Engaging Leader: Leadership communication principles with Jesse Lahey

As leaders, we are wired for action, for serving others, for carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders. But we need to invest in re-energizing practices; otherwise we risk “killing the golden goose” by sapping our health and/or losing our passion. Jesse and his wife Erin have noticed that it can be particularly […]

Ruth Blatt has a Ph.D. in Management and Organizations from the University of Michigan and taught Entrepreneurship to MBAs at the University of Illinois in Chicago. She has been writing about the social science behind rock n’ roll music and interviewing dozens of bands, managers, and other industry professionals for a book about teamwork lessons […]

Nearly two decades ago, Clayton Christiansen changed the way large companies thought about strategy and innovation with his book The Innovator’s Dilemma. Now, Larry Downes and Paul Nunes say it has all changed again. Larry Downes is a research fellow at the Accenture Institute for High Performance.  His brand-new book, co-authored with Paul Nunes, is Big […]

What used to work for leaders in the past is no longer as effective today. Today’s workforce is more diverse, with more women and more ethnicities represented. New technologies make information accessible to everyone. And globalization means greater competition and opportunities. As a result, the leaders who are producing the best business results are now […]

Command-and-control leadership doesn’t work anymore — especially when it boils down to manipulating others for your own benefit. In the 21st century, great leaders strive to influence others for their good. True influence requires leaders to give themselves away. What is the major obstacle for effective leadership? Self-preservation. Jeremie Kubicek is a Founder of the […]

Since the 1980s, there’s been constant discussion about the difference between a manager and a leader. The basic distinction has been: Manager: Works through people to get things done. Leader: Sets direction and inspires people to get the RIGHT things done. Both are needed, but the consistent message has been that a great leader – […]

Sylvia Lafair, PhD, is president of Creative Energy Options (CEO). With a doctorate in clinical psychology, Sylvia has taught at Hahnemann University and has more than 30 years’ experience applying her expertise in human behavior and relationships to organizational environments. She is a highly regarded executive coach and leadership educator, having worked with all levels […]

In the early 90s, the Iron Curtain fell. More people started using the Internet, and then the Web. The world was becoming smaller, more diverse, and more connected. Market conditions changed more quickly, and became more complex and harder to predict. Also, information was no longer the domain of the corporate brass; everyone in the […]

Great influencers — whether CEOs, entrepreneurs, sales professionals, clergy, parents, teachers, etc. — seem to have a knack for getting the results they want from people, but in a way that everyone is happy. And, these leaders are persuasive in the most positive and benevolent sense of the word. Bob Burg, best-known as coauthor of […]

If you are a CEO or if you been working in corporate America, you probably have had some involvement with the Board of Directors – either advising them or being advised by them. If you already serve on a Board of Directors, do you think you’re really making an impact? Is your involvement making a […]

In the past, leaders who made fast decisions inspired confidence and often produced excellent results. In today’s more complex, rapidly changing environment, great leaders use and encourage a different skill that Jesse calls “flexible thinking.” Flexible thinking is a leadership secret uncovered by David Burnham and other researchers at the firm Burnham Rosen, through studies involving […]

Creativity is the starting point for all innovation, and most organizations rely on innovation to create a competitive advantage. Innovation is necessary for the successful development and implementation of new programs or better products. Because of this, leaders of organizations in all industries are asking more questions about creativity. Where does it come from? How […]

Starbucks has become one of the best-loved and trusted brands in the world. It’s recognized as being one of the world’s most effectively led and admired companies. And yet, a few years ago, it seemed they had lost their way … the customer experience had become mediocre, and they had to close hundreds of stores. […]

Some leaders have it tougher than others. Maybe you have it easier, where the vision is popular and its mostly a matter of keeping everyone focused on getting there. But what if to reach your vision, you have to paddle upstream … and not only that, you need to persuade an entire armada that the […]

Jesse’s guest today is Tom Rath, a name that will be familiar to most of our listeners. Tom is a senior scientist and adviser at Gallup, where he has been helping people and organizations reach their potential. His books have sold more than 5 million copies, led by the huge bestseller How Full Is Your […]