Shows
The Leadership PodcastFunctional Art and Leadership with Sibley BaconSibley Bacon is an applied researcher and functional artist, and shares how she blends creativity with structure to build more human-centered teams. Sibely describes what it means to be a "functional artist"—a leader who truly sees the big picture, connects deeply, and inspires through presence, not position. She reflects on lessons from her time at Google, where she worked on improving team dynamics and navigating the gap between theory and business reality. Sibley offers a new take on employee engagement: when people see their work as art, not just tasks, their connection to the purpose changes. She also shares wh...2025-06-0437 min
The Leadership PodcastLooking for Unicorns: The Hiring Dilemma with Jim and JanIn this episode, Jim and Jan dive into the critical aspects of leadership and talent development in today’s fast-changing work environment. They discuss how companies often seek “unicorn” candidates with unrealistic expectations—and why focusing on core traits like emotional intelligence, curiosity, and continuous learning is essential. Jim and Jan explore how hybrid work is reshaping the workplace and why relationship-building, trust, and clear expectations are key to fostering strong teams. They also examine how job seekers and employers often set themselves up for failure by chasing perfection. Jim and Jan Jan also offer practical advice on how to set clea...2025-05-2133 min
The Leadership PodcastSmall, Consistent Actions Over Time with Adam ContosAdam Contos is a former SWAT leader turned CEO, leadership advisor, and author of “Start With a Win: Tools and Lessons to Create Personal and Business Success.” In this episode, Adam begins by defining a "win" in leadership not as just hitting KPIs or completing projects, but as creating momentum through small, daily victories. Adam stresses the importance of fostering a culture of accountability within teams, but without micromanaging. He explains that accountability is about creating an environment where people can succeed, rather than policing behavior. When discussing setbacks, Adam reminds us that challenges are inevitable, but it’s how leaders r...2025-05-0737 min
The Leadership PodcastGlue Guys: Identifying Hidden Leaders with Jim and JanJim and Jan dive deep into the concept of “Glue Guys” (or “Glue Gals”)—the individuals who often go unrecognized but are crucial in holding teams and organizations together. They explore the traits, roles, and impact of these unsung heroes across various settings, from sports to corporate environments. Jim shares insights into how these individuals contribute behind the scenes, and expands on this idea, explaining that in sports, captains who are not necessarily stars often embody these roles. This segues into a broader discussion on how these traits appear in organizations, emphasizing that leaders should identify and reward such individuals. They also...2025-01-2926 min
The Leadership PodcastToday’s Top Leadership Challenges with Jim and JanIn the episode of The Leadership Podcast, Jan and Jim discuss a recent study from the Center for Creative Leadership that highlights key leadership challenges at all leadership levels: Poor time management - competing priorities and confusing busy with results Poor people skills - and a lack of self-awareness Inability wield power & influence across the organization Inability or unwillingness to to delegate (aka still doing “old” job) Widespread disengagement Cultures by default versus design. Jim critiques the study, highlighting the blurred distinction between leadership and management, and emphasizes that leaders must delegate and trust others to succeed. Also discussed is disen...2024-11-0625 min
The Leadership PodcastWhat Makes A Good Leadership Book with Jim and JanJim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford discuss what makes a great leadership book including the value of storytelling in making concepts relatable for the audience. They also discuss the importance of evidence-based concepts, and the significance of lasting and practical advice that transcends time. The best leadership books aren't necessarily leadership books. “The books that help you most are those which make you think the most. The hardest way of learning is that of easy reading. But a great book that comes from a great thinker is a ship of thought, deep braided with truth and beauty. ” — Pablo Neruda Key Takeaways [02:06] Jim and Ja...2024-10-0228 min
The Leadership PodcastFinding Significance through Challenges, Work and Love with Michelle HollingsheadMichelle Hollingshead is an entrepreneur, author of “Meaning Indicator: Finding Significance through Challenge, Work, and Love.” Michelle delves into the power of vulnerability, inspired by her personal experiences and the loss of her brother post-9/11. Her book echoes Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, focusing on resilience and intentionality. She stresses the importance of choice and compassion through life's trials. Michelle explores the delicate balance between challenge and care in coaching, highlighting that love can coexist with direct feedback. She emphasizes that true love involves nurturing potential and moving on when necessary. Michelle introduces the concept of "and" from her b...2024-09-2533 min
The Leadership PodcastThe Mentally Strong Leader with Scott MautzScott Mautz, author of "The Mentally Strong Leader: Build the Habits to Productively Regulate Your Emotions, Thoughts, and Behaviors," defines and describes what it is to be a mentally strong leader. Scott defines mental strength as the ability to remain calm, in control, and intentional, contrasting it with signs of mental weakness. He emphasized the importance of managing emotions and being intentional in leadership, adapting flexibly to different situations. Throughout the discussion, Scott highlighted tools from his book aimed at improving leadership effectiveness and managing expectations. He also touched on the impact of coaching on mental strength development and navigating...2024-09-0438 min
The Leadership PodcastBecoming a Self-Reliant Leader with Jan RutherfordJan Rutherford, founder of Self Reliant Leadership®, takes a deep dive into the themes of self-reliance and leadership resilience. He shares insights from his collaboration with Jacquie Jordan, a co-author on his book “Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader: How Grit and Disciplined Duty Forge Indomitable Teams”. Jan explores the foundational principles of Self-Reliant Leadership: leading oneself, leading others, and leading the organization, stressing the continuous adaptation and refinement of these interrelated skills. Jan shares personal insights from his background in Special Forces and leading wilderness expeditions, emphasizing the importance of solitude and reflection for effective leadership. Jan highlights practical strategies for fosteri...2024-08-2136 min
The Leadership PodcastSaying “NO” Reduces FrictionIn this episode, Jim and Jan explore the importance of saying "no" in the workplace. They highlight how setting clear boundaries and aligning decisions with both personal and organizational values can help leaders manage their time and workload more effectively. Empowering lower-level employees to say "no" can also reduce friction and enhance organizational efficiency. Additionally, they discuss how balancing commitments and making mindful choices contributes to improved focus, productivity, and long-term success. Key Takeaways [01:28] Jim talked about his company name, Rafti Advisors, which connects to his Greek heritage. Rafti is a town in Greece where his father was born and had...2024-06-2633 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP411: New AI Tool from 400+ Episodes of The Leadership Podcast with Jim PetersIn this episode, Jim Peters, co-founder and president of Citizen Engineers, shares his leadership experiences and how he leverages AI tools like AssemblyAI and Myaskai to learn from nearly 400 leaders. He recounts how bike trips with his kids imparted valuable leadership lessons. Amid personal challenges, including his wife’s diagnosis and his job loss, Jim stresses the significance of downtime and resilience. He applies these insights to his business, emphasizing work-life balance and compassionate leadership. Jim advocates for continuous learning and living a life filled with meaning and compassion in the workplace. Key Takeaways [02:26] Jim shares that he remembers taking his k...2024-05-2938 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP402: The Mindful Person Who Connected Jim and Jan with Mark RangellMark Rangell, Chief Operating Officer at Ryte and a digital health and technology strategy consultant, shared the story of his friendship with Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselapolus. He highlights the role of curiosity in fostering connections, leading to friendships, business partnerships, and joint investments. Mark discusses the aspects of growing a business, emphasizing the importance of a diverse team with shared values and the use of specific tools and processes. He describes a scaling approach that focuses on principles and responsibilities, enabling team members to understand their roles and align with the company's goals. Mark believes that successful scaling involves...2024-03-2739 min
The Leadership PodcastThe Distracted Leader with Jim and JanJim and Jan discuss modern leadership challenges: information overload and excessive meetings. They stress the need for present, attentive leadership, focusing on situational awareness and problem-solving rather than getting bogged down by irrelevant tasks. Giving proper attention as a leader is key for informed decision-making. They advocate simplicity and problem-solving amid distractions, highlighting the value of experience over education. Practical tips include staying focused, minimizing distractions, and organizing tasks by prioritizing goals. Encouraging creativity, self-reliance, and disciplined time for innovative thinking is crucial. They also note the role of humor in shifting perspectives and the importance of meditation, feedback, and...2024-01-1732 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP388: FOCUS with Jim and JanJim and Jan talk about how difficult it is to maintain focus in a world that moves quickly. They state that a lack of time and resources is causing people to feel overburdened, busy, and frustrated. The paradox of choice, which holds that having too many options causes indecision and dissatisfaction with decisions made, as well as the addiction to busyness, and the difficulty of effectively managing time. Burnout and frustration can also result from being overly busy and realizing that you are not making any progress. They also stress how crucial it is to prioritize, simplify, and base decisions...2023-12-2030 min
The Leadership PodcastTLPMM010: Clarity: Embracing Ancient Wisdom in the Modern World with Jim Vaselopulos (Part 2)Jim Vaselopulos, founder of Rafti Advisors, discusses the importance of skill development to solve core business problems. He highlights the complexity of sales, emphasizing that it involves more than just results; it's about human interactions. Jim discusses the challenge of defining and teaching leadership due to its delicate balance and the absence of absolutes. He shares personal stories about mentors who had a significant impact on his life. He also mentions the influence of Stoicism on leadership and the value of embracing ancient wisdom in the modern world. Key Takeaways [01:28] In this episode, Jan started to reflect on their 12-year work...2023-11-0136 min
The Leadership PodcastTLPMM009: Clarity: Business Wisdom to Work Less and Achieve More with Jim VaselopulosJim Vaselopulos, the founder of Rafti Advisors, is a C-level business advisor and executive coach with a proven record as a leader, strategist, rainmaker, and expert in new business development. Jim discusses his upcoming book “Clarity: Business Wisdom to Work Less and Achieve More”. He stresses the importance of clarity in business, drawing parallels with wisdom and emphasizing simplicity and focus. He covers common symptoms of a lack of clarity, including excessive busyness. Jim and Jan also explore the challenges of using tests for complex business problems and highlight curiosity as a key tool. They discuss Jim's use of fictional stori...2023-10-1830 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP369: Escaping the Busyness Trap with Jim and JanIn this episode of The Leadership Podcast, Jim and Jan discuss stress, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and dealing with it. They highlight the disconnect between leaders and employees in understanding stress levels and the impact of work-related stress. They also mention the need for autonomy among younger workers. The harmful effects of stress, such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, are mentioned. Jim and Jan suggest that leaders should adopt a coaching model and prioritize self-care to reduce stress. They emphasize the importance of recognizing stress in others and avoiding the addiction to busyness. Taking time for physical...2023-07-2627 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP362: Courageous Conversations with Jim and JanJim and Jan discuss the importance of compassion and courage in having difficult conversations. They emphasize the need for empathy, mutual solutions, and bi-directional dialogue. Jim and Jan also provide tips for creating a positive environment for such discussions, including clear expectations, empathy, and core values. They highlight the impact of small actions and encourage listeners not to be neutral in situations of injustice. Key Takeaways [02:18] Jim and Jan delve into the significance of having the courage to engage in difficult conversations. They also touch on the fear that comes with these conversations and how it can be a warning sig...2023-06-0731 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP354: Mountain Sports for LeadershipSteve House is Founder of Uphill Athlete and a proudly retired professional climber and mountain guide. Jan has known him for years. For 21 years, Steve was a professional climber. In 1999 he became only the ninth American to achieve IFMGA certification, which is the highest level to guide all over the world. He has guided trips all across the world. In this discussion, Steve shares his journey from mountain sports to high-altitude climbing, to a nearly fatal fall, to coaching. Besides coaching mountain athletes, his current challenge is getting his pilot’s license. Steve talks about the purposes of mountain sports an...2023-04-1246 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP351: Coaching for PerformanceSarah Wirth is President of Ecsell Institute, and co-author of the best-selling book, The Coaching Effect. Her life passion is understanding what makes people tick. Sarah has spent the last two decades researching, writing, and teaching about what the best leaders do differently. In this interview, Sarah starts the conversation with her affinity for pop culture and the lessons for leadership she finds in movies. She tells how Ecsell Institute started as training for sales leaders and expanded into helping leaders in other areas. Sarah and her team gather and analyze survey data to help leaders improve the performance of...2023-03-2241 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP349: Culture During Times of Change and DisruptionErin Shrimpton is a chartered organizational psychologist and a LinkedIn Learning Instructor. Erin has a passion for shaping culture that is true to the brand it represents and strategy it supports. In this episode, Erin shares what she’s learned about the workplace experience, and how culture is created and influenced by the behavior leaders model. Listen in for a dynamic conversation regarding the psychological aspects of how the environment, and connections truly shape culture. Key Takeaways [2:25] Erin was recommended to Jan and Jim by Dean Karrel, another LinkedIn Learning instructor. Jan and Erin have an Irish connection. Jan took studen...2023-03-0842 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP348: Our Real Interview with Artificial Intelligence Sensation ChatGPTChatGPT is the artificial intelligence talk of the town, and Jan and Jim have experimented with it for a few months and share the questions they asked it, and the responses ChatGPT provided. They discuss how ChatGPT can be a game-changer for leaders to spend more time doing what they do best - develop relationships and exercise judgment. Listen in for how AI can be a new tool in your toolbox, and its potential as a leadership enhancer. Key Takeaways [1:38] Jan and Jim give a big shoutout to their friend Greg Hinc of County Cork, Ireland. He wrote that he sta...2023-03-0143 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP335: The Curse of the Bias to ActionThis episode is about the importance of finding the underlying causes for today’s common leadership challenges. It’s about not making the mistake of treating symptoms versus the underlying root cause. Learn how curiosity can inspire and provide insight. Often, the objective, analytic thinking that propelled you to the C-suite now needs to be paired with intuition and conceptualization for you to see the trends and patterns of issues. If you’re not a CEO, you can learn to think like one and increase your value to the organization. Listen to the end for the listener challenge! Key Takeaways [1:26] This wee...2022-11-3033 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP334: Values and VirtuesJan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos, the hosts of The Leadership Podcast, explore core values based on the six cardinal virtues. Follow the discussion in this important episode to be reminded how the cardinal virtues apply in life and at work, and how you and your organization can move forward by going back to the fundamentals of leadership. Key Takeaways [1:25] Jan and Jim have both received a lot of very positive texts about Episode 332, featuring Richie Norton, who talked about the brevity of life. Jan sees that people are planning frantically for next year. [3:05] Leaders are making sure they don’t get...2022-11-2346 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP333: Values and VirtuesJan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos, the hosts of The Leadership Podcast, explore core values based on the six cardinal virtues. Follow the discussion in this important episode to be reminded how the cardinal virtues apply in life and at work, and how you and your organization can move forward by going back to the fundamentals of leadership. Key Takeaways [1:25] Jan and Jim have both received a lot of very positive texts about Episode 332, featuring Richie Norton, who talked about the brevity of life. Jan sees that people are planning frantically for next year. [3:05] Leaders are making sure they don’t get...2022-11-1643 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP324: Change Your Environment - Change Your NarrativeJim and Jan discuss the latest crucible expeditions to hopefully inspire and uplift you! Jan has led 21 crucible expeditions to date, and through the diversity of executives and military veterans, they keep providing new insights. Participants come by invitation (or application), and are selected for selflessness, an adventurous spirit, and possessing heroic aspirations to make a difference in the lives of others. Jan’s process is to design the experience, select the participants, get them together, and step back to let them learn and grow as a team, as the magic happens. Participants learn they have more in common than th...2022-09-1439 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP322: Making Influence Your SuperpowerDr. Zoe Chance is a professor at the Yale School of Management, and is the author of Influence Is Your Superpower: The Science of Winning Hearts, Sparking Change, and Making Good Things Happen. Her framework for behavior change is the foundation for Google’s global food policy. In this conversation, Zoe describes forms of influence and discusses how good relationships lead to good work. She challenges the people to use influence for the greater good, not just for individual purposes. Key Takeaways [2:11] Zoe, a sci-fi fan, named her daughter Ripley after Ellen Ripley from Aliens. [5:16] Almost all of us, even the...2022-08-3156 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP304: History Doesn’t Repeat Itself... But it Does RhymeKian Gohar is the founder of Geolab, an innovation research and training firm empowering leaders through coaching, strategy, and design. He helps inspire the world’s leading organizations to harness disruptive trends transforming industry in the next decade and beyond. He is the co-author of “Competing in the New World of Work.” As a historian and a futurist, he shares his thoughts and insights on the present and future trends with remote work and digitalization. Key Takeaways [1:50] Kian has never had a job he applied for. He has been unsuccessful at every job application he has had. [3:40] Talking about Kian’s book, Com...2022-04-2741 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP301: In the Future, The Best Leaders Will Lead with WeSimon Mainwaring is CEO of We First, Inc., the creative consultancy that strategizes, integrates, and activates the growth, productivity, and impact of the world’s most successful brands. As a global keynote speaker, New York Times bestselling author of We First and LEAD WITH WE, and highly-awarded brand futurist, he works with leading CEOs, CMOs, and entrepreneurs to define their business strategy, company culture, and brand communications. Simon is a sought-after international speaker whose presentations engage and inspire audiences to think and act in new ways that LEAD WITH WE around a collectivized purpose. He has been voted a Top 5 Mar...2022-04-0648 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP300: The Leadership Podcast Introspective - 300 episodes in 6 years!Your hosts of The Leadership Podcast look back on 300 episodes in 6 years! The tagline is “We Study Leaders,” and Jim and Jan share what they’ve learned from the array of amazing guests. Listen in to learn the number one trait all the guests share; hear what they’ve learned about human nature, teams, tribalism, and how music seems to be a thing many leaders leverage as inspiration. Also, don’t miss their take on the human aspect of many leaders’ stories. Lastly, Jim and Jan share their gratitude for your listenership! Key Takeaways [1:55] Jim and Jan recall the days when they firs...2022-03-3032 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP297: The Four-Day WorkweekBanks Benitez joined Uncharted in 2012 as an unpaid intern, and became the CEO in 2017. Since stepping in as CEO, Banks and his leadership have tripled the size of the team and doubled their revenue. Also during the pandemic, Banks moved to a four-day workweek at the same wages. In this episode, Banks shares his insight on the move to a four-day week, and the lessons learned about time management, mental health, and productivity. As a CEO, Banks went from 52 hours a week to 34 hours a week! Key Takeaways [1:50] Advice Jim and Jan give to veterans is, “If you hear about real...2022-03-0951 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP292: Our Brains Are Wired To Think In PicturesAs the CEO of Imagine Think, Nora Herting helps expand the definition of creativity in the business world. As the author of the best-selling book, “Draw Your Big Idea,” Nora has inspired thousands to think visually to access their own creativity. Nora breaks down the myth that drawing is only for the creatives, and showcases real examples of how leaders can add another dimension to their ideas (and execution effectiveness) through simple doodles. Listen in to unlock and inspire others in new ways beyond the written word! Key Takeaways [3:15] Nora shares insight about visual leadership. [5:00] Paintings have been a form of comm...2022-02-0241 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP277: Upskilling & Reskilling: The Leader’s ResponseIn this episode, the hosts of the podcast dive into the leadership implications of upskilling and reskilling. With the certainty of uncertainty, leaders need to step back and take the time to interpret the meaningful outside, and the implications for talent acquisition and talent retention (get and keep employees). Listen in as Jim and Jan break it down. Key Takeaways [1:50] Today’s topic is about upskilling and reskilling leadership! [5:20] Leaders know they have to scale, but how is the hard part.. [5:45] Jan shares how he likes to approach this big question mark on a lot of executives’ plates. [8:10] In medical train...2021-10-2037 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP274: Brave At WorkJim Detert is the author of Choosing Courage: The Everyday Guide to Being Brave at Work - a research-based guide for standing up and speaking out skillfully at work. Have you ever wanted to disagree with your boss? Speak up about your company's lack of diversity or unequal pay practices? Make a tough decision you knew would be unpopular? In this episode, Jim discusses the moral imperative and research-based tactics to help you become more competently courageous at work. Doing for courage what Angela Duckworth has done for grit and Brene Brown for vulnerability, Jim explains that courage isn't a ch...2021-09-2943 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP271: The Great Resignationres·ig·na·tion /ˌrezəɡˈnāSH(ə)n/ noun an act of retiring or giving up a position."he announced his resignation" the acceptance of something undesirable but inevitable."a shrug of resignation" Join Jim and Jan in a unique episode as they share their latest thoughts about talent - acquisition, retention and meaning. We are seeing a huge reshuffle taking place, and Jim and Jan explore the reasons behind this seismic shift, and what it may mean for each generation of leaders. Listen in on what you can do today that will have an effect for years to come. Sponsored b...2021-09-0843 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP243: Great is No Longer Good EnoughJim Hemerling is a leader in Boston Consulting Group’s People & Organization and Transformation practices. He has co-authored numerous publications on transformation, organization effectiveness, and culture including, TRANSFORMATION: Delivering and Sustaining Breakthrough Performance, and Globality: Competing with Everyone from Everywhere for Everything. Jim is also a coauthor of BCG’s book, “Beyond Great,” which describes how the world has been transformed due to social tension, economic nationalism, and technological revolution. Business leaders are encouraged to go beyond great and “adopt a radical new playbook—one that helps their companies become resilient in the face of even the most volatile situations.” On this episod...2021-02-2447 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP219: Risk is RelativePart of your role as a leader is to create an environment where people are performing at their best; and that means creating an environment where risk is mitigated. However, how safe is too safe? Google conducted a study that looked into what defines a high-performing team. When people see each other as humans first, and coworkers second, it builds psychological safety. Jim and Jan discuss how to provide clarity for effective teaming, and the generational perspectives on risk… and reward. Key Takeaways [2:55] Teams that followed the agenda precisely to a ‘T’ weren’t as effective as those who saw each othe...2020-09-0931 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP211: Silence Says So MuchJim and Jan discuss why they have been very conscious about not discussing politics or religion on the show. Leaders are faced with uncomfortable situations every day and sometimes it can be challenging to navigate controversial subjects effectively. We’re in an environment now where if we don’t speak up, we are making a statement, and if we do speak up, we’re on record. Listen in to a very deliberate and difficult discussion! Key Takeaways [2:25] Jim and Jan have made a conscious decision to not discuss politics on this show. [3:15] Viewpoints and perspectives change over time as new informat...2020-07-1537 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP195: A Look Into Mr. Rogers Leadership StyleJim and Jan watched Tom Hanks in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, which portrayed a real-life friendship between Mr. Fred Rogers and journalist Lloyd Vogel. The leadership, moral and philosophical lessons were many, and Jim & Jan recount their favorites. Listen in to hear what Jim & Jan saw as the most important lesson in the movie for leaders - now more than ever. Key Takeaways [3:25] Mr. Rogers had the ability to intently listen and demonstrate true caring for the other person. [4:25] Leadership is the ability to move people emotionally. [5:55] Jim is not a big fan of active listening. It involves re...2020-04-0136 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP188: Interview with Stan McChrystal AND Dan PinkJoin us as we discuss our preparation for our interview with Stan McChrystal and Dan Pink - together - from 2-4pm EST on February 7th! Now is your opportunity to let us know what you would like us to ask these thought leaders about the future of leadership and teams! Be sure to email your questions to: . The interview will livestream on our Facebook page: . Key Takeaways [1:55] The last two episodes were of Stan McChrystal and Dan Pink, so be sure to listen to them before Jim and Jan go live with these two speakers on February 7th. [2:35] Both spe...2020-02-0523 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP186: Stan McChrystal - There is No One Size Fits AllThis is an episode Jim and Jan have never done before! They are featuring a previous episode with General Stanley McChrystal because they will be interviewing the General along with author Dan Pink live on February 7th. After listening, let Jim and Jan know if you have questions you’d like them to ask Dan and Stan! General Stanley McChrystal shares his thoughts and insights on leadership and service in the modern era. General McChrystal is the best selling author of Team of Teams, and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of The McChrystal group. He talks with Jim and Jan about the...2020-01-2251 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP174: What’s Funny About Work?Most people use humor as a great way to break the ice and keep things light and fun in the workplace. However, through cultural differences, personality types, and life experiences, the use of humor can become offensive or make people uncomfortable. Where do you find the right balance? Jim and Jan discuss the importance of humor in the workplace and how to use your emotional intelligence to develop the right amount and type of humor for a company’s culture. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called “chalk talks.” They’re “...2019-10-3022 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP169: When Bureaucracy Bears DownWhen you are working in a highly regulated and restricted environment, it may be more challenging to come up with creative solutions, make decisions and work within a culture that feels flexible. However, this week, Jim and Jan discuss the unique leadership challenges in the public sector, and how to still thrive. Jim and Jan answer a few listener questions and concerns regarding problems that are unique to public sector organizations, and give personal examples of times they needed to think outside the box to move things along. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to p...2019-09-2526 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP159: Search for MeaningThis week, Jim and Jan talk about new ideas, perspectives, and thoughts as we all strive to live a life of meaning. To that end, The Leadership Podcast is proud to announce a new initiative with thoughtLEADERS to provide very short podcasts called “chalk talks.” They’re a “bitesize” hacks on a common (but challenging) leadership issues. You can only access the Chalk Talks by subscribing to our mailing list at . In addition, listen in to learn how 10 of you can apply to be selected to participate in the March 2020 Self-Reliant Leadership Crucible and Podcast Guest Reunion in Austin, Texas! It’s an exclus...2019-07-1723 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP151: How to Cast a Powerful VisionGreg Smith is a Public Speaking Coach, Business Collaboration Catalyst, and Chairman of the Board at Compco Industries. He talks with Jim and Jan today about how being the mentee of John Maxwell and Tony Robbins changed his life. He also shares what he learned while writing Speak Like a Pro Without Looking Like a Jack@$$, and what he’s learned from being the current license holder for TEDx Youngstown. Key Takeaways [3:02] Greg has studied and worked with many of the world’s top thought leaders and executive coaches, and one of the biggest influences of them all is John Maxwe...2019-05-2240 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP148: The Upside of a Bad ExperienceI bet you can instantly recall an awful customer experience? How about an exceptional customer experience? Jan recently had both the best and worst customer service experiences on a recent flight, and it sparked today’s discussion. Jan and Jim discuss the lessons to be learned from bad experiences, why we tend to have them in the first place, and ways to embrace them and lean in with compassion and empathy. Key Takeaways [4:38] Jan experienced a recent flight where the doors shut and he wasn’t able to make his flight. After feeling upset and bothered, he contacted the airline’s custom...2019-05-0125 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP142: Grace - A Leadership AspirationJim and Jan start the show by paying tribute to Jan’s late mentor who exemplified the virtue of gratitude. Also discussed are ways to improve positivity, the power behind finding things to be grateful for, and practical suggestions for expressing gratitude. Key Takeaways [1:46] At the funeral of his mentor, MG Bud Ahern, Jan reflected on how grateful he was to have Bud in his life. Bud was a civil engineer in the Air Force, a teacher, an athlete, a scholar, and foremost, a philosopher. [8:14] There are meaningful people and events in our life that we are grateful for, but som...2019-03-2025 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP138: It’s Not About YouThe leader isn’t always the one with “legitimate authority.” Often, leaders in the middle looking to exert change aren’t successfully managing up. Jim and Jan break it down as to what managing up is, why it’s important, and how to do it successfully. They share stories where they successfully managed up, and examples where they screwed up. Key Takeaways [2:09] Managing up is about creating alignment and sharing expectations with those you work with. It’s also about marching to the same beat at the same pace. [4:07] Different people can lead at different times, depending on what is best for that...2019-02-2029 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP134: Keeping PromisesWe’re all a work in progress, and whether we call it a resolution, or an ongoing commitment, it’s all part of building character to consistently develop and grow. Today, Jim and Jan talk about making promises and resolutions, and why we seem to let our own goals die before helping others achieve theirs. They discuss how great leaders tackle a to do list, the key questions to ask surrounding a resolution, the importance of time and attitude, and how we can manage our day by managing our energy level. Key Takeaways [4:13] It’s often easier to let ourselves down be...2019-01-2325 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP132: Are Your Goals Big Enough?This week Jim and Jan discuss a popular topic amongst the listeners: setting and achieving BIG goals. They talk about what defines a big goal, why we want to aim high, but not stretch our goals too far out. And... what usually keeps us from setting and accomplishing them. They also talk about the need for shared accountability, understanding the scale of impact vs. the risk of failure, and how to gauge when goals turn into success. Key Takeaways [2:31] With big goals also comes to possibility of failure. Even if you don’t achieve your goal the first, second or even...2019-01-0926 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP128: Leadership as Defined by 2nd GradersJim and Jan start the episode with how a second grade class defines a great leader! Leadership is hard, but these young people show that the basics are pretty simple. Also discussed is how we’re happier when we help others, leading with love and courage, and why good leaders provide both positive and negative consequences for meeting or not meeting standards. Key Takeaways [2:08} Jim shares the answers that came from the second grade classroom of his friend on what it takes to be a great leader. The kids nailed it with answers like: puts people first, nice to others, enc...2018-12-1227 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP126: Accountability: There Must Be ConsequencesIn this week’s episode, Jim and Jan address some listener and client questions on the topic of accountability and ownership. They discuss how to get people to do what they say they are going to do; who actually is accountable for getting people to be accountable in the first place; why someone may not take ownership; and what leaders can do better to foster a culture of both personal accountability and organizational design in the workplace. Key Takeaways [2:41] Q: I struggle with coaching my team to be more accountable. Why is that, and how can I get better? A: Jim...2018-11-2833 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP124: How to Make Difficult Conversations... EasierDifficult conversations are part of the leader’s job when it comes to creating a strong organization. In this episode, Jim and Jan share the tools they recommend to make these unavoidable conversations a little easier. In this episode, they answer listener questions all based on the topic of difficult conversations: The pitfalls of avoiding them, how to plan for them, and how to prevent the need for them in the first place. Key Takeaways [2:20] We tend to try and avoid difficult conversations that may lead to conflict. Sweeping problems and conversations under the rug may lead to loss of mone...2018-11-1432 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP122: What Scares Us the MostIt’s a Jim and Jan Halloween episode! To get into the spooky spirit, they tell us what scares them the most, both professionally and personally. They then discuss ways in which fear can help us prepare, motivate and leave us stronger. Whether it’s a fear of public speaking, networking, or delegating, this episode will remind you that you're not alone. Key Takeaways [2:53] Professionally, what scares Jan is getting a call from a client who is upset. Even if their displeasure is due to a misunderstanding, it’s still jarring. [7:24] When you are clear about your values and what’s importa...2018-10-3134 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP120: Why Trusting Your Gut is HardChances are, you have been told at some point to just “go with your gut,” or “trust your gut.” Every day we are faced with thousands of decisions, and some just seem to come from within, or a source inside ourselves. Today, Jim and Jan talk about what it really means to trust your gut. They explore the many assumptions we make, why it’s so difficult for people to trust themselves, and they share a few of their own coaching experiences. Finally, they talk about decisiveness, and why it’s essential to trust your team and focus on the systems that...2018-10-1725 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP118: What’s Been on Our Mind: Decision-Making & NetworkingIn this week’s episode, Jim and Jan share what’s been on their mind. For Jan, it’s all about decision making. How they are made, the processes most organizations are lacking, and how we structure transparency into decisions. Jim’s been noticing how beautiful things emerge when we embrace networking, and create business opportunities for ourselves and others. He provides a few networking hacks, and shares a big opportunity most people miss when looking to connect. Key Takeaways [1:17] Jim and Jan want to hear which episodes you like, who you would like to see as a guest, and what’s new...2018-10-0327 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP116: You Ready to Get a Little Scuffed Up?Positioning yourself for failure is not normal, but it can be enlightening. Jim and Jan are both big proponents of getting a little scuffed up now and then. In this week’s episode, they tell their personal stories about their biggest challenges, and the lessons they learned once they were on the other side. Key Takeaways [1:24] Jan recounts the story of a mountain bike crash that broke his knee. He remembers feeling pain, embarrassment, anxiety when it first happened and he was at the mercy of his rehabilitation. He got through it, and 14 years later and still riding, he is gra...2018-09-1924 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP114: The Art of InfluenceThis week, Jim and Jan dig into the tie between emotional intelligence and sales. Organizations are moving away from manipulative tactics, and using using empathy and connection to influence others. They discuss the similarities between sales and leadership and how emotional intelligence can be learned. There are ways we can turn small talk into big relationships! Key Takeaways [3:03] There is an art to influencing that people find pleasant, rather than manipulative and pushy sales tactics. [4:42] We live in a “me” world, and tend to think our actions have a bigger impact than they actually do. [5:40] Back pressure is important for creat...2018-09-0530 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP112: The ‘V’ Word - VulnerabilityThis week, Jan returns fresh from a trip to Ireland, where he traveled and worked with his MBA students through his course at University of Colorado Denver. He and Jim discuss the parallels and running themes between the young professionals, and guests from recent podcast episodes. They discuss how leaders can foster an environment of vulnerability and purpose for young professionals. Finally, Jim and Jan share their ideas on how leaders and executives can create and engineer networked feedback loops in the business world. Key Takeaways [2:13] Jan recently took 12 of his MBA students to study in the Republic of Ireland a...2018-08-2226 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP108: Look Up From Your ToesIn this episode, Jim and Jan take it full circle and start with their takeaways on responsibility from a recent episode with Patagonia’s Chief Storyteller & Director of Philosophy, Vincent Stanley. Then, they both share stories of early in their career where they could have benefitted from a little more forethought, and follow up with some great news about the podcast and friends surrounding it. Key Takeaways [2:24] Jim and Jan discuss their admiration of both Patagonia as a company, and Chief Storyteller as a leader. The episode demonstrated how respect and responsibility merge when a leader steps up to take the...2018-07-2524 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP106: Strengthen Trust in Less than a DayIn this episode, Jim and Jan talk about the Urban Team Challenge: What it is, how it came about, how it’s different from other team builders, and the special type of people behind it. The goal is to sharpen your team’s ability to communicate, delegate appropriately, overcome adversity, and leverage strengths. Key Takeaways [2:34] In our business and personal lives, most of us are on multiple teams, and several outlets where we are working both together and independently towards a common goal. The Urban Team Challenge targets skills that may be applied in any situation, whether it’s a manager...2018-07-1124 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP104: Navigating Crucial & Emotional ConversationsThis episode features a breakdown from Jim and Jan on Episode #103 with Aaron Levy, Millennial Workplace Expert. They deep dive into the importance of networking from a leadership perspective, combatting failure with courage and confidence, and developing constructs for dialogue to help navigate crucial and emotional conversations in business. Key Takeaways [1:47] Networking is a critical skill as a leader. It is easy to stay in an insulated bubble of comfort and people that you know, but networking is where you find outside influences and expand the sphere of knowledge. [2:33] Aaron Levy brought up balancing controversy and controversial topics for the sake o...2018-06-2722 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP102: Jim and Jan Recap The First Hundred EpisodesToday’s episode features Jim and Jan reflecting on some of their favorite moments, standout guests and unforgettable takeaways from the first 101 episodes of The Leadership Podcast. They pull back the curtain on some behind the scenes moments of their interviews, some central themes, habits and attributes that emerged from studying leaders, and preview what’s to come in future episodes later this year. Lastly, they each give a personal update on their new projects. Jim and Jan thank you for joining them on this ride so far, and would love your feedback on what you want to see more of...2018-06-1325 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP097: Lead With Standards - Not RulesJoe Amplo, head coach of Marquette University’s Men’s Lacrosse, is a leader who believes in embracing vulnerability, inclusiveness and challenges. He shares with Jim and Jan how he made the leap from assistant coach to first head men’s lacrosse coach at Marquette, and overcame the fears of not knowing how his own personal leadership would be received. He talks about the importance of culture, empowerment, setting a standard and what he personally looks for in the athletes he coaches. Key Takeaways [1:02] Jim played club lacrosse as a grad student in the early 90’s, so he has a passionate ti...2018-05-0942 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP061: The 6 Observations Leaders MakeSummary & Ideas for Action Jim Gilmore, best-selling author and co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP, discusses his experiences, books, and the importance of mastering the various modes of observation to innovate and improve decision making. Key Takeaways [6:50] Jim explains how he came to write Look. After studying Edward De Bono, he had an insight into thoughts, actions, and observations, which inspired him about six looking glasses to represent modes of observation. [11:27] The six looking glasses are: Binoculars, for surveying and scanning, Bifocals, for comparing and contrasting views, Magnifying Glass for pinpointing the main point, Microscope, for scrutinizing the details, Rose-colored Glasses...2017-08-2352 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP053: Special Forces Resourcefulness Parallels the Spirit of American EntrepreneurismSummary & Ideas for Action Jim Hake is Founder and CEO of Spirit of America. Jim founded Spirit of America after the events of 9/11. The Spirit of America provides privately-funded humanitarian, economic, and non-lethal assistance to projects around the world. Key Takeaways [2:21] A Stanford grad - Silicon Valley captivated him. New opportunities spark new inspiration. He worked for a startup in school. Later, he started a company with partners. With success on the early internet, they sold the company. After four years, Jim left to start an internet company. The dot.com bubble burst, and his company failed. [6:52] Jim was looking fo...2017-06-2846 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP052: The world wasn’t changed by people who never struggled...Summary & Ideas for Action Susan Barton is the Founder and CEO of Bright Solutions for Dyslexia. Susan shares the story of her inspiration to start Bright Solutions for Dyslexia 25 years ago, when dyslexia was largely unknown, and information about it was hard to gather and share. Over the years, over 200,000 families have contacted Susan for help. She provides an overview of the effect of dyslexia on one’s ability to learn, and how it is important to see it as a learning difference; not a learning disability. Through her talks around the U.S., she educates parents, teachers, and professionals on...2017-06-2145 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP042: Dinner Party with The Leadership Podcast - Can Autonomy & Selflessness Coexist?Jan, Jim, and their guests discuss the importance of trust for teams, how to build it, and what roles vulnerability and shared experiences play in creating trust. Also, is there a disconnect from people being motivated by autonomy as an individual, and the need for selflessness when it comes to what’s best for the team? Jim and Jan are joined by Isaiah Burkhart and Clay Othic from past Crucible expeditions; from DKS Associates, Jim Peters, Jim Strain, and Chris Maciejewski; curiosity expert Becki Salzman; Intel PhD/executive Candi Cook; Mara Othic, special operations veteran and currently in law enforcement; form...2017-04-1255 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP040: Forget Command and ControlCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Tommy Spaulding - the author of “Heart-Led Leader.” The conversation explores themes on being humble, authentic, and honorable vis-a-vis grit, edge, and tenacity. Tommy wrote about Return On Relationship (ROR), and says that with authentic relationships, you get lifelong customers. When you have a genuine interest in others, they will ask you, “What do you do? How can I help you?” Tommy believes the greatest leaders are the ones that connect the head to the heart. Listen in to learn more about leading with your head and heart.. Key Takeaways [1:59] Tommy’s career started at...2017-03-2946 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP039: Humanizing Our WorkplacesSummary & Ideas for Action Co-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Liz Ryan - the CEO and founder of Human Workplace. According to Liz, the mistrust of employees is baked into organizations. Liz says, “It’s toxic, it’s sick, and it’s bad for profitability, for shareholders, for employee health, and the planet.” Liz advocates that leaders need to “be human,” and to make every workplace a human workplace. Trust your people. Liz considers infrastructure, control mechanisms, and performance appraisals, to be disgusting. She says It’s a bad message: “You are not a fully fledged, adult, independent, creative, vibrant, amazing per...2017-03-2248 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP038: Embers in the Darkness: Pressure Testing Your BusinessCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Chris Paton (2 weeks before he had a brain tumor removed - see notes below which are published with Chris’s permission). Chris is the founder and Managing Director of Quirk Solutions, a company that specializes in delivering Business Wargaming to many organizations. Chris was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Marines and an advisor to the Cabinet and National Security Council on Afghan strategy, and he leverages the wargaming he learned as a tool to pressure test and evaluate business plans before committing resources into action. Listen in to learn more about how yo...2017-03-1546 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP037: The Curiosity MuscleCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Becki Saltzman. Becki is a curiosity expert and an applied-curiosity trainer and consultant. In this interview, Jim, Jan and Becki discuss the nature of curiosity training vis-a-vis your curiosity muscle. Becki points out that asking additional questions is better than getting quick answers to obvious questions. Leaders can encourage innovation by fostering a culture of curiosity in their organization. Listen in to learn more about how peak curiosity can clarify your vision and guide decisions. Key Takeaways [4:03] Becki notes that you can control whether you are interested, more than whether you are interesting. If...2017-03-0844 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP036: Power and Influence Don’t Come from a TitleCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Steffan Tubbs. Steffan is best known in Colorado as the co-host of Colorado’s Morning News on KOA NewsRadio in Denver. Overall, Steffan has more than 26 years of news experience and is a four-time winner of the Edward R. Murrow award for national reporting. In this interview, Jim, Jan and Steffan discuss whether some people are born to be leaders, and then assume leadership responsibilities; or some are thrown into circumstances where leadership is demanded and step up to the occasion. Also discussed is why some seek leadership positions with no motivation for pers...2017-03-0146 min
The Leadership PodcastTLPMM004: Go Fast, Go Alone - Go Far, Go TogetherHeroic Aspirations & Team Commitment – A Profound Disconnect? Summary & Ideas for Action On this Mastermind episode, co-hosts Jim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford discuss the inside scoop on The Leadership Podcast. Jim and Jan cover the questions that have been asked when they’ve shown the Patagonia Crucible documentary in four cities so far. They segue into themes The Leadership Podcast guests have discussed most often, and they conclude the episode with two important announcements. Listen in for what Jim and Jan have learned as they continue to study leaders! Key Takeaways [2:30] Jan and Jim took the Patagonia documentary to Denver, Portland, Seattle a...2017-02-2249 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP035: Leadership and Selling - The Product is YouCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Greg Adams and Blake Miles. Greg was a Special Forces officer, and is now the Co-founder and CEO of Stabilitas, a real-time threat intelligence and communication platform for security professionals working at global organizations. Blake was a Special Forces soldier, and currently is working as the Director of Support for Stabilitas. Greg and his team help safeguard companies and secures travelers with location specific safety information and a lifeline to help, all through their smartphones. Listen in to learn more about how these former Special Forces operators bring military-strength intelligence to corporate security. Ke...2017-02-1549 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP034: Reframing Your Life Story Can Make You A Better LeaderCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Lana Holmes. Lana served as a proof-of-concept CEO for 6 companies, and an investor/advisor to over 30 technical startups in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the founder of four companies, she has deep expertise in the complete entrepreneurial journey. Sensing the marketplace needed more than business expertise, Lana invested in her personal practice with an eight-year journey in earth wisdom and oral indigenous traditions. Listen in to learn more about how to be inquisitive, find passion, and navigate your journey so as to pass down wisdom for generations to come. Key Takeaways [3:21] Lana’s e...2017-02-0848 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP033: What An Ivy League Degree Can’t Teach YouCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Josh Spodek, an Adjunct Professor at NYU, leadership coach, workshop leader for Columbia Business School, columnist for Inc., founder of Spodek Academy, and author of Leadership Step by Step (launching February 2017). Josh talks about how academic teachings failed to prepare him for entrepreneurship, and how learning a theory is insufficient without practicing it. They discuss the critical need for emotional intelligence, and psychological safety, and how they can be developed, and the techniques Josh uses to strengthen them. Listen in to learn more about leadership practices, releasing passion, changing beliefs, and nurturing teams. Key...2017-02-0147 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP032: The Profound Disconnect Between Bosses and EmployeesCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Mary Kelly, CEO at Productive Leaders. They speak with Mary about the challenges of leadership in industry, and what happens when a leader tries too hard to be liked. They also discuss how employees perceive leaders differently than leaders perceive themselves. They discuss accountability, fairness, consistency, and mentoring. They end with a discussion on motivation, happiness, and contributors to depression. Listen in to learn more about steps leaders can take today to build trust and accountability in their organization. Key Takeaways [3:23] Productive leadership is hard, with competing demands from above and below. In th...2017-01-2545 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP031: Beer, Fear, and Relentless DriveCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview John Brumer, Jason Ginos, and Micah Niebauer, founders of Southern Pines Brewing. The three entrepreneurs first met while serving in the 3rd Special Forces Group. John enlisted right into the Special Forces qualification course. Jason went to Millikin University, and was a psychological operations specialist before heading into the 3rd Group. Micah attended Wheaton College in the ROTC Program, and went to the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, joined the 82nd Airborne, and then joined the 3rd Special Forces Group. These men served with distinction, with multiple active-duty tours. John, or...2017-01-1846 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP030: Butter, Business & Grit!Co-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Justin Gold, the Founder of Justin’s Natural Foods Company, which produces organic and natural nut butters and peanut butter cups. From their humble beginnings at local farmers’ markets to launching a national brand, Justin’s is now one of the country’s fastest growing natural foods companies. Justin’s has received numerous local and national accolades and ranked in the top 15 on the Inc. 500 and 5,000 Fastest Growing Companies List, in the Food and Beverage category, two years in a row. Jan and Jim speak with Justin about innovation in sustainable food and reduced pa...2017-01-1150 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP029: DECIDE: Applying the Right Efforts for the Right PrioritiesCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Jim Palmer, a marketing and business-building expert, and in-demand coach. The author of five books, Jim is best known internationally as The Newsletter Guru, and creator of No Hassle Newsletters, the ultimate done-for-you newsletter marketing program used by hundreds of clients in nine countries. Jan and Jim talk with Jim Palmer about how he became a business leadership thought leader, and what that means to him; how he grew up with a worker servant mentality, and how he applies it today; some of the principles Jim teaches in Decide and his other books...2017-01-0443 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP028: Manipulating Time to Improve FlowCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview John Coyle, Founder and CEO of The Art of Really Living. John is one of the world’s leading experts in innovation and design thinking. John is an SVP and Professor of Innovation, and a thought leader in the field of horology — the study of how we as humans process time. His mission is to innovate the human experience, and he has been applying "design thinking" to Fortune 500 companies, careers, and leadership challenges for more than 20 years. Jan and Jim talk with John about his Olympic journey, his pursuit to maximize the ratio of e...2016-12-2849 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP027: Positivity & PerformanceCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Jim Thompson, Founder and CEO of the Positive Coaching Alliance. Jim is focused on how to get the best from people, especially young athletes, through the teachable moments. Jim started PCA, a national nonprofit organization, in 1998 to transform the culture of youth sports into a Development Zone™ with the goal to develop Better Athletes, Better People. Jan and Jim talk with Jim Thompson about his background with youth, ways that coaching youth sports can build children into better adults, how positivity turns a mistake into an opportunity to improve effort, and what triple-impact co...2016-12-2149 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP026: Humor at work - really?Co-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Scott Friedman. Scott is an internationally sought-after professional speaker and author. As a motivational humorist, Scott inspires and entertains with fun-filled interactive and content-rich programs. Scott’s main area of expertise is employee innovation, customer experience, and using humor and celebration as a strategic tool. In addition to being Chief Celebration Officer at Scott Friedman & Associates, Scott has written many books on celebration, humor, audience engagement, and creating happier and healthier workplaces. Jan and Jim talk with Scott about how good humor, good communication, and good leadership align; some traits that are shared by...2016-12-1446 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP025: Never Fly Solo — Why You Need a WingmanCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Rob “Waldo” Waldman, professional wingman and leadership expert. Waldo is his call sign from his days as a fighter pilot. The Wingman, as Waldo is known, is a professional leadership speaker, and author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-seller, Never Fly Solo. He teaches organizations how to build trusting, revenue-producing relationships with their employees, partners, and customers, while sharing his experiences as a combat-decorated F-16 fighter pilot and successful businessman. Jan and Jim talk with Waldo about what it means to have a wingman, to be a wingman, to buil...2016-12-0744 min
The Leadership PodcastTLPMM003 —Selflessness & Positivity on a Patagonian GlacierOn this Mastermind episode, co-hosts Jim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford talk about their Crucible expedition in Patagonia. Self-Reliant Leadership has been running Crucible expeditions for a few years now with the primary goal of assisting Special Operations veterans with their transition to the business world. With a recent international expedition, Jim & Jan expanded their goal to include figuring out the recipe for accelerating team development. Based on their work, they know most teams struggle with some degree of dysfunction, and their aim was to prove the hypothesis that a team can gel extremely quickly if the right "recipe" is applied...2016-11-3041 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP024: Why Culture Drives ProfitCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Paul Spiegelman, Chief Culture Officer of Stericycle, a NASDAQ listed global services organization, with more than 25 thousand employees. Jan and Jim talk with Paul about his journey from starting a small company, exiting, and taking on a C-suite role. They also discuss The Small Giants community, Paul’s three books, and the reality that the problem is not change, but a lack of transparency. Listen in to learn how culture is truly about leader engagement throughout the organization. Key Takeaways [4:27] If you create an environment in which people love the work and feel car...2016-11-2347 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP023: Unlocking the True Potential of Your TeamCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Michael Simpson, Co-Founder and CEO of Pairin. Michael's passion for helping people reach their potential was fueled by his own rise from poverty to international recognition as a market strategist. The son of educators, he went on to become a corporate intrapreneur, and then a three-time entrepreneur. He co-founded Pairin after a decade as a certified coach and six years in Russia, coaching many at-risk young adults to successful careers. He is an avid cyclist; fly fisherman; and award winning chocolatier. Jan and Jim talk with Michael about personal loss and growth, the...2016-11-1643 min
The Leadership PodcastTLPMM002 — Part 1: General Stanley McChrystal (Ret.) On Defining Yourself as a LeaderOn this Mastermind episode, part 1, co-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal, former commander of the nation's premier military counterterrorism force. General McChrystal (Ret.) is best known for developing and implementing a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan, and for creating a cohesive counterterrorism organization that revolutionized the interagency operating culture. Founder and Managing Partner of McChrystal Group, an elite leadership advisory team, and New York Times best-selling author, General McChrystal (Ret.) shares his insights into learning to lead, sharing power while maintaining ultimate responsibility, the necessity of adapting to external change, and growing from mistakes...2016-11-0953 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP022: Harness Time and Engage Your Employees for Maximum ImpactCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Kevin Kruse, a keynote speaker, leadership expert, entrepreneur, NYT bestselling author of six books, and host of the very popular Extreme Productivity podcast. Kevin is one of the most read leadership columnists on Forbes. As a keynote speaker and performance coach, Kevin has worked with fortune 500 CEOs, start-up founders, the United States Marine Corps, and nonprofit leaders. Jan and Jim talk with Kevin about his mentors, his development, his mission to provide life-changing hope and knowledge so that other people can fulfill their potential, and his methods of success. Listen in to learn...2016-11-0250 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP021: Enlisted Sailor to Navy Mustang - Leader AlwaysCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Shawn Trisler, Senior Principal Operations Analyst at General Dynamics Information Technologies. Shawn retired from the Navy after 27 years, and was commissioned as an Operations Limited Duty Officer. Shawn now works on ballistic air and missile defense, keeping our Navy safe. In this engaging and fun conversation, Shawn and Jan share jabs on “Army versus Navy,” and reminisces with Jim on stories of his growth from Enlisted Sailor to Navy Mustang. Shawn speaks about his service, cherished traditions, earning trust, and principles of leadership and success. Listen in to learn what it takes to rise...2016-10-2640 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP019: If You’re Not Making Mistakes, You're Not Pulling Hard EnoughCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Jacqueline Molnar, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at Western Union. Jacqueline has 20 years of experience as an attorney and compliance officer, focusing on AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism), sanctions, anti-bribery/corruption, consumer protection, fraud, and litigation defense. Her discussion with Jan and Jim unpacks Jacqueline’s tools of leadership and lessons she has learned along the way. Jacqueline values the diversity and ability of her worldwide team, pushing them to play to their strengths, with camaraderie and fun, always following the company mission. Listen in to learn pr...2016-10-1944 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP020: The Leader’s Recipe for the Emotional CocktailCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Dr. Christophe Morin, CEO and Chief Pain Officer at SalesBrain. With over 30 years of experience in marketing and business development, Christophe is passionate about understanding and predicting consumer behavior using neuroscience. He is an expert on the effect of advertising on the brains of adolescents and young adults. Christophe discusses with Jan and Jim the prime role of emotion in individual motivation, how neuromarketing draws upon the science of neurological testing, and the six factors you can stress to create emotion that works for your product. Listen in to learn principles of ethical...2016-10-1250 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP018: Confidence, Humility, Humor & Corporate CultureCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Colleen Abdoulah, former Chair and CEO of WOW! Colleen, who was the only female CEO at a top-ten cable operating company, is widely respected for her passionate focus on customer experience and company culture. In this episode, Colleen motivates young professionals to lead passionately with purpose, by first learning the history, then seeking and engaging existing organizations. Colleen maintains that everyone has gifts and passions, and when directed meaningfully, these strengths will help guide leaders to success. She encourages leaders to reflect each day by asking, “How did I show up? Was I an...2016-10-0552 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP017: Leadership Lessons from Sarajevo to TimbuktuCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Schmitt, as he transitions from special operations leadership to corporate advisor after 30 years of military service. Starting his career as an enlisted soldier at the age of 17, he understands the requirement to recruit great people while investing in their development and taking the time to explain the organization's why. He is excited about the future and the goodness he expects to bring to others in the corporate sector. On this episode, Chris discusses principles of military leadership, his participation in the upcoming Patagonia Crucible, and his plans moving forward to...2016-09-2843 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP016: Leadership and the Customer ExperienceCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Bruce Temkin, Customer Experience Transformist and Managing Partner of Temkin Group. Bruce is widely viewed as a customer experience visionary, helping large companies define and accelerate their customer experience journeys. He trains leaders the principles of purpose, brand value, employee engagement, and customer connectedness, helping them transform their organizations to provide a superior customer experience. Listen in to learn how to improve your organization with purposeful customer connections. Key Takeaways [3:35] Customer emotion drives loyalty. We’ve named 2016 as the year of emotion. [5:26] While in a small group, emotional intelligence is important, and in a b...2016-09-2144 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP015: GORUCK Your Way to LeadershipCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Jason McCarthy, Founder and CEO of GORUCK, a company that makes rucksacks (also known as backpacks), and runs rucking events similar to the Special Forces selection process. Jason reveals why and how he started GORUCK, the obstacles he faced along the way, his mission for GORUCK, and his success in building leaders by overcoming adversity as a team. Jason also talks about building better Americans who serve their country and community, explaining the basis of community. He reminds us what freedom means, and how others can fulfill a duty in a variety of...2016-09-1437 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP014: Vision, Values, and Humor at the TopCo-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview Scott Page, Chief Executive Officer of Colorado Business Bank and Arizona Business Bank, on his experiences as a CEO, particularly regarding how the CEO position is distinct from all others. Scott covers the importance of preparation through education, accepting mentorship, and developing awareness and presence in the moment. Scott reveals pitfalls of inadequate leadership, and problems with letting an organization drift in unmanaged directions, as well as lessons learned through personal experience. He discusses the need for teams to hire and promote the right people a structure that provides autonomy, and the importance...2016-09-0748 min
The Leadership PodcastTLP013: Patagonia Crucible －Recipe for Audacious Teams?Co-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos, discuss their upcoming expedition – the Crucible in Patagonia, Argentina. They explore the project’s conception, purposes, technical and social challenges, and goals. They also describe the participants’ unique backgrounds, and how they were selected for being selfless, adventurous, and possessing heroic aspirations to make a difference in the lives of others. The expedition has three goals: Help special operations warriors transition to the business world. Help executives “heard the unheard” as they step back and do a digital detox. Lastly, bring back the recipe for accelerating team development and the growth of leaders. Listen in to discover...2016-08-3144 minThe Leadership PodcastTLP006: Get to Know the Hosts of The Leadership PodcastOn this 6th episode of the Leadership Podcast, your hosts Jim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford will be sharing the how, what and why behind this enterprise. Jim and Jan both ardently believe that a person’s family is their most important legacy. These C-Level executives have very different backgrounds but similar aspirations. They joined forces to accomplish their goal of creating a place for young professionals to build character through mentorship and a habitat for companies to find inspiration from proven and effective leaders. Through this medium, they have the unique opportunity to study the minds and practices of leaders wh...2016-07-1333 min