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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

TLP472: Embracing Uncertainty with Dr. Margaret Heffernan

August 13, 2025

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Dr. Margaret Heffernan has written six books including “Willful Blindness: Why We Ignore the Obvious at Our Peril” and “Uncharted: How to Navigate the Future,” both widely recognized as top business books. Dr. Heffernan returns to the Leadership Podcast with insights from her new book “Embracing Uncertainty: How writers, musicians and artists thrive in an…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptive leadership, artists and business, board leadership, business books, Business Strategy, CEO insights, creative leadership, decision making, embracing uncertainty, Executive Coaching, experiential learning, failure and learning, innovation leadership, intuition in leadership, leadership development, Leadership Podcast, leadership retreat, Listening skills, live music and leadership, managing uncertainty, Margaret Heffernan, mindful leadership, organizational leadership, planning vs spontaneity, risk management, Strategic Planning, validation and leadership, Vulnerability in Leadership, wandering for insights

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This hit different. We're not having fact debates This hit different. We're not having fact debates - we're having harm debates. Everyone's protecting what they see as threatened. Once you get that, everything changes.🎧 Full episode drops truth bombs - https://bit.ly/TLP-471?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders // https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-471?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #Communication #Facts #Morality #Psychology #Podcast
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
Dan Manning breaks down why movies are the wrong m Dan Manning breaks down why movies are the wrong model for business storytelling. When people watch a movie, they're expecting to be entertained. But in real life, your audience isn't sitting in the dark with popcorn, they're distracted, busy, and skeptical. That's why stories in business must be purposeful, targeted, and designed to influence action, not applause. If you want to lead, you have to tell stories about land. https://bit.ly/TLP-466?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch it on our YouTube channel https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-466?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#StorytellingThatWorks #BusinessStorytelling #LeadershipPodcast #DanManning #BuildAStory #CommunicationTips #SpeakToLead #MakeThemAct #FighterPilotWisdom #ActionOverEntertainment #SalesStrategy #RealTalk #ContentThatConverts #HumanBehavior #TheLeadershipPodcast
TLPMM012: On Character with General Stanley McChry TLPMM012: On Character with General Stanley McChrystal Our latest episode with General Stanley McChrystal https://bit.ly/TLPMM012?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLPMM012%3A%20On%20Character%20with%20General%20Stanley%20McChrystal #leadership #LeadershipPodcast, #StanMcChrystal, #MilitaryLeadership, #CharacterMatters, #DisciplineEqualsFreedom, #SelfReflection, #ServiceAboveSelf, #MoralCourage, #TeamOfTeams, #LeadersInAction, #ConvictionAndDiscipline, #LegacyLeadership
Leaders often fail to recognize how pressure disto Leaders often fail to recognize how pressure distorts their perception, leading to micromanagement and overuse of authority. Sabina Nawaz @sabinacoaching shares powerful insights on how pressure—not power—can corrupt leadership. Tune in to discover how coaching can transform even the most reactive leaders into role models! https://bit.ly/TLP-464?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #SelfAwareness #Coaching #LeadershipDevelopment #Authenticity #PressureNotPower #VulnerabilityInLeadership #EffectiveLeadership #GrowthMindset #LeadershipCoaching #LeadershipTransformation #LeadershipInsights #TLPPodcast
Jumping to solutions without naming the real probl Jumping to solutions without naming the real problem? Jim breaks down why that's a leadership trap. One pause. One clear question. That's where better decisions begin. https://bit.ly/TLP-468?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersYou can also watch it in our YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-468?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#LeadershipWisdom #ProblemSolving #TeamAlignment #ReflectionMatters #LeadershipTips #ThinkBeforeYouAct #PodcastQuote #ExecutiveLeadership #MeetingTips
Sometimes the scariest thing isn't the unknown, it Sometimes the scariest thing isn't the unknown, it's staying stuck in what we already know. Dr. Margaret Heffernan's latest book "Embracing Uncertainty" hits differently when you realize we're all just making it up as we go anyway.Full episode at https://bit.ly/TLP-472?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode here https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-472?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#EmbraceUncertainty #Leadership #Innovation #Podcast #MargaretHeffernan #Growth
TLP468: The Power of Doing Nothing with Jim and Ja TLP468: The Power of Doing Nothing with Jim and Jan Our latest episode with Jan Rutherford, Jim Vaselopulos https://bit.ly/TLP-468?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP468%3A%20The%20Power%20of%20Doing%20Nothing%20with%20Jim%20and%20Jan #leadership #LeadershipPodcast, #QuietLeadership, #DoNothing, #CharacterMatters, #ConvictionAndDiscipline, #SelfReflection, #Solitude, #EfficiencyInBusiness, #VeteranSupport, #MindfulLeadership, #SlowDownToSpeedUp, #LeadershipCoaching
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
Too often, leadership gets portrayed as a solo act Too often, leadership gets portrayed as a solo act. The bold visionary. The lone decision-maker. The hero at the center.But in Mastermind Episode 012 of The Leadership Podcast, General Stanley McChrystal flips that narrative on its head.True leadership, he says, is not about standing alone, it's about the people around you. The ones who call you higher. The ones who hold you accountable. The ones who make you better simply by refusing to settle.Because character and conviction aren't sustained in isolation. They're reinforced in community.🎧 Listen to the full conversation with General McChrystal: https://bit.ly/TLPMM012?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-qnt0VWJ1S8?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders
Delegation isn't just handing off tasks, it's an i Delegation isn't just handing off tasks, it's an investment in your team's growth and your leadership. Too often, the urgent wins and leaders end up doing the work themselves. What if slowing down to delegate could set your whole team up for success? Listen to Kevin Eikenberry unpack this leadership challenge in episode 467 of The Leadership Podcast. https://bit.ly/TLP-467?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders Watch the full episode here: https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-467?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #Delegation #FlexibleLeadership #TeamGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagementTips #LeadWithIntent #WorkSmarter #LeadershipMindset #LeadershipPodcast #GrowthMindset #InvestInPeople #RemoteLeadership #TrustInTeams #LeadershipLessons #LeadershipGrowth #IntentionalLeadership
You don't always need to do more to be effective—sometimes the smartest move is to pause. In this episode, Jim and Jan explore the power of doing nothing—and how stepping back can lead to better clarity, stronger decisions, and more aligned action. This isn't about being lazy—it's about being intentional. Tune in for lessons, stories, and real talk on character, values, and leadership. https://bit.ly/TLP-468?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersYou can also watch it in our YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-468?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#LeadershipPodcast #SelfLeadership #DoNothing #PauseAndReflect #LeadershipLessons #HighPerformance #JimAndJan #MentalClarity #DecisionMaking #LeadershipTools #SlowDownToSpeedUp #BusinessLeadership #PersonalDevelopment #WorkSmarter #LeadershipDevelopment
You can hustle hard and still miss the point. Jan You can hustle hard and still miss the point. Jan shares how a hallway chat reshaped his career—and it had nothing to do with performance. Sometimes, the best "networking strategy" is simply showing up for coffee. https://bit.ly/TLP-468?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersYou can also watch it in our YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-468?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#LeadershipDevelopment #CareerGrowth #NetworkingTips #WorkLifeBalance #HumanConnection #BuildRelationships #LeadershipPodcast #MentorshipMatters
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
Flexible leadership isn't just a buzzword — it's Flexible leadership isn't just a buzzword — it's a necessity. Kevin Eikenberry joins us to talk about how staying rooted in your values while adapting your approach can change everything in today's fast-moving world. If you want to lead with confidence through uncertainty, this episode is a must-listen. https://bit.ly/TLP-467?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode here: https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-467?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #FlexibleLeadership #LeadWithConfidence #Adaptability #LeadershipDevelopment #Leaders #LeadershipPodcast #GrowthMindset #SelfReliantLeadership #BusinessLeadership #RemoteLeadership #TeamLeadership #LeadershipTips #LeadershipGrowth #LeadershipMatters
TLP467: Navigate Uncertainty with Kevin Eikenberry TLP467: Navigate Uncertainty with Kevin Eikenberry Our latest episode with Kevin Eikenberry https://bit.ly/TLP-467?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP467%3A%20Navigate%20Uncertainty%20with%20Kevin%20Eikenberry #leadership #LeadershipPodcast, #KevinEikenberry, #FlexibleLeadership, #DelegationIsAnInvestment, #LeadershipWisdom, #TrustAndLeadership, #IntentionalLeadership, #WorkplaceEngagement, #LeadWithConfidence, #ModernLeadership, #ContextMatters, #RemarkableLeadership, #SelfLeadership, #TheLeadershipPodcast, #LeadershipDevelopment
Dan Manning isn't just telling stories, he's helpi Dan Manning isn't just telling stories, he's helping leaders inspire action. In this episode, he explains why storytelling in business is nothing like what you see in movies. It's not about impressing people, it's about getting them to move, change, or decide. Learn insights from Dan that challenge the way we think about communication. https://bit.ly/TLP-466?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#LeadershipPodcast #DanManning #StorytellingInBusiness #TrustBuilding #CommunicationSkills #BusinessGrowth #LeadWithImpact #BuildAStory #SalesTips #DecisionMaking #PodcastForLeaders #HumanConnection #TheLeadershipPodcast #FighterPilotWisdom #StoryThatSells #LeadershipTips
Discover the hidden power behind mental toughness Discover the hidden power behind mental toughness with Dr. Andreas Stamatis! From Greek Special Forces to high-performance coaching, his journey reveals how adversity can fuel greatness.Dive into the science of mental performance and leadership now. 🚀 https://bit.ly/TLP-465?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersYou can also watched in The Leadership Podcast YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/RAzQPtYfVZE?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders #LeadershipPodcast #MentalToughness #MindsetMatters #AdversityToStrength #LeadTheWay #GrowthMindset #MentalPerformance #LeadershipDevelopment #PodcastLife #SelfReliantLeadership #WinningMindset #PerformancePsychology #LeadByExample #StayStrong #LeadersWhoInspire #ResilientLeadership #TheLeadershipPodcast #AthleteMindset
In every dark moment lies a seed of growth. Dr. An In every dark moment lies a seed of growth. Dr. Andreas Stamatis reminds us that adversity isn't just a challenge—it's an opportunity for transformation.Tune in and rethink resilience today! https://bit.ly/TLP-465?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersYou can also watched in The Leadership Podcast YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/RAzQPtYfVZE?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders #MentalStrength #GrowthThroughAdversity #LeadershipPodcast #MindsetMatters #ResilientLeadership #TransformativeLeadership #MentalToughness #ExistentialPsychology #LeadersGrow #TheLeadershipPodcast #SelfReliantLeadership #PositivePsychology #CrucibleMoments #BounceBackStronger
Power doesn't corrupt—pressure does. 💥 Sabina Power doesn't corrupt—pressure does. 💥 Sabina Nawaz reminds us that leadership falters when we let pressure hijack our values. This is the kind of insight every overwhelmed leader needs to hear. https://bit.ly/TLP-464?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#LeadershipWisdom #SabinaNawaz #TheLeadershipPodcast #PressureTested #LeadershipTruths #ExecutiveLife #BurnoutAwareness #LeadershipGrowth #LeadBetter #WomenInLeadership #CareerReflection #ManagerMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #CourageToLead #LeadWithIntegrity #PodcastQuote #LeadershipInspiration
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