Why Lead Others?: Recent Episodes
Ben Owden
"Everything rises and falls on leadership,"
-Dr. Maxwell
I have impactful conversations with leaders that have the potential to make you live a more fulfilling life and become a leader people delight in following. Join me every Wednesday to unleash the transformation of your life and leadership.
Host Ben Owden engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, a renowned pediatric leader and former WHO Chief Scientist. They explore the interconnected relationship between health and climate change and the role of transformative leadership in addressing these complex challenges.
The conversation explores the need for innovative thinking, diversity of thought, and collaboration to tackle these issues. Dr. Swaminathan shares insights from her career, stressing the importance of humility, empathy, and listening to affected communities in transformative leadership. She also addresses the challenges of misinformation and the necessity of public health communication.
Ben Owden speaks with Dr. Muthoni Ntonjira, Managing Director and Health Systems District Leader for Philips East Africa. They explore the transformative impact of AI on healthcare, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and equity. Dr. Ntonjira shares her journey from a medical officer to a leader in health tech, highlighting the importance of diverse data sets in AI development and the critical role of women in decision-making positions. She discusses overcoming imposter syndrome, the significance of mentorship, and the necessity of male allyship to foster a supportive environment for women in tech.
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Ben Owden talks with Amie Batson, President of Women Lift Health, and with Dr. Samu Dube, the Executive Director of FP2030.
Amie challenges the assumption that experience or qualifications automatically lead to effective leadership. She emphasizes the need for intentional and inclusive leadership styles that embrace diversity. Sharing real-world examples, Amie highlights how diverse perspectives can drive better decision-making and innovation.
Dr. Dube shares her insights on the intrinsic potential within everyone to be extraordinary, highlighting the importance of intentionality and continuous improvement. She recounts her personal journey, drawing inspiration from her grandmother and stressing the significance of being uncomfortable with comfort to drive progress.
The discussion explores the systemic issues of diversity and inclusion, with Dr. Dube underscoring the necessity of building agency among women leaders and creating supportive environments. She also addresses the superficiality of tokenism in diversity efforts and advocates for meaningful inclusion through policy changes and quotas.
Host Ben Owden engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Michael Charles and Dr. Githinji Gitahi. They discuss the importance of social justice and equality as fundamental human rights. Dr. Gitahi highlights the need for awareness of male privilege and the importance of allyship in creating a level playing field for women. He calls for urgent policy changes to remove barriers and promote equity, advocating for a holistic approach to leadership that values empathy and inclusivity. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Charles, who has spearheaded initiatives to eradicate malaria and fostered significant partnerships at the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, shares insights on integrating systemic thinking into leadership. He stresses the importance of having a clear sense of purpose and the necessity of breaking social norms to pave the way for women and youth in leadership roles.
WhyLead's Web: https://www.whyleadothers.com/
Ben Owden sits down with Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, who has a rich background in UNICEF and humanitarian response, and Amie Batson, President of Women Lift Health, to explore the evolving nature of leadership and share insights on the universal aspects of leadership—empathy, respect, and a commitment to impactful change. The discussion also covers creating inclusive environments that encourage open dialogue and respect for various viewpoints, essential for navigating complex issues like public health crises. Amie challenges the assumption that experience or qualifications automatically lead to effective leadership. She emphasizes the need for intentional and inclusive leadership styles that embrace diversity. Sharing real-world examples, Amie highlights how diverse perspectives can drive better decision-making and innovation.
WhyLead's Web: https://www.whyleadothers.com/
Ben Owden explores the challenges women face in gaining visibility and leadership roles with guests Rachel Ombaka and Liz Ntonjira of WomenLift Health. The discussion transitions to overcoming these barriers through continuous learning, authenticity, and mentorship, highlighting strategies for "doing it afraid" and building confidence. The guests share personal stories and advocate for increased representation of women in healthcare and media, underscoring the need for supportive networks and inclusive leadership.
WhyLead's Web: https://www.whyleadothers.com/
WhyLead's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/whyleadconsultancy/?viewAsMember=true
WhyLead's Twitter: https://twitter.com/whyleadothers
Ben Owden's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benowden/
Ben Owden's Twitter: https://twitter.com/godsrafiki
Dive into a journey of transformation with Barbara Oakley, from struggling with basic math to becoming a renowned engineering professor, and discover the secrets to mastering any skill. This episode isn't just a story; it's a blueprint for turning your biggest challenges into your greatest strengths. Barbara shares groundbreaking insights on the neuroscience of learning, the power of habits, and the crucial role of sleep in mastering new skills. Whether you're looking to overhaul your learning strategy, enhance your leadership skills, or simply find more meaning in your daily tasks, Barbara's insights will guide you to a more enlightened path. Don't miss the chance to unlock the genius within you. Tune in and transform the way you think, learn, and lead.
Barbara Oakley's Website: https://barbaraoakley.com/
Barbara Oakley's Books: https://shorturl.at/amEUZ
Barbara's Coursera Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn
Join host Ben Owden on a transformative journey through the art of conversation with communication scientist, educator, and author Haesun Moon. In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the healing power of dialogue and discover how intentional communication can lead to profound changes in our personal and professional lives. Haesun shares her insights on the significance of celebrating progress, the importance of listening over speaking, and the transformative potential of adopting a 'suppose, not impose' approach to our interactions.
Through personal stories and professional experiences, Haesun illuminates the path to curating curative narratives that empower and uplift. Prepare to be inspired by the life-changing impact of words well-spoken and learn how to wield the power of conversation to heal, motivate, and connect deeply with those around you.
Morra, with her rich background in leadership and mental health advocacy, shares groundbreaking insights into how we can reframe our relationship with anxiety. From the gripping tales of leaders who've harnessed their inner turmoil to achieve greatness, to practical advice on managing the day-to-day challenges of anxiety, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone looking to find peace in the chaos.
Discover why anxiety doesn't have to be the villain in your story, how vulnerability can be a powerful tool in leadership, and why embracing your anxious tendencies might just be the secret to unlocking your potential. Whether you're a high-flying CEO or just starting your journey, Morra's candid sharing and actionable strategies will inspire you to view your anxiety through a new lens.
Morra's Website: https://morraam.com/
The Anxious Achiever Book: https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Achiever-Biggest-Leadership-Superpower/dp/164782253X
The Anxious Achiever Podcast: https://morraam.com/podcast
Ben Owden engages with Paul Loomans to explore the intersection of calmness and productivity. Loomans offers profound insights into the detrimental effects of sustained stress and the importance of embracing calmness in everyday life. They discuss strategies for managing interruptions, focusing on one task at a time, and transforming limiting beliefs that hinder productivity. Through anecdotes and practical advice, they highlight the power of acceptance and self-awareness in achieving optimal performance and well-being. This episode serves as a guiding beacon for those seeking to navigate the complexities of modern life with clarity, purpose, and tranquility.
Paul Lomans's Book: https://www.timesurfing.uk/
Paul Looman's Website: https://www.destressontknoping.nl/
To book Ben to train your leadership team, please email yoda@whyleadothers.com
Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benowden/
Ben Owden engages in a profound conversation with Oliver Burkeman, the insightful author of the New York Times bestselling book, Four Thousand Weeks. A book Adam Grant called, the most important time management book of all time.
The discussion delves into the societal glorification of busyness, exploring the ironic guilt associated with idleness. Oliver addresses the discomfort of slowing down and the necessity of embracing the poignancy of life's trade-offs. The conversation extends to the joy of missing out (JoMo) and the empowering act of closing doors to focus on what truly matters. Oliver shares wisdom from his book, drawing from diverse perspectives, including Aristotle and modern productivity insights. The episode concludes with reflections on cultivating habits that prioritize intuition over obligation and the enduring value of empathy in navigating the human experience.
Oliver's Book - Four Thousand Weeks: https://a.co/d/c87rWyl
Oliver's Email Newsletter Subscription: www.oliverburkeman.com
Oliver's Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliverburkeman
Ben Owden's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benowden/
To book Ben to train your teams: yoda@whyleadothers.com
In this insightful conversation, Ben and David Allen, one of the world’s most influential thinkers on productivity, explore the principles of productivity, life philosophy, and the essence of "Getting Things Done." As the creator of the GTD methodology, David shares wisdom gained from a lifetime of experiences, discussing the importance of control and focus, the value of patience, and the role of intuition in decision-making. The conversation delves into the application of martial arts principles, the concept of antifragility, and the transformative power of acceptance.
David's bestselling book, the groundbreaking “Getting Things Done” and its methods, commonly known as “GTD,” spawned a movement with millions of practitioners and fans around the world. His methods of staying relaxed and focused in our fast-paced world are now being spread by certified trainers and coaches in more than ninety countries.
Getting Things Done (The Book)
https://shorturl.at/cqsyL
David Allen's Resources
https://gettingthingsdone.com/
This episode features personal finance coaches, Sam Ndandala, Anna Mwasha, and Chris Rwechungura. We delve into a discussion on the Psychology of Money book by Morgan Housel.
To get Ben to train your teams, email us at yoda@whyleadothers.com or go to our website https://whyleadothers.com/
In this episode, dive deep into the profound insights shared by leadership expert Janet Harvey. Discover the transformative power of judgment and how it catalyzes personal and leadership growth. Janet highlights the importance of courage and curiosity, turning judgment from a stumbling block into a stepping stone. Get ready to redefine your relationship with judgment and unlock the doors to your truest self.
How to Connect with Janet Harvey
- Janet's Book "From Tension to Transformation" - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1642259187/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk
- Janet's First Book - https://www.amazon.com/Invite-Change-Lessons-2020-Return/dp/B08PX7DCL1
- Janet's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetharvey/
- Invite Change website - https://www.invitechange.com/
- inviteCHANGE Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/invCHANGE
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/invite_change/
How to Connect with Ben Owden
- Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benowden/
- WhyLead's Website: https://whyleadothers.com/
Dive into the future of leadership with renowned researcher Dr. Brian R. Spisak as he explores the transformative realm of Computational Leadership. With insights from industry giants at IBM, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, and more, discover how simulations, AI, and network analysis revolutionize leadership practices. Uncover concrete strategies for enhancing remote collaboration, evidence-based techniques for fostering diversity and inclusion, and ways to fortify supply chains through cutting-edge technologies. Whether you're a manager, executive, or business leader, this episode unveils a holistic framework for leveraging modern technologies in the timeless art of leadership, challenging conventional wisdom and guiding you toward a post-digital future.
Brian's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Computational-Leadership-Connecting-Behavioral-Decision-Making/dp/1119984041/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31HLDQ4PF5FS7&keywords=brian%20spisak&qid=1676298122&sprefix=brian%20spisak%2Caps%2C244&sr=8-1
Brian's Website: https://brianspisak.com/
You will discover the power of self-accountability, learning to greet yourself with humility and make amends when your actions misalign with your values. Alexsys guides us through a decade-by-decade relationship inventory, emphasizing the importance of compassion and forgiveness. The conversation delves into heart-centered leadership, challenging binary thinking in the corporate world, and cultivating curiosity for personal growth. Alexsys unveils practical steps to strengthen intuition and introduces the six tenets of graceful leadership, with a focus on transparency as the foundational key.
Alexsys Book: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Graceful-Leader-Alexsys-Thompson-ebook/dp/B08SJ4GSRV/
Alexsys LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsysthompson/
Welcome to a thought-provoking conversation that delves into the heart of transformational leadership in Africa. Join Prof. Kitila Mkumbo and me, Ben Owden as I sit down with the author, Dr. Lucy S. Newman, to unravel the intricate layers of her book, "African Leaders’ Tête À Tête: Navigating Entity Design And Prioritization For Systemic Outcomes."
In this enlightening dialogue, Dr. Newman opens the door to a new era of leadership on the African continent. With a focus on practicality and timeliness, her book is a compass guiding leaders toward tangible contributions to Africa’s emerging transformation. The video sheds light on the core concepts that set this book apart from the rest in the leadership genre.
Dr. Lucy's Book: https://www.amazon.com/African-Leaders-T%C3%AAte-Navigating-Prioritization/dp/1946530352
Dr. Lucy's Website: https://drlsnewman.com/
Join the conversation as Matthias Sutter, renowned economist and author, reveals the surprising intricacies of leadership and human behavior. Unraveling the mysteries behind successful teams, he delves into the power of charisma, the impact of imitating others, and the vital role of a leader's social image. From the surprising habits of Mozart to the critical distinction between managers and leaders, Matthias shares insights that challenge conventional thinking on work ethics, corporate culture, and decision-making. If you're a leader navigating growth or aspiring to the top, this episode exposes the hidden dynamics that can reshape your approach to leadership and propel your team to new heights.
Matthias's book: https://www.amazon.com/Behavioral-Economics-Leaders-Research-Based-Irrational/dp/1119982979
Matthias's Website: https://www.coll.mpg.de/matthias-sutter.html
Matthias's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-sutter-6b6a83230/?originalSubdomain=at
Matthias's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattsutter_mpi?lang=en
Unveil the secrets to a more peaceful and purposeful life with Jeremie Kubichek on the latest episode! Discover how to quantify and manage your peace using the groundbreaking Peace Index. Dive deep into the journey of finding your unique purpose, breaking free from external expectations. Learn the art of balance for increased influence, explore communication mastery to prevent breakdowns, and unlock meaningful relationships one conversation at a time.
Jeremie Kubicek along with co-author Steve Cockram have done it again. They have written a practical leadership book packed with a proven method for unlocking relationships and helping teams and organizations grow. Below is the link to the book, Communication Code.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Communication-Code-Strategies-Stronger-Relationships/dp/1394150539
Jeremie's Website
https://www.jeremiekubicek.com/
Jeremie's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiekubicek/
Jeremie's Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JeremieKubicek
In this episode, Ben sits down with Ms. Christine Musisi, a leader with over 23 years of experience in the development field. Discover the power of love and integrity in leadership, and the importance of saying no for personal growth. Gain wisdom on family-work balance and the pivotal role of self-affirmation. Christine's story is a beacon of inspiration, urging us to find purpose, volunteer, and navigate our unique paths to success. She shares insights on leadership and the importance of followership. Tune in to gain inspiration and learn about the principles that have guided Ms. Musisi's successful career in sustainable development.
Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar is an internationally renowned teacher, and author in the fields of happiness and leadership. In this episode, he discusses the misconceptions around happiness, particularly the belief that material success leads to happiness. Tal argues that money is a means to an end, not an end in itself and that pursuing it as such can lead to disappointment and unhappiness. Instead, he suggests that the ultimate currency, by which we should measure our lives, is happiness. He emphasizes that happiness is not just about feeling good in the moment, but also about having a sense of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in all aspects of life. Tal also introduces his Spire model of happiness, which consists of spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional well-being. He explains that financial well-being is a derivative of the primary attributes of well-being and should not be the central focus of our lives. To become happier, Tal suggests focusing on cultivating the primary attributes of well-being, which will ultimately lead to a more fulfilling life. This includes finding meaning and purpose in our work and relationships, as well as taking care of our physical and emotional health. In conclusion, Tal encourages listeners to shift their focus from material success to happiness in all aspects of their lives.
https://www.happinessstudies.academy/
https://talbenshahar.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-ben-shahar/?trk=public_post-text
The guest speaker, Dr. JJ Peterson, shares his expertise in branding and marketing and highlights how leaders can use storytelling to build trust, foster effective team building, and get buy-in from their teams. He emphasizes that storytelling is a critical skill that leaders in the 21st century need to develop if they want to achieve long-term success.
Dr. Peterson discusses the four main characters in a story - hero, villain, victim, and guide - and how they relate to our lives. He explains that everyone wants to be the hero of their own life, and as leaders, we need to position ourselves as guides to help others achieve their goals. To do this, we need to understand what the hero wants and identify the problems that are getting in the way of them achieving their goals. By offering empathy and authority, we can position ourselves as the guide and help others win.
The discussion also touches on the importance of giving meaning and context to everything we do, as this helps people connect with our message and gives them a sense of purpose. The guest speaker also talks about how to use digital media to tell stories ethically and encourages listeners to become heroes in their own lives and guides for others.
Overall, this podcast episode provides valuable insights into the power of storytelling in leadership and business and offers practical tips for leaders to position themselves as guides and help others achieve their goals. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the wants and needs of others and using empathy and authority to build trust and foster effective communication.
Links to connect with Storybrand
Storybrand: https://storybrand.com/
Dr. Peterson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-j-peterson-1b4011a2/
I’d like to share a leadership conversation I had with an Amb. Ombeni Sefue. It covers various topics such as reading, change management, and growth mindset. Our guest served as Chief Secretary to the President of Tanzania and excelled as a diplomat. He also worked closely with two presidents and currently serves as the board chair for Uongozi Leadership Institute.
To watch the video. click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X3bexNzn_I&t=10s
To get Ben to train your teams and staff, email us at talktome@whyleadothers.com or go to our website https://whyleadothers.com/
To follow Ben Owden click the links below
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benowden/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/godsrafiki
In today's episode, we're exploring how to build clusters without falling into the pitfalls of cluster imitation. We explore how to build sustainable innovation systems and many more ideas. I am joined by Dr. Nkundwe Moses Mwasaga, a leader passionate about high-performance computing (HPC), in both micro and quantum capacity. He is currently the Director General of the ICT Commission, an organization that promotes and fosters investment and development of the ICT industry, collaborates with other stakeholders on ICT research and foresight on ICT trends, and builds the capacity of ICT Professionals in Tanzania.
In today’s episode, we will be diving into the individual mind, the collective mind of an organization, and how meaning drives our behavior and determines outcomes in all aspects of life.
To have this conversation, I am joined by Joe Caruso, an in-demand keynote speaker worldwide, a syndicated columnist, and a sought-after business advisor, who brings his lifetime of expertise to help organizations and leaders change the way they see themselves — and in turn, the way they think about markets, products, and services. His efforts culminated in a best-selling book and a PBS special, both called The Power of Losing Control. In it, he encourages readers to “remember that the only control you really have is over yourself,” and provides techniques and strategies to stop wasting valuable time and energy on what we can’t control. He also produced an audiobook, The Power of Losing Control. He advises CEOs, military leaders, and leadership teams on the essence of change for success, ultimately driving success for his clients.
In this episode, we explore many ideas. We dive deep into outcome independence and how one can develop the ability to focus on what one can control. We went on to discuss mimetic desire, a phenomenon that holds together and dictates the majority of our behavior, knowingly and unknowingly. We discussed how one can use mimetic desire to their advantage, and how when used well it can lead to originality and innovation. We went on to speak about conformity vs deviation. Asking questions such as; How do you personally tell apart the truth from a meta-truth? And what does the alignment between a truth and a meta-truth look like?
We discuss how one develops broad interdisciplinary thinking and a collection of meta-truths and truths for effective synthesis. The value of opaque heuristics (including creating one's own heuristics) to simplify life. We speak about the importance of being broad (range). We touched on signaling as well, and how can we signal authenticity, and escape the trap of projecting the appearance of virtue and actually develop the virtue.
We hope you enjoy listening to this episode, as much as we enjoyed having it.
In today's episode, we are discussing a form of empowering delegation and how to build effective teams that will challenge you as a leader to keep growing. I am joined by Kwasi Frimpong the Head of Corporate Banking and Global Subsidiaries at Citi Bank, who is well-versed in Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, and Business Management. He has over 12 years of leadership experience and has worked in four continents: North America, South America, and Asia.
In this episode, we talk about; how to become happier, how to show empathy, and avoid toxic positivity. The utility of being a person who suffers from mental health. And how we need to rethink our approach to pursuing happiness and develop a judgment-free approach to difficult conversations.
To have this conversation I am joined by a licensed Counseling Psychologist. She specializes in helping people get unstuck and move forward with clarity and energy. I provide a safe space for you to explore what you want different in your life, identify what is already there and find a path to you realizing it, one question at a time. Her name is Amaechi Nduka-Agwu
Book a Session: https://linktr.ee/amaechiwholeheartedpsych
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholeheartedpsych/
Website: https://wholeheartedly.me
We cannot solve today’s problems with the leadership that got us here. Based upon science, We the Leader presents a seismic shift in leadership theory and practice evolution. Through the distinctive practice of a curious conviction We, the Leader actualizes an organic diversity, equity, and inclusion operating system that accelerates next-level innovation, wise decisions, and in-sync execution. I am joined by Jeff Spahn, a consultant whose organization Leading Leaders Inc., for nearly 20 years has engineered an organic diversity, equity, and inclusion operating system called We The Leader.
Below is the link to his book
https://wetheleader.com/
We live in a world of rising uncertainty. We live in a world where there’s an abundance of information that is impossible to sort through, add to that the fact that many leaders, including you dear listener, are griding, hustling, going 200KM per hour, simply put, there is a lot to do, and very little time to do it, so many of us don’t have time to sort through information, to analyze what is presented to us. What do we do? We outsource our thinking to gurus and experts. We turn to them for solutions, advice, for counsel. This practice of outsourcing our thinking has weakened our ability to think for ourselves, and in this complex world, a leader must be able to think for themselves. And so in today’s podcast, we will explore the perils of outsourcing your thinking and breaking down how we can reclaim our power and develop an ability to think for ourselves.
I am joined by Vikram Mansharamani, the author of the recently-released THINK FOR YOURSELF: Restoring Common Sense in an Age of Experts and Artificial Intelligence and BOOMBUSTOLOGY: Spotting Financial Bubbles Before They Burst.
Here is a link to his work
http://www.mansharamani.com
What If I was to tell you there is a sure way of transforming and changing your organization from where it is to a place where it is more innovative, more adaptive, and more equipped and empowered to solve the increasingly complex problems your organization is facing.
In today’s episode, we’re exploring the power of language and words in leadership. Its power to change your world and take your organization to the next level.
I am joined by David Marquet. He has authored the bestselling book, Turn the Ship Around! And Leadership is Language. His leadership practices were so impactful that Stephen R. Covey in his book The 8th Habit said [of David's led organization], “It was the most empowering organization he’d ever seen”
See links below to get intouch with David:
www.intentbasedleadership.com
www.davidmarquet.com
The majority of initiatives that start off fail eventually. This is true of personal initiatives, as it is true of national initiatives. Sustainability seems to be a challenge for most people and organizations. Sustaining, maintaining, and doing so consistently is not easy. These are some of the things we will discuss in today’s episode.
Today's guest is Ms. Emma Oriyo, a corporate Affairs, Community Investment (CI) professional with a wealth of experience spanning 20 years working with leading FMCGs, telecom, and consulting organizations. Her focus is on communications, mobilization of sustainable investments, and partnerships for development projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Here are links to connect with Emma
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaoriyo/
https://sustainabilitypractice.co.tz/
In this episode, we're doing a leadership review based on the film, Dead Poets Society. We're looking at the power of Organization Culture, and how one can muster the courage to be a disruptor of culture.
Links:
TransAID
https://www.transaid.org/
CEO's who cut their salaries during COVID
https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/business/ceos-taking-pay-cuts-companies-survive-coronavirus/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2020/03/30/ceos-are-cutting-their-own-salaries-in-response-to-the-coronavirus/?sh=f243f7f3e913
Sauti Stream
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWSuiRsHrREmbo28baIEK3Q/videos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sautistream/
Imagine that tomorrow morning, some high-priced workplace consultant shows up at your job. This consultant is there to conduct a talent review: an assessment of all the people in your organization, including you. Who is indispensable in your org? Who is absolutely essential to the success of your organization? Who is notably dispensable? Who is easily replaced? And Who are all the people in between? “What would this expert say about you?”
I am joined by Bruce Tulgan, a bestselling author and the founder and CEO of RainmakerThinking, a management research, and training firm. He is the author of numerous books, including It’s Okay to Be the Boss; Not Everyone Gets a Trophy; and The 27 Challenges Managers Face. His newest book, The Art of Being Indispensable at Work. Below are links to his work and social profiles.
Rainmaker's Website: https://rainmakerthinking.com/
Bruce's books: https://www.amazon.com/Bruce-Tulgan/e/B000APFPZ0/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
Bruce's Forbes Column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucetulgan/?sh=573c9db6a099
Bruce's Twitter: https://twitter.com/BruceTulgan
Bruce's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucetulganrmt/
How can leaders create a space of psychological safety so that people are comfortable enough to actually communicate if they believe they’re incompetent to carry out a delegated task? I am joined by Murtaza Versi to discuss the art of delegating to empower.
Below are links to resources by Murtaza Versi
To listen to a continuation of our Conversation Click the link below
https://murtazaversi.co.tz/delegating-to-empower-a-discussion-pt-ii-54/
Engage Relate Perform Podcast
https://murtazaversi.co.tz/pod/
Murtaza's Website
https://murtazaversi.co.tz/
Murtaza's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/murtazagversi/
Many of us are familiar with the phrase, Business as Usual. It’s a phrase that has survived many decades, but I am here to announce to you that the era of business as usual is gone, we’re now living in the age of Business Unusual. We live in a world of uncertainty, disruption, and black swan events, and so to thrive the people we lead and our demand more than business as usual, they demand that we lead in an unusual way.
Today’s conversation will open your eyes to the tools that will help you build a resilient business - one that is built on trust, an engaged and fulfilled workforce, and the brand values that can empower you to craft resonant communications and relationships. I am joined by Nathalie Nahai, author of Business Unusual.
Check out the resources below from Nathalie Nahai
Resources:
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Book: Business Unusual: Values, Uncertainty and the Psychology of Brand Resilience
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Book: Webs Of Influence: The Psychology of Online Persuasion
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Podcast: The Hive Podcast
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Tool: TheValuesMap.com
Social media handles:
- Twitter @nathalienahai
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalienahai/
- Instagram @behind.the.hive
Being a business leader has become more challenging today. Challenges such as having multiple generations in the workplace, cultivating diversity yet building a cohesive culture everyone can own, black swan events like COVID disrupting how we work and how we view work. How do you play the long game in such an ever-changing, and increasingly complex business environment?
Have you ever found yourself in a place where you are dissatisfied with how things are and you believe you have ideas on how to make things better but didn’t know how? Or maybe you knew how but you were not successful? Are you a leader who wants to create a space where the status quo is never permanent but ever-changing because your team and organization are creative, innovative, and always pushing the envelope? If these questions resonate with you, well, this is the right episode for you. We will be exploring all of that and more. Carmen Medina shows us how we can be productive rebels at work.
Carmen Medina's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Rebels-Work-Handbook-Leading-Change-dp-1491903953/dp/1491903953/ref=mt_other?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=
Rebel at Work Website: https://www.rebelsatwork.com/
Carmen Medina's Twitter: https://twitter.com/milouness?lang=en
Carmen Medina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenamedina/
In this episode, we are talking about what separates the greats from the mediocre. The top from the bottom, the certified winners from the one-hit wonders, the tested and proven from the exceptions. This is a quality the likes of Drake, Apple, Diamond Platnumz, Cocacola, Ford, Mercedez, T.D Jakes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi all have. CONSISTENCY. Today we are talking about consistency, and more importantly, how to cultivate this virtue in yourself.
The work of leadership will require you to dig deep within yourself and stretch yourself in significant ways. And the best place to start your growth journey is learning what you didn't know before. But unfortunately, many stop here, and a few practice what they know, and even fewer people become what they know and practice.
In today's episode, we're exploring how to close the knowing-doing-becoming gap and much more. I am joined by Dr. Patricia Murugami of Rise, a leadership academy based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Warren Buffett said this about Shoe Dog, "The best book I read last year was Shoe Dog, by Nike's Phil Knight. Phil is a very wise, intelligent, and competitive fellow who is also a gifted storyteller" In this episode, we're reviewing some key leadership ideas from one of the best leadership books in the past 10 years.
Leadership has become more complex in the 21st century than it has ever been. The world is connected, which means it’s no longer just global leaders who are dealing with multi-cultural teams. Technology is evolving at a faster rate than we’ve ever seen, which means what you’re building today might not have any utility tomorrow. Diversity has grown from male-female to leftist-rightist-LGBTQIA… Therefore to lead, one needs the right combination of skills. To lead on the global stage, one needs to have infinity skills.
Failure is one of the things that fascinate me (Ben Owden) personally. Part of the fascination is the inevitability of failure, none of us seem to escape it. Part of the fascination is due to the enormous number of successful people crediting failure as one of their reasons for success. Part of the fascination is due to the enormous number of people who have quit their different conquests crediting failure as one of the main reasons for quitting. It seems to me, there are people who have learned to fail in a more progressive way that leads them closer to their goals. And there are others who simply fail catastrophically enough to not try again.
Some of us have heard of phrases like, “You become who you’re surrounded with” “You’re the average of five people you spend the most time with” All this amalgamates to one big idea that, your network will determine your net worth, be it financially, career-wise, personal growth, and so forth. Who you’re connected to will either add speed to your progress or slow you down. And this idea is even more relevant in leadership, as a leader you need to make sure that your net worth in all areas of your leadership is high, this way you have more to work with. And so to explore this idea Your Network Will Determine Your Net Worth.
Today we will be looking at the role leadership plays in building a successful start-up. Startup success is a result of a number of factors; Idea - Team - Timing - Biz Model - Funding. But these factors are not equally important. In our Tanzanian context, which factor should be the most important?
There are many leadership philosophies out there. But the one style that seems to work in every context is servant leadership. Whether you work are leading a public organization, a non-profit or you answer to shareholders in a for-profit organization.
We must first change how we look at the world, in order to have a real chance of successfully changing the world.
How do we effectively lead through major changes in our companies, changes in leadership, changes in operational philosophies, changes in vision, changes brought about by mergers, and acquisitions, changes brought by major rebranding, changes in company culture, and even the transformation of products and services?
When organizations are confronted with a lack of diversity, be it gender diversity or racial diversity or generational diversity-mindset/idea diversity you know the young vs older ratio. When this happens, some organizations tend to respond or need I say, react to the issue by opening the door for a token person, by offering a seat at the table to a token person. You know, that one woman in the C-suite, that one young person in a position of leadership, that one minority leader-racially speaking in the directorate. Tokenism is the practice of making only a symbolic effort to be inclusive to members of minority groups, in order to give the appearance of equality within a workforce. Today we will be exploring the perils of tokenism and how it is ultimately bad for business.
Many organizations across the world were forced to adapt and pivot in the last 15 months. And some organizations died because of their failure to pivot and adapt. The ability to adapt and pivot is critical in the survival of an organization. Max McKeown says, “All failure is a failure to adapt, all success is successful adaptation.” So it is in all of our best interest as leaders to learn how to adapt and how to build a culture of pivoting and build adaptable organizations.
Being ALL IN means being fully committed to something, dedicating cognitive, social, and material resources sacrificially and consistently towards an idea, a business, or a cause you’re building. Some of the people who have been associated with this mindset include Nelson Mandela, Apostle Paul of Tarsus, Mother Teresa, Malala, Miriam Makeba, Steve Jobs, Dr. Victoria Kisyombe, Robert Sobukwe, Elon Musk, Joyce Singano just to name a few.
“We need to resist the tyranny of low expectations. We need to open our eyes to the inequality that remains. We won’t unlock the full potential of the workplace [And I add to that society] until we see how far from equality we really are.” — Sheryl Sandberg
Many of the duties of a leader require her or him to be a good storyteller and salesperson. In essence, a leader is always trying to sell something. Whether it is trying to get everyone to buy into their vision, trying to get everyone to buy into a change the organization is executing, trying to get buy-in on an initiative from key stakeholders, trying to inspire and motivate their teams, trying to get their people to give their utmost effort. A leader is always trying to sell something and get buy-in from their teams. Leadership to a large degree is about salesmanship.
Innovation is a process of creating new sources of value. Innovation is not a product, it is a culture. It is not a destination, it is a process. So how do we build this culture of innovation within our teams and organizations, especially in our Tanzanian and African context? To have this conversation I am joined by Firas Ahmad
If decision making is the cradle of leadership, then change is the sustenance of leadership. Change is what keeps us moving forward into new frontiers. Words like innovation, trailblazing wouldn’t exist without change. Change is the new normal for leadership success. But change doesn’t just happen, someone has to initiate it.
One of the common problems facing organizations, teams, and leaders today is a lack of clarity. Clarity of vision, clarity of strategy, clarity of goals, clarity of purpose, clarity of plan. If at any given time you ask your team the following questions and they don’t have answers, you have a clarity problem. The questions are; Why do we exist as an organization? Who do we serve? What’s our goal? What’s our strategy for achieving that goal? What’s our step-by-step plan? As a member of this team, what’s your exact role to play? Which steps of the plan are you responsible for? Which decisions do you have the authority to make? And, perhaps most importantly and most overlooked, why are we trying to achieve this goal in the first place? And on and on and on. Clarity is a critical component of success.
I believe that one of the cradles of leadership is decision making. Our ability as leaders to make decisions will determine the quality and the course of our leadership. I think the year 2020 has been a wonderful illustration of this. We have judged, we have labeled, we have categorized many worlds, corporate and religious leaders because of their decision making. Now since decision making is one of the cradles of leadership, It is in all our best interests to elevate our ability to make decisions that move us, our people, and the organizations we’re leading to the agreed-upon destination. Now, good decision making is not easy. And one element of decision making that was given a lot of attention by intellectual observers in the year 2020 is BASIS FOR DECISION MAKING. What are you basing your decisions on? Are you basing them on your own intuition or you basing them on actual data? And this led me to ask probing questions, can intuition and data collaborate to make better decisions? Does every decision need to be based on data? Are you supposed to abandon intuition altogether? When are supposed to lean on data and when are supposed to lean on our intuition in making decisions?
Having integrity is one thing. Keeping it is something else. Keeping it at all costs is almost unheard of. In this episode, we look at the life of a leader who kept his integrity at all costs.
Our word for the year within the why lead community is Consistency. This is the year of doing what you do consistently, it's the year of solving problems consistently. It's the year of getting things done consistently. It's the year of loving consistently. It's the year of building up people consistently. It's the year of operating with integrity consistently. It's the year of innovating consistently. It's the year of learning consistently and it's the year of leading consistently. And since this is the year of consistency. We would like to begin the year by asking the question, how do we achieve our most important goals?
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. A special thank you to my producer Isaac McDonald from Eternal Entertainment.
In a world where servant leadership is on the up and up. In a world where books like Leaders Eat Last and Put People First can be bestsellers. Hopper stands up and says, as a leader you need to operate with the mindset of "Me First" or as he says it in Swahili, "Mimi Kwanza" This ideology seems destructive on the surface, but once you understand it, it can change your whole life.
Anna Bwana shares her leadership journey and the different elements that contribute to her success. She talks about privilege, luck, failure, mentors, hard work, and assertion. If you're interested in becoming a better leader. Listen to the end.
In leading change and in building diverse teams, you will be challenged to think and operate outside the box. In this episode, we are laying out a blueprint as per Tribal Leadership and Remember the Titans. And the big question we are asking is, How do you transform a dysfunctional team that seeks the elevation of self at the expense of others and entity, to a functional team that is selfless that lives for the elevation of others and entity?
Decision making is one of, if not the cradle of leadership. Some people say vision. But vision without making a decision to pursue it is vapor-nothing-useless. From the dawn of time, humans reigned on earth because of the strength and maturation of their ability to decide. The strength and maturation of this ability was and still is far more developed than that of any other species in discovered living things. In this episode we’re asking the question, what do you do as a leader when what has worked in the past does not work anymore? The truth is many of us have had to deal with this reality in this one of a kind year we’ve had. And so to have this conversation I am joined by Fausta Musokwa, who is the Interim Executive Director of Tanzania Media Foundation.
Disclaimer: We recorded this episode in a busy coffee shop. So please bear with the background noise and the occasional coffee grinder.
Today we will be looking for connections between financial stress and workplace productivity. We will also look at the role of leaders/organizations in eliminating this stress, or better phrased, “Knowing that financial stress stifles creativity, productivity, and innovation, should leaders try to step in and help their teams eliminate this stress? If yes then how? If not, what is the cost?” And beyond this, what responsibility does the individual have towards making sure they operate with less of this stress so they can be highly productive and innovative.
Stories, and especially films are a great platform to rehearse life without the consequences of real life. Films help us rehearse positive reactions to failure. Films help us rehearse resilience. Films help us rehearse empathy. Films help us rehearse courage. And when we have to deal with similar situations in real life, we've been given the upper hand. This same applies to leadership. We can rehearse leadership through prolific leaders depicted in some of the most iconic films. To experiment with this idea, we're breaking down leadership practices from the film Saving Private Ryan.
People like to bring up the fact that Oprah, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and many other hyper-successful leaders never graduated from University. As if that decision was the X-factor to their success. This argument that has completely undermined the role of formal training in the development of leaders has taken deeper roots with Millenials, but hopefully, not for long...
The demands of leadership will eat up most of your time. And if a leader is not careful, these demands might eat up their whole life. That's why balance is important. Healthy home life will feed into your work life, and a healthy work-life will feed into your home life. But tragically, not all are afforded this much-needed opportunity. Because as I've come to learn, to African women, it's not a struggle of work-life balance, it is a struggle of work-work balance.
Chris says, "Not every 30 years old has leadership potential, but every newborn baby has leadership potential." He goes on to say, "Leadership is not for everyone" But if it for you. You need to listen to this episode.
Just do it has grown from a Nike marketing slogan to a motivation mantra used by many influencers to encourage others to be and do what they dream of becoming and doing. While Nike comes off as Yoda when they tell you to, “Just do it.” The phrase does not provide any context, yet somehow “exudes” age-long “wisdom”. As a result, it has been exploited and misused by many. But hopefully, for some of you, that ends today, because I have different advice for you.
“When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion" (Dale Carnegie) And nothing stirs emotions like stories. The epitome of influence is found in accessing emotions in others. All this to say, as a leader, it is in your best interest to learn how to be a proficient storyteller.
When we think of leaders, we rarely think of teachers, let alone preschool teachers. Yet they are one of the earliest models of leadership our children are exposed to. So, in this episode, I am joined by Dr. Edith Bwana to talk about her leadership journey as she leads a preschool.
Why is it so easy for us to sacrifice the growth and development of our teams when our organizations are struggling? What are we risking by sacrifice this growth?
As leaders, we've all wondered..."What is the best leadership style?" Some have gone further and asked. "What is the best leadership style that is aligned with my personality and values?" Today is your lucky day. Because I have stumbled upon something that will help you answer both questions.
"Everything rises and falls on leadership,"
-Dr. Maxwell
I have impactful conversations with leaders that have the potential to make you live a more fulfilling life and become a leader people delight in following. Join me every Wednesday to unleash the transformation of your life and leadership.