The Leadership Podcast

Simon Sinek is best known for popularizing the concept of 'WHY' in his 2009 TED Talk, making it the most-watched TED talk of all time. Simon talks leadership, and shares why having a finite perspective in business puts you on the losing end of an otherwise infinite game. Key Takeaways [3:15] There are two types of games: Finite games, which have known players, fixed rules, and a winner and a loser. Infinite games have known and unknown players. The rules are changeable and there's no finish line. [4:15] When we play to win in a game that has no finish line, there is a decline in trust, cooperation, and innovation. [4:35] There are five ways to adjust your business to the game we're in. Your business has to work to advance a just cause. Build trusting teams. Study worthy rivals. Have a capacity for existential flexibility. The courage to lead. [7:00] When we hit the goal, it's very exciting, but just like working out; it doesn't stop. We have to keep doing it for the rest of our lives. [8:40] In our society, we tend to gamify our goals, but it goes against our longer-term goals. [10:10] There is a decline of loyalty in companies. Companies are not loyal to people, and therefore people aren't loyal to them. [12:05] It is the leader's responsibility to create an environment where trust can exist. [15:00] The difference between being stressed at work and passionate about work is whether or not we believe in what we're doing and that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. [16:35] We become obsessed with our competitors and try to beat them because we are obsessed with the finite game. The way we define what's 'number one' is arbitrary. [22:15] During the pandemic, we're forced to change and re-invent ourselves as people and as the business. [27:50] The internet put a lot of companies out of business and that took decades. The pandemic is doing the same but over days/weeks. [29:40] Instead of thinking in one- or two-year terms, or even 10-year terms, think in 1,000-year terms. This would be at least our fourth pandemic, by now. [33:25] The younger generation has seen first-hand the failings of the way we run businesses now. This pandemic will affect them the way the war affected our grandparents. [36:15] You can't achieve success in five steps or in seven steps, yet business magazines are writing to grab our short attention spans. [39:15] Remember, in business, it's the journey. It is the journey. It's not the destination — that's what motivates us. [42:30] Let yourself grieve during these traumatic times. You are experiencing trauma and it's okay to ask for help. Quotable Quotes "Working hard for something we don't care about is stress. Working for something we love is called passion." The language of so many leaders today is about being number one or being the best, but based on what? "There is no such thing as winning in a game that has no finish line." "We actually have to adjust the way we think about our businesses to play for the game we're actually in." Most of our goals are arbitrary numbers with arbitrary dates. "The only true competitor in business is ourselves." "Gone are the days when someone works to get a gold watch. There's an entire generation of employees that have no idea what I'm talking about." "We have no choice but to change. We have to throw out the old business model." People don't fear change. They fear sudden change. Resources and Books Mentioned Simonsinek.com Simon on LinkedIn Follow Simon on Twitter @Simonsinek Simon's latest book: The Infinite Game The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, by Patrick Lencioni The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by: Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today's workforce. Get your free copy HERE. Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Tom Rath is an author and researcher who has spent the past two decades studying how work can improve human health and well-being. Tom served 13 years at Gallup, where Tom led the organization's strengths, employee engagement, and leadership consulting worldwide. He is the author of 10 books and has sold more than 10 million copies. Tom's first book, How Full Is Your Bucket?, co-written with his grandfather during his last year of life, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and it is used in classrooms around the world. He is also the author of StrengthsFinder 2.0. Tom has two books out in 2020, Life's Great Question and It's Not About You. Key Takeaways [3:50] Tom shares the evolution of his literary work. [8:40] At Gallup, Tom asked people all over the world what a good life looked like for them. Relationships, what you're doing in your community, and your health came back to be the top most important things. [9:25] Tom shares what he believes a great life is... [12:10] Your life is better off and other people's lives are better off because of the work that you're doing. [15:00] In Tom's books, he encourages people to take a survey or a quiz at the end. He has learned that if you give people something to do after they've read your work, they're more likely to incorporate your lessons or principals into their lives. [18:40] What people really want from leaders is trust, compassion, stability, and hope. [20:25] Leaders need to push their efforts outward and think deeply about what the world needs. [22:55] It's in everybody's best interest to bring humanity back into the work. Human connection leads to better quality work. [28:45] We should challenge ourselves to be better strength-finders for other people. [31:20] Tom has noticed executive teams are woefully deficient in the area of building strong relationships. He believes there are not enough women on leadership teams. [33:10] It's human nature to surround yourself with people who act and think the same way. Tom believes it's important to get people to think about how they can uniquely contribute to making a difference in the business from day one. [39:15] When it comes to the future of work, Tom hopes we can develop ways where humans can find their work passions and meanings a lot faster. [41:40] Tom would like to be remembered as a very caring dad and husband, first. Second, he would like to leave a legacy that lives on for years to come. [42:15] Tom's challenge: What's one thing you can do today that will continue to grow in your absence? Quotable Quotes "What's one thing you can do today that will continue to grow in your absence?" The key to leadership is trust, compassion, stability, and hope. "So many times we're looking for answers in the wrong places and it seems counterintuitive to say look for happiness outside of you." "My hunch is that over the next 10–25 years, just standalone narrative books, especially in non-fiction, are going to be harder and harder for people to read through and apply that knowledge." "The part where we've fallen short in helping leaders is to turn a majority of their efforts outward and to think, not only about who they are, but what the world needs." "The more leaders can draw direct connections with the way their employee's daily work serves specific constituencies and needs, the more meaningful it makes the work and the better people feel about it, and the more likely they'll stick with it." "Life's most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others." — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Resources and Books Mentioned Tomrath.org Tom on LinkedIn Follow Tom on Twitter @Tomcrath Tom's Latest book: It's Not About You: A Brief Guide to a Meaningful Life How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath & Donald Clifton Life's Great Question: Discover How You Contribute to the World, by Tom Rath Strengths Based Leadership, by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie Strengths Finder 2.0, by Tom Rath Creating the Good Life: Applying Aristotle's Wisdom to Find Meaning and Happiness, by James O'Toole Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by Greg McKeown The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by: Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today's workforce. Get your free copy HERE. Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Bobby Herrera is the author of The Gift of Struggle. As the co-founder and CEO of Populus Group, Bobby never imagined the challenges of building a $500 million organization that serves tens of thousands of people. Throughout his life, he experienced the divergence between the intentional leader he wanted to be, and the less engaged version of him that showed up at the office every day. One day at a company meeting, he decided to share a story about one of his first struggles as a young adult. That story, a pivotal experience that transformed Bobby's life, inspired his employees with its radical transparency, humility and the idealism of his dream for the company. Key Takeaways Bobby shares some of his stories from his leadership journey. Each story shows the broader lesson any leader can apply. Every leader has stories about the challenges they have faced and struggles they have overcome. In the moment, those situations require strength, patience, perseverance and courage. With time, those struggles provide lessons for how to be better leaders. Bobby Herrera learned to see those struggles as gifts. Quotable Quotes "The struggles continue; that's part of the learning process." "Oftentimes, we share the story, but we don't invite them to be part of the story." "Everything you say yes to, you say no to something else." Resources and Books Mentioned Populusgroup.com Bobby-herrera.com Bobby on LinkedIn Follow Bobby on Twitter @BobbyHerreraPG The Gift of Struggle: Life-Changing Lessons About Leading, by Bobby Herrera The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by: Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today's workforce. Get your free copy HERE. Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Esther Wojcicki is a celebrated educator, a pioneer in instructional technology, Founder of the renowned Media Arts Program at Palo Alto High School, and the author of the bestselling book, How to Raise Successful People. Esther was named Teacher of the Year in California in 2002 and received the Charles O'Malley Award for outstanding teaching in journalism in 2011. Esther is also the Founder of the Journalistic Learning Initiative at the University of Oregon, and is the Founder and CEO of GlobalMoonshots.org. Esther raised three daughters: Susan (CEO of YouTube), Anne (CEO of 23andMe), and Janet (professor, UC San Francisco). Key Takeaways [3:25] Talk to your teenagers. Their creative minds are impressive. [5:35] Helicopter parents have the same problem as bad managers, they micromanage! [7:50] Helicopter parenting might be due to having access to more information than before and it's making parents fearful for their children. [8:55] Esther believes we'd be happier people if we had access to less information, but that's simply not possible with our world today. What we need to do is learn how to cope. [11:15] Esther believes teaching media literacy is a critical skill to have as we live in an information-overload environment. People need to know how to read between the lines and figure out if something is truthful or not. [13:10] 18-24-year-olds are completely different from the millennials. Millennials are even having trouble working with 20-year-olds! [15:00] Children today grew up with information overload. [16:15] Children of CEOs are afraid they'll never live up to their parents' expectations. [17:25] There are a lot of kids in the Midwest or the South where the American Dream doesn't seem achievable or realistic for them. [21:55] Esther emphasizes the importance of teaching children how to learn because this is a skill for life. [22:15] Why memorize a test when students will forget 95% of it a year later? We have a re-skilling problem in the United States. [24:55] For people to take chances, they have to feel safe. [28:35] We all have deadlines. It's important to make people feel comfortable to take risks, in spite of them. [31:55] With so much democracy, we have communication chaos. We don't know which source to believe. [38:05] If children aren't learning about trust and risk at home, how can they learn these skills? Esther believes it starts at school. [44:10] The power to change the schools lies with the parents. Quotable Quotes For people to take chances, they have to feel safe. "We are all fearful. Everybody is afraid non-stop. I'm afraid for the world." "Every generation is different because they're growing up in a different world." "Children today tend to be much more risk-averse because somebody was always there helping them." "Here we have a lot of kids whose parents are CEOs and their number one fear is they'll never live up to the standards set by their parents." "What does it take these days for people to achieve the American dream?" "I'm teaching kids how to learn because this is a skill for life. I am not teaching them to memorize." "Believe in the student and they believe in themselves. They rise to levels that are completely unexpected." "When you're really upset and worried, you tend to be less productive than when you feel good about yourself and when you feel supported." "You want kids to feel at home at school. You want them to feel a sense of community. Today, many schools don't do that." Resources and Books Mentioned Raisesuccessfulpeople.com Globalmoonshots.org Esther on LinkedIn Follow Esther on Twitter @EstherWojcicki Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell, by Alan Eagle, Eric Schmidt, and Jonathan Rosenberg The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by: Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today's workforce. Get your free copy HERE. Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Jim and Jan watched Tom Hanks in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, which portrayed a real-life friendship between Mr. Fred Rogers and journalist Lloyd Vogel. The leadership, moral and philosophical lessons were many, and Jim & Jan recount their favorites. Listen in to hear what Jim & Jan saw as the most important lesson in the movie for leaders - now more than ever. Key Takeaways [3:25] Mr. Rogers had the ability to intently listen and demonstrate true caring for the other person. [4:25] Leadership is the ability to move people emotionally. [5:55] Jim is not a big fan of active listening. It involves repeating answers back to people. When it comes to listening, he prefers curiosity and asking great questions. [6:50] Mr. Rogers had a genuine curiosity and took the time to observe people. [9:55] It's a gift to be able to share someone's burden just by listening to them. [12:10] William Deresiewicz said, "Introspection means talking to yourself, and one of the best ways of talking to yourself is by talking to another person." [13:30] If you forgive a jerk at work, they're just going to keep doing the same thing again. Jan shares why past guest Dr. Tom Morris believes forgiveness is the highest form or moral leadership. [15:05] The real test of a leader's effectiveness is when it does not come from a place of legitimate authority. [17:25] Mr. Rogers was able to break through to the jaded reporter, Lloyd Vogel, by being incredibly giving, tenacious, and present. [20:20] Many of the bad behaviors we see in the workplace are due to levels of insecurity. [24:25] If you want to be great, you have to go to the next level of being really caring and understanding for others. [28:10] Find the good in others. It's that simple... and that hard. [28:35] During this crisis, you might find that you do not like who you are. The good news is, you can manage your responses. [34:00] Humans are wired to come together in crisis, or else we wouldn't have survived this long. [35:35] Jim and Jan are excited to hear from you! Reach out and let them know what your ideas are for future shows! Quotable Quotes "One of the greatest gifts we can give is our attention." "Good listening is curiosity." "Through your actions, you will change that other person. You're not going to change them by having a conversation with them." "Forgiveness is as much for you as it is for the other person." "Being good takes work." "Anything mentionable is manageable." Resources and Books Mentioned A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood (Movie 2019) Mr. Rogers "Solitude and Leadership," by William Deresiewicz Plato's Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great, by Tom Morris "Pandemics Kill Compassion, Too," by David Brooks, The New York Times The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by: Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today's workforce. Get your free copy HERE. Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

This is the final episode with Dan Pink, and the discussion was far-reaching. Leaders are most effective when asking great questions, and listening intently to truly understand other perspectives and points of view. Dan also discusses the moral obligation to help others get ahead, and to develop people with intention. As we face future challenges - technological and others - it's important to think across different disciplines with unbridled curiosity and an openness to other points of view. Key Takeaways [1:10] When should a leader fall on their sword? People have fewer regrets about doing the right thing than they have about making accommodations against doing the right thing. [4:35] Dan shares some of his favorite questions that he's received/asked over the years. [7:25] When you ask 'what' questions vs. 'how' questions, people tend to give you more forward-facing answers. [9:00] A good question to ask is, "What problems do people bring you to solve?" [11:35] Dan believes to be successful you need to have a mix of effort, good taste, luck, and social advantage. [16:10] As a successful person and leader, you have a moral obligation to help those behind you. [19:30] Do we get the incentives wrong when it comes to encouraging good behavior? Dan's answer is that it depends on the organization and its structure. [23:20] When it comes to the educational piece, Dan believes it's important to teach people to think across different disciplines. [24:45] Can someone be both a good man and a great man? Dan thinks in order to be great you have to be good. Quotable Quotes "A leader who has their team's back establishes psychological safety." "People have fewer regrets about doing the right thing than they have about making accommodations against doing the right thing." People need two very basic things: Freedom to think, and freedom to learn. Where to follow Dan Pink Twitter: @DanielPink Facebook: @DanielHPink Website: DanPink.com Resources and Books Mentioned When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, by Daniel H. Pink A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, by Daniel H. Pink Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel H. Pink To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, by Daniel H. Pink Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself, by Daniel H. Pink Leaders: Myth and Reality, by Jason Mangone, Jeff Eggers, and Stanley A. McChrystal Team Of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World, by General Stanley A. McChrystal My Share of the Task: A Memoir, by General Stanley A. McChrystal Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value, by Bill George Courage: The Backbone of Leadership, by Gus Lee with Diane Elliott-Lee Dr. Vivek Murthy Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are, by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives, by Daniel Levitin "The Lesson to Unlearn," by Paul Graham Salesbrain.com How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth, by Amy Edmondson Good Boss, Bad Boss: How to Be the Best... and Learn from the Worst, by Robert I. Sutton, Ph.D. The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by: Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today's workforce. Get your free copy HERE. Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

In Part II of three episodes, Dan Pink answers questions from listeners. Each insight could be a discussion unto itself. Listen in on how organizations can navigate remote work challenges, better leverage older workers, the pros and cons of fear as a motivator, selling insights, the bane of busyness, how technology can hinder and help, and the power of kindness. Key Takeaways [1:35] Q: What is the hardest thing to sell? Selling something that goes against the person's existing identity and moral beliefs. [6:25] A lot of the issues people tend to have are typically due to time constraints, not lack of desire. The key is being able to focus 100% in the moment when you're doing a task. [8:20] Q: Your thoughts on remote work and how can companies maximize this? Face-to-face social connection is hugely important towards maximizing human connection and productivity. [10:25] Q: Where does fear serve us and where does it hinder us? Fear shouldn't be used as a leadership motivator, but that doesn't mean leaders should abandon it entirely. [14:05] Q: Advice for older workers? Spend time with people who are younger than you and you are an undervalued asset. [18:20] Q: Thoughts on 'always being busy'? Being busy is a performance and when you're busy you don't have to face the 'harder' life questions. [22:10] Q: In this technological environment, is bureaucracy decreasing or increasing in our organization? The answer is 'yes.' [23:55] Q: What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self? Dan's 20-year-old self wouldn't listen to him. Quotable Quotes "What we do is make visceral emotional decisions and then use reason to justify that emotional belief." "People shouldn't be remote working all the time. You have to bring people together face-to-face." "Fear is very short term. Fear allows you to see up close, but fear doesn't allow you to see out into the future." "These middle-aged workers are much more valuable than companies are realizing. They are an undervalued asset." "My 20-year-old self was so incredibly sure of himself and so not open to other interpretation, and so lacking in humility." "Don't go based on your assumptions about how the world works. Ask questions and try to find stuff out." "Be kinder. Act with more kindness. The older I get, the more I value kindness and understand the influence of kindness in the world." Where to follow Dan Pink Twitter: @DanielPink Facebook: @DanielHPink Website: DanPink.com Resources and Books Mentioned When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, by Daniel H. Pink A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, by Daniel H. Pink Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel H. Pink To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, by Daniel H. Pink Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself, by Daniel H. Pink Leaders: Myth and Reality, by Jason Mangone, Jeff Eggers, and Stanley A. McChrystal Team Of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World, by General Stanley A. McChrystal My Share of the Task: A Memoir, by General Stanley A. McChrystal Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value, by Bill George Courage: The Backbone of Leadership, by Gus Lee with Diane Elliott-Lee Dr. Vivek Murthy Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are, by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives, by Daniel Levitin "The Lesson to Unlearn," by Paul Graham Salesbrain.com How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by: Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today's workforce. Get your free copy HERE. Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Jim and Jan sit down with Dan Pink in the offices of the McChrystal Group to discuss all things leadership. Dan shares his thoughts on cognitive bias, A/B testing of leadership practices, soft-skills, and how to move from blaming personality to better understanding how design drives patterns of behavior. Due to unforeseen circumstances, General Stan McChrystal was not able to join the discussion as planned. Key Takeaways [3:15] Dan believes we are slowly reconceiving different notions of leadership and different notions of how organizations are run. [8:40] We have the ability to communicate to the world and yet we are lonelier than ever. [10:16] Dan wonders when the concept of 'leadership' first emerged. [11:55] How can leaders deal with cognitive bias? As human beings, we are riddled with flaws and by simply being aware of that, it can help you through the decision making process as you begin to ask yourself a series of questions. [16:00] A/B testing is critical in any leadership role, but there are some leaders who are too afraid to test out 'B' and have it fail. [20:45] With so many distractions out there, Dan understands how difficult it is to have our minds be focused on the present. This is why he has made a conscious effort to delete social media apps and other distractions off of his computer. [23:25] Is your organization suffering from bad behaviors or simply bad design? In order for you to be a good leader as well as a good designer, be aware of your surroundings. Did an interaction or customer experience go well for you? Ask yourself why and take note so that you can implement it into your organization. [31:25] As we get older, our processing power decreases. If you can't speed up the processing power of an individual, can you do it as an organization? Dan isn't sure he has the correct answer to this yet. [35:45] Our education system is designed for the convenience of the system and it is not tailored to the education of the people. Schools will say their goal is to teach people how to learn, but the system, unfortunately, doesn't allow for that. [41:45] How much has genuine leadership changed over the years? Dan thinks at the structural level, it's changed very little. [44:00] Effective leaders don't rule with an iron fist. In fact, it's the soft skills that often go unnoticed. For example, they have humility, curiosity, and integrity. [47:00] Dan believes that the future of leadership will involve teaching others how to think. Quotable Quotes "Am I looking for things that only confirm my existing beliefs and am I discarding things that challenge my existing beliefs?" "If you're a leader who says I don't want to test out 'B' because it's a failure, you don't understand experiments." "Instead of relying on my willpower and fortitude, neither of which is deep, I change the architecture. I think that's the solution for leaders." "Collective intelligence at an organizational level is, at some level, a knowledge management problem." "We have all the content in the world to develop leaders. What's missing is context." "These tests that schools provide are easily hackable and so these kids got good at hacking tests, but the real world is not a hackable exercise." Where to follow Dan Pink Twitter: @DanielPink Facebook: @DanielHPink Website: DanPink.com Resources and Books Mentioned When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, by Daniel H. Pink A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, by Daniel H. Pink Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel H. Pink To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, by Daniel H. Pink Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself, by Daniel H. Pink Leaders: Myth and Reality, by Jason Mangone, Jeff Eggers, and Stanley A. McChrystal Team Of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World, by General Stanley A. McChrystal My Share of the Task: A Memoir, by General Stanley A. McChrystal Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value, by Bill George Courage: The Backbone of Leadership, by Gus Lee with Diane Elliott-Lee Dr. Vivek Murthy Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are, by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives, by Daniel Levitin "The Lesson to Unlearn," by Paul Graham The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by: Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today's workforce. Get your free copy HERE. Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Dan Jaffee joined the Oil-Dri Corporation of America in 1987, a business his grandfather founded in 1941. Dan became the President in 1995 and later the CEO in 1997, but has had some tough challenges along the way. The leadership transition process from father to son resulted in a 100% turnover under Dan's leadership and guidance. Dan shares the story of how he was at his lowest and ready to quit to how he was able to recover through the guidance and mentorship of a trusted family friend. Key Takeaways [3:45] Dan's father inherited the family business at 26 and grew it to $150 million and it went public in 1971. However, by the time he was in his mid-50s, his dad was burnt out. [4:10] When Dan took over at 30, he recognized that his leadership style would not work with the current team. Dan had a 100% turnover and he didn't know what he was doing. [5:15] Dan hired every consultant under the sun to help him turn his company around, but it wasn't working out. Dan realized he delegated too much authority to these consultants, who didn't fully understand his business. [5:50] The next biggest mistake Dan made was he assumed everyone in the company had the same code of ethics as he did. They didn't and his staff began hiding things and working within their own self-interest. [8:00] Despite Dan's mistakes, his family understood that the business would not tear their relationship apart. They focused on family first and they'd sell the business before their relationships would be compromised. [10:40] Dan was ready to quit and throw in the towel. He called one of his dad's friends, who was a trusted family friend and on the board of directors, and he told Dan that winners get back up. Dan took this to heart and began working the business from a different angle. [11:55] A mission statement shouldn't be what to do, but what not to do! [14:45] Dan's family friend understood that father-son relationships are hard. Whatever advice Dan's dad would give, Dan would want to do the opposite, but the trusted family friend could say the same thing and Dan would listen. [17:15] Dan's Acronym WE CARE stands for Work/life balance, Ethics, Communication, Accountability, Respect, Excellence. Dan makes it a point that everyone in the company has to be ethical. [20:20] It's easy to say your teammates are your most important asset when everything is going right. [21:00] In 2009, Dan's company lost its largest account (Walmart), which represented 15% of the company and 40% of its consumer division. Dan's team was angry, but Dan had to remind them that this was his and everyone's fault for not showing Walmart what their true value was. [24:35] Of Dan's top six executive leaders, five are women. They are the brain trust of the organization. [27:55] As a leader, it's critical to surround yourself with people who are good at things you're not good at. With that said, find out what you're really good at and inject it onto them. A team needs to have that balance. [33:30] Dan got out of the goal-setting business. If you set too strict goals, then your team won't always be able to reach their maximum potential. The accountability aspect is for Dan to reinforce, not for the company to fictitiously put numbers on people. [37:50] Dan always tells the people he is interviewing that he is going to always be brutally honest with the business and how they run the culture. [39:35] Dan used to get emotionally attached to an idea and run with it, which wasn't always the best decision. So, today, he tries to keep all his emotions out of the decision-making process and just focus on the facts. [40:55] When Dan first joined the company, he realized quickly he was at a disadvantage because everyone was older than him and citing things like World War II or the Civil War. He had no idea what they were talking about! So he made a commitment to read 27 pages of non-fiction a day. [45:00] Business challenge: If you are an emerging executive or business person, reach out to someone! They will react well. Quotable Quotes "I assumed everybody in the company was as ethical and honest as I was, and they weren't." "Do you know the only thing that separates the winners and losers is? The winners get back up!" "If you're not making mistakes, you're not doing anything." "You don't learn anything by getting kicked by a mule a second time." "When you lose 15% of your company, it's a short term knee-jerk response to just fire people." "If you don't know what your weaknesses are, that's your biggest weakness. Figure it out." "Intelligence is the ability to keep two opposing ideas in your head at the same time." Resources and Books Mentioned Website: Oildri.com & Amlan.com & Catspride.com Twitter: @Catspride The Science of Hitting, by John Underwood and Ted Williams John Wooden Truman, by David McCullough The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by: Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today's workforce. Get your free copy HERE. Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.

Michael Giorgione is the author of Inside Camp David: The Private World of the Presidential Retreat. Michael dives into how the world's leaders build relationships that can last through hardships, disagreements, and tragedies. Michael witnessed four U.S. Presidents at Camp David and how they interacted with world leaders despite vast cultural differences. Key Takeaways [8:00] With so many different cultures and countries out there, the common element you can always relate to is that we are all human. Most of us love food and love our families. These two things, despite our differences, bring us together. [8:55] We conduct more and more meetings over the phone/computer, but you still need that face-to-face interaction at least once a year to fully leverage the relationship. [10:25] With so many diverse cultures coming into Camp David, Michael had to do his homework and make sure he acted respectfully within cultural norms. [11:55] This might sound surprising, but great leaders know when to relax. At Camp David, leaders weren't afraid to kick off their shoes, recharge, and eat a cheeseburger. [15:25] The conduct of some of the guests there had surprised Michael and made him cringe, especially from those who weren't very familiar with military ethics and protocol. It boiled down to a lack of self-awareness of how they treated others. However, Michael was able to meet four presidents at Camp David and the first families always treated the staff with respect. [17:10] Michael notices that people who are self-aware tend to be confident and have strong self-esteem and a great dose of humility. [18:50] The Reagans attended Camp David more than any other 'couple.' Michael says 'couple,' because they would often attend by themselves. The Reagans are an excellent example of how co-leadership can work. They knew each other's strengths and worked with them. [21:15] Michael was able to witness George W. Bush and Tony Blair develop a strong friendship at Camp David. He saw how these two world leaders were able to find commonalities, watch movies together with their families, and bond. [25:00] When George W. Bush became president, it seemed to be very strategic that his first two guests at Camp David were with our British allies and our Japanese allies. Both visits were very informal/family events. No secret service, staff, etc. [27:00] Strong relationships come down to finding commonalities and activities you both enjoy, which lays down the groundwork to talk about the heavy things leaders might have to go through. When you both know each other's families and children, it becomes easier to empathize when someone is going through a tragedy. [33:25] With social media so readily accessible, places like Camp David become much more needed than ever. [35:40] Remember, it's not about you. To be a genuine, humble, caring, and effective leader, you are serving others. This is greater than you. Quotable Quotes "If you can talk about family or food with anyone in the world, you're going to find a connection." "Relationships… you build it and invest in it before you need it." Self-aware leaders are grateful and thankful for what we have and don't have. "Our quest for transparency is actually taking us in the exact opposite direction at times." Resources and Books Mentioned Twitter: @admiralmichael LinkedIn: Michael Giorgione Website: Insidecampdavid.com & Leadingtheleadersllc.net Inside Camp David: The Private World of the Presidential Retreat, by Michael Giorgione. The Leadership Podcast is Sponsored by: Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. The Self-Reliant Leadership® Manifesto reveals the Three Pillars of a Self-Reliant Leader, which encompass the character attributes, interpersonal skills, and levers required to lead today's workforce. Get your free copy HERE. Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast.