What&#8217;s Next! with Tiffani Bova

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Simplifying Growth with Meredith Schmidt Sep 04, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I’m excited to welcome Meredith Schmidt, who recently joined me on my LinkedIn Live show and is my first ever Salesforce guest. She is the EVP and GM of Revenue Cloud. She's responsible for creating products to manage the product-to-cash lifecycle and end-to-end revenue management.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…business leaders and anyone trying to align customer experience with financial results.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…running a business today means balancing growth with customer trust. Meredith Schmidt shares how her career leading revenue operations at Salesforce shaped her belief that finance isn’t just about numbers, it’s about enabling great customer experiences. From simplifying processes to removing friction, she explains why financial leaders have to think like customer champions if they want to drive sustainable success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Simplifying processes creates trust and unlocks growth.

Strong revenue operations require alignment across sales, finance, and customer success.
The best leaders make complexity feel simple for employees and for customers.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… Meredith’s perspective that finance can be a driver of customer loyalty, not just a back-office function. By putting the customer at the center of revenue decisions, she shows how leaders can fuel both trust and growth.

Running Time: 26:03

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Everyone's An Artist (or At Least They Should Be)

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RELOAD: Leading with Creativity to Deliver Insight with Ron Tite Aug 28, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I’m reflecting on a conversation I shared with Ron Tite a while back. Ron is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, speaker and investor. He has been an award-winning advertising writer and Creative Director for some of the world’s most respected brands. He is Founder and CEO of Church+State, an agency that unifies content and advertising for global brands and media companies. He has written for television, a children’s book, a hit play and an award-winning comedy book. He was the Executive Producer & Host of the award-winning comedy show, Monkey Toast and now hosts the podcast The Coup.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…brands looking for unique ways to build trust and talk about your purpose in an authentic and focused way.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…Ron gives us his insightful and humorous take on building brands. He talks about using humor and creativity to deliver insight, investing your time and creative energy in the “original.” Every brand and organization should have a belief that goes beyond product; a belief that provides purpose. Once you have that, you must do something actionable that reinforces that purpose, and if that purpose is truly sincere and essential to your brand, it will be worth talking about....So, talk about it!

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Ron talks about seizing the attention of customers and employees by staying curious, staying passionate, and building that authentic trust with a twist of humor.

Running Time: 30:57

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Ron’s Books:

Think. Do. Say.

The CEO’s Guide to Leading with Purpose with Klaus Kleinfeld Aug 21, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I’m joined by Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld, who is the only leader to have successfully served as CEO of two Fortune 500 giants on different continents: Alcoa in the US and Siemens in Germany. With a nearly forty-year career spanning multiple industries, from established businesses to tech startups, he has advised US presidents and global leaders across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. As the founder of K2 Elevation, he invests in North American and European tech and biotech firms. And he also has a book out called Leading to Thrive.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone who wants to become a more effective leader, whether you’re running a global enterprise, leading a small team, or gearing up to start your own business.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…it’s easy to think leadership is about having all the answers but Klaus Kleinfeld would say say it’s really about curiosity, connection, and energy management. Drawing on decades of experience, Klaus shares actionable insights for leading with clarity and intent in any business environment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

Klaus encourages leaders to see fear as “false expectations appearing real” and dissect it before it holds you back.
Getting frontline insights directly from customers can help to avoid losing critical information in translation.
The goal should be to build high-performance teams where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Klaus’s reminder that great leadership isn’t about titles or politics, it’s about investing your energy where it matters most, staying connected to the people you serve, and never losing sight of your purpose.

Running Time: 27:25

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Klaus’ Book:

Leading to Thrive: Mastering Strategies for Sustainable Success in Business and Life

Leveling Up Your Leadership with John Maxwell Aug 14, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I’m joined by John Maxwell, someone who truly needs no introduction in the world of leadership. For over five decades, John has been teaching, writing, and inspiring leaders around the world. From his 5 Levels of Leadership to his 100+ books translated into 50 languages, he has shaped how millions think about what it means to lead well. But what I most admire about John, outside of the fact that he's a great guy, is that he doesn't just talk about leadership, he lives it. Whether working with Fortune 500 CEOs, young entrepreneurs or communities in need, he believes leadership is about one thing: adding value to others.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone who wants to be more intentional in their growth as a leader. Whether you’re a CEO, founder, people manager, or just stepping into leadership, this episode is a must-listen.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…being put into a leadership position doesn’t always mean you’ve been prepared to lead. In this candid conversation, John explains why too many leaders are handed bigger roles without the support or mentoring they need to succeed and how to change that. We discuss what makes leadership truly effective, the importance of intentional growth, and how to build a stronger leadership bench within your organization. If you’re thinking about how to make sure your leadership legacy includes more than just your own success, John’s wisdom will stick with you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

Great leaders invest in their people, not just themselves.
Consistency is the secret to long-term success and it compounds over time.
Don’t waste energy trying to fix your weaknesses. Instead, double down on your strengths.
If you don’t have a mentor, create one through books, podcasts, or intentional practice.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…John’s reminder that leadership isn’t about “me first” but about adding value to others. It’s not your journey alone.

Running Time: 30:13

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Becoming Shatterproof with Tasha Eurich Aug 07, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I have one of my dear friends joining us. Tasha Eurich is an organizational psychologist, leadership researcher and bestselling author known for her ability to blend science and real-world insight. Her TED Talks have garnered over 10 million views. She has been named one of the world's top three most influential coaches, the Changemaker of the Decade, and one of the top 30 Emerging Management Thinkers by Thinkers50. Her latest book, Shatterproof, combines cutting-edge research with a powerful personal narrative to offer a transformative roadmap for navigating uncertainty and building true mental toughness.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders, professionals, and high achievers who are pushing themselves to keep going in a chaotic world and wondering why it’s not working anymore.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…we’ve been taught to push harder when things get tough, but what if that’s not the solution? In this conversation, Tasha returns to the podcast to discuss why traditional resilience practices may no longer be sufficient. Drawing on new research from her book Shatterproof, she introduces a powerful roadmap for navigating constant chaos without burning out. If you’ve ever hit your “resilience ceiling” or felt stuck in hustle culture with nothing to show for it, this conversation will help you reframe how to thrive without self-gaslighting or grinding yourself into the ground.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

Why “grit gaslighting” is holding many high performers back
What the “resilience ceiling” is and how to know when you’ve hit it
The difference between pushing through and truly becoming shatterproof
Three core human needs that must be met in order to thrive

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Tasha’s insight that “resilient people push through while ignoring their needs, but shatterproof people harness their challenges to meet them.” That reframing is a game-changer.

Running Time: 29:16

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Tasha’s Book:

Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos (And Why Resilience Alone Isn’t Enough)

Resilience Quiz:

https://resilience-quiz.com/

RELOAD: Navigating Tech Ethically and Responsibly with Kara Swisher Jul 31, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I’m eager to revisit a conversation with Kara Swisher. Kara is the co-founder and editor-at-large of Recode, producer and host of the Recode Decode and Pivot podcasts, and co-executive producer of the Code Conference series. She also has a special series on MSNBC called Revolution on the impact of technology on work, society, and more. Kara is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times and the author of “aol.com: How Steve Case Beat Bill Gates, Nailed the Netheads and Made Millions in the War for the Web.”

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone who wants to hear a no-holds-barred conversation about the state of Silicon Valley, what the next generation of Unicorns might look like and what VCs want, what they need, and what they should be paying attention to.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…Kara discusses the role of AI and automation moving forward and the onus that will be placed on employees to reskill. In this new job market, creativity and problem-solving will be more important than ever before. Kara rounds out this episode with what trust looks like in the new tech economy, the role of regulators moving forward, and the importance of ethical thinking in new technologies in an industry that is facing a crisis of privacy.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Kara is out having the tough conversations, fighting the good fight every day and staying engaged and aware as technology evolves in our society.

Running Time: 27:38

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Kara’s Podcast:

How AI Changes Everything with Adam Brotman and Andy Sack Jul 24, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I'm thrilled to have two guests with me this week. The first is Adam Brotman. He is the co-founder and co-CEO of the strategic consultancy Forum3. He was the inaugural Chief Digital Officer at Starbucks, where he played a pivotal role in launching the company's renowned mobile payment and loyalty platform. His leadership extended to strategic roles at J. Crew, MOD Pizza and Ruby Tuesday, showcasing his expertise in digital transformation and consumer engagement. We're also joined by Andy Sack, who is the co-founder and co-CEO of Forum3. He brings more than 20 years of entrepreneurial and investment experience in high tech and finance to this role. As the founder and managing partner of Keen Capital, he focused on blockchain ventures. In addition, he is a former advisor to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Andy’s successful track record includes leading tech stars in Seattle and selling multiple technology companies to giants such as Microsoft and the New York Times Digital.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone trying to figure out how AI will impact their work and business.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…the pace of AI advancement is exponential, as most of us have seen firsthand. AI isn’t just about driving efficiency or cutting costs but about reimagining how businesses operate, how decisions are made, and how leadership itself evolves. In this conversation, Adam and Andy share how the rise of agentic AI will impact every layer of a business and why ignoring it isn’t an option.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

Being “AI-first” means rethinking decision-making, not just speeding it up.

The best AI playbooks involve experimentation, not perfection.
The most effective leaders of this day and age will learn to manage both people and AI.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… I love the reminder that this shift isn’t just about technology, it’s about leadership. Being future-ready means embracing experimentation, staying curious, and helping your teams navigate change with clarity and responsibility.

Running Time: 32:11

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AI First with Adam and Andy

Find Andy Online:

Find Adam Online:

Adam and Andy’s Podcast

Adam and Andy’s Book:

AI First: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand

The Activator Advantage with Matt Dixon Jul 17, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I'm super excited to welcome Matt Dixon to the show. He is a Founding Partner at DCM Insights, a global training and advisory firm, and a leading expert in business development and client experience. He's a frequent contributor to HBR and an author of bestselling books, including The Effortless Experience, The Jolt Effect, and his most famous, The Challenger Sale which was a #1 Amazon and Wall Street Journal bestseller. We crossed paths in the CEB Gartner days and I’m just thrilled to have him back here today to talk about a new book he co-authored, The Activator Advantage.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders, consultants, and business developers looking to stand out in a more competitive market.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…strong client relationships and quality work used to be enough to maintain loyalty, but not anymore. As buying behaviors shift and competition increases, leaders need a new approach. Matt shares what sets today’s top rainmakers apart: they’re not just experts, they’re activators—people who proactively offer insights, open doors, and create value long before the deal is signed.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

Great work alone no longer guarantees client loyalty.
Activators are winning by being proactive connectors, not passive experts.
Trusted advisors often box out colleagues and limit firm-wide growth.
Internal collaboration makes client relationships more resilient.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Matt’s insight that rainmakers of the past relied on reputation but today’s leaders build trust by sharing value before the sale even starts.

Running Time: 28:00

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Matt’s Book: The Activator Advantage: What Today's Rainmakers Do Differently

The Future of AI with Steve Lucas Jul 10, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, we hear from Steve Lucas. Steve is a seasoned executive with nearly 30 years of experience in enterprise software leadership. As the CEO of Boomi, he spearheads efforts to connect the world through a transformative technology platform. Previously, he was the CEO of Marketo and iCIMS. At Marketo, he transformed the company's sales, marketing, and product strategies, culminating in its 2018 acquisition by Adobe. At iCIMS, he introduced the Talent Cloud, enabling 40% of the Fortune 100 to hire millions of employees annually. Earlier roles included senior executive positions at Adobe, SAP, Salesforce, and BusinessObjects.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…business leaders navigating digital transformation, especially those eager to understand how AI will reshape organizations.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…it’s easy to get swept up in the hype around AI, but what does transformation actually look like in practice? Steve explores the dramatic shift AI is bringing to enterprise software, from the rise of AI agents to the decline of traditional user interfaces. He shares how businesses can prepare for an agentic future where success will depend on collaboration between humans and AI.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Human resistance to change is often about trust and not capability
AI won’t replace humans but augment them (if we allow it)
Leaders should focus less on tools and more on the business outcomes they unlock

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Steve’s reminder that in a world full of hype and disruption, trust is still the currency that matters most. No matter how powerful AI becomes, if people don’t trust it or the companies using it, it won’t deliver value.

Running Time: 28:44

Find Tiffani Online:

Digital Impact: The Human Element of AI-Driven Transformation

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Steve’s Book:

RELOAD: The F.A.T.E of Curiosity and Being Curious All the Time with Dr. Diane Hamilton Jul 03, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I’m reflecting on a conversation I had with Diane Hamilton. Diane is a nationally syndicated radio host, award-winning speaker, author, and educator. She is the MBA Program Chair at the Forbes School of Business and has a Ph.D. in Business Management. She is the creator of the Curiosity Code Index and the author of 4 books.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…if you have the desire to increase your desire to learn and become more curious in both your personal and professional lives, this episode is for you.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…how do we measure the “soft stuff?” How do we encourage, reward, and quantify the benefits of curiosity? Why is it that innovators throughout history–Einstein, Edison, Jobs–point to their curiosity as their most important contribution? Are you getting curious yet? In today’s episode, Dr. Diane Hamilton helps us answer these questions and explains why it is so vital that we stoke the flames of our own curiosity. She also shares with us her groundbreaking research and what exactly the F.A.T.E. of curiosity can tell us.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…I was fascinated by this whole concept of curiosity and how we can become more curious as leaders, as contributors, and as innovators. The soft stuff is so important to our success, not only as a company but for the people we lead and manage as well.

Running time: 33:30

Find Tiffani Online:

Cracking the Curiosity Code

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Dr. Hamilton’s Book:

How the Like Button Changed Everything with Bob Goodson Jun 26, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I welcomed Bob Goodson to the show. Bob is President and Founder of Quid, a Silicon Valley–based company whose AI models are used by a third of the Fortune 50. Before starting Quid, he was the first employee at Yelp, where he played a role in the genesis of the like button and observed firsthand the rise of the social media industry. He also served a two-year term on WEF’s Global Future Council for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…business leaders, product designers, and marketers curious about how digital behaviors shape innovation and strategy.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…have you ever thought about how the like button was created and how it ended up shaping the internet? Bob takes us behind the scenes of that pivotal innovation and reflects on what it means for how we build products, connect with customers, and navigate a world being reshaped by AI. This conversation is part tech history, part strategic lens into where we’re headed next.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Innovation often starts with messy, unpredictable experimentation
AI is already influencing strategy if you let it be your thought partner
Agency is a crucial component to consider in the age of AI

WHAT I LOVE MOST… Bob’s insight that true agency, the human ability to take initiative and shape change, is something AI can’t replicate. It’s a powerful reminder of our value in an increasingly automated world.

Running Time: 30:08

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Find Bob Online:

Bob’s Book:

Like: The Button That Changed the World

Brand Lessons from Taylor Swift with Kevin Evers Jun 19, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I’m excited to welcome Kevin Evers to the show. He is a Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review. He's written popular articles on brain science, Hollywood blockbusters, the art of persuasion, and the unpredictability of success. But what he is here to talk about today is his new book called There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone (fan or not) who is curious about how bold creative decisions can shape brand success.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…Taylor Swift has undeniably built one of the most successful music careers of all time. But beyond the musical talent, she’s also a business mastermind. In this episode, Kevin unpacks how she’s built a brand so distinctive that it operates in a category of one. From rethinking product launches to redefining customer loyalty, her approach is a case study in aligning brand, audience, and experience.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Longevity comes from bold, well-timed reinvention.
Fan obsession is a growth strategy, not just a marketing strategy.
You can’t fake authenticity; your audience will notice.
Strategic shifts should follow your creative instincts, not the market’s expectations.
Treat every product launch like an unforgettable experience.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Kevin’s insight that Taylor Swift’s best strategies are rooted in her art, not the boardroom. Staying creatively true has become her business advantage.

Running Time: 28:46

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Kevin’s Book: There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift

RELOAD: Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Working Environment with Emily Chang Jun 12, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I’m looking back on a conversation I had with Emily Chang. Emily is a San Francisco-based anchor and an executive producer of “Bloomberg Technology.” Before joining Bloomberg in 2010, Chang served as an international correspondent for CNN in Beijing and London, as well as a reporter at KNSD, NBC’s affiliate in San Diego. While at KNSD, she won five regional Emmy Awards. She is also the author of Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys' Club of Silicon Valley, which investigates and examines sexism and gender inequality in the tech industry.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders, peers, and business owners who create professional environments and who want to foster more diverse and inclusive environments that thrive.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…Emily talks about her book Brotopia and shares small but brilliant ways to make sure you’re actively creating a diverse working environment that is inclusive and diverse in thought. It’s our responsibility as leaders, peers, and business owners to make sure that those around us feel that they are listened to, they are heard, and that they have the opportunity to share their stories.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…it doesn’t take a lot to create a more diverse and inclusive environment, and Emily teaches us how small things can make a massive impact.

Running time: 33:39

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Find Emily Online:

Emily on Bloomberg:

www.bloombergmedia.com

Emily’s Book:

Brotopia

What Every Leader Should Know About Cybersecurity with Dr. Eric Cole Jun 05, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I have the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Eric Cole to the show today. He has a really unique perspective, helping people understand how the principles of cybersecurity and problem-solving can be applied to personal and professional growth. His career has advanced him from a professional hacker for the CIA to commissioner on cybersecurity for the 44th president of the United States to currently advising companies and teaching professionals on how to implement security measures that serve as a business enabler. His eighth book, Cyber Crisis, debuted as number one on the Wall Street Journal's bestseller list.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone looking to strengthen their digital security measures.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…we all know cybersecurity is important, but we often underestimate how these principles can enhance our decision-making, relationships, and leadership. Dr. Eric Cole shows us how adopting a hacker’s mindset can help us spot blind spots before they become problems.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Friendly hackers can expose your weaknesses before adversaries do.
Good user hygiene is more effective than relying only on technology.
Pausing before reacting can prevent regret.
Privacy will be the biggest concern (and opportunity) in the AI era.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Dr. Cole’s reminder that slowing down, asking questions, and being intentional can protect not just your data, but your relationships and reputation too.

Running Time: 25:30

Find Tiffani Online:

Cyber Crisis: Protecting Your Business from Real Threats in the Virtual World

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Eric’s Book:

Navigating the Growth Dilemma with Ryan Hamilton May 29, 2025

Navigating the Growth Dilemma with Ryan Hamilton

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I’m thrilled to welcome Ryan Hamilton to the show this week. Ryan is an associate professor of marketing at Emory University's Goizueta Business School. He has consulted on branding with Walmart, FedEx, Home Depot, Caterpillar, ConAgra, Cigna, Visa, and Ipsos, among others, and has been a keynote speaker. He cohosts a podcast, called The Intuitive Customer, which applies the insights of behavioral science to customer experience. He has produced lecture series on both marketing and human decision making for The Great Courses. He is the co-author of a new book, The Growth Dilemma.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone navigating brand growth and customer strategy decisions across evolving markets and customer segments.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…growth is a natural goal for businesses, but attracting new customers can unintentionally alienate the ones you already have. Ryan calls this the growth dilemma. As you expand your customer base, you risk creating conflicts between different groups of customers, conflicts that can undermine your success. Ryan outlines four kinds of customer conflict and how businesses can better anticipate and manage them before making big moves.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Growth can backfire if you don’t manage customer conflicts
Start by maximizing value from existing customers before chasing new ones
The four common conflict types are functional, brand image, user identity, and ideological

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Ryan’s insight that brands often chase new customers without realizing the conflicts it creates, when the gold might already be in their existing customer base.

Running Time: 27:02

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Ryan & Annie’s Book: The Growth Dilemma: Managing Your Brand When Different Customers Want Different Things

RELOAD: Are You Asking the Right Questions with Hal Gregersen May 22, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I’m eager to replay a conversation with Hal Gregersen. Hal is Executive Director of the MIT Leadership Center and Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management. His book, Questions Are the Answer, builds on 200+ interviews with renowned business, technology, education, government, social enterprise, and artistic leaders. Ranked one of the world’s 25 most influential management thinkers by Thinkers50, and winner of the 2017 Distinguished Achievement Award for leadership, Hal regularly delivers inspirational keynote speeches, motivational executive seminars and transformational coaching experiences. He has co-authored ten books and is the author of more than 50 articles, book chapters, and cases on leading innovation and change (with more than 10,000 citations by other scholars). His research has been highlighted in global media such as BBC, CNN, The Economist, Fast Company, Financial Times, Forbes, Fortune, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He is also the founder of  The 4-24 Project, an initiative dedicated to rekindling the provocative power of asking the right questions in adults so they can pass this crucial creativity skill onto the next generation.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone who wants to get better and rekindle his or her curiosity!

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… Hal teaches us all about asking questions and really listening to the answers. Are you stopping and reflecting on how many and what kinds of questions you ask? Are you getting and acting on good feedback? Hal helps us pause and take a moment to rediscover our child-like curiosity and move forward as better leaders, better employees, and better humans!

WHAT I LOVE MOST… Hal’s 24-hour question audit. We all should be doing this!

Running time: 36:02

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Find Hal Online:

Hal’s Website:

Hal’s Book:

Questions Are the Answer

RELOAD: Creating a Culture of Healthy Expression and Belonging with Liz Fosslien May 15, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I’d like to share a conversation I had a while back with Liz Fosslien. Liz is the co-author and illustrator of the Wall Street Journal best-seller No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work. She’s also the Head of Content at Humu. Humu is a company that makes work better by using behavioral science and machine learning to make change easier. Liz's writing and illustrations have been featured on or by The New York Times, the Harvard Business Review, The Economist, WNYC, and NPR’s Marketplace. I am absolutely thrilled to have her as a guest!

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone experiencing burnout, remote workers, and those who have experienced a lack of belonging at work.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…Liz teaches us about the secret power of embracing your emotions in the workplace in an appropriate and productive way. She talks about creating an environment of belonging and preventing the infamous office blow-up. She breaks down emotion, expression, and burnout, and talks about how we can be more productive leaders when we are reflective by employing EQ to create a healthy and productive work environment. Becoming a more present leader can help keep you and your team from experiencing productivity-killing burnout! Liz also discusses practical strategies for efficiency and efficacy in the workplace.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Liz flags this analogy and its importance in the workplace, especially for leaders.

Running time: 37:26

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Find Liz Online:

Liz’s Website:

Liz and Mollie’s Book:

No Hard Feelings

Liz and Mollie’s Website:

www.lizandmollie.com

Wild Courage at Work with Jenny Wood May 08, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I’m thrilled to welcome Jenny Wood to the show this week. She had an 18-year career at Google, where she grew from entry-level to executive, and she most recently led a large operations team that helped drive tens of billions of dollars in revenue per year. In 2021, she started a passion project within Google called Own Your Career, which grew to one of the largest career development programs in Google’s history. Through the programs she founded, she has trained tens of thousands of people on acing a job search, building relationships, personal branding, effective email writing, increasing confidence, and so much more. She also has a new book out called Wild Courage, which has just hit the New York Times list.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone looking to grow their personal brand, boost confidence, and take bold steps in their career.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…many people feel stuck in their careers not because they lack talent, but because they hesitate to speak up, stand out, or take action. Jenny shares a roadmap for building confidence and personal brand by overcoming fear and embracing thoughtful risk.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Personal branding starts with solving a real problem and thinking out loud.
“Playground time” helps you explore new skills without pressure.
Confidence is built through action, not perfection.
Sharing your ideas can boost both your career and your company.
Rewrite limiting beliefs by separating truths from tales.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Jenny’s reminder that the courage to try, even when you’re not ready, is what separates dreamers from doers.

Running Time: 25:00

Find Tiffani Online:

Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It

Find Jenny Online:

Jenny’s Book:

The ROI of Play with Kristi Herold May 01, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I have the pleasure of welcoming Kristi Herold to the show today. Kristi is the founder and CEO of JAM, a multi-million-dollar global business that has connected millions of people through play since its inception in 1996 and has grown to be one of the world’s largest adult recreational sports leagues. JAM has also produced and delivered over 4,000 playful corporate team-building events in over 30 countries since the summer of 2020, and the JAM team consults organizations, helping them integrate fun and play into their “workPLAYce culture.” She’s also the best-selling author of It Pays to PLAY – How Play Improves Business Culture. She has been named to Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, was a top 3 finalist in the Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, and was awarded the Governor General’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in recognition of her contribution and giving back to the community. Her vision is to get 1 million people playing annually.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders, people managers, and culture-builders who want to strengthen remote and hybrid teams without forcing another Zoom brainstorm or awkward icebreaker.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…you don’t have to choose between productivity and fun at work. Kristi Herold is on a mission to prove you can (and should) have both. In this episode, we discuss how Kristi helps companies around the world integrate play into their culture, virtually and in-person, to boost engagement, build stronger relationships, and drive real business results. From playful daily huddles to rethinking your team-building events, she shares tangible ways to make fun a part of your workplace DNA.

Key Takeaways:

How virtual play can build culture even across time zones
Why “laughter guarantees” work better than mandatory fun
How to structure quick, daily team check-ins that actually feel good
Ideas to bring play into remote meetings without making it weird

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Kristi’s approach is practical, energizing, and incredibly human. Her belief that “you don’t have to stop working to play” is a game-changer for leaders trying to build stronger cultures remotely.

Running Time: 25:35

Find Tiffani Online:

https://www.kristiherold.com/whatsnext25/

Find Kristi Online:

Kristi’s Offer for What’s Next! Listeners:

Kristi’s Book:

It Pays to PLAY: How Play Improves Business Culture

RELOAD: Unearth Your Own Potential by Being More Self-Aware with Tasha Eurich Apr 24, 2025

RELOAD: Unearth Your Own Potential by Being More Self-Aware with Tasha Eurich

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I’m looking back to an inspiring conversation with Tasha Eurich I reflect on often. Tasha is an organizational psychologist, researcher, and New York Times best-selling author. Over her 15+ year career, Tasha has built a reputation as a fresh, modern voice in the business world by pairing her scientific grounding in human behavior with a pragmatic approach to professional development. She’s helped thousands of leaders—from public company CEOs to early-stage entrepreneurs—improve their self-awareness and success. Her TEDxMileHigh talks have been viewed more than three million times and in 2019, Thinkers50 named her one of the top 30 emerging management thinkers in the world. She was also chosen from more than 16,000 candidates as one of Marshall Goldsmith’s “100 Coaches” to advance the practice of leadership.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… aspiring and current leaders, as well as anyone interacting with other humans in the 21st century who want to become more self-aware.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… as the foundational skill for our success and happiness in both our professional and personal lives, it behooves us to become self-aware both internally and externally, and Tasha breaks it down.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… I have always thought that the conversation around self-awareness, how we lead and how we think we lead, and how we communicate and think we communicate is fascinating and so beneficial. This podcast will open your eyes to the reality of your own self-awareness and how others might perceive you.

Running time: 34:27

Find Tiffani Online:

Find Tasha Online:

Tasha’s Website:

Tasha’s Books:

Bankable Leadership: Happy People, Bottom-Line Results, and the Power to Deliver Both

The Insight Quiz:

The Insight Quiz

RELOAD: The Future of Retail with Doug Stephens Apr 17, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I am thrilled to share a conversation I had with Doug Stephens a while back. Doug is the Founder of Retail Prophet. He is one of the world’s foremost retail industry futurists whose intellectual work has influenced well-known international retailers, agencies and brands like Walmart, Google, L'Oreal, Disney, BMW, Citibank, and LVMH. Doug is the author of two groundbreaking books, The Retail Revival: Re-Imagining Business for the New Age of Consumerism (2013) and Reengineering Retail: The Future of Selling in a Post-Digital World (2017). Doug is also the nationally syndicated retail columnist for CBC Radio and sits on multiple corporate and academic advisory boards, including the David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retail & Services at St. Mary’s University. His unique perspectives on retailing, business and consumer behavior have been featured in many of the world’s leading publications and media outlets, including The New York Times, The BBC, Bloomberg Business News, TechCrunch, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and Fast Company.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone looking to understand the future of retail and what value brands can derive from maintaining storefronts, investing in multi-channel engagement and what disruptions might be right around the corner.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… Doug Stephens breaks down the past, present, and future of retail and talks about bringing metrics and experience into the future to keep stores open. Have we come full circle? Doug thinks so, and he is sharing just how. He also shares his insight on giants like Amazon, why he thinks they are ripe for disruption, the retail experience, how our current metrics are living in the past, and how brick-and-mortar stores can be your most powerful and measurable media channel.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…So often ,I get asked about the death of retail, so it was really great to get a chance to talk to an expert like Doug, who can shed more light on the realities.

Running time: 39:50

Find Tiffani Online:

Find Doug Online:

Doug’s Website:

www.retailprophet.com

Doug’s Books:

The Retail Revival: Re-Imagining Business for the New Age of Consumerism

Reengineering Retail: The Future of Selling in a Post-Digital World

RELOAD: How Design Thinking Helped an Olympic Athlete Create Breakthrough Performance with John Coyle Apr 10, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I’m looking back to a great conversion I had with Olympic silver medalist John Coyle. Known as “The Time Guy,” John is a thought leader in the field of chronoception—the study of how humans process time— and one of the world's leading experts in Design Thinking. A graduate of Stanford University’s Product Design Program and a Kellogg MBA, John is an NBC sports analyst, two-time TEDx presenter and sought-after keynote speaker. His presentations combine the data and analytics of a professor with the inspired storytelling of an Olympic athlete. He is also a best-selling author of two books, Design For Strengths: Applying Design Thinking to Individual and Team Strengths and The Art of Really Living Manifesto. As a speaker and an author, his talent is in weaving facts, examples, and intellectual principles into engaging stories that leave you with actionable ideas.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone interested in design thinking, optimizing for their strength and maximizing their time to make major breakthroughs.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… John shares his experiences as an Olympian, an innovator, and a world-class “design-thinker.” His personal experiences, metaphors, and practical guidelines serve as a roadmap for innovation and leaning into your strengths as opposed to trying to solve “weaknesses.” He also shares how design thinking can seep into and affect other parts of your life and career to achieve breakthrough performances and create more meaning.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… John’s great and illustrative anecdotes that help anyone focus on design thinking, solving the right problems, and learning how to lean into your strengths as opposed to solving for your non-strengths.

Running Time: 35:55

Find Tiffani Online:

Find John Online:

John’s Books:

The Art of Really Living Manifesto

RELOAD: Doing Good, Embracing Discomfort, and the Final Marketing Frontier with Cindy Gallop Apr 01, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I’m bringing back an episode with the wonderful Cindy Gallop. Cindy has over 30 years of experience in brand-building, marketing, and advertising. Cindy took a risk when she entered advertising, and she hasn’t stopped taking them since. In 1998 she moved from the UK to New York and began building one of the fastest-growing agencies in Europe’s US branch, the New York office of Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH). Four years later, BBH US was named Ad Week’s Eastern Agency of the Year, and in 2003 Cindy was named Advertising Woman of the Year.  In 2005 she resigned as Chairman of BBH to pursue other projects. She continues to work in advertising and marketing, but is also tending to other fascinating projects of her own as well. At TED 2009, she launched MakeLoveNotPorn, she is the founder and CEO of IfWeRanTheWorld, a co-action software that enables brands to implement the business model of the future: Shared Values + Shared Action = Shared Profit (financial and social).

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… marketers and anyone on a mission to bring more diversity to their organization and brand, and those interested in learning more about the final marketing frontier!

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… Cindy Gallop takes us on a journey through the history of advertising and how we can be more mindful of inclusion and being more diverse moving forward. She also tackles the uncomfortable but necessary topics we simply aren’t addressing and the importance of the final marketing (in her mind) frontier: sex. Cindy is fearless and thoughtful on the topic and presents compelling evidence on the importance of being more willing to take risks when it comes to advertising and sex.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… Cindy opens up a dialogue that will make us uncomfortable and get us thinking about all of the opportunities yet to be explored in marketing, as well as thinking critically from a health and wellness perspective.

Running time: 34:43

Find Tiffani Online:

Find Cindy Online:

Cindy’s Websites:

The Science of Big Goals with Caroline Adams Miller Mar 27, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I have the honor and pleasure of welcoming Caroline Adams Miller to the show today.

For over three decades, Caroline has been a pioneer with her groundbreaking work in the science of goal setting, grit, happiness, and success. She is recognized as one of the world’s leading optimistic psychology experts. She is the author of nine books but we’re here to discuss her most recent book, Big Goals.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone who wants to set bigger, more meaningful goals and follow through with success.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE… most people approach goal setting the wrong way—relying on outdated methods, setting goals that are too small, or giving up too soon. Caroline Adams Miller shares why the science of goal setting is crucial for success and proposes new strategies to push past mediocrity and create a more fulfilling life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Meaningful goals should challenge you and push you outside your comfort zone.
The best goals align with what you won’t regret pursuing later in life.
Learning goals require patience and time, while performance goals demand high standards of excellence.
Who you surround yourself with can determine your success—seek out supporters, not frenemies.
Goal-setting isn’t about quick wins; it’s about creating long-term strategies for success.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Caroline’s insight that true goal setting isn’t just about ambition—it’s about meaning. The goals that truly change our lives are the ones that challenge us, push us forward, and align with what we’ll be proud of in the long run.

Running Time: 25:53

Find Tiffani Online:

Find Caroline Online:

Caroline’s Book: Big Goals: The Science of Setting Them, Achieving Them, and Creating Your Best Life

RELOAD: Growth Is a Decision with Daniel Marcos Mar 20, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I’m reflecting on a conversation I had with Daniel Marcos. Daniel is a Co-Founder and the CEO of Gazelles Growth Institute, an online executive education company for C-level executives at fast-growing firms. Daniel is also the Co-Founder of Inflection (Gazelles Mexico division), a keynote speaker, and CEO-Coach. Across all these efforts, his goal is to help 1 million entrepreneurs scale their companies faster and with “less drama.” Daniel is also an ambassador for Singularity University in Austin, TX and he co-authored the book Start-Up to Scale-Up.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… entrepreneurs interested in starting a company and small and mid-size businesses looking to grow and scale successfully.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… growth is not easy. It does not come without sacrifice. It’s important to make the decision to grow after careful consideration. More companies have died from excessive opportunities than the lack thereof, so it behooves leaders and organizations to set their objectives thoughtfully, be disciplined, and scale their mindset adequately. Daniel breaks down the 4 main stages of growth and the biggest challenges to be found in each.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… speaking with anyone who is maniacally focused on growth and can get us thinking critically and intentionally about growth, scaling, and continued success.

Running time: 34:47

Find Tiffani Online:

Find Daniel Online:

Growth Institute Website:

Growth Institute

Daniel’s Book:

Start-Up to Scale-Up

The Triple Fit Sales Strategy with Christoph Senn Mar 13, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I have the honor and pleasure of welcoming Christoph Senn to the show today.

Christoph is an adjunct professor of marketing at INSEAD, one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools. He's joining us today from Switzerland - it’s always great to have the international flavor to the show. He is Codirector of INSEAD Marketing & Sales Excellence Initiative, amongst many other things, and an advisor to some of the largest companies in the world. He has a book out that joined the great ones that I enjoyed reading at the end of 2024 called Triple Fit Strategy.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone looking to build stronger customer relationships and drive growth through a more strategic approach to sales.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… traditional sales approaches focus on pitching products, but real growth comes from understanding and aligning with your customer’s strategy. Christoph introduces the "Triple Fit Strategy," a framework that moves beyond transactional selling to create long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Building strong customer relationships requires aligning with their strategy, not just selling a product.
Shifting from transactional selling to strategic collaboration drives long-term business growth.
Understanding what truly matters to your customer creates more meaningful and effective engagements.
A broader perspective on value can make negotiations less about price and more about partnership.
Sales teams that focus on customer success are more likely to drive sustainable results.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… Christoph’s perspective on treating customers as if you were part of the same company. When you align with their priorities and think beyond your own product, you open the door to real partnership and long-term success.

Running Time: 24:59

Find Tiffani Online:

12 Questions for Love: A Guide to Intimate Conversations and Deeper Relationships

Find Christoph Online:

Christoph’s Book: Triple Fit Strategy: How to Build Lasting Customer Relationships and Boost Growth

Building Deeper Connections Through Questions with Topaz Adizes Mar 06, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I have the honor and pleasure of welcoming Topaz Adizes to the show today.

He is an Emmy Award-winning writer, director, and experience design architect. He is an Edmund Hillary fellow and Sundance/Skoll Stories of Change fellow. His works have been selected to Cannes, Sundance, IDFA, and SXSW; featured in New Yorker magazine, Vanity Fair, and so much else. He has garnered an Emmy for new approaches to documentary and two World Press Photo awards for immersive storytelling. But what I'm here today to talk to him about is his new book called 12 Questions for Love.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone looking to build stronger relationships—at work or in life—through the power of better questions.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…we often focus on having the right answers, but real connection comes from asking the right questions. Topaz Adizes has spent over a decade studying human connection, guiding more than 1,200 pairs of people through transformative conversations. In this episode, he shares how the way we ask questions can strengthen workplace culture, improve team dynamics, and create more meaningful personal relationships. By shifting our approach—from looking for the “right” answer to fostering authentic dialogue—we unlock deeper understanding, trust, and collaboration.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

The best conversations start with thoughtful, well-constructed questions.
Shifting from binary to open-ended questions leads to richer, more meaningful responses.
A strong workplace culture starts with intentional communication and connection.
Small shifts in how we structure meetings can make them more productive and engaging.
Great leaders aren’t just problem-solvers—they’re great guides who know how to ask the right questions.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Topaz’s insight on the power of well-constructed questions. His technique to ask open-ended, connective, and intentional questions creates space for deeper conversations, whether at work or in personal relationships.

Running Time: 31:43

Find Tiffani Online:

Find Topaz Online:

Topaz’s Book:

RELOAD: Fact Versus Fear and Becoming a True Student of Success with Bill Wooditch Feb 27, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I’m eager to replay a conversation with Bill Wooditch. Bill is the founder and CEO of Wooditch Enterprises. He works with Fortune 500 companies like AIG, Old Republic, Zurich, and Bank of America to improve their sales and leadership. He appeared regularly on Steve Harvey’s “Act Like a Success” show and has also appeared on CNBC, Fox, and CBS. He has written for Inc., New York Daily News, and the American Management Association.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone who wants to succeed and learn how to use their indispensable failures to get there faster!

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…..it’s the serious student of success that treats failure as the indispensable teacher. Unless you’re able to first move through the pains of rejection and the fear of the attempt, you will not be able to move forward to create the lifestyle you dream of. The key here is to be dispassionate about failure and check your irrational fears, ego, and the fear of losing prestige because this can paralyze your progress. Bill shares some wisdom and strategies for addressing fear, failure, and the pursuit of success.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… it’s a pleasure to have someone on the What’s Next! Podcast who talks about fear of failure and having the courage and fortitude to lean into the kind of discomfort that leads to success.

Running time: 32:34

Find Tiffani Online:

Find Bill Online:

Bill’s Books:

RELOAD: Innovation and Continuous Connection with Christian Terwiesch Feb 20, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I’m giving another listen to a conversation I shared with Professor Christian Terwiesch and I'm eager to share it with you! Christian is a Professor in Wharton’s Operations and Information Management department, co-director of Penn’s Mack Institute for Innovation Management, and also holds a faculty appointment at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine. He is the co-author of Matching Supply with Demand, a widely used textbook in Operations Management. He launched the first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in business on Coursera based on the book and since its inception, more than half a million students have enrolled. His first management book, Innovation Tournaments, details a new process-based approach to innovation and has inspired innovation tournaments around the world. His latest book, Connected Strategies, combines his expertise in the fields of operations, innovation, and strategy to help companies take advantage of digital technology leading to new business models. In addition to his teaching and his research, Professor Terwiesch is the host of “Work of Tomorrow,” a national radio show on Sirius XM 132.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone wanting to become more innovative or bring a culture of innovation to their organization, as well as those wanting to get a pulse on new business models shaping how organizations interact with customers today.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… we have to find different ways of delighting our customers. How do we do that? Through innovation and continuous connection. Professor Terwiesch maintains that innovation is a cultural process that can be managed. That is the power of the Innovation Tournament, it leaves room for that magic spark to fly while giving it direction and structure. Beyond Innovation Tournaments, it’s about becoming continuously connected. This connection enables new ways of delighting the customer and also allows organizations to provide more value to the customer, potentially at a lower cost. The purpose of a connected strategy and a continuous relationship is not only to get data but also to do a better job for the customer.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… I love that Christian has identified these new business models that are fundamentally changing the way organizations interact with their customers.

Running Time: 30:47

Find Tiffani Online:

Connected-Strategy Website

Find Christian Online:

Work of Tomorrow Podcast

Christian’s Book:

Connected Strategy Book

Leading Teams Toward Meaningful Work with Wes Adams and Tamara Myles Feb 13, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I have the wonderful pleasure of welcoming two guests. The first is Wes Adams. He is the founder and CEO of SV Consulting Group. He has led teams that were recognized as one of Fast Company's most innovative brands, won multiple Webby Awards, and received two James Beard Award nominations. Also joining him is Tamara Myles. She is a consultant and an international speaker with over two decades of experience helping leaders improve business performance. She is a professor at Boston College and an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania and author of The Secret to Peak Productivity. But the reason they're here today is because they have a new book coming out called Meaningful Work.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… leaders and managers looking for actionable ways to create more meaningful and fulfilling workplaces.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… research shows that finding meaning at work is the single most important factor in creating fulfilled, high-performing teams. In this conversation, Wes and Tamara explore how leaders can foster environments where employees feel a sense of purpose and impact. They share a simple yet transformative framework—community, contribution, and challenge—that helps align individual fulfillment with organizational success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

Meaning happens in moments. Paying attention to details can go a long way.

Creating community at work starts with authentic connections and showing genuine care for colleagues.
Recognizing the contribution of employees strengthens engagement and enhances performance.
Meaningful work is not just beneficial for individuals but drives long-term organizational success.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… these three simple but powerful questions for leaders: Did I connect with someone today? How did my work have a positive impact? Did I learn something new today? These reflections inspire actionable steps toward more meaningful work environments.

Running Time: 23:57

Find Tiffani Online:

Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee

Find Wes Online:

Find Tamara Online:

Wes and Tamara’s Book:

RELOAD: Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan Feb 06, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I’m reflecting on a conversation with Heather Monahan that I think is valuable to everyone, no exceptions! Heather is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of Boss In Heels. As a Chief Revenue Officer in Media, Heather Monahan is a Glass Ceiling Award winner, named one of the most Influential Women in Radio in 2017, and Thrive Global named her a Limit Breaking Female Founder in 2018. Heather is a confidence expert and her book Confidence Creator shot to #1 on Amazon’s Business Biographies and Business Motivation list the first week it debuted on Amazon, and her show “Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan” can be found on Apple podcasts.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone who wants to reach his or her full potential and needs that important confidence boost!

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… take ownership of your mental platform and be intentional about the tape you run repeatedly in your head. Confidence is the key to unlocking your full potential, and that confident mindset starts with you. It starts by developing that confidence skill through discipline and frequency. When that confidence muscle is strong, scary does not mean freeze, it means go faster. So, take action! Major action is the catalyst that accelerates the confidence growth cycle. There are many paths to confidence, but not all the steps along those paths are created equal, and the bigger the risk, the bigger the confidence reward. Stop letting self-limiting beliefs and fear tell you you’re stuck. No excuses. Just take action!

WHAT I LOVE MOST… Heather has no shortage of passion for building confidence, taking risks, “firing your villains,” and making the big decisions that will lead you where you need to be and doing what you love!

Running Time: 30:03

Find Tiffani Online:

Find Heather Online:

Heather’s Book:

Creating Confidence

Your Path to a Fulfilling Career with Michael Horn and Bob Moesta Jan 30, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I have two amazing guests on the show. The first is Bob Moesta. He is a founder, maker, innovator, speaker, and professor. He is the president and founder of the Rewired Group, as well as an adjunct lecturer at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern and a research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute. But what I love most about him is he co-created the famous Jobs to Be Done theory, which I use in almost every keynote I have. Alongside Bob, and not to be outshined by any stretch, is Michael Horn who strives to create a world in which all individuals can build their passions, fulfill their potential, and live a life of purpose. He is the co-founder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute, a nonprofit think tank. He also teaches at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone navigating career decisions, seeking purpose, or looking for strategies to make meaningful progress in their work.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…making career moves isn’t just about finding the next big opportunity—it’s about aligning your work with your values, energy, and aspirations. In this conversation, Bob and Michael discuss how to evaluate your current situation, identify opportunities for growth, and take steps toward a more fulfilling career.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Align your career with what energizes and fulfills you.
Evaluate your current role to identify opportunities for growth.
Instead of making a person fit the work, make the work fit a person’s strengths.
Thoughtful career moves start with clarity about your values and goals.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Bob and Michael’s insight that career fulfillment doesn’t always mean a big leap—it can come from small, intentional changes that better align your work with your strengths and aspirations.

Running Time: 31:03

Find Tiffani Online:

Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career

Find Michael Online:

Find Bob Online:

Michael and Bob’s Book:

Job Moves Assessment

RELOAD: Building Trust in an Influencer Market with Tom Stockham Jan 23, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I am excited to replay a conversation I had with the innovative Tom Stockham. Tom is a passionate champion of disruptive technologies who began his career as an associate at BCG, immersed in the shift to “big-box” retail. He later served as president of Ticketmaster.com, where he helped lead the transition to online ticketing. Then, as CEO of Ancestry.com, he built one of the Internet’s first online content subscription businesses. Today, as CEO of ExpertVoice, Tom leads the company in pioneering a new influencer-marketing category that’s transforming commerce. He’s devoted to the mission of creating a better buying experience for brands, retailers, and consumers through a large network of authentic influential experts who make trusted recommendations.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… passionate disrupters, innovators, and those interested in learning more about influencer marketing.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… brands should always put trust at the center of their organization and make a concerted effort to build it up over time. Increasingly, the sources brands are and should be using to do this are Influencers. It’s time to shift the balance and shift resources from speaking on your own behalf as a brand to finding trusted figures that can recommend your brand and speak on your behalf in a trusted way. If you are going to do this well, you need to think about who is going to be best to speak on your behalf, how you are going to get them to do so and be more articulate about your brand, and where that influence is going to take hold such that it is beneficial to your brand.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… talking to an innovator who has been involved with so many major industry transitions. Now he’s driving the conversation around Influencer marketing, and he feels that this is the next great frontier.

Running time: 34:26

Find Tiffani Online:

Find Tom Online:

Start-Up Strategies with Mike Maples Jr. Jan 16, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I have the wonderful pleasure of welcoming Mike Maples Jr. to the show this week. He is a co-founding partner at Floodgate. He has been on the Forbes Midas List eight times in the last decade and was also named a “Rising Star” by FORTUNE and profiled by Harvard Business School for his lifetime contributions to entrepreneurship. Before becoming a full-time investor, Mike was involved as a founder and operating executive at back-to-back startup IPOs, including Tivoli Systems, which was acquired by IBM, where his dad used to work, and Motive acquired by Alcatel-Lucent. Some of Mike's investments include Twitter, Clover Health, Okta, Outreach, Chegg, Demandforce, and Applied Intuition. And he has a new book out called Pattern Breakers with his co-author, Peter Zimmerman.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone curious to learn about the ingredients to start-up success.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…why is it that 80% of start-ups fail? What factors sets the 20% apart? As a seasoned venture capitalist, Mike says it comes down to breaking patterns. In this episode, he shares how to break away from linear strategies and dare to think boldly and take a risk.

KEY TAKEAWAYS...

Great startups force choices, not comparisons.
Early believers are essential for co-creating groundbreaking futures.
Intrapreneurs succeed by innovating discreetly before scaling their ideas.
Striking out on bold experiments is crucial - safe bets won’t lead to grand slams.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Mike says that the best ideas often begin as unsettling or even disliked by many. It’s a testament to the power of sticking to bold, authentic visions despite early skepticism.

Running Time: 30:05

Find Tiffani Online:

Find Mike Online:

Mike’s Book: Pattern Breakers: Why Some Start-Ups Change the Future

A Fresh Approach to Strategy with Seth Godin Jan 09, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova. In this LinkedIn Live, I had the wonderful honor of welcoming my dear friend, Seth Godin, who I met in 2001 through his book Purple Cow, which is one of my all-time favorite books. Along the way, Seth has always been a great supporter of me and my career. Today, I’m eager to discuss Seth’s latest book, This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone who wants a fresh perspective on leadership and strategy.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE…strategy isn’t a lofty document or annual exercise. It’s a compass guiding every decision you make. Seth challenges the conventional idea of strategy as static and instead frames it as a dynamic, iterative process of becoming. He shares nuggets of wisdom from his new book, which he says is a love letter for the people he cares about.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

Fear is often the thing that holds people back from making bold decisions.
False proxies, like easy-to-measure but irrelevant metrics, can misguide your focus.
The best leaders inspire action by focusing on the “why” behind their strategies.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Seth’s thoughts on practical empathy. He says it’s easy to become attached to something because you’ve worked hard on it. Practical empathy is understanding your audience and imagining what they need, even if that means reinventing your offerings. It’s a call to lead with both courage and care.

Running Time: 29:45

Find Tiffani Online:

Find Seth Online:

Seth’s Book:

The Corporate Startup

2024 Listener Favorite: Aligning for Growth on Every Level with Scott Edinger Jan 02, 2025

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

As we approach the end of the year, I’m pausing to look back and celebrate all of the wonderful guests that I had the honor of speaking to on the show. And based on your feedback, many of these guests resonated with you as well so we’re giving you another chance to revisit the stories, insights, and lessons you loved most in 2024!

This week I'm excited to highlight an episode with Scott Edinger.

Scott is a consultant for leading business growth and is trusted by clients in the Fortune 50 and across the globe. He has worked with CEOs and senior leaders to develop pragmatic strategies and execute approaches to drive top and bottom-line results. He's written three books. His latest, The Growth Leader, is out now and is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller. He creates positive change for clients and is recognized as an expert in the intersection of leadership, strategy, and sales.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone who wants to learn how to close the gap between the C-Suite and the sales team to create profitable growth.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… sales teams are often divorced from talks about strategy, yet the sales process is where strategy is executed. It’s where everything comes to life. In fact, interactions with salespeople drive 25-53% of decisions! In this episode, Scott discusses why it’s so critical to not treat sales as an afterthought and how to effectively include it in planning.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… it’s the responsibility of a leader to inspire every level of the organization, yes sales, but also product developers, marketers, finance, legal, and customer service teams, to understand the value they bring to the customer.

Running Time: 29:18