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When faced with mounting pressure to make quick decisions, how do you ensure your ethics don't get left behind? This fascinating deep dive explores the neuroscience behind decision-making speed and ethical choices, revealing why our brains tend toward self-interest when we're rushed.

Drawing from the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership's research, we unpack evidence showing that honesty requires both time and clarity. Through compelling examples like Jeff Bezos's "70% information rule" and the Marine Corps' decision-making framework, we discover practical strategies for maintaining moral standards in high-velocity environments.

The research is striking - lab studies demonstrate that participants with little time consistently make more unethical choices than those given space to reflect. Even a simple three-second pause dramatically improves outcomes in negotiations and ethical dilemmas. We explore four powerful techniques to protect your values: gathering the right information (not all information), creating deliberate speed bumps in decision processes, establishing crystal-clear ethical guidelines, and making space for restorative rituals that combat the isolation and threat response triggered by time pressure.

Whether you're leading a team through complex decisions or simply trying to navigate your own ethical challenges at work, these evidence-backed approaches will help you maintain integrity without sacrificing momentum. Take a walk around the block, apply Occam's Razor to simplify complex problems, and remember - good decisions, like good leadership, require appropriate time. Your future self (and organization) will thank you for the investment.

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Can optimism truly be a leader's superpower in our unpredictable VUCA world? Join us for an insightful conversation with leadership coach Kelly Frazier Cox as we uncover how realistic optimism can transform challenges into opportunities. Drawing on our own stories and experiences, Greg Powell and I, John Wandolowski, explore the power of saying "yes" to possibilities, even in the face of adversity. We unpack the concept of realistic optimism, where acknowledging difficulties goes hand in hand with believing in the potential for improvement, creating a proactive leadership style that fuels teams with hope and purpose.

From contrasting the mindsets of optimistic and pessimistic leaders to sharing anecdotes from my career in human resources, we highlight how adopting a positive outlook can lead to beneficial outcomes, even in typically pessimistic environments like facilities management. Through personal reflections, we examine how past encounters with leaders of varying attitudes have shaped our own approaches to leadership. Whether you're navigating the volatile waters of a VUCA world or seeking to inspire those around you, this episode promises valuable insights into how optimism can not only transform leaders but also entire organizations.

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Have you ever wondered what truly defines responsible leadership and how it shapes our personal and professional lives? Join Greg Powell and me as we unravel the complexities of this essential quality, drawing inspiration from Dr. Michael Durst’s transformative teachings in "Being the Cause." By sharing stories from my journey—from the creation of my first book, "Building Your Leadership Toolbox," to my narrative-driven second book—we highlight the tools and insights that have guided our discussions. Learn about the pivotal role of communication tools like ProWritingTeam, Grammarly, and Copilot in refining our storytelling and leadership approaches, and hear about the memorable compliment that underscored the reliability every leader strives to embody.

In our conversation, we tackle the art of balancing accountability with creativity, illustrated through a Six Sigma example that emphasizes high standards without errors. We discuss the dual nature of trust and delegation as cornerstones of effective leadership while acknowledging the challenges of being perceived as inflexible and the necessity for direct communication, especially in urgent situations. Greg wraps up with powerful action statements that serve as a beacon for those on their journey to becoming more responsible leaders. Tune in to explore the benefits of self-discipline, problem-solving, and effective time management as we invite you to reflect on your path toward embodying responsibility in both your career and personal life.

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Unlock the secrets of true leadership influence and discover how to lead with respect and collaboration at the forefront. Drawing inspiration from Dale Carnegie's classic principles alongside modern insights from the Center for Creative Leadership, we promise insights that will transform your approach to shaping opinions and behaviors within your organization. Join us as we unpack the essence of influence through four crucial skills every leader should master: organizational intelligence, team promotion, trust-building, and leveraging networks. Learn how these skills empower leaders to navigate the complex waters of organizational politics, guide teams through change, and ultimately cultivate a positive and collaborative work environment.

In this episode, we spotlight inspirational leaders like Arianna Huffington, Richard Branson, and Medina F. Emerson, examining their profound impact across various industries. Dwight D. Eisenhower's empathetic leadership style during World War II stands as a testament to strategic and influential guidance. Personal stories underscore the importance of active listening, as Greg recounts his encounter with a charismatic executive and John shares transformative career advice from a Christian brother. Through these narratives, we emphasize how genuine influence extends beyond power, creating lasting impressions through charm, sincerity, and a keen understanding of human dynamics. Tune in to discover how you too can harness these essential skills to become an effective and respected leader.

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Could shifting your focus from degrees to skills revolutionize your hiring process and boost your business's success? Join us for an eye-opening discussion with our HR expert, Greg, who unveils how modern hiring practices are evolving to meet industry demands. We promise you'll learn how to attract top talent by crafting clear job descriptions, minimizing biases through anonymized resumes, and empowering diverse interview panels. Discover the transformative potential of skills-based hiring and why it's becoming essential in today's technology-driven world.

Our episode sheds light on real-world examples, from Goldman Sachs to military recruitment strategies, demonstrating the power of skills over traditional credentials. Greg shares invaluable insights on fostering an inclusive company culture that not only welcomes nontraditional candidates but also encourages career progression based on competencies. We discuss the importance of ongoing training for hiring managers to identify and neutralize unconscious bias. By embracing this approach, you can unlock a talent-sharing culture, promoting growth for both employees and the organization. Get ready to rethink your recruitment strategies and harness the critical role of skills in shaping the future of work.

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Unlock the secrets of effective leadership and transform your decision-making skills with insights from industry giants like Jeff Bezos and Mary Barra. This episode promises to equip you with the critical thinking tools vital for navigating complex business landscapes and fostering a culture of innovation and accountability. We'll explore how leaders can evolve from rescuers to mentors, empowering their teams to take ownership of their decisions and build a foundation of trust that drives success.

Discover the powerful dynamics of dual-system thinking and how it plays out in both sports and business environments. We'll dissect the fast, intuitive reactions of System One compared to the slow, deliberate reasoning of System Two, using vivid examples like a high-stakes tennis match. Drawing from the work of Paul and Elder, we dive into enhancing your thinking through structured analysis and evaluation. Listen as we highlight the practices of visionary leaders like Peter Drucker and Warren Buffett, who thrive on embracing diverse perspectives and adapting to change with agility and an open mind.

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Unlock the secrets to becoming a more effective leader by mastering emotional intelligence. Learn how to harness the power of self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills to transform your leadership style. Discover how emotional intelligence can be just as crucial as technical knowledge for managers and leaders striving for success. We break down these components and demonstrate their essential role in fostering a harmonious and productive work environment through vivid real-world examples and practical insights.

Join us as we share the inspiring journey of Janet Carroll Miller, whose exceptional emotional intelligence traits allowed her to successfully navigate complex workplace dynamics as a former HR leader. We also delve into the practical wisdom from "Emotional Intelligence 2.0" by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves, revealing a valuable four-core EQ system to boost your skills in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. This episode is your guide to enhancing your emotional intelligence, providing strategies to stand out in today’s competitive landscape and elevate your leadership capabilities.

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This episode explores the heart of love and responsibility, showcasing how these concepts drive fulfillment in both personal and professional realms. By connecting Curly's wisdom from "City Slickers" to modern leadership practices, we discuss the vital attributes of love and their impact on creating accountable and nurturing environments.

• Exploring Curly’s wisdom about life and happiness
• Defining love and its attributes
• Drawing parallels between love and Management by Responsibility
• Emphasizing work-life balance and mindfulness
• Understanding the importance of supportive environments
• Reflection on legacy and the impact of personal relationships

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Presented by John Wandolowski and Greg Powell