The Leadership Foundry Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Leadership Foundry
In a fluid environment, how do we remain flexible leaders? Kevin Eikenberry returns to share insights from his new book, Flexible Leadership. Listen in as he and co-host Brandon Smith discuss critical thinking, engaging in better one-on-one conversations, regular examination of our leadership style, and more.
Who can you intentionally recognize and celebrate? Here’s your “Leadership Intention for the Week” (with a bonus tip on how to make sure this actually gets done)!
Brandon tackles a leadership challenge he continues to encounter in various organizations: striking the balance between compassion and accountability. He explores how leaders can offer grace and empathy without losing sight of performance, standards, and the mission at hand.
It’s time for our first “Leadership Intention for the Week!" Your mission, if you choose to accept it: be intentional to set (or maintain) a boundary this week.
The best leaders “pull complexity up and push simplicity down.” This episode featuring Frank Blake, former Chairman and CEO of The Home Depot is a true gift! Frank highlights how CEOs and senior teams need to understand the inverted pyramid (you’re at the bottom, folks!). Communication does not cascade. He also talks about listening to your team and maintaining the mindset of a continuous learner. These are important concepts to revisit on a regular basis.
Have you ever made a $2 million mistake at work? Today’s guest did during his early days as CMO of Chick-fil-A. Listen in to this special edition of the podcast as Steve Robinson, author of Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A, shares what he learned and how it changed his career.
We’re taking it back to one of our favorites from the vault this week. In this episode, Brandon Smith sits down with Rick Gilkey, a member of the Emory University family as a professor for many years. The two discuss how, if we better understand our brains, we better understand ourselves AND our relationships! Our brain creates 10,000 new neurons each day! But as Rick says, “use it or lose it!”
Keynote speaker and bestselling author Jennifer Kahnweiler has been a friend of the show for many years. We’re excited to welcome her back later this spring for a brand new episode on her book, The Introverted Leader 3rd Edition! So to help us prepare, we’re pulling one of Brandon’s previous conversations with Jennifer from the vault for this week’s release. Whether you lead with quiet influence or you’re looking for tips on how to be the best “introvert ally” - today’s show is for you!
Embracing transformation takes courage, but just like spring, it's a chance to bloom into something new. So today, we’re revisiting our conversation featuring Brandon Smith and Ashley Freeman on the topic of career purpose.
Navid Ahdieh is Senior Managing Director and Partner at North Highland. In this special re-focus episode from the vault, Navid and Brandon explore the personal evolution of leadership, reflecting on how our histories shape self-awareness and leadership philosophies. They dive into the power of patience, the importance of authenticity, and the value of creating space for team members to share their own stories as well.
As a leader, is patience one of your superpowers? If used at the right time and in the right context, having patience can actually give you better results. Listen in as co-founders Brandon Smith and Randy Hain explain in this important episode from the vault.
If you’re looking to make a smooth and beneficial transition from CEO to board member, today’s episode is for you. We’re revisiting our conversation with Dave Stockert on The Leadership Foundry Podcast. Dave details the three T’s of a good board member along with the markers of an effective board chair.
We’ve talked a lot about virtues, leadership qualities and building trust in recent episodes of the podcast. Today’s topic nicely aligns as we’re revisiting our conversation with CEO Doran Oancia. Doran highlights an often under-represented practice: setting and leading with company values. Listen in for tips on how to select, promote and hire with those values.
Andrea Chilcote is CEO of Morningstar Ventures and author of the book What Leaders Need Now. For today’s conversation, Andrea joins Brandon and Randy to discuss the book and her findings from the accompanying assessment.
How do leaders assess their performance on compassion, courage and humility? What do their direct reports say? In which areas do leaders tend to struggle the most? Listen in!
Randy Hain's new book, Practical Virtue, is now available! Today on the podcast, he and Brandon take a deep dive into the virtues early career professionals must embrace to become leaders others want to follow. Randy guides senior leaders on how to use the book to connect with those on their teams and foster mentor relationships.
Last week, we focused on building healthy teams, comprised of healthy individuals. Today on the Leadership Foundry Podcast, we’re revisiting Brandon Smith's conversation with Chris Pacer, Vice President Group Executive at Motion Industries. Chris details how to align your people with their passions so you can lead at scale.
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izkJ4-x2tbE
A high-performing leader doesn't guarantee a high-performing team, but you can't have a high-performing team without a strong leader. In this episode from the vault, Rusty Chadwick of WinShape Teams joins Brandon to discuss the power of teams.
As leaders, how do we create a culture of accountability while effectively driving ownership within our teams? Co-founder, Brandon Smith, details the three-step process on this edition of the podcast.
Whether you're leading change, building influence, or navigating uncertainty, trust is the foundation. None of these are possible without establishing trust first! On today’s episode of the Leadership Foundry Podcast, we’re breaking down the three essential ingredients for building trust with colleagues, team members, customers, and beyond.
The outcome of the meeting determines the need for a meeting.
So - should you have less meetings in 2025?
Check out today’s episode from the vault as friend of the show and Inc. Columnist, Jeff Haden, details three ways leaders can set up their teams for success:
1 - Drive transparency around the promotion process.
2 - Match the proper managers and management styles to the context in which you work. (Think: in-person vs hybrid.)
3 - Limit the number of meetings.
January is a great reminder to refocus and shift our attention back to those we serve: our employees, our partners and our customers.
Atlanta Community Food Bank founder, Bill Bolling highlights this in our “timeless leadership masterclass” on the Leadership Foundry Podcast.
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fgd_Fz_55Q
What are some of the most common leadership best practices that leaders need to revisit in 2025? As the workplace transforms and challenges shift, staying effective requires a fresh look at timeless principles. Brandon and Randy discuss seven focus areas on today's podcast.
If one of your goals this year includes driving innovation and fostering the entrepreneurial culture inside your organization, today’s refocus episode is for you. Louis K. Gump has literally written the book on how to effectively implement an intrapreneurship program. Drawing from firsthand experience, Louis offers valuable insights on talent acquisition, monitoring metrics to track progress and more.
The countdown to a new year is on! As we prepare to enter 2025, we’re taking a look back at some leadership lessons learned over the years. From 360 interviews to managing stress and beyond, Brandon Smith and Randy Hain break down the “bad behaviors” stress can bring out of team members and how to help.
“Ti voglio bene” = “I want your good." Podcast guest Andreas Widmer challenges leaders to have the courage to ask: “What is the “end” you want for your team?” We’re taking some time away from the mics this week, but hope you enjoy this special holiday edition of The Leadership Foundry Podcast. Co-hosts Brandon Smith and Randy Hain talk with Andreas about the leader's responsibility to the team, flourishing in life and business and one thing to do to become a better leader as we revisit Episode 48.
What would it look like if you were 20% braver in 2025? Inspired by the previous podcast conversation with co-host Randy Hain and a recent client engagement, Brandon Smith challenges leaders with this question as we approach a new year.
As we reflect on 2024, Brandon and Randy examine the need for inspiration. Where does inspiration come from? How can we be more inspiring to others as leaders? Get ready to "breathe new life into" a new year as our co-founders offer tips for how to do this effectively and with excitement.
Watch the full show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW41Pa6HCJQ
’Tis the season of gratitude and giving! We’re revisiting Episode 33 of The Leadership Foundry Podcast as we examine the unique challenges nonprofit leaders face. Cal Morgan, President and CEO of the Atlanta Humane Society, shares his insight on collaboration, communication and highlighting the mission. Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday! Don’t forget to show some love to your favorite nonprofits!
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R_MGszbHeo
As we approach Thanksgiving this week, we’re taking time to reflect on how to show gratitude to our teams in this special holiday edition of the podcast. Earlier this year, co-hosts Randy Hain and Brandon Smith had the opportunity to sit down with Chester Elton. He explained that the common thread for excellence of best-in-class companies is gratitude. Our team members want to be noticed and celebrated for making a difference. Listen in for ways to do just that as we take a look back on Episode 58.
Watch the full show on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RbI75hE0C40?feature=shared
Leaders and their organizations face various challenges as we enter the last few months of 2024. Hiring freezes and year-end goals coupled with an election year have turned the pressure up causing many leaders to enter "stress behaviors". To help us reset and position for a new year, co-hosts Brandon Smith and Randy Hain share their tips for navigating through uncertainty. Listen for insights on setting priorities, providing feedback, increasing workplace engagement and the ripple effect of showing gratitude.
We were honored to have Retired Lieutenant General, Ken Keen, as he joined host, Brandon Smith on a recent edition of The Leadership Foundry Podcast. During the conversation, Ken highlights what it means to be a leader in the Armed Forces, the importance of earning your title and the responsibility that accompanies it, which includes developing and leading others. He also highlights the newly launched Masters in Business for Veterans program at Emory University. Take a moment of reflection as we revisit Episode 62: “Three Components to Become a Leader of Leaders” on this special Veterans Day edition of the podcast.
As a leader, we have both the opportunity and the obligation to develop others within our organizations. But as deadlines loom and the days grow shorter, one-on-ones are often moved to the backburner or abandoned altogether, and time for personal reflection along with it. This is a costly mistake as co-hosts, Brandon Smith and Randy Hain, highlight on today's episode as they take a deep dive into Randy's new book, Becoming a More Thoughtful Leader. Listen in for ways to prep yourself and your team for a successful launch into 2025.
We’re in a season of uncertainty. How do we answer our team’s pressing questions when we don’t have the answers? Brandon Smith offers four steps for leading through uncertainty on today’s podcast. Listen to the end where he shares three things all leaders can do to maintain control of the ship, even when sailing into the unknown.
How can leaders use their time, talent and treasures long after leaving the C-suite? To help us answer this question, Dave Stockert joins Brandon on this week's podcast episode to highlight the transition from CEO to board member along with the markers of a good board member and board chair.
Anxiety levels are at an all-time high. Stress compounded by hybrid work environments, concerning health reports, and a weary world is something we can all relate to. Brandon sat down to talk with Licensed Counselor, Mazi Robinson, near the end of 2022, but both her insights and words of encouragement on how to flex our resiliency muscles are still very applicable today. She says: “The only thing that frees us from anxiety is doing the thing you are afraid to do.” Listen in for ways leaders can get out of our "ruminating rooms" and take action.
Are you feeling the career itch? Whether you're ready to make a change, up for a new challenge within your current organization or if you're simply curious as to the available options, today's guest is here to help us navigate the four stages of a career transition. Author and certified career coach, Scott Doyne, joins host Brandon Smith to help us answer: "What do you want to try next?"
The number one way to overcome fear? Do the thing you fear most! Cameron Richardson, Senior Vice President at Genuine Parts Company (NAPA) joined Brandon on Episode 15 of The Leadership Foundry Podcast. The two discussed self-awareness as a key to overcoming new leadership challenges. As a leader, self-awareness is your greatest ally. It helps you understand your strengths, acknowledge your challenges, and align your actions with your goals. Embrace this time for introspection and set a clear path forward as we prepare to enter the final quarter of the year.
Class is in session! Today, we're thrilled to have Atlanta Community Food Bank founder, Bill Bolling on the podcast. Bill gives us a master class on leadership beyond that of the nonprofit sector. He explains to achieve our goals, there are parts of the process we must decentralize and that requires trust. In his words, "The way to connect with individuals is to involve them in the work." Listen in as Bill shares highlights from his inspiring career and how we as leaders can shift the focus back to those we serve: our employees, our partners and our customers.
For the first time in history, six different generations comprise the workforce. Today on the podcast, Randy and Brandon are joined by Dr. Tim Elmore. Tim is an expert in this space and offers practical ways leaders can engage with various generations, welcome their differences and practice reverse mentorship so all parties learn and grow.
Patience at the right time can get the right result. Not everything should go through the “decision microwave”! Today on The Leadership Foundry Podcast, Brandon Smith and Randy Hain examine what causes our lack of time (which feeds impatience) and how we as leaders can be more mindful to slow down. As Randy states in the opening lines: Your goal as a leader should be to make patience your superpower.
Feelings of anxiety, loneliness and burnout are reaching record-high numbers among leaders and CEOs. According to Businessolver’s 2024 State of Workplace Empathy report, 55% of CEOs have experienced a mental health issue. This is up 24 points from previous reports. On today’s Leadership Foundry Podcast, Rob Volpe returns to help us take a closer look at these numbers. We discuss the challenges leaders and CEOs face, the unique pressures placed on the C-suite and how we can effectively model empathy for our organizations while still maintaining the position of a capable, competent leader.
We all have a desire to find meaningful and purposeful work. Leaders have both the opportunity and obligation to connect with their teams. Senior executives play an important role in how their people feel about their jobs. On today's show, Brandon and Randy discuss how leaders can increase engagement by asking the right questions and fostering psychological safety.
During one of our first podcasts, Brandon Smith was joined by Papa John’s Vice President of Enterprise Strategy and Transformation, Rob Pepper. Rob’s conversation points highlight executive presence and influencing change, two topics we’ve been focused on in recent weeks. Take a listen to this re-release as Rob shares his knowledge on affecting change through influence, when EQ matters more than IQ, and how to do more of what motivates your people so you can impact your organization at both the total and individual team member level.
As a leader, navigating change isn’t always easy and for many, it feels like we’ve been navigating great change for the last several years. So today on The Leadership Foundry Podcast, we’re revisiting our conversation with Leslie Nydick, The Conflict Strategist. Leslie shares how to navigate friction and foster discussion when issues arise in the workplace.
A key trait of those leaders who best represent executive presence is their ability to be inspiring and courageous. As we continue our focus on how we “show up” as leaders, let’s look back at our conversation with Tiffany Willis, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations with Starbucks. In this episode, Tiffany spoke with co-host Brandon Smith on resiliency and how to nurture courage within the individual team members we lead each day.
Last week on the podcast, Leadership Foundry co-founder and podcast co-host, Brandon Smith, brought us back to basics, detailing the two key functions of all leaders and executives: drive focus and alignment. As a perfect follow-up, we’re revisiting our episode on how to build and maintain executive presence. Fellow co-founder, Randy Hain, joins Brandon for this conversation. Listen in!
We live in a messy, noisy world where everything is urgent all of the time. Today on the podcast, co-host Brandon Smith takes leaders back to basics as he reminds us of the two key actions all leaders should be doing right now: driving focus and alignment.
"Is this person a narcissist... how can I tell?" This question has been posed to co-host, Brandon Smith, several times recently in his work with leaders. Today, Brandon breaks down the five signs you're working with a narcissist and shares survival tactics for navigating this type of office relationship.
As we approach the July 4th holiday, we're honored to welcome back Retired Lieutenant General, Ken Keen, to the podcast. In today's discussion, he and Brandon highlight the newly launched Masters in Business for Veterans program at Emory University. Ken also breaks down the three components to leadership development and examines the difference between character and competence.
Here at the Leadership Foundry, we’re all about giving you tips and tools to help you run effective teams and accomplish goals. Today, we’re revising our conversation with Holly Bellmund, President of GLC Minerals. Listen in as Holly shares two key ingredients for making a successful leadership transition.
In this episode, co-host and Leadership Foundry co-founder, Brandon Smith, examines new data on what researchers call "invisible work." But doing things outside our job descriptions are those actions that most often get us noticed and promoted. Listen in as we discuss from both the junior and senior-level viewpoints.
Accountability plays a big role when it comes to teamwork, ranging from tough conversations to achieving results. So today on the Leadership Foundry Podcast, we’re examining the 3 C’s of Accountability: Clarity, Communication and Candor.
Your messaging around culture is missing the mark. On today’s new release of the Leadership Foundry Podcast, Brandon Smith challenges leaders to refocus on culture (the right way) with his three-year checkup protocol.
As the perfect follow-up to our episode last week on expressing gratitude with guest Chester Elton - we’re revisiting our conversation with Andreas Widmer. In this episode, Andreas chats with Brandon and Randy on how doing good, from our employees to our customers, can lead to prosperity – both, monetarily and culturally in the workplace.
What makes for an "all-in" culture... those top-performing teams that are the foundation of world-class organizations? It all comes down to showing gratitude. Today on the podcast, Brandon and Randy are joined by bestselling author, Chester Elton, as he shares three rituals you can put into practice today to make your workplace healthier.
With advancements in technology and the growing popularity of the hybrid workforce, our natural workplace boundaries have evaporated. In this episode, Brandon and Randy explain ways to set personal boundaries and how we can honor those boundaries set by coworkers.
In the final installment of our “Refocus” series on The Leadership Foundry Podcast, we’re revisiting Brandon's episode with “The Modern CEO” Rohit Verma as he highlights the preparation path to CEO. Listen in as he delves into his remarkable career journey, his experiences in steering a global enterprise across 70 diverse countries, and his insights on empowering your team.
As we continue our “Refocus” series on The Leadership Foundry Podcast, we get this great reminder from guest, Ken Keen: Learn how to manage your time and say “no”. When we overload ourselves (and our calendars) we’re not able to fully show up and give our best selves to that project or initiative, thus rendering us less effective. If this feels like you, listen in.
We’re officially into Q2 of 2024! We received a lot of feedback from our recent newsletter with a highlight of Brandon and Randy sharing their tips for setting priorities. We wanted to take a deeper dive and revisit this episode in its entirety on today’s podcast. What are real priorities vs aspirational priorities? Where are you spending your time? It all comes down to action. Listen in!
The concept of complexity vs. simplicity sparked many podcast conversations and questions from listeners! We’re revisiting this episode with Frank Blake, former Chairman and CEO of The Home Depot. As the seasons change, so do organizations and leadership styles. Listen in for Frank’s timely and insightful tips on leading change and why the best leaders “pull complexity up and push simplicity down.”
Don’t be fooled! This fun clip is from a pilot reel Brandon recorded 10 years ago! But - these stories are real challenges in the workplace today. Take a listen. If this sounds like one of your direct reports, our mission remains to same: take your leaders and your organization to the next level. Learn more at MyLeadershipFoundry.com
Continuing our Women In Leadership highlights in honor of Women's History Month, we’re revisiting our episode with Agnes Scott College President, Leocadia Zak. President Zak discusses the importance of relationships and how to make innovation a cultural way of living. Listen to her story and you’ll hear why Agnes Scott College has ranked #1 in innovation for six consecutive years.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting some amazing female leaders we’ve had the pleasure of interviewing on the Leadership Foundry Podcast! Crumbl Cookies COO, Graciela Chadwick, joined Brandon to talk franchising, fostering connection with our team members and balancing relationships with results. Hear her full story in this podcast replay.
"This is an act of courageous leadership." If you want to deepen any type of relationship, you can't do it without vulnerability. Yet, this can be scary. As leaders, it requires courage to let down our defenses and ask for support. In today's podcast, Brandon and Randy explore strategies for embracing vulnerability in the workplace effectively.
Tobias Hoffmeister has had the unique experience of being a global leader, working in many different countries. Today, he is President and CEO of MHP Americas, a Porsche Company. He and Brandon's conversation centers around the dynamic of running a country unit and maintaining the relationship with the home office, along with the essential competencies of global leaders today.
You've heard us talk a lot about the importance of curiosity. Today, we dive into how. From questions to ask and ways to hone your active listening skills, co-host, Brandon Smith, walks leaders through how to maximize this workplace superpower.
As a leader, are you looking to drive innovation and foster the entrepreneurial culture inside your organization? Today's guest, Louis K. Gump, has literally written the book on how to effectively implement an intrapreneurship program. Drawing from firsthand experience, Louis offers valuable insights on talent acquisition, monitoring metrics to track progress and more.
Today on the podcast, Brandon and Randy take to the mic to discuss a topic that has garnered numerous questions: how to lead young professionals in the workplace. They tackle a range of issues, from quiet quitting to the impact of social media, and explore the contributions of seasoned leaders and parents in shaping the professional journey of the younger generation. Throughout the discussion, they provide actionable tips that current leaders can implement today to make a positive impact on the leaders of tomorrow.
Today on the podcast, we're examining an often under-represented practice: setting and leading with company values. To help us along this journey, co-hosts Brandon and Randy, are joined by Doran Oancia, President and CEO of Chemex Global. Listen in as Doran shares how to select, promote and hire with company values.
Today's team members want to feel connected to the work they are doing. If company processes and goals don't feel personal, it could prove difficult to get everyone on board. Wills Moore, CEO of Agilitas Human Resources Consulting, joins Brandon on the podcast to help leaders gear up for success in 2024 by sharing best practices for your performance management process.
Class is in session! Today on the podcast, Brandon Smith offers a new perspective on setting annual goals. Step back in time with us as we look at 2024 through the lens of a college student, focusing on your overall GPA to grade success.
Co-hosts Brandon Smith and Randy Hain welcome Andreas Widmer on today's show for an insightful conversation about the entrepreneurial mindset. Andreas Widmer is an author, speaker and the founder and director of the Art & Carlyse Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship at The Catholic University of America’s Busch School of Business. Our overall theme centers around how doing good, from our employees to our customers, can lead to prosperity - both, monetarily and culturally in the workplace.
If you’ve caught recent episodes of the Leadership Foundry Podcast, you’ve likely picked up on a common theme: complexity vs. simplicity. Frank Blake, former chairman and CEO of The Home Depot noted that the best leaders “pull complexity up and push simplicity down.” Graciela Chadwick, COO of Crumbl Cookies, explained the balance between relationships and results, highlighting that any repeatable process must be clear and concise. On today’s episode, co-host Brandon Smith takes a deep dive into these concepts and shares some additional ways you as a leader can implement them.
Among tasks and teams, leaders have an overall essential balance that must be maintained and that balance comes in the form of relationships vs. results. How can leaders achieve this balance? Crumbl Cookies COO, Graciela Chadwick, shares from her extensive experience working with franchisees on this edition of the podcast. Listen in for two key factors crucial for leaders in fostering connections within their teams.
We’ve got another treat for you “from the vault” for this week’s episode of the Leadership Foundry Podcast! This one features Brandon's daughter, Abby Smith. Recorded just a few short years ago, their conversation centers around generational communication in the workplace. Bridging the gap between generations isn't just a nicety; it's a necessity. Collaboration among different age groups fosters a vibrant exchange of ideas, knowledge sharing, and innovation. Listen in for Brandon and Abby's tips which still ring true today!
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes “from the vault”! Get into the attitude of gratitude with hosts, Brandon Smith and Randy Hain as we examine RAPKG: Random Acts of Praise, Kindness and Gratitude. Listen in for ways leaders can communicate thankfulness in the workplace… and at home.
We’re excited to welcome former The Home Depot, Chairman and CEO, Frank Blake, on this episode of the podcast. Frank reminds us: As CEO - you’re at the bottom and not at the top. Listen to this insightful conversation as he shares why (and how) the best leaders “pull complexity up and push simplicity down.”
There's a lot happening around the world and tensions are high. In this "Leadership Challenges" episode, Brandon addresses the key components of effective communication and highlights what leaders should be mindful of when navigating emotions and driving focus in their roles.
In part two of our Leadership Challenges podcast episode, co-host Brandon Smith tackles two more pressing issues submitted by our listeners and other executives. You'll hear how to deal with a narcissistic boss and ways to implement the “Author vs. Editor” approach to empowering your team so you can move from working “in” the business to working “on” the business.
Leocadia Zak is President of Agnes Scott College, a college ranked #1 in innovation for six consecutive years. In this edition of the podcast, co-host Brandon Smith talks with President Zak about the importance of relationships and how to make innovation a cultural way of living. Listen in as President Zak imparts valuable insights that can be applied by leaders across various domains.
On this special edition of the show, co-founder and podcast co-host, Brandon Smith, tackles challenges to questions received from listeners and fellow executives. What are the greatest leadership challenges you’re facing as we make our way to the end of 2023? Listen in for insights on protecting your credibility and ways to build trust quickly.
We’re excited to welcome back author, Sam Horn, on today’s Leadership Foundry Podcast. She and co-host, Brandon Smith, discuss quips from her new book, “Talking on Eggshells.” It’s a great discussion for leaders looking to inspire their teams!
Our founders are back together on this week’s podcast episode to discuss a topic we see many leaders struggling with today: personal brand. What does executive presence look like? What are the steps to repair a damaged brand so you can move on and move up? Listen as Brandon Smith and Randy Hain provide actionable insights.
If you've tuned in to our latest podcast episodes, you're already familiar with Brandon recounting the story of conducting 360 interviews, during which one employee described their leader as a "modern CEO." Today, we have the privilege of hosting that very CEO, Rohit Verma from Crawford & Company, as our guest on the podcast. Join us as he delves into his remarkable career path, his experiences in steering a global enterprise across 70 diverse countries, and his insights on empowering your team.
As time evolves, so does the workplace. What essentials do modern leaders need today to stay connected with their teams, thereby nurturing trust and driving growth? Andrea Chilcote is CEO of Morning Star Ventures and Author of "What Leaders Need Now." On this episode of the podcast, she joins co-host, Brandon Smith, to share the three essential elements and practices covered in her book.
In the latest episode of The Leadership Foundry Podcast, our focus turns to the human element of leadership. Ciare James, Vice President, Brand Marketing at Bob Evans Farms poignantly reminds us that behind spreadsheets, behind computer screens and behind closed doors - we are human. This sentiment extends to those we lead, revealing the essential humanity of our team members. During the conversation, she and co-host, Brandon Smith, underscore the pivotal roles that courage, curiosity, and vulnerability play in fostering genuine connections within our teams.
Today's host, Brandon Smith, and returning guest, Glen Jackson of Jackson Spalding, discuss the five challenges modern leaders face today and how to step up to those obstacles.
In the realm of leadership, errors are inevitable, but surprisingly, some of the most profound lessons stem from these very mistakes. Today on a new edition of the Leadership Foundry Podcast, Mark Graban joins co-host, Brandon Smith, to share about his newest book, “The Mistakes that Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation.”
“Almost all learning experiences came from the difficult ones.” Today on a new episode of The Leadership Foundry Podcast, co-host Brandon Smith is joined by Atlanta Humane Society President and CEO, Cal Morgan. Listen in to their conversation on nonprofit leadership and the importance of communicating the mission.
Co-host, Brandon Smith, is joined by Starbucks Vice President, Head of Investor Relations, Tiffany Willis. While the main focus is executive presence, Tiffany and Brandon discuss navigating the “emergency room” of leadership, the importance of clear communication and how to own your narrative. It’s an encouraging story of resiliency. Listen in!
As we head into summer when many companies welcome new hires and interns, our Leadership Foundry team crafted this special edition of the podcast containing insights for leading multi-generational teams. Hear from industry experts Tim Elmore, Founder of Growing Leaders and Author of "A New Kind of Diversity: Making the Different Generations on Your Team a Competitive Advantage" and Craig Sears, Owner of Sears Pool Management.
Author, Professor and Speaker, Jamie Turner joins this week's host, Brandon Smith, to talk “leadership today”. How has leadership changed? What remains at the core of a great leader? The two discuss everything from executive presence to mindset. Listen in.
Brandon and Randy return to the podcast together, this time sharing their insights on effective accountability. As a leader, how do you involve your team? What are some obstacles you may face? Randy reveals his newly developed formula for practical accountability to help us along this journey. Listen in.
Tensions are high and the days are long. As a leader, navigating change isn’t always easy and for many, it feels like we’ve been navigating great change for three years! Today on a special edition of the podcast, we’re revisiting our conversation with Leslie Nydick, The Conflict Strategist. Listen in for ways to resolve friction with toxic co-workers and minimize conflict altogether in the workplace.
We received such great feedback on our recent episode, “How to Set Priorities” with Co-Founders Brandon Smith and Randy Hain. We’ll know you’ll find today’s legacy episode just as insightful. If you feel constantly stressed and behind (and it’s starting to impact your leadership), listen in.
From large teams to a company of one. Josh Hartmann, CEO of growing company NexMetro, joins podcast co-host, Brandon Smith, to share the key to his successful entrepreneurial leadership: humility. Listen in!
Diverse challenges, personalities, hybrid offices and more call for diverse leadership skills. Navid Ahdieh, Managing Director and Global Leader of Strategy and Management Consulting at North Highland, shares how his life path developed his leadership style. He and Brandon talk about patience, authenticity and skills to become a better listener.
“If you lose money, you can make more money. If you lose time, it’s gone forever.” On today’s episode of The Leadership Foundry Podcast, Co-Founders Brandon Smith and Randy Hain discuss insights for setting priorities as a leader.
Leadership Foundry Coach and Facilitator, Ashley Freeman, joins Co-Founder, Brandon Smith, to talk career purpose, self-awareness and our emotions at work.
In a long-tenured industry like mining, relationships are important. Holly Bellmund, President of GLC Minerals, joins the podcast to walk us through her transitional journey, moving from technical expert to company leader. Now, Holly translates what she learned to her team, preparing them to move in and beyond their own roles.
Happy New Year from the Leadership Foundry Team! We’re kicking off 2023 with Dr. Erven Nugent and Mazi Robinson as we revisit our popular episode on “The Courage to Get Curious.” Getting curious is the first step to building emotional intelligence - an imperative trait for effective leaders. But how do we actually develop EQ? Listen in!
Happy Holidays from the Leadership Foundry Team! As we prepare for the new year, hosts Brandon and Randy hope you find encouragement, inspiration and practical ways to better yourself as a leader as you listen to this special replay. Ken Keen, Associate Dean of Leadership Development at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Ashley Freemen, Facilitator with Leadership Foundry and Darren Virassammy, Co-Founder of 34 Strong share how they face crisis. Plus, these leaders explain how to understand your personal leadership style and find your genius for maximum effectiveness.
Brandon and Randy reflect on their work with leaders in 2022 and share what they are looking forward to in the new year.
What does it take to transform a business? On this edition of the Leadership Foundry Podcast, guest Rob Pepper, Sr. Director of Strategy and Transformation at Papa John's highlights the importance of influence. He and host, Brandon Smith, discuss how to become well versed in learning about people (their motivations and fears) and providing useful feedback as ways of influencing the direction of your organizational ship.
Today on the podcast, we highlight Leadership Foundry Co-Founder, Randy Hain's newest book, “Upon Reflection.” Listen in to learn how allowing time for reflection builds our ability to have better conversations with candor, give feedback (the right way), become protectors of our time and more.
Today on the Leadership Foundry Podcast, Ken Keen, Associate Dean of Leadership Development, Senior Lecturer at Emory University - Goizueta Business School and Retired Lieutenant General, highlights the importance of showing up. While this is a leadership fundamental, Ken explains what showing up truly means, why leaders often fail to do so and how we should adjust for the virtual workplace.
If you’re a new leader or recently promoted, you might be feeling like a rookie called up to the big leagues with all eyes on you. Mike Holtz, former relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, knows the feeling in more ways than one. Now President and General Manager at Genuine Parts Company, he joins the Leadership Foundry Podcast to explain the many parallels between leadership and baseball including preparation and mental discipline. Listen in: iTunes.TheLeadershipFoundryPodcast.com
Managing multiple teams can prove difficult. How can we bring so many viewpoints together in decision? Add in today’s hybrid workplace and the task may seem impossible even. But our podcast guest, Chris Pacer, Vice President Group Executive at Motion Industries, joins to share tips for discovering the passion among our teams, and how to align that passion with purpose, so you can lead at scale.
From his service in the United States Marine Corps to Partner at Sikich, Robert Sawyer is constantly retooling his leadership skills. He credits this with his ability to build resiliency and become a “reader of people.” What employee doesn’t want to be better understood? Listen in as Robert shares how we can all be more effective in our leadership.
“You can’t have curiosity without active listening.”
Co-Founders Randy Hain and Brandon Smith are back on the mics for a new episode of The Leadership Foundry Podcast!
From building your empathy muscle to becoming a better listener, tune in as they share five ways curiosity makes you a better leader.
“Skills in managing are transferrable if you trust yourself.”
We often hear discussions and tips for first-time leaders, but moving into the role of Chief Executive Officer for the first time is rarely talked about.
Today on The Leadership Foundry Podcast, we’re doing just that with Chad Costley, CEO at BlueWillow Biologics, Inc.
It's a challenge almost all leaders face at some point in their career: new responsibilities accompanied by a feeling of being cast away on an island with no help in sight. Today on the podcast, Cameron Richardson is here to help. As Senior Vice President Retail, Consumer Merchandise and Digital at Genuine Parts Company, Cameron understands the importance of operating at our best and tapping into the skills of our team to lead at a new level. In our discussion, he explains how regaining self-awareness helped him face (and overcome) new leadership challenges.
Between the Great Resignation and new hybrid work policies, many leaders we engage with are currently guiding their teams through a culture change. To help us on this journey, Dr. Robert Nobles, Vice President for Research Administration at Emory University, joins The Leadership Foundry Podcast to share how to author workplace culture in a way that promotes physiological safety, encourages talent retention and builds influence.
While it’s our most precious resource, many leaders treat time as if it’s unlimited. On this curated episode, we go straight to the source for tips on reclaiming calendars and mastering priorities: Leadership Foundry’s Randy Hain, Kasey Gartner with Northwestern Mutual and Penny Zenker, The Focusologist and Founder of SmartMoves. Our speakers force us to examine our meeting schedule and our task list to determine what we need to do and what we need to trust our teams to do.
Vivian Blade highlights the importance of partnership in resilience. That partnership begins with self, but then reaches out in the form of connection with others. During our conversation, Vivian walks leaders though each of the 5 P’s of Resilience, including how we build personal strength to then encourage our teams moving forward.
We're concluding our April focus on "Leading with Courage" this week with a curated episode on maximizing emotional intelligence. So far we’ve talked about the courage to lead, the courage to have difficult conversations–and this week we’re diving into the “Courage to Get Curious.”
Being curious is a first step in developing one’s emotional intelligence which we’ve seen in a myriad of research is an imperative trait of effective leaders. To help us on this journey, we’re revisiting two episodes featuring experts on this topic: Dr. Irvine Nugent and Mazi Robinson!
“Do you have the courage to lead?” Sounds like a simple question, but in a leader’s lifetime, there are many points of uncertainty. As a direct report, there are times when you must step up to fill the leadership gap when unforeseen changes happen and resources are limited. Dave McKeown joins the podcast to speak on shared goals and responsibilities, leading others through urgency, and crafting the headspace you need as a leader to think clearly and actively invest into others.
Are you looking to drive change within your organization? The "messy middle" can derail your plans. TED Speaker and Cross Impact Coaching Founder and CEO, Betsy Kauffman, joins The Leadership Foundry Podcast to explain and shares tips for finding the courage to have those much needed difficult conversations at work.
What motivated people to leave their jobs in droves this past year? Co-Founders Randy Hain and Brandon Smith sit down on The Leadership Foundry Podcast to discuss competing benefits, employee burnout and what leaders need to do to keep rockstar team members.
On this edition of the podcast, Leadership Foundry co-founders, Randy Hain and Brandon Smith share their story behind the foundation of The Leadership Foundry. Plus, they explain some of the common challenges they see leaders face in this time of uncertainty and predictions for the future of leadership.
As leaders, we're constantly making pitches. Whether we're talking with investors, asking for more resources or convincing a new customer to sign the dotted line. On this episode of the podcast, Sam Horn, Founder and CEO of The Intrigue Agency shares her tips for captivating your audience in just 60 seconds.
Whether we've been in a leadership role for 10 years or 10 minutes, we can still fall short and place our team at a disadvantage. On this week's podcast, Jim Wetrich, CEO of the Wetrich Group of Companies and author of "Stifled: Where Good Leaders Go Wrong" shares how we can limit those missteps by focusing on the development of our team first.
As a new leader, is your "holding on" holding back your direct reports? Speaker, executive coach and author, Mark Noon joins Brandon Smith on The Leadership Foundry Podcast to share four areas you need to develop as a leader. Hint: delegation is at the top of the list!
If your idea of "networking" involves cold LinkedIn messages or attending events where the key takeaway is a business card, today's episode with Kelly Hoey is for you. Kelly is author of Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Connections in a Hyper-Connected World and has been named “1 of 5 Women Changing the World of VC/Entrepreneurship” by Forbes, “1 of the 100 Most Influential Tech Women On Twitter” by Business Insider, "1 of the 10 Most Well-Connected People in New York City's Startup Scene" by Inc. Magazine and more. It's time to redefine "networking"!
We're continuing our focus on self-leadership and purpose this month with a curated episode from leaders Ken Keen, Associate Dean of Leadership Development at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, Ashley Freemen, Facilitator with Leadership Foundry and Darren Virassammy, Co-Founder of 34 Strong. Before we can lead others, we must first learn to lead ourselves. Today's guests share how they face crisis; plus, take a deep dive into understanding your personal leadership style and how to find your genius for maximum effectiveness.
In our inaugural episode of The Leadership Foundry Podcast, Brandon Smith is joined by Ed Frauenheim, Co-author of Reinventing Masculinity and Co-founder of The Teal Team, for a conversation on leading self. Brandon and Ed discuss the future of leadership, what young leaders are looking for in the workplace and why learning to lead self makes you a better leader for all.
What if you could collect the knowledge of top leaders from around the world and bottle it, making it available at your disposal whenever you face a hard day at work?
The team at Leadership Foundry is excited to launch our very own podcast with curated content from leaders who’ve “been there” - sharing their insight from how to handle unmotivated employees, to difficult conversations, the urgency epidemic and more.
Available January 10th!
At Leadership Foundry, we're launching a brand new podcast full of curated episodes for leaders! You'll learn how to: better delegate, communicate more effectively, manage time and prioritize tasks. Tune in January 10th for the first episode! Learn more about Leadership Foundry now at MyLeadershipFoundry.com.