‘The Rising Leader Podcast’

In today’s episode, I recount a story from Katherine Hepburn’s childhood and discuss the significance of approaching interactions with a mindset of service, generosity, and providing value. I also underscore the importance of setting healthy boundaries and ensuring your well-being.

Geoffrey joins me today to discuss heart-centered leadership, being people-focused, and dedicating time to build connections. He describes the role of storytelling in leadership and emphasizes the value of telling stories that resonate with team members and reflect the organization’s meaning and purpose. He shares a story of transforming a difficult work relationship into a successful partnership. Geoffrey also underscores why organizations need to have well-resourced learning and development departments and highlights the role of leaders in fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and appreciated.

In this episode, I discuss why leadership—although it’s hard—is simple. I discuss my recent interview with healthcare industry executive, Geffrey Roche, and explain how books and content on online platforms such as LinkedIn overcomplicate leadership. I also outline the components of great leadership and underscore why doing internal work—through staying grounded and reducing stress—is a critical part of being a leader.

Dr. Mandy joins me today to share her journey to achieve sustainable success as an ambitious woman. She describes the challenges she overcame in her personal and professional life and the pivotal turning point she reached to redefine her idea of success. She also explains why she now believes things don’t need to be hard to be considered worthwhile or successful and what it means to incorporate joy and ease into your personal and professional life.

In this episode, I discuss failing and failing gracefully. I share the story of Christopher Troy and explore how, when we’re met with failure, cheering for our team’s success can benefit us. I describe how I usually react to my own failures. I also share Beth Perlman’s wisdom on not taking failures personally and the value of treating life as an experiment.

Devon joins me today to discuss how words shape your thoughts, leadership, and world. He emphasizes the importance of knowing your starting point. He explains why leaders need to define their three cornerstones, focus on what truly matters, and prioritize accordingly. Devon also highlights the difference between “keeping” and “being” your word and underscores how creativity and great leadership happen when we create space.

In this episode, I discuss receivership, how you can access it to reach your full potential, and letting your intuition—instead of the lies of hustle-and-grind—guide you. I also share the story of how Dr. Hew Len used Ho’oponopono to help transform and heal patients at a mental hospital, discuss Dr. Jeff Spencer’s Full Potential Play concept, and suggest activities you can do to help you relax and return to a state of receivership.

In this episode, I discuss how leading with an iron fist is lazy leadership and reveal the common denominator between accomplished, effective leaders like Beth Perlman, Deloitte CIO Larry Quinlan, and NetApp President Tom Mendoza. I discuss the power of empathy and care as core leadership traits. I also highlight tailoring your leadership approach according to personality type and underscore building trust through genuine care for others.

Matt joins me today to discuss managing public speaking anxiety and how to effectively navigate spontaneous public talks. He explains why anxiety from public speaking can’t be truly overcome and shares the two-pronged approach to managing the symptoms and sources of public speaking anxiety. He illustrates how we can reframe spontaneous public speaking situations not as threats, but as opportunities for exploration and collaboration. He outlines the “Pace, Space, & Grace” approach to high-impact, high-intensity conversations. He shares a story of serendipity and why he makes it a point to say “yes” to opportunities whenever possible. Matt also outlines the three “Rs” people must consider before asserting their viewpoint and underscores how persuasion involves more than convincing another person to do what you want them to do.

In this episode, I explore working too much and what you can do when you’re working hard for the wrong reasons. I also describe how I once worked hard, crashed, and burned because I was running away from fear. I also share the power of slowing down and letting your intuition guide you to your next steps toward a more meaningful path.

Marcia joins me today to discuss leadership, influencing others, and listening. She explains what talent strategy means and how talent strategists help people make pivotal changes in their careers and lives. She reveals how Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist inspired her to found The O’Connor Group and describes how she grew her company to be the award-winning organization it is today. She shares her thoughts on coaching and developing the people of your organization. Marcia also reveals the secrets behind sales and underscores why recruitment, just like everything else, is sales.

Mark joins me today to discuss what it takes to create an unstoppable team. He shares his philosophy on growing a business while living a fulfilling life. He explains how investing in your professional and personal relationships can prime you for success later in life. Mark also highlights the essence of being a leader, the role of confidence and emotional fitness in the entrepreneurial mindset, and the winning formula for attracting and retaining talent in your organization.

In this episode, I discuss the three buckets you spend your time on at work: your official job, unofficial job, and distractions. I explain how taking on unofficial jobs can be helpful for you and your career and describe how they can hold you back if done incorrectly. I also reveal one of the key causes of overwhelm at work and underscore how consciously keeping track of how you spend your time can free up your calendar.

Jeff joins me today to discuss playing the bigger game of life and making an impact on humanity. He explains the difference between the “survivor” and “seeker” minds and how our fear-based survival instincts keep us in a life of mediocrity. He details what living a life of grasping entails and outlines how being in constant hyperfocus can keep us from bigger, better, and faster ways to achieve success. Jeff also describes what “receivership” is and highlights how distinguishing yourself as a person requires openness to insights and revelations and taking time to pause and reflect.

In this episode, I discuss business and non-business conversations and relationship-building. I explain how non-business conversations create resentment when done poorly. I describe how the way we react to anything as adults is deeply rooted in our childhood. I also discuss why you need to trust your gut and share ideas on approaching someone when you feel like you have offended them—or have been offended by them.

In this episode, I discuss the challenges of finding, attracting, and retaining the right talent in the current job market. I explain why employee engagement and happiness can no longer be a one-size-fits-all approach to employee retention. I also discuss driving employee loyalty, reveal the secret to pushing an employee’s performance without driving them out the door, and underscore how leadership is a skill you can hone and develop.

Larry joins me today to share the lessons he learned through becoming the Global Chief Information Officer for the world’s largest professional services firm. He emphasizes the importance of listening to the voices inside you and trusting yourself. He explains how to add value as a leader while surrounding yourself with people who are better than you. Larry also outlines the characteristics that he thinks made people want to help him rise through the ranks and underscores how the support of others was crucial to his professional success.

In this episode, I outline the key ingredients of a healthy, high-performing team and how to foster them. I also explain how being accountable and responsible for your team builds trust and makes it easier to handle conflict, discuss why every leader or team member should read Patrick Lencioni’s works, and how you can raise your organization or team to another level.

In this episode, I discuss handling conversations to clear the air or mend a slight. I explain how communication can make or break relationships in any setting. I also highlight the importance of keeping yourself grounded and centered and minding the place, space, and time when having a conversation to clear the air.