Enlightened Executive Podcast

Rhythm and music are primal forces that can elevate awareness of both ourselves and others. Doug Manuel, an inspiring documentarian and rhythm enthusiast, shares his journey and the incredible ways he has used drumming to transform professional connections, enhancing teams.

I had a transformative discussion with Lucinda Vette, a renowned equine coach, about equine-assisted coaching—a method that digs deep into understanding leadership energy and emotional intelligence through our connection with horses. I experienced this powerful modality firsthand.

How important is understanding and nurturing the human element in a world dominated by technology? I explored this concept with Bryan Kramer who shared his inspiring perspective on the topics of human connection, leadership, and the future role of AI in the business world.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Tim Lupinacci, CEO of Baker Donelson, on The Enlightened Executive podcast. Tim shares his fascinating leadership journey which was sparked by a difficult boss who saw his potential. What are you doing to create culture for your employees?

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive, I explore the idea of a “Proximity Revolution” sweeping through every industry with Rob Wolcott, an esteemed expert in innovation strategy and co-founder of Twin Global. Have you considered what this means for your business?

In the whirlwind of today’s corporate hustle, it is easy to lose sight of our basic human needs as we strive for professional excellence, we all yearn for happiness and fulfillment. Enlightened leadership is not reserved for ancient philosophers or yogis meditating in remote caves.

Multigenerational Workforce management and effective leadership requires more than just issuing orders and expecting obedience. Dr. Scott De Long, a serial entrepreneur with a doctorate in leadership, shares successful strategies to bridge the generational divide.

Unlock your employees’ potential by harnessing their greatest asset: creativity! In a world where creativity is thought to be only for a chosen few, Josh Linkner emphasizes that everyone is inherently creative. They just need a way to unleash it in their everyday work to generate innovation.

The secret to groundbreaking innovation lies not in specialized teams, but in empowering every individual to think like an innovator. Carla Johnson is the world’s leading innovation Architect, and she is reshaping the way we think about creativity and problem-solving.

Is the concept of “Work-Life Balance” outdated? Forget the balancing act; it’s time for something more realistic. Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan challenge the traditional notion of work-life balance. They argue “Work-life balance is a myth; it’s harmony we should be after.”

Letting your weird flag fly could be your ticket to staying ahead of the curve. I had the pleasure of discussing leadership innovation with Frankie Russo, a serial tech entrepreneur known for his groundbreaking approach to fostering innovation within teams and companies.

The best business advice you’ll receive is likely unorthodox. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Dr. Dill unveils a unique perspective on the building blocks of thriving businesses: creating a relationship plan, keeping challenges at the forefront, and the power of a generous mindset. 

By now, you can’t get help being bombarded with news of how AI is going to change everything. But what does that really mean for YOU? While many fear the impact of this type of technology, others view it as a catalyst for advancement. Bottom line: like the inception of the internet.

Leaders have the power to either expand team performance or inadvertently inhibit the growth of those around them. Team Performance begins with self-awareness, evolves through open dialogue, and culminates in practices that empower every team member.

Unlock your potential. Adverse experiences and childhood wounds filter into our careers and leadership, influencing our potential. Intentionally dealing with the experiences of our past enables us to chart a different path forward so we can thrive personally and professionally.

Generational divides at work impact team connection. Nothing shows this like the divide we see between Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Zers. Gen Zers roll their eyes in frustration with their older colleagues and Millennials and Gen Xers disappointedly shake their heads at the emerging workforce.

Music has the power to increase team and personal effectiveness. Certain songs have the ability to trigger powerful emotions and memories within us. By harnessing this power, we can intentionally use music to subconsciously boost our moods, productivity and motivation.

If you’re a leader who is only focused on profitability and productivity, consider that you might be doing just the bare minimum. The enlightened, modern leader is intentional about using their position to contribute to a more equitable organization. Social good is good for business. 

High achievers are primed to buy into common misconceptions around happiness and fulfillment, underestimating the importance of prioritizing self. True fulfillment is a deep sense of well-being that comes from living in alignment with one’s values and purpose.

Rapid evolution and the extraordinary pace of change is the only constant. Driving factors such as artificial intelligence, the remote and hybrid workforce, and global sustainable business practices make it imperative for leaders to adapt quickly in order to stay relevant.

Music not only has the ability to connect people from different backgrounds, but it can also have a profound impact on our health and well-being. As I share in my own book, leaders who use music strategically boost their mental health and revolutionize their leadership. 

Could striving to become a perfect leader keep you from becoming an effective, authentic leader? Authenticity is a buzzword commonly cited in articles discussing effective leadership, but the journey to actually becoming an authentic leader requires more introspection than discussion. 

Experts talk about the importance of trust, but very few actually discuss how to build it. Yet trust is a competitive advantage in today’s volatile environment. The interdependent nature of business means that we cannot afford to not develop high levels of trust.

Organizations crush their employees with emails, meetings, decks, reports and paperwork all day long while expecting vitality and meaningful contribution. White space is this unscheduled time that allows talent to tap into their creativity, productivity, and ultimately their full potential.

Talent retention is not just a strategy, it’s a mindset that requires a shift in the way organizations approach the management of their employees. In this episode, Mike outlines 3 essential strategies for keeping top performers engaged and committed to the company’s mission.

We’re connected worldwide. At the same time, we’re more disconnected than ever. COVID-19 showed us it’s possible to work and live in a borderless society. But in a hybrid or remote work environment, how can we reconnect with our teams and colleagues in a meaningful way?

When you listen to a song, the way you connect to it, the emotions it evokes in you, and the way that you interpret the meaning of the song, is an experience that is uniquely yours. Have you ever thought about the impact that the music you regularly listen to has on your emotions and on your life?

The relationship between a CEO and a COO is akin to that of yin and yang. The key is to find a truly compatible counterpart, build a foundation of trust and honesty, and have confidence in the other person’s ability to get the job done without having to constantly check-in with each other.

Did you know that, believe it or not, only about 10% of your happiness comes from outside conditions and circumstances? Which means that 90% of your happiness is within your control, that you generate internally. These percentages make up the happiness formula.

Most every business wants to be seen as a beacon of diversity and inclusion. Yet, with the incoming workforce being more diverse than ever, why does this goal seem to be increasingly hard to achieve? The reality of a diverse and inclusive workforce isn’t measuring up.

There comes a time when every leader realizes that they have a “bellyful.” A moment where you see, with absolute clarity, that your current course of action no longer works for you, and you’re ready for drastic and intentional change. For Laban Ditchburn, this moment came 7 years ago.

Leaders like to be in complete control. Every action you take is toward a tangible goal. When you cannot see the way forward, you step back and reassess where you veered off the path. But often we focus too quickly on “the how.” What happens when you start to ask why?

What skills are most important in being an effective leader? Is it the ability to inspire? The ability to be innovative or master strategic decision making? Jim Hotaling believes that while all these attributes matter greatly, they’re nothing without the skill of resilience.

The only true power you have isn’t changing others; it’s shifting how you show up as a leader. That shift starts with music… and updating your soon-to-be old playlist. Music can do more than soothe you; music has the power to heal your trauma and allow you to triumph.

Michael Jackson said it best: “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change.” Are you curious about the playlist you currently have running in the background of your mind, and you’re perhaps starting to wonder how to change that playlist?

There is no denying that music has the power to transform us. We often listen to music that matches our emotional state, but can we also leverage music to alter our state to the level of happiness we seek? And can we get our newfound happiness to stick? Yes we can!

Early childhood experiences can impact how we currently interact with others, particularly in stressful situations. The reality is, your wounds and habits, if not addressed, will become exposed while you try to run the marathon of scaling an organization.

What if I told you, that regardless of your age or experience, the impact that you have as a leader is limited by an internal story, that replays itself over and over in the background of your life? That story is a repeating record, imprinted with a playlist of songs, and it influences everything you do.

Is your team overwhelmed by the pace of change? Are you feeling a sense of burn out? Or maybe you feel that you can’t delegate or trust your team to deliver. The impact of your current playlist shows up in many insidious ways. But in this episode we discuss a way to change that. 

How do you accelerate change? We all have this playlist running in the background of our lives that—whether we know it or not—acts as a ceiling on our leadership effectiveness. And the good news is you can change it. I’ll show you how in my upcoming book, The Leader’s Playlist.

Leadership looks pretty nice for the Tim Cook and Warren Buffetts of the world. They’re widely recognized for their contributions, and by every account, they’ve attained success. But what about the leaders climbing the ladder and making a conscious impact away from the public eye? 

As you rise through the ranks of leadership, experiencing setbacks and failure is inevitable. But as many successful leaders will share, what we often judge as failures are merely opportunities to grow and learn. How you respond to the tests you face will make the difference.

As leaders, we’re taught that our opinions and feedback drive our business’s success. That we must be at the head of all decision-making and take a stead-fast and assertive approach to our teams in the way we motivate them. But what if we were to turn that on its head? 

Deep tech can only be created when we are deeply human. Ready or not, web 3.0 is upon us. With it brings a new network of virtual worlds focused on social connection. So, how will this change the way we do business and how can we, as leaders, prepare ourselves?

As leaders, it’s natural to strive for excellence. If something is broken, you want to fix it. Should you just leverage your strengths or work on your weaknesses?
Rather than worry about weaknesses, David Rendall believes leaders must lean into personal strengths. 

The next thirty years will bring advancements we can’t imagine. From augmented reality and the metaverse to enhancements in technology and automation, the sky isn’t the limit anymore. Whether we like it or not, the world continues to change. So how can you prepare yourself?

Most executives and entrepreneurs look to hire employees who have a certain amount of existing experience. Even for entry-level jobs, it’s not uncommon for companies to ask for one to three years of experience. What if there’s another way to find and retain capable talent? 

When it comes to sales, most executives and entrepreneurs understandably want instant gratification. You want that ROI today. But what if slow progress leads to more growth in the long run? What if being selfless, not ruthless, is in fact the key to long-term success?  

Are entrepreneurs the main leaders of innovation? Conventionally, the most groundbreaking ideas are thought to come from entrepreneurs and executives. But innovative ideas come from passionate and driven employees as well, if you know how to unleash the power of their creativity.

For most executives and entrepreneurs, the four-day workweek feels like a pipe dream.  When you’re working 50-60 hours a week, it’s hard to picture eliminating an entire workday. There’s not enough time in the day to be successful. What about revenue? Employee productivity?

What if finding joy outside of work is one secret to finding joy at work? Think of the last time you felt true joy. So often, your career, family, and responsibilities prevent you from feeling connected to your dreams for your life. But dreams aren’t meant to be forgotten.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing aren’t just buzzwords anymore. Today, mental health is an essential component of the enlightened workplace, and employees understandably want to limit the amount of stress and anxiety they carry, both in and outside of work.

If business is a game, how do you play to win? As a leader, it’s natural to put pressure on yourself to avoid losing at all costs. You have investors and employees counting on you. But the most effective leaders are resilient to setbacks and comfortable testing new strategies. 

Without mutual trust, it can be hard for your team members to be open to receiving important feedback. In most cases, feedback feels like condemnation, rather than a learning opportunity. Building a strong and collaborative team takes being a conscious leader.

Wellness is so much more than physical and mental health. For decades, physical health was the number one conversation happening in the wellness space. Food and exercise were the primary focus. Over time, the conversation started expanding to mental health.

What do you picture when you think of wealth? For most executives and entrepreneurs, wealth means one thing: having more money. We build our teams and lead our companies to grow and scale as quickly as we can, all in hopes to increase revenue and make more profits.

Leaders can sense the anxiety rippling through their teams as the impact of the pandemic lingers in 2022 (and they may feel it themselves!). How can leaders respond in a way that diffuses that anxiety and promotes employee well-being, engagement, and performance?

The old paradigm of leadership views a company’s role as providing professional opportunities and a paycheck — and that’s it. But in today’s post-COVID landscape, companies must do much more by helping employees feel connected to a sense of purpose at work.

The way we are taught to learn in school may make us poor delegators later on. Schools often expect students to master all subjects. And if a student isn’t naturally gifted at that subject, they’re advised to put in even more time studying. But delegation is a skill worth cultivating.

As individuals, many executives care about the big issues facing our world today, like climate change and racial/gender inequality. But as leaders, it can be tough to make corporate decisions that align with those big issues due to the disruption of business as usual.

What would happen if you stepped away from your routine for a full week… to focus on crafting your future? For some leaders, this might sound like a dream — but challenging. In our busy world, it’s a rarity to dedicate so much uninterrupted time to thinking about what you want.

Though adopting a hybrid model sounds like a natural solution for this period of uncertainty, it’s more complex than it seems. Without knowing how COVID-19 will progress, leaders are scrambling to decide whether to reopen offices or to allow employees to work from home.

You might be familiar with the idea that the events of your past (particularly of your childhood) continue to impact you today. But did you know that the same is true for culture challenges in your organization? Formative attitudes likely still permeate company culture.

One secret to resiliency as a leader is self-compassion. The more readily you can forgive yourself for mistakes, the faster you can bounce back. Some leaders may believe this leads to laziness and a lack of ambition. However, this punitive mindset only leads to exhaustion.

You have a business plan. You have a marketing plan. But do you have a relationship plan? Most leaders would agree that success depends heavily on relationships — with team members, with suppliers, with partners, with clients and customers. And yet they neglect this vital aspect.

What’s your current process for making complex, high-stakes decisions as a leader? Research? Intuition? Advice from trusted parties? Most decision-making models include some version of each of these components. But few actually guide you through a specific, logical research process.

Pay attention to people who annoy you or whom you wish you could be more like. They are mirrors for the parts of yourself you may have rejected. Erica believes that better negotiation starts not with learning classic negotiating tactics, but with learning to negotiate better with yourself.

Would you be brave enough to deliver a video training to hundreds of people for Tony Robbins…. with bandages all over your nose? You might think that delivering a presentation at this magnitude with a bandaged face would be, at best, distracting. At worst, it could ruin your impact entirely.

Who would you be without the ambition that drives you onward to attain success? Is your ambition driven by the need to create financial stability or make your mark on the world? Many leaders would candidly cite those motivators as the reason for their success.

John Rampton says his team would describe him as “overly relaxed.” But for him, it’s his >secret to leading through chaotic periods (such as post-pandemic). As things rapidly change this year with back-to-the-office plans, there’s pressure for companies to adjust faster and faster.

Maybe you recognize yourself or another leader you know in this ineffective leadership pattern: A leader wants to scale their organization, so they start working even harder, adding more hours to their workday and everyone else’s, pursuing results at the expense of people.

There are countless fitness training programs to optimize your physical health. But what about training programs to optimize your emotional health? The truly gifted leaders are incorporating emotional and mental activities as a core part of their wellness routines, too.

Launching a company without a clear mission statement is a recipe for disaster. Yet, so many of us walk around as individuals without a clear “mission statement” for our lives… and then wonder why we don’t feel fulfilled or motivated. Rabbi Simon Jacobson discusses the consequences.

Have you ever considered how your nutrition and exercise habits impact your abilities as a leader? Many leaders are extremely organized and plan each aspect of their day, but don’t consider planning time to devote to their health. It is imperative to schedule meetings for your well-being.

In the male-dominated world of tech, Dina Kaplan felt she had to mold herself into the type of leader she saw modeled around her by other founders: working all the time, exceedingly tough on herself and her team members, and never showing a moment of weakness.

Often the best companies to do business with are also likely the best companies to work for. There is a direct connection between employee experience (EX) and customer experience (CX). Studies show that happy employees make loyal customers.

If you’ve ever been told to “just relax!” during a high-stress situation, you know exactly how unhelpful that advice is. Where we are right now — on the cusp of post-pandemic life — is the definition of a high-stress situation for many leaders, as we navigate the challenges of reopening offices safely.

Ever feel like there’s some annoying thing holding you back? Something that’s inhibiting your success in business or your personal life? Maybe it’s related to mental health, such as depression, anxiety, or panic attacks. Or maybe you have no idea what’s preventing you from being your best.

You can run and you can hide, but AI is coming to our workplaces whether we like it or not. Although AI has already been implemented into the workforce in factory or repetitive work, it hasn’t previously been capable of completing more complex tasks. That is, until now. David Shrier discusses.

Here’s a question you may not have asked yourself, but should: How do your past wounds impact your leadership today? Most leaders, if they haven’t done the work to heal them, are carrying core wounds from childhood into their professional life and not realizing their impact.

Are you or your employees feeling “so over it” and overwhelmed? After a year of change, isolation and upheaval from the impacts of COVID, I’m hearing from almost every CEO that I coach the deep concern that they have about the overbearing stress employees are experiencing.

If you are in contract negotiations with a Chinese-owned business, and there are more than three people on the other side of the room, chances are one of them is a face reader, says my guest, Eric Standop, who is a facial diagnostics expert. So, what is face reading?

Do you know your EQ score and what to do to improve it? Developing your EQ profile is the most important leadership skill to develop to survive past 2021 and beyond. The one thing AI can’t replace is leadership. AI is going to take the place of IQ, but it can’t replace EQ or emotional intelligence.

Most likely, like any other senior executive or entrepreneur, at a certain point of your growth you were told you had to learn how to speak in an effective way to be a successful leader — to make sure your team could understand you, crystal clear. Did you ever have a listening class?

Do you know your employees’ approach to problems? How about their communication style? The Enneagram can be an eye-opening tool for many in leadership roles because of how much they learn about their employees. Today we are focusing on the Enneagram.

Many entrepreneurs are quick to admit that focus is something that they struggle with, but is that something you can solve? Dandapani says yes, but it will take practice. He explains that “we are never trained on how to focus.” We are told to focus, but never shown how.