Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald

In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Innovisor Founder and CEO Jeppe Hansgaard talks with Maril about how influence really works within organizations. Diving into the field of Organizational Network Analysis (ONA), they discuss the enormous impact that a few employees have on the success of their entire organizations — Innovisor has shown that just 3 percent of your employees can impact up to 90 percent of change — and how rarely leaders can guess who those people really are within their own ranks. Jeppe and Maril explore the different ways that networks change as you progress up organizations; how Gagen's Six Levers of Culture can go hand-in-hand with ONA; and the promise of network analysis as a boon for human connection, belonging and organizational agility.  Learn about: 5:23 How 3% of your employees impact 90% of change  9:54 How COVID-19 has changed organizational networks  11:23 Understanding gender in informal networks  14:39 How Gagen's Six Levers of Culture connect to organizational network analysis  20:05 Assisting the "Lost Generation" inside your organization  25:27 The impact of Organizational Network Analysis on Mergers & Acquisitions  33:06 The most influential person in the organization  —  Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard is the Founder and CEO of Innovisor, a boutique advisory within organizational network analysis and change analytics that has a bold vision to eliminate change failure.  Jeppe has working experience from across five continents, including from many U.S. companies such as Chevron, Caterpillar and Eli Lilly. He is a frequent speaker to executive groups, leadership programs and business schools around the world. His and Innovisor' s groundbreaking work has been featured in more than 15 leadership books, including Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. Jeppe holds an Executive MBA from Henley Business School, U.K., and a Certificate in Strategic Decision and Risk Management from the Stanford Center for Professional Development.   Jeppe is the proud dad of three kids, and spends most of his spare time helping out in the local track & field community.  —  Let Go & Lead is a leadership community created by Maril MacDonald, founder and CEO of Gagen MacDonald. Maril brings together provocateurs, pioneers, thought leaders and those leading the conversation around culture, transformation and change.  Over the course of the past 12 years, Let Go & Lead has existed in many forms, from video interviews to resource guides to its current iteration as a podcast. At its core, it remains a place where people can access a diversity of perspectives on interdisciplinary approaches to leadership. Maril is also working on a book incorporating these insights gathered over the past several years from global leaders and change makers.   Maril has interviewed over 120 leaders — from business to academia and nonprofits to the arts — through the years. In each conversation, from personal anecdotes to ground-breaking scientific analysis, she has probed the lessons learned in leadership. From these conversations, the Let Go & Lead framework has emerged. It is both a personal and organizational resource that aims to serve the individual leader or leadership at scale.    Full episodes also available on:    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-go-lead-with-maril-macdonald/id1454869525   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Gaf7JXOckZMtkpsMtnjAj?si=WZjZkvfLTX2T4eaeB1PO2A   Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9sZXRnb2xlYWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M      Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/let-go-lead   —   Gagen MacDonald is a strategy execution consulting firm that specializes in employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. Learn more at http://www.gagenmacdonald.com.

In this episode of Let Go & Lead, business leader, writer and speaker Niven Postma speaks with Maril about the importance of recognizing and navigating office politics. She and Maril talk about Niven's journey toward focusing on office politics — one which, ironically enough, began with her getting fired — and proceed into a wide-ranging conversation about the balancing acts of leadership. They discuss the "tough empathy" that leaders must find, what it takes to get politically smart in the workplace and how Niven's ideas sync with Gagen's Three Things that Change Everything framework. Learn about: Niven and Maril explore… 13:51 The difference between Control and Controls (social 1) 17:55 Balancing control and letting go 18:29 Tough empathy: compassion + accountability 20:47 How to build mutual commitment 29:04 Why political intelligence is as critical as EQ & IQ (social 2) 33:59 How leaders contribute to office politics 38:59 Office politics in a remote/hybrid world Niven Postma has held executive positions since she was 29, in a career that has spanned multiple sectors and roles. Before starting up her own consultancy and embarking on her PhD, her positions included being CEO of the Businesswomen's Association, Head of the SARB Academy at the South African Reserve Bank and Head of Leadership and Culture for the Standard Bank Group (the largest bank by assets in Africa). She is a Harvard Business Review and Inc. Africa contributor, a strategy and culture facilitator for clients in industries as diverse as financial services, retail, media and manufacturing and an expert lecturer and facilitator on women's leadership development programs around the world. She is also the Chairman of the Board of Cotlands, an NGO that does cutting-edge work in the Early Childhood Development space in South Africa and beyond. — Let Go & Lead is a leadership community created by Maril MacDonald, founder and CEO of Gagen MacDonald. Maril brings together provocateurs, pioneers, thought leaders and those leading the conversation around culture, transformation and change. Over the course of the past 12 years, Let Go & Lead has existed in many forms, from video interviews to resource guides to its current iteration as a podcast. At its core, it remains a place where people can access a diversity of perspectives on interdisciplinary approaches to leadership. Maril is also working on a book incorporating these insights gathered over the past several years from global leaders and change makers. Maril has interviewed over 120 leaders — from business to academia and nonprofits to the arts — through the years. In each conversation, from personal anecdotes to ground-breaking scientific analysis, she has probed the lessons learned in leadership. From these conversations, the Let Go & Lead framework has emerged. It is both a personal and organizational resource that aims to serve the individual leader or leadership at scale. Full episodes also available on:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-go-lead-with-maril-macdonald/id1454869525  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Gaf7JXOckZMtkpsMtnjAj?si=WZjZkvfLTX2T4eaeB1PO2A  Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9sZXRnb2xlYWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/let-go-lead  —  Gagen MacDonald is a strategy execution consulting firm that specializes in employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. Learn more at http://www.gagenmacdonald.com.

In this episode of Let Go & Lead, entrepreneur, best-selling author and speaker Seth Godin talks with Maril about reinvention, and we can better lead our teams through change. They discuss the challenge — and benefit — of letting go of sunk costs, the difference between managing and leading change, how impostor syndrome can be a good thing for leaders and why tension is necessary to drive change. Listen to the full episode below. Learn about: 4:42 The illusion that companies need to let go of 8:17 The mindset that fuels the imagination 9:57 Advice for leaders leading large transformations 12:01 Why impostor syndrome can be productive for leaders 19:22 How Seth navigates the overcrowded media landscape 26:25 Why tension is necessary to lead change Seth Godin is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, teacher, speaker, podcaster and world-renowned expert on creativity and creative entrepreneurship. He has launched one of the most popular blogs in the world, seths.blog, and written 20 best-selling books. His 2018 book, This is Marketing, was an instant bestseller in many countries. His most recent book, The Practice: Shipping Creative Work, is a handbook for creative professionals and creatives looking to make and share creative work. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-go-lead-with-maril-macdonald/id1454869525  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Gaf7JXOckZMtkpsMtnjAj?si=WZjZkvfLTX2T4eaeB1PO2A  Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9sZXRnb2xlYWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/let-go-lead  —  Gagen MacDonald is a strategy execution consulting firm that specializes in employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. Learn more at http://www.gagenmacdonald.com.

In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Dani Brown, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Whirlpool Corporation, speaks with Maril about the ins and outs of digital transformation. They discuss the vital role that the human side of business plays in all change management, the power of leading with "Why" and the new developments in technology and systems thinking that are helping the most innovative corporations adapt and stay ahead. Listen to the full episode below. Learn about: 7:08 How to build trust and credibility when leading a transformation 10:21 The importance of listening as a leadership skill 20:10 Untapped opportunities within digital transformations 22:03 How Whirlpool enables cross-functional collaboration 24:37 New technology opportunities leaders should have on their radars Dani leads the Global Information Systems division of Whirlpool, spearheading the household brand's technology portfolio. Previously, she was vice president and CIO at Brunswick Corporation. Prior to that, she served in various leadership roles at DuPont. Dani is a member of the board for the PRA Group, a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Science in Information Systems from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from Drexel University. As a Six Sigma Black Belt, Dani is internationally recognized as a professional advanced in process improvement tools and techniques. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-go-lead-with-maril-macdonald/id1454869525  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Gaf7JXOckZMtkpsMtnjAj?si=WZjZkvfLTX2T4eaeB1PO2A  Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9sZXRnb2xlYWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/let-go-lead  —  Gagen MacDonald is a strategy execution consulting firm that specializes in employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. Learn more at http://www.gagenmacdonald.com.

In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Juan Carlos Cruz, accomplished corporate communications executive and prominent advocate against sex abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, speaks with Maril about the transformative power of truth. They cover how shedding light on the truth of his childhood abuse has helped him grow and thrive; the origins of his advocacy and close friendship with Pope Francis; how purpose and passion beyond work have made him better at his job; and advice for corporate leaders looking to cultivate trust in their cultures and brands. Listen to the full episode below. Learn about: 8:50 The power of speaking your truth 16:01 How passion and purpose outside of work can fuel career success 17:15 The authenticity of Pope Francis's leadership 22:46 The vital importance of sincerity in modern corporate communication 27:01 Advice for leaders to increase trust in their businesses 29:35 What Juan Carlos believes leaders most need to let go of Juan Carlos Cruz is the author of the 2014 book, El Fin de la Inocencia, in which he shares his story of childhood abuse by a priest in his native Chile. He's the co-founder of Fundación Para la Confianza, a global survivor support organization that helps survivors and their families. In addition, Cruz serves as a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, a role to which Pope Francis appointed him. Cruz received of the 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor for humanitarian work around the world. Apart from his advocacy work, Juan Carlos is a communications executive. Currently, he is the Vice President of Global Communications and Public Affairs at Livent, a global lithium technology company. He previously served as Head of Global Communications and Brand – Agriculture for DuPont, and Head of Communications for Manpower Group. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-go-lead-with-maril-macdonald/id1454869525  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Gaf7JXOckZMtkpsMtnjAj?si=WZjZkvfLTX2T4eaeB1PO2A  Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9sZXRnb2xlYWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/let-go-lead  —  Gagen MacDonald is a strategy execution consulting firm that specializes in employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. Learn more at http://www.gagenmacdonald.com.

In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Shaunta Vaughn, founder of the women's leadership forum STRIDE, speaks with Maril about learning to lead using your unique talents. They dive into how the process of honing leadership skills differs for women and men, how Shaunta has launched and continued to nurture STRIDE and the importance of having a "personal board of directors" invested in your success to guide you. Listen to the full episode below. Learn about: 12:25 Principles of the "Old Boys" network that women can borrow 14:41 Taking a group from a lunch-and-learn to a formal network 17:15 Why every woman's leadership journey is sacred 20:57 Choosing the right people for your personal board of directors 23:50 Transactional networking versus building a network  29:34 Letting go of leading from the basis of someone else's story — Let Go & Lead is a leadership community created by Maril MacDonald, CEO and founder of Gagen MacDonald, more than a decade ago. It explores how leaders inspire change and transformation in an environment in which they possess diminishing control. The Let Go & Lead conversation series has existed in several iterations, from video interviews to its current form as a podcast, now in season 4. Over the years, Maril has conducted more than 70 interviews with business leaders, academics and creative thinkers, including former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, best-selling authors Mitch Albom and Dan Pink, Hyatt CHRO Malaika Myers and American Medical Association CEO James Madara. At its core, Let Go & Lead remains a place where people can access a diversity of perspectives on interdisciplinary approaches to leadership. Full episodes also available on:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-go-lead-with-maril-macdonald/id1454869525  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Gaf7JXOckZMtkpsMtnjAj?si=WZjZkvfLTX2T4eaeB1PO2A  Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9sZXRnb2xlYWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/let-go-lead  —    Gagen MacDonald is a strategy execution consulting firm that specializes in employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. Learn more at http://www.gagenmacdonald.com. 

In the second part of his conversation on Let Go & Lead, world-renowned speaker and author Scott Halfordspeaks with Maril about good storytelling put to practice. They dive into strategies for crafting better stories, common pitfalls to avoid when telling them, the importance of mining your life for personal stories and a lot more — all grounded in neuroscience and the goal of better inspiring those we lead. Find the episode below. 2:07 Ways to make strategy presentations more engaging   9:57 The hallmark of a good leader in today's world 13:21 The mechanics of good stories and what to focus on when crafting them 24:31 Why leaders should share personal stories 25:19 "Mining" your life for stories that resonate with employees 28:37 Common pitfalls to avoid when telling stories Listen to the first part of Scott's conversation with Maril here. — Let Go & Lead is a leadership community created by Maril MacDonald, CEO and founder of Gagen MacDonald, more than a decade ago. It explores how leaders inspire change and transformation in an environment in which they possess diminishing control. The Let Go & Lead conversation series has existed in several iterations, from video interviews to its current form as a podcast, now in season 4. Over the years, Maril has conducted more than 70 interviews with business leaders, academics and creative thinkers, including former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, best-selling authors Mitch Albom and Dan Pink, Hyatt CHRO Malaika Myers and American Medical Association CEO James Madara. At its core, Let Go & Lead remains a place where people can access a diversity of perspectives on interdisciplinary approaches to leadership. Full episodes also available on:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-go-lead-with-maril-macdonald/id1454869525  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Gaf7JXOckZMtkpsMtnjAj?si=WZjZkvfLTX2T4eaeB1PO2A  Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9sZXRnb2xlYWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/let-go-lead  —  Gagen MacDonald is a strategy execution consulting firm that specializes in employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. Learn more at http://www.gagenmacdonald.com. 

The human brain is wired to focus far more on dangers than on positive information. This is a reality business leaders navigate every day, as they work to be intentional, clear and engaging in their communications. It's also where Scott Halford can help. Scott sees effective storytelling as a key part of leadership, and he believes that with deeper knowledge of neuroscience, we can get a lot better at both.     Scott is an internationally renowned keynote speaker, educator and advisor. He works worldwide to educate audiences about emotional intelligence, the neuroscience of achievement, effective performance and the success we create when we understand the intricacies of human interaction. He's the author of the bestselling books Be a Shortcut and Activate Your Brain. Scott has been telling stories throughout his career — first as an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer and then as a professional speaker. He's recognized as a Certified Speaking Professional by the National Speakers Association, and in 2014, the group inducted him into the NSA Speaker Hall of Fame. Scott holds an executive master's degree from the NeuroLeadership Institute and is the president of SG Halford, Inc. Learn about:   4:19 - How storytelling triggers positive brain chemicals to induce certain feelings 6:10 - The neurochemicals to focus on when delivering a story or speech 8:55 - Applying a storytelling lens to business contexts 11:56 - How inspiration moves us better than motivation alone 20:29 - Leading and communicating with teams through downturns and uncertainty 22:50 - Dealing with lack of control through a neuroscience lens                             30:53 - The personal goal Scott believes should be every leader's holy grail — Let Go & Lead is a leadership community created by Maril MacDonald, CEO and founder of Gagen MacDonald, more than a decade ago. It explores how leaders inspire change and transformation in an environment in which they possess diminishing control. The Let Go & Lead conversation series has existed in several iterations, from video interviews to its current form as a podcast, now in season 4. Over the years, Maril has conducted more than 70 interviews with business leaders, academics and creative thinkers, including former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, best-selling authors Mitch Albom and Dan Pink, Hyatt CHRO Malaika Myers and American Medical Association CEO James Madara. At its core, Let Go & Lead remains a place where people can access a diversity of perspectives on interdisciplinary approaches to leadership Full episodes also available on:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-go-lead-with-maril-macdonald/id1454869525  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Gaf7JXOckZMtkpsMtnjAj?si=WZjZkvfLTX2T4eaeB1PO2A    Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9sZXRnb2xlYWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/let-go-lead  —  Gagen MacDonald is a strategy execution consulting firm that specializes in employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. Learn more at http://www.gagenmacdonald.com.

A workplace with four to five different generations of employees can be a challenge. Dr. Candace Steele Flippin knows it is also an opportunity. Candace is an expert on the multigenerational workforce, as well as a Senior Vice President and the Chief Communications Officer at Acuity Brands, a leading industrial technology company based in Atlanta, Georgia. She is an accomplished communications executive widely recognized for her transformational leadership in the industrial, financial services, medical device, biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Since 2016, Candace has been a Research Fellow at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, an appointed role. She uses her unique background as a communications executive, researcher and author to provide practical career insights on the future of the multigenerational workplace. She has been featured on Forbes, CNBC, CBS, and Today.com and named as one of the Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America by Savoy Magazine. Candace earned her Doctor of Management at Case Western Reserve University, her MBA from Johns Hopkins University, and her BA from the University of Michigan. She also holds an Accreditation in Public Relations.   Learn about:   7:54 — How younger generations are changing the workplace 10:04 — What Millennials value more than work-life balance 14:45 — Generational differences in interpersonal communication 16:21 — Attitudes toward remote work and the different priorities around returning to offices 21:31 — The keys to retaining top talent from younger generations 22:40 — Shifting expectations around rewards, recognition and demonstrated mastery — Let Go & Lead is a leadership community created by Maril MacDonald, CEO and founder of Gagen MacDonald, more than a decade ago. It explores how leaders inspire change and transformation in an environment in which they possess diminishing control. The Let Go & Lead conversation series has existed in several iterations, from video interviews to its current form as a podcast, now in season 4. Over the years, Maril has conducted more than 70 interviews with business leaders, academics and creative thinkers, including former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, best-selling authors Mitch Albom and Dan Pink, Hyatt CHRO Malaika Myers and American Medical Association CEO James Madara. At its core, Let Go & Lead remains a place where people can access a diversity of perspectives on interdisciplinary approaches to leadership. Full episodes also available on:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-go-lead-with-maril-macdonald/id1454869525  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Gaf7JXOckZMtkpsMtnjAj?si=WZjZkvfLTX2T4eaeB1PO2A  Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9sZXRnb2xlYWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/let-go-lead  —  Gagen MacDonald is a strategy execution consulting firm that specializes in employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. Learn more at http://www.gagenmacdonald.com.  

For Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, President and Chief Executive Officer of SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, now is the time to go beyond new policies and procedures at companies. It's the time where, as a leader, you must re-assess and re-articulate your organization's unique culture, vision and employee value proposition to attract and keep the best talent. As a global leader on the future of employment, culture and leadership, Johnny is a sought-after voice on an array of matters regarding work, workers and the workplace. He is frequently asked to testify before Congress on critical workforce issues and authors the weekly USA Today column, "Ask HR." Johnny is a member of the White House American Workforce Policy Advisory Board and chairs the President's Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Among his many accolades is being named Professional Society CEO of the Year by CEO Update in 2021.   In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Johnny speaks with Maril about the dynamics that are reshaping the employer-employee relationship, and the new levels of transparency required to build trust between the two. He and Maril explore the trends he sees shaping the workplace, the different facets of diversity, equity and inclusion that businesses need to consider, the rise of employee activism and even his experiences in law and with the Trump White House. Learn about:   6:30 — Driving return-to-workplace decisions through your employee value proposition (EVP) 17:26 — The core trends reshaping our workplaces 21:36 — Approaching DE&I policies for your organization through the lens of justice and fairness 32:10 — Developing a winning mindset, no matter your background, that can help you and your organization thrive     —  Let Go & Lead is a leadership community created by Maril MacDonald, CEO and founder of Gagen MacDonald, more than a decade ago. It explores how leaders inspire change and transformation in an environment in which they possess diminishing control. The Let Go & Lead conversation series has existed in several iterations, from video interviews to its current form as a podcast, now in season 4. Over the years, Maril has conducted more than 70 interviews with business leaders, academics and creative thinkers, including former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, best-selling authors Mitch Albom and Dan Pink, Hyatt CHRO Malaika Myers and American Medical Association CEO James Madara. At its core, Let Go & Lead remains a place where people can access a diversity of perspectives on interdisciplinary approaches to leadership. Full episodes also available on:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-go-lead-with-maril-macdonald/id1454869525  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Gaf7JXOckZMtkpsMtnjAj?si=WZjZkvfLTX2T4eaeB1PO2A  Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9sZXRnb2xlYWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/let-go-lead  —  Gagen MacDonald is a strategy execution consulting firm that specializes in employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. Learn more at http://www.gagenmacdonald.com.