The Indispensable Conversation

Rob Salafia is a McGraw-Hill author, a storyteller and an MIT Master Executive Coach.      However, it is his work in helping leaders in developing executive poise, presence and influence which makes Rob the “perfect” guest for this episode of The Indispensable Conversation where we explore the question of the week for many leaders:     Is executive presence just...

Eddie Turner an in-demand leadership development expert.  He has appeared  in national print, radio, and television media such as the Wall Street  Journal, CNN, Fox News, PBS, NPR, and ABC discussing topics related to  leadership and diversity.     It is this background that makes Eddie the “right” guest for this  episode of The Indispensable Conversation wh...

Dino Carella is a coach, mentor and author of "The Way of the Wind."      As a one-time corporate leader with 30 years of experience, Dino  understands how the constant pressure to deliver results, can lead to  long hours, and regular conflicts between one’s family, social, and  workplace responsibilities – making it nearly impossible for one’s life  to refl...

Jack Wiley, PhD, is an award-winning organizational psychologist,  researcher, and leadership consultant.      He was awarded the prestigious Professional Practice award by the  Society of Industrial-Organizational Psychology (SIOP), a lifetime  achievement award for outstanding contributions to the practice of  industrial-organizational psychology. He also...

This episode of The Indispensable Conversation features Mark C. Crowley.       Mark is a popular leadership speaker, podcast host, consultant and  change agent for workplace engagement and culture.  He is also the  author of Lead From The Heart, a book that examines how to lead and  inspire others to greatness. by leading from the heart.   &nb...

This episode of The Indispensable Conversation features Michael Mazarr.      If you’re unfamiliar with Mike, he is Senior Political Scientist at RAND  Corporation. A self-defined generalist, Mike has spent substantial time  on issues including arms control, U.S. defense policy (force posture,  doctrine, etc.), decision-making theory, Korean Peninsula security, an...

Dorie Clark is my guest to kick-off Season III of The Indispensable Conversation.     For those who mat not know Dorie, she is a Duke & Columbia Business Professor; WSJ Bestselling Author; Ranked #1 Communication Coach and a Top 50 Business Thinker in World as designated by Thinkers50.     But, it is the fact that her latest book, “The Long Game” is so highly rega...

Marshall Goldsmith is my guest on the final episode of Season II of The Indispensable Conversation.    If you're unfamiliar, Marshall is an elite executive coach and a New York Times Number 1 best selling author. His body of work has earned several highly acclaimed distinctions, including:   Harvard Business Review - World’s #1 Leadership Thinker,   American Management Associat...

Can music really make us better leaders?   As many of you know, I am a huge music fan with an immense private collection that spans most popular genres and styles. I listen to music all day long and have written all 6 of my books and 100s of articles with music in my ears.    Indeed, I’m a believer that music makes me a more creative and stimulating thought leader than I would be ot...

Is social polarization or apathy better for business? There's certainly high tensions in the world today. Many are  discouraged by the political and societal polarization that they are  witnessing. Overwhelmed by it all, many are "checking out" -- leaving  business leaders to wonder: Which is better for business, social polarization or apathy? This is the question that I explore wit...

In an age of shameless self-promotion, does experience matter anymore?    This is the question that I explore with start-up adviser, consultant,  speaker and investor Hamish Thomson on this week's episode of The  Indispensable Conversation.      Indeed, it is Hamish's vast and varied experiences (he is the former  Regional President/CEO and Global brand...

Is altruism just a sophisticated form of selfishness?   Selfishness is often regarded as an undesirable or even immoral characteristic, whereas altruism is typically considered universally desirable and virtuous. But, are these constructs accurate? Is selfishness always bad? Is altruism always good?  These are important questions for today's business leaders as they struggle to find the...

Can those who volunteer ever give too much? This  is an important question for today's business leader. The pressure to  give back to local communities in which businesses operate has only  increased over the past two years. As a consequence, leaders are faced  with the challenge of finding the appropriate balance point between  insisting that staffers volunteer their time...

If you win, do I have to lose?     It seems far too many leaders believe that for them to "win," someone  must "lose." They've bought into the notion that there's simply just not  enough to go around. But, I wonder if that's really true.     Who better to explore this question with me on this edition of The  Indispensable Conversation than Simon Haigh?...

Is Kindness A Sign of Weakness? Kindness  has been a recurring topic of many a leadership book and article these  days. It's no wonder, with a worldwide pandemic shaking us loose from  all of the assumptions that we thought we knew about the world. That  said, many leaders struggle with the notion -- thinking that a show of  kindness is a sign of weakness. But, is it? Who...

Does finding one’s purpose really matter in today’s crazy, mixed-up world? Purpose  is a popular leadership theme. However, given all of what’s taking  shape in the world, one must wonder about the relevance. Who better to explore this question with me on this edition of The Indispensable Conversation than Mark Cumicek ? Mark  is a Certified Dream Manager and Life Coach who increase...

This is the question that I pose to my guest, Marc Winn , on the next episode of The Indispensable Conversation .   Marc speaks, coaches and advises on the subject of unlocking community and networks to solve complex challenges.   However, it is Marc's latest book - The 50 Coffee Adventure: A Fun, Light and Easy Way to Build Connections—One Magical Conversation at a Time!, that makes him...

Does human creativity matter when data analytics dictates our every  move?     This is the question featured on this episode of The Indispensable  Conversation with my guest Chris Jones.     Chris Jones is a former writer-at-large for Esquire magazine, has won  two National Magazine Awards. He is the author of Out of Orbit and  Falling Hard: A Rook...

Do our origin stories really matter?     This is the question featured on this episode of The Indispensable  Conversation with my guest Tommy Breedlove.     Tommy Breedlove is an Atlanta-based business, relationship, and mindset  coach who is a regular featured keynote speaker at global events. He is  also the author of the book Legendary, a Wall Street...

Does our self-talk make any difference at all?     This is the question featured on this episode of The Indispensable  Conversation with my guest Erik Swoope.     Erik spent 4 years playing Tight End for the Indianapolis Colts and  rounded-out his NFL career with stints with both the Las Vegas Raiders  & San Francisco 49ers.  Quite an accomplis...

How do you summon the courage to lead when lives are on the line?   With the Russian military attack of Ukraine on the tops of our minds, this question has never been more relevant.    It is the question that I pose to my guest, James Hotaling, MSL, on this special edition of The Indispensable Conversation .   Jim serves as Head of Leadership Development & Assessment a...

Has the time come to quiet our egos?     This is the question on this episode of The Indispensable Conversation  with my guest Brant Cooper.     Brant is a New York Times bestselling author and well-known business  advisor. Brant travels the globe speaking with business leaders about  how to discover and create new value and about empowering individuals...

Is ageism today's dirty, little business secret?      This is the question on this episode of The Indispensable Conversation  with my guest Verity Craft.     Verity is the General Manager and Storyteller at Intelligent Ink located  in Auckland, New Zealand. Her focus is helping business leaders become  thought leaders to enhance their impact and au...

Should we always believe what we see?   This is the question on this episode of The Indispensable Conversation with my guest Todd Cherches.   Todd is the CEO at BigBlueGumball, a member of the MG100 and author of “VisuaLeadership.”   His focus on adding the visual to leadership makes him the perfect guest to explore this important question with me.   Listen now!

Should businesses become actively involved in the cultural debates of the day?   This is the question on this episode of The Indispensable Conversation with my guest Nancy Halpern .   Nancy is a well-known keynote speaker, thought leader and host of The Political IQ podcast.  While her podcast focuses on managing office politics, Nancy consults in the workplace dynamics space, where...