Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

Want to know what separates peak performers from everyone else? Dr. Ruth Gotian has studied super successful people for decades and shares the four elements that set them apart. You can learn and adopt these same behaviors. Ruth is the author of The Success Factor: Developing the Mindset and Skillset for Peak Performance and a contributor to Forbes and Psychology Today where she writes about optimizing success. She won the Thinkers50 Distinguished Achievement “Radar” Award, ranking her the #1 emerging management thinker in the world to bridge theory and practice. You’ll discover: A definition of success that has nothing to do with moneyThe single sentence from one of Ruth’s mentors that totally changed the focus of her workThe four elements that all super successful people have in commonWhat you can do to identify and work with a mentorHow the mindset of very high achievers differs from everyone elseCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

What if you could find out secrets to a strong marriage and then discover that these same secrets can apply to all your relationships? That’s exactly what you’ll learn in this profound conversation I had with John David Mann and Ana Gabriel Mann, co-authors of The Go-Giver Marriage. John is coauthor of more than 30 books, including his classic 2008 parable The Go-Giver, coauthored with Bob Burg. Ana is a clinical psychologist and therapist currently focused on training coaches around the globe to lead The Go-Giver Marriage workshops.You’ll discover: The role John and Ana each played in the creation of this bookThe one principle that underlies all 5 secretsSpecific words you can say to express appreciationWhich secret is a favorite for John and for Ana – and whyWhy they refer to one’s partner as an “unexplored continent”Check out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Do you need to get things done with people whose personalities are very different from yours? Dr. Nate Regier shares how you can recognize their drivers as well as their distress signals—and then respond in a way that best serves you and them.Nate is the CEO and founding owner of Next Element Consulting, a global leadership firm dedicated to bringing compassion into the workplace. He’s brilliant in creating models that foster positive relationships and workplaces…and then teaching clients how to use them to transform their organizations. Our conversation centered around his latest book: Seeing People Through: Unleash Your Leadership Potential with the Process Communication Model.You’ll discover: What it means to “see people through” versus “see through people”The 6 personality types in the Process Communication ModelWhy it’s important for leaders to detect distress signals so they can invite people back to a healthy placeWhat it means to have personality agilityHow leaders can become “self-full” rather than selfish or selfless Check out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

What if you could begin each day with the ultimate confidence and focus? Eric Lofholm shares the exact daily routine that prepares him to have an extraordinary, productive day…every single day.Eric is President and CEO of Eric Lofholm International and the author of 15 books including his latest, Continuous Sales Improvement: The Secret of Achieving Your Peak Sales and Personal Potential. He also leads a Facebook group based on the book, The Ultimate Coach, that’s focused on how you are BEING in the world.You’ll discover: How Eric went from failure in sales to a highly respected international sales trainerThree steps you can follow to become a masterful time managerThe distinction Eric makes between Affirmations and Declarations with his “I AM” statementsThe win-win mindset Eric uses when he encounters “No” from a prospective clientWhy Eric started a Facebook Group around a book he didn’t even writeCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

What if you could learn how to notice and heed your inner signals to make the best decision? Scott Shute describes how you can do this by slowing down and becoming more mindful. We go deep into his fantastic book, The Full Body Yes, exploring the importance of knowing and loving yourself in order to bring more compassion into your world. In his most recent role at LinkedIn, Scott was the Head of Mindfulness and Compassion programs. He’s been a pioneer in creating mindfulness programs and advancing the discussion around “operationalizing compassion” in the workplace.  You’ll discover: What Scott means by The Full Body YESHow Scott manages his competitive spirtWhy mindfulness is a powerful tool in the workplaceHow organizations can operationalize compassionWhy gratitude is a superpower you’ll want to developCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Why is it best to put people before processes in order to achieve the best possible results? My guest Tom Lawrence has learned the answers through intense study of thought leaders and dedicated application over the years with his own teams. Now he’s passionate about sharing his experiences and insights with aspiring and current leaders. You’ll get many practical tips from someone who’s still on the job every day honing his leadership skills.Tom is unique among my guests because he’s worked in engineering for his entire career. His undergraduate degree is in mechanical engineering, and his master's degree is in maintenance engineering. He had his first leadership role as a project manager in 2009. As a result of his various experiences in all levels of leadership positions, Tom is now on a mission to help aspiring leaders as well as current leaders enhance their leadership skills so they bring out the best in the people on their teams. As part of his mission, he’s written two books, Manager to Leader: How to Become a Highly Effective Leader and A Limitless Mindset: How a Highly Effective Leader Thinks. I highly recommend both of them!You’ll discover: Tom’s journey from acquiring engineering skills to a focus on people in order to achieve the best resultsWhat Tom means by a “highly effective leader”Why character-based leadership is the most powerful way to influence peopleThe differences between secure and insecure leadersHow Tom helps people learn how to solve their own problemsCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Are you a person who’s always looking for ways to grow and expand? If so, you’ll love my conversation with Simon Haigh. And get ready to take notes. Simon shares valuable, practical ways for expanding your mindset and behaviors to become a more effective leader. Simon is founder and CEO of GCM Consulting and Simonhaigh.com. He’s known as The Growth Strategist because he helps organizations and leaders grow in 4 areas: business, leadership, brand, and mindset. Simon started out as a tri-qualified commercial lawyer—in England & Wales, Australia, and Ireland. He’s been an entrepreneur, building and selling out of companies in 3 industries: technology, luxury items and travel. Simon has also been a C-suite executive and has sat on five boards across different industries. He’s currently an associate member of the Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching Organization. You’ll discover: What Simon learned from Marshall Goldsmith about matching his confidence with his capabilitiesThe benefits of having clarity around your purpose3 questions you can ask yourself every morning for 6 weeks to gain greater self-awarenessWhy you can actually achieve more when you slow downThe importance of understanding both the light and dark side of yourselfCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

What if you could welcome conflicts instead of avoiding or dreading them? My guest Jason Digges describes how it’s possible to do just that by using Authentic Relating. We talk about that topic and many other ideas from his excellent book, Conflict = Energy, The Transformative Practice of Authentic Relating. You will want to take notes because Jason shares a wealth of practical ideas you can apply at work and at home. Jason is a modern renaissance man. He’s equal parts artist, philosopher, teacher, and media producer. From 2003-2012 he worked for Integral Institute to create thousands of hours of educational media on the topics of transpersonal psychology, spirituality, productivity, and personal growth. Jason is obsessed with how humans can live and relate optimally. Since 2012, he’s facilitated groups and taught authentic relating and circling courses in over 20 cities around the world.  You’ll discover: The 5 practices involved in Authentic Relating (AR)Why Appreciation is a key element in building trust and strong relationshipsThe roles of Noticing, Appreciating, and Curiosity in ARWhy Dignity + Humility = Transformation and how the shadow side of each can get in the way of connecting with othersHow leaders can create psychological safety so people feel free to speak up and share their thoughts and feelingsCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Have you considered starting a business—or do you run one now? In either case, my conversation with Sylvana Caloni and Paul O’Donnell is a must-listen. They share essential lessons learned from the starting up and closing down of a premium pie business. Their insights can help you avoid pitfalls and increase your chances of long-term success.Sylvana and Paul co-authored Humble Crumbles: Savouring the Crumbs of Wisdom from the Rise and Fall of Humble Pie to tell the story of Paul’s failed business venture. Paul provides a raw account of his journey as an entrepreneur with his company, Humble Pie, and Sylvana supplements his narrative with observations and suggestions based on her dual lenses as an equity analyst and leadership coach. They embrace the one word we tend to avoid in life and in business: failure. You’ll discover: Why “failure” is not a negativeThe importance of self-awareness for entrepreneurs to be successfulWhy you must consider the downsides when creating a business planHow to make the most of mentors and advisors when starting and running a businessThe value of making a BIG askCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

What if you could increase your emotional intelligence and expand your self-awareness? That’s the journey my guest Jon Hunter traveled in advancing from salesperson to Chief Revenue Officer. You’ll be drawn in by Jon’s truth-telling around topics like self-awareness, feedback, and creating safety and trust. Get ready to take notes because Jon drops a lot of nuggets you’ll want to remember and apply. Jon has held positions like Chief Revenue Officer and Senior VP of Sales in various enterprise software companies over the past 25 years. Now he’s passionate about developing the next generation of leaders, and he started The Hunter X Podcast to share insights gained from his experiences. Jon’s podcast is packed with nuggets you can use every day, in just 8-12 minutes per episode. I highly recommend you subscribe and read all his posts on LinkedIn. You’ll discover: Why leaders must create safety and trust early on when working with a new teamThe #1 stumbling block for leaders who want to advance to the next levelHow Jon developed his emotional intelligence to become a highly effective leaderThe most important trait John looks and listens for when interviewing job candidatesThe value of getting feedback throughout your careerCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro