

How to Lead with Clay Scroggins and Adam Tarnow
Clay Scroggins and Adam Tarnow
A podcast designed to help you develop yourself and those around you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 25, 2025 ⢠16min
Why Live Learning Still Works
Live learning isnât just another way to consume content, itâs an experience that commands attention, personalizes the message, and accelerates team momentum. Unlike books or podcasts, a live session meets your people in the moment, speaks directly to their challenges, and creates a shared language that sticks long after the event. For senior leaders, itâs one of the few investments that can deliver six monthsâ worth of trust, clarity, and alignment in a single day.

Aug 11, 2025 ⢠18min
The Frank Blake Leadership Playbook
What makes a leader unforgettable? In this episode, Adam and Clay reflect on a quiet moment in an airport lounge with former Home Depot CEO Frank Blakeâand what it revealed about the kind of leadership that truly lasts. Instead of holding court, Blake was asking questions, listening intently, and showing up with presence. They break down three simple (but rare) behaviors: staying curious when itâs easier to assume, showing up with presence instead of position, and building a legacy through small, consistent actions that make people feel seen. Youâll walk away challenged to lead like Frank Blakeânot by being loud, but by being curious.

Aug 4, 2025 ⢠20min
Clues Your Personal Brand Needs a Rebrand
Your personal brand is always speaking, whether youâre shaping it intentionally or not. In this episode, we explore six subtle (but telling) clues that your reputation at work might be stuck in the past. From being known for who you used to be, to struggling to articulate what makes you different today, we break down how to recognize when your brand needs a refreshâand what to do about it. Whether youâre stepping into a new level of leadership or just tired of being overlooked, this episode will help you clarify your brand and communicate it with confidence.

Jul 22, 2025 ⢠25min
Peaceful and Ruthless: The Paradox of Scottie Scheffler
âthis is not a fulfilling lifeâ"why do I want to win this tournament so bad?"This is the paradox of Scottie Scheffler and there is something for all of us to learn.

Jul 14, 2025 ⢠17min
Are Questions a Form of Control? Rethinking Curiosity in Leadership
âJust ask more questions.âItâs classic leadership advice â but what if it doesnât land the way you think?In this episode, we unpack a tension thatâs come up again and again, especially with younger Millennials and Gen Z:Questions can build trust, open doors, and deepen connection â but when they feel forced, transactional, or performative, they do the opposite.Weâll explore:Why the best leaders still ask great questions â but never to manipulate.What younger employees are really pushing back on when they say, âDonât interrogate me.âFour practical ways to make your questions feel authentic, not artificial.How to match your curiosity to the moment â whether youâre building rapport, coaching, or holding someone accountable.A simple gut-check to make sure youâre asking to connect, not control.Closing challenge:Before you ask your next big question, ask yourself: Do I really want to know the answer?Then pick one relationship this week and ask a better, braver question â and actually listen to what comes next.

6 snips
Jun 30, 2025 ⢠23min
What GenZ and Millennials Really Want From Their Leaders
Explore what Gen Z and millennials truly seek from their leaders. They desire genuine well-being, not just trendy perks. Purpose-driven work aligns with their values, while flexibility and a sense of belonging outweigh prestige. Leaders are urged to foster environments that support mental health discussions. Investing in employee growth can enhance loyalty, as many under 40 prioritize development and meaningful work over mere financial rewards. Listen for insights on fostering trust and connection in today's workplace.

Jun 23, 2025 ⢠24min
How to Keep Going When Work Wonât Let Up
Burnout isnât a badge of honorâand itâs not the end of the road. In this episode, Clay and Adam unpack four surprising reasons high-capacity leaders hit a wallâand how to bounce back without guilt or heroic grit. From emotional fatigue to financial pressure, they explore whatâs really behind burnout and what to do when work wonât let up.Youâll learn why burnout isnât always about working too muchâsometimes itâs about doing the wrong kind of work. Plus, they share personal stories, practical rhythms, and one small step you can take this week to protect your energy and lead from a healthier place.Key Topics:The difference between burnout and exhaustionWhy boredom might be draining your energyHow to lead yourself through stress when no one else willWhat to do when financial pressure keeps you stuckWorkingGenius.com/HowtoLeadAbout Clay Scroggins: Clay Scroggins is a sought-after â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â speaker and leadership coachâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â known for his practical and engaging approach to leadership. He is the author of three books, most notably â â â â â â â â â â â â â â How to Lead When You're Not In Chargeâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â . With a passion for helping leaders thrive in any environment, Clay brings valuable insights and real-world experience to this podcast and his â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â weekly emailâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â . Learn more at ClayScroggins.comAbout Adam Tarnow: Adam Tarnow is a recovering CPA and now a partner at â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â PeopleWorks Internationalâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â , where he heads the Leadership Development Practice. He is the co-author of â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â The Edge: How to Stand Out by Showing You're All Inâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â and shares his insights on leadership through his Substack, Beyond the Obvious. Learn more at AdamTarnow.com

Jun 16, 2025 ⢠16min
Whatâs the Purpose (and Future) of Middle Management?
Middle management is often viewed negatively, but it holds crucial potential for growth and transformation. The discussion reframes this role as a vital proving ground, emphasizing its ability to shape vision and resilience. Listeners explore how middle managers can empower themselves and others, shifting from feelings of powerlessness to proactive leadership. The importance of personal transformation is highlighted as a key component for navigating challenges and thriving in the future of leadership.

Jun 9, 2025 ⢠17min
How to Become an Enlightened Control Freak
When you hear âcontrol freak,â what comes to mind? Probably someone who micromanages, hoards tasks, and drives everyone nuts. But what if the real issue isnât being controllingâitâs trying to control everything?In this episode, we reclaim the term and explore what it means to become an Enlightened Control Freakâsomeone whoâs focused, self-aware, and ruthlessly clear about whatâs theirs to own.Youâll learn a simple 1-2-3 framework to help you:Name what you wantSeparate goals from desiresControl the controllableIf youâre tired of being overwhelmed by things outside your control, this episode will show you a better pathâone that leads to clarity, peace, and progress.Challenge: This week, make two listsâyour goals and your desiresâand ask: What can I control?About Clay Scroggins: Clay Scroggins is a sought-after â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â speaker and leadership coachâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â known for his practical and engaging approach to leadership. He is the author of three books, most notably â â â â â â â â â â â â â â How to Lead When You're Not In Chargeâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â . With a passion for helping leaders thrive in any environment, Clay brings valuable insights and real-world experience to this podcast and his â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â weekly emailâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â . Learn more at ClayScroggins.comAbout Adam Tarnow: Adam Tarnow is a recovering CPA and now a partner at â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â PeopleWorks Internationalâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â , where he heads the Leadership Development Practice. He is the co-author of â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â The Edge: How to Stand Out by Showing You're All Inâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â and shares his insights on leadership through his Substack, Beyond the Obvious. Learn more at AdamTarnow.com

Jun 2, 2025 ⢠22min
Is All Development Self-Development?
Peter Drucker once wrote, âFor development is always self-development.â In this episode, we unpack why that simple idea might be the most overlooked (and freeing) truth in the professional world.Clay and Adam explore:Why so many people wait to be âdevelopedâ by their company or managerThe real reasons we resist taking initiativeWhat self-development actually looks like in everyday lifeThe role organizations should play (but often overplay) in your growthIf youâve ever felt stuck waiting for someone to invest in you, this episode is your reminder: development doesnât require permissionâit requires a posture.About Clay Scroggins: Clay Scroggins is a sought-after â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â speaker and leadership coachâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â known for his practical and engaging approach to leadership. He is the author of three books, most notably â â â â â â â â â â â â â â How to Lead When You're Not In Chargeâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â . With a passion for helping leaders thrive in any environment, Clay brings valuable insights and real-world experience to this podcast and his â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â weekly emailâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â . Learn more at ClayScroggins.comAbout Adam Tarnow: Adam Tarnow is a recovering CPA and now a partner at â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â PeopleWorks Internationalâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â , where he heads the Leadership Development Practice. He is the co-author of â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â The Edge: How to Stand Out by Showing You're All Inâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â and shares his insights on leadership through his Substack, Beyond the Obvious. Learn more at AdamTarnow.com