Susan Gerke: GO Team Susan Gerke has been the president of Gerke Consulting & Development. She has worked with global teams and has certified facilitators around the world to deliver management, leadership, and team offerings. Susan is co-creator of GO Team, a training suite for organizations to power team performance. Key Points Out of sight sometimes means out of mind. Perception of communication will be less than you think. Interactions over the phone/video feel more formal than they do in person, at least at the start. You don’t find out about things virtually as quickly as you do face to face. Figure out how to make space for different kinds of styles and personalities. A virtual environment tends to amplify these differences. Remember to have expectation setting conversations with family members. Some people will call you every day and some people won’t ever reach out proactively. That’s normal — find a pattern that works for each relationship. Resources Mentioned GO Team Survey results: community input on leading/working virtually Related Episodes The Four Unique Types of Teams, with Susan Gerke (episode 138) How to Create Team Guidelines, with Susan Gerke (episode 192) How to Balance Care and Accountability When Leading Virtually, with Jonathan Raymond (episode 464) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Jonathan Raymond: Good Authority Jonathan Raymond is the founder of Refound, where he and his team work with organizations to create a company culture based in personal growth. He’s the author of the book Good Authority: How to Become the Leader Your Team Is Waiting For*. Jonathan’s team recently released The Good Accountability course* to help leaders have great feedback conversations with their teams. If you are working to get better at accountability, it’s the most useful framework I know of to balance care for people and accountability for results. In this conversation, Jonathan and I discuss the Accountability Dial, how it’s most useful when leading virtually, and the importance of taking the first step. Key Points You don’t get to look good and grow at the same time. Assume positive intent, regardless of where you are on the accountability dial. The Accountability Dial: The Mention: In real-time (if possible), pull them aside to offer an observation about an undesired behavior. The Invitation: Provide 2-3 examples of how that behavior is a pattern or theme they can work on. The Conversation: Use your weekly one-on-ones to dive into how the pattern is holding them back. The Boundary: Collaborate together to decide next steps and set a timeline for making a change. The Limit: Before giving up, have one more heart-to-heart to give them a final chance for meaningful change. Resources Mentioned The Good Accountability course* Good Authority: How to Become the Leader Your Team Is Waiting For* by Jonathan Raymond Refound (Jonathan’s firm) Book Notes Download my highlights from Good Authority in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Five Steps to Hold People Accountable, with Jonathan Raymond (episode 306) Effective Delegation of Authority, with Hassan Osman (episode 413) How to Start Managing Up, with Tom Henschel (episode 433) The Way to Be More Self-Aware, with Tasha Eurich (episode 442) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Elizabeth Lilla: Metro Stars Gymnastics Elizabeth Lilla is the owner of Metro Stars Gymnastics. With her husband Erik, she has owned and operated gymnastics facilities for 13 years. She was named the Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association's Practitioner of the Year for developing the Special Stars Program at her facilities. Liz has previously served as the USA Gymnastics Nebraska State Chair, and loves sharing the sport of gymnastics with boys and girls of all ages. She is also a member of the Coaching for Leaders Academy. In this conversation, Liz shares the struggle of owning a small business that had to close its physical doors due to COVID-19. She tells the story of her business, the struggle in leading change in recent weeks, and their early success in pivoting to Metro Stars Online. Key Points Metro Stars Gymnastics has a long success story of serving kids and families for 13 years, until COVID-19 shut their doors. Liz and Erik made the difficult decision to retain their full-time staff and pay salaries, despite having almost no revenue incoming. Working to innovate quickly, Liz and their leadership team tested a new, online instruction format to help kids and families stay engaged during this difficult time. Metro Stars Online has already connected with hundreds of customers and, more importantly, allowed kids to stay connected to the important work of physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Resources Mentioned Metro Stars Online Related Episodes How to Be a Non-Conformist, with Adam Grant (episode 238) How to Start Seeing Around Corners, with Rita McGrath (episode 430) How to be Diplomatic, with Susan Rice (episode 456) The Power of Why Over How, with Gina Bianchini (episode 460) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed Bonni Stachowiak is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, a professor of business and management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, Bonni was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. She is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*. Listener Questions Toni asked about the best way to deal with people who don’t want to grow. Russ wanted our opinion on the best way to interview potential new hires. Sami wondering about the best way to utilize personality assessments. Laura asked our opinion on taking a step back in compensation for a job position she really wants. Resources Mentioned StrengthsFinder training for individuals and teams* (use code CFL10 for a 10% tuition discount) How the Best Bosses Interrupt Bias on Their Teams by Joan Williams and Sky Mihaylo Related Episodes How to Get the Ideal Team Player, with Patrick Lencioni (episode 301) How to Challenge Directly and Care Personally, with Kim Scott (episode 302) Get Smart About Assessments, with Ken Nowack (episode 371) How to Motivate Leaders, with John Maxwell (episode 452) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Tina Payne Bryson: The Power of Showing Up Tina Payne Bryson is a psychotherapist and the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice, and of The Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopment lens. Tina is the author with Dan Siegel of two New York Times bestsellers, The Whole-Brain Child* and No Drama Discipline*, each of which has been translated into over forty languages. She’s recently released with Dan their newest book, The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired*. In this conversation, Tina and I explore what it means to show up for kids and why it’s more than just being physically present. We discuss the distinction between being seen vs. being shamed. Plus, practical actions that parents, family members, and other caregivers can take to empower children. Key Points Our research and experience suggest that raising happy, healthy, flourishing kids requires parents to do just one key thing. It’s not about reading all the parenting best sellers or signing your kids up for all the right activities. You don’t even have to know exactly what you’re doing. Just show up. Intensive parenting is problematic not only because of the pressure it puts on parents, but because some research suggests that all this exhausting parental striving may not be the best way to raise children. Showing up is more than just being physically present. Many people don’t have the advantage of relationships. They grew up in families where almost all of the attention was focused on external and surface-level experiences. Let your curiosity lead you to take a deeper dive and make space and time to look and learn. A child’s brain is changing and changeable. Resources Mentioned The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired* by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson Tina Payne Bryson The New Adolescence: Raising Happy and Successful Teens in an Age of Anxiety and Distraction* by Christine Carter Wildhood: The Astounding Connections between Human and Animal Adolescents* by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers Related Episodes How to Reduce Drama With Kids, with Tina Payne Bryson (episode 310) Align Your Calendar to What Matters, with Nir Eyal (episode 431) Family Productivity, with Bonni Stachowiak (episode 453) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Gina Bianchini: Mighty Networks Gina Bianchini is the Founder & CEO of Mighty Networks*. She is an expert on network effects. Mighty Networks is a pivot from the enterprise-only platform Mightybell, which powered communities for Intuit, American Express, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Mighty Networks has unlocked the opportunity to elevate the rapidly growing world of creators with a purpose. Gina and Mighty Networks have been featured in Fast Company, Wired, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, and The New York Times. In this conversation, Gina and I discussed the importance of a big, specific mission for an organization. In addition, the necessity to stay dedicated to that mission, especially during difficult times. Plus, she remindes us of the value in bringing all stakeholders along with that mission. Key Points We are a master class in having a mission and deciding it is important no matter what is happening elsewhere. Mission and Purpose Mission and purpose need to be big — and be specific. Make a clear distinction between “why” and “how.” Engage all stakeholders with the mission, including customers, contractors, and vendors. Resources Mentioned Mighty Networks* Related Episodes Start With Why, with Simon Sinek (episode 223) How to Create a Vivid Vision, with Cameron Herold (episode 345) How to Clarify What’s Important, with Ron Williams (episode 410) Seven Tools to Create Margin and a New Podcast (episode 411) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Hortense le Gentil: Aligned Hortense is an Executive Leadership Coach and the President and Founder of JAY Consulting. She works with C-suite executives from Fortune 500 companies, supporting them in their development and leadership by working with them on the alignment between their personal values and their professional activities. Hortense is part of the Marshall Goldsmith’s prestigious 100 Coaches Project. She has been selected to receive a Thinkers 50 coaching award for excellence in her field. She is the author of several articles about leadership and coaching in such publications as Leader to Leader. She is the author of the book Aligned: Connecting Your True Self with the Leader You’re Meant to Be*. Key Points We are often blind to these invisible lines running throughout our lives. Reflecting on the role models others have admired in their lives can provide insight on what they value. Fictional characters, colors, animals, tress, and even countries can also provide insight into values. Wisdom from Peter Drucker: “Tell me what you value, and I might believe you. But show me the twists and turns of your life and I’ll show you what you really value.” Resources Mentioned Aligned: Connecting Your True Self with the Leader You’re Meant to Be* by Hortense le Gentil Book Notes Download my highlights from Aligned in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Enhance Your Self-Awareness, with Daniel Goleman (episode 353) Three Steps to Great Career Conversations, with Russ Laraway (episode 370) What to Do With Your Feelings, with Lori Gottlieb (episode 438) The Way to Be More Self-Aware, with Tasha Eurich (episode 442) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Michael Bungay Stanier: The Advice Trap Michael Bungay Stanier is at the forefront of shaping how organizations around the world make being coach-like an essential leadership competency. His book The Coaching Habit* is the best-selling coaching book of this century, with over 700,000 copies sold and 1,000+ five-star reviews on Amazon. He’s the author of the new book The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious, and Change the Way You Lead Forever*. In this conversation, Michael and I discuss why advice is overrated and often displays poor leadership. Michael shows us how to avoid coaching ghosts and dealing with people who can’t stop talking. Plus, we explore how to keep people engaged in the conversation, become more coach-like, and qualify advice when the time is right to give it. Key Points Advice is overrated. Not advice itself. There’s a time and a place for good advice. The problem is the default habit of giving advice. -Michael Bungay Stanier The Advice Trap: The more I give them advice, the more they want my advice. Three reasons your advice doesn’t get results: You’re solving the wrong challenge. You’re proposing a mediocre solution. You’re displaying poor leadership. Avoid coaching the ghost (the person note present) and yarning (excessive conversation that isn’t leading anywhere productive). To keep people engaged in the conversation, use the TERA principles: Tribe: Be on their side. Expectation: Show them the future. Rank: Raise them up. Autonomy: Give them the choice. When you do give advice, consider diminishing it with: “Here’s my best guess…” “I may be wrong…” “This is just one idea/option/thought…” Resources Mentioned The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious, and Change the Way You Lead Forever* by Michael Bungay Stanier The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever* by Michael Bungay Stanier MBS.works Book Notes Download my highlights from The Advice Trap in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes The Way to Stop Rescuing People From Their Problems, with Michael Bungay Stanier (episode 284) How to Stop Having the Same Problems, with Corrinne Armour (episode 387) Leadership in the Midst of Chaos, with Jim Mattis (episode 440) How to Ask Better Questions, with David Marquet (episode 454) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed Bonni Stachowiak is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, a professor of business and management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, Bonni was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. She is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*. Listener Questions Chris asked for ideas on changing behavior after hearing that his questions/challenges were being perceived as aggressive. Steve wanted to know if there are times when you shouldn’t lead. Colin asked for advice on supporting a colleague who is looking into leadership certificate programs. Jill wondered how I select guests for the show. Related Episodes How to Get Way Better at Accepting Feedback, with Sheila Heen (episode 143) How to Succeed with Leadership and Management, with John Kotter (episode 249) The Choice for Compassion, with Edith Eger (episode 336) Leadership vs. Management (The Look & Sound of Leadership) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Susan Rice: Tough Love Susan Rice served as the United States ambassador to the United Nations during President Barack Obama’s first term in office. She was later appointed by President Obama as National Security Advisor, a position she held until the end of his presidency. Today she is the Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow at the School of International Service at American University, a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times. She is the author the New York Times bestseller Tough Love: My Story of Things Worth Fighting For*. In this conversation, Susan and I discuss how her upbringing shaped her skills at mediation, the course corrections she navigated in her career to get better, and how she ensured all perspectives were heard inside President Obama’s National Security Council meetings. Key Points Susan’s early experience mediating the arguments between her parents helped her develop resilience that would be useful later. It’s helpful to separate the behavior from the person. Address inappropriate behavior, and keep it in context with the larger relationship. “You can get a long way leading a team, even if many members of the team don’t actually agree with the direction you’re steering towards, if they feel that their advice, perspective, recommendations have truly been heard and appreciated.” When facilitating a critical meeting, ensure the principal attendees receive reading points and preparation well in advance. Humor, an iron fist, or a velvet glove are all useful tools at the right times. Experience helps you determine what’s best in the moment. Wisdom from Susan’s dad: “You can’t let other people define you, for you.” Resources Mentioned Tough Love: My Story of Things Worth Fighting For* by Susan Rice Book Notes Download my highlights from Tough Love in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Manage Abrasive Leaders, with Sharone Bar-David (episode 290) The Way to Have Conversations That Matter, with Celeste Headlee (episode 344) How to Negotiate When Others Have Power, with Kwame Christian (episode 416) Leadership in the Midst of Chaos, with Jim Mattis (episode 440) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.