The Mike Method

This week, we’re bringing back one of our most popular episodes of The Mike Method—a conversation with Dan Box, General Manager and Vice President of EA Ventures.Dan and Mike explore how Electronic Arts (EA) is evolving from being purely a video game company into a community-driven organization. With over 700 million gamer accounts, EA is reimagining its future by investing in the creator economy, user-generated content, and new ways of connecting fans beyond the game itself.Dan shares what it takes to lead through rapid change—emphasizing curiosity, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to ask better questions over sticking to rigid plans. Together, they unpack how leaders can spark innovation, navigate resistance, and create environments where creativity and adaptability thrive.This episode isn’t just about gaming—it’s about the leadership mindset required to drive innovation, build meaningful communities, and stay ahead in a rapidly shifting world.Episode ResourcesDan Box: LinkedInElectronic ArtsHub SpotSonosViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if every young woman entered adulthood already knowing her strengths, her values, and the power of her voice?That is the vision driving Lauren MacKinnon, executive coach, leadership development facilitator, and founder of superpowHER, a youth leadership movement equipping the next generation with the confidence, skills, and values to lead with authenticity and impact. With more than 20 years in senior leadership, including serving as COO of a leading engineering firm, Lauren has guided hundreds of leaders through transformation and cultural change. Today, she is channeling that expertise into preparing young leaders for the complex challenges of the future.In this episode of The Mike Method, Lauren shares why courage is the true starting point for growth, how peer groups can provide girls with a lifelong network of allies, and the cost of conforming to outdated definitions of leadership. She also reflects on how this work is transforming not only the girls she teaches but also herself as she sheds old layers of corporate conformity to lead with authenticity.Listeners will walk away with both inspiration and a blueprint for equipping the next generation of women in leadership and reclaiming their own voices along the way.Episode Resources:Lauren Mackinnon: Website / LinkedInOwn It: The Power of Women at Work by Sally KrawcheckViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign UpGoMacroPeloton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most listened-to episodes of The Mike Method is back — and it’s just as relevant today as when it first aired.In this conversation, host Mike Desjardins sits down with Deborah Wong, Executive Leadership Development at General Motors, to tackle burnout, perfectionism, boundaries, and redefining success. They explore the lingering impact of the pandemic, the double-edged role of AI in productivity, and why vulnerability, balance, and a coaching mindset are essential for sustainable leadership.With over 20 years of leadership and executive coaching experience, Deborah shares practical strategies leaders can put into action right now.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.Episode Resources:Deborah Wong: LinkedIn / WebsiteMultipliers by Liz WisemanViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign UpThinkificFathom Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Dr. Patty Ann Tublin, a world‑class expert in emotional intelligence, communication, and human behavior. Founder of The Relationship Toolbox, bestselling author, high‑performance executive coach, and host of The Dr. Patty Ann Podcast, she’s worked with leaders at the highest levels — from the co‑founder of Netflix to the president of Starbucks.Together, they dig into the real conversations most leaders avoid:Why 50/50 partnerships are a recipe for stalemate.How to foster healthy, ideological conflict without it getting personal.The signs your culture is quietly rotting from within.Why contracts won’t fix a trust problem — and what will.Dr. Patti Ann shares how CEOs and COOs can stay aligned, the role emotional maturity plays in leadership, and why the best organizations aren’t “families” — they’re high‑performing teams that care for each other.If you’re a founder, executive, or just someone who knows great leadership starts with great relationships, this one’s for you.Episode Resources:Dr. Patty Ann: WebsiteThe Trust Doctor PodcastBooks By Dr. Patty AnnBook: How to Change the WorldLearn more about Manager Essentials at ViRTUSViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to lead in a world that keeps shifting under our feet?Mike Desjardins and Dr. Hilary Curry get into the real stuff of leadership—what actually matters now, and what’s going to matter even more in the future. They talk about how so many professionals are missing the mark on critical thinking, and how creativity (the kind AI just can’t touch) is becoming a serious competitive edge.They reflect on how easy it is to miscommunicate when we’re not being intentional, and why emotional intelligence isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must. Adaptability comes up a lot too: how do we stay grounded and flexible when the pace of change is relentless?Failure comes up—not as something to avoid, but as something to learn from. And there's a big reminder here that time and attention are our most precious currencies. When we use them to build deeper connections and choose collaboration over competition, that’s where real momentum happens.This one’s a thoughtful, energizing listen for anyone navigating leadership, change, or just trying to show up better—for themselves and their teams.Episode Resources:Dr. Hilary Curry Learn more about Manager Essentials at ViRTUSViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your worst day was someone else’s dream come true?In this powerful episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins sits down with Spencer Lodge—a globally recognized sales leader, award-winning podcast host of Unscripted with Spencer Lodge, and founder of Make It Happen University—who shares the deeply personal journey that changed the way he defines success.From building multi-million dollar businesses to helping rescue children from human trafficking, Spencer opens up about the shift from chasing status to living with purpose. You’ll hear how a conversation with a 14-year-old survivor changed everything, and how a chance meeting with a humanitarian sparked a new mission that now includes producing a documentary on human trafficking for Amazon Prime.Spencer shares:How daily mirror conversations shape his mindsetThe power of rituals and perspective in staying groundedWhy stress is often an illusion—and what to do about itHow real leadership starts with kindness, not admirationThis episode is a call to action. One that invites you to redefine success, reconnect with your purpose, and lead a life that truly matters.Episode Resources:Spencer Lodge: Youtube / WebsiteThe Unscripted Podcast with Spencer LodgeLearn more about Manager Essentials at ViRTUSViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Ahna Boley, founding member of Double A Labs — a platform designed to turn passive attendees into active participants. With a decade of experience building companies at the intersection of immersive events and gamified technology, Ahna brings a unique lens to the attention economy.They dive into what it really takes to keep people engaged in a world full of distractions — from how our brains are being rewired by short-form content, to the power of intentional design in digital learning environments. Ahna shares how she blends creativity, tech, and human behavior to design experiences that don’t just capture attention — they build connection and belonging.If you're designing anything — meetings, trainings, virtual events — this one’s packed with insights on how to make it matter.Episode Resources:Ahna Boley: LinkedInLearn more about Manager Essentials at ViRTUSViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your strategic plan is actually holding you back?In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike sits down with leadership advisor and author Kevin Lawrence for a no-nonsense conversation about the often-misunderstood difference between improvement and growth. Kevin brings powerful insight from his decades of coaching CEOs, and he doesn’t shy away from the hard truths — especially the ones leaders need to hear. Kevin’s career spans over 25 years, across a dozen countries and four continents. He’s worked with hundreds of CEOs and executives, helping them to break through business challenges, grow their companies and find personal success along the way.He introduces the concept of spatial disorientation in leadership — a condition pilots experience when they lose track of direction — and draws compelling parallels to what happens when CEOs get too caught up in day-to-day operations and lose sight of what really matters.They dive into:Why writing a book is like building a company — painful, humbling, and ultimately transformativeHow strategic plans can become liabilities when they’re overly complex or not truly aligned with growthThe crucial difference between improvement and growth — and why chasing efficiency might be pulling you away from long-term successThe four forces of growth, and how great leaders learn to balance strategic vision with operational demandsWhy the messiness of growth isn’t something to fix — it’s something to embraceHow simplicity in strategy leads to better execution and a more focused teamWhy performance cultures outperform comfort cultures every timeAnd the mindset shift leaders need: focusing on opportunities, not just problemsWhether you're leading a startup or a seasoned organization, this episode will challenge you to rethink your approach to growth — and inspire you to lead from a place of clarity, not chaos.Episode Resources:Kevin Lawrence: WebsiteYour Oxygen Mask First: 17 Habits to Help High Achievers Survive & Thrive in Leadership & Life Learn more about Manager Essentials at ViRTUSViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI is changing everything. The question is—are you ready to lead the change?In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike sits down with futurist, bestselling author, and leadership expert Kian Gohar to unpack what it really takes to thrive in the age of AI.Kian brings bold insight from years of coaching leaders at Fortune 500s, startups, and global institutions. Together, he and Mike explore how the most successful teams are thinking differently about AI—treating it not like a tool, but like a creative partner. They dig into what it looks like to brainstorm with AI, why emotional intelligence still reigns in a tech-driven world, and how to lead with a people-first approach when navigating disruption.Kian is the founder of Geolab, an innovation and leadership firm, and a former executive director at the XPRIZE Foundation and Singularity University. He’s taken the stage at the World Economic Forum, SXSW, and the Tokyo Motor Show—and his thinking has shaped how some of the world’s top companies prepare for the future of work.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why most executives are underusing AI—and how to change that todayHow to unlock creativity and better results by treating AI like a team memberThe four essentials of radically adaptable teams: foresight, agility, resilience, and collaborationWhat makes empathy and emotional intelligence non-negotiables in high-performing organizationsHow to ensure your AI strategy is inclusive, accessible, and built for everyoneIf you're committed to building a future-ready organization—and a more human one—this conversation is for you.Episode Resources:Kian Gohar: Website / LinkedInGeolabLearn the Fundamentals of AILearn more about Manager Essentials at ViRTUSViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign UpGoMacroPeloton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the systems meant to streamline your business are actually holding it back? In this episode, Mike sits down with Michael Erath for a conversation that blends personal insight with hard-earned business wisdom. Michael’s journey through building and refining business operating systems has led him to a refreshingly human-centered approach—one that prioritizes people over process and embraces flexibility without losing structure.Together, they dive into the “Five Obsessions” that elite organizations live by: cultivating great people, staying inspired, optimizing systems, fostering a true performance culture, and strengthening financial health. Michael doesn’t just share theory—he opens up about the real challenges teams face, the tough calls leaders have to make, and why clear decision-making and financial literacy are non-negotiables for long-term success.From uncovering the hidden costs of over-relying on sales to rethinking how AI can support entrepreneurs (yes, Michael even has an AI version of himself!), this episode offers a grounded, practical look at how intentional systems and leadership can unlock real growth.It’s the kind of conversation that stays with you—layered with insight, real experience, and a few ideas you just might carry into your next big decision. What if the way you lead isn’t just about strategy, but about the systems and stories you choose to believe in?Episode Resources: Get your copy of Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations Work with Mike's AI Clone for insights and guidance Learn more about working with a Next Level Growth GuideNick Saban video on Five ChoicesElite Organizations AssessmentNext Level GrowthNext Level Growth YouTube ChannelLearn more about Manager Essentials at ViRTUSViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign UpOne WheelThinkific Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.