I Wish They Knew

When it comes to your weakness, don't give up. Give in. In this episode, corporate culture strategist Greg Hawks shares why acknowledging a weakness isn't an act of surrender, but a show of strength. * * *  ABOUT GREG: Greg Hawks is a corporate culture specialist and the owner of the Hawkes Agency, which helps organizations shape environments where everyone gets to contribute their best daily. The...

High achievers don't just have potential - they have a plan. And the path to achievement can be learned and optimized, says Dr. Ruth Gotian. In this episode, Ruth outlines four dimensions of high achievers (passion, purpose, practice and perspective) and the role that mentors at all levels can play in turning our talents into transformational results.  * * * ABOUT RUTH GOTIAN: Dr. Ruth Gotian is C...

We marvel at historic and contemporary figures who have demonstrated acts of courage in their lives and wonder, "how did they do it?" In today's episode, author and researcher Jim Detert shares why "competent courage" - the skillful and deliberate decision to do what's risky, because it's right - is not an innate quality possessed by only a few, but a calculated choice that can be developed by all...

Are good leader born or made? In today's episode, leadership development strategist Halelly Azulay makes the case for learned leadership -- the set of skills, behaviors and beliefs that separate bad bosses from inspirational leaders. She explores the essential leadership competencies that can be nurtured over time and how workplaces can develop structured support to bring out the best capabilities...

We can't control life's outcomes, but we certainly tilt them in our favor. Today's wish comes from Jeff Kavanaugh, vice president at Infosys and the global head of the Infosys Knowledge Institute. In this episode, Jeff shares the five elements of a "virtuous cycle" that's driven by service, selflessness and strategic decision-making.  * * * ABOUT JEFF: Jeff is a vice president at Infosys and the g...

In this bonus episode, we explore three practices to take the fear and friction out of feedback - especially when it can't be delivered in person.

There's nothing magic about innovation, but when organizations apply a disciplined approach, it can bring magical results, says Scott Anthony. In this episode, Scott describes how small-scale innovation can unleash larger shifts in the way teams think, design and execute big ideas, and how an organization's next breakthrough may be closer than they think.  * * *  ABOUT SCOTT: Scott Anthony is a Se...

Good leaders don't just communicate to inform but to inspire, says Dr. Ethan Becker. In this episode, Ethan shares ways that leaders can develop an effective communication strategy that validates others and gets results. From high-stakes announcements to everyday conversation, Ethan offers practical tips to help leaders better understand their own internal communication signals and styles while cr...

Sensitivity isn't a flaw. It's a superpower. In this episode, Melody explores how "sensitive strivers" -- high achievers who are highly reflective and emotionally earnest -- can impact the workplace and how leaders can set the conditions for people to disclose, rather than disguise, these sensitive strengths. *  *  * ABOUT MELODY: Melody Wilding, LMSW is an executive coach for smart, sensitive hig...

Part 4 of our spotlight series on mental health: Craig Kramer, chair of Johnson & Johnson's global mental health awareness campaign, explores why your best employees may very well be the ones who struggle with some form of mental illness -- and why organizations should make it possible for them to tell their story. 

Whether you're on the court or on the sidelines, mental health can affect your game -- and your wellbeing. Part 3 of our spotlight series on mental health: Adam Neuman, Chief of Staff for Strategy and Operations and Deputy General Counsel for the Big 10, shares how mental health is taking center stage in the world of college sports.

Second in a four-part series on mental health and wellbeing. Today's wish comes from Joseph Gorordo. In this episode, he explores how doing disciplined "inner work" - identifying cracks, asking for help and turning personal weaknesses into strengths -- allows others to recover the best part of themselves. Joseph shares the unique approach of Recovery  Unplugged and lessons other organizations can...

First in a four-part spotlight series on mental health.  Today's wish comes from Kelly Greenwood. In this episode, Kelly explores the widespread impact of mental health in the workplace and how leaders can serve as allies and advocates for their employees' health and wellbeing.  ABOUT KELLY Kelly Greenwood is the Founder & CEO of  Mind Share Partners , a nonprofit that is changing the culture...

If we really want to achieve better results in our work, our relationships – even our character – we need to do a lot less telling and selling and a lot more listening and learning. In this episode, Joe explores the high costs of reactive leadership and how being a reflective listener - not a reflexive listener - can raise the volume on life's most important communications. (It might have saved NA...

For many organizations, the future of work is hybrid, but that doesn't mean a return to the office should bring back old assumptions about how work gets done. Managing a work-from-anywhere world requires a more strategic plan, says Dr. Alexandra Samuel. In this episode, Alexandra shares tips on how leaders can adopt a team-based approach to managing remote schedules, optimize tasks for the home an...

The best recognition programs are built on a set of beliefs, not behaviors, says Christopher Littlefield. In this episode, he shares ways that leaders can develop a "valued-employee" mindset that uses "reflective recognition" as a tool for boosting engagement, increasing trust and strengthening relationships -- no matter where employees do their work. *   *   * ABOUT CHRISTOPHER Christopher is the...

Not all problems are created equal, says Sunil Mundra, Principal Consultant at ThoughtWorks and author of Enterprise Agility. In this episode, Sunil explores the fundamental difference between "complex" and "complicated" problems (think hand surgery vs. changing a tire) and offers tips on how to shorten feedback cycles and expand risk tolerance given today's uncertainties. 

Whether we treat failure as a setback or a starting point determines our short-term steps and long-term satisfaction, says Jessica Lahey. In this episode, we explore the winding road to success, the upside of falling down, and how to turn failure into fuel for growth and learning.  * * * Jessica is the New York Times bestselling author of "The Gift of Failure" and the forthcoming "The Addiction In...

Why do nearly half of all business close within five years? If founders and leaders stayed closer to their two most important constituents -- their employees and their clients -- they might actually learn how to adapt and thrive, says Bill Flynn. In this episode, Bill explores the reasons too many leaders act like "a genius with 1,000 helpers" and offers practical tips on how to better connect wit...

Stress and anxiety are on the rise at work, but there are steps that we can take to restore control and wholeness, says Deborah Riegel. In this episode, she explores how small shifts in our mindset, behaviors and outreach can make a big difference in how we work and feel.  * * * Deborah is a keynote speaker and consultant who teaches leadership communication for Wharton Business School and Columbi...

The office isn't dead...but it will look a lot different in the future, says Lisa McGregor. Lisa is the Global Lead for Space Strategies & People and Places Solutions at Jacobs, one of the world's largest construction management, consulting and advisory firms. In this episode, Lisa explores the purpose of place -- how offices of the future will serve as cultural hubs for knowledge sharing, co-...

Feedback shouldn’t be soul crushing, but it doesn’t have to be sugar coated, either. The strongest feedback cultures operate with a mix of candor and caring, says Jim Haskel, senior portfolio strategist at Bridgewater Associates, the world’s premier asset management fund. In this episode, Jim shares what it’s like to live inside Bridgewater’s culture of radical transparency and idea meritocracy –...

We often think about developing good habits or routines, but according to Erica Keswin - bestselling author of "Bring Your Human to Work" and the new book, "Rituals Roadmap" - we need to pay even more attention to rituals. In this episode, Erica shares the difference between a ritual and a habit, the benefits of incorporating rituals in our work and personal lives, and ways leaders can use rituals...

Character growth requires uncharacteristic humility, says Scott Miller, former CMO at Franklin Covey, bestselling author and host of the #1 leadership podcast, "On Leadership." To be successful with others, we need to study ourselves. In this episode, you'll learn how to declare your intentions, evaluate the feedback you receive and devise a plan for follow-up.  About Scott | Podcast: "On Leadersh...

Whether you're running a scrappy start-up or managing within a mature organization, there are beliefs and behaviors that guide our success, says Alisa Cohn -- executive coach, speaker and author of "From Start Up to Grown Up." In this episode, Alisa explores ways we can improve our own leadership and secure better results for our team -- starting with a realization that "the work is in you."  Abou...