Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.

What’s your relationship with ambition? What parts of you do you want to grow? What does success look like for you, and how has that evolved over the years? What’s your relationship with perfectionism? 

Kate Berardo is the Vice President of Leadership Development at Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook. She likes to call herself a lifelong learner, rejecting poisonous perfectionism and keeping curiosity alive. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/

Kate reads two pages from ‘Bird by Bird’ by Anne Lamott. [reading begins at 8:30] 

Hear us discuss: 

“To be interesting, be interested.” [2:10] | Being kinder to yourself: “It’s inviting to have a little bit of messiness.” [13:23] | Staying curious on a large scale. [17:29] | Finding your next evolution. [20:09]

2 Pages with MBS is going to be releasing only one new episode per week from now on. Michael explains why he has taken this tough decision and shares some exciting news listeners can look forward to soon.

Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.

Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/

Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.

One of my favourite words is penumbra. Its etymology is the combination of the Latin words for almost, and shadow. The word means ‘the edge of the shadow’: not quite light, not quite dark. Another favourite word is liminal - on the threshold. Some of my favourite people are those who seek out those spaces of ambiguity, uncertainty, and fluidity - people willing to dissolve the sense of who they are, currently, so they can see what emerges next. 

I met Steven D’Souza at the ‘House of Beautiful Business’ conference in Lisbon, and immediately, I wanted to be his friend. He’s trained as a priest, written a trilogy of wonderful books, been the vice president for an investment bank, and the head of Learning and Development for a Fortune 500 company. When you try to piece together this career progression … it seems to make Steven more of an enigma, rather than less. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/

Steven reads two pages from ‘The Self Delusion’ by Tom Oliver. [reading begins at 15:20] 

Hear us discuss: 

Being freed from excessive individualism. [19:13] Rejecting the individualistic approach: “It’s not either/or, it’s both/and.” [21:29] Growth as a ‘teacher.’ [25:27] Deciding who to serve: “Let your life speak.” [29:20]

Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.

If you can imagine a painter, musician or dancer, then you can probably bring to mind where they do their work. A place to explore, create and make ...but how is that relevant to those of us in the world of organizations and corporations? Today’s guest, Jennifer Paylor, calls herself an artist and it’s not only because she sings and writes. She is an engineer and the current Head of Learning & Development, Talent and Culture at Capgemini in North America. She believes that the work she does here is considered art, because she utilises her skills to create a harmonious environment, blurring the lines between Art and Science. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ 

Jennifer reads from ‘Leadership and Self-Deception’ by The Arbinger Institute. [Reading begins at 10:29] 

You’ll also hear us talk about: 

Being ‘in the box.’ [14:04] | Staying present to humanity in difficult conversations. [20:24] | “People talk in symptoms. There is a need somewhere, even if they don’t articulate it.” [21:21] | Culture hacking. [21:55] | Building influence in new organisations. [24:39] | Intellectual humility. [26:36] | “Trust is the key to human growth.” [30:58]

Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.

The pandemic has brought about an epidemic of loneliness. Human connection expert, Riaz Meghji is here to talk about fixing it. Riaz has 17 years of experience in broadcast television, covering current affairs, sports, entertainment, politics and business. In this episode, he shares insights he acquired along the way about retaining humility in an industry where big egos easily develop, and the importance of candid conversation. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/  

Riaz reads from the book ‘Everyone Communicates, Few Connect’ by John C. Maxwell, explaining that he has always been fascinated by the art of how and why we connect. [reading begins at 5:45] 

Furthermore, you’ll hear MBS and Riaz discuss: 

The book’s impact on Riaz [9:55] | Arrogance as an interviewer [11:24] | Establishing connection and trust [14:02] | Perfecting one’s craft while remaining humble [19:04] | Navigating and evoking emotion [26:05]  

Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.

During the first phase of the pandemic I experimented with a type of online gathering, which I called Cocktails and Questions. After getting myself a cocktail, five people in my circle would gather, and we all had six minutes to reflect on a question I had sent them the day before; they would talk without interruption. The question I had sent was designed to provoke reflection, vulnerability, and insight. One of my favourite questions was this: What are you holding on to, and why? Woven into that question is the insight that once we’ve taken hold of something, we become committed to it, often to an extent that’s irrational, and one that no longer serves us. This applies to companies we love as well: it’s hard to let go of the brands we’re committed to.

Sandra Sucher is the Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School, and author of a new book: The Power of Trust: How Companies Build It, Lose It, Regain It. Smart companies use the power of trust to keep their customers committed to them. How? Here’s a hint: moral reasoning. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ 

Sandra reads two pages from ‘The Making of the Atomic Bomb’ by Richard Rhodes. [reading begins at 14:05] 

Hear us discuss:

What it takes to nurture moral courage. [21:54] | Navigating different morality: “Assume good intent.” [27:03] | Refining your understanding of moral leadership. [28:42] | Being a moral leader in a flawed system: “It’s always possible to be a moral leader.” [35:29] | Welcoming moral leadership in an organisation. [36:52]

Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be the CEO of a massive company? What do you do? What do you worry about? Michael Bungay Stanier is joined by his friend Dig Howitt, CEO and President of Cochlear, a medical device company that helps people hear and be heard. They have a conversation about modern business and what makes a company successful. Dig shares the responsibilities and difficulties that accompany his position as a high-ranking officer, and offers advice that he utilises to ensure he continues to grow and learn as a leader. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ 

Dig selected the book ‘In Search of Excellence’ by Tom J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman Jr. [reading begins at 4:25] 

MBS and Dig Howitt discuss: 

The book’s impact on Dig [8:27] | Leadership versus management [10:48] | The relationship between strategy and culture [12:15] | Being a follower and a leader [14:10] | Improving failure capacity within a company [17:30] | Building a strong leadership team [21:00] | Diverse views within a team [23:15]

Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.

It’s launch week for How to Begin. I’ve had a love-hate relationship with this book - mostly love - for about a year and a half, so it’s pretty exciting to finally stumble into the sunlight, blinking and going, “It’s arrived! It’s here!” And that’s why today’s guest is so perfect; Jesse Finkelstein is the co-founder of Page Two, the company who published and partnered with me for this book, and The Coaching Habit and The Advice Trap, as well. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ 

Michael reads two pages from his upcoming book, ‘How To Begin.’ [reading begins at 8:15]

Hear us discuss: 

‘Unicorn business partners’: “If you can find a wonderful partner, it’s everything, but can also be the worst thing.” [3:45] | “I found it very freeing once I gave myself permission to not only hold onto the people who would support me on the journey, but to abandon the people and structures that would weigh me down.” [12:36] | Finding the courage to say ‘no’ and dealing with the aftermath: “It’s often to everyone’s benefit if you’re able to look honestly at a relationship or structure, and let it go.” [13:18] 

Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.

Today is January 11th, 2022 - it is the day my new book, How to Begin: Start Doing Something That Matters, actually arrives in the world. This is probably no surprise to you, because I have been mentioning it on the podcast; so, today, I thought I’d bring you a short, but hard-hitting, interview with the author. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ 

Welcome to 2 Pages with MBS! This is the podcast where Michael interviews Michael, about Michael’s book. You’ll hear him talk about:

Trialing the epiphany, “Hey, I might be a writer.” [1:34] | Why write about goals? [3:37] | The ambition for this book. [6:03]

In anticipation of the new book’s launch in January, we’re reaching into the vaults to pull the best episodes for you. Want to preorder? Go to HowToBegin.com

On a scale of 1-10, how good of a person are you? Yeah, tricky question. And even trickier: Is the person you think you are the same as the person who actually shows up, day-to-day, in life? Dolly Chugh, as well as being one of my favourite people, is a professor of social psychology at the NYU Stern School of Business, and author of The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias. Dolly has made it her goal to speak to those of us who label ourselves as good people but may not realise how our unconscious biases affect the way we function. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/  

Dolly reads from A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Rights History by Jeanne Theoharis. [reading begins at 12:13]

Hear us discuss: 

Addressing systemic bias: “Unlearning what we know and learning what’s correct makes it easier to see the systems around us.” [21:50] | Learning to unlearn: the ‘paradox mindset.’ [25:09] | Counteracting simple narratives: “You don’t have to believe only one thing.” [28:17]