• Home
  • Episodes
  • Books for Leaders
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • Our Sponsors
  • Blog
  • Our Newsletter
The Leadership Podcast

The Leadership Podcast

We Study Leaders

TLP511: What 500 Top Leaders Taught Us — And Why It’s Not What You Think

May 13, 2026

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theleadershippodcast/TLP-511.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

What happens when you spend 10 years interviewing some of the world’s top leaders? After 500 interviews with CEOs, generals, founders, bestselling authors, athletes, and elite performers, Jim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford discovered a surprising pattern. The most successful leaders were NOT the most polished, they were the most self-aware, adaptable, and relentlessly committed to…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptive leadership, business leaders, Business Leadership, CEOs, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, Executive Coaching, executive leadership, high performance, Jan Rutherford, Jim Vaselopulos, leadership development, Leadership Lessons, leadership mindset, leadership myths, Leadership Podcast, leadership skills, Leadership Strategies, lessons from leaders, Personal Growth, self awareness, success mindset, Team Leadership, The Leadership Podcast, what makes a great leader

TLP504: Why Your Team Is Still Disengaged

March 25, 2026

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theleadershippodcast/TLP-504.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

TLP504: Why Your Team Is Still Disengaged
Mark Crowley’s newest book is The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move Beyond Engagement to Build Flourishing Teams.
For more than a decade, organizations have chased employee engagement – through surveys, gamification, perks, and wellness apps – yet the results haven’t improved. Gallup now reports engagement at a ten-year low. Mark was one of the early voices questioning the engagement movement, and in this conversation he explains why the model itself is flawed.
We talk about what leaders have been measuring incorrectly, what employee well-being actually means, and why the strongest predictor of team performance isn’t compensation, perks, or pressure to produce. It’s belonging.
If you’re seeing burnout, quiet disengagement, or people simply going through the motions, this conversation offers a different lens on leadership—and practical insights you can start applying immediately.
Find episode 504 on The Leadership Podcast, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: belonging at work, emotional intelligence, employee burnout, Employee Engagement, Employee Motivation, employee well-being, flourishing teams, gallup engagement, hr leadership, human connection at work, hybrid work, lead from the heart, leadership, leadership development, Leadership Lessons, Leadership Podcast, manager accountability, mark c crowley, mark crowley, micromanagement, people management, power of employee well-being, remote work, team cohesion, team performance, we study leaders, work ethic, workplace belonging, workplace culture, workplace emotions

TLP481: The New Language of Leadership with Michael Ventura

October 15, 2025

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theleadershippodcast/TLP-481.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Michael Ventura is an entrepreneur, author of “Applied Empathy: The New Language of Leadership”, and advisor to leaders at organizations including the ACLU, Google, Nike, and the UN. He has taught emotionally intelligent leadership at Princeton, West Point, and Esalen. In this episode, Michael explores why our natural childhood empathy fades as adults due to…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Applied Empathy, business results, cognitive empathy, emotional intelligence, empathetic leadership, empathy training, Executive Coaching, GE case study, Jan Rutherford, Jim Vaselopulos, leadership archetypes, leadership development, leadership skills, Michael Ventura, Organizational Culture, patient experience, retention strategies, team development, The Leadership Podcast, West Point

TLP466: Story Is The Vehicle, Not The Cargo with Dan Manning

July 2, 2025

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theleadershippodcast/TLP-466.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Dan Manning is the Chief Story Architect at Build The Story, and a former fighter pilot and U.S. diplomat. Dan digs into the difference between storytelling that entertains and storytelling that leads to decisions.  Dan breaks down how he helps people choose the right story for the right moment and how every story should reflect…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: communication, Dan Manning, decision making, emotional intelligence, fighter pilot, leadership, podcast, sales, storytelling, The Leadership Podcast, Transformation, trust

TLP462: Overcome Your Fear of Being Seen with Linda Ugelow

May 28, 2025

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theleadershippodcast/TLP-462.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Linda Ugelow is the author of “Delight in the Limelight: Overcome Your Fear of Being Seen and Realize Your Dreams.”  In this episode, Linda shares how fear often stems from past experiences, and how leaders can reframe internal narratives to demonstrate more confidence.  She dives into the power of self-acceptance and how it shapes leadership…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: confidence, emotional intelligence, empowerment, Executive Coaching, fear of speaking, Growth Mindset, inner voice, leadership, personal development, public speaking, Self-awareness, self-expression, vulnerability

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

May 21, 2025

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theleadershippodcast/TLP-461.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

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

TLP455: Break Free from Self-imposed Limitations with Kasey D’Amato

April 9, 2025

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theleadershippodcast/TLP-455.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Kasey D’Amato’s experience goes from launching a dermatology division and founding a global skincare brand to building a multi-seven-figure real estate portfolio. In this episode, Kasey shares her insights on how leaders can avoid burnout, overcome stagnation, and create a life that aligns with their true purpose.  She introduces her Holistic Leadership Mastery™ Framework, which…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: business growth, career transition, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, leadership, leadership coaching, resilience, self-improvement, time management, Work-life balance

TLP453: Delegation Isn’t About Losing Control with Dr. Steven Stein

March 26, 2025

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theleadershippodcast/TLP-453.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Dr. Steven Stein, world-renowned clinical psychologist, best-selling author, and MHS founder, consults for military, corporate, and TV shows, specializing in psychological assessment and emotional intelligence. He also hosts the podcast Work Therapy. In this episode, Dr. Steven explores how EI has evolved since its early days and why some leaders still underestimate its impact. Steven…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Business Strategy, corporate culture, decision making, emotional intelligence, Executive Coaching, high-performance teams, leadership, leadership development, Military Leadership, Personal Growth, psychology, remote work, resilience, Self-awareness, team development, workplace culture

TLP451: Find More Joy, Meaning, and Opportunities in the Job You Already Have with Elizabeth Lotardo

March 12, 2025

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theleadershippodcast/TLP-451.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Elizabeth Lotardo, author of “Leading Yourself: Find More Joy, Meaning, and Opportunities in the Job You Already Have (Despite Imperfect Bosses, Weird Economies, Lethargic Coworkers, Annoying Systems, and Too Many Deliverables),” is also a LinkedIn Learning instructor. In this conversation, Elizabeth offers valuable insights on self-leadership, personal accountability, and employee engagement, emphasizing the importance of…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: career development, emotional intelligence, Employee Engagement, leadership skills, mindset shift, networking, Personal Growth, professional success, self-improvement, self-leadership, workplace success

TLP446: How Mental Health and Leadership are Deeply Connected with Dr. Marie Helene-Pelletier

February 5, 2025

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theleadershippodcast/TLP-446.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Dr. Marie Helene Peltier is a leadership psychologist, and author of “The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health.” In this episode, she unpacks the science and practical strategies behind resilience, offering insights into how mental health and leadership are deeply interconnected. From creating personalized resilience plans to building…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: emotional intelligence, leadership, leadership development, mental health, resilience, Strategic Planning, stress management, Team Building, Work-life balance

  • 1
  • 2
  • ...Next Page
iTunes
Spotify
Audible
SoundCloud
iHeartRADIO

Instagram Feed

westudyleaders

#leadership #leadershiptraining #leader #westudyleaders

Here's a framework worth borrowing from David Crai Here's a framework worth borrowing from David Craig, former CEO of Refinitiv.Meeting overload isn't the actual problem. It's a symptom of unclear ownership.When it isn't obvious who owns a decision or a budget, people default to scheduling a meeting to sort it out. David solved this at Refinitiv by documenting exactly who owns what, a reference guide his team nicknamed the Blue Book.He also questioned a habit most companies never examine: why every meeting defaults to 60 minutes. His team ran 25-minute meetings instead, built around what the meeting actually needed.Two practical ideas any leader can apply this week.Full conversation is live now https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-525?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #davidcraig #meetingculture #businessefficiency #leadershippodcast #organizationalculture #executiveleadership #productivitytips
Jim Brown watches this play out in every organizat Jim Brown watches this play out in every organization.Leaders who have all the answers don't develop leaders. They develop followers.Your job isn't to be the hero. It's to build heroes.The moment your team stops thinking for themselves, you've become a bottleneck, not a leader.Watch episode 517 for the full story. https://bit.ly/TLP-517?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershipaccountability #leadershipdevelopment #organizationalhealth #teamleadership #leadershipcoaching #executiveleadership #theleadershippodcast #westudyleaders
Not every vision deserves to be protected forever. Not every vision deserves to be protected forever.Good leadership requires the judgment to recognize when persistence has become attachment, and the willingness to change direction when the evidence says it is time.Sometimes the most important leadership decision is not pushing harder. It is thinking differently.#Leadership #LeadershipLessons #LeadershipDevelopment #DecisionMaking #VisionaryLeadership #TheLeadershipPodcast
Trust is not built during the difficult conversati Trust is not built during the difficult conversation.Carlos Gutierrez describes it as a "warehouse of trust" that leaders build over years by keeping commitments, delivering on what they say, and building relationships across the organization.That trust becomes especially important when leaders have to make decisions people may not agree with.Leadership is not about always being liked. It is about having earned enough trust that people can believe in your judgment, even when the decision is difficult.Listen to the full conversation with Carlos Gutierrez on The Leadership Podcast.#Leadership #LeadershipLessons #TrustInLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #TheLeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveLeadership
He was one of Kim Svoboda's best performers. He wa He was one of Kim Svoboda's best performers. He was also a bully.She tolerated it. The results were good. Then he quit in a rage.A week later, the truth came out. Team culture lifted almost overnight.Kim breaks down what tolerating bad behavior really costs a team.Ask yourself who's costing you culture. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-522?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#boldleadership #kimsvoboda #teamculture #toxicemployee #leadershipdevelopment #highperformingteams #leadershippodcast #accountability
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
Most leaders blame the market, the deal, or the te Most leaders blame the market, the deal, or the tech when things fall apart.David Craig says look closer. The system is usually the real problem.David is the former CEO of Refinitiv and author of the Blue Book on business transformation and growth, having led a 25,000-person company through the financial crisis, Brexit, and Covid.This episode breaks down how to spot complexity killing your organization before it's too late, and what real conviction looks like when leading people through change.New episode is live now. https://bit.ly/TLP-525?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch it on YouTube - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-525?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershippodcast #theleadershippodcast #businesstransformation #executiveleadership #organizationalculture #changemanagement #ceointerview #leadershipdevelopment #davidcraig
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
Picture a sideline full of parents yelling instruc Picture a sideline full of parents yelling instructions nobody can follow.Now picture your last team meeting.Patrick Emmons says it's the same problem.Bosses talk, but only 3% of the room actually understands what was said.He learned to fix it by coaching kids, not running companies.Watch the full episode to hear how Patrick builds a vernacular his team actually understands. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-524?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #teamcommunication #coaching #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #teambuilding #businessleadership #patrickemmons
Belonging is more than being part of a team or org Belonging is more than being part of a team or organization. It is the sense that people matter, that they are cared for, and that there is a place for them in the group.For leaders, creating that environment is part of the responsibility of leadership. It shapes how people connect, participate, and contribute.Listen to the full conversation on Tribalism, Belonging, and the Leader's Role. Link in the first comment.#Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipLessons #OrganizationalCulture #Belonging #TheLeadershipPodcast
Patrick Ryan reframes the entire capitalism conver Patrick Ryan reframes the entire capitalism conversation in one sentence. Most leaders see ethics as a constraint. A tax on profit. But that's the opposite of how markets actually work. Without moral foundation, there's no trust. No enforceable contracts. No real market. Just extraction dressed up as business. This changes how you think about your next decision.Listen to Episode 519. https://bit.ly/TLP-519?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#capitalism #ethics #leadership #adamsmith #businessethics #moralcapitalism #leadershippodcast #virtuouscapitalism
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
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
You have more technically qualified people enterin You have more technically qualified people entering the workforce than ever.You also have fewer people who know how to have a real conversation.This gap is costing you. It's costing every organization. It's being missed in every leadership development program.The most expensive credential in 2026 is something no degree can teach: the ability to actually connect with another human.Find what's missing: https://bit.ly/TLP-516?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershipdevelopment #talentdevelopment #workforcedevelopment #peopleskills #teambuilding #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast
Your people spend more hours with you than with th Your people spend more hours with you than with their families.That's not a business metric. That's a moral obligation.David Gray sees it as both privilege and responsibility. You're not just developing workers. You're developing humans—their skills, their confidence, their sense of purpose.Most leaders treat people like resources. David treats them like people entrusted to his care for a significant portion of their lives.It changes everything about how you lead.Explore David's complete philosophy on servant leadership. https://bit.ly/TLP-520?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershipphilosophy #servantleadership #peopledevelopment #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast #teamleadership #managementphilosophy #compassionateLeadership
Everyone hits hard seasons. Not everyone responds Everyone hits hard seasons. Not everyone responds to them the same way.Lee Benson has survived health crises, financial setbacks, and a rough start most people never recover from.His reframe: every setback either builds you or defines you. You choose which.Hear how Lee turned his hardest years into his biggest advantage. #resilience #leadership #leebenson #mindset #growth #familyleadership #executivecoaching #podcast
Most companies reward CEOs for riding good markets Most companies reward CEOs for riding good markets and punish them for bad timing. Patrick Ryan says that's backwards. If the boom isn't your doing, the credit isn't yours. If the crash isn't your fault, the blame isn't either. Judge leaders on what they actually controlled. On the value they built. Not on the luck they rode. That changes how you hire, promote, and evaluate performance.Hear the full conversation. https://bit.ly/TLP-519?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #ethics #performance #accountability #executiveleadership #moralcapitalism #leadershippodcast #businessethics
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
Most leaders treat ethics as a cost. Patrick Ryan Most leaders treat ethics as a cost. Patrick Ryan says that's backwards. Morality isn't friction. It's the lubricant that makes markets actually function. Without it, you don't have capitalism. You have extraction. This is what modern business gets fundamentally wrong—and how it shifts everything about how you lead.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
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
Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • TLP532: Sheer Will: The Unlikely Path from Cuba to the Cabinet
  • TLP531: Tribalism, Belonging, and the Leader’s Role
  • TLP530: Leadership Lessons from Building the Apple Store with Ron Johnson
  • TLP529: How Steve Jobs Learned to Lead with Geoffrey Cain
  • TLP528: The Beliefs That Shape Success with Shawn Achor

Recent Comments

  • Anonymous on TLP519: The Leadership Idea We Missed for 250 Years
  • Anonymous on TLP513: The Leadership Cost of Isolation with Nick Black
  • Anonymous on TLP511: What 500 Top Leaders Taught Us — And Why It’s Not What You Think
  • Anonymous on TLP508: Your Scars Are Your Resume
  • Anonymous on TLP505: Why Leadership Coaching So Often Fails

Tags

adaptability assumptions athletics business change coaching communication corporate crucible culture Curiosity decision making education emotional intelligence entrepreneur Executive Coaching financial history humor innovation interview Jan Rutherford Jim & Jan Jim Vaselopulos leader leadership leadership development Leadership Podcast military neuroscience Personal Growth philosophy practitioner productivity relationships resilience speaker sports stories team development teamwork thought leader trust veterans workplace culture

Copyright © 2026 Rafti Advisors, LLC & Self-Reliant Leadership, LLC - All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy