Peak Performance Leadership

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving professional landscape, effective leadership is more critical than ever. The ability to lead a high-performing team not only hinges on technical skills but, more importantly, on one's capacity to inspire, coordinate, and build meaningful relationships. Leadership transcends the act of merely managing; it involves understanding the intricate dynamics of information flow, enabling team members to shine in their areas of expertise, and fostering a culture where learning and growth are prioritized. Additionally, the essence of building robust professional networks cannot be overstated. It's not just about amassing connections but cultivating relationships that are meaningful and mutually beneficial. Networking, when done right, becomes a pivotal tool for leaders, contributing to both personal growth and organizational success. In tandem with networking, today’s leaders must also navigate the complexities of talent acquisition and retention. The shifting expectations of the modern workforce—amplified by profound movements like the Great Resignation—demand that organizations place equal weight on cultural alignment, mission, and values as they do on financial incentives. Effective hiring practices, underscored by a strategic and marketing-savvy approach, can significantly improve the buy-in from potential talent. Moreover, the importance of conflict resolution and team upskilling cannot be overlooked. Leaders must address conflicts promptly to prevent escalation and maintain a healthy, productive work environment. Continuous skill development through practical, interactive learning ensures that teams remain agile and capable of meeting ever-changing challenges. In essence, modern leadership is a multifaceted endeavor that requires a delicate balance of empathy, strategic thinking, and relentless pursuit of personal and team growth. Understanding and implementing these principles makes a leader not just effective but transformational in guiding their organizations toward peak performance. Topics During this interview Mark and I discuss the following topics: [04:30] Mark’s Leadership Approach - Mark describes his team-oriented role as CTO, emphasizing member expertise and information flow.[08:15] Leadership Philosophy - Scott shares his leadership philosophy centered around prioritizing, delegating, inspiring, and decision-making.[11:50] Upside-down Org Chart Concept - Mark illustrates the importance of non-managers who execute actual work, while managers coordinate.[18:00] Network Building - Discussion on the significance of meaningful, quality relationships over superficial networking contacts.[23:40] Podcasting as a Networking Tool - Scott highlights podcasting for building professional networks and shares his experiences.[27:15] Mark’s Networking Strategy - Organic networking in natural settings and leveraging past interactions for relationship building.[32:50] Effective Interviewing Techniques - Importance of training in conducting interviews and the concept of selling job roles to candidates.[38:10] Changing Workforce Dynamics - Adjusting to new workforce values; prioritizing mission, cultural fit, and growth opportunities alongside financial benefits.[42:00] Addressing Workplace Conflicts - Immediate addressing of conflicts, comparative analogy with geopolitical conflicts.[47:30] Qualities of Great Leaders - Characteristics of a great leader: continuous growth, caring for the team, achievable goals.[50:45] Upskilling Teams - Practical learning strategies, peer learning groups, and using diverse content to enhance real-world applications. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/211

Welcome to an invigorating exploration of leadership through the lens of purpose-driven action and mindset evolution. In today's rapidly changing world, leaders face unprecedented challenges that demand more than just traditional management skills. This episode delves into the fundamental aspects of effective leadership: establishing a clear direction and purpose, adapting to modern workforce dynamics, and evolving sales strategies to foster meaningful interactions. At the core of this discussion is the power of living with purpose. Leaders who align their daily actions with a well-defined purpose are more likely to make impactful decisions, engage their teams, and drive organizational success. Moving beyond the conventional top-down, task-focused approach, this episode advocates for a leadership style that prioritizes quality over quantity, ensuring each interaction is significant and goal-oriented. Among the key takeaways are the importance of self-reflection, the necessity of adapting leadership styles to meet contemporary needs, and the critical role of neuroscience in creating psychologically safe environments. Through compelling real-world examples, this episode highlights how purpose-driven leadership not only mitigates burnout but also paves the way for achieving remarkable outcomes. This episode is a must-listen for leaders seeking to refine their strategies, inspire their teams, and lead with intention in an era marked by profound transformation. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical tools that will help you navigate the complexities of modern leadership with clarity and purpose. As a child who overcame the daunting challenge of a speech impediment, Ron has made it his life’s mission to empower employees, executives and entrepreneurs all over the world and transform their lives by removing life limiting belief systems. For 36+ years, Ron Karr has excelled at sales and leadership positions, for which he is recognized as the leading "Sales Success Expert" and has appeared as a guest on national TV including FOX , Bloomberg, C-Suite Network and others. He is an in-Demand Global Keynote Speaker, and Highly Acclaimed Author of Lead, Sell, or Get Out of the Way. For his extensive client list of leading organizations, he has helped clients including: AGFA, YPO, Hertz, UPS, United Natural Foods, and Marriott Hotels produce over a billion dollars in incremental revenues. When you seek solutions to remove barriers, position your products/services more powerfully and achieve bigger results in less time, Ron Karr will enthusiastically motivate and train your organization to achieve and exceed sales goals. Topics During this interview Ron and I discuss the following topics: How to find the right mindset in the first placeHow leaders can be driven with purpose vice tasksHow leaders can get past their limiting beliefsThe neuroscience behind conversations How to create an environment for psychological safety For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/210

Christine Whitecross is a Canadian retired lieutenant-general. A graduate of Queen's University and the Royal Military College of Canada, she has served in Germany, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. Whitecross has twice been named one of Canada's 100 most-powerful women. She was commandant of the NATO Defense College in Rome. She has been made a commander of the Order of Military Merit, received the Meritorious Service Medal (United States) for service in Afghanistan and the Canadian Meritorious Service Medal for her role as secretary-general of the International Military Sports Council.] Whitecross was the first female three-star general to be appointed in the CAF. Whitecross has held several high-level staff posts including as Director of the Infrastructure and Environment Corporate Service, Chief of Staff for the Assistant Deputy Minister, Joint Engineer of Canada Command, Executive Assistant to the Chief of the Air Staff, and Chief Military Engineer of the Canadian Armed Forces. In Bosnia, she was head of logistics and manpower for the engineer contingent of UNPROFOR and was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications with ISAF in Afghanistan. Whitecross has commanded 1 Construction Engineer Unit and was deputy commander of Canadian Operational Support Command. In February 2015 Whitecross became head of a team tasked with responding to allegations of sexual misconduct in the CAF. She was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general on 26 May 2015, becoming the most senior female Canadian military engineer. Whitecross was appointed commander of Military Personnel Command in June 2015.[4] In summer 2017 she became commandant of the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy, being elected by representatives of the 28 NATO member states. She is the first woman and the third Canadian to hold the position. Whitecross retired from the military in December 2020. Topics During this interview Christine and I discuss the following topics: What drew her to military life and becoming a leaderHer experiences as a brand new officerHow to get pass coworkers who were difficult to work withHow to stick to the moral high-groundHow she handled members of other culturesHow to get a team to achieve peak performanceHow she felt when she was promoted to Lieutenant-GeneralLessons learned about culture change in organizations For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/209

Leaders across the world and all industries find themselves in a very similar situation - employee shortages due to the "Great Resignation." The Great Resignation is the ongoing phenomenon where large numbers of employees have been leaving their jobs in search of other opportunities or life changes. But why is this happening in the first place and how can leaders mitigate it to protect their organizations. That is what we are investigating today. Why the Great Resignation? When the Global COVID-19 pandemic struck the world, it caused a large number of people to either be laid off from their job, furloughed, or forced to work from home. This was coupled with the ever increasing "This Great Resignation is due to employees rethinking what work means to them in a post-pandemic world." NPR explains that this “Great Resignation” is due to employees reevaluating what work means to them, how they are valued by employers, and how they spend the majority of their time. Topics In this solo episode I talk about the following topics: What the Great Resignation isWhy psychological Safety is importantHow to establish connection with your teamWhy workplace wellbeing is importantHow to address burnout Check out our new Leader Growth Mastermind and start enhancing your leadership skills today! https://movingforwardleadership.com/mastermind For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/208

There are some people who always need to be right. In their minds there is always a winner and there is always a loser. Deep down, very few of us like these people. And yet, we often work for them, we work with them, and if we’re honest, we may even be one of them. Hamish Thomson is a CEO, board and startup adviser, consultant, speaker and investor. A New Zealander from birth, he has been a successful CEO/Regional President and Global Brand head for Mars Incorporated (UK, Australia and Chicago), a senior marketing and sales lead for Reebok International (England and the Netherlands) and a fresh-faced account executive in the London advertising scene. He is a non-executive director of OzHelp (one of Australia’s leading mental health and suicide prevention foundations) and currently resides in in Sydney with his wife and three children. Topics During this interview Hamish and I discuss the following topics: Why leaders don’t have to have all the answersHow to manage constant dissatisfaction as leaderHow drains and radiators affect your organizationHow bad bosses are actually great bossesWhy you need to show your authentic self all the time For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/207

The hybrid workforce is here to stay. As the impact of COVID-19 lingers, it’s clear that the way we work has changed forever. Whilst some of us will return to the office, the flexibility of remote working is too enticing for many employees to give up. However, a hybrid workforce comes with its own unique challenges that leaders must prepare for. Colin Ellis is a renowned culture change expert with 30-plus years of helping transform organizations around the world. Whether it's the way that projects are delivered, how teams work together or how to change the DNA of an organization He provides practical information on how to make change easy. He uses case studies, experience and plenty of humour to keep people engaged and laughing! Topics During this interview Colin and I discuss the following topics: Why hybrid work actually enables peak performanceHow work is something we do and not where we areHow leaders can create culture of peak performance in a hybrid environmentHow to develop a hybrid work plan toKeeping organizational synergy while having a split organizationMistakes to avoid when having hybrid teamHow to maximize technology for hybrid For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/206

Reports of scandals continue to rock both public and private sectors. Nearly one in four employees report witnessing unethical behavior in their workplace. Such actions leave long-lasting impressions internally across the organization and externally across the public at large — damaging not only any influence the bad actors have, but — often unwittingly — that of their teams. It’s time to rethink the adage “there’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’.” Actually, the “I” represents influence, which all team members must embrace if they want their team to excel. Some would go so far as to say that influence is the most important facet of one’s personal and professional life. The influence even small actions have will create a ripple effect. Knowing this, we become more consciously aware of the influence we wish to project, which helps us to become the best version of ourselves and, by association, leads to the success of our teams. Brian began his career as an accountant but did not enjoy public accounting. After a short term at a big 6 accounting firm, he started Business Accounting Solutions in 1988, which he later sold to Cornerstone Consulting Group. Recognizing the need many small businesses had for sound management advice, Brian went on to start Individual Advantages, LLC, which was later rebranded DBA IA Business Advisors in 2015, as a think tank to develop customized, yet affordable, management solutions driven by our focus on people, process, and technology. Since 1988, Brian has helped over 18,000 business owners and managers on all seven continents (yes, Antarctica, too). Coming from companies of all sizes, he has helped them make decisions to help them grow personally and as an organization. He has a PhD in organizational psychology, a master’s degree in management information systems, a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and is a certified Six Sigma master black belt consultant. Topics During this interview Brian and I discuss the following topics: Why he went to Antarticia WHy leaders should be the “I” in the teamWhy being influential as a leader is importantWhy SMART Goals are not the end allWhy understanding your role is crucialDelegate like a proWhy knowing your people is important to avoiding failuresStrategies to find time to be better prepared as a leaderTactics to influence culture change in an organizationHow leaders can can slow down For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/205

Experts have long said that morning habits and routines are a pathway to achieving peak performance. If you study the great leaders of our time and those of before, a solid morning routine stands out as a common dominator. However, as of late the morning routine has been under attack from all forms of distractions and other things wanting to steal your limited time but more importantly your focus. The following are 8 morning habits for leaders to achieve peak performance by incorporating into their morning. Topics The following are 8 habits which can kick start our day! Avoiding the PhoneExerciseReadEat a Healthy BreakfastJournalPlan Your DayPractice GratitudeMake Your Bed For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/204

Gordon Bennett is an author, entrepreneur, academic, educator, and speaker. He comes with two decades of military service as an army logistics officer and years as an entrepreneur. Over the years he has held a variety of positions from executive to Commandant of the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre—the Canadian military’s national logistics training canter for all military logistics personnel. He has been published in a wide variety of journals and the popular media on the topics of design thinking, innovation, creativity, logistics, and leadership. He was the lead author of the textbook, The Logistics Practitioner: Leadership and Fundamentals of Army Sustainment published by the University of Toronto Press and the French version by Université Laval. His most recent book Misfit Design Thinking: Using Design Thinking to Energize Innovation and Creativity highlights lessons learned and problem solving techniques from years of critical thinking and problem solving in a variety of situations. His next textbook is scheduled to be published in 2022. Topics During this interview Gord and I discuss the following topics: What design thinking is How to execute Problem DiscoveryWhy idea generation is importantThe structure of the design team and its importanceHow leaders can establish a safe culture within their design teamThe impacts a careerist can have on the design team and organizationAdvice for implementation and testing of solutionsHow to apply implementation and testing on non-physical solutionWhere leader fail in implementing the system For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/203

Cassa Grant is the creator of Wonderbrand™ and Wonderleader,™ the coaching programs that help you SHOW UP as the kind of leader you’d want to follow. She helps her clients communicate better, get more buy-in, and feel really great about how they’re spending time in their business. They become confident leaders with unstoppable influence, unbeatable stories, and powerful personal brands. Her techniques mix brand and storytelling strategy, performance coaching, and subconscious mindset work to help transform her clients from who they THINK they are into who they REALLY are so they can make their mark on the world. Cassa is a certified NeuroLinguistic Programming practitioner, life, and business coach. Topics During this interview Cassa and I discuss the following topics: What an off beat leader isHow off-beat leaders can “own” who they areHow to bring your personality to front as a leaderHow to adjust being a leader of former peersHow to open communication with a superior in a different location For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/202

A highly sought-after keynote speaker, educator and author, Gabrielle has worked with thousands of high-profile leaders from around the world and helped countless of Australia’s top 50 companies and multinationals to humanise their communications – Telstra, EY, Accenture, VISA, Australia Post, National Australia Bank, Amazon, Vodafone and the Obama Foundation to name drop a few. She holds a master’s degree in management and leadership from Swinburne University, an associate diploma in education and training from the University of Melbourne, and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education in both the Art and Practice of Adaptive Leadership and Women and Power: Leadership in a New World. Gabrielle is also the bestselling author of Real Communication: How to be you and lead true, a finalist in the Australian Business Leadership Book Awards for 2019. Her other published books include Stories for Work: The Essential Guide to Business Storytelling (2017), Storytelling for Job Interviews (2016), Ignite: Real Leadership, Real Talk, Real Results (2015) which reached the top five on Australia’s bestselling business books and Hooked: How Leaders Connect, Engage and Inspire with Storytelling (2013). Her latest title, Magnetic Stories: Connect with customers and engage employees with brand storytelling was published by Wiley in March 2021. Topics During this interview Gabrielle and I discuss the following topics: What’s the problem with acronyms and slang in organizationsHow they lead to confusion in organizationsWhen and how leaders should use acronyms, jargon, and slangHow to get teams and organizations away from using these poor communication stylesWhether or not speaking directly is to be avoided or not For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/201

200 Episodes! I can't believe I've gotten this far in my podcasting journey. Especially since most people "pod-fade" (i.e. stop producing) after 3 months or about 10 episodes. To reach 200 is definitely an accomplishment which I am proud of and plan doing more. Topics In this solo episode I talk about the three main lessons which podcasting has taught me in leadership: Never be complacentTrust but verify alwaysCommunicate how they need to hear For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/200

2021 is all but in the books! It's time to reflect on the past year and check out the top 15 episodes according to you the listeners! Mentioned Episodes Here they are in order of appearance: 150 - Jason Redman153 - Michael Hamilton 155 - Matt Comand158 - Cathy Bush & Tara Peters160 - Dan Pontefract163 - Heather Younger164 - Tim Ringo165 - Mike Sarraille & George Randle170 - Susan Fenneman173 - Andrew Freedman176 - David Horsager182 - Likky Lavji185 - Peter Economy189 - Marc Polymeropoulos 193 - Bob Nelson & Mario Tamayo For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/199

Sarah Wirth has over 20 years of experience in employee assessment, leadership development, sales executive coaching, and customer service. She began her career as a talent analyst for an international human resource firm, where she coached leaders in organizations ranging from small not-for-profits to Fortune 500 companies. When named chair of leadership consulting and a member of the senior operations team, she helped lead the organization to a 65% increase in revenues. In 2009, she joined a publicly-traded organization as the vice president of client service, increasing client contract retention by 36%. In 2011 Sarah came on board with the EcSell team as Vice President of Member Services, where she oversees member retention and all aspects of sales coaching, leadership and management research. Under Sarah’s leadership, EcSell Institute’s member retention has grown to over 94%. Sarah has a passion for leadership and its impact on the performance of teams. She takes an analytical approach to understanding the skills and talents of high-performing sales leaders and is constantly providing EcSell members with new methods for leading and coaching. Sarah has presented to executives from across the globe with organizations such as Mercedes Benz, Estee Lauder, Ritz Carlton, Cheesecake Factory and many more. Her expertise in coaching and leadership, combined with her fact based, common sense approach to their application make her a sought after presenter at any event. Topics During this interview Sarah and I discuss the following topics: What makes an effective coachHow to ensure you communicate effectively as a leaderThe 4 Growth Rings of personal and organizational developmentHow to coach someone out of their comfort zoneHow to coach an individual to slow downHow to prepare for a one-on-one conversationHow to coach a team as a group Common mistakes leaders make in coaching their members For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/198

The pandemic altered not only the way in which we work, but also the relationships we have with coworkers. Now more than ever, both leaders and their teams crave deeper connection and more authentic relationships. But how can organizations accomplish this lofty goal — particularly knowing that it will require a reset of how leaders and teams interact? Leaders and team members must embrace a new mindset. They need to acknowledge that the leader-team relationship is more than a one-way service-oriented arrangement. Both sides need support equally if the relationship and what they do together is to be successful. Creating a new paradigm of partnership is possible through the development of a workplace covenant — consisting of vital behavioral and attitudinal promises that both partners agree to hold themselves to as a matter of personal and professional integrity. This process enables essential dialogue and engagement, which in turn helps create and continuously improve empathy, respect, trust, alignment, and — ultimately — partnership. Since 1998, Dr. Silver has been the principal of Silver Consulting, Inc., an independent consulting practice, where he has worked with such diverse clients as: Alcoa, Alfred State College, Alstom, American Red Cross, Bausch & Lomb, Bosch Security Systems, Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU), Cannon Industries, Canterbury Woods Senior Living, Cape Cod Healthcare, Charter One Bank, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, Genesee Regional Bank, Government of Jamaica, Harris RF Communications, Jewish Senior Life Nursing Home, Klein Steel, Manulife Financial, Ontario County Government, Pactiv Manufacturing, Rochester Catholic Diocese, Toshiba Business Solutions, Ultralife Batteries, University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), University of Rochester Medical Center, and Xerox Corporation, to name a few. His work has included consulting to senior management on such topics as cultural change, employee engagement, and customer loyalty; working with leadership teams to increase effectiveness and performance; providing clients such services as executive coaching, strategic planning, and organizational diagnosis; and teaching employees professional skills and strategies for workplace success. Topics During this interview Seth and I discuss the following topics: Why meaningful partnership is important in the first placeHow leaders can have the difficult conversation of figuring out how to establish a two-way communication streamHow leaders can use the ERTAP model to level up their relationshipsThe impacts of poor alignment on the organization as a wholeHow organizations who value meaningful partnerships are able to weather crises better For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/197

While leadership can develop to an extent through common sense and good judgement, there are a multitude of skills that must be learned and practiced for one to truly become a competent, exceptional leader. In its earliest stages, it is easy for the aspiring leader or executive coach to create an agenda that builds leadership skills: Take the lead, collaborate, chart a course, follow up, and revise. Be confident but not aggressive. After the leader masters the basics, the agenda gradually becomes murky and hard to detect. For more than twenty-five years, Rick Tirrell, Ph.D., has helped leaders and mentors build their skills in publicly traded companies, privately held firms, nonprofits, and government organizations. His mastery of the art and science of leadership gives the aspiring leader an actionable toolbox for developing effective leadership skills. His seminars convert leadership theory into useful and achievable steps that every leader and mentor can take. His experience comes from working with frontline supervisors as well as the corner office. In his own leadership, he has founded and led two companies himself. His Ph.D. is in Psychology, and he is the author of the groundbreaking 2009 book, “The Wisdom of Resilience Builders.” Topics During this interview Rick and I discuss the following topics: The inspiration behind his bookThe different rites of passage a leader will travel throughWhat it means to be “all in” as a leaderHow to create followers as a leaderHow to keep up with the changing needs of your employeesHow to become a leader of leaders For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/196

Crafting a clear agenda and attending to people’s states of mind can lead to far more effective meetings and build a sense of resilience and trust.Most team members aren’t fully present at meetings — they’re still processing thoughts and feelings from the meetings before. Creating an agenda that gives employees room to reflect and close is a powerful way to ensure employees are more present. Lisa J. Koss is the co-founder and a partner at Ontos Global. She has 25 years’ experience in global leadership, team development, talent management, executive coaching and design and organizational change initiatives. Her proprietary coaching model has been taught in 9 different languages across the globe. Her clients include Kaiser Permanente, ITT, Xylem, British Petroleum, Honeywell, Hewlett Packard, General Electric, Ernst & Young, and many more. Topics During this interview Lisa and I discuss the following topics: How she got into developmental coachingHow to start becoming a manager-coachThe difference between mentoring and coachingHow to be a more empathetic leaderHow to get your subordinates more interested in being coached For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/195

Communication is the skill which many leaders and even organizations struggle with. Communication is what makes or breaks teams in terms of achieving peak performance or not. Despite a complex issue, there are three different common mistakes which leaders make when it comes to communicating with their teams. Topics In this episode I discuss the following topics: Why communication is so importantThree different common break-downsHow to fix these problems and stop doing them now For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/194

As bleary-eyed workers return to “normal life” back at the office, many are questioning what their new work life will look like. Leaders now face a dilemma: How do we keep our people—and attract new talent? The answer, according to two acclaimed human resources and performance experts, is deceptively simple. Have more fun. Work” and “fun” have historically been considered polar opposites of each other. But a quick look under the hood of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work for in America list reveals an undeniable fact: 81% of surveyed employees say the best companies are all fun places to work. Deloitte has gone so far as to label the 2020s as “The Era of Workplace Fun.” BOB NELSON, PH.D., president of Nelson Motivation Inc., is the world’s leading authority on employee recognition and engagement. He’s worked with 80% of Fortune 500 companies, is a Senior Fellow for the Conference Board, a top thought leader for the Best Practice Institute, and was named a top-five management guru by Global Gurus. Fondly known as “Dr. Bob,” he has authored over 30 books on employee motivation and engagement, which have collectively sold over 5 million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages. MARIO TAMAYO is a principal with Tamayo Group Inc., a no-nonsense consulting firm specializing in leadership and organizational performance. He has more than 30 years of experience in maximizing human performance, working with organizations such as Genentech, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Petco, General Dynamics, and the U.S. Men’s Olympic Volleyball team. Topics During this interview Bob, Mario, and I discuss the following topics: How work become boring in the first placeThe benefits of bringing more fun into the workplaceHow to incorporate fun into the culture of your companyHow the daily work can be more fun for your companyHow to celebrate success in a fun mannerThe difference between reinforcing performance and presenceHow to make your own work more fun For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/193

If you’re in a leadership role today, you surely didn’t get there by accident. You have vision. You’re confident. And you’re at the ready to offer support and lightning-quick responses. But if you don’t effectively communicate these qualities to your people, how will they know you embody them? Frankly, they won’t. Despite leaders giving themselves gold stars in communication, only 13% of U.S. employees say their leaders communicate well, according to Gallup research. And that’s a colossal problem: 93% of workers surveyed by the Brunswick Group report that “leadership that communicates directly and transparently” is what keeps them on the job, bested only by pay and the ability to move up. The most powerful tool you have as a leader—to inform, engage, and inspire—is your voice, says veteran leadership communications coach Joel Schwartzberg. Yet all too often, our words fall flat; we get caught in our head, fail to truly understand our audience, or simply flub the landing. But it’s our words and awareness of their impact that make the difference between simply managing teams and inspiring them to do their best work. Joel Schwartzberg is a leadership communications coach whose clients include American Express, Blue Cross Blue Shield, State Farm Insurance, the Brennan Center for Justice, and Comedy Central. He is the senior director of strategic and executive communications for a major national nonprofit and previously held senior-level communication and editorial positions with Time Inc., PBS, and Nickelodeon. Schwartzberg’s articles on effective communication have appeared in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, and Toastmaster magazine, and he’s a sought-after business and communications podcast guest and conference speaker. He is the author of Get to the Point! Sharpen Your Message and Make Your Words Matter, which Seth Godin calls “a manifesto for giving talks that make a difference,” and The Language of Leadership: How to Engage and Inspire Your Team (Berrett-Koehler Publishers; July 13, 2021), which Kevin Eikenberry says “will make your communication more purposeful, meaningful, and inspirational.” Topics During this interview Joel and I discuss the following topics: Why communicating clearly and effectively is so importantWhere leaders make mistakes with their communication skillsHow to change your approach based on your audienceHow to appear more empathetic and authentic How to effectively communicate in the virtual environmentAdvice on communicating in various situations For the complete show notes, be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/192

The burden of command can place a huge kink in your leadership journey. It will affect every aspect of your life and not just your team. Furthermore, this is not just a military phenomenon but rather one for all leaders everywhere. Therefore, it's critical for all leaders to understand the burden of command and know how to overcome it. Topics During this episode I discuss: What the burden of command isThe affects it has on leadersHow to overcome the burden of command for all leaders For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/191

Today, our nation is like a ship being tossed in tumultuous seas. The winds and waves of change have divided and distanced our society, threatening to wash away the very principles our nation was founded upon. Now more than ever, our nation needs leaders with the moral courage to stand strong and steady—leaders capable of uniting people in support of a shared purpose by building the trust and respect necessary for organizations and their people to thrive. Admiral Sandy Stosz started out in the US Coast Guard as an ensign serving aboard polar icebreakers, conducting national security missions from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Her forty-year career was filled with leadership lessons gleaned while breaking ice and breaking glass as the first woman to command an icebreaker on the Great Lakes and to lead a US armed forces service academy. Along the way, Sandy served for 12 years at sea, commanding two ships, and led large Coast Guard organizations during times of crisis and complexity. She finished her career as the first woman assigned as Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, directing one of the Coast Guard’s largest enterprises. She has lectured widely on leadership, and has been featured on CSPAN and other media outlets. In 2012, Newsweek’s “The Daily Beast” named Sandy to their list of 150 Women who Shake the World. Topics During this interview Sandy and I discuss the following topics: What brought her to become a leader in the US Coast GuardHow she broke out her shell and develop her leadership skillsSome of her leadership challenges that she overcame in her careerThe great leadership success of her careerHer thoughts on how to build cohesive teamsHer advice for women leaders out there For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/190

Marc Polymeropoulos retired in June 2019 from the Senior Intelligence Service ranks at the CIA after a 26-year career in operational headquarters and field management assignments covering the Middle East, Europe, Eurasia, and counter terrorism. He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and he is one of the CIA’s most decorated field officers. Marc is the recipient of the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the Intelligence Medal of Merit, and the Intelligence Commendation medal. His last position was overseeing the CIA's clandestine operations in Europe and Eurasia. He is a respected commentator on foreign policy and intelligence matters and is widely quoted in both the US and international media. Topics During this interview Marc and I discuss the following topics: What drew him to the CIAWhy he went into intelligence operationsLessons he learned from his first mentorHow he was drawn to become a leader within the CIAHow to face adversity and overcome itHow to get a team refocused after a major setbackHow to remain calm in the face of adversityHow to form peak performing teams For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/189

The importance of hiring the right people can’t be emphasized enough. However, too many organizations out there, simply hire people to “fill the holes” without actually thinking through the problem that they are trying to solve. What capabilities are required for the organization to move forward in the right direction, as well as processes which require human input need to be determined. But most importantly, how will the person actually fit into the organization’s culture and dynamics. Jennifer has developed her expertise in Talent Strategy & Leadership Professional Development over her exciting 20+ year career as an HR Professional. She’s led international teams across Greater China, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S. to expand into new markets, managing franchise retailers, and developing key strategic partnerships – all while exceeding business objectives and financial results. The rapid growth of her consulting firm 304 Coaching has been largely due to Jennifer’s unconventional approach to building innovative workforce development solutions for companies who are facing breakthrough growth and accelerated hiring patterns. She is a sought-after business strategist, specializing in start-ups and large value-based organizations. She assists her clients in building talent strategies that complement their business strategies to ensure exponential growth. Topics During this interview Jen and I discuss the following topics: The current situation in the hiring domainHow to keep the people who are already in the organizationThe best way to find and hire someoneThe components of an effective hiring strategyThe importance of looking into failures during the interview processHow to effectively onboard new employeesHow to deal with employees who are leaving the organization For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/187

Organizational alignment is not accidental. Leaders define their organization’s mission and vision and are responsible for creating the roadmaps to get there. Attaining alignment is dependent on the leader’s ability to inspire his or her followers to pursue a common purpose with energy and zeal. It’s up to the leaders to help employees see the vision clearly. Leaders need to develop their skills to include a variety of ways to communicate, encourage teamwork, and drive accountability. They need to set clear and ethical goals for themselves and others. And they need to give honest and timely feedback with the objective of enabling individuals to increase their own performance levels — not criticize or lay blame when plans fail. When leaders have done their work of alignment well, the organization runs like a well-oiled machine and there’s little need for the leader to be in the trenches. Instead, leaders remain accessible and allow the work to flow. Art serves as CEO of Orgametrics and works with clients across the country. Art has a long history with large corporations, with leadership stints at IBM, USWest (CenturyLink) and Medtronic. Art has also served as an Adjunct Professor with the Hamline University School of Business teaching their MBA candidates in Strategic Management. Topics During this interview Art and I discuss the following topics: How alignment will help leaders achieve peak performanceHow culture helps us achieve alignmentThe 9 pillars of cultural alignmentWhere organizations become misaligned most often How messaging is communicated through aligned organizationsWhy humility is so importantHow to use empowerment effectivelyHow to prioritize which areas to focus on when “fixing” an organization For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/186

Who hasn’t had to deal with a jerk at work? Whether it’s a toxic team member who loves nothing more than to suck the life and excitement out of her colleagues, the difficult coworker who isn’t happy unless the office is filled with mayhem and drama, or a bad boss who causes his employees to constantly dream of telling him to “Take this job and shove it!”, we’ve all had to deal with people on the job we would rather not. Peter Economy is the bestselling author of Managing for Dummies (more than 600,000 copies sold globally), Wait, I'm the Boss?!? and is The Leadership Guy at Inc.com, which averages over 500,000 page views a month for his more than 1,500 columns published to date. He routinely works with C-level executives, executive coaches, and business consultants worldwide. Topics During this interview Peter and I discuss the following topics: The amount of drain jerks can have on the workplaceThe impacts of the “Credit Thief”Why micromanaging is so destructiveHow to find, hire, and retain talented workersHow to figure out if you the leader are a jerk or notHow to confront jerks at work For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/185

A highly sought-after keynote speaker, educator and author, Gabrielle has worked with thousands of high-profile leaders from around the world and helped countless of Australia’s top 50 companies and multinationals to humanise their communications - Telstra, EY, Accenture, VISA, Australia Post, National Australia Bank, Amazon, Vodafone and the Obama Foundation to name drop a few. She holds a master’s degree in management and leadership from Swinburne University, an associate diploma in education and training from the University of Melbourne, and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education in both the Art and Practice of Adaptive Leadership and Women and Power: Leadership in a New World. Gabrielle is also the bestselling author of Real Communication: How to be you and lead true, a finalist in the Australian Business Leadership Book Awards for 2019. Her other published books include Stories for Work: The Essential Guide to Business Storytelling (2017), Storytelling for Job Interviews (2016), Ignite: Real Leadership, Real Talk, Real Results (2015) which reached the top five on Australia’s bestselling business books and Hooked: How Leaders Connect, Engage and Inspire with Storytelling (2013). Her latest title, Magnetic Stories: Connect with customers and engage employees with brand storytelling will be published by Wiley in March 2021. Telling magnetic stories is necessary in order to truly connect with your employees and your customers. Topics During this interview Gabrielle and I discuss the following topics: Why stories are importantWhen stories are best usedHow decide which stories to use The winning formula for creating great storiesHow to become comfortable with storytellingThe added benefits of sharing personal stories For the complete shownotes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/184

It happens commonly in all organizations. You've been promoted. Congratulations! However, now you are no longer a peer with your subordinates, you are their supervisor. The relationship has changed, you are still the same person who you were earlier but they no longer see it that way. It's a tricky situation to navigate which if done wrong can result in a lack of respect and trust, and ultimately broken relationships. However, it does not have to be that way. Former peers now subordinates and you can have a healthy relationship moving forward, it will just take a little bit of time and a whole lot of effort on your part. Topics During this episode I discuss the following topics: How to overcome impostor syndromeSetting expectations with friends who are now subordinatesDealing with former peers who wanted your position as wellHow to earn trust and respect of your team For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/183

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported an estimated 840,000 blind spot accidents occur in the United States each year, resulting in around 300 fatalities. If that is what occurs while driving an automobile, an activity which many of us do everyday, imagine what it is doing to your organization. Blind spots can sink an organization as fast as a car can get into an accident. It’s time to bring the death of those blindspots and your BS along with it. A sought-after keynote speaker, Likky Lavji is passionate about helping others “break barriers” to unleash their human potential. In fact, his middle name, Madat, translates to ‘help’ and he channels this into providing value in every relationship he has – personal and professional. With over 25 years as a CEO of a top IT company, Likky’s extensive experience in executive leadership has given him a unique perspective that remains unchartered by leaders and organizations in understanding the layers beneath human behavior and how it impacts growth and productivity of an organization. He has been acknowledged by prominent organizations, including Telus Corporation, Lenovo Canada and Royal Bank of Canada for his ability to create mindset shift when it comes to commitment and powerful performance to achieve results. Topics During this interview Likky and I discuss the following topics: How BS will destroy your leadershipWhy trust is important in eliminating your blind spotsThe different Blind Spot typesHow to be aware of your blind spotsHow to start addressing your blind spotsLessons from his failures as a leaderThe best ways to build cohesion and loyalty in a team For the complete show notes, be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/182

Most leaders don’t know what organisational culture is. They know it’s the defining factor in performance, but are unsure how to identify or change it, despite the profound impact it has on every single aspect of the organisation. Culture is the rules of belonging. Change those rules and you’ll change your culture. Change your culture and you’ll change your results. Fiona Robertson is an expert in organisational culture, leadership and teamwork who holds an MBA from London Business School and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership. She is the former Head of Culture for the National Australia Bank, has worked in and consulted to dozens of blue-chip corporates and all levels of government in Australia, and coached numerous senior executives in large and small organizations. Other clients have included the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM), ANZ Bank, NCR, Monash College, Swinburne University, RMIT Online and IBM. Fiona is now an independent culture change keynote speaker, facilitator and coach for senior executives. Topics During this interview Fiona and I discuss the following topics: How culture and belonging will help leaders achieve peak performanceHow to drive cultural change in using belonging principlesHow to connect a disconnect between cultural expectations and actionsHow leaders can engage their people to drive cultural changeHow to enable subordinates to bring forward ideas How to manage the differences in interpretation For the complete show notes, be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/181

If America were an NCAA basketball team, we’d be looking at a 0-32 season. Employees are missing crucial shots as job worries spike to levels we haven’t seen in years. Our co-workers and communities have split into politically polarized shirts vs. skins, and as a result, we’re fouling out and fumbling mission-critical assists. The answer, say authors Lynn Guerin and Jason Lavin, is to unify our teams like legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden did. Wooden wasn’t only a record-breaking coach who won 38 straight NCAA tournaments and 10 championships in 12 short years. He was a beloved mentor and teacher, and his lessons are more relevant today than ever. Lynn Guerin is CEO of The John R. Wooden Course and president and “Head Coach” of his family-owned coaching, training, and performance development firm, Guerin Marketing Services. For the past 20 years, he has had the unique privilege of partnering with legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden and the Wooden family. Topics During this interview Lynn and I discuss the following topics: How the principles of his book will help leaders achieve peak performanceWhat makes a great coachHow leading by example is crucial to successWhy being a teacher is important as a leaderHow to be humble to talk about your failuresHow to create a sustained peak performance For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/180

Welcome to the Monday Leadership Minute. This just a quick and dirty weekly segment where I talk about whatever leadership topic is ongoing or in my mind. If you have something you would like to hear during this segment, be sure to reach out to me via: [email protected] There are no show notes for these, just enjoy. Subscribe to Moving Forward Leadership Love the Moving Forward Leadership Podcast? Follow Moving Forward Leadership FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn Join our Leadership Community Tired of not having a community to discuss leadership with? Well then join our FREE online community where we discuss leadership on a deep and daily basis. Get in touch Need help and want to discuss options with me? Then simply book a discovery call and lets talk on how we can move you forward! Have Ideas? If you have ideas for guests, topics for Monday Leadership Minute, or simply to say hello, then shoot me an email. Leadership to your Inbox! Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter and see what is happening in the background with me, read the most interesting articles in leadership, as well as get inside information from time-to-time on what I have upcoming! What did you think of the show? What was your biggest take away? Tag us when you share on social media! #LeadDontBoss Twitter: @leaddontboss Instagram: @leaddontboss

Feedback is a crucial took to ensure that your team and organization are on the right course. Like a plan flying from Toronto to London, UK, regular feedback is required to keep everyone on the right path. Yet so many leaders and organizations fail to either provide this crucial information or to do it in a manner which is beneficial. It's time to fix that! Topics During this episode I discuss the following topics: How feedback helps to achieve peak performanceThe different types of feedbackWhat feedback should beWhat to avoid when giving feedbackA framework when giving or accepting feedback For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/179

In many areas around the world, women still struggle to reach the same level as their male counterparts. Even in the western world, we just celebrated the election of the first female Vice President of the United States. Yet there is an ever increasing number of women in the workplace. It’s time for us as leaders to recognize this inequity and help women to reach the levels which they deserve. Mandy Cavanaugh’s passion for leadership, entrepreneurship, and helping people thrive has fueled her roles as CEO, consultant, and facilitator. Her businesses have spanned global lodging logistics, land development, manufacturing, corporate leadership seminars, and turnaround consulting. Mandy succeeds in highly competitive environments by connecting each of her team members to their best future self. She holds various coaching certifications and has conducted seminars on high performance, authentic success, conscious language, imagination activation, conflict resolution, corporate soul retrieval, CEO-ship for start-ups, sales, team building, and wealth wisdom for women. Topics During this interview Mandy and I discuss the following topics: Her thoughts on the first female US vice president being electedThe importance of balancing masculine and feminine energy How enable feminine perspective to come out from our peopleThe inspiration behind her book Leadership struggles that female leaders faceHow female leaders can use their famine energy and get taken seriously For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/178

Welcome to the Monday Leadership Minute. This just a quick and dirty weekly segment where I talk about whatever leadership topic is ongoing or in my mind. If you have something you would like to hear during this segment, be sure to reach out to me via: [email protected] There are no show notes for these, just enjoy. Subscribe to Moving Forward Leadership Love the Moving Forward Leadership Podcast? Follow Moving Forward Leadership FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn Join our Leadership Community Tired of not having a community to discuss leadership with? Well then join our FREE online community where we discuss leadership on a deep and daily basis. Get in touch Need help and want to discuss options with me? Then simply book a discovery call and lets talk on how we can move you forward! Have Ideas? If you have ideas for guests, topics for Monday Leadership Minute, or simply to say hello, then shoot me an email. Leadership to your Inbox! Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter and see what is happening in the background with me, read the most interesting articles in leadership, as well as get inside information from time-to-time on what I have upcoming! What did you think of the show? What was your biggest take away? Tag us when you share on social media! #LeadDontBoss Twitter: @leaddontboss Instagram: @leaddontboss

Culture is the biggest topic in the world right now - and the number one determinant of organizational success - yet it’s often put in the ‘too hard to change’ basket. For too long leaders have applied lip service responses or quick-fix solutions to culture change that don't actually affect behaviour change or else provide any improvements to people’s working lives. This needs to change. Workplace culture specialist and best-selling author Colin D Ellis provides a practical culture toolkit of 26 tried and tested ideas that you can put into practice right now, regardless of where people are based. It’s through these simple and actionable ideas that over time can transform the way that work gets done. From emails to book clubs and meetings to podcasts, Ellis shows readers how to take regular steps to build a fantastic work culture that everyone wants to be a part of. Changing your culture doesn’t need to be hard, and Culture Hacks empowers you with the actions needed to transform your working day so that you’re fit for the future of work. Author Colin D Ellis is an award-winning international speaker, best-selling author and renowned culture change expert who works with organizations around the world to help them transform the way they get things done. He draws on more than 30 years of public and private sector leadership experience in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. Topics During this interview Colin and I discuss the following topics: How you as a leader can “hack” your cultureHow meetings drain your cultureFinding a way to trust in your team and cultureWhy failing will tighten your organization not divide itHow hobbies can bring your team togetherWhy starting a podcast will improve your cultureHow sports can build your culture For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/177

Welcome to the Monday Leadership Minute. This just a quick and dirty weekly segment where I talk about whatever leadership topic is ongoing or in my mind. If you have something you would like to hear during this segment, be sure to reach out to me via: [email protected] There are no show notes for these, just enjoy. Subscribe to Moving Forward Leadership Love the Moving Forward Leadership Podcast? Follow Moving Forward Leadership FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn Join our Leadership Community Tired of not having a community to discuss leadership with? Well then join our FREE online community where we discuss leadership on a deep and daily basis. Get in touch Need help and want to discuss options with me? Then simply book a discovery call and lets talk on how we can move you forward! Have Ideas? If you have ideas for guests, topics for Monday Leadership Minute, or simply to say hello, then shoot me an email. Leadership to your Inbox! Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter and see what is happening in the background with me, read the most interesting articles in leadership, as well as get inside information from time-to-time on what I have upcoming! What did you think of the show? What was your biggest take away? Tag us when you share on social media! #LeadDontBoss Twitter: @leaddontboss Instagram: @leaddontboss

Trust isn’t something we typically think of as having an economic value. But scratch the surface behind the numbers appearing on any company’s balance sheet and trust — or a lack of it — appears everywhere. When trust increases, so do output, morale, retention, innovation and loyalty. Conversely, a lack of trust is a company’s single biggest expense. At the core, problems are never about leadership, communication, sales, marketing or even finances. Every issue falls under one or more of the “8 Pillars of Trust.” These pillars correspond to eight specific traits that the most trusted leaders, brands and organizations have in common. The good news is that trust can be learned, practiced and profitable — with astonishing results. David Horsager, MA, CSP, CPAE, is the CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute, Trust Expert in Residence at High Point University, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Trust Edge. David has advised leaders and delivered life-changing presentations on six continents, with audiences ranging from FedEx, Toyota, MIT and global governments to the New York Yankees and the Department of Homeland Security. Topics During this interview David and I discuss the following topics: How trust will help achieve peak performanceHow he developed the 8 pillars of trustCompassion, Character, (incentivize lack of character), competency, How to “trust” your toxic supervisorHow to become trustworthy if you believe you are not For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/176

Leadership and leaders can stagnate just like companies. From time to time we leaders must challenge ourselves in new ways to ensure that we are still growing as a leader and person. From 1 February 2021 and for 75 days straight I did just that. I and a group of 15 men took on Andy Frisella's "75 Hard Challenge." For a total of 75 days straight we had to: Drink no alcoholcomplete 2 x 45 minute workoutsFollow a meal plan with no cheatingDrink a US Gallon of waterRead 10 pages of a self-improvement bookTake a progress picture To say that this was a challenge would be an understatement, after all it was not "75 EASY" but 75 Hard. In this episode I go through the lessons I learned through this journey. Topics During this episode I discuss the following topics: What 75 Hard isWhy having a plan is crucialImpacts of decisions and actionsSupport a team is crucialManaging your own expectationsLearning to fail gracefully For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/175

Welcome to the Monday Leadership Minute. This just a quick and dirty weekly segment where I talk about whatever leadership topic is ongoing or in my mind. If you have something you would like to hear during this segment, be sure to reach out to me via: [email protected] There are no show notes for these, just enjoy. Subscribe to Moving Forward Leadership Love the Moving Forward Leadership Podcast? Follow Moving Forward Leadership FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn Join our Leadership Community Tired of not having a community to discuss leadership with? Well then join our FREE online community where we discuss leadership on a deep and daily basis. Get in touch Need help and want to discuss options with me? Then simply book a discovery call and lets talk on how we can move you forward! Have Ideas? If you have ideas for guests, topics for Monday Leadership Minute, or simply to say hello, then shoot me an email. Leadership to your Inbox! Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter and see what is happening in the background with me, read the most interesting articles in leadership, as well as get inside information from time-to-time on what I have upcoming! What did you think of the show? What was your biggest take away? Tag us when you share on social media! #LeadDontBoss Twitter: @leaddontboss Instagram: @leaddontboss

A year ago, business leaders around the world began grappling with the pandemic and its massive impact on the workplace, the economy, and people’s lives. Largely isolated and working from home, top executives were not only forced to quickly figure out how to adapt to keep their company running. They also had time to re-examine their standard practices and beliefs about doing business and leading others. Thanks to COVID-19, many leaders have embraced change, gained self-awareness, and become better leaders. What these leaders have learned about flexibility, resilience, empathy, collaboration, tackling inequity, and maximizing everyone’s potential can help other leaders shift and prepare—in matters of strategy, operations, and mindset—for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Atholl Duncan is Chair of Black Isle Group, leadership performance development specialists, and an international executive coach. Certified by INSEAD, he also studied leadership at Harvard and Cranfield. A former journalist and television producer, he worked for BBC News for more than 20 years. Atholl is the Chairman of Black Isle Group. He was a senior executive with the BBC for many years; an Executive Director of ICAS; and a corporate affairs director for one of the UK’s largest utility companies. Atholl is currently Chair of the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation; Chair of UK Coaching; and a board member and former Chair of the British Horseracing Authority. He is an Insead Executive Coach with a leadership education from Harvard and Cranfield. Topics During this interview Atholl and I discuss the following topics: Failures that businesses made during the beginning of lockdownHow leaders got their businesses out of “the hole”7 different themes from their researchHow senior leaders were able to remain resilient throughout the crisisHow businesses have strengthened their teams throughout the crisis For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/174

Culture affects every aspect of your business, organization, and even yourself. Building a high-performing culture requires you as a leader to drive that vision on a daily basis. Understanding the components of a high performing culture, how to lead your team, and understanding what a high performing culture looks like will ensure success. Andrew Freedman is a lifelong advocate for maximizing human potential and creating positive change, personally and professionally. For over 25 years, he’s been a driving force in designing strategies that provide leaders a foundation to translate individual, team, and organizational talent into tangible business growth. As Managing Partner of SHIFT Consulting, he’s helped countless companies across diverse industries flourish through vibrant company cultures and a high performance mindset. Additionally, through his work as an affiliate faculty member of the University of Baltimore, Andrew’s continued goal is to use his insatiable passion for human performance to inspire new generations of business leaders with the art and science of creating and executing successful, people-focused business strategies. Topics During this interview Andrew and I discuss the following topics: Why a high-performing culture is so important How leaders can make a “better way” for their employeesWhy starting with the end goal enables teams to achieve peak performanceHow to incorporate values to create a high performance cultureHow toxicity can degrade performance in an organizationHow to find employees to hire and integrate them into a high-performing culture For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/173

Welcome to the Monday Leadership Minute. This just a quick and dirty weekly segment where I talk about whatever leadership topic is ongoing or in my mind. If you have something you would like to hear during this segment, be sure to reach out to me via: [email protected] There are no show notes for these, just enjoy. Subscribe to Moving Forward Leadership Love the Moving Forward Leadership Podcast? Follow Moving Forward Leadership FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn Join our Leadership Community Tired of not having a community to discuss leadership with? Well then join our FREE online community where we discuss leadership on a deep and daily basis. Get in touch Need help and want to discuss options with me? Then simply book a discovery call and lets talk on how we can move you forward! Have Ideas? If you have ideas for guests, topics for Monday Leadership Minute, or simply to say hello, then shoot me an email. Leadership to your Inbox! Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter and see what is happening in the background with me, read the most interesting articles in leadership, as well as get inside information from time-to-time on what I have upcoming! What did you think of the show? What was your biggest take away? Tag us when you share on social media! #LeadDontBoss Twitter: @leaddontboss Instagram: @leaddontboss

The importance of strategy cannot be understated. You organization is like a ship and its strategy is the rudder. With out the rudder, the ship will sail in circles and ultimately go nowhere. With a steady rudder (strategy) and an experience Captain (you the leader) your ship will get to its destination. Sure there'll be waves along the way, maybe a detour or two, but that is how you operate to achieve success. Brad Chase has had a broad and extensive business career. He has advised leaders of businesses of many different sizes, from startups to Fortune 500 firms, and in many different kinds of markets, from mobile and education to enterprises and consumer services. Some of the companies he has worked with include GE, Telstra, VMware, Mozy (a subsidiary of EMC), Blucora, Sonos, Vizrea, and Crisply. He has also held leadership positions on the boards of many companies and nonprofit organizations, including Expedia, Ooyala, DreamBox, Brooks, Boys and Girls Clubs of King County, and The Nature Conservancy. As a public speaker, Brad has spoken about his particular theory on business strategy, Strategy First, to executives at large and small businesses, to incubators, at conferences, and to students at topflight MBA programs. Before consulting, board work, and speaking, Brad spent 14 years at Microsoft finishing his tenure as a Senior Vice President and Executive Officer managing a team of over 4,000. From April 1999 until mid-2002, Brad led MSN.com’s transformation from an unsuccessful internet service to the worldwide traffic and search leader. Under his leadership at MSN, search traffic, revenue, and internal team morale all more than doubled. For complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/172

Age is often looked at as a sign of experience and competence. However, leadership is more complex than simply age. Younger leaders definitely face more complex challenges than their older counterparts. Additionally, the ability to form high-performing teams is challenged. However, not all is bad. Younger leaders can bring their assets to move their organization forward. Like anything, there are simple tactics which can help you as a younger leader to excel. Topics During this episode I discuss the following topics: The immediate fear of being a younger leader5 tips to be successful as a younger leader:RespectListenCommunicateDouble-downRemember that you are a leader For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/171

Welcome to the Monday Leadership Minute. This just a quick and dirty weekly segment where I talk about whatever leadership topic is ongoing or in my mind. If you have something you would like to hear during this segment, be sure to reach out to me via: [email protected] There are no show notes for these, just enjoy. Subscribe to Moving Forward Leadership Love the Moving Forward Leadership Podcast? Follow Moving Forward Leadership FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn Join our Leadership Community Tired of not having a community to discuss leadership with? Well then join our FREE online community where we discuss leadership on a deep and daily basis. Get in touch Need help and want to discuss options with me? Then simply book a discovery call and lets talk on how we can move you forward! Have Ideas? If you have ideas for guests, topics for Monday Leadership Minute, or simply to say hello, then shoot me an email. Leadership to your Inbox! Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter and see what is happening in the background with me, read the most interesting articles in leadership, as well as get inside information from time-to-time on what I have upcoming! What did you think of the show? What was your biggest take away? Tag us when you share on social media! #LeadDontBoss Twitter: @leaddontboss Instagram: @leaddontboss

Chaos can destroy the best of organizations. It can rifle through them with unprecedented speed and destruction. As leaders, we need to ensure that we eliminate chaos when it occurs. However, it is even more important to ensure that we get ahead and stop the chaos from even starting in the first place. Susan Fennema is the Chaos Eradicating Officer (CEO) of Beyond the Chaos, a consultancy helping small business owners to simplify their operations and manage their projects so they can grow their businesses and get their lives back. With 30+ years of operations/project management experience in professional service industries, Susan is on a mission to improve American society exponentially. When not making multi-course dinners, she enjoys Texas A&M football games and Blackhawks hockey. She lives and works from her home in McKinney, Texas, with her husband, dog, and cat. Topics During this interview Susan and I discuss the following topics: The negative effects which Chaos has on an organizationHow the “fire fighter” mentality affects peopleThe common causes for chaosHow to establish a structure which enables vice cripplesThe importance of simplicity in eliminating ChaosHow to deal with people who are causing chaos in your organizationHow delegation helps lessen chaos in organizations For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/170

Welcome to the Monday Leadership Minute. This just a quick and dirty weekly segment where I talk about whatever leadership topic is ongoing or in my mind. If you have something you would like to hear during this segment, be sure to reach out to me via: [email protected] There are no show notes for these, just enjoy. Subscribe to Moving Forward Leadership Love the Moving Forward Leadership Podcast? Follow Moving Forward Leadership FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn Join our Leadership Community Tired of not having a community to discuss leadership with? Well then join our FREE online community where we discuss leadership on a deep and daily basis. Get in touch Need help and want to discuss options with me? Then simply book a discovery call and lets talk on how we can move you forward! Have Ideas? If you have ideas for guests, topics for Monday Leadership Minute, or simply to say hello, then shoot me an email. Leadership to your Inbox! Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter and see what is happening in the background with me, read the most interesting articles in leadership, as well as get inside information from time-to-time on what I have upcoming! What did you think of the show? What was your biggest take away? Tag us when you share on social media! #LeadDontBoss Twitter: @leaddontboss Instagram: @leaddontboss

There’s no lack of good ideas in today’s business world, yet 50% of them are doomed to failure. Executives will often greenlight a strategic initiative based on a business case and financial analyses alone, with no idea whether their company has the ability to execute it successfully. But there’s a better way to make corporate decisions. Alex Castro has developed the ReM Score™, a data-driven measurement for determining a company’s execution capability (or readiness) for each strategic initiative it is considering. Using this groundbreaking approach, business leaders can effectively evaluate potential acquisitions, new product concepts, new market expansions, and back-office optimizations by separating ideas that will actually work for them from those that are great in theory alone, while continuously measuring a business’s adaptability to evolving strategies. You don’t get two or three chances to make a strategy work in our rapidly shifting business environment. Measure, Execute, Win will help your company proceed on initiatives with full confidence that they will deliver the results you want. Topics During this interview Alex and I discuss the following topics: How measuring will enable you to hit peak performanceHow organizations fail at executing on their great ideasWhat alignment is and how to ensure your organization is alignedHow to analyze your organization to determine your shortcomingsHow to avoid analysis paralysis For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/169

Change is hard for any organization. People are often adverse to change as they are comfortable in the ways which they live and work. However, in order to remain relevant and competitive in today’s world, change is essential. Therefore, as leaders it’s crucial that we lead the changes in our organizations the right way. Jennifer has developed her expertise in Talent Strategy & Leadership Professional Development over her exciting 20+ year career as an HR Professional. She’s led international teams across Greater China, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S. to expand into new markets, managing franchise retailers, and developing key strategic partnerships - all while exceeding business objectives and financial results. The rapid growth of her consulting firm 304 Coaching has been largely due to Jennifer’s unconventional approach to building innovative workforce development solutions for companies who are facing breakthrough growth and accelerated hiring patterns. She is a sought-after business strategist, specializing in start-ups and large value-based organizations. She assists her clients in building talent strategies that complement their business strategies to ensure exponential growth. Topics During this interview Jen and I discuss the following topics: Why lead real change will help leaders hit peak performanceWhy decision agility is important to leadersThe competencies required for future leadersHow to create a culture of innovation by crushing fearWhy being told what you want to hear will damage your organizationHow to decide between strategic and tactical priorities For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/168