Own Way? Muriel M. Wilkins — executive coach, host of the Harvard Business Review podcast Coaching Real Leaders, and author of the brilliant new book Leadership Unblocked: Break Through the Beliefs That Limit Your Potential — has spent her career helping senior leaders uncover the invisible […] The post Muriel Wilkins: Breaking Through the Hidden Beliefs That Hold Leaders Back appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Mark C. Crowley, author of The Power of Employee Well Being. This enlightening conversation explores the critical shift from traditional engagement metrics to prioritizing employee well-being as a strategic imperative for leaders. Mark shares compelling insights drawn from decades of research, including a pivotal study involving 17 million workers from the University of Oxford, demonstrating that well-being is directly linked to profitability, retention, and long-term performance. Listeners will discover why many engagement initiatives fail and how to cultivate a true sense of psychological belonging within teams. Mark provides actionable, science-backed strategies for fostering emotional safety, recognizing unseen stressors, and making daily choices that genuinely support employees. This episode encourages leaders to reflect on their own practices and consider how they might be unintentionally signaling that well-being is optional rather than essential. In this episode: Understand the distinction between employee engagement and well-being and why it matters. Explore the importance of real-time feedback and pulse surveys in gauging employee sentiment. Learn practical strategies to foster emotional safety and support within teams. Discover the impact of leadership styles on employee well-being and performance. Gain insights into the significance of positive reinforcement and recognition in the workplace. Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/541. Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further?  Learn With Us on our website. Subscribe to Melina's Newsletter Brainy Bites.  Let's connect: Send Us a Message Follow Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube The Brainy Business on Instagram

Send us a textMost companies say they care about engagement — but decades of data show those engagement scores barely move. Meanwhile, burnout has become a global epidemic.In this episode of FUTUREPROOF., we sit down with Mark C. Crowley, bestselling author of Lead from the Heart and the new book The Power of Employee Well-Being, to explore why the billion-dollar engagement industry has failed workers — and what science says actually drives performance.Crowley argues that engagement is a symptom, not a cause — and that well-being, not busyness, is the real engine of productivity. He shares evidence-backed ways leaders can track and improve well-being, hold managers accountable for the human side of leadership, and create workplaces where people genuinely thrive.We discuss:Why engagement surveys don't work (and what to measure instead)How well-being directly impacts innovation and retentionWhat post-pandemic workforces really want from leadershipThe neuroscience of motivation and connection at workHow to lead with authenticity without losing authorityIf you've ever wondered why “perks” don't fix burnout, or what the next era of human-centered leadership looks like, this episode will make you rethink what it means to truly lead people.

    The core message of Colin M. Fisher's new book, The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups, is simple but profound: we dramatically overestimate the role of individuals in success and underestimate the extraordinary power of groups. History celebrates “great men” like Edison, Jobs, and Musk, but the truth is that real breakthroughs […] The post Colin Fisher: Why Teams, Not Stars, Create Lasting Success appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Klaus Kleinfeld has lived one of the most extraordinary leadership journeys of our time. He's the only executive ever to serve as CEO of two Fortune 500 giants on different continents—Siemens in Germany and Alcoa in the U.S.—and he's advised presidents and global leaders around the world. What struck me most in speaking […] The post Klaus Kleinfeld: A CEO Who Believes Well-Being Is the Real Edge in Leadership appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Laurie Santos is one of the world's leading voices on the science of happiness and well-being. She's a psychology professor at Yale University, where her course Psychology and the Good Life became the most popular class in Yale's 300-year history. So many students enrolled that the university had to move it to a concert hall […] The post Laurie Santos: Yale's Star Professor Brings the Science of Happiness & Well-Being to Work appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

What really makes AI deliver ROI inside big enterprises? And how can leaders balance automation with employee well-being and real-world impact? In this episode, Boomi CEO Steve Lucas, The Power of Employee Well-Being co-author Mark C. Crowley, and What Matters Matters Most® author Wendy Lipton-Dibner share candid insights on the future of work, why engagement isn't enough, and the leadership behaviors that truly move organizations forward. DisrupTV is a weekly podcast hosted by R "Ray" Wang and Vala Afshar. The show airs live at 11 AM PT/ 2 PM ET every Friday. Each week, top leaders in tech, business, and innovation join to share their insights on the future of work, leadership, and digital transformation.

The key to higher performance isn't perks or programs, but genuine care for employees' well-being.   Mark C. Crowley joins the podcast to share insights from his book The Power of Employee Wellbeing. Drawing on both research and his experience as a manager, Crowley explains why traditional engagement programs often fall short, how to meaningfully measure well-being, and the link between productivity and authentic workplace relationships.  The conversation also explores how to build alignment between managers and employees, gather feedback on your leadership style, and support well-being in both remote and in-person settings. You'll leave this episode with evidence-based practices to elevate performance and strengthen employee satisfaction.  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markccrowley   Website: https://markccrowley.com/ Book: https://markccrowley.com/the_power_of_employee_well-being/ Fast Company Articles: https://www.fastcompany.com/user/mark-c-crowley    John Gottman's Website: https://www.gottman.com/  

For the second half of this podcast season, we've been focused on employee well-being—why it matters, how to foster it, and what happens when leaders fail to take it seriously. Our new guest, Amy Gilliland, shows what it looks like when a CEO makes well-being a true priority, not a mere slogan. Amy is president […] The post Amy Gilliland: A CEO Who Puts Employee Well-Being at the Center of Success appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

That's the groundbreaking case made by Dr. Angela Jackson, Harvard University professor and New York Times bestselling author of The Win-Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom-Line Success. Angela's journey is remarkable. After losing her mother at age four, she was raised by grandparents who grew up in the Jim Crow South and never advanced […] The post Angela Jackson: What If Thriving Employees Were The Key To Thriving Companies? appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

Mark C. Crowley is a bestselling author and leadership expert. With twenty-five years in the competitive financial services industry, he rose to national roles, earning Leader of the Year for his heart-centered approach. His book Lead from the Heart, challenges conventional management practices that undermine employee success. In Mark's latest book, The Power of Employee Well-Being, he emphasizes that thriving teams drive organizational success. Mark's Lead From the Heart Podcast is ranked in the top 2 percent globally, reaching 175+ countries. Mark is also a sought-after speaker, Fast Company contributor, and organizational culture consultant shaping modern workplaces. In this episode we discuss the following: I love Mark's message, that the best leaders lead from the heart. They care about people, they support people, they trust people, and they have their best interest at heart. I thought Mark made a really interesting point that we admire coaches who show that they love their players. But the conventional business leaders shy away from this type of heart-led leadership. When we think about the best leaders we know, the ones who we'll run through a brick wall for, they're the ones who truly love us. The best leaders lead from the heart.

    Nick Foster, former head of design at Google X — the “moonshot factory” — and author of Could, Should, Might, Don't: How We Think About the Future, joins us to discuss his stunning conclusion that human beings are terrible at predicting the future, calling most forecasts “mostly nonsense.” For leaders, this insight is […] The post Nick Foster: What If Most Predictions About the Future Are Just Noise? appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

IN EPISIDE 243:It's time to change the focus of how people feel at work to how they feel about work. In Episode 243, Mark C. Crowley drops by to discuss the importance of employee well-being in the workplace. We explore the limitations of traditional employee engagement strategies, the role of managers in fostering a supportive environment, the need for organizations to measure well-being effectively, and why having friends at work is a crucial driver of employee satisfaction.ABOUT MARK C. CROWLEY:Mark C. Crowley, a pioneer in workplace leadership, speaker, and bestselling author of Lead from the Heart. He is the host of the acclaimed Lead from the Heart podcast and is the author of The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move Beyond Engagement to Build Flourishing Teams.

    What's worse than a boss who emails you at midnight, demanding instant replies? How about one who calls you “Mohammed” instead of your real name, Madhumita, or another who expects you to dive back into work just days after your father's sudden death. Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, Mita Mallick […] The post Mita Mallick: Bad Bosses Have Much To Teach Us appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Urs Koenig, author of “Radical Humility: Be A Badass Leader And A Good Human,” to explore leadership through a lens of selflessness and authenticity. Drawing from his experience as a peacekeeping mission commander in Kosovo, Urs shares surprising insights on leading in high-stakes environments, revealing how […] The post Urs Koenig: Humility Is Leadership's Secret Weapon appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

What if everything you thought you knew about motivating your team was backwards? Here's the shocking reality: While you're obsessing over spreadsheets and performance metrics, there's an invisible force driving 95% of your employees' behavior—and most business leaders completely ignore it. In this eye-opening conversation, leadership expert Mark Crowley reveals why your best people might be quietly checking out, despite hitting their numbers. You'll discover the counterintuitive approach that transforms underperforming teams without a single threat or ultimatum. What You'll Uncover: The 95% Rule That Changes Everything - Why the research on human behavior means your current management approach might be sabotaging your best intentions (and what successful leaders do differently) The Remote Team Connection Crisis - As more businesses go distributed, there's a hidden epidemic destroying team cohesion. Mark shares the specific strategies that create genuine belonging across time zones and computer screens. The Underperformance Paradox - When your team misses targets, your instinct might be making everything worse. Discover the patient, belief-based approach that actually turns struggling teams around. The Emotional Infrastructure Gap - Most businesses build systems for processes but ignore the emotional systems that actually drive results. Learn how to design "feeling systems" that naturally motivate without micromanagement. This isn't another productivity hack or leadership platitude. This is about understanding the fundamental human operating system that runs your business—whether you acknowledge it or not. The Bottom Line: While your competitors are still trying to logic their way to better performance, you could be building magnetic systems that naturally align emotions with results. Perfect for family business owners, scaling service companies, and any leader tired of constantly pushing their team uphill. Warning: This conversation might completely flip your approach to team management. Listen only if you're ready to question everything you think you know about motivation. Ready to stop fighting human nature and start working with it? This 53-minute deep dive could save you years of frustration and countless hours of trying to "fix" people who aren't actually broken.

    Is Bree Goff delusional or naive to believe work should be a source of fun and joy? Having read her bestseller, Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously) and interviewed her, we're certain she's spot-on—and voicing what many of us have long felt: work shouldn't be a grind that erodes our happiness or well-being. […] The post Bree Goff: Reimagining Work with Joy and Purpose appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    As a statistician by trade, Cambridge University Emeritus Professor, Sir David Spiegelhalter might seem to be a huge outlier for our leadership podcast. At the beginning of our conversation he even acknowledges feeling this way. But his new book, The Art of Uncertainty, was named an Amazon Best Book of 2025, and his investigations […] The post Sir David Spiegelhalter: A Leader's Guide To Mastering Uncertainty appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Ever wonder what 75 days a year glued to your phone is costing you?  That staggering figure—based on a 2024 study showing Americans spend an average of 5 hours and 16 minutes daily on their smartphones—reveals how deeply our devices dominate our lives.  Enter Richard Simon and his provocative bestseller, Unplug: How to […] The post Richard Simon: Why It's Probably Time You Unplugged appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    We're thrilled to welcome back Margaret Heffernan to the podcast, a guest whose erudition and insight left us in awe last time! Margaret is one of the most remarkable people we've had on the show—an entrepreneur, former CEO, acclaimed author, and thought leader whose uncommon education and thirst for knowledge imbue her work […] The post Margaret Heffernan: How Artists Turn Uncertainty Into Opportunity appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Imagine you're a leader who's achieved great success, yet something suddenly feels off: roadblocks appear, your team seems less responsive and productive—and you're not progressing as hoped. What's holding you back? Martin Dubin, a clinical psychologist and author of, Blindspotting: How To See What's Holding You Back As A Leader (being released next […] The post Martin Dubin: Uncovering the Hidden Blind Spots That Hold Leaders Back appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

In this compelling episode, host Bradley Hamner sits down with Mark Crowley, bestselling author of "Lead from the Heart" and the upcoming "The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move Beyond Engagement to Build Flourishing Teams." Mark shares his revolutionary approach to leadership, drawing from 25 years of successful business leadership and 15 years of cutting-edge research on what truly drives employee performance.Mark C. Crowley is a pioneering leader and bestselling author leading a revolution in workplace leadership. With 25 years in the competitive financial services industry, he rose to national roles and was named Leader of the Year for his emotionally connected, heart-centered approach. His book "Lead from the Heart" (2011, second edition 2023) is now taught in eleven universities worldwide. His new book, "The Power of Employee Well-Being," will be released September 30, 2025.Connect with Mark CrowleyWebsite: markccrowley.comBook: "The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move Beyond Engagement to Build Flourishing Teams" Pre-order: https://markccrowley.com/the_power_of_employee_well-being/Previous Book: "Lead from the Heart" https://markccrowley.com/book-2/Podcast: "Lead from the Heart" (ranked in top 1.5% globally) Listen here: https://markccrowley.com/podcasts/Thanks to our sponsors...BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we're just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we've got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that's what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.

    We're thrilled to welcome Shigehiro Oishi, renowned psychologist and University of Chicago professor, whose groundbreaking research on well-being has reshaped how we understand a fulfilling life. As the author of Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life, Oishi introduces a transformative framework that adds “psychological richness”—a […] The post Shigehiro Oishi: Embracing the Unfamiliar to Forge Deeper Lives and Thriving Teams appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    For over 40 years, Gary Shapiro has been CEO of the Consumer Technology Association – the organization which runs CES, the world's largest and most influential technology trade show held every year in Las Vegas. CES long ago became the global stage where innovations like the iPhone, self-driving cars, and AI breakthroughs have […] The post Gary Shapiro: Mastering the Art of the Pivot appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Wes Adams, co-author of Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee, joins the podcast and shares profound insights from his extensive, multi-year research, on an essential yet often ignored leadership prerogative: ensuring employees feel they're connected to a shared purpose, empowered to make a difference – and pushed to […] The post Wes Adams: How Meaningful Work Fuels Exceptional Performance appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    What makes a leader truly successful? To find out, we sat down with Claudius Hildebrand, author of the bestselling The Life Cycle of a CEO: The Myths and Truths of How Leaders Succeed. His core insight? Leadership isn't a trophy you win or a title you hold—it's a dynamic, ever-evolving journey that demands […] The post Claudius Hildebrand: The Lifecycle Of Every Leader; Why Growth and Reinvention Matter appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

  Melody Wilding, Professor of Human Behavior at Hunter College in New York City, and renowned for her expertise in workplace dynamics, has just published, “Managing Up: How To Get What You Need From The People In Charge.” It's received outstanding reviews, is already a bestseller – and has become an indispensable guide for building […] The post Melody Wilding: Navigating the Complexities of Managing Up appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Renowned social psychologist and Columbia Business School professor Adam Galinsky, has dedicated his academic career to understanding the intricacies of leadership and human behavior. His latest book, “Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others,” offers a compelling exploration of what it takes to be an inspiring leader. Adam is clear that inspiring leadership […] The post Adam Galinsky: A Blueprint for Inspiring Leadership appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Ever wondered what truly drives peak performance at work? As research is now proving, the surprising secret lies in employee well-being. In this captivating episode, we're joined by Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, professor of Economics and Behavioral Science at Oxford's Saïd Business School, the Director of the Wellbeing Research Centre & an editor of […] The post Jan-Emmanuel De Neve: Transform Your Employees' Performance by Prioritizing Their Well-Being appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    For our inaugural episode of our new season, we are thrilled to feature two truly extraordinary guests. It also marks a milestone for us as it's the very first time we've recorded an episode where both the host and guests were together in the same room — in this case, at a recording […] The post Kathleen Hogan & Rhonda Morris: Two Of The World's HR Giants Together appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

Mark C. Crowley joins the Gartner Talent Angle to discuss why today's unparalleled workplace challenges prompted him to release a second edition of his book, “Lead from the Heart: Transformational Leadership for the 21st Century” more than a decade after it was first published. Backed by scientific findings on employee motivation, Crowley outlines common misconceptions about leading from the heart. And drawing on examples from his own experience, he shares practical advice for how to effectively implement this type of leadership at an organization. Mark C. Crowley is the author of “Lead From The Heart: Transformational Leadership For The 21st Century.” The second edition debuted in August 2022 as an “Amazon #1 Release,” and his book has been taught in nine American universities. Mark is a regular columnist for Fast Company Magazine and has been published in USA Today, Reuters, Forbes, the Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Huffington Post, Gallup & the Seattle Times. Mark spent over 20 years in the world of Financial Services. He held two national level positions at one of America's largest financial institutions where he was named “leader of the year”. Mark proved that deeply caring about and supporting people, and thereby positively affecting employee's hearts had a profound effect on motivating their sustained engagement, loyalty and productivity. *This episode is an excerpt taken from our 2022 interview.