Guest: Amiel Handelsman, Elite Executive Coach We all know communication is key for leadership. But HOW we communicate is tougher. And one simple misunderstanding can make the difference between success and disaster.   Guest Amiel Handelsman has observed and codified eleven concepts that will move your communications from good to great. He shares them with host Maureen Metcalf in this episode. Here's what Amiel and Maureen cover: The ways changing your conversation style can change people’s minds (including your own!); The importance of “The Pause,” and how that moment of silence can sav ..read more

Guest: Steve Armato, VP of Middle Mile & Tech at Amazon Whether leaders accept or ignore new tech makes the difference between it disrupting their organizations – and transforming them.   Amazon’s use of new technology is a clear and major component of its success. It’s a big part of what puts packages on your porch. And, as Steve Armato reveals, Amazon wants to share that tech with others. Steve is their VP of Middle Mile and Tech. In this episode, he talks about the ways Amazon shares AI and other technologies – and how they develop that new technology in the first place. Here's wha ..read more

Guests: Lynn Shollen & Sam Wilson, researchers at Christopher Newport University and Swinburne University of Technology Odds are good you aren’t happy with our leaders. Less than 1/3 of Americans believe their leaders are effective.   That’s according to the Leadership Attitudes Survey. Dr. Lynn Shollen joins us to share more of the results. Dr. Sam Wilson chimes in to reveal insights from the Australian Leadership Index. The two studies had remarkably similar findings.   The bottom line: most of us feel our leaders are too far removed from the everyday experiences of ordinary pe ..read more

Guest: Dr. Mary Crossan, Distinguished University Professor at Western University You say you want to hire people with good character – but what does “character” mean?   In this rediscovered episode, Dr. Mary Crossan of Ivey University defines exactly what leader character is, why it matters, and how to develop it. She’s found leader character is not just an add-on, but a foundational element that propels organizations towards sustained excellence. And it’s a win-win: the cultivation of leader character significantly enhances both individual well-being and prompts a culture of integrity a ..read more

Guest: Mike Hardy, Founding Director of CTPSR In this rediscovered episode, guest Mike Hardy delivers an insightful update on the founding principles and advancements at the Centre for Trust, Peace, & Social Relations at Coventry University. He delves into his own transformative journey towards embodying peace, serving as a beacon of inspiration. The episode highlights the Centre's remarkable evolution into a hub of outstanding research, playing a pivotal role in shaping contemporary perspectives on fostering peace in our dynamic, interconnected global landscape. Furthermore, Mike reveals ..read more

Guest: Brian Richardson, Founder/CEO of Richardson Consulting Group How talented is your team?   Without a skills-based system, you may never know…and never tap into the full potential your organization has. But companies that look at skills know who has the talent to best get the job done – and who can develop and grow to obtain those skills.   That’s the message guest Brian Richardson, the founder and CEO of RSG, brings to host Maureen Metcalf in this episode. He shares tips and cases of businesses that uncovered the game-changing potential of aligning skills with company goals. He ..read more

Guests: WE Empower Challenge winners Hadeel Anabtawi & Habiba Ali with Amanda Ellis While female entrepreneurs have made great strides in some countries, in the U.S. and other nations women still face significant barriers that just aren’t there for male-headed start-ups. Despite that, women leaders are making a difference by promoting positive change in their local communities – changes that can have a global impact.   The United Nations recognizes several entrepreneurial women every year with their WE Empower UN Sustainable Development Goals Challenge; it promotes female founders glo ..read more

Guest: Dr. Tanvi Gautam, Senior Faculty at Singapore Management University How do you lead: with your head or heart? Left-brain or right? For the best leaders, the answer is “All of the above.”   From the art of conversation to discovering (and sharing) your organization’s story, guest Dr. Tanvi Gautam talks with host Maureen Metcalf about her head-and-heart-based approach to leadership development – and why adding creative “right brain” thinking to business’ usual analytical “left brain” logic leads to better teams. Here's what Tanvi and Maureen cover: The five conversations teams need ..read more

Guest: John Heiser, former CEO of LabVantage We hear a lot about family values and personal values…but what about business values? And what happens when your company’s and personal values conflict?   Values conflicts arise frequently in the workplace. Addressing them leads to a more engaged and satisfied workforce (who also drive superior performance). Guest John Heiser explains how, and shares details on the “Giving Voice to Values” (GVV) program, which provides a proven framework for organizations to implement.   Produced in conjunction with the International Leadership Association ..read more

Guest: Dr. Reza Soltanzadeh (CEO & Founder of Borealis Foods) Solving a major crisis sometimes requires reframing it. For Reza Soltanzadeh, working with Doctors Without Borders exposed him to global hunger—but he saw one solution by reframing the problem as global malnutrition.   That set him on a path of high innovation, resulting in a ramen noodle that can, quite literally, nourish the world.   Reza shares how his company, Borealis Foods, has learned to innovate so supremely well. Here's what Reza and host Maureen Metcalf cover: Why the American manufacturing process is ideall ..read more