Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

As humans, we’re hardwired to resist change and seek certainty. But that leaves us ill-equipped to thrive in our rapidly changing world. Adam Markel has studied and researched resilience throughout his career. In this conversation, you’ll learn how to become “change-proof,” the title of his latest book, Change Proof: Leveraging the Power of Uncertainty to Build Long-Term Resilience. This beautifully written book has compelling stories that will grab your attention from the very first page. Listen to the wisdom Adam shares in this one-hour interview, and then get a copy of his book so you can explore this powerful treatment of resilience further. Adam is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and workplace expert. He’s also the CEO of More Love Media and host of The Change Proof podcast. He’s a sought-after business culture catalyst who inspires, empowers, and guides organizations and individuals to create sustainable, high-performance strategies. You’ll discover: How Adam’s 7 years of experience as a beach lifeguard shaped the principles he teaches todayThe three essential steps to take before responding to something unexpectedWhat Adam’s resilience assessment reveals about your resilience in four areas of lifeWhy taking time for Recovery is important before it becomes criticalHow to dispute irrational beliefsCheck 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 design and implement a comprehensive program for developing leaders? That’s the opportunity Brian Wallace had when he joined Wintrust Financial Corporation as Chief Learning Officer. He describes the company’s commitment to the development of every person and the investment it’s made in a physical structure to support those training programs. Brian describes his journey as a leader and what he learned from those he reported to. His experience as an internal executive coach for 200 leaders at a regional bank shaped his thinking about the content to include in leadership development programs. He also shares adjustments he made in his first 90 days at Wintrust compared to the actions he took in other companies where he was hired to transform learning and development. You’ll get valuable take-aways from every aspect of this conversation! As a senior executive in the financial services industry for more than 18 years, Brian’s responsibilities have included executive coaching, leadership development, sales training, and sales enablement. At HSBC Brian was awarded the coveted President Award, given annually to only one individual per business that demonstrated the true character of the company and its core values. You’ll discover: The people who’ve influenced Brian in his own leadership journey Common challenges that leaders face, from Brian’s experience being an internal executive coach3 key leadership traits that drive engagement and job satisfactionWhat it looks like for a company to commit to the development of peopleWhy the first 90 days are critical to a new employeeCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Imagine how you’d feel if someone recognized your true potential—beyond what you thought was possible—and guided you to grow into it. That’s what Caroline Hughes does with each client she coaches. She meets them where they are, gets clarity about where they want to go, and that destination becomes her place to stand for them. You will be inspired as you listen to Caroline describe her process, and you’ll see how you can do this for each person on your team.  Caroline is the Founder and CEO of Conscious Leadership Development, based in Ireland. She became a global director at the age of 39 and held senior executive positions across a range of sectors, delivering large-scale transformation. Caroline now works with highly talented senior executives to create compelling visions for their teams and increase their impact and outcomes.  Caroline takes a powerful stand at the intersection of leadership and personal development. She believes that organizations are rich academies in which we learn all the skills and capabilities we need to be powerful leaders and human beings. You’ll discover: The evolution that Caroline has seen in the role of leaders over the past 20 years Ways that we lose our power and how to reclaim itWhat Caroline does to help clients discover for themselves the changes they need to makeWhy it’s important to meet others where they are and not where we think they “should” beHow to be a stand for the possibility in othersCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

What would it be like to work for a CEO who aspires to be the best example of working together? You’ll hear from someone who IS that CEO in this very special conversation with Darcy Verhun, CEO of Canada Diagnostic Centres (CDC). Darcy sets that intention every day as he works to build a culture of connecting with the team and customers.  Canada Diagnostic Centres (CDC) is an independent healthcare company specializing in radiology and imaging. Before joining CDC, Darcy was the President of FYidoctors, at the time one of North America's fastest-growing companies. He has also held senior leadership roles at Ernst & Young, Grant Thornton, and Cap Gemini.  Darcy’s leadership is based on being a lifelong learner and passionate coach who lives his life with gratitude. He’s used his leadership strengths to create enterprise value through scale and growth. He’s the author of The Freedom of Constraints: Turn Obstacles into Opportunity, written with Marshall Goldsmith and other members of Marshall’s group of 100 Coaches. Darcy was a founding Director of The Calgary Homeless Foundation, and today he serves as a Director of HomeSpace Society, a non-profit focused on eliminating homelessness.  You’ll discover: How Darcy helped reduce the number of projects that had been undertaken at FYidoctors from 120 to 11.What happened when the CEO at FYidoctors couldn’t make an important meeting…and what everyone learned from that experienceWhy Darcy went on a listening tour when he joined CDC and his biggest take-awaysThe 10-10 Commitment that increased engagement and resultsWhat insights from Darcy’s book reveal about the value that constraints can serveCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

We don’t often hear the word LOVE used when describing the workplace. That’s about to change in this conversation with Jeff Ma and Chris Pitre, as we discuss their Wall Street Journal best-selling book, Love As a Business Strategy. Written with two other senior leaders at Softway, the four authors identified six core pillars as a result of their journey to create a positive culture in their own company. Each chapter begins with a compelling story about one of the authors and what that individual learned. It’s truly a guidebook for developing the values and related behaviors that empower people to thrive. Chris and Jeff are both senior leaders at Softway. Chris is Vice President, supporting sales, delivery, HR, and other back office operations. Jeff is Director of Project Management and Quality.  Together, they are co-founders of Culture+, a company with a mission to bring humanity back to the workplace. They teach companies how to create a positive culture based on the pillars described in their book. You’ll discover: The unforgettable incident that served as a wake-up call to the leadership team at SoftwayThe 6 pillars that form the foundation of a thriving workplaceWhy they go beyond Reflection and recommend IntrospectionHow to empower someone from a place of vulnerabilityWhy Forgiveness is essential to resolving hurts, disappointments, and other negative emotionsCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

No matter what leadership role you have, what you and your team do on a daily basis affects your customers, either directly or indirectly. Do you have systems in place for tracking and managing both the customer experience as well as your employees’ experiences?If you don’t, you’re in for a treat because our guest Michael Hinshaw is an expert in the area of customer experience, also known by the letters CX. Michael is the Founder and President of customer experience consultancy McorpCX, and he’s recognized on more than a dozen lists of "Top Global CX Influencers." He has consulted for and advised executives at companies such as Intel, Microsoft, Biogen, Roche, Best Buy, and lululemon. Michael is the co-author of the best-selling book Smart Customers, Stupid Companies: Why Only Intelligent Companies Will Thrive, and How to Be One of Them. His new book is Experience Rules! The Experience Operating System (XOS) and 8 Keys to Enable It, co-authored with Diane Magers. This conversation covered only a few of the 8 keys, so you’re encouraged to pick up a copy of his latest book to learn about the others.  You’ll discover: Michael’s first experience gathering input from customers—and the impact that had on the company he worked forHow customer experience (CX) and employee experience are alikeWhat’s really behind a customer’s decision to continue doing business with a companyHow internal and external councils can strengthen your business as it relates to CXThe first steps you can take to find out if your own customers are happy with your company…or notCheck 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 how powerful your thoughts are in determining the way you see and respond to the world? Be prepared to expand your mind as you listen to the insights and unforgettable stories that Michael Neill shares in this conversation. You will not view stress, pressure, and overwhelm in the same way, and you’ll understand why the most powerful thing you can do is learn to be yourself. Michael is an internationally renowned transformative teacher, author, broadcaster, and speaker. He’s described as having the unique ability to “blend the sacred with the profane.” The inside-out understanding at the heart of his work challenges the cultural mythology that stress, pressure, and other symptoms of “seriousness” are a necessary part of adaptation and growth in business or indeed any area of life. Michael has authored six best-selling books including two of Meredith’s favorite books, The Inside Out Revolution and Creating the Impossible. He’s also the host of one of her must-listen podcasts, Caffeine for the Soul (each episode is just 6-9 minutes of wisdom from Michael). You’ll discover: What Michael means by “inside out” when it comes to our thoughtsWhy pressure is not the effective driver some think it isThe distinction Michael makes between two types of fearThe misunderstanding leaders sometimes have around being REALCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

You can’t predict which career and life experiences will serve you in the future. Yet each one can prepare you for your next adventure if you become skillful in handling change. Terry Yoffe gives a masterclass in describing events from her early years and from her various jobs that helped prepare her to be an extraordinarily effective coach with her clients. Terry Yoffe is an Executive, Business and Career Coach. She has been coaching for over 20 years, after many years in both corporate and entrepreneurial roles. She brings an impressive breadth and depth of knowledge to her coaching and specializes in global business relations, which is critical to her work with international clients. Terry helps her clients maximize their talents and achieve their full potential. She employs a two-step process: having the client clarify their goals and then developing a focused strategic plan. Terry is also the host of the Extraordinary Work Podcast: Conversations about Creating Change. You’ll discover: The varied experiences that prepared Terry for her coaching careerHow she learned to deal with fear when stepping into the unknownTips for speaking up and advocating for yourselfWhat Terry does to guide clients to create changes in their livesCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or leader of a team, you’ll benefit from the life wisdom that Gary Polk shares in this special conversation. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the value of failure or losses. Gary also explains why he’s a big believer in the triple bottom line, which includes “People, Planet, Profit.”  Gary is a Black businessman, CEO, business consultant, university professor and author. For decades, he’s been passionate about entrepreneurs…and why they succeed or fail.  His initial book, Why Entrepreneurs Fail (to Win), is widely used as a textbook in college entrepreneurship programs. He’s also written books with similar titles specifically for Black and Brown Entrepreneurs and for Women Entrepreneurs. Gary is committed to helping these leaders learn what they need to know so they can be as successful as possible.  Gary is focused on the triple bottom line, “People, Planet, Profit,” and believes these 3 elements align to drive success for everyone involved. He’s a proponent of social entrepreneurship and launched the Polk Institute Foundation in January of 2021.  You’ll discover: Why all 3 of Gary’s books include “Fail (to Win)” in the titleWhat failing can teach usWhy Gary says EQ is more important than IQThe #1 value Gary emphasizes at Polk InstituteHow Social Entrepreneurship can fit into any businessCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Many mergers and acquisitions are dismal failures, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Find out how Sikko Zoer created buy-in and achieved a positive transformation when combining two very different divisions after an acquisition. So many of the actions Sikko took can be used by leaders on a daily basis. Sikko has more than 15 years of experience in Healthcare and MedTech at Medtronic. He’s got a strong history of being a dependable executive leader who is driven by challenge, undeterred by obstacles, and committed to excellence in multiple areas, including operations, supply chain planning & optimization, logistics, IT, and marketing.  These days Sikko is involved in several businesses. He offers Strategic Advice, Consulting, Coaching, Mentorship, and Interim Management through his own companies, Qwinn Consultancy and Supply Chain Companions. Sikko also serves as a Senior Advisor with The Boston Consulting Group. Sikko loves bringing new insights and providing directions that make companies and their people successful and proud. He does this in a positive, optimistic, open, and respectful way, as you’ll learn in this conversation. You’ll discover: Issues Sikko encountered when combining two very different teams with very different mindsetsWhat he did to get buy-in from stakeholdersWays that Sikko himself changed during the processHow Sikko helped people shift from Victim to Owner mindsetWhy listening to understand was a critical skill for each person 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