The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Join Jenny Wood, a former Google executive and author of "Wild Courage," as she shares her insights on leadership and career development. She emphasizes that making your own luck is key to success and recounts a bold moment at a subway that changed her life. Jenny discusses overcoming fear, the importance of proactive communication, and building impactful relationships. With strategies like the 'dynamic dozen' and 'Monday mini-festo,' she inspires listeners to chase their ambitions and embrace a shameless approach to self-promotion.

Rob Kimbel, owner of Kimbel Mechanical Systems, shares insights from transforming a small family plumbing business into a national powerhouse. He discusses the importance of intentional leadership and building a caring company culture that prioritizes employee wellness. Kimbel emphasizes mentoring the next generation, raising resilient children, and the balance of family and business dynamics. He also reflects on personal growth, gratitude as a motivator, and the significance of strong values in navigating success.

Melody Wilding, a human behavior professor and author, shares her insights on the art of managing up. She emphasizes the power of empathy in workplace dynamics and the idea of the 'triple win'—benefiting yourself, your boss, and your company simultaneously. Wilding discusses strategies for engaging executives, including preparing effective one-pagers for performance reviews and using the accordion approach for presentations. Her transition from therapist to executive coach highlights the importance of emotional intelligence in navigating corporate challenges.

Chris Beresford-Hill, the Worldwide Chief Creative Officer at BBDO, shares insights from his impressive career in advertising. He emphasizes the art of writing effective cold emails, highlighting the need for specificity and authenticity. Chris discusses the importance of taking responsibility for one’s career and the value of nurturing connections through shared meals. He reflects on the creative risks taken during Super Bowl campaigns, his journey from junior copywriter, and the cultural transformations that follow major setbacks. A must-listen for aspiring creatives!

Stu McLaren, author of "Predictable Profits," empowers leaders to transform their expertise into sustainable revenue through membership businesses. He discusses the timeless human need for community and belonging, emphasizing that while content attracts members, connection retains them. Stoic advice about embracing uncertainty and relying on gut instincts resonates deeply, illustrated movingly by his personal story of adopting his son. Additionally, he redefines sales as a noble profession, advocating for authenticity and storytelling in business.

In this discussion, Alex Hutchinson, a New York Times bestselling author and former long-distance runner, dives deep into the world of human performance. He highlights the importance of embracing challenges for personal growth and resilience. The conversation touches on the 'explorer's gene,' revealing how difficult experiences enrich our lives. They also explore the explore-exploit dilemma, advocating for the value of taking risks. Through insightful stories, Hutchinson emphasizes that true meaning arises from overcoming hard tasks, adding texture to our experiences.

Rachel Botsman, a leading expert on trust and author of three bestselling books, dives deep into the dynamics of trust in today’s world. She emphasizes the importance of leading with trust, arguing it fosters a highly attractive team environment. Botsman discusses mastering public speaking by engaging the audience and overcoming nerves. She also highlights how consistency and punctuality build reliability in relationships. Lastly, she advocates for a holistic hiring approach that values character as much as competence.

Steve Magness, a world-renowned expert on high performance and author of "Win the Inside Game," discusses the importance of defining success on your own terms. He shares his courageous journey as a whistleblower at Nike, emphasizing the need to prioritize integrity over ambition. Magness also presents his framework for sustainable excellence, highlighting the importance of clarity in who you are, your pursuits, and your community. He encourages listeners to overcome the fear of failure, fostering a more meaningful and resilient life through supportive connections and self-awareness.

Mike Maples Jr. is a co-founding partner at Floodgate and known for early investments in Twitter and other startups. He emphasizes the power of being intentional and prepared, sharing that luck favors those with a 'prepared mind.' Reflecting on his father's mentorship, he highlights the importance of authenticity and gratitude in life. Maples advocates for embracing 'reckless optimism' in entrepreneurship and discusses the need for founders to inspire confidence. He also reflects on missed opportunities, such as not investing in Airbnb, emphasizing the value of trust in decision-making.

Chase Jarvis, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and former CEO of CreativeLive, dives into the essence of creativity and leadership. He emphasizes that all humans are inherently creative but often lose touch with that gift. Chase discusses the importance of transformational relationships over transactional ones, advocating for a service-oriented mindset. He also highlights the value of trusting intuition in decision-making, and how playfulness can enhance both personal and professional lives, fostering joy and resilience.