The Unconventional Leadership Podcast

This week we have a special bonus episode in partnership with the Leadership Council for Non-Profits in preparation for their conference on March 4th, 2021. Mike gives a glimpse of what leaders can expect as he talks to their keynote speaker, Vanessa Mason, Research Director for Institute for the Future.  Mike and Vanessa dive into the subject of belonging, and how it affects our wellbeing and pro...

This week, Mike talks to Angie Redmon, President of Strive HR and a strategist for organizations who want to pursue best workplace awards. Even if you never thought about applying for an award like this, listen in, because Mike and Angie provide some great tips about strategy alignment and the importance of processing employee feedback. Angie dives in about how to apply for a “Best Place To Work”...

This week, guest host Don Frericks is back to continue his conversations with extraordinary leaders from around the world. Today, he talks to Anna Grome, Principal Consultant at Tier 1 Performance Solutions. Their conversation provides key lessons for aspiring and experienced leaders.   Listen and learn as Don dissects the stand-out qualities to Anna’s leadership that facilitates high performance...

This week Mike connects with trusted friend and advisor Mehmet Yuksek, President of Reily Foods.  Their conversation is a MUST for leaders at all levels.  Listen now to hear them unpack what leaders should be doing in order to achieve real success and innovation in their organizations.   Mehmet shares many valuable quotes in this episode.  He starts by sharing this sage advice: “People will only b...

This week Mike dives deep into the subject of authenticity with Rachel Druckenmiller, Founder and CEO of Unmuted.  Rachel is a facilitator, speaker, and award-winning health promotion professional.  Listen to Mike and Rachel discuss the profound effect of unmuting our voices to create a thriving work and home life.  Rachel begins by defining “whole self” and how we can be authentic in a profession...

This week Mike continues his discussions on mindset with Luna Malbroux, Director of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at Soul Bird Consulting. Their discussion dives deep into key points leaders need to address to be successful in the “new normal” of 2021.  Luna helps teams and leaders adopt a mindset of “helping humans be more human.” (2:55) Mike and Luna unpack the new work-from-home atmosphere, a...

This week Mike talks to Dr. Kimberly Luse, President of Strategic Ethical Solutions, who is the best-selling author of the books “Circling The Drain” and “Losing Your Job Without Losing Your Mind”. She also serves as a faculty member for the Talent Magnet Institute. They discuss practical solutions and benefits to approaching conflict, creating an environment that fosters trust, and having honest,...

Start 2021 with the right mindset! Mike kicks off the new year with a profound discussion about balancing excellence in work and life with Scott Eblin, Founder of the Eblin Group and author of Overworked and Overwhelmed: The Mindfulness Alternative.   Scott shares his story about getting a medical diagnosis that forced him to re-evaluate how he worked. (2:51) Scott and Mike discuss the tool Life G...

Mike ends the year with a conversation that calls on all leaders to change the way they view their organizations’ involvement with their community.  This conversation with Dan Calonge, Head of Learning and Development for Cincinnati Bell, will inspire you to connect more meaningfully in 2021.   Mike and Dan start their discussion with some basics about how Dan got involved at Cincinnati Bell.  He...

This week Mike invites Chelsea Brinkley into the studio to share her expert tips on making remote work fun and effective. Chelsea is a Remote Work Coach. She helps entrepreneurs and business leaders optimize their systems to connect to their teams and clients in a virtual world.  Listen to Chelsea share:  Her story about how and why she chose to work remotely. (2:36)  Tried-and-true tools that wil...

This week, Mike continues his profound conversations about creating community with Chuck Mingo, Teaching Pastor at Crossroads Community Church, and Founder and CEO of Undivided.  Mike and Chuck begin their discussion with many inspiring sentiments about 2020, such as:  Unusual stories of courage that Chuck has personally witnessed this year; (5:29) Deep emotional insights Mike has gained from havi...

This week Mike discusses community impact with Barbara Hauser, Senior Community Relations Manager for Procter & Gamble.  Community engagement must move beyond the walls (or network) of your business.  Listen now to learn why community engagement is a key ingredient in your organizational recipe for success.   Community engagement is a key part of P&G’s global strategy and success. Barbara...

This week Mike has an engaging discussion about using space, physically and digitally, to promote well-being and success in your organization with Kelly Kolar.  Kelly is the President and Founder of Kolar Design and the Kolar Experience Institute.  She is also a Talent Magnet Institute Faculty member.  The pandemic forced most organizations to work remote, which has created an opportunity to reeva...

This week Mike talks to Tracie Sponenberg, Chief People Officer with The Granite Group, Leader of Disrupt HR-New Hampshire and cofounder of HR Rebooted. They discuss the key elements of people-centered culture. Listen to this lesson-packed episode now! Many people Tracie has encountered say people-centered business is a no-brainer. Is it? Listen to Tracie share about the consequences of the widesp...

This week Mike invites Lars Schmidt into the booth to discuss what Lars describes as “progressive” HR. Lars is the host of the podcast “Redefining HR” and Founder of Amplify, an executive search and consulting firm. Lars has also been a regular contributor for Fast Company, and is excited about the release of his first book, “Redefining HR.”  Listen NOW as Lars shares the mindset of “progressive”...

This week Mike has another inspiring conversation with Moira Weir, President and CEO of United Way of Cincinnati.  They share pivotal takeaways for leaders who like to think outside-the-box when meeting their clients’ needs. Listen NOW!  Moira shares her experiences while starting a new leadership position, just as the pandemic shut everything down.  Hear how she led her organization to Pivot whil...

This week Mike hosts Joey Price, CEO of Jumpstart HR, Host of “Business Life and Coffee” Podcast, and Host of the “Winning at Work” series.  They discuss Joey’s key take-aways from interviewing leaders from all over the world, and helping work environments optimize communication and culture.  Mike asks Joey what do leaders need to be focusing on at this moment? Joey details 4 pillars that are key...

This week Mike takes a deeper dive about inclusion and equity with Eddie Koen, President and CEO of the Urban League of Southwestern Ohio.  In this discussion, they talk honestly about subjects many leaders may find difficult to approach.  Listen now to this thought-provoking discussion.  Get a historical perspective of thriving Black communities and the importance of investing into the community...

This week, Mike discusses the power of inclusion with Chris Faust, President and CEO at Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.  Listen to this inspiring conversation and hear practical ideas about fostering loyalty and purpose with inclusion.  Listen NOW!  Chris shares:  How his organization incorporates technology to help visually impaired and blind employees work alongside seeing...

This week, Don Frericks brings us the wisdom of another extraordinary leader, interviewing Matt Shank.  Matt is the President of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. He and Don discuss foundational leadership development traits, and what emerging and seasoned leaders need to do to stay relevant throughout their careers.  Matt has a career that is focused in the academic arena.  Hear h...

This week’s episode is another archive that has incredible relevance to today’s business climate.  In the studio with Mike is Shakila Ahmad, President and Chair of the Board of the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati.  They discuss many ideas and opportunities available to unite people through similarities, rather than categorize people through differences.  Listen to Shakila share about:  Why sh...

This week we are reviving a previous episode (Episode #19) that is relevant in today’s climate.  Hear Mike’s incredible, tactical conversation with Dr. Janet Reid, on diversity, equity and inclusion.  Dr. Janet Reid is a faculty member of the Talent Magnet Institute, and the founder of BRBS World, a private global management consulting consortium located in Cincinnati, that works with companies to...

This week Mike talks with fellow Leadership Cincinnati alumnus Tysonn Betts, Vice President of Design for Global Family Care at Procter & Gamble. Listen in as they discuss tips on effective listening and how to develop respect and trust.  They discuss:  The value of courageous conversations; (2:55) Tips on how to hear what is NOT being said; (3:36) The difference between defining and deliverin...

This week, guest host Don Frericks takes the mic again to bring you extraordinary leaders from around the world. In this episode, he and Georg Schmundt-Thomas have an insightful conversation about intentional leadership, and provide many touchpoints for aspiring leaders. Listen now to get inspired and learn:  The organic elements of being a leader (9:51)  How rock climbing relates to leadership (1...

Mike revisits an old friend this week, Jim Mason, CEO of Beech Acres Parenting Center to discuss work, parenting success, and being a better leader. Parenting tips and leadership tips abound in this episode.  If you are committed to serving your internal and external customers well (and raising great kids), this is a conversation you should listen to and take notes.  Jim shares the story of Beech...