Leadership Tips

This episode is about being alert for the unexpected - because it will happen. https://toolstolead.com

The best leaders do not hire people who are less capable than they are. They hire people who are smarter than they are. Today, I want to talk about why great leaders hire people smarter than themselves, why insecure leaders avoid doing so, and how you can build a team that makes your organization stronger than you could ever make it alone. https://bamallama.org

We've touched on AI in a few recent episodes, but today I want to look at it through a specific and important lens: the role of leadership in navigating the relationship between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. I've been spending a fair amount of time lately working through a piece of academic research published earlier this year titled Influence of Leadership on Human-AI Collaborat...

The Johari Window is a simple but powerful framework for understanding self-awareness, and for anyone who desires to lead well—whether in the home, the workplace, or the church—it offers a helpful lens for growth. At its core, it reminds us of a truth that Scripture has long affirmed: knowing ourselves rightly is a key part of walking in wisdom before God and others. The model is built around four...

There is a pattern that quietly shapes the lives of many people, often without them realizing it. It is rarely loud. It is not always spoken. But it is repeated—over and over again—until it becomes a lens through which life is interpreted. It becomes a mindset. I call it the mantra of the victim. In truth, there is not just one mantra. There are several. These are the phrases people return to habi...

Have you ever been told something you wanted to do was impossible? Maybe someone told you that you weren’t qualified. Maybe they told you that you didn’t have the education, the money, the connections, or the experience. Or perhaps the message was even more personal: you’re just not good enough. Most of us have heard those words in one form or another. The question is not whether barriers will app...

For many people, this future feels unsettling. There is fear, anxiety, and even grief wrapped up in the conversation. Some see artificial intelligence as a threat to their jobs. Others see it as a threat to their very way of life. And to be honest, that fear is understandable. Change has a way of exposing our deepest uncertainties. There is no question that artificial intelligence is changing our...

In this episode I’m going to do something different. I brought together several sources and loaded them in to Google Notebook LM. In case you haven’t heard of NotebookLM before let me take a minute to explain.  Notebook LM is an artificial intelligence, but instead of being build on the internet or millions of texts, it only uses the resources you add to each notebook. I found this an incredible t...

This eposide describes what happens behind the curtain when you ask AI a question. LLMs provide the foundation for pattern matching which makes it seem like AI is thinking. Thinking that is true would be a mistake.

I’m just finishing up the second course in a four-course graduate certificate in artificial intelligence. This class is called Generative AI for Productivity, and our textbook is Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick. It’s been a fascinating course. I’ve learned things that genuinely help me understand how AI works and how it can be used—wisely—in the workplace. Early in his book, Mollick outlines four...

This is one off the basic principles of life. Everything rises and falls on Leadership.  That starts with a hard look at ourselves.

Pretty much everything in life comes with a price. That’s a truth best learned early, and it’s one that will serve you well as you navigate the challenges of leadership and life. Proverbs 21:25 reminds us of this reality: “Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.” This verse speaks to a fundamental principle of life: if you don’t work, you don’t earn. With...

The book of James in the Bible, chapter 3:1-12 talks about the control of the tongue. James writes, “”We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”(v.2) and “no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”(v8) There are many other references in the Bible regarding the difficulty in co...

The emergence of generative AI represents both a profound challenge and a unique opportunity for higher education. As we navigate this rapidly changing landscape, it is essential for institutions to adopt a proactive approach that prioritizes understanding and integrating generative AI into their educational frameworks, administratively and academically.

As a student, you have the opportunity to harness GenAI to unlock new levels of creativity and productivity in your education. By learning how to use this tool effectively—from crafting thoughtful prompts to iterating on responses—you can gain a significant advantage in your academic journey. Remember that GenAI is most powerful when used as a supplement to your own critical thinking and effort, n...

I want to encourage you to “find the balance” in your life. The next time you are out walking, balance on a curb, walk down a line in the tile, or sidewalk and think about the reality that life is a balance. But you can find your balance as you do these three things: First, don’t let the bad things that happen define you and cause you to lose your balance, Second, don’t be a victim, remember that...

In this episode of "Leadership Tips", we explore the fascinating difference between leadership styles and leadership types. Leadership styles are flexible approaches that great leaders adapt to fit the situation or the individuals they’re leading, while leadership types, as described by Bob Whitsel in Preparing for Change , are more inherent and tied to who you are at your core. We break down the...

Welcome back to another episode of Leadership Tips, where we delve into the principles that shape effective leadership and personal growth. Today, we’re exploring a topic that resonates deeply with me: Expediency, Exigency, and Ethics. This discussion is not just theoretical; it's a critical examination of the excuses we often make that prevent us from living up to our full potential and adhering...

Welcome back to our Leadership Tips podcast! Today, we're diving into a universal truth that many of us can relate to: the intricate and often chaotic dynamics of family life. It might feel like your family members are part of some grand conspiracy to drive you crazy. Parents nag, siblings snipe, and children whine, creating a perfect storm of irritation. But here's the silver lining: amidst the c...

I have a friend whose mantra is, “stay in your box.” By that he means to focus on your own area and don’t be sidetracked into other areas which are not your responsibility.  Staying in your box can have its positives—like enhanced focus, the ability to excel in specific areas, and even the avoidance of conflict. These aspects can help you hone your skills, build expertise, and maintain a sense of...

Welcome back to the Leadership Tips podcast! I’m thrilled to have you with us today as we dive into a topic that’s incredibly relevant for anyone looking to enhance their interpersonal skills and navigate relationships effectively. Today, I’m exploring the concept of triangles in relationships, particularly in the context of conflict resolution. This is a crucial area to understand, especially for...

I once heard a speaker say something that really got me thinking: “Men are fueled by honor and respect, while women are fueled by love.” This idea has stuck with me, especially as I’ve noticed how true it can be in everyday life—whether at home, in the workplace, or even at social gatherings. The way we treat the men and women in our lives can have a huge impact on how they feel and act. When we s...

This is the final part to the series on Change and Influence in Leadership based on the book Switch by Dan and Chip Heath. I've tried something entirely new in this episode. I took the material from the previous parts of the series and some additional information and fed it to Google Notebook LM.  That gave me a dialogue between two AI characters which summarized the content in an interesting way,...

Welcome back to the Leadership Tips Podcast! In this episode, we're diving into the final part of our series on change and influence, inspired by the book *Switch* by Dan and Chip Heath. Today’s focus is on "Shaping the Path," the crucial environment in which change happens. We'll explore how simple adjustments, building habits, and leveraging social influence can make the right behaviors easier a...

Welcome back to the Leadership Tips podcast! In this third episode of our series on change and influence, we delve into the emotional aspect of motivation, aptly represented by the "Elephant" in Dan and Chip Heath's book "Switch." The Elephant symbolizes our instinctive and emotional side, which plays a pivotal role in both professional leadership and personal growth. Today, we’ll explore three es...