Podcast appearances and mentions of mike mears

What happens when even the most powerful leaders pull every lever they've been taught to use—bonuses, metrics, training—and nothing changes? That's the question that set Mike Mears, former CIA Chief of Human Capital, on a mission to rethink leadership from the inside out. In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mike joins Mahan Tavakoli to share deeply practical insights on why traditional leadership systems fall short—and what truly drives performance and innovation.As the founder of the CIA's Leadership Academy, Mike brings a unique combination of experience in intelligence, government, and corporate leadership. His ideas are grounded in neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and decades of operational leadership. Rather than focusing on leadership theory, he focuses on how leaders can create psychological certainty for their people—even amid external volatility.Throughout the conversation, Mike challenges long-held assumptions, including the overreliance on performance systems and leadership training that don't account for human nature. He reveals why emotional clarity and trust are more valuable than process, and how small, consistent actions from leaders—like weekly check-ins and genuine recognition—can transform team dynamics and unlock discretionary effort.This conversation is a must-listen for CEOs, board members, and senior leaders who want to move beyond abstract leadership models and build real engagement, alignment, and trust. With memorable stories and tested frameworks, Mike Mears offers a practical guide to leadership that resonates at every level of an organization.Actionable TakeawaysHear how a senior CIA leader's frustration with ineffective levers led to a deep reevaluation of leadership systemsLearn why many leadership tools—still rooted in industrial-era thinking—don't reflect how the brain actually worksDiscover how emotional uncertainty impacts employee performance and what leaders can do to restore clarity and directionUnderstand the behavioral progression that effective leaders follow: safety, trust, clarity, and only then challengeLearn why short, consistent check-ins often outperform more complex performance systemsHear Mike's candid reflection on the value of feedback—and why he wishes he had given far more of it as a leaderExplore how “soft accountability” can help embed new leadership habits without adding bureaucracyUnderstand the long-term damage of poor leadership selection—and why choosing the right managers matters more than developing the wrong onesLearn why culture is local, and why the team leader—not the organization—defines most of the employee experienceDiscover how to align leadership actions with human nature to build teams that perform better under pressure and changeConnect with Mike MearsMike Mears LinkedIn Mike Mears Website Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

Mike Mears, former CIA Chief of HR, on his book Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation. Discover how great leaders draw out the best of human nature. That our Stone Age brains are hardwired for survival and programmed to fear the unknown, yet the work world demands constant innovation. The enemy of better leadership is uncertainty deeply buried in the minds of your workforce. Mears urges greater understanding of human nature. Work with it rather than push against it. He draws on neuroscience and psychology -- plus compelling stories from his Agency career -- to provide practical leadership advice, including: Science-backed explanations of how our brains think and how our primitive brains are colliding with the demands of the modern workplace; New feedback, change management, and delegation tools to build an environment of certainty rather than of fear; Fresh insights to overcome innate change resistance in yourself and others; and Time-saving ideas to empower yourself while empowering your employees. These steps engender loyalty, trust, and great performance from a team. You learn to identify the limitations and strengths of the human mind and create a dynamic and innovative workplace.   Interview of Thursday, 20 March 2025. Interviewed by: AFIO President, James Hughes. 

In this compelling episode of The Evolving Leader, we sit down with Mike Mears, former CIA leadership head and author of "Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation." Mike shares powerful insights from his extraordinary career – from his days as a combat platoon leader and nuclear missile commander to his transformative work at GE and the CIA. Discover how his relentless curiosity led him to question conventional leadership practices, the pivotal moments that reshaped his approach, and the lessons he's learned about inspiring teams in a world driven by uncertainty. How can leaders inspire and motivate in a world driven by uncertainty? Join us as we explore the habits, mindsets, and actionable insights that can transform how you lead and connect with your team.Further reading from Mike Mears:Certainty. How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation:https://www.certaintyleadershipbook.com/ Mike Mears's Website:https://www.mikemears.biz Mike Mears's Leadership Newsletter:https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/i5b5t0  Other reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender: Leading In A Non-Linear World (J Gomes, 2023)The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence (S Allender, 2023)  Social:Instagram           @evolvingleaderLinkedIn             The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter               @Evolving_LeaderBluesky            @evolvingleader.bsky.socialYouTube           @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Maybe because he was a spy, but my next guest has some novel ideas about leadership in places like large federal agencies. He's written a book about it called How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation. Mike Mears retired as chief human capital officer of the CIA, and he joins me now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maybe because he was a spy, but my next guest has some novel ideas about leadership in places like large federal agencies. He's written a book about it called How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation. Mike Mears retired as chief human capital officer of the CIA, and he joins me now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mikes Mears chats with Steve Reiter, a long-awaited guest on the show for three years. Mike, who has quite the journey from a political campaign to faith engagement at the Republican National Committee. Mike is smoking a nica rustica cigar, and despite not being a cigar aficionado, he brings a wealth of experience and intriguing stories to share. From growing up in a faith-filled Roman Catholic home to a career in politics and his unique spiritual journey, Mike's perspective on faith, politics, and the intricacies of life is sure to captivate you. So sit back, light up your favorite cigar, and join us for an inspiring and insightful conversation.  Outline:  (00:04) Nuns predicted future, led to religious journey. (08:49) Stephanie's different upbringing caused family tension. (11:45) Helped friend get elected; aided in campaigns. (18:46) Ignored phone calls, National Right to Work Committee. (23:20) Reluctant conservative liaison for Republican National Committee. (29:53) Promotion, politics, and gender rule confusion. (35:31) Pro-life community lacks agreement, needs discipleship. (38:04) Security personnel's quick thinking prevents tragedy. (46:43) Preferring mixed whiskey drinks, especially with Coke. (52:07) Supporting the Orange County and Los Angeles teams. (58:23) Seeking wisdom, finding God in unusual places. (59:58) Considering moving to be close to politics. About the Guest:  Mike Mears was raised with the belief that he was destined to either become a priest or president of the United States. At the age of 17, he began to take his faith more seriously after being introduced to Jesus Christ through a campus ministry called Campus Life. This pivotal moment led to a commitment to his faith and a lifelong journey with Christianity.

Implementing organizational change has been a part of leadership textbooks and conferences for a long time. Best practices for organization change have risen to an all time high because of COVID and the cascading shifts throughout the work world. Many leaders are frustrated because they “keep pulling the levers for change but nothing really ever happens.” With that being said, leaders are seeking ways to create less painful change in everything from motivating teams to changing culture. In today's podcast episode, we interview Mike Mears, retired CIA HR Chief and CEO of Mears Consulting. Mike explores a new approach to overcoming innate employee risk aversion. It stimulates organizational change by using a “magic brain visualization formula” –a process that utilizes “insight prompts” to foster “aha” moments for team members as theyTeam Anywhere.  Read the FULL Summary HERE!

We all remember where we were when we first heard the news of a terrorist attack on the World Trade towers in NYC, as well as in the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. Mike talks with a couple of people who had up close experiences during that awful day...Angel Serrano, and Regina Bereswill. Also, Mike talks with business owner John Beacham about his work to enhance the sense of community in Eatonville. Finally, former RNC official Mike Mears now has his own consulting firm, and a strong message to Americans.

KJ and Mike Mears tear apart Double or Nothing and discuss previous storylines that people might be unaware of and the outcomes of all the shenanigans of AEW Double or Nothing 2021!   ENJOY!!   Follow KJ: KJ Twitter KJ Instagram KJ Facebook   Follow Roped In: Roped In Twitter Roped In Instagram

KJ is joined by an elite team of MMA fans and analysts to discuss what it was like attending UFC 257. Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier was an incredible and they discuss what it is like attending a UFC event during the global pandemic.   ENJOY!!   Follow Liam Wyatt:   @LWyatt_probably (Twitter)   Follow Mike Mears:   @AntonyInoki (Twitter)   Follow KJ: KJ Twitter KJ Instagram KJ Facebook   Follow Roped In: Roped In Twitter Roped In Instagram

KJ and the most knowledgeable AEW guest he could get, Mike Mears! KJ and Mike discuss all the title changes on the card along with the highlights and low points of AEW Full Gear 2020!   ENJOY!!   Follow Mike Mears:   @AntonyInoki (Twitter)   Follow KJ: KJ Twitter KJ Instagram KJ Facebook   Follow Roped In: Roped In Twitter Roped In Instagram

UFC 254 with the AWESOME Mike Mears is now here! Khabib Nurmagomedov has apparently decided to retire after this mega pay-per-view! It was an incredible main card, full of finishes, and a very sad retirement. Mike and KJ discuss it ALL in depth!   ENJOY!!   Follow Mike Mears:   @AntonyInoki (Twitter)   Follow KJ: KJ Twitter KJ Instagram KJ Facebook   Follow Roped In: Roped In Twitter Roped In Instagram

KJ is joined by his buddy Mike Mears to cover a historic UFC PPV, UFC 249. The first one without a crowd in its magnitude, the boys have a few laughs and break down the entire card comprehensively. This is one you DON'T want to miss!   ENJOY!!   Follow Mike Mears:   @TWMWrestle (Twitter/Instagram)   Follow KJ: KJ Twitter KJ Instagram KJ Facebook   Follow Roped In: Roped In Twitter Roped In Instagram

Join Matty Deller, Mike Mears, Kyle James & Rhys Thomas as they talk about the wider world of wrestling in the Wrestling World Report. They discuss the last weekly independent show left standing (that we know of) in MLW Fusion and Mike challenges Rhys and Matty in round two of 'CageMatch Conundrum'. DOWNLOAD THE WELOVESPORT APP: http://welovesport.co USE THE CODE 'TWMWRESTLING' TO GET UP TO THREE FREE ITEMS IN YOUR MONTHLY CRATE: http://wrestlecrate.co.uk 

The Cardiff Rugby Life Podcast is back for another isolation episode with the Guinness Pro14 Final cancelled, Cardiff Blues' recruitment evolving due to the Coronavirus, the Indigo Group Premiership season cancelled and Steve Law staying at Cardiff RFC. There is also the first in a series of Cardiff fans talking about their time at the Arms Park, with Mike Mears talking favourite players, games and memories.

Over the course of two years, LearnChair Radio host Bob Dragone has heard some great leadership stories from his guests.  Some of them were funny tales about clients if they do leadership development for companies or some were about people who inspired them to be better leaders. This podcast is the first in a series that will compile some of these stories for both your enjoyment and perhaps to inspire you too as well.  Bob leads off with an explanation from TED talks expert Jeremy Donovan about how to structure a good story.  This is followed up by Phil Romano explaining how he made the Fuddruckers restaurant chain a success.  The third story is from leadership development expert Mike Mears who tells about a great leader he worked for, former Secretary of Commerce Malcolm Baldridge.  If you enjoy the stories please let me know by leaving a comment at www.learnchairradio.com.

LearnChair Radio host Bob Dragone interviews one of the nation’s top thinkers on leadership, Mike Mears.  Mike’s leadership expertise is based on practical experience in the military, business and government fields.  A West Point graduate, Mike worked with Jack Welch at GE and was the founder of the CIA Leadership Academy.  Bob and Mike explore why with all the experts involved in leadership development there remains a dearth of truly affective leaders.  They surmise that while principles are taught they are often soon forgotten for institutional and personal reasons.  Mike states his view on the best characteristics of a good leader based on his experience.  Mike is known for his advocacy of “stamping out bad bosses,”  but he prefers to accent positive features of good leadership development.  In this regard, Mike gives his observations on what are the best leadership lessons any one should learn.  Finally, when asked about who comes to mind when he is asked about great leaders, Mike relates his relationship with the late Secretary of Commerce, Malcolm Baldridge.  Mike emphasizes the personal relationships a good leader develops that leave a legacy.  This interview is a thoughtful guide on what you should do to improve your leadership skills.

Podcast 11 - Have/Show Direction by Mike Mears

Podcast 10 - Setting Expectations by Mike Mears

Podcast 9 - Passion by Mike Mears

Podcast 8 - Vision by Mike Mears

Podcast 6 - Honor Honest Failure by Mike Mears

Podcast 5 - Acting With Courage by Mike Mears

Podcast 4 - Competence by Mike Mears

Podcast 3 - Live Your Personal Values by Mike Mears

Podcast 2 - Optimism by Mike Mears