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The Leadership Podcast

The Leadership Podcast

We Study Leaders

TLP478: The Consequences of Inaction with Nick Cooney

September 24, 2025

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Nick Cooney is the founder and managing partner of Lever VC, an early stage fund focused on food and ag tech innovation. He also founded the Lever Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing a humane and sustainable food system, and authored “What We Don’t Do: Inaction in the Face of Suffering and the Drive to…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: agricultural innovation, agtech, animal welfare, Business Ethics, charitable giving, decision making, effective altruism, ethical leadership, flat organizations, food security, food tech, global poverty, impact measurement, inaction vs action, Jan Rutherford, Jim Vaselopulos, leadership, Leadership Podcast, moral responsibility, nick cooney, organizational management, philanthropy, Resource Allocation, social entrepreneurship, social impact investing, startup investing, suffering reduction, team management, venture capital

TLP415: Saying “NO” Reduces Friction

June 26, 2024

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In this episode, Jim and Jan explore the importance of saying “no” in the workplace. They highlight how setting clear boundaries and aligning decisions with both personal and organizational values can help leaders manage their time and workload more effectively. Empowering lower-level employees to say “no” can also reduce friction and enhance organizational efficiency. Additionally,…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, balance, clarity, communication, Decision-Making Skills, delegation, Efficiency, Employee Development, focus, Goal Setting, growth, leadership, Mindful Choices, No, Organizational Success, Professional Growth, Relationship Building, Resource Allocation, Strategic Planning, success, time management, values, Work-life balance, Workload Management, Workplace Dynamics

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The world has changed, and your leadership approac The world has changed, and your leadership approach should too. Kevin Eikenberry reminds us that flexibility means adapting to the moment, not sticking to old habits. Leading isn't about comfort, it's about serving your team in the way that fits best right now. Ready to rethink your leadership? Tune into 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 #FlexibleLeadership #Adaptability #ChangeManagement #Leadership #ServeYourTeam #LeadWithPurpose #LeadWithFlexibility #GrowthMindset
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,
Dr. Margaret Heffernan just dropped some truth abo Dr. Margaret Heffernan just dropped some truth about why we're all making terrible decisions. We're so busy being efficient that we're not giving our brains time to connect the dots. Sometimes the best leadership move is to close the laptop and go for a walk. Your next breakthrough might be waiting on the sidewalk.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#Leadership #Intuition #DecisionMaking #Leadership #BusinessWisdom
This changes everything about how you think about This changes everything about how you think about influence. While people resist speeches with arms folded, they let music straight into their hearts and minds without resistance.Listen to the full conversation with Jed Brewer https://bit.ly/TLP-476?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode here - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-476?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#influence #leadership #communication #music #psychology #theleadershippodcast
Our latest guest Nicola Ilic breaks down why fear- Our latest guest Nicola Ilic breaks down why fear-based leadership is killing innovation and how democratic leadership actually works in practice. This one's a game changer for anyone tired of the "do more, better, faster" hamster wheel.Listen to the full episode at 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 #democraticleadership #uncertainty #innovation #leadership
Ever wonder why throwing facts at people never wor Ever wonder why throwing facts at people never works? Kurt Gray's research reveals the uncomfortable truth about how our brains actually process disagreements. Spoiler: it's not about the data.🎧 Full episode breaks down why we argue the way we do - 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#Facts #Psychology #Arguments #Communication #Research #Leadership #Podcast
Dr. Margaret Heffernan just blew our minds talking Dr. Margaret Heffernan just blew our minds talking about how the chief economist at the Bank of England would wander London streets before big decisions - not to think about the problem, but to absorb the mood of the country. Turns out your brain needs random, unplanned input to make brilliant connections. We're all so obsessed with efficiency that we're starving our intuition of the very thing it needs most: time to wander and wonder.Listen to the 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#Leadership #DecisionMaking #Intuition #BusinessStrategy
Ray Palumbo's pyramid for organizational success: Ray Palumbo's pyramid for organizational success: Values at the foundation, Culture built on top, Strategy to organize your efforts, and Vision communicated constantly at the peak. This former three-star general has led everything from special operations to conventional forces, and this framework is what he's learned works across all environments. Simple but profound.Listen here - https://bit.ly/TLP-469?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode here - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-469?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #OrganizationalSuccess #Values #Culture #Strategy #Vision #BusinessLeadership #CorporateLeadership #MilitaryLeadership
A three-star general once told Ray Palumbo this "W A three-star general once told Ray Palumbo this "We are all benefited and limited by our experiences." after he struggled transitioning from elite special operations to conventional forces. Sometimes your greatest strength becomes your biggest blind spot. Listen here - https://bit.ly/TLP-469?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode here - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-469?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #Experience #Growth #MilitaryLeadership #SpecialOperations #160thSOAR #Transition #Adaptation #SelfAwareness #Wisdom #LeadershipLessons #HumbleLeadership
Not all silence looks the same. For Jan, movement Not all silence looks the same. For Jan, movement is his version of stillness. There's power in knowing how you process best—especially in 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#LeadershipWisdom #DoNothingDifferently #QuietLeadership #MovementIsMeditation #JanRutherford #LeadershipPodcast #MindfulMotion #ExecutiveReflection #SilentStrength #LeadershipHabits #SelfReliantLeadership #NatureLeadership #SnowySunday
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
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
TLP473: Leading Those Who've Served with Barry Jes TLP473: Leading Those Who've Served with Barry Jesinoski Our latest episode with Barry Jesinoski https://bit.ly/TLP-473?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP473%3A%20Leading%20Those%20Who%27ve%20Served%20with%20Barry%20Jesinoski #leadership #Veterans #DAV #DisabledAmericanVeterans #Military #Marines #Integrity #Communication #VeteranBenefits #Entrepreneurship #PatriotBootCamp #VeteranEmployment #ServiceDisabledVeterans #WorkplaceCulture #RemoteWork #Collaboration #Mentorship #Advocacy #VeteranSupport #NonProfit #CharityWork #VeteranServices #Leadership473 #TheLeadershipPodcast #RaftyAdvisors #SelfReliantLeadership #VeteranAdvocacy #VeteranCare #MilitaryService #VeteranEntrepreneurship
Sometimes the detours lead to your greatest discov Sometimes the detours lead to your greatest discoveries. Jed Brewer went from engineering student to prison chaplain to using Grammy-winning musicians to save lives through strategic messaging.Listen to the full conversation at https://bit.ly/TLP-476?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode here - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-476?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #unexpected #careerjourney #theleadershippodcast
TLP500: The Leadership Myths We Keep Getting Wrong TLP500: The Leadership Myths We Keep Getting Wrong with Admiral Bill McRaven Our latest episode with Admiral Bill McRaven https://bit.ly/TLP-500?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP500%3A%20The%20Leadership%20Myths%20We%20Keep%20Getting%20Wrong%20with%20Admiral%20Bill%20McRaven #leadership #Leadership #MilitaryLeadership #ServantLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #HumbleLeadership #ResilientLeadership #NavySEAL #SpecialOperations #FourStarAdmiral #UniversityOfTexas #WorkLifeBalance #CrystalBallAnalogy #PressureTesting #CharacterUnderPressure #HardWork #LeadershipHumility
Barry Jesinoski's path from Marine to CEO of Disab Barry Jesinoski's path from Marine to CEO of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) wasn't exactly linear. After a medical discharge that left him feeling "devastated" as a young Marine, he found himself needing help navigating VA benefits. Listen to the full episode to hear how Barry built a culture where every single employee knows their two non-negotiables: integrity and communication. https://bit.ly/TLP-473?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode here https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-473?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #Veterans #DAV #MilitaryTransition #ServiceBefore #VeteranSupport
Just wrapped up an eye-opening conversation with K Just wrapped up an eye-opening conversation with Kurt Gray that will completely flip your thinking. He argues we've got evolution all wrong - we're not apex predators, we're prey. Think about it: when you hear a twig snap behind you in the woods, your first thought isn't "dinner," it's "am I about to become dinner?" This prey mindset explains why we're so driven by fear and why facts barely move the needle in heated debates. Instead of throwing more data at disagreements, we need to understand what harms people see and meet them there.🎧 Full episode at 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 - this one will change how you see conflict forever.#Leadership #Psychology #Communication #Morality #PodcastLife #HumanBehavior
Ever wonder why some people keep taking risks whil Ever wonder why some people keep taking risks while others play it safe? Anne Marie Anderson just dropped some truth that hit differently. She tells a story about sobbing outside a stadium before her first ESPN broadcast, convinced she'd "die destitute and alone" if she messed it up. But she didn't die, didn't go broke, and ended up building a 36-year career in sports TV.Sometimes you gotta catastrophize your fears to realize how ridiculous they actually are.Listen to the full episode at https://bit.ly/TLP-474?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch the full episode here https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-474?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #Audacity #CareerChange #ESPN #SportsMedia #PodcastLife #LeadershipDevelopment
The story carries your message, but the message is The story carries your message, but the message is what people need to walk away with. That's what makes a story stick, especially in leadership and sales. https://bit.ly/TLP-466?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#DanManning #BuildAStory #LeadershipPodcast #StorytellingWisdom #BusinessTips #CommunicationMatters #LeadWithPurpose #MessageOverHype #StorytellingInBusiness #TheLeadershipPodcast #ThoughtLeadership #StrategyInStory
TLP472: Embracing Uncertainty with Dr. Margaret He TLP472: Embracing Uncertainty with Dr. Margaret Heffernan Our latest episode with Dr. Margaret Heffernan https://bit.ly/TLP-472?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders&utm_content=TLP472%3A%20Embracing%20Uncertainty%20with%20Dr.%20Margaret%20Heffernan #leadership #EmbracingUncertainty #LeadershipDevelopment #MargaretHeffernan #LeadershipPodcast #DecisionMaking #StrategicThinking #CreativeLeadership #ArtistsAndBusiness #ManagingUncertainty #BusinessStrategy #InnovationLeadership #RiskManagement #OrganizationalLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #MindfulLeadership #AdaptiveLeadership #WanderingForInsights #ListeningSkills #BoardLeadership
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Recent Posts

  • TLP502: Never Fire Anyone with Mark Morgenfruh
  • TLP501: Failure as Fuel: When to push through and when to quit
  • TLP500: The Leadership Myths We Keep Getting Wrong with Admiral Bill McRaven
  • TLP499: You’re Charging for the Wrong Thing with Joe Pine
  • TLP498: Why Grit Isn’t Enough: Rethinking Resilience in Leadership

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  • Anonymous on TLP500: The Leadership Myths We Keep Getting Wrong with Admiral Bill McRaven
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  • Anonymous on TLP498: Why Grit Isn’t Enough: Rethinking Resilience in Leadership
  • Anonymous on TLP497: Why Most Leaders Are Using AI Wrong—and How to Fix It

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