The Leadership Podcast

Rahaf Harfoush is a Digital Anthropologist, Strategist, and Best-Selling Author who focuses on the intersections between emerging technology, innovation, and the impact they have on our culture. She is also the Executive Director of Red Thread Institute of Digital Culture, which teaches innovation and emerging business models at Sciences Politique's Master's of Economics and Finance program in Paris. Rahaf offers insight as to why the hustle culture isn't going away, the need for leaders to adapt to new learning methodologies, and how we can be productive with less time. Key Takeaways [3:00] What is a digital anthropologist? Rahaf studies how emerging technologies influence our culture. [5:25] Leaders have the daunting task of managing a wide variety of new information coming to them. They are struggling to keep up and understand what's relevant and what's not. [7:45] We are taught to consume information in a very linear fashion. You go to a class, you exit that class, you do it enough times and you get a degree. The information in this class is focused and specific. However, our ecosystem is now infinite and we haven't adapted our learning styles to keep up with this. [9:25] Leaders need to have a bit of vulnerability in them to admit that they don't know everything. It's difficult because they're seen as the go-to person for answers, but the rapid growth of our technology makes it impossible for anyone to truly know everything. Leaders need to freely admit that they don't have the answers. [14:25] Rahaf's book, Hustle & Float, came from the result of burnout. Rahaf understood the importance of rest, so why wasn't she doing it? [17:35] Your brain needs unstructured time to be creative, but our work culture doesn't allow room for this. [21:55] Leaders are overworking themselves because they are suffering from 'work devotion.' We sacrifice not seeing our families for our work because it showcases to the world how much of a hardworking individual we are. [24:15] It's the American Dream dilemma: If you haven't achieved your perceived level of success, it must be because you're not working hard enough. [32:55] The answer to achieving better productivity is to create systems that are custom-tailored to the individual so that they have time to listen, reflect, and innovate. [39:30] What value does it have to tell the other person that you've read a message or not? There is so much added stress and pressure to respond 'right now.' [46:10] Joe Biden has expressed that if his staff miss out on important family events in favor of doing work for him, it would disappoint him greatly. Sometimes you need leaders to just spell it out as plainly and bluntly as that. Be a supportive leader. [49:45] How can you change the company culture for the better? Start having uncomfortable conversations with yourself about your own work identity, and then carry this dialogue over to your team's work identity. Quotable Quotes "Technology is changing the way that we relate to each other; the way we communicate and maintain friendships." "There's an expectation of a leader to manage everything and sort of know everything." "Do I have the courage to raise my hand and say, 'We need to ask questions'?" "We have created this intensely complex relationship with work. We've linked work with our identities and self-worth." We are asking people to tackle complex problems and yet we're creating work cultures that make it hard for people to accomplish this. How to Thrive in a World Obsessed with Work Rahafharfoush.com Hustle & Float: Reclaim Your Creativity and Thrive in a World Obsessed with Work, by Rahaf Harfoush Twitter: @rahafharfoush Medium: @rahafharfoush Redthreadinc.co Tosdr.org ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Winston Ben Clements is on a mission to inspire one billion people. Winston was born with brittle bone disorder, a frustrating and debilitating disease that resulted in multiple surgeries throughout his childhood. Instead of being limited by his condition, he decided to embrace it and build a life with meaning and purpose. His TEDx talk, "Your Limitations Are An Illusion," has inspired thousands of people from all over the world. Key Takeaways [2:25] Winston's mother is one of his heroes. She walks the talk and inspires him to be a better person. [4:10] Winston's first speaking gig went really poorly but he was determined to develop the skills he needed to perform well on the big stage. This drive to constantly better himself (and with the encouragement of a mentor) led him to speak at TEDx. [6:00] Winston was born with brittle bone disorder, which means his bones can break very, very easily. Throughout his childhood, he had to learn what it meant to be resilient and to overcome obstacles none of his peer group was facing. [10:15] Winston has a goal to inspire a billion people with his story. It's a lofty goal and it scares him. [15:15] With such a big goal, how does Winston plan to help people inspire somebody else? It comes down to living and breathing what you preach. He credits Sean Stephenson for inspiring him and he serves as a reminder to Winston that you can make a big difference by being the person you say you are. [22:00] People can often overlook Winston as a person because all they see is his disability. Winston has a choice to get upset/angry at the situation or move past it and focus on what's really important: good friends and good company. We all have a choice on how we want to react. [28:55] How can the average person cultivate resilience? First, it's important to take a step back and recognize the difficult situation you're faced with. It's okay to feel upset/angry in the moment. Once you've given space to feel frustrated, then switch your perspective from seeing it as an obstacle to how this can define you into being a better version of yourself. [31:15] Get excited that you have obstacles in your life! When you pass through the other side, you will be proud of yourself. [36:15] Define success on your own terms and use your own values as a guide toward what kind of life you want to design for yourself. Everyone has a different path toward happiness and fulfillment. [45:00] Are you struggling to make progress? Pick one habit and focus on that habit for seven days. You will see progress. Stop being a strict consumer of knowledge and start being an implementer. Quotable Quotes One of the most disappointing things is setting a goal that is realistic, and then realize it wasn't fulfilling at all. "If you're the only minority, focus on your personality because that's where your strengths are." Shift your thinking from the perceived obstacle and shine the light on your gifts. "The obstacle is not in the way, the obstacle is the way." Winstonclements.com Twitter: @WinstonSpeaker Instagram: @WinstonSpeaker Winston's TEDx — "Your Limitations Are An Illusion" Toastmasters.org Sean Stephenson Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win, by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Sam Walker is The Wall Street Journal's deputy editor for enterprise, the unit that directs the paper's in-depth page-one features and investigative reporting projects. A former reporter, sports columnist, and sports editor, Walker founded the Journal's prizewinning daily sports coverage in 2009. For this episode, he dives into his book, The Captain Class - a bold new theory of leadership drawn from the elite captains who inspired their teams to achieve extraordinary success. Named one of the best business books of the year by CNBC, The New York Times, Forbes, strategy+business, The Globe and Mail, and Sports Illustrated. Now featuring analysis of the five-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots and their captain, Tom Brady. The seventeen most dominant teams in sports history had one thing in common: Each employed the same type of captain—a singular leader with an unconventional set of skills and tendencies. Drawing on original interviews with athletes, general managers, coaches, and team-building experts, Sam Walker identifies the seven core qualities of the Captain Class—from extreme doggedness and emotional control to tactical aggression and the courage to stand apart. Told through riveting accounts of pressure-soaked moments in sports history, The Captain Class will challenge assumptions of what inspired leadership looks like. Key Takeaways [3:05] Sam looked up to sports teams and famous locker room speeches as a youth, but he found that most teams do not run the way he thought. [5:40] In his book, Sam looked at teams who had sustained success over a number of years and exhibited characteristics one wouldn't expect. [8:10] Sam researched his book with certain assumptions about teams, but was pleasantly surprised. He realized as he did more research, that he really had a lot to learn about how leadership really works. [10:25] Some of the qualities and characteristics that team captains had were: Extreme doggedness and focus in competition Aggressive play that tests the limits of the rules A willingness to do thankless jobs in the shadows - Humility A low-key, practical and democratic communication style - They were boring people privately. Motivates others with passionate nonverbal displays - Practical communication style. Strong convictions and the courage to stand apart Ironclad emotional control [15:40] The hardest lesson Sam learned is that if you want to be a great leader, you have to be okay with getting zero credit. Other people may be the face of the company/team; other people may get the better promotions over you and you have to be okay with that. [20:05] There are two types of aggression. There's the kind of conflict that's really personal and it's always toxic. If a leader engages, it will destroy the team. There is also something called task conflict, which can get very heated, but is never personal. It is always with the good of the team in mind. [25:10] When you put successful people together and they're all working towards a goal, it ends up being a lot of fun, and it should be! They have a level of trust with their teammates and a level of humility among the group that allows them to not worry about the small stuff. [28:15] A lot of people believe Michael Jordan was a great leader. It was actually Bill Cartwright who was the glue that held everyone together. [30:35] We reward heroes, but that is just an indicator that the team dynamic failed. We think working late nights and making sacrifices is a good thing for the company, but if it's just one man pulling the cart, you're not succeeding as a leader. [37:10] Leaders who are on great teams and have seen sustained success are running 90 miles an hour, foot on the gas, all the time. There is no such thing as a slow day for these leaders. [43:35] Sam challenges you to think about all the managers you've had over the years and read this book and re-rank them based on the qualities listed in his book. Quotable Quotes "The team is so much more important than the individual." "There are a million ways to win, but every single team who had sustained success had the same characteristics." "If you really want to be a great team leader, you have to be completely content that you're not going to get the credit you deserve." "Will I be content if the team wins? Is that enough for me?" "Team leaders, were often in defensive roles, and were not the face of the team or the first person you'd expect." "Even if you don't always do the right thing as a leader, just knowing what you're supposed to do is half the battle." "Emotional control is a big one. These leaders had the ability to be passionate and show emotion, and then shut it off when it was no longer helpful." "Tom Brady said, 'It's actually very simple. You do your job so that everybody else can do theirs. That's it. That's the secret.'" "It's about putting the same amount of effort, whether you're winning big or losing badly. It's about showing a consistent approach to your work." Bysamwalker.com The Captain Class: A New Theory of Leadership, by Sam Walker Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partners The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

As a leader, you're able to create the conditions where good things happen at your workplace. You can influence the environment in ways where your team can create, innovate, and solve wicked problems. In this episode, Jim and Jan discuss how to address fear, how to cultivate hope and creativity, and how leaders can strive to be better leaders with the scarcity of time we all share. Key Takeaways [3:00] There's a wide spectrum of people out there and with that comes a wide spectrum of internal motivation and what incentivizes them. [5:00] With that being said, people are also completely different at work than they are in their personal lives. [5:55] So what can leaders do if they see someone who is fearful at their job? The best thing to do is to look at yourself. How do you react when your staff presents you with new ideas? How do you react when there is a major failure in the company? As a leader, your reaction shifts the entire culture of a company. [11:15] If we are just a victim of the world around us, we are perceived as weaker. We are weaker because we have a lack of options in our lives so we might develop a victim mentality in the workplace. It's important to be active in seeking alternative options, even if you don't plan to take them because it makes you stronger. [17:00] Hope is not a strategy but it is needed in the workplace. Hope is created when people feel like they're in control and that they have multiple options to pursue. [19:55] We need creativity in the workforce but in order to cultivate it, the leader's workforce needs to be relatively happy and stress-free. [22:05] We are very confident that we can read human emotions. In reality, we're really bad at it. [27:55] Leaders are busy. They often don't have extra time to study how to be good leaders, which is why we need to surround ourselves with a good support system that will help keep us accountable. Quotable Quotes "It goes back to how people are incentivized and motivated. The baseline of those things is fear and overconfidence." "Fear doesn't always show up in the form of somebody that looks scared. Fear can show up in someone that's indecisive." "Let's find the optimal solution with the information we have, in the time we have to make it." ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partner Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org. Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com

Ashley Goodall is the senior vice president of leadership and team intelligence at Cisco. He is also the co-author of Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader's Guide to the Real World, and the author of two cover stories in the Harvard Business Review: The Feedback Fallacy and Reinventing Performance Management. In today's discussion, Ashley breaks down why 360 reviews about your staff are flawed, the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on the workforce, and why dedicating resources to building a 'well-rounded' employee is not always the best approach. Key Takeaways [3:55] There is an interesting connection between leadership and music. Music allows people to create and collaborate together and the same applies to leadership. [7:15] When you want to make space for someone to be creative and to help them feel comfortable with collaboration, be sure to be the leader that speaks last. [10:55] Ashley breaks down his interpretation of the theory world vs. the real world. In theory, everyone has metrics that break down what you should be doing, but in reality, people need a baseline first and then the metrics. [13:30] We think that having a well-rounded individual or employee is a good approach, but devoting resources to make them well-rounded might not make the most sense. Some of your best people are not well-rounded! They have a set of focused skill sets that make them great. [15:00] If you want to spend your time getting better, stop focusing on your weaknesses, focus on your strengths instead. [21:30] Don't find a job you love, make a job you love. Instead of focusing on work/life balance, focus on the content of what you do on a daily basis. [28:30] Ashley saw a gap between what works at work and the actual practice of what organizations were doing. This is why he and his co-author, Marcus Buckingham, wrote the book, Nine Lies About Work. [33:10] Leaders need to challenge the status quo. If they recognize that their reports about their staff's characteristics and personality are inaccurate, leaders need to speak up and challenge this thinking. [42:35] As artificial intelligence and automation get incorporated more and more in the workforce, leaders think they can now do less. In reality, leaders actually have to step up and focus more on the human aspect of the organization. [49:00] Ashley challenges you to ask your team what their thought process was when they did something great and if they can replicate that success. Quotable Quotes "The conductor makes space for people to play into." "Go look at the best people. Are they well-rounded? The answer is no." "You'll find that excellent and well-rounded are opposites, not synonyms." "The lesson from the real world is that avoiding failure repeatedly is not the same as building excellence." ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called Chalk Talks. They're bitesize hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Strategic Partner Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org. Ashleygoodall.com Nine Lies About Work, by Ashley Goodall The Feedback Fallacy Reinventing Performance Management Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com

Dean DiSibio is the Founder of the Colonel's Leadership Council and the Co-Author of Reel Lessons in Leadership. In Dean's book, he breaks down iconic movie characters and the leadership qualities (and flaws) that they possess. Traits and skills like self-control, negotiation, and empathy are all part of a leader's repertoire for success. Key Takeaways [4:25] Dean co-wrote the book, Reel Lessons in Leadership, with his father. [6:15] Movies are a very common connection point that all generations can relate to, which is why Dean decided to breakdown leadership lessons from important movies in our era. [7:50] Dean shares why the movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, has some important leadership lessons in it. [12:10] In The Godfather, it all boils down to self-control. [15:05] Leaders need coaches in their corner to help guide them through troubling situations. [18:55] When it comes to leadership traits, Dean outlines in his book the traits that need to be developed vs. need to be practiced. [25:55] The military understands they have to train people. The business world… not so much. [32:35] Dean mentioned in his book that negotiation is a skill leaders must develop. This is something very few people are talking about in a leadership context. Dean believes good negotiators have the same traits as good leaders. They tend to have self-control, confidence, credibility, and good communication and are often well-prepared and forward-thinking. [38:35] Dean puts leaders into three categories, Maximizers, Overachievers, and Underachievers. [41:25] Dean presents a challenge: Pay attention to the fictional characters you love and have a curiosity as to what leadership traits they possess. Have discussions about them with your friends and family. Strategic Partner Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org. Quotable Quotes "Good leaders have to have self-control." "I believe folks have a high empathy muscle that they're born with. "Self-awareness is half the battle." "I believe the best leaders are inquisitive." ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called "chalk talks." They're "bitesize" hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Colonel's Leadership Council Reel Lessons in Leadership, by Ralph R. DiSibio with Dean A. DiSibio One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest The Godfather TED Talk — "The Surprising Science of Alpha Males" Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com

Dan Cockerell is a former Disney Executive, and spent 22 magical years at Walt Disney World in a wide variety of management roles - rising to Vice President of the Magic Kingdom. He shares critical leadership lessons he learned at Disney, and why it was important to always be accessible and available to his team. He also shares how to keep your staff accountable while also supporting the company's mission, vision and values. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called "chalk talks." They're "bitesize" hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. Interested in learning more? You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Key Takeaways [1:35] After graduating with a degree in political science, Dan took on a job at Disney parking cars and slowly worked his way up into management roles. Throughout his 22 years at Disney, he had 19 jobs. [7:35] Leaders know instinctively what they have to do, but just like why we eat junk food or do not work out regularly, it's not always the easiest path to take. [9:50] Leaders are extremely busy people. Dan offers some advice on how you can manage your time better and stop focusing solely on the urgent tasks but also on the important ones too. [16:45] How do you hold someone accountable while living out your company's mission? You recognize and reward good work from your team and use their actions as examples to inspire and educate everybody else. [24:05] Remember to give your team permission to give you pushback or to disagree with you. Diversity of thought is critical to an organization's success. [27:05] Dan shares his gap theory and how you can utilize knowledge and determination to bridge the gap you have on all of your goals. [32:15] Embrace change and be adaptable. Change is accelerating at an exponential pace. Get your team on board with the process as quickly as you can so that the change is not going to be a big shock to them. [38:25] Dan shares some fun and memorable moments about working at Disney and why it was such a magical and special place. Strategic Partner Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org. Quotable Quotes "Don't mistake simple for easy." "Culture is built by behaviors." "You have to give people permission to push back on the boss, or bring up an idea, or disagree." "You always have a blindspot." "It's not the strongest or fastest who survive, it's those who can adapt most quickly." DanCockerell.com Disney The Eisenhower Matrix Junior Achievement Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist's Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations, by Thomas Friedman Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com

Steve Justice, COO of the To the Stars Academy and Former Director of Advanced Systems at Lockheed Martin's esteemed Skunk Works, shares what it takes to lead projects when the specifications challenge the laws of physics, the stakes are literally life and death, and the nation's national security is on the line. Steve shares what it takes to develop cutting edge technology by studying the past, and setting team expectations that challenges conventional assumptions. He also describes the mission behind To The Stars Academy, and why "revolutionary is too mild a word." ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called "chalk talks." They're "bitesize" hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Key Takeaways [1:44] Steve can't talk about a lot of the work he did, but he did help develop the F-22 Raptor (the coolest plane you can ever see at an air show). You will also see his name on the patent for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile. [4:22] With high stakes projects, Steve had to make sure expectations were clearly stated before his team even began to work. When Steve was at Skunk Works, the programs he asked his bosses for were the ones that had a low probability of success. [7:30] Writing down the operating rules and expectations presents it in a different context than just speaking it. [9:02] Steve asks a lot of questions, but explains to his team the reasons behind it. It typically breaks down into 5 reasons: Asked an earlier question, but it wasn't answered yet. Didn't understand what you said, looking for clarification. This is new, and I'm asking questions to understand the answer - and the context. I'm educating other people in the room. I am testing your conviction. [12:27] Values such as precision, clarity, focus, and learning from mistakes really matter. [16:28] Steve is the Aerospace Division Director at To the Stars Academy, and leads the efforts of developing advanced craft using revolutionary technologies that go beyond capabilities most can only imagine. [22:28] Great leaders think beyond what is in front of them and dig for answers considering multiple perspectives. [28:51] Steve was one of the Skunk Works historians, and it's helped him think about futuristic realities. [33:38] Three important qualities of a leader: Curiosity and inquisitiveness. Do what they say they are going to do. Strong character. [42:06] We all have failings, but recognizing and learning from them is the key. [48:17} Two pieces of advice: "It's amazing what you can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit." - Ronald Reagan Stand in the future to solve today's problems. Strategic Partner Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org. Quotable Quotes Stand in the future to solve today's problems. "As a leader, your success is 100% dependent on how your team does." "As a leader, you are on 24/7." "Sitting down with a team and defining expectations is critical." "I love proving people wrong." "I'm always amazed by the dramatic amount of wonder and inquisitiveness some people can have, and the very small box other people want to live in." Lockheed Martin To the Stars Academy Kelly Johnson The Matrix Google Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com

Most people use humor as a great way to break the ice and keep things light and fun in the workplace. However, through cultural differences, personality types, and life experiences, the use of humor can become offensive or make people uncomfortable. Where do you find the right balance? Jim and Jan discuss the importance of humor in the workplace and how to use your emotional intelligence to develop the right amount and type of humor for a company's culture. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called "chalk talks." They're "bitesize" hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Key Takeaways [2:15] Jan tells a joke. Brace yourselves! [4:00] Most people want to work in a place where there is some humor or some form of light heartedness, but different cultures find different levels of humor acceptable and it can be difficult to tell how far is too far even when the intention is innocent. [7:40] As a leader, it's your job to create a comfortable environment, but how do you know whether something offends somebody or not? [12:30] What does the internet have to say about humor in the workplace? Jim didn't find anything particularly helpful. The information out there is very limited. [15:55] If a topic is going to make people feel awkward, maybe it's best to stay away from it. Your jokes should make people feel comfortable. For example, you should probably stay away from practical jokes in the workplace. [20:50] Jim and Jan would love your thoughts on this subject! Please feel free to reach out. Strategic Partner Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org. Quotable Quotes "You never know in the workplace these days what's going to offend and what isn't." "This person said that they can't say anything without offending somebody. They've got to be PC." "Sarcasm isn't an excuse to belittle someone." "I would rather live in a world where we have a little bit of humor and occasionally say I'm sorry sincerely than to be on guard all the time." 8 Tips for Using Workplace Humor - Forbes Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com

Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram are the Co-Founders of GiANT, a leadership development program that helps build leaders into Sherpas. Jeremie and Steve are also the co-authors of the book The 100x Leader, a #1 Best Seller on Amazon. They join the show to talk with Jim and Jan about how leaders can become someone worth following, what leadership programs today get completely wrong, and why intentionality and self-awareness are critical to a leader's success. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called "chalk talks." They're "bitesize" hacks on common (but challenging) leadership issues. You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at The Leadership Podcast. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ Key Takeaways [2:55] Steve lived in the United States for five years before moving back home to the UK. He enjoys recreational golf and spending time with his wife of 27 years and his children. Jeremie was living in London, but has since moved back to the United States. As a side project with his wife of 24 years, they are building modern farm houses in Oakland City. [5:55] Most leaders are people you 'have to follow', which can often cause friction in an organization. It creates complacency with your employees and makes it very difficult to get engagement and buy-in. [11:00] Leaders need to supply the rope to help their team get to the next level. If you haven't established trust with them, then it becomes very difficult to motivate and challenge them. A good leader understands where their employees are mentally and if they need support or to be challenged. [16:40] Jeremie uses the metaphor that leaders are gardeners. Every person on their team is like a plant that wants to be cared for differently. By catering to each personality types of your team members, you build a more engaged workforce than a complacent one. [22:20] The biggest problem with leadership development is that it's very individualistic. Leaders need to be looking at themselves like a sherpa. No one has climbed Mount Everest without one. They play a critical role in a mission's success through their expertise and knowledge, and they help 3-4+ people at a time achieve their goals. [27:25] Jeremie had an epiphany in Cancun after he watched the movie Signs with Mel Gibbons and getting hit by a drunk driver. This event completely reshaped Jeremie's view on the world and how he runs his company today. [37:45] A lot of leaders are accidental, but what they really need to be is intentional. The first step to becoming a better leader is to be intentional with your personal life and have it reflect in your professional life as well. [41:55] Jeremie believes it's important to be honest with your team and let them know you are working on your weaknesses. By being transparent, you are able to gain trust and respect. Strategic Partner Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org. Quotable Quotes "Everyone of us has the ability to be somebody worth following or someone you have to follow." "Every leader is like a gardener and every person on their team is like a plant and that plant has a little card that tells it how it wants to be watered." "Progress is a process. Most people want to [be a leader] overnight. Fix you, fix you! But you have to take them on a journey, and it's a self-awareness journey." "[This traumatic accident] reshaped my view on the world and it changed my view on people; that people can be an asset, not a liability." "If you think you're going to be that type of leader without working at it, you're deluded because it will not happen." Giant Worldwide The 100X Leader: How to Become Someone Worth Following by Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram Instagram: @WeStudyLeaders LinkedIn: @TheLeadershipPodcast Facebook: @westudyleaders Twitter: @westudyleaders Website: The Leadership Podcast info@theleadershippodcast.com