Innovating Leadership: Co-Creating Our Future

Guest: Joshua Freedman Gallup and other surveys are showing employee disengagement at record highs. The human energy crisis is at its root. This energy crisis isn’t due to staff skipping breakfast and coffee in the morning; it’s the result of stunningly low emotional intelligence (or EQ) with American bosses. We can’t answer it by becoming more like Vulcans; the lack of emphasis on emotional intelligence is causing strained relationships, reduced collaboration, toxic work atmospheres, disengagement, and mental health issues. Fortunately, Joshua Freedman of Six Seconds has solutions. In this episode, he helps you discover how prioritizing emotional intelligence can bring about a transformative shift in your organization’s success…and its profitability. Here's what Joshua and host Maureen Metcalf cover: The integral role trust plays in creating robust teams and sustainable success; The correlation between emotional intelligence and higher performance (we’re talking 22 times higher!); and The surprising real cause of burnout – it’s not overwork!   LANGUAGE ADVISORY: The term “s**t show” appears twice at (33:25). We retained it here because of the phrase’s common usage in many American workplaces. Other episodes you'll enjoy: Getting Lost in the Language of Leadership with Jonathan Reams Lead Responsibly: An Absolut with Ann Mukherjee Working and Living in Joy with Pamela Larde   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter, too! RESOURCES:   The website for Joshua’s company, Six Seconds, is https://www.6seconds.org. He’s a prolific writer, too! Just a few of his books on emotional intelligence include: At the Heart of Leadership: How to Get Results with Emotional Intelligence (Paperback = https://amzn.to/44ReiIr or Kindle = https://amzn.to/3OlJ0T9) Whole-Hearted Parenting: How to Use Emotional Intelligence to Create More Peace, Connection, and Joy (Paperback = https://amzn.to/3qjDJmT or Kindle = https://amzn.to/3qgPWsM) and Inside Change: Transforming Your Organization with Emotional Intelligence with Massimiliano Ghini (Paperback = https://amzn.to/3QgzGCC or Kindle = https://amzn.to/3OgM2YU)   Here’s the article on the human energy crisis from Kathleen Hogan, Microsoft’s Chief People Officer, which Joshua mentioned:  https://www.fastcompany.com/90872995/microsoft-chief-people-officer-we-are-experiencing-a-global-human-energy-crisis.   And here is the US Surgeon General’s framework for workplace mental health and well-being:  https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/workplace-well-being/index.html.   Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Assistant Editor: Luigi Morelli Holding a Gamut of Positive Emotions: Jenna Reik & Mike Morrow-Fox CONNECT WITH US:  Facebook: facebook.com/Innovativeleadership  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Twitter: @IL_Institute  Mastodon: @InnoLeader  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com  Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Joshua is the author of books, articles, case studies, and psychometric assessments related to emotional intelligence (EQ). He’s a Master Certified Coach (ICF) and the CEO and cofounder of Six Seconds, the global community for EQ. Six Seconds is the world’s first & largest network of emotional intelligence practitioners and researchers with 25 offices globally. As a consultant, facilitator, or coach, Joshua's clients include FedEx, Intel, Etihad Airways, Amazon, Microsoft, the UN, and all branches of the US armed services. Joshua co-developed Six Seconds’ EQ Certification Training which he has delivered on five continents as master-trainer to thousands of professionals seeking practical tools for learning and teaching emotional intelligence.

Guests: Jim Ritchie-Dunham, Suzie Lewis, & David Dinwoodie Here’s a common business myth: the key to navigating all the complexity increasing in the world is simply working harder and longer. But the results aren’t there. Neither is the science.   In reality, the future of work requires agility, and adaptive problem-solving. In this episode, guests Jim Ritchie-Dunham, Suzie Lewis, and David Dinwoodie bring their expertise with host Maureen Metcalf about what works – and what doesn’t – in company cultures. Here's what our guests cover: Why we need to rely on the people in our personal and professional networks (and the fact that you can only manage 15 of them effectively); The importance of your own vertical development (not just developing expertise in your field); and How personal flourishing is important for leaders and their teams.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - The Power of Passion & Perseverance – Four Levels of Grit with Jim Ritchie-Dunham - The Science Behind Our Yes! with Jim Ritchie-Dunham - Flex: The Art & Science of Leadership in a Changing World with Jeff Hull     For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   Details about the Global Flourishing Study our guests mentioned are online at https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/global-flourishing-study. The article on the navigating complexity and the future of work by Jim, Suzie, & David is available in its original Spanish version at https://www.harvard-deusto.com/navegar-por-la-incertidumbre-y-aprender-con-agilidad-claves-en-el-trabajo-del-futuro.   David and Jim have also written books, including: Ecosynomics: The Science of Abundance by Jim Ritchie-Dunham Becoming a Strategic Leader by David Dinwoodie et al. Learn more about Suzie’s company, Transform for Value, at https://transformforvalue.com.   Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Assistant Editor: Luigi Morelli Getting Back to Their Futures: Jenna Reik & Mike Morrow-Fox CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Twitter: @IL_Institute  Threads: @innovativeleaders LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com  Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guests:     David Dinwoodie David L. Dinwoodie has collaborated with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) for over 15 years as a researcher, author, educator, and coach. As Vice-President of Global Leadership Solutions managed CCL’s global portfolio of Open Enrolment Programs, Corporate Learning Solutions, Coaching and Assessment Services across 12 campuses worldwide servicing 3,000 client organizations and over 30,000 individuals each year.  David is co-author of the book Becoming a Strategic Leader: Your Role in Your Organization's Enduring Success. He is an Advisory Board member for the Penn State School of Graduate Education (SMEAL) and Developing Leaders Quarterly.   Suzie Lewis Suzie Lewis is founder and managing director of Transform for Value, and an executive fellow at the Centre for the Future of Organisation, an independent think tank at the Drucker School of Management. Suzie is a global business leader, speaker, podcast host, and executive coach with extensive experience in driving international transformation projects, in preparing business leaders and employees for change, and bridging the gap between human and digital ecosystems. Her quest is to build more inclusive & collaborative environments, placing the onus on how to drive value through people as well as data and processes to drive sustainable change.   James Ritchie-Dunham James L. Ritchie-Dunham, PhD is president of the Institute for Strategic Clarity, affiliated with Boston College, Harvard, and author/co-author of Leadership for Flourishing (forthcoming), Agreements (2023), Ecosynomics (2014), Managing from Clarity (2001), and many chapters and articles. He blogs regularly at jlrd.me.  His global research, surveying over 132,000 groups in 126 countries, shows (1) that you prefer abundance-based agreements to scarcity-based ones, (2) lots of people have figured out how to live this way, for decades, with far better results and experiences, and (3) you can choose to shift your agreements, experiences, and outcomes to abundance-based.

Guest: Lisa Campbell Pets in the workplace can boost productivity, well-being, and those vaunted “water cooler” conversations. (Although they become “water bowl” conversations instead…)   Those are just some of the benefits for both businesses and employees Lisa Campbell, VP of Corporate Affairs for Mars Pet Nutrition North America, shares in this episode. Sure, there’s some prep work to be done, but the benefits are many and lasting. If you’ve been thinking of (literally!) letting your workplace go to the dogs, this is a must-listen podcast.  So sit, stay, and hit play. That’s a good listener! Here's what Lisa and host Maureen Metcalf cover: What to consider as you design your pet-friendly work environment; The multitude of benefits to your staff (and ultimately your bottom line); and How to avoid potential pet-friendly pitfalls, such as accommodating people with pet allergies.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: Do It on Purpose with Nell Derick Debevoise Leading with Care and Purpose with Raj Sisodia & Sudhanshu Palsuleand Intentional Leadership in a New Work World with Monique Jefferson   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   The Cesar website with information on going dog-friendly at work is https://www.cesar.com/dog-friendly.   You can learn more about Mars’ dog-friendly cities program at https://www.bettercitiesforpets.com.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.      Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: Chocolate Wars: The 150-Year Rivalry Between the World’s Greatest Chocolate Makers by Deborah Cadbury (Paperback: https://amzn.to/44tMfOZ or Kindle: https://amzn.to/3XWJ2VO) Vic and Blood: The Continuing Adventures of a Boy and His Dog by Harlan Elllison & Richard Corben (Paperback: https://amzn.to/3Q3Blv8) Charlie & the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Paperback: https://amzn.to/3DoPStC or Kindle: https://amzn.to/46WA5A4)   -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Assistant Editor & Raconteur: Luigi Morelli Keepers of the Golden Ticket: Jenna Reik & Mike Morrow-Fox   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Twitter: @IL_Institute  Threads: @innovativeleaders LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com  Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating! ----------------------- About Our Guest: Lisa Campbell is Mars Pet Nutrition North America’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs, leading the full Corporate Affairs enterprise communications strategy including internal communications, executive communications, corporate and brand reputation, crisis and issues management, media relations, consumer care, sustainability initiatives and stakeholder engagement, all in service of the company’s purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.      

Guest: Ehren Cruz In this supplemental episode, we learn that psychedelic drugs have entered the C-suite. After decades as a societal pariah, why are psychedelics finding a home among America’s corporate leaders?   Focusing on plant medicine, Ehren Cruz gives some of the background, history, and science behind the many business uses leaders are finding. The Wall Street Journal is paying attention – so we’re taking a look at it, too. Here's what Ehren and host Maureen Metcalf cover: The goals leaders have for their psychedelic journeys; The neurochemistry behind these plant medicines; and The difference between therapeutic and ceremonial techniques in safe – and legal – psychedelic use.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: Fringe or Mainstream? Leaders Explore Psychedelics with Paul Austin Reality Lost: How Disinformation Shapes Your World with Tara McGowan Leading Edge 120: Getting Higher Up the Chain with Greg Moran   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   You’ll find more information about Ehren’s work on his website at https://thesparc.co.   Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.      Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge by Carlos Castaneda The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley X-Men Archives #3: Legion by Chris Claremont & Bill Sienkiewicz   -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Asst. Editor: Luigi Morelli Companions on the Journey: Jenna Reik & Mike Morrow-Fox CONNECT WITH US:  Facebook: facebook.com/Innovativeleadership  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Twitter: @IL_Institute  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com  Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Ehren Cruz is a historian & anthropologist, Third Wave Psychedelic Certified Coach (CCP1), CTA & ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Master Ceremonialist, Trained Harm Reductionist, loving husband & proud father. He is devoted to the healing & self-actualization of self & others in all facets of his life. For over a decade, Ehren dedicated his life to the creation of experiences that ignite the mind, inspire the heart, and empower our communities. From reimagining organizational culture to transforming the face of festivals & events, his success is rooted in the fostering of environments that welcome and encourage self-actualization, team synergy, and inspired creative expression. Between 2009-2019, Ehren produced, curated, and served as Master of Ceremonies for events welcoming over 300K patrons, hailing from 80 different nations, including 5400+ performers, 3000+ individual shows, 1650+ workshops, and countless immersive experiences – setting a new bar for what’s possible when converging visionary art, music, culture, & spirit into the alchemy of intentional festival settings. After a decade as an award-winning producer & high-performance team builder, netting over $100M in gross regional income through festivals & events, in early 2021 Ehren founded The SpArc: a groundbreaking coaching approach that utilizes rites of passage immersive experiences to dramatically elevate awareness, embodiment, and impact.

Guest: Rini Das Simplify. Streamline. Succeed. Seems simple enough, but most big organizations do the opposite, bogging teams down with more and more complexity. But as the world itself becomes more complex and changes (like AI) arrive more rapidly, resilience is absolutely key for any organization’s survival – much less success!   Rini Das knows complexity; she worked in healthcare early in her career, which has layers upon layers of processes. Fortunately, she knows simplicity and resilience, too. In this episode, she reveals the ironies and challenges faced by leaders striving to create simpler, more adaptable companies in the face of VUCA. She shares solutions, too! Here's what Rini and host Maureen Metcalf cover: How to foster resilience – making your organization strong against the unpredictable; Dissecting the potentials and pitfalls of using AI to revolutionize your operations; and Your role in confidently steering your team through changing tides.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: Simplify Work: Crushing Complexity with Jesse W. Newton Facing Uncertainty: It’s VUCA with Chris Nolan Uncharted: How to Map the Future Together with Margaret Heffernan   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   More information on Rini’s leadership work is on the RD Management Consulting website: https://www.rdmchelps.com. The organization for LGBTQ+ professionals in tech that Rini cofounded is Zettabytes.Today.   Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.      -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Complex People in our Simple Company: Luigi Morelli & Jenna Reik   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Twitter: @IL_Institute  Threads: @innovativeleaders LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Rini Das (She, Her, Hers) is a serial entrepreneur, having founded her first company to provide STEM tutoring when she was 15 years old. She founded and led various startups such as a gamification SaaS company -- PAKRAGames.com -- and a big data consulting company -- DemsWin.com.  At her core, she considers herself as Mary Poppins, she likes to fly in with her umbrella, solve problems and fly away. She founded RD Management Consulting Inc. (RDMCHelps.com) in 2003.  She brings decades of experience in M&A consulting, Operational Excellence and Lean Six Sigma, IT Leadership Excellence, Software Development, User adoption and Data Science and Analytics. She has taught at various universities. She holds an MA in economics from Stony Brook University (SUNY) and an MS in applied mathematics from the University of Iowa. She is the co-founder of Zettabytes.Today - a networking organization for LGBTQ+ professionals in Tech. 

Guests: Christina Grote and Pam Kramer We tell our teams not to stress, and to have a good work-life balance. But what about us: their leaders? Too often, leaders ignore their own advice – and the stress becomes overwhelming.   Integral Transformative Practice (ITP) is one answer. More than just another mindfulness practice, it’s a way of growing and developing, created to help you explore your full potential. In short, to help your skills and talents move from ordinary to extraordinary! In this episode, Christina and Pam go over the basics of ITP, the philosophies and origins of the concept, and even walk us through one of the practices. Here's what Pam, Christina, and host Maureen Metcalf cover: How we hold ourselves back from achieving our full potential; The core practice intentions of ITP; and The special role ITP can play for leaders, in particular.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - The Anxious Achiever with Morra Aarons-Mele - Staying Cool in Challenging Situations with Janet Fouts - Integrating Integrative Medicine in Leadership with Dr. Maryanna Klatt   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   Christina and Pam’s book is Living an Extraordinary Life – it’s available in paperback at https://amzn.to/46wvZ1j and on Kindle at https://amzn.to/3JIfHIT.   Another book they mentioned is the foundational The Life We Are Given by George Leonard & Michael Murphy (paperback: https://amzn.to/46AqcaP). Of course, they have lots of information on their website: https://www.itp-international.org.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Assistant Editor: Luigi Morelli Integral to Our Success: Jenna Reik & Connor Carson CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Twitter: @IL_Institute  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com  Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guests:   Christina Grote is the board chair of ITP International and has been a practitioner of Integral Transformative Practice since 2003. She is a licensed massage therapist and her interest in natural healing led her to explore ITP and include it in her work. She founded ITP Columbus in 2004, which continued for many years. She has designed and taught ITP workshops and planned numerous conferences with longtime friend, collaborator, and ITPI president Pamela Kramer. Christina lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband Jim.   Pamela Kramer is President of ITP International, a nonprofit organization that stewards ITP and the work of its founders, George Leonard and Michael Murphy. Pam is an ITP Mastery teacher, is on the faculty of Esalen Institute, and presents workshops at venues in the US and abroad. She is engaged in training ITP teachers, forming ITP groups, and bringing integral principles and practices to the workplace. Pam is an executive coach and consults with organizations and their leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Guest: Morra Aarons-Mele Does anxiety plague your leadership role? Just push through it isn’t a solution: the constant stress and strain of anxiety can take a toll on both your mental health and workplace performance. It's time to stop ignoring the issue and start implementing effective strategies to manage anxiety. Morra Aarons-Mele lives with anxiety, too, but has researched it deeply. Now, she’s dedicated to helping others navigate its challenges. In this episode, Morra shares her personal story with host Maureen Metcalf, and offers practical advice for anxious leaders across all industries. The unexpected twist? It turns out, anxiety can actually be a source of motivation and drive. Listen to learn more! Here's what Morra and Maureen cover: The scale of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues; Why they are so important to acknowledge in the workplace; and How anxiety affects your own leadership…and your team’s well-being.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: Leadership Is Relationships with Kvon Tucker A Cure for Toxic Leadership with Raj Subrameyer Remote Work and Mental Well-Being with Dr. Gleb Tsipursky   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   Morra’s new book, The Anxious Achiever, is available in hardback at https://amzn.to/3pkND7o and on Kindle at https://amzn.to/3puFYU1.   Her previous book, Hiding in the Bathroom: How to Get Out There When You’d Rather Stay Home, is also available in paperback at https://amzn.to/46nUcql and in Kindle format at https://amzn.to/3JwnVnl.    Morra’s podcast is on all major platforms. You can hear sample episodes — and learn more about her consulting work — on her website at https://morraam.com.   Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.      Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: Jessica Jones: Alias by Brian Michael Bendis Watership Down by Richard Adams The Five Lost Superpowers: Why We Lost Them & Hot to Get Them Back by John Reid, et al -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Assistant Editor: Luigi Morelli Bon Vivants: Jenna Reik & Connor Carson CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Twitter: @IL_Institute  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com  Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:     Morra Aarons-Mele is the host of The Anxious Achiever, a top-10 management podcast that helps people rethink the relationship between their mental health and their leadership. Morra founded Women Online and The Mission List, an award-winning digital-consulting firm and influencer marketing company dedicated to social change in 2010 and sold her businesses in 2021. She helped Hillary Clinton log on for her first internet chat and has launched digital campaigns for President Obama, Malala Yousafzai, the United Nations, the CDC, and many other leading figures and organizations. She lives outside Boston with her family and menagerie. For more details, visit www.theanxiousachiever.com.

Guest: Pamela Larde, Ph.D. Does the struggle to balance work and personal life sound familiar? Have you bought the myth that working harder leads to? You’re not alone. But the truth is, that leads to burnout, stress, and decreased productivity. It’s time to break free and discover the power of joy in professional settings. By prioritizing joy and well-being, you can enhance your personal and professional life, build mental stamina, and create a positive work environment. Pamela Larde joins us with details on building your joy. And by incorporating joy into your leadership approach, you can foster a culture that is not only successful but also fulfilling for both you and your team. Join us to learn how to integrate joy into your workplace and achieve the results you want. Here's what Pamela and host Maureen Metcalf cover: The difference between joy and happiness; How leaders can help their teams find joy – and how that benefits your organization; and The personal benefits of fostering joy and well-being in your own life.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: Joy at Work! With Roxanne Brown & Edward Cook Finding Meaning, Joy, & Purpose in What You Do with Paul Gibbons The Science Behind Our Yes! with Jim Ritchie-Dunham   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   Pamela has a bounty of resources on the practice and science of joy on her website: www.thejoywhisperer.org.   Her upcoming book is Joyfully Single. While you wait for it to be released, check out her current book: Letters to the Brokenhearted.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.      Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: Hello, I Must Be Going: The Mostly True Story of an Imaginary Band by David Meyers The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin Snow White & the Seven Robots by Louise Simonson & Jimena Sanchez   -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Asst. Editor: Luigi Morelli Joyful Podcast Support Personages: Jenna Reik & Connor Carson CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Twitter: @IL_Institute  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com  Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Dr. Pamela Larde, a professor, coach, award-winning author, and business owner, is committed to engaging in the work of advancing the reach and commitment of the coaching profession to serve and build up heart-centered leaders. In 2013, she founded the Academy of Creative Coaching, which was among the first of black female-owned ICF-accredited coaching schools in the world. As a scholar with a strong interest in helping people overcome barriers through the art and science of coaching, her research focuses on joy, justice, self-motivation, resilience, and posttraumatic growth.

Guests: Ricky Robinson & Keith Powell Are you on code? “On code” is like authenticity on steroids: as a leader you not only walk the talk, but give back, bring others along (mentor and sponsor), and fight for change when you see inequity. Being on code can be tough; after all, as guest Ricky Robinson points out, “In reality, most organizations don’t want you to be your authentic self.”   But fear not; Ricky and Keith Powell, the founders of C-CRETS, join host Maureen Metcalf to explain the many ways of getting on code…and the many benefits it presents. Here's what Keith, Ricky, and Maureen cover: How being on code can help you win the war for talent; What the concept of Village Accountability is all about; and The very real importance of DEI in AI.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: Career Sponsorship & Being Sponsor Ready with Ricky Robinson & Keith Powell Building Communities within Your Business with Alice Yoo LeClair DEI Insights from IBM South Africa with Roger Madison For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram and Twitter, too! RESOURCES:   You can learn more about Ricky and Keith’s work on their website: www.c-crets.com. You’ll also find links to their podcast there or at www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/r229d-127b00/C-CRETS-Podcast. Either way, you’ll find tips and tricks for climbing the ladder, and handling the systemic roadblocks for people of color.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.  She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.  Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: Inside a Silver Box by Walter Moseley (Hardback: https://amzn.to/43WBe8p) This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley Adventureman by Matt Fraction and Terry & Rachel Dodson   -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Currently Coding: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson CONNECT WITH US:  Facebook: facebook.com/Innovativeleadership  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Twitter: @IL_Institute  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com  Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guests: Keith Powell is a Chief Operating Officer in private education with over 20 years corporate experience in the U.S. and Canada. Most of his career, Keith led global Finance and Operations functions for Fortune 1000 companies in the automotive, chemical, consumer and commercial goods, e-commerce, and smart home industries. Keith was the “first” or the “only” quite often climbing the corporate ladder. Having mentored and coached hundreds throughout his career, he continues to share practical, digestible advice to underrepresented employees as a co-founder of C-CRETS (https://www.c-crets.com), which is a career advice platform offering career coaching services, online courses and topical content through blogs and a podcast. Ricky Robinson is a Vice President of Human Resources for a $35B leader in the Medical Device industry. His 20+ year career has afforded him leadership roles in Human Resources for some best in class global organizations spanning industries from commercial goods, retail, smart home industries and med tech. Ricky is extremely familiar with being the “Sole Brother” on the Executive Leadership Team quite often challenging diversity, inclusion and unconscious bias issues within Corporate America, as an advocate and sponsor for underrepresented groups. Having spent his career as a mentor and coach, he continues to share the tips and tricks that help underrepresented employees reach their full potential as a co-founder of C-CRETS (https://www.c-crets.com).

Guest: Sarah Ahern Client loyalty. Stakeholder loyalty. Employee loyalty. However you define your customers, their loyalty is key to moving your organization from just good to great. One key to growing it is to always make it easy for your customer to get what they want from you.   But how do you know what they want, much less how they want to receive it?   With data! And knowing how to find that data is what Sarah Ahern and her company, PATH, help organizations of all sizes understand. In this episode, Sarah shares the role of surveys, communication, and more in delivering exceptional customer experiences. And that, in turn, delivers long-term success for your business!   Here’s what Sarah and host Maureen Metcalf discuss: The importance of collecting feedback through surveys to hear your customers’ voice; Why customer experience isn’t just another buzzword, but the foundation of the Experience Economy; and How companies with this focus outperform the S&P500 by up to 1,200%!     Other episodes you'll enjoy: - What Your Team REALLY Thinks, in Real Time! – with Greg Moran - Leadership Is Relationships – with Kvon Tucker - Lead Responsibly: An Absolut – with Ann Mukherjee   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   The article Sarah mentioned about how to lose customers is online at https://www.pathgrowth.com/insights/5-techniques-to-lose-any-client-employee-or-customer.   Sarah also referenced these books in the interview: The Experience Economy by Joseph Pine II & James Gilmore (Hardback or Kindle); Good to Great by Jim Collins (Hardback or Kindle); Winning on Purpose: The Unbeatable Strategy of Loving Customers by Fred Reichheld, et al (Hardback or Kindle).   Our host, Maureen Metcalf, posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    She’s also written several award-winning books on leadership development. You can peruse and purchase them here.    Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin Snow White & the Seven Robots by Louise Simonson & Jimena Sanchez   -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Podcast Loyalists: Luigi Morelli, Jenna Reik, & Connor Carson   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Twitter: @IL_Institute  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com  Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Sarah Ahern, MA, is an Owner and Partner at PATH, a 40-year-old woman-owned market research and business management firm. She has developed and launched companies, programs, products, and services for almost two decades as a 4-time entrepreneur and consultant.   Sarah has built change management and market growth strategies for Fortune 100 and 500 companies across North America. To spice it up, she rounds out her understanding of human behavior with a Masters in Health Education, a culinary degree, and experience designing and implementing nutrition-focused population health programs for Whole Foods Market, LinkedIn, Tesla, SpaceX and more.    Sarah is a passionate thought leader, consultant, educator, and community steward.  She was recognized as a 2022 recipient of the Columbus 40 Under 40 award and is a renowned facilitator and mentor in the social enterprise community.