The Enlightened Executive: Recent Episodes

Susan Drumm, leadership development

Subscribe now.

Where your personal evolution sparks your leadership (r)evolution. http://EnlightenedExec.com/

Now, more than ever, CEOs, senior executives, and entrepreneurs are hungry for ground-breaking techniques and strategies to get the edge and enhance their personal and leadership effectiveness. Some might call these growth tools “cutting edge” and others may be skeptical of “woo-woo”— but either way there is an intense curiosity for outside-the-box personal growth programs that help you be both a better human and a better leader. In The Enlightened Executive, we will spotlight the latest trends — whether they be programs like Dare to Lead, apps like Inner Balance, Ayahuasca meditation retreats, or tech such as Whoop or Oura — and dig into what they are, what they offer, and whether they actually work to help you evolve personally and professionally. Guests will include founders of these programs and the executives who have experienced them. Up-level your leadership and join the (r)evolution!

The Power of Boundaries: Unlocking Innovation Through Constraints with Rachel Druckenmiller

Episode Description: What do photographing polar bears in the Arctic and leading high-performing teams have in common? More than you might think.

In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Rachel Druckenmiller—leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and founder of Avenue M Group—to explore how boundaries and constraints can fuel creativity, drive innovation, and empower your team.

Tune in to learn:

Why clear constraints spark smarter problem-solving
How to unlock insights from the front lines of your organization
Why failure shouldn’t just be tolerated—but celebrated
How to foster a culture of experimentation without losing control

Rachel’s lessons from the wild translate into bold leadership moves you can implement today—especially when the pressure is on.

🎧 Listen now to transform the way you think about limits, leadership, and unleashing your team's potential.

What if the greatest leadership transformation doesn’t start with a new strategy—but with a shift in you?

In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Daniel McCollum joins Susan Drumm to explore how self-awareness, vulnerability, and intentional growth become the foundation for high-performing teams and thriving organizational culture. Together, they unpack why inner development is no longer optional for executives—and how simple, daily practices can help leaders move from reactivity to conscious, values-based influence.

Whether you’re leading a team, scaling a company, or driving culture change, this episode will help you:

Move beyond auto-pilot and lead with intention
Create psychological safety through authentic leadership
Use reflection and feedback to evolve your leadership style
Build trust, innovation, and adaptability across your organization

Tune in to learn how your personal growth can unlock your team’s full potential—and transform your business from the inside out.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more leadership insights every week.

What if the secret to getting more done—and feeling better doing it—wasn’t about pushing harder, but pausing smarter? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I sit down with internationally recognized Qigong master and author Lee Holden to explore how strategic slowing down can unlock your highest leadership energy. Lee shares insights from his new book, Ready, Set, Slow, and breaks down why ancient wisdom and modern science agree: high performance starts with presence, not pressure. If you’re ready to lead with more energy, focus, and resilience—without burning out—this episode is your reset button. Tune in now, and start leading from calm, not chaos.

Does this resonate? For years, I believed leadership was about pushing harder, working longer, and showing up no matter how depleted I felt. It seemed like success demanded constant resilience—never slowing down. But that old narrative, as my guest Jayne Warrilow shared, doesn’t create great leaders. It creates burnout. Isolation. Disconnection. Jayne is an entrepreneur and thought leader, and founder of Sacred Changemakers. a global community that hosts a school of human consciousness. In our conversation on The Enlightened Executive, she opened up about her journey from overachieving workhorse to authentic, human-centered leader—and the leadership transformations that followed. Jayne’s insights struck a deep chord. Here’s what we uncovered—and how you can apply it to your own leadership. Ready to learn the power of authentic leadership? Then you won’t want to miss this enlightening episode!

What if the secret to becoming a more effective leader lies not in developing a subject matter expertise and amassing years of experience, but in embracing a simple question: “Why?” In a world where innovation and forward momentum often define success, stopping to question why can be the difference maker for effective and enlightened leaders. I recently sat down with Brandon Fong, host of the globally ranked Beyond Curious podcast, to explore how curiosity shapes leadership and professional growth. Brandon champions curiosity not just as an essential leadership skill but as a lifeline to deeper, more meaningful connections within ourselves and with others. He believes that when we embed curiosity in our approach to life and work, it unlocks new pathways to personal and professional revelation. Ready to learn how question and reflection transforms into a dynamic catalyst for change? Then you won’t want to miss this enlightening episode!

High-performing teams don’t happen by accident. You can hire the best people, offer competitive salaries, and set ambitious goals—but if you don’t intentionally build a strong, aligned culture, your team will never reach its full potential. So, what separates good teams from world-class teams? That’s exactly what I explored in my conversation with Jay Rosenzweig, an executive leadership strategist, social impact entrepreneur, and founder of Rosenzweig & Company. Jay has spent his career helping leaders attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. His insights reveal one core truth: great teams aren’t found—they’re built. Want to learn how to build a world-class team? At Meritage Leadership, we help executives build high-performing teams through strategic leadership, culture alignment, and talent development. Don’t miss this enlightening episode!

Why does changing old habits always feel like an uphill battle, even when we genuinely want to change? Understanding the science behind our behaviors isn't just a nice-to-have; it's essential for growth. Natalie McVeigh, an executive coach specializing in neuroscience and conversational intelligence, and I dove deep into this enlightening topic. Natalie has dedicated her career to understanding the intricacies of human behavior and helping others break unproductive cycles. She believes that change often comes with the tendency to focus on what we shouldn’t do, a pattern that inadvertently reinforces the very behaviors we aim to avoid. Instead of battling ingrained patterns that don’t serve us, Natalie emphasizes the power of positive action and mindful communication. Natalie's expertise helps individuals transform their habits through intentional and measured actions, leading to personal and professional growth. Ready to transform your habits for personal and professional growth? Then don't miss this enlightening interview!

How does one measure the true value of a leader? Is it in strategy and profits or does it go deeper and look at empathy, followership and visionary thinking? I had the opportunity to dive into the world of conscious leadership with Justin Breen, an extraordinary visionary and CEO/Co-Founder of Epic F.I.T. Network, which was recently named one of the Top 5 Masterminds in the world by Business Traveler USA Magazine. Envisioning leadership through Justin Breen’s lens challenges us to rethink our paths, emphasizing evolution through connection, empathy, and a touch of visionary daring. We explored Justin’s upcoming book, "Epic Journey", featuring an introduction by Deepak Chopra. This book proves that transformative pain can fuel empathetic, conscious leadership. When leaders face their inner struggles, they gain a sensitivity that resonates strongly with others. Ready to learn how leading with empathy redefines success? Then you don’t want to miss this enlightening episode!

What if the key to unlocking exponential growth lies not in (only) maximizing profits, but in genuinely caring for all stakeholders? In a world where businesses prioritize the bottom line, many overlook the transformative power of a mission that serves customers, employees, and the community. Recently I spoke with Philip Wilson, the founder and CEO of Ecofiltro, whose journey from personal crisis to impactful leadership is nothing short of transformational. Philip is the mastermind behind Ecofiltro, a social enterprise providing clean water to countless rural families across Latin America. His story showcases how meaningful missions and heart-led leadership can create exponential financial success as well. Ready to learn how leaders can achieve a profound level of success? Then you don’t want to miss this enlightening episode!

How important is having your employees form friendships at work? Is there a decrease in productivity if employees are also friends? The answers may surprise you. In fact, fostering meaningful connections among team members can be the secret ingredient to thriving workplace success. Shasta Nelson brings her deep expertise, grounded in over 15 years of research on human connections, to discuss with us the pivotal role that work friendships and a sense of belonging play in organizational success. During our conversation, Shasta provided invaluable strategies that leaders can implement to cultivate a supportive and high-performing team culture. Ready to learn how to create a culture of belonging in the workplace? Then you don’t want to miss this enlightening interview!

Have you ever found yourself staring blankly at your computer screen, completely overwhelmed by a mountain of responsibilities, wondering if it’s time to reconsider your role as an executive? During my recent talk with Jay Abbasi, a former leader of people development at Tesla and current speaker and coach, we dug deep into the methods and mindsets necessary for preventing burnout and sustaining overall well-being. Jay's career and life transformed following the sudden passing of his father in 2014, propelling him into a journey of personal development and mindfulness. Jay shared meaningful insights on focusing on one area of improvement at a time and integrating daily stillness practices into our routines, along with actionable steps you can take to thrive both personally and professionally. Want to learn practical steps that can guide us towards more balanced, productive, and fulfilling work lives? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

Enlightened leaders are wholly candid, with themselves and their teams, and deliver that truth with compassion. Have you realized that power within yourself? I recently had the pleasure of hosting Matt Hudson on "The Enlightened Executive," a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to making a positive impact through truth, love, and leadership. Over time, this pursuit led him to a profound realization—true fulfillment lies not in the accolades or financial gain but in service to others and making a meaningful impact on the world. This awakening transformed Matt's approach to both business and life, prompting him to prioritize purpose over profit and measure success by the positive difference he makes, rather than the balance in his bank account. Our conversation underscored that success doesn't just revolve around financial gains, but also hinges on impactful, purpose-driven leadership. Want to learn how our personal evolution directly impacts our leadership effectiveness? Then don’t miss this enlightening episode!

How authentic are our connections, really? Genuine connection—both with ourselves and others—holds the power to transform not just our work lives but our well-being too. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer Hill, an entrepreneur who stepped away from her legal recruiting company in 2018 and now channels her energy into fostering connections through her SaaS company, Optimatch, and her podcast, "Regarding Consciousness." Inspired by her mission to connect 1 billion people deeply to themselves and others, Jennifer's insights are a must-hear for all leaders aiming for personal and organizational growth. Jennifer sheds light on what she calls the "golden triangle of connection"—connecting to oneself, to others, and to one's purpose. Want to learn how to achieve connection in a meaningful way? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

What's holding you back from speaking up and letting your authentic self show up at work? Where are you keeping yourself on "mute" and what is that costing you? I had the pleasure of speaking with the inspiring Rachel Druckenmiller, a dynamic keynote speaker, leadership trainer, and the creative mind behind the concept of Unmuted. Rachel’s story of unmuting her authentic self—evolving from an unfulfilling corporate career to a full-time speaker who integrates singing into her keynotes—was full of transformational insights. She has dedicated her career to helping others find their voices and thrive, free from the constraints of silence and self-doubt. Her powerful approach challenges leaders to embrace their full potential and encourage their teams to do the same. Want to learn how to let your authentic self show up at work? Then don't miss this enlightening episode!

Are you able to see unexpected challenges as opportunities for new successes? By reframing “issues” as “possibilities” and finding the courage to seize them, Enlightened Leaders can reach new levels of prosperity. In my recent conversation with Moshe Gersht, a spiritual teacher and best-selling author, we tapped into invaluable lessons on the importance of resilience, intuition, and cultivating intentional joy. Through his teachings, Moshe emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with one's true self and understanding the essential nature of life. By tapping into our innate goodness, Moshe believes that we can achieve genuine contentment and navigate the complexities of modern life, which is often inundated with an overload of information and fleeting ideas. Want to learn how to lead a more enlightened and fulfilling life? Then don't miss this enlightening interview!

Fear and anxiety often feel like enemies to be vanquished...but what if instead we saw them as signals guiding us toward growth and expansion? This is the transformative message Colonel Martha McSally, the first female fighter pilot and former U.S. Senator, brought to our latest episode of "The Enlightened Executive." Join us as we explore Martha's journey, from overcoming early personal adversities to becoming the first woman to command a fighter squadron in combat, and her leadership insights. Through powerful stories from her military career, such as her first solo flight in an A-10 aircraft, Martha shares insights into her philosophy on managing fear and risk. Ready to step out of your comfort zone and deeply connect with your true self? Then don't miss this enlightening episode!

How important is understanding and nurturing the human element in a world dominated by technology? I explored this concept on my podcast The Enlightened Executive with Bryan Kramer, renowned for his groundbreaking "H2H philosophy" on human-to-human connections. Bryan shared his inspiring perspective on the topics of human connection, leadership, and the future role of AI in the business world. We covered a lot of ground, from the importance of simplicity, empathy, and imperfection in business to practical tips on embracing a coaching mentality to putting guiderails around the use of AI in your organization. Ready to learn how businesses can prioritize human interactions over automated processes? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

An inspired and empowered team is a high-performing team. What are you doing as a leader to create that culture for your employees? I recently had the pleasure of speaking with a powerful enlightened executive, Tim Lupinacci, CEO of Baker Donelson, on The Enlightened Executive podcast. Tim shares his fascinating leadership journey, which was sparked by a difficult boss who saw his potential early on. That experience taught him the importance of being open to feedback and continually learning from others. Ready to learn how to lead with purpose? Then you won’t want to miss this enlightening episode!

There is a “Proximity Revolution” sweeping through every industry. Have you considered what this means for your business? Simply put, we can move even closer to on-demand customer fulfillment in ways we could have only imagined before. This is Proximity and is a game changer for any forward-thinking leader. In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive, I explored this idea with Rob Wolcott, an esteemed expert in innovation strategy and co-founder of Twin Global. Rob founded the seeds of his groundbreaking concept, Proximity, during a tech conference in 2014. Frustrated by repetitive and superficial presentations, he pondered a profound question: what fundamentally distinguishes the digital era from the industrial age? Driven by this curiosity, Wolcott embarked on a quest to explore the deeper implications of digital transformation. Ready to learn what it takes to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

In our fast-paced business world, where constant stimulation and pressure can lead to burnout, carving out moments of quiet might be the game-changer you need to thrive. I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Jesse Israel, a meditation leader and keynote speaker known for pioneering the mass meditation movement, the Big Quiet. Jesse Israel's Big Quiet is more than just a meditation event—it's a social movement designed to weave moments of collective quiet into our noisy lives. From small group meditations to massive gatherings sharing the stage with Oprah's tour and at Central Park's Summer Stage, Jesse and the Big Quiet have brought people together to share in a collective calm. Want to learn how to find peace in chaos? Then don't miss this enlightening interview!

Artificial Intelligence promises to revolutionize industries by enabling machines to mimic human cognition and perform tasks with unprecedented efficiency and accuracy. But what does that mean for you and how you collaborate with your team? I recently had a conversation with Dan Chuparkoff, an innovation expert who swears by the power of small, daily rituals with AI tools to unleash your team’s full potential. Dan is a visionary in Artificial Intelligence, with a particular focus on leveraging AI to enhance team communication and information management. In this episode, we'll dive into the transformative power of AI tools for enhancing team communication and collaboration. From daily learning rituals to leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies like ChatGPT, Claude AI, and Gemini, Dan shares actionable advice on integrating these tools into your workflow. Are you ready to harness the power of AI for your team?

Are you giving feedback that’s ultimately producing the results that you want from the team? Is your feedback changing behavior? I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Joan Hibdon, author of "The Leader's Guide to Mastering Feedback." Joan is a passionate and dynamic speaker known for her ability to inspire and empower audiences. With a global and diverse industry background, she brings a unique perspective to the stage, captivating listeners with her engaging storytelling and insightful wisdom. After a 30+ year-long career in human resources, coaching, and professional development, Joan channeled her passion for cultivating cultures where people thrive. In this episode, Joan explains how to master the art of feedback, where leaders can drive impactful results and foster meaningful professional relationships. Ready to learn how to embrace feedback as a tool for growth? Then don't miss this enlightening interview!

Rhythm and music are primal forces that can elevate awareness of both ourselves and others. But they can do more than just that… music and rhythm can be used to enhance collaboration and connectivity within teams. Doug Manuel, an inspiring documentarian, and rhythm enthusiast, shares his journey and the incredible ways he has used drumming to transform professional connections. In my recent conversation with Doug on The Enlightened Executive, we explored what we can learn from music and communal living, particularly in rural African communities, to enhance leadership skills and organizational culture. Ready to learn how the power of rhythm and music can foster leadership and effective collaboration? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

Imagine translating a horse’s sensitivity to human emotions into understanding, improving your leadership style. Fascinating, right? In today's volatile business environment, recognizing and harnessing the power of our emotions can revolutionize the way we lead. I had a transformative discussion with Lucinda Vette, a renowned equine coach, about equine-assisted coaching—a method that digs deep into understanding leadership energy and emotional intelligence through our connection with horses. But I didn’t just discuss it, I went down to the Miraval Resort in Tucson, AZ and experienced this powerful modality firsthand. One of their pioneering programs is Equine Coaching, where equine specialists help you practice balancing leadership and cooperation skills with a nonverbal companion. Discover how engaging with horses can redefine your leadership approach by tuning into this week’s episode of The Enlightened Executive. Ready to learn about the compelling connection between leadership effectiveness and emotional intelligence? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

Enlightened leadership is not reserved for ancient philosophers or yogis meditating in remote caves—it is crucial for today's leaders too. This week on The Enlightened Executive podcast, David Meltzer shares his personal journey from the brink of financial ruin to a life enriched with purpose, value, and service to others. As the former CEO of a renowned sports and entertainment agency, David is now on a mission that transcends beyond corporate confines: empowering over 1 billion people to find happiness. In this episode, he shares how incorporating his practices into your daily routine will fuel your path to becoming an enlightened leader, one who leads with intent, authenticity, and, most importantly, a happy heart. Ready to learn how to become a conscious leader? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

Leading a multigenerational workforce is becoming increasingly complex. Each generation brings a unique set of skills, perspectives, and expectations to the table. Dr. Scott De Long, a serial entrepreneur with a doctorate in leadership, shares successful strategies to bridge the generational divide on this week’s episode of The Enlightened Executive. In today’s business world, effective leadership requires more than just issuing orders and expecting obedience. The command-and-control approach is ineffective compared to leadership that empowers and inspires. This is the essence of my recent conversation with Scott, whose insights on leadership are reshaping how we think about steering our teams towards success. In this episode, we discussed the wisdom of connecting with multi-generational team members, understanding their motivations, and leveraging the strengths that each generation brings to the table. Want to learn how to work more effectively with younger generations? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

Unlock your employees’ potential by harnessing their greatest asset: creativity! In a world where creativity is thought to be only for a chosen few, Josh Linkner emphasizes that everyone is inherently creative. They just need a way to unleash it in their everyday work to generate revenue-fueling innovation. Josh Linkner is far from your average entrepreneur. Alongside his successes as a bestselling author and the founder of five tech companies, which have created over 10,000 jobs and generated over $200 million, Linkner is also an acclaimed Jazz musician. His deep-rooted passion for jazz not only sets him apart but also serves as a catalyst for his desire to help fellow business leaders tap into their creative potential. Josh’s unique approach toward innovation highlights the power of creative thinking and the importance of embracing a growth mindset in leadership. Ready to find out how to unlock creativity throughout your organization? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

The secret to groundbreaking innovation lies not in specialized teams, but in empowering every individual to think like an innovator. Carla Johnson is the world’s leading innovation Architect, and she is reshaping the way we think about creativity and problem-solving in the corporate world. She says, “You can't solve new world problems with old school thinking.” With a 20-year career dedicated to working with leaders and conducting extensive research, Carla is breaking down traditional barriers to innovation. In this episode, Carla urges leaders to understand that even the most unconventional ideas can hold the key to significant advancements and improvements. Ready to learn a systematic approach to innovation? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

Is the concept of “Work-Life Balance” outdated? Forget the balancing act; it's time for something more realistic. Bo Hale and Luke Carignan challenge the traditional notion of work-life balance. They argue "Work-life balance is a myth; it's harmony we should be after." As co-hosts of the globally acclaimed podcast "The Bo & Luke Show," they suggest that by finding the sweet spot between your personal and professional life, you can embrace a life lived with purpose and aligned with your values. Bo and Luke have one clear message to all the leaders out there: achieving work-life harmony is not only possible, but essential. By integrating your personal values into your professional career, you can lead a fuller, richer life that fills you with joy and purpose, which is something everyone desires! Want to learn how to create work-life harmony? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

In our fast paced business world, where the only constant is change, letting your weird flag fly could be your ticket to staying ahead of the curve. I had the pleasure of discussing leadership innovation with Frankie Russo, a serial tech entrepreneur known for his groundbreaking approach to fostering innovation within teams and companies. Frankie Russo, an entrepreneur with an eight-year streak on the Inc. 500 list, brings a fresh perspective with his "Love Your Weird" framework as a method for driving creativity and innovation. This approach is all about tapping into our authentic selves, letting our imagination run wild, and embracing a spirit of generosity in our professional lives. Frankie highlights the power that lies in embracing our quirks, dreaming big, and working together. In a world that often pushes us toward conformity, Russo's message is a breath of fresh air. Ready to learn how to face our fear of failure and be true to who we are? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

The best business advice you’ll receive is likely unorthodox. Do you ever feel like you hear the same ole’ business advice over-and-over, perhaps just packaged in a slightly different way? Do you ever wonder if anyone is truly saying something new about how to approach enterprise growth? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Dr. Dill unveils a unique perspective on the building blocks of thriving businesses: creating a relationship plan, keeping challenges at the forefront, and the power of a generous mindset. He shares three strategies executives and entrepreneurs can implement to think outside the box and foster business growth. Ready to discover the essential catalyst for taking your business to the next level? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

By now, you can’t get help being bombarded with news of how AI is going to change everything. But what does that really mean for YOU? The power of AI in augmenting human capabilities and optimizing operations has launched businesses into a new era of efficiency and competitiveness. Joining me on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Mike Koenigs, speaker, serial entrepreneur with five successful exits, and 17x bestselling author. As an expert in maximizing time, effort, and impact, Mike shares strategic advice for other executives serious about using AI to propel them and their businesses forward. Want to learn how to align your business goals with AI solutions? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Digital innovation is most impactful when paired with a very human skill: empathy. Digital leadership involves integrating human-centered principles with a commitment to technological progress. The most successful leaders actively search out new tools that allow their business to empathetically connect with teams, customers, clients, and partners. Erik Qualman is the #1 best-selling author of five books and is a current professor of Digital Leadership at Northwestern University and his materials are used in over 500 universities. In this episode, Erik Qualman shares three digital leadership strategies that businesses and individuals can implement in order to navigate the intersection of empathy and technology effectively. Ready to learn what the path to digital leadership is fueled by? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

Leaders have the power to either expand or inadvertently inhibit the growth of those around them. Essentially, consider that you are either acting as a multiplier or diminisher of team performance. Multipliers operate under the belief that their team is intelligent and capable, fostering an environment where others can thrive. In contrast, diminishers assume that their team can't succeed without their constant guidance, and create a hub-and-spoke environment. Joining me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Liz Wiseman. Liz is a researcher, advisor, and author of the New York Times bestseller Multipliers and the Wall Street Journal bestseller Impact Players. Liz’s research illustrates how leaders can either be catalysts for growth or, despite their best intentions, hinder the potential of those around them. In this episode, we explore practical tools leaders can use to identify their multiplier and diminisher tendencies, along with strategies to bring out the best in their team. Want to learn why playing big sometimes means playing small? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Adverse experiences and childhood wounds filter into our careers and leadership, influencing our potential.

Traumatic experiences may impose limitations on our personal and professional life. These limitations are often challenging to identify, and even more difficult to overcome. Intentionally dealing with the experiences of our past enables us to chart a different path forward so we can thrive personally and professionally.

Joining me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Doug Dane, a survivor who overcame a harrowing childhood filled with emotional, physical, and sexual abuse to achieve personal freedom, healthy relationships, and professional success. As an international keynote speaker and mindset mentor, he has turned his personal experience into a duplicable system to help people discover their true identity and live a life free of guilt or shame.

In this episode, Doug shares practical strategies leaders can implement today to release the burdens of their past and step into their full leadership potential. Ready to discover your true identity and live a life free of guilt or shame?

Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Generational differences impact workplace connection.

Nothing exposes this truth like the generational divide we see between Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Zers in the workplace. Gen Zers roll their eyes in frustration with their older colleagues and Millennials and Gen Xers disappointedly shake their heads at the emerging workforce.

Challenging as it might be, leaders who cultivate genuine connections across generational lines experience greater workplace success.

Chris Tuff, the bestselling author of "The Millennial Whisperer" and "Save Your Asks," has made connection-building his life's mission. Chris has worked with some of the most prestigious companies in the world, such as Nike, Meta, and Amazon, and his first book is a USA Today bestseller that equips leaders with tools to attract and retain young talent through genuine connection.

In this episode, Chris shares 4 insights leaders can consider in order to foster connection on a multi-generational team and achieve business objectives. Ready to learn how to improve genuine connections on your team?

Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Music has the power to enhance our team and personal effectiveness. Wondering how?

Certain songs have the ability to trigger powerful emotions and memories within us. By harnessing this power, we can intentionally use music to subconsciously boost our moods, productivity and motivation.

Joining me on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Jonathan Elias, one of the most influential composers in the advertising world focused on audio branding. Jonathan is responsible for groundbreaking work for countless brands and is the recipient of virtually every major advertising honor. Jonathan’s work as a record producer, Grammy-nominated artist, and film and trailer composer includes collaborations with Duran Duran, BB King, David Bowie, and countless more.

In this episode, Jonathan and I explore music’s emotional impact and share 3 essential strategies for using music as an unconventional but powerful leadership tool. Ready to learn how to use music as a powerful leadership tool?

Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

If you’re a leader who is only focused on profitability and productivity, consider that you might be doing just the bare minimum. The enlightened, modern leader is intentional about using their position to contribute to a more equitable organization.

Joining me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast, Spring Walsham is a well-known meditation teacher, author, and visionary leader based in Oakland, California. Spring is considered a pioneer in bringing mindfulness-based practices to diverse communities and shares her expertise with us from a leadership perspective.

In this episode, Spring examines the timeless teachings of Harriet Tubman and their relevance in today's complex world. Tubman’s example encourages us to weave a heart-centered approach and mindfulness practices into our leadership for greater personal and social impact.

Ready to learn how we can use our influence to build a more equitable and sustainable future?

Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

High achievers are primed to buy into common misconceptions around happiness and fulfillment.

Traditional external markers of success – money, status, fame – cause leaders to focus on “more” and “when,” which actively robs them of actual fulfillment and happiness. True fulfillment is a deep sense of contentment and well-being that comes from living in alignment with one's values and purpose. By shifting their focus from external validation to internal growth, high-achieving leaders will experience greater fulfillment while stepping into more impactful and legendary leadership.

Today on The Enlightened Executive podcast, Tommy Breedlove joins us to discuss a more fulfilling professional journey. Tommy is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of the book "Legendary." His program, the "Legendary Life Movement," challenges high achievers to break free from the pursuit of material success and embrace their legendary leadership qualities.

In this episode, we explore the essence of legendary leadership and how aspiring leaders can harness the power of self-awareness to find greater fulfillment.

Want to learn how leaders can transform their leadership without sacrificing meaning and fulfillment in their lives?

Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Do you have a leadership investment strategy? Are you investing in your people and yourself with the same level of care that you put into your financial investments?

Successful leaders have more than a financial plan. They invest in themselves and their business with the same intentionality and consistency as they devote to their building a retirement nestegg.

Executives who take a holistic approach can experience more personally significant returns on their leadership investment and, yes, even long-term wealth.

Mark Murphy, CEO of Northeast Private Client Group, believes true financial wealth is developed by a high level of emotional fitness, effective wealth accumulation strategies and a plan that will work under all circumstances. With his extensive experience in wealth management and his just-launched book, The Ultimate Investment: A Roadmap to Grow Your Business and Build Multigenerational Wealth, Mark holds valuable insights on wealth creation and an investment mindset.

In this episode, Mark shares three strategies executives can implement to invest in their leadership, and therefore their long-term financial success.

Want to learn more on the journey to a personally and financially secure future?

Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Unfortunately, many people are just not very good at listening, leading to missed opportunities and strained relationships.

As CEOs, executives, and leaders, we get impatient with listening, and all too often dominate conversations that shut others down. Listening is not just hearing words; it is an active and engaged process that involves seeking to understand and attuning to others emotions.

Joining me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Dr. Mark Goulston, a listening coach, author, and former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer. His latest best-selling book, "Just Listen," helps individuals unlock their full potential through better listening skills. With a background in psychiatry, Dr. Goulston teaches executives to be better listeners while discovering what may be holding them back in their interactions.

In this episode, Mark shares practical ways executives can expand their understanding of listening as both presenters and listeners.

Want to learn why enhancing your listening skills is a lifelong journey that can positively impact your personal and professional relationships?

Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

If you’re not prioritizing capacity building on your team, you’re stunting its potential.

Leaders who are serious about building high performing teams achieve sustainable growth through capacity building. And yet what you may not know is effective capacity building should extend beyond professional development and into a much more holistic approach.

Bob Glazer, a renowned serial entrepreneur, award-winning executive, bestselling author, and keynote speaker, joins me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast. Bob is the founder and chairman of Acceleration Partners, a global marketing agency. He has a deep passion for helping individuals and teams build their capacity. In his latest book, "Elevate Your Team," Bob shares valuable insights and practical strategies to foster growth and elevate performance.

In this episode, Bob expands our understanding of capacity building and provides leaders with three actionable strategies for creating capacity within their team.

Want to learn how to identify which elements of capacity building are currently underrepresented in your organization and how to make a plan to prioritize them?

Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Rapid evolution is the only constant.

The pace of change in today's world is exponentially growing, as is its increasing complexity.

Driving factors such as artificial intelligence, the remote and hybrid workforce, and global sustainable business practices make it imperative for leaders to adapt quickly in order to stay relevant. The most successful leaders operating in this ever-changing business landscape are not only exceptional at adaptation, but they anticipate it.

Today on the Enlightened Executive podcast, Warren Rustand, the former CEO of Providence Service Corporation, a multi-billion-dollar social services and healthcare company, shares valuable leadership insights from his significant years of experience. With an impressive background in creating, leading, and growing a variety of successful organizations, Warren highlights the importance of learning, adapting, and staying ahead of the curve.

In this episode, Warren provides three practical strategies for navigating the complexities of the rapidly evolving business landscape.

Want to learn how to navigate challenges and lead your organization toward success in the face of change?

Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Successful leaders master the skill of management… that is, self-management before managing others.

The ability to identify, understand and manage your own triggers is an essential leadership skill. Making sound decisions, pursuing long-term goals and adopting an authentic leadership posture is all dependent on self-regulation in the face of internal and external obstacles.

Today’s guest on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Josselyne Herman-Saccio, master coach in the Art Of Being Unmessablewith. Being unmessablewith is not about overpowering or manipulating the external world; it's about transforming your internal landscape to respond to life's challenges and triggers in a way that aligns with your aspirations.

In this episode, Josselyne shares three crucial tools executives can implement in order to be unmessablewith.

Want to learn how to empower yourself to navigate triggers and obstacles with grace and authenticity?

Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Could your voice be keeping you from having the leadership impact you desire?

The way leaders convey their message influences how it is received. Our voice is not only a conduit for our words but also a vehicle for conveying authenticity and influence. Vocal awareness and mastery can support executives striving to become influential leaders and communicators. Your voice is central to your identity.

Today on The Enlightened Executive podcast, Arthur Joseph, a renowned classical singer and voice coach, shares profound insights into the power of voice and its impact on communication, using my own voice as an example. Vocal awareness helps leaders convey vision, inspire action, and create an authentic connection with team members and stakeholders.

In this episode, Arthur equips executives with 3 principles for harnessing the power of vocal awareness.

Want to learn how to use your voice to be more influential?

Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Music is more than a form of entertainment or artistic expression. It’s a powerful leadership tool and a resource for well-being.

As I share in my own book, leaders who use music strategically boost their mental health and revolutionize their leadership skills. And it’s why I was absolutely thrilled to recently get connected to Barry Goldstein, who joined me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast.

Barry is a musician who has composed and produced music. His bestselling book, The Secret Language of the Heart, has become a “go-to” resource for utilizing music beyond art and entertainment. In addition, Barry has worked with the “Father of Biohacking” Dave Asprey and reached the Billboard Top Ten New Age albums with New York Times Best Selling Authors Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Daniel Amen, Neale Donald Walsch, and Anita Moorjani. In this episode, Barry shares effective strategies for executives who are eager to incorporate music into their well-being repertoire.

Music not only has the ability to connect people from different cultures and backgrounds, but it can also have a profound impact on our health and well-being.

Want to learn why you should integrate music into your day?

Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Could striving to become a perfect leader keep you from becoming an effective leader?

Authenticity is a buzzword commonly cited in leadership circles, but the journey to actually becoming an authentic leader requires more introspection than discussion.

This week, on The Enlightened Executive podcast, our guest Melissa Bernstein discusses self-acceptance and authentic leadership.

Melissa Bernstein is an entrepreneur, creative, and working mother of six. Melissa has spent the last 30 years helping children discover themselves, their passions, and their purpose through open-ended play. In this episode, she shares how to become a more authentic and conscious leader who accepts and embraces the full spectrum of emotions.

Melissa also shares the power of listening to your internal voice, the importance of education in finding self-acceptance, and how to embrace the past while stepping bravely into the future.

Want to learn about self-acceptance and how to become a more authentic leader? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Everyone knows trust is key to business success. But actually building trust? That can feel intangible and impossible.

Creating common ground, fostering collaboration, and establishing alignment build trust and lead to high performance.

This week, on The Enlightened Executive podcast, Sue Dyer joins us to discuss the barriers to trust and how we can practically build trust in our teams. Sue is one of the world’s leading experts on trust and the author of the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon best-selling book, “The Trusted Leader: Use the Partnering Approach to Become the Trusted Leader People Want to Follow.”

Sue also shares the key principles of partnering, the importance of prioritizing initiatives, and the connection between trust and fear.

Ready for an informative conversation on how to become a trustworthy leader? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Organizations crush their employees with emails, meetings, decks, reports and paperwork all day long while expecting vitality and meaningful contribution.

White space, or the time in between tasks where you can think, reflect, recuperate, and question, has been crowded out. It is this unscheduled time that allows talent to tap into their creativity, productivity, and ultimately their full potential.

Juliet Funt is a keynote speaker and an evangelist for freeing the potential of companies by unburdening their talent from busy work. For over 20 years Juliet has studied productivity and today she discusses how to reclaim creativity and conquer busyness with teams.

Juliet shares 3 essential strategies for maintaining human vitality in the workplace, despite the challenges facing today’s economy. We also discuss the importance of making the workplace more humane to encourage creativity and vitality, and how data proves that lighter workloads do not sacrifice productivity.

Want to learn how to maintain human vitality in the workplace? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Talent retention is not just a strategy, it's a mindset. It’s a mindset because it requires a shift in the way that organizations approach the management of their employees.

Mike Harbour is a former military veteran turned successful business owner, whose mission is to deliver excellence in leadership and personal development solutions. In this episode of the Enlightened Executive podcast, he shares his insights on how organizations can shift their approach to employee management.

Mike leverages his experiences as a medical service corps officer in the U.S. Army, along with almost 30 years of leadership experience in the healthcare industry, as a leader in hospital operations, leadership training and development, sales, talent management and executive search.

From harnessing employee potential to systematizing development, Mike outlines three essential strategies for keeping top performers engaged and committed to the company's mission. We also discuss the importance of systematizing development to create a culture of learning and development, improve efficiency, align employee development with business goals, and retain top talent.

Want to make sure your top talent isn’t lured away? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview.

We're connected worldwide. At the same time, we're more disconnected than ever. COVID-19 showed us it's possible to work and live in a borderless society.

But in a hybrid or remote work environment, how can we reconnect with our teams and colleagues in a meaningful way?

Joining me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Deb Crowe, a heart-centered leader who thrives on helping people become successful and fulfilled. Deb is an executive and business coach with 32+ years of global experience with top Fortune 500.

In this interview, Deb shares her definition of heart-centered leadership, plus, twenty qualities of heart-centered leaders, along with three words you should consider removing from your vocabulary so that you can have more authentic and deeper conversations.

Ready to become a heart-centered leader? Then don’t miss this enlightening episode.

When you listen to a song, the way you connect to it, the emotions it evokes in you, and the way that you interpret the meaning of the song, is an experience that is uniquely yours. One person may listen to a song and find it empowering and motivating. Another person may listen to that same song, and feel like it triggers negative emotions in them or brings them down.

So, have you ever thought about the impact that the music you regularly listen to has on your emotions and on your life? Your current playlist may be in need of a major update.

Some songs might be keeping you stuck in a negative emotions loop, as they reinforce a negative belief that you would like to get rid of. Other songs have the ability to free you from those negative emotions and turbocharge your life in a positive way.

In this week’s Leadership Insights edition of The Enlightened Executive podcast, host Susan Drumm discusses the power of music, and the importance of creating a playlist that can transform your life for the better.

The relationship between a CEO and a COO is akin to that of yin and yang. Each leader uses their unique abilities and interests to help the company grow, all while staying in their own lane.

The key is to find a truly compatible counterpart, build a foundation of trust and honesty, and have confidence in the other person’s ability to get the job done without having to constantly check-in with each other.

Cameron Herold is someone who truly understands this dynamic from having accumulated 25+ years of corporate management experience, built two $100 million companies before the age of 42, and founded the COO Alliance. He has also written several business books, including his new book, The Second in Command.

In this episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, Cameron shares the DOs and DON'Ts of hiring (and if necessary, firing) a COO, common misconceptions, challenges, and two things COOs can start doing tomorrow to become the leader they're meant to be.

Ready to unleash the power of the COO? Don’t miss this enlightening interview.

Did you know that only about 10% of your happiness comes from outside conditions and circumstances? Which means that 90% of your happiness is within your control, generated internally.

Backed by 1000s of research studies spanning several decades, these percentages make up the happiness formula. This week, on The Enlightened Executive podcast, Robert Mack joins as a guest to discuss the drivers of happiness.

Robert Mack is a positive psychology expert, executive coach, and bestselling author of the book, Happiness from the Inside Out. He is also a TV host and producer for OWN and E!. Rob's work has been endorsed by the likes of Oprah and Vanessa Williams.

In this episode, Mack shares the happiness formula, what causes happiness, what happiness causes, and how to deal with unhappy people in our lives.

Robert also shares how it took a suicide attempt for him to experience true happiness, how to use micro-meditation to clear your mind, and how happiness relates to religion and spirituality.

Ready to make 2023 your happiest year yet? Tune in to this enlightening interview.

Most every business wants to be a beacon of diversity and inclusion. Yet, with the incoming workforce being more diverse than ever, why does this goal seem increasingly hard to achieve?

It appears that with embedded biases, and hesitancies toward being viewed as too direct when asking minorities to speak up, encouraging and amplifying diversity down through the ranks of an organization has become a struggle. So, how do you successfully pass on high-level company values to mid-level managers?

Nima George seems to have discovered the answer. She is the Director of Resources at Google, where she oversees strategic infrastructure planning for computer and network resources and efficiency management for Google ads, commerce, payments, and engineering. However, as one of the DEI leads for the Google Ads department, much of her attention focuses on nurturing her team’s minds and amplifying their diverse voices.

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, Nima shares the importance of creating a workforce and culture that prioritizes inclusion, belonging, and a space for people to thrive. She also discusses the most common challenges that leaders face when building and motivating cognitively diverse teams.

Do you tend to stay within the walls of comfort, when it comes to expanding the diversity on your team? In what ways can you grow beyond it? Build an environment where your team feels that they have the support and space to thrive, and you’ll blow the doors open on what you are all able to accomplish. Don’t miss this enlightening interview.

There comes a time when every leader realizes that they have a “bellyful.” A moment where you see, with absolute clarity, that your current course of action no longer works for you, and you’re ready for drastic and intentional change.

So, when that moment comes, how will you turn things around and discover your path forward?

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, coach, motivational speaker, and author, Laban Ditchburn, shares with us how having the courage to ask for help, illuminated his path toward sobriety and the driving force that continues to make him one of the world’s most positively influential speakers.

Is there an area of your life that you’ve had a bellyful? When was the last time you asked for help? Explore Laban’s journey of radical change and find inspiration for your own transformation.

Leaders usually like to be in control. Every action you take is toward a goal. Every step along the way is often thoughtfully planned. When you cannot see the way forward, you tend to step back and reassess where you veered off the path.

But you may tend to focus too quickly on “the how.” What would happen if you ask “why” instead? What if the core reason behind your goals, is just as important as the goals themselves?

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, angel investor, Brian Andrés Helmick, shares how learning to surrender his expectations and releasing control, led him down an amazing and rewarding road in life. By letting go and assuming that he didn’t always know what was best, Brian started on a path that he had not foreseen: from investing to entrepreneurship, to a spiritual journey, to impact investing.

Listen in and explore how stepping back, loosening the reins, and embracing the concept of letting go, can actually elevate your leadership, and change your life for the better.

It’s often thought that the pillar of a good leader is someone with the ability to put the needs of the team before their own. But neglecting your needs does nothing but hold your team back and limits your effectiveness. By denying the primal needs of your mind, body, and soul, you won’t have the mental, physical, or emotional strength to fulfill the duties you’ve taken on.

You strengthen your skills when you take control of how you operate as a leader, by prioritizing and honoring the needs of your well-being. When you do this, you develop a sound foundation for leadership that allows you to perform at your highest capacity for those around you every day.

When you develop a mindset that understands the importance of your needs and how it affects your team’s ability to succeed, you take steps toward becoming resilient. And being resilient is one of the most important skills leaders can have.

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, we welcome guest Jim Hotaling, former Commander in Chief Master Sergeant of the Air National Guard, with 20+ years in Special Forces, who is currently the head of leadership development and assessment at N2Growth. Jim previously served as an advisor to senior executives within the US Department of Defense, which gave him a unique perspective on leadership and resilience.

Jim practices and teaches leadership from the fundamental belief that to weather the pressures of leadership and maintain the strengths of a leader’s various skills, you must learn to put your needs first. In this episode, Jim demystifies the idea of being selfish while sharing what it takes to build resiliency and a healthy approach to the “never quit” mentality.

The only true power you have isn’t changing others; it’s shifting how you show up as a leader.

That shift starts with music… and updating your soon-to-be old playlist.

Jason Jaggard, founder and CEO of Novus Global, joins me today for the last episode of our special seven-episode series on The Leader’s Playlist. Tune in as we uncover hidden playlists and learn how your trauma can become your triumph.

Music can do more than soothe you; Music has the power to HEAL you.

This isn’t just a metaphor. Music has the proven ability to help make change stick, by priming the neurological landscape to form new neural pathways in a faster, more efficient way.

Eager to learn how? Don’t miss this extra special final episode! It’s the best one yet!

Your energy and the emotional frequency you bring to your role as a leader impacts your work and your team every day. Music also has a frequency, and it has the power to shift our energetic state.

And so, music has the power to make you a better leader, and it starts by creating a new playlist.

Joining me for episode six of our special seven-episode series on The Leader’s Playlist book, is the Remote Selling Rockstar himself, Todd Hartley! As the CEO of WireBuzz and one of Tony Robbins’ Business Mastery faculty speakers, Todd brings a new approach to our discussion on music and how your past is actually running your ability to lead today.

Are you curious about the playlist you currently have running in the background of your mind? Wondering how to change that playlist to drive different results in your life? Then don’t miss this new episode.

There is no denying that music has the power to transform us. We often listen to music that matches our emotional state, but can we also leverage music to alter our state to the level of happiness we seek?

For episode five of our seven-episode series on The Leader’s Playlist, I am thrilled to welcome John Ruhlin, founder of the Ruhlin Group and author of Giftology, to talk about how and why music can heal us, and even make us a more generous leader as well.

Music directly connects with your brain and your memories. It helps us recall and relive particular emotions, connects both sides of our brains, and inspires us to move our bodies. This is why the new playlist we create allows us to shift our actions and our reactions.

Music really does have the power to make you a better leader. Tune into this episode to learn more.

Regardless of how major or minor your wounds and experiences from childhood were, we all went through something that helped shape us into who we are today.

Those experiences shaped neural pathways in your brain that are the reason you act and react the way you do today. Music can help redefine those pathways and train your brain to react in healthier, more thoughtful ways.

Today in our seven-episode series on The Leader’s Playlist, I am excited to have Shep Hyken, NYT best selling author, speaker, and CAO (Chief Amazement Officer) of Shepard Presentations, join me as we navigate how our childhood wounds appear in our leadership and steps we can take to heal ourselves and improve our leadership.

Curious about how music can shift those pathways? Then don’t miss this episode.

What if I told you that the impact you have as a leader is limited by an internal story that replays itself over and over in the background of your life.

That story is a repeating record imprinted with a playlist of songs that you can't hear, but it influences everything you do.

In our seven-episode series on The Leader’s Playlist, I am excited to have Justin Donald, Host and Author of The Lifestyle Investor, as we explore how this playlist could impact someone’s ability to create true “wealth” — a life well lived.

How you view wealth, and what you define as wealth, will be influenced by your early life experiences. We discuss some of the neuroscience behind how music can shift your state of mind, your perception of abundance or scarcity, and how anyone could amplify their impact as a leader simply by redefining their playlists in life, including you.

Curious about how music has the ability to do all that? Then don’t miss this next episode.

Is your team overwhelmed by the pace of change?

Are you feeling a sense of burn out?

Or maybe you feel that you can’t delegate or trust your team to deliver. Or perhaps you are having trouble retaining or engaging your people…

The impact of your current playlist shows up in insidious ways. But there is a way to change that.

In the second episode of our Leader’s Playlist book series, I invited John Rampton, Entrepreneur and Connector who was named #2 on Top 50 Online Influencers in the World by Entrepreneur Magazine, to talk about improving leadership from the top down, how the pandemic has impacted everything and why I wrote this book.

Tune in to uncover the playlist that’s running YOU!

How do you accelerate change?

We all have this playlist running in the background of our lives that—whether we know it or not—acts as a ceiling on our leadership effectiveness. And the good news, as I write about in my new book The Leader’s Playlist (River Grove Books, October 18, 2022), is you can change it.

The process uses the power of music in two ways. First, it allows you to clearly see when an old neural pathway, one that we have determined no longer works for you, is activated. Second, it helps you strengthen a new neural pathway, one we want to switch out with your old playlist.

This week kicks off our seven-episode series of interviews where we get to explore these concepts! I’ve invited Amber Vilhauer, CEO & Founder of NGNG Enterprises and online digital marketing expert, to join me to talk about why I wrote the book, and why music is one of the most powerful tools you can use to help rewire neural pathways.

Leadership looks pretty nice for the Tim Cook and Warren Buffet’s of the world. They’re widely recognized for their contributions, and by every account, they’ve attained success.

But what about the leaders who aren’t making headlines? What about the leaders climbing the leadership ladder and making a conscious impact, albeit away from the public eye?

These are the leaders Dorie Clark thinks should be in the spotlight. She believes that in today’s world, unfortunately the loudest voices are the ones that win, and not the people who actually are the best leaders or have the best ideas.

To correct this injustice, Dorie wants to teach people the skills they need to ensure they’re recognized for their expertise. She helps individuals and companies get their best ideas heard, “rather than being the tree that falls in the forest because it’s so crowded and so noisy.”

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, best-selling author and professional speaker, Dorie Clark, shares how she teaches unsung leaders to make their voices heard and the steps you can take to be recognized for the effective leader you are.

As you rise through the ranks of leadership, experiencing setbacks and failure is inevitable. But as many successful leaders will share, what we often judge as failures are merely opportunities to grow and learn.

How you respond to the tests you face will make the difference in your ability to lead successfully. Instead of looking to place blame, you have to look for your opportunity to gain insight from every experience. Take the responsibility of approaching the situation with neutrality.

What actions caused you to get to this point? What angles could it have been approached from differently?

By stepping back and collecting the facts without emotion, the shortcomings become evident, and you can then plan out how to make more strategic action.

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, co-founder and CEO of WebinarNinja, and host of the $100 MBA show, Omar Zenhom, shares valuable lessons on what we can learn from undesirable outcomes to become better entrepreneurs.

What does it mean to be a leader? By shifting the mindset that you alone have the answers, you can create a space for employees to find their own solutions and take pride in enriching the company.

As a result, you can become a leader that does more than lead but also scales the capacity and capability of others.

In this week’s episode of The Enlightened Executive, we spoke with Dr. Louise van Rhyn, winner of the prestigious Thinker’s 50 award in 2021, and designer of the innovative Partners for Possibility program.

If you’re looking to create a company culture that encourages and motivates your workers while also making transformational changes within your community, then you can’t settle for being a “leader.” You have to become a conscious leader.

Tune into this episode to learn how to lead in a way that develops the capabilities of others with less effort from you "leading."

The benefits of hiring remote workers are many—lower overhead, higher morale, better productivity, and efficiency. Thus, we see more and more organizations are shifting to, and growing, their remote workforce.

As the leader of a remote team, you may feel like you’re still adapting, and learning how best to manage your remote team members.

So, what do you need to do differently to effectively lead your remote team, and keep them happy?

Your job is to guide and support your team members, by managing communication, trust, efficiency, and keeping them aligned on tasks and priorities as the team works remotely.

In this Leadership Insights episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, I am going to share six of my best, learned-the-hard-way tips, for managing a remote team.

The metaverse and web 3.0 are here — are you and your business ready? What can we as leaders do to prepare ourselves for how business will change?

Software is becoming more human-like than some humans; cities have digitals twins; even people have digital twins. You may find yourself scratching your head wondering “what just happened?”

Leaders, what change in your own state of mind will you need to implement, to stay relevant in the era of web 3.0?

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, co-founder and executive director of Transformative Tech, the largest and most respected authority on well-being technologies, Nichol Bradford, guides us through what executives and entrepreneurs need to know about the metaverse and the web 3.0 as they become more prominent in our lives.

When you reflect on how you want your career to progress, what career goals do you have? How will you achieve those goals? And who will be in your corner to support your journey?

There’s a very effective method to advocate for your own career development: sponsorship. Sponsorship is when a person of influence promotes the achievements, capabilities, and potential of another.

Is a career sponsor different from a mentor? Yes. Mentorship is private, but sponsorship is public. Sponsorship transcends advice and involves making connections, nurturing visibility, and advocating for promotions.

So, what’s the best way to choose someone, and then ask them to be your career sponsor?

Susan Drumm, CEO Coach, gives us step by step instructions and walks us through this process.

Is there a difference between management training and leadership development? And does your team need both?

Yes, they are different, and are both incredibly important to a leader’s success. Management training is logistical; leadership development is psychological.

A typical management training program might include topics like communication, conflict resolution, time management, ethics, policies and procedures.

Meanwhile, leadership development covers topics like the way mindset and assumptions fuel performance, and how personality type affects leadership style and communication.

Or in more relatable terms, management training without leadership development is like installing a bunch of apps on an iPhone without updating the operating system. The apps might work, but they won’t work very well or very quickly. And in some cases, they won’t work at all.

Susan Drumm, CEO coach, discusses the many benefits of integrating both management training and leadership development programs at your organization.

Should leaders work on improving their weaknesses, or should they focus on leveraging their strengths?

It’s natural for leaders to want to strive for excellence. If something is broken, you want to fix it. If you realize you need to grow in an area, you seek professional development to improve your skills.

And while self-awareness can be an uncomfortable process, it’s necessary to grow as a leader and a company.

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, international speaker and author, David Rendall, shares his unique approach to finding success as a leader, and explains why he believes leaders should lean into their personal strengths, rather than worry about their weaknesses.

Are you uncomfortable talking to your team about diversity? An important part of being a great leader is being brave enough to have the conversations that matter most.

And while study after study demonstrates diversity drives major business benefits, most people would still rather not talk about the issues that force us to have diversity strategies in the first place.

Asking our colleagues and employees about whether and how they experience gender (or race) bias getting in their way at work, strikes many of us as a conversation ten times more loaded than it’s worth. Even senior leaders fear they’re walking into territory strewn with red flags from HR.

But that anxiety can cause great harm to your workplace relationships. Employees may wonder if there are better opportunities elsewhere — feeling like you’re only interested in your experience, with no regard to theirs.

No matter how thorny the issue is, finding constructive ways to speak about it is essential.

Susan Drumm, CEO coach, shares her expert strategies for how to have that important conversation you’ve been avoiding with your team.

The next thirty years will bring advancements we can’t imagine. From augmented reality and the metaverse to enhancements in technology and automation, the sky isn’t the limit anymore.

Whether we like it or not, the world continues to change. So how can you prepare yourself to stay ahead in this ever-changing digital world?

Ben Lytle is a successful CEO, serial entrepreneur and author. He has launched five companies, including two currently on the New York Stock Exchange. His best-known company, Anthem, is number twenty-three on the Fortune 500, with a market cap of over $100B.

On the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, Ben walks us through the importance of advancing your potential and accelerating your wisdom in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution—the evolution of technology through digitization, artificial intelligence, and the metaverse.

Having trouble sourcing new talent? Here’s a surprising solution for expanding your talent pool.

Consider offering an apprenticeship at your company. But, what about training and experience?

Most executives and entrepreneurs look to hire employees who have a college degree, or that already have a certain amount of experience. Instead, challenge the notion that talent must complete a bachelor’s degree before providing value. Find and retain capable talent through apprenticeship.

On the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, Petra Schmidt, a managing partner at Aon’s Enterprise Client Group and member of Aon’s Apprentice Program Leadership Group, explains the benefits of the apprenticeship model and how to use it to expand your talent pool and drive employee retention.

When it comes to sales, most executives and entrepreneurs want instant gratification. You don’t want the needle to move five or ten years from now, you want that ROI today.

But what if slow progress leads to more growth in the long run? What if being selfless, not ruthless, is the key to long-term success?

If you want to build trust with clients and create a community of advocates for your business, be a resource to others first.

Selfless service is doing everything in your power to help as many people in front of you as you can. Without worrying about how it will benefit you or your business in the long term.

On the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, bestselling author and entrepreneur, Jonathan Keyser, explains why selfless service is the key factor in driving trust and building brand loyalty. He shares his own process for building trust and provides tools for practicing selfless leadership.

Are entrepreneurs the main drivers of innovation?

Conventionally, the most groundbreaking ideas are thought to come from entrepreneurs and executives. But innovative ideas can come from passionate and driven employees as well, if you know how to unleash the power of their creativity.

Without psychological safety, employees won’t feel comfortable brainstorming or sharing their ideas out loud with the rest of the group. As a leader, you need to create the conditions that allow your employees to thrive, contribute, feel engaged, and collaborate with one another.

Want to encourage innovation in your organization?

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, bestselling author Kaihan Krippendorff, shares his process for encouraging innovative ideas and explains how leaders can create a psychologically safe environment to foster creativity in the workplace.

For most executives and entrepreneurs, the four-day workweek feels like a pipe dream. When you’re working 50-60 hours a week, it’s hard to picture eliminating an entire workday.

There's not enough time in the day to get everything done as it is. What about revenue? Employee productivity?

With less time at work, how will your company stay competitive?

Yet, more and more companies are shifting to this new work schedule. They are finding that the four-day workweek actually prevents burnout, engages employees, and ultimately improves their businesses.

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, author and podcast host, Joe Sanok, shares the science and productivity gains behind the four-day workweek, and explains how to implement new schedule practices at your company.

What if finding joy outside of work is one secret to finding joy at work? Think of the last time you felt true joy. Maybe it was going for a walk at the beach. Painting. Playing tennis. What lights you up?

So often, your career, family, and responsibilities prevent you from feeling connected to your dreams for your life. But dreams aren’t meant to be forgotten.

What if you could reignite your passion for your dreams? How would that joy impact your life at home and at work?

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, bestselling author and consultant, Dane Espegard, explains his Dreams System and shares how leaders can re-engage their teams by helping employees reconnect with their personal dreams.

How often do you find yourself interrupting someone? Wishing they’d get to the point? Willing them to just stop talking!

The reasons why people ramble are many: they’re nervous; they haven’t structured their thoughts in advance; they’re thinking things through “out loud;” they’re lost in the detail and can’t see the big picture, etc.

Sometimes it’s hard not to finish people’s sentences to move things along. Time is short. Getting impatient with people who won’t get to the point is a totally natural reaction.

The trick is knowing what to do about it. Intervening effectively is a balancing act.

You need to steer the conversation where it needs to go and stay open to hear new information from the other person. And you need to do this in a way that doesn’t seem rude, impatient, or that could jeopardize your work relationships.

Susan Drumm, CEO Coach, shares three effective ways to deal with people who won’t get to the point.

Mental health and emotional well being aren’t just buzzwords anymore. Today, mental health is an essential component of the enlightened workplace and it is crucial for leaders to promote mental health across their organizations. The first step conscious leaders can take to help others is to find balance and to understand their own mental, emotional, and physical health. Then they can go beyond protecting their personal brain health, by promoting the mental health and wellbeing of their employees, too. By setting the foundation with a balanced brain, executives and entrepreneurs can more effectively lead high-performing, emotionally intelligent teams. In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, expert Lee Gerdes, tells us why he believes brain optimization is the first step to rebalancing and minimizing the impact of stress. He also shares stress management tools, emotional awareness techniques, and brain optimizing strategies that you can put into practice with your whole team.

Happy 2022! This time of year always makes me excited to learn new things and grow as a person. A ‘growth mindset’ is one of the biggest indicators of success — in business and in life.

So, what exactly is a growth mindset?

Dr. Carol Dweck, who coined the term, describes it this way: “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and exploration — brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.”

Does this time of year have you yearning to learn something new and test your abilities?

Susan Drumm, CEO Coach, walks you through these 5 outside-the-box ideas for professional and personal development.

If business is a game, how do you play to win? As a leader, it’s natural to put pressure on yourself to avoid losing at all costs. The stakes are high. Your business is your livelihood. You have investors and employees counting on you. But the most effective leaders are like football coaches. They don’t quit after one single loss: they’re resilient to setbacks and comfortable testing new strategies. In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, expert Sophie McLean, shares how leaders can become innovators and risk-takers in their businesses (and, in turn, live a more fulfilling life).

Have you ever wondered how you could develop greater executive presence for yourself? Clarity, authority, and confidence are the three most important aspects of having strong, effective, executive presence. Developing these three things will showcase your public speaking skills in conferences, meetings, and presentation situations.

Speaking to an audience of your peers is a confidence-shaking experience for lots of people. But, it doesn’t have to be.

Want to know the trick?

Susan Drumm, CEO Coach, walks you through three main aspects of executive presence, and gives you instructions and insights on how to develop them further.

There’s a simple yet powerful tactic for driving the sort of diversity that bolsters the performance and health of your business. In a word: sponsorship. To do well in a system that favors the “in” group, those outside need a champion or a sponsor. Women, it turns out, have plenty of mentors, but not nearly as many sponsors as men do.

Sponsorship occurs whenever one person of influence promotes the achievements, capabilities and future potential of someone else.

What is the difference between a mentor and a sponsor? Although mentoring conversations can be useful, these happen privately. Sponsorship is public. Mentors proffer friendly advice, sponsors pull you up to the next level.

So, what sponsorship behaviors are most effective?

Susan Drumm, CEO Coach, shares a list of ways that you and your senior colleagues can sponsor a woman on your team and make all the difference in their career.

Without mutual trust, how can your team members be open to receiving important feedback?

Building a strong and collaborative team for your company takes being a conscious leader. So how can executives and entrepreneurs build deep trust within their teams?

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, Christopher Michel shares how encouraging open communication and giving direct feedback regularly, will help you create deep trust within your team and a company culture of trust and excellence.

Why is emotional intelligence so important in the workplace? EQ is one of the key ingredients in better business relationships, smoother meetings, and higher morale. Soon, emotional intelligence will decide who has a job and who doesn’t. Companies will always need employees who communicate well, think critically, and can adapt to changes with ease.

Can a Gratitude Process Improve Employee Retention?

Every single company wants to work with the best employees, because talented people are the reason what helps make a company successful. But what if despite offering the best working opportunities, your employee retention rates are very poor?

In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive podcast, Chris Schembra shares the transformational power of gratitude and how to foster a sense of community in a virtual and in-person workplace.

How do you run virtual meetings that are impactful and keep your employees feeling connected? With so many people working remotely nowadays, it’s more important than ever for leaders to know how to do this. Here are 10 leadership insights that will help you plan and run incredibly effective virtual meetings with your team.

What does having true wealth mean? For most executives and entrepreneurs, wealth means having more money. But true wealth is so much more than a number. It is a combination of your time, relationships, purpose, physical and emotional wealth. After all, you can have all the money in the world, but how can you enjoy it when you have no time? Yet, it is very common for leaders to lack time wealth. They don’t have true control over their schedules because their time is ruled by the demands of their company. In this video Justin Donald, an expert, lifestyle investor, shares with host, Susan Drumm, how to create more time as a busy leader, why delegating helps you work smarter, why you need an annual freedom vision and how to create your own freedom vision.

Want to improve employee well-being in your workplace? Leaders can sense the anxiety rippling through their teams as the impact of the pandemic lingers into 2022 (and they may feel it themselves!). How can leaders respond in a way that diffuses that anxiety and promotes employee well-being, engagement, and performance? Employee well-being refers to all aspects of working life. This includes their workplace environment and how a workforce feels about their day-to-day work. In this video Gaurav Bhatnagar and Susan Drumm share how to improve employee well-being.

Want to know how to keep your employees motivated? If you think money is the main reason for motivation, you would be wrong. People are motivated by development opportunities and are more likely to leave a job if they feel their unique strengths aren’t being recognized.

Brittany Hodak, superfan expert, shares ways to inspire employee loyalty. Showing employees how their work matters is the first step to creating superfans and improving employee retention.

Motivating employees to become “superfans” requires going beyond the expected and superficial tokens of appreciation, like sending birthday cards or putting a foosball table in the breakroom.

Instead, Brittany believes that super-fandom is a two-way street. Superfan employees are created when leaders become superfans of them. In other words, when leaders truly care about each employee as a full person and are able to show that abundantly, employees respond with loyalty.

Workplace emotions are inevitable. Rather than trying to control them, effective leaders learn to recognize their emotions and work with them productively.s.

A great leader identifies and understands varying employee emotions and their own. They harness the positive aspects and reduce the negative impacts they can have in the workplace environment.

Cameron Herold, the CEO Whisperer, shares his business executive insight with Enlightened Executive Susan Drumm. He shares the problems he sees many corporations make and how they can be resolved with his techniques.

What are the TWO MAIN ISSUES most companies face? They are a lack of communication between executives and getting the most out of your employees.

Cameron shares with Susan how he helps major corporations resolve these problems.

Here are some of the questions he answers.

Where do most CEOs get “stuck”?
How to define the role of COO & CEO
What advice do you give the COO that he isn't getting from the CEO?
Most impactful thing you’ve done for your own development?
What do you do to grow your leadership?
Explain the “Activity Inventory” Tool?
What is your “meaningful mission”?
What’s the biggest challenge facing fast growing leaders?

The Enneagram is a typology system that describes the 9 human personalities as a number of interconnected personality types. The Enneagram is used for executive coaching and it is considered the best tool for leadership development.

Susan Drumm explains:

What is the Enneagram?
What makes it the best tool for leadership development?
The 9 personality types and the leadership characteristics.
How the Enneagram will help you grow as a leader.
Why the Enneagram is so useful to improve performance.

As leaders, it can be tough to make corporate decisions that align with big issues because the shift in operations would create a disruption to business as usual. And then, shareholders might jump ship after the potential short-term loss of that disruption — or would they?

Andrew Behar has data that proves the opposite is usually true: Shareholders care deeply about corporate commitment to big issues and won’t abandon companies who sacrifice short-term profit to uphold those values. In fact, most major companies are rewarded by shareholders for these types of decisions - and he has the data to prove it.

This week on The Enlightened Executive, we are joined by Andrew Behar. Andrew is the CEO of As You Sow, the nation’s leading non-profit practitioner of shareholder advocacy and engagement. In this video, he shares why leaders who commit to addressing big issues enjoy better business outcomes and longevity.

Do you think you can get your team to give you honest feedback? Like no-holds-barred honest?

Many of my clients tell me they struggle to get real feedback from their direct reports and I’m not surprised.

In this Leadership Insight episode of The Enlightened Executive, we discuss four keys you can implement to get honest feedback from your team. Often, team members are afraid to be honest about their concerns, leading to leaders thinking they don’t need to change which ultimately leads to problems remaining unresolved. I don’t want this to happen to you or your team! Tune in for tips on how to elicit honest, helpful feedback from your direct reports.

Do you need help getting honest feedback from your team? We’d love to help you create an environment where that can happen. Learn more about this topic here: https://meritageleadership.com/honest-feedback-from-your-team/

What would happen if you stepped away from your routine for a full week… to focus on crafting your future?

In today’s episode of The Enlightened Executive, we are joined by Matt Brannagan, the Director of Faculty at the Hoffman Institute to discuss hitting the “reset” button on your life and creating change. The Hoffman Institute is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to transformative adult education, spiritual growth, and the personal dimensions of leadership. The Hoffman Institute’s flagship offer is a 7-day residential retreat for those who are committed to creating change.

He also shares how the Hoffman Institute addresses patterns like…

Feeling disconnected from others because you haven’t reconciled your past
Listening to messages from your past as though they were happening in the present

If you’re interested in learning more about the Hoffman Institute, you can visit their website: www.hoffmaninstitute.org

Without knowing how the current health crisis will progress, leaders are scrambling to decide whether to reopen offices or to allow employees to continue to work from home. Many have landed somewhere in the middle with a hybrid model, neither 100% remote nor 100% in-person.

According to Robert Glazer, the hybrid model is both the most common choice and the riskiest. The risk lies in the temptation to adopt a hybrid model without outlining clear details. As he puts it, “Hybrid needs to be a strategy, not the absence of a strategy.”

In this week’s episode of The Enlightened Executive, we are joined by Robert Glazer to discuss the benefits and challenges of adapting a hybrid-work model. As the CEO of Accelerated Partners, Robert has successfully led a hybrid remote team for 14 years. His leadership has earned the company numerous industry and company culture awards, including Glassdoor’s Employees’ Choice Awards two years in a row.

Quick question for you: Do you think emotional intelligence is important in the workplace?

In this Leadership Insight episode of the Enlightened Executive, we discuss how you can assess your emotional intelligence. To receive the most honest assessment of your emotional intelligence, we would recommend a professional 360 assessment, however, if you’re interested in testing the waters first, in this episode we offer 10 questions for a DIY 360 assessment.

Emotional intelligence is important in the workplace because it can’t be outsourced to a robot or a factory, it’s no longer a “soft skill” -- it’s now an essential skill, and the higher your EQ, the more likely you are to get hired and promoted. If you’re interested in taking a full assessment or want to work on raising your emotional intelligence, let’s get connected.

While teams made up with people with similar personalities and perspectives may enjoy smooth meetings, they may not be the most productive teams. It’s not good for your company (or your clients or margins) to be staffed exclusively by people who share the same worldview, the same personality type, or the same approach to business.

In fact, every company would benefit from hiring for cognitive diversity — even if it creates conflict.

Why? Because the conflict that arises from cognitive diversity is good conflict.

In this Leadership Insight episode of The Enlightened Executive, we dive into the topic of why you need cognitive diversity on your team. It’s actually conflict that results in better products, happier customers, more effective systems, and fewer missteps. In this episode I discuss the definition of cognitive diversity, what sort of conflict arises from it, and how you can make sure you have a cognitively diverse team.

You might be familiar with the idea that the events of your past (particularly of your childhood) continue to impact you today. But did you know that the same is true for organizations? The events and attitudes that shaped your organization in its infancy are likely still permeating into your company culture, even though you may not be aware of it.

Dr. Amir Kfir offers a three-phase process for resolving conflict in your organization:

Understanding the other party with a sense of empathy
Understanding what the conflict is really about
Being able to visualize a future where both parties are truly benefitting

To learn more about Dr. Amir and his work, a great place to start is with his book, Nonflict: The Art of Everyday Peacemaking. You can support his nonprofit organization, Million Peacemakers, which teaches his conflict-resolution method around the world. https://www.millionpeacemakers.org/nonflict-way

One secret to resiliency as a leader is self-compassion. The more readily you can forgive yourself for mistakes, the faster you can bounce back. Some leaders may believe that forgiving yourself for your mistakes leads to laziness and a lack of ambition. In other words, if you aren’t hard on yourself for errors, you won’t be motivated to improve.

However, according to Sharon Salzberg, this type of punitive mindset only leads to exhaustion, as you drain your energy berating yourself. Self-compassion, on the other hand, allows you to move on more quickly from mistakes, show empathy for yourself and bounce back better than ever.

Sharon also guides listeners through a live loving-kindness meditation on this episode so you can experience a shift in your own awareness.

If you want to learn more about Sharon’s work, visit her website https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/. If you want to learn more about the Insight Meditation Dharma retreat center, visit https://www.dharma.org/retreats/retreat-center/.

You have a business plan. You have a marketing plan. But do you have a relationship plan? Most leaders would agree that success depends heavily on relationships — with team members, with suppliers, with partners, with clients and customers. Yet, many don’t prioritize relationship-building in a meaningful, memorable way.

Instead, leaders may default to the “expected” ways of relationship building: giving standard gifts at birthdays, holidays or dinners out during the “wooing” period with a potential employee or client.

John Ruhlin, the founder of Giftology, a company that specializes in building loyalty through radical generosity, discusses how leaders can create a relationship plan each year. When business rises and falls on the strength of your relationships, any investment in people will have an incredible ROI.

To learn more from John, start by downloading the Giftology Business Gifting Playbook: https://giftologygroup.com/gp-podcast/

What’s your current process for making a complex, high-stakes decision as a leader? Do you conduct extensive research? Rely on your intuition? Ask for advice from trusted parties?

Most decision-making models include some version of each of these components. But few actually guide you through a specific, logical research process — and fewer still include built-in cognitive bias challenges. That’s what makes the AREA Method different.

In this week’s episode of The Enlightened Executive, we are joined by Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, the developer of the AREA Method — a decision-making system for individuals, companies, and nonprofits to solve complex problems.

AREA is an acronym that stands for Absolute information, Relative sources, Exploration and Exploitation, and Analysis.

As a result of applying this process, leaders end up with a documented trail of ordered steps they took to arrive at their decision, including self-reflection. This trail not only makes them feel more confident in their final decision but also helps improve buy-in from team members who now have proof they did their due diligence.

Want to know the secret to becoming a better negotiator? It starts from within. Pay attention to people who annoy you or whom you wish you could be more like. They are mirrors for the parts of yourself you may have rejected.

This is the first step Erica Ariel Fox recommends leaders take to become better negotiators. Erica is the author of Winning From Within, which outlines a contemporary approach for getting more of what you want, improving relationships, and enjoying life’s deeper rewards. She believes that better negotiation starts not with learning classic negotiating tactics, but with learning to negotiate better with yourself.

During the interview, Erica also shares…

What being a 360-degree leader means
How becoming more self-aware leads to better leadership outcomes
How to embody and listen to more of your inner negotiators

Would you rather deliver a message on video or over email? Many leaders would choose the latter. It’s natural to feel skittish about appearing on camera as a leader. Many people judge themselves about how they look in videos or feel a lack of confidence on screen.

But according to Todd Hartley, the CEO of WireBuzz, this is missing the point. Video works because it’s the most human form of content. It replicates eye contact, shared emotions, and, yes, the imperfections of face-to-face interactions. The point is not to look perfect — it’s to show up as yourself and deepen connections with prospects.

Todd discusses:

5 key places to integrate video communication in your organization
How a mindset shift he made at the beginning of the pandemic led to the best year in WireBuzz’s history, despite the shutdown
How to read “digital body language” and use it to improve conversions
The incredibly simple video marketing strategy you can start doing now to build your authority in your industry, attract high-end clients, and experience fast growth

Who would you be without your ambition to attain success? Is your ambition driven by the need to create financial stability or make your mark on the world? Many leaders would candidly cite those motivators as the reason for their success.

Patrick McKenna was no different. He had built his incredibly successful career as an investor and entrepreneur — motivated by a desire to leave his small hometown and prove to others he could make something of himself. And yet, as he looked deeper, he saw that behind that ambition was a fear of failure.

In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Patrick also talks about…

Why living in a “love motivation” is a good investment thesis
How to use meditation to let go of fear-based ambition
The daily practices that help leaders work toward enlightenment

John Rampton shares his strategies for staying “overly relaxed” at work, how he overcame a life-changing injury, and how leaders can develop a relaxed mindset in the workplace. He is a successful serial entrepreneur (currently running Calendar.com), motivational speaker, and expert blogger at Entrepreneur, Forbes, Inc., and more. John has proven that leaders can lead from a place of certainty that everything will turn out okay.

In this episode we also discuss…

How riding a Jet Ski helps him stay more focused and present at work
His #1 strategy for quickly dealing with negative emotions like fear
How a messed-up childhood can actually be an asset to leaders

If you’re being faced with overbearing amounts of stress or have been recently triggered by past trauma, this 10-minute Havening exercise will help you deal with your anxiety.

We are led through this exercise by Stephen Travers. Stephen is the Director of U.K. and International Havening and is passionate about teaching others how to use Havening in their lives.

“Havening helps us to be at our best, in terms of changing what’s actually happening in our brains and bodies,” Stephen explains.

Be sure to save this video to a playlist you visit frequently so you can participate in this exercise again whenever you need it to reduce stress or anxiety.

To see Stephen and Susan physically doing this exercise, watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZvzIKyGxX9o

To find out more about Havening, watch the full episode interview with Stephen Travers here: https://EnlightenedExec.com/ep006

According to Bill Adams, CEO of the Leadership Circle, a “high-control” leadership style incurs a high energetic cost for everyone. Leaders inevitably cast a long shadow on their organization, affecting far more than their direct reports. This shadow can either be healthy or unhealthy, and leaders are generally unaware of the shadow. But there’s no denying that it exists.

Listen to our interview to learn…

Why high-controlling leaders sabotage their organization’s performance
The story of a leader who went from always needing to be the “smartest person in the room” to entering the top quartile of leadership effectiveness and being promoted to CEO
How your beliefs and assumptions guide your external behaviors and results

Joey Klein, the founder and CEO of Inner Matrix Systems: a personal mastery training system for high achievers, shares:

How to accurately assess your emotional state
How to become more sensitive to the emotional needs of your team
An exercise to get into a state of “centered neutrality” (relaxed, clear, and calm)

Many leaders have wellness routines that include activities like going to a spin class, lifting weights, and eating well. And the truly gifted leaders are incorporating emotional and mental activities as a core part of their wellness routines, too.

Through his experience in competitive martial arts, Joey learned that he needed to train emotionally and mentally as much as he trained physically so that he could remain centered and even joyful during competitions. Leaders must also learn to improve their mental and emotional health in the workplace to achieve better results in intense environments.

Launching a company without a clear mission statement is a recipe for disaster. Yet, so many of us walk around as individuals without a clear “mission statement” for our lives… and then wonder why we don’t feel fulfilled or motivated.

This lack of life purpose is what Rabbi Jacobson views as one of the biggest problems leaders face today, with consequences for both their professional capabilities and personal happiness.

Rabbi Jacobson, founder of The Meaningful Life Center (called a “Spiritual Starbucks” by the New York Times because it makes spirituality accessible for everyone), shares his incredible wisdom about:

What type of crisis response from leaders fosters connection (and, on the flipside, which type of response leads to lower loyalty)
Counterintuitive financial actions to instantly increase confidence among your team during a crisis
Activities to bookend your day with to create meaning in life
How to discover your life’s purpose if you feel lost

This week’s guest Lisa Holmes, Chief Business Strategist for Strategic Performance of Los Angeles, discusses how leaders can improve their wellness. Many leaders are extremely organized and plan each aspect of their day, but don’t consider planning time to devote to their health.

You have probably heard that “you are what you eat,” but many leaders do not prioritize their nutrition. Busy schedules don’t leave time to cook nutritious meals and sometimes you don’t have access to healthy foods while traveling. However, in order to become the best version of yourself, you must put yourself first.

In 2019, Lisa lost 96 lb and decided to take audiences along her health and wellness journey. Every week, she engages viewers on her cooking show, Be Well + Live Well with Lisa, on Roku TV and the Taste On TV channel. In this episode, Lisa and Susan discuss how to bring up wellness topics in a team setting to inspire your employees.

If you’re not embodying your authentic self, your team will sense that and begin to lose trust in you as a leader. The solution? Accessing your original thoughts and getting quiet through meditation.

In this week’s episode of The Enlightened Executive, Dina Kaplan joins Susan to discuss how meditation helps you become a more authentic leader. Dina is founder/CEO of The Path and a certified meditation teacher who leads teacher training programs, retreats and meditations for brands, festivals, companies and conferences around the world. She has studied and practiced dozens of techniques including mindfulness, compassion, mantra, Vipassana and more.

.

They also discuss...

How attending a meditation retreat (such as the one by The Path, called Mela) can help you get in touch with your most honest self
The insight she experienced at her first meditation retreat, which propelled her to change how she was showing up in the world
How you can practice meditation for profound shifts without quitting your job and moving to a cave for a year

For more information about The Path and their meditation retreat, Mela, visit www.thepath.com.

Often the best companies to do business with are also likely the best companies to work for.

We discuss the link between employee experience (EX) and customer experience (CX) with Shep Hyken, customer service and experience expert, bestselling author and the Chief Amazement Officer of Shepard Presentations, who has helped hundreds of major companies create an inspiring and engaging team culture.

“If you don’t give the people you work with the tools they need to get their job done most effectively, how can they properly engage with your customers?” Shep asks.

Around 46% of job seekers apply to a position because of a company’s culture (JobVite, 2018). Creating an environment that attracts and maintains top performers in your industry is crucial—and easier said than done.

So, what do CEOs and entrepreneurs need to do to improve their company culture? Listen to the full interview with Shep Hyken to learn the six strategies to improve company culture.

| If you’ve ever been told to “just relax!” during a high-stress situation, you know exactly how unhelpful that advice is. This week’s guest, Dr. Rollin McCraty, Ph.D. is the Director of Research of the HeartMath Research Center at the HeartMath Institute. According to Rollin, what leaders should be practicing is not “relaxation,” it’s coherence. So what is coherence? Dr. McCraty and Susan learn more now. Listen in... |

Underlying emotions are inseparable from our everyday lives. What kind of impact do your emotions have on your leadership capabilities? Of course emotions have their role in the workplace— but dragging our emotional baggage into the office is detrimental to the both our health and the health of our organization.

Today, Dr. Bradley Nelson, a holistic physician and one of the world’s foremost experts on natural methods of achieving wellness, joins us to talk about trapped emotions and how they impact our health and leadership. Dr. Nelson’s book, The Emotion Code, provides a step by step instruction on how to do just that.

The Emotion Code has helped countless people deal with physical ailments that come from long term emotional turmoil. Through his experience in holistic healing, Nelson found that regardless of the physical ailment, they all had one thing in common: emotional baggage.

Keep watching to find out why this is especially important for leaders to master, and how to release emotional baggage. To learn even more, go to discoverhealing.com or look for Dr. Nelson’s book The Emotion Code wherever you buy books or audible to listen.

Take your leadership skills to the next level and download “How to Free up 8+ Hours a Week: The Ultimate Guide to Delegation” here: https://EnlightenedExec.com/delegate

Is artificial intelligence really going to change everything in business?

If we look to recent implementations of AI in the workplace, the answer is yes.

Computational social science is a groundbreaking new field that allows AI technology to discover human behavior and help leaders improve their performance. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, we dive into this topic with David Shrier, a globally recognized thought leader in technology and innovation.

“[Through AI] we can decode human behavior and understand mindset shift mathematically, and take actions that cause people to change behavior.” David says that AI may one day take over jobs like executive coaching as well. Is AI something to be afraid of?

How do your past wounds impact your leadership?

Many leaders are carrying core wounds from childhood into their professional experiences, and one modality to unwind those wounds is through Ayahuasca; go to The Enlightened Executive blog post [link here] to hear more about it.

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew from two vines found in the rainforest. A shaman who is experienced in working with this psychedelic guides you through your “journey,” which lasts around 10-12 hours. Many say that ayahuasca allows you to take a journey of self-awareness and enlightenment: it especially enables you to deal with trauma.

Ayahuasca is a tool that anyone could benefit from, and executives are no exception. These types of retreats provide the opportunity for leaders to heal their childhood wounds so they don’t continue to play them out in the workplace..

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Enlightened Executive for more videos on how your personal evolution can spark your leadership (r)evolution!

Are you spending your precious time as wisely as you could? Take your leadership skills to the next level and download. “How to Free up 8+ Hours a Week: The Ultimate Guide to Delegation” here: https://EnlightenedExec.com/delegate

http://EnlightenedExec.com/ep007

Executives are sometimes faced with overbearing amounts of stress. Not only is stress an inevitable aspect of being a leader, at times past trauma can also impact the way executives deal with conflict.

Enter Havening: a groundbreaking neuroscientific tool to help heal triggers from trauma, anxiety, and phobias. The process helps people process feelings of unresolved anger, fear, or inadequacy, and builds emotional resilience.

We are delighted to have Stephen Travers with us to discuss Havening and its application to personal and business life. Stephen is the Director of U.K. and International Havening and is passionate about teaching others how to use Havening in their lives.

If you want to learn more, go to https://EnlightenedExec.com/ep006

A “face reader,” someone skilled in dissecting the details of our expressions, can help decipher people’s true motivations and intentions. To some degree, we all use face reading every day in our interactions with people. We call it reading body language. But the face can tell us so much about what a person is thinking, feeling, and wanting, and this can be useful in hiring, identifying problems with team dynamics, and negotiations.

Want to find out more about the ancient skill of face reading? Check out the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive:

http://EnlightenedExec.com/ep005

  Did you know that every company is an extension of its leader?

                 Many parts of your personality and past experiences show up in your organization in ways you cannot even imagine. This manifestation can lead to different problems, but the most surprising aspect of this mechanism is that you may not even realize that you are the cause of it.

                 The EQ Profile is designed to help you bring light to those blind spots. It is an instrument that provides a snapshot of your internal experience, especially when you are under stress.

                 This method is different from all the other personality tests you may know. It does not simply ask you to share your emotional strengths and weaknesses and use them to elaborate generic feedback; instead, it presents you with mock emotional situations, and your responses to those stimuli will be the key to unravel your blind spots.

                 Learn more about the EQ Profile in this episode of The Enlightened Executive:

          http://EnlightenedExec.com/ep004

A graduation, the death of a loved one; huge life changes are normal for all of us. What's not healthy is an inability to adapt to such changes. Our guest, Seminar Leader for Landmark, Erin Snyder joins us today talking about actively listening for healthy connection, and how listeners can develop to lead their own lives.

Today we decode the enneagram, and put it to work for our benefit as leaders. Beatrice Chestnut, PhD, MA is a licensed psychotherapist, executive coach, and business consultant based in San Francisco, CA. She has a PhD in communication studies and an MA in clinical psychology. A leading global thought leader on the Enneagram system, Beatrice has been studying the Enneagram system of personality since 1990.

www.BeatriceChestnut.com

Dandapani is a Hindu priest, entrepreneur and a former monk of 10 years. He joins us from his 33-acre spiritual scantuary and botnaical garden in costa rica. Today, we focus...on focus.

www.Dandapani.org