The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

Daniel Coyle, New York Times bestselling author known for The Culture Code and advising teams from Navy SEALs to tech firms, explores leadership, psychological safety, and team flourishing. He discusses vulnerability as trust-building, why safe environments beat raw smarts, and the difference between complicated and complex problems. Short practices, rituals, and attention balance for resilient, creative groups are highlighted.

Liz Tran, former venture capital executive and author of AQ, studies agility as the leadership edge. She explains why adaptability beats credentials in fast change. Topics include building Agility Quotient, reframing burnout as lost agency, using AI without losing judgment, tiny daily practices to get more adaptable, and why continuous reinvention sustains career relevance.

Rishi Dave, a Bain partner and former global CMO with deep B2B and digital marketing chops, explains the Day One List and three routes to get onto buyers' shortlists. He breaks down what a sales play is, how to build and scale plays quickly, and how to get sellers to adopt them through measurement, change management, and a focused play factory.

Mitch Warner, Arbinger managing partner and author focused on mindset and culture change. He explores self-deception and self-betrayal and how they warp relationships and leadership. He describes signs of self-deception, collusion in groups, and practices to resist it. He also shares stories and concrete steps for rebuilding trust and staying curious in everyday leadership.

Neri Karra Sillaman, an entrepreneurship advisor at the University of Oxford and author of 'Pioneers,' shares insights on immigrant entrepreneurship. She highlights how clear vision and perseverance drive business longevity, stemming from her own resilience as a former child refugee. The conversation reveals eight principles for success, such as treating rejection as a negotiation starter and valuing community over profit. Sillaman argues that history and heritage can be leveraged as strategic assets, encouraging both immigrant and non-immigrant founders to adopt these powerful principles.

Viva Ona Bartkus, a former McKinsey partner and Professor Emerita at Notre Dame, discusses the complexities of applying business strategies in unstable regions. She shares insights on why traditional methods fail outside developed markets and presents the untapped economic potential of 'frontline environments.' Using examples from Lebanon and Colombia, she highlights the risks of single partnerships and the importance of broad collaborations. Viva emphasizes the need for rigorous strategies to rebuild trust and stability in conflict-affected areas.

In this discussion, Tim Koller, a partner at McKinsey and co-author of 'Valuation', delves into corporate finance challenges. He explains why cash-rich firms often resort to buybacks instead of reinvesting. Koller critiques diversification strategies that lack competitive advantage, highlighting historical failures. He emphasizes the necessity for CEOs to actively engage in resource allocation and warns against broad margin mandates that can undermine growth. His insights illuminate the importance of timing investments and focusing on long-term value.

Elizabeth McBride, a journalist and author focused on finance and women's rights, and Seth Levine, a venture capital partner, discuss their book, Capital Evolution. They explore why young people lean toward socialism, sharing insights from a World Bank event that spotlighted the urgency of entrepreneurship. They argue that capitalism, while flawed, must evolve, and they highlight the importance of job creation amid AI's disruptive potential. The conversation underscores the need for nuanced dialogue around business, community, and the American Dream.

Michael Aaron Flicker, a behavioral science strategist and founder of multiple Inc. 5000 companies, shares fascinating insights on leadership and consumer behavior. He highlights that presenting one major advantage increases credibility, as seen with Five Guys. Pricing is all about relativity; Red Bull disrupted norms with strategic pricing. Michael also discusses how indulgent language boosts selection, while nostalgia can significantly enhance willingness to pay. Lastly, he emphasizes that small flaws can enhance likability and precision in language is key to memorability.

Ben Zweig, an adjunct professor at NYU Stern and CEO of Revelio Labs, explores the transformation of work in the age of AI. He argues that real disruption comes from rethinking job structures rather than fearing automation. By understanding jobs as evolving bundles of tasks, companies can enhance employee fulfillment and adapt to technological changes. Zweig emphasizes the importance of human skills like empathy and coordination as valuable complements to AI, urging managers to enable autonomy and adaptability within their teams.