I Wish They Knew

IN EPISODE 216: Want your culture to measure up? Then measure for what matters. In Episode 216, Craig Forman shares effective strategies to measure workplace culture that go beyond the occasional survey. We discuss the importance of defining organizational culture, the role of culture fit, and the necessity of listening to employees. Craig also highlights ways to listen more closely to what employ...

IN EPISODE 215: Innovation needs more than a good idea - it requires great leadership. In Episode 215, Robyn Bolton unlocks the leadership playbook for designing, supporting and executing bold ideas. We discuss ways leaders can resist short-term pressures that work against innovation, how to de-risk and develop innovation at every stage, and how to manage innovation teams with more curiosity and c...

IN EPISODE 214: In Episode 214, Joe Hirsch speaks with Robert Glazer about the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's values as a foundation for effective leadership. Glazer introduces the concept of four capacities—spiritual, intellectual, physical, and emotional—that contribute to personal growth and balance. He emphasizes the significance of mentorship in navigating personal and p...

IN EPISODE 213: In Episode 213, Matt DiBari, Chief Product Officer at SpotHero, drops by to discuss how to put teams into drive. We chat about ways Spot Hero develops collaboration across its product and technical teams, how it uses customer feedback to stay ahead of the curve, and how it maintains company culture during rapid growth. Plus, Matt offers me a crash course in parking within the lines...

IN EPISODE 212: Remarkable people don't set out to be remarkable - they try to leave a positive mark on the world. In Episode 212, Guy Kawasaki explores the subtler side of what it means to be remarkable: Passion. Purpose. Grit. Growth. We explore the benefits of "trusting the dots," the importance of finding and keeping the right mentors, and why remarkable people redefine success and decision-ma...

IN EPISODE 211: We can't lead others unless and until we know how to lead ourselves. In Episode 211, Heather Younger explores the art of self-leadership and identifies ways leaders can deepen their self-awareness, curiosity and listening. Want to know how to become a better leader? Start by knowing yourself. ABOUT HEATHER YOUNGER: Heather R. Younger is a two-time-TEDx and keynote speaker and the F...

IN EPISODE 210: Success can be a golden trap. In Episode 210, Keren Eldad discusses the importance of redefining success and understanding true fulfillment. She emphasizes that freedom and happiness come from within, not from external achievements. We explore the flawed perceptions of power, the superstar paradox among high achievers, and the significance of finding one's purpose. Real success com...

IN EPISODE 209: Don't think that sticking with the status quo is costing you? Think again. In Episode 209, Carla Johnson explains why the safest bet is usually the riskiest move. We explore how innovative companies think and behave differently, how leaders can better manage ideation, how to become innovative no matter your industry, and why feedback is a critical piece of the creative process. ABO...

IN EPISODE 208: Do you control your tasks, or do your tasks control you? In Episode 208, productivity expert Leslie Shreve shows us a better way to tame our tasks. You'll learn how to regain 1-2 more hours in the workday by streamlining task management, email management, and information management. You'll also discover how to plan, size and prioritize tasks, protect your time without guilt, and ov...

IN EPISODE 207: Why do rational people believe irrational things? In Episode 207, Dan Ariely takes us through the "funnel of misbelief" that leaves us vulnerable and explores the social, psychological and personality conditions that reinforce misbelief. We also explore ways to counter misbelief by reducing confidence and engaging in detailed discussions with others. ABOUT DAN ARIELY: Dan Ariely is...

IN EPISODE 206: Empathy isn't just a character strength - it's a leadership skill. In Episode 206, Maria Ross shows us how leaders can be both effective and empathetic. We explore the five pillars of effective empathy, how leaders can protect themselves from the "empathy trap," and how organizations can measure the impact of empathy on their business goals. ABOUT MARIA ROSS: Maria Ross is a speake...

In this bonus solo episode, I explore why it pays to make failure your teacher, with highlights from past guests Amy Edmondson and Garry Ridge.

IN EPISODE 204: Dr. Christopher Phelps discusses the art and science of ethical persuasion, emphasizing the importance of understanding Cialdini's principles of influence. He highlights common mistakes people make in persuasion, such as failing to secure commitments and the significance of the order of information presented. We also explore the ethical implications of persuasion versus manipulatio...

IN EPISODE 203: From the battlefield to the boardroom, trust is built one relationship at a time. In Episode 203, Lt. Col. Scott Mann shares trust-building strategies he learned from twenty years serving as a Green Beret. He offers tips for operating in high-stakes, low-trust environments, why it pays to "see the pictures" in someone else's head, and how to use storytelling as a way to build conne...

IN EPISODE 202: The key to a successful job interview isn't your personality - it's your preparation. In Episode 202, Sam Owens offers pro tips to help us stress less, perform better, and get the jobs we want. He shares his 10-hour rule for interview prep, explains why we should mine the job description for golden clues, and offers tips for practicing effectively and closing with confidence. If yo...

IN EPISODE 201: Our happiest hours are the result of counting our time - and making time count. In Episode 201, Cassie Holmes shows us how to get more intentional about how we spend our time to increase our happiness and fulfillment. We discuss the perils of "time poverty," how to track and audit our time, and why purpose is a key driver of happiness. Cassie offers practical tips to squeeze more h...

IN EPISODE 200: The simplest way to get others to be their best? Encourage them. In Episode 200, Jordan Montgomery explains wh6y it pays to praise character, not accomplishments; why authenticity rules; and how to encourage yourself when others won't. ABOUT JORDAN MONTGOMERY: Jordan Montgomery is a performance coach and keynote speaker and the owner of Montgomery Companies, a business consulting f...

IN EPISODE 199: Delivering superior results isn't something we can command - it's something we must cultivate. In Episode 199, Rusty Komori discusses how he coached his varsity tennis teams to a record-setting 22 straight state championships. We explore ways to build a culture and mindset of excellence, how to get others to buy into your vision, how to coach people to coach themselves, and why we...

IN EPISODE 198: To find and keep our motivation, we need wisdom, not just willpower. In Episode 198, Ayelet Fishbach explores the mind game of motivation. We talk all things motivation: Whether it's better to set easy or ambitious targets, why it makes sense to "count down" to a goal, how rewards affect learning and performance, how to stay motivated after getting negative feedback, and how to con...

IN EPISODE 197: Humble leaders don't see themselves as better than others - they try to make others better. In Episode 197, former NATO commander Urs Koenig explores the beliefs and behaviors of radical humility and why humble leaders stand out with their approach. We cover lots of ground here, including how to lead relationally and focus on strategy, not tactics; how to build a leadership factory...

IN EPISODE 196: We access more wisdom when we ask better questions. In Episode 196, Jeff Wetzler reveals the art of the ask and provides a five-part plan for raising our results and relationships through more powerful, productive questions. We cover lots of territory: How to frame questions with greater curiosity and candor; how to scan for nonverbal "tells" that provide valuable information; and...

IN EPISODE 195: Why are we so certain? How can we make room for another perspective? And what are some of the ways we can create more space for dialogue? In this bonus episode, I draw inspiration from three recent conversations we had here on I Wish They Knew, and offer some thoughts of my own.

IN EPISODE 194: Remarkable people don't set out to be remarkable - they try to leave a positive mark on the world. In Episode 194, Guy Kawasaki explores the subtler side of what it means to be remarkable: Passion. Purpose. Grit. Growth. We explore the benefits of "trusting the dots," the importance of finding and keeping the right mentors, and why remarkable people redefine success and decision-ma...

IN EPISODE 193: The only person who can control your career...is you. In Episode 193, former Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers Badan shares stone cold career advice to help you thrive at work. From listening more and talking less, to staying in "fail always" mode, to embracing feedback and change (even when it hurts), you'll learn powerful tips for getting ahead on your own terms. ABOUT ERIKA AYERS...

IN EPISODE 192: In Episode 192, Cassandra Worthy shows us how to grow through change by embracing - not erasing - the emotions that accompany it. We explore why nearly 70% of all change efforts fail, how transformative change comes down to six key traits, and what leaders and employees alike can do to respond to change with resilience and readiness. Change is a choice - and after listening to Cass...