Leadership Launchpad

Are you ready to expand your leadership toolkit with essential intercultural communication skills? In our latest episode of The Leadership Launchpad, I speak with Kris Roppelt, a globally recognized expert in intercultural communication and soft skills. With experience living and working across multiple countries, Kris brings a unique perspective on navigating an increasingly globalized workforce....

Do managers really matter? Spoiler alert: Yes, they do! In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, we delve into the powerful findings from Google’s extensive Project Oxygen study, which demonstrates just how crucial effective managers are. I’m Matt Gjertsen, a former Air Force instructor and head of Training and Development at SpaceX, now founder of Better Everyday Studios. Join me as we uncover th...

In this Leadership Launchpad episode, I sit down with LaPora Lindsey, an organizational communication expert who has worked with companies across various industries. We dive into the critical issue of communication breakdowns within organizations that lead to a lack of trust, efficiency, and information sharing. LaPora shares her insights on the crucial role managers play in facilitating two-way c...

Want more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletter Are you a manager grappling with insufficient and meaningful feedback from your team? This episode of *Leadership Launchpad* is tailored for you. I'm Matt Gjertsen, and today we delve into a pivotal topic that can transform your leadership journey—harnessing the power of rankin...

In this episode, we explore the intricacies of high cadence engineering and leadership with our guest, Chris Kaufield. Chris, VP of SaaS Growth at Stokespace, shares how distributed ownership in engineering leads to collaborative success. We delve into Stokespace’s mission to achieve rapid, reusable rocket flights, drawing parallels between hardware and software development. Chris highlights optim...

Want more tips on effective training? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/newsletter In today’s episode of Leadership Launchpad, we dive into the indispensable role of trust in creating high-performing teams. Drawing from my experience as an Air Force instructor pilot and head of Training at SpaceX, I explore why trust is the foundation of any successful team,...

Ever wondered if training is really the best solution for developing your team? Join me, Matt Gjertsen, as I sit down with Joel Taylor, an expert in leadership development, to dive deep into the critical role of needs analysis in Learning and Development. In this episode, Joel shares how competency models can be tailored to fit an organization's unique culture and values, and why this alignment is...

Ever felt like your team isn't performing up to your standard? The secret ingredient might be how you are delivering feedback. In this solo episode of the Leadership Launchpad I will break down some key strategies great managers use to give more effective feedback. Whether you’re enforcing positive behaviors or addressing areas for improvement, these techniques can transform your leadership style....

Ever wondered how to transform organizational culture from the ground up? My guest on today's episode of the Leadership Launchpad is here to help. Matt Shenker is a behavioral scientist and COO of Mattermore and today he shares his journey from a young therapist in schools to revolutionizing leadership development with AI and organizational psychology. We'll delve into: - How acknowledging trust d...

Hello, everyone! In this episode of Making Better, I sit down with Holly Betke, Senior Director of Global People Development and Engagement at StockX, recorded live at the ATD International Conference. Holly kicks off our conversation by sharing the importance of setting a mission and vision for your team, and why co-creating these foundational elements can drive better results. We dive into pract...

Most goals setting in companies is a waste of time. In this episode I dive into why that is and give a simple framework for how to make it better. Rather than talking about annual goals or SMART goals, the key is to build a bridge between those two concepts. Tune in to learn how to effectively align your team's goals with organizational impact and keep your team on track towards success.

In this episode of the Leadership Launchpad, I sit down with Mandy Varley, Principal Behavior Scientist at Torch, to discuss the importance of employee well-being in the workplace. Mandy shares insights on challenges organizations face, the impact of stress on employees, and the significance of addressing individual well-being to enhance organizational performance. Key takeaways include the value...

In this week’s episode, I dive into how you can get more valuable feedback from your team and everyone around you. We discuss why feedback is crucial for improvement and how most organizations lack a true feedback culture. I share actionable tips on asking for feedback more effectively by making specific asks and assuming there is always feedback. Additionally, we cover the importance of receiving...

In this episode, host Matt Gjertsen sits down with Alexis Gonzales-Black, a partner and design practice lead at August Public. Alexis delves into the crucial topic of trust within organizations, highlighting the essential elements of trust: care, authenticity, reliability, and capability. She emphasizes the importance of transparent communication and the practice of "candid comms" to build trust w...

This episode is a bit different. Today, I dive into the motivation of some of the most successful people on the planet like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and the people who work for them. Expect to explore the concept of existential risk through ideas like the Fermi Paradox, the Drake Equation, and much more with the goal of understanding what drives some of the world’s top innovators. If you ever find y...

In this episode, Matt engages in a fascinating conversation with Jennifer Recla, a seasoned leadership coach and advocate of strengths-based leadership. Jennifer shares insights on the importance of focusing on individual strengths rather than weaknesses in leadership roles. She emphasizes the value of creating environments where people can thrive and grow, even if it means letting them fail occas...

In this solo episode of the Leadership Launchpad, host Matt Gjertsen delves into the importance of diversity in hiring by drawing parallels from the movie "Miracle" about the 1980 US Olympic hockey team. Through insightful anecdotes and analysis, Matt emphasizes the significance of looking beyond standard metrics to build effective teams. He stresses the value of diverse perspectives, experiences,...

In this episode, Michael Teape and Marc Levine join host Matt Gjertsen to delve into the critical importance of fostering psychological safety within teams. They discuss how creating an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing ideas and providing feedback is key to enhancing creativity, team performance, and employee satisfaction. The episode emphasizes the need for leaders to ad...

In this solo episode of the Leadership Launchpad host Matt Gjertsen makes a compelling case for why more meetings might actually be the key to productivity in organizations. Drawing from his experience at SpaceX and insights from General Stanley McChrystal's book "Team of Teams," Matt explains how holding larger, more frequent meetings can foster a shared understanding, improve decision-making, an...

Today's episode dives into the evolving landscape of decentralized work structures with Josh Drean. Josh emphasizes the shift towards decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and the impact of web three technologies on reshaping traditional employment models. They discuss the importance of employee engagement, the role of managers as facilitators rather than dictators, and the potential benef...

This week’s episode dives into the essentials of building trust within your team—an often overlooked but fundamental aspect of high-performing teams. Matt shares three actionable tips: getting to know your team members personally, fostering non-work-related connections within the team, and creating 'user manuals' for better understanding each other's working styles. Whether you're a leader or a te...

This week’s episode features an enlightening conversation with Justin Hills, leadership performance coach and strategic advisor. Justin talks about the direct link between workforce health and productivity, highlighting the need for energy and clarity in leadership. He introduces his business, Courageous and Co., and emphasizes creating a psychologically safe work environment. Matt Gjertsen, our h...

This week's episode dives into the nuances of leadership and why managers often falter when transitioning from individual contributors. Host Matt Gjertsen shares insights from a Harvard Business Review article by Daniel Goleman. This solo episode unpacks the six different leadership styles—coaching, pace setting, democratic, affiliative, authoritative, and coercive—and the impacts each can have on...

This week’s episode is taken from Matt's presentation at iSpring Days 2024 and dives into the effective strategies of leadership development inspired by powerful first principles thinking. Matt, who shares insights from notable advances in aerospace engineering, helps us understand how breaking down and re-evaluating fundamental assumptions can lead to groundbreaking solutions in developing leader...

This episode is just a short programing note. The Making Better podcast is now the Leadership Launchpad. In an effort to align our efforts at Better Every Day Studios, we have decided to focus exclusively on improving technical leaders and helping them build better teams. We will be bringing on industry leaders, coaches, authors, and leadership experts to give you practical lessons you can put to...