The old thinking of being a strong leader means never showing weakness is getting way too old. Too many leaders are so busy trying to be “perfect” that they end up stuck in the old version of themselves, while the world zooms past them. Refusing to acknowledge your gaps actually makes you a worse version of yourself over time. You might think you’re already doing great, but if you’re not constantly updating and improving yourself—what Aart de Geus, founder and chair of Synopsys, calls moving...

What does it take to be a successful leader today? In this episode, Kurt Strovink, Head of Global CEO Services at McKinsey, explores the evolving challenges of leadership. We’ll discover why leadership has become more complex in recent years and how leaders can stay ahead by embracing human-centric leadership and vulnerability. Kurt delves into balancing purpose with business demands, offering strategies like integrating sustainability and innovation and asking the “Four W” questions to...

Is your organization struggling to drive innovation? It may be because your employees are hesitant to take risks. Simply telling them to “take more risks” isn’t enough; they need the right environment and support. They may avoid risk-taking because of fear of failure or lack of recognition, leading to stagnation and missed opportunities. In today’s Leadership Spark, I outline three strategies to encourage risk-taking and drive innovation: creating psychological safety, rewarding desired...

What does it take to build a century-old company that has never laid off a single employee? In this episode, we’ll explore how CEO Melanie Dulbecco grew Torani into a $500 million powerhouse with a people-first leadership approach. Melanie shares the secrets behind the company’s remarkable history and its unwavering commitment to giving employees agency, control, and choice in their work. She mentions why they replaced old-school performance reviews with a system focused on growth and...

Imagine running a marathon only to find that the person who strolled in hours later gets the same prize as you. This is exactly the problem with metaphorical participation trophies in the workplace. What happens when high performers see no difference in recognition between their hard work and others’ minimal efforts? Equalizing rewards creates a false reality, diminishes motivation for top performers, fosters a culture of entitlement, and stifles improvement. In today’s Leadership Spark,...

Is your company still stuck in the same old top-down management approach? It’s time to ditch that old playbook. In this episode, Frederic Laloux, Author of “Reinventing Organizations” and Co-founder of The Week, discusses why organizations need to reinvent traditional management approaches in today’s fast-paced world. He breaks down why outdated hierarchical structures often fail to engage employees and the flawed mentality of working solely for a paycheck. We also dig into the evolution of...

We often hear the famous words "age doesn't matter,” but it’s not really an easy thing to accept in the context of leadership. In today's Leadership Spark, we’ll tackle this common concern: the unease of working under a leader who's younger than you. It's a frequent issue because we often equate age with experience. The situation becomes particularly challenging if the younger leader lacks the necessary skills. A younger leader who is adept, knowledgeable, and capable of motivating and...

Culture is not a finite element but something we shape daily through our interactions. But how can we create a thriving culture if no one takes ownership of their role in shaping it? In this episode, Michael Weening, CEO of Calix, discusses how leaders can foster a culture of accountability and emphasize our individual responsibility for shaping culture. He also addresses the damaging effects of victimhood in leadership and the workplace, highlighting the importance of taking charge of one's...

As we head into 2024, leaders are facing a landscape that’s changing faster than ever, and new challenges are on the rise. In today’s Leadership Spark, we’ll explore the eight leadership trends that every leader needs to watch out for this year along with some practical tips on how to handle the challenges that come with these trends. We’ll discuss embracing vulnerability, enhancing work ethic, prioritizing employee experience, focusing on skills rather than job titles, adapting to hybrid...

What does the future hold for hiring practices in the age of artificial intelligence and evolving skill demands? In this episode, Joe Fuller, Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School, discusses the all-in economics of skill-based hiring, the current progress, challenges, and the importance of this hiring approach in the future, and real-world examples of this approach from companies like IBM. We also discuss the role of AI in HR, highlighting how combining tech with human...

Have you heard the saying, “leadership isn’t about you?” That’s complete NONSENSE! Leaders like Satya Nadella and Tim Cook have dramatically transformed their companies, highlighting how leadership is very much about the individual at the helm. In today’s Leadership Spark, we’ll look into the personal role and impact of leaders, covering how their unique styles influence six key areas: setting vision, making decisions, shaping culture, managing change, inspiring others, and developing team...

Every leader is talking about implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), but making it work in the real world is a whole different challenge. In today’s episode, we look at the evolution and controversies surrounding DEI with Dr. Frank Dobbin, Sociology Department Chair at Harvard University and Author of “Getting to Diversity.” We explore starting with JFK’s 1961 order for affirmative action and moving through the impact of the George Floyd protests. We also discuss why corporate...

How should you address your team after a promotion? While acknowledging your inexperience or newness to the role can create a sense of authenticity and approachability, it is crucial to also demonstrate your commitment to growth and competence. In today’s Leadership Spark, I’ll show you how you can achieve this by outlining specific actions you are taking to improve your leadership skills, such as seeking mentorship, working with an executive coach, reading leadership books, and being open to...

Tommy Mello is the founder of A1 Garage Doors, a $200 million home service business that is growing rapidly. In today’s episode he shares some of his early leadership mistakes and how building a strong team and getting the right mentors transformed his company. Tommy highlights how leaders can inspire hard work by aligning employee goals with the company’s vision. He shares his tough-love leadership approach while explaining the importance of caring about employees’ lives outside of work.   ...

Are you aware of the bad habits holding back your leadership? Many leaders focus on what they should start or keep doing to lead better, but they often overlook the bad habits they need to stop. Marshall Goldsmith, the world’s #1 Executive and CEO Coach, has pinpointed harmful behaviors that can sabotage your leadership’s effectiveness and your overall success. These habits can damage relationships and hold your team back, and many leaders don’t even realize the harm they’re causing. In...

You’ve probably heard of the adage that too much of a good thing can actually be bad. It turns out, even something as beneficial as psychological safety in the workplace might have its drawbacks. In this episode, Dr. Peter Cappelli, Management Professor and Director of the Center for Human Resources at the Wharton School of Business, reveals surprising research findings about the potential downsides of positive psychology, like how it can hurt performance, especially in non-creative jobs. We...

In gaming, some characters are just there for show, but the main character has the adventure. Turns out, most employees are like those non-playable characters (NPCs) blending into the background, unnoticed and unengaged. How can you stand out and truly make an impact? In today’s Leadership Spark, we’ll explore how you can take charge of your career. Show up, lead with vulnerability, build relationships, and speak up — these strategies will help you shift from being an unnoticed background...

Transforming a traditional organization into a digital powerhouse isn't easy, but Forbes CEO Mike Federle has done just that. In this episode, we explore how he transformed Forbes from a print magazine into a global digital giant with 140 million users. You'll learn how Mike led Forbes through the tech evolution, revamping their newsroom model, building a contributor network, and embracing native advertising. Mike shares what allowed them to thrive while many competitors disappeared. We also...

Ever been told leaders should never apologize or show emotion? Or perhaps that they must always be the smartest in the room? Well, it’s time to challenge these norms. In today’s Leadership Spark, I’m dissecting the seven outdated leadership stereotypes that might be silently sabotaging your career. You’ll discover why saying sorry could be your leadership superpower, the benefits of showing your human side at work, and how stepping back can push your team forward. We’ll explore why embracing...

Chess Grandmasters are like master strategists, meticulously planning every move. In this episode, Maurice Ashley, the first African-American Chess Grandmaster, shares how the principles of elite-level chess can transform your business and leadership strategies. Learn how to cultivate the mental endurance and focus necessary for success, and why embracing the mindset of an “advanced beginner” can lead to continuous improvement. Maurice also discusses the dangers of overconfidence, the...

You’ve been handed an important project at work, but something goes wrong, and now you have to face your boss to explain what happened. This scenario happens too often at work, leaving many wondering how to handle it without damaging their reputation. In this episode, we explore the right way to talk about mistakes at work, a crucial skill for career growth. You will learn how to effectively communicate errors, gain their leader’s respect, and turn mistakes into opportunities for professional...

The pandemic has accelerated the shift from lifelong employment to demands for purpose, safety, and inclusion, creating new challenges for organizations. In this episode, Rachel Cooke, former HR Director at American Express and host of the Modern Mentor podcast, highlights significant workforce trends and evolving employee expectations. She tells personal stories, like her friend who commutes an hour each way only to sit in a phone booth for Zoom calls, illustrating the absurdities of some...

Did you know a little fear in leadership can be beneficial? In today’s Leadership Spark, we’ll explore the controversial yet intriguing role of fear in effective leadership. We’ll also talk about the distinctions between healthy and unhealthy fear, how it ensures accountability and helps maintain high performance standards, and practical examples from daily life and notable leaders like Elon Musk and Steve Jobs, whose success may partly involve being slightly feared. This discussion will help...

Randy Parker is the CEO of Hyundai Motor America and in today’s episode we go over what it takes to get into a senior leadership role and dispel some of the myths of leadership without sugarcoating! We'll talk about how to get your people to follow you as a leader, the importance of coaching and mentoring as well as hard work and determination, and some key performance indicators (KPIs) that can help leaders evaluate their effectiveness. We will also explore how leaders should be thinking...

Do you want to know what separates the most successful leaders from the rest? In today’s Leadership Spark, I unpack the secret sauce behind the world’s most successful leaders drawing on my interviews with best-selling authors and distinguished leadership experts. We will explore the top mindsets and skills leaders must have to need to have that mark a truly effective leader, with a peek into how big players at companies like Oracle, Unilever, and MasterCard handle the blend of global...