Aim Higher: The podcast with purpose

On this week’s episode of “Aim Higher,” my panel of experts answers three “mail bag” questions from our listeners. We tackle the issue of a self-described “non team player” who tries to sharpen those skills but hits a roadblock. We hear from a new mom who is challenged by a boss who expects more late-night work than fits into a reasonable schedule. And, last, we take a look at the really interesti...

I’ve known Michael Hyatt for years, have interviewed him before, and have written for his blog several times. It’s always a pleasure to sit down for a conversation with him, and this week on “Aim Higher” is no exception. Michael really differentiates between the idea of “having a vision” as a kind of nebulous, nice-sounding concept vs. a useful, real-world tool for guiding your organization. As a...

How can you master your personal energy, presence and intention? Anese Cavanaugh, author of “Contagious You” and Skip’s guest on this week’s “Aim Higher,” suggests that the “how” may not be as important as the “when.” And the when is always… now. It is always the moment to start. Take a breath. Examine how you feel. What intentions are you brining into the room you’re in right now and to your lead...

My guest for this episode of “Aim Higher” is Bruce Daisley, Twitter Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa. He joined the company in 2012 having previously run YouTube UK at Google. Bruce is the author of a terrific new book, “Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat: 30 Hacks for Bringing Joy to Your Job.” I also highly recommend his previous book, “The Joy of Work.” Bruce has so many good ideas about...

This week on “Aim Higher” my guests and I discuss the power of focus. So many people try to do too much all at once… and end up getting nothing done at all. The cure for that is an improved focus… on focus. In this episode I’m thrilled to welcome back to the studio Tammi Spayde, Drew Bordas and Rebekah Kilzer, and they each have some great advice on this important topic. What we agreed on was that...

Welcome to season two of “Aim Higher!” Our goals with this podcast are to help you tip the scale towards positive thinking and propel you towards greater success as a leader and in every aspect of your life. We’ll cover topics like focus, handling stress, getting more business, setting boundaries, wellness… and more. I’ll share the wisdom of great guests like serial entrepreneur James Altucher, we...

This week on Aim Higher, Skip talks to author and researcher Tom Rath, who has spent more than 20 years studying how work can improve human health and wellbeing.  His latest book, “Life’s Great Question: Discover How You Contribute to the World,” addresses a new way of thinking about the contributions we make through our life’s work. Skip asks Tom some important questions about how to change from...

Over the past few months, Skip and his guests have explored “The Nine Traits of Servant Leaders.” This week on “Aim Higher” they review the most important moments of the series, focusing on details, stories and advice that can really make a difference in your servant leadership journey. Don’t worry about “spoilers” here: if you’re new to the series, this is actually a great place to start. Then re...

William James, often cited as the “Father of American Psychology,” brings us today’s Wednesday Wisdom: “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” As a leader seeking to “Aim Higher,” I’d like you to flip that around, and think about it from other people’s point-of-view. What do you do to show appreciation and send it out into the world? Every day, try to start a note...

What one trait of servant leadership is absolutely crucial to the other eight? Humility. And in this episode of Aim Higher, Skip and his panel talk about why that is. In a nutshell, it’s because humble leaders understand that their ideas, goals, strengths and concerns aren’t the only ones that go into the mix of a high-performing team. In fact, when leaders aren’t humble – when they’re arrogant or...

Today’s “Wednesday Wisdom” comes from my friend Bob Burg. He’s a wonderful speaker and a great writer, author of “The Go-Giver,” book series, rated #10 on Inc. Magazine’s list of the “Most Motivational Books Ever Written.” Bob says, “The single greatest people skill is a highly-developed and authentic interest in the other person.” Such a great quote. Let me ask you: what does it take to be intere...

In this episode of Aim Higher, Skip interviews Patty McCord, former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix. While there, she created and continuously updated what has become a famous presentation about Netflix culture called “Freedom and Responsibility.” She wrote a book about that experience, “Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility,” and discusses with Skip some of the most important...

We’re looking to Scott McKain, a personal friend of mine and wonderful author, for today’s “Wednesday Wisdom.” Scott says, “Make the customer the star of the show,” and I think that’s a fantastic way to focus your energy. Who’s the star of *your* show? Your showroom? Your product? You? Maybe shift that thinking. People love to talk about themselves… Give them the chance, and they’ll remember the c...

In this episode of Aim Higher, Skip and his panel discuss the benefits of long-term thinking, the 8th of 9 traits of servant leaders. While any leader must acknowledge the importance of short-term goals, Skip emphasizes that you can’t simply forget about long-term thinking if you want to be a great leader. If you do? You’ll find yourself spinning out-of-control, following yearly, quarterly and eve...

Today’s “Wednesday Wisdom” comes from Max DePree, who said, “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant.” Leaders, I’ve found are often good at the first and last. Having a vision is often what inspires us to become leaders. After we achieve our goals? If we’re any kind of a decent person, we will ta...

In this episode of Aim Higher, Skip interviews Paul Smith, one of the world’s leading experts in business storytelling. Paul was one of “Inc. Magazine’s” Top 100 Leadership Speakers of 2018. He’s a storytelling coach, and he shares with Skip some of the secrets from his new book, “The 10 Stories Great Leaders Tell.” Paul explains that we don’t make most of our decisions entirely logically; we make...

This week’s “Wednesday Wisdom” quote comes from John Patrick, an early internet pioneer, a former IBM executive, and a friend and colleague of Skip’s. John is the author of a series of “Attitude” books, the latest of which is, “Robot Attitude.” John says, “Think big, act bold, start simple.” Skip walks through this great quote and reflects on some personal stories that speak to these simple, yet i...

In this episode of “Aim Higher,” Skip and his panel discuss how servant leaders think: “you, not me.” This is the 7th of 9 traits of servant leaders, and it helps bring about a culture of empowerment. This week, Skip is joined by his regular contributors Drew Bordas and Tammi Spayde, and first time panelist Rebekah Kilzer, a leader in information technology and learning. While it may seem obvious...

In today’s “Wednesday Wisdom” Skip quotes the Australian poet Erin Hanson, who wrote, when quiet young, “What if I fall? Oh but my darling, what if you fly?” Skip reminds us that all growth takes place outside of our comfort zone. Watching birds, we know this. They move out of the nest—sometimes with a push from mama bird!—and learn that by flapping hard, they cushion a fall. And then, they learn...

Over the past few decades, “authoritarian” style leadership – boss commands, workers obey – has, thankfully, been going out of style. Remnants of that behavior, though, still remain in many companies and for many leaders, especially in times of stress and for many people new to their leadership roles. In this episode of “Aim Higher,” Skip and his panel discuss how servant leaders get more from the...

Today’s “Wednesday Wisdom” comes from Bruce Lee: “The successful warrior is the average man with a laser-like focus.” How do we go from average or mediocre to successful? Skip says that daily discipline can make all the difference. Have a picture of what success looks like for you, and make small steps, every day, towards that goal. That kind of laser-like focus on your dream is what it takes.

In discussing the 5th of 9 traits of servant leaders, Skip and his panel remark on how we live in an “encouragement desert.” Even if we were to give 6-9 times more encouragement, research tells us that it still wouldn’t be enough to fill the need we have to hear that we are worthy and valuable. How can you, as a leader, develop the habits – and a culture – of encouragement? Listen and find out.

Today’s “Wednesday Wisdom” comes from legendary basketball coach, John Wooden: “Reputation is what you are perceived to be, character is what you really are.” Skip talks about how, while many of us think that our character is something fixed and permanent, it really isn’t! You can work your reputation, and you can also take control of your character. They’re both important! Find out how, and start...

In this, the 4th of 9 panel discussions about the traits of servant leaders, Skip and his panel talk about how important it is for leaders to recognize “the whole person.” Because even at work (perhaps especially at work), we’re not just workers. As Skip points out, we are more than “human capital” or other degrading terms like “head-count” or “warm bodies.” Servant leaders recognize that the best...

Today’s “Wednesday Wisdom” comes from Eleanor Roosevelt: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Belief is foundational to everything we do. It’s the power that connects our dreams, which may feel unreal, to a future in which we do what it takes to make them happen.