The Leadership Project Podcast

Have you ever led a team where true connection felt out of reach? Kyle McDowell , once a top executive in Fortune 10 companies, had a powerful realization—his leadership was driven by fear, not respect. This moment sparked a transformation that led to his "Begin With We" philosophy: 10 principles focused on shifting from individual success to collective excellence. Kyle shares a pivotal...

What makes a team truly creative? It's not beanbag chairs or forced brainstorming sessions—it's about creating an environment where play becomes the engine of productivity. Drawing from the wisdom shared by ex-Pixar executives Jamie Woolf and Dr. Chris Bell , this solocast explores how psychological safety, ownership, and freedom transform workplaces from control centers to creativity hu...

Ready to transform your workplace from a creativity desert into a thriving innovation ecosystem? Jamie Woolf , the first director of culture at Pixar Animation, and Dr. Christopher Bell of Creativity Partners reveal the unexpected connection between play, power dynamics, and breakthrough ideas. Their conversation shatters common misconceptions about creativity in the workplace. Forget the notion t...

Ever notice how the leadership qualities you aspire to can vanish under pressure? That calm, thoughtful presence replaced by reactivity and micromanagement when deadlines loom? You're not alone. Drawing on wisdom from executive coach and former Microsoft leader Sabina Nawaz, this episode unpacks a profound truth: pressure doesn't create your leadership tendencies—it reveals them. When st...

Ever caught yourself micromanaging when deadlines loom, despite your best intentions? You're not alone. In this revealing conversation, former Microsoft executive Sabina Nawaz shares her personal wake-up call – discovering an employee crying after one of her meetings – that transformed her approach to leadership under pressure. Sabina introduces game-changing concepts like the "delegatio...

Leadership begins with self-leadership. Without mastering the art of leading ourselves, we cannot effectively lead others. This milestone 250th episode explores twelve essential self-leadership practices that can transform how you show up as a leader. Self-leadership starts with clarity about your purpose and values. When you remember your "why" and align your actions with your core valu...

Reclaim your leadership power with Heather Younger , CEO of Employee Fanatix and author of The Art of Self-Leadership . In this powerful conversation, Heather reveals how we often surrender our potential by waiting for others to guide our careers. Sharing her personal journey through adversity, Heather offers strategies to break free from self-imposed limits and face workplace challenges with cour...

Courage isn't about being fearless—it's about taking decisive action while feeling afraid. Join us as we dive into the science of bravery, revealing how this essential quality can be deliberately cultivated by anyone seeking to grow as a leader. Drawing from my transformative conversation with former Marine and leadership expert Jill Shulman, I explore how the most courageous people stil...

Have you noticed that your proudest moments often follow your toughest challenges? In this insightful talk with Jill Schumann , former Marine Corps officer and leadership expert, we explore why discomfort—not comfort—drives true fulfillment. Jill redefines bravery as "taking action in the presence of fear for something meaningful," challenging the myth that courage means fearlessness. Dr...

Are you drowning in tasks yet still feel unproductive? This episode unveils vital productivity hacks that can help you reclaim your time and harness your potential. Join us as we explore powerful insights from Pia Silva, who successfully transformed her business by cutting down inefficiencies while emphasizing value over mere hours worked.  We discuss practical strategies that aim to enhance both...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the never-ending hustle yet not seeing the results you desire? This episode delves into the actionable insights from Pia Silva on how to dramatically shift your productivity paradigm by focusing on value, rather than effort. With her backdrop of experience in navigating the treacherous waters of small business ownership, Pia has developed unique strategies that allow...

Are you ready to revisit your leadership approach and scale effectively? Join us in this engaging episode that dives deep into the core principles of scaling your leadership alongside your business. Reflecting on a recent enlightening conversation with Garrett Delph, we explore crucial strategies that not only enhance your leadership style but also empower your team to flourish.  We unpack the imp...

Join us as we welcome Garrett Delph , the visionary founder and CEO of Clarity Ops, who reveals the secrets behind transforming chaotic growth phases into structured success stories. Garrett's journey of building internationally scaled businesses highlights the critical role of leadership in fostering a culture of accountability. He shares how Clarity Ops offers frameworks and tools to tackle...

Discover the secrets to thriving in a tumultuous job market with our insightful guest, John Tarnoff. Ever wondered how to transform your career after 50 or why storytelling could be your greatest asset in job hunting? Tune in as we dismantle the myths surrounding mid-life career changes, highlighting ways to adapt and leverage your rich reservoir of experience. We’ll guide you through the art of p...

Unlock the secrets to career resilience and reinvention with John Tarnoff , an executive and career transition coach who has transformed setbacks into successes. We explore the nuanced challenges senior-level executives face, particularly those stemming from outdated business cultures and ageism. John shares his personal journey from the entertainment industry to coaching, offering rich insights i...

Unlock the secrets of impactful leadership through storytelling with Andrea Sampson , CEO of Talk Boutique and TED-trained speaking coach. Andrea shares her expertise on how leaders can move beyond mere facts and figures to connect with their audiences on an emotional level, transforming how they persuade, build trust, and inspire action. You'll discover Andrea's "story spine"...

Discover the transformative power of storytelling with Andrea Sampson , the CEO of Talk Boutique and a TED-trained speaking coach, who reveals how mastering this skill can elevate your leadership and influence. Andrea shares her journey from a successful advertising career to becoming a TED speaker's coach, offering unique insights into framing complex ideas into engaging narratives. Uncover...

Failure isn't just a stepping stone; it's a wellspring of actionable insights waiting to be tapped. How do we transform the sting of failure into a catalyst for high performance?  This episode promises to redefine your understanding of failure, moving beyond the clichés of "fail fast" and "fail forward." We navigate the intricacies of learning from setbacks through se...

What if you could transform failure into a catalyst for success?  Join us as we unpack this intriguing concept with Jason Schappert , a visionary entrepreneur in the financial technology sector. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, Jason witnessed firsthand the delicate balance between failure and success. He shares his personal insights on viewing setbacks as learning opportunities, urging as...

Transform your approach to feedback with insights from Sue Anderson , the brilliant mind behind "Feedback Fitness." Discover how to turn feedback from a dreaded encounter into a gift that propels growth and success within your team. Throughout our conversation, Sue unveils her three-part framework—warm-up, workout, and cool-down—to cultivate a feedback culture that thrives on trust, cons...

What if you could change your workplace forever with just one conversation? Join us for an insightful session with Sue Anderson , a leading coach and the brilliant mind behind "Feedback Fitness." Together, we unravel why the very concept of feedback often triggers negative emotions and how our "feedback footprint" can impact our perception of it. Whether you view feedback as a...

Unlock the secrets to effective crisis management and leadership with insights from Carl Scully and Mark Goodwin as they recount their experiences during the 2005 Cronulla riots. This episode promises to equip you with valuable lessons on strategic planning, decision-making under pressure, and the art of adaptive leadership. Dive into the intricacies of police command structures and discover how s...

Join us as we commemorate the 19th anniversary of the Cronulla Riots with Carl Scully , former New South Wales Police Minister, and Mark Goodwin , former Deputy Chief Commissioner, who unravel the complexities and misinformation surrounding this historical event. Why is Cronulla unfairly labeled the epicenter of racial tension in Australia, and should these events be called riots at all? Our guest...

Unlock the secrets to transformative leadership by blending ancient wisdom with modern insights in this compelling episode. Join us as we explore the enduring influence of Aristotle, the power of collective effort through an inspiring African proverb, and the caring leadership philosophy of Teddy Roosevelt. Our engaging conversation with business philosopher Anders Inset reveals how these timeless...

What if success isn't about reaching the top, but rather about continuous growth and learning? Join us as we sit down with Anders Indset , the renowned business philosopher, who shares his remarkable journey from being a hardcore capitalist to embracing a life steeped in philosophical wisdom and ethical decision-making. Anders unveils the profound insights he gained while navigating the compl...