Leader's Lens

In this episode of "Leader's Lens," Jacob and guest Kaleigh Moore celebrate Kaleigh's decade in freelancing, focusing on her SaaS content expertise. They dive into the "Mad Men" universe, dissecting its cultural impact and the dynamic between Don Draper and Peggy Olson. They explore Don's storytelling prowess and leadership style, contrasting it with Peggy's approach and discussing the show's refl...

In this insightful episode of the LeadersLens Podcast, we delve into the rich leadership lessons and personal growth insights gleaned from the movie "Players." Join us as we explore how the film's narrative and character dynamics offer valuable lessons for leaders and individuals striving for personal and professional development. Key Points and Highlights: Embracing Empathy in Leadership: We disc...

Introduction: In this engaging episode of LeaderLens, hosts Jacob and Cassidy dive into the classic film Boomerang, starring Eddie Murphy, to extract valuable lessons on leadership, personal branding, and the importance of authenticity. The conversation spans from personal anecdotes to deep dives into the film's themes, offering listeners a blend of entertainment and insightful takeaways. Main Con...

In this compelling episode of "Leaders Lens: Unpacking Cinema's Impact," hosts Jacob Espinoza and Cassidy Edwards delve into the cultural and societal reverberations of the groundbreaking film "Boyz n the Hood." Directed by John Singleton, this early '90s masterpiece is celebrated for its authentic portrayal of life in South Central Los Angeles, offering a stark, unflinching look at the challenges...

In this captivating episode of Leader's Lens, hosts Jacob and Cassidy Edwards dissect the leadership styles and cultural themes depicted in the iconic film Coming to America. They contrast the authoritative leadership of Nino Brown with Prince Akeem's more empathetic and servant-oriented approach, underscoring the significance of authenticity, empathy, and collaboration in effective leadership. Th...

Ever wondered what the gritty streets of 'New Jack City' can teach us about leadership, ambition, and the ethical dilemmas of power? Dive into the heart of the '90s cinematic underworld with hosts Jacob and Cassidy Edwards on 'Leader's Lens.' Each episode, we dissect iconic films to extract pivotal leadership lessons hidden within their narratives. This week, we're unraveling the complex saga of N...

Welcome to a special episode of "Leader's Lens," where hosts Jacob and Cassidy Edwards take you on an insightful journey through the classic '90s comedy, "Friday," to uncover hidden gems of leadership wisdom. This episode is more than a nostalgic trip; it's a deep dive into the art of leadership, communication, and community engagement, all through the lens of an iconic film. Be sure to subscribe...

What is servant leadership? And is it nearly as bad as it sounds, or just the byproduct of bad branding? Join Jacob as he sits down with Michael Girdley, an expert in leadership development, to discuss the qualities that make a great leader and how to effectively resolve conflicts in the workplace.  Michael shares his insights on servant leadership, setting clear goals, and the importance of empat...

Sometimes, understanding the root of your team’s dysfunction is the only way to help them actually function. This week, Jacob dives into the topic of building a cohesive team and incentivizing team success over individual success.  Why is trust the one central element to building a strong, cohesive team? Jacob emphasizes the importance of leaders demonstrating trustworthiness through their actions...

Did you know that 75% of the time we’re in a conversation, we’re not actually listening? What can we do to actively increase our passive listening skills?  In this ep, Jacob’s diving into the importance of active listening and its impact on conflict resolution. He explains why being a more active listener can prevent missteps and help organizations function better as a whole.  Plus how can you use...

Join Jacob as he sits down with Phil Beckner, a renowned high-performance consultant who has worked with top athletes like Damien Lillard. They sit down to chat about the common factors that lead to conflict within teams and the best steps to take when conflict happens. Phil shares his insights on why many leaders struggle to address conflict and offers strategies for effectively managing and reso...

Join Jacob as he dives into the topic of conflict resolution in this special solo episode. He dives into the importance of addressing unresolved conflict in the workplace and how it can impact productivity and employee satisfaction.  Jacob also explains the Thomas Kilman Conflict Mode Instrument, which helps individuals and teams reflect on their conflict resolution strategies. Plus, what is the r...

With US employees spending about 2.8 hours per week on conflict, costing a staggering $3.59 billion annually, it’s crucial for teams to have a healthy relationship with conflict and know how to resolve it effectively.   In this episode of the Leader's Lens podcast, Jacob dives into the topic of conflict resolution and unpacks the importance of not letting conflicts escalate and turn into all-out t...

In this solo pod, Jacob’s tackling audience questions and discussing the importance of communication and leadership. He shares valuable insights on setting boundaries, conducting effective meetings, and avoiding burnout as a leader based on his own personal experiences. Discover the benefits of implementing weekly all-hands meetings and one-on-one sessions with direct reports and how to communicat...

Join Jacob and good friend Gabrielle Blackwell as they discuss the importance of time management and organization in achieving your goals.  Gabrielle shares valuable insights on setting objectives, creating a reward system, and implementing smart goals into your mission statement.  They also delve into the power of consistent praise and recognition and how managers can shift their focus to reinfor...

In this episode, Jacob sits down with Ryan Vaughn, the Founder and Wxecutive Coach of InsideOut Leadership, to discuss the importance of leadership development and self-inquiry.   Ryan shares his insights on the secret sauce of powerful leaders, the value of vulnerability and commitment, and the need for middle managers to receive proper development. He also dives into the concept of creating psyc...

Join Jacob as he delves into the world of transformational leadership with Chris Pineda, the host of "The Rooted Leadership Podcast."                                                          Chris's unveils his journey through peace-building and conflict-resolution psychology which paved the way for his expertise in transformational leadership. Chris also explains how his fundamental beliefs in le...

In this week’s pod, Jacob chats with Brian O'Connor, a VIP in leadership strategy. Together, they unpack the DNA of great leadership, discuss the art of getting customers not just interested but downright ecstatic about your business, and unveil ways to recognize when it's time to pivot your strategy.  Ever wondered about the right way to instigate change within an organization or the nitty-gritty...

Ever been trapped in a soul-crushing, passive-aggressive team meeting? Or maybe lost your cool with the office's designated chatty Cathy?  Well, it's time to clear the air! In Jacob's latest chat with Charkie Quarcoo, Program Manager of the Predictive Index, they’ve both got some brutally honest takes on modern leadership. They get down to the nitty-gritty of conflict resolution and the importance...

How did the internet’s most successful gardening content creator go from homesteading in his backyard to garnering a multi-million dollar investment deal?  Kevin Espiritu, founder of Epic Gardening, talks with Jacob about building out an ecosystem of content and finding ways to triple down and focus on the core pillars of your business that matter most.  Kevin explains how he successfully scaled E...

In this episode, Jacob sits down with Mario Carrasco, co-founder of Think Now Global. Mario shares his philosophy on employee investment, including why he believes the more you put into your team, the more they will stay and thrive with you.  The pair delve into the challenges of maintaining a global workforce, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face time with employees to foster a sense of per...

What do people say about your company when you're not in the room?  Nothing, or at least not much at all, if you don’t focus on building your brand presence correctly, according to branding expert, Oren Johns.  Oren chats with Jacob about the best framework to establish your personal brand and how to harness the power of social media to amplify your personal and brand voice.  Plus, find out why Or...

What’s the best mindset you can adopt in order to become more successful at an executive-level job?  According to Executive CEO Coach Christine Carillo, who’s built and led three companies to over $200 million in revenue, self-awareness is a vital characteristic that any great leader needs to possess in order to become successful.  She’s sitting down with Jacob to discuss why so many CEOs seem to...

What pushes the world’s most extraordinary entrepreneurs into a place of excellence? Is it dysfunction? Overcoming adversity? Or perhaps the desire to fill in the gaps of self-worth by creating an unmistakable legacy?  While all of the above may be true, for the Founder of Women Who Startup, Lizelle Van Vuuren, great leaders should always be additive and leave the world better than they found it. ...

When people actively enjoy working for your company, it’s a huge competitive advantage. So what can you do as a leader to foster an environment where employees feel seen and heard?  Andrew Gazdecki talks to Jacob about what he’s doing to create a positive work environment for his company, Acquire, and how he thinks about maintaining and building culture as a company grows. Learn why Andrew believe...