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The Leadership Podcast

The Leadership Podcast

We Study Leaders

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

TLP454: The pain train is coming. Are you ready? with Dr. Hope Zoeller

April 2, 2025

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Dr. Hope Zoeller is the Founder and President of HOPE (Helping Other People Excel), LLC, a consultancy dedicated to helping organizations cultivate effective and impactful leaders.  In this episode, Hope shares why so many leadership programs fail and what companies must do to see real results. Drawing from her experience in corporate leadership, academia, and…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: business growth, Employee Development, feedback, Institutional Memory, leadership, Succession Planning, training, workplace culture

TLPMM011: Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader with Jan Rutherford

August 21, 2024

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Jan Rutherford, founder of Self Reliant Leadership®, takes a deep dive into the themes of self-reliance and leadership resilience. He shares insights from his collaboration with Jacquie Jordan, a co-author on his book “Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader: How Grit and Disciplined Duty Forge Indomitable Teams”. Jan explores the foundational principles of Self-Reliant Leadership: leading oneself,…

Filed Under: Mastermind Podcast, Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, Building relationships, Effective Communication, feedback, Leading organization, Leading others, Leading self, Meaning in work, negotiation, Personalized leadership, purpose, resilience, Self-awareness, Self-reliant leadership, Setting expectations

TLP416: Think Faster, Talk Smarter with Matt Abrahams

July 3, 2024

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In this episode, communication expert Matt Abrahams shares his insights on effective leadership communication through his “four I’s” framework: Information, Impact, Invitation, and Implications. He underscores the need for clear, audience-tailored communication, emphasizing empathy and curiosity. Matt discusses the balance between personal authenticity and team support, highlighting the crucial role of feedback and ongoing self-improvement….

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, authenticity, collaboration, communication, Communication skills, connection, crisis, Culture Of Feedback, Curiosity, empathy, feedback, Intergenerational, leadership, listening, Martial Arts, Nonverbal, Pattern Recognition, Personal Growth, practice, Professional Development, PublicSpeaking, reflection, trust, Verbal Cues

TLP361: View from Above with Astronaut Terry Virts

May 31, 2023

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Col. Terry Virts (ret.) served as a U.S. Air Force test fighter pilot, is a NASA veteran of two spaceflights and a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Harvard Business School. In 2019 he directed his first film, One More Orbit. His second book, How to Astronaut, continues to amass…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: astronaut, business, Debriefing, diversity, feedback, interview, leader, leadership, space, team, training

TLP357: Feedback Is Not Nearly as Effective as You Think

May 3, 2023

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Stephen Drum, retired Navy SEAL master chief and author of “Life on the X: A Navy SEAL’s Guide to Meeting Any Challenge with Courage, Confidence, and Readiness”, discusses the values and commitments necessary for effective leadership. This is Steve’s second time as a guest on The Leadership Podcast, and in this episode he discusses the…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: authenticity, business, feedback, interview, leader, leadership, military, teamwork, values

TLP163: Unlocking Potential

August 14, 2019

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Kim Cameron focuses his research on virtuousness in organizations (aka culture) and the relationship to performance. Kim talks about what exactly virtuous leadership is, the difference between positivity and virtue, the competing values framework, and why recognizing achievement is so important… and elusive. Kim also shares practical ways leaders can begin to implement the process…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: culture, Energy, feedback, leadership, positivity, Potential, purpose, Virtue

TLP129: It’s Dangerous To Have “Irreplaceable” People

December 19, 2018

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Eric Kish is a Turnaround CEO with over 20 years of experience at transforming organizations in various forms of distress. A Stanford Business School graduate, he has scaled organizations from millions to billions, and is the author of Everyday Turnaround, The Art and Science of Daily Business Transformations. Eric discusses the global experiences that have…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: accountability, assumptions, business, coaching, corporate, culture, decision making, feedback, financial, influence, interview, leader, leadership, mentoring, practitioner, relationships, stories, teamwork, trust

TLP112: The ‘V’ Word – Vulnerability

August 22, 2018

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This week, Jan returns fresh from a trip to Ireland, where he traveled and worked with his MBA students through his course at University of Colorado Denver. He and Jim discuss the parallels and running themes between the young professionals, and guests from recent podcast episodes. They discuss how leaders can foster an environment of…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: business, coaching, collaboration, corporate, culture, feedback, Jim & Jan, leadership, vulnerability

TLP106: Strengthen Trust in Less than a Day

July 11, 2018

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Strengthen Trust in Less than a Day In this episode, Jim and Jan talk about the Urban Team Challenge: What it is, how it came about, how it’s different from other team builders, and the special type of people behind it. The goal is to sharpen your team’s ability to communicate, delegate appropriately, overcome adversity,…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: assumptions, corporate, crucible, feedback, stories, team development, teamwork, training, UTC

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They have interviewed four-star generals, Fortune They have interviewed four-star generals, Fortune 500 CEOs, and Olympic athletes. And after all of it, Jan keeps coming back to the same thing. The leaders who left the biggest mark on him were not the ones with the most impressive titles or the most polished answers. They were the ones who walked in curious about Jim and Jan. The ones who asked questions instead of just answering them. Be interested. Care about people. Be nice. It really is that simple and that rare. Clear 40 minutes and give this one your full attention. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-511?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershippodcast #leadership #podcast #selfreliantleadership #leadershipdevelopment #executivecoaching #leadyourself
Murshad Chowdhury just exposed what most leaders g Murshad Chowdhury just exposed what most leaders get wrong.They think communication is about being heard.It's actually about hearing.The biggest conflicts in teams? Someone didn't listen to what the other person meant to say.Not what they said. What they meant.That's the gap that costs leaders their credibility.Watch how to master this: https://bit.ly/TLP-515?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#communicationskills #leadershipdevelopment #listeningskills #theleadershippodcast #executiveleadership #teambuidling #leadershiplessons #conflictresolution
One of the biggest misconceptions about leadership One of the biggest misconceptions about leadership is that the people at the top somehow found a shortcut.After 500 conversations with CEOs, military leaders, entrepreneurs, and high performers, the opposite appears to be true.The leaders who create lasting impact usually make difficult tradeoffs that most people never see. They often trade off their:TimeComfortCertaintyConvenienceEgoNot because they are obsessed with work, but because meaningful growth almost always demands sustained commitment. And most conversations around leadership often skip over the cost.But mastery and long-term excellence rarely happen accidentally and without sacrifice.What do you think most people underestimate when pursuing meaningful success? https://bit.ly/TLP-511?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershippodcast #leadership #selfreliantleadership #noshortcuts #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #podcast
TLP508: Your Scars Are Your Resume Our latest epi TLP508: Your Scars Are Your Resume Our latest episode with Matt Cavanaugh https://bit.ly/TLP-508?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP508%3A%20Your%20Scars%20Are%20Your%20Resume #leadership #failure #resilience #personalgrowth #militaryleadership #army #leadershipdevelopment #scars #overcomingsetbacks #growthmindset #selfimprovement #missiondriven #leadershiplessons #mattcavanaugh #bestscarwins #retiredmilitary #learnfromfailure #purposedriven #leadershippodcast #servantleadership #judgment #emotionalgrowth #leadershiptips #mindset #growthjourney
Most people treat disruption like a storm they jus Most people treat disruption like a storm they just have to survive. Patrick Leddin spent years studying the people who don't. And what he found is that the gap between leaders who get buried by change and leaders who use it has nothing to do with talent or timing. It starts with one question: are you willing to pause long enough to see what's actually in front of you?Episode 507 is out now. Go give it a listen. https://bit.ly/TLP-507?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersThe full conversation will change how you think about this. Episode 507 is out now. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-507?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #disruption #disrupteverything #patrickleddin #leadershipdevelopment #militaryleadership #theleadershippodcast #westudyleaders #growthmindset #changemanagement
Most people compare socialism's ideals to capitali Most people compare socialism's ideals to capitalism's reality. That's not a fair fight.Dr. Bill Kline shared something that sticks. When you live inside a system, you see every flaw. Every crack. Every problem.But the system you've never experienced? That one still looks perfect.That gap shapes how people think, argue, and lead.This is a conversation worth having. https://bit.ly/TLP-509?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersIf this landed, go listen to the full conversation. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-509?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#capitalism #leadership #businessethics #freemarkets #leadershipdevelopment #tlp509
Big news! The Leadership Podcast is now #2 in Sale Big news! The Leadership Podcast is now #2 in Sales Weekly, #3 in Sales Monthly, #5 in Management Monthly, #6 in Military History Weekly, and #8 in Sales All Time on Goodpods. Thank you for your amazing support! #Leadership #Podcast #Goodpods
TLP511: What 500 Top Leaders Taught Us — And Why I TLP511: What 500 Top Leaders Taught Us — And Why It’s Not What You Think Our latest episode with Jim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford https://bit.ly/TLP-511?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP511%3A%20What%20500%20Top%20Leaders%20Taught%20Us%20-%20And%20Why%20It%27s%20Not%20What%20You%20Think #leadership #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipskills #management #executiveleadership #businessleadership #leadershipgrowth #leadershipmindset #leadershipcoaching #leadershiplessons #modernleadership #purpose #careergrowth #personaldevelopment #podcast #podcastlife #podcastrecommendation #milestone #learning #growth #success
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
The thing you've been calling "just how I am" migh The thing you've been calling "just how I am" might be a belief you picked up at 9 years old trying to figure out how to belong. That's not identity. That's an adaptation.Muriel M. Wilkins breaks this down in a way that's hard to dismiss. Ep. 503 on The Leadership Podcast. https://bit.ly/TLP-503?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#LeadershipPodcast #LeadershipUnblocked #ExecutiveCoaching #PersonalGrowth #MindsetShift #LeadYourself #HiddenBlockers #KnowYourself #CoachingTools #MurielMWilkins
The problems we are facing in organizations and in The problems we are facing in organizations and in the world did not appear out of nowhere. Maria Brinck has spent years studying the connection between how we lead and the challenges we keep failing to solve. She traces the crisis in leadership back to something most people would rather not look at directly.If you have ever felt like something is fundamentally broken in the way organizations are run, this conversation will give that feeling a name. https://bit.ly/TLP-510?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #TheLeadershipPodcast #OrganizationalCulture #Podcast
As a leader, how you respond to disruption sets th As a leader, how you respond to disruption sets the tone for everyone around you. Your team is watching whether you treat change like a threat or an opening. Patrick Leddin puts a name to both responses and explains why the most disruptive thing you can sometimes do is refuse to follow the crowd. There's a lot more where this came from. Go watch the full episode. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-507?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #disruption #leadershipdevelopment #westudyleaders #disrupteverything #leadershipcoach #changeleadership #growthmindset #leadershippodcast #shorts
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
Every time a leader complains about Gen Z being di Every time a leader complains about Gen Z being disloyal, Steve Cadigan has the same question. Are you talking about the children you raised? This generation grew up watching entirely new industries appear from nothing. Of course they want to explore. Calling that disloyal is like moving someone from their grandma's basement to a Vegas buffet and being surprised they want to try more than one thing. Steve does not hold back in the full episode. Catch TLP506 on The Leadership Podcast. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-506?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #GenZ #TalentStrategy #TheLeadershipPodcast #SteveCadigan #FutureOfWork #WorkCulture
In this episode, Mark Crowley talks about belongin In this episode, Mark Crowley talks about belonging like it's an HR buzzword. But the data says it's the number one driver of well being at work. Not pay. Not perks. Not pizza Tuesdays. Connection. Are you actually building it or just assuming it happens on its own? Full episode out now. https://bit.ly/TLP-504?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#belongingatwork #leadershiplessons #markcrowley #employeewellbeing #hybridwork #teamcohesion #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast #workplaceculture #humanconnection
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
You think debate teaches people to fight harder. You think debate teaches people to fight harder.Murshad Chowdhury says it actually teaches them to listen better.In competition format, you learn how to refute without destroying.You learn to ask questions instead of defending positions.And here's what changes everything: the goal isn't winning. The goal is understanding.That's the skill that transforms workplaces.Watch the full episode: https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-515?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#debateskills #leadershiplesons #communicationskills #listeningskills #teamleadership #conflictresolution #theleadershippodcast #workplaceculture
Kevin Rice built his agency straight out of colleg Kevin Rice built his agency straight out of college with no mentor and sold it 13 years later for nine figures. He says he felt almost nothing when it happened.On Episode 512 of The Leadership Podcast, he shares what it was like leading through a pandemic as a new single dad, growing a company by 100+ people, and going through an acquisition at the same time.He calls it "robot mode"—high performance, no emotion, just survival. It worked in business but cost him connection at home.He also shares what parenting taught him about leadership and why presence matters more than time.Listen to Episode 512 wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/TLP-512?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch it on YouTube - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-512?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #entrepreneur #parenting #worklifebalance #leadershipdevelopment #ceo #personalgrowth #success #fulfillment
Our guest in this week's episode is Will Linssen, Our guest in this week's episode is Will Linssen, he has coached over 100,000 leaders across six continents. 95% of them got measurably better. Not self-reported. Confirmed by their coworkers.So what is everyone else missing?If your team isn't noticing your growth, Will's answer about it is simple and kind of uncomfortable. Click the link to listen to TLP505 with Will Linssen. https://bit.ly/TLP-505?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch it on YouTube- https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-505?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershipcoaching #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #coaching #teamperformance #theleadershippodcast #westudyleaders #triplewin #willlinssen
Most leaders treat failure like something to bury. Most leaders treat failure like something to bury.Matt Cavanaugh donated a kidney to a stranger. Then ran 620 miles through the world's worst deserts months later. Not to prove toughness. To show others what's possible after giving a part of yourself away.His take on leadership? The scars you're hiding are actually your greatest asset. The failures, setbacks, and hard seasons you've been trying to move past... those ARE the resume."You win, you learn, or you die. It's not win, lose, or draw."That reframe alone is worth the listen. https://bit.ly/TLP-508?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersFull conversation is up. Worth the hour. https://youtu.be/Wj25VTTDeaU?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershipdevelopment #leadershiplessons #growthmindset #militaryleadership #selfimprovement #resilience #personalgrowth #podcast #theleadershippodcast #mattcavanaugh #bestscarwins #failure #purposedriven #missiondriven
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  • TLP515: Why Structured Debate Is a Leadership Superpower
  • TLP514: What High-Performing Leaders Get Wrong About Stress with Karen Doll
  • TLP513: The Leadership Cost of Isolation with Nick Black
  • TLP512: Winning at Work, Losing at Home
  • TLP511: What 500 Top Leaders Taught Us — And Why It’s Not What You Think

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  • Anonymous on TLP511: What 500 Top Leaders Taught Us — And Why It’s Not What You Think
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  • Anonymous on TLP505: Why Leadership Coaching So Often Fails
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