Becoming Your Best | The Principles of Highly Successful Leaders

What should a leader do when the program they oversee receives nothing but criticism and doubt from outside? How important are leadership, team building, and team management skills to absorb the pressure and turn a program from possible failure to a resounding success?

In today's episode, the inspiring Betsy Clark and Tom Burbage join us for a great conversation about leadership, management, and the keys to building high-performing teams, inspired by the story depicted in their book "F-35: The Inside Story of the Lightning II," where they gift us with an inside look to the creation of the most advanced aircraft in the world.

Throughout our conversation, we learn about Betsy and Tom's background and unique perspectives: Tom's as the leader of the entire project, and Betsy's as a member of a review team from the US Department of Defense. Together, we explore the importance of leadership and management, why they decided to write the book, and several crucial leadership concepts.

Additionally, we explore the challenges the F-35 program faced from start to finish, how Tom turned around a program that was inches from failing, Betsy and Tom offer valuable leadership and management tips and advice, and much more.

Tune in to Episode 387 and learn more about the creation of this fascinating aircraft and the valuable leadership and management lessons that can be extracted from the F-35 program.

Some Questions I Ask: 

Tom, tell us a bit about the F-35, and Betsy, what moved you to write this book? (7:50) 

Betsy, could you share some insights the readers of "F-35: The Inside Story of the Lightning II" will find in the book? (14:10)

In This Episode, You Will Learn: 

A bit about Betsy and Tom's background (4:30) 

Why the F-35 became much more than an aircraft (9:10) 

How Tom transformed a project on the brink of failure into a success (17:30) 

Betsy and Tom share valuable leadership and management concepts (23:20) 

Be a contributor, be a doer (27:40)

Resources: 

Book: Betsy Clark, Tom Burbage - F-35: The Inside Story of the Lightning II

Connect with Betsy: 

LinkedIn

Connect with Tom: 

LinkedIn

Becoming Your Best Resources: 

Becoming Your Best Website

Becoming Your Best University Website

Becoming Your Best Library

Email: [email protected]

Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders

Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Storytelling has existed since humankind's dawn; it has always been a handy tool to share experiences, prevent others from dangers, teach, and create a sense of belonging. We are so connected to stories that hearing one generates chemical reactions in our brains.

If you want to learn how storytelling can transform and take your leadership to the next level, you can't miss today's episode.

This week, I'm joined by Mark Carpenter, Serial Storyteller, Founder, Trainer, Consultant, and Speaker. He co-authored "Master Storytelling", a book about how to turn everyday experiences into stories that teach, lead, and inspire.

Throughout our conversation, Mark explains why storytelling is so compelling for most people and teaches us the basics of creating captivating stories. We also talk about transforming day-to-day experiences into authentic, persuasive, and engaging stories and why most leaders fail to see storytelling's massive potential.

Additionally, Mark explains how to get better at storytelling, build trust through telling stories, what's behind a story that generates an emotional reaction, and much more.

Tune in to Episode 386 and discover the true power of storytelling.

Some Questions I Ask: 

Please tell us about your background, including any turning points in your life that impacted what you're doing today? (2:50) 

What's in the book? How can it help me or any person to do better utilizing storytelling? (9:30)

In This Episode, You Will Learn: 

Reasons why storytelling is so compelling to most people (5:30) 

Why storytelling is so underutilized by leaders (8:00) 

Three biggest mistakes people make at storytelling (10:50) 

How can you find impactful stories (14:00) 

How to get better at storytelling (20:50)

Resources: 

Book: Mark Carpenter, Darrel Harmon - Master Storytelling: How to Turn Your Experiences into Stories that Teach, Lead, and Inspire

Connect with Mark: 

Website 

LinkedIn 

Get Mark's ebook FREE

Becoming Your Best Resources: 

Becoming Your Best Website

Becoming Your Best University Website

Becoming Your Best Library

Email: [email protected]

Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders

Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Although change can be scary sometimes, especially when it pushes us out of our comfort zone, it is also an agent for growth, evolution, and legacy creation. As leaders, we should always take advantage of an opportunity to change.

This week, we’re joined by the inspiring Julie Noonan; she is an Executive and Leadership Coach, Change Strategist, Speaker, Founder, and CEO. After decades of success in Corporate America, Julie became her own boss. She founded Julie Noonan Consulting to coach leaders to legacies of success. Using her proven coaching method, The RIDE Method, Julie helps mid and late-career leaders remain relevant in this ever-changing business climate.

Throughout our conversation, we talk about Julie's love for change management and organizational development, new technologies and old leaders, legacy, and how ready boomers are to leave the workforce. Julie also shares her thoughts on how different retirement looks nowadays, how to remain technology relevant, and much more.

Tune in to Episode 385 of Becoming Your Best, and learn how change can be your best ally for legacy creation.

Some Questions I Ask: 

• Tell us about your background, including any turning points in your life that impacted what you're doing today. (2:40) 
• How are boomers preparing to leave the workforce, and what specific challenges are they facing? (10:00)

In This Episode, You Will Learn: 

• Julie's reaction to a massive wake-up call (5:10) 
• Retirement isn't what it used to be (11:50) 
• How to stay technology relevant (13:00) 
• The importance of in-person interaction in the workspace (16:10) 
• What a leader can do to leave a lasting legacy (24:30)

Connect with Julie: 

• Website 
• LinkedIn

Becoming Your Best Resources: 

• Becoming Your Best Website 
• Becoming Your Best University Website 
• Becoming Your Best Library 
• Email: [email protected]  
• Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders 
• Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance 
• Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is excellence in leadership?

Contrary to what many people think, excellence has nothing to do with the results we get but how we do things. Excellence is not about the outcome; it is about the process.

Today, I'm joined by the inspiring Mac McNeil, a top-performing executive and an accomplished leader with a diverse military intelligence, business, and financial management background.

Mac is the Author of the leadership book and newsletter "My Great Aunt EDNA" and was named among the 10 Most Influential Black Corporate Leaders to Watch in 2023 by CIO Views Magazine. Over the years, Mac has held key positions at the most prestigious financial institutions in the world, like JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America.

In this episode together, we hear about Mac's backstory and how growing up in Germany in the '80s, plus his experiences in the US Army, contributed to molding what excellence means to him. We talk about leadership, leading by example, and the experiences that inspired Mac to create EDNA's leadership principles.

Additionally, Mac shares a fantastic story about leadership inspired by the great Miles Davis, talks about "the broken mirror," and so much more.

Tune in to Episode 384 of Becoming Your Best, and learn more about Mac's leadership principles.

Some Questions I Ask: 

• Please, tell us about your Great Aunt EDNA; tell us about your book (5:10) 
• What does the spirit of excellence mean for you? (6:40)

In This Episode, You Will Learn: 

• A bit about Mac's background (3:50) 
• Mac shares a lesson learned from a teller working at the Bank of America (8:50) 
• The leadership style of Miles Davis (12:00) 
• Mac explains the leadership principles of EDNA (17:10) 
• How to know you are doing things right as a leader (22:20)

Resources: 

• Book: Mac McNeil - My Great Aunt EDNA: The Golden Girl of Leadership

Connect with Mac: 

• LinkedIn

Becoming Your Best Resources: 

• Becoming Your Best Website
• Becoming Your Best University Website
• Becoming Your Best Library
• Email: [email protected] 
• Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders
• Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance
• Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you know what your leadership style is?

Leaders who prefer a directive approach might end up succeeding or becoming dictators, and servant leaders can also thrive and empower their teams or turn into doormats. In leadership, there isn't a magic recipe; there are different styles, and their success depends on which one fits better with the leader's personality.

In today's episode, I'm joined by JB Steenkamp, Speaker, Author, Founder, and World-Renowned Educator, to talk about leadership. JB is the Co-founder and Executive Director of AiMark, and has written multiple books, including "Retail Disruptors," "Global Brand Strategy," "Brand Breakout," which was selected as Best Business Book in 2013, "Private Label Strategy," and his latest "Time To Lead: Lessons for Today's Leaders from Bold Decisions that Changed History."

Throughout our conversation, JB shares his thoughts on leadership styles, the importance of recognizing which one is ours, and how to evolve from one to another and become better leaders. We also discuss JB's self-assessment tool and the historical figures like Nelson Mandela that inspired JB's research and motivated him to write "Time To Lead."

Additionally, JB highlights the importance of grit and resilience to become better leaders, how to improve our leadership abilities, and more.

Tune in to Episode 383 and take a moment to discover your leadership style and how to improve it.

Some Questions I Ask: 

Is there one type of leadership style that's best? (3:30) 

What do you suggest when someone discovers their leadership style? (10:40)

In This Episode, You Will Learn: 

A bit about JB's background (2:00) 

The four styles of leadership (6:40) 

The importance of self-assessment and finding out what kind of leader we are (15:40) 

Why grit and resilience are instrumental to becoming a good leader (18:00) 

JB's recommendation for leaders (22:00)

Resources: 

Book: Jan-Benedict Steenkamp - Time to Lead: Lessons for Today's Leaders from Bold Decisions that Changed History

Connect with JB: 

LinkedIn

Twitter

Becoming Your Best Resources: 

Becoming Your Best Website

Becoming Your Best University Website

Becoming Your Best Library

Email: [email protected]

Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders

Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance

Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, ALS, Parkinson's, and most other horrible neurodegenerative diseases share a root cause: neurons dying. Chad Pollard, our guest for today's show, discovered a way to identify the early death of those neurons and trace them back to the specific part of the brain they belong. With only a blood sample, it is possible to identify neurodegenerative diseases in their early stages, even before symptoms start showing up. 

In this episode, Chad Pollard, Co-Founder and CEO at Wasatch Biolabs, shares details of the discovery that will revolutionize how we diagnose diseases. Chad Majored in Genetics, Genomics, and Biotech and is a Ph.D. candidate in Cell Biology and Physiology at BYU (Brigham Young University). On his path to becoming a Neurologist, Chad needed to get involved in research, so he signed up at his mentor's lab. Little did he know that decision would change his life and redirect his career.

Throughout our conversation, Chad talks about his discovery and how it revolutionizes the scenario of neurodegenerative diseases' diagnosis and early treatment. We also talk about therapeutics, how Chad's discovery can dramatically expand people with neurodegenerative diseases' lifetime, how it can even change the concussion protocol in sports, and much more.

Tune in to Episode 382 and learn more about Chad's revolutionary discovery that'll change how we diagnose diseases.

Some Questions I Ask: 

Please, walk us through the progression of what you discovered, what you're doing, and why this matters. (5:10) 

A person that takes your blood test will know for certain what's happening in your body on a cellular level. Is that correct? (13:20)

In This Episode, You Will Learn: 

A bit about Chad's background (3:10) 

How Chad's discovery will revolutionize neurogenerative diseases diagnosis and early treatment (7:00) 

What you can do with valuable information about your cellular health (16:10) 

Chad's discovery and the concussion protocol in sports (19:20)

It is all about awareness (21:00)

Resources: 

Wasatch Biolabs website

Connect with Chad: 

LinkedIn

Becoming Your Best Resources: 

Becoming Your Best Website 

Becoming Your Best University Website 

Becoming Your Best Library 

Email: [email protected] 

Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders 

Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance 

Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our ego is made of our mindset, beliefs, and unconscious habits. That means 99% of our decisions are driven by our ego, which is not necessarily bad if we think our ego is both our weaknesses and strengths. In a way, we owe our success to our ego; it pushed us through challenging times and helped us reach the top.

Yet CEOs, team leaders, and managers need other people to meet them at the top, and that’s where the ego gets in the way.

In this episode, Christie Garcia, President of Mindful Choice Coaching, teaches us how to become better leaders by understanding the ego's influence in our decision-making process. In over 12 years in business, Mindful Choice Coaching helped many individuals reach their leadership potential, from companies like Airbnb, Twitter, Oakley Inc, and DemandForce, to name a few.

Throughout our conversation, Christie talks about the 30ft fall that changed her life and the question she had to answer three times to realize "she wasn't okay". We learn about the three types of ego and how they operate, how to prevent our ego from running our company, how to develop a healthy, balanced, and optimal ego, and so much more.

Tune in to Episode 381 of Becoming Your Best and learn how mindful choices can produce real change in your leadership abilities.

Some Questions I Ask: 

• Please tell us about your background and how you got into what you're doing today (2:50) 
• How do we develop a healthy, balanced, optimal ego? (14:10)

In This Episode, You Will Learn: 

• Christie talks about the 30ft fall that changed her life (6:00) 
• Are you really "doing okay"? (8:20) 
• The three types of ego (12:20) 
• How ego sabotages our happiness (17:10) 
• The communication component of ego management (21:10)

Connect with Christie: 

• Website 
• LinkedIn

Becoming Your Best Resources: 

• Becoming Your Best Website 
• Becoming Your Best University Website 
• Becoming Your Best Library 
• Email: [email protected]  
• Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders 
• Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance 
• Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us misunderstood the "and they lived happily ever after" phrase; it doesn't mean they never argued or had different thoughts on the same matter. It means they grew together, supported each other, and made the other person's happiness their own.

Today, I'm joined by the inspiring Dr. Frieda Birnbaum, a National Media Psychologist and Personality, fellow podcaster Host of The Dr. Frieda Show, sought-after International Speaker, and Author of "Life Begins at 60: A New View on Motherhood, Marriage, and Reinventing Ourselves."

We had a fantastic conversation about what makes couples stay together, the foundations of a happy marriage (not perfect), and how emotional prenups can prevent marriages from ending. Dr. Frieda also shared details of her background, what inspired her to focus on couples' happiness, what makes an effective emotional prenup, and the importance of creating personal space in a relationship.

Tune in to Episode 380 and discover the foundations of a happily ever after marriage.

Some Questions I Ask: 

Please tell us about your background and the things that have happened that helped you get to where you are today? (3:20) 

What is an emotional prenup? (6:40)

In This Episode, You Will Learn: 

An encounter in a supermarket that changed Dr. Frieda's life (4:20) 

The criteria we look at before marrying someone (7:50) 

How to create a meaningful emotional prenup (11:40) 

The importance of learning to listen (14:10) 

Why we should praise personal space within a relationship (19:00) 

The difference between mutual understanding of happiness and forcing the other to see and think like us (23:40)

Resources: 

The Doctor Frieda Show podcast 

Book: Dr. Frieda Birnbaum - Life Begins at 60: A New View on Motherhood, Marriage, and Reinventing Ourselves

Connect with Dr. Frieda: 

Website 

LinkedIn 

Twitter 

Facebook

Becoming Your Best Resources: 

Becoming Your Best Website 

Becoming Your Best Library 

Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders 

Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our brain's priority is keeping us alive whenever our health is threatened. Even if it costs us gut issues, anxiety, or any disorder, it doesn't matter; it considers the job done as long as it keeps us alive. Yet, after the threat is over, the brain doesn't go back to default; it gets stuck in survival mode. Because it worked.

Today's episode is a true game-changer because Dr. John Hatch joins us to talk about brain rehab, a subject that is not mentioned enough and has the potential to literally change lives. Dr. Hatch is a Neuroplastician, Functional Neurologist, Speaker, and Author of "The Basis of Brain Rehab" and "Brain Rehab and The Patient Experience."

He is also the Founder of the Brain Rehab Clinic, where he uses receptor-based therapies to stimulate the brain and restore a healthy balance by creating new pathways to learn new skills.  

We had a fantastic conversation about brain rehab's massive potential, Dr. Hatch's process at the Brain Rehab Clinic, and practical tools to evaluate our brain's overall health and enhance its good shape. We also learn about Dr. Hatch's background, why he started working with brain rehab, how it can help deal with autoimmune diseases, and much more.

Tune in to Episode 379 and learn more about the incredible potential of brain rehab.

Some Questions I Ask: 

Can you walk us through the nutshell version of your work and why this significantly impacts the brain? (11:50) 

What is physically happening in the brain of someone practicing brain rehab? (25:30)

In This Episode, You Will Learn: 

A bit about Dr. Hatch's passion for rehabbing brains (3:10) 

Dr. Hatch’s experiences treating his first patient (6:00) 

Why brain rehab is crucial to keep our brains healthy (8:40) 

The 3 fundamental gold standard brain exercises (21:40) 

The importance of challenging yourself to keep your brain healthy (23:10) 

Brain rehab and autoimmune diseases (31:50)

Connect with Dr. Hatch: 

Website 

LinkedIn 

Instagram 

YouTube

Dr. John Hatch's books

Becoming Your Best Resources: 

Becoming Your Best Website 

Becoming Your Best University Website 

Becoming Your Best Library 

Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders

Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes an employee want to stay in an organization for a long time? There are roughly 10 million open positions in the US, yet if we give every unemployed American one of those jobs today, we'd still have 5 million unfilled jobs tomorrow.

There is no staffing shortage; there is a great jobs shortage. - Joe Mull.

In this episode, Joe Mull visits us to share his captivating views on leadership, employment, motivation in the workspace, retention, and his latest book, "Employalty: How To Ignite Commitment And Keep Top Talent In The New Age Of Work." Joe is a renowned Keynote Speaker, the BossBetter Leadership Academy's Founder, the Boss Better Now podcast Host, and the author of three books.

Throughout our conversation, we learn about Joe's background and the origin of his passion for being in front of people, what is "employalty", the term he coined, and the 3 ways to create employalty and commitment in the workspace. Joe also talks about stopping treating people as a commodity, how to tie up employees' growth with the company's growth, the excellent job shortage, and more.

Tune in to Episode 378 and learn tips for becoming a better boss and creating an ideal work atmosphere.

Some Questions I Ask:

Tell us about your latest book. Why did you write it? Describe the title. And how can it help us? (5:50)

How do we make the shift to stop being transactional with our employees? (10:30)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

A bit about Joe's background and his passion for leadership (4:10)

What "employalty" is and where does it come from (6:00)

What makes people feel they have a great job (12:10)

How to tie up employees' growth with the company's growth (17:00)

The thing that took baby boomers decades to learn and new generations already know (21:10)

Resources:

Book: Joe Mull - Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work

Joe Mull books

Boss Better Now podcast

Connect with Joe:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube

Becoming Your Best Resources:

Becoming Your Best Website

Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders

Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.