Coaching for Leaders

Michael Bungay Stanier, best-selling author and host of Change Signal, shares vital insights on leading organizational change. He emphasizes that change can be messy and advocates for understanding the emotional realities involved. Michael discusses the importance of engaging team members rather than imposing compliance, suggesting that strategy should be a living conversation filled with experimentation. Drawing inspiration from Emily Dickinson, he highlights the importance of gradual truth-telling in the process of transformation.

Kevin Evers, Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review and author of "There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift," dives deep into Taylor Swift's impactful strategies. He highlights how Swift consistently meets her fans' emotional needs, showcasing the importance of understanding the 'job to be done.' Evers discusses her bold transition from country to pop, exemplifying risk-taking in her career. He also explores the concept of anti-fragility, demonstrating how challenges have fueled her growth and resilience.

Faisal Hoque, an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of SHADOKA, shares insights from his latest book, 'Transcend.' He emphasizes the importance of partnering with AI, highlighting that effective collaboration requires improved questioning skills and an openness to learning. Hoque encourages adopting a beginner's mindset to embrace uncertainty and discover possibilities. He discusses the interplay of emotional intelligence and AI, stressing that navigating its landscape involves empathy and creativity, ultimately transforming leadership and enhancing engagement.

Alice Ferris, Founding Partner of GoalBusters, brings over 30 years of fundraising experience to the conversation. She discusses the unexpected role of fundraising in leadership, debunking the myth that it’s just about asking for money. Alice emphasizes the importance of relationship-building and transparent communication with donors, especially during challenging times. She also shares strategies for setting effective fundraising goals and the necessity of personal connections in successful fundraising efforts.

In this conversation, Matt Dixon, Founding Partner of DCM Insights and author of The Challenger Sale, shares insights into modern business development. He reveals the new breed of professionals called 'activators,' who excel by proactively building relationships and understanding client needs. Dixon discusses the shift from traditional client loyalty to a more dynamic approach, where preemptive networking and collaboration are key. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in sales, highlighting how it can transform client engagement.

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.