

The Leader Factor
LeaderFactor
[Previously Culture by Design] The leader is the #1 factor in determining organizational success. If you want to become an effective leader, you have three objectives: First, learn to lead yourself. Then, learn how to unlock the full potential of your team. Finally, build a business where culture is your competitive advantage and innovation is the status quo.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 30, 2025 • 53min
The Human Edge: Can Emotional Intelligence Keep Up With AI?
This was a live webinar recorded on September 12, 2025. The free course we mentioned was only available to those who attended live.👉 Want to be part of the next LeaderFactor webinar? Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss your chance!In this conversation, we explore why emotional intelligence has become the human edge in the age of AI. They discuss how organizations can scale EQ at the enterprise level, why empathy, creativity, and collaboration remain skills AI can’t replace, and how intent, perception, and behavior all shape true emotional intelligence. The session also highlights why multi-rater feedback and AI-powered coaching are transforming leadership development, making it measurable, coachable, and scalable like never before.

Sep 16, 2025 • 33min
Leadership Triage: How to Prioritize When Everything Hurts
In a world flooded with competing priorities, focus emerges as the true prize. Using a card-collecting metaphor, the hosts illustrate how value comes from scarcity, not abundance. They emphasize the need for leaders to regularly say no to even great ideas to hone in on what truly matters. Triage becomes essential for managing resources effectively, especially in a fast-changing environment. Daily reprioritization and the power of the "one thing" question are highlighted as crucial tools for productive leadership.

Sep 2, 2025 • 34min
Why Most Leadership Advice Is Junk (and What Actually Works)
This episode cuts through the noise and breaks leadership down to its core: take action, own accountability, and create positive change. It explores the three traps that kill leadership: inaction, excuses, and the status quo, and explains why most leadership advice is junk. With practical insights and memorable principles like “leave it better than you found it”, this conversation offers a clear, timeless definition of what real leadership looks like today.

Aug 19, 2025 • 35min
Data or Die Trying: The Budget Survival Guide For L&D Leaders
Learning and Development leaders are under pressure from CFOs to prove ROI or risk losing their budgets. In this episode, Junior and Dr. Tim Clark share a practical playbook for L&D success: assess, intervene, and prove. You’ll learn how to align your learning strategy with business goals, measure behavior change with data, and protect your training budget from cuts. This conversation is essential for HR, talent, and L&D professionals who want to survive budget scrutiny and turn learning into measurable business impact.

Aug 5, 2025 • 27min
Trust vs. Psychological Safety: What Leaders Get Wrong
Explore the vital distinction between trust and psychological safety in teams. Learn how employees can trust leaders yet still fear speaking up. Discover how trust acts as positive predictability, while psychological safety fosters rewarded vulnerability. The hosts provide practical advice for cultivating both elements to enhance team contribution. Uncover the concept of a Trust–Psychological Safety Flywheel, illustrating how consistent behavior can unlock team potential. This conversation is essential for any leader aiming to create a culture of open communication.

Jul 22, 2025 • 40min
Coachability Isn't Optional: Why It Makes or Breaks Career
Discover the secret to professional growth: coachability. It hinges on willingness and self-awareness, crucial for unleashing potential. Learn to identify non-performance through data and foster awareness in high-energy individuals. Explore the dynamic relationship between motivation and personal goals, and uncover how to engage high performers without neglect. The hosts break down a learning loop to transform feedback into actionable insights, inviting you to challenge your team's self-awareness and reach new heights.

Jul 8, 2025 • 37min
The Coaching Blueprint: Conversations That Actually Change Behavior
Coaching is all about creating impactful conversations that inspire real change. The BIG Coaching Model—Behavior, Impact, and Guidance—offers leaders a practical framework for fostering accountability. Tim and Junior discuss the importance of timing in interventions, the role of external perspectives in personal growth, and the need for credibility before effective coaching begins. They emphasize the connection between behaviors and their consequences, ultimately advocating for a coaching approach that empowers individuals rather than enabling dependency.

Jun 24, 2025 • 58min
From Excuses to Ownership: How to Lead a More Accountable Team
Explore the pitfalls of accountability and how leaders can cultivate a supportive environment. Delve into the psychological fears that lead to blame and denial, and discover strategies to coach through these challenges. The conversation emphasizes the power of empathy in leadership—showing that understanding vulnerability fosters personal ownership. Unpack the cycle of excuses hindering performance and learn techniques to redirect blame toward accountability. Humor and engaging anecdotes make this exploration of team dynamics both insightful and entertaining.

Jun 10, 2025 • 53min
How Misalignment is Quietly Derailing Your Team’s Performance
Discover why alignment is crucial for team and organizational success. The conversation highlights two essential types: cognitive understanding and emotional commitment. Historical examples, like Jonas Salk, illustrate the power of these alignments. Misguided enthusiasm and informed resistance are discussed, along with ways to classify team behaviors. Leaders are encouraged to use storytelling for engagement and to ask insightful questions that foster open dialogue. Learn effective strategies to tackle communication overload and maintain alignment in today’s fast-paced environment.

May 27, 2025 • 1h 2min
Management 101: Finally Done Right
Discover the Coaching & Accountability Matrix for effective leadership. Explore how shared accountability fosters team dynamics and enhances performance. Delve into the urgent need for critical thinking skills in management, emphasizing collaborative leadership. Learn about balancing task and process accountability while nurturing autonomy. The importance of psychological safety and open communication in teams is also highlighted. Tune in for insights on tailored coaching and exciting new leadership courses!


