Sparks: Don’t be an NPC! Here’s How to be a Main Character in the Workplace
In gaming, some characters are just there for show, but the main character has the adventure. Turns out, most employees are like those non-playable characters (NPCs) blending into the background, unnoticed and unengaged. How can you stand out and truly make an impact? In today’s Leadership Spark, we’ll explore how you can take charge of your career. Show up, lead with vulnerability, build relationships, and speak up — these strategies will help you shift from being an unnoticed background player into a main character who actively shapes and influences their workplace. Tune in now and step into a role that lets you lead, grow, and make a real difference. ________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
5 Juli 20248min
CEO of Forbes On How to Transform A Company | Mike Federle
Transforming a traditional organization into a digital powerhouse isn't easy, but Forbes CEO Mike Federle has done just that. In this episode, we explore how he transformed Forbes from a print magazine into a global digital giant with 140 million users. You'll learn how Mike led Forbes through the tech evolution, revamping their newsroom model, building a contributor network, and embracing native advertising. Mike shares what allowed them to thrive while many competitors disappeared. We also tackle the challenges of balancing politics with media objectivity and how legacy media is surviving the modern competition against content creators. Mike compares how leadership changed through the years, and how the US remains a beacon of opportunity and leadership globally. We also discuss why leaders need to communicate capitalism's value to younger generations, and Mike shares his Word of the Year for 2024. ________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
1 Juli 202442min
Sparks: 7 Leadership Stereotypes You Should Kill
Ever been told leaders should never apologize or show emotion? Or perhaps that they must always be the smartest in the room? Well, it’s time to challenge these norms. In today’s Leadership Spark, I’m dissecting the seven outdated leadership stereotypes that might be silently sabotaging your career. You’ll discover why saying sorry could be your leadership superpower, the benefits of showing your human side at work, and how stepping back can push your team forward. We’ll explore why embracing vulnerability and admitting mistakes can actually strengthen your leadership and enhance your team’s trust and performance. ________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
28 Juni 202416min
How Leaders Can Be Strategic Thinkers, With Grandmaster Maurice Ashley
Chess Grandmasters are like master strategists, meticulously planning every move. In this episode, Maurice Ashley, the first African-American Chess Grandmaster, shares how the principles of elite-level chess can transform your business and leadership strategies. Learn how to cultivate the mental endurance and focus necessary for success, and why embracing the mindset of an “advanced beginner” can lead to continuous improvement. Maurice also discusses the dangers of overconfidence, the importance of humility, and how strategic risk-taking can pay off. Tune in to uncover the secrets of thinking like a Grandmaster and applying these insights to achieve success in your professional life. ________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
24 Juni 202450min
Sparks: How to Talk About Mistakes at Work
You’ve been handed an important project at work, but something goes wrong, and now you have to face your boss to explain what happened. This scenario happens too often at work, leaving many wondering how to handle it without damaging their reputation. In this episode, we explore the right way to talk about mistakes at work, a crucial skill for career growth. You will learn how to effectively communicate errors, gain their leader’s respect, and turn mistakes into opportunities for professional development. By understanding the importance of leading with vulnerability and demonstrating accountability, you’ll be better equipped to handle setbacks and advance in your career. ________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
21 Juni 20245min
How to Balance Workforce Trends With Employee Expectations and Why Leadership Development Programs Fail
The pandemic has accelerated the shift from lifelong employment to demands for purpose, safety, and inclusion, creating new challenges for organizations. In this episode, Rachel Cooke, former HR Director at American Express and host of the Modern Mentor podcast, highlights significant workforce trends and evolving employee expectations. She tells personal stories, like her friend who commutes an hour each way only to sit in a phone booth for Zoom calls, illustrating the absurdities of some hybrid work policies. Rachel critiques California’s Assembly Bill 2751, arguing it tackles the wrong issues of burnout and emphasizes the need for genuine DEI practices beyond quotas. She also explores why many leadership development programs fail, pointing to organizational dysfunction and lack of practical application, and shares strategies for creating more effective training. This episode is packed with insights for leaders looking to boost team performance and adapt to modern workforce demands. ________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
17 Juni 202443min
Sparks: Should You Fear Your Leaders...A Little?
Did you know a little fear in leadership can be beneficial? In today’s Leadership Spark, we’ll explore the controversial yet intriguing role of fear in effective leadership. We’ll also talk about the distinctions between healthy and unhealthy fear, how it ensures accountability and helps maintain high performance standards, and practical examples from daily life and notable leaders like Elon Musk and Steve Jobs, whose success may partly involve being slightly feared. This discussion will help you understand how a balanced approach to fear can enhance authority, motivate high-quality work, and drive continuous self-improvement. ________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
14 Juni 20247min
Randy Parker On The Realities of Leadership, Sacrifice, & Hard Work
Randy Parker is the CEO of Hyundai Motor America and in today’s episode we go over what it takes to get into a senior leadership role and dispel some of the myths of leadership without sugarcoating! We'll talk about how to get your people to follow you as a leader, the importance of coaching and mentoring as well as hard work and determination, and some key performance indicators (KPIs) that can help leaders evaluate their effectiveness. We will also explore how leaders should be thinking about the future to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world. ________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
10 Juni 202447min
