Welcome to this very special edition of The Paint and Pipette Podcast, as we bring you a live coaching session hosted by the remarkable Liz Tran! Liz is a former venture capitalist and team-builder turned spiritual guru and startup coach. Her newest book, The Karma of Success: Spiritual Strategies to Free Your Inner Genius, is all about how to connect with your innate intuition. In this episode, you’ll find out how Liz coped with changing the entire concept of her book just six weeks before it was published, the magic of the three S’s, and everything we can learn from Einstein’s process of generating new ideas. Then, we introduce the subject of Liz’s coaching session, Aisha Dozie, the Founder and CEO of Bossy Cosmetics, a beauty brand geared toward igniting confidence in ambitious working women through high-quality, beautifully packaged, cruelty-free cosmetics and topical content. Liz begins the session by asking Aisha a series of rapid-fire questions that help us understand Aisha’s professional background, what motivates her day-to-day, the differences between zones of genius and zones of excellence, and what Aisha can do to amplify her zone of genius on a daily basis. We end with a discussion about when you should and shouldn’t outsource your zone of excellence and why leaps of faith are all about being comfortable with discomfort. Tune in for all this and more!Key Points From This Episode:Liz’s account of changing her book’s entire concept just six weeks before publication.Her experience of writing about deeply personal matters with vulnerability and transparency. How to assess if you’re connected to your intuition: do you trust yourself?The three S’s of spaciousness: silence, solitude, and stillness. What we can learn from the way Einstein brought subconscious ideas to fruition. Introducing the Founder and CEO of Bossy Cosmetics, Aisha Dozie. Now for something different: Liz displays her craft in a live coaching session with Aisha!A series of quick-fire questions to establish Aisha’s base. Aisha’s professional background and what motivates her in her line of work. How her role and the relationship with her clients have changed since she started Bossy.  The way she spends her time in any given work week. Leaps of faith and being comfortable with discomfort.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Liz TranLiz Tran on LinkedInLiz Tran on InstagramReset the PodcastThe Karma of Success Aishetu Fatima Dozie Aishetu Fatima Dozie on LinkedInAishetu Fatima Dozie on XAishetu Fatima Dozie on InstagramLacômbe GivenchyJeremy UtleyJeremy Utley EmailJeremy Utley on XJeremy Utley on LinkedIn

In this episode, we sit down with Lezlie and Jake Karls, the visionary minds behind Mid-Day Squares, to discuss their entrepreneurial journey and unconventional approach to entrepreneurship. Mid-Day Squares is a family-run business aiming to establish itself as a prominent player in the chocolate industry. Its focus is on producing chocolate products while also emphasizing an open, unfiltered approach to entrepreneurship and business growth. In our conversation, they share their journey and strategies of the founders of Mid-Day Squares, discussing the importance of authenticity, relationship-building, and the fusion of personal storytelling with business branding to create a loyal customer base. We unpack their unique perspectives on entrepreneurship, their unconventional approaches to business and life, and the impactful role of therapy in fostering robust business strategies and their personal growth. They share the reason for declining a significant acquisition offer and how this steered them toward self-reliance and industry expansion. Gain valuable insights into reframing societal stigmas, the quirks and routines that keep them motivated, the benefits of an open mind, and much more! Tune in and learn the secrets to entrepreneurial success with Lezlie and Jake Karls!Key Points From This Episode:Introduction to our guests and a brief background about Mid-Day Squares.Fostering personal relationships as the foundation for business and networking.Learn about the evolution of the company and its unique team dynamics.Hear the motivation for their marketing and branding approach via social media.The value of storytelling and authenticity in content creation.Creating relatable content while balancing viral content with genuine stories.Understanding the difference between viral content and building a community.Learn why continuous and genuine content creation is so vital.Strategies to create strong, loyal fans who become brand ambassadors.Lezlie shares why they decided to turn down a big acquisition offer.Reframing situations and leveraging creativity as a strength to address problems.Unconventional habitats and routines that enhance their productivity.Discover the role of therapy in their partnership and personal growth.Eliminating social stigmas and final takeaways for listeners.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Lezlie Karls on LinkedInLezlie Karls on InstagramJake Karls on LinkedInJake Karls on InstagramJake Karls on XNick Saltarelli on LinkedInMid-Day SquaresHit MakersHuberman LabJeremy UtleyJeremy Utley EmailJeremy Utley on XJeremy Utley on LinkedIn

Understanding and adapting to unwritten rules and organizational culture is a continual process. It's essential to strike a balance between fitting into the existing culture and bringing in new perspectives to drive positive change. In today’s episode, we sit down with Liz Wiseman, a management expert and CEO of The Wiseman Group, to discuss the challenges of controlling idea flow and the problems it might cause in leadership roles. Liz is a renowned researcher and best-selling author who empowers global organizations with her groundbreaking insights on leadership development. In our conversation, we cover a range of topics, from leadership challenges to the use of AI in idea generation, and the importance of recognizing, owning, and addressing critical, unassigned issues within an organization. We unpack understanding organizational culture, identifying impact players, the role of context in performance, and maintaining an impact player mindset within different work environments. She also shares insights into the challenges faced by idea-rich individuals in leadership positions, the importance of leaders asking questions to enable problem-solving by the team, the concept of "hot spots" within an organization, and much more! Join us as we unlock the secrets to thriving within the complex tapestry of organizational culture and harness the power of the unwritten rules with legendary management guru, Liz Wiseman!Key Points From This Episode:Controlling the overflow of ideas she generates and its impact on her role as a leader.Her approach to channeling ideas effectively.The power of shifting from offering answers to asking questions as a leader.Examples of using questions to draw out creativity from a team.Clarifying the difference between hard opinions and soft opinions.Developing multiple solutions rather than settling for the first idea.Learn about AI’s impact on idea generation and the quality of solutions.Steps for identifying the job that needs to be done and “hotspot” areas.Why you should take ownership of unresolved or unassigned problems.Making important issues for your team a personal priority.How to learn about the unwritten rules as a new or remote worker.Why understanding a company’s culture is so crucial. The power individuals possess in shaping their work and environment.Tips for identifying impact players when hiring.Essential takeaways that Liz has for listeners.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Liz Wiseman GroupLiz Wiseman on LinkedInLiz Wiseman on X Liz Wiseman on InstagramLiz Wiseman on FacebookS3E7: Judging The Experiment Not The Outcome with Dr. Astro TellerExcellent Advice for LivingJeremy UtleyJeremy Utley EmailJeremy Utley on XJeremy Utley on LinkedIn

High performers experience near-constant pressure to improve. Marcus Whitney — venture capitalist, pro sports owner, keynote speaker, athlete, author, among other hats — shares how he plans to reach to his ‘next level.’ This is a deeply personal, wide-ranging conversation with a true virtuoso of creative craft. From exercise to creative dry spells to scaling ventures to a beginner’s mindset to the benefits of therapy, we cover a lot of ground. Key Points From This Episode:Introducing today’s guest, Marcus Whitney. How exercise helps calm down Marcus’ busy life and exhausting your body versus a workout. Why Marcus has seen this year as his least creative year. What the ‘next level’ of his life and career mean to Marcus and how he plans to get there. The importance of allowing yourself to be a beginner in order to achieve success eventually. Adopting the mindset of scaling as a creative act.Marcus tells us about his cathartic experience in therapy. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Marcus WhitneyMarcus Whitney on LinkedInMarcus Whitney on XMarcus Whitney on InstagramMarcus Whitney on YouTubeCreate and OrchestrateJeremy UtleyJeremy Utley EmailJeremy Utley on XJeremy Utley on LinkedIn

Steve Jobs is one of the most influential people of the century, maybe even ever! But his ideas, values, and approach to life have often been skewed and mutilated by the media. Today, we wish to bring you the truth about Steve from a man who knew him better than most, Ron Johnson. Ron worked with Steve as Apple’s Senior Vice President of Retail Operations, and in this episode, he explains how the tech juggernaut enticed him into a job when he was already flourishing at Target and before Apple had gained its notoriety. We hear all the details of Ron’s first conversation with Steve, how he had to adjust to a new role and industry, how Steve was never tyrannical by nature, and how Steve inspired Ron and everyone else around him to raise their standards to the highest level. Ron also explains Steve’s flexibility in hearing and working on new ideas, the character traits Steve held most dear, how his philosophies are being misunderstood and misused in the modern corporate environment, and everything that his famous Stanford speech reveals about his character. Finally, after sharing the intimacy of his final moments with Steve, Ron reveals that there is no doubt that he was loved by the benevolent co-founder of Apple. Tune in for all this and more on the Paint and Pipette Podcast!Key Points From This Episode:Today’s co-host: two-time New York Times best-selling author, Greg McKeown. Introducing renowned businessman and infamous Apple alumni, Ron Johnson.How Apple enticed Ron to join the team before it became the juggernaut it is today. More details on Ron’s first-ever conversation with Steve Jobs. The way he adjusted to his new role at Apple and being in a new industry.   How Steve Jobs was not the tyrannical leader the media painted him to be. Understanding how working with Steve inspired Ron to raise his standards.How bad ideas become great ideas (and vice versa). Kindness, authenticity, and other traits that Steve Jobs valued. The clarity not present in most modern corporate cultures that Steve offered Ron.Adjustments Ron made to communicate better with Steve. Insights on Steve’s character from his carefully crafted and now infamous speech at Stanford.  The last time Ron Johnson saw Steve Jobs. Why Ron felt absolutely loved by Steve. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ron Johnson on LinkedInAppleAsurion Target Steve Jobs Becoming Steve Jobs Tim Cook on XGreg McKeown  Jeremy UtleyJeremy Utley EmailJeremy Utley on XJeremy Utley on LinkedIn

One of the most important aspects of leadership is having a vision for what you want to achieve. It’s the vision for a project that will guide your team and inspire them to perform at the top of their game. But how does that change when you need to lead innovation? And how do you navigate the unknowns inherent to pursuing true innovation? Joining us today to unpack this topic and explore key questions of innovation and leadership is Professor Linda Hill from Harvard Business. Professor Hill is the co-founder of Paradox Strategies, the co-author of the acclaimed book Collective Genius: The Art and Practice of Leading Innovation, and is regarded as one of the top experts on leadership. Tuning in you’ll hear her break down the paradoxes that lie at the heart of leading innovation and why building a sense of community can be such a powerful catalyst for fostering innovation. She explains how leading innovation requires embracing the unknown while being intimately familiar with the ‘why’ of your project, before describing how collaboration, experimentation, and the ability to learn are essential for building a sense of community. Professor Hill also sheds light on her personal practices as a researcher and practitioner of innovation, her process for selecting her co-authors, and why she places such a high value on having a novice perspective. For a deep dive into the intricacies of leadership, innovation, building a sense of community, and so much more, be sure to tune in to this fascinating conversation with Professor Linda Hill!Key Points From This Episode:Insight into Professor Hill’s research on innovation for her book Collective Genius.Why leading innovation means not having a vision, but having a ‘why’.The emotional and intellectual challenges that accompany innovation.Creating a sense of community to help face the unknown of innovation.The details of a key Google project and what it teaches us about leading innovation.An overview of the paradoxes you have to manage as a leader of innovation.The distinction between planning forward and acting forward.How to organize for action and innovation.Insight into some of the dangers that expertise can pose to innovation.Lessons from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's unique culture of communication.How their company culture helped them prepare for, and navigate, the COVID-19 pandemic.Professor Hill’s personal practices as a researcher and practitioner of innovation.The founding of Paradox Strategies and how Professor Hill is pushing herself to be a novice.Generative AI, having a growth mindset, and the value of different perspectives.Some insight into Professor Hill’s research for her upcoming book Scaling Genius.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Linda Hill on LinkedInParadox StrategiesLinda Hill on XCleveland Clinic Abu DhabiLockheed MartinSkunk Works®Sanjay Poonen on LinkedInCohesityAvatarinJeremy UtleyJeremy Utley EmailJeremy Utley on XJeremy Utley on LinkedIn

Dr. Astro Teller, co-founder and captain at X, Alphabet's renowned moonshot factory, shares insights on fostering creativity and innovation. He discusses the power of intellectual honesty, unlearning limiting beliefs, and judging experiments rather than outcomes. Dr. Teller also talks about creating internal urgency, predictions for generative AI, and the value of maintaining a beginner's mindset. Join us on this fascinating exploration of innovation with a true visionary!

Seth Godin, blogger, entrepreneur, and author, discusses productivity, innovation, and leadership. Topics include prioritizing quantity over quality, testing ideas, problem-solving leadership, bug lists and collaborative manuscripts, and the importance of wonder in fostering creativity.

In this episode, we dive deep into the remarkable life and career of Jason Mayden, a true high-performer who has blazed his own trail in the worlds of tech, design, and corporate America. Join us as we explore the pivotal moments and inspiring insights that have shaped his extraordinary journey. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Trillicon Valley, an acclaimed design and strategy consultancy, he specializes in pioneering new ventures and orchestrating intricate negotiations involving athletes, entertainers, and global creatives through multi-stakeholder partnerships. As we delve deeper into Jason's narrative, we'll explore the mental hurdles and stereotypes he's faced, shedding light on the complex corporate dynamics in America and how they can affect an individual's self-worth. Learn about pivotal moments, including a life-changing connection with his high school art teacher and his intern experience at Nike. Discover how Jason's family and his determination helped him overcome overwhelming challenges and stereotypes. He also shares insights into the importance of self-worth, authenticity, and transcending job titles for fulfillment. Join us for this enlightening episode as we celebrate the life and career of Jason Mayden, a high-performer who not only navigated career transitions with grace but also redefined success on his own terms. Tune in now!Key Points From This Episode:Background about Jason and his current career transition decision.His childhood inspiration and overcoming health challenges.Jason shares an impactful moment with his high school art teacher.A profound conversation that changed the course of his life.Discover how he ended up working as an intern at Nike.Championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech and design industriesHe shares the moment when he met his childhood hero Michael Jordon.What Jason values the most in his life: his family.Overcoming mental hurdles and stereotypes.Corporate dynamics in America and how it plays into an individual’s self-worth.Standing up against the pressure to conform in corporate America.Shifting from employment to deployment.Recognizing that self-worth isn't tied to job titles or external markers of success.The value of accepting and embracing oneself.Discover the role of high expectations and faith in reaching your potential.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Jason Mayden on LinkedInTRILLICON VALLEY®NikeThe Song of SignificanceThe Speed of Grace Jeremy Utley 

Today’s parental landscape is filled with more challenges than ever before. Among the plethora of concerns that parents have to deal with on an everyday basis, one never would’ve expected toxic achievement to be one of them. Who even knew that achievement could be toxic?!  But too much of anything is never good, and placing too much attention on your child’s educational success could be irreversibly damaging to their self-esteem. To help us make better sense of this topic, we are joined today by the award-winning journalist and author of Never Enough, Jennifer Wallace. Jennie explains why the topic of parenting and toxic achievement sits close to her heart, the damaging differences between what parents value and what their children think they value, cognitive biases that many parents are burdened with, and the four questions that every parent should ask themselves to get to the bottom of what they actually prioritize about their kids. We also discuss the circus act that is the college admissions process, why fit is always better than rankings, the ins and outs of mattering, and rapid-fire topics as taken from the truly educational Never Enough. Heart and home are at the center of today’s episode, and we’re thrilled to be sharing it with you – our family of loyal listeners!  Key Points From This Episode:A warm welcome to the award-winning journalist and author, Jennifer Wallace. Why Jennie decided to deeply examine the topic of parenting and toxic achievement.  Assessing which children are at risk because of toxic achievement, and why. Detrimental differences between what parents value and what their kids think they value. The four questions that parents should ask themselves to discover what they truly prioritize.  Scarcity and status: the cognitive biases that plague parents. The volatile cocktail that is the college admissions process. Fit over rankings: life fulfillment versus high-performing academic institutions. How to assess the right fit as you prepare your kids for higher education. The ins and outs of mattering: for kids, parents, at work, and in life.  Our guest’s advice for how leaders can foster mattering in the workplace.  Get curious not furious, the puppy dog principle, NOFAs, materialism, and mental health. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Jennifer Wallace Jennifer Wallace on LinkedInJennifer Wallace on XJennifer Wallace on InstagramJennifer Wallace on Facebook Never Enough Dr. Suniya Luthar Making Caring Common Dr. Tina Payne Bryson Challenge Success Dr. Lisa Damour Mayo Clinic Resy The Song of SignificanceJeremy Utley