Lead From the Heart

    We’re thrilled to welcome back Margaret Heffernan to the podcast, a guest whose erudition and insight left us in awe last time! Margaret is one of the most remarkable people we’ve had on the show—an entrepreneur, former CEO, acclaimed author, and thought leader whose uncommon education and thirst for knowledge imbue her work with extraordinary depth. Her TED Talk, “Why it’s time to forget the pecking order at work,” viewed over 15 million times, challenges hierarchical thinking and champions collaboration, showcasing her ability to reshape leadership. Her new book, Embracing Uncertainty: How Writers, Musicians, and Artists Thrive in an Unpredictable World, explores how to transform uncertainty into a source of creativity. It’s the subject of our conversation — essential for leaders eager to navigate today’s unpredictable world with courage and creativity.  In our conversation, we explore how artists embrace the unknown as a vital part of their creative process, and what leaders can learn from their courage. We dive into why controlling outcomes often stifles innovation, and how practices like walking spark transformative ideas. Margaret shares stories of artists who lean into uncertainty to create extraordinary work, offering lessons for leaders to shape the future. We also discuss how to empower those feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty to thrive in turbulent times. Margaret’s well-read perspective and intellectual curiosity shine through, delivered with a mentor’s warmth. Her insights inspire us to rethink how we lead and innovate, leaving us with actionable ideas to foster creativity and resilience. It’s an honor to have her back with us and to learn from her truly uncommon intellect — and heart. The post Margaret Heffernan: How Artists Turn Uncertainty Into Opportunity appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Imagine you’re a leader who’s achieved great success, yet something suddenly feels off: roadblocks appear, your team seems less responsive and productive—and you’re not progressing as hoped. What’s holding you back? Martin Dubin, a clinical psychologist and author of, Blindspotting: How To See What’s Holding You Back As A Leader (being released next week) says career and leadership setbacks like these are often the consequence of our blind spots—hidden habits and behaviors that we don’t see, but others clearly do —that undermine our progress and impact. During decades of coaching senior executives, Dubin repeatedly observed leaders who derailed their careers because they lacked the self-awareness to improve upon their limitations not to mention the curiosity required to identify the areas where they needed work. For obvious reasons, Martin believes self-awareness is a cornerstone of great leadership, no matter our role or industry. In our discussion, Martin shares transformative insights. Picture a CEO whose overconfidence leads to a failed product launch, costing millions. Martin unpacks why this happens and why we must seek diverse perspectives in order to grow. Ironically, it’s when we have a lot of success behind us that we stop inquiring on how we might further improve our skills – and to identifying what character or personality traits may limiting us. Martin says, “when we’re winning, our teams stop challenging us – and we stop challenging ourselves.” Martin also explores emotional intelligence, showing why cultivating the ability to read others’ emotions is essential to building trust. He even dives into how childhood experiences shape our leadership values and behavior, helping us break life-long limiting patterns. Whether you’re a new manager or a seasoned executive, Martin’s insights will surely resonate. Listen in as he explains how we can uncover our own blind spots without a coach—and how to refine our personal brands to inspire confidence in others. Discovering what may be holding you back might just be the greatest thing you can do for your career right now! The post Martin Dubin: Uncovering the Hidden Blind Spots That Hold Leaders Back appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    We’re thrilled to welcome Shigehiro Oishi, renowned psychologist and University of Chicago professor, whose groundbreaking research on well-being has reshaped how we understand a fulfilling life. As the author of Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life, Oishi introduces a transformative framework that adds “psychological richness”—a life enriched by diverse, novel, and challenging experiences—to the traditional pillars of happiness and meaning. His work, backed by decades of his own rigorous research, makes him the perfect guest to explore how curiosity and exploration can deepen personal lives and revolutionize leadership. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a more vibrant life not to mention innovative ways to inspire their teams. Oishi defines psychological richness as experiences that spark curiosity, push boundaries, and foster growth – distinct from happiness, which arises from frequent, small positive social interactions and close relationships, and meaning, which stems from purpose and coherence. By embracing the unfamiliar—by choosing to experience new, unique and even risky moments—individuals unlock a fuller life, with the journey itself becoming its greatest reward. For listeners, this episode offers a dual promise: tools to enrich your personal life and strategies to transform how you lead. Leaders will learn why prioritizing micro-moments of connection—like casual check-ins or team celebrations—boosts employee happiness more than rare wins like promotions or annual galas. Oishi explains how fostering psychological richness, through new challenges or creative projects, enhances commitment, creativity, and resilience. He shares how to create safe environments where employees feel empowered to step outside their comfort zones, turning risk-taking into growth without fear. We also discuss Oishi’s powerful insight that focusing on others’ happiness inherently boosts our own – offering leaders a blueprint for supporting employee growth, belonging and achievement. This isn’t just a conversation about personal fulfillment—it’s a guide for leaders to create environments where employees thrive through connection, growth, and exploration. Tune in to discover how Life in Three Dimensions can transform your life and leadership. Shigehiro Oishi’s blend of cutting-edge science and practical wisdom will inspire you to embrace curiosity, foster meaningful connections, and lead with purpose, unlocking remarkable benefits for yourself and your team. The post Shigehiro Oishi: Embracing the Unfamiliar to Forge Deeper Lives and Thriving Teams appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    For over 40 years, Gary Shapiro has been CEO of the Consumer Technology Association – the organization which runs CES, the world’s largest and most influential technology trade show held every year in Las Vegas. CES long ago became the global stage where innovations like the iPhone, self-driving cars, and AI breakthroughs have been introduced to the world for the first time. In his spare time, Gary has written four New York Times bestsellers, including the focus for this episode, his new book, Pivot or Die: How Leaders Thrive When Everything Changes. As you will hear, Gary emphasizes that pivoting is the cornerstone of effective leadership in today’s fast-moving world. Mastering this skill, he stresses, is critical to staying relevant, inspiring teams, and driving success in an era where resistance to change can be fatal. So, what exactly is pivoting? In Gary’s view, it’s a bold, intentional shift in strategy or direction when the future is unclear. It’s not just about savvy business choices—it’s about summoning the courage to act decisively amid uncertainty, whether you’re a startup disrupting markets or a seasoned leader tackling unforeseen challenges. His insights, honed over decades watching tech giants like Netflix and PayPal pivot to redefine industries, offer essential guidance for leaders navigating today’s unpredictable landscape. During our conversation, we dive into how leaders can pivot effectively. Importantly, Gary stresses that relying upon data alone to inform our decision-making proves to be massively flawed.  Instead, he says leaders must cultivate – and trust – their intuition as well.  His book cites studies that show blending intuition with data leads to both faster and better decisions. When Netflix made the bold leap from DVD rentals to streaming, Gary calls this a textbook pivot that redefined an industry. But as cautionary tales on what happens when companies fail to pivot, 3-in-4 startups fail to repay their investors, and half of small businesses collapse within five years. The common thread among survivors? A relentless willingness to adapt, evolve – and intentionally pivot.  And, for workplace leaders, this means staying open to new paths while keeping goals in sight, even when it feels risky. Truth be told, pivoting isn’t always easy.  As just one example, we discuss what Gary calls the “success pivot,” where leaders choose to abandon what’s working (and profitable) to seize even bigger wins or embrace market evolution. As you’ll also hear, Gary’s leadership philosophy is humanistic. He says his career’s greatest lesson is to treat employees as human beings, not capital. He believes when people are valued and cared for, they become far more willing to embrace change and help leaders quickly move in a new direction. And Gary’s parting words serve as a rallying cry: in a world moving at breakneck speed, leaders who don’t pivot risk obsolescence. The post Gary Shapiro: Mastering the Art of the Pivot appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Wes Adams, co-author of Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee, joins the podcast and shares profound insights from his extensive, multi-year research, on an essential yet often ignored leadership prerogative: ensuring employees feel they’re connected to a shared purpose, empowered to make a difference – and pushed to grow. As a positive psychology scholar, Wes draws on decades of research, including vivid examples from organizations like Patagonia, Ritz-Carlton, and Zappos, to show how leaders can cultivate purpose, connection, and growth for employees at every level. In our discussion, Wes introduces the framework that defines meaningful work. With precision, he explains why each element – Community, Contribution, and Challenge – is crucial for employee well-being and organizational success, illustrating with practical examples from leading companies. From the Great Resignation to the decline in social participation outside work, Wes examines the societal shifts positioning workplaces as vital hubs for connection and purpose—and what this demands of leaders today. Some of the ideas we discuss: The Three Cs of Meaningful Work: Why fostering community, enabling impactful contributions, and providing growth challenges are vital for employee fulfillment and organizational results. Work’s Impact on Well-Being: Why meaningful work profoundly influences overall life satisfaction, surpassing most other factors. Leadership That Inspires: The traits and actions of leaders who build cultures of meaning, including how to keep organizational values authentic under pressure. Navigating Workplace Connection: Why workers crave community at work yet often struggle with co-worker relationships, and how leaders can bridge this gap. Wes Adams doesn’t merely identify the workplace’s yearning for meaning—he provides a transformative blueprint. He shows how leaders can infuse every role, from entry-level to executive, with purpose by embedding community, contribution, and challenge into daily work. His insights urge leaders to redefine their role in a world where employees increasingly seek connection and impact through work, making this episode a clarion call for those committed to building thriving teams. In our season featuring guests with deep expertise in employee well-being, Wes stands out, informed by rigorous study under UPenn’s Martin Seligman and cutting-edge research. This conversation is a masterclass in modern leadership, offering timely and compelling strategies to make meaningful work a reality. The post Wes Adams: How Meaningful Work Fuels Exceptional Performance appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    What makes a leader truly successful? To find out, we sat down with Claudius Hildebrand, author of the bestselling The Life Cycle of a CEO: The Myths and Truths of How Leaders Succeed. His core insight? Leadership isn’t a trophy you win or a title you hold—it’s a dynamic, ever-evolving journey that demands growth, grit, and constant reinvention. Whether you’re a team lead, a mid-level manager, or dreaming of the C-suite, this episode is your roadmap to navigating the twists and turns of leadership. Hildebrand’s work is grounded in one of the most comprehensive studies of leadership ever performed. He and his team analyzed the career arcs of all S&P 500 CEOs, diving into decades of performance data, boardroom dynamics, and personal turning points. This wasn’t just number-crunching—Hildebrand also conducted over 100 in-depth interviews with sitting CEOs, former executives, and board directors, uncovering the human side of leadership. Ultimately, his research discovered there’s a universal path of leadership growth, defined by four distinct stages: launch (taking on a role with bold ambition and vision), calibration (adapting to realities and fostering trust with teams and stakeholders), reinvention (shifting strategies to tackle emerging challenges), and avoiding complacency (maintaining focus and agility even after success). The strength of Hildebrand’s work lies in its meticulous approach, blending hard data—such as CEO tenure, financial performance, and market trends—with rich, qualitative insights drawn from candid interviews with leaders who’ve navigated these stages firsthand. Here’s the kicker: these stages aren’t exclusive to corner-office executives. Hildebrand’s framework applies directly to anyone leading a team, project, or organization. In this episode, we dive into how a first-time manager kicking off a new initiative faces the same “launch” challenges as a CEO taking over a Fortune 500 company. We explore how mid-level leaders “calibrate” by balancing team dynamics and stakeholder expectations, and how even seasoned directors must “reinvent” to stay relevant. Hildebrand’s insights offer practical tools for leaders at every level to anticipate obstacles, seize opportunities, and grow through each phase. We also tackle the myth of the “hero leader”—the idea that great leaders are born with superhuman charisma or flawless instincts. Hildebrand dismantles this with compelling stories from his research, showing that the most successful leaders are those who embrace continuous learning, lean into self-awareness, and adapt to changing realities. Forget the larger-than-life personas; leadership is about showing up, evolving, and staying human. Tune in to discover how to navigate your own leadership journey, no matter where you are in your career. This episode is packed with actionable insights, surprising stories, and a fresh perspective on what it means to lead. The post Claudius Hildebrand: The Lifecycle Of Every Leader; Why Growth and Reinvention Matter appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

  Melody Wilding, Professor of Human Behavior at Hunter College in New York City, and renowned for her expertise in workplace dynamics, has just published, “Managing Up: How To Get What You Need From The People In Charge.” It’s received outstanding reviews, is already a bestseller – and has become an indispensable guide for building effective relationships with bosses and even peers. In “Managing Up,” Melody addresses the key problems employees face in their careers, from feeling micromanaged to struggling with office politics and to not getting promotions. Her book provides practical strategies and techniques to help readers reclaim control at work. She goes beyond typical advice, delving into human dynamics by offering specific scripts for handling complex workplace situations. During our conversation, we explore why so many of us struggle with managing up, and the common misconceptions and challenges we face –especially those of us in leadership roles. Melody explains why relying upon our strong workplace performance alone isn’t sufficient to win influence with the people we report to. And, she stresses that adopting a “strategic, investigative mindset” to understand our managers leads to a greater understanding of how to successfully navigate these relationships. One of the highlights of Melody’s book is the introduction of ten critical conversations every professional should have with their managers. Melody discusses the most important ones of these, and provides actionable advice on how to approach them. Importantly, Melody also emphasizes that managing up isn’t solely the employee’s responsibility; she believes (and explains why) managers should also proactively provide clarity on how people working for them can succeed while under their leadership. Managing up is an art, and during our conversation, she will teach you to be a master. It’s a fantastic and Illuminating conversation that will surely help you thrive in your career. The post Melody Wilding: Navigating the Complexities of Managing Up appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Version 1.0.0 Renowned social psychologist and Columbia Business School professor Adam Galinsky, has dedicated his academic career to understanding the intricacies of leadership and human behavior. His latest book, “Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others,” offers a compelling exploration of what it takes to be an inspiring leader. Adam is clear that inspiring leadership is rarely an innate trait, but rather a skill we all can develop through conscious effort and practice. In “Inspire,” he presents a groundbreaking framework for understanding the qualities that make leaders truly inspiring – and he identifies three universal characteristics that define inspiring leaders: Visionaries, Exemplars, and Mentor: Visionaries offer a big-picture, optimistic, and accessible vision of the future. They help others see beyond the present challenges and imagine a better tomorrow.  Exemplars are courageous and calm protectors who express authentic passion while remaining consistent in word and deed. They lead by example, demonstrating the behaviors they expect from others Mentors encourage, empower, and challenge others, fostering growth and development through genuine empathy and support. “Inspire” is more than just a book on leadership; it’s a guide to becoming a more effective decision-maker, a wise problem-solver, a value-creating negotiator, and an inclusive and ethical guide For those who seek to leave a lasting positive impact on their teams, organizations, and communities, our discussion about “Inspire” offers a clear roadmap to becoming not just a leader, but an inspiring one. Join us on the Lead from the Heart podcast as we delve into the fascinating world of Adam Galinsky’s “Inspire” and uncover the secrets to becoming a truly inspiring leader. The post Adam Galinsky: A Blueprint for Inspiring Leadership appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    Ever wondered what truly drives peak performance at work? As research is now proving, the surprising secret lies in employee well-being. In this captivating episode, we’re joined by Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, professor of Economics and Behavioral Science at Oxford’s Saïd Business School, the Director of the Wellbeing Research Centre & an editor of the World Happiness Report. His remarkable study helps confirms the core belief of the Lead From The Heart philosophy: That there is a a direct correlation between how people feel at work & their personal productivity. The stunning take-away is that leaders who intentionally help support & elevate their employee’s well-being are rewarded with uncommonly high achievement. In this episode, we explore what inspired Jan to delve into the realm of employee well-being, & how it is differentiated from both employee wellness and employee engagement. We also dive into the major findings from his extensive & long-running research – including his two most important discoveries: (1) that the greatest driver of employee well-being is “belonging,” & (2) that addressing employees’ feelings has become crucial for highly effective leadership. Last December, on the cusp of finalizing my own upcoming book, I took a train ride from London to Oxford to meet Jan in person. Today, we pick up our conversation where we left off – which includes a focus on Jan’s new book, “Why Workplace Well-Being Matters.” If you’re interested in transforming your leadership approach – and consistently driving exceptional results, this conversation is a must-listen! The post Jan-Emmanuel De Neve: Transform Your Employees’ Performance by Prioritizing Their Well-Being appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

    For our inaugural episode of our new season, we are thrilled to feature two truly extraordinary guests. It also marks a milestone for us as it’s the very first time we’ve recorded an episode where both the host and guests were together in the same room — in this case, at a recording studio at Chevron’s Northern California offices. In this special episode, you’re about to gain sage guidance and leadership insights from two of the world’s top Human Resources leaders: Kathleen Hogan (right) is the executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Microsoft. With her leadership, she influences the lives and careers of 220,000 global employees, ensuring Microsoft remains an exceptional place to work. Kathleen’s dedication to fostering a culture that attracts and inspires the world’s most passionate talent earned her the title of “HR Executive of the Year” by Human Resource Executive magazine in 2021 for her outstanding leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her academic accolades include a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and economics from Harvard University, and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Rhonda Morris (left) who you may recognize as the first voice you hear at the start of all our recent podcasts episode, just retired from her role as vice president and chief human resources officer at Chevron. A long-time listener and lover of our podcast, Rhonda committed Chevron to becoming our show’s formal sponsor. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, and an MBA from Boston University and worked tirelessly to create a workplace culture that fosters the “Lead From The Heart” values. In this must-listen episode, Kathleen and Rhonda share their extraordinary stories, impactful strategies, and visionary insights that can inspire and inform your own journey in the world of Human Resources and leadership. Listen in to hear from two of the industry’s most influential voices and take away valuable lessons that can elevate your professional and personal growth. The post Kathleen Hogan & Rhonda Morris: Two Of The World’s HR Giants Together appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.