The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Latest Episodes:

606: Jack Carr - Writing Thrillers (The Terminal List), Working with Chris Pratt, Fighting Wars as a Navy SEAL, Putting In The Work, & Never Missing an Opportunity To Make Someone's Day Oct 27, 2024

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Read our book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3NszPAg

Jack Carr is a former Navy SEAL who for 20 years led special operations teams as a Team Leader, Platoon Commander, Troop Commander, and Task Unit Commander. Jack is also the #1 New York Times Best Selling author of 8 books and his debut novel, The Terminal List, was adapted into the #1 Amazon Prime Video series starring Chris Pratt.

Notes

When Jack was little, he hoped to grow up and do two things. Be a Navy SEAL and become an author.
Jack's grandfather died at war. "It's in my blood."
- "You have to prove that you can add value to your tribe."
"Great warriors run to the sound of the guns to be with their fellow service members."
Commonality of the best SEAL Leaders:
- Trust, up and down the chain of command
- High character
- Good decision-maker: The decisions you’ve made in the past are your currency.
- Do things you don’t have to do. Run with the squad, put rounds down range. You don’t have to be the best at it, but you should be very good at all of the things the people you’re leading are doing.
Reading novels: "When I was young, I was reading for the magic in those pages."
PUT IN THE WORK… Jack has been putting in the work since he was little. He read books for the magic in those pages. All of that reading has helped inform him of what great storytelling looks like. And then he PUT IN THE WORK. If you want to be a published author, you need to WRITE. It’s that simple. Do the work, and get the manuscript done. And then take the next step. A lot of people want to be published authors. Not everyone wants to write. Like Ronnie Coleman said, “A lot of people want to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift these heavy weights every day.”
Mentor, Brad Thor: “Brad told me that the only difference between a published and unpublished author is that the published author doesn’t quit.”
Writers Block – One thing I’ll share from Steven Pressfield is that he said “Hey, you never hear of a trucker getting trucker’s block”. Writer’s block does not exist - you just have to go do it.
Books to recommend: ONCE AN EAGLE by Anton Myrer.
- It is advice that a wise Sam Damon shares: “You can’t help what you were born and you may not have much to say about where you die, but you can and you should try to pass the days in between as a good man.” In the end that really says it all.
Advice:
- Never miss an opportunity to make someone’s day… Make that your default setting. Work to add value to others' lives. Make their day. Help them. Make introductions, LISTEN to them, offer ideas to help solve their issues

605: Seth Godin - How To Be Remarkable, Create a Strategy, Build a Tribe, Develop Taste, Lead Others, & Leave a Dent in The World Oct 20, 2024

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

My books:

Welcome to Management - https://amzn.to/3XWyZAH

The Pursuit of Excellence - https://amzn.to/4eX9vtP

The Score That Matters - https://amzn.to/3zPub7Z

Seth Godin is the author of 21 international bestsellers that have changed the way people think about work and art. They have been translated into 38 languages. His breakthrough books include Purple Cow, Tribes, The Dip, Linchpin, and his latest book is called This is Strategy. He writes one of the most popular daily blogs in the world and has given 5 TED talks. He is the founder of the altMBA, and the former VP of Direct Marketing at Yahoo!

Notes:

"If you want word of mouth, you have to create something remarkable, and that means it’s worthy of remark."
The elegant path is the most useful way forward. “My neighbor is a barefoot runner. He glides without apparent effort.” Elegance is simplicity, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Dorothy and Her Crew. How did Dorothy persuade the Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow to join her on the trip to see the Wizard? Did she make a case about how much she missed home? No. She created the conditions where the others could get what they wanted by joining her.
Seeing Strategy Clearly. Strategy is a flexible plan that guides us as we seek to create a change. It helps us make decisions over time while working within a system.
Low-Hanging Fruit Isn’t. It’s all been picked. The easy, direct, obvious paths are unlikely to get you the results you’re working so hard to obtain. In fact, these paths are probably a trap.
Seth, at one point, got 800 rejection letters. Have to keep going...
"I wouldn't call Steve Ballmer a good leader."
An example of Seth making a difference... He went to Kenya and talked with 60 people who started a book club based on his book Linchpin. "They decided to be leaders."
Make decisions in the moment:
- Examine the issue
- Get feedback
- Look for patterns
"Taste is knowing what the market wants before it knows it."
Rick Rubin
- Reality distortion field
- Johnny Cash
- "What do you think?"
"Objections are your friends."
What are the commonalities among leaders with whom Seth has worked and who have sustained excellence? They are all different, but the one thing they have in common is they all have chosen to be leaders. And that means that they are here to make a change happen.
Management doesn’t just exist. It was invented. When you race to the bottom, You see people as resources, not as people.
Questions That Lead To Strategies. 84 questions. They’ll force you to think through your strategy. By answering them, you’ll be better prepared to make a difference… And make a ruckus. Some of them: Who is this project for? What is my timeline? What systems would need to change for my project to succeed? Where will I cause tension? What resistance should I anticipate? Where is the empathy? What asset would transform my project? What can I learn from comparable projects? Is the change I’m making contagious? Can I make it easier for others to decide? How can I design for network effects? What are common objections I expect to encounter?

604: Sharon McMahon - A Masterclass In Making American History Fascinating & Fun (Creator of Sharon Says So) Oct 13, 2024

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

My books:

Welcome to Management - https://amzn.to/3XWyZAH

The Pursuit of Excellence - https://amzn.to/4eX9vtP

The Score That Matters - https://amzn.to/3zPub7Z

My guest: After years of serving as a high school government and law teacher, Sharon McMahon took her passion for education to Instagram, where more than a million people rely on her for nonpartisan, fact-based information as “America's Government Teacher.” In a time where flashy headlines and false information often take the spotlight, Sharon is a reliable source for truth and logic. Sharon is the author of: The Small and The Mighty – Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, From the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement.

Notes:

What did Teddy Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, and FDR have in common? The ability to articulate a vision that others wanted to follow. They were great communicators. If you want to lead people, it helps to become a fantastic storyteller. It helps to be able to stand up in front of a group of people and share the vision in an entertaining and informative way. And then execute on that vision.
Be a doer. “The best Americans are not the critics, they are the doers. They are the people who went for broke when everyone else yelled to turn back. They are those who know that one becomes great because of who they lift up, not who they put down.” I’ve never observed anyone, regardless of field, achieve lasting prominence while voicing rancor or focusing much on the failings of others. Create and share, support others, and enjoy. Givers and creators always prevail. - Andrew Huberman
Door-to-door sales helps you deal with rejection. It's good for you.
When you see a new person at the gym, celebrate them. Help them get acclimated.
The Hello Girls -- AT&T -- Pioneer of telephones. They were doing their jobs wearing gasmasks with bombs exploding around them.
Echo Chambers – As a leader, what you don’t know, can hurt you. Do not surround yourself with “yes men” or “yes women.” You need a diversity of viewpoints. You should feel uncomfortable on a regular basis. You should told you’re wrong from the people you surround yourself with. If you’re not, then you’re living in an echo chamber. Also, pay attention to a broad spectrum of media. If you only watch one news channel or read one newspaper, you will probably end up in an echo chamber. Then develop friendships with people who think differently than you. They’re not wrong because they think the way they do. Instead of judging them, why not be curious and learn more about their viewpoint.
Gouverneur Morris – One of Alexander Hamilton’s best friends and one of our founding fathers. He contributed as much or more to the early republic than Ben Franklin or John Adams. He conceived America’s great statement of purpose, the one still recited by schoolchildren. He’s the author of the Preamble of the new United States Constitution.
“The best Americans are not the critics, they are the doers. They are the people who went for broke when everyone else yelled to turn back. They are those who know that one becomes great because of who they lift up, not who they put down.” I have learned that no one reaches their final moments of mortal existence and whispers to their loved ones, “I wish I had gotten in some more sick burns in the comments section on Facebook.”
Advice:
- "Be the "can-do" person. Have the best attitude in the room. Be amazing at whatever you choose to do. Be the person that others love to work with."

603: Michael Easter - How To Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough... "Have Fun, Don't Die, Read Books, & Do Strange Things" Oct 06, 2024

Read our book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3XxHi7p

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Michael Easter’s investigations have taken him to meet with monks in ancient monasteries in Bhutan, lost tribes in the jungles of Bolivia, US Special Forces soldiers in undisclosed locations, gene scientists in Iceland, CEOs in Fortune-500 boardrooms, and more. He’s a professor at UNLV and he’s the best-selling author of The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain.

“The modern world is designed for short-term survival and pleasure. It is not set up to help us thrive in the long term.” “Have fun, don’t die, read books, and do strange things.”
Be a 2 percenter. 98% of people do the easy thing. We are programmed to do the easy thing.
The world was uncomfortable a while ago...
It makes sense to do the easy thing. You get the short-term reward for it.
Handle adversity, adapt, do the slightly harder thing
Some ideas: do walking meetings, work in silence, embrace hunger, don't cut corners, pick up the trash, call people on the phone. Ruck the airport. Don't sit down, walk. Read while exercising. Workout outside. Sprint. Lift weights. The ability to move a limb quickly is what helps old people not fall. Need to be powerful and springy to move quickly (and not fall).
Diet - One ingredient foods. Tribe in Bolivia with the healthiest hearts in the world. Be outside, eat one ingredient foods.
Scarcity brain - We all suck at moderation. We overconsume... Casinos, slot machines. Quick, repeatable, predictable. The speed makes it powerful.
Silicon Valley learned this from casinos and it's how they build their apps.
The smartphone withdrawal effect. Worse in short term. Better in the long term.
Break bad habits - Slow down. Respond, don't react. Wait 72 hours to buy the thing in your online cart.
Junk food is super easy to eat fast. It was designed that way. Your body doesn't know it's full because of the speed.
What did Michael learn from a tribe in a Bolivian jungle?
- They seemed very happy. What did they do? They ate single-ingredient food. They spent a lot of time outside. And they spent a lot of time together. What can we learn from that? Eat healthy, go outside, and spend time with people you love.
“A lot of problems are not our fault, but they are our problems to solve.” Remember, we are wired to choose the escalator, fast food or to cut the corner. We need to be intentional in taking the stairs, slowing down, and responding instead of reacting.
How the scarcity loop works: It has three parts: opportunity, unpredictable rewards, and quick repeatability. Becoming aware of it can help you fall into it less often.
Michael has been sober for 9 years. His drinking addiction stemmed from having a boring life (job he didn't like). Needed to explore the edges. Booze did that for him.
Iraq - Sandstorm. We don't read books here. We don't have that luxury. We have too many problems to deal with.
- In America, we live in a country where we can read books.

602: The Learning Leader Team of Coaches - Sherri Coale, Brook Cupps, Geron Stokes, Eli Leiker - Helping Teams Be Elite and People To Be Excellent Sep 29, 2024

Read more about our team at: https://learningleader.com/team/

Text Hawk to 66866 to become part of Mindful Monday

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

“Have I ever mentioned how much I f’n love these Phase 2 calls?!? Free cocaine. Straight outta the Dope Factory.” – Geron Stokes
"Another thing that I found is an intense interest of the subject is indispensable if you are really going to excel. I could force myself to be fairly good in a lot of things, but I couldn’t be really good in anything where I didn’t have an intense interest." – Charlie Munger
Our Team Values & Behaviors:
- Curious: practice invested listening
- Honest: give direct feedback
- Intentional: provide purposeful action
What is our edge as a TEAM? Our purpose, our values, and our behaviors. We are ACTIVELY doing it.
- Raw and Simple: We cut through the noise and address the fundamental issues leaders face. Our straightforward approach helps teams confront what they’re not doing and empowers them to take actionable steps toward improvement.
- In The Arena: We don’t just talk about leadership principles—we live them. Every member of our team actively practices the strategies we coach, ensuring real-world insights and practical solutions.
- Take Risks: We’re unafraid to push boundaries and challenge conventional thinking. We help leaders take bold actions, even if it means stepping out of their comfort zones or facing tough consequences.
Love being on a team that "makes the water rise." We all are better for being together on the same team.
Gratitude – You can’t roll up your sleeves and clench your fists at the same time. Living with gratitude is about recognizing and appreciating what you have. This will change the lens in which you view the world. Geron (overheard from Coach Mike Gundy): “I can’t believe they pay us to do this.” It is so much fun working with this team and the reward is that we get to keep doing it. So grateful.
The makeup of a great team… They are tough, they have fun together, they care about each other, and they have that gritty humility about them. “Humble enough to listen, gritty enough to apply."
Our prep calls – The calls before the calls. We learn so much from our preparation together. It's an open forum to share ideas, disagree, talk through stories, and figure out how to make people better. Some of my favorite times.
How to work with the employee who just won’t fully buy-in. Be curious, not judgemental. Ask questions. LISTEN. Care. As Sherri said, “Nobody wants to sleepwalk through life.” We need to figure out what makes them come alive and help them bring that to the team.

601: Matt Mullenweg (CEO of Automattic) - Defining Your Creed, Hiring Talented Leaders, & Leading in a Remote World Sep 22, 2024

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Text Hawk to 66866 to become part of The Learning Leader Community

This is Episode #601 with the CEO of Automattic, Matt Mullenweg

Notes:

What is your creed?
- I will never stop learning. I won’t just work on things that are assigned to me. I know there’s no such thing as a status quo. I will build our business sustainably through passionate and loyal customers. I will never pass up an opportunity to help out a colleague, and I’ll remember the days before I knew everything. I am more motivated by impact than money, and I know that Open Source is one of the most powerful ideas of our generation. I will communicate as much as possible because it’s the oxygen of a distributed company. I am in a marathon, not a sprint, and no matter how far away the goal is, the only way to get there is by putting one foot in front of another every day. Given time, there is no problem that’s insurmountable.
  - "People need something to believe in." -- That's what draws talent to the company.
What do you look for when hiring a leader? "The four qualities that you can't train..."
- Work ethic
- Taste
- Integrity
- Curiosity
Coaching -- Expose your leaders to coaches.
- Mirror
- Ask questions
- Reflect
Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Optimism in dark times
- Player coaches -- They can do the work AND lead others
- Hire well -- They spot talent, hire, train, develop, and retain them
Commencement speech -- Encourage others to think bigger. Raise their ambition. From Tyler Cowen -- The high-return activity of raising others’ aspirations - (PhD instead of Masters) At critical moments in time, you can raise the aspirations of other people significantly, simply by suggesting they do something better or more ambitious than what they might have in mind. It costs you relatively little to do this, but the benefit to them, and to the broader world, may be enormous.
Matt's Twitter Bio -- I can think. I can wait. I can fast– This comes from Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha. Siddartha said “if you can think, wait, and fast, you can do just about anything.”
Don’t constrain your mentors by their availability, engage with their work! Jim Simons was a mentor for Matt. Be guided by beauty.
Will Durant - Health lies in action, and so it graces youth. To be busy is the secret of grace and half the secret of content. Let us ask the gods not for possessions, but for things to do; happiness is in making things rather than in consuming them.”
Matt's goals -- My goals in life are to democratize publishing, commerce, and messaging. I travel a lot. In 2023 I visited 63 cities, and 18 countries, and my average velocity was 41.9 miles per hour. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I write code, poetry, prose, and music, often in support of those three goals, but sometimes just to make the world a more beautiful place. I love taking photos and have posted over 30,000 to this site, hence my common username photomatt.

600: Keith Hawk & AJ Hawk - Setting The Standard, Failure Stories, Taking Ownership, Giving Great Keynotes, & What The Great Teams Do Differently From The Good Ones Sep 15, 2024

Read our book, The Score That Matters - https://amzn.to/4ggpYdW

Full shownotes at www.LearningLeader.com

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

We are celebrating episode #600 with Keith Hawk and AJ Hawk

Tell a story about an awesome leader you worked with...
- Ron Ullery – I’m a firm believer that people either live up to or down to your expectations. And most people set their expectations for themselves too low. So it’s on you as a leader to raise those expectations for them. Demand more because you know they can do more.
- Tyler Cowen – The high return activity of raising others’ aspirations. Encouraged someone who was going for an MBA to get a Phd. At critical moments in time, you can raise the aspirations of other people significantly, especially when they are relatively young, simply by suggesting they do something better or more ambitious than what they might have in mind. It costs you relatively little to do this, but the benefit to them, and to the broader world, may be enormous.
What helps you give a great speech? How do you prepare?
- Ask, "What do I want my audience to do after seeing my speech?" Interview members of their team. Learn their terminology, challenges, what's going well, what's not, what are their goals, etc...
- Practice, practice, practice. Say it out loud. Rehearse so that once you're on stage, you can let it rip.
What did the best teams you’ve been on do differently than the average teams?
- The best players on the best teams always practiced the hardest. They set the tone for the work ethic of the team. They chose extra work. They set high standards and they demanded others raise their level of performance.
- The best teams hung out together outside of work. AJ was a Captain of the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl-winning team in 2010-2011... That team regularly hung out together outside of working hours, shared lots of meals, and knew each other extremely well. They trusted each other.
Tell a story about how you’ve shown resilience… Failed and what did you do next?
- The Miami/Ben Roethlisberger story - The world doesn't care what you think you deserve. The primary goal is focused on adding value to others' lives.
- AJ shared a story from his sophomore year at Ohio State. His defensive coordinator, Coach Mark Dantonio sat with him 1 on 1 watching each play of the Michigan game. A day he’ll never forget for how hard it was, how upset he was, and how determined he was to respond. AJ never lost to Michigan again in his career after that.
- Pistol shared a story about the time when the new CEO wanted to bring in his own head of sales (which was Pistol's job). Instead of complaining and leaving the company, he got creative and offered a new idea and a great way to leverage all the skills and knowledge he developed from being at the company for so long. It is amazingly rare for the head of sales to stay at a company after he’s been replaced. But he thrived in the role and made the company better.
Front line obsession – Pistol’s story of the legendary Mert McGill going to the Supreme Court to demo LexisNexis and earning the most important sale in the company's history. I love stories about leaders proactively taking action and not being afraid to do the work.
Update since Episode #500:
- Built the Learning Leader Team -- Officially working full-time with Sherri Coale, Brook Cupps, Geron Stokes, and Eli Leiker. We are working with leaders from a wide variety of companies throughout the U.S.
The magic of the Pat McAfee Show -- They are unafraid. They say what others are thinking but are too afraid to say. They are authentic and fully themselves. They have great role clarity. Everyone knows and embraces their roles and excels at them.
The End of the Podcast Draft – You’re stranded on a deserted island. You have one iPad. On that iPad has 5 TV shows (and nothing else). Which shows do you choose? This is a competition with a clear winner and losers. The object is to win the draft.

599: Richard Winters, M.D. - Leadership Lessons From Mayo Clinic ("You're The Leader, Now What?") Sep 08, 2024

Read our book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3XxHi7p

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Sustaining Excellence
- Good get at getting stuff done
- Make a change from an expert to a learning machine
Apply to be in my Learning Leader Circle
Leadership is:
- Teaching – sharing with others what they need to know, how to do something
- Mentoring - Help them see the world from our eyes
- Coaching - Help them see the world through their eyes. To do that, we must be good listeners, ask questions, and challenge them
Follow what’s interesting to you… To figure out your passion, you have to do stuff. That’s the only way to fully learn what you’re good at and what you want to do. Have to be willing to try, fail, keep going, and figure out where you excel and what you’re curious about. That’s how you find your passion and do it for a living.
They set up leadership dyads and triads at the Mayo Clinic. Group up a doctor, a nurse, and an administrator to help make decisions. This way you gain the perspective from different angles, people, and experiences.
You have to context-shift radically, from an ER to a boardroom to a coaching session. Not everybody can wear all those hats, and yet Rick does it really well (with grace and humility).
What’s the difference between a coach and a mentor?
- When you mentor: You share your experience & subject-matter expertise. You help a colleague see the world & its potential—through your eyes.
- When you coach: You help your colleague make sense of their world—from their perspective.
Effective leaders:
- seek diverse perspectives
- recognize the bias of individual opinion
- make decisions methodically
Ineffective leaders:
- make reflexive decisions
- amplify the thoughts of a few
- see alternate perspectives as obstacles
Hiring -- What are the must-haves for a leadership role?
- Knowledge
- Fit with the team
- Collaborate
- Align with the values
How to run 1:1s
- Consent to an agenda
- Ask useful questions
- LISTEN
Career and Life Advice:
- Ask Who, How, What, Why
- Seek multiple perspectives
Atul Gawande's Checklist Manifesto is useful.

598: Sam Parr (Founder of The Hustle) - Living By a Mantra, Thinking Big, Growing (and Selling) a Media Company, Persuading Others, Becoming a World-Class Writer, Working The Cold Email Muscle, and Pursuing Excellence Sep 01, 2024

Full Show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Read our book: The Score That Matters - https://amzn.to/3AAPyds

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Ep # 598: Sam Parr

Notes

Sam’s mantra (which he has tattooed on his thigh): “Bold. Fast. Fun.” It’s really hard to beat someone who moves fast, takes risks, and has fun doing it.
Think big, but you have to get started. We see Hustle Con and the 2,500 people and think that’s just how it always was. It started as a small book club, then a small event that made a little money... And YEARS later it’s HustleCon which helped launch The Hustle, which then eventually sold for 10’s of millions. We have to get started and keep going.
The most important skill set (according to Sam) is the ability to convince people of something. Persuading others. You have to believe in it yourself, be a clear thinker, and know how to communicate that to others to make them believe in it too. This skill will help you accomplish a lot.
Writing – Write like you talk. Writing clarifies your thinking…
Think in headlines – Thinking in headlines will make you a clearer thinker. It will help you see how an idea should be framed, identify different ways to tell your story, and show you the soul of your topic.
Back against the wall - “I firmly believe in putting my back against the wall.” Deadlines, pressure, and harsh goals will pull out the best from you.
Copy by Hand – Sam copied the best sales letters of all time by hand. Let the writing you admire pass through your fingers. This method is called copywork.
What Sam learned backstage at his events with rich people/CEOs - "They weren't smarter than me." We're all just figuring it out as we go.: "
Cold emails -- Work that muscle. AirBnB cold email story:
- "I cold emailed this guy named Brian. And he had a company called Air Bed and Breakfast. I said, 'Hey, this sounds like a cool thing. I want to interview. I think I can help make it better by doing a few things.' And they said, 'Are you in the Bay Area?' 'Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm there.' And he said, 'Alright, great. Come to the office on Monday.' So I booked the flight and I flew out and got an interview there. That's how I got introduced to startups. And then I eventually moved to San Francisco."
Sports - Love them because they are objective. The time doesn't lie. Same with business. The numbers don't lie.
- You know you're going to feel pain (before running a 400m), but you do it anyway and push through it. That's what makes them great.
How to raise tough kids? "I'm scared. I think about this all the time. Will need to remove the things that make my life easy like all the service providers have now."
Hiring - Freaks, weirdos. The others. Want people passionate about something. Anything. Bottom 4th of the resume.
- Be skilled at something, not a generalist.
- Writing/communication - No typos. Clear writing = clear thinking. We want clear thinkers. Especially for leadership roles.
Fame - "I don't want that anymore, but I still want to be taken seriously by the big boys. I'm still insecure about building something other than a media company."
Advice: "Be a fucking animal." Don't let anything stop you.
Excellence - "Like your shit. Enjoy it. Must have endurance. Be like a cockroach and stay alive. Survive. Don't quit. Don't be vanilla. Do dope shit."

597: Daniel Pink - The Art of Selling, How To Persuade Others, and The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us Aug 25, 2024

Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes

Read our book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/4dNLqoH

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #597 -- Daniel Pink

How to give a great townhall speech:
- Begin with the end in mind. What do you want the people in the audience to do?
- Prepare, don’t wing it. Be ready. Practice
- Sound like you. Don’t try to sound like Steve Jobs or someone else. When you’re on stage or presenting at work, sound like you. Be genuine.
Ideas for persuading others:
- Make it easy for others to say yes
- Social proof - Show that others are doing it (this is why companies put the logos of their customers on their website)
- Know when to appeal to the head or the heart. Typically, it’s the heart and emotion when speaking to those who work for you. And it’s your head when speaking to your boss. This is nuanced though and not black and white.
Remember, there are two types of people: Those who make their boss's life easier or harder. Be the former.
Pitching... Miles Teller in the TV show The Offer. Instead of trying to convince the mob boss to allow him to make the movie, he offered to show him the script and collaborate with him. The best pitches invite others to be co-creators.
The motivation framework:
- Autonomy: The desire to direct our own lives. Giving people more control over their work or tasks can enhance motivation and performance.
- Mastery: The urge to get better at something that matters. People are more motivated when they see progress and can develop their skills.
- Purpose: The feeling that what we do is important and has meaning. Connecting tasks or jobs to a larger cause can be a powerful motivator.
"If you're not confident, don't be self-deprecating."
To Sell is Human - "We're all in sales... Convincing, cajoling, persuading."
Make it easy for people to say yes... That's what the best salespeople do.
Social Cues -- From Robert Cialdini - People look around for cues. That's why companies put logos of their customers on their websites. So others look and say, "Oh, they are with them, I guess we can be too."
Know when to appeal to the head or heart. "When managing up, it's usually their head. When managing down, it's usually their heart."
Processing fluency - Make it sticky. Memorable. Rhyme. Repetition. Repetition. Repetition.

596: Arthur Brooks - The Art & Science of Happiness, Defining Your Purpose, Working with Oprah, Living Authentically, and Building The Life You Want Aug 18, 2024

Read our book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3XxHi7p

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Notes:

Arthur grew up with one goal - To be the world’s greatest French horn player. He learned that striving for something was fungible across all fields of life. It was a great laboratory for learning.
Intrinsic vs Extrinsic motivation - Intrinsic motivation comes from an internal desire to accomplish a goal, while extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards and praise.
"Misery comes from excessive auto-focus." Misery comes from thinking about yourself too much and not enough about helping others.
The curse of the strive... All happiness comes from progress.
- The arrival is not the goal.
How to be happy while striving:
- Be grateful - Write it down. Do it daily.
- Always look to help others.
"All research is 'me-search.'"
The Four Idols:
- Money, Power, Pleasure, and Prestige/Fame. We talked through ours… What are yours?
The Four Focus areas to help with happiness
- Faith
- Family
- Friendship
- Serving Others
Define your purpose. Write it down. Understand why you're here. Mine = "To inspire others to value and pursue excellence." Too many people are ok with mediocrity. We should strive for more.
Oprah Winfrey is the same person everywhere she goes. She is genuine and authentic to all.
Arthur's column helped Oprah stay positive and happy through the pandemic. So much so that she called him and asked to meet. And eventually, write a book together. That book became a #1 best-seller.
#1 Life Hack: "Don't lie ever."
Arthur is jacked (in great shape).
- Taking care of your body helps with unhappiness.
- Wake up 1.5 hours before dawn. Work out hard. Lift weights. Do challenging cardio.
Life/Career Advice:
- Don't worry too much about the first job out of college. Don't sacrifice relationships.
- Bring love to every relationship and be great at what you do. Be excellent.
  - Emanate love and show excellence.

595: Anne Mahlum [Founder of solidcore] - How To Bet on Yourself, Build Confidence, Smash Your Goals, Scale a Business, and Earn $100m Aug 11, 2024

Read our book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3XxHi7p

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

This episode is supported by Insight Global. Insight Global is a staffing company dedicated to empowering people. Please CLICK HERE for premier staffing and talent.

“I looked at these guys (homeless) and demanded nothing but pure excellence from them. And it was almost as if they were waiting for someone to do that.” Set high expectations for people. Believe in them. Care for them. Support them. Love them. And watch what happens. This is leadership.
Nobody runs by themselves. What a great life motto. We all need people. Anne believes in the importance of community and doing hard things together.
Her mindset was fostered, in sometimes complicated ways, by her childhood home life, she says. At age 16, her parents divorced after her father gambled away their family savings. To cope, Mahlum started running and became hyper-focused on the idea of controlling her own life.
When others are playing defense, go on offense. When others are scared, get aggressive (easier said than done). Anne did it.
"Running is the vehicle we're using to create community and positive reinforcement."
"If you want to make change, you have to help others see that they can do it. You can't force it on them."
How to build a great non-profit:
- Identity - Each group had team names
- Need team leaders, people to map out logistics, and volunteer coordinators
- Need to make day 1 incredible. Launch BIG.
- Target the right people - In Anne's case, it was executives who were runners... Decision makers who appreciated running.
Goals - Work backwards. Set a date and then do whatever it takes to hit that launch date.
solidcore -- Anne thought big from the beginning. She was opening her second location almost the same time her first location went live. She always wanted to scale it and thought about it from Day 1.
Important to hire great coaches. They needed a great personality and had to make every member feel welcome. Learn everyone's name. Say their name.
- Anne learned from How to Win Friends and Influence People
Risk-Taker - Step into uncertainty. That's how you build confidence.
- "I always bet on myself."
Action builds confidence. Push past the uncertainty. Create evidence for yourself. Make the things that were previously uncomfortable for you more comfortable now by taking action. When others are playing defense, go on offense. That creates your edge…
Anne's plan was always to sell Solidcore... Her strength is in bringing concepts to life and building communities, rather than sustaining them over time. The same month she exited the company, she opened her next venture, a New York-based fitness studio chain called Ambition.

594: Charles Duhigg - Asking Deeper Questions, Developing Listening Skills, The Matching Principle, The Harvard Study, and How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection (Super Communicators) Aug 04, 2024

Read our book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3XxHi7p

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

This episode is supported by Insight Global. Insight Global is a staffing company dedicated to empowering people. Please CLICK HERE for premier staffing and talent.

Ask deep questions – A deep question asks about someone’s values, beliefs, judgments, or experiences, rather than just facts.
- A deep question asks people to talk about how they feel.
- Asking a deep question should feel like sharing.
NASA listened to how people laughed and if they possessed a genuine matching quality. Not performative or inauthentic, but people who connect with others by matching their energy.
The 4 Rules of a learning conversation:
- Pay attention to what type of conversation is occurring
- Share your goals, ask what others are seeking
- Ask about others' feelings and share your own
- Explore if identities are important to this discussion
The How Do We Feel conversation: What can we learn about listening from Nicholas Epley? (Psychology Professor). (Everyone knows how to listen deeply. If a podcast or something is interesting, nobody struggles to listen). Epley didn’t teach them how to listen. He urged them to have more interesting and meaningful conversations. To talk about feelings. When we talk about feelings, something magical happens. Other people can’t help but listen to us.
Practical actions to take:
- Ask Deep Questions: Instead of sticking to surface-level topics, ask questions that invite people to share their values, beliefs, or significant experiences. For instance, if someone mentions they are a doctor, ask them what inspired them to pursue medicine.
- Prove You're Listening: Demonstrate that you are actively listening by asking follow-up questions or repeating back what the other person has said to ensure understanding.
- Match Emotional Tone: Pay attention to the other person's emotional state and match it appropriately. If someone is sharing something emotional, respond with empathy rather than attempting to offer solutions immediately.
- Understand the Social Identity: Be mindful of the social identities that might be important in a conversation. This awareness can enhance understanding and connection by showing respect for the experiences and viewpoints shaped by those identities.
Charles shared that understanding whether a conversation is emotional, social, or practical is crucial, especially in leadership and educational settings. Teachers, for instance, are taught to ask students if they want to be helped, heard, or hugged—a reminder that recognizing the intent behind communications is key to providing appropriate support and connection.
Time Stamps
01:06 Educational Choices and Parental Guidance
02:03 Reporting from Iraq: A Journalist's Perspective
03:41 The Bike Messenger Experience
05:47 The Harvard Study and Its Impact
09:23 Felix Sagala: The Art of Deep Communication
13:30 Mastering the Skills of Super Communication
20:25 Connecting with Strangers: Nicholas Epley's Experiment
21:20 Emotional Intelligence in Space: NASA's Challenge
24:51 The Matching Principle: Authentic vs. Fake
32:27 Insights from The Big Bang Theory Writers
35:36 The Art of Learning Conversations

593: Kim "Killer Chick" Campbell - Contingency Planning, Responding to Adversity, Earning Trust & Respect, Flying in the Face of Fear, and How To Run a Debrief Jul 28, 2024

Read our book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3XxHi7p

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

This episode is supported by Insight Global. Insight Global is a staffing company dedicated to empowering people. Please CLICK HERE for premier staffing and talent.

Episode #593: Kim Campbell - Contingency Planning, Responding to Adversity, Earning Trust & Respect, Flying in the Face of Fear, and How To Run a Debrief

Aviate, Navigate, Communicate - "Aviate, navigate, communicate" is a fundamental principle in aviation that pilots learn early in flight training. It's a priority order that helps pilots stay focused and in control, even when they're under pressure or distracted:
- Aviate: Keep the plane flying
- Navigate: Figure out where you are and where you're going
- Communicate: Talk to air traffic control (ATC) or someone else as needed
On March 20, 2003, Kim wrote letters to her loved ones in case she died in battle.
Prepare, practice, and plan for contingencies. My college football coach, the late great, Terry Hoeppner used to always say, have a plan, work the plan, plan for the unexpected. As leaders, it’s on us to prepare, practice, and plan for contingencies. You don’t have to get ready if you stay ready.
I love the way Kim’s dad helped support her dream to be a fighter pilot. If you want to do this, you have to put in the work. Run hills, and do pull-ups every time you go to the bathroom. He didn’t just tell her you can do whatever you want… He created opportunities for Kim to do the necessary work to achieve what she wanted.
Kim’s telling of the story of how she was hit and how she responded. An amazing example of responding in the face of fear, dealing with adversity in a calm, poised manner, and making a tough decision. Kim’s training and her attitude is what set her apart and saved her life.
Response to Rejection: Initially Kim was rejected by the Air Force Academy because of a low SAT score. In response, instead of quitting and moving on, she wrote a letter to them every week stating why they should accept her… Which they eventually did.
Dealing with fear: What's most important is what we do in the face of fear. We can't freeze. We must take action.
The Debrief:
- Check your rank and ego at the door.
- Write all the objectives down. Next to each one, grade it a plus or a minus. Find the root causes of each mistake.
- What lessons can we learn from our mistakes?
- What will we change for our next mission based on what we learned?
- Share lessons learned beyond that room.
Johnny Bravo - Be humble, approachable, and credible. That's how you earn trust and respect and inspire others to follow.

592: Ed Batista - How To Give Useful Feedback, What Great Leaders Do, and Why We All Need An Executive Coach Jul 21, 2024

Read our book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3XxHi7p

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

This episode is supported by Insight Global. Insight Global is a staffing company dedicated to empowering people. Please CLICK HERE for premier staffing and talent.

Notes:

Commonalities of excellent coaches:
- Not defensive
- Respond well to feedback
- Ability to learn
"Leadership can't be taught but it can be learned."
Coaching is not therapy, but it can be therapy-adjacent.
- It's not telling people what to do and it's not just asking questions. It's a combination of all of them.
There is ample research on the benefits of writing. It clarifies your thinking.
The questions to ask someone who might need an executive coach:
- Why do you want a coach?
- Why now?
- What do you hope to get out of it?
What do great leaders do?
- First, do no harm.
- Walk the talk.
- Be an embodiment of the culture.
- Have high standards
  - Take risks
  - Coach people up
  - Train people
- "Coaching is accomplishment through others."
"Feedback is not a gift."
- Feedback is data. Signal and noise.
  - Signal - Important and good.
  - Noise - Byproduct of someone's distorted lens.
"Praise, Criticism, Praise (PCP) is terrible." Don't give the compliment sandwich. It's disingenuous.
How leaders best overcome adversity – The most critical skill is "adaptive capacity..." It’s composed of two primary qualities: the ability to grasp context, and hardiness.
Coaching - Asking evocative questions, ensuring the other person feels heard, and actively conveying empathy remain the foundations of coaching.
- Connect: Establish and renew the interpersonal connection, followed by an open-ended question.
- Reflect: Having elicited a response, reflect back the essence of the other person's comments.
- Direct: Focus their attention on a particular aspect of their response that invites further exploration.
Support and Challenge - A client once said, “It feels like you’re always in my corner, but you never hesitate to challenge me.”
Master the Playbook, Throw it Away - Coaching involves a continuous and cyclical process of learning, unlearning, and relearning.
Power Dynamics - The longer I coach, the more I appreciate and value the work of Jeff Pfeffer, a leading scholar on power. philosopher Ernest Becker: "If you are wrong about power, you don't get a chance to be right about anything else."
"Meaningful coaching is always an emotionally intimate experience, no matter what’s being discussed. In part this is a function of the context: two people talking directly to each other with no distractions... Intimacy in a coaching relationship also results from a willingness to 'make the private public'--to share with another person the thoughts and feelings that we usually keep to ourselves... And yet an essential factor that makes such intimacy possible is a clear set of boundaries defining the relationship, which creates an inevitable and necessary sense of distance..."

591: Ryan Holiday (LIVE! In Austin) - Good Values, Good Character, Good Deeds (Right Thing, Right Now) Jul 14, 2024

Read our book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3XxHi7p

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

This episode is supported by Insight Global. Insight Global is a staffing company dedicated to empowering people. Please CLICK HERE for premier staffing and talent.

Ryan Holiday is one of the world's bestselling living philosophers. His books like The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, The Daily Stoic, and the #1 New York Times bestseller Stillness Is the Key appear in more than 40 languages and have sold more than 5 million copies. His latest book (a #1 NY Times Best-Seller) is called Right Thing, Right Now. This conversation was recorded in person at Ryan's bookstore, The Painted Porch, which sits on historic Main St in Bastrop, Texas.

Notes:

June 16, 2024 – Birthday and Father’s Day. How does stoicism impact you as a dad? “What’s at stake today is how they remember you 20 years from now.”
Choose a North Star -- Choosing a North Star can function as a compass professionally, personally, and morally.
- Most people don’t do the work to figure out what their North Star is… Most people default to what others do, and then they end up comparing themselves to others.
- Ryan Holiday's North Star? Writing...
Pay the taxes of life gladly: Not just from the government. Annoying people are a tax on being outside your house. Delays are a tax on travel. Haters are a tax on having a YouTube channel. There’s a tax on everything in life. You can whine. Or you can pay them gladly.
Oscar Wilde wrote in The Portrait of Dorian Grey “The aim of life is self-development. To realize one’s nature perfectly. That is what each of us is here for.” —- What are you here for?
Stoicism - "A stoic doesn't control what happens but they focus on how to respond to what happened. The virtues of stoicism are courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom."
Build a coaching tree -- Popovich reference - and his coaching tree - how do we get better at making a goal to build a forest of leaders? What’s interesting about Pop’s coaching tree is there is a huge diversity of what he’s created. What’s interesting is the coaches who have learned from him are all different - they’re not replicas of Coach Popovich.
- RC Buford (GM of the San Antonio Spurs) said, "We have a good coaching tree. That's what we do here. In all roles."
- A shocking number of players have decided to stay in San Antonio, so much so that they have an alumni locker room in their practice facility because they choose to stick around afterward.
- "I love the idea of “hey we’re an organization, and we want to win, but our ultimate job is to bring good people in, and bring them better, and learn from them along the way."
- "We don’t talk enough about the bad coaching trees… ultimately you measure greatness about how replicable their system is and others can take it and use it as well. Don’t just judge people on their wins, but on their coaching tree… or lack thereof.
- When you’re hiring someone, can you both be on the same page - and there’s clarity. When I get invited to something, who am I bringing? Or when it’s a specific project, who on my team will crush it with me or on their own? Understanding that this will be a tour of duty.
Robert Greene - "Robert knew I wanted to be a writer and he knew what I wanted to do, and it allowed me to realize that he was letting me do this to understand how the whole writing process works. If somebody wants to work with someone else, what’s the best way to reach out to that person, to try and get your foot in the door."
Mentors: (Advice to mentees) "Don’t say 'I’ll do whatever, or I’ll do anything,' I don’t need anything done, I have very specific things that need to be done. Don’t present them with the problem of you…. Present them with the problem they have and several ideas that you have to potentially help. Be specific and present a solution to a potential problem that maybe they haven’t thought about yet."
Keep your hands clean - the difference between Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy.
Be kind — JM Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan said in 1902, “Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight? Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary.”
Discipline is a “me” virtue. Justice is a “we” virtue.
Make "Good" Trouble - "If you got into this to gain a lot of fans, you’ll never do anything to lose fans….. you don’t have the fans, the fans have you… it’s the other way around. There’s a balance, I don’t want to speak up on every divisive issue, but at the same time if you’re not speaking up on things that you think are important, and you keep silent, then you’re creating a form of death, and you’re hurting other people that could potentially learn from your words and thoughts… You have to think about how you want to use your platform and the authority you have. It’s easy to say politicians live this way, but when’s the last time you spoke up on something you didn’t agree on?"
President Truman - "An incredible example of an ordinary person doing extraordinary things… the last president to not have a college degree. He educated himself and had core values and a sense that he was obligated by the constitution, human decency, and trying to do what was right. He had a strong moral code that guided him in difficult stances, and he had confidence and security. When we think of Presidents and Generals who have outward accomplishments, what I love about Truman is that he watched everyone else steal millions of dollars and he continued to pay off his bankruptcy debts. It doesn’t matter that everyone else is doing it… I’m not going to do it."
Goal Setting - "I don’t set any goals…” I just do the work every day, our goals are usually outcome specific and they’re rooted in what are other people going to think about the outcome of this. If I have a goal, they’re not geared towards a win or an outcome… the goal is to wake up and do… and I do it daily."
The desk where we recorded: Was owned by Joan Didion... "Objects of history get me excited. My vice is I collect historically significant things, at some point, I’m going to re-sell the table… now other people have sat at it, and so I’ll probably re-sell it and donate the money… ”significant objects”.. a guy buys a random piece of junk on eBay, and then he’d have a writer write a story about the item and then they’d resell it and people would pay more money for it."
Why is his publisher having him re-do the entire audio for the 10th anniversary of The Obstacle is The Way (instead of Ryan just reading the updated parts): "My voice is ten years older. A lot has happened in those ten years."

590: Nat Eliason - Winning & Losing Millions, Moonwalking with Einstein, Creating Memory Dividends, Making Our Days More Memorable, and Writing Captivating Stories (Crypto Confidential) Jul 07, 2024

Read our book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3XxHi7p

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

This episode is supported by Insight Global. Insight Global is a staffing company dedicated to empowering people. Please CLICK HERE for premier staffing and talent.

Notes:

Nat Eliason studied philosophy at Carnegie Mellon University. Since he started publishing his writing in 2013, his work has been read by millions of people and spun out multiple businesses ranging from a marketing agency to a cafe. He’s the author of Crytpo Confidential: Winning and Losing Millions in the New Frontier of Finance.

How to make our days more memorable?
- Throw parties with 3-4 different phases.
- When taking your loved one out on a date, have 3 different parts. Implement homework for life. Write down the stories of each day. This helps you remember them more.
Do Hard Things – Our self-image is composed of historical evidence of our abilities. The more hard things you push yourself to do, the more competent you will see yourself to be.
- "Build up your identity of being a capable person."
"Money corrupts quickly."
It’s never the right time. Any time you catch yourself saying “Oh it’ll be a better time later,” you’re probably just scared. Or unclear on what to do. There is never a right time for the big things in life.
Moonwalking with Einstein -- Memory competitions.
Die with Zero -- Create memory dividends (Bill Perkins). Be in the moment.
Homework for Life (Matthew Dicks).
Nat's birthday this year was the first time he ever felt sad (on a birthday)... Why? "It feels like it's going by quicker than it ever has."
- Create time with texture? "Mine workers have time with texture. I'm not sure that's memorable or desirable."
Crypto Confidential is the roller coaster story of getting rich, going broke, scamming, and getting scammed. It’s a narrative of Nat’s personal journey through the world of crypto, but it’s also a revealing look at exactly how the crypto sausage gets made—and how we can all be more educated participants during the next inevitable bull run.
Money can buy happiness. So long as you spend it on upgrading and expanding the things that make you happy, instead of using it to play status games or on fleeting experiences.

589: Sam Reese - Leadership Coaching, Setting Big Goals, Setting The Tone at the Top, and Why We Should All Be Part of a Mastermind Group Jun 30, 2024

Read The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3zbDGhi

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Notes:

How to create a learning organization - Set the tone at the top. The senior leader needs to model this behavior. Create peer groups at your place of work. Team learning is important. Give people the responsibility to lead training sessions. Support your teammates. Pay for them to go to conferences, hire coaches, and learn.
Commonalities among leaders who sustain excellence: They are curious. They have no confirmation bias. They have high standards. They respect all members of their team. They have a vision and goals and they share them with their team.
GPS - Goals, Perspectives, Strategy.
Process -- Full transparency, one meeting per week. Start with a story about a member at each meeting.
"If you know what to do, what would you do?"
Help high-integrity leaders make good decisions for their company, family, and community.
Hiring "must-haves"
- They believe in the mission
- They don't think they're better than others
- They listen
- They collaborate well
Advice:
- Give back what you can to help others.
- Be generous.
- Learn.
- Get away from bad bosses.
- Be balanced.
The power of being part of a peer accountability group – I’ve learned firsthand the impact this has on leaders through my Learning Leader Circles.
The differences between leading, managing, and coaching, and why you must do all three...
- Leader - Set direction, make sense of the outside world
- Manager - Know the details
- Coach - Help you activate what you already know

588: Tara Viswanathan (CEO Of Rupa) - Handling Rejection, Creating Magical Moments, Leadership Hiring 'Must-Haves,' Learnings From Lululemon, and Keys To a Great Off-Site Retreat Jun 23, 2024

Order our new book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3VJoYFZ

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

This episode is supported by Insight Global. Insight Global is a staffing company dedicated to empowering people. Please CLICK HERE for premier staffing and talent.

Rejection is a learned skill. Tara has gone through rejection therapy. Go out and ask for something crazy big. Get comfortable with being rejected. Hearing the word no. Go big.
Confidence is about keeping promises to yourself. Create evidence for yourself.
Create magical moments for the people you’re leading. Show them how much you care for them. The small touches are a big deal. The magic is in the small details.
How to have fun at your company: Fun (and culture) cannot be outsourced. You cannot delegate “culture carriers." You (the leader) are the ultimate culture carrier. It has to come from you.
"Ask for money, get advice. Ask for advice, get money."
"If it's too easy, you get soft."
It's important to set high expectations for the people you're leading. "The boss I respected the most was a hard ass and very demanding."
The difference between nice and kind:
- Nice = Soft, easy.
- Kind = Set high expectations. Hold you accountable to them. You're better long-term being kind.
Tara's "must-haves" when hiring a leader:
- Raw intelligence - How quickly can you learn? Must be a clear and critical thinker.
- Fantastic communicator
- Intensity, drive, hunger
- Sense of humor - Need to be able to laugh and have fun.
Values:
- Business owner
- Kid at heart
- Design thinking - Craft for the end-user
- Peak performance
- Be human
Keys to a great off-site retreat
- Craft for the people
- High energy
- Sense of connection - get to know each other
- Peak performance workbook - set goals
- Small touches - personalized gifts for the team (like picture frames with personalized pictures in them)
- Create magical moments to connect
- Focus on the arrival - make it special
- Eliminate loneliness - Assigned seats, name tags, conversation prompts (especially helps introverts)
Tara worked at LuluLemon while in grad school at Stanford. It was a useful learning experience for her. She worked for a world-class manager.
What Tara learned from her parents:
- Leadership is about modeling the right behaviors.
Advice - "If you want to be extraordinary, you can't fit in."
"Give way more than everybody else."
"Follow great people and be around greatness."
Tara created a 50-slide PowerPoint while going for a role as a part-time content writer. Going above and beyond for that leader left an impression and that woman who Tara impressed remains a mentor, investor, and friend to this day more than a decade later. You never know what will happen if you consistently over-deliver for people.

587: Daniel Negreanu - Responding To Failure, Risking It All, Getting Rich, Embracing Criticism, Taking Ownership of Your Life, & How To Read People Jun 16, 2024

Read our new book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3VlZHCA

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

This episode is supported by Insight Global. Insight Global is a staffing company dedicated to empowering people. Please CLICK HERE for premier staffing and talent.

Notes: Daniel Negreanu has earned over 52 million dollars at the poker table, which ranks him as the highest-earning player in live tournament poker history. He’s won 6 world series of poker bracelets, two world poker tour titles, and Daniel was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2014. He’s often referred to as “Kid Poker” and is known for his charismatic personality at the table.

Commonalities among the greatest poker players in the world:
- Self-Awareness
- Humility
In order to avoid criticism, “say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”
Daniel is obsessed with the Rocky movies and the lessons learned from each one. Rocky 3 - Don’t get complacent. Rocky 4 - It’s heart versus machine. Rocky Balboa - But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!
The luck factor... Dealing with things outside of our control. A victim versus an owner mentality. Victims will complain, give up, sulk, be passive-aggressive, or procrastinate. Owners will seek solutions, take action, or ask for help. Victims will focus on things they cannot control, while owners will focus on things they can control.
- "A big mistake is a beautiful opportunity." It's easier to be a victim and not take responsibility.
- "Failure builds muscle."
"I don't care what others think anymore. I do not have that fear."
Rounders (the movie) is the greatest poker movie of all time.
Why Daniel is inspired by Sylvester Stallone...
- He's not complacent
- In Rocky IV it was heart versus machine. Rocky (Sly) was all heart.
Outspoken and direct – “If you have a problem with me, text me. And if you don't have my number then you don't know me well enough to have a problem with me.” – Christian Bale
Phil Ivey said about Daniel: “I can't think of too many people who have done more for the game of poker than Daniel.”
When was Daniel happiest? “I would say in very high-stress situations. During the World Series of Poker main event [in 2015], when I actually was eliminated in 11th place and felt a gut punch.”
Early life – Be Rich – At an early age, Daniel was ambitious: "From the age of four, I thought I'd be rich. I told my mom I'd build a house out of Popsicle sticks and move to California."
Sharing both the wins and the losses with his fans: “This is what holding yourself accountable looks like. I could lie, right…or B. I could just not share this with you but then that wouldn’t be authentic and real, right? I’m not just going to share my winning years, I’m going to share my losing years."
Daniel is willing to go outside of his comfort zone... Head's up matches with Doug Polk (a head's up specialist): On July 29, 2020, after a years-long feud, Daniel publicly accepted a challenge to a high-stakes grudge match with Doug Polk. They played 25,000 hands of No-Limit Texas Hold'em at $200/$400 stakes. The duel ended on February 4, 2021, with Polk winning approximately $1,200,000 over 25,000 hands. Then in 2023, Daniel got a rematch with Doug and beat him for $200K and a championship belt.

586: Erika Ayers Badan (Former Barstool Sports CEO) - Deserving Great Mentors, Learning From Failure, Building Your Career, Earning Your Dream Job, & Other Hard Truths About Life As A CEO Jun 09, 2024

Read our book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3VrogOC

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

This episode is supported by Insight Global. Insight Global is a staffing company dedicated to empowering people. Please CLICK HERE for premier staffing and talent.

Notes:

What Erika learned from her dad: “He loved his work and was so full from it. Three weeks before he died he was doing Zoom calls with students from the ER even though it was beyond unnecessary and impractical to do so. If you love what you do it can add so much dimension to your life and the lives of others. He liked people and to learn from them. There’s something to learn from everybody. And the best control was no control - let things happen and learn from them & adapt.
Career advice: Know what your company is paying you to do. And the better you make your boss look, the better it will be for you. Find problems and clear the path for your boss. Make their life easier. Make them look good. That’s the role when you have a boss.
Must-Haves When she’s making a hiring decision:
- Be able to share stories of how you’ve gone for something that failed, and learned
- Be curious, ask thoughtful questions
- Do research on the company. CARE.
- Test the product. Be able to demonstrate that you know what it does.
- Bring a point of view. Articulate what you could bring to the role and how you could make the company better.
Joanne— I wanted to be you until I realized I couldn’t, so I decided to be me. I studied you for twelve years. You are the architect of all my work dreams, and you are the scaffolding I built myself on. You put force into my nature, and for that I am so grateful.
Getting the Barstool CEO role: She earned the job over 74 male candidates. “I wanted this job because they were considered too rogue, too untouchable, too badly behaved, too unproven. Dave Portnoy (the founder) was powerful, seemingly unmanageable, and volatile.”
In 2012, when Chernin bought a majority stake in Barstool, the company was worth $12 million. You sold it to Penn Entertainment seven years later for $550 million.
Make Your Own Luck – When Erika was nearly graduating college, she applied for an internship at Converse no less than 45 times. She never got an interview. Why? “I didn’t do anything unique enough, passionate enough, or memorable enough to deserve a chance at the job.”
“It was a heart attack every day for nine years,” Erika said of being Barstool’s CEO.
As the first-ever CEO of media magnate Barstool Sports, Ayers Badan led the company through explosive growth (+5000% in revenue and significantly more in audience), expanding the company from a regional blog to a national powerhouse brand and media company. During her 9 years steering the company, Barstool became a top ten podcasting publisher in the US, with the world's #1 sports, hockey, golf, and music podcasts, and a top 6 brand globally on TikTok.

585: AJ Jacobs - Creating a Flexible Mind Mind, The Value of Slow-Thinking, Embracing Virtue, Showing Gratitude, and The Year of Living Constitutionally Jun 02, 2024

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Notes:

John Quincy Adams once said, “Gratitude… when it takes possession of the bosom, fills the soul to overflowing and scarce leaves room for any other sentiment or thought.”
Ask yourself the question, “What good shall I do today?” When you’re upset that your social media post didn’t get as many likes as you thought it would stop and think, ‘What good shall I do today?” It can reframe how you approach others and be more servant-based (which is a mark of a great leader)
The fox mindset versus the hedgehog mindset. A hedgehog has a single lens. It’s more rigid thinking. A fox sees the world through many different lenses. It’s more flexible and adaptive. That is a theme of this conversation. Be open, be less judgemental, and be more curious about the way others view the world. “The older I get, the less certain I get of my opinions.”
“It's easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than think your way into a new way of acting.” AJ shared that when he was dedicated to the thank you project even on a bad day when he was focused on saying thank you, his mind eventually caught up to his body.
Change Your Mind – the founding fathers did this a lot. Daniel Kahneman said, “No one enjoys being wrong, but I do enjoy having been wrong because it means I am now less wrong than I was before.”
Be Humble In Your Opinions – Ben Franklin told a short parable. He said, there was a “French lady, who, in a dispute with her sister said, I don’t know how it happens, sister, but I meet nobody but myself that is always in the right. The point is that we are all that French lady. We all believe we have a monopoly on the truth. (Remind yourself that you’re wrong sometimes)
- Flexibility of mind: Many of the Founding Fathers were open to the idea that they might be wrong, and more willing to change their minds than leaders are today. At the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin summed up this open-mindedness: “The older I grow the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment.”
Think Slow – There are parts of modern life that would benefit from an enforced speed limit. We need fewer hot takes and more cold takes. We need more slow thinking. Writing in depth letters by hand forced ideas to be more nuanced. Thumb-texting acronyms have the opposite effect. Slow down consumption. Forced self to read the news just once a day.
- The value of slow thinking: For the year, AJ wrote a letter with a quill instead of using social media or texts. It was a revelation. It led to a less impulsive, slower style of thinking – a waiting period for his thoughts.
Embrace Virtue – In the founding era, virtue was a cherished ideal (now it’s often used in the phrase virtue signaling which is not a compliment). “A virtuous person puts the interests of others before their one. They focus on those two key words in the Constitution’s Preamble, “General Welfare.”
We Control the Sun – The sun carved on the back of George Washington’s wooden chair at the Constitutional Convention. The sun was cut in half by the horizon. Was it rising or setting? At the end of the convention, Ben Franklin said he was convinced it was rising. America had a bright future (the world is built by optimists) Whether the sun sets or rises on democracy, that’s up to us, we the people.
In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin tells a story about his father criticizing his writing."About this time I met with an odd volume of the Spectator," Franklin wrote, "I thought the writing excellent, and wished, if possible, to imitate it."
AJ’s goal was to try to understand the Constitution by adopting the mindset and lifestyle of the Founders for a full year. He committed to living as the original originalist as a new way of searching for answers to one of the most pressing questions of our time: How should we interpret America’s foundational document today?

584: Craig Robinson - The "Must-Have" Qualities For Coaching Excellence, Becoming a Better Listener, Learning From a Legend, and Thanksgiving Dinner With a Young Barack Obama May 26, 2024

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Craig Robinson is the host of Ways to Win. He’s the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). From 2017-2020, he served as the VP of Player Development for the New York Knicks. Previously, he was a Division I head men’s basketball coach at Oregon State and Brown. He also is the brother of former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Notes:

What Craig learned from Coach Pete Carill about recruiting: There is a sales element to it. And one of the most important skills to develop is to become a great LISTENER. Ask questions, listen, and ask more questions. Curiosity is the ultimate form of respect. Coach Carill won over Craig’s dad because he was curious. That’s a good lesson for all of us.
President Obama (Craig's brother-in-law) said Craig’s discipline and diligence enhanced his presidential campaign. “Craig doesn’t profess to know the specifics of politics the way he knows the X’s and O’s of basketball, but I think what he does understand is the need to wake up every morning doing your best and having a positive attitude. And him communicating that to me was always very helpful.”
When (future President) Barack Obama was dating Craig's sister (Michelle), he told their family at Thanksgiving dinner that he had aspirations and a plan to be the President of the United States. It seemed crazy at the time, but he made it happen.
What are the "must-have" qualities to be a coach on Craig's staff?
- Connect with people
- Lifelong learning
- Curiosity
- Fill in gaps (be strong where Craig is not)
- Must be a good listener
What Craig looked for in a player when recruiting:
- Baseline talent (table stakes)
- 2-3 "bucket-getters"
- High IQ
- Flexible
After graduating from Princeton, where he played for Pete Carril and was twice named the Ivy League player of the year, Criag wanted to coach. Instead, he went to graduate school and succeeded in the financial world, including spending seven years as a vice president at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. Then, he pivoted away and took an assistant job on Bill Carmody’s staff at Northwestern. That job eventually led Robinson to Brown, where in two seasons he overhauled the program with his work ethic, tough love, and relentless demands on his players. He put a dictionary in the locker room for players to look up the words he used, a tradition that has continued at Oregon State.
- What made him not immediately go into coaching? Pete Craill telling him to get a real job. It’s amazing the influence the people we look up to can have on us.
Craig's fondest memory?
- January 20, 2009. He went to President Obama's inauguration in Washington D.C. He then flew to a game on the west coast (as the head coach of Oregon State). And received a standing ovation from the visiting team's crowd as he walked out!

583: Jason Fried - Growing Without Goals, Earning An Investment From Jeff Bezos, Making Tough Decisions, Keys To A Great Partnership, Hosting Leadership Retreats, and Creating A Writing Practice May 19, 2024

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Making decisions – Decisions aren't hard — it's the moments after that are. Whenever I make decisions, I don't think about now, I think about eventually. How will this feel then, maybe a year from now. When it's real, not raw. When the complications around the concern have cleared, and distance has done its job.
Goal setting - 37 Signals does not set long-term goals. Jason (as the CEO) helps set the direction and they work in six-week sprints.
- Think, "What am I optimizing for?"
- 37 Signals does not have a board of directors or advisors.
Is it more helpful to have a chip on your shoulder to prove someone wrong or to be motivated to prove your supporters right?
- Both can be useful.
Keys to a great partnership? Jason works with his co-founder, David Heinemeier Hansson (a previous guest on The Learning Leader Show).
- Mutual admiration
- Have complementary skills (Jason is design, DHH is engineering)
A company is essentially two things: a group of people and a collection of decisions. How those people make these decisions is the art of running a business.
Maxims:
- Decide what you’re going to do this week, not this year.
- Whenever you can, swap “Let’s think about it” for “Let’s decide on it.”
- Momentum fuels motivation.
Just ship it. You'll figure out what needs to be fixed as you go.
Mark Zuckerberg is coming into his own... There are lots of reasons for it. One of them (maybe)? He's working out, in great shape, fighting MMA style, and surrounding himself around others who are doing the same.
All leaders should have a writing practice. Hopefully, you don’t feel the need to send it to a lawyer or a comms team before publishing it or sharing it with the people you’re leading. Write like you talk. Write what’s in your head. Think about what you want to say, and say it.
You never know who is watching: Jeff Bezos sat in the front row for one of Jason’s keynotes and was so impressed that he asked to invest in his company. When you have the guts to put your thoughts and beliefs out into the world, it can work as a magnetic effect to attract people to you. It's refreshing to hear Jason talk about one of the core qualities he loves most about Jeff: he is overwhelmingly optimistic. The world is built by optimists.
You don’t create culture. It happens. A company's culture is a 50-day moving average. It's what you've been collectively doing as a company over the last 50 days. How do you treat people? Who have you hired (or fired) and why?
Company off-site events:
- They do two per year (one in the United States, and one abroad).
- Members of Jason's team meticulously design them.
- One day of business followed by time for the team to hang out, do activities together, eat together, and bond.
Does Jason have plans to sell 37 Signals? "No, that would be the demise of the company."

582: Cal Newport - Obsess Over Quality, Create Time Freedom (like Benjamin Franklin), Limit Daily Goals, Work At a Natural Pace, & How To Be So Good They Can't Ignore You May 12, 2024

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Notes on this conversation with Cal Newport

(Obsess over quality). Jewel obsessed over the quality of her work so much that she turned down a 1m dollar offer (even while living out of her car) because she needed time to make her work excellent. Obsess over the quality of what you produce, even if this means missing opportunities in the short term. Leverage the value of these results to gain more and more freedom in your efforts over the long term.
Benjamin Franklin – He hired David Hall to create time freedom. He needed time to think, time to experiment. He gave up money in the short term to gain time freedom to create something for the future. There’s no guarantee that it would pay off, but we all should think about how we can make investments that our future self would thank us for.
Have fewer concurrent active projects. Instead of focusing on 10 things, focus on 2 or 3. Make it public. Share with your team. Be known as a leader who focuses on a few important objectives instead of 10 of them.
Match your space to your work – Be in nature, Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote Hamilton in the Morris-Jumel Mansion, the oldest surviving house in Manhattan (served as headquarters for George Washington during the Battle of Harlem Heights, and home of Aaron Burr when he was Vice President), Neil Gaiman built a spartan, 8 sided writing shed that sits on low stilts and offers views on all sides of endless trees.
Do Fewer Things:
- Limit Daily Goals – Cal learned this from his doctoral adviser at MIT. She was incredulous about Cal’s attempts to switch back and forth between multiple academic papers. She preferred to get lost in a single project at a time. Cal was convinced that the slowness of working on just one important thing per day would hold him back.
- Work at a Natural Pace
  - Don’t rush your most important work. Allow it instead to unfold along a sustainable timeline, with variations in intensity over different timescales, and, when possible, executed in settings conducive to brilliance.
  - Slow productivity emphatically rejects the performative rewards of unwavering urgency. Grand achievement is built on the steady accumulation of modest results over time, and you should give your efforts the breathing room and respect required to make them part of a life well lived, not an obstacle to it.
- Obsess over Quality
  - By focusing intensely on the small number of activities that matter most to our jobs, you can find both the motivation and justification for slowness.
  - Improve your taste. It’s in the uneasy distance between our taste and our ability that improvement happens – aka in our drive to meet our own high standards.
  - To combat the potential paralysis of perfectionism, think about giving yourself enough time to produce something great, but not unlimited time–focus on creating something good enough to catch the attention of people whose taste you care about but relieve yourself of the need to forge a masterpiece.
  - Gather with people who share similar professional ambitions. When you combine the opinions of multiple practitioners, more possibilities and nuance emerge, and there’s a focusing effect that comes from performing for a crowd.
It’s easy to mistake “do fewer things” for “accomplish fewer things” – but this understanding is backward. We work roughly the same number of hours each week regardless of the size of our task lists. Having more commitments simply increases the hours lost to overhead tax – the coordinating activities, such as meetings and email, needed to manage what’s on your plate.
- The pandemic “zoom apocalypse,” in which many knowledge workers found themselves in Zoom meeting all day long, was caused in part by reaching a state in which overhead tax crowded out almost any time to actually complete tasks.
- Doing fewer things, in other words, makes us better at our jobs–not only psychologically but also economically and creatively.
The Overhead Tax – A key property of overhead tax is that it tends to expand to fill as much time as it’s provided. So long as a project is something that you’ve committed to, and it’s not yet complete, it will tend to generate a continual tax in the form of check-in meetings, impromptu email conversations, and plain old mental space.
Knowledge workers have no agreed-upon definition of what “productivity” actually means–incredibly unusual compared to other areas of our economy.
- Lacking a precise definition they defaulted to a crude approximation: pseudo-productivity – using visible activity as a proxy for useful professional accomplishment.
Cal argues that the current burnout crisis is due, in part, to the combination of pseudo-productivity with more recent advances in mobile computing and digital communication that made unlimited work available at all times in all places. The result was an impossible internal tug of war, where there was always more to do, and never any hope of catching up. Busy exhaustion itself became your primary signal of usefulness.
Slow productivity doesn’t ask that you extinguish ambition. Humans derive great satisfaction from being good at what they do and producing useful things.
Cal revisits the popular narrative of Jane Austen’s writing career; a closer look at her life reveals a powerful case study for a slower approach. Busy Jane Austen was neither happy nor producing memorable work, while unburdened Jane Austen, writing contently at a quiet cottage, after her family decided to withdraw from a busy social calendar, transformed English literature.
The goal of Slow Productivity is to propose an entirely new way for you, your small business, or your large employer to think about what it means to get things done; to rescue knowledge work from its increasingly untenable freneticism, and rebuild it to enable you to create things you’re proud of without grinding yourself down along the way; and to offer a more humane and sustainable way to integrate professional efforts into a life well lived.

581: Paul Rabil (The LeBron James of Lacrosse) - Never Missing a Day, Goal Setting, The Voice No One Hears, and The Difference Between Self-Promotion & Passion (The Way of The Champion) May 05, 2024

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Never Miss a Day – In the summer, going into Paul's freshman year of high school, he was at a lacrosse camp at Loyola University… At the end of the morning session, an all-time coaching legend, Tony Seaman spoke to the group. He told them he could guarantee that they could earn a college scholarship. All they had to do? "Take 100 shots per day. Here's the catch. You can never miss a day. No excuses." What are your 100 shots a day?
Goal Setting – Most people don’t set goals because the act alone is both a major and personal step in the direction of commitment, and it invites hope, fear, and the possibility of regret.
- Focus on what you can control – John Wooden was 5’10. Below average for a basketball player. He was really good at “understanding the things at which he had no control and things over which I had some control.”
- Let Go of Outcomes – Archery master Awa Kenzo told his students to pay no attention to the target. Success and failure come from the same place, so that’s where the archer should point all of their attention: not on the outcome, but the effort.
Therapy– Dr. Lindsey Hoskins once said that when we hurt someone we love, it’s because we fear disconnection from that someone. We hope that by lashing out, they’ll show us love, and as a result, we’ll feel safer in the relationship.”
The Difference Between Self-Promotion and Passion - "I’m not going to convince you to like what I do. I’m going to show you how much I love what I do.”
You won't achieve ambitious goals if you don’t set ambitious goals.
The legendary Michael Ovitz shotgun pitch to Coca-Cola. He and his team outworked the competition, flew in a day early, practiced in the actual room the pitch would take place, bought new suits, and over-delivered during the pitch meeting. Their competitors took the meeting for granted, flew in the morning of, and didn't perform. Michael and his team won the $300m contract and earned the business for years to come.
A true champion is intensely focused on the things they can control.
Being coachable is rare—it’s being curious, eager, self-aware, and ambitious.
Discover and harness your unique learning style. What might appear as an inability or perceived disadvantage could be your greatest asset in mastering your chosen field. For example, Paul grew up with a learning difference called Auditory Processing Disorder.
The only way to learn from failures is to feel it, study them, make adjustments, a new commitment, and put it behind you.
The Voice No One Else Hears – Performance psychologist Jim Loehr has worked with some of the top athletes in the world. He has them wear a microphone during a competition, and he asks them to honestly articulate what the voice in their head says and thinks. Whatever the circumstances, Loehr said he asks, “Is this how I would speak to someone I deeply care about? Or, if I were speaking to someone I deeply cared about, what would I say?”
- "I've been here before."
- "I've taken 35,000 shots."
- Rebound... Bounce back.
Paul loves the "up and down" statistic in golf. It refers to a golfer recovering from a bad shot and still making a par on the hole. In life, it's all about how you choose to respond.
Paul’s Brother, Mike - “One of my favorite chapters in this book is about planting “little acorns.” (p.174) Had it not been for the biggest acorn in the family, who left his job to build the PLL with me... well, I’d just be a retired athlete, continuing the pursuit of my next professional life. Thank you for everything, Mike.”

580: Robin Sharma - The 5 Journal Prompts, 8 Hidden Habits, Meeting People In Person, Working Out Everyday, Becoming The Architect of Your Future, Building a Rich Life Apr 28, 2024

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The 5 Journal Prompts - What am I grateful for? Where am I winning? What will I let go of today? What does my ideal day look like? What needs to be said at the end?
Avoid the old person flaw – Sometimes you meet an old person and they spend hours in conversation living in the past. Don’t ever believe that your best days are behind you. Have a “never peak” mindset with an upward trajectory… Always.
Go see people in person - In Italy they say, “We are not friends until we’ve eaten together.”
Release the energy vampires – “We feel guilt when we no longer want to associate with old friends and colleagues who haven’t changed. The price, and marker, of growth.” - Naval Ravikant
Stop salting your food before you taste it.
Happiness is an inside job.
See Solitude as the new status symbol.
A sweaty workout is never a silly idea.
Ask Yourself the 10,000 Dinner Question: That’s how many dinners you can expect to share with your chosen mate. Does that thought thrill you, or give you the shivers? If the latter, you may not have found the one.
Be a Perfect Moment Maker: Focus on making magical memories with those we care about so we feel rich when we’re old.
Never be a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future. You will never be the same.
“Your "I CAN" is more important than your IQ.”
“Everything is created twice, first in the mind and then in reality.”
“You can’t make someone feel good about themselves until you feel good about yourself.”
“Investing in yourself is the best investment you will ever make. it will not only improve your life, it will improve the lives of all those around you.”
Start a mastermind alliance… For years, every Friday at 6am, Robin met with his mastermind partner at a coffee shop where they’d chat for 2 hours.
“Success occurs in the privacy of the soul.” - Rick Rubin – Success is about YOUR definition, not whatever society says it should be. It’s about understanding your purpose, your values, and the critical behaviors to match those values. The cool part about it, is you get to define it. That isn’t easy work, but it’s worth it.
Ski instructors aren’t rich, “but we have a rich life.”

579: David Perell - Setting The Standard, Cultivating Your Taste, Pursuing Excellence, Becoming a Sloganeer, Always Working/Never Working, & Lessons From a Mysterious Billionaire Apr 21, 2024

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The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #579: David Perell - Setting The Standard, Cultivating Your Taste, Pursuing Excellence, Becoming a Sloganeer, Always Working/Never Working, & Lessons From a Mysterious Billionaire

Notes:

Set the standard – “It’s your job to have the highest quality standards of anybody you work with. Every day, you’ll face pressure to lower them. Don’t do it. If you can set a high standard and simply maintain it, you’ll do very well for yourself.”
Have a high-quality bar. Do three things:
- Define it: Clearly state the standards. (read The 11 Laws of Showrunning)
- Maintain it: This is hard to do.
- Raise it: Keep pushing.
You need to define what quality looks like. Set the true north.
David worked with a coach to establish his core values. And he was going to narrow it down to five and the coach said, “Nope, it’s just one. It’s the one that everything in your life orbits around... It’s The Pursuit of Excellence.
The biggest piece of low-hanging fruit for leaders is getting funnier:
- Nobody trains themselves to get funnier though. It’s strangely taboo. That’s why it’s such an opportunity.
- "Laughter is the sound of comprehension." Say something memorable. Humor is memorable.
A good way to think... Deconstruct something funny. David spends a lot of time understanding why Theo Von is so funny.
The key to excellent storytelling: a moment of change. Conflict and suspense carry stories.
Robert Caro writing the LBJ books... "What would I see if I was there." He moved to where LBJ lived to see what it was like to be there.
How to cultivate taste:
- Make a list of things you love/hate.
- Look for things you love (but aren't supposed to), and things you hate (but are supposed to love).
- Make things. Don't be a passive consumer. Be a connoisseur. Be discerning about what you consume.
- Amor Tolles - History is bad for knowing what's good now.
  - Consume old things.
- Museums - Pay attention to what elicits a reaction. Why is it a 10? Why is it a 1? What do you love? What do you hate? Why?
Archegos is David's favorite Greek word, and it gets to the heart of good leadership.
- Four meanings: Author, founder, pioneer, leader
- America’s founding fathers are the canonical example
Lessons from a mysterious billionaire mentor:
- David asks very specific questions, listens, and takes lots of notes.
- When meeting with a mentor, show up with energy and specific questions. They are tired of hearing the boring generic questions. Be specific.
- The mentor talks 98% of the time and David just types what he says. He now has 18,000 words worth of notes. Some lessons:
  - CEOs are Sloganeers: CEOs shouldn’t write strategy memos. They should drive slogans.
    - Three lines. Three words each. (Bezos: Focus on the Customer)
  - CEOs should tell the same stories over and over again, refining their pitch like a comedian.
    - Gauging reactions
    - Asking questions
    - Listening to push-back
    - Seeing what makes people’s eyes light up
      - Your message is only landing once people start making fun of you.
Good goal in life: Always working, never working
- Story from Patrick O'Shaughnessy. He was asked how much time he spent preparing. Initially, he said, "not much." Then he thought for a while, and said, "I'm preparing all the time. My whole life is preparing to ask these questions."

578: Scott Galloway - Adding Surplus Value, Asking For What You Want, Ketamine Therapy, Crude Humor, Being Moved To Tears, & The Algebra of Wealth Apr 14, 2024

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The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Create surplus value - What can we do to give more than we take? "The key is to figure out what you can do that others can’t or are unwilling to do. Hard work is a talent. Curiosity is a talent. Patience and empathy are talents."
- "Helping others makes me feel strong."
Scott's recent experience with Ketamine Therapy - "It clarified my thinking. It's helped me stop keeping score. It also made me grateful for my wife. Did you ever get a gift when you were a kid that you weren’t expecting and you couldn’t afford it? Something you never imagined having.” I got a $45 Banh skateboard from my mom’s boyfriend Terry. It was a moment of sheer surprise and joy. My wife kept popping in my head and I kept thinking, god I get to hang out with this person, get to have kids with them, get to build a life with her. It was this overwhelming feeling of wonderful joy and surprise. It was very clarifying and rewarding for me.”
"You Gotta Ask" - Scott met his wife at the Raleigh Hotel pool in Miami. He saw her from a distance and promised himself that he wouldn't leave the pool without introducing himself to her first. In order to do anything of significance in your life, you must take an uncomfortable risk." Scott is married to Beata Galloway, a real estate developer born in Germany. Together, they have two sons. One of them has the middle name, Raleigh.
Why Crying is Important - "It informs what's important to you."
Why Scott uses crude humor - It's used to connect with people. And people are either afraid or not able to do it.
When Scott was 13… One of his mom’s boyfriends handed him two crisp 100-dollar bills after he asked him about stocks. Terry (his mom's boyfriend) told him “Go buy some stock at one of those fancy brokers in the village." Once there, Scott met a mentor named Cy Gordner who helped him learn about the markets.
Show up when it matters — Michael Bloomberg’s policy. "If a friend gets a promotion, there is no need to call. You’ll get dinner with them at some point. But if a friend gets fired, I have dinner with them that night in a public place where everybody can see me. Because I remember when I got fired from Solomon Brothers — I can tell you every person that called me. That meant something. When I was made partner? I have no recollection of that whatsoever."
Last year Scott had 340 inbound speaking requests. He accepted 30 of them. His average rate is $112,000 per speech.
“The stimulus that attracted my attention with the most urgency was money, not as a means of establishing economic security, but to feed my addiction: affirmation from others.”
The role of Luck - Being born in America in the 1960s and two (most importantly) Scott's mom. Though she was raised in a household with little affection, she couldn’t control herself with her son. “For me, affection was the difference between hoping someone thought I was wonderful or worthy and knowing it.” (Emotional)
Scott is a dynamic communicator: A turn of phrase is a way of expressing something, in writing or speech, that stands out in some particular way.
One of the key indicators of long-term success is the “willingness to endure rejection.” Whether this is walking up to a stranger at the Raleigh hotel, a cold-calling sales job, or asking people to be on your podcast.
How to build wealth? Focus (mastery, find your talent), Stoicism (this is about saving more than you spend), Time ( 21 years with your money in low-cost index funds, you will earn 8 times your money), Diversification (Your kevlar). Once you earn some money, assume you are not Steve Ballmer or Mark Zuckerberg. Use a variety of investment vehicles. Going all on one company or asset class is not the optimal choice for most of us.

577: Jeff Wetzler - Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and Life (ASK) Apr 07, 2024

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The ASK approach - Choose curiosity, make it a safe space to tell the truth, pose quality questions (that’s a question that helps you learn something), LISTEN (check if you heard them right, rephrase), then reflect and connect - FOLLOW UP. Make sure the other person feels that you’ve listened to and heard them.
- 1) Choose Curiosity to awaken your interest in new discoveries.
  - What can I learn from this person?
- 2) Make it Safe for people to tell you hard things
  - Find the right context. Be vulnerable. Radiate Resilience.
- 3) Pose Quality Questions so you can uncover what’s most important
  - Questions that help you learn something. What do you really think?
- 4) Listen to Learn, to hear what someone is really trying to tell you.
  - Request reactions... What holes are in my perspective?
- 5) Reflect and Reconnect, so you take the right action based on what you’ve heard.
  - Update my thinking. Sifting through what we heard. What can I take away of value?
What are the best questions to ask in an interview for a job:
- As the interviewee, ask them what concerns they have about you? They’re going to talk about these when you’re not in the room. You might as well talk about them together when you’re in there…
- As the interviewer: Fast forward 1 year. There are two scenarios. 1, you crushed it. 2, You didn’t. Tell the story of what happened in each of those scenarios…
What did Jeff learn from his work as a magician?
- Magic trains you to hold your cards close to your chest, that’s what makes the illusion work…He dreamed (still does) of someone asking him, so what do you think Jeff? He’s held back so much because he wanted people to ask him what he thought… It's like he needed permission.
When pollsters asked Americans, “If you could have any superpower you wanted, what would you pick?” Two answers tied for the number 1 spot. Reading other people’s minds and time travel.
- Asking helps you read people's minds.
Key learning from Chris Argyris:
- How smart people fail to learn... They don't ask.
A child asks 25-50 questions per hour. An adult. A tiny fraction of that. Curiosity goes away as we age if we're not intentional about it.
"We're all stuck inside our own certainty loops."
Leadership hiring must-haves...
- Alignment with the mission
- Core values
- Track record
- A learner
Learning design – How to make your next leadership retreat as impactful as possible? ASK the participants to help you co-create the event.
We often miss out on goals, opportunities, and relationships because we don’t know how to ask the right question, in the right way. Yet this critical strength can be learned, and transform your career, organization, and relationships.
Career and Life advice: You don't have to have it all figured out. WHO matters more than WHAT.

576: Scott Belsky - Adding Texture to Time, Feeling Unrushed, Pushing Yourself Physically, Narrating the Journey, Becoming an Excellent Writer, and Why You Should Never Outsource Your Story Mar 31, 2024

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Buy our new book, The Score That Matters https://amzn.to/3ToYckL

My guest: Scott Belsky co-founded Behance in 2006 and served as its CEO for six years. Behance was acquired by Adobe in 2012. Since then he has had a variety of roles with the company and is currently Adobe’s Chief Strategy Officer, and EVP of Design & Emerging Products. He’s also the author of two best-selling books, The Messy Middle and Making Ideas Happen. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Hiking > Beach - You're only able to recollect experiences with enough friction to add texture to time as it passes. time spent doing the unexpected and/or being challenged is time with texture. Ultimately, in our dying breath, the more experiences in our lives with texture, the more of our lives we will actually remember and the longer we will feel we have lived.
- What adds texture to time? A challenge.
Feeling unrushed - Feeling unrushed (so simple, yet so hard) is indeed such a luxury; one I still fail to achieve.
Persona-Led Growth - People are more likely to share what people say than what companies say. Modern “PR strategy” should amplify the voice of actual builders, embrace personality rather than dull it out, and aspire for more real-time updates vs. major moments.
How to raise kids to become great adults?
- "model hard work"
- Say, "This is the hard work." Manufacture hardship.
- Regulate emotions. Big feelings, little bodies.
Why Scott enjoys working at Adobe... He's a mission-driven entrepreneur. Progress begets progress.
Prototype = Show, not tell.
- A prototype is worth a hundred meetings, and almost all meetings that aren’t grounded with a prototype are a waste of time (or worse). A prototype immediately surfaces gaps in logic or business concerns. It is the fastest way to drive alignment.
- "A prototype prompts decisiveness"
- "It's a hot knife through the butter of bureaucracy."
Why Scott writes a Substack newsletter:
- "I want to be part of the creator platform."
- Writing clarifies thinking
- It's important to stay close to the action. Writing works as a forcing function to do that.
Scott has benefited greatly from running every day. It's important to push yourself mentally and physically. "There's no option to stop."
What's the most important element of leadership? "Empathy. It's a shortcut for overcoming challenges."
“You’re either part of the living or part of the dying.” Scott's aunt Arlis Aron. Fought stage 4 cancer for 15 years. She always focused on living, her garden, breakfast, and traveling. “Decide if you want to live less or live more.”
- "Every day is a standalone canvas."

575: The Score That Matters - Growing Excellence In Yourself and Those You Lead Mar 26, 2024

Our new book, The Score That Matters, is out TODAY (March 26, 2024). Here's the link: https://amzn.to/4citmTL

Thank you for your support!

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Ryan Hawk is the creator and host of The Learning Leader Show, a top-rated business podcast that focuses on learning from the most effective leaders in the world. He speaks regularly to Fortune 500 companies; works with teams and players in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NCAA; and facilitates Leadership Circles to offer structured guidance and collaborative feedback to new and experienced leaders. Ryan has also built an online leadership school called The Learning Leader Academy. He is the author of Welcome to Management and The Pursuit of Excellence, lauded by Forbes magazine as “the best leadership book of 2020” and “the most dynamic leadership book of 2022,” respectively.

Brook Cupps has been a high school basketball coach for more than 20 years, earning several Coach of the Year awards. His teams have won numerous conference, district, and regional championships, as well as Centerville High School’s first-ever basketball state championship in 2021. In addition, he has spent the last eight years coaching grassroots basketball on the AAU circuits and helped guide the North Coast (Ohio) Blue Chips to national championships in 2014 and 2019. He publishes weekly essays on leadership and coaching on his site, Blue Collar Grit, and is the author of Surrender the Outcome.

People love to keep score. Managers keep score of a range of business metrics: market share, revenue, profit margin, and growth rate. In our personal lives, social media has us keeping score by likes and followers.
These external scores are outcome-driven and serve as proof of our success—money, fame, material possessions, wins—but this constant chase for more validation often leaves us feeling exhausted and empty.
Offering both descriptive and prescriptive advice and anecdotes, The Score That Matters will help you unlock true fulfillment and happiness by discovering your purpose, identifying your values, creating critical behaviors, and living them faithfully every day in all aspects of your life.

Warren Buffett once said, “The big question about how people behave is whether they’ve got an Inner Scorecard or an Outer Scorecard. It helps if you can be satisfied with an Inner Scorecard.”

And that’s what The Score That Matters Is All About…

The inner scoreboard is about eliminating comparison with others and living in alignment with what’s most important to you: your values and the behaviors to match those values.

If you want to stop comparing yourself to others, establish YOUR core values, and live in alignment with them (and I believe you should), then I think our book, The Score That Matters, will be useful for you.

In addition to that, our book, The Score That Matters, will help you

Build trust with the important people in your lives (your family and the team you’re leading at work)
It will help you focus on your eulogy virtues instead of your resume virtues
And we write about how you can build transformational relationships that will ultimately change your life for the better.

When I interviewed economics professor and best-selling author Tyler Cowen, I asked him why he chose to write his most recent book with someone else (after he previously had written his books by himself). He said, “If you have an opportunity to work with someone who is awesome and brilliant and who will cooperate with you, you should always do that. Drop everything and do that.” Before this, I never thought I would write with someone else. It’s too personal. However, I took Tyler Cowen’s advice and I am so glad I did. Working on a book with one of your mentors is the ultimate tool for learning. I got to have long-form conversations (both in writing and in person) from someone who has figured out some of life’s most challenging issues. When you meet Brook Cupps, you’ll notice that he’s incredibly comfortable in his own skin. He has ZERO need to get approval from anyone outside of his closest friends. He has his values, lives his values, and that’s it. I think we would all be better off if we did that. In this book, you’ll get the unique perspective of a teacher and a student. Brook plays the role of the teacher, and me the student. We wrote almost all of the book together and mixed in some parts labeled BC and RH when it was from each of our unique perspectives. After a lifetime of figuring these things out and 3 years working together to get the ideas out of our heads onto the page, our book, The Score That Matters is now available for you to read. If you’ve gotten any value from The Learning Leader Show over the past 9 years, I hope you decide to buy this book. I think it could change your life. Go to Amazon now and buy it. If you’ve already bought yourself a copy, go back to Amazon and buy another one or two for the people in your life you care about most. Start a book club, tell your friends, read this with your colleagues at work. Not only do I think it could change your life, but all of your friends too. Thank you for your support!

574: Guy Kawasaki - Leadership Lessons From Steve Jobs, Learning How To Sell, Becoming a Chief Evangelist, and The 'Think Different' Philosophy Mar 24, 2024

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Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

574: Guy Kawasaki - Leadership Lessons From Steve Jobs, Learning How To Sell, Becoming a Chief Evangelist, and The 'Think Different' Philosophy

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward
In 1977, Guy enrolled in the UCLA Anderson School of Management, where he earned an MBA. While there, Guy also worked at a jewelry company, Nova Stylings. He said, "The jewelry business is a very, very tough business, tougher than the computer business... I learned a very valuable lesson: how to sell."
- It’s helpful to know that we are all in sales every day. Whether you think you’re in sales or not… You are. You’re selling yourself, your ideas, projects, products. It’s useful to learn how to sell.
Melanie Perkins, CEO of Canva (which is an amazing product and company)... "She’s Steve Jobs with heart and soul. They are on a relentless pursuit of perfection."
Guy's counting dots story… It started in 6th grade. A teacher pushed him to go to a private school. That led to him getting into Stanford. This is where he met Mike Boich, who ended up hiring him at Apple. Then getting asked to go on the TEDx stage with Jane Goodall… Guy has made the most of the good fortune in his life…
Steve Jobs/Change Your Mind: Guy launched his tech career at Apple as the company’s “chief evangelist,” marketing the original Macintosh computer.
- When Jobs first introduced the iPhone in 2007, it was a closed system — no one outside of Apple could create an app for it. Software developers had to use a Safari plugin to make their app work on the phone, as they weren’t able to access the iPhone’s system directly in order to ensure the phone’s security. Just one year later, however, Jobs made a complete “180-degree reversal,” The founder opened the iPhone system to the public after realizing how much more the device could offer customers with apps written by anyone with a good idea. “I learned the very valuable lesson that when you’re doing something wrong when you’re doing something sub-optimally, it’s a sign of intelligence to change your mind.”
Throughout our conversation, Guy talks about being an evangelist, and the definition of that is to “bring the good news.”
Default to yes. Make yourself indispensable.
Learn to say, "I'm sorry," and "I don't know."
Guy shares a story about a disagreement he had with Steve Jobs and how that cost him millions of dollars… But he learned an important lesson from Steve that has impacted him ever since.

573: Brent Underwood (Owner of Cerro Gordo) - Finding Your Purpose, Long Term Thinking, Seeking Awe, Making Your Mark, & Living In A Ghost Town Mar 17, 2024

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Full Show Notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Notes:

“If it can’t be grown, it must be mined. It’s a truth of human progress.”
The story of Burro Schmidt… He spent 38 years hand-digging a tunnel through a ½ mile of solid granite even though 19 years in, they built a road that made his tunnel obsolete. But he found his purpose and wanted to finish the job. Some may think that’s crazy, but I admire people like that.
Be Your Own Light - "I don't look for hope. I look for evidence."
Seek Awe - Understand your smallness in the world and how it's all interconnected.
Read the "Thank You Project" by AJ Jacobs.
"We love to see people who have found their purpose."
There are long-term consequences of short-term thinking.
Robert Greene's advice to Brent - Combine your unique and different skill sets to find your purpose.
Brent dedicated his book to his parents, Liz and Bill, and sister Laura.
I appreciate Brent’s outlook on life and permitting yourself to live a life of adventure and to think BIG. You can still wisely do this. Brent still works a day job with the Daily Stoic but is also taking a big swing at the same time. This is an option that is available for most of us. It’s on us to take action and do it.
I’ve known Brent for about a decade. In his previous role with Brass Check (that’s Ryan Holiday’s marketing company), one of his jobs was to get authors on podcasts. And I love how precise Brent was in his outreach. He never sent me an author unless he had done the work ahead of time to ensure they were a good fit for my show. I appreciate the care he puts into his work and has for a long time.
"When I think back 4 years, before Cerro Gordo, life was pretty stable. I had a good job, a solid apartment, and friends. It felt like a life that I could have floated through forever. I just kept feeling like I was missing out on...something. Something to grab my attention and not let go. To avoid, as Thoreau said, a life of “quiet desperation.” ⁣A lot has changed since then. Life certainly isn’t comfortable. There were 3 feet of snow to shovel before I could get to the outhouse this morning. There have been fires, floods, and earthquakes. I’ve lost too much weight, friends, partners, money. A lot more. I wouldn’t change a thing. I feel fulfilled in a way I never knew was possible. Building something real that I care about. Connected to my work, the world, the past. Meeting so many passionate people who care deeply about the same things. ⁣"
Get To Work – JP Morgan said every man has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason…
The siren song of Cerro Gordo, a desolate ghost town perched high above Death Valley, has seduced thousands since the 1800s, but few fell harder for it than Brent Underwood, who moved there in March of 2020, only to be immediately snowed in and trapped for weeks.
- It had once been the largest silver mine in California. Over $500 million worth of ore was pulled from the miles of tunnels below the town. Butch Cassidy, Mark Twain, and other infamous characters of the American West were rumored to have stayed there. Newspapers reported a murder a week. But that was over 150 years ago.
- Brent Underwood bet his life savings—and his life—on this majestic, hardscrabble town that had broken its fair share of ambitious men and women. What followed were fires, floods, earthquakes, and perhaps strangest, fame. Ghost Town Living tells the story of a man against the elements, a forgotten historic place against the modern world, and a dream against all odds—one that has captured millions of followers around the world.
After graduating from Columbia University, Brent worked briefly for an investment bank in New York City. After one month, he quit and backpacked across Central and South America. Upon returning to New York, he founded a hostel in Brooklyn. In December 2014 Brent founded HK Austin, a hostel in Austin, Texas after staying in 150 hostels across 30 countries. For 2015, HK Austin was the highest-rated hostel in the United States.
“I’m not going to call it a ghost town anymore. I’m going to call it home.”

572: Mike Beckham (CEO of Simple Modern) - Taking Initiative, Giving Generously, Living Your Values, The Best & Worst Parts of Being a CEO, & Being In Pursuit of Priceless Things Mar 10, 2024

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Full show notes www.LearningLeader.com

Think BIG... But choose what to be ambitious about. Get clear on that first.
Simple Modern is a $225m bootstrapped business... Mike owns the majority of the company.
Mission: "We exist to give generously." Simple Modern is an employee-owned Oklahoma based company whose mission statement is we exist to give generously. Our desire is to make 5-star products offering remarkable value so we can give to worthy organizations making the world a better place.
Use the "75-year-old self principle:" - What would your 75-year-old self regret if you didn't do? (credit: Jeff Bezos)
Leadership stages:
- Player
- Player/Coach
- Coach
- General Manager
"I love the name of your podcast. You have to keep learning."
What are the best and worst parts of being a CEO?
- Best: Building culture, being part of a community, having lunch every day with your team. It creates huge leverage to do great work.
- Worst: Stress, isolation. Understanding your identity? Is it too tied up in an unhealthy place?
Mike's purpose:
- Teaching
- Giving
- Leading and creating value
- Parenting
- Positively alter the lives of others (as many as possible)
"Great leaders create more leaders. We measure it wrong. It should be about creating more leaders."
The professor, Rufus Fears, started the lecture. The first thing out of his mouth was, "If you are here trying to get a pink slip, I can tell you that the class is full, and there will be no pink slips given." Mike did not let that stop him. He stayed after class, talked with Professor Fears, went to his office, and talked with him. And earned entry to his class (and a few others of his later). It’s a great lesson that we need to be proactive and take initiative. We need to go after what we want.
Is your identity coming from a healthy place? Is it coming from accomplishments, titles, or materialistic things? Money? Or have you found your identity in something bigger than yourself? A well-defined purpose almost always stems from helping other people.
Why you should write: There are multiple levels of understanding. They are: You know nothing, then you have an intuitive understanding of something but you can’t explain it to someone else, then you actually behave in a deliberate way and can explain it. That goes to a point where you can understand a situation in real-time. And finally, you get to the point where you can teach it to someone else. A writing practice can help clarify your thinking and help you better understand something so well that you can teach it to others. Let’s develop a writing practice.
- Writing scales. Hosting a podcast scales. They also increase your surface area for luck and serendipity.
Why Mike has no desire to sell Simple Modern: The whole point of having money is that we can trade it for things that are better than money.
- "You can't convert money to friendships. You can't buy things that give you meaning & purpose. Life is in pursuit of priceless things."
Mike's favorite marketing pitch ever (Jon Hamm in Mad Men): Kodak asks for a branding campaign around a new product. It is a circular device that allows you to flip through pictures. Kodak hopes to highlight the technology and call the product "the wheel." Then, they get a master class on branding from Jon Hamm in Mad Men…
Before we can lead others well, we have to be internally healthy. Leadership is an inside-out exercise.
What do you value? It is easy to determine what someone truly cares about:
- What do they do with their free time?
- Where do they spend their extra money?
- "I frequently spend time comparing what I say I value to what my behavior shows because the worst lies are the lies we tell ourselves."

571: Jim Keyes - Legendary CEO of 7-Eleven & Blockbuster Shares How To Get Promoted, Turn a Business Around, Learn From Failure, & Why Education Is Freedom Mar 04, 2024

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Notes on my conversation with former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, Jim Keyes:

From adversity to the stars. Per ardua ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "through adversity to the stars.” Adversity is your advantage. The tough moments you’re going through will help you be stronger long term. This is a useful mindset shift.
- "Adversity is an advantage."
How did Jim get hired the first time and continually get promoted?
- He told the truth.
- He was unafraid to tell it like it really was. No fluffy language. He got right to it and let them know how he could help them.
- He focused on THEM, not him. They don’t care about why you think you deserve the job. They care about their company and if you’ll be able to help solve their problems. Focus on them, their issues, and how you can help them. That’s what Jim has done his entire career.
The C-Suite Learnings
- What – Change, Confidence, Clarity
- How - Critical thinking (ask why), curiosity, and creativity (have fun)
- Why - Collaboration, Culture literacy (learn from others experiences), and character
Jim became one of the youngest managers in this history of McDonald's.
"The only one that likes change is a wet baby. Change is reality. Change equals opportunity."
- CEO = "Change Equals Opportunity."
Confidence is all about preparation. The more you prepare, the more confident you'll be.
Clarity and Simplicity. "The hardest thing in the world is to keep things simple."
- "True elegance is in simplicity."
- "I can't lead if you can't understand. So, it's up to me to keep things simple and clear."
Nelson Mandela once said, “I never lose…I win, or I learn.”
"There are three prerequisites to a successful business transformation in the face of change: cash management, confidence, and collaboration. Managing cash flow is, by far, the most important but maintaining sufficient cash requires confidence and collaboration."

570: Amy Morin - Fix What's Broken, Develop Healthier Patterns, and Grow Stronger Together (13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do) Feb 26, 2024

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Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Notes:

Just two years into Amy's work as a therapist, her mother passed away unexpectedly. Exactly three years to the day later, her 26-year-old husband, Lincoln, died of a heart attack. So she set out on a personal journey to learn as much as she could about grief, mental health, and mental strength. Amy decided that she would live life to the fullest. She rode mules into the Grand Canyon, went skydiving, took flying trapeze lessons, spent the night in 49 states, got 6-pack abs in 28 days, and started driving a motorcycle
Amy’s daily challenge: She pushes herself to run a mile as fast as she can. It forces her outside of her comfort zone and ensures mental and physical growth.
Pleasant activity scheduling. Put them on the calendar. Block out time for pleasant experiences together with your partner, your family, and your friends. You then look forward to those moments, get to experience those moments, and then create memory dividends that you’ll have for life. Schedule pleasant activities.
Don’t take your partner for granted. I think this goes for any relationship, but especially for those of us who are in committed long-term relationships with a spouse. Think of the Tony Robbins story: For the past twenty years, each day when he gets home from work, he has a “Honey I’m home” routine where they share a big embrace and a kiss and they both bring positive energy to the interaction. This sets the tone so that their relationship doesn’t get boring.
What Mentally Strong Couples Do:
- They don't ignore their problems. - Whether they face a sudden financial hiccup or experience issues related to intimacy, mentally strong couples address their problems head-on. They engage in difficult conversations and confront their issues, regardless of the discomfort it might bring. By working together to find solutions early on, they prevent their problems from escalating.
- They don’t keep secrets. - Mentally strong couples respect each other's privacy, like allowing one another to have private conversations with friends. However, they draw the line at keeping secrets. They’re honest about everything, whether it’s how much they really spent on an item or the fact that a co-worker has been flirting with them. They prioritize open discussion over potential discomfort because they understand that trust is the foundation of their relationship.
- They don’t hesitate to set boundaries - Mentally strong couples know the importance of setting boundaries with each other. For instance, one partner may need to refrain from responding to text messages during the workday as it interferes with their job. But they also set boundaries to shield their relationship from external influences, like an overbearing mother-in-law or a relative who asks to borrow money. Together, they establish financial, physical, emotional, social, and temporal boundaries that enable them to function at their best.
- They don’t become martyrs - Mentally strong couples understand that while sacrifices are part of a relationship, it doesn't mean giving up everything to the point of self-destruction. They steer clear of bitterness and resentment for the things they've done for the family. Instead, they set boundaries, voice their needs, and take care of their well-being.
- They don't use their emotions as weapons - It’s healthy to experience and express a wide variety of emotions. But mentally strong couples don’t weaponize their emotions. For instance, a strong individual won’t cry to avoid a tough conversation, and they won’t raise their voice to get their way. Their focus is on managing their emotions, not controlling their partner's actions.
- They don't try to "fix" each other - While they work toward bringing out the best in each other, mentally strong individuals don't try to "fix" their partners. They strive to be a positive influence but respect their partner's autonomy to make personal choices—even when they don’t agree with those choices. They support their partner’s attempts at self-improvement but understand that they can't do the work on their partner's behalf.
- They don’t communicate with disrespect - While most couples understand that name-calling or belittling each other can harm their relationship, mentally strong couples also pay attention to the subtle aspects of communication that can make a significant difference (like looking up from their devices to hold a conversation). They prioritize active listening, understanding each other's perspectives, and expressing their feelings in a healthy manner.
- They don't blame each other for their issues - A mentally strong individual doesn't pass the buck by saying things like, "I'd be happier if my partner changed." Instead, they take ownership of their happiness. They refrain from blaming their partner for their struggles, acknowledging that everyone has the power to bring about change.
- They never lose sight of why they fell in love - Mentally strong couples ensure their love endures even as circumstances evolve. Career advancements, parenthood, and shifting responsibilities may make their lives look different from when they first met, but they never forget why they chose each other. Remembering why they fell in love helps them stay committed to resolving issues and working things out.
- They don't expect their relationship to meet all their needs - These couples don't subscribe to the notion that their partner will "complete" them. They understand that they each have to fulfill some of their own needs. Whether it's spending time with friends for recreational companionship or pursuing personal hobbies, they realize they have the agency and flexibility to meet their needs in various ways.
- They don't neglect their partnership - Mentally resilient couples understand that while there will be multiple demands on their attention—children, extended family, work—they can’t neglect their relationship. They discuss their priorities and collaborate to maintain their connection, even during phases of life when they're being pulled in different directions.
- They don't take each other for granted - The strongest couples don’t overlook the kindness, love, and affection their partner provides. They express gratitude and appreciation for each other regularly. Frequent conversations about what they value, tokens of appreciation, and genuine gratitude are integral to their partnership.
- They don’t stop growing and changing - Mentally strong couples strive for personal growth but also ensure they don't grow apart. They aren't intimidated by their partner's individual progress. As they secure new jobs, take on fresh responsibilities, and change their viewpoints, they make sure their relationship evolves accordingly.
It's inspirational when both partners are invested in strengthening their relationship. However, often one partner may be more focused on building mental strength and strengthening the relationship than the other. The good news is that one person can significantly impact the overall health of the relationship. You can start improving your relationship by giving up any unhealthy habits that could weaken your relationship. When you make the decision to change your habits, you can grow stronger as an individual while also strengthening your relationship, even if your partner isn’t invested in building their own mental strength right away.

569: Rob Henderson - Luxury Beliefs, Foster Care, Social Class, Self-Discipline, Ivy League Universities, External vs. Internal Achievement, & Lessons Learned The Hard Way Feb 19, 2024

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Rob Henderson has a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Cambridge, where he studied as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. He obtained a B.S. in psychology from Yale University and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He's the author of Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class

Self-discipline beats motivation. Often, people say they need to feel “motivated” to perform a task. Motivation, though, is just a feeling. Self-discipline is “I’m going to do this, regardless of how I feel.”
Air Force Training – "My favorite part of training was the camaraderie. I especially enjoyed drill and marching. The synchronized movement with others, moving as a single element, instilled a feeling of belonging." – The military provided a structured environment.
Rob said that whenever he felt like an outsider, he sought refuge in helping others. Because of that, he volunteered at New Haven Reads near Yale. While there, he met a kid named Guillermo. There, he learned how to relate with others by sharing his story.
Writing: Rob was accepted into the War Horse Writing Seminar at Columbia University. The program was designed to help veterans write about their experiences.
External Achievement: "Upon obtaining a few totems of achievement, I came to realize that they are flawed measures of success. External accomplishments are trivial compared with a warm and loving family. Going to school is far less important than having a parent who cares enough to make sure you get to class every day."
Two of Rob's mom’s friends came to him for advice. They were talking about their 6-year-old son and they were concerned with how “smart” he was. They asked, “Should we be reading to him more?” And Rob responded, “Yeah, but not because it will expand his vocabulary. Read to him because it will remind him that you love him.”
The best and worst things about Yale:
- Best
  - Students work ethic
  - Focused
  - Unique pursuits
- Worst
  - Self-censorship
One of his instructors at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas asked the class one Friday afternoon if they had any questions. Rob asked, “If you could do it all over again, would you still have enlisted?” – “Understand that the Air Force is going to ask a lot from you. Just remember that you can get a lot in return from it, as well.”
Luxury beliefs - Rob coined the term to describe beliefs that mark the believer as holding the approved opinion while harming those less privileged.
Lessons Learned The Hard Way:
- You are what you do. Not what you say or what you believe. People use words to strategically justify their actions and blind you to who they really are. Don't be fooled by cheap talk. Pay close attention to how people actually spend their time and effort.
- Good conversations are made up of questions. Avoid speaking for longer than three minutes without asking one.
- When seeking advice, ask people in a different life station than you—ahead or behind, older or younger. People in the same position are often biased by envy, and this can color the advice they give.
- One of the most common life regrets people report is “I wish I had let myself be happier.” You'll never be happy if you continue thinking that you’ll be happy one day.
  - “The study of happiness often sounds like a sermon for traditional values. The numbers show it is not the rich, privileged, robust, or good-looking who are happy; it is those who have spouses, friends, religion, and challenging, meaningful work” - Steven Pinker (How The Mind Works)
35% of people in America graduate with a bachelor's degree, 11% of people from poor families graduate from college. And just 3% of foster kids graduate from college. When you think about Rob’s story, it’s hard not to be inspired. He’s beaten almost impossible odds to not only graduate from college, but he served our country, then went to Yale, graduated, and got his PhD from Cambridge. It’s awesome to see what he’s done and he’s still so young and at the beginning of his career. I love it when good things happen to good people.
Life/career advice - “Be a fish out of water. Do something hard. Be uncomfortable.” That was advice for a recent grad, but I think it’s useful for all of us.

568: Tony Robbins - Learning From Mentors, Building Confidence, Becoming More Valuable, and Coaching The World's Most Impactful Leaders Feb 16, 2024

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For the past 40+ years, Tony Robbins has been known worldwide as one of the most impactful business and life coaches in the world. He’s hosted millions of people at his events, written 6 international best-selling books, he’s involved in more than 100 businesses that have done more than 7 billion dollars in revenue, and as part of his work with Feeding America, Tony has provided more than 850 million meals to those in need. He’s personally coached President Bill Clinton, Serena Williams, Connor McGregor, Marc Benioff, Usher, the Golden State Warriors, and many others.

Notes:

The advice Tony received from Jim Rohn. "Your job is to become more valuable. We are all equal as souls, but not equal in the marketplace."
- “If you want things to get better, you’ve got to get better.”
Commonalities among leaders who sustain excellence: They find something they care about more than themselves, they have a hunger for it, and they work amazingly hard at it. “You’re rewarded in public for what you practice in private.” Steph Curry has taken far more practice shots than game ones. He’s rewarded in public for what he does in private.
How to build confidence: Preparation creates certainty.
- “Whatever you hold in your mind on a consistent basis is exactly what you will experience in your life.” The essence of building confidence is this: If you go into a situation knowing that you can handle it – whatever it is – then that's exactly what you'll do.
“A belief is a poor substitute for an experience.” You might believe it’s something you’re going to love, but you don’t fully know until you do it. Get in the arena and do it. See what it’s like. That’s when you’ll learn.
Tony learned NLP from John Grinder (founder of NLP). Neuro-Linguistic Programming. is an approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy, that first appeared in Richard Bandler and John Grinder's 1975 book The Structure of Magic I. NLP asserts that there is a connection between neurological processes, language, and acquired behavioral patterns, and that these can be changed to achieve specific goals in life.
“The path to success is to take massive, determined action.”
“Any time you sincerely want to make a change, the first thing you must do is to raise your standards.”
“The power of positive thinking is the ability to generate a feeling of certainty in yourself when nothing in the environment supports you.”
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."― George Bernard Shaw
Tony interviewed a dozen of the world’s most successful investors in private equity, private credit, private real estate, and venture capital. He wanted to learn everything he could about the private markets and investing.
- Ray Dalio - Apply diversification across 8-12 uncorrelated investments.

567: William Ury - Negotiating The World's Toughest Disputes, Getting To Yes, Hiking Mountains With Jim Collins, And Thriving In An Age of Conflict Feb 12, 2024

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William Ury is the co-author of Getting to Yes, the world’s all-time bestselling book on negotiation with more than 15 million copies sold, and co-founder of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation. Bill has devoted his life to helping people, organizations, and nations transform conflicts around the world, having served as a negotiator in many of the toughest disputes of our times, taught negotiation to tens of thousands, and consulted for dozens of Fortune 500 companies, the White House, the State Department, and the Pentagon. Based in the mountains of Colorado where he loves to hike, Bill is an internationally sought-after speaker and has two popular TEDx talks with millions of viewers.

Notes:

Your life’s work: “If you had to boil your life’s work down to just one sentence you could leave behind, what would it say?” This is a great question for us to ask ourselves to gain clarity on our purpose and what we were put here to do. What is your life’s work?
- On one of Bill's hikes with Jim Collins in Boulder, Colorado, he asked, “When did you first discover your interest in and instinct for what became your life’s work?”
Be trustworthy AND trust willing. Become known as a person who trusts others first without making people earn it. Yes, you’ll get burned every once in a while, but I’ve found it’s worth it. Leading with trust seems to attract the type of people you want to be around.
On a freezing night in January 1977, the phone rang at 10:00 pm. Bill was living in a little rented room in the attic of an old wooden house in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was 23, writing term papers, and studying hard for graduate school exams in social anthropology. Bill picked up the phone…
“I was particularly struck by Bill’s rare ability to bring calm and optimism to seemingly intractable conflicts and by his blend of intellectual clarity and practical wisdom.” - Jim Collins
Go to hardest places: Instead of sharpening his intellect and insights by doing research sitting in a plush faculty office at some Ivy League institute, Bill decided to “go to the hardest places first,” throwing himself into political negotiations in the Middle East.
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒆𝒈𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒔, 𝑰 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆, 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒚, 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒂 𝒈𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒐𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒅 𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆. 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕, 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑩𝑩𝟑.”
“The only book to write is the one you cannot not write.”
What are the 3 victories on the path to possible? The story of the wise old woman and the camels...
The story of Vasili Arkhipov and Sub B-59 (the pause, calm, reactive to proactive).
Bring your spirit of play. That’s one of the things about Bill that I couldn’t help but notice from the second we connected. He was smiling, laughing, and enjoying himself the entire time. He was having fun. What’s the point of doing all of this if we don’t have some fun along the way?

566: Jim Dethmer - Conscious Leadership, Radical Responsibility, Energy Audits, Being Fully Present, and Doing What Most Makes You Feel Alive Feb 05, 2024

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What do leaders who sustain excellence do? They have the ability to be present for an extended period of time. They are here now. They live a life that creates a sustainable presence.
- They are fully present. Be here now. Fully here. This makes you available for this creative moment.
- Play the long game. Excellent leaders play the long game. "Live a life that creates sustainable presence."
Space and Place: It's important to know your soul's home:
- For Jim: Northern Michigan. Quiet, still, simple, in nature... "It's recharging for me."
Lead and live intentionally to get to your flow state.
Ask: What is it that creates the most "alive-ness" in you?
- Do an energy audit. Look at your calendar for the last week. What events make your energy go up, stay neutral, or go down?
- Maximize for people and events that make your energy go up. "Populate your life with what you love."
Are you willing to be fully alive? What are you willing to risk to make that happen?
- Get rid of energy downers. You can do that in 3 ways.
  - Dump it,
  - Delegate it
  - Do it differently
Responsibility – By me: I commit to taking full responsibility for the circumstances of my life, and my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. I commit to support others to take full responsibility for their lives.
- I have to = Victim mindset
- I choose to = Ownership mindset
To me = At the effect of other things. Outside my locus of control.
By me = Inside. I am the cause of the experience. Radical responsibility. How am I causing the experience?
Josh Waitzkin - Make weather what it is. Play in the rain.
Curiosity is everything as a leader.
The opposite of curiosity is always needing/wanting to be right.
- Deconstruct all the places where you want to be right.
- Most of it stems from fear. There are three fears:
  - Approval
  - Control
  - Security
Curiosity - I commit to growing in self-awareness. I commit to regarding every interaction as an opportunity to learn. I commit to curiosity as a path to rapid learning.
Candor - I commit to saying what is true for me. I commit to being a person to whom others can express themselves with candor.
Accountability and Responsibility: Responsibility is not something that can be assigned, it is something that has to be taken. Responsibility lives in the world of integrity and impeccable agreements. Speak truth in love.
“We often describe unconscious leaders as reactive. They react from a “story” about the past or an imagined future, and their personality, ego, or mind takes over.”

565: Noah Kagan - The Art of Asking For What You Want, Launching a Business, Handling Rejection, Working For Mark Zuckerberg, and Not Living a 'What-If' Life Jan 29, 2024

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“Rejection is a test if you really want something. The upside of asking is unlimited.”
- "People are afraid of asking. The people who make it happen are willing to ask, be rejected, and keep going."
One of the biggest lessons learned from working with Mark Zuckerberg? Pick one goal. Then focus relentlessly on reaching it. His was 1 billion users on Facebook. This is how Noah has grown App Sumo to $80m in revenue. Focus on one big goal and the system implemented to make it happen.
Noah's parental influence:
- Fearlessness - Ask for everything. Set rejection goals. You learn that selling copiers door to door.
- His mom is very disciplined. Always working out in the gym. She follows through. She's persistent. She grinds. His mom also hated her job.
"I don't want to live a 'what-if' life"
"Are we getting what we get or are we getting what we want?"
The law of 100 -- Do the thing 100 times before you quit.
Get going, get started. It's about now, not how.
Create an exciting vision: "What are we looking forward to?"
Million Dollar Weekend:
- Start it
- Build it
- Grow it
Noah's philosophy on interviewing:
- 1) Talk with people you're genuinely interested in
- 2) Tell them how they’ve positively impacted your life. People love genuine compliments. And they loved to hear that they’ve helped others.
- 3) Tell them what's in it for them. Create questions that make your guests excited to answer (set them up to tell interesting stories)
Entrepreneurship is not risky. Risky is spending your life at a job you hate, with people you don’t like, working on problems you don’t care about.
Freedom is about gaining control of your schedule. Money is the tool, not the goal.
This trip was one of my highlights of the fall. Nothing like biking across America. So much good time to think and reflect. Reminds me that whenever you’re in a funk, just get moving. (Helps to be surrounded by beautiful landscapes)
The future of big business is small teams. One person. No employees. Everything automated. Solopreneurs are the future.
Acknowledgements:
- Adam Gilbert for our bike ride ten-plus years ago where I shared a dream to put my knowledge into a book for other people. And for always always being my guardian angel.
- Tahl Raz - I dreamed for years of the chance to work with you on a book. Thank you for taking a chance on me. Somehow you were magically able to take all my adventures/theories/ideas/antics and put them together in a helpful narrative better than I could have ever dreamed. Thank you! Also for being a mutual lover of schvitzing.

564: Ariel Helwani - The Howard Cosell of MMA, Conducting World-Class Interviews, Feuds With Dana White, Leaving ESPN, & Dealing With Social Anxiety Jan 22, 2024

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Ariel wants to be the "Howard Cosell of MMA". “I got the interview skills from my mom, who my friends would always call for advice, and the work ethic from my dad, who never gave an excuse or took a sick day."
- "So one of the things that early on, before I became a dad was I want to be omnipresent. I believe in this quote from Woody Allen "80% of success is just showing up." I want to be at every single event. I want to be the guy that people when they think of big fights, they think of me. Howard Cosell, of MMA, all that stuff and more."
Ariel's Parents:
- "My mom still watches my show every week, and it's a long show about a topic she doesn't know a hell of a lot about. But she does it because she loves and supports me."
- "She's the mom that a lot of my brother's girlfriends and stuff would stay in touch with, even after they broke up. Because she just had that connection with people. She asks questions, she listens, she has a good mind and eye for things."
- "My dad is a workaholic, and he'd be the first to tell you that. He's the kind of guy who, every day, I'd see him Monday through Friday, wake up, go to work at around seven, come home at around seven. He would have this massive box of papers, he would sit at the dinner table, and he would work on all the papers. He would take his shower at like 9:30, go to bed, and start over again, and he couldn't have been happier."
Syracuse: In 9th grade, he was reading Sports Illustrated and learned that the U.S.’s top sportscasting degree is earned at Syracuse. Bob Costas went there. Marv Albert went there. So he went to Syracuse.
- Being homesick and full of anxiety in college: "I wouldn't want to go to the dining hall to eat, so I just stocked up on Blue Diamond almonds. Which I have a hard time eating till this day because it reminds me of those days. Chef Boyardee, Alphagetti, that's what I was eating. I was watching sports in my room, by myself, I had a single room, and I was just crippled with this anxiety. And every time I would leave home to come back to school, like Thanksgiving break was over, and whatnot, Christmas break, I was sad. I was down."
When he knew he wanted to cover MMA – back home in the fall of 2006 when he found himself in Champs Sports Bar, on Saint Laurent Boulevard, where the TVs were tuned to a UFC pay-per-view special. When the Quebec-born fighter Georges St-Pierre beat up Matt Hughes and scored a TKO to win the welterweight championship, “the place explodes like the Canadiens just won the Stanley Cup. And I’m like: ‘I want to be a part of this sport.’”
Being the Heel – He learned from Howard Cosell, who was known as a heel, the pro wrestling term for the bad guy who people tune in to see fall. “Heelwani”
What does it take to be a great interviewer? Be prepared. Ask thoughtful questions. Don’t script the conversation. LISTEN. Ask better follow ups. Make it feel more like a conversation.
Feuds with Dana White: "I'm the type of person who doesn't back down, in large part because of my parents and my family, and they never back down, so how could I? And why should I? Especially if I'm not doing anything wrong. So I would say I never sought it, I always try to diffuse it, privately. I don't try to get into Twitter wars and things like that, with other people. Where it seems like they spend their life over there trying to go back and forth. That being said, to your point, which is a great point, having an understanding of pro wrestling, and storylines, and feuds. And I come out of my ESPN chapter as Helwani, and punching back, and it's "High road Helwani, no more" and all that. Yes, sure, there's a little bit of pro wrestling in there, and I love pro wrestling. And I believe that there are a lot of elements in pro wrestling in a lot of different walks of life, including politics and whatnot. Good guy/bad guy, heel/face, all that stuff."
How conduct a great interview?
- "You have to listen, you have to be ready to open your mind, open your heart, and not feel, again, like you're just coming out guns blazing, and hitting someone with haymakers. Listen to them, be soft, be gentle, be welcoming. But, again, Howard Stern, no one did it better, he breaks you down to the point where you think that you're just two guys sitting around, or a girl and a guy sitting around, and there are not even cameras or microphones. They forget that they're on a show, if you're empathetic, if you're warm, if you're welcoming, that's the best result."
Make the ASK - Ariel knocked on the door of a senior executive at ESPN. The guy didn’t even know who he was. And he asked to be a sideline reporter at basketball games. The senior exec said nobody had ever done that in 20 years. If you want something, ASK for it. Steve Jobs said the difference between the people who dream about stuff and the people who make it happen is the willingness to ask. You gotta ask.
- "I walked into his office, and there's a lesson, I think, here, for a lot of people. And I was like, "Hey, I have no credibility in the world of basketball, very few people know who I am. I don't have many sources. But if you ever need someone, in the 11th hour someone gets sick, someone gets hurt, I'll be your guy. I'll be your sideline reporter. I know to do that. And he said, "I'll be honest; I've never heard of you. I've never seen MMA. I've never seen your work. But I've been here 20 plus years, and no one has ever done what you just did, so I'll keep you in mind." Which was an amazing thing to hear, and mind-blowing that no one does that. All the offices are right there, just knock on the door."

563: Dr. Mike Massimino - A NASA Astronaut's Guide To Achieving The Impossible, Building Excellent Teams, Tweeting From Space, and Earning Your Dream Job Jan 15, 2024

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This is episode #563 of The Learning Leader Show. My guest is Dr. Mike Massimino.

The 3 Trusts - Trust your gear, trust your training, trust your team… And the 4th: trust yourself.
Mike persisted through 3 rejections over 7 years on his way to becoming an astronaut, including overcoming a medical disqualification by training his eyes and brain to see better.
Mike participated in a mission that significantly increased Hubble’s discovery potential and led to the award of a Nobel Prize in physics for the discovery of dark energy during a spacewalk.
Why Mike was chosen to be an astronaut: Mike has a great combination of competence (he knows his stuff) and high character. He’s the type of guy that can get along and work with anyone. He’s honest, humble, and authentic.
The power of having a deep passion for what you’re doing. Mike watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon when he was six years old and then did whatever he could over the rest of his life to become an astronaut. His desire to become an astronaut led him to go to prestigious universities, earn his Ph.D., become a pilot, become scuba certified, develop great communication skills, and so much more. All of that work led to him accomplishing what he set out to do when he was just 6 years old.
- “I knew right then that I wanted to be a part of something that meaningful. I wanted to have something I was so passionate about that I'd be willing to risk everything for it. I wanted to know that if I ever got killed, I got killed doing something worthwhile. The kid who looked up at the moon and wasn't afraid to dream - I decided that part of me deserved a chance. I sat there in that reception area, watching the crash footage play over and over again on the television, and that was when it hit home for me: you only have one life. You have to spend it doing something that matters.”
What Mike learned from Alan Bean: The most important lesson is to care for and admire everyone on your team.
- “My favorite lecturer was Alan Bean, who flew on Apollo 12 and is one of the twelve guys who walked on the moon. After retiring from NASA, he became a painter. Alan's lecture was called "The Art of Space Exploration." He talked about the mistakes he'd made and how he learned to fix them. One lesson that took him a while to learn was that at a place like NASA you can only have an effect on certain things. You can't control who likes you. You can't control who gets assigned to flights or what NASA's budget is going to be next year. If you get caught up worrying about things you can't control, you'll drive yourself nuts. It's better to focus on the things right in front of you. Identify the places where you can have a positive impact. Concentrate there and let the rest take care of itself. The last thing Alan said to us was 'What most people want in life is to do something great. That doesn't happen often. Don't take it for granted. Don't be blasé about it. And don't blow it. A lot of times, believe it or not, people blow it.
“Kennedy’s address announcing the Apollo program was one of the great presidential speeches of all time. He challenged us. He excited us. We reach for impossible things, he said, “not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
Competence + Character = Trust.
The Right Stuff - The Original 7 Astronauts.
If you have a bad boss, what should you do:
- Stay the course
- Lead by example
“Life is funny. I'd applied to the wrong graduate program, but that eventually led me to the right grad program. I'd taken what I thought was the wrong undergraduate major, and that was the thing that set me apart and allowed me to find my niche. I don't know if there are any lessons to take from that except to realize that the things you think are mistakes may turn out not to be mistakes. I realized wherever you are, if you make the most of what you've got, you can find a way to keep moving forward.”
“If you can learn to live with indignities in life, you can go far.”
“That's how a team works. You help the people around you, and everybody's better off for it. The crazy thing is that most of those guys wanted to be astronauts, too, but they never saw it as a competition. We were on the same team, where you want everyone around you to be as successful as possible, because in some way or another their success will become your success. It's good karma - what goes around comes around.”
“Right after we launched, I realized that all the training we'd on what to do if something went wrong during launch-how to bail out , how to operate the parachutes, how to make an emergency landing-I realized that all those years of training were completely pointless. It was just filler to make us feel okay about climbing into this thing. Because if it's going down, it's going down. It's either going to be a good day or it's going to be a bad day, and there is no in-between.”
“The camaraderie that firefighters have, that brotherhood that forms among them - my father was a part of that, and it came from having a shared sense of purpose. He told me that whatever you do in life, it can't just be about making money. It's important that you work to make the world a better place, that you help improve the lives of the people around you.”
Perspective: Mike shares how looking down on Earth from space changed his perspective and filled him with deep gratitude.

562: Nikki Glaser - Life as a Comedian, The Creative Process, Learning From Seinfeld, How To Respond When You Bomb on Stage, Roasting Robert DeNiro, & Telling The Truth Jan 08, 2024

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Nikki Glaser is one of the funniest female voices in comedy today. For nearly two decades at clubs across the country, stand-up comedian, actress, podcaster, and TV host. In July of 2022, she headlined her first HBO comedy special, GOOD CLEAN FILTH, which has been nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy Special. Nikki was a standout at the Comedy Central Roasts of Alec Baldwin, Bruce Willis, and Rob Lowe, which led to her guest-hosting JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! Nikki is currently on her nationwide and international comedy tour, THE GOOD GIRL TOUR, which kicked off in January 2023. Before coming on The Learning Leader Show, Nikki has done in-depth interviews with Howard Stern, Marc Maron, Conan O'Brien, and Joe Rogan.

Notes:

When Nikki is bombing on stage, she has a great method to reset. "Just say what's true." "Everyone is putting on a mask. Everyone is trying to present in a different way. If you just say what’s true, it’s the funniest.”
Nikki is a professional “noticer of things.” This is why I think great stand-ups are modern-day philosophers. They notice things and then have a way to share them in a unique and funny way with all of us. We laugh because they’ve said what’s true, but have done it in a way that we haven’t thought of before. As leaders, we should be more aware and notice things more often.
The writing process:
- "You need to pay attention constantly to everything to see what could potentially be a joke. Sometimes, in the middle of a conversation with a friend, I'll tell them to hold on because I need to take out my phone and type something funny that I just saw. If you don't write it down, you won't remember it."
Just get started. What advice for someone who wants to do something? You have to do it. The way to get good is to get going. Nikki has become one of the premier comedians in the world because she’s pushed past her fear and signed up for the things that she’s not sure she can do. Last comic standing at age 20, celebrity roasts, hosting TV shows. She wasn’t necessarily ready for any of the work she agreed to do, but she did it anyway and then figured it out. We all can learn from that.
Nikki is the voice of Dave Matthews Band radio on Sirius/XM Radio.
She had terrible stage fright when she was younger. Nikki would have insomnia for weeks before a classroom presentation and shake the entire time.
Her first TV appearance was on Last Comic Standing when she was 20. Nikki waited in line at open auditions in Chicago in the snow.
“I always wanted to be a singer. But I think that I’m also someone who’s not very comfortable with sincerity and emotions." (She placed third on her season of The Masked Singer)
- Nikki is starting her own Taylor Swift cover band.
Meeting Jerry Seinfeld – “We’re walking through the bowels of the casino, and I get over to his greenroom and he greets me,” Glaser said. “And he was like, ‘I’m such a fan, I’ve watched everything you do. I pull up your YouTube clips all the time whenever I want a laugh. And you’ve got it, girl, you have the voice...’
- Jerry Seinfeld identifies “taste and discernment” as the ultimate skill of great artists. In every creative field, Seinfeld says, the dividing line between those who succeed and those who fail is the ability to discern good and bad: “It’s one thing to create,” Seinfeld says. “The other is you have to choose. What are we going to do, and what are we not going to do?’ This is a gigantic aspect of artistic survival. It’s kind of unseen, what’s picked and what is discarded, but mastering that is how you stay alive.”

561: Bob Sutton - How Smart Leaders Make The Right Things Easier and The Wrong Things Harder (The Friction Project) Jan 01, 2024

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Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Curiosity (ask lots of questions)
- Willingness to try something new
- Compassion - Assume you don't know others' struggles
Bob worked with Ed Catmull (Pixar)
- He was one of the best at combining curiosity, willingness to try new things, and having compassion for people
Good Boss vs. Bad Boss
- Good bosses ask lots of questions and then make the call (John Hennessey, Stanford President)
The Jumbo Grocery Stores in Holland created “slow lanes” for those who wanted to talk… They didn’t want efficiency or speed, they wanted a conversation. It’s a good reminder that sometimes we should slow down and enjoy our surroundings and the people we’re with…
Curiosity and Compassion are skills we can build. Take the experiment where they counted the number of questions versus statements and your talking time. Surround yourself with people who will give you direct feedback about your level of curiosity and compassion… When conversing with someone else, how often are you asking questions versus talking about yourself? Think about that…
It’s not always right to be efficient… Bob shared the Jerry Seinfeld story… The network was considering bringing in McKinsey to help Jerry become more efficient when making his show. He asked, “Are they funny?” They said, no that’s not what they do. And he said, “Then I don’t need them.” It’s not always supposed to be efficient. Sometimes, the hard way is the right way… To get the best result, it usually is.
Some things Bob believes (we should all post an essay about what we believe):
- Indifference is as important as passion.
- The best leaders know what it feels like to work for them. They overcome the urge to focus attention on powerful superiors rather than their followers
- The best leaders think and act as trustees of their employees' and customers' time. They are "friction fixers" who hold themselves and others responsible for making the right things easier and the wrong things harder. That might mean, for example, reducing friction by eliminating and revamping meetings.
- "Am I a success or a failure?" is not useful. It is better to ask “What am I learning.”
Noam Bardin (from Waze)
Laszlo Bock - For hiring, "If you need to interview someone more than 4 times, then you must get written approval." This helped speed up the process.
One of the roles of the leader is to be the editor-in-chief. Great leaders are great communicators. You must become a good writer and speaker if you want to lead.
Life/Career advice:
- Seek variation each day
- A chief of staff job could lead to big things (if you work for the right person)
- Be kind

560: Dr. Barry Posner - Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Encourage Others to Act (The Leadership Challenge) Dec 25, 2023

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Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Dr. Barry Posner, author of The Leadership Challenge and The Truth About Leadership

The 4 characteristics of leaders whom we would most choose to follow:
- Honest (trustworthy, they do what they say they’re going to do)
- Competent (Smart, and constantly learning)
- Inspiring - Energetic, enthusiastic. Inspire means to breathe life in to...
- Forward-looking - They have a sense of the future. They share a compelling vision
People all have values, but not everyone knows what they are. To know what our values are, we must be thoughtful and intentional about them and do the reflective work to understand what we value most.
What is Kouzes and Posner's leadership theory? Their research, which they conducted over almost 20 years, suggested that leadership is not a position, but a collection of practices and behaviors. These practices serve as guidance for leaders to accomplish their achievements or “to get extraordinary things done.
The Leadership Challenge – Leaders drive results and achieve goals. To face the obstacles of today and tomorrow, we need leaders at a high level. The Leadership Challenge gives everyone the tools and practices to Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Hearts of those around them.
"In the middle of responding to an audience question one of us was saying, “I don’t know what you call something that’s been the same for twenty-five years, but…,” and Ken Blanchard interrupted, exclaiming, 'I’d call it the truth.'"
The Truth About Leadership
1. The first truth is that You Make a Difference.
2. The second truth is that Credibility Is the Foundation of Leadership. If people don’t believe in you, they won’t willingly follow you.
3. The third truth is that Values Drive Commitment. People want to know what you stand for and believe in.
4. The fourth truth is that Focusing on the Future Sets Leaders Apart. The capacity to imagine and articulate exciting future possibilities is a defining competence of leaders. You have to take the long-term perspective.
5. You Can’t Do It Alone is the fifth truth. Leadership is a team sport…What strengthens and sustains the relationship between leader and constituent is that leaders are obsessed with what is best for others, not what is best for themselves.
6. Trust Rules is the sixth truth. Trust is the social glue that holds individuals and groups together. And the level of trust others have in you will determine the amount of influence you have. You have to earn your constituents’ trust before they’ll be willing to trust you. That means you have to give trust before you can get trust.
7. The seventh truth is that Challenge Is the Crucible for Greatness. Great achievements don’t happen when you keep things the same. Change invariably involves a challenge, and challenge tests you.
8. Truth number eight reminds you that You Either Lead by Example or You Don’t Lead at All. Leaders have to keep their promises and become role models for the values and actions they espouse.
9. Truth number nine is that The Best Leaders Are the Best Learners. Leaders are constant improvement fanatics, and learning is the master skill of leadership.
10. The tenth truth is that Leadership Is an Affair of the Heart. It could also be the first truth. Leaders are in love with their constituents, their customers and clients, and the mission that they are serving. Leaders make others feel important and are gracious in showing their appreciation. Love is the motivation that energizes leaders to give so much for others. You just won’t work hard enough to become great if you aren’t doing what you love.
Credo = Beliefs (credibility)
Leadership is a team sport. You can't do it alone.
- We are all community-made.
The best leaders are the best learners.
Challenge is the crucible for greatness.
Life/Career advice:
- Remain curious
- Ask questions
- Volunteer

559: Marshall Goldsmith - The Power of Executive Coaching, How To Give & Receive Feedback, & Attributes of The Best Leaders (What Got You Here Won't Get You There) Dec 18, 2023

Order The Score That Matters NOW. CLICK HERE. In The Score That Matters, Ryan Hawk and Brook Cupps show that the internal score is what matters most—it reveals whether we are living in alignment with our purpose and values. Offering both descriptive and prescriptive advice and anecdotes, The Score That Matters will help you unlock true fulfillment and happiness by discovering your purpose, identifying your values, creating critical behaviors, and living them faithfully every day in all aspects of your life.

Notes from my conversation with Marshall Goldsmith:

Attributes of the best leaders he’s worked with:
- They are courageous, they have humility, and they are disciplined.
Do we all need a coach?
- "I don’t know, but if we’re honest with ourselves, we all need help. And a coach can be someone to help…"
Happiness and achievement are independent variables.
- I felt we kept going around in circles because I’m a prescriptive thinker and like actionable takeaways. And I feel like Marshall was helping me understand it’s more of a mindset.
With a PhD from UCLA, Marshall is a pioneer of 360-degree feedback as a leadership development tool. His early efforts in providing feedback and then following-up with executives to measure changes in behavior were precursors to what eventually evolved as the field of executive coaching.
“Fate is the hand of cards we’ve been dealt. The choice is how we play the hand.”
“Getting mad at people for being who they are makes as much sense as getting mad at a chair for being a chair.”
“Successful people become great leaders when they learn to shift the focus from themselves to others.”
“People who believe they can succeed see opportunities where others see threats.”
“If we do not create and control our environment, our environment creates and controls us.”
“A leader who cannot shoulder the blame is not someone we will follow blindly into battle. We instinctively question that individual’s character, dependability, and loyalty to us. And so we hold back on our loyalty to him or her.”
“Peter Drucker, who said, “Our mission in life should be to make a positive difference, not to prove how smart or right we are.”
“People will do something—including changing their behavior—only if it can be demonstrated that doing so is in their own best interests as defined by their own values.”

558: Introducing Our New Book, "The Score That Matters," (With Brook Cupps) Dec 14, 2023

“The big question about how people behave is whether they’ve got an Inner Scorecard or an Outer Scorecard. It helps if you can be satisfied with an Inner Scorecard.” - Warren Buffet – The inner scorecard is about eliminating comparison with others and living in alignment with what’s most important to you. Your values and the behaviors to match those values.
- The inner scorecard eliminates the comparison of things.
How to build trust? Laugh together, cry together, suffer together (do hard things).
Resume virtues versus Eulogy virtues. We’ll get caught up in living for our resume (promotions, money, objects) if we're not intentional. We think it’s better to live for your eulogy virtues (the impact you had on people, fulfilling your purpose, living in alignment with your true values)
Why a strong purpose beats a good plan: we explain how a strong purpose erases obstacles, is never about you, and is highlighted by considering death.
Why being the greatest is a mirage: While greatness is a process that is attainable for all, we share why becoming the greatest is a destination that no one can reach.
How to navigate the tricky art of building trust: Throughout 25 years of teaching and coaching Brook has refined the trust-building process to 3 simple actions every leader can use.
How to fight the poison of comparison: Our focus on a consistent process over the societal pursuit of results seems contradictory to excellence but just may lay the foundation for its attainment.
Why self-awareness is not a solo flight: The feedback we seek from special people in our life, our foxhole, reminds us that we are tougher together.
Why team captains are overrated: Brook connects how the shared ownership of a team is best when all members assume the responsibility of upholding the standards.
How plain and simple can bore you right to excellence: We like to complicate success, but we point back to a consistent return to the fundamentals.
Brook originally learned about creating and living his core values from Coach Dick Bennett's "Pillars of Success."
Brook's values are: Tough, Passionate, Unified, and Thankful.
My values are: Thoughtful, Thankful, Curious, and Consistent.
Foxhole friends are disagreeable givers. They are kind enough to give you honest feedback. And you do the same for them.
Thankful Thursdays
- Send a text message, email, or handwritten note to three people you're thankful for every Thursday.
Push the pace... Full-court pressing and always running a fast break on offense is living up to Brook's value of speaking and acting with urgency (unified).
- How Brook coaches his team to play: "Our anchor defensively is no comfort, no vision. We want you to never be comfortable. And we want the same thing offensively. We say simple and together, but we think of pressing you offensively too. We don't want you to be comfortable. We want you to be on your heels."

557: Hal Elrod - How To Create a Morning Routine That Works For You Dec 11, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

X/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

The SAVERS acronym – Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing. If you implement that consistently, you'll probably do better.
- 72% of people said they were not a morning person before implementing SAVERS.
The makeup of a great sales professional:
- They are coachable...
- They bring energy and enthusiasm to the job...
- They are consistent. They can handle rejection and keep going. They focus on the process...
Affirmations: First, affirm what you’re committed to. Next, why is it a must for you, and finally, affirm the specific actions you will take and when. That’s how you bring affirmations to life…
Hal died for 6 minutes, broke 11 bones, suffered permanent brain damage, and was told by doctors that he would never walk again. Then, at age 37, he nearly died again when his heart, lungs, and kidneys were on the verge of failing, and he was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of cancer.
“Any time you find yourself “wishing” you were further along than you are, or comparing where you are with where someone else is, keep in mind that when you finally get to point you’ve been working towards for so long, you never wish it would have happened any sooner. Instead, you see that the journey and the timing are perfect. So be at peace with where you are while maintaining a healthy sense of urgency to make the consistent progress each day that will ensure you get to wherever it is that you want to go. "
“Those who only do what they feel like, don’t do much. To be successful at anything you must take action even when you don’t feel like it, knowing it is the action itself that will produce the motivation you need to follow through.”
“It’s temporary. Tolerate it, accept it, embrace it, or enjoy it. Whatever it is, just know that it is temporary.”
“The moment you accept 100% responsibility for EVERY aspect of your life is the moment that you claim the power to change ANY aspect of your life. I think where people get caught up with this is when someone else is to blame for a situation. But understand that accepting responsibility is NOT the same as accepting blame. While blame determines who is at fault for something, responsibility determines who is committed to improving a situation. It really doesn’t matter who was at fault; all that matters is that YOU are committed to improving and creating the circumstances you want for your life, regardless of who is at fault. That’s what taking responsibility is all about.”

556: Morgan Housel - A Guide To Human Behavior, Telling Great Stories, Becoming a Reasonable Optimist, Writing Advice, Mr. Beast, & What Never Changes Dec 04, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

“Your personal experiences make up maybe 0.00000001% of what’s happened in the world but maybe 80% of how you think the world works.”
- “All behaviors make sense with enough information.”
The best story wins: Good stories have an extraordinary ability to inspire and evoke positive emotions, bringing insight and attention to topics that people tend to ignore when they've previously been presented with nothing but facts.
- Stories are more powerful than statistics. And most statistics are incomplete props to justify a story. Stories are easier to remember, easier to relate to, and emotionally persuasive.
Progress requires optimism and pessimism to coexist: A rational optimist. - Save like a pessimist and invest like an optimist. - Plan like a pessimist and dream like an optimist.
“It’s supposed to be hard.” – Everything worth pursuing comes with a little pain. The trick is not minding it hurts.
It's impossible to plan for what you can't imagine. - Invest in preparedness, not in prediction. - Realize that if you're only preparing for the risks you can envision, you'll be unprepared for the risks you can't see every single time.
Fostering envy vs. admiration. Are you creating envy by what you post on social media?
- "People admire you when you are pursuing something, not when you have it."
Reasonable Optimists: Once people believe in a better future – for themselves and others – they become willing to take risks, work hard, sacrifice near-term comfort, delay gratification, and cooperate with others, all of which are the raw ingredients of economic and social progress.
- A realistic optimist is someone who knows that what happens in any given day, month, or year will be surprising, disappointing, difficult, and mostly out of your control. But they know with equal confidence that what happens in any given decade or generation is likely to be pretty good, bending heavily toward progress.
- The reasonable optimist expects the world to break all the time. But they know – as a matter of faith – that if they can survive the day-to-day fractures they’ll capture the up-and-to-the-right arc over time.
Writing: I think "know your audience" can be dangerous advice for writers. Write stuff you yourself find interesting and entertaining. Writing for yourself is fun, and it shows. Writing for others is work, and it shows.
If you’re efficient, you’re doing it the wrong way (Jerry Seinfeld micro-managed everything about his show). Counterintuitive. Highlights the dangers of shortcuts.
Be careful what you wish for: A carefree and stress-free life sounds wonderful only until you recognize the motivation and progress it prevents. Hardship is the most potent fuel of problem-solving. And what makes life mean something is purpose. A goal.
Read less news and more books. If you read good books, you’ll have an easier time figuring out what you should pay attention to. (News isn’t timeless. Good books are)
Writing: People don’t remember books, blogs, or articles. They remember sentences. That should be your goal: a collection of memorable sentences. One good line is infinitely more powerful than a few clumsy paragraphs.
Mr Beast tells aspiring YouTubers to make 100 videos and he'll give them feedback and advice. 2 things happen. 98% never get close and give up. The 2% who do, no longer need his help.
People use success as an indication of what to keep doing. But most success plants the seeds of its own demise, so what people think works and try to copy is always changing.
Keep running - There is never a time when an investor can discover an investing strategy and be confident it will continue working indefinitely. The world changes, and competitors create their own little twist that exploits and snuffs out your niche. Same with careers, job skills, relationships, and countries. It’s hard to accept that you have to put in a ton of work just to stay in one place, but that’s how it works. Keep running.
Acceptable Flaws -- Short-term thinking is the root of most of our problems in business, investing, and politics. But I get why it happens. It has to happen. Short-term thinking can be the only way you’ll survive long enough to experience long-term results. It’s an acceptable flaw.
Useful Biases -- Reasonable ignorance – intentionally limiting your diligence in order to avoid decision paralysis in a world where everything, if you dig deep enough, is more complicated than it seems. (the paradox of choice).
Progress happens too slowly for people to notice; setbacks happen too fast for people to ignore.
"Stop telling kids they can be whatever they want to be. You can be whatever you're good at, as long as they're hiring. And even then it helps to know someone." -- Chris Rock
A good test when reading the news is to constantly ask, “Will I still care about this story in a year? Two years? Five years?”
“Money buys happiness in the same way drugs bring pleasure: incredible if done right, dangerous if used to mask a weakness, and disastrous when no amount is enough.”
“I’m not interested in anything that’s not sustainable. Friendships, investing, careers, podcasts, reading habits, exercise habits... If I can’t keep it going, I’m not interested in it.”
"I know people who have a lot of money, and they get hospital wings named after them. But the truth is nobody in the world loves them. If you get to my age and nobody thinks well of you, I don’t care how big your bank account is, your life is a disaster.”

555: Shane Parrish - Raising Your Standards, The Difference Between Nice & Kind Feedback, The Inner vs. Outer Scoreboard, & Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results (Clear Thinking) Nov 27, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

The power of believing in someone. Mr. Duncan, Shane’s high school English teacher was the first person to tell him that he believed in him. He changed the trajectory of Shane’s life. We, as leaders, can do that for others. Let’s proactively look for opportunities to tell the people we’re leading that we believe in them.
The difference between Nice and Kind feedback. Too often, the people we ask for feedback are nice but not kind. Kind people will tell you things a nice person will not. A kind person will tell you that you have spinach on your teeth. A nice person won’t because it’s uncomfortable. A kind person will tell us what holds us back, even when it’s uncomfortable. A nice person avoids giving us critical feedback because they’re worried about hurting our feelings.
Champions: “Champions don’t create the standards of excellence. The standards of excellence create champions.” “Expecting high performance is a prerequisite to its achievement among those who work with you. Your high standards and optimistic anticipations will not guarantee a favorable outcome, but their absence will assuredly create the opposite.”
The USS Benfold — was one of the worst-performing warships in the US Navy in 1996. The destiny of the USS Benfold changed the day Michael Abrashoff was named commander.
Shane was 13 years old. Shane was standing with a group of his friends after school and they were teasing one of his classmates and he was watching. Teachers intervened and it ended quickly. He didn’t realize that your dad was parked nearby and was watching. You have to stand up for people who don't have a voice.
Warren Buffett: “The big question about how people behave is whether they’ve got an Inner Scorecard or an Outer Scorecard. It helps if you can be satisfied with an Inner Scorecard.”
Brent Beshore: “My favorite part of the book was the section on habits, rules, and safeguards (page 101). A principle that Shane and I discussed in January changed my life and was expounded on in the book. Shane said, “It’s impossible to work out very often if you have to decide every day whether or not you’ll do it. That’s why I just do something active every day, no matter what.”
Solutions/Ego: “Solutions appear when you stop bargaining and start accepting the reality of the situation. That’s because focusing on the next move, rather than how you got here in the first place, opens you up to a lot of possibilities. When you put outcome over ego, you get better results.”
“Small plans don’t inspire, but consistently small actions create incredible results.”
Knowing Your Defaults:
- The emotion default - We tend to respond to feelings rather than reasons and facts
- The ego default - We tend to react to anything that threatens our sense of self-worth or our position in a group hierarchy
- The social default - We tend to conform to the norms of our larger social group.
- The Inertia default - We’re habit-forming and comfort-seeking. We tend to resist change, and to prefer ideas, processes, and environments that are familiar.
Ancient Greek word — Phronesis— the wisdom of knowing how to order your life to achieve the best results.
Life/Career advice: "I'd give the same advice to someone who's trying to find someone to marry. Go on lots of dates. Experiment. Do stuff. Get out in the world. You can only connect the dots looking backward."
If you want to develop good judgment, start by asking two questions:
- What do I want in life?
- And is what I want actually worth wanting?

554: Tim Urban - Becoming a High-Rung Thinker, Being The Boss of The Ideas In Your Own Head, Writing Wait But Why, & The Best Advice He's Ever Received Nov 20, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

How can I become a high-rung thinker?
- High-rung thinking is independent thinking, leaving you free to revise your ideas or even discard them altogether. On the low rungs, it means you’re working to dutifully serve your ideas, not the other way around.
How can I be the boss of the ideas in my own head?
- When you’re the boss of the ideas in your head, you’re always willing to revise them. When there’s no amount of evidence that will change your mind about something, it means that idea is your boss. Humility is the awareness that no idea is worthy of being your boss.
Best advice Tim has ever received:
- "I met Chris Anderson, the head of TED, in 2015. He had read a few WBW posts and offered me the opportunity to give a TED Talk at the 2016 conference (which was six months away). Immediately full of both gratitude/excitement and dread/anxiety, I asked him if it might be better to wait a couple years until I had some more speaking experience. He paused thoughtfully for a few seconds before saying, “There’s no time like the present.” I took his advice. Since then, his voice saying those words has popped into my head again and again during hard decisions, and I’m yet to regret following them."
  - Great advice is sometimes great because it’s totally original or framed in an original way. But, as in my story, a well-known platitude, at the perfect moment, can also make a huge impact. What makes Chris’s advice so valuable to me wasn’t that it was something new—it was that the lesson I learned from taking the advice in that particular moment turned a cliché into a mantra.
No one “builds a house.” They lay one brick again and again and again and the end result is a house. A remarkable, glorious achievement is just what a long series of unremarkable, unglorious tasks looks like from far away.
“If I aired a highlight reel of your most selfish life moments and most shameful thoughts, you'd seem like an awful person. If I aired a reel of your best, kindest moments, you'd seem like a saint. But people aren't highlight reels, and the unedited cut is always a messy mix!”
Kids Asking WHY? When kids repeatedly ask “why?” they’re trying to see the underlying reasoning behind what they’re told by authorities. “Because I said so” rejects that instinct and says “stop reasoning and obey.” We then become adults who only know how to trust authorities other than ourselves.
High Rung Thinking:
- Rung 1 - Thinking like a Scientist. When you’re thinking like a scientist, you start at point A and follow evidence wherever it takes you.
- Rung 2 - Thinking like a sports fan. They want the game played fairly, but they really want the process to yield a certain outcome.
- Rung 3 - Thinking like an attorney. When you think like an attorney, you start from point B. The client is not guilty. Now let’s figure out why. They cherry-pick evidence and piece it together to make an argument that leads where you want it to.
- Rung 4 - Thinking like a zealot. Their ideas aren’t rugged experiments to be kicked around, they’re fragile, precious babies to be adored and protected. The zealot doesn’t have to go from A to B to know their viewpoints are correct– they just know they are. With 100% conviction.
Life/Career advice: "I'd give the same advice to someone who's trying to find someone to marry. Go on lots of dates. Experiment. Do stuff. Get out in the world. You can only connect the dots looking backward."

553: Eric Potterat - Mental Disciplines for Leading and Winning from the World's Top Performers (Learned Excellence) Nov 13, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

“Amateurs focus on outcome. Professionals focus on process.” And if you want to change the process, focus on just one change at a time. He used the fly fishing analogy. You don’t change all three at once. Try one change and re-evaluate.
I love the idea of creating a personal checklist for yourself much like pilots fill out every time before they fly a plane. We should all create our checklist and fill it out consistently. This is a great tool to become more self-aware.
Top performers have a thirst for feedback in victory and defeat. The leaders who sustain excellence over time are intentional about surrounding themselves with a kitchen cabinet who is there to regularly provide feedback so that they can iterate and improve. That’s one of the biggest differences between those who sustain excellence over time and those who don’t.
Goal Setting
- 34%-42% chance of hitting a goal if you ideate it
- 62% chance of hitting a goal if you write it down
- 75% chance of hitting a goal if you verbally share it with others
Eric developed a psychological “resilience” test that when combined with data on the candidate's physical characteristics became a very good predictor of who would fail BUD/S (97%).
While working with the Navy SEALs in San Diego, Eric frequently had guests come to observe the SEALs and how they worked. A lot of them were professional athletes like Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, Michael Phelps, and many more… While there, Eric asked to interview them. Over time he was able to build an extensive knowledge base of the mental approaches of the world’s top performers.
“If your brain is firing, it’s wiring.” Learned from downhill skiers...
Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- They accelerate what they value. They move from reputation to identity. They worry less about what others think.
  - One of the biggest regrets of people on their deathbed is that they regret what they didn't do.
  - Capitlize now to have no regrets later.
  - Create a credo (your identity)
- Mindset
  - They have a growth mindset (instead of a fixed mindset)
  - They are thirsty for feedback (they want feedback in victory and defeat)
  - Eric is agnostic about motivations - Clean fuel vs Dirty fuel
  - They have different mindsets for the roles they play
  - Think of yourself as a dimmer switch -- Sometimes you're white hot, sometimes you need to dim down
- Efficient and Consistent
  - They manage their time well
  - They sleep 8 hours
  - They don't let life dictate what's important to them.
  - Time = Currency. Block time for what's most important. Color code your calendar.
- Adversity Tolerance
  - They control their human stress response
  - They have a pre and post-performance routine
  - They set goals
  - They use visualization tools
  - They compartmentalize well
  - They use positive self-talk (they believe)
  - They are good contingency planners
  - They have high levels of self-awareness
  - Like a pilot, they have checklists for themselves
- Balance and Recovery
  - The more balanced, the more productive
  - Feed all of your pillars
    - Work
    - Health
    - Relationships
    - Hobbies
    - Spirituality
    - Legacy
Leadership role "Must-Haves"
- Emotional Intelligence - "Feel for a room"
- Empathy - Put our own perspective aside to understand others
- Curiosity - A desire to learn, to know more

552: Brian Johnson - How To Activate Your Heroic Potential, Develop Charisma, Become Intrinsically Motivated, Build Emotional Stamina, & Live With Arete Nov 06, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Charisma: Presence, Power, and Warmth - Show up, be fully there. In that moment with the person in front of you. Flip the switch. Understand your power. And deeply care for others. Be warm, not cold. And it’s important that each of these is expressed with authenticity. That’s how to develop more charisma.
How to develop our protocol - A simple exercise. Get a sheet of paper. On one side write “DO.” On the other side, write “DON’T.” Think of yourself at your best, what do you do? That’s your protocol. And remember that the worse you feel, the more committed you need to be to your protocol
It’s always day one. Brian thinks of his time spent with the Navy SEALs. They work to earn their trident every single day. Today is the day. It’s always the right day to earn it. It’s always day 1.
Arete – An ancient Greek word. We translate it into English as ‘virtue’ or ‘excellence,’ but it has a deeper meaning. Something closer to ‘expressing the best version of yourself moment to moment to moment.’
Inter-leaving - The basic idea is simple: If you want to learn something, you’re better off varying your practice rather than grooving one identical rep after another.
Epictetus - One of his students took great lecture notes and captured his wisdom in a manual called the Enchiridion. The Greek word for Enchiridion is translated as “handbook,” and it’s important to note that the word literally means “within” + “hand.”
Intrinsic versus Extrinsic motivation – Which motivation leads to greater levels of happiness and flourishing? Why? It’s why people who get to the peak of what David Brooks calls the “First Mountain” look around and wonder why they don’t feel fulfilled. They got all the stuff they were told would make them happy and… they’re not.
Phil Stutz wrote the Foreword – Practice comprised of unusual people. “They refuse to be defined by any single accomplishment. Their Identity is based on a process of endless possibility. They don’t stop creating.”
- Two primary obstacles getting in our way are fear and laziness. This comes from Phil Stutz...
AM and PM Bookends – “Get these right and you’re 80% there.”
Targeted thinking - What do I want? What's needed to get that done?
Consistency - "Who you are speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say."
Unshakeable confidence -- Anti-fragile confidence. You have intense trust that you have what it takes to respond.
Anti-Fragility - The more life kicks you around, the better you get.
Emotional stamina - The worse you feel, the more committed you are to your protocol.
Protocol - Think of yourself at your best... What are you doing?
Hero - An ancient Greek word for protector
- Get clear on your identity
- Sleep, meditate, work out, work, love
Pilots have checklists before they fly a plane... We should use one too each day.
Create your "Do" and "Don't" list
Intrinsic vs Extrinsic motivation -- Deepend relationships, help in your community, focus on your eulogy virtues today...
Hire a coach... We all need a coach
- A great coach has believable hope, they see your potential

551: Greg Harden - How To Control The Controllables and Stay Sane in an Insane World (Tom Brady's Mentor) Oct 29, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Greg Harden is best known for working with 7-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. He also worked with Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard, and 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps. Brady, Howard, and other athletes credit Harden with inspiring them to overcome obstacles and achieve success in their professional and personal lives. He’s the author of Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive. The book debuted at #1 on all of Amazon and is a New York Times bestseller.

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The Learning Leader Show

“You need to become the world’s greatest expert on one subject. Yourself.” We need to do the work to better understand who we are, what we’re scared of, why we say the things to ourselves that we do, and how to improve. It’s hard, but very necessary work. And the fun part about it is it never ends…
Courage is not about being fearless. Courage is about facing your fears. It’s about turning that fear into fire and passion. For people to say that they are fearless… That isn’t realistic. We all have fears. It’s about how we handle them and the courage we show in the face of fear.
Commonalities of people who sustain excellence: commitment to continuous improvement, humble, hungry, coachable, and they continue to push. They are driven and it never stops.
“My real obsession is to convince an individual that they have to determine for themselves what sort of man, what sort of woman they want to be. The goal is to make people experts on themselves.”
Control the controllables... "Tom Brady turned his haters into a source of motivation."
"Surrender the ego."
Do a SWOT analysis on yourself:
- Strengths
- Weaknesses
- Opportunities
- Threats
Identify 2-3 people in your life that you trust to also do a SWOT analysis on you...
- Miles Miller had a boss who fired him and an ex-girlfriend do a SWOT analysis on him and it was one of the most useful that Greg had ever seen...
Create an accountability partner for yourself
Identify self-defeating attitudes, behaviors, and language you use. They can sabotage you.
Self-Talk:
- We all talk to ourselves. We need to change the internal dialogue from negative to positive.
"The greatest competition is between your ears."
Mastery:
- Capture your negative self-talk on paper. You'll be surprised how much you do it and how it impacts you.
Instead of beating yourself up about it, be amused by it. Be critically conscious of it though...
Separate the behavior from the person... It's not, "You're a bad person." It's, "You made a poor choice."
Public speaking:
- Understand your audience and what they need to hear
- Memorize your first 2 minutes cold
There is a thin line between anxious and excitement... "Turn your feat into fire and passion."
"Courage is not about not having fear. Courage is about facing your fears."
"Practice, train, repeat. Practice, train, repeat."
Hiring leaders:
- "See how they deal with uncertainty. Bring extra people into the room. Create an environment that isn't what they expected. See how they respond."
Life/Career advice:
- "If you had to work and not get paid, what would you do? The pursuit of purpose is half of the fun."
Apply to be part of my Leadership Circle

Resources:

Read: The Pursuit Of Excellence
Read: WELCOME TO MANAGEMENT
Be part of "Mindful Monday" -- Text HAWK to 66866
Read: Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

Time Stamps

550: Dan Patrick - The Art of Interviewing, Leaving ESPN, Working With Dave Matthews & Adam Sandler, Asking Better Questions, & Taking Care of Your Team Oct 22, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

What makes a great interview?
- They tell stories
- It feels like your eavesdropping on their conversation (he takes you inside)
- He disarms them with humor
- Ask shorter questions…
Take care of your people… Dan has had the Dannettes with him for many years. He listens to his teammates, Makes them part of his show, and truly cares for him. In return, they are there for him every day. It seems obvious, but it’s not. Dan is evidence that this approach works…
Dan has been influenced by Howard Stern's interviewing style of always being curious... And he makes his staff part of the show.
"I love being a voice in your head. You're in your car, driving, and I love being that voice in your head."
Interviewing... Manage the tension. "Shorter questions get better answers."
Dan met Adam Sandler at Madison Square Garden and agreed that he would be cast in his next movie... He has since been cast in many more.
Dan shares the story of meeting Dave Matthews, spilling his beer on him, and then later singing karaoke with him.
Dan is the author of The Occasionally Accurate Annals of Football: The NFL's Greatest Players, Plays, Scandals, and Screw-Ups (Plus Stuff We Totally Made Up)
Leaving ESPN – Dan admitted he was hurt when good friend, Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly (who would move to ESPN) wrote, "Patrick was making one of the top 5 biggest career mistakes in entertainment history," ranking right under Shelley Long's leaving Cheers and Katie Couric's leaving NBC's Today show for the CBS Evening News.
Life/Career advice:
- Be humble, be hungry, have humility, and be ready to go when your opportunity presents itself. The old adage rings true, “You don’t have to get ready if you stay ready.” Always be ready for your opportunity.
Retirement Tour – Dan Patrick announces he plans to continue the Dan Patrick Show for the next four-and-a-half years with the intention of retiring at the end of 2027.

549: Dr. Sara Kuburic - Take Ownership, Accept Hard Truths, Discover Your SELF, & Change Your Life (It's On Me) Oct 15, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Change happens when we feel empowered. It’s on us to take responsibility for our lives and help others take responsibility for theirs. As leaders, change is more likely to happen for the people we are serving if we help them feel empowered.
Listening is not a passive activity. Take it seriously. It starts with genuinely caring for the person you’re in conversation with.
“Being disliked is a rite of passage.” Being disliked is normal. Being uncomfortable about being disliked is also normal. Reminding your Self that how you feel about your Self matters more than how others feel about you is key.
Sense of self – “Sense of self is not something that is found… We create our sense of self…”
"My interest in psychology stems from my personal experience living through wars, navigating complex relationships, and continually learning what it means to be human."
This book is about facing ourselves –whatever version that might be, regardless of whether or not we like the person we see reflected back to us. It's about what's possible once we realize that we are responsible for who we become and how we live our lives (a daunting, but profoundly liberating idea). IT'S ON US to figure out the two most essential questions: "Who am I" and "Why am I here?" and then live accordingly.
"I am thankful for my struggle because, without it, I wouldn't have stumbled across my strength."
Repeat out loud: "I will stop giving second chances to people who don't want it, won't use it, or don't deserve it."
"The deepest form of loneliness comes from being estranged from ourselves, not from others."
"Comparison doesn’t just steal our joy, it also screws with our perspective."
"Mistakes don’t have to define you. But what you choose to do after a mistake often does."
"Just a gentle reminder: The worst-case scenario that you’re playing out in your head is probably not going to happen."
"Don’t confuse the snippets you get to see of someone’s life (through media or a casual conversation) as their whole story. Give each other the courtesy of curiosity. Allow people to be undefined in your mind. Actively seek to see them, and allow them to show you who they are."
"If you don’t have all the information, stop filling in the blanks with your imagination, fears or projections. It’s better to learn to sit with an unclear picture than to carry around an inaccurate one."
"Instant gratification can be a form of self-harm."
"If you’re doing the work, you deserve to be with someone who is also doing the work. It’s simple."
"Relationship tip: When someone tells you what they want (or don’t want) through words or actions — listen. Stop assuming you know better than they do. It’s not your job to read their mind, anticipate their needs, or save them."

548: Nick Maggiulli - The Power of Compounding, Creating a Writing Practice, Building Your Career, & Proven Ways To Build Wealth Oct 08, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

What’s the Matthew Effect? The Matthew effect explains how two people can start in nearly the same place and end up worlds apart. In these kinds of systems, initial conditions matter. And as time goes on, they matter more and more.
Instead of saving a fixed percentage of your income, save more when you earn more and less when you make less.
The best way to save more is to earn more, not cut expenses to the point of being miserable.
The real question money forces us to answer is what’s important to us in life.
You should save what you can, when you can. Relying on a fixed, prescribed savings rate is nonsense.
- The Dolly Varden trout, an Alaskan fish species, puzzled biologists for decades. Despite only having a brief window of plentiful food each year — when salmon laid eggs in their waters — the fish continued to thrive year-round. How did they do it? Eventually, scientists discovered that the fish shrink and grow their digestive organs depending on food availability. When the salmon show up, they speed up their metabolism so they can take in more calories. Then, when the other fish leave, they slow down digestion. This way, they get by with much less food throughout the remainder of the year.
Great Things Take Time – Focusing on the long term is more important than ever. The story of the “Dashrath Manjhi Breakthrough” – He carved a path through a mountain. He moved a little bit of rock each day for 20 years.
Nick committed to writing one blog per week in 2017. And it changed his life. He learned that storytelling is what captures a reader’s attention. And the way to develop good stories is to read a lot, from a wide variety of sources. We all can do this.
One decision can change everything. NASA decided that Voyager 2 would slingshot around planets has made it the farthest man-made object from Earth. And it’s still producing information for us.
The Constant Reminder – How the Right Decisions and Compounding Can Lead to Huge Results. How have the decisions made by NASA 40 years ago had a profound effect on the Voyager missions and success to this day? Once a successful process is implemented, the results can be surprising. The point is to show you that making the right choices and letting things run their course can lead to incredible results. This is what makes consistent actions and the power of compounding so amazing. "When I think about creating a new habit in my life, I like to imagine all of the future benefits from that habit discounted back to the moment when the habit is formed."

547: Dr. Michael Gervais - How To Stop Worrying What Other People Think About You (Finding Mastery) Oct 01, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

The pursuit of mastery is part of a process. It’s an orientation towards experience. It’s about being fully absorbed in the moment.
Our fear of other people’s opinions (FOPO) has become irrational and unproductive, and its negative effects reach far beyond performance. If you start paying less and less attention to what makes you you—your talents, beliefs, and values—and start conforming to what others may or may not think, you’ll harm your potential.
Acknowledgments: “To Lisa, the love of my life. “It’s because of you that I no longer pray for calm waters, but to rather test the strength of our sails.”
Basing self-worth on performance – when the core motivation of pursuing excellence is proving our self-worth, mistakes, failures, opinions, and criticism are experienced as threats rather than learning opportunities.
A Learner’s Mindset - A student came to a renowned monk and asked to learn about Zen Buddhism. Shortly after the monk launched into his discourse, the student interrupted him and said, “Oh, I already know that” in an attempt to impress the monk. The monk suggested they discuss the matter over tea. When the tea was ready, the monk poured the tea into a teacup, filled it to the brim—and then continued to pour—spilling tea over the sides of the cup and onto the table. The student watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself, “Stop! You can’t pour tea into a full cup.” The monk set the teapot down and replied, “Exactly. Return to me when your cup is empty.”
- “Anchoring our sense of self in discovery is not a cop-out to avoid committing to who we are; rather, it’s simply an acknowledgment that we change with time.”
Harvard psychology professor Dan Gilbert points out, “Human beings are works in progress that mistakenly think they’re finished.”
Purpose over Approval – From a young age, we are conditioned to seek approval. Over time, we develop a built-in mechanism to check outside ourselves to see if everything is okay. But… we have another choice. That is our purpose…
“Purpose is the belief that you are alive to do something. It is an internally derived, generalized intention that’s both meaningful to you and consequential to the world beyond you.”
Optimism isn't soft. in fact, it sits at the center of mental toughness. Have you conditioned your mind for optimism?
Dr. Mike has worked with Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, and his leadership team to develop psychological principles and practices for high-performing teams and cultures.
As a sport psychology consultant, he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks team for 9 seasons, including two back-to-back Super Bowl appearances (winning in 2014). His primary objective was to assist Head Coach, Pete Carroll, to build a mindset-based culture.
For Red Bull Stratos, Dr. Mike helped Felix Baumgartner manage his mind and body under pressure for his record-setting skydive from 128,000 feet.
We need to make a fundamental commitment to practice at the edge of our capacity. One of the prompts I use in my life is, “What did I do today to push my edges?” What did I do that was uncomfortable… And making the commitment to stack day after day of pushing my edges makes that comfort zone bigger and bigger. Ask yourself, “What did I do today to push my edges?”
FOPO shows up almost everywhere in our lives—and the consequences are great. When we let FOPO take control, we play it safe and small because we're afraid of what will happen on the other side of critique. When challenged, we surrender our viewpoint. We trade in authenticity for approval. We please rather than provoke. We chase the dreams of others rather than our own.

546: Tim Ryan - Giving Stump Speeches, Using Meditation & Mindfulness, Playing Quarterback, Listening to Dave Matthews Band, and Running for President? Sep 24, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Gratitude – For Tim’s last speech as a congressman, he said “It’s an honor to be a citizen of the United States. I think we get out of this mess we’re in, the polarization, the hate, the anger, the fear… The first step out of that is with gratitude.”
Tim opens by sharing the impact his high school football coaches had on him and why playing quarterback at John F. Kennedy High School prepared him for life as a leader...
In 2002, Tim ran for the United States House of Representatives for the 17th District. Tim was initially seen as an underdog in a 6-way primary. He was elected at age 29.
"There is an exhausted majority in the country, and they feel like they don't have any political home at all," Ryan said, describing his target audience as those who have been "checking out." "That's maddening because that gives a bigger voice to those forces of division and hate and anger, so we want to build an organization that welcomes these people to participate.”
AOC endorsed Tim for his Senate run in 2022. And he said, “It’s not helpful here. Nor did I seek it.”
David Axelrod said about Tim's 2022 Senate Run that “he's running the best campaign in the country. And the best campaign in the country may not be enough.”
“Dave Matthews has inspired me to live a better life, to do what’s right, that it’s okay to care about each other."
- “There may be some things where we don’t agree, but I think we need to have decent people that care about us in government, and I think Tim is a decent man.” -- Dave Matthews
- “I’m honored to have Dave Matthews, one of my absolute favorite musicians, in the Buckeye State to fire up our team and bring this thing home.”
Being in the moment – The campaign trail is grueling. Every day is a new town with new people. And you need to get up and give your stump speech, listen to people, and tell compelling stories. His mantra of “I am only in control of this stump speech,” and Tim’s ability to stay in the moment was critical and is a key reason why he’s done so well over the years.
Tim's grandfather… And the impact he had on his life. “He was there."
- Regardless of the weather or whatever he had going on, Tim felt his grandfather’s presence as a servant leader. This is an excellent reminder for us as leaders that our first job is to show up consistently for those we are leading.

545: Will Guidara - The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect (Unreasonable Hospitality) Sep 17, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

“Intention means every decision, from the most obviously significant to the seemingly mundane, matters.”
“My dad says “The best way to learn is to teach.” He taught me to study for tests as if I were going in to deliver a presentation. At EMP, I made teaching part of our culture.”
- "Public speaking is a leadership skill."
Excellence is about small details — A couple of examples of that were lighting and music.
- “Maybe people don’t notice every single individual detail, but in aggregate, they’re powerful. In any great business, most of the details you closely attend to are ones that only a tiny, tiny percentage of people will notice.”
"Some of the best advice I ever got about starting in a new organization is; Don’t cannonball. Ease into the pool."
Magic: “Too many people approach creative brainstorming by taking what’s practical into consideration way too early in the process. Start with what you want to achieve, instead of limiting yourself to what’s realistic or sustainable.”
“Sometimes magic is just someone spending more time on something than anyone else might reasonably expect.” – Penn and Teller
"Often, the perfect moment to give someone more responsibility is before they’re ready."
The daily 30-minute meeting: “A daily 30-minute meeting is where a collection of individuals becomes a team.”
Find hidden treasures: Will's dad had his own platoon in Vietnam. It wasn’t a great platoon. On it was a guy nicknamed Kentucky, Kentucky was lazy and wasn’t in great shape. He wasn’t that smart, but he was skilled directionally and had a great feel for being in the woods.
- “A leader’s responsibility is to identify the strengths of the people on their team, no matter how buried those strengths might be.”
“Business like life is all about how you make people feel. It’s that simple and that hard.” - Danny Meyer
"In restaurants, our reason for being is to make people feel, seen, it's to make them feel welcome, it's to give them a sense of belonging. The food, the service, the design, they are simply ingredients in the recipe of human connection"
“The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson. I still give The One Minute Manager to every person I promote. It’s an amazing resource, in particular on how to give feedback. My biggest takeaways were: Criticize the behavior, not the person. Praise in public; criticize in private. Praise with emotion, criticize without emotion.”
“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”
“What criticism offers you, then, is an invitation to have your perspective challenged—or at least to grow by truly considering it. You might stick with a choice you’ve been criticized for or end up somewhere completely different. The endgame isn’t the point as much as the process: you grow when you engage with another perspective and decide to decide again.”
“The aggregation of marginal gains,” or a small improvement in a lot of areas. In his words: “The whole principle came from the idea that if you broke down everything you could think of that goes into riding a bike, and then improve it by 1 percent, you will get a significant increase when you put them all together.”

544: Adam Bornstein - The Advisor for LeBron James, Cindy Crawford, & Arnold Schwarzenegger Shares How To Build Your Dream Job Sep 10, 2023

Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes

Text Hawk to 66866 to become part of "Mindful Monday." Receive a carefully curated email each Monday morning to help you start your week off right...

Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote the foreword. “I’ve known Adam for more than 10 years. In addition to being one of the smartest people in nutrition I’ve met, he’s the perfect person to blaze a better path that provides a more direct, realistic, and effective way to improve your health and mindset and achieve your goals.”
Take the attitude of an intern. Adam shares how he impressed Arnold Schwarzenegger. Be kind. Show up. Be consistent. Do great work. Don’t be greedy. Be generous. And keep going. That great work led to the introduction to LeBron James. Adam has done a great job of making the most of the luck he’s received.
Self-perception: how changing your thoughts and releasing mental baggage make adopting new behaviors, such as eating healthy, easier.
This is a thorough examination of why most diet plans fail, including research and case studies that demonstrate the inefficacy of restriction.
Book Dedication: “Dad, You were given a death sentence and turned it into a life sentence. That’s the power of a different mindset. Thanks for showing me the way. I love you.” Adam's dad was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and he's been very optimistic in the face of it.
- "Most people fail physically because they are broken mentally."
Inversion: Start at the end. Anticipate that you didn't achieve your goal, and ask why? And then ask, how do I prevent that from happening?
The three tactical things you can do:
- Self-perception - Believe you can do it
- Find things you love and don't remove them
- Add 1 or 2 new behaviors that are easy to win
How to manage your diet:
- Slow down your eating
- Create a meal boundary (have open and closed kitchen times)
- Low fat vs Low carbs - Protein and fiber are needed
Have no 0% weeks. Make progress.

543: Eric Musselman - Running Great Team Meetings, Developing Your People, Building a Championship Program (Head Men's Basketball Coach at The University of Arkansas) Sep 03, 2023

Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes

Text Hawk to 66866 to become part of "Mindful Monday." Mindful Monday is a carefully curated email you'll receive each Monday morning.

Eric Musselman is the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Arkansas. Prior to his time at Arkansas, he was a head coach in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings. He’s also spent time as the national coach for the Dominican Republic National Team and The Venezuela National Team.

Learn from others. Muss shared many examples of times he's gone to other practices to watch and learn. He prefers to watch how and NFL runs practice and he's modeled his practices after NFL teams. And sends his coaches to do the same. This is something we should do in corporate America. Connect with leaders at other companies and visit them. Watch their meetings, their 1 on 1s, and embed yourself in their culture for a few days.
- When Muss got fired as the coach of the Golden State Warriors, he was offered office space (from Mike Lombardi) at the Oakland Raiders facility. While there, he learned the ins and outs of running a professional program and has modeled a lot of his system from that experience.
Leadership "Must-Haves" to be on his staff:
- Loyalty
- Will to win
- Specialty area of expertise
Meetings: PREPARE a lot. Grab their attention. Keep them on their toes with surprises. All of these things can be done in business meetings… BUT it takes time and effort to do it well.
Muss's life philosophy is to be a constant learner AND a great communicator. He takes pages of notes with him to the gym every morning and reads, takes notes, and highlights the entire time. Then he synthesizes what he’s learned and shares it with his team. We all can do this. Again, it takes intentional effort, but it’s worth it.
At the beginning of each practice, he does a “classroom” session with his team. He teaches a life lesson or a lesson on basketball.
Family Coaching Legacy – Musselman’s father Bill was also an NBA head coach and they were the first father-son combination to become head coaches in the NBA. His sons work with him at Arkansas.
“Muss is a magician with how he communicates with referees.” He works to build a genuine relationship with them.
His coaching staff has metrics they produce that help him engineer how playing time and combinations of players on the floor can produce a win.
His practices are legendary. Like a well-oiled machine. Everyone has a role. And they are open to the public.
- If a player isn’t in a drill, he better be on the sideline dribbling or practicing his game in some way. Always improving, always working.
Muss has a reputation for being the college coach who can get you to the NBA. He is extremely well-connected in the NBA. If a kid wants to enter the draft, Muss will do his homework to see where he thinks he'll get drafted, and then sit down with the kid and his parents to give him feedback.
He revolutionized the use of the transfer portal and is extremely organized when a new prospect pops up.
On his blog, Musselman wrote about the importance of matching an offense to the "team's makeup." Depending on the roster, a half-court offense might make more sense. In other cases, a team may be better suited for an "open offense." According to Musselman, the idea is to allow players to "play to their strengths."

542: Brad Stulberg - How To Excel When Everything Is Changing (Including You) Aug 27, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

How to respond instead of react… The 4 P’s:
- Pause
- Process
- Plan
- Proceed — Using the 4 Ps will increase your chances of responding better than reacting quickly
Non-Dual thinking. It’s not this OR that. It’s this AND that. It’s not self-discipline or self-compassion. It can be both. As we learn more, we become more reasonable. The world is not black and white. We can live in the gray and embrace it.
Brad's core values:
- Life is the doing of his life (activities, health, workouts, showing up)
- Love is the being of his life (family, being there for the most important people)
A new model for navigating change and disorder – A neuroscientist and a biologist coined the phrase allostasis. Allostasis comes from the Greek allo, which means “variable,” and stasis, which means “standing.” Allostasis is defined as “Stability through change.”
When Brad went to the University of Michigan, he couldn’t go to football games. “It felt pointless to be in the stands instead of on the field, too close to something the loss of which I was still grieving.”
Science shows that when you fight change, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol.
Hard Times are always hard – But with practice, they get easier… In a multi-year study of more than 2,000 adults aged 18 to 101 published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, University of Buffalo psychologist, Mark Seery and colleagues found that people who had experienced medium levels of adversity were both higher-functioning and more satisfied with their lives than those who had experienced extremely high levels of adversity as well as those who had experienced hardly any adversity at all…
Five Questions for Embracing Change:
- Where in your life are you pursuing fixity where it might be beneficial to open yourself to the possibility, or in some cases, the inevitability of change?
- In what parts of your life are you holding on to unrealistic expectations?
- Are there elements of your identity to which you cling too tightly?
- How might you use your core values– the rugged and flexible boundaries of your identity– to help you navigate the challenges of your life?
- In what circumstances do you tend to react when you would benefit from responding, and what conditions predispose you to that?
10 Tools for Developing Rugged Flexibility:
- Embrace non-dual thinking
- Adopt a being orientation
- Frequently update your expectations to match reality
- Practice tragic optimism, commit to wise hop, and take wise action
- Actively differentiate and integrate your sense of self
- View the world with independent and interdependent lenses
- Respond to change with the 4 Ps
- Lean on routines (and rituals) to provide stabiliy during periods of disorder
- Use behavioral activation
- Don’t force meaning and growth; let them come on their own time
True confidence comes from evidence, and it allows you to OWN YOUR SEAT. Owning your seat does not mean certainty, nor does it mean a complete lack of doubts. It means taking your doubts with you and stepping into the arena no less—because you've done the work.
Easy: showing up when you are at your best and everything is clicking.
Hard: showing up when you are in a hole and the current is going against you. Most everyone can do the former. But it's the latter that has a huge impact on lasting progress, fulfillment, and success.
Progress is nonlinear. Keep pounding the stone. Some days nothing happens. Some days it cracks a little bit more. Occasionally, it splits wide open. The implication of this truth is both simple and significant: If you’re addicted to visible progress, then sooner or later, you’ll burn out of whatever you’re pursuing. This is a big reason so many people quit after the honeymoon phase of trying something new.
Brad's 3 non-negotiable daily practices for physical and mental well-being: 1. Forty-five to ninety minutes of physical activity. 2. At least one deep-focus block of sixty to ninety minutes on good, meaningful work. 3. Do not fight evening sleepiness, which usually means bed by 10PM.
Don't define yourself by what you have. Define yourself by who you are. On developing a BEING over HAVING orientation, and the strength and freedom that comes with it.

541: Matt Higgins - Burning The Boats, Handling Imposter Syndrome, Investing on Shark Tank, & The Most Important Ingredient To Professional Success Aug 20, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Matt Higgins was an executive for the New York Jets and then the Miami Dolphins. He Co-Founded RSE Ventures with Miami Dolphins owner, Stephen Ross. Matt was a guest shark on ABC’s Shark Tank (seasons 10-11), He is an executive fellow at Harvard Business School, and he recently published a book called, Burn The Boats, Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential...

Matt's Mom: “My mother, Linda, died with $100 in her bank account, but I inherited the most valuable gift a parent can give a child: limitless faith in my ability to figure anything out.”
Matt gave the 2019 commencement speech at Queens College – According to Vanity Fair Contributing Editor Paul Goldberger, "This is a magnificent and truly inspiring speech that everyone should read. If you think commencement speeches are made of cliches, this one will change your mind."
The most important ingredient to professional success: “Make yourself indispensable at whatever task you’re doing and you’ll always have a job.”
Research proves that the mere contemplation of Plan B statistically reduces the probability Plan A will ever materialize.
The advice Matt got from Daymond John on how to handle imposter syndrome on his first day of filming Shark Tank: "You belong here because you are here."
How to raise your kids to not be spoiled when you can provide anything they'd ever want?
- There is nobility in work. Ensure they do hard things and do real work.
Matt's "must-have" qualities when hiring a leader:
- Confidence + Humility
- Empathy
- They just "figure it out"
- They are a servant leader -- They can "plug holes"
Matt's four-step process:
- What's the worst that could happen?
- If it doesn't work out, what will I do?
- What's the probability the bad stuff will happen?
- What pain am I willing to endure to make it happen?
"Burn the boats for goals, not tactics."

540: Alex Hormozi - Creating Confidence, The Art of Selling, Marrying Well, Letting Go of The Need For Approval, Building a Profitable Business, & Never Skipping Dessert Aug 13, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Alex Hormozi is an entrepreneur, investor, and author of 3 bestselling books $100M Offers, Leads, and Money Models. He’s founded and exited 3 companies, the largest for $46.2M in 2021. He and his wife Leila are the managing partners of Acquisition.com - a portfolio of companies that generate in aggregate $200M per year. He also makes mistakes and candidly shares his painful lessons with other entrepreneurs. Today he publicly documents his lessons on his path from $100M net worth to $1B.

Confidence: “You don't become confident by shouting affirmations in the mirror, but by having a stack of undeniable proof that you are who you say you are. Outwork your self-doubt.”
Work: "The work works on you more than you work on it."
For anyone debating whether to marry a partner. These 2 lenses were useful:
- How have my stats changed since they entered my life? (wealth, health, time)
- Would I go to war with them?
  - They flow from what Alex wants:
    - Growth
    - Hard goals
Document your life more. Otherwise, you’ll forget the details. And the details are what make it worth remembering. (homework for life)
Alex shared a vulnerable story about not wanting to live anymore when he was 21. He had graduated from Vanderbilt in 3 years (manga cum laude), had a great consulting job, and was on his way up the corporate ladder. And he hated it. He was living his dad's dream, not his own. So he quit. And didn't call his dad until he was well on his way to California to start over.
"A leading indicator that someone is not an independent thinker is that they agree (or disagree) with every single point of a political party. Also applies to seeing no fault (or 100% fault) in particular leaders."
“Volume negates luck”
What makes a great sales professional:
- Clear communication
- Conviction
- Be honest... And have a desire to help your customer
Life Lessons Alex wishes he had learned earlier:
- Talk less, listen more… (He messed this up earlier in his career by talking too much)
- The hardest respect to earn is one's own
- If you want to control what people think, control what they say – “Equip people with simple language so that they can communicate what you do.”
- “You get more out of reading 1 book that’s great 5 times, than out of reading 5 mediocre books.” – “If your behavior doesn’t change as a result of reading the book, then it means you’ve learned nothing.”
- You are going to die – 2 weeks after you die, most people will have forgotten about you.
- Extraordinary accomplishments come from doing ordinary things for extraordinary periods of time.
- If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well
- Be willing to negotiate everything except for your values
- Humility - Sacrifice for the group. Give more to the company. Give to the group.
Hormozi Law:
- The longer you delay the ask, the bigger the ask you can make. The longer the runway, the bigger the plane that can take off.
- "At your funeral, friends and family will argue over who gets what. People will want food to eat. The topic will shift from your life to their lives. They'll drive away thinking about their looming to-do list. Some people won't be able to make it because "something came up." A reminder of the heavy weight we place on things that matter little."
- "There’s no greater waste of time than justifying your actions to people who have a life you don’t want."
- "The easiest way to change behavior is to change your environment."
Alex's great-great-grandfather had 400 children.
"Never skip dessert."
"My life has never gotten worse by removing mediocre people."

539: Jack Raines - Playing Infinite Games, Living Life Backwards, Building Your Platform, Traveling More, & Writing Young Money Aug 06, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Jack Raines is a student at Columbia Business School and the writer of YoungMoney.co – Young Money is a finance blog that covers a wide variety of life topics like why we should travel more, timeless advice, the use of humor, the 6 types of wealth, and infinite games. Jack is one of my favorite writers on the internet…

Infinite Games – “The focus on outcome over everything leads to us discounting 99% of our lives for the sake of a few, small, fleeting moments that might provide some sense of satisfaction before the cycle begins anew.”
- It’s not about getting to the top of the mountain, it’s about the person you become along the way.
Why We Should Travel More – Rolf Potts, Vagabonding. “The explorer has no goal other than exploration itself.”
The Opportunity Cost of Everything – The Journey IS the Destination. Life isn't a Pixar film. It's not a television series. Our life isn't some chain of events and decisions that leads to a climax. A final moment of victory. Life is the chain of events itself.
- “Someday isn’t a day.”
The purpose of Jack's finance blog: “I write a finance blog that is really, like, idk? Maybe 40% finance? The rest is existential musings, satire, the occasional exclamation that Americans seriously need to travel more, and whatever random stuff comes through my brain.”
Jack's LinkedIn satirical posts: “I take nothing seriously, but I do take the serious things pretty seriously. Linkedin isn't one of the serious things.”
How Jack built a large following online: "I have published approximately 450,000 words of content in an 18-month period." Whatever it is that we want to do, in order to get good, we have to get going. We have to get the reps…
The Case for Living Life Backwards – “You should write your obituary, and then try to figure out how to live up to it.”

538: Dr. Julie Gurner - Setting High Standards, Being Relentlessly Resourceful, Achieving Huge Results (Compared to Wendy Rhoades of "Billions") Jul 30, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Dr. Julie Gurner is a doctor of psychology and is a nationally recognized executive performance coach for individual and corporate clients primarily in finance and technology. Trusted by top percentile talent and their teams to help them achieve world-class performance in fast-paced, high-pressure, extremely competitive environments. She's been compared to Wendy Rhoades of "Billions" in The Wall Street Journal (2019), and named a “Game Changer” by IBM.

Notes:

High Standards: Holding a high bar is uncomfortable because it is "exclusionary," and most people want to make everyone around them happy & comfortable. If you hold a standard, it can't include everything... Figuring out your line & holding to it, will mean some tough conversations.
“I think that there are two ways of looking at things that have happened to you. You can be a victim or you can be a survivor. Those are two very different cognitive positions."
Balance: “People will tell you in books that you have to live a “balanced life,” but if we are completely honest, almost all great things are born from periods of imbalance.”
Staying Small: A concept I believe, is that most people stay small, or don't go for what they truly want...because they believe that "imaginary rules" are true
Be a Learner: The worst professionals, are the ones that stop learning the moment they graduate from school. And they are the majority. Being autodidactic - a self-learner - who also takes initiative, will have you in the top 10% of anything you take on.
Goals: If your goals are "realistic," you are operating in a box. Check yourself. "If you want to be a game changer, you can’t blend in."
Know Yourself: When people are unable to commit to anything, it’s because they don’t know who they are. Shiny objects professionally (or personally) reflect a lack of certainty.
When you get a genuine shot in the arm from what you do...of course, it's going to be hard to stop doing it. You're on fire. So many people are living their lives with the volume turned down. They don't get it. You don't have to live that way. Crank that energy up.
"The people who rise aren't always the most talented or capable, but they are fueled by self-belief. Once you understand that, much of the business world makes sense."
The difference between persistence and tenacious… persistent people stick to the plan to get to the goal. Tenacious people may change their plans altogether.
A trait in the people who go on to do great things? Paul Graham defines it as being “relentlessly resourceful.” I see it all the time. Here’s a practical zero-to-one process to be relentlessly resourceful, if you want to set yourself up for some big swings.
Julie goes on a daily walk around her farm. She uses that walk to reflect, think, and be outside. It helps her synthesize information.
What makes a great executive coach?
- A sweet spot between talking and listening... A great executive coach gives their clients space to talk. They listen. They ask great follow-up questions. They help unlock people. They help them become multipliers.
How to deal with imposter syndrome?
- "You probably have the ability, but you're not understanding your own story." It's important to keep taking chances. To keep meeting the moment. Julie helps her clients tap in to and write their own stories.

537: Aron Ralston - The Incredible Story Of The Hiker Who Cut Off His Own Arm After Being Trapped Under A Boulder For 5 Days (127 Hours) Jul 23, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Aron Ralston is a mountaineer, mechanical engineer, and best-selling author known for surviving a canyoneering accident by cutting off part of his own right arm. On April 26, 2003, during a solo descent of Bluejohn Canyon in southeastern Utah, he dislodged a boulder, pinning his right wrist to the side of the canyon wall. After five days, he had to break his forearm, amputate it with a dull pocket knife to break free, make his way through the rest of the canyon, rappel down a 65-foot drop, and hike 7 miles to safety. The incident is documented in Aron’s autobiography Between a Rock and a Hard Place and is the subject of the 2010 film 127 Hours in which he is portrayed by James Franco. After the accident, Aron continued mountaineering and became the first person to ascend all of Colorado's fourteeners solo in winter.

"Turn boulders into blessings."
During this conversation, Aron takes us through the 127 hours from when his right arm was pinned under a boulder until he was resting safely in a hospital bed. Along the way, he shares key learnings that all of us can take from his experience.
In April 2003, Aron was canyoneering alone through Bluejohn Canyon, in Utah, just south of the Horseshoe Canyon unit of Canyonlands National Park. While he was descending the lower stretches of the slot canyon, a suspended boulder dislodged while he was climbing down from it. The boulder first smashed his left hand and then crushed his right hand against the canyon wall. Aron had not informed anyone of his hiking plans, nor did he have any way to call for help.
- Assuming that he would die without intervention, he spent five days slowly sipping his small amount of remaining water, approximately 350 ml (12 imp fl oz), and slowly eating his small amount of food, two burritos, while repeatedly trying to extricate his arm. His efforts were futile as he was unable to free his arm from the 800 lb (360 kg) chockstone. After three days of trying to lift and break the boulder, the dehydrated and delirious Ralston prepared to amputate his trapped arm at a point on the mid-forearm in order to escape. After having experimented with tourniquets and having made exploratory superficial cuts to his forearm, he realized, on the fourth day, that in order to free his arm he would have to cut through the bones in it, but the tools available were insufficient to do so.
- After running out of food and water on the fifth day, Aron decided to drink his own urine. He carved his name, date of birth, and presumed date of death into the sandstone canyon wall, and videotaped his last goodbyes to his family. He did not expect to survive the night, but as he attempted to stay warm he began hallucinating and had a vision of himself playing with a future child while missing part of his right arm. Aron credited this as giving him the belief that he would live.
- After waking at dawn the following day he discovered that his arm had begun to decompose due to the lack of circulation, and became desperate to tear it off. Aron then had an epiphany that he could break his radius and ulna bones using torque against his trapped arm. He did so, then amputated his forearm with his multi-tool, using the dull 2-inch knife and pliers for the tougher tendons. The painful process took an hour, during which time he used tubing from a CamelBak as a tourniquet, taking care to leave major arteries until last. The manufacturer of the multi-tool was never named, but Aron said "It was not a Leatherman but what you'd get if you bought a $15 flashlight and got a free multi-use tool."
- After freeing himself, Ralston climbed out of the slot canyon in which he had been trapped, rappelled down a 65-foot sheer wall, then hiked out of the canyon. He was 8 miles from his car and had no phone. However, after 6 miles of hiking, he encountered a family on vacation from the Netherlands; Eric and Monique Meijer and their son Andy, who gave him food and water and hurried to alert the authorities. Aron had feared he would bleed to death; he had lost 40 pounds, including 25% of his blood volume. Rescuers searching for Ralston, alerted by his family that he was missing, had narrowed the search down to Canyonlands and he was picked up by a helicopter in a wide area of the canyon. He was rescued approximately four hours after amputating his arm.
The STOP acronym: Stop (pause), Think (brainstorm), Observation, Plan
- Stop
- Think
- Observe
- Plan
"Commitment is the first step."
At one point when Aron's arm was stuck under the giant rock, he filmed his "goodbyes" to each family member.
- "Who would you say your goodbyes to and what would you say?" Aron realized that life is all about loving relationships.
"You can't hold despair and gratitude at the same time."
127 Hours - There is no force so powerful as the will to live.
- Aron's version: "There's no force so powerful as the will to love."
"Welcome adversity. It helps you grow."
"Find gratitude for the worst thing that's ever happened to you."
“Passion. That which I suffer, allow, endure, is done to me.”

536: Dave Berke - Leadership Lessons From A Top Gun Instructor (Chief Development Officer, Echelon Front) Jul 16, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Be on time. It's not okay to be late. As the leader, we have to set the right example.
There is a narrow path to Top Gun, but Dave made it...
Dave served as an ANGLICO Forward Air Controller supporting the Army’s 1st Armored Division during extensive urban combat operations on the ground in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006. He led his supporting arms liaison team on scores of combat missions into the most dangerous neighborhoods and accompanied SEAL Task Unit Bruiser on virtually every major operation in the Battle of Ramadi. He was the only Marine selected to fly the F-22 Raptor having served as an exchange officer at the Air Force’s 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron as the Division Commander. He became the first operational pilot ever to fly and be qualified in the F-35B, serving as the Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps’ first F-35 squadron from 2012-2014.
Balancing courage and confidence with humility - It’s a must to surround yourself with others who continue to push you and keep your ego in check.
The attributes of a Top Gun instructor: Willing to learn and Able to teach. Great leaders seem to have those same qualities.
Dave’s choice to volunteer to fight on the ground is what led him to meet Jocko Willink and thus change his life. Stepping up and doing a job that others don’t want to do, and taking that responsibility can lead to amazing opportunities.
A Top Gun pilot must balance courage and confidence with humility.
You need a great support group around you to keep in check.
Your ego, however, can be helpful at times. "It allows you to do things that others say can't be done."
How to deal with negative self-talk?
- "We all deal with it. Relax. Take a step back. Breathe. Detach from the situation."

535: Geron Stokes - How To Gain Clarity, Maximize People, and Live Your Purpose Jul 09, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Own it, live it, create it, see it, say it, change it, honor it, punish it, repeat it, evaluate it all. – The core components to building a world-class culture.
Who are your foxhole people? They are the ones who are there when it’s hard and they’re there to celebrate when it’s great. They are honest, caring, and they love you. The best way to build a great foxhole group? Be a loving, caring, and honest friend to others.
How to build a great foundation which sets you up to build a great culture? Be trustworthy and trust-WILLING person. Be vulnerable, open, and honest, and create opportunities for shared suffering. It takes time and intentional effort, but it’s worth it.
Geron was always leading the younger quarterbacks when he was in high school. “The quarterbacks stay. You need to know what’s going on, for now, and in the future”
Coach Dave Carroll had a huge impact on how Geron coaches... Tough, demanding, high expectations. He wasn't for everyone.
From Brook Cupps: "From my perspective, it’s been really cool to watch his progression from a self-serving arrogant kid to an ultra-impactful leader and father."
Geron's purpose is to maximize people. Here is how he lives that out...
- Own It – Come to grips with my #1 Job - Get the most out of people. More than they can ever imagine. It HAS to be a love thing! Can I get them to work, care, execute, serve, give, and love more than they ever have in their life? My job. Not their’s. Wake up every day knowing my responsibility. “I’ve gotta get the best out of these guys today.”
- Live It – I set the example for everything. I AM THE STANDARD! Have to be. Am I trying to maximize myself? Every. Day! How do I show up? Do I represent the values I’m trying to pull out of the people? They aren’t going to do it by themselves. They can’t. Stop expecting them to! I need to show them to engage them. Am I pouring my heart and soul into everything that I can?!? “The best thing you can ever give someone is a strong example,” “Preach the gospel every day, and sometimes use words.”
- Create It - Environment matters. Cultivate relationships every single day. Do they walk in knowing we’re getting better today? Energy. Enthusiasm. Struggle. Hard, Tough. Work. Demanding. Constant. Growth. Whatever level you’re at. Just. Get. Better. EVERY. DAY! My relationships, time, & effort with my people is the soil! Maniacal about who, what, and how. Everybody! All the time. Daily requirement: get the environment ready for growth!
- See It - See it as it is. See it better than it is. If I can’t see it better, how do I make it better? Reality to vision. The best see it at a different level. Extremely high standards! Competence matters. What is an acceptable standard? Can it be done better?
- Say It – Any and all feedback. Do I care enough to tell them? Usually with questions! Intent matters. Relationships matter. Make it personal! It doesn’t have to be said exactly the right way. IT NEEDS TO BE SAID. They have to HEAR it & internalize it. “Good job” doesn’t exist in our world.
- Change It – It must improve. Whatever it takes. Fix/correct/punish/measure until it actually changes. Spend extra time. Refuse to accept excuses. I love you so we have to make this better. Continue saying it!
- Honor/Punish It – Celebrate. Loudly. Be specific. Recognize it. Measure it. Reward it. Make it a big deal. Every important detail. Ingrain it into the culture of the group. “That’s not how we do things here.”
- Repeat It – Do it over and over and over and over again. The hardest part isn’t doing it. The hardest part is doing it every single moment, every single day, over and over and over.
- Evaluate It All – What is working? What isn’t? How do we keep getting better? What needs to be changed? CONSTANT. 24/7365. ARE WE GETTING THEIR BEST? Fanatical about improvement.
Daily Questions To Ask Yourself:
- Am I at my best?
- Are my intentions right?
- How can I get the most out of everybody today?
I need to be on fire. Energy/Attitude is right. Seeking ways to make an impact. Is it about me or about them? Act your way into feelings. What do they need? Pushed? Pulled? Energized? Inspired? Demanded?

534: Dr. Will Cole - Healing The Shame Fueled Relationship Between What You Eat and How You Feel (Gut Feelings) Jul 02, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

You can’t heal a body you hate. We only get one body. It’s all we have. If it stops working or is working poorly, that affects all other elements of our lives. It’s worth it to make this our top priority.
We’re looking for optimal, not average. If you’re listening to this podcast, you probably do not want to be average. And when it comes to the most important thing in your life (your body), I would hope that you don’t want that to be average. To be an effective leader for others, our body needs to be in optimal shape.
Cut these 5 foods:
- Gluten-containing grains
- Industrial seed oils
- Added sugar,
- Conventional dairy
- Alcohol
After over a decade as a functional medicine expert, Dr. Cole discerned that shame can cause gut inflammation and sabotage wellness through what he’s named “Shameflammation.” When you send signals to your brain that you are overwhelmed, overworked, or overtired, your body reacts. Shameflammation can be the cause of chronic health conditions such as autoimmune disorders, depression, and more.
Chronic stress is the ultimate junk food."
Too much sugar has consequences beyond the waistline.
Functional medicine is informed consent.
75% of your immune system is in your gut.
Get back on track. Days are long, years are short.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy? Work with a doctor, get labs, and choose to use based on what your doctor and your labs say.
"Use meals as a medicine and a meditation."
- "Ask yourself... Does this food love me back?"

533: Jon Gordon - Elevate Your Mind, Unlock Your Power, Heal Your Soul (The One Truth) Jun 25, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Consistency creates your future. Show up each day and do the work. Sounds simple, but it’s much harder in practice. Consistency is not sexy, but it builds trust and it creates your future.
T.U.N.E. -
- T = Trust and truth
- U = Unite with love
- N = Neutralize the negativity. “I do not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.” - Gandhi
- E = Elevate your thinking. With gratitude, optimism, and belief
How to handle imposter syndrome - One sheet of paper. On one side write your negative thoughts. On the other side write words of encouragement. Again, this sounds basic, but it’s been proven to work.
Navigate the Roller Coaster of our Mind: Take on our challenges in life with confidence and power instead of fear and insecurity.
Recognize & Overcome the Five Ds of Negative Thought: Doubt, Distortion, Discouragement, Distraction, and Division.
The root of the Greek word for anxious means “to separate and divide” When we are anxious, we feel divided. The key is to move towards “oneness”.
Tune into More Positive Thoughts: Jon explains a revolutionary idea that the brain is an antenna, and we can elevate our minds with proven strategies. For example, we can’t be stressed and thankful at the same time. When we appreciate, we elevate.
Override Fear with Love: Let love (the ultimate driver of grit) be the driving force behind our work and vocation, unlocking new levels of determination, devotion and success.
Improve Mental Health & Relationships: Move from disconnection, loneliness and isolation to connection, healing, and wholeness. Whether you’re a recent graduate, executive, artist, parent, engineer, teacher, spouse, athlete or coach, once you know The One Truth, you’ll see how it impacts leadership, teamwork, mindset, performance, relationships, addictions, social media, anxiety, mental health and your overall quality of life.
Bad teams = nobody leads. Average teams = coaches lead. Elite teams = players lead
Change management -- People follow the leader first and the vision second. People won’t care about your vision if you don’t care about them.
“Thoughts are magnetic. What we think about we attract.”
Goals: "It's not your goals that will lead to your success but your commitment to the process." "The best teams don’t focus on winning championships. They focus on being champions. This leads to championships."
“When leaders become focused on the fruit instead of the root and worry about the outcome instead of the process of developing team members, they may survive in the short run, but they will not thrive in the long run.”
“As a leader, it is so important that your words equal your actions. It is imperative that you make sure that you go through a self-evaluation process on an almost daily basis to make sure that your actions are in line with your words. You must do what you say and say what you do.”
“There’s a difference between culture and having a theme for the year. A theme does not equal culture. Too many schools/org move from theme to theme instead of building a culture. Utilize a theme as a tool to help you build a great culture.”
“They asked a bunch of ninety-five-year-olds if they could do it all over again and live their life again what would they do differently. The three things that almost all of them said were: (1) They would reflect more. Enjoy more moments. More sunrises and sunsets. More moments of joy. (2) They would take more risks and chances. Life is too short not to go for it. (3) They would have left a legacy. Something that would live on after they die.”

00:35 - Lessons from Athletics

05:29 - Struggling With Adversity As a Child

07:47 - Building a Life-Changing Team from The Energy Bus

15:08 - Fear That Comes With Imposter Syndrome

20:54 - Transition from Self-Talk to Action

31:05 - How to React to Skeptics

36:14 - View Life as a Movie

40:25 - Leadership Qualities That Are Repetitive

44:18 - Advice for the Younger Generation

47:48 - Early is On Time

532: Michelle "Mace" Curran - Handling Perfectionism, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, & Becoming A Thunderbird Pilot Jun 22, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Notes: Michelle "Mace" Curran has led an impressive career as a Fighter Pilot during her 13 years in the United States Air Force. From 2019-2021, she flew as the only female pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds and performed for millions across the country and internationally. Before joining the Thunderbirds, Michelle was a combat-proven fighter pilot completing missions across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

What inspired Michelle to join the Air Force?
- "I had a grandpa who was a lieutenant in the Navy. I went through his World War II trunk and tried on uniforms and looked at postcards. He got to travel all over the world. I grew up in a small town and I wanted to travel. I’ve always been drawn to flying. I hadn’t done a lot of flying aside from commercially, but I loved it, so the Air Force seemed like a natural fit. I was also honestly looking for a scholarship for college, so the three things kind of came together."
“C3” Comm – That’s clear, concise, and correct communication. How that plays a role as a pilot and how we can use that as leaders outside of the airplane.
- For the solo opposing passes, each pilot is traveling at 500mph, that's 1000mph of closure toward each other. The timing that makes sure the aircraft safely pass each other at the center point directly in front of the crowd is all done through radio calls. Every call must communicate clearly, concisely, and correctly.
There are a lot of benefits to having a beginner's mindset.
What does Michelle say to young girls?
- "You have to exceed people’s expectations. People are going to set expectations for you based on where you grew up, the family you came from, your gender — there are all different factors that go into that. Constantly do your best, strive for perfection, exceed those expectations, and really don’t shortchange yourself. Don’t set boundaries that don’t really exist, that you just place there for yourself. You’ll be surprised at all of the things you can do if you just keep pushing."
“We wield a lot of power with our words.” Let’s plant a seed of inspiration. As leaders, our words carry a lot of weight. Let’s use that to help other people strive for more and potentially accomplish more than they ever thought they were capable of. What an awesome use of our power.
The Debrief - It’s the sacred environment of flying. Your rank doesn’t matter. It’s all about focusing on what happened and how we can get better. I think our companies would be better if we had consistent debriefs after a big moment to ensure we are learning from our mistakes and getting better…
The person you are today is likely much different than the one you were ten years ago. The person you will be ten years from now will probably be just as different compared to who you are now.
Michelle initially didn't feel capable as a fighter pilot. But she kept showing up. It’s important that we have the courage to keep going even when we don’t feel ready.
Being a female fighter pilot, Mace was in a male-dominated career... She was often the only woman in my unit and roughly 3% of fighter pilots in the Air Force are female even thirty years after combat airframes were opened to women,
Leaders and followers – A young flight lead could be in command of a general whose role is to be the wingman…
Mace has written a children’s book that just came out called Upside Down Dreams. It is a story written for girls with big dreams looking for a real-world heroine.

531: Dr. Angus Fletcher - Building Confidence, Responding To Adversity, Telling Your Story, Exhibiting Vulnerability, & The New Science of Narrative Intelligence Jun 18, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Dr. Angus Fletcher has dual degrees in neuroscience (BS, University of Michigan) and literature (Ph.D., Yale). His research employs a mix of laboratory experiment, literary history, and rhetorical theory to explore the psychological effects—cognitive, behavioral, therapeutic—of different narrative technologies. He’s the best-selling author of multiple books including Wonderworks: The 25 Most Powerful Inventions in the History of Literature, and Storythinking: The New Science of Narrative Intelligence.

"The story you tell yourself needs to be the true story of yourself."
How Angus tells his story:
- Build trust
- Listen
- Demonstrate courage - Angus told a group of special forces operators one of the most embarrassing stories of his life. After that, he said, "I'm not scared of anything."
You must be genuinely humble to learn from your mistakes.
"Real leaders activate the leader within you."
Being a leader is all about contemplating fear. Stepping up when adversity strikes is why we exist as leaders. It’s easy to lead when everything is going well. We want to be known as the leader who is there when it’s hard.
Dr. Fletcher's ultimate goal of using the power of story to bring us closer to self-actualization. Seems like that's a good first step to being a great leader.
Confidence is earned by creating evidence for yourself that you can do hard things. Angus did this when he shared his story of not making it through Marine Corps boot camp. Angus's vulnerability earned trust with the military leaders.
“For the longer we suspend our judgments, the more accurate our subsequent verdicts become. This valuable fact has been uncovered by researchers who’ve spent decades probing the mechanics of better decision-making, only to discover that the key is simply more time and more information. Which is to say: reserving our judgment until the last possible moment.”
Unlike a computer, the brain wasn’t particularly data-driven. Or particularly logical. Instead, it was emotional. And creative. And powered by story.
“There are a number of judgments that we can suspend permanently, including most of our judgments about other people. Our brain is constantly making such judgments. It looks at strangers on the street—and judges them. It looks at celebrities in magazines—and judges them. It looks at family members and colleagues and friends in homes and offices and restaurants—and judges them. These judgments feel instantly good to our neurons; they deliver pleasant microdoses of emotional superiority. But in the long run, they make us anxious, incurious, and less happy, so we can improve our long-term mental well-being if we suspend them.”
Apply to be part of my Leadership Circle
02:12 - Highlights of Leadership Training04:24 - How to Prevent Failure09:14 - What is a Story Scientist?
12:57 - Is Story Science Therapy?

14:22 - Tell Your Story

18:56 - Vulnerability is the Most Powerful Thing You Can Do

22:00 - Can You Go Too Far With Being Vulnerable?

25:19 - How to Be Vulnerable

32:42 - Real Leaders Activate the Leader In You

36:10 - Where Does Your Sense of Confidence Come From?

40:50 - Punch Through Your Own Fear

43:00 - Be Open About What Could Go Wrong

44:47 - Questions to Ask During the Interview Process

48:33 - Responding to Adversity IS Leadership

51:45 - How to Be Excellent at Speaking

56:27 - Advice For Younger Leaders

530: Katty Kay - How Power Impacts Our Careers, Friends, & Marriages (The Power Code) Jun 11, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Katty Kay is a US correspondent for the BBC and a regular contributor on MSNBC. Katty grew up in the Middle East, where her father was a British diplomat. She studied French and Italian at Oxford University and worked as a foreign correspondent in Africa and Japan before moving to The US in 1996. Katty is the best-selling author of many books. Her latest is called “The Power Code.”

Notes:

The definition of power – The ability to exercise one’s will, influence others, and effect change.
- The ability to exercise our will—More Joy. Influencing (not controlling) others—Less Ego. Effecting change—Maximum Impact.
Redefining Power - In the past, it seems to be about dominance. About something you hold over something (people, or resources). Instead, we want it to be used to effect positive change. Let’s use power for good.
Promoting on promise versus promoting on performance. The research states that more men are promoted on promise than women. And women are mostly promoted based on performance. As leaders, let’s think about promise versus performance. As Frank Slootman said in a previous conversation, let’s hire people “Ahead of their curve.
Most women today don’t want power. The path to getting it, as it exists today, involves too many sacrifices, and power itself is unappealing, full of egos and competition. Women have all the skills, but we’d rather opt out.
Women and men don’t define power in the same way. Men think of power as a finite commodity, part of a hierarchical, zero-sum game that involves having power over people. Women aren’t competitive about power, and we focus more on the end result, the change we can affect with power. It’s the difference between power over and power to.
Does power corrupt? Not in the hands of women. Researchers have found that women are the exception to the rule that powerful people are less empathetic–women tend to maintain their connection to others, to a ground-level reality, as we rise through the ranks–a huge leadership advantage.
Power fuels action. Neuroscientists are discovering the remarkable things power does to our brains. It can liberate its possessors, across their lives, and even create an ability to act more authentically. That offers big rewards for women and needs to become a selling point.
Women will never get power outside the home until our marriages look less like the 1950s. Our marriages aren’t keeping up with society or our careers. A woman with a job does more housework than a man who doesn’t work. In couples where the wife earns more than the husband, they lie about it on the US census form.
Men are stuck in a box they don’t want to be in. They are pushed to play the outdated role of primary breadwinner, which is why the number of stay-at-home dads has barely grown in a quarter of a century. But increasingly men realize the zero-sum power formula isn’t working for them either. A more collaborative, more humane approach to power would benefit everyone.

00:38 - How Do You Define Power?

03:18 - Challenges with Research on Gender

05:46 - Using Power for Good

08:41 - Power reveals your Character

10:22 - Why Wouldn’t Someone Want Power?

13:37 - Is Power Shifting for Good?

15:31 - How Does Power Need to Change?

19:21 - Suggestions for Relationships at Home

20:42 - The Options to be a “Stay At Home”

30:58 - Characteristics of Katty’s Career

33:46 - Can Fame Impact a Marriage?

35:13 - Society’s Expectations for Mom & Dads

39:05 - Confidence & Imposter Syndrome

42:45 - The Common Characteristic of Every Leader

44:46 - The Impact of Female College Graduates

46:59 - Can Having Children Impact Your Career as a Mother?

49:30 - Advice for a Male CEO

52:26 - Life Advice for All

529: James Clear - Becoming an Optimist, Building Better Habits, Creating Your System, & Setting Up Your Future Self (Atomic Habits) Jun 04, 2023

Text Hawk to 66866 to become part of "Mindful Monday."

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

James Clear is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Atomic Habits, which has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. His newsletter, 3-2-1 is shipped to more than 2 million people every Thursday.

Notes:

“The key, if you want to build habits that last, is to join a group where the desired behavior is the normal behavior.”
We should champion good ideas. You need to bet on something. Bet on a business. Bet on a relationship. Bet on something. You may have less risk being a pessimist or not going all in on something, but you also limit your upside. It’s worth being a champion of good ideas.
- A Chilean saying: "Criticizing a musician is easy, but it is more difficult when you have a guitar in your hand." -- Don't criticize someone else unless you're willing to do the work.
Quantity and Quality – The parable of the pottery class – The University of Florida film photography professor, Jerry Uelsmann, divided his class into two groups. What happened with that experiment? We have to get going to get good. Quantity leads to quality. Be consistent. Show up, and do the work.
Priorities – We all should ask ourselves this question: If someone could only see my actions and not hear my words, what would they say my priorities are?
Steven Pressfield says the difference between an amateur and a professional is in their habits. An amateur has amateur habits. A professional has professional habits.
3 things that help luck:
- Deconstructing your craft, so you know what good opportunities look like.
- Remaining vigilant, so you notice when lucky breaks come your way.
- Acting quickly, so you are more likely to seize luck when it arrives.
"You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems."
"Habits are like the atoms of our lives, each one is a fundamental unit that contributes to your overall improvement."
"Outcomes are about what you get. Processes are about what you do. Identity is about what you believe."
"The goal is not to read a book, the goal is to become a reader."
"Your identity emerges out of your habits."
Why We Should Write – “Many people assume they are bad at writing because it is hard. This is like assuming you are bad at weightlifting because the weight is heavy."
- Writing is useful because it is hard. It's the effort that goes into writing a clear sentence that leads to better thinking.
Get Going to Get Good – Many situations in life are similar to going on a hike: the view changes once you start walking. You don't need all the answers right now. New paths will reveal themselves if you have the courage to get started.
"The most practical way to change who you are is to change what you do."
"Building habits in the present allows you to do more of what you want in the future."

528: Seth Godin - A New Manifesto For Teams: Innovation, Creativity, Hiring, Firing, & The Power of Speed (The Song of Significance) May 28, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Seth Godin is the author of 20 international bestsellers that have changed the way people think about marketing, leadership, and work. His blog (which you can find by typing "seth" into Google) is the most viewed marketing blog in the world. Some of my favorite books of his are… Tribes, Linchpin, Purple Cow, and most recently The Song of Significance.

Notes:

Hiring Leaders — when deciding who to hire for a leadership role: look at the careers of the people who have worked for them. And look at the careers of the people they’ve led. Leaders aren’t managers with fancy titles. Leaders are planting the seeds for generations of impact to come.
Let's get real or let's not play.
Tension is what we seek.
It's important to show up early.
Frederick Taylor met Henry Ford and management was created.
Study bees - They leave their home and have 72 hours to find their next one.
Matt Mullenweg (Automatic CEO) - "Create the conditions for forward motion."
To create the environment for the people they’re leading to flourish. How are you intentionally creating the environment for the people you’re leading to do their best work?
Management doesn’t just exist. It was invented. When you race to the bottom, You see people as resources, not as people. (I don't like the term human capital management)
When Paul Orfalea was building kinkos (which he later sold to fed ex for $2B), he said his best technique for growing the business was simple. He would walk into their stores and ask someone there to tell him about an innovation they’ve recently made. And then he’d tell all the other stores about it…
“Real value is no longer created by traditional measures of productivity. It’s created by personal interactions, innovation, creative solutions, resilience, and the power of speed.”

527: Sally Jenkins - What Sports Can Teach Us About Leadership, Excellence, & Life (How To Make The Right Call) May 21, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Notes:

Tony Dungy’s quiet strength - He never criticized without an adequate solution. As leaders, it’s on us to be thoughtful about how we help our people get better. Just yelling that someone messed up is not helpful. We need to provide an adequate solution.
Dianna Nyad – She swam for 53 hours from Cuba to Florida. It looked like a solo mission. It was anything but. She needed a full team to make it happen. We need other people to help us accomplish big missions.
A lot of people are afraid to win. They are afraid to put it all on the line and risk not being enough. Too many of us want to look cool and play it safe in case we lose. The people who sustain excellence over time commit 100% to what they’re doing even though they might lose. It’s worth it.
It is “kind of a sin” to waste potential and the real champions never committed it. - Dan Jenkins
Advice from her dad (legendary sports writer, Dan Jenkins): "Never let a thing go until it's as good as you can make it."
"Interest yourself first before you'll interest anyone else."
Key learning from Brian Daboll - Winning organizations are made up of people who've been doubted in the past.
The "greats are a result of construction." We must be intentional.
- Go all in. Preparation. Practice. There must be a dept of preparation. "Never leave the field wishing you'd prepared more."
"Pressure is what you feel when don't know what the hell to do."
Michael Phelps was not born with an innate sense to swim fast. His body was well suited to swim but not much more than any other Olympian.
- "The work is what made him great."
Day-to-day consistency leads to excellence. Derek Jeter built his schedule around being consistent every single day.
Laird Hamilton built his resilience through doing hard things like cold plunges, saunas, and surfing tough waves.
Activate your body to stress:
- Stress has two sides. We're meant to experience stress. Stress + Rest = Growth. We need stress to grow. Life is born without it.
Pat Riley - What happens when people don't believe in their leader? They gear down their effort.
Life/Career Advice:
- Shoe leather hard work. You can't substitute hard work.
- Find the thing you'd do for fun and see if you can build a career from it.

Sally Jenkins has been a columnist and feature writer for The Washington Post for more than twenty years. She was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2020 and in 2021 was named the winner of the Associated Press Red Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Sports Journalism. She is the author of twelve books of nonfiction including The Real All Americans, the story of the Carlisle Indian School, and its use of football as a form of resistance following the close of the Indian Wars. Her work for The Washington Post has included coverage of ten Olympic Games. In 2005 she was the first woman to be inducted into the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame. Her most recent book is called The Right Call: What Sports Teach Us about Leadership, Excellence, and Decision Making.

526: Mark Miller (VP of Chick-fil-A High Performance Leaderships) - How Chick-fil-A Built A World Class Culture May 14, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Mark Miller started his Chick-fil-A career working as an hourly team member in 1977. Mark's cell phone number is 678-612-8441. He asked that you text him your thoughts on this episode. In 1978, he joined the corporate staff working in the warehouse and mailroom. Since that time, he has provided leadership for Corporate Communications, Field Operations, Quality and Customer Satisfaction, Training and Development, and Leadership Development. During his tenure with Chick-fil-A, the company has grown from 75 restaurants to over 2,300 locations with annual sales approaching $10 billion. Mark began writing almost twenty years ago when he teamed up with Ken Blanchard, co-author of The One Minute Manager, to write The Secret: What Great Leaders Know and Do. He's now written 11 books that have sold over 1 million copies. His latest is called Culture Rules.

Notes:

“Your capacity to grow determines your capacity to lead.”
- You must make the choice to be a learner...
Let’s start with a story told by the late philosopher, David Foster Wallace. He said, “There are these two young fish swimming along, and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way who nods at them and says, “Morning boys. How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes, “What the hell is water?”
Mark Miller conducted research with more than 6,000 individuals from ten countries that revealed that 71% of U.S. leaders believe culture is their most powerful tool to drive performance. However, the study revealed that enhancing workplace culture ranked eleventh on the leader’s priority list.
“If your heart is not right, no one cares about your skills.” Your character, integrity, and care for others must be there to earn any type of followership. If your heart is not right, no one cares about your skills.
The 3 culture rules are aspire, amplify, and adapt:
- Aspire - Share your hopes and dreams for the culture (Andrew Cathy, new CEO, said “Rooted in purpose, known for our care.”)
- Amplify - Always be looking for ways to reinforce and amplify the aspiration for your culture.
- Adapt - Always look for ways to enhance your culture and be innovative.
The Magic Circle: It dates back to 1938 when Dutch Historian Johan Huizinga wrote about the impact of play on culture…
The "Must-Have" leadership qualities
- Character
- Competence
- Chemistry
Mark has spent a lot of time with Navy SEALs to learn about culture... Key takeaways:
- Shoot
- Move
- Communicate
Is focusing on culture a soft skill? The data suggests it is the #1 driver of performance.
Storytelling - People remember the stories more than the stats. Don't just tell... Take people there.

525: Frank Slootman (CEO of Snowflake) - Raising Your Standards, Pushing The Pace, Hiring Ahead Of The Curve, & Amping It Up May 07, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Frank Slootman is the CEO at Snowflake. Frank has over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur and executive in the enterprise software industry. Frank served as CEO of ServiceNow from 2011 to 2017, taking the organization from $100M in revenue, through an IPO, to $1.4B. Prior to that, Frank served as President at EMC following an acquisition of Data Domain Corporation, where he served as the CEO, leading the company through an IPO to its acquisition by EMC for $2.4B. He's also the best-selling author of Amp It Up.

Notes:

Frank's work ethic was developed as a child in the Netherlands. In his teens, he had summer jobs harvesting tulip bulbs and walking behind a tractor ten hours a day. He also cleaned factory toilets one summer in the plant where his dad worked.
“The Man In The Arena” Theodore Roosevelt – Frank put this at the beginning of Amp It Up.
- After retiring from ServiceNow in 2017, Frank had no intention of taking another CEO role, but people like him “have a hard time leaving the arena.” It’s exciting to be back in a CEO role with Snowflake.
Hiring -- “Hire people ahead of their own curve.” Hire more for aptitude than experience and give people the career opportunity of a lifetime.
NO MBO -- “Another source of misalignment is management by objective (MBO). Which I have eliminated at every company I’ve joined in the last 20 years.”
Push the pace -- Leaders set the pace. “Instead of getting back to me in a week, I asked, “Why not tomorrow?” Change the cadence. Push the pace.
The leadership "must-have" qualities:
- A need to prove something
- Unbalanced
- They want to show the world something... They have passion
- High trust
- Need some ego, but it has to be in check
- Legacy? "I don't think about legacy much. When you're dead, you're dead."
Frank's leadership team:
- We are not balanced, we are available to each other 24/7.
Drivers vs. Passengers -- “Passengers are people who don’t mind simply being carried along by the company’s momentum …They are often pleasant, get along with everyone, attend meetings promptly, and generally do not stand out as troublemakers … While passengers can often diagnose and articulate a problem quite well, they have no investment in solving it.” Frank wants front-seat drivers who’ll take ownership, make trouble, and help navigate.
Raise Your Standards -- Push for insanely great. A leader must always push the standard higher.
Focus -- “Founders don’t have a mindset around operating companies. Focus is one of our number one things. You need to learn to have extreme, machine focus, and most people don’t even know the beginning of what that means. They think they do, and they don’t.”
“I’m more of a Patton than an Eisenhower,” he says, known for constantly driving the troops forward.
Sequoia’s Carl Eschenbach remembers, “When we brought Frank into Snowflake, at our first board meeting he said, ‘Let me tell you how I’m running the board meetings and how you’re going to participate. We’re going to keep this very simple. I’m not even gonna tell you anything about the good stuff that’s happening because you already know that—I’m going to dive into the shit that’s broken and how we’re going to fix it.'”
Very Brief Retirement -- In 2017, Frank spent time regatta sailing, winning the iconic ocean race, Transpac. Race from Los Angeles to Oahu. (To win, “We focused on recruiting talent”).
Put The Success of The Company Ahead of Your Own – If you want to build a Snowflake-sized company, you can’t be about the celeb-CEO lifestyle.
- “That’s not real life. Real life is you’re terrorized and uncomfortable every day of the week. People always ask me, ‘Is this normal?’ I’m like, yep.”
Snowflake - Hit the ground running on April 26, 2019.
- Good news: They were on already on a tear.
- The bad news: “The company was quite impressed with itself.”
  - Growth in all areas (revenue, retention rate, total customers, $1m Customers, Forbes Global 2000 Customers, Customer Satisfaction).
The first 90 days as a new leader. It’s a combat zone. You must quickly assess what’s working, and what’s not. Who should stay on the bus, and who should get off?

524: Oscar Munoz (Former CEO of United Airlines) - Listening To Your Employees, Responding From Tragedy, Swinging Easy, & Turning Around A Failing Company Apr 30, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Oscar Munoz served as CEO and chairman of United Airlines, previously holding several executive leadership positions at CSX, AT&T, US West, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola.

Listen, Learn, AND THEN Lead… The purpose of the listening tour was to hear from people at the ground level, listen, learn, and then make decisions.
I love the simplicity in the question to his team, “Hey, what are the 10 dumbest rules we’ve put in place?” And then changing them… This is something we all should think about periodically.
The father-daughter bond Oscar has with his daughter, Jessica. The traits he sees in her that are also in him are “tenacity and refusal to give in no matter what.”
Before Oscar became CEO, the culture was based on a “cost-cutting, rule-obsessed, disciplinary-heavy culture."
Listening Tour - In 2015, After becoming CEO of United Airlines, Munoz embarked on a "listening tour" of the company, meeting with disgruntled employees around the United States and discussing their concerns. While this phase was intended to last for the first 90 days of the job, Oscar was hospitalized after having a heart attack in October 2015, 38 days into the job.
In 2015, Oscar was one of two Hispanic CEOs in the top 100 of the Fortune 500 list. Munoz has been named among the "100 Most Influential Hispanics" by Hispanic Business magazine. In March 2017, Oscar was named "Communicator of the Year for 2017" by PRWeek.
How to be both a great dad and a great CEO?
- "Model the right behavior for your kids."
Advice: Swing easy. Be yourself.

523: Derek Thompson - The Meaning Of Work, Responding To Rejection, Earning Your Dream Job, Impressing Bill Simmons, & How To Find The Next Great QB Apr 23, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Derek Thompson is a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of the books Hit Makers and On Work: Money, Meaning, Identity, and the host of the podcast Plain English.

Notes:

Before graduating from high school, Derek appeared in several theatrical productions at the Folger Shakespeare Theater and the Shakespeare Theater.
Why do Americans care so much about work?
- workism is “the belief that work is not only necessary to economic production but also the centerpiece of one’s identity and life’s purpose.”
Jobs, Careers, or Callings: One theory of work holds that people tend to see themselves in jobs, careers, or callings…
The Bow and Arrow metaphor… We need stress, but we need to let it go. You pull back on the bow and arrow… Then you let it go. Stress + Rest = Growth
“Happiness means being balanced between busyness and leisure.”
The mark of a good leader? Don’t be afraid to ask the ignorant question… Have the confidence to ask it.
Derek had breakfast with the prominent CEO… The CEO was deeply curious about Derek. Asked him a lot of questions, listened intently, and asked great follow-ups. Great leaders make their conversations about the other person. Follow your curiosity with great rigor.
- That same leader also had the emotional intelligence to not bother Derek Jeter while he was having breakfast. He knew there would be a better time to meet.
The book, an anthology of Thompson’s articles for The Atlantic, includes a new adaptation of his essay on workism, a term that he defines as “the belief that work is not only necessary to economic production but also the centerpiece of one’s identity and life’s purpose.”
“The decline of traditional faith in America has coincided with an explosion of new atheisms,” Thompson writes. “Some people worship beauty, some worship political identities, and others worship their children. But everybody worships something. And workism is among the most potent of the new religions competing for congregants.”
How Derek earned a job writing for The Atlantic out of college?
- After being rejected 30 times, he applied for a fellowship with The Atlantic and got it. He then earned a job writing about economics for them even though he had no background or interest in economics. "It's like the New York Yankees offered me to play second base even though I played catcher my whole life."
How Derek earned a role as a podcast host working for Bill Simmons?
- "Bill had me on his podcast to talk about Covid after he read some things I'd written for The Atlantic. That was sort of an audition. After he had me on, he asked if I wanted to have my own podcast on his network. We eventually came up with the name Plain English."
  - The name of the show is very important. You want people to be able to easily say, "Hey, I listen to Plain English."
How to predict the next great quarterback?
- It's contingent upon their surroundings (their coaching staff, receivers, linemen, etc...)
Life/Career Advice:
- Skin thickness -- It can't be so thin that you can't accept criticism, but it can't be so thick that you stop listening. You have be somewhere in the middle.
Working hours — no large country globally averages more hours of work per year than the United States. Americans work longer hours, have shorter vacations, get less unemployment, and retire later.

522: Kevin Kelly - Excellent Advice For Living, The Best Way To Learn, Building Better Habits, Becoming A Better Listener, Being On Time, & Making The Big Ask Apr 16, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Kevin Kelly is Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. He is also the editor and publisher of the Cool Tools website, which gets half a million unique visitors per month. He co-founded Wired in 1993 and served as its Executive Editor from its inception until 1999. During Kevin’s tenure, Wired won the National Magazine Award for General Excellence (the industry's equivalent of two Oscars). He is the best-selling author of many books including New Rules for the New Economy, The Inevitable, and his latest is called Excellent Advice For Living - Wisdom I wish I’d Known Earlier.

You lead by letting others know what you expect of them, which may exceed what they themselves expect. Provide them a reputation to live up to.
Habit is far more dependable than inspiration. Don’t focus on getting into shape. Focus on becoming the kind of person who never misses a workout.
"Every great and difficult thing has required a strong sense of optimism,"
Prototype your life. Try stuff instead of making grand plans.
The best way to learn anything is to try to teach what you know.
Don’t create things to make money; make money so you can create things. The reward for good work is more work.
The more you are interested in others, the more interesting they’ll find you. To be interesting, be interested.
Promptness is a sign of respect.
The consistency of your endeavors (exercise, companionship, work) is more important than the quantity. Nothing beats small things done every day, which is way more important than what you do occasionally.

521: Celebrating The 8th Birthday of The Learning Leader Show - Listener AMA: Consistency > Intensity, Following Your Curiosity, How To Be Prepared For Big Moments, Life As A Former Athlete, & Building Relationships With Your Heroes Apr 09, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

The Learning Leader Show was first published on April 9, 2015. TODAY marks the show's 8th birthday! To celebrate, I kick off the episode by sharing some key learnings I've gathered over the past 8 years... And then I answer YOUR questions and did a full AMA (Ask Me Anything). If you'd like me to do more AMAs, send me an email: Ryan (at) LearningLeader dot com

Here are some key things I've learned after publishing The Learning Leader Show for 8 years...
- Consistency > Intensity. Showing up to do the work (prep) each day is key. Become part of your routine as a listener. Consistency builds trust. You know you’re going to have a new show for your Monday morning walk or commute.
- Following your genuine curiosity is attractive. This parasocial relationship is built because as the listener you know I’m following what I’m actually curious about. I own guest selection 100%. They are all my call and my call alone. I only choose guests that I’m deeply curious about.
- The curiosity-judgemental spectrum. Talking with more people with a wide range of life experiences has helped me view the world from their eyes and be less judgemental. All the way back to episode 3 with Maurice Clarett. Approach people with curiosity, not judgment.
- The prep works as a forcing function to learn. Same with mindful Monday. I have systems in place to ensure I’m getting a little bit wiser each day. And that learning compounds over time. Create forcing functions on your life to intentionally get better. Don’t just wander from meeting to meeting each week. What are you doing to ensure your learning is compounding? The Charlie Munger quote; go to bed a little wiser than when you woke up. I try to live by that.
- Relationships with your heroes: General McChrystal. Pat Lencioni. So many others. Being pleasant to work with. Showing up prepared. Being grateful. Following up. All of that has helped me build real relationships with people I admire. The McChrystal trip to Gettysburg. Forewords to books. McChrystal and Lencioni. Dan Pink. The Kat Cole ATL show. Adam Grant. Ryan Holiday.
- Relationships with listeners. Some amazing friendships have been formed and fostered because of this podcast. So many of my Learning Leader Circle members. Technically they are clients of mine, but lots of them have become genuine friends for life.
- Communication skill - LISTENING. Thinking. Speaking, Writing. All have improved. Earned the opportunity to speak on hundreds of stages all over the world. Publish books. Meet fascinating people.
Listener AMA:
- Learn 2 Cope (Instagram) – What was the biggest struggle you had transitioning to life after sports?
- Kevin Janiec (Instagram) – How do you and Miranda balance and align your competing priorities?
- Samantha Phillips (LinkedIn), Sales Manager at Insight Global – 1. What is 1 of your champagne toasts? (Victory Shot toast) 2. Who is 1 person you have not yet had on your show that you’d like to?
- Aaron Arnston (LinkedIn) - Congratulations, Ryan! Truly blazing a trail, we’ll done! You have interviewed hundreds of guests and I have liked every show, can't recall one, not one, show I didn't like...have you ever interviewed guests that didn't make the cut or do you have a filtering process prior to the show that helps with this?
- Noah Vasilj (Mindful Monday email response): My question is a “3 parter”:
  - What is your favorite part of your job?
  - Do you generally enjoy/love what you do?
  - What keeps you interested and going on the days when you are not at 100%?
- Brian Causer (Twitter) — Congrats! Love the show, Ryan. One of my top podcasts and I listen weekly. Maybe have two questions... How do you choose your guests? Referral? Follow your curiosity? Also, what is one question you wish someone would ask you that nobody has asked you before?
- The Greek In The Kitchen (Instagram) — Who is the guest you think about most or has had the most influence on you?
- Denise Kollias (LinkedIn) Hi! Congratulation! I have been listening to your podcast since 2017 and it has been a Godsend. It has taught me so much and I appreciate all your hard work to continually bring insightful conversations on leadership. My question is what episodes were your favorite to record or the top 5 that you recommend with the greatest impact to help people grow or push through?
- JP Botero (Instagram) - After 8 years of experience, what would you recommend to the Ryan thinking of creating The Learning Leader Show?
- Aaron Campbell – After 8 years of exploration along a central theme, how would you finish this sentence: “A great leader is….”

520: Dan Lyons - The Power of Shutting Up, Earning Attention, & Becoming a Better Listener Apr 02, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Dan Lyons is the New York Times bestselling author of "Disrupted," "Lab Rats," and "STFU: The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in an Endlessly Noisy World." Dan was a writer for HBO's hit comedy, "Silicon Valley," and before that was a journalist at Newsweek, Forbes, and Fortune.

The best sales reps spend 54 percent of the call listening and 46 percent talking. The worst reps talked 72 percent of the time. They made calls feel like conversations.
- A company called Gong uses machine learning software that analyzes sales calls to find out what works and what doesn’t. Its software vacuums up millions of hours of audio data and then analyzes it to figure out how the best sales reps operate. Gong’s customers use this information to train new sales reps and help underperformers improve. In 2017 Gong analyzed more than five hundred thousand calls and found that sales calls with the best close rates were ones in which reps knew how to be quiet and ask questions instead of making a sales pitch. To be precise, the most successful reps asked eleven to fourteen questions. Fewer than that, and you’re not digging deep enough. More than that, the call starts to feel like an interrogation.
Eavesdropping on happiness: The research showed that people who spent more time having substantive conversations were happier than those who spent more time having small talk, and weather conversations.
Always Say Less Than Necessary – "When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open-ended, and sphinxlike. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.” -- Robert Greene
Researcher, Mehl joined a team that made a third big discovery: that people who suffer from anxiety and depression use the first-person singular pronouns I, me, and my more than other people.
Go OUTSIDE – Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson, who hypothesized that our affinity for the outdoors and love of living things have been hardwired into our DNA by evolution and exist as innate parts of our psychological and physiological makeup. Wilson calls this “biophilia,” a name derived from the ancient Greek words for “life” and “love.” It’s the reason people watch birds, melt at the sight of baby bunnies, travel to Yellowstone National Park to marvel at the bison, and rush to the window when a deer wanders into their yard. It’s why walking through Muir Woods among giant thousand-year-old redwood trees takes your breath away.
The Talkaholic Scale Test – Prior to writing the book, Dan scored a 50 (the highest possible score)… Meaning he is a talkaholic. AFTER writing the book, he scored a 40, and Dan's wife scored him at 38.
Life/Career Advice: Earn attention by doing great work, not by being loud and outlandish. It’s more lasting and will help you build better relationships and a great career.

519: Dr. Mat Duerden - Designing a World-Class Experience, Transformational Learning, The Wonder Switch, & Earning a High NPS Score Mar 26, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Dr. Mat Duerden is a Professor of Experience Design and Management at Brigham Young University. His teaching focuses on experience design and design thinking. He is the best-selling author of Designing Experiences. His research focuses on experience design in both work and non-work contexts. Mat’s publications have appeared in a variety of journals including Leisure Sciences, Journal of Environmental Psychology, Journal of Adolescent Research, and Journal of Leisure Research. Mat Duerden received a Ph.D. in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences from Texas A&M University and an M.S. in Youth and Family Recreation from Brigham Young University.

Transformational Learning – "The future intrinsic use of the content." Going from theory to putting it into practice. It’s the implementation of the learning that codifies it.
What to do at your next leadership retreat? Ask yourself the question, “What do you want them to say when they walk away from the experience?” And design the event based on your answer to that question.
One of the must-have qualities needed to be hired as a team leader is humility and curiosity. Curiosity is the fuel for creativity and innovation. Having a broad range of interests is a good sign of curiosity.
What do Apple, Costco, and Walt Disney have in common? A high NPS Score...
- What is NPS? Your Net Promoter Score is the percentage of customers who are promoters (those who scored 9 or 10) minus the percentage who are detractors (those who scored 0 to 6).
- They have a uniform type of experience
Harmonizing Ques...
There should be a narrative structure:
- Build rising action... -- Anticipation, Participation, Reflection, Climax.
It's important to solve problems tied to the needs of your customer or your team.
The Wonder Switch from Harris III
- The curiosity is becoming comfortable not knowing
The Buc-eee's gas station restroom experience takes the ordinary and turns it into an extraordinary experience.
For businesses:
- Need to develop a brand experience guide for the type of experience you want to provide.
- Write a brand theme statement that aligns with who we are.
HEB Grocery Store:
- Here Everything's Better
- Hire the type of people who are curious and want to interact with customers.
Curiosity is the fuel for creativity and innovation. A broad range of interests is important.

518: Colin Coggins & Garrett Brown - Becoming A World-Class Sales Professional, Avoiding The Peter Principle, Loving Your Customers, & Living By The Unsold Mindset Mar 19, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Colin Coggins and Garrett Brown are adjunct professors of entrepreneurship at USC’s Marshall School of Business where they teach the popular class they created, “Sales Mindset for Entrepreneurs. ” They are also authors, speakers, longtime sales professionals, and best friends who met while working at enterprise software startup Bitium, which they helped lead to an acquisition by Google. This odd couple first connected over their shared obsession with the importance of selling, and have made it their mission to uncover the unexpected and inspiring mindset of the highest-achieving sellers on the planet.

The most impactful sales professionals are learners. They consume information and ask lots of questions that they are deeply curious to know the answers to. They don't go down the list of sales discovery questions. It's from a place of curiosity.
"Noone has ever changed the world without moving people." That's sales.
An abundance mindset — Collin was meeting with a new sales rep named Matt that worked for you at Bitium. Matt sat down on the couch and loved it. He asked who made it and Collin didn’t know. So he flipped over the cushion, saw who made it, realized they were a potential customer and made a note in his phone to connect with them on LinkedIn and call them. Matt has an abundance mindset.
- "Great sellers see opportunity where others don't."
World-Class sales professionals love the process.
When making promotional hires/decisions, "create a culture that's not pulled up. It's pushed up."
- When promoting someone to be a manager, look at those who are known to help others. They are pushed to management by the members of the team because they are so helpful.
Being a “pathological optimist” — Colin told a story about taking the first flight with his whole family (wife Margot and two young boys) and despite the chaos of crying and trying to take care of young children, Colin loved it and told Margot "it would be a great story one day." She called him a pathological optimist (not meant as a compliment, but he took it as one).
Act like a teammate, not a coach:
- Will Smith’s manager, JL, told him to turn down a $10m offer for a movie called 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag because it didn't help them pursue Will's goal of being a big movie star. (Even though both of them didn't have any money at the time)
The Partnership: “Colin, thank you for seeing something in a slightly insecure, overly analytical introvert and deciding to throw in with me.”
The class they teach is called “Sales Mindset for Entrepreneurs”
Colin & Garrett don’t teach a typical sales class focused how to “build rapport,” “handle objections,” or “ask for the close.” Instead, they help students understand why the most successful people on the planet aren’t successful because of what they do, they’re successful because of what they think.
We all sell, every day. Sometimes it's ourselves, sometimes it's ideas, and sometimes it's products. We truly believe that the world would benefit if EVERYONE learned how to sell authentically, whether you're a "salesperson" or not.
Great salespeople are not remembered for the statements they make, they're remembered for the questions they ask.
- Ask better questions, get better results. As mindset guys, we get a little bit obsessed with one-on-ones when we lead teams, so we geek out when experts like Jeanne shed light on new questions to ask that can help bring out the best in other people.
At some point a long time ago, someone studying great salespeople noticed they were mirroring the people they were talking to. So they started training salespeople to mirror the body language of their customers. One MAJOR problem... These great sellers weren't connecting with people because they were mirroring, they were UNCONSCIOUSLY mirroring people 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. If you're sitting there thinking about crossing your leg when your customer crosses theirs, you can't possibly be having a good conversation. Science shows that mirroring is a natural inclination when we’re AUTHENTICALLY engaged in a conversation with someone and are relating to them. So instead of ACTING like you’re in a deep conversation by copying someone’s body language, work on caring enough to get into that deep conversation in the first place.

517: David Lieberman - How To Never Be Lied To Again, Decipher What People Really Think, What They Really Want, & Who They Really Are (Mind Reader) Mar 12, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

David Lieberman, Ph.D., is a renowned psychotherapist and the author of eleven books, including the New York Times bestsellers Get Anyone to Do Anything and Never Be Lied to Again. He has trained personnel in the U.S.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.” A person looks at the world as a reflection of themselves. If they see the world as corrupt, they feel on some level that they are corrupt. If they see honest working people, that is frequently how they see themselves.
“How someone treats you is a reflection of their own emotional health and says everything about them and nothing about you.”
Speaking negatively behind someone’s back orients you to look for the negative in others. Wouldn’t we rather spend time with people who seek the greatness in others?
“The less emotionally healthy a person is, the more they denigrate the world to accommodate their own insecurities.”
Knowledge is not power. Knowledge is a tool. How it is wielded makes all of the difference. Real power is the responsible application of knowledge.
Word usage: Let’s take the example of giving a compliment. A woman who believes what she’s saying is more likely to use a personal pronoun. For instance, “I really liked your presentation.” However, a person offering insincere flattery might say, “Nice presentation,” or “Looks like you did a lot of research.” In the second case, she has removed herself from the equation.
The Art of reading the bluff - When a person is bluffing, they are managing others’ impressions to convey the “right” effect and serve a personal agenda. Conversely, the authentic person is not interested in how they come across because they are unconcerned with their image.
- “People who bluff habitually overcompensate, so you can uncover a bluff instantly by noticing how someone tries to appear.”
Relationships: Whenever David speaks to couples, he's always on the lookout when the word we is conspicuously absent from the conversation.
We are attracted to positivity. It reflects humility.
"Humility connects you to the ownership of mistakes."
- Humility can recognize a weakness in self.
The difference between a sociopath and a psychopath:
- A sociopath has no conscious. They are very dangerous.
- A psychopath's wiring is off. They were born that way.
Life and career advice: Find a passion that contributes to the world.
- Don't get too caught up in image or ego.
"You can be anything. you're good at. as long as they're hiring." -- Chris Rock

516: Matt Mochary - The Components Of A Coaching Conversation, Making Better Hiring Decisions, Holding Yourself (& Others) Accountable, & Giving Useful Feedback Mar 10, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Matt Mochary is an operator and an investor. Matt is known as the coach of Silicon Valley’s best CEOs. He works with leaders at many companies, including Coinbase, Opendoor, Bolt, and Clearbit. After selling his startup in 1999 for millions, he surfed, made movies, and then developed the Mochary Method to help leaders excel.

Matt's life mantra: “Make Money, Have Fun, Do Good”
Matt has coached the leaders of Angelist, Brex, Coinbase, Sequoia, Grammarly, Attentive Mobile, Flexport, Plaid, and Reddit.
I was not expecting so much emotion from him when talking about coaching. It’s evident that Matt finds great joy in what he does. I find that inspiring.
The components to a coaching conversation... Hold each other accountable. Declare the highest priority actions. Unpack the problems. Ask them how they are complicit in creating those problems? Help provide solutions & action items for each. Then share feedback.
Instead of looking for a specific class, find the best teachers and go to them. That’s where the learning happens. In college and out in the real world.
"Matt’s coaching has brought me clarity, focus, organization, less stress, and higher performance (me and the team). I have always been skeptical of coaches but I think he can 10x the output of a lot of people and I hope he does!" -- Sam Altman (CEO, OpenAI)
“It's often easy to make a decision, but it can be much harder to get your team to invest emotionally in that decision.” “You create buy-in when you make people feel that they are part of the decision and that their input contributes to the final outcome.”
“Most companies spend extraordinary resources of time, money, and equity to bring on a new team member, and then almost entirely drop the ball on quickly getting that team member onboarded and up to speed on how the company works so that they can begin making a full contribution. Don’t make this mistake.”
“You create buy-in when you make people feel that they are part of the decision and that their input contributes to the final outcome.”
“Making a Sale To make a sale effectively, you need to do the following three things: Build trust Identify the customer’s specific pain Sell results, not features”
“Why did you leave that job?” Was the candidate promoted, recruited, or fired? Get very curious about why.”
“And when receiving appreciation, there is only one correct response: “Thank you.” Do not feign humility by downplaying the act with statements like “It was nothing, anyone could have done it.” No. The person is trying to make you feel appreciated. Anything other than “thank you” will rob them of their goal.”
Meetings – ALWAYS start on time. Don’t ever say, “Well let’s wait for everyone to join zoom.”

515: Kim "KC" Campbell - How To Respond To Rejection, Earn a Promotion, Find Your Purpose, & Lead With Courage Mar 06, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Kim “KC” Campbell (KC = “Killer Chick”) is a retired Air Force Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was even awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad. Kim is the author of Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot’s Lessons on Leading with Courage.

Notes:

On January 28, 1986, the challenger rocket exploded (killing all astronauts on board). On that day, Kim learned what it meant to serve something bigger than yourself. She decided she wanted to be an astronaut and serve something bigger than herself.
A big influence in Kim's life was a high school teacher named Mrs. Kennett. She helped Kim on the speech and debate team. One of her arguments was about women being allowed to be combat pilots.
- Mrs. Kennett worked to create "power women."
Response to Rejection: Initially Kim got rejected by the Air Force Academy because of a low SAT score. In response, instead of quitting and moving on, she wrote a letter to them every week stating why they should accept her... Which they eventually did.
- "The tough moments make you better." The initial rejection was a blessing in disguise.
How to crush the interview process?
- Prepare... Walk through potential questions and rehearse your stories. Role play with a mentor.
- Be you. Be real. Be authentic
- Create a connection with all in the room. Look them in the eye. Be genuine.
Like father, Like daughter — just before Kim's final year at the academy, she earned the position of Cadet Wing Commander. This is a position her dad held 25 years earlier. They were the first father-daughter wing commander duo in academy history.
A woman in a man’s world: When Kim started pilot training in 1999, there were 33 female fighter pilots in the Air Force. About 1% of fighter pilots.
Kim's choice of airplane was the A10 WartHog. The airplane was designed first with the 30 mm Gatling gun on it in mind: capable of shooting 3,900 rounds per minute.
The leader sets the culture. They decide what to create and what to allow.
Kim was on a combat support mission in Baghdad when her airplane was hit. She had to make a split-second decision about whether to exit the aircraft behind enemy lines or try to fly it back to a safer area...
Commanders intent - Your why is the way forward. You allow your team to take action and make decisions. "Explain the why. Explain the context. Let the lower level leaders make decisions and run with it."
Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" speech resonates with Kim.
- "We feel fear and freeze. We can't let fear paralyze us. We need to take action in the face of fear. Remain calm. Acknowledge the fear and move forward."

514: Jason Feifer - How To Embrace Change, Adapt Fast, Future-Proof Your Career, & Build For Tomorrow Feb 27, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Jason Feifer is the editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine. He is also the author of a great new book called, Build for Tomorrow: An Action Plan for Embracing Change, Adapting Fast, and Future-Proofing Your Career.

Notes:

Define yourself… What is your one sentence? Jason’s is “I tell stories in my own voice.” That’s what he does as the editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine. That’s what he does when he writes books. Records podcasts… Everything. What is your one sentence? What do you do?
How to lead through change – Remember... You’ve had time to think about it prior to the meeting, they haven’t. Show some grace. Communicate why the change is happening and how it impacts them.
- And… “People hate new things, but they love better versions of old things.” People hate loss. Remind them of what’s staying the same, but getting better.
In 1348, The Bubonic Plague happened... What occurred as a result? 60% of Europeans died. It led to an opportunity for employment. Prior to that, there were the rich and the poor. The rich had the poor work for them, but did not pay them money.
"If a city isn't growing, it's dying. The same is true for people."
In your career, "Don't ask for the opportunity... BE the opportunity."
The Four Distinct Phases:
- Panic
- Adaptation
- New Normal
- Wouldn't Go Back
The first thing a person should do when navigating change is to identify the thing about themself that is not going to change. This is tough because we naturally identify with the output of our work. If somebody at a party asks you what you do, you’re either going to tell them your job title, your role, the way in which you do your work, or the thing that you create. And that’s natural—it’s a good way to understand ourselves.
- "We are programmed for loss aversion."
- "Build a bridge of familiarity from them to you."
"That’s something Ryan Reynolds told me. Ryan is an actor who also started an extremely successful advertising agency called Maximum Effort. He also owns Aviation Gin and Mint Mobile. Ryan told me that the thing that distinguishes people is not whether they’re good at something at the beginning (because nobody will be good at something at the beginning), but rather whether someone can tolerate the natural state of being bad at the beginning. When trying something new, there cannot be an expectation of mastery from the start.
- "Can you tolerate being bad long enough to be good?"
In front of you are two sets of opportunities. Opportunity Set A is everything that is asked of you, for instance showing up at your job, things your boss needs done, etc. It is necessary to do a good job at Opportunity Set A. Opportunity set B is everything that is available for you to do that nobody is asking you to do. This could also be at your job, but it could also be something outside of work like taking a class to learn a new skill.
With every single thing you do, ask What is it for? This forces you to make sure that the things that you do have a valuable outcome. It’s okay if that outcome looks strange, or if that outcome will come after some time working towards it. We want to know which things we should devote our time and energy to, and we want to understand how to maximize opportunities. Answering What is it for? clarifies that.
- So, What is it for? Content now is for relationships. People will trust you and like you because of your content. You build a relationship with people when you put something out into the world.
Life/Career advice:
- Try, quit, and learn
- Life is a series of experiments

513: Mark Fogel - Becoming a Great Follower, Running World-Class Debriefs, Building A Healthy Culture, & Why Fighter Squadrons Are The Best Teams On Earth Feb 20, 2023

Text Hawk to 66866 to become part of "Mindful Monday." Join 10's of thousands of Learning Leaders from all over the world to receive a carefully curated email from me each Monday to help you start your week off right.

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Mark Fogel is a former US Air Force fighter pilot and current squadron commander in the Ohio Air National Guard. He’s A graduate of the US Air Force Academy and the Harvard Kennedy School, he is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Dayton, and his TEDx Talk called The Culture of a Fighter Squadron is one of the best I’ve seen.

Notes:

American Fighter Sqaudrons are the most effective teams on the planet. Cockiness is unacceptable. Humility is a critical quality and skill to be part of the team.
- The subculture is you check your rank at the door. When you lead a mission, you’re in charge of the debrief. I love building a culture where feedback is regularly given both ways. And the trust created amongst the team to be able to do this with psychological safety.
The real training and learning take place in the debrief…Spending hours pouring over video, computer graphic reenactments, radio calls, everything… To diagnose exactly what went right and what didn’t and why. The debriefs can last multiple days to describe 10 minutes of action.
- The person who leads the debrief is the flight leader. That person is not necessarily the most experienced member of the team. Fighter squadrons share the leadership and followership duties constantly. You might have a situation where it’s a 24-year-old lieutenant telling a 2-star General in front of the entire room, “You screwed up and this is why we failed the mission because of it.” This creates a mixture of perfectionism and humility.
Building a culture takes time. Trust is built from character and competence.
- How do you reward and incentivize behavior?
- You're modeling what you want others to do.

512: Dan Martell - The Art Of The Cold Email, Hosting World-Class Leadership Retreats, & How To Buy Back Your Time Feb 13, 2023

Text Hawk to 66866 to become part of Mindful Monday. Join 10's of thousands of other Learning Leaders from all over the world to receive a carefully curated email from me each Monday morning to help you start your week off right...

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Dan Martell is an entrepreneur, investor and best-selling author of the book Buy Back Your Time. He founded, scaled, and exited three technology companies within a ten-year period. In 2012 he was named Canada’s top angel investor, having invested in more than 50 start-ups, such as Intercom, Udemy, and Unbounce. In 2016, Martell founded the SaaS Academy and grew it to become one of the largest coaching companies in the world. He’s also an Ironman athlete, philanthropist, husband, and father of two boys.

The 3 keys to a world-class leadership retreat:
- Do something physically hard together (hike up a mountain, Wim Hof ice bath)
- Do the strengths and weaknesses exercise. Be honest, vulnerable, and open. It builds trust.
- Be very intentional about the seating chart (in meetings, at meals, and rooming assignments)
Send cold emails: Dan sent hundreds of cold emails when he moved to San Francisco
- Paul Graham responded and said, "Do marketing. Every startup needs help with that." It changed how Dan introduced himself to founders moving forward.
Read Tim Sanders' book, Love Is The Killer App
- Acquire knowledge for your customer
- Your network is your net worth. Build relationships.
- Love cat -- Nice guys finish first. Be a kind person.
When Dan went to jail, he met a guard named Brian. Brian pulled Dan aside and said, "What are you doing? You don't belong here."
- As a leader, use your power for good. Help people believe they can do more.
Dan has hired a family coach and had her live with his family to help them have deeper relationships.
- "I want to have an epic marriage."
Intentional Family Actions Dan takes:
- A quarterly retreat with his wife, Renee
  - Ask: "How have I shown up as a husband for you?"
- Wednesday family lunch meetings
- Write your family core values together
- Have family board meetings
- Dan is intentional about telling his boys what he sees in them
Buy Back Your Time
Dan shares the secret to engineering your perfect week – and then, your perfect year – to ensure you’re fully focused on what matters most.
- And... When to employ time hacks, such as the “Definition of Done” and the “$50 Magic Pill,” to help your team work more efficiently, prevent bottlenecks, and guard your energy.
Dan teaches you how to calculate your Buyback Rate so you can start buying back time immediately.
- And... Why playbooks need to be the foundation of your business, and how to create them.
Life/Career advice:
- Whatever you want out of life, help others get that. The world rewards those who help others.

511: Brian Kight - Creating Confidence, Building Daily Discipline, Handling Imposter Syndrome, Goal Setting Systems, & Writing Your Culture Playbook Feb 06, 2023

Text Hawk to 66866 to become part of "Mindful Monday." Join tens of thousands of other Learning Leaders to receive a carefully curated email from me each Monday morning to help you start your week off right...

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Brian Kight is the founder of Daily Discipline. He writes essays on how to pursue your most meaningful objectives with intention, purpose, and skill. His work is read by millions of people all over the world. Brian (known as BK) personally works with leaders in business and in sports on how to align teams and accelerate results.

Notes:

What mistakes do leaders make when trying to change the culture?
- They are too fuzzy with their language. It's plain.
- They separate culture from execution. In reality, execution is the strongest indicator of culture.
- "The testing of my beliefs is the discipline of my actions."
Learning Happens through Depth: People now place too much emphasis on learning fast and not enough on learning deeply. The consequence is a false equivalence of consumption with learning and a false confidence that what gets consumed is understood.
- Learning occurs through immersion, not cheat codes. No one cares how many books you've read or podcasts you've heard. These are not marks of success, achievement, or wisdom. Success is applying the lessons of one book in a manner so disciplined that it transforms your life or at least impacts it in a meaningful fashion.
To learn, transform, or build something of lasting capability, merit, and value, immerse yourself in the learning experience. If you want a change, fully engage.
Shed volume for depth. Swap variety for rigor. Don't minimize your effort through hacks or cheapen your experience with cheat codes.
Are you trying to feel good for a while or improve yourself forever?
Leaders create the culture that drives the behavior that produces results…
E + R = O
- Event + (Your) Response = Outcome
The confidence - Doubt spectrum
The 5 things confidence comes from:
- I know what to do
- I know how to do it
- Do I feel capable of doing it?
- I expect good results
- I'll be ok if the results are not what I expect
Leaders instill confidence in people
- Reps are a tool for belief
Goal Setting: "I'm not into goal setting, I'm a system setter."
- "My commitment is to execute the system."
- "Outcomes are not my goals."
Light can be pushed through a prism or a magnifying glass.
- A prism creates a rainbow. Nice, looks good.
- A magnifying glass creates focus and fire.
  - Ask, "Am I a prism or a magnifying glass?"
Businesses are not rational environments, they are emotional environments. They don’t run by rational rules, they run by emotional ones.
Everything is an exchange. You give attention, time, and energy (ATE) to things with the expectation of a return on that investment.
How do we align our inner and outer Pursuits? – Getting secure and aligned on the inside leads to excellence on the outside. The best way to position yourself for external excellence is to prioritize internal fulfillment.
Life & Career advice:
- Be a creator of the energy you need. Your energy comes from your purpose.
- "Don't follow your passion, just always bring it with you."
- "Your response needs to always be better than your circumstances."

510: Ramit Sethi - How To Think About Money: Saving, Investing, Spending, & Living Your Rich Life Jan 30, 2023

Text Hawk to 66866 to become part of "Mindful Monday." Join 10's of thousands of other Learning Leaders and receive a carefully curated email from me each Monday morning to help you start your week off right... Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

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Ramit Sethi is the New York Times best-selling author of I Will Teach You To Be Rich. Millions of people read his work every month which focuses on personal finances, money in relationships, and he shares how you can define your rich life. His team has created online programs on making more money, finding your Dream Job, starting an online business, and mastering your inner psychology.

Notes:

If you have a partner, “create your journey together.” Money is not something to be delegated to one or the other. Both should be involved.
Ramit's book-buying rule: If you’ve even considered buying a book for one second, then BUY THE BOOK. If you learn just one new thing, it is worth it. The return on your investment is through the roof. When in doubt, buy the book. And Read the book.
Ramit describes every detail of the conversation he had with his wife about signing a pre-nuptial agreement before they got married.
"You should focus on $30,000 questions, not $3 questions."
Top 5 Lessons from one year of interviewing couples about money
Ramit shares how to get started with your money:
automation, investing, and the other Big Wins of money.
How to manage your money
Fixed costs: 50%-60%
Savings: 5%-10%
Investments: 5%-10%
Guilt-free spending: 20%-30%
How to invest your money
Target date fund - Vanguard
Index funds
Ramit advises that you do not pay a financial advisor based on AUM (Assets Under Management). Pay an hourly rate or a fixed cost. This will save you hundreds of thousands (or millions) of dollars over the course of 30-50 years.
Decide what you want to spend your money on... What is your rich life?
Create your money rules:
For example, Ramit has unlimited spending on his health. And he has money set aside for philanthropic endeavors

509: Dr. Marc Schulz - Lessons From The World's Longest Scientific Study Of Happiness (The Good Life) Jan 23, 2023

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Dr. Marc Schulz is the Associate Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development and an award-winning professor at Bryn Mawr College, where he directs the Data Science Program and is the Sue Kardas Ph.D. 1971 Chair in Psychology. He completed his BA at Amherst College and his Ph.D. at the University of California at Berkeley. He is the author of The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness.

Notes:

"Relationships are at the core of human flourishing."
Friendships - Map out your social universe. Are the connections uplifting or depleting? Ask, “what do I value about the person?” Be intentional about your relationships and how you invest in them.
The quality of the relationship you have with your partner will determine how long you will live.
As we get older, we tend to get happier. We accumulate emotional wisdom. We should focus more on relationships that give us emotional sustenance.
This work is built on a bedrock of scientific research. At its heart, the Harvard Study of Adult Development. An extraordinary scientific endeavor that began in 1938, is still going Bob is the 4th director of the study, and Marc is its associate director.
“Generativity” – In psychology, expanding our concerns and efforts beyond our own lives is called generativity and it’s a key to unlocking the vibrancy and excitement of midlife.
- When asked at the end of their lives, “What do you wish you’d done less of? And more of?” The study participants often referenced their middle years and regretted having spent so much time worrying and so little time acting in a way that made them feel alive.
The story of John Marsden and Leo DeMarco… Leo lived a rich life because of the relationships he fostered with his wife, daughters, and close friends. John put all of his effort into becoming a lawyer, becoming well-known, and didn’t focus on his relationships. They ended up on opposite ends of the spectrum when it came to happiness.
Research has shown that people who have a close colleague at work are more engaged and productive than those who don’t.
Close to half of your waking moments are spent thinking about something other than what you are doing.
Loneliness increases your risk of death as much as smoking or obesity.
Evolutionary theories: Survival depends on us coming together as groups. We are social creatures.
How to handle remote/hybrid working environments?
- There is a cost to not being together. There is a cost to working alone.
- Friendships need repeated exposure. Doing tasks together builds friendships. You can't do those well remotely.
Strangers on a Train: What do you want to do while on a train? Listen to music or talk with the stranger sitting next to you?
- Most will say that they would rather put their headphones on, listen to music, or read a book.
- However, the research suggests that you'll be happier if you spoke with a stranger on the train.
Life/Career advice:
- Think about the nitty gritty of a job. Talk to people doing the job. Spend extended time with them while they are doing the job. See what it's like.

508: Richard Reeves - How To Be A Great Role Model, The Secret To A Fulfilling Career, And Why The Modern Male Is Struggling & What To Do About It Jan 16, 2023

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Richard V. Reeves is a senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution. He is the author of Dream Hoarders (2017), and a regular contributor to the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic. His latest book has made waves worldwide … It’s called OF BOYS AND MEN: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It.

Notes:

How to be a great mom and/or dad?
- Model the right behavior.
- Children believe their eyes more than their ears.
- It’s our responsibility to be that positive role model for children.
"The secret to life is to take your work seriously, but not yourself."
Create a conversation with your team where all ideas are valued equally.
"Communication just moves stuff around. Conversations make something new happen.
"Boys are behind girls in education all over. College is now 60-40 women."
- "In the education system and in terms of many aspects of mental health, boys are really struggling. That isn't to say that girls aren't also struggling but in different ways. In terms of the education system, girls and young women have blown right past boys and men. There's actually a bigger gender gap in education today than there was 50 years ago."
- "Boys develop later than girls. They should go to school one year later than girls."
"The pre-frontal cortex is the CEO of the brain. This develops later in boys than in girls. It’s on us to recognize the facts and act accordingly. In this case, Richard is an advocate for starting boys in school one year later than girls."
Richard's goal:
- "To create men who are acceptable at a dance and available in a shipwreck."
What are the differences between men and women?
- "Women tend to have a higher level of agreeableness."
"We now live in a world where 40% of women earn more than the typical man, where 40% of breadwinners in the U.S. are women. This is a gigantic social change that is entirely positive, looked at through one lens, and we should certainly celebrate it. But... It does raise this question, which is, well, what about men? What does it mean to be a guy in a world where the role of provider can no longer be presumed? What it means is that we urgently, desperately need to update our models of fatherhood, especially, and of masculinity, to fit with this new world."
“The problem with men is typically framed as a problem of men. It is men who must be fixed, one man or boy at a time. This individualist approach is wrong.”
Life/Career advice:
- It takes time to understand how your talents will be best used. Be patient.
- It's not a race.
- Be the type of person that people want to work with… It sounds obvious, but it’s not. Be pleasant, be on time, be a great teammate, be thankful, and do great work.

507: Jesse Cole - How To Build Your Idea Muscle, Create Unforgettable Experiences, & Earn Fans For Life Jan 09, 2023

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Jesse Cole is the founder of Fans First Entertainment and the owner of the Savannah Bananas. He’s fanatic about fandom and launched the Savannah Bananas with one mission: to spark a fan-focused movement. The Bananas have sold out every game since their first season and have a waitlist for tickets in the thousands. They have entertained millions of fans in Savannah and at ballparks all over their country on their Banana Ball Tour.

Notes:

“So many business owners are focused on short-term profits. We are focused on long-term fans.”
“If you’re not getting criticized, then you’re playing it too safe.” - When is the last time you were criticized for pushing it too far?
Ideas are about quantity. Jesse writes down ten new ideas in his "idea journal" every morning. Most of them aren't that good. You have to get through the quantity to get to the quality. It’s a numbers game.
Send handwritten thank you notes to people. Tell them about the impact they've made on you. Jesse has done this for me multiple times and it always makes me feel good.
Customers are transactional... Create fans for life.
"Do for one what you wish you could do for many." Create special moments for people. One at a time.
Do an energy audit: What activities give you energy? How can you do more of those?
We learn who we are in practice, not in theory. We learn best through actual trial. Move from idea to execution quickly. If it doesn't work, move on.
- "I'm not afraid to be embarrassed. My biggest fear is being irrelevant."
Jesse focuses a ton of effort on understanding his teammates (both players and everyone else who works for him)
- The love language assessment... He learned that the majority of his employees have "words of affirmation" as their top love language.
- "Recognition drives behavior."
- The job title for Jesse's executive assistant is "Executive Rockstar."
What Jesse learned from Walt Disney and PT Barnum:
- Master storytellers
- They create attention
- "Without promotion, something terrible happens... Nothing."
- Watch "The Imagineering Story" on Disney Plus
  - "They built Disney Land in less than a year!"
  - "Money doesn't excite me. Ideas excite me."
Advice: "Give without asking for anything in return. Give, give, give."
9 Rules To Banana Ball:
- Every Inning Counts - Create walk-off moments
- 2 Hour Time Limit
- 1 on 1 Showdown (if there is a tie). No extra innings.
- Walks are now springs (if you walk, it's a sprint)
- No Bunting (bunting sucks)
- No Mound Visits (they are boring
- The batter can steal first base (if a pitcher throws a passed ball)
- If a fan catches a foul ball, it's an out
- No stepping out of the box

506: Buzz Williams - The 9 Daily Disciplines, Constant Improvement, Loving The Process, & Being on Team Bus One Jan 02, 2023

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

My Guest: Buzz Williams is the head Men's Basketball Coach at Texas A&M University. He's coached his teams to eight NCAA Tournament appearances in 13 years as a head coach. In 2020, Buzz was named the SEC "Coach of the Year." His teams have won 20 or more games in five of the last seven seasons. Buzz's teams have four Sweet Sixteen appearances. Buzz is known as a coach who helps his players on and off the court. He teaches regular life development sessions to his players called "Get Better 101."

Notes:

Buzz has nine daily disciplines. “Your decisions reveal your priority.”
- Train body at 5:30, get steps at 7:30, write 2 thank you notes per day, write children a note on their favorite color note card every day, read a book a week, weekly date night with his wife, and on non-gamedays is 7 meaningful texts.
- “You can be whatever you earn the right to be.”
Team Bus 1 - The core group of people that make up the team. Those that sit on the bench and play in the games.
In order to climb the ladder, you must go one step at a time. You can’t skip steps. There are no hacks, no shortcuts. Being able to delay gratification is a superpower and creates the opportunity to make a big impact. It’s the ability to show up each day and take one step at a time.
“It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.”
“History rarely remembers the critics. It remembers the contributors. So contribute!”
“Energized leaders can evoke energy from within others. But when the leader lets up a little, followers tend to let up a lot.”
“The reward for passing the test is earning the next test.”
“Being a boss is a job. Being a leader is something you earn.”
“Goliath is not there to kill you, he is there to introduce you.”
“Pressure is a privilege.” (Billie Jean King book title)
"Basketball is not the source, it is the vehicle.”
“While we are leading, our rate of learning must be at least as fast as the rate of change.”
“Your patience when you have nothing, and your attitude when you have everything are two things that will always define you.”
"You grow up thinking winning is the scoreboard at the end. But you learn there is so much that goes into the business of winning. Winning is the details-the discipline. The business of winning happens every second, and this business doesn’t turn the lights off."
“There's a ceiling to talent. There's no ceiling to someone's hunger & to someone's drive to be the best. How hard a team works, how hard they play, how together they are- there's no ceiling to that.” Many times in life what's invisible is what's important.
“True love does not have an agenda.”
Team Rules:
- Always tell the truth, no matter what
- Always be on time... 6 = early
- Be a great teammate... It compounds
- Never do anything to embarrass you/your family/your team/your school
- If anything is potentially a problem, please call Buzz
What Buzz looks for when recruiting a player:
- Character
- IQ & EQ
- Work ethic - Do they want to work?
  - Consumed with process
  - Insatiable drive to get better
- A great teammate
Life/Career advice:
- Never be without pen and paper. Take notes.
- Read more than you think you need to.
- Write down everything, about anything, all the time.
- Build trustful relationships. Seek to give to others and add value to their lives.
- Never turn down an opportunity to learn or work.

505: Yung Pueblo - How To Let Go of The Past, Connect With The Present, & Expand Your Future (Lighter) Dec 26, 2022

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Diego Perez is a New York Times bestselling author who is widely known on Instagram and various social media networks through his pen name Yung Pueblo. Online he has an audience of over 2.7 million people. His writing focuses on the power of self-healing, creating healthy relationships, and the wisdom that comes when we truly work on knowing ourselves. His two books, Inward and Clarity & Connection were both instant bestsellers. Diego's third book, Lighter, debuted as a #1 New York Times best seller.

Notes:

Using a pseudonym - Yung Pueblo means “Young People.” The pseudonym reflects a social commentary that points to humanity’s coming growth and maturation. The name signals a time when we will collectively transition from being ruled by shortsightedness and self-centeredness to having an elevated appreciation of our interconnectedness, which normalizes treating each other with a new and considerate gentleness.
Immigrants – Diego to the United States when he was 4 from Ecuador. His parents' bravery, how much they had to sacrifice, and how hard they worked to give him, his brother, and his little sister a better life in the United States. His mom cleaned houses and his dad worked at a supermarket.
- “For the first decade and a half, we felt the intense pressure of poverty.”
"I am less interested in debating and more interested in considering a topic collectively. Let’s peacefully share what we know with each other. When we arrive at diverging points of view, let’s focus on questions. How did you arrive to this point? Help me understand what you mean."
"Saying less is incredibly helpful. Every thought is not valuable. Every feeling does not need to be voiced. What is often best is slowing down to spend time developing a clearer and more informed perspective. Ego rushes and reacts, but peace moves intentionally and gently."
"You know you have matured deeply when you encounter someone’s rough emotions and instead of letting their volatility consume you, you mentally affirm within yourself “I am not going to join them in their turbulence.”
"Find a partner who increases your power instead of diminishing it. Complimenting each other’s qualities in a way where you make each other shine brighter is an immense gift. You not only lend your strengths to each other, you also keep the spark alive that inspires evolution."
Great friends appreciate you and are not afraid of your growth. It’s easy to be around them. You root hard for each other to do well and show support when it’s not.
Create a reflection process for yourself. Write down what you’re grateful for… And reflect on the fact that everything is always changing.
Reserve judgment. Don’t be so quick to make up your mind about something. Instead of judging something or someone, approach them with curiosity and a sense of wonder.

504: Jeff Shesol - Moonshot Goals, Driver vs. Passenger Mentality, & Creating Your Own Fate Dec 19, 2022

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Jeff Shesol is a multi-hyphenate leader. He’s a Rhodes Scholar, a historian, a presidential speech writer, and a 3-time best-selling author. He also had a comic strip called thatch that was nationally syndicated from 1994–1998 when it appeared daily in more than 150 newspapers.

Notes:

If you’re going to set moonshot goals for your team, you must relentlessly communicate them to all involved. The what, why, how, and when… Relentlessly communicate with vivid clarity.
Focus, Purpose, Urgency… This was what was lacking before President Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson helped take fragmented groups and bring them all together. Focus, Purpose, and Urgency. How can you do this for your organization?
John Glenn – A leader of action. He didn’t let fate determine the outcome of his life. He went after what he wanted. He had a bias for action. In a world of drivers and passengers, John Glenn was a driver and that’s what led to him leaving his mark in the world.
- John Glenn – “Friendship 7—designed to fly itself—had begun drifting to the right, like a car with its front wheels out of alignment. Glenn took the control stick—not without satisfaction. He was a pilot, by training and temperament, and pilots take control.”
Press conference to introduce astronauts… John Glenn said, “I was brought up believing that you are placed on earth… with sort of a fifty-fifty proposition. We are placed here with certain talents and capabilities. It is up to each one of us to use those talents and capabilities as best as we can. A higher power will certainly see that I am taken care of if I do my part of the bargain.”
The space program may be the profession that requires the highest risk tolerance aside from the military. It is no surprise the original 7 astronauts were all test pilots. The Flight Director of the Apollo missions, Chris Kraft, is quoted as saying: “if we thought about odds, we wouldn’t do it (launch man into space)."
- Bob Gilruth, head of NASA, also said: “we don’t have enough chimpanzees” responding to criticism that not enough test launches were done.
JFK, despite his outward speeches, was initially reluctant to go to the moon and was skeptical if it was a waste of time and money.
Publishing your work can change your life... In 1997, President Bill Clinton read Mutual Contempt and invited Shesol to become one of his speechwriters. During his three years at the White House, Shesol became the deputy chief speechwriter and a member of the senior staff.
Sustaining Excellence:
- Need to evolve, and be open to change.
- Musicians take risks with new albums. Be willing to take those risks as a leader.
- Continue to challenge yourself.
Keynote speeches:
- Do not ever let them get stale... But have one fundamental core message. Dr. Martin Luther King had a core theme of every speech.
Life and Career advice:
- "In your 20's, figure out where you can make your great contribution."
- Trial and error is good.
- What energizes you the most?

503: Sherri Coale - Choosing The Hard Path, The Art of Asking, Learning From Shakespeare, & Winning On & Off The Court (Lessons From a Hall of Fame Coach) Dec 12, 2022

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The Hard Makes It Good - A league of their own — Tom Hanks — when Geena Davis (Dottie Henson quit saying it just got too hard). “ “Of course it’s hard. If it wasn’t everybody would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great.”
Writing - A writing life may seem to lie somewhere on the other side of the moon from a life in athletics, but the two are scary similar in the things that they require. They’re both ridiculously hard, even if they sometimes look easy. And the reward for either isn’t what you get at the end, it’s what you go through to get there. The process in both is the prize.
Great teachers — "Great teachers crack open a door and cue the siren’s song that lures you in. Once inside, they give you hard. And then they let you decide what to do about it. I live indebted to them for the view.”
The art of asking — Dr. Darryl Tippens — a Shakspere class... “I admired all he knew, but I admired what he did with it even more.”
- “His questioning and blatant unwillingness to give us the answers made us work for our conclusions. The process and the product stayed with us. We learned that what we strain for, sticks.”
The job — “if a leader’s primary job is to be a dealer of hope, Whitney Hand was a leader of rare air.”
It's not about the trophy - After winning the state championship, on the bus ride home with the team, Sherri noticed that she had left the trophy behind accidentally. And she said,“it so had never been about what you get in the end.”
Confidence is self-governed. Nobody can give it to you and nobody can take it away. I’ve found that regularly doing hard things helps me earn more confidence.
The makeup of a great point guard:
- An outward perspective. They care more about setting their teammates up than themselves.
- A capacity for understanding what each person needs.
- Athletic eyes - They have a broad spectrum. They see things before they happen.
- Sturdy, innate confidence.
Sherri's Grandma:
- She was very observant. She spoke with purpose. No wasted words. "She taught me how to be observant and listen."
"Coaches are great tellers. They aren't always great listeners. Questions are so much better than statements."
- Great mentors don't give you the answer. They teach you how to think. They teach you how to figure it out on your own.
What makes up a great player (beyond the skill to score a basketball)?
- The intangibles:
  - They build relationships
  - They're observant
  - They pay attention
  - They are intentional about how they "do life"
What do you value most?
- "Curiosity."
"You can't wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time."
Advice: What makes your heart sing?
- Work to figure that out. What is that thing in you?

502: Vitaliy Katsenelson - The Art of a Meaningful Life (Soul In The Game) Dec 05, 2022

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VItaliy Katsenelson was born in Murmansk, USSR, and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1991. After joining Denver-based value investment firm IMA in 1997, Vitaliy became Chief Investment Officer in 2007, and CEO in 2012. Vitaliy has written two books on investing and is an award-winning writer. Known for his uncommon common sense, Forbes Magazine called him “The New Benjamin Graham.”

“I guess I was born in Russia but made for America."
The two ways to look at life.
- Like an airport… Where you rush to get through it.
- Or an art museum. Where you take time to enjoy your surroundings. I think we should treat more days like they’re an art museum.
“When you love what you do, your work stops being work and becomes a craft. And no matter what it is, you do it with pride, love, and care.”
"In our relationships, we should set a goal, not for someone to love us, but to behave according to our values (to be worth loving) and to be a good, caring partner. We cannot control whether people will love us, but we can control our actions and our behavior."
"I'm perpetually in beta. This in beta attitude is liberating, as it gives you the chance to constantly improve yourself; to learn and grow. This doesn't mean you need to be buried in self-help books. You just need to have this in beta attitude."
"The best way to guard ourselves against our ego is by thinking of ourselves as evergreen students."
Albert Einstein said, "As our circle of knowledge expands, so does the circumference of darkness surrounding it." We should welcome the circumference of darkness wholeheartedly.
How Zeno, the founder of Stoicism approached his students: "He did not claim to be a physician-- he saw himself as a patient describing the progress of his treatment to fellow patients in the hospital beds beside him."
When Vitaliy's mother died (he was young), it made him appreciate his dad much more. I think we’d all be better off if we made the most of the time we have with the people we love and never take them for granted.
What Vitaliy learned from Warren Buffett? He was not a present dad. It's important to be in your kids lives. It's a gift to get to drive your kids to school.
Sit side by side with your children and talk (car rides, sit at the bar at restaurants, go on walks)
Vitaliy plays chess and he loses a lot... "Losing is part of tuition."
Seneca said, "Time discovers truth."
Attention is the currency of time.
"Writing is the most important thing that happened to me." Spend two hours a day organizing your thoughts. Writing helps you do that...
- "Create a connection between the unconscious and conscious mind."

501: Paul Smith - How To Tell Stories That Inspire Change and Produce Results Nov 28, 2022

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Paul Smith is one of the world’s leading experts on organizational storytelling. He’s the author of multiple best-selling books including Lead with a Story (which is now in its 11th printing, and published in 7 languages around the world), Sell with a Story, and The 10 Stories Great Leaders Tell.

Notes:

“Decide what values you want your organization to have. Then find and capture stories that illustrate them. Remember, if you don’t have strong company value stories, you probably don’t have strong company values.”
Fill your story with surprises to pique your audience's interest and memory.
Often the best way to spread a company’s values and culture are through stories.
Use stories to forge strong relationships between diverse team members.
Stories can be used to inspire employees, even when times are tough. – You could spout nonsensical motivational phrases about “giving it 110 percent” – or you could tell an inspiring story.
A successful story is comprised of only three ingredients — you need context, action, and the result (CAR).
As NYU social psychologist Jonathan Haidt observes, “The human mind is a story processor, not a logic processor.”
- Your job is to help the other person make a decision. To do that, they need to rely on both logic AND emotion.
“Your first objective in a sales call should be to get buyers to tell you their stories, not the other way around."
The James Watt story – Keep 1 or 2 small vital pieces of the story and save them for the end. The aha moment. The surprise makes it more memorable for your audience.
Asking better questions… Instead of saying, “What keeps you up at night?” Ask… “Tell me about a moment…” You can also use this when walking home from the bus stop with your children. Instead of saying, “How was school today?” Ask, “Tell me about your day at school…”
"We generally don’t tell our personal stories at work because we work with strangers. They remain strangers because we don’t tell our personal stories. You have to break the cycle.”
“Sometimes getting your employees to be more creative isn’t the problem. The problem is getting their less-than-imaginative boss to give them the space to invent. Innovation isn’t a linear process. Inventors need the freedom to play with ideas to see what fruit they will bear. A well-meaning boss might think he’s doing his job by keeping his team focused on the most productive areas to explore. But when you insist on knowing what the fruit will be before allowing the play, many of the most revolutionary discoveries might stay undiscovered.”
“Many of life’s failures are people who didn’t realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
The most effective stories play on people’s emotions. – We can take an example from Texas, which in the 1980s was ridden with so-called “litterbugs.” The government tried its best to combat littering by appealing to emotions, and publishing advertisements that showcased a person weeping at the sight of environmental destruction due to litter. While touching, these ads had no effect. The worst litterers were people with little concern for the environment. So, the government changed directions, What did they do? (Don’t mess with Texas) Literally. The slogan was developed by the Texas Department of Transportation for an anti-littering campaign. “It's not just a prideful remark, trying to pick a fight,” says Jeff Austin III, commissioner of the Texas Transportation Commission. “It's don't litter in Texas, don't mess up Texas."
There are three types of learners: 40 percent of us are visual learners, 40 percent are auditory learners and the remaining 20 percent are kinetic learners. Stories attract all three – a story’s imagery influences visual learners, the vocabulary appeals to auditory learners, and the emotions and feelings connect with kinetic learners.

500: AJ Hawk, Keith Hawk, & Pat McAfee - Influential Leaders, Keys To A Great Partnership, Living Life As A Movie, & Celebrating 500 Episodes! Nov 21, 2022

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Notes:

AJ Hawk is the all-time leading tackler in Green Bay Packers history. He won a National Champion at Ohio State University and was voted captain of the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl-winning team (2010-20110 He was inducted into the Ohio State University Hall of Fame in 2019. Currently, he is a co-host on The Pat McAfee Show which airs weekdays on YouTube. (AJ is my younger brother)

Keith Hawk spent 30+ years as a sales leader. At one point, more than 1,000 people were in his charge. Keith now regularly speaks around the world on such topics as Leadership, Principled Negotiation, Consultative Selling, and Building Thriving Corporate Cultures. He is the co-author of two popular business books, Get-Real Selling, and Terrific – Five Star Customer Service. (Keith AKA "Pistol" is my dad)

Pat McAfee is a future billionaire and the founder/CEO of Pat McAfee Industries. He's the host of "The Pat McAfee Show" which airs weekdays on YouTube from 12:00-3:00. Pat recently agreed to a deal with FanDuel which has them spending more than $140 million to be the title sponsor of his YouTube progrum. Prior to launching his media career, Pat was named the "punter of the decade" from his time booming balls for the Indianapolis Colts. Pat is also a WWE color commentator, professional wrestler (he once wrestled Stone Cold Steve Austin), and analyst on ESPN's College GameDay. In WWE, fans and critics often deem Pat as one of the greatest color commentators of all time for his humorous comments, his energy, and his charisma.

“When you grow up you tend to get told that the world is the way it is and your life is just to live your life inside the world. Try not to bash into the walls too much. Try to have a nice family life, have fun, save a little money. That’s a very limited life. Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it… Once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again.” - Steve Jobs quote that Pat has hanging up in his studio.
"I view life as a movie." - Pat McAfee
Keys to a great marriage:
- Pistol - "On our wedding bands, we had "C, C, C" engraved. They stand for:
  - Communication
  - Consideration
  - Cuddling
Questions from fans of The Learning Leader Show:
Haley Erickson – CPA: What an achievement! I glean so much from your work and am thankful you share this material with the world. My question: Who is one of the most impactful people in your life and how have they impacted you?
Rob Stevens, Leadership Consultant: This is very personal to me. I’m curious what your dad would say about adding value as more and more people get beyond 60. I see a lot of older people, with a lot of wisdom and experience, either retiring or getting pushed to the side. I’d be interested if he has any ideas on how those of us that are over 60 can continue to make significant contributions. It’s kind of the question that you like to ask about advice for kids just out of college wanting to make a difference only the other end of the spectrum.
David Salvador - VP at Gogo Aviation: Congratulations Ryan! "What is the most impactful investment you can make in yourself for your career?”
The draft: It's your birthday dinner. None of your family or close friends can make it. You can invite any person in the world and they will be there. Who are your 5?
- Pistol: Steve Martin, Pete Rose, Paul McCartney, Al Michaels, James Taylor
- Ryan: The Rock, Dave Chappelle, Dave Matthews, Peyton Manning, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Taylor Swift
- AJ: Tom Cruise, Amelia Earhart, Sean Casey, Tiger Woods, Tim Dillon

499: Cody Keenan - Working With The Most Powerful Person In The World, Taking Big Risks, & The Art Of Speechwriting Nov 14, 2022

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Cody Keenan has written with President Barack Obama since 2007, working his way up to chief speechwriter. He’s been named the “Springsteen” of the Obama White House, even though he can’t play an instrument, and Obama calls him “Hemingway." His first book, Grace, became an instant New York Times Bestseller.

Notes:

The use of productive paranoia. Cody said, “I was so afraid to fail that I would do anything to succeed.” – We can use fear as fuel…
Storytelling – As a speaker, it is our job to help the people in the audience see themselves in the place of the hero in the story. When you’re preparing for your next team meeting or town hall address, think about that and how you tell the stories that you do.
Singing at the Eulogy in Charleston - If you want an A+ performance, you have to choose to go for it. You can get a B by playing it safe, but you won’t perform with excellence unless you have the courage to go for it.
In less than 10 years, Cody went from mailroom intern in Congress to chief speechwriter in the White House.
My goal is to "write a speech that sings."
‘In less than 10 years, I went from mailroom intern in Congress to chief speechwriter in the White House,’
President Obama said he relied “on Cody not just to share my vision, but to help tell America’s story.” “He’s a brilliant writer. He’s relentless.”
The first speech Cody wrote was for Senator Ted Kennedy. Right after President Obama’s 2004 Democratic convention speech that put him on the map. You write: “To see someone else speak words I’d written sent electricity right up my spine and out my hair.”

498: Ted Rath - "Do Your Habits Today Align With Your Goals Of Tomorrow?" (VP of Player Performance For The Philadelphia Eagles) Nov 07, 2022

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Ted Rath the VP of Player Performance for the Philadelphia Eagles. Prior to coming to Philadelphia, Ted spent three seasons (2017-19) with the Los Angeles Rams as the head strength and conditioning coach. In 2017, Ted was named the Strength Coach of the Year by the Professional Football Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, an award voted on by the league's strength and conditioning coaches. Los Angeles finished as the healthiest team in the NFL based on adjusted games lost due to injury. *At the time of this recording, the Philadelphia Eagles are currently the only undefeated team in the NFL.

Notes:

Do your habits today align with your goals of tomorrow? What is your daily process? If you set big goals, what actions are you taking to get closer to achieving them each day?
The greatest players LOVED being coached. They demand it and are seeking it. Do you? Are you seeking out a coach? Are you asking for it? What processes do you have in place to get feedback, learn, and get better?
How to Lead Others:
- Most of us want 3 things
  - To feel APPRECIATED in their environment.
  - To feel PROTECTED by those in charge of them.
  - To feel that they are a part of something BIGGER than themselves.
- Do this through connecting. To connect, you must have trust. To build trust, you must be vulnerable. Once you allow yourself to be vulnerable, you can earn trust.
- Be an active listener. Listen to connect instead of listening to reply.
The greatness of quarterback, Jalen Hurts:
- Sets high standards for himself: The standard is the standard
- Loves being coached
- Constantly works on his craft
- Stoic: He's calm, consistent, and poised.
Ted was part of the decision-making team when deciding the next head coach for The Eagles:
- Nick Sirianni's five core values: connecting, competition, accountability, intelligence, and fundamentals – connecting is always first.
Getting Fired: "It was my 7th year with the team. We had gone to the playoffs the prior year 2014 in Jim Caldwell’s first year. In 2015 we started out rough at 1-7 through the first half of the season. We played in London that year, and before leaving for the airport we fired our OC, OL, and asst OL coach. Through the staff shuffle, I ended up helping coach Special Teams during the second half of the season. Our Equipment Manager told me during practice on the first day in London as they were setting up my headset. We ended up finishing strong and going 7-1 in the second half of the season (our only loss was the Thursday night hail mary that Aaron Rodgers completed to Richard Rodgers). After we came back home from London we fired our team President and GM. At the end of the year, the new GM told me he had to let me go to make it look like they were making significant changes in the media."
"The climb is about one step at a time."
The obstacle is the way:
- Discipline and perception let you clearly see the advantage and the proper course of action in every situation, without the pestilence of panic or fear.
- Control your emotions and keep an even keel.
- How you react to every situation is YOUR CHOICE. Find the opportunity in the obstacle.
- Self-Discipline must be combined with logic while working through obstacles. Be honest with your self-assessment.
Failure is part of all successful team and individual journeys:
- You don't need to fear it, you just have to refuse to let it beat you
  - We either WIN or LEARN
  - Fail Forward
  - Trials in life will not define you... How you respond to them will.
  - Persistence helps you get what you want, but CONSISTENCY helps you keep what you have earned.
- Consistency creates trust.

497: Julian Treasure - How To Speak So That People Will Want To Listen Oct 30, 2022

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Julian Treasure is a sound and communication expert. His TED Talk, “How to speak so that people want to listen” is in the top 10 TED talks of all time and collectively, his 5 TED talks have been listened to more than 100 million times! He is also the best-selling author of How to be Heard and Sound Business.

Notes:

"I was taught this exercise many years ago by a wise old friend named Charlie. I was bemoaning someone being in my way and Charlie put his hand on my arm. “You know, resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die,” he said. When we’re unconsciously in the habit of judging and blaming others, it can have a huge impact on our well-being."
You can’t judge and love at the same time. Being judgemental is the opposite of being curious. "Being judgemental comes from ego and from darkness in the soul."
Julian's values: Write them down. Be clear. They help you make decisions...
- Faith - A decision that all will be well
- Love - Wish people well
- Acceptance - Go with the flow
- Gratitude - Be focused on the half-full bit of the glass

There are 4 foundations that we can stand on if we want our speech to be powerful and make change in the world
- HAIL - To greet or acclaim enthusiastically
- H - Honesty - Be clear and straight
- A - Authenticity - Be yourself
- I - Integrity - Do what you say. Be your word.
- L - Love - Wish them well. “If you’re really wishing someone well, it’s hard to judge them at the same time.”
7 deadly sins of speaking
- Gossip
- Judging
- Negativity
- Complaining
- Excuses
- Exaggeration
- Dogmatism
Listening is a skill. Hearing is a capability. Listening is making meaning from sound. You can practice it and master it. As leaders, we need to continue working on this skill to ensure the people we’re leading know they are heard and seen. We all can picture that bad boss that looked at their phone while we talked to them. Let's not be that person.
Listening is making meaning from sound...

496: Donald Miller - Be The Hero, Add Value To Others, & Don't Trust Fate To Write Your Story (LIVE! In Nashville) Oct 23, 2022

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Donald Miller is the Founder/CEO of Storybrand, a marketing company. He is also the Founder/CEO of Business Made Simple, an online platform that teaches business professionals everything they need to know to grow a business and enhance their personal value on the open market. He is the author of several books including the bestseller "Building a StoryBrand." We recorded this podcast in front of a live audience at my 2022 Growth Summit in Nashville, TN.

“I don’t think any of us should trust fate to write the story of our lives. Fate is a terrible writer.” – It’s on us to take ownership of our lives and write our own stories.
The 4 Roles We Play In Life:
- The Victim - The character who feels they have no way out
- The Villian - The character who makes others small
- The Hero - They accept their own agency. They know what they want. They face their challenges and transform.
- The Guide - The character who helps the hero
How do most value-driven people see themselves? They see themselves as an Economic Product on the Open Market -- (be a good investment to attract further investment) “They are obsessed with getting people a strong return on the investment made in them. People who are obsessed with being a good investment attract further investment and get to enjoy more personal economic value. When you offer greater economic value within the economic ecosystem, you are paid more, given more responsibility and promotions, and are sought after by customers looking for value. In business, your boss may really like you, but in large part, they see you as an economic investment. There is nothing wrong with that. So how do we become ridiculously successful? By making other people absurdly successful.”
They are relentlessly optimistic - Staying optimistic, you dramatically increase the chances that at some point you will succeed. The more optimistic you are, the more willing you will be willing to try. Successful people fail all the time. The difference is their willingness to keep trying.
They know the right way to engage in conflict - Conflict-avoidant people are rarely chosen to lead. All human progress happens by passing through conflict.
They have a bias towards action - “There is one thing every successful person has in common: They have a bias towards action.” They don’t let ideas die on the vine. They take action to make those ideas happen.
" Fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life."

495: Julia Boorstin - Interviewing Powerful CEOs, Building Confidence, & Becoming A Talent Magnet (When Women Lead) Oct 16, 2022

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Julia Boorstin is CNBC’s Senior Media & Tech Correspondent. She covers media with a special focus on the intersection of media and technology. In 2013, Julia created and launched the CNBC Disruptor 50, an annual list she oversees, highlighting the private companies transforming the economy and challenging companies in established industries. She’s the author of a new book called, “When Women Lead - What they achieve, why they succeed, how we can learn from them."

Julia’s parents inspired her to pursue hard things and instilled in her a love of asking questions. As parents, we should do the same.
Asking questions is a sign of respect and that you care. We should ask more questions than we answer both at work and at home. Approach people with curiosity. It’s how we show that we care.
Julia found a unique way to add value to her employer: Creating the Disruptor 50 list. It’s important for us to find unique ways to add value to our company and do work that inspires us at the same time. It’s evident that Julia loves it and because of that, both CNBC and Julia win.
She has taken an entrepreneurial approach to her career at CNBC and has come up with and championed many ideas that have been impactful and built her career. She shares how you can do that too…
Julia shares her preparation process for interviewing a powerful leader like Sheryl Sandberg or Bob Iger.
- "I didn't have a background in business. I had to over-prepare."
How to become a talent magnet and attract effective leaders to want to work for you...
She shares the biggest takeaway that you learned from interviewing thousands of CEOs and executives including Katrina Lake, Gwyneth Paltrow, Whitney Wolfe Herd, Jennifer Hyman, and more.
Advice Julia got from her dad:
- "The road is always better than the inn." Enjoy the process.
- "The best way out is always through." Don't look for shortcuts.
- "I can't go on, I can't go on, I'll go on." Be persistent.
How to build confidence?
- Get the reps... Do it a lot. Confidence is built through action.
Commonalities of excellent leader:
- Humility
- Focus
- High adaptability quotient
- Communal leadership
- Empathy
"Make your own characteristics a superpower."
Life/Career advice:
- Be willing to fail
- It's a volume game
- Be prepared for brainstorming meetings. Have a portfolio of ideas.
Julia's book writing process:
- She interviewed 120 leaders
What can men do to be supportive?
- "Men need to understand the statistics. Diversity = more value."
- Be a talent magnet. Be honest about what you don't know.

494: Mayor Eric Adams - Authenticity, Honesty, & Changing From Within... A Conversation With The Mayor Of New York City Oct 09, 2022

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Mayor Eric Adams has served the people of New York City as an NYPD officer, State Senator, Brooklyn Borough President, and now as the 110th Mayor of the City of New York.

Notes:

When Eric was 15, he was beaten by a police officer.
- “Instead of saying woe is me, I said why not me?” He became a police officer...
Mentor, Reverend, and Civil Rights Leader, Herbert Daughtry, encouraged him to change the system from within.
If you have a problem with a system, try to change it from within. Instead of complaining about it, do something about it. Take action.
A mindset shift: “There is something I’m supposed to learn from this.” – Shifting our minds from blaming and complaining to asking ourselves, “What can I learn from this?”
Mayor Adams became President of a Black officers association before founding his own group, 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care.
The New York Times has called Mayor Adams, “The mayor who never sleeps.” - He's known to be up early working and go out late at night… Including going to clubs like Zero Bond (a private club) and not being afraid to take pictures with fellow New Yorkers while holding a vodka/soda in hand…
- Being perfectly imperfect. Authenticity, being genuine. Mayor Adams goes out to clubs and drinks with his fellow New Yorkers. He doesn’t hide it. So many politicians put up a facade. An image that isn’t real. Part of his appeal is that he’s real, he’s human… We all want that.
Cleaning up his diet – After 9/11, he relied on comfort food (quarter pounder or a bucket of KFC). One day in 2016, he woke up blind in his left eye and suffered nerve damage in his feed, which could have led to amputation. His diabetes was killing him. He switched to a plant-based diet and lost 35 pounds. (and wrote a book about it)
“I would rather be a person that is authentic and make mistakes than robotic and be a fake,” Adams says, sitting on the couch in his office. “Folks are tired of just these terrible fake leaders. They’re always trying to live up to someone. Always."
What does Mayor Adams think about those who use the phrase, "Defund the Police?"
- "They don't get it."
- "After protests, you must do something to protect. You cannot simply protest, you have to protect."
“All I can say, have your haters become your waiters when you sit down at the table of success."

493: Patrick Lencioni - Becoming More Humble, Leading With Curiosity, & Understanding Your Working Genius Oct 02, 2022

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My guest: Patrick Lencioni has written 14 books on business management, particularly in relation to team management. He is best known as the author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, a popular business fable that explores work team dynamics and offers solutions to help teams perform better. He's also written The Ideal Team Player, The Advantage, The Motive, and his latest book is called The Six Types of Working Genius.

Notes:

Pat loves The Pat McAfee Show because of their candor, humor, and authenticity.
- "Humility is a virtue. You can practice it."
"Seek first to understand prior to trying to be understood."
- Be curious. "If we don't understand them, we judge them." The opposite of judgment is curiosity.
When you're humble, there is no sense of entitlement.
Good teammates?
- "They take ownership of their mistakes and work to correct them." Must take ownership of it to improve.
The Ideal Team Player -- Humble, Hungry, Smart.
The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team:
- Absence of trust - unwilling to be vulnerable within the group
- Fear of conflict - seeking artificial harmony over constructive passionate debate
- Lack of commitment - feigning buy-in for group decisions creates ambiguity throughout the organization
- Avoidance of accountability - ducking the responsibility to call peers on counterproductive behavior which sets low standards
- Inattention to results - focusing on personal success, status, and ego before team success
The Six Types of Working Genius:
- Wonder – People with this genius can’t help but question whether things could be better in the world around them. They are troubled whenever they see unmet potential, and they are constantly curious and on the lookout for the need to change something.
- Invention – This type of genius is all about creativity. People who have it, love, to generate new ideas and solutions to problems and are even comfortable coming up with something out of nothing.
- Discernment – People with this type of genius have a natural ability when it comes to evaluating or assessing a given idea or situation and providing guidance. They have good instincts, gut feel, and judgment about the subtleties of making decisions that integrate logic, common sense and human needs.
- Galvanizing – This type of genius is about bringing energy and movement to an idea or decision. People who have it like to initiate activity by rallying people to act and inspiring them to get involved.
- Enablement – People with this type of genius are quick to respond to the needs of others by offering their cooperation and assistance with a project, program, or effort. They naturally provide the human assistance that is required in any endeavor, and not on their own terms.
- Tenacity – This type is about ensuring that a given project, program, or effort is taken to completion and achieves the desired result. People who have this genius push for required standards of excellence and live to see the impact of their work.
Pat’s areas of working genius: “I am naturally good at and drawn to what we call Invention and Discernment, I like to come up with new, original ideas, even when it’s not what’s called for. And I love to use my intuition to evaluate and assess ideas and plans to see what would be best. My areas of frustration are Tenacity and Enablement, meaning I struggle to push projects through to completion after the initial excitement wears off, and I have a hard time providing assistance to others on their terms. That doesn’t mean I can’t do those things, because all of us have to do things we don’t like or aren’t good at sometimes. But if I’m in a situation where people are relying on me as their primary source of enablement and tenacity, that’s not good for me or for them in the long run.”
- Pat is a "discriminating ideator."
My areas of working genius: Discernment and Tenacity. The assessment says: “You are good at and enjoy using your intuition and instincts to evaluate and assess ideas or plans, and pushing projects and tasks through to completion to ensure that the desired results are achieved.”
- "You are what we call a judicious accomplisher."

492: Scott Galloway - Finding What You're Good At, Handling Criticism, & What It Means To Be A Man Sep 25, 2022

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Scott Galloway is a professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business, where he teaches brand strategy and digital marketing to second-year MBA students. A serial entrepreneur, he has founded nine firms, including L2, Red Envelope, Prophet, and Section4. In 2012, he was named one of the “World’s 50 Best Business School Professors” by Poets & Quants. He's the author of multiple best-selling books including The Algebra of Happiness, The Four, and Adrift.

Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence:
- Demonstrate excellence in what they do. "People want to follow people who are excellent at their job."
- They hold people accountable
- "Excellent leaders are generally kind to others and establish goodwill with many people."
"Your job is to find something you’re good at, and after ten thousand hours of practice, get great at it. The emotional and economic rewards that accompany being great at something will make you passionate about whatever “it” is."
“I tell my students that nothing wonderful, I’m talking really fantastic, will happen without taking a risk and subjecting yourself to rejection. Serendipity is a function of courage.”
"If you don't get criticism it means you aren't saying anything."
What does it mean to be a man? “Being a responsible head of household that provides for your family and is a real partner with someone and raising kids and checking that instinctive box — being a good father, being a good husband … raising responsible, civic-minded kids. It's also realizing that if your partner is better at being the head of household and being the provider you get out of the way and support them to do it."
- "The most dangerous person in the world is a broke and alone male, and we are producing too many of them."
Greatness is in the agency of others… When I asked Scott about how he’s built his career, his first thought was about the others who he’s surrounded himself with. Greatness is in the agency of others. Your ability to attract and retain talented people will be the difference between a good career and a great one…
We should spread kindness. Have security in yourself and give people compliments they deserve.
"The most interesting 5 minutes I've had in a long time" - Anderson Cooper describing Scott Galloway
"This guy is a walking applause break" - Bill Maher describing Scott Galloway
Scott has sat on the boards of Gateway Computer, Urban Outfitters, Eddie Bauer, The New York Times Company, University of California Berkeley, Panera Bread, and Ledger, a crypto wallet. He hosted the CNN+ host of a business and technology show, No Mercy No Malice.

491: Matthew Dixon - Overcoming Indecision, Managing Risk, & Taking Control Of The Conversation (The Challenger Sale) Sep 18, 2022

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Notes:

Matthew Dixon's first book, The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation, was a #1 Amazon as well as Wall Street Journal best seller. He is also the co-author of the customer experience bestseller The Effortless Experience: Conquering the New Battleground for Customer Loyalty and the sequel to the Challenger Sale, The Challenger Customer: Selling to the Hidden Influencer Who Can Multiply Your Results. His new book is called The Jolt Effect.

The paradox of choice is real – People don’t want more options. They want someone who can confidently advise them on what to do.
A challenger ultimately teaches someone something new and adds value to their life. A challenger is not afraid to take control of the conversation and has the confidence to show how what they’re offering will make someone else's life better.
Think outside the box whenever possible. Be a bit skeptical. Ask why. Question things… That’s how we grow and learn and potentially find a better way.
The Challenger: As a Challenger, you offer a new perspective to your prospect and don’t shy away from conversations about money. You understand what brings them value and leverage that information to deliver an irresistible pitch — and to tactfully pressure them. Remember the three T’s: You teach them something valuable, tailor the sales pitch, and take control over the conversation.
The Hard Worker: The Hard Worker strives to get better in their role but doesn’t necessarily focus on the customer’s value drivers.
The Lone Wolf: The Lone Wolf is a high performer but not necessarily a team player. Confident in their selling skills, they exceed quotas but are difficult to deal with interpersonal.
The Relationship Builder: When you think of a salesperson, you’re thinking of the Relationship Builder. These sales reps get in contact with a gatekeeper at their target company and slowly try to create an internal advocate.
The Problem Solver: The Problem Solver is adept at finding solutions for issues in both the team and the prospect’s business. They drive results by eagerly solving problems and keeping all stakeholders in the loop.
The JOLT EFFECT
- Judging the level of customer indecision. Indecision is driven by a specific human, psychological factors that pop up in specific ways within purchases. The best sellers use these drivers as a way to qualify and forecast based on the buyer’s ability to decide.
- Offering a personal recommendation. Indecisive buyers—feeling overwhelmed by choices—struggle to make tradeoffs as decisions progress. The best sellers use specific techniques to guide buyers toward the best options.
- Limiting purchase exploration. Indecisive buyers easily fall prey to analysis paralysis. High performers who limit the exploration effectively close off “rat holes” customers' heads down which can eat up time and introduce delays in the purchase process.
- Taking risk off the table. Hesitant buyers are gripped by uncertainty about promises made during the sales process. JOLT sellers employ creative methods for reducing perceived risk, and building momentum toward decisions.
Advice:
- Challenge yourself - push your comfort zone
- Think outside the box wherever possible
- Question things
- Have empathy
- Teach others

490: Dandapani - Becoming More Self-Reflective, Having A Purpose, & Creating Unwavering Focus Sep 15, 2022

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Dandapani is a Hindu priest and a former monk of 10 years. He originally got a degree in Electrical Engineering, then left it all behind and spent a decade studying under the guidance of one of Hinduism's foremost spiritual leaders. He gave a TEDx talk that has been viewed over 5.6 million times and his GoalCast videos have been watched more than 75 million times. He’s also written a book called, The Power of Unwavering Focus

Notes:

We need a core purpose in life. Your purpose defines your priorities. It’s worth it to do the work to understand this. Self-reflection needs to become part of your routine.
- Excellence = Clarity of purpose, a burning desire, and understanding WHO is aligned with your purpose and developing those relationships fully.
Remember, life is finite. It will end. Let’s make the most of it.
You’ll often hear parents say to their kids, “we just want you to be happy.” Happiness should never be pursued. Rather, one should pursue a lifestyle where the byproduct of living that lifestyle is happiness.
We generally think of concentration as a skill we’re born with, rather than a skill we need to be taught and then cultivate by practicing over time. Would you expect to be an expert piano player naturally? Of course not - you would seek instruction, and then practice for years in order to grow your skill.
Concentration, in short, is the ability to keep awareness on one thing until you consciously choose to move it to something else. Distraction, on the other hand, is awareness being controlled by your environment (the people and things around you) without conscious choice.
We are what we practice. The reality is that most people are not conscious of the fact that they are practicing distraction all day every day and hence why they are masters at distraction.
The idea is to build concentration, willpower, and mastery of awareness into your days little by little, growing your skill over weeks, months, and years.
Dandapani's guru has the biggest influence on his life. The role of a mentor is to empower people with tools and help them gain perspective.
Book: Think and Grow Rich. Once you experience something, you can't un-experience it.
A guru takes deep responsibility for someone's life.
"You can only say no if you know what to say yes to."
Learn to focus: Dedicate time in the morning. Find a quiet space. With self-reflection, there can be no mask.
Excellence =
- Clarity of purpose
- Who are you aligned with?

489: Todd Henry - Asking Uncomfortable Questions, Solving Big Problems, & Casting Your Vision Sep 11, 2022

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Todd Henry is an international speaker and best-selling author of 6 books including, The Accidental Creative, Herding Tigers, Die Empty, and his latest book is called The Daily Creative.

Notes:

The mantra Todd tells himself before going on stage is, "Be Present. Be Yourself."
- This is a reminder to be in the room, and pay attention to the nuance... And don't try to be someone you're not.
- Don't apologize for your existence.
Authenticity shows that you have skin in the game. I am putting my actions where my mouth is.
We crave real experiences:
- We do business with human beings. The most valuable thing we can do is make genuine connections with people. Make people feel seen and known.
Creativity is problem-solving. If you solve problems every day, you’re creative.
Have a BIG VISION. Walt Disney started as a cartoonist. Todd has Disney's business plan from 1967 hanging up on his wall. All arrows point to the creative output of the film team.
Do the "What would blow your mind?" Exercise. Write a list of things that would blow your mind if you accomplished them in the next 10-15 years.
- What did you do? Who did you do it with? What impact did it have on others?
Our greatest work will be accomplished in the community of others.
- Todd intends to influence 28 million people. That is roughly 17% of working Americans in his field. That ambition points his mind in a direction.
Where do good ideas come from?
- Adjacent possibilities.
"I'm not trying to build a business. I'm trying to grow a life."
It's important for your kids to see you doing work.
You must grow comfortable with Asking Uncomfortable Questions – Brilliant, effective creative professionals are willing to ask inconvenient and uncomfortable questions.
Difficult Conversations – Douglas Stone wrote, “Difficult conversations are almost never about getting the facts right. They are about conflicting perceptions, interpretations, and values.”
Clean and dirty fuels — proving doubters wrong or proving supporters right?
- Detractors can be helpful if they care about you.
Reward leading behaviors rather than trailing outcomes.
- Reward the behavior -- "That was a brave choice."
Advice:
- Get a job and add as much value as you can. Be resourceful. Figure out how to get things done. Understand where you can uniquely add value and pay attention to what's needed. Stick around long enough to connect the dots. Don't follow your passion. What works better? Put in the hard work to master something rare and valuable, then deploy this leverage to steer your working life in directions that resonate.
Todd had bumper stickers made that said: “Safety is not an option.” Coming up with safe answers over and over will make us irrelevant.
“If you are not inspired, you will not inspire other people.” Focus on your inputs. You must take time to read, meet with mentors, and learn from a variety of sources. Pause. Reflect. As leaders, we must make this a priority.
Buffalo, Not Cow – “Son, I need you to be the buffalo, not the cow.”
- In Colorado, when storms come, they almost always brew from the West. And then what happens is they roll out towards the East. Cows can sense that a storm is coming from this direction. So, a cow will try to run East to get away from the storm. Without knowing any better, the cows continue to try to outrun the storm. But instead of outrunning the storm, they run with the storm, maximizing the amount of pain, time, and frustration they experience from that storm.
- Buffaloes run at the storm and by running at the storm, they run straight through it, minimizing the amount of pain, time, and frustration they experience from that storm.
Prune Relationships – Sometimes we need to cut ties with people who drain us.

488: Cassie Holmes - How To Expand Your Time, Focus On What Matters Most, & Live A Happier Life Sep 04, 2022

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Cassie Holmes is a Professor at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. Cassie is an expert on time and happiness. Cassie is the author of the book, Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most, which is based on her wildly popular MBA course, “Applying the Science of Happiness to Life Design.”

Notes:

What do the happiest people do?
- They have strong, supportive relationships
- They feel a sense of belonging
- They feel safe and healthy
"We have control over what we do and how we spend our time."
Turn routines into rituals - Cassie does this for her Thursday morning coffee dates with her daughter. I do the same going to the pool with my daughter.
Time poverty is prevalent for 50% of Americans.
How to handle back to back to back meetings?
- It's unsustainable. Your team needs you to be full. Over time, you will not perform at an optimal level if you don't give yourself time to think, reflect, analyze the situation, and make a decision.
- Do a time tracking exercise and analyze what is the best use of your time.
- Block time on your calendar each day for yourself. And hold to it.
Learning from admired elders – Ask, ‘what is your greatest source of pride?’ ‘what is your greatest regret?’ - Invest the time to learn from someone who is older than you that you admire.
How to be happier? Unhappy activities can be made less painful by reframing them (bundling them with something fun or remembering its purpose–why you’re doing it)
Reflect back on your last two weeks. When did you feel the most joy? A weekly coffee date with your daughter? Swimming together? Whatever it is… How can you intentionally create more moments of joy for yourself?
If you have less than two hours of free time (leading to feelings of stress) or more than five hours of free time (undermining your sense of purpose), you’ll likely feel unsatisfied in your life. In between is the sweet spot— and most of us can achieve this with a few simple exercises provided in this podcast.
Why we tend to put off current enjoyment for the sake of tasks we “should” do and why we should do this less. Dr. Holmes says we need to identify and commit to activities that make us happy so we don’t later feel regret from missing out on life’s good stuff.
Focusing on time increases happiness because it motivates you to spend your time more deliberately.
Recognizing that your remaining time is limited and thus precious helps you savor life’s everyday moments of joy.
Tracking Time Exercise: based on how you’re currently spending and actually experiencing your hours, identify which times are truly the most and least happy.
Connecting socially, spending time outside, and being mindful during the hours you spend have the greatest impact on the happiness experienced in your day.
The Five Whys Exercise: uncover your purpose.
Eulogy Exercise: learn what really matters to you by how you hope to be remembered.
Gallup Poll: Do you have a best friend at work?
Counting times left exercise: How many times have you done it in the past month? How many more do you have left? How many meals will you share with your parents? Realize that it's probably not that many. That realization will help you cherish the time.

487: Governor Charlie Baker - A Conversation With The Most Popular Governor In America Aug 28, 2022

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My guest: Charlie Baker is Governor of Massachusetts. He has also served as CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a top-performing healthcare insurance provider. According to a Morning Consult poll, he has a 74% approval rating which makes him the most popular Governor in America. He is the author of the new book, Results: Getting Beyond Politics to Get Important Work Done.

Notes:

Your receiver is more important than your transmitter.” “You have two ears and one mouth.” Charlie learned at a young age the importance of being a good listener.
What he learned when he lost his first race: “Charlie, you spend too much time with your customers and not enough time with your prospects.” We all would benefit from talking with people who disagree with us…
In the fall of 2014, Charlie was struggling to find a secretary of transportation… This is a huge job within an administration. Charlie said he was looking for a 50% player – someone who thought you had real issues and wasn’t interested in making things just 5% better, but dramatically better. A friend recommended “Stephanie Pollack.” She was a well-known, well-respected liberal Democrat…
Charlie's work embraces openness and accountability. In the words, again, of John F. Kennedy, “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.”
He grew up the son of a moderate Republican father (who worked in the Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan administrations) and a liberal Democrat mother (a fierce advocate for education and services to support the most vulnerable in your community). His parents expected him and his brothers to participate in dinner table conversations about the issues of the day…
- The model his parents set led Charlie to never approach this work thinking that one side or the other was evil– or harbors bad intent.
“Wedge issues may be great for making headlines, but they do not move us forward. Success is measured by what we accomplish together. Our obligation to the people we serve is too important to place politics and partisanship before progress and results.”
People Are Policy – “Steve and I start here because you need to get this right or all else founders. This so-called soft stuff is in fact the hard stuff of governing,” the authors write. In many organizations, and especially in the public sector, more work is just piled upon existing staff and managers. Instead, building the team is synonymous with building the necessary people capacity, which may mean adding specific expertise in short bursts.
Follow The Facts - Facts define the problem and provide points of navigation for a response. In addition to gathering data evidence, interviewing people and identifying points of pain brings the abstract down to the personal. Stories demonstrate real-world impact and establish concrete information that data alone cannot reveal.
Focus On How – “How” is the bridge between the problems that emerge from the data evidence and the points of pain and meaningful impact. This two-part step—what to do and how to do it—ensures that proposed actions align with targeted results.
Push For Results - Results are not an endpoint; they encompass objective evaluation. Once underway, the repetition of a particular cycle (measure, evaluate, adjust, repeat) leads to steady, sustainable results that can drive further progress.
Charlie is not only about getting things done but about renewing people’s faith in public service.

486: Brent Beshore - Growth Without Goals, Continuous Improvement, & The Art Of Sales Aug 21, 2022

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Brent Beshore is the Founder and CEO of Permanent Equity, a Midwestern-based private equity firm. They take a long-term approach to private equity, investing "permanent equity" in small to midsize privately held companies throughout North America. He’s also the best-selling author of The Messy Marketplace.

Notes:

Growth without goals – Listed as one of Brent's foundations. “We believe the best path to sturdy growth is not a plan, but a posture.” It’s a belief in continuous improvement, optimism shining through some thick scars, and a healthy dose of humility.
Growth comes from what you know you don't know. (which feels terrible). The harm comes from what you think you know or what you don't know you don't know. (which feels great or oblivious)
Progress isn't made by sweeping proclamation or grand strategy. It's built by unglamorous daily activities that are often overlooked and under-appreciated.
In March 2016, Brent wrote a medium post about how to sell… “Every sale has five basic obstacles: no need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust.” — Zig Ziglar
You have 30 minutes one-on-one with someone you know nothing about other than they are wildly successful personally and professionally. What questions do you ask to understand their life, tease out their life philosophy, and get advice?
Great questions are the key that unlocks everything. Stop talking about yourself and be a student of others.
No matter how important you think relationships are, they’re more important.
Reliability is a superpower. Do what you say you would when you said you’d do it, for the price you said you’d do it for. Every single time.
If you’re ever more focused on other people’s shortcomings than your own, you’re the problem.
Important Qualities:
- High intellectual honesty
- Humility
- Optimism
Life as a dad: "You will never be happier than your least happy child."
"Culture is nothing more than what you reward and punish."
Buffett and Munger" - "Both are thoughtful, kind, and generous."
Enjoy life:
- "I didn't enjoy it in my 20's... Try to have an inner temperature of joy."
It's important to sit down with sages... Older people: Ask, "How do you mark your days?"
"We all have time for things we prioritize."
Sales is a dirty word for a lot... It doesn't need to be.
- The best salespeople Brent knows aren't selling. They share what they know and how it could potentially help others. "Invite people into your world. Share a vision. Help them understand the cause. Give them an invitation to go along with you."
Capital Camp - Shock people with hospitality. Help create meaningful relationships. Surround them with care and excellence.
Writing - Use humor. Write like you talk. Brent chooses to be light-hearted because that's how he is in real life.
Keys to being a great Dad:
- Love them unconditionally because of who they are
  - We have confused what love is
- Show them love by what you don't tolerate

485: Ryan Holiday - The Power Of Self Control, Loving The Process, & Building Endurance (Discipline Is Destiny) Aug 14, 2022

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Ryan Holiday is the best selling author of 11 books including The Obstacle Is the Way, The Daily Stoic, Ego Is the Enemy, and Stillness is the Key which has sold millions of copies and been translated into thirty languages. His latest book is called Discipline is Destiny - The Power of Self Control.

Notes:

We must be in command of ourselves. We have to conquer ourselves before others.
Self Discipline - Freedom is the opportunity for self-discipline.
The trivial - The people who sustain excellence fall in love with the process. They don't cheat it.
Choose to see obstacles as opportunities.
Dr. Drew recommended to Ryan that he should read books about stoicism when he was 19. This was a pivotal moment.
Carry The Load For Others – General Jim Mattis. "The privilege of command is command. You don’t get a bigger tent. “Being the boss is a job. Being a leader is something you earn.”
Seek Discomfort – Seneca was a rich man. He inherited estates from his father. He invested well. Yet every so often, for a few days, he would eat only the scantest fare and wear his coarest clothing. He would actively seek out discomfort, mimicking abject poverty and harsher life conditions.
Having a full calendar - "That doesn't seem like a rich life."
Just show up — Consistency. Thomas Edison said “I’ve got no imagination. Thank never dream. I’ve created nothing.” The genius hangs around his laboratory day and night.”
Your Why must be intrinsic.
Just work - in Ancient Greece, there was a word to describe a ceaseless work ethic — philoponia (about the author Joyce Carol Oates). She published a ton over the course of decades.
Work out -- “Obviously the philosopher's life should be well prepared for physical activity.” — the Stoic Gaius Musonius Rufus explained, “because often the virtues make use of this as a necessary instrument for the affairs of low.” The strenuous life is the best life — exercise. You must take care of your body. And eat well.
Endure - Shackelton’s family motto — “Fortitude Vincimus” — “By endurance we conquer.”
George Washington — When he was 26, he watched a play about the Stoics and started repeating the phrase “in the calm light of mild philosophy.”
Focus Focus Focus — In Yogic tradition they call this Ekagrata — intense focus on a singular point.
Do the hard thing first — Mark Twain - “the idea is that if we eat the frog at the beginning of the day, it will be next to impossible for the day to get any worse.”
Can you get back up? “Losing is not always up to us, but being a loser is. Being a quitter is.”
Silence is Strength — The Spartans' “laconic” style. Never use 2 words when 1 will do. Archimedes once explained at a Spartan dinner, “An expert on speaking also knows when not to do so.”
When Ryan speaks to NFL teams: "I try to give them one or two practical things to implement."
Be Your Best - "Conquering the world is rather easy after we have fully conquered ourselves. Certainly fewer people have done the latter than the former.”
Taking a stand - How successful are you really if you can't be yourself?"
Lou Gehrig - “When you love the work, you don’t cheat it or the demands it makes of you. You respect even the most trivial aspects of the pursuit.”

484: Bill George - Becoming An Authentic Leader By Discovering Your True North (Former CEO of Medtronic) Aug 07, 2022

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Bill George is a senior fellow at Harvard Business School, where he has taught leadership since 2004. He is the author of Discover Your True North, Authentic Leadership, and 7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis. Bill is the former chairman and chief executive officer of Medtronic. He joined Medtronic in 1989 as president and chief operating officer, was the CEO from 1991-2001, and board chair from 1996-2002. Earlier in his career, he was a senior executive with Honeywell and Litton Industries and served in the U.S. Department of Defense.

Sustained excellence =
- Authentic, real, and vulnerable
- They know how to bring people together and inspire them
- They challenge, help, and coach people
People do not want the Jack Welch style today.
How did Bill earn the CEO role at Medtronic?
- Team building - "I continued to develop leaders."
- "Do your current job exceptionally well, develop others, and don't think about your promotion."
- Give people an opportunity and a sense of purpose
Your True North
- Make the shift from what you are to who you are
- Process your life story and the significant events
- The difficult times make you who you are
  - What do you want them to say at your funeral?
The "Coach" Acronym
- Care
- Organize
- Align
- Challenge
- Help
"You must be a constant learner if you want to be a leader."
Leadership Crucibles:
- Leadership is about relationships
What Bill has learned teaching at Harvard
- It's a mistake to chase external expectations
- You need to be fulfilled by your work
Keys to a great marriage:
- Communicate all the time
- You need to grow together
Keys to being a great dad:
- Be there, be present
- Listen
Bill shares what it's like leading through today’s challenges, creating inclusive cultures, and how to lead through crises.
Bill shares the dangers of leading without True North, including case studies of Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, WeWork’s Adam Neumann, Uber’s Travis Kalanick, and Theranos’s Elizabeth Holmes
“Pursuing purpose with passion
- Practicing solid values
- Leading with heart
- Establishing enduring relationships
- Demonstrating self-discipline”
“You need to be who you are, not try to emulate somebody else.”
“The hardest person you will ever have to lead is yourself.”
“The reality is that no one can be authentic by trying to be like someone else. There is no doubt you can learn from their experiences, but there is no way you can be successful trying to be like them. People trust you when you are genuine and authentic, not an imitation.”
“The role of leaders is not to get other people to follow them but to empower others to lead.”

483: Colin O'Brady - Doing The Impossible, Changing Your Mindset, & Crossing Antarctica Alone Jul 31, 2022

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Colin O’Brady 10-time World Record Holder. New York Times bestselling author of The Impossible First. Colin’s highly publicized expeditions have been followed by millions and his work has been featured in the New York Times, The Tonight Show, the BBC, The Joe Rogan Experience, and NBC’s Today. His feats include the world’s first solo, unsupported, and fully human-powered crossing of Antarctica; speed records for the Explorers Grand Slam and the Seven Summits; and the world’s first human-powered ocean row across the Drake Passage. His new book is called The 12 Hour Walk.

Notes:

What’s your Everest - The question he asked all the rich bankers that night that none had an answer to? What’s your answer? What are you doing to turn that into a reality?
Limiting beliefs - “We are the stories we tell ourselves.” What story are you telling yourself about… Yourself?
Life is on a scale of 1 to 10. Most people live most days around a 5 or 6. They don’t have any 1s and they don’t have any 10s. What can you do to change that? How can you live a life that has some 1s and 10s?
Mantra: "Colin! You are strong. You are capable."
The most important muscle is the brain.
The possible mindset:
- See the optimism in all opportunities.
- Colin's mom told him he could achieve anything that he set his mind to.
Colin had an accident and caught on fire while jumping a flaming jump rope...
- His doctor told him that he would probably never walk again.
- At that moment, Colin set the goal to complete a triathlon.
  - A year later, he WON the Chicago triathlon.
With Colin as your guide, The 12-Hour Walk asks you to invest one day in yourself. The goal? Conquering your mind and becoming your best self. By walking alone, unplugging, listening to the voice within, and rewriting the limiting beliefs etched into your psyche, you can break free of the patterns holding you back and learn how to cultivate a “Possible Mindset”—an empowered way of thinking that unlocks a life of limitless possibilities. The reward: being the hero of your own destiny.
Question to ask yourself: What is your Everest?
- What does fulfillment look like?
- You must take care of yourself first...
Excellence:
- A deep connection with your why. PASSION.
- Genuine curiosity
- Love
- If no one was watching, would you still do it?

482: Neal Foard - Becoming More Persuasive, Telling Better Stories, & Changing Your Mind... Jul 24, 2022

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Neal Foard has spent more than 20 years creating award-winning ad campaigns for clients on four continents. From the experience of thousands of presentations to clients all over the world, Neal has created The Passionate Logic Project™ to help business leaders sell their agendas more persuasively. He has been a featured speaker at TED and is recently known for his TikTok videos which have been viewed millions of times over the past few months.

"There's nothing wrong with us that can't be fixed by what's right with us."
The EQ of the gym bro – When someone is new on your team, ask them to help you out. Find a way to include them. Get them an early win. Make them feel part of the team as soon as possible.
The element of mystery – Have an aha moment. Don’t spoil the punchline. Save the reveal for the end… Remember the Whitney Houston story?
Your first words of a presentation or a meeting are the most valuable real estate you have. Don’t waste them. Be thoughtful. Practice. Don’t tell them “I’m so excited to be here…” Launch with intrigue, with movement, with a story…
How To Use Power – “The thing that gave him more joy than anything was using power to make life more amazing for his team, make you feel like you mattered to him.” – “All business is personal. The best business is very personal.” - Rick Lenz
Data is a tool - Our first use of it should be to make people smile. – Your family trip to Disney World… What happened?
The Physics of a Bright Smile – The most important decision you can make is to be in a good mood. - Voltaire
What Motivates people: Lillian Moore shares a quick story that reveals what really motivates people: "A few months after my husband and I moved to a small Massachusetts town I grumbled to a resident about the poor service at the library, hoping she would repeat my complaints to the librarian. The next time I went to the library, the librarian had set aside two bestsellers for me and a new biography for my husband. What's more, she appeared to be genuinely glad to see me. Later I reported the miraculous change to my friend. "I suppose you told her how poor we thought the service was?" I asked. "No," she confessed. "In fact—I hope you don't mind—I told her your husband was amazed at the way she had built up this small-town library, and that you thought she showed unusually good taste in the new books she ordered." Source: Reader's Digest (Similar to Neal's coffee story. “Puuuurfect”)
Begin each story with a vague suggestion that there's a lesson to be learned by the end...
Steve Martin - Do NOT begin a talk with, "Hey, how's everybody doing?"
A leader's job is to facilitate their people's best work.
Presentations: Do not read bullet points. If you do that, you're just passing along information. You need to attach emotion to it.
How to be more persuasive?
- Be willing to listen and open to changing your mind. Send the signal to them that we can do it. We're not there to win.
- The power of listening is underrated. Learn what does and doesn't matter to them.
"People don't change their minds unless they want to."

481: Eric Barker - The Surprising Science About Building Excellent Relationships (Plays Well With Others) Jul 17, 2022

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Eric Barker is the author of The Wall Street Journal bestseller “Barking Up the Wrong Tree,” which has sold over half a million copies and been translated into 19 languages. It was even the subject of a question on “Jeopardy!” Over 500,000 people have subscribed to his weekly newsletter. His work has been covered by The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Financial Times, and others. Eric is also a sought-after speaker, having given talks at MIT, Yale, Google, the United States Military Central Command (CENTCOM), and the Olympic Training Center. His latest book is called “Plays Well with Others."

Love – Casanova said, “love is three-quarters curiosity.” That curiosity creates deep knowledge… And that helps you build what researcher John Gottman calls, a “love map.” “Everyone asks how you got together; nobody asks how you stayed together. And it’s the latter that is often the real achievement to be proud of.”
Your WHO: Take your health, for example. The Framingham study showed that drinking, smoking, and obesity are all quite contagious. If someone you consider a friend becomes obese, your likelihood of obesity increases by 53%. And if the friendship is mutual, the number rises to 171%.
- "Friends are only there because you want them to be."
- "Friends make us happier than any other relationship."
How to build deeper relationships with friends?
- Time
- Be vulnerable -- "Relationships move at the speed of vulnerability."
How to make your relationship with your partner better?
- Do exciting things together - Be proactive
- Leverage emotional contagion - Associate feelings with events
- Bill Perkins - "Create memory dividends."
- You need to learn and grow together
John Gottman asks couples to tell their stories...
- The ones that stick together celebrate the difficulties
Profiling - “Humans are prone to seeing meaning when there is none.” There’s a fundamental reason that astrologers outnumber astronomers. Emotionally we want a feeling of control over the world around us. We desperately need the world to at least seem to make sense. And for that, we need a story, even if it isn’t true.
Confirmation bias: what is it? And what are the 3 ways to resist it?
- Feel accountable
- Distance before decision
- Consider the opposite
Lying — how can you spot a liar? The average college student lies in about a third of conversations. For adults, it’s 1 in 5. In online dating, 81% of profiles deviate from the truth. And we are terrible at detecting lies, averaging a 54% success rate.
- So how do we become better at understanding if someone is lying? This system takes patience (so it isn’t useful for little lies but can be powerful for bigger issues). “The science overwhelming recommended a nuanced and sophisticated method humans have never tried in the past 5,000 years when attempting to detect lies: being nice. Never be a bad cop, be a friendly journalist. You have to get them to like you. To open up. To talk a lot. And to make a mistake that reveals deception. Don’t accuse. Be curious.
Optimism – Shawn Achor’s Ted Talk (so funny and fast). MET Life saw such great results among happy salespeople that they tried an experiment: they started hiring people based on optimism. It turns out that the optimistic group outsold their more pessimistic counterparts by 19% in year one and 57% in year two.
"Writing a book is like telling a joke and having to wait two years to know whether or not it was funny." —ALAIN DE BOTTON
Eric writes to start his new book... Henry Thomas Buckle once said: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” I’m here to discuss people.
Leveraging the best evidence available—free of platitudes or magical thinking—Eric analyzes multiple sides of an issue before rendering his verdict. What he’s uncovered is surprising, counterintuitive, and timely—and will change the way you interact in the world and with those around you just when you need it most.
Life/Career advice:
- Set your personal definition of success
  - "You need to be able to say this is enough."

480: Seth Godin - Becoming A Great Storyteller, Fixing PowerPoint Presentations, & Defining Leadership Jul 10, 2022

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Leaders have nothing in common. They don’t share gender or income level or geography. There’s no gene, no schooling, no parentage, no profession. In other words, leaders aren’t born with it. Actually, they do have one thing in common. "Every tribe leader I’ve ever met shares one thing: the decision to lead. Leadership is a choice."
Great Stories – Great stories are rarely aimed at everyone. Average people are good at ignoring you. Average people have too many different points of view about life and average people are by and large satisfied. If you need to water down your story to appeal to everyone, it will appeal to no one. The most effective stories match the world view of a tiny audience—and then that tiny audience spreads the story.
Really Bad PowerPoint - Powerpoint could be the most powerful tool on your computer. But it’s not. Countless innovations fail because their champions use PowerPoint the way Microsoft wants them to, instead of the right way. Communication is the transfer of emotion. make slides that reinforce your words, not repeat them. Create slides that demonstrate, with emotional proof, that what you’re saying is true not just accurate. Talking about pollution in Houston? Instead of giving me four bullet points of EPA data, why not read me the stats but show me a photo of a bunch of dead birds, some smog, and even a diseased lung? This is cheating! It’s unfair! It works.
Define Brand – Seth's definition: A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories, and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another.
Linchpin — the combination of passion and art is what makes someone a linchpin.
Gifts — there are 2 reasons to give gifts. One is reciprocity. You give so that someone feels like they owe you something. That is manipulative and no way to build a career. The second reason is fascinating. Gifts allow you to make art. Gifts are given with no reciprocity hoped for or even possible. The paintings of Chuck Close - the gift he gives with no possibility of reciprocity gives him room to be in charge. Room to find joy. Because when he’s painting he’s not punching a time clock or trying to please someone who bought his time. He’s creating a gift. My fundamental argument is simple. In everything you do, it’s possible to be an artist, at least a little bit.
“How To Be Remarkable”
- Remarkable doesn’t mean remarkable to you. It means remarkable to me. Am I going to make a remark about it? If not, then you’re average, and average is for losers.
- It's not really as frightening as it seems. They keep the masses in line by threatening them (us) with all manner of horrible outcomes if we dare to step out of line. But who loses their jobs at the mass layoffs? Who has trouble finding a new gig? Not the remarkable minority, that's for sure.
Lost in all the noise around us is the proven truth that creativity is the result of desire. A Desire to solve an old problem, a desire to serve someone else. It’s not a bolt of lightning from somewhere else...
The difference between talent and skill: Talent is something we’re born with: it’s in our DNA, a magical alignment of gifts. Skill is earned. It’s learned and practiced and hard-won. It’s insulting to call a professional talented. In the words of Steve Martin, “I had no talent. None.”
If you want to change your story, change your actions first. We become what we do.
Practical Empathy -- “We have to be able to say, ‘it’s not for you’ and mean it. The work exists to serve someone, to change someone, to make something better.

479: David Rubenstein - Interviewing Billionaires, Using Humor To Connect, & The Future Of America Jul 03, 2022

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Guest: David M. Rubenstein is Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest and most successful private investment firms. Established in 1987, Carlyle now manages $325 billion from 26 offices around the world. David is the host of The David Rubenstein Show: Peer-to-Peer Conversations on Bloomberg TV and PBS and Bloomberg Wealth with David Rubenstein on Bloomberg TV; and the author of The American Story: Conversations with Master Historians, a book published by Simon & Schuster in 2019, How to Lead: Wisdom from the World's Greatest CEOs, Founders, and Game Changers, a book published in 2020, and The American Experiment: Dialogues on a Dream, a book published in 2021.

Notes:

How David defines success - “Other people tell you that what you’ve done is useful. They admire you. And you help people.”
David's goals:
- Don't do anything to get in public trouble
- Give away the bulk of his money
4 Key Decisions David made that helped him:
- Going to law school
- Working in the Carter White House
- Starting the Carlyle Group
- Becoming a philanthropist
Why The Carlyle Group?
- "I fell in love with building something from scratch."
"Great ideas don't come from people who are busy."
Why does David enjoy interviewing leaders?
- It gives him an opportunity to follow his intellectual curiosity
How does he prepare for his interviews?
- Reads their books
- Gets help from a research assistant
- Digests all the material
- Writes questions
- Looks for humor opportunities
Humor breaks the tension and produces a common bond
- "John Kennedy had a great sense of humor."
David has lent his home in Nantucket to President Biden.
Benjamin Franklin said, "it's a republic if you can keep it." Republics are not easy to keep.
David had the opportunity to invest in Facebook when Mark Zuckerberg was in college... But he said no.
The keys to the Wright Brother's Success --
- Tons of books in their house growing up
- Their inquisitive nature
- Their passion to prove a point
Commonalities of excellent leaders:
- Vision
- Determination - must walk the walk
- Influence others
- Communication skill
- Humility
- Highly ethical
- Doesn't need all the credit
- Higher goals than just money
“Persist – don’t take no for an answer. If you’re happy to sit at your desk and not take any risk, you’ll be sitting at your desk for the next 20 years.”
"What do most people say on their deathbed? They don't say, 'I wish I'd made more money.' What they say is, 'I wish I'd spent more time with my family and done more for society or my community."
"Moneymaking was never anything to me. I was happy never making money; I just was happy doing things I liked. But I fell into the money thing. I now don't feel guilty about it, but I am determined to give away the bulk of it and enjoy doing it."
"Anybody who gives away money is mostly looking at things where they think they can make a difference. I'm trying to help people who helped me, educational institutions that helped me with scholarships, or organizations that were very useful to me in growing up."
"It's clear to me that when you do private equity well, you're making companies more efficient and helping them grow and become more profitable. That success means our investors - such as public pension funds - benefit, which contributes to the economic wealth of society."
"I regard food as fuel. I am not a brunch person."
Life and Career advice:
- Find something you enjoy
- Experiment
- Read
- Keep an open mind

478: Susan Cain - Using Pain To Be More Creative, Finding The Right Life Partner, & A New Way To Think About Death Jun 26, 2022

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Susan Cain is the #1 bestselling author of Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole and Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, which spent eight years on The New York Times best-seller list, and has been translated into 40 languages. Susan’s TED talks have been viewed over 40 million times. LinkedIn named her the Top 6th Influencer in the World, just behind Richard Branson and Melinda French Gates. Susan partners with Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, and Dan Pink to curate the Next Big Idea Book Club.

Notes:

"Compassion means to suffer together."
How to use sadness? "Make the pain your creative offering."
- To suffer with other beings brings people together.
When people are grieving the loss of a loved one, they often want to talk about that person.
Aristotle wondered why the great poets, philosophers, artists, and politicians often have melancholic personalities… his question was based on the ancient belief that the human body contains 4 humors: each corresponding to a different temperament - melancholic (sad), sanguine (happy), choleric (aggressive), and phlegmatic (calm).
Joseph Campbell said, “We should strive to participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world.”
Connecting with what matters and taking committed action—moves us from bitter to sweet, from loss to love.” Everyone experiences loss. It is part of the human condition. How have you moved “from bitter to sweet, from loss to love”? Are there coping strategies you recommend?
The bittersweet quiz — 1-10. If you scored between 5.8 and 10, you’re a true connoisseur of bittersweetness: the place where light and dark meet.
- Questions: Do you tear up easily at touching TV commercials? Are you especially moved by old photographs? Do you react intensely to music, art, or nature? Have others described you as an old soul? Do you find comfort or inspiration on a rainy day? Are you moved to goosebumps several times a day? Do you feel elevated by sad music? Do you tend to see the happiness and sadness in things, all at once? Do you seek out beauty in your everyday life?" (I scored a 7.1)
“The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, it's a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk. Use your natural powers -- of persistence, concentration, and insight -- to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems. make art, think deeply.”
“The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, it's a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk. Use your natural powers -- of persistence, concentration, and insight -- to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems. make art, think deeply.”
“There's zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.”
“If we could honor sadness a little more, maybe we could see it—rather than enforced smiles and righteous outrage—as the bridge we need to connect with each other. We could remember that no matter how distasteful we might find someone’s opinions, no matter how radiant, or fierce, someone may appear, they have suffered, or they will.”
“The secret that our poets and philosophers have been trying to tell us for centuries, is that our longing is the great gateway to belonging.”
“The tragedy of life is linked inescapably with its splendor; you could tear civilization down and rebuild it from scratch, and the same dualities would rise again. Yet to fully inhabit these dualities—the dark as well as the light—is, paradoxically, the only way to transcend them. And transcending them is the ultimate point. The bittersweet is about the desire for communion, the wish to go home.”
“Introverts, in contrast, may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas. They prefer to devote their social energies to close friends, colleagues, and family. They listen more than they talk, think before they speak, and often feel as if they express themselves better in writing than in conversation. They tend to dislike conflict. Many have a horror of small talk, but enjoy deep discussions.”
Life and Career advice:
- You have to find a way to do it. Life can sweep you up quickly.
- Establish a backup plan. It frees you up to be more creative.
- Develop rituals for writing... Purely with pleasure.

477: Steve Holmes - Finding Your Purpose (Ikigai), Bouncing Back From Failure, & Using Your Working Genius Jun 19, 2022

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Steve Holmes founded Springfree Trampoline in 2003 and has overseen its growth to almost 400 employees globally. He is responsible for strategic business development and leads growth initiatives worldwide. Springfree® Trampoline, the World's Safest Trampoline™, was introduced in 2003, and available in Australia in 2004. Dr. Keith Alexander re-designed the trampoline from the ground up to invent Springfree Trampoline, over fifteen years of research and development.

Notes:

“I hope that customers describe Springfree as a company which has integrity, honesty, great character, and deals with its customers in a way that values their experience with the brand and the product, and delivers on the promises they make.
Living in the tension of competing priorities. This is the job of the leader. It’s happening at all times both at work and at home. We must be aware of and understand how to live in that tension.
Your working genius - Jim has learned that his sense of wonder and invention is what brings him the most joy. We have to know what lights us up in order to sustain excellence over time.
Responding to losing the Costco account. Steve called the Jim Sinegal and worked out how the relationship would end and then immediately planned for the future to keep his company in business.
"The greatest piece of marketing is our customers."
How to find your purpose: Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means your 'reason for being. ' 'Iki' in Japanese means 'life,' and 'gai' describes value or worth. Your ikigai is your life purpose or your bliss. It's what brings you joy and inspires you to get out of bed every day.
Life is about giving so that others will benefit.
The C's of business
- Clarity
- Competency
- Confidence
- Choice
"The pace of change is faster than the pace of learning."
Sustained excellence:
- Humble
- Hungry
- Smart
As the leader, you must create an environment where people want to learn

476: Kat Cole - Pragmatic Optimism, Reflection Questions, Humble Confidence, Building Trust, & The Hot Shot Rule Jun 12, 2022

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Kat Cole is the President, COO, and board member at Athletic Greens. She was previously President and COO at Focus Brands, the parent company of Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, Moe’s, Schlotzsky’s, McAllister’s, Carvel, Seattle’s Best Coffee International, and Jamba. She oversaw all businesses, their 6,000 operations globally, and the multi-brand licensing and CPG business with 90,000+ points of retail distribution. She has more than 20 years of operational, brand, and executive leadership experience and has an MBA from Georgia State University and an honorary Doctorate from Johnson and Wales University. This episode was recorded at the Insight Global Headquarters in Atlanta, GA as part of the Women's Leadership Council "Raise Your Hand, Raise Your Voice" event.

Notes:

A pragmatic optimist: When Kat was 9 years old, Kat's mom decided to leave her dad. Her dad was an alcoholic. Kat has two younger sisters. Kat was in multiple car accidents with her dad while he was driving drunk. At the age of 9, Kat looked at her mom and said, "What took you so long?"
- She learned that "the people who are closest to the action know what to do long before the senior leaders do. But they lack the language to articulate the problem and the solution. And they lack the authority to do something about it."
- "I learned to stay incredibly close to the people who are close to the action from that moment."
- "With all that he did, my mother never spoke ill of my father. I remember in all of those years, we were super poor. Taking meat scraps from the butcher. I remember one holiday season we were driving around looking at holiday lights. We went through the fancy neighborhoods and she said, 'isn't that beautiful, they must work so hard.' There are these things I absorbed that I started expecting from leaders. I learned to be grounded in the practical (the pragmatic part), but still optimistic because a whole lot is possible with very little, especially if the leader stays close to the action."
"I am a learning leader. Learning is my currency." Oh! I get to do something new and I can help people, and I can make money doing it. And money is freedom because it's independence."
"When we left my dad, my mom only had one goal, all she wanted was to raise three independent girls. Our willingness to be independent was her north star."
Kat got a job at Hooters and quickly set the record for "close-opens." The shifts where you close the restaurant and open it the next day. She did it 22 straight days.
She was then asked to travel to Sydney, Australia and open a new restaurant. She had never left the country and didn't have a passport. She said yes anyway.
- She went on to open restaurants on four continents before she was twenty.
How to build trust:
- It's important to lead through action, not just words.
  - Something as simple as when we get together in person, take time to buy the donuts and coffee or some AG1. Just that effort to find a way to do something that shows you care about their experience. I don't need to say 'I thought of you.' It is obvious."
"In my role, my success is your success. Your success comes from me removing friction for you."
- Vulnerability - Lead with vulnerability first. Share your story.
- Holding people accountable - A players do not like seeing B players, C players, people who don't give their best being given equal opportunity. Someone needs to be in control, expectations are communiated and managed, and the leader is keeping us on the tracks. You have to hold people accountable.
Conflict resolution - On Friday night a regular patron would go to Hooters with his friends and order 50 wings... "After finishing the wings, he would call me over and say, 'there was only 40 wings.' He did this 4 weeks in a row. "The 4th Friday, he comes, orders 50 wings, and while they were finishing, before he finished, and I on my own waitress discount ordered 10 wings, and brought them to him. And winked. And his buddies busted out in laugher, and he said, 'good one' and tipped me 100 bucks."
- "Don't confuse my kindness for weakness or stupidity. I'm generous. I'm thoughtful. I'm caring. I assume positive intent first, but I'm not going to be taken advantage of."
"Confidence is not an old school overly masculine swagger, I know what I'm doing, I've got this. It's a humble confidence. It's not I know what I'm doing, it's I know I can figure this out. My confidence is deeply humble. I have screwed up so many times. I spent 10 years doing humanitarian work on the border of Ethiopia. I know what bad actually looks like. Which keeps western world business bad equally in perspective. That helps me chill. And that translates as ease. And ease translates as calm. And calm translates as both maturity and confidence. But it's actually from perspective."
- "Confidence is built doing many new things where you are repeatedly uncomfortable."
- Humble confidence is like from The Mandolorian, "This is the way."
- "Traditional confidence, that swagger, can be successful. And can drive outcomes, but the teams don't last very long. But the humble confidence is a learning leader. Any leader who suggests they know the way will be wrong at some points. Teams won't last as long if they don't have humble confidence."
Productive achievers: The behaviors of the most successful humans have these four qualities:
- Courage & Confidence + Curiosity & Humility -- They must be equally balanced.
Speaking up - "If you are speaking up with the expectation of a specific outcome, you will always be disapointed. Period. That may be part of the problem. But if speaking up is about contributing and pushing the conversation forward, you're sort of lowering the expecation of the outcome. So I have very low expectation on the impact I make, but I don't expect one hand raise or one memo to change the world. But I do believe in participation."
As a first time vice president at Hooters, Kat was 26 years old. She's at the table and every one of her peers was in their 50's. They had been in business longer than she had been alive.
Kat's "Hot Shot Rule."
- The Hotshot Rule is the act of thinking of someone Kat admires, then pausing, reflecting, and asking what they would do in her situation/shoes/role, then answering what that one thing is and acting on it. The answer tends to appear quickly because it seems to be clear when you think about it through someone else's lens. That alone doesn’t create change - the trick is taking action on it right away and then telling someone - the person it benefits, the person you envisioned who inspired you, or just someone you know will appreciate the change you’ve made.
  - "Every time I tell my team, husband, or friend about the one thing I’ve done differently after the exercise, they say, 'What took you so long?' Or 'Finally!'"
Kat's Monthly Reflection Questions:
1. What has been the best part of the last 30 days?
2. What has been the worst part of the last 30 days?
3. Tell me one thing that I can do differently to be a better partner/teammate?
4. What has worried you the most in the last 30 days?
5. What is one thing you are most proud of in the last 30 days?
6. What have you been most grateful for?

475: Chandler Bolt - The Life Changing Process Of Writing A Book... (How You Can Do It Right Now) Jun 05, 2022

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Chandler Bolt is an investor, advisor, the CEO of Self-Publishing School & SelfPublishing.com, and the author of 6 bestselling books including his most recent book titled “Published.”. Self Publishing School is an INC 5000 company the last 3 years in a row as one of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the US. He's currently spending his time scaling Self Publishing School, a company he's built from 0 to $20M+ in 5.5 years.

Notes:

Thinking of your topic – What are the broken record conversations you continue to have? What questions do others ask you on a regular basis? The market will help you understand where you add value…
Hiring others-- An hour is an hour. A simple metric… Your take-home pay is divided by 2,080. That is your hourly rate. Hire others to do work if it’s cheaper than your hourly rate. This is hard to do but appears to be a wise investment long term
The 4 P’s of writing – Person, pain, promise, price. Write to one person… just like you’re responding to an email.
"A book is a $15 mentor"
Writing process:
- Mind map
- Outline
- Rough draft
"People who pay, pay attention."
"Go from I want to, to I am doing it."
The root word of authority is author
Revenue = Vanity
Profit = Sanity
Cash = King
Designing the life you want first... Michael Hyatt has helped him schedule his time off first.
“Valuing freedom above all else; entrepreneurs work harder to create future freedom, which directly takes away from their freedom in the present.”
“The truth is, you'll never "find the time" to write a book. You have to make it.”
“Don’t be the person who misses out on opportunities in life because you take too long to accomplish your work tasks. Be the kind of person other people marvel at. Be the kind of person other people see and say, “I don’t know how they do it.” Be the kind of person who takes action and does so immediately.”
Get a free copy of his new book, go to www.PublishedBook.com/Hawk

474: Jeffrey Pfeffer - How To Gain Power, Break The Rules, & Advance Your Career May 29, 2022

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Jeffrey Pfeffer is the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University where he has taught since 1979. He is the author or co-author of 15 books including Leadership B.S.: Fixing Workplaces and Careers One Truth at a Time; Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don’t; The Human Equation: Building Profits by Putting People First; Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths, and Total Nonsense: Profiting from Evidence-Based Management.

Notes:

“The two fundamental dimensions that distinguish people who rise to great heights and accomplish amazing things are will, the drive to take on big challenges, and skill, the capabilities required to turn ambition into accomplishment. The three personal qualities embodied are ambition, energy, and focus. The four skills useful in acquiring power are self-knowledge and a reflective mindset, confidence and the ability to project self-assurance, the ability to read others and empathize with their point of view, and a capacity to tolerate conflict.”
“Being memorable equals getting picked.”
“Measuring the wrong thing is often worse than measuring nothing because you do get what you measure."
“People are seduced by and attracted to narcissists and despots and wind up voting for or working for them, frequently with bad outcomes."
Break the rules — in one test, the rule breaker dropped cigarette ashes on the floor and spoke rudely to the waiter. That person was perceived to be 29% more powerful than the person who was more polite.
“I completely reject the idea that working adults need to be treated like infants or worse and not told the realities, harsh or not, about the world of work.”
Build a powerful brand — in late 2020, Laura Chau was promoted to partner at Canaan Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm. She started a podcast. It gave her the opportunity to ask women who were very senior in their careers to talk for an hour… she expanded her network. Her own status was enhanced through her association with high-status people. Then she started writing and publishing her work. This attracted people to her.
- A brand needs coherence. Have a narrative and tell it repeatedly.
Love: "Kathleen, whom I met at a party in the Green Room of the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco on January 19, 1985, and married on July 23, 1986. As she would say, no algorithm would have matched us."
- “To the amazing Kathleen, the love of my life, whose death left a hole in my heart and soul.”
The 7 rules of Power are: 1) Get out of your own way. 2) Break the rules. 3) Show up in a powerful fashion. 4) Create a powerful brand. 5) Network relentlessly. 6) Use your power. 7) Understand that once you have acquired power, what you did to get it will be forgiven, forgotten, or both.

473: Ed Mylett - Building Confidence, Asking The Right Questions, & Maxing Out Your Life (The Power Of One More) May 22, 2022

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Ed Mylett is a globally recognized entrepreneur, coach, and speaker. He started in the financial services industry, eventually earning a spot on the Forbes 50 Wealthiest Under 50 List. Since then, he has spearheaded a range of ventures, spanning technology, real estate, health, nutrition, and more. Ed is the best-selling author of #MaxOut Your Life, and the new book The Power of One More. He has grown his online audience to more than 3 million followers in just four years. Ed also regularly inspires audiences ranging from small gatherings to mega-venues of 50,000+ attendees, and online audiences in the hundreds of thousands.

Notes:

Self-confidence is about keeping promises to yourself. And surrounding yourself with people who live at a higher temperature. You become what they are. You think differently, act differently, and will achieve different results based on your inner circle.
- "Link your confidence to your intention."
Excellence = high standards. People who sustain excellence expect more from themselves. They’re prepared for big moments. Their habits, routines, and rituals enable them to perform at a high level each day. And they keep raising their standards. Isn’t that the type of person we want to be?
Definition of leadership – “As I define it, you are a One More leader if you help people do things they would not otherwise accomplish without your presence.” - Ed Mylett
The six basic needs that drive people: Certainty, Uncertainty and Variety, Significance, Love & Connection, Growth, and Contribution.
Many people think they’ve got to make several huge changes to improve their lives and achieve their goals. This common misconception works as a barrier instead of a motivator. And as a result, people never start making changes, or quickly give up, never fulfilling their potential.
The One More philosophy is built on two main premises. First, you don’t need to make dozens of big changes to achieve significant growth or change. Often, important changes take place as the result of doing one more thing. Second, the One More philosophy is about combining thinking and doing. We often do one or the other and assume that’s enough. But it’s not until you combine those two that you’ll start to see profound changes in your life.
"My dad was an alcoholic when I was young. It wasn’t until my mom gave him a One More ultimatum that he got sober. For the last 35 years of his life, he devoted himself to helping others with alcohol addiction, almost until the day he died, making the most of the One More chance he’d been given. He passed away a little over a year ago, and his death was also a reminder to reach out and spend as much time as you can with the people you love because if you don’t, you’ll regret not having one last One More with that person when they’re gone."
The questions you ask yourself directly reflect what you think about. When you don’t think about the right things, you’ll ask yourself questions that don’t advance the quality of your life. Better questions lead to better answers, and better answers lead to a better life. Asking tough questions can be uncomfortable but doing so eventually leads you to the best answers although they may be difficult for you to address. Facing these answers empowers you to remove roadblocks that have been holding you back from your best One More life.
Goals & Standards - Many people often confuse goals and standards, thinking they’re the same thing. They are not! Although goals are important, standards determine whether you’ll reach your goals or not. The proper standards create a framework that feeds into your efforts, mindset, and what you’re willing to tolerate. You can control these parts of your life while goals are often at the mercy of external forces.
The role Ed plays: Identify your own gifts and the gifts others possess. Link the work that needs to be done to those gifts.
Henry Ford - People need to feel loved, and cared for, and that you believe in them. They can grow into roles.
How to help powerful people? They want clarity, specificity, and laser focus.
Become evangelical about your mission. The mission is what you stand for and against.
What is going through Ed's mind the few minutes before he gives a keynote speech?
- He prays. He focuses on the audience and their needs. It's about them. They need to feel his intent.
Energy - "The highest energy person wins."
Sustained excellence:
- High standards
- Preparation
- Habits and rituals
Why do all of this?
- Ed is motivated to have high standards to "catch the guy I was capable of being."

472: Jimmy Soni - An Indispensable Guide To Innovation, Curiosity, & Leadership (The Founders) May 15, 2022

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Jimmy Soni is an award-winning author. His book, A Mind at Play: How Claude Shannon Invented the Information Age, won the 2017 Neumann Prize, awarded by the British Society for the History of Mathematics for the best book on the history of mathematics for a general audience, and the Middleton Prize by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. His book, Jane’s Carousel, completed with the late Jane Walentas, captured one woman’s remarkable twenty-five-year journey to restore a beloved carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Jimmy's most recent book is called, The Founders - The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley.

Notes:

“Your life will be shaped by the things you create, and the people you make them with. We tend to sweat the former. We don't worry enough about the latter."
- The founders and earliest employees of PayPal pushed and prodded and demanded better of one another.
Instead of "Acknowledgements" to end his book, Jimmy titled the section "Debts"
- "A debt is deeper than an Acknowledgement."
Envy the optimist, not the genius. There’s real power in optimism. The world is built by optimists. Look for the silver things. Have belief. Be the type of person that believes in themselves and others… Optimism builds confidence in yourself and others. Be an optimist.
Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan – The fact that Phil told the best player in the world… “We aren’t going to win a championship if you keep playing that way. You have to buy into the triangle offense.” It shows the value of a friend (or a coach) telling you the truth in order to help you (and the team) get better.
"Walter Isaacson made me believe in its (the book) importance and potential. At the very end, he provided the kind of advice that can only come from someone who has spent years laboring in the same fields.
Peter Thiel refined Max Levchin's thinking... He made him better.
Ask, "Have you thought about it this way?"
Watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Kobe Bryant was an incredible learning machine. His insatiable curiosity made him better.
- You can become curious about anything.
- Mr. Beast spent hours every day on Skype with his friends talking about how to grow a YouTube channel.
We live in a moment were you can connect with others who are passionate about the same topics you are. With the internet, you can connect with anyone.
Qualities of the leaders who created PayPal:
- It was so hard. They all experienced failure and bounced back.
- Highly intelligent.
- Hard-working.
  - They worked 7 days a week. There was no work-life balance.
- They weren't just resilient, they were fast-moving.
Life Advice:
- What looks like expertise on the outside is generally messiness on the inside.
- Leadership in Solitude. There are benefits to spending some time by yourself.
Ask – The people who make things happen are willing to ASK. Steve Jobs to Bill Hewlitt. Elon Musk to Dr. Peter Nicholson. Those "asks" changed the trajectory of their lives. Who knows, maybe your next ASK will change yours…
Claude Shannon, Bell Laboratories, renowned as an incredible hub of innovation… whose work in the 1930s and ’40s earned him the title of “father of the information age.” Geniuses have a unique way of engaging with the world, and if you spend enough time examining their habits, you discover the behaviors behind their brilliance.

471: Steve Magness - Why We Get Resilience Wrong & The Surprising Science Of Real Toughness (Do Hard Things) May 08, 2022

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Steve Magness is a world-renowned expert on performance, co-author of Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success and The Passion Paradox: A Guide to Going All In, Finding Success, and Discovering the Benefits of an Unbalanced Life, and the author of The Science of Running: How to Find Your Limit and Train to Maximize Your Performance. His new book is called Do Hard Things.

Notes:

“The best aren’t concerned with being the best. They’re concerned with being the best at getting better.”
Confidence: Confidence needs evidence. Acting with bravado we haven't earned only works on easy things. It backfires on anything truly challenging. Doing difficult things, even if you don't quite succeed at them, is how you develop real confidence.
How do you find a good mentor? Do interesting things. Be open to learning and guidance. Be motivated, driven, and curious about something. Put your ego aside. Do good, quality work.
The difference between real and fake toughness. Fake toughness is easy to identify. It’s Bobby Knight losing control and throwing tantrums in the name of “discipline.” It’s the appearance of power without substance behind it.
- Researchers out of Eastern Washington set out to explore the relationship between leadership style and the development of toughness. After conducting research on nearly two hundred basketball players and their coaches, they concluded, “The results of this study seem to suggest that the ‘keys’ to promoting mental toughness do not lie in this autocratic, authoritarian, or oppressive style. It appears to lie, paradoxically, with the coach’s ability to produce an environment, which emphasizes trust and inclusion, humility, and service.
Sustained Excellence: Observation: the people who sustain success over the long haul are rarely shooting for success. They are focused on the path. Their goal is mastery, which knows no end.
What characteristics do the best performers have?
- Don't get tired of the boring stuff
- Masters of compartmentalization
- Can flip the switch
- Know how to lose well
- Cultivate perspective
- Delayed gratification
- Drive from within
Creating an enemy: Whenever an organization, group, or individual works hard to create an enemy to pit their idea/group against, it's a sign you probably shouldn't listen. Us vs. Them is the easiest way to exploit human nature, to get people on your side. It often means there's no substance there.
The best way to get the most out of someone is to make them feel secure enough that they can take risks and fail. Most of us don't reach our potential because we default to protective mode. Threatening & demanding makes us protect further. Security and belonging frees us up.
“Growth comes at the point of resistance. Skills come from struggle.”
“The fact is that often coaches figure out what works in training and then the scientists come in later and explain why it works.”
What can we learn about success and performance from Eliud Kipchoge?
- He is not fanatical about trying to be great all the time. He is consistent & patient.
- His coach says that the secret is that he makes progress “slowly by slowly.”
- Motivation + Discipline = Consistency
  - He told The NY Times, "He estimates that he seldom pushes himself past 80 percent — 90 percent, tops — of his maximum effort when he circles the track."
- "I have a mindset whereby I am a human being. I am walking around as a human being. I learn to perform well at the same time being grounded. And I trust that being humble and being on the ground is the only way to concentrate"
- "You cannot train alone and expect to run a fast time. There is a formula: 100% of me is nothing compared to 1% of the whole team. And that’s teamwork. That’s what I value."
- “To be precise, I am just going to try to run my personal best. If it comes as a world record, I would appreciate it. But I would treat it as a personal best.”

470: Daniel Coyle - Building Your Culture, Solving Hard Problems, & Winning The Learning Contest May 01, 2022

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Daniel Coyle is the New York Times bestselling author of The Culture Code, which was named Best Business Book of the Year by Bloomberg, BookPal, and Business Insider. Coyle has served as an advisor to many high-performing organizations, including the Navy SEALs, Microsoft, Google, and the Cleveland Guardians. His other books include The Talent Code, The Secret Race, The Little Book of Talent, and Hardball: A Season in the Projects, which was made into a movie starring Keanu Reeves. Coyle was raised in Anchorage, Alaska, and now lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, during the school year and in Homer, Alaska, during the summer with his wife Jenny, and their four children.

Notes:

Purpose isn’t about tapping into some mystical internal drive but rather about creating simple beacons that focus attention and engagement on the shared goal. Successful cultures do this by relentlessly seeking ways to tell and retell their story. To do this, they build what you call “high-purpose environments.” High-purpose environments are filled with small, vivid signals designed to create a link between the present moment and a future ideal. They provide 2 simple locators that every navigation process requires: Here is where we are and Here is where we want to go.
"The world we live in is a learning contest."
Deep fun = Solving hard problems with people you admire.
Schedule regular team “tune-ups” to place an explicit spotlight on the team’s inner workings and create conversations that surface and improve team dynamics
Foster strong culture in remote working scenarios. It doesn’t take much physical togetherness to build strong teams. Encourage remote teams meet up in person twice a year
Create belonging: every group knows diversity, equity, and inclusion matter, but what separates strong cultures is they aim to create belonging across racial lines. Ex: normalize uncomfortable conversations; read, watch, reflect together; gather data and share it • Build Trust. Ask the magic-wand question to each member of your team: if you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about the way we work, what would it be?
Connect. Hold an anxiety party to serve as a pressure-relief valve, as well as a platform for people to connect and solve problems together.
Change perspective. Have a once-a-week catch-up session with someone outside of your group.
Make it safe to talk about mistakes: Strong cultures seek to highlight and remember their mistakes and learn from them • Listen. Listening to others’ problems is one of the most powerful culture-building skills on the planet. It’s also difficult. Restrain yourself from jumping in, listen, then say: Tell me more.
Embrace the After-Action Review (or as the military calls it, the AAR): Talking together about the strengths and weaknesses of your performance will make your group better.
The Billion Dollar Day When Nothing Happened – “These Ads Suck." That was the note that Larry Page wrote and hung up about Google Ad Words. What did Jeff Dean, a quiet, skinny engineer from Minnesota, do to make the ads not suck? He had no immediate need to fix the problem. He worked in Search (a different area of the company. And how did Jeff Dean respond when he was asked about it years later (he said he didn’t even really remember it. It was just normal to do stuff like that)...
There is a misconception that great cultures are places that are always happy. Doing great work is hard. The way we build great cultures is by doing hard things together focused on connection and safety.
Life/Career advice: Think of your life in experiments and the learning loop. It is Experience + Reflection. Experience + Reflection. WRITE DOWN WHAT you’ve learned from your experiences. Writing creates clarity of thought.
Amy Edmondson researched Chelsea and Mountain Medical – What made them a success? The answer lay in patterns of real-time signals through which the team members were connected. There were 5 things:
- Framing - They conceptualized MICS as a learning experience that would benefit patients and the hospital. Unsuccessful teams viewed it as an add-on to existing practices.
- Roles - Role clarity. Being told explicitly by the team leader why their individual and collective skills were important for the team’s success
- Rehearsal - Practice a lot
- Explicit encouragement to speak up
- Active reflection - Between surgeries, successful teams went over their performance

469 - Jim Weber - Outpacing Goliath, Impressing Warren Buffet, & Leading With Purpose Apr 24, 2022

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Jim Weber joined Brooks Running Company as CEO in 2001 and is credited for the Seattle-based running company’s aggressive turnaround story. The business and brand success caught the attention of Warren Buffett, who declared Brooks a standalone subsidiary company of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. in 2012. He’s the author of a new book called, “Running With Purpose, How Brooks Outpaced Goliath Competitors to lead the pack.”

Notes:

A purpose is a forever cause that can permeate everything from the business to the brand to the culture. It is a choice, not an outcome.
The secret to success is “constancy of purpose” - Instead of a mission statement, Jim decided that a purpose was preferable to a mission. A purpose is a forever cause that can permeate everything from the business to the brand to the culture.
The riskiest path is to look like your competitors. You can't just chase trends.
They have distinct points of view:
- Focus
- Excellence in execution
Trust: Charlie Munger has often spoken about the “seamless web of deserved trust” as a life pursuit.
- The Berkshire culture is built on trust
  - Brooks is completely empowered
  - Brooks is completely accountable
  - There are no required meetings
  - People choose to self-select into it
"You're an outcome of your journey."
What Jim looks for when hiring a leader:
- Competitive
- Culture driven - "Cultures are behaviors in action."
- Likes being part of a team
- Functional excellence
Values:
- Word is bond
- Be active
- Authenticity
The process Jim has in place to continue learning:
- He was involved in YPO in the early years
- His wife Mary Ellen
- A board of advisors - It's 6 former CEOs
The one-page strategy that you relentlessly message to your team – Jim made the decision to walk away from non-premium running to concentrate on performance-running, eliminating 50% of his product line and 40% of his retail partnerships. He didn’t try to be all things to all people.
Expectations and Messaging: After becoming CEO, Jim lowered revenue and profit projections so that he could establish some credibility by hitting his numbers. He brought in a new CFO, David Bohan… He shared a one-page strategy and told everyone they would get sick of you repeating it.

468 - Vanessa Van Edwards - The Secret Language To Charismatic Communication (Cues) Apr 17, 2022

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Vanessa Van Edwards is the Lead Investigator at Science of People. She is the bestselling author of Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People, translated into 16 languages. More than 50 million people watch her engaging YouTube tutorials and TEDx Talk. Vanessa works with entrepreneurs, growing businesses, and trillion-dollar companies; and has been featured on CNN, BBC, CBS Mornings, Fast Company, Inc. Magazine, USA Today, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Today Show, and many more. Her latest book is called Cues: Master The Secret Language of Charismatic Communication.

Notes:

Cues - It’s about warmth and competence. Can I trust you? Can I rely on you? – How are you showing others warmth and competence?
Dr. Kofi Essel - His non-verbal protocol for warmth:
- Fronting - He angles his toes, torso, and head towards the person. Be in alignment with the patient.
- Non-Verbal bridges - Slowly warm someone up. Lean in.
In your 1 on 1 meetings, remove all barriers between you and the person. Show them 100% focus.
- If you see someone gazing over your head, look where they’re looking. It will help make them aware of what they're doing.
Question Inflection - From the Ring founder when he pitched on Shark Tank. This is something that a lot of us mess up. When stating a fact, SAY IT, don’t ask it.
The 4 modes of communication:
- Nonverbal
- Verbal - Syntax
- Vocal
- Imagery
Touch – A group of researchers at UC Berkeley watched the first 3 games of the NBA finals in the 2008-2009 season and counted every single time players were seen touching on camera. They found the team that touched the most, won the most games. Touches = higher trust
Speed dating research – Followed 144-speed dates and found that postural expansiveness was the most romantically appealing trait. Participants who took up more space were 76% more likely to be chosen for future dates.
Want to show someone they matter? That you’re listening? Turning toward is tuning in.
Zoom Calls – How do we best approach them? - Look into the camera so the other person feels you are looking them in the eye.
Disney teaches all of their employees (from janitors to princesses) specific nonverbal cues to use with guests. And they all embody the pinnacle of warmth…

“Being a highlighter is about constantly searching for the good in people. When you tell people they are good, they become better. When you search for what’s good, you feel great.”
“When you try to be the same as everyone else, it’s boring. When you try to fit into a mold, you become forgettable. When you try to be “normal,” you become dull. Just be yourself, because no one is like you. If you’re a little weird, own it. The right people will like you for it.”
“Vulnerability is sexy—it shows we are relatable, honest, and real. That is attractive. And the science proves it: “A blunder tends to humanize him and, consequently, increases his attractiveness.”
“Humans are purpose-driven creatures. We want to believe there are reasons behind everything we do. Before leaders can inspire action, they have to get emotional buy-in. When we explain the motivations behind a goal, it allows listeners to feel partial ownership of that goal.”

467: Marcus Buckingham - How To Find Love In Your Work, Designing The Future Of Education, & Breaking All The Rules Apr 10, 2022

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Marcus Buckingham is best selling author of 10 books, including his international hit, “First, Break All The Rules,” He’s been the subject of in-depth profiles in The New York Times, The Today Show, and by Oprah. Marcus spent two decades studying excellence at the Gallup Organization and co-creating the StrengthsFinder tool. His latest book is called Love + Work.

Notes:

“When you see someone do something with excellence, there is always love in it– loveless excellence is an oxymoron.”
Fear versus Love – “The evolutionary purpose of fear is to narrow your focus to a few clear choices, fight or flight, the point of love is to create in you such feelings of safety and connection that you broaden your outlook and build your strengths.”
- If you're feeling fear, there's something you're passionate about
Excellence =
- They take their love seriously
  - They are confident that their love is worth paying attention to
  - They are vivid in what they're drawn to
- Consistent
- They value mastery
"We aren't short on time, but on energy."
How Marcus would design a school:
- Teach self-awareness and self-mastery curriculum
- Get rid of the SAT, ACT, and GPA
Your fullest life is one where your loves and your work flow in an infinite loop. The energy of the one fuels the energy of the other. Thus, the only way you’ll make a lasting contribution in life is to deeply understand what it is that you love.
Goals: “Goals are tricky. They are one of the most common characteristics of your working world, and yet they’re also one of the least loving. They don’t have to be loveless.”
The Red Thread questionnaire. It’s full of “When was the last time…” questions: “You lost track of time…” “You surprised yourself by how well you did…” “you found yourself actively looking forward to work…”
Never brag – Don’t say, “I’m the best.” Instead say, “I”m at my best when…” And “You can rely on me for…”
Marcus shared how he responded to his ex-wife being involved in the college admission scandal where she offered large sums of cash for their kids to get into USC

466: Liz Fosslien - How To Deal With Uncertainty, Build Your Career, & Embrace Your Emotions At Work Apr 03, 2022

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Liz Fosslien is the co-author and illustrator of the book Big Feelings and the Wall Street Journal best-seller No Hard Feelings. Liz is an expert on how to make work better. She regularly leads interactive, scientifically-backed workshops about how to build resilience, help remote workers avoid burnout, and effectively harness emotion as a leader. Her work has been featured by TED, Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, The Economist, and NPR.

Ask yourself… When you look back at your career and think of your best boss and your worst boss… What behaviors did each of them have? How can we embody more of the best boss behavior?
Set up a regular cadence of not-urgent, developmental meetings with the people you’re leading. Show them and prove to them how much you care about them and their career.
- What have you enjoyed most?
- What have you not enjoyed?
- What have you learned?
- What do you want for your next job?
Use envy to reveal what you value. But remember, ask yourself if you’d want that person’s entire life. Not just the cool part you see on Instagram. The Gretchen Rubin story of feeling envy over seeing someone else publish a book. She used that as fuel.
- Anger is a signal that something occurred that you didn't like. Acknowledge what you're feeling.
She met her co-author, Molly West Duffy, on a blind friend date!
How to deal with uncertainty?
- Over-communicate - Be transparent
- Switch from "I need to have this all figured out" to "I'm a person learning to become a manager"
Pixar recruited animators that were frustrated at their current place of work...
Liz's research process:
- Read a lot
- Talk with academics
- Learn from practitioners who are applying it
Work-life balance?
- It's well-intentioned... but a very individual thing
- Some people are segmenters
- Some people are integrators... They like to mix work with friends
- Both are okay...
Goal setting: There are long term and short term goals
- Liz chooses to abandon long term goals to live the life she wants to live
  - She enjoys creative time on the weekends
- Short-term goals... What's going to make an impact?
Top 5 priorities - "You have to run into the spike"
Career/Life advice:
- DO something. Do the work. Take action
- See everything as a learning experience... Think, "What can I learn from this?"
  - Liz once worked at a Starbucks and learned a lot about hospitality from it
- Create an emotional experience

465: Michael Easter - Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Healthy, Happy Self (The Comfort Crisis) Mar 27, 2022

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"We are wired for laziness. It takes conscious thought to do the harder thing."
What Micheal learned from The Pope... If you have a question, go directly to the source.
The science-backed ways to slow down time?
- Learn and do new things. Get off "auto-pilot" mode.
Benefits of thinking about death?
- Michael learned in Bhutan why we should think about death...
  - In the United States, we rarely think about death—especially our own death. And when we do, it tends to make us sad and uncomfortable. But there are powerful benefits to regularly contemplating the fact that our time in this world will eventually come to an end. The shift in perspective can be profound and lead to a kind of deeply felt and enduring appreciation for life.
Michael's love for his mom: "My mom got sober when my dad was in rehab. That's how my favorite story I've ever written starts. It's about my mom, a single parent who taught me everything I need to know about being a man. As I was writing that story five years ago, my mom was battling cancer. She'd just finished chemotherapy and was undergoing radiation. Doctors officially deemed my mom "cured" from cancer. In the story I wrote, "Have you ever played tug-of-war with a pit bull? It’ll pull until you quit or it dies. That’s Lynda Easter."
How Michael dealt with alcohol - “I saw a choice. Option 1, do nothing. Cling to complacency and the numbing lifestyle that would ultimately end badly but allow me to keep drinking. Or option 2. Get uncomfortable. Ditch my liquid comfort blanket. I hadn’t a clue where this second option would take me or if I could even pull it off. And I was terrified.”
Take The Stairs: A mantra I try to live by when traveling – “Take the stairs.” When there is an escalator and stairs, always take the stairs. If you’re fortunate enough to have legs that work, then take the stairs.
- Be a 2 percenter… 98% of people take the escalator at the airport. Take the stairs.
Exercise: Exercise grows the hippocampus in the brain. This is something that is shrunken in people who suffer from depression. We exercise 14 times less than our ancestors.
- "We've engineered movement out of our lives."
Michael traveled 30,000 miles around the world, met with experts ranging from Harvard researchers and Icelandic geneticists to Buddhist Lamas and Special Forces soldiers, and also spent more than a month in the remote Alaskan backcountry.
"Discover the evolutionary mind and body benefits of living at the edges of your comfort zone and reconnecting with the wild."
"If you want to improve your life, you have to go through discomfort."
The benefits of boredom - Michael spent time in the Arctic on a hunt. It's very boring to sit on the hills for hours. But, boredom created ideas. It's evolutionary discomfort. In those boring times, Michael thought about ideas and wrote chapters of his book.
"Your life is a culmination of that which you are aware of." - William James
Go out in nature. Take walks.

464: Polina Pompliano - Profiles Of The World's Greatest Performers, Makers vs. Managers, & Building Trust Through Consistency Mar 20, 2022

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Polina Pompliano is studying the world's most interesting people & companies. She is the Founder & Author of The Profile. Polina is a former writer at Fortune. Some of the people she’s written a profile on are: Martha Stewart, Keanu Reeves, and The Rock. I am a paid subscriber and love her work.

Notes:

Sustained excellence comes from being obsessively curious about what you do… And knowing that failure is part of the process. It’s how you choose to respond that matters. Examples: Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, Martha Stewart.
The advice she received from David Perell (also a previous podcast guest). He said, “Everything you put into the world is a vehicle for serendipity.” Polina wrote a profile on The Rock. She had no idea he would share it four times on all platforms.
Create your own personal board of advisors. Listen to criticism, but only from people who want you to win. Only from people who care about you doing well. Not from trolls online.
"Consistency is the best way to earn trust. – Name a relationship in your life where you trust someone who is inconsistent. You can’t. That’s because we don’t trust people — whether it’s in work, business, or relationships — who constantly break their promises. Since I started The Profile three years ago, I have never missed a single week."
Criticism: "I once heard Kat Cole say that one of the biggest lessons she has learned after years of business experience is to put your ego aside and improve from criticism. She said, “Anytime you’re criticized, assume first that it’s correct.” The act of simply considering that a fraction of the criticism may be accurate will keep you learning, unlearning, fixing, and ultimately, gaining respect."
How to Find Ideas: "It’s about being obsessed with the details. A great idea typically masquerades as a question in a friend’s text message, a quote in a documentary, a line in a book, or an observation on a walk."
Creativity: "I can't get new ideas staring at a blank page. Creativity, for me, requires motion. When you go on a walk, you can turn your world into an idea-generating sensorium, and ideas will spring up from the most unlikely sources. There is one thing that's absolutely certain about creativity: It's an active process, not a passive one. The best ideas come when you become curious, aware, interested."
Daniel Ek – Makers schedule versus a Managers schedule. This is from Paul Graham. I wrote it about it in my first book, Welcome to Management.
Marriage: "In 2013, I asked my great-grandmother what she had learned from 53 years of marriage. She said, “When you’re young and beautiful like we were, falling in love is easy. But you have to fall in love with someone’s soul — because you will get old, but the soul will never change.”"
"I don’t like to gamble, but if there is one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself.” - Beyonce
How to attract more luck into your life? – Written by George Mack (published by Polina)
- Avoid Boring People
- Have a luck razor
- Have a Poker mindset
Polina desires to help you "improve your content diet." Instead of binging TV shows and scrolling through random social media, read The Profile.
How to be more creative:
- Take a walk
- Allow room for serendipity
- Look at the footnotes of books
What Polina learned from James Clear: When he doesn't read enough, he doesn't have the ideas to write about. Reading helps generate ideas. Have a stack of books everywhere in your house and office.
Why leaders should write?
- It creates clarity of thought.
  - "I can tell that you're thinking is sloppy if your writing is sloppy."
Every single word of a post matters. It's about being precise. Precision is so important when it comes to writing. You have to clearly think it through to create precision with thought and writing.
Storytelling - Get rid of the generic, fluffy writing.
- People enjoy profiles because it takes you inside the mind of a person.
Life/Career advice:
- Don't tie your identity to something that can be taken away from you.

463: Brady Quinn & AJ Hawk - Preparing Like A QB, Showing Love Through Discipline, & The Craziest Draft Of All Time Mar 13, 2022

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Brady Quinn set 36 records at The University of Notre Dame. He graduated from Notre Dame as one of their greatest football players ever. Along with the likes of Joe Montana, Tony Rice, and Rocket Ismail… He was drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Browns in the 2007 NFL Draft. He currently serves as one of the main analysts on Saturday’s “Big Noon Kickoff” on FS1. He's one of the only people broadcasting both collegiate and NFL games. Now, he’s on the radio every morning: "2 Pros and a Cup of Joe" show he hosts with LaVar Arrington and Jonas Knox.

AJ Hawk is the all-time leading tackler in Green Bay Packers history. He won a National Championship at Ohio State University and was voted captain of the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl-winning team in the 2010-2011 season. He was inducted into the Ohio State University Hall of Fame in 2019. Currently, he is a co-host on The Pat McAfee Show which airs weekdays on YouTube.

Notes:

Playing quarterback: “You can find the intangibles of being a quarterback in almost every profession in the world. There’s nothing like it.” – Brady Quinn
- You must be efficient and effective as a communicator.
- You have to prepare for all of the "what if" scenarios - "Have a plan, work the plan, plan for the unexpected."
- You have to be a great listener
- You need to be curious to ask the right questions
- "The quarterback runs the show. They need to be the person that you can go to when there are problems." - AJ
Why has AJ resonated with viewers on The Pat McAfee Show:
- "You're relatable. People liked you for being a Super Bowl-winning linebacker, but they didn't know you then. They get to know you now on your show and they see that you're like them. They can relate to you." - Brady
Dad Life - "Discipline is love. Do the hard thing. Don't take the easy way out." - Brady
The Fiesta Bowl - AJ (the All-American linebacker from Ohio State) vs. Brady (the All-American Quarterback from Notre Dame)
High-pressure situations:
- Must be prepared so you can let your instincts take over
- Need to learn from past failures to improve the next time
- Must work on the little things every day so they become ingrained habits
The Draft - Your ultimate golf group. You can choose any person
- Brady:
  - Chopper Quinn (Brady's dad)
  - Elon Musk
  - Chris Farley
  - Tiger Woods
  - Will Ferrell
- Ryan:
  - George Washington
  - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
  - Eddie Vedder
  - Kobe Bryant
  - Steve Carell
- AJ:
  - Samuel L. Jackson
  - Sean Casey
  - Charles Barkley
  - Tom Cruise
  - Pierro Manzoni

462: Max Lugavere - How To Become Smarter, Happier, & More Productive While Protecting Your Brain for Life Mar 07, 2022

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Max Lugavere is the author of the New York Times best-seller Genius Foods: Become Smarter, Happier, and More Productive While Protecting Your Brain for Life. He appears regularly on the Dr. Oz Show, the Rachael Ray Show, and The Doctors. His latest book is called Genius Kitchen - Over 100 Easy & Delicious Recipes to make your brain sharp, body strong, and taste buds happy.

"A healthy person has 100 wishes. A sick person has 1."
This subject became personal for Max when his mother, Kathy, was given a diagnosis of dementia, and he devoted himself to her care. She died in 2018. “Now that Mom is gone, I am even more obsessed with the topic.”
Shop in the perimeter of the supermarket. Reach for nutrient-dense foods.
Lifestyle changes that will 10x the quality of your life:
- Getting 8-9 hours of sleep instead of 4-6
- Eating more animal protein (especially beef and eggs)
- Less cardio, more strength training
- Regular heat (sauna) and cold (ice bath/cold shower) stress
- Daily sunlight
Intermittent fasting – instead of eating 16 hours a day, eat 8.
Drinking caffeine is “taking a loan out on energy from later in the day?” – Cortisol peaks in the AM. Wait 45 minutes after you wake up to drink caffeine. Stop drinking caffeine from time to time so that your body can reset.
Willpower is a finite resource. Create your environment to make good decisions.
Whole Foods - 3 Things to think about:
- Protein - #1 satiating piece. Greek yogurt, beef jerky, eggs
- Fiber - It stretches out your stomach. Helps fill you up. Greens, broccoli, whole fruit.
- Water - Get hydrated.
Supplements - Protein shakes. Whey isolate. He uses muscle feast.
Most bread is not useful. It's ultra-processed food.
Alcohol - Most wine has a lot of sugar. Most alcohol does. Max drinks tequila.
Wake up, hydrate... "I’m up somewhere between 7 and 8. I don’t use an alarm clock. I go straight into the kitchen and drink a tall glass of room-temperature water. I may sprinkle a bit of mineral salt in it which replenishes electrolytes."
Light... Air... "Whether it’s winter or summer, I go out onto my terrace and do a few minutes of deep breathing, stretching, and meditation. I’m a big believer in getting in natural light in the morning because it aligns my circadian rhythm for the day.

461: Brad Meltzer - How To Tell Your Story, Respond From Rejection, & Love Your Work Feb 28, 2022

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Brad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Inner Circle, The Book of Fate, and ten other bestselling thrillers. He also writes non-fiction books like The First Conspiracy, about a secret plot to kill George Washington – and the Ordinary People Change the World kids book series. His newest thriller, The Escape Artist, debuted at #1 on the bestseller list. Brad is also responsible for helping find the missing 9/11 flag that the firefighters raised at Ground Zero, making national news on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Former President George H.W. Bush also gave Brad, for the very first time, the secret letter he left for President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office desk. If you need a good cry, read this story about Brad reading to President Bush before he died. The Hollywood Reporter put him on their list of the 25 Most Powerful Authors, and he’s been asked to serve as a member of the America250 Council, to celebrate the upcoming 250th birthday of the country.

Notes:

“Stories aren’t the beauty of what did happen. They’re the beauty of what could happen.”
“For me, Superman's greatest contribution has never been the superhero part: it's the Clark Kent part - the idea that any of us, in all our ordinariness, can change the world.”
The 3 things he tells his kids each night when he tucks them into bed:
- Dream Big - Young people have the biggest and best dreams.
- Work Hard - Your first book got 24 rejection letters. And in your TED Talk, you share the story of your Dad and how hard he worked (maybe open with this?). When you were writing your 9th book, your book of heroes for your soon. A story about The Wright Brothers… Every time The Wright Brothers would go out to fly their plane, they would bring enough extra materials for multiple crashes. Every time they went out, they knew they would fail. And they would crash and rebuild, and crash and rebuild. And that’s why they took off.
- Stay Humble - Noone likes a jerk. When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he never took credit for it. It was announced when he died and it was in his obituary.
All history ever is, is a bunch of stories. How to change history, all you have to do is write your story. History is a selection process. It chooses every single one of us, every single day. You will change history.
“Brad’s meticulous research and interviews with top-level government sources — including U.S. Presidents — fill each page with authenticity and make his characters come alive.”
His belief is that ordinary people change the world. It is that core belief that runs through every one of his projects.
How to respond from rejection? Brad’s first book was rejected 24 times… And then later that book went on to become a bestseller.
As a culture, we're starving for heroes
“We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day.”
“There's nothing more intimate in life than simply being understood. And understanding someone else.”
“In this world, there was nothing scarier than trusting someone. But there was also nothing more rewarding.”
“No matter how far we come, our parents are always in us.”
“The worst lies in life are the ones we tell ourselves.”
From Brad's book to his daughter: “As your father, my instinct is to protect you ... Other people will want to protect you too. But remember that you are not a damsel in distress, waiting for some prince to rescue you. Forget the prince. With your brain and your resourcefulness, you can rescue yourself.”
“You need to understand something... In this world, we're not humans having a divine experience. We're divine beings having a human experience.”

460: Jane McGonigal - How To See The Future & Be Ready For Anything Feb 21, 2022

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Jane McGonigal, PhD is a world-renowned designer of alternate reality games — or, games that are designed to improve real lives and solve real problems. She believes game designers are on a humanitarian mission — and her #1 goal in life is to see a game developer win a Nobel Peace Prize. She is a two-time New York Times bestselling author: Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World and SuperBetter: The Power of Living Gamefully. Her TED talks on how games can make a better world and the game that can give you 10 extra years of life, are among the all-time most popular TED talks, and have more than 15 million views.

Jane dedicates this book to her sister Kelly... "who lives six minutes in the future." They are twins.
- "It's so helpful having her. If she can achieve something (TED Talks, Books), I could do it too."
Being able to predict the future is not enough. You have to be bale to pre-feel it.
Write down your long term plans. "Talk about a world you want to wake up in."
"Any useful idea about the future should sound rediculous initially."
"The best way to predict the future is to invent it."
How to think like a futurist?
- In the corporate world... Carve out a role for yourself to fight short-terminism. Fight short term thinking. Play the long game.
- Create future planning habits in your organization.
Dare to daydream.
Take ownership - Create moments of joy... Be of service to others.
A 30 second practical activity:
- Imagine 10 years from now... Where are you? What woke you up? Who are you with?
The 3 questions to give you a baseline sense of your “future mindset”
- When you think about the next 10 years, do you think things will mostly stay the same and go on as normal? Or do you expect that most of us will dramatically rethink and reinvent how we do things?
- When you think about how the world and your life will change over the next 10 years, are you mostly worried or mostly optimistic?
- How much control or influence do you feel you personally have in determining how the world and your life change over the next 10 years?
How to predict the future?
- Unstick your mind
- Think The Unthinkable
- Imagine the Unimaginable
Imaginable - How to see the future coming and feel ready for anything– even things that seem impossible today
One of the issues that cause depression is it doesn’t allow you to imagine a future. For us as leaders, we need to be able to imagine a positive future for ourselves and our team.
Be a spotlight for other people’s good ideas. Bring attention to it. Be known as someone who spreads positive gossip
Living in the present. Giannis – "When you focus on the past, that's your ego... And when I focus on the future it's my pride... And I kind of like to focus in the moment, in the present. And that's humility. That's being humble."

459: Josh Peck - Using Humor To Connect, Making The Big Ask, & The Power Of Vulnerability Feb 14, 2022

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Josh Peck is an actor, comedian, author, entrepreneur, and YouTuber. He began his career as a child actor in the late 1990s and early 2000s and had an early role on The Amanda Show from 2000 to 2002. Josh rose to prominence for his role as Josh Nichols alongside Drake Bell's character in the Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh. Josh Peck provided the voice of Eddie in the Ice Age franchise since Ice Age: The Meltdown and voiced Casey Jones in the Nickelodeon animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He also starred with John Stamos in the Fox comedy series Grandfathered. In 2017, Josh started a comedic lifestyle YouTube channel, Shua Vlogs, featuring his wife Paige O'Brien, David Dobrik, and many of the vlogsquad members. His new book is called Happy People Are Annoying.

Notes:

"Do good things and don't get caught doing them."
- Be of service to others. It seems when we focus on doing good things, good things seem to happen.
When Josh was 8 years old, he felt powerless, insecure, and uncomfortable. He was having a family dinner during the holidays... He decided to commit fully to telling a joke. And he earned his first real laugh from his family. At that moment he said, "I decided what I wanted to do with my life." He became a stand-up comedian and eventually an actor.
"Laughing is uncontrollable. It's so honest."
How to add humor to your business meetings?
- "The only thing more compelling than a joke is honest vulnerability. Being willing to call yourself. Be human."
  - That vulnerability will bring people closer to you.
The power of listening:
- It helps you constantly make adjustments. Be open, free in the moment.
Humor, acting, or leadership... All of those are acquired skills. You have to have the willingness to be bad at it first to get good at it later.
Using a chip on your shoulder as motivation?
- It can work in the short term but doesn't typically work in the long term.
  - "It was the wrong fuel for my engine."
"You gotta ask:" When he was 12 years old, he found himself on set telling jokes to an older man. He was cracking the guy up. He didn't realize that person was the President of Nickelodeon. Josh then asked him to be on one of the hit Nickelodeon shows. He eventually got a call that changed his life. After that call, Josh and his mom moved to Los Angeles where he's worked as an actor ever since.
- You have to be willing to ask. You have to be willing to face rejection or embarrassment.
- Aaron Sorkin said you can make the hall of fame in baseball striking out 2 out of 3 times. The same is true in life.
One of the first people Josh called when he was launching his podcast was Bob Saget. Bob was one of the more famous people he knew. And he immediately responded and said he would record the following week. There are hundreds of stories like this about him. We all should be more like him.
Ryan Holiday advice - Get really honest and tell your story. Your journey can help other people.
As a dad, Josh wants to correct the trauma of the past... He never met his dad.
"Do good things and don't get caught doing them." Be in service of others.

458: Gary Burnison - The Five Graces Of Life & Leadership (CEO of Korn Ferry) Feb 07, 2022

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Gary Burnison is the CEO of Korn Ferry. Under his leadership, Korn Ferry has been transformed into a global organizational consulting firm with nearly 9,000 colleagues. Burnison is the author of seven leadership and career development books, including a New York Times bestseller.

Notes:

In his early days as a CEO, a member of Gary's board who was mentoring him, looked him in the eye and said, “I don’t just want you to be successful—I am going to ensure that you are successful.” Gary was moved by words. Looking back now, he sees that moment as a gift of grace.
How he built a career from an entry-level worker to the CEO of a 9,000 person company:
- Humility and hustle drive careers forward
- To learn, you must be humble and self-aware.
Hiring decisions:
- "I higher for hunger over pedigree."
The Five Graces of Leadership:
- Gratitude―the attitude that elevates our spirits, boosts morale, and lifts our hearts
- Resilience―the quality that allows us to achieve beyond our wildest dreams
- Aspiration―the knowledge that we can make tomorrow better than today
- Courage―the ability to understand and move beyond our fears
- Empathy―the understanding needed to connect with others from their perspectives
The most impactful leaders have four key skills:
- Adaptability: Being comfortable with unanticipated changes and diverse situations; being able to adjust to constraints and rebound from adversity.
- Curiosity: Approaching problems in novel ways; seeing patterns and understanding how to synthesize complex information; having the desire to achieve a deep understanding of things.
- Detail-oriented: Having the ability to systematically carry out tasks as assigned, with an understanding of the procedures and the importance of exactitude.
- Tolerance of ambiguity: Being comfortable with uncertainty and willing to make decisions and plans in the face of incomplete information
“In today’s world, leadership is all about establishing community and connectivity so everyone can be part of something bigger than themselves.”
- “To have the grace to create this kind of leadership, we need greater self-awareness and genuine connection to others – particularly in this hybrid work environment where connections are increasingly more challenging to come by.”
The #1 predictor of a candidate being effective?
- Learning agility
  - "Humility is key for lifelong learning."
Gary wrote a book called, "Lose The Resume, Land The Job." - Target the opportunity you want. Work to earn a warm introduction.
A day in the life as the CEO of Korn Ferry:
- "You suddenly stop being a person and you start being a function."
- "Leadership is about inspiring others to believe."
How he earned the role of CEO:
- Continuity helped (he was already working at the company)
- Vision, purpose, "the why," and the 4 or 5 parts of the strategy laid out moving forward
When you're going for a VP role:
- Make sure it is a fit for you
- You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you
- Have purpose and passion for the role
Why Gary writes so much:
- "It's therapeutic for me."
- He likes to write with others to learn from them and gain clarity. "I like to get their point of view and listen to them."
How he's built confidence:
- It comes from life experiences.
  - When Gary was 11 years old, he lived in the middle of Kansas. The moving vans showed up and took their furniture away. His family went bankrupt. In times of crisis, it's critical for the leader to step up.

457: Ken Blanchard - Creating Magical Moments, Building Trust, & Simple Truths Of Leadership Jan 31, 2022

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Dr. Ken Blanchard is one of the most influential leadership experts in the world and is respected for his years of groundbreaking work in the fields of leadership and management. He's written 60+ published books... Most notably, The One Minute Manager has sold over 15 million copies.

Notes:

he One Minute Manager:
- 1 Minute goals – All struggles go back to one simple thing: communication. Set 3 goals for each employee. Write each of them down in 350 words or less.
- 1 Minute praisings (“catch people doing the right things”) – Do this immediately following good work. Don’t wait (you might forget). Be specific in your praise.
- 1 Minute reprimands (later changed to 1 Minute re-directs) - Address this immediately after it happens. Be very specific.
"Teach people the power of love instead of the love of power."
"Life is what happens to you when you're planning on doing something else."
What made The One Minute Manager catch on?
- It was a parable. Those were rare at that time. It was a short book. A quick read.
He started his company in 1979. Charles Schwab told him to name the company after himself... Thus, "The Ken Blanchard Companies" was started.
- It helped that YPO adopted them quickly.
"All good performance starts with clear goals."
Create magical moments – For his wife, Margie’s 80th birthday party, They rented a big house in Hawaii for a week surrounded by the people they love. How can you create magical moments?
Ken has written 65 books... Only 2 of them by himself. He likes to write with others.
Profit is the applause you get for creating a great environment for your people.
Expectations:
- You get what you expect.
Humility - Be there to serve others. Humility does not mean you think less of yourself. It means you think of yourself less.
Connect the dots between individual roles and the goals of the organization. When people see that connection, they get a lot of energy out of work. They feel the importance, dignity, and meaning in their job.
Leadership is not something you do to people. It's something you do with people.
Vision is knowing who you are, where you're going, and what will guide your journey.
"Many people measure their success by wealth, recognition, power, and status. There's nothing wrong with those, but if that's all you're focused on, you're missing the boat...if you focus on significance -using your time and talent to serve others -that's when truly meaningful success can come your way.:
If becoming a high-performing organization is the destination, leadership is the engine.
Sustained excellence:
- They realize it's not all about them
- They have a sense of humor
- They listen more than they speak
Feedback is the breakfast of champions
Get to D4 -- The highest level of development: Competent and Committed.
Life/Career Advice:
- Be a lifetime learner
- Look for good leaders... Ask them to lunch

456: Daniel Pink - How Looking Backwards Moves Us Forward (The Power Of Regret) Jan 24, 2022

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Daniel H. Pink is the author of seven books, including the forthcoming The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward (Riverhead, 2022). His other books include the New York Times bestsellers When and A Whole New Mind — as well as the #1 New York Times bestsellers Drive and To Sell is Human. Dan’s books have won multiple awards, have been translated into 42 languages, and have sold millions of copies around the world.

Notes:

The truth: We regret inactions much more than actions.The lesson: Be bold. Take that chance. In a world full of talkers, be a doer. Have a bias for action.
The 3 keys to a productive achiever: empathy/compassion, curiosity, doggedness (consistency).
We overvalue intensity and undervalue consistency and doggedness. Continue to show up and do the work.
The four core regrets:
- Foundation regrets - People want stability. (save money, plan for the future)
- Boldness regrets - "If only I'd taken that chance." People regret not taking the chance.
- Moral regrets
- Connection regrets
The truth: We deeply regret not asserting ourselves. The lesson: Speak up.
Optimizing Regret: Our goal should not be to always minimize regret. Our goal should be to optimize it. By combining the science of anticipated regret with the new deep structure of regret, we can refine our mental model.
“Regret makes me human. Regret makes me better. Regret gives me hope.”
This is a great exercise. Instead of a New Year's resolution, choose a single word to guide your 2022. After 2 years of upheaval, it can help you focus on the goals & changes most important to you. Dan's choice? Restore.
The Dan Pink family acronym: HAHU - Hustle. Anticipate. Heads up.
Big life decisions:
- Maximizers and satisficers
  - Know when to maximize and when to satisfy. For low stakes decisions (the color of your car), you don't have to maximize
Regret is part of the human condition. We all have regrets. Disclose it. Lift the burden.
- Someone that says they have "No Regrets" is either lying or they are a sociopath.
Disclose lessons from your regrets. Ask yourself, "What did I learn from it?"
Does everything happen for a reason?
- The lesson to be learned from it is understanding what we have control over and what we don't.
Regret depends on storytelling. And that raises a question: In these stories, are we the creator or the character, the playwright or the performer? The answer is... YES. We are both.
- We are both the authors and the actors. We can shape the plot but not fully. We can toss aside the script but not always. We live at the intersection of free will and circumstance.
"Our everyday lives consist of hundreds of decisions—some of them crucial to our well-being, many of them inconsequential. Understanding the difference can make all the difference. If we know what we truly regret, we know what we truly value. Regret— that maddening, perplexing, and undeniably real emotion—points the way to a life well-lived."
Career/Life advice:
- Doggedness is important. Be a person of action. Be willing to try stuff. "We learn who we are in practice, not in theory." Doing something helps you figure it out.

455: Oliver Burkeman - How To Think About Productivity... Time Management For Mortals (4,000 Weeks) Jan 17, 2022

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Oliver Burkeman is the author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management For Mortals. It's a book that has become an international best-seller.

The final person Oliver thanked in his book? His grandmother: “My dear grandmother Erica Burkeman, whose childhood departure from Nazi Germany I describe in chapter 7, died in 2019 at the age of 96. I don’t know whether she would have read this book, but she would definitely have told everyone she met that I had written it.”
The average human lifespan is absurdly, insultingly brief.
- If you live to be 80, you’ll have had about 4,000 weeks. But that’s no reason for despair.
- Confronting our radical finitude – and how little control we really have – is the key to a fulfilling and meaningfully productive life.
When someone close to you dies, Oliver writes, “Such experiences, however wholly unwelcome, often appear to leave those who undergo them in a new and more honest relationship with time. The question is whether we might attain at least a little of that same outlook in the absence of the experience of the agonizing loss.”
When stumped by a life choice, choose “enlargement” over happiness. Don’t ask: Will this make me happy?”, but “Will this choice enlarge me or diminish me?”
The future will never provide the reassurance you seek from it. (This is why it’s wrong to say we live in especially uncertain times. The future is always uncertain; it’s just that we’re currently very aware of it.)
Embrace radical incrementalism - People who work a little bit every day tend to cultivate the patience it takes to get good.
Oliver tells the old parable about a vacationing New York businessman who meets a Mexican fisherman…
The capacity to tolerate minor discomfort is a superpower.
The solution to imposter syndrome is to see that you are one - Everyone is totally “winging it.” The lesson to be drawn isn’t that we’re doomed to chaos. It’s that you – unconfident, self-conscious, all-too-aware-of-your-flaws – potentially have as much to contribute to your field, or the world, as anyone else.
The original Latin word for “decide” was decidere which means “to cut off” as in slicing away alternatives.
The sooner you welcome uncertainty and not knowing as normal ways of being, the better off you’ll be.
People who work a little bit every day tend to cultivate the patience it takes to get good. These people also quit their day’s work when it’s finished: they identify what their chunk of time or task is per day, they do that and only that, and save more for tomorrow.
“More often than not, originality lies on the far side of unoriginality.”
- To illustrate this point, Burkeman uses The Helsinki Bus Station Theory. As the photographer Arno Minkkinen explained, Helsinki bus lines start out traveling the same path but then diverge at different points in the route, spreading out to far and wide locales. When you find your work resembles someone else’s, or you’re on someone else’s bus, traveling someone else’s path, don’t try to go back to the bus station at the very beginning and completely reinvent yourself and start from scratch, keep working and “stay on the bus!” At a certain point, your path will split off into something new.
The central challenge of time management isn’t becoming more efficient, but deciding what to neglect.
In an accelerating world, patience – letting things take the time they take – is a superpower.
In conditions of limitless choice, burning your bridges beats keeping your options open.
The need to control events is unhelpful. There is too much uncertainty for that.
Is "follow your passion" good advice?
- Find something you're good at instead.
Do things "daily-ish"
- Harness the power of patience as a force for daily life. Relish the value of consistency.
Goal setting: "We are incapable of living goalless lives."
- With that said, "a plan is just a thought."
Excellence:
- A willingness to accept the truth of their present situation and not wear blinders. They are clear-eyed.
- Generosity to other people. They have a basic assumption of a non-zero-sum world.
Four Thousand Weeks is an entertaining and philosophical but ultimately deeply practical guide to the alternative path of embracing your limits: dropping back down into reality, defying cultural pressures to attempt the impossible, and getting started on what’s gloriously possible instead. It’s about actually getting meaningful things done, here and now, in our work and our lives together – in the clear-eyed understanding that there won’t be time for everything, and that we’ll never eliminate life’s uncertainties.

454: Jim Levine - A Conversation With My Literary Agent (How To Write A Great Proposal) Jan 10, 2022

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Jim Levine has been a literary agent for more than 30 years. Some of his agency’s clients include Ray Dalio, Scott Galloway, Jay Shetty, Gillian Flynn (author of Gone Girl), Satya Nadella (CEO of Microsoft), Tom Brady, & Giselle Bundchen among others… He also is my book agent and he brokered the deals for my book deals for both Welcome To Management AND The Pursuit of Excellence with McGraw-Hill.

Notes:

Early in my podcasting career, I asked all authors I recorded who the best book agent was... And many of them said, Jim Levine.
"Being an agent is a continuing liberal arts education, it’s an opportunity to engage with experts and thought leaders in a wide variety of fields and help shape their work to reach the broadest possible audience.”
Jim has written and published 7 books and over 100 articles for professional magazines… He's won awards for his work as a writer.
He's the founding director of The Fatherhood Project – A 20-year long foundation-supported initiative to increase men’s involvement in childrearing in all segments of society.
Jim takes us inside the process from book proposal, selling to a publisher, and ultimately getting the book published.
"Being an agent is so much more than just selling the book. The relationship is so much more intimate. You have to care."
Building a company and a culture of growth...
The best book proposals he's read:
- The Master Algorithm -- Pedro Domingos
- Welcome To Management
- Smartcuts by Shane Snow
Jim has spent most of his career putting together ideas, people, and money; identifying, nurturing, and marketing talent; and creating projects that make a difference.
Jim graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude from Amherst College, winning Woodrow Wilson, Fulbright, and Ford Foundation Fellowships. He holds two advanced degrees in English Literature from UC Berkeley, where he specialized in Shakespeare and modern literary criticism, and a doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he specialized in child development and social policy.
Advice:
- Don’t think about a job, think about skills you have and challenges you could take on…
- The WHO is really important - Who you work for...
- Be a perpetual learner
- Follow your curiosity
- Have a wide range of interests
What Jim looks for when hiring – Pat Lencioni’s humble, hungry, and smart – It’s about helping people solve problems.

453: Dr. Gary Chapman - The 5 Love Languages, Resolving Conflict, & Building Trust Jan 03, 2022

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Text Hawk to 66866 for "Mindful Monday" This episode starts with a short review of 2021 and I share my goals for 2022.

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Gary Chapman, PhD, is the author of the bestselling The 5 Love Languages® series, which has sold more than 20 million worldwide and has been translated into 50 languages. Dr. Chapman travels the world presenting seminars on marriage, family, and relationships, and his radio programs air on more than 400 stations.

Notes:

The Five Love Languages:
- Words of Affirmation - Words of affirmation is about expressing affection through spoken words, praise, or appreciation. When this is someone's primary love language, they enjoy kind words and encouragement.\
- Quality Time - For those who identify with quality time as their love language, love and affection are expressed through undivided attention. This means putting down the cell phone, turning off the tablet, making eye contact, and actively listening.
- Physical Touch - A person with this love language feels loved through physical affection.
- Acts of Service - For acts of service, a person feels loved and appreciated when someone does nice things for them, such as helping with the dishes, running errands, vacuuming, or putting gas in the car.
- Receiving Gifts - Gift-giving is symbolic of love and affection for someone with this love language. They treasure not only the gift itself but also the time and effort the gift-giver put into it.
My personal Love Language assessment results:
- Quality Time: 37%
- Words of Affirmation: 33%
- Acts of Service: 20%
- Physical Touch: 10%
- Receiving Gifts: 0%
We all express and receive love differently. Consequently, understanding those differences can make a serious impact on your relationship. According to Dr. Chapman, this exercise is one of the simplest ways to improve your relationships. Here are some ways that understanding love languages can improve your relationship:
- Promotes selflessness - When you are committed to learning someone else's love language, you are focused on their needs rather than your own.
- Creates empathy - As someone learns more about how their partner experiences love, they learn to empathize with them.
- Maintains intimacy - If couples regularly talk about what keeps their love tanks full, this creates more understanding in their relationship.
- Aids personal growth - When someone is focused on something or someone outside of themselves, it can lead to personal growth.
- Shares love in meaningful ways - When couples start speaking one another's love language, the things they do for their partners not only become more intentional but also become more meaningful.
It’s not a feeling. The “in love” feeling wears off after about 2 years. It’s an attitude to love someone. “I want to do anything I can to enrich your life.” There is a thought process and intention behind it.
Keys to being a better listener:
- Start with the intention to understand THEIR perspective
- Do not interrupt the other person
- Wait until they are completely done speaking
How to earn back trust?
- Forgiveness is not a feeling, it's a choice. You have to make the choice to forgive someone.
Thank you to Verywellmind.com for help preparing for this conversation

452: Debbie Millman - Visual Storytelling, Building Your Brand, & Fostering Your Creativity Dec 27, 2021

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Debbie Millman has been named “one of the most creative people in business” by Fast Company, and “one of the most influential designers working today” by Graphic Design USA, Debbie Millman is also an author, educator, curator, and host of the podcast Design Matters.

Notes:

Visual Storytelling is the art of using language and images to convey a narrative account of real or imagined events.
How to make an effective presentation? You must know it thoroughly. Practice, rehearse. Get to the point where you can let it flow when you're in it.
- Don't just read what's on the slide. Use at most one sentence. Use images to help reinforce your message
"Life is so difficult when you don't know what you're talking about."
Ideas are easy... Strategies are hard. You need to understand that a presentation is a performance.
Teaching forces you to learn your topic. If you want to learn about something, sign up to teach others about it.
“I once read that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I fundamentally disagree with this idea. I think that doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of hope.”
“A brand is simply a set of beliefs. And if you don't create a set of beliefs around your products or services, well, you stand for nothing - you have no values and no vision.”
“Actually - and ironically - people aren't really interested in a new brand form or flavor as much as they are interested in how a brand can change, impact, or improve their lives. They want brands around them that make them feel special and provide some social cache or confidence.”
Interviewing is like a game of billiards. Each question should leave you in a position to hit the next shot/ask the next question. Be overprepared so that you can flow in the moment.
- "You have to listen and really focus on the person."
- Research everything
Courage and confidence - The reps lead to confidence. Confidence leads to courage.
Branding --“Branding is a deliberate differentiation.” Brands aspire for consistency.
"You can't metabolize regret." -- Go for it.
At age 50, Debbie came out... And felt so much freedom from it
“Don’t edit your hopes and dreams before you can ever attempt them.”

451: Rob Fitzpatrick - How To Talk To Your Customers, How To Ask Great Questions, & How To Be Useful (The Mom Test) Dec 20, 2021

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Rob Fitzpatrick is an entrepreneur of 14 years and has written three books about his learnings along the way, including the best-selling handbook for doing better Customer Development, The Mom Test: How to talk to customers and figure out if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you. In 2007, he dropped out of grad school to go through YCombinator with his first startup, and has been building products and businesses ever since. Beyond software, he has also kickstarted a physical card game, built an education agency, and more.

Notes:

The 3 simple rules of the Mom Test:
- Talk about their life instead of your idea
- Ask about specifics in the past instead of generics or opinions about the future
- Talk less and listen more
How to run better meetings:
- Focus on who will be in your meeting and how to maximize the value they receive while there
- Think about learning outcomes - How will you (as the leader) help them be wiser by going to your meetings

450: Stan Johnson - Living Your Core Values, Building Culture, & Developing Leaders Dec 13, 2021

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Stan Johnson was hired as Loyola Marymount University's men's basketball head coach on March 20, 2020. The 2020-21 season saw meteoric growths across the board for LMU men’s basketball. In his first season as head coach, Stan Johnson guided his team through the COVID-19 pandemic and posted a winning record in the WCC for the first time since 2011-12.

Notes:

“I escaped a war at 10. I come from really the gutter in this business. I don’t come from a tree,” “I was at gunpoint at 10 years old with 15-year-olds holding M16s. We got evacuated on a war jet on a mining strip. We came to this country with three bags. That stuff, I think, has helped shape me for this task that I have.”
- "That gives you empathy and understanding. It makes you relatable to all people."
“Being lazy is disrespectful to the people that believe in you.” Focus on proving your supporters right. The people who love you and root for you. Prove them right...
The purpose behind "Coffee With The Coach" during COVID... I wanted to "Win The Wait." Don't just wait it out... Win the wait.
Culture is a set of behaviors... How do we want to behave? It's a life thing. It's not just a basketball thing.
Stan has weekly "Culture Meetings." Their structure:
- Academic highlights
- Habit share
- Success hotline -- a pre-recorded hotline with a quote/saying
- Thought of the day
- What's happening in the world?
- Culture emphasis of the day
Their core values:
- Selfless - LM Over You. When you're truly selfless, you care about the greater good... It comes back to you
- Connected - You need great relationships. Relationships over championships.
- Relentless - Attack everything we do. It's not just basketball.
What do you want to be remembered for? Do your daily behaviors align with what you want to be remembered for?
Consistency is what transforms average people, companies, and teams into GREATNESS. Anyone can do it now and then. GREATNESS is found in your ability to bring your best every single day. Keep Going.
Don’t mistake silence for weakness. Smart people don’t plan big moves out loud.
Holding people accountable - Truth helps. It doesn't hurt.
- The greatest form of love is discipline.
Stan is known as one of the best recruiters in the country... What does he focus on?
- Relatability - "I can relate to people from all different backgrounds."
- Sincere - "I say how I feel."
- Relationships with family - Stan recruits all the members of the family.
The must-have qualities to be a coach on his staff:
- Must be really good people (most important)
- "They gotta be smarter than me. I want them to stretch me, and hold me accountable. They must be smart."
- Passionate - They need to love it.
Questions he asks when interviewing someone to be on his staff:
- What do you want to be remembered for?
- What are your expectations? (Mine are high")
- How do you evaluate yourself?
- What are your relationships like with people you've worked at before? Do you become friends with them?
How he develops his assistant coaches:
- Give them big tasks to be responsible for...
Their mission: "Take people to places they can't take themselves."
Your competition isn’t other people. Your competition is your procrastination. Your attitude.Your ego. Your blaming. Your complaining. Your ability to stay in the past. Your bad habits. Your jealousy. Your comparison mindset. Your inability to dream bigger. Compete against that.
“Anytime your gonna grow, you’re gonna lose something. You’re losing what you’re hanging onto to keep safe. You’re losing habits that you’re comfortable with, you’re losing familiarity.” Keep Going.
You attract what you are, not what you want. If you want great things to happen, then be great with your habits and your daily process of becoming. Keep Going.
Rejected to Redirected… Keep putting your butt on the line. Don’t get boxed in. Who knows what you could be? Put yourself out there…

449: John Amaechi - The Traits Of Effective Leaders, Excellence Is In The Mundane, & Giving Proper Feedback Dec 06, 2021

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John Amaechi is an organizational psychologist, best-selling author, and CEO of APS Intelligence Ltd. In 2019, John was recognized as one of HR’s most influential thinkers by HR Magazine. John is the first Briton to have a career in the NBA. John is a Chartered Scientist, a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health. He is a Research Fellow at the University of East London and his research interests are effective, inclusive leadership, building high-performing teams and organisational design that maximises productivity and human thriving in readiness for the future world of work.

Notes:

“Excellence is in the mundane.” The hours and hours of work when no one is watching.
Effective feedback - If it’s not developing them, it’s not feedback. And feedback is never cruel. Ask, what can we learn from this?
The evidence-based traits he shared about effective leadership
“Promises have an enormous impact when kept by giants. And a devastating impact when broken. To keep these promises, unconditionally and persistently, is the duty and honor of being a giant.”
"You can't be a part-time man of principle."
There is a difference between elite teams and a group of elite individuals. We want to build elite teams.
- Look at how you reward people -- What gets measured, gets managed. Reward people for being great teammates.
- People must earn and maintain their job titles.
Coaching leaders:
- Start at the end - What does great look like?
- Introspection - How well do you know yourself?
- Pragmatic - Measure real progress
Introspective work - view yourself critically, but not cruelly
- "You need people around you to be truly candid and caring."
John and his team take an analytical approach - "I have a geek squad and we analyze data."
- They use expertise to provide commentary on the data
Feedback - It must be timely and effective. Do regular micro-appraisals. What made you think of that? What can we learn from this?
- If it's not developing them, it's not feedback
- Feedback is never cruel
Mantra: "I promise to reject excuses and embrace discomfort."
- You can't skip to comfort...
The Promises of Giants is the product of a lifetime spent observing and studying effective leadership - from accompanying his mother's visits to her dying patients to competing at the highest levels of professional sport, through two decades of management consulting with multinational corporations. These experiences have shown that everyone has the ability to act decisively to influence the world in a positive way.
- Everyone is a giant to someone...

448: Dr. Benjamin Hardy - How To Go From The Gap To The Gain, Choosing Your Who, & Setting Big Goals Nov 29, 2021

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Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist and the author of Willpower Doesn’t Work and Personality Isn’t Permanent. He also co-authored Who Not How with Dan Sullivan, which sold over 120,000 copies in the first 4 months of publication. Their most recent book is called, The Gap and The Gain. His blogs have been read by over 100 million people and are featured on Harvard Business Review, the New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, CNBC, and many others. For several years, he was the #1 most-read writer on Medium.com.

Notes:

The broaden and build theory — Dr. Barbara Fredeickson — shows that positive emotions are the starting point of learning, growth, and high performance
“Competing against someone else puts you in the gap. Your happiness as a person is dependent on what you measure yourself against.” More specifically you measure your own gains, rather than worrying about other people.
- When we measure ourselves against that ideal, we're in "the GAP." However, when we measure ourselves against our previous selves, we're in "the GAIN."
"This one simple concept is a masterclass on positive psychology, healthy relationships, mental well-being, and high-performance. Everything that psychologists know about how to create a high-functioning and successful person can be achieved using The GAP and the GAIN."
Who Not How -- Life is about surrounding yourself with the right WHO’s. Who are the WHO’s in your life to help you achieve what you want?
- “Surround yourself with people who remind you more of your future than your past. —Dan Sullivan”
Commitment creates freedom -- Once the decision is made, then you can focus on the work. I like thinking of it that way and in a way it frees your mind when the decision, the commitment has been made.
“Your behavior doesn’t come from your personality. Rather, your personality is shaped by your behavior. When you act a certain way, you then judge yourself based on your actions. Hence, you can quickly alter your identity simply by altering your behavior.”
“The belief that you cannot change leads to a victim mentality. If you are determined by nature to be what you are, then there is nothing you can do about your lot in life. Conversely, the belief that you can change leads you to take responsibility for your life. You may have been born with certain constraints, but you can change those constraints, allowing yourself to improve and grow.”
“Don’t join an easy crowd; you won’t grow. Go where the expectations and the demands to perform are high. —Jim Rohn”
“You are never pre-qualified to live your dreams. You qualify yourself by doing the work. By committing—even overcommitting—to what you believe you should do.”
“You shape the garden of your mind by planting specific things from your environment, such as the books you read, experiences you have, and people you surround yourself with.”
“True learning is a permanent change in cognition and/or behavior. In other words, learning involves a permanent change in how you see and act in the world. The accumulation of information isn’t learning. Lots of people have heads full of information they don’t know what to do with. If you want to learn something quickly, you need to immerse yourself in that thing and immediately implement what you’re learning.”
“You need to deepen the quality and intimacy of your relationships with other people. Our culture is being shaped to isolate us more and more from each other. Addiction is becoming an epidemic. When you have deep and meaningful relationships, your chances of unhealthy addiction are far less. The following are four principles for overcoming harmful defaults in your environment.”

447: John McWhorter - Building A Diverse Team, Supporting The Black Community, & What Is Woke Racism? Nov 22, 2021

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John McWhorter teaches linguistics, philosophy, and music history at Columbia University, and writes for various publications on language issues and race issues such as Time, the Wall Street Journal, the Daily Beast, CNN, and the Atlantic. He’s also the author of many books including his most recent New York Times bestseller, Woke Racism - How A New Religion Has Betrayed Black America.

Notes:

How to change someone's mind?
- "I try to understand where other people are coming from. I am not surprised by anyone. I think you need to listen to it from their point of view and not assume that anyone is crazy or evil."
John recommends pragmatic action against racism involving only three programs: an end to the war on drugs, teaching reading by phonics to children lacking literate households and, promoting the idea that not everyone needs a college education to succeed.
“I don’t think of myself as brave. What I really am is a failed lawyer. My issue is if things don’t make sense to me, I just want to try to make sense of it and I want people to understand what I mean.”
John believes that affirmative action should be based on class, not on race.
What to do if your leadership team is not well represented by people of another race?
- From John: "Don't hire a token black person. Don't hire someone just because they are black. They need to be qualified for the role."
Expansion from Dr. King's statement about judging someone for the content of their character rather than the color of their skin... "I agree with that, but I think you also have to look at class, and if they come from a poor upbringing."
John criticized the 2018 book White Fragility following its resurgence in sales during the George Floyd protests beginning in May 2020, arguing that it "openly infantilized Black people" and "simply dehumanized us," and "does not see fit to address why all of this agonizing soul-searching (for residual racism by white people) is necessary to forging change in society." He said, "it's a true horror of a book. The worst book I've read since I was 16."
Qualities John looks for in a friend:
- A wry sense of humor
  - You have to "see beyond level 1" and be smart to have this
  - "They don't have to have the MSNBC take on race"
  - "I want coherence."
From Woke Racism:
- "The people wielding this ideology and watching its influence spread ever more are under the genuine impression that they are forging progress, that reason and morality are in flower. However, society is changing not because of a burgeoning degree of consensus in moral sophistication. What is happening is much cruder. Society is changing not out of consensus, but out of fear."
Life advice:
- Don't get a degree in law unless you want to practice law
- To the extent you can, follow your passion
- "Follow your own gut. Go with your own mind. You'll have a much richer adulthood doing this."
Linguistics: the scientific study of language and its structure, including the study of morphology, syntax, phonetics, and semantics.

446: Fred Reichheld - Asking The Right Questions, Loving Your Customers, & Living A Meaningful Life Nov 15, 2021

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red Reichheld is the creator of the Net Promoter Score system of management. Also known as “NPS.” NPS is used in two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies. Fred has worked at Bain and Company since 1977. He is also the best-selling author of five books, including his most recent, “Winning On Purpose.” Fred graduated with Honors both from Harvard College (B.A., 1974) and Harvard Business School (M.B.A., 1978).

Notes:

The ultimate question: “How likely are you to recommend this brand to a friend or colleague?”
Fred views "Net Promoter Score" as "Net Lives Enriched."
“At Bain, we came to realize through our own experience that the frontline team leader sets the tone, models the values, sets the priorities, and balances individual needs with team needs. Given this critical importance, we select leaders with great care and invest heavily in their training and coaching.”
The difference between good profits and bad profits. Play the long game. It’s not helpful to earn a profit from someone who had a bad experience.
Negotiation - Try to give the other person as much as possible. The story of the Costco CEO sharing the extra profits with others... Think about how you can do this in your negotiations with family, friends, and work colleagues.
- The Costco leaders always think of how they can put they can love on their customers
How can you turn someone from a detractor to a promoter?
- Pleasantly surprise your customer
  - The Certa Pro Painters example - They train their teams to seek out opportunities for acts of kindness. For example, when they are on a ladder up high painting a wall and notice a light bulb is out, they will put in a new light bulb (for free). They go out of their way to surprise and delight their customers.
Richard is a big believer in the golden rule: Treat others as a loved one should be treated. When customers feel loved, they come back, and they tell all of their friends.
- "You want a workforce that is inspired to treat others as loved ones."
- "The leader's job is to love their team."
Front line leaders -- Make sure you're constantly getting feedback.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - "Everyone can be great because everyone can serve."
Earned growth rate - Warby Parker - 90% of their business through referrals
Joe Girard - The top-selling car sales professional of all time - "I hope you get a lemon." "What! Why would you want me to get a bad car?" "Because then I get a chance to show off. I will give you the best customer service experience of your life. And after I do that, you'll buy cars from me for the rest of your life. And you'll tell all of your friends and family to do the same."
Good profits - Earn from promoters
Bad profits - Profits from detractors
- "You don't deserve profits unless the customer is happy."
“Where there is individual accountability, things get done. Measure is another magic word: what gets measured creates accountability. With no standard, reliable metric for customer relationships, employees can’t be held accountable for them and so overlook their importance.”
“These companies manage to balance the need for profits with the overarching vision of providing great results for customers and an inspiring mission for employees.”
How to sustain excellence?
- Think of NPS as your moral compass
- Great leaders create a community by living the golden rule
- Enrich the lives you're responsible for
Life advice:
- Your WHO - The people you spend your life with are everything
- Only invest in places where you can bring something of value

445: Gino Wickman - Do You Have What It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur? Nov 08, 2021

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Gino Wickman is the author of the award-winning, best-selling book Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business, which has sold over 1 million copies, as well as five other books in the Traction Library that have sold almost 2 million copies.

Notes:

Keys To Sustaining Excellence:
- Fanatical about excellence
- Stamina
- Endurance to stay with something
- Drive - a desire to succeed, to win
Gino believes that entrepreneurship is nature, not nurture (you are born with it)
What's usually missing in someone who thinks they're an entrepreneur, but they're not? The ability to take a big risk.
Gino's dad was an entrepreneur. His two brothers are not.
- Gino set a goal to be a millionaire by the time he was 30.
  - He achieved that goal... And then went broke two years later.
It took more than five years to create Traction. He worked with more than 50 companies testing the ideas. He eventually found patterns and trends.
Delegation -- Gino obsesses over delegating at least one task for the last 30 years. This has helped him scale his business.
The difference between a visionary and an integrator:
- Visionary - Wild and crazy entrepreneur
- Integrator - Run the day-to-day operations. Sometimes called the Chief Operating Officer.
How to run better meetings? Use the Gino Wickman Level 10 Meeting format:
- Segue – Spend 5 minutes sharing one personal best and one professional best from the previous week. No discussion; just an announcement. This helps move your team from working “in the business” to working “on the business”.
- Review your company scorecard. This is a 5-minute high-level review to make sure your most important five to 15 numbers are on track. The person responsible for the number says whether it is “on track” or “off-track”. If the number is “off”, move that measurement to the Issues List portion of the agenda.
- Rock review. Take 5 minutes to review your company and individual Rocks to determine if they are “on track” or “off track.” Again, if the rock is “off”, move it to the Issues List portion of the agenda.
- Customer/Employee headlines. This is a 5-minute opportunity to announce any news, positive or negative, about a customer or employee. If the announcement is an issue, add it to the Issues List portion of the agenda.
- To-Do List. Review the seven-day action items from the previous meeting, and report whether each task is “done” or “not done.” This should take no more than 5 minutes
- Issues List. Your leadership team now has 60 minutes to identify, discuss and solve your company’s biggest issues in order of priority. Solving an issue usually requires someone to take action, which becomes a task for the to-do list for review at your next meeting.
- Conclude. Use your final 5 minutes to bring the meeting to a close, recap the to-do list, and discuss any messages that need to be communicated to the rest of the organization. And rate the meeting on a scale of 1 – 10; this helps your team self-correct. Establish the practice that anyone who rates the meeting below an “8” must explain why, and “because I never give high marks” is not an acceptable reason.
Leadership teams should get together in person every 90 days
What is EOS? EOS™ is a holistic management system with simple tools that help you do three things we call vision, traction, healthy. Vision from the standpoint of first getting your leaders 100% on the same page with where your organization is going. Traction from the standpoint of helping your leaders to become more disciplined and accountable, executing really well to achieve every part of your vision. Healthy meaning helping your leaders to become a healthy, functional, cohesive leadership team.
The six key components to your business that Gino's work helps you improve:
- Vision. Build your V/TO™ within Traction Tools and keep it easily accessible to everyone in your company. V/TO content is integrated throughout the software so that you always have the right information at the right time.
- People. Our People Tools™ add-on (currently in Beta) bundles everything you need to manage the key People component of your business—including the Accountability Chart, People Analyzer™, LMA™, and Quarterly Conversation™ tools
- Data. The Traction Tools Scorecard makes it easy to record and measure your company, departmental and employee numbers. Everything is located in one place, and many metrics can be automatically updated. Personalize the Scorecard according to your viewing preferences.
- Issues. Manage and IDS™ all of your company and departmental issues in the Issues List. Flexible features make it easy to add and solve your Issues or move them to other meetings.
- Process. It’s quick and easy to attach your company’s core processes to notes within Issues, To-Dos, or Level 10 Agendas
- Traction®. With Traction Tools Rocks, you’ll take your company’s vision to street level, and make it real. The Level 10 Meeting™ Agenda will help you keep your Meeting Pulse™ EOS-pure.
Life/Career advice:
- "Let your freak flag fly." -- Be yourself. "It took me until I was 45 years old to learn this. Do it now."
  - "Know thyself. Be thyself."
  - Spend time understanding your strengths and weaknesses.

444: Kirk Herbstreit - Honoring The Life Of Centerville Football Coach Bob Gregg Nov 03, 2021

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Kirk Herbstreit played quarterback at Centerville High School. He was a PARADE All-American and the Ohio Player-of-the-Year as a senior (1986) … threw for 1,298 yards and 10 TDs as a senior … also rushed for 576 yards and 16 TDs his final year … career totals of 55 TDs and 4,258 yards in total offense in two years as a starter … led Centerville to a 10-0 record as a junior … all-league in baseball. Currently, Kirk is the lead analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, a TV program covering college football and he is the #1 color analyst on college football games on ESPN and ABC. For his TV work, Kirk has won five Sports Emmy Awards. He is known as one of the best sports broadcasters of all time.

Notes:

“Coach Gregg was a legend on the field but so much more. He was TOUGH-DEMANDING-at times intimidating. But he taught us about TEAM-HARD WORK-PERSEVERANCE & SACRIFICE. Blessed to have him in my life."
"Part of what makes football great is what you learn playing it. Being selfless, learning how to go through adversity as a group, learning about perseverance."
When first meeting Coach Gregg, "I was like half scared and half man I want to play for this guy."
The Centerville Elks were about execution, work ethic, pride, and excellence.
- "I thought... Mannnn, how lucky am I to be part of this program."
The summer workouts:
- "The Monday's and Friday's were bad... The Wednesday with the circuits were DREADFUL. I was scared to death."
Coach Gregg had established the "decade of dominance" before Kirk was there. "You had an appreciation and you were in awe of him and the program."
- "We thought, 'Am I going to be good enough to be part of this program?'"
"Those workouts broke me down... And then they built us back up."
- "As a group, we went through torture, but we did it together. It created this unbelievable bond."
"Bob Gregg taught me so much about humility, sacrifice, hard work, team team team... The team is so much more important than you. All the fundamental principles that you use in life are what you learned from him."
- "The person you are today is because of that."
"What I learned from him... We beat teams with superior talent with execution and preparation and our work ethic collectively. And our team. It was from all that work we put in June and July."
"You can get a leg up on your competition in anything you do in life by just outworking them."
- "When you feel like you don't matter, the best thing you can you, how you create confidence, is by outworking everyone in the room. Do little things. Do more. Do more."
"I thought work ethic was HERE, before I met Bob Gregg, and then they taught me the hard way, that I was capable of working a lot harder."
"Coach Gregg reminds me a lot of Nick Saban."
- They have incredibly high standards and keep their players humble.
- "You and I are grinders. All of us that played for him are wired the same way. I don't think that's a coincidence. It's because of Coach Gregg."
"His personality... I wish more people got to know him. He had a personality that to outsiders seemed gruff. Some thought he was a tyrant. But if you really got to know him, he was not that way. He had a soft heart."
"I think we need more than ever, right now, MORE people like Bob Gregg."
- "He's going to ruffle some feathers, but he's going to do it the right way."

443: Rebecca Minkoff - The New Rules For Unlocking Creativity & Courage Oct 31, 2021

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In 2005, Rebecca Minkoff designed her first handbag, which she dubbed the “Morning After Bag. This iconic bag ignited Rebecca’s career as a handbag designer and inspired the brands’ expansion into a lifestyle brand in the years to come. Actress Jenna Elfman wore her "I Heart New York" shirt on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Today, Rebecca Minkoff is a global brand with a wide range of apparel, handbags, footwear, jewelry, timepieces, eyewear, and fragrance.

When Rebecca was 8 years old, she wanted her mom to buy her a dress. Her mom said, "no, but I'll teach you to sew." From that point, Rebecca was fascinated with the idea of buying things for herself.
Rebecca doesn't love the word "mentor." She was forced to learn by doing.
She moved at age 18. Became an intern and then a designer. Eventually, she started her own business.
When Jenna Elfman wore her I heart NYC shirt on Jay Leno's show, it got her foot in the door.
"When Jenna asked if I could make her a handbag, I lied and said I could do it."
"I think everyone should get cozy with failure."
Self Care: “Work can be self-care, too." She’s particularly resistant to the notion that self-care can solve burnout — the feeling of acute exhaustion that has gained more attention recently. “There is no scented candle in the world that will make that feeling go away.” Self-reflection cures burnout, she argues, not self-care.
"You don't need to ask for permission. Don't seek permission. Just go for it."
Rebecca learned from her mom to be genuinely herself. "I learned to be tough, resilient, and fight back from my mom."
"Don't get scared to lead with strength."
- "Trying hard is not good enough. You must get results."
Advice for future generations? "There are no shortcuts."
"Failure is like a muscle. Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn."
"Success is the ability to keep going."
"The definition of happiness is overcoming barriers towards your goal."

442: Randall Stutman - How To Become An Admired Leader Oct 24, 2021

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Dr. Randall Stutman is a leadership scientist dedicated to exploring the behaviors and routines of extraordinary leaders. Labeled by Goldman Sachs as the most experienced advisor and executive coach on Wall Street, he has served as a Principal Advisor to more than 2,000 Senior Executives, including 400 CEOs. His work as an advisor and speaker has taken him to the White House, West Point, the Olympics, and the Harvard Business School. Randall is the founder and co-head of the Leadership Practice at CRA. and the Admired Leadership Institute.

Notes:

The three types of leaders:
- Result Leaders: People who achieve the company’s goals
- Followers Leaders: People who are loved by their subordinates
- Admired Leaders: People who both achieve results and are loved by subordinates
Admired leaders aren’t just admired in the workplace, they’re admired by friends, family, neighbors, and basically everyone they interact with...
“It applies to everything. Leadership is leadership and it applies to every aspect of your life.”
A great way to spread positively is through third-party praise. Say something nice about someone to another person and eventually, the positive comment will make its way to the individual mentioned.
Excellence:
- Optimistic
- Persistent
- Focused
- Sound judgment
- Objective
- Learning machines
Best coaching relationships: Created peer-like quality... You learn from each other
The best leaders? It's not about them. It's others focused
- Leaders put other people up front. They lead from the back.
Leadership is making people and solutions better. Anyone can lead anytime they choose.
How does a 1:1 Leadership Coaching call go?
- Catch up personally and professionally
- Discuss critical episodes in the business
- Walkthrough situations
- Set agenda
- Register - Keep notes, send follow-ups
Frequency of conversations with clients:
- Every three weeks
- Must be:
  - A sounding board
  - A deep listener
  - Offer feedback
  - Highly prescriptive - Need to make you better
Admired leaders are:
- Someone that produces extraordinary results over time.
- Followership: People feel differently when engaged with them. They will do anything for them. Admired leaders are rare...
Excellence in leadership:
- Show up in a crisis
- Admit mistakes
- Walk the talk
Who coaches Randall?
- Feedback from clients
- Coaching clinics -- Gets together with other coaches
3rd party praise:
- Don't be "praise stingy"
- When you see excellence, tell a third party
  - "There's no 'but' in it."
What's something Randall has changed his mind about over time?
- "I initially thought leaders should be objective and fair. Then I studied Admired Leaders. They play favorites based on performance. They reward high performers.:
Life/Career advice:
- Control what you can control
- Work hard at getting better
- "The best people bring passion to what they do."

441: Liz Wiseman - How To Build Credibility, Solve Problems, & Multiply Your Impact Oct 17, 2021

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Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Liz Wiseman is the New York Times bestseller author of Multipliers, Rookie Smarts, and most recently Impact Players. She is the CEO of the Wiseman Group, a leadership research and development firm. Some of her recent clients include Apple, Disney, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Nike, Tesla, and Twitter. Liz has been listed on the Thinkers50 ranking and named one of the top 10 leadership thinkers in the world.

Notes:

Habits of high impact players:
- Learn the game
- Play where they are needed
- Play with passion
Impact players have a good internal locus of control. They believe they have agency in their life. They believe they are in charge of their life. Liz said, “You have a lot more power than you might think you have.”
Neil deGrasse Tyson said, “what you know is not as important as what you think.” If you aspire to have greater influence, start thinking like an impact player…don’t just use the playbook. Adopt the impact player mentality as your ethos.
Many leaders commented how much they learned thru the process of answering questions. Teaching others can be one of the greatest tools for learning in the world...
Seeking feedback and guidance versus seeking validation. Impact players don’t need validation. They crave feedback and guidance so they can continually improve.
Say less: Play your chips wisely - Before an important meeting, give yourself a budget of poker chips where each chip represents a comment or contribution to the meeting.
- Be relevant, be evidence-based, be unique and additive, be succinct.
Building credibility with leaders and stakeholders:
- Some credibility killers? Waiting for managers to tell you what to do, ignoring the bigger picture, tell your manager it’s not your job.
- Some credibility builders? Doing things without being asked, anticipating problems, and having a plan.
Instead of following your passion… Be useful. Make a name for yourself by running towards the problems and solving them. Make your boss's life easier. Be useful. Work on what’s important for the people you work for…
“The Diminisher is a Micromanager who jumps in and out. The Multiplier is an Investor who gives others ownership and full accountability.”
“Multipliers invoke each person’s unique intelligence and create an atmosphere of genius—innovation, productive effort, and collective intelligence.”
“It isn’t how much you know that matters. What matters is how much access you have to what other people know. It isn’t just how intelligent your team members are; it is how much of that intelligence you can draw out and put to use.”
“Multipliers aren’t “feel-good” managers. They look into people and find capability, and they want to access all of it. They utilize people to their fullest. They see a lot, so they expect a lot.”
“The highest quality of thinking cannot emerge without learning. Learning can’t happen without mistakes.”
What do Impact Players do?
- While others do their job, Impact Players figure out the real job to be done.
- While others wait for direction, Impact Players step up and lead.
- While others escalate problems, Impact Players move things across the finish line.
- While others attempt to minimize change, Impact Players are learning and adapting to change.
- While others add to the load, the Impact Players make heavy demands feel lighter.
Some think you become great on the big stage under the bright lights. But the light only reveals the work you did in the dark. —Jeff Bajenaru
An overarching idea: I can be of service and solve problems. The slogan from Kaiser Sand & Gravel; “Find a need and fill it.”

440: Robert Greene - The Laws Of Power, Mastery, & Human Nature Oct 10, 2021

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Robert Greene has written 7 international best-selling books focused on strategy, power, and seduction, including The 48 Laws of Power, Mastery, The Laws of Human Nature, and most recently, The Daily Laws.

Notes:

What matters is not education or money, but your persistence and the intensity of your desire to learn; that failures, mistakes, and conflicts are often the best education of all; and how true creativity and mastery emerge from all this.
Adapt your inclinations. Avoid having rigid goals and dreams. Change is the law.
Find inspiration from your heroes. Are there people whose work affects you in a powerful way? Analyze this and use them as models.
Trust the process. Time is the essential ingredient of mastery. Use it to your advantage.
What The mentor needs - Find a master to apprentice under, but instead of thinking about how much they can give you, think about how you can help them with their work.
Learn by Doing -- The brain is designed to learn through constant repetition and active, hands-on involvement. Through such practice and persistence, any skill can be mastered.
Master your emotional responses - displaying anger and emotion are signs of weakness; you cannot control yourself, so how can you control anything?
Always Say Less Than Necessary. When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control.
Avoid the false alliance -- Cultivate real allies. No one can get far in life without allies. The trick is to recognize the difference between false allies and real ones. A false alliance is created out of an immediate emotional need. A real alliance is formed out of mutual self-interest, each side supplying what the other cannot get alone.
Despise the Free lunch - Learn to pay and to pay well. -- I find that the best clients don’t haggle on price, they pay immediately and they are easy to work with. The clients who want to fight about every last dollar always end up being the most difficult to work with. “There is no cutting corners with excellence. It is often wise to pay full price.”
Judge people on their behavior, not on their words - What you want is a picture of a person’s character over time. Restrain from the natural tendency to judge right away, and let the passage of time reveal more about who people are.
Don’t mistake extra conviction for truth - When people try to explain their ideas with so much exaggerated energy, or defend themselves with an intent level of denial, that is precisely when you should raise your antennae.
Determine the strength of people’s character - In gauging strength or weakness, look at how people handle stressful moments and responsibility. Look at their patterns: what have they actually completed or accomplished?
Be a source of pleasure - No one wants to hear about your problems and troubles. An energetic presence is more charming than lethargy. Being lighthearted and fun is always more charming than being serious and critical.
Leave people with a feeling - Keep your eyes on the aftermath of any encounter. Think more of the feeling you leave people with -- a feeling that might translate into a desire to see more of you.
Transform yourself into a deep listener - It will provide you the most invaluable lessons about human psychology. The secret to this: finding other people endlessly fascinating.
Do Not let success intoxicate you - after any kind of success, analyze the components. See the element of luck that is inevitably there, as well as the role that other people, including mentors, played in your good fortune.
Increase your reaction time - the longer you can resist reacting, the more mental space you have for actual reflection, and the stronger your mind will become.
Alive time or dead time - Never waste a minute. Make today your own -- whether you’re stuck in traffic, sick in bed, or working long hours. You are renting just about everything in your life. The only thing you own is your time. Make the most of it.

439: General Stanley McChrystal - A New Way To Understand Risk & Master The Unknown Oct 03, 2021

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

General Stanley McChrystal retired in July 2010 as a four-star general in the U.S. Army. His last assignment was as the commander of the International Security Assistance Force and as the commander of the U.S. forces in Afghanistan. He had previously served as the director of the Joint Staff and as the commander of the Joint Special Operations Command. The author of My Share of the Task, Team of Teams, and Leaders, he is currently a senior fellow at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and the co-founder of the McChrystal Group, a leadership consulting firm.

Notes:

Stan's mentor for his military career and still to this day: an Army officer with a thick southern accent, Major John Vines. His advice: “If there are 3 people responsible for feeding the dog, the dog is going to starve.”
Stan graduated from West Point 31 years after his father did. Major General George Smith Patton (General George Patton’s son) handed him his diploma. Stan wondered at that moment, what kind of leader you wanted to be. And he came up with, “a good one.” Now the more fundamental question is “What do good leaders do?” Instead of just being a good leader, Stan desires to be an effective leader.
Effective leaders:
- Tactically competent
- Are morally good
- Respected
- They create an environment where others want to follow
- They shape how people think and behave
- People that others want to follow
- Have high standards
Risk: in reality, risk is neither mathematical nor finite. Its impact depends to a great extent on how we perceive, process, and respond.
A healthy risk immune system successfully executes 4 imperatives: Detect, Assess, Respond, and Learn
"Risk comes at you from out of the blue, from every angle, when least convenient. There is a cost in becoming overly focused on risk and another at ignoring them. And the sweet spot between the two extremes moves with the circumstances around you.”
“I chose a soldier’s life for many reasons, one of which was the desire to perceive myself as a courageous risk taker. I liked the idea of taking risks that others would not.”
Threat x Vulnerability = Risk
Risk is an eternal challenge. But trying to anticipate or predict every possible risk is a fool’s errand. The key is to understand how we need to think about risk, and to then respond appropriately. Rather than living in dread of things we often can’t anticipate, duck, or dodge – we must remember these five key insights.
- Look Inward: The greatest risk to us is us.
- It's Up to Us: We have a risk immune system
- Be holistic: It's the system. Make it work
- Balance: The muscles you exercise will be strong: those you ignore will be vulnerabilities
- Risk is always with us, and it's our responsibility to make our teams ready for it
When taking command of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, Stan, along with the leaders of the unit, established The foundational skills - They called them the big 4:
- Physical conditioning
- Marksmanship
- Medical Skills
- Small Unit Drills
But even before mastering basic skills, grounding both individuals and organizations with answers to the most basic questions that relate to the narrative is essential:
- What are our values?
- What exactly do we do? And why do we do it?
- What is expected of each of us?
What went wrong with our response to COVID-19?
- 50 states operated separately instead of a united response
  - "We weren't unified"
- "Our leaders did not communicate effectively."
- "You have to act before the population sees the requirement for it."
Have a front-line obsession - Stan was known for going on the front lines with his soldiers. As leaders, we should do the same with our teams. Be on the front lines to:
- See how it's done with your own eyes, not just reports
- They need to see you go. They'll appreciate it
- It helps create your self-identity
The new hybrid model of in-office and at-home working...
- Be intentional
- Use technology
- Understand what you're not doing
- Don't get lazy
How to deal with imposter syndrome?
- Ask, "What do I know?" "What's my responsibility?" "You have to fight that crisis of confidence."
Excellence =
- Be less flexible on your basic values
- Be flexible with how a problem gets solved

438: Jay Williams - How To Reinvent Yourself (Life Is Not An Accident) Sep 26, 2021

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Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Jay Williams is known as one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. At Duke, Jay won the Naismith College Player of the Year award, won the 2001 National Championship, and had his #22 retired. He was the second overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2002 NBA draft. Now Jay works as a basketball analyst for ESPN, hosts a radio show, and is actively involved as an investor in the business world.

Notes:

Jay starts by describing the terrifying night when he wrecked his motorcycle which led to the end of his playing career…
Coach K flew a private plane to be with Jay in the hospital right after his motorcycle accident. He gave him a rosary and said, "you're going to give that back to me when you play again." Jay learned a valuable leadership lesson in that moment. Great leaders create hope. They give people something to strive for. "He gave me a reference point to look forward to."
Communication: As a leader, you need to initiate a conversation with each person you're leading. You can't just lead one generic way. You need to get to know each person for who they are. Ask questions about them. Get to know them.
Jay's mom said, "Life isn't interpreted by headlines." There is context to things. Jay learned from his mom to have a drive for knowledge and education.
Legacy: "Impact is what I want my life to be."
Coach K: "I was coached by one of the great minds at coaching life. He's a life leader."
"I chose Duke because I wanted to be a king among kings."
When Jay got drafted by the Chicago Bulls, he asked to have Michael Jordan's locker. It had not been used by anyone until that moment. "Heavy is the head that wears the crown."
Preparation process - It never turns off. Always working on preparing for his work. Jay Bilas called all the prep the parachute. You don’t want to need it, but you know it’s there in case you get stuck.
While at Duke, Jay decorated his body with tattoos, quotations, and symbols that meant far more later on. On his right leg, he inked the Chinese symbol for sacrifice; on his right arm, two hands clasped together, praying, next to the words “To err is human. To forgive is divine.” He also added this, from Gandhi: “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
Jay graduated in 3 years: He majored in sociology, graduated early, and turned professional after his junior season. For his final thesis paper, he studied athletes who left college early, their backgrounds, why they failed or succeeded.
Kobe - "A relentless pursuit to be the best." "Don't F with me, I'm in killer mode."
- "He crystalized those fruits that translate to things off the court too."
Career advice: Appreciate your position while planning your promotion. Be excellent at your current role while also thinking about what could be next

437: Ryan Holiday - Fortune Favors The Brave (Courage Is Calling) Sep 19, 2021

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Ryan Holiday is the best-selling author of more than 10 books including The Obstacle Is The Way, Ego Is The Enemy, and most recently, Courage Is Calling. He’s sold millions of copies and his work impacts leaders all over the world.

Notes:

A philosophy of offense. General James Mattis was once asked by a tv reporter, “what keeps you up at night?” And he said, “I keep people up at night.” Captured his philosophy of offense (a bias for action… People who make it happen)
Preparation makes you brave. —- the Army life handbook that was handed out to millions of soldiers in the Second World War. All about preparation. As Epictetus says the goal when we experience adversity is to be able to say, “this is what I’ve trained for, for this is my discipline.”
Never question another man’s courage. “It’s very easy to judge. It’s very hard to know.” Waste not a second questioning another man’s courage. Put that scrutiny solely on your own.
Be strong and of good courage. We hear in the book of Joshua. William Faulkner said “be scared. You can’t help that. But don’t be afraid.”
You can’t spend all day in deliberation — the story of a Spartan king who was marching across Greece. As he entered each new country, he sent envoys to ask whether he should be prepared to treat them as friends or enemies. Most of the nations decided quickly and chose friendship. But one king wanted to think about his options. So he thought and thought and thought until it was chosen for him. “Let him consider it then,” the frustrated Spartan General said as he fixed his jaw. “Which we March on.” Even if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. You are voting to let them decide.
The power of poise — in the year 175, Marcus Aurelius was betrayed by his general Avidius Cassius in an attempted coup. He could have been scared. He could have been furious. He could have exploded. But this would not happen. He said, “the nearer a man is to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength.”
Ernest Shackleton — Arctic expedition got stuck in the ice. His motto —fortitudine vincimus — By endurance we conquer
The courage to care — General Mattis said “cynicism is cowardice, it takes courage to care.” Only the brave believe, especially when everyone else is full of doubt. the story of Theodore Roosevelt the biographer Herman Hagedorn wrote “is the story of a small boy who read about great men and decided he wanted to be like them.”
Ryan shared a personal story about his experience working for American Apparel and his relationship with founder/CEO, Dov Charney. He was asked to do something immoral and he declined... But, he didn't stop Dov from doing it. "It doesn't age well to just be scared in the moment. All that's left is what you didn't do."
When you earn some power or develop a platform, how will you use it? When Lyndon Johnson became President, he said, "What the hell is the presidency for if not to do big things?"
Consistency -- How does Ryan produce so much work (publishing lots of books) on a consistent basis? You have to show up every day. Tackle the smallest component part of the project for that day. Do what's in front of you.
Why does Ryan work out every day? "I like to think, 'who's in charge?' I'm in charge."
Excellence =
- All leaders are readers
- Curiosity is a must
- Desire for knowledge
- Self-discipline
- An element of service - it's not just about you
How does Ryan define success?
- Autonomy. "The power of my own life, who I spend time with, and what I'm doing. I don't want to be a slave to the system."

436: John Bacon - Changing The Culture, Building Trust, & Letting Them Lead Sep 12, 2021

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

John Bacon has written twelve books on sports, business, health, and history, the last seven all National Bestsellers. His latest book is "LET THEM LEAD: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America's Worst High School Hockey Team."

Notes:

Be Patient with Results, Not Behavior - Accept where you are to get where you want to go. Be present so you can own your attention and energy. Be patient and you’ll get there faster. Embrace vulnerability to develop genuine strength and confidence. Build deep community over efficiency and optimization. Move your body to ground your mind
Reduce Your Rules, but Make Them Stick - Make your rules few, clear, and connected to your larger mission. They have to be within everyone’s control to follow every day. When your people start enforcing the rules themselves, the culture has changed.
To make it special to be on your team, make it hard to be on your team. The people who apply to the Navy SEALS and the Peace Corps are attracted to the difficulty. They know not everyone can make it, and that’s what makes it special
You can't motivate people you don't know - Leadership doesn’t require rousing speeches; it requires that you get to know your people.
The more power you give, the more you get -Select leaders for their ability to lead, not their ability to do the job they used to have. Leaders must know their jobs, know how to do their jobs, know everyone else’s jobs, and help them all do their jobs better! This is how you create “layers of leadership,” which benefits everyone, and keeps you from burning out.
All credit goes to your people - If you give away the credit and accept the blame, you’ll be rewarded with loyalty. If your team succeeds, you will always get more credit than you need. “The reward of a job well done is to have done it.”
John's two initial goals when he took over the worst team in the state:
- Be the hardest working team in the state
- Win a state title
On day 1, he set high standards -- Previously, they were 0-22-3
- "Make no small plans, they lack the power to stir people's souls."
John Bacon's two rules:
- Work hard
- Support your teammates
"Behaviors you can always control, performance and outcomes you can't."
Life advice:
- Focus on yourself first
- Work hard and support your teammates

435: Johnny C. Taylor Jr - A Leader's Guide To Work In An Age Of Upheavel Sep 05, 2021

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, is President and Chief Executive Officer of SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management. With over 300,000 members in 165 countries, SHRM is the largest HR professional association in the world, impacting the lives of 115 million workers every day.

Notes:

"Crisis come and go, but our chance to demonstrate leadership skills is constant. In times such as these, Johnny abides by three key principles:
- Culture comes first
- Data is your greatest friends
- Be "extra"
Mistakes made by Chief Human Resource Officers:
- RULES: CHROs who fail emphasize rules over solutions.
- ROLES: CHROs who fail develop an instinctual approach to solidifying their role, necessitating constant validation
- RELATIONSHIPS: CHROs who fail prioritize relationships (when hiring) above results or data.
- RIGHTEOUSNESS: CHROs who fail need to be right at all times without accounting for other perspectives
“Culture is the cure amid chaos” -- At SHRM, they’ve defined themselves by their guiding principles:
- Bold Purpose
- Excellence & Accountability
- Flexibility & Agility
- Smart & Curious
- Collaborative Openness
How Johnny earned the CEO role?
- He's had a wide range of jobs: Lawyer, a business leader in 'for-profit,' business leader in non-profit, understands being responsible for his own Profit and Loss of a business
Since Johnny was seven years old, he knew he wanted to be a lawyer
Why leaders need to become excellent writers and speakers:
- Inspiring employees has become table stakes to be an excellent leader
- How to work on this? READ. Johnny regularly reads with his 11-year-old daughter to help her work on this.
- "Grammar matters. Typos matter. We judge people on those things."
Hiring: What does Johnny look for in a candidate to hire:
- Technical competencies - They have to know how to do the job
- Cultural alignment - We do not hire brilliant jerks
  - Curiosity is key: "Tell me something you've been thinking about that would surprise me..."
  - Self-awareness: Tell me about situations where you've been wrong or failed...
  - Their motivation: "Why do you work?
What has changed most over the years?
- "Culture is everything now. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are getting better."
How can leaders create a healthy culture that acknowledges and prevents racism, sexism, and bias?
- "We have to talk about it."
- Acknowledge it
Commonalities of people who sustained excellence:
- Curiosity - receptive to change
- Fiercely competitive - They want to win
- Exist for a bigger purpose
The RESET - The opinion and perspective of Human Resources is changing... "They can't be the department of NO anymore."
- "The job of the HR professional is to help their leaders get a good return on their hiring investment."
Life/Career Advice:
- Become really good at something. Become an expert
- Build relationships
- Build empathy - "When I was a young 'hot-shot' attorney, I would run through people." You need to build empathy for others."

434: Brad Stulberg - The New Science Of Peak Performance Aug 29, 2021

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Brad Stulberg is the author of Peak Performance, The Passion Paradox, and The Practice of Groundedness. He coaches executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes. He is also co-creator of The Growth Equation, an online platform dedicated to defining and attaining a more fulfilling and sustainable kind of success.

Notes:

Build deep community over efficiency and optimization. It takes more time. It has a physical connection and a sense of belonging. Don’t move so fast that you don’t see people.
Keys to great leadership -- Look at the boundaries and create space for work to unfold. Don’t be the helicopter parent or the micromanager. Don’t neglect them, but ensure they have the space to grow and blossom.
Move your body to ground your mind - It’s so important to have a physical practice. Make it part of your work. It needs to be in order to support your mental health.
The Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA championship. Their MVP leader, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 50 points and helped his team win. But he may have earned even more fans when he was asked during a press conference how he keeps his mind right. His three-part answer, in his own words: “Focusing on the past is ego. Focusing on the future is pride. Focusing on the present is humility.”
The six principles of groundedness:
- Accept where you are to get where you want to go
- Be present so you can own your attention and energy
- Be patient and you’ll get there faster
- Embrace vulnerability to develop genuine strength and confidence
- Build deep community over efficiency and optimization
- Move your body to ground your mind
Trying to be "balanced" does not work. When you care deeply about something it draws you in. That's the point. You don't need to force some kind of proportionate allocation of your life. Aim for the self-awareness to PRIORITIZE and CHOOSE how you spend your time and energy.
Wherever you are, the goal post is always 10 yards down the field. If you develop a mindset, "If I just do this, or just accomplish that, THEN I'll arrive," you're in for trouble. There is no arriving. The human brain didn't evolve for it. Enjoy the process. Be where you are.
Everyone wants to be SUCCESSFUL. But few people take the time and energy to define the success they want. As a result, they spend most, if not all, of their lives chasing what society superimposes on them as success. Define your values. Craft a life around them. THAT is success.
Stress + Rest = Growth. Too much of the former not enough of the latter you get injury, illness, burnout. Too much of the latter, not enough of the former you get complacency, stagnation. This equation is universal. It holds true for individual and organizational growth.
"Wouldn't this be rad?"
- The process of striving for ambitious goals is what brings fulfillment.
- The process is how you live your life.
"Your addiction to growth might be making you miserable." The human condition is oriented towards more.
Advice on building a business: Think less about building the business and more about building the life you want to live. Brad limits himself to 15 clients and they only meet on Monday and Friday. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday are days for creativity, reading, research.
- Brad optimizes for autonomy and freedom.
For the over-worked, over-scheduled VP: Find 2 hours a week for deep work. That's a start. Challenge the culture, test assumptions.
Think of your schedule as a moral document
Sustain excellence:
- Wise patience... Step back sometimes
When making a big decision, adopt the lens of a wise observer, what would your wiser self tell you to do?
Stimulus + your response = outcome
When you feel restless to do something, use that as an alarm. Force yourself to take three deep breaths. What will you regret less? No raising voices...
Your language shapes how you think and act...
The Good Enough Mother:
- Not helicopter
- Not each and every need
- Doesn't neglect
- Gives a safe space to grow and blossom
For the insecure leader... Approach them with curiosity
Musicians have intense periods of focused practice. People have breakthroughs when they have been on a sabbatical...
Embrace vulnerability to develop genuine strength and confidence with others... "The way to build trust is by being vulnerable."
- Don't be performative. It must be real.
Build deep community over efficiency and optimization
- It takes more time to meet in person.
Brad's tattoo sleeve: Mountains sit through it all. Trees = grounded, the roots support it. We need to tend to our own roots.

433: Sahil Bloom - The Qualities Of A Great Coach, Investing In Leaders, & Being Positive Sum Aug 22, 2021

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Sahil Bloom is a writer who attempts to demystify the world. He's an investor, advisor, and creator. As a pitcher at the University of Stanford, he once gave up a grand slam on ESPN in 2012 and he's still waiting for it to land. Sahil is an angel investor in 25+ startups across the technology landscape. In this capacity, he works directly with entrepreneurs and founders to identify and execute against core value creation initiatives to build scalable, sustainable value for all stakeholders.

Notes:

Writing makes you better at everything you do. Writing is the best way to expose gaps in your thinking. When you write, you think better.
The makeup of a great coach - Never too big to do the small things. They push you beyond what you think you’re capable of. Everyone should take a moment and say thank you to someone who has done this for them.
Learning Circles -- Develop a circle of people to collectively learn with. Push your thinking. I do this with my Learning Leader Circles and it’s some of the most rewarding work I do.
Why the cheeky Twitter bio? ("Once gave up a home run on ESPN that hasn't landed yet"). "People take themselves too seriously."
The difference between big public failures and private ones: "I think private failures can shape you more."
Freshman year at Stanford was a grind... "I thought I was hot shit." "Are you willing to spring when the distance is unknown?"
- It's all about how you bounce back from failures.
- "You need to be able to take constructive feedback. You can't crumble."
Sahil asks, "What do I want to instill in my child?" Let them fail... It's the greatest experience.
Angel Investing - An individual who provides money to start-ups.
The "must-have" qualities in a person for Sahil to invest in them: Resilience and Grit. "You're going to get knocked around. They are willing to die before they'll fail."
- "I'm driven by relationships over data points. I like to ask: Tell me about a time you got your ass kicked..."
- Sahil invests because he learns so much through the process of it. The intellectual returns make it worth it.
"Writing is the best way to expose gaps in your thinking. It makes you better at everything you do."
Be a teacher: "I'm learning alongside you."
Great storytelling... "It is a built skill."
- Disney, Pixar... It's a foundational skill. They infuse personality in writing.
The three biggest keys to storytelling:
- Elicit an emotional response
- Novelty - That "Oh wow!" moment
- Punchy & Concise - "I didn't have time to write a short letter so I wrote a long one instead."
Viral tweet threads - It started in May 2020 for Sahil. He went from a few followers to hundreds of thousands...
Be "Positive Sum." The world is positive sum. A rising tide lifts all boats. You should genuinely root for others to succeed.
The makeup of a great coach:
- In the trenches with the team - never too big to do the small things
- Willing to challenge you and call you out. They help you get better
- They push your thinking
Coach John Beverly (Sahil's high school baseball coach)
- He was first to suggest that Stanford could be a reality for Sahil ("He was nuts")
- He had very high expectations
- He believed in Sahil more than Sahil believed in himself
- He changed the trajectory of people
Cognitive bias - High expectations lead to higher performance
- You need to vocalize your appreciation for those who have pushed your thinking and expected a lot from you
The power of learning circles:
- There is push & pull with others
- Helps you develop circles of friends to collectively learn with and push your thinking

432: Sukhinder Singh Cassidy - How To Take Risks & Thrive (Even When You Fail) Aug 15, 2021

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Sukhinder Singh Cassidy is a leading digital CEO and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of leadership experience founding, scaling, and advising companies including Google, Amazon, StubHub, Yodlee, and more. Most recently, Sukhinder served as the leader of StubHub, the premier global consumer ticketing marketplace for live entertainment, which she and her team sold for $4 billion in February 2020. Earlier in her career, Sukhinder built Google’s business throughout Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Notes:

“Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.” - Samuel Johnson
- “We think when we do nothing there is no cost.” That’s not true. There’s a cost to standing still.
Proximity to opportunity benefits us even more than planning. Sukhinder moved to Silicon Valley in 1997. She rode the tailwind of the Internet and being at the epicenter of it all.
- Prioritize the WHO before the WHAT.
As a leader, watch what you validate with your words and actions. Reward the behavior that you want. If you want to promote taking risks, then reward the people who do that. “You get what you create and what you allow.”
At one point, Sukhinder went to her boss at Google (who worked with Eric Schmidt) and said, “I’m pregnant, I want to keep running international at Google. I need for you to pay for me and my nanny to travel the world business-class. And they said yes.” BIG ASK.
- She did the calculus and realized it was a reasonable ask. And they said yes.
Career path - "My career is not linear, it's cyclical. It has ups and downs. I've made 13 different meaningful choices along the way."
The myth that there is a linear relationship between risk and reward. Not all choices have an equal amount of upside and downside...
Sukhinder sas been on the board of Urban Outfitters with Scott Galloway:
- Should you move to a big city? Should you move to your company's headquarters?
  - Being at the center of the action matters... It helps if you can understand the pulse of HQ
How to become a smart risk taker?
- What are our goals, passions, and values?
- What are we great at?
- Look for headwinds and tailwinds - (Join a growing company that has momentum)
  - With that said, Sukhinder went to StubHub and there were significant challenges
- Over-prioritize the WHO over the WHAT
Why did Sukhinder take the StubHub leadership role?
- It was a calculated risk
- She missed running a company of scale
  - They needed entrepreneurial and executive energy
How do you create an environment for people to take risks?
- You want people who are "truth-tellers, truth seekers, and authors"
- Make it safe to take risks -- Reward that behavior.
- Watch what you validate by your words and actions. Understand the magnitude and the weight of your words. People are always watching how the leader responds, who they commend, what they say...
How to go for a job that you aren't qualified for?
- "The next level of learning is going for something you don't know..."
- To be a CEO, you need depth AND breadth. You need to expand your skillset. This is the path to accelerated learning.
How do you know when you should leave a job?
- "I like 3-5 year sprints. Are you having fun? Are you making an impact? If you aren't having fun or making an impact, you'll want to leave."
- Think about: "Who am I doing this with? Are our values aligned?"
Why did Sukhinder want to be a CEO?
- "A little bit of ego"
- "I was built to lead"
- "I enjoy being on the hook"
People who sustain excellence:
- They surround themselves with other great people.
- They don't let their ego get in the way.
- They don't feel threatened by great people.
Career/Life Advice:
- "We tend to assume that everything is zero-sum. It's not. Choice is a multiplier of opportunity and we get to control it. Make a choice and get in motion."

431: Melissa Urban - Overcoming Addiction & Creating A Life-Changing Business (CEO of Whole30) Aug 08, 2021

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Melissa Urban is the co-founder and CEO of Whole30, and a six-time New York Times bestselling author. She is is a prominent keynote speaker on social media and branding, health trends, and entrepreneurship.

Notes:

“I’ll Go First” -- As Leaders, it’s on us to do the hard thing first. Be vulnerable first. Trust first. That mindset will serve us well
“I decided to look for evidence that I was already a healthy person with healthy habits.” and that helped form her identity.
Whole30 -- The Whole30 is not a diet, a weight-loss plan or quick fix – it’s designed to “change your life,” the founders say, by eliminating cravings, rebalancing hormones, curing digestive issues, improving medical conditions, and boosting energy and immune function.
"You can think of the Whole30 like pushing the reset button with your health, habits, and relationship with food."
“For 30 days, you’ll eliminate the foods that scientific literature and our clinical experience have shown to be commonly problematic in one of four areas — cravings and habits, blood sugar regulation and hormones, digestion, and immune system, and inflammation
“The food you eat either makes you more healthy or less healthy. Those are your options.”
“You cannot “out-exercise” poor food choices and the resulting hormonal disruption.”
The diet culture has been beaten into our heads and can make us feel disempowered
- This helps you take back the power. It's not a diet. Not a quick fix. It helps you figure out what works for you.
Melissa always buys herself flowers... Take care of yourself first.
Must-Have leadership qualities in someone Melissa hires:
- "I hire for talent, not skill."
- Entrepreneurial spirit -- "I want them to take ownership."
- Ambitious - "They need to want to grow and learn."
Sharing pictures on social media that are not airbrushed or edited:
- "It is me existing in my body. It's not courageous to exist in your body. I shouldn't be seen as brave for posting those pictures."
Grey Rock - This is how you respond to a narcissist or complainer... Don't react to them pushing buttons. They are trying to get you to react. Don't give them that gift.
Boundaries are essential life skills - We learn about these in times of crisis. "Clear is kind." Example: "When my parents attempt to parent my child, I have to sometimes tell them that that's my job and they need to stop. That's setting a boundary."
How to be a great CEO?
- "I have figured a lot out as I go. It helps to have mentors. I've hired a lot of talented people." It's about surrounding yourself with excellent talent and trusting them to do the job.
How to have high self-awareness
- A lot of therapy
- Self-experimentation
- Committed to working on empathy
Life/Career Advice:
- It's easy to tell someone to follow their passion, but that's not always good advice
- "Whatever job you do, overdeliver. Do it well."
- Be known as someone who goes the extra mile.
- Be kind. Go first. Be vulnerable. Get it done.

430: Matthew Dicks - Change Your Life Through The Power Of Storytelling Aug 01, 2021

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Matthew Dicks is a Bestselling author, a professional storyteller, and a teacher. He is a 52-time Moth StorySLAM winner & a 7-time GrandSLAM champion. He’s recognized as one of the greatest storytellers in the world.

Notes:

Every great story is about a five-second moment of our life. The purpose of every great story is to bring a singular moment of transformation and realization to the greatest clarity possible.
- "Let me tell you about my vacation to Europe" is not the beginning of a story, despite what many seem to believe. This is merely an attempt to review the itinerary of your previous vacation
- But if someone said, "While I was in Europe, I met a taxi driver who changed the way I think about my parents forever," that is potentially a great story.
“People are not attracted to people who do easy things. They are attracted to people who do hard things. It’s hard to be vulnerable. That takes courage. And that’s why we are drawn to it.”
- Being vulnerable opens people up.
The beginning and end of a story:
- Beginning - Promise that what I'm going to say is worth your time
- End - The fulfillment of that process
How to put a great story together?
- Start at the end... The five-second moment. "What are you aiming at?" You have to know that to craft the beginning.
  - Use a thesis statement -- "I used to be... and I realized..."
Jurassic Park is not a movie about dinosaurs. It's about love.
How to open a story:
- Try to start your story with forward movement whenever possible. DON'T start by setting expectations (“This is hilarious, “you need to hear this,” “you’re not going to believe this.”)
Requirements of a personal story:
- Change - your story must reflect change over time. It can’t simply be a series of remarkable events. Stories that fail to reflect change over time are known as anecdotes.
- Your story only - not that of others
- The dinner table test - Be human
Homework for life — 5 minutes at the end of each day. “If I had to tell a story from today — a 5-minute story onstage about something that took place over the course of this day. What would it be?
- Homework for life slows time down...
Humor -- It keeps your audience’s attention. “The goal is not to tell a funny story. The goal is to tell a story that moves an audience emotionally.”
“A written story is like a lake. Readers can step in and out of the water at their leisure, and the water always remains the same. An oral story is like a river. It is a constantly flowing torrent of words.” -- “To keep your listener from stepping out of your river of words to make meaning, simplification is essential. Starting as close to the end as possible helps to make this happen.”
During a talk at a school in Brazil, Matt was asked why he shares so much of himself? (Writing novels, stories, teaching, blog posts, podcasts). And he thought for a while and then said, “I think I’m trying to get the attention of a mother who never paid me any attention and is now dead and a father who left me as a boy and never came home.”
Your first job as a speaker (at home, on stage, or at work) is to be entertaining...
Advice: When you graduate college, it's the end of your assessed learning. What do you want to study next? It will be on you to track. It won't be assessed by others... What do you want to learn next?

429: Tim Grover - The Language Of Motivation, Confidence, & Winning (MJ & Kobe's Personal Trainer) Jul 25, 2021

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Tim Grover is the CEO of ATTACK Athletics, Inc., founded in 1989. World-renowned for his legendary work with elite champions including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and hundreds of other NFL, MLB, NBA, and Olympic athletes. He is the preeminent authority on the science and art of mental and physical dominance and achieving excellence. He's also the bestselling author of W1NNING & RELENTLESS.

Notes:

Cleaners have the ability to achieve the end result over and over. Cleaners know who they are, they know the difference between criticism and feedback, they take control of their story. They know that there is always more to do.
The Language of Winning & Motivation - ‘In the language of winning, there is no talk of motivation. “Motivation is entry-level, the temporary rush you get from eating too much frosting. Motivation is for those who haven’t decided whether to commit to their goals, or how much time, effort, and life they’re willing to invest to achieve them.”
The Dark Side turns your anger into controlled rage. High performers know how to control and use their dark side to be in control. It's not evit. It's what's unique to you.
The vocabulary test Tim gives his -- “Describe winning in one word.” Some of the answers he receives: Glorious, Euphoric, Success, Domination, Achievement. Not bad. The answers he receives from champions: Uncivilized. Hard. Nasty. Unpolished. Dirty. Rough. From Kobe? Everything.
"WINNING isn’t heartless, but you’ll use your heart less." Your mind must be stronger than your feelings. "Your feelings keep you in bed."
“You can’t buy a map to the top. If you could, everyone would be up there. They’re not. The steps to Winning are infinite, and constantly shifting.”
“Winning requires you to learn, question what you learned, and then learn more.”
How to push through when you feel bad? "You have to capture little wins. The joy of the wins cannot be attained if you only work when you feel like it."
- "You have to crave the end result so bad that the work is irrelevant."
Do Hard Things - Doing hard things creates trust in oneself. Doing the hard work others aren't willing to do builds confidence.
The phrase "fake it til you make it" - "I hate that phrase. It's so easy to do this on social media and you end up not even knowing who you are. Those people are too worried about how others perceive them."
His favorite Kobe story - "He's so coachable." He was always asking questions and listening to learn more. "And he always held himself accountable."
"Confidence is the ultimate drug. And winning is the dealer."
"The greats always bet on themselves."
High performers always seem to be the ones reaching out for a coach... Always trying to get better. The average performers don't think they need a coach.
Winning makes you different. And different scares people. Michael Jordan started lifting weights on game days and people thought he was nuts.
Knowing what to think versus knowing how to think -- You need to be able to have confidence, challenge other people's thoughts and preconceptions. Don't copy others. Learn and create your own point of view. Your own ideas based on what you've learned.
- "You can have sight (copy others), but no vision. You need to have a vision."
Winning is a test with no correct answers.
"Winning is not a marathon. It's a sprint with no finish line."
- You don't have the luxury of time. Most people manage time. Don't manage time, manage focus.
Career/Life advice: Do everything to figure out what you want to do. No job is beneath you. There is no shortcut.

428: James Clear - Asking Better Questions, Taking Action, & Doing A+ Work Jul 18, 2021

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

James Clear is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Atomic Habits, which has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide. His writing is focused on how we can create better habits, make better decisions, and live better lives.

Notes:

“My primary hope is that people find what I write to be useful. As long as someone is able to implement the ideas I share to get the results they want, then I feel like I’ve done my part to make the world a slightly better place.”
"Working on a problem reduces the fear of it. It’s hard to fear a problem when you are making progress on it—even if progress is imperfect and slow."
Action relieves anxiety. We often avoid taking action because we think "I need to learn more," but the best way to learn is often by taking action.
Lack of confidence kills more dreams than lack of ability. Talent matters—especially at elite levels—but people talk themselves out of giving their best effort long before talent becomes the limiting factor. You're capable of more than you know. Don't be your own bottleneck.
What looks like talent is often careful preparation. What looks like skill is often persistent revision.
- You need volume before intensity. The bad days are more important than the good days. You need to maintain consistency.
Preparation for a lawyer:
- Most cases are won long before you enter a courtroom. You must be willing to prepare.
Question James asks to those who are pitching him a TV show or movie for Atomic Habits:
- What causes a similar show to succeed? ("I don't think people are serious enough about succeeding.")
- "Having a plan almost always serves you even if it doesn't go according to plan."
A+ work - Good enough is ok for most things. For creators, doing A+ work is crucial.
Be “selectively ignorant.” Ignore topics that drain your attention. Unfollow people that drain your energy. Abandon projects that drain your time. Do not keep up with it all. The more selectively ignorant you become, the more broadly knowledgeable you can be.
At multiple points this year, the top 3 read books on Amazon were: 1) A Promised Land by President Barack Obama 2) Atomic Habits by James Clear, and 3) Becoming by Former first lady, Michelle Obama... I asked James, what is it like to see your work amongst the world's most powerful people? "It's been a wild few years!"
The best marketing strategy? Excellent work
Read Scott Young's article, Do The Real Thing
There are 3 primary drivers of results in life:
- Your luck (randomness).
- Your strategy (choices).
- Your actions (habits).
- Only 2 of the 3 are under your control. But if you master those 2, you can improve the odds that luck will work for you rather than against you.
A Chilean saying: "Criticizing a musician is easy, but it is more difficult when you have a guitar in your hand." -- Don't criticize someone else unless you're willing to do the work.
- Be known as a champion for great ideas versus someone who is against something.
"The more comfortable I am with myself, the less I feel a need to win arguments with other people."
- Peer pressure applies when you don't know who you are.
Fame - "I have no interest in being famous. I want to be known by brand, not by face."
- What he learned from a cab driver in Singapore about fame: "They have the name and not the life. We have the life and not the name."
The Cardinal Rule of Behavior Change: What gets rewarded, gets repeated. What gets punished, gets avoided. Don’t reward behavior you don’t want to see repeated.
The easy way is often the hard way. Shortcuts, one-sided deals, and selfish behavior create debts. You only look like a winner until the bill comes due. Short-term actions become long-term frustrations. In hindsight, the hard way only seems slow in the moment.
"The target audience is always the same: myself. I like Morgan Housel's line, "Writing for yourself is fun, and it shows. Writing for others is work, and it shows."
Life/Career Advice:
- Questions are better than advice... Ask these questions:
  - What am I optimizing for?
  - Can my current habits carry me to my desired future?
  - What am I really trying to achieve?
  - What do I really want?
  - Go fast - "Don't rush, but don't wait."

427 - Jay Clouse - Creativity, Community, & Commitment Jul 11, 2021

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12

Jay Clouse leads Community Experience for Smart Passive Income. He joined Smart Passive Income in December 2020 after SPI acquired his private community and virtual accelerator, Unreal Collective. You will notice it sounds different from all of my other episodes.

Notes:

Commitment: “You don’t need to be uniquely talented or creative to make a living as a creator. But you need to be committed."
"A creator makes an asset for the purpose of being consumed and creating value for both the consumer and the creator.” -- Leaders need to be creators -- They create/build culture. They need to be effective communicators, writers, they need to create a vision and inspire people…
The WHY: “I created Creative Elements to bridge the gap between art and business by talking to high-profile creators about the nitty-gritty of building their creative career.”
Community - “A group of people with commonality – shared interests, values, or beliefs.” -- Community traces back to the late 14th century, with both French and Latin roots. “Community” was used to describe “a number of people associated together by the fact of residence in the same locality” as well as “the common people."
Sales -- "Sales is a scorecard for storytelling."
Culture - “Culture is the sum of behaviors you tolerate and reward over time.”
Patience & Commitment - “The effort of earning an independent income, regardless of path, takes a lot of patience and commitment. Those words aren’t sexy and they aren’t fast. But they are reliable.”
In 2019, Jay produced a feature-length documentary called Test City, USA about the growing startup ecosystem in Columbus, Ohio.
A+ work - A Power law. The #2 result gets half as much as the #1 result. When creating something, shoot for A+ quality work.
- The test: When someone sees it, they can't help but comment on it, share it, and tell their friends.
You want to start a podcast?
- Why are you doing this?
- What's the format?
- How can you market it?
- Audio needs to sound great
The Juice = feedback from listeners that your show has helped them.
Authenticity - You need to feel aligned and comfortable with your voice on air.
Wabi-sabi is the view or thought of finding beauty in every aspect of imperfection in nature. It is about the aesthetic of things in existence, that are “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete”
Life/Career advice:
- It takes time to forge your own path
- Get in touch with what you want
- Trial and error - view it as a series of experiments
- Get your WHO right

426: McKeel Hagerty - Life & Leadership Without Boundaries Jul 04, 2021

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McKeel Hagerty is the CEO of Hagerty. Hagerty is an American automotive lifestyle and membership company and the world’s largest provider of specialty insurance for classic vehicles. He is the former Chair of Young President's Organization (YPO). YPO is a global leadership community of extraordinary chief executives — more than 30,000 members from 142 countries. McKeel is also a Co-Founder and General Partner at Grand Rapids, Michigan-based venture capital firm Grand Ventures.

Notes:

Arete is a concept in ancient Greek thought that, in its most basic sense, refers to "excellence" of any kind. This meaning was related to the idea of the fulfillment of purpose or function, the act of living up to one’s full potential.
In his early twenties, Mckeel planned to be a Russian Orthodox priest. He earned his master’s degree in theology from Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary in Yonkers, New York.
Why McKeel tracks everything:
- "I noticed that people who accomplished a lot kept track of their life." He tracks: sleep, exercise, diet, goals, and more
  - Think, "What am I trying to do?"
- "We are in the golden age of habit formation."
- "The best leaders are constantly looking for better ways to do things."
- "Intrinsic motivation is imperative for happiness."
- "I'm inspired by what I see in others." -- The spirit of the craftsman
In 1999, Hagerty had 35 employees... They now have 1,600.
The lightning bolt moment - McKeel went to a YPO branding conference at Nike. And learned about how Nike viewed branding.
- "Nike is the spirit of the sport." -- Think more like a club than a company.
- McKeel created a membership organization and media brand as part of his business.
Leadership "Must-Haves"
- Growth mindset - you are not a finished product
- "I don't believe in work-life balance. You get life."
- Curiosity in the interview process
- They need to understand what they will need to learn along the way
The power of YPO:
- 30,000 members
- It's operational leaders doing work with people
- It's a wholistic view of life
- The Learning Leader Show is tightly in line with YPO
- In 2016, McKeel was elected Chairman
Keys to a great YPO group:
- Holistic leaders (business, personal, family)
- Egos checked at the door
- Vulnerability and generosity are the keys to breakthrough leaders
McKeel has interviewed some of the world's most notable leaders (Hillary Clinton, Sheikh Mohamed of Dubai, Paul Kagame, Prime Minister Lee of Singapore)
His writing practice:
- General Eisenhower would sit alone and write out his thoughts... Ask yourself, "What's the narrative here?"
- Write summaries of what you learn from books, podcasts, videos, articles...

425: Jon Gordon - How To Be A Great Teammate (Row The Boat) Jun 27, 2021

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Jon Gordon is the author of 23 books including 10 best sellers. His books include the timeless classic The Energy Bus which has sold over 2 million copies, The Carpenter which was a top 5 business book of the year, Training Camp, The Power of Positive Leadership, The Power of a Positive Team, The Coffee Bean, Stay Positive, and The Garden.

How to be a great teammate:
- Put the team first
- "We not me"
- Superstars make the people around them better
Get tactical (be a great teammate):
- Look for opportunities for the betterment of the team
- Work hard, build a foundation of trust, communicate well, connect with each team member, CARE about them
- Encourage means to "put courage into them."
"Leadership is a transfer of belief."
Use 'positive discontent." "Love tough instead of tough love."
- "Trust is the currency of leadership."
Change Management (learned from Dabo Sweeney)
- Know what the culture stands for
- Know what you value
- Set standards (non-negotiables)
- Create your vision and purpose -- WHY are you doing it?
- Get buy-in
- Optimism and belief are vital
- Must develop relationships
  - "People follow the leader first and the vision second."
Ask: "Are they connected and committed?"
- A great leader wants their team members to get promoted
Culture is not static. It's dynamic. It must be built every day. "It's not one thing. It's everything."
Jon wrote The Energy Bus in three weeks. And it changed the trajectory of his life.
Don't be carrots or eggs... Be coffee beans. Be able to "transform the environment."
10 Life Rules of Row The Boat:
- #2: Trained behavior creates boring habits, boring habits create elite instincts.
- #3 You win with people, not just players--- people who make their life about others.
- #5 The hardest part about being the standard is that you are the standard all the time.

424: Bert Bean & Sam Kaufman - Rebuilding A Culture, Taking Risks, & The Next Step... Jun 20, 2021

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Notes:

Bert Bean is the CEO of Insight Global. Insight Global is a 3.3 Billion Dollar staffing company that focuses on living its shared values and empowering people. started with Insight Global in 2005 as a Recruiter and has since worked his way up within the company, exemplifying Insight Global’s “promote from within” culture. Bert was announced as Insight Global’s CEO on January 13, 2018. According to Comparably, Insight Global and its executive team (led by Bert and Sam) have been rated as an A+ by their employees.

Sam Kaufman is the Chief Revenue Officer of Insight Global. Sam began his career at Insight Global as an Entry Level Recruiter in 2004, and he has earned many promotions throughout his career. Sam’s mission day in and day out is to improve and grow as a leader in sales so that he can help his people develop personally and professionally.

Notes:

Don't Bury The Lede -- The purpose of this episode is to announce that we (Insight Global + The Learning Leader) are formally working together. Insight Global will be the presenting sponsor of all episodes moving forward and I will work with the leaders at Insight Global.
Changing the culture -- In 2017, employee turnover was 40%. Bert took over as CEO in January 2018. The current turnover is 14%.
Fortune Magazine ranked Insight Global as one of the best workplaces for both millennials and women.
- 70% of leadership promotions in 2019 were for women
The impact of episode #242 with Daniel Coyle
- "A leader at a Private Equity conference told me to listen to your episode with Dan Coyle. I did and it changed the trajectory of our company."
Why Bert is a great CEO (according to Sam):
- "Bert gives everything to his people. He wakes up at 4:00 am every day to handwrite notes to people. He cares so much about developing people."
Why Sam is a great leader (according to Bert):
- "Sam is super driven. Extremely hard worker... And cares about his people. He's also willing to take a risk and bet on himself."
Insight Global has a "promote from within" culture.
- "We are the ultimate growth mindset business."
"We must invest in training and developing our people." I will be helping with Insight Global University, Leadership Academy, and providing feedback for leaders within the business.
Bert -- "I love aligning with grinders."
- The "Bert voicemail" -- "When I see something I want, I love being a bad negotiator and just telling them."
- "I believe in first WHO, then what. That's why I want to work with you."
- "We want you to remain independent and out in the market giving speeches and learning from leaders outside of Insight Global. We value you having fresh eyes to help us."
The Utah Offsite retreat:
- Rented a big house with 28 leaders and rebuilt the value system and the culture
  - "We all got in a big circle and shared our lowest moment and highest moment. There were a lot of tears... And we came together in the moment."
- Legendary leader -- "Kirby was dying from cancer. He couldn't walk. The cancer was eating his bones and he flew out there to be with us. He means everything to us. He is the ultimate example of grit." Kirby died a few months after that off-site meeting.
Leadership "must-haves"
- Sam - Three things.
  - You have to care - You won't follow someone who doesn't care about you.
  - High character - Must earn the respect of your peers. Do the right thing all of the time.
  - You're there to serve - "Don't think of leadership as power. Think of it as a burden. A massive responsibility."
- Bert - "You can't be a bullshit leader. Must be authentic. Not a phony. People see through that. You must take care of and develop people in your charge."
The Insight Global shared values:
- Everyone matters
- We Take Care of Each Other
- Leadership is Here to Serve
- High Character and Hard Work
- Always Know Where You Stand
Purpose - “Our purpose is to develop our people personally, professionally, and financially; so they can be the light to the world around them.” - Bert Bean

423: Julia Galef - Why Some People See Things Clearly & Others Don't Jun 13, 2021

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Julia Galef is co-founder of the Center for Applied Rationality. She is the author of The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't.

Notes:

What is the scout mindset? “The motivation to see things as they are, not as you wish them to be.”
The Scout Mindset allows you to recognize when you were wrong, to seek out your blind spots, to test your assumptions and change course. It’s what prompts you to honestly ask yourself questions like “Was I at fault in that argument?” or “Is this risk really worth it?” As the physicist Richard Feynman said: “The first rule is that you must not fool yourself – and you are the easiest person to fool.”
The three prongs:
- Realize that trust isn't in conflict with your other goals
- Learn tools that make it easier to see clearly
- Appreciate the emotional rewards of scout mindset
She closes her TED talk with this quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupery: "If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."
- "The biggest bottleneck is not knowledge. It's motivation. You need to cultivate the motivation to see things clearly."
“Julia Galef is an intellectual leader of the rationalist community, and in The Scout Mindset you will find an engaging, clearly written distillation of her very important accumulated wisdom on these topics.” -- Tyler Cowen
We should assume that we are wrong. We need to build the skill to change our mind. "Our goal should be to be less wrong over time."
How do you work on this?
- The key principle is the way you think about being wrong. "Don't accept the premise that being wrong means you screwed up."
Jeff Bezos left his job on Wall Street to start Amazon and acknowledged the uncertainty. He estimated that his idea had about a 30% chance to work.
The Scout versus Soldier mindset:
- A lot of times, humans are in a soldier mindset - "Belief was strong, unshakeable, opposed argument. A soldier is having to defend."
- Scout mindset - survey and see what's true. Form an accurate map.
Practical application: Be cognizant how you seek out and respond to criticism.
- Don't ask leading questions. Recognize the tendency to describe the conflict accurately.
Also... Not all arguments are worth having. Show signals of good faith.
Distinguish between two kinds of confidence:
- Social - Poised, charismatic, relaxed body language, be worth listening to
- Epistemic - How much certainty that you have in your views
Persuade while still expressing uncertainty:
- "I think there's a 70% chance this won't work."
Lyndon Johnson - Need to understand why someone wouldn't agree with you...
We are all the sum of our experiences... Approach people, places, and things with curiosity
Life/Career advice:
- You're creating a brand - Be conscious of the type of people you're attracting. Work to attract those that make you a better version of yourself.
- Make the choice to attract people who like intellectual honesty like Vitalik Buterin (founder of Ethereum)

422: Dr. Ron Friedman - How To Reverse Engineer Excellence Jun 06, 2021

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Dr. Ron Friedman is an award-winning psychologist who has served on the faculty of the University of Rochester and has consulted for political leaders, nonprofits, and many of the world’s most recognized brands. His first book, The Best Place to Work, was selected as an Inc. Magazine Best Business Book of the Year. His most recent book is called, Decoding Greatness: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Succes.

Notes:

When Michael Dell was 16 years old, his parents bought him an Apple Computer. And they were horrified by what he did next... He took it apart to learn how to build it. He was curious. Excellent performers don't passively observe. They take action.
When you encounter an awesome memo or speech, try to identify why it was remarkable... And then see how you can implement what you've learned to do the same.
Nature vs. Nurture? "It's both."
The stories we've been told are wrong: That it takes talent + practice. That's only part of the story.
- It's thinking in formulas and becoming a collector.
"Identify what works and turn it into a template for yourself."
A presidential speechwriter like Jon Favreau (President Obama's speechwriter) would study the greatest presidential speeches in history as he wrote...
- Reverse outlining - Take a finished product and reduce it to small paragraphs. Read the transcript and identify the emotion.
There are six main narratives for main characters...
The analysis comes after collection. Identify what's extraordinary... And then create a template. Create metrics and rate your work.
- "Measurement begets improvement."
This requires a mindset of curiosity (like Michael Dell)
Think in "blueprints."
- How does this work?
- How do I recreate it?
President Obama initially was not a good politician... He observed pastors at churches. He started using repetition and pausing for effect to improve his ability to give compelling speeches.
How are Chipotle and Starbucks similar?
- "They think in blueprints." The creators of Chipotle knew that people love burritos, but there wasn't a fast way to get great ones. They created a blueprint. The leaders at Starbucks modeled their buildings after Italian coffee bars. It's "pattern-thinking."
Tom Petty didn't watch Bruce Springsteen because he felt they were too similar. He didn't want to outright copy him.
Ron reads fiction to help him become a better storyteller and use cliffhangers in his non-fiction writing.
Visualization - Why does it not work? "It can give you temporary satisfaction and lead to you not working as hard for the goal. You feel as if you already achieved it." "Visualize the process instead of the outcome."
The UCLA Study:
- Visualize the process
- Practice in the past - Be reflective, use a journal, look back at previous entries
- Deliberate practice - It needs to be hard and you need feedback from an expert. Practice in different locations. Novelty is important.
This allows you to be more present in the moment...
Sign up for improv classes
Find a hobby that has an overlap with what you do (if you're a manager, join toastmasters to become a better public speaker)
Tinder algorithms - They predict who you'll find attractive. It looks for commonalities... The takeaway?
- Start a collection intake engine. Curate what that contains and what you exclude.
Ritz Carlton obsesses over metrics. They understand that what gets measured gets managed. They optimize for their net promoter score (NPS).
The links that are drivers to outcomes... For Ron, he needs to do cardio to get into creative mode. To do great cardio, he needs great sleep. To get great sleep, he needs regular massages. It's a chain of events to get the optimal outcome. Figure out what that is for you.
How to give a great Ted Talk? Ron reverse engineered the most watched talk... Here is what he found:
- Ken Robinson used one fact
- He had lots of anecdotes
- There were LOTS of jokes (and they were funny)
- The storytelling drives the whole talk
Taking risks -- Ron learned this from his grandmother and dedicates his work to her. He was born in Israel and moved to New York when he was 7. His grandmother would go door to door selling the services of her husband (he was a dentist).
"The more risks we take, the more likely we are to succeed."
Life/Career advice:
- Take more risks
- Optimize for your relationships... And your spouse is the most important relationship
Apply to be part of my Leadership Circle

421: Sebastian Junger - Defining Freedom, Building Tribes, & Leading A Team May 30, 2021

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Sebastian Junger is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of THE PERFECT STORM, FIRE, A DEATH IN BELMONT, WAR, TRIBE, and FREEDOM. As an award-winning journalist, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair, and a special correspondent at ABC News, he has covered major international news stories around the world and has received both a National Magazine Award and a Peabody Award. Junger is also a documentary filmmaker whose debut film "Restrepo", a feature-length documentary (co-directed with Tim Hetherington), was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.

Notes:

Human beings need three basic things in order to be content: they need to feel competent at what they do; they need to feel authentic in their lives, and they need to feel connected to others.
Definition of Freedom: “We walked 400 miles, and most nights we were the only people who knew where we were. There are many definitions of freedom, but surely that’s one of them.”
Running a company versus LEADING a company -- “You can run a company or lead a company. If you want to lead a company, you have to make sure that when things take a downturn, as the leader you’ll be the first to experience the downside. Before jobs get cut, you’ll take a pay cut, you will suffer with the people you lead.” One great example of this is Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya. All employees are part owners of the company. He comes from a family of Nomadic Sheep farmers from the Turkish mountains. He learned a collective approach to life and work where he grew up.
“When people are actively engaged in a cause their lives have more purpose... with a resulting improvement in mental health."
How becoming a dad (at age 55) changed his life: "they are the point of life."
Sebastian's dad was a refugee from two wars... War has had a significant impact on his life.
As Sebastian grew up, he decided he wanted to be a journalist and cover wars. He went to the Civil war in Bosnia.
Guts - "Most scary things are more frightening before you go. I have a formidable capacity for denial."
People want to feel like they have agency. They're more scared when they feel that they don't have it.
- Front line vs backline soldiers - The backline soldiers are scared because they feel like they don't have as much agency as the front line (even though the front line is more dangerous). Uncertainty is scary.
To help with fear, go in front of your mirror and make the "fear grimace" face...
When Sebastian was competing in track events for the 1500m race, he would yawn in the faces of his opponents to intimidate them
Freedom - We aren't subject to the whims of the largest male in a group anymore... You remain free by being mobile
He organized his new book, Freedom, in three parts: Run -- Fight -- Think
Sebastian went on a walking trip and called it, "The Last Patrol." - They walked on a railroad from Washington DC to Philadelphia and then Pittsburgh
- "Met America from inside-out"
What did he think about at night when he went to sleep outside during "The Last Patrol?"
- "Always thought safety first." "The most meaningful experiences happen when I'm physically dirty and security wasn't guaranteed."
How to help your children push their edges?
- "We traveled to Liberia with our daughter."
- "The core value children value is closeness. We sleep on a mattress on the floor with our daughters. They want to be close."
Collaboration/Working together -- Football and the military. The football locker room is a beautiful place. It’s democratic. People join from diverse backgrounds. And create a common goal. A theme of collaboration. A “we can’t win games without each other.” And when it comes together it’s a magical feeling.
- There must be a core commitment to the group. "Being ego-driven is an emotional burden."
Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Principle driven - In politics, democracy should be #1
- Sacrifice own interest for the group
Life/Career Advice -- FAIL. If you’re only doing things you know you can do then you’re never near your limits. In order to grow, you have to push those limits. And sometimes that means you’ll fail. That’s ok.

420: Sean Covey - Disciplined Execution, 7 Habits, & Decision Making Tools May 23, 2021

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Sean Covey is President of FranklinCovey Education. He is a New York Times best-selling author and has written several books, including The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, which has been translated into 20 languages and sold over 4 million copies worldwide. Sean's dad is Stephen R. Covey, the author of one of the most sold books of all time (more than 30 million copies), The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Notes:

Sean played Quarterback at BYU -- Led the team to two bowl games and twice selected as ESPN’s Most Valuable Player of the Game.
- What he learned from his time as a QB:
  - How to prepare
  - How to "do hard things" - "Your zone of comfort expands because the hard things aren't as hard anymore."
  - Importance of a system - Rigorous practice, filming of the practice, reviewing of the work. Daily.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People came out in 1989... It had a tepid release and then exploded. It changed the lives of the Covey family. Sean said his dad Stephen (the author of The 7 Habits) was "very genuine... A better husband and dad than a writer. H was very congruent. He had the power of principles. There was no hypocrisy."
How do you handle yourself when talking to a person who has a powerful position?
- "Treat the garbage collector and the CEO with an equal amount of respect."
4 Disciplines of Execution:
- Focusing On The Wildly Important Goals (WIG) - Exceptional execution starts with narrowing the focus— clearly identifying what must be done, or nothing else you achieve really matters much. -- Example: JFK has one of the best examples ever: "Send a man to the moon and return him home safely by the end of the decade." It was one goal. There was a starting line and a finish line.
- Act on Lead Measures – Golden rule of execution: Identify lead measures. Twenty percent of activities produce eighty percent of results. The highest predictors of goal achievement are the 80/20 activities that are identified and codified into individual actions and tracked fanatically. Lag Measures are the end goal.
- Keep A Compelling Scoreboard -People and teams play differently when they are keeping score, and the right kind of scoreboards motivate the players to win.
- Create A Cadence of Accountability -Each team engages in a simple weekly process that highlights successes, analyzes failures, and course-corrects as necessary, creating the ultimate performance-management system.
Goal setting - There are two kinds of strategies:
- Deliberate strategies
- Emergent strategies - "Be ready for waves that might hit you... And knock you in a better position."
With goal setting, remember the phrase "No Involvement, No Commitment." Involve your team to set their own goals. Don't set the goals for them.
Advice to parents with teenagers:
- Have a purpose as a family
  - Set values
  - Write a mission statement
- Have 1:1 time with kids
Career/Life advice:
- Have a plan... But be flexible
- Live according to your principles, values, and mission statement
- Create a credo of your own

419: Scott O'Neil - How To Be Where Your Feet Are May 16, 2021

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The 3 things Scott told his daughter Kiraat a YPO event...

Family, Family, Family
It will always be ok. Things will go bad. It will be ok.
Anything, anytime - "you can always call, text, FaceTime, no matter what. I am here for you."

Scott's 4-part process to become more present:
- Find perspective
- Seek authentic feedback
- Cultivate reflective strength
- Love your leadership constitution
Public failure: Scott started a business with Seth Berger, founder of AND1, basketball shoes. HoopsTV. Raised $14 million from investors… Eventually failed, had to lay off 50 people, including his own brother(!)
The good old days are today (scene from the office (Ed Helms) Andy Bernard: “I wish there was a way to know you're in "the good old days" before you've actually left them.”
Scott got fired from his role as President of Madison Square Garden. He says it was because he was "too busy being right instead of being effective."
Scott is a change agent and values performance more than experience
Watch the Battle at Kruger video (Scott shared this with the team)
"To do great things, you have to be confident"
Need to focus on "WMI." What's Most Important
"Work-life balance does not exist. Beware of the mediocre middle."
- "Life is about tradeoffs"
The most effective leaders seek authentic feedback and are able to hear it.
Ask yourself, "Who have you connected to in the last month?"
Behaviors of Excellence:
- Be your authentic self - "Be you. People follow authenticity."
- Work unreasonably hard.
- Intellectually curious - "The world is changing so fast."
- Passionate - "Fall in love with it."
All executives at the Philadelphia 76ers are challenged to declare who they are at their core in the form of a leadership constitution. Anyone can—and should—create one by answering the following two questions: 1. I declare that I am... and 2. You can count on me to...
Scott's leadership constitution:
- I declare that I am a passionate and authentic leader of leaders who feels a gravitational pull towards talent and character. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I love people and being part of a team. I get energy from helping others and would give the shirt off my back to a stranger and anything, anytime to a friend. I am family first, high integrity, and surprisingly sensitive change agent who is confident, caring, and intellectually curious. This fuels a competitive drive that at times feels like a chip on my shoulder.
- You can count on me to bring positive energy into my space. Exude urgency and push you, challenge you, nudge you and raise the bar beyond your expectations, and sometimes what you think reasonable. Laugh with you, cry with you, love you even when you won’t laugh, haven’t cried, and don’t feel loved. Root for you today, every day, and always. Share the most personal of thoughts, emotions, stories, highs, and lows because I am okay with it and who I am. Enjoy the rollercoaster of life, whether we are going forward, backwards and upside down. Drive hard to reach the summit and then quickly start on another mountain. Share wins and take hits for losses

418: Mark Scharenbroich - How To Tell Stories That Move People (Nice Bike) May 09, 2021

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Mark Scharenbroich is an Emmy award winner, best-selling author, and hall of fame keynote speaker. He is known for his authentic delivery, his talent for delivering unique stories, and his comedic timing. He's the author of Nice Bike: Making Meaningful Connections on The Road of Life.

Notes:

Nice Bike. It’s not a technique, it’s a genuine interest in others and the willingness to acknowledge the talents and accomplishments of everyone.
The three parts to story-telling: Stories need to be unpredictable, they need to have a hook, and they have to have a cast of characters.
While in college at St Cloud State, Mark toured high schools and colleges with a comedy troupe called Mom’s Apple Pie which helped him develop his comedic timing and ability to improv.
While on a trip to Washington DC with his dad, Mark witnessed his dad walking up to a couple of Vietnam veterans and saying, "Thank ya fellas. Welcome home." The moment was unforgettable to Mark as he witnessed what it meant to be grateful for others and to connect with them.
The "dark chocolate" that Mark's daughter gave to a struggling stranger at the airport. "We don't have to fix all the problems, but acknowledge others, see them, and try to connect with them."
The CEO of Cargill said it's not a secret what leaders need to do:
- State where we're going
- State how we're going to get there
- Show that you have your team's back
- Show that you care about your team as people
Leaders must always be in the trenches and learning... And work to create memorable experiences for the people they are leading
How to give a great toast at a wedding or eulogy at a funeral?
- Remember it's not about you, it's about the bride and groom
- Be story-driven
- The power of three - "She's about faith, family, and friends" and then tell a short story about each of the three
What Mark learned from a "meat raffle"
- You have to buy a ticket for a shot to win
- You must be present to win
The same is true for leadership. You have to be engaged and take the chance to do it. You must be present with your team.
Be a "day-maker." Instead of just being a barber or a stylist, work to make your client's day by giving them an amazing haircut.
BWCA - Leave the area better than you found it... A great rule for life.
Core values - "When your core values are clear, decisions are easier."
Comparison - Compare yourself to your previous self. Be grateful for what you have. Someone else will always have more crayons. Focus on your crayons.
Advice to those who think they aren't creative. You are... You have to find the stories. Focus on four columns
- People you've had experiences with
- Experiences you've had
- Lessons learned
- Application to the lives of others
Roberta Jordan: "It's more important to be interested than interesting."
Life advice -- "Leave a tip for the staff who cleans your hotel room."

417: Hubert Joly - How To Unleash Human Magic & Achieve Improbable Results May 02, 2021

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Hubert Joly is a senior lecturer at the Harvard Business School and the former Chairman and CEO of Best Buy.He is the author of the upcoming book “The Heart of Business – Leadership Principles for the Next Era of Capitalism.”

Notes:

In May 2012. Jim Citrin, the leader of the CEO practice at Spencer Stuart, the global executive search company, asked Hubert, “Would you be interested in being the next CEO of Best Buy?
Issues at Best Buy were all self-inflicted. Hubert realized there was an opportunity to fix it...
Hubert's "5 Be's" of leadership are purpose, values, clarity, authenticity, and service.
"My purpose in life is to make a positive difference on people around me." - Hubert Joly
"If you cannot go outside, go inside. Leadership starts from within."
- Work to be the best version of yourself
Ask your people, "What is your dream?" -- "My job as a leader is to help you achieve your dreams."
"We're the captains of our lives."
"Profit should be an outcome, not a goal."
The 3 imperatives in sequential order:
- Great people
- Great customers
- Make money
Remember that 98% of questions that are either/or should be AND's...
Key Philosophy:
- Pursue a noble purpose
- Put people at the center
- Embrace all stakeholders
- Leaders must create the environment to unleash the magic
What Hubert learned at McKinsey:
- The emphasis in the early years was on solving problems.
In 2012, when Hubert joined Best Buy, he hired an executive coach. Why? "100% of the top 100 tennis players have a coach." We all need a coach.
"It sends a powerful message when the CEO has a coach." It shows that he understands he needs help. We all do.
Must-Have leadership qualities:
- Knowing people... Who are they? What drives them? How do they want to be remembered?
- "Tell me about your soul" --
Accept imperfections of self and others
How to turn around a business by putting people first and reducing headcount as a last resort.
How to unleash “human magic” for outcomes that defy logic. This includes an actionable commitment to diversity and inclusion, such as the “reverse” mentor program that pairs Best Buy executives with employees who help broaden their understanding of differences and issues they face.
How to become a purposeful leader focused on creating an environment in which others can flourish and perform at their best, and who inspires by showing vulnerability and embracing their and your humanity.
How to place a noble purpose as the cornerstone of a company’s strategy and concretely embrace and align all stakeholders around that purpose. For Best Buy, that purpose is enriching people’s lives through technology. And it allowed them to form genuine partnerships with the world’s foremost companies, including unlikely allies like Amazon, to the benefit of all. Jeff Bezos, founder, and CEO of Amazon: “Best Buy’s turnaround under Hubert Joly’s leadership was remarkable—a case study that should and will be taught in business schools around the world. Bold and thoughtful—he has a lot to teach.

416: Greg McKeown - How To Make It Easier To Do What Matters Most Apr 25, 2021

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Greg McKeown wrote the New York Times best-seller, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. As well as frequently being the #1 Time Management book on Amazon, this book challenges core assumptions about achievement to get to the essence of what really drives success. His latest book is titled, Effortless: Make It Easier To Do What Matters Most.

Notes:

Essentialism was about doing the right things; Effortless is about doing them in the right way...
The best free throw shooter ever is not Michael Jordan or Steph Curry… It’s Elena Delle Donne. 93.4%. “If you keep it simple, less can go wrong.”
The word NOW comes from the Latin phrase, novus homo, which means “a new man” or “man newly ennobled.” The spirit of this is clear: each new moment is a chance to start over. A chance to make a new choice.”
“Whatever has happened to you in life. Whatever hardship. Whatever pain. They pale in comparison to the power you have to choose what to do now.”
The question to ask yourself: "What's something essential that you're under investing in?"
- The second question is: How can you make that effortless?
Life changes the day you discover residual results
How to make it effortless? Create a routine so you don't have to think about it.
The competition to the South Pole -- The difference between Amundsen versus Scott
- Amundsen -- 15 miles per day, no matter what. The "15 mile march."
- Scott -- Push to exhaustion every day.
Amundsen and four others arrived at the pole on December 14, 1911. Five weeks ahead of a British party led by Robert Falcon Scott as part of the Terra Nova Expedition. Scott and his four companions died on the return journey. Amundsen made it to the South Pole and back to base camp without suffering a death in the party.
- Consistency day in and day out help Amundsen "achieve the goal without particular effort."
Effortless is about simplification. Ask, "what if it could be easy?"
Ask: "Is there an effortless way to do this?
Highland High School Rugby - Won 19 national championships: Systems were put in place
Consistent systems are the key
How to deal with the guilt when we don't work as hard?
- Give your best to what you're doing, but have an open mind to finding a better way to do something
This book for Greg grew out of agony... His daughter was living an ideal life... And then had health issues that completely changed their family.
They had two possible paths to help her:
- The harder, heavier path of 24/7 always on work... OR
- Easier path of being grateful. Sharing optimism, and live in the state to help re-wire the brain. "Be grateful for every thing possible."
They chose the latter and Eve got better... How they chose to respond was everything...

415: Suneel Gupta - How To Get People To Take A Chance On You Apr 18, 2021

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Suneel Gupta is on faculty at Harvard University. He's the author of Backable - The Surprising Truth Behind What Makes People Take A Chance On You

Notes:

Let’s start with the obvious -- when lots of people are applying for the same spot, you have to find a way to stand out. You can’t just check a box, you have to leave an impression. (But backable people “go beyond Google” and dig for insights that other people interviewing for the job may not find. They talk to customers, they attend shareholder meetings, they test-drive the product. (But backable people “go beyond Google” and dig for insights that other people interviewing for the job may not find. They talk to customers, they attend shareholder meetings, they test-drive the product. )
Suneel comes from a family of highly backable people—including his mother, Damyanti Hingorani, the first woman engineer for Ford Motor Company, and his brother Sanjay Gupta, chief medical correspondent for CNN.
Reid Hoffman recruited Suneel to Mozilla...
- Name someone early in your life who backed you. Call them and say 'thank you.'
Hire "high ceiling" leaders:
- Suneel was a speechwriter in 2004. He was backstage at the Democratic National Convention. There was a State Senator from Illinois. Suneel watched him speak from behind the curtain. "He created an electric wave of energy when he spoke." It was President Barack Obama.
  - After that, Suneel became obsessed with following the work of the State Senator.
  - He studied President Obama's history and learned that he went from a dry speaker to inspiring through preparation and practice. He worked on his skill to communicate and got better.
The "It" quality -- People get a job because others want to take a chance on them. They're backable.
Specifics to make this happen:
- Play exhibition matches -- Prepare, practice, rehearse
- They develop a level of mastery so that they don't have to think when it's time to perform. Their preparation allows them to flow
- Ella Fitzgerald performed in Berlin... She forgot the lyrics and improvised the words for the next half of the song. She rehearsed a lot. That allowed her to perform even when she forgot the words.
Confidence comes from believing something will go wrong and that you've practiced enough to be able to handle it. "Build your recovery muscle."
Surround yourself with great people - Early adopters need to feel part of the build.
Steer Into Objections. Anticipate three key objections to your idea. When pitching, don’t avoid those objections; steer into them.
Don’t Pitch Prematurely. Instead of sharing an idea before it’s ready, nurture it until you’re ready. It’s not charisma that convinces people, it’s conviction.
Don’t Overshare. Share what it could be, not how it has to be. Share just enough to get the essence of your idea across, then open up the conversation.
Build Your Backable Circle. Don’t rely on just one person to help you with your pitch. Surround yourself with a trusted group of people who bring different perspectives.
Humans are not risk takers - We do whatever we can to avoid a loss. You need to neutralize that fear.
- "Don't just talk about why it's new, but why it's inevitable."
"Backable people convince themselves first. It's not charisma that convinces people, it's conviction."
"Most new ideas are killed inside hallways. We share too early. Before they're ready. Nurture your ideas behind the scenes. They need an incubation time. Write it out. Draw..."
Quiet time is so important to hone ideas. It's critical to the creative process
"Ken Robinson was not that charismatic, but you believed everything he was saying." He believed it first. He had conviction.
Storytelling - "You need to cast a central character."
- "Re-write the book for on person as the reader... 'I'm writing this book for my daughter to read.'"
- "Don't talk about the market, talk about one person."
Life advice:
- "Figure out what makes you come alive. I left Groupon and created a list of ideas."

414: Erin Meyer - How To Build A High Performance Culture (No Rules Rules) Apr 11, 2021

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Erin Meyer is a professor at INSEAD, one of the leading international business schools. Erin conducted an in-depth study with Reed Hastings, Co-Founder and CEO of Netflix, investigating the underlying principles necessary for building a corporate culture that is inventive, fast, and flexible. The results of that research were published in their book No Rules Rules. In 2019, Erin was listed by the Thinkers50, for the second time, as one of the fifty most impactful business writers in the world and in 2018 she was selected by HR magazine as one of the top 30 most influential HR thinkers of the year.

Notes:

“Corporate culture can be a mushy marshland of vague language and incomplete, ambiguous definitions. What’s worse, company values — as articulated — rarely match the way people behave in reality.”
The Netflix culture deck. 127 slides originally intended for internal use but one that Reed Hastings (CEO) shared online in 2009. Sheryl Sandberg called it “the most important document ever to come out of Silicon Valley.” Erin said "I loved the deck for its honesty. And loathed it for its content.”
"If you want your culture to come alive, you need to avoid speaking in absolutes."
Instead, use either or…
- Security or High Performance?
- Candor or Comfort?
Why did the Netflix culture deck go viral?
- "This is a company that tells the truth. It said what it believed. That is rare."
On May 31, 2015 you got a cold email from Reed Hastings (CEO of Netflix)… Reed told her that he read her book, The Culture Map, loved it, and was having his leadership team at Netflix read it.
Erin's biggest surprise during her time researching Netflix and writing with Reed?
- "That management paradigms are hangovers from the industrial era. Previously, the #1 goal was error elimination. That isn't the #1 goal at Netflix. It's innovation."
Reed Hastings had a company before Netflix called Pure Software. He put in a lot of rules and processes. He realized that "if you dummy proof the system only dummies want to work there." Too many processes can kill flexibility and innovation.
This is "applicable to any environment where innovation is more important than error prevention."
"Most rules are put in place to deal with low performers."
"Instead, create an environment with 'talent density.' Only high performers..."
Performance is Contagious: Professor Will Felps, of the University of New South Wales in Australia, conducted a study demonstrating contagious behavior in the work environment. He created several teams of 4 college students and asked each to complete a management task in 45 minutes. The teams who did the best work would receive a financial reward of $100. (Bezos: "People are pretty good at learning high standards simply through exposure," writes Bezos. "High standards are contagious. Bring a new person onto a high standards team, and they'll quickly adapt. The opposite is also true)
The two different types of jobs:
- Operational - Ice cream scoopers
- Creative - Rely on your brain
Pay Top of Market for talent - Matt Thunell (Manager of Original Content) said about Netflix, “We live in a walled-garden of excellence, where everyone is a high performer. You go into these meetings and it’s like the talent and brain power in the room could generate the office electricity. People are challenging one another, building up arguments. That’s why we get so much done at such incredible speed here. It’s because of the crazy high talent density.” With that said, Netflix doesn’t believe in “Pay-Per-Performance” bonuses.
When you first began to collaborate with Reed to write this book, Erin asked him how he would find the time to collaborate. He said, “Oh, I can give this pretty much whatever time you think it will need.” That surprised Erin... In Reed's mind, the leaders should create a system so that they don't have to be busy, packed with back to back to back meetings...
Candor -- Giving and receiving feedback
- Top performers regularly help other top performers get better by giving feedback
- At Netflix, they do live 360 feedback dinners -- Go around the table giving feedback for each person.
The 4 A method of feedback:
- Aim to assist
- Actionable - It must be clear what could be done
- Receive the feedback with gratitude
- Accept it or decline it... It's not always right. Be grateful for it regardless
Sustain Excellence:
- Humility
- Curiosity to Learn - Never stop learning, never feel like you've mastered it
Life/Career Advice:
- Get the talent right
- Create Candor
- Eat the cake -- Remove rules and processes
If you create an open vacation policy (meaning that vacation days are not tracked), it is imperative that the senior leaders lead from the front and go on a lot of vacations. The rest of the team will follow... If you never go on vacation, then your team will feel like they have to do the same.

413: Brook Cupps - Living Your Values: Tough, Passionate, Unified, & Thankful Apr 04, 2021

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Brook Cupps is a leadership teacher and the coach of the Centerville High School basketball team. In 2021, he led his team to the first state championship in school history. He is best known as a leader who truly lives his core values. They are: Tough, Passionate, Unified, & Thankful.

Notes:

Brook's personal mantras:
- Wolf - Wolves travel in packs. They are not good by themselves. They need the pack. BC needs people around him. Loves teams. "Wolves are more badass than lions or tigers. You don't see a wolf in a circus."
- Chop Wood - "I've never viewed myself as talented, but I'm willing to work. We say chop chop. When things are going well, get to work. When things are bad, get to work. The connection is always back to work."
- The Man In The Arena - "I had to develop this over time. The critics used to bother me and I would listen to them. It affected my confidence. I learned that the most important opinions are the people in the arena with me." Brene Brown - “A lot of cheap seats in the arena are filled with people who never venture onto the floor. They just hurl mean-spirited criticisms and put-downs from a safe distance. The problem is, when we stop caring what people think and stop feeling hurt by cruelty, we lose our ability to connect. But when we’re defined by what people think, we lose the courage to be vulnerable. Therefore, we need to be selective about the feedback we let into our lives. For me, if you’re not in the arena also getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.”
Purpose - "My purpose is to inspire others to strive for excellence over success."
Self awareness leads to self confidence - Know who you are. Be comfortable with who you are. "You can't be tough alone. You need others."
Foxhole Friends - It takes time to build foxhole friend relationships. "With my foxhole friends, I can be completely open. They tell me the truth. They have the freedom to criticize me."
Coach Z -- Dave Zeller. “He never won a District. He’s the best coach I’ve ever been around. A state championship isn’t success. It’s the impact you have on the kids because nobody’s going to tell me that those guys that won state championships are better coaches than Z was.”
Core Values: Values become real when you define the behaviors that exemplify the value...
- Tough - Positive body language leads you to be fight ready
- Passionate - Choosing extra work leads you to steal inches
- Unified - Speaking and acting with urgency leads you to not flinching in big moments
- Thankful - Showing love for one another through touches (help someone off the floor, give them a five after they make a mistake)
Unified -- You must speak and act with urgency. "If you choose to remain silent when someone has done something wrong, then that is selfish." Choosing the easier path of not saying anything is selfish. The selfless act is having the guts to speak up when it's needed.
Patch Adams - "Indifference is the greatest disease of all."
You need to stand for something or you stand for nothing...
"Your behaviors are the crux to your values." Do your behaviors match the values you claim to be yours?
Gabe Cupps (Brook's son) entered the conversation for a few minutes...
- Gabe sent a text to each player on the team before tournament games that simply said, "We're gonna win."
- Where does that confidence come from? "It's the work put in leading up to the big moments."
- Gabe originally tried out for the North Coast Blue Chips AAU team... The same team that Bronny James (LeBron James Jr) played on... During a break in the action, he asked Bronny to play 1 on 1... "I didn't know how good I was. I wanted to see."
- Gabe earned their respect and made the team... Later LeBron noticed Brook's coaching ability when he was helping out at practice and determined he was the best coach to lead the team moving forward.
- LeBron's superpower as a leader is "gassing up his guys." He has the ability to create more belief in others through his belief in them. A critical leadership action where LeBron excels...
What did Brook and Gabe say to each other during their long embrace after winning the state championship? "I just told him how much I loved him."
Goal setting process -- Brook does not set results oriented goals. He sets process oriented goals. They had no goals to win their conference, or regionals, or the state championship (they won all of those this year). Their goal for this season was:
- Attack every opportunity with purpose
- Process based versus Results based? In the world of coaching basketball, there is a clear scoreboard. You have a record. If you lose too many games, you get fired. How does Brook manage that? "If I have a group of guys that are tough, passionate, unified, and thankful... And they attack every opportunity with purpose, we'll probably be pretty good and win a lot. The results usually take care of themselves."
Honoring those who have come before you: "Drink the water, but remember who dug the well."
Will you take a charge?
- This is what he looks for in a teammate. Someone who looks for opportunities to sacrifice for the team.
- There is a physical sacrifice. "It's gonna hurt. It's an unselfish act to take a charge."
- "To be all in, you need to take charges."
High Standards - There was a moment in a game earlier in the season when Centerville was winning 60-24 in the third quarter. Brook's team started playing a little sloppy. Turned the ball over a few times. It was uncharacteristic of their usual play. Brook called a time out and yelled at his team. It was obvious they were going to win (by a lot), but that moment showed me that Brook holds his team to higher standards and won’t allow them to lower even when the opponent isn’t posing a challenge...
- "You get what you accept. That's my standard. If I ignore that, then I'm not living to my values, and that's not ok with me."
Creating your values -- "I think as the leader, they need to be your values."
- "If you go to work for someone else, you need to be bought into their values. If you're not, then you probably shouldn't work there."
- When interviewing for a job to work for a leader, ask them: "What are your values and how do you live them?
I noticed after big wins that Brook doesn't join in the pictures with his players... Why?
- "That's their moment. It's about them. I love watching them enjoy those moments."
Common traits of foxhole friends: "They may not communicate them the same way I do, but we have a shared appreciation for our values."
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails whiledaring greatly.” -- Teddy Roosevelt

412: Kevin Sharer (Former CEO of Amgen) - What Operational Excellence Looks Like Mar 28, 2021

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Kevin Sharer has a distinguished career as a successful CEO and Board Member. He is currently a senior lecturer at Harvard University Business School and continues to mentor a select number of senior executives. Either as a Chairman, independent director, or mentor, Sharer has been a part of more than 20 successful CEO-successor transitions. Kevin led Amgen for 20 years, first as President and then as CEO for 12 years. Under Sharer’s leadership, the company achieved annual revenue of $16 billion with operations in 55 countries.

Notes:

"What Operational Excellence Looks Like"
- Must know the details
- Must have a listening system to know where problems brew
- The leaders have a clear agreement with the team on what success is
- A cadence of clear communication
- The leader must embody the behavior... They are the model
- Must have real empathy for people and care about them
The leader needs to assess when things go wrong so that they don't make the same mistake twice...
Kevin spent 110 days underwater in a submarine...
When he left the Navy, he knew he wanted to be a manager. He joined a program at AT&T to become one...
- He had an ambition to rise high in an organization
Kevin's dad - A military aviator. His hero and role model. his dad cared a lot about leadership...
How did Kevin earn the CEO role at Amgen?
- Spent 8 years as the President of the company. And "made it pretty obvious" to hire him for the CEO role
- He consistently delivered results and formed a strong partnership with the CEO
How to sustain what's special about a company as it grows?
- The book Built to Last by Jim Collins was very helpful....
How to create and live your values?
- They are not defined by what's written down, it's the behavior of the people. And that starts at the top...
- Understand what your real values are. If you don't believe in the values, you shouldn't work there...
- You "have to have social data to know that the values are real." Ask others in the organization: "Are the values you experience consistent with the values stated by the company?"
How he got hired as the President at Amgen?
- "I first decided that I wanted to be a General Manager and not a functional specialists." Kevin pursued that through General Electric and got great experience...They hired him in part because of his broad range of experience.
- It was a multi-step interview process. Kevin interviewed with 20 people at the company before getting the offer...
Listening ability: Kevin went from bad to great... "On the way up in my career, I had the view that I was so fast, so smart... It was working. I thought I was being helpful by telling others what I thought, but I was cutting off the full picture."
Kevin had an eye opening moment when he asked the CEO of IBM to talk about leadership with his team...
- "I learned to listen for comprehension. Listen to understand first."
- "You need to listen to the entire eco-system."
Big idea: Pick 10 CEOs who didn't make it: "Seven of them weren't situationally aware."
What are some "must-have" hiring qualities?
- A record of good knowledge
- Great communication skill
- Comfort in their own skin
- Curious - they must ask questions
- Answer the question, "what are your goals?"
- Answer the question, "what have you learned from failure?"
- "If five people were asked about you, what would they say?"
- Their accomplishments speak for themselves. They don't have to overly sell themselves
- They need to "clearly want the job."
- A good sense of humor
Hiring trap: "There is a bias for us to hire people like us. It's overwhelming. We're wired to think, "other is dangerous." We must be aware of that."

411: Ryan Petersen (CEO of Flexport) - How To Build A High Velocity Team Mar 21, 2021

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Ryan Petersen is the CEO and Founder of Flexport. Prior to starting Flexport to fix the user experience in global trade, Ryan was co-founder and CEO of ImportGenius.com, a data-as-a-service business for global shipping. Flexport hit a $3.2 Billion valuation after $1 billion investment led by SoftBank.

Notes:

Excellence =
- Curiosity - "It's a more fun way to live."
- Learners
- Appreciative
- Have fun
- "It doesn't have to be boring."
The importance of writing as a leader:
- "I write a lot of essays. Some are published. Some aren't."
Communication:
- "It's a huge part of the job of a leader."
- For investor updates... "It's good practice."
  - Try to use humor, learn something new, don't be boring, get people "pumped up"
Raising money from investors:
- "It's like your love life. You have to earn it. There are no shortcuts. You need to have a business that doesn't need them."
  - "We built a track record over the 15 years prior to raising money."
- Masayoshi Son is the CEO of Softbank. He is a Japanese billionaire technology entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. Ryan met with him and earned a $1 Billion investment... Making Flexport worth $3.2 Billion.
- Flexport became the fastest growing company in Silicon Valley.
- Ryan wrote an essay about raising a lot of money so that they could ride out a "100 year storm."
- How was he able to raise so much?
  - "Don't do an auction. I said, 'I'm only talking to you.' Create a win-win. See the world through their eyes."
- Masa had written a 300 year vision. Ryan said, "The audacity to have a 300 year vision, it just resonated with me."
  - "One of our core values is to play the long game."
Flexport enables all parties to move large product around the world. It was born out of Ryan discovering the pain of shipping.
There is a lack of technology with freight forwarders. There was no culture of customer satisfaction.
- There was high friction - "We counted 984 steps to get a product shipped."
Paul Graham, one of the greatest investors of all time and founder of Y-Combinator said this about Ryan Petersen:
- Ryan is what I call an armor-piercing shell: a founder who keeps going through obstacles that would make other people give up. But he's not just determined. He sees things other people don't see. The freight business is both huge and very backward, and yet who of all the thousands of people starting startups noticed? Ryan Petersen."
By 2016, Flexport was serving 700 clients across 64 countries. Tech Crunch described it as the unsexiest trillion-dollar startup.
- Flexport has grown to 1,800 employees across 14 offices and 6 warehouses, and 10,000 clients.
His goal:
- "Drive velocity: You need speed in the right direction. Velocity is the key to success. That's culture ultimately."
The two forms of bureaucracy:
- Too many rules, order
- No rules, no process, chaos
Need to find the balance between the two
"Transparency helps get people aligned."
Doing an open Slack Q&A with all employees -- Helps with transparency.
What Ryan looks for when hiring a leader? And why Ryan admires Parker Conrad from Zenefits:
- He's "hungry, curious, has a chip on his shoulder, determined, ambitious, and solves complex problems."
The profession of sales:
- It's "one of the most misunderstood professions. It's part of all jobs. You have to persuade, create value."
- "Sales is about creating value for others. Create win-wins. So much is repeat games. Almost nothing is a one time transaction."
Obsession with company culture:
- "When I reach out to top execs, they always take the call if I'm asking about culture."
The secret to the tech industry:
- Everyone is willing to share tools, mindset, and lessons learned with one another. It's "normal to pick up the phone and ask."
How did becoming a dad change him?
- "It's exhausting. Babies are fragile."
Generalists vs. Specialists?
- The world needs more generalists. "Generalists are under-valued. Leaders need to be well-rounded and cross over into multiple disciplines."
Has has Ryan learned to speak 6 languages?
- Read books, make flash cards, read the newspaper, hire a tutor... "You have to experience pain to learn. You have to like the pain."
Life/Career Advice:
- Get out of student debt
- Read books. Your life will be different in 5 years based on the books you read. "Most people don't read books."
- Success compounds - Add up a lot of little wins

410: Dustyn Kim - How To Stand Out & Speak Up Mar 14, 2021

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Dustyn Kim is the Chief Revenue Officer at Artsy. Artsy is used by art lovers and collectors to discover, learn about, and buy art. Prior to working at Artsy, Dustyn was a senior executive at LexisNexis. While at LexisNexis, she was my boss! She is a rare combination of highly respected, extremely well-liked, and typically the smartest person of every room she walks in. I loved working for her.

Notes:

Excellence = Authenticity and team building. "A leader should be focused on building great teams."
What Dustyn learned from one of her favorite bosses, Kumsal Bayazit (the CEO of Elsevier)
- "She was inspiring and very human. Work and life go hand in hand."
"When I got a senior leadership role, I didn't want a command and control organization."
What she learned from Sebastian at Artsy:
- "He said to me, 'I advise, you decide.' That empowered me and gave me ownership of my decisions."
- It's critical to empower others
What are must-have qualities in a leader?
- Empathy - EQ + IQ
- Communication skill - Set the vision and communicate that effectively to you team
- Collaboration - Lead through influence. Cross team collaboration is key to getting things done.
How to collaborate better?
- "Map out the key people you need to know and understand their goals."
Starting early:
- "When I was 15, my dad woke me up and told me he was taking me to Wall Street for my first internship."
How to lead as a parent for you children?
- "I try to introduce them to as much as possible."
- "My job is to help you figure out what you love doing, but you have to show up and do the work."
Advice for women leaders?
- "I don't love the advice from Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In." It's really hard to have a full time job and travel a lot if you want to build a family. It's okay to slow down at times for your family.
- "Kumsal wanted me to go for a big promotion when I had just given birth to Mason. I didn't want to travel the world and be gone all the time. It's okay to not go for the big job all the time."
Advice for new managers:
- Avoid the desire to micro manage
- Know that there are lots of different paths to success
- Don't expect to know everything
- A lot of new managers are too nice
  - You need to give feedback
How to be both respected and liked?
- Focus on the challenge at hand - "What's the plan? What's the goal?"
- "Then build the narrative and ask the team, what do you think?"
"It didn't work for me to try and act like a guy. I had to be myself."
Confidence is very important. That comes from being prepared and knowing your stuff.
A tangible takeaway for how to find your voice in a meeting:
- "In meetings, when I was younger, I would turn bright red when speaking. A trick I had to implement was, 'say something very early in the meeting.' Just so that too much time passes without me saying anything."
Career/Life Advice:
- Stand out -- Be excellent at your current role. Make sure others know they can count on you to do great work.
- Speak up -- Don't expect others to read your mind. TELL THEM what you want in your career. Make sure people know what you want to do. Give them the opportunity to help you get there...
- Have a goal, but be flexible on your path to achieving it

409: Adam Bryant - How To Conduct A World Class Interview Mar 08, 2021

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Adam Bryant interviewed more than 500 CEOs for “Corner Office,” a series on leadership that he created in 2009. Adam is the author of three books based on the themes that have emerged from his interviews and consulting work. His new book is THE CEO Test: Master the Challenges that Make or Break All Leaders.

Notes:

Interview style - Instead of asking them about strategies and industry trends, Adam focuses on timeless questions (how they were influenced by parents, lessons from early years in their careers, what they look for when making bets on people to invest in) about the important leadership lessons that CEOs had learned…
Some questions he likes to ask:
- How do you hire? What questions do you ask?
- Describe yourself in one word...
- Work to get around the polished façade
- What animal would you be and why?
- Tony Hsieh would ask, "On a scale of 1-10, how weird are you?"
Some additional interviewing tactics:
- The CEO has the interviewee drive his or her car. Monitors how they react in a different vehicle, in a new city
- Sharing meals
- "Put the mosaic of what a person is like as a human being" -- not just interviewing for a job
The Dinner Party game:
- "If you could only ask a job candidate one question, what would you ask?"
Learn about failure - Id you desire humility, learn about their failures, learnings, and lessons of life
Ownership - The 3 most beautiful words: "I'm on it."
Every employee needs to write a playbook to how they'd do the job... They need to take ownership.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
- Adam: "A Hawk. Hover at high altitude, when they figure out what they want, they go get it."
Question: What qualities of your parents do you like the most and the least?
- Ask that if you really want to go deep -- This forces the candidate to get real. "We're fooling ourselves if we think we can escape our parents."
Process to ask questions:
- Think, "I want to cut a record with you." -- Have the desire to make something new with the person.
His premise at the New York Times: "What if I sat down with CEOs and never asked them about their companies?"
Questions: What were you like as a kid? What were your parents like? How have your parents impacted your leadership style? What drives you?
- "I like to see them in the moment of learning about themselves."
- "Eye contact is the 5 G of communication."
Two tracking - Know where to go next AND listen intently
Sustaining Excellence:
- Feedback look must be strong - They must be open to it
- Recognize patterns
- Take action
- Learn new things
- Be self-aware
- Be humble
- Need to ask, "What does this moment need?"
"What is the gooey center of that candy?" A leader needs to know that about their business.
Life advice:
- "Play in traffic." You have to get out there and meet people and do things. Build relationships. Those help with the pivot points of your career and life.
- Always be prepared to learn the most important lesson of your life...

408: Jeff Immelt - How To Follow A Legend & Lead Through A Crisis (Former CEO of GE) Mar 01, 2021

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Jeff Immelt served as CEO of GE for 16 years. He has been named one of the “World’s Best CEOs” three times by Barron’s. During his tenure as CEO, GE was named “America’s Most Admired Company” by Fortune magazine and one of “The World’s Most Respected Companies” in polls by Barron’s and the Financial Times.

Notes:

Raised in Cincinnati, OH by his father Joe and mother Donna. Both of his parents grew up in the depression. Growing up Jeff said, “I remember when my dad had a great boss, he was motivated, and when he had a lousy boss, he was neither challenged nor happy. The worst kind of boss he always used to say, was one who criticized all day long but never offered solutions.”
GE was founded on April 15, 1892, by one of the greatest inventors in history, Thomas Edison. For most of the 20th century, GE had more patents than any other corporation.
Jack Welch, deemphasized technology and innovation, and instead focused on management techniques like six sigma. Six Sigma is a data-driven methodology invented by a Motorola engineer named Bill Smith in 1980. It trains managers to be experts (called Black Belts) in improving business processes to reduce product defects.
Jeff's first day as CEO of GE was September 10, 2001. On his first day, he introduced himself, via simulcast, to GE’s 300,000 employees.
His second day as CEO was 9/11/2001. "Good leaders absorb fear. They give people a plan. You have to hold two thoughts at the same time."
By the end of his first week as CEO, GE’s shares had dropped 20%, decreasing the company’s market capitalization by $80 billion.
Leaders learn everyday — “I’ve always believed an important determinant of success could be found in how one answered 3 questions:
- How fast can you learn?
- How much can you take?
- What will you give to those around to you?”
The trifecta: “In your career, you meet only a handful of leaders who have the trifecta of being able to innovate, execute, and develop talent. Omar Ishrak had that."
Jeff was the ultimate grinder, a true believer of GE, he got the “meatball” (the GE logo) tattooed on the left hip. The GE story is extremely personal for Jeff.
Why the "Success Theater" story about Jeff is wrong. "For seven years, 10 times per year, I had a leader from GE flown to my house with their spouse. We'd serve them dinner and then I'd spend 6+ hours with the leader asking them questions, learning about them, and saying, 'Tell me something I don't know.'"
What Jeff learned from playing football in college at Dartmouth:
- "When the best player is not caring about the team, nobody will get in line." The story of Harry Wilson (Russell Wilson's father, Jeff's teammate in college) and Reggie Williams.
- "Football teams are self policing. It's a series of peer relationships. Failure is not definitive. You have to always think about the next play."
"The best people get 100% of the work done in 80% of the time. That leaves them more time to push boundaries."
How did Jeff get picked to be Jack Welch's successor?
- "I was a good peer. Your peers are who promote you. Those relationships have to be earned."
What was a Jack Welch Quarterly Business Review like?
- "Jack was a screamer. He was spontaneous. He would like at page 7 and then jump to page 17 and ask questions."
Front line obsession - "You have to have a passion for understanding how people work."
Front line managers - "I told them they are more important than me. That have direct access to the customer."
The profession of sales: why it's noble
- Amazing sense of urgency - Never waste a minute or let it pass
- See the company through the customers eyes - "The salesforce sets the culture... I was persistent, dogged..."
Good leaders are systems thinkers:
- Keep your head up and stay engaged at the same time
- Read books, ask question... "You must be curious."
Sustain excellence: Must be a learner. "Fred Smith (CEO of FedEX) is my leadership hero."
Heart broken over GE: "You can still progress as a human being even when you have a broken heart. You have to keep trying. Even when the efforts don't seem to be working for you."
- "There's value in a human being in just keep moving. Don't hide. Don't disappear."
When you are on top, it is easy to be long on friends. When you hit bottom, there are a select few who reach out. For me, those standouts included American Express’s Ken Chenault, Delta Airlines' Richard Anderson, and especially Cisco’s John Chambers.
Apply to be part of my Leadership Circle

407: Ryan Serhant - How To Have Big Magnetic Energy (Million Dollar Listing) Feb 22, 2021

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Ryan Serhant is a real estate broker, CEO, and founder of SERHANT. He's a bestselling author, producer, and star of Bravo's Million Dollar Listing New York and Sell It Like Serhant. He led the #1 ranked (in sales volume) real estate team in New York City in 2019 with just under $1.45 Billion in sales.

Notes:

His mantra is: "Expansion. Always in all ways."
- It's about growth.
Work to find your own brand and mantra -- It must be honest and genuine for you.
A learning exercise for you to do: A "self-audit." Ask your friends and colleagues, "When I'm not around and you're describing me to others, what do you say?"
- Find friends who are willing to be honest with you to better understand what you're known for... If you don't like it, work to change it.
- Ryan Serhant was known as the guy who kept his hands in his pockets and couldn't look you in the eye. He needed to change that.
"Your perception to others is your reputation and your brand."
"Fake it til you make it" is not useful...
- Instead, Ryan sold the TV producers at Bravo the person and the real estate broker he would become...
- "When Tom Brady got drafted in the 6th round, he told the owner, 'That's the best decision you've ever made.' Tom Brady truly believed that. I believed I would become the best real estate agent in the world."
- "I didn't show them who I was in the moment, I showed them who I could become."
Pivotal moment - Ryan went to the top selling agent in his office and said, "Man, how are you doing this, can you teach me?" And the agent said to Ryan, "Na man, I ain't telling you shit." Ryan thought, "Wow. I'm going to have to figure this out on my own. This guy is threatened by me."
The New York City market - "It's cut throat. I went there for theater school, and stayed because, 'I would rather regret the things I did, than what I thought about doing and didn't do."
Ryan depends on a routine to be productive. It is:
- "I wake up at 4:00am. In the gym by 5:00. 6:00 shower. Baby time at 7:00. First meeting at 7:30. I figure I wake up three hours earlier than most people. If you multiple that 3 hours times 365 days, I get on average 30 more days per year than others. I like my odds with 30 extra days."
Discipline is critical - "Of course I'm tired in the morning, but I get up and do it anyway. People need to do more things that could better their lives. Do the things within your control." It's harder, but worth it.
How has becoming a dad changed Ryan?
- "My wife says it's being a male nester. I worked harder and worked more while she was pregnant. I want to be the provider for my family. My daughter has made everything bigger."
- What about balance? "I have no balance. I'm lucky I found a partner who understands my drive and work ethic."
What to say to those who don't like him because of the self-promotion?
- "I'm a real estate broker. I'm a salesman. The difference with me is I don't hide it. Our job is to promote our success so that we can get the next listing."
Building confidence:
- "People who spend millions on real estate don't lack confidence. They want a broker who is confident too."
Big Money Energy:
- "It's a unique set of qualities that every successful, confident person has..."
- Code #1: "When you can't change your circumstance, there's one thing you can change. Your energy. I sell a transfer of energy. Of excitement."
Energy
- "Develop magnetism so others want to be around you. How? Ask questions, be interested in them, listen to their responses, create friendships instead of clients."
- "Shift your mindset -- What is your why? What's the wall you're fighting against? -- "I had no money and no connections in NYC. I rode the Subway crying that I couldn't even get a rental listing... That's my why."
Commonality among excellence real estate brokers:
- Must be very organized
- Follow up is critical
- Disciplined
- Relentless work ethic
- Empathetic - The ability to be excited or sad with a client.
There are 3 types of sales people:
- Car sales - pushes, thinks short term
- Tour guide - Just points to stuff, never closes deals
- Push & Pull - They work to get the deal done

406: John Chambers - How To Lead Through Stress, Create Massive Growth, & Build Relationships Feb 15, 2021

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John Chambers served as Cisco’s CEO from 1995-2015 and Executive Chairman from 2015-2017. Cisco went from $70 million to $40 billion in annual revenue during his time.

Notes:

When John was six years old, he went fishing with his Dad in Elk River, WV. He was told, "Don't get too close to the water, the current is strong and could pull you under."
- John's curiosity got the best of him. He went too close and slipped, falling into the water. His dad ran towards the current as it was pulling John and yelled, "Just hold on to the fishing pole."
Fortunately, John survived and was eventually pulled out of the water by his dad. His dad said, "Do you know why I told you to hold on to the fishing pole?
- "Don't let panic set in. Focus on what you can control. Work your way to calmer waters." It's a great metaphor for life.
When dealing with stress, hold on to the fishing pole.
How to deal with fear and uncertainty?
- "I had two parents that were doctors. They helped me a lot."
- "They taught me not to waste cycles on things you cannot change. Focus on the future, deal with the world as it is, not as you wish it was."
This is why John deliberately puts the leaders he leads in stressful situations.
- "Under stress you learn who people are."
- "With that said, I only coach leaders that want to be coached." -- If you don't want to be coached, you probably won't work with John Chambers.
How did he earn the job as CEO of Cisco?
- "My parents taught me that education is the equalizer in life. I was a professional student. I got three degrees. And was trained very well at IBM, even as an entry level employee."
- "I decided to leave my job at Wang for the same reason that most people leave their jobs. My manager."
- "I left prior to even discussing another job with someone else. I didn't feel it was right to be laying people off while looking for another job."
- "I thought the job offers would roll in. They didn't. I initially had no job offers... And then I reached out to my friends and network and asked for help... I had 22 offers in 90 days. 21 of them from friends of mine. I learned that the golden rule is true. Treat others how you'd like to be treated and it will come back to you when you need it."
- "How you treat people determines your brand."
Relationships -- "I'm usually the best prepared for every meeting I'm in. That way, I can move with speed."
- "The emotional part of relationships comes from my mom. She taught me how to connect with people."
- "I love building extended family teams. My team at Cisco was my family. We had only 5% turnover while the market rate was 15%.
How is John different from Jack Welch?
- "I learned a lot of lessons from Jack. He sent his team from GE to benchmark us at Cisco. They took 22 ideas from us."
- "Jack was great at quarterly business reviews, but he was very tough on his people."
- "I tried not to embarrass the people on my team in front of one another. I like to praise in public and criticize in private. That was different from Jack."
How did they successfully acquire 180 companies?
- They developed great playbooks and implemented them.
What John looks for in a company:
- Do they have an excellent CEO who wants to be coached?
- Can the company be #1 or #2 in their market?
- Talk with customers and get a feel for the company from that vantage point
- What is their culture?
What John looks for in a leader:
- A track record of overachieving
- "I look at their leadership team. Can they build a great team? That speaks volumes about them."
- Cultural match - "Our values need to match."
- They understand the industry they're in
Culture must be owned at the top:
- "The CEO must own the culture. In every meeting, the CEO should point out an example of how someone is living their values."
Why are off site leadership retreats so important?
- "It allows you to develop relationships outside of the office environment. You can build in depth relationships, built on trust."
- "The off sites helped us learn much more about one another."
- Gustavo (a leader John works with) saw a grizzly bear. Later he said, "I've never been more scared or more alive."
- "In the evenings, I ask for each person to give a toast and share a key learning."
  - "I look for teaching moments."
Sales - A noble profession:
- "We are all in sales. It's about connecting with people. I was with the King of Jordan and his wife (the Queen) was pregnant, I asked, "So King will you be in the room while your wife gives birth?" This was not something that was typically asked of the King. John did it as a way to connect and offer advice. "You need to be in that room. It's the most amazing moment." This is how John connects with others.
- Sales is part of everything we do. You get rejected, have to bounce back, and keep going. "I once asked Steph Curry, 'do you think you're going to make every shot? Even if you've missed your last five?' 'Yes, he said.' Sales is like that, you have to believe in yourself to make the next one."
Advice:
- Never compromise your values
- How you handle your setbacks with determine your life
- Treat people like you want to be treated. Be kind.
- Focus, but also relax. Don't be so uptight.

405: Ryan Deiss - How To Create Awareness, Tell Better Stories, & Build Your Brand Feb 08, 2021

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Ryan Deiss is a best selling author, founder of multiple companies collectively employing hundreds around the globe. He is the founder and CEO of DigitalMarketer.com and Founder and Managing Partner of RivalBrands.com and plattr.com. Ryan is the creator of the “Customer Value Optimization” methodology and have introduced and popularized many of the digital selling strategies. He is also the founder and host of the Traffic & Conversion Summit, the largest digital marketing conversion conference in North America.

Notes:

Commonalities of excellence:
- They understand why they've made mistakes - they learn why they've failed.
- They are purposeful about their decision making
Appetite for risk:
- "I have a very low appetite for risk."
- "I value security."
Must have qualities in a leader to hire on his team?
- "I want them to not be like me." Need to have skills that compliment his...
  - Early on he hired people just like him. It was a mistake.
- Consistency - Must show up.
- A big heart - People who care about others and their work.
Why writing is so important as a leader:
- Like academics being peer reviewed. "It forces you to crystalize your own ideas."
  - "You need to say something new that hasn't been said before. And be willing to be criticized."
Eugene Schwartz
- Breakthrough Advertising = one of the best books ever written on marketing
The Awareness Levels:
- Completely Unaware - They don't know they have a problem worth solving
- Problem Aware - They sense they have a problem, but don't know there's a solution
- Solution Aware - Know the results they want, but don't know your product provides it
- Product Aware - Know what you sell, but aren't sure it's right for them
- Most Aware - Repeat buyers and loyal customers who refer you to their friends
How to make your leadership training better?
- Acknowledge their problem is real. Make them feel heard...
- Sell the soft. Speak into someone's reality.
- Acknowledge the pain, offer a solution... "Outsourced Leadership Development"
"Your service is a vehicle to a more desired result."
Be the "transportation to transformation."
Scaling beyond a personality driven business:
- Get off the field, get in the owner's box. Productize yourself.
- Build an asset.
- Create ideas that travel - Have your version of 10 commandments on one single piece of paper
Ryan has his "customer value journey" - The Customer Value Journey is about turning strangers into super-fans.
- Redirect it into the artifact
- Say "We" instead of "I"
- Give it a name - The genius is in the artifact
The Goal is a book on manufacturing about assembly lines. They identified weakest link and fixed it.
The value of creating of having a big event like Traffic & Conversion Summit:
- Create the place for others to go - It helps with branding, earning media, and the gathering spot for great people. It draws others to it.
- You become the connector. The host of the party.
Story is the leverage of persuasion:
- Don't talk about yourself
- Help others change the story they tell about themselves
Marketing shouldn't stop at the order - Marketing should own the entirety of the customer journey.
- Career wise - Get as close to the revenue as possible.
Advice: Study old, rich, happy people.

404: Wendy Kopp - How To Create A Vision, Execute A Plan, & Engage Others Feb 01, 2021

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Wendy Kopp is CEO and Co-founder of Teach For All, a global network of independent organizations that are developing collective leadership to ensure all children have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Today, more than 6,000 Teach For America corps members—outstanding recent college graduates and professionals of all academic disciplines—are in the midst of two-year teaching commitments in over 50 urban and rural regions.

Notes:

Jim Collins called Wendy “my entrepreneur for this decade.” He continued, “Her organization is truly an entrepreneurial creation that is out to utterly transform education. It’s taking an entrepreneurial, let’s-do-something approach to tackling a massive social problem.”
Goal setting: It’s all about setting a goal that’s at the right intersection of ambitious and feasible.
The #1 responsibility of a leader is to catalyze a clear and shared vision for the company and secure commitment to and vigorous pursuit of that vision.
The differentiator is the “first WHO” principle. It’s what she’s learned. What is it that drives system change in education? “Jim thinks it’s the answer in corporate America, I think it is the difference in social change.”
Wendy grew up in a bubble in Texas. She didn't realize the inequity and disadvantages to children born in different situations.
At the end of her college years at Princeton, she wrote a 100+ page thesis. She narrowed down to 30 pages... And created a four page plan.
She mailed her thesis to 30 executives in an effort to spread awareness and raise money
Everywhere she went, people said, "This is a great idea but college kids won't do this." Wendy was steadfast in her belief that they would...
After the first year, Wendy found herself on stage speaking to 500 "Teach For America" teachers...
The benefit of naivete:
- "The world needs you before you become jaded by your experience."
"We need leaders to channel their energy in marginalized communities."
What was the key to the first year growth? "It helped writing a plan. I sent 100 letters to potential donors and got rejected or ignored by 98 of them."
You have to persevere and have conviction for the idea.
Leadership - An idea that magnetizes people. People were drawn to Wendy's mission and purpose.
Strategic Framework - What is your core purpose? The core values are what brings people together.
Create a sense of mission - "You need to enable a diverse group of people. Articulate it and make it possible for others to engage."
- Recruit people from a wide variety of backgrounds. Diversity is very important.
Why did Wendy do this instead of take a job that would pay well?
- "I knew myself well. I knew that whatever I did, I would throw myself at it 24/7. I wanted to have a bigger impact on the world."
"What keeps me at it? I started gaining the sense of responsibility for so many others."
How Teach For America helped Washington D.C.
- "I met with so many civic leaders who said, 'We've tried everything and it won't work.' DC was 2 years behind Harlem from an educational perspective with their public schools." Washington DC was completely transformed by Teach For America and now has one of the better public school districts in America.
How is she so humble?
- "I realize we're going to get so much wrong."
- Must learn from what goes wrong and improve moving forward
What are some "must-have" leadership qualities?
- Look at what people have accomplished
- How have you managed through challenges?
- People who are passionate about the purpose
- People who live into the values
- Optimism
- Commitment to diversity and inclusiveness
What's currently exciting?
- Seeing the leadership effects in others from Pakistan to Peru
- The power of locally rooted leadership
Commonalities of leader who sustain excellence:
- Put impact first... Ahead of career ambitions
- Solve problems
- Perseverance
- Optimism
- Humility - Constantly learning
- Act on conviction
What does Wendy do for fun?
- Runs and listens to books while running. Which books?
  - Human Kind by Rutger Bregman
  - Reinventing Organizations by Frederic Laloux
Life advice:
- "Solve as early as possible."
- "Do not put off your passion until after you've had a job for a few years."
- "Don't think you have to start something new." Look for others who are doing it and join them...

403: Rich Diviney - The Hidden Drivers Of Optimal Performance (The Attributes) Jan 25, 2021

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Rich Diviney Rich Diviney draws upon 20+ years of experience as a Navy SEAL Officer – with 11 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He was the Commanding Officer of a Navy SEAL Command. Rich is is the author of The Attributes - 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance.

Notes:

The process to select Navy SEALs:
- Rich created a program to effectively articulate why someone made it through SEAL training.
- "It's not about training to be a Navy SEAL, it's about proving if you can be one."
- "Skills are not inherent to our nature. They are learned."
Attributes are wired into our internal circuitry, always running in the background, dictating how we behave and react and perform. Attributes should not be confused with personality traits. A personality is built from patterns of behavior that emerge over an extended period of time. It’s an outward expression of all the things that make you you - your skills, habits, emotions, perspectives, and attributes all blended together.
What is optimal performance? "It's not a peak. It's doing the best you can, with what you have, in the moment."
What are some of the surprising attributes that helped or didn't?
- Drive - Some of the most driven people weren't necessarily cut out to be a SEAL
- The difference between Self-Discipline and Discipline:
  - Self-discipline is about controlling those things that the outside world has no say in.
  - Discipline is the ability to move through the challenges of the world.
- Narcissism - Some of the benefits of it? From Rich: "Why did I want to be a Navy SEAL? I wanted to see if I could be a badass. I desired to standout and be admired. That's a little narcissism."
  - "However, extreme narcissism is awful. Excessive narcissists are rarely loyal-- loyalty requires trust and a sense of safety-- so their tribes are inherently unstable: Healthy members tend not to stay long, and new ones are let in only when they show the requisite deference. Those who do leave usually suffer a disproportionate amount of wrath from the person to whom they once deferred-- because defectors are considered enemies. The energy and effort of the highly narcissistic person will be used to prop up their fragile egos rather than to achieve shared objectives or serve a common purpose.”
Did he ever think about quitting during Hell week? "The training trains you to compartmentalize. You can't ever entertain that thought. You have to chunk things down to the moment. You're running around and saying, 'this sucks!' But you have to focus on just getting to the next berm. And then the next one. Think, 'what can I control right now?' And focus on your three foot world."
The highest performing people ask better questions:
- Think: "What's the better question to ask right now?"
- "What can I control right now?"
Introspection is vital. Why aren't we better at being introspective?
- "Because we escape too much." We have devices to ensure we're never bored. Never lost in thought. On long car rides, children never have to look out the window anymore to pass the time. They have a device or a screen to watch.
  - You need to allow your brain space... Need to spend more time in our heads.
"Knowledge is not power. Applied knowledge is power."
Be decisive. Take action. "Decisions are final, but not permanent."
Be adaptable like a frog. Frogs have survived five extinction level events. "If you don't adapt you will become a dinosaur."
Rich has narrowed it down to 5 segments of attributes. They are: Grit, Mental Acuity, Drive, Leadership, and Teamability.
- Grit - Beware of the fearless leader (Courage), Fall 7 times get up 8 (Perseverance), Be Like the frog (Adaptability), The Benefits of Little Tragedies (Resilience)
- Mental Acuity -- The art of Vigilance (Situational Awareness), Wired for Efficiency (Compartmentalization), The Multitasking Myth (Task Switching), Forged in Plastic (Learnability)
- Drive -- Mastering the Pivot (Self-Efficacy), The Self-Disciplined Loser (Discipline), A Fish Is the Last to Discover Water (Open-Mindedness), The Princess and the Dragon (Cunning), It’s All about Me (Narcissism)
- Leadership -- No One Cares How You Feel (Empathy), If it Doesn’t Hurt, You’re Doing it Wrong (Selflessness), You Can’t Hide You (Authenticity), Many A False Step Is Made by Standing Still (Decisiveness), Don’t Be A Mediator (Accountability)
- Teamability -- The Subjectivity of Right and Wrong (Integrity), There’s Always Something to Do (Conscientiousness), Play Black, Not Red (Humility), Honor The Class Clown (Humor)

402: Donald Miller - How To Tell Your Story, Take Action, & Transform Your Life Jan 18, 2021

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#402: Donald Miller - CEO of Business Made Simple

Notes:

The Characteristics of a Value Driven Professional:
- “Value driven successful people see themselves as an economic product on the open market. They are obsessed with getting people a strong return on the investment made in them. People who are obsessed with being a good investment attract further investment and get to enjoy more personal economic value. When you offer greater economic value within the economic ecosystem, you are paid more, given more responsibility and promotions, and are sought after by customers looking for value. In business, your boss may really like you, but in large part, they see you as an economic investment. There is nothing wrong with that. So how do we become ridiculously successful? By making other people absurdly successful.”
  - "If you know how to make people money, you will make a lot of money."
- They have a bias towards action - “There is one thing every successful person has in common: They have a bias towards action.” They don’t let ideas die on the vine. They take action to make those ideas happen. While others may have terrific ideas or be able to see an important issue from many angles, action-oriented people are good at getting things done.”
- They see themselves as a hero, not a victim. Ask, “How often do you position yourself as a victim?” How often do you talk about yourself as though you are not in control of your life? Do you believe other people are responsible for your failures? Don was born in Texas and grew up poor. His dad left and never came back. His mom had to work long hours just to keep him and his sister alive. He told me, “The biggest transformation in my life happened when I stopped thinking of myself as a victim and started thinking of myself as the hero. I lost 150 pounds and became more in control of my life. If you’re always the victim, you’ll find that people get tired of carrying your load.”
- They know feedback is a gift. They create an established routine in which they get feedback from their peers.
- They are relentlessly optimistic - Staying optimistic, you dramatically increase the chances that at some point you will succeed. The more optimistic you are, the more willing you will be willing to try. Successful people fail all the time. The difference is their willingness to keep trying.
A story has four characters:
- Victim - The victim is rescued by the hero. The victim makes the hero look good. It's a bit part.
- Villian - A backstory of pain. The villian seeks vengeance.
- Hero - Faces challenges, is focused, overcomes obstacles.
- Guide - Older, sage, wise. Helps others win
"I remember when my biggest transformation happened. I realized that girls wanted to be with the hero, not the victim. I lost 150 pounds."
Taking action: "The magic is not in the thinking, it's in the doing."
Be a "delusional optimist." It's scientifically proven that people who believe they can do something accomplish more than those who don't.
What is a story?
- "A character that overcomes conflict to try to accomplish something."
- "Invite people to overcome an obstacle and solve a problem."
One piece of advice: "Be known for solving a problem." One problem.
We are all in sales. What is sales? "Clear articulation of how you can solve someone's problem."
How To Create a Mission Statement and Guiding Principles:
- “The #1 job of a leader is to wake up every morning, point to the horizon, and let everybody on the team know where the organization is going.”
- “The #2 job of a leader is to explain, in clear and simple terms, why the story of going to and arriving at that specific destination matters.”
- "The #3 job of a leader is to analyze the skills and abilities of each team member and find them an important role to play in that story.”
In Don's personal guiding principles, his repeatable critical actions are: "get up early, you write, and you say, “after you.” -- Those 3 critical actions establish a way of life that if repeated day in and day out ensures success.
Know how to attract people to your mission by telling your story. How do we do this? What’s the biggest mistake made? (Biggest mistake is telling their history, complete with bullet points and boring asides). Your history is not your story.
Here is a formula for a good, short mission statement: “We will accomplish ____________ by ___________ because of _________.
How To Be Productive -- Make Wise Daily Decisions - Every morning you ask yourself a simple question: “If this were the second time I were living this day, what would I do differently?”
Bill Gates is never late to a meeting. How does he ensure he’s always on time? He blocks his time
The StoryBrand methodology:
- A character that wants something
- The character encounters a problem
- The character meets the guide
- The guide gives the hero a plan
- The guide calls the hero to action
When clarifying your marketing message, never position yourself as the hero. Always position yourself as the guide.
The Core Competencies that will immediately make or save the company money:
- They are a clear and compelling leader - Align & inspire a team. Create a mission statement & guiding principles
- They are personally productive - Mastered a specific system
- They know how to clarify a message
- They can sell - introduce products to qualified leads
- They are great communicators - Give a speech that informs & inspires a team
- They know how to run an execution system

401: David Rubenstein - Launching a Business, Living With Purpose, & Loving Your Life Jan 11, 2021

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David M. Rubenstein is a Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chairman of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest and most successful private investment firms. Mr. Rubenstein co-founded the firm in 1987. Since then, Carlyle has grown into a firm managing $217 billion from 32 offices around the world.

Notes:

David is most interested in continuing to learn... He reads six newspapers per day and 100 books per year.
Your commencement is the beginning, not the end. "Keep your brain active, it's a muscle. It will atrophy without use."
David would give all of his money away to be one year younger...
Keys to happiness:
- Thomas Jefferson said we all have the right to be in pursuit of happiness
- "It's the most elusive thing in life."
- Happiness is all about building meaningful relationships
The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis -- "JFK showed tremendous leadership to avert disaster. He strategically ignored Khrushchev's second letter and responded to the first one when making a deal to avoid nuclear war. David was in 9th grade at the time and that moment of leadership impacted him in a big way.
He worked in the White House for Jimmy Carter. "When I worked in the White House, everyone thought I was the smartest person in the world. When we lost and I didn't have a job anymore, nobody called, and nobody offered me a job."
Why leave his job as part of a big law firm?
- "If you don't love what you do you can't be great at it."
Launching The Carlyle Group:
- Raised $5m
- Hired incredibly competent people
- New idea: "I wanted to create a private equity one stop shop."
How did he hire well?
- "I went after the best people I knew and sold them on why they should join me." What was said?
  - Convince them they will have responsibility
  - They will learn a lot
  - They will make more money
  - It will be enjoyable
What does David ask in interviews with candidates to hire?
- "I want to learn mostly about what motivates them."
Must have qualities to work at The Carlyle Group:
- Intelligent
- Hard working
- Get along well with others
- Share credit
- Effective communicator (both written and the spoken word)
- Help others
- Honest/High Integrity
Why start The Carlyle Group?
- "I wanted to prove that my idea could work."
What created the success of the company?
- "It was the luck of meeting great people... Like Bill Conway."
- "Prior preparation prevents poor performance."
What are the keys to being a great interviewer?
- Good listener
- Enjoy it
- Sublimate your ego - It's about the guest, not the interviewer proving how smart they are
Why does David like to interview so many people?
- "My mother said it's because I'm a 'yenta.' I want to know everything."
Why own so many of our countries historical documents? (Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence)
- "I want to remind people of our history."
He's one of the first 40 members of the giving pledge and plans to give ALL of his money away to charity.
Advice to a young college graduate:
- Experiment, find things you enjoy
- Share credit
- Read a lot... Learn to speak in public
- Become a skilled writer
- Retain humility
What do most people say on their deathbed? They don't say, 'I wish I'd made more money.' What they say is, 'I wish I'd spent more time with my family and done more for society or my community.'
"Anybody who gives away money is mostly looking at things where they think they can make a difference. I'm trying to help people who helped me, educational institutions that helped me with scholarships, or organizations that were very useful to me in growing up."

400: Keith Hawk & AJ Hawk - The Life Experiences That Shape Our Character Jan 04, 2021

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The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #400 with Keith Hawk & AJ Hawk

Notes:

I sourced questions from members of my Leadership Circle, friends, listeners, and colleagues for this episode...
How does Keith continue to feel impactful after retirement?
- KH: "It's like I have a paper route. I work a little bit in the mornings, get my work done, and then I can go have fun with my friends. I work on a few boards, do voice over work, and know how to hit the post."
What has AJ learned from working with Pat McAfee?
- "I learned to trust my instincts and not try to be somebody I'm not."
What's the best way to make introductions? AJ: "Text (message) intros are so much better. They are more personal."
From Leadership Circle member, Amanda Wilson: "What habit do you admire the most in each other/best attribute?"
- Pistol about AJ: "He's an unbelievable teammate. He has earned the respect of all his peers. I respect his intensity to prepare."
- Pistol about Ryan: "A huge preparation guy. His focus on other people. He has more of an outer focus now. And a huge intensity around growth." "Gotta change, Gotta grow."
- AJ about Pistol: Consistency. He wakes up early. I never saw him asleep. He never made us do anything. I want to live up to that standard. I don't want my kids to see me asleep. And universally, everyone loves him."
- AJ about Ryan: "You're a mini-version of Pistol with your consistency. So detail oriented. Such a leader and not afraid to hold people accountable. People have confidence that you'll take them where they want to go."
- Ryan about Pistol: Absolute selflessness. Reminds me of my wife, Miranda. A willingness to always help others succeed and will do anything for them.
- Ryan about AJ: A relentless work ethic. A drive to be there for the people who depend on him. Whenever I talk with teammates of AJ, they all say the same thing, "That's my guy. I know he'll be where he's supposed to be when he's supposed to be there. I can depend on him." He shows up to work everyday and gets it done.
Being selfless: Pistol - "My success is better and richer if it follows other people's success."
From Jeff Leung (Sr. Engineer at Facebook): "As the father of two young boys, I would love to hear how you and your brother AJ grew up in a way that you cheer for each other more than compete?"
- A mutual love and respect for each others work. An appreciation for what the other does.
From Doug Meyer, Co-Founder/CEO of Brixey & Meyer: "What was your reaction when you heard Ryan was leaving a high paying job at a large company to take a substantial pay cut to start a Leadership Advisory practice at Brixey & Meyer?"
- Pistol: "Joy, fun, fulfillment. I was so excited for him."
- AJ: "Of course. He's gonna kill it."
Give an example how you handled when one of your kids wanted to do something but you thought it was a mistake?
- "When Ryan was at Miami, I probably pushed him too hard to transfer so that he would get another shot to be a starting QB after losing the job to Ben Roethlisberger. I sometimes have thoughts that he could have moved positions and become Julian Edelman."
From Nate DeMars (Founder/Owner of Pursuit) - "You guys have all moved onto what I guess you could consider second careers recently… How do you approach starting over as a novice in a new field?"
- "There is no excuse to not learn everything about what you want to do. There is so much out there to read and watch and people to talk to. If you don't learn it, it's your fault."
- Find something you care about, that you're passionate about, and pursue that.
- "Deal with imposter syndrome when you're new. There's never been a better time to learn something new."
Life experiences that have shaped you. Pistol, what experiences shaped AJ/Ryan?
- Playing for the legendary Bob Gregg and Ron Ullery. They molded you and helped you:
  - Faced the requirement to prepare a lot
  - Learned how to be a great teammate
  - Learned to compete hard
  - Learned to take tough, critical feedback, became coachable
  - Learned how to be a leader
How to deal with great teammates, but bad coaches?
- AJ: "It doesn't help to complain and be negative. Be quiet. Do your job."
- And strive to learn from those who aren't good at their job so that you don't repeat what they do.
- The Rex Caswell exercise: When you're new, write in a journal in two columns. One is for the great actions of your boss and the other is for the not helpful behaviors. Keep it with you and review it as you continue to get promoted.
- Pistol: "Wrap yourself in the mission. Don't wrap yourself in negativity."
  - "It's the duty of the leader to be in a good mood."
We conducted our first draft. The topic: Our favorite sports movies (listen to hear who we picked).

399: Josh Kaufman - How To Master The Art Of Business Dec 28, 2020

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Notes:

Sustaining Excellence =
- Learn constantly
- Experiment constantly
- Obsessive about learning the details, not a cookie cutter approach
Rapid Skill Acquisition:
- Must be specific
- Break it down: don't try to do it all at once
- Do research
- Practice
- Deconstruct the skill to its smallest parts
- Make a pre-commitment - "I'm going to practice this skill for 20 hours no matter what."
Create fast feedback loops for yourself:
- Keep a daily log of what you do... Meetings, interactions, what was discussed, how you feel, etc.
This helps reinforce the importance of paying attention to the small details of what you're trying to learn
If something happens, you can review your notes later
Josh has always had "a desire to understand the world around me"
Teaching is one of the greatest tools in the world for learning
"Management is the act of coordinating a group of people to achieve a goal. Management is not business. Management is not leadership. Management is a supporting function, not a decision making function."
- "Leadership = define the goal, account for change."
"Good management =
- Recruiting - must get good people
- Communicating well between teams and decision making parts of the business
- Must create environment of psychological safety
  - Create a productive working environment
- Planning - Estimating time lines and schedules
- Measurement
Commander's Intent - "When you are a leader, decision making authority, the least effective thing is for you to make all the ground level decisions." Push decision making power to the people closest to the action.
More quotes from Josh's work:
“You can't make positive discoveries that make your life better if you never try anything new.”
“Every successful business (1) creates or provides something of value that (2) other people want or need (3) at a price they're willing to pay, in a way that (4) satisfies the purchaser's needs and expectations and (5) provides the business sufficient revenue to make it worthwhile for the owners to continue operation.
“If you rely on finding time to do something, it will never be done. If you want to find time, you must make time.”
“The best thing that can happen to a human being is to find a problem, to fall in love with that problem, and to live trying to solve that problem, unless another problem even more lovable appears.”
“Every time your customers purchase from you, they’re deciding that they value what you have to offer more than they value anything else their money could buy at that moment.”
“The trouble comes when we confuse learning with skill acquisition. If you want to acquire a new skill, you must practice it in context. Learning enhances practice, but it doesn’t replace it. If performance matters, learning alone is never enough.”
"Be positive, force yourself to smile."
“Improve by 1% a day, and in just 70 days, you’re twice as good.”
“Ideas are cheap—what counts is the ability to translate an idea into reality, which is much more difficult than recognizing a good idea.”
“Fear of the unknown will always be with you, no matter what you do. That’s comforting in a way: if there’s nothing you can do to change it, there’s no reason to let it stop you.”

398: Jim Collins - The Art Of Getting People To Want To Do What Must Be Done (Part 2) Dec 23, 2020

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Jim Collins books include Good to Great, the #1 bestseller, which examines why some companies make the leap and others don’t; the enduring classic Built to Last, which discovers why some companies remain visionary for generations; How the Mighty Fall, which delves into how once-great companies can self-destruct; and Great by Choice, which uncovers the leadership behaviors for thriving in chaos and uncertainty. Jim has also published two monographs that extend the ideas in his primary books: Good to Great and the Social Sectors and Turning the Flywheel. His most recent publication is BE 2.0 (Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0), an ambitious upgrade of his very first book; it returns Jim to his original focus on small, entrepreneurial companies and honors his coauthor and mentor Bill Lazier.

Notes:

What Exactly is Leadership?” “True leadership only exists if people follow when they would otherwise have the freedom to not follow.” Many business leaders think they are leading when in fact they’re simply exercising power, and they might discover to their horror that no one would follow them if they had no power. General Colin Powell said, “In my 35 years of service, I don’t ever recall telling anyone, ‘That’s an order.” “Leadership is the art of getting people to want to do what must be done.”
When Steve Jobs returned to Apple, one of the first people he called was Jim Collins. Jim asked Steve,“what did you first build upon to emerge from the darkness? What gave you hope?” Steve was talking with perhaps the greatest product visionary of our time.. so he expected him to talk about operating systems or the Macintosh computer or other product ideas. But he didn’t. What did he talk about? People. "It was all about the WHO."
History is the “study of surprises.” There will be no “new normal,” there will only be a continuous series of “not normal” episodes, defying predictions and unforeseen by most of us until they happen. This is why we double down on the “first who” principle.
Track the number 1 metric: some say sales or profitability or cash flow or something about products. But there’s one metric that towers above them all that’s rarely spoken about in meetings. And that is: The percentage of key seats on the bus filled with the right people for those seats.
How to know when to shift from “develop” to “replace?” Jim has distilled years of reflection down to 7 questions that he offers to stimulate your thinking when you face the “develop or replace” conundrum.
- Are you beginning to lose other people by keeping this person in the seat? Do you have a values problem, a will problem, or a skills problem? What’s the person's relationship to the window and the mirror? Does the person see the work as a job or a responsibility? Has your confidence in the person gone up or down in the last year? Do you have a bus problem or a seat problem? How would you feel if the person quit?
Jim spent time at West Point as the Chair for the Study of Leadership… One of they key things he learned from that time was the importance of focusing on your unit and taking care of your people, not your career…
“The key to a leader’s impact is sincerity. Before he can inspire with emotion he must be swayed by it himself. Before he can move their tears his own must flow. To convince them he must himself believe.” - Winston Churchill
Kroger made the leap because they became fanatical about getting the right people in the right seats
A key position at your company does the following:
- Has hiring responsibility
- A failure by them could expose the company to disaster
- Their performance has an outsized impact on the business as a whole
The Personal Hedgehog Concept
- You love to do the work
- You're doing something you're wired for
- The market will pay you for it
Great success in life is when you have people in key seats that fit their hedgehog
When analyzing if a person should remain on the team, ask, "What is the person's relationship with the window or the mirror?"
We want people who have a tremendous capacity to grow. Be a growth machine.
An example of a world-class leader? Wendy Kopp, CEO and Co-Founder of Teach For All, a global network of independent nonprofit organizations working to expand educational opportunity in their own countries and the Founder of Teach For America.
- "Wendy had no power and not much charisma, and yet she got hundreds of thousands of people to sign up and do work that is not fun." That's leadership.
"Leadership is the art of getting people to want to do what must be done."
The #1 responsibility of a leader is to catalyze a clear and shared vision for the company and secure commitment to and vigorous pursuit of that vision.
From Jim, "I'm more of a teacher than a leader. What's my leadership artistry? Trust."
Ann Mulcahy saved Xerox. She kept getting promoted... When asked how she earned those promotions, Anne said, "I tried to make my mini-bus a sparkling pocket of greatness." They came to her and said, "We want you to drive the whole bus."

397: Jim Collins - How To Create A Generosity Flywheel, Make The Trust Wager, & Earn WHO Luck (Part 1) Dec 21, 2020

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Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Jim Collins is a student and teacher of what makes great companies tick, and a Socratic advisor to leaders in the business and social sectors. He has written a series of books that have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. They include Good to Great, the #1 bestseller, which examines why some companies make the leap and others don’t; the enduring classic Built to Last, which discovers why some companies remain visionary for generations; How the Mighty Fall, which delves into how once-great companies can self-destruct; and Great by Choice, which uncovers the leadership behaviors for thriving in chaos and uncertainty.

Notes:

Shortly before Jim's 25th birthday, during his second year at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, he got hit with a lightning bolt of WHO luck. The type of luck that comes as a chance meeting with a person who changes your life. That person was Bill Lazier...
Bill Lazier was the closest thing to a father Jim ever had. Jim's dad died when he was 23.
Creating a Generosity Flywheel -- “One day, two large wooden crates appeared on your front porch, the address labels indicating they’d be shipped by Bill. He sent you a few dozen bottles of spectacularly good wine. You called and asked him what prompted him to send to you and he said, “Dorothy and I had an inventory problem in our wine cellar, and we needed to make room for some new bottles. We thought you could help us out by taking some of it off our hands.” Bill mastered the art of getting people to accept his generosity, somehow framing it as if you were doing him a favor.
Jim's question to me: How is quarterbacking a football team similar to quarterbacking a conversation for a podcast?
Make the Trust Wager - “I choose to assume the best in people and accept that they sometimes disappoint.” (Lead With Trust)
Build a Meaningful Life by Building Relationships — Life can be a series of transactions or you can build relationships. Transactions can give you success, but inky relationships make for a great life.” —- How do you know if you have a great relationship? “If you were to ask each person in the relationship who benefits more from it, both would answer “I do.” Both feel like they’re getting the better end of the deal.
Start with Values, Always Values — values aren’t the “soft stuff.” Living to core values is the hard stuff.
"Prep prep prep so that you don't have to be rote." -- "For me the opening plays are questions. And I know the opening two or three questions to get the session started."
- "Then the game starts. I have this set up things, but then something really surprising happens. What I found interesting about it, is that you'd think high levels of prep, it's actually being so well prepared that you can adapt. That's the critical thing. It's only because you're super prepared that you can do something surprising."
The opening question to a company he works with is always the same:
- "It starts at exactly 8:00am. I have an atomic clock and it's set to the exact atomic time. At 8:00, I open the doors. I walk in and say, "Good morning, I feel a tremendous responsibility to make the most of our time. Everybody take out a blank sheet of paper. I want you to write down the top 5 most brutal facts that face the company today. Go!" -- "We're 12 seconds into the meeting. There are no pleasantries, they're not going to talk about how the flight was, or dinner last night. We are here to make the most of our time. I'm trying to set the tone that we don't have time to waste. I can't waste your time. You're here to have your brain challenged."
- And then Jim has them allocate 100 points for the 5 most brutal facts.
  - You need to start with an honest account of the brutal facts. This gets the group talking immediately. "The entire thing opens up."
"Preparation is respect."
"That previous podcast we did (episode #216) was masterfully done by Ryan. There's some wonderful things he pulled out." How has your style evolved?
- I'm less robotic, less formulaic, more agile, and able to go with the conversation.
Bill Lazier -- "Bill went to the Dean at Stanford and put himself on the line for me. He believed in me. He bet big on me. Nothing I've accomplished happens without Bill Lazier."
Here is WHY joining a Learning Leader Circle is a good idea...

396: Scott Galloway - Making Predictions, Sharing Love, & Turning Crisis To Opportunity Dec 14, 2020

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Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12

Episode #396 - Scott Galloway: Professor at NYU Stern, best-selling author, entrepreneur (started 9 firms)

Notes:

Scott and I have the same book agent, Jim Levine. It's the first person Scott thanks in the Acknowledgement section of his latest book... "Jim is someone I can go to for help with any aspect of life. He's much more than just a book agent. You need people in your kitchen cabinet that you can go to."
Sharing admiration for others? Why did Scott struggle with this when he was younger?
- "We should do this. It doesn't make you less impressive because you shared your admiration for someone else."
- "The greatest untapped resource = good intentions, good thoughts. Express them. Verbalize them. Don't let that resource go to waste."
Leaders should be constantly giving praise to the people on their team. Send the quick email, give the shout out. "People need watering. Give them recognition. Notice others, let them know when they do good work. That's how you recruit and retain great people. That's how you build loyalty."
- Action step: Call the parents of the young people on your team. Tell them their daughter or son is doing excellent work and are a joy to work with...
"Be the man your kids think you are." It's motivating to try to live up to those standards. Life is about those moments with your kids.
The key to excellence?
- "Success is not my fault. I grew up as a heterosexual white male, born in 1964. We have this problem of conflating luck with talent."
Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence?
- Competence - Must be highly competent in one area. "You must demonstrate excellence. Be outstanding at it."
- Grit - "As the leader, I wanted to show my team I was willing to pull all nighters when needed. I would never ask my team to do something I wasn't willing to do."
- Empathy - "You have to want others to win. You have to leverage all your talents to help others be successful. That creates loyalty."
"People's loyalties are misplaced. Don't be loyal to companies, be loyal to people."
Why make predictions? "It's not about being right. It's about catalyzing a conversation. I want ideas to have sex."
- "Plans are useless but planning is invaluable."
- "Once a prediction happens, it seems obvious."
When I go to keynote speaking engagements, I'm often asked about Scott Galloway. He's become the person so many men follow? Why?
- "Most business news is PG13. I'm the rated R version and I speak my mind. There aren't enough people doing that."
- "Most guys have trouble talking openly about their feelings. We have trouble expressing our emotions. Men want to do it, but don't. That's what I do."
  - "Write as if your kids will read it in 30 years."
In Chinese the word for crisis… the first character means danger, and the second is translated as a critical juncture
A Scottish MP George Galloway said “nothing can happen for decades and then decades can happen in weeks”

395: Dr. Marisa Porges - How To Raise Bold, Courageous, & Resilient Women Dec 07, 2020

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12

Ep #395: Dr. Marisa Porges

Notes:

Keys to a good coffee meeting with someone:
- Be early
- Find a quiet spot
- Know your order before you get there. Don't make it too complex
- Have a goal for the meeting. Know what you want to get out of it
"You don’t have to be a feminist to care about these lessons, nor do you need a daughter or a sister. You just have to know a girl or young woman and care about her future."
The differences for a woman vs. a man in business:
- Women have fewer mentors and sponsors
  - "You need to seek mentors on a regular basis"
  - "Men need to mentor women" -- "Make room for women mentees"
  - What should the man who is nervous to mentor a woman do?
    - Meet in a public place
    - Talk about business
Key to excellence: The ability to adapt
- Marisa joined the Navy after High School. She was inspired by the movie Top Gun
- She got in a bad car accident and had to be rescued by the jaws of life
- She had to shave her head in the Navy
- "Our reality forces us to adapt. We change jobs 4x more than our parents did."
How to be adaptable?
- Be open to pushing yourself to new environments
  - Test yourself in a new environment. Don't always set up for the perfect environment
  - Do something differently -- Test your boundaries
How to be authentically empathetic?
- The platinum rule -- Treat others as they want to be treated (not how you want to be treated)
- Be vulnerable, open, and real
- While interviewing terrorists in Yemen, Marisa got them to open up by authentically opening up first
  - "Be conscious about when and how you're vulnerable. It can't be too often. Monitor your emotions."
Look for go for it moments... Learn to rebound from failure and understand the key takeaways from them. Be able to deal with uncertainty.
Marisa shares a story about a parent of one of her students. Marc. His daughter was going through an issue at school. Marc said, “I went into Dad mode and said should I call the school? Talk to a teacher? —- This is a terrible way to respond as the dad of a daughter. A dad needs to "coach from the sideline." Help your daughter practice self advocacy. Ask them questions, be curious. Help your daughter find her voice and speak up. One easy example to practice -- "When you go out to eat, always have your daughter order her food. When you call to order a pizza, have your daughter do it."
Marisa worked in the White House and needed to become an excellent communicator to prepare for her conversations with The President. How did she do this? "Practice, practice practice."
Excellence:
- How we learn from failure and bounce back... What happens next?
- It's always about the others in your life. Who are you surrounding yourself with?
- Small things make a big difference

394: Todd Henry - The Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work (The Motivation Code) Nov 30, 2020

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Twitter: @RyanHawk12

#394: Todd Henry - The Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work

Show notes:

What is the most valuable land in the world?
- "The graveyard... All of the stuff we carry with us for our life and never put out into the world... All of that valued is buried in the ground."
The two words that Todd wrote down after coming to this realization? "Die Empty."
- “The rough edges they decry you for now… Are the very rough edges they will celebrate you for later.”
What drives us to unleash our best work?
Drawing on interviews with over 100,000 working professionals, the answer is no one size fits all. Todd Henry shows, in fact, that there are six unique "motivational archetypes"...
They are:
- The Visionary strives to make her mark on the world by building an ideal future, even when others may not see as far ahead.
- The Achiever relishes a finished product and must conquer whatever obstacle comes his way, no matter how difficult or time-consuming.
- The Team Player values being part of a group and will go to great lengths to achieve unity and enhance collaboration.
- The Learner is obsessed with mastering new skills and showing off what she knows--which is often a lot.
- The Optimizer thrives when systems are running smoothly and finds great satisfaction when things are done the "right way."
- The Key Contributor shines at the center of the action, especially when others can recognize the value of his work.
Todd's work teaches us to decode our motivational type so we can structure projects, have conversations, make decisions, and even choose career paths to amp up engagement and achieve fulfillment. Once we know how to activate our inner drivers, we can transform the work we do into the work we love.
Why should you write?
- "If you can learn to write, you'll be invited into rooms."
- "Turn the ineffable into something."
- Read, comprehend, synthesize, write...
- "People won't follow you because of your position or title. You have to persuade them. You have to cut through the noise, hone your skills. It's a craft you must work on."
- Have empathy, uniqueness, precisions. Have empathy for the end user.
- Have an intended audience: one person in mind. Ramp up your empathy for the end user...
"We wait for tasks to motivate us and that's exactly backwards. We need to bring our motivation to what we do. We have to train ourselves to bring our motivation to our work instead of waiting for our tasks to motivate us."
Because of the motivation code, "I have a language now that I never had a language for previously"
- A new framework for understanding people. It's created "aha" moments
- "Self-awareness is the first step to maturity."
  - "It helps use discern areas where we're insecure."
What was Todd thinking five minutes prior to going on stage at the Global Leadership Summit? 10,000 in the audience and hundreds of thousands watching worldwide...
- "I reminded myself how grateful I was to be there..." It was calming.

393: Chris Holtmann - How To Lead With Conviction (Don't Be Afraid To Pursue Growth) Nov 23, 2020

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Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12

393: Chris Holtmann - Head Basketball Coach of Ohio State University Buckeyes

Notes:

Chris played his college basketball at a small Christian school called Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. For a coach named Paul Patterson. Chris said, “I think the core of who I am as a coach comes from him.”
Don’t Be Afraid To Pursue Growth - "As I debated, I realized that I couldn’t blame myself for craving stability – it was only human nature after all. We are drawn by the soft voice of consistency, the allure of a warm blanket of security in our jobs and lives. And while many of us willingly happily give in to living within the status quo, the reality is that the world around us rarely remains motionless. The sun rises and sets, the seasons pass and the world keeps moving and changing. It is only as we grow older and look back at life that we realize all that we have missed, all that we could have accomplished, had we simply pushed ourselves to break free of our fears."
"As I found myself deliberating once again, I began to think back to the work of Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck on motivation and failure. Dweck drew a distinction between performance orientation and learning orientation. Children that believe that their intelligence is fixed almost always give up on problems quickly, whereas those that believe their intelligence is malleable, conversely, stick with problems longer. Adults are no different. Those who are performance oriented are dissuaded by failure - they favor stability. Whereas those of who are learning oriented embrace opportunity and eschew the status quo."
Head Coaches To Lead Their Teams To 5 Straight 1st Round Tourney Wins: Chris Holtmann, Mike Krzyzewski, Jay Wright, Mark Few, Bill Self, Roy Williams, John Calipari
Article: David Brooks - Thick versus Think organizations -- "How To Leave A Mark On People"
Focus on the process... "Do today well."
- "Don't compare yourself to others."
Why is Brad Stevens one of the most effective coaches in the world?
- "He's an extremely curious learner. He has tremendous EQ and understands how to connect with people."
Chris got promoted to be the interim head coach at Butler shortly after accepting the job to be an assistant...
- His boss (athletic director) told him, "You'll be evaluated daily." He came to every practice to watch Chris coach.
  - "It was hard to hear, but it was the reality. I couldn't listen to critiques. I had to coach to my convictions."
Living your values: You must make a commitment to your values and live them daily.
- The values of the Ohio State basketball team:
  - Truth
  - Humility
  - Respect
  - Toughness - "Grit is imperative in successful people. Your response to challenging moments says everything to success." Coach Tony Bennett is tremendously tough. "Calm is contagious."
    - Your response to difficult circumstances is what toughness is all about.
  - Accountability
  - Thankful
"He who would be calm must first put on the appearance of being calm."
How does one develop composure?
- "You need people around you to give you honest feedback. We don't realize how reactionary we can be."
- "Any time you feel upset with a player, wait to talk about it until you can process it. Think it through..."
Excellence =
- Consistency
- Discipline
- "Your habits need to match your dreams."
- Be convicted in what you believe
What Chris looks for in a player:
- Toughness -- "What's the most challenging thing you've been through? How did you respond?"
- Selfless
  - "What's your body language on the bench when you aren't playing?"
  - "What's your response to a teammates success?"
- Honesty
Advice to leaders:
- You can't skip steps in the process of being a leader
  - Value the beginning stages
- Eliminate comparison to others as much as possible
- Be committed to growing professionally and personally. It's about your daily habits. Your character is put on display.
  - "We write our stories one decision at a time."

392: Robert Rosenberg - Leadership Lessons From The Former CEO Of Dunkin Donuts Nov 16, 2020

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Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12

Notes:

Sustaining Excellence =
- Passion for what they do
- Persistence - "Life is lumpy." People fall and have to dust themselves off.
- Character - Must be trustworthy, caring, and sensitive to others
- Values driven - "When things go wrong, take the pain"
Bill Gates is an example of sustained excellence - "His persistence, his relationship with his wife Melinda. He's a great example of sustained excellence."
Bob describes the time early in his career when he made big mistakes and the board fired him.
- He said, "I needed to learn strategy. You can't blame your followers. You must take 100% ownership."
Read the book, The Best and The Brightest by David Halberstam
- "You need humility, you need to learn, you need emotional intelligence."
How he felt when he got fired?
- "Unbelievably sad. It hung heavy on my shoulders."
There are two ways to respond:
- Be a victim
- Be introspective
  - "I remember the moment vividly. I was reading The Best and The Brightest. Hubris was the problem. They weren't going to the front lines to understand what was happening. I thought, Oh my God, Halberstam could be talking about me."
  - "Our job is to LISTEN, get feedback, and fix it."
As a leader, you must have the willingness and ability to define reality, not what you want it to be.
- Read Max Dupree - The Art of Leadership
Understand The Stockdale Paradox - “You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose —with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.” ~ James Stockdale
Building trust in a crisis:
- The 4 elements to be trustworthy:
  - Sincerity - "Your public and private conversations should be the same"
  - Competence - It's not the same as never making a mistake.
  - Reliability - "Make promises. Deliver on those promises"
  - Care - "Treat people well. Care for their well being. It's not transactional. Treat them with dignity and respect."
How Bob stays so sharp at age 82:
- Lots of exercise - He trains 5 days a week
- Time with grandchildren
- Planning - "I still have a lot of gas left in the tank"
Have a dream -- "Happiness is a mood. You can design a mood."
- Satisfaction
- Peace
- Fulfillment
The four primary functions of a leader:
- Strategy - The CEO must shepherd the strategy
- People - Get the right people in the right jobs
- Communication - Align all constituencies behind the business. People must understand the mission
- Evolve - The world changes. Find a small team of experts to identify the issue, and leave the rest of the team alone to do their work
"You need thrill customers continuously."
"People will always be evaluating you as a leader. They look at your body language, and see how you respond."
Hiring qualities Bob looks for in a leader:
- Crisp thorough about the job assignment.
- Complementarity - The use Gallup's strengths. Focus on strengths and them filling a gap on the current team.
- Fit the culture. Need to be able to work with a team and collaborate.

391: Jake Wood - How To Accept Risk, Get Candid Feedback, & Love Your Team Nov 09, 2020

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Episode #391: Jake Wood - CEO of Team Rubicon

Notes:

Sustaining Excellence =
- Integrity - "I've been honored to serve with leaders who have high integrity."
- Initiative - Be proactive, take action
- Tenacity - The ability to overcome
- Enthusiasm - Bring energy to your environment
What Jake learned from his Dad:
- "I feel lucky. He worked his way up with an untraditional resume. He worked his ass off."
- "He had this industrious nature and worked so hard."
Giving the commencement speech at the University of Wisconsin
- "Our words (as leaders) matter."
- "None of life experiences went according to plan. And that's okay..."
Being the point man -- It means, “When you walked a patrol, you walked first. If there was a landmine or booby trap in the road, you would be the first man to step on it. Initially, you walked in perpetual fear… There were intersections you had to cross where you would close your eyes and clench your teeth, but you never stopped pressing on.”
- "Leadership is about love. You need to have a deep understanding of WHO your team is as people. Always think, 'how can I help them?' When they know they're loved by you, they'll feel safe. When they feel safe, that leads to courage."
Clay Hunt -- "We went to sniper school together... He was a good Marine. When I got paired up with him, I was told, 'you are nothing without this partner.'" He didn’t kill himself because of what happened to him in Iraq and Afghanistan. He killed himself because of what he lost when he came home: Purpose, Self-Worth, and Community. Since 2012, more service members have died by suicide than in combat. "Purpose is a universal human need."
The Acceptance of Risk: In Blackjack, there is a correct move for every interaction. When you have 16 and the dealer has a face card, you should hit. There is a 32% chance you win if you hit. There is a 26% chance you win if you stay. And yet, people stay. They haven't come to grips with the risk. They'd rather sit back and try not to lose instead of taking the correct step. As a leader, you have to accept the risk, understand it, and press on.
The WHO -- "Surround yourself with realists who offer you candid feedback."
- What does Jake look for when hiring a leader?
  - They must demonstrate they can overcome hardship
  - Ability to persevere
  - Industrious
  - "I'll take passion over talent any day."
The Haiti Earthquake in 2010. 100,000 people instantly died. 100,000 more died within the next 25 days. Jake felt compelled to go there to help.
- Thus the beginning of Team Rubicon
Winning the Pat Tillman award. "It was a huge honor. Pat was why I joined the Marine Corps."
- His process to deliver the speech... "The producers wanted to take out the part of the speech that resonated most with people... The ending: Know your neighbor, love your neighbor, help you neighbor."
Speechwriting/Communication skill:
- "A company is nothing more than a story."
- Treat your people like characters in the story.
- READ a lot of books. General Jim Mattis said, "There is a moral responsibility for leaders to read. If you have not read 100's of books, you're functionally illiterate."
- Vision - You need to convince your team you can take them to places they didn't know they could go.
Book: ONCE A WARRIOR
- It's the 10 year anniversary for Team Rubicon... It's time to memorialize it.
- "America needs to find inspiration. The book finishes with hope. It's life's most essential virtue."

390: Seth Godin - How To Sell Like A Professional, Build Skills, & Ship Creative Work Nov 02, 2020

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Notes:

Sustaining Excellence =
- The pursuit of WOW... "It's not just meeting spec."
- Leading is voluntary
- "Playing covers of yourself is not leadership."
Leadership vs. Management?
- Management is about power and a title
- Leadership is about stepping up. NASCAR... Starbucks closed for a day to train everyone.
Why does Seth teach people how to juggle?
- "It's about the throw, not the catch."
If you want to change your story, change your actions first. We become what we do.
Lost in all the noise around us is the proven truth that creativity is the result of desire. A Desire to solve an old problem, a desire to serve someone else. It’s not a bolt of lightning from somewhere else...
The difference between talent and skill: Talent is something we’re born with: it’s in our DNA, a magical alignment of gifts. Skill is earned. It’s learned and practiced and hard-won. It’s insulting to call a professional talented. She’s skill, first and foremost. In the words of Steve Martin, “I had no talent. None.”
Sculptor Elizabeth King said it beautifully, “process saves us from the poverty of our intentions.”
Surprising truths that have been hidden by our desire for those perfect outcomes:
- Hubris is the opposite of trust
- Professionals produce with intent
- Creativity is an act of leadership
- We become creative when we ship the work
- Passion is a choice
Practical Empathy -- “We have to be able to say, ‘it’s not for you’ and mean it. The work exists to serve someone, to change someone, to make something better.
We live in an outcome focused culture. The plumber doesn’t get credit for effort, he gets credit if the faucet stops leaking. Lost in this obsession with outcome is the truth that outcomes are the results of process. Focusing solely on outcomes forces us to make choices that are banal, short term or selfish. It takes our focus away from the journey and encourages us to give up too early.
The story of Drew Dernavich — he shared a picture of his “no” pile and of his “yes” pile. He’s a cartoonist. “Drew’s not a genius, he just has more paper than we do.”
Embrace your own temporary discomfort: Art doesn’t seek to create comfort. It creates change. And change requires tension. The same is true for learning. True learning (as opposed to education) is a voluntary experience that requires tension and discomfort (the persistent feeling of incompetence as we get better at a skill).
Generosity is the most direct way to find the practice. It subverts resistance by focusing the work on someone else. Generosity means that we don’t have to seek reassurance for the self, but can instead concentrate on serving others.
Selling is Difficult - Amateurs often feel like they’re taking something from the prospect - their time, their attention, ultimately their money. But what if you recast your profession as a chance to actually solve someone’s problem? “Selling is simply a dance with possibility and empathy. It requires you to see the audience you’ve chosen to serve, then to bring them what they need.”
- Sales is about intentionally creating tension: the tension of “maybe,” the tension of “this might not work,” the tension of “what will I tell my boss…” That’s precisely the tension that we dance with as creators.
The story of General Magic - Megan Smith, Andy Hertzfeld, Marc Porat inventing virtually every element of the modern smartphone. And their first model sold 3,000 units. There were 10 years ahead of their time. The business failed, but the project didn’t.
Seth’s initial denial to be on my show… “Keep going and write back to me after you’ve recorded 75 episodes and have a big show.” Episode #75 came out November 26, 2015, I emailed you that day and said, “I’m at #75, are you ready to go?” And he was a man of your word. He was episode #86.
His speaking style is built through visuals. He finds the visuals first and then creates the story and application second.
Why does Seth fly fish without a hook? "To disconnect with the outcome."
The story of Thornton May -- He had no sales quota. He went city to city and invited everyone from a specific industry to a meal. Competitors would join and Thornton would be the person to bring everyone together. He became the person they called.

389: Ed Latimore - How To Control Your Mind, Body, & Emotions Oct 25, 2020

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Notes:

Episode #389: Ed Latimore

The four life lessons:
- “Never underestimate the power of being likeable and controlling your emotions.”
  - "Nothing is neutral. People are trying to help you or move ahead of you. In basic training, he was a terrible shot. He failed the shooting test three times (which was the limit), and yet got a fourth chance because he was likable. And then passed. "They saw me working hard, so they helped me."
  - How to be more likable? -- "Don't curry favor. Be you... Have high standards. Treat everyone with respect. Have impeccable manners. Be comfortable with the fact that you're not for everyone."
- “No one cares what happened to you or what you’ve been through. No one is coming to save you.”
  - "Society is not going to take pity on you if your problems create problems for others." You need to work to through your own issues and ow your actions. Don't take your trauma out on others."
  - How has Ed built the perspective to not be a victim? "It's about delivering value to others. And not subtracting it. That's destructive. Forgiveness is a powerful idea. Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die."
- “The most powerful belief you can have is that given enough time, you can learn anything. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but Hiroshima was wiped out in seconds.”
  - Keep plotting along... Ed did this as a boxer and math and with every aspect of his life. Keep going. "Fall in love with the process."
    - "Make a movement with intention and in pursuit."
- “A limitation is only as powerful as the energy you give to it. Your dreams also follow this same law.”
  - "You'll only be as successful as your worst habit."
  - "You must recognize the problem and/or the limitation."
High achievers tend to be a paradox. They have self-confidence combined with insecurity. It creates a fusion reaction. It drives them to continually prove themselves.
How is money made? "Give people something they want."
Ed desires to be the most interesting version of himself
Compartmentalization:
- You can't approach others with a sense that you're better than them
- You must be adaptable to a variety of circumstances
Understand the dichotomy of being confident and humble at the same time

388: Patrick Lencioni - The Six Types Of Working Genius Oct 18, 2020

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The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #388: Patrick Lencioni - The 6 Types of Working Genius

Notes:

What is a "Working Genius?” – There are six different types, and we all have two of them that are natural to us. We are good at doing them, and we get energy and joy and satisfaction from them.
What about the other four areas? – Two of them are areas that we really struggle with. They exhaust us and drain us of our energy and passion, and in many cases, we’re not very good at them. We call these our areas of Working Frustration. We should doing those things as much as we possibly can, and we certainly shouldn’t do work that calls for us to do them frequently. That is a recipe for frustration, failure, depression. And then there are two other areas that are in between our geniuses and our frustrations, we call these Working Competencies, areas that we can do pretty well, maybe even really well, but that don’t necessarily give us energy or joy. It’s fine to have these things be part of your job, and even the primary part of your job sometimes, but it’s not as good as living and working in your areas of genius.
What is different about The Six Types of Working Genius and other personal assessments out there? -- This one is quicker to understand, easier to apply, and focused on the work of getting things done.
What are the six types of working genius?
- Wonder - People with this genius can’t help but question whether things could be better in the world around them. They are troubled whenever they see unmet potential, and they are constantly curious and on the lookout for the need to change something.
- Invention - This type of genius is all about creativity. People who have it love to generate new ideas and solutions to problems and are even comfortable coming up with something out of nothing.
- Discernment - People with this type of genius have a natural ability when it comes to evaluating or assessing a given idea or situation and providing guidance. They have good instincts, gut feel and judgment about the subtleties of making decisions that integrate logic, common sense and human needs.
- Galvanizing - This type of genius is about bringing energy and movement to an idea or decision. People who have it like to initiate activity by rallying people to act and inspiring them to get involved.
- Enablement - People with this type of genius are quick to respond to the needs of others by offering their cooperation and assistance with a project, program or effort. They naturally provide the human assistance that is required in any endeavor, and not on their own terms.
- Tenacity - This type is about ensuring that a given project, program or effort is taken to completion and achieves the desired result. People who have this genius push for required standards of excellence and live to see the impact of their work.
What are Pat's areas of working genius? "I am naturally good at and drawn to what we call Invention and Discernment, I like to come up with new, original ideas, even when it’s not what’s called for. And I love to use my intuition to evaluate and assess ideas and plans to see what would be best. My areas of frustration are Tenacity and Enablement, meaning I struggle to push projects through to completion after the initial excitement wears off, and I have a hard time providing assistance to others on their terms. That doesn’t mean I can’t do those things, because all of us have to do things we don’t like or aren’t good at sometimes. But if I’m in a situation where people are relying on me as their primary source of enablement and tenacity, that’s not good for me or for them in the long run."
What are my areas of working genius? Discernment and Tenacity. The assessment says: "You are good at and enjoy using your intuition and instincts to evaluate and assess ideas or plans, and pushing projects and tasks through to completion to ensure that the desired results are achieved."
- Your likely areas of Working Competency are: Invention and Galvanizing. "You are capable of and don’t mind creating original and novel ideas and solutions, and rallying people and inspiring them to take action around a project, task or idea."

387: Arthur Blank - Owner Of The Atlanta Falcons: How Purpose & Profit Go Hand-In-Hand Oct 11, 2020

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Episode #387: Arthur Blank - Owner of The Atlanta Falcons

Notes:

His Dad died when he was 44 years young, leaving his business to Arthur's mother. Arthur's mom took over and built a successful company. He learned to be principled and values driven from his mom. His mom always told him, "Principle matters."
Arthur got fired from his job at Handy Dan in 1978. He didn't take it personally and founded The Home Depot with Bernie Marcus.
At the original Home Depot headquarters, he and Bernie Marcus shared a bathroom between their offices. In the hallway outside the bathroom, they hang up press clippings. Not the accolades, or the awards won, but the negative stories and criticism. Why? You cannot have complacency or believe you are beyond reproach. Must always keep striving to get better.
How did they duplicate the original Home Depot culture when they expanded beyond their first four stores?
- "You must always promote people based on them living the values of the company. Ahead of everything else."
  - "The culture is critical."
  - Ask, "Can they lead using our values?" --> Read the book, The War For Talent
How did they maintained the culture as they acquired nine additional stores? Originally, it was an issue. "It was like changing the tires on a car as it was driving 30 miles per hour."
- "We had to self impose slowing down the growth."
- Must train the team on the culture
"We didn't have money for training, but we did it anyway." To build a long term, sustainable business, you must focus on training.
"You have to have a caring mentality. It takes time. I'm only interested in relationships. It's all about building long term relationships."
Arthur tells the story of when he came to an agreement to buy the Falcons from Taylor Smith -- He booked a nice hotel suite, had dinner/wine, etc… He wrote on a napkin, “For Atlanta and the Falcons, $545 million. To the heritage and the tradition, in the past and the future.” ---> Taylor asked what you were doing and Arthur said “This is a bond between the two of us.” And further, “Important deals don’t get done on paper napkins, it had to be a cloth one.” → That napkin is displayed at the training facility of the Falcons and the team is now worth 5 times what he paid. "It was a win-win negotiation."
In the lobby of your Atlanta offices, stands a custom bronze statue of a Sioux warrior in full battle regalia. He cannot move from his position on the battlefield -- he will stand his ground until victory or death. His chin proudly lifted and eyes scanning the horizon, he raises his bow, an arrow poised on the string. It’s entitled, Point of No Return. It depicts a time-honored tradition of Sioux Leadership.
- "You have to lead from the front."
Arthur names all of your conference rooms after personal heroes (Kurt Hahn is one of them, he is the founder of Outward Bound) -- “To strive, to serve, and not to yield.”
When he was the new owner of the Falcons, he walked to the back of the plane where the players were sitting and said, “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try to coach you, but I need to know, what can I do for you? What do you need?” (“The Best Think Tank Any Company Could Ask For) -- “That one hour flight was worth a dozen strategy meetings with the team’s executives or coaching staff.” (You need to have a front line obsession, Chris Zook -- Get to the people who really know. The ones closest to the action)
Innovate Continuously -- Need non stop reinvention. Leaders need to ensure that the road is cleared of unnecessary speed bumps and overly stringent traffic rules. Too much bureaucracy will kill innovation before it has even begun. Top down management structure will always constrain people’s entrepreneurial spirit. --- The “Invisible Fence” style of management.
“Hire people who are overqualified.” -- Arthur had lunch with Charles Lazarus one day, the founder of Toys R Us, and he said, “the hardest moments are when you have to look at a person who helped you get to $1 Billion and realize that person can’t help you get to $10 Billion.”
“Treat every team member as a free agent” -- Never take people for granted. "They should be committed because of the culture, not the contract."

386: Nik Wallenda - How To Rise Above What's Holding You Back (Life On The Wire) Oct 04, 2020

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Notes:

The Learning Leader Show

"Life is on the wire. The rest is just waiting." -- Karl Wallenda (Nik's grandfather)
“Fear of Feathers” -- One of the greatest fears of our current age: uncertainty.
On March 4, 2020, Nik completed his greatest accomplishment to date, walking over the lava lake of the active Masaya Volcano.
On June 4, 2011, Nik Wallenda successfully completed the high wire walk in San Juan that took his grandfather’s life -- a 135-foot-long high-wire crossing between the two towers of the ten-story Condado Plaza Hotel.
John Maxwell saw Nik speak at an event and encouraged him to write a book.
Nik shares how his worst fear came true when five family members fell while doing a stunt.
- He thought, should I get back up on the wire?
- He learned from his family that they always fulfill their contracts.
  - "I get goosebumps telling this story... My dad said, 'I'll always be there for you.'"
"It's my job as the leader to figure out who's shaky and be there for them."
Work to counter negativity with positivity and preparation.
Nik's mother walked the wire when she was six months pregnant with him.
- "This is the way I came into the world. This is the way I want to go out."
"One day you eat the chicken. The next day, you eat the feathers."
"What you would call fear, I would call respect."
"The worst thing you can do for a wild animal is show it fear. Show respect instead."
"I never wear a harness unless my network partner makes me."
The preparation process for a big event is meticulous and intense.
- He wears an oxygen deprivation mask to feel what it's like to not have a lot of oxygen.
  - "It's all about building mental confidence."
  - Make training much harder than the event
  - "You cannot ever train enough."
  - "If you think you should practice 5 times, do it 50 times."
Excellence =
- A passion about being good at what you do
- Too many people are miserable at what they do. It's fear.
  - "Even if you hate your job, do it with excellence."
- "You have to show up at work every single day."
- "Be positive, force yourself to smile."
What is Nik thinking while walking over an active volcano?
- "I'm free, I'm excited, I have every emotion you can imagine."
Alex Honold and David Blaine have become great friends and are very helpful.

385: Ryan Holiday - The Art Of Living (Like A Stoic) Sep 27, 2020

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Notes:

Community — In Rome, Panaetius met a fellow student of Diogenes named Gaius Laelius, and later in a naval contingent, met and served with Scipio Aemilianus, one of Rome’s great Generals. These three men formed a kind of philosophical club — known to historians today as the Scipionic Club (like Ben Franklin’s Junto’s) — they would meet you discuss and debate the stoic philosophy they all pursued.
- Plutarch wrote in Moralia: Precepts of Stagecraft “it is a fine thing also, when we gain advantage from the friendship of great men, to turn welfare of our community, as Polybius and Panaetius, thru Scipio’s goodwill towards them, conferred great benefits upon their native states”
- Ryan participates in off site adventures with other top authors in the world like James Clear and Mark Manson. They go there to share ideas and help one another.
  - He experienced another example of this as he was asked to speak to a group of the top athletic directors in collegiate sports. All of them are very competitive with each other, yet they still meet regularly to share ideas and help one another.
Zeno had little patience for idlers or big egos on his porch -- "Stoa is the Greek word for porch."
- Zeno said “better to trip with the feet than with the tongue”
He was the first to express the four virtues of stoicism
- Courage
- Temperance/Moderation
- Justice
- Wisdom
Consistency -- “His work was not defined by some single epiphany or discovery but instead by hard work. He inched his way there, through years of study and training as we all must.”
Zeno said “well being is realized by small steps, but is truly no small thing.”
Cleanthes — he not only continued his labors but actively turned down large financial gifts to help him retire to his studies — to him labor and philosophy were not rivals. They were pursuits that furthered and enabled each other.
- The ancients used to describe his industriousness: philoponia - a love of work.
Chrysippus, the third Leader is the stoic school. He was introduced to running and it changed his life. The same is true for Ryan...
- "A marathon doesn't care that you're tired at mile 20. You have to get to 26.2 to be done. Your mind wants to quit much earlier than your body has to."
- "When you think you're done, you're at 40%." - David Goggins
The stoic idea of Oikeiosis - that we share something and our interests are naturally connected to those of our fellow humans — is as pressing in the ancient world as it is today.
“Being poor is not having too little, it is wanting more.” Seneca
Stay a Student -- The Maxim For Every Successful Person; ‘Always Stay A Student’ -- “Every man I meet is my master in some point, and in that I learn of him.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson. Genghis Khan one of the greatest military minds who ever lived, he was a perpetual student.
How to find stillness?
- Stop watching the news
- Journal - Anne Frank wrote when she struggled: “Paper,” she said, “has more patience than people.”
- Go for a walk or run
- Seek solitude -- Bill Gates “think weeks”
How to balance temperance and justice?
- Start by being better ourselves
- As a citizen, where do you draw the line? Particularly when it's not in your interest to do so...
- What are you willing to sacrifice to insist on your standard?
Epictetus’ instructions:
- Separate things into what you control and what you don’t
- Choose not to be complicit in getting offended
- Prep for adversity in advance
- Realize every situation has 2 handles—grab the right one
- Memento Mori—let death put everything in perspective
“Writer’s block is a phony, made up BS excuse for not doing your work.” Jerry Seinfeld
Life advice -- "Don't send me an email asking if you can ask me a question. Just ask the question." -- Ryan Holiday
Be worthy of a great mentor... Do work that impresses them. Gets their attention.
"Writing forces you to clarify your thinking..."

384: Les Brown - How To Unleash The Excellence Within You To Win Sep 20, 2020

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#384: Les Brown - You've Got To Be Hungry

Notes:

"If you want to be successful in life, do these three things..."
- Change your mindset - “You don’t get in life what you want, you get in life what you are.”
- Practice OQP - “Only Quality People”
- Develop your communication skills - “Once you open your mouth, you tell the world who you are.
Sidney Poitier wrote a book called The Measure of a Man and she said, “When you go for a walk with someone, something happens without being spoken. He said, “either you adjust to their pace or they adjust to your pace.” Think “Whose pace have you adjusted to?
Les needed to disrupt the vision he had of himself in order to change...
- Distract
- Dispute
- Inspire
  - Expand the vision of what's possible for life
Mike Williams -- "The Road To Your Best Stuff"
- Keys to growth: Hire a coach
Use your story to create an experience for your audience
- "Be transformed by the renewing of their minds."
- "You can't fit a big dream into a small mind."
"We are here to live a life that will out live us."
"The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why." - Mark Twain
Les has battled cancer for 27 years...
The beginning: When Les's mom worked for a white family, they would make her clap her hands regularly when she was alone in a different room to ensure she wasn't stealing anything. When Les learned why his mom always had to clap her hands together, he made it his mission to ensure that he would buy her a house one day... And eventually that's exactly what he did.
Negative thoughts are like weeds. They'll keep coming back. You have to keep at it and have a positive mind.
Every morning, Les takes the following action:
- Has a verbal (positive) affirmation
- Writes seven things he wants to do that day
- Reads 20-30 pages
"There is power in pursuit... Set goals beyond your comfort zone."
Have a perpetual plan of action
- "You're never too old to learn"
- "You're never too young to teach"
"Don't ever stop raising the bar on yourself."
There are three kinds of people: Millionaires, Billionaires, and Witnesses
- "You gotta be hungry."
Thoreau - "Go where there's no path and leave a trail."
What does Les think immediately before going on stage with 80,000 people in the crowd?
- "More of THE, less of ME."
"When you wax a floor, you need to strip it first. The same is true with coaching."
"Cancer Conquerors" -- "I don't have time to die, I've got too much work to do."
Excellence: Durable, sustainable advantage. "I will not fail." All accomplishments happen in the mind first... And then in practice.

383: Guy Raz - 383: Guy Raz - How To Ask Questions, Tell A Story, & Build A Career You Love Sep 13, 2020

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#383: Guy Raz - How I Built This

Excellence =
- Ambition
- Desire to produce for the sake of personal fulfillment -- "It's oxygen"
- Bill Gates is constantly challenging himself... Having a growth mindset. "To survive means to grow."
How has Guy become one of the greatest interviewers in the world?
- "I've been shooting free throws for 25 years. I've gotten a lot of reps." To be great, you have to be bad at the beginning... And keep going.
How to connect with others? "I interpret the non-verbal feedback."
Purposeful Practice:
- It's a team effort -- "I've worked with my team for twenty years. There is a strong bond and connection. They are very honest with their feedback. Constructive criticism is essential. We need outsiders to assess us."
Guy thanks his mom and dad in the acknowledgement section of his book:
- They came to America in the 1970's. "Being courageous requires resilience."
- Guy has covered four wars, but he still doesn't feel he's as courageous as his parents.
- "Without taking a risk there is no reward."
- When Guy is afraid to take a risk, he thinks of his parents.
How his fellowship year at Harvard impacted him: They teach through case studies and stories. It helped him understand business and storytelling.
Guy is inspired by Joseph Campbell's hero's journey...
His 'Must-Have' qualities to get hired to work on his team:
- Kindness - "We filter for kindness"
- They have to "want to improve"
How Guy prepares to interview someone for one of his shows:
- Contact them well ahead of the interview date
- Do a deep dive on them and people around them (read, watch videos, listen to podcasts)
- Do a background check
- "All of us are imperfect... That's what make someone relatable. We all have flaws. You need to hear the failures."
  - "The interviewee must be generous with their emotions.
- "The idea that I can learn from someone excites me."
- "I love transmitting the story."
The idea for How I Built This came to him in 2008 when he took a class at Harvard Business School during a sabbatical year as a Nieman journalism fellow after nearly eight years as a foreign correspondent.
Guy demands that those who sit for an interview with him are completely open. “I ask them, ‘Are you willing to come to this interview and surrender?’”
Guy stared as an NPR intern and didn't get the initial jobs he wanted...
I asked... "How much of your success can be attributed to luck and how much skill/hard work?"
Life advice:
- Get a job in sales -- All jobs have a selling component. Learn this crucial skill.
- Be methodical about your experiences.
- Keep your eyes open for problems all around you... Look for problems to solve. All businesses are built on solving a problem.

382: Morgan Housel - Timeless Lessons On Wealth, Greed, & Happiness Sep 06, 2020

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The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#382: Morgan Housel - Timeless Lessons On Wealth, Greed, & Happiness

Notes:

"Writing helps crystallize vague thoughts in your mind."
- It helps clarify your thoughts.
- Writing is an art.
- When you publish your own work, you own the success or failure.
Public speaking is a great tool to learn how to communicate succinctly. It's a skill worth building.
The Psychology of Money is a study in understanding why people do what they do...
- "Use money to control your time. That's the highest dividend money can do for you."
Why work with Collaboration Fund:
- You need more than just a check: values, philosophies, get your thoughts out into the world.
Stories are more powerful than statistics. And most statistics are incomplete props to justify a story. Stories are easier to remember, easier to relate to, and emotionally persuasive.
"Stop telling kids they can be whatever they want to be. You can be whatever you're good at, as long as they're hiring. And even then it helps to know someone." -- Chris Rock
Excellence =
- Patience - Stick with it. Continue to go during down periods. That's how compounding works.
Success Laws -- "Strong beliefs, weakly held."
Storytelling: "The prize goes to the person who can explain something well... Stories move the needle. You convince someone something is true through stories."
- How to become a better storyteller? READ a lot. And practice.
"If you’re going to try to predict the future — whether it’s where the market is heading, or what the economy is going to do, or whether you’ll be promoted — think in terms of probabilities, not certainties. Death and taxes, as they say, are the only exceptions to this rule."
Some quotes (thanks to RightAttitudes.com) "Two things make an economy grow: population growth and productivity growth. Everything else is a function of one of those two drivers."
"Changing your mind is one of the most difficult things we do. It is far easier to fool yourself into believing a falsehood than admit a mistake."
"Study successful investors, and you’ll notice a common denominator: they are masters of psychology. They can’t control the market, but they have complete control over the gray matter between their ears."
"There’s a strong correlation between knowledge and humility. People who spend 10 minutes on Google studying monetary policy think they have it all figured out, while people with PhD's and decades of experience throw up their hands in frustration. The more you study economics, the more you realize how little we know about it."
"When you think you have a great idea, go out of your way to talk with someone who disagrees with it. At worst, you continue to disagree with them. More often, you’ll gain valuable perspective. Fight confirmation bias like the plague."
"Short-term thinking is at the root of most of our problems, whether it’s in business, politics, investing, or work."

381: John Mackey (CEO of Whole Foods) - How To Be A Conscious Leader Aug 30, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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#381: John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods

Notes:

Excellence:
- Energy - Vitality -- "You cannot be lazy"
- "You need a strong desire to be excellent"
  - Excellent leaders strive for excellence in everything they choose to do
- Good physical and mental health
- Honor - "Hold yourself to high standards"
John and Rene Lawson raised $45,000 from family and friends and borrowed $10,000 in 1978 to open a small natural foods store called SaferWay in Austin, Texas. When the couple were evicted from their apartment for storing food products in it, they decided to live at the store. Because it was zoned for commercial use, there was no shower stall, so they bathed using a water hose attached to their dishwasher. Two years later they brought on partners who owned another grocery store and formed Whole Foods Markets.
Having high expectations: As a younger person in his early 20's, John was curious about learning... He loved organic, natural food before it was popular.
Revolutions:
- The running revolution happened in the 1970's - He got into that. The long runs made him feel fantastic.
- He became a vegetarian. It helped him feel better, be more alive. He is now a vegan.
In 1981, they had to deal with a 100 year flood in Austin. "Renee had to swim out of the store that day."
- "Whole Foods should have died that day. That was when I learned about stakeholders." --> Many people helped them stay in business.
- "A banker co-signed on the loan without approval because he trusted me. I didn't find out until later."
He moved to Boulder in 1999 to run WholePeople.com -- Then the internet bubble popped and it failed.
- When he moved back to Austin, TX, a coup was afoot... One of his trusted senior leaders was trying to get John fired.
- John walked through the nearest Whole Foods while preparing to tell the board why he should keep his job... "I get a super high touring that store." Touring the stores helps you feel the pulse of the company. John thought, "Oh my God, this is the love of my life. This is my purpose."
  - That's what he told the board and senior execs and convinced them to let him keep his job.
  - He learned to cultivate and build relationships with his board through that...
A "Conscious Leader" =
- Vision & Virtue – Put purpose first, lead with love
- Mindset & Strategy – Find win-win solutions. Innovate and create value
- People & Culture – Constantly evolve the team. Regularly revitalize, continually learn and grow
John has elected to take a $1 yearly salary and to forgo any bonus or stock grants since 2007.
Hiring: "You're no better than your team."
"Excellence is continued growth."
"When you stop growing you begin to die."
You need to constantly revitalize yourself:
- Sleep well
- Eat healthy food
- Exercise
People are addicted to bad food... But you can change this habit if you're willing to go through some pain for a month or two. You can teach yourself to enjoy healthy foods. It needs to become a habit.
Hiring:
- Do group interviews - Don't rely on just one person
- Looks for:
  - Intelligence ('that's the ante to get in')
  - Emotional Intelligence -- "Steve Jobs would not have gotten hired at Whole Foods"
  - Need to work well with others
  - Take responsibility
  - High integrity
  - Chemistry with others and high character
  - Ask, "Who have you helped get promoted?" "Who have you developed?" "How?"
The sale to Amazon
- "We took a plane up to Seattle and met in Jeff's (Bezos) house. It was very secretive. There was a lot of security around."
- "The conversation was like falling in love. They were just regular guys who were very smart."
- "Jeff (Bezos) is unpretentious, has a great sense of humor, and is a genius. He's brilliant."
“It’s like marriage, I love them 98% of the time.”
Advice:
- "Life is an adventure. Go for it."

380: Jay Hennessey - How To Build A Learning Organization Aug 23, 2020

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The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#380: Jay Hennessey - How To Build A Learning Organization

Shared Adversity - "That's what creates the foundation for teams. It's the glue that builds trust."
- MOFO - Mandatory Optional Fitness Opportunity
- SEAL training - The shared adversity among trainees creates camaraderie. Evolutions are team based.
"Lock arms laying the surf"
"Great teams aren't created by happenstance" -- You must be intentional and deliberate.
What is the culture you want to create? - "You must be deliberate about that up front."
- "The language you use is so important."
Dan Coyle is the ultimate connector
"When people are asking you questions, it's super energizing" -- Approach each conversation with a curious mind
Foster "Organization Humility"
The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge:
- The discipline of team learning starts with ‘dialogue’, the capacity of members of a team to suspend assumptions and enter into a genuine ‘thinking together’. To the Greeks dia-logos meant a free-flowing of meaning through a group, allowing the group to discover insights not attainable individually…. [It] also involves learning how to recognize the patterns of interaction in teams that undermine learning.
- Dialog vs. Discussion
  - Dialog = Strong convictions loosely held. Starting with, "I may be wrong..."
  - Discussion = Trying to convince others you're right
The Learning Organization
- Get reps - Read with someone else and share
- Engage the learner:
  - Just in time
  - Just for you
  - Just in case
Building a learning organization creates a competitive advantage:
- Great teams are always learning, evolving, and changing. What you know now will be extinct in five years. Must keep learning.
- "Nobody that we hire wants to be stagnant."
- There is no mandatory compliance.
Book: Practice Perfect -- "Whoever is doing the talking is doing the learning." When building a learning organization, stress that it's about active participation. Not passively watching lectures, but actively participating in them.
Being a "Yes, And..." leader -- Build off the ideas of others. Lift them up. A "Yes, And..." leader doesn't need the credit. They bring energy to the group.
- "Leadership is about making something better than it was when you found it and doing so by developing people along the way. Leaders cannot be energy neutral. They are either adding energy or taking energy." - Tom Ogburn
- Don't be a "Mr. Poopy Pants" -- "Oh, well that will never work." Nobody wants to work with Mr. Poopy Pants.
How to develop awareness:
- Started as the second youngest guy on the seam when he went to SEAL team 5. He was 2nd in charge of his platoon.
  - "Show up with humility and think, 'where can I add value?'
  - Ask for help from mentors -- Hitch yourself to a strong chief.
  - "Have a strong burden to add value"
A stay ready mindset -- Have a 'never peak' attitude. Always ready to go. No excuses. "In every aspect of your life, no one cares what you used to be able to do, they care what you can do today."
What type of leader do you want to be? -- Write it down. Leaders need to think deeply. Writing forces that to happen.
- Write your command philosophy
- Be deliberate
Be a connector:
- What is the difference between Connecting and Networking – Networking is looking for people who you can help; networking is looking for people who can help you. Be a connector.
How to build comfort in your own skin?
- Do hard things -- Progress turns into confidence
- It's a self-efficacy model -- It's okay to fail. Overcome it and keep going. Be part of something bigger than you.
Excellence -- "Humility is the enabler for curiosity."
Here is WHY joining a Learning Leader Circle is a good idea...
Jay's “Leadership Philosophy”
- Mission: To execute at my fullest potential and to serve as a resource to help my Family and Teammates continuously improve at every stage of their personal and professional development.
- Vision: to lead a healthy and happy family where we all strive to become the best version of ourselves. Professionally, my vision is to be a contributing member of a learning organization with a culture that encourages learning and development at every level.
- Core Attributes: Humility, curiosity, empathy, trust, followership, generosity, competition, health & fitness, gratitude
- Guiding Leadership Principles: Exude positivity, communicate effectively, learn and adapt in all areas of personal and professional life, be creative, iterate & execute quickly, be aggressive, have fun, show initiative toward opportunities and problems, challenge self, solitude/mindfulness, be deliberate (set goals, reflect)
- Leadership Statement: Make the most of everything I do – be positive, have fun, learn, adapt, and push / pull / drag or chase my teammates toward our goals.

379 - Jack Butcher - How To Visualize Value Aug 16, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

#379: Jack Butcher - Founder of Visualize Value

Notes:

Excellence:
- Humility - "People who don't think they're very good."
  - The willingness to "put yourself in situations where you don't have a clue."
- No Plateau - Need to put yourself in scenarios where you are inexperienced... To learn and build resilience.
Why Jack shoots "one take" videos and doesn't edit --There is a focus on "getting things out there." Ship it. Publish. Take action.
- "The ability to publish is prioritized."
- You can build a bond with a teacher through their authenticity.
Create and share what you're building in real time... People want to go on that journey with you (when it's real)
How Jack has built such a high level of confidence in himself -- Had a great mentor who was a polymath.
- It was six months into being a designer... Jack was preparing to show some of his work. He framed it as "I'm not sure if this is any good..." His mentor told him, "Never discount what you're doing prior to showing it to them." Frame it right. KNOW YOUR WORK. Own the full interaction of your story. Explain how you got the answer. DO the necessary work to understand it at its fundamental level.
- Think as if you are going to defend your work as you present it -- "What would the worst critic say about this work?" How would I respond to that? Do your research and be prepared. That's how confidence is built. Be consciously competent about your work.
Visualize Value -- Jack is a designer by trade. He has built his skills based on his previous decade working with some of the world's largest brands.
- He most enjoyed the strategic component of the process -- The articulation of the strategy through the use of compelling visual images.
- Think: How can I make this argument more visual?
- He helps businesses understand their value proposition
  - He takes the same principle to consumers now with Visualize Value
Leadership Development - Understand the individual components to transformation
- Curriculum - Organize it to a sequence of principles that build on one another.
- Share myths - What's incorrect
- Don't skip the foundation
- Share the problem - Don't just focus on the symptom
  - Prescriptions can mask the symptom
- Help with transformation -- "Debug the code"
"Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better." - Pat Riley
As a leader, it's important to constantly set a new baseline.
Consistency - "We're bad at understanding the compounding function."
Resistance - Progress is a force you're pushing against. Your ability to continually push forward against the resistance is critical in your long term success.
Sales - There's no scenario where sales isn't important.
- Sales is always a component to what you're doing whether you like it or not.

378: Brad Feld: 378: Brad Feld - How To Collect Amazing People, Question Your Biases, & Build Community Aug 09, 2020

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#378: Brad Feld

Notes:

Excellence:
- Honesty - Clear view of what's going on with self and others
  - Transparency/Authenticity is overused
- Confirmed process of learning - Hypothesis, clarity of though around experimentation
Advice to a new manager:
- Ask a lot of questions
- REALLY LISTEN - Engage in conversations... Don't just try to get the right answer
- We have endless biases
  - "People defend their biases instead of questioning their biases." --> Have a curious mind.
Curiosity:
- His parents gave him positive feedback for being inquisitive... An exploration of new ideas. Brad loves to read and takes a digital sabbath every Saturday.
- Approach new ideas with a Buddhist philosophy --> Let go of assumptions. Approach each topic with a beginner's mind.
A founder who is an explorer -- "Don't get stuck as an investor by constantly asking questions. You need to want to deeply understand someone. It goes both ways. Literal answers aren't enough."
The role of the founder is “to collect people.” → Mentor side, peer side, employee side, customer side.
- Engage with people. Create a 'bi-directional' connection. This has shifted over time for Brad. Think #GiveFirst
Life partner - Amy... They are equals. It's important to acknowledge that. They almost split up after 10 years because Brad's words were not matching his actions.
- "YOUR WORDS MUST MATCH YOUR ACTIONS.'
- Prioritize what's important and then follow through. If it's important to you to spend time with your spouse, then do it.
- Brad and Amy had to learn how to fight...
- When their 13 year old dog died, it was devastating. Amy and Brad deal with tragedy differently. It's important to understand that it's OK for your spouse to deal with grief differently than you do.
Key Parts to building community:
- The people in charge must be leaders
- Must have a long term commitment --> 20 years+
- Inclusive of anyone who wants to engage
- Have events that engage people
Complex systems to how communities evolve --Complicated systems has more steps.
Goal setting - They tend to be too rigid. The time component can be a problem.
- Brad prefers raid iteration. Better to have a hypothesis. If the hypothesis fails, learn it.
- Eric Ries - Lean Startup
  - Rapid experimentation - Rapid learning is better
- Vast majority of goals you set are not right in the future
Writing - "When I write, I learn." Force yourself to write it down. Put it in public. Have an open mind to feedback.
- "People get stuck in dogma when they don't write things down. They don't know why they believe in it."
- You can't do this quickly. People don't feel like they have time to think. That's a problem.
The role of selling: Selling is crucial. You are selling all the time. Sales is a noble profession. Acknowledge it. Develop the skills to do it well. Everyone works in sales.

377: Casper Ter Kuile - How To Turn Everyday Activities Into Soulful Practices Aug 02, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Episode #377: Casper Ter Kuile - How To Turn Everyday Activities Into Soulful Practices

Notes:

Excellence:
- Always learning
- Commitment - Willingness to go deep
- Generosity
- Patience
Casper spent his 30th birthday with nuns. He's not very religious but realized he had a lot in common with them. They care about the same things. They're very honest.
What he learned from his mother and father:
- Father - Do well when you follow the rules. Be detail oriented. Honest. Trustworthy.
- Mother - She has a more "cheeky side." She breaks the rules.
Deep connection isn’t just about relationships with other people. It’s about feeling the fullness of being alive. It’s about being enveloped in multiple layers of belonging within, between, and around us.
- Four Levels of connection:
  - Connecting with yourself
  - Connecting with the people around you
  - Connecting with the natural world
  - Connecting with the transcendent
Tradition -- "We mistake tradition for convention. Tradition is the beating heart, convention is the outer expression."
- A college football team can change their uniforms and not lose tradition. The uniforms are a form of outer expression.
  - You change symbols as you grow.
Preaching at its best is a conversation with the congregation. Ancient texts are so valuable. The Bible is a description of how life is...
Casper shares what it was like growing up in England and not fitting in...
- His home life was great. His school life was awful.
Connection:
- Willing to change
- Forged in flames
- Honesty & commitment to each other
Science is stable - we value being in tribes. There's less of a connection to places and family. There is a decline in religious communities.
Why has there been a decrease?
- Productivity has become so important. To be productive, relationships are sacrificed. Priorities have shifted.
  - We are missing opportunities to go deep with people
At work: Younger people show up at a job for the meaning of the company...
The military: Soldiers care about the people they are shoulder to shoulder with... They honor their culture.
As a manager: Replicate water cooler moments (virtually). 30 minutes snippets on zoom. Invite people to go deeper.
- Use question prompts - create safe spaces. It's an interesting time for relationship design.
He's created "The Confession Group"
- The leader needs to model vulnerability but hold the boundaries.
- Have a place where people can go to admit they screwed up -- 10 minutes to share, 10 minutes to ask questions
Discipline:
- Take a tech sabbath -- Each Friday, Casper hides his phone and computer. It's rest time. Sabbath - "The apex of life."
What we practice is what we become
- "We all worship something. We just don't know what we're worshiping."
  - The paradigm of how we see ourselves in the world.

376: David Perell - Why You Should Write Jul 26, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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@RyanHawk12

Full notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Episode #376: David Perell - Why You Should Write

Notes:

The importance of writing -- Why everyone should write… “Having a website with articles you've published is like having a personal agent who finds career opportunities for you 24/7."
“Writing crystallizes ideas in ways thinking on its own will never accomplish.” — Morgan Housel
"The person who writes sets the strategy. If you want to lead, write."
"Writing is a 'proof of work' mechanism"
- It shows the world that you've thought deeply about a topic
Networking - The old way vs the new way
- Old -- Go to conferences, happy hours, networking events
- New -- Publish your work online. You attract the type of people you want...
Bill James analytical approach. His book only sold 550 copies, but one of them was to Billy Beane (General Manager of the Oakland A's). And the "Moneyball" revolution was created...
The Venn Diagram of Specificity
- Learn how to create this for your business
How to built a career? Do things that are unique, in demand, but the world doesn't have yet
Your first draft is what is top of mind -- "Rewriting is rethinking." It's the process to make our ideas better. Writing and re-writing will make you a more thoughtful person and will create clarity.
Writing is an element of teaching.
- Expertise is like a ladder -- Be like an investigative reporter about a topic that fascinates you
The benefits of learning in public: "It is the best way to build a network." It's a forcing function. It forces your brain to always be on.
"Want a great spouse? Deserve one." - Charlie Munger
Publishing your work online (podcast, essays, book) is the greatest networking tool in the world. I’ve met amazing people because they’ve benefitted from my work (head coach Atlanta Falcons, Brooklyn Nets, Ohio State basketball coach, SVP of Fortune 50 companies).
Community and connection —- community becomes the byproduct when you’re going through something challenging together (ie: Navy SEALs).
- “The strength of a community is hard to quantify, which makes it hard to advertise. But like good music, you measure it by how it moves your spirits and how you feel in its presence.”
Competition is for Losers: Avoid competition. Stop copying what everybody else is doing. If you work at a for-profit company, work on problems that would not otherwise be solved. If you’re at a non-profit, fix unpopular problems. Life is easier when you don’t compete. (Hint: don’t start another bottled water company).
Personal Monopoly: Corporations reward conformity, but the Internet rewards people who are unique. If you work in a creative field, strive to be the only person who does what you do. Find your own style, then run with it. Create intellectual real estate for yourself. (Jerry Garcia -- Be the only person who does what you do)
The Map Is Not the Territory: Reality will never match the elegance of theory. All models have inconsistencies, but some are still useful. Some maps are useful because they’re inaccurate. If you want to find an edge, look for what the map leaves out.
There are two kinds of companies:
- 1) Product-First Audiences: Build a product, then an audience. Attract customers with paid advertisements.
- 2) Audience-First Products: Build an audience, then a product. Attract customers with differentiated content.
Take Action -- "Taking action will teach you more about yourself in a month than years of contemplation ever will."
Making something easier expands the market... But making it harder gets you the clients you really want.
Twitter is the town-square of the internet. It can be the best learning tool in the world if you use it right:
- Mute politics
- Unfollow people who make you angry
- Understand your opponent's opinion better than they do
- Production: Make tweets useful. It forces you to focus on ideas that are timeless. It forces you to have constant epiphanies.
- Have "spiky" ideas -- They pierce society.
- Have a point of view
Sustained excellence =
- Obsession - Doing great work is hard. You need to love it. "I can't live without creating."
- Vision - Set a goal that scares you and march toward it. Have ambition
- A keen understanding of what one is good at - Self-awareness.

375: Miranda Hawk - How To Cultivate A Loving Relationship Jul 19, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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Episode #375: Miranda Hawk - How To Cultivate A Loving Relationship. Miranda Hawk is an award winning sales professional, builder of teams, and sits on the board for multiple non-profit organization. Miranda is my wife, and together we are striving to raise our daughters to be kind, strong, hard-working, resilient leaders. Miranda is the former owner of the Dayton Mom Collective, a business that provides a positive voice for motherhood by connecting moms to resources and parenting perspectives unique to their communities. She has worked in the profession of selling since she was 14 and understands the determination and work ethic it takes to sustain excellence. **We recorded this conversation on our Anniversary.**

Notes:

The symbolism of a wedding anniversary - The amount of time is not impressive. It's what you do during that time. The type of people you become. Not just that you've made it a certain number of years, but making those years count. The relationship has grown. The love for one another has grown. You’ve accomplished things together and on your own. And both people in the relationship and the world around are better because of the relationship.
What was the initial attraction and how that has grown and/or changed over time? (Confidence (shoulders back), beauty, work ethic, your demonstration of excellence at your craft, toughness) --> the blending of a family. Challenges and the joy of it....
- What is beauty? Is beauty a pretty face, a nice smile, flowing hair, nice skin? Not to me, it's not. To me beauty is living life to higher standards, stronger morals and ethics and believing in them, whether people tell you you're right or wrong. Beauty is not wasting a day. Beauty is noticing life's little intricacies and taking time out of your busy day to really enjoy those little intricacies. Beauty is being real, being genuine, being pure with no facade—what you see is what you get. Beauty is expanding your mind, always seeking knowledge, not being content, always going after something and challenging yourself." -- Jake Plummer (describing Pat Tillman)
The pursuit - the importance of being in pursuit of one another -- Love is a verb. It's a constant action. It's a behavior towards one another.
- Why "happy wife, happy life" is stupid -- In what other world is the focus on only making one person in the relationship happy? You wouldn't do that in a friendship. You wouldn't do that at work. Why would you do that in your marriage?
Gratitude -- Saying the words. The power behind words. Being intentional about saying thank you. The importance of specificity.
Learning Leader Circle question (Chris G) I'm always fascinated by how things start. As you have started the podcast, what did that look like for your family in starting the venture? Also the dynamic that you have as far as how much you are involved with each other’s careers? i.e. involved and talk about it daily, or primarily keep your conversations centered on the family and personal life.
The importance of leading yourself first... It gives you the energy and drive to love others.
Conflict resolution - It's critical to have open dialog about the mistakes made and how we rectify them... We strive to have a relationship where we can discuss disagreements, come to a resolution, and move forward.
Health and wellness -- Why taking care of ourselves is so important. You're passionate about this and have made our family better because of it. "If you take care of your body, it will take care of you."
- "I'm striving to be the best version of myself."
I'm attracted to discipline... And the ability to do what's hard
Our WHO -- Becoming more intentional about dinner dates/friends/how we spend our time
Advice for younger women -
- Be proactive - Your job responsibilities are the minimum, do more than that
- Develop a strong work ethic
- Be positive -- Bring positive energy
Learning Leader Circle question from Nick -- What are your key family anchors” for the week or month? Example: Sunday dinners, etc.- We invested in a nice area to gather outside on our back porch. Our family dinners together are what we love most... The exercise we do: Each person says something they love about every other person at the table. Get specific!
“Your mate will either inspire you to grow into your greatness or they will confine you to complacency. They’ll either be your other half, or they’ll make you half of yourself.” - Nuri Muhammad
“Business like life is all about how you make people feel. It’s that simple and it’s that hard. —— Consciously think about how I make you feel.” - Danny Meyer
“Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or in friendship, is conversation.” - Oscar Wilde
Habits/Routines -- Differences and similarities
The importance of long walks together...

374: Alexandra Carter - How To Ask For More (10 Questions To Negotiate Anything) Jul 12, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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Episode #374: Alexandra Carter - How To Ask For More. Alexandra Carter is a Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Mediation Clinic at Columbia Law School. She has spent the last eleven years helping thousands of people negotiate better, build relationships and reach their goals. In 2019, Alex was awarded the Columbia University Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching, Columbia University’s highest teaching honor. She is a world-renowned negotiation trainer for groups and individuals from all over the world

Notes:

Excellent leaders have a beginner's mindset
What does a mediator do?
- They are a third person that helps people negotiate. The good ones don't act like the smartest person in the room. They are learners and great listeners.
What is negotiation?
- It is NOT a transaction over money.
- Negotiation is any conversation where you are steering a relationship Every conversation is like being in a kayak. Approach every conversation differently... With intention.
“We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers.” - Carl Sagan
The ultimate open ended question -- “Tell Me…” Questions - an open question is like fishing with a net. A closed question is fishing with a pole. A great open question doesn’t have a question mark. “Tell me about your trip to India!”
Change your WHY questions to WHAT questions...Rather than ask “Why haven’t I been able to… Turn that around to “What has made this challenging for me?” Move from a place of blame to curiosity.
How to handle a PDP (performance development plan) meeting? How to ask for a raise?
- Recruit your manager to be on your side. Share your goals with them, bring them along with you... Connect with your manager. Talk about the future and how you can work together. Ask open ended questions to learn more about the needs of the business. Tie your money request to your production.
- Use "I + We" statements - Share how your work benefits the company.
Your asks should be:
- Optimistic
- Specific
- Justifiable
Research suggests that women hold themselves to perfectionist standards
As a boss: Invest in top performers, mentor people, empower them, unleash them
What do you need? 2 buckets
- Tangibles - touch, see, count
- Intangibles - Values, freedom, acknowledgement
Questions to ask yourself:
- What would progress look like?
- What do I feel? Grapple with your feelings so that they don't control you
- How have I handled this successfully in the past? Ask yourself about prior success. Write down your answer. It's a "power prime."
Questions to ask:
- The first 5 questions are for your side- The Mirror: What's the problem I want to solve? What do I need?, What do I feel?, How have I handled this successfully in the past?, What's the first step?
- Then, the second 5 questions are for your opposite number: The Window: Tell me?, What do you need?, What are your concerns?, How have you handled this successfully in the past? What's the first step?
The five, best open-ended questions to ask in each part seek to identify and define the following: (1) the problem/goal; (2) needs; (3) feelings/concerns; (4) previous success; and (5) the first step. And that the answers to these important questions can help steer conversations, relationships, and negotiations that will increase the likelihood of a desired negotiation destination.
“The Mirror,” in that knowing oneself by spending the time it takes to honestly ponder, reflect, and journal one’s personal thoughts, feelings, expectations, and dreams to answer those five questions, in an attempt to not only improve one’s skills in formal negotiations, but to also navigate the relationships in life’s journey.

373: Bill Perkins - How To Get All You Can From Your Money & Your Life Jul 05, 2020

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#373: Bill Perkins is a hedge fund manager, film producer, and high stakes poker player. He is the author of Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life.

Notes:

Your life is the sum of your experiences… “The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end, that’s all there is.” - The butler from Downtown Abbey...
Excellence:
- Integrity with your word and yourself -- Don't lie to yourself and others. You can't be flippant with yourself.
  - Don't say it unless you mean it (to yourself and others)
How to maximize your lifetime memorable moments with “memory dividends”
How to get the most experiences in the optimal time with “experience bucketing”
- In each season, experiences will forever go away. Map out the experiences you want and what you are saving for. There are some experiences that you can only do when you're young and healthy. There is a deterioration of health. You won't always be able to climb a mountain or wake board. Do those now.
Follow your "net worth curve" - "Consume money and convert it into experiences."
How to navigate whether to invest in or delay a meaningful adventure based on your “personal interest rate” -- "Should I take one trip today or two trips in 10 years?"
Bill shares the life changing conversation he had with his boss, Joe Farrell, a partner at the company where he worked -- Bill was making $18,000/year and had saved $1,000. Joe questioned him... "Go spend that money! Why deprive yourself? You don't think you're going to make more money as you get older?!"
Jason Ruffo -- Backpacked Europe when he was young and able even though he didn't have any more. He did it while he could instead of waiting to have enough money. He now has an experience dividend for life that Bill doesn't.
What are we saving for?
- Survival
- Experiences we want - The memory dividend - "This is the stuff of life." It's a compounding dividend
  - "Who am I? The summation of my experiences."
  - "Money is a tool to have the experience."
Die With Zero is about choices - What do you choose to do now? What later?
Bill and I have the same literary agent, Jim Levine - Bil liked Jim because he told him that his proposal wasn’t good enough to share with publishers when it was first written... Bill appreciated that honest feedback and desire to make it better.
"It’s hypocritical and stupid to leave inheritance to your kids." (Give them money when they're young and can use it for cool experiences).
Behaviors for hiring:
- Integrity
- Intrinsic motivation
- Problem solvers
"Aiming to die with zero is the most thoughtful thing you can do."

372: Will Guidara - The Nobility Of Service: Lessons Learned From The #1 Restaurateur In The World Jun 28, 2020

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#372: Will Guidara

Notes:

Sustaining excellence =
- Everyone has the capacity for excellence
  - Hard work
  - Giving a lot of yourself to something -- A" passion for the thing you're excellent at doing."
  - The nobility of service
  - It requires getting up on a day when you're tired and not feeling it
    - "You need to be on even when you feel off"
The "pre-shift" meeting -- "As a leader, you have a responsibility to share what inspires you."
- "Everyone craves affirmation."
Lessons from his Mom:
- She became a quadriplegic when Will was nine
  - You can talk things into existence - Will's mom said she wanted to stay alive until he graduated college. And she did it by one day. Doctors said she should have died when Will was 12.
    - "What would you attempt to do if you could not fail?"
  - The power of non-verbal communication.
  - Integrity in the face of adversity - Life is not always awesome. There's always ups and downs. Perspective is key.
Eleven Madison Park - Setting the goal to be the #1 rated restaurant in the world. In 2010, they were #50.
- Seven years later, they were #1.
"You need to love what you're doing to be great at it."
There is power in having extraordinary intention
Strategic planning --
- Be specific and actionable
- Have endless reinvention
- Be willing to take risks
"Unreasonable Hospitality"
- You need to decide what you want to embody
“Business like life is all about how you make people feel. It’s that simple and that hard.” - Danny Meyer
Hiring:
- "We hired dream weavers from art schools, designers..."
- Experiential design separated them from the rest
Be present
- Listen to what is being said and what's not being said. Engage with people. Serve them. Meet them where they are.
"Hospitality is one size meets one" - Have to meet them one at a time
What's the secret to a happy marriage?
- "Never stop pursuing each other"
Ruth's Chris - The special calamari strips -- Not on the menu, but available to make an experience exceptional
The nobility of service... The four words:
- Hospitality
- Excellence
- Education - "A day you aren't learning isn't a day worth living"
- Passion - "Our work matters. What we do matters."
Meeting at The White House:
- Restaurants during the pandemic
His dad's advice -- "Adversity is a terrible thing to waste"
"It's not what happened to you, it's how you respond."
- "Through crisis comes community"
The Welcome Conference
- "Hospitality is just as much a craft as cooking."
Will's dad is his hero
- "Next level intense responsibility"
- He never complained
- "Name what you want to accomplish and do it"
"The secret to happiness is always something to look forward to."
Here is WHY joining a Learning Leader Circle is a good idea...

371: Maria Konnikova - How To Pay Attention, Master Yourself, & Win Jun 21, 2020

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#371: Maria Konnikova - Maria Konnikova is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, The Confidence Game, winner of the 2016 Robert P. Balles Prize in Critical Thinking, and Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes, an Anthony and Agatha Award finalist. Her new book, The Biggest Bluff, will be out from Penguin Press on June 23, 2020. She is a regularly contributing writer for The New Yorker whose writing has won numerous awards, including the 2019 Excellence in Science Journalism Award from the Society of Personality and Social Psychology. While researching The Biggest Bluff, Maria became an international poker champion and the winner of over $300,000 in tournament earnings—and inadvertently turned into a professional poker player. Maria’s writing has been featured in Best American Science and Nature Writing and has been translated into over twenty languages.

Notes:

Sustaining excellence =
- Genuine interest in what they do for a living
- They follow their curiosity - "It's not about wanting to make a shit load of money."
- Passionate
- "They work their asses off" - They work a lot. It doesn't just happen.
"Follow your curiosity and obsessions with great rigor." - Brian Koppelman
Why write a book about poker when you've never played before?
- "I wanted to write about chance and the role luck plays in our life."
- Game theory stemmed from poker
- Poker is about strategic decision making
- Why poker? “Poker is a powerful tool to metabolize the luck that surrounds us, and a way to become comfortable with something that is not only all too applicable to our current situation, but extremely difficult for the human mind to process: uncertainty.”
Erik Seidel became Maria's personal coach/mentor
- "There's no one like him." He's stood the test of time. He's been successful at poker for decades... He's evolved with the changes of the game, made adjustments and has won.
- He's kind and humble.
Tips on asking for someone to mentor you:
- Do your homework - Read everything there is to know about the person before contacting them
- Be specific with your ask
- Make sure you know why this person should be your mentor
- Figure out what's in it for them
- Find someone who can help amplify your strengths
- Don't write a novel in the first email or DM - Get to the point quickly
- If you can get an in person meeting, do it
- NEVER say: "Can I pick your brain?"
Why playing poker is comparable to writing: Both are deceptively simple on the surface. Anyone can do either, but to do either well in the long term, a certain mastery is needed. Both are subject to the Dunning-Kruger effect, which means that the more someone knows, the more they realize how much they don’t know on a topic, while someone with little knowledge tends to be falsely confident about their understanding of a topic
Meta-cognitive process - "I great more aware of my thinking."
- You must reflect before reacting. Poker helps you to practice this valuable skill.
- Make decisions after going through a process of reflection
- List the things you need to be attentive to
  - What are the relevant factors?
  - What should I be paying attention to?
  - Write it down
In order to make better decisions, you must be able to identify your process
The ultimate goal of poker and life is to make the optimal decision in that moment
The best poker players work incredibly hard: They study hands, they talk hands over with other bros, they watch video, they dissect hands.
- They build up their self control and their emotional regulation
What Maria learned from playing a lot of tournament poker?
- "It is an extreme sport. You can't take breaks. You're put in a pressure cooker for hours and must make the right decision."
- "I had internalized gender stereotypes. I was letting myself be bullied. I'd take less active lines because I was scared. I had to overcome that and still need to work on it."
Advice: "Work hard. Life gives you nothing. Everything is earned. Life isn't fair. You must work for it. Saying life isn't fair isn't good for you. Think: 'What can I do about it? What can I control?'"
- Follow your curiosity
- Read, Read, Read. Read poetry and read fiction

370: Steve Herz - Don't Take Yes For An Answer Jun 14, 2020

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#370: Steve Herz: Don't Take Yes For An Answer

Notes:

Sustaining excellence =
- Curiosity - Genuine interest
- A desire to learn and grow
Finding uncommon commonalities:
- His parents went to Ohio University (which is where I graduated)
- Do your homework prior to meeting someone (as Steve did on me)
Be actionable and intentional
- Meet someone on their turf. ACKNOWLEDGE them.
Turner Smith:
- "Don't Take Yes For An Answer" -- Beware of the counter-fit yes. They are not helpful.
- "Don't live in an echo chamber of Yes."
Seek feedback - Turner Smith not only didn't give Steve an offer... He gave him specific feedback as to why. Changed his life.
- Tough love with kindness
- Read the book: Seabiscuit. Knowing when to use carrots vs. sticks.
Taking his shot with Alfred Geller - "I met him in a elevator and only had a few seconds. I asked to work with him... He said, 'meet me in my office at 8:00am tomorrow.'"
- "I downloaded his brain."
"You need to perfect your A. W. E."
- Authority
- Warmth
- Energy
John Kasich didn't use his voice properly. "Change your voice, change your life."
Mid-level manager advice:
- "Act like you've been there before (like Barry Sanders)." Internalize it.
- "When you're walking your dog, who is walking who?"
Providing feedback to his clients:
- "Joe Tessitore couldn't figure out how to modulate his voice."
Don't get into the "vortex of mediocrity:"
- The most painful thing in the world is unfulfilled potential.
- Find the people who are able to give you critical feedback and listen.
When he started his company, he called it IF after Rudyard Kipling’s poem by the same name which says, “If you can dream-- and not make dreams your master… yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.”
We are ALL in sales: Steven Shapiro, member of the board of overseers of University of Pennsylvania Law School, “We have a saying at the firm: You can buy a pound of brains at the butcher. I walk through the halls of the university, and there are many brilliant future lawyers. But they can’t look you in the eye in the hallway. In 15 years, this person may be writing law on the tax code, but they’re probably not going to have a lot of clients.” You know where lawyers, or salespeople, or consultants go when they don’t bring in business? Neither do I. Because you rarely hear about them ever again."

369: Nancy Koehn & Adi Ignatius - Courageous Leaders Are Forged In Crisis Jun 07, 2020

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#369: Nancy Koehn & Adi Ignatius

Nancy Koehn is a historian at the Harvard Business School. She's the author of multiple books, her most recent: Forged in Crisis: The Power of Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times.

Adi Ignatius is the Editor in Chief of the Harvard Business Review. Previously, he was deputy managing editor for Time, where he was responsible for many of its special editions, including the Person of the Year and Time 100 franchises.

Notes:

Sustaining excellence =
- Leaders are made, not born
  - "Crisis are great greenhouses to make great leaders"
- Resilience - It's a muscle built over time
- A unique combination - The ability to commit, married to that, but flexibility to the means to make it happen
- Empathy & Emotional awareness - How a leader shows up in service to the mission
  - Convey conviction and confidence
- A real sense of how much impact a leader has. Humble and own the sense that they have great influence.
  - They use it to help people overcome their own limitations
Adi - Understand the long term. Need the ability to shift.
- Transparency - Direct reports should know where they stand at all times.
Emotional discipline:
- Don't send email when you're mad. Think about the long term impact of what you do.
- JFK - White House discovered missiles in Cuba.
  - Read: Guns Of August - How WWI Started
    - Slow pace down
    - Imagine what Khrushchev would do - Give him room, hold off...
      - Use "calculated empathy"
Standing up to others like Winston Churchill - He stood up to the opposition.
- Dunkirk - Leadership when everything changes
Ernest Shackleton - He took 27 men to Antarctica
- How did he avoid mutiny in the midst of huge adversity?
  - He had the trust of his men. They believed he cared about them.
  - Emotional awareness - He addressed their fears - "What can I do to address their fears?"
  - Extraordinary ability to toggle seamlessly between little things like the weather and the big picture. Zoom in and zoom out.
Pay attention to the mundane - The daily work schedule. Stick to the routine. And also have a plan to solve the problem.
How to lead a remote team:
- It's reassuring to have your leaders step up and speak the truth. "Here's what we're going to do..."
  - False optimism doesn't help. Honesty is critical.
  - Brutal honesty + credible hope... Share the team's capabilities, the history. "Nothing to fear but fear itself."
Great leaders 'feed their team.'
Leaders in crisis: Shackleton gave duties to each man. They regularly changed duties to stay fresh.
Isolation feeds fear. It feeds the 'worst case scenario' in the minds of people.
- Shackleton combated that by forcing them to socialize. They told stories, had skits, made up games. He empowered his team.
It's important to have rituals that bring you back to a good place. For Nancy: 1) Deep breaths 2) Classical music 3) Walks
- Adi: Meditates daily, 10 minutes of breath work.
  - Connect, Connect, Connect with others. Say thank you. Shift places depending on the type of work.
President Lincoln had no plans for winning the way. "I navigated from point to point."
- "Great careers are build on passion and the dedication to do the work."
- Gather years in every career. You do not always need to check off boxes.
- "Life is long. Don't burn bridges."
The benefits of teaching:
- "It keeps you honest. You have to think like a chess player. You must stoke the fires of curiosity."

368: Jim McKelvey - How To Build An Unbeatable Business (One Crazy Idea At A Time) Jun 03, 2020

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358: Jim McKelvey - How To Build An Unbeatable Business (One Crazy Idea At A Time)

Jim McKelvey is the co-founder of Square, was chairman of its board until 2010, and still serves on the Board of Directors. In 2011, his iconic card reader design was inducted into the Museum of Modern Art. Jim also founded Invisibly, a project to rewire the economics of online content; LaunchCode, a non-profit that trains people to work in technology; and Third Degree Glass Factory, a publicly accessible glass art studio & education center in St. Louis. In 2017, he was appointed as an Independent Director of the St. Louis Federal Reserve.

Sustaining excellence = The people you lead will eventually kick you out... This signifies your ability to hire, train, and develop excellent leaders.
- "I'm not a good leader. I don't run the business. I build the company and then get out of the way."
- "I have a weird skill set... I'm comfortable doing things that have never been done before."
What it's like working with Jack Dorsey (Jim started Square with Jack): "He has the ability to administer and incrementally improve... That's something I value in a person. Jack is incredibly competent, very quiet, and very capable. He knows the difference between good and excellent."
Jim sees himself as a normal guy without any gifts... "Don't disqualify yourself because you think other people are special (or gifted) and you're not."
What if the activity had never been done before? The Wright Brothers were no more qualified to build the first ever flying machine than someone else. They made the choice to do it, and put in the work to make it happen.
"To be excellent, you need to reach out to others who are."
Interview process:
- "People who lie are not consistent. Ask similar questions in different ways multiple times."
- Tell people very honestly all the reasons they shouldn't work at your company. Be very honest. Then say, "I can't tell if you're lying to me, I won't be able to catch you now, however I will find out eventually and I will fire you."
Jim describes what it's like to be a billionaire...
Think of the companies that have done something that had never been done before:
- Bank of America
- Ikea
- Southwest Airlines
- Square
"Commitment can be a great substitute for being qualified."
“Admitting you don't know something frees your mind from constraints. To actually do something new requires the humility to admit that your solution may not work, followed by the audacity to try anyway.”
How to get people to perform at higher levels?
- "Go hang out with smarter people and raise their level of performance... Ask questions."
  - Never interrupt
  - Leave pauses in a sentence, give them a chance to keep going...
An Innovation Stack = Series of inventions that create a new product. Doing something new.
What it was like to prepare for a demo with Steve Jobs: "He can be nasty if he doesn't like you. You had to make it beautiful."
Advice: "Consistently do something that makes you slightly uncomfortable." Jim flies planes and gives speeches (both make him uncomfortable) --> This will slowly expand the things that you like. It will create more friends, and you'll develop more respect for people who have differing views.
- "You'll learn it's possible to function even when you're uncomfortable." Continually do little things to strengthen yourself... It helps you continue to go when others quit.
“Customers who trust you are more valuable than customers who love you. There's only one shot at trust, and Square was trustworthy because of its values and mission, and built its Innovation Stack around them.”
Here is WHY joining a Learning Leader Circle is a good idea...

367: Ozan Varol - How To Think Like A Rocket Scientist May 31, 2020

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#367: Ozan Varol - How To Think Like A Rocket Scientist

Sustaining excellence =
- The ability to learn from failure - "Failure sucks and shouldn't be celebrated. We must learn from it."
- "Learn fast, don't fail fast. We need to get better with each iteration.
- Breakthroughs should be evolutionary, not revolutionary
How success can lead to failure
- The Challenger Explosion - A string of successes discounted the role that luck played in the process
- "Just because you're on a hot streak doesn't mean you'll beat the house."
Post mortem - A Latin phrase for "after death." Instead of a post mortem, do an "after action review."
- Review after all actions whether they succeeded or failed.
The "Kill The Company" exercise
- Ask the people within your company what they would do to compete and beat your company... And then do that.
- Mark Zuckerberg does this with acquisitions (WhatsApp, Instagram). One of his greatest fears is becoming the next MySpace.
As a mid-level manager: Put yourself in the position of your customer. Why are customers justified in buying from our competitions? "They see something we're not seeing."
Growing up in Istanbul, Turkey. It was a culture of conformity. Ozan did not fit in. In fact, he was assigned a number in school and that was used to call on him instead of his name.
- His parents let him choose which school he went to and he remembers feeling so empowered by them for having a choice. He wanted more of that.
  - So he decided to come to the United States for college and attended Cornell.
Ozan blindly applied for a job that didn’t exist by emailing Steve Squyres (he was in charge of a NASA funded project to send a river to Mars). And he acted on his dad’s advice, “you can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket.”
“Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” - Carl Sagan
In the modern world we look for certainty in uncertain places. We search for order in chaos. The right answer in ambiguity. And conviction in the complexity.
We should be fueled not by a desire for a quick catharsis but by intrigue. Where certainty ends, progress begins.
“The great obstacle to discovering was not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge. - historian Daniel J Boorstin
It takes courage... Often times there is a failure of courage. Have the courage to take action when the rest of the world is standing still.
Ask yourself two questions:
- What's the worst that can happen?
- What's the best that can happen?
Adopt an experimental mindset - Frame your actions as experiments. Don't be afraid to try new things...
"The way you figure out what's right is to try to prove it wrong."
The goal? "Find what's right, not to be right."
- Ask people who disagree with you... Why? Have a mindset to learn from them.
- "Tell me what's wrong with this..." Be a work in progress.
"All progress happens in uncertain times."
- "It's bizarre. People prefer certainty of bad news instead of the fear of the unknown."
- "Be curious about tomorrow."
Think: "What problems can I solve right now?"
- It is not helpful to try and solve something that you cannot control.
Diversify your identity and services -- This allows you to be flexible and not depended on one stream of revenue.
"All of our differences are minimized when we zoom out." The Apollo 8 mission gave us an opportunity to look at the Earth from afar (mission to go near the moon). Jim Lovell could cover up the earth with his thumb. It put things in perspective.
Rocket science teaches us about our limited role in the cosmos and reminds us to be gentler and kinder to one another.

366: Laurie Santos - The Science Of Well-Being (Psychology & The Good Life) May 24, 2020

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Episode #366: Laurie Santos -

Laurie Santos is a cognitive scientist and Professor of Psychology at Yale University. She has been a featured TED speaker and has been listed in Popular Science as one of their "Brilliant Ten" young scientists in 2007 as well as in Time magazine as a "Leading Campus Celebrity" in 2013. In January 2018, her course titled Psychology and the Good Life became the most popular course in Yale's history, with approximately one-fourth of Yale's undergraduates enrolled.

Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- Good habits: Form consistent routines
- Healthy: Exercise regularly
- Socialize with others
- They "offload dumb decisions"
Create a morning routine - Limit the wardrobe (limit mental energy spent on trivial things).
Harness the power of habits - "Set you exercise clothes out the night before."
- Do it at a consistent time each day no matter what. This decreases anxiety.
- For writing: Stop in the middle of a sentence. This will help you get started the next day (and avoid seeing the blank screen)
Laurie is the head of a college at Yale. She lives and eats with the students in the dining hall.
- She built her class based upon hearing the complaints of students daily (they were unhappy)
Important behaviors:
- Gratitude
- Social connection
- Random acts of kindness
Students didn't realize their misconceptions about happiness
- It's not about your job, house, or money.
Happy people are:
1. Socially connected - They spend a lot of time with others. They prioritize connecting with others.
2. They don't focus on themselves - "Others oriented." They do more for others.
3. Grateful - They look for the good. They have a mindset of gratitude. They write down 3-5 things they are grateful for everyday. They are mindful.
The GI Fallacy - It's more than just knowing... "You must DO IT."
Be deliberate about connecting with others. Hang out with people you care about. Set up Skype calls with others.
Do NOT complain - It's awful.
Laurie's class has become the most popular class in the history of Yale...
- Her lectures have been filmed for the Today Show
- Created The Happiness Lab
- It's given more meaning to life
Advice for mid-level managers:
- Doctors find happier workers use less than 15 sick days a year
- Work with your employees to do what they're best at
- Find out what they're getting out of the job
- "Your emotions can be contagious. If you embody calm, they will be calm."
- Affective spirals - The leader can turn emotions positive
How to run excellent meetings:
- Infuse it with gratitude - Say what you're grateful for. Grateful team members are more productive.
- Regulate your emotion. Don't transmit negative energy to your team.
At home: Regulate emotion. Take time to pay attention to your emotion. What are you bringing home?
- Be present. Express gratitude to your family. Shift from complaining to being grateful.
- Say what you love about each other at your family dinner table
The best way to learn is to teach it.

365: James Altucher - How To Become An Idea Machine (The 10,000 Experiment Rule) May 17, 2020

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#365: James Altucher - How To Become An Idea Machine

"Vulnerability equals freedom."
- "You need to say something interesting. You need to step outside of your comfort zone."
James started writing in 1990 after a girl he liked chose to date a writer instead of him.
- He wrote 3,000 words a day and yet didn't publish anything for 12 years.
Why write about your flaws?
- Watch the movie 8 mile... "Eminem shares all of the negative aspects of himself. He left his competition with nothing to say about him. He beat him to the punch."
- "I don't hit publish unless I'm worried. Am I afraid? If yes, then publish."
- "All good writing has to have a story."
Commonalities of people who sustain excellence:
- Physically healthy - They are in shape
- Emotionally healthy - They have good relationships
- They are extremely curious - "Ken Langone came in my comedy club and asked tons of questions. He's so curious."
- They are very creative
- They have a "ready, fire, aim" approach - Sara Blakely started Spanx and got a $300K order and hadn't figured out how to manufacture her product yet.
Creativity/Idea generation is a muscle - If you don't work it, it atrophies.
- Write 10 ideas a day.
- Quantity is more important than quality. "He who has the most ideas wins."
  - You'll have a lot of bad ideas. You have to get through those to get to the good ones. Quantity is important.
  - "Writing 10 ideas a day changed my life. I wasn't depressed anymore."
Write ideas for companies and share with them... They might call you.
Being an "intrapreneur" within your company - Think of ideas that can help your company and share with the CEO.
- "Success is always on the other side of can't."
Great entrepreneurs focus on reducing risk
How to speak to powerful people?
- Realize they are just people
- Humor is key. "Laughter is the way to level the playing field."
Developing a skill - Deliberate practice
- The "10,000 Experiment" rule
- The key to getting good is to experiment
- Be in the top 1% of doing experiments
Work your idea muscle every single day - The neurons will be re-wired
- Share your ideas to help other companies
Over-promise AND over-deliver. Do both. Everyone else under-promise with the hope to over-deliver. Don't do that. Overpromise upfront and over-deliver.

364: Derek Sivers- How To Redefine Yourself, Make Big Decisions, & Live Life On Your Terms May 10, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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#364: Derek Sivers: Derek Sivers is a writer, musician, programmer, and entrepreneur best known for being the founder and former president of CD Baby, an online CD store for independent musicians. A professional musician since 1987, Sivers started CD Baby by accident in 1997 when he was selling his own CD on his website, and friends asked if he could sell theirs, too. CD Baby went on to become the largest seller of independent music on the web, with over $100M in sales for over 150,000 musician clients.

Notes:

The similarities between becoming a Dad and starting a business:
- The transition from being "me" focused to becoming focused on others first. "That happened when I started a business... Long before I became a dad."
- "As a dad, I learned to be fully present with him. To shut everything else down and focus on him."
"Adults are always looking for amazing superlatives. Kids are happy with tiny details."
- "Stop wasting hours... Learn to have a blast where you are."
Making big decisions:
- There is a difference between theory and in practice
  - "Don't consider anything decided until you've tried it."
Why you should keep your goals to yourself:
- An identity goal makes you a different person. If you announce it to others and they give you social satisfaction, that feedback you receive gives you internal satisfaction. That could lead to you already feeling satisfaction and thus less likely to achieve the goal... Receiving the satisfaction from others before you've done it is not helpful.
- (NOTE - There is additional information to read about this nuanced topic. THIS is helpful.)
Sustaining excellence:
- They hold themselves to high standards. They set high stakes.
- They have amazing self-control
- "Excellence is setting high standards and living up to them."
Excellent leadership is being selfless... Doing what's in the best long-term interest of the people you're leading.
Selling CDBaby for $22m and giving the proceeds away to charity.
The power of writing:
- "I journal my ass off."
- Documenting your daily thoughts is a very useful exercise -- It's fascinating to look back on how you felt at that specific time.
Create "Per Topic" Journals
- Journals that focus on a specific topic (Singapore, Interviews, Language Learning)
Values = Learning... Remaining flexible and creative. Answering the questions, "What did I really want from that?"
- Derek's values evolve and change over time
Being a monomaniac - Obsessed with one thing at a time
- Currently: Writing a book called How To Live
The stress of replying to 7,000 emails vs making a genuine connection with each person...
- Being a longterm thinker
Here is WHY joining a Learning Leader Circle is a good idea...

363: Admiral William McRaven - The Bin Laden Raid, Saving Captain Phillips, & Leadership Lessons For Life May 03, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

#363: Admiral William McRaven - 363: Admiral William McRaven - The Bin Laden Raid, Saving Captain Phillips, & Leadership Lessons For Life

Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- Great listeners - They value the opinions of others and listen
- Decisive - The leader must take responsibility and make the call
- Measured - Calm. Staying cool under pressure is vital
Importance of coaching in Admiral McRaven's life… and being pushed by them. He pushed himself to his physical limits to set the school record for the mile with the help of a phone call from a coach. (Jerry Turnbow).
- Write letters to the parents/spouse/kids of the people you want to recognize. "Love on the people who love them."
Failure can make you stronger —- Being assigned to “The Circus” in SEAL training helped him build resilience and a "never quit" attitude.
Writing – He was a journalism major at Texas. Admiral McRaven has consistently worked to become a great writer. It is critical for leaders to be exceptional communicators... Both of the written AND spoken word.
In July 1983, he was fired as a SEAL squadron leader for trying to change the way his squadron was organized, trained, and conducted missions. His response was the difference between a long, successful career, and quitting. Georgeann (his wife) offered him encouragement and said, ‘you’ve never quit at anything in your life and don’t start now’.
Admiral McRaven has always had great respect for the British Special Air Service: the famed SAS. The SAS motto was “Who Dares Wins.” He said that even moments before the Bin Laden raid, his command sergeant major Chris Faris, quoted it to the SEALs preparing for the mission.
- To him that motto was more than just how special forces operated. It’s about how each of us should approach our lives… Life is a struggle and the potential for failure is ever present…
Admiral McRaven walked us through the strategy development and the decision making process for the bin Laden raid:
- It was a team effort - Leon Panetta could have done it only as a CIA mission, but he reached out to Admiral McRaven because the mission was what was most important, not getting credit. Great leaders recognize that it’s never about them. If you think it’s about you you’re probably not a good leader.
- It was still an extraordinarily difficult decision to green light the mission. Admiral McRaven described that conversations he had with President Obama. "If we got there and the guy on the third floor was just a tall Pakistani man, then President Obama would have been a 1 term president."
- The SEALs on the mission rehearsed and practiced A LOT. No matter how much experience you have, you ALWAYS need to practice.
- The night of the bin Laden raid, Admiral McRaven was in charge of 10 other missions! He didn't have time to celebrate, he was focused on identifying the body, telling the President, and then paying close attention to the other missions he had going on that night.
Courage — “without courage, men will be ruled by tyrants and despots. Without courage, no great society can flourish. Without courage, the bullies of the world rise up.” Over the course of a month he visited Saddam Hussein in the jail where they were holding him, he would rise to meet Admiral McRaven. McRaven would motion for him to go back to his cot. The message was clear, “you are no longer important.”
Rise to the occasion. Be your very best in the darkest moments – Think about the moment we are in right now. Great leaders rise to the occasion in the midst of a pandemic
Books Admiral McRaven recommends- The Speed of Trust- Stephen M.R. Covey, It’s Your Ship - Michael Abrashoff
No plan survives first contact with the enemy- things will go wrong and you need to plan accordingly. Be prepared, think through worst case. "Have a plan, work the plan, plan for the unexpected."
Get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward. Don’t ever say “that’s not fair.” The story of Moki Martin - bike accident that left him paralyzed

362: Chris McChesney - How To Achieve Your Wildly Important Goals Apr 26, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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Episode #362: Chris McChesney - How to Achieve Your Wildly Important Goals

Chris McChesney is a Wall Street Journal #1 Best-Selling Author – The 4 Disciplines of Execution. In his current role of Global Practice Leader of Execution for FranklinCovey, Chris is one of the primary developers of The 4 Disciplines of Execution. For more than a decade, he has led FranklinCovey’s design and development of these principles, as well as the consulting organization that has become the fastest growing area of the company.

Notes:

Sustaining excellence = They execute on the strategy that's been launched...
- They have amazing drive
- High expectations - They expect a lot of everyone and do it in a positive way
- They "radiate love." Warmth...
Strategy to execution -- It's an art and a science
"Execution doesn't like complexity..."
- Great leaders develop pattern recognition over time. An experienced quarterback has more repetitions and the game "slows down" which creates a situation he recognizes
Three components to any strategy to execution process:
- Lower the blood pressure -- "Stroke of the pen."
- Take life support measurements
- Break through
What is a 'stroke of the pen' action as a mid level manager?
- Modify the portfolio, work within the limited budget, figure out incentives, hiring decisions, combining territories
"Sometimes in life our challenges are really hidden opportunities."
- Chris did an unpaid internship. He warned that with Stephen Covey by continuing to show up and add value to the lives of the people at the company.
Advice: "Work outside of your job description but within your influence."
- "Don't fall in love with a solution, fall in love with a problem."
"I have never gotten a job from a standard interview process... I've gotten seduced by a problem... And then worked to solve it."
- This is how Chris created a company within a company. He identified that execution was a problem, and worked to solve it.
Useful feedback Chris received earlier in his career from a mentor: "Chris, when you come to headquarters, people like you, but you aren't fun to work with."
- The power of honest, specific, feedback. Paul Walker (President) - "It's never about him. He's always interested in understanding what's going on around him and with others."
Pat Lencioni - Not everyone should be a leader... "I don't like the term 'servant leadership.' It makes it sound like there's any other way."
The 4 Disciplines of Execution:
- Focus on the Wildly Important -- Exceptional execution starts with narrowing the focus— clearly identifying what must be done, or nothing else you achieve really matters much.
- Act on the Lead Measures -- Twenty percent of activities produce eighty percent of results. The highest predictors of goal achievement are the 80/20 activities that are identified and codified into individual actions and tracked fanatically.
- Keep a Compelling Scoreboard -- People and teams play differently when they are keeping score, and the right kind of scoreboards motivate the players to win.
- Create a Cadence of Accountability -- Great performers thrive in a culture of accountability that is frequent, positive, and self-directed. Each team engages in a simple weekly process that highlights successes, analyzes failures, and course-corrects as necessary, creating the ultimate performance-management system.
“As legendary Harvard marketing professor Theodore Levitt put it, “People don’t want to buy a quarter-inch drill. They want a quarter-inch hole.”
“People who try to push many goals at once usually wind up doing a mediocre job on all of them. You can ignore the principle of focus, but it won’t ignore you.”
“If you ignore the urgent, it can kill you today. It’s also true, however, that if you ignore the important, it can kill you tomorrow”
“Managing a company by looking at financial data (lag measures) is the equivalent of “driving a car by looking in the rearview mirror.”
Optimization - Consistency is wildly important. Lock down elements of the process. Anchor the process at two points. Rule - "If we can meet the lead measure for 14 weeks, we're calling it a habit."

361: John Maxwell - The Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace Apr 19, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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Episode #361: John C. Maxwell - The Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace

Notes:

Adaptability: “Good leaders adapt. They shift. They don’t remain static because they know the world around them does not remain static.”
3 questions to ask yourself every day:
- How will this crisis make me better?
- How will I use this crisis to help others?
- What action will I take to improve my situation?
Leaders get paid to deal with uncertainty. They must relish it because it comes with the territory. Betty Bender, former president of the Library Administration and Management Association, explains, “Anything I’ve ever done that ultimately was worthwhile initially scared me to death.”
"Success in life comes not from holding a good hand, but from playing a bad hand well." - Warren Lester
Leaders become invigorated with problems.
“Doing the right thing daily, compounds over time.”
Ask what you can do to add value to others during this time.
“Leaders don’t rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.”
It’s okay to be uncertain but it’s not okay for a leader to be unclear.
If you prepare today you don’t have to repair tomorrow.
The opposite of distraction is traction.
- Crisis moves us
- You help people gain traction by helping them gain perspective.
Fear is a negative emotion, feeding fear is like putting fertilizer on weeds.
The question is what is going to dominate between fear an faith and the dominant emotion will win the day.
What gains your attention and focus only grows whether that's fear or faith.
“A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose, a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve.”
Great coaches make adjustments during a game.
Action is where all transformation takes place.
The most overrated English phrase is good intentions.
“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”
A crisis doesn’t make a person, a crisis reveals a person.
“The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.”
"Decision making is easy when you know what your values are."
Right now the people come first, the company second, yourself last.
Respect is learned and earned on difficult ground.
"No one ever coasted their way to greatness."
People don’t want perfect leaders, they want authentic leaders.
Experience is not the best teacher. Evaluated learning from experience is the best teacher.
The first step to great communication is to get over yourself. It’s not about you. Focus on others and adding value.

360: Kirk Herbstreit - How To Prepare Like The Best Broadcaster In The Business Apr 12, 2020

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Episode #360: Kirk Herbstreit - How To Prepare Like The Best Broadcaster In The Business

Notes:

"Because of what you have to do to be part of that program... You do things you didn't think you would ever fathom you could get through. It develops you as a person." -- Kirk on what it's like to play football at Centerville High School.
- "Nothing has impacted me more than the time and what I learned from Bob Gregg and Ron Ullery. It's with me every single day. That's why we take so much pride in it. Because of the impact it has on our entire life."
Learning resilience and how to persevere, and how to prepare for big moments.
Kirk's preparation process: There's nobody more prepared than Kirk each week.
- "It's the only thing I know. It's not an option for me to not be prepared."
- "Nobody knew who I was back in 1996 when I first started. Instead of hiding from that, I said 'I'm going to be the hardest working analyst in sports. That became my calling card. I had to earn people's respect. The only way I knew how to do that was through my work ethic and preparation. It's the only way I know how."
The importance of relationships - "I've never in 25 years burned a coach. I never will. They are a lifeline for me. It's one thing to read an article. For you to really get information, you have to go directly to the sources... The coaches."
"I feel I'm the most prepared person covering the sport every week when I do Gameday and when I go into the booth Saturday night."
- "If I'm awake I'm either with my kids or I'm preparing for the games."
Building relationships with powerful people... How?
- "Trust. That's the most important thing. In my job, you sometimes have to be critical. What I've always said to myself is, if this person was sitting next to me, he might disagree, but he's not going to be offended."
- "I'll call them the next week to make sure they understood what I said. I go out of my way to promote people."
Sustaining Excellence -- "I look at it like... I don't do this for money, I don't do this for fame, I do this for love, for passion. There's nothing that makes me more happy than watching football. I love it. It never gets old, I'm constantly trying to improve, to get better. I feel like here I am 25 years into this business and I'm just scratching the surface..."
- "You gotta keep working, you gotta keep learning."
"It's such a fun challenge to broadcast games now with how much has changed..."
Working with a partner (for him it is Chris Fowler)... The keys to working well with a partner:
- Developing a relationship with that person - Make sure you go to dinners, do things away from work. Get to know that person. Become friends. Then earn your stripe through your preparation and your work.
Working with a broadcasting team - It takes amazing, constant, communication.
Keys to great quarterback play and how that translate to being a great leader in the business world:
- The ability to process a lot of information and make sense of it quickly (Joe Burrow is the best he's seen)
- Accuracy - Throw the ball where you want it to go
- Make great decisions
- Mental toughness
Being the type of person that others want to follow... How to do that?
- Play-making ability is a must - people are drawn to you because they believe in you
- You can do it differently, but "it's very hard to think of successful quarterbacks that aren't well liked by all members of the team."
  - People are drawn to them. -- Cannot be selfish. The quarterback gets a lot of attention. Need to deflect that and talk about the linemen, the defense, your teammates.
Would Kirk take the Monday Night Football broadcasting job?
- "I've talked with my agent about it. That's in play. It's being talked about. It would have to be in addition. I'll never leave college."
  - "I love watching the NFL... Watching guys that I've covered. The college game is leaking more and more into the NFL. The prep would be pretty extreme, but I could do it."
Life advice: "I was raised to be an unselfish person. I've never felt like I was more important than anyone else. I'll never put myself above anybody in any regard." -- Be the hardest working person, have an awareness about you to help others, never think you're more important than others."

359: Pat Lencioni - Three Actions For Leaders In Challenging Times Apr 05, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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Episode #359: Pat Lencioni

This was recorded with hundreds of fans/friends on Zoom on April 2, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notes:

Three actions for leaders in a perilous time:
- be exceedingly human. By that, I mean that you should demonstrate your concern for the very real fears and anxieties that your people are experiencing, not only professionally and economically, but socially and personally. Even though you don’t have definitive answers to all of their questions, don’t let that keep you from listening to them and empathizing with their fears. And, contrary to conventional wisdom, you should not be hesitant to share your own concerns with your people. They want to know that they can relate to you and that they are not alone in their concerns.
- be persistent. This is not a time to hold back. Send people updates and regular communication, even if there is not a lot of new information and the message is largely personal. No one will look back at this time and say, “my manager was so annoying with all the encouraging emails checking in on me.” When people are isolated, over-communication is more important than ever.
- be creative. Try new things. Call semi-regular video-conference meetings that allow employees to not only talk about work, but to share their experiences dealing with this situation. Have them share movies and games and other tools that they are finding to be helpful with their families and invite them to tell stories about what is going on in their worlds. Crises provide an opportunity for people to come to know one another and establish bonds that will endure long after the crisis is over.
This is not a time to be efficient. It’s a time to be present with people. Once they get that new sense of trust, then you can move on.
Every company/family needs to be intentional about their thematic goal/rallying cry.
- Cohesiveness and innovation are the themes for The Table Group
What we do during this time is going to be what people remember. This is the window of opportunity.
People would rather be criticized than ignored.
- The opposite of love is not hate. It's indifference.
Pat is looking for that sense of “peace” that no matter what happens, we will be okay. (He tells a story about an NYC priest the night before he died “I”m not afraid.")
When you help others, your fears go down.
Idle time and worry is what makes fear rise.
Advice for parenting teenagers right now -- "It's a time for grace, not discipline."
How to establish a safe environment?
- Empower people to take risks. When they stumble, it's okay. Failure = learning moment
2 biggest red flags of a bad teammate - what are the symptoms/ hardest things to overcome?
- Insecurity and selfishness
Good teammates?
- "They take ownership of their mistakes and work to correct them." Must take ownership of it to improve.
The Ideal Team Player -- Humble, Hungry, Smart.
Download for free: “The three questions to ask your family" on Pat's website The Table Group
Does Love have a place in leadership? You need to love your players even if you don’t like them. You have to do what is in their best interest.
Pat's next book?
- "The Heroic Manager"
The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team:
- Absence of trust - unwilling to be vulnerable within the group
- Fear of conflict - seeking artificial harmony over constructive passionate debate
- Lack of commitment - feigning buy-in for group decisions creates ambiguity throughout the organization
- Avoidance of accountability - ducking the responsibility to call peers on counterproductive behavior which sets low standards
- Inattention to results - focusing on personal success, status and ego before team success

358: Stephen Covey - The One Thing That Changes Everything (Trust) Mar 29, 2020

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Episode #358: Stephen Covey - The One Thing That Changes Everything (Trust)

Notes:

Sustaining excellence = They get results in a way that inspires trust. If you cut costs for profits, you won't earn trust long term. You won't win long term.
- "You must think... There always is a next time."
Build a culture of character and competence. Those are the components of trust.
Taking shortcuts, cutting corners will get your short term results, but you will not sustain it. "Beware of the shortcuts."
- Make expectations clear. Hitting the number is a commitment.
For the mid-level manager: The middle is the key leverage point. You always need to be building trust and delivering results. Leaders go first.
- "Be trustworthy. Be trusting." Give trust to others, lead with trust.
- If you have a bad boss? "Create an island of excellence in a sea of mediocrity."
"If we think the problem is everyone else, we disempower ourselves." --> Look in the mirror: 'Here's what I can do..." Self trust. It starts inside of you.
Neuroscience on trust - When there is low trust on a tea, it saps the energy and joy. It's not fun.
- High trust = energizing. How can I be that type of leader?
For the person that doesn't trust anyone else, they are really saying, "I don't trust myself." They know they lie.
How to build trust with yourself?
- Learn to make and keep commitments with yourself and others.
  - "Make, keep, repeat. Make, keep, repeat."
  - "Trust is doing what you say you're going to do."
  - "Saying it builds hope. Doing it builds trust."
Trust = Character + Competence.
Admiral McRaven - "If you wan to change the world, start with making your bed."
- "Private victories precede public victories."
Warren Buffett does deals based on trust. Trust impacts speed and cost. "Trust decrease transaction costs." --> When you don't have trust, there is a tax on that.
When trust goes time, costs go up. When trust goes up, costs go down.
Focus on your credibility. Your character and your competence. Build your reputation. Start with your behavior. Behave in a way to garner trust.
Distrusts is exhausting. It's not sustainable in relationships.
How to handle a non-trusting boss?
- "You can't change the conditions or change them. If you must stay, focus on YOUR credibility. The starting place is on increasing your credibility, it will create more clout, courage, and permission in your organization. Always start with yourself."
The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People
- #1 - Be proactive. You're responsible. "You're not a program. You're a programmer." Between the stimulus and response, there is a space. I choose my response and take responsibility."
  - What's it like having Covey as his last name - "The power is in the principles."
- #5 - Seek first to understand, then to be understood. A doctor diagnoses before they prescribe. It builds trust when the other person feels understood.
- #7 - Sharpen the saw - Getting better. "The Learning Leader has never arrived..."
His Dad's ethos:
- To Live
- To Love
- To Learn
- To Leave a Legacy
Here is WHY joining a Learning Leader Circle is a good idea...

357: Stanley McChrystal - Leadership In Uncertain Times Mar 22, 2020

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Episode #357: General Stanley McChrystal - Leadership In Uncertain Times

“As we lead through this time of crisis, leaders are more important than ever:
- 1) Communicate relentlessly
- 2) Match your internal operating pace with that of your external environment
- 3) Continue to reiterate what ‘winning’ looks like to your organization.”
Foreword from his book Team of Teams, legendary author Walter Isaacson wrote: “Whether in business or in war, the ability to react quickly and adapt is critical, and it’s becoming even more so as technology and disruptive forces increase the pace of change. That requires new ways to communicate and work together. In today’s world, creativity is a collaborative endeavor. Innovation is a team effort.”
Stockdale Paradox - (named for Admiral James Stockdale - the highest ranking POW of the Vietnam War who described how leaders survive terrible ordeals) "You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end — which you can never afford to lose — with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”
From page 104 in my book, Welcome To Management -- General McChrystal extended a gracious invitation for me to tour the hallowed grounds at the Battle of Gettysburg alongside the students he teaches in his leadership class at Yale. We learned a lot about the history of the battle over the course of two days with General McChrystal and some of his friends as tour guides. However, one teaching point that I specifically remembered was this, “The real lesson is . . . it’s not tactics, not strategy; it’s always about the people.”
Uncertainty -- What’s most scary for people. While you can’t predict the future, you can be that sense of calm, cool, composed (QB in the huddle in tense moments). General at war. The quarterback at Yale (where Stan teaches) said, "When you throw an interception, don't say 'My bad.' The guys know it's your bad. Say, 'here's what we're going to do next.'"
Recent events: “These observations remind us of our early months fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq: We struggled to keep up with the pace of events, needed to unlearn conventional management rules and had to learn to lead in a totally new way.”
From James Clear - “The most useful form of patience is persistence. Patience implies waiting for things to improve on their own. Persistence implies keeping your head down and continuing to work when things take longer than you expect.”
"You have to navigate from where you are, not where you wish you were."
From Stan -- The German Army had a say, "feel the cloth." They were referencing when the men were walking so close to one another they could literally feel the cloth on the person next to them. Right now, we don't have that luxury with our co-workers, and it's a challenge. But what we do have and what we need to utilize are communication platforms to stay connected to our teammates. This is our new normal and it's our time to be a leader and help our team get the job done.
- Communicate -- Losing these in person interactions in a remote-work environment means leaders need to start communicating with more regularity and breadth to their organization.
- Set Realistic Goals - This is not business as usual, but you can still succeed. Your role as a leader is to be brutally honest about what is achievable in the coming weeks and months as this disruption continues to ripple across the economy.
- Be Patient - Many of your employees, especially the younger ones, have not experienced turmoil like this in their careers. Be patient, but start communicating now. It is your responsibility as a leader to be a source of calm and steady for them. (from CNN)
Questions from members of my Leadership Circle: Nicci Bosco --What values can we hold in our mind/should we be thinking about/allowing to guide our own actions with when speaking to a group/leading a group/etc in uncertain times? What can we do to re-fill our own reservoir when we notice we're depleted? If we don't know the answer to something, but still want to provide guidance and a response, what are some options? Tom Carvelli -- If you had to sum up your leadership principles into a single unified concept, what would that be? What does your your daily fitness routine look like in times like these when resources and activities are curtailed? Matt Spitz -- In a world that is incredibly uncertain is there anything in his life that never changes? Matt Mullins -- In times of adversity and uncertainty how do leaders ensure that their people are prepared and confident to thrive and maintain character through those moments? How does one develop the ability to maintain composure in stressful situations? How?
Stan's daily routine - It always starts with a workout in the early morning hours. "Always start the day lifting. Do a lot of Abs. Work on your core." That discipline creates consistency and that creates confidence. Stan weighs exactly the same today as he did when he was 17! He's only eaten one meal per day for 40 years.
If you have to fire someone (or lay them off) -- "Explain it, be honest, do it with grace."
Roosevelt during Pearl Harbor - "We are going to do whatever it takes to prevail. It's an unthinkable time, but we will get through it."
"You exist for the team... To give them what they need."
People are watching what you (the leader) is doing at every moment. How do you respond to good news? Bad news? What is you facial expression on that video conference call? The "Say-Do" gap. As a leader there should not be a gap between what you say and what you do. You must LIVE your values.
Building a committed team -- Top CIA agent said to Stan when they were overseas... "I don't know what the Ranger way is, but I will commit to YOU as a person."
A two-thousand-year-old Stoic phrase (from Ryan Holiday's Daily Stoic): What is up to us, what is not up to us? And what is up to us? Our emotions. Our judgments. Our creativity. Our attitude. Our perspective. Our desires. Our decisions. Our determination.
Here is WHY joining a Learning Leader Circle is a good idea...

356: Stewart Friedman - How To Parent With Purpose & Fuel Your Career Mar 15, 2020

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356: Stewart Friedman - How To Parent With Purpose & Fuel Your Career

Notes:

Sustaining excellence = "they take seriously the idea that it's not just about work. It's about life." --> Know what you care about... "It takes courage to look inside yourself."
- Ask yourself, "What am I here to do?" For Stew, "I'm here to help people grow as leaders and make an impact on the world."
What Stew learned from his time as a cab driver: Patience... Everyone is unique. You see how people treat others. "It created a love of geography."
There is a lot of perspective to be gained from working in the service industry.
Stew was hired to run the leadership development program at Ford
- It was important to connect with everyone around him
  - "Be respectful of all people you interact."
  - Humbled -- "I realized I knew nothing when I went to Ford."
    - "I get up there and devise what the next 10 years will look like... And talked about myself the whole time. A key leader pulled me aside and said, 'What the F are you doing?'"
Be WHOLE - It's about you as a whole person both at work and at home.
"Firms that fully embrace the needs and interests of the whole person will win today's competition for the best talent."
"Leading is about mobilizing people toward valued goals."
Learn how to talk with others and show them that you truly value you... LISTEN
- "Ryan, you're one of the most important people to me in my life..."
What does the team need from the leader?
- values, vision, an understanding of the stakeholders
The leadership leap:
- You must care about people
- Understand the specific priorities
- Ask, "What am I missing?"
Total Leadership:
- Projection - "If you had control, what would you be doing?"
- "What's distinctive about you?"
  - Get clarity on what you care about right now
- Identify the most important people in your life
Be innovative -- Constantly experimenting
Create 4 way wins:
- Business
- Family
- Community
- Personal
Take initiative - "What's a win for your company? Your boss?"
"At the individual level, you need to examine what you truly value, share this with key stakeholders in various life domains both to get feedback and support, and then to experiment with new ways of doing things so that - over the arc of a life - you can achieve harmony and have more of what it is that you uniquely want out of life."
Work life integration is a more useful term than work life balance. "Balance is the wrong metaphor."
The four elements, where do you devote your attention?
- Do an assessment - Take 100 points... Divy up how important each of the following are based on your actions:
  - Work
  - Home
  - Community
  - Self
Do you find yourself saying, "I'm not paying enough attention to the things that matter to me."
- "It's like a jazz quartet. Four people paying attention to each other, improvise, respond, make something beautiful over time."
"The only failure is the failure to learn from conscious and deliberate efforts to make things better, even if those attempts fall short of the mark."
Writing Parents Who Lead - Crafting a collective vision. "What does our life look like?"
The question to ask: "How do you be you?"
- "The courageous ones are able to bring that question forward..."

355: Ramit Sethi - How To Live A Rich Life Mar 08, 2020

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Episode #355: Ramit Sethi - How To Live A Rich Life

Notes:

Ramit's book buying rule - If you are even thinking about buying the book, don't deliberate, just buy it. You could invest $17 and it could change your life. Even one idea makes it worth it.
Excellence - "Consistently do the work."
- Put it on the calendar
- Seek out people who are successful and then ask them for advice
- In motion - Refuse to be stuck or paralyzed -- Take action
"Show me your spending and your calendar and I'll show you your priorities."
- What are the 3-4 most important things in your life? Does your spending and your calendar reflect that?
Ramit starting learning how money worked while he was in college at Stanford... "The basic, boring truth. Consistency..."
Starting your blog can be your experimental laboratory
What is the future of online courses?
- Online learning will continue to grow -- "Great leaders are always learning."
- You should join The Learning Leader Academy
The trajectory of hiring as you're growing a business:
- Part time assistant --> Researcher --> Full time
What do you look for when choosing who to add to your team?
- Excellent at the task of doing the work
- Curious - They ask great questions
- Likable - They are someone you want to spend time with
Start your business on the side:
- It's practical... Going from zero to 1 is very hard: Start this part while you have a job and don't need the money from your new endeavor
The psychology of pricing: There is a profound difference in customers who get it for free vs. those who pay for it
- You need to create "skin in the game." People value it more if they have a financial stake in it.
- "In business, you're not looking for the most people, you're looking for the right people."
  - "If you're a cheapskate, you'll attract cheapskates."
The power of mentors: They can be massively helpful, but you need to do the work to be a valuable mentee. Show up to your meetings prepared and with a purpose. Don't wander through life.
Atul Gawande - A coach in the operating room -- EVERYONE needs a coach.
Automate your finances - It's the crown jewel. Set up your system so you don't need to think about it after it's created.
- Create auto saving behaviors
"People are so busy asking $3 questions instead of $30K questions."
- "How do I use my money to live a rich life?"
- "What does rich mean to you?"

354: WELCOME TO MANAGEMENT Book Launch Party With Doug Meyer Mar 02, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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Episode #354: WELCOME TO MANAGEMENT Book Launch Party With Doug Meyer

This is the recording from the conversation I had with Co-Founder/President of Brixey & Meyer, Doug Meyer, in front of many of our friends, clients, and colleagues at the Dayton office of Brixey & Meyer.

In WELCOME TO MANAGEMENT, I provide practical, actionable advice to help new managers build and lead committed teams in the face of daunting, unanticipated challenges. He presents a three-part framework outlining best practices distilled from interviews with more than 350 of the most forward-thinking leaders in the world, as well as his own professional experience transitioning from individual producer to new leader.

Through compelling stories and data-backed case studies, the book helps high performers make the leap from individual contributor to manager with greater ease, grace, courage, and effectiveness.

Notes:

The book writing process: How long did it take to write? What was the proposal writing process like? What led you to sell the book rights to McGraw-Hill?
Curiosity? Always natural or a learned skill? -- For me, this was something I learned to do... As I learned more, I realized there was so much more to learn.
The Cycle of Learning -- Operating Framework
- Consume/Learn - The intake engine (read, listen to podcasts, speak with mentors)
- Test - Experiment with what's been learned (You can't just be a learner, you have to be a doer) - "We learn who we are in practice, not in theory."
- Reflect - Analyze results, make adjustments
- Teach - Reinforce learning through sharing with others
Mentors vs. coaches. Interesting comparison and need throughout life. We discussed the difference and importance of each...
“Build the skills to do the job, not to get the job.” -- The act of putting your high potential employees in position to actually do the job, not just prepare for an interview.
Developing self-awareness -- It's important to regularly hold a mirror up to ourselves and surround self with people who will be brutally honest and caring of you and your development.
WELCOME TO MANAGEMENT will teach you
- Where the real work of leadership begins
- The greatest medicine for fear and how to put it into practice
- Why you need an “Operating Framework” and how to create one
- The 3 key elements to creating a performance culture
- The opportunity that many managers miss after they achieve success
- The seven keys to earning respect
The quickest way to build trust is through vulnerability
Managing a team you inherit -- The instant you sign for the job, those are YOUR players. Don't use terms like 'they' or 'them.' It is US and WE.
The difference between leadership, management, coaching
- Leadership:
  - The act of leading is about providing purpose, direction, aligning expectations, and inspiring the team.
- Management:
  - Figuring out how to work within the current constraints of the system you are in... It is the administration and stewardship of resources.
- Coaching:
  - The two types of coaching:
    - Coaching for performance - The 'right now' actions... Behaviors.
    - Coaching for development - Longer term
Dustyn Kim is a fantastic model for humility, vulnerability, and intelligence -- That's what she's the type of leader that I committed to doing everything I could to help her be successful.
Nobody is 'self-made.' We are are built from communities of people who care about us, help us, and show love and support.

353: Jeni Britton Bauer - How To Create A 'Craveable' Reason To Return Feb 24, 2020

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Episode #353: Jeni Britton Bauer - How To Create A 'Craveable' Reason To Return

Jeni Britton Bauer is an American ice cream maker and entrepreneur. Jeni opened her first ice cream shop, Scream, in 1996, then founded Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in 2002. Her first cookbook, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home, is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller and won a coveted James Beard Award in 2012. Jeni is a 2017 Henry Crown Fellow and has been recognized by Fast Company as "one of the most creative companies in the world."

Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- "The main thing is you show up every day. You show up and lead by example. You have to be IN IT daily."
- That develops trusts. Trusts leads to it the rest...
Jeni is a subject matter expert on the topics that matter to her: ice cream, leadership, curiosity, creativity...
"It’s not a genius idea then lots of funding, then success. It’s really more subtle than that. Blazing a slow path through a tangled jungle, learning as you go over many years. It takes time."
"I find my discipline when I find my passion. And that passion starts with curiosity. And finding the place of what I want to do is needed in the world."
How to know what your passion is?
- "There's a cross road of what you want to explore and what other people want." -- "That's entrepreneurial thinking. It's about community and creativity."
"We don't know what's possible... You've got to be out exploring and be open to new ideas."
Create time for yourself and your team to follow your curiosity...
Entrepreneurship is about a 2 way communication with customers.
One pint of ice cream tested positive for listeria but there was never an outbreak. -- They recalled 6 months worth of ice cream, destroying 535,000 pounds (or 265 tons) of ice cream, costing the company more than $2.5 million! It almost put them out of business.
“You want to say you've got talent, hustle, and guts. You want to tell that to the world, but you don't really know until you prove it."
"If we create a community, everything falls into place. Put your values front and center and merge with the community. When the community sees your business as vital, they will help you when times are tough."
“There’s nothing more important whether in the financial industry or ice cream, than trust.”
"Create a craveable reason to return" - Why would a customer come back to you? Why would someone follow you? What are you doing as a leader that makes someone want to follow you?

352: Patrick Lencioni - The Five Key Actions Of Excellent Leaders Feb 17, 2020

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Episode #352: Patrick Lencioni - The Five Key Actions Of Excellent Leaders

Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- Humility - They don't feel they are more important than others, but they realize that their words and actions carry more weight.
"Leadership is a privilege... It's about serving others. A lot of leaders lead because they think it looks cool."
"Leadership has to be about what you can give, not what you can get."
Exploring the two leadership motives:
- Reward-centered leadership: the belief that being a leader is the reward for hard work, and therefore, that the experience of being a leader should be pleasant and enjoyable, avoiding anything mundane, unpleasant or uncomfortable.
- Responsibility-centered leadership: the belief that being a leader is a responsibility, and therefore that the experience of leading should be difficult and challenging (though certainly not without elements of personal gratification).
One of the questions to ask yourself:
- “How do you see your job in terms of verbs?” — what do you do to really help the business?
The leader must be a constant, incessant reminder of the company’s purpose, strategy, values, & priorities. You’re not only the CEO, you’re the CRO.” Chief Reminding Officer
The actions of great leaders:
- Running great meetings
- Managing the executive team
- Managing the executives as individuals
- Having difficult conversations with people
- Constantly communicating and repeating key messages to employees
"The CEO should have the most painful job in the company."
For the mid-level manager -- "Am I waking up with the right rationale to do this job?"
Love is a verb:
- Time
- Affection
- Discipline
"Leadership is not a noun, it's a verb."
Running great meetings:
- "Meetings are the central activity of leadership. Bad leaders have other people run their meetings."
  - Good meetings have debate and conflict. People are able to be passionate without consequence. The leader prioritizes what will be talked about.
CEO's are responsible to build teams. Your job is to build teams based on trust
When receiving a message from a cynical leader who says "You don't understand." Our response? "No, we're not going to be that way. The ones who do the hard work change the world."
Micro-managing vs. Accountability:
- "There is an abdication of management. You should know what your team is doing."
Parenting: "The great news about being a parent is it's humbling."
The leader must be the chief reminding officer:
- "Constant, incessant, reminder of the company's purpose, strategy, values, and priorities. You must over-communicate."
Marriage advice:
- "Be completely humble, vulnerable, especially in front of the kids. Engage in healthy conflict. When people can't argue, that's a problem."

351: John Maxwell - The Laws Of Leadership (Follow Them & People Will Follow You) Feb 10, 2020

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Episode #351: John Maxwell - The Laws Of Leadership (Follow Them & People Will Follow You)

John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, coach, and author who has sold over 20 million books. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week best-selling author, Maxwell has written three books which have each sold more than one million copies: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader.

Notes:

"Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better." - Pat Riley
The difference between 'best' and 'better'
- "Whatever is best for now... Tomorrow has got to get better. I always look at 'best' for a moment."
- "If you're not growing today, I have to talk about yesterday. I don't want to talk about yesterday."
The great leaders:
- Listen
- Learn
- Lead
The importance of listening and asking questions:
- "I began to ask questions, invite people to sit down and talk." Shared learning and growing together...
What John learned from Angela Ahrendts:
- "I aim to always give 60 and take 40. Always give more than you take."
- "Add more value to people than you take."
Working with your team:
- "I put an idea in front of my team and say, 'make it better,' and they always do."
Proactive: "If you're not proactive, you're reactive. I've never met a great leader who wasn't proactive."
- "Be unforgettable. Always be the first person to help."
Action Attraction
- "The moment I move, I attract all resources because I'm moving."
- "I never draw people to me when I sit still."
  - "Action shows intention"
Keynote speaking preparation:
- "When I'm in the green room preparing, I'm thinking about the people in the audience. I begin to envision the people leaning in, taking notes, engaged. It helps me."
- The content you have will alone will not cut it -- "Connecting the content to the people carries the day. I want them to say, 'oh my gosh, he's talking to me.'"
  - "The response of the people charges me up."
Layered learning:
- Is your fence facing out or facing in? Are you growing? Or shrinking?
Building a company? "I wasn't trying to build a company. It started in a garage. Each company was created just to help solve problems for people. --> Find a need, start a company, find a need, start a company."
- There are now over 30,000 John Maxwell coaches
"I've always had the ability to take a problem and develop a resource for it."
"I can smell an opportunity... And I can see it in people. I've always been quick to spot this."
- How to develop this skill? --> "You must seize the opportunities. Act quickly."
Adaptability - "A person that lacks flexibility will mist a lot of opportunities."
- Peter Drucker did not make long range plans. He focused on seizing the moment.
- John's long range plan: "What I want for people is for them to do well and I want to help them do that."
Life advice:
- Value people
- Continually grow
- Live very intentionally

350: Tom Rath - Answering Life's Great Question Feb 03, 2020

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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Episode #350: Tom Rath - Answering Life's Great Question

Tom Rath is an author and researcher who has spent the past two decades studying how work can improve human health and well-being. His 10 books have sold more than 10 million copies and made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists. Tom’s first book, How Full Is Your Bucket?, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and led to a series of books that are used in classrooms around the world. His book StrengthsFinder 2.0 is Amazon’s top selling non-fiction book of all time. Tom’s other bestsellers include Strengths Based Leadership, Eat Move Sleep, and Are You Fully Charged?

Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- "They are the single best people at asking good questions."
- "They are amazing listeners. They make you feel like you are the only person in the room."
  - Ask insightful questions that help others identify something they had not previously thought of
How does one develop that skill?
- Spend time alone learning... Have a genuine intellectual curiosity... Write caring, handwritten notes
Make sure your teammates know you care about them and show your gratitude
- I shared the story of Doug Meyer calling me simply to say "thank you" and how much it meant to me. Be a thoughtful leader who leads with gratitude.
  - Use specifics when describing why you appreciate someone
Why did StrengtsFinder catch on?
- "We should not fall back to a resume. We don't have a good language to describe what we do and our talents." Strengths Finder does that for people
  - As leaders, we should always be on the lookout for the unique talent in others
Tom's Top 5 Strengths:
- Futuristic
- Analytical
- Relater
- Significane
- Activator
My Top 5 Strengths:
- Learner - People who are especially talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.
- Input - People who are especially talented in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information.
- Intellection - People who are especially talented in the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.
- Individualization - People who are especially talented in the Individualization theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.
- Achiever - People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.
Individualize -- Send articles to specific people each day -- Write: "Hey, I was reading this and thought you might find it helpful."
What you can contribute is more important that your passions. "There's an enormous mismatch in what the world needs and what's out there."
Three big influences on Tom:
- Dr. Martin Luther King - “Life's most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?”
- Ben Horowitz's commencement speech
- His grandfather, Don Clifton -- "Our greatest contribution can be to teach others."
There is a higher correlation in helpfulness when you can literally see the people you're helping (Tom shares the research to back this up). This gives you motivation to see your impact. We need a productive purpose.
When feeling unfulfilled or unhappy at work?
- Instead of looking to leave the company, look for new ways to get to your intended outcome. How could you re-write your job? Can you make the job you have today meaningful?
The Peter Principle - The principle that members of a hierarchy are promoted until they reach the level at which they are no longer competent.
Qualities Tom looks for in a leader:
- Desire to develop other people
- Vision
Life's great question is: "What are you doing for others?"
We need to align basic expectations: "How do each of us want to contribute?"
Create - Have a challenger as part of your team. Someone to push back and ask questions
Relate - An energizer. How do you get and stay charged up? What reminds you of the vision? Of the mission? How to have fun?
Operate - Scaling... Reaching more people.
Advice: Map what the world around you needs. Who are you? What are your talents? Interests? Motivators? --> Draw the connections. Look where they intersect.

349 - An Inside Look At The Book Writing Process With Jay Acunzo Jan 27, 2020

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#349 - An Inside Look At The Book Writing Process With Jay Acunzo

Why this topic? We've both written books. And my book is out this week!
Context on our books: Welcome To Management. I wrote the book I wish I had when I first got promoted. Jay's book is called Break The Wheel.
- "Write a book because you think it has to exist. Not to be a best-seller.
The Process:
- Research, outlining, fan interaction, drafting, publishing -- Why an outline is a vital piece of the process. "The outline is the bones."
  - "Doing research in public created a system to vet ideas and best practices." --> Using client interactions as real time research to help test ideas
- Podcasts - It was extremely helpful for me to be recording while I was writing the book: I was consistently doing research while writing the book. Interviews, asking questions about writing/books, ideas, etc. I was working full time while I wrote this book and I think that made it better. It forced me to be disciplined with blocking time to write daily.
- Traditional vs. Self-Publish vs. Hybrid -- Jay chose a hybrid approach to publishing his book. I chose to publish traditionally with McGraw-Hill. I did a lot of research on the different paths for publishing and chose the traditional route because: I wanted to create options and leverage for myself. And after I spoke with Casey Ebro from McGraw-Hill I was completely sold on accepting their offer.
Superlatives:
- Platitude about writing/writing books/creativity that you found MOST true during this process? LEAST true? Most true = Writers write (listen to the James & Kristy Clear story from dinner). Least true = I’ve read from a few well known authors that you have to dedicate your life to nothing but writing the book. I found that continuously working and building a business at the same time as writing was helpful. When I do q & a’s on stage after a keynote or on my podcast, I get ideas and prompts to write about...
- Most useful habit/routine: I learn through talking. I had regular sessions where I would sit in a room with my Dad and/or my friend Lance (who was a prosecutor for 10 years). They would give me prompts, ask questions, and we would talk out the book. I would type notes during our sessions, then I would go by myself and write. In my very first session with my Dad, he said, “Remember, it’s a lot harder when you care.” He meant this in the form of leading people… And he’s right. But the same is true for writing a book. It’s hard when you care so deeply about the topic of helping people lead others more effectively… Because I understand the ripple effect. The wake left behind you as a leader.
- Most surprising lesson: You don’t fully know what you think or how little you know until you put pen to paper. Writing REALLY forces you to be clear on what you believe. I outline sections and then would ramble on for pages. The editing process was helpful. I hired an editor/writing coach to help.
- Best story from the book: I sent an early copy to Ryan Holiday to read and offer feedback. He called me said, “Dude, why is your best story in the middle of the book? You should open the book with that story." And so I did...
- What was your editor's favorite part? Casey Ebro (from McGraw-Hill) said to me, "I read non-fiction business books for a living. I've read hundreds of them. And your section titled "You Have To Do All Three" in chapter six is the most unique and helpful view that I've read about leading, managing, and coaching." -- That was a great moment.
Additional Benefits:
- Publishing your work online is becoming the greatest networking tool in the world -- When done well, you attract the people you want to be around. (David Perell, James Clear have written a lot about this)
- Writing is the ultimate exercise to help you find clarity. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you don’t know about something until you try to write about it. -- This can help everyone (especially useful for leaders).

348: Simon Sinek - Why Consistency Beats Intensity (Playing The Infinite Game) Jan 20, 2020

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Episode #348: Simon Sinek - Why Consistency Beats Intensity (Playing The Infinite Game)

Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence:
- Humility - They don't believe their own hype.
- Their power is accumulated through helping others.
- "I'm fully aware I'm the same idiot I was back then."
"Vision is like an iceberg. The great leaders can see what's beneath the surface."
- "I never look at what I've done, I look at what I can do."
- "I tend to be very future focused."
"People called me the 'why' guy... For my tastes, it's about new ideas, building on ideas."
- "We all need to find a vision."
  - People should practice telling stories about real people, learn how to use metaphors
Simon described the difference between the messaging at Apple vs. Microsoft
- Microsoft (during the Steve Ballmer days) were focused on their competition
- Apple was focused on helping teachers and designing beautiful products
- Stop thinking of others as competitors... Instead find worthy rivals
In the late 1970's Milton Friedman said business should maximize profits for shareholders. For some reason, this idea was adopted and it became the norm. it was embraced. It's terrible. Prior to this, the idea of mass layoffs didn't exist as an option for a business.
- "We all have to become the leader we want to become."
- "Leadership is not rank, it's seeing those around you rise."
- "Business is one of the most personal things in the world." You should never said, "it's not personal, it's just business." It's ALWAYS personal.
Great leaders are the ones who think beyond short term vs long term. They are the ones who know it’s not about the next quarter or the next election but about the next generation.
The greatness of George Eastman - he was not just how great for Kodak, but amazing for the game of business as a whole… He created a lot of employee incentives in 1912 that had not been happening up to that point. Stock options, sick days, college tuition reimbursement, etc.
“Consistency becomes more important than intensity.”
“Where a finite-minded player makes products they think they can sell to people, the infinite-minded player makes products that people want to buy. The former is primarily focused on how the sale of those products benefits the company; the latter is primarily focused on how the products benefit those who buy them.”
“Being the best simply cannot be a Just Cause, because even if we are the best (based on the metrics and time frames of our own choosing), the position is only temporary. The game doesn’t end once we get there; it keeps going. And because the game keeps going, we often find ourselves playing defense to maintain our cherished ranking. Though saying “we are the best” may be great fodder for a rah-rah speech to rally a team, it makes for a weak foundation upon which to build an entire company. Infinite-minded leaders understand that “best” is not a permanent state. Instead, they strive to be “better.”
"There is an entire section at the book store called "self-help," there should be a section called "help others."
Why lead? --> "Because you want to see others grow. Your job may be 9 to 5, but leadership is 24-7."
"If you like the idea of taking care of others, you may be suitable to lead."

347: Steven Strogatz - How Calculus Reveals The Secrets Of The Universe Jan 13, 2020

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Episode #347: Steven Strogatz - How Calculus Reveals The Secrets Of The Universe

Leaders who sustain excellence:
- Have a willingness to be a beginner
  - "When you're naive, you ask new questions"
- "They have the courage to be someone who's just starting"
- How do you fight the urge to live up to a prior reputation of being an expert at something?
  - Be known as an adventurer. Cannot have an ego.
Six degrees of separation is a math problem
The strength in weak ties
- It's important to connect with people outside of your typical orbit
- Action: Go to a strange party, play a new sport, go to a new gym, meet oddballs
  - Collect "casual acquaintances"
The value of being a helper:
- Be the assist person, help others, do little acts of kindness, promote someone else's work
How Steven and I got to know each other:
- David Epstein's wife made an intro for David and Steven... And then from David to me.
  - "Be the kind of person who remembers others names"
Why should a normal person learn calculus?
- "The world has been turned upside down by calculus"
- "Calculus is the mathematical study of change"
- "It's a great intellectual adventure story"
- "Calculus is the language that God talks" --> The laws of nature are built in calculus
How to be more creative?
- Be broadly interested in many different topics. Take something from one area and apply it somewhere else.
Advice Steven would give to a mid-level manager:
- "Getting high grades is jumping through hoops someone else sets"
- "As a PhD, you have to make your own hoops"
- "People need to be more adventurous, and then figure it out"
Why you should study Improv as a leader:
- Use "Yes and..." This helps with brainstorming and coming up with new ideas. Put out a lot of wacky ideas to get to the good stuff.
- "I want people to be gripped irrationally by the imagination"
The power of mentors:
- "Learn from both the great coaches and the bad ones"
The value of friendships:
- The story of Mr. Joffray -- Physically impressive and wonderfully intelligent. He took pleasure in Steven passing him.
The value of teaching:
- It helps create empathy... It forces you to put yourself in the mind of someone else. "Bad teachers don't have empathy."
How does Steven prepare for big moments?
- "I try to be myself. And talk myself out of being intimidated." ---> The audience wants you to do well.
Life advice:
- "Do what you care about most, what drives you the most, do the hard work to become skillful."
- Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

346: Cameron Mitchell - Yes Is The Answer, What Is The Question? Jan 06, 2020

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#346: Cameron Mitchell is the founder & CEO of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. In 2018, they celebrated their 25th anniversary. He employees more than 5,000 people and his restaurants do $300m/year in sales. He is the author of Yes Is The Answer, What Is The Question? He has been recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young, as a Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration and as one of 50 New Taste Makers by Nation’s Restaurant News.

Notes:

"Leaders who sustain excellence believe in people. They put trust in people."
- Must have strong culture and values
Writing your core values -- The benefit of putting pen to paper and the courage to act on them (including firing a superstar if he doesn’t live up to the values set)
His goals:
- Go to the Culinary Institute of America
- Become GM at age 24
- Regional at age 26
- VP of Operations at age 30
- Be president of a restaurant company by age 35
- Go to the Culinary Institute of America
- He woke his mom up at a 1:00am and told her his goals
"When you share your goals, people want to hold you accountable to them..."
He went to Culinary Institute of America. Same place as Anthony Bourdain. The CIA was the Harvard of culinary schools.
- He got turned down initially because of his low high school grades -- "I had the can do, but didn't have the want to initially"
He once worked 100 days in a row without a day off (that included a 1 hour and 45 minute commute each way)
- "I equate it to the doll that you punch and it comes right back up." -- Must be resilient
- "You cannot build a life like this or be successful without a commitment to hard work"
Years ago Cameron was a young man with a dream, a yellow note pad, and a pen. He wrote down 5 questions and answers that articulated who he would be, why he would exist, and what he believed and did as a restaurant company.
The 5 Questions:
- Who are we?
- What do we want to be?
- Why are we in business?
- What is your role?
- What is our goal?
After those questions were answered, Cameron created their eight core values to live by...
Fundraising (for people to invest in his new restaurant business) was a grueling process. He got rejected 9 out of 10 pitches when trying to raise money for his first restaurant. Cameron shares everything he learned from so much rejection and failure...
Initially Cameron was a bad boss and people threatened to quit because of him… He got help from Jim Collins and other mentors.
Why the answer is always yes... --> Cameron shares the symbolism of a milkshake.
To grow his business, he needed to hire great leaders to help him scale and run other restaurants... He shares the key qualities he looked for when making hiring decisions. The first leader he hired 20+ years ago is still with him today.
"I'm constantly pushing on where could we be? Constantly thinking about how we can be better?"
The Customer Comes Second -- Book by Hal Rosenbluth that impacted Cameron.
Cameron gave 5% of the purchase price ($4.6m) to his associates (employees) when they sold a portion of their business to Ruth's Chris and gave a unique gift/experience to his senior leaders (paid for their kids college tuition, sent them on a European trip with their spouse)
Associates must come first
Cameron described with emotion the power of having children had on him...
- Before Cameron had even met his wife, he would tell people, "I'm working for a wife and kids I don't even know yet."
- The moment of clarity when you have that walk with your wife... When she's in the wheelchair holding your new baby.
- "You can't be successful at home if you're not successful at work. You can't be successful at work if you're not successful at home."
- "Everyone sees the outward success. But the family is the inward success."
- Their associates get 8 weeks paid vacation.
The culture and values must hold up especially when times are tough
- Cameron tells the story of a time when his best chef used bad language towards another associate. Cameron fired him within five minutes.
- "If we don't live those values every single day, then they become no good."
- General life advice: "Integrity takes years to build and minutes to ruin. You must lead with integrity."
- "Cutting corners in life will get you nowhere." Don't think of the easier way to do things. "If it were easy everybody would do it. I don't want the easy way, I want the right way."
- "Positive mental attitude. It's what you do with your day that defines you. Be constantly aware of that."
  - Be unwavering with your work ethic. "We're pushing forward every day."

345: Kamal Ravikant - Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It Dec 30, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Tex LEARNERS to 44222

Full show notes found at www.LearningLeader.com

#345: Kamal Ravikant - Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It

Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who have sustained excellence:
- A belief in the power of commitment to self:
  - WHO am I going to be that day?
  - Don't just float through life
  - "Excellence means continuing through imperfect days." --> Moving forward: It's a mindset
How to learn how to keep pushing forward?
- "Don't wait until you're qualified to do it. Jump in, learn to swim."
Kamal's process for selling: "You have to believe it."
Writing process -- Forced Kamal to deal with rejection... It was part of the process to get better.
- Studied the greats: Hemingway - Clear, simple, prose.
- "Writing is more rewarding than anything. It's just you and the blank page."
"Love yourself like your life depends on it." It's story about responding to failure.
How does this work with someone who already feels great about themselves?
- "Fundamentally, this is about how to be better. Learn from the maps of humanity." It's all about what's intside.
  - "The internal impacts the external."
Kamal had to come to terms with his tough childhood. He appreciates the strength developed from sleeping in a car (temporarily homeless)
What was learned from boot camp (in the Army)?
- "I can handle anything thrown at me." It teaches the value of mission and responsibility.
Leading a team in business:
- "Hire people for what they're best at." And then support them to do that work.
- "The best leaders are those that have actually done stuff." They understand the nuance of the industry and the work.
- Must be hungry.
Why walk across Spain?
- Having the mentality of, "No matter what, I'll figure it out... Take chances in life. Go beyond comfort zones."
How has a life altering event (a surgery that went bad) impacted perspective on life?
- "I feel blessed and lucky."
- "You can become a mess or become awesome."
What Kamal learned from spending time with monks?
- "The construct of self disappears."
- "Love and compassion."
Advice: "Excellence requires persistence."

344: Jesse Cole - How To Create 'You Wouldn't Believe' Moments Dec 23, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Text LEARNERS to 44222

#344: Jesse Cole

Jesse Cole is the founder of Fans First Entertainment and owner of the Savannah Bananas. His teams have welcomed more than 1 million fans to their ballparks and have been featured on MSNBC, CNN and ESPN. Cole’s teams have been awarded Organization of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Business of the Year and have won three CPL Championships. The Savannah Bananas currently have sold out every game for three straight seasons and have a waiting list in the thousands for tickets. In 2018, Fans First Entertainment made the INC 5000 list as one of the fastest growing companies in America. Jesse wrote Find Your Yellow Tux – How to Be Successful by Standing Out. The book launched #1 in three categories on Amazon and has been sold in 18 countries. Staying true to his mantra, “ Whatever’s Normal, Do the Exact Opposite,” Jesse launched the book with a World Book Tour….at Epcot.

Notes:

How do we define excellence?
- Hunger like PT Barnum and Walt Disney
- Curiosity
- Sustain energy -- Always "bring the energy." --> "When I'm at work, it's show time."
Understand what brings you energy -- Write it down
"It was right in front of me. We sold our house... We needed to create attention. We couldn't do marketing like everyone else."
The daily practice of writing Thank You notes:
- The "thank you experiment." One per day, every day. Look for people you're grateful for... Tell them.
Love: "Love is something not talked about enough." Jesse learns the love languages of all of his employees.
Long term values -- They call all people who buy tickets to his games.
Be intentional about EVERYTHING.
"We don't invest in marketing, we invest in experiences."
Relate to the normal person:
- With the hold music
- Your email signature
- Business cards
- Name tags
- Make everything remarkable
Write a letter to the parents of young people who work for you. How are you recognizing people?
"Be patient in what you want for yourself, but be impatient in how much you give to others."
Core beliefs:
- Always be caring
- Be different
- Write your future resume (what do you want to experience)
"Red flags never go down." If you find a red flag in the interview process, it's time to move on.
- "We want people who 'do and learn.'"
- "You don't fail, you discover things."
Build your idea muscle -- Write 10 ideas a day, every morning.
- "I believe in learning by doing."
Wrote 159 blogs before publishing any of them... "Stop standing still, start standing out."
- "It's a lot easier to fit in than stand out."
Create "You wouldn't believe" moments
- Write the normal list and then do the opposite -- Do the remarkable (like going on a world book tour at Epcot)
Magic Castle -- "Listen carefully, respond creatively."
Advice:
- What makes you different?
- What makes you stand out? Be okay with standing for something. Don't just try to be a little better than someone else.
- Experiment -- Throw darts until you hit the bulls-eye

343: Kelly McGonigal - The Power Of Discipline, Movement, & Stress Dec 16, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Episode #343: Kelly McGonigal

Kelly McGonigal is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University who specializes in understanding the mind-body connection. As a pioneer in the field of "science-help," her mission is to translate insights from psychology and neuroscience into practical strategies that support personal well-being and strengthen communities. She is the best-selling author of The Willpower Instinct and The Upside of Stress. You might know her from her TED talk, "How to Make Stress Your Friend," which is one of the most viewed TED talks of all time, with over 20 million views. Her new book, The Joy of Movement, explores why physical exercise is a powerful antidote to the modern epidemics of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Her identical twin sister is the well-known game designer and futurist Jane McGonigal.

Notes:

How do we define excellence?
- What's the metric?
  - It's about contributing to the world consistent and personal values. A sense of who
  - Let your strengths and talents be what guides you
- Trust in self, intuition, take risks
Kelly has a strong sense of direction. She's had that for a long time. When to say yes or no? She discovered she loved teaching.
The story/science approach -- "I want to connect you with a stranger." Help people connect with others.
- "The science reveals something about human nature."
Willpower -- "The ability to make choices to do what you want even when part of you doesn't want to do it."
- Immediate gratification combined with an investment if your future. Both are important. "This is a skill that can be developed."
Be clear about your values and goals. Know what you want. "Every morning, do a 30 second commitment to what's important to you." Remember who you are.
"Create an environment that reminds me of my goals and makes it easier to accomplish them."
Disciplined people do what they say they will do. "They are clear about what they want to do. Create an environment that supports them. Have a sense of purpose."
- "Anyone can develop discipline if they are clear on what they want."
"Stress is what happens when we care/have a lot at stake."
- "Stress is what gives you energy. It reminds you that it matters."
- Think, "How is stress trying to direct me?"
- "What is my body and brain trying to nudge me towards?"
- "Figure out your healthy stress responses."
Real life example: How to prepare for your first meeting with your new team (that you are leading):
- Get rid of the idea that you shouldn't be stressful. It is part of the process. It's a signal that you care.
- Bigger than self-perspective. Go beyond the ego. Think it's allowing the team to have a moment. Support the mission. Think bigger than just making a good impression. It helps you connect with clear intentions. It's a mindset shift.
- Always assume others have something as valuable as you. They have wisdom. Let it be co-created with others.
"Being a leader is bringing what's best in the room. People will rise to the expectations of them."
Thoughts Kelly had in her mind prior to her TED Talk (that has since gone viral):
- The woman that went before her had a panic attack. Kelly noticed that the crowd had incredible goodwill towards the speaker. They wanted the speaker to do well.
  - "Breathe in anxiety, breath out encouragement."
  - "I'm going to put the audience at ease. I got you."
The joy of movement: When you go from sedentary to active, when you move your body, there is increased optimism, hope, connection.
- The story about my mom working as an aerobics instructor when I was a kid -- Moving your body to the beat of the music is powerful and helpful.
Walking in nature: "When you're in nature, the brain shifts to the present moment." Take more walks.
The "Runner's High"-- Persistence is high, put the body in motion and just keep going. Your brain releases chemicals to provide pleasure, reduce pain. It creates energy and optimisim
"We learn from movement. We endure. We learn what we're capable of."
General advice:
- Take care of your self -- invest in your well being. It will help you deal with challenges
- Tell me about someone who's made a positive influence on your life
- Don't wait for permission. Start it. Do it. You need feedback.

342: Shane Snow - The #1 Skill Of An Effective Leader (Intellectual Humility) Dec 09, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#342: Shane Snow - The #1 Skill Of An Effective Leader (Intellectual Humility)

Text LEARNERS to 44222

For full show notes go to www.LearningLeader.com

Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Pattern recognition - The ability to connect ideas and people
- Systems thinking - Connect dots, zoom out
- The ability to continue to question yourself, a hunger to improve, a "voracious learner" (Liv Boeree)
- Must relearn how to humble yourself
- The #1 skill is intellectual humility -- The ability to sit between gullibility and stubbornness
Why are people so unwilling to change their mind?
- "So much of our ideas are attached to our identities."
- "You must separate your ego from intellect."
What is a solution (as a leader)?
- If you're the one in power, invite people with a different perspective to the table.
- Don't invoke identity. Just ask for perspective.
- Leave space to change your mind... "I could be wrong but..."
Strength and flexibility should not be in conflict
Ben Franklin idea:
- Use idea, leave space for change, set opinion, but use phrases less defensive, only change your mind based on evidence. Say things like:
  - "I could be wrong but..."
  - "The research suggests..."
  - "The evidence suggests..."
Elon Musk -- His pattern to persuade people...
- It's purpose based leadership ("to make life multi-planetary")
- The strength is in his vision and his purpose. He's seen as strong by being willing to change his mind.
Compliance versus Committed = Cult vs Culture
- Difference between a cult and culture:
  - Cult - Must act and think in a certain way
  - Culture - Asked to contribute your ideas in your way
Key part of leadership: "Understand what matters to your people."
Intellectual humility:
- Respect for others' viewpoints
- Lack of intellectual overconfidence
- Separating your ego from your intellect
- Being open to revising your viewpoints
- Openness to new experiences
Separate feelings/thoughts from facts
Trying something new creates new opportunities
Advice:
- Learn about intellectual humility - take Shane's assessment
- Frame changing your mind as a strength -- reward others for doing this
- Habits: Instead of saying "I feel" say "I think." Words matter.
Separate facts from stories
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

Order my book: WELCOME TO MANAGEMENT

341: Behind The Scenes Of The Learning Leader Show With Jay Acunzo Dec 02, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#341: Behind The Scenes Of The Learning Leader Show With Jay Acunzo

Full Shownotes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Text LEARNERS to 44222

Notes:

SECTION ONE: Superlatives
- Hardest interview: -- Jim Collins.
- Most-downloaded all-time:Show has steadily grown since it was created, so the most downloaded is a recent episode. From this year: #310 David Epstein. He wrote Range and The Sports Gene, Some popular ones from the past are: #300 with my dad and brother AJ, #216 Jim Collins episode is a popular one.
- Most referenced: the one you cite the most in conversation or your work - #78 with Kat Cole (Courage/Confidence + Curiosity/Humility) = Productive Achievers.
- Biggest delta between what you thought they'd be like...and what they were actually like? General Stanley McChrystal. War hero. 4 star General. Expected him to be super intimidating, but he was so kind, thoughtful, curious, and caring. Followed up to ask him to write the Foreword to my book and he said yes.
- Hardest part of running this show? It’s never ending. Must always be working on it - Reaching out to guests, cold emails, preparing for each conversation, reading their books, watching everything they have online, etc. It never stops.
- Where have you most improved? Better conversationalist. Understand how to ask better questions, be more thoughtful, intentional with my actions/behavior.
- Biggest benefits to your life... 1) The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know… I've become more curious.
- Most active listeners: who do you see popping up a lot? - My Leadership Circle
SECTION TWO: Stagnation Is The Enemy
- We undervalue the power of consistency: Consistency + Quality is the key to long term success. Most people quit. Must keep going.
- Why start it? - I wanted to create my own Leadership PhD. One where I get to choose the professors. Share with others, be a multiplier… Had dinner with Founder of Broadcast.com, Todd Wagner. Publishing work is the best form of networking. Create a reason for people to WANT to contact you.
- The preparation process - Read their books, watch their talks, read articles written by them and about them. Talk to friends we have in common. Read the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT section of their books to ask questions about meaningful in their lives (this gets them to open up and feel free to speak more emotionally… Which can be great audio and REAL)
- Given repeat ability and longevity, how do YOU stay engaged? Mental heuristics, intrinsic things that you just do/try, proactive remixes and reinventions? -- Have to be genuinely curious in the guest. Have to enjoy the pain of preparation. What are you willing to struggle for? Because that seems to be a greater determinant of how our lives turn out (Neil Pasricha). I love the preparation process, reading/thinking of angles to take a conversation with a specific guest that I’m curious about.
- Given that stagnation isn't just caused by US but also by the market saturating, how do you operate today compared to before? Early mover advantage wanes...and so many more podcasts about your topic specifically now exist. -- Willing to try new things (like this). Study and understand my listeners. You’ll often hear me speak to the exact avatar of my listener. I’m not trying to have the biggest show ever. I’m trying to be the right show for the people who email me (mid-level manager in corporate America. Building teams, hiring/firing, qualities to look for when building a team). It helps directly with those people, but have also found niche audiences in other spaces like NCAA basketball coaches, NBA players, etc.
SECTION THREE: What's next?
- What are you excited to do next? Try new projects like this episode… Continue to do live shows with an audience, travel more for in person recordings (Koppelman, Roberge), and keep going. My book.
- Where does this show go? What other projects surround it now, vs what you want to try? - Live shows, travel for in person. Bring on guests for my Leadership Circles (paid Mastermind groups. My groups ask for a guest, I bring them on). Creates group teaching and a ton of value for my Leadership Circles. My book.
- What's pissing you off about leadership in the corporate world that you'd like to explore and help solve? - Bad bosses. I’ve worked for a few (as have we all). I wrote about that goes through the process of being a bad boss to being a better one. I lived it and I’ve learned so much from others. That’s what WELCOME TO MANAGEMENT is all about.

340: Liz Forkin Bohannon - How To Build Your Life Of Purpose, Passion, & Impact (Beginner's Pluck) Nov 25, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Text LEARNERS to 44222 to receive the first chapter of my new book, WELCOME TO MANAGEMENT for free.

Episode #340: Liz Bohannon - co-founder and co-CEO of Sseko Designs and the author of Beginner's Pluck: Build your life of purpose, passion and impact now. Liz and the Sseko story has been featured in dozens of publications including: Vogue Magazine, Redbook Magazine, O Magazine, Inc, Fortune and others. Sseko has appeared on national broadcasts including ABC's Shark Tank and Good Morning America.

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- They do work that taps into their intrinsic motivation and they know WHY they do what they do.
  - You must drill down far to know this
- Vulnerable -- Look at Brene Brown. A "truth teller."
- Shoshin - An openness with eagerness. Have to have both.
Why is the "Beginner's Pluck" message resonating with so many people?
- "I believe it, but not sure if I really do..." People (women especially) tend to doubt themselves too much.
"You don't need to be extraordinary to build a life making a difference."
"Passion is something you build... I learned it through telling an untrue story."
Be driven by interest, and curiosity...
"I'm the CEO of a for-profit fashion company."
"My ego wasn't super involved. It gave me the freedom to just do it."
- "I got so obsessed with the problem and finding a solution to it."
"The work of an artist is to know what's inside of you. Be solutions agnostic."
- "The artist creates without thinking of the audience."
- "The entrepreneur has to think of the audience." --> What's the actual problem this fixes?
- Sit in the complexity of what it means to be a world changer.
- "We live in a world that is so quick to critique... Show up, do the work."
How did Liz learn to run a business?
- She took a six week crash course on basic accounting and followed her curiosity to learn each skill as she went.
  - Don't be caught in analysis paralysis
  - "The thing I had connected to me was my WHY."
  - "You don't get to know Step 7 when you're in stage 1. That's not how it works." Must take it a step at a time.
  - "What do I absolutely need to figure out?
    - The MVP - Minimum Viable Product -- Know that it's only Version 1. Can iterate as you go.
The 4 stages of Learning:
- Unconscious incompetent
- Conscious incompetent
- Conscious competent
- Unconscious competent
How often am I feeling out of my league? -- You should feel this often in order to grow.

339: Robert Greifeld - Lessons Learned From A Decade Of Change As CEO Of NASDAQ Nov 18, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Ep: #339: Robert Greifeld - Lessons Learned From A Decade Of Change As CEO Of NASDAQ

Robert Greifeld served as the CEO of Nasdaq from 2003 to 2016. During his tenure, Bob led Nasdaq through a series of complex, innovative acquisitions that extended the company’s footprint from a single U.S. equity exchange to a global exchange and technology solutions provider, nearly quadrupling revenue, growing annual operating profits by more than 24 times and achieving a market value of over $11 billion. He is the author of a new book called: Market Mover: Lessons from a Decade of Change at Nasdaq.

Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- "Once you achieve competency, they're on a daily battle with complacency."
- Always looking forward - never resting on laurels
- A mindset that: "Success in the past is no guarantee that success will happen in the future."
Self reflection is important for self awareness: "Being focused on the present doesn't preclude self reflection."
Has being rich made you happy? "Wealth makes you more secure?"
How to balance family time and work time?
- "Balance is a dangerous word. I prefer having an integrated life instead." "I made a rule that I did no business dinners unless I was doing the selling."
- Make multiple short trips instead of longer ones... Only miss seeing your family for a day or two at a time
Bob describes the story of how he was recruited to NASDAQ and why he took the job...
- During the interview process, he shared the five things he would do within the first 100 days:
  - Get right people on board
  - Reduce bureaucracy
  - Embrace fiscal discipline
  - Overhaul technology
  - Stop being satisfied with number 2
- Have to have the right people on the bus
  - Bob met with many people prior to starting as the CEO of NASDAQ: "I fired a lot of people before 8:00am on the first day I started. I did a lot of work prior to starting to learn who was going to buy in."
  - "Good morale in a bad organization is not a good thing."
With promotions, live by the 80/20 rule: "We tried to promote 80% from within our organization."
- "When interviewing people from the outside, the odds of being wrong are higher."
- Qualities to look for in people to promote:
  - Positive attitude/energy -- "Happy campers"
  - Pure skills
  - How well do they play with others?
  - Won't tolerate prima donnas
How to be a great leader?
- Must be in front of your customers
- Stand in the shoes of your people
- Do a lot of individual contributor work
- "Don't be a conference room pilot" -- Don't spend all your time in meetings
Learned knowledge vs. Lived knowledge
- Learned: "Don't know what's coming, you just learned it."
- Lived: "You've sat in the seat, you can see around corners."
Acquisitions:
- Geography - If location is near us, that helps
- Industry - If it's the same industry, just smaller, that helps
Overall advice:
- Never had a career path or end goal
- Wanted to do something that energized me
  - "I'll do that job well."
- "Don't focus on climbing the mythical career ladder."
- "Don't take a job to just get another job."
Why leave NASDAQ?
- "I like controlling my schedule."
The benefits of growing up with blue collar parents. His dad worked for the Post Office, he was always upbeat and believe that life can be better.

338: Jason Fried - How To Create The Ideal Company Culture (It Doesn't Have To Be Crazy At Work) Nov 11, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #338: Jason Fried

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Text LEARNERS to 44222 to learn more

Jason Fried is the founder & CEO at Basecamp. He's the co-author of Getting Real, Remote, REWORK, and It Doesn't Have To Be Crazy At Work. Basecamp is a privately-held Chicago-based company committed to building the best web-based tools possible with the least number of features necessary. Their blog, Signal vs. Noise, is read by over 100,000 people every day. Jason believes there's real value and beauty in the basics. Elegance, respect for people's desire to simply get stuff done, and honest ease of use are the hallmarks of Basecamp products.

Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Willingness/ability to know what's the work worth doing
  - The skill to discern what's important
- How to develop that skill?
  - Must become a good auditor of your time. Practice. Look back on what you've done. Analyze what you do? Discern what's worth it.
Remote work:
- Basecamp has 56 employees in 30 cities around the world... Why remote?
  - "You don't want the best people, you want the right people." The odds of all the right people living near your headquarters is small.
- The business started in Chicago with three people.
  - They hired DHH to be their first programmer. He lived in Denmark. Then they hired someone in Utah. "It just worked. We didn't worry about where, just wanted to find the right people."
Jason never writes a business plan -- No 1, 3, or 5 year plan. They work in six week project increments.
- Why? "Planning is simply guessing. Setting your course over a guess doesn't seem like a good idea. We have an idea of where we're headed, but we work in six week chunks."
What Jason learned from Jeff Bezos: "People who were right often changed their minds." --> Be willing to change your mind when better evidence presents itself.
The "anti-goal" mindset:
- "(Financial) Goals are made up. There's nothing about them that's true. They are guesses... Made up numbers."
  - "Asking if I hit the goal is the wrong question. Asking if I enjoyed the run is the better question."
  - "One of the problems with setting goals is you are a different person when you set them than when they need to be met." You grow, evolve, and change.
  - "Too many companies focus on numbers instead of their customers." --> That is because they have number based goals to hit. It can ruin the customer experience (Jason had a terrible experience trying to cancel his satellite radio service)
Qualities Jason looks for when making hiring decisions:
- Communicate clearly - "You must be a great writer." Much of their communication is done in writing. "We look at the cover letter first. That must be good. If that's not well written, then we do not look at the resume."
- Quality of character - "You must be a good person. We hire people that we want to be with. No ego. We like to hire people that use "we" and "us" instead of "I"
- Must be able to give and take feedback - Need to be coachable. "For designers, we give them a project to do in the interview process and then we provide them feedback. If they can't handle it, we will not hire them."
Transition from individual contributor to leader... How to do it well?
- "It is REALLY hard. Very few people are born being good managers."
- "Come to terms that you can no longer do everything."
- Advice Jason got from Tobi (CEO of Shopify) - "As the CEO, you are working on longer term strategic initiatives. You don't get to feel the day-to-day progress that people lower in the organization feel." Need to get comfortable with that.
Some of the benefits at Basecamp: Fully paid vacation every year for all employees ($5K), 3 day weekends all summer, $1K/year in continuing education outside of your job, $100/month for a massage, $100/month gym membership, $2K/year charity match, paid in the top 10% of your salary range as if you lived in San Francisco (even though no employees live in San Francisco)
- Why do it? "It's the right thing to do. I wanted to start a business that I wanted to work at. We're a company that cares about service."
- "People are not the place to save money. They are the place to spend money."
"Give people their time. A contiguous block of time every day to do their work." Don't muddle it up with meetings in the middle of that time.
"I'll work hard now so I can relax later" is not the optimal way to live. Create the habits now to enjoy it as you go. "Later" is where intentions go to die. "When calm starts early, calm becomes the habit."

337: Scott H. Young - How To Become An Ultra-Learner Nov 04, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Text LEARNERS to 44222

For full show notes, go to www.LearningLeader.com

Episode #337: Scott H. Young - How To Become An Ultra Learner

Scott Young is a writer who undertakes interesting self-education projects, such as attempting to learn MIT's four-year computer science curriculum in twelve months and learning four languages in one year. Scott incorporates the latest research about the most effective learning methods and the stories of other ultralearners like himself—among them Ben Franklin, Judit Polgár, and Richard Feynman, as well as a host of others, such as little-known modern polymaths like Nigel Richards who won the World Championship of French Scrabble—without knowing French. He is the author of the best-selling book, UltraLearning.

Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Understand how excellence works
- Learning, constantly thinking about the process of improving
Being interested in learning new things... Scott finds the mind fascinating
- Encountering things that people have done that are jaw dropping
Projects:
- Why he failed to learn French as an exchange student
  - "Simple decisions you make early on can have big consequences."
  - Because he didn't go all in and immerse himself in the language, he always reverted back to his native tongue
Go for inversion from the beginning. This is why he did the "year without English."
"Doing the hard thing makes it easier in the long run, it accelerates skills more quickly"
UltraLearning - A strategy for acquiring skills and knowledge that is both self-directed and intense
As a manager, recognize that there are many different skills you can possess to be successful...
- Know what you need to be good at. Break it down to the component skills... Have a process
- Get better at each important skill
- Think: "What would it be like to be amazing at this?"
Tristan de Montebello: He wanted to learn a new skill that was completely outside of his current skill set (he's a musician)
- Instead of learning another instrument, he chose to become a world class public speaker
- He started as an amateur and ended as a finalist for a public speaking championship.
  - How? He got on stage twice a day, took improv class, and compressed the process.
  - "He made the conscious decision to become excellent." And then executed...
Process for a person who has a full time job/family/mortgage:
- This doesn't need to be a full time endeavor
- "How are you using every minute of every day?"
- Take on intensive bursts
- Follow your curiosity and obsessions
- Ramit Sethi -- "See the game being played around you"
Principles:
- Spend time figuring out the best way to learn what you want to learn. What tools and resources are available?
- Drill, attack your weakest point. Sometimes you shouldn't learn a skill (ex: fixing your car... Hire a mechanic instead)
- Every complicated skill has components
- Test to learn
  - Repeated review - read over and over
  - Free recall - read the text once, then close the book. Try to recall what you learned. In an experiment, free recall learners retained more. PRACTICE remembering something. It impacts how you process information.
Anders Ericsson - Deliberate practice:
- In 40% of the cases, feedback hurt. Task oriented feedback works best.
- How we process feedback is most important
  - "If you're doggedly trying to be an ultra learner and sustain excellence, emotional consequences are important..."
Born with it vs. Ability to learn:
- Anyone has the ability to learn anything
- Everyone has their own abilities, their own pace.
- Recognize your capacity to improve but don't compare to others
Life advice:
- Read more books - It expands your mind
- Meet more interesting people - Subtlety informs choices, expands group you meet
- Go do ambitious things - bold projects
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

336: Neil Pasricha - How To Build Resilience & Live An Intentional Life Oct 27, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #336: Neil Pasricha: How To Build Resilience & Live An Intentional Life

Full Show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

How To Build Resilience & Live An Intentional Life

NEIL PASRICHA is the the author of six books including: The Book of Awesome, a spinning rolodex of simple pleasures based on his 100-million-hit, award-winning blog 1000 Awesome Things, The Happiness Equation, originally written as a 300-page love letter to his unborn son on how to live a happy life, Awesome Is Everywhere, an interactive introduction to guided meditation for children, and How To Get Back Up, a memoir of failure and resilience released as an Audible Original. His latest book is called You Are Awesome. His books are New York Times and #1 international bestsellers and have sold millions of copies across dozens of languages. His first TED talk “The 3 A’s of Awesome” is ranked one of the 10 Most Inspiring of all time.

Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- They read a lot
- They unplug regularly - "the genesis for all my best ideas."
  - "Create untouchable time" for yourself
The CEO of Wal-Mart -- How did he create this time?
- He's the CEO BECAUSE he always made this part of his way of operating.
Neil worked in a senior level corporate role for Wal-Mart for 10 years
- His side hustle was writing and speaking
  - He didn't quit his job until he had successfully built his side hustle for eight years!
Ask yourself two questions:
- Which of these two decisions will I regret not doing more on your death bed?
- What will you do if it fails?
The farmer with one horse fable: A farmer had only one horse. One day, his horse ran away. His neighbors said,“I’m so sorry. This is such bad news. You must be so upset.” The man just said,“We’ll see.” A few days later, his horse came back with twenty wild horses following. The man and his son corralled all twenty-one horses. His neighbors said, “Congratulations! This is such good news.You must be so happy!” The man just said,“We’ll see.” One of the wild horses kicked the man’s only son, breaking both his legs. His neighbors said,“I’m so sorry.This is such bad news. You must be so upset.” The man just said,“We’ll see.” The country went to war, and every able-bodied young man was drafted to fight. The war was terrible and killed every young man, but the farmer’s son was spared since his broken legs prevented him from being drafted. His neighbors said, “Congratulations! This is such good news.You must be so happy!” The man just said, “We’ll see . . .”
What is up with this crazy farmer, right?

Well, what’s up with this crazy farmer is that he has truly developed resilience. He has built up his resilience. He is resilient! He’s steady, he’s ready, and whatever the future brings, we all know he’s going to stare it straight in the face with eyes that scream,“Bring it on.”

The farmer has come to understand that every skyrocketing pleasure or stomach-churning defeat defines not who he is but simply where he is.
What do most commencement speeches get wrong?
- Do what you love only if you're willing to accept the pain to continue doing it...
- The grind. A lot of small losses add up. Can you handle the pain that you will need to endure to do what you love?
Is it better to be a big fish in a small pond?
- Yes. Academic research shows it benefits you even up to 10 years after you leave the pond...
- Don't but the $5m condo in NYC. Continue to find places where you can purposefully win.
- Rig the game to win.
"Different is better than better."
Add a dot-dot-dot...
- Neil's mom: "I always just added the word yet to everything..." It's not a NO, it's a "not yet."
- You have to just "keep going."
The two minute morning routine that takes the worry out of waking up:
- In your journal write three things:
  - I will let go of...
  - I am grateful for...
  - I will focus on...
Neil's goal setting:
- Set the lowest possible goals. Set goals that you will hit.
- "Extrinsic goals don't work."
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

335: Deconstructing The Art & Science Of Public Speaking With Jay Acunzo Oct 23, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Text LEARNERS to 44222

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Episode #335: Deconstructing The Art & Science Of Public Speaking With Jay Acunzo

This is another bonus episode with my friend, Jay Acunzo. We deconstruct the art and science of public speaking in this bonus episode. "I'm trying to help you see something different that fundamentally changes your work for the better."

Notes:

The goal:
- Help your audience see something different that fundamentally changes their work for the better.
- Everything I'm doing (when speaking) is helping you get from where you're at to where you want to be.
How to put a talk together:
- Prompt driven -- Anticipate the questions that will be asked and answer them.
- The coaching of Andrew Davis for Jay... "He's been really instrumental in helping me build a speaking business
  - "The Dialog Outline" -- You break up a talk you're giving into it's component pieces making it a modular talk.
    - "You're sharing the things others need to hear at the right moment they need to hear it... So they're anticipating what comes next..."
- Put yourself in situations to "talk out your thoughts" to generate ideas... "Learn through speaking."
Process to prepare:
- The value of rehearsal -- Is it needed? How much?
- Memorization vs. knowing your content cold → How to not sound like a robot, but still remember what to say?
- Visual aids (PowerPoint, Keynote) -- "If I need the slides, I'm not ready." - Jay. Slides should be use to reinforce the message. You should never need to look at them. They are there to be additive to your message for your audience.
- The 30 seconds before going on stage? The optimal self talk... Interesting to hear the dramatic difference between Jay's approach and mine...
  - Get emotionally cross-faded. "Wow, I get to do this. This is so cool." (The words Jay says to himself the instant before he goes on stage." And then... "Watch this." Assuring people that "I'm going to have some serious fun."
  - "Get ready... I'm about to put on a show." -- Use your excitement and confidence to serve the audience.
How to start a speech: What to do and what NOT to do:
- The first part of the speech is the shared goal - "What does everyone in the room want?"
  - "The Vanguard." - The front line you send out to begin the attack...
- Do NOT start by saying, "I'm so excited to be here." Of course you're excited. Don't waste that time. It's too important to wander into the speech.

Speaking Framework:
- (Mine: story → science → practical application)
  - Story -- People remember stories
  - Science -- Empirical evidence/data to support the story
  - Application -- This is what it means for YOU
- Storytelling -- How to become a better storyteller? Great storytellers can rule the world...
  - Give a "feature story" -- And then reveal your hidden truth.
  - And then break it down into a methodology.
- Engaging the audience - some speakers walk in the crowd, some ask questions regularly… The optimal ways to engage the audience
- The element of surprise -- How to create ‘moments’ for the audience (surprise, ‘aha’ etc)? How to ensure you are enlightening them and not just regurgitating stuff they already know...
- The keys to Q & A and why it should never be the last thing you do on stage...
Film the audience to see their reaction to your message... Study that to see what hits.
How to add humor appropriately
Coaching/feedback -- The intentional actions taken to ensure improvement. Why you should have a coach. Who is your kitchen cabinet?
For corporate world mid-level managers who have to do QBR’s (quarterly business reviews) -- How can they make those more exciting? (Most are dreadfully boring full of random stats, charts, bar graphs, etc)
Study the 'intentionality' of stand up comedians. Everything you say is for a specific reason.
Be thoughtful and intentional with your actions.
Persuasive presentations have logos, ethos, and pathos (from Talk Like TED)
- Logos - Backing up your argument with data
- Ethos - Credibility of the speaker
- Pathos - Establish an emotional connection

334: Yancey Strickler - Using The Power Of Metaphors (This Could Be Our Future) Oct 20, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#334 Yancey Strickler

Text Learners to 44222

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Yancey Strickler is a writer and entrepreneur. He is the cofounder and former CEO of Kickstarter and author of This Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous World.Yancey has been recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People. He’s spoken at the Museum of Modern Art, Sundance and Tribeca Film Festivals, Web Summit, and events around the globe.

Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Selflessness - "You have to get over yourself first"
- Have strength to know what's important
- Flexible
- It requires more time living into the minds of other people - "Not necessarily compassion, but 'what's going on with them?'"
- Curiosity - A desire to know more
Amazon thinks 'customer maximization' - thinking in the best interest of the customer
How to get hired for the next management role?
- Spend 1 hour a day with your current team -- Learn from them. What's really going on?
- Be the "go to" person for important objectives
What was Day 1 as the CEO of KickStarter like?
- "I remember the new fancy office... I needed to set proper expectations."
- "People need to know how to make decisions"
- "The weight I felt as a new CEO was very high"
- The "on-me-ness was so high" - A huge responsibility that was felt
The skill of "sandwiching ideas" -- Using metaphors to put together different ideas
- Japanese cuisine
  - "Hara Hachi Bu: stop eating when you’re 80% full so that you're still hungry for tomorrow."
    - We shouldn't overfull ourselves because there is always something to learn tomorrow
"My brain is really good at storing and making connections."
"As a CEO/Leader, you need to be able to speak in metaphors to bring more oxygen to the situation..."
How can we all do this?
- Read --> Write it down --> Take notes of something interesting
- "Metaphors are powerful."
The power of story --> science --> application
During his time at KickStarter, they grew from 70 employees to 155 in just a few years... What did Yancey look for in candidates?
- Selflessness, servant mindset
- "When they shared accomplishments, did they use 'we' or 'I'? We like the people who use 'we'"
- Mission driven
- Honest
- Not afraid to share bad news
- "Whenever I found myself having to talk myself into something and overlook a red flag, I often found that was a mistake."
Why did he leave KickStarter?
- "I got tired, it took the energy out of me. It was my identity for a decade..."
- Had a rough 360 review (full review of people above, beside, and below him in the organization)
- "One morning, I got to the door to leave my house, and I could not do it. I broke down crying to my wife and said, 'I don't want to be a CEO today.'"
Why writing is so beneficial:
- Forces clarity of thought
- "It forces you to accept rejection and just roll."
Why write a manifesto(the book)?
- "I gave a talk, had it transcribed, put it online, and it went viral."
When deciding to work for himself:
- "I need to treat myself as if I'm a company." -- How to properly plan and strategize as a solo entrepreneur
- "I wrote down five options... One of them was writing a book. I chose that option."
- A publisher said to Yancey, "You don't need to hide. Your book is good enough without all the fancy artwork."
Going against the grain: "I'm challenging the dominant ethos of our time."
Bentoism - A balanced view of what's in our rational self-interest as inspired by the layout of a Japanese lunchbox.
- Now me, future me, now us, future us. The four quadrants...
- Do you want do this in a small group with Yancey? Email me
How Adele did this?
- She used an algorithm to measure how loyal a fan was. She used that information to help them get tickets at a decent price instead of the extraordinary prices on the secondary market.
  - This is both emotional and rational. It's possible to be done for all of us.
Life advice:
- Yancey originally felt like a failure because he didn't identify with what the magazine covers were telling him: He didn't feel the urge to want to crush his competitors. It's hard to be aware of the water you swim in...
- Have awareness... Be curious, read a lot.
- Have a plan... An idea of where to go. Understand new values.
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

333: Chris Savage - How To Bet On Yourself & Scale Through Creativity (The Wistia Way) Oct 13, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#333: Chris Savage - How To Bet On Yourself & Scale Through Creativity

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Chris Savage is the co-founder and CEO of Wistia, a web-based video hosting solution built for businesses. He founded the company in 2006 with the goal of helping businesses effectively market their products or services in a smarter way through video. Under Savage’s leadership and vision, Wistia has experienced 100 percent growth over the past three years, expanding the company’s client portfolio to more than 110,000 users in more than 50 countries, including companies such as HubSpot, MailChimp and Starbucks.

Text LEARNERS to 44222

Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Voracious learners - "they celebrate learning more"
- Crave feedback - a strong desire to improve - "They are wired to want that"
- Patrick Campbell - "He's trying hard to learn as fast as possible"
Chris's process for continual improvement:
- Placing people in his life to push him
  - "I go to them to push my thinking"
- Block time to think - "Being busy is not a sign of success"
- Spend time with customers and employees
Enjoying the process:
- "It was stimulating and exciting. It took us a year to get our first paying customer."
- The business was funded by savings. They kept their expenses very low
Key to a successful partnership:
- Ensure values are aligned - "These are intrinsic"
- Know that everything takes longer than you think
- Have a decision making framework - Demystify the process to make big decisions
The product strategies/options:
- Operational efficiency - The cheapest (No, this is not optimal)
- Product leadership - Be different
- Customer intimacy - This will solve customer problems
Their values:
- Long term company thinking
- Creativity
- Presentation - An elevated experience. Aesthetics matter.
- Simplicity
Hiring - "Hiring is everything." Qualities he looks for:
- "How are people intrinsically motivated?"
- "Are they excited about the craft, the challenge?"
- Give them a real-life problem to solve -- And see how they handle it/resolve it
Inside their process to hire a VP of People:
- Clearly define what success is in the role
- Do a project after the first round of interviews - "Do the job, get critiqued."
- Build out strategy - Not a perfect plan, but have a process
- Meet with management team, present the plan.
Building your network:
- "Take the weight of your friends. You're the average of them."
- Be proactive who you want to be --> Look for people who challenge you.
- Reflect on that...
- Tactically: Make connections with people who you admire. People like honest, sincere compliments. Tell them WHY they inspire you
Financials: Raised angle round of $650K. Then $800K. All individual angels. No venture. They have $10m in revenue.
Crisis:
- "We were losing this money, we weren't having fun anymore... People tried to buy us."
  - They raised debt to do a buy back... "I felt amazing."
Wistia:
- Creative risk taking
- Have to scare self - made a feature length documentary
- Host of the Brandwagon show
- "Take risks that scare you"
Growth and profitability aren't mutually exclusive - "Focus on building products and experiences that people love... Growth follows."

Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

332: David Brixey & Doug Meyer LIVE! - How To Build & Sustain A Great Partnership Oct 06, 2019

The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk

Ep # 332: David Brixey & Doug Meyer LIVE! - How To Build A Business From The Ground Up

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

This episode was recorded in front of 150 of our closest friends, family, and clients in Dayton, Ohio.

Doug Meyer formed Brixey & Meyer alongside Dave Brixey with a dream to give clients a different way of working with their tax professionals. In his role as Managing Director, Doug serves as a trusted business advisor to Business Owners, CEOs, CFOs and Boards of Advisors, driving value and accountability in the following strategic areas: succession & ownership planning, strategic planning, owners agreement structures, compensation planning, family business advisory & issue mediation, professional management practices, mergers & acquisition strategy, and family charter implementation.

David Brixey formed Brixey & Meyer with Doug Meyer in 2002 utilizing his insatiable entrepreneurial spirit and his financial skills gained at Ernst & Young. He is also the co-founder and Managing Director of Brixey Meyer Capital, a lower middle market private investment firm. Since 2008, Dave has been personally involved in investing in small business to lower middle market as well as venture capital.

Brixey & Meyer is recognized as a leading provider of accounting and business advisory services in the Midwest.

331: Ryan Holiday - How Will You Choose To Respond? (Stillness Is The Key) Sep 29, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Text LEARNERS to 44222

Episode #331: Ryan Holiday - Stillness Is The Key

RYAN HOLIDAY is one of the world's foremost thinkers and writers on ancient philosophy and its place in everyday life. He is a sought-after speaker, strategist, and the author of many bestselling books including The Obstacle Is the Way; Ego Is the Enemy; and The Daily Stoic. His books have been translated into over 30 languages and sold over two million copies worldwide. He lives outside Austin, Texas, with his family. His latest book is called Stillness Is The Key.

Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence =
- They look at the whole picture
- They have the ability to zoom out
- They have balance
  - Driven, skilled at what they do, but they do not run unchecked. This creates happiness.
- Highly disciplined
- Temperance - Integrated into life
The word enough:
- Balance - "We're definitely going to be forgotten."
- It's important to have the quiet time to do the work. And you have to love doing it.
Michael Jordan's hall of fame speech:
- "It's so misguided. The problem with proving people wrong is eventually you do it. And it's never enough. Rather, you should choose to prove your own potential right. Did I leave it all on the page? Did I fulfill my own standards?"
- I choose to prove my supporters right instead of allowing detractors to take up space in my head
The higher power was the logos - the path of the universe... The stoics acknowledged fate and fortune and the power these forces had over them.
- Marcus Lattimore (RB from South Carolina and the NFL) - He said, "The career ending injury I had was the best thing that ever happened to me."
  - Decide how you will choose to respond. Make the choice to make a positive difference in people's lives.
The impact of father hood has had on Ryan:
- "You realize how powerless you are as a parent. It's humbling and eye opening."
The WHO - the power of relationships
- It's a team. It requires balance. Both players must flourish independently:
  - "Accomplishments are not part of the identity of the relationship I have with Sam (his wife). She doesn't give a shit how many books I sell."
  - "I have an inner scoreboard and hold myself to those standards."
The value of a daily journal - The process, the ritual, the routine is helpful.
- The act of the devotion. Quiet time everyday, provides energy in the morning. "A routine becomes a ritual over time."
- Journaling one line a day for five years: It's the process of warming up, talking to self, verbalizing fears
Thoughtfulness - "Interrogate yourself at the end of each day." -- This is what Churchill did
Hitler said, "I recognized the correctness of my views." That's not wisdom, it's insanity. Don't do that.
Privately, Abraham Lincoln with racked with doubt.
The epidemic of ego easily mistakes for confidence and strength
Stillness - What we're working towards. We need it to think clearly. We need to rest.
- Must be fully in the moment
Momento Mori - "Get in the moment"
Speaking routine - Wear the same clothes, workout before, listen to the same music, manage energy, funnel focus, and know that the material helps people
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

330: Deconstructing The Art & Science Of Interviewing With Jay Acunzo Sep 25, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#330: Deconstructing The Art & Science Of Interviewing With Jay Acunzo

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

This is a special bonus episode focusing on deconstructing the art and science of interviewing. You will hear learning happening in real time. Jay Acunzo and I go a meta-level to better understand how to better improve our conversation ability, how to be better in an interview. "Interviewing is a skill that enhances your life in a pleasant and unexpected way." This is focused on how you can ask better questions, be more interesting and more interested, and become a better conversationalist.

Notes:

The meta level of deconstructing the process of making the work is rare...
"I experience the most flow when it's quiet, nitty-gritty work. Those minute are profoundly rewarding for me."
What makes a great interview?
An open loop -- Start telling the story, but wait to close the loop until later to build intrigue...
The difference between a narrative style show and an interview getting to know someone:
- A story is three parts - The intent of the story: The "Joseph Campbell Heroes Journey" 1) Status Quo 2) Conflict 3) Resolution
- Bucket of questions:
  - "Tell me about X..."
  - "How did it make you feel?"
  - The analysis and the reflection
Change your mindset: "You're not an interviewer, you're a dance partner."
- "The only thing that matters is that you lead. Everything else is little subtle moves to get people to go to where you want to go."
"It's not a constant march forward. Instead, think of it like a dance. There are some steps back, steps forward, steps to the side — all packaged together in one coherent experience, with lots of zig-zagging and subtle steps inside those boundaries."
Open ended questions: “Tell me about X” gets you story details, while “how did it feel when” gets you key moments of reflection and analysis. Both are crucial.
Clip #1 -- JJ Redick
- He says “great question” — what would make someone interviewed as often as a pro athlete say that?
- How to prep for an interview for someone who is interviewed all the time?
  - Built a basic rapport leading up to the interview -- Discussed sports, restaurants, podcasting, interviewing. Developed a "friend" level of communication
    - Create an environment where the guest wants it to be a great show
- Good follow up questions: Ask for an example... Asking, "How did that make you feel?" "What's your process?" --> Then be a deep, thoughtful listener to ask a follow up.
- Stay on the same level with your dance partner - Don't be a guest "worshiper"
- When following up, there are a few things you can do: 1) Distill 2) Disagree 3) Ask the next question...
- During an interview, the best question you can ask: "How did that make you feel?" It enables them to get in an emotional lane (away from canned responses)
- Testing the levels on the microphone -- Don't waste that opportunity. Engineer the guest, the human -- You need them to feel like we're hanging out and excited about the interview. Make it fun. What to ask instead: "I'm going to check your levels, do you have any pets at home?" "What would be your last meal on earth?" -- It helps people break out of their corporate drone mode. The question is about the person, on a human plane.
- Create a safe space for them to share their truth. "I'm not a journalist, I'm a conversationalist."
Clip #2 -- Adam Savage
- How did he get on the show? Working with a PR firm to book a guest -- A great PR person like Brent Underwood only recommends guests that are a good fit for the show.
- Ask questions that you are genuinely curious about -- I am curious about someone's process and it's always led me to a useful follow up...
- The issue is sometimes a "process" oriented question is the guest can answer with a generality... How to wiggle out of that?
  - Look at the acknowledgement section of their book to get ideas for important people/events in their life to ask about...
- Mental Heuristics: Tell me about, 30,000 feet, go to a specific example... The third question is "Putting them in a box:" -- "
From Jay: Heuristics to tell great AUDIO stories:
- Tell me about...
- How did you feel when (or, how did that feel?)
- Can you give me an example?
- (Superlatives) Best, worst, funniest, scariest, hardest, least certain, favorite, etc...
- (Dig for emotional moments)
Clip #3 -- Brian Koppelman
- How to handle nerves -- Work to get settled in. Get through the initial conversation point...
- Give people a genuine compliment for why you like their work -- Tell people why their work helps you
Hidden Gems:
- Interplay between your intent for the work and your framework for it:
  - "My goal is to engineer an outcome, but I have an intent I don't want to become The Bachelor in Paradise."
    - Have self and situational awareness. We carry with us good intent to serve the audience. Don't let the framework or engineering supersede the original intent.
- The two types of interviews: 1) The person, their story... 2) Their content
  - The best conversations are able to weave both together and smoothly bounce back and forth
  - Learn about the person AND learn about the topic that he has mastered -- Master that dance between both -- I need to give you something that is going to make you better.
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

329: Kindra Hall - How Storytelling Can Influence Audiences & Transform Your Business Sep 22, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Ep #329: Kindra Hall

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Kindra Hall is President and Chief Storytelling Officer at Steller Collective, a consulting firm focused on the strategic application of storytelling to today’s communication challenges. Kindra is one of the most sought after keynote speakers trusted by global brands to deliver presentations that inspire teams and individuals to better communicate the value of their company, their products and their individuality through strategic storytelling. Kindra is a former Director of Marketing and VP of Sales. Her much anticipated book, Stories That Stick, will be published on September 24, 2019.

Notes:

Why is storytelling so important?
- It's how we learn, how we connect
- Your team needs to know you, and like you (stories do that when you tell them well)
- You can learn breadth/depth of a person through a story
A story is NOT:
- A bullet point resume
- A list of information
- Stating the mission statement
- The objective
A story = The small moments when mission is in a specific place and time... When something happens.
The four components of a story:
- Place and time: "a moment"
- Identifiable characters - must see people
- Authentic emotion - Relatable to audience
- Specific details - Draw audience in to the co-creative process
Opening story of her book: In Slovenia at Thanksgiving:
- The power of the sales clerk's ability to tell a story compelled Kindra and her husband to buy
Why did the story work?
- It drew you in with powerful moments and emotion
- It had suspense - "I want to know what's going to happen..."
- People will give you their attention when you're telling a compelling story
- It brought them to places through vivid descriptions
How to better start a meet at work:
- First, realize it's a skill you can develop
- Take a step back, think of the higher level message -- "What's the overall theme?"
  - "When have I seen this in action?" Why was it compelling?
Make a list of nouns: People in life you've had to communicate with (bosses, friends, colleagues)
- Find moments and stories from those people... Understand the characters of the story
Think: "What do I want my audience to think, feel, know, and do at the end of this story?"
Use the "bystander story" - Stories of others that you make yours
- Remember the goal is to create connection
- This becomes your story... Through your eyes
How to handle price conversations?
- Move from dollars and cents to value -- "They need to feel the pain of if they didn't have this thing I'm selling."
- Our decisions are not always based on logic, they are based on ideas
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

328: Joel Peterson - How To Build The Bonds That Make A Business Great Sep 15, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Text LEARNERS to 44222

#328: Joel Peterson -- Joel Peterson is the Chairman of the Board at JetBlue Airways. He has served on more than three dozen boards over the past 45 years. Joel is also the Founding Partner and Chairman of Peterson Partners, a Salt Lake City-based investment management firm with $1 billion under management. Peterson Partners has invested in over 200 companies through 13 funds in four primary asset classes: growth-oriented private equity, venture capital, real estate, and search funds. Since 1992, Joel Peterson has taught courses in real estate, entrepreneurship, and leadership at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University.

Sustaining excellence =
- They are trusted, credible, and dependable -- They "build a high trust organization"
- It doesn't happen naturally. You must be intentional about it
Why is it so hard to build a trusting organization?
- "People are weary. Trust is critical. You must do what you say you are going to do."
"Trust is not being gullible. Trust is a hard edged concept."
It's three parts:
- Character
- Competence
- Authority
How to build a culture of trust?
- Listen -- Capture what your team is saying through 1 on 1 conversations. Understand common values, goals, strategies
- Reframe the dashboard -- What does winning look like? Make sure it is clearly defined. What's the current level of trust in the organization?
How to run an effective meeting:
- Have a purpose, the right people in the room, and follow up assignments.
- Have pre-work. It must be done. Go through each individual member. "Build trust by the process."
How to run a town-hall:
- Listen carefully, repeat it. FOLLOW UP and take action.
How to handle broken trust?
- Fix breaches immediately. "Bad news doesn't get better with age." -- "Don't let grass grown under your feet."
"Trust decreases transaction costs." -- Everything is faster when there is trust.
"You can't do good business with bad people."
Interview process:
- Understand the decision points
- Determine roles/responsibilities as a team
- Check references
- The most important decisions you will make is who you hire and who you fire
There must be a vividly clear picture of what success is:
- Break down the details: Who is the champion? Time frame? Budget? -- Measure all of them to ensure all involved know what success is.
- Do a post-mortem: What went well? What didn't? Why?
Keep your team informed:
- "Err on the side of over-communication."
- "Write a partner letter every two weeks. Keep everyone updated."
- For JetBlue, there is a weekly meeting update -- a "State of the Union" for the 24,000 employees
Create a learning organization -- Foster an environment where there is a love for learning.
Strive for win-win negotiations
- Each is part of a series -- Think long term
- You must be fair in order to do many deals
- Art of the compromise -- Don't be zero sum. You'll build a reputation and nobody will want to work with you.
Embrace respectful conflict -- Create an environment where people can open disagree. This helps people refine their ideas and make them better.
Advice for husbands/dads:
- Be there as a cheerleader, not a policeman
- Be a listener, make sure you understand
- "Love is the most powerful force in the world."
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

327: Marc Roberge - How To Create Fans For Life (O.A.R.) Sep 08, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#327: Marc Roberge

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Marc Roberge is lead singer and rhythm guitar player for O.A.R. (Of A Revolution). He also is their primary songwriter and has been described by his band-mates as, "Our Leader." He formed the band with his best friend (and drummer) Chris Culos for an 8th grade talent show 23 years ago in Rockville, Maryland. I first saw him play at a college bar called "First Run" on the Miami University campus in Oxford, OH my freshman year (2000). Since then, O.A.R. has gone on to sell out Madison Square Garden. We recorded this episode in Austin, Texas next to the stage at Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater.

Notes:

The importance of persistence and why
Our 20-year history – Watch them playing at First Run in Oxford, OH – The journey from small college bars to selling out Madison Square Garden
Chose Ohio State because they have the most bars in a small area – Earned the Buckeye National Scholarship
“Money was not part of the equation at the beginning. We just needed enough to keep the van gassed up.”
The primary reason why you’re so happy it goes well is so you get to keep doing it.
Two initial goals: Finish college and build the band. – The band started in 8th grade for a talent show.
“We wanted to get on the road, scrape our knee, and build to sustain. It was never about money; it was about gaining ground. Moving forward, progressing.”
The first word to describe Marc from other members of the band: “Leader.” – What it means to be a leader of creative people…
The stages of Marc’s leadership: 1st Stage: Driven completely by the vision of wanting to make music out wandering the world. “I wanted to make these songs because they made me feel good. I wanted to be out with my friends and empower each other.” 2nd Stage: “It becomes our vision.” – “You may no longer provide the best leadership, so you need to empower people in your camp to lead. In order to be in the drier seat, you have to know what other people’s superpowers are so each one can flourish. 3rd Stage: Chris (the drummer) – He nudged the group forward to a rebirth. Became motivated to get back in the driver seat and now he had amazing co-pilots who had their own creative genius. “Realize the powers of those around you and harness that. That was the afterburners for us. It’s built out of mutual respect and admiration for each other.” “Being a leader has to show that things aren’t always going to go great. You must maintain, be composed, don’t flail your arms around. Move forward.”
Respectful disagreement: How to decide which song to open with at Madison Square Garden… How to make decisions through disagreement? “I know when I’m wrong, I know when I’m right too. Good ideas… It’s a self-filtering system. You have to listen, be open to others. In that moment, it was perfect.”
“A part of leadership is knowing when you’re wrong and when the other idea is better and move on.”
“When one of your heroes is standing next to you and says, “I really like this,” that impacts you. “I was wrong and wasn’t thinking of the big picture. It was selfish.”
How to handle people who don’t like your work? Story: Opening for Dave Matthews Band at The Gorge – The entire front row turned their back in protest of the opening act. “I get angry. My new goal was to get them to turn around. It’s a lesson: You can either get hurt or say, “I get to play my songs at the Gorge. Eventually they will respect us.”
Giving a TED Talk: Authenticity – Being real, true to yourself. “Everything I’ve created has stemmed from a few nostalgic pin-pointed childhood memories. I’ve tried to build my whole life to tell those stories of what we can do when we’re together.” Fans for Life: “We were living a life we’ve dreamt of.”
The resistance of chasing approval of others – “That theme is rooted in unabashedly telling a story about where you come from. Sticking to the same morals we were instilled with since growing up.” “I’m not seeking approval because we aren’t adjusting music to fit in, we play what makes us feel good.”
Chasing your curiosity and obsessions with great rigor – How to create a life to do that? “My dream is we’ve built something that allows us something time to create. Keep working on live shows to continue to play them. We love them. If you don’t play 5 nights a week, it won’t be there for you. You have to get the reps.
Sustained excellence: Commonalities: 1) Drive 2) Social – Able to work a room, communicate well with others. 3) Willingness to fail – “If you aren’t willing to jump off that edge, you don’t deserve to get it.”
Song writing process: “Each song has a different method for me.” “There are moments when I’m walking down the street in NYC and it comes to me. I’ll run to the studio and quickly record it. There are so many different styles, but it all has to come from being inspired.”
The creative process: Working with Greg Wattenberg to be a sounding board and offer honest feedback. “We’ve never changed what we’re doing. We’ve only built upon it and have always focused on our story.”
“People get so confused, they want everything, they want a boat, a house, so much. We just want to keep going.”
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the band. “We want to celebrate the fact of a few buddies being together for that time.”
“Tell your story. Don’t be afraid to tell your story.”
How to not get complacent and conservative after success? For fear of failure? “We take risks every year. We book a year in advance and we book some locations that we know might not work. We maintain pressure at all times.” “You have to take calculated risks and create things that may make you a little uncomfortable at first... To move the art form forward.”
Gratitude – The importance of John Lampley being added to the band. “John Lampley is magic. He brought joy in the room. His life gratitude, how he looks at opportunity of everything: meals, being alive, we just exercised in the truck and he keeps talking about how good he feels.” It’s about being grateful for what you have and what you get to do on a daily basis.
Practicing all day long – Love the craft. Loving the process of working on it. “This is what we do, this is how we operate.” The mindset of daily improvement. “We feel very lucky to be doing this. You better earn it and keep it.” Don’t pay attention to what others are doing, Focus on improving your craft.
“What they really like about your group is how it makes them feel?
General life advice: 46:45 – 47:27 (HERO) “Find something that you truly feel connected to… there’s energy in this world that will tell you when you’re in the right spot. And then work. A lot of people want to be famous, how you going to get there. And then grind.” Bring joy to yourself and others is life.
“Be willing to play anywhere. Just keep going.” – It’s all about getting the reps. “What you love, go love it. You might be broke for a while, but you’ll be fulfilled. It will fill you up.”
“Everyone carries around a bucket. You can fill it up or empty it.”
“Find what you love and chase it down.”
Preshow ritual: “What is going through your mind the 90 seconds before you go on stage?” – “We have a group huddle.” – “Remember when we were in the basement and we said, one day we’re going to do this. Remember how happy we were. We’re here. Go be a Rockstar.”
The feedback received from fans/listeners – That’s the juice that fuels you.
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

326: Jason Zook - Why You Should Own Your Weird Sep 01, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#326: Jason Zook

TEXT: LEARNERS to 44222

For full shownotes, go to www.LearningLeader.com

Jason Zook is an unconventional entrepreneur. Tired of living a life that felt prescribed to him by society, Jason used his out-of-the-box thinking and ingenuity to create multiple profitable Internet-based businesses. His most-notable business was IWearYourShirt, a company that generated over $1,000,000 by wearing sponsored t-shirts to promote over 1,600 businesses on social media from 2008-2013 before "influencer" was a mainstream term. If that wasn't weird enough, from 2012 and 2013, Jason auctioned off his last name to the highest bidders and made nearly $100,000 doing it. Jason's second book is titled "Own Your Weird." Jason has been featured by The Today Show, CBS Evening News, USA Today, and The New York Times.

Notes:

The importance of reviewing previous work... And why it should embarrass you. That is growth.
- "Don't compare your starting line to someone else's finish line." We all started somewhere. It is a progression.
- It's important to understand context.
Leaders who sustain excellence =
- They test all of their assumptions on a regular basis
  - They don't accept things as they are... Always trying something new
- They are extremely curious
- Have an experimenters mindset
- They are validated internally -- They don't seek the validation externally. They are fulfilled from the inside.
How to create a mindset to not worry about hitting a best-seller list?
- Set a low goal (getting the book published) and a high goal (selling 10K copies). Understand that there is so much out of your control and celebrate hitting the goals that are within your control (writing and publishing the book). You can't control how many people choose to buy it.
- The emails received from fans/listeners are the fuel that keeps you going. The feedback from people you're positively impacting.
Properly define success for yourself:
- You spend a third of your life working. Make it count.
- Figure out a way to be see as excellent, out of the box thinker
Have a mindset of, "How can I make this better?"
Present your plan to your boss/leaders in the company: "Here's my plan, here is how we will do it..."
- Be proactive. Make your boss's life easier. Help them succeed.
Rejection: "When someone says no to you, it doesn't mean you're a bad person. It's not a reflection of who you are as a person."
- Understand that "No" means "not yet" most of the time.
"Choose Adventure"
- Not wanting to live the same life that others have lived
- Example: Moving to a sweet house in Southern California with another couple
Challenge assumptions:
- You don't have to do it the way it's always been done
- Experiment -- Test --> Reflect, analyze. Understand what worked, what didn't, and why?
Working to live, not living to work
- How do you schedule your days?
  - Start with living
- Define what really fills you up --> Prioritize that first. Put it on your calendar first.
Every six months, sit down and prioritize what's important to you.
- Constraints can be a powerful force. Parkinson's Law.
Set your "enough goals." --> "Getting to this number will be enough."
- "There's always more. What about enough?"
- "We don't need to grow our business for growth's sake."
- "$33,000/month is our enough goal." -- "It's clearly defined. It's right for us."
The process of writing a book live -- Jason learned a lot about himself writing while others were watching.
The end of the podcast club: Email us (Ryan@LearningLeader.com) -- When was the last time you truly showed up as yourself?

325: Ron Ullery - Demanding Excellence, Delayed Gratification, Winning Titles Aug 25, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#325: Ron Ullery

Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com

Be part of "Mindful Monday" - Text LEARNERS to 44222

Coach Ron Ullery began his football coaching career at Centerville High School in 1977. He was the Offensive Coordinator (and play-caller) for my four years as the quarterback for Centerville (1996,1997,1998,1999). He was promoted to Head Coach in 2000. In his 14 years as head coach, he compiled a 107-45 record. Eight of his teams advanced to the Division 1 (big school) postseason. He is currently the Offensive Line coach at Springboro High School. This episode was recorded in front of the Springboro football team, coaches, and administrative staff. He's coached high school football for 43 years.

Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- Understanding how hard it is to be excellent
- Knowing there are multiple ways to lead (militaristic, fear driven, soft spoken, calm)
- Must be organized -- Have to set a plan to direct people. How are we going to get where we want to go?
- Must have a tremendous work ethic -- Ask the people you're leading to work extremely hard and you must be willing to work even harder
- Have extremely high expectations, unwilling to ever waiver -- They don't lower expectations to feel good
- Must have humility -- Can't be all about you
A great coach can make a player feel invincible:
- A great coach sees another level in you. A level above where you think you can go. And they push you to go there...
- Doing things you never dreamed you could possibly do makes you think it's possible.
- "We are in a era where mediocrity and average is okay."
  - "If you want to, you can lay in bed all day, have your iPad here, your TV with 250 stations, your phone, you can doordash leave your door unlocked... you never have to do anything."
- We need to strive to be elite and excellent
Being grateful for the hard work -- What it leads to...
X & O's are not the most important part of football:
- "Young people will live up to your expectations or down to your expectations almost all the time."
- "It's our job to place the level of those expectations."
- The elite performers hit the level of expectations set and then keep going.
The confidence a coach gives his/her players by exhibiting an incredible work ethic:
- "It has everything to do with making sure I'm prepared. I want to control what I can control. I don't want to be the weak link."
- "To prepare, I need to be in a quiet place. I became a morning guy in college. I was majoring in Math. It was tough."
Delayed gratification -- Voluntary hardship:
- The ability to delay gratification is a super power
- "Instant gratification is what everyone wants now." -- Foresight: People have less foresight now than they used to. They have instant access to everything they want at all times
"If you are unsuccessful, look in the mirror. The competition is not real stiff. If you have some foresight and a strong work ethic, you can do whatever you want. Most people don't have that foresight."
The difference between winning teams and losing teams
- Winning teams: The players were empowered, had ownership. and they (the players) held each other accountable.
- "You can coach them as hard as you want and they will respond as long as they know you care about them."
  - "It's a lot harder when you care."
Why stay as a high school coach?
- "I love the high school atmosphere. I love the age, I love everything about high school. I love the challenge. You take whatever comes in the doors. There's no recruiting. You do the best you can with what you're given. I love everything about these guys."
- "In my 43 years of coaching, I've never felt like I've had a job."
Why offensive line?
- "It was the biggest learning off-season of my career."
- "Offensive linemen is by far the hardest position to succeed at. It's also the most impactful of winning games."
- "They are the least athletic players on the field by far. They do the most important job, yet they are the least athletic."
- "It's a tremendous challenge. And I love challenges. I love seeing them succeed."
How to earn respect:
- Must exhibit leadership, mental toughness, and discipline -- "You can't ask anything of anyone else if you're not willing and already doing it yourself."
- You have to care and it has to show how much you care about people. You have to do more than other people.
Advice to his son Brent Ullery (head coach of Centerville High School):
- "You have to formulate things you believe in. You have to have strong beliefs. Formulate your beliefs not based on what you did when you played, but base them on what you've learned from all of your experiences. Don't let the outside noise influence you."
Framework for continuous improvement and ability adapt:
- "Listen and learn. I'm a better learner today than any year of my life. When I started out coaching I thought I knew everything. Then I realized I knew nothing."
- Learning talks with Coach Gregg every morning -- "I would meet him every morning and we would talk about everything. Some about football, but more about people. He was a master about human nature and motivating young people."
- The main idea with continual learning is "you've never arrived."
- "You've never arrived, you're always becoming."
How to effectively lead peers/friends:
- As a leader, it becomes your responsibility to lift others up and expect more of them -- Sometimes when you have to make difficult choices to prioritize leadership over friendship
- The moment that Kirk Herbstreit became a leader (he was a quarterback at Centerville High School)
It's much easier to follow. But far less fulfilling. You have to make the choice to lead daily.
The sacrifices made to be accountable to teammates -- Doing everything within your power to maximize your ability
Laying the foundation for future generations
Having the willingness to go get what you want -- Don't let anything get in your way
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

324: Charles Fishman - How To Create A Culture Of Learning From Failure Aug 18, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full Show Notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

#324: Charles Fishman

Charles Fishman is the acclaimed author of One Giant Leap, A Curious Mind (with Brian Grazer), The Wal-Mart Effect, and The Big Thirst. He is a three-time winner of the Gerald Loeb Award, the most prestigious prize in business journalism.

Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- They insist on excellence. "The work needs to be as good as it can be."
- Getting to the moon was the largest project in the history of civilization
- Clarity of the mission - Everyone must know the goal
- Must keep people motivated
- Standards must be clear - And the reasoning behind each action (intentional)
President Kennedy was frustrated with how the U.S. was doing versus the Russians in space. He needed to make a bold statement. When it was made, the administration felt there was a 50/50 shot that it could happen.
- It was important to announce broad goal and the reason behind it
"Take the stairs" - Think of it as a blessing. "I get to do this."
- Not because it is easy, but because it is hard.
- "A master stroke of leadership because it was a stretch goal, but it wasn't insanity." It must be balanced.
There are tapes of JFK talking scientific discovery where it was obvious he had little understanding of it. --> It's important to have people you have confidence in leading areas where you're lacking knowledge.
- "If JFK wasn't assassinated, we may not have gone to the moon. He was starting to get cold feet about the cost."
The space program created a culture of learning from failure:
- "Every single failure had to be investigated, understood, and resolved."
- "No Random Failures" was the motto.
- "Every failure is a gift." -- There were 14,000 recorded failures in testing.
Collaboration -- How to keep so many people aligned? There were 400,000 people from 20,000 companies working on the Apollo missions!
- NASA's management style:
  - Clearly defined roles - What are your solutions to the problems?
  - Gave assignments and qualities that needed to be met
NASA had a culture where they brought everyone together for in person meetings. "Every minute of a mission would be walked through."
- There was transparency and decisions got made.
- Get people together in person and do something important. This built camaraderie among the dispirit teams.
Bill Tindall -- A mission planning genius on space navigation. He was also gracious, self-effacing, and had a great sense of humor.
- Bill respected what others had done, had respect for the mission. He had the confidence to be calm. A different person who used a different manner would have been a disaster working with the leaders at MIT.
- People have to be persuaded to follow you.
Both Gene Kranz and Bill Tindall were unafraid to hear input. They were confident enough to find the right answer (wherever it came from).
We are entering the most exciting time in space travel (Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos)

323: Ian Leslie - The Desire To Know & Why Your Future Depends On It Aug 11, 2019

The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Text LEARNERS to 44222

#322: Ian Leslie

Ian Leslie is a London-based journalist and author of critically acclaimed books about human behavior. He is currently writing a new book on “productive disagreement”, which will be published in 2020. Ian also created, wrote and performed in the BBC radio comedy Before They Were Famous.

Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- Have the ability to think about their own thinking -- Step outside and reflect
- Know that you'll say "I don't know" frequently
- Breadth -- A range of interests
- Interested in building knowledge and an awareness that it might not pay off (and being ok with that)
Ian built his life around curiosity -- He was a strategist for ad agencies. He needed to deeply understand his clients. That is a job built on curiosity.
- "I am a curiosity driven writer."
Children are born curious... "People are born with habits/knowledge to survive." And then they stop. There's no evolutionary impulse to keep going.
- It becomes a conscious choice to cognitive resources and time
The two types of curiosity
- Diversive: Hunger for new information. It comes from an information gap. Agatha Christie understands how to create an information gap to keep you turning the page
- Epistemic: Desire to acquire knowledge/build/assimilate into networks in your brain. It requires discipline. It's engendered. It's diversive curiosity grown up.
"There is a rising premium on people with a high need for cognition." NFC (need for cognition) is a scientific measure of intellectual curiosity
"Taking action. Doing... is a form of learning. They are intertwined."
Reflecting on own habits -- use self as a lab experiment... Then talk with others.
Empathically curious -- Being curious about what's inside of other person's head. How they think and feel.
"You're going to be come a better communicator being a better listener."
Atul Gawande -- Ask the unscripted question. Make a human connection.
Have 10% of your brain switched on to "Am I talking too much?"
How to have productive disagreements:
- Don't avoid it
- Have disagreements we both can live with
- "You'll have more productive disagreement if you're curious about the other person."
People who have a higher level of scientific curiosity... They don't rush to judgement. Think, "Oh, I wonder why I think that?"
"Nobody has trained us in how to disagree with each other."
"You have this choice in judgement and curiosity."
Life/Career advice: "Be interested in everything. Go deep in one area."
- Have core people in your life and foster the weak ties.
Everyone is born curious. But only some retain the habits of exploring, learning and discovering as they grow older. Which side of the “curiosity divide” are you on?

322: Julie Zhuo - What To Do When Everyone Looks To You Aug 04, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#322 with Julie Zhuo

Julie Zhuo is the VP of Product Design for Facebook. She was the first-ever intern for the company. She leads the team responsible for the Facebook App. Julie is known as one of Silicon Valley's top product design executives, she leads the teams behind some of the most popular web and mobile services used by billions of people around the world. Julie writes about technology, great user experiences, and leadership on her popular blog "The Year of the Looking Glass" as well as publications like the New York Times and Fast Company. She is the best-selling author of, The Making Of A Manager.

321: Jay Acunzo - Why You Should Question Best Practices & Act Like An Investigator Jul 28, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

#321: Jay Acunzo

Jay Acunzo is the founder of the media company Marketing Showrunners, author of the book Break the Wheel, and the host and producer of more than a dozen docuseries about creativity at work. He's a former digital media strategist at Google, head of content at HubSpot, and Vice President of Content and Community at the VC firm NextView.Jay’s work has been cited in courses at Harvard Business School and by writers at the New York Times, the Washington Post, FastCompany, Fortune, Entrepreneur, and more. Salesforce called him "a creativity savant," while the American City Business Journals named him as one of Boston's "50 On Fire.”

Show notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- Curiosity gets you the ability to constantly reinvent yourself
  - Ex: A basketball player who works on a new part of his/her game every summer (constantly adding to the game)
- Intrinsic motivation
- Telic type -- Get to level 1, 2, and going...
- "When you're curious you're constantly turning it over and over..."
Be a sensitive skeptic -- Keeping dispirit ideas at the same time
"You have to be open and at the same time question everything."
- Anthony Bourdain -- An inspiration -- Why does that inspire me? What do I bring to the table? Be open to all, but skeptical
Bourdain -- He's able to sit with anybody and pull out emotional moments from what seemed a normal day.
- Parts Unknown is not about geography, but with people and their emotions. "We experience his work with lots of emotion."
Best interviewers:
- 2 types:
  - Conversationalists: Bourdain, Bill Simmons, Conan -- They aren't about the clever question, it's about the environment they create, the trust they build.
  - Questioners: Terry Gross, Kara Swisher - They are genius in the simple questions, and the follow ups...
How do you feel leading up to a big moment?
- A specific anticipatory feeling. Before getting on stage, think, "Wow, I get to do this." Not, I have to do this.
Process to prepare for a speech:
- Wind down before the gig
- Rehearse in the office days before, film it, use it as game tape. Practice, practice, practice.
- Create muscle memory -- "Don't memorize it, memorialize it."
"When I make something, I want to feel something. I have to put in the reps."
Thoughts on "best practices?"
- "The image in my head is, 'that's the way we've always done things.'"
- Must rather find the best approach
How to do this?
- Don't run a faulty equation for your work
- Don't build on lagging indicators
- Don't miss variables... You must know the current context
"Stop acting like an expert, start acting like an investigator."
The 3 Psychological Barriers: Why we aren't making great decisions:
- The Pike Syndrome: A feeling of powerlessness after repeated failure (named for the experiment of conditioning a pike to not eat minnows by hiding those minnows behind glass). Solution: "first-principle"insights about customers
- The Foraging choice: The decision between exploiting your current position or exploring other possibilities (named for the idea that human decisions under high-stress condition often mirror foraging behavior in animals. Solution: "Aspirational anchors" for you and/or your team
- Cultural Fluency: Your behavior when the world unfolds according to the expected norm (a concept honed by a man who ran experiments on his friends and family at a picnic). Solution: "trigger questions" to add cultural disfluency
How to help people develop intuition?
- Intuition is not an instant clarity generator -- "The ability to consider the environment." --> Ask great questions about context.
  - Break into knowable parts
    - You -- People doing work
    - Customers -- Stakeholder -- who the work is for
    - Resources -- to make it happen
Ask useful questions:
- "Set aside the desire to be right for the desire to get it right."
Common mistakes new managers make:
- They "have all the answers." Ask questions, Remove ego.
- Emotion based decisions -- Surround self with the right people to help with deficiencies
Qualities Jay looks for when making hiring decisions:
- Can you do the work?
- Can I understand who you are?
- Skip right to the good stuff -- "What's the best story you've ever written?"
- Want people with an intrinsic desire to create -- Love side projects like his sports blog
Advice:
- Career path is BS -- It's laughable. Your 20's are about exploration... "Try a lot of stuff." Do side projects
Bad advice:
- "The idea that being the best is a real thing. It's ridiculous." Focus on your own body of work, not others.

320: Rick Smith - How To Take Initiative & Solve Problems (CEO Of Axon) Jul 21, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #320: Rick Smith

Full Show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Rick Smith is the founder and CEO of Axon. Axon currently employs over 1,300 people. A pioneer of technology with the vision of making the bullet obsolete, Rick founded the original company, TASER, in 1993. As the TASER device became ubiquitous in law enforcement, Rick pushed the company beyond weapons technology and towards a broader purpose of matching technology to public safety needs in order to make the world a safer place. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a garage in Tucson to a NASDAQ-listed global market leader.

Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- Initiative -- "They see what needs to be done and they do it."
Rick started the company out of his garage in Arizona in 1993
More on taking initiative: "Don't wait for people to tell you what to do. Highlight it and fix it."
- Luke Larson was an individual contributor when the company had 250 employees. He challenged Rick on an issue and offered a solution. He is now the President of a 1,300 person company
Mindset -- Build a culture that rewards challenging the status quo
- "Tell the ugly truth"
- "Anyone can challenge any idea"
Qualities Rick looks for in hiring:
- Need to want to be with them
- Initiative - they need to step up and do work
- Intellectual curiosity - someone who seeks better answers
- No time for hierarchical people -- they cannot be threatened by 'up and comers'
"You want to hire people that are literally better than you. You have to learn to embrace that."
- "It's so liberating to know that I don't have to be right."
Why try to eliminate the bullet?
- "In 1993, two friends were shot and killed. I thought, 'why are bullets still a thing?'"
- "Don't wait until you have the perfect business plan. Have a simple concept you believe in and get to work."
- "Focus on solving a big problem"
The first seven years did not go well. Rick was fortunate to have his dad fund it... However, it led to a difficult relationship when the business wasn't going well. He had immense pressure for it to succeed.
- They fixed their core product and it began catching on with law enforcement agencies
- They own 100% of the taser market
"I'm a libertarian guy. I don't want to take anything away from anyone."
- "But people romanticize guns. The real world is messy. We make mistakes."
  - "Why use lethal force instead of a taser?"
- What about the phrase: "Don't take a knife (or taser) to a gun fight?"
  - "How about, 'Don't get into a gun fight.'"
The book (End Of Killing): "Our goal is to replace the gun long term. The book is me sharing what I believe that nobody else believes."
Have to respect ideas
- "It's a good sign if people initially think you're crazy"
Keys to building a team at work that sees a higher mission?
- "You must have an authentic mission."
- "Don't say you're changing the world unless you actually are."
- "My goal is to inspire the right team and then get out of their way."
- "I'm now the chief storyteller of the business."
Career advice:
- "Find a job where you get to feel the impact of what you want to create. What are the big picture things you want to accomplish."
- "The people who are most effective see what needs to be done and they go and do it."
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

319: Jim Clifton - How To Become A World-Class Manager (CEO of Gallup) Jul 14, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#319: Jim Clifton

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Personal Excellence 2.0 workshop: www.RyanHawk.me

Jim Clifton has served as CEO of Gallup, a global leader in consulting and public opinion research and analytics, since 1988. Under his leadership, Gallup has expanded from a predominantly U.S.-based company to a worldwide organization with 30 offices in 20 countries and regions.

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- They don't set out to get rich, they have a purpose that drives them
- The mission overpowers everything else
- They build advantages for themselves through compound learning -- Stack your learning
- Teach the "story of the day"
Be part of really hard projects -- the front line war battles
Advice to someone earlier in their career?
- Focus and double down on your strengths
CEO of Gallup -- The beginning...
- Won a big account (Cargill) -- It was huge to create momentum for his new business
- Don Clifton (Jim's dad) built the StrengthsFinder -- And then bought Gallup in 1988
The StrengthsFinder was built from 34 themes
- Don was a scientist. He went on bombing raids and was a war hero as a lead bomber. A navigator.
It's The Manager is the biggest discovery they've made
- When studying the truly great companies, the commonality is the management
How to create a high development culture?
- People want to be developed -- And then find the role that fits their unique strengths to maximize their potential
What Jim looks for when making hiring decisions:
- Drive
- They love to practice... They like to work
Where have your most talented people come from?
- "Stars were recruited by the managers themselves." Great managers know great people.
"Presentations matter. A manager must get good at it."
Managers must be great coaches:
- "Coaching is sitting down and sharing purpose..."
Shock and Awe visitors that meet at your office:
- "The entrance to your building show wow them." Small details are very important. Landscaping matters. Pay attention to the feeling you get when you drive up to the building. It helps with your internal employees as well.
"People join because of the company and leave because of their boss."
- Currently, only 34% of works are engaged (according to Gallup poll)
- India/China are at 6%
The issue with promoting the top performer at a role (Example: The #1 sales rep becomes the manager)
- The top individual contributor doesn't always make the best coach. In fact, often times, they don't.
- Give superstar individual contributors bigger titles and more money as a way to promote them. Don't force them to management when they don't show the desire or ability to lead others.
- "There must be two paths."
- "Leaders need to see the future well, and excite others. The good ones have an unusual relationship with risk."
The Gender Gap
- Statistically, women run more engaged teams than men
How to manage and nurture creativity?
- Need ideas from teams close to the action (have a front line obsession)
- You want intrapreneurship and foster an environment for that to pull out the great ideas
The difference in two teams:
- The best negotiators are the ones who do their homework
- Present in a neutral way, calm, collected, ask questions, try to learn, better understand the other person's position
When you work for a bad boss, you get cognitive contraction: You lose levels of intelligence
When you work for a great boss, you get cognitive expansion: You become smarter, innovate more, and do better work
- A boss has incredible power. And that power needs to be used for good.

318: Clark Kellogg - How To Take Control Of Your Personal Development Jul 07, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full shownotes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

#318: Clark Kellogg - How To Take Control Of Your Personal Development

*This episode was recorded live in front of a 200 person audience in Dayton, Ohio at the Sonny Unger Memorial Banquet.

Clark Kellogg serves as one of the the premier voices in college basketball. He works for CBS Sports. In 1997, Kellogg joined CBS Sports full-time as a studio/game analyst for college basketball coverage and was one of three in-studio hosts for March Madness. In March 2010, Kellogg played a game of H.O.R.S.E. against U.S. President Barack Obama. The game, called "P.O.T.U.S." for the occasion, was won by Obama.

Prior to that, Clark was an All-American at Ohio State University. In 1982, Kellogg declared for the NBA draft after his junior year of college and was a 1st round draft pick (8th overall) of the Indiana Pacers. In his first season, he was selected as a member of the NBA All-Rookie Team. Converse signed him to an endorsement deal, to release his own Converse "Special K" sneaker.

Notes:

Take control of your own development - This is YOUR responsibility. That's your property. Be intentional about growing and getting better and improving. It's not just the big things. It's the small things. Who are you associating with? How are you impacting them? Who do you want to be? There are a lot of distractions, there will be bumps, headwinds... Own your development."
Control the controllables: your attitude, your effort, your faith. The most effective leaders are "others centered." This is a distinct and intentional process to help elevate others. Mindset: The battlefield for a lot of our challenges is in our own mind. Attitude impacts how we move forward. "Never major in minor things." Most of life's disappointments are not major in the context of the bigger picture. Don't make mountains out of molehills.
Focusing on just one sport versus playing multiple sports.
Growing up with a dad who was a policeman in Cleveland, OH.
Advice to parents -- Expose your children to a variety of opportunities and support their passions
- Needs to be an interest and a desire on your kids part
- Having athletically talented kids (son played college basketball and professionally. A daughter who plays college volleyball).
Focus on fun and fundamentals:
- If you have an aptitude to go to the higher levels as you get older, then focus
Discussed why he went to Ohio State -- Clark was a top three player in America at the time.
The intensity of the rivalry with Indiana and playing against Bobby Knight
What it was like getting a show named after him from Converse
The makeup of a great coach:
- A passion for the role of leading people
- A willingness to adapt and adjust to the changes in the game and personalities on the team
- An effective communicator -- What you desire and what needs to be done
- Set the tone of humility of accountability
- Genuine -- They are themselves -- "Players can pick up on phonies quickly"
  - This establishes trust
"Are they getting better because you've been their coach?" -- That's the question a coach should always ask themselves
A coach should always be developing their players
What to look for in a teammate?
- Consistency of attitude and effort
  - "Don't want the volatile person who is up and down. I want consistency."
- Being able to accept criticism and coaching
- Able to constructively criticize others in a positive way
- "Who you are should not fluctuate based on where you are. There should be a consistency in who you are. That's something that should be worked on and you should be intentional about it. Authenticity is powerful and impactful."
The moment of having his career cut short (only 26 years old) because of a knee injury:
- "It was brutal initially, but came to peace with it after having multiple surgeries and realized I couldn't play anymore."
Starting the next career -- TV broadcasting
- Humbling self and starting at Cleveland State as an analyst. Back to the basics, starting from the bottom
- "I didn't become good at basketball right away. If I'm going to do this well, I need to start where I need to start. I got the reps. Radio was great training. You have to be fairly quick."
The importance of having mentors and being a mentor for others
"How do I become excellent at this thing I'm interested in?"
"You need to be unique, but you need to be you." You must be authentic.
- "Everyone can relate to food." Use food analogies in basketball. Using your personality as part of your craft to be relatable.
Working with Charles Barkley:
- "It's exactly as it appears. Charles is a personality, successful businessman, and very smart."
Playing basketball at the White House with President Obama -- Losing to him in P.O.T.U.S
How Larry Bird was the best trash-talker Clark played against
How Clark prepares for a broadcast:
- "I'm consistent in the process to be ready in the moments as they unfold."
- Visit team's practices, review notes from prior year, watch a lot of games on TV, chart each game watched -- "You remember things better when you write it down. I'm always taking notes when I watch games."
Who are you associating with? Who do you want to be? What are you doing to be that?
Live a life of gratitude. Salt water and fresh water can't come from the same spring. You cannot be thankful and hateful at the same time. Be grateful for what you have while striving to improve.
Excellent leaders = Be "others" centered. "Others" focused. They want to help elevate others.
- Be available and giving of yourself to others. Help mentor people earlier in their career.
Good habits are hard to break. Build good habits.

317: Susan Cain - The Power of Introverts in A World That Can’t Stop Talking Jun 30, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #317: Susan Cain - The Power of Introverts In A World That Can't Stop Talking

Join us for our annual workshop - Personal Excellence 2.0 -- Click HERE for dates and availability

Full Shownotes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Susan Cain is the author of the world-wide bestseller Quiet: The Power of Introverts in A World That Can’t Stop Talking, which has been translated into 40 languages, is in its seventh year on the New York Times best seller list, and was named the #1 best book of the year by Fast Company magazine, which also named Cain one of its Most Creative People in Business. LinkedIn named her the 6th Top Influencer in the world.

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- Understand that soft is hard and hard is soft. Soft skills = essential skills. They are hard, but essential to develop.
Leaders in corporate America surprise Susan
- She expected a lot of resistance from others, but her ideas have been embraced.
The responsibility Susan feels for making "introverting so hard" a cool thing to say... It wasn't before her book.
- People would hide the fact they were an introvert prior to Quiet being published and/or lie on personality tests
The point is not to say that you should want to be an introvert or an extrovert -- We need both.
Charisma = magic
- "The wind howls but the mountain remains still." We moved from being --> To being a culture of personality.
Susan's roots: A Harvard educated lawyer
- Building a Negotiation Consulting business after leaving the corporate world
How can an introvert be a good negotiator?
- The best negotiators are the ones who do their homework
- Present in a neutral way, calm, collected, ask questions, try to learn, better understand the other person's position
Romantic relationships - An extrovert and introvert getting married -- "you must really understand the other person's preferences are legitimate."
When should you act more extroverted than you are?
- We should all step outside of our comfort zones, but be intentional about it. An introvert who is a public speaker (like Susan) must do this to share the message with groups of people. What are your core projects? When in service of others, do it.
- Restorative niches --> After a keynote (for an introvert), go to your hotel room and relax alone (to restore energy expended speaking)
Why is cool overrated?
- In the Enron scandal, Vince Kaminski was the "uncool introverted nerd." He was the unsung hero in the scandal. He figured out what was happening in advance. They told him, "You're like the police and we don't like that."
The process to sell the proposal for Quiet:
- Started writing it in 2005.
- Agent shopped it an received 12 offers --> A bidding frenzy
- The importance of writing the "first crappy draft."
  - Take the feedback as a gift
- Most successful authors have had a lot of help

316: Cal Newport - How To Choose A Focused Life In A Noisy World Jun 23, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#316: Cal Newport - How To Choose A Focused Life In A Noisy World

Cal Newport is a computer science professor at Georgetown University who studies the theory of distributed systems. In addition to his academic work, he writes about the intersection of technology and culture.Cal is the author of six books, including, most recently, the New York Times bestseller, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World.

Join us for our annual Personal Excellence workshop. Go to www.RyanHawk.me for details

Full shownotes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

"Be unambiguously good at something important. Head's down with an apprenticeship mindset."

Show Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- They know what matters and get after it
- They are not easily distracted... They have the ability to be intensely focused on the task at hand at a tactical level
Train to be so good they can't ignore you
- Concentrate intently -- Introverts are happier doing this. But it's also a trainable skill.
Cal's background: theoretical computer science computation group - Focus and master on a small number of things
How to be "so good they can't ignore you?"
- They want a secret formula. That's not how it works. It's not about a life hack. "The reality is simpler... 'Be relentlessly good at something valuable.'
Deep Work = Focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. This skill is more valuable. It's how you learn complicated things and produce at a high level.
- Culture-wise - We are getting worse at deep work
- We need to be able to be locked in to produce something valuable for work... Deep work can also be personal development. There is overlap.
Digital Minimalism
- Unexpected consequences of technology = Our attention is captured by glowing screens
- Phones = Completely banish solitude. We are never alone with our own thoughts anymore.
- Do one or two things a day without your phone. Force solitude.
- Why do we have a compulsive need to look at our phone? Social media has been engineered to do this... Junk food is built the same way. Cal has never had a social media account.
A 30 day digital declutter:
- Be away from optional technology for 30 days.
- Detox -- Give yourself time and space to see what you value outside of work. Then ask, "What technology do I want in my life?"
What's the best way to use technology?
- For someone who loves Twitter (like me) for the gathering of interesting people?
  - Create a curated reading list from Twitter. Click all the useful links to articles, then block out time to just read those.
The power of going on walks:
- "I walk a lot. That's how I think."
- Walking with no phone -- It creates reflection, insight, thinking. Do walking meetings.
- Get sun - get outside. It's a form of 'productive meditation.'
- Focus on a single problem for that walk
Thoughts on Kliff Kingsbury building in time every 30 minutes for his players to check their phones?
- "This is not good. Concentration matters. Especially in football."
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

315: Gabriel Weinberg - Using Mental Models To Make Better Decisions Jun 16, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#315: Gabriel Weinberg - Using Mental Models To Make Better Decisions

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Gabriel Weinberg is the CEO & Founder of DuckDuckGo, the Internet privacy company that empowers you to seamlessly take control of your personal information online, without any tradeoffs.He co-authored Traction: How Any Startup Can Achieve Explosive Customer Growth and co-wrote, Super Thinking. Gabriel holds a B.S. with honors from MIT in Physics and an M.S. from the MIT Technology and Policy Program. He has been profiled in The Washington Post and Fast Company, and is routinely quoted in leading print publications such as The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Weinberg is also a frequent TV commentator, appearing on CNN, CNBC, and CBS This Morning, among others.

Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who have sustained excellence:
- A desire and openness to grow as a person
- People want to follow them -- They set up systems for others to succeed
- They make sure the team is headed in the right direction
The North Star -- Must always orient yourself towards whatever that is for you
- Your personal mission statement
- Maximize impact on the world -- Where do you want to go? Define what that is for you
DuckDuckGo is an internet privacy company -- Started in 2008 for private search (a competitor to Google).
- Gabriel discussed how he was ahead of his time -- The secret is something you know about the world that others don't yet. Search is the most personal thing on the internet. Gabriel wanted to create an alternate (private) to Google.
Mental Model -- A concept for general decision making. A few hundred concepts that are useful for better decision making
Become a 'chef' with your thinking -- 1st principles thinking. Your intuition can be wrong. Best practices can also be wrong. You need to focus on being wrong less.
- 1st Principles = Most intentional way of thinking: Question assumptions.
Every project has a scoping template:
- What is the objective of the project?
- What is success criteria?
- What are you trying to solve?
- Does everyone agree?
  - Discussion with team -- Operationalize 1st principles
Why the pro/con list is not as helpful as the cost/benefit list:
- Write down cost over time -- Rate everything vs that
  - Example: Where should we go on vacation? Rate on a scale 1-10. Combine cost and benefits.
Do a post mortem after every project -- It forces critical thinking and analysis
- What went well?
- What didn't?
- Given those things, how can we operationalize to do better?
Why is it rare to do a "success autopsy?"
- By default, an after action review will not happen. It must be built into the process. Our default setting is to move on to the next project.
What was it like writing a book with his wife? Lauren McCann is Gabriel's wife and co-author on Super Thinking
- "We would walk together every morning and talk about the book." It became the primary topic of conversation for a long time
Charlie Munger multi-disciplinary approach:
- At DuckDuckGo, this is their goal --> Grow people internally. They work hard to help their team make better decisions
Structure of DuckDuckGo:
- 70 team members -- fully distributed all over the world
- Immense delegation happens daily
What does Gabriel look when hiring someone to the team?
- Self starters -- The team is fully distributed. They have a lot of autonomy and ownership. People are empowered and must be willing to work without a boss watching them.
- Question assumptions
- Great communicator -- There is a lot of written communication when the team is all over the world. Must be able to write well.
- Experimental mindset
- Validate direction -- Run experiments if you have a hunch and then analyze your findings
- Build trust -- Very key. There is heavy transparency at DuckDuckGo. Must be trustworthy.
How to find candidates who possess these qualities?
- Do paid projects as part of the hiring process... Get a feel for them actually doing the job before you hire them full time.
Culture:
- "We have a 'thank you' culture"
  - "Most respectful interpretation" of every interaction. Give people the benefit of the doubt.
  - Thoughtful and intentional
Gabriel's upbringing: His dad was a doctor. His mom was an artist.
How to flex your market power? Combine two particular sets of skills, go deep learning them (eg. be a great finance person and public speaker. Look for gaps in the market or within your company, and use your unique skills (like Liam Neeson in Taken) and attack the problem. Most people just do what they're told. Don't settle for that.
Why shouldn't we trust our gut?
- Availability bias - May not remember all the options
- Confirmation bias - the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories.
- Use it as a hypothesis generator, then question it. Don't fully commit until the necessary work is done.
- "Thinking gray." --> Delay decisions until they absolutely must be made.
  - Jeff Bezos opens a door, but may come back through it. "We'll do this now, but we may walk it back."
How to build trust?
- Vulnerability speeds up the process of building a trusting environment.
- "Relationships move at the speed of vulnerability."
Anders Ericsson -- Deliberate practice.
- Work at the edge of your comfort zone. Receive coaching in real time.
  - Hire an executive coach
  - Create a board of advisors
  - Day to day -- check your thinking and explain it (write, give speeches)
Writing is the best form of thinking critically --> "It's the best way to clarify my thinking"
Overall life advice: What is your north star? What areas do you want to pursue? What are you current skills?
- Find your highest leverage point, study those areas

More Resources:

Read: Super Thinking
Follow Gabriel on Twitter: @yegg
Be part of "Mindful Monday" -- Text LEARNERS to 44222
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

314: John Calipari & Michael Lombardi - Building & Sustaining A Culture Of Excellence Jun 09, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

314: John Calipari & Michael Lombardi - Building & Sustaining A Culture Of Excellence

Full show notes found at www.LearningLeader.com

John Calipari has been the head coach of the University of Kentucky basketball team since 2009, with whom he won the NCAA Championship in 2012. He has been named Naismith College Coach of the Year three times (in 1996, 2008 and 2015), and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. Calipari has coached Kentucky to four Final Fours, in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015.

Michael Lombardi was an assistant to the coaching staff of the New England Patriots (until 2016) and is a former analyst for the NFL Network and sportswriter at NFL.com. Lombardi also previously served as an NFL executive with the San Francisco 49ers working withBill Walsh, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, and Oakland Raiders working with Al Davis.

This was recorded in front of an audience at an event called the NCAA Final Four Coaching Consortium. The people in the audience were college basketball coaches and athletic directors.

Notes:

The "Players First" credo:
- "When I worked for Larry Brown he told me, if you care about the kids and you really care, you'll always have a job."
- "Larry was a coaches coach, but a players coach, who wasn't afraid to coach. Right now, we're moving in a direction where we're afraid to coach. Correcting in real time is so important."
- "Everyone said the 1 and done rule would ruin college basketball, they wanted to replace me."
- "If you're about your kids, whatever happens good for them, will not be a negative for you. It's about them first. It's about us second. If you want them to be servant leaders, they have to see it in you."
- "If they don't see you getting involved in the community, they won't get involved in the community." Players first is not just them playing basketball, it's everything.
"We all should be reading. The more curious you are, the more curious your players will be. Read books, give your players books to read."
Lombardi -- Coach Walsh was all about the players, he was the first to go on fishing tournaments with players. He bought Bubba Smith a big tv, he made Michael sit and eat all meals with him.
- Bill Walsh had a book club in San Francisco
- Bill Belichick is all about the history of the game and the history of our country. When you go in the cafeteria and you see the great players on the wall, he expects you to know the history and the culture of your team.
- You should ask all coaches, "who assigns the jersey numbers?" The coach should assign those numbers, not the equipment manager. Your player needs to know the history of that number.
Calipari -- Process on getting guys to want to play as a team:
- It all starts in recruiting. "If you promise every kid 25 shots, good luck. Because at some point, someone will be upset. If the relationship starts with a lie, you'll never recover."
- "Whatever you do here is earned. If you're good enough you'll start, but you'll decide that."
- "If you want them to be great teammates it starts immediately when you meet them. They have to earn it."
- You can't oversell and under deliver. People will not buy in to that.
- "Pat Riley gave me one of the best compliments ever, he said, 'Your players are some of the best teammates in the NBA.'"
- Marcus Camby -- "I said, what position do you want to play?" he said, "Shooting guard." I said, "Okay, but we do post up our shooting guards a lot."
Lombardi -- Putting together a great roster -- Roster construction:
- The law of 3's
  - Whenever you take over a team you have three groups of people
    - One -- They'll do anything you want them to do
    - Two -- They're unsure
    - Three -- They are never happy
  - Focus on the people in group one and you'll win the whole team.
- The Four areas of leadership
  - Command of self -- Must be discipline
  - Command of plan
  - Command of meaning/message
  - Command of trust -- You cannot lie. If you lie, you'll lose the player forever
Calipari -- Took over UMass -- Terrible team at the time
- When he left, he got advice from a business man (Pat Nardelli)
- "You can a have bad deal with good people. Stuff happens. But you can never have a good deal with bad people."
- "The reason I've had success, I've had the best staffs. Top to bottom. When you get your job, you surround yourself with great people."
- "Assistant coaches must be able to work together. They are each other's PR machine. Each guy needs to promote the other guy."
- Was on football field with Bill Parcells -- Could coach all 22 guys on a football field. He had incredible vision.
The importance of mentors in your career-- Calipari
- "Who's your kitchen cabinet? Who do you go to when things aren't going well?" Who can you listen to?
  - Ken Blanchard - The One Minute Manager
- Decision making -- you need to run it by someone. Don't make big time decisions when you're still emotional.
  - "I'll take the job the grass is greener.... Well you have to cut the grass on both sides."
  - You need people to say, "Stop. Tell me what you're thinking..."
Lombardi -- Meeting with George Raveling
- "This man reads more than any human being alive."
- Take an hour a day to read
Calipari -- Look at adversity as a challenge and failure as a learning opportunity
- "How does someone look when things aren't going well? That's what I need to know."
- "The best moments are when things aren't going well. Give me four games in a row when you lose... Now, I want to see what kind of person are you?" You're on the stage by yourself, you're looking for friends."
- "You have issues? People have their own issues. They aren't worried about you." It's about "How do I get restarted? What's my next step? Ask an AD, how can I be better?"
- "When you get fired, make amends with the people who fired you. The next job you want? They're going to call those people who fired you."
- Be a 'pay it forward' person. The opportunities we have to change lives... And the ripples it causes from it.
Lombardi -- The Obstacle Is The Way
- How to bounce back when you're wrong?
  - When you get a new job, figure out why you got the job and why the person before you got fired. Take the time to understand the mistakes made.
  - "The only way you'll correct them is to learn them."
  - There's two kind of jobs: Jobs you can grow from and jobs you can make a difference in.
  - Al Davis would ask Mike -- "Do you know why we won today?" He wanted to know why the team won and lost and put it on paper.
  - Bill Belichick does an autopsy after every game (win or lose). You need to understand why the outcome happened (good or bad). Take stock of your career every single day. Every obstacle needs to be used to your advantage.
Calipari -- "I will not coach if I'm cheating these kids."
- He signed a lifetime contact with Kentucky
- "My leverage has always been the job I've done."
- Why talk to other teams? "I want to help someone I know. A player or another coach. The whole thing we do is about relationships."
If LeBron James calls you and asks you to coach his team, what will you say?
- "I'm not doing it. Pat Riley said Coach Cal coaches and corrects in real time during a game. He takes a guy out, corrects, puts him back in. You can't do that in the NBA."
Lombardi -- At college pro days
- Belichick observed Coach Cal during a game... Watching him coach
  - "It was so impressive, Belichick was admiring how much Cal was coaching."
What skills should we develop? The commonalities among the most successful coaches:
- Curious minds -- not a single playbook. The sport moves. Adapt.
- They are about other people -- Servant leaders
- Wired and driven to work - they love practice more than the games
- Smart --
Lombardi -- Divergent in thought. Figure out what's needed with that team. Passion.
- "The greatest reward for winning is the opportunity to do it more."

313: Listener Q & A -- Build Confidence Like Beyonce, How To Ask The Right Questions, & When To Make A Job Change Jun 02, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#313 - Listener Supported (Q & A) Episode -- Build Confidence Like Beyonce, How To Ask The Right Questions, & When To Make A Job Change

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- Have a mindset of growth
  - They assume they have so much to learn
Question from Ed Arnston -- Lt. Col in The United States Army -- "All of your guests are excellent and offer a lot of wisdom, but as you've done more than 300, what are the top 5 in power rankings of guests on your show?
- Kat Cole - Courage & Confidence + Curiosity & Humility
- George Raveling - The curiosity of a 5 year old, he is a learning machine
- Brian Koppelman - Follow your curiosity and obsessions with great rigor
- Jim Collins - Who is YOUR WHO?
- General Stan McChrystal - “Your character is something you can control. You can decide what your character is. Nobody can take it from you.”
Questions from CaSaundra Garber -- Technical Project Manager, Portland, Oregon -- Who have you always wanted to have on your podcast that you haven't made happen yet? Reading The Alliance, what are your thoughts on it?
- Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Oprah, a panel with Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady
- "You are the sum of your experiences." A lot of the learnings of my life have come from the great coaches I've played for in my life.
- One of the biggest parts of The Alliance is the idea of doing "a tour of duty." Changing jobs and learning new skills and the benefits of it. Tour of duty = What do you want to learn and gain in this specific area of business? Don't get a job just to have a job, take a job that will give you a tour where you come out of it in a planed time frame and you've learned something new. --> David Epstein writes about this in Range and on THIS episode. People that earn roles in the C-suite have a variety of roles on their way to that position. Open your mind more to take on a role that is currently completely outside of what you do. This also helps you walk a mile in the shoes of others and creates compassion/empathy.
Question from Daniel Jellings -- Manager Local Government, Adelaide, Australia -- Career has been linear, regular promotions along the way, became a manager about five years ago. What are your thoughts on proactively exploring other roles that are outside of my current skill set (that could be a side step) in order to eventually become a General Manager?
- Learn as much as possible about the people you may go work with... Try as best you can to simulate what it will be like to work with those people. "You have to mow the grass in both places." There are a lot of advantages to seeking opportunities that force you to stretch and learn. They are initially uncomfortable. "If you want something extraordinary to happen to you, you're going to have to take a an uncomfortable risk in every dimension of your life." -- Scott Galloway
Question from Ryan Ogle -- Championship Director for PGA of America, Bend Harbor, Michigan -- What is your current morning and evening routine? What is your process for utilizing a daily journal?
- Wake up at 4:45 -- Drink water, stretch, read, journal, workout, breakfast with family, drive daughters to school, work. When finishing manuscript, I wrote a lot during the early hours of the day. At night, I like to read out of books (Kindle in the morning and at the gym).
- Discussed my preparation process for a podcast.
- A daily journal is helpful to remind yourself of your mindset at that particular time of your life. It helps you remember what it was really like at that time. And why I use technology (instead of paper and pencil) to write in my journal.
- Why I'm fascinated by The Wright Brothers... -- "If you're trying to do something of significance, you will have people who question you, who may think you're nuts."
Question from Andrew (Opie) Brodbeck -- Former professional baseball player, Clearwater, Florida -- What skills from playing football helped you in your business life off the field? Took a personality test and didn't pass it based on the company feedback? How to deal with that and develop confidence in yourself in something off the field? How to lead a dysfunctional team that lacks trust (Chelsea)?
- It's important to properly set your expectations and realize you'll never get the rush of playing in front of 105,000 people again.
- Some of the skills that translated: How to prepare, how to deal with adversity, how to be resilient, how to develop the willingness to work... I was able to share what I learned from the best coaches. Showing that you're coachable. you must be coachable to learn something new. Being comfortable with a daily scoreboard (which we had in a sales environment). On the first day of employment, I asked the VP, "who's the best?" And then shadowed that person.
- Confidence -- How to build it like Beyonce? "Confidence is built through a series of successful events in your life." Those successful events were built through preparation. Run a success autopsy -- Why did we win? Why did it go well? Create momentum in your life. Create success in multiple life categories -- Those people take their framework wherever they go to create success. No only means "not yet."
- Read Pat Lencioni's work on the dysfunction of a team
Question from Lizzie Merritt-- Manager/Leader, Jacksonville, Florida. (and member of my Leadership Circle) --The quality of your leadership depends on the quality of your questions. I imagine there are plenty of examples of massive failures that can be traced back to a leader not asking the right questions.While this concept is simple on the surface, it gets tougher in practice. As a leader, how do you respond with questions instead of answers? How do you know the right questions to ask?
- Leading with questions -- As a new manager, you may have the need to "always have the answers." As you develop more wisdom and confidence, you'll stop doing this. The greatest mentors in our lives are the ones who don't give the answers, they are the ones who help me figure out the answers. They ask the poignant questions to help me figure it out. The first questions are good, but the best questions are the follow ups. Listen, distill, synthesize, ask more, then go deeper.... Don't script questions, but prepare with notes on that person and what they're doing, be an active listener (think like a trampoline)...
- Write down the qualities of leaders you admire, like, look up to, and write down the qualities of the leaders you feel the opposite about. Review it regularly...
- Dealing in uncomfortable conversations -- Crucial Conversations (book). It should never be a surprised when giving someone bad news about their performance. The feedback should be happening on a regular basis. "It is in our best interest for you to improve." Kim Scott's book Radical Candor
- "It's a lot harder when you care" -- "Because I care about you, I need to tell you something difficult."
Question from Eric Liddic-- Print broker, Dayton, Ohio -- What advice would you give to someone who hasn't sold in the past, but needs to sell now?
- Great sales people: are fantastic listeners, they care, and they try to help.
- Read Dan Pink's book To Sell Is Human
- Analyze why you've won each deal in the past. Understand how you can replicate that.
- Create a reason for people to call you (put useful material out in the world: podcast, blog, do a project for free)
- Why Joe Girard was the greatest car sales professional of all time -- "If you get a lemon, it gives me the opportunity to show off."
Question from Marietta Sanders -- Lt. Colonel, Squadron Commander, US Air Force, stationed in United Arab Emirates -- What are the common areas you see the best leaders focus on within their businesses?
- The WHO -- Who will you surround yourself with? The WHO is the biggest determining factor in your long term success. Consistently surround yourself by people who are smarter than you.
- Great leaders have an ability to help "see around the corners." They share their vision to make their followers feel better about where they're going. They have vision.
- Great communication skill -- You have regular moments where you need to share the vision with vivid clarity.
- How to attract and retain top talent -- When someone is looking outside of your organization for another job is because those people don't have clarity of their future within your organization. The leader's job is to provide clarity for the people that they lead.
- Great leaders are always on the look out for compelling stories... Then taking the story, distilling it to it's essence (the core themes), and then relating it to my specific role (the "what's in it for me?" OR "why should I care?")

312: Zvi Band - How To Leverage The Power Of Your Relationships May 26, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

#312: Zvi Band

Zvi Band is the co-founder & CEO of Contactually, the top CRM which empowers professionals in real estate, consulting, and other professional industries to build authentic relationships. Having founded Contactually in 2011, Zvi has led Contactually to $12M in venture backing, 75 employees, and tens of thousands of customers, including 8 of the top 20 real estate brokerages in the country. An engineer, a seasoned entrepreneur, developer, strategist and startup advisor, with unique both technical and non-technical operations. Thrice named a Washingtonian Tech Titan, featured in the New York Times, The Washington Post, and Washington City Paper, Zvi was also a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Zvi is a passionate speaker and author whose writing has appeared in Forbes, Inc, Inman News, and many other outlets. He's the author of the newly released book, Success Is In Your Sphere. Published by McGraw-Hill (Zvi and I share the same agent, publisher, and editor).

Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- They have a level of introspection
  - This creates self-awareness and mindfulness
  - Take a step back... Analyze, pick apart. Understand why something happened based on the decisions you made
- They are tactical
  - 5x7 notepad -- Take blank sheet and write the exact things you need to do each day
  - Weekly wrap up -- Capture what happened
  - Use a daily journal to understand how you felt at that moment
"It's way too easy to be reactionary." It's not productive. Be thoughtful and intentional
Zvi at 25 years old:
- Quit his job
- His dad's cancer came back and he died
- The same day was officially declared a recession in 2008
How to respond?
- Zvi was interested in a startup
  - "I emailed my network, and the CTO of an enterprise software company helped me out"
  - "Relationships are our most important asset"
- Zvi realized he wasn't good at managing his relationships. He was using Evernote.
- He wanted a proactive CRM (customer relationship management) tool to proactively work for the relationship driven professional
- That was how Contactually was created
  - "It's not about staying in touch. It's about being of value."
How to make the right hiring decisions:
- It's values based:
  - Be user first - solve problems for others
  - Ownership - entrepreneur types
  - Learn & innovate - embrace failure and learn
    - Demonstrate the ability to learn
  - Be excellent with each other -- "If a company has a named 'No Asshole' rules then that usually means they have a lot of assholes there." It's a red flag.
  - Keep it simple
  - Be real -- Transparent
How does someone demonstrate the ability to learn?
- Run a mock call, give feedback. They must be coachable. How do they respond to the coaching?
- Ask, 'what are you learning?
- We want readers
- We want people who are intellectually curious
- We want people who have a "general dissatisfaction with their current skill set."
Mentor advice:
- Leverage your experience to know the right questions to ask.
- Teach them how to navigate the issues, don't just give them the answers.
- "Relay experience. Don't give advice." Don't give a prescription.
Mentee advice:
- Establish a feedback loop
- Establish what to do -- follow up
- "Must show that you took their insights to heart and acted on them."
The 'icky' feeling of relationship marketing:
- Avoid this. Don't just exchange business cards.
- "Relationships are our most important asset."
- Collect intelligence on those people important to you. Listen for the little details they share. Pay attention. Take notes after you talk with them so you can ask about them later.
Consistency - Play the long game:
- Create habits: what are your relationship goals?
- "We're wired to think short term." Zag when others zig. Think long term.
Build genuine, real relationships:
- When we look back at success, we realize it's because of relationships
- Invest in them long term
Contactually got acquired by Compass
Zvi and his investors have been rewarded for their work

311: Adam Savage - Life Lessons From A Master Maker May 19, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#311: Adam Savage

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Adam Savage was the co-host and Executive Producer of the hit show, MythBusters on the Discovery Channel. Fourteen years, 1,015 myths, 2,950 experiments, eight Emmy nominations and 83 miles of duct tape later, the series ended in March 2016.

He is the author of Every Tool's a Hammer - Life Is What You Make It.

Be part of "Mindful Monday" -- Text LEARNERS to 44222

Notes

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- "Obsession is the gravity of making"
- Obsession towards the project -- A "desire to see the thing they made to your satisfaction."
Adam on failure:
- "I don't trust people who haven't failed."
What it means to be a great boss?
- Give great opportunities... "The time, the facilities, reason, and logic."
- "Hey, you're doing great." Let employees have the space they need.
- "There's nothing better than when someone leading a team project can just run with it."
- "Give total autonomy with narrow bandwidth. Give ownership."
Being a generalist -- "The specialist wasn't always helpful because answers are within the context of a wider story."
It's very damaging to ask a nine year old what they want to be when they grow up:
- "Excellence --> The things we cannot stop thinking about." That's what we should strive to be when we grow up. Someone who pursues their curiosity and obsessions with great rigor.
The WHO
- "I think about my relationships all the time." The people you consciously choose to have in your life are everything
- "Am I serving those relationships? Am I being present and non-judgmental with them? Am I with them in the room?"
Stop getting mad at customer service -- It's not their fault. And you'll feel better about yourself.
Adam on his preparation process for a big speech:
- It depends on the engagement, but it's extensive.
- There are 2 specifics:
  - Record yourself and listen to it -- "It illuminates where you're not hitting your mark. It's the transitions typically. How you link them together as a narrative whole."
  - Memorize conceptually -- Practice, practice practice. Get the reps.
Communication as a leader -- "Story is completely vital to leadership in every way."
- "Language was invented to tell stories."
- Pay attention to how they people who move you tell stories
How playing quarterback is similar to a work of art
- There is always something changing -- You must adjust on the fly

How to become more self-aware?
- Write everything down -- Keep a journal of your thoughts. Reflect. Be introspective
- Have someone on your team who will tell you the truth. "It's all about the team."
How Adam lowered stress level:
- Stopped drinking alcohol
- Slept more
- Started meditating
Increase your loose tolerance
- Learn by doing -- Take action -- "Creation is iteration." Being wrong isn't failing
- You don't have to have everything in place to start
- Be easier on yourself during the iterations
Share everything:
- We love the myth of the lone genius, yet none of us make stuff in a vacuum. Share credit, ideas, everything. Increase generosity through sharing
Use more cooling fluid:
- It takes more time on the front end, and forces time to clean up on the back end, but it gives more value to the final product -- "It's a reminder to slow down and reduce the friction in your work and relationships."
Sweep up every day:
- "A clean workbench gives energy. It helps the future me."
- Leave a place better than you found it
The cultural malaise currently is based on the scarcity model. Wrong. There is enough food, be a giver. Be generous.
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

310: David Epstein - Why Generalists Will Rule The World May 12, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#310: David Epstein

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

David Epstein is the author of the forthcoming Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World , and of the top 10 New York Times bestseller The Sports Gene. David has master’s degrees in environmental science and journalism, and is reasonably sure he’s the only person to have co-authored a paper in the journal of Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research while a writer at Sports Illustrated. David has given talks about performance science and the uses (and misuses) of data on five continents; his TED Talk has been viewed 7 million times, and was shared by Bill Gates.

Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- Voracious learners
- Voracious readers
- They attack obstacles
- Extremely interested in people and about themselves
The Sports Gene
- Having great reflexes is a trained skill -- Pro baseball players cannot hit a pro softball pitcher because they have not trained their reflexes to understand the arm angle (Albert Puhols could not hit Jenny Finch even though she throws slower than the average MLB pitcher)
- "Chunking" is what world class athletes or chess-masters do. They pick up on cues from the person's body (or the board) and that helps them make quicker decisions -- Ex: A baseball player understands/learns the cues of a pitcher and what pitch is coming and at what velocity
Sports is a "kind learning environment." It is more black and white than the business world. In order to translate this to the business world, try to create a kinder learning environment. Need as much information available as possible.
- Create an environment where feedback is happening on a regular basis
- The business world is not as kind of a learning environment
- The "annual review" is a horrible way to run a business. Feedback should be happening on a regular basis... Daily.
- Bill Campbell would go to the meetings of the leaders he coached and gave immediate feedback.
- Create a feedback loop for yourself from mentors/people you trust
- "Everyone needs a coach" -- David regularly takes writing courses to stay sharp and learn
David's writing process:
- The first year = Read 10 scientific papers per day. He reads a TON
- Advantage David has created = An expansive search function
- Have a "master thought list" -- Storyboard, shift scenes around
- He did film editing as a form of cross training for writing a book and becoming a great storyteller
- 29 of 32 NFL first round draft picks in the 2017 draft played multiple sports. Cross training is critical for long term success
David debated Malcolm Gladwell on stage in front of a huge audience and changed Malcolm's mind. Watch here.
Athletes that delay specialization excel more than those that specializes (golf is the only exception to the rule)
The most effective leaders are constantly updating their mental models
- It should be celebrated when someone changes their mind because better evidence has surfaced
- Darwin changed his mind
- Lincoln changed his mind
A 'deliberate amateur' = Someone who loves an activity. "I don't do research, I do search." It's a constant experimentation to learn
In a LinkedIn study, the results of a review of all profiles of people who made it to the C-Suite =
- Went to a Top 5 Business School
- "The single most important factor is they worked in different functions within a company." They were generalists.
The people who make the most impact with number of patents filed work across classes. They are wide ranging generalists.
Sales is a great entry point for any business -- Learning marketing and sales will benefit you in every job you will ever have
"Take your skills and apply them to a problem where those skills aren't being used."
People underestimate how much the world will change -- Must be able to adapt and learn
- "We learn who we are in practice, not in theory." -- Take action. Do the work.
- Work to accumulate experiences
- Try something, go all in on the thing you are doing in that moment. 100% focus. Invest everything you have in it.
  - Then reflect on it -- "We learn in moments of reflection."
"When you're 23, don't worry about getting ahead, get information about yourself. Focus on learning."
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

309: Verne Harnish - Scaling Up: How To Grow Yourself & Your Business May 05, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #309: Verne Harnish -

Verne Harnish is the founder of the world-renowned Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), with over 14,000 members worldwide, and chaired for fifteen years EO’s premiere CEO program, the “Birthing of Giants” held at MIT, a program in which he still teaches today. Founder and CEO of Gazelles, a global executive education and coaching company with over 200 partners on six continents, Verne has spent the past three decades helping companies scale up.

He along with the editors of Fortune, authored The Greatest Business Decisions of All Times for which Jim Collins wrote the foreword. His book Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0) has won eight major international book awards including the prestigious International Book Award for Best General Business book.

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Notes:

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- Ability to persevere
- Willingness to hire a coach and listen -- All of the greats had coaches to help them (Rockefeller, Steve Jobs)
- Be part of a "mastermind group" -- Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
Cannot be afraid to make the cold-call. You must be willing to ask
- Verne cold-called Steve Jobs leadership coach
Ask yourself: Who are the top 25 influencers in the space where I want to play? Write their names down... Then call them, email, writer letters. Find a way to get in contact with them
- Earn the support of influencers and it will put you in warp speed -- "I was the first person to get President Ronald Reagan to say 'entrepreneur' in the White House"
Two rules:
- Give before you ask for anything -- Sometimes you can only give your time and attention. Go to their speeches in person, sit in the front row, nod your head, take notes, then follow up with them afterwards and ask questions.
- Understand your pitch, what you do, why you do it, and be able to share it concisely
"What a great mentor wants is a great student"
Verne realized there was not a curriculum for gazelles -- mid range companies that wanted to scale-up
Titan -- Rockefeller was so successful because of his discipline
Disciplined people, disciplined thought, disciplined action
Build a functional accountability chart... 4 criteria:
- Will - Have to hire will to learn, succeed, persevere
- Values -- Mars mission values
- Results -- Track record of success
- Skill - Fungible
Strategy
- One idea must be different, don't be just like your competition
- Michael Porter advice -- Article in HBR, "What Is Strategy"
- Strategy is rooted in... "What word or two do you own in the market-place?"
Execution -- Must act or it's just hot air. Failure happens at this phase as you add people
Communication rhythm - "If you want to move faster, you need to pulse faster." -- Have a daily huddle, agile meetings
- There should be equal talk time of each person in the meeting. Don't have one drone on for the entire meeting
- "Want heated debate, conversation"
- Run forums so each person speaks
- Generalities versus Specifics -- It MUST be specific
- Average 1 minute per person
- 3 agenda items, to to each person
  - What's up the next 24 hours? #1 priority -- Get the headlines
  - Updated daily metrics that drive the business -- Stat of attracting and keeping talent. What's the data say?
  - Where are you stuck? What's in your way? Get them verbalized
The 3 Barriers to scaling up
- Leadership
  - Awareness-- "What got you here won't get you there" -- Must learn to say no. Have to let early clients go. You can't have all the answers
  - Constraint between your ears -- Bill Gates does "think weeks"
  - Marcus Buckingham -- Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Strengths give you energy, weaknesses take your energy. "Focus on doing what you like, that gives you energy." If you love working to solve client issues, then become the head of customer support and hire a manager to be the CEO
- Scalable Infrastructure
  - Bloomberg office space -- Everything goes through the six floor so that people collide... To talk, learn, interact
  - Human brain -- Nobody wants a manager. Set it up so all can be a leader and have autonomy. Team of Teams.
  - November 2018 HBR Issue - The end of bureaucracy
- Marketing
  - Hi tech fast growth companies scale rapidly... Must have great marketing
  - Marketing is the single most important function -- Attract talent, investors, attention, customers
  - It takes a village of gurus -- Curate people
Advice: "Make a list of who you need to hang out with... Write it down. You are who you hang out with. Move in with a mentor if you have to."

Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

"Strengths give you energy. Weaknesses takes your energy."

Social Media:

Read: Scaling Up
Follow Verne on Twitter: @agilescaleup
Be part of "Mindful Monday" -- Text LEARNERS to 44222
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

308: Alex Hutchinson - The Curiously Elastic Limits Of Human Performance Apr 28, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #308: Alex Hutchinson

TEXT LEARNERS to 44222

Full shownotes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- They show up... Willing to take a shot when they might not be successful
- People over-estimate short term and under-estimate long term. Be ambitious about long term
- Consistency - Secret to success: "When an editor gives me an assignment, they will receive it back on time with the right words." You have to always get it done and be known as someone who does this.
- To rise above a certain level, you must do more than what is expected. "Dream big while not neglecting daily responsibility."
Eliud Kipchoge - spiritual leader of self-disciplined people around the world.
"Only the disciplined in life are free."
Getting there earlier than his coach...
- "As hard as I was willing to work, he was willing to support me." -- Alex describing his great basketball coach
"Discipline is a muscle. You get better as you use it more."
Model of achievement -- Work hard, support others
"Sweat more than you watch other people sweat." -- Every leader should get some sort of activity. It's indefensible to have a healthy body and mind.
"We are cognitively better when we are fit."
"Pushing yourself physically reveals what you're made of mentally."
How to raise your threshold of pain:
- It's expectation based
- Pain perception is the same for all... It's all about how you respond
- Learn to tolerate it it by going through it regularly. Develop psychological coping system.
- Pain is just a signal -- Understand it's how you choose to respond
Navy SEALs, Olympians did an experiment with brain scanners where oxygen was restricted:
- They have a 'higher level of self-monitoring'
- Elite athletes get better when stress hits. Normal people get worse
Take a mindfulness based course:
- Cultivate "non-judgmental self-awareness"
- When you make a pancake for your 5 year old and they don't like it, "try not to respond with frustration in the moment. Think about how you'll feel in 30 minutes."
Change in training? "Training will be the same, but my mind will be different."
The importance of self-talk -- Inner monologue -- "I've trained for this, I can do it."
"When you've reached a point that you think you've hit a wall, in fact in almost every case, those limits are perceptions of effort."
Handle fear with preparation -- You must show yourself you have reason to believe you can do it.
Delayed gratification -- Sports is the clearest venues to see benefit of delayed gratification
- "Champions in November are made in July."
Alain de Botton quote -- "Of many books, one feels, it could have been truly good, if the author's appetite for suffering had been greater."
Advice:
- Read a lot of books... On topics that have nothing to do with your topic
- Give self space to think
- Give self time to be bored

307: Carly Fiorina - Why You Should Run Towards The Fire Apr 21, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Text: LEARNERS to 44222 to be part of 'Mindful Monday'

Episode #397: Carly Fiorina

Leaders who sustain excellence =
- Unlock the potential in others
- Courageous
- High character -- "How" matters more than what
- Collaborate well
- Humble/Empathetic
- They see possibilities in other people... They don't judge them
- Optimism combined with realism -- "Seeing people do more than they thought they can is fuel for me."
  - "You need an equal measure of optimism with realism. You must see the current state as it is. It's important to believe things will get better (optimism), but also be clear eyed and realistic. Be honest. See truth, and act on it."
From secretary to CEO -- "People wouldn't look at em and say that's a leader."
"Work hard and do excellent work in your current role."
"What I saw were problems and we fixed problems. I learned that solving problems is what leadership is all about."
- "Run towards the problems, work to solve them. Don't fixate on getting promoted, focus your attention on doing great at your current job." And then doors will open...
Choose a path over a plan
- How you get things done matters more than what you get done... The manner in which you do it. Think long term.
Focus on where you can make a difference
A manager versus a leader:
- Manager -- Works within current constraints of the role. They do the best they can with what they have.
- Leader -- Changes things. They create new ways of doing things.
Leaders are made, not born. Focus on building character and working to be excellent
Carly was recruited to be the CEO of HP. She was the first outside hire to be CEO ever. And the first female CEO of a Fortune 50 company.
She was named the Fortune magazine most powerful woman in American business for 6 years in a row
- "When your team is diverse, the team is stronger."
Competitive nature: "I've always been focused on excellence. But, I've never been a win at all cost person."
- "It's easy to make a quarter (in the business world, hit your mark for that particular quarter), but you need to get there the right way."
Criticism as CEO of HP
- "When you try to change things, you will get criticized."
- "Criticism is the price of leadership."
How to handle a board?
- "A good board considers themselves a team, not a collection of individuals." The HP board was a set of individuals and two of them leaked sensitive information to the press. "Eventually, after I was gone, they got fired."
Debating with President Trump on stage at the Republican debates... How to be prepared?
- "Every woman in the world heard what he said."
- "You need to be prepared, but also be present. Be able to use experience and instinct in the moment."
- "I didn't prepare for the comment about my appearance, but being present in the room, and having good instincts helped me respond properly."
"Right now, we are confused what leadership is. We see leaders who promote conflict, criticize, castigate others. That is wrong."
- "We need to be reminded who leaders are and what they do. Leaders lift others up, they have courage. Everyone can choose to be a leader."
The idea of privilege:
- "We cannot judge someone by they circumstances. Whether they come from privilege or they are poor. We should judge them based on their character and their contribution."
- "If we want to achieve more, if we want to be excellent, it requires people who are different to work together towards a common goal." Shane Show's Dream Teams model for building teams.
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

306: Brian Koppelman - Follow Your Curiosity And Obsessions With Rigor Apr 14, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk Episode #306: Brian Koppelman - Follow Your Curiosity And Obsessions With Rigor

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Sustaining excellence:
- Ability to focus on the work
- Preparedness
- Ability to collaborate
- "Being responsible enough to show up on time is surprisingly effective and important"
- "People that follow their curiosity, obsessions, and passions" -- They truly love what they're doing and work with incredible rigor. If you love what you're doing, it doesn't feel like a job. It's work that's enriching you at the same time.
"What we're really trying to do as leaders is get people to perform at their highest level and to do it together, because what we do is highly collaborative."
"I was the kind of person that would read a book and if I liked it, I would stay up all night reading it. And I would learn the words from that book. I would look them up. I loved the way words sounded and I loved the idea of communicating with great efficiency and humor."
"Where this passion really landed for me, it made sense to do this work. Working with great rigor is a lot easier when you're borderline obsessed with something and when you're curious."
"Curiosity keeps you diving deeper."
"I was a frustrated and blocked writer and I was starting to feel that I had made mistakes. But those two hours every morning... Writing. Made me feel alive."
"And he (my boss) said to me, 'Look, you know you're a writer and that's what you want to do.'"
"Dude. You do have a half hour a day." You have to make time to do the work.
"We finished the screenplay. We sent it out and it got rejected by every single agency in Hollywood. I'm not exaggerating."
- "I wrote down what every person said... And then it sold the next week, and every agency called us back trying to sign us. Nothing was different on the page. I read them all back what they had said and they would all lie back to me. I had them written down on a big yellow legal pad. I read them out loud on a speaker phone. These guys all lied back to us. Nobody just said, 'well I guess I was wrong,' but then they all wanted to sign us. It taught me a great lesson about gatekeepers in the world. They don't always know."
- "It means don't blindly accept negative feedback from gatekeepers."
Feedback -- "We have friends/peers in place to give feedback to each other." John Hamburg (Meet The Fockers; I Love You, Man; Along Came Polly). "You want feedback, you need feedback. But you don't want feedback from that jealous old friend who you know secretly doesn't want you to be successful."
"I don't have people in my life who don't want the best for me. We root for each other... Hard."
Comfort in your own skin:
- "It's a lifetime pursuit. It's so hard."
- "The battle is to accept who you are while not giving up on improving yourself. To continue to try to become the perfected version of you which you can never be. And to accept your own frailties and faults."
- "One simple place this comes from is to avoid lying. My wife and I don't lie to each other. We've never lied to each other. When you have that to start, it helps with the rest because you're not fronting."
- "I do morning pages every day, I meditate, I take long walks and think."
- "When you do all of those things and you live with intention, you start to become more comfortable with who you are."
- "But each time you stretch and grow and you're rewarded, it encourages you to stretch and grow."
"Never Fake The Funk" -- "It's about pretending. It's about lying to yourself. Don't pretend, don't lie to yourself. It's really easy to get swept along by other peoples conception of who you are. And by other people's ideas of what success is. Defining success for yourself is crucial."
"Any interaction I have, I view as an opportunity for growth. For me and the other person."
Feedback is fuel... Hearing that you've helped someone is the fuel that drives this machine
Having successful parents and the expectations that come from that...
- "My dad was very good at showing me what it took to be successful."
- "For some reason, my dad would always point out, 'there's nothing worse than the son of a rich kid.'"
- "I never wanted to be looked at as just the son of somebody and just skate. I wanted my parents and sisters to be proud of me. I wanted my kids to be proud of me."
- "I learned at a young age how to talk to powerful people. To find a way to make them laugh, to not be intimidated by them. Because I grew up around those people, I knew exactly what they're like. That's a gigantic advantage that I had because my father took me to meetings. I watched people sell to him, and I watched him sell to others, so I learned what worked."
- "My dad was a workaholic, but he really cared about us. He never missed a ballgame. He would go to New York City, work a full day, come home to Long Island, watch me play a decent third base, and then drive back to the city for a meeting. I never wondered 'Is my Dad going to show up for the game, my dad always showed up for the game."
- "I would never eat dinner until my dad got home. If he was going to be home at 9:00, I would wait up, my dad would come home and we would talk about his day and about business. And just hearing the stories enabled me now to be able to understand aspects of business."
"Whenever my son asked me to play catch, I would say yes."
"I always walked my daughter to school. Those little things, kids knowing that, it gives you a kind of closeness. It's having the connection..."
- "You don't have to start over, you're in the flow. You always have this time."
Tell your kids, "You did well because you worked hard." Don't say, "You did well because you're smart." Compliment the work ethic.
Writing Billions on spec... You write it for free, you don't have a deal in place.
- "We wrote it for us."
- Showrunner = Responsible for everything you see on the television show. Writing it, overseeing shooting of it, the editing, the design, all of it. Leading 150 people on the show.
How to make hiring decisions?
- "No assholes"
- "We really check references"
- The work has to be excellent
- "We hire keys to run departments and trust the keys to hire their departments. Hiring the keys is a lot of time and effort, a lot of meetings."
- "I want to know that they're really going to kill for it. I want to know that they're a good person. That they'll get along with everyone. We're all there lifting everyone else up. So you need to know that everyone is there for the same reason. 'I love this show and I want it to be great.'"
- How they hired Damian Lewis -- "We had three long meetings. We each checked with people who had worked with each other. We knew people loved working with him. We knew he showed up prepared."
How to be creative and innovative... A collaborative process:
- Recognize people when they do great
- "The truth is 'hire people that are smarter than you. You never pay a bad price when you hire people that are better than you.'"
- "Part of not fronting, of not faking the funk, is admitting when you don't know the answer."
- "Let's get the best idea. Let's source the best idea that we can."
Career advice:
- "Do the work."
- "Think about the story you want to tell and start telling it."
At thanksgiving, why should you not talk about your new creative endeavor:
- "It's a lot easier to say I don't have the time than to say I'm scared to do it."
- "Say what your dream is too soon and someone will shoot it down. Train yourself not to do that."
Create a whole family (extended family) group chat
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

305: Marcus Buckingham & Ashley Goodall - A Leader's Guide To The Real World (Break All The Rules) Apr 07, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #305: Marcus Buckingham & Ashley Goodall - A Leader's Guide To The Real World (Break All The Rules)

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Marcus Buckingham holds a master's degree in social and political science from Cambridge University and is a member of the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Leadership and Management. He's the author of the international best-seller, First, Break All The Rules.

Ashley Goodall is the co-author, with Marcus Buckingham, of Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to the Real World. He is an executive, leadership expert, and author, and has spent his career exploring large organizations from the inside.

Notes from this talk:

Sustaining excellence:
- Optimism -- An innate predisposition that things will get better
- Individualization -- Ability to attract great talent. Knowing that each person has something unique to bring
"You follow somebody if they give you confidence in the future."
- "The world will be better if I hitch my wagon to you."
Great managers/leaders =
- They know how to surround themselves with the right people -- "If you want a great party, invite great people."
- They focus on people first
- They help them. They coach them. They find a path and set expectations.
- They grow. They make the next step and help others do the same.
"Talent is more important than experience."
- Talent = a recurring pattern of thought. Enduring patterns in a person. Hire for those, then train for skills.
How to find talented people?
- Ask open ended questions, stay quiet, believe what they say.
- Ask appetite questions: "What did you love most about that?"
- Talents are far more about natural appetite
Feedback:
- "People need feedback to grow and excel. It grows best not with feedback, but with help."
- People grown when attention is given to them. "Pay attention to me. My talents." People need attention to what really works in them
Leaders must look at the real world
- Idiosyncratic -- The best are...
- There is a difference between theory world and the real world
"Learning is an emergent experience." It's inside out... How you do your version...
How do you measure things that are hard to measure?
- "Must make a distinction between traits and states."
  - Example of a trait = extroversion
  - Example of a state = mood, skills (can change)
  - Competencies are a combination of both
Being labeled a "Hi-Po" (high potential) in an organization: "It's made up, not a thing. Toxic because it presumes that some human brains can't/won't grow."
- "There is no point in having the 'hi-po' conversation. In talent reviews, ask for each person... How will they grow best? Don't use a 9 box grid."
- "Replace potential for momentum."
"Work life balance is a very weird aspiration. It's very hard to do it perfectly."
- "Balance is a way of being stationary. It's not a good way to move through life."
- "We shouldn't tell people to do this. Health is motion, finding love, finding red threads."
- "It draws you in. You should move through life. Draw strength from the movement."
"If a leader has no followers, they're not a leader." -- "Follow-ship is the thing."
"We all have fears for the future. Find a leader that can see around the corner, we're drawn to that."
"Be a free thinking leader."

Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

Social Media:

Read: Nine Lies: A Freethinking Leader's Guide To The Real World
Follow Marcus on Twitter: @mwbuckingham
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

304: Laura Gassner Otting - How To Carve Your Own Path Mar 31, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #304: Laura Gassner Otting - How To Carve Your Own Path

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

The Learning Leader Show

"It starts young. We have a world where we are given an identity. We need to think, 'is that really what I want?"

Show Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- Live on the edge of your incompetence -- "The more you talk, the less you listen." Need to be asking questions and listening.
- Tenacity, grit
- Put yourself in uncomfortable situations
Be in a position to learn something new from your failures... "That is delightful."
"Looking into someone and seeing their greatness."
Running coach -- "Calm, confident, reflect back to the dream Compete.
Issues with execution... Why? "We get stuck chasing someone else's dream."
How do we know? "It starts young. We have a world where we are given an identity. We need to think, 'is that really what I want?"
The four parts of consonace:
- Calling -- It's bigger than you
- Connection - The work actually matters
- Contribution - It contributes to the life you actually want
- Control - How much do I have?
"My mother told me I needed to be a lawyer." -- "I wanted to run for office."
How did Laura end up in the Clinton Whitehouse?
"I learned how to show up for others... And be dedicated to excellence"
"I was a great leader, but a terrible manager." You need to be self-aware
Advice to new managers:
- "People want feedback. Ask them if that project reflected their understanding of the assignment or their ability?"
Laura's TEDx Talk:
- Stop asking, 'how can I help?'
- Think, 'what needs to happen?'
Her fight with Ann Coulter
Must be willing to change your mind as a leader -- "Our stories are our connections."
Becoming an athlete -- Laura ran the first mile of her life nine years ago. Now, she's a competitive rower. And she ran in the Boston marathon.
Confidence is built through doing. Continue to push the boundaries of our own competence.
Tel Aviv:
- Hunger
- Weight
- Tenacity
- Speed
- Grit/Heart
Don't get in the comparison trap with other people's highlight reels on social media
Advice she received that's been helpful -- "You're just not that important"
Study -- Team of Rivals -- About Lincoln
Use the "Get To Know You Document"
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

303: General Stanley McChrystal - The New Definition Of Leadership Mar 24, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #303 - General Stanley McChrystal

Full Show Notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

A retired four-star general, Stan is the former commander of US and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) Afghanistan and the former commander of the nation’s premier military counter-terrorism force, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). In June 2009, the President of the United States and the Secretary General of NATO appointed him to be the Commander of US Forces Afghanistan and NATO ISAF. His command included more than 150,000 troops from 45 allied countries.

Notes:

There is a formulaic myth: Leadership is not what we think it is...
- "I thought it was just behaviors, but that's too simplistic."
- "Leadership is intensely contextual." A great leader must adapt themselves to the situation.
  - "There's not a style that's perfect for every situation." Vince Lombardi coached differently based on the team he was coaching. Coach K (from Duke) is known to be incredibly adaptable and that's why he's succeeded year after year.
Important leadership qualities:
- Great listener -- Pay attention. Marinate in what's happening.
- Have humility -- Think of the people you serve
Why General McChrystal went to West Point:
- Dad, brothers, grandpa were all soldiers. It's in the family.
- He wanted to be an Army Officer
Stan struggled his senior year in high school. He lived by himself, his mom had died.
His Freshman year at West Point, he didn't take the school part seriously and got in trouble.
He was almost kicked out of West Point.
However, he got extremely high peer review ratings:
- His new tactical officer told him, "You're going to be a great officer" -- This was said based on how his peers had so much respect for him as a person. That mentor reached him and made a significant impact on him. "We all need someone like that."
The power of a mentor/leader who believes in you:
- It's huge to have someone who mentally maps it out for you and believes in you. Someone that takes time to get in your mind... To care about you. It must be genuine, and when it is, it's powerful.
Team of Teams: It's hard to scale a lot of small team. It must be organically connected.
The front line leader -- It's impactful to have a "front line obsession." Be with your team. Show them you care through your actions. In order to fully understand the situation, you need to get out and see it for yourself.
We often don't have the answers. "You can't fake it. The role of the leader has changed. It used to be command and control. A leader is more like a gardener now. You must orchestrate the pieces of a team, and ensure they are well connected." You want a well connected, curious organization.
"If when you get on the ground the order we gave you is wrong, execute the order we should have given you."
- The leader must educate the team to make wise decisions from the front line if the leader is somewhere else. The leader must trust the team to make the right decisions in that moment.
- "The leader still owns the outcome. The reality is the team will do better if properly trained." Create an organization of trust and speed.

302: Nick Kokonas - How To See The Genius In People Mar 17, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

302: Nick Kokonas - How To See The Genius In People

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Intellectual curiosity - A desire to learn. Not for the outcome, but for the curiosity to learn more
- Healthy degree of paranoia - What Jim Collins would call "productive paranoia"
  - In the pursuit of excellence
- "No one is giving it away for free. It takes effort."
Balance -- "I get manic at times. I'm not always well balanced." The skill is in being able to turn it on and off... Which can happen over time
"I've always been curious about how things worked..."
Why it was helpful to go to Colgate University
- A Liberal Arts school forced Nick to study areas outside of just his major. Made him more well-rounded
- He "learned how to learn" -- Forced him to wrestle with existential questions
Rhetoric -- Can you understand all sides of an issue? Where does ambiguity exist?
- Need to learn to think critically -- How you do it is more important that you do it
General advice:
- "Learn to communicate well. Concisely. Learn to write and speak well.
- From a psychology perspective, analyze, "what are they really saying?"
Why he became a derivatives trader:
- "I got into law school, but didn't want to go."
- He tested well, but desired his independence
- "Prestige as part of pay doesn't matter to me."
- To be great at anything, you must be disciplined to show up everyday -- "My money has always been at risk everyday. Some think that's crazy. But I've always worked to have an edge."
- How to figure out outcomes as soon as possible
The decision to leave the world of derivatives trading to open a restaurant... Why?
- "I took some money off the table... Then my dad died... and I thought, what am I doing? I had no idea what I was going to do next..."
Meeting Grant Achatz and the impact that had on Nick's life...
- "He reminded me a lot of myself. He was thoughtful, driven, shy (this was the opposite), and he wasn't afraid of hard work."
- "I think I have a skill to see the genius in some people."
- "Grant's work is of artistic genius"
Doing what you love and are passionate about:
- "For me the test is... When I wake up in the morning is it nagging at me to do it?"

301: James Kerr - How To Create An Ethos Of Excellence (Legacy) Mar 10, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #301 with James Kerr

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Humility - An ego-less approach. "Serve to lead" mentality
- Curiosity - Following passion
- Value Excellence - Focus on doing the small things right
- These are transferable principles to any organziation
The "All Blacks" rugby team "are our Gods in New Zealand."
- They've won just under 80% of their games in history
- Scored twice as many points as their competitors
- The most successful sports team of all time
Sustained high performance
- Mana = The God within. The spirit... The ethos that creates excellence decade after decade
Surprises? "The softness in this hard game. A love, a brotherhood, connection, meaning, caring for one another."
How have they sustained excellence?
- Tradition
- Starts at the top with the leaders
- Breaking down old orthodox
- Like the British SAS - "Rank but no class"
- Leadership group -- It's not just one coach. Everyone's ideas are valued.
It's a player led team - "Positive power of peer pressure." That feeling of not wanting to let one of your teammates down
- "You fight more for the person in the foxhole next to you."
- The Spartan sword and shield. You can lose you sword, but you can never lose your shield. That helps protect your brother.
Accountability - There is leadership at every level
- It empowers the individual in a project bigger than themselves
- How does this work in business?
  - Helps them step up, take ownership, be responsible
"A leader is responsible for the result. Good or bad."

300 - Keith & AJ Hawk - How To Instill Work Ethic & Curiosity In Your Children Mar 04, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #300: Keith & AJ Hawk - How To Instill Work Ethic & Curiosity In Your Kids

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Keith Hawk is a 32-year veteran sales professional and sales leader. For over ten years he led one of America's greatest sales organizations, at LexisNexis. He continues in a customer focused role to this day at that global organization, speaking to customer groups around the world on the topic of solving business problems with the solutions offered by his firm. In addition, he continues to speak regularly on topics such as consultative selling, selling to executives, and how to effectively lead people. He also happens to be my dad.

AJ Hawk played 11 seasons in the NFL. He was a two-time All American at Ohio State and he also won The Lombardi Award (as a senior at Ohio State) as the countries best defensive player. He was the fifth overall draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 2006 NFL draft. He was voted team captain on their Super Bowl winning team in 2010. He finished his career as the all time leading tackler in Green Bay Packer history. AJ is my younger brother.

Staying sharp after official retirement?
- "My mind is as clear as it's been in many years. I read more, write more, listen to more podcasts, I learn more now than I ever have."
- "I never liked getting the question, 'did you get all of your work done?' As a senior leader at a big company, the work was never done. In my role now, I can go give a speech and get the work done."
- Advice to others - "Stay patient a little bit, you have to find a way to grab hold of your day and take control of it. Don't let others do that to you."
AJ's progress to improve as a broadcaster:
- There is no end game
- Must keep grinding and getting as many reps as possible
- "You have to jump in and do the work." You can't worry about judgement from others. You have to get the reps. Get on the stage and do it.
How to handle the follow up to a competitive life in the NFL?
- Must have realistic expectations... That amount of competition will never happen again. That's okay as long as you're prepared for it
- Broadcasting is a never ending battle with myself to get better. To improve. "I'm competitive with myself to get better." Learning the intricacies from the greats. "I've learned to be quiet, to let a moment breathe."
Why are walk-thurs so important in the NFL? Why does a world class athlete need to walk-thru a step for over an hour a day?
- “The tiny details consistently worked on everyday so they become instincts. In the moment you don’t have to think and just rely on the instincts you created. That's why we did so many walk-thrus in the NFL."
- Why my Dad went to Green Bay for his birthday week every summer? The famous Tom Hanks quote, "I could watch my son brush his teeth all day." And he loved watching world-class athletes work on perfecting their craft.
Listener question: From Tony Milenberger (member of one of my leadership circles) - With all the different directions you guys are going, how do you still manage to like each other? What rhythms keep you connected in the busy seasons? How does it help your success?
- We each have different roles and we've worked hard to do a great job at our role. We all have creative outlets and have remained each others biggest fans. We push each other to be better. And when one of the family members reaches a level of fame and fortune (AJ), their ability to remain humble and down to earth is huge. AJ has done that and created a ton of phenomenal family experiences because of it.
The process of earning my book deal with McGraw-Hill... How it all came about. There was an instant huge belief from Casey Ebro, senior editor from McGraw-Hill. I describe that conversation and why we chose to work together.
Listener question from Mike Flynn: What is your Dad's greatest hopes for his children and grandchildren?
- Maslow's hierarchy
  - Economics taken care because of their hard work
  - Fulfilled life with a great spouse
  - Work stimulates us, gets us excited
  - Put our children in a place to be successful
  - Self-actualize -- Live up to what you want to do
How to handle a situation when you hit a rut?
- When this happened with my Dad, he always wanted to get directly to the front lines. "When times got tough, I scheduled days in the field to meet with our customers and our front line people. I wanted to be reminded why they did business with us. I wanted to break it down to the bare essentials. How could I do this in a different way? Meeting with them helped." Reminded of the quote, "if it's not broke, fix it." Be proactive. Billy Joel had this happen to him and he rediscovered his love when he went to a new fan base in Russia.
- With AJ - "When I was struggling or kept getting caught in the garbage of the linemen in front of me, my coach, Winston Moss, would say, 'why don't you take a step back and see what the view is like from there?' A simple step back to gain a new perspective helped.

299: Kyle Maynard - "The World Will Not Be Tailored To Your Every Need" (Scaling Kilimanjaro) Feb 25, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #299: Kyle Maynard

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Kyle Maynard is a motivational speaker, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and ESPY award-winning mixed martial arts athlete, known for becoming the first quadruple amputee to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Aconcagua without the aid of prosthetics.

Oprah Winfrey called Kyle “one of the most inspiring young men you will ever hear about.” Arnold Schwarzenegger described him as “the real deal,” “a champion human,” and “one of the most inspiring people” he’s ever met. Even the great Wayne Gretzky has spoken of Kyle’s “greatness.”

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Consistent action... Plotting
- Life is a marathon
- "I've struggled with this."
"We live in a society that we think we have to reach the summit"
- "Climb as hard as you can but relinquish the fact that you've ever arrived." It will never be enough to fulfill you.
"You've never arrived, you're always becoming."
"I question what we're driven towards."
Losing the first 35 matches... His dad told him that no wrestlers win in their first year and convinced him to go back for his second year
"What you're looking for, you're going to find."
- A self-efficacy belief. It's in your deeper nervous system... It becomes automatic. His dad planted the seed.
"We have this illusion in our head, but it doesn't happen overnight."
"The world will not be tailored for your every need."
"We are softening the edges, we need to learn how to mentally deal with things."
"We need to choose conscious suffering."
- "Voluntary hardship"
The power of meeting veterans in an airport on a way to giving motivational speeches
- "It shifted, it wasn't about me." The message helped veterans not commit suicide.
"It's B.S. to think anyone is self-made. We all need help." The ripple effect.
Why climb?
- "I want to experience the world. Just did scuba dive at the Great Barrier reef."
Crawling 19,340 feet in just ten days... Climbing Mount Kilmanjaro
"Focus on that next three feet in front of you..." Just the next step. Before you know it, you put your head up and you're at your destination
- Reminds me of Alison Levine -- "Just put one foot in front of the other and take that next step. Just keep going."
- "I don't know if I have enough in the tank, but I'm going to keep going."
- "The 3 feet in front of you is the only thing that matters"
"Anything is possible is a lie... Tell the truth, know how to test your limits"
"What gets measured gets done"
How long can you enjoy accomplishments?
- "It's a weird dance."
- "What I'm learning to do now is plotting the essence of it..."
Favorite book: Empire Of The Summer Moon
Fasting: "When you fast (don't eat), your body picks the weakest cells and eats them." There is a lot of science to support fasting
Advice to others:
- Value money but not too much
- Have a small number of possessions
- Namaste = "Light inside of me. Recognize light inside of you."
- Take calculated risk, go on adventures
- "Follow your bliss"

298: Michael Useem - How To Become A Learning Machine Feb 18, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #298 with Michael Useem - How To Become A Learning Machine

Full shownotes can be seen at www.LearningLeader.com

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Thinking strategically
- Communicating persuasively
- Decisive decision making
The power of using real life examples to demonstrate leadership
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
- He was a learning machine
- "We know not the future, and cannot plan for it much. But we can determine and know what manner of men we will be whenever and wherever the hour strikes."
- He was a self directed lifelong learner - "I have always been interested in military matters, and what I do not know in that line, I know how to learn. I study I tell you every military work I can find."
- He had a mentor/coach - Adelbert Ames was his tent mate and he learned all he could from him
  - He had a disciplined focus on learning from him. "I asked him every night to tell me what he knew so I could learn"
- He routinely got outside of his comfort zone - "I will watch myself and do an after action review to analyze."
- Get tangible experience
The purpose behind taking students and family members to Gettysburg every semester - To "stand where Chamberlain stood." And to "get you in their moment on that ground." Recreate the moment as if you're there.
Gene Kranz and Apollo 13
- "Expecting high performance is a prerequisite to its achievement among those who work with you. Your high standards and optimistic anticipations will not guarantee a favorable outcome, but their absence will assuredly create the opposite."
- Being a decisive decision maker and preparing for those challenging moments with an attitude that "failure is not an option."
- "I knew my teams even more than they knew themselves."
- Had a great mentor in Chris Craft to help him
- Teams that are well developed go through experiences together can outperform individuals under stress
The motivation behind risk takers:
- "A calculating adventurer, deriving a thrill from taking a risk and watching it pay off." This is how visions are created.
- How to become savvy about calculated risk
- Risk tolerance is a learned skill
Persuasive communication is an art form
- It's a learned skill
- You can't hide, you must be persuasive as a leader
- There needs to be a solid narrative (story), a purpose behind it
- Every person must know how important their specific contribution is -- "Why are we doing this and what is my role?"

297: Tero Isokauppila - CEO Of Four Sigmatic: Principled Based Leadership Feb 11, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#297: Tero Isokauppila - CEO Of Four Sigmatic: Principled Based Leadership

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- "They love what they do" -- Love the process. The work
- Humility/Excitement to learn -- they know things will change and they must adjust
- Listen more than you talk.
- Curiosity -- The Dalai Lama exemplifies this very well.
- Able to adjust -- Madonna is a prime example of being able to adjust and reinvent herself
How being a 13th generation farmer from Finland helped set the course for Tero's life -- "I have domain knowledge."
Finnish people consume more coffee per capita than anyone in the world
The idea of putting mushrooms in coffee came because of this
Super foods help with:
- Hormonal response
- Gut health
- Immune system
Four Sigmatic is a company built with super foods
The beginning -- "It all comes down to value generation. If you want to generate value, you have to see what others don't yet see."
Culture -- "You need to rally around people who believe in the mission."
Find believers and sponsors as your first employees -- his founding team were former teammates
- Get to know you team deeply -- how they think, feel, act, what motivates them
- Currently they have a fully distributed team of 37 people
The hiring process and qualities they look for. Four lenses:
- Can they do they job? -- Skills
- How will they fit in our culture? -- Fundamentals
- What do they cost? -- Financially and emotionally
- What is their growth potential?
- They must be "extra good" at communication - written and verbal. How do they write emails? Must be extra organized.
"Culture exists whether you want or not. It is what it is."
Their principles:
- S - Stay healthy, eat well, exercise
- W - We are us, not them
- A - Always carry product
- R - Results with freedom -- KPI
- M - Make it grow, let it go
Examples of innovation

296: Emily Fletcher - The Secret Superpower Of Top Performers (Meditation) Feb 04, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #296: Emily Fletcher - The Secret Superpower Of Top Performers (Meditation)

For full show notes, go to www.LearningLeader.com

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- They have a magnetic quality. Others are drawn to them. People look to them.
- They have the ability to shift their state of being. Not just being calm. They are able to be variable and can adapt to situations
Meditation increases adaptability
- Meditation helps you take care of yourself
- Rest, nurture your brain and body
The failure of most when they attempt to meditate:
- Emily is on a mission to rid the world of "ex-meditators" -- people who have tried and failed and given up on it
- There have been 58 million downloads of meditation apps
  - Free apps are gentle by design and not as useful
Advice -- There is a difference between mindfulness and meditation.
- "Meditation is a tool that helps you get rid of stress from your past."
- Mindfulness is "the art of bringing your awareness into the present moment"
Meditation gives your brain and body tools.
- "Kind of a nap sitting up. Mind alert, body getting rest." -- Relieve stress from now and past
- It is not a toy. It's a very powerful tool. You need proper training
- It's ridiculously simple, yet powerful
Biggest misconception -- "People think they have to clear their head. They think thoughts are the enemy. That's not true."
- "People think they are too busy to meditate... You know we're talking about your brain right?"
Emily was on Broadway for 10 years... Living in constant state of anxiety... Sick, insomnia, was miserable.
- She noticed another performer had none of those issues. She asked what she did and found out meditation was the key...
  - Emily took a class, and liked it so much she went to India to be trained professionally.
She created Ziva... An online meditation tool.
It's about manifesting "consciously creating the life you love"
"Don't water the weeds" -- Don't focus on the wrong things

295: Todd Herman - Using Alter Egos To Transform Your Life Jan 28, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#295: Todd Herman - Using Alter Egos To Transform Your Life

To read the full show notes, go to www.LearningLeader.com

Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- "Negative capability" (John Keats term)
  - The ability to pursue your dream despite the fact that circumstance tells you it won't happen.
  - Not losing faith despite the long odds
  - Mental toughness - "The ability to be flexible & adaptable despite what the world is throwing at you."
The OPP framework for goal setting:
- Outcome
- Performance - Resources
- Process - Who, what, when, where
What Todd does?
- He's on a mission to give people smart thinking models. He helps ambitious people.
- Revenue generation: He's built programs and systems and licensed it to sports teams
- He does sport science and peak performance coaching
- Grew up doing speaking competitions.
  - Did 68 speeches in 90 days. All for free. Have to "get the reps"
"This is how I know I've made it... I loved doing a free speech for four people. I loved it!"
"You must show up. Continue to show up no matter what. Even if nobody is there, show up anyway."
"The answers are never waiting for you to sit still. The answers are out there doing it. It's action that matters."
How Todd developed strong mental toughness?
- Rough upbringing -- He was sexually abused at a church camp when he was 12
- He retreated and developed mental toughness to deal with it
Skills developed as an athlete that translated to life outside of sports:
- Preparation
- Routines
- Visualization/Imagery
Why are alter-egos so powerful?
- They help you get into flow state and not get out of your head
The Bo Jackson story -- "Bo Jackson never played a down of football. It was Jason from Friday The 13th. I was crazy out there."

294: Warren Berger - How To Ask More Beautiful Questions Jan 21, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #294: Warren Berger - How To Ask More Beautiful Questions

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Intelligent... Smart
- Hard-working
- Ambitious
- Humble -- This is a really important quality. No ego or arrogance. They admit when they are wrong. Willing to acknowledge when they're wrong. They are open to listening to others and their ideas.
- Curiosity - They are not trapped by their own expertise. They are open minded, curious, looking around.
- Able to adapt
- Communication skill -- The willingness and ability to ask great questions
The genesis of becoming a questionoligist -- Warrens calls himself a questionoligist. The art and science of asking questions.
- He originally was a journalist and developed a skill for asking questions doing that job.
- "Questioning was a tool of the trade"
Warren was writing about design and the idea of questioning kept coming up with leaders in business.
- "The ability to ask good questions would lead them thru the innovation cycle."
The holy trinity of questioning:
- Why? Trying to understand
- What if? Ideation, brainstorming
- How? Get practical. "How can we take the first step?"
Big open ended questions -- They are the stems
- Each one does something completely different
Questioning as a manager:
- Find time to have the conversations and ask questions of your team members
- Must be thoughtful and prepared
- We've gotten out of the habit of being questioners, and now it's always about doing. "Slow down, ask questions. Why are we pursuing this strategy? Understand why?"

Go To www.LearningLeader.com

Text LEARNERS to 44222

293: Brent Beshore - How To Get Rich Slow & Live An Optimal Life Jan 14, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #293: Brent Beshore - How To Get Rich Slow & Live An Optimal Life

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- The usual things like: integrity and hard work
- But the best... "know how messy they are, they challenge themselves, they have high level of self-awareness, they need people around them to help. They acknowledge their imperfections, and they give others grace for their imperfections."
How to develop self awareness?
- Surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth -- "We are all highly imperfect."
- Give people a true open invitation to criticize, but they also must be constructive, loving, kind, thoughtful people.
  - "They need to be rooting for you."\

What do you look for in someone to work with?
- Curiosity - an inherent desire to know more, learn, reconstruct reality
- Self awareness - genuine intellectual honesty
- Integrity - function of consistency over time. Have to reconstruct it

292: Beth Comstock - You Don't Need Permission (Former GE Vice Chair) Jan 07, 2019

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #292 - Beth Comstock: You Don't Need Permission (Former GE Vice Chair)

Beth Comstock spent nearly three decades at GE. As Chief Marketing Officer and then Vice Chair of Innovation, she led efforts to accelerate new growth, develop digital and clean-energy futures, seed new businesses and enhance brand value. As President of Integrated Media at NBC Universal, she oversaw TV ad revenue and digital media efforts, including the early development of Hulu. Prior to this, she held roles at NBC, CBS and CNN/Turner Broadcasting.

Her first book, Imagine it Forward, was published in September 2018. She is a director at Nike, and trustee of The National Geographic Society.

The Learning Leader Show

"You must grab agency. You don't always need permission."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- "They don't stop. They keep coming back. There is an inherent belief that tomorrow is another day. They have great stamina."
- Examples: Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Mary Barra (GM)
What was it like being hired by Jack Welch (including the story of Jack offering her the big promotion)
"You know you can't say no to Jack Welch and GE. It fascinated me."
Jeff Immelt -- "He lives to deliver for the customer"
Take us back to 1985... Beth is in her mid-20's, she's hiding behind the door as her husband tells her mom that they are getting a divorce.
- "It was a defining moment. I was willfully choosing an unfamiliar path. It felt like a failure."
- "In times of change, you have a choice to figure it out."
JR, the bad boss... We've all had bad bosses. How to deal with it? "He was a gatekeeper, just said no. So, I wrote a report, shared it with others, gave it to him. He rejected all of it. So I left to go to Ted Turner's CNN."
- "You must grab agency. You don't always need permission."
"No means 'not yet'"
The difference between gatekeepers and goalkeepers:
- Goalkeepers clear the way, they help you. Gatekeepers do the opposite."
Common mistakes the new manager makes and how to avoid them:
- Understand the responsibility
- Find a way to be secure in yourself. A lot of mistakes are made out of insecurity.
- "I was not good at giving feedback. Good or bad. I didn't communicate well initially."
- "You need to get to know your team very well. Know them as individuals. Connect with them. People don't want to be managed or controlled, they want to be led. There is a difference."
- Mentors: "I was a 30 year old first time manager and I didn't have good mentors. I was afraid to reach out to people for help. Find a series of people to be your board of advisors. You will need it."
The "Steve Jobs recruited me" story -- "This was right before the iPhone came out. He said, 'We're going to do some really big things here and I want you to be part of it.' It wasn't right for my family to move out there at that time though. I made the pro and con list and the move was too powerful. So I said no. There are days where I regret it."
The difference between Jack Welch and Jeff Immelt:
- "Both were good leaders. Jeff championed people and fully supported me."
- "They led in different times. It's a shame that they get compared when they led in two completely different eras."
"Tell me something I don't want to hear." -- Why this is a powerful exercise all leaders need to do with their teams on a regular basis.
- "Success theater" was an initiative. It's meant to crack bureaucracy. "Jeff Immelt was actually trying to make it better through doing this. You need that feedback loop."
Hiring: What does Beth look for in a candidate?
- Curiosity - Open and eager to learn
- A quest for excellence - Do they actively strive to be better?
- Others provide references on their behalf
- Trial run - "Try, then buy." Simulate the role
- Hire someone who knows what you don't - Hire for your weaknesses
How to handle an environment as a woman leader surrounded by men?
- "I'm a creative woman. I came to appreciate my differences. I became this small, quiet, rebel. Forge a different path. Learn how to get comfortable doing this."
- Advice to men? "I'm so glad you're asking this. Be open. Listen. Talk with females at work. Have open dialog. Ask questions how you can do better."
- "Assume nobel intent."
How to "imagine it forward?"
- "Data is squeezing imagination from us." -- "Open yourself to new people and ideas."
- "Pattern recognition"
- "Scenario planning"
- Think "What if I were the customer? What if I were the competitor? What would I do?"
Leading as an introvert. Most great introvert leaders have these useful qualities:
- Introspective
- Good listener
- Understand how to manage their energy
  - Find time to recharge
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"I'm a creative woman. I came to appreciate my differences. I became this small, quiet, rebel. Forge a different path. Learn how to get comfortable doing this."

Social Media:

Follow Beth on Twitter: @bethcomstock
Read: Imagine It Forward
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

291: Andy Rachleff - What Do You Uniquely Offer That People Desperately Want? Dec 31, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #291: Andy Rachleff (CEO Wealthfront) - What Do You Uniquely Offer That People Desperately Want?

Andy Rachleff is a co-founder and Executive Chairman of Wealthfront. Rachleff co-founded Benchmark Capital in 1995 and was a general partner until 2004.

Some notes... (More found on www.LearningLeader.com)

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Intellectual curiosity -- Pass this along to kids at the dinner table
- Ask questions
- "Bright people think other smart people ask questions."
The leader creates the culture
"People model the behavior of the leader."
"To be a great teacher, you have to synthesize something into small statements. This helps you be a better leader."
Magic 8 Ball statements
- "A's hire A's. B's hire C's."

290: Scott Harrison - Redemption, Compassion, & The Transformative Power Within Us All Dec 24, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#290: Scott Harrison - Redemption, Compassion, & The Transformative Power Within Us All

Scott Harrison is the founder and CEO of charity: water, a non-profit that has mobilized over one million donors around the world to fund over 28,000 water projects in 26 countries that will serve more than 8.2 million people. Harrison has been recognized on Fortune's 40 under 40 list, Forbes' Impact 30 list, and was ranked #10 in Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People in Business. He is currently a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Scott’s first book, Thirst, was released in October (2018) and immediately hit the New York Times best-seller list.

289: Philip McKernan- Relationships Move At The Speed Of Vulnerability Dec 17, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #289: Philip McKernan - Relationships Move At The Speed Of Vulnerability

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Moments where they feel like a fraud, question themselves. They are more comfortable within those moments
  - This allows them to bounce back quicker
- They seek and attract things that are outside of their normal comfort zone
- The Picasso example -- The courage to face the failure and own up to it
"Vulnerability is the only way to truly deepen relationships"
- "When you say, "I don't know," it helps others feel empowered to help"
Philip felt worthless at age 14. He felt isolated and alone, a burden to try and fit in. "That pain had a purpose."
- How to go from an isolated and alone 14 year old to a keynote speaker who moves people to tears?
How to deal with skeptics?
- "That's okay. But, I would address it now. Couples typically wait five years too long to get counseling. Do it now."
What do you do? "I create environments for people to go deep. I meet them where they're at."
The story of starting this business on the side in an Irish pub.
- "The hardest time of my life was at the beginning, but I didn't allow lack of money to impact what I did."
- "What are you willing to give up to do what you want?"
- "I stopped making the journey about me... It was about them."
Why Philip will not send his kids to college...
- "Spend time learning. You need to understand who you are. A classroom is not built on how to get to know who you are."
The "Planes, Trains, & Automobiles" test:
- Kevin Bacon started his career with no lines... But kept working. "Be willing to put in the work. Run for the cab."
Is "follow your passion good advice?"
- "Yes and no. There is a big difference between excitement and passion. I believe we all have gifts and so many people use their talents."
- "For you, sales was a talent, but your gift is connecting with people. To lift them, to help them, to build confidence."
- "We are all leaders but a lot of people lead from an inauthentic space. It's not what we do, it's how we do it."
What is One Last Talk?
- "If you had 15 minutes left to live to share your message, what would you say? You need to share with the world to free yourself."
- The process creates freedom. People want to connect. This is "team deepening."
Why write a book?
- "Everyone has the capacity to make an impact. I believe all of us carry some demons."
- "It's like five years of therapy in one book." "The book is by me, but it's not for me. I will never sign it."
"One of the greatest burdens a child can bare is the unlived life of their parents."

288: Robert Greene - The Laws Of Human Nature (Part 2) Dec 13, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #288: Robert Greene - The Laws Of Human Nature (Part 2)

"I knew at eight years old I wanted to be a writer. It took me 30 years to find the right ideas. Everybody has a primal inclination." - Robert Greene

"If you're not excited about the field you work in, you'll learn half as much." -- Robert Greene

www.LearningLeader.com

287: Robert Greene - 5 Strategies For Becoming A Master Persuader (Part 1) Dec 10, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #287: Robert Greene - 5 Strategies For Becoming A Master Persuader (Part 1)

Robert Greene teaches the most important subject of all – understanding people’s drives and motivations, even when they are unconscious of them themselves. Drawing from the ideas and examples of Pericles, Queen Elizabeth I, Martin Luther King Jr, and many others, Greene teaches us how to detach ourselves from our own emotions and master self-control.

www.LearningLeader.com

286: Phil Jones - How To Build Your Squad (The WHO In Your Life) Dec 03, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

286: Phil Jones - How To Build Your Squad (The WHO In Your Life)

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Ability to see things through the eyes of others -- empathy
- Create and articulate a shared vision
- Create momentum for others
Build your squad -- The WHO in your life
- His mom said, "Be careful, go get a job and be safe." She is the right person in the wrong place.
- We all need:
  - Cheerleaders - they put fuel in our tank
  - Role modes - someone's model to follow
  - Mentors - someone to share experiences with
  - Coaches - they ask us questions
  - Trainers - they teach us skills
  - Advisors - overall strategy
  - Aspirational peers - Peers you look up to and want to spend time with
"Success leaves clues."

285: Scott Gerber - Stop Networking And Start Building Relationships That Matter Nov 26, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #285: Scott Gerber - Stop Networking And Start Building Relationships That Matter

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Those who surround themselves with people smarter than them
- Empathetic
- Self-aware -- And an ability to understand others
- "We are losing connection for connectivity."
How to become a super-connector?
- "Curiosity leads to everything." -- Always be questioning...
- "Learning is the defining quality of all of it."
How to get to the core of person to better understand where they come from and their motivations...
"The Road Less Traveled" -- Constantly revise our maps of reality
"The Big Short" - "It's what you think you know that's not true that gets you in trouble."
How to answer the "What do you do?" question --
- Scott - "Try to live life purposefully"
- His nickname -- "The Pandora of Gen-Y networking"
"Social Capital is the most important currency that we have. I'm a curator of people."
- "There is so much power to bringing amazing people together."
Why it's bad to ask, "How can I help you?"
- "Marketers fundamentally f'd up this conversation." -- "It's become too formulaic as the next step. Instead, you should know how you can help and help. It's a bad question because it shows your thoughtless and it's part of a script. Don't do that."
Be exceptional at making introductions -- Does it provide mutual value?
- When you become proficient at it, take it a step further... Film a short video to make the intro. Get creative.
The gray zones -- Always ask "why?"
"Real relationships take real time"
How to create remarkable experiences:
- Get great people in the room -- carefully curate the guest list
- Build trust
- Exceptional atmosphere/environment
- Be very thoughtful about every tiny detail
The YEC summit in Eden, Utah
- Create something remarkable to ensure people and things you bring together click.
- Humanize people that run the community -- Ex: The execs serve dinner to the guests, find common touch points
- "Get the intros right! Lift your guests up, brag about them in front of their peers."
Being a connector vs being connected -- The tools
How to build consistent referrals?
- Create events where people want to bring a guest who is not a current client but could be. The event must be exceptional. Invest heavily in this.
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

284: Michael Lombardi - A Masterclass In Building Teams And Winning Championships Nov 19, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #284: Michael Lombardi - A Masterclass In Building Teams And Winning Championships

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- A set foundation
- A standard of excellence in everything they do. Not rooted in sports, but in everything
- Understand how to build a culture
Why mission statements were useless to Mike and his colleagues
The focus on getting 1% better every day... If you do so, the score takes care of itself
Demonstrate how to lead... The leader must model that behavior
"Managers do things right, leaders do the right thing."
Operating framework
- Have a plan
- Explain to self
- Build trust
- Command of self
"Culture is a plant. You must nurture it everyday."
Personal accountability is the ultimate sign of strength. "All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong." - Sophocles
Bill Walsh - The value of being his personal driver and learning from him directly during all of those car rides. That's where Mike learned about leadership... And about Tom Peters
Coach Walsh was always reading something that made him think and passed that along to Mike...
"If you don't like change, you'll like irrelevancy less."
Hiring process:
- Want people who are coach-able and able to learn the Bill Walsh system
- "Training is hard. Most managers don't do it."
A "5 tool leader"
- Strategy
- Tactics
- Preparation
- Execution
- Situational instincts to know which among the first 4 is required and when
The myth of coaches working long hours and sleeping in the office
Sustainable values vs situational values -- command of the process
When Al Davis interviewed people, he would do a deep dive on their background prior to the interview and use their high school mascot as his personal nickname for the candidate. This was Al's subtle way of letting the candidate know that he "knew everything about them so they better be honest."
Creative vs divergent -- Take an existing idea and make it better
The 7 QB qualifiers and how this relates to a leader in business:
- A winning way
- A thick skin
- Work ethic
- Football smarts
- Innate ability
- Carriage
- Leadership
You must be able to process things at a high rate
Learning from mistakes -- The Doug Pederson mistake Mike made...
- "How often is it the structure, the landscape, vs the player?
Jackson Browne - "Never forget the ones you mess up."
Life advice -- Jack Nicholson - "Read everything. It's the elixir of life. Understand something from all sides and all points of view. Read it all from the opposition side to get complete understanding on the topic."
The most effective leaders have a willingness to receive feedback and implement it.

283: Tyler Cowen - The Path To Prosperity In A Disordered World Nov 12, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #283: Tyler Cowen - The Path To Prosperity In A Disordered World

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- "I admire people who are constantly reading and learning things."
- Those who have a quiet excellence about them
The most effective leaders have a willingness to receive feedback and implement it.
Tyler was a world class chess player at age 15 and won the world championship. He always played against older players, people who were better than him. (Reminds me of James Clear and the Goldilocks Effect)
Doing vs. Learning: Tyler admires those who spend more time learning than doing (he takes a counter intuitive approach to this... like most things he thinks!)
- "I admire people who spend a lot of time thinking, those who read a lot of books, searching..."
Tyler describes his book reading process
Books - "Start with what you love..."
- Start with fiction: Shakespeare, others like that. Tyler is not a fan of most management books.
- Books he likes: The 5th Discipline, Michael Porter, Maslow, Flow, Daniel Kahneman
- "Read biographies"
What was Tyler like as a kid? "Intense, curious, even tempered, quite happy... Much the same as I am now."
There is always new information to learn from travel -- The perspective gained from traveling the world is extremely valuable. Tyler has traveled to 100's of countries worldwide
- Have dialog with local people in each place you go. We discussed my trip to Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia.
- Learn the personal history of the places you go. Some great recent trips? Singapore, China, Mexico (learn to speak Spanish)
Tyler's day to day actions: Write, blog, lunch with college students, teaches for 3 hours per day. He's 56 years old
What is scarce? -- We all should focused on being great at what is scarce
- Quality land and natural resources
- Intellectual property, or good ideas about what should be produced
- Quality labor with unique skills
- Talent that can execute. Great leadership
How to become great at what is scarce?
- Tyler interviewed the tennis great, Martina Navratilova... Her thoughts: "You need to make a deliberative decision to train. A complete dedication to the craft."
- You also need someone who will tell you the truth and help you improve. Who are your mentors, am I respecting others? A massive need to train and practice.
Why shouldn't we pay kids to do chores?
- "Don't transact with kids. It should be part of their normal day. They shouldn't be paid for it."
The shifting gender balance of power - Be conscientious. "Women are simply better at almost everything."
How Stripe publishing is doing things differently...
Latest book: Stubborn Attachments - "It's been 20 years in the making. My most philosophical book."
- "It's about the eternal principles how we should think about things..."
The meta explanation for why it seems like our political world is wacky... "Most of history is wacky."
Tyler makes a 2020 prediction for the presidential election
"Stories are deliberate over-simplifications. Complexity has been drained away from most."
How to prepare for a keynote speech?
- "For the Martina Navratilova interview, I read 40 books about her and tennis and learned everything I could to be prepared."
Reading:
- Read books in clusters based on topics
- Go to the library and do a physical search
- Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
- Use the "Get To Know You Document"
"It's about conscientiousness. Women are simply better than men at almost everything."

Social Media:
- Follow Tyler on Twitter: @tylercowen
- Read: Stubborn Attachments
- Connect with me on LinkedIn
- Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
- To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

282: Seth Godin - You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn To See Nov 05, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #282: Seth Godin - You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn To See

"In a crowded marketplace, fitting in is a failure. In a busy marketplace, not standing out is the same as being invisible."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- It changes over time
- Must be willing to fail - "Okay... Will I do things that might not work?"
Some of Seth's failures: many teaching mistakes, tried to build philanthropy platform that failed, blog has failed at times
How to handle a slump? - "There's no such thing as a long slump."
- Stephen J. Gould - "The real problem is how you respond to the failure. You can't tell yourself a story that's not true."
- Have honest self talk -- "This isn't a slump."
Stanford MBA - Friends with Chip Conley. "Everyone there feels like a fraud or an arrogant jerk. I felt like I was drowning. The sessions with Chip changed my life." Chips "Random Acts of Initiative" were life changing. Chip taking initiative and not fearing rejection. Remarkable.
Empathy - A mentor wants to see you do things that are bold, leap forward because of them.
Be a mentor - "Make the world shinier. Bring life to more causes."
Economy of words - "I made the decision to write like I talk."
- "Talking isn't better because you're afraid."
The book publishing world and why Seth chose to traditionally publish This Is Marketing
What percentage of Seth's success is luck? "98.2%" The final 1.8% is "relentless persistence." "The 98.2% is the parent lottery."
How to deal with rejection after rejection...
"Culture IS strategy. How we treat people. It's hard to do the things we're proud of."
- "Great ones have better clients."
Side hustle advice -- Start it on the side so that you don't have to make money at it right away. You can choose your clients and never just "do it for the money."
- "Exactly. Great advice."
Keys to storytelling - "We have too much stuff."
- Better understand the story you're telling yourself.
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"Luck for me is 98.2% of it. The other 1.8% is relentless persistence."

Social Media:

Follow Seth's writing on Twitter: @ThisIsSethsBlog
Read: This Is Marketing
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

281: George Raveling - Eight Decades Of Wisdom: From Dr. Martin Luther King To Michael Jordan Oct 28, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #281: George Raveling - Eight Decades Of Wisdom: From Dr. Martin Luther King To Michael Jordan

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Growth mindset
- Immense curiosity
- High level of self awareness -- "It starts within"
- Great vision
- Most important = "they execute"
Relationship lessons learned over eight decades - "Be a giver, not a taker. Try to genuinely help people."
- Develop trust, respect, and care for others -- "It's all about love. Don't keep score. Do the right thing, be kind, but don't keep score or trade favors. That's not how it works."
Standing next to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr for the "I Have A Dream" speech
- Asking Dr. King for the speech after he finished (and getting it... still has it!)
- Why he won't sell of try to profit from the speech despite it being worth millions
- The power of "showing up early" and "asking for what you want"
Why Coach reads so much -- "The slave owners used to hide money in books because they knew slaves would never look in the books because they couldn't read." -- "If someone can control my mind, they can control my body. I will not let that happen. Books are my mistress."
Information = knowledge = wisdom = opportunity = growth = success
The importance of his upbringing - His dad died when he was 9, his mom was institutionalized when he was 13. He was raised by his grandmother and nuns.
- "My grandmother taught me to be curious. She taught me to ask. She taught me good manners. She taught me humility. She taught me to help people. She was the #metoo movement before the #metoo movement"
How basketball was the "greatest vehicle for transformation in my life."
- Earned scholarship to Villanova -- When George was first offered a scholarship, he didn't know what that meant.
- Going from player to coach and why he was suited to be a great coach
- Becoming the first African American head coach of the Pac 8 (Pac 12)
The mindset of thinking of yourself as an educator/teacher
George is a voracious reader and marks up each and every page of the books he likes (I saw first hand and it's amazing)
The importance for older people to have 4-5 younger mentors in their life. Ryan Holiday plays this role for Coach.
The importance of self leadership - "You must take care of yourself before trying to lead others"
Working at Nike for Phil Knight -- Helping sign Michael Jordan away from Adidas
Focus on being a great decision maker and seeking out growth opportunities
Why you don't need a title to be an effective leader
In order to be promoted, focus on being incredibly great at what you're doing right now
- "Be so good they can't ignore you."
The 10 realities of life Coach Raveling values most at age 81
Pushing Coach to write a book about living a great life -- Tweet him to do this!
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

280: Danny Iny - Why You Shouldn't Go To College Oct 21, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #280: Danny Iny - Why You Shouldn't Go To College

"The future is here. It's just not evenly distributed."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- An attitude of curiosity - interested. "I wonder why that happens?"
- Sense of things being "figureoutable." They will get it done. Fortitude.
Danny and I discuss a partnership -- Working together on building a course
Being "catalytically curious"
Why start Mirasee?
- Built after previous failure. "On an emotional level, a startup falling apart is like a really rough breakup."
"Mirasee was the rebound business." It has a value driven ethos. "At the end of an interaction with you, people should like you more regardless of what happens."
- "Mira" = To see, wonder
Why build online courses?
- The convenience and practicality. It's "Just In Time" Learning
Should graduating high schoolers go to college?
- "Probably not. There is an expectation that smart kids should go to college. That it's the ticket to the good life. This used to be true, but it's not anymore. The facts don't back that up."
- "The future is here. It's just not evenly distributed."
- "Those non-specific degrees are functionally worthless."
- "It's not about where we are, it's about where will we be?"
What should a smart high school graduate do instead?
- Find people you respect and trust in the working world. Offer to work for them for free. Shadow them. Learn from them. Figure out if you want to do that full time.
- This requires people to take initiative and ownership
Why I started the podcast? -- "To create my own leadership PhD."
- "Pace of education is changing."
- "At the pace of change currently the curriculum being taught will be completely different in 5-10 years."
You must have:
- Literacy
- Fluency
- You need a deep understanding of your topic
How to know which online courses to take?
- Think: What am I trying to accomplish?
- Does the course offer this?
- What do I need to learn? To know?
- Does the teacher have a track record of success?
A course must have a support mechanism... The teacher must stand behind promises made
The "pilot" program
- Survey audience - data analysis
- Map out curriculum
- Adapt on the fly - take insight to create something great
Peer to peer feedback system in place
- We learn more from giving feedback to others
- Accountability measures
Read Leveraged Learning
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"It's not about where we are. It's about where we will be."

Social Media:

Follow Danny on Twitter: @DannyIny
Read: Leveraged Learning
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

279: James Clear - How Tiny Changes Can Equal Remarkable Results (Atomic Habits) Oct 14, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk. Episode #279: James Clear - How Tiny Changes Can Changes Can Equal Remarkable Results (Atomic Habits)

Show Notes:

"It's important to know how everything works together."
- Ojai, CA - Circle talking about book writing
Atomic = Atom, small, tiny. Habits should be small
"Habits are the atoms of our lives"
"It's about the collection of habits"
"They are small... but put them together... they compound and are powerful."
The system is in four stages. They stages are:
- The cue - gets attention
- The craving - in the brain
- The response - the habit, behavior
- The result - what happens
Feedback loops - The cookie example
"My readers and I are peers. An essential part of the process is to write about it. Try things out. Everything I've published has been revised many times."
The four laws:
- Make it obvious
- Make it attractive
- Make it easy
- Make it satisfying
The Goldilocks rule - Steve Martin
- People burn out or get bored. How to stay motivated...
- Be stretched just beyond your capacity but not too far. "Always stay just on the edge..." Steve Martin kept expanding his sets by just a few minutes each time until he had a 60 minute set. He started small with just a few minutes of material.
- Make sure you "stretch yourself... just a bit... everyday."
- Be the person who gets the additional task done
How to do this all as a parent? -- "Life is in seasons..."
- "If you want to double your productivity, get 8 hours of sleep."
The plateau of latent potential -- A melting ice cube. A 1 degree change
"Habits don't add up, they compound. It looks like a hockey stick."
"Outcome based habits vs identity based habits."
- Focus on identity based habits. Be the type of person who wakes up early and works out.
The importance of being able to delay gratification
Weightlifting - Reinterpret signals. "Being sore feels good." Re frame how you think about something like soreness
"Happiness is simply the absence of desire."
- When you observe a cue, but do not desire to change your state, you are content with the current situation
"Being curious is better than being smart."
- Need to be eager to learn and accomplish things
- "Your actions reveal how badly you want something"
"We can only be rational and logical after we have been emotional."
System 1 = feelings
System 2 = Rational, math problem
- System 1 always leads the way

The Learning Leader Circle -- Apply
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"Being curious is better than being smart"

Social Media:

Follow James on Twitter: @JamesClear
Read: Atomic Habits
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

278: Mitch Albom - Tuesdays With Morrie & The Five People You Meet In Heaven Oct 07, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #278: Mitch Albom - Tuesdays With Morrie & The Five People You Meet In Heaven

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Humility
- They contribute to the world - "Morrie did the bravest thing I've ever seen."
- Howard Schultz - The last person in line to get a book signed. After all of his employees
"Some of the greatest performers I've ever met are painfully shy: jazz musicians, Barry Sanders, Joe Dumars."
Tuesdays With Morrie - "He was my college professor. I had not talked to him in 16 years. I saw him on TV talking about having ALS."
- Morrie - "I'm a teacher. That's what I do."
Why was it so popular and shared so much?
- "Death ends a life but not a relationship"
- "You can live within the hearts of people you help/touched."
- "You have to make time for those relationships while you're here."
"I write about living. Death informs everything about how we live."
"I try to write about reflecting on life."
Why this theme?
- "I liked listening to stories from my uncle growing up. His World War 2 stories."
- "I spent so much of my youth myopically focused on career success. For many years I thought how far can I get?"
- "I wanted to explore what makes a better life?"
Supporting 47 children in Haiti -- Taking two to college now.
"Giving makes me feel like I'm living."
"Taking makes me feel like I'm dying."
Being part of Sports Reporters on ESPN
- Writers are critical thinkers and can be good on TV when thinking deeply
Core pieces of advice:
- Be humble
- Be curious - Ask questions
- Don't lose self in the field you choose. Life can be brief.
- "Find out who you are and what you value, and do that."
Advice from a security guard:
- Read the best books
- Listen to the best music
- Observe the best art
- Surround self with the best people - Osmosis
- Immerse yourself with what you value

The Learning Leader Circle -- Apply
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"I wanted to explore what makes a better life?"

Social Media:

Follow Mitch on Twitter: @MitchAlbom
Read: Tuesdays With Morrie
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

277: Tom Goodwin - Life Advice From The #1 Influencer On LinkedIn Sep 30, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #277: Tom Goodwin - Life Advice From The #1 Influencer On LinkedIn

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Confidence + Conviction
- Ability to make quick decisions with limited amounts of information
- Faith in their judgement
"There is a feeling in the room when a quality leader walks in. A charisma, an energy, a presence."
How does one develop charisma?
- "Introversion is more interesting to me. Great presenters are introverts. They are empathetic and think of the audience first."
There is "cultural permission" when you're on stage. The audience is rooting for you to succeed. Use that energy and positive vibes
The importance of a proper introduction
Head of Innovation at Zenith. What does that entail? "An observer. Reading a lot. Gain perspective through a lot of global travel. You learn more from countries outside of the U.S. where we have everything that we could want or need."
How he became the #1 Influencer on LinkedIn?
- First, look for the differences in commonality vs causation. There is a difference
- "I orchestrate a conversation on LinkedIn. I facilitate it through my articles. I don't claim to know everything."
- "I got quite irritated. I got fired at my job for being outspoken. I started sharing my beliefs and it caught on."
- "Because I wasn't filtered, it hit a nerve with people. I am not careful with my words."
How to gain support for your passion/side hustle while working at a big company
- "Encouraging this attracts great candidates and helps retain top talent."
- "Senior management needs to support and encourage it. If they have envy or are insecure, then it won't work."
"Large companies need to understand why they got big. Those reasons may not be what gets them to the next level. We need to rethink rigidity."
"Life is about creating good problems."
"We need to create a culture of progressive criticism."
- The Apple commercial: "It took 1,000 No's to get to a Yes"
"We shouldn't worship busyness. We should worship output."
The reason for writing Digital Darwinism
Life/Career Advice:
- "Don't worry. Too many people spend their youth thinking their career would take a tidy path. It's not. My career has been quite messy, but it's worked out fine. Be humble, thoughtful, and empathetic."
- Develop curiosity - "The UK education fuels curiosity, fuels interest. That doesn't seem to happen in the States. We need a breadth of the world. Like James Dyson or Elon Musk."
- Build a network - "Job postings. That's not how the world works and it won't in the future. I want sparkly talent that has five other jobs. Don't be afraid to nurture multiple talents."
- Have a sense of humor. It helps ease the mood/tension and makes you more enjoyable to be around.
Issue: "We're obsessed with being correct rather than being helpful. That's not good."
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

Social Media:

Follow Tom on Twitter: @tomfgoodwin
Read: Digital Darwinism
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

276: Scott Belsky - How To Find Your Way Through The Hardest Part Of Any Venture Sep 23, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #276: Scott Belsky - How To Find Your Way Through The Hardest Part Of Any Venture

"Management is about people. You have to be at a personal level when you're a manager. It doesn't scale. It's not supposed to."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- The ability to sustain curiosity - "you need to keep paying attention with a tuned up curiosity."
- "They say no more often"
"Get into the motion of trying things instead of perfecting things."
How to compartmentalize?
- "I build windows of time in my day to not pay attention to anything but the deep work. No email, no social media, no check book sales."
On flights, dedicate time to deep work
- No wifi, this is alone time to do work
- Odd reward mechanisms: "I only allow myself to listen to certain music when it's time to write. When I've accomplished deep work for hours, I reward myself with treats. But only after the work is done."
Answering the "what do you do" question:
- "I am obsessed with products."
- Adobe purchased his company, Behance
- Seed investor
- Best selling author
- "I help creatives create"
How to pursue a side hustle when you work at a big company?
- "Every person needs to be their authentic self"
- "You have to feed it. The thing that distracts you. The thing you stay up late to keep working on because you love it. That's where you should continue to give energy."
- "A labor of love is always worth it."
The Messy Middle -- 820 Evernote notes whittled down to the most effective 120 pieces.
Making the leap from individual contributor to manager:
- "Don't depersonalize it when you become a manager. A team is like a carefully crafted immune system."
- "Management is about people. You have to be at a personal level when you're the manager. It doesn't scale. It's not supposed to."
- "Don't do reviews, do regular check ins... How's it going?"
"The stories are the culture of your team. You're the amplifier of the stories."
Qualities to look for in a person to hire:
- "Every conversation with that person should be more interesting than the last one. They should become continually more interesting."
- "There is value on analysis & strategy... But equally important is empathy & intuition."
- Intuition = truthfulness with self. High level of self awareness. Be willing to seek feedback. Be truthful with yourself.
"A successful creative entity must be comfortable alternating between the two creative phases: Ideation and Execution."
- Walt Disney mastered this.
- "Stimulate people to think differently. Help people suspend disbelief in themselves. What if we did this 100X better?" - Larry Page
The importance of "staying in the early innings" -- "We're just getting started." This encourages people to keep trying new things.
"Hire people for initiative rather than experience."
"Anything extraordinary ever achieved comes from ordinary means."
Advice for young professionals -- Find these three overlaps:
- Figure out what you're genuinely interested in. What do you stay up doing for fun?
- What skills do you have or could possess through learning?
- What is the opportunity?
  - "Take the steps to get into that overlap"
  - Don't make short term money decisions. Find the overlap over the extra $10K in salary
Why we all should have a common place journal
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"Get into the motion of trying things instead of perfecting things."

Social Media:

Follow Scott on Twitter: @scottbelsky
Read: The Messy Middle
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

275: Joe Navarro - The World's #1 Body Language Expert (FBI Special Agent) Sep 16, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #275: Joe Navarro - The World's #1 Body Language Expert (FBI Special Agent)

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- They are exceptional observers
- They understand the needs, wants, desires, fears, and opportunities of themselves and others
- Strong attention to detail
- High levels of self and situational awareness
- "I don't go where the puck is. I go where it's going to be." - Wayne Gretzky
Some leaders can get mired in the mindless day to day actions. The great ones focus on what's most important.
Understanding non-verbals can lead to deep relationships.
"One of the reasons we study non-verbals is so we can be empathetic."
Moving to The U.S. as an 8 year old refugee from Cuba -- Joe could not speak the language, so it forced him to pay close attention to the non-verbal communication from his teachers and peers.
The amazing focus of The Wright Brothers and how that led to their success
Why the FBI called Joe when he was graduating from BYU
"In the FBI, I was a paid observer. I detected when something was wrong with the person right in front of me."
How do we become what we are capable of?
- "It starts today. What are my limitations right now? Am I observing the things I should be observing?"
- "People are what's most important. We have to be better observers."
"Education is a continuous process. I still see myself as a student."
"Curious people are usually exceptional."
"Communication is both reflexive and fluid."
Do not be cynical or expect people to lie. Treat everyone with a blank slate. Ask questions. Listen. Ask follow up questions...
- "I never assume to have all the facts. I want to hear what you have to say before I make a conclusion."
"Our job as leaders is to ask questions, not presume we know all the answers."
JFK vs Nixon debate:
- Why did the TV viewers think JFK won while the radio listeners thought Nixon won?
  - JFK was tan, good looking, put makeup on, wore a tailored suit. Nixon had a cold, suit didn't fit as well, didn't wear makeup, he didn't look as good as JFK.
How we dress is important:
- "Everything is communicating something about us."
Winston Churchill -- "He always rehearsed what he planned to say in a meeting."
Also think, "How can I say this in the fewest number of words?"
Abraham Lincoln spoke for 2 minutes and 26 seconds for the Gettysburg Address. The speaker before him spoke for 2 hours. We remember people who can effectively be concise.
- "Choose each word carefully."
How an introvert can succeed at a networking event?
- "It's a performance. Lead with curiosity. Ask questions. Get to know one person at a time."
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"When you ask someone for help, you're giving them the opportunity to feel amazing."

Social Media:

Follow Joe on Twitter: @navarrotells
Read: What Every BODY Is Saying
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 200: Keith Hawk & AJ Hawk -- Showing Up, Doing The Work, Earning Trust, Helping Others, Winning The Super Bowl, Celebrating #200

Episode 234: Jocko Willink -- Why Discipline Equals Freedom

274: Heidi Grant - How To Get People To Help You (Reinforcements) Sep 09, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#274: Heidi Grant - How To Get People To Help You (Reinforcements)

The Learning Leader Show

"It's not about being good. It's about being better. Be in a constant state of continuous improvement."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- "All management is change management"
- "What's made you successful in the past may not be the case in the future."
- "How can I learn to be a better leader?'
- "A constant state of continuous improvement"
- "You've never arrived."
"It' not about being good. It's about being better."
"Focus on getting better, rather than being good."
Growth mindset helps you find enjoyment in what you do
"Focus on what you will do, not what you won't"
Willpower -- Need to be specific. Get to a level of specificiaty
Make steady progress
- "Have realistic optimism. I will succeed, but it will be hard."
How to define success?
- Intrinsic vs extrinsic goals:
  - A connected-ness to other people
  - Autonomy - Do what feels authentic
  - Being effective - Inherently get satisfaction by "I'm making things by making things happen in the world"
  - "Human beings are wired to to want to feel effective" -- It creates lasting happiness
Balance - Fundamental things stand in our way. "We all have issues with not being great at everything."
Why don't we ask others for help when we need it? The Milgrim subway experiement
What does a helper need from you?
- Must ask and help the helper be successful
Why we need to eliminate the phrase "Can I pick your brain?"
- Just say what you want. Be direct.
- Send questions in advance. Create opportunities for helpers to be effective
"When you ask someone for help, you're giving them the opportunity to feel amazing"
Reinforcements - Extra personnel sent to increase the strength of an army or similar force --> Something that makes a behavior more likely
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"When you ask someone for help, you're giving them the opportunity to feel amazing."

Social Media:

See why over 91,000 people follow Scott on Twitter: @profgalloway
Read: The Four
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 200: Keith Hawk & AJ Hawk -- Showing Up, Doing The Work, Earning Trust, Helping Others, Winning The Super Bowl, Celebrating #200

Episode 234: Jocko Willink -- Why Discipline Equals Freedom

273: Chip Conley - How To Be Wise Beyond Your Years Sep 02, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #273: Chip Conley - How To Be Wise Beyond Your Years

The Learning Leader Show

"When you're the leader, you're the emotional thermostat for the people you lead."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- "An operating system unique to them. It defines how they operate no matter what the context is."
- Understand Maslow's hierarchy of needs
- A way of thinking about people
The importance of being both a practitioner and an author
- Having a finely tuned sense of your greatest strengths... And hire for the gaps
"The capacity for holistic or systems thinking that allows one to get the gist of something by synthesizing a wide variety of information quickly." -- Pattern recognition
How to develop self awareness:
- Having an internal and external antennae
  - External -- "read a room"
  - Internal -- "understand your intuition" --> How to tap into your "gut brain"
  - The ability to be vulnerable is critical
  - Action: Journal, meditate, speak with a coach. Converse in a vulnerable way
Why being part of The Learning Leader Circle is so valuable
Stanford Business School classmate of Seth Godin
- "Random Acts of Initiative"
"When you're the leader, you're the emotional thermostat for the people you lead."
"People get very attached to their identity."
Learn to "listen to hunches and take chances."
The story about the time Brian Chesky (founder of AirBnB) called him
- "Instead of trying to prove himself, he was trying to improve himself."
- We had an "EQ" for "DQ" relationship - Emotional intelligence for Digital intelligence
A mentern = Mentor + Intern at the same time.
- The importance of having a beginners mindset -- "Ask questions. Be catalytically curious."
- The "modern elder" is as much a student as they are a sage
Chip's inquisitiveness became contagious at AirBnB
It's important to "intern publicly," and "mentor privately"
There is progress to go from hubris to humble
Wisdom: "Move out of trying to prove yourself, and instead work on improving yourself."
As the leader, always ask: "How can I support you to do the best work here?"
- Know you boss has your back -- Support
- Put direct report in a role to create conditions to grow
Set learning and development programs
- The biggest gap at AirBnB was "understanding humans. There were 28 year olds leading 24 year olds."
How to build an alliance with someone who disagrees with you?
- Find some sort of alignment. Even the smallest amount is progress.
- Find the intent...
"We're all like plants/flowers. Look at the soil. If you're a sunflower in the arctic, you have to get out of there."
"Make sure you have a boss that has the capacity to get you there."
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"Move out of trying to prove yourself, and instead work on improving yourself."

Social Media:

Follow Chipon Twitter: @ChipConley
Read: Wisdom @ Work
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 200: Keith Hawk & AJ Hawk -- Showing Up, Doing The Work, Earning Trust, Helping Others, Winning The Super Bowl, Celebrating #200

Episode 234: Jocko Willink -- Why Discipline Equals Freedom

272: Scott Galloway - The Algebra Of Happiness Aug 26, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #272: Scott Galloway - The Algebra of Happiness

The Learning Leader Show

"Steve Jobs is the most famous deadbeat dad. We should worship character and kindness." -- Scott Galloway

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- They are demonstrably great at multiple specialty areas
- They have grit -- a willingness to roll up their sleeves. And work a lot.
- They hold people accountable -- "If they don't perform, show them the door. Strategic firing."
- They have empathy - They understand other people and what they want to achieve
Scott explains why he's a builder and a teacher
- He's an NYU professor. He also has started and ran three successful businesses at the same time. This allows him to give practical, real life, advice to his students
The best method for learning is teaching -- "It forces you to really know what you believe."
- "You have to prepare, have themes, support them with research. You have to bring it."
His viral videos -- "I try to behave as if nobody is watching... I need to be real and myself."
- Why he said, "Mark Zuckerberg is Putin's bitch."
"Steve Jobs is the most famous deadbeat Dad. We should worship character and kindness."
The power of saying "exactly what you think."
"You're smart to be afraid when you're younger."
Scott Galloway's Career Advice:
- 1) Get certified. Get your degree. College grades make 2X that of those who don’t graduate.
- 2) Be remarkable (“So good they can’t ignore you”). What two attributes can you bring together that make you unique (the artist who knows how to use excel).
- 3) Invest in variance - find the 6-8 things that are most important to your firm. Become in expert in a couple of them (Be a great public speaker, great writer)
- 4) Get to a city (Allen Gannett agrees)
- 5) Boring is sexy
- 6) Delay gratification - Power of compound interest. Invest in something that will pay off
- 7) Demonstrate strength and grit. Exercise everyday. Be stronger
- 8) Don’t follow your passion - be passionate about being great at something.
- 9) Ignore the myth of balance. He has balance now because he worked like crazy for 20 years.
- 10) Build credibility.
Advice I received from my Dad when I first became a manager -- "You can't just be an inspiration guy. You need to understand the numbers, the business side, too."
The best managers "move their chair next to the person their leading and have a real conversation with them."
The myth of balance: "If you want to be a top 1% earner, then you won't have balance. I don't know anyone who's able to do that who doesn't work their ass off."
- Did the money bring happiness? "Yes, but also a divorce. Money is a means to an end."
The Harvard happiness study:
- "Happiness is love full stop." -- "Love who you are, who you're with... Love WHAT you do and who you do it with."
Sweating vs watching: "You should spend more time sweating than watching other people sweat. High performers are physically fit. Work out."
- "The only youth serum is exercise."
- "When it gets real, I want to be able to run fast or kill them all. Working out gives me the confidence to do that."
Things vs Experiences:
- "We overestimate the happiness things will bring us. We underestimate the happiness experiences bring us."
The Four:
- The hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google.
- Google = God. Knows more about you than anything else
- Facebook = Love
- Amazon = Consumption
- Apple = Signals your worth. Sex.
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

Social Media:

See why over 91,000 people follow Scott on Twitter: @profgalloway
Read: The Four
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

271: Phil Hellmuth - From Poker Brat To #Positivity. 15 Time World Champion Aug 19, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #271: Phil Hellmuth - From Poker Brat To #Positivity. 15 Time World Champion

The Learning Leader Show

"Therapy is very helpful. I want to know what I am doing wrong."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- They believe they can do great things. That have energy, buzz, and confidence
- They have drive, intelligence, and the will to get it done
- Elon Musk, Bill Lee are examples
Phil is known for having a legendary ego... He shares why that's not true
Why didn't he have friends for many years?
His midwest roots and being ridiculed for having an ego
Why does he verbally berate people at the poker table?
- "That is 1% of what happens, but it always gets shown on TV."
Most great poker players never tell the bad players they are bad, they just take their money. Why does Phil tell them how bad they are and how good he is?
- "It's because of my own insecurity."
I asked if he goes to therapy... "Yes, if I can get 2 1/2 hours a week, that is great. Therapy is very helpful. I want to know what I'm doing wrong."
How Phil felt that he could never live up to his Dad's lofty expectations (get good grades, be good at sports... Phil didn't do either) and how that impacted him
"I'm like Draymond Green and John McEnroe... I lose it sometimes"
"The poker brat made me famous"
His friendship with Daniel Negreanu... And how it's grown over the years
How to tell if someone is lying?
- "It's instinctual. Everyone has physical tells."
- "Look for thumbs and pinkies together as a power move"
- "There's always a full story. I put it all together and rely on my instincts from that story."
Your instincts can be developed with a lot of repetition
"The art of reading people is lost on the new generation."
"Look into their eyes!"
#Positivity -- New book focused on being in the right place at the right time
- Write your goals and tape them on your mirror
- Write your blessings and tape them on your mirror
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"The art of reading people is lost on the new generation."

Social Media:

See why over 270,000 people follow Phil on Twitter: @phil_hellmuth
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

270 - Sam Jones - A Comfortable Life Is Overrated Aug 12, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #270 - Sam Jones: A Comfortable Life Is Overrated

Sam Jones is an acclaimed photographer and director whose seminal portraits of President Obama, Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Bob Dylan, Kristin Stewart, Robert Downey Jr, Amy Adams, Jack Nicholson, and many others have appeared on the covers of Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Esquire, GQ, Time, Entertainment Weekly and Men’s Journal.

In 2013 he launched Off Camera with Sam Jones on Directv’s Audience Network. Off Camera is an hour long show created out of his passion for long form conversational interviews.

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- "They did not have a back up plan. They had a desire to do what they loved even if it wasn't the obvious choice."
"A comfortable life is overrated." -- "I've always followed the things that excited me most."
"It almost feels like a lie when I'm doing something that doesn't excite me."
"I connect with this idea of listening to your gut feeling."
- For artists, the goal is to make art
"No one knows you like you know you. There is no set path for how things get done."
A life well lived = "Did I live up to my full potential?"
"I've always been curious about the questions to ask that open people up."
- Sam started doing an interview show on camera when he was 14 years old
"I think my own theories through voicing my thoughts."
- "Conversations are how I learn things... I've always been very curious."
Rose Byrne - "It's good to look back and see where you've come from."
The Jeff Daniels interview (one of my personal favorites)
- As an interviewer, the importance of seeing their body language, how they react, "the look in their eye."
The interview preparation process
- Identify possible themes of the conversation
As a communicator and conversationalist -- Think about how to do something better. A form of scrutiny. This leads to growth.
Two things a guest needs to have
- Be willing
- Be able
Is the guest open, honest, and self aware? They need to be...
The guest needs to be able to tell a good narrative
"If you're going to find something true and authentic, you have to go down a path."
Goal = Make best environment for the human being to come out."
- "I really want to know who this person is."
How to define success? "They keep letting us make more."
Interviewers Sam looks up to:
- David Letterman -- He didn't adhere to strict rules. You shouldn't have to...
- Terry Gross -- NPR
- Howard Stern -- Consistently done it well over time
Sam's upbringing:
- "I didn't fit in at school."
- "I always questioned social norms" -- "Why does this have to be this way?"
How to decide where to start an interview?
- "That's the hardest part." -- "The best conversations are when your open to let it go anywhere."
Dream guests? -- Paul McCartney, Cameron Crowe
How to create an environment for people to articulate insecurity...
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"I've always questioned social norms. Why does it have to be this way?"

Social Media:

Follow Sam on Twitter: @samjones
Watch Off Camera With Sam Jones
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 200: Keith Hawk & AJ Hawk -- Showing Up, Doing The Work, Earning Trust, Helping Others, Winning The Super Bowl, Celebrating #200

Episode 234: Jocko Willink -- Why Discipline Equals Freedom

269: Charlie Spaniard (UFC Fighter) Interviews Ryan Hawk - My Leadership Framework Aug 05, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#269: Charlie Spaniard (UFC Fighter) Interviews Ryan Hawk - My Leadership Framework

Show Notes:

The WHO - "The most important question is WHO. Who will be your mentor? Who will be your friends? Who will you help? Who will you spend time with? You don't need to answer what until well after you've answered WHO." -- Jim Collins
The importance of cognitive diversity
Growth oriented people -- Why I like to be surrounded by those types of people
The importance of time and maturity and "life reps" to develop my curiosity.
- "As you learn more, you realize there is so much more to learn"
"Great leaders are willing to push." -- The impact Ron Ullery and Bob Gregg had on my life
How preparation builds confidence -- "The greatest medicine for fear is preparation"
- Learning how to prepare for big moments
- How to use productive paranoia as fuel
Building leadership skill over time
- "Finding your voice as a leader. It's time to speak up."
- There is a part of leading that is the "directing" part
- Earning respect through your actions before saying a word
Playing quarterback is the "most cerebral position in all of sports"
- The incredible mind recall and brain capacity of Aaron Rodgers
Why the Arena Football League helps you anticipate
The importance of consistency - "Showing up" everyday
- Why loving the work is so important when embarking on a difficult challenge
Who you marry will play a big role in your future success -- "Marry well"
- Reading The Five Love Languages
- Say "thank you" multiple times per day to your spouse
- Write "thank you" notes every week
"How you do anything is how you do everything"
The impact of my family upbringing -- Episode to listen to: Keith Hawk & AJ Hawk
- The responsibility to sustain excellence because of being lucky to have great parents and siblings
- The importance of "showing up" as a parent
The decision to go to Miami University and compete against Ben Roethlisberger to be the starting QB at Miami
- Why I moved to Oxford the day after I graduated high school
"Taking the next step" -- What I learned from Alison Levine
Why I started The Learning Leader Show instead of pursuing A PhD at a University
Framework: Learn, Experiment/Do, Reflect, Teach.
The practice of writing one "thank you" note per day from John Kralik and how it could change your life
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

Social Media:

Follow Charlie on Twitter: @charliespaniard
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

268: Allen Gannett - How To Create "Aha" Moments And Spark Creativity Jul 29, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #268: Allen Gannett - How To Create "Aha" Moments And Spark Creativity

Allen is the founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a marketing analytics platform that enables creativity. Marketers use TrackMaven to measure and improve performance across every channel Some clients are: The NBA, Microsoft, Saks Fifth Avenue, and many more modern marketers. His book, The Creative Curve, was published in June 2018 from Currency, an imprint of Penguin Random House. It is all about how anyone can learn to have moments of creative genius.

We are hosting a workshop on developing YOUR personal excellence as a leader. For details and availability, go to RyanHawk.me

"Learn how to learn. View the world as being a less fixed place. Anyone is capable of making it happen."

Show Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- Surround self with others who are great at what they do. A very social phenomenon
  - Collaborate with those who support their weaknesses
- Be aligned with an executive sponsor
- Live at the creative center -- Move to corporate headquarters if you work for a big company
  - Need to build relationships outside of 9:00-5:00
The importance of building generational friends (friends from all age groups)
What makes a hit? -- "Familiar but also novel."
"As humans we're fearful of unfamiliar. It's the brains' elegant way of risk and reward."
- A balance of the novel and the new
The truth about Mozart
- He didn't create his first music until he was 17
- He had a helicopter Dad. He practiced music for three hours a day from a very early age
- He became great because of deliberate practice
JK Rowling spent five years writing the first Harry Potter
- She was extremely deliberate in her process. It wasn't just a light bulb moment on a train.
Paul McCartney spent years to write the song, Yesterday
How to create "Aha" moments for self? -- Go for a run, drive, take a shower, lay down. Need to calm the brain.
Writing a "descriptive" and "prescriptive" book:
- Consume a lot about your topic of choice
- Need to build prior knowledge
- Not just "what," but "how much"
Ben Franklin -- He outlined previously written articles
Andrew Ross Sorkin consumed mass amount of literature and worked to "copy" the style in which other greats wrote
Confidence building - "Learn how to learn." View the world as being a less fixed place. Anyone is capable of making it happen.
Creativity is something you can learn.
How to get cast of "Wheel Of Fortune"
TrackMaven is a marketing analytics platform
Making the shift from individual contributor to manager -- A "communicator and coach" to others
Mistakes new managers make:
- Need open lines of communication. "I was conflict averse initially and that's not good."
- Remember when hiring. It's hard to fire people. "It's brutal."
- Not everyone has all the answers. Get advice from people with different perspectives and incentives
- "You need to hire slow AND fire slow. Give people a chance."
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"A great manager must be a great communicator and coach for others."

267: Louie Anderson - How To Crush It on Stage From One Of The Greatest Stand-Up Comedians Of All Time Jul 22, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

We are hosting a workshop on developing YOUR personal excellence as a leader. For details and availability, go to RyanHawk.me

#267: Louie Anderson - How To Crush It on Stage From One Of The Greatest Stand-Up Comedians of All Time

Show Notes:

Louie's approach to stand up comedy -- It appears as if he is just "riffing off the cuff," however it is highly structured and prepared
The pain of growing up with an alcoholic dad and how that fueled him as a professional
- This helps him pull from any of it at anytimeCreating a catalog of material
- It takes years to develop
- "I'm in complete control." That gives Louie the ability to handle a heckler in the crowd or go with a comment and tell an additional joke
Going on Johnny Carson or Conan
- "They don't step on your lines, but they are prepared for where the conversation is going to go."
"Just like you, I've worked hard to create freedom with my work."
Sustaining excellence:
- "Be who you are"
- Ask yourself, "Does this mean something to you? If it doesn't mean something to you, why would it mean anything to someone else?"
- Confidence
Nervous before a performance?
- "It depends on the event and how much importance I put on it." -- Saturday Night Live was a nerve racking experience
Advice to keynote speakers?
- Be prepared
- Know your message
- Surprise the audience
- Piggy back on a great introduction -- Listen to the room prior to your time on stage
"I'm always tilling the ground for comedy bits."
Storytelling:
- "Tell them something they don't know. Humanize the story. Give a piece of yourself. Don't lecture."
How did he get his start as a comedian?
- "A dare. I was a social worker and went up on stage for an open mic night and it went great."
"I volunteered to be the emcee for experience."
- "Don't be afraid of trying new things"
- The importance of "getting the reps:" "I did seven nights a week, four shows per night. I was creating who I was."
"We don't see all the work that goes into being great on stage. It takes years and years of work."
- "You need good friends who will tell you the truth."
His mom's best advice: "Be nice to people. You never know what they're going through."
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

Social Media:

Follow Louie on Twitter: @LouieAnderson
Read: Hey Mom
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

266: Ryan Caldbeck - CircleUp CEO: How To Build The Frameworks Of Your Life & Career Jul 15, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #266: Ryan Caldbeck - CircleUp CEO: How To Build The Frameworks Of Your Life & Career

We are hosting a workshop on developing YOUR personal excellence as a leader. For details and availability, go to RyanHawk.me

The Learning Leader Show

"What we look for in a person: Horsepower, Integrity, Work Ethic, Teamwork, Pride."

Show Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- Persistence - regardless of skill, willing to run through unlimited doors with no light at the end of the tunnel. It can be soul crushing
- Identified focus passion - an understanding of the passion that is identifiable.
- Drive - A motor. Really good at email and/or communication. Can't take too long. "Have a motor." Always moving
- Values - "I don't say that lightly." You can't sustain excellence without values. "A framework to understand you."
Isn't it hard to know what your passion is? "Yes. I got scared about the treadmill that I saw others get on." However, people don't think they can leave the corporate job that pays well. But you can. Begin by thinking about the framework to make it happen.
"Silicon Valley is a hard town to talk about challenges."
What it's like to lead 60 employees
What mistakes were made in the hiring process?
- "We took too long to make frameworks."
- "Frameworks show others what to do."
What traits/values do you look for in hiring?
- "The airport test doesn't make sense to me. I don't have to want to spend a day around them in the airport."
- "We have crystallized what we look for in a person."
  - Horsepower - intelligence over experience
  - Integrity - don't talk negatively about others
  - Work ethic - must be willing to work hard
  - Teamwork - need to work well with others
  - Pride - Care
How to gauge work ethic in a job interview?
- "It starts with everyone knowing we are looking for that."
Advice for the individual contributor making the leap to manager...
- "Figure out framework for your specific role. Get clarity on what each person's role is."
- "Learn how to develop empathy for what your team goes through. Sit with them without micromanaging them."
- "Make sure you have a resource (person) to talk to about being a manager. Hire a coach. Get a peer group outside of your company."
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Ryan has a coach and a group of 12 CEO's that he meets with regularly
Building culture:
- Focus on your mission
  - "To help entrepreneurs thrive by giving them the capital and resources they need."
Their Values:
- Do it right
- Be brave
- Be a solution
Constantly reinforce the vision
Most useful advice:
- Winston Churchill - "Never give up."
- "Do what you're passionate about"
How to have balance at home?
- Two kids and his wife is a senior leader at her company
- Mediation after the kids go to bed
- Online working from 8:30-10:00
- Spend time with spouse only
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"If you don't keep growing, you will become irrelevant."

Social Media:

Read Ryan's tweet storms: @ryan_caldbeck
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 234: Jocko Willink -- Why Discipline Equals Freedom

265: Clay Mathile - Self Made Billionaire Shares His Keys To Success Jul 08, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #265: Clay Mathile - Self Made Billionaire Shares His Keys To Success

Former CEO and owner of The Iams Company, Clay is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Aileron. He believes strongly in free enterprise and has a high respect for business owners who risk their capital to employ others. Clay attributes professional management as one of the key reasons he was able to grow Iams to a $1 billion organization. In 1999, the Mathile family sold Iams to international conglomerate Procter & Gamble for the sum of $2.3 billion.

The Learning Leader Show

"I bought the business with borrowed money. I was scared to death. I didn't know how to run a business. I had to learn." -- Clay Mathile describes his feelings after buying Iams

Show Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- Vision of what they want to do and where they want to go
- A good idea of how to get there
- Committed to their vision and idea
- Clay's 4 things he wanted
  - Own his own business
  - Have that business be something that was excellent and stood for something
  - To help entrepreneurs grow
  - To use technology learned to help develop food for indigenous people
Was hired at Iams in 1970 as the 7th employee
- It took five years to figure out the problems and five more years to fix it
- Convinced Paul Iams to sell Iams to him in 1975 (half) and the rest in 1981
- Borrowed money to buy it
- Why Clay? "Paul had seen me work and seen me make an impact on the business. I spent a lot of time on the sales and marketing strategy."
  - Focused on the breeders and vets. The people who influence the actual user. Clay was ahead of his time.
Went to President's Course in 1982 at American Management Association
- "I'm scared to death, I don't know how to run a business. I needed to learn."
- The key was hiring a President and super charging their growth
- What went in the decision to sell the company?
  - Sat down with his family to decide what each child wanted to do - "They all wanted to chase their own dreams, their own passions. They didn't want to own Iams."
- The CEO of Procter & Gamble called...
  - Clay takes us inside the room to negotiate the deal: "We told them what our number was... And they exceeded it. It ended up with $2.3 billion."
Starting the family office in anticipation of the sale of his business -- To build a new organization for the future.
Aileron started as the center for entrepreneur organizations in 1994
Aileron - "We give lift and guidance to the business owner."
"How can I possibly repay you?" -- Clay said to his mentors. They said, "Don't pay me... Just pass it on to others."
"People are looking for immediate help for a problem they are having right now. And we've designed this place to help them solve those problems."
Been married for 55 years, have raised a successful family... How?
- "When I was home, I was home. I was present. I wasn't playing golf or out with the boys."
- Keys: "Trust... You have to like the person too. Like hanging out with them."
Why everyone should have a board?
- "They see things that you don't see. A strategic overview. It's something you can't do yourself."
- "After you've been in business for 10 years, 75% of all problems are because of you."
Having a "Personal Board of Advisors"
- "I recommend all senior executives have mentors. All you have to do is ask. I've never had anyone turn me down when I've asked them."
- "Build trust and mutual respect."
Culture
- "I built it so I could work in it."
- "I had strange things in my management style. I was promoting empowerment before it was popular."
- "Most people do the right things for the right reasons if you put them in the right environment."
- "The value of the individual is so important. Treat them with respect. They feel important and special. I saw every single employee at least once per year all over the world."
- "People are inherently good."
Bad leaders = "Big egos, not trusting of others, insecure people."
"When you push people outside of their comfort zone, you can't beat on them when they fail. You have to let them make mistakes."
Individual contributor to manager jump... Advice:
- "You have to accept the fact that management is a profession as anything else is a profession."
- "Just because you're the best sales person doesn't mean you'll be the best sales person."
"As a manager, you're job is to develop others."
"You need to manage spontaneity, responsiveness. Don't react, be proactive."
A good example of a proactive leader is a fire chief: They analyze the situation prior to making decisions. Manage in crisis
"In 1984, we built Iams University to help people learn..."
Most passionate about? "Teaching people, focus on the dreams of the people. Read the book Dream Manager. That's what we're all about."
Example of a typical day: "I do about anything I want to do."
One dream for Aileron -- "It will survive forever."
Learning Leader = You have to be a continuous learner
How much of his success is luck?
- "60% luck. Be in the right place at the right time."
"Your listeners need to think about passing it on. To help others."
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"We give lift and guidance to the business owner."

Social Media:

Read: Run Your Business, Don't Let It Run You
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 234: Jocko Willink -- Why Discipline Equals Freedom

264: Liv Boeree - The Three Life Lessons From The Poker Table Jul 01, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #264: Liv Boeree - The Three Life Lessons From The Poker Table

Liv Boeree is a poker player, television presenter and speaker. She is a World Series of Poker and 2010 European Poker Tour champion, and is the only female player in history to hold both titles. Born in Kent, Boeree studied at Ashford School before going on to earn a First Class Honours degree in Physics with Astrophysics at the University of Manchester. Livis a three time winner of the Global Poker Index European Female Player of the year and currently sits at #5 on the female all-time live poker winnings list.

We are hosting a workshop on developing YOUR personal excellence as a leader. For details and availability, go to RyanHawk.me

The Learning Leader Show

"Our instincts are built off our life experiences."

Show Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- Humility to continue question themselves
- Growth mindset
- Confidence
- Curiosity to try new things
"My hyper competitive mindset propelled me to do well in school... Even though I wasn't as naturally smart as others. I had to work at it."
There are two people that exist in the world: Those who are humble and those who are about to be humbled.
Why poker?
- "I wanted to be a musician and a rock star, but I wasn't good enough. Poker was even better. I'm able to play a great game and travel the world."
The mental framework of Poker: The foundation:
- Rational decision making
- Communication skill
- Read LessWrong.com
How does poker thinking apply to life?
- "Our instincts are built off our life experiences" -- The Jesse Itzler model for decision making (trust your gut) vs the analytical approach... They are more similar than you think
How can you tell when someone is bluffing? (lying)
- "It's rare that people have physical tells"
- Most of the time it's based on the math and your knowledge of how that person has played in the past (you see what they have played)
How poker relates to the interview process... How can you spot when someone isn't telling the truth in a job interview?
- "Ask them to re-tell their career story... But this time do it backwards" --- It's hard to do this unless you are telling the truth
- Look for baseline behaviors when you meet someone and they don't feel like they are in the "interview process" yet
  - Walking in from their car, checking in, going to happy hour, dinner
- Thoughtfulness -- Are they willing to admit a mistake
Three life lessons from the poker table:
- Quantifying - Increase granularity in thinking. Willingness to work in uncertainty. What action will achieve the best response?
- Intuition can be great with lots of data, but it's not magic
- Don't let a run of good luck make you think you're good
  - But how can you know the difference? -- Find a great set of peers who will tell you the truth
Advice to an amateur player in the World Series main event of poker
- Recognize the other players at the table. Who is great? Who isn't? Watch closely when you are not in the hands to see the showdown value and gain information. Balance your play based on who is in the hand with you
Read WaitButWhy.com from Tim Urban
"There is no other leader than The Learning Leader."
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"If you don't keep growing, you will become irrelevant."

Social Media:

See why over 130,00 people follow Liv on Twitter: @Liv_Boeree
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

263: Charlie McMahan - How To Build A Tribe From 50 To 5,000 Jun 24, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #263: Charlie McMahan - How To Build A Tribe From 50 To 5,000

Charlie McMahan has been the Lead Pastor of SouthBrook Church since 1992. He is driven by a deep concern for those who may feel like they don’t belong in a church and a sincere hope that anyone who struggles with faith can end up with a life that looks like the life of Jesus. He is focused on developing future leaders and spends many hours a week mentoring others (including me!).

Charlie has led SouthBrook from a small church that originally met in an elementary school to now hosting more than 5,000 members per weekend. He has a deep understanding for how to build a loyal tribe of people.

The Learning Leader Show

"The Process: Teaser, Tension, Truth, Take Home, Together."

Show Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- Integrated people - They aren't chasing a bunch of different things
- Consolidated on the self mission
- Focused - Not distracted
Family
- Charlie's dad was gone 25 days a month (he later found out he was in the CIA)
- The reason he turns down big opportunities is because he doesn't want to travel and wants to be with his family
- Levels of communication with kids
  - Don't spend money on stuff, spend money on experiences -- Their place is Hilton Head
Process for Charlie's performances (his speeches/sermons)
- The word entertainment means "To hold people's attention"
The Process:
- Teaser - Something that grabs you
- Tension - The inductive part of speaking that you have to do today. So the listeners know "this is important." If you don't do this, people will leave
- Truth
- Take Home - The practical "do"
- Together - "Isn't this the kind of person we want to be?"
Most preachers were trained to be deductive... You can't do that now. You need to help them draw their own conclusions.
Finding a way to weave stories and science together
The Medici Effect - The renaissance happened because seemingly disconnected entities were connected.
"I'm always figuring out how disconnected entities connect"
"The upside of stress"
- "Emotions are like waves. You can't choose which ones come, but you can choose which to ride."
- Choose to embrace stress, it can have a positive impact on you
Create a habit of how you look at life:
- How long did it take you to put this message together? "30 hours and a lifetime."
The intersection of the reality of the struggles with Charlie's kids and applying it to the lives of the people you serve
What is it like to be the children of someone as successful as Charlie?
- "Our kids had so much pressure on them. We didn't appreciate how much it was."
  - "The Famous Father Syndrome" - Kids choose to differentiate from their parents because they can't win that game
- Advice give to parents:
  - "When you walk in the room, the temperature will go up for them. Kids need stress to grow."
  - "The stress free life is the dying life"
  - "When we walked in the room, the temperature went way up for my kids. The same heat that drove me, burned them." --> "Most parenting things you learn 5 minutes too late"
  - PLAY - Personality type, Learning style, Ability level, Yes factor -- "You don't have to cave under the pressure. It doesn't have to destroy you"
Growing a church from 50 people to 5,000 per weekend. How?
- Has to be a commitment to excellence that is YOU -- Has to be in ALL areas of your life. "Excellence is a habit."
  - "Excellence is expressing my worth... Ennobling others because I care. Perfectionism is trying to earn my worth by being perfect... And that is dangerous." Be careful to not think, "I have to be perfect or I"m not worth anything."
  - "Maturity is way underrated"
  - "Excellence comes out of peace. In excellence the process is as much of importance as the product."
  - "I don't have grammatical errors on the manuscript that nobody else ever sees."
  - "Excellence is the right people doing the right things for the right reasons."
  - "The right motivations are not so compulsive."
  - "The constant burden of leadership is the constant interception of entropy."
    - "There is constant gravitational pull to become like everyone else."
  - "Our church is for someone who doesn't like church." Why? "Because I didn't like church."
  - How do you handle the immense value of YOU as the leader? And the success moving forward without you?
    - "We're constantly in process of finding the next leader." "When you've been some place a long time, you become in the way."
      - Level 5 leader helps a place be better after they are gone
How to build a tribe?
- Max DuPree - What are your unique tribal speaks?
  - The 5 S's of SouthBrook:
    - Solitude, Scripture, Service, Support, Significant Events
- "A Tribe is where story and strategy meet."
What is it like the minute before you go on stage?
- "I used to panic. It took me 10 years to get over the "what am I doing!?"
- "Leading is so presumptuous."
- "I've never stepped behind a microphone where I didn't believe that I could save people's lives. I truly believe every word I'm saying."
- "I can't wait to share this."
- "I didn't think about public speaking until I had to give a three minute speech my junior year in college. Something happened at that speech. People leaned in."
- "Hitting the 10,000 hour mark has helped me. It's easier to prepare. I'm a huge believer in putting in the time."

Charlie writes 3,500 words per week. Then put on the iPad and have it while on stage... "I memorize that by Friday."
"I'm a master at self condemnation."
Why be so critical of yourself?
- "It can be a safety mechanism. If we self criticize, we won't get as much criticism. And it does connect with people."
Developing future leaders
- "The test of leadership is the ability to reproduce yourself in others... The good parts of yourself that should be reproduced."
- "The path from direction to delegation"
- "If I don't succeed in succession, then I will have failed."
- "You can't be a farmer, you have to be a rancher who raises up other farmers."
Ron Howard and Sam Jones -- Why Wall Street leaders hire former athletes?
- "We like to hire athletes because they lose so much. They are forced to respond to failure."
"I lose every day. I'm not good at having an accurate understanding of myself. I need people around me."
"I was a world class (basketball) shooter. I shot 96% from the free throw line."
Charlie was national player of the year.
"Grit is the only talent. Those tough moments are the character builders."
Charlie's biggest challenge today? -- "Figuring out a way to build a succession plan and not leave too soon. I live in that tension everyday."
"When I watch myself speak, I don't think it's very good."
The importance of hobbies
How does it take a toll on your when you can't please everybody?
- "Leadership is the art of disappointing people at a rate they can handle. You cannot sustain trying to please everyone. "
The importance of continued growth and having an apprentice
- PB&J
  - Have to have people ahead of you, stretch you, challenge you
  - Need people alongside you, your peers, in it together, consolidate over shared stories
  - We grow most when we have people to teach. To pour in to...
"Writing makes a person exact. If it's hazy in the podium, it will be foggy in the chair."
"If you can't listen, you can't lead."
"There is no other leader than The Learning Leader."
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"If you don't keep growing, you will become irrelevant."

Social Media:

Follow Charlie on Twitter: @CharlieBMcMahan
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 234: Jocko Willink -- Why Discipline Equals Freedom

262: Keith Yamashita - The Keys To Great Execution (Oprah, Starbucks, Steve Jobs) Jun 17, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#262: Keith Yamashita - The Keys To Great Execution (Oprah, Starbucks, Steve Jobs)

Keith Yamashita has led SYPartners for the past two decades, a practice that collaborates with CEOs and their leadership teams to build great companies and organizations. He’s worked with leaders at Apple, eBay, IBM, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Facebook, Nike, Starbucks, and Target Corporation, among others. SYPartners has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Fortune for its unique, human-centered approach, applied to both business and social challenges. Earlier in Keith's career, he was the chief writer for Steve Jobs.

The Learning Leader Show

Action Step - "Build a daily contemplative practice to create mind-fitness."

Show Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- The ability to envision a future that doesn't currently exist -- Make it a reality
- Optimistic
- Creative
- A diverse background
- Authentic communicator
- Daring and bold
People Keith has worked with who have sustained excellence:
- Oprah Winfrey - magnetic personality, she can envision the future we want. She constantly re imagines herself. She has a strong creative core. She has a sense of deep creativity.
- Howard Schultz - He's always restless, reinvents regularly. He's earned 9,000% return on investors money
How do you respond when Oprah calls you for help?
- "We are always on the outer edge of incompetence. We take on projects that we don't know the answer to. And then figure it out. We respond to those calls with deep humility."
Why choose Keith and SYPartners?
- "If a leader wants to try something new... We help them experiment."
Starbucks:
- Closed 8,000 stores for racial bias training.
- Keith and team helped them build new habits
SYPartners origin story:
- "Our goal has never been to be famous, our goal is to be impactful"
- 25 years ago with "three partners and $912 in my checking account"
- Started as a communications firm --> Strategy --> Innovation --> Culture --> Transformation
- There are 200 employees now
- "We fight for greatness. We help leaders choose a more daring path"
- "Everything is set with intentions" --> "Set your intentions and be very open to the universe"
How do you respond to skeptics?
- "When I started I had $912 in my checking account. I had to borrow money for rent."
- Only you know what's inside of you. "Your skepticism needs to be inward, not outward."
- "If greatness is your choice, it's not made in big leaps, it's made in daily focus."
  - "Micro actions add up"
How to make the leap from individual contributor to manager?
- Leadfully.com has been helpful
What was it like working for Steve Jobs?
- "I showed up with writing samples. He said they were awful. He was testing me to see if I believed in my work. It was the worst interview of my life... However, I got the job."
- "He's the toughest boss I ever had. But I learned more from him than anyone I've worked for."
- Steve was gifted in seeing what people were capable of and he was willing to push. He knew how to motivate you to your capacity
- The danger in mimicking Steve's behavior? "People try to mimic the behavior, but they don't have his intentions." Mimicking the behavior without the intentions is a recipe for disaster.
Execution and implementation:
- Mind-fitness - Creativity in moments that matter. Be connected to others in a calm way. Ideas are just ideas. "You can train your mind to be present in this moment." Don't judge others. "Build a daily contemplative process."
- Build a daily creative practice - Read, write, take notes, be awake, alive, aware. Get a folder, cut out articles, pictures. Create inspiration. Recall past events.
- Understand what moment you're in - What's happening? Develop keen awareness to the moments
Why books are the greatest investment ever (my thoughts)
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

261: Darryl Strawberry - MLB Superstar: World Series, Home Runs, & Substance Abuse Jun 10, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#261: Darryl Strawberry - MLB Superstar: World Series, Home Runs, & Substance Abuse

Darryl Strawberry helped lead the New York Mets to a World Series championship and the New York Yankees to three World Series championships. He was also suspended three times by Major League Baseball for substance abuse. He was a nine time all star and he hit 335 home runs during his illustrious career.

He is an ordained minister, speaker, and author. He is taking his message to the masses with his new book, Don't Give Up On Me -- Shedding Light on Addiction.

The Learning Leader Show

"My Dad beat the crap out of me. He told me I would never amount to anything. I believed him." -- Darryl Strawberry

Show Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- A calming presence... Confidence in what you know
- Time spent learning to lead
- Davey Johnson and Joe Torre -- A measured, confident approach to understanding each individual and how they needed to be managed
Best teammates?
- Gary Carter
- Keith Hernandez
- Lead by example type people... Those who are consistently doing the work every single day
- They understand how to prepare and do not get distracted from the work
Darryl struggled to be consistent because of his wondering focus
How to bounce out of a slump?
- "When you're 2 for 30, how do you get yourself out of a jam? Go to the batting cage and do the work."
What was the key to winning the World Series in 1986?
- "A complete team effort. We were a WHOLE team. Complete. Every guy did their part."
Why did Darryl use drugs?
- "An emptiness. I've never been well on the inside. Pain led me to greatness, but was also the cause for drug use."
- "My dad beat the crap out of me. He told me I would never be anything and I believed him."
Why are so many world class athletes insecure?
- "They are yearning for love and do not always get it. I never had a good Dad. I had to learn lessons on my own. Nobody taught me."
Advice to young people who do not have a Dad?
- "Listen to your mom. I wish I would have. Take her direction. Allow mentors to help you. Allow people to power into your life. It was hard for me to trust people."
Being a dad to successful athletes -- (His sons are professional basketball players and his daughters are scholarship volleyball players)
- "I did not coach them, but I encourage them continually work to get better. I didn't push them to play baseball."
The Doc and Darryl 30 For 30
- "I love Doc. We are still good friends. We've been through a lot."
Why write Don't Give Up On Me?
- "There are so many problems in the world. Addiction is everywhere. I want to help people. I was great, but broken at the same time."
A defining moment?
- His wife said, "If you're ever going to get well, you have to take that uniform off." Had to stop identifying as a baseball player
"You must take responsibility for your actions"
"You need people in your inner circle who will be honest with you and tell you no."
Day to day work: Pastor, travel, bring hope to those who are struggling"
Would you ever work in baseball again?
- "No... Unless Derek Jeter called and asked me to help his team."
Toughest pitcher ever faced?
- Nolan Ryan
Why were you a great hitter?
- Preparation... On deck circle. Always getting ready
- "Focus on hitting line drives to the opposite field. That's how you know you're on it" -- Keith Hernandez was very helpful
"It's about people. I should have been dead, had cancer twice, chased women, drug issues. I have urgency everyday."

Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"It's about people. I should have been dead. I had cancer twice, chased women, had drug issues. I have urgency everyday."

Social Media:

Read: Don't Give Up On Me
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 234: Jocko Willink -- Why Discipline Equals Freedom

260: Mark Divine - How To Create An Unbeatable Mind Jun 03, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #260: Mark Divine - How To Create An Unbeatable Mind

At twenty-six Mark Divine graduated as Honor Man (#1-ranked trainee) of SEAL BUD/S class number 170. Mark served for nine years total on active duty and eleven as a Reserve SEAL, retiring as Commander in 2011. His leadership of teams was so effective the government tasked him with creating a nationwide mentoring program for SEAL trainees. He earned his MBA at NYU. In 2007 he launched the SEALFIT program to provide transformational personal and team training experiences. The training utilizes an integrated warrior development model he developed, called Unbeatable Mind, which draws from his 20 years as a SEAL and business leader, 25 years as a martial artist and 15 years as yoga practitioner. Mark has written has written four books, including The Way of The SEAL, and Unbeatable Mind.

The Learning Leader Show

"Do today what others aren't willing to do. You're 20X more capable than what you think."

Show Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- People who have practices that value excellence and practice it regularly
- Optimized training, sleep, and balance
- Mental health:
  - Meditation, nature, learning, reducing potential to be stuck in biases
- Emotional health:
  - Not afraid of going to therapy, spritual
Why is therapy helpful?
- Mark married a therapist
- They can be an emotional coach
- "It's preventative maintenance" --> Must be proactive
- A "check up from the neck up"
You should always be investing in improving your "self"
- Be mindful - yoga, zen. It's an evolutionary skill to help you connect at a deeper level
Why become a Navy SEAL?
- Got MBA and a CPA -- Got a job on Wall Street and hated it after three months
- Started Zen meditation... It changed his brain
- It created a structured program to look within himself and reflect
- Mark did not like what was happening in the outer world (with his job)
- He was meant to be a warrior and a leader
Did he ever have doubts?
- No... Because he had prepared for the difficult moments through visualization and fully understanding his WHY
- "I created total certainty in my mind. 100% that I was going to become a SEAL. I won in my mind."
- This outlook helped him finish #1 overall in his BUD/S class
How can we apply this to our world? Outside of the military?
- You must deeply care about what you're doing... And then visualize your success.
- A "personal practice of excellence"
- "It must be something in your vision that you are really passionate about"
- "Visualize it as a completion. Visualize doing it to completion."
- "You're the type of person who is worthy of completing that challenging task... Of achieving THAT"
How do you respond to skeptics?
- The science backs it up... Do your research
- Give it a try... Why wouldn't you?
VUCA = Volatility, Uncertainty, Complex, Ambiguous -- How to handle these situations
Creating a decentralized organization -- Why this works in the military and in business (trust and certainty)
Why you must "learn to embrace risk" -- Cannot be afraid of failure... And the plan must be flexible
"Do today what others won't" -- 20X more capable than what you think
"Society has weakened us... Everything is easy now. You need to force yourself to do hard things."
"Challenge leads to growth."
"Your body will adapt to the new reality." "Push it past where you think it can currently go"
"You must challenge yourself every single day"
Exercise - Write your own obituary. Think "What would people say about me?"
- Do the deep self awareness work to "know thyself"
- "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything"
"Derive your passion around purpose. Create your set of principles."
Originally, there was a scathing obituary written for Alfred Nobel... It was meant for his twin brother, but there was a mistake and someone wrote it about him. It changed his life. He was not aware of how badly he was thought of... And he became known for peace moving forward. So much so... That they named a prize after him.
How Brad Stevens and Bill Belichick have mastered the art of coaching
Why the "hacking movement" is not good according to Mark
There must be deep learning over many years to get to mastery level of anything
Simplify = Be narrow on what you want, get rid of everything else. And focus
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

Social Media:

Read: Unbeatable Mind
Follow Mark on Twitter: @MarkDivine
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

259: Shane Snow - How To Build A Dream Team May 27, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #259: Shane Snow - How To Build A Dream Team

Shane Snow serves as Founder at Large at Contently, which works with Fortune 500 brands and has helped over 100,000 freelance journalists, artists, and photographers put food on the table.

His writing has appeared in Wired Magazine, The New Yorker, GQ, Fast Company, Advertising Age, The Washington Post, and others. He's author of Smartcuts, and is now releasing his most important book yet: Dream Teams, a journey through history, neuroscience, psychology, and business to reveal what separates groups that simply manage to get by from those that get better together--and how we might make our companies and communities better by understanding the difference. Shane has been named one of Details Magazine's "Digital Mavericks," called a "Wunderkind" in the New York Times, and honored as a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. Originally from Idaho, he studied journalism at Columbia University and lives in New York City.

The Learning Leader Show

"Two heads are only better than one if they think differently."

Show Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- 2 X @ Matrix chart
  - Skepticism and credulity
  - Optimism and pessimism
- They believe the world can be better, but they don't always take things at face value
- Be skeptical AND optimistic as a leader
The leader should provide complete emotional AND intellectual support
- Be willing to push. Be okay with conflict.
- Be a "disagreeable giver" and create psychological safety
How to improve? Get help?
- "I have a lot of faith in my self. A healthy ego. But I'm paranoid about my blind spots. I want to learn so much. I collect inputs that are critical from my business partner."
Why write Dream Teams?
- The desire to study the best teams. The best cultures. "I wanted to learn this for my own business."
- "When human beings come together, we can do incredible things."
The impact his Dad on Shane - A nuclear engineer
The importance of cognitive diversity
- "Two heads are better than one only if they think differently."
The power of ragtag teams
- Buddy cops
  - Street smart
  - By the book
  - Man/woman teams solve crimes better
How to implement and execute?
- WHO is on the team?
- How you deal with problems/issues?
  - "We need to re-frame how we think about this. Set up a pool to make it as cognitively diverse as possible
    - Perspective - How you view the world, who you are
    - Heuristic - The way you approach solving problems. (eg: different university, different piano teacher)
Think about solving problems how a movie director acts?
- Do they use the exact same actors for every movie they direct? No, it doesn't make sense. They cast the best actors for each movie. "If you're solving different problems, why would you cast the same people every time?"
Shane explains why "culture fit" is not a good characteristic in hiring
The disaster that was the Daimler-Chrysler merger
- Miscalculation on how much companies complimented each other
- Culture kills most - "It's the fact that they didn't speak to each other."
- Mergers that don't go well... People need to talk. It's okay to fight and disagree. It's ruined when people stop talking (just like a marriage)
- "Silence is the enemy of innovation"
The Wright Brothers - They would argue one side of a point. Then have lunch... And switch sides of the argument. It forced expansion of the way they thought about problems
Wu Tang Clan - "Competition breeds excellence"
- Magic Johnson & Larry Bird
- DJ's in the Bronx
- Competing against Ben Roethlisberger
Why is it okay to argue and compete?
- "An overriding cause that's worth it. A purpose. A passion... To win."
Build an empire with people - Intense, full emotional support. Learn each others stories, their motivations
Blackrock - Form a new team, have everyone tell their personal stories, develop a sense of connectedness
If you dislike a colleague (like Shane did): "I went to her house and met her family and friends. I learned about her life growing up and the people who support her. It changed my perspective of her."
Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"Silence is the enemy of innovation."

Social Media:

Read: Dream Teams
Follow Shane on Twitter: @shanesnow
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

258: Jesse Itzler - Creating Your LIFE Resume (Living With The Monks) May 20, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

258: Jesse Itzler - Creating Your LIFE Resume (Living With The Monks)

Jesse Itzler is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Living with a Seal, cofounded Marquis Jet, the world's largest private jet card company which he and his partner sold to Berkshire Hathaway/NetJets. Jesse then partnered with Zico coconut water, which he and his partner sold to The Coca-Cola Company. His latest book is titled, Living With The Monks. He's a former rapper on MTV and wrote and performed the NBA's Emmy Award-winning "I Love This Game" music campaign and the popular New York Knicks anthem "Go NY Go." When he's not running ultra-marathons, eating vegan food or being a dad to his four kids, Jesse can be found at the NBA's Atlanta Hawks games, where he's an owner of the team. He is married to Spanx founder Sara Blakely.

The Learning Leader Show

"I invest in people... You must look into their eyes before making a decision."

Show Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- Spending time around the 4,000 people who used Marquis Jet, "I always asked them about their habits."
- You have to create the system that works best for YOU:
  - Attack fear, take risks
  - Get up early in the morning
  - Create daily wins, momentum
  - Be a great connector, build relationships
  - Run -- Create great exercise habits
  - Winning habits, routines, mindset. A system for self
For 27 years, Jesse has only eaten fruit before noon
Relying on gut instinct... How to build this, make better? Must spend time alone, to think. Running is where this happens for Jesse (in the car for Sara)
Why?
- Awareness with time... Understand your own mortality
- A constant drive to build a "life resume"
- You only get 1 shot to do this thing
Hiking Mount Washington -- Helps you feel "super alive... It's addicting."
Have you always been this way? "I get bored easily. This has nothing to do with money."
Always being urgent to accomplish something
Always carving out time for yourself. Carve at least 1 hour per day.
Put parameters around your time
YOU are the business plan. "I invest in people... Have you ever looked into his eyes?"
"At the end of the day, people drive companies."
Why live with the monks?
- "I did the physical part while living with a SEAL. I needed to focus on the spiritual part."
  - Lived in a monastery with 8 monks... 4 had been there for 50 years
How living with the monks helped him handle "decision fatigue"
- How it free'd up so much energy
"The power of cumulative work"
"Always do something hard"
- It sets the tone for yourself
Don't back away from challenges -- Build the grit muscle
- Do small things every day (clean, make the bed, finish tasks, do the dishes now)
"I'm turning 50. I only have 28 summers left if I'm lucky."
The perfect day =
- Family time
- Wellness time (running)
- Business time
"Get your heart rate up!"

Social Media:

Read: Living With The Monks
Follow Jesse on Twitter: @the100MileMan
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

257: David Marquet - Intent Based Leadership (Turn The Ship Around!) May 13, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #257: David Marquet - Intent Based Leadership (Turn The Ship Around!)

Captain Dave Marquet is a 1981 U.S. Naval Academy graduate. He served in the U.S. submarine force for 28 years. After being assigned to command the nuclear powered submarine USS Santa Fe, then ranked last in retention and operational standing, he realized the traditional leadership approach of “take control, give orders,” wouldn’t work. He “turned his ship around” by treating the crew as leaders, not followers, and giving control, not taking control. This approach took the Santa Fe from “worst to first,” achieving the highest retention and operational standings in the navy. Stephen R. Covey said it was the most empowering organization he’d ever seen and wrote about Captain Marquet’s leadership practices in his book, The 8th Habit.

Captain Marquet is the author of Turn the Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders. Fortune magazine called the book the “best how-to manual anywhere for managers on delegating, training, and driving flawless execution.”

"Leadership is not for the select few at the top. In highly effective organizations, there are leaders at every level. When we give our people more authority, we actually create more effective leaders."

Show Notes:

Sustaining excellence:
- "The ability to decouple from their personal feelings their personality. It can't all depend on one person. In a consistent organization, the leader is part of it, but not all of it."
How parenting helps you become a better leader:
- "That's really interesting. As a parent, you're trying to create an independent decision maker."
The United States Naval Academy definition of leadership = Leadership can be defined as directing the thoughts, plans, and actions of others... So as to obtain their command and obedience, their confidence, their respect, and their loyal cooperation." --> Why this is wrong and not effective.
"I intend to..." -- Intent based leadership
How to create the environment for the team to make decisions
Intent based environment:
- People don't need to be told what to do. Lean back, team leans forward. Don't make yourself (as the leader) a bottleneck.
Risks = Tune level of control to competence or confidence of the team...
- Expose my thought process (as the leader) to you to see how I put it together.
Ask "what" and "how" questions...
If you get hired as a new manager and did not get to choose anyone on your team?
- "Focus on what you can control. Do we welcome each other? Do we care? Do we connect?"
Making the jump from individual contributor to manager:
- "Talk less, don't have all the answers... Listen."
"Push information to authority. Be knowing, not telling."
The job of the leader is to determine how the team works
Minimize cognitive burden -- "The leader defines the structure."

"We act our way to new thinking, not think our way to new acting."

Social Media:

Read: Turn The Ship Around!
Follow Captain Marquet on Twitter: @ldavidmarquet
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

256: Elena Botelho - How To Become A CEO May 06, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #256: Elena Botelho - How To Become A CEO

Elena Botelho has been a Partner at ghSMART since 2007. Elena initiated and co-leads The CEO Genome Project® featured in a cover article of Harvard Business Review. Her recent book, The CEO Next Door, is a New York Times Bestseller. The CEO Genome Project® is an extensive research and client practice supporting CEO's and executives on the path to CEO. The research explores paths and behaviors that lead to the top, typical setbacks CEO's encounter and ways to prevent them. Elena is a member of McKinsey M&A Integration Council – an invitation-only forum of senior executives from major corporations to share M&A best practices. Elena is a sought after speaker at leading industry events on leadership and M&A.

The Learning Leader Show

"Charisma is a myth when it comes to success as a CEO. The research suggests introverts are equally or more successful than charismatic extroverts"

Show Notes:

How do we define excellence?
- "Delivering results is how we define it"
The keys to excellence (delivering results)
- Decisiveness - Conviction and speed
- Adapting proactively
- Relentless reliability - Delivering consistently -- This is the most powerful and important behavior
- Engage for impact
Self assessments
- The lowest rated among 11,000 people Elena surveyed was: Reliability
Why do people struggle with consistency?
- Consistency is hard across all domains of our lives
Reliability - 3 keys
- Mindset - basic habits. How do we develop the correct mindset? -> Recognize that others need to be able to count on you. This translates to consistent habits
  - Get an honest look in the mirror
- The WHO - Who are your surrounding yourself with?
- Process and culture you build
The CEO Myths:
- Need to go to an Ivy League school (not true)
- CEO's were destined for greatness (nope)
  - 70% of CEO's never set a goal to be a CEO
- Charisma - It helps you get the job, however when you look at results, it's not the way the ensure results
  - Introverts are not less likely for success
Advice to a current individual contributor:
- Having powerful mentors didn't seem to help them more than those who didn't
- Becoming a mentor to others does show it helps
  - It forces you to be clear and become a teacher. Helps you get in the head of others and lead
What are some mistakes first time managers make?
- "It can be messy"
- Be clear on what success looks like
- Is this the right team? Do personnel changes need to be made?
What are the career catapults?
- 25% went to a top business school
- 97% of them did one of these three sprinters:
  - 60% "went small to go big" -> Took a smaller role at an organization that led to something big
  - They took on a big mess and fixed it
  - The big leap - Take a role well before you're ready --> Take a risk
Adapting proactively
- Being able to let go of a profitable business in order for long term success (give up short term for the long term)
- Key learning = the ability let go of the past

"Becoming a mentor to others forces you to be clear and become a teacher."

Social Media:

Read: The CEO Next Door
Go to: ghsmart.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

255: David Burkus - The Hidden Networks That Can Transform Your Life (Friend Of A Friend) Apr 29, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #255: David Burkus - The Hidden Networks That Can Transform Your Life (Friend Of A Friend)

David Burkus is a best-selling author, a sought after speaker, and business school professor. In 2017, he was named as one of the world’s top business thought leaders by Thinkers50.

The Learning Leader Show

"The fundamental element that defines the quality of our lives are the people we surround ourselves with and the conversations we have with them."

Show Notes:

What defines a happy life?
- "The fundamental element that defines the quality of our lives are the people we surround ourselves with and the conversations we have with them. That's how you live a happy life."
Adam Rifkin - The "strength of weak ties"
- The research suggests you have better odds of getting a job through a loose acquaintance than a close friend
  - "Dormant ties" are very valuable to have in your life. Make a deliberate effort to reach back out to those people. Use a system to keep track of those relationships
This is the "what" and the "how" to get it done
From "science" to "practice" -- The key to success is to be prescriptive. Give actionable advice
The story of Michelle McKenna Doyle -- How she created her dream job in the NFL. 1 dormant tie - 1 degree of separation. "Most of us are only 1 or 2 introductions away from what we want..."
Clusters - People tend to cluster around like minds. There is amazing power of small communities
- "Build your own stage, your own community"
Super connector - Dunbar's # -- Brian Grazer
- Having regular curiosity conversations -- That is how he met Ron Howard
Never ask the question, "How can I help you?" Figure out how you can help someone else, then help them. Don't put the onus on them.
- Always think, "who does this person need to meet?" And make connections
In a networking situation, don't just ask - "What do you do?" -- Try to learn more about them as a person, not just their job
- "What excites you right now?
- Who's your favorite super hero?"
- Where did you grow up?"
Be interested in order to be interesting
"We feel guilt when we no longer want to associate with old friends and colleagues who haven't changed. The price, and marker, of growth." - Naval Ravikant
How David and his wife measured their friendships and peer group -- They made lists
How to give a TED Talk? -- Practiced it hundreds of times, hired a coach
Go to www.DavidBurkus.com/Ryan

Social Media:

Follow David on Twitter: @davidburkus
Read: Friend of A Friend
Go to: DavidBurkus.com/Ryan
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

254: Robert Kurson - How To Be A Master Storyteller: Rocket Men, The Most Daring Mission In NASA History Apr 22, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode 254: Robert Kurson - How To Be A Master Storyteller: Rocket Men, The Most Daring Mission In NASA History

Robert Kurson is an American author, best known for his 2004 bestselling book, Shadow Divers, the true story of two Americans who discovered a World War II German U-boat sunk 60 miles off the coast of New Jersey. Kurson began his career as an attorney, graduating from Harvard Law School, and practicing real estate law. Kurson’s professional writing career began at the Chicago Sun-Times, where he started as a data entry clerk and soon gained a full-time features writing job. In 2000, Esquire published “My Favorite Teacher,” his first magazine story, which became a finalist for a National Magazine Award. He moved from the Sun-Times to Chicago Magazine, then to Esquire, where he won a National Magazine Award and was a contributing editor for years. His stories have appeared in Rolling Stone, The New York Times Magazine, and other publications. His latest book is titled, Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man's First Journey to the Moon.

Show Notes:

How Rob quickly realized going to Harvard Law School was a mistake
- "The people who liked being at Harvard Law School are the people I liked the least."
Following that, he got a job at a large law firm in Chicago -- "Made a lot of money, bought a BMW, a stereo, a bicycle... And I was miserable"
- The big corporations/large law firms "punished creative thinking"
Writing... "It all started with a basic curiosity that would grow into love." --> "You can't hate what you do and be happy"
The theme of writing stories -- "Freedom... Being unbound. When I was writing stories, the time would go so fast."
- "Whatever it cost me, I was going to get out of practicing law, and be a writer."
- "I begged for any job. I'm incredibly persistent. I came in on the weekends and took high school football scores as my first job working for a newspaper as a writer"
How can others follow their love/passion? "Never give up, do it at night, weekends, refuse to take no for an answer."
- "I was unwilling to see my life go that way. I would never stop trying, no matter what. There was no choice, that's what I was going to do."
Key ingredients to being a great story teller?
- Understand the structure, the arc, the format: inciting incident, challenge, the heroes journey, the battles --> The beginning, middle, and end
- How the long car rides with his dad gave him a prime example for story telling -- "My dad was a travelling salesman and he would often take me with him. He's the greatest story teller I've ever known"
Why write about the Apollo 8 mission? -- "They are the first 3 men to leave earth and go to the moon. The people at NASA say Apollo 8 was the most daring mission of all time. They orbited the moon 10 times. It was the most rushed mission in history." They needed to beat the Soviets and rushed it because of that and President JFK
George Lowe - The NASA manager had the idea to go without the lunar module
The 3 astronauts refused to give up. No matter what happens, they wont' give up. Most of the astronauts were fighter pilots in the war. They developed a psychology that "it won't happen to me." They were fearless. They had self-delusion and irrational confidence. That fueled them. They were not afraid to fail and had already failed many times in their lives
Neil Armstrong crashed on a test flight... Just an hour later, he was seen in his office doing paperwork as if nothing happened. The best astronauts were not phased
What Rob enjoyed most -- Meeting each of the 3 astronauts. All 3 are alive and still married (rare in the astronaut program). They are down to earth, humble leaders
Rob describes what it was like flying with Frank Borman
What it was like watching Apollo 13 with Jim Lovell (who was also on Apollo 8)
The power of constraints -- "Deadlines can help us do incredible things. Construct them for yourself."
Rob's routine -- At desk by 6:00 am and work until 2:00. "After that, my work isn't very good."
- Structure it first, organize, and storyboard it
- Take a lot of walks with a digital recorder and speak the story out
Rocket Men has been optioned by Netflix
"Deadlines can help us do incredible things. Construct them for yourself."
Social Media:
- Follow Robert on Twitter: @robertkurson
- Read: Rocket Men
- Connect with me on LinkedIn
- Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
- To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

253: Aubrey Marcus - Total Human Optimization (Own The Day, Own Your Life) Apr 15, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode 253: Aubrey Marcus - Total Human Optimization (Own The Day, Own Your Life)

Aubrey Marcus is the founder and CEO of Onnit, a lifestyle brand based on a holistic health philosophy he calls Total Human Optimization. Onnit is an Inc. 500 company and an industry leader with products optimizing millions of lives, including many top professional athletes around the world.

Aubrey regularly provides commentary to outlets like Entrepreneur, Forbes, The Doctors and The Joe Rogan Experience. He has been featured on the cover of Men’s Health, is the author of the life-coaching course Go For Your Win, and his first book is Own The Day, Own Your Life from HarperCollins.

The Learning Leader Show

"If you have 5 employees, don't focus on growing to 180 employees. Focus on #6, and the #7. Just the next one. You must surrender to the process."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Mental Override
  - They are willing to do the thing you don't want to do (ex. turn the knob to COLD in the shower)
  - Focus on the little things... The little things become the big things
Instead of thinking of your life as a whole, focus on making this one day great... OWN the day, own your life
- Identify the process and structure you need for your ideal day...
- Do it one day at a time
The ability to create you environment and "own your current space" regardless of the environment
The difference between 2012 (with 5 employees) and today (180 employees)
- "Then I did everything, I had to. Now, I have an incredible team to help."
- "If you have 5 employees and you want to grow, don't focus on 180 employees. Focus on #6, and then #7. Focus on your team and your customers."
- "Surrender to the process."
Aubrey is a questioner... Why?
- "I'm constantly reminded how much I don't know"
  - "I'm always open to continued learning. I have a curiosity mindset."
"I was down to my last $110K which was loaned to me. If AlphaBrain failed, we were done... Fortunately, it sold out quickly."
- The importance of Joe Rogan
"I was completely all in."
"Instead of focusing how to be friends with Joe, I focused on who I was as a person... And becoming a person that people would want to have around." Focus on yourself
- "The 30 minute coffee with Joe turned in to a 4 hour dinner"
"People will detect and know if you're not genuine" -- You must be yourself
"Rules are for dogs. Human beings should be driven by morality. By what's right and wrong."
- How about rules at Onnit? -- There are some that are necessary (talking about sex, or safety. Both are important and there are strict rules)
Having an open relationship with his fiance, Whitney
- "I questioned the nature of love. What is true genuine love? How does that look? It's wild... And challenging."
- "This isn't a fairytale. It can feel like you got struck by lightening in the solar plexus."
- "Having an open relationship is not for everyone and I don't advocate it. I'm an advocate for understanding relationships."
The importance of writing Own The Day, Own Your Life
- "All of our work needed to be documented. There are over 300 clinical references in the book."
- Process? "You must show up and write... Even when you don't feel like it. You have to have the mental override."

"I know nothing. But every day I ask questions and take a seat at the table where Truth likes to have snacks." - Aubrey Marcus

Social Media:

Follow Aubrey on Twitter: @AubreyMarcus
Read: Own The Day, Own Your Life
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 252: Tom Peters - In Search Of Excellence

252: Tom Peters - In Search Of Excellence Apr 08, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #252: Tom Peters - In Search Of Excellence

Tom Peters is co-author of In Search of Excellence—the book that changed the way the world does business, and often tagged as the best business book ever. Sixteen books and almost thirty years later, he’s still at the forefront of the "management guru industry” he single-handedly invented. What’s new? A lot. As CNN said, “While most business gurus milk the same mantra for all its worth, the one-man brand called Tom Peters is still reinventing himself.” Tom’s bedrock belief: “Execution is strategy—it’s all about the people and the doing, not the talking and the theory.” (Keep up with Tom at tompeters.com, ranked #9 among “The Top 150 Management and Leadership Blogs.”) His most recent effort, released in April, 2018 is titled, The Excellence Dividend.

"Excellence is the next 5 minutes... Or not."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of those who sustain excellence:
- They are "thoroughly decent human beings"
- They help other people grow
- They really care about the people they work with and help them get better everyday
Quotes from Tom Peters:
- "Arguably the eight most important words a leader can utter: “THANK YOU.” “I’M SORRY.” “WHAT DO YOU THINK?”
- "Priority #1, #2, #3: Culture. Culture. Culture. "It IS the game," Lou Gerstner on IBM turnaround.
- "My 20-year-old "agile": WTTMSASTMSUTFW/Whoever Tries The Most Stuff And Screws The Most Stuff Up The Fastest Wins.
- "Every meeting that does not stir the imagination and curiosity of its attendees is what I like to call a PLO: a Permanently Lost Opportunity. I am all in favor of eliminating unnecessary meetings!"
- The big corporations/large law firms "punished creative thinking"
- "You must create space for people to be better than they ever have."
- "Excellence is the next 5 minutes... Or not."
The key to being a great manager? "MBWA" -- "The minute those words came out of his mouth, my life changed (Managing By Wandering Around)
The importance of being intentional and thoughtful
My Dad is a huge fan of Tom's work and told me to read his work
"Your culture is managed every minute of every day"
The process to prepare for your week as the leader (Sunday night work)
Start your meetings with "Good morning"
- "Find a smile, find the energy" --> Your team will follow your attitude and behavior. "It's your duty to be in a good mood."
How to run a world class meeting?
- A meeting can and should be excellent" --> It sets the stage for the next 5 days. Think about it and prepare.
  - Will it be an upper or a downer?
- Should have civility and thoughtfulness --> "No smartassery"
The definition of a great teacher is "someone who is desperate to help their students succeed."
How to choose better people to promote?
- "First line leadership is of supreme importance"
- "We always hire for character." --> Theo Epstein: Look at the analytics and combine them with culture and character to decide
Training -- "Practice should be harder than the games"
- Neighbors with Bill Walsh -- "The Score Takes Care of Itself"
- He spent the first 18 months as the coach of the 49ers developing a new culture
- John Wooden -- Similar story about culture building
Jerry Seinfeld spends six months at very "out of the way" clubs in order to add a new 2 minutes to his stand up routine -- Be that deliberate
Tom's training and preparation for a speech (even after doing 3,000+ of them!)
- Read on the company and the industry in depth
- Read what's going on in the world - stay up to date
- Read about the specific city where the speech is being delivered, read the local paper, pick up little vignettes
- Awake at 2:00 am rearranging the PowerPoint slides -- "I make about 700 changes"
- How do you feel 30 seconds before you go on stage? "Pure fear, there is enormous pressure for me to deliver for them"
Why you should always write thank you notes
- Campbell's Soup CEO wrote 30,000 thank you notes
- Home Depot CEO wrote them every Sunday
Social Media:
- Follow Robert on Twitter: @tom_peters
- Read: The Excellence Dividend
- Connect with me on LinkedIn
- Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
- To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

251: Joey Coleman - How To Never Lose A Customer Again Apr 01, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode 251: Joey Coleman - How To Never Lose A Customer Again

Joey Coleman is the Chief Experience Composer at Design Symphony - a customer experience branding firm that specializes in creating unique, attention-grabbing customer experiences. His clients include individual entrepreneurs, start-ups, small businesses, non-profits, government entities, and Fortune 500 companies. For over a decade he's worked with clients that include NASA, Network for Good, Hyatt Hotels, Zappos, the Save Darfur Coalition, and the World Bank.

Joey is a recognized expert in customer experience design, an award-winning speaker at national and international conferences, and has taught business and creativity courses at both the college and graduate school level. Past appearances include presentations at the M.I.T. Sloan School of Management, Google, the Georgetown University School of Business, Stanford University, Zappos, YouTube. Joey's first book is titled Never Lose A Customer Again: Turn Any Sale Into Lifelong Loyalty In 100 Days.

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"The best way to say thank you to someone is to show love to the people they love."

Show Notes:

The 3 things a great keynote speaker does:
- Change how you think
- Change how you feel
- Change how you act
The 60 second SPEED pitch from Joey (this is something Joey has never done before and it was incredible!)
- He speed talks what happens following a purchase you make and how you can secure a customer for life
The stages: Assess, Admit, Affirm, Activate, Acclimate, Accomplish, Adopt, Advocate
The importance of your messaging within the first 100 days
Research and science back -- From Harvard, Bain, Stanford
"People who get promoted most and fastest are those who positively impact the business."
- "People we like get promoted"
Why write this book? -- Needed to work out all the kinks, document the 46 case studies and the people/companies who have implemented "the first 100 days" strategy
Why do companies lose customers?
- Selling to human beings - people are skeptical and get buyers remorse
- Fear, uncertainty, and doubt
- The new business sales people are not aligned with the account managers
- More energy spent on getting new clients instead of taking care of the current ones
  - "For a marriage, it requires a lot of work, continually building, communicating, growing." A client should be treated in the same manner
Why are the first 100 days so important?
- Must be on-boarded properly
- If your customer gets to day 101, they will be with you for at least 5 years
The Garrett Gunderson experience
- "When I showed up, he had a 6 pack of root beer for me and said, 'I wanted you to feel like you are home." -- A preview of what it would be like to be a customer of theirs
The $35,000 golf ball -- Pebble Beach
- Pay attention
- Record small details that could help you later
- "When you talk, I listen"
Strategic appreciation -- How to say thank you. The use of gifts, presents, and pictures
The best way to say thank you to Joey -- "Do amazing things for my wife and kids." -- Delta did this for Joey and he is a customer for life
- As John Ruhlin would say, "The best way to say thank you to someone is to show love to the people they love."
- Don't send gifts for the holidays when everyone else does. It's about timing
"If you're going to host someone, welcome them at the door... Offer them a glass of water."

"A great speaker can: change how you think, change how you feel, and change how you act."

Social Media:

Follow Joey on Twitter: @thejoeycoleman
Read: Never Lose A Customer Again
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

250: Shep Gordon - THE SUPERMENSCH: How To Add Value To The Lives Of Others Mar 25, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode 250: Shep Gordon - The Super Mensch: How To Add Value To The Lives Of Others

Shep Gordon is known in the entertainment industry as having an eye for talent and an innate understanding of what people find entertaining. After graduating from SUNY Buffalo, Shep moved to LA and in 1969 co-founded Alive Enterprises. Over the years, Gordon has been responsible for managing the careers of Alice Cooper, Groucho Marx, Raquel Welch, Luther Vandross, Kenny Loggins, and countless others. He’s also credited as creating the celebrity chef, which revolutionized the food industry and turned the culinary arts into the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. His clients that include culinary legends, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, Nobu, Daniel Boulud and many more. In addition to the impact he’s had on the music, film and food industries, he’s also highly regarded for his philanthropic endeavors. Shep was named one of the 100 most influential people in Rolling Stone magazine. He was the subject of Mike Myers 2013 documentary - Supermensch The Legend of Shep Gordon. He's also written a best-selling book called They Call Me Supermensch A Backstage Pass To The Amazing World Of Film, Food, and Rock ’N’ Roll.

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

On meeting with His Holiness, The Dalai Lama -- "When he walked in the room, it felt like I had taken the greatest shower of my life." -- Shep Gordon

Show Notes:

The value that Jayson Gaignard added to his life
- "He came to Hawaii and helped me launch my book and it was a best-seller"
- "You should always bring value first"
A 1968 graduate of college -- great divide in our country at the time - Vietnam War, "I was raised a liberal Jew"
"I was a long haired acid dealer"
The Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix story -- How it got him his start as a manager in Hollywood
Fame -- Media is a manipulation - "It consumes people and can be very damaging"
- "My job was to push the artist. Fame was fools gold."
- People who wanted fame needed attention... When they stopped getting it, bad things happened
Shep had a visionary eye for what would be successful in the future, the ultimate talent scout. He also understand how to earn PR for his artists to help make them famous
- "Create things that parents hated... Which led to kids loving it." --> Alice Cooper played a show naked
- Going from Alice Cooper to Ann Murray... Shep did great work for them and it kept leading to his next client --> Groucho Marx, Raquel Welch
Commonality among great entertainers? "They have that moment right before they go on stage... They are scared, neurotic, full of fear. This fuels them to be great."
Commonality of those who sustain excellence?
- "They never did it on their own. All the best were surrounded by great teams."
Meeting with The Dalai Lama?
- "When he walked in the room, it felt like I'd taken the best shower of my life."
How to throw a world class dinner party?
- Great food, customized for your guests
- Eat at a round table and always leave an extra seat (for the host to sit at and move from table to table)
- The food needs to be buffet style
- Send quality invitations -- "It's all about the WHO" --> You must get that part right, it's most important
- Don't talk business
- Think -- "What could I do to really make their night great?"
Life lessons -- "The failures are more important than the successes"
- "To me, failure is not trying"
- "If your team can't fail, you can't win"
Success to Shep = "A life of service to others"
- Serving others will make you happy
- Use you wealth to help other people (ex: "If you own a private plane, find people who will never fly on a private plane and offer them a ride.")
  - "Use your resources in service to other people."
Always think about how you can add value to the lives of others.

"Success for Shep = "A life of service to others" --> Helping other people will make you happy

Social Media:

Follow Shep on Twitter: @SupermenschShep
Read: They Call Me SUPERMENSCH
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

249: Colin Nanka - Success Starts With A Choice: Salesforce.com Leader, Adventure Racer Mar 18, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk. Episode 248: Colin Nanka Colin Nanka is the Senior Director, Enablement for North American Sales and Leadership Development at the world’s leading Customer Relationship Management Company, Salesforce.com. He is a proven sales leader with over 20 years of sales experience including time at Salesforce and Xerox Corporation. In his spare time, he competes in multi-day, self sustained, adventure races in the world’s most treacherous terrains, including the Sahara Desert, Gobi Desert, Iceland, Grand Canyon, Atacama Desert and, most recently, in Antarctica.

The Learning Leader Show

"Success starts with a choice. Find someone above you, below you, and at your level. That's mentor-ship."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence?
- Understanding of their strengths - self awareness
- "Do what you say you will do" "DWYSYWDO" - integrity
- The combination of vision --> execution
How have you sustained excellence?
- Know how to prioritize
- Tiered accounts
- Invested 4-6 hours on Saturday and Sunday while others were not working
"Going in on the weekend" - The sheer amount of hard work AND extra work differentiated from the rest
- Going door to door in Canada - "It takes 20 knocks to get 1 opportunity"
  - "Good pipeline solves all ills"
  - "Flood the market with good will"
Marc Benioff's management process, V2MOM, an acronym that stands for vision, values, methods, obstacles, and measures
Why do crazy races all over the world?
- "I hit a crisis. I was very successful and then had a couple bad years. It hurt my confidence."
- "I realize there is more to life than just working. The elements of nature... A give back -- be of service to others."
- The 2011 Sahara Desert race - Trained for a full year. 6 days a week, 160 miles/week.
"Success starts with a choice. Find who's the best, learn from them."
Mentor-ship = "Above you, below you, and at your level." Have all three.
The practice of "playing up." Play against someone who is better than you in order to stretch and grow.
- Constantly put yourself in positions to be stretched
Using Gallup to find your strengths -- "A very wise investment"
- Colin's #1 strength - Learning. Curiosity
- The compound effect of learning, growing, approaching each conversation with a curious mind
What have you learned from the adventure races?
- Dealing with failure. How to learn from others. "We all get better from sharing ideas."
Biggest mistake new managers make?
- "They are constantly surprised about the "people" side"
  - How to have tough conversations
  - They try to do it all -- You need to be a multiplier -- Trust, Coach, Empower
  - "If you don't lengthen the leash, you aren't allowing them to grow"
  - First 30 days - "Focus on winning hearts and minds"
  - Do a full day off site meeting with no focus on the business. Get to know them.
  - Utilize my "Get To Know You" document
Understand your team value system:
- Vision
- Values
- Methods - Critical success factors
- Obstacles
- Measure -- The Marc Benioff model
The #1 value is TRUST -- Ensure this is established early on. Empower the team to make decisions. As the leader, be a facilitator
Roger Federer -- Finding joy in what you do. Loving the practice, the process.
- Do things daily that bring you joy in life
- "Before I do anything for the company, I do something for myself. To bring me joy."
Hiring a coach? Why?
- Colin has had a coach for 10 years
"Just put 1 foot in front of the other" -- 19 hour race in Iceland
Be: 1) Strong 2) Relaxed 3) Grateful ("It's hard to be angry when you're grateful")

"Learn the rules like a pro, so that you can break them like an artist." - Pablo Picasso

Social Media:

Follow Colin on Twitter: @ColinNanka1
Read: Colin's story
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

248: James Clear LIVE! - How Can We Live Better? Mar 11, 2018

The Learning Leader Show LIVE! With Ryan Hawk & James Clear

Episode 248: James Clear LIVE! - How Can We Live Better?

This was recorded in front of a LIVE audience in Columbus, Ohio. My teammates at Brixey & Meyer had the original idea for a live event and collectively we put together an amazing evening with more than 100 invited guests. It was incredible! The room was full on engaged leaders. I loved the energy! I'm already looking forward to the next one.

James Clear studies successful people across a wide range of disciplines — entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and more — to uncover the habits and routines that make these people the best at what they do. Then, I share what I learn in my popular email newsletter.

His work has been covered by dozens of major media outlets including The New York Times, CBS, Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, TIME Magazine, and more.

The Learning Leader Show

"A constant dose of uncertainty will help you grow your comfort zone."

Show Notes:

The aggregation of marginal gains - “The 1 percent margin for improvement in everything you do.” If you improve every area related to your life by just 1 percent, then those small gains will add up to remarkable improvement.
When you google “goal setting,” JamesClear.com comes up within the top 3 answers. James goal setting process.
- The difference between systems and goals. Goals are useful for setting the direction. Systems are great for actually making progress.
If we are serious about achieving our goals, however, we should start with a much different question. Rather than considering what kind of success we want, we should ask, “What kind of pain do I want?
First Principles: Elon Musk on the Power of Thinking for Yourself.
- First principles thinking is the act of boiling a process down to the fundamental parts that you know are true and building up from there.
- Mindset shifts --> Reframing
Love of Travel -- Why do it? Perspective? Voluntary hardship. "You don’t know what you’re capable of if your body has never been forced to do it." (David Goggins)
- "You don't know your capabilities until you're forced to do it." Put yourself in situations that forces you to do "hard things." --? Travel to Vietnam where few people speak English... Getting lost and being forced to ask for help
- “A constant dose of uncertainty will help you grow your comfort zone.”
- Voluntary Hardship = until you are tested, you can't develop the ability to be mentally tough or develop new skills. Put yourself in these situations regularly to grow
Successful People Start Before They Are Ready - Richard Branson story…
- "Start before you're quite ready, and trust yourself to figure it out as you go." "Motivation is overvalued, environment is undervalued. Willpower doesn’t work, think about choice architecture."
- “Trust the ability that you have what it takes to figure it out”
The "Goldilocks" rule - "Human beings love challenges, but only if they are within the optimal zone of difficulty."
- Why you should stretch and "level up," but not too much. "It's not helpful to seriously play tennis against Roger Federer." You will be demoralized.
How to stop procrastination using the 2 minute rule -- "There is that 2 minutes around 5:30 every day where my wife and I decide... Will we go to the gym or will we sit on the couch and watch The Office all night?" -- The 2–Minute Rule works for big goals as well as small goals because of the inertia of life. Once you start doing something, it’s easier to continue doing it. I love the 2–Minute Rule because it embraces the idea that all sorts of good things happen once you get started.
“Decrease the number of steps between you and the good behaviors and increase the steps between you and the bad behaviors”
The James Clear "garden hose" analogy
Why it might be a good idea to put your TV in the closet...
Smaller habits require smaller activation energies and that makes them more sustainable. The bigger the activation energy is for your habit, the more difficult it will be to remain consistent over the long-run.
“Resistance is proportionate to the size and speed of the change, not to whether the change is a favorable or unfavorable one.”
By contrast, when you accumulate small wins and focus on one percent improvements, you nudge equilibrium forward. It is like building muscle. If the weight is too light, your muscles will atrophy. If the weight is too heavy, you'll end up injured. But if the weight is just a touch beyond your normal, then your muscles will adapt to the new stimulus and equilibrium will take a small step forward.

"Decrease the number of steps between you and the good behaviors and increase the steps between you and the bad behaviors."

Social Media:

Follow James on Twitter: @james_clear
Read Lance Salyers Forbes story about the event: 3 Surprising Insights From An Evening With Ryan Hawk And James Clear
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

247: Benjamin Hardy - The Best Self Improvement Book Of 2018 Mar 05, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk: Since 2015, Benjamin Hardy has been the #1 writer on Medium.com. He is pursuing his PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Clemson University. Ben's writing focuses on self-improvement, motivation, and entrepreneurship. His writing is fueled by his personal experiences, self-directed education, and formal education. Ben's work is read by millions of people every month.

Show Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence?
- They continually put themselves in situations that demand a lot of them. They put themselves in high stakes situations
- They invest in themself
- They create conditions for success to happen
- Pianist John Burke (Grammy nominated)
  - He puts external pressure on himself ("I will release an album a year"). It forces him to get to work to fulfill those expectations he puts on himself
  - Being socially invested is a forcing function
  - Signing up for the race like Parker Mays -- A date on the calendar to prepare for. "If I don't prepare, I will fail miserably"
Why you should invest 10% of your income in your self
The best self improvement book Ben has ever read? Letting Go
"Willpower doesn't work." You must create the environment to be successful -- Upgrade your mindset
Self signaling - How you view yourself is not permanent. Start to alter your behavior, you start seeing yourself differently
You can shape your personality
How to upgrade yourself? -- "When you invest money, you are committed"
Why all high performers invest in a coach
Peak moments -- how to change your life for the better
Cal Newport - "Be So Good They Can't Ignore You"
Investing in relationships (Jeff Goins and Ryan Holiday)
How to build a platform
- Learn marketing
  - Learn how to write viral headlines (Use numbers, matching, focused on outcomes)
  - Want To Become A Multi-Millionaire? Do These 15 Things Immediately
- Understand structure - subheadings, short/snappy sentences and paragraphs
  - Have a call to action at the end
  - Create a landing page for email capture
What is great writing?
- Be a good teacher: Communicate effectively. Convey & connect. Weave stories in and out: Story --> Science --> Story --> Science --> Story --> Science
- Head knowledge: Know your space.
- Have heart: Emotional rigor, intense stories
How to become a master of your craft
Your decisions determine your destiny
Visualize the process, not just the outcome
- Create environments for optimal implementation
- Pre plan for adversity to strike and how you will respond
Morning routine:
- Write in journal --> "Write it down, make it happen" --> Read --> Work out. Create momentum for yourself.

"Willpower doesn't work. You must create the environment for success to be achieved."

Social Media:

Follow Ben on Twitter: @BenjaminPHardy
Read: WILLPOWER DOESN'T WORK
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

246: Patrick Lencioni - The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team Feb 26, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Pat is the founder of The Table Group and the author of 11 books (including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team)which have sold over 5 million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages. The Wall Street Journal called him "one of the most in demand speakers in America." He has addressed millions of people at conferences and events around the world over the past 15 years. Pat has written for or been featured in numerous publications including Harvard Business Review, Inc., Fortune, Fast Company, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek. This is the second time Pat has been a guest on The Learning Leader Show. To listen to the first conversation we had, CLICK HERE.

Prior to founding The Table Group, Pat worked at Bain & Company, Oracle Corporation and Sybase.

Show Notes:

The email he received from Miami Heat coach, Erik Spolestra, after his first appearance on The Learning Leader Show
- How he helps professional sports teams
- Why NFL teams focus on the wrong things when deciding who to draft
  - Teddy Bridgewater vs Johnny Manziel
- The characteristics of a great teammate:
  - Humility
  - Hunger
  - Emotional Intelligence
- The success of Nick Foles in The Super Bowl
  - The camaraderie built by coach Doug Pederson of The Philadelphia Eagles
"I'm meant to work with people..."
The origin story - How Pat started his own business... and why?
- Potential to work with Steve Jobs and Eric Schmidt
- The biggest moment in the growth of his business? Speaking at Willowcreek Church(50,000 people watched)
Doing a "talk" instead of thinking of it as a "keynote speech" -- "I'm just talking with the audience."
Why turn leadership issues into fables?
- "We don't read books, but we read yours." They are so interesting. "I keep reading your books because I want to see what happens next."
Leaders must:
- Have difficult conversations -- must do the hard things
What are the biggest mistakes a new manager makes?
- "You cannot avoid the discomfort"
- "Being a leader is uncomfortable"
The best leaders are "pushers"
- The Steve Jobs and Jony Ive story -- "You're so vain"
Keys to a great culture:
- Leaders must be intentional about behaviors they want
- Must be brutally intolerant if people don't do it well
How Pat helped Southwest Airlines
- Codify their culture -- It had never been done before
Working with Chic-fil-a
- Their CEO wasn't too big to do dishes and clear the plates
- "They gave snacks for my trip home"
"You don't come up with culture, you look at what's there"
The importance of stories
Pat's business: There are 45 consultants all over the world. They are:
- Humble
- Hungry
- Smart

"Being a leader is uncomfortable. You cannot avoid the discomfort."

Social Media:

Follow Pat on Twitter: @patricklencioni
Read: The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

245: Maria Taylor - ESPN Gameday, Embracing The Grind, The Value Of Versatility Feb 19, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk:

Episode 245: Maria Taylor - ESPN Gameday, Embracing The Grind, The Value Of Versatility

Maria Taylor is in her sixth season as a host analyst & reporter. In the fall of 2017 Taylor will enter a new role as co-host on ESPN's College Gameday and sideline reporter for ABC's Saturday Night Football.

Show Notes:

How to quickly build rapport with the people you interview?
- Be prepared with a purpose, truly try to learn about them as a person (quickly), it's not just about their sport or their job. Care about them as a person
- Being viewed as an athlete -- "It's helpful working in the sports world that they know I played sports"
"As an athlete I was always a perfectionist, I always over prepare." -- Maria sending her producers a copious amount of notes -- thoughts on situations/games/ideas
How to earn promotions quickly? "I never said no to anything. I was never too big for any game."
- Maria did high school football games, ACC digital. She's traveled everywhere, stayed in bad hotels, etc.
  - "You have to be comfortable in the grind, you can't get discouraged."
  - "If I'm not doing something (work wise), I feel wrong."
Why Kirk Herbstreit is the best in the business -- "He's the most invested person I've ever seen. He's always the most prepared person."
Adnan Virk "Always show up." -- "They remember how you made them feel." Be conscious of that
Balance? It will never be perfectly balanced. Think of it as a stew - vegetable and beef... Certain bites are vegetables and other times it's beef. That's work-life balance. There are moments where it is all work, all day, every day. There are other times where you can relax at home. It's never a perfect 50 50 balance.
The story of Maria making the decision to be a sports broadcaster as a junior in college at Georgia... And then also earning her MBA as a backup plan!
- She grew up loving sports. Her dad played college sports.
Maria was recruited to play both volleyball and basketball at Georgia.
Our mutual feeling about the structure of being "in season" and how the routine helped us get better grades.
The first 90 minutes of Maria's day:
- Start the day with gospel music (worship/faith)
- New York Times daily podcast
- Joyce Meyer podcast
Why do multiple jobs? (Gameday, sideline reporter, women's basketball studio host)
- To diversify -- "I don't want to just be one thing. It's an opportunity to flex different muscles."
- "I try to investigate to find the best answer"
- "I like challenges"
Person most enjoy interviewing?
- Nick Saban. "I try to steer him off the line he's trying to stay on."
- Receiving coaching as a broadcaster... Who provides it?
  - SEC network producers
  - Feedback is just as important to what you put into your body. It needs to be healthy and helpful -- "What are we filling our minds with?"
How to handle "Twitter haters?"
- "Sometimes I'll put them on blast..."
What is an ESPN Gameday production meeting like?
- A cast of characters - (listen around the 43:00 minute mark to hear the inside scoop)
Winning Edge Leadership Academy
- Helping young women and minorities in broadcasting
- Focused on student athletes
- Doing a retreat in Miami
The sense of responsibility Maria feels as an African American woman
- "Being black.... Half time spent assimilating and half time spent helping your people."
- The Jemele Hill story at ESPN... Maria's reactions

Social Media:

Follow Maria on Twitter: @MariaTaylor7
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

244: Bill Curry - The 6 Characteristics Of A Champion (Lombardi, Starr, Unitas, Shula, Bryant) Feb 12, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk: Bill Curry is a two-time Super Bowl Champion. As an NCAA coach, Bill was named National Coach of the Year at Alabama and later became the first head football coach ever at Georgia State. As an ESPN commentator, he regularly shared his thoughts with a worldwide audience of millions. When Bill talks of discipline and success, his life experience is proof-positive of the effectiveness of his methods. Bill played for some of the greatest coaches of all time, including Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, and Bobby Dodd. His teammates included legendary players like Willie Davis, Bart Starr, and Johnny Unitas. Bill has studied the lives and methods of his personal heroes from past generations, ranging from Helen Keller and Rudyard Kipling to Theodore Roosevelt and Goethe. When Bill talks of leadership and success, his is a personal message molded by his extraordinary mentors and role models. He is also the best-selling author of TEN MEN YOU MEET IN THE HUDDLE: LESSONS FROM A FOOTBALL LIFE.

"Everyone has the will to win, but not everyone has the will to prepare."

Show Notes:

The 6 common characteristics of champions =
- Show up - on time, be early, every time, be punctual, read to be your best
- Singleness of purpose - Vince Lombardi, "his focus was powerful"
- Unselfish - Bart Starr - "he literally gave the shirt off his back for others"
- Tough - Don't make excuses, be great in the 4th quarter, never blame anyone else
- Smart - Prepared, always last person off the field. Johnny Unitas and Raymond Berry did this
- Never quit - Never give up
FEAR? Prepare out of fear? - "There is some truth to that." "Everyone has the will to win, but not everyone has the will to prepare."
- Personality, GRIT, Heart, Soul -- "Keeping prepping when others aren't"
The difference between good and great coaches?
- Bobby Dodd (Georgia Tech) was a great coach. A great coach can change your life. They study the game so intently. They intimidate other coaches with their brain.
- Vince Lombardi would not tolerate prejudice or racism. He had more African-American players than anyone else. He was so precise in his methodology.
- Don Shula had the ability to build relationships with each player
How can this be translated to the business world?
- Reach inside the souls of the leaders -- the gift we have is "Magna Nimitas" -- Greatness of spirit.
  - Each person has a unique spirit - it's beautiful. WE have brilliance within us.
  - Directly challenging the leaders to understand their people
  - Narcissism destroys leaders
Bill sat down with his players and went over their goals
We all need to have our own board of personal advisors, mentors
Bill's 4th year at Georgia Tech -- John Robert Bell said "I know you can play/" --> The impact that had on Bill was immense
Bill as a mentor -- He loves doing it. He hears from at least one play every single day
Being humble -- "I know two types of people. People who are humble and those who are about to be humbled." -- "Ray Nitschke humbled me pretty good"
The huddle - We need every teammate on every play to survive. The huddle is a metaphor for our culture.
- Why does the huddle matter? "You can't be racist, sexist, everyone is part of that huddle."
Unique exercises Bill does at companies -- Understand each individual unique finger print, joining hands across aisles
The importance of intellectual curiosity and asking questions -- "People ought to be skeptical... Ask questions"
"There is a fellowship of the miserable. I love them, but I avoid them."
Success? His wife has helped him understand what success is... It used to be winning games. He was miserable when he lost. She taught him that's not a rational way to live.
- Now success is "Am I making a contribution to the well being of others?"
Important marriage advice -- Do what you're told and what you say you're going to do. Learn to listen.
Learning Leader - "I love that title!"

"Success = "Am I making a contribution to the well being of others?"

Social Media:

Read: Ten Men You Meet Huddle
Follow Bill on Twitter: @coachbillcurry
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

243: Annie Duke - How To Make Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All The Facts (Thinking In Bets) Feb 05, 2018

The Learning Leader Show - Annie Duke is a woman who has leveraged her expertise in the science of smart decision making to excel at pursuits as varied as championship poker to public speaking. For two decades, Annie was one of the top poker players in the world. In 2004, she bested a field of 234 players to win her first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet. The same year, she triumphed in the $2 million winner-take-all, invitation-only WSOP Tournament of Champions. In 2010, she won the prestigious NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship. Prior to becoming a professional poker player, Annie was awarded the National Science Foundation Fellowship. Because of this fellowship, she studied Cognitive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence =
- Open-minded to people who disagree with them
- They ask "Why am I wrong?"
Using "I don't know" or "I'm not sure" shows immense security in oneself. Great leaders do this.
The "half life of facts" should never be 100% certain -- "It does you a disservice in becoming more knowledgeable if you are certain you are right"
Hidden information -- Invite others to share information with you... To collaborate
- "Here's what I think, but I don't know..." --> We're trained from an early age that those are dirty words, but they shouldn't be. We're supposed to always know, but having that mentality limits what you can learn
Put systems in place to allow exploration of alternative strategies
- Do a deeper dive, consider all reactions. This will help you prepare in case something goes wrong. You can put plans in place by acting in this manner
Why write Thinking In Bets? Annie has a unique background: cognitive psychology, professional poker, decision making under pressure. In poker: decision making is fast and furious (a hand of poker is 2 minutes)
- "Learning occurs when you make a decision and have feedback"
The art of boosting academic research with stories and popular culture -- Seinfeld, The Super Bowl
Listen to the disagreement Annie and I have in regards to Pete Carroll's decision to throw a pass on the goal line at the end of The Super Bowl (around the 24:00 mark)
Most people are "resulting." They are not measuring the decision making process with all the facts, they just view the result. That is wrong.
- Resulting - "Using the outcome as the sole determination if the decision was good or bad"
- While Annie and I disagree, we both had an open mind to what each other had to say and considered the other person's point of view
A good approach in your business = Analyze the decision making process prior to knowing the result
Example: If a number of people are interviewing the same candidate (separately), the boss should wait to offer her opinion until the end. Her thoughts will skew the feedback she needs from her teamCommonalities of great CEO poker players = They don't think they're good at poker. They recognize they aren't as good as the pros and they work to put themselves in higher odd situations to "get lucky." (Listen around 45:00 to get the full context)
- How to be a good head's up poker player? Recognize your strengths and weaknesses vs that particular opponent. If you deem they are better than you, then look for "coin flip" situations (example: Ace King vs a pair of 7's). If you are better than your opponent then avoid coin flips and extend the match. The longer the match, the better the odds for the better player to winThe importance of accountability:
  - How often does someone spout off without thinking? If you follow that up with, "You wanna bet?" How do they respond? They probably rethink what they've said. We should always "think in bets." Think of our decisions as being "bet worthy." If someone says, "You wanna bet?" We should be in the position to say yes. If we're not, then we need to rethink what comes out of our mouths and the decisions we are making.
  - "A bet is just a decision based on a belief that you think is how something will turn out."
  - If we think in bets, it forces us to seek out as much information as possible prior to making a decision.
  - That is a good thing and will help us make better decisions

"A bet is a decision based on a belief that you think is how something will turn out."

Social Media:

Read: Thinking In Bets
Follow Annie on Twitter: @AnnieDuke
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

242: Daniel Coyle - The Secret Of Highly Successful Groups (The Culture Code) Jan 29, 2018

Sustained Excellence = "They're over themselves" - They do not have an ego. They figure out the big truths, get over feelings, have clarity, vision. Great communicators - Like an athlete, they can be obsessed. Keenly aware, active listeners, intentional with actions.

Why write The Culture Code?
- Spending time around great teams and businesses, "I love the vibe, it's different." Had a desire to understand how that happens. How to create trust"Typically we think of culture as in your DNA or not, but it's not. "Great culture is something you can learn"The competition with Dan's two brothers growing up led to this fascination and curiosity with building great team culture"We routinely deeply underestimate our environments and the effect they have on us."
  - "As leaders, we need to create the conditions for excellence"The 3 Skills -- 1) Build Safety 2) Share Vulnerability 3) Establish Purpose
    - Build Safety - Why do a group of kindergartners do better than a group of CEOs? The kindergartners have now agenda or care about credit. They focus on doing the best work. CEOs (in the study) were worried about who got credit and tearing each other down.
      - Safety is the single most important piece of foundation needed for great culture
      - Greg Popovich overdoes the "thank yous" - He regularly says thank you to the members of his team.
      - A painstaking hiring process - The single most important decision is "who's in and who's out."
        
        You should script the entire first few days of a new employees time at a company -- Pixar example (20 minute mark) -- "At Pixar, we hired you because we need you to help us make our movies better."
      - John Wooden would routinely walk the locker room and pick up trash
    - Share Vulnerability - Functional notion that's so important
      - "Sharing a weakness is the best way to be strong" -- Navy SEALs example: The AAR (After Action Review)
      - The most important 4 words a leader can say, "Anybody have any ideas?"
        
        Also, "I screwed up"
      - Over-communicate expectations
        
        "We shoot, move, and communicate
        
        "The only easy day was yesterday"
      - How to be a great listener
        
        "Your goal as a listener should be to add energy." Ask questions, don't just sit there and nod. Listen and absorb. Help them leave higher than when you arrived. Follow up to go deeper. Being a great listener is a heroic skill.
        
        Have "empathy and energy" as a listener -- dig in to assumptions (unearth)
      - Aim for candor, but avoid brutal honesty - good groups care about relationships, not brutality. Candor is a better word
      - "Culture: From the Latin word cultus, which means care."
      - Great teams are made up of players who don't want to let their teammates down.
        
        Greg Popovich and other great coaches disappear on purpose to let their team figure out it through tough moments. Smart leaders create opportunities for teams to struggle and figure it out. --> "The leaders job is to make the team great without him/her."
      - Build a wall between performance review and professional development -- When you combine the two, you get neither. Toggle, create safety so you can be more open and honest.
      - Establish Purpose
        
        What's important now? You must define that
        
        Value statements aren't super useful -- "fill the windshield with a story."
        
        Clear narratives guide attention
        
        Name and rank your priorities

241: Austin Kleon - How To Steal Like An Artist Jan 22, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode 241: Austin Kleon - How To Steal Like An Artist

Austin Kleon is the New York Times bestselling author of three illustrated books: Steal Like An Artist, Newspaper Blackout, and Show Your Work! His latest release is The Steal Like An Artist Journal: A Notebook For Creative Kleptomaniacs. His work has been translated into over twenty languages and featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, PBS Newshour, and in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. New York Magazine called his work “brilliant,” The Atlantic called him “positively one of the most interesting people on the Internet,” and The New Yorkersaid his poems “resurrect the newspaper when everybody else is declaring it dead.” He speaks about creativity in the digital age for organizations such as Pixar, Google, SXSW, TEDx, and The Economist. He grew up in Ohio, but now he lives in Austin, Texas.

"Reading is so essential to writing... I don't even think about it. I just always do it."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence =
- "I wrestle with jealously about others who do better work than me... Until I realize it's very rare to see someone who doesn't deserve it based on how hard they work."
- The people who sustain excellence are typically the hardest workers over the long term
- "If you want to do better, work harder."
Austin's ritual
- Write a page a day like Stephen King
  - Little bits of work add up over time
  - When you do something you love, you're always working... It's an endless stream
  - "I try to be a good boss to myself" -- But there is no punching the clock in and out... It's always in
Steal Like An Artist
- Wrote an article titled "10 things I wish I had known when starting out" -- That became the best-selling book
  - The blog post and speech that went with it went viral
The Creative Process
- Daily writing... Eventually show the audience to test if it's useful for them
"It's like a factory"
- Collect
- Make time to write
- Gather to longer piece to essay
- Put it out to the world
- Collect feedback (live audience sometimes)
A daily blog helps the book writing process
- Collect, synthesize, make, share -- "Stealing & Sharing"
Reading is a massive part of the writing process... Must read a lot
- "Reading is so essential to writing. I don't even think about it, I just do it."
"My job as an author is to point people to things people haven't seen"
"Being a leader... You have to be curious... You have to find great stories and examples." -- You must read a lot to do this
What advice do you give to others?
- "You need hobbies... People used to have hobbies, not they have Netflix." Try to restore something, do work, have a hobby -- It will build creativity
The two desks
- Analog desk -- pens, markers, paper, scissors... Make stuff
- Digital desk -- computer
"Walking is an insanely creative activity"
Enjoying captivity -- Be useful on train rides, flights... No wifi
The open office plan is a nightmare for an introvert like Austin
"You want hearts, not eyeballs." -- Focus on engagement of your audience, not just the size of it.
- "The number of people doesn't matter as much as the quality of the people who follow you."
- "Becoming a friend of someone you look up to is one of the best things that could ever happen"
  - Creating great work gives you the opportunity to do this

"You want hearts, not eyeballs." -- Focus on engagement of your audience, not just the size of it.

Social Media:

Read: Steal Like An Artist
Follow Austin on Twitter: @austinkleon
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

240: Todd Henry - Be The Leader That Creative People Need (Herding Tigers) Jan 15, 2018

The Learning Leader Show

Todd Henry is the founder of Accidental Creative, a company that helps creative people and teams be prolific, brilliant and healthy. He regularly speaks and consults with companies about how to develop practices that lead to everyday brilliance. He is the author of four books (The Accidental Creative, Louder Than Words, Die Empty, Herding Tigers), speaks internationally on productivity, creativity, leadership and passion for work, and build tools for creative people and teams. In short, he's an arms dealer for the creative revolution. His latest book is called Herding Tigers: Leading talented, creative people requires a different skill set than the one many management books offer. As a consultant to creative companies, Todd Henry knows firsthand what prevents creative leaders from guiding their teams to success, and in Herding Tigers he provides a bold new blueprint to help you be the leader your team needs. Learn to lead by influence instead of control. Discover how to create a stable culture that empowers your team to take bold creative risks. And learn how to fight to protect the time, energy, and resources they need to do their best work.

"Great leaders have great rituals. Great leaders are connected. Great leaders have set questions they ask when they meet someone for the first time."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence =
- Great leaders have great rituals
  - Disciplined time to study/reflect
  - Well read
  - Go on walks
- Great leaders are connected to their network
- Great leaders have set questions they ask someone when they meet for the first time
Todd's rituals
- Same breakfast everyday, same coffee mug everyday
- 1 hour of study/read/time to think
- Writes morning pages (3 full pages long hand)
Creating space for yourself
- Predictable space, a buffer - "I have a ritual of taking a long walk in the middle of my day" -- "It helps me get lost in thought"
Set questions to ask when you meet someone
- "What's the most important thing I should know about you?"
- What's inspiring you right now?"
Cover bands don't change the world
- Go out and present YOUR ideas to the market place
- "If you want to have a voice in the market place, you have to have a voice" -- You can't just regurgitate what others say: Take what you learn, synthesize it with your own thoughts and have a voice, a point of view
  - "Your synthesis is what is valuable"
Writing The Accidental Creative was hard and lonely
Leading Creatives - We assume they get it... No, you must be clear that they do. Walk them through your thought process, what you expect, why you expect it
- Jocko's principle -- "You own all of it"
Brian Koppelman (Creator of Billions) - Leading with influence vs being a micro-manager. The director must own the show... They must have a compelling vision, point of view. Koppelman must create the space to give the director of each episode that ownership (he owns it all)
Creative people need two things
- Stability - Protect them, give them the space they need, be clear
- Challenge - Cannot allow boredom
- These two exist is constant tension, push/pull. You have to know how/when/why to turn the dial on each
- "Your entire career, up until you're a manager, you have complete control -- As a manager you must shift from control to influence (it's hard) or the team cannot scale beyond you
Your team must understand the WHY behind what you do -- If not they just inherit tactics but don't know why they do it. It can't scale without knowing the WHY
Need to make certain creative people feel ownership of the work
- Influence is about principle
Why is implementation and execution so hard?
- Leaders struggle with insecurity
  - "Your area of greatest insecurity can inflict the most damage to your organization... It's about ego more than confidence"
Why write Herding Tigers?
- "I wrote the book I wish I had... A lot of people don't have the model of what great leadership is"
Here's what it feels like right now:
- Action
- Pause
- Reflection
- Redirection
- Action

"Cover bands don't change the world. Find your own voice."

Social Media:

Read: Herding Tigers
Follow Todd on Twitter: @toddhenry
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

239: Dan Pink - The Scientific Secrets Of Perfect Timing (When) Jan 08, 2018

Episode 239: Dan Pink - The Scientific Secrets Of Perfect Timing (When)

Daniel Pink is the author of six provocative books — including his newest, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, to be published in January 2018. His other books include the long-running New York Times bestseller A Whole New Mind and the #1 New York Times bestsellers Drive and To Sell is Human. His books have won multiple awards and have been translated into 37 languages. If you'd like to listen to the first time Dan joined me on The Learning Leader Show, CLICK HERE.

Dan's TED Talk on the science of motivation is one of the 10 most-watched TED Talks of all time, with more than 19 million views. His RSA Animate video about the ideas in his book, Drive, has collected more than 14 million views.(from DanPink.com) (Photo Credit - HOW Design)

The Learning Leader Show

"It's like brick laying. I show up every day and I hit my word (count) goal. Day after day after day. Every day."

Show Notes:

Dan's book writing process:
- "It's like 1930's football... One short play at a time."
- Brick laying, very laborious...
  - Get in office by 8:30 and hit the writing (word count) goal every single day... Day after day after day after day...
  - Write 700 words a day, every da
    - "I show up and hit my number, every single day"
- Combining research with interesting stories -- work in chunks, have research in a Word doc, and the book in a separate doc. Review, go back and forth
- Go through the (printed out) research, highlight, underline, review a lot
- If you do this every day, it adds up
Why write about this topic? The topic of When
- As a writer, you must pick a topic you are VERY interested in... You spend years on the project (research, writing, speeches)
- "I wrote this book because I wanted to read it"
How to know if an idea is worth exploring?
- "You don't... But when you share it with others, does it create curiosity in them? Do they ask follow up questions? If they do, you may be on to something"
The 3 stages of our days
- Peak - Analytical work, smart
- Trough - The afternoon "Bermuda Triangle" -- A bad time to make decisions
- Recovery - A creative time
Why lunch is the most important meal of the day -- This is a time where you need to leave what you're doing, go outside, go with a friend, disconnect from work, don't look at your phone, need to recharge
Breaks are enormously important - Social breaks (with friends) are better than solo breaks
Napping for 20 minutes in the afternoon is very helpful
- Drink a cup of coffee, set you iPhone for an alarm to go off in 23 minutes, lay down with an eye mask. If you fall asleep in 5 minutes, you get an 18 minute nap, and you wake up and the caffeine starts to kick in
Why NBA players who get more "touches" have more success than others... Scientific evidence supports this
The importance of endings... How we end things:
- Energize - More 29, 39, 49 year olds run marathons than any other age. People want to end on a high note
- Encode - Evaluate and record experiences - How something ends is very important. Look at Yelp reviews -- People remember the experience for how a meal ended more than anything else
- Elevate - People prefer rising sequences. Dan's favorite tip: When sharing good news and bad news, always START with the bad news, and end with the good news
We are very intentional about who, what, why... why aren't we intentional about WHEN? We should be...

"We are very intentional about who, what, and why. We aren't intentional about WHEN. We should be."

Social Media:

Read: When - The Scientific Secrets Of Perfect Timing
See why over 396,000 people follow Dan on Twitter: @DanielPink
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

238: Neil Pasricha - Why Action Creates Motivation: 1,000 Awesome Things Jan 01, 2018

The Learning Leader Show

Episode 238: Neil Pasricha - Why Action Creates Motivation: 1,000 Awesome Things

Neil Pasricha is the New York Times-bestselling author of The Happiness Equation and The Book of Awesome series, which has been published in ten countries, spent over five years on bestseller lists, and sold over a million copies. Neil is a Harvard MBA, one of the most popular TED speakers of all time, and after ten years heading Leadership Development at Walmart he now serves as Director of The Institute for Global Happiness. He has dedicated the past fifteen years of his life to developing leaders, creating global programs inside the world’s largest companies and speaking to hundreds of thousands of people around the globe.

"Most think motivation leads to action... No, motivation doesn't cause action... Action creates motivation."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- C -- Clarity - Clear, succinct, memorable
- O -- Optimism -- "Find the good in everything"
- P -- Patience -- Delaying decision making until the last possible moment
  - The quality can improve if "we let the tension live"
Empower others - "Parkinson's Law" - Work rises to the time needed to complete it.
"I don't want to fight the customer." -- Thinking about everything from their perspective. Wal-Mart
Being a Harvard Business School graduate
- "Chase the companies that don't come to Harvard to recruit. You'll learn more." -- Why Neil went to Wal-Mart
Neil's 30 second pitch to why someone should hire him for a leadership role when he was very young
"I had to be artificially confident"
- His pitch -- 3 quick questions
  - Do you value internal promotions?
  - What's the #1 program you've seen?
  - Would you be interested in topics of developing leaders at Harvard?
    - Get their email address and follow up
None of the companies were hiring when he was leaving school... Neil had to "create a job" within companies to get hired
Brene Brown - "If you go through life trying to find confirmation you don't belong, you'll find it."
2008 - The world was falling apart, his marriage ended, his best friend committed suicide..
- He started the blog, 1,000 Awesome Things
- Won a webby award for best blog in the world
- Wrote The Book Of Awesome
He moved to NYC... Didn't know anyone, lived alone
He was going through pain while starting the awesome things blog. Focused on three things:
- Make the blog public - hold him accountable
- Use a countdown - From 1,000 to 1 -- Helped him know it was going to end at some point
- Finite - There is light at the end of the tunnel
"Most think motivation leads to action. Not true. Action creates motivation."
The importance of consistency - Neil's idea was not unique, but doing it everyday made him different from most
- "Try to be receptive of other people's ideas" -- Helps you "notice things"
"Your questions are fantastic. I'm not surprised."
Working on deadlines -- Neil wrote for a newspaper for four years. Helped with this skill
"I believe in consistency"
Actionable advice: You have three, 56 hour buckets of your week. They are:
- 56 Hours - Sleep
- 56 Hours - Work/Job
- 56 Hours - What are you spending this time on? You can do whatever you want...
The happiness equation - Work/Life balance fulcrum -- Flywheel
Taking his side hustle and making it his full time job -- "I should have done it sooner."

"If you go through life trying to find confirmation that you don't belong, you'll find it." -- Brene Brown

Social Media:

Read: The Happiness Equation - Want Nothing + Do Everything = Have Anything
Follow Neil on Twitter: @NeilPasricha
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

237: AJ Jacobs - The Power of Irrational Confidence (Life As An Experiment) Dec 25, 2017

The Learning Leader Show

Episode 237: AJ Jacobs - The Power of Irrational Confidence (Life As An Experiment)

A.J. Jacobs is an author, journalist, lecturer and human guinea pig. He has written four New York Times bestsellers that combine memoir, science, humor and a dash of self-help. He is also editor at large at Esquire magazine, a commentator on NPR and a columnist for Mental Floss magazine. He is currently helping to build a family tree of the entire world and holding the biggest family reunion ever in 2015.

In addition to his books, Jacobs written for The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, and New York magazine.

He has appeared on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, The Dr. Oz Show, Conan and The Colbert Report. He has given several TED talks, including ones about living biblically, creating a one-world family, and living healthily.

"It's easier to act your way into a new way of thinking, than think your way into a new way of acting."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Self delusion -- Optimism helps you do incredible things. Acting "as if"
  - "It's easier to act your way into a new way of thinking, than think your way into a new way of acting."
- Great curiosity -- "I'm curious about everything... Even things that don't interest me."
Why he read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica
Why the "good ole days" actually sucked -- Studying this made him very grateful for being alive today
The practice of radical honesty and how it got him in trouble -- He was forced to tell the full truth at all times
- Can be good or bad
Gratitude -- Common among the greatest achievers -- be thankful for everything. "When you're grateful for something as small as the elevator door opening, you're much happier."
It's All Relative -- Building a world family true. How we are related. How he is related to President Barack Obama...
- It helps with perspective and tolerance... We're more tolerant of people we are related to
- The Global Family Reunion event
Why his experiments drive his wife crazy -- The year of living biblically -- Why it was so hard to follow the exact words of the Bible
Harvard studies -- If we share DNA, people are more open to help one another
Why we need to get out of the echo chamber
Typical day -- stretch, treadmill desk, write and walk at the same time, walking keeps him alert
- Importance of "walks with wife" -- raises serotonin
Batching activities -- Phone calls
- It's lonely as a writer... AJ needs to speak with other creatives often: "I need to bounce ideas of of others in between the alone time"
- Doing "Skype" lunches. He eats lunch with friends over Skype
Best advice he's heard: From George Clooney -- "When I get up to bat, I don't think Am I going to hit a home run? I think, where will I hit this home run?" -- The importance of irrational confidence. Delusional optimism is helpful.
Stage presence (when speaking) -- Why you "owe it to the audience" to think "you're the baddest dude on the planet" and will deliver for THEM

"When I got up to bat, I didn't think, "Am I going to hit a home run?" I thought, "Where will this home run go?" -- George Clooney on the importance of self confidence

Social Media:

Read: It's All Relative
Follow AJ on Twitter: @ajjacobs
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

236: Brian Scudamore - CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK: How To Scale A Business Dec 18, 2017

Episode 236: Brian Scudamore - CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK: How To Scale A Business

Brian started his business in Vancouver, Canada at the age of 18, and later went on to franchise 1-800-GOT-JUNK? as a way to expand operations. Today, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has 1000 trucks on the road throughout some 180 locations in Canada, the United States, and Australia.

Brian has received wide recognition in the media and business community. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has celebrated appearances on the highly-acclaimed Undercover Boss Canada, Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, CNN, ABC Nightline, the Today Show, The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos, and the View. His story has been told in Fortune Magazine, Business Week, New York Times, Huffington Post, and Wall Street Journal, to name a few. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is currently the starring junk removal attraction on the hit A&E reality show, Hoarders.

Brian has brought his entrepreneurial success story to many conference stages, including the Fortune Small Business Magazine’s national conference. A strong believer in personal and professional development, Brian graduated from MIT's four-year Birthing of Giants program, and has subsequently completed several years of MIT’s BOG’s alumni program, Gathering of Titans. He is also a participant in a nine-year executive education program at Harvard University through YPO Presidents’ University. (from 1800gotjunk.com)

The Learning Leader Show

"I don't know if you can live the full potential if it's a side hustle. You need to give maximum effort."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Focus - All in, not a side hustle
- Faith - Belief in self, clear vision
- Effort - Discipline
Why we all need an "MBA" -- A "Mentor Board of Advisors"
Fred DeLuca -- Subway founder - He never took his eye off the prize. He struggled and kept going. 32 stores in 12 years.
Are entrepreneurs born or made?
- Brian started a carwash as a kid. He sold candy in his dorm room
Creativity as a Dad -- Always build things with your kids and watch them grow together (ie. a garden)
Why did he start 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
- Needed money for college... Initially called it "The Rubbish Boys"
Brian learned more about running a business from actually doing it than he did in school
The amazing story of Brian's dad "falling out of his chair" when he told me he was leaving school to run the business full time
- "It couldn't be a side hustle." The need for maximum effort to be successful
How Brian views opportunities
- And where he thinks of new ideas to create more businesses
The importance of going on walks
Meeting outdoors in Vancouver -- "Get your muscles moving"
Morning routine -- Get up at 5:55
- Power hour
- Focus on self
- Exercise
- Study French, Italian (other languages)
- Spend moments learning before the kids wake up
Side hustle -- "I don't know if you can live the full potential if it's a side hustle. You need to give it full effort. Imagine the possibility if they quit their job"
Philosophy on sales? Mentor Jack Daly -- "Ask questions and listen"
How he got his first 100 customers
"I have the best job in the world for me"
Brian's hiring process
Why he fired his entire team of 11 at one point -- They didn't have the right attitude
"Everyone must pass the beer and bbq test" -- "You have to want to have a beer and eat bbq with them"
- "I want friendly, ambitious, passionate, optimistic people."
- "Hire for attitude, train for skill"
- Brian is the "culture" interviewer
Cameron Herold -- Best man in his wedding, previous business partner. Brian shares why he had to fire him. "You cannot have 2 "fire, ready, aim" type of people."
The process of making mistakes on his path to hiring the right team
The need for Erik Church as the COO -- He is an executor. They are a great yin and yang
- Take a sheet of paper and write down what you enjoy doing and what you're good at. Also write what you don't like doing and you're bad it. Find the person to fill those gaps. Erik does that for Brian
- How to handle disagreements?
Birthing of giants - MIT -- Annual learning, monthly call
The importance of being a lifelong learner, be curious, ask questions
Book to read, The E-Myth by Michael Gerber

"I hire friendly, ambitious, passionate, optimistic people. Hire for attitude, train for skill."

Social Media:

Brian's website: o2ebrands.com
Follow Brian on Twitter: @BrianScudamore
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

235: Dr. Gay Hendricks - How To Make The Big Leap Dec 11, 2017

Episode 235: Dr. Gay Hendricks - How To Make The Big Leap

Gay Hendricks, Ph.D., has been a leader in the fields of relationship transformation and bodymind therapies for more than 45 years. After earning his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Stanford, Gay served as professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of Colorado for 21 years. He has written more than 40 books, including bestsellers such as Five Wishes, The Big Leap and Conscious Loving (co-authored with his co-author and mate for more than 35 years, Dr. Kathlyn Hendricks), both used as a primary text in universities around the world. In 2003, Gay co-founded The Spiritual Cinema Circle,which distributes inspirational movies and conscious entertainment to subscribers in 70+ countries.

Gay has offered seminars worldwide and appeared on more than 500 radio and television shows, including OPRAH, CNN, CNBC, 48 HOURS and others. In addition to his work with The Hendricks Institute, Gay is currently continuing his new mystery series that began with The First Rule Of Ten

Episode 235: Dr. Gay Hendricks - How To Make The Big Leap

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"The money became an effortless byproduct of doing what I love"

Show Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Openness to learning
- Great listener
- They do not waste time being defensive
The makeup of insecure people who won't learn = Fear. A bug --> You poke it, it curls towards the center. They are scared. We have the same nervous system from many years ago
- Must acknowledge the fears -- "Don't try to out argue them or "out-facts" them"
- "Speak to your shared fears" when scared
- The 4 things we do when scared:
  - Fight
  - Runaway
  - Freeze
  - Space out
- Fear tries to take us out of the moment
His story of going on the Oprah show -- "Being on Oprah was like having 10 shots of espresso"
What is the upper limit problem? A point in success/happiness -- if you go past the point of it, you do something to knock yourself down. Fears keep people locked in certain zones
The 4 Operating Zones
- Zone of incompetence
- Zone of competence
- Zone of excellence
- Zone of Genius
Most love to do? "Living full time in the zone of genius"
Why you should start with "10 minutes of what you most love to do" -- Then continually bump that time up
Making the leap -- Freedom, pressure. Stand up, walk your talk. So rewarding, but can you make money?
- "The money became an effortless byproduct of doing what I love"
Walk quietly and with passion... Auspicious things happen
Life rewards expression of true genius
Early 90's, Gay spent 30% of time in his genius zone, then 50%, then 70%, now 90% of time is spent in his zone of genius
His zone of genius? "Be a model of creativity. Explain complicated things in a simple way."
- Oprah called it "Learning to love yourself"
Creativity - Conscious loving ever after -- How to access more creativity? Every day after 50 is a choice between creativity and stagnation. Move, play, create new ideas. At age 65, Gay started lifting weights. Must keep moving your body
He wrote his first mystery novel at age 65 (Wow!)
He just sold the mystery series to Netflix to turn it into a television series
- It's never too late to start accessing new paths of creativity
- Put your mind on how to create more
Learning Leader = "Commitment to learn from the moment"

"Life rewards expression of true genius."

Social Media:

Read: The Big Leap
Follow Gay on Twitter: @GayHendricks
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

234: Jocko Willink - Why Discipline Equals Freedom Dec 04, 2017

The Learning Leader Show

"As the leader, you are responsible for EVERYTHING that happens in your organization."

Show Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Humility
- Constantly looking to improve
- Learning
- Willing and able to take criticism
Incredible story of a mutiny within the ranks because of a platoon commander's ego
Way Of The Warrior Kid - The message for children
- Be humble
- Don't give up
- Work hard
Ramadi -- The epicenter, insurgency in Iraq
- The confusion/fog of war
A firefight... Between friendly forces: Who's at fault?
Jocko took ownership - "As the leader, I'm responsible for everything that happens on that field. It wasn't your fault, it's mine."
"If you make a mistake, you must own it."
Owning the mistakes created confidence and trust with Jocko's boss
How do you handle a bad boss?
- Make them look good
- Ask for feedback, advice, ask for their approval, build them up
- Isn't that manipulation? "Yes..."
"It's not just what you preach, it's what you tolerate."
Decentralized command -- Empowering junior leaders to make important decisions. Front line leaders must be empowered. Why? Speed
- Being empowered as a quarterback to call an audible -- Why this was an optimal way for us to attack a defense and ultimately win games. The coaches needed to trust and empower me to do this
Are leaders born or made?
Characteristics of great leaders?
- They take complex things and simplify them
- They are articulate
- They are loud (seems strange, but it's true for military leaders and a quarterback)
How much can you learn? You must detach emotion, and be decisive.
Why wake up at 4:30 am? "It is time for me to own, it's before everyone else is awake"
Favorite part of work? - Podcasting and working with companies
How has Jocko created this lifestyle? -- Many years of consistent, sustained work
- "Discipline Equals Freedom."
His discipline for many years has helped him create a lifestyle that he loves

"It's not just what you preach. It's what you tolerate."

Social Media:

Read: Extreme Ownership
See why over 150,000 people follow Jocko on Twitter: @jockowillink
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

233: Gretchen Rubin - How To Be Happy Nov 27, 2017

Episode 233: Gretchen Rubin - How To Be Happy

Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers, Better Than Before, The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. She has an enormous readership, both in print and online, and her books have sold almost three million copies worldwide, in more than thirty languages. Fast Company named Gretchen Rubin to its list of Most Creative People in Business, and she’s a member of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100.

She’s been interviewed by Oprah, eaten dinner with Daniel Kahneman, and walked arm-in-arm with the Dalai Lama.

Gretchen Rubin started her career in law and was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor when she realized she wanted to be a writer. She lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.

The Learning Leader Show

"What do I want from my life? I want to be happy. How can I be happier?"

Show Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- They are self aware
- They are happy and healthy and figured themselves out
Better Than Before -- How to create great habits
"I can't have a little. I either have none or a lot." -- Needed to abstain from things like that (sugar)
Think -- "What do I want from my life?" "I want to be happy..." She then went to the library to study. Did a deep dive on happiness
- What are the keys to happiness?
- Every month (for a year), she created a theme for the month: 3-5 concrete resolutions she could measure to make herself happier
Aim higher -- "Enjoying the fun of failure" -- Starting a blog. Initially worrying that nobody would read it. "It's okay to fail."
How can you buy happiness?
How to be grateful for what you have... Both experiences and possessions
Bill Gates takes "think weeks" -- Why we all should do this
Warren Buffett can buy anything he wants... But he cannot buy time
Gretchen describes her typical day
The Four Tendencies (Personality Profiles) -- How you respond to expectations
- Upholders - Respond readily to both outer expectations and inner expecations
- Questioners - Question all expectations; they meet an expectation only if they believe it's justified, so in effect they respond only to inner expectations
- Obligers - Respond readily to outer expectations but struggle to meet inner expectations
- Rebels - Resist all expectations, outer and inner alike
A live role play between Gretchen and me describing which tendency we inhibit and why we are different
Questioner vs Upholder - An upholder wants to always follow the rules (Gretchen)... A questioner (me) thinks differently
Gretchen's advice - Get clarity on who you are, your personality profile, and how you respond to expectations
- Questioner - Why are you doing this? Know who, what when, why?
- Obliger - Go beyond. Let's both commit. Find outer accountability. Take action
- Rebel - Freedom, choice. "I want my voice heard."Influence change

Social Media:

Read: The Four Tendencies
See why over 135,000 people follow Gretchen on Twitter: @gretchenrubin
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

232: It's Time To Go ALL IN (With Doug Meyer & Greg Meredith) Nov 20, 2017

Episode 232: It's Time To Go ALL IN (With Doug Meyer & Greg Meredith)

"Here's the issue:If you're going to pursue a low odds game, the reality is that at some point the odds will go to zero if you don't commit fully. You're never going to get across that chasm if you're going to keep yourself tethered to one side but that doesn't mean taking an unfounded leap into the wild beyond." Jim Collins gave me that advice on Episode #216 here On The Learning Leader Show. I've fired a lot of bullets over the past three years building this show and this platform while working a full time job at a big international corporation. The purpose of this episode is to announce that I have left my full time job to pursue my passion... My love: This show, this platform, this work, on a full time basis. It's time for me to go All In.

The featured leaders tonight are two of my business partners (and friends), Doug Meyer and Greg Meredith. Doug Meyer is one of the founding partners of Brixey & Meyer. In his role as Managing Director, Doug serves as a trusted business advisor to Business Owners, CEOs, CFOs and Boards of Advisors, driving value and accountability. Greg Meredith runs Brixey & Meyer’s Business Advisory Services team, which helps clients with strategic planning, project management, sales strategy, business process and system optimization and more. I am bringing The Learning Leader brand to Brixey & Meyer full time to run the Leadership Advisory Services team. In addition to the podcast, I'll be focused on helping clients be more effective leaders, managers, and coaches. This is done through: consulting projects, 1 on 1 coaching, leadership circles (Mastermind groups), creating written content (book and articles online), and much more. I could not be more excited to get started!

"Following your genuine intellectual curiosity is a better foundation for a career than following whatever is making money right now." - Naval Ravikant

Show Notes:

3:06 - My career, what I've done, why I haven't named the companies I've worked for, who has supported this, who hasn't.
5:05 - Why I'm making this move to do it full time, the first lunch I had with Doug, the impact that lunch had on me, how long this has been in the works, advice that was given to me... The phone call I made to my wife Miranda after that meeting informing her of what I wanted to do...
6:40 - The exercise that Doug and I did -- "Write down everything you love to do... And write down the things people have paid for. Let's build the business based on that information." -- The dream job scenario
8:03 Doug sharing why Brixey & Meyer is different from other firms and why... - The values: Having fun, providing value, passionate, driver of change, accountability, responsibility to the people of the firm
10:01 Doug sharing how The Learning Leader Show has positively impacted his life
11:48 - Greg describing The Business Advisory Practice he leads at Brixey & Meyer
12:07 - How Brixey & Meyer evolves and adapts -- Taking it to another level
13:02 - Why I decided to leave my job as VP of Sales at a large international company
14:09 - Finding a way to love what you do everyday
14:44 - “Following your genuine intellectual curiosity is a better foundation for a career than following whatever is making money right now.” - Naval Ravikant
16:24 - The scary part about making this change -- Side hustle to full time job creates a lot of pressure
16:56 - The incredible support from all of the people at Brixey & Meyer
17:47 - Why I'm motivated by people who believe in me... And my desire to prove them right
18:52 - "You're work is going to fill a large part of your life... And the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs
19:34 - The biggest challenge for Doug (managing my expectations)
20:25 - Doug describing that this was an opportunistic hire... Not something they were looking for, but why it was a no brainer when the opportunity arose
21:52 - The day to day actions - Helping leaders be more effective. Keynote speeches, leadership circles (Mastermind groups), Consulting projects, producing podcasts, creating content (books, online courses/articles), and much more
25:18 - Doug and Greg describing their current leadership circles and why they've been so effective (and will continue to be)
27:53 - The power in the peer to peer learning model that is created from Leadership Circles
29:22 - Rapid fire questions (for Ryan):
- Dream guest? Elon Musk
- Favorite thing to do with my daughters? Coach their sports teams
- Learn more from success or failure? I remember my failures more, but I try to learn from both success and failure
- Most impactful book in the last 12 months? The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
- Favorite episode? #078 With Kat Cole
33:13 - Rapid fire questions (for Doug):
- Favorite episode of The Learning Leader Show? #200 With Keith Hawk & AJ Hawk
- Smartest person in the Meyer family? daughter, Jocelyn Meyer
- Are you a Visionary or Integrator? Tough question. People think of him more as an integrator
- Best Advice: From Bill Matthews - "I was frustrated with team members." And Bill said, "Doug, it's not them, it's you."
36:37 - How will you define success? "Success is fun. I want this to be fun. We are going to add value and be agile."
38:38 - The phone call I made to Doug when he thought I was turning him down...
39:06 Why 99 out of 100 people would not have left the corporate job to do this? Doug's thoughts... And why I did.
40:35 - Defining your personal hedgehog
41:46 - The unique qualities I will bring to this role -- What's different from books or articles
45:54 - How I define the makeup of a great leader... The qualities they possess
48:43 - “The path to fulfillment in life, to emotional satisfaction, is to find what really excites you and channel your all into it.” - Rich Roll
49:01 - Doug describing his beliefs: Energy, Passion, Fun
49:26 - Why Doug wanted me to be part of his business -- Natural curiosity, thought provoking questions, attitude, helping others
51:06 - What's most important -- To find your WHO
51:47 - The story Doug shared that created an emotional and powerful moment... And convinced me to say, "Yes, I am doing this, I want to work with a guy with this much integrity, honesty, and love."
55:28 - Doug's excitement to unleash the potential for what we can do
56:45 - Acknowledging how instrumental Greg has been in the growth of The Learning Leader brand over the last three years. His honest feedback and mentor-ship has been monumental
58:28 - One of my favorite artists, Tom Petty said "It's time to move on, it's time to get going. What lies ahead I have no way of knowing... But under my feet, baby, grass is growing, it's time to move on, it's time to get going."

"You're work is going to fill a large part of your life... And the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs

Social Media:

Send Email: Ryan@LearningLeader.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

231: Michael Bungay Stanier - Say Less, Ask More, & Change The Way You Lead Forever Nov 13, 2017

Episode 231: Michael Bungay Stanier - Say Less, Ask More, & Change The Way You Lead Forever

Michael is the Senior Partner at Box of Crayons, a company that helps organizations do less good work and more great work. He’s the author of several books, including The Coaching Habit and Do More Great Work. Michael has written for or been featured in numerous publications including Business Insider, Fast Company, Forbes, The Globe & Mail and The Huffington Post. Michael left Australia 25 years ago to be a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. He was the first Canadian Coach of the Year. At Box of Crayons, Michael and his team of facilitators teach 10-minute coaching so busy managers build stronger teams and get better results. Clients come from all sectors and include Box, the United Nations, Gartner, the University Health Network and USAA. A sought-after speaker, Michael regularly speaks to businesses and organizations and has delivered keynotes at Leadership, HR and Learning & Development, conferences around the world.

The Learning Leader Show

"If you can't coach in 10 minutes or less then you don't have the time to coach at all"

Show Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- "They probably haven't sustained it. It's really hard."
- Role Models -- They succeed AND they fail. "You can't hit it out of the park every time"
- Some times you do it all right and you still fail
- Resilience and persistence are commonalities among people who have success
Michael's list of failures "is long"
The incredible story of how Michael was initially rejected as a Rhodes Scholar... And then how he persevered to earn it (the story about how he differentiated himself from the others is fantastic)
- "Purple suit, long hair" -- "Everyone else had a blue suit, white shirt, red tie"
Where did he develop so much courage?
- From his parents -- They gave him unconditional support to be different and unique
He's a bit of a rebel who also follows the rules sometimes
- Ask yourself "Do I want to be playing this game?"
Box of Crayons -- A training company on how to coach in 10 minutes
- The mistake of saying "yes" to everyone who asked for his help when he started the company
Jim Collins -- "Fire bullets and then cannonballs" -- Low risk experiments
The 3 ways coaching shows up in corporations
- Executive coaching -- People at the top of the Org Chart
- Training internal people to be the corporate training team
- Train all managers/leaders to be more coach like -- This is what Michael and his team does
"If you can't coach in 10 minutes or less then you don't have the time to coach at all"
Transforming to be more "coach like"
The 7 important questions to ask:
- What's on your mind?
- And what else?
- What's the real challenge here for you?
- What do you want?
- How can I help?
- If you're saying yes to this, what are you saying no to?
- What was most useful to you?
Why most 1 on 1's are terrible
The first and last questions are vital (must bookend the meeting well) -- "Start fast and end strong"
The Learning moments -- Help them learn. They learn when there is a moment to reflect on what just happened
Be careful when "the advice monster" kicks in... "Can you stay curious a little longer?" -- As the coach, you need to. You must solve the correct problem and focus on the person you are coaching
- If you just give advice, very little brain activity happens. If you ask questions, it grows the brain activity...
Coaching for performance vs. Coaching for development -- There is a big difference
The best question in the world is... "And what else?" -- It helps them go a level deeper. Keep asking it, keep going deeper
"Be lazy, be curious, be often" -- Michael's motto towards coaching. Listen, ask questions, help them learn
"Be more coach like"
"Help them learn rather than teaching them" -- We do this by asking great questions
Learning Leader = "A great coach is a great teacher. A learning leader is the essence of what it means to be a great leader." You help people learn by constantly learning more yourself

"Less Advice. More Curiosity."

Social Media:

Read: The Coaching Habit
Follow Michael on Twitter: @boxofcrayons
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

230: Dorie Clark - How To Monetize Your Expertise & Create Multiple Income Streams Nov 06, 2017

Episode 230: Dorie Clark - How To Monetize Your Expertise & Create Multiple Income Streams

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
- They do what they say they're going to do -- Have integrity
- They have a great ability to focus. They don't get distracted.
- They have patience
Principles:
- Create multiple streams of income -- However, don't try to create them all at once. Patience. 1 or 2 at a time.
  - A steady progression. Add 1 or 2 per year.
  - Dorie has 8 income streams.
  - "If you're relying on one paycheck, from one employer, you may be courting disaster."
Dorie was laid off on September 10, 2001 -- She received a 4 day severance package... A highly stressful time. "Never be reliant on just one employer"
"Side hustles make you a better employee, it liberates you." -- "You can speak truth to power"
Dorie's 8 Streams of Revenue:
- Consulting
- Executive Coaching
- Writing Books
- Teaching at Duke
- Keynote Speeches
- Online Courses
- Affiliate Marketing
- Mastermind Groups
Dorie's online course "Become A Recognized Expert"
- Create the content
- Social Proof -- Credibility
- Strong network -- To be recognize, need to be an expert and have others share the message
We discussed the goals Dorie set from her first time on the show (2 years ago):
- Double email list
- Have a best selling book
- Get a girlfriend
The importance of joint ventures
Why Dorie wants to become an Italian citizen
"The thing that gives you courage is the market rate" -- "No one is a competitor"
"When someone asks you your fee, find the number that makes you scared and then add 10%"
Doing TEDx Switzerland
How to build online courses:
- Surveyed audience -- 1,200 responses
- Pilot course at discounted rate ($500)
- Final course ($2,000) -- Premium content, premium price
- Total cost -- $1,200 (had 150 students paid in full)
- Video module type courses are lower cost and not as much engagement
- The $2,000 course has regular follow up and conversations with Dorie in addition to the video work. Interaction with others in a Facebook group chat as well. -- It has 40+ hours of content created for it... And webinars
- Dorie Clark is a marketing strategy consultant, professional speaker, and frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review. Recognized as a “branding expert” by the Associated Press, Fortune, and Inc. magazine, she is the author of Entrepreneurial You (Harvard Business Review Press,), Reinventing You, and Stand Out, whichwas named the #1 Leadership Book of 2015 by Inc. magazine and one of the Top 10 Business Books of the Year by Forbes. It was also a Washington Post bestseller.
  Clark, whom the New York Times described as an “expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives,” consults and speaks for a diverse range of clients, including Google, the World Bank, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, the Ford Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Yale University. At age 14, Clark entered Mary Baldwin College’s Program for the Exceptionally Gifted. At 18, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Smith College, and two years later received a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School.

229: Henry Cloud - "Be So Good They Can't Ignore You" Oct 29, 2017

Episode 229: Henry Cloud - "Be So Good They Can't Ignore You"

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"If you're a leader, you will get what you create or what you allow."

Show Notes:

Henry constantly striving to do more... Why?
- "I'm a practitioner, need to continue doing the work"
Advice to "normal" people who have a 9-5 job. Henry was willing to start with very little money, but grew into his passion slowly and kept at it.
Inflection points -- My football career. Henry's gradual growth. Critical mass moments -- Henry did leadership coaching and consulting from day 1.
"You have to love what you do."
"You have to get moving."
"My first book Integrity was written based on my teaching for 15 years."
Boundaries -- A simple, yet profound concept - A property line: This is you
"In relationships, people put pressure on us"
Leaders are "ridiculously in charge" -- "If you're leading it, you're in charge"
"If you're a leader, you will get what you create or what you allow"
3 Keys to Executive Success (Executive Functions Of The Brain):
- Attend to most important/what's relevant -- Need to name the priority -- Boundary of Attention
- No multi-tasking. Your brain CANNOT do this -- Inhibit everything else
- Working memory - Must be a flow to it
Advice for listeners who have a bad boss?
- Don't fret, we've all been there
- Create your own culture, do lunch and learns, build what you want within the situation
Vision Statement -- Get so good they will say, "What are they doing?" How do we grow? How can we do that?"
- Perform, develop leaders in your own corner of the world/buisness
"Be So Good They Can't Ignore You"
"They work their butt off"

228: Renee Mauborgne - How To Make Competition Irrelevant (Blue Ocean Strategy) Oct 22, 2017

Episode 228: Renee Mauborgne - How To Make Competition Irrelevant (Blue Ocean Strategy)

Renee Mauborgne is the co-author of the global bestseller Blue Ocean Strategy and the just released, indispensable follow-up, BLUE OCEAN SHIFT: Beyond Competing – Proven Steps to Inspire Confidence and Seize New Growth. BLUE OCEAN SHIFT is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, and an International Bestseller. Her book Blue Ocean Strategy has sold over 3.6 million copies and is recognized as one of the most iconic and impactful strategy books ever written. It is being published in a record-breaking 44 languages and is a bestseller across five continents.

She served on President Barack Obama’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for the President’s two terms. She is also a Fellow of the World Economic Forum. Renee is ranked in the top 3 management gurus in the world in the Thinkers50 listing of the World’s Top Management Gurus. She is the highest placed woman ever on Thinkers50.

"If you're going to look at other people, you're going to look like other people."

Show Notes:

Common Themes of Leaders who Sustain Excellence:
- Not focused on competing with others
  - They create their own space, independent point of view
- Always interested in learning. Focused on pieces of information
  - Insatiable curiosity, high level learner, a note taker
- Enormous propensity for hard work
  - Smart people don't look for short cuts
- Willing to reinvent self if needed
How to not compare yourself to others?
- "Focus on delivering a leap in value -- they will come to you."
- "I don't look at social media. I look at how creative people are."
- "We are all far more creative than we think we are"
- "If you're going to look at other people, you're going to look like other people"
Blue Ocean Strategy - What is it?
- Most companies focus on existing conditions, red oceans, bloody, with sharks
- Blue ocean companies/people "don't focus on competing, they focus on creating"
How can this help someone with a side hustle? Or someone who wants to create a side hustle?
- Don't go into red oceans - don't do what everyone else does - Create your own distinctive space
  - "It's not about market competing, it's about market creating"
When people talk about startups, they think "disrupt" -- Renee prefers "non disruptive creation"
- Tony Robbins didn't disrupt anything. He created a new market (life coaching). He helped create a $2B market
- The idea of David killing Goliath is romantic but it doesn't typically work that way
New industry recently created -- Viagra, Sesame Street, Coaching to get into MBA school, YouTube stylist, Bumble
Growth model
- Solve a new problem (ie. Cyber Security)
- Redefine the problem the industry focuses on -- Cirque du Soleil -- "Circus and theatre"
- AirBnB
Expand the opportunity scope
- "Are there patterns that allow them to be linked"
- "Creation is not a black box"
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos look to deliver overwhelming value, they do not compete

"It's not about market competing. It's about market creating."

Social Media:

Read: Blue Ocean Strategy
Read: Blue Ocean Shift
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

227: Jeff Goins - How To Be A Thriving Artist (Real Artists Don't Starve) Oct 15, 2017

Episode 227: Jeff Goins - How To Be A Thriving Artist (Real Artists Don't Starve)

Jeff Goins is a writer, keynote speaker, and award-winning blogger with a reputation for challenging the status quo. He is the best-selling author of five books, including Real Artists Don't Starve, and The Art of Work, which landed on the best seller lists of USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and the Washington Post. His website Goinswriter.com is visited by millions of people every year. Jeff was previously on The Learning Leader Show Episode #028

The Learning Leader Show

What does it take to stand out? "Show UP, Do the Work, and most importantly: FOLLOW UP. Nobody does this."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence. Common Themes of Leaders who Sustain Excellence:
- Passion - A fire to pursue their "why"
- Discipline - Daily habits, routines, rituals to be best every day
  - Coach K -- Sit down and analyze after every single game to improve
- Great Learners - Hungry learner. How to do it better?
Real Artists don't starve
Starving artist vs. Thriving artist
The myth of the starving artist
Why Michelangelo was a thriving (rich) artist
"Do you really have to starve to be an artist?" -- No
You aren't born an artist (or a Leader) -- It's a result of the choices you make. The human brain is malleable. A person can learn and master a craft.
"Leaders are made. Artists are made."
The story of John Grisham -- A lawyer who wrote novels on the side.
- He wrote one page a day for years... And then he had a novel
You can gradually re-create yourself
Wake up a little earlier every day and do the work. Make it a habit
- Change happens slowly
The way we talk about it is not actually the way we do it.
We do not need to take a giant risk. When we look at the facts, we can take measured risks
2 Resources at The University of Wisconsin -- A study of 5,000 entrepreneurs
- The Two Types
  - Burn The Boats -- 33% more likely to fail
  - Side Hustlers -- People who didn't initially go "All In" statistically were more likely to succeed
  - It took Jeff two years to quit his job. He built one year of runway
The rule of apprenticeship -- Ryan Holiday - Be an Anteambulo. Clear the path for others
A "master piece" came from the time of Michaelangelo
What it takes to stand out -- Show up, do the work, FOLLOW UP (nobody does this), show what you've learned, help others
Jeff has lunch every Wednesday with a mentee -- Rarely do they follow up. Do this.
- "The best thing you can do is take notes, and follow up. Put it into action."
Jeff was/is mentored by Michael Hyatt -- He followed up constantly
How do you do X? "It's easy to talk about stuff, it's hard to do it."
"If you're teachable, it puts you in a class of people that sits apart."
Do not work for free -- The rule of value
- Charging brings dignity to the work
- "Working for free is often not the opportunity we think it is"

"Leaders are made. Artists are made." -- "You aren't born an artists."

Social Media:

Read: Real Artists Don't Starve
Follow Jeff on Twitter: @JeffGoins
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

226: Steve Wojciechowski - How To Win Every Day Oct 08, 2017

Episode 226: Steve Wojciechowski - How To Win Every Day

Steve Wojciechowski is the head basketball coach at Marquette University. He has has enjoyed a wealth of success in collegiate basketball as both a player and a coach. Wojo has established his “Win Every Day” philosophy as the foundation for the Marquette program. Wojciechowski also served as court coach and scout for the USA Basketball Men's National Team. He helped lead on-court duties as well as game preparation from 2006-12, including the program's gold-medal performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics. The Olympic teams included NBA greats such as Marquette alumnus Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

As a player, Wojciechowski ("Wojo") was named the top defensive player in the country his senior year, a two-time All-ACC choice and honorable mention Associated Press All-America. He appeared in 128 career games for the Blue Devils and earned 88 starting assignments.

The Learning Leader Show

"My greatest edge was that I didn't think I had an edge."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence. Common Themes of Leaders who Sustain Excellence:
- Passion - A fire to pursue their "why"
- Discipline - Daily habits, routines, rituals to be best every day
  - Coach K -- Sit down and analyze after every single game to improve
- Great Learners - Hungry learner. How to do it better?
WIN Everyday - daily process to pursue excellence in every way. Basketball is a vehicle for that (for Steve)
Develop trust - "Not always done quickly, but definitely done intentionally. Must be consistent, you must do what you say you will do"
Wojo's Dad's hard hat -- It's hanging up at his house as a reminder of what hard work looks like
- "The first great team I was on was the Wojciechowski team. My dad was a longshoreman. Did hard work and hard labor."
Going to Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely's retreat. A 90 yard hill, 40% grade... An endurance race
- Growth - Getting outside of your comfort zone
"As a long time listener of your show, I marvel at your guests"
"My greatest edge was that I didn't think I had an edge"
Why it was important to be teamed with Russians and other international players who didn't speak English at a high school all star camp
Coach Krzyzewski (Coach K)'s reason for excellence:
- Ability to build relationships with players as people
  - Incredible communication skills
  - Intentionally taking time to build relationships
- Preparation - Disciplined preparation
  - Habits, routines
  - "His preparation on a daily basis is championship level"
How has Coach K showed Level 5 leadership to help his assistant coaches be great when they earn their own head coaching job?
- "He allows coaches to take ownership - He pushed them and allowed them to have a voice. On the job learning"
Culture
- Start with your value system: What do you believe in? How do you build it?
Wojo's Stated Values:
- Pursuing excellence - WIN every day
- Being Selfless
- Being Accountable - "Do what you say you're going to do"
- Being Relentlessly competitive
- Discipline - Do what need to do at the time it needs to be done
How is it coaching millennials?
- There is a lot of noise. Continuous feedback loop. Need to be constantly engaged. But kids still want the same things... They want to grow, want discipline, be part of something special... Something bigger than them
- How to communicate with young people?
  - Social media: Must use it, need to be there
  - Spend most time face to face with them
Typical day?
- Be intentional about how allocate time
- Plan ahead -- Must cover what's most important. Must prioritize
- Control own energy - Track sleep and work out daily
- Set weekly goals (write them down) for face to face interactions, time to learn/read/podcast listening, time with family/friends. Carry a book to help keep track
  - "Sometimes I fail, sometimes I crush it"
Read The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
Read Legacy
Learning Leader - I was first turned on to the show because of the title.
- Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant - "Their ability to learn was what I was impressed with most about them. LeBron remembered everything you said."

"How"Their ability to learn was what I was impressed with most. LeBron remembered everything you said." -- Wojo discussing his time coaching Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant

225: Dan Heath - The Power Of Defining Moments Oct 01, 2017

Episode 225: Dan Heath - The Power Of Defining Moments

Dan Heath is a Senior Fellow at Duke University’s CASE center, which supports social entrepreneurs. At CASE, he founded the Change Academy, a program designed to boost the impact of social sector leaders.

Dan is the co-author, along with his brother Chip, of three New York Times bestsellers: Decisive, Switch, and Made to Stick. Amazon.com’s editors named Switch one of the Best Nonfiction Books of the Year, and it spent 47 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list. Made to Stick was named the Best Business Book of the Year and spent 24 months on the BusinessWeek bestseller list. Their books have been translated into over 30 languages.

Previously, Dan worked as a researcher and case writer for Harvard Business School. In 1997, Dan co-founded an innovative publishing company called Thinkwell, which continues to produce a radically reinvented line of college textbooks.

Dan has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from the Plan II Honors Program from the University of Texas at Austin. One proud geeky moment for Dan was his victory in the 2005 New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest, beating out 13,000 other entrants. He lives in Durham, NC.

What have you failed at this week?" "There's no such thing as a good mentor who doesn't push you."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence. Common Themes of Leaders who Sustain Excellence:
- Decision making - The ability to make a string of good decisions
  - Avoid traps
  - Narrow framing -- Cannot just think of 1 option
Decisions are often made because of political reasons, persuasive people, or PowerPoint... They should be made through experiments instead
The process of writing with his brother Chip Heath
- 10 year age gap (54-44)
- They are different people. The work is the glue for their relationship
- Chip is a professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business
- The life changing effect of their book Switch. They hit the jackpot --> Time magazine, The Today Show
What is it that allows change to happen?
- Our brains are wired with two independent systems:
  - Rational
  - Emotional
    - What makes change difficult is when those 2 disagree... The same forces are at place within organizations. The heart of Switch -- The emotional side is stronger than the rational side. We must get that in order to change.
How do we make an experience better? -- We must take the reins to make a moment better
- The John Deere new hire experience -- You leave your first day thinking "Wow, I belong here." They intentionally take care of their people.
- Transition moments are so important. We need to pay attention to them and be aware. --> Graduation, weddings, retirement, first day at a new job, etc
  - "Cultures pay attention to big moments"
Sara Blakely story growing up... The question her Dad asked her and her siblings at the dinner table -- "What have you failed at this week?"
- We need to get comfortable with trying new things... And failing sometimes. It builds resilience, GRIT
David Scott Yaeger 2 part formula for mentors and mentees
- High Standards + Assurance -- "I have high expectations for you... And I know you can do it."
- "There's no such thing as a good mentor who doesn't push you." -- STRETCH
The powerful story of Eugene O'Kelly and how he chose to live his life when he found out he had 3 months left to live
- "I experienced more Perfect moments and Perfect days in two weeks than I had in the last 5 years or than I probably would have in the next 5 years had my life continued without the diagnosis."
- Look at your own calendar, do you see perfect days ahead? Could you create 30 perfect days? What would it take to motivate you to create a Perfect Moment?

"How Look at your own calendar, do you see perfect days ahead? Could you create 30 perfect days? What would it take to motivate you to create a Perfect Moment?"

Social Media:

Read: Switch
Read: The Power Of Moments
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

The Learning Leader Show is supported by Callaway Golf. We have partnered to give away The #1 selling Driver in 2017. The Callaway GBB Epic Driver. This club is valued at $499 and we are giving one away to a loyal listener of the show. To enter the drawing: Tweet (or post on Instagram) a favorite leadership quote from an episode of The Learning Leader Show and tag/@ me on Twitter or Instagram.

224: Mike McDerment, CEO Of FreshBooks - Lead With Trust Sep 24, 2017

Mike McDerment is the co-founder and CEO of FreshBooks, the world’s #1 cloud accounting software for self-employed professionals. Built in 2003 after he accidentally saved over an invoice, Mike spent 3.5 years growing FreshBooks from his parents’ basement. Since then, over 10 million people have used FreshBooks to save time billing, and collect billions of dollars.

The Learning Leader Show

"We give trust to earn trust. Lead with trust. That's the world I want to live in."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence. Common Themes of Leaders who Sustain Excellence:
- Been through something hard
- Strong morals - set of values, make upstanding decisions, believe in people, don't compromise
- Creative
- Surround self with great people
- Strong desire to grow
- Default Trust to "ON"
First Principles -- Distill things down to underlying system: The act of taking a problem and breaking it down
Building FreshBooks -- "I didn't know anything about anything."
The #1 place to work -- have won awards for their culture
What do you do? "We are in the business of saving people time."
Moving to his parents basement to start the business... Running lean
Culture takes deliberate thought
- Must have people who are diverse but share your values
- Need guidelines/rule sets
The 9 Values:
- Passion - Love your craft
- Ownership
- Results
- Change - Bring learning and growth
- Honesty
- Fun - Deliberately make it fun
- Empathy
- Strive - Stretch
- Trust
- Secrecy - Open inside, but nothing leaves from inside
Values/Culture used in 2 ways
- Publicly recognize people living the values
- Swiftly eliminate people who don't embody those values - Listen, hear, be open. Recognize that cultures need to be hacked, evolve, change.
Inner office dating? Why is that promoted? What does it mean?
Everyone spends the first month in customer service. All build that foundation -- Why they prolong onboarding and how that leads to long term success
Make decisions today to win in 3-5 years
Decided to re-platform even though the rule is to "never re-write or re-platform"
"How do you minimize risk, but maximize impact?"
"Something that no one had ever done before. Create a new company in secret."
Lead with trust: "We give trust to earn trust. Lead with trust. That's the world I want to live in."
Imposter Syndrome and FEAR. Embracing it
"Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable" -- It's the path to growth. Nobody has all of the answers
Advice to 20 year old -- He was lost, not doing well. Realize that everyone else is too. Nobody knows what they are doing even if it looks like they do."
Read -- E Myth (Michael Gerber), Idea Virus (Seth Godin), Execution (Ram Charan)
Learning Leader -- Per Mike, "That's me." The challenge & personal growth.

"How do you minimize risk and maximize impact?"

Social Media:

Read: Execution - Ram Charan
Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeMcDerment
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

223: Kim Malone Scott - Using Radical Candor To Be A Great Boss Sep 17, 2017

The Learning Leader Show

223: Kim Malone Scott - Using Radical Candor To Be A Great Boss

"It is important for leaders to be learners, not tellers."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence. Common Themes of Leaders who Sustain Excellence:
- They care about their people as humans, they care personally
- They are honest, not worried about being liked all the time, they are willing to challenge directly
Can you be both liked and respected?
- Yes, but you shouldn't strive to be popular
Jony Ive and Steve Jobs story -- Steve told them the team their work was of poor quality. Jony said, "Why were you so harsh Steve?" Steve asked, "Why didn't you tell them the work was bad? It's your job to do that." Jony replied, "I didn't want them to be upset or distraught." Steve said, "You are vain. You just want to be liked."
The biggest mistake new bosses make is trying to be liked by everyone and NOT being direct.
Your employees should never have to say, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" -- A great boss gives directly feedback in a timely manner
A great boss creates an environment where everyone can tell the truth (up, down, and sideways in an organization)
Understand the framework
How to created this culture?
- Start by asking for feedback. You can't give feedback if you're not willing to take it.
- Go to question: "What could I be doing to make it better for you?"
- Use a "Start, Stop, Continue" exercise
Create a "Speak Truth To Power" environment
Embrace the discomfort
"Listen with the intent to understand... Not just waiting to talk."
Must reward the candor -- When you receive good feedback, you must implement it. You must fix the problem.
Google/Sheryl Sandberg story
- Sheryl's feedback: "You said "um" a lot during that presentation, would you like a speech coach?" -- "No, I'm fine, thanks." -- "Kim, when you say "um" every third word, it makes you sound stupid."
  - Sheryl knew she need to be very direct with Kim and they built a relationship of trust and care. That's the only way she was able to get through to Kim and help her
Hiring is the most important decision you will make as a leader
- "If you're not dying to work with that person, don't hire them"
- Steve Jobs - "It's better to have a hole than an asshole"
- Dick Costolo - "You can't just hire great people and get out of their way. You must invest time in helping them, develop them even more."
Jony Ive - "New ideas are fragile. You must create space to talk about them."
"Your job as the boss isn't to be the decider, it's to make sure everyone knows who the decider is."
The Wright Brothers -- Watching birds for hours --> Learning how to build wings for human airplane flight
Dick Costolo -- Build in 2 hours of "think time" per day in your calendar
Career advice:
- "Quit talk of building a great resume, build a great life"
- Find people to have career talks with... Recount your life story with them. Zero in on changes you've made. Think "What motivates you about work?" Understand what drives you, what matters, why? -- Think about your dreams... Make sure your dreams and values are in alignment. Create a plan
"It is important for leaders to be learners, not tellers."

"When you say "Um" every third word, it makes you sound stupid." -- Sheryl Sandberg's direct feedback to Kim after a presentation to Larry & Sergei

Social Media:

Read: Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity
Follow Kim on Twitter: @kimballscott
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

222: Jon Acuff - How To Finish (Give Yourself The Gift Of Done) Sep 10, 2017

Jon Acuff is back for a second time on The Learning Leader Show!

JON ACUFF is the author of five books, including the New York Times Bestseller Do Over. For nineteen years he’s helped companies like the Home Depot, Bose, Staples, and AutoTrader.com tell their stories. He’s a well-known public speaker, and his blogs have been read by millions of fans. His most recent book is: Finish - Give Yourself The Gift of Done.

If you'd like to listen to the first conversation Jon and I had on January 27, 2016, CLICK HERE.

Episode 222: Jon Acuff

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

Want to write a book? "What question are you willing to spend two years answering?"

Show Notes:

Why Jon dedicated this new book to his parents and their belief in him as a writer
- His Dad was a pastor, a communicator. Have to learn how to shape ideas and be a speaker
What took so long for Jon to believe he was a writer?
- "I'm a writer. When you do it enough, it becomes possible. I've written six books."
Why this book?
- "People say, I like your book Start, but I never finish, how do I finish?"
Like Jim Collins, Jon says, "What is a question I'm willing to spend two years answering?"
91% of Americans want to write a book and less than 1% of them do it
"I want this thing to be part of my life... This has multiple applications."
James Clear says it's the friction at the start... Lacing up the shoes and beginning the run.
- Jon reply "Is it harder to buy a treadmill or use the treadmill?"
This is built on research. 900 participants. It is a data driven book
How to mix in humor... Why to study stand up comedians?
- "I've watched 100 stand up comedians for every 1 business leader"
"If you want to enjoy the internet more, you must know it's not about you. It never is." -- People are thinking about themselves (Tracy McGrady & JR Smith)
Goal Setting:
- Cut them in half, make the goals smaller
- Test principles -- Look to be 5%-10% better
- "Before I set a goal, I make sure it is the right size"
- How this relates to setting sales goals/quotas in a big company
  - Need a culture of honesty and realistic goals in order to thrive, grow, and survive
- "A goal is a promise to yourself"
"Make it fun if you want it done"
- Satisfaction goes up
- Performance goes up
How to get something done?
- Reward
- Fear
- Which one do you better respond to? You need to know. How about the people that work for you? You need to know
How Jon will read 156 books this year
What is the story you want to tell your kids?
Are you proud of what you do everyday?
"The old rules don't apply anymore... The faucet of freelance money can turn on."
Why do some have "the fear of success?"
- Fear of money
- Fear of high expectations
- Self sabotage
- Fear of "what's next?"

221: Phil Jones - What To Say To Influence And Impact Others (Magic Words) Sep 03, 2017

Episode 221: Phil Jones - What To Say To Influence And Impact Others (Magic Words)

Phil’s passion to “Teach The World To Sell”, now sees him traveling the globe speaking to a breadth of audiences, from small business owners to workforces and mass organizations, spreading his message and sharing his highly credited teachings. To date he’s spoken in 56 different countries across five continents and with his growing popularity, he’s expected to add many more to his roster.

Episode 221: Phil Jones - What To Say To Influence And Impact Others (Magic Words)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"I Learned That Success Leaves Clues."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence:
- Dogged determination
- Curiosity - Continue to demand improvement from self
- Detach self of the outcome - be of service to your customer. Celebrate quietly in the background when the client wins
How he learned to hustle:
- Came from a home without much money... Learned to sell his mom's sandwiches at lunch. Then started a business going door to door offering to wash cars for money
- He grew to make more money than his teachers when he was 15
  - "How much money are you making sire?" -- Phil would say to teachers when they criticized him for missing class
- By 18, he was named the youngest sales manager in fashion retailer Debenhams, history
Day to Day
- Phil delivers 100 keynote presentations a year
- "Respect is something that is to be earned"
Ridiculous goal -- "Get my book in front of one million people"
Using Magic words
- "I'm not sure if it's for you, but..."
"Magic words are words that speak right to the subconscious of our brain"
If you change 1 or 2 words, it can change everything. You must learn, train, and prepare... Write a script
- "You still cry at movies... But the actor is reading a script. It's not real. You need to learn to read scripts."
Magic Word/Phrase
- "You wouldn't happen to know..." -- Create a path of least resistance for a referral
How has Phil learned what he teaches?
- "120,000 negotiations. Messing up. Being brave enough to say what works and what doesn't."
Magic Word/Phrase
- "How open minded are you?" -- When you're trying to internally sell a new idea, this works. Everyone wants to see themselves as open minded. This phrase primes the brain to be more open minded to a new idea. It helps people opt in to your idea.
How to open a keynote speech?
- Ask questions of the audience...
  - "Change one word to change everything" (Listen for more in depth story. This was a really good part. Around the 26:30 mark)
"Questions start conversations, conversations lead to relationships, relationships lead to opportunities."
Methods for prospecting:
- You don't need to knock on every door
- A great story on what you would do if you lost a child at a department store (again... must listen)
- "Go look for who you really want." You must identify those people
- Define who they are...
- "You wouldn't happen to know?"
How he runs/manages his business and prospects
- Franchises, MLMs, Healthcare space
- Referrals, gifts, emails, calls
- Utilizing Robert Cialdini's method for reciprocity... "They end up thanking ME!"
- 3rd party credibility and permission
Magic Word/Phrase:
- "Just one more thing..." -- TV detectives in the 80's and 90's
- This helps both upsells AND downsells (sometimes you won't get the huge deal initially... Must work your way in to build the relationship starting small)
Magic Word/Phrase:
- "Most People..." -- "This helps you tell people what to do without telling them what to do."
- People love to be led. Example: Yelp reviews
- When people are stuck being indecisive... "Look, what most people do..."
Learning Leader = Leaders are always learning. "You've never arrived. You're always becoming."
- Good, Better, or Best: What do you want?
  - You want to be better... Always striving to improve

"Questions start conversations. Conversations lead to relationships. Relationships lead to opportunities."

Social Media:

Read: Exactly What To Say
Follow Phil on Twitter: @philmjonesuk
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

220: Robert Greene - The Laws Of Power & Mastery Aug 27, 2017

The Learning Leader Show

Episode 220: Robert Greene - The Laws Of Power & Mastery

Robert Greene is an American author and speaker known for his books on strategy, power and seduction. He has written five international bestsellers: The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law and Mastery. In addition to having a strong following within the business world and a deep following in Washington, DC, Greene’s books are hailed by everyone from war historians to the biggest musicians in the industry (including Jay-Z and 50 Cent).

"Do Not Speak Unless You Can Improve Upon The Silence."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence:
- Self Mastery
- Self Control -- "We are emotional animals, governed by emotions. It can get you in trouble."
- Self Discipline
- Flexibility -- Ability to adapt
Why Napoleon was successful? He had a front line obsession
Writing a book with 50 Cent
- "Never let your guard down"
Law 4 - Always say less than necessary. "Do not speak unless you can improve upon the silence."
- Learn the power of being quiet
- If you're upset about an email, do not respond emotionally. Wait 24 hours and then respond with a level head
Law 9 - Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument. "Demonstrate, do not explicate."
- Commit to action. Words are devalued
- "Show them. Don't talk."
Law 10 - Infection: Avoid The Unhappy and Unlucky
- You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with
- "We absorb the energy of other people."
- Look to "level up" your peer group at all time"
How to deal with a person in a power position who you do not like or respect?
- Do not let them see you upset. Do not show them emotion (when they try to rile you up)
Did President Trump read The 48 Laws of Power? He appears to have used some of the laws to help get elected:
- Law 6 - Court attention at all cost
- Law 17 - Keep others in suspended terror. Cultivate an air of unpredictability
- Law 27 - Play on people's need to believe to create a cult like following
Very common in business for an "aggressive, loud yeller" to push people around and somehow get promoted... But once they have to actually lead and manage people, they fail miserably
Rappers, movie stars, athletes quoting (even tattooing) The 48 Laws. How has that impacted you? Great satisfaction, but even more from "regular" people who email him and said his work helped them start a business or quit a bad job.
"Sometimes you don't know what you're intended to do. It pays to have an open mind." -- Robert didn't write The 48 Laws of Power until he was 38 years old
"The human brain does not learn unless it is excited"
Cesar Rodriguez -- "Trust The Process" -- You must get reps, reps, reps in order to achieve any level of excellence
- Think long term and put in the necessary work to be great
Advice: "You were born with a purpose. Tap into what makes you different and unique. There is tremendous pressure to fit in. You will have success if you dig deep, be adventurous, try things out. Respect your unique-ness, something great will happen."

"The Human Brain Does Not Learn Unless It Is Excited."

Social Media:

Read: The 48 Laws Of Power
Read: Mastery
Follow Robert on Twitter: @RobertGreene
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

219: Eric Barker - Everything You Know About Success Is (Mostly) Wrong Aug 20, 2017

219: Eric Barker - Everything You Know About Success Is (Mostly) Wrong

Eric Barker is a thought leader in the field of success. His humorous, practical blog, "Barking Up the Wrong Tree", presents science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life. Over 300,000 people subscribe to his weekly newsletter and his content is syndicated by Time Magazine, The Week, and Business Insider. He has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic Monthly, and the Financial Times. Eric is also a sought-after speaker and interview subject, and has been invited to speak at MIT, Yale, West Point, the University of Pennsylvania, NPR affiliates, and on morning television.

To Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: www.RyanHawk.net

www.LearningLeader.com

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence:
- Consistent habits and routines
- Experiment
- Evolve
- Learn/Grow
- Create a feedback loop
Steve Martin -- "Being great isn't hard. Being consistent is." -- (Note: Watch the Steve Martin MasterClass) -- Meta principal for how people do things
- "Hit the ball every time. It's hard."
Eric started the blog in 2009 -- He read abstracts, academic research
- He wanted to focus on things that were applicable to being awesome at life
"The future is already here, it's just not evenly distributed."
How he went from unemployed --> MBA in 2009 --> Screenwriter in Hollywood for Disney, Fox --> Successful blog/book
Advice to people who have a side hustle: "It's a hard road. Give 1 hour per day to it. If you really want to do it, there will be trade offs. You have to measure how you will spend your time and what's important to you."
Book writing vs Blog writing -- Book = 5 days per week working on. Blog = 2 days per week.
How can we find work life balance? -- "It did not previously exist for me."
- How to say NO like Warren Buffett
Networking -- Who you know is very important... However there is a tradeoff and extroverts waste time "at the water cooler"
Nice guys, Givers... There is a tight rope between confidence and delusion
- There is a problem: "Nobody likes narcissism and hubris, but some confident people have those qualities."
When is it a good idea to quit?
- "It's unrealistic to never quit. We quit things all the time. Show GRIT on the things that are important to you."
Make little bets -- Read Little Bets by Peter Sims
Learning Leader = Humility

"People love having choices... But people hate making choices."

Social Media:

Read: Barking Up The Wrong Tree
Follow Eric on Twitter: @bakadesuyo
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

218: David Hornik - Why Givers Win Aug 13, 2017

Episode #218: David Hornik - Why Givers Win

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence:
- Great story-tellers -- Every message is better told as a story
- Great sales people
Why generous people win in the long run -- David is naturally generous
He answers every email
VC's invest in people more than investing in a product
The story of Danny Shader and their daughters' soccer team
- The many conversations which led to working together after Danny initially turned David down because he thought he was "too nice" -- Why he was wrong
The aspect of the job that David doesn't like -- Narcissistic people - "You don't have to be that way"
"In the long run, doing the things you like, with the people you like, will be better"
What percentage of your job do you love? -- "North of 80% of it. I've been doing this for 17 years. You have to do it with people you enjoy. If not, it's terrible."
Do you have a boss? -- "Not really"
How to handle a bad loss? -- "We lost $35m at one point. A lot of sleepless nights. It was very hard. This business is not all about succeeding."
Why doesn't David use hard end dates on his term sheets like all other VC's? "Investing is a big decision."
How to differentiate from other VC's?
- Money is all the same, does not differentiate
- "It's about help, guidance. I tell them to speak with every person I've ever worked with. Ask them what they think."
- "I genuinely care about people I work with"
"The Lobby" -- David's annual conference -- "The best values from conferences are the relationships with other attendees."
- Do work outside at a table in Hawaii -- It promotes better work
- Best advice for hosting and event? "Maniacally curate the guest list. It has to be full of givers. If takers are there, it won't work."
- Start the conference with a fun game
- Do NOT gather in conference rooms (Hence the name "The Lobby") - The best conversations happen during the breaks in the lobby
- Goal is to break even on the event. The budget is more than $1m -- Get sponsors, the guests all pay
"The goal in life is to have a good time... To have a good life. What's the point otherwise?"
"My goal is to surround myself with great people and enjoy my life. See what's out there if you don't like what you're doing."
Making a lot of money... Impact? "If I make more, I can give more away."

217: JJ Redick - "You've Never Arrived. You're Always Becoming." Aug 06, 2017

217: JJ Redick - "You've Never Arrived. You're Always Becoming."

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

JJ Redick is an iconic and legendary basketball player from Duke University. He is their all time leading scorer. JJ was the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft (Orlando Magic). He's going in to his 12th NBA season. He recently signed a 1 year, $23 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. He graduated from Duke with a major in history and a minor in cultural anthropology. He is an extremely thoughtful leader and someone I loved talking to...

The Learning Leader Show

"There was never any sense that I was done accomplishing things. You've never arrived. You're always becoming."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence:
- Passion for what they do
  - Coach K has this at Duke, Steve Ballmer has this with Microsoft as well
- They master the small stuff -- Read The Carrot Seed
  - Being in the weeds everyday
  - Diligence to be in the weeds
- Adaptability
  - Coach K doesn't have a system. He adapts to his current players. It changes every year. Same is true for Bill Belichick and Greg Popovich
  - "How do I maximize this team's personnel?"
  - "Each year you have to adapt"
The power of receiving a daily devotional
"There was never any sense that I was done accomplishing things."
The importance of coaches, parents, and friends to never let JJ feel entitled. They would call him out if needed
- 2nd half of the ACC championship when he was acting like a brat. Chris Collins called him out
How do we develop GRIT in our children if we're able to provide anything they could ever want?
- "The biggest thing I learned from my Dad was he went to work everyday. Then he came home and would work on the house, the yard, and work more. He showed me how to work."
- Live under your means
- "Stuff doesn't matter, we care more about having great experiences as a family"
Falling Upward - "to reach the second half of your journey, you need to fail" -- It's necessary
Working in an imperfect environment -- "Mastering mechanics in an imperfect environment"
- "You can't master it unless you've done it over and over and over"
  - "It's very rare that anyone works in a perfect environment" -- You must be able to adapt
Mindset going in to free agency? "Wanted stability. Had 15 minutes to decide on the 76ers offer."
Being an "over thinker." "Addicted to information" -- How does that impact him as a shooter?
- "I am addicted to information. I am a deep dive person."
How to handle a slump? --"You have to enjoy the mundane. I love going in the gym and shooting over and over." (Angela Duckworth -- GRIT)
Goal setting process -- Each year, write down a list of what you want to accomplish
- Some examples: Win an NBA championship, get a sleeve (arm) tattoo, have a son, go on a great European vacation.
  - Setting life goals every year -- "How do we include other people on this journey?"
  - A "Words of Wisdom" file on his phone
Life after basketball
- General Manager in front office or creating a media company to tell interesting stories. Building something. Anthony Bourdain is the blueprint. He uses food to tell interesting stories
- OR the idea of completely reinventing himself. "That idea is both terrifying and exciting at the same time."
- "The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”
Building relationships and networks in a variety of places
Working with and learning from LeBron James and Maverick Carter

"The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”

Social Media:

Read: The Carrot Seed
See why over 280,000 people follow JJ on Twitter: @JJRedick
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 078: Kat Cole - From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

216: Jim Collins - How To Go From Good To Great Jul 30, 2017

Episode 216: Jim Collins – How To Go From Good To Great

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence:
- Never go to a meeting without writing down 5 questions prior to the meeting
- Always follow up the meeting with at least a page of notes -- Share those with your mentor
What made you say yes to The Learning Leader Show after 2 1/2 years?
- It requires intense focus to prepare
- This is a teaching moment
- Only say yes if it's going to be impactful. The team determined this show was the right place to do that
Always ask yourself -- "How can I make myself useful to the world?"
- This was advice originally given to him by Peter Drucker
A great teacher can change your life in 30 seconds -- Peter Drucker did that for Jim
"I am constitutionally unemployable" -- Why Jim feels this about himself
His curiosity has led to the success and most importantly... Great questions like:
- How to turn something into an enduring great company?
- How someone or a company can go from Good To Great?
Jim most admired Peter Drucker when he was 35 years old...
- The story of their first meeting and how Peter was the curious one... Kept peppering Jim with questions to start the conversation (much like Jim did to me to start this conversation)
- "The ultimate zen master with bamboo stick"
Drucker - "It seems to me that you spend a lot of time worrying if you will survive. You probably will survive. You seem to focus a lot on the question, "how to be successful?" That is the wrong question. The right question is "How to be useful?"
What would it have cost Jim to not publish Good To Great after he finished the manuscript? -- More than $100m. He had to get it out in the world. He felt it was his responsibility to do so...
Another great mentor said to Jim... "When seeking an entrepreneurial path... Cut off all other options and GO."
"Everything is driven by by questions"
Can a good company become a great company? How?
Level 5 Leader
- Starts with confronting the brutal facts
- Personal humility and professional will
- Not what, but who -- Get the right people on the bus
Does not happen in one fell swoop or a leap. It happens over time. Flywheel -- Create momentum
Understand the hedgehog concept -- An expert in one thing... Knows it very well
- 3 Parts of the Hedgehog concept
  - Deeply passionate about it
  - Encoded for it... You're really good at it. An expert
  - Economically, you can make money from it
Level 5 Leaders:
- What cause do I serve?
- Humility to serve... It's not about them
- Willful -- Able to make difficult decisions
For the best Level 5 Leaders... How do they sustain it?
- It's easier for them because they understand their personal hedgehog -- It helps them remain renewed after many years
"Measured Risk" vs. "Burn The Boats"
- Fire Bullets... Then Cannon Balls
  - For Jim, this was his first two books + his time as a professor at Stanford before he decided to leave to start his own company
You must navigate your path. It doesn't mean you take unfounded risk... Fire bullets first, then cannonballs
- "If you never fire a cannonball, you'll never make it.
"BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)
- How to write a good one?
- Take calibrated, calculated risk --
- Have things to keep you alive even if everything goes wrong
  - Productive Paranoia
Validation - What are points of success you can look to?
- Jim's wife Joann committing to winning an Ironman race... She was a consultant at the time. She was also a runner. She tried biking and was very good at it. Eventually she practiced, took measured risks, and won the Ironman race
"If you were a trial attorney and had to win the case, what evidence would you use?"
The Flywheel principle and putting it to use for Jeff Bezos and the Amazon team -- How could they build momentum? After Jim met with Jeff Bezos and his leadership team in 2001, Amazon executives were elated; according to several members of the team at the time, they felt that, after five years, they finally understood their own business.Most important for young leaders -- Jim's advice
"FIRST WHO, THEN WHAT?"
- Who do you want to mentor you? Who do you want to mentor?
- Who do you want to be your friends? Who do you want to work with? Who do you want to spend time with?
- The most important question is WHO
- You don't need to answer WHAT until you answer WHO

"The most important question is WHO. First WHO, then WHAT. Who will be your mentor? Who will be your friends? Who will you help? Who will you spend time with? You don't need to answer what until well after you've answered WHO."

Social Media:

Read: Good To Great
Read: Great By Choice
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
More Learning:
Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: NateBoyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

The Learning Leader Show is supported by Callaway Golf. We have partnered to give away The #1 selling Driver in 2017. The Callaway GBB Epic Driver. This club is valued at $499 and we are giving one away to a loyal listener of the show. To enter the drawing: Tweet (or post on Instagram) a favorite leadership quote from an episode of The Learning Leader Show and tag/@ me on Twitter or Instagram.
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

Jim Collins is a student and teacher of leadership and what makes great companies tick. Having invested a quarter century of research into the topic, he has authored or co-authored six books that have sold in total more than ten million copies worldwide. They include: GOOD TO GREAT, the #1 bestseller, which examines why some companies and leaders make the leap to superior results, along with its companion work GOOD TO GREAT AND THE SOCIAL SECTORS; the enduring classic BUILT TO LAST, which explores how some leaders build companies that remain visionary for generations; HOW THE MIGHTY FALL, which delves into how once-great companies can self-destruct; and most recently, GREAT BY CHOICE, which is about thriving in chaos – why some do, and others don’t – and the leadership behaviors needed in a world beset by turbulence, disruption, uncertainty, and dramatic change.

215: Chris Fussell -- How To Build A Team of Teams (One Mission) Jul 23, 2017

Episode 215: Chris Fussell -- How To Build A Team of Teams (One Mission)

Chris Fussell is a Partner at the McChrystal Group Leadership Institute. He is the author of One Mission: How Leaders Build a Team of Teams, and a co-author of the New York Times bestseller Team of Teams, the first book in the series. He was commissioned as a Naval Officer in 1997 and spent the next 15 years on U.S. Navy SEAL Teams around the globe. He then served as Aide-de-Camp to Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal during McChrystal’s final year commanding a Joint Special Operations Task Force fighting Al Qaeda around the globe.

Since leaving active duty in 2012, Fussell has also served as a Senior Fellow for National Security at New America, sits on the Board of Directors for the Navy SEAL Foundation, is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and teaches at Yale University’s Jackson Institute.

Episode 215: Chris Fussell -- How To Build A Team of Teams (One Mission)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Remember, your position has little formal authority but massive reach. For many of the organizations we interact with, their entire opinion of our organization will be shaped off the tone of your emails, the courtesy you give their staff, and the respect you show for their Mission." -- General Stanley McChrystal speaking to Chris Fussell immediately following him becoming his Aide-De-Camp

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence:
- A constant intellectual curiosity
The interview process to become General McChrystal's Aide-De-Camp
- A unique window to get that exposure
- McChrystal trusted that if Chris wasn't qualified, then he wouldn't have been nominated
- Career goals --> Family situation (could it handle Chris working 24/7 for a year? --> What would Chris enjoy about it?
- What sealed Chris earning the job? Chris being incredibly curious about wanting to fully understand how the organization runs at a high level. General McChrystal loved that about Chris
"It was one of the hardest years of my career"
- It was intense but the exposure was phenomenal
"If we've hit a point for 24 hours where we aren't questioning something, or there is no friction, then something is wrong"
How to handle issues at UBER?
- "The issue is putting too much on to 1 person. It's not about 1 heroic leader. There needs to be a cultural shift. They need to create a leadership culture."
Operating Rhythm -- John Heisman 1899: The hurry up offense. Just because you have a 40 second play clock, doesn't mean you have to use all of it.
- Chris and team were on a 24 hour operating rhythm. They re-synchronized every 24 hours. Had to have a flexible approach to handle the enemy.
  - A sense of shaped consciousness
Chris Zook
- An aversion to bureaucracy
- Front line obsession
Transparency of communication model
- Senior leaders remain in close contact with issues on the ground without having to put out all of the fires
  - Hybrid model layered into it --> Interconnected model
McChrystal's advice to Chris when he first got the job: "Remember, your position has little formal authority but massive reach. For many of the organizations we interact with, their entire opinion of our organization will be shaped off the tone of your emails, the courtesy you give their staff, and the respect you show for their Mission."
Chris's career advice:
- Don't think about money/industry -- Think what matters most to you? Lifestyle -- Coaching little league or being a high level CEO? Where do you want to be in 5 years? Where do you want to live? Do you want to raise a family? Important to map all of that out and build a profession around those goals.
- Chris also teaches at Yale and does this exercise
  - Write a letter to yourself -- What type of leader do you want to be in 5 years? Map out your goals

"It's a cultural shift. A development of a leadership culture is needed." -- Chris Fussell discussing the changes he would make at UBER

Social Media:

Follow Chris on Twitter: @FussellChris
Read: One Mission: How Leaders Build A Team Of Teams
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: NateBoyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

214: Jason Calacanis - How To Turn $100,000 Into $100,000,000 (Angel Investing) Jul 16, 2017

Episode 214: Jason Calacanis - How To Turn $100,000 Into $100,000,000 (Angel Investing)

Jason Calacanis is a technology entrepreneur and an angel investor. The founder of a series of conferences that bring entrepreneurs together with potentials investors, he was a scout for top-tier Silicon Valley venture capital firm Sequoia Capital and frequently appears in the media. He is the author of a new book, Angel: How To Invest In Technology Startups - Timeless Advice From An Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000.

Episode 214: Jason Calacanis - How To Turn $100,000 Into $100,000,000 (Angel Investing)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"I don't need to know if your product will succeed. I need to know if you will succeed."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence/Key Traits in the greatest Founders
- Craftsmanship -- Making something, having attention to detail, understanding the why
- Passion
- Intentionality
- Thoughtful - Do they know why they do what they do
As an investor, you need to ask short questions
- "Small Mouth, Big Ears" -- LISTEN. Let the founder talk
Are they a missionary or a mercenary? Need to know
- Why are they doing this?
- They need to understand that it is really hard
Self awareness is a must -- Jason knows that he is a compulsive gambler. He has a risk taking approach. He likes having an edge.
- But he also has "tilt control." He knows when to lay down a big hand (poker speak for when you have a big hand but still know it's not enough)
- You need to know who you are and what you enjoy
"I love being the guy cutting a check for a founder that nobody else believes in"
- "I win about once in every 40 investments. I was a poor kid from Brooklyn and now I'm extremely wealthy"
"I found a casino called Silicon Valley"
"There are a lot of really dumb people who are fabulously wealthy in Silicon Valley"
"Investing in this market is like being dealt the Ace of Spades"
Winning big poker hands against Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth
Jason covered Travis Kalanick while he was at Scour
When Travis showed him Uber, Jason immediately said, "Can I invest?"
Were some of the qualities that led to Travis and Uber's success also what led to the problems?
- He has a fighter mentality. That's why he's been so successful. It's a fair question to ask if that's what has led to these problems as well...
- Sometimes you have to take a step back and analyze what's happening
- Getting from A to B, you need to fight. Going from B to C, you need empathy
How do you get paid as an Angel Investor?
- Go public -- IPO
- Secondary Shares -- Company buys back shares from early investors (this happened for Jason with Facebook)
- Company is bought -- WhatsApp, Oculus, Instagram -- Get cash/stock
Investing practices
- How much of your bankroll do you put in play?
- Build a network -- Technology is the future
Ways that everyone can invest
- Syndicates
- Angel List
- Seed Invest

Social Media:

See why over 286,000 people follow Jason on Twitter: @Jason
Read: Angel - How To Invest In Technology Startups - Timeless Advice From An Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 Into $100,000,000
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: NateBoyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

The Learning Leader Show is supported by Rhone. Use the code "Leader" for 15% off. Rhone... premium activewear engineered with principle, performance and progress for the modern man. Rhone builds clothing around 3 main tenants: Cutting-edge Performance, Premium Comfort, and Simplistic Style.

213: Ryan Holiday - How To Make Work That Lasts (Perennial Seller) Jul 09, 2017

Episode 213: Ryan Holiday - How To Make Work That Lasts (Perennial Seller)

This is Round 3 with best-selling author, entrepreneur, and renowned marketing strategist, Ryan Holiday. If you'd like to listen to our first conversation, go HERE. If you'd like to check out the second one, go HERE. Brian Koppelman (screenwriter & director: Rounders, Ocean’s Thirteen and Billions) once said, “I don’t have many rules in life, but one I never break is: If Ryan Holiday writes a book, I read it as soon as I can get my hands on it.” I agree. And I love every opportunity I have to speak with and learn from Ryan Holiday. I'm thankful that he sent me an advanced copy of his newest book, Perennial Seller. And if you care about making work that lasts, I urge you to read it.

Episode 213: Ryan Holiday - How To Make Work That Lasts (Perennial Seller)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Give, Give, Give, Give... Build Karmic Debt."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence = Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick embracing Obstacle Is The Way and Ego Is The Enemy
How to build something that is "timeless"
- When you build your home, are you thinking about how it will look in 10 years
- When you cut your hair or wear an outfit, do you think about how it will look years later in pictures?
Why write Perennial Seller?
- It's important not to dive in until you have a path
- Always think, "How do I make this last?"
- "Literary greatness is 10 years or more"
- "I have to follow my own advice"
Platform
- How Kevin Hart built his platform (and email list) every night while on stage
- People need to think about how they are building their platform long before they launch
- Kevin Kelly -- 1,000 true fans
- Who are you launching to?
- "Kevin Hart was knocked on his ass. He would go to cities where he didn't have fans to build up his platform and email list. This was before he was famous."
- "People want to have a platform, but they don't want to build a platform."
  - You must build it through giving
  - Ryan Holiday built his email list to 81,000 by recommending books. He recommended 1,000 books before he asked anyone to buy one of his.
"Give, Give, Give, Give... Build Karmic Debt." -- The world is not zero sum
The success of Eric Barker and his book Barking Up The Wrong Tree. He built his email list up to 300,000 people by blogging/writing regularly for years. He gave for free, provided value. His book sold many and became a best seller because he built his platform.
Jeff Bezos -- "Focus on the things that do not change." - Zoom in on something timeless.
"It starts by wanting to create a classic." -- Robert Greene
How do we avoid falling for the seduction of short term notability to focus on long term success?
- The "Lindy Effect" -- Nasim Taleb
The Obstacle Is The Way sold 3,000 books the first week, then steadily sold more. Now it sells about 1,000 a week.
"What are you making and who are you making it for?"
"Marketing is not separate, it's part of the puzzle."
Ryan discusses still receiving "hate" for Trust Me I'm Lying
Idea --> Execution. Casey Neistat "I don't want to hear about your best idea. The idea is the easy part."
Writing Routines -- Why Ryan started studying the routines of other great writers
- "You have to have a routine. You must treat this creative profession like a profession"
- Being very descriptive with the work
Why being in great physical shape is "part of the job"
- You should do some form of strenuous exercise every single day
- Seinfeld -- Chain method. Put an X on the calendar every day for exercise
- Discipline: Doing it even when you don't feel good. You have to get up and do it

"People want to have a platform, but they don't want to build it."

Social Media:

See why over 190,000 people follow Ryan on Twitter: @RyanHoliday
Read: Perennial Seller
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: NateBoyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

212: Max Joseph - Catfish, Leadership, Making It Count, & Pete Berg Jul 02, 2017

Episode 212: Max Joseph - Catfish, Leadership, Making It Count, & Pete Berg

Max Joseph is one of the creative minds behind MTV's Catfish and the director of the indie film We Are Your Friends, has teamed up with the social media app Vero to launch a new documentary series, Charismatic Thinker. He started as an editor, then become a director. He has written, directed, or produced over 64 short films including commercials and web videos. He worked with Casey Nesitat for his famous video for Nike titled, "Make It Count." It has received more than 25,000,000 views. Recently, he released his latest documentary, DICKS: Do you need to be one to be a successful leader? It has received critical acclaim and I highly recommend it. (We discussed "the making" of that film during this conversation).

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence = Understanding the importance of leading and managing
Why make the filmabout leadership?
- Max is a nice guy, not a bully... Was one of the bullied
- He thought, "If I were a dick, would I be more popular?"
  - "Do I need to be a dick to be a good leader?"
As the director it is sink or swim... "You're thrown into it. I did not learn how to lead or manage."
Sports can be an education in leadership -- If you don't have that growing up, how do you learn how to lead?
A Disagreeable Giver -- (Adam Grant) -- Most reduced form of the film. As a protective measure, that is the lesson in being a great leader
"I do think you need to, not be a dick, but turn off the empathy meter some..."
A leader must
- Prioritize the greater vision
Why he wanted to talk to Pete Berg ("I thought he would say, "You need to be a dick to be a good leader.") Most people said you didn't need to be one to be successful. Max was looking for someone who said the opposite.
- His paradigm -- "You need to be a good coach"
"All great leaders have a very strong backbone"
Max's parents were too supportive
"Being a dick is about ego... You're a dick if you're putting people down just to do it."
How to make a living as a smart creative: "I've always wanted to do this. I love all aspects of filmmaking. I went to Hollywood after college to do this."
- First job was cutting reels for directors -- "Look you're not the next Spielberg, but can you make this DVD?"
"I was a curious, excited, young filmmaker"
How did he get the job on Catfish?
- He emailed Neev after the movie came out... The other guy who was supposed to film and be on the TV show dropped out at the last second. Max said yes and the rest is history (6 seasons, 99 episodes)
- Read the book: The Surrender Experiment
- "Every time I surrender to my passion, something amazing happens"
"Editing is like being a doctor. You need to put things back together after tearing them apart."
- "I've had to get better at not being a hero"
The famous Nike "Make It Count" video with Casey Neistat
- Max got to LA 13 years ago. Initially he was unhappy. He hated it.
- He took a vacation backpacking through Europe and thought, "I love editing, there is real passion there"
- "Just focus on enjoying one thing I love and that will be enough to sustain happiness"
- Casey called him and asked him to be his first editor
- He asked him to fly to New York and then travel the world for the Nike video
- Casey got a tattoo during it... "Do More"
- Embrace the adventure... Let the project grow from it
Advice: "Everyone has a gift... Has a genius for something. I get really unhappy if I don't do what I love for at least an hour a day"
Read Big Magic by Liz Gilbert
Look up Max on YouTube and Vero

Social Media:

See why over 468,000 people follow Max on Twitter: @maxjoseph
Watch: Make It Count
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: NateBoyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

211: Vanessa Van Edwards - How To Be Instantly Irresistible Jun 25, 2017

Episode 211: Vanessa Van Edwards - How To Be Instantly Irresistible

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

"Vulnerability is sexy. There is science to prove it."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence = Being a people reader (not a mind reader)
- Try to listen to others more than anyone else
- Get to KNOW the person
- 3 Skills
  - Decoding - Leaders who are able to read others accurately
  - Encoding - Your ability to send accurate signals to others... What can I do to excite others?
  - Self-Regulation
The art/science of inspiring others
We decide if someone is a winner or a loser... Do they feel pride or shame? If we feel pride, we take up more space, shame = less space
Charisma -- How to be instantly irresistible?
The most charismatic people
- High Warmth
- High Competence
- Must have both
- Lucille Ball is a great example. I Love Lucy
Do you need high levels of charisma to be an effective leader?
- You do not need to be extroverted... Or a booming leader
- Quiet, contemplative types can be phenomenal leaders
How to handle a room with a lot of people networking if you're an introvert?
- Your key in this room is to try and create 1 on 1 conversations. Play to your strengths
- Don't stand in the center of the room
- Stand at a high bar table
- Low light areas
Conversation hacks:
- Sparks - The brain looks for hits, not misses
- "Anything good happen lately?
- "Working on anything exciting?"
Ask soft yes/no questions...
- "A really skilled decoder is a better listener than anyone else"
"Vulnerability is sexy. There is science to prove it."
"Relatability comes down to ties." -- Saying "Oh, me too" creates a tie with that person.
- "You want this, I want this..." type speeches
The 7 micro-expressions

"The most charismatic people have: high warmth and high competence."

Social Media:

Follow Noah on Twitter: @vvanedwards
Read: Captivate
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: NateBoyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

The Learning Leader Show is supported by Rhone. Use the code "Hawk" for 15% off. Rhone... premium activewear engineered with principle, performance and progress for the modern man. Rhone builds clothing around 3 main tenants: Cutting-edge Performance, Premium Comfort, and Simplistic Style.

210: Noah Kagan - How To Start A Business Jun 18, 2017

Episode 210: Noah Kagan - How To Start A Business

Noah Kagan was the #30 employee at Facebook (started there in 2005), and the #4 employee at Mint.com. He came up with the idea of real-time updates and executed with one engineer (Mark Slee) at Facebook. He is now the Chief Sumo at Sumo.com (A domain in which he paid $1.5m to own. We discussed why on this episode).

This episode is different than most in that it was more conversational, and less interview. There was real-time coaching, and off the cuff conversation about how I should progress The Learning Leader. If you are uncomfortable with creative use of the English Language (re: use of curse words), then skip this episode. If not, I think you'll really like it.

"You shouldn't get a job... You should get a career."

Show Notes:

Sustained Excellence = Getting feedback from professionals
- Noah hired pros from NPR to review his interview transcripts.
- "Most of the time we have too much. Need to edit it down."
How to create a narrative -- The NPA producer changed his life
Employees -- "They are not my people. They are people I work with. I don't like the word employee."
How do you hold others accountable? -- Autonomy, coaching, help when needed. Hire correctly.
"What I'm great at is starting..."
How the quest to India changed Noah's life
"You'll almost always push hard on the last lap."
The impact Mark Zuckerberg had on him when he worked for him at Facebook
"When I was at Facebook, there was a singular focus: Growth."
"You shouldn't get a job, get a career." -- "I was a cubicle monkey at Intel"
Using a journal to plan your day/week/month
"Here is a story I've never shared before..."
Why you should always ask yourself..."What's exciting for me?"
Why you should go on walks with your spouse/significant other
Instead of building something in a month, why not build it by Monday? -- Do it quicker than you think possible
- You need to constantly try and test it out... Don't overthink it. Will people pay me for this? Keep evolving
Keys to building your audience
"Art of The Deal" is a helpful book
Noah's salary? Low 6 figures
"Good people don't work for cheap rates"
The two ways to scale a business
- Technology
- People
What Noah learned about vision --
- Initially didn't believe in it... But he has matured and fully believes in it. "As I've gotten older..."
- "It's much easier to get what you want when you know what you want."
The impact of Noah's Dad dying had on him
- "I'm much more protective of my time"

"Good people don't ask for cheap rates."

Social Media:

Follow Noah on Twitter: @noahkagan
Go to: Sumo.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: NateBoyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

209: Jason Redman - The Power Of Humility: From A Wounded Navy SEAL Jun 11, 2017

Episode 209: Jason Redman - The Power Of Being Humble: From A Wounded Navy SEAL

Sustained Excellence = Humility... Re-learning how to humble yourself. Arrogance can ruin you
The story of Jay being "ripped in to" by a leader after he made a mistake that could have costs lives... And how that impacted him
"Great leaders take a step back... To analyze what happened"
"There are no bad teams, just bad leaders"
"You have to allow the situation around you to develop before making a decision"
How Ranger school helped him stop being selfish, humbled him.
- Forced to lead in adverse situations, and stop thinking about just himself
Story: "I am bleeding out. I can feel my life ebbing away as blood seeps from my body into the Iraqi soil..."
"I was hit in the face and my left arm..."
How the preparation and training saved his life
"If facing death, you won't be thinking about material things"
The sign Jay hung up outside his hospital room
The Key Tenants
- Lead Always
- Overcome All
"That journey in the hospital taught me... If you are a leader, lead always"
Building mental resiliency, must build an overcome mindset
"The woman behind The Trident" -- How his wife Erica acted was heroic (and still is)
- "She never batted an eye"
- "When they sent me home, I was a mess, and Erica cared for me. She was never negative, never questioned me for going to war."
The greatest natural leader Jay ever met -- Vince Peterson
- He always led by example, would never ask you to do something he wouldn't do
- He lost his leg below his knee
- "Selfless, servant leader, humble" -- Motivated and inspired you to be better
- Always remained calculated -- Had the ability to drive the team where it needed to go
- Took ideas from members of the team, dynamic leadership at it's best
Listen as Jay describes how Dave Michaels was shot 27 times, fought back... And then said, "Come get me... They're all dead."
The Overcome Academy
- A way for us to give back to veterans
www.OvercomeAcademy.org

Social Media:

Follow David on Twitter: @JasonRedmanWW
Read: The Trident
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

208: David Novak -How To Be CEO of The Year: "Take People With You" Jun 04, 2017

David Novak is Co-Founder, Retired Chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands, Inc. (Pizza Hut, KFC, and Taco Bell), one of the world’s largest restaurant companies with nearly 43,000 restaurants in more than 130 countries and territories. He stepped down as CEO on January 1, 2015 and retired from Yum! and Yum!’s Board in May 2016. During his time as CEO, Yum! doubled in size and became a global powerhouse going from approximately 20% of its profits coming from outside the U.S. in 1997 to nearly 70% in 2014. David is also the best-selling author of multiple books including Taking People With You: The Only Way To Make Big Things Happen. In May 2016, he founded OGO (O Great One!) a consumer lifestyle brand on a mission to turn the world on to the awesome power of recognition and remedy what he calls the “global recognition deficit.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Sustained Excellence = "You must be passionate about what you do." Warren Buffet said he "tap dances to work everyday." You should strive to do that.
- Must also be a constant learner/grower.
- Have a healthy dissatisfaction for the status quo
When people struggle at work, it's typically because they don't like the job
What do you say to skeptics about the "do what you love" advice: "Colonel Sanders started KFC late in life with his social security check. It's never too late."
- Must be self reflective. Develop a strategy for yourself. Do a needs assessment. Dig hard at understanding yourself.
The impact of moving his entire childhood. Living in 23 states by the 7th grade. Moved 3 times per year. Lived in trailer parks most of his childhood.
Advice to people early in their career: "Don't wait until you have a management job to lead. Start doing it immediately."
"I tried to learn everything I could from the people above me."
"The minute I stopped learning, I asked for another job."
"I looked at my boss as my coach. A good boss should be a coach."
The manage 2 up plus 2 down strategy:
- Make your boss very successful and make his/her boss very successful
- Help the people directly working for you successful and directly help the people that work for them to be great
"Every time I met with the CEO, I always brought 3-5 ideas every time we met. I always brought value to those meetings."
- "When a good opportunity came up, he thought of me"
Coaching is an "AND" job -- Tell them what you like AND how they can improve. Must do both.
- The 3X5 note card exercise: Write a strength and a developmental area for yourself and share it with others so they know what you're working on.
How can CEOs get people to trust them and tell the truth? -- Ask people what they would do if they had your role. LISTEN.
- "You have to be vulnerable enough to want to know the truth"
The power of recognition -- "The secret weapon I had as a leader was to recognize great performance to drive the behaviors we valued"
Why people quit their jobs:
- Their boss
- They don't feel appreciated
Utilize the digital leadership platform

207: Liz Wiseman - How A Rookie Can Become A Multiplier May 28, 2017

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Liz asks... What makes a great podcast episode? A host is listens, asks good follow up questions... And a guest who understands why they've sustained excellence and can intelligently share quality stories.
The great leadership on her son's football team. Selflessness, diverse... They all made sacrifices.
"We've noticed a shift fueled by technology
"It's not about having the answer, it's about helping the team find the answer."
How should we deal with diminishers?
Diminishers don't realize they lack self-awareness -- "Accidental Diminishers"
The 5 most prevalent strategies to people use to deal with diminishers:
- Confront
- Avoid
- Quit
- Quit and Stay
- Ignore Dimishing behavior
If you are being micro-managed, don't judge or exclude -- Instead, be curious, ask why that person is a micro-manager? Think "I wonder why they need to do this?" -- This can change your mindset and create empathy for that person. It will help you be less upset
"Choose to respond with curiosity. I wonder how they got like that?" -- Be empathetic
Google's 5 hiring criteria for leaders: Leaders who can move in and out of leadership roles (one day they are in charge, they next day someone else is... Must be fluid)
Impacting cultural change -- Share common language, behavior, belief, norms, legends, heroes, rituals
Creating a culture of trust -- In low trust environments, people retreat and regroup.
The best leaders are great listeners -- FULLY PRESENT with each person they speak with.
"Great executives have a buffer between the stimulus and their response." -- They are measured and know when to take emotion out of their decision making process.
Need a container to create space and focus
How to create an environment where people do their best work..

206: Sam Walker - The Hidden Force That Creates The World's Greatest Teams May 24, 2017

Episode 206: Sam Walker - The Hidden Force That Creates The World's Greatest Teams: Captains

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The 7 Traits of Elite Captains:
- Extreme doggedness and focus in competition, often to the point of madness
- A tendency to play aggressively up to, and often beyond, the limits of the rules
- A willingness to do thankless jobs in the shadow of more acclaimed teammates
- A bias against making big speeches in favor of continuous practical communication
- A talent for displaying their commitment and motivating teammates through aggressive nonverbal means
- An unwavering commitment to defend their principles and speak truth to power
- The presence of a "kill switch" for shutting off emotion when it's not useful
Studying the moment when teams went from good to great
Why LeBron James is a unicorn
- "His model of leadership is completely new."
Relation to the business world -- Some of the greatest leaders don't think they deserve the title (job title or to be captain) -- Tim Duncan & Yogi Berra
The rituals of Tim Duncan
- Short conversations with each teammate
- Great facial expressions
- Effective messaging
- Never giving big speeches
How to be a charismatic connector like Tim Duncan
Great captains (and leaders) are not "yes men." They defend their principles and speak truth to power
Jack Lambert purposely left blood on his jersey as a message to his team -- Great captains have a talent for displaying their commitment and motivating teammates through aggressive nonverbal means
The ability to develop "emotional maturity." A measured approach
- As Liz Wiseman said "Great leaders have a buffer between the stimulus and their response"
They are able to build resilience

Social Media:

Follow David on Twitter: @SamWalkers
Read: The Captain Class
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

205: David Heinemeier Hansson - Falling In Love With Your Work & The Future Of Work: ReWork May 21, 2017

Go To www.LearningLeader.com For more information on DHH and this episode
Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
- "For me it's falling in love with the work itself..."
- Being excited to do the actual work everyday... The actual day to day work
"I don't have a need to think "What's Next?" -- "I'm thrilled to do the thing I've fallen in love with."
How did he become DHH?
What percentage of your job do you love and what percent do you dislike?
- DHH works to minimize the parts he doesn't like
- Managing others is low on his list of what he loves.
"The thought that you can't be innovative if you aren't in the same room is bullshit." -- You can do that remotely, in fact better in most cases.
DHH shares why the open office concept is horrible for creative people who like to "get shit done."
Remote work gives peace, tranquility, quality
Commuting to work can be a wasteful, drain on your life
The future of work -- More remote work, more contractors, less full time employees
"The office is something you choose to have, you don't need to have it."
"The Day I Became A Millionaire"
- What DHH learned that day... What changed? What didn't
- "The things that brought happiness were the things I was already doing. I love writing, programming, reading."
- Will a certain amount of money ever be enough? Ray Kroc said "No."
"The human condition does not end because you get rich." You'll still have problems.
Best advice to give to people early in their careers?
- "Be careful what you wish for. Managing other people is not in my top 5 things I like to do."
- "Prove you can execute. That's the way to get to the executive level. Just simply make shit happen, you get shit done."
- You have to weigh shipping vs quality
- Take measured risks, and don't be afraid to make mistakes

David "DHH" Heinemeier Hansson is the creator of Ruby on Rails, founder & CTO at Basecamp(formerly 37signals), best-selling author, Le Mans class-winning racing driver, public speaker, hobbyist photographer, and family man. He is the best selling author of ReWork and Remote: Office Note Required. You can also read his wildly popular writings on Medium.com/@dhh

204: Dr. Tasha Eurich - How To Become More Self-Aware May 14, 2017

Episode 204: Dr. Tasha Eurich - How To Become More Self-Aware

Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Self Awareness - "I scientifically studied this."
- "People who work on their Self-Awareness are happier, get more promotions, and lead better lives"
It's become a national sport to point out that someone is self-aware -- "I wanted to do the research behind this to truly learn about it"
95% of people think they're self aware -- But only 10%-15% are actually self aware
It's vitally important to regularly question your assumptions to become more aware
- Don't wait for a life event or someone else to tell you to do this. You must work on it daily. The gains will be incremental (The Compound Effect)
"We cannot own other people's journeys, we must own ours."
- You will work with people who lack awareness. Don't put it on yourself to fix it.
Tasha previously worked within a company in the "Wendy Rhoades" role from Billions
The Mary Tyler Moore Show -- Her boss -- Picture a "laugh track" behind what someone says to help deal with their lack of awareness
Practical ways leaders build self-aware teams and organizations
- Alan Mulally story of how he gained self-awareness despite starting with very little of it
- "It shows that anyone can become self-aware"
A great leader goes out of their way to build a culture where people can tell the truth."
It's vital that the leader is vulnerable -- shares weaknesses and mistakes made
Implementing a Business Process Review on a weekly basis
- Doing this at home with family as well -- Every Sunday, each family member provides updates
The Speed of Trust -- Why everything is much faster when built upon the foundation of trust
- Pixar is the model of Trust. Ed Catmull shares how they built this. No leaks to the press.
The "Selfie Syndrome" -- "There is a direct impact on social media & narcissism"
- "Resist the pull of the cult of self"
How to promote your own work you're proud of without becoming a self-promoter? -- It's about the work and positively impacting people.
Mindfulness practice = Doesn't always have to involve meditation.
- "Actively noticing the present"
Continue Learning:
- Follow Tasha on Twitter: @tashaeurich
- Read: Insight
- Connect with me on LinkedIn
- Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
- To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

203: Todd Rovak - Emotional Intelligence, Trust, Authenticity, Hiring The Right People May 07, 2017

Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:

They know why they’re there
“They always have their eye on the why”
“They think about success often”
They understand their strengths and weaknesses
“Surround yourself with people who compliment your strengths/weaknesses”

How did Todd make a quick ascent to CEO?
- There must be an opportunity and then you “must go like hell when that happens”
- “I love the outcome, I love the impact we have”
- “When coming up through the company, I always kept an eye on the overall strategy”
- “Don’t focus on getting credit for the project.”
- “Make sure your personal goals and company goals are aligned.”
How he does two separate CEO roles? — “Must surround yourself with people you trust”
- “A strong WE”
Calendar/Time Management
- All meetings are 15 minutes in length — This forces people to get to the point immediately
- Week unfolds:
  - Front load all staff meetings by 1:00 Monday. Must be done by Monday afternoon — “What are the goals for the week?”
  - Having a chief of staff is important
  - Todd is an introvert and does not do back to back meetings all day. Needs 30 minutes breaks every 3 meetings to think
  - “You said an important word… And that word is THINK”
“As a manager you are responsible for the success of people.” — Management means you have a responsibility for them
- Must give feedback. Feedback is a gift. It’s generous to give feedback.
“There’s nothing easier than sharing credit.”
“Management is around understanding the differences in people, and getting the best out of them”
“Leadership is about painting a vision”
- Lead with trust
- Todd’s story of his first client engagement – FAILED… How his boss responded with trust was powerful — “I trust you”
When managing through a crisis… BE:
- Clear
- Calm
- Credible
How sketch comedy can help you be a better leader
- Bring your whole self to your job
- Build emotional intelligence
Paying employees to take a class that has nothing to do with work (Learn a second language, guitar lessons, etc)
Hiring process:
- “What are the first 5 things you read everyday?” — “Okay, now tell me the real answer. I want to learn about you, not what you think I want to hear”
  - “I want to hear them defend or support an argument. It doesn’t matter what it’s about
Books to read: The Enders Game — Incredible story about getting the best out of people and creating teams
To be a Learning Leader? — “A process of building. It’s a thing you do.”
- “Time is a really expensive leader.” “Must always evolve and pick up lessons”

202: Jenny Blake - Pivot - What Do You Do When Your Back Is Against The Wall? Apr 30, 2017

Episode 202: Jenny Blake - Pivot - What Do You Do When Your Back Is Against The Wall?

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"What do you do when your back is against the wall?"

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Great listeners -- Not just doing
- Getting the right people in the right seats on the bus
- Design thinking -- Empathy interviews
Common problem with CEO's? -- They surround themselves with people who only agree with them and fear disagreeing with them
- Requires listening and a culture shift
Why Jenny left Google
Taking a leave of absence to write a book -- The impact that had on Jenny
FONT - "Fear Of Not Trying"
The process of uprooting her life and moving to NYC
What do you do when your back is up against the wall?
- Think of a basketball player -- "It's not a 180... it's a pivot."
"High Net Growth Individuals" -- People always looking to improve, grow, learn...
Advice to others -- Don't worry too much on a formal business plan or thinking too far in advance. You can't predict it.
4 Stage Pivot Method:
- Plant - Strengths
- Scan - People, Skills, Projects, Target
- Pilot - Test. Like a pilot episode of a TV show -- 3 E's - Enjoy, Expert, Expand
- Launch
Taking measured risks -- Great originals take measured risks (don't have to "burn the boats")
Mentors -- "Friend-tors"
- Don't ask a mentor, "How can I help you?" -- Come up with a list of ideas for them and give them away. Proactively help without them asking
"You can navigate uncertainty. We're always doing this."
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
"Befriend your fear. It's trying to help you based on old scripts."
What % of your job do you dislike?
The importance of mediation -- Headspace App
Gamification -- Daily To Do List

"What does success look like a year from now?"

Continue Learning:

Follow Jenny on Twitter: @jenny_blake
Read: Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jenny Blake on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

201: Peter Mallouk - #1 Financial Advisor In America: Tony Robbins Business Partner Apr 23, 2017

Episode 201: Peter Mallouk - #1 Financial Advisor In America: Tony Robbins Business Partner

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"I was not the greatest student, but I loved learning." - Peter Mallouk on why he earned 4 undergrad degrees, an MBA, a JD, and a CFP

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Realize there is a recipe: Like baking a cake
- Bring incremental value
- Energy
- Discipline to do it over and over and over
Why start his business? Was uncomfortable just doing Estate planning and working with unethical people
Key to success
- Great early hires helped propel Creative Planning
Time management tips
- Focuses on doing what he enjoys most - Spending time with clients and employees, not pointless meetings
"My #1 job is to be the best option for our clients as an advisor. I spend 99% of my time with clients and employees."
"I loathe meetings and seminars"
Key to all of the awards?
- "Money follows value" -- In 2008/2009, people started looking for another financial advisor
"We are very good at taking someone good and help make them great"
Interview process:
- They receive over 100 job applications per week
- Resume screen all
- Pick the 5 best and do a phone screen
- Bring the best of those 100 (1 person typically) for an in person interview
- Meet with 6 different people
- Within the first 30 days, it still feels like an interview "We throw the ball and they better catch it, it's hard."
- Qualities needed:
  - Education
  - Ability to be detail oriented
  - Great communicator
  - Must be task oriented ("We can't make them be this, they need to have it")
  - Make sure they can meet the clients needs
How the Tony Robbins relationship started -- Peter informed Tony that he didn't fully understand what he was talking about (in regards to money)
"Tony got pissed off and wrote Money: Master The Game..."
What to look for in a business?
- "Find something that is idiot proof because at some point an idiot will be running the company"
The keys to look for in a financial advisor
- Independent - Gets paid the same on every investment no matter what
What response has Peter received from other financial advisors?
- "It has been negative. I'm okay if they don't like me. I'm competing against them, I don't expect us to all get along."

Continue Learning:

Follow Peter on Twitter: @PeterMallouk
Read: Unshakeable - Your Financial Freedom Playbook
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Peter Mallouk on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

200: AJ Hawk & Keith Hawk - Showing Up, Doing The Work, Earning Trust, Helping Others, Winning The Super Bowl, Celebrating #200 Apr 16, 2017

Episode 200: AJ Hawk & Keith Hawk - Showing Up, Doing The Work, Earning Trust, Helping Others, Winning The Super Bowl, Celebrating #200

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"I've always been obsessed with being accountable to the people around me. I have to be there for them."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of great coaches/leaders:
- A vividly clear picture of what success looks like
- Mission/Vision -- Habits built
- Give coaching feedback
- Look to help them "My success can only follow the success of others"
- Show up -- Be there
- (AJ) They are authentic
- Clearly communicate -- Jim Tressel was great at this, never had to yell
Bad bosses/coaches:
- When they don't know what to do, they just yell
- They lose the principle that their job is to help people
- They only focus on numbers and not their people
Being retired
- "It doesn't mean what it used to"
- "I now have the freedom to work on only what I want to..."
- "I like not being on someone else's schedule"
Key to quickly earning respect from peers?
- "Be seen, not heard."
- "Be accountable to your peers/teammates. Always show up, be consistent."
Must find a way to do the important "people" things and not just get caught up in the day to day tasks
What do you miss?
- All of the people used to see daily
Micro-Coaching
- The act of coaching others on the small details that lead to sustained excellence. The importance of doing this on a regular basis. Make it a habit
Thoughts as a parent
- "My job to take you to the door, but it's up to you to go through it and thrive."
- "You need to compete as much as possible... That creates adversity, which is healthy for a kid."
- (AJ) "I almost feel like we have to create adversity... We don't want our kids to be spoiled."
(To AJ) How will you handle it when your daughter Googles you and sees that you signed a 36 million dollar contract?
Creating appreciation for your kids -- Making them earn what they get
- Recommend your kids spend time around those are who less fortunate so they know how lucky they are
What do you hope others say about you?
- (Keith) - "That I helped them." "My success can only follow the success of others." "That I was full of integrity, honest, trustworthy."
- (AJ) - "Accountable to others, that I was a guy who made other people feel good. That they never had to question me and whether I would be where I was supposed to be. That I showed up."
When people say "Man, it must be sad that AJ is done with football!" -- Not the case at all. So grateful that it happened.
- "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

"Always be there. Show up. Don't delegate important tasks, be there. Don't say no if you can say yes. You have to earn trust."

Continue Learning:

Follow AJ on Twitter: @OfficialAJHawk
Read: Get Real Selling by Keith Hawk
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing AJ Hawk and Keith Hawk on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

199: John Kralik - The Power of Gratitude (A Simple Act of Gratitude) Apr 09, 2017

Episode 199: John Kralik - The Power of Gratitude (A Simple Act of Gratitude)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Until you are grateful for what you have, you won't get what you want."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Being grateful for what you have will lead to continued excellence
How his second divorce impacted him: "The second time around, it's your fault"
The power of writing thank you notes -- Learned from his grandfather
"Until you are grateful for what you have, you won't get what you want."
Writing one thank you note per day for one year
"When you're negative, you're angry."
His thank you note to his son prompted his son to take him out to lunch... What happened next? Life changing
"He took out an envelope and paid me back $4,000 that he owed me." -
Writing all of your employees thank you notes: Why you should do this but most don't
"Instead of being mad about my bad clients, I started thanking my good ones." -- The impact this had on John's business was immense
"It turns out the one thing I had to be grateful for was my 8 year old daughter." -- "She loved this awful little apartment we lived in"
"There are so many things to be grateful for"
"When things don't go well, stay positive, stay grateful... Good things WILL happen"
How to shift a negative mindset? -- Use a pen, write it out. Write thank you notes. Use gratitude journals. Trying to find out the person's address without asking them is part of the fun and the surprise.
John has written over 1,100 thank you notes since starting this process
Focus on the people supporting you everyday. Say thank you
How to write a great thank you note? -- John describes:
- 4 Sentences
- Always start with "thank you"
- Recognize the gift (or whatever they've done that's created your gratitude)
- Write one true sentence -- Why you're grateful
- Tell that person what they mean to you
Listen as John reads a thank you note he wrote to his daughter (you might cry).

Continue Learning:

Read: A Simple Act of Gratitude
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing John Kralik on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

198: Ian Robertson - The Winner Effect AND How Stress Can Make You Better Apr 02, 2017

Episode 198: Ian Robertson - The Winner Effect AND How Stress Can Make You Better

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Success breeds success. The mere act of winning makes it more likely you'll win again."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Ability to set goals -- Not too big but not too easy
- Self belief -- Self Confidence
Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic motivation
There will always be someone better than you. The focus should be on improving your own self
Why Elon Musk and Steve Jobs transcend the norms
- "A lot of people suffered in Steve Jobs desire to build those products"
- Steve and Elon are anomalies, not the norm
"To be #1 in the industry is NOT a good goal"
What happens to lottery winners a year later? -- "Ashes in your mouth"
How the brain is complex
What it means to be a bad dad -- Pablo Picasso
"Success conveys power... Power changes your brain. It creates narcissism"
Bad Dad's "hide the ladder." They get up the tree, then do not show others how they got there.
- "Keep a ladder down for others"
- "They must see that it's not God Like... That they can do it"
Study: Kids -- Those who believe they can do better and influence their IQ, do better in school.
- With fixed mindset, failure hurts the ego
How can stress make you stronger?
- Tiger Woods example -- Being nervous before a competition is a good thing (with the right mindset)
If you have a big presentation and you say to yourself, "I'm nervous." You'll do worse than if you say "I'm really excited."
Adopting a challenge mindset, visualizing the reward
- "Create a challenge mindset"
If you're nervous, don't say "I feel calm." That's not true and your brain knows it. Instead, say "I'm excited." Use that energy for good.
Using the Joe Buck "So What" method -- It can help with irrational fear of disapproval
Can too much happiness be bad for you? -- Yes, over protecting our children can be bad. They need to experience adversity.
"Leaders by definition have to have a vision."

"Success conveys power... Power changes your brain."

Continue Learning:

Follow Ian on Twitter: @ihrobertson
Read: The Winner Effect
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Ian Robertson on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

The Learning Leader Show is supported by FreshBooks: FreshBooks is offering a 30 day, unrestricted free trial to my listeners. To claim it, just go to FreshBooks.com/Learning and enter LEARNING LEADER in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

197: Linda Rottenberg - Why Crazy Is A Compliment Mar 26, 2017

Episode 197: Linda Rottenberg - Why Crazy Is A Compliment

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"The Greatest Risk Today Is Not Taking A Risk At All."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Cannot rely too much on assumptions/success of the past
- Can't stop taking risks
- Must continually challenge yourself
Start "Stealth"
- Women at Cholorox started testing on the playground. After proving it worked, they went to their bosses to implement
"It's the best time ever to test ideas."
Why Linda was called the "Chica Loca" -- "The Crazy Girl"
"If you're not called crazy at the beginning of something, you're not thinking big enough"
"The greatest risk today is not taking a risk at all"
"People have to give themselves permission"
"One of the most famous spin offs was Amazon Cloud Services"
"The hardest person to convince to do something new is yourself"
Lin Manuel Miranda - Hamilton.
Think... "Can I afford to not do my idea?"
"Don't burn the boats, but you do need to close some doors." The Paradox of Choice
The problem with hollow mission statements -- Uber
Culture can shift based on the leaders -- Satya Nadella leading Microsoft
- GE - Beth Comstock
MTV - How they found the best secrets through breaking corporate molds
"Stop focusing on your PowerPoint... Test, figure it out, then share."
Jeff Bezos - 2 Pizza Rule
Zig when everyone else zags. Learn to see the world differently
The power of being vulnerability to build trust
- "We'll follow you anywhere Linda"

"If You're Not Called Crazy At The Beginning Of Something, You're Not Thinking Big Enough"

Continue Learning:

Follow Linda on Twitter: @lindarottenberg
Read: Crazy Is A Compliment: The Power of Zigging When Everyone Else Zags
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Linda Rottenberg on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

196: Anthony Iannarino - The Only Sales Podcast You'll Ever Need Mar 19, 2017

Episode 196: Anthony Iannarino - The Only Sales Podcast You'll Ever Need

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Who you are matters more than what you do."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Good vs. Great. What separates the two?
- Self Discipline - "Me Management"
- Prospecting - Opportunity Creation
"If your dream client could already get the result they wanted, they wouldn't need you"
Qualities of the best:
- Caring
- Other Oriented
- Leading with insight
- "The skill set doesn't matter until the mindset is there"
- Competitive
Is selling an art or a science?
Creation of The Sales Blog
Consistent processes
- "I decided I'm a writer... So I write everyday."
Asked to do his first keynote after writing everyday for 10 months
"The more you work, the more opportunity finds you"
EEA for every keynote:
- Engage & Entertain
- Educate - Mindset shift
- Actionable Ideas - Know how to do something different
Interview people from the audience before every keynote. Get to know them, their goals
"The best leaders don't look at the scoreboard, they look at the players"
Winston Churchill leadership
Learn from both the good and the bad leaders -- Take notes
"Leadership is the decision to be accountable for a result"
"You need to lead NOW. You can decide to lead whenever you want, wherever you are."
"Leadership is a decision. A choice."

"Leadership is the decision to be accountable for a result"

Continue Learning:

Follow Anthony on Twitter: @iannarino
Read: The Only Sales Guide You'll Ever Need
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Anthony Iannarino on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

195: Derek Thompson - What Makes Something A Hit? (Hit Makers) Mar 12, 2017

Episode 195: Derek Thompson - What Makes Something A Hit? (Hit Makers)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Think of speechwriting like a music composer. Use repetition and choruses."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

What makes something a hit?
- Is there a formula? No, there is not a formula... People think there is and that's a mistake
- Bottom line: "Distribution beats content" -- "This is an unsentimental book"
There is power in distribution
How did Simon Sinek's TED Talk go viral?
- It was shared by people with millions of followers on multiple platforms like Reddit
Think: Who is my audience? Broadcast your content to the right audience
Why do we always watch Dumber and Dumber and Shawshank Redemption?
- There is nostalgia in art
- We are always trying to recover existential love
How did Bumble spread?
- Injected into mainstream consciousness through celebrity -- Start with one very attractive sorority and continue to repeat
How did Facebook spread?
- Piggy backed off of other networks (Harvard)
How Jon Favreau and President Barack Obama write speeches:
- They think like musicians
  - Using choruses and repetition
The best speeches connect with people where they are -- "The power of repetition in song is remarkable"
How has Derek made his book a best-seller?
- Familiarity and repartition followed by surprise
  - Familiar surprises throughout
  - Great distribution

"We don't like pure originality that much. We like familiarity."

Continue Learning:

Follow Derek on Twitter: @DKThomp
Read: Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Derek Thompson on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

194: Nate Checketts - CEO Of Rhone: Leaving Comfort To Make An Impact Mar 06, 2017

Episode 194: Nate Checketts - CEO Of Rhone: Leaving Comfort To Make An Impact

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"If I didn't think people could change, then I think life would be less meaningful."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
- It's easy to say someone "got lucky" but that is almost never the case
- Routine - The best have a routine for long term success. Need good years, need good months, need good weeks, need good days. You must plan for that success. Create routines
Advice from Jack Dorsey:
- How to stay focused?
  - Focus on one thing at a time
  - Set specific days for certain meetings and do not deviate. Take ownership of your calendar and schedule
Nate's Routine
- Wake up at 5 am
- Spritual time, meditation
- Write in The 5 Minute Journal
- Exercise, Yoga, Running
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - At his desk by 7:30
"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of." - Ben Franklin
"Be the dentist of your own calendar"
The story of getting Rhone started in 2011
- Nobody was doing premium menswear
- Feb. 2013 incorporated
- Spent an hour each way on the train commuting to his job working on Rhone
"Why does it feel like taboo to talk about inspiring men? It shouldn't"
Describing the fund raising process
- "Raising capital is much more art than science"
- "The biggest key for us was photography. People needed to see it"
Why Shane Battier is a Rhone guy
After raising $8M, how do you decide where to spend that money?
Speaking about the success of his Dad, Dave Checketts (CEO of Madison Square Garden, New York Knicks)
- How to instill a work ethic in your children?
- What it was like growing up with ultra successful parents and how that impacted him
- How Nate and his wife parent their children
- How the quote "He was born on third base and convinced he hit a triple" has motivated Nate
- How he made money creating a sports camp in his backyard growing up
"You can't teach effort"
Books to read:
Learning Leader = "I love the idea of being an eternal student."

"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of." - Benjamin Franklin

Continue Learning:

Follow Rhone on Twitter: @rhone
Follow Nate on Twitter: @natechecketts
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Nate Checketts on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

193: Erik Wahl - How To Rediscover Your Creative Genius Feb 27, 2017

Episode 193: Erik Wahl - How To Rediscover Your Creative Genius

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Performing is not an act of extroversion, it's an act of connection."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The fascination with "live theatre" -- Erik is a performer on stage (art, speaking, message, theatrical)
"Transport so the molecules in the room change"
How to reverse engineer what we love
What happened after Erik was told that "Art was not his strength"
Relationship with money and success -- how it can be unhealthy
Why artists have a different take on life... A life of philosophical gratitude
"I built this plane as I flew it"
Pursue mastery... Be insatiably curious on how to connect with audiences
The power of vulnerability and why you should share more of yourself
First paid gig? $1,000 in LA -- "I probably sucked."
The tipping point to kick off his speaking/performing career
The definition of being introverted... Erik is an introvert. He gains energy from alone time... Stage time is where the energy is spent
Erik's writing process -- "Verbal Vomit" -- Fortunate to have great team of editors
Why we should all study acting and stand up comedians
Thinking, "What will fascinate the audience?"
Pre speech routine -- Stretching, meditation. Taking energy from "Me and giving it to them"
Decluttering of the mind. Meditate. Think at a higher level
"Art is about producing... Thinking... Expanding consciousness"
Understanding the value of being uncomfortable
"Money is not important to us, we do not sell my paintings"
Why audiences are drawn to authenticity and trust
Why we should rehearse creativity on a regular basis
How much does Erik get paid per speech now? $40,000
New ideas? Holographs, Drones, Cirque Du Soleil
"Pursue excellence, pursue mastery... Let the money come where it may"

"Creativity is a muscle that must face resistance to create more... Be stronger."

Continue Learning:

Follow Erik on Twitter: @ErikWahl
Read: The Spark and The Grind
Read: Unthink: Rediscover Your Creative Genius
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Erik Wahl on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

192: Carey Lohrenz - The 1st Female F-14 Tomcat Pilot: Fearless Leadership, Top Gun, Courage Feb 20, 2017

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Episode 192: Carey Lohrenz - The 1st Female F-14 Tomcat Pilot: Fearless Leadership, Top Gun, Courage

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"The best have the courage to step up. Don't ever think others are better than you or they have advantages that you don't. Step up. Do the work."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Mindset about how they view setbacks
- Have a comfort in the uncomfortable
- They are always learning, constantly striving for more
How JJ Watt seems to embrace "the suck"
Carey answers the question... "Why was she the first female F-14 Tomcat pilot?"
Going to Miramar to train as a fighter pilot -- The experience of it...
- Some of Carey's classmates flew in the movie Top Gun
Call sign: Vixen
Where was Carey deployed? World wide on aircraft carriers. Discreet missions
- Carey has landed over 150 times on an aircraft carrier and many times at night
- Listen to her detailed description of what it's like to fly at night over the ocean (pitch black)
An aircraft carrier = "Looks like a postage stamp... I have to land in 1.2 seconds on it"
How does Carey overcome the palpable fear?
- Constant repetition
Why write the book Fearless Leadership?
The 3 Fundamentals of Fearless Leadership
- Courage
- Tenacity
- Integrity
Courage -- You will be filled with self doubt. "The best have the courage to step up. The ability to go for it even when they're afraid."
"The most successful people I've seen do what they need to do even when they don't want to do it."
Keys to building a great culture
- Be a great wingman
- Trust
- Get help with your blind spots - have open lines of communication built on trust
- Must hold each other accountable
What is the military's secret weapon to improvement?
- Debriefs:
  - What was supposed to happen?
  - What did happen?
  - Why was it different?
  - What can we learn from this?
  - How do we incorporate this next time?
The military has the ability and processes in place to learn faster than the competition. Businesses can do this too, but most don't.
It starts with the Leader -- "This is what I did wrong... And how I will fix my mistake."

"I went from Mach 2 to pre-school."

Continue Learning:

Follow Carey on Twitter: @CareyLohrenz
Read: Fearless Leadership
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Carey Lohrenz on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

191: Robert Herjavec - Shark Tank Investor + Listener Q & A Feb 16, 2017

Episode 191: Robert Herjavec - Shark Tank Investor + Listener Q & A

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"You don't have to be born in this country to have success in this country." - Robert Herjavec

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Have a deep passion for their craft
- They bring a unique value proposition
You don't have to come from a big city to make something happen
Leadership: People don't want to be managed, they want to be led... You must provide value to the company
Robert's thoughts on immigration and the fact that you don't need to be born in this country to be successful
- "It's a testament to hope... and it's really hard."
"You Don't Have To Be A Shark"
- "You don't have to be mean to be effective. Some sharks aren't nice. Be yourself, be real..."
Questions from YOU (the listeners) answered as part of the Q & A portion
- "What is it that inspired you to start The Learning Leader Show?" -- Mauricio Dulon from La Paz, Bolivia
- "How do you coach for disciplined execution when all you get from your client are excuses? -- Norma Scott Garrell from Olive Branch, Mississippi
- "How do you add value as the mentee in a mentor/mentee relationship? -- Ben Arwine from Chicago, IL
- "What benchmarks do you use to gauge how you're doing in your leadership journey?" -- Brian Westerfield from Troy, OH
- "Is there any one guest whose advice or experience haunts you (in a good way)? -- Shawn Fuller from Ontario, Canada
- "What has been the biggest surprise for you in this journey?" -- Ryan Jacobs

Continue Learning:

Follow Robert on Twitter: @robertherjavec
Read: You Don't Have To Be A Shark
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Robert Herjavec on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

190: Roger Martin - Playing To Win: Strategy Is A Choice Feb 13, 2017

Episode 190: Roger Martin - Playing To Win: Strategy Is A Choice

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Strategy is about making specific choices to win in the marketplace. It requires making explicit choices to do some things and not others."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Relentlessly look at the future
- They have a curious mindset... Always asking questions
- They ask: "Is what we're doing sustainable?"
Why A.G. Lafley was such a great strategic leader
You should always ask the question, "How can I put myself out of business? And think to innovate based on that answer
Marrying innovation and strategic thinking: the dangers of doing this
What era does all of our data come from? The past... Think carefully about that
You cannot always "prove" innovation. You can't always base the future on the past.
Aristotle -- Brought us analysis... How to prove/demonstrate something is true
You can't ever analyze how to change the world... Steve Jobs would say "Imagine the possibilities."
"Strategy is a choice. Where to play and how to win."
Roger explains how to test if you have a real strategy
Best advice he's received and given:
- 1) "Don't start on the easy stuff. Do the hard tasks first. If you work on the hardest problems, you'll find that the easier ones seem to disappear
- 2) Less is more. Figure out one thing you do really well and focus on it.
- 3) "Don't intellectualize people." "Don't try to fool them, treat them as people... As you would want to be treated."
Highly successful people make a list of the Top 10 things to do that day and tackle the toughest problems first
Managing what matters most -- Must have a strategy to know what's most important
- Peter Drucker's work -- The Effective Executive

"Too often CEO's will allow what's urgent to crowd out what's really important. It's wrong to define strategy as following best practices. This creates sameness and sameness is not a strategy. It's a recipe for mediocrity."

Continue Learning:

Follow Carey on Twitter: @RogerLMartin
Read: Playing To Win: How Strategy Really Works
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Roger Martin on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

189: Jennifer Mueller - Why Leaders Should Embrace Creative Change Feb 06, 2017

Episode 189: Jennifer Mueller - Why Leaders Should Embrace Creative Change

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"If you're calculating risk, then it's not creative."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
- Mindset to learn
- Curiosity is the most important
- Thinking like an inventor... Curious by asking "What does this mean?"
Why is their pressure to perform immediately?
- It's a followers mindset -- Anchor to the competitors and play the rat race game
- This does not allow you to break away from the competition
- If you want to change the status quo, you cannot think this way
There are no shortcuts...
Why write the book?
- Studied how people generated ideas
- Was cynical at first, but what Jen learned is that leaders don't know how to manage for innovation
Why do ideas get rejected?
- "If you're calculating risk, then it's not creative."
How to give yourself a better shot for the idea to get traction?
- Give a feedback pitch and not a selling pitch... Ask for feedback and advice
Her famous study -- "The Bias Against Creativity"
Overcoming the bias against creative leadership
- Backlash against the people who generate the idea -- It's not good
- Might be promoting people on out of date measures
- Mis-reading skill set
"Creative Leaders have to ask questions and be curious"
"Stop generating ideas, start making impact"
Have a change circle... Talk about how you can push your idea through

"Creative leaders must ask questions... And be curious."

Continue Learning:

Follow Jen on Twitter: @JennSMueller
Read: Creative Change
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jennifer Mueller on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

188: Sydney Finkelstein - How To Be A SuperBoss Jan 30, 2017

Professor Finkelstein is a consultant and speaker to senior executives around the globe, as well as an executive coach, focusing on leadership, talent development, corporate governance, learning from mistakes, and strategies for growth. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Management and listed on the “Thinkers 50”, the world's most prestigious ranking of leadership gurus. He has been featured in the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Harvard Business Review, Business Week, the London Times, Toronto Globe and Mail, Inc, Fast Company, and CNBC, and is a regular columnist for the BBC.

Episode 188: Sydney Finkelstein - How To Be A SuperBoss

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Confidence is the prerequisite to greatness."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of the best sales professionals:
- Curiosity - Always looking for answers
- Courage to go after opportunities
- They understand in order to be successful, you must help others be successful
People who are unconsciously incompetent
- Not curious - They think they have all the answers
- Unwillingness to learn
Superboss = Someone who helps others
Bill Walsh - A bigger coaching tree than any other coach... Why?
- 1st coach to understand talent well
- Created a development program for African American coaches
- He would call other owners and tell them to hire one of his assistants... He helped his people leave him for bigger jobs
- The best people seek these types of leaders
Why is this so rare?
- Most think of ways to retain their talent instead of help promote them. This is wrong.
- You cannot control what other people do.
- Create an environment that makes people want to work for you. Help them.
The difference between a male and female boss
What do Superbosses do?
- They create master-apprentice relationships -- Leonardo DaVinci
- 1 on 1 conversations with your boss
- Find someone who will invest time in you and your career. Be that person if you are a boss
- Create opportunities for your people
- When you delegate, be hands on with the feedback. Be direct and involved to help
Encourage collegiality and simultaneously drive internal competition: Sydney describes how to do this
- Lorne Michaels creates this at Saturday Night Live
Think about the best bossses you've worked for... Why were they the best?
- What worked for them? For you?
- Then ask... Am I doing those things? How am I making it work for those who work for me? Each person is unique. Understand that
- Learn from your own personal experience
Using a "Get To Know You" document every year. Personally invest in getting to know your people

Continue Learning:

Follow Sydney on Twitter: @sydfinkelstein
Read: Superbosses
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Sydney Finkelstein on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

187: Jeb Blount - How To Never Have An Empty Pipeline (Fanatical Prospecting) Jan 23, 2017

Episode 187: Jeb Blount - How To Never Have An Empty Pipeline (Fanatical Prospecting)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Repetition is the mother of learning."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of the best sales professionals:
- They have high Emotional Intelligence AND
- Sales Intelligence
- A full pipeline
The #1 Reason for failure is an empty pipeline
Ultra High Performers:
- They prospect constantly -- driven to keep the pipeline full: it builds confidence
- Focus on deals they can win -- they are a good judge of win probability
- Have the luxury to choose the deals they work on
- High EQ -- they have the ability to manage their emotions
Average sales people focus on a linear sales cycle... The ultra successful focus on the buying process, they shape the buying process, decision making process, and they are masters at influencing decision makers
You CAN move from great to ultra performer -- with work
Hiring process:
- The culture must support ultra high performers
- Using Sales Drive -- An assessment to learn if people will hunt. Must have intelligence/competitiveness, an optimism to hunt
4 Parts -- Interview process
- 1) Intelligence - must be able to connect the dots that don't seem connectable
- 2) Acquired Knowledge - desire to build knowledge, growing, learning, curious
- 3) Technology Intelligence - have to build new technology into your life
- 4) Emotional Intelligence - management of emotions, situational awareness
Why the average sales person is good in an interview
Examples of great "Turnaround Statements"
A live discussion of the cold email I sent Jeb to get him on my show (really interesting part)
- You have 2 seconds to get their attention
- Hook in the subject line
- 1st sentence -- talk to them, not you. Relate to them. Don't write "Hey Jeb," write "Jeb"
- Situation -- bridge -- connect the dots, then ask
Social selling
- Must have a great social profile
- Monitor what you say
- DO NOT tweet about politics or religion
- Connect with people in your industry on LinkedIn

Continue Learning:

Follow Jeb on Twitter: @SalesGravy
Read: Fanatical Prospecting
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jeb Blount on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

186: Jason Van Camp - Green Beret: 300 Kill/Capture Combat Missions - Comfort In The Uncomfortable Jan 16, 2017

Jason Van Camp is what Malcolm Gladwell would refer to as an Outlier; an exceptional person who is successful not just because of his personal accomplishments but his will to win and unique ability and willingness to unlock the potential of others. A decorated Green Beret, world traveler, and loyal friend, Jason has mastered the art of storytelling that reflect many of his own life adventures. Jason is honored to be the Founder and Chairman of Mission 6 Zero.

Jason was born in Washington D.C. and raised across the Potomac River in Springfield, Virginia. In 1995, Jason was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. While at West Point, Jason played Linebacker for the Army Black Knights football team, served a two year LDS-Mormon mission to Russia, and, upon graduation, won the prestigious General Loeffke Award for Excellence in Foreign Languages.

After graduating from West Point, Jason volunteered to attend U.S. Army Ranger School in Fort Benning, GA where he earned his Ranger tab (2002). Jason then began a one year tour to Korea serving a few miles from the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) between South and North Korea. Immediately after serving in Korea, Jason was deployed with the 101st Airborne Division in the invasion of Iraq (2003). In 2006, Jason won the coveted Green Beret and began serving as a Detachment Commander with 10th Special Forces Group in Fort Carson, Colorado. As a Detachment Commander, Jason led his team on close to 300 combat missions to kill/capture high value targets as well as created and commanded one of the largest Foreign Internal Defense Force in U.S. history, training nearly 4000 Iraqi and Kurdish soldiers in hand to hand combat, raid and patrolling techniques, unconventional warfare and personal security detail tactics as well as deploying these forces on the battlefield. During his 14 years in the U.S. Army, Jason has won numerous awards, notably the Bronze Star with V device for Valor as well as two additional Bronze Stars during numerous combat rotations as a Special Forces Detachment Commander in the Middle East and Africa.

In 2013, Jason earned his MBA from Brigham Young University and it was there that he developed a passion for entrepreneurship. Jason believes in servant leadership, the art of determination, and the power of storytelling. This philosophy has served him well in his life and has made him an experienced speaker and proponent of Mission 6 Zero’s six-domained Total Warrior Intelligence model. Jason is passionate about his experiences and his stories resonate with any audience; students, athletes, businesspersons that wants to be “passionate about passion.”

Episode 186: Jason Van Camp - Green Beret: 300 Kill/Capture Combat Missions - Comfort In The Uncomfortable

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Repetition is the mother of learning."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes to sustain excellence:
- Understand the importance of simplicity
- They know who they are
- High level of self-awareness
The process for Army Special Forces Selection
The situational awareness training done in the military -- how that helped Jason
You must understand why you made the decision you made -- Must be thoughtful
Graduating from West Point -- Progressing to Special Forces (why did he do this?)
What life is like as a football player at West Point
Becoming a Ranger and taking the next step to become a Green Beret
3 Deployments to Iraq - actions taken and what was learned
Leading 300 Kill/Capture combat missions
Being promoted within the military
Speaking with Nate Boyer -- "The difference between the success last year and the failure this year is Leadership"
Securing the very first Consultant deal with his new company with the New York Jets for $60,000
The strategy to create a meaningful leadership training session with an NFL team
"After 5 seconds on stage, you better have something to say"
Keys to earning laughs from the audience
- Absolute confidence
- Handling bad situations
- Gather information from people in the audience before your speech
- Use names/examples of people in the crowd
- Ask for hecklers (be careful with this and make sure you've planned well)
7 Ways to get comfortable with being uncomfortable
- Start
- Don't quit
- Push yourself past your comfort zone
- Embrace the suck
- Be around like minded people
- Recognize your improvements
- Rinse. Repeat
The Thayer method of learning employed at West Point

Continue Learning:

Go to Jason's website: mission6zero.com
Read: How to Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable (According to a Green Beret)
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

185: Haben Girma - The First Deafblind Harvard Law Graduate, Champion Of Change Jan 09, 2017

Episode 185: Haben Girma - The First Deafblind Harvard Law Graduate, Champion Of Change

An internationally acclaimed accessibility leader, Haben Girma has earned recognition as a White House “Champion of Change”, Forbes 30 under 30 leader, and BBC Women of Africa Hero. The first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, Haben champions equal access to information for people with disabilities. She has been honored by President Barack Obama, President Bill Clinton, and many others.

People with disabilities represent the largest minority group, numbering one billion worldwide. Reaching a group of this scale creates value for everyone. Organizations that prioritize accessibility benefit by gaining access to a much larger user base, improving the experience for both disabled and non-disabled users, and facilitating further innovation.

Watch Haben teach 4,000 developers the connection between Disability & Innovation at Apple’s 2016 Worldwide Developers Conference.

Haben has been featured extensively in media round the world, including the BBC, CBS, Forbes, the Washington Post, MTV, NPR, and many more.

Haben grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where she currently lives. She holds a B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology from Lewis & Clark College and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. In addition to her accessibility work, she enjoys salsa dancing, surfing, and traveling the world.

Episode 185: Haben Girma - The First Deafblind Harvard Law Graduate, Champion Of Change

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Excellent leaders are honest about their strengths and weaknesses."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes to sustain excellence:
- Honest about strengths and weaknesses
- Great problem solvers
- High level of self-awareness
Haben is Deafblind - she understands her strengths and weaknesses very well
Her TED Talk - Advocating for others -- How and why she champions equal access to information for people with disabilities
Communicating and hugging President Barack Obama
How she communicates -- The use of braille. For our talk on this podcast, she had an interpreter listen to what I said and then type it out for her to read in braille
What are the best ways to communicate with people who are deaf -- Haben helps me understand
Why you should never tell her that her story inspires you
How chocolate cake played a role in her becoming an advocacy attorney
What advice given to others who want to go into advocacy? Start with yourself. Maybe there is a gender bias, religious, or racial. Build up from there...
Haben describes how she experiences movies
The best piece of advice she's received: Don't insist on doing something by yourself. Ask for help. Work smart. Sometimes it's better to be helped by others
What she hopes people learn from her speeches? That she continually adds value to others
Haben's thoughts on Helen Keller - She's brilliant
Haben's brother is also Deafblind -- He works in technology
How she actively makes a choice to ignore fear
Why Uber denied her a ride 3 times and what happened
Her Goals: Change our culture -- Disability adds value... Trainings & Workshops

Continue Learning:

Go to Haben's website: habengirma.com
Follow Haben on Twitter: @HabenGirma
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Haben Girma on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

184: Scott Harrison - CEO of Charity Water "The Power of Storytelling" Jan 02, 2017

Episode 184: Scott Harrison - CEO of Charity Water "The Power of Storytelling"

Scott Harrison is the founder and CEO of charity : water. With virtually no experience outside of throwing parties, Scott founded Charity Water by charging $20 cover for his 31st birthday party. 10 years later, they've turned that $20 into $240 million, and brought clean water to 6.4 million people.

Scott believes in: Radical Transparency, Technology & Innovation For Good, and The Power of Storytelling.

charity: water is a non profit organization that works to bring clean and safe water to people in developing nations. charity: water uses all public donations to directly fund water projects such as building wells and sanitation facilities. Since its founding, charity: water has established 25 local partnerships, funded approximately 17,673 projects in 24 countries and provided roughly 6.4 million people with clean water. charity: water tackles the water crisis by working with local experts and community members to find the best sustainable solution in each place where they work, whether it’s a well, a piped system, a BioSand filter, or a system for harvesting rainwater. And with every water point they fund, their partners coordinate sanitation and hygiene training, and establish a local Water Committee to help keep water flowing for years to come. The organization's goal is to bring clean water to 100 million people by 2020.

Episode 184: Scott Harrison - CEO of Charity Water "The Power of Storytelling"

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"Human Beings Are Creatures Of Stories."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes to sustain excellence:
- Why it's vital that you first value excellence before sustaining it -- Unfortunately not everyone values it
- Then you must have integrity and generosity
The "ism's" created at Charity Water
- Design is vital in everything they do
- They care deeply about details
- There must be no typo's
- All PowerPoint presentations must be designed (no exceptions). Internal and external presentations are treated with equal importance
Always asking the question, "Was that excellent?"
What it means to be radically transparent
- Telling and showing people exactly where their money is being spent (using GoPro's to help tell this story)
Why Scott wanted to reinvent charity... How to build trust
Scott's hiring process -- The need for creative people that are likable and smart
- Note: They had 500 people interview to be their receptionist
Using technology to improve donations (use of VR)
The power of story-telling
In hiring -- "It's either a Hell Yeah! or a No"
Favorite interview question -- "What are the most important values you live by?"
- He wants to know that they actually have values and have taken the time to think about what they are
- Dan Pink - Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose
- Scott will read their last 500 tweets to see if they are a happy person or if they are cynical and "hate" on others
Scott's advice on giving and why we should do it

“What Are The Most Important Values You Live By?"

Continue Learning:

Go to charity water to donate: charitywater.org
See why over 84,000 people follow Scott on Twitter: @scottharrison
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Scott Harrison on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

183: Barry Schwartz - The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less Dec 29, 2016

Episode 183: Barry Schwartz - The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less

Barry Schwartz studies the link between economics and psychology, offering startling insights into modern life. Lately, working with Ken Sharpe, he's studying wisdom. In his 2004 book The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz tackles one of the great mysteries of modern life: Why is it that societies of great abundance — where individuals are offered more freedom and choice (personal, professional, material) than ever before — are now witnessing a near-epidemic of depression? Conventional wisdom tells us that greater choice is for the greater good, but Schwartz argues the opposite: He makes a compelling case that the abundance of choice in today's western world is actually making us miserable. Infinite choice is paralyzing, Schwartz argues, and exhausting to the human psyche.It leads us to set unreasonably high expectations, question our choices before we even make them and blame our failures entirely on ourselves. His relatable examples, from consumer products (jeans, TVs, salad dressings) to lifestyle choices (where to live, what job to take, who and when to marry), underscore this central point: Too much choice undermines happiness.

Episode 183: Barry Schwartz - The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"When you have infinite choice... Instead of being liberate, you get paralyzed."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes to sustain excellence:
- People really care about what they're trying to achieve
- They want to change people's lives
Why the leaders of organizations must give their employees opportunities to stretch, and demonstrate mastery
Why Barry wore shorts during his legendary TED Talk
People think the more choices we have, the better we'll be. It has limits...
The consequences with ease of communication -- "People are thinking less, and talking more."
Why Twitter is bad
Daniel Kahneman's work -- System 1 and System 2
Why are movies on an airplane better?
The proper way to set expectations
The secret to happiness
How to manage expectations:
- Make the rare not common - ie: Deliberately drink great win infrequently
Why are people affiliated with organized religion happier? -- Less to do with religion and more to do with community. Most religions are full of constraints
"Why We Work" -- Dan Pink's work on this is fantastic
The future of work -- A world full of contractors

“The secret to happiness is low expectations." -- Barry Schwartz

Continue Learning:

Watch Barry give a TED Talk Wearing Shorts (9m+ views): The Paradox of Choice
Follow Barry on Twitter: @barrysch
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Barry Schwartz on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

182: Vinh Giang - Why You Should Make The Leap Dec 26, 2016

Episode 182: Vinh Giang - Why You Should Make The Leap

Vinh Giang is a motivational/ inspirational keynote speaker and he uses magic as his metaphor when he speaks (He's found a way to make the medicine taste good!). He's built a successful online business that teaches magic to over 41,000 students from all over the world. His business won South Australian young entrepreneur of the year in 2013. In 2016, his online business has just combined forces with 52Kards which is one of America's leading online magic schools, after combining our schools together and many years of hard work they now teach over 500,000 students from all over the world. Vinh's other area of expertise is performance, being a magician and speaker he's spent 80% of the year on stage performing and presenting to people all over the world.

Episode 182: Vinh Giang - Why You Should Make The Leap

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"It took millions of years of serendipitous events for you to be here, and now that you are here, you are alive for 80 years on average. When you compare how long it took for you to get here versus how long you are her for... It's like you are alive for 1 minute. It's a privilege to be alive."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes to sustain excellence:
- The ability to face your fears head on
- Not avoiding difficult conversations
Why Vinh stopped trying to live up to others expectations
How David Blaine helped is business
The importance of having a speaker reel/highlight video
Why you should work with documentary makers -- They are story-tellers
The 3 Elements to a great speaker
- Educate
- Inspire
- Entertain
You must have a relentless belief that it can be done
The power of magic -- It brings out the inner child in everyone
You're alive for 1 minute and you've already lived 20 seconds of it... What will you do for the remaining 40 seconds?
Why are people so scared to take chances?
"Happiness is progress"
"We all have the right ingredients... We just need the recipe."
Goal Setting -- We need to take time to recalibrate
"You're like a glass of muddy water... Until you're still, you won't have clarity."
Public speaking -- Why this should be taught in schools from a young age
"I've realized the beauty in the unknown. Magic lives in the unknown. The most beautiful things in life are the unknown."
Why 5 year plans are not helpful

“Don't you think the most addictive thing in the world is comfort?"

Continue Learning:

Watch Vinh's Speaker Reel: vinhgiang.com
Follow Vinh on Twitter: @AskVinh
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Vinh Giang on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

181: Srini Rao - How To Be Unmistakably Creative Dec 18, 2016

Episode 181: Srini Rao - How To Be Unmistakably Creative

Srini Rao is the host and founder of The Unmistakable Creative podcast where he's conducted over 600 interviews with thought leaders and people from all walks of life. This has given him an incredibly distinctive view into branding, storytelling, and marketing. Srini has also written multiple books including the Wall Street Journal bestseller The Art of Being Unmistakable; created,planned, and executed a 60-person conference called the Instigator Experience;and am publishing the forthcoming Unmistakable book with Penguin Portfolio. Somewhere along the way his compass led him in the direction of an economics degree from the University of California at Berkeley and an MBA from Pepperdine University. Extracting unmistakable stories out of people is his superpower. And in his spare time he's usually chasing waves.

Episode 181: Srini Rao - How To Be Unmistakably Creative

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

"All change is proceeded by crisis."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes to sustain excellence:
- A pathological inability to accept the status quo
- Resilience
- A disciplined work ethic
Why the path is never linear
Reading 100 books a year
How to turn disadvantages into disproportionate advantages
The Pepperdine MBA - How it impacted Srini
"Most people like the idea of leaping, but not executing on it"
How to make "micro-changes"
Creating multiple streams of revenue:
- Author (book deals)
- Speaking
- Sponsors
- Projects
Why you should write 1,000 words per day
"Systems vs. Goals"
Stephen Pressfield - "The Resistance"
The "8 Step Daily Routine"
Why surfing helps Srini
Having the ability to navigate and weave in and out of relationships
Learning Leader = A lifelong commitment to becoming better on a daily basis

“Is what you're doing today leading to what you want to do five years from now?"

Continue Learning:

Srini's best selling book: Unmistakable: Why Only Is Better Than Best
Follow Srini on Twitter: @UnmistakableCEO
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Srini Rao on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

The Learning Leader Show is supported by Mizzen and Main: Performance fabric menswear. The most comfortable/durable dress shirts you will find on the market. I personally own 22 of them. To get free shipping, use the code "ryanhawk" -- To get $50 off when you purchase three shirts, use the code "ryanhawk3" -- Thank you for your support!

180: Michael Watkins - The First 90 Days: How To Ensure Success In Your New Role Dec 12, 2016

Episode 180: Michael Watkins - The First 90 Days: How To Ensure Success In Your New Role

Dr. Michael Watkins is the author of Your Next Move: The Leader’s Guide to Navigating Major Career Transitions, and the international bestseller The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at all Levels, which The Economist called “the on-boarding bible.” With more than 750,000 copies sold in English, and translations in 27 languages, The First 90 Days has become the standard reference for leaders in transition. Recently The First 90 Days was named one of the best 100 business books of all time.

Drawing on the perfect combination of research and hand-on experience, he has spent the last two decades working with leaders – both corporate and public — as they transition to new roles, negotiate the future of their organizations, and craft their legacy as leaders.

Episode 180: Michael Watkins - The First 90 Days: How To Ensure Success In Your New Role

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I help leaders and their teams make good career transitions."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes to sustain excellence:
- Learning Agility - Not shy about learning, and they don't expect themselves to have all the answers
- Diversity of Experience - Multiple functions, multiple companies
- Delicate balance between humility and ego
Jeff Immelt from GE is a good example
Confidence vs. Ego -- Desire to achieve, but cannot create echo chambers.
The First 90 Days -- Michael's world-wide best selling book on how to transition to a leadership role
The Leadership Pipeline - Another book to help make the transition from individual contributor to management. It's a completely different skill set
The toughest move/promotion is the very first one
The common traps leaders fall in to -- Relying only on what they're good at. Must broaden skills. You have to be a force multiplier.
- Common Issues and problems leaders run in to: "Coming in with the answer. Not building lateral relationships. Engaging on the wrong side of learning."
Why you must re-learn how to learn
- How is the culture different?
  - Politically
  - Technically
Who is the "dream team?" The five people you must meet immediately upon taking a new role
The importance of the boss and the role she plays in helping
Momentum -- Creating early wins. Why you must make this happen
- Look for little irritants to remove
- Secure a win by thinking differently
Your first public address to the group -- Prepare, Prepare, Prepare. The first impression is vital
How to prepare for a management (role) interview
Why a "One Sheet" of your core beliefs is better than a 30-60-90 day plan

“You have to be a force multiplier. You can't be a super-rep."

Continue Learning:

Michael's best selling book: The First 90 Days
Follow Michael on Twitter: @MichaelDWatkins
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Michael Watkins on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers from 178 Conversations Dec 08, 2016

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers from 178 Conversations

This is an episode unlike any other... I've listened through some of the best answers to the question: "What are the common characteristics/themes amongst those who have sustained excellence over an extended period of time?" We (my editor, Scott Donnell and me) pulled out some of the best, most useful answers and created an "all-star" Sustaining Excellence episode. I think you'll like it. I welcome all feedback via Twitter or you can send me an e-mail.

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers from 178 Conversations

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

In This Episode, You Will Learn

#78 Kat Cole - A scale, a balance of 2 buckets: Courage & Confidence + Curiosity & Humility. “They are productive achievers vs destructive achievers”

#127 Adam Grant - “They are dedicated learners. What’s fascinating by them is no matter how much excellence they achieve, they are always raising the bar. The more they accomplish the more they expect of themselves. Curiosity is the starting point for all originality”

#107 Simon Sinek - “They have vision, they have charisma? I’m not so sure that’s true. They don’t need a Steve Jobs vision. One thing I’m comfortable saying is courage. It takes tremendous courage to stick to your values."

#117 Tim Urban - "The impact you make is the level of measurement for a leader. It's different than what's normal"

#86 Seth Godin - “They’ve made a choice”

#114 Cal Newport - “The leader respects how hard everything is that’s worth doing.” Everything’s harder than you think. Impactful contribution is really hard.”

#115 Amy Porterfield - “The first word that comes to mind is consistency… Followed mentors. All create consistent content and show up consistently. Have a drive to follow up

#42 Rob DeMartini - “To measure success you have to look at more aspects of their lives. What was I seeing that was consistent? 4 things: Naturally curious, do they want to see how things are working? Could it be different? If you’re curious, it opens up so much. Energy & Optimism. Personal Awareness

#105 David Burkus - “I think there is a consistent dissatisfaction… I need to be proud of what I’ve done, but constantly frustrated that I’m not further along. That balance.”

#82 Dan Pink - “Curiosity, they follow their noses, especially if they know a lot of stuff. Generosity, I love the way you put it, sustaining excellence. Reasonably generous people. They don’t pull up the ladder when they get to the top. They are hardworking and conscientious, grit. Peter Drucker comes to mind"

#74 Tim Kight - “People who consistently perform. Intentional, purposeful, and constantly building skill.”

#77 Adam Braun - “3 things: Tremendously intrinsically motivated, integrity, surround themselves with people who play a level above them.”

#48 Cameron Herold - “Sense of vulnerability… Checked ego at the door. Realize they aren’t the smartest person in the room. Sense of curiosity.”

#122 Sarah Robb O’Hagan - “One of the biggest single things is curiosity, goes hand in hand with humility. They don’t ever feel like they’ve reached the top of the mountain.”

#98 Alison Levine - “Resilience more than anything else. Resilient about putting one foot in front of the other."

#68 Joey Coleman - “I think all leaders have 3 general things in common. 1) A growth and learning mindset. Constantly thirsting for knowledge and learning. 2) Gratitude, they recognize how lucky and blessed they are. Take time to appreciate the gifts and blessings in their lives. 3) Gentle with themselves

#108 Steven Kotler - “Ferocious about forward progress. Nothing mild about how they attack life. Level of commitment. The day to day.”

#43 Philip McKernan - “The eyes, peace of mind. I can see that. Use the eyes as a gateway to see their bullshit.”

Continue Learning:

Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing a compilation episode like this, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

178: Sol Orwell - CEO, Digital Nomad, Vulnerability As A Leader Dec 05, 2016

Episode 178: Sol Orwell - CEO, Digital Nomad, Vulnerability As A Leader

Sol Orwell is an entrepreneur and business developer, most known for his work as the co-founder of Examine.com. He was recognized as a 2014 Game Changer by Men’s Fitness and profiled by Forbes as a seven-figure entrepreneur.

Sol describes himself as semi-retired, which allows him to travel three to four months out of the year. He does not take investment money to retain control of his companies and free time.

He has stepped back from an active role in Examine.com to focus on other projects. He blogs about business development in the context of making money online on SJO.com and serves on the advisory board for Schwarzenegger.com as a health and fitness expert.

Episode 178: Sol Orwell - CEO, Digital Nomad, Vulnerability As A Leader

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I did what any normal person would do – I gave the company to my #2 to run, paid him more than I paid myself, and basically became a digital nomad."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes to sustain excellence = "A deep level for creating creativity."
Why Deep Work is so critical to Sol's success
A typical day:
- 2 minute cold shower
- The 5 Minute Journal
- A 10-15 minute walk -- "Get the brain started"
- Get to work
- Done with work by 2:30 every single day
Friday's are always no work days... Just "reading days"
The specific process Sol has taken to build a life around "creating businesses around my interests"
The process of purchasing Examine.com for $41,000 (and why he did it)
Putting his #2 in charge so he could travel the world and be a "digital nomad"
The Picasso Principle
How to create this lifestyle: Have no ego, create a blueprint, execute, trust others
Creating a "Side Hustle" -- A how to
Why you must "Get Started"
The #cookielife
Vulnerability is "when you don't know what the response will be when you put yourself out there."
1,000 true fans
Why Sol does not take VC money
Changing his name to Sol Orwell... Why?
How travel can create empathy and why that's so important for a leader... Being grateful
Learning Leader = Constantly learning. Have self-awareness. Take criticism, and foster the spirit to accept it
"Luck is a function of observation"

“I think a big part of entrepreneurship is to realize that you can trust other people. You can be rewarded for trusting other people. You don’t have to necessarily look over their shoulder.”

Continue Learning:

Sol's website: Examine.com
Follow Sol on Twitter: @sol_orwell
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Sol Orwell on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

177: Michael Gerber - "The World's #1 Small Business Guru" (The E-Myth Revisited) Nov 27, 2016

Episode 177: Michael Gerber - "The World's #1 Small Business Guru" (The E-Myth Revisited)

Michael E. Gerber is a true legend of entrepreneurship. Inc. Magazine  calls him “the World’s #1 Small Business Guru” — the entrepreneurial and small business thought leader who has impacted the lives of millions of individuals and hundreds of thousands of companies worldwide for over 40 years. Michael is the author of the mega-bestseller “The E-Myth Revisited” and five other E-Myth books concerning small business and entrepreneurship. The Wall Street Journal named the E-Myth the #1 business book of all time (November 2011) having sold millions of copies and has now been applied in 145 countries, in 29 languages and is taught in 118 universities.

The originator, in 1977, of the small business coaching industry, with his founding of The Michael Thomas Corporation, The E-Myth Academy, E-Myth Worldwide, Michael E. Gerber Companies, since that time having served over 100,000 small business clients. And today launching “Beyond The E-Myth: The Evolution of an Enterprise: From a Company of One to a Company of 1,000!: The Course – The Program – The Book” – a revolutionary process to prepare a small company for acquisition by readying it to scale (Scale to Sale).

Episode 177: Michael Gerber - "The World's #1 Small Business Guru" (The E-Myth Revisited)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“You must work ON the company to perfect the system IN the company."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes within the best performers:
- They don't think about "me"
- They think about the puzzle... And what's missing from it
- Steve Jobs, Apple. Tom Watson, IBM.
The importance on learning how to play the saxophone and having the desire to be the best in the world -- how that translated to success later in Michael's life
- "I only teach people that want to become the best saxophone player in the world."
Practice, Practice, Practice -- Doing it the right way. Having a plan
The most important aspects for Michael's early success:
- Vision - You must believe that you can do something beyond what seems possible initially
- Discipline - You must practice
- A great coach - The importance of great mentors in our lives
The agreement between coach/mentor and mentee at the beginning of the relationship is critical to the long term success
Why McDonald's is the most successful small business on the planet
- Working ON the store to perfect the system IN the store
  - Lesson: So can you. Go to work to prepare you company to scale and sell just like Ray Crock did
The focus should be on the system (Starbucks, McDonald's)
The eight steps to grow and scale
Beyond the "E-myth"

“If you can't scale it, you can't sell it."

Continue Learning:

Michael's best selling book: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It
Follow Michael on Twitter: @MichaelEGerber
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Michael Gerber on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

176: Jeffrey Gitomer - Why Sales Is The Greatest Profession In The World Nov 21, 2016

Episode 176: Jeffrey Gitomer - Why Sales Is The Greatest Profession In The World

Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The New York Times best sellers The Sales Bible, The Little Red Book of Selling, The Little Black Book of Connections, and The Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude. All of his books have been number one best sellers on Amazon.com, including Customer Satisfaction is Worthless, Customer Loyalty is Priceless, The Little Red Book of Sales Answers, The Little Green Book of Getting Your Way, The Little Platinum Book of Cha-Ching!, The Little Teal Book of Trust, Social BOOM!, and The Little Book of Leadership, and 21.5 Unbreakable Laws of Selling. Jeffrey’s books have appeared on best-seller lists more than 850 times and have sold millions of copies worldwide.

Episode 176: Jeffrey Gitomer - Why Sales Is The Greatest Profession In The World

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Most sales are made after the 7th NO."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes within the best performers:
- Great attitude
- Deep belief in themselves
- Approachable and good sense of humor
- You like to hang out with them
How to judge a great sales professional:
- Will you do business with them again?
- Will you refer them to friends/family
Understanding the ethics of a sales professional
Why sales is the greatest profession in the world
The duty of the sales leader
The Wells Fargo Fiasco
Why Jeffrey was banned from USAir
A live role play -- How Jeffrey sells books on a plane (he sells to me)
Keys to successful cold-calling: Engaging, approachable, having a good time
Why Jeffrey believes he's the greatest sales professional in the world
Why new managers need to be trained/coached (A LOT)
Jeffrey's process for speaking to large audiences
Why Jeffrey prefers to drive a Lexus
Using creativity to differentiate and dominate
Saying thank you like John Ruhlin
The process of learning from customers: Why it's absolutely vital to your success

“People don't like to be sold, but they love to buy."

Continue Learning:

Jeffrey's best-selling book: Little Red Book of Selling
Jeffrey's book: Sales Bible
See why over 110,000 people follow Jeffrey on Twitter: @gitomer
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jeffrey Gitomer on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

175: Michael Hyatt - How To Get Noticed In A Noisy World Nov 14, 2016

Episode 175: Michael Hyatt - How To Get Noticed In A Noisy World

For years, Michael Hyatt had people write and refer to him as their virtual mentor. His mission is to help high achievers win at work and succeed at life. Michael writes on personal development, leadership, productivity, and public influence.

He is the author of the New York Times best seller, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World. It is also a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller. In addition, I am the founder of Platform University. Michael is also the co-author of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best seller, Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want.

He is the founder and CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company, an online leadership development company. They help overwhelmed high achievers get the clarity, confidence, and tools they need to win at work and succeed at life.

Episode 175: Michael Hyatt - How To Get Noticed In A Noisy World

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Being present at work is a strategic advantage."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Sustained excellence = People who have the ability to "lead themselves" and are disciplined in all aspects of life
The power of taking a 2 week hiatus - Unplugged, reading novels, cognitive input, relationship building with family, sets the tank to FULL when you get back
Doing 4 big launches per year -- all hands on deck,
Being present at work and being present at home. Being present is a strategic advantage.
Having 5 daughters -- "The goal of parenting is to de-parent to help your child self-actualize"
Studying James Altucher and Bill Murray and their approach to life
Goal Setting -- Too many people set goals within their comfort zone. We need to challenge our imagination
Michael's book Platform: Get Noticed In A Noisy World and the impact it's had on so many
His blog: Started in 2004. The first 4 years it only received 1,000 visitors/month. Now it gets 1,000,000/month
Platform = "Deconstructs how to get heard"
How he's built his company from 1 to 21 employees
Having multiple revenue streams -- Speaking, Writing, Online Courses, Membership Site
5,000 members a month paying $37/month
Why you need to "get started"
"5 Days To Your Best Year Ever"
Start a blog, podcast, vlog, newsletter
Career advice: Be hyper responsive to people, have a "courage to act." Always keep your word even when it's expensive.
How his new book helps people get clarity about where they are going

“Tension is the enemy of performance."

Continue Learning:

Read Michael's book: Platform: Get Noticed In A Noisy World
Newest book: Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want
See why over 280,000 people follow Michael on Twitter: @MichaelHyatt
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Michael Hyatt on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

174: Jessica Tracy - Pride: The Secret To Human Success Nov 10, 2016

Episode 174: Jessica Tracy - Pride: The Secret To Human Success

Jessica Tracy is a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, where she also directs the Emotion and Self Lab. Her research focuses on emotions and emotion expression, and especially on the self-conscious emotions of pride and shame. She has published over 80 journal articles, book chapters, edited volumes, and reviews, and her groundbreaking work on pride has been covered by hundreds of media outlets, including ABC’s Good Morning America, NPR’s All Things Considered, the New York Times, the Economist, and Scientific American. Tracy was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and now lives in Vancouver with her daughter and her partner.

Her book is: Take Pride: Why the Deadliest Sin Holds the Secret to Human Success. It has received rave reviews by some of the brightest minds in the world

Episode 174: Jessica Tracy - Pride: The Secret To Human Success

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Good pride = Authentic. Bad pride = Hubristic."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Jessica's initial interest in Pride - Started studying in grad school in 1999.
Managing the challenge of others caring about us -- At an evolutionary level. We need authentic pride
Sharing on social media - Pride in "likes" -- only posting the 5% best aspect of our lives
- It's a slippery slope caring too much what others think
- The "over sharers" on social media -- what it really means
Lance Armstrong initially had authentic pride -- an incredible work ethic... Then is grew to hubristic pride and he doped/cheated
JJ Watt -- Hubristic pride? The "log cabin" story
Pride in the workplace - Power and Leadership
Authentic Pride -- Leads to prestige
Bosses: The "do what I tell you or you'll be fired" are bosses who have hubristic pride. Insecure, people dislike them and typically will quit.
Prestigious leaders are well-liked and respected bosses. Secure in themselves
Donald Trump = Hubristic pride
The story of Dean Karnazes - successful businessman -- At 30 realized something was missing. Became a runner
Good pride = Authentic. Bad pride = Hubristic.
Execution
Common themes of excellence = Growth mindset -- Intrinsic goals vs money/fame

Continue Learning:

Read Jessica's book: Take Pride: Why The Deadliest Sin Holds The Secret To Human Success
Follow Jessica on Twitter: @ProfJessTracy
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jessica Tracy on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

173: Jon Levy - The Science Of Adventure (The 2 AM Principle) Nov 07, 2016

Episode 173: Jon Levy - The Science Of Adventure (The 2 AM Principle)

Jon Levy is a behavior scientist, consultant, writer and keynote speaker best known for his work in the fields of Influence and Social Experience.

He created The “Influencers”, a private community and dining experience for tastemakers and industry leaders. Members range across all industries from well-known actors and Olympians, to executives at major companies and royalty. Influencers has received a fair share of media including stories in The New York Times, Forbes, Fast Company, The Observer, to name a few. Combining years of experience running Influencers and research, Jon has developed a deep understanding in designing social experiences and creating influencer programs for brands.

After years of studying what has become known as “The Science of Adventure”, Jon was able to discern that every adventurous experience follows a predictable four stage processes. Each stage has specific characteristics that, when applied, make the experience exciting. His newest book is titled The 2 Am Principle: Discover The Science of Adventure.

Episode 173: Jon Levy - The Science Of Adventure (The 2 AM Principle)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Your brain responds to novelty. If you want to have an exciting life, you need to get outside of your comfort zone."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Update on "The Influencers" -- In 8 cities, 2 countries, over 800 people hosted
Why Jon visited every continent in 2015
Novelty - Your brain responds to it. How to create it...
Why it's great to travel alone
Travel - Do something remarkable with a level of perceived risk. It will bring growth
How to live this lifestyle if you are married with kids...
An example of an introvert traveling to Europe for the first time -- A "How To" guide to have a great time
The Ben Franklin Effect... Stacking Favors
The "IKEA" effect -- What it means and how it impacts all of us
The "science of optimal anxiety" -- AKA Productive Discomfort. Say yes to a lot of things to have a wealth of experiences
E.P.I.C. Model of Adventure
- Establish - Put the right people and elements in place
- Push Boundaries - Growth, talk to strangers
- Increase - More
- Continue - End in style... Close the keynote with something memorable. Humans remember the peak and how it ends
New ways to introduce yourself at conference - "I convince people to cook me dinner"
George Lowenstein and his impact on Jon
How to travel the world with little money

"Routine is the enemy of excitement." - Jon Levy

Continue Learning:

Read Jon's new book: The 2 AM Principle
Follow Jon on Twitter: @JonLevyTLB
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jon Levy on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

172: Sarah Knight - The Life Changing Magic Of... Nov 02, 2016

Episode 172: Sarah Knight - The Life Changing Magic Of...

Warning: This episode contains a lot of graphic language. If you prefer episodes with only clean language, please skip this one.

Per Amazon.com: Sarah in her own words: "I'm a writer, editor, and recovering perfectionist. I spent fifteen years working in the New York publishing industry where I was privileged to edit talented authors such as Jessica Knoll, Gillian Flynn, Emily Nagoski, James Lee Burke, Chris Cleave, and many, many more. In 2015 I left it all behind in pursuit of more sunshine, less stress, and a daily abundance of pina coladas - moving with my husband from Brooklyn to the Dominican Republic. My first book, THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF NOT GIVING A F*CK, is an international bestseller. My new book - another fun, profane guide to mental decluttering - is called GET YOUR SH*T TOGETHER. It will be published on December 27, 2016."

Episode 172: Sarah Knight - The Life Changing Magic Of...

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“If you don't take care of yourself first, then you won't be any good for others."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Work ethic, dedication to the goal, and "Getting up and doing the work" will lead to sustained excellence
Why Sarah left an incredible career where she was "climbing the ladder"
The year Sarah spent preparing to leave her corporate job
Her work life at the moment: ghost write, edit, live in Dominican Republic
Why it's important to have a long term plan if you're planning on leaving your current job
How "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" inspired her
The art of "mental decluttering"
How to decide what matters most to you
People Pleasing -- The "not sorry" method. Use honesty and be polite. "You must stop caring about what others think"
Why "selfish" has become a 4 letter word
The career checklist - Why Sarah dislikes it
Street smarts vs. Book smarts -- Can be a false dichotomy
Why she decided to move to the Dominican Republic with her husband
How do you prioritize what's truly important? -- The "must-do" method
Tim Urban's article: Why You Should Stop Caring What Other People Think
The fine line of being a friend and "not wanting to go to baby showers" -- Again, say No with honesty and be polite.

"You can't control what others think of you."

Continue Learning:

Read Sarah's book: The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck
Follow Sarah on Twitter: @MCSnugz
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Sarah Knight on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

171: Scott Berkun - Big Ideas For Curious Minds Oct 30, 2016

Episode 171: Scott Berkun - Big Ideas For Curious Minds

Scott Berkun is a bestselling author and popular speaker on creativity, philosophy, culture, business and many other subjects. He’s the author of six books, including The Myths of Innovation, Confessions of a Public Speaker, and The Year Without Pants. His work has appeared, or been mentioned, in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Guardian, Wired magazine, Forbes, USA Today, Wired, Fast Company, National Public Radio, The Huffington Post and other media.

Born and raised in Queens, NYC, he studied philosophy, computer science and design at CMU, was a manager at Microsoft (’94-’03) and WordPress.com (’10-’12), taught creativity at the University of Washington, was a co-host of CNBC’s The Business of Innovation TV show, is named on 5 U.S. patents, blogs for Harvard Business and BusinessWeek, and has appeared as an expert on various subjects on CNN, CNBC, NPR and MSNBC. He’s also the MC and speaker coach for Ignite Seattle, a finalist in the Amtrak 2014 writer’s residency program and the director of the short film We Make Seattle.

Episode 171: Scott Berkun - Big Ideas For Curious Minds

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“The first tip to pitching well: Learn about the other persons environment"

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having a sports background to learn a work ethic and set goals can lead to sustained excellence
The process for Scott to quit his job at Microsoft to become a full time writer/author -- And why he did it
Writing process
- #1 Don't chase headlines - Don't chase traffic... Write good content
- Write about evergreen topics that people will always want to read
- Consistently write and produce content -- Stick to a rigorous schedule (he released work Tuesday & Thursday)
Understand your habits over time -- Plan your day (when to wake up, eat, workout, write)
The topics he covers when he gives a keynote speech:
- Innovation and creative thinking
- Management/Leadership
Why he likes to prepare and not give the same speech over and over
Time spent on preparing vs. delivering = 10x1... Meaning he spends 10 hours to give a 1 hour talk
Teaching a creative thinking class at a University
The importance of "combining ideas"
"Passion is self perception of your interests... There is a need for self awareness"
Self discovery --> You need to try different things/ideas
Street smarts vs. Book smarts -- Can be a false dichotomy
"How to call BS on a Guru"
- Have higher expectations
- How you read - Every chapter stop and plan for situations. Apply what would I do differently
- Read with a different intent
- Have a willingness to experiment
Why Scott hates speed reading
"How to pitch an idea"
"How to run a brainstorming meeting" -- It's about volume. You must be very clear about intended results and action plans
- Have a good facilitator who says "Yes, and..."

"It's very important to understand that all ideas are made up of other ideas... We need to combine ideas like "Uber for Laundry.""

Continue Learning:

Read Scott's book: Mindfire: Big Ideas for Curious Minds
Read Scott's book: Confessions of a Public Speaker
Follow Scott on Twitter: @berkun
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Scott Berkun on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

The Learning Leader Show is supported by Daor Design - Daor Design will help you build your brand like nobody’s business. Most of their work falls into one of four categories: Logo Design, Print Design, Web Design or Digital Marketing. They pride themselves in being a trusted, valued resource for their growing family of clients.

170: Simon Sinek - Why "Together Is Better" Oct 23, 2016

Episode 170: Simon Sinek - Why "Together Is Better"

Simon Sinek sparked a movement with his bestsellers START WITH WHY and LEADERS EAT LAST. His newest book, Together Is Better, will inspire more readers to ask for help, help others, and discover their own courage through a charming story about change. Simon Sinek is an optimist. He teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people. From members of Congress to foreign ambassadors, from small businesses to corporations like Microsoft and 3M, from Hollywood to the Pentagon, he has presented his ideas about the power of why. He has written two books, Leaders Eat Last and Start With Why and is quoted frequently by national publications. He was previously a guest on The Learning Leader Show, Episode #107 which remains one of the most popular episodes in the show's history... This one is even better.

Episode 170: Simon Sinek - Why "Together Is Better"

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Most people live their lives by accident as it happens. Fulfillment comes when we live our lives on purpose."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

"We're social animals and we need each other"
The goal is to find ourselves in a place that we dream to go to
"Joy comes from relationships we form when we feel someone cares about us"
Why The Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas is incredible (the people)
- Their employees love their jobs -- Why? Their managers constantly work to make the employees lives better
Why you must be a student of leadership
- Often times someone gets promoted based on current performance, but they are rarely trained on how to lead. Leaders must take time off to regularly train on leading others. Most don't unfortunately. "All the best leaders I know are students of leadership."
Execution: The leaders are responsible for the people who are responsible for the results. It's a human job. Consistency and intensity. Daily practice of little things (ie. ban phones in meetings, instead of people texting and email, they will talk)
Need to know what we stand for and what we are against
Why Jack Welch is a bad leader
"Jack Welch is a blight on the business world. GE needed a $300B bailout." - Simon Sinek
Being willing to say "I don't know." Having the courage to speak up when you don't know. Ask questions.
"Courage is not a deep internal fortitude. When we feel someone cares about us, we're able to make courageous decisions."
How Simon started his business as a consultant
How his TEDx Talk changed his life
Why successful athletes suffer from depression
"People come first... Winning is second." - John Wooden
Why you must know your "why." What you're a part of...

"Leadership: It's a human job. The daily practice of little things. Consistency and intensity."

Continue Learning:

Read Simon's newest Book: Together Is Better
Follow Simon on Twitter: @simonsinek
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Simon Sinek on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

169: Amelia Boone - How The Best Obstacle Racer In The World Embraces Pain Oct 19, 2016

Episode 169: Amelia Boone - How The Best Obstacle Racer In The World Embraces Pain

Amelia Boone is a full-time corporate attorney and probably the world's most decorated obstacle racer. Since the sport's inception five years ago, she's amassed more than 30 victories and 50 podiums. Career highlights include:

• 3x winner of the World's Toughest Mudder (2012, 2014, 2015) • Spartan Race World Champion 2013 • Spartan Race Points Series Champion (2013 & 2015) • 3x Death Race Finisher (Winter 2012, Summer 2012, Summer 2013)

When Amelia's not out on an obstacle course, you'll find her nurturing a budding ultra running obsession, working as a full-time attorney, or watching wrestling pay-per-views. Most likely with a box of Pop-Tarts or a bag of ketchup chips in hand. (Bio from AmeliaBooneRacing.com)

Episode 169: Amelia Boone - How The Best Obstacle Racer In The World Embraces Pain

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“For me, pain is something we shouldn't be afraid of. I feel most alive doing that."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

High level performers have an innate drive, self-motivated, constantly striving to get better
Can it be learned? Yes. Need to find what it is inside of you that drives you. Cultivate it. Create routines and schedules to sustain excellence
How Amelia is able to be a full time attorney working for Apple AND the best obstacle racer in the world
The importance of prioritizing and eliminating what doesn't matter. Set your life up to eliminate time wasters -- (ie. She moved very close to her office at Apple in order to avoid wasting time with a long commute)
Her morning routine - Wake up at 4:00 am and train: "If I don't train, then nothing feels right."
How has racing impacted life as an attorney: Why having a full schedule helps her. Creates the need for focus and forces Amelia to do it
How Amelia creates the best version of herself
The difference between competing with yourself vs competing with others
What her relationship is like with other racers? She is friendly but knows she is the target that everyone wants to beat
How she's able to regularly beat everyone in a race (men and women)
Dealing with an injury from over-training (broken femur)
How the injury has changed her --
- Creating her ability to be happy for the success of others
- Dealing with Identity issues
- Prior to the injury, she found herself caught in the cycle of "What happens if I don't win?"
- She's learned there is more to life than winning and losing
How does Amelia deal with the immense pain during a 24 hour race? Compartmentalize ("Make it to the next obstacle... then the next"). If "you're really in the pain cave, then focus on others. Talk to other racers, volunteers. Get your mind off of it."
People who have sustained excellence have a remarkable ability to pivot. They always find a way to be successful regardless of what they are doing. "What can you be the best at right now?"
What is success? What is happiness? What's the best?
The Barkley Marathons - Why Amelia will be the first female to finish the race
Why you should not avoid pain. "For me, pain is something we shouldn't be afraid of. I feel most alive doing that." We've created a world we there is no pain. That's not healthy."
Her pre race process - Night before there are nerves. The day of: logical and methodical approach to planning everything for the race. Then zone out, be by herself and think. Be thankful, humble, and fortunate to be there.
How to enjoy the process and not just focus on the results
"There has never been a better time to start something than right now."
- Adding something new can make you more efficient. Amelia became a racer at age 28.
"The key to life is being a lifelong learner"

"I've always wanted to be the best version of myself. If I don't train, nothing seems right."

Continue Learning:

Watch documentary that featured Amelia: Rise Of The Sufferfests
Follow Amelia on Twitter: @ameliaboone
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 055: Joe DeSena - Spartan Race CEO, Delayed Gratification, & Helping 1 Million People

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Amelia Boone on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

168: Mark Sisson - How To Become A Fat Burning Beast Oct 16, 2016

Episode 168: Mark Sisson - How To Become A Fat Burning Beast

Mark Sisson is a former elite endurance athlete who has made health and fitness his life’s work. In his younger days, he was on the track toward medical school for a while , but he got detoured by a different track—literally—and a dream of making the US Olympic team for the marathon. As the decades passed, he realized that his calling was as an independent researcher, critical thinker, motivator, and communicator—to get people to take responsibility for their health and fitness.

Mark's mission is to change the lives of 100 million people with his Primal Blueprint movement and where he blogs at Mark's Daily Apple.

Episode 168: Mark Sisson - How To Become A Fat Burning Beast

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Your body will learn to burn fat if the glucose (sugar) is not there. Your body doesn't know if it's eaten bread or skittles."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes in people who sustain excellence: Their ability to deal with stress
Mark's health philosophy:
- Fresh, nutrient dense, high antioxidant, preferably locally grown/naturally raised food choices
- Daily activity—whether it’s the gym or a walk along the beach, it all counts
- Plenty of quality sleep, sun exposure, play, and intellectual stimulation
- Avoid all sweets and sweetened beverages. Once you break free, they lose their allure
- Time for fun—don’t take anything too seriously
- Ethical behavior—because what goes around comes around
- Taking responsibility for yourself and your life—openness to new things and ideas
The importance of gaining muscle mass
How we screw up our diet at birth
- We must get away from a sugar based life
- Eat meat, fish, seeds, nuts -- You'll be better at burning fat
Have walking meetings, use a stand up desk, use a treadmill desk
It is imperative that we get sunlight on a regular basis
How do you become a fat burning beast? Carbohydrates create glucose, body burns it and stores fat. Don't eat pasta, cereal, bread, or crackers
- The body will burn fat if glucose is not there
Why Mark is never hungry for breakfast
Why you should get rid of grains
Sugar is evil
Mark's thought on "cheat days"
The NY Times story discussing the scientist who were paid to say that fat was bad and sugar was okay
How to maintain this lifestyle if you regularly travel
Discussing vegans -- The success comes from what you give up more than what you eat
A typical day in the life of Mark - Food eaten, workouts done, business meetings
The 10 Primal Blueprint Laws

"I will teach you how to become a fat burning beast."

Continue Learning:

Read Mark's Book: The Primal Blueprint
Follow Mark on Twitter: @Mark_Sisson
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Mark Sisson on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

167: Robert Cialdini - The Godfather of Influence Oct 12, 2016

Episode 167: Robert Cialdini - The Godfather of Influence

Harvard Business Review lists Dr. Cialdini’s research in “Breakthrough Ideas for Today’s Business Agenda.” Influence has been listed on the “New York Times Business Best Seller List.” Fortune Magazine lists Influence in their “75 Smartest Business Books.”CEO Read lists Influence in their “100 Best Business Books of All Time.”

Dr. Robert Cialdini has spent his entire career researching the science of influence earning him an international reputation as an expert in the fields of persuasion, compliance, and negotiation.

His books including, Influence: Science & Practice, are the result of decades of peer-reviewed research on why people comply with requests.Influence has sold over 3 million copies, is a New York Times Bestseller and has been published in over 30 languages. His new book, Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade, published by Simon & Schuster, quickly became a Wall Street Journal and a New York Times Bestseller.

Because of the world-wide recognition of Dr. Cialdini’s cutting edge scientific research and his ethical business and policy applications, he is frequently regarded as the “Godfather of influence.”

Episode 167: Robert Cialdini - The Godfather of Influence

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Give people a reputation to live up to."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Empathy is one of the most important characteristics of a great leader (Warren Buffett & Charlie Munger)
A 20 year gap in books written... Why? Dr. Cialdini wanted to have sufficient research for Pre-Suasion
How the process of "Pre-Suading" happens -- A story shared
Story of a business partner who screwed up -- How he primed him by saying "I hate when this happens to nice guys like you"
When you receive a job offer, ask for advice from your mentors -- Their response might surprise you
When you ask for advice, you develop a partnership and you collaborate. That person becomes part of your and your success
The proper way to start every interview (when you are being interviewed): "I would like for you to answer a couple questions for me before we start... Why did you want me here? Why am I great for this role?" This will prime the interviewer to share positives about you. They will work to prove themselves right (about what they said of you) throughout the rest of the interview.
The art of priming -- People want to prove themselves right
How to get a raise or a promotion? When people are uncertain or fear they will lose you (assuming you provide value), they likely fear losses more than achieving gains. It benefits the organization to hold on to (and it's cheaper) great talent.
Reciprocity - Why should a man give flowers at the beginning of a date?
Unity - Donald Trump claims to be an outsider -- "We're in this together as outsiders. We are the same group." It resonates with people and creates unity.
The Beijing Restaurant experiment
The profession of selling -- The new way of thinking: How to create trust = Start with a weakness of your product. Warren Buffett does this better than anyone
Great leaders need to be effective inside an organization
Learnt the power of asking for advice

"We are in this together. We are of the same group."

Continue Learning:

Read Dr. Cialdini's classic book: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Read Dr. Cialdini's newest book: Pre-Suasion
Follow Bob on Twitter: @RobertCialdini
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Dr. Robert Cialdini on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

166: Charles Duhigg - How To Create Habits Using Mental Models Oct 09, 2016

Episode 166: Charles Duhigg - How To Create Habits Using Mental Models

Charles Duhigg, is a reporter for The New York Times, and the best selling author of multiple books, including The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better. Theyabout the science of habit formation in our lives, companies and societies.

He's worked at the Times since 2006. His latest series focused on Apple and was named “The iEconomy.” It won a Pulitzer prize for explanatory reporting in 2013.

He studied history at Yale and received an MBA from Harvard Business School. He's appeared on This American Life, N.P.R., The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, and Frontline. Details on his newest book, Smarter Faster Better: a fascinating book that explores the science of productivity, and why managing how you think is more important than what you think—with an appendix of real-world lessons to apply to your life. At the core of Smarter Faster Better are eight key productivity concepts—from motivation and goal setting to focus and decision making—that explain why some people and companies get so much done. Drawing on the latest findings in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics—as well as the experiences of CEOs, educational reformers, four-star generals, FBI agents, airplane pilots, and Broadway songwriters—this painstakingly researched book explains that the most productive people, companies, and organizations don’t merely act differently.

Episode 166: Charles Duhigg - How To Create Habits Using Mental Models

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Lorne Michaels creates psychological safety."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Common themes of sustained excellence = Creating a habit of thinking deeply
- It's possible to be busy all the time and never accomplish anything
Having "contemplative routines" -- Habits, priorities. Michael Lewis is a great example -- He's always finding great stories
There is a diversity in how people succeed
It's very easy to be reactive -- The brain prefers this
The most successful people take time to think -- Needs in life change
The art of pairing stretch goals with SMART goals. Structure. Write this down
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Timeline
Every morning creates a new to do list -- Stretch goals are most important
There are practices in order to be productive and practices to be happy
2 Categories
- What you have
- What is going to happen
Mentals Models -- The stories we tell ourselves prior to the event happening "what are all the things that could possibly go wrong on this flight?"
Nurses in a NICU -- Very easy to be overcome with details
Saturday Night Live
- Everyone gets to speak in equal proportion
- People show each other who is listening
- There is a psychological safety in their approach
Lorne Michaels forces this safety
The power of story telling

"There is a diversity in how people succeed. That's why thinking is so important."

Continue Learning:

Read Chris's Book: Smarter Faster Better
Follow Charles on Twitter: @cduhigg
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Charles Duhigg on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

165: Chris Voss - Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It Oct 05, 2016

Episode 165: Chris Voss - Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It

Chris Voss is the Founder and CEO of the Black Swan Group Ltd and author of Never Split The Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It. He has used his many years of experience in international crisis and high-stakes negotiations to develop a unique program and team that applies these globally proven techniques to the business world.

Prior to 2008, Chris was the lead international kidnapping negotiator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as the FBI’s hostage negotiation representative for the National Security Council’s Hostage Working Group. During his government career, he also represented the U.S. Government at two international conferences sponsored by the G-8 as an expert in kidnapping. He was the case agent on such cases as TERRSTOP (the Blind Sheikh Case – Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman), the TWA Flight 800 catastrophe and negotiated the surrender of the first hostage taker to give up in the Chase Manhattan bank robbery hostage taking.

During Chris’s 24 year tenure in the Bureau, he was trained in the art of negotiation by not only the FBI but Scotland Yard and Harvard Law School. He is also a recipient of the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement and the FBI Agents Association Award for Distinguished and Exemplary Service.

Chris currently teaches business negotiation in the MBA program as an adjunct professor at University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. He has taught business negotiation at Harvard University, guest lectured at The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, The IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland and The Goethe School of Business in Frankfurt, Germany. Since 2009 Christopher has also worked with Insite Security as their Managing Director of the Kidnapping Resolution Practice.

Episode 165: Chris Voss - Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Every single question you ask will trigger an emotional response on the other side."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

"Active Listening" leads to being a great negotiator
- "In a 2 hour conversation, there will be solid gold"
There is always a difference in the literal truth and the actual truth
Why you cannot be scared to look stupid by not asking clarifying questions
How spending 24 years in the FBI, and negotiating over 150 kidnappings have developed his incredible ability
- International kidnappings are bargaining... Commodities
"Leaders and Learners ask and they follow through"
When closing a big business deal, terms and conditions are typically more important than the price: Try not to talk dollars until the very end. Satisfaction and peace of mind is what closes most deals
How to develop trust and peace of mind -- Predictability with trust
"Be a mirror" -- How to quickly establish rapport: 1 to 3 words repeating with the other says
Why Howard Stern is one of the best interviewers in the world... He gets people to share things they would never normally say
How to negotiate better terms when discussing a job offer -- Thinking long term vs. short term -- Insist on being part of projects that help the long term success of the company. Create your value
"What makes you ask?" What's the question behind the question?
The Jeff Schilling kidnapping -- A $10m pricetage -- Using "That's right" to create a bonding moment and get Jeff back
The D.C. Snipers - Chris shares his involvement with that negotiation
How to spot liars... How to guarantee execution, what questions to use at what times
Liars use more words (typically) than people telling the truth to justify their story (their lie)
The 7-38-55 percent rule
When should you use the other persons first name and when it's too much
How to coach emotional intelligence skills

"Leaders and Learners ask and they follow through"

Continue Learning:

Read Chris's Book: Never Split The Difference
Follow Chris on Twitter: @VossNegotiation
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Chris Voss on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

164: Jonathan Fields - How To Live A Good Life Oct 02, 2016

Episode 164: Jonathan Fields - How To Live A Good Life

Jonathan Fields currently runs mission-driven media and education venture, Good Life Project®, where he and his team lead a global community in the quest to live more meaningful, connected and vital lives. They produce a top-rated podcast and video-series with millions of listens and views in more than 150 countries, where Jonathan regularly shares conversations with the world’s leading voices, like Sir Ken Robinson, Elizabeth Gilbert, Milton Glaser, Brene Brown, Gretchen Rubin and hundreds more.

He's also a best-selling author. His latest book is titled How To Live A Good Life: Soulful Stories, Surprising Science, and Practical Wisdom

Jonathan is regularly featured in the media, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, FastCompany, Inc., Entrepreneur, USA Today, Real Simple, HOW, O Magazine, Self, Outside, Slate, Vogue, Elle, Allure, SELF, Yoga Journal, CNBC, Fox News, Today Show, PBS Nightly Business Report.

Episode 164: Jonathan Fields - How To Live A Good Life

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“A leader is someone who is willing to own not just the result, but the process."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

What does it mean to live a good life?
- Being completely unique
- Immersing self with activities that fill you up
- A sense of connection
How do you "help people live better lives?"
The origin story of "Good Life Project" -- The manifestation of what it means to live a good life
- A conscious entrepreneur -- Launch, build, sold multiple companies
Key blog post - Year in reflection of 2011. 40 pages:
- 10 Commandments of Epic Business
How do you do something you love for a living? Just starting... Run experiments. The key is starting.
Having an annual gathering -- Camp GLP
What it's like working full time with your spouse on your business
Going to law school --> Being an entrepreneur --> Sold first business while in college
Being a lawyer for the government vs. life as an entrepreneur
A leader is someone who is willing to own now just the result, but the process.
WOOP = Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Process
Newest book... Why write it? What is it? A distillation of years of incredible conversations with teachers who are living it. Learning from those teachers sharing extremely actionable advice.
The ideal person to read "How To Live A Good Life" -- Someone who is in their middle years of their life, busy people who are ready to take more control
"Living Creed" -- "What do I believe is possible?" "What do I believe is important?"
"Tell your story... Not someone else's"

“What do I believe is possible? What do I believe is important?"

Continue Learning:

Read Jonathan's Book: "How To Live A Good Life"
See why over 60,000 people follow Jonathan on Twitter: @jonathanfields
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jonathan Fields on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

163: Amy Trask - Former NFL CEO: "You Negotiate Like A Girl" Sep 28, 2016

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“No matter your industry, don't build walls: Communicate, Cooperate, Collaborate, Coordinate."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

"To thine own self be true" -- Be yourself, focus on working hard and forging your own path
As a graduate student, Amy cold called the Raiders asking for an unpaid internship
14 years later, she was hired as the CEO of the team
The key was looking for projects to be part of (even if she wasn't initially chosen to do it) and add value to it
Approaching work with an intense curiosity - Amy learned every role within the Raiders -- Even stuffing envelopes the proper way
Learn about all parts of the overall business, not just what you do
Amy was hired to work on contracts, but she ended up doing many different roles
"Don't ever view something as "Not My Responsibility" - If you see it's a problem, then fix it"
The day to day life of a CEO of an NFL team
The Four C's To A Successful Career - Communicate, Cooperate, Collaborate, Coordinate
"The only people not making mistakes are the ones who aren't trying"
"You Negotiate Like A Girl" - Why use that title? Amy has operated without regard to gender her entire career
The original title for her book was "Without Regard"
Keys to being a great negotiator:
- You must find out what's important to each party... Some of the issues will be of no importance (let the opposing party have what is important to them if it's not important to you)
- "The best deals were forged when sitting alongside someone collaborating."
- No posturing, no lying -- Tell the truth
- Openly share what's important -- Create transparency

“To thine own self be true"

Continue Learning:

Read Amy's Book: You Negotiate Like A Girl
To Follow Amy on Twitter: @AmyTrask
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Amy Trask on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

162: Adnan Virk - ESPN Broadcaster: Why You Should Always Say Yes Sep 25, 2016

Episode 162: Adnan Virk - ESPN Broadcaster: Why You Should Always Say Yes

Adnan Virk works for ESPN. He is the first Muslim Sports anchor to be hired by ESPN. Adnan is one of the most versatile talents in all of ESPN. He is one of three main anchors for Baseball Tonight. In the baseball off-season, he has hosted SportsCenter and Outside the Lines. He is known as someone who will always say "yes" when a leader calls and asks him to fill in. He has filled in for Keith Olbermann, Mike and Mike, SVP & Russilo, and many others. He is a "cinephile." Adnan has an immense love for film, regularly picks the Oscars, and does movie reviews on radio and TV. Recently, he started his own podcast titled, "Cinephile - The Adnan Virk Movie Podcast." He interviews actors and reviews movies. Some of his guests have been: Robert DeNiro (that story is discussed in depth on this episode), Viggo Mortensen, Denis Leary, Will Arnett, and more. His love (and knowledge) of movies is evident during this conversation.

Episode 162: Adnan Virk - ESPN Broadcaster: Why You Should Always Say Yes

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“You will always have a job if you can do a lot of things. But you REALLY get paid if you can do one thing extremely well." - Mike Greenberg

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The Top 5 Tom Hanks movies (we respectfully disagree but had fun discussing)
The reason he became a sportscaster
How he got his job at ESPN
Why he chose to study Broadcasting in college
Where his love of film came from
Originally wanting to be a director and the moment when he realized he should do something else (and why)
What he learned writing his first script -- "You have to be economical with your words"
The impact his movie knowledge had on his co-workers at ESPN -- And opportunities it created for him
Being a "generalist" -- How and why it's helped him
Movie Reviews - Big, Top Gun, Rounders, Cast Away
"You will always have a job if you can do a lot of things. But you really get paid if you can do one thing extremely well."
His interview preparation process
A great Robert DeNiro story - Meeting him, interviewing him, and what happened after it was over
The greatest part about having a podcast
Understanding the goals you have for each interview -- Having a plan
- Have to be prepared
- Research (a lot)
- Be prepared to go anywhere
"Whenever there is an opening, always show up. Always be there for your boss. Be known as the person who says yes when your boss calls. Don't tell them about the trouble it takes you to say yes, just do it. Show up."

“Whatever your passion is... You have to find it. And do it. You need new challenges and goals to be entertained."

Continue Learning:

To Listen to his podcast: Cinephile: The Adnan Virk Movie Podcast
To Follow Adnan on Twitter: @adnanESPN
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 047: David Marquet - "Turn The Ship Around"

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Adnan Virk on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

161: Hank Fortener - "The 5 Chapters Of Your Life" Sep 21, 2016

Episode 161: Hank Fortener - "The 5 Chapters Of Your Life"

Hank Fortener saw the transformational power of adoption when his parents gave forever homes to eight kids from eight different countries and fostered 36 children while he was a boy.

Because of this, Hank created Adopt Together. AdoptTogether.org is the world's first crowd funding site for adoption. In the first 4 years, AdoptTogether.org has helped over 2,000 families raise over $8.5M to cover adoption expenses and bring their children home. Hank also speaks on the topics of leadership and teaming. He has spoken to companies such as: Sony Entertainment, Cardinal Health, Cornerstone On Demand, and a host of others. He has a podcast titled, "Typically Hazardous." Hank lives in Los Angeles with his wife Sueann and two daughters Cora and Charlotte. Hank also loves two dollar bills, great ideas, and good coffee. He currently is on tour with Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato. Had had the privilege of speaking at TEDx on "How To Use The Internet To Solve World Problems."

Episode 161: Hank Fortener - "The 5 Chapters Of Your Life"

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“What are the five chapters you want in your life?"

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

A person who is "drunk in everything about their life" who has great, healthy relationships will lead to sustaining excellence
The importance of consistency -- "It's the only thing that has emerged to help me be successful"
How to be more consistent - Set up tools (Evernote), Write 10 ideas per day (via James Altucher)
Balancing his four main points of emphasis right now: Writing a book, podcast, running his non-profit, World Adoption Day
Most excited about? Building a one of a kind type of platform -- "Creating the life I want"
Currently hosting a pre-show on Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato's tour -- How it came about
What are the 5 chapters you want in you life? -- Write them out
Write previous chapters in your life that you liked and didn't liked
Why he doesn't do well with a boss, but also why he is not a good solo entrepreneur -- He needs a team
3 Keys To Being a Fantastic Leader
- Generous - Volunteer connections, energy, and compliments
- Trust - Character, and Honesty
- Overwhelmingly accessible - You must be there for those that you lead "You must show up"
How "World Adoption Day" came about
Scott Harrison - Charity Water CEO is involved
The "Seth Godin" approach - Pitch 10 people - If it comes back, it's good.
The significance of a hand with a smiley face
The process for "creating a day" with the United Nations
Why adoption? His family fostered 36 children. 19 million children don't have lead parents. He grew up with 8 adopted brothers and sisters
Why as the lead you must be "the first in and last out"

“Ultimately, being consistent has led to long term success."

Continue Learning:

Read About: World Adoption Day
Follow Hank on Twitter: @HankFortener
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 047: David Marquet - "Turn The Ship Around"

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Hank Fortener on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

160: Liz Wiseman - Why Lack Of Experience Is Your Advantage Sep 18, 2016

Episode 160: Liz Wiseman - Why Lack Of Experience Is Your Advantage

Liz Wiseman teaches leadership to executives and emerging leaders around the world. She is the President of The Wiseman Group, a leadership research and development firm headquartered in Silicon Valley. Some of her recent clients include: Apple, Disney, eBay/PayPal, Facebook, GAP, Google, Microsoft, Nike, Roche, Salesforce.com, and Twitter. Liz has been listed on the Thinkers50 ranking and named as one of the top 10 leadership thinkers in the world and recipient of the 2016 ATD Champion of Talent Award.

She is the author of three best-selling books: Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work, Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter and The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside Our Schools. She has conducted significant research in the field of leadership and collective intelligence and writes for Harvard Business Review and Fortune and her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Inc. and Time magazines. She is a frequent guest lecturer at BYU, and Stanford University.

A former executive at Oracle Corporation, she worked over the course of 17 years as the Vice President of Oracle University and as the global leader for Human Resource Development. During her tenure at Oracle, she led several major global initiatives and has worked and traveled in over 40 countries.

Liz holds a Bachelors degree in Business Management and a Masters of Organizational Behavior from Brigham Young University. Liz lives in Menlo Park, California with her husband and four children who share her over-active curiosity and sense of adventure. (Bio from thewisemangroup.com) (Picture from thinkers50.com)

Episode 160: Liz Wiseman - Why Lack Of Experience Is Your Advantage

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“The leaders job is to pull out the greatness around them."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having an outward orientation and thinking beyond yourself will lead to sustained excellence
Liz describes a "genius vs a genius maker"
"The leaders job is to pull out greatness around them. They are past themselves."
Larry Ellison is a prime example of a leader who pulls out the greatness in others
How to earn the trust of the CEO
Why learning beats knowing
Only 15% of what we know today will be relevant 5 years from now
Why lack of experience is your advantage
Career advice to younger workers: "Don't try to replicate someone else. Don't be a "Steve Jobs wannabe" -- Be yourself
Managers need to understand the value of rookies
The disciplines of a "multiplier vs a diminsher"
Signs you've reached a plateau in your career:
- Things are running smoothly
- You have "ready answers"
- You're getting positive feedback all the time
- You're the mentor
- You're busy but bored
- You start to play it safe
Diminisher = Energy killer, puts a blanket on new ideas
Multiplier = They use their own intelligence to amplify and help others grow and succeed
A Diminsher is
- A trophy collector... Treats talented employees like trophies (until they leave)
- A tyrant... A creator of stress
- A "know it all"
A Multiplier is
- A talent magnet... People grow around multipliers and other great leaders flow to them
- A liberator... They give space
- A challenger... They invite people to do hard things. They get comfortable inviting others to be uncomfortable. They create a warm environment.
- Someone who creates a safe environment for intellectual curiosity and creates stretch

“Don't be intimidated by what you don't know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else." - Sara Blakely

Continue Learning:

Read: Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing In The New Game Of Work
Read: Multipliers: How The Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter
To Follow Henry on Twitter: @LizWiseman
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 047: David Marquet - "Turn The Ship Around"

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Liz Wiseman on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

159: Henry Ward & Josh Merrill - CEO of eShares: How To Hire, Manage, & Lead Sep 14, 2016

Episode 159: Henry Ward & Josh Merrill - CEO of eShares: How To Hire, Manage, & Lead

Henry Ward is the CEO of eShares. Josh Merrill leads product and Marketing at eShares

Hiring Principles:

Hiring means we failed to execute and need help

Startup employee effectiveness follows a power law

False Positives are okay, False Negatives are not

Culture is defined by who we hire

Hiring Heuristics:

Hire for Strength vs Lack of Weakness

Hire for Trajectory vs Experience

Hire Doers vs Tellers

Hire Learners vs Experts

Hire Different vs Similar

Always pass on ego

Episode 159: Henry Ward & Josh Merrill - CEO of eShares: How To Hire, Manage, & Lead

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“The success of a company is the sum of the people in it."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Patience, long term thinking, and understanding that your success will be determined by the people you surround yourself with will lead to sustained excellence
Product focused and understanding "The Artist's Dilemma"
The best produce it for themselves
How eShares was created
Why their partnership works so well
What Josh feels Henry doesn't do well (Interesting moment!)
Why don't more companies publicly share what they believe in?
eShares hiring process
Why you shouldn't hire someone because they are a "culture fit"
Why you shouldn't have performance plans -- Once you've deemed the person is not working, then fire them immediately
Hiring for trajectory vs. experience
How it's similar to the LA Rams drafting Jared Goff with their #1 pick... Being patient to develop him
How should you grade employees? Don't... Teach them to grade themselves. Don't give people a number grade -- "How am I doing?" "You're doing a 2."
How to fire someone:
- Give sincere explanation for why
- Don't make it one-sided
- Help them with what's next
Be intrigued about what you do -- "eShares is a learning experience for me. I'm doing things I've never done before"

“False positives are okay. False negatives are not."

Continue Learning:

Read his Henry's posts on Medium: medium.com/@henrysward
To Follow Henry on Twitter: @henrysward
To Follow Josh on Twitter: @josh_io
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 047: David Marquet - "Turn The Ship Around"

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Henry Ward and Josh Merrill on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

158: Amy Jo Martin - How To Build Engagement, Trust, & Serotonin Sep 11, 2016

Episode 158: Amy Jo Martin - How To Build Engagement, Trust, & Serotonin

Amy Jo Martin, author of New York Times best-seller Renegades Write the Rules, founded Digital Royalty in 2009 to help corporations, celebrities and sports entities humanize their brands online through social communication channels. Amy Jo has worked closely with world-renowned brands such as Hilton Worldwide, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal to successfully humanize their presence. Her motto: humans connect with humans, not logos.

Amy Jo herself has a social media following of more than a 1.1 million people and was named the third most powerful woman on Twitter by Forbes. Amy Jo believes the future of technology is the future of humanity. She conducts clinical research studies and travels the world to speak about this topic and many other topics. She recently spoke an audience of 10,000 people.

In 2012 Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com, and Baron Davis, NBA player, invested in Amy Jo and her company. After a successful seven-year run as the Founder & CEO of Digital Royalty and growing the business globally into ten different countries, Amy Jo recently exited the company.

As a young female building her career in male-centric industries, Amy Jo has developed a passion for helping women thrive in business leadership. She is currently spending her time researching the relationship between technology and humanity. She is also investing in other female entrepreneurs so they can reach their full potential.

Amy Jo is also a contributor to news outlets including the Harvard Business Review and Sports Business Journal. She has been featured in top-tier media outlets including Vanity Fair, TIME, Forbes, The New York Times, Fast Company, ESPN SportsCenter, USA Today, MSNBC and Newsweek.

Client portfolio includes: Hilton Worldwide, Shaquille O’Neal, Motorola, FOX Sports, The X-Factor, Chicago White Sox, UFC and Dana White, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Los Angeles Kings, Jabbawockeeez, Doubletree by Hilton, Tony Hsieh CEO of Zappos.com, Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, KC Royals and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Episode 158: Amy Jo Martin - How To Build Engagement, Trust, & Serotonin

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Don't focus on the number of followers... Focus on the connection you are making with your followers."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having an innate curiosity and learning from failure will lead to sustained excellence
How Tony Hseih and "The Rock" have helped Amy Jo learn about leadership
The art of asking questions -- The Tony Hseih approach
Creating an online business -- How she did it and how to grow it
Not focusing on the number of followers, but the manner in which Amy Jo engages with them
Listening more than talking
How to figure out your value
The power of a positive outlook
How to boost serotonin (it's contagious)
The importance of mindfulness
"The unfollow exercise"
How she built her large Twitter following -- engagement
Why she wanted to start her own podcast
"Why Not Now?"
Definition of her success? Identifying your purpose, passion, and skill
A series of experiments including living on a boat

“Serotonin is contagious"

Continue Learning:

READ her book: Renegades Write The Rules
See why over 1.15 million people follow Amy Jo on Twitter: @AmyJoMartin
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 047: David Marquet - "Turn The Ship Around"

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Amy Jo Martin on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

157: Chris Zook - The Founders Mentality: A Bias For Action & Front Line Obsession Sep 07, 2016

Episode 157: Chris Zook - The Founders Mentality: A Bias For Action & Front Line Obsession

Chris Zook is a partner in Bain & Company's Boston office. He was co-head of the Global Strategy practice for 20 years. During his more than 25 years at Bain, Chris has specialized in helping companies find new sources of profitable growth.

A best-selling author, Chris published his fifth book,The Founder's Mentality in 2016. Based on a decade-long study of companies in more than 40 countries, The Founder's Mentality shows how leaders can overcome the predictable crises of growth and set their companies on a path of sustainable growth. Chris has been a featured broadcast guest, including NPR, CNBC, Fox News and Bloomberg TV. He has been a keynote speaker at a wide range of international and business forums including the World Economic Forum, the World Knowledge Forum, the Forbes' CEO Conference, the BusinessWeek CEO Conference, the Economist Summit and Endeavour’s entrepreneur summits. In the last five years, he has done over 500 talks and workshops across more than 35 different countries.

Episode 157: Chris Zook - The Founders Mentality: A Bias For Action & Front Line Obsession

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“The leaders who have a deep intellectual curiosity to continuously learn" will sustain excellence over an extended period of time"

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having a burning intensity and passion around a topic/cause and a love of the details will lead to sustained excellence
Walter Chrysler was a great example of this.. -- Also Phil Knight (Nike), Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX)
The importance of a "deep intellectual curiosity to learn"
Front Line Obsession - Do you treat your front line sales and customer service employees as the heroes of the business? Do you do whatever it takes to support them?
Customer Advocacy - Do you relentlessly try to create loyalty with your customers? Is the voice of the customer fully represented in all important meetings?
An Owner's mindset:
- A bias for action - Making decisions with speed. Quick to take on personal responsibility and risk to do the right thing
- An aversion to bureaucracy - Have you simplified your initiatives to focus on the biggest priorities? Are your planning and review processes the best in the industry and do you reallocate resources to make your front line more competitive?
The amount of time spent on the preparation for quarterly meetings (building PowerPoint decks, etc...) is immense -- However, it's not focused on customers, which is a problem
How Home Depot went from great to poor to great again...
The 9 Nike Maxims -- Make sure you celebrate your front line employees
How can a company deal with cost reductions?
"Train the guns on thet thinkers, not the doers" -- The bureaucracy has to go
The importance of mindfulness
Have a bias for action... Be a doer, not a talker
85% of a companies issues stem from internal issues
Why a company needs one dedicated person to owning the customer experience
The hero of WWII - General James Gavin
New Leaders - Spend the first 6 weeks in the field. Learn what is happening and why. See it for yourself
- Send an email to every person in your organization and take the time to thoughtfully respond to every email
How Chris helped build Bain from 100 employees to 5,000+
Thought of "Learning Leader" as an academic term originally, but after being a guest on the show views it as a way to bring ideas from an outside audience and share with others

“Complexity is the silent killer of growth"

Continue Learning:

READ his book: The Founders Mentality
Follow Bain on Twitter: @BainInsights
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 047: David Marquet - "Turn The Ship Around"

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Chris Zook on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Bain.com

Chris has authored numerous additional books with Harvard Business Review Press, including Repeatability: Build Enduring Businesses for a World of Constant Change (2012), an argument for simple, great repeatable models to realize enduring, profitable growth. In 2010, he published Profit from the Core: A Return to Growth in Turbulent Times, an updated edition of his 2001 best-selling business book, Profit from the Core: Growth Strategy in an Era of Turbulence, which offers an approach to assessing and making the most of core business opportunities. Chris's sequel, Beyond the Core: Expand your Market without Abandoning your Roots (2004) examines how companies that have fully exploited their core businesses can systematically and successfully expand into related, or "adjacent" areas. Unstoppable: Finding Hidden Assets to Renew the Core and Fuel Profitable Growth (2007) completes the series and examines what to do when your growth formula of the past begins to approach its limits, demanding that your company change its strategic focus and redefine its core.

These “growth trilogy” books have received widespread critical support. Beyond the Corewas recognized by The Economist as one of the top five business and economic books in the year it was published, and it was also voted one of the top 100 business books ever written. Unstoppable was identified by The Financial Times as one of the notable business books of the year. Based on his work on how companies grow, Chris was included by theTimes of London in its biannual list of the 50 Most Influential Global Business Thinkers. He has written dozens of articles with Harvard Business Review Press and other business publications, such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, The New York Times,Fortune, Forbes and BusinessWeek.

He received a bachelor of arts in mathematics and economics from Williams College, an M.Phil. in economics from Exeter College, Oxford University, and earned master’s and doctorate degrees from Harvard University.

156: Greg Wittstock – The CEO Must Guide The Culture Sep 04, 2016

Episode 156: Greg Wittstock – The CEO Must Guide The Culture

Greg Wittstock has been dabbling in water gardens since the age of 12. He began with a concrete creation and evolved to the naturally balanced, #1 contractor-installed ecosystem ponds that Aquascape is well known for.

After graduating from Ohio State University with a degree in Interpersonal Communications, Greg founded Aquascape Inc., which experienced incredible growth during its early years. The company appeared on Inc Magazine's coveted list of 500 Fastest-Growing, Privately-Held Companies in North America from 1999-2002. Greg later appeared on the cover of Inc Magazine, along with a feature article about his leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.

Episode 156: Greg Wittstock – The CEO Must Guide The Culture

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“The first job of the CEO is to guide the culture"

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Most excited about: The 25th anniversary of his company, Aquascape
Growing a business from college hobby to 120 employees and over $60m in revenue at one point
"Those who sweat together stay together"
Values of Aquascape
- Character
- Team
- Winning
- Fun
The importance of playing football and how they taught Greg about teamwork
How The Chicago Tribune story launched his business to another level
Why he didn't speak with his Dad for 9 years
The average pond they build is $15,000
Overall philosophy to the profession of sales: Help those who have had a bad experience, sell the lifestyle, share statistics about how a pond can change your life
Find someone who has done what you want to do and learn directly from them
"The greatest satisfaction in life is helping other people succeed"

“Find someone who does what you want to do and learn directly from them."

Continue Learning:

READ: Forbes Feature on Greg
Follow Greg on Twitter: @ThePondGuy
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 047: David Marquet - "Turn The Ship Around"

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Greg Wittstock on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Aquascapeinc.com

In 2004, Greg was nominated for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year award. Greg also received the Best Boss' award from Fortune's Small Business Magazine and Winning Workplaces in 2005, and earned the University of Chicago's Entrepreneur Hall of Fame award in 2007.

At the end of 2005, Wittstock's dream of a workplace utopia came true as the company moved to Aqualand, a 256,000 square foot office and warehouse facility that boasts the largest sloping green roof in North America. Aqualand received Silver Level recognition in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating system.

Greg has been interviewed and featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times in 2009, and has appeared on a variety of television shows over the years including Good Morning America, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, and cable home improvement shows.

155: Russ Roberts - A Guide To Human Nature & Happiness Aug 31, 2016

Episode 155: Russ Roberts - A Guide To Human Nature & Happiness

Russell Roberts is the John and Jean De Nault Research Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.

Roberts hosts the weekly podcast EconTalk–hour-long conversations with authors, economists, and business leaders. Past guests include Milton Friedman, Nassim Taleb, Christopher Hitchens, Marc Andreessen, Joseph Stiglitz, and John Bogle. EconTalk was named podcast of the year in the 2008 Weblog Awards. Over 425 episodes are available at EconTalk.org and on iTunes at no charge.

His two rap videos on the ideas of John Maynard Keynes and F.A. Hayek, created with filmmaker John Papola, have had more than seven million views on YouTube, been subtitled in eleven languages, and are used in high school and college classrooms around the world.

His latest book is How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness. It takes the lessons from Adam Smith’s little-known masterpiece, The Theory of Moral Sentiments and applies them to modern life—lessons for work, family, friendship, and how to live the good life.

Episode 155: Russ Roberts - A Guide To Human Nature & Happiness

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Man naturally desires, not only to be loved, but to be lovely" -- "The right way to be loved is to be wise and virtuous"

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

"Being intellectually alive" and having a passion about learning will help you sustain excellence
The importance of being open to people outside of the box
Adam Smith was an 18th Century Scottish Economist - Great writer, entertaining
He wrote "The Wealth of Nations" and "The Theory of Moral Sentiments"
What we all naturally desire = To be loved and to be lovely
Why do we care so deeply about what others think of us?
We want to be praised, BUT we want to earn that praise. We want to be praised for doing it the "right way"
How do you know what is right? Step outside of yourself -- you're prone to delusion. View it in the spectrum of an impartial spectator
Meditation and mindfulness is helpful
"A prudent man is sincere and honest. Also though he doesn't volunteer everything he knows, he is reserved and cautious in his speech and his action. He doesn't stick his opinion into every discussion." -- Be measured. "Say little, do much."
Create a beneficent rule about parenting -- Always take your child's hand when offered. It means holding their hand more often and also helps you remember to savor the moment.
How to live? Seek wisdom and virtue. Behave as if an impartial spectator is watching you. Use the idea of an impartial spectator to step outside yourself as others see you. Use that vision to know yourself. Avoid the seductions of money and fame, for they will never satisfy.
"These are the days to remember. They will not last forever."
The story of Pyrrhus - The kind of Epirus - Why Cinneas thinks it's a bad idea. -- "What hinders your majestry from doing so now?" -- You don't have to conquer Italy to enjoy the fundamental pleasures of life.
The Mexican fishing story = Bigger is not always better. Listen as this relates to so many people trying to check off boxes from a career perspectiveThe story of Pyrrhus - The kind of Epirus - Why Cinneas thinks it's a bad idea. -- "What hinders your majestry from doing so now?" -- You don't have to conquer Italy to enjoy the fundamental pleasures of life.

“A prudent man is sincere and honest. Also though he doesn't volunteer everything he knows, he is reserved and cautious in his speech and his action. He doesn't stick his opinion into every discussion." -- Be measured. "Say little, do much."

Continue Learning:

READ his book: How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life
Follow Russ on Twitter: @EconTalker
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 047: David Marquet - "Turn The Ship Around"

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Russ Roberts on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From RussRoberts.info

Russell Roberts is the John and Jean De Nault Research Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.

154: Lewis Howes - How To Acknowledge Greatness Aug 28, 2016

Episode 154: Lewis Howes - How To Acknowledge Greatness

Lewis Howes is an online marketing expert, sought after business coach, author, podcaster, USA Men’s National Team Handball Player, and Lifestyle Entrepreneur. In 3 years, Howes went from sleeping on his sister’s couch to running a seven figure online education business. A former pro football player, and two sport All American, Howes experienced a career ending wrist injury that forever changed the trajectory of his business career. He has spoken to thousands at conferences, educated entrepreneurs and professionals around the world on how to make a living doing what they love. Howes has developed multiple educational online courses for entrepreneurs and business owners. His latest book, "The School of Greatness" is a New York Times Best-Seller.

The Learning Leader Show

“Do I have permission to make this the best interview you've ever done?"

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Being passionate and obsessed with your craft combined with a commitment to being great will help you sustain excellence
Lewis sharing the painful moments about being sexually abused as a kid and how that impacted him
The things that hold us back from being a true leader
The power of vulnerability
Let's change our conversation style... Instead of asking, "What do you do?" Let's ask, "What are you most excited about in your life? What are you most grateful for in your life?"
His vision = Serve 100 million people
Dealing with depression when a wrist injury ended his football career
"Follow your curiosity"
Master a skill to serve others - Be challenged -- Look at your life in 6 month seasons
Why Lewis transferred back and forth multiple times in college
Focusing on your strengths and how it helps
How to prime someone you are about to interview
Why we all should acknowledge the positive attributes of a person and most importantly TELL them
"I want to acknowledge you for..."
A true leader is always learning

“When you're a startup, you have to be willing to take a lot of risks."

Continue Learning:

His book: The School of Greatness
See why over 109,000 people follow Lewis on Twitter: @LewisHowes
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 047: David Marquet - "Turn The Ship Around"

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Lewis Howes on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

153: Brian Halligan, CEO of HubSpot: How To Make Them Come To You Aug 24, 2016

Episode 153: Brian Halligan, CEO of HubSpot: How To Make Them Come To You

(Bio in first person from Amazon.com) My day job is as co-founder and CEO of HubSpot, an inbound marketing company started in 2006. Most business market their products by "interrupting" their potential customers with advertisements, cold calls, email blasts, etc. We humans have gotten sick of being interrupted by marketers and have gotten better-and-better at blocking them out with new technology such as caller ID, spam protection, TIVO, etc. HubSpot helps businesses transform they way they market from interrupting potential customers to helping them "get found" by them in the natural course of the way they work today in Google, in blogs, and in social media sites. In other words, we help companies transform from "outbound marketing" to "inbound marketing." Despite only starting the company a few years ago, we have over 1700 paying customers who on average increase their leadflow by 6x within 6 months of buying our product.

In addition to working at HubSpot, I am an EIR at MIT where I lecture on startups and marketing as well as help students when I can.

Prior to HubSpot I was a venture capitalist. It was in working with small startups that I realized that the fundamental way in which marketing has worked for the last several decades was simply broken.

Prior to being a vc, I was a student at MIT where I was a Sloan Fellow. I spent a lot of time at MIT studying web2.0, business model transformation, and innovation.

In the early part of this decade, I spent four years running sales at Groove Networks prior to it being acquired by Microsoft. I spent the first 10 years of my career in sales and marketing roles at Parametric Technology Corporation where I joined in startup mode and helped it grow to be over $1billion in revenue.

In my spare time, I like to read books by folks like David Meerman Scott, Seth Godin, Clayton Christensen, Geoffrey Moore, etc. I also play guitar poorly. I enjoy all kinds of sports like tennis, squash, running, and golf. I can often be found in summertime enjoying a Red Sox game in Fenway Park.

Episode 153: Brian Halligan, CEO of HubSpot: How To Make Them Come To You

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“It looks like a rocket ship from the outside, but in reality it is slow and steady growth."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having a willingness to embrace change will help you sustain excellence
Understanding "The Inbound Methodology"
How HubSpot was born
The importance of finding a great co-founder who compliments your strengths
What's advice would he give to others who are starting their own business?
Must have product/market fit -- Look to improve someone's life with something that is unique. For the first 6 months spend 100% of your time getting that right
Specific notes about the product from a current user
The Inbound Methodology - Much more effective than cold calling
The traditional playbook is broken... How do you do "Inbound Marketing?" Create a blog, start a podcast -- Find a way to attract people to you. Hubspot does a fantastic job of getting people to come to them
"I don't have a phone on my desk" -- "Sales is changing everyday" -- His co-founder just bought a Tesla and did the entire transaction online
"If I was an outside sales person, I would choose an industry with a very complex product. If it's not complex, then the buyer doesn't need anyone to explain it to them. They can just read about it online."
HubSpot sells a great deal completely through eCommerce
Why they publish their "Culture Code" and how it's helped them recruit the best talent
How they responded to Dan Lyons very critical book discussing his time of employment at HubSpot
Dealing with negative publicity -- How to handle a crisis -- Agreeing that some of what was written was true ("We are way too white male and we are too young.")
The dramatic rise of their stock price from when they went public to today (132% increase)
Why they have an "Inbound" conference every year and what takes place at the event
The importance of having healthy debates prior to "sailing the ships." - Once the ship is sailing, everyone must be on board
Most important quality for Brian to hire you? They must know why they were successful in their prior work. He doesn't only care about what happened, he wants to make sure they fully understand why they were successful
Read the book "Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight (Nike)
"I like the name Learning Leader a lot. I like leaders who are constantly learning and evolving."

“When you're a startup, you have to be willing to take a lot of risks."

Continue Learning:

Read: Inbound Marketing, Revised and Updated: Attract, Engage, and Delight Customers Online
Read: HubSpot - Culture Code
See why over 58,000 people follow Brian on Twitter: @bhalligan
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 047: David Marquet - "Turn The Ship Around"

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Kris "Tanto" Paronto on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Amazon.com

In addition to working at HubSpot, I am an EIR at MIT where I lecture on startups and marketing as well as help students when I can.

Prior to being a vc, I was a student at MIT where I was a Sloan Fellow. I spent a lot of time at MIT studying web2.0, business model transformation, and innovation.

152: Dave Dameshek: NFL Network Star, Comedy Writer, Working With Jimmy Kimmel Aug 21, 2016

Episode 152: Dave Dameshek: NFL Network Star, Comedy Writer, Working With Jimmy Kimmel

Dave Dameshek is a TV writer and TV/Podcast personality. Dameshek is currently a football analyst and writer for NFL.com, appearing on NFL Fantasy Live and hosting the Dave Dameshek Football Program. He also regularly appears on the NFL Network.

His past: The Adam Carolla Show debuted in January 2006, recorded in Los Angeles and airing in syndication on stations across the western United States. Dameshek was a regular cast member on the show from the beginning, serving as the show's official sports reporter. He received his first big break in 2001 when he was hired as a writer on Comedy Central'sThe Man Show, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla. In 2002, he began writing for Kimmel's new late-night talk show on ABC, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he made several appearances in addition to his main responsibility of working on the show's nightly monologue.

Episode 152: Dave Dameshek: NFL Network Star, Comedy Writer, Working With Jimmy Kimmel

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“If you outwork everybody, nobody can accuse you of being given anything."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The specific advice Jimmy Kimmel gave to him on how to have a successful career (work ethic)
Super resilient and self confident leaders sustain excellence
Best piece of advice for future broadcasters: "BE EXACTLY WHO YOU ARE"
When it comes to Dameshek's feelings towards obnoxious TV personalities - Be yourself and always tell the truth
Going from bartender to corporate sales to a career in entertainment
Dameshek responds to the Reddit thread, "Does anyone actually like Dave Dameshek?"
How he was able to earn Adam Corolla's respect (hard to do)
A great story about one of his first "LA" experiences with Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla
What "No Jive" means and why he believes in it
How has Roger Goddell been as a leader?
Why Dave gets nervous to speak with comedians but not anyone else
Why people will tell you terrible things about themselves but no one will admit they aren't funny
How to impress CEO's? "Don't kiss their butts" -- They are used to everyone doing that

“If you always tell the truth, you never have to remember anything."

Continue Learning:

Read Dameshek's blog for NFL.com: davedameshek.nfl.com
Follow Tanto on Twitter: @Dameshek
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 145: AJ Hawk - Life In The NFL, Awareness, Consistency

Episode 047: David Marquet - "Turn The Ship Around"

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Dave Dameshek on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio Dave Dameshek

Dr. Funny Dave Dameshek is a TV writer and TV/Podcast personality. Dameshek is currently a football analyst and writer for NFL.com, appearing on NFL Fantasy Live and hosting the Dave Dameshek Football Program. The Adam Carolla Show debuted in January 2006, recorded in Los Angeles and airing in syndication on stations across the western United States. Dameshek was a regular cast member on the show from the beginning, serving as the show's official sports reporter. He received his first big break in 2001 when he was hired as a writer on Comedy Central'sThe Man Show, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla. In 2002, he began writing for Kimmel's new late-night talk show on ABC,Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he made several appearances in addition to his main responsibility of working on the show's nightly monologue.

151: Kris "Tanto" Paronto - 13 Hours: A Secret Soldier Of Benghazi Aug 17, 2016

Episode 151: Kris "Tanto" Paronto - 13 Hours: A Secret Soldier Of Benghazi

Kris Paronto - “Tanto” as he is affectionately known in security contracting circles - is a former Army Ranger from 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment and private security contractor who has deployed throughout South America, Central America, the Middle East and North Africa. He also worked with the US Government’s Global Response Staff conducting low profile security in high threat environments throughout the world.

Mr. Paronto was part of the CIA annex security team that responded to the terrorist attack on the US Special Mission in Benghazi, Libya, September 11th, 2012, helping to save over 20 lives while fighting off terrorists from the CIA Annex for over 13 hours. Mr. Paronto’s story is told in the book “13 Hours” written by Mitchell Zuckoff and his five surviving annex security team members. Michael Bay directed the movie (based on the book) titled "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi"

Episode 151: Kris "Tanto" Paronto - 13 Hours: A Secret Soldier Of Benghazi

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I Will Never Ask You To Do Something I wouldn't Do Myself"

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Being selfless, of service to others, and sacrificing will help you sustain excellence
Humility, strength, and faith have led to Tanto's success and his ability to stay alive
"The best leaders continually learn"
All of the death he saw in Iraq and other war zones helped prepare him for the Benghazi attacks
How accurate the movie "13 Hours" was to what happened in real life
How often he still speaks with the other soldiers from that night
Did he really wear shorts (like the movie portrays) that night? If so, why?
"Rangers are experts at belt fed weapons"
Why they were forced to wait 25 minutes at the annex prior to leaving
What it was like hearing on the radio, "GRS (his group), where are you? We are going to F'n die"
Tanto's thoughts Hillary Clinton's leadership (not good)
Why there were forced to sign 2 non-disclosures -- including one at the memorials
The amount of money you can make in 9 months as a security contractor
What happens when you come home from a job over seas and how it negatively impacts your life
How PTSD has impacted him
The CIA fired him for telling his story publicly -- telling the truth
Tanto and his teammates voted... They all chose to tell the truth -- And it got them fired
What it's like to be in the audience for one of Tanto's speeches

“Hillary Clinton is a failed leader. This is not a political statement. She is a sociopath." - Kris "Tanto" Paronto

Continue Learning:

Read: 13 Hours
Watch: 13 Hours - The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Follow Tanto on Twitter: @KrisParonto
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 047: David Marquet - "Turn The Ship Around"

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Kris "Tanto" Paronto on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From kristantoparonto.com

150: Forbes Contributor Omaid Homayun Interviews Me - Learning From Failure, Creating A Hit Podcast, Sustaining Excellence Aug 14, 2016

Episode 150: Forbes Contributor Omaid Homayun Interviews Me - Learning From Failure, Creating A Hit Podcast, Sustaining Excellence

A few months ago I received a great email from Omaid Homayun. He shared how The Learning Leader Show has helped him grow as a leader. He mentioned that he had his own podcast (To The Top) and he was also a writer for Forbes. After a few conversations, Omaid decided that he wanted to write a story on how my show as created and has sustained excellence. This episode is the recording of the official interview we did for what became this Forbes article. I'm sharing this conversation specifically because I appreciate the approach Omaid brought to this interview. He came to it with a curious mind (as Lin Wood would say). He also was able to get me to share information about myself that I've never discussed publicly. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you do too. Thank YOU all again for being great supporters of The Learning Leader Show.

Episode 150: Forbes Contributor Omaid Homayun Interviews Me - Learning From Failure, Creating A Hit Podcast, Sustaining Excellence

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Sometimes you can do absolutely everything within your power,” Hawk said of his time at Miami (OH), “and yet it still won’t be enough to accomplish your goals. It’s served me well to handle failure at a young age. I draw from that experience on a daily basis.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why I decided against a PhD and started this show instead
The process for creating the show -- And the work done prior to launching
How to improve as an interviewer
The most important I learned from my football career
A detailed description of "what happens" from play to play as a quarterback (I've never discussed it in this detail before)
What it was like competing with Ben Roethlisberger for 2 years at Miami University
How to balance time at work and time with family
The specific breakdown (by % of time) for how I spend my 168 hours per week
How to get your family involved and excited about a new project
The most memorable lessons learned from speaking with over 150 world class leaders

“It will spread because I’m going to work like crazy for it to be great.”

Continue Learning:

Read: Forbes Feature: How To Maximize Your Time To Achieve Sustained Success: An Interview With Ryan Hawk
Read: Omaid's Forbes Feature on Simon Sinek
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed how we flipped the script on this episode, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From www.LearningLeader.com

Ryan Hawk is the creator and host of The Learning Leader Show, a top rated iTunes business podcast that focuses on learning from the smartest, most creative leaders in the world (including such luminaries as Simon Sinek, Seth Godin, Kat Cole and Adam Grant). Hawk’s podcast has exploded on a global scale with listeners in 112 countries world-wide. Forbes has called The Learning Leader Show “The most dynamic leadership podcast out there.” And Inc magazine listed The Learning Leader Show as one of the top 5 podcasts to “help you lead smarter.”

Ryan also writes for The Huffington Post on the topics of leading and empowering others. His background is in the profession of selling where he’s won multiple awards for his production. Prior to his professional business pursuits Hawk was a decorated college football quarterback (at Miami University and Ohio University).

149: Marcus Sheridan - The Sales Lion: "They Ask, We Answer" Aug 10, 2016

Episode 149: Marcus Sheridan - The Sales Lion: "They Ask, We Answer"

Marcus Sheridan has coached multiple businesses of all types from around the globe in an effort to help them achieve world-class communication in all its forms, online and offline. Specifically, he has become known for: Content Marketing, HubSpot Training, Keynote Speeches. In 2015 alone, award-winning speaker Marcus Sheridan has traveled the globe, giving multiple sales, marketing, and leadership keynotes in a total of 8 different countries and 24 states. Sheridan, along with team member George Thomas, can be counted on to teach, inspire, and move audiences of all sizes to action while embracing today’s digital consumer and new way of doing business.

Episode 149: Marcus Sheridan - The Sales Lion: "They Ask, We Answer"

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I teach companies how to become the most trusted source in their industry."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having an obsession with continuing to learn will help you sustain excellence. A mindset that says "I have not figured it all out yet."
His core philosophy is: "They ask. We answer."
How Jim Rohn helped him fall in love with learning
The process in which Marcus teaches companies to be the most trusted source in their industry
"The reason why people buy from you is TRUST."
When people go to your website, they want to know how much it costs... So tell them
Talking openly about your competitors is a wise way to go about your business
What's the most important part of the sales cycle? 70% of people decide what they're going to do before talking to a sales professional
The magic happens before they talk to someone (this is why your website is critical)
If someone read 30 pages on his website, they bought 80% of the time
80% of the questions are the same... Answer them on your website
Why it's required at his company for each employee to build their personal brand
Why is Marcus a great public speaker? "He knows how to explain things so that people can actually understand them."
"When we tell stories, the audience can see it."
Think, Feel, Act - Your speech can hopefully change all three
Why he took his daughter on the road with him for an entire semester
A learning leader is curious.. Constantly learning

“If you're going to be ultra successful in sales, you need a personal brand."

Continue Learning:

Go to: TtheSalesLion.com
Follow Marcuson Twitter: @TheSalesLion
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Marcus Sheridan on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From TheSalesLion.com

148: Jason Wachob - CEO of MindBodyGreen: How To Build A Life, Not A Resume Aug 07, 2016

Episode 148: Jason Wachob - CEO of MindBodyGreen: How To Build A Life, Not A Resume

JASON WACHOB is the Founder and CEO of mindbodygreen, the leading independent media brand dedicated to wellness. His site (mindbodygreen.com) receives 10 million unique page views per month! He has been featured in The New York Times, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, and Vogue. Jason has a BA in history from Columbia University, where he played varsity basketball for four years. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, and loves German Shepherds, Chuck Taylors, and guacamole.

Episode 148: Jason Wachob - CEO of MindBodyGreen: How To Build A Life, Not A Resume

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“You Don't Want To Spend Your Life Climbing A Ladder That you Realize Is The Wrong Ladder When You Get To The Top"

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Being around passionate people who have a palpable energy will help you sustain excellence
"If you're not progressing, you're dead."
mindbodygreen is dedicated to helping you live your best life
4,400 contributors write for mbg
How does Jason respond to people who are critical of his work and view it with skepticism? -- "Go to mindbodygreen.com and look around, tell me what you think"
How playing basketball at Columbia helped him as a leader
How 9/11 impacted him and why it made him think about his career
At age 25, he made $800,000/year -- but he hated it
Why Jason felt he was going backwards and like he was a loser
Flew 150,000 domestic miles -- And he's 6'7
How yoga healed his back issues (he was previously told he needed surgery)
For the first 2 and a half years of mbg, he made no money
In 2012 he chose to raise capital
"Your problems don't go away... They change."
"Raising capital can be the quickest way to kill your business."
Build a Life, Not A Resume -- We all know people who like to check off certain career boxes. Don't do that.
As an entrepreneur, you have to be extremely comfortable with ambiguity -- You go to bed at night not knowing if your business will succeed
You can't work for 2 and a half years making no money unless you are extremely passionate about it...
A learning leader has to evolve - Progress, Progress, Progress

“A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night, and in between does what he wants to do.” - Bob Dylan

Continue Learning:

Read: Wellth - How ILearned To Build A Life, Not A Resume
Read: MindBodyGreen.com
Follow Jason on Twitter: @JasonWachob
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jason Wachob on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From mindbodygreen.com

147: Anders Ericsson - What Malcolm Gladwell Got Wrong About The 10,000 Hour Rule Aug 03, 2016

Episode 147: Anders Ericsson - What Malcolm Gladwell Got Wrong About The 10,000 Hour Rule

ANDERS ERICSSON, PhD, is Conradi Eminent Scholar and Professor of Psychology at Florida State University. He studies expert performance in domains, such as music, chess, medicine, and sports, and how expert performers attain their superior performance by acquiring complex cognitive mechanisms through extended deliberate practice. He has edited “Cambridge Handbook of Expertise and Expert Performance” (2006) and “The Development of Professional Expertise” (2009). In the book Outliers Malcolm Gladwell based his “10,000 hour rule” on Ericsson and colleagues’s research on musicians. His latest book is titled, "PEAK, Secrets From The New Science of Expertise."

Have you ever wanted to learn a language or pick up an instrument, only to become too daunted by the task at hand? Expert performance guru Anders Ericsson has made a career studying chess champions, violin virtuosos, star athletes, and memory mavens. Peak condenses three decades of original research to introduce an incredibly powerful approach to learning that is fundamentally different from the way people traditionally think about acquiring a skill.

Ericsson’s findings have been lauded and debated, but never properly explained. So the idea of expertise still intimidates us — we believe we need innate talent to excel, or think excelling seems prohibitively difficult.

Peak belies both of these notions, proving that almost all of us have the seeds of excellence within us — it’s just a question of nurturing them by reducing expertise to a discrete series of attainable practices. Peak offers invaluable, often counter-intuitive, advice on setting goals, getting feedback, identifying patterns, and motivating yourself. Whether you want to stand out at work, or help your kid achieve academic goals, Ericsson’s revolutionary methods will show you how to master nearly anything.

Episode 147: Anders Ericsson - What Malcolm Gladwell Got Wrong About The 10,000 Hour Rule

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Deliberate or purposeful practice involves practicing alongside a great coach or teacher."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Being really thoughtful and deliberately thinking of ways to get better help you sustain excellence
Why it's so important to develop daily habits -- Being aware of the tradeoffs -- Using time wisely
The impact of Nobel Prize winner, Herbert Simon -- Anders worked with him for 3 years
Impressive listening skills -- How developing your ability to listen will dramatically improve your life
He has not found any evidence that shows that people are born successful -- It's learned
What does it take to be successful?
What exactly Malcolm Gladwell got wrong about the "10,000 Hour" rule
It's not just engaging in the domain -- There must be purposeful practice with a coach
Always operate on the boundary of what you can and can't do.
Why Anders and Malcolm Gladwell do not talk
Nature vs. Nurture debate - Family culture and interactions -- How they impact your life
A study of quarterbacks and their family backgrounds
How do you measure deliberate practice?
Creating the gap -- Where you are and where you want to be
Keynote speech - Think, Feel, Act -- We want to cover all three and most importantly change how you act
The Four Step Process
- Specific Goal Set
- Intense Focus
- Immediate Feedback
- Frequent Discomfort

“Always operate on the boundary of what you can and can't do."

Continue Learning:

Read: Peak - The New Secrets of Success
Read: How To Become an Expert at Anything
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Anders Ericsson on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Amazon.com

Peak belies both of these notions, proving that almost all of us have the seeds of excellence within us — it’s just a question of nurturing them by reducing expertise to a discrete series of attainable practices. Peak offers invaluable, often counterintuitive, advice on setting goals, getting feedback, identifying patterns, and motivating yourself. Whether you want to stand out at work, or help your kid achieve academic goals, Ericsson’s revolutionary methods will show you how to master nearly anything.

146: Steven Sisler Psychoanalyzes Me - I Am Unorthodox, Mission Oriented, Logical, Competitive, & Complex Jul 31, 2016

Episode 146: Steven Sisler Psychoanalyzes Me - I Am Unorthodox, Mission Oriented, Logical, Competitive, & Complex

Steven Sisler is a Behavioral Analyst, speaker and author. Steve's consultation involves personality difference, leadership strategy, cultural differences, and temperament strategy. Working with clients in more than 18 countries, Steve gathers behavioral and attitudinal information on individuals within corporate settings and develops strategies for effective leadership, teamwork, and entrepreneurial success.

Steve makes normative judgments and brings thought provoking insights to the three ethical platforms within our society. These are the Community Ethic, The Autonomy Ethic, and The Divinity Ethic, and these platforms all have strong implications when challenged with ideological frameworks outside of those accepted within larger people groups. Steven was diagnosed with Hyper Kinetic Behavior in the second grade. He was beat up by girls and fought his way through nine years of intense bullying including being stripped down to his underwear and locked in a seven inch school locker in the seventh grade, kicked by a teacher in front of his class, and knocked unconscious by an eleven member gang on the school grounds.

Episode 146: Steven Sisler Psychoanalyzes Me - I Am Unorthodox, Mission Oriented, Logical, Competitive, & Complex

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Character is learned and character changes."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

People who understand themselves and embrace their strengths and weaknesses typically sustain excellence
Tony Robbins and Tim Ferriss have a great understanding of themselves
What it means to be a "behavioral profiler"
The biggest misconceptions of Steve's work
The Four People Types:
- Mad
- Glad
- Sad
- Scared
Why job interviews are not authentic
The power of saying "I don't know"
I like to know "why" more than "how"
Measuring my emotional framework -- How Steve describes me based on the tests I took
- Mission and results oriented person
- Logical and left brained
- Have a great poker face. Not showing emotion.
- A very task oriented person -- "Give me the shovel"
- Quick, very flexible, independent, freedom seeker, wanting to be in charge
- Like to control the environment, suspicious -- People have to qualify to get in and be trusted
- A teacher -- Would make a great college professor
- A complex brain - Always want to know why?
- Much more competitive with self than other people
- High expectations of self -- Never feel content with what's been accomplished, never satisfied
- An outside the box thinker -- Has unorthodox ideas and approaches to solving problems -- Answers questions in an interesting way, not a typical way
- A creative problem solver who never gives up
- A high empathy score -- But can be emotionally distant at times
- In the 2% of personality score (matches very few people in the world)
- Go to FreeBRG.com to get your own personality test

“I like to know why more than to know how."

Continue Learning:

Go to FreeBRG.com to get your own personality test
Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevesisler
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Steven Sisler on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Amazon.com

After losing his left eye in 1975, he was singled out and repeatedly punched in the eye by menacing students. At the age of 17 he became a bodybuilder and for the next 3 years worked out intensely until he was bench pressing well over 300 pounds. He later entered seminary after marrying his wife Anita and has since spoken in many forums including youth groups, retreats, churches, seminaries, business groups and currently consults and motivates leaders around the globe.

145: AJ Hawk - Life In The NFL: Awareness, Consistency, Curiosity Jul 27, 2016

Episode 145: AJ Hawk - Life In The NFL: Awareness, Consistency, Curiosity

A special "swapcast" episode of The Learning Leader Show. This episode with my younger brother AJ is being released on both "The Learning Leader Show," and AJ's video podcast, "The HawkCast." To view the video of this conversation go to: TheHawkCast.show. This has quickly become one of my favorite episodes. I really enjoy when AJ and I record episodes together. We've done it in the past and we'll continue doing it in the future.

Episode 145: AJ Hawk - Life In The NFL: Awareness, Consistency, Curiosity

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“It's really easy to work hard when you're feel good. The difference is consistently working hard everyday."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Focusing like Jim Tressel leads to sustained excellence. Keep everything simple... And LISTEN
The 3 words to describe AJ
- Consistent - Always being there for your teammates. Everyday in practice, weightroom, film room, games
- Aware - Understanding your surroundings. The real measure of intelligence is your awareness
- Thoughtful - Caring for others. Understanding how your actions impact others
Where was our curiosity developed? Has it always been there? (No)
TRUST = It's everything
"Do Not Blindly Follow"
Why AJ feels that he wouldn't be a good coach (I disagree)
Creating actionable steps to change a bad habit -- Get an accountability partner
What makes a great coach
The best teammates he's ever played with
Talking a lot on the football field = "Insecurities bubbling to the surface" - Brady Poppinga
Be about DOING... Not Saying
AJ's philosophy as a Dad
The importance of authenticity as a leader and passing that on to your kids
How AJ would respond if his children are not hard workers like him
What one coach would he like to hear on the other end of the phone to sign him this season?
His dream golf foursome: Charles Barkley, Bill Belichick, Jesus playing at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin
The question he asks others to truly understand how they think
Learning Leader = "It felt right. It fits you."

“Typically, the "talkers" are simply voicing their insecurities. The "doers" don't talk about it. They just do it."

Continue Learning:

Watch this episode at: TheHawkCast.show
See Why Over 230,000 People Follow AJ on Twitter: @OfficialAJHawk
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing AJ Hawk on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Bengals.com

Rookie first-round draft choice started all 16 games for Green Bay and led team in tackles (155) ... Ranked third in Associated Press voting for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year ... 2008—Played through chest and groin injuries, starting every Packers game and leading team in tackles (121) ... 2010—Team leader in tackles (134) for 10-6 Wild Card team that went on to capture Super Bowl XLV with 31-25 conquest of Pittsburgh ... Seven tackles (six solo) in Super Bowl win, with two passes defensed ... Named by teammates as one of two postseason defensive captains ... Led team in tackles (10) in NFC Championship win at Chicago ... Career-best three INTs in regular season, including picks against Brett Favre and Eli Manning ... 2012—Started every game and both postseason games for Packers club that went 11-5 for NFC North title ... Led team with 142 tackles, including three sacks... 2013—Started 16 games for Packers’ NFC North title winner, and played in both postseason games (one start) ... Led team in regular-season tackles (153) and had career-best five sacks ... Named a Packers postseason captain for third time in his career ...

College: Played four seasons (2002-05) at Ohio State ... Earned consensus All-America honors in his final two seasons and was first-team All-Big Ten in his last three campaigns ... Foreshadowed his NFL durability by being available for every game of his career, and started his last 37 games ... As a senior in ’05, won Lombardi Award, given to college football’s top lineman or linebacker, and was Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive MVP of Tostitos Fiesta Bowl ... As true freshman in ’02, played as a key reserve on 14-0 national championship team ... Career totals of 51 games, 38 starts, 394 tackles,41 tackles-for-loss, 15.5 sacks, seven INTs and two TDs (one on blocked punt and one on INT).

Community service: Has held an annual “Mane Event” in Columbus, Ohio, raising money for “Hawk’s Locks for Kids,” his charity that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy treatments ... Has participated in NFL’s Play60 program ... Worked with Packers in their “Take a Player to School” event ... Visited with Green Bay area elementary students as reward for their participation in Packers’ Women’s Association food drive ... Has supported Jerry Patrins Cruise for Cancer, the Donald Driver Foundation, the Greg Jennings Foundation and the 2nd-and-7 Foundation, the charity of fellow Ohio State alum Mike Vrabel ... Has made multiple appearances on the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer, and has been a spokesperson for Wisconsin Special Olympics.

A racing connection: Hawk’s initials stand for “Aaron James” ... He was nicknamed A.J. by his parents as an infant, after legendary Indy car driver A.J. Foyt.

Personal: Hometown is Centerville, Ohio ... Attended Centerville (Ohio) High School, where he logged 585 career tackles while also seeing time as a quarterback and place kicker ... Also earned two basketball letters as a point guard for Centerville ... Married to the former Laura Quinn, sister of former NFL QB Brady Quinn. Earned degree from Ohio State in criminology ... Grew his hair long in 2005 as a tribute to Pat Tillman, former NFL player who lost his life while serving with U.S. Army in Afghanistan, and kept hair long until 2012, when he cut it and donated trimmings to Wigs for Kids charity ... Chosen to throw out the first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers game in 2007 and also took part in batting practice, hitting two home runs ... Twice won “Celebrity Long Drive” title at the American Century Celebrity Golf Classic in Lake Tahoe, Nev., Hosts his own podcast, interviewing people from all walks of life, including golfer John Daly and sportscaster Joe Buck ... Brother, Ryan, played football at Ohio University and in Arena Football 2 league.

144: Paul Tough - How To Develop An Intrinsically Motivated Child Jul 24, 2016

Episode 144: Paul Tough - How To Develop An Intrinsically Motivated Child

Paul Tough is the author, most recently, of Helping Children Succeed: What Works and Why. His previous book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, was translated into 27 languages and spent more than a year on the New York Times hardcover and paperback best-seller lists. His first book, Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America, was published in 2008.

Paul is a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine, where he has written extensively about education, parenting, poverty, and politics. His writing has also appeared in the New Yorker, the Atlantic, GQ, and Esquire, and on the op-ed page of the New York Times.

He has worked as an editor at the New York Times Magazine and Harper’s Magazine and as a reporter and producer for the public-radio program “This American Life.” He was the founding editor of Open Letters, an online magazine.

Episode 144: Paul Tough - How To Develop An Intrinsically Motivated Child

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Our Goal Is To Help Our Children Be Independent."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having a growth mindset leads (not just about skills) to sustained excellence
Realize that failure will happen... You won't sustain excellence 100% of the time
How has parenting changed over the last 20 years
Read "Our Kids" by Robert Putnam
Parents are more educated = They have more anxiety about their kids
Parents are more intrusive -- They think everything has to be exactly right -- It puts pressure on children
Kids need to continue doing basic responsibilities (mow the lawn, wash dishes, etc...)
Creating a system around incentives is bad
How do you develop a child to be intrinsically motivated?
Keep praise for success overcoming difficult moments, not just getting straight A's
Helping children develop GRIT - How to do it
The importance of having a coach -- And placing a high value on a great coach
Understand the messages we send about success and failure
The value of having a winner and a loser in athletic competitions

“Hearing the word NO is one of the biggest gifts a child can receive."

Continue Learning:

Read: Helping Children Succeed
Go To: PaulTough.com
Follow Paul on Twitter: @paultough
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 080: Ryan Estis - From Rock Star Sales Professional To World Class Speaker & Entrepreneur

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Paul Tough on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From PaulTough.com

143: Chad Estis - SVP For The Dallas Cowboys: Working For Jerry Jones Jul 20, 2016

Episode 143: Chad Estis - SVP For The Dallas Cowboys: Working For Jerry Jones

Chad Estis serves as Executive Vice President at Legends Hospitality Management, LLC and served as its President of Legends Sales & Marketing. He is responsible for the sales strategies and client acquisitions for the Legends Division focused on selling premium seating inventory for new and renovated facilities in Major League and Collegiate athletics. He served as the Chief Marketing Officer and an Executive Vice President of Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena from 2006 to 2007 overseeing all sales, marketing, community relations, communications, web-site and game operations. He served as Head of Sales and Marketing at Cleveland Cavaliers. He served as Vice President of Sales and Business Development for the Cavaliers from 2001 to 2005.

Chad was then recruited (heavily) by Jerry Jones and family to lead the sales organization for The Dallas Cowboys. He served as the lead for Cowboys Stadium Premium Sales project where he was responsible for a sales team of 60 people that set industry records for both PSL (Personal Seat Licenses) and Suite sales revenue. He is a 1993 graduate of Ohio University and a 1994 graduate of Ohio’s Sports Administration Masters Program.

Episode 143: Chad Estis - SVP For The Dallas Cowboys: Working For Jerry Jones

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Keys To A Great Career: Be great at what you currently do. Be curious. Have a career vision. Plant seeds for the future."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Passion, Optimism, and Likability leads to sustained excellence
What it's like working for Jerry Jones
The moment when the leaders of the Dallas Cowboys flew to Ohio to recruit Chad (WOW)
Starting at an entry level role making $16,000/year after earning a Masters degree
Learning to cold call (80-100 calls per day) and how they helped developed Chad's grit
The process of hiring millennials and working with them
Specific mentoring conversations - Hearing exactly what Chad says
Being great at what you currently do... Cannot focus on the future too much
The biggest mistake young managers/leaders make in their careers
How to hire a sales leader
The interview and hiring process -- Specifics on how to do it right
How to successfully use your "gut feelings"
The necessary ingredients for a happy and successful career
- Work for people you enjoy being around
- Be challenged everyday
- Be compensated properly
Learning Leaders need to be constantly searching for new information to continually learn

“Everybody kept telling me they were a protege of Chad Estis. I said, I need to meet this guy.” - Jerry Jones Jr.

Continue Learning:

Read: Chad Estis Named 2015 Recipient of the Charles R. Higgins Distinguished Alumnus Award
Read: 40 Under 40: Chad Estis
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 080: Ryan Estis - From Rock Star Sales Professional To World Class Speaker & Entrepreneur

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Chad Estis on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Sportsad.ohio.edu

142: Donald Miller - "I Will Make You Everyone's Favorite Leader" Jul 17, 2016

Episode 142: Donald Miller - "I Will Make You Everyone's Favorite Leader"

Donald Miller is a student of story. He’s the author of New York Times Best Sellers: "Blue Like Jazz," "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years," and "Scary Close." He co-wrote the major motion picture "Blue Like Jazz" which debuted at the SXSW Film Festival and was listed as one of the top four movies to get you through freshman year by USA Today. He has served on The Presidential Task Force for Fatherhood and Healthy Families, a joint effort between government and the private sector to rewrite the story of fatherlessness in America. Donald Miller is a 3 time NY Times best-selling author. He has worked on Presidential campaigns, and now he helps people clearly and concisely tell their stories through live events and at StoryBrand.com

Episode 142: Donald Miller - "I'm Will Make You Everyone's Favorite Leader"

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“We don't want to react to life. We want to impose our will upon life."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having the ability to focus like Michael Hyatt and Bob Goff leads to sustained excellence
The importance of writing it down
Creating a filter to say "No"
The process for creating your story -- "If you confuse, you lose"
The 7 storybrand rules that Jeb Bush broke
People want to hear "their" story, not yours
Passing the "laptop to a caveman" test
Your website should answer 3 questions:
- What are you offering?
- How does it make my life better?
- How do I buy?
The top right quadrant is the most important part of your website
The 2 dominant things your brain does
- Survive and thrive
- Tries to conserve energy
The 7 parts of a story: 1) Character 2) A problem 3) A guide 4) A plan 5) The action 6) Ends in success 7) Or failure
Why "Make America Great Again" is a fantastic slogan
"Every human being is looking for a guide to help them"
Why empathy and authority are needed
"I know how to make you the leader that everyone loves" -- What are the 3 steps to making you the leader that everyone loves
Make everyone think: "What will my life be if I don't subscribe to your podcast?"

“I'm going to make you everyone's favorite leader."

Continue Learning:

Go To: storybrand.com
Follow Donald on Twitter: @donaldmiller
Go to: 5minutemarketingmakeover.com
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Donald Miller on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Amazon.com

Donald Miller is a 3 time NY Times best-selling author. He has worked on Presidential campaigns, and now he helps people clearly and concisely tell their stories through live events and at StoryBrand.com

141: Jonah Berger - The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Behavior Jul 13, 2016

Episode 141: Jonah Berger - The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Behavior

Jonah Berger is a marketing professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and bestselling author of Contagious: Why Things Catch On and Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces that Shape Behavior.

Dr. Berger has spent over 15 years studying how social influence works and how it drives products and ideas to catch on. He’s published dozens of articles in top-tier academic journals, consulted for a variety of Fortune 500 companies, and popular outlets like the New York Times and Harvard Business Review often cover his work.

Episode 141: Jonah Berger - The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Behavior

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“With great insight, Jonah Berger removes the cloak of invisibility from powerful sources of influence and resolves fascinating mysteries of human behavior." Robert Cialdini, author of Influence

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Creating a sense of kinship or familiarity leads to sustained excellence
How the best leaders create a sense that "we've known each other a long time"
Why you should say "Nice to see you" instead of "Nice to meet you"
Successful negotiators mimic and imitate the people across from them (sometimes unconsciously)
Waiters earn a 70% higher tip if they repeat the customer's order back to them verbatim
The importance of emulating the person you are speaking with (in order to influence)
Mimicry works because people aren't aware it's happening
Why expensive products don't always use logos
How older siblings provide a point of imitation and why younger siblings tend to be better at sports
The power of "playing up" against greater competition
Why comparing yourself to others is actually a good thing to do
As leaders, we should always be learning -- That's the core of being a leader
Why as a young manager you need to focus on collaboration -- Ask others for help
Learning Leader = "I loved it. Merging of Learning and Leadership. Helping others learn. Serving them.

“Be Optimally Distinct"

Continue Learning:

Go To: JonahBerger.com
Follow Jonah on Twitter: @j1berger
Read: Invisible Influence
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jonah Berger on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From JonahBerger.com

Why do some things catch on while others fail? What makes online content viral? And why do some products, ideas, and behaviors get more word of mouth than others? Professor Jonah Berger examines the behavioral science that underlies these questions. He examines how people make decisions, how ideas diffuse, and how social influence shapes behavior.

Berger is a Marketing professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He has published dozens of articles in top-tier academic journals, and popular accounts of his work frequently appear in popular outlets like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, Science, Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review, Wired, Business Week, The Atlantic, and The Economist. His research has also been featured in the New York Times Magazine’s “Year in Ideas.” Berger has been recognized with a number of awards for both scholarship and teaching, including various early career awards and being named Wharton’s Iron Prof (an award for awesome faculty research).

Dr. Berger has helped all sorts of companies and organizations get their stuff to catch on. From Fortune 500 companies to small start-ups, and multinationals to non-profits, Berger has helped drive new product adoption, sharpen effective messaging, and develop marketing strategy.

140: Carol Dweck - The Power Of A Growth Mindset Jul 10, 2016

Episode 140: Carol Dweck - The Power Of A Growth Mindset

Dr. Carol Dweck's work is the foundation for what it means to be a learning leader. To be in a constant state of improvement... "In a fixed mindset students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that's that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb. In a growth mindset students understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching and persistence. They don't necessarily think everyone's the same or anyone can be Einstein, but they believe everyone can get smarter if they work at it."

Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck in decades of research on achievement and success—a simple idea that makes all the difference. Teaching a growth mindset creates motivation and productivity in the worlds of business, education, and sports.

Episode 140: Carol Dweck - The Power Of A Growth Mindset

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Growth mindset leaders want to be challenged."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Focusing on growth -- having a desire for a challenge and learning from setbacks leads to sustained excellence
People with a fixed mindset are afraid to find out that they aren't very smart
Growth mindset leaders want to be challenged
Fixed mindset leaders have a deep seated insecurity. They have to keep showing that they're a genius.
Don't declare that you have a growth mindset -- Instead figure out what triggers you into having a fixed mindset. Start there.
Questions to ask people in an interview to understand their mindset
Sharing credit or taking it all for yourself? It shows a lot about your mindset
When was the last time you were wrong? (It should be often)
"Don't praise the intelligence. Praise the process."
Do NOT reward children for getting straight A's
Taking the stairs -- Develop Grit
Be aware that doing something the hard way will benefit you (and your children)
"I want your listeners to do something way outside of their comfort zone..."
Why as a young manager you need to focus on collaboration -- Ask others for help
Learning Leader = "I loved it. Merging of Learning and Leadership. Helping others learn. Serving them.

“I have always been deeply moved by outstanding achievement and saddened by wasted potential.”

Continue Learning:

Go To: MindsetOnline.com
Follow Carol's thoughts on Twitter: @mindsetworks
Read: Mindset - The New Psychology of Success
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Carol Dweck on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From MindsetOnline.com

Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., is one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of motivation and is the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. Her research has focused on why people succeed and how to foster success. She has held professorships at Columbia and Harvard Universities, has lectured all over the world, and has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her scholarly book Self-Theories: Their Role in Motivation, Personality, and Development was named Book of the Year by the World Education Federation. Her work has been featured in such publications as The New Yorker, Time, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe, and she has appeared on Today and 20/20.

139: Lin Wood – One Of The Greatest Trial Lawyers In The World Jul 06, 2016

Episode 139: Lin Wood – One Of The Greatest Trial Lawyers In The World

Lin Wood has more than 38 years of experience as a trial lawyer focusing on civil litigation, representing individuals and corporations as plaintiffs or defendants in tort and business cases involving claims of significant damage, including False Claims Act cases. Mr. Wood also has extensive experience in First Amendment/defamation litigation and management of the media in high profile cases.

On behalf of his clients, Mr. Wood has made numerous national television and radio appearances, including appearances on NBC’s The Today Show, CBS’ 60 Minutes and 60 Minutes II, Larry King Live, The Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS’ The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning, MSNBC’s The Abrams Report, Imus in the Morning and Hardball, Court TV, and the CBS, NBC and ABC evening news programs. Mr. Wood was profiled in the cover article of the January 1998, issue of Atlanta magazine, on the July 12, 2000, broadcast of NBC’s The Today Show and in the cover article of the November 27, 2000, issue of Editor & Publisher magazine. Additionally, Mr. Wood was recognized as a Notable Georgian in the January 2002, issue of Georgia Trend magazine. Most recently, Mr. Wood was profiled in the cover article of the September 2015, issue of Attorney at Law.

Episode 139: Lin Wood – One Of The Greatest Trial Lawyers In The World

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“If You Follow A Script, Rather Than A Checklist, You Will Miss Answers.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having a vision/goal that is clearly defined combined with a willingness to take on risk will lead to sustained excellence
Lin’s combination of confidence and work ethic has led to his immense success
How representing Richard Jewell (the original person suspected of the Centennial Park bombing at the Atlanta Olympics) changed his life
What it was like defending Jon and Patsy Ramsey
His clients call him in times of need because he becomes their friend
Lin’s sole focus is on developing a relationship and helping his clients
The Devita case = $495 million settlement
It’s good to experience “jumping off a cliff without a parachute” = starting his own firm
The importance of getting a ton of “reps” in the court room as a young lawyer
Going in to each and every conversation with a curious mind
Why you have to be willing to take on cases that you will lose – No great trial lawyer is undefeated. This is a great metaphor for life and risk taking opportunities

“Being A Trial Lawyer Is An Art… Not A Science.” – Lin Wood

Continue Learning:

Go To: LinWoodLaw.com
Read: A Conversation With Lin Wood
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Lin Wood on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Information from LinWoodLaw.com

Lin Wood has been the lead attorney in many national, high profile cases, including serving as:

Lead civil attorney for the late Richard Jewell in matters arising out of reporting about Mr. Jewell in connection with the 1996 bombing of Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta
Lead civil attorney for Jeff Greene in libel litigation against The St. Petersburg Times and The Miami Herald related to Mr. Greene’s 2010 campaign for the Democratic Nomination for the U.S. Senate from Florida
Lead civil attorney for Sheldon Adelson in New York libel litigation against the National Jewish Democratic Council
Attorney for Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain in defense of false accusation
Attorney for Dr. Phil McGraw in connection with false and defamatory articles published by Newsweek, the Daily Beast and the National Enquirer
Lead civil attorney in Whistleblower cases alleging Medicare fraud against DaVita, Inc. in federal court in Atlanta and against Halifax Hospital Medical Center in federal court in Florida
Lead civil attorney for Howard K. Stern in the prosecution and defense of defamation claims arising out of the death of Anna Nicole Smith
Lead trial counsel for The Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inc. in connection with claims related to corporate governance
Lead attorney for John and the late Patsy Ramsey and their son in matters relating to the 1996 murder of JonBenet Ramsey in Boulder, Colorado
Attorney for Beth Holloway in matters relating to the media coverage ofthe May 2005 disappearance of her daughter, Natalee Holloway, in Aruba and in a pending civil action against the National Enquirer in federal court in Alabama
Attorney for Sharon Rocha in matters relating to the media coverage of the December 2002 murder of her daughter, Laci Peterson
Attorney for former U.S. Congressman Gary Condit in defamation matters relating to the May 2001 abduction and murder of Chandra Levy in Washington
Co-counsel for the victim in the civil actions in Colorado against Kobe Bryant
Lead counsel for AirTran Airlines, Inc. in defamation litigation against the Cleveland, Ohio newspaper, The Plain Dealer
Lead counsel for Esquire Deposition Services LLC in multi-state class actions dealing with billing practices
Lead trial counsel for the Estate of Anna Nicole Smith in federal action for misappropriation and theft of estate property
Lead trial attorney for Sun Trust Bank in litigation arising out of claims by trust beneficiaries related to an inheritance of Coca-Cola stock

138: Caroline Burckle – How To Use Visualization Like An Olympian Jul 03, 2016

Episode 138: Caroline Burckle – How To Use Visualization Like An Olympian

What an honor it was for me to speak with an incredible leader and Olympic Bronze Medalist, Caroline Burckle. This conversation is packed with action oriented advice. You can implement Caroline’s ideas immediately and see a positive impact in your life.

In her words: Winning a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympic Games in swimming was the most humbling and rewarding experience of my life. A lifelong road of pursuing a goal not only taught me the importance of clear communication, leadership, self-confidence, and goal-setting, but how to authentically follow a vision that was once merely a dream.

I thrive when I am developing individuals. My definition of success is to connect a person with their inner power and tap into their true potential. Whether I am rocking a one-on-one individual coaching session or speaking to a group of people, I am passionate in my quest to elevate people to view their lives through a spirited lens!

My journey (in a nutshell): Swam for The University of Florida & Team USA, 2008 Beijing Bronze Medalist in 4x200 Freestyle Relay , Swam Professionally for BlueSeventy & Team USA in Southern California, Associate of Arts Degree from Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising -- Product Development, Worked for the ever-inspiring lululemon Athletica for ~ 3 years in both Beverly Hills, CA & Louisville, KY, Masters of Science in Sport Psychology & Motor Behavior from The University of Tennessee, Founder of Stilwellness - Peak Performance Coaching

Co-Founder of RISE Elite Athletes - Peak Performance Coaching for Youth Athletes

Episode 138: Caroline Burckle – How To Use Visualization Like An Olympian

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“A creative mind is an authentic mind. It is your personal driving force for autonomy and a balanced life. Without creativity we do not grow.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connection to others (teammates). The ability to know you are leading others leads to sustained excellence
The influence Brene Brown had on Caroline and the importance of “doing the work”
Winning a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics – The effect it had on her life
Breaking Janet Evans long standing record
How Caroline felt in that race and was able to do something that had never been done
Flow state – the dynamics of it and how to get there
Visualizing like Jason Day
Mentoring and leading others – how to create a business from it
The writing process – Talking it out
The importance of waking up early and moving your body – How that impacts your mind and body
2008 Olympics – Michael Phelps – The French trash talking
The struggle and depression that follows the Olympics – How common this is for Olympians
How to use self-doubt as fuel

“I believe in visualization… Paint the picture.”

Continue Learning:

Go To: RiseEliteAthletes.com
Follow Caroline on Twitter: @caroburckle
Read more about Caroline: OWaves.com
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Caroline Burckle on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From LinkedIn.com/in/caroburckle

Winning a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympic Games in swimming was the most humbling and rewarding experience of my life. A lifelong road of pursuing a goal not only taught me the importance of clear communication, leadership, self-confidence, and goal-setting, but how to authentically follow a vision that was once merely a dream.

Co-Founder of RISE Elite Athletes - Peak Performance Coaching for Youth Athletes

137: Don Yaeger – How To Become A Master Storyteller Jun 29, 2016

Episode 137: Don Yaeger – How To Become A Master Storyteller

Don Yaeger is an award-winning keynote speaker, business leadership coach, an eight-time New York Times Best-selling author and longtime Associate Editor for Sports Illustrated. Don has fashioned a career as one of America’s most provocative thought leaders. As a speaker, he has worked with audiences as diverse as Fortune 500 companies and cancer survivor groups, where he shares his personal story.

He is primarily sought to discuss lessons on achieving Greatness, learned from first-hand experiences with some of the greatest sports legends in the world. Additionally, Don has been retained by companies and organizations to coach their leaders, management teams and employees on building a culture of greatness by looking at Great Teams in sports and discerning the business lessons we can learn from them.

Throughout his writing career, Don has developed a reputation as a world-class storyteller and has been invited as a guest to every major talk show – from Oprah to Nightline, from CNN to Good Morning America.

Episode 137: Don Yaeger – How To Become A Master Storyteller

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“The greatest in the world learned to hate losing more than they loved winning.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Taking excuses off the table and understanding the value of who you associate with leads to sustained excellence
Looking for imperceptible slights to fuel you – Michael Jordan’s method to motivate himself
Listening, always being a student will lead to incredible relationships
Understanding how to asks questions that lead people to open up
Challenge yourself to be known by 5 words
The process of becoming a professional speaker
Understanding you have a personal brand and how to cultivate it
The 16 things high performing teams do that others don’t
Always having a development plan for the next leaders
How to make meetings better – It starts with punctuality
Learning Leader – John Wooden – Always reading, right up until the end of his life
Playing quarterback and how it compares to other parts of life

“Every other month I flew to California to meet with John Wooden. EVERY time I walked in the room he was reading a book. He never stopped learning.”

Continue Learning:

Go To: DonYaeger.com
Follow David on Twitter: @DonYaeger
Read: Great Teams: 16 Things High Performing Organizations Do Differently
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Don Yaeger on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From DonYaeger.com

136: Derek Coburn – Networking Is Not Working Jun 26, 2016

Episode 136: Derek Coburn – Networking Is Not Working

Derek Coburn is the author of the #1 Amazon bestseller, “Networking Is Not Working: Stop Collecting Business Cards and Start Making Meaningful Connections.” Derek is the CEO and co-founder (along with his wife, Melanie) of CADRE—an un-networking community in Washington, DC—serving CEOs and business leaders, and has hosted numerous bestselling authors and thought leaders at their YOUniversity events. He began his professional journey as a financial advisor in 1998 and has been a partner at Washington Financial Group for 15 years. Derek lives in Washington, DC with his wife Melanie, two sons and pit bull, Bodie. You can connect with Derek on his website and on Twitter at @cadredc.

Episode 136: Derek Coburn – Networking Is Not Working

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Derek Coburn is a literal master at networking and human relations.” Marcus Sheridan, The Sales Lion

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

A willingness to be wrong… Curiosity/asking questions, and willing to get feedback leads to sustained excellence
The problem with being surrounded by “Yes Men”
Read: Persuadable-Great - How Great Leaders Change-Their Minds to Change the World
The importance of curating who is at an event and more importantly, who is NOT there – Keep The Takers OUT
The core mission of Cadre
Building a network of Givers
The blueprint for how everyone can do this
Networking – “The intersection of client appreciation and business development”
Start hosting small events first
“Be Nucleate” – The center of the group
Grading your business, your relationships, and yourself – We riffed live on this and it was very interesting.
Being a learning leader means surrounding yourself with people who are constantly growing, learning, improving, and willing to question everything

“We prevent cheeseballs who want to sling business cards.”

Continue Learning:

Follow Derek on Twitter: @cadredc
Read: Networking Is Not Working

Read: Persuadable-Great - How Great Leaders Change-Their Minds to Change the World

To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Derek Coburn on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From DerekCoburn.com

135: Andrew Warner: How To Be A Fearless Interviewer (Mixergy) Jun 22, 2016

Episode 135: Andrew Warner: How To Be A Fearless Interviewer (Mixergy)

Andrew Warner is one of the interviewers I study in order to improve my own interviewing skills. I love how fearless he is. He will ask the tough questions that most people are too scared to ask. It became a Meta moment to interview someone who I think is one of the best interviewers in the world. I loved it!

Andrew Warner was one of the pioneers of the internet startup scene — starting online in 1997 and growing his business into a multi-million dollar venture. When Andrew grew up in New York City, he saw the titans of entrepreneurship — in particular, entrepreneurs from the publishing industry — firsthand.

He remembers thinking to himself that he wanted to do that. He wanted what they had achieved. By any measure, Warner has accomplished this childhood vision, and has made it as an entrepreneur.

After he and his brother achieved their first success, a $30 million per year Internet business, he wanted to share the gift of inspiration and knowledge with budding entrepreneurs. To achieve this end, he started Mixergy, where he invites proven Entrepreneurs to teach how they built their startups. On Mixergy, he has had the founders of Wikipedia, Groupon, LivingSocial, LinkedIn, and over a thousand other fascinating start-ups.

Episode 135: Andrew Warner: How To Be A Fearless Interviewer (Mixergy)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“We want to be like the people who will go running in gardening shoes.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Caring and passion leads to sustained excellence
How to ask the really tough questions
The best one word question an interviewer can ask
How Charlie Rose has improved so much as an interviewer
Focusing on the bigger mission – What do you want to do?
The importance of preparation as an interviewer – And how to deal with potentially being too prepared
Hiring a coach – Transcribing his interviews to review them
How The Larry Sanders Show helped him as an interviewer
Why he started Mixergy
Don’t worry about having the right shoes, just go run
When interviewing someone, think… What do I really care about?
The power of stories

“If you don’t experience failure early, then you begin to fail it later. You can’t fear it.”

Continue Learning:

Go To: Mixergy.com
Follow Andrew on Twitter: @AndrewWarner
Read: Shoe Dog
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Andrew Warner on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From AndrewWarner.com

Andrew Warner was one of the pioneers of the internet startup scene — starting online in 1997 and growing his business into a multi-million dollar venture. When Andrew Warner grew up in New York City, he saw the titans of entrepreneurship — in particular, entrepreneurs from the publishing industry — firsthand.

He remembers thinking to himself that he wanted to do that. He wanted what they had achieved. By any measure, Warner has accomplished this childhood vision, and has made it as an entrepreneur.

134: Patrick Lencioni – Naked Consulting: Why It Works Jun 19, 2016

Episode 134: Patrick Lencioni – Naked Consulting: Why It Works

I read Pat’s Leadership Fable, “The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team” many years ago and became a huge fan of his work. “Getting Naked” is another seminal piece on shedding fear. You’ll notice on this episode that Pat also has a great wit and sense of humor. I was learning and laughing throughout the conversation.

Pat Lencioni is the founder of The Table Group and the author of 10 books which have sold nearly 5 million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages. The Wall Street Journal called him "one of the most in demand speakers in America." He has addressed millions of people at conferences and events around the world over the past 15 years. Pat has written for or been featured in numerous publications including Harvard Business Review, Inc., Fortune, Fast Company, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek.

As CEO, Pat spends his time writing books and articles related to leadership and organizational health, speaking to audiences interested in those topics and consulting to CEOs and their teams.

Episode 134: Patrick Lencioni – Naked Consulting: Why It Works

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Getting naked… Being completely transparent has been the key to our success.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Humility is the core virtue of sustained excellence
A drive for excellence is imperative to be successful – Southwest Airlines
Why don’t most leaders do this? They think it’s beneath them
How do you not get fooled in the hiring process? Pat answers…
“Scare people with sincerity”
Why the phrase “it’s just business” is horrible
Why his business is called The Table Group
It’s important to enjoy each step of growth. If you don’t enjoy owning one restaurant, you won’t enjoy owning 20 of them
Getting naked – Being 100% transparent
Don’t sell… Help. Start to do stuff for a potential client immediately. Help them from the very beginning before they’ve paid you anything. They will eventually beg to give you money.
Naked Consulting =
- Don’t be afraid to lose the business
- Don’t be afraid to be embarrassed – Ask questions
- Don’t be afraid to feel inferior to your client. Help them. Clean the office, carry supplies, do the little things
The Ideal Team Player is:
- Humble
- Hungry
- Smart
Keynote speech process? Make people an insider. Make it so they are in on it. Don’t present, just talk as you normally would. Be honest.
A great learning leader is humble enough to know that she is learning constantly

“The best piece of technology is a table.”

Continue Learning

Read: The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team- A Leadership Fable
Go To: The Table Group
Follow Pat on Twitter: @patricklencioni
Follow me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 130: Ryan Holiday – What Is Your Greatest Enemy? Your Ego

Episode 127: Adam Grant – How Originals Impact The World

Episode 126: Jayson Gaignard – Mastermind Talks – An event with a lower acceptance rate than Harvard

Episode 114: Cal Newport – Deep Work Is Your Super Power

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Pat Lencioni is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From TableGroup.com

As CEO, Pat spends his time writing books and articles related to leadership and organizational health, speaking to audiences interested in those topics and consulting to CEOs and their teams.

Prior to founding The Table Group, Pat worked at Bain & Company, Oracle Corporation and Sybase.

133: John Ruhlin – Giftology: Radical Generosity Is Your Secret Weapon Jun 15, 2016

Episode 133: John Ruhlin – Giftology: Radical Generosity Is Your Secret Weapon

John Ruhlin is the founder of The Ruhlin Group, a gift logistics company that helps clients like the Chicago Cubs, Wells Fargo, Caesar s Entertainment, Miami Dolphins, Morgan Stanley, and The John Maxwell Company execute year-round gifting strategies.

John's unique approach to relationships led him to become the #1 salesman for a $250 Million direct sales company by the time he was 23 (out of 1.5 Million reps). He now speaks widely about strategic gifting and relationship building and helps CEOs and sales teams drive referrals and open doors to elusive decision makers.

He is the author of “Giftology.” Ruhlin breaks down how anyone from mail clerk to managing director can master the magic of Giftology; with these and more: Mastering reciprocity, the hidden bottom line booster Laser-targeting whom to give a gift and when to use thrift Uncovering your client s inner circle and becoming part of it Give wholeheartedly to Giftology and reap the rewards of an expanding business and fruitful relationships, professional and personal alike.

Episode 133: John Ruhlin – Giftology: Radical Generosity Is Your Secret Weapon

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“I Help Leaders Not Suck At Saying Thank You.” – John Ruhlin

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The best gift John ever received – Specific gifts for him, his wife, and his kids based on each of their preferences
A thoughtful hand written note on a nice sheet of paper will go a long way
Percentage of revenue invested on gift giving
Reframing your questioning to: “What’s the most I could give?”
Differentiating from all others
Why you shouldn’t give gifts at Thanksgiving or Christmas
Why you should never put your own logo on a gift
How to be a better gift giver in your relationship with your spouse
“Surprise and Delight” – “Planned “Randomness”
Why you shouldn’t ask for your gift recipient’s address – Find another one to get it
Don’t give consumable safe bets – Be thoughtful
Think, “How can I help you look good to your most important relationships?’
Paying for each employee to have their homes cleaned every two weeks and the benefit his company receives from it
How to dominate your specific space like he dominates the appreciation space

“What’s the most I could give? What’s the craziest thing I could do to show them how much I appreciate them?”

Continue Learning

Read: Giftology
Go To: Ruhlin Group
Follow John on Twitter: @ruhlin
Follow me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 130: Ryan Holiday – What Is Your Greatest Enemy? Your Ego

Episode 127: Adam Grant – How Originals Impact The World

Episode 126: Jayson Gaignard – Mastermind Talks – An event with a lower acceptance rate than Harvard

Episode 114: Cal Newport – Deep Work Is Your Super Power

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. John Ruhlin is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From RuhlinGroup.com

132: Kevin Kelly - How To See The Future... Jun 12, 2016

Episode 132: Kevin Kelly - How To See The Future...

Much of what will happen in the next thirty years is inevitable, driven by technological trends that are already in motion. In this fascinating, provocative new book, Kevin Kelly provides an optimistic road map for the future, showing how the coming changes in our lives—from virtual reality in the home to an on-demand economy to artificial intelligence embedded in everything we manufacture—can be understood as the result of a few long-term, accelerating forces. Kelly both describes these deep trends—interacting, cognifying, flowing, screening, accessing, sharing, filtering, remixing, tracking, and questioning—and demonstrates how they overlap and are codependent on one another. These larger forces will completely revolutionize the way we buy, work, learn, and communicate with each other. By understanding and embracing them, says Kelly, it will be easier for us to remain on top of the coming wave of changes and to arrange our day-to-day relationships with technology in ways that bring forth maximum benefits. Kelly’s bright, hopeful book will be indispensable to anyone who seeks guidance on where their business, industry, or life is heading—what to invent, where to work, in what to invest, how to better reach customers, and what to begin to put into place—as this new world emerges. (Per Amazon.com)

Kevin Kelly is Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. He co-founded Wired in 1993, and served as its Executive Editor for its first seven years. His new book for Viking/Penguin is called The Inevitable, with a publication date of June 6, 2016. He is also founding editor and co-publisher of the popular Cool Tools website, which has been reviewing tools daily since 2003. From 1984-1990 Kelly was publisher and editor of the Whole Earth Review, a journal of unorthodox technical news. He co-founded the ongoing Hackers’ Conference, and was involved with the launch of the WELL, a pioneering online service started in 1985. His books include the best-selling New Rules for the New Economy, the classic book on decentralized emergent systems, Out of Control, a graphic novel about robots and angels, The Silver Cord, an oversize catalog of the best of Cool Tools, and his summary theory of technology in What Technology Wants (2010).

Episode 132 Kevin Kelly – How To See The Future...

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Their success can prevent future success. It’s difficult to move off that peak. It’s important to know nothing at times.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Those who cultivate, create, make, and have an ability to see the world a little differently sustain excellence
With technology advancements, it’s difficult to sustain a different view
Why we should think of ways to optimize our lives
The art of making allies instead of enemies
“I write in order to tell myself what I think”
The power of sharing your journal with the world
Why humans will own less and will pay for access to more things
Why do we need to sleep? Can we optimize it?
Why hasn’t the speed of commercials airlines increased in 30 years?
“You are not late – Go do something now”

“What are you trying to optimize in your life?”

Continue Learning:

Follow Kevin on Twitter: @kevin2kelly
Read: 1,000 True Fans
Read: The Inevitable: Understanding The 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape You
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 130: Ryan Holiday – Ego Is The Enemy

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Kevin Kelly on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From KK.org

131: Marshall Goldsmith – The #1 Leadership & CEO Coach In The World Jun 08, 2016

Episode 131: Marshall Goldsmith – The #1 Leadership & CEO Coach In The World

When you google “helping successful leaders,” the name that will appear on almost all 3,500+ results is Marshall Goldsmith… It was an absolute thrill to learn directly from him during this conversation on The Learning Leader Show.

Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is the author or editor of 35 books, which have sold over two million copies, been translated into 30 languages and become bestsellers in 12 countries. He has written two New York Times bestsellers, MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There – a Wall Street Journal #1 business book and winner of the Harold Longman Award for Business Book of the Year. His newest book Triggers: Creating Behavior that Lasts – Becoming the Person You Want to Be was published on May 19, 2015.

Marshall’s global professional acknowledgments include: Harvard Business Review – World’s #1 Leadership Thinker, Institute for Management Studies – Lifetime Achievement Award (one of only two ever awarded), American Management Association - 50 great thinkers and leaders who have influenced the field of management over the past 80 years, BusinessWeek – 50 great leaders in America, Wall Street Journal – top ten executive educators, Forbes – five most-respected executive coaches. Leader of the Future Award, and Global Gurus ranked Marshall #1 World's Top 30 Coaching Professionals for 2016. Marshall's work has been recognized by nearly every professional organization in his field.

Episode 131: Marshall Goldsmith – The #1 Leadership & CEO Coach In The World

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“He Who Is Not Busy Being Born Is Busy Dying”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Courage, Humility, and Discipline leads to sustained excellence
Giving speeches in 96 countries and earning 11 million frequent flyer miles
27 CEO’s have endorsed his new book, “Triggers”
Marshall’s strategy and how he “bets” on himself (he doesn’t get paid unless his coaching works)
The amount he gets paid and time length: 18 months of coaching for $250,000
He’s been coaching for 39 years – He feels incredibly worthy of coaching the best in the world.
He’s the world’s #1 CEO/Leadership coach
If you google “helping successful leaders,” Marshall’s name will appear in virtually every result (over 3,500)
The daily 2 minute exercise that will change your life – Why you should email Marshall and ask him to send it to you (he sent it to me. It’s incredible)
Don’t use the phrase, “I have this problem.” Instead say “I used to do that” – Make it past tense, not current
Doing your best to set clear goals every single day
Being a learning leader means reading and constantly striving to improve

“I Wrote The Theory About How To Change Behavior”

Continue Learning:

Go To: MarshallGoldsmith.com
Follow Marshall on Twitter: @coachgoldsmith
Read: What Got You Here Won't Get You There
Read: Triggers
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Marshall Goldsmith on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From MarshallGoldsmithLibrary.com

130: Ryan Holiday – What Is Your Greatest Enemy? Your Ego Jun 05, 2016

Episode 130: Ryan Holiday – What Is Your Greatest Enemy? Your Ego

If you enjoyed the first conversation Ryan Holiday and I had, then you will absolutely love this one. We went much deeper on a number of really interesting topics including: Destiny (does it choose us?), Ego, Stoicism, Risk, Metallica, Focus, Silence, and Gawker Media… I loved it.

His most recent book, “Ego Is The Enemy” draws on a vast array of stories and examples, from literature to philosophy to history. We meet fascinating figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt, who all reached the highest levels of power and success by conquering their own egos. Their strategies and tactics can be ours as well.

Episode 130: Ryan Holiday – What Is Your Greatest Enemy? Your Ego

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

“Ryan Holiday is one of his generation’s finest thinkers, and this book is his best yet.” - Steven Pressfield, author of New York Times bestseller “The War of Art”

The Learning Leader Show

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of always being a student – “One cannot learn that which they think they already know.”
The remarkable story of Kirk Hammett, lead guitar player for Metallica – His actions upon being hired will blow you away (and inspire you)
Ryan’s process for receiving feedback and coaching
Why it’s not wise to try and impress others
Being motivated to prove people right
The importance of your spouse
The power of silence and how it relates to Robert Greene’s work in The 48 Laws of Power
The phrase confident and secure leaders are willing to say that others are not
Don’t follow your passion, follow your effort – Nobody quits what they’re good at
What is destiny? Is it predetermined?
Meeting your heroes in person
Why Ryan feels that Gawker is one of the worst media companies of all time and the piece he wrote about Peter Thiel
Great giveaways for his book

“Be an anteambulo – Clear the path for others to be successful.”

“One cannot learn that which they think they already know.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Ryan’s Website: RyanHoliday.net
Read: Ego Is The Enemy
Follow Ryan on Twitter: @RyanHoliday
Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode 127: Adam Grant – How Originals Impact The World

Episode 117: Tim Urban – Using Procrastination To Perform A TED Talk

Episode 114: Cal Newport – Deep Work Is Your Super Power

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Ryan Holiday is a leader who leads an very interesting life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

From The Prologue of “Ego Is The Enemy”

“While the history books are filled with tales of obsessive visionary geniuses who remade the world in their image with sheer, almost irrational force, I’ve found that history is also made by individuals who fought their egos at every turn, who eschewed the spotlight, and who put their higher goals above their desire for recognition.”

129: Rory Vaden – Why The Best “Take The Stairs” Jun 01, 2016

Episode 129: Rory Vaden – Why The Best “Take The Stairs”

Self-Discipline Strategist Rory Vaden’s book Take the Stairs is a #1 Wall St Journal, #1 USA Today, and #2 New York Times bestseller. As an award-winning entrepreneur and business leader, Rory Co-Founded Southwestern Consulting™, a multi-million dollar global consulting practice that helps clients in more than 14 countries drive educated decisions with relevant data. He’s also the Founder of The Center for the Study of Self-Discipline (CSSD).

Rory is the world’s leader on defining the psychology around modern day procrastination, called Priority Dilution™ - in fact, he coined the term. He speaks and consults on how to say no to the things that don’t matter, and yes to the things that do. His client list includes companies and groups such as: Cargill, The Million Dollar Roundtable, P&G, True Value, YPO, Wells Fargo Advisors, Land O’Lakes, Novartis, and hundreds more. His insights have recently been featured on/in: Fox News, CNN, Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Inc, Fortune, and the New York Times.

Episode 129: Rory Vaden – Why The Best “Take The Stairs”

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“When I think of a learning leader, I think of someone who is learning and applying.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Being willing to take on the tough moments (like a buffalo does a storm) leads to sustained excellence
The relation to Kevin Ollie and “Take The Stairs” that he used with his UConn basketball team
The specific number of “reps” Rory has gained as a speaker (Deliberate Practice)
The science behind habit forming
70 speaking dates per year
The mindset of multiplying time
Understanding the most significant tasks
Why one of his books totally failed (really interesting and transparent talk from Rory)
The impact Zig Zigler had on him as a mentor
Being a learning leader means putting what you’ve learned into action. Action is critical

“Multipliers create more time tomorrow.”

Continue Learning:

Go To: RoryVaden.com
Follow Rory on Twitter: @rory_vaden
Read: Take The Stairs - 7 Steps To Achieving True Success
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Rory Vaden on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From RoryVaden.com

He is a regular contributor for American Express Open Forum, Huffington Post, and The Tennessean and his articles and insights average more than 4 million views every month. Additionally, he hosts The Rory Vaden Show which is the only nationally syndicated weekly radio show for “movers and shakers in the world of business.”

128: Donna Dubinsky - Standing Up To Steve Jobs And Being Right May 30, 2016

Episode 128: Donna Dubinsky – Standing Up To Steve Jobs And Being Right

Donna Dubinsky was made famous by the Harvard Business School study about the time when she disagreed with Steve Jobs (when he decided that Apple should eliminate their distribution warehouse). She ultimately prevailed and we discussed what happened next in her incredible career. We had a fascinating conversation on this episode of The Learning Leader Show.

Donna Dubinsky first partnered with Jeff Hawkins at Palm, Inc. in 1992, where she served as president and CEO. She held this position throughout Palm’s acquisition by U.S Robotics and subsequently 3Com Corporation. In 1998, Donna and Jeff co-founded Handspring, creator of the category-defining Treo smartphone. Handspring merged with Palm in 2003, and Donna continued to serve on Palm’s board until 2009. Previously, Donna spent 10 years at Apple Inc. in a multitude of sales, sales support, and logistics functions—both at Apple and at Claris, an Apple software subsidiary.

Donna earned a B.A. from Yale University, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. She is currently on the board of Yale University.

Episode 128: Donna Dubinsky – Standing Up To Steve Jobs And Being Right

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“When I Worked With Steve Jobs, He Was Interested In Vision, Not Practicality”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The ability to defy conventional wisdom and curiosity leads to sustained excellence
The specifics on the story when she vehemently disagreed with Steve Jobs and what happened
Why Donna wanted to change the world and how she set out to do it
What it was like working with Steve Jobs in the early days at Apple
Steve Jobs initially said he would never be involved in mobile phones… Donna and her colleagues changed his mind when they came out with the first version of a smart phone
The future is built on learning machines
Steve Jobs redefined the relationships with the phone carriers – Something that nobody before him could do
What it’s like to find patterns in streaming data
Being a learning leader – It’s not a batch process, you have to continue learning and always deploy as you learn more

“The Future Is Built On Learning Machines”

Continue Learning:

Go To: Numenta.com
Follow Donna on Twitter: @ddubinsky
Read: Ten Lessons I Learned From Bill Campbell
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Donna Dubinsky on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Numenta.com

Donna first partnered with Jeff Hawkins at Palm, Inc. in 1992, where she served as president and CEO. She held this position throughout Palm’s acquisition by U.S Robotics and subsequently 3Com Corporation. In 1998, Donna and Jeff co-founded Handspring, creator of the category-defining Treo smartphone. Handspring merged with Palm in 2003, and Donna continued to serve on Palm’s board until 2009. Previously, Donna spent 10 years at Apple Inc. in a multitude of sales, sales support, and logistics functions—both at Apple and at Claris, an Apple software subsidiary.

Donna earned a B.A. from Yale University, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. She is currently on the board of Yale University.

127: Adam Grant – How Originals Impact The World May 25, 2016

Episode 127: Adam Grant – How Originals Impact The World

Adam Grant has been a leader I’ve admired since I read his NY Times best-selling book, “Give and Take” in 2013. The book changed my life. It changed how I view the world and how I view success. The path to success and sustained excellence is different than I originally thought and I have Adam to thank for you. It was an absolute thrill to have this conversation with Adam.

Adam Grant is Wharton’s top-rated professor and a New York Times writer on work and psychology. He has been recognized as one of the world's 25 most influential management thinkers, the 100 most creative people in business, the 40 best business professors under 40, and Malcolm Gladwell’s favorite thinkers.

Adam is the author of two New York Times bestselling books translated into 35 languages. Originals explores how individuals champion new ideas and leaders fight groupthink; it is a #1 national bestseller and one of Amazon's best books of February 2016. Give and Take examines why helping others drives our success, and was named one of the best books of 2013 by Amazon, Apple, the Financial Times, and The Wall Street Journal—as well as one of Oprah's riveting reads and Harvard Business Review’s ideas that shaped management.

Episode 127: Adam Grant

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“It’s a myth that you have to be a big risk taker to be a successful entrepreneur.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Being a dedicated learner and always raising the bar leads to sustained excellence
Realizing he had no excuse not to share his ideas with the world after he made tenure
Why Adam does not consider himself an Original
It’s not that we struggle with creativity, it’s Originality where we are lacking
Getting invited to the main TED conference
The process for writing and delivering a world class TED talk
The importance of having a coach – Adam had 4 speaking coaches helping him prepare and edit his TED Talk
How to deal with a Taker who has success
Why procrastination helps spur creativity
Creativity and curiosity are the starting point for all originality
The best originals think about risk like a stock portfolio
A learning leader cares more about getting better than they do about their own ego

“I don’t think we struggle at creativity, we struggle at originality.”

Continue Learning:

Go To: AdamGrant.net
See Why Over 66,000 People Follow Adam on Twitter: @AdamMGrant
Read: Give and Take
Read: Originals
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Adam Grant on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From AdamGrant.net

Adam received a standing ovation for his 2016 TED talk on the surprising habits of original thinkers and was voted the audience's favorite speaker at The Nantucket Project on the success of givers and takers. His speaking and consulting clients include Google, the NBA, Merck, Goldman Sachs, Pixar, Facebook, Johnson & Johnson, the United Nations, the U.S. Army and Navy, and the World Economic Forum, where he has been honored as a Young Global Leader. His New York Times articles on Raising a moral child and How to raise a creative child have each been shared over 300,000 times on social media.

Adam was profiled in The New York Times Magazine cover story, Is giving the secret to getting ahead? He was tenured at Wharton while still in his twenties, and has received the Excellence in Teaching Award for every class that he has taught. He is the founder and host of the Authors@Wharton speaker series, and co-director of Wharton People Analytics. He has designed experiential learning activities based on The Apprentice in which students have raised over $325,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation while developing leadership, influence, networking and collaboration skills. He serves on the Lean In board and authored a New York Times series on women and work with Sheryl Sandberg, including Speaking while female and Madam C.E.O., get me a coffee.

Adam earned his Ph.D. in organizational psychology from the University of Michigan, completing it in less than three years, and his B.A. from Harvard University, magna cum laude with highest honors and Phi Beta Kappa honors. He has earned awards for distinguished scholarly achievement from the Academy of Management, the American Psychological Association, and the National Science Foundation. He has more than 60 publications in leading management and psychology journals, and his pioneering studies have increased performance and reduced burnout among engineers and sales professionals, enhanced call center productivity, and motivated safety behaviors among doctors, nurses and lifeguards. His studies have been highlighted in bestselling books such as Quiet by Susan Cain, Drive by Daniel Pink, and David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell.

126: Jayson Gaignard – Mastermind Talks: An Event With A Lower Acceptance Rate Than Harvard May 22, 2016

Episode 126: Jayson Gaignard – Mastermind Talks: An Event With A Lower Acceptance Rate Than Harvard

Jayson Gaignard has become a great friend over the course of the past year. He calls himself a “talent scout” – Meaning he looks for people on the rise and works hard to support them on that journey. Jayson believes building those relationships are more important than just simply seeking the “already famous” people in the world. I’m grateful that he’s been such a great supporter of me for the last year.

The event that Jayson Gaignard has created (Mastermind Talks) is harder to get an invitation to than it is to get accepted to Harvard (5.2% for Harvard). Mastermind Talks accepts less than 1 half of 1% of applicants. Jayson Gaignard says this is the key to the long term success of his business. In 2016, the event was held in Ojai, CA and I was fortunate to be one of those in attendance. During this conversation today, we discussed the details and specifics around executing a world class event. You’ll be amazed at Jayson’s attention to detail and his care for each and every member. He’s one of the most thoughtful leaders I’ve ever met.

"Business, like life, is all about how you make people feel. It’s that simple, and it’s that hard."

Episode 126: Jayson Gaignard – Mastermind Talks: An Event With A Lower Acceptance Rate Than Harvard

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“We’re Drowning In Information, But Starving For Wisdom.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Success breeds complacency and arrogance. Leaders who sustain excellence are not arrogant and are never complacent
“Amazing people often know other amazing people”
How and why Jayson has resisted the temptation to have open enrollment – He actively leaves a large sum of money on the table ever year
Jayson’s remarkable ability to develop trust with his colleagues
Going into an event without sharing an agenda or featured speakers – Again Jayson has built massive trust
Why it’s helpful to build in a great deal of time for people to mingle
Roundtables/Breakout Sessions – The power of having subject matter experts as attendees
Peer to Peer learning is huge part of Mastermind Talks
The element of surprise – Gary Vaynerchuk, Tony Hawk, James Altucher, Damien Escobar
If you want to be blown away, watch this: Damien Escobar
“My focus is on scaling trust. If I have trust, I can make magic happen”
The importance of having a morning “movement event” – Get people together early to workout, eat breakfast, and then start the formal information at 10:00
Advice given to event attendees: How to stand out and make an impact on your fellow attendees

“Amazing People Know Other Amazing People.”

Continue Learning:

Follow Jayson on Twitter: @JaysonGaignard
Read: Mastermind Dinners
Go to: MastermindTalks.com
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jayson Gaignard on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From MastermindTalks.com (In Jayson’s words)

Just a few years ago, I was stuck on the entrepreneurial "hamster wheel" building a business I hated, which enabled me to buy things I didn't need, to impress people I didn't even like. I was "successful” on the outside, but the heaviness of that success left me yearning for the lightness of being a beginner again.

That business made me "burn the boats" in search of something different... something fulfilling. I didn't know what this would be at the time, but by the end of our first event in May of 2013, I knew I had found it.

Entrepreneurs may come to our events for content - but they leave with something far more valuable... community. Entrepreneurship can be very isolating at times, and it's hard to find like-minded individuals. Over the last few years I've spent my time carefully curating an incredible network of entrepreneurs without using rational benchmarks such as their type of business, or revenues. Instead, I curate based upon who they are and what they stand for. Just like an investor investing in businesses, I invest in people, because I believe that amazing people become increasingly amazing over time.

I dedicate my life to supporting and serving a small group of individuals. These people value legacy over currency. They know that good is the enemy of great, and are never satisfied with what is considered "good" in any area of their life.

They are not afraid to sacrifice who they are for who they want to become.

These are the people I'm committed to - Is that you?

125: Garry Ridge – How To Build A Tribal Culture (CEO WD-40) May 18, 2016

Episode 125: Garry Ridge – How To Build A Tribal Culture (CEO WD-40)

Garry Ridge is president and chief executive officer of the WD-40 Company (NASDAQ WDFC) headquartered in San Diego, California. WD-40 Company is the maker of the ever-popular WD-40. A native of Australia, Garry has served as national vice president of the Australian Marketing Institute and the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association.

Garry is an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego. He teaches leadership development, talent management & succession planning in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program. In March 2003, Garry was awarded Director of the Year for Enhancement of Economic Value by the Corporate Directors forum. In 2006, Garry was awarded the Ernst & Young - Master Entrepreneur Award.

In 2009, Garry co-authored a book with Ken Blanchard titled “Helping People Win at Work: A Business Philosophy called “Don’t Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A.”

Episode 125: Garry Ridge – How To Build A Tribal Culture (CEO WD-40)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“The Number That Predicts Long Term Sales Success Is Employee Satisfaction”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having a high level of empathy (EQ), being a great listener, and a passion to see others succeed leads to sustained excellence
How he grew WD-40 from $250 million to $1.6 Billion
How to build a tribal culture
Turning up the volume on training, learning, and development
What it means when Garry says, “Don’t waste a good crisis”
Setting SMART goals
Why the employee needs to set the goal and be supported by the leader
“Wisdom is putting knowledge to work”
“You learn a lot by shutting up”
A great line from “The Bridge of Spies” When the prisoner is asked if he’s worried about something potentially bad happening to him, he quietly responds, “Would that help?” – It’s a waste of energy to worry about things outside of your control
Don’t Mark My Paper – Help Me Get An A
Having a rigorous hiring process to ensure bringing great people into the business
Learning Leader – Aggressive self-education

“I Never Lose… I Either Win Or I Learn” – Garry Ridge

Continue Learning:

Follow Garry on Twitter: @LearningMoment
Read: Helping People Win At Work
Go To: The Learning Moment
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Garry Ridge on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From TheLearningMoment.com

Garry's passion about learning is driven from his personal experience of working in an environment where learning was not encouraged or sought out. As Garry recalls, "I knew we as a team could be better, but when looking into the eyes of my employees, I didn't see the hunger. I took a hard line approach and starting asking tough questions, such as, 'what kind of environment would help feed your hunger?' My employees were direct and honest, 'give me an environment where I can learn, be challenged, and rewarded for taking a risk.' So, I did just that, I set out to create a learning environment.

Today, Garry has the desire to continue with his learnings by sharing them with others. Garry says, "Change is difficult, and as I was going through this transitional period, it would have been helpful to have a big brother/sister who could have provided additional insights. Today, knowing others will want to create a learning environment, I would like help and support this by sharing my learnings.

124: Don Wettrick – Pure Genius: Learning From The Innovation Teacher May 15, 2016

Episode 124: Don Wettrick – Pure Genius: Learning From The Innovation Teacher

Don Wettrick has become a great friend over the last three months. I absolutely love what he is doing for the students he’s leading at Noblesville High School. It takes a dynamic and fearless leader to create and implement his idea for an Innovation factory within a high school. I love it!

Don Wettrick is an Innovation Specialist at Noblesville High School, just outside Indianapolis, IN. He is the author of “Pure Genius: Building a Culture of Innovation and Taking 20% Time to the Next Level”. Wettrick has worked as a middle school and high school teacher; educational and innovation consultant; and educational speaker. Don is passionate about helping students find their educational opportunities and providing them with the digital tools they need to give them a competitive edge.

Don has lectured across the US and Europe about collaboration, social media use, and work environments that enable innovation. He also hosts an internet radio program, InnovatED, for the BAM! Radio Network. Most importantly Don works with educators and students to bring innovation and collaborative skills into education.

Episode 124: Don Wettrick – Pure Genius: Learning From The Innovation Teacher

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Students Have The Arrogance Of Belief”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having a broader view of the journey leads to sustained excellence
Why Prince is the definition of “sustained excellence” to Don (**Note – This conversation was recorded prior to Prince tragically passing away)
How Don was inspired by Dan Pink’s TED Talk
The students have the arrogance of belief – it’s great
Learning can be a problem if the only destination is getting into college
The art of non-conformity
The heroes journey is life
Don wants adventure – “Too many people are busy watching someone else’s and not doing it themselves”
The importance of “Just Asking…” And what it can lead to
Being a learning leader means you are embrace the failures and learn from them

“Don Wettrick has incorporated a range of creativity-generating concepts into his teaching and turned his classroom into an innovation factory.” – Dan Pink

Continue Learning:

See why over 31,000 people follow Don on Twitter: @DonWettrick
Read: Pure Genius
Go to: TheInnovationTeacher.com
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Don Wettrick on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From The InnovationTeacher.com

123: David Allen – How To Get Things Done May 11, 2016

Episode 123: David Allen – How To Get Things Done

David Allen is an incredible leader. Between his best-selling book, “Getting Things Done,” The 5 I’s, and living in Europe, I was blown away by the depth of David. There is a great deal to learn from him and his experiences. We had a fascinating conversation on this episode of The Learning Leader Show.

Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them. That’s why David Allen created Getting Things Done®. GTD is the work-life management system that has helped countless individuals and organizations bring order to chaos. GTD enables greater performance, capacity, and innovation. It alleviates the feeling of overwhelm—instilling focus, clarity, and confidence.

After decades of in-the-field research and practice of his productivity methods, David wrote the international best-seller Getting Things Done. Published in over 28 languages, TIME magazine heralded it as “the defining self-help business book of its time.” In 2015, he released a new edition of the book, with new insights, updates, and discoveries about the world of Getting Things Done and its many personal and professional applications.

Today, the David Allen Company is a thriving global training and consulting company, widely considered the leading authority in the fields of organizational and personal productivity.

Episode 123: David Allen – How To Get Things Done

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“This Material Is For Anyone But Not For Everyone.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having a mix of strong ego and humility leads to sustained excellence
It’s important to have an “openness” to what could be coming next
It took David 25 years to “figure it out”
He spent 4 years writing “Getting Things Done”
This process helps you create more space
Creating an “In” basket – Find things that have your attention, list them all out
Unwrap it – A “to do” list on steroids
Clarify you decisions and KEEP TRACK of them… Very important
The 5 I’s:
- Information
- Inspiration
- Installation
- Implementation
- Integration
Bottom Up – Start where you are, not where you need to be
How heroin affected his thought process
Being a learning leader means you are authentic and will spend a lifetime learning

“Anything That Takes 2 Minutes Or Less… Do It Immediately”

Continue Learning:

See why over 1,200,000 people follow David on Twitter: @gtdguy
Read: Getting Things Done
Go To: GettingThingsDone.com
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing David Allen on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From GettingThingsDone.com

Today, the David Allen Company is a thriving global training and consulting company, widely considered the leading authority in the fields of organizational and personal productivity.

122: Sarah Robb O’Hagan – EXTREME YOU: Unlocking Your Potential May 08, 2016

Episode 122: Sarah Robb O’Hagan – EXTREME YOU: Unlocking Your Potential

Executive, activist and entrepreneur, Sarah Robb O’Hagan is described by the media as everything from “Superwoman undercover” to the “Queen of the Jocks” to the ultimate example of where fierce business woman, mother and fitness fanatic combine. Named among Forbes “Most Powerful Women in Sports” and recognized as one of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business” Sarah is an internationally recognized re-inventor of brands, but if you ask Sarah, she’ll say she’s in business to help individuals and teams achieve their potential.

Sarah was born in New Zealand – the first country in the world to give women the vote and home to the first man to climb Mt Everest. The pioneering spirit of her country cultivated Sarah’s drive and imagination for “what’s possible” enabling her to found a movement she currently leads called “Extreme Living” – helping individuals, teams and businesses unlock their potential by discovering their own uniquely exploitable traits. Her book EXTREMEYOU will be published by HarperCollins in 2017. (From CAASpeakers.com)

Episode 122: Sarah Robb O’Hagan - EXTREME YOU: Unlocking Your Potential

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Don’t worry about making the right decision, worry about making the decision right.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Curiosity and humility leads to sustained excellence
How to build a career that builds upon itself
How to be persistent when going for a job you really want
What it was like to work for Nike, Virgin, Gatorade, Equinox, and now as an entrepreneur
ExtremeYOU – Building the platform and writing the book
What Sarah learned from getting fired – The embarrassing moment when she had to pack her box and leave
Resilience is key
The importance of mentors – How they can fast track your career
The biggest mistake young leaders/managers make
Expect your team to be extraordinary – Watch them live up to your expectations
The reason for leaving massive jobs to start her own company
The best piece of advice she ever received and how Sarah implements it
Being a learning leader to Sarah – “I love it!”

“If you don’t experience failure early, then you begin to fail it later. You can’t fear it.”

Continue Learning:

Go To: ExtremeYOU.com
Follow Sarah on Twitter: @ExtremeSRO
Read: Getting Things Done
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Sarah Robb O’Hagan on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Fortune.com

Sarah Robb O’Hagan is the founder and Chief Extremer at EXTREMEYOU which is a a content platform of inspirational and educational articles, as well as programs, tools, workshops and experiences for ALL Extremers of ALL levels who have the guts and drive to achieve their potential and want to learn how to get it done.” Prior to that she was the President of Equinox -- the world’s premier fitness lifestyle company, comprising the Equinox, Soul Cycle, Blink Fitness and Pure Yoga brands.

Before earning the role of leading Equinox, she was the President of Gatorade. During her tenure, the Gatorade brand was returned to healthy growth and succeeded in evolving into sports nutrition with successful launches of the G Series platform in the USA, Latin America, UK and Australia.

Robb O’Hagan joined Gatorade after nearly six years at Nike where she held marketing and general management roles. She was a member of the team that launched Nike Plus in collaboration with Apple.

Prior to Nike she worked at Atari Interactive, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin Megastores and Air New Zealand.

121: Ryan Michler – How To Build Your 1,000 True Fans May 04, 2016

Episode 121: Ryan Michler – How To Build Your 1,000 True Fans

If you have a desire to build your own tribe full of raving, engaged fans, then this is a great episode for you. I originally met Ryan Michler over a year ago… He was in the midst of building his community, “The Order of Man.” It’s incredible to see how far and impactful his community has become in just 12 months. In addition… Ryan and his wife had their 4th child the DAY BEFORE we recorded this episode. Ryan is a man of his word and didn’t want to cancel even in the midst of having a child! Incredible.

Ryan Michler is the creator of “The Order of Man” and “The Iron Council.” The Order of Man is a website that provides fantastic value to leaders who strive to improve on a daily basis. Ryan also has a podcast with the same name. I was fortunate to be a guest on his show in May of 2015. You can listen to that episode HERE if you would like.

Episode 121: Ryan Michler – How To Build Your 1,000 True Fans

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“The Reality Is You Get To Choose Your Environment”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The ability to take action on a consistent basis leads to sustained excellence
Read Teddy Roosevelt’s “The Strenuous Life”
How and Why Ryan created “The Order of Man”
The impact it had on Ryan’s life by not having a father figure
The Iron Council – Why he created it and what they do for their members
Spending a year in Ramadi (Iraq) in a combat zone
Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook – Gary Vaynerchuk
The benefits of having an accountability partner
How to build your own community
“Decentralized Command” – Having team leaders
Focusing on the ONE thing that will yield the most impact
The 3 P’s of Masculinity
Learning Leader = Being Humble, realizing you don’t have it all figured out yet and you never will

Continue Learning:

Go To: OrderOfMan.com
Follow Jane on Twitter: @orderofman
Read: Theodore Roosevelt - The Strenuous Life
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Ryan Michler on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From OrderOfMan.com (In Ryan’s Words)

Most of my childhood was spent without a permanent father figure in my life. I never learned how to work on my car, I never had the chance to roughhouse with my dad, and I didn’t even learn how to throw a baseball correctly until I was a freshman in high school.

Looking back on it now, I wonder how my life would have been different if I had a permanent male influence in my life. What would the world look like if there were more men in it? I’m not talking about males. I’m talking about MEN (there is a difference).

Now that I have sons, I’m committed to being the dad that I never had. We do all kinds of great things together-sports (I coach ALL their teams), build tree houses, and roughhouse ’til we’re exhausted.

As I talk with other men, I can see that there is a huge need for learning how to be a better father. But I’ve also seen a need for strong and honorable men outside of the home.

Guys, we’re losing the meaning of manhood. We’ve gone away from being strong, rugged, independent, and tough to a collection of wimpy, dependent, whiners. Something has got to be done!

120: Andrew Brandt – Learning From A World Class Negotiator May 01, 2016

Episode 120: Andrew Brandt – Learning From A World Class Negotiator

Andrew Brandt leads a fascinating life. A great mentor of mine told me to always be on the lookout for others who have had “success in multiple life categories.” In Andrew’s case, he’s done that throughout his life: Stanford graduating Cum Laude à Georgetown Law à NFL Player agent à VP and head negotiator for The Green Bay Packers à Top Business analyst for ESPN/Writer for The MMQB/ Leader at Villanova. This is a very insightful conversation on The Learning Leader Show.

Andrew Brandt is an ESPN Business Analyst. He’s a weekly columnist; at The MMQB.com Andrew is also the Exec. Director, Moorad Center at Villanova. He focuses on trying to stay true to the good and never peaking. Previously, he was the Vice President of Player Finance and General Counsel of Green Bay Packers. He was in charge of The Packers Salary Cap as well as negotiating all of the player contracts for the team.

Episode 120: Andrew Brandt – Learning From A World Class Negotiator

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“There are a lot of fathers of success but few of failure.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Self-discipline, internal motivation, having a lack of complacency leads to sustained excellence
The story of Ricky Williams asking him to work for Master P!
What it was like being in the middle of an NFL “war room” on draft day
Working as an NFL agent with David Falk and Bobby Orr
Writing, teaching, broadcasting are the three pillars of his career
Wharton to Villanova
Supporting coaches who are forward thinking and innovative like Chip Kelly
Unfortunately, most coaches and GM’s are just trying not to get fired
How to become a great negotiator

Never let emotion override focus – “Emotions fade, focus doesn’t”

Keeping Aaron Rodgers on hold while waiting for a trade offer prior to drafting him!
An incredible Drew Rosenhaus story
Not using the word “former” in the description for anything he does – Looking forward, living in the present. Learn from the past but moving forward
Stay true to the good and being in “constant beta mode” is the definition of a learning leader

“Stay true to the good… And never peak.” – Andrew Brandt

Continue Learning:

See Why Over 200,000 People Follow Tim on Twitter: @AndrewBrandt
Read: Andrew's Work On The MMQB
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Andrew Brandt on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Twitter

119: Jane Atkinson – How To Launch Your Speaking Career Apr 27, 2016

Episode 119: Jane Atkinson – How To Launch Your Speaking Career

If you ever plan to speak in front of a group of people, then you’ll want to listen to this episode with Jane Atkinson. If you have a desire to speak professionally and get paid, then you’ll love this conversation. I really enjoyed this conversation, specifically the portion of the talk where Jane did a live workshop with me. I learned a great deal about the speaking profession from

Jane Atkinson has been helping speakers catapult their businesses for over 20 years. As a former speaker’s agent, she has represented numerous speakers, celebrities and best-selling authors. Today, as a speaker coach, Jane has helped some of the industry’s hottest stars. Many of Jane’s clients have vaulted to the top 3% of the field. Her clients are the who’s who…. Executive VP’s of Fortune 100 companies, Editors-in-Chief of Top Magazines, Bestselling Authors, Adventurers, Ivy League Professors and regular everyday people who have a strong message.

Jane’s book entitled “The Wealthy Speaker 2.0: A Proven Formula for Building a Successful Speaking Business” has been touted “the bible” of the speaking. Her follow up book “The Epic Keynote: Presentation Skills and Styles of The Wealthy Speaker” has become the speakers “presentations reference guide”.

Episode 119: Jane Atkinson – How To Launch Your Speaking Career

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“What changed for me working with Jane? Everything…we’ve been together since the beginning and 3 years later we are well on our way to building a million dollar business. She is the definitive Speaker Launcher!” – Ryan Estis

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Focusing… Choosing something you want to be known for leads to sustained excellence
Be a specialist… A thought leader in one area
How speakers bureaus can be helpful
The beginnings of Ryan Estis’ career and how Jane helped him
Direct, Live, 1 on 1 coaching
Why building in surprise elements to your speech will differentiate you
Read The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs
How to “make the audience the heroes of your story”
Creating audience interaction and engagement – A “How To”
Why everyone should invest in a coach (She pays $25K/year for hers)
Personal growth, self-development = Learning Leader

Continue Learning:

Go To: SpeakerLauncher.com
Follow Jane on Twitter: @janeatkinson
Read: The Wealthy Speaker 2.0
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jane Atkinson on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From SpeakerLauncher.com

118: Greg McKeown – Essentialism: The Discipline Of Saying No Apr 24, 2016

Episode 118: Greg McKeown – Essentialism: The Discipline Of Saying No

I’ve been a big fan of Greg McKeown’s message and his writing since his best-selling book, “Essentialism” came out. Greg has mastered the art and science behind optimizing his day, creating routines, and always asking the question, “Is this the absolute best use of my time?” This is a very important and helpful conversation that we all can learn from. How can we say no more often and eliminate everything that is not essential?

Episode 118: Greg McKeown – Essentialism: The Discipline Of Saying No

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Very Successful People Say No To Almost Everything.” - Greg McKeown

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Saying “No” to almost everything leads to sustained excellence
Essentialism is defined as “The Disciplined Pursuit of Less”
What would you do if you could do anything?
Success creates an increase in options and opportunities which can actually create failure
Ronda Rousey – Her success led to an abundance of opportunities which may have caused her loss to Holly Holm
Always think, “Is this the very best use for me?”
The word priority initially meant “the one thing.” For some reason it’s evolved to now priorities.
There is no such thing as having 20 priorities
Explore, Eliminate, Create a Routine
Learn to say No gracefully
Set up systems to optimize your work
Learning Leader as a noun = Focus
Learning Leader as a verb = Constantly adjusting to maintain clarity, reflecting, asking, “What’s the most important thing I can be doing right now?”

“What Would You Do If You Could Do Anything?

Continue Learning:

Go To: GregMcKeown.com
Follow Greg on Twitter: @GregoryMcKeown
Read: Essentialism
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Greg McKeown on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From GregMcKeown.com

Greg McKeown has dedicated his career to discovering why some people break through to the next level—and others don’t. The definitive treatment of this issue is addressed in McKeown’s latest project: the instant New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. As well as frequently being the #1 Time Management book on Amazon, this book challenges core assumptions about achievement to get to the essence of what really drives success. McKeown is the CEO of THIS Inc, a company whose mission is to assist people and companies to spend 80 percent of their time on the vital few rather than the trivial many. Clients include Adobe, Apple, Google, Facebook, Pixar, Salesforce.com, Symantec, Twitter, VMware and Yahoo!. His writing has appeared or been covered by Fast Company, Fortune, HuffPost, Politico, and Inc. Magazine. He is among the most popular bloggers for the Harvard Business Review and LinkedIn’s Influencers group: averaging a million views a month. McKeown has been interviewed on numerous television and radio shows including NPR’s All Things Considered and NBC’s Press: Here. Entrepreneur Magazine voted his interview at Stanford University the #1 Must-See Video on Business, Creativity and Success.

117: Tim Urban – Using Procrastination to Perform A Ted Talk & Befriend Elon Musk Apr 20, 2016

Episode 117: Tim Urban – Using Procrastination to Perform A Ted Talk & Befriend Elon Musk

Listen carefully to both the beginning and the end of this conversation. Tim Urban is one of the most thoughtful leaders that I have ever met. As a listener I found Tim to be patient and thoughtful in his responses to my questions, sometimes taking a minute or so before his point came across. Genuinely, I loved that about him. Be prepared for an incredibly funny, yet insightful conversation on The Learning Leader Show.

Tim Urban has become one of the Internet’s most popular writers. With wry stick-figure illustrations and occasionally epic prose on everything from procrastination to artificial intelligence, Urban's blog, Wait But Why, has garnered millions of unique page views, thousands of patrons and famous fans like Elon Musk. (Bio from Ted.com)

Episode 117: Tim Urban – Using Procrastination to Perform A Ted Talk & Befriend Elon Musk

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Life is like a white canvas. Most people paint in white. White paint on white canvas. You don’t even notice them. The people who paint in different colors make things happen. They lead. You notice them.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Doing something that makes a splash… Changing what others do, continuing to reinvent yourself leads to sustained excellence
Seth Godin has a great knack for constantly reinventing himself because he’s always searching and noticing
How writing about a number of different topics helps you learn
7 Ways to be insufferable on Facebook
The secret (not really) to getting 4,000 people to pay you for your blog content
Getting invited to the main TED conference
The pain of coming up with a topic for his TED speech
The imposter syndrome… Feeling like he didn’t belong with the other TED speakers
The process for writing and delivering a world class TED talk
How Elon Musk became a fan of Tim’s work
Getting a phone call from Elon and discussing how they could work together
Humility and confidence are the qualities of great learning leaders
The opposite of arrogance… Having an open mind and being humble is the definition of a learning leader

“One of the few things I feel like an expert on is procrastination.” – Tim Urban

Continue Learning:

Go To: WaitButWhy.com
See Why Over 70,000 People Follow Tim on Twitter: @waitbutwhy
Read: The Elon Musk Blog Series
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Tim Urban on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Ted.com

What others say:

With “Wait But Why,” Tim Urban demonstrates that complex and long-form writing can stand out in an online wilderness choked with listicles and clickbait.

“Wait But Why has captured a level of reader engagement that even the new-media giants would be envious of.” — FastCompany, 2015

116: Paul Madera – Why He Invested $10 Million In Facebook In 2005 Apr 17, 2016

Episode 116: Paul Madera – Why He Invested $10 Million In Facebook In 2005

Paul Madera is one of the most down to earth and humble people I’ve ever spoken to… Considering the immense level of success in multiple life categories, I initially expected that he would have at least a semblance of an ego. As you’ll hear, that does not exist within Paul. What a refreshing and enjoyable conversation on this episode of The Learning Leader Show.

Paul Madera is the founder of Meritech (1999). Meritech is known as the pioneer of late stage investing. Paul currently focuses on the SaaS, storage, e-commerce, financial technology, digital consumer, and medical device sectors. In 2005, Paul sat down with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and made the decision to invest $10 million to earn 2% of Facebook at the time ($500m valuation). As most people know, Facebook is now worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Paul also led the charge for Meritech to be an early investor in Salesforce.com among many other great decisions.

Paul holds a B.S. from the United States Air Force Academy and an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and currently serves as the Chairman of the US Air Force Academy Endowment. Previously he flew F 16’s on missions that included dropping bombs on targets and dealing with enemy aircrafts (dogfighting).

Episode 116: Paul Madera – Why He Invested $10 Million In Facebook In 2005

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I Love To Invest In Leaders Who Are Obsessed About Their Company. Those Who Absolutely Love What They Are Doing.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The most dedicated, focused individuals who stress personal excellence tend to sustaine excellence
Why Paul initially wanted to invest in MySpace
What his first thoughts of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg were in 2005
Agreeing to a deal with Mark Zuckerberg – Investing $10m at a $500m company valuation
How his company makes decisions on who to invest in
The specific qualities he looks for in a CEO to invest in (He loves leaders who are obsessed with their company and certain of their future success)
The biggest mistakes young leaders/managers make
The specific missions he flew as a fighter pilot – dropping bombs on enemy targets and dealing with combative opposing aircrafts
Dogfighting like they did in the movie “Top Gun” – incredible stories!
Great leaders are always “doing” – Always striving to learn more

“It’s Important To Have a Commitment Strategy… Not An Exit Strategy”

Continue Learning:

Go To: MeritechCapital.com
See Paul on The Forbes Midas List: Forbes Midas List: Paul Madera
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn: com/in/paulmadera
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jay Baer on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From MeritechCapital.com

Paul Madera founded Meritech in 1999. He currently focuses on the SaaS, storage, e-commerce, financial technology, digital consumer, and medical device sectors.

He has led Meritech's investments into 2Wire (Pace), Acopia (F5), BlueArc (Hitachi Data), DataStax, DealerSocket, Facebook (FB), Force10 Networks (DELL), Glaukos, Homestead Technologies (INTU), IntraLase (AMO), Openlane (KAR), Panzura, Prosper, Riverbed Technology (RVBD), Salesforce.com (CRM), Tegile, Tensilica (CDNS), Topspin (Cisco), Wonga, Yammer (MSFT) and 21Vianet (VNET).

Prior to Meritech, Paul was Managing Director and Head of the Private Equity Group at Montgomery Securities/Banc of America where he assisted tech and consumer-based startups in raising capital. He began his career in finance as an investment banker with Morgan Stanley & Co. in New York. Before joining Morgan Stanley, he served in the United States Air Force as an F-16 Instructor Pilot based in South Korea, Spain, and Utah. He also spent a tour at the Pentagon as a member of the Air Force Legislative Liaison Office.

Paul holds a B.S. from the United States Air Force Academy and an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and currently serves as the Chairman of the US Air Force Academy Endowment. Paul spends his off hours cycling the hills west of Palo Alto to prepare for "century" rides as well as jogging throughout the San Francisco Peninsula (when he is not gathering material to terrorize his partner Mike Gordon).

115: Amy Porterfield - Working With Tony Robbins, Harley Davidson, & Launching Your Own Business Apr 13, 2016

Episode 115: Amy Porterfield - Working With Tony Robbins, Harley Davidson, & Launching Your Own Business

Amy Porterfield is remarkably intelligent and an absolute joy to talk to. I love her attitude and approach to her life and business. Sometimes you have a conversation where it just clicks and this is one of those. Between being a world class leader/coach/trainer, Amy is successful in multiple life categories. I loved this conversation.

Amy Porterfield is the co-author of “Facebook Marketing All-In-One for Dummies” and a Social Media Strategist. She creates educational programs for small businesses and entrepreneurs to help them get more traffic, leads and sales with social media marketing. She’s been in the marketing arena for over 12 years and spent over 6 years working alongside Peak Performance Coach, Tony Robbins, where she managed his content marketing team and major online marketing campaigns.

Episode 115: Amy Porterfield - Working With Tony Robbins, Harley Davidson, & Launching Your Own Business

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“A Learning Leader Has A Lack Of Ego… There’s So Much To Learn.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Consistency and regularly “showing up” is the key to sustaining excellence over an extended period of time.
The way to build trust is to be consistent and always do what you say you’re going to do
What it was like working with Tony Robbins for 6 years
Side Hustle? Why should everyone start one...
The importance of approaching your business in phases
Specific tactics for Facebook marketing
Building your email list – why you must do this
Creating your first webinar – how it will help you
Always have an opportunity for people to “opt in”
The strategy for building a warm audience
Creativity is a habit. It’s a way of thinking
As a learning leader, lose the go and look to grow and learn

“As A Leader You Said You Were Going to Do It… You Have To Do It.”

Continue Learning:

Go To: AmyPorterfield.com
See why over 130,000 people follow Amy on Twitter: @AmyPorterfield
Read: Facebook Marketing - All In One For Dummies
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Amy Porterfield on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From AmyPorterfield.com

Amy also speaks at marketing events, businesses, and networking events about the power of social media. Presentation hot topics include: Facebook marketing "how to", social media marketing strategy, how to streamline your social media chaos, ways to engage in the online world, how to build real, valuable relationships online, and why Facebook just might be your secret weapon to change the game forever for your business.

114: Cal Newport – Deep Work Is Your Superpower Apr 10, 2016

Episode 114: Cal Newport – Deep Work Is Your Superpower

Cal Newport is a remarkably intelligent leader… I am a massive fan of his writing and have been following his work for years. It was a thrill to speak with him directly. This conversation went deep on many levels. The importance of doing deep work is something I've written about for The Huffington Post as one of the core qualities of a leader who has sustained excellence over an extended period of time.

Cal Newport is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University, who specializes in the theory of distributed algorithms. He previously earned his Ph.D. from MIT in 2009 and graduated from Dartmouth College in 2004.

His most recent book, Deep Work, argues that focus is the new I.Q. in the knowledge economy, and that individuals who cultivate their ability to concentrate without distraction will thrive. On publication, Deep Work became an instant Wall Street Journal bestseller, and received praise in the New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and The Guardian.

Newport’s previous book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, argues that “follow your passion” is bad advice. Since its publication, it has been selected for several best business books of the year lists, including those by Inc. Magazine, The Globe and Mail, and 800-CEO-Read. Newport’s New York Times op-ed on the book became the paper’s most e-mailed article for over a week.

Episode 114: Cal Newport – Deep Work Is Your Superpower

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“The Ability To Do Deep Work Is A Super Power”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

A leader who respects how hard everything is leads to sustained excellence
We should all study Teddy Roosevelt
Why “follow your passion” is bad advice
Passion evolves over time… Developing skills through hard work creates passion
Deep Work is an activity
The ability to do Deep Work is a Super Power
How to schedule Deep Work into your day/week/month
Why e-mail can be eliminated
The power of rituals and routines in order to do deep work
Adam Grant and his 4 days of hibernating deep work
Why you must claim YOUR time
Productive meditation – what is it? And how it benefits you
Why Cal is not on any form of social media
Learning Leader – Aggressive self-education

“You Don’t Follow Your Passion, Your Passion Follows You”

Continue Learning:

Go To: CalNewport.com
Read: So Good They Can't Ignore You
Read: Deep Work
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Cal Newport on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From CalNewport.com

In addition to studying the theoretical foundations of our digital age as a professor, Newport also writes about the impact of these technologies on the world of work.

His most recent book, Deep Work (Grand Central, 2016), argues that focus is the new I.Q. in the knowledge economy, and that individuals who cultivate their ability to concentrate without distraction will thrive. On publication, Deep Work became an instant Wall Street Journal bestseller, and received praise in the New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and The Guardian.

Newport’s previous book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You (Grand Central, 2012), argues that “follow your passion” is bad advice. Since its publication, it has been selected for several best business books of the year lists, including those by Inc. Magazine, The Globe and Mail, and 800-CEO-Read. Newport’s New York Times op-ed on the book became the paper’s most e-mailed article for over a week.

Newport is also the author of three books of unconventional advice for students: How to Be a High School Superstar (Random House, 2010), How to Become a Straight-A Student (Random House, 2006), and How to Win at College (Random House, 2005). The How To student series has sold over well over 150,000 copies since its inception, and Newport has been invited to speak on these topics at some of the country’s top universities, including Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Dartmouth, Middlebury, Georgetown and Duke.

Between books, Newport explores related ideas on his popular Study Hacks blog.

113: David Meerman Scott – How Donald Trump Has Mastered NewsJacking Apr 06, 2016

Episode 113: David Meerman Scott – How Donald Trump Has Mastered NewsJacking

David Meerman Scott is a remarkable leader… I really appreciate that he’s actively seeking out opportunities to learn, grow, and help others. On this episode, I learned a great deal about Newsjacking – what that meant and how we all can do it. I also learned a lot about how David became a world class speaker commanding over $25,000 per hour. We had a fascinating conversation on this episode of The Learning Leader Show.

David Meerman Scott’s book The New Rules of Marketing & PR opened people’s eyes to the new realities of marketing and public relations on the Web. Six months on the BusinessWeek bestseller list with over a quarter of a million copies sold in more than 25 languages from Bulgarian to Vietnamese, “New Rules” is now a modern business classic.

He is the author of ten books and the series editor of six. His other international bestsellers include Real-Time Marketing & PR and Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead (written with HubSpot CEO Brian Halligan).

His latest book is The New Rules of Sales and Service: How to Use Agile Selling, Real-Time Customer Engagement, Big Data, Content, and Storytelling to Grow Your Business.

Episode 113: David Meerman Scott – How Donald Trump Has Mastered NewsJacking

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I Help People Understand How To Reach Buyers In The New Age Of The Web”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Being incredibly curious and not afraid to try something new leads to sustained excellence
How Donald Trump is a master at news jacking
The power in building a substantial platform
Seeing patterns that others don’t – how to do it
The importance of being fearless in your approach to the market
Newsjacking – injecting your thoughts into the current hot topics
Creating multiple streams of revenue – how to do it
How to get paid speaking gigs
Taking equity over cash for advisory roles
Hiring a speaking coach even when you’re one of the best in the world
Walk on stage like Mick Jagger
A learning leader recognizes that they don’t have it all figured out and never will

“I Saw Patterns That Nobody Else Was Seeing”

Continue Learning:

Go To: DavidMeermanScott.com
See why over 122,000 people follow David on Twitter: @dmscott
Read: The New Rules of Marketing & PR
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing David Meerman Scott on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From DavidMeermanScott.com

His latest book is The New Rules of Sales and Service: How to Use Agile Selling, Real-Time Customer Engagement, Big Data, Content, and Storytelling to Grow Your Business.

112: Liz Wessel – Why You Should Cold E-Mail Your Heroes Apr 03, 2016

Episode 112: Liz Wessel – Why You Should Cold E-Mail Your Heroes

Liz Wessel is a remarkably talented leader… I found her to be extremely interesting and dynamic during this conversation on The Learning Leader Show. I also admire her guts, will, and determination to create, grow, and sustain her company. We had a fascinating conversation on this episode of The Learning Leader Show.

Liz Wessel is the CEO of WayUp. WayUp is the largest online marketplace exclusively for college students and recent grads to find employment. Their mission is to connect students with awesome opportunities. Liz and WayUp have since raised $9.1 million in funding.

Liz is a University of Pennsylvania graduate who’s had the entrepreneurial bug since birth. Initially after graduation she took on a leadership role at Google and famously told them on her first day, “Consider this my 2 years notice.” Liz stayed true to her word and exactly two years after starting at Google, she left to launch her own business.

Episode 112: Liz Wessel – Why You Should Cold E-Mail Your Heroes

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“A Learning Leader Is Positively Skeptical”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

A positive attitude and being fearless leads to sustained excellence
How working for Google in India helped prepare her to lead WayUp
How she was able to raise over $9M in funding
The decisions she has to make in regards to spending all of that money
Why she pushes her employees to cold e-mail their heroes
How she manages to only sleep a few hours a night
Advice she has for millennials
The fear of burn out? Does she have it? Why not?
How reading auto-biographies can help you be more creative
A learning leader is positively skeptical

“You Need To Understand What You Love AND What You Don’t Love”

Continue Learning:

Go To: WayUp.com
Follow Liz on Twitter: @lizwessel
Read More About Liz: Cold E-Mail Your Idols
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Liz Wessel on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio – Liz Wessel

111: Chris Guillebeau – How To Create Your Dream Job Mar 30, 2016

Episode 111: Chris Guillebeau – How To Create Your Dream Job

Chris Guillebeau is an extraordinary leader. Between his best-selling books and hosting the World Domination Summit every summer, he’s constantly inspiring and empowering others to be creators and leaders. During this conversation, you’ll get to hear why Chris specifically wanted to come on the show and his personal backstory (It’s incredible). We had a fascinating conversation on this episode of The Learning Leader Show.

During a lifetime of self-employment that included a four-year commitment as a volunteer executive in West Africa, he visited every country in the world (193 in total) before his 35th birthday. Since then he has modeled the proven definition of an entrepreneur: “Someone who will work 24 hours a day for themselves to avoid working one hour a day for someone else.”

Chris’s first book, The Art of Non-Conformity, was translated into more than twenty languages. His second book, “The $100 Startup,” was a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, selling more than 300,000 copies worldwide. His latest book, “Born For This” will be released April 5, 2016. This book is the culmination of years of research on people who’ve found or created their “dream job.” From the outside, it looks like these people have been lucky. But in reality, they’ve followed a process of trial-and-error to get exactly what they want.

Every summer in Portland, Oregon, Chris hosts the World Domination Summit, a gathering of creative, remarkable people with thousands in attendance. Chris is also the founder of Pioneer Nation, Unconventional Guides, the Travel Hacking Cartel, and numerous other projects.

Episode 111: Chris Guillebeau – How To Create Your Dream Job

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Never Give Up? That’s Terrible Advice.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Curiosity and persistence leads to sustained excellence
Why some of the greatest achievers in the world have given up at times
Why we should all think like a janitor
Fulfillment = Success
How to build a tribe through creating interesting content
The art of non-conformity
Build a business on vision and relationships… Not on tactics
Receiving life coaching from Jay-Z
You Inc. – Build a small empire
Why a side hustle is something that everyone should have
How to be a DIY Rock Star
Why you shouldn’t think like a CEO
Being a learning leader means you are actively engaged in learning – positioning yourself as a learner

“Think Like A Janitor… He Knows Everybody”

Continue Learning:

See why over 140,000 people follow Chris on Twitter: @chrisguillebeau
Read: Born For This
Read: The $100 Startup
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Chris Guillebeau on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From ChrisGuillebeau.com

Chris’s first book, The Art of Non-Conformity, was translated into more than twenty languages. His second book, The $100 Startup, was a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, selling more than 300,000 copies worldwide. His latest book, The Happiness of Pursuit, was published in September 2014 and was also a New York Times bestseller.

110: James Clear – How To Build Habits Using Warren Buffett’s 2 List Strategy Mar 27, 2016

Episode 110: James Clear – How To Habits Using Warren Buffett’s 2 List Strategy

James Clear is a leader who has researched and learned how the best leaders in the world form fantastic habits. On this episode, I was inspired to hear how James has made it his life’s work to study leaders who have sustained excellence and then has shared what he’s found with the world. I particularly enjoyed the part of our conversation where we discussed the specific ways all of us can implement and form great habits in our lives.

James Clear studies successful people across a wide range of disciplines — entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and more — to uncover the habits and routines that make these people the best at what they do. Then, he shares what he learns in his popular email newsletter.

James teaches others to: Use small habits to multiply your mental and physical performance by 10x. Beat procrastination and shave wasted hours off your workweek. Overcome their inner fears and actually follow through on what they set out to do.

Episode 110: James Clear – How To Build Habits Using Warren Buffett’s 2 List Strategy

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Stop Trying To Manage Time… Instead Manage Your Energy”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having an ability to focus and ruthlessly eliminate all unnecessary things leads to sustained excellence
It’s an exercise in getting started… Find a way to get started
The 2 minute rule – Initially start with the tasks that take only 2 minutes
The science behind habit forming
Habits take an average of 66 days to form
The science of habit forming needs to be a small, but permanent lifestyle change
The Compound Effect and getting 1% better everyday
The Warren Buffett 2 list exercise
The four burners theory – Family, Friends, Work, Healthy
The aggregation of marginal gains
Being a learning leader means reading and constantly striving to improve

“The Friction In Most Habits Is At The Beginning. You Must Get Started.”

Continue Learning:

Go To: JamesClear.com
See why over 75K people follow James on Twitter: @james_clear
Read: Getting Things Done
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing James Clear on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From JamesClear.com

James Clear studies successful people across a wide range of disciplines — entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and more — to uncover the habits and routines that make these people the best at what they do. Then, he shares what he learns in his popular email newsletter.

109 Natalie Sisson: A Clear Vision, Discipline, & Leveling Up Can Lead To The Life You Want Mar 23, 2016

Episode 109 Natalie Sisson: A Clear Vision, Discipline, & Leveling Up Can Lead To The Life You Want

Natalie Sisson is an adventurous leader… I really appreciate the way she approaches her work. She is incredibly passionate about building amazing online businesses and that passion is evident in her voice! We had a fascinating conversation on this episode of The Learning Leader Show.

Natalie Sisson is the Suitcase Entrepreneur because, since leaving New Zealand in 2006, she’s travelled and explored the world (69 countries and counting), lived out of her suitcase and run an online business that allows her massive freedom while generating a multiple six-figure income in 2015 alone.

Natalie was destined to live out of a suitcase – both from a physical sense – she prefers to buy experiences over stuff, and she has a mental attitude of minimalism and a carefree attitude of no burdens.

Natalie is on a mission to help 1,000,000+ entrepreneurs create true freedom in life by 2020.

Episode 109 Natalie Sisson: A Clear Vision, Discipline, & Leveling Up Can Lead To The Life You Want

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I’m on a mission to help 1,000,000 entrepreneurs create true freedom in life by 2020” – Natalie Sisson

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having a clear vision, being disciplined, & surrounding yourself with others who “level you up” leads to sustained excellence
You’ll learn the 4 things you need to be truly free
How to create your own personal freedom plan
Natalie defines the future of work
Why air bnb is so great
How traveling helps people become more aware
The best places in the world to travel
The power of Mastermind retreats and Natalie’s process for creating them
Travel hacking ideas – how to do it without spending a lot of money
People trust their leaders when the leaders trust them first
Being a learning leader – Scaling and learning enough to teach others

“I’m a multi-faceted, multi-potentialite woman intent on changing my world and yours for the better” – Natalie Sisson

Continue Learning:

Go To: SuitCaseEntrepreneur.com
Follow David on Twitter: @suitcasepreneur
Read: The Suitcase Entrepreneur
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Michelle Gielan on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From suitcaseentrepreneur.com

Building a freedom-based life doesn’t always have to mean living constantly on the road though. It means grabbing the freedom to make choices that feed your soul.

Which is why in August 2015, she dropped everything she was doing in Portugal to go back home to Wellington, New Zealand to be with her family and her father who became ill.

She is incredibly thankful to have a freedom based business that allowed her to do that and spend quality time, especially with her father, before he passed away on December 1st.

Had she still been in a corporate job, she may not have had the leave or the money to be able to do this at all, and that’s when it really hit her how important it was to build a business or career that supports your ideal lifestyle, and why EVERYONE deserves the right to freedom.

Natalie is on a mission to help 1,000,000+ entrepreneurs create true freedom in life by 2020.

108: Steven Kotler – Your Flow State: What Is It? How To Get There… Mar 20, 2016

Episode 108: Steven Kotler – Your Flow State: What Is It? How To Get There…

Steven Kotler is a remarkable leader… I really appreciate that he’s actively seeking out opportunities to get to his “flow” state. Your flow state is your optimal level of consciousness. On this episode, I learned a great deal about being in flow and finding ways to get there more often. We had a fascinating conversation on this episode of The Learning Leader Show.

Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author, an award-winning journalist and the cofounder/director of research for the Flow Genome Project. He is one of the world’s leading experts on ultimate human performance.

His latest work, Bold was called a “visionary roadmap for change,” by President Bill Clinton and spent many weeks atop both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

His previous book, The Rise of Superman, was one of the most talked about books in 2013 and the first book in history to land on national bestseller lists in the sports, science, and business categories simultaneously. In it, Steven decodes the science of flow, an optimal state of consciousness where we feel our best and perform our best.

Episode 108: Steven Kotler – Your Flow State: What Is It? How To Get There…

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Flow Is The Optimal State Of Consciousness”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Creating a life that maximizes time in “flow” leads to sustained excellence
Attacking life with a level of commitment… Day by Day
Waking up at 3:30 AM to write
The power and importance of momentum
Flow requires a massive amount of focus – Deep Work
Tim Ferriss’s 4 hour time blocks
Why Montessori schools are great – Focused on self-directed learning
What is the Flow Genome Project?
Be known for doing something that is uniquely you
Why action sport athletes are great people to hire
Learning Leader – Have a sense of humor… Life is hard for everybody
The speech process – Preparation and delivering
Playing quarterback and how it compares to other parts of life

“Ideas Don’t Matter… I Care About Execution”

Continue Learning:

Go To: StevenKotler.com
Follow David on Twitter: @steven_kotler
Read: BOLD: How To Go Big, Create Wealth, and Impact The World
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

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Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Steven Kotler on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From StevenKotler.com

His latest work, Bold was called a “visionary roadmap for change,” by president Bill Clinton and spent many weeks atop both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

Just as Rise explores the upper limits of individual possibility, his book, Abundance, explores the upper limits of societal possibility, breaking down four emerging forces that give humanity the potential to significantly raise global standards of living over the next 20 to 30 years. Abundance spent 10 weeks atop the New York Times bestseller list and appeared on four prestigious “Best Book of the Year” lists. A Small, Furry Prayer—Steven’s book about the relationship between humans and animals—was a national bestseller and nominated for a Pulitzer Prize; West of Jesus, which examines the neurobiology of spiritual experience, was a Pen/West finalist; and his bestselling novel, The Angle Quickest For Flight, won the William L. Crawford IAFA Fantasy Award.

His writings have been translated into over 40 languages and appeared in over 80 publications, including The New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, Forbes, Wired and TIME. He also writes “Far Frontiers,” a blog about science and culture for Forbes.com, appears frequently on television and radio, and lectures widely on technological, scientific and cultural issues, both to corporate and education institutions.

107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why Mar 16, 2016

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Simon Sinek is a bucket list type of a guest. He is a literally hero of mine. His TED Talk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” is one of my all-time favorites. It’s also happens to be one of the most popular TED talks of all time. I loved learning more about Simon the person… As well as some of his newer views on leadership... I loved how emotional Simon got at certain points in this conversation… Especially when we discussed how it takes courage for great leaders to step up and make tough decisions. We had a fascinating conversation on this episode of The Learning Leader Show.

Fascinated by the leaders and companies that make the greatest impact in their organizations and in the world, those with the capacity to inspire, he has discovered some remarkable patterns about how they think, act and communicate and the environments in which people operate at their natural best. He has devoted his life to sharing his thinking in order to help other leaders and organizations inspire action.

He is best known for popularizing the concept of Why and for the talk he gave on the subject that became the second most watched talk of all time on TED.com.

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“If You Care To See Others Succeed, That’s Why You Lead”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having courage to stick to your values leads to sustained excellence
Lt. General George Flynn, USMC is a great example to follow
Leadership is a choice – Everyone has the capacity to lead
If you have a desire to see others succeed, that’s why you lead
Why mass layoffs never used to happen and why they do now
The great leaders don’t believe in headcounts… They believe in heart counts
Unfortunately… Bad leaders don’t have the courage to sacrifice
Why Gary Ridge (CEO of WD-40) is a great leader – He puts his people first
Learn Simon’s process for learning new things
How to be a great public speaker? Only talk about things that you care about and understand
Being a learning leader means approaching every day with the curiosity of a little kid

“Leadership is a choice – Everyone has the capacity to lead”

Continue Learning:

Watch Simon’s Legendary TED Talk: How Great Leaders Inspire Action
Follow Simon on Twitter: @simonsinek
Read: Start With Why - How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action
Read: Leaders Eat Last - Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Simon Sinek on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From StartWithWhy.com

Simon Sinek is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Sinek teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people. With a bold goal to help build a world in which the vast majority of people go home every day feeling fulfilled by their work, Sinek is leading a movement to inspire people to do the things that inspire them. A trained ethnographer, he is the author of two books: the global best seller, Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action and his newest book, the New York Times and Wall Street Journal best seller, Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t. Fascinated by the leaders and companies that make the greatest impact in their organizations and in the world, those with the capacity to inspire, he has discovered some remarkable patterns about how they think, act and communicate and the environments in which people operate at their natural best. He has devoted his life to sharing his thinking in order to help other leaders and organizations inspire action.

He is best known for popularizing the concept of Why and for the talk he gave on the subject that became the second most watched talk of all time on TED.com.

106: Michelle Gielan – How To Broadcast Happiness Mar 13, 2016

Episode 106: Michelle Gielan – How To Broadcast Happiness

Michelle Gielan is a remarkable leader… I love the way she approaches her work. Studying happiness and the mindset in which she approaches life inspires me! Her newest book, “Broadcasting Happiness” takes an incredible look at some really interesting topics on happiness including: Priming your brain for high performance, how to spark positive thinking, and How to deal with negative people. We had a fascinating conversation on this episode of The Learning Leader Show.

Michelle Gielan, national CBS News anchor turned positive psychology researcher, is the bestselling author of Broadcasting Happiness.

Michelle is the Founder of the Institute for Applied Positive Research and is partnered with Arianna Huffington to study how transformative stories fuel success. She is an Executive Producer of “The Happiness Advantage” Special on PBS and a featured professor in Oprah’s Happiness course.

Michelle holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and her research and advice have received attention from The New York Times, Washington Post, FORBES, CNN, FOX, and Harvard Business Review.

Episode 106: Michelle Gielan – How To Broadcast Happiness

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Our Happiness Can Be Infinite If We Are Happy For Others”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Developing the ability to integrate with your colleagues leads to sustained excellence
Being happy for others is a key to success
Being married to Shawn Achor – Living life of happiness…. Also how did they meet?
Making small shifts to the way we communicate
Seeing the meaning in the work that you do… How to do that
What do you say to your spouse when you’ve had a rough day?
Leading with positivity… Negativity takes up too much space in your brain
Always being ready to go and take action
How to deal with takers
Focus on the 4 C’s

Compassion
Build social capital
Generate contagious optimism
Give compliments

Give you brain regular small victories to build momentum
Learning Leader – Have an incredible influence on others by showing up

“The Stories We Tell Ourselves Are True Even If They Aren’t True”

Continue Learning:

Go To: BroadcastingHappiness.com
Follow David on Twitter: @MichelleGielan
Read: Broadcasting Happiness
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Michelle Gielan on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From MichelleGielan.com

Michelle Gielan, national CBS News anchor turned positive psychology researcher, is the bestselling author of Broadcasting Happiness.

105: David Burkus – How The Best Companies Are Breaking All The Rules Mar 10, 2016

Episode 105: David Burkus – How The Best Companies Are Breaking All The Rules

David Burkus is a remarkable leader… I really appreciate that he’s actively seeking out opportunities to learn and grow. His newest book takes an incredible look at some really interesting topics such as: getting rid of open offices, banning non-compete clauses, and making salaries transparent. We had a fascinating conversation on this episode of The Learning Leader Show.

David is the best-selling author of The Myths of Creativity: The Truth About How Innovative Companies Generate Great Ideas. He writes regularly for Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Psychology Today. He’s also the founder and host of Radio Free Leader, a podcast that shares insights on leadership, innovation, and strategy.

He’s delivered keynote speeches and workshops for Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft and Stryker, in-demand conferences such as SXSW and TEDx events, and governmental leaders and future leaders at the US Naval Academy and Naval Postgraduate School.

When he’s not speaking, he’s in the classroom. He is associate professor of management at Oral Roberts University, where he teaches courses on organizational behavior, creativity and innovation, and strategic leadership. His most recent book, “Under New Management: How Leading Organizations Are Upending Business as Usual” comes out March 15, 2016.

Episode 105: David Burkus – How The Best Companies Are Breaking All The Rules

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Feedback Fosters A Growth Mindset”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Being consistently dissatisfied with the status quo leads to sustained excellence
Always seeking opportunities to be pushed outside of your comfort zone
Being relatable like Dan Pink
Weaving research and great story-telling as a writer
Mastering a new skill
Why we should ban non-compete clauses in contracts of employees
Why employees must be first, customers second
Giving a speech at Google – What went into it
Why we all should have unlimited vacation
People trust their leaders when the leaders trust them first
Being a learning leader – “Strong beliefs weakly held”

“The Stories We Tell Ourselves Are True Even If They Aren’t True”

Continue Learning:

Go To: DavidBurkus.com
Follow David on Twitter: @davidburkus
Read: Under New Management
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing David Burkus on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From DavidBurkus.com

David Burkus is the best-selling author of The Myths of Creativity: The Truth About How Innovative Companies Generate Great Ideas. He writes regularly for Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Psychology Today. He’s also the founder and host of Radio Free Leader, a podcast that shares insights on leadership, innovation, and strategy.

104: Tom Bilyeu: How To Grow Your Business 57,000% In 3 Years Mar 07, 2016

Episode 104: Tom Bilyeu: How To Grow Your Business 57,000% In 3 Years

Tom Bilyeu is an incredible leader… I really appreciate that he’s actively seeking out opportunities to learn and grow. His company has had massive amounts of success in an extremely short period of time. They’ve grown 57,000 % in the last three years. Tom has an energy and excitement in his voice that moves and empowers people.

Tom Bilyeu is the Co-Founder/President of Quest Nutrition. Quest is number 2 on the list of Inc.’s 500 Fastest Growing Companies. Tom is also the Host Inside Quest – An incredible show he publishes on YouTube where he speaks with some of the greatest leaders in the world… People who are titans of their industry like, Tony Robbins, Tim Ferriss, Rainn Wilson, Robert Greene, Lewis Howes, and more…

Episode 104: Tom Bilyeu: How To Grow Your Business 57,000% In 3 Years

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“When You Have A Growth Mindset, Those Inadequacies Are Opportunities”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Being real… Being able to see where you’re deficient and not let that be a knock on your self-esteem leads to sustained excellence
The importance of having a growth mindset
Understanding your strengths as well as turning your deficiencies into strengths
Build a business on a foundation that leads to fulfillment.
“The harder you chase the money the less likely you are to get it.”
Kai Whiting is doing it right – Intellectually and emotionally generous
Key characteristics you must possess to work at Quest Nutrition

Grand ambition – Understand the big challenges and embrace them
DRIVE – Be an executor not just a dreamer
Compassion – Be great but want to win as a team

Understand that 15%-20% of time you’ll get it wrong
57,000% growth in 3 years! How?
Marketing by giving product away
Being a learning leader means you’re always hungry to learn… Being out front. Willing to do whatever is asked of you

“We Boot-Strapped A Manufacturing Business To $1 Billion In 5 Years. It’s Crazy”

Continue Learning:

Go To: questnutrition.com
Follow Tom on Twitter: @TomBilyeu
Watch: Inside Quest
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Tom Bilyeu on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio

103: Chase Jarvis – 28 Ways To Be More Creative Mar 03, 2016

Episode 103: Chase Jarvis – 28 Ways To Be More Creative

Chase Jarvis is one of my favorite leaders in the world. I love his attitude and his approach to his life and business. Sometimes you have a conversation where it just clicks and this is one of those. Between being a world class photographer and running perhaps the greatest learning platform in the world (Creative Live), Chase is successful in multiple life categories. I absolutely loved this conversation.

Chase Jarvis is an award winning photographer, director, and media maven. He co-founded CreativeLive in 2010 to share free creative education with aspiring artists and entrepreneurs worldwide. In addition to his work creating campaigns for Nike, Apple, RedBull, Starbucks and other Fortune 100 companies Chase is widely recognized for creating Best Camera - the world's first photo app to share images to social networks - which kicked off the mobile photography/sharing craze.

Episode 103: Chase Jarvis – 28 Ways To Be More Creative

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Creativity is a habit. It’s a way of thinking. It’s not a skill.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having great stamina is the key to sustaining excellence over an extended period of time.
“We’re all a bunch of hyphens. We do multiple things in life.”
The future of work is people being freelancers with five different jobs
Creative Live helps people live their dreams. It’s the world’s largest online live stream company. The world’s best place to learn.
Why working your 10,000 hours is so important and how it lead to Chase’s success
The process of “learning how to learn” – the best leaders understand this
The importance of self-awareness
Setting up your day in 90 minute blocks
The commonality amongst great leaders is the fact that they have a morning routine
Schools are set up to make you a replaceable cog
Creativity is a habit. It’s a way of thinking
Go to www.creativelive.com and search “28 To Make” to learn actionable tips to be more creative
Build in “Strategic Renewal” times. This helps to get into “flow” states

“Busy Is A Lack Of Priority”

Continue Learning:

Go To: ChaseJarvis.com
See why over 330,000 people follow Chase on Twitter: @chasejarvis
Read: Chase Jarvis: How He Became The Photographer Everyone Wants To Work With
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Chase Jarvis on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From CreativeLive.com

102: Steve Kamb - How To Level Up Your Life Feb 29, 2016

Episode 102: Steve Kamb - How To Level Up Your Life

Steve Kamb is a giving leader who has experienced immense success building his company. On this episode, I was inspired to hear how Steve has progressed in multiple life categories. I particularly enjoyed the part of our conversation where we discussed the specific ways all of us can “level up our lives.” Embracing gamification to unlock your happiness and exceed your goals was also a unique tactic that I personally will be employing.

Steve Kamb is the rebel leader at NerdFitness.com. He helps desk jockeys, nerd, and average Joes level up their lives. And occasionally he travels the world on an “Epic Quest of Awesome.” His goal is to inspire people to make positive changes which will help you live a better life. He’ll educate you on how to work out properly, cook a decent meal, and consistently improve your health and well-being. He just released an incredible book titled, “Level Up Your Life: How To Unlock Adventure and Happiness By Becoming The Hero Of Your Own Story.”

Episode 102: Steve Kamb - How To Level Up Your Life

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“It Was Like Neo Finding The Matrix For The First Time…”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Taking care of yourself physically and having a voracious appetite for reading leads to sustained excellence
The impact that Richard Branson has had on Steve’s life
Leveling up your life… Surrounding yourself with people a level above you
Embracing gamification and how it will help your life
Execution ideas – How to be specific around achieving small goals
Learning a new skill like playing a musical instrument
The Compound Effect
Making sacrifices in order to achieve what really matters – Getting rid of cable TV, Facebook, etc…
World Domination Summit – Why it’s a great conference
Why Scrivener is a great tool to use when writing a book
Being a learning leader means being humble enough to know that you don’t know everyting

“You Must Sacrifice To Empower Your Cause Like Katniss Everdeen.”

Continue Learning:

Go To: NerdFitness.com
Follow Steve on Twitter: @SteveKamb
Read: Level Up Your Life
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Steve Kamb on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From NerdFitness.com

101: Jay Baer – Why You Should Hug Your Haters Feb 25, 2016

Episode 101: Jay Baer – Why You Should Hug Your Haters

I am a huge Jay Baer fan… Having the opportunity to speak with him for this episode was a huge thrill for me. He has an energy and excitement in his voice that moves people. He’s also willing to be vulnerable and share details about really tough moments in his life. You’ll hear it throughout this episode. I loved having Jay on the show.

Jay Baer is The world’s most inspirational marketing and customer service keynote speaker.

He helps businesspeople fundamentally rethink their approach to marketing and customer service, helping them gain more customers and keep those they’ve already earned. He’s An experienced pro, having given hundreds of insightful, humorous presentations world-wide to audiences as large as 10,000. He’s also a New York Times best-selling author of five books and

an advisor to more than 700 companies since 1994, including Caterpillar, Nike, The United Nations and 32 of the FORTUNE 500.

Episode 101: Jay Baer – Why You Should Hug Your Haters

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“There Is No Such Thing As A Customer Who Is Over-Informed”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Boiling down your skill set, understanding what you’re great at and auditing those behaviors leads to sustained excellence
The influence of Jim Collins and “Good To Great” on Jay
The reason for dramatically quitting his job and going at it on his own (heart-breaking story)
After quitting his job, he called 300 people he knew to prospect for his new business
Building virtual teams successfully… How it’s done
Mastering a new skill
Why you should answer every customer complaint
Why you shouldn’t set goals
The importance of coaching… Even if you’re already world class at it
Why speeches should be tweetable
How to measure effort
Being a learning leader means you make it mandatory that the culture is full of continuous improvement

“The Most Over-Rated Thing In The World Is Praise”

Continue Learning:

Go To: JayBaer.com
See why over 193,000 people follow Jay on Twitter: @jaybaer
Read: Hug Your Haters
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jay Baer on the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From JayBaer.com

An experienced pro, having given hundreds of insightful, humorous presentations world-wide to audiences as large as 10,000
A renowned business strategist
A popular emcee and event host
A New York Times best-selling author of five books
An advisor to more than 700 companies since 1994, including Caterpillar, Nike, The United Nations and 32 of the FORTUNE 500
An entrepreneurial success story, having started five multi-million dollar businesses from scratch
Founder of Convince & Convert, a strategy consulting firm that helps prominent companies gain and keep more customers through the smart intersection of technology, social media, and customer service
A media brand. Jay’s Convince & Convert Media division runs the world’s #1 content marketing blog, multiple podcasts, and many other education resources for business owners and executives
An active venture capitalist and technology advisor, as well as an avid tequila collector
The world’s most retweeted person by digital marketers
The world’s #2 most retweeted person by B2B marketers
A go-to source for the press including NPR, USA Today,Time, Real Simple, CBC
Host of the popular Social Pros podcast, named the best marketing podcast in the 2015 Content Marketing Awards

100: What I’ve Learned Through 100 Episodes Of The Learning Leader Show Feb 22, 2016

Episode 100: What I’ve Learned Through 100 Episodes Of The Learning Leader Show

First and foremost… Thank YOU. Thank you to the loyal listeners and supporters of The Learning Leader Show. The feedback I receive from you inspires me to continue seeking out world class guests and preparing so hard for each and every episode. To honor this incredibly special episode…#100…we are shaking things up a bit! Today I will answer questions posed to me from YOU, the fans of the show. Do you have questions for me? To ask, simply subscribe to my newsletter on www.LearningLeader.com and send me a note. In the future, I plan to incorporate more of your questions into my show, so please subscribe and share your questions. It’s an honor to have my good friend and mentor Greg Meredith join me for this episode as a facilitator. He focuses on the questions that have been posed to me, along with questions he has come up with while being a loyal fan of the show. Want more episodes like this? Send me a note, I love hearing feedback from you.

Episode 100: What I’ve Learned Through 100 Episodes Of The Learning Leader Show

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I Would Urge You To Cause A Ruckus. We Need More People Like That…”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Fearing mediocrity… Being intrinsically motivated to be great
How to understand and focus on you “important but not urgent” time
What separates great leaders from good leader…
Kat Cole’s words… “Courage and Confidence mixed with Humility and Curiosity
Opening up as the host of the show – Being more vulnerable, sharing my voice in a bigger way
Mastering a new skill
Making Money From The Show – My views
The Best Team Win I’ve Ever Experienced
The most talented teammate I’ve ever played with…
My dream family vacation
How to be a value-adder/giver when you don’t have much to offer? What can you do to add value when you do not have a lot of experience, few resources, and an under-developed network?
The small difference between making it in the NFL and coming up just short
In one sentence, why do I do this?

“I Believe Everyone Can Be A Leader And I Show Them How.”

Continue Learning:

Go To: LearningLeader.com
Go To: RyanHawk.net
Follow Greg Meredith on Twitter: @dgmeredith
Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector W/ Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 082: Dan Pink – The Science of Motivation, Legendary Writer & Ted Talk

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed this style of answering questions from fans/listeners of the show, please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

The Learning Leader Show

Life rewards those who take action—and I take bold action with The Learning Leader Show to ensure we have world class guests from which to learn. That occasionally means picking up the phone to call a stranger or sending a cold email to anyone on the planet. I want to hear from YOU. If you know of an inspiring leader that should come on the show, email me or hit me up on Twitter where I’m @RyanHawk12

The great John Wooden said, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” Thanks for choosing to be a friend of The Learning Leader Show. This show is about giving us all the opportunity to surround ourselves with great friends that can help us grow, improve and build our brightest future. I hope you get as much out of this show as I do. Here’s to Leading!

099: Clay Hebert - How You Should Always Introduce Yourself Feb 18, 2016

Episode 099: Clay Hebert - How You Should Always Introduce Yourself

Clay Hebert is a giving leader who has experienced immense success in multiple life categories. He has personally helped me in many ways along this podcasting journey. I particularly enjoyed the part of our conversation where we riffed on his famous “6 Word Introduction.” I put Clay on the spot to help me answer the question (that we all get daily), “What do you do?” I think you’ll find a lot of use about of this live one on one workshop style conversation and it certainly is applicable to your life.

Clay Hebert is a marketing strategist and the founder of Crowdfunding Hacks, where he helps entrepreneurs and creatives fund their dreams. As one of the world’s leading crowdfunding experts, Clay has helped over 150 entrepreneurs raise over $50 million on popular crowdfunding platforms Kickstarter and Indiegogo. A frequent keynote speaker, Clay engages audiences around the globe on innovation, creativity, crowdfunding, marketing, entrepreneurship and the future of work. Clay has trained senior leaders at Fortune 500 organizations and his corporate speaking clients have included Accenture, Pfizer, Zappos and some of the top universities and nonprofits in the world and he advises corporations, executives and startups on strategy, marketing, innovation and culture independently and through Clarity.fm, Exobase and the First Growth Venture Network. Clay has written for The Washington Post, Forbes and The Next Web and his work has been featured in The New York Times, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Lifehacker and The Financial Post. He is a regular guest on FOX Business.

Episode 099: Clay Hebert - How You Should Always Introduce Yourself

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“What’s Important But Not Urgent? Let’s Design Your Perfect Day.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Self-awareness (Being Honest about what they don’t know), curiosity, and saying “I don’t know” are the qualities of people who have achieved high levels of success
How to understand and focus on you “important but not urgent” time
Design your perfect day… Really take time to think about it
The power of “Purple Cow” and Seth Godin
Breaking PowerPoint rules – Get rid of all the words! It should be a visual presentation
Answering the question, “What do you do?”
Clay’s 6 word response…
Read Greg McKeown’s book: Essentialism- The Disciplined Pursuit Of Less
Living with Jason Zook in Southern California and the positive effect it can have living with creative people
Surrounding yourself with people a level up from you – Accelerating your ideas
Seth Godin’s Alt MBA and the power of it
The power of waking up every day with a child’s mind

“I believe everyone can be a leader and I show them how.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Clay website: ClayHebert.com
Go To: HowToIntro.com
Follow Clay on Twitter: @clayhebert

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Clay Hebert is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Clay Hebert

After a decade solving complex problems for global clients at Accenture, the world’s largest consulting firm, Clay left corporate America and attended the most selective and unique MBA program in the country, a six month journey working with Seth Godin and eight other amazing people. Clay is active on Twitter at @clayhebert. He teaches crowdfunding at CrowdfundingHacks.com and writes about marketing, innovation and the future of work on his own blog at ClayHebert.com.

098: Alison Levine – Climbing Everest & Impressing Arnold Schwarzenegger Feb 15, 2016

Episode 098: Alison Levine – Climbing Everest & Impressing Arnold Schwarzenegger

This episode is brought to you by Mizzen+Main. My newest favorite shirts are Mizzen+Main. I work out every day and I enjoy the feel of my workout clothes. These shirts feel exactly like my workout gear does. The 4 way stretch fabric is like no other dress shirt I’ve ever felt before. Originally I purchased one shirt to try them out. When someone told me they would feel like my workout clothes, I didn’t believe them. Then I ordered one… After feeling the shirt and wearing it, I immediately purchased 6 more button down dress shirts and two Henley’s. They are my best looking, best fitting, and certainly the best feeling shirts I’ve ever worn. I promise you will agree after trying one on. A few Mizzen+Main shirts would make for a great gift for anyone who wears button down shirts. After you try 1 or 3 out, send me a tweet @RyanHawk12 to let me know your thoughts! When you go to check out, use the code “ryanhawk” for free overnight shipping or if you want to buy 3 shirts (which is what I do), use the code “ryanhawk3” and you will receive $50 off!

I am a massive Alison Levine fan… Having the opportunity to speak with her for this episode was a huge thrill for me. She has immense energy and passion in her voice. You’ll hear it throughout this episode. I loved having her on the show.

Alison Levine is an adventurer, explorer, and mountaineer. In addition to that, she is a best-selling author and one of the most sought after speakers in the world. She has climbed the highest peak on every continent, served as the team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition, and skied across the Arctic Circle. In May 2010 she completed the Adventure Grand Slam – climbing the 7 Summits (highest peak on each continent) and skiing to both Poles, and accomplishment fewer than 30 people in the world can claim. Earlier in her career she worked on Wall Street and eventually left to serve as deputy finance director for Arnold Schwarzenegger in his successful bit to become Governor of California.

Episode 098: Alison Levine – Climbing Everest & Impressing Arnold Schwarzenegger

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I think failure builds creativity. You learn so much when you do something you’re not good at.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Understanding true resiliency and how that is the #1 quality of people who have achieved high levels of success
The importance of doing things you’re not good at. How that creates growth
Incredible story on how Alison impressed Arnold Schwarzenegger
Her focus on making sure she makes each moment memorable for someone else
Reflecting on what has went wrong and why… Building creativity from it
Why she helped dig all of the snow shelters – Contribute what you can
Learning that liabilities can become strengths if you view them with the right attitude
Lynn Swann telling her why she should be a professional speaker
More great stories on initially being turned down by all speaker bureaus
Staying up all night preparing for her first keynote – why she did it
Focusing on the audience – It’s all about them

“Just take one more step… One more… One more… One more…”

Continue Learning:

Go To Alison’s website: AlisonLevine.com
Read: One The Edge: Leadership Lessons From Mount Everest and Other Extreme Envrionments
Follow Alison on Twitter: @Levine_Alison

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Alison Levine is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From AlisonLevine.com

097: Alejandro Chahin – How To Launch (And Sell) A Premium Product Feb 11, 2016

Episode 097: Alejandro Chahin – How To Launch (And Sell) A Premium Product

Alejandro Chahin is a very interesting and inspiring leader. He is deeply interested entrepreneurship and serving his customers. I loved getting the opportunity to speak with him while his company is still young and on the verge of exploding. We are extremely fortunate to have Julie share her knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

At age 25, Alejandro Chahin left Honduras to pursue his master’s in business administration at New York University. After graduating, Alejandro wanted to start his own business and founded Mott & Bow Jeans, named after two streets in New York’s West Village, where Chahin lives.

Mott & Bow launched in February (2014) with two employees and a $300,000 investment from Intermoda.

Episode 097: Alejandro Chahin – How To Launch (And Sell) A Premium Product

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Be Courageously Simple.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The characteristics in a premium jean are: Denim Fabric (his is from Turkey), Sewing (His family has been doing it since the 80’s), and the Fit
The process of starting… Mistakes made
Funding through Kickstarter – How it got funded? What he could have done better…
Earning additional investment ($300K) to cover expenses
PR Strategies needed to get the word out
The day to day activities of the CEO/Entrepreneur
Keys to month over month growth
Shark Tank Appearance?
The reason the jeans are for men only
Mentors – Who? Why? What they provide…
Use the code “Learning Leader” and receive 20% off at www.mottandbow.com

“Use The Code “Learning Leader” And Receive 20% off”

Continue Learning:

Go To Alejandro’s website: mottandbow.com
Read: "Guys Are Going Crazy For Handmade Jeans"
Follow Alejandro on Twitter: @MottandBow

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Alejandro Chahin is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio

Mott & Bow launched in February (2014) with two employees and a $300,000 investment from Intermoda.

096: Maria Konnikova – Con Artists: Why We Fall For It Every Time Feb 08, 2016

Episode 096: Maria Konnikova – Con Artists: Why We Fall For It Every Time

Maria Konnikova is one of the most intelligent people I’ve spoken to on The Learning Leader Show… In addition to that, she expresses her thoughts in both an entertaining and educational way. If time would have permitted, I would have spoken to Maria for hours. The topic of “con-men” is something Maria has studied for years. Her newest book, “The Confidence Game” is a fascinating look into the lives of people who con others for a living. Maria interviewed many of them first hand. We discussed this in detail on this episode. This fascinates me. I loved learning more about this from Maria.

Maria Konnikova is a contributing writer for The New Yorker, where she writes a regular column with a focus on psychology and culture, and is currently working on an assortment of non-fiction and fiction projects. Her first book, Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes was a New York Times bestseller and has been translated into eighteen languages. It was nominated for the Agatha Award and the Anthony Award for Best Non-fiction and was a Goodreads People’s Choice Semifinalist for 2013. Her second book, The Confidence Game was released January 12, 2016. Her writing has appeared online and in print in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times, Slate, California Sunday, Pacific Standard, The New Republic, The Paris Review, The Wall Street Journal, Salon, The Boston Globe, among numerous other publications. Maria is a recipient of the 2015 Harvard Medical School Media Fellowship, and is a Schachter Writing Fellow at Columbia University’s Motivation Science Center. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where she studied psychology, creative writing, and government, and received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Columbia University. She previously worked as a producer for the Charlie Rose show on PBS.

Episode 096: Maria Konnikova – Con Artists: Why We Fall For It Every Time

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Men on first dates are beautiful targets for con-artists.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

All con artists are Narcissistic, Entitled, and Machiavellian
Victims of con artists are not what you think
The process for studying and writing a phenomenal book about this topic
Why and How Lance Armstrong is still conning us
The red flags to look out for
Why guys on first dates are beautiful targets for con artists
Her firsthand experience with a con artist while on a date
The Grandparent scam and how to prepare for it
What could we use for good from this knowledge?
Persuasion, building emotional rapport, being a great listener – Cons are great at this
The “Foot In The Door” Technique and why it works
Has Maria ever been conned? Her answer is interesting and will make you think about yourself and if you’ve been conned (You probably have)

“If it seems too good to be true, it is.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Maria’s website: MariaKonnikova.com
Read: The Confidence Game
Read: Mastermind - How To Think Like Sherlock Holmes
Follow Maria on Twitter: @mkonnikova

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Clayton Morris is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From MariaKonnikova.com

Maria is a contributing writer for The New Yorker, where she writes a regular column with a focus on psychology and culture, and is currently working on an assortment of non-fiction and fiction projects. Her first book, Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes (Viking/Penguin, 2013), was a New York Times bestseller and has been translated into eighteen languages. It was nominated for the Agatha Award and the Anthony Award for Best Non-fiction and was a Goodreads People’s Choice Semifinalist for 2013. Her second book, The Confidence Game, is scheduled for publication by Viking/Penguin on January 12, 2016. Her writing has appeared online and in print in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times, Slate, California Sunday, Pacific Standard, The New Republic, The Paris Review, The Wall Street Journal, Salon, The Boston Globe, The Observer, Scientific American MIND, WIRED, and Scientific American, among numerous other publications. Maria is a recipient of the 2015 Harvard Medical School Media Fellowship, and is a Schachter Writing Fellow at Columbia University’s Motivation Science Center. She formerly wrote the “Literally Psyched” column for Scientific American and the popular psychology blog “Artful Choice” for Big Think. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where she studied psychology, creative writing, and government, and received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Columbia University. She previously worked as a producer for the Charlie Rose show on PBS. She still, on occasion, writes in Russian.

095: Sal Vulcano – Creating A Hit TV Show: Impractical Jokers Feb 04, 2016

Episode 095: Sal Vulcano – Creating A Hit TV Show: Impractical Jokers

Sal Vulcano is an extremely intelligent and funny learning leader. I absolutely loved having him on the show. For all of the fame and notoriety Sal has gained from his hit TV show and his worldwide comedy tour, he is one of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met. In addition to being a fun fan of Sal’s work, I had the good fortune of meeting him at a charity golf event a year ago and I’ve really enjoyed keeping in touch with him ever since.

Sal Vulcano: The Tenderloins, a New York-based comedy troupe, whose four members – Joe Gatto, James Murray, Brian Quinn and Sal Vulcano – are the creators, executive producers, and stars of truTV’s hit series, Impractical Jokers. Currently in its 4th season, Impractical Jokers follows the guys as they coerce one another into doing public pranks while being filmed by hidden cameras. The 4th season premiere drew more than two million viewers and the program consistently earns Top Five rankings in its timeslot for key demos. This season continues to take dares to outrageous levels with a whole new arsenal of over-the-top hijinks, bringing the show and the guys to new locations and setting each other up for some of the most uncomfortable antics yet.

Their highly successful tour, “The truTV Impractical Jokers ‘Where’s Larry?’ Tour Starring The Tenderloins,” is a mix of stand-up, never-before-seen hidden camera videos, stories and insight. The tour has crisscrossed the country playing to 2000-8000 people per market.

Episode 095: Sal Vulcano – Creating A Hit TV Show: Impractical Jokers

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Our secret sauce is our friendship.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Passion for your craft & immersing yourself in it are the qualities of people who have achieved high levels of success
The discipline it takes to be great
Defining Impractical Jokers and how it became a smash hit
Discussing why Sal got a tattoo of Jaden Smith’s face on his leg and what was Jaden’s reaction when Sal showed it to him!
The difference between being on stage and TV
Starting Lean at the beginning and how the show has grown
How they put together an episode – Everything that goes into it
Idea generation – Who? How? Why? Where?
Being prepared for inspiration to strike at any moment
Writing anywhere and everywhere at all times
What happens when those on film won’t agree to let it air? How it affects the group
Comedians that have influenced Sal (I was amazed and really enjoyed hearing Sal’s knowledge of the history of comedy)

“We sacrifice for the show.” – Sal discussing why he got a tattoo of Jaden Smith’s face on his leg

Continue Learning:

See Impractical Jokers on TruTV: Impractical Jokers
To see tour dates go to: com
See why over 540,000 people follow Sal on Twitter: @SalVulcano

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Sal Vulcano is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From thetenderloins.com

094: Clayton Morris – What Is Your Freedom Number? A Crash Course In Real Estate Investing Feb 01, 2016

Episode 094: Clayton Morris – What Is Your Freedom Number? A Crash Course In Real Estate Investing

Clayton Morris is a dynamic leader who has experienced immense success in multiple life categories. He is an extremely well prepared and polished TV host on Fox News and he has a very successful real estate investing business. I loved having him on the show. In fact, I expected to spend the majority of our time speaking about the TV business and his rapid ascent in it. However, this one took a hard turn towards learning about real estate investing. It fascinates me. I loved learning more about this from Clayton.

Clayton Morris joined FOX News Channel (FNC) in 2008 and is the co-host of FOX & Friends Weekend. He also serves as a co-host for "FOX & Friends First." Presented weekdays at 5 AM/ET, the program is an hour-long expansion of "FOX & Friends" and is anchored by a pair of rotating hosts. He’s also spends a great deal of time helping others learn more about investing in real estate. He blogs about real estate investing tips at ClaytonMorris.com

Episode 094: Clayton Morris – What Is Your Freedom Number? A Crash Course In Real Estate Investing

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Focus on one thing. Know when Your power hour is. What time of the day do you perform your best? Do your most important work at that time.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Understanding failure and how to bounce back are the qualities of people who have achieved high levels of success
The persistence of Bill O’Reilly and why he continues to be #1
Focusing on one thing and doing that great
Steve Jobs and Elon Musk – Is that the model for success?
Knowing your “pour hour” – When are you at your best?
Having a vision and the power of that vision to drive you
GTD – Getting Things Done
Charles Duhigg’s The Power Of Habit
Turn Key Real Estate Investing
How Stand Up Comedy can help all of us
Go to www.ClaytonMorris.com/Freedom
What is your freedom number? How to identify it
Doing the opposite of what Dave Ramsey recommends and why it works
What do you do when your real estate investment goes bad?
Read: The Millionaire Real Estate Investor

“Buy a million, own a million, cash-flow a million.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Clayton’s website: ClaytonMorris.com
Read: Getting Things Done by David Allen
See why over 90,000 people follow Clayton on Twitter: @ClaytonMorris

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From FoxNews.com and ClaytonMorris.com

093: Jon Acuff – Your Career Savings Account | Do Over Jan 28, 2016

Episode 093: Jon Acuff – Your Career Savings Account | Do Over

Jon Acuff is a fantastic leader to follow for a number of reasons. A few of them are: His honesty – Jon will show you the great and the not so great parts about being an entrepreneur (author, speaker, etc…). He’s honest to a fault and it’s very interesting. He’s also very smart… When you listen to this episode, you’ll hear how Jon is a dynamic thinker. He’s analyzed many different angles to problems and solutions. His intelligence and brain power is evident. And finally, he’s very generous. Like most of the greatest leaders, he is a giver, both with his time and his advice. I’m very appreciative for all that Jon has done for me and so many others.

Jon Acuff is the New York Times Bestselling author of five books including his most recent, Do Over: Rescue Monday, Reinvent Your Work and Never Get Stuck.

For 18 years he’s helped some of the biggest brands in the world tell their story, including The Home Depot, Bose, Staples, and the Dave Ramsey Team. Most recently he’s spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges, companies and churches. Featured regularly on national media, Jon has been seen on CNN, Fox News, Good Day LA and several other key outlets. In addition, Jon is also a big proponent of social media with blogs that have been read by 4 million people and more than 250,000 twitter followers. In 2010 he used his influence with his tribe to build two kindergartens in Vietnam.

Episode 093: Jon Acuff – Your Career Savings Account | Do Over

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Leaders who can’t be questioned will inevitably fail.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Humility and curiosity are the qualities of people who have achieved high levels of success
A great example of Dan Cathy (CEO of Chic Fil A) emptying out the trash and why he does it
The components to your career savings account

Relationships
Skills
Character
Hustle

How Jon teaches his daughters to be entrepreneurs
Starting a blog in 2001… The origin story
Why he left Dave Ramsey and his company
How Seth Godin’s endorsement for his book came about and the effect it had on his life
Notecards – Why you should use them
“Skills grow sharp slowly and dull quickly”
Hustle – Focused… Not frenzied
Write this down: What have people paid me to do? What comes naturally to me?
A Learning Leader is active… In motion. You’re note done.

“You’re Capable Of More Than You Think But It Takes A Lot Of Work”

Continue Learning:

Go To Jon’s website: me
Read: Do Over- Rescue-Monday-Reinvent Your Work, and Never Get Stuck
See why over 270,000 people follow Jon on Twitter: @JonAcuff

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Honoree Corder is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Acuff.me

Jon Acuff is the New York Times Bestselling author of five books including his most recent, Do Over: Rescue Monday, Reinvent Your Work and Never Get Stuck.

In addition, Jon is also a big proponent of social media with blogs that have been read by 4 million people and more than 250,000 twitter followers. In 2010 he used his influence with his tribe to build two kindergartens in Vietnam. Jon lives with his wife Jenny and two daughters in Franklin, TN.

092: Honoree Corder – Why Trading Time For Money Is Not The Answer Jan 25, 2016

Episode 092: Honoree Corder – Why Trading Time For Money Is Not The Answer

Honoree Corder leads a very interesting life. I absolutely loved having her on the show. Honoree is deeply interested in helping others live lives of meaning and purpose. She brings enthusiasm and intellect on how we can improve ourselves as leaders. We are extremely fortunate to have Honoree share her knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Honorée is the best-selling author of more than a dozen books, including her latest, Vision to Reality: How Short Term Massive Action Equals Long Term Maximum Results. Her mission is to inspire and motivate people to turn their vision and dreams into their real-life reality, sharing a leading-edge process she created for her executive coaching clients. Her results-oriented philosophy and ground-breaking 30-Day Jump Start and STMA 100-day Coaching Programs have been embraced by people in a wide variety of industries and businesses, to rave reviews and exceptional results.

Episode 092: Honoree Corder – Why Trading Time For Money Is Not The Answer

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I like to know amazing people. I collect amazing people.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

An unwavering positive attitude and an intolerance for negativity are the qualities of people who have achieved high levels of success
What it takes to write more than 15 books
A great morning routine
Why trading time for money is not the answer
Having a vision and the power of that vision to drive you
Not living by the clock
Understanding Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why”
Living on a bus! How will that work?
What places will be visited living on a bus?
Being intentional when seeking out mentors. How to add value to them
Knowing amazing people… How to reach out to and connect with more of them
The power of high level Mastermind groups
The story of “crickets to success”
“Your feet need to match your mouth”

“My vision was to not know what day it is.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Honoree/s website: HonoreeCorder.com
Read: Vision To Reality
Follow Honoree on Twitter: @Honoree

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From HonoreeCorder.com

Honorée Corder is the best-selling author of more than a dozen books, including her latest, Vision to Reality: How Short Term Massive Action Equals Long Term Maximum Results. Her mission is to inspire and motivate people to turn their vision and dreams into their real-life reality, sharing a leading-edge process she created for her executive coaching clients. Her results-oriented philosophy and ground-breaking 30-Day Jump Start and STMA 100-day Coaching Programs have been embraced by people in a wide variety of industries and businesses, to rave reviews and exceptional results.

091: Dr. John Marschhausen - Cultivating Innovators And Creative Thinkers Jan 21, 2016

Episode 091: Dr. John Marschhausen - Cultivating Innovators And Creative Thinkers

John Marschhausen is a very interesting and intelligent leader. He is deeply interested in leading and empowering young people to develop their leadership skills. This is the first time I’ve spoken with a school super intendant on The Learning Leader Show. I’m really glad that I did. John shares detailed, research backed evidence to how we can better lead our children. We are extremely fortunate to have John share his knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Dr. John Marschhausen is a dynamic educational leader; he serves with passion, purpose, and energy. Dr. Marschhausen is committed to personalizing education for each student, facilitating a culture of growth, and supporting continued innovation in instructional practices. Dr. Marschhausen has his Bachelor of Arts in History/Political Science from Wittenberg University and his master’s degree from the University of Dayton. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership from Capella University. John was appointed by Governor Kasich to the Ohio Digital Learning Task Force, has served on the Ohio Senate’s Testing and Accountability Committee and has testified many times before the Ohio General Assembly. He reports directly to the Board of Education and serves as the Board’s Chief Executive Officer. As superintendent he supports administrators and principals in their every day jobs so teachers can do what they need to do to prepare every student for tomorrow.

Episode 091: Dr. John Marschhausen - Cultivating Innovators And Creative Thinkers

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“We need to have students ready for tomorrow.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Integrity, Trust, and Relationship Building Skills are the qualities of people who sustain excellence over long periods of time
The need for a more personalized approach to teaching and leading students
How we create the space for original thinkers and innovators
The issue with standardized testing
The need to look for additive opportunities to give feedback
How to view failure as a learning opportunity
Thinking Long Term…
Tactical things all parents can do to be better leaders
The 6 disciplines of the R factor
How his work with Tim Kight has been such a positive experience
Values, Behaviors, and Outcomes
Having a sense of purpose as a leader

“Grades are merely a marker of compliance.”

Continue Learning:

Go To John’s Bio on Hilliard’s website: org
Read: Above The Line by Urban Meyer
Follow John on Twitter: @drjcm

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Dr. John Marschhasen is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From HilliardSchools.org

090: Seth Mattison – Generational Shifts: Why Some Millennials Fail Jan 18, 2016

Episode 090: Seth Mattison – Generational Shifts: Why Some Millennials Fail

Seth Mattison is an incredible learning leader. I am so happy that Ryan Estis introduced us. He’s become a fast friend and is one of the reasons why I love doing this so. Seth is deeply interested in people and living lives of meaning and purpose. Seth brings massive energy and action oriented advice on how we can improve ourselves as leaders. We are extremely fortunate to have Seth share his knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Seth advises world-leading brands and organizations on the key shifts happening around talent management, change and innovation, leadership, and the future of work. He started formally studying workforce trends and generational dynamics 10 years ago and has spent a lifetime learning about how each generation’s story shapes their view of the world and trends impacting our society.

Episode 090: Seth Mattison – Generational Shifts: Why Some Millennials Fail

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“DO NOT say, “Can I pick your brain?”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

“Resiliency (refuse to bend), Generous, Discipline” are the qualities of people who sustain excellence over long periods of time
Generational shifts and why we’re in the middle of a huge one right now
How being a 4th generation farmer built Seth’s work ethic
The massive parenting shift and why it hurts millennials if they don’t get knocked down
The specific qualities hiring managers are looking for
How we can create more mental resiliency
The extremes taken in order to find and work for Seth’s heroes (donating blood in order to get money for food!)
How you can create your own opportunities
3 Key topics in a person:

Curiosity
Enthusiasm
Willing to pay your dues

Being intentional when seeking out mentors. How to add value to them
Do NOT say, “Can I pick your brain?”
Seeing first to understand prior to making massive changes

“We are witnessing the greatest fundamental shift the world has seen in the way we organize, collaborate, connect and contribute since the industrial revolution.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Seth’s website: com
Read: When Generations Collide
Follow Seth on Twitter: @sethmattison

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Seth Mattison is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From SethMattison.com

Seth Mattison advises world-leading brands and organizations on the key shifts happening around talent management, change and innovation, leadership, and the future of work. He started formally studying workforce trends and generational dynamics 10 years ago and has spent a lifetime learning about how each generation’s story shapes their view of the world and trends impacting our society.

089: Julie Lythcott-Haims – Why It Doesn’t Matter Where You Went To College Jan 14, 2016

Episode 089: Julie Lythcott-Haims – Why It Doesn’t Matter Where You Went To College

Julie Lythcott-Haims is a very interesting and intelligent leader. She is deeply interested in humans and living lives of meaning and purpose. Learning more about the most important job we (parents) will ever have is imperative to me. Julie shares detailed, research backed evidence to how we can better lead our children. We are extremely fortunate to have Julie share her knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Julie majored in American Studies at Stanford University and studied law at Harvard. She practiced law in the Bay Area in the 1990s before returning to Stanford to serve in various roles including Dean of Freshmen. In 2010 she received the university’s Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Award for “creating the atmosphere that defines the undergraduate experience.” She is the author of the best-selling book, “How To Raise An Adult – Break Free Of The Overparenting Trap And Prepare Your Kid For Success.”

Episode 089: Julie Lythcott-Haims – Why It Doesn’t Matter Where You Went To College

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Chart the bold, audacious course. Bring thoughtful curiosity.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Perseverance, humility, and strong sense of self are the qualities of people who sustain excellence over long periods of time
Being in the audience for Steve Jobs famous Stanford speech
The process for writing her best-selling book, “How To Raise An Adult”
Understanding the bigger picture in regards to parenting… It’s not about the parent, it’s about the child
The amount of arrogance some parents have in regards to engineering their children’s lives
Helicopter parenting leads to anxiety medication and depression
Thinking Long Term…
3 Tactical things all parents can do to be better leaders
Asking, “What was great about today?”
The college admissions arms race and why you don’t need to go to a top 10 school
Being a life long learner

“We’ve gotten so arrogant about how we can engineer our children’s lives.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Julie’s website: com
Read: How To Raise An Adult
Follow Julie on Twitter: @DeanJulie

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Julie Lythcott-Haims is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From howtoraiseanadult.com

Julie Lythcott-Haims majored in American Studies at Stanford University and studied law at Harvard. She practiced law in the Bay Area in the 1990s before returning to Stanford to serve in various roles including Dean of Freshmen. In 2010 she received the university’s Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Award for “creating the atmosphere that defines the undergraduate experience.” She is the author of the best-selling book, “How To Raise An Adult – Break Free Of The Overparenting Trap And Prepare Your Kid For Success.”

088: Ryan Holiday – How To Find The Best Mentor & Viewing Obstacles As Opportunities Jan 11, 2016

Episode 088: Ryan Holiday – How To Find The Best Mentor & Viewing Obstacles As Opportunities

Ryan Holiday is a fascinating thinker. I appreciate his stories and the manner in which he views the world. This conversation was entertaining and educational. Ryan is an incredibly interesting person. During our time together, Ryan talked about stoicism and why he’s fascinated by it as well as you should be willing to work for free (as long as it’s for the right person).

His most recent book, “The Obstacle Is The Way” is based on the Stoic exercise of framing obstacles as opportunities. The book has sold more than 100,000 copies and was reportedly read by the New England Patriots during their 2014 Super Bowl Victory over the Seattle Seahawks as well as distributed through the locker room of the Seahawks in the following offseason by the team's front office.

Episode 088: Ryan Holiday

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

“The best leaders are process oriented… Not results oriented. They are focused on doing great work more than on acquiring lots of money.”

The Learning Leader Show

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of leaders who have sustained excellence?
Why should we be willing to work for free?
Why was it the right decision for Amelia Earhart to knowingly be paid less than her male counterparts?
What did you learn working for Robert Green?
Why don’t you like the title for your first book, “Trust Me, I’m Lying?”
How do you “trade up the chain?”
What is the proper strategy for your first book?
What specific changes have you made to grow your following?
What is your process for writing?
Define a great learning leader…

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance on being process oriented rather than results oriented
Why working for a fantastic mentor will massively accelerate your success
Austin Kleon – “Say yes, until you can afford to say no”
Why using a job as a journalist as a great excuse to interview people
Stoicism is an ancient Greek school of philosophy. The school taught that virtue, the highest good, is based on knowledge, and that the wise live in harmony with the divine Reason (also identified with Fate and Providence) that governs nature, and are indifferent to the vicissitudes of fortune and to pleasure and pain.
A very interesting Amelia Earhart story
Why continuous learning is the key to success

“An hour of Sheryl Sandberg’s time is hard to quantify. It is so valuable.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Ryan’s Website: net
Read: The Obstacle Is The Way
Follow Ryan on Twitter: @RyanHoliday
Read Robert Greene’s: The 48 Laws Of Power

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Ryan Holiday is a leader who leads an very interesting life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From RyanHoliday.net

Ryan Holiday is a media strategist and prominent writer on strategy and business. After dropping out of college at nineteen to apprentice under Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power, he went on to advise many bestselling authors and multiplatinum musicians. He served as director of marketing at American Apparel for many years, where his campaigns have been used as case studies by Twitter, YouTube, and Google and written about in AdAge, the New York Times, and Fast Company. His most recent book, “The Obstacle Is The Way” is based on the Stoic exercise of framing obstacles as opportunities. The book has sold more than 100,000 copies and was reportedly read by the New England Patriots during their 2014 Super Bowl Victory over the Seattle Seahawks as well as distributed through the locker room of the Seahawks in the following offseason by the team's front office.

His first book, Trust Me I’m Lying—which the Financial Times called an “astonishing, disturbing book”—was a debut bestseller and is taught in colleges around the world. He is the author of two other books and is now published in 16 languages.

087: Selena Soo – How To Get Noticed By Powerful People Jan 07, 2016

Episode 087: Selena Soo – How To Get Noticed By Powerful People

Selena Soo is an extremely interesting learning leader. She has built an incredible business out by focusing on developing relationships. We are extremely fortunate to have Dan share his knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Selena brings 10 years of experience working with visionary leaders in the areas of publicity, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and membership growth. She is most passionate about helping the next big stars monetize their brands and stand out as leaders in their industry.

Episode 087: Selena Soo – How To Get Noticed By Powerful People

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I teach my clients how to cultivate their own powerful relationships with influencers and the media, and become seen as the leaders in their industry.” – Selena Soo

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
How are you able to charge $24K/year for your Mastermind group?
What do you provide your clients?
What are the specific tactics used to earn PR?
What does your publicity program entail?
Why do we struggle to implement and execute on what we learn from books/speeches/workshops?
What books have had the biggest influence on your life?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The critical components of sustaining excellence: A commitment to being the best
Building relationships with a bang
The process for starting his own business and leaving his comfort zone
The importance of humility
Why relationship building is the ultimate key to success
Being a giver – Why it’s a must
Why it’s never an overnight success
Get your free gift from Selena

“I Help Experts, Authors, And Coaches Who Are Looking To Make It Big — Both Online And In The Mainstream.” – Selena Soo

Continue Learning:

Go To Selena’s website: s2-groupe.com
Claim your free gift from Selena: s2-groupe.com/vipvideo
Read Business Insider’s Article: How a woman who once made a $42,000 salary built a business that earns up to $300,000 a year
Follow Selena On Twitter: @selenasoo

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Selena Soo is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From s2-groupe.com

Selena has relationships and friendships with editors at Fortune, Forbes, Entrepreneur, O – The Oprah Magazine, Glamour, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Reader’s Digest, Whole Living, Fitness, Shape, More, Seventeen, People, NBCU, and ABC News along with numerous influential bloggers in the personal and professional development space.

086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe Jan 04, 2016

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Seth Godin is a legend in the marketing and leadership world. He truly understands the importance of “deciding to” and having an intense focus on continuous improvement. Learning more about the most important job we (parents) will ever have is imperative to me. Seth shares detailed, research backed evidence to how we can better lead and “cause a ruckus” as he would say. We are extremely fortunate to have Seth share her knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Seth Godin is the author of 18 books that have been bestsellers around the world and have been translated into more than 35 languages. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything. You might be familiar with his books Linchpin, Tribes, The Dip and Purple Cow.

In addition to his writing and speaking, Seth founded both Yoyodyne and Squidoo. His blog (which you can find by typing "seth" into Google) is one of the most popular in the world.

He was recently inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, one of three chosen for this honor in 2013. His newest book, What To Do When It's Your Turn, is already a bestseller.

Episode 086: Seth Godin – How To Become Indispensable & Build Your Tribe

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“If You're Not Upsetting Anyone, You're Not Changing The Status Quo."

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of leaders who have sustained excellence over time?
What are your thoughts on parenting and how to be a great Dad?
Why is school a con?
If you were made super intendant of a school district tomorrow, what are some of the first things you would do?
Should people go to college? Why or why not?
When initially asked to be a guest on my show, what made you respond that you would do it 9 months later? Was it related to “The Dip?”
Why don’t you do one on one coaching or consulting work?
What is a typical day in the life of Seth Godin?
Why should we seek out jobs where we don’t need a resume?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of “deciding to” and why it’s our turn
School was invented by industrialist for you to be a cog
How we all can learn one simple idea
The Dip – Understanding it and how to prosper and prepare for it
Why we all need to change everything – And THINK about it that way
The importance of focusing and understanding when to say no and why
Why Seth will never tweet
The economics of podcasting and blogs

“Leading is a skill, not a gift.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Seth’s website: com
Read: LINCHPIN - Are You Indispensible?
Read: WHAT TO DO WHEN IT'S YOUR TURN (and it's always your turn)
Follow Seth’s blog on Twitter: @ThisIsSethsBlog

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Seth Godin is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From SethGodin.com

In addition to his writing and speaking, Seth founded both Yoyodyne and Squidoo. His blog (which you can find by typing "seth" into Google) is one of the most popular in the world.

He was recently inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, one of three chosen for this honor in 2013.

085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong Dec 31, 2015

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Jessica Lahey is an extremely intelligent leader. She truly understands the importance of an intense focus on continuous improvement. Learning more about the most important job we (parents) will ever have is imperative to me. Jessica shares detailed, research backed evidence to how we can better lead our children. We are extremely fortunate to have Jessica share her knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Jessica Lahey is an educator, author, and speaker. She writes "The Parent-Teacher Conference" column for the New York Times, is a contributing writer for The Atlantic, and a commentator for Vermont Public Radio. Her new book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed is a New York Times bestseller.

Episode 085: Jessica Lahey – Why Your Parenting Style Is Wrong

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“If your daughter forgets her homework on the kitchen table, should you take it to her? Or should you allow her to fail and face the consequences?”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of leaders who have sustained excellence over time?
What are your thoughts on kids “playing up” a level in sports as a means to experience failure?
Why do parents always publish pictures of their kids smiling perfectly on Facebook?
Why is it a terrible idea to reward your kids for getting straight A’s
How do you handle household duties? How do you ensure stuff gets done?
How do you discipline your children?
How can we think long term when we see our children suffering?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Not getting overwhelmed by the enormity of a task… A “ how to”
“Playing Up” and the power of playing against great competition and failing
Not doing the homework for your children… Why?
Facebook and why people only show their highlight reel and why it’s bad for children
How giving your child a reward (money, toys, etc…) for getting good grades can hurt them long term
Setting specific expectations – A How To
Thinking Long Term…
The importance of taking a complicated message and making it clear

“Extrinsic Motivators Can Be Really Harmful For Creativity And Learning”

Continue Learning:

Go To Jessica’s website: com
Read: The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed
Read: How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success
Follow Jess on Twitter: @jesslahey

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Jessica Lahey is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From JessicaLahey.com

084: Brad Stone – How To Think Like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, & Steve Jobs Dec 28, 2015

Episode 084: Brad Stone – How To Think Like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, & Steve Jobs

Brad Stone leads a very interesting life. He has been in the room with some of the greatest visionaires of our time including: Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, Marissa Mayer, and Mark Zuckerberg. We are extremely fortunate to have Molly share her message with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Brad Stone is the author of The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller and winner of the 2013 Goldman Sachs/Financial Times Business Book of the Year Award. Brad is a senior writer for Bloomberg Businessweek. Over the last few years, he’s authored over a dozen cover stories on companies such as Apple, Google, Amazon, Yahoo, Twitter, Facebook and the Chinese search firm Baidu.

Episode 084: Brad Stone – How To Think Like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, & Steve Jobs

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Silicon Valley is a learning organism.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are some common characteristics of people who have sustained excellence?
Why does Jeff Bezos not allow PowerPoint presentations?
How did you respond to the harsh criticism from Mackenzie Bezos? (Jeff’s wife)
What is it about Jeff Bezos that sets him apart from others?
What is your process for writing a book?
What’s it like being in the room with Mark Zuckerberg? Does he appear to be at another level intelligence-wise?
Why did Steve Jobs yell at you?
What is your current relationship like with Jeff Bezos?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of having a willingness to challenge conventional thinking
Why raw intelligence is so valuable
What it was like having his first meeting with Jeff Bezos
The phone call Steve Jobs made to him and why he yelled at Brad
The importance of writing – why we should all do it daily
Being an evolving curious leader
Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk racing to send rockets into space

“I finally picked up the phone and it was Steve Jobs yelling at me about something I wrote.” – Brad Stone

Continue Learning:

Go To Molly’s website: Brad-Stone.com
Read: "The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon"
See why over 71,000 people follow Brad on Twitter: @BradStone

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Brad Stone is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Brad-Stone.com

Brad is a senior writer for Bloomberg Businessweek. Over the last few years, he’s authored over a dozen cover stories on companies such as Apple, Google, Amazon, Yahoo, Twitter, Facebook and the Chinese search firm Baidu. When he’s not attempting to deconstruct the high-tech firms charting our future, he has written about beleaguered domestic airlines, weaponized drone warplanes, the retail giant Costo, and traced the deceptions of an international con-artist and alleged murderer. Brad joined Businessweek from the New York Times, where he had been a reporter since 2006. He covered Internet trends, as well as Silicon Valley’s biggest companies from the newspaper’s San Francisco bureau. In addition to writing for the paper, he wrote a weekly column, Ping, and was a founding writer of the paper’s technology blog, Bits. From 1998 to 2006, Brad served as the Silicon Valley Correspondent for Newsweek magazine, writing for the technology and business sections of the magazine and authoring a regular online column.

Brad is also the author of one previous work of non-fiction, Gearheads: the Turbulent Rise of Robotic Sports. The book was a BookSense 76 pick and the San Francisco Chronicle selected it as one of the best books of 2003. It covers the emergence of what was then the new breed of robot hobbyists and hardware hackers.

Brad graduated from Columbia University in 1993 and is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. He lives in San Francisco with his twin daughters

083: Molly Fletcher – Learn To Negotiate From The Female Jerry Maguire Dec 24, 2015

Episode 083: Molly Fletcher – Learn To Negotiate From The Female Jerry Maguire

Molly Fletcher leads an incredible life. She has had success in multiple life categories. The stories she shared during this conversation were inspirational… From how she was able to live rent free for 9 years… To becoming the “Female Jerry Maguire” as a sports agent. We are extremely fortunate to have Molly share her message with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Molly Fletcher is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. She is a rare talent of business wisdom, relationship brilliance and unwavering optimism. As a CEO, she shares her unconventional and unique techniques that made her one of the first female sports agents in the high stakes, big ego world of professional sports and now a successful entrepreneur. As president of client representation for sports and entertainment agency CSE, Molly spent two decades as one of the world’s only female sports agents.

She was hailed as the “female Jerry Maguire” by CNN as she recruited and represented hundreds of sport’s biggest names, including Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, PGA TOUR golfer Matt Kuchar, broadcaster Erin Andrews, and basketball championship coaches Tom Izzo and Doc Rivers. As she successfully negotiated over $500 million in contracts and built lasting relationships, she also observed and adopted the traits of those at the top of their game.

Episode 083: Molly Fletcher – Learn To Negotiate From The Female Jerry Maguire

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“It’s really uncomfortable to be fearful.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are some common characteristics of people who have sustained excellence?
How did you become known as the female Jerry Maguire?
Why did you want to be a sports agent?
How did playing a high level tennis help prepare you for life?
How were you able to live rent free for 9 years?
What does it mean to “Ask With Confidence?”
How can we improve our implementation and execution skills?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of being resilient and understanding that adversity should be viewed as an opportunity
Strategic negotiation tactics to use in all areas of life
Confidence – How to develop it
Setting stretch goals that push you outside of your comfort zone
The importance of writing – why we should all do it daily
Being an evolving curious leader
How being labeled the female Jerry Maguire helped her career

“Life is a series of marathons and boxing matches.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Molly’s website: MollyFletcher.com
Read: "A Winner's Guide To Negotiating"
Follow Molly on Twitter: @MollyFletcher

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Molly Fletcher is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From MollyFletcher.com

Molly is the author of three books: A Winner’s Guide to Negotiating; The Business of Being the Best; and The 5 Best Tools to Find Your Dream Career. She’s also the founder of The Betterment Institute, a series of online coaching courses for corporations and individuals. Molly has been recognized by Michigan State University with the Outstanding Alumni award and numerous other awards. She currently serves as a National Trustee member for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, after serving on the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta board and as a member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).

082: Daniel Pink – The Science Of Motivation, Legendary Writer & TED Talk Dec 21, 2015

Episode 082: Daniel Pink – The Science Of Motivation, Legendary Writer & TED Talk

Dan Pink is one of my all-time favorite writers and speakers. He truly understands the importance of an intense focus on continuous improvement. His focus and work on “Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose” is fantastic. We are extremely fortunate to have Dan share his knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Dan Pink is the author of five provocative books — including three long-running New York Times bestsellers, A Whole New Mind, Drive, and To Sell is Human. Dan’s books have been translated into 34 languages and have sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. In 2013, Thinkers 50 named him one of the top 15 business thinkers in the world.

Dan’s TED Talk on the science of motivation is one of the 10 most-watched TED Talks of all time, with more than 19 million views. His RSA Animate video about the ideas in his book, Drive, has collected more than 14 million views. Before venturing out on his own 18 years ago, Dan worked in several positions in politics and government, including serving from 1995 to 1997 as chief speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore.

Episode 082: Daniel Pink – The Science Of Motivation, Legendary Writer & TED Talk

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“For a sales professional, I look for: Conscientiousness, Willingness to develop expertise, and Ambiversion.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
What was your proves for quitting your job as a speechwriter and becoming a full time writer?
What was your preparation process for your legendary TED Talk?
What are the specific skills needed in order to remain in control of your career?
How does your research have an effect on the profession of sales?
Why do we struggle to implement and execute on what we learn from books/speeches/workshops?
What advice would you give to your 20 year old self?
What books have had the biggest influence on your life?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The critical components of sustaining excellence: Curiosity, Generosity, Hard Work
What it was like writing speeches for Al Gore
The process for starting his own business and leaving his comfort zone
The specific traits he looks for in a sales professional
His interview process to increase his odds of hiring the right people
The specific elements of “To Sell Is Human”
Focusing on one small task and doing it daily
Drew Brees and moving the chains… Getting first downs
Habit Formation and how to do it
Having a Growth Mindset vs. a Fixed Mindset

“Focus on moving the chains. Can I do one small thing every single day?”

Continue Learning:

Go To Dan’s website: DanPink.com
Read: Drive- The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
Read: To Sell Is Human
See why over 345,000 people follow Dan on Twitter: @DanielPink

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Dan Pink is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From DanPink.com

He received a BA from Northwestern University, where he was a Truman Scholar and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and a JD from Yale Law School. He has also received honorary degrees from the Pratt Institute, the Ringling College of Art and Design, and Westfield State University.

081: Oliver Luck – EVP For NCAA: Paying College Athletes & Being Andrew Luck’s Dad Dec 17, 2015

Episode 081: Oliver Luck – EVP For NCAA: Paying College Athletes & Being Andrew Luck’s Dad

Oliver Luck is an incredibly interesting person. He truly understands the importance of an intense focus on continuous improvement. I really appreciate Oliver’s willingness to discuss some controversial topics as well as his ability to compromise for the betterment of student athletes today. We are extremely fortunate to have Oliver share his knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Oliver Luck works for the NCAA as the Executive Vice President for regulatory affairs, in charge of the organization's regulatory functions. Prior to that, he was Director of Intercollegiate Athletes at West Virginia University, his alma mater. Earlier in his life, Oliver spent five seasons in the NFL as a quarterback for the Houston Oilers.

He is the father of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. Andrew was the 1st overall draft choice in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Episode 081: Oliver Luck – EVP for NCAA: Paying College Athletes & Being Andrew Luck’s Dad

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Great leaders have intellectual curiosity mixed with some stubbornness.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of people who have sustained success?
What are your thoughts on kids “playing up” a level in sports?
Why did Mark Emmert hire you for this NCAA role?
Don’t you believe a player (such as your son) should be compensated for all of his jersey sales?
What needs to happen for a player to be paid for his/her likeness?
What was your parenting philosophy? How were you able to raise such successful kids?
What types of feelings are created by you watching Andrew play in the NFL?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance in being a little bit stubborn
“Playing Up” and the power of playing against great competition
Why it’s bad for your children to focus on one sport
Going to law school in the off-season
Being friends with Archie Manning
His process for securing fantastic jobs after his NFL career was over
Why raising his family in Europe was beneficial
The importance of taking a complicated message and making it clear

“Have a vision for where you want people to go.”

Continue Learning:

Read: Is Andrew Luck's Dad The NCAA's White Knight?
Read: Oliver Luck Joins NCAA
Watch: Jay Bilas & Oliver Luck Debate NCAA Topics

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Oliver Luck is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio

He is the father of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. Andrew was the 1st overall draft choice in the 2012 NFL Draft.

080: Ryan Estis – From Rock Star Sales Professional To World Class Speaker & Entrepreneur Dec 14, 2015

Episode 080: Ryan Estis – From Rock Star Sales Professional To World Class Speaker & Entrepreneur

Ryan Estis has that “It” factor. He’s a leader who you just feel compelled to listen to. This conversation/interview was extremely enjoyable for me. Ryan brought value the entire time and has a knack for sharing actionable content throughout all of his conversations. We are fortunate to have him as our featured leader on this episode of The Learning Leader Show.

Ryan Estis has more than 20 years of experience as a top-performing sales professional and leader. As the former chief strategy officer for the McCann Worldgroup advertising agency NAS, he brings a fresh perspective to business events. As a keynote speaker, Ryan is known for his innovative ideas on leading change, improving sales effectiveness and preparing for the future of work. He was recently recognized as one of “the best keynote speakers ever heard” by Meetings & Conventions magazine alongside Tony Robbins, Bill Gates, Colin Powell and Mike Ditka.

Ryan supports the world’s leading brands, including Liberty Mutual, Darden Restaurants, Goodyear, the Dallas Cowboys, Medtronic, ECCO USA and Blue Cross Blue Shield. He is a faculty member for the Institute of Management Studies, a member of the SmartBrief on Workforce Advisory Board and a certified Human Capital Strategist.

Episode 080: Ryan Estis – From Rock Star Sales Professional To World Class Speaker & Entrepreneur

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

“Be Careful About Getting Too Good At The Wrong Things.”

The Learning Leader Show

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
What is your origin story?
How were you able to leave your “rocket ship” type career to be an entrepreneur?
Discuss the importance of leaping outside your comfort zone…
What’s the process to become a paid speaker?
How do we implement and execute on our learnings?
What are 3 things I could do within 30 days to help build out my speaking business?
What are some of the key life lessons you’ve learned from your experiences?
How do you define a “Learning Leader?”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of curiosity and focus on self-improvement
You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with
Great books: Think and Grow Rich & The Richest Man In Babylon
Hitting Reset and how that can help you grow
Implementation of coaching you receive
Specific tips to create a speaking business
Being willing and able to adapt on a daily basis

“Leaders are learners. They are constantly looking to level shift and improve.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Ryan’s website: RyanEstis.com
Read his Washington Speaker’s Bureau Page: Washington Speakers
Follow Ryan on Twitter: @RyanEstis

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Ryan Estis is a unique leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From RyanEstis.com

079: Tucker Max – Attracting Women & How To Write Your Book Dec 10, 2015

Episode 079: Tucker Max – Attracting Women & How To Write Your Book

Tucker Max is probably the most blunt human being I’ve ever spoken to. He will literally tell you exactly what he thinks at all times. I can appreciate his fearlessness when it comes to being transparent and open. This conversation/interview was one of the most challenging ones I’ve done throughout the entire podcast. With that said, I really enjoyed having the opportunity to speak with Tucker. I’ve read his books and think he’s incredibly talented. It’s been very interesting to see the growth in him as a person over the last 10 years.

Tucker has written three #1 New York Times Best Sellers, which have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. He is credited with being the originator of the literary genre, "fratire," and is only the third writer (after Malcolm Gladwell and Michael Lewis) to ever have three books on the New York Times Nonfiction Best Seller List at one time.

He received his BA from the University of Chicago in 1998, and his JD from Duke Law School in 2001. He currently is the CEO of “Book In a Box,” A company that helps you “Get your book out of your head.” They help people get their books written without having to type a word or deal with a publisher. Tucker lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife Veronica and son Bishop.

Episode 079: Tucker Max – Attracting Women & How To Write Your Book

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

“Our mission is unlocking the world’s wisdom.”

The Learning Leader Show

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
Why did you write “Mate?”
What was the process like to create that book alongside Dr. Geoffrey Miller?
Discuss the importance of leaping outside your comfort zone…
What specifically do women find attractive in a guy?
How can we all improve our verbal intelligence and be like President Bill Clinton?
What made you start “Book In A Box?”
What are some of the key life lessons you’ve learned from your experiences?
How do you define a “Learning Leader?”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why a lot of the advice around being successful is stupid
The process & importance for partnering with the right person when creating a business
The importance of having great fundamentals first
What are the best places to meet women?
Why is a bar the absolute worst place to meet a woman?
Transitioning and growing up
2 big characteristics in a person: Your character and “Is this person just awesome?”
Having horizontal and vertical long term goals
Being willing and able to adapt on a daily basis

“Being an entrepreneur… You have to think in different ways. You have to start with great fundamentals.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Tucker’s website: TuckerMax.me
Read Tucker’s Books: Tucker Max - Amazon.com
Go To Tucker’s company website: BookInABox.com
See why over 345,000 people follow Tucker on Twitter: @TuckerMax

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Tucker Max is a unique leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From TuckerMax.me

Tucker Max has written three #1 New York Times Best Sellers, which have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. He is credited with being the originator of the literary genre, "fratire," and is only the third writer (after Malcolm Gladwell and Michael Lewis) to ever have three books on the New York Times Nonfiction Best Seller List at one time.

078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon Dec 07, 2015

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Kat Cole is an incredibly intelligent leader. She truly understands the importance of being authentic in her role as a leader. She firmly believes that develops trust with her people and also makes her more approachable. We are extremely fortunate to have Kat share her knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Kat is Group President at FOCUS Brands and responsible for building FOCUS Brands revenues and profits through global licensing, manufacturing, and ecommerce. Previously, she was President of Cinnabon, Inc. accountable for leading and growing the multi-channel brand team that drove record comp sales growth, brand expansion and franchise evolution during her tenure. Prior to her role with FOCUS Brands at Cinnabon, Inc., Kat initially work at Hooters as hostess, waitress, general manager and eventually promoted to a Vice President role at Hooters of America, Inc., a multi-channel brand which operates company and franchise restaurants.

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Great leaders have the combination of courage and character mixed with curiosity and humility.” – Kat Cole

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers you’ve spent time around?
Americans seem to yearn for someone from the Private sector to be leader of our country (ie: Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina), would you consider running for political office?
Where does your confidence come from? Have you always been that way or has it been developed over time?
How did you get the President of Cinnabon job? What was the process?
How were you able to get 10 high level CEOs (including Ted Turner) to write you a letter of recommendation to get your MBA?
How did you meet Adam Grant? He discusses your story often
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Courage & Confidence mixed with Curiosity and Humility are the traits of the greatest leaders
The importance of her Mom and the leadership and giving she exposed Kat to
How she went from Hooters waitress to President of Cinnabon
The importance of being prepared for your opportunity
The amount of work it takes leading up to big interviews in your life… It’s not just about the interview… It’s what you’ve done leading up to that moment
Kat’s take on politics and her potentially running for office
How to handle “takers” having short term success
How she was able to get letters of recommendation from 10 top level CEOs
Why “giving no matter what” is a long term strategy for success AND the right thing to do

“When you go to a new job or a new location, you will suck. It builds humility… And that’s a good thing.”

Continue Learning:

Read this article about Kat: How Kat Cole Went from Hooters Girl to President of Cinnabon by Age 32
Some of Kat’s favorite Books by David Brooks: The Social Animal & The Road To Character
Follow Kat on Twitter: @KatColeATL

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Kat Cole is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Focusbrand.com

077: Adam Braun – Pencils Of Promise: Growing A “For Purpose” Organization Through Intrinsic Motivation Dec 03, 2015

Episode 077: Adam Braun – Pencils Of Promise: Growing A “For Purpose” Organization Through Intrinsic Motivation

Adam Braun is an extremely intelligent and selfless leader. He is intrinsically motivated and is focused on constant self-improvement in order to serve and help others. He firmly believes in family and the important role they play in one’s life. We are extremely fortunate to have Adam share his knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Adam is a New York Times bestselling author and the Founder of Pencils of Promise, an award-winning organization that has broken ground on more than 300 schools for children in poverty around the world. He is also the Director of the Global Education Platform, an initiative conceived by the UN Special Envoy for Global Education to accelerate breakthroughs in learning innovation.

He has been featured as a speaker at The White House, the United Nations and the Clinton Global Initiative. He has also been named to Business Insider’s 40 Under 40, Wired Magazine‘s 50 People Who Are Changing the World, and was selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s original ten Global Shapers.

Episode 077: Adam Braun – Pencils Of Promise: Growing A “For Purpose” Organization Through Intrinsic Motivation

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“If you could have anything in the world, what would you choose? – “A pencil.” – Adam Braun speaking with a child in India

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of people who have sustained excellence over time?
How has your family’s incredible journey and story played a role in your decision making process and the expectation level you set for yourself?
What specifically have you learned from you parents that you will pass down to your future children?
What prompted you to start Pencils of Promise?
Why don’t you like the term “non-profit?”
What is your relationship like with your famous brother Scooter Braun? (Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande’s business manager)
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Being intrinsically motivated and how that determines long term success
The importance of his family and the expectation level set from his parents
The incredible story of a near death experience while on Semester at Sea
Specific learnings from children in developing countries
What specifically Pencils of Promise does and how many schools they’ve built
Why Adam is so uncomfortable with contentment
His relationship with his brother Scooter and the roles they play in each other’s lives
That participation trophies should not exist and why they harm children’s growth
Servant leadership and what it means to serve and be humble

“Integrity is the currency that buys trust.” – Adam Braun

Continue Learning:

Go to Adam’s website: AdamBraun.com
Read Adam’s book: The Promise of a Pencil: How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraodinary Change
See why over 300,000 people follow Adam on Twitter: @AdamBraun

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Adam Braun is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From AdamBraun.com

Adam Braun is a New York Times bestselling author and the Founder of Pencils of Promise, an award-winning organization that has broken ground on more than 300 schools for children in poverty around the world. He is also the Director of the Global Education Platform, an initiative conceived by the UN Special Envoy for Global Education to accelerate breakthroughs in learning innovation.

076: Amanda Holmes – Taking Over As CEO At Age 27: The Ultimate Sales Machine Nov 30, 2015

Episode 076: Amanda Holmes – Taking Over As CEO At Age 27: The Ultimate Sales Machine

Amanda Holmes is someone who has a contagious energy about her. This conversation (which was also aired live on Periscope) was entertaining and educational. Amanda is an incredibly interesting person. During our time together, Amanda talked about the legacy her father began, along with Tony Robbins in the beginning, and how she continues to nurture businesses using intuition and a proven equation for growth.

Said best by gaimtv.com Amanda Holmes went from ashram to CEO at 27 years old, and her journey is both inspiring and challenging. She stepped in as CEO of Chet Holmes International after the death of her father, self-help guru Chet Holmes.

Amanda Holmes’ singing career spanned over seven years and four records. When her father, Chet Holmes, NY Times Best Selling author, was diagnosed with Leukemia, it all came to an abrupt end. After studying alternative medicines in Asia, she took over the responsibility of her father’s business. Today, she is the CEO dedicated to not only carrying on her father’s legacy, but most of all, making a difference for business owners around the world.

Episode 076: Amanda Holmes – Taking Over As CEO At Age 27: The Ultimate Sales Machine

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

“Build Rapport… Establish The Need… Create The Desire… Close The Deal... Follow up… Add Value.” –Amanda Holmes

The Learning Leader Show

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
How do you handle the common sales stereotypes like used car sales person, etc...?
What is your mindset for taking over for your Dad who was a legendary sales professional and coach?
The responsibility had to be immense… Who did you reach out to for help?
What is your decision making process for running a business?
Initially when you took over, you faced law suits and people wanting money, how did you handle it?
What are the 12 ways to double sales?
What specific changes have you implemented that’s helped the business grow?
Define a great learning leader
What books had the most influence on your life?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance on focus and defining what success is to you
Fighting the professional selling stereotype and how she does it
The tragic story of her dad, Chet Holmes, passing away at a young age
How living in Asia for 6 months had an effect on her life
Why slimming down parts of the business were the correct moves in order to focus
Initially getting burned by people as well as getting wrongful termination lawsuits… How to deal with that
The 7 steps to a sale
Why continuous learning is the key to success

“I immediately fell in love with our clients.” – Amanda Holmes, after taking over as CEO of Chet Holmes International

Continue Learning:

Go To Their Website: com
Read her Dad Chet’s book: The Ultimate Sales Machine
Follow Amanda on Twitter: @amandaholmes
Read: Autobiography Of A Yogi

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Amanda Holmes is a leader who leads an incredibly interesting life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Gaimtv.com

075: Kristi Piehl – Creating A Winning Culture & Earning Great PR Nov 26, 2015

Episode 075: Kristi Piehl – Creating A Winning Culture & Earning Great PR

Kristi Piehl is an incredibly driven person. She truly understands the importance of focusing on creating a phenomenal a phenomenal work environment for her employees and is reaping the rewards because of it. We are extremely fortunate to have Kristi share her knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Kristi Piehl has built a unique company that redefines public relations. This was her vision when she launched Media Minefield in 2010. Media Minefield is a news-driven public relations agency on a mission to change the perception of the industry. She’s dedicated to creating a unique work environment with policies that value families, flexibility and health.

During her 12 year television career, I worked as a reporter and anchor at 5 television stations. She studied Professional Writing and graduated with honors from Bethel University. In 2015, Bethel named her Alumna of the Year. She’s also a member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization.

Episode 075: Kristi Piehl – Creating A Winning Culture & Earning Great PR

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I got laid off and it was a blessing... But I was scared out of my mind.” – Kristi Piehl

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
Discuss failure and moments you’ve bounced back from it…
What was it like being laid off after winning an Emmy?
What’s your process on building your company culture?
Why don’t you believe in press releases?
What does earned PR mean?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

What she’s learned from working with clients in 75 markets
The mentality of an entrepreneur
The importance of having an extremely high level of optimism
The philosophy of taking care of your employees first
Winning an Emmy and being laid off… How is that possible?
How to grow a business from a one person business to a big company
The importance of finding great people to work with
How to earn great PR

“Find a great leader… Offer to work for him for free. It will be worth it in the long run.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Kristi’s company website: Media Minefield
Read Kristi’s bio: Kristi Piehl
Follow Kristi on Twitter: @kristipiehl

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Kristi Piehl is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Kristi Piehl (LinkedIn)

074: Tim Kight – The Secret Weapon Behind Ohio State’s Success Nov 23, 2015

Episode 074: Tim Kight – The Secret Weapon Behind Ohio State’s Success

Tim Kight is an incredibly dynamic speaker. He is a great combination of extremely high intelligence mixed in with great experience around some of the best leaders in the world, including legendary UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden. I absolutely loved this conversation with Tim.

Companies across the United States are recognizing speaker Tim Kight as a powerful voice on the performance of people and organizations. With a contagious energy, Tim provides insight into the “physics of performance.”

Tim’s ability to connect with and inspire individuals, teams, and leaders has yielded exceptional reviews from organizations throughout the country. A dynamic speaker, Tim combines a unique background of research and practical experience to bring compelling insights to the real-world challenges of leading, managing, and winning in today’s competitive marketplace.

After briefly attending Ohio State University, Tim Kight received his undergraduate degree from UCLA and graduate degree from Princeton. He has 25+ years of experience consulting in healthcare, banking, professional services, manufacturing, and athletics. He now lives in Columbus, OH.

Episode 074: Tim Kight – The Secret Weapon Behind Ohio State’s Success

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

“Leaders create the culture that drives the behavior that produces results.”

The Learning Leader Show

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of successful leaders?
What was it about John Wooden that made him so effective?
Why did you start Focus 3?
What does your company focus on?
What is your process for coaching and leading others?
How did you develop such a great working relationship with Urban Meyer
How do you implement and execute on the plan once it is established?
What is the 30 Day Above The Line Challenge?
What does it mean to be “Above The Line or Below The Line?”
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the phrase learning leader?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance being intentional and purposeful
Firsthand knowledge on what it was like to be around John Wooden when he coaches his teams
“Whole part whole” and “Zoom in Zoom out”
Urban Meyer and what specifically makes him world class
Why your response is what you should focus on (as opposed to the event that precedes it)
The importance of self-talk and attitude
“All behavior is driven by attitude and mindset”
How Ohio State handled the JT Barrett OVI situation and why their structure helped them be better prepared for the adversity
The importance of humility and how it leads to success

“Event + Response = Outcome” – Tim Kight

Continue Learning:

Go To Tim’s website: Focus 3
Read Urban Meyer’s new best-selling book: Above The Line - Lessons in Leadership and Life from a Championship Season
Follow Tim on Twitter: @TimothyKight

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Tim Kight is a leader who leads an incredibly interesting life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Focus 3

073: Jay Bilas – World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The N Nov 19, 2015

Episode 073: Jay Bilas – World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Jay Bilas is an incredibly interesting person. He is a great combination of extremely high intelligence mixed in with a keen awareness of many issues we are all faced with in today’s world. This was one of my all-time favorite conversations. I absolutely loved it.

Jay Bilas is a 1986 graduate of Duke University undergrad and 1992 graduate of Duke Law where he competed for Hall of Fame Coach Mike Krzyzewski on the Blue Devil Basketball team. Jay was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks and played professionally for 2 years in Europe before embarking on his coaching career. Bilas served as an assistant coach on Blue Devil bench during a time that included the 1991 and 1992 National Championships. Bilas then launched a successful law career before becoming a popular analyst on ESPN’s coverage of college basketball. Jay has published one book, “Toughness,” and is a sought after motivational speaker throughout the world. Jay is one of the most respected voices in college basketball today.

Episode 073: Jay Bilas – World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

“There are certain things in life that are “have to” and there are things that are “want to”, I think I have taken care of the “have to” things well, and that has made a good part of my life “want to” now.” – Jay Bilas

The Learning Leader Show

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
How did your parent’s encouragement of doing speech and debate help you?
How did you go from lawyer to broadcaster?
Discuss the importance of putting yourself in positions to be nervous
What is your process to prepare for a broadcast?
What are your thoughts on some of the loud, argumentative TV shows on ESPN and other networks?
What specific problems do you have with the NCAA? Why?
What are your thoughts on NCAA president Mark Emmert?
If you became the president of the NCAA, what are the first things you would do to improve it?
Who would be the first people you would call to work with you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance focusing on sustained excellence rather than achievements
The importance of being well rounded
Accepting his first broadcasting job only paid him $200 per game
The specific preparation needed to be world class
The importance of an informed opinion
That he believes Mark Emmert to have thin skin
Some practical ideas to help fix the NCAA
The importance of putting yourself in situations to be nervous
The importance of humility and how it leads to success

“Mark Emmert has very thin skin.” – Jay Bilas describing the President of the NCAA

Continue Learning:

Go To Jay’s website: com
Read Jay’s best-selling book “Toughness”: Toughness
See why over 1 million people follow Jay on Twitter: @JayBilas
Read: A Different Kind War By Martin Dempsey

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Jay Bilas is a leader who leads an incredibly interesting life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From JayBilasskillscamp.com

072: Jon Gordon - Optimistic People Win More | The Energy Bus Nov 16, 2015

Episode 072: Jon Gordon - Optimistic People Win More | The Energy Bus

Jon Gordon leads an inspirational life. He’s had high moments and very low moments. He openly shares some of the lowest moments of his life as well as the specific thoughts process he developed in order to go from the lowest of lows to an international superstar author and key note speaker. We are extremely fortunate to have Jon share his message with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous NFL, NBA, MLB coaches and teams, Fortune 500 companies, school districts, hospitals and non-profits. He is the author of numerous books including The Wall Street Journal bestseller The Energy Bus, Soup, The No Complaining Rule, Training Camp, and The Carpenter. Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Atlanta Falcons, LA Clippers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Campbell Soup, Wells Fargo, Northwestern Mutual, Publix, Southwest Airlines, Bayer, West Point Academy and more.

Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams.

Episode 072: Jon Gordon - Optimistic People Win More | The Energy Bus

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“When I hear the phrase Learning Leader, I think YES! YES!”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are some common characteristics all high achievers share?
Why should we strive to be a craftsman instead of a carpenter?
What made you write “The Energy Bus?”
How was the main character George actually a depiction of you?
What mile do most people quit running in a marathon? Why?
What are energy vampires? How should we handle them?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of vision and why it helps you achieve your goals
Changing your viewpoint and how to do it
Passion and purpose leading to happiness
Designing it. Why you must design it prior to building your business and the life you want
Life is a series of marathons and boxing matches
If you can see it, you can create it
A learning leader? YES! I love it

“Life is a series of marathons and boxing matches.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Jon’s website: com
Read “The Energy Bus:” The Energy Bus
See why over 67,000 people follow Jon on Twitter: @JonGordon11

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Jon Gordon is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From JonGordon.com

071: Nate Boyer – Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL, Making Films Nov 12, 2015

Episode 071: Nate Boyer – Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL, Making Films

**A Special Veterans Day Episode** Nate Boyer leads a remarkable life. He’s been all over the world working hard to help others and defend our country. Nate truly values passion and having no compromise when going after your vision. He has proven that he will stop at nothing in order to achieve it. We are extremely fortunate to have Nate share his vision with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

In 2004, Nate Boyer became a relief worker in Sudan, building camps for refugees of the War in Darfur. After a short tenure there, he enlisted in the United States Army, training at Fort Benning, and later was accepted into the Green Berets. After multiple tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Boyer earned an honorable discharge after six years of service. During that period of time, Nate walked on to the football team at the University of Texas where he earned the position of starting long snapper. After his college career was complete, Nate was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.

Episode 071: Nate Boyer – Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL, Making Films

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“High Achievers have zero compromise when it comes to their passion and vision. They have a clear picture of what they want.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are some common characteristics all high achievers share?
How has your perspective changed after spending time in Darfur helping refuges?
What was the process like to become a green beret?
How has your perspective changed after spending time in Iraq and Afghanistan in firefights?
What was your thought process to walking on for the football team at The University of Texas when you had never played football before?
Describe the lifestyle of a 30 year old college student who left every summer to fight in a war…
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Having zero compromise when going after your vision
A viewpoint on your life as a blank canvas
Appreciating the freedom to have the ability to paint that canvas however you want
The 18 X Ray program to become a Green Beret
Working for Peter Berg’s Film 44 Company
22 veterans per day lose the battle with suicide and what we can do to help
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

“If it’s easy, it does not motivate me.” – Nate Boyer

Continue Learning:

Go To Nate’s website: com
Read about Nate’s latest adventure here: org/
Follow Nate on Twitter: @NateBoyer37

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Nate Boyer is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From NateBoyer.com

September-October 2004 Volunteered at Refugee Camps in the Darfur region of Sudan/Chad border. March 2005 Joined the US Army. December 2006 Earned the Green Beret. February-September 2007 Stationed in Okinawa with 1st Special Forces Group. August 2007 Traveled with father Steve to Kamchatka in Russia for fly fishing adventure. April 2008-January 2009 Deployed with ODA 0324 10th Special Forces Group to Iraq. October-November 2009 JCET mission in Israel with Israeli SOF. January 2010 Walked on to the University of Texas football team as a safety. January 2011 Backpacked through Central America. June-July 2011 JCET mission in Bulgaria with Bulgarian SOF. March 2012 During Spring Practices learned to long snap. June-July 2012 JCET mission in Greece with Greek SOF. Fall 2012-Fall 2014 Starting long snapper from week 2 through the rest of college football playing career. April-August 2013 Deployed to Afghanistan with Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan. April-August 2014 Deployed to Afghanistan and was attached to ODA 3116 3rd Special Forces Group. January 2015 Played in Medal of Honor Bowl in Charleston, SC. Current Training for the NFL at Unbreakable Performance Center in Los Angeles while interning at Peter Berg’s production company, Film 44.

Nate is currently training in Los Angeles at Unbreakable Performance Center, owned by Jay Glazer and Brian Urlacher, where he is fighting for a long snapping position in the NFL. While finishing up his masters in advertising from the University of Texas, Nate is also interning at Peter Berg’s production company, Film 44. In addition, Nate continues to work with various veteran nonprofit organizations, such as #22Kill, in an effort to support their missions.

070: Dr. Sharon Melnick – Success Under Stress: Breathing Exercises & Other Tips To Improve Your 50% Nov 09, 2015

Episode 070: Dr. Sharon Melnick – Success Under Stress: Breathing Exercises & Other Tips To Improve Your 50%

Sharon Melnick is an incredibly interesting person. She truly understands the importance of physiology, psychology, and your response. We are extremely fortunate to have Sharon share her knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Sharon Melnick, PhD is a leading authority on business psychology, stress resilience, and women’s leadership. Her methods are informed by 10 years of research at Harvard Medical School and field tested by over 15,000 clients and training participants.

As CEO of her firm Horizon Point Inc, Sharon Melnick, PhD is an internationally renowned speaker and sought after trainer. Her presentations on Resilience during Change and Success under Stress receive highest ratings and multiple repeat invites from organizations such as Procter and Gamble, MeLife, Novartis, NYLife, GE, Sodexo, Merck, Moody’s, OmniCom, AIG, Morgan Stanley, and many others.

Episode 070: Dr. Sharon Melnick – Success Under Stress: Breathing Exercises & Other Techniques To Improve Your 50%

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“The average human being has 60,000 thoughts a day.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are some common characteristics all high achievers share?
What is the confidence revolution?
What specific moments are most stressful in a person’s life?
How can we control our own psychology?
What can a regular person do in order to become a thought leader?
How can we deal with difficult colleagues? Tough people to work with… What are specific ways to handle these situations?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to successfully control your 50%
A breathing exercise that you can implement immediately that will improve your well-being and state of mind
Cooling Breath
How studying at Harvard for 10 years helped accelerate learning
Analyzing thought processes… How to do it
Goal setting practices
Great books to read: “Essentialism.” “The Power of Full Engagement.”
How to create 50% cultures

“A Leader Creates The Weather On Their Team.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Sharon’s website: com
Read Sharon’s Book: Success Under Stress
Follow Sharon on Twitter: @DrSharonMelnick

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Sharon Melnick is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From SharonMelnick.com

069: Jesse Itzler – Taking Risks, Selling For Millions, Living With A (Navy) SEAL, Married To A Billionaire Nov 05, 2015

Episode 069: Jesse Itzler – Taking Risks, Selling For Millions, Living With A (Navy) SEAL, Married To A Billionaire

Jesse Itzler is an incredibly interesting person. Despite all of his (massive) success, he’s one of the most down to earth people I’ve ever spoken with. This conversation felt like I was reconnecting with an old friend. I absolutely loved it.

Jesse cofounded Marquis Jet, the world’s largest prepaid private jet card company in 2001, which he and his partner sold to Berkshire Hathaway/NetJets. He then helped pioneer the coconut water craze with Zico coconut water, which he and his partners sold to The Coca-Cola Company in 2013. He is a former rapper on MTV and he produced both the NBA’s Emmy Award-winning “I Love This Game” music campaign and the popular New York Knicks anthem “Go NY Go.” When he is not running ultra-marathons or being a dad to his three kids, Jesse can be found at the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks games, where he is an owner of the team. He is married to Spanx founder Sara Blakely whom Forbes listed as one of the “100 most powerful women in the world.” Forbes labeled her as the one of the richest self-made American Woman with a net worth of $1.1 Billion.

Most recently, Jesse has written a new book titled, “Living With A SEAL.” When Jesse felt himself drifting on autopilot, he hired a rather unconventional trainer to live with him for a month-an accomplished Navy SEAL widely considered to be "the toughest man on the planet"! Lebron James says the book is “Hilarious!”

Episode 069: Jesse Itzler – Taking Risks, Selling For Millions, Living With A (Navy) SEAL, Married To A Billionaire

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

“I am a huge fan of Sara. When the light is shining bright on her, I’m her #1 fan. And the same way when it’s shining on me. Sara is 50% Einstein and 50% Lucille Ball.” – Jesse Itzler describing the relationship with his self-made billionaire wife, Sara Blakely

"Jesse is a risk taker and is always trying different things to get better. Plus, he fun's to go out with." – Tom Brady, New England Patriots Four-Time Super Bowl Champion

The Learning Leader Show

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
What made you start Marquis Jets?
What was the process like to sell the company?
Discuss the importance of leaping outside your comfort zone…
How did you meet Sara? How quickly did you know she was the one for you?
What is it like being married to a self-made billionaire?
Why did you write “Living With A SEAL?”
What are some of the key life lessons you learned from the experience?
How do you stay so grounded?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of a singular focus
The process for partnering with the right person when creating a business
What it was like to sell his company to Berkshire Hathaway
What it’s like at home being married to a self-made billionaire and raising 3 kids together
Why specifically Jesse needed to get off auto-pilot and how SEAL helped him do that
Takings risks and how to do it wisely
The importance of finding great people to work with
Being willing and able to adapt on a daily basis

“Money is a great magnifying glass. If you’re an asshole, you become a bigger asshole when you get money.” – Jesse Itzler

Continue Learning:

Go To Jesse’s website: com
Read: "Living With A SEAL"
Read about Jesse and his wife Sara: The Ultimate Partnership
Follow Jesse on Twitter: @the100MileMan

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Jesse Itzler is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From The100MileMan.com

Living with a SEAL is like a buddy movie if it starred the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air... and Rambo. Jesse is about as easy-going as you can get. SEAL is...not. He even shows up at Jesse's apartment with an inflatable raft just in case the Itzler family ever has to escape Manhattan by crossing the Hudson River. Lebron James calls the book “Hilarious!”

068: Joey Coleman – What Is Your Personal Brand? Nov 02, 2015

Episode 068: Joey Coleman – What Is Your Personal Brand?

This is a special episode for me as I’ve been fortunate to get to know Joey over the last month and he’s become a great friend. I had the distinct pleasure of attending a professional development workshop recently where Joey was the facilitator/speaker/lead engager. It was the best 2 and a half day training event I have ever been to in my life. And Joey is the best presenter I’ve ever seen. This conversation was incredible and I really appreciate how honest, transparent, and truly helpful Joey is. A huge thank you to Jayson Gaignard (from episode 001) for introducing me to Joey.

Episode 068: Joey Coleman – What Is Your Personal Brand?

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“There is no better investment than an investment in yourself and your personal development.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
How would you define “personal brand?”
How can you improve your personal brand?
Why is it important to leap outside your comfort zone?
What made you invest over $100,000 for Tony Robbins Platinum Partners Group?
What did the conversation sound like with your wife when you broached this topic?
What is your morning routine?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of being full of gratitude mixed with a growth mindset, yet still being gentle on yourself
How Tony Robbins and President Bill Clinton have achieved so much
The importance of having an extremely high level of optimism
Gaining life experiences and the importance of getting exposure to different cultures and people
The 3 boxes we are all put into and how to manage it
The mindset needed prior to giving a keynote to thousands of people
The power and the importance on having a true partner as your spouse who supports you 100%
Viewing life with the eyes of a child… Being curious. How that can help us all

“We are the sum of our life experiences.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Joey’s website: com
Joey’s company website: com
Watch Joey’s award winning speech from Mastermind Talks: Joey Coleman - Mastermind Talks

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Joey Coleman is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From CreativeLive.com

Joey is a recognized expert in customer experience design, an award-winning speaker at national and international conferences, and has taught business and creativity courses at both the college and graduate school level. Past appearances include presentations at the M.I.T. Sloan School of Management, Google, the Georgetown University School of Business, Stanford University, Zappos, YouTube, and numerous undergraduate, Private Corporation, and non-profit events.

Prior to founding Design Symphony, Joey held positions with the Corporate Executive Board (NASDAQ: EXBD), the White House (Office of Counsel to the President during the Clinton Administration), the United States Secret Service, and the Central Intelligence Agency. He holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame and the George Washington University Law School. An avid reader and experiencer of life, when not traveling the world (44 countries and counting) for speaking and consulting engagements, he enjoys time at home with his family in the mountains of Colorado.

067: Roger Dooley – How To Persuade And Convince Others With Neuromarketing Oct 29, 2015

Episode 067: Roger Dooley – How To Persuade And Convince Others With Neuromarketing

This episode was absolutely packed full of action oriented takeaways to help us all gain a better understanding of how our brain works to process information. It was an extremely interesting talk on a topic that fascinates me.

Roger Dooley is a speaker and author of Brainfluence: 100 Ways to Persuade and Convince Consumers with Neuromarketing, the popular blog Neuromarketing, and Brainy Marketing at Forbes.

He is the founder of Dooley Direct, a marketing consultancy, and co-founded College Confidential, the leading college-bound website. That business was acquired by Hobsons, a unit of UK-based DMGT, where Dooley served as VP Digital Marketing and continues in a consulting role.

Episode 067: Roger Dooley – How To Persuade And Convince Others With Neuromarketing

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“According to leading neuroscientists, 95% of all thoughts, emotions, and learning occur before we are ever aware of it.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all high achievers leaders share?
How can someone ease the pain of high prices?
What are your thoughts on “high price = high value object?”
Why is it smarter to share a cup of coffee with someone as opposed to a cold beverage?
Why is oxytocin so important?
What is The Persuasion Slide Model? How can it help people in their everyday lives?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The power of focus and why it’s so important
How certain phrases or word choices can manipulate you
Why it’s important to think of the other person in the conversation
A deep dive in persuasion and why it must be ethical
How it can help to briefly touch someone’s shoulder

Great qualities for leaders: Humility and having an open mind

“I work to translate the findings from neuroscience into actionable advice.”

Continue Learning

Read: Brainfluence: 100 Ways To Persuade And Convince Consumers With Neuromarketing
Go To: www.RogerDolley.com
Follow Roger on Twitter: @rogerdooley

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Roger Dooley is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From RogerDooley.com

Roger Dooley is a speaker and author of Brainfluence: 100 Ways to Persuade and Convince Consumers with Neuromarketing, the popular blog Neuromarketing, and Brainy Marketing at Forbes.

Dooley spent years in direct marketing as the co-founder of a successful catalog firm and also was director of corporate planning for a Fortune 1000 company. He has an engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from the University of Tennessee.

066: Judy Robinett – Creating A Titanium Digital Rolodex: The 5+50+150 Rule Oct 26, 2015

Episode 066: Judy Robinett – Creating A Titanium Digital Rolodex: The 5+50+150 Rule

I would like to thank John Corcoran for introducing me to Judy Robinett. Both John and Judy are such great givers… Always trying to help others and they’ve done so much for me. I was fascinated with Judy. She is incredibly intelligent and is a very deep thinker. It was a joy to get her to put some of those thoughts on tape for this great podcast episode.

Judy Robinett is the author of How to Be a Power Connector: The 5+50+150 Rule (McGraw-Hill, May 2014), a book that provides instant, effective strategies for meeting the people you need to know and bonding with them fast to further your goals and theirs. Robinett is a business thought leader who is known as “the woman with the titanium digital Rolodex.” She has been profiled in Fast Company, Forbes, Venture Beat, Huffington Post, and Bloomberg Businessweek as a sterling example of the new breed of “super connectors” who use their experience and networks to accelerate growth and enhance profitability.

In her more than 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur and corporate leader, Robinett has served as the CEO of both public and private companies and in management positions at Fortune 500 companies. She has been on the advisory boards of Illuminate Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California; Pereg Ventures, a venture capital firm based in New York; Springboard Enterprises based in Washington, DC; and Women Innovate Mobile (WIM) accelerators based in New York.

Episode 066: Judy Robinett – Creating A Titanium Digital Rolodex: The 5+50+150 Rule

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Forget an MBA… Learn to network.” – Jack Welch

Some Questions I Ask:

What are common characteristics of high achievers?
How have you learned how to create luck?
What did the book “How To Win Friends and Influence People” help you?
What is the 5 + 50 + 150 rule?
How did you become known as the “woman with the titanium rolodex?”
What are the 5 things to never do and say?
What does being a “giver” mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of “guts and luck”
How being shy and bullied helped propel Judy to big things
You are the average of the 5 people you surround yourself with
Keeping a “victory log” of achievements
How to connect others and make important introductions
Process to create a TED Talk
The definition of a Learning Leader

“Creating value is how you create wealth.” – Judy Robinett

Continue Learning

Read this Forbes Article about Judy: Forbes: Judy Robinett
Read her book: "How To Be A Power Connector"
Follow Judy on Twitter @judyrobinett

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love discussing how we can all become at connecting people. It’s a fascinating topic and Judy is one of the best at it! I really enjoyed speaking with her. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From JudyRobinett.com

065: Linda Kaplan Thaler – GRIT = Guts, Resilience, Initiative, & Tenacity Oct 22, 2015

Episode 065: Linda Kaplan Thaler – GRIT = Guts, Resilience, Initiative, & Tenacity

Linda Kaplan Thaler is an incredibly interesting person. She truly understands the importance of an intense focus on continuous improvement. Linda and her team have some massive achievements from a Marketing perspective as well as the work Linda has down as a bestselling author and keynote speaker. We are extremely fortunate to have Linda share her knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Linda Kaplan Thaler is the CEO of Publicis New York and a bestselling author. She has written and composed advertising jingles such as: “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us Kid” (Toys "R" Us); “Kodak Moments” (Eastman Kodak) and “The Heart of Communication” (Bell Atlantic). She is responsible for the “Yes, Yes, Yes” Herbal Essences campaign, and her agency created the well-known Aflac duck advertising. Her most recent book (she wrote along with Robin Koval is titled, “Grit To Great” How perseverance passion, and pluck take you from ordinary to extraordinary.”

Episode 065: Linda Kaplan Thaler – GRIT = Guts, Resilience, Initiative, & Tenacity

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” – Estee Lauder

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
What are your thoughts on David McCullough’s famous commencement speech titled, “You’re nothing special”
Why should we retire the word retirement?
How can someone use their “grit for good?”
Why do you coach people to “ditch the dream?”
How can a leader build up GRIT in their organization? What specific steps need to be taken in order to do that?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

GRIT = Guts, Resilience, Initiative, & Tenacity
“Playing Up” and the power of playing against great competition
The importance of being over prepared
How Linda helped Aflac become so well known
The definition of happiness
The detailed process showing how Linda’s small agency (at the time) earned the over $200m Wendy’s account (incredible story)
The story behind James Patterson waking up extremely early every morning to write for 21 years straight
GRIT builders that we can all implement – Exercises and action tips

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry Truman

Continue Learning:

Read more about Linda: Linda Kaplan Thaler
Read: GRIT TO GREAT
Read: The Power Of Nice
Follow Linda on Twitter: @lindathaler2

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Linda Kaplan Thaler is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio

Linda Kaplan Thaler (is the CEO of Publicis New York and a bestselling author. She has written and composed advertising jingles such as: “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us Kid” (Toys "R" Us); “Kodak Moments” (Eastman Kodak) and “The Heart of Communication” (Bell Atlantic). She is responsible for the “Yes, Yes, Yes” Herbal Essences campaign, and her agency created the well-known Aflac duck advertising. Her most recent book (she wrote along with Robin Koval is titled, “Grit To Great” How perseverance passion, and pluck take you from ordinary to extraordinary.”

064: Kevin Lavelle – CEO of Mizzen+Main: Intellectual Curiosity Leads To Growing 500% Oct 19, 2015

Episode 064: Kevin Lavelle – CEO of Mizzen+Main: Intellectual Curiosity Leads To Growing 500%

Kevin Lavelle is an incredibly intelligent leader. He truly understands the importance of possessing three qualities as a leader: An overwhelming amount of optimism, an intellectual curiosity, and persistence. We are extremely fortunate to have Kevin share his knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Kevin Lavelle is an American entrepreneur and business executive. He is the founder of Mizzen+Main, a men's clothing brand where he serves as the company's CEO. Kevin was named to the 40 Under 40 list by Dallas Business Journal in 2013. He was also named to Men's Fitness list of Game Changers in 2014. Investors in the company, which makes its products in the United States, include Zappos founder Tony Hsieh's Vegas Tech Fund and Navy SEAL Marcus Lutrell. They have grown 500% year over year!

And most recently, he has partnered with NFL star JJ Watt on an endorsement deal that gives JJ an equity stake in the business.

Episode 064: Kevin Lavelle – CEO of Mizzen+Main: Intellectual Curiosity Leads To Growing 500%

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I want to build the next great American brand.” – Kevin Lavelle

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
What is unique about Mizzen+Main?
How did you initially fund your company?
What effect did it have on your brand when you advertised on a podcast? (Tim Ferriss)
What do you say to critics who claim you should make your product outside of America?
Take us into your pitch meetings… What specifically did it sound like in those meetings?
What was it like negotiating with JJ Watt?
Why is the name Mizzen+Main?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of: Optimism, curiosity, & persistence
Pitch meetings (to investors) and the specific verbiage used in them
The power of advertising on a podcast
Working with JJ Watt
Getting started… Specifically starting to sell immediately (prior to quitting day job)
Mentors and how they’ve helped
The importance of taking a complicated message and making it clear

“The best business decision for us is to make our products in America.” – Kevin Lavelle

Continue Learning:

Go To Kevin’s website: com
Read the article Kevin wrote about the power of advertising on a podcast: com/@kevinslavelle
Follow Kevin on Twitter: @kevinslavelle

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Kevin is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Biography

063: Whitney Johnson – How To Disrupt Yourself To Dare, Dream, and DO Remarkable Things Oct 15, 2015

Episode 063: Whitney Johnson – How To Disrupt Yourself To Dare, Dream, and DO Remarkable Things

This was a very interesting conversation with Whitney Johnson... She has an extremely interesting story to tell about how she disrupted herself in order to do something bigger. She was an incredibly successful equity analyst and she quit in order to follow a dream of doing something bigger and helping others.

Whitney Johnson is an investor, speaker, author, and leading thinker on driving innovation through personal disruption. Johnson is the co-founder of Rose Park Advisors, along with Clayton Christensen where they led the seed round for Korea’s Coupang, currently valued at $5+ billion.

Whitney is a frequent contributor and writer, including to the Harvard Business Review, as a LinkedINfluencer, and through other channels. She is the author of two books, Dare, Dream, Do (2012), and the Disrupt Yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation to Work (2015). She is also a prolific speaker and has spoken to audiences of more than 25,000 on her ideas and vision. Johnson is represented by the New Leaf Speakers bureau, along with other thought leaders in business and innovation.

Episode 063: Whitney Johnson – How To Disrupt Yourself To Dare, Dream, and DO Remarkable Things

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“What does disruptive innovation look like for an individual?”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are common characteristics of people who have achieved success?
What does it mean to “disrupt yourself?”
Why did you write “Dare, Dream, Do?”
What possessed you to quit your job as an extremely successful Equity Analyst?
Why do we fail to implement and execute our plans?
What does the first 60 minutes of your look like?
What is the first thing that pops in your mind when you hear the phrase, “Learning Leader?”

“Too often we hear people say, I don’t have permission to dream.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

What it means to disrupt yourself
The importance of curiosity and drive
Deliberate practice and implementation of new ideas. A “how to” guide to making this happen
How this theory can apply and be done by anyone
Why we must be uncomfortable to grow
The need to take risks
A learning leader is continually asking questions

Continue Learning

Go to Whitney’s website: whitneyjohnson.com
Buy her book and read the incredibly impressive reviews on Amazon: Disrupt Yourself
Read: "Dare, Dream, Do: Remarkable Things Happen when you Dare to Dream"
Follow Whitney on Twitter: @johnsonwhitney

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love learning from people who bring a new idea to the table… That is what Whitney Johnson has done. She is an extremely interesting and inspiring person. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From WhitneyJohnson.com

062: Jim Tressel – Coaching Ohio State: President of Youngstown State: Servant Leadership: #QuietTime Oct 12, 2015

Episode 062: Jim Tressel – Coaching Ohio State: President of Youngstown State: Servant Leadership: #QuietTime

I’ve been fortunate to know Jim Tressel since 2002 when he recruited my younger brother AJ to play football at Ohio State University. He has always been a phenomenal example of what it means to be a servant leader. Always calm, composed, and measured in his approach… He’s someone who I admire a great deal. It was a thrill for me to have this in depth conversation with him.

Jim Tressel a former college football coach who served as head coach of the Youngstown State Penguins from 1986 to 2000 and the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2001 to 2010, winning five national championships between the two schools and 12 “Coach of the Year” awards during his career. He is currently the president of Youngstown State University.

Episode 062: Jim Tressel – Coaching Ohio State: President of Youngstown State: Servant Leadership: #QuietTime

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“It’s not where you’re coaching, but with whom you’re doing it with.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are common characteristics amongst high achievers?
Would you consider going back to coaching football at the collegiate level?
What is your relationship like with Urban Meyer?
How could colleges better set up student athletes for success post University life?
How specifically do you help people follow through on their goal setting practices?
What is quiet time? What does it mean to you? How can quite time help everyone?
What occurs during the first 60 minutes of your day?
What does it mean to be a learning leader?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of being a servant leader and what that specifically means
The emotions he feels as he watches Ohio State play on Saturdays
His identity and the importance of being an educator
Maurice Clarett and their relationship
Leadership is not a position or a ranking. Most people have it wrong. It’s about serving others
The importance of writing down what you’re grateful for everyday

“You can’t influence unless you are willing to be influenced.”

Continue Learning

Read more about Jim Tressel: ysu.edu/president
Follow Jim on Twitter @JimTressel5
Read: The Travelers-Gift-Decisions-Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 003: The Incredibly Interesting Story Of Maurice Clarett And How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This episode was absolutely jam packed with great information on a variety of topics. I love how open Jim Tressel is. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio from YSU.edu

Jim Tressel became the ninth president of Youngstown State University on July 1, 2014.

A native of Northeast Ohio, Tressel graduated from Berea High School in suburban Cleveland in 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1975 and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Akron in 1977. He also received honorary degrees from YSU in 2001 and Baldwin-Wallace in 2003.

He previously was executive vice president for Student Success at the University of Akron, where he was charged with restructuring and leading the efforts of a newly created division dedicated to the academic and career success of students. Tressel’s areas of responsibility included recruitment and admissions, financial aid and career services, advising and adult/transfer services, the military services center and multicultural academic programs. He spent a great deal of time in the Northeast Ohio region, emphasizing the need for top-notch higher education, innovation and collaboration.

Prior to joining the University of Akron, Tressel was head football coach at Ohio State University from 2001 to 2010, where his teams won the national championship in 2002 and seven Big Ten championships and appeared in eight BCS post-season bowl games. As head football coach at YSU from 1986 to 2000, Tressel’s teams won four Division I-AA national championships. He also was executive director of Athletics at YSU from 1994 to 2000.

061: Chris Hogan – The 7 Baby Steps To Take Control Of Your Money… Retire Inspired Oct 08, 2015

Episode 061: Chris Hogan – The 7 Baby Steps To Take Control Of Your Money… Retire Inspired

Chris Hogan is a really interesting leader. I’ve seen him speak to large groups of people on two separate occasions and he always brings a ton of energy to the stage. Mix that with his deep baritone voice and it makes for a unique leader!

A former national champion and all-American football player, Chris Hogan has never backed down from a challenge. But how did he find his way off the gridiron and onto the path of helping others achieve financial peace?

Once his playing days were over, Hogan served as the vice president of a well-respected mortgage company helping clients manage their money and their businesses. In the process, he realized that too many marriages and families were being adversely impacted by financial issues because they could not communicate openly and honestly about money. Hogan realized that the way people were counseled about money had to change. That’s when he met Dave Ramsey.

Today, Hogan helps spread the message of hope and financial peace to audiences across the country. Chris helps people plan for their future and reach their retirement goals through his Retire Inspired Live Events and R:IQ Assessment tool. Hogan works with high profile clients, including business leaders, professional athletes and entertainers, to help them develop financial strategies to generate revenue, protect their wealth, and secure their futures.

Episode 061: Chris Hogan – The 7 Baby Steps… Retire Inspired

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“The 7 baby steps: 1) Start an emergency fund 2)Pay off all debt but the house 3) 3 to 6 months of expenses in savings 4) Invest 15% of Household Income Into Retirement 5) College Funding For Children 6)Pay Off Home Early 7) Build Wealth and Give.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are common characteristics all high performers share?
What are DISC profiles and how do they help you lead?
How did you meet Dave Ramsey?
How do highly demanding people work successfully with relational type people?
If you had only 5 minutes to give financial advice to a person, what would you say?
Why did you feel the need to write the book “Retire Inspired”?
Would you ever branch off away from Dave Ramsey?
How do you handle people who doubt your message and your “haters?”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The 7 baby steps and how you can implement them into your life
Having a growth mindset and the importance of it
Public speaking preparation skills
The process to become a millionaire
Why it’s bad for a startup to have all “high D’s”
The many different ways to lead

“There are 15,000 to 19,000 people retiring daily. I want to help them.” – Chris Hogan

Continue Learning

Read more about Chris: chrishogan360.com
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHogan360
Read articles written by Chris: CHris Hogan Articles

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 003: The Incredibly Interesting Story Of Maurice Clarett And How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This episode was absolutely jam packed with great information on a variety of topics. Chris Hogan is definitely a leader who is always striving to improve and help others. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio from ChrisHogan360.com

060: Amy Morin – 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do Oct 05, 2015

Episode 060: Amy Morin – 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do

Amy Morin is an incredibly interesting person. She truly understands the importance of being real, being sincere, and being yourself. We are extremely fortunate to have Amy share her knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Amy’s article, “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” introduced the world to the bad habits that can keep us from being mentally strong. Her article was reprinted and shared millions of times as it became a viral sensation. Within a few days, her list was republished on Forbes.com, where it became one of their most read articles of all time with 10 million views.

Despite the popularity of her article, very few people knew that her knowledge of mental strength stemmed beyond her expertise as a psychotherapist – it was also personal. Losing her mother, husband, and father-in-law in a short period of time reinforced to her that it’s not enough to have good habits – we also have to avoid the unhealthy pitfalls that can prevent us from reaching our greatest potential.

Episode 060: Amy Morin – 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“How do you sabotage your own success?”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are your thoughts on pronoia?
What are some common characteristics all high achievers share?
How did you become a bestselling author?
A lot of people talk about how we should handle failure, I’m curious as to how should we handle success?
How would a person analyze how they think?
How do you prepare for a TED talk?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Pronoia is a neologism that is defined as the opposite state of mind to paranoia: having the sense that there is a conspiracy that exists to help the person. It is also used to describe a philosophy that the world is set up to secretly benefit people.
How Amy handled the devastating loss of her mom passing away AND then her 26 year old husband tragically dying
E+R=O à Event + Response = Outcome
The importance of being prepared for your opportunity
Analyzing thought processes… How to do it
Goal setting practices
TED Talks - Preparation
The importance of taking a complicated message and making it clear

“Having goals makes you live longer. It’s a scientific fact.”

Continue Learning:

Go To Amy’s website: amymorinlcsw.com
David’s books: 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do
Follow Amy on Twitter: @AmyMorinLCSW

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Amy Morin is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From AmyMorinLCSW.com

Amy’s bestselling book, also called 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, is being translated into more than 20 languages. Her message resonates with people from athletes to entrepreneurs to parents and people battling depression. Developing mental strength isn’t about acting tough or ignoring your feelings – it’s about learning how to regulate your thoughts, manage your emotions, and behave productively despite your circumstances.

059: Mark Fainaru-Wada – Investigative Reporter, Steroids, Barry Bonds, and Concussions Oct 01, 2015

Episode 059: Mark Fainaru-Wada – Investigative Reporter, Steroids, Barry Bonds, and Concussions

This was an extremely thought provoking conversation with Mark Fainaru-Wada. This is the first time I’ve ever had an investigative reporter on as a guest of The Learning Leader Show. The magnitude of the work that Mark has done is immense. We touched on a number of topics during this conversation from Chris Borland retiring to Cris Carter’s “Fall Guy” comments made at the NFL Rookie Symposium. It was a very enlightening an entertaining conversation.

Mark Fainaru-Wada is an investigative reporter for ESPN. With his colleague Lance Williams, he co-authored the New York Times best-seller “Game of Shadows — Barry Bonds, BALCO and the Steroids Scandal That Rocked Professional Sports.” He’s also written (along with his brother Steve Fainaru) “League Of Denial,” which reveals how the NFL, over a period of nearly two decades, sought to cover up and deny mounting evidence of the connection between football and brain damage.

Episode 059: Mark Fainaru-Wada – Investigative Reporter, Steroids, Barry Bonds, and Concussions

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“The scientist is not the person who gives the right answers; he’s the one who asks the right questions.” – Claude Levi-Strauss

Some Questions I Ask:

What are common characteristics of people who lie and cheat that you have encountered?
Why do people who are obviously guilty continually lie?
What was your process for writing “Game Of Shadows?”
You were told to “give up your sources or go to jail.” What affect did that statement have on your life?
Why write the book “League of Denial” about the NFL?
Would you allow your own children to play football?
What is the future for the NFL?
What could the NFL have been thinking by putting the Cris Carter “fall guy” statements on their website for years?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The amount of ego and narcissism he’s found in certain athletes who have cheated and lied
How “Game of Shadows” grew from his reporting at the San Francisco Chronicle
What happened to him and his family when he was told he would go to jail for not giving up his sources
The great conversations he’s had with Chris Borland about his decision to retire from the NFL at such a young age
About the ethics in reporting and why he would have reported the Cris Carter “fall guy” comments if he was in that room
The next big plans he has for his career

“Give up your sources or you will go to jail.”

Continue Learning

Read the Boston University Head Trauma Research: http://www.bu.edu/cte/
Read: League of Denial: The NFL, Concussions, and the Battle for Truth
Read: Game of Shadows: Barry Bonds, BALCO, and the Steroids Scandal that Rocked Professional Sports
Follow Mark on Twitter: @markfwespn

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 019: Chris Borland – Why He Walked Away From Millions Of Dollars

Episode 003: The Incredibly Interesting Story Of Maurice Clarett And How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I really enjoyed this great conversation with Mark… I learned a lot about his makeup and his specific process about how he does his great work. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio from ESPN

058: Michael Port – Steal The Show: From Actor To World Class Speaker Sep 28, 2015

Episode 058: Michael Port – Steal The Show: From Actor To World Class Speaker

This episode was absolutely packed full of action oriented takeaways to help us better understand how to give the performance of our lives during our next presentation, job interview, or deal closing pitch. Michael Port has an incredible story. He has worked incredibly hard to build both his business and his personal brand. There is so much to learn from him. I’m incredibly grateful that he invested his time with us here at The Learning Leader Show.

Michael Port is an author, speaker, and small business marketing consultant.

Port is the author of Book Yourself Solid, Beyond Booked Solid, The Contrarian Effect and the New York Times Bestseller, The Think Big Manifesto. His newest book, “Steal The Show,” details how you can receive a guaranteed standing ovation for all of the performances in your life from Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches, and more.

A graduate of New York University, Michael went on to achieve success in television acting roles, including stints in Third Watch, Law and Order, and Sex and The City.

Michael is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine and is the founder of the Book Yourself Solid School of Coach Training.

Episode 058: Michael Port – Steal The Show: From Actor To World Class Speaker

Subscribe on iTunesor Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Michael Port is the best speaker I’ve ever seen.” – Jayson Gaignard, founder of Mastermind Talks

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all high achievers share?
What is the best piece of interviewing advice your give to young professionals?
What is your weakness?
How has being a professional actor helped you as a keynote speaker?
What is your process for giving a speech?
How do you properly engage the audience at your speaking events?
What is your process for story-telling?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why high performers are urgent and impatient
A methodology that all can use to shine during spotlight moments of our lives
Balancing authenticity and ability to highlight the most compelling parts of ourselves
The importance of having a “through line” in all of your speeches
Herb Brooks and the role he played as the hockey coach of the Olympic team
There is an art in breaking some rules
Using Aristotle’s 3 acts for story telling

“You don’t have to be different to make a difference.” – Michael Port

Continue Learning

Read Michael’s book: Steal The Show
Go To: MichaelPort.com
Follow Shama on Twitter: @michaelport

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Michael Port is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From MichaelPort.com In His Words

I’ve been called an “uncommonly honest author” by the Boston Globe and a “marketing guru” by The Wall Street Journal, which I think is cool because I may be the only former professional actor to also be a New York Times bestselling business author.

I’ve written five books including Book Yourself Solid, Beyond Booked Solid, Book Yourself Solid Illustrated, The Contrarian Effect and The New York Times Bestseller, The Think Big Manifesto.

I’ve been on virtually every television network, and these days can be found keynoting conferences around the world on how to get booked solid or performing my one-man show, The Think Big Revolution.

I don’t want to go on and on about myself, but if you pick me, I promise you won’t be getting a vanilla sugar cookie. You’ll get an honest, hardworking, slightly irreverent, sometimes funny, provocative performer who hits his mark every time and has only fallen off the stage and into the orchestra pit once.

057: Turney Duff – Wall Street, Addiction, Rehab, Best-Selling Author, TV Show Consultant Sep 24, 2015

Episode 057: Turney Duff – Wall Street, Addiction, Rehab, Best-Selling Author, TV Show Consultant

This episode different from the normal Learning Leader Show episode… Turney contacted me via my website (the contact form www.LearningLeader.com) after he saw the John LeFevre episode published. He mentioned that he was a fellow Ohio University Bobcat and he had followed my football career. From this common bond, we developed a friendship and I thought it would be a great idea to record an episode together. I’m really glad we did it!

Best-selling author Bethany McLean said it best: “Turney Duff is a natural storyteller, and his tale of how a naive kid from Maine traded in L.L. Bean for Armani and got sucked into the seamy side of Wall Street is almost impossible to put down. The book is by turns hilarious, harrowing, maddening, and illuminating. After this debut, the smart money will be on Duff.”

“The Buy Side” is now on Amazon's 2013 Best Books of the Year: Business & Investing

Episode 057: Turney Duff – Wall Street, Addiction, Rehab, Best-Selling Author, TV Show Consultant

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“I wanted to put good karma in the universe.” – Turney Duff, describing why he originally reached out to Brian Koppelman.

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all high achievers leaders share?
How did you get the job working with Brian Koppelman on the TV show Billions?
What is a character study and what was it like doing them with Damian Lewis (star of Homeland and now Billions)?
How have you discussed your past issues with drugs and alcohol with your daughter?
Do you fear relapsing?
What is the day to day life of someone on Wall Street?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How a Google alert help our paths cross
The details behind filming a TV show and what goes into it
How Turney was hired to consult on the TV show Billions
How Turney wrote his book, “The Buy Side” and what it’s all about
The phone call that changed his life
His struggles with addiction to drugs and alcohol
His journey of sobriety and how great he is doing right now

“Serenity can be sustained, happiness cannot. My goal is serenity.” – Turney Duff

Continue Learning

Read: The Buy Side
Go To: TurneyDuff.com
Follow Turney on Twitter: @turneyduff

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 044: John LeFevre – @GSElevator: This Episode Might Offend You

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. David Marquet is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. He also strives to constantly help others. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Picture from hitc.com

Bio From TurneyDuff.com

The Buy Side, by former Galleon Group trader Turney Duff, portrays an after-hours Wall Street culture where drugs and sex are rampant and billions in trading commissions flow to those who dangle the most enticements. A remarkable writing debut, filled with indelible moments, The Buy Side shows as no book ever has the rewards – and dizzying temptations – of making a living on the Street.

Growing up in the 1980’s Turney Duff was your average kid from Kennebunk, Maine, eager to expand his horizons. After trying – and failing – to land a job as a journalist, he secured a trainee position at Morgan Stanley and got his first feel for the pecking order that exists in the trading pits. Those on the “buy side,” the traders who make large bets on whether a stock will rise or fall, are the “alphas” and those on the “sell side,” the brokers who handle their business, are eager to please.

How eager to please was brought home stunningly to Turney in 1999 when he arrived at the Galleon Group, a colossal hedge-fund management firm run by secretive founder Raj Rajaratnam. Finally in a position to trade on his own, Turney was encouraged to socialize with the sell side and siphon from his new broker friends as much information as possible. Soon he was not just vacuuming up valuable tips but also being lured into a variety of hedonistic pursuits. Naïve enough to believe he could keep up the lifestyle without paying a price, he managed to keep an eye on his buy-and-sell charts and, meanwhile, pondered the strange goings on at Galleon, where tens of millions were being made each week in sometimes mysterious ways.

At his next positions, at Argus Partners and J.L. Berkowitz, Turney climbed to even higher heights – and, as it turned out, plummeted to even lower depths – as, by day, he solidified his reputation as one of the Street’s most powerful healthcare traders, and by night, he blazed a path through the city’s nightclubs, showing off his social genius and voraciously inhaling any drug that would fill the void he felt inside.

A mesmerizingly immersive journey through Wall Street’s first millennial decade, and a poignant self-portrait by a young man who surely would have destroyed himself were it not for his decision to walk away from a seven-figure annual income, The Buy Side is one of the best coming-of-age-on-the-Street books ever written.

056: Blake Anderson – Trick Plays, Playing Fast, And Having Fun: America’s Most Entrepreneurial Football Coach Sep 21, 2015

Episode 056: Blake Anderson – Trick Plays, Playing Fast, And Having Fun: America’s Most Entrepreneurial Football Coach

Blake Anderson is an incredibly interesting learning leader. I’m very fortunate to now call him a friend. He truly understands the value of creativity mixed with hard work and empowering of his players. We are extremely fortunate to have Coach Anderson share his knowledge with US, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

From John Brubaker on entrepreneur.com: Blake Anderson is one of the few in his profession who is keenly aware that the game has changed. College sports, like business, has entered an era where getting great results isn’t who you know or what you know. It’s about who knows you. To get “known” you’ve got to be different or you’ll be invisible.

At a program such as Arkansas State, located in a small town and without the benefit of being the state’s flagship university or being a member of a major conference, great results are contingent on the ability to market better, faster and with less resources. How do you beat the big dogs at their own game with a smaller brand, in a smaller market and/or with a smaller budget? By changing the game.

Call it disruptive or guerilla marketing, but creativity has been at the foundation of the team's strategy. Anderson asks his staff the same question each day: What is no one else doing right now that we can pull off?

Episode 056: Blake Anderson – Trick Plays, Playing Fast, Having Fun: America’s Most Entrepreneurial Football Coach

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“You don’t ever want to be afraid of failure.” – Blake Anderson

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all successful leaders share?
What is your process for creating trick plays?
How have you built such a great culture?
How do you handle failure? When trick plays don’t work…?
How do you specifically coach millennials?
What is the “10th man” theory?
Why would (or wouldn’t) an athlete make a great entrepreneur?
Why doesn’t the tough lover style work today?
Do you prefer players who blindly follow what you say or do you like players who question everything?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of the environment created with his players
The need to “be known”
How he responded to the “fainting goat” play going viral
The importance of empowering each member of the team to lead
Entrepreneurs and athletes
How watching movies can help develop leadership ideas and create a better culture
How using Ebay auctions can be a great marketing tool
The importance of listening deeply

“Be a listener… Don’t have an ego. Seek good counsel.” – Blake Anderson

Continue Learning:

· Go To: AStateRedWolves.com

· Read about Blake in Entrepreneur Magazine: Entrepreneur

· Follow Blake on Twitter: @CHbanderson

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 011: Brady Quinn – Why Certain People Are Great Leaders And Why Others Are Not

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Blake Anderson is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Notes On Blake from John Brubaker on entrepreneur.com

From John Brubaker on entrepreneur.com: Blake is one of the few in his profession who is keenly aware that the game has changed. College sports, like business, has entered an era where getting great results isn’t who you know or what you know. It’s about who knows you. To get “known” you’ve got to be different or you’ll be invisible.

055: Joe Desena – Spartan Race CEO, Delayed Gratification, & Helping 1 Million People Sep 17, 2015

Episode 055: Joe Desena – Spartan Race CEO, Delayed Gratification, & Helping 1 Million People

Joe Desena is an incredibly intense person. He truly understands the importance of an intense focus on pushing yourself beyond what you might have perceived your limits to be. We are extremely fortunate to have Joe share his knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Joe Desena is the founder and creator of “Spartan Race.” Spartan Race drives competitors to their very limit to learn what they are capable of and sets a new frame of reference; one they can draw upon in the face of life’s harshest challenges. Competitors climb ropes, crawl under barbed wire, and jump over fire, as well as a host of other boot-camp-like maneuvers. Everyday disappointments and setbacks seem small when you’ve been to the other side of hell and made it back as a victor.

Joe wrote "Spartan Up" which chronicles his journey while also eliciting the life-changing transformations that has occurred for over 1 million globally people thus far. The book reached number two on The New York Times bestseller list for Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous, and number six on the Publishers Weekly bestseller list and was named a USA Today bestseller.

Episode 055: Joe Desena – Spartan Race CEO, Delayed Gratification, & Helping 1 Million People

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“It is important that you’re able to delay gratification… Anything worth achieving takes dedication and an extreme amount of work.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
What was it like growing up in a “Goodfellas” type environment?
Discuss the importance of leaping outside your comfort zone…
Why did you move your family to Asia?
What is your morning routine?
What advice do you give to young people who strive to accomplish big things?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

What he’s learned from working in 700 different homes/families
The mentality of Spartans
The importance of having an extremely high level of optimism
Delayed gratification and why it’s so important
Why playing the long game is the correct method
Morning routines for him and his kids
The importance of finding great people to work with
Being willing and able to adapt on a daily basis

“Find a great leader… Offer to work for him for free. It will be worth it in the long run.”

Continue Learning:

· Go To Joe’s website: SpartanUpTheBook.com

· Read: Spartan Up!

· Follow Spartan Race on Twitter: @SpartanRace

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Joe Desena is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From SpartanUpTheBook.com (Picture From Men’s Journal)

054: Geoff Colvin – Talent Is Overrated: Humans Are Underrated Sep 14, 2015

Episode 054: Geoff Colvin – Talent Is Overrated: Humans Are Underrated

Geoff Colvin is an incredibly interesting person. He truly understands the importance of an intense focus on continuous improvement. We are extremely fortunate to have Geoff share his knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Geoff Colvin is an Award-winning thinker, broadcaster, speaker and bestselling author of “Talent Is Overrated” and “Humans Are Underrated.” Geoff obtained a degree in economics from Harvard, and received his MBA from NYU.

The thesis of Talent is Overrated is that the greatest achievers succeed through endless "deliberate practice." Colvin characterizes it as "Hitting an eight-iron 300 times with a goal of leaving the ball within 20 feet of the pin 80 percent of the time, continually observing results and making appropriate adjustments, and doing that for hours every day - that's deliberate practice."

Colvin is the brother of singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin. Shawn is a female most known for her Grammy Winning Single “Sunny Came Home.”

Episode 054: Geoff Colvin – Talent Is Overrated: Humans Are Underrated

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Advancing technology has increased employment.” It’s improved human lives.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
What are your thoughts on kids “playing up” a level in sports?
What are your thoughts on artificial intelligence? Will it take over the world?
What are the specific skills needed in order to remain in control of your career?
How does your research have an effect on the profession of sales?
How do you handle a person who is a “taker” on your team?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The critical components of deliberate practice:

Pushes you just beyond your current level of ability
You’re always adapting to your current level (getting better)
Your deliberate practice can be repeated at a high volume to rewire your brain
Continual feedback – Need for a mentor and/or a coach

“Playing Up” and the power of playing against great competition
The importance of empathy, collaborating, and story telling
Artificial Intelligence – iRobot vacuum cleaner and more…
The profession of sales and strategy
Giving and Taking – How to handle behaviors
Shawn Colvin – “Sunny Came Home” (Geoff’s sister has won 3 grammy’s!)
The importance of taking a complicated message and making it clear

“It’s not your natural gifts, but your deliberate practice and focus on constant improvement,”

Continue Learning:

· Go To Geoff’s website: GeoffColvin.com

· Read: Talent Is Overrated

· Read: Humans Are Underrated

· Follow Geoff on Twitter: @geoffcolvin

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Geoff Colvin is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From GeoffColvin.com

Geoff is an Award-winning thinker, broadcaster, speaker and bestselling author of “Talent Is Overrated” and “Humans Are Underrated.” Longtime editor and columnist for FORTUNE.

Fortune Magazine Senior Editor at Large, CBS Radio daily commentator, Bestselling author.

Colvin obtained a degree in economics from Harvard, and received his MBA from NYU.

With Karen Gibbs, Colvin was co-anchor of Wall $treet Week with Fortune on PBS for three years, successor of Louis Rukeyser. He has a daily report "On Business" heard on the CBS Radio Network, where he has made more than 8,000 broadcasts.

Colvin is the brother of singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin. Shawn is a female most known for her Grammy Winning Single “Sunny Came Home.”

As a speaker, Geoff has engaged hundreds of audiences around the world, ranging in size from 10 to 10,000. Au diences especially appreciate his remarkable perspective: He has analyzed companies and business leaders worldwide as they confront the largest issues of our time, and has seen what distinguishes the winners from the losers. Each talk is as fresh as that morning’s headlines, and nobody leaves one of Geoff’s sessions thinking the same way.

He is also a skilled on-stage interviewer whose subjects have included Jack Welch, Henry Kissinger, Richard Branson, the Prince of Wales, Bill Gates, Alan Greenspan, Steve Case, Ted Turner, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and many others. He is the regular lead moderator of the Fortune Global Forum, and he serves as moderator for the International Business Leaders Forum in London.

053: Shama Hyder – The Zen Master Of Marketing: Millennial Master Of The Universe Sep 10, 2015

Episode 053: Shama Hyder – The Zen Master Of Marketing: Millennial Master Of The Universe

This episode was absolutely packed full of action oriented takeaways to help us better understand how to be a “chief value officer.” Shama Hyder has an incredible story. She has worked incredibly hard to build both her business and her personal brand. There is so much to learn from her. I’m incredibly grateful that she invested her time with us here at The Learning Leader Show.

Shama is known as the “Zen Master of Marketing” by Entrepreneur Magazine and the “Millennial Master of the Universe” by Fast Company, she is a visionary strategist for the digital age.

She is the bestselling author of the Zen of Social Media Marketing and an acclaimed international keynote speaker who’s been invited to share the stage with the world’s top leaders, including President Obama and the Dalai Lama.

As the CEO of the award-winning Marketing Zen Group, an integrated online marketing and digital PR firm, she’s led the organization through explosive growth, averaging 400% growth annually since its start in 2009. Shama was named as one of the “Top 30 Under 30” Entrepreneurs in America by Inc Magazine in 2013 and was honored at the White House as one of the top 100 U.S. companies to be run by a young entrepreneur by Empact100.

Episode 053: Shama Hyder – The Zen Master Of Marketing: Millennial Master Of The Universe

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“In this order, you should serve: 1) Your employees 2) Your clients 3) The public.” – Shama Hyder

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all high achievers share?
How have you been so successful at getting the attention of anyone?
What are your top personal and business priorities?
What is the 15-5 tool?
How did you earn a full scholarship to college?
What is your process for giving great keynote addresses?
What is your PR process?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of making the most of your opportunities… Creating them
Why going to the library is a key to success
The definition of a chief value officer
How all kids can get scholarships to college (hint: A LOT of hustle involved)
Public speaking tips
Shama’s hiring process and what she looks for in candidates
How to dominate your specific space

“Success breeds success. You have to take those first few steps. The momentum created from that can be tremendous.”

Continue Learning

Read Shama’s book: The Zen Of Socia Media Marketing
Go To: ShamaHyder.com
Follow Shama on Twitter: @Shama

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Shama Hyder is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From ShamaHyder.com

Known as the “Zen Master of Marketing” by Entrepreneur Magazine and the “Millennial Master of the Universe” by Fast Company, Shama Hyder is a visionary strategist for the digital age.

A trusted media expert and sought-after TV personality, Shama has frequently appeared on Fox Business, CBS, CW33 and Fox News. As a thought leader, she’s been featured in many major publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Inc Magazine and Forbes.

She was recently named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of movers and shakers for 2015.

052: Bobby Carpenter – Self-Awareness, Tom Brady, & A Career In Politics? Sep 07, 2015

Episode 052: Bobby Carpenter – Self-Awareness, Tom Brady, & A Career In Politics?

I’ve been fortunate to know Bobby for the last 15 years… We met when he was a teammate with my younger brother AJ at Ohio State. I’ve always know Bobby to be an incredibly interesting person. He tells it like it is and isn’t afraid to share his true feelings. During our conversation for this podcast, Bobby didn’t mince words and was not scared to voice his feelings about great leaders as well as people who he disagrees with. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Bobby! I promise you will learn a lot from listening to it…

Bobby Carpenter is a former NFL Linebacker. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Ohio State. Bobby also played for the St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and New England Patriots. He currently is the Co-Host of Carpenter & Rothman on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, Ohio. He is a two time graduate of The Ohio State University (undergrad and MBA).

Episode 052: Bobby Carpenter – Self-Awareness, Tom Brady, & A Career In Politics?

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“World class performers embrace who they are… They own it. They are genuine. They have great self-awareness” – Bobby Carpenter

Some Questions I Ask:

When have you failed? What did you learn from those failures?
What qualities do world class performers all share?
You spoke on Fox News with Hannity about politics while you were a current NFL player. What prompted you to do that?
Would you consider a career in politics?
How can you relate to someone who was raised in a single parent household and wasn’t provided for like you were?
What do you think about the “everyone gets a trophy” debate?
What are your thoughts on Hillary Clinton?
What is your goal-setting process?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of self-awareness
Discussion on the James Harrison “participation trophy” debate
The current political landscape from Bobby’s perspective
Why Bobby went on Fox News as a current player to discuss politics
“Bad news doesn’t get better with age”
The many different ways to lead

“They chose this as their mountain to die on… and they’ve been purely reactionary. That is not the mark of a great leader.” – In reaction to how Troy Vincent and Roger Goodell have handled the Tom Brady DeflateGate situation.

Continue Learning

Read more about Bobby: NFL.com
Follow Bobby on Twitter @Bcarp3
Listen to Bobby on 97.1 The Fan: Carpenter & Rothman

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 003: The Incredibly Interesting Story Of Maurice Clarett And How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This episode was absolutely jam packed with great information on a variety of topics. I love how open Bobby is. I can promise we will be recording another episode together at some point. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio from 971thefan.com

Job Title: Co-Host, Carpenter & Rothman

Hometown: Born in Houston; grew up in Lancaster, Ohio

College: The Ohio State University

Previous Places of Play: Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions

Favorite Teams: Reds, Cavs, and Mavs

Favorite Sports Quote: “You play to win the game” Herm Edwards

Favorite Sports Moment: 2002 OSU National Championship

Favorite Video Game: Contra (I’m waiting for the Xbox 360 release)

Favorite App: Jumbline

051: Suzanne Kelly – From CNN To Raising $1.5 Million For A StartUp… Sep 03, 2015

Episode 051: Suzanne Kelly – From CNN To Raising $1.5 Million For A StartUp…

Suzanne Kelly is an incredible learning leader. She truly understands the importance of understanding your environment and surrounding yourself with the right people. We are extremely fortunate to have Suzanne share her knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Suzanne Kelly is CEO and Publisher of The Cipher Brief (www.thecipherbrief.com), an online news service for national and global security developed for the business audience. She is a former CNN Intelligence Correspondent and co-founded, co-developed and served as co-editor of CNN's national security website. She identified, negotiated and managed the network's co-sponsorship (along with The New York Times) of the Aspen Institute's annual security forum.

Her first non-fiction book was published by (Harper) Collins in 2009, and offered the only inside look at the rise and fall of private security contractor Blackwater, 'Master of War: Blackwater USA's Erik Prince and the Business of War'.

Episode 051: Suzanne Kelly – From CNN To Raising $1.5 Million For A StartUp…

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Network news is a cut throat business.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are common characteristics of high achievers?
Describe your career and experiences working internationally for CNN
What was your process for starting your own business?
How did you raise over $1 million for your start up? Who did you go to first?
Why did you write a book about Erik Prince (CEO of Blackwater)?
Do you think you need to be polarizing like Elon Musk or Steve Jobs to excel as a top level CEO?
What do you think of Donald Trump and the Republican Debates? How about Carly Fiorina?
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of understanding the environment you work in
Why working in network TV is a cut throat business
The process to starting her own business and raising over $1 million
The importance of being prepared for your opportunity
Details around Blackwater and the use of civilians in war
The work ethic of single moms and how they’ve inspired some of the best spies in the CIA
The Cipher Brief is the place you go to see how country solves national security issues. It will be 100% Unbiased

“Some of the best performing CIA spies in the world are motivated by the work ethic of single mothers.”

Continue Learning:

· Go To Suzanne’s website: The Cipher Brief
· Read Suzanne’s book: Master of War: Blackwater USA's Erik Prince and the Business of War
· Follow Suzanne on Twitter: @SuzanneKelly_

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Suzanne Kelly is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Suzanne Kelly’s LinkedIn

Kelly is CEO and Publisher of The Cipher Brief (www.thecipherbrief.com), an online news service for national and global security developed for the business audience. Acting as both an original content provider and a curated aggregator, The Cipher delivers a timely news product that helps companies accurately anticipate and safely navigate the complex, unstable, global environment.

Kelly is a former CNN Intelligence Correspondent and co-founded, co-developed and served as co-editor of CNN's national security website. She identified, negotiated and managed the network's co-sponsorship (along with The New York Times) of the Aspen Institute's annual security forum.

After leaving CNN, Kelly founded and launched AragornCo, a boutique consulting and strategy agency working for clients operating in the national security space.

Kelly also led strategic and crisis communications for ACADEMI, a global security services provider. She had responsibility for conceptualizing, managing and implementing strategies to assist the company in bringing security services to the private sector.

Earlier in her career, Kelly worked as a war correspondent in Kosovo, and a was business and political reporter based in both Bonn and Berlin, Germany.

She spent nine years working as a news anchor for CNN International based in both Atlanta, Georgia and Berlin, Germany for a series of news programs broadcast live around the world, including a morning news program broadcast throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

050: Dr. Henry Cloud – Ridiculously In Charge Aug 31, 2015

Episode 050: Dr. Henry Cloud – Ridiculously In Charge

I originally sent a cold email to Henry Cloud in February asking him to be one of the first guests on my podcast, The Learning Leader Show. I am extremely happy that after 7 months of work (a lot of emails/calls/scheduling), we made it happen! I’m extremely proud of this, and I was especially happy to hear the kind words Henry shared about The Learning Leader Show and what it stands for.

Having sold over 10 million books worldwide, Dr. Cloud’s work has been featured or reviewed in publications such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Publisher’s Weekly, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, Fortune and many others. He is a frequent contributor to multiple news programs including CNN, Fox News Channel, ABC News and has a syndicated radio show in over 200 markets. Two of his premier books are: “Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality” and “Boundaries for Leaders: Results, Relationships, and being Ridiculously in Charge.”

Dr. Cloud has maintained an extensive leadership consulting practice for over twenty years, serving clients ranging from private and family held firms to public Fortune 500 Companies. Combining a background in clinical psychology and organizational leadership consulting with the experience of having founded and operated a successful health-care company, he brings an experience base which gives him a deep insight into how leaders function and the challenges they face.

Episode 050: Dr. Henry Cloud – Ridiculously In Charge

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“You’ll always get what you create or what you allow.” – Dr. Henry Cloud

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the most common characteristics shared amongst high achieving leaders?
Expand more on why “Integrity” is the wake you leave behind you…
Why is Clyde Christenson’s “The Innovator’s Dilemma” such an important book?
How do you prioritize what’s important?
Are great leaders more analytical/numbers driven or more culture focused?
What are questions you ask leaders to understand how they think?
What pops into your mind when you hear the phrase “Learning Leader?”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of humility, purpose, integrity, and being relational
Why Liz Wiseman’s “Multipliers” is so powerful
What it means to be ridiculously in charge
The importance of having high expectations and a high level of support
Focusing on culture AND results – Both are vital
Leaders must be disciplined to look behind them… at the wake they create
The power of having daughters
Why Dr. Cloud loves the phrase “Learning Leader”

“Integrity is the wake you leave behind. How your actions directly affect others.” – Dr. Henry Cloud

Continue Learning:

Go to DrCloud.com
Follow Dr. Cloud on Twitter: @DrHenryCloud
Read his book: Integrity - The CourageTo Meet The Demands Of Reality
Read his book: Boundaries For Leaders - Results, Relationships, And Being Ridiculously In Charge

You may also like these episodes:

031: Gary Vaynerchuk on Leadership, Self-Awareness, Empathy, and Bill Parcells

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This episode was absolutely jam packed with great information on a variety of topics. Dr. Cloud was incredibly inspirational. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

From Dr.Cloud.com

Dr. Henry Cloud has maintained an extensive leadership consulting practice for over twenty years, serving clients ranging from private and family held firms to public Fortune 500 Companies. Combining a background in clinical psychology and organizational leadership consulting with the experience of having founded and operated a successful health-care company, he brings an experience base which gives him a deep insight into how leaders function and the challenges they face.

Dr. Cloud has worked with individuals from all walks of life, for more than two decades. From Wall. St. to the inner city, his research based principles have been used by millions, and featured in all forms of major media. He believes that our fulfillment and effectiveness in life centers in three areas: First, the clinical: how we think, feel and behave. Second, the relational: how we connect, love and relate. And third, performance: how we use our talents to achieve our dreams and goals. His wide range of experience as a clinician directing a chain of hospitals and treatment centers, as a coach and performance consultant to celebrities, high performers, and business leaders, and as a student and advisor of the spiritual life, give him a breadth of background and knowledge to address the major issues of life, with practical, sound, research-proven techniques to help people resolve difficult obstacles and reach their purpose, calling and dreams.

049: Joe Sweeney – Networking Is A Contact Sport Aug 27, 2015

Episode 049: Joe Sweeney – Networking Is A Contact Sport

Joe Sweeney has an incredibly interesting story… He originally wrote pages of his thoughts in order to staple to his will for his children to read… That lead to a best-selling book which led to over 350 speaking engagements around the world! Joe shares that story and so much more on this great episode of The Learning Leader Show.

Joe Sweeney is an experienced businessman and New York Times best-selling author of Networking Is a Contact Sport and the newly released, “Moving the Needle.” As a dynamic, down-to-earth, yet powerful professional, Joe’s keynote addresses focus on principles discussed in his books which can be applied to any company or organization.

Joe’s books, keynote addresses, and Winning Game Plan training can help you grow personally and professionally through: Networking, Expanding your influence, Finding balance, Developing your business, Making life richer and more meaningful, Connecting with friends, acquaintances, business colleagues and even strangers, Getting clear, getting free, getting going.

Episode 049: Joe Sweeney – Networking Is A Contact Sport

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“High performers have a clear vision of what they want and they create a big enough why in order to be successful.” – Joe Sweeney

Some Questions I Ask:

What are common characteristics of people who are high achievers?
Why do you consider networking a contact sport?
Why did you initially give keynotes for free?
How did you become Brett Favre’s Marketing Agent?
What are some of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to networking?
What are the biggest challenges in the organizations you speak to?

“Touch Trumps Technology."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

High performers have a clear vision of what they want and they create a big enough why
How networking is a place to serve and give
How to create a WOW with every keynote speech
How he became the marketing agent for Brett Favre
Mistakes people make at networking events
How to manage energy and momentum
How his book was the catalyst to the speaking events

Continue Learning

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love learning from people who bring a new idea to the table… That is what Joe has done. Joe is an extremely interesting person. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From JoeSweeney.com

Joe Sweeney is an experienced businessman and New York Times best-selling author of Networking Is a Contact Sport and the newly released, Moving the Needle. As a dynamic, down-to-earth, yet powerful professional, Joe’s keynote addresses focus on principles discussed in his books which can be applied to any company or organization.

048: Cameron Herold – Why You Should Teach Your Child To Be An Entrepreneur Aug 24, 2015

Episode 048: Cameron Herold – Why You Should Teach Your Child To Be An Entrepreneur

This episode was absolutely packed full of action oriented takeaways to help us all improve in each of our environments. I love the strategy Cameron has employed to teach children to be entrepreneurs as well as his strategies to grow a number of businesses…

Cameron Herold has been instrumental in the successful sale, branding, and integration of a remarkable 500 business locations with three major companies. He may be best known as a driving force behind 1-800-GOT JUNK’s spectacular growth from $2 Million to $106 Million in revenue in just six years.

His wide range of executive roles has given him expertise across all aspects of business, from strategic planning, operations, people, sales, marketing, call centers and PR. Combined with hands-on experience negotiating corporate acquisitions and developing numerous strategic partnerships, there are few real-world business challenges he hasn't faced.

Now, as the author of “Double Double”, Cameron mentors a select class of proven CEOs, entrepreneurs and their teams, helping them navigate growth, leadership, and building their own unique company cultures. He reaches an even broader audience through his content-driven presentations to groups of entrepreneurs, speaking in over twenty countries, on five continents, in just five years. Cameron is a top-rated lecturer at the EO/MIT Entrepreneurial Masters Program and a powerful and effective speaker at EO/YPO & Vistage events around the world. Additionally, he landed over 5,000 media placements in six years - including coverage on Oprah, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, Fortune and 17 spots on Dr. Phil.

Episode 048: Cameron Herold – Why You Should Teach Your Child To Be An Entrepreneur

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“High achievers have a sense of curiosity. They realize they haven’t figured it out yet.” – Cameron Herold

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all high achievers leaders share?
Why is it important to focus on your strengths as opposed to your weaknesses?
If you were in charge of our education system, what would you change?
What is your process for generating free PR for a company?
How did you grow 1-800 Got Junk from $2 million to $106 million?
Why is it terrible to give a child an allowance?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The reason why massive curiosity is a key to success
The importance of focusing on strengths
Why all tests in school should be open book and done in groups
Tactical PR strategies to implement NOW
Why vision statements suck
How to systematize culture and why it should be the #1 priority

“Allowances for children teach kids to get used to a fixed amount of income. They are a terrible idea. You need to teach them to spot opportunities and then negotiate how much they should be paid to accomplish the task” – Cameron Herold

Continue Learning

Read: "Double Double"
Go To: CameronHerold.com
Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronHerold

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Cameron Herold is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. He also strives to constantly help others. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From CameronHerold.com

047: David Marquet – Turn The Ship Around! Going From Worst To First Aug 20, 2015

Episode 047: David Marquet – Turn The Ship Around! Going From Worst To First

This episode was absolutely packed full of action oriented takeaways to help us all improve in each of our environments. I love the strategy David has employed to empower and grow leaders… You’ll learn about his thought process on leadership in the Navy and in the civilian world as well.

David realized that the leader-follower environment meant his crew would do anything he said—even if it was wrong. That could be catastrophic. He decided to try Intent-Based Leadership again.

Captain Marquet began treating his crew as leaders, not followers, and giving control, not taking control. It wasn’t long before operations took a dramatic turn. Santa Fe went from “worst to first,” achieving the highest retention and operational standings in the Navy.

When Stephen R. Covey spent time aboard the Santa Fe, he referred to it as the most empowering organization he’d ever seen. He wrote about Captain Marquet’s leadership practices in his book, The 8th Habit.

Captain David Marquet retired from the Navy in 2009 and is now the author of Turn the Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders. Fortune magazine called the book the “best how-to manual anywhere for managers on delegating, training, and driving flawless execution.” Captain Marquet’s Intent-Based Leadership model is turning around all types of organizations—from big manufacturers to start-ups and sport teams to government.

He helps leaders build environments where people contribute and feel valued —where everyone is a leader.

Episode 047: David Marquet – Turn The Ship Around! Going From Worst To First

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Do you want to be good or do you want to get better.” – David Marquet

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all high achievers leaders share?
Which rules are okay to break? How do you know?
How do you ensure proper execution on what you train?
What are the actions of a true learning leader?
What are some ways to give decision making power to others?
Why did you get rid of “To Do” Lists?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The power of having a growth mindset
Why using the phrase “I intend…” is a key to success
His book “Turn The Ship Around” was labeled by USA Today as one of the 12 best business books of all time
Why you should get up and leave the room if the leader of the meeting won’t allow you to start without them and then they show up late
Examples of learning leaders and how a true learning leader doesn’t take all the credit

“My first step was to stop telling everyone what to do.” – David Marquet

Continue Learning

Read: "Turn The Ship Around"
Go To: davidmarquet.com
Follow David on Twitter: @ldavidmarquet

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From DavidMarquet.com

David was selected to captain the USS Olympia (SSN-717), a nuclear powered attack submarine. He studied for over a year to take command, understanding on a deep level every detail of how that submarine operated.

Unexpectedly, David was diverted to take command of the USS Santa Fe (SSN-763) when its captain quit. Santa Fe was the worst performing submarine in the fleet and a different type of submarine that he knew little about.

David realized that the leader-follower environment meant his crew would do anything he said—even if it was wrong. That could be catastrophic. He decided to try Intent-Based Leadership again.

Captain Marquet retired from the Navy in 2009 and is now the author of Turn the Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders. Fortune magazine called the book the “best how-to manual anywhere for managers on delegating, training, and driving flawless execution.” Captain Marquet’s Intent-Based Leadership model is turning around all types of organizations—from big manufacturers to start-ups and sport teams to government.

He helps leaders build environments where people contribute and feel valued —where everyone is a leader.

046: David Coleman – The Dating Doctor & National Speaker Of The Year Aug 17, 2015

Episode 046: David Coleman – The Dating Doctor & National Speaker Of The Year

David Coleman is an incredible interesting person. He truly understands the importance of being real, being sincere, and being yourself. We are extremely fortunate to have David share his knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

David Coleman is known worldwide as The Dating Doctor.™ He has been honored fourteen times as The National Speaker of the Year— 11 times by Campus Activities Magazine and 3 times by The National Association for Campus Activities and is the only speaker ever to be honored as the National Entertainer of the Year! He is a highly sought after speaker, author, entertainer, media personality and product endorser.

Episode 046: David Coleman – The Dating Doctor & National Speaker Of The Year

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“David Coleman is not a person, he is an event!” – Dr. Will Keim

Some Questions I Ask:

How did the movie Hitch with Will Smith help your business? You do very similar things for clients, correct?
What is your typical clientele?
What is a “total immersion” weekend?
What are some of the keys to a successful relationship?
What does leadership in dating mean to you?
What is the difference between character and reputation?
How do you prepare to give your speeches?
Why do you always ask the question, “what would Santa Clause do?”
What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of understanding where your critics come from
How Will Smith and the movie Hitch has affected his business
Learnings from John Wooden… “Always give them one thing to walk away with”
The importance of being prepared for your opportunity (great story around this)
How Santa Clause has affected his life (another great story)
World class performers are phenomenal both on and off the stage
His philosophy on leadership – He feels not everyone is meant to be one
The importance of taking a complicated message and making it clear

“Mediocrity takes pot shots at excellence.” – David Coleman

Continue Learning:

· Go To David’s website: americasnextgreatspeaker.com

· David’s books: Making Relationships Matter Nine Ways To Stay In Love For Life

· Follow David on Twitter: @D8ngDoctor

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. David Coleman is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From AmericasNextGreatSpeaker.com

David Coleman is known worldwide as The Dating Doctor.™ He has been honored

fourteen times as The National Speaker of the Year— 11 times by Campus Activities

Magazine and 3 times by The National Association for Campus Activities and is the only speaker ever to be honored as the National Entertainer of the Year! He is a highly sought after speaker, author, entertainer, media personality and product endorser.

David has been featured in such fine publications as Us Magazine, Glamour, Celebrity

Living, Mademoiselle, Women's World, Cosmopolitan, The USA Today, The Wall Street

Journal, The Washington Post and The New York Times. He has been featured on CNN as

well as on all major television networks and on hundreds of radio stations nationwide.

David has spoken to more than 2.5 million people in all 50 states, Canada and Europe

and another 20,000,000 through his appearances on radio, television, and in print,

Audience members at more than 2,500 college campuses, corporations, conferences,

single's organizations, military installations, churches, and civic groups have experienced

his energetic and entertaining programs. He has been a featured speaker for all

branches of our Military Service, Purina, The Sprint Corporation, Merrill Lynch, The

Kroger Co., Federated and Flo-Tork, Inc. as well as civic organizations such as MOPS

(Mothers of Pre-Schoolers), Junior Achievement, Circle K International, and Mortar

Board.

David received a National Service Citation from President George Bush, and has served

as a spokesperson for Microsoft, Abbott Labs, English Leather Cologne, Carpenter, IHG Hotels and Coca Cola.

045: Chris Fussell – Gun Fights To Board Rooms: The Similarities In War And Business Aug 13, 2015

Episode 045: Chris Fussell – Gun Fights To Board Rooms: The Similarities In War And Business

Chris Fussell is an incredible learning leader. Truly on another level when it comes to work ethic, grit, and intelligence. I was absolutely honored to have this conversation with him… And even more proud to now call him a friend.

Chris Fussell is the Chief Business Development Officer at McChrystal Group, leading the sales, marketing, and client relations teams. He and his team are responsible for identifying and growing McChrystal Group’s network and client base, and for positioning CrossLead as a 21st century leadership model and globally-recognized brand. Chris is an author of the firm’s forthcoming management book, Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement in a Complex World.

Chris was commissioned as a Naval Officer in 1997, and spent the next 15 years on US Navy SEAL Teams, leading SEAL elements in combat zones around the globe. From war-torn Kosovo, to counter-terrorism operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, to highly specialized efforts in the troubled areas of the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa, he experienced the modern evolution of the US military’s Special Operations community, first on SEAL Teams Two and Eight, then in the Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

Chris was selected to serve as Aide-de-Camp to then-Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal during General McChrystal’s final year commanding the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), where they served a year together in Iraq. He witnessed first-hand the Special Operations community’s transformation into a successful, agile network.

Episode 045: Chris Fussell – Gun Fights To Board Rooms: The Similarities In War And Business

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“People that are truly world class are comfortable in their skin.” – Chris Fussell

Some Questions I Ask:

What are common characteristics of world class performers?
What is the primary role of an Ade De Camp?
Why does General McChrystal only eat one meal per day? Do you?
Why did you and General McChrystal risk your lives to be out in the field with the team fighting? Is this common?
What are the primary differences in the civilian business world versus what you experienced on the battlefield?
What specific tactics do you use to make CrossLead stick?
What is your morning routine?
What is your favorite book?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of being comfortable in your own skin
How Chris specifically was able to “buy time” for General McChrystal
The real work of an aide de camp and how it’s similar to that of the chief of staff for The President
Chris’s approach to selling and relationship building
His fear of being bored
The elements that define a quality life

“A leader must be real… They must be authentic.” – Chris Fussell

Continue Learning

Learn more about Chris: The McChrystal Group
Read Chris and General McChrystal’s book: Team Of Teams
Follow Chris on Twitter: @FussellChris

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Chris Fussell is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From McChrystalgroup.com

In 2012, Chris left the Naval Special Warfare Development Group in order to join the McChrystal Group. Prior to becoming Chief of Network Management, he served as a Project Lead for a client engagement. Chris is also a Senior Fellow for National Security at New America, a Washington, DC-based non-partisan think tank dedicated to understanding the next generation of challenges facing the United States. Chris is actively involved in several non-profits dedicated to helping veterans and their families, and holds a seat on the Board of Directors for the Navy SEAL Foundation.

Chris earned a Masters Degree in Irregular Warfare from the Naval Postgraduate School, receiving the Pat Tillman Award for highest peer-rated Special Operations Officer in the program. His thesis work focused on the interagency collaboration and intelligence sharing processes that drove effective, cross-silo collaboration during the peak of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

044: John LeFevre - @GSElevator: This Episode Might Offend You Aug 10, 2015

Episode 044: John LeFevre - @GSElevator: This Episode Might Offend You

This episode is different from any other I’ve recorded for The Learning Leader Show. Turney Duff describes my guest best for CNBC: “In some memoirs, the author tries to pull back the curtain to provide a glimpse into a particular time and place, but LeFevre attempts to rip the drapes right off. He gives a naked look at how business in the world of finance is conducted. LeFevre captures the "Glengarry Glen Ross"-type of attitude that some believe is required to be successful on Wall Street. He doesn't shy away from witnessing and partaking in some of the seedier antics of sharing non-public information, price-fixing, misogyny, drug use and good old-fashion cut-throat office politics.”

John LeFevre created the Goldman Sachs Elevator Twitter account (@GSElevator) as a parody of banking culture. He tweeted anonymously for years as he gained hundreds of thousands of followers with his notoriously outrageous and often offensive tweets. He was eventually revealed as the author of the account. That Twitter account propelled him to earn a six figure book deal titled, “Straight to Hell: True Tales of Deviance, Debauchery, and Billion-Dollar Deals.”

Episode 044: John LeFevre - @GSElevator: This Episode Might Offend You

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“I feel an obligation to call out social injustices.” – John LeFevre

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the specific reasons behind your success?
What was your strategy behind growing the @GSElevator Twitter account?
What is an average “day in the life for you?”
When someone receives a six figure advance for a book, when exactly do you get paid?
Will this book become a movie?
Do you care if people like you? Are you okay with being polarizing?
What did you do with your first bonus check? ($75,000)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why John is so transparent and has spoken up about the Wall Street culture
His PR strategy to grow a twitter account
How Tucker Max initially helped with his book deal
If it’s wise to give Lena Dunham a $2 million book advance
Crazy stories about his day to day life in NYC, London, and Hong Kong
Why he felt compelled to share information about illegal happenings including bankers colluding on fees
Why he said writing this book turned him into a feminist
How John has learned and grown up from his earlier days (he’s married and a Dad now)

“Investment bankers take themselves too seriously.” – John LeFevre

Continue Learning:

See why over 725,000 million people follow John on Twitter: @GSElevator
Read his book: Straight To Hell: Deviance, Debauchery, & Billion-Dollar Deals
Read his articles for Business Insider: John LeFevre

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 003: The Incredibly Interesting Story Of Maurice Clarett And How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This episode was different and very interesting with the inimitable John LeFevre. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

From CNBC:

Turney Duff describes my guest best for CNBC: “In some memoirs, the author tries to pull back the curtain to provide a glimpse into a particular time and place, but LeFevre attempts to rip the drapes right off. He gives a naked look at how business in the world of finance is conducted. LeFevre captures the "Glengarry Glen Ross"-type of attitude that some believe is required to be successful on Wall Street. He doesn't shy away from witnessing and partaking in some of the seedier antics of sharing non-public information, price-fixing, misogyny, drug use and good old-fashion cut-throat office politics.”

043: Philip McKernan – Living A Meaningful Life: Being Transparent & Authentic Aug 06, 2015

Episode 043: Philip McKernan – Living A Meaningful Life: Being Transparent & Authentic

Philip McKernan is one of the most interesting human beings I’ve ever met. Philip had no fear in challenging my beliefs and even some of the ways I asked him questions during this conversation. I absolutely loved it. After we stopped recording, Philip gave me an impromptu coaching session (for 45 minutes) to help me prepare for a speech I have coming up. He said, “Think about what that audience needs to hear… And tell them that.” It was incredible. I am so grateful to now call Philip a friend.

Philip speaks around the world about the importance of overcoming personal obstacles, gaining clarity, and cultivating the confidence to believe in yourself. He has shared stages with some well-known speakers…Steven Covey, Richard Branson, the Dalai Lama to name a few, and the feedback is generally overwhelmingly positive. Through live personal leadership experiences, he has worked with all sorts of people from housewives to Olympic athletes, TV personalities and entrepreneurs, people who’ve gone bankrupt to billionaires and everything in between, and he’s uncovered that people’s dysfunctional relationship to money and their inability to get in touch with their own deep intuition inhibits their ability to gain the authentic clarity they need to live an authentic, and meaningful life. His book is Adversaries into Allies: Win People over without Manipulation or Coercion.

Episode 043: Philip McKernan – Living A Meaningful Life With Transparency & Vulnerability

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“In the absence of clarity, take action.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What is your definition of success?
How did you reinvent yourself?
How do you help people become aware of the cost of not doing meaningful work?
How do you help people know what they want versus knowing what they think they want?
What’s your process for public speaking? How do you prepare?
How can people get outside of their comfort zone?
What are your thoughts on people who are “busy?”

“Busy people are running from something.” “Complicating their lives and justifying why they are doing it” – Philip McKernan

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

His work with clients focuses on: education, knowledge, wisdom, awareness
How The pain of doing what he was doing became insurmountable
Knowing what you want vs. what you think you want. You need to focus on the why. Head and Heart
Transparency and vulnerability are the keys to success
A great process for public speaking – NEVER go on auto-pilot
A learning leader is constantly evolving
The elements that define a quality life

“We put on a mask to get others to like us. We must be vulnerable. Transparency is the key to success.” – Philip McKernan

Continue Learning

Go To Philip’s website: PhilipMcKernan.com
Read: Rich On Paper Poor On Life
Follow Philip on Twitter: @PhilipMcKernan

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Philip McKernan is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From PhilipMcKernan.com

Philip’s greatest skill is listening – although many would say it’s talking – his ability to pinpoint your deepest want or need is precisely what makes him so sought after. He cares deeply for people, and believes each of us has so much more within us, than we allow ourselves to see and therefore shine.

Philip loves the simple things in life, his wife, 2 kids, extended family, friends and spending time with himself! He loves to travel, having visited well over 70 countries around the globe for work and pleasure. He’s a keen golfer, likes to hike and loves to get out in nature, especially in his home country, Ireland. He moved to Canada in 2007 and currently resides in Vancouver.

With a knack of getting into all sorts of scenarios – he’s caddied in golf for the President of Ireland, been chased and nearly killed by a bull elephant in Nigeria, made wine in Australia, has worked with orphans in Sri Lanka and Guatemala, written 4 books despite being dyslexic – this list is endless….his wife would say “life is never dull with Philip around”.

Philip believes the path to a happy and fulfilling life is found through the meaning we derive in life through the WORK we do, our relationship to OTHERS and the most important relationship of all, the one with one’s SELF.

Philip’s soul focus is helping people create a life that means something and make money doing it.

042: Rob DeMartini – CEO of New Balance: The Leader Behind Their Explosive Growth Aug 03, 2015

Episode 042: Rob DeMartini – CEO of New Balance: The Leader Behind Their Explosive Growth

Rob DeMartini is a great leader and an even better human being. I’m very fortunate to now call him a friend. He truly understands the value of the culture and the key ingredient to a successful business is the people that work so hard to provide great products and services to their customers. We are extremely fortunate to have Rob share his knowledge with US, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Rob joined New Balance as CEO in 2007, moving to the company from Tyson Foods, where he oversaw all aspects of the company's $6 billion consumer products business. Prior to Tyson's, he was with Procter & Gamble for 18 years. Since joining New Balance, he’s grown it from a $1.5B business to now a $4 Billion business.

Rob DeMartini was named the country's Most Playful CEO (in 2011) in a nationwide search for inventive leaders who incorporate play and innovation into the work environment to encourage collaboration and teamwork.

Episode 042: Rob DeMartini – CEO of New Balance: The Leader Behind Their Explosive Growth

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Successful people have a natural curiosity, energy, and optimism.” – Rob DeMartini

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all successful leaders share?
How did you get to this point? What’s your story behind the success?
Why were you chosen to be the CEO of New Balance?
What has been the key to the massive growth at New Balance?
What are the benefits from being a private company? Why can’t public companies take the long view?
What were the biggest challenges taking over at New Balance?
What is your hiring process? How do you make those decisions?
What are some great habits you learned at Proctor & Gamble that you’ve implemented at New Balance?
What is the biggest mistake young leaders make?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of your relationships and who you have them with
The importance of culture in a business
Why people with a very high sense of personal awareness achieve success
The 5 year plan he has implemented at New Balance
The reason for high turnover after he took the role at New Balance
Why everyone should read Good to Great by Jim Collins
Why it’s important to balance both performance and a good look with your products
The importance of taking a complicated message and making it clear

“The innovation of our teams, combined with our values, is the reason we have grown.” – Rob DeMartini

Continue Learning:

· Go To: http://www.newbalance.com/

· Watch Video of Rob Names Most Playful CEO: Rob DeMartini

· Follow New Balance on Twitter: @newbalance

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Rob DeMartini is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Interesting Things About Rob

041: Bob Burg - Long Term Success The Go-Giver Way | Winning People Over Without Manipulation Jul 30, 2015

Episode 041: Bob Burg - Long Term Success The Go-Giver Way | Winning People Over Without Manipulation

Bob Burg is one of the most giving human beings I’ve ever met. Prior to us recording this episode, Bob consistently went out of his way to try and help me prepare and improve my podcast… Since we recorded he has introduced me to many extremely intelligent learning leaders. I am so grateful to Bob and so fortunate to call him a friend. This was a fantastic episode where we covered a ton of topics ranging from the definition of success to the importance of great sales professionals.

Bob Burg is a sought-after speaker at corporate conferences and for entrepreneurial events. He regularly addresses audiences ranging in size from 50 to 16,000 — sharing the platform with notables including today’s top thought leaders, broadcast personalities, Olympic athletes and political leaders including a former United States President.

Although for years he was best known for his book Endless Referrals, over the past few years it’s his business parable, The Go-Giver (coauthored with John David Mann) that has captured the heart and imagination of his readers.

Bob’s newest book is Adversaries into Allies: Win People over without Manipulation or Coercion.

Episode 041: Bob Burg - Long Term Success The Go-Giver Way | Winning People Over Without Manipulation

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Money is an echo of value.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What is the greatest piece of advice you share with others?
What separates the average performers from the best?
How do we implement these strategies into action?
What are your thoughts on go getters?
Would you consider Elon Musk and Steve Jobs “Go Givers?”
What is your definition of success?
Which individual leader has had the most influence on you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success
The importance of Zig Ziglar in his life
Shifting from an “I” focus to an “other” focus
The definition of selling (Focusing on the needs of others)
The law of value and the law of influence
The elements that define a quality life

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Continue Learning

Go To Bob’s website: www.Burg.com
Read: The Go Giver
Follow Bob on Twitter: @BobBurg

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Bob Burg is a leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Burg.com

Bob’s newest book is Adversaries into Allies: Win People Over Without Manipulation or Coercion.

Bob is an advocate, supporter and defender of the Free Enterprise system, believing that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve. And, he is also an unapologetic animal fanatic.

For more information, articles and free resources, please visit www.Burg.com

040: John Lee Dumas – Building A Brand From Nothing To Becoming A Millionaire Podcaster Jul 27, 2015

Episode 040: John Lee Dumas – Building A Brand From Nothing To Becoming A Millionaire Podcaster

This was a fantastic episode with John Lee Dumas. John is an inspiration to anyone who strives to create something from nothing and thrive. He started his podcast in September of 2012 and in May he made $525,059 in revenue. In addition to this, John coaches and mentors others to help them on their podcast journeys. When I was starting my podcast, John was one of the first people I reached out to in order to learn the craft and get some much needed guidance.

John Lee Dumas is the Founder and Host of EntrepreneurOnFire, an award winning Podcast revealing the journey of today's most inspiring Entrepreneurs 7-days a week. With over 1 million unique listens a month, and subscribers in 145 countries, thanks to compelling dialogue with interview sources such as Tim Ferris, Barbara Corcoran, Brian Tracy and Seth Godin, EntrepreneurOnFire generates over $450,000 a month in revenue.

Episode 040: John Lee Dumas – Building A Brand From Nothing To Becoming A Millionaire Podcaster

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“You are the 5 people you spend the most time with.” – Jim Rohn

Some Questions I Ask:

What is your philosophy on developing your network?
What do successful leaders have in common?
You receive 1 million listens a month to your podcast. How?
What made you share your exact income statements?
What do you do with all of the profit? (Over $400K last month)
What is your strategy for getting outside of your comfort zone?

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of your five closest friends
Why John thinks transparency is a great thing for a leader
Understanding how John follows Warren Buffet’s strategy for investing
The intense focus on helping others and how that fuels success
The importance of consistency
A learning leader is always an apprentice

“Make hay while the sun is shining.”

Continue Learning

Go to: Entrepreneur On Fire
Read the Fortune Story on John: How To Podcast For Profit
Follow John on Twitter: @johnleedumas

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 008: Pat Flynn - How To Create Passive Income...

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love learning from people who bring a new idea to the table… That is what Catriona has done. Catriona is an extremely interesting person. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From entrepreneuronfire.com

039: Nate Holzapfel – One Of The Best Shark Tank Pitches Of All Time | Teaming With Daymond John Jul 23, 2015

Episode 039: Nate Holzapfel – One Of The Best Shark Tank Pitches Of All Time | Teaming With Daymond John

I love discussing how we can all better serve our customer base. The best way to create and grow a thriving business is to create customer loyalty. Nate Holzapfel is an expert at accomplishing this task. He goes into detail on this topic in this episode.

In June 2012, he launched Mission Belt Company. The accessory industry has always held a huge portion of the fashion industry, however, no one company had focused solely on belts.

In spring of 2013, Nate appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank, pitching the Mission Belt to seek a capital investment. He struck a deal with fashion mogul and branding expert, Daymond John. Nate pitched to the Sharks that the “old way of selling is dead.” His ideology and method proved not only correct, but to be a huge success.

Episode 039: Nate Holzapfel – One Of The Best Shark Tank Pitches Of All Time | Teaming With Daymond John

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

“I love you, I love you man!” Mark Cuban to Nate Holzapfel

The Learning Leader Show

Some Questions I Ask:

What is your definition of success?
How did you get to this point with Mission Belts?
How did you get on Shark Tank?
What was your process when preparing to pitch the billionaires on TV?
What are your 10 commandments of selling?
How do you prioritize your time every day?
Why do you limit who you take advice from?
What are your goals?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The process for getting on Shark Tank
Nate’s prediction to team with Daymond John prior to pitching the Sharks
How he did $1 million in revenue in the 3 weeks after Shark Tank aired
The importance of literally showing your sales force how to sell…
The importance of TIME… not money
How others can do what Nate has done
The importance of posture and not being intimidated
Why it’s so important to invest in yourself

Continue Learning

“Never take advice from someone you wouldn’t switch places with.” – Nate Holzapfel

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 033: Erik Rydholm – How To Become ESPN’s Most Powerful Producer

Episode 032: Steve Sims – How To Create World Class Experiences | Why Elon Musk Is A Great Learning Leader

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love discussing how we can build loyalty with our customers. Nate has mastered this vital skill. I loved this episode. I’m proud to say that Nate has become a friend. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio from thenatestateofmind.com

Similarly to innovators such as Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and even Elizabeth Holmes, Nate dropped out of college to pursue a career in sales. Having sold everything from cars, to insurance in Mexico, to even houses over the phone, Nate Holzapfel became an expert in sales & marketing. He states, “I’ve always been good at my job and was always a top performer. But I felt trapped. I sold everything I own and put all of my efforts into the best idea I had. The rest is history.”

In June 2012, he launched Mission Belt Company. The accessory industry has always held a huge portion of the fashion industry, however, no one company had focused solely on belts. Fashion houses designed and created them as an afterthought. Nate had a vision to create a company that made only belts, the first of its kind in the fashion industry to ever truly brand a belt. Oakley was first with Sunglasses, Skull Candy was successful with making headphones a fashionable accessory, and Nate’s vision was to accomplish this with Mission Belts.

Find out how Nate Holzapfel not only survived in a struggling economy, but thrived in it. Create your own economy or expand upon your already solid foundation with “The Nate State of Mind” using Nate’s expertise. Nate has traveled the country as a keynote speaker and hired to assist individuals, small businesses and multinational corporations. Instead of using clichés and one-liners, Nate will speak directly to your team from his heart with meaningful, real life experiences sharing information that is relevant to growing your business in today’s world.

038: John Ruhlin – Working The Gratitude Muscle | Strategic Appreciation And Gift Giving Jul 20, 2015

Episode 038: John Ruhlin – Working The Gratitude Muscle | Strategic Appreciation And Gift Giving

This episode was absolutely packed full of action oriented takeaways to help us become better at exercising the gratitude muscle. In addition to this, John truly lives by what he says… He sent me handcrafted custom made knives with this engraving, “Hand crafted for the Ryan and Miranda Hawk Family.” He also added my Learning Leader Show logo on the knives. One of the most incredible gifts I’ve ever received!

John Ruhlin is the founder and CEO of Ruhlin Group, a firm that specializes in high-level gifting plans to build relationships and acquire new clients.

The company was originally founded as a way to market Cutco Cutlery as a high-end corporate gift to companies of all sizes. This partnership with Cutco has allowed the company to become the No. 1 distributor of Cutco in the company’s 60-year history and an active consultant to its executives and leadership.

John currently resides just outside of St. Louis with his wife, Lindsay, and two kids. He’s the co-author of the best-selling book “Cutting Edge Sales” and is a sought-after speaker on the topics of C-level selling, relationship development, and strategic gifting.

Episode 038: John Ruhlin – Working The Gratitude Muscle | Strategic Appreciation And Gift Giving

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“In our digital age, a hand written note is gold.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all successful leaders share?
How have you been so successful at getting the attention of anyone?
What percentage of revenue do you invest in gift giving?
Reframing your questioning to: “What’s the most I could give?”
What separates you from all of the others? How have you been able to dominate this space?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to master “strategic appreciation”
The importance of being a giver
Great leaders have 6 to 1 ratio of positive words to negative
How to work the gratitude muscle
An incredible story about how he got engaged
The unbelievable length John went to impress someone (Cameron Herold) that he wanted to mentor him.
How to dominate your specific space like he dominates the appreciation space

“What’s the most I could give? What’s the craziest thing I could do to show them how much I appreciate them?”

Continue Learning

Read: "Give and Take" By Adam Grant
Go To: Ruhlin Group
Follow John on Twitter: @ruhlin

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Ben Greenfield is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From ideamensch.com

John Ruhlin is the founder and CEO of Ruhlin Group, a firm that specializes in high-level gifting plans to build relationships and acquire new clients.

037: Aaron Walker – Success AND Significance – The Importance Of Both | A View From The Top Jul 16, 2015

Episode 037: Aaron Walker – Success AND Significance – The Importance Of Both | A View From The Top

Aaron Walker is a great leader and an even better human being. I’m very fortunate to now call him a friend. He truly looks out for others and has some interesting giveaways to all of YOU… The loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

For 19 years and counting, Aaron has taken classes from and has been coached personally by his friend, financial guru, Dave Ramsey. Spiritual mentors David Landrith and Bob Warren have impacted his spiritual life beyond measure. Two other disciplined mastermind groups, 48 Days led by friend Dan Miller and The Torch have played a role in his understanding of how to live a significant, successful life. Aaron incorporates education and learning opportunities into his daily routine, remaining informed of the latest tools and trends available.

Businessman and Life Coach, Aaron T. Walker, has inspired many through his leadership, mentorship, and consistent pursuit of excellence. He enjoys helping others and believes experience is a great teacher. 35 years of entrepreneurship and marriage have given Aaron a wealth of experience. Aaron continues to reach new heights and broaden his perspective of the terrain by examining his experiences and growing from them.

Episode 037: Aaron Walker – Success AND Significance – The Importance Of Both | A View From The Top

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio .

The Learning Leader Show

“You should fear missing an opportunity more than you fear failure.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all successful leaders share?
How did you get to this point? What’s your story behind the success?
What is your process for being both a mentor and a mentee?
What does success and significance mean to you?
Give me the visual for what your mastermind meetings look like? Where do you go? Who leads them? What do you all talk about?
Who are some great learning leaders that you know and/or study?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of having trusted advisors
The importance of a brutally honest mastermind group
Success and Significance… Why it’s important to have both
About a tragic moment (car accident) in Aaron’s life and how he handled it
The importance of being an avid reader
The effect his mom had on him and his no quit attitude
What is behind his “encourage, empower, engage” style of leading

“You’re the type of guy I like to do life with. I can tell you are so genuine.”

Continue Learning:

· Go To: www.Viewfromthetop.com/RyanHawk

· See what Dave Ramsey has said about Aaron: Dave Ramsey

· Follow Aaron on Twitter: @VFTCoach

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Aaron Walker is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From ViewFromTheTop.com

It only took a few years as a partner with David Patton Construction LLC for Aaron to help take the business from doing one to two projects per year to a multi-million dollar company, voted number one builder for three consecutive years by Nashville's House & Home & Garden Magazine's People's Choice Awards. He sold his retail business to Cash America USA, a Fortune 500 company. In addition to being the owner of eight lucrative businesses, Aaron participates in civic endeavors.

Through his participation in personal accountability groups, Aaron mentors 11 individuals weekly now and has for over five years. The Eagles Group, a collection of Nashville's most respected leaders met weekly for over a decade. At his local church, Aaron is an active member, team leader, Deacon, and teacher.

Aaron values his time spent with family and friends. Sharing the past 35 years with his lovely wife Robin has been nothing short of spectacular. His two fantastic daughters and champion sons-in-law have given Aaron & Robin four beautiful grandchildren. When time allows, Aaron enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, and is an avid reader. A graduate of George Washington University (Economics), Johnson lives in Portland, Oregon. He considers himself a full-time student of books and a bad chess player in good practice.

036: Chris Johnson – “The Relationships You Have Will Define The Quality Of Your Life” | Working with Seth Godin, Ariana Huffington, and Ryan Holiday Jul 13, 2015

Episode 036: Chris Johnson – “The Relationships You Have Will Define The Quality Of Your Life” | Working with Seth Godin, Ariana Huffington, and Ryan Holiday

This episode was absolutely packed full of action oriented takeaways to help us all improve in each of our environments. I love the strategy Chris employs to maintain such a great and giving network… You’ll learn about his 52X group, his 8X group, and his 2X group. These are new strategies that haven’t been shared before that you can implement today.

Chris Johnson is the founder of Simplifilm, a motion graphics and trailer studio for bestselling authors, startups, and Fortune 500 companies. He’s a ceaseless entrepreneur and salesman who has tested his skills at everything from political fundraising, web design and real estate. Since founding Simplifilm in 2010, he’s become a paid advisor to leaders in many fields including New York Times bestselling authors and entrepreneurs and worked for and with the likes of Brad Feld, Ryan Holiday, Robert Greene, Seth Godin and many others.

A graduate of George Washington University (Economics), Johnson lives in Portland, Oregon. He considers himself a full-time student of books and a bad chess player in good practice.

Episode 036: Chris Johnson – “The Relationships You Have Will Define The Quality Of Your Life” | Working with Seth Godin, Ariana Huffington, and Ryan Holiday

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what brings you alive.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all successful leaders share?
How did you get to this point? What’s your story behind the success?
What is a 52X network?
What is your philosophy on exceptional customer service?
What does GRATT mean?
Who are some great learning leaders that you know and/or study?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The common thread amongst Ariana Huffington, Ryan Holiday, and Seth Godin
The importance of having bracketed networks (3 groups)
The process for creating some of the best videos in the world
The importance of “Know, Do, Feel”
Goal, Requirement, Action, Tone, Target
Advice to people running a business (Hint: Empathy)
The importance of feedback loops

“The relationships you have will define the quality of your life.”

Continue Learning

Read: The Ryan Holiday Book List
Go To: http://simplifilm.com/
Follow Chris on Twitter: @genuinechris

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Chris Johnson is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Simplifilm.com

A graduate of George Washington University (Economics), Johnson lives in Portland, Oregon. He considers himself a full-time student of books and a bad chess player in good practice.

035: Dr. Catriona Wallace – How To Go Where The Money Is… Jul 09, 2015

Episode 035: Dr. Catriona Wallace – How To Go Where The Money Is…

This was a very interesting conversation with Dr. Catriona Wallace… Catriona has an extremely interesting story to tell about the multiple businesses she runs and how she does it. She is based out of Australia but also spends a great amount of time in The United States to grow her businesses on a global scale.

Catriona is the CEO of three Sydney-based companies, Fifth Quadrant, a Customer Experience Strategy, Design, Research & Analyst firm; Flamingo, a Customer Engagement & Analytics platform software company (www.flamingo.io) and ACA Research, a full service market research firm.

In 2014 Catriona was inducted into the Australian Business Women's Hall of Fame, was selected as one of the top Australian female entrepreneurs by Springboard Enterprises and was a Finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Telstra Business Women's Awards.

Catriona has a Phd in Organisational Behaviour: Leadership. She is a well published author and international public speaker on the topics of the Future of Customer Experience, Co-creation, Entrepreneurism and Innovation, Data Analytics, new models of Leadership and new models of Philanthropy.

Catriona is also the mother of 5 kids.

Episode 035: Dr. Catriona Wallace – How To Go Where The Money Is…

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what brings you alive.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What are common characteristics of people who have achieved success?
What do you feel obligated to?
How do you ensure to always go where the money is?
What is the importance of having the end game in mind?
How do you manage to run 4 businesses at once? And be a single mother to 5 kids?
Which individual leader has had the most influence on you?

“Your business needs three things: Money, Sales, and Vision.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of having a strong purpose
That Catriona once worked with the police force (but that it was corrupt)
The importance of focusing on the user experience (Facebook, Instagram)
The 3 most important aspects of running a business (Money, Sales, Vision)
Why we must be uncomfortable at all times to grow
The need to take risks
A learning leader is always listening to the market and finding the gap

Continue Learning

Read this LifeHacker article on Catriona: I'm Dr Catriona Wallace And This Is How I Work
Read About Catriona being inducted in the Australian BusinessWomen’s Hall of Fame: Catriona Wallace - Hall Of Fame
Follow Catriona on Twitter: @catrionawallace

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Dr. Catriona Wallace LinkedIn

In 2013 Catriona led the Fifth Quadrant Group to win the Telstra Business Awards NSW Business of the Year & NSW Medium Business of the Year.

Catriona is also the founder of Philanthropic funds - Indigo Express Fund which funds Indigenous Literacy; Kids in Philanthropy which mobilizes children to have a broader social consciousness and fund children in need; and Out & Up an employment Program for Women Prisoners, Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords Jul 06, 2015

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Wounded While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

I am honored to know Jimmy Hatch. He truly is an American Hero. He was wounded while on a search mission for Bowe Bergdahl (the US Soldier who has since been charged with desertion). This episode was incredible. To hear the real life stories and the danger that Jimmy has been in to serve our great country is incredibly inspiring.

In July 2009, Jimmy Hatch’s team - part of the Navy's Special Warfare Development Group - was on a search mission in eastern Afghanistan. The warriors landed in the dark and were hit with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades as they made their way across a field.

Jimmy was an old hand at this kind of mission. He'd become a SEAL in 1990 and joined his elite unit in 1994, back when there was no war. After six years, he left the unit to teach parachuting. When war broke out, he pushed hard to get back to Virginia Beach.

That was in 2004. Now, five years later, Jimmy was a senior chief, a leader of expert commandos, strong and alert and brimming with confidence. He was one of the toughest guys in the world. The bullet that found his leg exploded through his femur just above the knee. It exited with pieces of bone and flung him through the air. The pain was exquisite. In the seconds it took him to land, he told himself not to scream because that would give away the location of the men around him. Then his lungs filled with air, and he couldn't help it. He screamed in agony. Two SEALs shot their way through the firefight, stabilized him and shot their way back out to pull him to safety. – Credit Dianna Cahn from hamptonroads.com/

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Wounded While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“There is a vetting process. If you weren’t invested, then people would die.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What does being invested mean to you? And others in the military?
How did you and Gabby Giffords become friends?
Your mission was the get Bowe Bergdahl… How do you feel about him? Do you see him as a deserter?
What did you learn about your team when adversity struck?
Why do you have such a strong connection with dogs?
How have you learned about the strength of people when they are faced with challenges?
Which individual leader has had the most influence on you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of investment and what it means to Navy SEALs
The specific feelings going through Jimmy’s head when he got shot
The importance of leaders being transparent
The challenges faced when coming home from battle
How Jimmy dealt with alcohol and drugs
The importance of preparation in battle and in life
The elements that define a quality life

“When I got shot, I went from being in command, to being a spectator.”

Continue Learning

Go To Jimmy’s website: http://spikesk9fund.org/
Read article referenced in podcast by Dianna Cahn: Jimmy Hatch
Read about Jimmy and Gabby Giffords Skydiving together: Jimmy Hatch & Gabby Giffords

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a huge honor for me. Jimmy Hatch is a leader who is a real life American Hero. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From http://spikesk9fund.org/

Spikes K9 Fund was founded by James Hatch, a retired Special Warfare Operator. As a K9 handler on several deployments, James’ life was regularly spared by the work of K9s – one of the most memorable was Spike. And on James’ final deployment, the night he was critically wounded, a K9 spared James’ life while losing his own. From that evening on, James oriented his life around the training, care and preservation of working dogs. In addition to working as the founder and president of the fund, he works with local law enforcement and has adopted a former service dog in need of medical attention.

From Dianna Cahn: hamptonroads.com -- In July 2009, Jimmy Hatch’s team - part of the Navy's Special Warfare Development Group - was on a search mission in eastern Afghanistan. The warriors landed in the dark and were hit with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades as they made their way across a field.

033: Erik Rydholm – How To Become ESPN’s Most Powerful Producer Jul 02, 2015

Episode 033: Erik Rydholm – How To Become ESPN’s Most Powerful Producer

I am always fascinated to learn about how something great gets created… In addition to that, I love to learn about the day to day process on how that same thing continues to be great and improve on a daily basis. Erik Rydholm shares the details behind how three great TV shows were created and the work it takes on a daily basis in order to continually improve. This is an incredible episode of The Learning Leader Show. Erik is extremely intelligent, engaging, and giving. I love this episode.

Erik Rydholm is Executive Producer of Pardon The Interruption (With Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon), Around The Horn, Dan LeBatard is Highly Questionable. Erik has pioneered the growth of PTI as the program has increased ratings and viewership each year since its inception, and it earned the 2009 Emmy for Outstanding Studio Show.

Episode 033: Erik Rydholm – How To Become ESPN’s Most Powerful Producer

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Here's my only real management philosophy: I turn the org chart upside-down—it's the responsibility of the boss to set and maintain the foundation from which everyone else in the company builds”

Some Questions I Ask:

What is one characteristic all successful people share?
What is it like to work with two legends? Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon?
Will type of disruption is Netflix causing in the television world?
Walk us through a pre-show meeting… What’s the process for creating a show?
What are the most impressive aspects of Bill Simmons that we don’t already know?
What are some things about you and your work that would surprise us?
Which individual leader has had the most influence on you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why curiosity is so vitally important in successful leaders
About the 10 laugh out loud moments a day he has with Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon
Erik’s thoughts on Steve Jobs’ leadership and how he’s different
The tools Erik and his team use to create the show and share ideas
The importance of a leader setting the foundation
The elements that define a quality life

“Leadership is a decision making job”

Continue Learning

Read This Article by Richard Deitsch about Erik: Erik Rydholm
Follow Erik on Twitter: @ErikRydholm

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Erik Rydholm is a thoughtful leader who brought huge value to The Learning leader Show. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio: Erik Rydholm

032: Steve Sims – How To Create World Class Experiences | Why Elon Musk Is A Great Learning Leader Jun 29, 2015

032: Steve Sims – How To Create World Class Experiences | Why Elon Musk Is A Great Learning Leader

Steve Sims is one of the coolest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. He leads a life that most people would love to lead. I am very grateful that John Corcoran introduced Steve to me. This was a fantastic episode where we covered a ton of topics ranging from how Steve creates the best experiences in the world for his clients to how he now is a regular speaker at Harvard! I promise you will love this episode.

Steve Sims is the visionary founder of Bluefish: the world’s first luxury concierge that delivers the highest level of personalized travel, transportation, and cutting-edge entertainment services to corporate executives, celebrities, professional athletes, and other discerning individuals interested in living life to its fullest.

Episode 032: Steve Sims – How To Create World Class Experiences | Why Elon Musk Is A Great Learning Leader

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

“Your Imperfections are your perfections.” – Steve Sims

The Learning Leader Show

“Nurture and invest in your relationships, don’t focus on it just being a business relationship. It’s always personal.” – Steve Sims

Some Questions I Ask:

What is the one common characteristic in all successful people?
How did you get started in this profession?
What is the definition of a cool person that you want to hang out with?
How do you related to affluent clientele?
Where does your work ethic stem from?
What is your dream event?
Why is Elon Musk such a great learning leader?
Which individual leader has had the most influence on you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why being massively curious is the key to success
About Steve becoming the real life “wizard of oz”
Steve’s experiences with Mike Tyson
About the makeup of a great learning leader like Elon Musk
Why Jayson Gaignard’s attention to detail is so powerful and inspiring
The importance of reaching out to your network constantly
The elements that define a quality life

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Continue Learning

Go To BlueFish: http://thebluefish.com/
Go To Steve’s website: http://www.uglysims.com/
Follow BlueFish on Twitter: @Bluefishgroup

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a loaded episode full of great content. Steve Sims is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From UglySims.com

Just some of the extraordinary experiences that Steve and his Bluefish team have made possible for his A-list clientele include: Visiting the International Space Station, Taking a submarine trip to the Titanic, Becoming James Bond for a weekend in Monte Carlo, Hanging out and jamming with celebrity recording artists, such as Guns & Roses drummer Matt Sorum and playing guitar with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Taking private cooking lessons with the world’s finest executive chefs, Trekking on a luxury safari in the Amazon & Serengeti, Joining a filmed marine conservation expedition to the Pacific Islands, Heading out on the legendary Sardine Run in Southern Africa, Singing live on stage with legendary rock band Journey, Having Florida Georgia Line sing “Happy Birthday” in a private backstage concert, Meeting and greeting renowned recording artists and celebrities, Enjoying a walk-on role on a hit TV show

In addition, Steve has also:

Launched BLUECause, which has raised over half a million dollars for non-profit organizations – without taking ONE CENT in administrative or any other fees

Been featured in Ivy League publications, including: Forbes, The Wall St. Journal, South China Post and The London Times and over 50 others

Invited to speak regularly at Luxury Clubs, Entrepreneurial Groups & Universities worldwide, and even had the honor to Speak at Harvard – TWICE!

Been featured on over 30 TV shows

031: Gary Vaynerchuk on Leadership, Self-Awareness, Empathy, and Bill Parcells Jun 25, 2015

Episode 031: Gary Vaynerchuk on Leadership, Self-Awareness, Empathy, and Bill Parcells

I originally sent a cold email to Gary roughly 6 months ago asking him to be one of the first guests on my podcast, The Learning Leader Show. He initially responded and said, “No, I won’t do it as I’m not recording any podcasts now, but maybe you can convince me to do it later.” Well, six months later (after many emails), Gary and I recorded an incredible episode. I’m extremely proud of this, and I was especially happy to hear the kind words Gary shared about me and the persistence I showed as well as how I handled a couple scheduling issues we’ve had along the way. Enjoy this episode with the Great Gary Vaynerchuk!

Gary Vaynerchuk is an entrepreneur, investor, author, public speaker, and an internet personality with millions of follows across multiple social media platforms. Gary has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, GQ, and Time. He’s appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Ellen.

Welcome To Episode 031: Gary Vaynerchuk on Leadership, Self-Awareness, Empathy, and Bill Parcells

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“I want to build the single biggest building in town.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

Some Questions I Ask:

What is the most common characteristic shared amongst the most successful people you know?
What is the #1 trait you look for in a business partner?
What is your interviewing process?
How do you prioritize your time?
How have you developed such a great network of successful people?
Do you care if people like you? Are you okay with being polarizing?
How do you always maintain so much energy?
Who are examples of great learning leaders?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of self-esteem AND self-awareness
The characteristics you need to have to work with him
Gary’s method for “hiring fast and firing fast”
Why he chose to do this specific podcast, The Learning Leader Show
The most important values he learned from his Mom and Dad
The powerful of being full of gratitude
Why Bill Parcells is a better coach than Phil Jackson
Gary’s biggest flaw as a person

“Your energy level should come from always having a high level of gratitude.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

Continue Learning:

Go to Gary's website
See why over 1.1 million people follow Gary on Twitter: @garyvee
Read his book: Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook
Read his book: The Thank You Economy
Read his book: Crush It!

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 003: The Incredibly Interesting Story Of Maurice Clarett And How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This episode was absolutely jam packed with great information on a variety of topics. Gary was incredibly inspirational. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

From www.garyvaynerchuk.com in his own words:

I have been a businessman for as long as anyone close to me can remember. You can be fancy and call it being an "entrepreneur," but at the end of the day, I do business. While most eight year olds were learning how to properly squeeze a lemon, I was managing seven lemonade stands across my neighborhood in Edison, NJ. When I turned twelve, I set my sights on my local mall, where I became something of a legend selling baseball cards on weekends. In high school I joined the family business, a liquor store called Shoppers Discount Liquors that my dad started. It wasn’t long before I became obsessed with collecting wine.

My core thesis has always revolved around one question: Are you marketing like the year you actually live in? That’s it. It’s not about where things are going to be in 5 years, and it’s definitely not about how we’ve always done it. Do what works. Right now.

In 1997 I was selling wine with an email list while most stores were still faxing their customers. Building on that, I quickly came to recognize the importance of e-commerce, and launched WineLibrary.com, one of the very first wine sales sites. As soon as Google Adwords came out, I was the first (and for a long time the only) person to advertise against people searching for “wine.” All of this helped me to grow the store from a $3 million business to a $60 million business, and it was just the beginning.

Within a year of YouTube popping up, I knew it would be an incredibly powerful platform. Armed with a Flipcam and a NY Jets bucket, I started Wine Library TV in 2006 to share my knowledge and passion for wine with a community that desperately needed a fresh voice. It wasn’t long before 100,000 people were watching my videos every day (shout-out to my Vayniacs – love you guys).

In the spring of 2009, my brother AJ and I launched VaynerMedia, a strategic creative agency focusing on social and digital. VaynerMedia has helped Fortune 500 companies like GE, PepsiCo, and Mt Dew execute against their KPI’s, and build their digital brands through micro content and other storytelling techniques. The idea took hold, and what started as a 6-person project 5 years ago has swelled to a 400-strong team spread across the country.

After years of angel investing in companies like Twitter, Tumblr, Uber and BirchBox, I just launched VaynerRSE, a $25 million seed fund that will help invest in and launch the next generation of world-changing technology companies.

When I’m not spending time with my family, who mean everything in the world to me, I speak and share my experiences in business with people around the world. I have also found a passion for storytelling, so definitely check out my latest book, Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook. I’m so excited you have taken a few minutes out of your day to drop by. Don’t forget to say hey.

PS: I love to hustle!

030: Keith Hawk – Being An Effective Business Leader Is A Lot Like Being A Great Dad Jun 21, 2015

Episode 030: Keith Hawk – Being An Effective Business Leader Is A Lot Like Being A Great Dad

This episode was very special to me as I had the opportunity to record a phenomenal episode with the greatest learning leader I’ve ever known. This is a really special Father’s Day episode. There are a ton of actionable takeaways for all of YOU: The great listeners and friends of The Learning Leader Show…

Keith is a 35-year veteran sales professional and sales leader. Over the course of his career he has developed a rich understanding of what it takes to be a successful sales professional. For over 15 years he's led one of America's greatest sales organizations, at LexisNexis. He continues in a customer focused role to this day at that global organization, speaking to customer groups around the world on the topic of solving business problems with the solutions offered by his firm. In addition, he continues to lecture regularly on topics such as leadership, selling to executives, and his personal favorite: the true role of the sales professional.

Episode 030: Keith Hawk – Being An Effective Business Leader Is A Lot Like Being A Great Dad

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

“Your job as a parent is to open doors for your kids to find their passion.”

The Learning Leader Show

“It’s your duty as a leader to be in a great mood.” – Keith Hawk

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all successful leaders share?
What advice do you give to a 25 year old young professional?
What is a “Conscious Competent”?
What do you say to those who view positive psychology with skepticism?
How do you prepare for a big speech to thousands of people?
How can people prepare their kids to be professional athletes?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why trust is so important to be a successful leader
The importance of being a great communicator and great writer
The definition for success
Why you should write in a daily journal
The role we play to help children find their passion
The elements that define a quality life
Why soldiers and athletes tend to be great employees

Continue Learning

Read Keith’s Book: Get Real Selling
Go To: http://getrealselling.com/presenters.htm
Follow Keith on Twitter: @DKHawk30

“When it comes to great leaders, it starts with trust.”

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 023: AJ Hawk – Why Does This Show Exist? What Does The Future Hold?

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a very special episode for me and I absolutely loved it. My Dad shared exceptional content and it was so much fun! Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From http://getrealselling.com

Keith is a 32-year veteran sales professional and sales leader. Over the course of his career he has developed a rich understanding of what it takes to be a successful sales professional. For over ten years he led one of America's greatest sales organizations, at LexisNexis. He continues in a customer focused role to this day at that global organization, speaking to customer groups around the world on the topic of solving business problems with the solutions offered by his firm. In addition, he continues to lecture regularly on topics such as consultative selling, selling to executives, and his personal favorite: the true role of the sales professional.

029: Dave Carroll – How To Create A Movement Through Storytelling (United Breaks Guitars) Jun 18, 2015

Episode 029: Dave Carroll – How To Create A Movement Through Storytelling (United Breaks Guitars)

Known as a master storyteller, Dave Carroll’s incredible talent was introduced to millions when his 2009 anthem ‘United Breaks Guitars’ became a worldwide sensation. The song chronicled his experience in the customer service process with United Airlines. His creative use of social media to share that message as an Independent Musician, has reached over 150 million people. As the #1 most watched YouTube Music Video in the world in July 2009, United Breaks Guitars has been called ‘one of the most important [videos] in Google’s history,’ and became a metaphor for change and innovation. Dave Carroll and United Breaks Guitars are now recognized as ‘household names.’ United Breaks Guitars won the 2009 Music Nova Scotia Video of the Year Award and Dave Carroll was award the 2009 Music Nova Scotia Digital Artist of the Year. Dave was also nominated for the 2010 ECMA for Entertainer of the Year.

Episode 029: Dave Carroll – How To Create A Movement Through Storytelling (United Breaks Guitars)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

The Learning Leader Show

“Your comfort zone can be your worst enemy.”

Some Questions I Ask:

Why is storytelling so powerful?
What is your process for writing a song?
What was your thought process when writing “United Breaks Guitars”?
When was a specific moment that you knew you had created something special?
How can regular people make a viral video?
What does the term learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How Whoopi Goldberg gave him the idea to license “United Breaks Guitars”
About Dave’s song creating a 10% drop in United’s stock… Worth $180 million
Dave’s feelings on Harvard Business School using his video as a case study
The specific moment when Dave realized he had gone viral
Startups he’s involved in
The elements that define a quality life

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Continue Learning

Go To Dave’s website: http://www.davecarrollmusic.com/main/
Read Dave’s book: United Breaks Guitars
Follow Dave on Twitter: @DaveCarroll

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content. Dave Carroll is leader who has created a drastic change in the customer service industry. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From http://www.davecarrollmusic.com/bio/

Dave Carroll is an award winning singer-songwriter, professional speaker, author and social media innovator based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He began his music career with his brother Don in the band Sons of Maxwell and has been enjoying success as a solo artist since 2008. He released his debut solo album Perfect Blue in 2008 and a second solo album in 2012 called Raincoat in Vegas. For over two decades, Dave has charmed fans with his approach to music. His ability to extract the essence of a message and craft it into song is a rare gift that is attracting fans of all ages, while his sense of humor and disarmingly warm stage presence makes each live experience a memorable one for audiences around the world.

Known as a master storyteller, Dave’s incredible talent was introduced to millions when his 2009 anthem ‘United Breaks Guitars’ became a worldwide sensation. The song chronicled his experience in the customer service process with United Airlines. His creative use of social media to share that message as an Independent Musician, has reached over 150 million people. As the #1 most watched YouTube Music Video in the world in July 2009, United Breaks Guitars has been called ‘one of the most important [videos] in Google’s history,’ and became a metaphor for change and innovation. Dave Carroll and United Breaks Guitars are now recognized as ‘household names.’ United Breaks Guitars won the 2009 Music Nova Scotia Video of the Year Award and Dave Carroll was award the 2009 Music Nova Scotia Digital Artist of the Year. Dave was also nominated for the 2010 ECMA for Entertainer of the Year.

The United Breaks Guitars trilogy has awakened companies everywhere to the importance of focusing on the customer and on delivering exceptional customer experience. Dave Carroll is a musician with a message, demonstrating the power one voice can have in today’s socially driven world. Dave has become internationally famous as one of the world’s top media relations innovators & customer experience authorities. He is also widely sought after as a content creator & songwriter.

Dave has been featured in major news media around the world (including ABC’s ‘The View,’ ABC’s 20/20, CNN, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Rolling Stone Magazine, Wall Street Journal & BBC to name a few). Several case studies and book references about United Breaks Guitars have been published including one’s by Harvard Business School, University of Toronto and a Thesis by Allison Soule for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. On February 16th, 2011, Dave Carroll and United Breaks Guitars were featured as part of a question/answer on the hit show Jeopardy.

Dave has testified (and sung) on Capitol Hill in Washington, delivered keynotes at Columbia University’s Brite Conference, TedX Hoboken, NewComm Forum, Mesh Conference, Atlantic Brand Confabulation (with Gene Simmons), SXSW Interactive, The Power of PR CPRS Conference, G-Force Prague, G-Force Melbourne & other significant customer service & corporate events (including for RightNow Technologies & Sandvik Coromant).

028: Jeff Goins – The Art of Work… Be A Little Bit Uncomfortable Everyday Jun 15, 2015

Episode 028: Jeff Goins – The Art of Work… Be A Little Bit Uncomfortable Everyday

Jeff Goins’ latest book, “The Art of Work” is a powerful piece of literature that combines inspiring stories and how they can apply to all of our daily lives. His book has morphed into a full blown movement.

Originally from Chicago, Jeff moved to Nashville after graduating from college and spending a year traveling with a band.

In college, he studied Spanish and Religion and spent part of his Junior year in Spain, which unlocked a passion for travel, writing, and making a difference in the world. After a year of letter-writing and long-distance phone calls, he moved to Tennessee to “see about a girl.” In 2008, he married her.

Now, he lives with his wife Ashley, their son Aiden, and their dog Lyric just outside of Nashville. He’s the former Communications Director for Adventures in Missions, a nonprofit organization, and spends his time writing books and trying to take over the Internet.

He’s written and guest-blogged for over 100 magazines, publications, and blogs. He’s also a speaker, online writing teacher, and consultant.

He’s written four books including The Art of Work (March 2015), teach a popular online course called Tribe Writers, and makes the world’s best guacamole.

Episode 028: Jeff Goins – The Art of Work… Be A Little Bit Uncomfortable Everyday

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Ideas are cheap. Actions are costly.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What is one characteristic all successful people share?
Why couldn’t you call yourself a writer?
Why did your book publishers want you to open with a different story?
When was a specific moment that you knew you had created something special?
What is the primary advice you give to people?
What does the term learning leader mean to you?
Which individual leader has had the most influence on you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How a lot of successful people have many fears
The power of storytelling and the impact it has on people
The principles in finding your vocation/legacy
What it was like saying “Babe, you don’t have to go back to work”
Why we need to all be a little bit uncomfortable everyday
The elements that define a quality life

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Continue Learning

Go To Jeff’s website: http://goinswriter.com/
Read Jeff’s book: The Art of Work
Follow John on Twitter: @JeffGoins

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From GoinsWriter.com

Hi. I’m Jeff, the author of four books including The Art of Work, which you can get right now.

A little about me: I believe we all have a story to tell, but sometimes the best stories don’t get the attention they deserve. I’ve been writing for most of my life, but only recently stepped into my true calling as a writer. I started this blog in 2010 with some burning questions:

How do writers make a living?

What does it really take to get published?

How do you pursue a passion without burning yourself out?

What I found in this search was a community of like-minded individuals sharing many of the same struggles. Here is where we wage war on the blank page, where we band together to find purpose in our art and lives, where we discover our true voices. If you have a passion for creativity and changing the world, this is for you. I usually publish new articles and podcasts two to three times per week and always seek to serve my readers.

027: John Corcoran – How To Be As Charismatic As President Bill Clinton Jun 12, 2015

Episode 027: John Corcoran – How To Be As Charismatic As President Bill Clinton

John Corcoran is one of the most giving human beings I’ve ever met. Prior to us recording this episode, John consistently went out of his way to introduce me to other inspiring leaders… Since we recorded he has introduced me to many more extremely intelligent learning leaders. I am so grateful to John and so fortunate to call him a friend. This was a fantastic episode where we covered a ton of topics ranging from hearing world leaders argue in the white house to the best way to tell someone thank you. I promise you will get a lot out of this episode.

John Corcoran has worked in Hollywood, written speeches for President Bill Clinton and lost his job when Arnold Schwarzenegger became the Governator. Even though he's lived in California most of his life, he is the world's worst surfer, although he does speak Valley Girl fluently. His day job is working with small business owners and entrepreneurs as a lawyer and business advisor.

Episode 027: John Corcoran – How To Be As Charismatic As President Bill Clinton

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Do not underestimate the value of a small gesture.”

Some Questions I Ask:

How did you get the job in the Clinton White House?
What did you learn the most from Bill Clinton?
How do you sense the difference between a giver and a taker?
Where does your ethic stem from?
Why do we fail to implement after learning a great new idea?
What impact did your Dad getting fired have on you?
Which individual leader has had the most influence on you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why and how President Bill Clinton was so charismatic
The importance of consistently making introductions
What it means to give when you do not have any power
Why Jayson Gaignard’s attention to detail is so powerful and inspiring
Why humility is a key trait in a Learning Leader
The elements that define a quality life

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Continue Learning

Go To John’s website: http://smartbusinessrevolution.com/
Read Jayson Gaignard’s book: Mastermind Dinners
Follow John on Twitter: @JohnCorcoran

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From SmartBusinessRevolution.com

In John’s words: At 23 years old, I landed a job as a Writer in the Clinton White House.

I didn’t go to an Ivy League School, come from a family of wealthy donors, or have any “insider connections” to land me the job.

I got the job because I’m good at developing relationships with the right people. I’m good at getting to know VIPs and other successful leaders.

I wasn’t always good at relationships. In fact, I was pretty clueless about social cues when I was younger. I would come home from school in junior high and play video games for hours. It was pretty pathetic.

Then my father got laid off. In fact, my Dad got laid off three separate times while I was growing up. Each time, we went from living a comfortable life to barely making ends meet.

I desperately wanted him to call someone up and say “give me a job!” But he couldn’t, because he didn’t have the relationships.

That experience taught me the importance of building and nurturing relationships with VIPs, top performers and other influential people who don’t just know you, but who like you and want to help you succeed.

Your Competitors Are Making More Money Than You Because They Have a Better Network

Every year, tens of thousands of people lose their jobs. And thousands of small businesses go under. Far too often, people suffer because they don’t have the right relationships to help them get ahead.

The business world is not a pure meritocracy. Getting an education, going to a good school, and getting a good job is not enough to cut it. Too many good businesses go under because their owners don’t create the right relationships.

The people who are really successful – and who get the best rewards – reach the top because they actively seek out the right network.

A Powerful Personal Network Will Make the Difference Between Rich and Being Ignored

I have used the same relationship strategies that got me a White House job again and again. In Hollywood. Working in the heart of Silicon Valley. And in starting and running my own boutique law firm that brings in over six figures of revenue each year.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet (and work for) Presidents and famous CEOs. My writing has been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, Art of Manliness, and on some of the most popular blogs and podcasts today. I’ve interviewed an incredible array of successful entrepreneurs. I’ve gotten some incredible perks.

I don’t say these things to brag; I am saying all this to show you what is possible for you.

I want to show you that you can use positive, “win-win” relationships to move forward in the business world. Even if you are shy, or introverted. Even if you hate marketing yourself. And even if the idea of “networking” makes you want to puke.

026: Ben Greenfield – How To Become Super Human and Hack Your Environment… Jun 10, 2015

Episode 026: Ben Greenfield – How To Become Super Human and Hack Your Environment…

This episode was absolutely packed full of action oriented takeaways to help us all “hack our environments.” I always take notes while recording these podcasts… With that said, I’ve never written down as much as I did with this episode. Ben shared a number of different tips to help us all live a better, more meaningful life.

Ben Greenfield’s mission is to show you how to get your body performing at peak capacity, with maximum fat burning efficiency and ideal hormonal and health status, in the safest and fastest way possible.

Rather than pounding you with complex workout videos and difficult diets, Ben will instead teach you how to achieve your goals by optimizing lifestyle parameters that go way beyond simply “exercise and healthy eating.

You’ll learn about fat burning efficiency zones, gut health, mental performance, maximizing recovery, boosting libido, and enhancing every possible aspect of your body – rather than just work out like a madman and eating boring food.

Episode 026: Ben Greenfield – How To Become Super Human and Hack Your Environment…

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what brings you alive.”

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all successful leaders share?
Why did you originally decide to home school your boys?
How do you raise super human kids?
How would your parenting style be different if you had girls?
What are some tips for people who work from 8:00 – 5:00 every day in an office?
Which individual leader has had the most influence on you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to hack your environment (one tip: get a stand up desk)
How to get in touch with food… How to grow a garden
The definition for success
Why you should write in The Five Minute Journal
How your kids can be super human
The elements that define a quality life
The secret behind the anti-aging clinics

Continue Learning

Read: Beyond Training- Mastering, Endurance, Health & Life
Go To: bengreenfieldfitness.com
Follow Ben on Twitter: @BenGreenfield

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From BenGreenfieldfitness.com

025: Mike Michalowicz – Why You Should Put Profit First… Jun 07, 2015

Episode 025: Mike Michalowicz – Why You Should Put Profit First…

This was a very interesting conversation with Mike Michalowicz… Mike has had some very great moments and some low moments… Including a heartbreaking story about telling his family he went broke. The response from his daughter in particular was incredible. You’ll want to hear Mike tell this story…

By his 35th birthday MIKE MICHALOWICZ (pronounced mi-‘kal-o-wits) had founded and sold two multi-million dollar companies. Confident that he had the formula to success, he became an angel investor… and proceeded to lose his entire fortune.

Then he started all over again, driven to find better ways to grow healthy, strong companies. Among other innovative strategies, Mike created the “Profit First Formula”, a way for businesses to ensure profitability from their very next deposit forward.

Mike is now running his third million dollar venture, is a former small business columnist for The Wall Street Journal; is the former MSNBC business make-over expert; is a popular keynote speaker on innovative entrepreneurial topics; and is the author of Profit First, The Pumpkin Plan and The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, which BusinessWeek deemed “the entrepreneur’s cult classic.”

Episode 025: Mike Michalowicz – Why You Should Put Profit First…

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what brings you alive.”

Some Questions I Ask:

Why do we fail to execute on these great ideas?
Why don’t you like the content that Tim Ferriss produces?
What is one exercise people can do to get out of their comfort zone?
Which three people would you love to be at your dinner table?
What books have influenced you most?
Which individual leader has had the most influence on you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The heart breaking story of his daughter offering up her piggy bank when Mike went broke
How to use swearing well
Tactics to become a better public speaker
How Dale Carnegie has influenced him so much
How to properly set goals
The elements that define a quality life
How long it takes to become an overnight success

Continue Learning

Read: Profit First
Read: The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur
Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeMichalowicz

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love learning from people who bring a new idea to the table… That is what Mike has done. Mike is an extremely interesting person. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From mikemichalowicz.com

024: Natalie Jill – How To Be Healthy, Happy, and Fit… And How Natalie Maintains Great Abs Year Round Jun 04, 2015

Episode 024: Natalie Jill – How To Be Healthy, Happy, and Fit… And How Natalie Maintains Great Abs Year Round

This was an extremely enjoyable episode for me. Natalie Jill is a very intelligent leader who has a fantastic understanding of the human body. I promise you will have more knowledge about your body after listening to this episode. This is episode is great for anyone who wants to learn more about the specific activities (lifestyle eating and exercise) to be healthy, happy, and fit.

Natalie Jill helps millions of people become the healthier versions of themselves… In her words: I DECIDED to fix things. I put everything I knew into play- from goal setting, to vision boards, to eating unprocessed foods, positive thinking and getting negatives OUT of my life. I did NOT starve myself. I didn’t try any fad “quick fixes”, I didn’t do dangerous diet pills and I didn’t do unhealthy calorie restrictions…I used a FORMULA.”

Episode 024: Natalie Jill – How To Be Healthy, Happy, and Fit

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“You have to be authentic and real.” – Natalie Jill

Some Questions I Ask:

How did you get started with this career?
What does a vision board do for you?
What is your goal setting process?
What is the 7 day jump start plan?
How do you execute your plan?
Why do you hate the elliptical?
What do you suggest for people who have to travel a lot for work?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

About vision boards and how they can help you
About The 7 day jump start plan
Why writing down your goals ensures you hit them
She practices addition (i.e. – eating more veggies will help you stop eating sweets)
How to get out of your comfort zone
The elements that define a quality life

“I show a lot of videos… You can’t photo shop videos.” – Natalie Jill

Continue Learning

Go to Natalie’s website: http://www.nataliejillfitness.com/
Find the right program for you: http://www.nataliejillfitness.com/programs/
Follow Natalie on Twitter @nataliejillfit
See why over 933,000 people follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nataliejillfit

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love discussing how we can all become healthier, happy, and fit! It’s a fascinating topic and Natalie is an expert. I really enjoyed speaking with her. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From: Natalie Jill Fitness

Natalie Jill helps people across the globe reach their health, fitness, and business goals. Natalie left a very successful career in corporate America to follow her passion with health and fitness. As a Licensed Master Sports Nutritionist and functional fitness trainer, Natalie leveraged the power of the internet and in a short amount of time she was able to help millions of people worldwide get in shape and be their best selves. In the process, she created a globally recognized brand with over a million social media followers worldwide and created an online business that has reached and transformed hundreds of thousands. Although many see Natalie Jill as a fitness and nutrition expert, she is increasingly garnering attention for her ability to help others create, define, and monetize their brand in the online space. In health & fitness, or in business; Natalie brings out the BEST in everybody she works with and helps them GET RESULTS!

023: AJ Hawk – Why Does This Show Exist? What Does The Future Hold? Jun 02, 2015

Episode 023: AJ Hawk – Why Does This Show Exist? What Does The Future Hold?

One of the most enjoyable conversations I’ve had doing this podcast. My brother AJ and I discuss why I am doing this podcast. AJ has no fear to ask me anything and dives deep into my “Why” and we discuss how this show will progress…

From The “About Me” page on www.LearningLeaderShow.com

Leaders are learners. The best leaders never stop working to make themselves better. As Kobe Bryant once said, “There is power in understanding the journey of others to help create your own.” That’s really why the Learning Leader Show exists. To come together to understand the journey successful leaders are on so that we can better understand our own.

This Show is full of stories told by world class leaders. Personal stories of successes, failures and lessons learned along the way. Our guests come from diverse backgrounds—some are best-selling authors, others are genius entrepreneurs and one even made a million dollars wearing t-shirts for a year. My role in this endeavor is to talk to the smartest, most creative, always-learning leaders in the world so that we can learn from them as we create our own journey.

Episode 023: AJ Hawk – Why Does This Show Exist? What Does The Future Hold?

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“The scientist is not the person who gives the right answers; he’s the one who asks the right questions.” – Claude Levi-Strauss

Some Questions AJ Asked Me:

How do you do this show? When do you have time?
What’s your ultimate goal with the podcast?
How do you do it better than others?
How do you feel about where podcasts in general are headed?
Would you ever charge people to listen to your podcast? (NO)
How about doing in person episodes?
How do you make sure your podcast doesn’t feel scripted?
What is pronoia?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why I love doing this podcast
My goals – Goals already achieved and others I have for the future
My thought process on making a great podcast
The importance of my preparation for each episode
The facts behind the growth (HUGE) of podcasts
Why I believe in pronoia and what it means
The importance of taking action

“There are two types of pain you will go through in life: the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” – Jim Rohn

Continue Learning

Sign up to receive e-mail updates: www.LearningLeaderShow.com
Follow AJ on Twitter: @OfficialAJHawk
Follow me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 003: The Incredibly Interesting Story Of Maurice Clarett And How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

Episode 011: Brady Quinn – Why Certain People Are Great Leaders And Why Others Are Not

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I really enjoyed having this conversation with AJ. Would you like to see us do it again? Reach out to us on Twitter (@OfficialAJHawk & @RyanHawk12) Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

AJ Hawk Bio from Packers.com

Ranks No. 1 in franchise history (since 1975) with 1,025 tackles, having surpassed John Anderson (1,020 from 1978-89) for the team mark in the 2013 regular-season finale.

Has posted 100-plus tackles in four consecutive seasons (2010-13) and in seven of his eight years in the NFL (2006-08, 2010-13).

Has led the team in tackles five times during his career (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012-13), which ties LB Nick Barnett for the franchise record (since 1975).

Followed the likes of Lawrence Taylor (1981), Derrick Thomas (1989), Junior Seau (1990) and Willie McGinest (1994) as one of only 29 linebackers drafted in the top five since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

Played in 51 games at Ohio State with 38 starts, collecting 394 tackles (196 solo), 41 stops for a loss, 15½ sacks, seven INTs, 13 passes broken up, two fumbles recovered and three forced fumbles; also returned both a blocked punt and INT for TDs…A three-year starter (2003-05), he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors each of those seasons…Available for every play during his college career, he started his final 37 contests in consecutive fashion…Earned his degree in criminology.

Given name Aaron James Hawk…Nicknamed “A.J.” by his parents since birth, after legendary Indy car driver A.J. Foyt…From Centerville, Ohio…Married the former Laura Quinn, The couple has a 3-year-old daughter, Lennon Noel, and a 1-year-old son, Hendrix Knight…Brother, Ryan, played QB for the Birmingham Steeldogs of Arena Football and played in college at Ohio University…

022: Steve Scott – How To Earn $50,000/Month Self-Publishing on Amazon Jun 01, 2015

Episode 022: Steve Scott – How To Earn $50,000/Month Self-Publishing on Amazon

I love learning about people with fascinating lifestyles… Steve leads an incredibly interesting life. I also enjoyed learning about his daily routine and the process for creating successful books. Steve lives the kind of life that Tim Ferriss describes in The 4 Hour Work Week. Striving to do the activities that he wants… In Steve’s case that involves a lot of traveling, writing, and running!

Episode 022: Steve Scott – How To Earn $50,000/Month Self-Publishing on Amazon

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Some Questions I Ask:

How much money do you make?
What is your writing process?
What are your daily routines?
What is your best-selling book?
How did you decide to do this as your life’s work?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

$65,000 is the biggest income he’s earned in a month
How to focus on “habit stacking”
Why Steve disagrees with the typical book publishing model
Steve’s travels and climbing mountains
How to get out of your comfort zone
The elements that define a quality life

“A learning leader is someone who is deeply curious about the world… And sees it as a fascination, not a fear…” – Kare Anderson

Continue Learning

Go to Steve’s website: http://www.stevescottsite.com/
Buy Steve’s book on Amazon: Amazon - Steve Scott
Follow Steve on Twitter: @stevescott1

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love learning about people with fascinating lifestyles.. Steve leads an incredibly interesting life. I also enjoyed learning about his daily routine and the process for creating successful books. I really enjoyed speaking with her. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Who is Steve Scott? (In his own words from SteveScottSite.com)

I’m a firm believer in the idea of the “Internet Lifestyle.” Money is great and all. But I think it’s not as important as creating the life that YOU want to live. The greatest thing about having an affiliate business is the flexibility to do things on YOUR terms. Don’t believe me? Well, I just spent seven months traveling through Europe in 2010 (from April to November.) I literally lived the laptop lifestyle where I bounced from one city to the next. During this time, each week I averaged 5 hours on my money making businesses and 10 hours writing/marketing this blog. This experience validated all the notions I had about being able to work hard, travel the world, and do what you want to do.

I’m just an ordinary guy who has a relatively normal existence on the Jersey Shore. I live in a modest two-bedroom apartment on the ocean. Most of my days are spent working. And during my free time I like to do fun activities like running, hiking, skiing, surfing, reading and spending time with my loved ones.

021: Kare Anderson – How To Become An Opportunity Maker May 28, 2015

Episode 021: Kare Anderson – How To Become An Opportunity Maker

I would like to thank Dorie Clark for introducing me to Kare. Both Dorie and Kare are such great givers… Always trying to help others and they’ve done so much for me. I was fascinated with this conversation with Kare. She is incredibly intelligent and is a very deep thinker. It was a joy to get her to put some of those thoughts on tape for this great podcast episode. This is episode is great for anyone who wants to become an opportunity maker.

Kare Anderson is an Emmy-winning former NBC and Wall Street Journal reporter, now connective behavior speaker and columnist for Forbes and Huffington Post.

Anderson’s TED talk on The Web of Humanity: Becoming an Opportunity Maker has attracted over 1.3 million views.

Her clients are as diverse as Salesforce, Novartis, S.F. Giants and The Skoll Foundation.

Episode 021: Kare Anderson – How To Become An Opportunity Maker

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“A learning leader is someone who is deeply curious about the world… And sees it as a fascination, not a fear…” – Kare Anderson

Some Questions I Ask:

How did you prepare for your great Ted Talk?
What was the process for that?
How has that Ted Talk changed your lifef?
Why do you think it moved so many people?
What is your book “Moving From Me To We” all about?
What is “The 2 AM Principle” all about? (His book title)
What does being a “giver” mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

“Specificity leads to clarity, credibility, and memorability.”
Why Kare sat down for her Ted Talk (people never do this)
How to move from “Me” to “We”
Thin slicing – Helping Others
How to get out of your comfort zone
The elements that define a quality life

“Specificity leads to clarity, credibility, and memorability.” – Kare Anderson

Continue Learning

See why 1.3 million people have watched this TED Talk
Read her book: "From Me To We"
Follow Kare on Twitter @KareAnderson

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love discussing how we can all become an opportunity maker. It’s a fascinating topic and Kare is Kare at it! I really enjoyed speaking with her. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From SayItBetter.com

Kare Anderson is an Emmy-winning former NBC and Wall Street Journal reporter, now connective behavior speaker and columnist for Forbes and Huffington Post.

Anderson’s TED talk on The Web of Humanity: Becoming an Opportunity Maker has attracted over 1.3 million views.

Her clients are as diverse as Salesforce, Novartis, S.F. Giants and The Skoll Foundation.

She’s a founding board member of Annie’s Homegrown, co-founder of nine political PACs, and author of Mutuality Matters, Moving From Me to We, Getting What You Want and other books.

Kare Anderson is an Emmy-winning former NBC and Wall Street Journal reporter, now connective behavior speaker and columnist for Forbes and Huffington Post.

Anderson’s TED talk on The Web of Humanity: Becoming an Opportunity Maker has attracted over 1.3 million views.

Her clients are as diverse as Salesforce, Novartis, S.F. Giants and The Skoll Foundation.

020: Matt Eversmann – How To Lead Soldiers Into Battle (Black Hawk Down) May 26, 2015

Episode 020: Matt Eversmann – How To Lead Soldiers Into Battle (Black Hawk Down)

I was truly honored to speak with an American Hero for this episode of The Learning Leader Show. Matt Eversmann led soldiers into one of the most dangerous places in the world. His story was told in the book and movie, “Black Hawk Down.” His specific character was played by Josh Hartnett. We discussed the story behind what really happened in Mogadishu…

Matt Eversmann has received many military decorations, including the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Ribbon, eight Army Achievement medals, and four Army Commendation medals. For his service in Somalia, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. Before his retirement in early 2008, Eversmann served 18 months in Iraq leading an elite Army Ranger force.

Episode 020: Matt Eversmann – How To Lead Soldiers Into Battle (Black Hawk Down)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Fear is something you have to control. It’s okay to be scared.” - Matt Eversmann describing what it’s like to be shot at.

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the differences between leading soldiers into battle vs leading in a business setting?
What are you feeling as you’re being shot at?
What was it like to be portrayed by Josh Hartnett in the movie Black Hawk Down?
How could you have handled the adverse situation better?
Why do we struggle to implement and execute what we’ve learned?
How would you define a learning leader
What specific lessons learned from the mission that you took back to Fort Benning?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Matt’s love of his team and him focusing on the people he fought with
How everything for the book and movie Black Hawk Down came about
His advice for both the military soldiers making the transition back into the civilian world as well the companies who are going to hire them
What it was like speaking with the widow of one of his men he fought with
How Black Hawk Down has affected his life

“The scientist is not the person who gives the right answers; he’s the one who asks the right questions.” – Claude Levi-Strauss

Continue Learning

See great video of Matt: Matt Eversmann - AVC
The story of Black Hawk Down: Black Hawk Down
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: LinkedIn

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 003: The Incredibly Interesting Story Of Maurice Clarett And How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I was honored to have this Matt… I learned so much about his process for leadership. I loved his descriptions for what it’s like when the bullets are flying (literally). Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From Keppler Speakers:

First Sergeant Matt Eversmann's legendary leadership while facing the horrors of war cemented his status as an American military hero. Portrayed by Josh Hartnett, Eversmann was immortalized in the epic film, Black Hawk Down, which recounts the 18 harrowing hours when US soldiers in Somalia were trapped in a hostile district of Mogadishu. Young Rangers and Delta Force soldiers fought side-by-side, outnumbered and marked for death by an angry mob, until a rescue convoy was mounted. Committed to sharing the lessons he learned in the military, inspirational speaker Matt Eversmann focuses on motivating all people, be they soldiers, students, or employees, through values-based leadership, encouraging them to do their best and dedicate themselves to a cause. His courage and patriotism are unmatched, and his power as a motivational speaker is unrivaled.

019: Chris Borland – Why He Walked Away From Millions Of Dollars May 24, 2015

Episode 019: Chris Borland – Why He Walked Away From Millions Of Dollars

This was an extremely thought provoking conversation with Chris Borland. Chris is an extremely intelligent person who also is very driven and likable. I really enjoyed getting to know him better and also gain a better understanding for why he walked away from the NFL after just one stellar season.

Chris Borland had a storied high school and college football career. That led him to being a third round draft choice of The San Francisco 49ers where he quickly excelled as a dominant Linebacker.

Borland was selected as the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month for November. Chris finished his rookie season with 108 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 interceptions in only starting 8 games.

On March 16, 2015, he announced his retirement from the NFL citing concern of head trauma. Chris received a $617,436 signing bonus when he inked a four-year rookie deal with the 49ers coming out of college. He'll be returning over $450,000 to the team.

Episode 019: Chris Borland – Why He Walked Away From Millions Of Dollars

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“The scientist is not the person who gives the right answers; he’s the one who asks the right questions.” – Claude Levi-Strauss

Some Questions I Ask:

Why did you decide to walk away from your NFL career and millions of $$?
What has been the overall response from people?
Do we need to create a backup plan for college athletes?
How did Junior Seau’s suicide affect you?
Would you allow your own children to play football?
What is next for you in your life now that you are done with football?
What is your definition of a great Learning Leader?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The specifics behind why he walked away from football
About his conversations with Dr. Harry Edwards – renowned Sociology professor
The exact time when he contemplated not playing
The letter he wrote to his parents before the season
How much money he had to pay back from his bonus
Who he discussed this with (Small group)

“There are two types of pain you will go through in life: the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” – Jim Rohn

Continue Learning

Read the Boston University Head Trauma Research: http://www.bu.edu/cte/
Comments by Dr. Harry Edwards: http://sociology.berkeley.edu/professor-emeritus/harry-edwards
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisDec26

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 003: The Incredibly Interesting Story Of Maurice Clarett And How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I really enjoyed this great conversation with Chris… I learned a lot about his makeup and his specific process to make the decision he feels best with. I could tell he was completely at ease with the decision he’s made. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio

Chris Borland had a storied high school and college football career. That led him to being a third round draft choice of The San Francisco 49ers where he quickly excelled as a dominant Linebacker.

Borland was selected as the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month for November. Chris finished his rookie season with 108 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 interceptions in only starting 8 games.

018: Sam Silverstein – Why Successful People Love Accountability May 22, 2015

Episode 018: Sam Silverstein – Why Successful People Love Accountability

This was an intense conversation with Sam Silverstein. Sam is absolutely committed to instilling the desire for accountability within organizations. Accountability is about keeping commitments to people, not things. If you have any desire to learn more about accountability and how that’s a necessary component for all learning leaders, then you will love this episode.

Sam Silverstein, CSP is founder and CEO of Sam Silverstein, Inc., an accountability think tank dedicated to helping companies create an organizational culture that prioritizes and inspires accountability. He is an international business consultant, speaker and author. His manufacturing and distribution companies have sold over $100 million in products and services and he has successfully sold one of his businesses to a Fortune 500 company. Sam served as the President of the National Speakers Association (2008-2009) and is a Certified Speaking Professional. Sam’s work with companies has transformed organizational culture and created success in all areas.

Welcome to Episode 018: Sam Silverstein – Why Successful People Love Accountability

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“You are responsible to things… You’re accountable to people.” – Sam Silverstein

Some Questions I Ask:

How do you help people learn to enjoy accountability?
Why don’t most companies understand what they believe?
How do you help those people?
Do you have self-doubt? How do you handle it?
What books have influenced you most?
How did you become one of the most read writers on LinkedIn

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Sam’s 12 affirmations
Sam’s goals and his vision
Why Sam said, “Ryan, You’re throwing me on the couch!”
The enormous responsibility of a leader
9 characteristics to being great
Why leaders are accountable to serve others

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Continue Learning

Get his new book: “Non Negotiable”
Go to his website:www.SamSilverstein.com
See why over 212,000 people follow Sam on Twitter: @SamSilverstein

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love discussing how we can all become better writers. Sam is definitely a fantastic learning leader who is always striving to improve. An incredibly successful leader who influences so many… Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the greatJ Scott Donnell

Bio From SamSilverstein.com

Originally from Atlanta, he has a Business degree from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Washington University. He is married with four children and currently resides in St. Louis, MO.

017: Jeff Haden – Why 578,000 People Follow Jeff’s Writing On LinkedIn May 20, 2015

Episode 017: Jeff Haden – Why 578,000 People Follow Jeff’s Writing On LinkedIn

This was a very interesting conversation with Jeff Haden. I had never met a ghost writer prior to speaking with Jeff. I have actually read a ton of his work on INC and LinkedIn for quite some time and I didn’t even realize he was the author. I suspect a lot of you have as well. Check his work out on LinkedIn. He has written a lot of great pieces that will inevitably help in your career. This was a very fun conversation!1

From INC: Jeff Haden is a ghostwriter, speaker, LinkedIn Influencer, and contributing editor for Inc. He learned much of what he knows about business and technology working his way up to managing a 250-employee book plant; everything else he picks up as a ghostwriter for innovators and business leaders. He’s written more than 50 nonfiction books, including six Amazon Business and Investing No. 1's, along with hundreds of articles and reports. And he's collected four years of tips and advice in his book TransForm: Dramatically Improve Your Career, Business, Relationships, and Life … One Simple Step at a Time.

Welcome to Episode 017 with ghost writer, and LinkedIn Influencer, Jeff Haden

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“There are two types of pain you will go through in life: the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” – Jim Rohn

Some Questions I Ask:

What is the process to become a ghost writer?
Are you allowed to say who you write for?
What’s the difference between ghost writing vs writing with another author like “Lone Survivor.” What’s the difference?
How much do you charge to ghost write a book?
What books have influenced you most?
How did you become one of the most read writers on LinkedIn

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Inspiration Quotes that will change your life
Read “Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle
Read “So Good They Can’t Ignore You.” Cal Norwood
The 1 Compelling Question Every Interviewer Should Ask
How to properly set goals
The elements that define a quality life
How long it takes to become an overnight success

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Continue Learning

Read Jeff’s work on LinkedIN:Jeff Haden
Read “So Good They Can’t Ignore You” by Cal Norwood
Follow Jeff on Twitter@jeff_haden

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love discussing how we can all become better writers. Jeff is an extremely interesting person. An incredibly successful writer who influences so many… Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From INC

Jeff Haden is a ghostwriter, speaker, LinkedIn Influencer, and contributing editor for Inc. He learned much of what he knows about business and technology working his way up to managing a 250-employee book plant; everything else he picks up as a ghostwriter for innovators and business leaders. He’s written more than 50 nonfiction books, including six Amazon Business and Investing No. 1's, along with hundreds of articles and reports. And he's collected four years of tips and advice in his book TransForm: Dramatically Improve Your Career, Business, Relationships, and Life … One Simple Step at a Time.

016: Jon Levy – The Influencers: How To Be A Super Connector May 18, 2015

Episode 016: Jon Levy – The Influencers: How To Be A Super Connector

When I was thinking of creating this podcast, Jon was the type of person I wanted to have on my show. I learned about him after both Forbes and Business Insider wrote great articles about his “Influencer Dinners.” I was fascinated to hear about these dinners and many more stories from Jon during our time speaking together. This is a great episode for anyone who wants to become better at creating lasting memories and also

Jon Levy is a behavior expert, consultant, writer and keynote speaker best known for his work in the fields of Influence and Social Experience.

He has worked with countless brands and companies to support their efforts in consumer engagement, customer acquisition, and product development, by applying the latest behavioral research ranging from neuroscience and psychology to economics and biology.

Welcome to Episode 016 with the leader of The Influencers, Jon Levy

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Nothing good happens after 2:00 AM except for the most epic experiences in your life.” – Jon Levy

Some Questions I Ask:

Why did you create “The Influencers?”
How has it changed your life?
What specific ways do you create special moments?
How big do you want “The Influencers” to be?
What is “The 2 AM Principle” all about? (His book title)
What does being a “giver” mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to run your own influencer dinners
How Dunbar’s Law affects relationships
How big he wants “The Influencers” to be
Goal setting practices
How to create truly special moments
The elements that define a quality life
How long it takes to become an overnight success

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Continue Learning

Go toJon's Website: www.JonLevyTLB.com
Read “Connected” by Nicholas A. Christakis
Follow Shane on Twitter @JonLevyTLB

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love discussing how we can all grow our network and influence others. It’s a fascinating topic and Jon is fantastic at it! I really enjoyed speaking with Jon. We’ve kept in touch and the next time I’m in NYC, I will be sure to meet up with Jon. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the greatJ Scott Donnell

Bio From Jon Levy TLB

Jon Levy is a behavior expert, consultant, writer and keynote speaker best known for his work in the fields of Influence and Social Experience.

Within the behavioral realm Jon has two areas of expertise:

The study of Influence: What causes people to make the decisions they make.

This understanding spawned the creation of “Influencers”, a private community and dining experience for tastemakers and industry leaders. Members range across all industries from well-known actors and Olympians, to executives at major companies and royalty. Influencers has received a fair share of media including stories in The New York Times, Forbes, Fast Company, The Observer, to name a few. Combining years of experience running Influencers and research, Jon has developed a deep understanding in designing social experiences and creating influencer programs for brands.

The study of Adventure: Identifying what causes people to live fun, exciting, and remarkable lives.

After years of studying what has become known as “The Science of Adventure”, Jon was able to discern that every adventurous experience follows a predictable four stage processes. Each stage has specific characteristics that, when applied, make the experience exciting. This expertise has garnered Jon a reputation as one of the foremost authorities on Adventure.

In his free time, Jon works on outrageous projects. He spent a year traveling weekends to the world’s greatest events (Grand Prix, Art Basel, Sundance, Burning Man, Running of the Bulls, Cannes, etc.) and barely survived to tell the tale. Prior to that, taking control of his health and wellness, he was a before-and-after fitness model for a 90-day video training program. Other projects have included unscripted television, mobile apps, books and alcohol development, to name a few.

015: Noah Fleming – How To Create Enduring Customer Loyalty May 15, 2015

Episode 015: Noah Fleming – How To Create Enduring Customer Loyalty

I love discussing how we can all better serve our customer base. The best way to create and grow a thriving business is to create customer loyalty. Noah Fleming is an expert at accomplishing this task. He goes into detail on this topic in this episode.

That’s just one reason I had an awesome time interviewing today’s guest on The Learning Leader Show.

Noah is a marketing expert. As a thought leader in strategic marketing and customer loyalty, Noah helps clients dramatically and rapidly increase sales, multiply profits, and maximize customer value.

Welcome to Episode 015 with the Marketing Expert, Noah Fleming

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Some Questions I Ask:

How do you create customer loyalty?
What made you pay so much money for a mentor?
How are you affiliated with Seth Godin? He seems to like your book…
Do you think it’s better to go the traditional publishing route? Or how about all of the great self-publishing options out there?
What is your why?
What are your goals?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

About Seth Godin telling him to “Ship It”
A giveaway for YOU, the listeners. Listen to the end of the episode and Noah offers something for free to the first listeners who write to him
Specific Goal Setting Practices
The importance of loyalty
How anyone can do what Noah has done
How to become a better public speaker
Why it’s so important to invest in yourself

Continue Learning

Go tohttp://noahfleming.com/
Read “Evergreen” by Noah Fleming
Follow Jason on Twitter:@noahfleming

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love discussing how we can build loyalty with our customers. Noah has mastered this vital skill. I loved this episode. I’m proud to say that Noah has become a friend. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the greatJ Scott Donnell

Bio:

Noah is a marketing expert. As a thought leader in strategic marketing and customer loyalty, Noah helps clients dramatically and rapidly increase sales, multiply profits, and maximize customer value.

He is the trusted source for coaching and consulting to thousands of owners, executives, and individuals. Noah is the author of the Amazon #1 bestselling book in Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service –EVERGREEN: Cultivate The Enduring Customer Loyalty That Keeps Your Business Thriving.

He’s an expert blogger for Fast Company Magazine, and a regular contributor to The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Section. Noah has been routinely quoted and mentioned in publications like Forbes, The New York Times, Reuters, and more.

Noah has taught master classes on retention for the popular website, Mixergy.com, a site dedicated to interviewing company founders and industry experts, such as Gary Vanyerchuk (author of “Crush It” & “The Thank You Economy”), Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and Groupon founder Andrew Mason, among hundreds of others.

Fleming has conducted webinars on retention for audiences of C-level executives for sites like Vindicia, an online payment company responsible for processing over $4 billion dollars annually in recurring payments. Fleming’s Vindicia webinar had the highest pre-registration the site had seen in years, and listeners proclaimed it was one of the best they had ever heard.

He’s delivered powerful ‘how-to’ workshops at the Subscription Site Insider Summit in New York City & most recently San Francisco where Subscription Site Insider Editor Minal Bopaih said, “he knows exactly what you should be measuring on your site,” and Nicole Rodriguez of MarketingProfs.com proclaimed, “I look forward to implementing the tactical advice he gave on improving our members’ experiences while boosting renewals.”

More recently, Fleming delivered the closing keynote to over 400 information publishers at the Society of Information Publishers Association’s (SIPA) 36th Annual Conference in Washington, DC. SIPA’s President Robert Brady said, “At our 36th Annual Conference, we wanted to give our members an equal dose of immediately useful information and the confidence to put it to use. Noah Fleming’s closing keynote, which emphasized the critical importance of retention, gave us all a number of strategies that we could begin using right away. All of our members found the talk entertaining and useful. I recommend him highly.”

Fleming is also member of Alan Weiss’s Mentorship Program & Growth Cycle®, two highly respected and world-renowned programs dedicated to the refinement of advanced consulting skills, and one of only 36 people who are globally recognized & accredited by Dr. Weiss as a Master Mentor.

014: Jairek Robbins – How We Can All “Learn It, Live It, Give It” May 13, 2015

Episode 014: Jairek Robbins – How We Can All “Learn It, Live It, Give It”

This was one of the most inspirational conversations I’ve had… Jairek has an incredible desire to serve others and it’s evident immediately when speaking with him. This episode was packed full of great ideas and actionable takeaways to implement immediately.

“My goal is to assist people in the process of rapidly achieving their goals so they are able to live the life of their dreams. My hope is that they will eventually pay-it-forward and help those that they care about the most do the same” – Jairek Robbins

Welcome to Episode 014 with Inspirational Speaker, Jairek Robbins

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Some Questions I Ask:

What do you think of people who view positive psychology with skepticism?
What are the specific big moments in your life that shaped who you are?
Why do people fail to execute the plan?
Is 1 on 1 coaching scalable?
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
What is it like growing up on the road at speaking conventions?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The 3 stages of life and how to understand them to your benefit
Why our habits can either inhibit us and help us
How to work directly with Jairek
How to be open to new experiences
Why it’s so important to be yourself
What “The Rock,” Kevin Hart, and James Altucher have in common

Continue Learning

Go towww.JairekRobbins.com
Follow Jairek on Twitter:https://twitter.com/JairekRobbins

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 003: The Incredibly Interesting Story Of Maurice Clarett And How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This episode was absolutely jam packed with great information on a variety of topics. Jairek was incredibly inspirational. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the greatJ Scott Donnell

From JairekRobbins.com

Oliver Wendell Holmes once said “a mind that is stretched to a new idea never returns to its original dimensions.” As an innovator, Jairek is applying his own philosophy and living a life of adventure, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship. Whether it’s cage diving with great white sharks, hanging with silverbacks in Rwanda, white water rafting down the Nile, working as a volunteer in underdeveloped regions, or building a powerful enterprise that’s built for results, Jairek does more than talk about it, he stretches the boundaries of traditional thinking and makes it happen

013: Jenny Vrentas – How A Biochemistry Major Became One of The Best Football Writers In The Business May 11, 2015

Episode 013: Jenny Vrentas – How A Biochemistry Major Became One of The Best Football Writers In The Business

Jenny Vrentas is one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met… I actually sent her a copy of Shane Snow’s book, Smartcuts because I think they have so much in common (both are super smart). She majored in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State and was personally picked by Peter King to write for The MMQB… The premier football website in the world.

Jenny received her Masters in Journalism from Columbia and was hired by The Star Ledger (2007 – 2013). She was then hired by Peter King and The MMQB (Sports Illustrated) in 2013.

Welcome to Episode 012 with award winning journalist for The MMQB, Jenny Vrentas

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

Some Questions I Ask:

How does a Bio Chemistry major become a sports journalist?
What was it like to be recruited by Peter King for The MMQB and Sports Illustrated?
Who are your favorite people to cover? Teams? Coaches?
What is your definition of a learning leader?
What is your favorite story?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why she chose to be a sports writer after going to college to study Bio Chemistry and Molecular Biology
About her conversation with Rex Ryan over wings and beer
Jenny’s first time covering The Super Bowl
Why she wanted to blaze her own trail
The process and stories behind how she was recruited by Peter King
What her work meetings consist of… how ideas are pitched, etc…

“No matter what path you take, you always want to be an example for other people… You want to write about something that you will be a takeaway for someone in their life.” – Jenny Vrentas

Continue Learning

Go towww.TheMMQB.com
Follow Jenny on Twitter@JennyVrentas

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 003: The Incredibly Interesting Story Of Maurice Clarett And How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This episode was a lot of fun for me. I loved getting to know Jenny better and her stories/knowledge were phenomenal. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the greatJ Scott Donnell

012: How To Become A Master Negotiator With John Lowry May 08, 2015

Episode 012: How To Become A Master Negotiator With Dr. John Lowry

John and I met almost 10 years ago while I attended one of his negotiation training classes. Like most people, I struggle to sit in a room and listen to someone present for 2 days. In the case of John’s training, that was NOT the case. It still is the greatest training course I’ve ever attended. So much so that I have attended it 5 more times since then. This conversation took off from there and it was so much fun. John has become a friend of mine and I’m very fortunate to be able to speak with him on a regular basis about all parts of leadership and life.

“Negotiation is a strategic communication process to get a deal or to resolve a problem.”– Dr. John Lowry

Welcome to Episode 010 with the President of The Lowry Group Dr. John Lowry

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Some Questions I Ask:

Why do many people grasp the ideas you articulate intellectually and yet fail to implement them in a meaningful way?
How do you so effectively use story telling in your presentations?
How can we all become better story tellers?
Why do you think there is a negative connotation with someone who is a “shrewd” negotiator?
What negative self-talk have you had to overcome?
Do you operate out of a sense of obligation to anything or anyone?

“Leadership is about relationships.” – Dr. John Lowry

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to know when to compete or when to cooperate in a negotiation
The importance and the art of storytelling
The power of productive paranoia
How to deal with self-doubt
The people/things John feels obligated to
The 5 Approaches to Conflict
How people can implement what they’ve learned
The thought process we have surrounding dreaming big

Continue Learning

Go to John's website
Read Great By Choice
Read about one of John’s mentors: Donald Miller

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How to become a master connector with Jayson Gaignard from MasterMind Talks
Episode 002: How to take over and set bigger goals with Chris Brogan
Episode 003: The incredibly interesting story of Maurice Clarett and how he built a 6 figure income after spending 4 years in prison
Episode 009: The Creative Leader’s Guide to making money by thinking outside of the Box with Jason Zook (SurfrApp)

Did you enjoy the podcast?

As I said before, John has become a good friend of mine and I’m incredibly lucky to be able to speak with him on a regular basis. He is an absolute professional and is a phenomenal presenter. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Bio:

John Lowry is a lawyer, professional speaker, and entrepreneur. He serves as the Vice President for External Affairs at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. He previously served as associate dean of the Lipscomb University College of Business where he founded Lipscomb’s School of Executive Education. He serves as an assistant professor of management and regularly teaches negotiation courses at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law.

He is a Founding Board Member of the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce and serves on the board of The Blakeford at Green Hills, a continuing care retirement community in Nashville, TN.

Dr. Lowry also serves as the president of the The Lowry Group (TLG). At TLG, he provides negotiation, mediation, and conflict management training and facilitation for major insurance companies, healthcare organizations, and other businesses. Throughout Lowry’s career, he has trained thousands of professionals around the country. Prior to moving to Nashville, he practiced law with Strasburger & Price, LLP in Dallas, Texas

Episode edited by the greatJ Scott Donnell

011: Brady Quinn – Why Certain People Are Great Leaders And Why Others Are Not May 06, 2015

Episode 011: Brady Quinn – Why Certain People Are Great Leaders And Why Others Are Not

Wow! Brady is an open book. I absolutely loved how open and honest Brady was in our conversation. He didn’t mince words and was not scared to voice his feelings about great players and coaches as well as bad coaches and teammates. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Brady! I promise you will learn a lot from listening to it…

Brady Quinn set 36 records at The University of Notre Dame. Graduating there as one of their greatest football players ever. Along the likes of Joe Montana, Tony Rice, and Rocket Ismail... He was drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Browns in the 2007 NFL Draft. He currently is a game analyst for Fox Sports… The only person doing both collegiate and NFL games.

Welcome to Episode 011 with NFL Quarterback and Fox Analyst, Brady Quinn

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Tim Tebow is a great guy, but he wasn’t a good teammate.” – Brady Quinn

Some Questions I Ask:

When have you failed? What did you learn from those failures?
Why do some coaches fail to be decisive? Is that the difference between great coaches and bad ones?
Who is the best leader you’ve ever played for? Why?
What has it been like transitioning to a job after playing?
How was Tim Tebow as a teammate?
Who would you take with the first pick in the draft this year?
What is it like playing QB in the NFL?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Which coaches were great and which ones were terrible (Brady is very honest!)
Why Charlie Weis made Brady feel “invincible”
That Eric Mangini doesn’t understand Quarterbacks
How not playing football can be compared to watching the love of your life with someone else (great quote from Brady)
Why Tim Tebow wasn’t a good teammate
Why playing Quarterback is like fighting a fire

“You can find the intangibles of being a quarterback in almost every profession in the world. There’s nothing like it.” – Brady Quinn

Continue Learning

Go to Brady's Website
Follow Shane on Twitter @3rd_Goal

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 003: The Incredibly Interesting Story Of Maurice Clarett And How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This episode was absolutely jam packed with great information on a variety of topics. I love how open Brady is. I can promise we will be recording another episode together at some point. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio from 3rdandgoalfoundation.org

Brady Quinn is an American football quarterback and Fox Sports analyst. As a collegiate player for Notre Dame, Brady was a two-time team captain and broke 36 school records. A finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2005 and 2006, he went on to win the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (best college quarterback) and Maxwell Award (best college football player) in his senior season. With the 22nd pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Brady. He has additionally played for the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. Currently, Brady serves as a studio and game analyst for both NCAA and NFL football.

010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts May 04, 2015

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

When I created this podcast, I made a list of the 125 people I would reach out to first to be a guest on the show… Shane Snow was the very first name on that list. (Adam Grant was next). Shane’s book Smartcuts is one of the best books I’ve ever read. In this episode, we took a deep dive and Shane gives us the entire blueprint to accelerate success. Shane is not about just achieving success, he’s about accelerating it. When you listen to this episode, you’ll see why.

“The next Malcolm Gladwell.” That's what fans and critics from Forbes to The L.A. Times are calling innovation expert and keynote speaker Shane Snow, the bestselling author of SMARTCUTS: How Hackers, Innovators, and Icons Accelerate Success. An award-winning entrepreneur and journalist, Snow has been declared a “Wunderkind" by The New York Times, a “Digital Maverick” by Details Magazine, and his work “Insanely addicting” by GQ.

We go over everything from Jimmy Fallon’s quest to get on SNL to understanding how lateral thinking will change your life.

Welcome to Episode 010 with the next Malcolm Gladwell, Shane Snow

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

"If you truly love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made of." - Bruce Lee

Some Questions I Ask:

What does accelerating success mean to you?
What is lateral thinking? How can it change your life?
What type of mentorship is best?
How do we implement these ideas into our careers? Specific ways… What actions can we take?
Why do we celebrate failure?
What is the difference between a Smartcut and a short cut?
What is your definition of a Learning Leader?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to accelerate your own success
Interesting Riddles
How Jimmy Fallon, a nobody from upstate New York became who he is today (love this part)
Why informal mentors are the best
Specific exercises to implement into your life TODAY to accelerate success
Shane’s thoughts on others calling him the next Malcolm Gladwell
The time when Shane actually met Malcolm in person for the first time
Shane’s definition of a Learning Leader

“If you’re landing on an aircraft carrier, it’s not okay to fail…” – Shane Snow

Continue Learning

Go to Contently's Website
Read Smartcuts by Shane Snow
Follow Shane on Twitter @shanesnow

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love discussing how we can all accelerate success. It’s a fascinating topic and Shane is a genius! I loved this episode. I’m proud to say that Shane has become a friend! Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Shane Snow Bio From Amazon.com

Entrepreneur and journalist Shane Snow (Wired, Fast Company, The New Yorker, and cofounder of Contently) analyzes the lives of people and companies that do incredible things in implausibly short time. How do some startups go from zero to billions in mere months? How did Alexander the Great, YouTube tycoon Michelle Phan, and Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon climb to the top in less time than it takes most of us to get a promotion? What do high-growth businesses, world-class heart surgeons, and underdog marketers do in common to beat the norm? One way or another, they do it like computer hackers. They employ what psychologists call "lateral thinking" to rethink convention and break "rules" that aren't rules. In Smartcuts, Snow shatters common wisdom about success, revealing how conventions like "paying dues" prevent progress, why kids shouldn't learn times tables, and how, paradoxically, it's easier to build a huge business than a small one. From SpaceX to The Cuban Revolution, from Ferrari to Skrillex, Smartcuts is a narrative adventure that busts old myths about success and shows how innovators and icons do the incredible by working smarter--and how perhaps the rest of us can, too.

009: Jason Zook (SurfrApp) The Creative Leader’s Guide To Making Money By Thinking Outside Of The Box May 01, 2015

009: The Creative Leader’s Guide To Making Money By Thinking Outside Of The Box With Jason Zook (SurfrApp)

I love discussing how we can all better ourselves using the creative portion of our brain. Jason has mastered this vital skill. I loved this episode. I’m proud to say that Jason has become a great friend! I think it is one of most life-changing and important skills we can master.

That’s just one reason I had an awesome time interviewing today’s guest on The Learning Leader Show.

Jason Zook (SurfrApp) was tired of living a life that felt prescribed to him by society, so he used his out-of-the-box thinking and ingenuity to create multiple profitable Internet-based businesses

And in his new book “Creativity For Sale”, he faces head on the belief that a creative mindset is always the best one.

We go over everything from Seth Godin’s “Purple Cow,” to how to become a great public speaker.

We talk about building a “trust circle” and how that can help each and every one of us.

Welcome to Episode 009 with the creative genius, Jason Zook (SurfrApp)

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Some Questions I Ask:

What big moments in Jason’s life made him who he is today?
How to view adversity as an opportunity?
How did you turn wearing t-shirts into a million dollar business?
At what specific moment did Jason know he had created something meaningful?
Why he sold his name?
What specific things can people do to get outside of their comfort zone?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to create a business from a passion of yours
The benefits of utilizing James Altucher’s 10 Ideas a Day approach to life
Specific Goal Setting Practices
The importance of loyalty
How regular people can do what Jason has done
How to become a better public speaker
How high performers use fear instead of getting rid of it
How To Stop Failing at “To Do Lists”

“Build a Trust Circle.”

Continue Learning

Go to Jason's Website
Read Smartcuts by Shane Snow
Follow Jason on Twitter @IWearYourShirt

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I love discussing how we can all better ourselves using the creative portion of our brain. Jason has mastered this vital skill. I loved this episode. I’m proud to say that Jason has become a great friend! Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio:

Jason Zook (formerly Jason SurfrApp, Headsetdotcom & Jason Sadler) is an unconventional marketer and entrepreneur. He created IWearYourShirt, a company that used sponsored t-shirts to promote businesses on social media and in 2012 and 2013, he auctioned off his last name to the highest bidders. Jason recently wrote a book about his entrepreneurial journey, but in a very unique way. Frustrated by the confusing landscape of book publishers and book agents, Jason self-published and raised over $75,000 through sponsorships in his book Creativity For Sale before a single word was written or a single copy of the book sold.

Tired of living a life that felt prescribed to him by society, Jason SurfrApp used his out-of-the-box thinking and ingenuity to create multiple profitable Internet-based businesses. Jason is a public speaker, an entrepreneur at heart, lives a life of intention, and continues to strive to make a living doing what he loves.

008: Pat Flynn - How To Create Passive Income... And Listen To Pat Show Off His Beatboxing Skills Apr 29, 2015

Episode 008: How To Create Passive Income With Pat Flynn

This episode was a very special one to me. Pat is one of my podcasting heroes. I read his blog, Smart Passive Income and I listen to his award winning podcast all the time. He is incredibly smart and so giving of his time. He even broke out his signature beat boxing during our conversation! There is so much great content in this episode. I’m excited for YOU, the listener to learn more from Pat.

“If you’re comfortable, there might be a problem.” – Pat Flynn

Welcome to Episode 008 with the creator of Smart Passive Income Pat Flynn

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Some Questions I Ask:

What specific things can people do to get outside of that zone?
You share your monthly income report… This is very transparent and interesting. What made you start sharing this?
What is the book that has had the biggest influence on your life?
At what specific moment did you know you had created something meaningful?
Why don’t you do paid consulting?

“Have a plan, work the plan, plan for the unexpected.” - Terry Hoeppner

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why he gets 80K downloads per episode! Wow.
About a time when he gave the most incredible “No Thank You” ever
How he’s become resilient and how you can too
The importance of loyalty to others
That Pat is a phenomenal beat boxer… He performs during this episode
Why he has a specific morning routine and his use of The 5 Minute Journal
The best advice he’s ever received

Continue Learning:

Go to Pat's website: www.smartpassiveincome.com
Get "The Five Minute Journal"
See why over 100,000 people follow Pat on Twitter: @PatFlynn

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How to become a master connector with Jayson Gaignard from MasterMind Talks
Episode 002: How to take over and set bigger goals with Chris Brogan
Episode 003: The incredibly interesting story of Maurice Clarett and how he built a 6 figure income after spending 4 years in prison
Episode 007: How to be more charismatic with Jordan Harbinger from The Art Of Charm. Also… Why Jordan completely disagrees with Howard Stern
Episode 009: The Creative Leader’s Guide to making money by thinking outside of the Box with Jason Zook (SurfrApp)

Did you enjoy the podcast?

As I said before, I absolutely cherished the time I had to speak with Pat. He has been my podcasting hero for some time now and one of the inspirations behind me doing this. I love the content he provided for all of you! Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Bio:

In Pat’s words (from his website ) “I used to have a 9 to 5 job, which I really did enjoy. I was working as a Job Captain in an architecture firm and loving the line of work I was in. I had no plans to leave, but unfortunately there are some things you cannot control (like the economy) and so, in 2008 I was laid off.

Getting laid off is a weird feeling. One day you think everything is fine and for whatever reason the next day you don’t really know what you’re supposed to do anymore.

Instead of feeling bad about it, I immediately decided to work for myself from home. It turns out that getting laid off was the best thing that ever happened to me. Without my 9 to 5 job holding me back, I’ve since been able to earn more money and work less (with more flexible) hours – which in the end allows me to be home and spend time with my family.”

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

007: Jordan Harbinger - How To Be More Charismatic (The Art Of Charm). Also… Why Jordan Completely Disagrees With Howard Stern Apr 27, 2015

Episode 007: How To Be More Charismatic With Jordan Harbinger From The Art Of Charm. Also… Why Jordan Completely Disagrees With Howard Stern

I was fortunate enough to have John Corcoran introduce me to Jordan (Thank You John). Jordan was extremely kind, honest, and open with me about all ways to better yourself as a person. We spoke for a great deal of time before and after recording and Jordan was the exact same guy on the show as he was off (that is not always the case with people). He has a massive following… Earning 1.3 million downloads per month with his podcast The Art of Charm. It is one of my favorites.

“Don’t follow your passion, bring it along with you – Jordan Harbinger

Welcome to Episode 007 with Jordan Harbinger from The Art of Charm

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio. (Make these live links)

The Learning Leader Show

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden (Make this tweetable)

Some Questions I Ask:

What makes a great friend?
How can someone improve their body language immediately?
What specific things have you learned from guests on your show?
What do you think of Howard Stern’s comments that podcasting is for losers?
What did you learn from your mentors?
What type of responsibility do you feel for your fans?
Describe your week long boot camp…

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why he completely disagrees with Howard Stern
An instant body language drill that will help you
Specific ways to leap outside of your comfort zone
Tucker Max and law school
How to make a great first impression
What goes on at The Art of Charm boot camps
How to manage tension in friendships

Continue Learning

Go to Jordan's website: www.TheArtOfCharm.com
Read "How To Win Friends and Influence People"
Follow Jordan on Twitter: @TheArtOfCharm

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How to become a master connector with Jayson Gaignard from MasterMind Talks

Episode 003: The incredibly interesting story of Maurice Clarett and how he built a 6 figure income after spending 4 years in prison

Episode 009: The Creative Leader’s Guide to making money by thinking outside of the Box with Jason Zook (SurfrApp)

Did you enjoy the podcast?

Again, I was fortunate enough to have John Corcoran introduce me to Jordan. I felt this conversation was extremely refreshing. Jordan is incredibly honest and has no fear to voice his opinion. His fans love him because he’s honest and he tells it like it is. He also provides fantastic, useful content on a daily basis.. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Bio:

From Jordan - “A core principle of my own life, and upon which this company was founded, is that one should leave everything and everyone better than they were before we met. By bringing positivity and abundance to others, you can’t go wrong.”

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

006: Hal Elrod Tells You How To Be Insanely Productive Before 8:00 AM Apr 24, 2015

Episode 006: Hal Elrod Tells You How To Be Insanely Productive Before 8:00 AM

Wow! Hal is an absolute ball of energy. He kept me on my toes this entire conversation. Even after we stopped recording, Hal kept offering up great advice on how to improve my life as well as my podcast. He is an incredibly giving person. This episode was one of my favorites because I truly felt inspired throughout. Hal is honest, open, and direct with his message. It is fantastic and can be put into practice TODAY!

“This might sound funny, but my number 1 goal is for you to like me.” - Hal Elrod.

Welcome to Episode 006 with the author of “The Miracle Morning,” Hal Elrod

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Some Questions I Ask:

Why do many people grasp the ideas you articulate intellectually and yet fail to implement them in a meaningful way?
How do you so effectively use story telling in your presentations?
Share with me your sales process… Let’s hear it.
How did you break the Cutco record within your first 10 days on the job?
What is your specific morning routine?
What negative self-talk have you had to overcome?
Do you operate out of a sense of obligation to anything or anyone?

“If you live your life like 95% of the people out there, you’ll get what they get.” - Hal Elrod.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The essence of the Miracle Morning
The importance and the art of storytelling
How utilizing the 6 Life Savers will positively impact your life
How to deal with self-doubt
How to start every day at a level 10
The Power of Accountability
How he sold 50,000 books
How to execute on your plan
The thought process we have surrounding dreaming big

Continue Learning

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How to become a master connector with Jayson Gaignard from MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How to take over and set bigger goals with Chris Brogan

Episode 003: The incredibly interesting story of Maurice Clarett and how he built a 6 figure income after spending 4 years in prison

Episode 009: The Creative Leader’s Guide to making money by thinking outside of the Box with Jason Zook (SurfrApp)

Did you enjoy the podcast?

As I said before, Hal is an incredibly giving person. He is an absolute professional and is a phenomenal leader. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Bio:

Hal Elrod is a #1 bestselling author, international Keynote Speaker, hall of fame business achiever, one of America’s top Success Coaches, national champion Sales Manager, record-breaking Sales Rep, ultra-marathon runner, grateful husband & proud father.

Known as “Yo Pal Hal” since hosting his first radio show at age 15, his greatest triumph came at age 20 after he was hit head on by a drunk driver and found dead at the scene…

Despite being clinically dead for six minutes, in a coma for six days, breaking 11 bones and being told he may never walk again, Hal defied the logic of doctors and the temptations to be a victim, and he bounced back to prove that ALL of us are capable of overcoming extraordinary adversity to create extraordinary results in our personal and professional lives.

Hal has appeared on dozens of TV and radio shows across the country, and he’s been featured in numerous books, including The Education of Millionaires, the all-time bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Cutting Edge Sales, The 800-Pound Gorilla of Sales, Releasing the Chains, Living College Life In the Front Row, andThe Author’s Guide To Building An Online Platform, to name a few.

His #1 bestselling book, The Miracle Morning and his highly acclaimed #6 bestseller, Taking Life Head On!are two of the most acclaimed books on Amazon with a combined 120+ 5-star reviews.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

005: Dorie Clark: How To Reinvent Yourself And Stand Out Apr 22, 2015

Episode 005: How To Reinvent Yourself and Stand Out With Dorie Clark

Wow! Dorie is an incredible smart, idea machine! I loved our conversation. After we stopped recording, we kept talking for another 25 minutes. Dorie was offering great tips and ideas on how to grow my podcast the entire time. She is a true giver… She was very complimentary of the podcast and the style and then offered up many guests to come on the show. This was a fantastic episode… Full of both educational and entertaining content.

Named one of the 25 Networking Experts to Watch in 2015 - Forbes

Welcome to Episode 005 with branding expert Dorie Clark

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio. (Make these live links)

The Learning Leader Show

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Some Questions I Ask:

How important is it to connect with influencers?
How did you choose the people you featured in your books?
What are the practical ideas regular people can follow so they can come up with their own breakthrough ideas?
What are your goals?
What specific things can people do to get outside of their comfort zone?

"First time author Dorie Clark has hit the ball out of the park with her new book, Reinventing You...this book is a great reminder of how we can be anyone we want to be if we are willing to put in the work." - Forbes.com

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to combine ideas and disciplines like a Stanford graduate
How we all can be like Tim Ferriss
How to have a side hustle
Specific ways to grow your email list
How to think differently about success and failure
How to make a book a best seller
A time when challenging the established knowledge changed an industry
About her time meeting with the great Dr. Robert Cialdini

Continue Learning

Go to Dorie's Website
Read Reinventing You
See why over 23,000 people follow Dorie on Twitter: @dorieclark

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How to become a master connector with Jayson Gaignard from MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How to take over and set bigger goals with Chris Brogan

Episode 009: The Creative Leader’s Guide to making money by thinking outside of the Box with Jason Zook (SurfrApp)

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I was very fortunate to have been introduced to Dorie by the great author Noah Fleming (“Evergreen”). I am incredibly grateful to Noah for making this introduction. I have developed a great friendship with both Noah and Dorie and I am much better off for it. This was a very energetic and fun episode for me! Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Bio:

Dorie Clark is a marketing strategy consultant, professional speaker, and frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the World Economic Forum blog. Recognized as a “branding expert” by the Associated Press, Fortune, and Inc. magazine, she is the author of Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future (Harvard Business Review Press, 2013). Her next book, Stand Out: How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It, was released in April 2015.

Clark, a former presidential campaign spokeswoman, is an adjunct professor of business administration at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a Visiting Professor for IE Business School in Madrid, Spain. She has taught marketing and communications at Tufts University, Suffolk University, Emerson College, HEC-Paris, Babson College, the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business, and Smith College Executive Education. She has been named to the Huffington Post’s “100 Must Follow on Twitter” list for 2013 and 2014, and to the #Nifty50 list of top women on Twitter. She was also named one of Inc. magazine’s “100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference,” and recognized in Forbes as one of “25 Professional Networking Experts to Watch in 2015.”

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion Apr 19, 2015

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Todd Wagner is one of the reasons I started this podcast. I wished I had recorded the original conversation I had with Todd last year. Fortunately, he was willing to come on and share so much of his incredible story with us all here on The Learning Leader Show. Todd is an amazing person. One of the nicest, most humble people I’ve ever met… You would think that someone who became a billionaire based purely on their own hard work would have an ego… That is not the case with Todd. He is such a giving person. I feel very fortunately to now call him a friend.

“You’re either going to buy us or you’re going to have to compete with us.” – Todd Wagner negotiating with executives at Yahoo!

Welcome to Episode 004 with the CEO of Chideo and former CEO of Broadcast.com, Todd Wagner

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Some Questions I Ask:

What was it like negotiating with Yahoo!?
What was it like when you became a billionaire after the sale to Yahoo!?
Describe to us what it’s like to work with Mark Cuban
Why is the sales process important?
Why did you start Chideo?
What specific things can people do to get outside of their comfort zone?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The two questions he asks every entrepreneur he meets
What it was like to pitch “Chideo” to President Bill Clinton
Specifics behind leaping outside of your comfort zone and the importance of it
The importance of loyalty to others
What it’s like to work with Mark Cuban
His original goals when he was growing his business
How he and his Broadcast.com team celebrated
How he is working on balance in his life (but it’s hard)
Much, much more

“Mark is a brother to me.” – Todd Wagner describing his relationship with Mark Cuban

Continue Learning

Go to Chideo
Read about Todd in Forbes
Go to: Todd Wagner Foundation

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How to become a master connector with Jayson Gaignard from MasterMind Talks

Episode 003: How to take over and set bigger goals with Chris Brogan

Episode 003: The incredibly interesting story of Maurice Clarett and how he built a 6 figure income after spending 4 years in prison

Episode 009: The Creative Leader’s Guide to making money by thinking outside of the Box with Jason Zook (SurfrApp)

Did you enjoy the podcast?

Having the ability to record with Todd was incredibly special to me. I am very fortunate to have met him and learned so much from him. I loved this episode. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Bio:

In 1995, Todd joined fellow Indiana alumnus Mark Cuban to launch AudioNet, which broadcast live sporting events and radio stations over the Internet. As CEO of AudioNet, Todd grew the company to employ some 300 people and expanded its offerings to include corporate events and business services. In 1998, the company’s name was changed to Broadcast.com, and under the stewardship of Wagner and Cuban, went public. The Broadcast.com IPO set an opening-day record, with shares climbing 249% from an offering price of $18 to closing price of $62.75. In 1999, Broadcast.com was sold to Yahoo! For $5.7 billion. Wagner continued to lead the business as a division of Yahoo! Until May 2000, when he declined an offer to become Yahoo!’s Chief Operating Officer to focus on other interests.

Todd has since created Chideo with the goal of raising hundreds of millions of dollars for charities. It is an interactive broadcast network featuring exclusive content by celebrities who want to promote their favorite charities or nonprofits.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

003: Maurice Clarett Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison Apr 11, 2015

Episode 003: Maurice Clarett: How He Built A 6 Figure Income After Spending 4 Years In Prison

I was absolutely captivated by Maurice. I could have spoken with him for hours. I believe in the past he has been misunderstood. He is a thoughtful, intelligent guy who has genuine ideas on how to help college athletes be better prepared for life after their college.

“If I had stayed at Ohio State, I would have won 2 Heisman’s. My body of work speaks for itself.” – Maurice Clarett

That’s just one reason I had an awesome time interviewing today’s guest on The Learning Leader Show.

Welcome to Episode 003 with the thought provoking, Maurice Clarett

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

Some Questions I Ask:

Why do you feel that Ohio State did not prepare you for life after football?
Is it the players or coaches responsibility for the student athletes to be prepared for life after football?
What is the story behind the infamous ESPN the magazine cover story and article titled “One and Done?”
What would have happened if you had stayed at Ohio State for 2 more years?
Why didn’t it work in Denver? Were drugs and alcohol a factor?
What specific things can college coaches and administrators do to help college athletes be better prepared for life after sports?
What is your current relationship like with Ohio State? Coach Tressel?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

About why Maurice originally committed to play football at Notre Dame
The story behind the ESPN story “One and Done” and how they misrepresented Maurice
Maurice feels as though he would have won 2 Heisman trophies had he stayed at Ohio State through his junior year
Specific practices to help college athletes be better prepared for life after football
The moment he felt he truly belonged as a Buckeye
The details behind the making of the great ESPN 30 for 30 “Youngstown Boys”
How he’s now making a 6 figure income
The details behind being arrested multiple times and spending 4 years in prison
How he’s turned his life around and is now helping others
Much, much more…

Continue Learning

Go to Maurice's Website
Read Warren Buffett
Follow Maurice on Twitter @reeseclarett13

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How to become a master connector with Jayson Gaignard from MasterMind Talks

Episode 006: Hal Elrod Tells You How To Be Insanely Productive Before 8:00 AM

Episode 009: The Creative Leader’s Guide to making money by thinking outside of the Box with Jason Zook (SurfrApp)

Did you enjoy the podcast?

I was fascinated by Maurice. I’ve followed him since he was in high school winning the USA Today National Player of the Year in North East Ohio. This was one of my favorite episodes. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio:

Maurice Clarett has traveled throughout the nation speaking to universities, businesses, non-profits, faith based organizations and high schools. His life experiences have led him to be one of the most sought after speakers.

Maurice had a massive amount of success at Ohio State becoming the first freshman running back to start, being named Big Ten freshman of the year, and setting the freshman rushing and touchdown season record. He was also instrumental in helping Ohio State clinch the National Championship in 2002 with two pivotal plays "the strip" and scoring the go ahead touchdown. This was Maurice's only season at Ohio State due to a series of events that took place in his life (These events be seen in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "Youngstown Boys").

After much success on the field Maurice had trouble finding that same level of success off of the field and found himself serving 7 1/2 year prison sentence. It was there that Maurice began to take that work ethic and discipline that brought him so much success as a football player and began to focus it on himself as a person. He began to educate himself through college courses and reading books in his topics of interest such as the economics, finance, and business. His growth became evident to those around him as he would share what he had learned and began motivating those around him. It was this type of leadership that permitted him to be released 4 years early.

Upon being released Maurice went right to work in developing what he has envisioned. He wanted to create a platform that would allow him to connect, educate, and empower people in their life and/or profession. Maurice soon found himself connecting with the nation’s top business executives with the most notable being Warren Buffet.

His ability to connect with his audience in a practical way leaves those who hear his words feeling inspired. Maurice believes that when you compound positive reinforcements in your life, over time, you begin to receive the benefits from them.

002: Chris Brogan: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals Apr 11, 2015

Episode 002: Chris Brogan: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals

After we finished recording this interview, Chris said to me, “You’re a good egg Ryan Hawk. Thank you for having me on.” I’m not sure why, but I really enjoyed getting a thoughtful, real compliment from someone like Chris. Chris has a podcast guest standard that he will only record for 20 minutes (it makes sense based on his schedule and the amount of requests he gets). When I shut it down after 21 minutes, he asked to keep going… Just a really enjoyable, fun, and educational episode. We’ll record another 20 minutes together soon…

“I am taking over...” – Chris Brogan

Welcome to Episode 002 with the CEO of Owner Media Group Chris Brogan

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio. (Make these live links)

The Learning Leader Show

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Some Questions I Ask:

How do you equip owners?
Why is entrepreneurship more than just 2 guys shaking hands?
Why did you write “The Freaks Shall Inherit The Earth?”
Why won’t his kids have cubicle jobs?
At what specific moment did Chris know he had created something meaningful?
What specific things can people do to get outside of their comfort zone?

“Have a plan, work the plan, plan for the unexpected.” - Terry Hoeppner

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Chris’s 3 words for 2015: Plan, Leverage, Fabric… And everything that goes into why he chose those words
Why most days he’s awesome but sometimes he has to ride out clinical depression
How he’s become resilient and how you can too
The importance of loyalty to others
How we all can learn from what he’s done and put it into action even if we do not have credibility yet
How to become a better public speaker
What it’s like to interview Richard BransonJames Altucher called his book “The Freaks Shall Inherit The Earth”, “The Bible for making a startup.”

Continue Learning

Go to Chris's website
Read The Freaks Shall Inherit The Earth
See why over 300,000 people follow Chris on Twitter: @chrisbrogan

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How to become a master connector with Jayson Gaignard from MasterMind Talks

Episode 003: The incredibly interesting story of Maurice Clarett and how he built a 6 figure income after spending 4 years in prison

Episode 009: The Creative Leader’s Guide to making money by thinking outside of the Box with Jason Zook (SurfrApp)

Did you enjoy the podcast?

As I said before, this was a very special episode for me. I am a huge fan of Chris and to have him enjoy being on the show really meant a lot to me. I loved this episode. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Bio:

Chris Brogan explores how people use content and community to build marketplaces around areas of belonging. He is CEO of Owner Media Group, a sought after public speaker, and the New York Times bestselling author of eight books and working on his ninth, Belong: A Framework for Embracing Community, Driving the Economy and Building the Future. Learn more about him at www.chrisbrogan.com

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks Apr 10, 2015

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

I love discussing how we can all better ourselves by becoming improving our connecting skills. This was a phenomenal episode. Jayson shares that the best way to connect with others is to first look to help them. I think it is one of most life-changing and important skills we can master.

“To me, at the end of the day, it’s not how many friends you can count, it’s how many friends you can count on.” – Jayson Gaignard

That’s just one reason I had an awesome time interviewing today’s guest on The Learning Leader Show.

Welcome to Episode 001 with the connecting genius, Jayson Gaignard

Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

The Learning Leader Show

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” – John Wooden

Some Questions I Ask:

What big moments led Jayson to this point in his life?
Why did he intentionally run his first business in to the ground?
At what specific moment did Jayson know he had created something meaningful?
What made him pay Tim Ferriss $84,000 to speak at his first event while he was $250,000 in debt?
What specific things can people do to get outside of their comfort zone?

“Investing in myself and investing in my relationships is the greatest investment I can make.” - Jayson Gaignard

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to create your own MasterMind talk
The benefits of utilizing James Altucher’s 10 Ideas a Day approach to life
Specific Goal Setting Practices
The importance of loyalty to others
How regular people can do what Jayson has done
How to become a better public speaker
Why making 22 times the national average did not help him become 22 times happier than the national average
How he’s made a very quick ascent to get to where he is

“We over estimate what we can accomplish in a day, but we under estimate what we can accomplish in a year” – Jayson Gaignard

Continue Learning

Go to Jayson's Website
Read Seth Godin
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I love discussing how we can all better ourselves at connecting with others through helping them. Jayson has mastered this vital skill. I loved this episode. Who do you know that needs to hear this? Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio:

Building connections and building relationships are how you bring real value to the world around you.

Jayson Gaignard is a super-connector.

Broke and $250,000 in debt, Jayson thought about an idea that nobody else was doing after getting a free ticket to hear Seth Godin speak, connecting entrepreneurs over an intimate dinner.

He paid for this himself by going even further into debt with no expectations of ever making money on these. Mastermind Dinners launched and Jayson’s new venture was off and running. Hear Jayson discuss how he scraped together $84,000 in order to pay for Tim Ferriss to speak at his first event. Incredible!

Entrepreneurship often takes an unyielding belief in yourself, and Jayson definitely believes.

Listen today to hear the story of someone who bet everything he had on an idea.

His new book, MasterMind Dinners: Build Lifelong Relationship by Connecting Experts, Influencers,and Linchpins is a phenomenal read and he hosts a podcast, Mastermind Talks. I highly recommend that you subscribe to it.

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