The Leadership Project Podcast
The Leadership Project with Mick Spiers is a podcast dedicated to advancing thought on inspirational leadership in the modern world. It covers key issues and controversial topics needed to redefine inspirational leadership, addressing how young and aspiring leaders can transition from individual contributors to inspirational leaders. The podcast also explores how experienced leaders can adapt their styles in a digital world and how to address the lack of diversity in leadership. Guest speakers are invited for confronting conversations to provide leaders with skills and tools to become inspirational.
Episodes
326: Leadership Shifts: Embracing Change in Business with Mike Krupit
The leadership style that got you promoted can quietly become the thing that holds you back. When you move from building great work to leading people, the rules change fast, especially for technical founders and high-performing individual contributors who suddenly wake up running a business instead of writing code.We sit down with Mike Krupit, a serial entrepreneur and executive coach who has live
325. Leadership Is Cultivation: Creating the Conditions for Greatness with Mick Spiers
What if the real job of a leader isn’t to get people to do what you want, but to create the conditions where people can do their best work? I’m reflecting on the biggest leadership lessons from this month’s conversations and pulling the common thread that ties them together: stop chasing control and start designing an environment where clarity, trust, and ownership can actually grow.We start with
324. Brave Together: Leading Through Curiosity and Co-Creation with Chris Deaver
If your leadership strategy still depends on being the smartest person in the room, AI is about to make that a painful game to play. We sit down with Chris Deaver, culture shaper, leadership coach, former HR leader with experience at Apple, Disney, and Pixar, and co-founder of Brave Core, to talk about what actually scales now: bravery, co-creation, and the skill of leading with questions. We unpa
323. Neurodiversity at Work: Unlocking Hidden Strengths with Wainwright Yu
What if the person you’re frustrated with at work isn’t lazy, careless, or “not leadership material,” but simply stuck in an environment that works against how their brain operates? That question sits at the center of my conversation with Wainwright Yu, a senior technology executive and leadership coach who specializes in neurodiversity and cognitive diversity. We get personal quickly, starting wi
322. Communication as a Verb: Building Trust and Culture with Alejandra Ramirez
If you have ever walked out of a town hall thinking “we were crystal clear” only to hear your team say “we still don’t get it,” you’re not dealing with a motivation problem. You’re dealing with a communication and trust problem. Mick Spiers sits down with Alejandra Ramirez, internal communication strategist and founder of Ready Cultures, to show why leadership communication shapes organizational c
321. Beyond Strategy: Why Leadership Is A Human Challenge with Mick Spiers
The hardest leadership problems rarely announce themselves as “leadership problems.” They show up as weight you carry in silence, conversations you keep postponing, success that still feels empty, and a loud inner voice that says you’re not ready.I step back and connect the biggest lessons from this month of The Leadership Project into one practical thread: leadership is human before it is tactica
320. The Surprising Gift of Doubt: Leadership Lessons with Marc A. Pitman
That quiet voice saying “I’m not good enough” shows up for almost every leader, even the ones who look the most confident from the outside. Mick Spiers sits down with world-renowned leadership coach Marc A. Pitman, author of The Surprising Gift of Doubt, to unpack why self-doubt and imposter syndrome are so persistent and how they can actually point you toward growth, alignment, and better leaders
319. Stop Chasing Happiness: Leadership, Love, and the Myth of Success with Anthony Silard
What if the promotion, the praise, and the “big win” you’re chasing isn’t actually the thing you’re looking for? We sit down with Anthony (a professor and leadership researcher focused on relationships, loneliness, and sustainable leadership) to challenge a stubborn assumption in modern work culture: that success and outcomes are the path to happiness.We dig into why leaders get trapped by results
318. The Last 8% Culture Map: High Care, High Accountability with Bill Benjamin
Your culture isn’t what you say in calm moments. It’s what your team experiences when tension rises, deadlines slip, and someone has to tell the truth.We sit down with returning guest Bill Benjamin, co-author of The Last 8%, to move from individual stress behaviors to the bigger question leaders wrestle with: what happens to your culture when things get hard? Bill shares a simple, powerful way to
317. The Weight of Leadership: Presence, Perspective, and the Power of Reframing with Hank Minor
Leadership has a hidden cost we do not talk about enough: the quiet pressure of being the person everyone leans on while you wonder who you can lean on. Hank Minor joins me for a deeper conversation about the inner world of leadership, the emotional load leaders carry, and the moment the role starts consuming the person. Hank brings a rare mix of experience as a former counseling psychologist, a l
316. The Invisible Barriers Holding Your Team Back with Mick Spiers
Have you ever looked at a team that’s working hard and still thought, “Why are we not moving?” That gap rarely comes down to talent. I’m reflecting on the biggest leadership lessons I heard across three very different conversations this March and the pattern is blunt: what holds people back is usually interference. Fear. Hesitation. Labels that shrink what someone thinks they’re allowed to try. As
315. Leading Through the Heat: Leadership Lessons with Fire Captain Mark Andrew
When leadership gets real, titles stop mattering and habits take over. Fire Captain Mark Andrew joins me to share what he’s learned leading in the fire service, where trust, communication, and decision making aren’t abstract leadership ideas. They are the difference between a smooth operation and a dangerous one. We dig into why so many people are promoted without real leadership training, then fa
314. Innovation Hesitation: Why Smart People Hold Back with Rich Braden and Tessa Forshaw
Most innovation programs don’t fail because people lack talent. They fail because people hesitate. That hesitation is subtle: the moment someone decides they’re “not creative,” the moment a team rushes to certainty, the moment a leader rewards only the safe answer and accidentally trains everyone to stop trying.I’m joined by Rich Braden and Dr. Tessa Forshaw, co-authors of Innovation-Ish, to break
313. Rethinking Innovation: A Human-Centric Approach with Bruce Vojak
Want more than buzzwords and brainstorms? Mick Spiers sits down with innovation authority Bruce Vojak to explore how real breakthroughs actually happen. His message is clear: innovation is a human act first. It comes from curious people who challenge assumptions and reframe problems.From the evolution of the carrot peeler to a billion-dollar innovation at Procter & Gamble, this conversation sh
312. Less Control, More Conscious Influence: The Leadership Shift We Need Now with Mick Spiers
Feeling busy yet strangely stuck? We pull together a month of conversations to reveal a clearer path: lead with conscious influence, not control. Across three standout themes—self-leadership, emotional fitness, and meeting design—we show how small, intentional choices create outsized cultural ripple effects.We start by reframing where leadership lives: not in titles or dashboards, but in behavior
311. Your Best Meeting Ever: How to Fix Broken Meetings with Rebecca Hinds
What if your calendar isn’t a badge of honor but a map of wasted potential? We sit down with Rebecca Hinds, PhD and author of Your Best Meeting Ever, to challenge the idea that more meetings mean more value—and to rebuild meeting culture from the ground up. Rebecca unpacks the visibility bias that equates busyness with status, explains why meetings multiply when clarity disappears, and shows leade
310. Pulse: Empathy as Your Leadership Edge with Melinda McCormack
Disconnection doesn’t usually explode—it leaks in through a thousand tiny moments until voices go quiet and energy fades. We sat down with leadership futurist and change strategist Melinda McCormack to chart a path back: a practical, human way to lead with empathy that drives performance without sacrificing people.Melinda shares her personal journey through loss alongside high-stakes corporate cha
309. From Bottleneck to Catalyst: Unlocking Leadership Potential with Tracy Clark
Ever feel like your team has more to give—and you can’t quite unlock it? We dig into the uncomfortable truth that many leaders become bottlenecks without meaning to, then map a path to becoming a catalyst who unlocks energy, ownership, and momentum. With award-winning leadership and high performance coach Tracy Clark, we examine why strategy and skills (the “trunk”) only go so far, and how deeper
308. From Good Intentions to Real Impact in Leadership with Mick Spiers
Think you had a busy month but didn’t move the needle? We unpack why progress often feels invisible and how to make it tangible by changing small behaviors that create big ripples. This solo cast stitches together January’s standout insights on culture, pressure, change, influence, and feedback—then turns them into simple moves you can apply within 24 hours.We start with a hard truth from Bill Ben
307. Finding Your Voice: Overcoming Communication Fears with Salvatore Manzi
What we often call “communication problems” are really clarity problems. Leadership communication coach Salvatore Manzi breaks down why smart ideas stall, why meetings favor fast talkers, and how leaders can make messages land, be remembered, and drive action. From start to finish, this episode focuses on practical moves you can try today.We explore hidden biases that shape conversations: delay bi
306. The Change Playbook: Adapting and Thriving with Huw Thomas
Change rarely fails because people don’t care; it fails because we misunderstand what drives behavior. With author and change leadership expert Huw Thomas, we dig into the real forces underneath stalled transformations: loss aversion, identity threats, and the quiet stories we tell ourselves that keep us clinging to the status quo. From childhood curiosity to adult routines, we unpack how our wiri
305. Mastering the Tough Conversations: The Last 8% Rule with Bill Benjamin
When tension spikes, leaders don’t rise to the occasion; they fall to their default. Today we dig into those defaults with Bill Benjamin, co-author of The Last 8%, and unpack why smart, well-intentioned people either blow up or go quiet when it matters most—and how to do better without losing your edge.We start by naming the two patterns that quietly define culture under pressure: the messmaker wh
304. Designing 2026 with Intention: Leadership, Life, and Alignment with Mick Spiers
A new year doesn’t need a louder pep talk; it needs a clearer compass. We start 2026 by trading resolutions for direction and building a plan around identity, not intensity. Through honest reflection on 2025—what made us proud and what quietly drained us—we sketch a practical framework to design a year you’ll be proud to live, not just survive.We walk through four anchors that hold everything in p
303. Look How Far You’ve Come: A Leader’s Year-End Reset for 2026 with Mick Spiers
Forget the “new year, new you” slogans. We trade hype for honesty and design a year that actually fits your values and energy. We start by reframing 2025 with a pride audit: the tough moments you handled with more grace, the people you helped, and the places you chose integrity over convenience. That grounding matters because leaders often spot gaps faster than growth, and without pride, we keep c
302. Reframing Failure and Success with Anne Marie Anderson
Audacity isn’t about being wild; it’s about taking bold risks that are worth it for the season you’re in. We sit down with three‑time Emmy Award‑winning sports broadcaster and author Anne‑Marie Anderson to unpack how leaders can move from second‑guessing to decisive action without ignoring reality. Anne‑Marie shares the simple test she uses to separate worth‑it risks from reckless moves, and why t
301. The Why Whisperer: Aligning Teams with Hans Lagerweij
Strategy isn’t supposed to live in a slide deck. It should breathe in daily choices, team rituals, and the way people talk about their work. We sit down with Hans Lagerweij, author of The Why Whisperer, to unpack why 95 percent of employees can’t state their company’s strategy—and what leaders can do to fix it without adding more meetings or more slides.Hans introduces the Six C’s of execution—cle
300. 300 Conversations That Changed How We Lead: Lessons from The Leadership Project Podcast with Mick Spiers
Leadership lives in the moments people spend with you—every check-in, every decision explained, every hard conversation you choose to have. To celebrate 300 episodes, we pull together the clearest patterns from hundreds of leaders, psychologists, authors, and operators and turn them into practical moves you can use tomorrow.We start with meaning. People don’t just want a job; they want to know why
299. Be the Leader: Lessons in Humanity and Connection with Mick Spiers
What kind of leader are you becoming: one who earns trust or one who enforces compliance? We take a clear-eyed look at leadership through four lenses—service, courage, resilience, and inclusion—drawing on highlights from Steve Fortunato, Jim Fielding, Kijuan Amey, and Stephanie Chung to turn big ideas into practical actions you can use this week.Steve’s insights on service and storytelling show wh
298. Leading with Empathy and Inclusion with Stephanie Chung
What if the most powerful thing you did as a leader was to stop talking? Stephanie Chung—trailblazing aviation executive and author of Ally Leadership—joins us to show how silence, better questions, and intentional design turn diversity into decisions people own.We start with the hard truth: diverse teams win, but only when every voice is heard. Stephanie shares how she navigated a male-dominated
297. From Sight Lost to Vision Found with Kijuan Amey
What would you do if you woke up and the world was dark? Kijuan Amey, an Air Force in‑flight refueling specialist with a promising path to the cockpit, opened his eyes after a crash to find he’d lost his sight. The story that follows isn’t about platitudes—it’s about rebuilding a life through faith, gratitude, and the unglamorous work of learning every step again.We dig into the pivotal shift from
296. Building Psychological Safety and Inclusivity in Leadership with Jim Fielding
Feeling the pressure to have all the answers? You’re not alone. Mick Spiers sits down with Jim Fielding—former senior executive at Disney, Fox, and DreamWorks, and author of All Pride No Ego—to explore why modern leadership rewards curiosity over certainty. Together, they unpack how to build teams that think bravely, speak freely, and perform under pressure.Jim takes us inside his pandemic pivot f
295. Transforming Leadership Through Hospitality and Connection with Steve Fortunato
What if the fastest way to unlock performance isn’t to lead louder, but to host better? We sit down with best-selling author Steve Fortunato to rethink leadership through the lens of hospitality—not the restaurant kind, the human kind. Steve reveals why so much “look at me” leadership creates a vicious cycle of entitlement, and how the host mindset flips the script to “look at you,” building trust
294. People Follow Care, Not Titles with Mick Spiers
What if the hardest leadership skills are the most human ones? We pull together a month of conversations and share a playbook for leading with presence, purpose, and care—so people don’t just survive at work, they come alive. From micro moments that create mattering, to authentic leadership that fits like your own skin, to change communication that removes uncertainty, to feedback that is firm and
293. Overcoming Feedback Fears with Jeff Hancher
What if the toughest conversation on your calendar is the very thing that unlocks respect, growth, and retention? We sit down with leadership expert and best-selling author Jeff Hancher to demystify feedback and turn a dreaded chore into a repeatable system for building high-trust, high-performance teams.Jeff shares a clear framework for setting expectations and choosing the right feedback style f
292. Future-Proofing Your Business: Exit Strategies and Leadership with John Martinka
Change hits like a wave, and most teams feel it first as fear. We sat down with M&A veteran John Martinka to unpack how to turn that fear into focus when ownership or leadership shifts. Our conversation gets practical fast: reframing uncertainty, rewarding continuity, and communicating with a steady cadence even when legal guardrails limit what you can say.We walk through the three‑legged stoo
291. The Future of Leadership: Expand the Circle with Matt Poepsel
What if leadership isn’t about pushing harder on performance, but about showing up with presence that energizes people and elevates outcomes? We sit down with Dr. Matt Poepsel—psychologist, Boston College professor, host of Lead the People, and author of Expand the Circle—to rewire how we think about leading in a world of AI disruption, remote ambiguity, and rising burnout. Matt shares how he move
290. The Power of Mattering in Leadership: How Being Valued Fuels Impact with Zach Mercurio
What if the key to motivation and well-being isn’t finding your purpose, but first believing you’re worthy of having one? Zach Mercurio returns to The Leadership Project with a powerful insight: “It is almost impossible for anything to matter to someone who doesn’t first believe that they matter.” He explains why many self-help books and engagement programs fall short — because they overlook the h
289. How Listening, Mattering, and Frontline Leadership Shape Culture with Mick Spiers
What if your culture is decided not by a manifesto, but by the conversation your frontline supervisor has at 9:12 a.m.? This solo deep dive distills September’s standout lessons into a practical playbook you can use today—clear prompts, coaching moves, and values-in-action routines that turn intent into impact.We unpack five anchors. First, trust offered early and often is an accelerator: set a cl
288. Approachable Leadership: Shrinking Power Distance with Phillip B. Wilson
Have you ever noticed your team hesitating before sharing bad news? That pause often reveals the power distance leaders unintentionally create. In this conversation with Phillip B. Wilson, author of The Approachability Playbook and The Leadershift Playbook, we explore how unapproachable leadership sabotages effectiveness and silences truth.Phil explains how our brains default to the “villain assum
287. Faith-Based Leadership: Creating Meaningful Impact with Tamara Jackson
In this episode of The Leadership Project, host Mick welcomes Tamara Jackson, founder of Beacon Ship and the Beacon Show. They delve into how belief, resilience, and gratitude translate into everyday leadership, creating meaningful impact, and the integration of faith into the workplace. Tamara shares her journey from a successful corporate career to entrepreneurship, inspired by a personal traged
286. From Autopilot to Driver’s Seat: Intentional Leadership with Rand Selig
What does it mean to truly thrive as a leader? Rand Selig, veteran investment banker and founder of Selig Capital Group, shares how he left Wall Street to design a firm—and a life—built on intention. By limiting his clients to five at a time, he created space to be present with family, serve his community, and still build an award-winning company.Rand highlights the difference between management a
285. The Forgotten Leadership Skill: Why Listening Changes Everything with Julian Treasure
What if the most powerful leadership skill isn’t about what you say, but how deeply you listen? Julian Treasure, five-time TED speaker and author of Sound Affects, returns to The Leadership Project with a bold warning: the world’s listening is fading, and the consequences are enormous. Miscommunication costs organizations trillions, yet only 8% of employees believe their leaders are good listeners
284. From Good Leaders to Great Leaders with William Davis
Think about the best leader you’ve ever had – someone who trusted you, empowered your growth, and celebrated your successes. Now contrast that with the worst leader – the micromanager who left lasting scars. This gap defines William Davis’ leadership philosophy, shaped by nearly four decades in corporate America. He reminds us that “leadership is deceptively simple, but simple doesn’t mean easy.”D
283. The Leadership Power of Asking Better Questions with Mick Spiers
What if the mark of extraordinary leadership isn't found in having all the answers, but in asking the right questions? This eye-opening episode distills powerful insights from recent conversations with leadership experts Gary Cohen, Scott Burgmeyer, and Joe Davis—revealing a leadership framework built on curiosity, development, and generosity.Gary Cohen's journey from founding a company
282. The Power of Generous Leadership with Joe Davis
Leadership transformed through the power of giving – this is the core of our conversation with Joe Davis, former head of North America for Boston Consulting Group and author of The Generous Leader. With 37 years of leadership experience, Davis challenges the old command-and-control model and shows how generosity unlocks greater outcomes. As he puts it, "Leadership isn't about yourself, b
281. The Multiplier Effect: Cultivating Leaders Who Create Leaders with Scott Burgmeyer
What if leadership isn’t just about driving results today, but building tomorrow’s leaders? Scott Burgmeyer, co-founder of the BecomeMore Group, introduces a simple equation: Performance = Potential – Interference. Instead of adding more strategies or tools, great leaders create breakthroughs by removing barriers — policies, processes, or even self-doubt — unlocking exponential growth.He emphasize
280. The Key to Effective Leadership: Asking Better Questions with Gary Cohen
Every leader knows the rush of validation when someone brings you a problem and you solve it on the spot. But Gary Cohen, founder of CO2 Coaching and author of Just Ask Leadership, learned that this habit can limit your team’s potential and make you the organizational bottleneck. While growing his company from a $4,000 investment to 2,200 employees, he and his business partner became overwhelmed b
279. The Courage to Lead: Embracing Humility and Belonging in Leadership with Mick Spiers
The courage to say "I don't know" might be the most powerful leadership trait in today's rapidly changing world. Through reflections on conversations with five remarkable guests, this episode explores what authentic leadership truly means in 2023 and beyond.Randy Lyman introduces us to the often-overlooked "third element" of success – the emotional and spiritual dimen
278. Voice for the Voiceless: Why Inclusive Leadership Matters with Kelli Lester
The backlash against DEI has left many leaders unsure of how to champion inclusion in a politically charged environment. Kelli Lester, co-founder of Onyx Rising and seasoned diversity practitioner, brings clarity with a grounded, practical approach to creating workplaces where everyone truly belongs. Her journey began with a recruitment project that opened her eyes to deeper issues in workplace cu
277. Leadership & Branding: Moving from Friend to Love with Doug Zarkin
What if your greatest leadership asset wasn't your product or service, but the emotional connection people feel towards your brand? In this thought-provoking episode, award-winning brand strategist Doug Zarkin challenges the idea that branding is just a marketing function. Instead, he positions it as a vital leadership responsibility—one that shapes how people engage with your organization at
276. Intentional Actions for Inclusive Leadership with Jonathan Stutz
What if the secret to creating a truly inclusive workplace wasn't found in grand policies or mission statements, but in the small, intentional actions leaders take every single day? In this episode, we’re joined by Jonathan Stutz, President of Global Diversity Partners and co-author of The Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders, to explore how simple, consistent behaviors can reshape organizati
275. Introspection and Intentionality: A Deep Dive with Bill Zujewski
Are you living or just existing? This powerful question anchors our conversation with Bill Zujewski, former tech executive and founder of Good Life. What began as a simple year-end spreadsheet became a transformative tool for intentional living. Bill introduces the HELP GROW framework: Health, Environment, Leisure, Purpose, Growth, Relationships, Occupation, and Wealth as a personal scorecard that
274. The Power of Emotional Awareness in Leadership with Randy Lyman
What does success really mean when you've checked all the boxes but still feel empty inside? Randy Lyman's journey from physicist and multi-millionaire entrepreneur to emotional intelligence advocate challenges everything we think we know about leadership. Despite achieving multiple patents, thriving businesses, and academic accolades, Randy opens up about the profound emptiness he felt—
273. Leadership and The Human Experience: A June Recap with Mick Spiers
Leadership demands constant evolution in our rapidly changing world. Are you asking the right questions as a leader? Are you creating an environment where people can adapt, belong and thrive amid uncertainty?This solo episode distills the most powerful insights from four exceptional leaders featured on the podcast during June, blended with reflections on leadership in today's complex landscap
272. Transformational Change: Science-Backed Strategies with Michael Lopez
Why do most transformation efforts fail, even when people are deeply committed? In this thought-provoking episode of The Leadership Project, Michael Lopez, transformation coach and author of Change, unpacks the science behind why change is so hard and what we’ve been getting wrong all along. With over 20 years of experience helping organizations navigate complex change, Lopez challenges the conven
271. Character vs Skills: Decoding the Hiring Dilemma with Dave MacDonald
What truly matters more in hiring—skills or character? Dave MacDonald, founder of Better Together Group, brings hard-earned wisdom to this age-old question. After being fired multiple times in his twenties ("I was a lousy employee"), Dave transformed these setbacks into powerful leadership lessons that now guide his successful HR and staffing business.With refreshing honesty, Dave introd
270. Harnessing the Power of Focus with Jones Loflin
Do you wear "busy" as a badge of honor while still feeling behind? You're not alone. In this powerful conversation with productivity expert Jones Loflin, author of Focused as a Bee, we explore how busyness may be the very thing blocking your goals. Drawing from the focused nature of honeybees, Jones shows that true productivity comes not from doing more, but from doing what truly ma
269. Disruptive Leadership in the Era of Digital Change with Kumar Parakala
Kumar Parakala delivers a timely wake-up call for leaders stuck in outdated models amid the rise of AI and digital disruption. Drawing from his experience building billion-dollar digital businesses and advising prime ministers, he argues that rigid hierarchies and authoritative styles are no longer effective. Instead, leadership today demands empathy, agility, and a clear sense of purpose.Kumar bo
268. The Confidence Cycle: Breaking Through Public Speaking Anxiety with Mick Spiers
Have you ever felt that knot in your stomach before speaking to a group? That flutter of fear that makes you question whether you should just stay quiet? What if that sensation isn't weakness but potential trying to break through?Following my powerful conversation with Israel Duran—who transformed from a boy who would get in trouble to avoid public speaking into a globally sought-after speake
267. Empowering Leaders Through the Art of Speaking with Israel Duran
What if the very thing you fear most holds the key to your greatest impact? For Israel Duran, that fear was public speaking—a challenge so intimidating that, as a young boy with a stutter, he would deliberately get into trouble just to avoid addressing his class. But what once silenced him has now become the foundation of his purpose. Israel has turned his childhood struggle into a powerful missio
266. Conscious Leadership: Designing an Unstoppable Culture with Mick Spiers
Are you building your workplace culture intentionally, or allowing it to form by default? This question lies at the heart of effective leadership, yet few leaders truly understand how their everyday decisions silently shape what it feels like to work in their organizations.Culture isn't the aspirational language hanging on your office walls. It's the unspoken rules that govern how decisi
265. The Inner Game of Culture: Leadership Lessons Uncovered with Margaret Graziano
What if the workplace friction you face daily isn’t just “how things are” but something you can change? In this eye-opening conversation, Margaret Graziano—bestselling author of Ignite Culture—shares how most dysfunction at work is created, not inevitable. Drawing from decades of experience and research in neuroscience and organizational development, Margie empowers us to stop pointing fingers and
264. The Real Reason People Stay Loyal with Mick Spiers
What if the secret to exceptional customer experience isn't found in customer-facing strategies at all, but in how you treat your own team? This powerful question frames our exploration with Lynn Daniel, CEO of The Daniel Group, who has achieved something remarkable in an industry known for turnover: a team that not only stays but thrives."If you're not listening to your people, the
263. Building a Resilient Organization with Lynn Daniel
The secret to building customer loyalty might be hiding in plain sight—within your own team. In this fascinating conversation with Lynn Daniel, founder and CEO of The Daniel Group, we uncover the powerful connection between remarkable customer experiences and dedicated employees who stay for decades.Lynn's story begins with a resourceful decision in the early 2000s to create a remote work env
262. Unpacking Leadership: Unlocking Purpose, Ownership, and Mastery with Mick Spiers
What drives people to perform at their highest level? Contrary to popular belief, it's rarely money or status. During this thought-provoking solo episode, I reflect on my transformative conversation with Dan Johnson, who built a non-profit organization with over 10,000 dedicated volunteers. His powerful insight? When you lead with genuine humility and humanity, people will walk through fire f
261. Authenticity and Impact in Nonprofit Leadership with Dan Johnson
What motivates people to give their best effort without financial incentives? This was the central theme of a compelling conversation with Dan Johnson, a nonprofit coach who has galvanized over 10,000 volunteers. Dan’s story begins with a moment of disillusionment during political meetings, where he recognized a lack of genuine problem-solving. Realizing he was "in the wrong room," he ma
260. Cohesion Inside, Courage Outside: Redefining Team Success with Mick Spiers
Ever wondered if your team's greatest strength could also be its biggest weakness? When expertise becomes tunnel vision, even the most talented teams can miss what matters most.Drawing from my enlightening conversation with Professor Henrik Bresman of INSEAD, co-author of "X-Teams," this episode explores a counterintuitive truth: truly exceptional teams aren't defined by their
259. The Power of X Teams: Exploring External Focus with Henrik Bresman
Truly innovative teams distinguish themselves not by what happens within their team rooms, but by how actively they engage with the world outside. In a powerful conversation, Professor Henrik Bresman of INSEAD draws from his decades of research and his book X-Teams: How to Build Teams that Lead, Innovate and Succeed to challenge traditional ideas of high-performing teams. He emphasizes that while
258. Beyond the Boardroom: Creating Strategy Through Co-Creation with Mick Spiers
Have you ever wondered why brilliant strategies often fail to deliver results? The answer might lie not in the strategy itself, but in how it's created and communicated throughout your organization.When frontline employees don't understand why they're doing their daily tasks or how those tasks connect to the bigger picture, even the most brilliant strategic plan will falter. This re
257. Humanizing Strategy: The Collective Good with Britt Hogue
Imagine strategy as something felt, not just written—that's the core of Britt Hogue's approach to leadership. After years in corporate roles immersed in data and KPIs, Britt realized that behind every metric were real people making decisions. As the founder of The Collective Good, she now champions "humanized strategy" for mission-driven organizations, focusing on inclusion and
256. From Me to We: The Power of Inclusive Leadership with Mick Spiers
The difference between going fast and going far lies at the heart of this powerful exploration of inclusive leadership language. Drawing from Kyle McDowell's transformative work in "Begin With We," we unpack how a simple shift from "me-centered" to "we-centered" language fundamentally reshapes organizational culture and leadership effectiveness.Language isn'
255. Leadership Reimagined: Embracing the Power of 'We' with Kyle McDowell
Have you ever led a team where true connection felt out of reach? Kyle McDowell, once a top executive in Fortune 10 companies, had a powerful realization—his leadership was driven by fear, not respect. This moment sparked a transformation that led to his "Begin With We" philosophy: 10 principles focused on shifting from individual success to collective excellence.Kyle shares a pivotal mo
254. Unleashing Creativity: Turning Work Into Play with Mick Spiers
What makes a team truly creative? It's not beanbag chairs or forced brainstorming sessions—it's about creating an environment where play becomes the engine of productivity.Drawing from the wisdom shared by ex-Pixar executives Jamie Woolf and Dr. Chris Bell, this solocast explores how psychological safety, ownership, and freedom transform workplaces from control centers to creativity hubs
253. The Power of Creative Play in the Workplace with Jamie Woolf and Dr. Christopher Bell
Ready to transform your workplace from a creativity desert into a thriving innovation ecosystem? Jamie Woolf, the first director of culture at Pixar Animation, and Dr. Christopher Bell of Creativity Partners reveal the unexpected connection between play, power dynamics, and breakthrough ideas.Their conversation shatters common misconceptions about creativity in the workplace. Forget the notion tha
252. The Delegation Dial and Leadership Dynamics with Mick Spiers
Ever notice how the leadership qualities you aspire to can vanish under pressure? That calm, thoughtful presence replaced by reactivity and micromanagement when deadlines loom? You're not alone.Drawing on wisdom from executive coach and former Microsoft leader Sabina Nawaz, this episode unpacks a profound truth: pressure doesn't create your leadership tendencies—it reveals them. When sta
251. Mastering the Art of Delegation with Sabina Nawaz
Ever caught yourself micromanaging when deadlines loom, despite your best intentions? You're not alone. In this revealing conversation, former Microsoft executive Sabina Nawaz shares her personal wake-up call – discovering an employee crying after one of her meetings – that transformed her approach to leadership under pressure.Sabina introduces game-changing concepts like the "delegation
250. Beyond Leadership: Empowering Yourself with Self-Leadership Insights with Mick Spiers
Leadership begins with self-leadership. Without mastering the art of leading ourselves, we cannot effectively lead others. This milestone 250th episode explores twelve essential self-leadership practices that can transform how you show up as a leader.Self-leadership starts with clarity about your purpose and values. When you remember your "why" and align your actions with your core value
249. The Art of Self-Leadership with Heather Younger
Reclaim your leadership power with Heather Younger, CEO of Employee Fanatix and author of The Art of Self-Leadership. In this powerful conversation, Heather reveals how we often surrender our potential by waiting for others to guide our careers.Sharing her personal journey through adversity, Heather offers strategies to break free from self-imposed limits and face workplace challenges with courage
248. Embracing Fear: Unlocking Your Potential Through Courage with Mick Spiers
Courage isn't about being fearless—it's about taking decisive action while feeling afraid. Join us as we dive into the science of bravery, revealing how this essential quality can be deliberately cultivated by anyone seeking to grow as a leader.Drawing from my transformative conversation with former Marine and leadership expert Jill Shulman, I explore how the most courageous people still
247. The Bravery Path: Choosing Growth Over Comfort with Jill Schulman
Have you noticed that your proudest moments often follow your toughest challenges? In this insightful talk with Jill Schumann, former Marine Corps officer and leadership expert, we explore why discomfort—not comfort—drives true fulfillment.Jill redefines bravery as "taking action in the presence of fear for something meaningful," challenging the myth that courage means fearlessness. Draw
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