Lead On with Greg & Mark (LOwGaM)

A roller rink decal sparks a cascade of memories... backward skating for Greg and arcades for Mark... before we steer into a surprisingly timely question: what stories from the 80s still shape how we think today? Then we flip the mirror. Using the 11 cognitive distortions as a roadmap, we unpack the thinking traps that quietly bend reality: all-or-nothing thinking, mind reading, mental filtering,...

A little 80s nostalgia opens the door to a bigger conversation: why curiosity beats certainty for modern leaders. After trading theme songs, fashion misses, and sitcom houses with secret passages, we shift into the practical work of building teams where people feel safe to question, challenge, and improve ideas without fear. We unpack the deep link between curiosity, vulnerability, and authenticit...

How can leaders overcome their perfectionism? Join us to chat about: Leadership traps that tie personal worth to appearances,  Leaders who won’t delegate, and  Teams smothered by micromanagement. If you’re trying to move a team forward, launch a service, or just hit send on that email (you know the one!) without falling into a spiral, this episode gives you some food for thought. Subscribe, share...

What does honesty look like when stakes are high and timing matters?  This episode centers on a simple rule from Big Mike: Bad news doesn’t get better with age. We unpack the difference between truth, spin, and omission and why partial honesty with a slant can be just as damaging as a clean mistake. From leadership credibility to team culture, we explore how delays create confusion, why silence is...

What if your best ideas landed cleaner, faster, and stuck longer?  Guided by mathematician and philosopher Giancarlo Rota’s 12 life lessons, we break down a toolkit for memorable talks and better leadership found on the Farnam Street Blog: https://fs.blog/gian-carlo-rota/ If this conversation sharpened your next talk or reset your priorities, share it with a colleague, subscribe for more, and leav...

Join us, Greg and Mark, as we turn a literal dog bite into a clear roadmap for rebuilding trust, from personal pain to leadership practice. We compare trust mindsets, test a five-step repair plan, and draw clean lines between apology theater and real accountability. Send us a text and let us know how we're doing. In the meantime, make it a great day & innovate the USA! Check out all episod...

Are you feeling the weight of workplace uncertainty? Join us, Greg and Mark, as we explore essential strategies to elevate your value and job security within your organization.  Discover how to enhance your workplace value in this engaging conversation about perseverance and becoming an indispensable asset to your organization.  Equipped with valuable insights and six actionable strategies, we exp...

Leadership isn't just about being in charge; it’s about recognizing the invaluable contributions of those behind the scenes. In this episode, we discuss how empowering team members, mentoring, sharing credit, and embracing transparency are key to successful leadership. • Importance of recognizing unsung heroes   • Recap of the last episode on complaints   • Personal anecdote about a movie exp...

This episode explores the critical value of employee complaints and how they are signals of engagement, indicating areas needing attention in the workplace. Leaders are encouraged to foster a culture of two-way communication and adopt practical strategies for addressing feedback effectively. • Understanding that complaints reveal employee engagement  • Creating a trusting culture for open dialogue...

Reclaiming joy isn't just a luxury—it's essential. In this episode, we explore the significance of fun as a lifeline to emotional well-being, inspired by insights from Catherine Price’s book "The Power of Fun." • Exploring the meaningful role fun plays in our lives  • Sharing personal stories of gatherings that emphasize community joy  • Redefining what constitutes fun beyond e...

This episode of Lead On with Greg & Mark delves into the importance of intentionality by exploring five critical questions that listeners can reflect on each week to enhance their personal and professional growth.  Through engaging dialogue, Greg and Mark provide actionable insights into learning, relationships, problem-solving, seizing opportunities, and adding value in various contexts.  Sho...

This episode promises to enhance your understanding of how saying "no" can lead to more meaningful "yeses" and how, by teaching others to respect our boundaries, we foster healthier relationships.  We explore workplace cultures where boundaries often go overlooked and the importance of leaders recognizing and honoring these limits. Whether you're a leader, a people-pleaser...

Have you ever walked into a gas station expecting nothing more than a quick pit stop, only to walk away with a story worth sharing? That's exactly what happened to us, kicking off a conversation about the magic of exceeding expectations in the realm of customer service and hospitality. Inspired by Will Guidara's "Unreasonable Hospitality," we dive into how a little extra effort...

Can you transform a challenging conversation into a meaningful opportunity for growth?  This episode will equip you with the skills to handle even the toughest dialogues with grace and confidence.  Join us as we share practical strategies for approaching workplace conversations with empathy and understanding, transforming potential conflict into collaboration.  By framing discussions as growth opp...

Embrace your quirks with us as we delve into Regina Brett's 42 life lessons, spotlighting the joy and strength found in authenticity and in the security of having wisdom from a life well-lived.    Join us for a lighthearted yet profound exploration of life's wisdom and eccentricity. Let us know in the comments what advice you might give now to a young adult just starting out...  Send us...

We're always interested in what others define as must-read leadership tips and tricks.   In this episode, we take a look at one group's take on the 5 most important laws in the world through our lens of life and leadership.   Some of them work; however, some don't resonate with us.   Let us know what you think in the comments... are we missing something?   Which laws would you keep...

In a very special abbreviated episode of Lead On With Greg & Mark, Mark makes a request. Send us a text and let us know how we're doing. In the meantime, make it a great day & innovate the USA! Check out all episodes of Lead On with Greg & Mark on your favorite podcast platform!

Season 5 continues with a deep dive into a topic that always resonates on LOwGaM: Conflict!    In this episode, we explore the intricacies of team conflict through four unique lenses: relational, task, status, and process.   Tune in for valuable insights on fostering a more cohesive work environment and strengthening relationships though the inventible conflict that awaits us in our work and at ho...

It's season 5! Join us as we take a look at "50 Golden Rules for Leadership" currently making the rounds on social media.   We each pick 10 and chat about what our own lists might include. If you're looking for a fast-paced conversation about leadership, this episode is for you! Send us a text and let us know how we're doing. In the meantime, make it a great day & innov...

Join us, Greg and Mark, as we talk about the 'death bed' advice we would give to others leaders. These foundational concepts are based in our own experiences, failures, and successes. In addition to absorbing these nuggets of knowledge from mentors, they're often things we have come to learn the hard way. What advice would you give other managers? What advice do you wish someone had...

Have you ever considered that conflict could be more beneficial than detrimental? In this episode of Lead On with Greg and Mark, we uncover how effective communication can turn disagreements into opportunities for growth and collaboration. Inspired by the tips from National Liberty Museum, we share practical strategies such as listening more, talking less, and focusing on the issue at hand rather...

Can meetings really be efficient and enjoyable? Find out how to transform your team's gatherings with our latest episode of "Lead On with Greg and Mark!"  Learn about different strategies for setting agendas, whether collaboratively or with advance notice, and discover Seth Godin's essential checklist for ensuring meeting success.  We'll also discuss the importance of havi...

Join us, Greg and Mark, for a conversation about what steps a leader can take when an employee decides it's time to move on to new opportunities.  The topics include the importance of recognizing these potential changes - be they retirements, promotions, or unexpected departures - and preparing for them proactively.   We dissect the art of retaining talent during transitional periods, undersc...

Ever wondered how everyday actions can shape your lasting legacy? Join us on Lead On with Greg and Mark as we explore this profound concept.   We delve into the real meaning of legacy and the everyday impact each of us can have, discussing the importance of aligning daily actions with long-term goals to map out a personal legacy manifesto. This episode invites you to reflect on your own legacy and...

A very special Father’s Day episode! You've asked for it; we've delivered.  Join us and a very special guest requested by our loyal listeners: Michael 'Big Mike' Hoffman - Mark's dad.  His words of wisdom imparted to Mark over the years - and subsequently referenced on many episodes of the podcast - come to life as he shares experiences from his career in the Department of...