Shows
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 33 - Leadership HabitsIn this episode, Rob Adams discusses the importance of habits in leadership, emphasizing that great leaders are defined not by their charisma or intelligence, but by their consistent behaviors. He introduces the concept of the habit loop and shares actionable strategies for developing effective leadership habits, including the significance of tiny wins and daily reflections. The episode concludes with a challenge to adopt micro habits that align with one's leadership identity.takeawaysThe difference between a good leader and a great one is habits.Habits are identity-based; you become the leader yo...2025-08-0507 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 33 - Leadership HabitsIn this episode, Rob Adams discusses the importance of habits in leadership, emphasizing that great leaders are defined not by their charisma or intelligence, but by their consistent behaviors. He introduces the concept of the habit loop and shares actionable strategies for developing effective leadership habits, including the significance of tiny wins and daily reflections. The episode concludes with a challenge to adopt micro habits that align with one's leadership identity.takeawaysThe difference between a good leader and a great one is habits.Habits are identity-based; you become the leader yo...2025-08-0507 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership StrengthsIn this episode of 'A Student of Leadership', Rob Adams emphasizes the importance of focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses in leadership. He shares the story of Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, who successfully built a culture of strength-based leadership. The episode outlines practical strategies for leaders to identify and leverage the strengths of their team members, ultimately leading to increased engagement and productivity.takeawaysStrengths give you energy and feel easy.Great leaders focus on what's working, not what's broken.Mary Barra exemplifies leading with strengths.Aligning strengths...2025-07-2906 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership StrengthsIn this episode of 'A Student of Leadership', Rob Adams emphasizes the importance of focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses in leadership. He shares the story of Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, who successfully built a culture of strength-based leadership. The episode outlines practical strategies for leaders to identify and leverage the strengths of their team members, ultimately leading to increased engagement and productivity.takeawaysStrengths give you energy and feel easy.Great leaders focus on what's working, not what's broken.Mary Barra exemplifies leading with strengths.Aligning strengths...2025-07-2906 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership PotentialIn this episode of 'A Student of Leadership', Rob Adams discusses the importance of recognizing and nurturing potential in team members. He emphasizes the role of belief in fostering growth and innovation, using Satya Nadella's leadership at Microsoft as a key example. The episode outlines practical steps for leaders to help their teams realize their potential, including identifying quiet achievers, providing challenges, and communicating belief in their capabilities. The conversation concludes with a leadership challenge to engage team members in discussions about their growth aspirations.takeawaysGreat leaders focus on...2025-07-2207 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership PotentialIn this episode of 'A Student of Leadership', Rob Adams discusses the importance of recognizing and nurturing potential in team members. He emphasizes the role of belief in fostering growth and innovation, using Satya Nadella's leadership at Microsoft as a key example. The episode outlines practical steps for leaders to help their teams realize their potential, including identifying quiet achievers, providing challenges, and communicating belief in their capabilities. The conversation concludes with a leadership challenge to engage team members in discussions about their growth aspirations.takeawaysGreat leaders focus on...2025-07-2207 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership DevelopmentIn this episode, Rob Adams emphasizes the critical role of people development in effective leadership. He discusses how great leaders prioritize the growth of their team members, sharing insights from Rosalind Brewer's leadership journey. The conversation highlights actionable strategies for fostering development, such as creating learning moments and providing real-time feedback. Ultimately, Adams encourages leaders to focus on building a legacy through the empowerment of others.takeawaysLeadership is about building people for the future.Great leaders prioritize the development of their team.Rosalind Brewer exemplifies effective people development.Diversity in...2025-07-1508 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership DevelopmentIn this episode, Rob Adams emphasizes the critical role of people development in effective leadership. He discusses how great leaders prioritize the growth of their team members, sharing insights from Rosalind Brewer's leadership journey. The conversation highlights actionable strategies for fostering development, such as creating learning moments and providing real-time feedback. Ultimately, Adams encourages leaders to focus on building a legacy through the empowerment of others.takeawaysLeadership is about building people for the future.Great leaders prioritize the development of their team.Rosalind Brewer exemplifies effective people development.Diversity in...2025-07-1508 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership FeedbackIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams discusses the critical role of feedback in leadership. He emphasizes that feedback should be constructive and aimed at helping individuals grow rather than pointing out flaws. Using Pixar's Brain Trust as an example, he illustrates how a culture of open and honest feedback can lead to greater creativity and success. Adams provides practical strategies for giving effective feedback, encouraging leaders to be specific, balanced, and to create a safe environment for dialogue. He concludes with a challenge for listeners to practice giving and receiving feedback as...2025-07-0807 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership FeedbackIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams discusses the critical role of feedback in leadership. He emphasizes that feedback should be constructive and aimed at helping individuals grow rather than pointing out flaws. Using Pixar's Brain Trust as an example, he illustrates how a culture of open and honest feedback can lead to greater creativity and success. Adams provides practical strategies for giving effective feedback, encouraging leaders to be specific, balanced, and to create a safe environment for dialogue. He concludes with a challenge for listeners to practice giving and receiving feedback as...2025-07-0807 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership SponsorshipIn this episode, Rob Adams discusses the critical role of sponsorship in leadership, emphasizing its transformative power compared to traditional mentoring. He shares insights on how sponsorship can significantly impact career advancement, particularly for underrepresented groups. The conversation includes actionable steps for leaders to become effective sponsors, highlighting the importance of advocating for hidden talents and creating opportunities for others.TakeawaysSponsorship is a crucial leadership behavior that can change careers.Mentoring is helpful, but sponsorship is transformational.2025-07-0107 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership SponsorshipIn this episode, Rob Adams discusses the critical role of sponsorship in leadership, emphasizing its transformative power compared to traditional mentoring. He shares insights on how sponsorship can significantly impact career advancement, particularly for underrepresented groups. The conversation includes actionable steps for leaders to become effective sponsors, highlighting the importance of advocating for hidden talents and creating opportunities for others.TakeawaysSponsorship is a crucial leadership behavior that can change careers.Mentoring is helpful, but sponsorship is transformational.2025-07-0107 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership MentoringIn this episode, Rob Adams discusses the transformative power of mentoring in leadership. He shares a poignant story about a cafeteria worker, Denise, who mentored a struggling student, Maria, helping her realize her potential and achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. The conversation emphasizes that mentoring is about investing in others, building confidence, and fostering relationships rather than merely providing advice. Rob outlines key habits for effective mentoring, encouraging leaders to notice potential in others, ask insightful questions, and maintain consistent support.takeaways...2025-06-2409 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership MentoringIn this episode, Rob Adams discusses the transformative power of mentoring in leadership. He shares a poignant story about a cafeteria worker, Denise, who mentored a struggling student, Maria, helping her realize her potential and achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. The conversation emphasizes that mentoring is about investing in others, building confidence, and fostering relationships rather than merely providing advice. Rob outlines key habits for effective mentoring, encouraging leaders to notice potential in others, ask insightful questions, and maintain consistent support.takeaways...2025-06-2409 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership CoachingIn this micro-podcast, Rob Adams discusses the transformative power of coaching in leadership. He emphasizes that coaching is not about fixing people but unlocking their potential and fostering growth. Through the story of Coach Taylor and Eli, he illustrates how trust and presence can lead to significant change. Adams distinguishes coaching from managing, highlighting the importance of intentionality and empathy in coaching practices. He shares practical habits for effective coaching and underscores the human element of coaching and mentoring in developing future leaders.takeawaysCoaching is about...2025-06-2111 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Leadership CoachingIn this micro-podcast, Rob Adams discusses the transformative power of coaching in leadership. He emphasizes that coaching is not about fixing people but unlocking their potential and fostering growth. Through the story of Coach Taylor and Eli, he illustrates how trust and presence can lead to significant change. Adams distinguishes coaching from managing, highlighting the importance of intentionality and empathy in coaching practices. He shares practical habits for effective coaching and underscores the human element of coaching and mentoring in developing future leaders.takeawaysCoaching is about...2025-06-2111 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 26 - Leadership CoachingsummaryIn this micro-podcast, Rob Adams discusses the transformative power of coaching in leadership. He emphasizes that coaching is not about fixing people but unlocking their potential and fostering growth. Through the story of Coach Taylor and Eli, he illustrates how trust and presence can lead to significant change. Adams distinguishes coaching from managing, highlighting the importance of intentionality and empathy in coaching practices. He shares practical habits for effective coaching and underscores the human element of coaching and mentoring in developing future leaders.takeawaysCoaching is about...2025-06-1711 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 25 - Leadership DecisivenessIn this episode of the Micro Podcast, Rob Adams discusses the critical leadership habit of decisiveness. He emphasizes that effective leaders do not wait for perfect clarity but take timely and confident action, even in uncertain situations. Through a real-life story of a school principal who made a bold decision during a storm, Rob illustrates the importance of decisiveness in leadership. He also addresses the negative impact of indecision on teams and provides practical habits to cultivate decisiveness, encouraging leaders to own their decisions and communicate clearly to build trust and momentum.2025-06-1011 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 25 - Leadership DecisivenessIn this episode of the Micro Podcast, Rob Adams discusses the critical leadership habit of decisiveness. He emphasizes that effective leaders do not wait for perfect clarity but take timely and confident action, even in uncertain situations. Through a real-life story of a school principal who made a bold decision during a storm, Rob illustrates the importance of decisiveness in leadership. He also addresses the negative impact of indecision on teams and provides practical habits to cultivate decisiveness, encouraging leaders to own their decisions and communicate clearly to build trust and momentum.2025-06-1011 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 24 - Leadership CollaborationIn this episode of the Student of Leadership Micro Podcast, Rob Adams discusses the essential habit of collaboration, emphasizing its role in multiplying talent, building trust, and achieving extraordinary outcomes. He shares a compelling story about the Miracle on the Hudson to illustrate the power of teamwork under pressure. The conversation delves into the difference between real collaboration and mere compliance, offering actionable habits for leaders to foster a collaborative environment. The episode concludes with a call to action for leaders to embrace collaboration as a mindset and culture.2025-06-0508 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 24 - Leadership CollaborationIn this episode of the Student of Leadership Micro Podcast, Rob Adams discusses the essential habit of collaboration, emphasizing its role in multiplying talent, building trust, and achieving extraordinary outcomes. He shares a compelling story about the Miracle on the Hudson to illustrate the power of teamwork under pressure. The conversation delves into the difference between real collaboration and mere compliance, offering actionable habits for leaders to foster a collaborative environment. The episode concludes with a call to action for leaders to embrace collaboration as a mindset and culture.2025-06-0508 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 23 - Leadership InnovationIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams discusses the critical role of innovation in leadership. He emphasizes that innovation is not just about groundbreaking ideas but about fostering a culture where teams feel safe to experiment and learn from their mistakes. By creating an environment of psychological safety, leaders can encourage their teams to share ideas and take risks, ultimately leading to continuous improvement and growth. Adams provides practical strategies for leaders to cultivate innovation within their teams, highlighting the importance of celebrating attempts and fostering curiosity.2025-05-2708 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 23 - Leadership InnovationIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams discusses the critical role of innovation in leadership. He emphasizes that innovation is not just about groundbreaking ideas but about fostering a culture where teams feel safe to experiment and learn from their mistakes. By creating an environment of psychological safety, leaders can encourage their teams to share ideas and take risks, ultimately leading to continuous improvement and growth. Adams provides practical strategies for leaders to cultivate innovation within their teams, highlighting the importance of celebrating attempts and fostering curiosity.2025-05-2708 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 22 - Leadership DisciplineIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams explores the transformative power of discipline in leadership. He emphasizes that true discipline is not about rigid control but about mastering oneself to lead others effectively. Through the inspiring example of Serena Williams, he illustrates how discipline can drive success in various fields, including business and advocacy. The episode concludes with practical strategies for building sustainable discipline, encouraging leaders to create systems that support their priorities and foster accountability.takeawaysDiscipline is often misunderstood as rigid control...2025-05-2008 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 22 - Leadership DisciplineIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams explores the transformative power of discipline in leadership. He emphasizes that true discipline is not about rigid control but about mastering oneself to lead others effectively. Through the inspiring example of Serena Williams, he illustrates how discipline can drive success in various fields, including business and advocacy. The episode concludes with practical strategies for building sustainable discipline, encouraging leaders to create systems that support their priorities and foster accountability.takeawaysDiscipline is often misunderstood as rigid control...2025-05-2008 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 21 - Leadership ReflectionIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams delves into the transformative power of reflection in leadership. He emphasizes that reflection is not merely looking back but involves deep analysis and insight extraction that can significantly enhance decision-making and leadership effectiveness. Through historical examples, particularly Abraham Lincoln's reflective practices during the Civil War, Adams illustrates how structured reflection can lead to strategic insights and improved leadership outcomes. He also provides practical frameworks for incorporating reflection into daily leadership practices, highlighting the importance of creating rituals, engaging in triple-loop reflection, and collaborating with reflection partners...2025-05-1308 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 21 - Leadership ReflectionIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams delves into the transformative power of reflection in leadership. He emphasizes that reflection is not merely looking back but involves deep analysis and insight extraction that can significantly enhance decision-making and leadership effectiveness. Through historical examples, particularly Abraham Lincoln's reflective practices during the Civil War, Adams illustrates how structured reflection can lead to strategic insights and improved leadership outcomes. He also provides practical frameworks for incorporating reflection into daily leadership practices, highlighting the importance of creating rituals, engaging in triple-loop reflection, and collaborating with reflection partners...2025-05-1308 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 20 - Leadership PrioritizationIn this episode, Rob Adams discusses the critical importance of prioritization in leadership. He emphasizes that effective prioritization is not just a productivity hack but a survival skill that distinguishes exceptional leaders from busy ones. Through examples like Warren Buffett's investment strategies and insights from Stephen Covey, the episode explores how leaders can master the art of prioritization to enhance their effectiveness and their team's engagement. Practical strategies and an action challenge are provided to help listeners implement prioritization in their leadership practices.takeawaysTrue prioritization is...2025-05-0609 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 20 - Leadership PrioritizationIn this episode, Rob Adams discusses the critical importance of prioritization in leadership. He emphasizes that effective prioritization is not just a productivity hack but a survival skill that distinguishes exceptional leaders from busy ones. Through examples like Warren Buffett's investment strategies and insights from Stephen Covey, the episode explores how leaders can master the art of prioritization to enhance their effectiveness and their team's engagement. Practical strategies and an action challenge are provided to help listeners implement prioritization in their leadership practices.takeawaysTrue prioritization is...2025-05-0609 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 19 - Leadership AuthenticityIn this episode of the Micro Podcast, Rob Adams explores the transformative power of authentic leadership. He emphasizes that authenticity is not about perfection but about genuine self-awareness and transparent humanity. Through the story of Howard Schultz at Starbucks, he illustrates how authentic leadership fosters trust and innovation. The episode also presents practical strategies for cultivating authenticity in leadership, including creating authenticity anchors, developing a personal leadership narrative, and building connections with team members. The episode concludes with an action challenge for listeners to practice authentic leadership in their own contexts.2025-04-2908 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 19 - Leadership AuthenticityIn this episode of the Micro Podcast, Rob Adams explores the transformative power of authentic leadership. He emphasizes that authenticity is not about perfection but about genuine self-awareness and transparent humanity. Through the story of Howard Schultz at Starbucks, he illustrates how authentic leadership fosters trust and innovation. The episode also presents practical strategies for cultivating authenticity in leadership, including creating authenticity anchors, developing a personal leadership narrative, and building connections with team members. The episode concludes with an action challenge for listeners to practice authentic leadership in their own contexts.2025-04-2908 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 18 - Leadership ListeningIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams delves into the transformative power of active listening as a critical leadership skill. He discusses how leaders can unlock potential and foster innovation through strategic listening, illustrated by Satya Nadella's approach at Microsoft. The episode also provides practical strategies for enhancing listening skills, emphasizing the importance of intention and creating spaces for deep understanding.takeawaysTrue listening goes far beyond hearing words.Active listening creates space for understanding and connection.Strategic listening is a powerful differentiator for...2025-04-2208 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 18 - Leadership ListeningIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams delves into the transformative power of active listening as a critical leadership skill. He discusses how leaders can unlock potential and foster innovation through strategic listening, illustrated by Satya Nadella's approach at Microsoft. The episode also provides practical strategies for enhancing listening skills, emphasizing the importance of intention and creating spaces for deep understanding.takeawaysTrue listening goes far beyond hearing words.Active listening creates space for understanding and connection.Strategic listening is a powerful differentiator for...2025-04-2208 min
Dad Needs To TalkThe Amateur, South of Midnight, Switch 2 ChaosIts been a couple of weeks so its time to catch up. As usual we start with life and family updates, I got to see my great niece in person finally and my kids have kept me busy in multiple ways. Then I dive into thoughts on the Switch 2 reveal mess and my time playing South of Midnight. I also talk about watching The Amateur movie, last of us season 2 and more.Timestamps(00:00) Intro and Life Talk(02:25) The babies love uncle Robert(08:45) Kids Sports(13:20) Phone repair incident...2025-04-151h 23
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 17 - Leadership TrustIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams delves into the critical role of trust in leadership. He emphasizes that trust is not just a skill but the foundation of effective leadership, enabling vision, delegation, and influence. Through the example of Angela Merkel's leadership during crises, he illustrates how transparency and ethical decision-making foster public trust. The episode outlines strategies for building trust within teams and organizations, including practicing vulnerability, creating trust rituals, and systematic trust-building practices. Adams concludes with an action challenge for listeners to assess and strengthen trust in...2025-04-1509 minA Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 17 - Leadership TrustIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams delves into the critical role of trust in leadership. He emphasizes that trust is not just a skill but the foundation of effective leadership, enabling vision, delegation, and influence. Through the example of Angela Merkel's leadership during crises, he illustrates how transparency and ethical decision-making foster public trust. The episode outlines strategies for building trust within teams and organizations, including practicing vulnerability, creating trust rituals, and systematic trust-building practices. Adams concludes with an action challenge for listeners to assess and strengthen trust in...2025-04-1509 min
A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!Episode 16 - Leadership EmpowermentIn this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams delves into the transformative practice of empowerment in leadership. He emphasizes that true empowerment goes beyond mere delegation; it involves creating an environment where individuals feel confident taking initiative and making decisions. Using Indira Newey at PepsiCo as an example, he illustrates how empowerment can lead to significant organizational transformation. The episode also outlines strategies for cultivating a culture of empowerment and provides actionable steps for leaders to implement in their teams.TakeawaysTrue empowerment goes far...2025-04-0808 min