In today’s fast-paced work environment, the question of where to work from—home or office—can significantly impact your career trajectory. While remote work offers comfort and flexibility, spending time in the office could be your secret weapon for career advancement. In this episode of Leadership Spark, let’s talk about why office presence is crucial for those aiming for leadership roles and substantial career growth.  Based on insights from my recent conversations with business leaders and...

It’s one thing to talk about turning around a company, a team, or a person, but how do you actually do it? Oscar Munoz is the former CEO and Chairman of United Airlines and is responsible for one of the greatest turnarounds in airline history! In this episode he gets into the details and strategies he used to achieve success during his tenure. ________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your...

When Oscar Munoz took over as the CEO of United Airlines, the company was in complete chaos. There were issues with unions, the financials weren’t looking good, customer complaints were damaging the brand reputation, and the company had gone through 8 CEOs in 10 years! During his time as CEO he managed to turn things around, securing employee and customer loyalty and putting the airline back on track. In this episode we talk about what he did to make that turnaround  happen including: going...

Believe it or not you can have TOO MUCH EMPATHY. I know, it sounds strange to think about but after listening to today’s podcast you’ll see why. Even though your empathy is well-intentioned, doing it excessively can blur personal and professional boundaries. This can only make tough decisions harder and lead to personal burnout. It begins by differentiating between empathy and sympathy and then dives into the dangers of over-empathizing. I’ll also tackle the solution: practicing empathetic...

Every leader is trying to driving innovation inside of their organizations, but that’s easier said than done. Uri Levine is the co-founder of Waze, which sold to Google for $1.1 billion. He’s also the first board member and investor of Moovit (Waze but public transportation) which Intel acquired for $4 billion! It’s safe to say that Uri knows a thing or two about innovation and building great products and companies. In today’s episode we will explore why it took Waze 4 years to reach “good...

You’ve heard of IBM, but did you know that it was once on the verge of bankruptcy? One man, a cookie salesman, was able to turn the company around and keep it from collapsing. In today’s leadership spark, we’ll explore the remarkable turnaround of IBM in the 1990s under the leadership of Lou Gerstner, Former CEO of IBM. Lou, an outsider with a background in consumer goods and financial services, took the helm and transformed the company. He restructured IBM, shifting its focus from hardware...

Do you feel like people don’t want to work anymore? In today’s episode Jason and I have a friendly spar on what’s going on with today’s workforce and if the our work ethic is in collective decline. We also explore how social media trends are shaping the workforce, the importance of focusing on career growth, and four phases of change that we all go through: panic, adaptation, accepting a new normal, and a reluctance to go back to the status quo. Jason is the Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur...

Have you ever wondered why good employees leave, even when they’re well-paid? It’s a puzzle many leaders face. In today’s leadership spark, we’ll dive into the three key factors that drive employees away, beyond salary: lack of growth opportunities, poor relationships with their leaders, and inadequate work-life integration. It’s important to address these issues within our organizations, and leaders should provide clear paths for growth, foster positive relationships with their teams, and...

What’s the secret behind the communication strategies of successful leaders? Unlocking your ability to recognize different conversation styles, will leave you best equipped to face challenges ahead. Today I am joined by Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and bestselling author of “The Power of Habit” and “Smarter Faster Better,” who dives into the intricate world of effective communication through his latest work, “Super Communicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of...

Are you struggling to build trust within your team? Trust is crucial for effective teamwork. In today’s leadership spark, I explore four key strategies to enhance trust, drawing insights from expert CEOs, researchers, and psychologists. I’ll explore the power of vulnerability in trust, sharing your own challenges, acknowledging emotions, and the importance of demonstrating competence.   ________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great...

Why did Blockbuster really go bankrupt and what did Google have to do with it? Today I'm joined by James Keyes who is the visionary CEO behind three mega successful companies: 7-Eleven, Blockbuster, and Wild Oats. He's also the author of "Education Is Freedom: The Future Is In Your Hands." Today we're exploring how Jim increased the shareholder value at 7-Eleven by 10x, the challenges of navigating Blockbuster through the 2008 financial crisis and the rise of streaming platforms, and why...

Do you ever question your own abilities and feel like a fraud, despite your achievements? You're in the company of many, including top executives, who grapple with imposter syndrome. In today's leadership spark, we delve into four effective strategies to conquer this challenge: bolster your confidence by supporting actions with data and stories, use the syndrome as a motivator to enhance interpersonal skills, leverage the Dunning-Kruger effect to acknowledge your true capabilities, and engage...

Is your leadership journey marked by ongoing growth and self-improvement? Embracing continuous learning signifies your path towards becoming an even more impactful leader than you were the day before. Today I am joined by Guy Kawasaki, the Chief Evangelist at Canva and former evangelist at Apple where he worked with Steve Jobs to market the Macintosh. He’s also the author of “Think Remarkable” where he reveals the three foundational pillars of successful leadership: Growth, Grit, and Grace....

How do you make sure your voice stands out in any setting? Being a great communicator is a core leadership skill yet it’s also one that many people struggle with. In today’s episode I’m going to go over 8 strategies you can use to make sure that your message gets across regardless of who you are speaking with. I’ll go over everything from mastering the pace of your speech to engaging your audience with compelling stories. Whether you’re addressing a large audience or a small group, these...

Today’s episode is actually courtesy of the Stanford Graduate School of Business that just released a new podcast called If/Then. This is an episode from that program and it features professor Jonathan Levav exploring hybrid work vs in-person work and what approach generates the best ideas. Leaders will learn about the tradeoffs managers must consider when determining workplace modalities and what the best practices are for adapting processes and connections to a distributed environment. Tune...

Overwhelmed by work stress and unsure how to tackle it? You’re not alone. This common challenge can lead to anxiety and panic attacks, with unchecked stress wreaking havoc on both our mental and physical health. It can diminish our productivity and overall happiness. Today’s leadership spark is here to help, offering 5 powerful strategies to fight back: meditation for mental clarity, healthy habits for physical strength, self-compassion for stress management, and hobbies for relaxation....

How can the strategic principles of chess be applied in a professional environment? By developing similar critical thinking skills, leaders will be prepared to address challenges with nuanced and anticipatory responses, strategizing five steps ahead in true chess fashion. Today I am joined by Danny Rensch, Chief Chess Officer of Chess.com and international chess master, as we explore how the game’s principles can be translated into effective business strategies. Listeners will gain tips on...

Feeling stuck in your quest for career advancement despite your ambition and hard work? It’s a common challenge in today’s fast-paced workplace. Simply putting in extra hours and taking on more tasks often doesn’t lead to the desired recognition or progression. The key lies in adopting smart, strategic approaches. After having hundreds of conversations with CEOs, I’ve distilled powerful strategies that go beyond ordinary advice. These tested and proven methods are designed to make a tangible...

Do you know how to handle toxic influences in your workplace? Conflict can oftentimes be resolved with compassion rather than defensiveness. Today I am joined by John Miles, best-selling author of “Passion Struck” and host of the Passion Struck Podcast. In this episode John will be sharing frameworks and strategies for cultivating purpose and potential in yourself and your teams through mindful shifts in mindsets and leadership approaches. You will learn how to harness purpose-driven living,...

Leadership isn’t just about success; it’s about impact. Jack Welch’s financial-driven approach and Elon Musk’s struggles with interpersonal relations showcase the pitfalls of traditional leadership. Tom Peters, best-selling author Thinkers50 inductee into the hall of fame, argues for a shift towards nurturing growth and fostering a positive work culture. In this leadership spark, Tom talks about the difference between being remembered for what you did at work and who you were as a person.   ...

Failure is a powerful teacher, and nobody knows this better than Dr. Amy Edmondson, our guest in today’s discussion. A Harvard Professor and the author behind influential works like “The Fearless Organization” and “Right Kind of Wrong” Dr. Edmondson discusses how to create a culture that not only tolerates failure but learns from it. She outlines the critical distinctions between basic, complex, and intelligent failures, stressing that the real learning comes from the latter. This episode...

No matter the organization, friction is inevitable...but the key is knowing how to navigate and harness it for better leadership. In today’s discussion I sit down with Bob Sutton, Stanford professor, organizational psychologist and best selling author of books including “The No A$$hole Rule” and “The Friction Project” as he dives into the world of ‘friction-fixer’ leadership. Drawing from his extensive research, Sutton shares how to distinguish between beneficial and detrimental friction,...

In a cancel culture world, how do you speak up and share what you’re thinking? Leaders are often scared to share their opinions, worried about losing their job, status, or credibility. In today’s leadership spark, Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world’s largest hedge funds, addresses these challenges. He talks about the importance of being true to yourself and making hard choices, even when it’s difficult. Ray shares his own story of starting from little and working...

In high-stakes environments like NASA, the margin for error is incredibly slim. Even minor mistakes can lead to substantial setbacks and costs, which is why Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s Former Science Mission Directorate Associate Administrator, emphasizes the critical need for precision and careful management in space exploration. In today’s leadership spark, I chat with Thomas to discuss how NASA approaches making critical decisions, having a culture of open communication, and learning from...