The Remarkable Leadership Podcast

We can use the past to think about leading today and the future. The means may be different (hello social media), yet the principles are similar. Jan-Benedict Steenkamp is Massey Distinguished Professor of Marketing at the University of North Carolina and author. His latest book is  Time to Lead: Lessons for Today's Leaders from Bold Decisions That Changed History . JB looks at leadership through...

Are you deliberating about a tough decision? Are you struggling with a relationship? Are you worried about the future? In today's episode, I am suggesting we all take a chill pill. And I don't mean this in an unsympathetic or glib way. I am seriously suggesting six steps that we can take to help us all relax and "chill" so that we can have less stress and be more successful. From This Episode: If...

It's been asked before and here we are again. Are you happy in your work? Jonas Altman is on a mission to make the work of work more human and he would argue it's your duty to find meaning and joy in your work. Jonas is the author of  SHAPERS: Reinvent the Way You Work and Change the Future . He sits down with Kevin to discuss the future of work and why we need a new frame of reference to support...

Gossip is definitely not something we love or that we hope to have at any workplace. In fact, if we could REVERSE gossip, that would solve many conflicts and issues at work. But before we get to the idea of reversing gossip, we must first discuss two facts about gossip as a whole: 1. Gossip is negative. 2. Gossip grows in the dark. So knowing these two pieces of information, now let's reverse-engi...

Innovation and creativity never go out of style. However, sometimes we find ourselves in institutionalized inertia. Our creative side is stifled because of the systems, structures, and processes in place. Scott Anthony says these are things that help today and make it hard to change for tomorrow. Scott is the co-author of  Eat, Sleep, Innovate: How to Make Creativity an Everyday Habit in Your Orga...

We've all been in virtual meetings where a participant (maybe it's you?) mutes themselves at the start and remains muted for the entirety of the meeting. And while there are a variety of reasons and situations where muting makes sense (I'll review them in this episode), there are even more reasons why you should UNMUTE yourself and ask those on your team to do the same. Tweet it out:  If you want...

We are in the 21st Century – The Digital Age. We know that by 2025 Millennials and GenZers will be 75% of the global workforce. However, many organizations are still operating using a 20th Century Industrial age leadership. Hierarchy, power, control, and fear are out of step with the complexities of our times and the workforce is demanding something different. To move into the 21st century, we nee...

I f you are watching or listening to me now, you have achieved some level of success. And if you are leading others, it is logical and obvious that you are doing some things right. Yet many leaders feel they have arrived not because of experience, skill and wisdom, but by luck or the ability to "fool" others. If you ever feel this, welcome to the imposter syndrome. According to The International J...

We speak 16,000-20,000 words a day, yet 74% of us have anxiety about speaking in front of people. As a leader, you've probably shared information with your organization. Most likely, you have had to stand in front of a room full of people and deliver said information. So, how do you feel? Do you embrace the opportunity or put your head down and get the job done? John Bowe believes public speaking...

I won't go into the brain science, but it is a fact of neurology that the brain cannot be in a state of appreciation and a state of fear at the same time. The two states may alternate, but are mutually exclusive. So when people say they are too blessed to be stressed, they are actually right. But let's step back a moment. We have plenty of reasons to be stressed. I don't need to list them all for...

Do you have a crystal ball to show you the future? I'm going to guess the answer is no. Yet, according to Margaret Heffernan, we think the future is hiding just behind the curtain, like in the Wizard of Oz. However, if you peek, there is nothing behind the curtain. The future is unknowable. Margaret is the author of  Uncharted – How to Navigate the Future . Given that we can't know what is going t...

No engagement. No participation. Can't get people to speak up. These are just a few of the many issues that we have with virtual meetings. And in this episode, I am demonstrating 4 ways that a simple cup can help improve your virtual meetings. Tweet it out:  If you want people to participate in your virtual meeting, ask your question, then take a sip of your coffee while you wait for them to respo...

Urgent – – read, listen, or do NOW! Can you relate? Kevin chats with Brandon Smith, author of the Hot Sauce Principle: How to Live and Lead in a World Where Everything Is Urgent All of the Time. Brandon compares urgency to hot sauce. A little bit gives you some flavor and enhances the meal. Too much and your mouth is on fire. Time is our most precious resource and because of things like technology...

Today I am asking you a question: Are you seeking progress or perfection? I am asking you this both personally and as a coach. And in this episode, I am making a case for each and then also a case for both. Tweet it out:  Ask yourself what you want today – progress or perfection? – or you can work for both – high standards and meaningful progress? @KevinEikenberry From This Episode: Learn more abo...

Do you set aside the time and energy for innovation? Do you set aside the same time and energy for maintaining? Kevin sits down with Lee Vinsel and Andy Russell, authors of  The Innovation Delusion: How our Obsession With the New Has Disrupted the Work that Matters Most . Vinsel and Russell are not opposed to creating and new things; however, they believe we have put too much faith in innovation t...

Here's a fact: Kids LOVE Halloween. Why? Because of the rewards, of course. The candy! And while they are thinking about the sweet treats, they are also thinking about being scared. Now when you think about it, preparing to be a leader is eerily similar. You think about it, you plan for it, you expect some benefits to come from it and….you'll probably be scared at some point of the unexpected. But...

Can you have friends at work? Should you have friends at work? Shasta Nelson is a friendship expert and author. Her most recent book is  The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of the Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time . She sits down with Kevin to let us know that work is the #1 place we make friends. Leaders that build relationships and find ways for connection help their team fee...

A man in his 90's recently surveyed his garage which was filled with the remnants from an old business, activities and hobbies and memories. LOTS of memories. And at the request of his children, he brought in a dumpster. And after just a few hours of work, it was filled to the brim. This man is my father-in-law. And this is the dumpster. during the course of the day, he was asked many times: Keep...

How do you define success? Is it the toys you own? Is it the relationships you have? Doug Holladay believes success is finding joy, meaning, and satisfaction on a profound level. Doug is founder and CEO of PathNorth, Georgetown University professor, former White House advisor, and the author of  Rethinking Success: Eight Essential Practices for Finding Meaning in Work and Life . Kevin talks about...

Engagement is a popular topic and something that most organizations are constantly striving for. And it's a worthy goal but the problem is that most organizations are thinking about it all wrong. To help us understand this, it might help if we take a look at the actual definition of the word. Engagement (noun) Emotional involvement or commitment. Listen to this episode to hear how this definition...

Sometimes we need to think differently. Kevin sits down with Roger L. Martin, author of  When More is Not Better – Overcoming America's Obsession with Economic Efficiency . In his latest book, Roger explains how more is better for a while until we become obsessed. Roger and Kevin tackle leadership as it relates to models and working in silos. The job of a good leader is to not only encourage but m...

In this episode, I am talking about the power of empathy. But in order to understand the power, we need to know the definition. EMPATHY:  The action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another. Empathy is so important to our role as leaders. And here are five reasons that empathy matters. Tweet it out:  The be...

Everyone is talent. Your team, your bosses, and you. Today Kevin sits down with Rishon Blumberg, co-author of  GAME CHANGER: How to Be 10x in the Talent Economy and co-founder of 10x Management . Rishon discusses 10x talent and 10x companies. The talent not only knows their stuff, but they can also share information at the human level. 10x companies create an environment hospitable to exceptional...

If you've watched many of our previous episodes, you know that I often ask our viewers to challenge me to find leadership lessons in bizarre and random places. And today, I am finding the lessons that we as leaders can take from our grill. And no, you don't have to be a grilling expert to learn something here. Tweet it out:  Remarkable Leaders deliver what their teams need – remembering that the t...

We all have the potential; the potential to be remarkable or to use our powers for evil. Research shows that we are influenced by those around us. So, it's up to leaders to create the environment to build integrity. Kevin sits down with Rob Chesnut, former federal prosecutor, former General Counsel and most recently the Chief Ethics Officer of Airbnb, Inc. He is also the author of  Intentional Int...