Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

This special edition of Game Changers with Molly Fletcher features clips and advice from some of our favorite episodes in 2017. Hear from guests like Hall of Fame coaches Geno Auriemma and Tom Izzo, pastor and leadership expert Andy Stanley, bestselling authors Dr. Henry Cloud and Suzy Welch, athletes Chipper Jones and Billy Horschel and more! Show Notes UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma: when it's going great, it's time for a change Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo: the characteristics of great teams Leadership expert and pastor Andy Stanley: the 3 mistakes leaders make FOCUS Brands COO & President Kat Cole: learning from feedback Vocal coach to the stars "Mama Jan" Smith: delivering tough feedback Bestselling author Suzy Welch: the 10-10-10 rule for making tough decisions Best selling author and psychologist Dr. Henry Cloud: the 4 corners of connection Baseball Hall of Famer Chipper Jones: how to deal with failure PGA TOUR golfer Billy Horschel: the visualization technique Tiger Woods taught him Drop the Ball author Tiffany Dufu: the myth of doing it all

Commander Rorke Denver, a former U.S. Navy SEAL leader and author of 'Damn Few', shares his insights on resilience and teamwork. He discusses what it takes to survive SEAL training, emphasizing the power of mindset and a never-quit attitude. Rorke translates these lessons for business, advising leaders on creating stress-tests for their teams. He highlights the importance of balance in avoiding burnout and fostering commitment through a shared mission. Packed with rapid-fire leadership takeaways, Rorke encourages an 'Ever Onward' approach to personal and professional growth.

Sam Walker, deputy editor at the Wall Street Journal and author of The Captain Class, reveals the surprising traits behind the world’s greatest team leaders. They aren't the superstars you expect. Instead, he identifies seven key characteristics: emotional control, relentless drive, and effective communication among others. Walker emphasizes the importance of selecting low-profile influencers in business and the necessity of strong captain-coach partnerships, using Tim Duncan as an ideal example. He challenges common misconceptions about leadership visibility, advocating for a more nuanced view of what makes leaders effective.

Dawn Staley, a Hall of Fame player and the head coach of the University of South Carolina women's basketball team, shares her journey from North Philadelphia to coaching greatness. She discusses the importance of building a championship culture through discipline, communication, and strong relationships. Dawn emphasizes the value of engaging with families and the community, and how early recruiting wins established belief in her vision. She reflects on sports as a vehicle for character development and meaningful opportunities.

Where do music's biggest stars turn when they need a vocal tune up? Mama Jan. Jan Smith is a Grammy-nominated producer and vocal coach to the stars—working with chart-topping artists like Usher, Justin Beiber, The Band Perry, Rob Thomas, Drake, Sugarland, Ciara, and Collective Soul. In all, over 4,000 vocalists, musicians and producers have turned to Mama Jan and Jan Smith Studios for her tough love training and musical expertise. On this episode, Mama Jan shares her insight on talent development, the value of coaching, and how to deliver tough feedback.

Donald Miller, founder and CEO of StoryBrand and author of Building a StoryBrand, shares insights on the power of storytelling in brand messaging. He highlights the importance of clarity in communication, emphasizing that brands must address customers' internal frustrations. Don breaks down his seven-part StoryBrand framework, revealing how to define customer desires, position the brand as a guide, and create effective calls to action. He also shares practical tips on testing messages and optimizing websites to capture attention.

What if there was an easy, fast way make tough decisions? Navigating the daily dilemmas of work and life, business journalist and best-selling author Suzy Welch developed the 10-10-10 rule, a life-changing strategy for making tough decisions. The former Editor-in-Chief at the Harvard Business Review, Suzy is a frequent contributor on The Today Show and hosts her own digital show on CNBC.com. On this episode, Suzy shares how to filter your decisions through the 10-10-10 rule, explains how to align your decision-making with your values, and discusses how Millennials' ideas about career management are changing the workplace.

In this engaging discussion, Andy Stanley, a renowned communicator and founder of North Point Ministries, reveals the five essential characteristics of effective leaders. He dives into common mistakes leaders make and debunks the myth of the well-rounded leader. Listeners learn about the importance of humility, collaboration, and empowering teams, along with the role of mentorship in fostering growth. With personal anecdotes, Andy emphasizes setting goals and maintaining values as key to navigating leadership challenges.

The first female coach in NFL history, Dr. Jen Welter reminds us all that barriers are meant to be broken. Welter coached the Arizona Cardinals' linebackers during 2015 training camp under head coach Bruce Arians and was the first female to play running back for a men's professional football team as a player for the Texas Revolution. Named one of the 25 most influential women in sport by espnW, Welter's inspiring story has been shared in the New York Times, Vogue, The Huffington Post and Fortune. On today's episode, Welter talks about the importance of authentic leadership, the value of diverse teams, and how she got comfortable taking career risks. Her new book, Play Big: Lessons in Being Limitless from the First Woman to Coach in the NFL, is available for pre-order now. Show Notes Why breaking barriers matters (5:00) "No risk it, no biscuit." What Jen learned from Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians (7:14) Overcoming the fear of rejection (9:10) Own your strengths and your weaknesses (11:18) Getting "punted" into coaching (14:55) How she built connection and trust with pro players (18:10) The value of diverse leadership teams (22:00) What it takes to compete at the highest level (28:32) Her new book Play Big: Lessons in Being Limitless from the First Woman to Coach in the NFL (32:27) Defining authentic leadership (34:40)

Geno Auriemma, the legendary UConn women's basketball coach, has a storied career with 11 national titles and a knack for building winning cultures. He shares his definition of success, emphasizing preparation and trust in recruiting. Discover how he fosters team-first attitudes among star players and adapts roles for maximum synergy. Geno also reveals his innovative strategies to keep his coaching approach fresh and effective, while valuing candid conversations and essential traits when evaluating talent.