
The Leader Factor
[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.
Latest episodes

Mar 25, 2024 • 53min
The Two Leadership Failure Patterns
Tim and Junior talk about the two primary failure patterns in leadership, incompetence and corruption. Effective leaders are leaders with high competence and high moral character. A deficiency in one or the other leaves us susceptible to poor choices, values, and influence on our leadership journey. As part of the episode, our host outlined four different types of leaders. Are you the apprentice, the accomplice, the villain, or the hero?TakeawaysLeadership failures often fall into two categories: incompetence and corruption.Character and competence are both essential for effective leadership.Influence can be positive or negative, depending on the combination of character and competence.The relationship between incompetence and corruption can lead to a downward spiral in leadership and life. Leadership can be categorized into four quadrants: the apprentice, the accomplice, the villain, and the hero.Developing both character and competence is essential to becoming a hero leader.Plotting your current and future positions on the leadership field helps identify the gap and create tension for growth.Closing the gap requires a fearless examination of personal leadership pathology and a commitment to change.TimestampsIntroduction (00:00)The Two Failure Patterns: Incompetence and Corruption (00:35)The Two Axes: Character and Competence (03:01)Character and Competence: The Intersection (04:17)Building Influence through Competence and Character (06:18)Influence Can Be Positive or Negative (08:00)The Relationship Between Incompetence and Corruption (16:11)The Four Character Types: Apprentice (25:42)The Accomplice (29:13)The Villain (31:19)The Hero (34:27)Plotting Your Position (40:18)Closing the Gap (46:53)Final Thoughts (58:13)

Mar 18, 2024 • 51min
3D Interviews: 10 Questions That Aren't Cliche
Exploring innovative interview questions to improve hiring outcomes and encourage 3D interviewing skills. Dive into unconventional questions that challenge traditional interviewing methods. Emphasis on critical thinking, self-awareness, and personal insights. Highlighting the importance of thought-provoking questions for authentic and engaging interview experiences.

Mar 11, 2024 • 49min
What Employees Need from Leaders in Uncertain Times
In this episode of Culture by Design, Tim and Junior sit down to talk about leading through uncertainty. The content from this episode comes from Dr. Clark’s most recent Harvard Business Review publication, an article entitled What Employees Need from Leaders in Uncertain Times. In the episode, they explore the impact of uncertainty on individuals and organizations and share four practical strategies for effectively leading teams through uncertain times.TakeawaysUncertainty is a constant in life and can have both negative and positive impacts.Creating thick trust is essential for effective leadership during uncertain times.Inoculating with vision helps motivate and guide individuals and teams through uncertainty.Increasing honesty and transparency builds trust and fosters a positive work environment.Seeing uncertainty as an opportunity allows leaders to explore new possibilities and stay competitive.Chapters00:00 Introduction03:10 The Impact of Uncertainty11:06 Perception of Uncertainty19:57 Creating Thick Trust27:11 Inoculating with Vision35:17 Increasing Honesty and Transparency39:46 Seeing Uncertainty as Opportunity50:25 ConclusionImportant LinksHBR Article

Mar 4, 2024 • 45min
5 Subtle Signs of Leadership Potential
We can all agree that identifying potential leaders is a crucial part of organizational success. But too often, leaders are promoted purely for their technical ability. What would happen if organizations put equal weight on cultural competence in their promotion criteria? In this episode, we're talking about just that. Listen in as our hosts, Tim and Junior, discuss the question, what are the subtle signs that someone will make it in leadership?Key Takeaways:Identifying potential leaders is crucial for the success of organizations.Five subtle signs that someone will make it in leadership include: washing the dishes, acknowledging silent contributors, spending their own money to learn, taking initiative, and admitting when they don't know something.These signs reflect qualities such as humility, initiative, and a commitment to personal and professional development.Leaders should prioritize learning, take ownership of their own development, and be willing to take action and make decisions.Chapters00:39 Identifying Potential Leaders12:19 Subtle Sign #1: They Wash the Dishes, Take Out the Trash, and Refill the Paper Towels21:17 Subtle Sign #2: They Acknowledge the Efforts of Silent Contributors28:36 Subtle Sign #3: They Spend Their Own Money to Learn33:37 Subtle Sign #4: They Kill the Snake When They See the Snake39:27 Subtle Sign #5: They Say 'I Don't Know' When They Don't Know47:11 Conclusion

Feb 26, 2024 • 38min
The 6 Domains of Emotional Intelligence: Believe, Know, and Do
Exploring the limitations of traditional emotional intelligence models and introducing a detailed 6-domain, 30-scale model. The importance of beliefs, awareness, and behavior in interactions. Critiquing the traditional EQ model and proposing enhancements. Discussing the intricate relationship between beliefs, perception, and behavior. Emphasizing the linear causal pathway of emotional intelligence and the impact on interpersonal effectiveness.

Feb 19, 2024 • 46min
What Do You Do With a Toxic Leader?
In this week's episode of Culture by Design, Junior and Dr. Tim Clark discuss a daunting but important question: What do you do with a toxic leader? Too often, organizations will either do nothing or wait too long to react to evidence of harmful leadership. But toxic cultures can't and won't heal themselves. And the remedy largely depends on the kind of leader you're dealing with. Listen in as Tim and Junior explore the characteristics of toxic leaders, the consequences of toxic behavior, and the role of culture in creating, maintaining or preventing toxicity. You'll learn how to distinguish between an actively toxic and passively complicit leader, and discover how to hold your leaders culturally accountable for their behavior.TakeawaysToxic leaders exist and can have a significant impact on organizations.Toxic leadership is often a result of insecurity and unmet human needs.Actively toxic leaders should be removed from the organization, while passively complicit leaders can be coached and held accountable.Tolerance for toxic behavior leads to the normalization of toxicity and can have long-term consequences for the organization.It is important to prioritize long-term thinking and hold leaders accountable for their behavior.Chapters00:00 Introduction04:11 Pathological Behavior and Consequences of Toxicity10:26 Culture and Toxicity17:02 Toxic Leadership and Unmet Human Needs22:18 Identifying Actively Toxic and Passively Complicit Leaders26:21 Passively Complicit Leaders35:15 Actively Toxic Leaders43:11 Long-Term Thinking and Tolerance for Toxicity

Feb 12, 2024 • 53min
The Leadership Journey Part Three: Leads the Business
Exploring the shift to strategic leadership, balancing preservation with innovation, and principles for effective leadership in business. Emphasizing the importance of decision-making, enterprise-level responsibility, and clear goals for strategic success.

6 snips
Feb 5, 2024 • 47min
The Leadership Journey Part Two: Leads the Team
Transitioning from individual contributor to leading a team requires a shift in mindset and skills. Building trust is crucial for teams to accomplish more together. Effective coaching involves collaboration and transferring critical thinking. The podcast discusses the challenges and difficulties of the transition, the importance of teams in solving complex problems, and the significance of trust and mentoring in leadership.

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Jan 29, 2024 • 55min
The Leadership Journey Part One: Leads Self
In this podcast, Tim and Junior discuss the importance of personal accountability in leadership. They emphasize the cultivation of wellness, self-awareness, and a growth mindset. They also share insights on the four levels of contribution in leadership and the need for willingness and self-awareness in leading oneself. The hosts share their personal learning habits and encourage curiosity and consuming quality information.

Jan 22, 2024 • 46min
Can You Have Too Much Psychological Safety?
Tim and Junior discuss the misconceptions and importance of psychological safety in the workplace. They debunk the idea that excessive psychological safety leads to a lack of accountability. They emphasize the leader's role in defining operational limits and creating a safe environment for employees to contribute. The speakers challenge the notion that accountability always comes with fear and share personal experiences. They highlight the importance of context, risks, and innovation, emphasizing the need for continual incremental improvement while still adhering to protocols. Ultimately, they explore the concept of striking a balance between psychological safety and accountability.