Shows
Learn to LeadFrom Setback to SpotlightWe often treat failure as the end of the road—but for great leaders, it’s just the beginning. In this episode, we explore the hidden stories of public setbacks that led to extraordinary impact. From Walt Disney’s bankruptcy to Abraham Lincoln’s long trail of election defeats, from Oprah Winfrey’s career derailment to The Beatles’ early rejections, these stories remind us that success is rarely a straight line. If you’ve ever stumbled, doubted yourself, or been told “no,” this episode is for you.— Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading p...2025-07-0906 minLearn to LeadPriced to Persuade: Twelve Dollar Shirts and Fifteen Hundred Dollar Paper ClipsWhat if the price you put on something didn’t just reflect value—but created it? In this episode, we explore three real-world stories where pricing reshaped perception, influenced behavior, and even altered experience itself. From shirts to luxury office supplies to the world of wine, each example reveals how price can tell a powerful story. And for leaders, that story matters—because how you position value can shape how others see your product, your brand, and even your leadership. —Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’...2025-06-1108 minLearn to LeadTin Cans and Luggage Wheels: Obvious Problems, Delayed SolutionsSome problems are so obvious, we forget they’re problems at all. In this episode, we explore two surprising stories: how the tin can was invented nearly 50 years before the can opener, and why it took centuries after the invention of the wheel to finally put wheels on luggage. These examples aren’t just amusing—they reveal a deep truth about leadership and innovation. Often, the biggest opportunities are hidden in the pain points we’ve learned to tolerate. What frustrations have you accepted without questioning? Join me as we explore how fresh thinking turns the obvious into the extraord...2025-05-1406 minLearn to LeadAdapt or Fade: What Happens When You Refuse to ChangeWhat do a photography giant and a live comedy show have in common? In this episode, we explore how two iconic institutions—Kodak and Saturday Night Live—faced the same challenge: what to do when the thing that made you successful starts holding you back. One resisted change and paid the price. The other built reinvention into its DNA and stayed relevant for nearly five decades. These stories reveal the high stakes of clinging to comfort and the power of breaking what works—before the world does it for you. If you’re leading anything today, this is a conversa...2025-04-1609 minLearn to LeadThe Power of Perseverance: Post-its, Prototypes, and BreakthroughsSetbacks are an inevitable part of any journey, but what if they were actually the first step toward success? In this episode, hear the fascinating stories of how a failed adhesive experiment led to the creation of Post-it Notes and how 5,126 failed prototypes became the foundation for Dyson’s billion-dollar breakthrough. Discover how seeing opportunities in obstacles can transform failure into a launching pad for greatness.—Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. To lea...2025-03-1909 min
Edtech InsidersThe MBA in 12 Weeks? How Abilitie is Changing Business Education with Bjorn BillhardtSend us a textAn organizational and leadership development expert, Bjorn Billhardt has designed leadership development programs and collaborated with world-class institutions for two decades. Since 2015, Bjorn has been CEO of Abilitie, a provider of leadership development & mini-MBA programs. Abilitie’s programs have educated over 100,000 learners worldwide. Prior to founding Abilitie, Bjorn was Co-founder and CEO of Enspire Learning, Inc. Bjorn holds a BA from the University of Texas & an MBA from Harvard Business School.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in this Episode:How AI is transforming leadership training through...2025-03-0340 minLearn to LeadPicks, Shovels, and Sweet Success: Fortune Beyond the GoldThe Gold Rush was full of dreamers searching for fortune—but the biggest successes didn’t come from those digging for gold. In this episode of Learn to Lead, we uncover the surprising stories of those who found lasting success by thinking differently. Their journey holds a powerful lesson for leaders today.—Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:2025-02-1908 minLearn to LeadTires, Trivia, and Turning Challenges into OpportunitiesWe’re kicking off a whole new approach to the Learn to Lead podcast this year. Every month, I’ll bring you real-world stories packed with surprising lessons in leadership, creativity, and innovation. For our first iteration of this new approach I want to start with a question: What do tires, trivia, and food ratings have in common? In this episode of Learn to Lead, we uncover the surprising origins of two iconic innovations born from unexpected challenges. These stories reveal how bold, creative thinking can transform obstacles into lasting impact. If you’re ready to see challenges in a whol...2025-01-2210 minLearn to LeadLearn To Lead... Generated By AIAfter 130 episodes exploring leadership, I decided to shake things up and let technology step into the spotlight. For this episode, I used AI to analyze and learn from every conversation we’ve had so far. From those 130 episodes, the AI has pieced together its own take on leadership, shaped by the many insights we’ve shared along the way. I gave the AI tool no guidelines whatsoever, I simply asked it to summarize the key topics from this podcast, and I hit generate. —Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of exper...2024-12-1118 minLearn to LeadTell Better StoriesAndrea Sampson is the CEO and Founder of Talk Boutique. She joined me on the show to discuss the power of storytelling in business and in life. We discuss a structure to tell more clear stories and how some people get off track when attempting to integrate storytelling into their approach to leadership. We finish the show by talking about curiosity and what makes a story that someone will remember.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in m...2024-11-1317 minLearn to LeadWhy Simple WinsLisa Bodell is the CEO of Future Think and the bestselling author of "Why Simple Wins" & "Kill the Company.” She joined me on the show to talk about why successful leaders don't fear failure, instead they fear complacency. We also talked about her process around goal setting and what advice she would have for her younger self. We closed the conversation talking about the power of curiosity and how education needs to change to prepare future leaders and professionals for the current challenges they face.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leadin...2024-10-0917 min
Success Story with Scott D. ClaryLessons - The Future of Leadership | Matthew Confer - VP of Strategy at Abilitie➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory In this "Lessons" episode, we explore the importance of personalized leadership with Matthew Confer, VP of Strategy at Abilitie. Discover how to effectively assess and adapt your leadership style to meet individual needs, highlighting the flaws of a one-size-fits-all approach. Matthew shares insights on how experiential learning, particularly through gamified simulations, can transform leadership training and improve managerial effectiveness.The Flaws of Traditional Leadership Training: Many organizations rely on passive training methods like PowerPoint presentations. Matthew stresses the need for in...2024-09-2916 minLearn to LeadFinding Your True SelfRocky Garza is a keynote speaker focused on people and culture development. On this episode we talk about the power of challenging the stories we tell ourselves so that we can experience the freedom and confidence that comes with living vulnerably. We also talk about the way a leader can build a life of fulfillment and success without compromising their true self. We close by talking about the power dealing with life’s challenges with a focus on what is possible in the darkest times.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a lead...2024-09-1816 minLearn to LeadLeadership Is Not About YouErin Defosse is a longtime entrepreneur in the Austin area and is the founder of the Magellan School. He joined me on the show to talk about his experience as a founder and leader of early stage companies and what that has taught him about the importance of inspirational leadership.
We also discuss why effective leadership begins by realizing that it isn’t about you as the leader. We close by talking about his lessons for his younger self and the importance of knowing oneself in the pursuit of becoming the best leader you can be.
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Lea...2024-08-2826 minLearn to LeadBegin With YouPetra Velzeboer is a mental health expert and author of the book Begin With You. She is also the CEO of mental health consultancy PVL. On this episode we talk about Petra’s journey and some of the lessons she learned along the way. We then talk about goal setting and how to have effective (and fewer) meetings. We also discuss her advice for her younger self and the power of curiosity.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 1...2024-08-0718 minLearn to LeadEvolving Your LeadershipVitaly Veksler, is the CEO of Vista Social, a unified social management tool that has almost 3 million social profiles connected through their platform. On this episode we talk about the defining moments in getting Vitaly to the place he is today and what he has learned along the way. We also talk about lessons around hiring effectively and figure out how to find balance in work and in life.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more...2024-07-1717 minLearn to LeadHuman Centered OrganizationsRyan Estis is a former Fortune 500 CRO who is the Founding Partner of ImpactEleven. He is also the author of the book Prepare for Impact, and he was recognized by Meetings & Conventions Magazine as one of the best keynote speakers in the world. On this episode we talk about what Ryan means by “human centered organization” and why they have an advantage in the competitive business world we operate in. We also discuss risk taking and how two moments in Ryan’s life had a transformative impact on the person he is today. We finish by talking about curiosity and th...2024-06-2619 minLearn to LeadInnovation and ImpactMichael Coughlin is Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC Chief Program & Innovation Officer. On this episode we talk about what it takes to run NYC’s largest youth-mentorship program, which annually matches more than 2,500 kids from across the five boroughs with “bigs” who support and advise them. We also talk about the power of partnerships and how Michael has evolved as a leader as his role has grown.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 30 co...2024-06-0516 minLearn to LeadPartners in Business and LifePatrick and Kathy Terry, are the co-founders of P. Terry's Burger Stand an American Fast Food Company that was named by USA Today as one of America’s 15 favorite regional fast food chains. Not only are they business partners, they are also a married couple. They joined the show to talk about the origin story of the restaurant and how they were feeling on their opening day in 2005. They also shared how they have evolved as leaders over the years, and what makes the employees that work at P. Terry’s such a critical part of the brand’s succes...2024-05-1522 minLearn to LeadThe Power of Small ChangesJason Weeman is the founder of Refine Talent Development. On this episode Jason shares his journey to the world of entrepreneurship and what he has learned on the way. He also explains the power of small changes and why we don’t need drastic changes to make a big impact. We also discuss what he thinks young leaders need to do to prepare for the evolution that we all go on as we learn about ourselves as leaders.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leadership provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simula...2024-04-2416 min
Trading SecretsMore Than Money: Changing the business game with Abilitie’s 12-week MBAs with founder and CEO Bjorn BillhardtThis week, Jason is joined by Bjorn Billhardt, the founder and CEO of Abilitie, a leadership development company that offers coaching and leadership programs to global Fortune 500 companies, and most notably the 12-week MBA!
Jason and Bjorn discuss the expenses and time that go into an MBA, what makes the 12-week MBA radically different from the traditional route, what someone should consider before getting an MBA, how they ended up working with some of the top Fortune 500 companies, what the two things they focus on are, and the power in being curious and hungry.
Resources:
A...2024-04-1826 minLearn to LeadLuck Plus Hard WorkMichael Batnick is a managing partner at Ritholtz Wealth Management. Michael is the author of Big Mistakes: The Best Investors and Their Worst Investments. He is also co-host of the Animal Spirits podcast and The Compound and Friends Podcast. On this episode we talk about Michael’s journey to the world of finance and we talk about the role of luck and hard work. We also discuss what he has learned about leadership as his firm has experienced immense growth. Michael closes by talking about the power of gratitude.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you...2024-04-0317 minLearn to LeadRemarkable Leadership
Kevin Eikenberry is the bestselling author of Remarkable Leadership: Unleashing Your Leadership Potential One Skill at a Time. He is also a contributing author to nearly 20 other books. He writes Unleashing Your Remarkable Potential, a weekly email publication that has been read worldwide since 2004. Kevin has twice been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World. On this episode we talk about Kevin’s origin story as a leader and what he learned from his time working on the farm. We also discuss his advice for leading in a re...2024-03-1317 minLearn to LeadMaking Organizations More HumanMegan Galloway is the founder of EverLeader where she embarks on a mission to make our workplaces a more authentic and human place for current and future generations to thrive. She founded Everleader with the vision to change the future of work. On this episode we talk about Megan’s founding journey and the mistakes and lessons along the way. We also talk about her perspective on the role of all leaders, not just HR, to shape a company’s culture.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leadership provider of experiential learni...2024-02-2116 minLearn to LeadDisrupting The IncumbentsBradley Tusk is a venture capitalist, political strategist, philanthropist and writer. He is the author of The Fixer and his newest book is entitled Obvious In Hindsight. Previously, Bradley served as campaign manager for Mike Bloomberg’s 2009 mayoral race, as Deputy Governor of Illinois, overseeing the state’s budget, operations, legislation, policy and communications, as communications director for US Senator Chuck Schumer, and as Uber’s first political advisor. On this episode we talk about Bradley’s recent blog post detailing 50 reflections at age 50. We also talk about how he came to become Uber’s first political advisor and how that led h...2024-01-3130 minLearn to LeadLift Your ImpactRichard Newman is the Founder and CEO of Body Talk, a global leader in evidence-based communication training. He is the author of You Were Born to Speak, and his newest book is, Lift Your Impact: Transform Your Mindset, Influence, and Future to Elevate Your Work, Team, and Life. On this episode we discuss a transformational journey that Richard took at a Tibetan monastery. We also get into the details around how small communication changes can create a massive difference in the way you are perceived by those around you. We also talk about how to make the most of...2024-01-1022 minLearn to LeadMental FitnessDeb Smolensky is the author of the bestselling book: Brain On:
Mental Fitness Strategies for Sharpening Focus, Boosting Energy, and Winning the Workday. Deb joined us on the show to talk about the power of our brain, and how to think about upgrading it for the world we operate in. She also shared how training your brain can lead to more joy, engagement, and resilience — especially in the workplace.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leadership provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 55,000 professionals in mor...2023-12-2018 minLearn to LeadThe 12-Week MBAThis week, we have a special episode. Bjorn Billhardt is the CEO and Founder of Abilitie and Nathan Kracklauer is Abilitie’s Chief Research Officer. Together, they are the authors of the upcoming book entitled The 12-Week MBA. The premise of the book is that there is a core set of business skills that entrepreneurs and future leaders of organizations can learn and will need regardless of their industry, function, or level. On this episode we talk about their journey over 20 years in the learning industry and the process of crafting the curriculum that serves as the foundation for our le...2023-12-0627 minLearn to LeadThe Leadership MindsetArt Markman is a cognitive scientist, an author, and the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. Art joined the show to talk about his role at one of the largest and most influential public universities in America. He also shared why the humanities and behavioral sciences are so important to effective leadership development. Art closed by talking about his advice for his younger self and gave a fascinating perspective on planning the future.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leadership provider of experiential learning. Ab...2023-11-0118 minLearn to LeadThe Confident PresenterAndrea Pacini is the Presentation Director for Ideas on Stage in the United Kingdom. He is also the best-selling author of the book entitled 'Confident Presenter'. Andrea joined us on the show to talk about his approach to cultivate “techniques to get people to like your ideas.” He also shared his beliefs around how artificial intelligence will impact his field and what individuals can do to prepare for that disruption.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leadership provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs h...2023-10-1319 minLearn to LeadLeadership LessonsSomi Arian the founder of InPeak, an innovative platform enabling creators and businesses to build using AI and blockchain functionalities. She is an award-winning filmmaker whose documentary, "The Millennial Disruption," won several international awards. She is also the author of Career Fear and how to beat it. She was also honored by LinkedIn who recognized her with their Top Voices Award. Somi joined us on the show to talk about her upbringing, her leadership journey, and her advice for other leaders. She also talked about the fact that she sits at the convergence of many different transformational technologies and...2023-09-2017 minLearn to LeadNavigating The FutureNicolai Chen Nielsen is a partner at the Super Trends Institute and the author of Return on Ambition and Leadership At Scale. His newest book is entitled From Malthus to Mars. On this episode Nicolai describes the future leaders will need to operate in. We discuss the 8 key mindsets from his newest book and Nicolai also shares his process for book writing and how he organizes his day to excel.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leadership provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 55,000 prof...2023-08-3017 minLearn to LeadLeading With VulnerabilityDonald Knight is the Chief People Officer at Greenhouse Software. On this episode he gives an inside look at the role of a CPO and how he thinks about the role that vulnerability plays in effective leadership. We also talk about the power of positive tension and what it takes to build high performing teams.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leadership provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 55,000 professionals in more than 30 countries over the past three years. To learn more about Abilitie and...2023-08-0920 minLearn to LeadEffective CommunicationBrenden Kumarasamy is the Founder and President of Master Talk, a firm focused on helping individuals master the art of communication. He is the creator of the Master Talk YouTube channel with over 30,000 subscribers. On today’s episode we discuss the most important skills for effective communication in the workplace and what individuals can do to enhance their skills in this arena. We also talked about why being open and transparent about your own struggles and challenges can impact your team's morale and productivity.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leader...2023-07-1920 minLearn to LeadLearning Through ExperienceRajeeb Dey is the Founder and CEO of Learnerbly, a workplace learning marketplace. He is also the Co-Founder of StartUp Britain, a national entrepreneurship campaign launched by UK Prime Minister David Cameron in March 2011. He was recognised as one of the 1,000 Most Influential People in
London by The Evening Standard and was appointed as the world's youngest Young Global Leader (at 26) by the World Economic Forum in 2012.
On this episode we discuss the origin story of Learnerbly and Rajeeb’s advice for his younger self. We also talked about the perils of management, and what new managers can do to...2023-06-2818 minLearn to LeadUnderstanding UncertaintyMeridith Elliott Powell is the award winning author of many books including Thrive, Who Comes Next, and 30 Days To Sales Success. On this episode Meridith shares why she is obsessed with the word uncertainty and why she is so interested as to why business owners react so negatively to the word. She also discusses a critical question she asks clients which is: “are you standing in the way of your own success”?
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leadership provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simula...2023-06-0715 minLearn to LeadOvercoming the Pressure of ManagementIan Daley is the founder of Daley & Co, a leadership education and training company that helps new managers build confidence and capabilities so they can deliver better results. He is a writing contributor to Harvard Business Review and the host of The New Leader Podcast. On this episode Ian shares his path to the world of leadership development and why understanding the pressure of management allows him to better empathize with, and help, current managers.Ian also shared some of the skills and approaches that are vital for new leaders to focus on in their pursuit of success.
2023-05-1717 minLearn to LeadAdvancing Economic and Social MobilityDavid Adams is the CEO of Urban Assembly, an education nonprofit that advances the social and economic mobility of communities by offering innovative learning solutions to school districts across the country. On this episode we discuss the role of leadership and what people on the outside need to understand about the intricacies of the educational system. David also shares what he is most proud of during his time at Urban Assembly and how he thinks about decision making.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leadership provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s...2023-04-2616 min
Learn to LeadMaking a Positive DifferenceMichael Thatcher is the CEO of Charity
Navigator which is the largest independent evaluator of US Based charities. Charity
Navigator was selected by Reader's Digest as one of the "100 Best Things
about America." On this episode Michael shares his origin story and what
it means to follow your heart, use your head, and take action. Michael also
discusses his perspective on the difference between
thought leadership and organizational leadership
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a
leadership provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and
leadership programs have ins...2023-04-0517 minLearn to LeadAdapting How You ListenNancy Duarte is the author of six best-selling books and CEO of Duarte, Inc. For over 30 years, Duarte, Inc. Nancy’s work has been featured in Fortune, Time Magazine, Forbes, and The New York Times. On this episode we discuss how effective leaders can broaden their Influence by focusing on adapting how they listen. Nancy then shares what most people get wrong when it comes to presentations, and what we can do to give more persuasive presentations.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simula...2023-03-1513 minLearn to LeadLeadership Demands CourageMatthew Allen is a Vice President at CVS Health focused on Enterprise Strategy where he operates as a partner with the Chief Strategy Officer. On this episode, Matthew shares his perspective on why he disagrees with the assertion that people are “born leaders.” He also details a broad set of leadership skills that everyone should work to cultivate. Finally he discusses the leadership management quotient, which is a simple formula that has guided successful management of teams in a number of environments.
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Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leadership provider of exp...2023-02-2217 min
Learn to LeadLooking Back at 100 EpisodesOn this episode, our host Matt Confer shares some gratitude and reflections about what he has learned since the beginning of the Learn to Lead podcast, 100 episodes ago. Since then, we have been fortunate to share key leadership lessons with more than 39,000 listeners. Those lessons have come from world-class coaches, trailblazers of industry, entrepreneurs, and even a memory champion and an improv artist. Matt identifies a core thread that has been woven through all his conversations and gives insight into what you can expect from the Learn to Lead podcast and the team at Abilitie going into 2023.
F...2022-12-0704 min
The Startup Junkies Podcast316: Developing Leaders with Luke Owings and AbilitieSummary: Welcome to another great episode of Startup Junkies! On this episode, hosts Caleb Talley and Jeff Amerine sit down with Luke Owings, VP of product at Abilitie, a leadership development company that provides team-based simulations. In 2020, Luke left his corporate job and decided to lean into his mosaic career, pulling together a disparate set of experiences to create a fulfilling and impactful picture of work. Throughout the episode, Caleb, Jeff, and Luke discuss the history behind Abilitie, how Abilitie is influencing education, and Abilitie’s vision for the future. Sh...2022-10-1025 minLearn to LeadThe Leadership Value of TransparencyBrandi Nicole Johnson is "on a mission to help the world reimagine work so that work is integrated into our lives, instead of becoming our whole identity." Prior to becoming a coach and a tech learning executive, she climbed the ultimate career ladder in the nonprofit sector, growing from intern to Executive Director all before the age of 30. As the first company hire in the Learning and Development Organization at DoorDash, Brandi built and leads a world-class, global, learning and development team in accelerating performance so that talent can do the very best work of their careers. On this...2022-08-2417 min
Do Good WorkHow to Develop Your Leadership Skills In the Modern Economy with Luke Owings: VP of Product at AbilitieLuke is the Vice President of Product at Abilitie, a leadership development company that offers virtual mini-MBAs and business simulations that help senior executives from companies around the world build leadership skills and improve strategy execution. Since 2015, they have taught 25,000+ executives in over 50+ countries, and their clients include Fortune 500 companies such as PayPal, Marriott, Coca-Cola, GE, and Southwest Airlines. In 2020, Abilitie was recognized as one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies and Inc. Best Work-Places In America. Luke is also an Advisory Board Member of Haymakers 4 Hope, a nonprofit that has raised 20M+ for cancer...2022-08-0228 minLearn to LeadLessons Learned in Leadership DevelopmentBjorn Billhardt is the CEO and Founder of Abilitie, an award-winning leadership development company -- the very company that produces this podcast! In a special live-recorded episode of the Learn to Lead Podcast, we discuss Bjorn's origin story in business and how that first endeavor got derailed. We also talk about what brought Bjorn to focus his career in the education space, and the core purpose behind why Bjorn does the work he does with Abilitie and the Invited MBA. Additionally, Bjorn gives advice for early-career leaders who wish to grow their impact and discusses what he has learned from...2021-07-2829 min
Success Story with Scott D. ClaryMatthew Confer, VP Strategy at Abilitie | Why Business Edu & Training is Broken + Software to Fix it➡️ If you liked the show, please subscribe & leave a podcast review on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/success-story/id1484783544➡️ For More Episodes Visit: www.podcast.scottdclary.comMatthew Confer is Vice President of Strategy at Abilitie, a provider of simulation-based manager and executive development training for more than 50 members of the Fortune 500 in 30-plus countries around the world. Confer has spoken on the topic of Leadership Development at TEDx in Dallas, Texas; at the CLO Exchange in San Diego, California; and at the L&D Executive Summit in Orlando...2021-05-2640 minLearn to LeadHow to Be True to Yourself in LeadershipRon Carucci is co-founder and managing partner at Navalent, working with CEOs and executives pursuing transformational change for their organizations, leaders, and industries. He has a thirty-year track record helping some of the world’s most influential executives tackle challenges of strategy, organization, and leadership. In this episode, we discuss how people with the best intentions "go to the dark side" and how leaders can combat this by cascading a culture of honesty throughout their whole organization. We also learned from Ron why he'd rather take advice from his younger self than give it as well as what he me...2021-03-0319 min
Future-Focused with Christopher LindLeadership Development with Impact with AbilitieOrganizations often make the fatal assumption that their leaders already have the skills they need to thrive in the current business environment.
Unfortunately, many leaders have received little to no development on these critical skills. As a result, avoidable mistakes are frequently made, and countless opportunities are missed.
However, when it comes to developing leaders, it takes a lot more than getting people the right content and curriculum is important. Like developing any skill, it’s about architecting a comprehensive experience that brings together content aligned to skills with plenty of opportunity for practice.
...2021-02-2659 minLearn to LeadWhat's So Funny About Leadership?Andrew Tarvin is the world’s first Humor Engineer teaching people how to get better results while having more fun. He has worked with thousands of people at 200+ organizations, including P&G, GE, and Microsoft. He is a best-selling author, has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and TEDx, and has delivered programs in 50 states, 18 countries, and 3 continents. In this episode, we discuss with Andrew the communication superpower that comes with embracing the funny, why humor at work is more about levity than laughs, what his biggest comedy bomb taught him, and how he decided to leave hi...2021-02-2419 min
Hacking Your Leadership PodcastGuest Interview: Matthew Confer - TEDx Speaker and VP of Strategy & Business Development at AbilitieMatthew Confer - TEDx Speaker and VP of Strategy & Business Development at AbilitieMatthew's TEDx: https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_makingMatthew's Company, Abilitie: https://www.abilitie.com/about/#BeABetterLeader #HackingYourLeadership #StarkEngagementConsulting #LifeOfLozoHacking Your Leadership WebsiteHacking Your Leadership InstagramLeadership Memes TwitterStark Engagement ConsultingLife Of LozoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hacking-your-leadership-podcast--4805674/support.2021-02-2444 minLearn to LeadHumility and Curiosity in LeadershipLiz Kislik is a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Entrepreneur Magazine. She is a TEDx speaker on conflict in the workplace, and has served as adjunct faculty at Hofstra University and New York University. She joins us on this episode to discuss the value and necessity of humble leadership, how she approaches coaching leaders (it doesn't include telling them what to work on!), and the practices she looks for in developing leaders. We also learn about her career journey and the one necessity she has found that allows anyone to learn any leadership skill.2021-02-1119 minLearn to LeadBuilding Comfort with AmbiguityNoah Rabinowitz is the Chief Learning Officer at Intel. On this episode, we discuss his career journey, the lessons he's learned along the way, and what advice he has for others looking to develop their leadership skills. Noah shared with us the three buckets they use to organize their learning strategy and how they have shifted to see the challenges of the last year as opportunities.2021-02-0323 minLearn to LeadTrain Your Brain to Remember NamesNelson Dellis is a 4x USA Memory Champion, author of two books on memory, and one of the leading memory experts in the world. Nelson travels the world as a competitive Memory Athlete as well as an advocate and Alzheimer's Disease activist. In this episode, we discuss how Nelson went from someone "born with an average memory" to a national champion as well as some common memory myths. He teaches us a little bit about the Memory Palace, or, as he likes to call it, the Journey Method of memorizing and he shares what mountain climbing has to do with f...2021-01-2825 minLearn to LeadHow to Be an Inclusive LeaderJennifer Brown is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, diversity and inclusion consultant, and author. As the founder and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting, Jennifer designs workplace strategies for Fortune 500s and leading nonprofits globally. She joins us on this episode to discuss the courage it takes to be an inclusive leader as well as the benefits that come with it. Jennifer tells us a little bit about her journey from the opera theatre to the corporate world and we also discuss what everyone can learn from those who have been historically left out by the mainstream culture.2021-01-2022 minLearn to LeadPhD to Marine – How a Cool Head Helps LeadersWesley Gray is the CEO and Founder of Alpha Architects. He joins us on this episode to discuss his journey from Ph.D. student in Finance to the Marine Corps and Iraq and onward to the founder and CEO of an investment management firm. We also discuss how empathy played into his time as a Marine, why he likes to recruit people who handle high-pressure situations well, and the benefits of being a leader who eats last.2021-01-1320 minLearn to LeadA Story About A Rematch2020 was, by all accounts, rough. Our world has faced unconscionable loss and, at points, making it to 2021 seemed like a long shot. Being able to bring this podcast, Learn to Lead, to our listeners has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging year. This community grew and along the way gave us much needed hope.
In 2021, we are excited to bring you conversations with leaders of major corporations, a world-class memory champion, a well-known sports agent, and so many more. However, to kick off the new year, we aren't bringing on a guest. Host Matt Confer speaks directly to y...2021-01-0604 minLearn to LeadBecome Exponentially More InterestingAlisa Cohn was named the #1 Startup Coach in the world at the Thinkers50 Marshall Goldsmith Leading Coaches Awards and is the CEO/Founder of Alisa Cohn & Associates. Based in NYC, Alisa coaches startup CEOs, co-founders, other startup executives, and board members all over the world. Alisa's clients include Venmo, Foursquare, InVision, Etsy, Pfizer, Dell, The New York Times, and many others. She joins us on this episode to discuss why it behooves leaders to become more interesting, how to keep a startup mindset even as a company scales, and why she keeps coming back to work with leaders at high-growth...2020-12-1617 minLearn to LeadConnecting — It's More Than NetworkingMichelle Tillis Lederman is the CEO and Founder of Executive Essentials and is one of Marshall Goldsmith's 100 Coaches. She is also the author of four books, including The 11 Laws Of Likability and The Connector’s Advantage. She joins us on this episode to discuss the greatest assets in the Network Age (hint: it's not data processors) and the three major shifts required for Relationship Networking. We also discuss the seven mindsets of a connector and Michelle identifies which one is the most important for maintaining connection in the era of COVID-19.2020-12-0917 minLearn to LeadTrust YourselfDaniel Nicholson is the CEO of NadaMoo, a dairy-free ice cream brand based in Austin. He joins us on this episode to discuss his lessons as the CEO of a fast-growing consumer brand. We also discuss how NadaMoo is making a positive impact on the environment with their focus on sustainability, how NadaMoo differentiates themselves in a highly competitive market, and what he sees as key characteristics of successful leaders.2020-12-0218 minLearn to LeadHolistic Human ResourcesTara Furiani is the CEO of Not the HR Lady and former Chief People Officer of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. She joins us on this episode to discuss how the world of HR is changing and how HR leaders can command respect in the workplace. She also shares what she believes are the key responsibilities of Chief People Officers, how a diverse network can help leaders excel even further, and why she’s “cautiously optimistic” about DNI roles becoming more common in the modern workplace.2020-11-1822 minLearn to LeadPerfection is a FairytaleBrian Fanzo is a digital futurist and the founder of iSocialFanz. He joins us on this episode to discuss his journey to success and why perfection should never be the goal for any content creator. Throughout our conversation, we cover Brian's "Think Like a Fan" philosophy and the role of empathy, accessibility, and authentic content in a marketer’s toolbox. He also breaks down some how-to's: How to get comfortable using a variety of marketing mediums, how to create a work environment that facilitates your success, and how we can re-invent experiential marketing in the virtual space.2020-11-1130 minLearn to LeadThe "Unsexy" Side of EntrepreneurshipAaron Lyons is the founder and CEO of Dish Society, a farm-to-table restaurant in Houston, Texas. Aaron joins us on this episode to share his entrepreneurial journey and the “unsexy” side of it. We get into the specifics of how he approached opening his restaurant from a business perspective and the role self-discovery played in his success. We also discuss how he adapted his business during COVID-19 and the struggles the restaurant industry is currently facing.2020-11-0425 minLearn to LeadThe Power of Your NetworkCara North is an award-winning Learning Experience Designer and is currently the Training Operations Manager at Silfex. She joins us on this episode to discuss ways to utilize social media to benefit your professional development. We also take a deep dive into the key considerations when designing an effective learning experience and the role technology plays in modern day training.2020-10-2819 min
A Better HR BusinessEpisode 66 - (Virtual Experiential Learning) Matthew Confer of AbilitieWant more clients for your agency or consultancy in the Human Resources industry? Check out: www.getmorehrclients.com/services.
Abilitie develops award-winning corporate leadership development and mini-MBA programs for rising leaders and executives around the world. With 40+ Fortune 500 clients including Marriott, Coca-Cola, GE, and Southwest Airlines, and programs delivered in over 30 countries, Abilitie is a rapidly growing leader in the leadership development and executive education market.
Abilitie's VP of Strategy, Matthew Confer, joined me on the show to talk about the business, their clients, and their growth plans, and much more.
Show notes...2020-10-2228 minLearn to LeadThe Science of MeetingsSteven Rogelberg is a Professor at UNC Charlotte with over 100 publications addressing issues such as team effectiveness, employee well-being, and leadership. He joins us on this episode to discuss his findings from more than 20 years of research on meetings. Throughout our conversation, Stephen shares the common problems with meetings and how to address them. He also discusses ways to construct a meeting agenda and what to do after a meeting is over to ensure it has a lasting impact.2020-10-2120 minLearn to LeadA Sweet Career ChangeTim Krauss is the co-founder of Mammoth Creameries. He joins us on this episode to share his story about why he went from a successful software career to founding a frozen custard company. We discuss how he helped fill a gap in the dessert market by creating a “clean” Keto ice cream brand, what it’s like to work with your spouse, and how he finds balance in his personal and professional life.2020-10-1419 minLearn to LeadTech as a Force For GoodDr. Sally Eaves is a leading thinker and writer regarding the future of technology and is a member of the Forbes Technology Council. Dr. Eaves joins us on this episode to explain STEAM vs STEM research, how education and technology go hand in hand, and what emerging technology she is most excited about being integrated into the modern workplace in the coming years.2020-10-0720 minLearn to LeadKeep it Focused on the BusinessAshley Wainscott is the CEO and Founder of Simply Sold, an award winning renovation firm that has built a simpler and more effective construction process. Ashley joins us on this episode to discuss strategies to push through difficult times, the "trickling down" effect, and her tips for building a company from the ground up.2020-09-3020 min
THRIVEONLIFE Podcast: Helping people live better lives with tips on health, wealth, and happiness.E64 Connect And Grow Your Network with Matthew Confer, VP of Strategy at Abilitie“Painting a picture and telling a story is what makes really effective leaders.” -Matthew Confer
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Do you want to grow your network but not sure where to start?
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This week’s guest, Matthew Confer, is the VP of Strategy at Abilitie, a local Austin, Texas-based company that develops leadership simulation events. Abilitie works with over forty Fortune 500 companies including Coca-Cola, Southwest Airlines, RetailMeNot, and many more.
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In this week’s episode, we chat about the events that have landed Matthew where he’s at right now, how he has vas...2020-09-2452 minLearn to LeadThe Magic of Making Customers HappyShep Hyken is the author of seven books, a frequent keynote speaker, and the Chief Amazement Officer at Shepard Presentations. He joins us on this episode to discuss his tenants of a great customer experience, how he approaches hiring top talent, and the importance of not overlooking the small details.2020-09-2320 minLearn to LeadCleaning Up Your BusinessMike Michalowicz is the author of Fix This Next, a former columnist for the Wall Street Journal, and a Business Makeover Specialist with MSNBC. He joins us on this episode to share his insights into how a “lack of things” can become our greatest asset, how to identify your biggest problem as an entrepreneur, and how leaders can leverage humor.2020-09-1722 minLearn to LeadLeading LeadersKarin Hurt is the CEO of Let’s Grow Leaders and an Inc. Magazine Top 100 Leadership Speaker. She joins us on this episode to share what initially drew her into the field of leadership development and how she ended up focusing on the importance of “leading leaders.” We discuss how to get results in the workplace that last, how to prioritize your time using the "MIT" concept, and ways to create psychological safety in the workplace.2020-09-1422 minLearn to LeadEmbracing a Growth MindsetScott Dust is the Chief Research Officer at Cloverleaf and a Professor of Management at Miami University. He joins us on this episode to discuss how the ongoing pandemic has created the opportunity for us to adopt and embrace a growth mindset. Additionally, we discuss how to practice self-leadership, considerations to take when creating your approach to leadership, and how our cognitive biases can skew our opinions of "good leaders."2020-09-0923 minLearn to LeadKeep Training WeirdKelly McCutcheon is the VP of Training at Hopdoddy Burger Bar. She joins us on this episode to discuss Hopdoddy's approach to talent development in the hospitality industry. We also discuss how COVID-19 impacted their business and how their leadership team coordinated their response across multiple states and more than 30 restaurant locations.2020-09-0318 minLearn to LeadHow to Revitalize Your Hiring ProcessJay Rosenzweig is the founding partner & CEO of Rosenzweig and Company. He joins us on this episode to take a deep dive into his four most important hiring criteria and shares his take on the future of social equality in the workplace.2020-08-3119 minLearn to LeadCreating the Career You DeserveLiz Ryan is the CEO and Founder of Human Workplace. She joins us on this episode to discuss the importance of shifting your perspective regarding what a standard career path looks like. She also covers the biggest mistakes people managers commonly make, how to break the traditional rules of resumes, and the importance of risk-taking in your career.2020-08-2621 minLearn to LeadThe Practicality of EntrepreneurshipAbraham Kamarck is the founder and CEO of True Made Food. He joins us on this episode to discuss how his hatred of ketchup led him to starting his own business. Abraham shares with us how eight years as a Navy helicopter pilot shaped his leadership skills, his experience with Impact Entrepreneurship, and the importance of practicality.2020-08-2023 minLearn to LeadPrioritizing People and ProfitsJason Lauritson is the author of two books and an Employee Engagement and Workplace Culture Expert. He joins us on this episode to discuss how the relationship between people and their jobs is evolving. He also gives us his advice on creating relationships within the workplace, how he resets his energy throughout the day, and how to reshape your perspective on performance management.2020-08-1322 minLearn to LeadWhy Health Is Essential To Leadership SuccessClaire Siegel is the Founder of Nutritional Freedom and the former Senior Product Manager at Snap Kitchen. She joins us to discuss her journey from senior leader of a fast growing organization to an entrepreneurial business owner. Claire speaks to us about the importance of building trust with your audience before you launch a product and how she personally did it. She also shares her perspective on why health and nutrition are such important components of effective leadership and how goal setting and creating internal structure is vital for success.2020-08-1118 minLearn to LeadDitch Your Ego and Ask For HelpMike McKim is the founder and CEO of Austin-based coffeehouse and roastery, Cuvee Coffee. He joins us on this episode to talk about how his side hustle became his career. In our discussion, we cover how he balances priorities as a business owner, what it’s like to be a pioneer in an industry, and how his ego was humbled early on in his career.2020-07-3020 minLearn to LeadDefining Your AudiencePamela Slim is an author and Co-Founder of Main Street Learning Lab. She joins us on this episode to discuss why defining your audience is essential to building products or marketing to people. In our discussion she covers her untraditional approach to creating a target market and gives us her top tips for talking about ourselves professionally and staying continually employable.2020-07-2820 minLearn to LeadHow Social Connectivity, Professional Development, and Community Service Form an Ecosystem for GrowthGlenn Banton is the CEO of OSD, a Veteran support organization that has helped over 1.5M Veterans over the past 10 years. On this episode, he shares how OSD helps Veterans find generational connection, why listening to feedback is the greatest factor in making meaningful organizational change, and his most important indicators of promising leadership talent.2020-07-2322 minLearn to LeadFinding Talent and Making Work BetterSally Thornton is the founder and CEO of Forshay, a firm that focuses on how people can do their best work through executive recruiting and improving the system of work. Sally joins us on this episode to discuss what kind of "criteria" you should actually be looking for when hiring, cognitive bias, the "Ideal Worker" norm, and the importance of "being basic."2020-07-2118 minLearn to LeadThe Language of LeadersBart Egnal is the President and CEO of The Humphrey Group and author of the book Lead Through Language. Bart joins us on this episode to discuss how leaders can be intentional and conscious with their language for more clear, effective communication. He guides us through the difference between transferring information and transforming people, the importance of getting clear on your own beliefs as a leader, the problem with using jargon, and how to choose words that convey your beliefs and ideas.2020-07-1719 minLearn to LeadHow Visual Communication Creates ConnectionLisa Rothstein is a cartoonist for the New Yorker Magazine and the Chief Creative Officer for Drawing Out Your Genius. She joins us on this episode to discuss the power of drawings and visualization in communicating ideas. We take a deep dive into how the human brain is wired to process visual information, her top tips for leaders communicating an organizational vision, and how to keep listeners engaged when communicating in the virtual space.2020-07-1420 minLearn to LeadManaging the Employee Engagement CrisisBrennan McEachran is the CEO of co-founder of Soapbox, a suite of tools to help managers lead their teams. He joins us on this episode to discuss the role of managers in the ongoing employee engagement crisis, his one-of-a-kind management software, and how to make meetings an effective medium for communication and innovation.2020-07-0922 minLearn to LeadThe Power of Influence as a CoachMario Price, Director of Coaching Education at the American Football Coaches Association, joins us on this episode to discuss his leadership journey. He reflects on what it takes to be an effective coach, how he continues to learn and innovate within his industry, and the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships on and off the football field.2020-06-3020 minLearn to LeadTraining Adults Like KindergartnersEmily Ely is the Director of Special Interest Groups at ATD Austin and a coach for Noodle Partners. As a former kindergarten teacher, who now holds a PhD in Education, she joins us to discuss the similarities between teaching kindergartners and adults, micro-learning, learner engagement, and human-centered design principles. She also talks us through how she prepares for a training or presentation, and her top tool for productivity: a whiteboard.2020-06-2318 minLearn to LeadYou Can't Train By OsmosisRandy Clark, the author of two books on Management and Director of Communications at TKO Graphix, joins us on this episode to discuss some common mistakes people managers make. He also highlights the importance of understanding employee motivators as a leader, and what to look for in an employee when you're considering promoting them to a managerial role.2020-06-1617 minLearn to LeadInvesting in LeadershipPaul O’Brien, the founder and CEO of MediaTech Ventures, joins us to discuss the non-negotiable leadership qualities he looks for when investing in leaders, different ways to be an accessible leader, how the media industry has shaped business, and how he defines the role of a CEO and an entrepreneur.2020-06-0920 minLearn to LeadHow to Excel in Work and Life at the Same TimeMatt Plummer, Founder and CEO of Zarvana, a company that helps people excel in work and life by making holistic professional development easy, joins us on this episode to talk all things productivity and work-life balance. Matt coaches us through how to get more done in less time, where to start when creating daily habits to improve your productivity, and how to approach productivity and work-life balance from a remote work perspective. 2020-06-0218 minLearn to LeadThe Complexities of Global WorkMichael Landers is the founder of Culture Crossing, LLC, a global consulting organization dedicated to finding innovative solutions for groups and individuals working in challenging global conditions. He joins us on this episode to discuss what the concept of "culture" means to him and how we can all challenge our personal cultural norms to adapt in new settings and thrive in global work. Michael walks us through Mental Models, the "7 Second Rule," and where the crossover is between culture skills and core soft leadership skills that paves the way for effective global leadership.2020-05-2620 minLearn to LeadThe Intersection of Data and PeopleDani Johnson, Co-founder and Principal Analyst at RedThread Research joins the show and takes a deep dive into the intersection of data and people. The conversation focuses on how we can leverage data to make the workplace and workspaces more human. She walks us through the importance and implications of risk-taking, tactical and strategic productivity hacks, where she sees the future of work headed with data in the driver’s seat, and how effective communication and data go hand-in-hand.2020-05-1818 minLearn to LeadLeading and Managing Through a CrisisEric McNulty, the Associate Director of The National Preparedness Leadership Institute at Harvard, talks us through the difference between “Leadership” and “Management,” specifically in the context of dealing with a crisis. He also discusses the importance of Meta-Leadership, relationship negotiation, and how leaders can become a bottleneck in a crisis (and how to avoid this).
McNulty spent over a decade traveling the U.S. towards the center of crises (Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Hurricane Sandy, Boston Marathon bombings, COVID-19). He explains the evolution of leadership from the days of hunting and gathering, to farming, to the present day, and he shares w...2020-05-1120 minLearn to LeadThe Conscience of an OrganizationAmrita Subramanian, an Exec-Ed lecturer of Organizational Dynamics at Wharton School of Business who has lived in 17 different countries and boasts 25 years of robust experience in multiple industries.
In this episode, Amrita shares her philosophy on what the "Conscience" of an organization is and why it matters. We also explore profound ideas such as the paradox of corporate corruption and morality, the importance of leaders who regulate emotion, and, "Why do we exist?".2020-05-1021 minLearn to LeadHow Harley Davidson Made Leadership Development “Cool”Daniel Menden managed Leadership Development and Training Operations at over 1400 Harley Davidson dealerships for over a decade. In this episode, Menden shares with us how he achieved buy-in from each independently owned dealership for training programs, how HarleyU adapted its curriculum for the global needs of its dealerships and new product training, and how he made the shift from a steady career to founding his own business, Mensch Performance.2020-05-0419 minLearn to LeadTuning Leadership Skills from the StageSinger-songwriter Stephen Kellogg joins us on this episode to talk about leadership from a different perspective: from the stage.
Stephen does a deep dive into the parallels between leadership in business and being the leader of a band. During the show he discusses job satisfaction, how to receive negative feedback, his TEDx Talk, and his book. He ends by leaving us with lots of great nuggets for leaders, regardless of your industry or craft.2020-04-2423 minLearn to LeadThriving in Remote WorkAllison St. John and Christina Rowe saw a need in the world to master remote leadership and leading teams from a distance, and teamed up in 2018 to found The Remote Leader Project. In this episode, Allison and Christina join us to talk about what it means to really thrive in remote work. Remote work is on the forefront of everyone’s mind, and has moved from being considered a job perk, to something of peak economic importance.
Allison and Christina give us tips for successful remote work and remote leadership, how we can shift our mindsets to see the real be...2020-04-1620 minLearn to LeadLearning As A Strategic ImperativeSean Stowers, Learning Business Partner at Pearson Learning, joins us to talk about how Pearson utilizes learning as a strategic imperative, the importance of training front-line employees, risk mitigation in developing training programs (and is it really necessary?), and his own personal learning philosophy.2020-04-0116 min