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The Leadership Podcast

The Leadership Podcast

We Study Leaders

TLP475: Democratic Leadership: Building Agency with Nicola Ilic

September 3, 2025

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Nicola Ilic is a social entrepreneur, activist, and adjunct professor of leadership at Georgetown University. He’s the founder of Changelab and applies lessons from grassroots movements to transform how leaders build agency in others. In this episode, Nikola defines democratic leadership as enabling people to exercise leadership regardless of title when facing uncertainty rather than…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: activism, agency development, basketball, business transformation, challenging environments, change management, circle of influence, coaching questions, collective intelligence, culture by design, delegation, democratic leadership, Democratic Leadership: Moving Beyond Authority to Build Agency, employee empowerment, experiential learning, Georgetown University, idea competition, Jan Rutherford, Jim Vaselopulos, leadership development, meritocracy, moral compass, nicola ilic, nonviolent resistance, office politics, organizational change, parenting lessons, purpose-driven work, reflection, Serbia, social entrepreneurship, social movements, startup methodology, strategic change, Team Dynamics, The Leadership Podcast, trust building, uncertainty management, workplace culture

TLP467: Navigate Uncertainty with Kevin Eikenberry

July 9, 2025

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Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert with decades of experience and author of “Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence”.  Kevin explores what it takes to lead effectively in a constantly changing environment. He shares why being a “remarkable” leader isn’t about charisma or titles. It’s about intentional actions, self-awareness, and the ability to…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: balance, coaching, delegation, engagement, flexibility, Intentionality, Jan Rutherford, Jim Vaselopulos, Kevin Eikenberry, leadership, management, outcomes, self-reflection, The Leadership Podcast, trust

TLP433: Today’s Top Leadership Challenges with Jim and Jan

November 6, 2024

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In the episode of The Leadership Podcast, Jan and Jim discuss a recent study from the Center for Creative Leadership that highlights key leadership challenges at all leadership levels: Jim critiques the study, highlighting the blurred distinction between leadership and management, and emphasizes that leaders must delegate and trust others to succeed.  Also discussed is…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Business Relationships, Communication skills, Compassionate Leadership, Cultivating Future Leaders, delegation, Disengagement, Fairness in Leadership, Growth Mindset, Leadership Challenges, leadership development, Leadership vs Management, Managerial Influence, Meeting Preparation, Operational Efficiency, Organizational Processes, Side Hustles, Simplifying Processes, Team Engagement, time management, Trust and Curiosity, Trust in Leadership

TLP420: The Gift of Meritocracy with Shawn Dawley

July 31, 2024

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Shawn Dawley, an executive and former combat pilot, dedicated 25 years to military service, visiting 80 countries across six continents. He holds a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics and master’s degrees in business, political science, and military studies. Overcoming a challenging childhood, he excelled in the Air Force, demonstrating that leadership potential can emerge from any…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Business Leadership, Decision-making, delegation, emotional intelligence, leadership, Military Leadership, Neuroscience of Leadership, Personal Growth, public speaking, Team Building, Transitioning Careers

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

TLP340: An Entrepreneurial Journey from Hangry to Social Change

January 4, 2023

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Mike Evans is the Founder of GrubHub, and the author of “Hangry: A Startup Journey.” Mike founded GrubHub in his spare bedroom and grew it into a multi-billion dollar food delivery business that’s a household name. After leaving GrubHub, he founded Fixer.com, an on-demand handyperson service focused on social impact, and providing full-time work for…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: business, change, delegation, entrepreneur, entrepreneurial, interview, practitioner, startup

TLP218: Culture Can Fix Good People Behaving Badly

September 2, 2020

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Frances Frei is a Professor of Technology and Operations Management at Harvard Business School, and her research involves understanding how leaders create the conditions for organizations and individuals to thrive. Frances discusses her new book, Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader’s Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You. She dives into fixing broken cultures by creating an environment…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: authenticity, culture, delegation, empowerment, leadership

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Fear creates dependency, which kills the very inno Fear creates dependency, which kills the very innovation leaders claim they want. It's worth thinking about next time you're in a meeting where everyone's waiting for the boss to have all the answers.Full convo with Nicola Ilic here https://bit.ly/TLP-475?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode here https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-475?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #anxiety #democraticleadership #innovation #workplace
Remember when the internet was full of weird rabbi Remember when the internet was full of weird rabbit holes? Sara Sabin warns that AI's laser focus might be killing our curiosity. If all you see is what you already agree with, you're not stretching your mind, you're shrinking it. Sometimes, the best growth comes from what challenges us, not what comforts us.Catch the full conversation on https://bit.ly/TLP-477?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full conversation https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-477?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #CriticalThinking #AIandCreativity #Curiosity #TheLeadershipPodcast
Joe Pine just called out most of our business mode Joe Pine just called out most of our business models. If you're charging for time instead of results, you're leaving money (and impact) on the table. The shift from experience to transformation isn't coming, it's already here.Full conversation with Joe on episode 499. https://bit.ly/TLP-499?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#TransformationEconomy #BusinessStrategy #JoePine #Leadership #OutcomesNotInputs #TheLeadershipPodcast
Joe Pine spent 25 years thinking about what comes Joe Pine spent 25 years thinking about what comes after the Experience Economy, and this is what he landed on. Not shareholder value. Not growth metrics. Human flourishing.Hear the whole conversation on episode 499 where Joe breaks down the four spheres of transformation and why your business model might already be obsolete. https://bit.ly/TLP-499?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#HumanFlourishing #BusinessPurpose #Leadership #TransformationEconomy #JoePine #TheLeadershipPodcast
Most leaders treat firing as the final answer when Most leaders treat firing as the final answer when someone isn't working out. Mark Morgenfruh says the real question is why you put them there in the first place. 33 years in HR and this is still the conversation most organizations refuse to have.Listen here - https://bit.ly/TLP-502?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #hrleadership #neverfireanyone #leadershipdevelopment #accountability #theleadershippodcast
People kept asking Admiral McRaven how to lead mil People kept asking Admiral McRaven how to lead millennials and Gen Z differently. His answer? You don't. Yeah, they listen to different music and have different ideas, but leadership fundamentals haven't changed since his parents' generation. Integrity, hard work, leading from the front, that stuff still works. Stop overthinking it.Full episode at https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-500?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #Millennials #GenZ #AdmiralMcRaven #LeadershipMyths #TheLeadershipPodcast #NavySEAL #TimelessLeadership
We’re celebrating our Goodpods achievements! The L We’re celebrating our Goodpods achievements! The Leadership Podcast is ranked #2 in Sales Weekly and in the top 10 in several other categories. Thank you for being part of our community! #LeadershipPodcast #PodcastCharts #Sales #Management
When you realize most companies are structured lik When you realize most companies are structured like the military but trying to compete like tech startups. Maybe the intern has the answer you've been looking for?Listen to episode 475 of The Leadership Podcast with Nicola Ilic https://bit.ly/TLP-475?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode here https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-475?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #uncertainty #collaboration #innovation #democraticleadership
You think you know how you'll react under fire unt You think you know how you'll react under fire until the stuff actually hits the fan. Admiral McRaven says pressure doesn't build character, it reveals it. The good news? The more you face it, the better you get at not falling apart. Every chance to lead is a chance to find out who you really are, not who you think you are.Listen: https://bit.ly/TLP-500?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #Pressure #AdmiralMcRaven #Character #TheLeadershipPodcast #NavySEAL #LeadershipDevelopment #Episode500
You're a great dad, a loyal friend, a real person You're a great dad, a loyal friend, a real person on Saturday. Then Monday comes and somehow you turn into a different human. Mark Morgenfruh spent 33 years watching it happen and he's got a lot to say about why. Episode 502 is worth your commute. https://bit.ly/TLP-502?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #trustbasedleadership #workplaceculture #leadershippodcast #theleadershippodcast #neverfireanyone
Storehouse and World of Coca-Cola. They're not jus Storehouse and World of Coca-Cola. They're not just selling products—they're inviting you to transform your identity.These companies charge admission fees and make millions by creating experiences that turn visitors into lifelong brand advocates. The transformation happens before you even realize it. You walk in a tourist, you walk out a Guinness drinker.This is invitational transformation, and it's rewriting the rules of marketing.From episode 499 of The Leadership Podcast. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-499?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#InvitationalTransformation #BrandExperience #Marketing #JoePine #BusinessStrategy #CustomerExperience #TransformationEconomy
Sometimes the detours lead to your greatest discov Sometimes the detours lead to your greatest discoveries. Jed Brewer went from engineering student to prison chaplain to using Grammy-winning musicians to save lives through strategic messaging.Listen to the full conversation at https://bit.ly/TLP-476?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode here - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-476?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #unexpected #careerjourney #theleadershippodcast
ESPN broadcaster Anne Marie Anderson was sobbing o ESPN broadcaster Anne Marie Anderson was sobbing outside the stadium before her first live TV appearance. Her solution? Take your worst fears to their most ridiculous conclusion. Sometimes you need to catastrophize to realize how unlikely your nightmare scenario actually is.Full episode at https://bit.ly/TLP-474?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode here https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-474?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #ESPN #Audacity #CareerChange #SportsMedia #Motivation #PodcastClips
Most leaders think they have a performance problem Most leaders think they have a performance problem. Mark Morgenfruh says they actually have a relationship problem. After 33 years in HR, he's watched leaders hide behind policies, avoid hard conversations, and wonder why nothing changes. His book is literally called Never Fire Anyone and his argument is hard to argue with. Listen to episode 502 and tell us what you think. https://bit.ly/TLP-502?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch episode 502 on YouTube - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-502?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #trustbasedleadership #hrleadership #neverfireanyone #leadershipdevelopment #theleadershippodcast
TLP500: The Leadership Myths We Keep Getting Wrong TLP500: The Leadership Myths We Keep Getting Wrong with Admiral Bill McRaven Our latest episode with Admiral Bill McRaven https://bit.ly/TLP-500?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP500%3A%20The%20Leadership%20Myths%20We%20Keep%20Getting%20Wrong%20with%20Admiral%20Bill%20McRaven #leadership #Leadership #MilitaryLeadership #ServantLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #HumbleLeadership #ResilientLeadership #NavySEAL #SpecialOperations #FourStarAdmiral #UniversityOfTexas #WorkLifeBalance #CrystalBallAnalogy #PressureTesting #CharacterUnderPressure #HardWork #LeadershipHumility
Jack Welch said if the outside world is changing f Jack Welch said if the outside world is changing faster than the inside, the end is near.Steve Cadigan applies that same logic directly to how you manage people. Most talent playbooks were built for a slower world and nobody has updated them. That gap between how fast things are moving outside and how slow things move inside is exactly where the problem lives. If that lands, the full episode will hit harder. Steve Cadigan on Episode 506 of The Leadership Podcast. https://bit.ly/TLP-506?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #HR #TalentStrategy #TheLeadershipPodcast #SteveCadigan #FutureOfWork
Barry Jesinoski's take on remote work might surpri Barry Jesinoski's take on remote work might surprise you, especially his reasoning behind keeping his team mostly in-person. He runs Disabled American Veterans (DAV) headquarters in Kentucky where 180 employees work together daily.Like Barry, sometimes the unpopular stance might be the right one for your organization.#Leadership #RemoteWork #DAV #WorkplaceCulture #VeteranLeadership #TeamBuilding
Leadership is an inside job; it's about the work n Leadership is an inside job; it's about the work no one sees. Until you can regulate your emotions and listen to your intuition, no strategy will ever make you an exceptional leader. Listen to Sara Sabin's full insights https://bit.ly/TLP-477?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full conversation https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-477?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #innerwork #communication #emotionalmastery #podcast
Steve Taplin doesn't dance around it. The world do Steve Taplin doesn't dance around it. The world doesn't owe you stability anymore. One company, one pension, one career path? That's gone. If you want real control over your future, you need to understand how businesses work and how to sell. Not as a job title, but as a survival skill. Everything else is just hoping someone else takes care of you.Full conversation on The Leadership Podcast now. https://bit.ly/TLP-501?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#TakeControl #EntrepreneurMindset #SalesSkills #BusinessEducation #TheLeadershipPodcast
TLP499: You’re Charging for the Wrong Thing with J TLP499: You’re Charging for the Wrong Thing with Joe Pine Our latest episode with Joe Pine https://bit.ly/TLP-499?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP499%3A%20You%27re%20Charging%20for%20the%20Wrong%20Thing%20with%20Joe%20Pine #leadership #JoePine #TransformationEconomy #ExperienceEconomy #BusinessModel #OutcomesBasedPricing #HumanFlourishing #ValueCreation #BusinessStrategy #EconomicValue #CustomerExperience #BusinessTransformation #leadership #LeadershipDevelopment
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  • TLP507: Disrupt or Be Buried: The Mindset That Changes Everything
  • TLP506: Retention Is Dead: The Workquake Reshaping Talent
  • TLP505: Why Leadership Coaching So Often Fails
  • TLP504: Why Your Team Is Still Disengaged
  • TLP503: 7 Hidden Beliefs That Sabotage Leaders (And How to Break Them) – with Muriel M. Wilkins

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  • Anonymous on TLP503: 7 Hidden Beliefs That Sabotage Leaders (And How to Break Them) – with Muriel M. Wilkins
  • Anonymous on TLP501: Failure as Fuel: When to push through and when to quit
  • Anonymous on TLP500: The Leadership Myths We Keep Getting Wrong with Admiral Bill McRaven

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