The Dr. John Bedker Leadership Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Bedker follows up on the Boeing leadership story that began in Episode 22. Follow-up is an important leadership competency and Dr. Bedker models this competency in this episode. Judgment and decision-making are highlighted. Incidents and events by suppliers and Boeing’s regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are documented. 

In this most important episode, Dr. Bedker discusses the current inflection point of U.S. global leadership. Does the United States retreat to isolationism and unravel the many global alliances that have accounted for peace and prosperity, or do we persevere in the grand experiment of democracy? Thought leaders and elected officials are quoted in this episode, from radio host Charlemagne Tha God t...

In this episode, Dr. Bedker takes a complex topic with many moving parts and synthesizes the topic to better understand the role of leadership of the Federal Reserve. Chairman Jay Powell, the leader of the Fed is showcased. His many leadership challenges to provide a stable and growing economy with full employment is an immense challenge. Leadership core competencies of judgment and decision-makin...

Dr. John Bedker operationalizes key leadership core competencies for our troubled world. What leadership competencies do each of us need, as leaders, in these turbulent times?  John unpacks several of them. From reflection to grounding in the truth, to empathy, Dr. Bedker operationalizes these leadership core competencies. Frequently practicing these competencies with genuineness, and intent over...

In this first episode of 2024, Dr. Bedker takes a look ahead into the new year. Tom Standage, the editor of The World Ahead 2024 has written the cover article for The Economist and this piece serves as the source for this year’s first episode. A top 10 list is given by Standage as ‘themes to watch” in 2024. Dr. Bedker provides a contextual leadership framework for each of these themes. 2024 will b...

In this year-end episode Dr. Bedker delivers a review of this past year’s episodes. It has been a busy and very challenging year for leaders and leadership. From institutions to individuals Dr. Bedker has showcased the good and the bad. Exemplary leaders such as Steve Kerr and Bill Russell began the year and fellow exemplars Rosalyn Carter and Charlie Munger, both having recently passed are showca...

In this episode, Dr. Bedker quotes two iconic leaders, Rosalynn Carter and Charlie Munger, as a means to share their lives of exemplars in leadership.  Rosalynn Carter, the first lady of Georgia and first lady of the United States, and Charlie Munger, vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, the hugely successful investment company are showcased for their lives of exemplary leadership.  We all can lea...

In this episode Dr. Bedker talks a walk down the leadership boardwalk. He showcases current social, political, economic, military, labor and sports leadership events in our world today.  This episode is a cameo for leaders across several of the central components of our lives. Are we “doing the right thing” from a leadership perspective? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. Each is given attention in...

The episode focuses on a key leadership axiom: "For leadership to be effective it must be consistent." Historical and current examples are given from a David Leonhardt article to showcase both the successes and failures of leaders as they try to lead diverse groups. For leaders to do the right thing, they may be able to effect positive change through eliminating or mitigating even one variable in...

The leadership of the United States House of Representatives is a mess. The former senior leader, the Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy was ousted. Two weeks have passed and the Representative, Jim Jordan, that has been seeking the speakership has faltered on his first two attempts to win the votes necessary to become Speaker. In this episode Dr. Bedker details those events and provides a leade...

In this 40th episode of the Dr. John Bedker Leadership Podcast, Dr. Bedker highlights the background and results of the Motion to Vacate the office of the Speaker of the Unites States House of Representatives, Representative Kevin McCarthy.  The Speaker was removed by a vote of a small number of his fellow Republican members.  The leadership deficiencies of  Speaker McCarthy are clear and consiste...

In this episode, Dr. Bedker shares the many and varied leadership core competencies of women.  Women in leadership do not get the attention it deserves. Women can be and are excellent leaders. Dr. Bedker highlights a real-life example in this episode; the launch of the first American into space. The movie “Hidden Figures” is detailed and the women who made the computations for launch. Women and le...

In this Labor Day episode, Dr. Bedker highlights current research and the first-ever release on the benefits of labor unions by the Department of the Treasury.  Comments by Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen are given.  The focus is on processes rather than outcomes and to focus on problem-solving rather than problem identification.  A specific encounter over the Labor Day weekend is given to...

In this final installment on collectivism, Dr. Bedker addresses the issue of government leaders.  Civil unrest and political unrest are at heightened states not seen before in our turbulent world.  The leadership calling of government leaders could not be more timely or critical.  Dr. Bedker addresses both the USA experience and the international experience.  This episode concludes with 5 axioms f...

In Part 2 of this series on collectivism, Dr. Bedker speaks about specific examples and specific companies' experiences with collectivism and unions.  The tension between capitalism and democracy is revisited.  A new Harvard Business School case study on Amazon and its unionization genesis is addressed.  This episode provides a snapshot of the current union contract status across American corporat...

In this episode, Dr. Bedker makes the case for collectivism.  The benefits of a collective workforce, a union, are made and research results are given by leading scholars.  The paradox of labor interests versus corporations' interests is highlighted.  There is a tension between capitalism and democracy.  A collectively organized workforce is good for workers, their families, and society.  This is...

In this episode, Dr. Bedker addresses an important leadership core competency in our often turbulent world: compassion.  Compassion is described as a “soft skill,” but is really quite an important and challenging skill for leaders to bring to their leadership practice.  Compassion requires bringing empathy with action to those you serve, with authenticity and altruism.  Compassionate leadership re...

In this 4th of July 2023 episode, Dr. John Bedker addresses the “first freedoms” of the Declaration of Independence.  Specifically, John addresses the first freedom, the freedom of religion.  John showcases the actions of the delegates of the Southern Baptist Convention to remove women as Pastors from Southern Baptist churches.  The case is made that this is a political move and not a moral, ethic...

In this episode, Dr. John Bedker showcases the Saudi Wealth Fund takeover of professional golf.  Sportwashing is highlighted as the means for the leader of Saudi Arabia and his associates to “paint lipstick on a pig.”  The numerous civil rights and human rights violations of Saudi Arabia are meant to be placated with the many sports and entertainment investments by the Saudi Personal Investment Fu...

In this episode on judgment and decision making, two critical leadership core competencies, Dr. John Bedker showcases former Congresswoman Liz Cheney’s removal from leadership in the U.S. Congress and her unsuccessful run for reelection to the congressional seat from Wyoming, as an exemplar of both sound judgment and sound decision making.  Doing the right thing may have consequences, consequences...

In this third installment of the Dr. John Bedker Leadership Podcast, The Leadership Case for a New Civil Rights Movement, John advances a call to action for leaders.  The need to speak up, speak out, and to vote.  So many issues are in need of transformative change and this episode raises a number of them.  What is needed is for leaders to lead.  Not be passive, not be quiet, and not be slow to ac...

In Part 2 of The Leadership Case for a New Civil Rights Movement, Dr. John Bedker raises the case for leaders to engage, speak out, speak up and Vote. Elected officials are not representing the people they are charged to represent. The clear majority of Americans have voices in favor of legislative change. In Part 2 of the Dr. John Bedker Leadership Podcast the case is advanced for both gun legisl...

This episode of the Dr. John Bedker Leadership Podcast kicks off a series of podcasts making a case for leaders to engage and support the new civil rights movement in the United States.  The foundation is laid in this opening episode for a grassroots movement for leaders to “do the right thing.”  We should not have to wonder when dropping off a child at school in the morning if they will be safe a...

In this episode, Dr. Bedker sheds light on several leadership axioms.  Leadership axions on this day of indictment for the former President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.  Things we, as leaders, need to be mindful of and aware of in this age of misinformation, disinformation, and lies.  Leaders are called to do the right thing.  Today, the former President was indicted for failing to meet...

Bill Russell is a basketball legend.  One of the greatest basketball players ever.  In this Episode Dr. John Bedker shares with you the life and times of this exemplary leader.  Bill Russell was an exemplary leader on and off the court. Through a history of racism and bigotry, Bill Russell literally and figuratively stood tall.  He stands for truth, honesty and character.  A model for us all.