Greatness Podcast

It's so fun to find amazing women who share my passion for the construction industry. As I "co-locate" back to my home town of Kansas City after 40 years it's been fun to meet leaders there in the construction industry. Brandy McCombs, the first female Chair of The Builders, a chapter of AGC in Kansas City, joined the Greatness podcast to share her experiences as a leader in the construction industry. Brandy is an inspiration and I'm confident you'll appreciate her insights.

What are your superpowers? Rebecca Saunders joined the greatness podcast to discuss her work in creating a global network of women business owners to feel connected and supported. Rebecca's personal experience as someone with alopecia who spent years covering this up versus owning herself inspires her work. She is bald and beautiful! As she says, "Be you, don't overthink it"! Most of us bow to societal pressures to conform in some way. Living the authentic versions of ourselves, "unleashing ourselves into the world", that is the magic.

I have so much admiration for my good friend Bobbi Mahlab for starting not-for-profit Mentor Walks, a brilliant model that connects mentors and mentees once a month for an hour-long "walk and talk'' in many cities throughout the world. I have participated for years here in Australia and love it because the program is curated to match me as a mentor with 1-to-3 mentees that expressly want to discuss topics relevant to me. Bobbi is continuing to expand the program globally with the support of their generous corporate sponsors. 

Systems thinking and sustainability are big topics today, and Shaun Deverson, founder of Lighthouse Futures, brought his brilliant thinking on these topics to the Greatness Podcast. Nature-base solutions and "balance" - how are we continuing to evolve our thinking, as global leaders, to focus upon our stewardship of the planet? Leveraging ancient thinking, taking an anthropological approach, asking the right questions, having the humility as leaders to be more open minded, these are some of the topics we cover. Shaun shares concrete tips for leaders like the ancient concept of "agora".

"Any business plan created before 2020 is obsolete." This is the post by my friend Ted Souder, former Google Executive and Global Digital Transformation Expert, that prompted me to invite him onto the Greatness podcast to discuss the future of digital transformation. Ted recommends having a "digital mindset", thinking as a company about how to have a "modern approach to leadership" and a "test and learn mentality". First steps to developing a "digital mindset"? Ted shares many concrete ideas for Boards and leaders, ideas like creating a digital innovation lab and a digital investment plan.

Are you intimidated by ChatGPT? I am! So I invited Donna McGeorge, author of The ChatGPT Revolution, to the Greatness podcast to help me, and you, understand what Chat GPT can do for us. "Charlie", as Donna calls her ChatGPT, can do many wonderful things, like putting together a meal plan for the week including recipes and an ingredient list, or writing the first draft of a letter to get you started. Donna describes ChatGPT as "an eager intern with a hangover" and you have to check their work, and it is here to stay. There is a reason this book is on the bestseller list as it is a great starting point for understanding how AI can help us in practical ways.

Want to know what great questions to ask yourself and your Board/organization to help navigate the volatile, uncertain, and complex world we live in today? Dr. Richard David Hames, philosopher, activist, and strategic foresight practitioner, joined the Greatness Podcast to share his global insights on this. One great question - how can you reassure me that what we are doing and how we are doing it is systemically viable and strategically relevant today, tomorrow, and into the future? When I asked Richard what he hoped we all cared about, his answer - that we all be wrapped in love and compassion instead of fear. Richards' global insights as the advisor to many of the world's leaders is compelling.

Are you passionate about your work? Do you feel fulfilled in life? For many people I know the answer to this is "no" but they may not know what to do about it, feeling either trapped in a job or unaware of their passions. Christelle Pillot, Owner of Freedom Catcher Academy, joined the Greatness podcast to share her expertise in helping people find their purpose and overcome our natural fear of change. Key questions she asks - When do I really feel alive? Why was that so inspiring for me? Are you just surviving or are you thriving? "Dare to be yourself" and follow the path to happiness.

Howard Ross, author, activist, "builder of innovations in the field of diversity and inclusion", and expert on bias, joins the Greatness Podcast to discuss unconscious bias and inclusion.If you are a student of inclusion and unconscious bias, as am I, this is an important podcast for you. One key point - what would it look like if a construction company approached inclusion in the same way they approach safety? Howard grew up in a family that stressed "bad things happen in the world and it's everyone's responsibility to do something about it."  Howard is an inspiration and I'm confident you'll enjoy his advice.

Do you know how to make an effective point in a meeting or presentation? Have you ever sat in a meeting thinking "is this person ever going to get to the point?"? Joel Schwarzberg, leading public speaking coach, joined the Greatness Podcast to help us understand how to be effective in sharing the "so what" of our idea. The original HBR article I read by Joel grabbed my attention because it was about how to articulate your strengths, a critical skill for all of us and difficult for many. Do you have your personal elevator pitch? Are you projecting confidence? Joel provides great tips during this podcast including a simple one - speak louder!