Shows
Lead. Always.#11 | Navigating the Luka Doncic Trade: A Cultural PerspectiveIn this conversation, Alex Molden and Megan Carle discuss the recent trade of Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers and its implications for team culture and leadership within the Dallas Mavericks. They explore the importance of cultural dynamics in sports organizations, the role of leadership in maintaining accountability, and the challenges of integrating high-performing individuals into a cohesive team environment. The discussion emphasizes the need for strong leadership to uphold cultural integrity and the potential consequences of allowing individual talent to overshadow team values.TakeawaysNico Harrison's trade decision reflects a focus on team culture.Cultural...2025-02-2621 minLead. Always.#10 | Good Leaders put more emphasis on EQ rather than IQIn this conversation, Alex Molden and Megan Carle discuss the recent Super Bowl, focusing on the various elements that make the event significant beyond just the game itself. They delve into leadership dynamics observed during the game, particularly the emotional consistency of players like Travis Kelce and Jalen Hurts. The discussion highlights the importance of maintaining a positive leadership presence, even in adversity, and how teams can learn from their experiences to improve future performance. The conversation also touches on the agility of teams in adapting their strategies and the personal reflections of watching the game with family.2025-02-1225 minLead. Always.#9 | Discipline is not comfortable but it gives you freedomIn this conversation, Alex Molden and Megan Carle explore the multifaceted concept of discipline, emphasizing its critical role in achieving long-term success across various domains, including parenting, sports, and corporate culture. They discuss the importance of self-discipline, the consequences of a lack of discipline, and how discipline shapes behavior and routines. The conversation highlights the need for accountability and the cultural aspects of discipline in both personal and professional settings.TakeawaysDiscipline is essential for long-term success.Self-discipline involves training oneself to follow rules.Consequences are necessary for maintaining discipline.Discipline in parenting leads to better...2025-01-2825 minLead. Always.#8 | How to keep momentum on your sideIn this engaging conversation, Megan Carle and Alex Molden explore the intersection of personal branding, professionalism, and the importance of momentum in sports and business. They share personal anecdotes, discuss the significance of dressing appropriately for business settings, and delve into how momentum can influence performance and decision-making. The dialogue emphasizes the need for energy, positivity, and celebrating small wins to maintain momentum and avoid complacency. Ultimately, they highlight the importance of focusing on the process rather than just the results to foster a successful and dynamic team environment.TakeawaysIt's important to align your appearance...2025-01-1525 minLead. Always.#8: Defining Your Personal Success JourneyIn this episode of the Lead Always podcast, host Alex Molden discusses the importance of defining personal success, taking inventory of one's current state, and reverse engineering the steps needed to achieve that success. He emphasizes that success is a personal journey and that individuals must identify what success means to them, assess their current skills and habits, and develop a plan to reach their goals. The conversation highlights the significance of connected leadership and the need for continuous self-improvement.Takeaways:Success is personal and must be defined individually.Taking inventory of your current state is...2025-01-0714 minLead. Always.#7 | The Importance of Team DynamicsIn this conversation, Alex Molden and Megan Carle discuss the intricacies of leadership and teamwork, drawing parallels between sports and business. They explore the importance of vulnerability in leadership, the value of team dynamics, and the lessons learned from both success and failure. The discussion emphasizes the need for continuous improvement, the role of feedback, and the acceptance of imperfection as a pathway to growth.TakeawaysWinning requires a solid game plan and teamwork.Leadership involves inviting feedback and being vulnerable.Simplifying strategies helps young athletes perform better.Failure can be a powerful motivator for success...2024-12-1126 minLead. Always.#6 | The Most Important trait when it comes to LeadershipIn this conversation, Megan Carle and Alex Molden explore the themes of leadership, character, and personal development. They discuss the importance of knowing oneself, the role of character in influencing others, and how failure can be a powerful teacher. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-awareness and the ability to predict behavior in leadership dynamics, ultimately highlighting the significance of character as a foundational element in effective leadership.TakeawaysKnowing yourself is crucial for effective leadership.Character is the strongest influencer in leadership.Failure can be a gift if used for growth.Emotions can impact performance...2024-11-2627 minLead. Always.#5 | Workplace Culture: Loneliness to connection and the wins that come with itIn this episode, Megan and Alex discuss the pervasive issue of loneliness in the workplace, as highlighted by a Harvard Business Review article. They explore the myths surrounding loneliness, the importance of creating meaningful connections, and the role of leaders in fostering a culture of connection. The conversation emphasizes practical strategies for combating loneliness, measuring its impact, and the significance of understanding team dynamics to enhance workplace culture.TakeawaysLoneliness at work is a significant issue that needs addressing.Creating opportunities for connection is essential for team dynamics.Myths about loneliness can hinder effective solutions.Leaders...2024-11-1225 minLead. Always.#4 | How to empower Leaders to combat workplace bulliesIn this conversation, Alex and Megan delve into the complexities of bullying, particularly in the workplace. They share personal experiences and insights on recognizing different types of bullying, the psychological impact it has on individuals, and the importance of leadership in creating a healthier work environment. Megan emphasizes the need for awareness and understanding of bullying dynamics, while Alex reflects on his own encounters with bullying in various settings. Together, they advocate for better leadership practices to combat bullying and foster a supportive workplace culture.TakeawaysBullying can occur in various forms, both overt and covert...2024-10-2933 minLead. Always.#3 | The Poison of external validationIn this conversation, Alex and Megan explore the intersection of sports and leadership, drawing parallels between the two fields. They discuss the impact of external validation on success, the importance of staying humble and hungry, and how momentum can shift in both sports and business. The conversation also touches on the role of fans, the necessity of returning to fundamentals after a loss, and the significance of risk-taking in leadership. They conclude by introducing their new leadership development initiative, LEAD. ALWAYS.TakeawaysExternal noise can distract from the details that lead to success.Staying hungry and...2024-10-1530 minLead. Always.#2 | Failure: what leaders do to extract fruit from itIn this episode of the Lead Always podcast, hosts Alex Molden and Megan Carle discuss the intersection of sports and corporate leadership. They emphasize the importance of practice, learning from failures, and the value of real-time role-playing in developing effective leadership skills. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of team interactions, the challenges of navigating promotions, and the significance of feedback and cohort support in leadership development.Takeaways:-Connected leaders are the most effective leaders.-Every day is game day for leaders.-Learning from failures is crucial for growth.2024-10-0127 minLead. Always.#1 | Practicing Leadership: A crucial part to successThe conversation revolves around the target audience for the podcast and the introduction of the Lead Always leadership development program. Megan & Alex discuss the importance of practicing leadership and the connection between sports and business. They share personal experiences and insights on leadership and the need for connection in leadership roles. The conversation also touches on the challenges of being a leader and the importance of knowing oneself and one's team. The hosts plan to create a podcast that provides a backstage pass to leadership, discussing both the good and the bad.Takeaways:-The podcast...2024-09-2427 min
The Shark Effect#162: Being okay with others being uncomfortableIn a transformative tale of personal growth, former NFL player turned consultant and author, Alex Molden, shares a powerful story that challenges societal norms. As he engaged in an intense workout at a leadership summit, Alex realized that his unapologetic commitment to his goals might make others uncomfortable. This realization prompted him to examine other areas of his life where his choices might cause discomfort for others, such as his parenting style and disciplined approach to finances. Discover how Alex's journey of self-improvement leads to a surprising reminder for us all to embrace discomfort and forge our own paths...2023-10-2410 min