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Do Good To Lead Well with Craig Dowden

Do Good To Lead Well with Craig Dowden

Craig Dowden 199 Episodes Sep 17, 2026

This podcast is dedicated to mastering self-leadership through evidence-based principles from positive psychology and organizational excellence. Host Craig Dowden integrates science and practice to help listeners develop real-life solutions for their greatest challenges. Each week, industry experts share world-class content on using positive leadership to build a peak performance culture.

Episodes

Mastering Managing Up with Bestselling Author Melody Wilding
Mastering Managing Up with Bestselling Author Melody Wilding Sep 17, 2026 00:51:53 This week’s episode of Do Good to Lead Well opens with a lively exchange about the true essence of “managing up.” Our conversation focuses on Melody Wilding’s journey from her bestselling book Trust Yourself to her latest, Managing Up, revealing how self-leadership is the essential foundation for influencing those in power. Together, we explore why managing up isn’t “boss-pleasing,” but rather emp
Why Data-Inspired Beats Data-Driven: Moving from Optimization to Transformation
Why Data-Inspired Beats Data-Driven: Moving from Optimization to Transformation Sep 11, 2026 00:51:18 This episode of Do Good to Lead Well opens with a thought-provoking challenge to the familiar refrain, “Let’s be more data-driven.” Instead, Sebastian Wernicke, a top TED speaker and globally recognized thought leader, shares the importance of being “data-inspired.” Our discussion focuses on the premise that lasting transformation requires more than dashboards and metrics. We explore the subtle ye
Building Collective Confidence: Lessons from Elite Teams and Fortune 100 Talent Leader Dr. Andre Martin
Building Collective Confidence: Lessons from Elite Teams and Fortune 100 Talent Leader Dr. Andre Martin Sep 4, 2026 00:53:27 What truly separates good teams from legendary ones? In this week’s episode, I speak with Dr. Andre Martin, author of Collective Confidence and a highly respected leader across multiple Fortune 100 companies. Our conversation debunks the quick-fix of assembling teams of pedigreed all-stars, showing instead how extraordinary outcomes come from humble, well-aligned teams rooted in trust and a sense
Leading Through AI Transformation: Building a People-First Organization with Workforce Intelligence
Leading Through AI Transformation: Building a People-First Organization with Workforce Intelligence Aug 27, 2026 00:57:58 How do you lead well in a world transformed by AI? This week, Do Good to Lead Well tackles this question head-on, as I speak with Mike Sullivan, co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of OneDigital, and the co-author of the timely and insightful book, Workforce Intelligence. Throughout our conversation, Mike breaks through both the hype and the fear surrounding AI in today’s workforce. As a champion
Anchoring Leadership in Purpose and Values: Part 3 of a 3-Part Series on the Foundations of Positive Leadership (with an award-winning CEO)
Anchoring Leadership in Purpose and Values: Part 3 of a 3-Part Series on the Foundations of Positive Leadership (with an award-winning CEO) Aug 21, 2026 00:45:15 Over the past three episodes, I had a very special guest; Kevin Ford, the former CEO of Calian. Our previous conversations trace a powerful progression from self-leadership to connecting with others. In the final episode of this series, we explore how a profound sense of purpose united by a set of core values truly anchors an organization. Our discussion moves beyond corporate clichés, as we dig i
Leading with Candor, Respect, and Empathy: Part 2 of a 3-Part Series on the Foundations of Positive Leadership (with an award-winning CEO)
Leading with Candor, Respect, and Empathy: Part 2 of a 3-Part Series on the Foundations of Positive Leadership (with an award-winning CEO) Aug 13, 2026 00:58:24 In this episode of our 3-part series exploring the foundations of positive leadership, I speak with Kevin Ford, the award-winning, past CEO of Calian Group, about how to effectively connect with others. In a world grappling with AI, remote work, and breakneck change, we examine explore what meaningful connection looks like in practice. Starting with candor and transparency, our discussion explores
First, Leader Yourself: A 3-Part Series on the Foundations of Positive Leadership (with an award-winning CEO)
First, Leader Yourself: A 3-Part Series on the Foundations of Positive Leadership (with an award-winning CEO) Aug 6, 2026 00:43:42 What makes great executives stand out? I’m thrilled to share Part 1 of a 3-part series that will explore the foundations of positive leadership. Throughout this special set of episodes, I will be sharing the stage with Kevin Ford, the award-winning CEO of Calian who recently stepped down. In this episode, Kevin and I start the conversation by taking an honest look at why leading yourself matters m
The Benefits of Sabbatical Leave: Lessons from DJ DiDonna
The Benefits of Sabbatical Leave: Lessons from DJ DiDonna Jul 23, 2026 00:48:56 What happens when you leave your routine behind to embrace uncertainty? DJ DiDonna, Harvard Business School senior lecturer and founder of the Sabbatical Project, joins Craig Dowden to unpack the real benefits of sabbatical leave, drawn from years of research into hundreds of sabbatical-takers. DiDonna explains why extended leave delivers measurable physical healing, from resolving stress conditio
How to Stop Having the Same Difficult Conversation: Practice C.P.R.
How to Stop Having the Same Difficult Conversation: Practice C.P.R. Jul 16, 2026 00:22:05 This solo episode of Do Good to Lead Well focuses on one of the most common challenges in both leadership and everyday life: continually repeating the same difficult conversation without real resolution. Drawing on the important work of Crucial Conversations and Crucial Accountability, I explore the transformative CPR model (Content, Pattern, Relationship) as a deceptively simple framework for bre
Design Love Into Leadership: Unlocking the Power of Human Flourishing with Marcus Buckingham
Design Love Into Leadership: Unlocking the Power of Human Flourishing with Marcus Buckingham Jul 9, 2026 00:53:19 In this not-to-miss episode of Do Good to Lead Well, I am joined by Marcus Buckingham—the world’s foremost expert on human strengths and engagement—for a candid, data-rich conversation about bringing love into leadership. Drawing on his latest book, Marcus redefines love for the modern workplace: not as romance, but as an intentional design for human flourishing and extraordinary results.Our conve
Mastering the Art of Receiving Feedback: Triggers, Reactions, and Strategies for Positive Leadership
Mastering the Art of Receiving Feedback: Triggers, Reactions, and Strategies for Positive Leadership Jul 3, 2026 00:27:52 What stops talented leaders from truly hearing honest feedback? This episode tackles that question head-on, drawing from both leading research and lived experience. While most articles, books, and workshops focus on how to give feedback, this discussion targets how to receive it. I explore why so many feedback conversations break down and how leaders can do better.Core themes include the impact of
Leadership Lessons from Philanthropy: Glen Galaich’s Insights on Letting Go to Do Real Good
Leadership Lessons from Philanthropy: Glen Galaich’s Insights on Letting Go to Do Real Good Jun 18, 2026 00:51:15 In this spirited episode, the challenges and paradoxes of modern leadership are brought to the forefront, grounded in the world of philanthropy. My guest this week, Glen Galaich, author of the provocative book Control: Why Big Giving Falls Short and CEO of the Stupski Foundation, invites listeners to reconsider the myths surrounding control, generosity, and decision-making. He makes the compelling

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