Today's episode dives into a topic near and dear to my heart: having difficult conversations. If you've been following me for a while, you know that every conversation we avoid is a missed opportunity for leadership and growth. Tim Ferriss famously says, "Everything you want is on the other side of a difficult conversation," and today, we're exploring that idea in depth. Joining me are Gene and Amanda Hammett, who are experts in leadership development and executive team alignment. Together, they’ve authored “How to Have Tough Conversations: The Framework for Great Leaders to Say What Needs to Be Said When the Pressure is On.” Gene Hammett is a leading authority on executive team alignment and high-growth leadership, having generated over $40 million in revenue across his ventures. He's also the host of the Growth Think Tank podcast and has interviewed over 730 CEOs to uncover the core principles of fast growth. Amanda Hammett, co-founder and CEO of Core Elevation, is globally recognized in leadership development and next-generation talent retention. She advises top executives and founders on transforming organizations and has co-created the Leadership OnRamp program, which helps companies develop managers into leaders during periods of hyper-growth.  "There are a lot of books out there talking about how you need to have tough conversations, but the feedback we were getting for years was, 'We need that step-by-step.'" ~Amanda Hammett  Today on The Rising Leader: ·     Types of Tough Conversations: Everything from performance issues to personal hygiene can necessitate a tough conversation.·     Epidemic of Avoiding Conflict: Many leaders avoid difficult conversations, leading to costly consequences, both personally and financially.·     The Four Phases: Understand and clarify, name the pattern, be direct, and, if necessary, exit.·     Personality Considerations: Different personality types need different approaches for having tough conversations effectively.·     The Magic Question: "What is the missing conversation that you haven't had yet?" This question helps shift from victimhood to solution-oriented thinking.·     Emotional Regulation: Knowing how to manage your emotions is crucial for effective leadership and communication.·     Presence is Essential: Being fully present during tough conversations shows respect and helps build a genuine relationship.·     Learnable Skills: These conversation techniques are not innate; they can be learned and practiced. Resources Mentioned:    Website:    CoreElevation    Book:    How to Have Tough Conversations    Gene Hammett’s Podcast:    Growth Think Tank   Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

 As the leader of an organization, communication is almost your entire job: how you show up, what you say in a situation, how much you communicate, and when you communicate are crucial factors to keep in mind as a leader. The better you understand the art of communication, the better leader you’re going to be. But for many of us, when we think about communicating at the workplace, we mostly think about business communication—work agreements, products, who’s responsible for what, and key performance indicators. Non-business communication at the workplace can be more challenging, and it’s the kind that makes or breaks the relationships needed to be successful. In this episode, I discuss business and non-business conversations and relationship-building. I explain how non-business conversations create resentment when done poorly. I describe how the way we react to anything as adults is deeply rooted in our childhood. I also discuss why you need to trust your gut and share ideas on approaching someone when you feel like you have offended them—or have been offended by them. “Non-business communications are harder because they’re the ones that make or break relationships, and everything that we do is relationships.” - Mark J. Silverman This week on The Rising Leader Podcast: ●     Business communications at the workplace●     Why non-business communications are more difficult than business conversations●     Communicating at work and investing in the trust jar●     Trusting your relationship Spidey sense●     Reflecting on how you react to various situations Grab Your Advanced Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through the ranks of your company so fast that you wish you had a manual to becoming an effective leader? Then The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you.  In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself. The Rising Leader Handbook officially releases in October 2023, but you don’t have to wait! Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your advanced copy and get started on mastering the skills you need to become the leader your team needs you to be. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners, like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

Trevor Timbeck, a coach focused on love-based inspiration, and Steve Chandler, a corporate leadership trainer, dive into the power of systems in leadership. They discuss how the Enneagram can illuminate personal systems and behaviors, enabling leaders to move beyond self-judgment. The conversation highlights the importance of asking if current systems are working, the playful experimentation with new approaches, and the transformative shift from personal identity to effective systems. Tune in for insights that can reshape your leadership journey!

 We've all been there. The office is overwhelming, the to-do list is growing, and the distractions seem endless. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your productivity is to escape. Find a quiet place, put on your noise-canceling headphones, and dive into deep work. This episode is all about the power of focused work, how to create the perfect environment for productivity, and the surprising benefits of sometimes getting the hell out of the office. In today's episode, I discuss proven strategies with a CEO who has mastered the art of deep work and a CTO of a multi-billion-dollar company who’s learning to balance overwhelming responsibilities. We'll also delve into actionable advice on how to carve out that essential focus time, whether it’s through solitude or collaborative whiteboard sessions with a colleague to help you gain perspective and clarity. “Sometimes your job is to get the hell out of the office, put on the headphones, and get some work done.” - Mark Silverman This week on The Rising Leader: ·     The meteoric impact of deep work on a CEO’s business·     The importance of escaping the office for periods of focused work·     Mitigating the overwhelming demands on C-suite executives·     The benefits of taking time for planning and visioning·     The transformative power of collaborative whiteboard sessions·     How to get back on track after constant interruptions·     The necessity of taking focus time as part of your job·     The magic of noise-canceling headphones for productivity Resources Mentioned: Book: Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport  Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

In today's episode of The Rising Leader, I have the pleasure of sitting down with my good friend, Kurt Greening. We dive into Kurt's impressive journey from being a young, successful individual contributor to becoming a seasoned sales leader. Kurt shares his insights on the bumps and learning curves in leadership, the significance of building relationships, and the balanced approach he's developed towards work and life. Plus, we delve into his recent experience working with Afghan refugees and how it profoundly impacted his views on leadership and teamwork.Kurt Greening is the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Securis. With an MBA in marketing and over 20 years of experience, Kurt has significantly shaped sales teams and digital transformation initiatives at leading companies such as NetApp, Palo Alto Networks, and Agility. His mission at Securis is to enhance customer satisfaction, build the company's brand, and expand its client list. Apart from his remarkable career, Kurt is deeply committed to making a difference, as evident by his time working with Afghan refugees."A skill of a leader is trying to figure out if you have the right people on the bus, right? Or do you need to show them, hey, this bus over here could be better for you."  - Kurt GreeningThis week on The Rising Leader:·      Kurt’s early start in sales and the fear of being carded at happy hours.·      The importance of building relationships and caring for your customers.·      Transitioning from individual contributor to sales manager.·      The steep learning curve of managing a diverse team.·      The significant role of mentorship and self-education in leadership.·      Balancing work with personal life and finding deeper meaning beyond material success.·      Taking a break from corporate life to work with Afghan refugees.·      Returning to the workforce with a renewed perspective and emphasis on work-life balance.Resources Mentioned:·      Book: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins·      Book: Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry PattersonConnect with Kurt:·      LinkedIn:Kurt Greening's LinkedIn·      Blog:Kurt's Blog  Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

  You’ve probably felt the immense stress that comes with work and life in today’s incredibly complex world. We’re all searching for ways to effectively navigate this VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) landscape. In this episode, I delve into positive leadership with our guest Craig Dowden, to explore how we can shine as leaders and achieve exceptional results while positively impacting those around us. Craig Dowden is a highly respected executive coach with the Forbes Coaches Council, an award-winning speaker, and the “Do Good Lead Well” podcast host. He holds a Ph.D. in psychology with a specialization in business and is a certified positive psychology coach. Craig co-authored the book "A Time to Lead: Mastering Yourself So You Can Master the World" with Alan Malayle, former CEO of Ford Motor Company and Boeing, and Sarah MacArthur. His work focuses on evidence-based approaches to leadership and team excellence, making positive leadership a concept and a daily practice. “The only thing people see are your behaviors, and then they're going to make assumptions about what your values and beliefs are based on what they see.” - Craig Dowden This week on The Rising Leader: The differing schools of thought in leadership: operational excellence vs. positive leadership.Why positive leadership is increasingly vital in a VUCA world.Practical steps for mastering mindset and resilience to elevate leadership effectiveness.The challenging but essential skill of receiving feedback and turning criticism into growth.Craig’s personal story of being a coach who received tough feedback about listening and used it to improve.Understanding the concept of allostatic load and its impact on leadership.The genius of the 'and': integrating excellence with compassion and empathy.Authentic leadership is defined as aligning behaviors with values and beliefs for true impact. Resources Mentioned: Book: "Lead From The Heart" by Mark C. CrowleyBook: "Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition" by Kim ScottBook: "A Time to Lead: Mastering Yourself So You Can Master the World" with Alan Malayle  Contact Craig Dowden: Website Do Good Lead WellLinkedIn   Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

 In this episode, I dive into the importance of communication as the top skill you need to learn as you rise through an organization. Almost every conversation I have with my clients revolves around some form of communication—being more clear, direct, vulnerable, or authentic in your communications, or having to repeat certain messages to get the results, relationships, change, and connections you want.I recently spoke with Gene and Amanda Hammett about their book "Tough Conversations." Gene shared his magic question when coaching someone who's complaining about a situation and can't see their way through: "What conversation hasn't been had?" This question often leads to the realization that they need to give feedback, ask for something, or reiterate clarity through a conversation."If I have a resentment, if I feel a resentment in my body, or if my mind's ruminating on a resentment, what conversation haven't I had? It usually means I haven't set a boundary or haven't asked for what I want." ~ Mark Silverman"The number one thing when you're going to be having difficult conversations is, you need to be grounded and present to be present when you're having conversations, because all of these tough conversations, all of these things are relationship building."Today on The Rising Leader:·     Communication is crucial for getting the desired results, relationships, change, and connections.·     If you want something, ask for it. If you're confused, have a clarity conversation.·     Resentment often stems from not setting boundaries or asking for what you want.·     Communicate your vivid vision of what your organization will look like in three to five years to align your team.·     Being grounded and present is essential when having tough conversations, as they are relationship-building opportunities.·     Many resources are available to improve communication skills, including books, videos, and dialogues.·     Finding an author you like and watching their talks on YouTube can be a shortcut to learning new skills.·     Effective communication is the foundation of leadership and organizational success.Resources mentioned:"Tough Conversations" by Gene and Amanda Hammett "The Rising Leader Handbook" by Mark Silverman "Radical Candor" by Kim Scott "Vivid Vision" by Cameron Herold "How to Get Along with Almost Anyone" by Michael Bungay Stanier  Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

 In this episode, I'm excited to discuss leadership development and the importance of investing in your leaders. Joining me is Cameron Herold, an expert in entrepreneurship and leadership coaching. Cameron shares his insights on the key skills leaders need to develop, the significance of situational leadership, and the role of metrics in gauging business performance. We also explore the concept of the "second in command" and the various titles associated with this critical role.Cameron Herold is the founder of the COO Alliance and the "Invest in Your Leaders" course. He is known as the "CEO Whisperer" for his expertise in coaching and consulting with top business leaders. By age 35, Cameron had helped build his first $200 million company and has since guided clients to double their profits and revenue in three years or less. His dynamic approach and vast experience have earned him a reputation as a leading authority on entrepreneurship and leadership."If you want to scale the company, you've got to be growing people's skills, their confidence, and their connections." - Cameron HeroldThis week on The Rising Leader:·     The importance of predicting future skillsets and talent needs in a hyper-growth company·     The value of forward-thinking and building skills before they are needed·     The significance of employee net promoter score as a top metric in every company·     The role of regular surveys and tangible actions in understanding and addressing employee sentiment·     The impact of company culture and employee satisfaction on building a successful business·     The necessity of investing in leaders to retain talent and prevent them from leaving for other opportunities·     The core skills leaders should focus on include hiring, onboarding, development, and situational leadership·     The power of nurturing and developing employees rather than simply managing and holding them accountableResources Mentioned:- Invest in Your Leaders course - Cameron Herold's website - Cameron Herold's books on Amazon - Cameron Herold's YouTube channelConnect with Cameron Herold:- Website - LinkedIn - X Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

 In this episode, I'm joined by Navid Nazemian, an expert in executive transitions and author of "Mastering Executive Transitions, the Definitive Guide." We dive deep into the challenges executives face when transitioning into new roles and the strategies they can employ to ensure success. With a staggering 40% failure rate within the first 18 months, it's clear that executive transitions require careful planning and support.Navid Nazemian brings a wealth of experience to the conversation, having coached over 100 C-level clients worldwide. His expertise is grounded in research and his extensive coaching background, making him a sought-after authority on the subject. In addition to his book, Navid offers a 14-question quiz and a 31-page workbook on his website, providing practical tools for executives and their coaches to navigate transitions effectively."Working with a qualified transition coach can de-risk executive transitions by about 50% or more and accelerate the time it takes for an executive to start paying dividends on the investment made in them." - Navid NazemianToday on The Rising Leader:·     The cost of transition failures at the top level is estimated to be 20 to 30 times an executive's annual salary, with potential ripple effects and significant financial impact on organizations.·     External appointments into executive roles are slightly riskier than internal appointments. Studies show that external appointments are 43-47% likely to fail, compared to 34-37% for internal appointments.·     Organizations often provide support to externally appointed executives but may fail to do the same for internally appointed executives, despite the unique challenges they may face.·     The topic of successfully transitioning out of an executive role, particularly in the last 90 days, is highly unexplored, which is why Navid dedicated an entire chapter to it in his book.·     It's valuable to be mindful and structured about the first twelve to eighteen months in a role, as the successor can benefit from these conversations.·     The "double diamond executive transition framework" applies not only to CEO transitions but also to departmental leadership transitions, and is based on real-life experiences.·     Leadership and people skills are critical for high achievers transitioning into major roles, as they may struggle to understand the impact on people's egos and security.·     Tony Schwartz's concept of managing energy, not time, is discussed as a key strategy for leaders. Resources Mentioned:·     Navid Nazemian's book: "Mastering Executive Transitions, the Definitive Guide"Connect with Navid Nazemian:·     LinkedIn Website  Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

 Think about this: before you turn 40, your body tends to take care of you. After 40, things change—you need to start taking care of your body. That's the essence of this episode of The Rising Leader, where I, Mark Silverman, dive deep into what I like to call "The Ghost of Christmas Future." I explore the implications of not just managing your physical well-being, but also paying attention to your personal relationships, mental health, and career in a way that sets you up for a balanced and fulfilling life.“Amazing leaders who have accomplished so much have a common denominator: they take care of all aspects of their lives, not just their careers.” - Mark SilvermanToday on The Rising Leader:·     The importance of deliberate self-care as you age·     Prioritizing and nurturing your relationships·     Balancing career ambition with personal satisfaction·     The role of spirituality in holistic well-being·     Building a solid support system to weather life's ups and downs·     Why chasing endless career goals can be unfulfilling·     The significance of making time for family and friends·     Being intentional about who you are at your coreResources Mentioned:- Book: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer- Book: Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer  Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.