Coaching for Leaders

David Marquet, former commander of the U.S.S. Santa Fe and author of 'Turn the Ship Around,' shares his transformative leadership insights. He discusses the importance of cultivating future leaders and emphasizes that true leadership is about empowering teams rather than merely achieving results. Marquet highlights the benefits of a leader-leader model over micromanagement and stresses the significance of language in leadership. Additionally, he explores effective mentoring methods and the role of inquiry in fostering a psychologically safe environment.

Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor at Harvard Business School, dives into psychological safety in leadership. She emphasizes that effective teams make more mistakes, not because they are worse, but because they feel safe reporting them. Language plays a crucial role; simple shifts like calling errors 'accidents' can create a learning culture. Edmondson encourages leaders to embrace vulnerability by admitting when they don't know something, fostering openness. She highlights that leaders should worry if they aren’t hearing bad news, as it reflects a lack of safety in communication.

Gretchen Rubin, a celebrated author known for her bestsellers on happiness and habits, shares insights on achieving inner calm through outer order. She emphasizes how controlling physical spaces can enhance emotional well-being. Jump-starting the day with simple exercises like jumping jacks can provide a necessary reset. Rubin also discusses the power of habit formation through pairing enjoyable activities with essential tasks, showcasing how this strategy can transform productivity and align daily habits with personal values.

Explore how to support team members during tough times while maintaining professional boundaries. Learn strategies to avoid micromanagement and create a trusting environment that motivates staff. Discover ways to enhance your executive presence and adapt to leadership challenges, including gender perceptions in the workplace. The discussion also covers the importance of meaningful feedback and effective survey design, emphasizing transparency and continuous improvement. Finally, delve into the value of networking through professional organizations.

Sheila Miller-Nelson, owner of Midian Consulting and a seasoned communication coach, shares her insights on leadership and relationship-building. She emphasizes that our practice shapes our performance and stresses the importance of admitting mistakes to foster compassion. Miller-Nelson discusses the critical role of nonverbal communication in self-presentation, urging leaders to align their actions with personal values. She also explores the significant impact of leaders on organizational culture and the need for transparency and feedback to nurture growth.

Cal Newport, a computer science professor at Georgetown University and author of 'Digital Minimalism,' discusses the profound impact of technology on real human interactions. He emphasizes how digital communication can leave us feeling lonely and suggests a 30-day break from tech to realign our social lives. Newport also explores the importance of genuine conversations in leadership and how to navigate digital distractions intentionally, advocating for technology that enriches rather than diminishes our connections.

Dan O’Connor is a multifaceted actor, writer, and director, known for founding Impro Theatre. In this engaging conversation, he discusses the importance of presence in conversations and how active listening can transform interactions, especially in sales. O’Connor emphasizes that genuine engagement fosters deeper connections and storytelling builds relationships. He also shares insights on the improvisational principles of making others look good and embracing the 'yes and' mindset, which enhances collaboration and creativity in any environment.

Julia Taylor Kennedy: Coqual Julia is Executive Vice President and Director of Publications at the Coqual. She has co-authored Disabilities and Inclusion, Mission Critical: Unlocking the Value of Veterans in the Workforce, and The Power of the Purse: Engaging Women for Healthy Outcomes, on women and health. Coqual recently released a new report, titled, The Sponsor Dividend. Key Points A sponsor actively advocates for the career of their protege. If you’re looking for a sponsor, be very clear on where you want to go in your career. Sponsors want to be sure they can trust the protege to deliver on the opportunities the sponsor presents. Sponsors do better when they have a protege who has complementary skills to their own. Resources Mentioned The Sponsor Dividend: Key Findings Related Episodes How to Help the Underdog Thrive, with Terry Lipovski (episode 275) How to Make Inclusion Happen, with Deepa Purushothaman (episode 307) How to Connect Personal Growth to Business Outcomes, with Jonathan Raymond (episode 373) Why Men Are Heard and Women Are Liked, with Lois Frankel and Tom Henschel (episode 392) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

John Stepper: Working Out Loud John developed Working Out Loud, a practice that helps people be more effective, access more opportunities, and feel happier at work. Over several years, a small movement has formed based on his self-published book*, TEDx talk, and a peer support method that’s spread to over 40 countries and companies like Bosch, Daimler, BMW, and Siemens. Key Points Behavior change is about small steps, peer support, celebration along the way, and continual feedback. Changes start with only one tiny step. Do that until it gets easy, then take the next step. Peer support is a major part of habit change. Peer support gives you structure, shared accountability, and emotional support. Resources Mentioned Start a Working Out Loud Circle Martha Beck Drive* by Daniel Pink Everybody Matters* by Bob Chapman and Raj Sisodia Book Notes Download my highlights from Working Out Loud in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Be a Non-Conformist, with Adam Grant (episode 238) The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, with Daniel Pink (episode 332) Six Tactics to Achieve Extraordinary Performance, with Morten Hansen (episode 337) How to Become the Person You Want to Be, with James Clear (episode 376) How to Create Meaningful Gatherings, with Priya Parker (episode 395) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Jill Schlesinger: Jill on Money Jill Schlesinger is the Emmy-nominated Business Analyst for CBS News, the host of the Jill on Money podcast and of the nationally syndicated radio show, Jill on Money, which won the 2018 Gracie Award for Best National Talk Show. She has been recognized as a Top 10 LinkedIn Influencer and a Top 10 LinkedIn Voice. She’s the author of The Dumb Things Smart People Do with Their Money: Thirteen Ways to Right Your Financial Wrongs*. Key Points Not all financial professionals are looking out for you. Make sure they are held to the fiduciary standard at all times. Before seeing a financial professional, make sure you’ve already paid off consumer debt, you’ve built an emergency reserve fund, and you’re maximizing your retirement fund contributions. Prioritize your own retirement savings before setting aside money for your children’s tuition. Make sure the cost of a degree is worth the expected income. Resources Mentioned The Dumb Things Smart People Do with Their Money: Thirteen Ways to Right Your Financial Wrongs* by Jill Schlesinger Mark Kantrowitz Jill On Money Book Notes Download my highlights from The Dumb Things Smart People Do with Their Money in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Improve Your Financial Intelligence, with Joe Knight (episode 244) How to Manage Your Money, with Jill Schlesinger (episode 322) How to Approach Corporate Budgeting, with Jody Wodrich (episode 355) Four Rules to Get Control of Your Money, with Jesse Mecham (episode 356) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.