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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

TLPMM012: On Character with General Stanley McChrystal

June 18, 2025

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In this Mastermind episode of The Leadership Podcast, General Stanley McChrystal returns for a third conversation—his most personal and revealing appearance yet. Stan discusses the defining choices in his life, the moments that shaped his character, and the values that continue to guide his leadership. He talks about how his parents influenced his values through…

Filed Under: Mastermind Podcast, Podcast Tagged With: character, Decision-making, discipline, General McChrystal, integrity, leadership, mentorship, Military Leadership, moral courage, national service, Personal Growth, self-reflection, values, West Point

TLP407: Positive and Diligent With Justin Walker

May 1, 2024

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Justin Walker, a Navy veteran transitioning from solopreneurship, highlights his multifaceted hobbies like playing musical instruments, despite not being an expert. He introduces the concept of the “attitude and effort cycle,” underscoring the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and diligent effort, regardless of motivation levels. In discussing leadership, Justin stresses the need for self-awareness,…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: ambiguity, discipline, effort, entrepreneurship, environment, instruments, leadership, military, music, success, writing

TLP396: The Action Fallacy with Martin Gutmann

February 14, 2024

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Martin Gutmann, an author and professor at the Lucerne School of Business, challenges traditional views on leadership with his concept of the “action fallacy.” He argues that effective leadership often involves subtle, unnoticed actions rather than just visible, dramatic ones. Gutmann emphasizes the importance of historical skills in the digital era, particularly in scrutinizing and…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: crisis, discipline, emotional intelligence, historical examples, history, inaction, leadership, reaction, reactive actions, reflection, restraint, scrutinize, sources, Unseen Leader

TLP382: The Power of Conscious Connection with Talia Fox

November 8, 2023

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Talia Fox is the CEO of KUSI Global, Inc. A leadership strategist and a legacy builder, she has transformed thousands of executives over the last two decades in every sector, including major corporations in health, higher education, technology, and government. Talia shares her unique approach to leadership and her upcoming book, “The Power of Conscious…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: achievers, agility, alignment, ambiguity, change, choices, competence, competencies, competency, complexity, connection, conscious, cultural, customized, description, discipline, emotional, engaged, engaging, habits, implementation, intelligence, job, knowledge, leadership, listening, model, motivation, observing, pause, pivot, productive, skill, strategy, success, systems, thinking, uncertainty, understanding, values, variety, volatility, VUCA

TLP377: Why People Lie with Michael Reddington

September 20, 2023

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Michael Reddington, an expert at moving people from resistance to commitment. He is an executive resource, Certified Forensic Interviewer, President of InQuasive, Inc., and author of “The Disciplined Listening Method.” He discusses coaching, effective communication, and his Disciplined Listening Method. This method emphasizes patience, outcome-focused thinking, and emotional control. The conversation also covers hiring for…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Active, communication, discipline, leadership, listening, questioning, techniques

TLP165: We Have Two Choices

August 28, 2019

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Former NFL player, performer, and author – Bo Eason – discusses the one-man play he wrote and performed, Runt of the Litter; and his new book, There’s No Plan B for Your A-Game. Bo started his career as a top pick for the Houston Oilers and continued on with the San Francisco 49ers. He discusses…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: choice, decision making, discipline

TLP134: Keeping Promises

January 23, 2019

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We’re all a work in progress, and whether we call it a resolution, or an ongoing commitment, it’s all part of building character to consistently develop and grow. Today, Jim and Jan talk about making promises and resolutions, and why we seem to let our own goals die before helping others achieve theirs. They discuss…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: character, discipline, grit, productivity, Professionalism, trust

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A positive mindset isn't simply about feeling good A positive mindset isn't simply about feeling good.@shawnachor's research explores what happens when the brain approaches challenges from a more positive state. The result can extend beyond how we feel, influencing how we perform, solve problems, and respond to the situations in front of us.That makes positivity more than an attitude. It becomes a way of changing how we approach life and work.Learn how the brain's state can influence the outcomes we create.#Leadership #PositivePsychology #LeadershipDevelopment #Mindset #ShawnAchor #LeadershipPodcast
Donnie Boivin doesn't work the room. He plants his Donnie Boivin doesn't work the room.He plants his feet and lets the room come to him.He calls it command presence, and it's a leadership skill, not a personality trait. The best leaders aren't controlling every conversation, they're guiding the room just by how they show up.Hear Donnie break down what that actually looks like in practice. Full episode is live now. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-521?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #networking #executivepresence #personalbranding #leadershipdevelopment #salesleadership #leadershippodcast #businessgrowth
Most leaders delay hard conversations. They hope t Most leaders delay hard conversations.They hope the problem fixes itself.Patrick Emmons says that hope is the mistake.Waiting doesn't soften the issue, it just adds interest.Listen to the full episode for Patrick's approach to difficult conversations. https://bit.ly/TLP-524?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #difficultconversations #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #directcommunication #teamculture #accountability #patrickemmons
It's easy to chase the next title. Harder to ask w It's easy to chase the next title. Harder to ask what you're actually building once you get there.Kim's closing message reframes leadership away from status — and toward legacy and impact.Dive into the full conversation now. https://bit.ly/TLP-522?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#boldleadership #kimsvoboda #leadershiplegacy #intentionalleadership #executivecoaching #leadershipmindset #leadershippodcast #whatmatters
Culture isn't something you mandate from the C-sui Culture isn't something you mandate from the C-suite. It's built by the people doing the work.David built Fed Up Foods on this principle, and it's why his team stayed committed through disruption, crisis, and rapid growth.When you invite people to shape how you work together, they own it. When you tell them how to work, they comply.The difference is everything.Listen to David's full framework for culture-building that lasts. https://bit.ly/TLP-520?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#culturebuilding #leadership #teamculture #leadershipdevelopment #westudyleaders #peopleirst #theleadershippodcast #valuesdriven
Patrick Ryan names the practice most leaders never Patrick Ryan names the practice most leaders never do. Before you decide. Before you send that email. Before you justify it to yourself. Take a step back. Ask: What would a knowledgeable, impartial observer think of this? That's the impartial spectator. It's not philosophy. It's a daily tool. One question. Applied consistently. It changes everything.Watch the full episode. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-519?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #ethics #decisionmaking #adamsmith #leadershippodcast #corporateethics #executiveleadership #virtuouscapitalism
Leadership can become too focused on the person at Leadership can become too focused on the person at the top.But the real measure of leadership is what happens to the people being led.As Geoffrey Cain explains, leadership isn't only about the leader's vision or ambition. It's about the people, the environment, and the conditions that allow others to do their best work.#Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipLessons #LeadershipMindset #TheLeadershipPodcast
Jim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford describe four w Jim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford describe four ways leaders can shape a tribe: subtraction, division, addition, and multiplication.The first is leadership by subtraction. Jim describes it as a form of bullying, where a leader elevates themselves by pushing someone else down.It raises a useful question for leaders: Are you building your own position by developing others, or by diminishing them?This is the first of four leadership approaches discussed in the full conversation. Watch the full episode to hear the other three.#Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipLessons #LeadershipCulture #OrganizationalCulture #TheLeadershipPodcast
David Gray calls it empathetic accountability. And David Gray calls it empathetic accountability.And it's the thing most leaders get wrong.You can hold people responsible. But only if you've connected with them first.Skip the connection? Accountability feels like harassment.David has spent 34 years learning this: exhausted people need to know they're valued before they'll respond to expectations.That doesn't mean lowering standards. It means raising empathy.Hear David's full philosophy on leadership in uncertain times. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-520?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#empathyatwork #leadership #leadershipphilosophy #podcast #davidgray #theleadershippodcast #managementskills #leadershipdevelopment
Being good at something can make you worse at maki Being good at something can make you worse at making decisions.The more experience and expertise we gain, the easier it can become to trust our judgment without questioning it.David Robson calls this the "curse of expertise."He argues that good judgment requires something that doesn't always come naturally to smart, experienced people: actively looking for evidence that challenges what we already believe.In our conversation, we explore what that looks like in leadership, along with the role of curiosity, vulnerability, communication, and self-compassion in becoming more effective.Listen to the latest episode of The Leadership Podcast.#leadership #leadershipdevelopment #decisionmaking #leadershippsychology #cognitivebias #executiveleadership #selfawareness #davidrobson
Most networking advice is training you to waste yo Most networking advice is training you to waste your time in the wrong rooms.Donnie Boivin, CEO of Success Champion Networking and creator of the C3 Model, built a 30-chapter, 450-member organization on one reframe: networking means building other people's businesses, not collecting business cards.This episode breaks down his 30/30/30 framework, the Home Depot story that changed everything, and why give-give-get-give beats give-first-to-gain-everything.Listen now, then rethink your next room. https://bit.ly/TLP-521?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch it on YouTube -https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-521?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #networking #businessdevelopment #salesleadership #b2bsales #leadershippodcast #executivecoaching #relationshipbuilding #salesstrategy #entrepreneurship
You can talk about work-life balance all day. You You can talk about work-life balance all day.Your team is watching what you actually do.Tom Rath says most leaders preach rest and recovery, then model the opposite. First in. Last out. Never fully off.If you want a well-rested team, be the first one to log off.Listen to Tom Rath's full conversation on the show. https://bit.ly/TLP-523?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#tomrath #leadershippodcast #leadingbyexample #executivecoaching #workplaceculture #burnoutprevention #leadershipmindset #peoplefirstleadership
Capitalism broke when leaders stopped believing it Capitalism broke when leaders stopped believing it requires morality.Patrick Ryan is a chartered director, KYC Net founder, and author of The Moral Market. He spent decades watching executives justify corner-cutting as "following the rules."In this episode, he shares why modern capitalism abandoned Adam Smith's moral foundation. And how the impartial spectator fixes it.Go listen to the full conversation. https://bit.ly/TLP-519?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersGo watch the full conversation. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-519?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#capitalism #ethics #leadership #adamsmith #moralcapitalism #businessethics #leadershippodcast #virtuouscapitalism
When Hurricane Helene destroyed David Gray's facil When Hurricane Helene destroyed David Gray's facilities, he didn't panic.He built a playbook.Step one: Know if your people are safe and what they need. Step two: Assess your operations for damage or compromise. Step three: Communicate with customers about impact and timeline. Step four: Keep everyone informed of progress, even if you don't have all the answers yet.David learned that people don't need you to be perfect. They need you to be clear and consistent.Listen to the full episode for his complete crisis leadership framework. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-520?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#crisisleadership #leadership #leadershiplessons #teamculture #management #podcast #davidgray #theleadershippodcast
Give first to gain everything sounds noble. Donnie Give first to gain everything sounds noble. Donnie Boivin says it's a trap. One-sided giving just trains people to take advantage of you. His fix: give, give, get, give — mutual respect over martyrdom. It changes how you should be showing up in every relationship you're building. Catch the full breakdown on this week's episode. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-521?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#networking #leadershipmindset #businessstrategy #relationshipbuilding #salesleadership #entrepreneurmindset #leadershippodcast #businessgrowth
A good leader needs conviction. But conviction can A good leader needs conviction. But conviction can become a liability when it makes you stop listening.Ron Johnson learned this in very different ways at Apple and J.C. Penney.At Apple, he and Steve Jobs were willing to hit rewind after six months of work on the first Apple Store because they realized the concept was wrong. At J.C. Penney, Ron moved too quickly, relied too heavily on his own conviction, and later recognized that he needed to slow down, get more input, and bring people along.We also talk about kindness, and why Ron sees it not as softness, but as a way of creating the conditions for people to do their best work.That combination of conviction, humility, and kindness makes for an interesting way Ron approaches leadership.Link to the full episode in the comments.#Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipLessons #VisionaryLeadership #TheLeadershipPodcast
Perfectionism doesn't make leaders bolder. It make Perfectionism doesn't make leaders bolder. It makes them slower.Kim learned this from a CEO who taught her the 80/20 rule — enough data to decide, then move. The last 20% almost never changes the outcome.If you're stuck waiting for certainty, this is your permission to go. https://bit.ly/TLP-522?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#boldleadership #kimsvoboda #decisionmaking #executivecoaching #leadershipmindset #intentionalleadership #leadershippodcast #decisiveleadership
She was running a $1B P&L. She was also miserable. She was running a $1B P&L. She was also miserable.Kim Svoboda is founder of Aspiration Catalyst, author of Bold Leadership, 20+ years leading sales orgs before walking away from it all.This week: what happens when you finally measure your life against your own values, and it doesn't add up.Listen to the full episode now. https://bit.ly/TLP-522?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch it on YouTube - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-522?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershippodcast #boldleadership #executiveburnout #leadershipdevelopment #highperformingteams #employeeengagement #intentionalleadership #careertransition
Most people treat networking like a numbers game. Most people treat networking like a numbers game.Donnie Boivin treats it like a business model.The shift from collecting contacts to building other people's success is what actually opens doors.Hear how he built an entire company around it in this week's episode. https://bit.ly/TLP-521?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#networking #leadership #businessdevelopment #relationshipbuilding #salesmindset #entrepreneurship #leadershippodcast #b2bsales
Patrick Emmons wasn't a great student. He'll tell Patrick Emmons wasn't a great student.He'll tell you that himself.But he's built and sold three companies over 25 years.His point: the hero story isn't the requirement people think it is.Hear Patrick's full story on episode 524. https://bit.ly/TLP-524?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #entrepreneurship #growthmindset #careeradvice
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