Sparks: How Tough Love Led America's Worst High School Hockey Team to Victory
In today’s leadership spark, I chat with John Bacon, bestselling author of "Let Them Lead". John shares his experience coaching America's worst high school hockey team, the River Rats and how he turned around the team's fortunes through a tough love approach, emphasizing a strong mission and raising the bar for performance. John reflects on the significance of making the mission challenging to make it special, drawing comparisons to the Navy SEALs and Peace Corps, where challenging missions attract the right people. The conversation touches on the importance of not compromising the mission by lowering expectations and the surprising positive results he achieved with the team's transformation. John Bacon is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now. __________________ 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/
22 Aug 202318min
13 Roles Leaders Need To Practice To Be A Great Mentor
Today's episode is with Scott Jeffrey Miller, an accomplished executive with Franklin Covey, a seven-time bestselling author, and the host of the 'On Leadership' podcast. We discuss the world of mentorship, and the 13 roles a mentor can play as outlined in Scott's recent book, "The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship." Scott shares his insights on the differences between leadership and mentorship, emphasizing that not all great leaders make great mentors. __________________ 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 Aug 202345min
Navigating Personal Life and Professional Responsibility with the CEO of Blue Shield
Today's episode is with Paul Markovich, the president and CEO of Blue Shield of California. We explored the theme of vulnerability in leadership, discussing its importance and challenges. Paul shared his personal experiences, including the intense workload during the pandemic, which led to burnout and emotional stress. He opened up about the difficulty of maintaining a balance between personal life and professional responsibilities, and how that affected his interactions with his team. We also discuss the loneliness of leadership, particularly when faced with the painful task of letting go of a friend within the organization. Paul emphasized the importance of vulnerability in building deep connections, making leaders more relatable, and fostering trust within the team. He also highlighted the balance that must be struck, as sharing too much or too little can have negative impacts. Today's conversation underscored the human aspect of leadership and the complex dynamics that come with being at the helm of an organization. Paul Markovich is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now. __________________ 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 Aug 202328min
Sparks: Transforming Diminisher Behaviors to Multiplier Leadership Practices
In today’s leadership spark, Liz Wiseman, Bestselling Author of "Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter”, and I explore the shifting landscape of leadership challenges over the past decade. We discuss about how the role of a leader has transformed from leading to a predetermined better place to leading through uncertainty. We also delve into the crucial skills of thinking like a futurist and being open to various scenarios and possibilities. Liz emphasizes that anyone, not just those in positions of authority, can embrace the multiplier mindset. She offers practical insights for remote team leadership, such as providing clarity through the "three what's" – what good looks like, what done looks like, and what's in scope. Liz Wiseman is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now. __________________ 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 Aug 202318min
Sparks: The Difference Between Diminisher and Multiplier Leaders
In today’s leadership spark, Liz Wiseman, Bestselling Author of "Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter”, and I dive deeper into a leadership discussion. Liz introduces her book on leadership and explores the characteristics and differences between "diminishers" and "multipliers" – two types of leaders. Diminishers unintentionally stifle creativity and productivity, while multipliers amplify the capabilities of their team members. Moreover, Liz discusses how accidental diminisher tendencies can arise and she provides strategies to avoid them. Multipliers focus on leveraging others' talents, giving space for independent thinking, asking questions instead of telling, and involving junior team members in decision-making. Liz Wiseman is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now. __________________ 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/
16 Aug 202326min
Sparks: How to Create a Culture of Success Through The Multiplier Approach
In today’s leadership spark, I chat with Liz Wiseman, Bestselling Author of "Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter”. Our conversation touches on the themes of leadership and optimism, and the two types of leaders, which are "diminishers" and "multipliers." Moreover, we explore the concept of the multiplier effect, where leaders unlock the full potential of their team's intelligence, resulting in a culture of growth and high performance. In order to identify whether an employee is under a diminishing leader or a multiplier, Liz also mentions the research methodology she used, where professionals were asked to describe situations where they thrived under a leader and situations where they held back. Liz Wiseman is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now. __________________ 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/
15 Aug 202321min
Speed, Grit, and Glory: How Leadership Made John Force A Drag Racing Legend
In today's episode, we dive into the fast-paced world of drag racing with none other than John Force, an American NHRA drag racer. He is a 16-time NHRA and 1 time AHRA Funny Car champion driver and a 22-time champion car owner, and owner of John Force Racing. From humble beginnings in logging camps and trailer parks, John's journey to the pinnacle of his sport is a testament to hard work, resilience, and an unwavering never-give-up attitude. We discuss the intricacies of drag racing, exploring everything from team dynamics to the technological aspects that go into making a car race-ready. John's passion for racing is palpable as he shares the thrill of the sport, the camaraderie of his team, and his constant pursuit of innovation and improvement. Even at the age of 74, John's dedication to his sport remains unwavering, with no plans of retiring and a continued commitment to competing professionally. __________________ 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 Aug 202348min
Vulnerability and Victory with CEO of Belden, Roel Vestjens
Today's episode is with Roel Vestjens, Former CEO of Belden. We explored a wide range of topics, focusing on leadership, vulnerability, and personal growth. Roel shared his experiences and insights into the company's global operations and his time in Asia, where he learned valuable lessons about cultural sensitivity. We discussed the importance of vulnerability in leadership, with Roel emphasizing humility, openness, and the balance between vulnerability and strength. We also discuss Roel's personal journey, including his early aspirations to become a CEO and how he navigated his career to achieve this goal. Throughout our conversation, Roel's emphasis on being human, approachable, and willing to learn from others resonated with me. His insights into embracing vulnerability and the qualities that have shaped him as a leader provided a compelling perspective on leadership and success at Belden. It was an enlightening conversation that offered valuable lessons for leaders at all levels. Roel Vestjens is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now. __________________ 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/
12 Aug 202328min
