522: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact with Liz Wiseman (an Encore Presentation of Episode 400)

Today’s episode is a milestone episode in so many ways. It’s episode 400, of course, but several other “yours, mine, and ours” type milestones are also at play. To hear about each one of them, click the play button below.

liz wiseman

Today’s guest, Liz Wiseman, has been one of my favorite leadership authors for the better part of fifteen years, ever since I first learned of her work with her first book Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter.

But Multipliers needs to now move over and make room on the shelf for her latest, as I feel it’s a book every employee, regardless of their title, should read.

It’s called Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact.

Drawing on insights from leaders at top companies, Liz explains what the most influential players are doing differently, how small and seemingly insignificant differences in how we think and act can make an enormous impact, and why—with a little coaching—this mindset is available to everyone who wants to contribute at their highest level.  

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

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498: How to Win with Clarity-Fueled Communications with Steve Woodruff

I’ve yet to meet my guest today in person, but we live less than 30 minutes from one another. I think I need to work harder at changing that soon.

steve woodruff

His name is Steve Woodruff, and this will make his second appearance on the podcast; his first being about five years ago in Episode #243.

Steve’s new book, released just last week, is called The Point: How to Win With Clarity-Fueled Communications.

Clarity-fueled communications, Steve says, is the practice of using the fewest words to make the biggest impact. His book unveils how the overloaded human brain wants information packaged, and how to craft brain-friendly messages that break through the noise.

From email to sales pitches, from workshops to resumes, Steve’s Clarity Fuel Formula is the universal recipe for communications success. The Point includes four simple actions and eight compelling shortcuts that can be used by anyone to get to the point and get others on the same page.

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

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484: The Surprising Science of High-Performing Teams with David Burkus

This week’s guest is making a repeat appearance (or should I say, “three-peat” appearance?). It’s been a while since his last visit, but I can say it is definitely worth the wait.

david burkus

His name is David Burkus. We previously chatted with David about his books Friend of a Friend and Under New Management.

His new book is called Best Team Ever! The Surprising Science of High-Performing Teams.

Talent, David says, doesn’t make the team—the team makes the talent. But why are some teams more motivated, innovative, and successful than others? Why do some groups of talented people fall short against lesser teams? And how do you go about building a high-performing team?

David understands that to build the best team, you must first shape the habits and practices that bring out the best in each member. Best Team Ever reveals what some of the world’s most effective teams do, and shows you how you can do the same.

Banish the frustration of having a team of talented people who can’t perform optimally. Discover how to develop a clear, concise understanding of how your team’s culture affects its performance. Follow this simple, practical blueprint to cultivate a Best Team Ever environment and set your team on a path to success.

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

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483: The Illusion of Choice with Richard Shotton

My guest this week is making his first—and hopefully not his last—visit to the Read to Lead Podcast, and on the eve of the show’s 10th birthday, no less.

richard shotton

His name is Richard Shotton. He’s written a followup to his amazingly well-received The Choice Factory. It’s called The Illusion of Choice: 16 1/2 psychological biases that influence what we buy.

I devoured this book in a single day. It’s just over 190 pages with short, to-the-point chapters. Each one lays out plainly a psychological bias, shares what recent studies have shown about it (some of which are Shotton’s own), and then proceeds to show you, step-by-step, several ways you might consider applying what you’ve learned to your business.

It doesn’t get much more practical than that.

Richard draws on academic research, previous ad campaigns, and (as mentioned) his own original field studies to create a fascinating and highly practical guide that focuses on the point where marketing meets the mind of the customer.

You’ll learn to take advantage of the peak end rule, the power of precision, the wisdom of wit – and much, much more.

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

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482: How Leaders Can Move Teams From Isolated to All In with Steven Van Cohen

I was in a crunch for time the week I sat down with today’s guest and needed to get through his book (a seven- to eight-hour read) in a single day. What to do?

steven van cohen

I had a physical copy of the book in hand, but needed to get through it quickly. I decided to use one of my favorite speed reading tricks. I purchased the audiobook version. Then, following along in the physical book, I cranked up the audiobook to 2X speed. Instead of nearly eight hours, I was through the book in less than four!

Now, to be clear, you can do this with audiobooks (and podcasts) all day long if you like. But with books, unless you’re following along in either the ebook or have a physical copy, don’t expect to retain much of the book’s content later, let alone comprehend any of it.

Who is this guest and book? His name is Steven Van Cohen. His new book, co-written with Ryan Jenkins, is called Connectable: How Leaders Can Move Teams From Isolated to All, and connect we did.

I found Steven to be quite personable. He’s extremely good at what he does, as he’s been doing it for nearly two decades. Here’s a bit about what the book dives into:

The book covers how tackling the issue of worker loneliness head-on can transform an isolated workforce into one that’s happier, more engaged, and more productive.

Steven and his co-author, Ryan Jenkins, distill their methodology, showing you what’s causing today’s loneliness, the role inclusion plays in solving it, and how you can decrease loneliness and increase belonging, engagement, and performance with employees at every level―including yourself. 

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

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