The Good Leadership Podcast

Today, we are joined by Kevin Evers.Kevin Evers is a senior editor at Harvard Business Review. Passionate about shaping groundbreaking research and amplifying pioneering ideas, he has edited bestselling and award-winning books on high performance, creativity, innovation, digital disruption, marketing, and strategy. He has also written popular articles on brain science, Hollywood blockbusters, the art of persuasion, and the unpredictability of success. His newest book, ‘There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift’. In this episode, we explore how Taylor Swift's career represents a masterclass in business strategy and leadership. Kevin reveals how Swift's approach to her career mirrors proven business concepts including blue ocean strategy, the job-to-be-done theory, and anti-fragility. Key topics include:How Swift identified and cultivated an overlooked market segment in country music, similar to Marvel's strategy with college students in the 1960sThe strategic approach Swift took to transitioning from country to pop music while maintaining her core audienceHow Swift transforms controversies into opportunities by controlling her narrative and turning challenges into artThe concept of "productive paranoia" that helps Swift anticipate industry changes and evolve ahead of trends-Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.comBlog: https://blog.ims-online.com/Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesgood/Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99Chapters: (01:30) Introduction (02:40) Tip: Why Swift Succeeded Where Other Young Artists Failed (05:10) Technique: Understanding and Connecting with Target Audiences (06:00) Tool: The Marvel Comics Comparison: Tapping Overlooked Markets (08:00) Technique: Strategic Transition from Country to Pop Music (11:30) Tool: Turning Controversy into Strategic Advantage (15:00) Technique: The Job-to-be-Done Theory in Swift's Career (19:20) Tool: Productive Paranoia: Staying Ahead of Industry Changes (22:10) Tip: Leadership Lessons from Swift's Reinvention Process (25:50) Conclusion

Today, we unpack the book "Think Again" by Adam Grant.In this book profile, we explore the transformative power of rethinking and why our ability to change our minds may be our most valuable skill in a rapidly changing world. Charles breaks down Grant's compelling case for intellectual humility and how clinging to outdated knowledge and beliefs can limit our potential. Through practical examples and research-backed insights, the episode reveals how leaders, innovators, and individuals can cultivate the habit of questioning what they know and embrace the uncomfortable but rewarding process of continuous learning.Key topics include:• The three mental modes that prevent rethinking - preacher, prosecutor, and politician - and why we should adopt the scientist mindset instead• How misplaced confidence and the Dunning-Kruger effect lead even intelligent people to overestimate their knowledge• The difference between harmful relationship conflict and productive task conflict in debates and disagreements• Techniques for changing minds effectively without triggering defensiveness or psychological reactance• Why stereotypes limit our thinking and how to break free from binary biases that oversimplify complex realitiesLearn from Charles's breakdown how to detach your identity from your opinions, escape the trap of certainty, and create learning cultures that value rethinking over being right. Think Again Book: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Again-Power-Knowing-What/dp/1984878107-Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.comBlog: https://blog.ims-online.com/Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesagood/Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(01:00) Tip: Why Being Confidently Wrong Is Dangerous(03:45) The Dunning-Kruger Effect (07:15) Technique: Productive Conflict vs. Relationship Conflict(09:00) Technique: How to Win Arguments Without Fighting(10:30) Tool: Breaking Free from Stereotypes and Mental Boxes(12:30) Technique: Changing Minds Through Motivational Interviewing(13:45) Tip:Escaping Binary Bias and Embracing Complexity(16:30) Conclusion

Today, we are joined by Jessica Chen.Jessica Chen is an Emmy-Award winner, author, speaker, and CEO of the global business communication company, Soulcast Media. Jessica is an internationally recognized communication expert and has taught over 2 million people how to improve their communication skills at work. She has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, and Entrepreneur Magazine. Her course on developing executive presence was ranked #1 most watched by global business leaders. Prior to Soulcast Media, Jessica was an award-winning broadcast television journalist at ABC, NBC, and NY1.In this episode, we explore how quiet professionals can build a strategic career brand without sacrificing their authentic communication style.Key topics include:Building a powerful career brand that authentically showcases your unique strengthsUsing the ACCT framework to advocate for yourself without feeling uncomfortableMastering the art of saying "no" with the TEF approachTransforming public speaking from intimidating to engaging through specific mindset shifts and voice techniquesJessica’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Not-Loud-Noticed-Reasons-ebook/dp/B0CKSHN1BX?ref_=ast_author_dp-Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.comBlog: https://blog.ims-online.com/Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesgood/Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99Chapters: (01:15) Introduction (02:45) Tip: The Power of Differentiating Factors (03:30) Technique: From Compliance to President (07:00) Tool: The ACCT Framework for Self-Advocacy (10:45) Tool: The TEF Approach to Saying No Effectively (13:30) Tip: Mindset Shifts for Public Speaking Success (17:15) Technique: Improving Vocal Presence (21:00) Tool: The Down-Up-Point Movement for Handling Tough Questions (23:45) Conclusion

Today, we unpack the book "Hooked" by Nir Eyal.In this book profile, we explore the science behind habit-forming products and how companies design digital experiences that keep us coming back again and again. Charles breaks down Eyal's powerful HOOK model—a four-step process of triggers, actions, variable rewards, and investments that explains why we can't seem to put our phones down. Through practical examples from apps and services we use daily, the episode reveals how businesses move beyond mere engagement to create genuine user habits.Key topics include:• The four benefits of habits for companies - including increased customer lifetime value, pricing flexibility, supercharged word-of-mouth growth, and competitive moats• External vs. internal triggers - how notifications, emotions, and psychological states initiate habitual behaviors• The action phase - why reducing effort is more effective than increasing motivation• Variable rewards - the unpredictable payoffs that keep us coming back and the three types: tribe (social validation), hunt (information seeking), and self (personal achievement)• The investment phase - how user contributions of time, data, content, and effort lock in future engagementDiscover the psychology behind your digital habits and how to maintain control in a world designed to capture your attention.Hooked Book: https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/1591847788-Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/ Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesagood/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(01:20) Four Key Benefits of Habits for Companies(04:00) Understanding Triggers - External vs. Internal(07:40) The Action Phase - Simplicity Drives Engagement(10:00) Variable Rewards - Why Uncertainty Keeps Us Hooked(13:40) The Investment Phase - User Commitment and Stored Value(17:20) Conclusion

Today, we are joined by Dr. Kathy Pearson and Dr. Gregg Pearson.Dr. Kathy Pearson, strategist, systems thinking expert, and decision-making authority, is President and Founder of Enterprise Learning Solutions. She is also an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics and has served as an adjunct Associate Professor in the Operations and Information Management Department at The Wharton School, both at the University of Pennsylvania. Kathy, an award-winning educator, collaborates with Executive Education groups and global organizations across industries like healthcare, finance, and technology, including clients such as Bank of America and Coca-Cola. She holds a BS in theoretical mathematics (Auburn University), an MS in Decision Sciences (Georgia State University), and a PhD in Industrial Engineering (Northwestern University).Dr. Gregg Pearson is a Partner at ELS and an Adjunct Professor of History at Lehigh University and La Salle University. He specializes in nineteenth-century American political history, twentieth-century American cultural history, military history, the history of technology, and business leadership. Gregg spent 16 years in the packaging industry, including as Northeast Region General Manager at Ball Corporation, overseeing $350M in revenue. He holds a PhD in History from Lehigh University, an MA from La Salle University, an MS in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University, and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.In this episode, we explore how Kennedy evolved as a leader, learning from earlier failures to develop a more effective crisis management approach that became the gold standard for leadership under extreme pressure.Key topics include:• How Kennedy's approach evolved from the Bay of Pigs failure to the Cuban Missile Crisis• The critical importance of gathering reliable information before making decisions• Why seeking contrary viewpoints helps leaders avoid confirmation bias• How clear "commander's intent" empowers teams to adapt in changing circumstances• The value of structured post-mortems to learn from both successes and failures-Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.comBlog: https://blog.ims-online.com/Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesgood/Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(02:00) Setting the Historical Context(04:40) Technique: Avoiding Confirmation Bias in Leadership(07:00) Tip: Making Decisions with Incomplete Information(09:00) Kennedy's Evolution as a Leader(12:00) Tool: The Role of Objective Information in Crisis(16:00) Tip: The Power of Clear Purpose in Uncertain Times(20:40) Tip: Learning from Failure to Improve Decision-Making(25:00) Technique: The Art of Compromise in Leadership(28:00) Tool: Military After-Action Reviews in Business Context(31:00) Conclusion

Today, we unpack the book "Influence" by Robert Cialdini.In this book profile, we explore Cialdini's groundbreaking research on the psychology of persuasion, revealing the hidden triggers that shape our decisions every day. Charles breaks down the six universal principles of influence that marketers, salespeople, and others use to get us to say "yes" - often without us even realizing we're being manipulated.Key topics include:The Reciprocity Principle: Why free samples aren't really freeCommitment & Consistency: How small yeses lead to big commitmentsSocial Proof: Why we follow the crowd even when they're wrongLiking: How similarity, compliments, and attractiveness sway our decisionsAuthority: Why we obey people in uniforms without questionScarcity: How "limited time" and "almost gone" trigger buying urgencyLearn from Charles's breakdown how to recognize these persuasion tactics in action and develop effective countermeasures to make more conscious choices. Discover practical strategies to protect yourself from unwanted influence while using these principles ethically in your own leadership and communication.Influence Book: https://www.amazon.com/Influence-Psychology-Persuasion-Robert-Cialdini/dp/006124189X-Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.comBlog: https://blog.ims-online.com/ Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesgood/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:15) Reciprocity(04:00) Commitment & Consistency (06:00) Social Proof(08:00) Liking(10:45) Authority(13:15) Scarcity(16:00) Conclusion

Today, we are joined by Jessica Chen.Jessica Chen is an Emmy-Award winner, author, speaker, and CEO of the global business communication company, Soulcast Media. Jessica is an internationally recognized communication expert and has taught over 2 million people how to improve their communication skills at work. She has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, and Entrepreneur Magazine. Her course on developing executive presence was ranked #1 most watched by global business leaders. Prior to Soulcast Media, Jessica was an award-winning broadcast television journalist at ABC, NBC, and NY1.In this episode, we explore how cultural upbringing shapes workplace communication styles and the mindset shifts that can help quiet professionals gain the visibility they deserve.Key topics include:• Understanding the differences between "quiet" and "loud" cultural workplace values• The four dualities that influence career success and how to navigate them• Why visibility matters as much as hard work for career advancement• How to communicate your achievements without feeling boastful• Simple language shifts that boost confidence and professional presenceJessica’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Not-Loud-Noticed-Reasons-ebook/dp/B0CKSHN1BX?ref_=ast_author_dp-Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.comBlog: https://blog.ims-online.com/Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesgood/Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(01:15) Tool: Defining Quiet vs. Loud Workplace Cultures(04:00) Tip: Balancing Cultural Communication Styles(07:15) Tip: The Thunderbirds Lesson on Visibility(12:00) Technique: The Four Cultural Dualities Framework(14:00) Tip: From Technical Focus to Strategic Networking(15:45) Tool: How to Celebrate Achievements Without Boasting(17:30) Technique: Handling Conflict and Disagreement(20:00) Tool: Shifting from "I Don't Know" to "How Do I Know"(22:45) Tip: Learning Career Resilience from Her Mom's Journey(26:00) Conclusion

Today, we unpack the book “Tiny Habits” by Dr. B.J. Fogg.In this book profile, we explore BJ Fogg's revolutionary approach to behavior change that challenges conventional wisdom about willpower and motivation. Charles breaks down Fogg's scientifically-proven method that shows why going small is the secret to making lasting changes in your life and how tiny actions can lead to remarkable results.Key topics include:• Why motivation is unreliable and how to succeed without it• The Tiny Habits formula: Anchor + Tiny Behavior + Celebration• How to use MAP (Motivation, Ability, Prompt) to design effective habits• The power of celebration in wiring habits into your brain• Practical strategies for breaking bad habits without relying on willpowerLearn from this breakdown how starting ridiculously small can lead to massive change over time. Discover practical techniques to transform your approach to habits by making behaviors so tiny they require almost no motivation, ensuring you can maintain them even on your worst days.Tiny Habits Book: https://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Habits-Changes-Change-Everything/dp/0358003326- Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/ Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesgood/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:15) The Motivation Monkey: Why Willpower Fails (02:30) Tool: The Tiny Habits Formula (ABCs) (04:00) Tool: The MAP Model (05:15) Technique: Making Behaviors Easier (07:30) Tool: The Power of Prompts (10:15) Technique: Celebration as The Secret Sauce of Habit Formation (11:45) Technique: Breaking Bad Habits (13:00) Conclusion

Today, we are joined by Mike McCartney.Mike McCartney has successfully coached leaders at all levels, from Fortune 500 C-Suites to family-owned businesses. He’s one of a few who’s earned the title, “Master Coach” from Marshall Goldsmith, and the credibility to be one of his instructors. Mike is also an executive coach with University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, and a graduate of The Ohio State University. In days past, Mike was a professional rodeo athlete; lessons learned then are used in his coaching today—“It ain’t his first rodeo.”In this episode, we explore how rodeo fundamentals translate into business excellence and the mindset shifts that separate great leaders from the rest.Key topics include:• Why getting honest feedback is the greatest challenge for executives• How mental preparation and resilience from rodeo apply to leadership• The importance of humility and listening in building influence• Why involving others in your development journey accelerates growth• How to turn stakeholder feedback into meaningful leadership improvement-Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.comBlog: https://blog.ims-online.com/Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesgood/Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(01:00) Getting Honest Feedback as a Leader(02:15) Tip: Rodeo Lessons in Leadership Preparation(04:00) Technique: Building Influence Without Relying on Title(05:15) Tool: Three Core Leadership Responsibilities(06:45) Tip: The Power of Stakeholder-Centered Coaching(08:00) Technique: Making Feedback Easier to Receive(11:15) Tip: Why Leadership Development Isn't a Solo Journey(15:00) Tool: Building Trust and Authenticity with Teams(19:00) Technique: Turning Conflicts into Productive Conversations(21:00) Tip: Mental Preparation from Rodeo to Boardroom(30:00) Tool: Finding Fresh Perspectives in Leadership(36:00) Tip: Leadership Lessons from the Rodeo Arena(39:15) Technique: The Untapped Resource of Spouse Feedback(41:10) Conclusion

Today, we unpack the book "Predictably Irrational" by Dan Ariely.In this book profile, we explore the fascinating world of behavioral economics, where Dan Ariely reveals how our supposedly rational decisions are actually governed by predictable patterns of irrationality. Charles breaks down key psychological principles that influence our everyday choices, from how relativity affects our satisfaction to why "free" makes us lose our logical thinking abilities.Key topics include:• Relativity and comparison - How we evaluate things based on comparisons rather than absolute value, affecting our satisfaction with purchases and even our salaries• Anchoring and arbitrary coherence - Why the first price we see becomes a mental benchmark that influences all future related decisions• The power of "free" and the distinction between social vs. market norms - How we irrationally respond to free offers and why mixing money with social relationships often backfires• Loss aversion and the paradox of choice - Why parting with possessions feels painful and how too many options lead to decision paralysis• The placebo effect and expectations - How our perceptions shape our reality, from wine tasting to pain reliefPredictably Irrational Book: https://www.amazon.com/Predictably-Irrational-Hidden-Forces-Decisions/dp/006135323X-Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.comBlog: https://blog.ims-online.com/Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesagood/Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99Chapters: (00:00) Introduction(01:00) How Comparisons Shape Our Decisions (04:00) Technique: Anchoring(07:15) The Magic of "Free" (08:30) Social Norms vs. Market Norms (10:30) Technique: Procrastination and How to Overcome It (12:00) Loss Aversion and the IKEA Effect (13:45) Tip: The Paradox of Choice (15:15) Expectations and How They Shape Our Experience (17:00) The Placebo Effect and Pricing Perception (18:30) Conclusion