The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Greg Meredith, leader of Brixey & Meyer’s business advisory practice who drives strategic planning and leadership development. Doug Meyer, CPA and managing partner who shapes firm strategy, culture, and client value. They discuss merging a passion project into firm services. They explore taking calculated risk, building advisory offerings, leadership circles, and how the partnership will amplify impact.

Michael Bungay Stanier, a renowned leadership coach and bestselling author, shares his insights on coaching and leadership. He discusses the rarity of sustained excellence and the importance of resilience and learning from failures. Michael recounts his journey from rejection to becoming a Rhodes Scholar and how authenticity drove his success. He introduces practical coaching techniques, like 10-minute coaching and essential questions to spark meaningful conversations. His focus is on integrating coaching into daily interactions for greater impact.

Dorie Clark, marketing strategist, speaker, and author who teaches at Duke, explains how to build multiple income streams patiently. She describes her eight revenue paths and how they amplify each other. She shares practical pricing, course-launch, and networking tactics. The conversation highlights risk reduction, joint ventures, and building recognition through content and social proof.

Henry Cloud, clinical psychologist and bestselling author known for leadership and boundaries, shares his journey from slow growth to influence. He talks about starting before conditions are perfect. He explains boundaries as personal property lines and why leaders must be ridiculously in charge. He emphasizes focus, inhibiting distractions, and getting so good people notice.

Renee Mauborgne, strategy scholar and co-author of Blue Ocean Strategy, explores how organizations create uncontested market space. She discusses traits of leaders who sustain excellence. She explains blue vs red oceans, when to shift established companies, and ways side hustlers can avoid crowded markets. She outlines structured methods for market creation and paths to growth.

In this engaging discussion, Jeff Goins, a bestselling author and speaker, explores the myth of the starving artist versus the thriving artist. He shares insights on how artists are made through choice and discipline, not simply born with talent. Jeff highlights John Grisham's one-page-a-day writing habit as a compelling example of steady progress. He emphasizes the importance of measured risks and the modern apprenticeship model for artists, encouraging auditions and follow-ups as keys to success. Jeff's practical advice inspires anyone looking to embrace their creativity.

Steve Wojciechowski, Marquette head coach and former Duke player/USA Basketball staffer, shares his 'Win Every Day' mindset. He discusses sustaining excellence through passion, discipline, and relentless learning. He tells stories about work ethic from his dad, Coach K's preparation and relationship leadership, and pushing growth by leaving comfort zones.

Dan Heath, a Senior Fellow at Duke University's CASE center and co-author of bestselling books like Made to Stick, dives into the transformative power of defining moments. He discusses how effective decision-making can lead to sustained excellence and shares innovative leadership practices from Intuit. Heath highlights the importance of designing memorable experiences, like John Deere's revamped onboarding. He also reflects on resilience through stories, including Sarah Blakely's unique approach to failure, urging listeners to create meaningful moments in their own lives.

Mike McDerment, co-founder and CEO of FreshBooks, shares his journey from a basement startup to leading a top cloud accounting software company. He emphasizes the importance of leading with trust and cultivating a values-driven culture. Mike discusses first-principles thinking for problem-solving and how FreshBooks’ nine core values guide their success. He highlights the significance of perseverance, openness in company culture, and the benefits of a long onboarding process to foster empathy. Plus, he normalizes imposter syndrome as a growth experience.

Kim Malone Scott, a leadership coach and author of Radical Candor, shares insights on effective management. She emphasizes the importance of honesty over popularity and discusses the pitfalls of 'ruinous empathy.' Kim details her Radical Candor framework, highlighting how to create a culture of trust and open feedback. She also advises on asking for feedback, embracing discomfort, and the value of dedicated thinking time. With practical tips for leaders, she underscores that being a great boss means caring genuinely while challenging directly.