Are you a geek? A curious person, one who's not afraid to tackle hard problems and embrace unconventional solutions? Geeks in business have created a new culture based around four norms: science, ownership, speed, and openness. Today I sit down with Principal Research Scientist at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Andrew McAffee, who defines what it means to lead with a geek mindset and the unconventional approach it takes towards success. By following Andrew’s ‘Geek Way’ you will find yourself equipped with a willingness to be unconventional in order to push the boundaries towards success!

__________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Do you ever struggle with shutting down and setting professional boundaries?

Greg McKeown is the New York Times Bestselling Author of Effortless and Essentialism. In today’s spark he challenges the culture of overwork and advocates for a balanced approach to achieving goals. Greg emphasizes the importance of transforming work and relaxation into enjoyable rituals, rather than chores, to prevent burnout.

He also discusses the necessity of setting boundaries, such as a "done for the day" list and a fixed end to the workday, to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially in a remote working environment.

__________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Do you struggle with imposter syndrome? Understand why you belong where you are, simply because YOU are there. Today we hear from Shark Tank Judge & CEO, Matt Higgins, who shares how to overcome the effects of imposter syndrome & how to harness your anxiety as motivation. Follow Matt’s research-backed strategies to demonstrate growth in your leadership by dropping the victim mentality, changing the perspective on your anxiety, and ditching self-doubt in the workplace!

__________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

True corporate responsibility has always been about more than words. According to Horst Schulze, Former CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, leadership is all about connection, purpose, and clarity. In our latest discussion with Horst, we delved into his journey in the hotel industry, from a 14-year-old busboy to a pivotal figure at Ritz Carlton. He reflects on the industry's evolution, transitioning from intuition-driven decisions to a structured approach. 

Hosrt critiques the modern overdependence on technology in hiring, suggesting it often overlooks the best candidates. Emphasizing leadership over mere management, he underscores the need for genuine human connection, purpose, and clear communication in businesses. He touches on corporate social responsibility, noting that while it's more vocalized today, its essence isn't new. Our conversation highlights the scarcity of true leaders in today's corporate landscape.

__________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Why is it so crucial for you to think like an OWNER if you want to see career success? It’s easy to point out problems but very few people are actually able to develop solutions and that’s what we need more of in the business world. In today’s discussion I sit down with Liz Etling, Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Woman to unpack what having an owner mindset is all about and how to develop it. We’ll explore how you as an employee can create the most impact, how to focus on innovation, the difference between skills and attitude, and how to disagree in the right way.

__________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Skills get you in the door, but 'unspoken rules' help you climb the ladder. I had an awesome chat with Gorick Ng, Author of "The Unspoken Rules,” about this concept. In our conversation, Gorick shared his story from helping his mom after she lost her job to going to Harvard. He emphasized the importance of understanding the "unspoken rules" in the corporate world, which aren't taught in school but are crucial for success. These rules revolve around three main pillars: competence, commitment, and compatibility.

These rules are about being good at your job, showing you're dedicated, and fitting in with your team. Gorick mentioned that it's not just about doing your job but also showing you can do more. While competence and skills are essential, understanding and navigating the unspoken rules of the corporate world can play a significant role in one's career trajectory.

__________________

This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠Kyndryl⁠⁠. Kyndryl makes the future of work possible by designing, building and managing systems that the world depends on. Make sure to check them out at ⁠⁠Kyndryl.com⁠⁠.

__________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Most mentor and mentee relationships fail! Not because of bad intentions but because the wrong questions are being asked. Amy Salcido is the president of Kyndryl US, one of the world's leading IT infrastructure service providers with over 90,000 employees. During the course of her career she has mentored countered team members and has also experienced good and bad mentorship as she was ascending the ranks of her career. In today's episode Amy shares the most important questions that both mentees and mentors can ask in order to create an impactful relationship for both parties. 

__________________

__________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

In today's episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Artie Starrs, the CEO of Topgolf, a global sports entertainment company with 22,000 employees, known for its innovative golf driving ranges. Topgolf made waves in 2022, achieving $4 billion in sales and consistent annual growth.

Artie's leadership style centers on authenticity, striking a balance between being genuine and considering your audience's boundaries. Tune in to learn how to avoid oversharing or self-indulgence when it comes to vulnerability in leadership. Artie also shares his approach to addressing mistakes, navigating discomfort and vulnerability when relating to others' experiences, and handling challenges arising from a lack of shared experiences in leadership. Don't miss out on this episode!

Artie Starrs is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability. Grab your copy now: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Vulnerability-Superpower-Transform-Organization/dp/1119895243/⁠

__________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Ever wonder how self-aware leaders lead an organization to success? This might just be what you’re missing in your leadership journey. In my chat with Cameron Herald, Founder of the COO Alliance, we delved into the paramount importance of self-awareness and introspection in both our personal and professional lives. We tackled the role of innovative companies like Kindle in shaping the future of work and emphasized the value of tools like "mind maps" for planning and visualization. 

For individuals, allocating time for self-reflection is crucial, with even small changes, like watching less TV, making a significant difference. According to Cameron, effective leadership is characterized by a commitment to nurturing team skills and confidence, while avoiding pitfalls like silos and politics. The best leaders prioritize the broader organizational goals over departmental interests. They understand that true professional fulfillment and effective leadership arise from aligning personal values with the right work environment and emphasizing collective achievements over individual ambitions.

__________________

This episode is sponsored by ⁠Kyndryl⁠. Kyndryl makes the future of work possible by designing, building and managing systems that the world depends on. Make sure to check them out at ⁠Kyndryl.com.⁠

__________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

In today's episode, I chat with Panera Bread's founder, Ron Shaich, about his 36-year leadership journey. From starting as a small cookie store in Boston to becoming a top fast-casual chain with over 120,000 employees, Shaich delves into how he approached those tough choices along the way. Prioritizing core values over just data, our discussion uncovers the importance of resilience and perseverance in leadership.

__________________

This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠Kyndryl⁠⁠. Kyndryl makes the future of work possible by designing, building and managing systems that the world depends on. Make sure to check them out at ⁠⁠Kyndryl.com⁠⁠.

__________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/