The Sync Leadership Lab

Feeling unfulfilled in your career doesn’t mean you have to stay stuck or abandon everything you’ve worked to build. Suken Jain welcomes John E. Kobara, leadership coach, speaker, and author of Quest , for a conversation about rediscovering purpose in mid-career and finding the courage to pursue what brings you joy. John challenges listeners to look beyond the expectations of others, pause, and re...

Great leadership isn’t about having all the answers or fixing every problem yourself. Great leadership is about building trust, creating a safe place for openness and critique, and helping others grow into their potential. Dr. Elizabeth Carr joins today to share lessons from her 22-year career in dental hygiene education and leadership, including why listening before acting, recognizing your own t...

To celebrate the 50th episode of The Sync Leadership Lab, host Suken switches into the guest seat as his wife, Hetal Jain, turns the tables and asks the questions. Suken reflects on what he has learned through 50 conversations with his guests, why he took a chance on creating the podcast, and what he is most proud of along the way. At the heart of the conversation is a lesson that has continued to...

Leadership growth rarely happens when everything is comfortable. Sometimes it comes from saying “yes” before you feel completely ready. By putting in the extra effort, or believing strongly enough in your path to keep going when things get difficult, anything is possible. Dave Fechtman, CEO of Velocity Advisory Group, today’s guest, talks about resilience, perseverance, leadership, and what it tak...

Intentional leadership requires us to slow down enough to reflect, understand ourselves and the people around us, and make decisions with purpose. Matthew Adam and Andrew Davies, two experienced leadership and organizational development professionals from the UK, join host Suken to explore what it really means to lead with intention and how to develop that skill.  Throughout the conversation, the...

In this episode, Suken provides a comprehensive mid-year check-in, exploring current trends in AI, change management, psychological safety, and leadership burnout. He shares personal updates, insights on leadership development, and practical advice for achieving goals in the second half of the year. keywords: Leadership, AI, Change Management, Psychological Safety, Burnout, Mid-Year Review, Leader...

Artificial intelligence is evolving at a remarkable pace, and the leaders who learn how to use it strategically today will be better positioned for tomorrow. In this episode Raakhi Agrawal, Managing Director and Partner at one of the world's leading consulting firms, discusses practical ways professionals can begin integrating AI into daily workflows. AI works best when you treat it like a mem...

Returning guest Dan Albaum shares practical strategies for developing a giving mindset that strengthens both leadership effectiveness and personal fulfillment in today’s episode of The Sync Leadership Lab. Dan challenges listeners to move beyond simply valuing generosity and instead make it measurable through intentional actions. Whether it's mentoring a colleague, making an intentional introd...

In this powerful two part episode I sit down with Brett Kessler, D.D.S. for an honest and deeply reflective conversation about recovery, leadership, and living with intention. Dr. Brett shares two key lessons that continue to shape both his personal and professional life: the importance of moving through challenges “one mile at a time”, and the power of intentionally designing a life aligned with...

In this powerful two part episode I sit down with Brett Kessler, D.D.S. for an honest and deeply reflective conversation about recovery, leadership, and living with intention. Dr. Brett shares two key lessons that continue to shape both his personal and professional life: the importance of moving through challenges “one mile at a time”, and the power of intentionally designing a life aligned with...

What happens when years of discipline, performance, and expectation lead to an outcome you never planned for? In this episode, former USC quarterback Max Browne shares two powerful leadership takeaways: why acknowledging failure is a critical step toward growth, and how maintaining focus amid uncertainty can shape long-term success. His journey offers a candid look at what it means to persevere wh...

Maximizing team productivity isn’t about doing more, it’s about aligning the right people to the right work. In this conversation, Laura Lillie Goodridge shares how leaders can improve output by focusing on team chemistry and intentional work allocation. Two takeaways you can apply immediately: align tasks with individual strengths rather than relying on role assumptions, and shift from solving to...

Turning strategy into execution is where many organizations struggle. Even with a strong product and a talented sales team, success often depends on how effectively customers are guided from first awareness to becoming confident advocates. In this episode, Manasi Shukla, founder and CEO of Safrela Consulting, shares how companies can close the gap between strategy and real-world results. With a ba...

In this special Women’s History Month conversation, Stephenie Goddard offers a clear call to action for ambitious leaders: stop disqualifying yourself before anyone else does. If you are waiting until you meet 100 percent of the qualifications to raise your hand, you are likely holding yourself back. Instead, Stephenie challenges you to lead with curiosity, articulate the unique value you bring be...

Middle managers sit at the center of execution and influence, yet many lack clarity around expectations and how to succeed in the role. In this episode, one key takeaway is the importance of proactively asking your leader for alignment on priorities and success metrics. Another is learning how to balance being both a contributor and a coach without burning out or defaulting to micromanagement. Tod...

Purpose doesn’t start with a massive career leap — it starts with paying closer attention. If you’re feeling successful on paper but disconnected in your day-to-day work, begin here: for one week, track when you feel energized and when you feel depleted. Don’t judge it or try to fix it yet. Simply collect the data. This simple awareness practice is often the first step leaders need to move from ac...

Let's kick off 2026 with setting intention! Take a listen to how I am doing so and how you can as well! We will start reflecting on how the past 3 years of setting a "Word of the Year" has been powerful for me, and then get to my 2026 Word. Then we will touch on how it can drive focus and impact for you. I'll also tell you about my new program for mid-career leaders to be able to...

As we close out the year, let's spend some time reflecting on 2025 to acknowledge our challenges and celebrate our wins. We will then set goals for 2026 so we can lead through our year with intention and set ourselves up to celebrate what we want 12 months from now. This is about Self Leadership - becoming the best versions of ourself for us and those around us. If you are looking to dive in f...

Today’s episode offers two immediately applicable ideas from leadership educator, author, and speaker Raquel Oliveira : First, the power of naming your values so you can lead yourself through uncertainty with clarity. Second, the practice of creating intentional space—through rest, curiosity, or stillness—to reconnect with your purpose when life forces you to start again. Raquel’s insights give le...

What happens when people raised in "we" cultures step into workplaces built for "I"? In this episode, I welcome author, speaker, and workplace culture expert Neelu Kaur to explore how cultural values, especially around collectivism and individualism, shape how we show up at work. Together, we unpack the silent struggles many face when moving between different cultural mindsets:...

In this episode of the Sync Leadership Lab, I delve into the having conversations that matter with Dr. Kathryn Preston, a keynote speaker and corporate performance coach. Dr. Preston shares her diverse background—from studying Spanish to a fashion institute, to dental school and craniofacial orthodontistry—before transitioning to her current role. The discussion covers the challenges and importanc...

AI is not a technology...it is a strategic imperative for any company who wants to thrive (or even survive) going forward. Join me as I dive in with AI Strategy Expert Mike Welch to discuss how top companies are developing AI strategy and what that looks like in the 6-24 month horizon. We discuss how AI will transform leadership roles, early career pathways, and senior level strategies. Mike share...

I'm thrilled to welcome Tatiana Vlahovic, a leadership coach and founder of Nurturing Clarity to discuss the intersection of parenthood and leadership. We discuss how the challenges and skills from parenting can enhance leadership abilities. Tatiana highlights five key areas where parenting can translate to better workplace leadership: presence, courage and creativity, stress tolerance and adaptab...

Join me in this inspiring episode as we delve into the journey of resilience with Gaurav Valani. Discover how life's challenges can be transformed into stepping stones for success and personal growth. Key Takeaways: The power of resilience in overcoming life's hurdles. Personal stories of triumph over adversity. Practical advice on building mental strength and clarity. Insights into findin...

Kicking off Season 4 with a preview of what is ahead in the coming months as well as highlighting some workplace trends around: -Managing Overwhelm in the Workplace mentally and tactically -AI and coaching -Showing Up as Leaders Enjoy and reach out if you want to discuss further or have topics for future episodes!