The Fast Leader Show | Strategy Execution & Systems Design

Raw talent does not predict team performance. How your team structures its time does. Award-winning psychologist Dr. Ron Friedman, author of Superteams, reveals what his research on more than 6,000 workers uncovered about the 8% of teams that outperform the rest and why the productivity tips you rely on may be quietly slowing your team down.

When transformation puts every decision under a microscope, personal values become the fastest way to cut noise and lead with calm. Columbia professor Paul Ingram, author of What Do You Really Stand For?, shows how to surface values, measure misalignment, and build relationships that survive crisis

Change resistance is biology, not a battle to win. Salesforce transformation leader Travis D. Hahler, founder of The Neurological Nomad and author of Rethink Resistance, shows why brains send a check engine light and how six neurological barriers predict where AI and other change efforts stall. Hear what happens when leaders force urgency instead of standing with the team.

Leaders who force willpower through chronic stress pay in burnout, boredom, and bad decisions. Mental performance coach and lion tracker David A Gerber, partner at Novus Global and author of The Lion is You, shows why leadership is a full-body experience and how standing still in crisis lets others draft off your calm. Learn why following the string beats forcing outcomes when market velocity neve...

AI in customer service only works when humans set the infrastructure up first. Ty Givens, founder and CEO of the CX Collective, shows why a messy knowledge base turns AI into scaled chaos, and what leaders must fix before they cut staff.

Workplace flexibility is not a free-for-all. Done right, it is a designed system that wins for people and the business. Author Manar Morales (The Flexibility Paradigm) shows how to build holistic flexibility with guardrails, kill presenteeism myths, and cut proximity bias. What if FaceTime stopped counting as commitment? Hit play before your next hybrid decision locks in the wrong default.

Artificial intelligence is crawling everywhere. Senior contact center leaders face intense pressure to accelerate AI adoption while being bombarded by marketing hype. But there is another way AI must "crawl." Jason Mercer-Pottinger, a healthcare executive leading a fully remote, multi-country operation, maintains manager effectiveness scores 11 points above the industry average. This episode liste...

You work hard. You prepare. You commit. So why do outcomes still feel unpredictable? In this conversation, Kyle Austin Young reveals the hidden math behind success and why most people unknowingly enter goals with odds stacked against them. What happens when confidence is misleading? When effort is not the problem? When failure was statistically baked in from the start? This episode challenges how...

In this insightful episode, Dina Denham Smith dives deep into the intricacies of leadership, creativity, and emotional intelligence in the modern workplace. She shares her journey from classroom to boardroom, offering a unique perspective on how her equestrian passion parallels her leadership philosophy. Through engaging anecdotes and expert advice, Dina reveals the transformative power of rest an...

In this enlightening episode, Jim Rembach interviews John Fisher, delving into the heart of leadership and the transformative power of embracing personal change for organizational success. Fisher, with his rich background in psychology and business coaching, shares invaluable insights into the journey from self-doubt to self-discovery, underscoring the critical role of personal growth in driving e...

In an inspiring exchange, Jeff Eschliman shares his journey from the idyllic landscapes of Fortuna, California, to becoming a visionary leader in the construction industry. His story, woven with the values instilled by his family and the wisdom gained from his military service, unfolds a compelling narrative on leadership, teamwork, and personal development. Eschliman delves into the pivotal momen...

In a riveting conversation with Joshua Freedman, a luminary in the emotional intelligence arena, listeners are treated to profound insights on how emotional intelligence shapes leadership, influences organizational culture, and catalyzes personal growth. Through the lens of the world\'s largest study on emotional intelligence, Freedman unpacks the critical role of emotional intelligence in enhanci...

Diving into the heart of modern strategic planning, this special episode explores the challenges and opportunities in today\'s complex, VUCA environment. As we explore this landscape, we\'ll see why traditional strategic planning tools may no longer be sufficient in such a dynamic setting. This episode shines a light on the \"UNLEASH method,\" a groundbreaking approach that navigates through the v...

Dive deep into the complexities of leadership with Adam Bryant on the Fast Leader Show! Discover the art of extracting every lesson from life\'s experiences, akin to wringing out a wet towel. Bryant unpacks the delicate balance leaders must strike between contradictory traits, shrewdly adapting to the uncertainty of our times. Learn why post-2020 leadership demands a keen ability to simplify compl...

In this episode of the Fast Leader Show, Dr. Laura McGuire shares her insights on a range of topics, from emotional intelligence and inclusion to stress management and leadership development. She emphasizes the importance of consent, trauma-informed care, and human connection in fostering a positive work environment. Dr. McGuire also discusses the need for accountability and responsibility in addr...

In this episode of the Fast Leader Show, Jim Rembach welcomes Nicole Kyle, an expert in the contact center industry since the 1990s. Nicole seeks to understand the current challenges in the industry and explores three seismic challenges facing contact centers. While skill development has been a focal point, Nicole emphasizes the importance of career development and how the majority of agents now v...

In this episode of the Fast Leader Show, Jim Rembach sits down with guest Tom Schmitt, CEO of a multi-billion dollar transportation company. Together, they dive into the valuable lessons learned from the past few years and how they can be applied in the business world. From the importance of flexibility and empathy to the role of ambition and passion, Tom shares insightful wisdom that can help lis...

In this episode of the Fast Leader Show, we are joined by Oded Netzer, a Columbia Business School professor and Amazon Scholar. Oded, an expert in data-driven decision making, discusses common biases like overconfidence, availability, and confirmation bias that can hinder our use of data.  He introduces the powerful IWIC (I Wish I Knew) tool, which focuses on identifying key questions rather than...

In this episode of the Fast Leader Show, we\'re excited to have Chuck Mollor – executive coach, consultant, and author of The Rise of the Agile Leader. Chuck shares various insights on the importance of leadership adaptability, understanding oneself, and teamwork in navigating complex challenges and change. He also discusses employee engagement, identifying cultural champions, and the need for lea...

As leaders, we must recognize the power of data-backed insights when implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Understanding the unique needs of our organizations is crucial, and we can\'t simply rely on what has worked for others. By conducting listening sessions, refining career planning, and offering mentorship programs, we can promote DEI without needing a Chief Diversit...

Resilience and leadership play vital roles in organizational success, with true leadership focusing on empowering others to be their best selves while pursuing a noble goal. In this episode, our guest Mike Watson delves into the habits and values that foster resilience in teams, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a culture of accountability and individual resilience. Drawing on examples fro...

In today\'s fast-paced and ultra-competitive world, being a good leader is more important than ever. But how do you become a better leader when the competition is fierce and the stakes are high? According to Lee J. Colan, author of Healthy Leadership: How to Thrive in the New World of Work, there are several key traits that great leaders possess. Here are a few tips to help you become a better lea...

When companies don\'t foster open communication and establish regular, open conversations, they may experience inconsistency in customer experiences, decreased productivity, missed opportunities, low employee morale, and decreased customer satisfaction. These issues can negatively impact the success and growth of the business. In this episode, David Avrin stresses the importance of regular, open c...

The importance of emotions in attracting and retaining top talent in the workplace cannot be overstated. According to research, employees are more likely to stay with a company that encourages and values positive emotions, such as gratitude, appreciation, and hope, and is more likely to attract them to the organization. Employee satisfaction can be improved as a result of these emotions, which can...

Delivering great customer experiences is essential for any business that wants to be successful. In order to do so, it\'s important to focus on meeting and exceeding customer expectations, providing high-quality products and services, and building strong relationships with customers.  One way to deliver great customer experiences with less effort is to use technology and automation to streamline p...