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The Leadership Podcast

The Leadership Podcast

We Study Leaders

TLP468: The Power of Doing Nothing with Jim and Jan

July 16, 2025

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In this episode, Jim and Jan explore the power of doing nothing and why it might be the most strategic move a leader can make.  They begin with a discussion on Jan’s Crucible® expeditions, and the consistent lesson is that you have to slow down to speed up.  For Jim, it means intentional time without…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, character, coaching, Conviction, Crucibles, discipline, Efficiency, Jan Rutherford, Jim Vaselopulos, Leadership Podcast, Quiet Time, reflection, solitude, strategy, Veteran Transition

TLP461: Looking for Unicorns: The Hiring Dilemma with Jim and Jan

May 21, 2025

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In this episode, Jim and Jan dive into the critical aspects of leadership and talent development in today’s fast-changing work environment. They discuss how companies often seek “unicorn” candidates with unrealistic expectations—and why focusing on core traits like emotional intelligence, curiosity, and continuous learning is essential. Jim and Jan explore how hybrid work is reshaping…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, age bias, career advice, Career Growth, career narrative, clear expectations, communication, continuous learning, cultural fit, Curiosity, emotional intelligence, employers, feedback, hiring challenges, hiring expectations, hiring process, hybrid work, job seekers, leadership, relationship-building, small cities, talent development, team development, tech industry, Topgrading, trust, unicorn candidates, work environment

TLP458: How to Build a Business that’s Smarter than You with Pippa Begg

April 30, 2025

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Pippa Begg, is the co-founder and CEO of Board Intelligence and co-author of “Collective Intelligence: How to Build a Business that’s Smarter than You.”  In this episode, Pippa discusses the mindset shifts required for leaders to let go of control and empower others, emphasizing the dangers of hubris and the importance of questioning one’s own…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, continuous learning, Decision-making, High-Performing Teams, leadership, mentorship, Personal Growth, resilience, setbacks, trust

TLP452: Perseverance is Greater than Endurance with Brandon Young and Blayne Smith

March 19, 2025

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Brandon Young and Blayne Smith are the authors of “Perseverance > Endurance: Lead with Resilience. Grow Through Adversity. Win Together,” and they bring a wealth of leadership experience shaped by their military backgrounds. Brandon, a former U.S. Army Ranger with four combat deployments in Afghanistan, and Blayne, a former Army Special Forces officer, advisory board…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, business growth, endurance vs. perseverance, leadership, leadership development, Military Leadership, overcoming challenges, perseverance, resilience, team culture

TLP434: Lessons Learned from the Trauma Room on the Front Lines with Dr. Melissa Givens

November 13, 2024

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Dr. Melissa Givens is a retired colonel with over 25 years of service in the U.S. Army, specializing in emergency and disaster medicine. She holds both an MD and an MPH (Master of Public Health) and is experienced in military and special operations medicine. Dr. Melissa also served as the medical director of the Ryan…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, leadership, resilience, stories, trust, veterans

TLP431: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life with Kwame Christian

October 23, 2024

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Kwame Christian, CEO, number one negotiation podcast,  two-time bestselling author, top booked negotiation keynote speaker shares his insights on negotiation emphasizing the shift from being a doer to an empowering leader.  Kwame discusses the importance of self-reliance in negotiations, advocating for vulnerability and honesty to build trust. He also highlights the need for preparation to…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, communication, Conflict resolution, difficult conversations, emotional intelligence, empathy, ethics, influence, leadership, negotiation, preparation, Self-Reliance, teamwork, trust, vulnerability

TLP425: How to Build a Work Culture that Maximizes Your Impact with Jaime Taets

September 11, 2024

Jaime Taets, CEO and founder of Keystone Group International, and author of “You Are Here” and “The Culture Climb” discusses the challenges of leading in a post-pandemic world, highlighting the importance of conscious leadership, and adapting to constant change. Jaime emphasizes the need for leaders to create cultures that value strengths and impact, prepare for…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, leadership, resilience, stories, trust, veterans

TLPMM011: Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader with Jan Rutherford

August 21, 2024

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Jan Rutherford, founder of Self Reliant Leadership®, takes a deep dive into the themes of self-reliance and leadership resilience. He shares insights from his collaboration with Jacquie Jordan, a co-author on his book “Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader: How Grit and Disciplined Duty Forge Indomitable Teams”. Jan explores the foundational principles of Self-Reliant Leadership: leading oneself,…

Filed Under: Mastermind Podcast, Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, Building relationships, Effective Communication, feedback, Leading organization, Leading others, Leading self, Meaning in work, negotiation, Personalized leadership, purpose, resilience, Self-awareness, Self-reliant leadership, Setting expectations

TLP416: Think Faster, Talk Smarter with Matt Abrahams

July 3, 2024

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In this episode, communication expert Matt Abrahams shares his insights on effective leadership communication through his “four I’s” framework: Information, Impact, Invitation, and Implications. He underscores the need for clear, audience-tailored communication, emphasizing empathy and curiosity. Matt discusses the balance between personal authenticity and team support, highlighting the crucial role of feedback and ongoing self-improvement….

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, authenticity, collaboration, communication, Communication skills, connection, crisis, Culture Of Feedback, Curiosity, empathy, feedback, Intergenerational, leadership, listening, Martial Arts, Nonverbal, Pattern Recognition, Personal Growth, practice, Professional Development, PublicSpeaking, reflection, trust, Verbal Cues

TLP415: Saying “NO” Reduces Friction

June 26, 2024

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In this episode, Jim and Jan explore the importance of saying “no” in the workplace. They highlight how setting clear boundaries and aligning decisions with both personal and organizational values can help leaders manage their time and workload more effectively. Empowering lower-level employees to say “no” can also reduce friction and enhance organizational efficiency. Additionally,…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, balance, clarity, communication, Decision-Making Skills, delegation, Efficiency, Employee Development, focus, Goal Setting, growth, leadership, Mindful Choices, No, Organizational Success, Professional Growth, Relationship Building, Resource Allocation, Strategic Planning, success, time management, values, Work-life balance, Workload Management, Workplace Dynamics

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Many people still treat leadership like a personal Many people still treat leadership like a personality trait. Like it's something you either naturally have or you don't.But one pattern continued to emerge across 500 leadership conversations. The strongest leaders remained students.They kept reading, adapting, questioning themselves, learning from mistakes, and evolving with changing environments.What stood out most was not perfection. It was intellectual humility.The willingness to rethink assumptions, listen carefully, and continue growing long after success arrived.What do you think is the hardest part of staying teachable once someone becomes successful? https://bit.ly/TLP-511?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershippodcast #leadersarelearners #leadership #podcast #executivecoaching #selfreliantleadership #leadershipmyths
They have interviewed four-star generals, Fortune They have interviewed four-star generals, Fortune 500 CEOs, and Olympic athletes. And after all of it, Jan keeps coming back to the same thing. The leaders who left the biggest mark on him were not the ones with the most impressive titles or the most polished answers. They were the ones who walked in curious about Jim and Jan. The ones who asked questions instead of just answering them. Be interested. Care about people. Be nice. It really is that simple and that rare. Clear 40 minutes and give this one your full attention. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-511?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershippodcast #leadership #podcast #selfreliantleadership #leadershipdevelopment #executivecoaching #leadyourself
Not every day is going to feel meaningful. Difficu Not every day is going to feel meaningful. Difficult bosses, missed numbers, teams that won't move. But the leaders who come out the other side with something real are the ones who stayed in the fight long enough to earn the scar.Find the mission. Do it for someone else. Don't quit before the sentence ends.Drop everything for 45 minutes and listen to this one with Matt Cavanaugh. https://bit.ly/TLP-508?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershiplessons #growthmindset #militaryleadership #resilience #bestscarwins #mattcavanaugh #theleadershippodcast #failure #purpose
No sugarcoating it. Will Linssen has coached leade No sugarcoating it. Will Linssen has coached leaders across six continents and says ego is the single biggest reason people don't change, no matter how much potential they have.And the scary part? Most of them don't even know it's happening. He breaks down exactly how to spot it early and what to do about it. TLP505 here - https://bit.ly/TLP-505?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershipcoaching #coachability #selfawareness #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast #executivecoaching
Karen Doll has assessed hundreds of executives. An Karen Doll has assessed hundreds of executives. And the same two patterns keep ending careers early.Not lack of skill. Not lack of drive.Defensiveness. And a victim mindset.The first one she will not even give feedback on directly. Because the moment you tell someone they are defensive they prove your point.These are not just hiring red flags. They show up in how people lead every single day.Full episode with Karen is up now. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-514?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershippodcast #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #executivecoaching #accountability #podcast #mentalhealth #psychologicalfitness
Debate isn't about winning. It's about thinking cl Debate isn't about winning. It's about thinking clearly when it matters.Meet Murshad Chowdhury: founder of Tech Duels, LogiCoach AI, and the Veterans Technology Conference. He's spent years teaching brilliant people how to actually communicate.In this episode, you'll discover:Why structured debate builds communication skills faster than traditional trainingHow competition strengthens your ability to listen (not just talk)Why the future belongs to people who combine tech with human judgmentThe communication gap costing talented professionals their careersNew episode drops now. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-515?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersListen here - https://bit.ly/TLP-515?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershipdevelopment #communicationskills #debateskills #executivepresence #theleadershippodcast #criticalthinkingg #techleadership #aiandhumanskills
TLP509: Capitalism Without Ethics Is Just Chaos O TLP509: Capitalism Without Ethics Is Just Chaos Our latest episode with Dr. Bill Kline https://bit.ly/TLP-509?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP509%3A%20Capitalism%20Without%20Ethics%20Is%20Just%20Chaos #leadership #capitalism #businessethics #freemarkets #leadership #ethicalleadership #capitalism101 #economicfreedom #leadershipdevelopment #marketeconomy #virtuouscapitalism #youngprofessionals #businessleadership #capitalismvssocialism #propertyright #academyoncapitalism
Every leader who has ever complained about people Every leader who has ever complained about people leaving should sit with that for a minute. It is not a generational problem. It is not an attitude problem. When you stop offering growth, you stop offering a reason to stay. The ones who left probably told you that on the way out. Most organizations just were not listening. The full conversation with Steve Cadigan on Episode 506 of The Leadership Podcast is worth your commute. https://bit.ly/TLP-506?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #TalentStrategy #TheLeadershipPodcast #FutureOfWork #SteveCadigan
TLP510: Why Your Organization Keeps Getting the Sa TLP510: Why Your Organization Keeps Getting the Same Results (No Matter What You Change) Our latest episode with Maria Brinck https://bit.ly/TLP-510?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP510%3A%20Why%20Your%20Organization%20Keeps%20Getting%20the%20Same%20Results%20%28No%20Matter%20What%20You%20Change%29 #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #modernleadership #futureofleadership #leadershipmindset #organizationalleadership #businessleadership #managementskills #leadershipskills #workplaceculture #executiveleadership #leadershipgrowth #leadershippodcast #leadershipchallenges #leadershipstrategy
Most leaders think the biggest threat to their tea Most leaders think the biggest threat to their team is performance.Missed targets. Wrong hires. Bad culture.Nick Black watched some of America's greatest warriors fall — not to the enemy, but to silence.Not because they were weak.Because no one was checking on them.Isolation is the enemy. And it does not announce itself.Listen to the full conversation. https://bit.ly/TLP-513?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders #leadershippodcast #leadership #mentalhealth #isolation #veteranleadership #leadershipquotes #podcast #selfreliantleadership #militaryleadership #leadershipdevelopment
A lot of people talk about capitalism like it's ju A lot of people talk about capitalism like it's just an idea or a belief.Dr. Bill Kline brings it back to something more concrete. He explains that markets only work when there's trust, rules, and accountability behind them."Capitalism does not exist without ethics."No property rights. No enforceable contracts. No real market.Take ethics out of the system and what you're left with isn't capitalism. It's chaos with a price tag.Honestly one of the most grounded things said on this show in a while. Go listen to the full conversation. https://bit.ly/TLP-509?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#businessethics #capitalism #leadership #freemarkets #leadershippodcast #tlp509
TLP511: What 500 Top Leaders Taught Us — And Why I TLP511: What 500 Top Leaders Taught Us — And Why It’s Not What You Think Our latest episode with Jim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford https://bit.ly/TLP-511?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP511%3A%20What%20500%20Top%20Leaders%20Taught%20Us%20-%20And%20Why%20It%27s%20Not%20What%20You%20Think #leadership #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipskills #management #executiveleadership #businessleadership #leadershipgrowth #leadershipmindset #leadershipcoaching #leadershiplessons #modernleadership #purpose #careergrowth #personaldevelopment #podcast #podcastlife #podcastrecommendation #milestone #learning #growth #success
TLP507: Disrupt or Be Buried: The Mindset That Cha TLP507: Disrupt or Be Buried: The Mindset That Changes Everything Our latest episode with Patrick Leddin https://bit.ly/TLP-507?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP507%3A%20Disrupt%20or%20Be%20Buried%3A%20The%20Mindset%20That%20Changes%20Everything #leadership #disruption #leadership #disrupteverything #patrickleddin #jamespattersonbooks #militaryleadership #entrepreneurship #changemanagement #resilience #selfawareness #leadershipdevelopment #positivedisruption #growthmindset #fearofchange #theleadershippodcast #westudyleaders
Your leadership team is waiting for you to solve e Your leadership team is waiting for you to solve everything.Jim Brown watched this pattern destroy ownership.A woman entrepreneur realized her team had stopped thinking. Everyone just looked to her for answers.So she tried something simple. Stop answering questions. Start asking them."What do you think we should do?"That one behavior change made her meetings louder. More ownership. Shared responsibility.If you're carrying the weight of all decisions, your team isn't really yours—they're dependent on you.See the full conversation on episode 517. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-517?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershipaccountability #teamownership #leadershipbehavior #organizationalhealth #leadershipdevelopment #theleadershippodcast #jimbrownorghealth #leadershipinsight
Most people think capitalism and ethics are two se Most people think capitalism and ethics are two separate conversations. Dr. Bill Kline says they were never separate to begin with. Pull out the ethics and you don't have a market anymore, you just have chaos with a price tag.This one reframes everything. Go find the full conversation, it's worth your time. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-509?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#capitalism #businessethics #leadership #freemarkets #leadershippodcast #shorts #tlp509
TLP506: Retention Is Dead: The Workquake Reshaping TLP506: Retention Is Dead: The Workquake Reshaping Talent Our latest episode with Steve Cadigan https://bit.ly/TLP-506?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP506%3A%20Retention%20Is%20Dead%3A%20The%20Workquake%20Reshaping%20Talent https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-506?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP506%3A%20Retention%20Is%20Dead%3A%20The%20Workquake%20Reshaping%20Talent #leadership #talentmanagement #futureofwork #workquake #stevecadigan #employeeexperience #careergrowth #leadershipdevelopment #organizationalculture #highperformanceteams #workplaceculture #hrleaders #peopleandculture #modernleadership #businessleadership #companyculture #talentstrategy #employeeengagement #careerdevelopment #learninganddevelopment #leadershippodcast
Most people compare socialism's ideals to capitali Most people compare socialism's ideals to capitalism's reality. That's not a fair fight.Dr. Bill Kline shared something that sticks. When you live inside a system, you see every flaw. Every crack. Every problem.But the system you've never experienced? That one still looks perfect.That gap shapes how people think, argue, and lead.This is a conversation worth having. https://bit.ly/TLP-509?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersIf this landed, go listen to the full conversation. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-509?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#capitalism #leadership #businessethics #freemarkets #leadershipdevelopment #tlp509
One of the hardest things Nick Black ever faced ha One of the hardest things Nick Black ever faced had nothing to do with combat.One week after one of the most intense firefights of the deployment, one of those men took his own life.And a year later, Nick read something that broke him open completely.More servicemen and women were dying by suicide than in combat.He still does not fully know what to do with that.But it changed the entire direction of his life.What do you think leaders most often miss when it comes to the people right in front of them?The full episode is up now. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-513?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershippodcast #leadership #stopsolidersuicide #veteranmentalhealth #militaryleadership #podcast #mentalhealth #service #leadershipdevelopment #shorts
Over the last decade on The Leadership Podcast, Ji Over the last decade on The Leadership Podcast, Jim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford have spoken with CEOs, military leaders, entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, elite performers, and executives operating at the highest levels of responsibility.Across those conversations, several themes surfaced repeatedly:• Leaders aren't born. Leaders are learners.• Success always involves sacrifice.• Style without substance eventually gets exposed.• Adaptability matters as much as efficiency.• Great leadership begins with genuine interest in other people.One of the most striking observations across 500 plus episodes is that many of the leaders they respected were remarkably humble, reflective, and open about their mistakes. Not perfect, but intentional about growth.In Episode 511 of The Leadership Podcast, Jim and Jan reflect on what 500 conversations taught them about leadership, success, failure, relationships, and human behavior.Link to the full episode - https://bit.ly/TLP-511?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersLink to the YouTube episode - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-511?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessLeadership #PersonalGrowth
Everyone rushes to answer. That's why their answe Everyone rushes to answer.That's why their answers fall flat.Here's what Murshad Chowdhury teaches in his debate and communication training: pause."Let me think about that for a few seconds."That's not a weakness. That's clarity.It's the difference between a half-thought answer and a fully formed response.Master this in interviews, presentations, and conversations. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-515?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#publicspeeking #interviewtips #communicationskills #presentationskills #executivepresence #theleadershippodcast #careertips #leadershipskills
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