LeaderSHOP

Leadership wisdom is often presented as complex and difficult to master, but Mark Miller argues that great leadership is rooted in a simple principle: leaders serve. Discussing the fourth edition of The Secret, co-authored with Ken Blanchard, Miller explains that servant leadership is not soft or passive. Rather, it is a rigorous and intentional approach that helps leaders create environments wher...

Most people think of purpose as something grand and distant — a life mission to discover someday in the future. But bestselling author and leadership researcher Tom Rath argues that purpose is far more practical than that. In this conversation with Rodger Dean Duncan, Rath explains that purpose is not a philosophy. It is a daily decision about how we invest our time, energy, attention, and relatio...

For more than two decades, Dr. Lois P. Frankel’s bestselling book Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office has helped women identify the subtle, often unconscious behaviors that quietly undermine career growth. In this conversation with Rodger Dean Duncan, Frankel explains why many of those patterns still persist today, even as younger generations of women enter the workforce with far more empowerin...

What if most persuasion strategies fail because they target the wrong part of the brain? According to behavioral science expert Leslie Zane, people do not primarily make decisions through conscious logic. They make them instinctively, through networks of subconscious memories and associations she calls the “brand connectome.” In this conversation with Rodger Dean Duncan, Zane explains how instinct...

Employee engagement is often discussed as a “soft” topic, but according to Gallup Chief Scientist of Workplace Management and Well-Being Dr. Jim Harter, the evidence tells a very different story. After decades of studying workplace culture, leadership, burnout, and performance across millions of employees worldwide, Harter argues that engagement is one of the strongest predictors of organizational...

Marcus Buckingham says the most powerful force in business is not engagement, satisfaction, or loyalty — it is love. In this conversation, Marcus explains why the best leaders intentionally design workplaces and customer experiences that people genuinely love, and why organizations lose their humanity when the “founder’s flame” is replaced by the relentless maintenance of the machine. Marcus unpac...

In this episode of LeaderSHOP, Rodger Dean Duncan explores a reality that every leader eventually faces—being called to move forward without feeling fully prepared. Whether stepping into a new role, navigating adversity, or facing uncertainty, leaders are often required to act before they feel ready. This conversation highlights a different way to approach those moments, one grounded in faith, cou...

In this episode of LeaderSHOP, Rodger Dean Duncan explores a challenge that nearly every leader faces—moving from one demand to the next without time to think. With calendars packed and meetings stacked back-to-back, there’s little opportunity to process what just happened or prepare for what’s coming next. This conversation introduces a more effective way of working, one that creates space to ref...

Conflict is unavoidable in leadership and relationships, yet most people were never taught how to communicate effectively when emotions run high. In this conversation, trial lawyer turned communication educator Jefferson Fisher explains why the goal of communication is not to win arguments but to build connection. Drawing on courtroom experience, storytelling, and practical wisdom, Fisher offers a...

In today’s interconnected world, business strategy is no longer confined to markets, margins, and internal execution. It is increasingly shaped by geopolitical forces, global supply chains, and economic strategies that operate at a national level. What once felt distant or abstract is now directly impacting how organizations compete, grow, and survive. In this conversation, Ram Charan brings a sob...

Innovation is often misunderstood as something reserved for rare moments or extraordinary ideas. Many leaders associate it with breakthrough inventions or high-stakes transformation, when in reality, innovation is far more accessible—and far more necessary. In a world that demands constant adaptation, innovation is not a luxury. It is a daily discipline. In this conversation, Bill Stainton challen...

What if the very thing we try hardest to avoid—discomfort—is actually the gateway to deeper connection, stronger teams, and more meaningful work? Author and innovation strategist Ben Swire challenges the traditional assumption that safety and risk are opposites. Instead, he introduces the concept of “safe danger” —the delicate balance where people feel secure enough to take meaningful risks. Drawi...

Leaders today are navigating an environment filled with constant demands, competing priorities, and relentless distractions. The challenge is not simply getting more done—it’s deciding what truly matters and allocating time, attention, and energy accordingly. Without a system for clarity, even the most capable leaders can feel overwhelmed. Paula Rizzo brings a practical and deeply personal perspec...

What does it take to build something that lasts? Few people are better positioned to answer that question than Jimmy Wales, the visionary founder of Wikipedia—one of the most widely used knowledge platforms in human history. In this episode, Wales shares the story behind Wikipedia’s creation and the powerful leadership insights that grew out of building a global community of volunteer contributors...

Leadership challenges don’t always come from the marketplace, the competition, or even the team. Often, the biggest barriers exist inside the leader’s own thinking. Executive coach and advisor Muriel Wilkins explains how hidden beliefs quietly shape our leadership behavior—and sometimes hold us back from achieving the results we want most. Drawing on decades of coaching senior executives, Wilkins...

In today’s organizations, managers are expected to deliver results in an environment filled with ambiguity, pressure, and constant change. Yet most managers are promoted without practical training on how to lead people effectively. Instead, they’re handed lofty leadership concepts and expected to figure out the real work of management—difficult conversations, accountability, delegation, and team d...

As President and Chief Product Officer at Cisco, Jeetu Patel oversees a massive portfolio spanning AI, cybersecurity, networking, and collaboration—placing him squarely at the center of the forces reshaping how organizations operate and compete. From AI-driven security to the reinvention of hybrid work, he offers a candid look at the platform shift that may define the next decade of business and l...

Don Yeager, a bestselling author and former Sports Illustrated associate editor, explores the powerful science behind momentum and its impact on leadership. Don dives into the core principles of momentum, discussing how it differs from motivation and how elite leaders create lasting performance from unexpected sparks. Whether you’re managing a team, running a business, or guiding others, Don’s ins...

Challenging the typical approach to influence, Paige emphasizes authenticity, consistency, and targeted visibility over flashy tactics. She’s a digital strategist, CEO of a marketing firm, and author of The Strategic Business Influencer: Building a Brand with a Small Budget. If you’re a leader looking to grow your personal or company brand but you’re working with limited resources, this episode is...

Most people don’t set out to damage their relationships—but they often do it with the very words they believe are harmless or even helpful. In this eye-opening episode, Heather Linchenko, author of “I Meant Well,” and Other Words That Kill Relationships reveals how “good intentions” can quietly erode trust, safety, and emotional connection. She explains why phrases rooted in defensiveness, past mi...

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a daily leadership tool. Rajeev Kapur, author of AI Made Simple and Prompting Made Simple, cuts through the hype, fear, and confusion surrounding AI. With decades of global executive experience and deep expertise in generative intelligence, Rajeev reframes AI not as a threat to human thinking, but as a powerful partner that can elevate...

Our culture relentlessly tells us that success looks like visibility, recognition, and applause. But what if that story is not only incomplete—what if it’s quietly exhausting us? Tim Schurrer challenges the spotlight-driven definition of achievement that leaves so many leaders burned out and unfulfilled. Drawing from his personal journey, leadership experience, and the often-overlooked stories of...

Dr. Colin Fisher challenges the individual-centric mindset that dominates most leadership thinking and invites us to explore the untapped potential of groups. His research reveals that the real edge in performance comes not from solo brilliance but from the structures, norms, and shared purpose that allow teams to think and act collectively. Fisher also dismantles one of the most persistent myths...

What if leadership was never meant to be about managing people—but about stewarding lives? In this powerful episode of the LeaderSHOP Podcast we visit with Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller and co-author of Everybody Matters, to explore a radically human-centered approach to leadership. Bob shares the personal revelation that transformed how he viewed his role as a CEO—from overseeing functions...

Great leadership often gets wrapped in mystery—charisma, confidence, or some elusive “it factor.” organizational psychologist and former NBA player John Amaechi dismantles that myth. Drawing on research, lived experience, and hard-earned insight, John argues that exceptional leadership isn’t magical at all. It’s built from ordinary, learnable skills—practiced deliberately and applied consistently....