
Sparks: The Secret To Earning Employee Loyalty
In today’s leadership spark, I chat with Jacques van den Broek, the former CEO of Randstad, about fostering a work culture that encourages innovation and risk-taking. Jacques notes that employees often hold back due to unfounded fears. But he emphasizes the need for leaders to encourage employees to speak up and take initiative, even if it goes against the grain. Jacques believes that employer-earned loyalty is vital, especially with the rise of remote work. Jacques also advises employees to think about their long-term career goals, stating that if your employer is not supportive of your growth and openness, perhaps you're working for the wrong company. He urges employees to take responsibility for remaining attractive in the job market and not to stay stuck in unfulfilling roles. __________________ 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 Sep 202310min

Sparks: The Four Pillars of Leadership That Turn Failure into Fortune
In today’s leadership spark, Jacques van den Broek, former CEO of Randstad, and I delve into the pillars of modern leadership: optimism, vulnerability, authenticity, and risk-taking. Jacques highlights the transformative power of optimistic thinking, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. He also emphasizes the significance of vulnerability in fostering open, honest work environments. Jacques candidly discusses his mistakes, including a failed $150 million business venture, to underscore the importance of resilience and learning from setbacks. He advises leaders to embrace transparency in both their successes and failures and encourages a culture of courage where teams feel empowered to innovate without waiting for permission. This impactful conversation offers you the mindset and strategies needed to be an effective, relatable leader in today's rapidly evolving workforce. __________________ 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/
27 Sep 202323min

Sparks: Why 75% of People Are WRONG About Who Controls Their Career
In today’s leadership spark, I chat with Jacques van den Broek, former CEO of Randstad, about the various facets of modern leadership and workforce trends. Jacques outlines his rise from trainee to CEO and shares his hands-on, data-focused leadership style. We also discussed the shift from a client-centered to talent-centered job market and Jacques introduced "tech and touch," a strategy for long-term talent engagement. Jacques highlights the importance of individual career responsibility, contrasting it with a survey revealing that only 25% feel responsible for their own career growth. Moreover, our conversation touched on the "great resignation," which Jacques had anticipated, and explored automation's impact, particularly on white-collar jobs. Jacques advises leaders to communicate openly about job security to benefit both employees and the company. __________________ 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/
26 Sep 202322min

CEO Of MasterClass: How I Created A BILLION Dollar Company & Why Stuttering Made Me A Better Leader
In today's episode, I speak with David Rogier, the mastermind behind MasterClass. Drawing inspiration from his grandmother's resilient journey as a Jewish refugee in NYC, David embarked on a mission: democratizing access to world-class experts. From securing heavyweights like Serena Williams to James Patterson, he shares the nuanced strategy and the importance of selective mentorship. We also touch upon the meticulous approach to prototyping at MasterClass, ensuring each course resonates with learners. Beyond the mechanics, David emphasizes the role of empathy in shaping the platform, striving for genuine connections in a digital age. Join us for an insightful exploration into the ethos and evolution of MasterClass. __________________ 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/
25 Sep 202344min

Sparks: The MOST Effective Ways For Leaders To Share Data, Best-Selling Author & Stanford Professor Chip Heath
In today’s leadership spark, I spoke with bestselling author and Stanford Graduate School of Business professor, Chip Heath, about the power of numbers in instigating change. The conversation revolves around the importance of providing comparative context to data for clearer understanding, rather than presenting standalone figures. Chip emphasizes the pivotal role emotion plays in data interpretation. For immediate practical application, Chip suggests starting with the simplification and contextualization of a single data point in presentations. He illustrates this with the striking revenue comparison between the video game industry and Hollywood. The core takeaway is the ability of relatable and emotionally resonant numbers to drive change and inspire action. Chip Heath is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability which is coming out in October: https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Vulnerability-Superpower-Transform-Organization/dp/1119895243/ __________________ 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 Sep 202316min

Sparks: The BIGGEST Mistakes Leaders Make When Communicating Data, Best-Selling Author & Stanford Professor Chip Heath
In today’s leadership spark, I chat with bestselling author and Stanford Graduate School of Business professor, Chip Heath, about the challenges and nuances of communicating with numbers and data. Chip underscores the difficulty people often face with fractions and percentages, as seen with A&W's marketing misstep against McDonald's. Chip also mentions the "curse of knowledge", where expertise can cloud one's understanding of a novice's perspective. Throughout our conversation, we delved into the significance of making data relatable and meaningful. By converting abstract numbers into tangible concepts, like likening the number of preventable sepsis deaths to annual cancer diagnoses, data becomes not only more understandable but also emotionally resonant, effectively engaging and motivating audiences Chip Heath is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability which is coming out in October: https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Vulnerability-Superpower-Transform-Organization/dp/1119895243/ __________________ 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/
20 Sep 202323min

Sparks: How to Make Sense Of Data With Chip Heath, Best-Selling Author & Stanford Professor
In today’s leadership spark, I speak with Chip Heath, Professor at Stanford University and New York Times Best Selling Author. Chip discusses his motivations behind his latest book, "Making Numbers Count: The Art and Science of Communicating Numbers." He emphasizes the challenge most people face in understanding and communicating numbers effectively, as our brains naturally struggle with large numbers. By comparing unfamiliar figures to relatable concepts, people can better grasp and remember data. This skill of translating numbers into digestible information is crucial for both personal and professional decision-making and change initiatives. Chip Heath is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability which is coming out in October: https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Vulnerability-Superpower-Transform-Organization/dp/1119895243/ __________________ 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/
19 Sep 202313min

Leading Isn't Just Commanding: Why Every Leader Should Wear the Coach's Hat ― and 4 Skills Needed To Coach Effectively
In today's episode, Nick Goldberg, Founder and CEO of EZRAx, shares unconventional leadership wisdom for uncertain times. We discuss the critical skill of resilience, regulating emotions, and practicing self-awareness. Goldberg provides insights on adapting to constant change, learning from failures, and prioritizing a thriving culture. Tune in to this episode to unlock the unconventional leadership insights that will empower you to lead effectively in uncertain times. __________________ This episode of Great Leadership is sponsored by EZRAx, the digital-age executive coaching platform. As an HR leader, elevate your executives with EZRAx’s science-backed coaching, provided by experienced and accredited coaches. Enhance your leadership with real-time, impactful support from EZRAx, available anytime, anywhere. Discover the potential at helloezra.com. __________________ 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/
18 Sep 202359min