The Remarkable Leadership Podcast

Being the top dog isn’t easy. In fact, 30% of Fortune 500 CEOs last fewer than three years. What does it take to get to the top and excel? Vikram Malhotra of McKinsey & Company joins Kevin to discuss the research findings on how the top CEOs do their job. Conversations with the best of the best revealed six similar mindsets across the board. Key Points In this episode, Kevin and Vik discuss the process of determining CEO success.  Vik shares the 6 mindsets top CEOs share with a focus on being bold, treating the soft stuff like the hard stuff, and understanding team psychology.  Vik shares examples of how the mindsets worked in practice. Meet Vik Name: Vikram Malhotra  His Story: Vikram Malhotra is the co-author with Carolyn Dewar and Scott Keller of CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest and a senior partner in McKinsey’s New York office and is the longest-tenured member of the firm. He served on its Board of Directors for 13 years, its Operating Committee for six, and its Senior Partner Committee for five. He was also Managing Partner for the Americas and currently chairs the firm’s Professional Standards Committee. Worth Mentioning: Vik is also active with major non-profits outside McKinsey. He currently serves as chair of the board at the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a trustee of The New York City Partnership and a Trustee Emeriti of the Asia Society. He earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the London School of Economics in 1980 and has an MBA from Wharton. This episode is brought to you by... Remarkable Masterclasses. Each masterclass is designed to help you become the remarkable leader and human you were born to be. Details on how to get on board for a specific skill or get discounts each month can be found on our website. Book Recommendations CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, Vikram Malhotra  Strategy Beyond the Hockey Stick: People, Probabilities, and Big Moves to Beat the Odds by Chris Bradley, Martin Hirt, Sven Smit  Related Episodes Creating the We Mindset with Dr. Eric George Understanding the Success Mindsets with Ryan Gottfredson The Mindsets and Habitsets of Leadership with Darrin Gray

  Micromanagement. Leaders tell me all the time that they’re not doing it, but if I talk to their teams, I often hear something different. And here’s the thing, the other person decides if you’re micromanaging. It’s wonderful to think if you’re not. But the reality is, if the other person, the person you’re leading or managing thinks you are, then you are. Because micromanagement is relative, right? What feels like micromanagement when we’re brand new in a job is quite different than what it might feel like when we’ve been doing a job for a long time. Because what we even need as the employee is quite different. You could be working with two different people, leading them in exactly the same way. One of them thinks you’re doing great. The other thinks you’re micromanaging because micromanagement is relative. Micromanagement is also personal. We have different experiences in our past, different sort of buttons that can get pushed by our boss. And so we have to be clear about what does it look like to the other person. If we want to avoid this problem right now, this doesn’t mean that we might not need to provide guidance. Does it mean we don’t need to provide coaching? Does it mean that sometimes people are messing up and we need to give them more input? It doesn’t mean any of that stuff because all of that might even be welcome. But micromanagement is something else. So how do we overcome it? Well, there’s lots of things we can do to overcome micromanagement. Talk with each team member. Set clearer expectations for the work and your interactions with others. The main thing I want you to remember from this short video is this, that even if you don’t think you’re micromanaging, you might be because the other person decides. Tweet it out: You may think you aren’t micromanaging, but others decide whether you are or not. @KevinEikenberry In this episode: Learn more about our Remarkable Master Class, Overcoming Micromanagement.

Jean Oelwang spent years working with some of the most successful partnerships. Their technical skills or expertise were not their most important trait. She tells Kevin they all had the superpower to forge deep connections, to truly partner to make themselves better. Her research found six degrees of connection common to the most significant partnerships of any type: business associations, romantic partners, friends, and family. Key Points In this episode, Jean shares the importance of partnering.  She discusses the 6 degrees of connection with emphasis on Celebrating Friction and Magnetic Moments.  She talks about the importance of building connections virtually. Meet Jean Name: Jean Oelwang  Her Story: Jean Oelwang is the author of Partnering: Forge the Deep Connections That Make Great Things Happen. She is the President and Founding CEO of Virgin Unite and a B Team Leader. She sits on the Advisory Council of The Elders and on several boards including RMI, Just Capital, and Virgin Unite. Worth Mentioning: Jean is the co-founder of Plus Wonder, a not-for-profit initiative inspired by her passion for the power of partnerships of all kinds. Before Virgin, Jean spent 18 years working in six continents to start and help lead mobile phone companies in South Africa, Colombia, Bulgaria, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and the US. She was the joint CEO of Virgin Mobile in Australia before starting Virgin Unite. https://pluswonder.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-oelwang/ https://www.instagram.com/jeanoelwang/ https://twitter.com/jeanoelwang This episode is brought to you by... Remarkable Masterclasses. Each masterclass is designed to help you become the remarkable leader and human you were born to be. Details on how to get on board for a specific skill or get discounts each month can be found on our website. Book Recommendations Partnering: Forge the Deep Connections That Make Great Things Happen by Jean Oelwang  The Overstory By Richard Powers  Humankind: a Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman  Related Episodes Partnership is the New Leadership with Ty Bennett Creating Connection in the Age of Isolation with Dan Schawbel 

Communication. So important in our lives, both professionally and personally. So complex, not only with all the platforms on which communication is possible but even more so as we are doing more “remote” communication. Katie McCleary shares with Kevin that we need to show up with the intent to listen. We need to move past asking “why are you doing this” to “tell me about how you are doing this”. We can’t force collaboration, so to keep moving forward we need to get curious. Key Points In this episode, Katie discusses clean and curious listening.  She shares what it means to empty the human cup.  She talks about listening for energy words. Meet Katie Name: Katie McCleary  Her Story: Katie McCleary is the co-author (with Jennifer Edwards) of Bridge the Gap: Breakthrough Communication Tools to Transform Work Relationships from Challenging to Collaborative. She is also the founder of 916 Ink, a nonprofit that has transformed over 4,000 vulnerable youth into confident authors. Worth Mentioning: In 2015, Mashable.com named Katie one of 15 "Real Miss America's" in the nation for her work with vulnerable populations. In 2017, she won the Heart of a Hero award from PBS: KVIE’s Rob on the Road Heroes & Helping Hands show. In 2018, she launched The Drive podcast, a collaboration between the American Leadership Forum and Capital Public Radio (Sacramento's NPR affiliate). This episode is brought to you by... Remarkable Masterclasses. Each masterclass is designed to help you become the remarkable leader and human you were born to be. Details on how to get on board for a specific skill or get discounts each month can be found on our website. Book Recommendations Bridge the Gap: Breakthrough Communication Tools to Transform Work Relationships From Challenging to Collaborative by Jennifer Edwards and Katie McCleary   Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Harari  The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig  The Moon by Whale Light: And Other Adventures Among Bats, Penguins, Crocodilians, and Whales by Diane Ackerman  Related Episodes Communicate Like a Leader with Dianna Booher Connecting with Others Through Listening with Ximena Vengoechea How to Communicate Effectively with Anyone, Anywhere with Raúl Sánchez and Dan Bullock

Do you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious? It’s no wonder since we have 50,000+ thoughts each day, many of which are repetitive and not helpful. That’s a lot of mind power to use with minimal results. Jody Michael tells Kevin that the average leader spends 80% of their time in a negative emotional state. This minimizes decision-making abilities and results in lower productivity. Jody shares 5 muscles of mental fitness which will help you increase your emotional intelligence, build better relationships and thrive instead of survive. This episode was recording during our Mental Fitness Day, a Virtual LeaderCon event in April 2022. Key Points   In this episode, Jody defines mental fitness.    She discusses the 5 muscles of mental fitness (self-awareness and mindfulness, personal accountability, ability to see multiple perspectives and viewpoints, choosing the right lens, and learning to apply deep breathing when in a triggered state.   She comments on how leaders can use mental fitness for themselves and their teams. Meet Jody Name: Jody Michael  Her Story: Jody Michael is the author of Leading Lightly: Lower Your Stress, Think with Clarity, and Lead with Ease and CEO of Jody Michael Associates, a premier coaching company specializing in executive coaching, leadership development, and career coaching. She is recognized as one of the top 4% of coaches worldwide and is an internationally credentialed Master Certified Coach, Board Certified Coach, University of Chicago trained psychotherapist, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Worth Mentioning: Jody is a Master Certified Coach (MCC), the highest international commendation awarded to coaches by the International Coach Federation (ICF) and a distinction held by fewer than 4% of coaches worldwide, and fewer than 5% of coaches in the United States. She is also a Board Certified Coach (BCC), a credential awarded by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) to those who are both licensed as a psychologist, credentialed as a coach, and pass a rigorous certification exam. She’s a renowned keynote speaker, author, and thought leader in her field who has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Forbes, Oprah Magazine, Huffington Post, Crain’s Chicago, and more. She has appeared as an expert on MSNBC, CNN, the TODAY Show, and NPR. Connect with Jody https://www.leadinglightlybook.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/jody-michael-associates/ https://www.instagram.com/jodymichaelassociates/ https://www.facebook.com/jodymichaelassociates https://twitter.com/jmacoaching https://www.amazon.com/Jody-Michael/e/B0B1XG2D1L/ref=zg_bsnr_4747_bl_5/000-0000000-0000000?pd_rd_i=1626348995  This episode is brought to you by... Remarkable Masterclasses. Each masterclass is designed to help you become the remarkable leader and human you were born to be. Details on how to get on board for a specific skill or get discounts each month can be found on our website. Follow: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio or your favorite podcast player. Do you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious? It’s no wonder since we have 50,000+ thoughts each day, many of which are repetitive and not helpful. That’s a lot of mind power to use with minimal results. Jody Michael tells Kevin that the average leader spends 80% of their time in a negative emotional state. This minimizes decision-making abilities and results in lower productivity. Jody shares 5 muscles of mental fitness which will help you increase your emotional intelligence, build better relationships and thrive instead of survive. This episode was recording during our Mental Fitness Day, a Virtual LeaderCon event in April 2022. Key Points   In this episode, Jody defines mental fitness.    She discusses the 5 muscles of mental fitness (self-awareness and mindfulness, personal accountability, ability to see multiple perspectives and viewpoints, choosing the right lens, and learning to apply deep breathing when in a triggered state.   She comments on how leaders can use mental fitness for themselves and their teams. Meet Jody   Name: Jody Michael    Her Story: Jody Michael is the author of Leading Lightly: Lower Your Stress, Think with Clarity, and Lead with Ease and CEO of Jody Michael Associates, a premier coaching company specializing in executive coaching, leadership development, and career coaching. She is recognized as one of the top 4% of coaches worldwide and is an internationally credentialed Master Certified Coach, Board Certified Coach, University of Chicago trained psychotherapist, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker.   Worth Mentioning: Jody is a Master Certified Coach (MCC), the highest international commendation awarded to coaches by the International Coach Federation (ICF) and a distinction held by fewer than 4% of coaches worldwide, and fewer than 5% of coaches in the United States. She is also a Board Certified Coach (BCC), a credential awarded by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) to those who are both licensed as a psychologist, credentialed as a coach, and pass a rigorous certification exam. She’s a renowned keynote speaker, author, and thought leader in her field who has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Forbes, Oprah Magazine, Huffington Post, Crain’s Chicago, and more. She has appeared as an expert on MSNBC, CNN, the TODAY Show, and NPR.                       This episode is brought to you by... Remarkable Masterclasses. Each masterclass is designed to help you become the remarkable leader and human you were born to be. Details on how to get on board for a specific skill or get discounts each month can be found on our website.   Learn More Book Recommendations Leading Lightly: Lower Your Stress, Think with Clarity, and Lead with Ease by Jody Michael  Related Episodes Understanding Anxiety at Work with Chester Elton Beating Burnout at Work with Paula Davis The Burnout Epidemic with Jennifer Moss How to Break Free from Daily Burnout, Struggle Less, and Thrive More with Nataly Kogan Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we’d be thrilled if you’d let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here’s a quick guide for posting a review.

Today I'm talking about why you should ask to understand. **** Want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast? Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8550061/  

Do you think you can rise to the top without being a jerk, or do nice guys/gals finish last? David Bodanis believes that although it isn’t easy, you can be successful without being a jerk. He shares case studies throughout history to show how you can be firm and fair. Key Points In this episode, David shares how to:  Listen without ego and fixation.  Give by letting others give (but audit).  Defend without over-defending. Meet David Name: David Bodanis  His Story: David Bodanis is the author of The Art of Fairness: The Power of Decency in a World Turned Mean. He was born in Chicago, lived in France for a decade, and now makes his home in London. He studied math, physics, and history at the University of Chicago and for many years taught the “Intellectual Toolkit” course at Oxford. Worth Mentioning: David is also the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Secret House, the bestselling E=mc², which was adapted into the PBS documentary Einstein’s Big Idea, and the Royal Society Science Book of the Year Prize winner Electric Universe. When not on the road or hunched over a computer, he spends his time at Britain’s premier kick-boxing gym – ‘Paragon’ in east London. Connect with David Website Email This episode is brought to you by... Libsyn. Get up to 2 months of free podcasting service with Libsyn when you sign up for a new account! Get your show on Apple and Spotify, get critical stats and all the support you need to sound your best and grow your show! Book Recommendations Art of Fairness: The Power of Decency in a World Turned Mean by David Bodanis Related Episodes Building Workplaces Fit for Humans with David Brendel and Ryan Stelzer Being Impact Player with Liz Wiseman 

Today I'm talking about asking for help. 

Our lives are a portfolio of S-curves. We have periods of starting, learning, and mastery. Whitney Johnson joins Kevin to talk about the S-curve of Learning to measure growth; personally, professionally, and organizationally. It is hard to start something new because growth is hard. By keeping rituals (or known things), we can create calm and stability in our brains to allow for more growth. Key Points In this episode, Whitney Johnson defines the S-curve of Learning and shares the stages of growth and learning.  She discusses using the S-curve of Learning for assessment.  She shares examples of how we can build a culture around the S-curve of Learning. Meet Whitney Name: Whitney Johnson  Her Story: Whitney Johnson is the author of several top-selling books including, Disrupt Yourself and Build an A Team. Her latest book is Smart Growth: How to Grow Your People to Grow Your Company. She is CEO of the tech-enabled talent development company Disruption Advisors, an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private company in America. Worth Mentioning: In 2021, Whitney was named #8 on the Thinkers50 list, made up of the 50 leading business thinkers in the world. She is an award-winning author, a regular keynote speaker, and a frequent lecturer for Harvard Business School’s Corporate Learning. She is also the host of the popular Disrupt Yourself podcast, with guests including Brené Brown, Simon Sinek, Susan Cain, and General Stanley McChrystal. This episode is brought to you by... Remarkable Masterclasses. Each masterclass is designed to help you become the remarkable leader and human you were born to be. Details on how to get on board for a specific skill or get discounts each month can be found on our website. Book Recommendations Smart Growth: How to Grow Your People to Grow Your Company by Whitney Johnson  A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas  High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out by Amanda Ripley Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown  Related Episodes Growing People and Companies Through Change with Stacy Henry Being Impact Player with Liz Wiseman 

If I asked you what your first thought is when I say the word “conflict”, chances are it wouldn’t be positive. And while there is certainly a downside to conflict, the truth is conflict isn’t always bad. In fact, there are many times when conflict can be a good thing. And in this episode, I’ll explain exactly this. Tweet it out: Conflict isn’t bad until it is. Conflict that allows us to explore perspectives and learn is useful. Conflict that becomes personal isn’t. @KevinEikenberry In this episode: Subscribe to the Remarkable Leadership Podcast.