Category Archives: Career

Posted on

513: How to Do More of What Matters to You with Ali Abdaal

by

I’ve been a fan of today’s guest for several years and have probably watched over 100 of his YouTube videos. So, when the good folks over at Readwise reached out about making an introduction, I was elated.

ali abdaal

I’m talking about the world’s most-followed productivity expert, otherwise known as the one and only Ali Abdaal.

Ali has written a brand new book that was released this past December, and I am delighted to feature it, and my chat with Ali, in this week’s episode.

That book is called Feel Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You. It’s already appeared on a few bestseller lists and, at last check, already has over one thousand reviews on Amazon. Go Ali!

We think that productivity is all about hard work, Ali says. That the road to success is lined with endless frustration and toil. But what if there’s another way?

Ali, though, has uncovered an easier and happier path to success. Drawing on decades of psychological research, he has found that the secret to productivity and success isn’t grind – it’s feeling good. If you can make your work feel good, then productivity takes care of itself.

Armed with Ali’s insights, you won’t just accomplish more. You’ll feel happier and more fulfilled along the way.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Ali and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Continue Reading »
Posted on

512: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder with Huggy Rao

by

When your name is Huggy, surely people can’t help but like you. And after meeting today’s “Huggy,” all I can say is, “What’s not to like?”

Huggy Rao

Huggy Rao, along with Robert Sutton, have written a new book, out today, called The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder.

Every workplace, Huggy says, is clogged with friction—the convoluted, time-consuming, and soul-crushing gyrations that drive people crazy and undermine organizational performance.

Countless employees, executives, and customers bemoan hours lost to mazes of red tape, “efficiency tools” that become anything but, and clueless leaders who pile on needless complexity, all of which make it far too difficult to get necessary things done at work, and can burn out workers in the process.

But not all friction is bad. Striving toward a “frictionless organization” is a misguided goal, because too many organizations also make the wrong things too easy to do. Good friction exists inside organizations to help slow things down when careful consideration is needed for better and smarter decision-making.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Huggy, Robert and their work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Continue Reading »
Posted on

507: Creating a More Human Future in the Era of AI with Brian Evergreen

by

These days, like you perhaps, I read just about everything I can get my hands on pertaining to artificial intelligence. Books on this topic a still few, but that’s beginning to change one year removed from the buzz that was the launch of ChatGPT.

brian evergreen

That’s why I was excited to learn about Autonomous Transformation, the new book by Brian Evergreen.

We are in the midst, Brian says, of an unprecedented degree of technology-driven change at the same time that society faces challenges more complex than our organizations and we as individuals have been prepared to handle.

We have all borne witness to the changes, for better and for worse, that technology has had on society, our nations, cities, the nature of work, and the human experience—but technology is neither the hero nor the villain of this story.

Brian’s book is for leaders who want to create a better future within this context of change and supplies a balance of historical and theoretical context with practical frameworks for beginning to create a more human future today.

The book provides a blueprint for leaders and managers who have aspired or attempted to harness artificial intelligence and its adjacent technologies for the betterment of their organization and the world, weaving strategy, management thinking, economics, systemic design, and philosophy into actionable steps with accompanying frameworks to create and sustain Profitable Good.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Brian and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Continue Reading »
Posted on

506: Leading With Questions with Bob Tiede

by

Easily the highlight of my career was the 13+ years I spent with WAY-FM Media Group from 2000 to 2013. My time there included having Dusty Rhodes as a colleague.

bob tiede

Dusty recently reached out and introduced me to author Bob Tiede. Bob is the man behind the blog Leading With Questions, inspired by the book we’re featuring today.

That book is indeed called Leading With Questions: How Leaders Discover Powerful Answers by Knowing How and What to Ask, written with Dr. Michael J. Marquardt.

In this newly revised third edition, Bob and Michael describe how to ask powerful questions that generate short-term and long-term results and success. They show you how effective leaders use questions to encourage participation and teamwork, foster creative thinking, empower others, create relationships with customers, and solve problems.

And, they offer step-by-step guidance on the process of learning the art of questioning and techniques―like active listening and follow-ups – you can use in myriad situations with individuals, teams, and entire organizations.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Bob and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Continue Reading »
Posted on

504: Speak Up or Stay Stuck with Pam Marmon

by

Today’s guest is making her second appearance on the podcast. Her first was back in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. That book, called No One’s Listening and It’s Your Fault was geared to leaders.

pam marmon

Her new book is intended for managers and employees. It’s all about navigating the inevitable periods of change within an organization. It’s called Speak Up or Stay Stuck: Get Your Voice Heard When Fast and Forced Change Happens In the Workplace.

Your company is changing, Pam says, whether you like it or not. As a manager, you are expected to make that transformation happen, yet you feel voiceless, unseen, and unrepresented.

Change is not the enemy. It’s inevitable and it could be the key to your success. In Speak Up or Stay Stuck, Pam unpacks a practical framework for implementing organizational change while ensuring your voice is heard. Finally: the key to amplifying your message without jeopardizing your job.

You’ll discover how to communicate with senior leaders while effectively advocating for yourself and your team. Reclaim control and ownership of your work, grow your organizational change resilience, and find new ways to thrive when fast and forced change hits your workplace.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Pam and her work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Continue Reading »