Category Archives: Leadership

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Episode #193: The Best Book I’ve Read This Year

The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

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If you’re anything like me, you enjoy reading business and personal growth-type books because you understand the value of lifelong learning. You’re dedicated to your personal and professional growth.

I shudder to think that much of my 20s was spent spinning my wheels as I put a halt to learning.

Really.

the big leap

I remember thinking when I left college, “Awesome. All the learning is done. So glad I don’t have to do that anymore!”

School basically succeeded in teaching me not to enjoy the process. So much so I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

Now? Well, you know the story. I read at least a book a week. Not because I have to, but because I enjoy it.

In fact, it was setting a goal of reading regularly that eventually lead to me launching Read to Lead. I was reading a book a week anyway. Why not share the process with everyone else? 🙂

Hear the summary below

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Episode #191: How to Lead with Gratitude

With Ambition author Seth Buechley

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I first met today’s guest just about two months ago at a conference in my hometown of Nashville.

Little did I know that our lunch together would turn into an ongoing discussion that would lead to learning more about his amazing life, business, and book, a conversation that would eventually lead me to invite him to sit in the guest chair.

seth buechley

Seth will be the first to admit he’s made mistakes. He holds nothing back as many of them are front and center inside his book.

But he’s also been a super successful businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He even helped one company grow to nearly 60 million dollars in revenue before selling it.

He now consults companies all over the US, helping leaders learn the lessons he’s gleaned over the years, many of them the hard way. At the center of it all is GRATITUDE, he says.

In fact, his book called is called Ambition: Leading with Gratitude. I think you’re going to love it.

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Episode #190: High-Stakes Leadership with Constance Dierickx

Leading through Crisis with Courage, Judgement, and Fortitude

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Prior to interviewing her for this episode, I’d never interacted with Constance Dierickx before.

I learned during our time together that, not only is she a master of her craft, she’s also a hoot! That’s right. I don’t remember the last time I laughed during an interview as much as I did this one.

Constance Dierickx

I’ve no doubt Constance it quite jovial most of the time, but I wouldn’t be surprised if her humor and relaxed nature was aided by the view she enjoyed as we chatted (more on that inside the episode).

She’s also straightforward and direct. And in this interview, she shows us why successful leaders are those who are experts in their ability to lead effectively in times of dramatic change and great risk.

Her three-part model illuminates the need for Courage, Judgement, and Fortitude when making tough decisions, taking an unpopular stance, or ignoring convention.

Her latest is a book called High-Stakes Leadership: Leading Through Crisis with Courage, Judgement, and Fortitude.

Join in on our chat below

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Episode #188: How to Lead When You’re Not In Charge

With author Clay Scroggins

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Sometimes when I come across an author whose book I’d like to feature on the show, I’ll just reach out on Twitter inviting them on.

It’s a great way to attempt to connect with an author I have no prior relationship with. Still, sometimes there is a response and sometimes not. In the case of Clay Scroggins, I got crickets.

clay scroggins

Don’t feel sorry for me, after all, he’s a busy guy (a pastor too, in fact). I knew that if it was “meant to be” it would eventually happen.

A short week or two later, I found myself on a flight home to Nashville from a conference in San Diego. It was on the second leg of my flight (a red-eye no less), that I found myself next to a young woman enjoying one of my favorite pastimes. Yep. Reading.

The next time she paused, I politely asked what it was she was reading. I suspected it was a business or leadership book based on the descriptions from the top corners of the pages. I could just make out things like “Lead Yourself” and “Think Critically” from the corner of my eye.

That’s when she closed the book to reveal…you guessed it. How to Lead When You’re Not In Charge. It was then I shared my desire to have the author on my podcast and asked if I could snap a quick photo of the cover. Let’s just say my next tweet caught Clay’s attention.

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Episode #186: Ending the Unconscious Habits that Hijack Your Business

With Ego Free Leadership co-author, Shayne Hughes

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If you’ve been a member of the traditional workforce for any length of time, you’ve no doubt have come face to face with…ego.

Truth is, we all have. It’s just that sometimes, it’s our own. Ego, Shayne Hughes argues, is single-handedly working sabotage our businesses every day.

shayne hughes

Shayne and I discuss this topic in depth along with his book, co-authored with Brandon Black, called Ego Free Leadership: Ending the Unconscious Habits that Hijack Your Business.

I especially love how this book is structured, as it’s told from “two lively first-person perspectives.” The stories, all true, are woven quite effectively to help illustrate each of the authors’ points.

If you’re looking to break some bad and unconscous leadership habits, read this now!

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