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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 Leave a Comment

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

April 9, 2025

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Purpose is one of the most talked about topics in Purpose is one of the most talked about topics in leadership right now and also one of the most misunderstood. Maria Brinck makes a distinction that reframes the whole conversation. She is not talking about finding purpose. She is talking about building it. And the difference between those two things changes everything about how you lead and how you live. Episode 510 of The Leadership Podcast is out now. This is one worth clearing your schedule for. https://bit.ly/TLP-510?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Purpose #Leadership #TheLeadershipPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #Podcast
We're drowning in Slack messages and Zoom calls bu We're drowning in Slack messages and Zoom calls but starving for actual connection. A nomadic tribe in northern Kenya figured out something about resilience that our corner offices are missing. It's not about mental toughness. It's about interdependence.Full conversation in episode 498 - https://bit.ly/TLP-498?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #connection #resilience #communityovercompetition #leadershipdevelopment #workplaceculture
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
TLP502: Never Fire Anyone with Mark Morgenfruh Ou TLP502: Never Fire Anyone with Mark Morgenfruh Our latest episode with Mark Morgenfruh https://bit.ly/TLP-502?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP502%3A%20Never%20Fire%20Anyone%20with%20Mark%20Morgenfruh #leadership #leadership, #trustbasedleadership, #hrleadership, #neverfireanyone, #leadershipdevelopment, #theleadershippodcast, #leadershippodcast, #workplaceculture, #leadershipcoach, #performancemanagement, #accountability, #accountabilityleadership, #peoplemanagement, #valuesbasedleadership, #employeeperformance, #compassionateleadership, #leadershipandempathy, #difficultconversations,
We spend so much time coaching the person at the t We spend so much time coaching the person at the top and zero time asking the people around them if anything actually changed. Will Linssen has data on 100,000 leaders that proves exactly why that doesn't work.Full conversation on TLP505. https://bit.ly/TLP-505?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershipcoaching #leadershipdevelopment #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast #executivecoaching #coaching
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
If you constantly tear down the system you're part If you constantly tear down the system you're part of, don't be surprised when people disconnect from it.That shows up inside teams too.Leaders set the tone. Not just through strategy, but through how they talk about the work, the mission, and the people around them. If everything sounds cynical or negative, that becomes the culture.And culture shapes who stays, who leaves, and how people show up every day.This one is worth the full listen. Go check out the whole episode of Dr. Bill Kline and tell us what hit you the hardest. https://bit.ly/TLP-509?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershipdevelopment #teamculture #capitalism #businessleadership #tlp509
Steve Taplin has 20 failures and 10 wins across 30 Steve Taplin has 20 failures and 10 wins across 30 ventures. That's a .333 batting average, which in baseball is Hall of Fame territory. But here's the thing: those 20 failures taught him everything the 10 wins couldn't. Success makes you cocky. Failure makes you better. The question is whether you're willing to use it as fuel or let it stop you.Hear Steve's full story on episode 501. https://bit.ly/TLP-501?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#FailureIsLearning #EntrepreneurJourney #BusinessLessons #LeadershipWisdom #TheLeadershipPodcast
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
Most leaders wait until the wheels have completely Most leaders wait until the wheels have completely fallen off before they say something. Mark Morgenfruh says if you actually have a real relationship with your people, you'd see it at waypoint two, not waypoint six. This is the conversation about compassion and performance that nobody wants to have but every leader needs. Full episode here - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-502?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershipdevelopment #employeeperformance #compassionateleadership #theleadershippodcast #neverfireanyone #leadershippodcast
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
Twenty-five years ago, Joe Pine predicted the Expe Twenty-five years ago, Joe Pine predicted the Experience Economy. Now he's back to tell us we're already behind again.Joe breaks down why fostering human flourishing is actually the whole point of business, why almost every company can find itself in one of four transformation spheres, and why the companies that figure this out will leave everyone else scrambling.Worth a listen if you're wondering why your pricing model feels stuck. https://bit.ly/TLP-499?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersYou can also watch the episode on YouTube - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-499?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #BusinessTransformation #TransformationEconomy #JoePine #Pricing #BusinessModel #TheLeadershipPodcast
She was the number one manager in a 4000 branch ne She was the number one manager in a 4000 branch network. Three years running. And she had better offers on the table. She stayed for one reason her leader almost said no to. This story from Mark Crowley is a gut check for every leader who thinks compensation is the whole game.Full episode on The Leadership Podcast now. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-504?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #employeeretention #markcrowley #leadfromtheheart #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast #leadershiplessons #workplacebelonging #peopleleadership #teamculture
Before Will Linssen coaches anyone he runs them th Before Will Linssen coaches anyone he runs them through this. Three simple questions that tell him almost immediately whether this person will be in the 95% who change or the ones who waste everyone's time. The answer has nothing to do with skill level or title. Full episode here - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-505?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #aileadership #futureofleadership #leadershipdevelopment #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast #shorts #executivecoaching
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
When you're raising other people's money, integrit When you're raising other people's money, integrity isn't a nice-to-have. Steve Taplin's business partner called him stupid for walking away from $2 million. The numbers looked inflated, the deal felt wrong, so Steve said no. His partner did it anyway and spent five years rubbing the money in his face. Until the indictment came. Integrity is foundational, especially when it's not your money on the line.Full story on episode 501 of The Leadership Podcast. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-501?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#BusinessIntegrity #EntrepreneurEthics #RaisingMoney #TrustYourGut #LeadershipValues
We've been running engagement surveys for 13 years We've been running engagement surveys for 13 years. Gallup just reported it's at a 10 year low. Same numbers as when we started. Mark Crowley joined the conversation and said what a lot of leaders need to hear but aren't ready for. The problem was never the people. It was how we've been leading them. The full episode is live now. https://bit.ly/TLP-504?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode on YouTube - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-504?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#employeeengagement #leadership #employeewellbeing #leadfromtheheart #markcrowley #theleadershippodcast #westudyleaders #teamculture #belongingatwork #leadershipdevelopment
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
Disruption is not always about blowing things up. Disruption is not always about blowing things up. Sometimes the most disruptive move in the room is refusing to follow the crowd. Patrick Leddin breaks this down in a way that actually reframes how you think about change and leadership.We went deep on this in Episode 507. Don't miss it. https://bit.ly/TLP-507?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #disruption #leadershiplessons #westudyleaders #disrupteverything #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoach #changeleadership #leadershippodcast
We just hit episode 500 with Admiral William (Bill We just hit episode 500 with Admiral William (Bill) McRaven, and honestly, the crystal ball analogy he shared completely changed how I think about priorities. He spent decades telling people there's no such thing as work-life balance, until a CEO told him about rubber balls versus crystal balls. Full conversation at https://bit.ly/TLP-500?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full conversation here - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-500?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #WorkLifeBalance #AdmiralMcRaven #Episode500 #TheLeadershipPodcast #MilitaryLeadership #LeadershipLessons
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  • TLP511: What 500 Top Leaders Taught Us — And Why It’s Not What You Think
  • TLP510: Why Your Organization Keeps Getting the Same Results (No Matter What You Change)
  • TLP509: Capitalism Without Ethics Is Just Chaos
  • TLP508: Your Scars Are Your Resume
  • TLP507: Disrupt or Be Buried: The Mindset That Changes Everything

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  • Anonymous on TLP508: Your Scars Are Your Resume
  • Anonymous on TLP505: Why Leadership Coaching So Often Fails
  • Anonymous on TLP504: Why Your Team Is Still Disengaged
  • 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

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