General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., served as the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, and the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council. His insight and leadership experience are nearly unmatched.In this episode, General Dunford discusses critical lessons he’s learned that - if taken to heart - could change the way we lead in the future for the better, with host Gary Heil.Drawing from extensive military experience, Dunford stresses the need for leaders to surround themselves with good people, the importance of building an environment of trust (and how to do so), and what sets a successful plan development process apart from one bound to fail.Other critical takeaways include:The importance of getting dissent up front in the vision-setting and planning process.The importance of an honest feedback loop.What it means for leaders to figuratively cross the Grand Canyon.What it took to build a global integrator to launch the U.S. military into the future.The difference between management and leadership, and how we often get it wrong.This conversation may just be the foundational piece needed to build teams of today, into what’s necessary for the post-COVID world.

As Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017, James Comey’s mettle has been tested time and time again throughout a career committed first and foremost to serving his country. During his time at the Department of Justice, Comey confronted new threats against Americans at home and abroad, prosecuting terrorists and leading the country’s confrontation of domestic terrorism.Part of prioritizing the interests of the country he swore to serve above all else meant confronting another challenge head on: a crisis of leadership within the FBI. In this episode, he discusses the very essence of leadership with host Gary Heil in candid, open, and honest conversation.Critical takeaways include:Why the evaluation of promotion of leaders must start with a focus on values.The integral combination of meaningful work and meaningful relationships.What humor and humility have to do with leading effectively.Why doubt must be a part of the decision making process from the very start until after a decision is made.Why diversity and inclusion tactics so often fail - and how there’s a better way to create change in this mission-critical area.Learn more about our speakers:Gary Heil: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/gary-heil/James Comey: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/james-comey/About the series:Presented weekly, Leadership Lessons from the Fast Lane explores some of the most pressing challenges that leaders of today face, with the world’s most respected, creative, and successful thought leaders.Visit our website: https://www.wsb.com/Contact us: https://www.wsb.com/contact/

Celebrated historian Dr. Nancy Koehn did not expect to write a book about crisis leadership. But as she studied many experiences of history’s transformational leaders, she discovered that so often great leadership is developed out of one’s ability to both learn from failure and to rise to inspire others.During this discussion, Koehn shares some of the critical crisis leadership lessons from her book Forged in Crisis: The Power of Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times with host Gary Heil. Together they examine the similarities and circumstances that shape courageous leaders and how these lessons apply to leaders facing the tumultuous business landscape and ongoing global crises of today. Key takeaways: What courageous leadership looks like in action.How the best leaders are often forged through failure.Why leadership is more than choices: it's a reflection of who you are in crisis.The power of purpose in leadership: why meaning and value are critical. Why great leaders must balance passion with emotional self-discipline to inspire hope.Learn more about our speakers:Gary Heil: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/gary-heil/Nancy Koehn: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/nancy-koehn/About the series:Presented weekly, Leadership Lessons from the Fast Lane explores some of the most pressing challenges that leaders of today face, with the world’s most respected, creative, and successful thought leaders.Visit our website: https://www.wsb.com/Contact us: https://www.wsb.com/contact/

The biographer of our age, acclaimed historian and journalist, and professor of history at Tulane University, Walter Isaacson, and host Gary Heil, discuss the role of innovation in leadership, why thinking outside the box requires understanding what’s inside the box, the importance of reflection, and the impact of the deficit of optimism has on our ability to move into a new and better future. Drawing on lessons from some of the world’s most influential inventors, artists, and leaders - including Ben Franklin, Leonardo DaVinci, Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates - this discussion encourages radical leadership change and introspective assessment.Key takeaways include:The importance of connectivity and collaboration: something all great teams have in common.What it means to bend reality, and why knowing when to do so is crucial.How a rebellious sense of wonder can change the world, and so much more.Learn more about our speakers:Gary Heil: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/gary-heil/Walter Isaacson: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/walter-isaacson/About the series:Presented weekly, Leadership Lessons from the Fast Lane explores some of the most pressing challenges that leaders of today face, with the world’s most respected, creative, and successful thought leaders.Visit our website: https://www.wsb.com/Contact us: https://www.wsb.com/contact/

Legendary head coach Jill Ellis is one of the most successful coaches in sports and the first female coach ever to win back to back World Cup Championships as she led the United States Women’s National Soccer Team to victory in 2015 and 2019.Today, she shares stories of success and failure, along with the key ingredients required to create winning teams. Humbly stressing the need to continually learn and adapt, Coach Ellis details the motivational tools necessary to push people beyond their expectations. Other takeaways from this episode include:How to build and manage a winning team.How to overcome obstacles and face any challenge presented to you.Why relationships are critically important for leaders.Challenges facing women today in the sports world, and more.Meet our host: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/gary-heil/Meet our speaker: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/jill-ellis/About the series:Presented weekly, Leadership Lessons from the Fast Lane explores some of the most pressing challenges that leaders of today face, with the world’s most respected, creative, and successful thought leaders.Visit our website: https://www.wsb.com

James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor, Chair of the Department for African American Studies at Princeton University, and author of the New York Times Bestseller Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own, Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr and media executive, author, and public speaker Michele Thornton Ghee join host Gary Heil in exploring deep racial and social divisions in the US and the upswell of public outrage at the continued presence of systemic racism in our institutions.Glaude and Ghee sound a clarion call for leaders of all stripes to rise and be worthy of the moment, to rethink the fundamental structures of their organizations and to take responsibility for building a more just world. Key Topics:Clear and practical advice for leaders to combat racial and social injustice inside their own organizations - big and small.Why simply having a Chief Diversity Officer isn’t enough.How the choices executives make daily reduce opportunities for people of color and compound the inequalities of the past.The roots of the present political divisions in our country.Why combating racism cannot be done out of charity or philanthropy but out of a genuine desire for a more just world.Meet our host: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/gary-heil/Meet our speakers:https://www.wsb.com/speakers/eddie-s-glaude-jr/https://www.wsb.com/speakers/michele-thornton-ghee/About the series:Presented weekly, Leadership Lessons from the Fast Lane explores some of the most pressing challenges that leaders of today face, with the world’s most respected, creative, and successful thought leaders.Visit our website: https://www.wsb.com

In this episode, Founder of The Huffington Post and Founder and CEO of Thrive Global, Arianna Huffington, shares critical insights around how leaders can remain resilient and take time to recharge, especially in today’s highly uncertain, unpredictable and high-pressure environment.Huffington shares evidence-based strategies from Thrive Global to help leaders to look inward to better manage stress and prevent burnout. She provides practical, actionable “micro-steps” that leaders can immediately start to not only reduce stress, but to also boost performance, productivity, decision-making and creativity. Watch this episode to learn ways to recharge, refresh and help you become a stronger, more resilient leader today.Key Takeaways:How to put on your own oxygen mask first. Taking time to recharge and take care of yourself will make you a better leader.The hardest time to change is when you're overwhelmed, but it's when we need it the most.How to be both direct and compassionate as a leader.Why multitasking is impossible and how slowing down can actually improve productivity, creativity and innovation.Learn more about our speakers:Gary Heil: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/gary-heil/Arianna Huffington: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/arianna-huffington/About the series: Leadership Lessons from the Fast Lane explores some of the most pressing challenges that leaders of today face, with the world’s most respected, creative, and successful thought leaders.Visit our website: https://www.wsb.com/Contact us: https://www.wsb.com/contact/

In this episode, Dr. Arthur C. Brooks - world-renowned social scientist, best-selling author, Harvard professor, former president of AEI, and love revolutionary - and host Gary Heil dive deep into what leading with love looks like in practice.Drawing inspiration from the very best chamber music performances in the world, some of the most renowned thought-leaders throughout time, and everyday experiences, Brooks shares the surprising correlation between meaning and purpose and how the world defines happiness, discusses the difference between anger and contempt, and shares how critical it is, during this current crucible of leadership that so many are facing in today’s world, that leaders drop the inability to get sentimental while focusing on love above all else.Important takeaways from this episode include:How to love when you don’t feel it at all. Why it’s critical to love people and use things, not the other way around.What it means to be the leader you’ve always wanted to have.Why destroying your enemies is a short-sighted strategy.Situations in which love must be tough, and more.Learn more about our speakers:Gary Heil: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/gary-heil/Dr. Arthur C. Brooks: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/arthur-brooks/About the series:Presented weekly, Leadership Lessons from the Fast Lane explores some of the most pressing challenges that leaders of today face, with the world’s most respected, creative, and successful thought leaders.Visit our website: https://www.wsb.com/Contact us: https://www.wsb.com/contact/

In this episode, COO and President of Focus Brands, Kat Cole and host Gary Heil discuss her remarkable and improbable journey from hostess to running a billion dollar brand, all before age 30. Cole is now responsible for building revenues and profits for six franchise food brands in 60 countries through global licensing, manufacturing and e-commerce.Learn how humble beginnings, grit, service and hustle were the foundation for her epic rise to the top, as she shares insights on what it takes to create and lead successful teams, how to drive innovation and growth, the winning personality traits leaders must possess, the importance of culture, how to sustain excellence and much more. No stranger to making tough decisions, Cole reveals the skills and mentality that helped catapult her monumental success.Important takeaways:Learn about the Hotshot rule and how it could radically change your leadership style.Why and how failure is easy to identify: questioning and understanding success should be the goal.What "being open to feedback" really means, and why it's essential.“Be your own best coach” - build and strengthen yourself so you are not solely reliant on others. The two most crucial leadership qualities you should possess.Learn more about our speakers:Gary Heil: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/gary-heil/Kat Cole: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/kat-cole/About the series:Presented weekly, Leadership Lessons from the Fast Lane explores some of the most pressing challenges that leaders of today face, with the world’s most respected, creative, and successful thought leaders.Visit our website: https://www.wsb.com/Contact us: https://www.wsb.com/contact/