The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Michael Watkins, author of the bestselling 'The First 90 Days,' specializes in helping leaders navigate new roles. He shares insights on sustaining leadership excellence through learning agility and balancing humility and ego. Watkins discusses the challenges of transitioning from individual contributor to leadership roles, emphasizing the need for curiosity and effective networking. He highlights the importance of preparing for high-level interviews and adapting personal leadership beliefs to thrive in complex environments. His experiences shape a roadmap for successful transitions.

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers from 178 Conversations This is an episode unlike any other... I've listened through some of the best answers to the question: "What are the common characteristics/themes amongst those who have sustained excellence over an extended period of time?" We (my editor, Scott Donnell and me) pulled out some of the best, most useful answers and created an "all-star" Sustaining Excellence episode. I think you'll like it. I welcome all feedback via Twitter or you can send me an e-mail. Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers from 178 Conversations Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio The Learning Leader Show In This Episode, You Will Learn #78 Kat Cole - A scale, a balance of 2 buckets: Courage & Confidence + Curiosity & Humility. "They are productive achievers vs destructive achievers" #127 Adam Grant - "They are dedicated learners. What's fascinating by them is no matter how much excellence they achieve, they are always raising the bar. The more they accomplish the more they expect of themselves. Curiosity is the starting point for all originality" #107 Simon Sinek - "They have vision, they have charisma? I'm not so sure that's true. They don't need a Steve Jobs vision. One thing I'm comfortable saying is courage. It takes tremendous courage to stick to your values." #117 Tim Urban - "The impact you make is the level of measurement for a leader. It's different than what's normal" #86 Seth Godin - "They've made a choice" #114 Cal Newport - "The leader respects how hard everything is that's worth doing." Everything's harder than you think. Impactful contribution is really hard." #115 Amy Porterfield - "The first word that comes to mind is consistency… Followed mentors. All create consistent content and show up consistently. Have a drive to follow up #42 Rob DeMartini - "To measure success you have to look at more aspects of their lives. What was I seeing that was consistent? 4 things: Naturally curious, do they want to see how things are working? Could it be different? If you're curious, it opens up so much. Energy & Optimism. Personal Awareness #105 David Burkus - "I think there is a consistent dissatisfaction… I need to be proud of what I've done, but constantly frustrated that I'm not further along. That balance." #82 Dan Pink - "Curiosity, they follow their noses, especially if they know a lot of stuff. Generosity, I love the way you put it, sustaining excellence. Reasonably generous people. They don't pull up the ladder when they get to the top. They are hardworking and conscientious, grit. Peter Drucker comes to mind" #74 Tim Kight - "People who consistently perform. Intentional, purposeful, and constantly building skill." #77 Adam Braun - "3 things: Tremendously intrinsically motivated, integrity, surround themselves with people who play a level above them." #48 Cameron Herold - "Sense of vulnerability… Checked ego at the door. Realize they aren't the smartest person in the room. Sense of curiosity." #122 Sarah Robb O'Hagan - "One of the biggest single things is curiosity, goes hand in hand with humility. They don't ever feel like they've reached the top of the mountain." #98 Alison Levine - "Resilience more than anything else. Resilient about putting one foot in front of the other." #68 Joey Coleman - "I think all leaders have 3 general things in common. 1) A growth and learning mindset. Constantly thirsting for knowledge and learning. 2) Gratitude, they recognize how lucky and blessed they are. Take time to appreciate the gifts and blessings in their lives. 3) Gentle with themselves #108 Steven Kotler - "Ferocious about forward progress. Nothing mild about how they attack life. Level of commitment. The day to day." #43 Philip McKernan - "The eyes, peace of mind. I can see that. Use the eyes as a gateway to see their bullshit." Continue Learning: Connect with me on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12 You may also like these episodes: Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why Did you enjoy the podcast? If you enjoyed hearing a compilation episode like this, please don't hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me. Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell The Learning Leader Show is supported by Mizzen and Main: Performance fabric menswear. The most comfortable/durable dress shirts you will find on the market. I personally own 22 of them. To get free shipping, use the code "ryanhawk" -- To get $50 off when you purchase three shirts, use the code "ryanhawk3" -- Thank you for your support!

Sol Orwell, co-founder of Examine.com and a recognized entrepreneur, shares insights on embracing creativity and downtime for sustained excellence. He describes his unique daily routine, including cold showers and focused work blocks. Sol emphasizes the importance of delegation, noting how he empowered his #2 to run Examine.com while he embraced a digital nomad lifestyle. He also discusses the role of vulnerability in leadership, the necessity of developing a personal brand, and how travel enriches entrepreneurial perspectives and creativity.

Michael Gerber, renowned entrepreneurship expert and author of The E-Myth Revisited, shares insights on small business success. He discusses the importance of working ON the company to perfect systems, contrasting visionary leaders with technicians. Gerber emphasizes designing scalable businesses, like McDonald's, and the need for a grand vision beyond mere discipline. He introduces 'Beyond the E-Myth,' outlining strategies for companies aiming for acquisition and growth while advocating for simple systems that empower entrepreneurs worldwide.

Jeffrey Gitomer, a bestselling author and renowned sales trainer, shares his passion for sales as the ultimate profession. He emphasizes the importance of attitude, persistence, and ethics in achieving success. The conversation delves into how repeat business and referrals indicate a salesperson's effectiveness. Gitomer also recounts his humorous experience being banned from US Airways and provides insights on creating engaging sales tactics. He discusses the impact of companies like Tesla on traditional selling and the power of personalized customer appreciation.

Michael Hyatt, an entrepreneur and former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing, shares his insights on personal development and leadership. He discusses the importance of self-leadership and discipline for sustained excellence. Hyatt emphasizes the need to unplug occasionally to recharge and be present both at work and in life. He offers wisdom on parenting and transitioning to a coaching role with his daughters. Additionally, he delves into building an audience and monetizing it, all while staying authentic and generous in sharing one's journey.

Dr. Jessica Tracy, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia, explores the fascinating dynamics of pride and its impact on success. She distinguishes between authentic and hubristic pride, discussing how social media can amplify the latter. Tracy shares insights on how pride influences leadership styles, revealing that authentic pride fosters creativity while hubristic pride can lead to dominance and fear. Additionally, she provides practical tips for cultivating authentic pride in everyday life, emphasizing the importance of intrinsic motivation.

Jon Levy, a behavioral scientist and author of The 2 AM Principle, dives into the fascinating world of adventure and influence. He discusses his community, The Influencers, where tastemakers connect through unique experiences. With insights on routine and novelty, Jon explains how embracing risk can lead to personal growth. He shares travel tips for introverts and introduces his EPIC model for adventure. Plus, learn how to create memorable experiences and sustain an adventurous lifestyle on a budget!

Join bestselling author Sarah Knight, a former senior New York publishing editor, as she shares her journey from corporate success to creative freedom in the Dominican Republic. Discover her 'Not Sorry Method' for setting boundaries, the importance of mental decluttering, and why selfishness can be a healthy practice. She reflects on the pressures of societal expectations versus authentic living and provides insights on how to say no without guilt. Get inspired by her story of launching a freelance career while focusing on what truly matters!

Scott Berkun, bestselling author and creativity expert, shares insights from his rich background, including roles at Microsoft and WordPress.com. He emphasizes how sports honed his work ethic and goal-setting abilities. Scott dives into effective writing habits, offering tips on choosing evergreen topics and time-blocking for writers. He also addresses the balance between speaking engagements and writing, defining genius as earned through output rather than innate talent. Listeners can learn to pitch ideas effectively by understanding their audience's needs.