Imperfect Leaders

There's a reason why top CEOs have David Teece's phone number on speed dial.  Because Teece is one of the few people on the planet who can help these CEOs solve their most complex challenges.  Teece is a scholar-entrepreneur who is equally comfortable creating a multi-disciplinary theory that solves a complex business challenge; directing an elite research institute at U.C. Berkeley; or advising Fortune 50 Boards of Directors on bet-the-company strategic decisions.  Teece is also a world-class CEO, building from scratch the fastest-growing professional services firm in history - The Berkeley Research Group - an award winning economics consulting firm. Teece's leadership style is to create a talent magnet culture that attracts and inspires world-class consultants and academic experts who want to make a huge impact with clients and policy-makers. If that weren't enough, Teece is a savvy venture investor, real estate developer, viticulturist, and captain - with a fleet of sailboats across the world. Any comments, questions or thoughts to share with today's podcast guest - David Teece - join our community at www.imperfectleaders.com.

In today's podcast, Aman Bhutani - the CEO of Godaddy - shares his incredible leadership journey - from a modest upbringing in India to the CEO of one of the top technology firms in the world. Bhutani's leadership style is refreshing. He completely embraces vulnerability and makes a habit of learning from past mistakes.  HIs mindset helps him connect authentically with others and create a culture of continuous improvement. Bhutani shares a powerful metaphor - learned as a child - of a bending mango tree to illuminate the importance of respect, learning, and inclusivity. Everyone - from first time managers and team leaders to powerful chief executive officers - can learn from Bhutani's inspiring story and practical lessons.  Any comments, questions or thoughts to share with today's podcast guest - Aman Bhutani - join our community at www.imperfectleaders.com.

Josh Flagg has written a seminal new book called -  "The Deal" -  which I predict will soon become required reading in universities and business schools across the country - because it throws into stark relief salient lessons in business, leadership and life.  "The Deal" is as funny and disarming as it is practical and smart.  In today's conversation, Josh shares his unique perspective on real estate including the importance of having the right mindset, the art and science of valuation, and unwavering client focus. He also shares a little bit about how his personal perspective - and core values - were shaped at a very young age by Grandma Edith - a true icon and hero during Flagg's formative years. To share your thoughts and join the conversation join our community of rising stars at www.imperfectleaders.com  

Spencer Rascoff is the legendary founder and CEO of iconic companies including Zillow, Hotwire, and most recently, Pacaso – a real estate company that is totally democratizing second home ownership.  Like Mark Zuckerberg and Reid Hoffman – creators of Facebook and LinkedIn – Rascoff knows how to build a revolutionary brand that taps into the deepest of human emotions and desires – a skill that all great entrepreneurs possess.  Spencer Rascoff has already proven himself to be a Hall of Fame player – an entrepreneur who built billion dollar brands. Now he is ready for his next big challenge in life – becoming a Hall of Fame Coach – helping others start admired companies and develop into authentic leaders.  Any comments, questions or thoughts to share with today's podcast guest - Spencer Rascoff - join our community at www.imperfectleaders.com.

Yanni Hufnagel - the founder and CEO of Lemon Perfect - is one of the most passionate entrepreneurs in the country - not just the $13 billion enhanced water industry.    He has created a product, a brand, and a values-driven corporate culture that is widely admired by consumers and celebrity-investors across the country - including Beyonce, Blake Griffin, Sloane Stephens, Jared Mccain, and C.J. Stroud.  After a decade coaching basketball - and learning from some of the most iconic head coaches in the country - Jeff Capel, Eric Musselman, Kevin Stallings (Vanderbilt), and Tommy Amaker (Harvard), including - he decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge.  After he raised his first dollar from a supportive investor, he knew he was all in, and there simply was no turning back.  It wasn't easy. There were a lot of dark days. A lot of tears.  But now the company is experiencing hockey stick growth straight to the stars.    Any comments, questions or thoughts to share with today's podcast guest - Yanni Hufnagel - join our community at www.imperfectleaders.com. 

All leaders face obstacles in today's fast-moving, unpredictable world. But women - especially working mothers - 'power moms' - face challenges that most men can barely comprehend.  Almost daily, power mom's confront unique obstacles and unconscious biases. We are fortunate to have on today's show, one of the country's top experts on this subject - Joann Lublin.  She is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for the Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine.  She has also written two incredibly well-researched and insightful books on women and leadership, "Earning It: Hard-Won Lessons from Trailblazing Women at the Top of the Business World.” And, “Power Moms: How Executive Mothers Navigate Work and Life.” Also joining us today is my long-time friend and podcast co-host - Kevin Yorn - who has been an employer, partner, advisor, friend and father to working women his entire life. Both Kevin and I ask Joann for practical leadership lessons - for both women and men. And because Joann is an award-winning journalist, don't be surprised if she sometimes turns the table and asks us questions, too.  Any comments, questions or thoughts to share with today's podcast guest - Joann Lublin or Kevin Yorn - join our community at www.imperfectleaders.com.

The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock is a TS Elliot poem that rings true with todays guest, Bryan Leach, founder and CEO of Colorado based unicorn - Ibotta.  In the poem, Prufrock laments a string of intellectual dead ends and lost opportunities, and is haunted by what could have been - instead of his reality - struggling through never ending, visceral feelings of regret, shame, and humiliation. Leach could relate. Even though he was a partner at a prestigious law firm, he had these exact same feelings of dread and boredom.   Rinse. Wash. Repeat.   But unlike many of us, Leach had the courage to do something about it. He quit his job - and started a new venture. Success didn’t come easy. But it was a journey worth taking. Today, Ibotta is one of the most successful private companies in the country and is poised to disrupt the entire consumer loyalty industry.  Leach is a powerful leader who displays unabashed vulnerability - not afraid to do the hard work necessary to become more self aware and authentic.     Any comments, questions or thoughts to share with today's podcast guest - Bryan Leach - join our community at www.imperfectleaders.com.

None of us like to get fired. It can cause intense shame and humiliation. But imagine getting fired by then President of the United States (Donald Trump) with the entire country watching the drama unfold on Fox News.  This is exactly what happened to today's guest - Richard Spencer - when he refused to exonerate Commander Eddie Gallagher after breaking the Navy Seal code of honor. How did this make Spencer feel? Did he learn anything?  If he could rewind the clock, would he do anything differently? What is his 'True North' moral compass and why does it guide every one of his leadership decisions? Any comments, questions or thoughts to share with today's podcast guest - Richard Spencer - join our community at www.imperfectleaders.com.

Leadership guru Simon Sinek once famously said, "Customers will never love a company until employees love it first."  Today's guest, Todd Olson, CEO and Founder of Pendo, takes this advice to heart.   Pendo is a software company that helps other software companies make their product even better. Olson and his co-founders have created a uniquely fertile corporate culture that attracts and inspires the world's greatest talent. This is a remarkable accomplishment given that Pendo isn't even headquartered in Silicon Valley - they are based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Olson and Pendo have worked hard to create a culture that challenges all employees to reach their maximum leadership capability and make an immediate impact in society. And that's precisely what the next generation of talent crave.  Any comments, questions or thoughts to share with today's podcast guest - Todd Olson - join our community at www.imperfectleaders.com.

Gene Berdichevsky is going to change the world. Actually, he's already begun. The company he founded - Sila - has created a new technology that dramatically improves the performance of batteries in electric vehicles, smart phones, watches and so much more.  As CEO of the company, Gene has encountered a dizzying array of technical hurdles - but even more daunting are the leadership challenges he's confronted. In our conversation, he reflects upon these challenges - the incredible culture he's helped build - and the development steps he is embracing to reach his full potential Any comments, questions or thoughts to share with today's podcast guest - Gene Berdichevsky - join our community at www.imperfectleaders.com.