What's Next! with Tiffani Bova

Ashley Herd, former Chief People Officer and General Counsel who founded Manager Method and wrote The Manager Method. She talks about why many promoted managers were never trained. Short, practical frameworks for pausing, considering team needs, and acting. Why clarity beats vague autonomy and how AI exposes broken performance processes.

Roger Martin, a renowned strategy theorist and author of 'Playing to Win,' shares his insights on redefining strategy. He argues that true strategy is an integrated set of choices that drive customer behavior, emphasizing that many companies confuse planning with actual strategy. Martin explains the importance of influencing customer actions and discusses common pitfalls that lead to disappointing results. He also highlights the significance of choices working in harmony, laying the groundwork for a more effective, choice-driven approach to winning.

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova. This week I have the pleasure of welcoming from Australia, John Dwyer, also known as JD. He is a direct response customer attraction expert who thinks way outside the box. His marketing consultancy business is called the Institute of Wow and JD's mantra is that one's marketing needs to wow prospects. I'm sure you all understand exactly why I invited him to our show but dive into what you should be doing to grow and build a successful business in 2026. THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders, founders, and marketers who want to stand out in crowded markets and create real customer loyalty without relying on gimmicks or short-term tactics. TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…most companies say they care about customers—but very few design their business around them. In this episode, we explore what actually separates brands people remember from those they forget. John challenges leaders to rethink how they show up for customers, arguing that sustainable success comes from intentional experiences, not louder marketing. KEY TAKEAWAYS… How small, thoughtful actions can create disproportionate brand impact. The difference between being visible and being memorable. How leaders can embed customer-first thinking into everyday decisions. WHAT I LOVE MOST…I loved John's reminder that meaningful differentiation doesn't come from copying what others are doing—it comes from truly understanding your customer and being willing to act on that insight. His perspective reinforces that growth isn't about chasing trends, but about committing to experiences that people actually care about. Running Time: 30:47 Subscribe on iTunes Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X Find John Online: LinkedIn Website

Patrick Leddin, a leadership expert and bestselling author known for his insights into disruption, shares compelling research on adapting to constant change. He distinguishes between micro and major disruptions, emphasizing that not all change must be embraced; sometimes, resisting change can be a strategic move. Leddin encourages clarity of purpose as a guiding principle during upheaval, and he reframes technology fears into opportunities. With practical advice on aligning passion and insight, he offers tools to thrive amid uncertainty.

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova. As we approach the end of the year, I'm pausing to look back and celebrate all of the wonderful guests that I had the honor of speaking to on the show. And based on your feedback, many of these guests resonated with you as well so we're giving you another chance to revisit the stories, insights, and lessons you loved most in 2025! This week, I'm excited to highlight an episode with Tasha Eurich. Tasha is an organizational psychologist, leadership researcher and bestselling author known for her ability to blend science and real-world insight. Her TED Talks have garnered over 10 million views. She has been named one of the world's top three most influential coaches, the Changemaker of the Decade, and one of the top 30 Emerging Management Thinkers by Thinkers50. Her latest book, Shatterproof, combines cutting-edge research with a powerful personal narrative to offer a transformative roadmap for navigating uncertainty and building true mental toughness. THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders, professionals, and high achievers who are pushing themselves to keep going in a chaotic world and wondering why it's not working anymore. TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…we've been taught to push harder when things get tough, but what if that's not the solution? In this conversation, Tasha returns to the podcast to discuss why traditional resilience practices may no longer be sufficient. Drawing on new research from her book Shatterproof, she introduces a powerful roadmap for navigating constant chaos without burning out. If you've ever hit your "resilience ceiling" or felt stuck in hustle culture with nothing to show for it, this conversation will help you reframe how to thrive without self-gaslighting or grinding yourself into the ground. KEY TAKEAWAYS… Why "grit gaslighting" is holding many high performers back What the "resilience ceiling" is and how to know when you've hit it The difference between pushing through and truly becoming shatterproof Three core human needs that must be met in order to thrive WHAT I LOVE MOST…Tasha's insight that "resilient people push through while ignoring their needs, but shatterproof people harness their challenges to meet them." That reframing is a game-changer. Running Time: 29:16 Subscribe on iTunes Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X Find Tasha Online: LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Tasha's Book: Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos (And Why Resilience Alone Isn't Enough) Resilience Quiz: https://resilience-quiz.com/

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova. As we approach the end of the year, I'm pausing to look back and celebrate all of the wonderful guests that I had the honor of speaking to on the show. And based on your feedback, many of these guests resonated with you as well so we're giving you another chance to revisit the stories, insights, and lessons you loved most in 2025! This week, I'm excited to highlight an episode with Steve Lucas. Steve is a seasoned executive with nearly 30 years of experience in enterprise software leadership. As the CEO of Boomi, he spearheads efforts to connect the world through a transformative technology platform. Previously, he was the CEO of Marketo and iCIMS. At Marketo, he transformed the company's sales, marketing, and product strategies, culminating in its 2018 acquisition by Adobe. At iCIMS, he introduced the Talent Cloud, enabling 40% of the Fortune 100 to hire millions of employees annually. Earlier roles included senior executive positions at Adobe, SAP, Salesforce, and BusinessObjects. THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…business leaders navigating digital transformation, especially those eager to understand how AI will reshape organizations. TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…it's easy to get swept up in the hype around AI, but what does transformation actually look like in practice? Steve explores the dramatic shift AI is bringing to enterprise software, from the rise of AI agents to the decline of traditional user interfaces. He shares how businesses can prepare for an agentic future where success will depend on collaboration between humans and AI. KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Human resistance to change is often about trust and not capability - AI won't replace humans but augment them (if we allow it) - Leaders should focus less on tools and more on the business outcomes they unlock WHAT I LOVE MOST… Steve's reminder that in a world full of hype and disruption, trust is still the currency that matters most. No matter how powerful AI becomes, if people don't trust it—or the companies using it—it won't deliver value. Running Time: 28:44 Subscribe on iTunes Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X Find Steve Online: LinkedIn Steve's Book: Digital Impact: The Human Element of AI-Driven Transformation

Seth Godin, a renowned author and marketing thinker, joins to discuss his new book, This Is Strategy. He emphasizes that strategy is a dynamic compass guiding decisions, not a static document. Seth highlights how fear and false proxies can stifle action and suggests focusing on the 'why' behind strategies. He advocates for practical empathy—designing for customer needs rather than creators' preferences—and outlines the importance of personal strategy as an ongoing journey of becoming. Get ready for fresh insights on leadership!

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova. I'm excited to welcome Lynn Smith to the show this week. She is a media and communications expert who helps high-level leaders turn pressure into presence. A former anchor for NBC News, MSNBC, and CNN Headline News, she now coaches Fortune 500 executives, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs to become magnetic communicators. THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone who wants to communicate with more confidence. If you've ever felt held back by self-doubt, overthinking, or fear of saying the wrong thing, this episode will give you the tools to move forward. TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…most people think communication is about what you say, but it's really about how you show up. In this conversation, Lynn breaks down the biggest barrier standing between leaders and effective communication: fear. Fear of being judged, misunderstood, or getting it wrong. Lynn shares how to manage that internal narrative, build a magnetic presence, and communicate with clarity in high-pressure environments. KEY TAKEAWAYS Your presence speaks before you do. Communication isn't about words, it's the package the words come in. Clarity is a leader's superpower. Before any big communication moment, ask: What do I want my audience to think and feel after hearing me? You are a walking billboard for your brand. Every meeting, Zoom call, or hallway interaction signals who you are and how you lead. WHAT I LOVE MOST…Lynn's reminder that fear is universal, even for people at the very top. She works with wildly successful CEOs and executives, and yet the biggest hurdle she sees isn't capability or content, it's the internal voice telling them they're not ready, not good enough, or one mistake away from failing. It's an empowering reframing: fear isn't a flaw, it's something you can work with and ultimately turn into an advantage. Running Time: 35:24 Subscribe on iTunes Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X Find Lynn Online: LinkedIn Lynn's Book: Just Keep Going

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova. This week I am excited to share a replay of a conversation I had with Mitch Lowe. Mitch was one of the early pioneers in the movie rental industry opening video rental stores in the early 1980's. In the late 90's Mitch joined Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings at Netflix as the video industry expert and led many of the partnerships that drove new subscribers to join Netflix. Mitch left Netflix in 2003 after a very successful IPO and joined the business development team at McDonalds Ventures to build a DVD evening machine business called Redbox. Mitch served as its COO and President for 8 years, growing the company from $36k in first-year revenue to over $1.5B in revenue 8 years later. Today Mitch invests in startups and gives inspirational speeches around the world to corporations, conferences, and students. THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… executives, managers, founders of small and large organizations – anyone looking to hear from someone who has been part of one of the biggest disruption stories in the new digital age. TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE… Mitch shares his proven experience and tips on how to become more innovative and disruptive in your own organization. What should you do and when? Mitch shares how you can identify a need on the frontlines of your customer base and use that data to create a company that truly addresses that need. WHAT I LOVE MOST… I get to chat with an innovator whose work I covered in my own book, and I love the concept of the order and sequence in which you do things! Mitch gives you actionable items you can implement Monday Morning to start making that progress. Running time: 32:48 Subscribe on iTunes Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X Find Mitch Online: LinkedIn Website

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova. I'm excited to welcome Richard Fain to the show this week. He served as Royal Caribbean Group CEO for over three decades, leading its transformation from a small Norwegian company with three ships that held just over 700 passengers each into one of the world's largest and most profitable cruise lines with over 60 ships, including Icon of the Seas, the world's largest that carries 7,600 passengers and costs $2 billion to build. He is here to talk about his amazing book, Delivering the Wow: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success. THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone leading teams or organizations who wants to understand how culture drives lasting success. TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…culture isn't about slogans on the wall, it's about the daily choices that shape how people feel about their work. In this episode, Richard Fain shares how he built a company culture that transformed cruising into an unforgettable experience for both guests and employees. From connecting employee bonuses to engagement metrics to turning feedback into a continuous improvement engine, Richard's insights show how culture can truly become your greatest competitive advantage. KEY TAKEAWAYS: You don't inherit a great culture; you create it by reinforcing the right behaviors every day. When people care about their work, they perform better—and that passion becomes contagious. Real-time insights from customers and employees turn good companies into great ones. WHAT I LOVE MOST…Richard's reminder that culture is self-sustaining when people genuinely care. You can't mandate engagement. It grows naturally when individuals see their impact, feel heard, and take pride in creating "wow" moments for others. Running Time: 31:30 Subscribe on iTunes Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X Find Richard Online: LinkedIn Richard's Book: Delivering the Wow: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success