A Bit of Optimism

How do people become powerful? Can understanding power protect us from those who wield it too strongly?

When Robert Greene first set out to write about power, he didn’t have much of it. He worked odd jobs and was largely at the mercy of other people’s power. Now, his book “The 48 Laws of Power” has given him the power he wrote about. He sat down with me to share what he’s learned on both sides of that spectrum.

This… is a Bit of Optimism.

For more on Robert and his work, check out:

https://powerseductionandwar.com/

Failure is the secret to success. Our failures are agents of inspiration, iteration, and innovation.  

Dr. Amy Edmondson is the Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School and her newest book "Right Kind of Wrong" is all about how we can change our relationship with failures and start “failing well.”  

This is…A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Dr. Amy Edmondson and her work check out:

https://www.amazon.com/Right-Kind-Wrong-Science-Failing/dp/1982195061

https://amycedmondson.com/

https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=6451

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycedmondson/

https://twitter.com/AmyCEdmondson

https://www.instagram.com/amycedmondson/

You’ll never achieve perfect happiness. This might sound like bad news, but it’s actually a good thing. Because being happy is not a final destination, it’s an ongoing practice. In short, it’s happier-ness.

That’s a term Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey coined in their new book “Build the Life You Want” where together they lay out a blueprint for a better life. And they would know: Arthur has studied the science of happiness for over 25 years, and I have never had a conversation with him that I haven’t left with a life-changing perspective on what it means to live a meaningful life. 

This conversation was no different.

This… is a Bit of Optimism.

For more on Arthur and his work check out: 

https://www.amazon.com/Build-Life-You-Want-Science/dp/0593545400

arthurbrooks.com

2

When should we trust our gut and when should we depend on logic? 

Liv Boeree can actually answer that question.  She won the World Series of Poker before retiring from the game to explore big questions about game theory, competition, and how we can all find more win-wins.

This is…a Bit of Optimism.

For more on Liv and her work check out: 

https://livboeree.com/

When should you quit a project and when should you persevere?

As one of the world’s leading entrepreneurs, Steven Bartlett has thought deeply about this problem.

Steven is used to getting people to open up on his podcast, but it turns out he’s just as insightful when the focus is on him. 

This is…a Bit of Optimism.

For more on Steven and his work check out: 

His new book: https://smarturl.it/DOACbook

His website: https://stevenbartlett.com/

How you do anything is how you do everything.

Steven Bartlett embodies this old adage.  His high standards and focus on the finest details launched him from a broke university dropout to one of the world’s most influential entrepreneurs.

At 30-years-old he has already founded multiple companies, starred on Britain’s hit tv show Dragon’s Den, and he is now the host of one of the planet’s most popular podcasts, Diary of a CEO.  

He is a leader for the new era. It was a joy to turn the tables on him and have him talk about himself for a change. 

His new book, Diary of a CEO, is available for pre-order now. 

This is…a Bit of Optimism.

For more on Steven and his work check out: 

His new book: https://smarturl.it/DOACbook

His website: https://stevenbartlett.com/

Great businesses often look a lot like social movements.  

Sharmadean Reid knows this from experience—she has combined technology and culture to create multiple businesses around strong communities. She started her first business at 24, creating a nail salon that changed the beauty industry. Now she runs a media network for the next generation of women in power.  

This is…A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Sharmadean and her work, check out:

https://thestack.world

https://sharmadeanreid.com

What does it mean to live a long and happy life?  

David Von Drehle has spent 40 years covering big stories and important figures as an award-winning journalist. But the best lessons turned out to be right next door. David’s latest book, “The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109 Year-Old Man,” is a best-seller about resilience, American history, and what it means to live well.

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on David and his work check out:

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Book-of-Charlie/David-Von-Drehle/9781476773926

https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/david-von-drehle/

For this 4th of July, I wanted to do something special to celebrate the birth of our nation. So I invited Air Force Chief of Staff General CQ Brown, Jr. to join me on the podcast. 

General Brown is the head of the Air Force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is also the current nominee to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. If he is confirmed as Chairman later this year, it would make him the most senior-ranked member of the United States military. 

General Brown is humble, approachable, credible, and super inspiring. 

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on General Brown and his work, check out: 

His Leadership Library: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/CSAF-Leadership-Library/

His comments in the wake of George Floyd: https://twitter.com/PACAF/status/1268794618461618177?s=20

His bio: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108485/charles-q-brown-jr/

Change is inevitable.  And yet fear, anger, and confusion are often our first reactions to changes. 

Cassandra Worthy experienced the negative emotions that stem from change so many times that she now sees them for what they really are: signals for opportunity. Now, she helps companies and individuals thrive during times of major change. 

This is… A Bit of Optimism.

For more on Cassandra and her work check out: 

Her book Change Enthusiasm https://a.co/d/jlB2Xnk

https://cassandraworthy.com/