The Happiness Squad Podcast with Ashish Kothari

Ever feel like there's a voice in your head doubting every decision you make as a leader? That's your inner critic, and it's holding you back. This voice can be a real pain, always second-guessing you and shaking your confidence. It can spill over into how you lead your team, affecting everyone's vibe and performance. So how do you face this self-doubt head on?In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish and Jennifer McCollum, CEO of Linkage, discuss how to recognize your self-doubt, understand why it's there, and start turning that inner critic into constructive thoughts. As the CEO, Jennifer oversees the strategic direction and global operations of Linkage, a renowned leadership development firm. With the mission to change the face of leadership, Linkage has dedicated over 30 years to improving leadership effectiveness and equity in hundreds of organizations globally. Jennifer has recently released her own book, "In Her Own Voice: A Woman's Rise to CEO, Overcoming Hurdles to Change the Face of Leadership."Here are some of the highlights in this episode:The impact of relationships and personal fulfillment on happinessThe Role of the Inner Critic in Personal and Professional GrowthBalancing Masculine and Feminine Energies in LeadershipThe concept of the “Become”CommitmentAdvancing Women and Inclusion in the WorkplaceReady to kick that self-doubt to the curb and boost your leadership game? Tune in now and start leading with confidence! 🎧Resources:Company Website: https://www.shrm.org/enterprise-solutions Linkage Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linkage-inc-/Disrupt Yourself Podcast with Whitney JohnsonBooks:In Her Own Voice: A Woman's Rise to CEO: Overcoming Hurdles to Change the Face of Leadership by Jennifer McCollumThe Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben HorowitzWhat Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful

How does a company remain resilient and successful during challenging times? How can leaders steer their companies to thrive, not just survive, during times of uncertainty and change? Complex strategies or advanced technologies can help, but there’s something more impactful that can lead any company to long-term gains. According to Chris Wright, Founder, CEO and Chair of Liberty Energy, it's about prioritizing your people.Chris Wright is a tech nerd turned entrepreneur. With a deep-rooted passion for energy in all its forms, he has journeyed through various sectors, from fusion, solar, and geothermal, to his current focus on oil and gas and next-generation geothermal. His guiding principle is clear: the source of energy matters less than its ability to be secure, reliable, affordable, and, most importantly, its capacity to better human lives. Chris’ commitment is not just to energy itself, but to unlocking its potential to enrich communities worldwide.In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Chris, shares with us the power of a people-first culture and how to lead one. Join us as we uncover how Chris’ passion for energy and commitment to improving lives translates into a leadership style that puts people at the forefront.Episode highlights:The power of meaningful relationshipsHow vulnerability creates connectionsThe importance of a People-first Business StrategyHow to Lead a People-first cultureReady to learn from a master? Tune in to hear Chris Wright talk about building a thriving people-first culture. Listen to the episode here! Resources:Liberty Energy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LibertyFracLiberty Energy on linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/libertyenergy/ Bettering Human Lives Report - https://www.libertyenergy.com/betteringhumanlivesv2/ Books:Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish KothariGrow the Pie by Alex Edmans

True confidence is really about believing in what you're good at and feeling sure about yourself. It's not about trying to be perfect or fearless. Instead, it's about knowing your own strengths and what makes you special, and facing challenges bravely by making the most of your talents. Did you know that being confident is something you can work on? If you're ready to grow your confidence language and embrace your superpowers, get ready for our next guest. Meet Lisa Sun. She grew up in California as the daughter of Taiwanese immigrant parents. She was an overachiever at a young age, graduating from high school two years early and funding her entire Yale education with six part-time jobs, scholarships, and financial aid. After 11 years at McKinsey & Co., she took a solo trip around the world and started her own clothing line, Gravitas. She promotes body positivity and self-confidence and recently released her book, Gravitas.In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish and Anil, together with Lisa Sun, CEO & Founder of Gravitas, explores how to grow your self-confidence and use it as your superpower.Things you will also learn from this episode:6 Forces that Sabotage Your Self-Confidence8 Superpowers that can Unleash Your Self-ConfidenceUnderstanding Your Confidence Language2 Mindsets that Influence Your Self-DoubtConfidence is your superpower – ready to unleash it? Listen to our episode now and take the first step towards empowering yourself.Resources:Gravitas New York Company WebsiteConfidence Language Quiz: https://gravitasnewyork.com/pages/my-confidence-language-quiz Author Talks: Lisa Sun explains Why Confidence is Your SuperpowerWhat to Say Instead of “I’m Sorry” article by Lisa SunBooks:Gravitas: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence"The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong KingstonLisa Sun’s favorites: Jane Austen Books

Have you ever stopped to think about how much of your life is spent at work? It's a staggering amount, and yet, so often, we treat our work life as something to endure rather than enjoy. Integrating wellbeing at work isn't just a fancy concept; it's a necessity for a fulfilling life.In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Dr. Steven MacGregor, International Speaker & Chief Wellbeing Officer, shares tips and tricks to unlock your wellbeing and performance at work.Dr. Steven MacGregor is a teacher who has taught over 30,000 executives face-to-face, and a further 250,000 online through his Sustaining Executive Performance program. He also taught at IMD in Lausanne and CIBS in Shanghai. His varied clients include McKinsey & Company, Salesforce, and Uber. This global exposure has given him a keen sense of cultural awareness and a deep understanding of how to inspire and change behavior.He's currently an adjunct professor at Madrid's IE business school and is a prolific author who, over the past 11 years, has either authored or co-authored a total of six books. These include Sustaining Executive Performance, Chief Wellbeing Officer, and The Daily Reset.In our conversation, we explore further the importance of work-life integration.Things you will learn from this episode:The importance of work-life integrationThe Value of Adaptability and Learning from FailureBuilding Resilience and a Growth MindsetThe Role of Community and Meaningful Connections in enhancing well-being at workUnderstanding Sustainable Leadership Ready to turn your workday around? Tune into our latest podcast episode on wellbeing at work and discover the secrets to a happier, more productive work life! Listen now 🎧Resources:Keynote speech: Beyond the Hateful 8, by Dr. Steven P. MacGregorFavorite song: Tinseltown in the Rain by The Blue NileBooks:Sustaining Executive Performance: How the New Self-Management Drives Innovation, Leadership, and a More Resilient WorldChief Wellbeing Officer: Building better lives for business successThe Daily Reset: 366 Nudges to Move Your Life Forward (Chief Wellbeing Officer)A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Are you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unproductive all at once? Chances are, you’re experiencing burnout. It’s quite a prevalent challenge in both our personal and professional realms. However, there are transformative strategies that can help you reclaim your happiness.In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Anil Ramjiani and Ashish Kothari welcome Dr. Neha Sangwan, a mechanical and biomedical engineer, as well as an internal medicine physician. After a decade of caring for hospitalized patients, she realized she could be of service to people long before they show up in the emergency room. In 2008, she left her partnership and founded her own company, Intuitive Intelligence.As an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and executive coach, Neha combines the art of communication with the science of medicine to transform workplace cultures. She combines the science of medicine with the art of communication to bridge health, happiness, and performance. She's a three-time TEDx speaker and the author of "Talk Rx" and "Powered by Me," her most recent book.In the conversation, Ashish, Anil, and Dr. Neha tackles the pervasive issue of burnout, dissecting its three core elements: exhaustion, cynicism, and ineffectiveness. Things you will also learn in the episode:The Concept of Me, We, WorldThe Triad of Burnout3 Phases that Lead to BurnoutHow to Cope with BurnoutThe importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in fighting burnoutThis is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand and overcome the challenges of modern-day stress.Tune in now and reclaim your inner happiness and well-being!Resources:/Website: intuitiveintelligenceinc.com Books:/Powered by Me: From Burned Out to Fully Charged at Work and in Life

Success in today’s fast-paced world is often measured by material wealth and personal achievements. But what if the richest person isn't the one with the most achievements, but the one who's happiest? Happytalism challenges the capitalist narrative by placing joy and well-being at the center of success.Welcome back to the HAPPINESS SQUAD podcast! In this episode, Ashish and Anil explore innovative ways to unlock inner happiness through Happytalism with Luis Gallardo, the visionary Founder and President of the World Happiness Foundation and World Happiness Festival.Luis Gallardo is the author of ‘Happytalism’. He's also authored the exponentials of happiness. Over the years, Luis has been an advisor to CEOs, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, Nobel laureates, and political institutional game changers on strategic personal positioning and brand building.Luis's remarkable journey began at the age of 25 in war-torn regions, leading him to establish a foundation and festival with the ambitious mission of reaching 10 billion happy people by 2050.Here are some highlights from the episode:The Concept of Happytalism and its 3 Key PillarsThe 3 levels of ConsciousnessThe Difference between Contemplation and ThinkingSo the question now is: By 2050, can we transform our beliefs to create a world where joy is at its core? Let's redefine success where happiness and well-being are as valued as profits and power. Tune in now and dive into the world of Happytalism.Resources:Important dates: March 20, International Day of HappinessMarch 8 to 10, Gross Global Happiness at the University for PeaceMarch 15 to 17, World Happiness Fest in SpainMarch 22, World Happiness Fest in MiamiMay to June, more festivals in Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, and 100 cities around the worldWorld Happiness Foundation: https://www.facebook.com/worldhappinessf World Happiness Fest: https://www.facebook.com/watch/WorldHappinessFest/Books:Hardwired for Happiness Happytalismo by Luis GallardoWhy Happytalism matters for the continued existence of the human race The Exponentials of Happiness: Reaching Exponential Happiness, for ALL.

We often think of leadership as leading others. Yet, there's another style of leadership that begins with a deep dive into our own selves. This is what conscious self-leadership is all about: knowing yourself deeper to better understand how to positively influence others. So how do we lead authentically and positively impact others?In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD podcast, Ashish and Anil dive deep into the concept of conscious self-leadership with Executive Coach Indira Kennedy. Indira is a pioneer of conscious leadership and multi-award winner for her commitment to inspiring and informing the next wave of more awakened and empowered leadership. Since 2003, Indira has been actively inspiring people globally with her passion and practical knowledge of ways to elevate our own consciousness and how to apply these principles for more awakened empowerment of people and purpose in the workplace. During this conversation, Ashish and Anil delve into the journey that led Indira on her mission to unlock the five realities of conscious self-leadership, which are: remembrance, radiance, resonance, resolution, and ritual. Get ready to understand their significance in personal growth, leadership, and flourishing. Things you will learn from the episode:The Five Realities of Conscious Self-LeadershipUnderstanding Our Innate Nature of Love as IndividualsRediscovering Our Ability to Love and ForgiveHow to Practice Forgiveness for Ourselves and OthersTune in now and explore how you can make a real difference through conscious self-leadership!Resources:Website: consciousleader.com.au Website: gorgeousallover.com “Happy” by Pharrell Williams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZSe6N_BXs Books:Gorgeous All Over: A Daily Guide for Women with Spirit by Indira KennedyLove in action: The 5 Realities of a Highly Conscious Leader by Indira KennedyPower vs. Force by Dr. David R. Hawkins

Complex challenges often come without a playbook. In a world that's rapidly evolving and increasingly becoming more complex, an agile mindset empowers us to adapt quickly, think on our feet, and embrace change as an opportunity rather than a setback.In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD podcast, Ashish, Anil, and Johanne Lavoie, Partner at McKinsey & Company and leadership expert, explore the importance of an agile mindset in the face of complexities.Johanne is also the Dean of McKinsey & Company’s signature multi-client program, leading with inner agility, which helps senior executives lead with greater purpose and impact in times of increasing complexity. As an author and frequent lecturer, Johanne actively engages in broader conversations at the nexus of leadership, mindfulness, and business. Joe has played a key role in the transformation of so many lives, including that of Ashish's, and in this episode, we’ll discover powerful practices and habits that can  help us live healthier, meaningful, and fuller lives. We’ll also dive deeper into how inner work for leaders is pivotal in fostering a human-centric approach to leadership.Things you will also learn from this episode:The Role of Inner Work in LeadershipThe False Polarity of WorthinessThe Adaptability ParadoxHow to Build Trust and Human-centric LeadershipThe Power of Mindful Practices for Personal GrowthResources:Johanne Lavoie at McKinsey & Co.https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/johanne-lavoie Future proof: Solving the ‘adaptability paradox’ for the long termLeading With Inner AgilityBooks:Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

Dealing with grief isn't easy. It challenges us in ways we never imagined. But sometimes, it's in these challenging moments that we often find our true strength and purpose. It's okay to feel the pain, because behind them are the lessons and meaning that can guide us to our stronger and more resilient self. During this heartfelt and inspiring HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast episode, Ashish and Anil are joined by Nick Shaw, Co-founder of Mirrorbox Leadership Lab and author of "My Teacher, My Son." Nick is an accomplished executive coach and speaker, and in the conversation, he shares his journey of personal transformation after a tragic loss and discusses his mission to guide others in living intentional, meaningful lives through his insights on leadership and resilience.Things you will also learn from this episode:Finding Meaning from GriefGrowing Through Resilience and AcceptanceThe Healing Power of Community SupportThe Importance of Intentional LivingTune into this episode with Nick as he takes us on a journey to self-rediscovery, finding meaning in life’s toughest battles, and turning grief into inner growth.Every loss carries a lesson that leads to inner growth. Let's navigate it together.Resources:Nick Shaw’s website: https://www.meetnickshaw.com/ Nick’s favorite song: Ho Hey by The LumineersBooks:My Teacher, My Son: Lessons on Life, Loss, and Love by Nick ShawThe Prophet by Khalil Gibran

Change can be daunting, especially in our organizations, but it's also an open door to endless possibilities. As the lines between our professional and personal lives blur in this fast-paced world, the need for change agents becomes more evident than ever.In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish and Anil explore how embracing the role of a change agent is not just about personal growth but about redefining the very essence of organizational success with Dr. Britta Bibel, Founder of Ensomatic Alliances.Dr. Brita Bibel is a relentless human change maker, a certified high-performance coach, a lifelong dancer, and a mentor who's on a mission to make transformation truly possible and accepted as a productive and sustained way of being radically human.With over 25 years of experience as a transformational leader and executive coach, she has held key positions as Global Head of Culture, Transformation, Head of Sustainability, Global Head of Compliance and Ethics, as well as Business Excellence in multinational companies like GE and Oerlikon, as well as in Management Consulting. She facilitates large scale organizational transformations as well, helping individual leaders grow to their full potential.The conversation dives deeper into the impactful ways Britta’s work fosters change and flourishing in both companies and individuals. They discuss the criticality of flourishing in today's world, and how embracing it now can give you a competitive edge or leave you struggling to catch up.Things you will also learn in this episode:Starting Change by Nurturing YourselfInvesting in Individual Well-being and Organizational FlourishingThe Role of Change Agents in OrganizationsYou wouldn’t want to miss this transformational episode! Tune in now and learn how you can be the change you want to see!Resources:Britta’s website: http://www.brittabibel.com/ Britta’s favorite song to dance to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz_UPn0CRVU Happiness Squad: www.happinesssquad.comREWIRE Program: www.happinesssquad.com/rewire-programBooks:'Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All of Us.' by Jon AlexanderBelonging: Remembering Ourselves Home by Toko-pa TurnerThe Charge: Activating the 10 Human Drives That Make You Feel Alive by Brendon BurchardHardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari