I Wish They Knew

Work can be hard, but it doesn't have to be soul-crushing. To find more joy in work, start by eliminating the joy killers, says Carolyn McChesney -- bad meetings, email overload, too much distraction and not enough energy. In this episode, Carolyn shares "joy hacks" to help us work smarter -- and more joyously.  ABOUT CAROLYN: Carolyn McChesney is an Engagement Leader with Stop Meeting Like This,...

The best communicators understand that how they speak matters just as much -- if not more -- than what they say. And to become truly followable, leaders need to communicate with consistency to earn trust. In this episode, world-renowned body language expert Mark Bowden demonstrates how to become a more followable leader in both word and action and offers tips for anyone trying to become more follo...

Not all help is helpful, says Deborah Riegel. The real measure of helpfulness isn't our intention, but our impact. In this episode, Deborah shows us how to make genuine offers of help, shift our thinking about asking for help, and determine who we should be asking for help in the first place. Whether you're on the giving or receiving end, this episode will help you help others...and yourself! ABOU...

In this episode, Phil Brown takes us into the world of adventure learning -- the cycle of experience, reflection and application -- and how it translates into deeper connections and more meaningful work. We blow past some misconceptions about adventure learning (you don't need to jump off cliffs or swim in shark-infested waters) and identify the conditions in which real learning occurs (hint: get...

Confidence is a skill that can be taught, improved, and applied by anyone to enhance nearly every aspect of our lives and careers. So what's getting in our way? In this episode, Dr. Nate Zinsser shares principles he's used to help West Point cadets and elite pro athletes develop a "confident mind" -- and his cognitive tools and techniques can help you stay composed and succeed in the face of distr...

To get the most out of our negotiations, we need to optimize, not compromise. In today's episode, Leigh Thompson describes a more effective approach to finding the "sweet spot" in every negotiation and outlines practical steps we can take to maximize the value of our position. ABOUT LEIGH: Dr. Leigh Thompson is a distinguished professor at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management. Her work and...

Feeling overwhelmed or know someone who is? Then you need to listen to my conversation with Rebecca Zucker, an executive coach and founding partner at Next Step Partners. In this episode, Rebecca discusses preventative strategies for managing overwhelm and shares practices that leaders can take to restore calm and control in the workplace. We have more agency than we think to overturn overwhelm! A...

If this past year taught us anything, it’s that we rarely get better on our own. We need a mix of candor and courage to help us identify where and how to improve. And when those forces come together, we can get high performing cultures where everyone thrives. In the third installment of our Countdown 2021 series, we focus on candor and courage - the hallmarks of great cultures.  Featuring clips fr...

This past year tested our resolve and resilience. Just when it looked like things were turning the corner, we suddenly found ourselves…turned around. But 2021 didn’t just challenge us to stand up for ourselves – it caused us to stand by others. In the second installment of our Countdown series, we explore the power of rising together. Featuring clips from Deborah Riegel (episode 29), Andy Lopata (...

In the first of a special Countdown series, we explore the what's lost when we don't listen - and how to make sure our message and meaning gets received. 

Leadership isn't a title - it's a behavior. And when we give ourselves permission to lead, we don't just make a contribution - we make an impact. In today's episode, Liz Wiseman explains five ways impact players differentiate themselves from everyday contributors, how they amplify their voice and presence , and what they do to maximize their impact instead of undermining it.   ABOUT LIZ: Liz Wisem...

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...

Have you ever looked at something only to discover that you haven't really seen it? Bestselling author and visual intelligence expert Amy Herman knows why. In this episode, Amy explores the impact of engaging deeply with our surroundings, how to fight distraction, and the benefits of bringing a heightened awareness to our everyday interactions and transactions.  * * * ABOUT AMY: Amy Herman is the...

Virtual presentations aren't going away anytime soon. In order to connect and communicate with online audiences, we need a plan - and thanks to today's guest, we've got one. As Chief Strategy Officer at Duarte, a leading communications firm, Patti Sanchez knows a thing or two about making powerful presentations. In today's episode, we explore ways to communicate online with impact, including: - Ho...

Leaders don't need to have the all the answers -- they just need to answer the call of vulnerability. In this episode, Andy Lopata explores the power of vulnerability to earn trust, deepen relationships and set a course for empathic leadership.  ABOUT ANDY: Andy Lopata  is a professional relationships strategist and the author of 5 books, most recently "Just Ask: Why seeking support is your greate...

FROM THE VAULT: (Replay of Episode 24) 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 reali...

Why do some idea and initiatives sizzle while others stall? It may have less to do with the concept and more to do with the method, says Robbie Samuels, author of "Small List, Big Results" and an industry leader in networking and digital event design. In this episode, Robbie explains why so many launch strategies are backward, why we need to build support before bringing a solution, and how the pr...

Whether you're speaking to crowds or presenting to colleagues, public speaking is a skill, not just a talent -- one that can be learned and honed, says Allison Shapira, founder and CEO of Global Public Speaking. In this episode, Allison shares ways we can overcome public speaking barriers, offers three tips for crafting the right talk, and explains why speaking should focus on "searchlights" and n...

Good leaders don't just bring people together for common cause -- they serve as a catalysts for the greater good. In this episode, John Baldoni explores ways that leaders can demonstrate "other-directed" behaviors that create more engaged and involved workforces.  * * * ABOUT JOHN: John Baldoni is a globally recognized leadership educator, certified Master Corporate Executive Coach, and author of...

In the modern workplace, fear fails. Renowned researcher and author Amy Edmondson explain why today's interdependent teams need psychological safety to survive - and thrive. Originally aired, Episode #21, January 5, 2021.

There's no shortcut to success. To play the long game, we don't need big splashes - just small steps, repeated diligently over time, even when they seem pointless, boring or hard. In this episode, bestselling author and business educator Dorie Clark shares tips from her new book, "The Long Game" and offers practical steps on how we can  right-size and bite-size our prospects and potential. *  * *...

When it comes to building our personal networks, is bigger really better? Not according to Rob Cross. Rob is the Edward A. Madden Professor of Global Leadership at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts and the co-founder and director of the Connected Commons, a consortium of over 100 leading organizations accelerating network research and practice. His newest book is "Beyond Collaboration Ove...

Stress doesn't have to be a toxin. It can be a tool. In this episode, family physician and resilience expert Dr. Deborah Gilboa explores ways we can make stress a strength -- and how leaders can help others navigate the stress of change by providing greater compassion, clarity and control. ABOUT DEBORAH: Deborah Gilboa, MD, (aka “Dr. G”) works with families, educators, executives, and businesses t...

We spent a lot of time thinking about return on investment, but what about earning a higher return on relationships? In this episode, John Ruhlin, founder of Giftology Group and author of Giftology, debunks popular myths of gift-giving and explores how "radical generosity" can produce deeper and higher-yield relationships with our customers and even our loved ones. ABOUT JOHN: John Ruhlin is the f...

Conformity weakens our tolerance for change. Curiosity strengthens it. In this episode, Dr. Alison Horstmeyer makes the case for curiosity and its impact on how we think, learn, lead and work. She shares great tips for how to foster a culture of curiosity and the steps leaders can take to help others tap into their natural creative states of mind and being.  * * * ABOUT ALISON HORSTMEYER A l ison...