The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Josh Kaufman, bestselling author of "The Personal MBA," shares insights about mastering business skills. He emphasizes constant learning and breaking down skills into manageable parts for rapid acquisition. Kaufman contrasts management and leadership, urging the importance of empowering teams through 'commander's intent.' He also discusses the impact of practical experience in education and critiques traditional management practices. With a focus on fostering intrinsic motivation, Kaufman outlines how effective leadership can overcome stagnation in organizations.

Jim Collins, author of best-selling business books, discusses the art of leadership, emphasizing the importance of getting people to want to do what needs to be done. He shares insights from his conversation with Steve Jobs and highlights the significance of filling key seats with the right people. Collins explores the concept of true leadership, distinguishing between exercising power and inspiring others to follow willingly.

Text LEARNERS to 44222 Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com Jim Collins is a student and teacher of what makes great companies tick, and a Socratic advisor to leaders in the business and social sectors. He has written a series of books that have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. They include Good to Great, the #1 bestseller, which examines why some companies make the leap and others don’t; the enduring classic Built to Last, which discovers why some companies remain visionary for generations; How the Mighty Fall, which delves into how once-great companies can self-destruct; and Great by Choice, which uncovers the leadership behaviors for thriving in chaos and uncertainty.  Notes: Shortly before Jim's 25th birthday, during his second year at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, he got hit with a lightning bolt of WHO luck. The type of luck that comes as a chance meeting with a person who changes your life. That person was Bill Lazier... Bill Lazier was the closest thing to a father Jim ever had. Jim's dad died when he was 23. Creating a Generosity Flywheel -- “One day, two large wooden crates appeared on your front porch, the address labels indicating they’d be shipped by Bill. He sent you a few dozen bottles of spectacularly good wine. You called and asked him what prompted him to send to you and he said, “Dorothy and I had an inventory problem in our wine cellar, and we needed to make room for some new bottles. We thought you could help us out by taking some of it off our hands.” Bill mastered the art of getting people to accept his generosity, somehow framing it as if you were doing him a favor. Jim's question to me: How is quarterbacking a football team similar to quarterbacking a conversation for a podcast? Make the Trust Wager - “I choose to assume the best in people and accept that they sometimes disappoint.” (Lead With Trust) Build a Meaningful Life by Building Relationships — Life can be a series of transactions or you can build relationships. Transactions can give you success, but inky relationships make for a great life.” —- How do you know if you have a great relationship? “If you were to ask each person in the relationship who benefits more from it, both would answer “I do.” Both feel like they’re getting the better end of the deal. Start with Values, Always Values — values aren’t the “soft stuff.” Living to core values is the hard stuff. "Prep prep prep so that you don't have to be rote." -- "For me the opening plays are questions. And I know the opening two or three questions to get the session started." "Then the game starts. I have this set up things, but then something really surprising happens. What I found interesting about it, is that you'd think high levels of prep, it's actually being so well prepared that you can adapt. That's the critical thing. It's only because you're super prepared that you can do something surprising." The opening question to a company he works with is always the same: "It starts at exactly 8:00am. I have an atomic clock and it's set to the exact atomic time. At 8:00, I open the doors. I walk in and say, "Good morning, I feel a tremendous responsibility to make the most of our time. Everybody take out a blank sheet of paper. I want you to write down the top 5 most brutal facts that face the company today. Go!" -- "We're 12 seconds into the meeting. There are no pleasantries, they're not going to talk about how the flight was, or dinner last night. We are here to make the most of our time. I'm trying to set the tone that we don't have time to waste. I can't waste your time. You're here to have your brain challenged." And then Jim has them allocate 100 points for the 5 most brutal facts. You need to start with an honest account of the brutal facts. This gets the group talking immediately. "The entire thing opens up." "Preparation is respect." "That previous podcast we did (episode #216) was masterfully done by Ryan. There's some wonderful things he pulled out." How has your style evolved? I'm less robotic, less formulaic, more agile, and able to go with the conversation. Bill Lazier -- "Bill went to the Dean at Stanford and put himself on the line for me. He believed in me. He bet big on me. Nothing I've accomplished happens without Bill Lazier." Here is WHY joining a Learning Leader Circle is a good idea...

Scott Galloway, Professor at NYU Stern and best-selling author, shares his insights on leadership and vulnerability. He emphasizes the power of expressing admiration and recognizing team achievements, arguing that good intentions should never go unvoiced. Galloway also discusses the notion of crisis as a crossroads for opportunity, urging leaders to embrace empathy. He explores the challenges men face in showing vulnerability while illustrating the importance of meaningful relationships and personal growth in both work and family life.

Dr. Marisa Porges, head of the Baldwin School and a former U.S. Navy officer, shares her insights on raising bold and resilient young women. She discusses the vital importance of mentorship and the unique challenges women face in business. Marisa offers practical tips for effective networking, emphasizing preparation and purpose. She also highlights the significance of adaptability and self-advocacy for young girls, advocating for a coaching approach from parents to build confidence. Her experiences inspire listeners to empower the next generation.

Todd Henry, bestselling author and creativity expert, discusses the hidden forces behind our best work. He explores the grave reality of unfulfilled potential, urging us to ‘die empty’ and embrace our passions. Todd breaks down six motivational archetypes—Visionary, Achiever, Team Player, Learner, Optimizer, and Key Contributor—revealing how these distinct traits drive us individually and collectively. He emphasizes the vital importance of self-awareness in leadership, fostering authentic connections for personal and team growth.

Chris Holtmann, the head basketball coach at Ohio State University, discusses his journey from a small college to leading a top program. He emphasizes the importance of pursuing growth over the comfort of stability, drawing from the insights of Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck. Holtmann shares personal anecdotes about building a strong team, the emotional challenges of coaching transitions, and essential leadership qualities like consistency and accountability. His emphasis on mentorship and character development serves as a valuable guide for aspiring leaders.

Robert Rosenberg, the former CEO of Dunkin' Donuts, shares invaluable leadership lessons from his transformative journey leading the franchise giant. He emphasizes the importance of passion, persistence, and character in sustaining excellence. Rosenberg opens up about overcoming significant mistakes, advocating for 100% ownership and introspection. He discusses the necessity of adaptability, crisis management, and the importance of listening to team feedback. Additionally, Rosenberg highlights learning from experiences and emphasizes emotional intelligence as a key trait for effective leadership.

Jake Wood, CEO of Team Rubicon and author, shares invaluable insights on leadership rooted in love and understanding. He discusses the importance of integrity, initiative, and the courage to accept risk. Reflecting on his father's industrious spirit, Jake emphasizes psychological safety in teams and the power of candid feedback. He recounts forming Team Rubicon in response to crises, highlighting the need for purpose and community among veterans. His journey inspires leaders to nurture connections and support their teammates in times of challenge.

Seth Godin, a bestselling author and entrepreneur, dives deep into the essence of leadership versus management, emphasizing that true leaders inspire rather than command. He discusses how creativity stems from desire and the importance of developing skills over relying on innate talent. Godin also highlights the value of empathy in selling and the significance of enjoying processes like juggling or fishing without expectation. Finally, he shares insights on perseverance and mentorship, challenging listeners to embrace discomfort for growth.