The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Nick Gray, entrepreneur and author of The Two-Hour Cocktail Party, shares his expertise on hosting events that foster genuine connections. He emphasizes the importance of having a personal website for every leader and offers practical tips for organizing meetups. Gray discusses blending professional and personal contacts to create vibrant gatherings and shares insights from his viral trip to Tokyo. He advocates for storytelling in writing and encourages maintaining weak connections through quarterly events. Plus, he reveals how to structure gatherings for maximum engagement!

Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angie's List, started her entrepreneurial journey at 23, pushing through initial challenges as an introvert selling door-to-door. She emphasizes leading with authenticity and the importance of being present and listening. Angie shares her two-question career filter: "Do I like the people I'm with? Am I learning?" This focus on people and growth shaped her leadership style. She also speaks on transitioning from individual contributor to leader and the significance of maintaining a balance between customer feedback and vision.

Pat Lencioni, founder of The Table Group and bestselling author, shares his insights on team dynamics and personal growth. He discusses the importance of empathy in anticipating objections and the unhealthy drive to prove oneself stemming from childhood wounds. Lencioni contrasts fear-driven success with achieving greatness through passion and alignment with one's strengths. He emphasizes the need for vulnerability-based trust in teams and the significance of focusing on team results over individual accomplishments.

David Adelman, CEO of Campus Apartments and co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, shares his journey from losing a childhood bet to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He reflects on investing his bar mitzvah money in real estate and how his grandfather’s Holocaust survival story informs his tenacity and philanthropy. Adelman emphasizes the importance of embracing failure, asking 'Why not me? Why not now?', and the value of trust and communication in leadership. He also discusses building Philadelphia's new arena and his commitment to education and compassion.

Priya Parker, a master facilitator and bestselling author, explores the art of gathering with purpose. She shares how her diverse upbringing fueled her passion for meaningful group experiences. Priya emphasizes the importance of clarity in intention and preparation to avoid outdated norms. She introduces 'magical questions' that foster connection and aligns the depth of inquiries with the gathering's context. Additionally, she discusses the role of facilitation in equalizing power dynamics to enhance trust among participants. Her insights will transform how you approach gatherings!

Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and former WIRED editor-in-chief, shares insights on leadership and storytelling. He discusses how running has taught him discipline and consistency, essential qualities for both athletes and leaders. Nick reflects on his father's impact on his life, shedding light on the balance between decisiveness and openness to being wrong. He emphasizes the value of human curiosity in an era dominated by technology and provides practical storytelling tactics for effective communication in the workplace.

Suzy Welch, co-founder of the Jack Welch Management Institute and bestselling author, explores the intersection of values and purpose. She emphasizes that purpose requires realism, not just passion, and discusses the importance of identifying core values versus virtues. Suzy introduces a 16-value framework and highlights generational differences, particularly with Gen Z’s prioritization of self-care. She also advocates for using tools like aptitude tests and 360 feedback to enhance self-awareness and turn creative ambitions into viable careers.

In this engaging conversation, James Clear, bestselling author of Atomic Habits, shares insights into building better habits through small behavior changes. He emphasizes the importance of systems over goals and discusses the role of environment in shaping success. James also delves into the art of adaptability, effective relationship-building, and the significance of curating inputs to influence thoughts. He offers unique perspectives on marital partnerships and values, all while encouraging listeners to embrace the ongoing process of habit formation.

Derek Sivers, entrepreneur and author of 'Hell Yeah or No,' shares his journey of unconventional thinking and leadership. He discusses how he graduated from Berkeley in just two years, advocating that the standard pace is for chumps. Sivers highlights the importance of questioning norms and proactively creating value to open opportunities. He also reveals insights from his viral TED talk and emphasizes the 'Hell Yeah or No' philosophy to prioritize impactful decisions. Tune in for his unique perspective on leadership and creativity!

Dave Berke, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer and former TOPGUN instructor, shares insights on leadership and humility from his unique journey. He recounts a crucial lesson from his TOPGUN graduation exercise about flexibility in planning. Berke emphasizes that true leadership involves managing ego and building trust within teams. He advocates for emotional detachment as a key to better decision-making and suggests that humility can be cultivated. Throughout, he encourages taking ownership and learning from failures to positively impact both teams and personal growth.