Coaching for Leaders

Wes Adams, CEO of SV Consulting Group and positive psychology researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, shares insights on fostering connection at work. He discusses how modern expectations are reshaping the workplace into a source of belonging and purpose. Wes emphasizes building community through trust and shared experiences. He suggests intentional practices like storytelling during meetings and synchronous breaks to enhance team bonds. The conversation also highlights the critical health impacts of loneliness, underscoring the need for authentic relationships in the workplace.

Judith Joseph, a Columbia-trained psychiatrist and founder of Manhattan Behavioral Medicine, sheds light on high-functioning depression and its often hidden nature. She discusses how trauma, whether major or subtle, can trigger this condition, leading to feelings of anhedonia and self-defeat. The conversation explores the importance of recognizing everyday joys and the role of emotional intelligence in leadership. Judith also highlights the potential of therapeutic storytelling as a means for self-discovery and emotional healing, urging listeners to prioritize their mental well-being.

Zach Mercurio, an author and researcher on purposeful leadership, discusses the importance of making people feel they matter at work. He emphasizes that recognition often comes from small moments rather than big rewards. Mercurio highlights that leadership behavior accounts for half of employees' feelings of worthiness and outlines a simple three-step process for leaders: observe, note, and share. He also touches on the impact of genuine connections and the significance of acknowledging others to foster a meaningful workplace culture.

Jeff Wetzler, co-founder of Transcend and an expert in human potential, shares powerful insights on enhancing leadership through curiosity. He emphasizes that what we often overlook are our unchallenged assumptions and how they can impact our organizations. The discussion reveals how curiosity not only fosters empathy but also sparks vital questions that lead to breakthroughs. Wetzler also reflects on a transformative Uber encounter, highlighting the importance of dialogue in overcoming biases and the role of open communication in nurturing team dynamics.

Scott Anthony Barlow: Happen to Your Career Scott Anthony Barlow is CEO of Happen To Your Career and host of the Happen to Your Career podcast. His team and him are focused on helping people find the work they love. He’s also the author of the book, Happen to Your Career: An Unconventional Approach to Career Change and Meaningful Work*. You’ve been laid off, or someone close to you is navigating that reality right now. A lot of the first things we think to do after a layoff are wrong. In this episode, Scott and I explore what to avoid…and more importantly, where to begin anew. Key Points Most people underestimate the time it takes to make a transition to the next, right position. Submitting tons of applications, networking everywhere, and telling everyone that you’re looking feels productive, but is often either incomplete or a waste of time. Give yourself the space to grieve. Spend time with the people who care about you. This didn’t happen to you, it happened for you. Whether objectively true or not, this mindset will help you be intentional about next actions. Hyperfocus your targeting by creating a master resume and also considering backdoors to opportunities. Decide when to hire help by using math – how much will expertise help speed up the process and/or help you land a higher salary? Resources Mentioned Happen to Your Career: An Unconventional Approach to Career Change and Meaningful Work* by Scott Anthony Barlow Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Craft a Career to Fit Your Strengths, with Scott Anthony Barlow (episode 424) How to Nail a Job Transition, with Sukhinder Singh Cassidy (episode 555) How to Respond When You Get Triggered, with Sally Helgesen (episode 620) Expert Partner In this midst of a layoff? Feeling stagnant in your current role? Scott Barlow and his team may be able to help as official partners of Coaching for Leaders. To discover more about how his team can support you, get in touch on our expert partners page. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

Tom Henschel: The Look & Sound of Leadership Tom Henschel of Essential Communications supports senior leaders and executive teams. An internationally recognized expert in the field of workplace communications and self-presentation, he has helped thousands of leaders achieve excellence through his work as an executive coach and his top-rated podcast, The Look & Sound of Leadership. Have you been told you should take more initiative? Or, perhaps you’ve been telling that to someone else? Either way, this conversation with Tom Henschel will outline three key steps to help you get started. Key Points Three steps to taking more initiative: Think and talk about your work. Ideas come through conversation. Execute on your idea. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Communicate what you’ve done. Initiative is often in the eye of the beholder. Imagine a scale that goes from bold to cautious. There’s probably room for you to be at least 5% bolder. Feeling like you are waiting on others may be an indicator to take initiative. To calibrate where you land, ask yourself: “What’s my typical pattern?” In correspondence, consider asking fewer questions and making more statements. Place yourself in situations where you’ll need to show initiative. Resources Mentioned The Look & Sound of Leadership podcast by Tom Henschel Feel the Fear…and Do It Anyway* by Susan Jeffers Related Episodes Leadership vs. Management (The Look & Sound of Leadership, episode 166) 5 Strategies for Dealing with Narcissists (The Look & Sound of Leadership, episode 239) How to Answer “Tell Us About Yourself” (The Look & Sound of Leadership, episode 250) How to Talk So People Understand You (The Look & Sound of Leadership, episode 254) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

Join Jon Fogel, a parenting educator and author of "Punishment-Free Parenting," as he shares insights on nurturing relationships with children without resorting to yelling or punishment. He emphasizes that consequences differ from punishment and explains how understanding children's emotions can lead to more effective learning. Fogel advocates for teaching natural consequences over punitive measures and highlights the importance of modeling positive behavior, empathy, and sincere communication, creating a supportive environment for kids to thrive.

Qasim Ijaz, director of cybersecurity at a leading healthcare organization, shares vital insights into the growing threat of cyber attacks. He emphasizes the importance of multi-factor authentication, password managers, and the need to freeze credit reports to protect against identity theft. Ijaz highlights that leaders are key targets for hackers and advocates for preparing through incident response exercises. He also discusses the inevitability of AI use among employees and suggests integrating this reality into prevention strategies.

Andrew Brodsky, an award-winning professor and virtual communications expert at the University of Texas at Austin, discusses navigating authenticity in tough situations. He explores how authenticity can vary in virtual settings and emphasizes that clarity and empathy are key. Brodsky shares insights on using communication mediums, suggesting that sometimes audio or text can be more effective than video. He also highlights how minor mistakes can make leaders more relatable and how vulnerability enhances connections during challenging conversations.

Paul Akers, founder of FastCap and author of "2 Second Lean," shares his journey from master craftsman to Lean manufacturing advocate. He emphasizes the power of simplicity in enhancing workplace culture and productivity. Akers discusses how to tackle small annoyances for big improvements, introducing the concept of 'one-piece flow' and the revolutionary idea of starting with bathroom cleanliness to set organizational standards. His insights inspire listeners to embrace continuous improvement through a fun and effective approach.