Do Good To Lead Well with Craig Dowden

Microstresses are small, almost unnoticeable stresses that can build up and keep us from our best selves. So, how can you find your microstressors and remove them? In this episode, Rob Cross answers this question and more. What You’ll Learn: 1. Your mind may not register microstress, but your body does. 2. How building a diverse community around you will make you more resilient to stress. 3. How to stop persisting through the system and start shaping it. 4. Creating better (and diverse) relationships by removing microstressors. 5. How to watch for microstresses and what to do about them. 6. How to stop the cycle of passing stress on. Who is Rob? For over 20 years, Rob Cross has studied the underlying networks of effective organizations and the collaborative practices of high performers. Having worked with over 300 organizations he’s reached thousands of leaders from the frontline to the C-suite. He's currently a senior Vice President of Research at Institute for Corporate Productivity. He is the Edward A. Madden professor of Global Leadership at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Rob is also the co-founder and research director of the Connected Commons, a consortium of over 150 leading organizations, accelerating network research and practice. He has written over 50 articles for Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review, California Management Review Academy, and Management Executive and Organizational Dynamics. His work has also been repeatedly featured in high profile publications like Business Week, Fortune, the Financial Times, Time Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company. And if that wasn't enough, a couple of recent developments, The Microstress Effect has been recognized as an award-winning book by Thinkers 50 and as one of Harvard Business Review’s Big Ideas for 2023. Mentions: The Microstress Effect: How Little Things Pile Up and Create Big Problems--and What to Do about It https://www.amazon.ca/Microstress-Effect-Little-Things-Problems-ebook/dp/B0B5YDDR7F  https://www.robcross.org/  Follow Rob: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crossrob/  More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

Feedback has famously been coined “The Breakfast of Champions” by bestselling author Ken Blanchard. Yet, why are so many people willing to sit down and have the meal? What’s the best method for delivering feedback? Why are people often resistant to receiving feedback? In this episode, Craig answers these questions and more. What You’ll Learn: 1. The definition of feedback 2. The deck of cards feedback framework 3. When positive feedback because disingenuous 4. Vague vs specific communication for both positive and critical feedback 5. Creating collaboration while delivering feedback More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

How can we trust and apply the information, statistics, and data we find online? Once we have data we can trust, how do we use it to improve? In this episode, Anil Arora answers these and more. What You’ll Learn: 1. The biggest challenges and opportunities of our day and how we can face them. 2. Why data literacy is vital to existing in (and making sense of) today’s world. 3. How data can be used to improve ourselves and our organizations. 4. How AI can be applied responsibly. Who is Anil? Anil has worked with Statistics Canada for over 25 years, leading significant programs and transformations, and since 2016, he’s served as Canada’s Chief Statistician. He has also served in policy and regulatory roles in the government of Canada at Natural Resources Canada, as well as Health Canada. He has led substantial international initiatives working with the United Nations and the OECD. He serves on a number of boards and is very active in the community, supporting events and social causes. He received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta and holds a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management and Governments from the University of Ottawa. Follow Anil Arora: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anil-arora-146278160/  More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

⁠How does one navigate leadership in a world that can be best described as VUCA - volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous? That's the question we tackle with our special guest, Doug Conant, bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker and former CEO of Campbell Soup Company. Doug draws from his extensive 45-year career to provide insights on how proactive and intentional leadership paves the way through this VUCA terrain. He walks us through mastering our personal stories and the power of resilience that stems from it, fostering an environment of clear communication to alleviate team anxiety, and how the essence of clarity and communication shapes leadership.⁠ Together, we venture forward to explore the concept of 'listen, frame, advance' as a key mechanism to push issues forward. Doug passionately speaks about the importance of leaders openly declaring their values, creating a solid foundation for trust. We emphasize the 'genius of the and', a concept that Doug believes holds immense power in leadership. His experiences coupled with his unique insights on leading with an abundance mindset provide a fresh perspective on leadership practices. Rounding off our riveting discussion, Doug offers his reflections on the future of leadership and the role of the next generation of leaders. He shares his belief in the 'eye of the tiger', a drive and determination he believes is key to building a better world. Lastly, Doug leaves us with some valuable wisdom on the importance of gratitude in our personal and professional lives. Join us for this enlightening talk and be inspired by Doug's vision of leadership. What You’ll Learn: • Proactive strategies for adapting to the ever-evolving leadership landscape • The crucial role of clarity and communication in fostering team trust • Harnessing the "power of and" to unlock abundance in leadership • Empowering the next generation with the 'eye of the tiger' • The transformative impact of gratitude and engagement in every interaction Podcast Timestamps: (00:00) - Leadership Challenges in a VUCA World (13:40) - Managing Anxiety in Teams (19:01) – The Importance of Clarity & Communication in Leadership (30:01) – The Power of 'And' (42:59) - Future Leadership, Better World More of Doug: Doug Conant is the only Fortune 500 CEO who is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. He’s a top 50 leadership innovator, a top 100 leadership speaker, and one of the most influential authors in the world. With a 45 year career defined by achieving high performance through an intentional commitment to studying, Doug is now sharing the tenants of leadership that work. He is the founder and CEO of Conant leadership, former President and CEO of Campbell Soup Company, former president of Nabisco Foods, and former chairman of Avon products. Corporate boards Dough has served on, include those of Amerisource, Bergen, and RHR International. His latest Wall Street Journal bestselling book, co-authored with Amy Federman is The Blueprint: Six Practical Strategies to Lift Your Leadership to New Heights. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougconant/ Key Topics Discussed: Positive Leadership, Respectful Workplace, VUCA World, Courageous Leadership, Leading with Conviction, Managing Anxiety, Clarity, Communication, Power of 'And', Future-Proof Leadership, Gratitude, Maximize Engagement, Resilience, Core Values, Principles, Clarify Expectations, Abundance Mindset, Performance Measurement, Feedback, CEO Success More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

We hear the word “gaslight” a lot… but what does that mean and what does it look like? How can we avoid being gaslighted? And how can we help others when they’re being manipulated? In this episode, Robin Stern answers these questions and more. What You’ll Learn: 1. What is (and is not) gaslighting, and how to recognize it. 2. How gaslighting is used in the workplace. 3. Who can fall victim to gaslighting. 4. How to help friends who are being gaslighted. 5. How to react when you notice you are being gaslighted. Who is Robin? Dr. Stern is the co-founder and associate director for the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and an associate research scientist at the Child Study Center at Yale. She's a licensed psychoanalyst with 30 years of experience treating individuals, couples, and families. She's the author of The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use To Control Your Life. Dr. Stern has traveled widely to lecture on emotional intelligence, women in leadership, and on relational bullying. She's also the host of the Gaslight Effect podcast, which teaches listeners about the depths the term can take. She interviews experts and hears personal experiences from guests about all aspects of gaslighting, from the unintentional, the role it plays in marriages, in divorce, and how good parenting can be gaslighting. Mentions: The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use To Control Your Life: https://www.amazon.ca/Gaslight-Effect-Survive-Manipulation-Control-ebook/dp/B000QCQ8X0 The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide: Your Personal Journey Toward Healing from Emotional Abuse: https://www.amazon.ca/Gaslight-Effect-Recovery-Guide-Emotional/dp/0593236270  Follow Robin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stern-220b403a/ More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

What’re the three most important skills a leader can possess? How can you prompt your organization to destigmatize failure? How do you embrace your imposter syndrome? In this episode, Heather Tulk answers these questions and more. What You’ll Learn: 1. 3 traits of every successful leader and how to apply them 2. The scarcest asset all leaders possess 3. The secret to destigmatizing failure within your organization 4. Premortem vs postmortem visualization 5. The absence of fear as an authentic leader 6. The 3 P’s of contributing to your community: People, Planet and Profits 7. You're not there yet, but you're already enough mentality Who is Heather Tulk? Heather is an experienced CEO and Board Director accomplished in P&L management, business transformation, digital businesses, and leading through disruption. Heather recently joined Telus Business Solutions as their President of Commercial and Public Sector. Heather has received a number of industry awards, including being named to the Canada Diversity 50, Canada's Most Powerful Women's Top 100 through the Women's Executive Network and Canada's Top 40 under 40. Heather passionately believes in helping make communities better than we found them, and is involved in several causes for mental health, youth diversity and inclusion.  Follow Heather: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertulk/?originalSubdomain=ca More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

Surprise! The podcast is one year old. To celebrate, we decided to do something a little different today. In episode 50, Craig posted a sneak peak into his CEO Mastermind forum where Dr. Robert Waldinger spoke about his long running scientific study into human happiness. In this episode, Craig recaps his favorite findings from the past year of interviewing some of the most successful CEOs in the world. What You’ll Learn: 1. Approach life like a scientist: Embrace scientific investigation, update hypotheses daily, and be open to the possibility of being wrong. 2. Integrity and values-based leadership: Rank order values to handle conflicts, lead with authenticity, and communicate values openly. 3. Humility and vulnerability: These traits are not weaknesses but strengths in effective leadership. Constantly learn, unlearn, and relearn. 4. The power of reframing: View problems as opportunities, be mindful of mindset and thought patterns, and be open to different perspectives. 5. People-first philosophy: Successful leadership revolves around building strong relationships, understanding and engaging with people effectively. 6. Relationships are crucial: They are foundational to personal and professional fulfillment and play a significant role in overall wellbeing and happiness. Mentions: Ozan Varol - Author of "Think Like a Rocket Scientist" Ed Hess - Author of "Hyper Learning Humility is the New Smart" and "Own Your Work Journey" Daniel Pink - Author Gary Ridge - Former CEO and Chairman of WD 40 Company Iggy Domagalsk i- CEO of Wage X Kevin Ford - CEO of the Cailan Group Alim Somani - Managing Director of Hatch Digital Howard Behar - Starbucks executive who championed the people-first philosophy Doug Conant - Former CEO of Campbell Soup Company Kim Furlong - CEO of the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCAC) Omar Salahmey - Former CEO of Bonfire Interactive, current co-founder and COO of CYA Michael Garrity - CEO of FinanceIt Kathryn Temblay - CEO of Altus Recruitment and Altus Technology Tracey Folks Hansen - CEO of the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) Yousry Bissada - CEO of Home Capital Group Dr. Robert Waldinger - Leading the longest scientific study out of Harvard into human happiness More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

How can reframing challenges as opportunities help you achieve your goals? How can you develop an organizational culture that will flourish through tough times? In this episode, Omar Salaymeh answers this question and more. What You’ll Learn: 1. Learning on the job will teach you skills you didn’t know you needed (or could have) 2. What Omar learned about himself on his way to becoming CEO 3. Focus is the most important skill needed to scale 4. The importance of removing obstacles from your employees’ wellbeing 5. Surveying your team members and adjusting accordingly 6. Being vulnerable with employees 7. Developing your reframing muscle to get you through challenges 8. Why you MUST share the impact you’re having Who is Omar? Omar Salaymeh was the CEO of Bonfire Interactive, joining the company in its early days and working, initially as the Chief Product Officer. He was also awarded the Office of the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal, due to his work with refugees through the Jumpstart Refugee Talent Initiative - which he co-founded in 2016. As CEO, Omar grew Bonfire through a focus on culture and people. Follow Omar: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omar-salaymeh-78ab5a26/  More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

What makes for a happy life, a fulfilling life? A good life? In celebration of the podcast’s one year anniversary, I'm very excited to share with you a special CEO Mastermind. In this conversation, Dr. Waldinger summarizes the key results from his extraordinary research. You'll also hear from top CEOs in this private session who ask compelling questions around applying these key insights to their personal and professional lives. What You’ll Learn: 1. The key to happiness 2. The foundation to being interpersonal 3. Does money buy happiness? 4. Nature vs nurture 5. How does culture relate to happiness? 6. An approach to starting out as a new CEO 7. Successfully transitioning into the work from home environment Who is Dr. Robert Waldinger? Dr. Robert Waldinger is the New York Times best selling author and Director of Harvard Study of Adult Development, who is leading the longest running longitudinal study tracking the lives of the same individuals from adolescence into their 90s. His research focuses on what truly makes people thrive, emphasizing the importance of relationships for overall well-being. As a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, Dr. Robert helps individuals work through emotional distress and psychological obstacles using psychodynamic therapy, which explores unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences that impact mental well-being and the ability to adapt to new situations and relationships. Dr. Robert's overall goal is to support individuals in finding clarity amidst the chaos of daily life and cultivating a sense of inner harmony that extends beyond meditation, emphasizing the integration of psychological well-being, relationships, and spiritual growth in the pursuit of a good life. Mentions: The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness: https://www.robertwaldinger.com/books Follow Dr. Robert Waldinger: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-waldinger-90012169/ More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

Why should you put social good at the center of your organization? How do you choose the right mentors? In this episode, Tracy Folkes Hanson answers these questions and more. What You’ll Learn: 1. Why you should put social good at the forefront of your career 2. How to measure your social good 3. How to explore you “why” deeper than ever 4. “We have to live by our values in order to deliver them.” 5. Taking care of your mental health will help you increase your impact 6. Ongoing learning, from a variety of mentors, will help you lead 7. How to find the mentors you need 8. Employing tech to create a healthy culture Who is Tracy? Tracy Folkes Hanson has been the president and CEO of Canadian Society of Association Executive since 2017. Prior to this, she has held senior positions in organizations such as the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, MasterCard International, Kinark Child & Family Services, and The Arthritis Society. In 2010, Tracy was elected to the Whitby Town Council. All of this experience allows her to bring her all to her position at the CSAE where she focuses on positive engagement in leadership. Follow Tracy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyfolkeshanson/  More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/