Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

Navigating change is hard, particularly inside of organizations. Most people are resistant and afraid. Yet we all have to confront change- personally and professionally- and the pace of change is faster than ever. Beth Comstock led companies like NBC and GE through periods of transformational change. Her book, Imagine It Forward, encourages people to become change makers by leading with imagination. In this episode, we talk about embracing smart risks, challenging convention, and reinventing what's possible.

Why would a successful criminal defense attorney leave a lucrative career to start a chocolate company? That's the incredible story of Shawn Askinosie, founder of the award-winning Askinosie Chocolate. In his book Meaningful Work, Shawn shares his insights into doing work with heart and creating a business with a soul. Named one of the 25 best small companies in America by Forbes, Askinosie Chocolate sources 100% of their beans directly from farmers and shares profits with them. On this episode, Shawn shares how to find your calling, what to consider when contemplating a career move, and why businesses thrive when work is meaningful.

Carli Lloyd, a two-time FIFA Player of the Year and three-time Olympian, shares her remarkable journey from almost quitting soccer to becoming a legend. She discusses how trainer James Galanis reignited her passion and built her mental toughness. Carli emphasizes the importance of hard work, overcoming self-criticism, and embracing imperfections. She reveals her mantra 'Empty the Tank' for daily preparation and how big moments fuel her competitiveness. Carli advocates for resilience and character in sports while encouraging young girls to believe in themselves.

Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and Wharton professor, dives into how helping others can elevate our own success. He discusses innovative methods to measure giving and taking in the workplace. Drawing parallels from sports, he emphasizes the importance of practice and feedback in enhancing performance. Adam also explores how setting boundaries while giving fosters joy and resilience, sharing insights from his work with clients like Google and Disney Pixar. This conversation is a treasure trove for anyone looking to make work more meaningful!

Notre Dame women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw is leaving a legacy on and off the court. In 32 seasons in South Bend, Muffet has led the Fighting Irish to two national championships, seven trips to the title game, and nine appearances in the Final Four. She's a vocal champion for gender equality in the workplace and sparked an important conversation on the need for women in leadership.We talk about the importance of having visible women leaders, why she wants to use her platform for change, and how she's built a championship culture at Notre Dame.

Angela Duckworth, a psychology professor and author of the bestselling book 'Grit,' dives into the essence of grit as a key to success. She discusses her journey from consulting to education, driven by a desire to understand motivation and persistence. Discover how grit—passion and perseverance—can be cultivated, and learn about its importance in different settings like West Point and schools. Duckworth also shares insights on character development and practical parenting advice through her initiative, Character Lab.

Michael Hyatt, bestselling author and leadership expert, shares his personal productivity framework from his book, Free to Focus. He challenges the common notion of productivity, arguing it's not about doing more but doing the right things. Discover the Freedom Compass to identify high-leverage tasks and learn about the four productivity zones—Desire, Drudgery, Disinterest, and Distraction. Hyatt introduces the Stop, Cut, Act framework, emphasizing the importance of delegation to free up time for what truly matters.

Called "the most inspirational data geek you'll ever meet," Marcus Buckingham is re-defining the future of work. After spending nearly two decades as a senior researcher at Gallup and then starting his own company, Marcus now guides the vision of ADP Research Institute as Co-Head and Talent Expert. In his new book, Nine Lies About Work, Marcus challenges our assumptions about organizations, talent and high performance. We talk about the myths behind many of our common beliefs about work and leadership, and explore how we can all become freethinking leaders who value our unique imprint on the world.

Less than six years ago, University of Buffalo men's basketball coach Nate Oats was teaching math and coaching high school basketball in Detroit. Fast forward to today and he is one of the hottest coaches in college basketball, leading the Buffalo Bulls to three NCAA tournament appearances in four seasons as head coach. On this episode, we talk about his unconventional rise to the top of the coaching world, managing the expectations that come with success, and how he's been able to build a winning culture at Buffalo rooted in the core values of max effort, continuous growth and selfless love.

As the CEO of the Oakland Raiders, Amy Trask served as the highest-ranking female executive in the NFL. Today she's a football analyst for CBS Sports and serves as Chairman of the Board of Ice Cube's BIG3. In her book, "You Negotiate Like a Girl," Amy reflects on her career in the NFL and the leadership lessons she learned on her journey. We talk about how she carved her own path from intern to CEO, her approach to negotiating, and why she never paid attention to gender despite often being the only woman in the room.