The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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 Priya emphasizes the importance of clarity in intention and preparation to avoid outdated norms.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.

Helen Lewis, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of The Genius Myth, challenges the conventional notions of genius and creativity. She discusses how Shakespeare's success was shaped by luck and timing, not just talent. Helen introduces the concept of 'scenius,' emphasizing the importance of creative environments. She contrasts self-promoters like Elon Musk with quieter achievers and delves into the dangers of heredity myths in intelligence research. Her insights on teamwork and the importance of saying no to toxic productivity are especially compelling.

Dakota Meyer, a United States Marine Corps veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, shares powerful insights on leadership and mental health after combat. He recounts his harrowing experience during the Battle of Ganjgal, where he defied orders out of loyalty to rescue his teammates. Dakota discusses the confusion surrounding his Medal of Honor recognition, considering it a personal failure. He emphasizes the importance of accountability, unity, and bridging divides through understanding, urging listeners to focus on shared humanity amidst division.

Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk Morgan Housel is the New York Times Bestselling author of The Psychology of Money, Same As Ever, and The Art of Spending Money. His books have sold over 10million copies and have been translated into more than 60 languages. This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire 1 person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world have the hustle and grit to deliver. Notes: Morgan dedicated The Art of Spending Money to "Kellie the Unicorn" (his sister Kellie) after she was diagnosed with colon cancer and asked him to fulfill her long-running joke request. Sometimes book dedications "mean nothing to the reader, but they can mean everything to the author." People Who Bet on You - Brian Richards (Motley Fool boss) bet on Morgan when he didn't have to, providing unconditional support for a mediocre college writer. Craig Shapiro (Collaborative Fund) pursued Morgan for months to join his tiny VC firm as a full-time blogger when it wasn't a business necessity. What money can't buy - Morgan once heard a story from a priest that he'll never forget… It's from a priest who delivers the last rites in hospitals. He described the difference between what kids say to their parents when they're about to die. The priest tells them to tell their parents what they're most grateful for… In families with lots of problems, the kids usually talk about something that costs money. In the best families, the ones with solid relationships, the kids say the same thing every time. "Thank you for believing in me." Making vs. Spending Money - "There are literally tens of thousands of books written on how to make money... There are virtually no books written about how to spend money." Most people assume spending needs no guidance, but wealthy people often demonstrate this isn't true. The Internal vs. External Scoreboard - Donald Crowhurst (fake sailor who killed himself seeking external validation) vs. Bernard Moitessier (expert sailor who quit before winning to avoid attention and live authentically). Modern society pushes us toward Crowhurst's external validation while we actually want Moitessier's internal satisfaction. The simplest formula for a pretty nice life: independence plus purpose. The independence to do what you want, and the wisdom to want to do meaningful things. Chuck Feeney's Wealth Example - The duty-free store billionaire first lived the stereotypical rich lifestyle, realized he didn't like it, then chose to live modestly and give away $10 billion. "I was happy when I was giving money away, and I was not happy when I wasn't giving money away." Every Dollar of Debt - "Every dollar of debt that you have is a piece of your future that someone else owns." Debt narrows the range of outcomes you can endure in an unknowable future. Money and Happiness Research - Recent studies show that earning more money only helps if you're already happy, joyful, and content. For depressed, anxious people, more money doesn't improve well-being. "It leverages whoever you are in either direction." What Money Can't Buy - The book is "40% about how to spend money to make yourself happier and 60% about realizing what money cannot do for you." Relationships, health, and personal fulfillment must come first. "Comedians are the best thought leaders because they understand how the world works, but they want to make you laugh rather than making themselves feel smart." "Nobody gives a shit about anything other than how you make them feel." Vacation - Morgan realized while building sandcastles with his kids on the beach in Maui (10/10 experience) that building Legos at home with them was almost as good (9/10). The real value was "uninterrupted time with my family," which required travel to avoid daily distractions but pointed to what actually mattered. Ambition - Morgan's career drive crystallized while kayaking past $25 million mansions on Lake Washington in 2010: "I need to work harder. I want one of those one day." This wasn't envy but ambition - though he notes the line between inspiration and envy is thin, especially once you know the person. A high savings rate is not "saving" but is "purchasing independence." Each saved dollar buys freedom to handle life's unknowable future without someone else's schedule dictating his choices. Why Spending Is Complicated People try to fill emotional holes with material purchases Society tells us what we should like, which may not align with our actual preferences We chase peer comparison rather than personal satisfaction We overestimate the social rewards of nice possessions The Independence Framework Save money not for retirement but for freedom to handle uncertainty Debt narrows your options when life throws curveballs Independence means being able to do what you want, with whom you want, for as long as you want The Internal Scorecard "No one's watching. No one's thinking about you." When people notice your possessions, they're either imagining themselves having them or envying you for them Neither response gives you the social validation you're seeking Use money to buy independence rather than others' admiration Relationship Investments Focus on what creates "uninterrupted time with people you love" Consider how purchases enable deeper connections (bigger kitchen for family dinners) vs. impressing others Remember that belief and support matter more than material provision Purpose Morgan's purpose became clear the moment he became a father: "There. That's it... I don't matter anymore. That's the only thing that matters right there." Purpose can be parenthood, work, religion, or community, but it needs to be bigger than yourself. "Comedians are the best thought leaders because they understand how the world works, but they want to make you laugh rather than making themselves feel smart." They deliver profound psychological and social insights while focusing on how they make you feel, not their own status. Regret -- Gerontologist Carl Pillemer interviewed 1,000 Americans aged 90-100. Not a single one said, "I wish I earned more money" or "I wish I worked harder." Nearly all said "I wish I spent more time with my kids" and "I wish I were nicer to my spouse." Inspiration vs. Envy -- Morgan credits James Clear as inspiration for "The Psychology of Money" and describes him as incredibly successful yet humble and kind. This creates pure inspiration without envy, unlike other successful writers whose personalities trigger competitive feelings.