Daily Leadership Conversations Podcast

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Hasan Merali about teamwork lessons we can learn from toddlers!

Hasan Merali, MD, MPH, is an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University and a pediatric emergency medicine physician at McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on child injury prevention in low- and middle-income countries. He has published more than twenty-five peer-reviewed journal articles, and his writing has been featured in Science, The Boston Globe, NBC, CBC, and Popular Science. His first book, Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas: Secrets from the Science of Toddlers for a Happier, More Successful Way of Life, was published by Health Communications Inc. in March 2024.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Todd Davis about strategies for managing emotional tension during difficult conversations.

TODD DAVIS is a senior consultant and thought leader at FranklinCovey. With over 35 years of experience in human resources, talent development and executive recruiting, Todd spent 18 years as Chief People Officer where he was responsible for global development in over 40 offices reaching 160 countries. Additionally, he authored and co-authored the best-selling books Get Better: 15 Proven Practices to Build Effective Relationships at Work and Everyone Deserves A Great Manager. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Lynn Blades about her book, THE QUIET BURN: The Ambitious Woman’s Guide To Recognizing And Preventing Burnout.

Lynn Blades is the founder of Legacy Leadership, an executive leadership consultancy, and a dedicated DEI advocate. She has strived to cultivate a 21st century leadership workforce that truly reflects the diversity of our society. Blades is a distinguished Marshall Goldsmith elite executive coach with two decades of experience guiding a diverse range of clients. She has coached C-suite executives, directors, and their teams across various industries. Her clients include Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies such as Nike, KPMG, EY, Barclays, and PayPal. For more information, please visit LynnBlades.com. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Phillip B. Wilson about the red flags that a leadership crisis is on the horizon for your organization.

Phillip B. Wilson is the founder of Approachable Leadership, where he and his team help clients thrive and create extraordinary workplaces. He is a national expert on leadership, labor relations, and creating positive workplaces. Phil is the author of several books and articles, including Left of Boom (reached #2 on Amazon's Hot HR Books), The Approachability Playbook, and The Leader-Shift Playbook: 4 Simple Changes to Score Big and Unleash Your Team’s Potential. He is regularly featured in the business media, including Fox Business Network, Fast Company, Bloomberg News, HR magazine, and The New York Times. Wilson regularly delivers keynotes, workshops, and webinars and has been called to testify before Congress as a labor relations expert. He graduated magna cum laude from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and went on to earn his JD from the University of Michigan Law School.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Mark Herschberg about what AI means for the labor market.

Mark Herschberg is a transformational CTO with three degrees from MIT and multiple patents in AI and cybersecurity. Mark has spent his career launching and fixing new ventures from startups to Fortune 500s, working in cybersecurity, digital media, healthcare, online marketplaces, and he’s tracked criminals and terrorists on the dark web. Mark has also taught at MIT’s famed Career Success Accelerator for over two decades, is the author of The Career Toolkit, Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You and creator of the innovative Brain Bump training app. He advises companies on technology and AI strategy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Dr. Bijoy John about how quality sleep leads to increased productivity, energy, and overall happiness.

Dr. Bijoy John is a Board-Certified physician and practicing sleep specialist, with more than 25 years of experience. He has seen firsthand the struggle many have with sleep and how these challenges impact the entire family.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Lori Saitz about integrating gratitude and mindfulness to transform corporate environments.

Lori Saitz is the founder and CEO of Zen Rabbit and host of the podcast “Fine is a 4-Letter Word.” As the CEO of a forward-thinking health and wellness company, she is dedicated to guiding corporations toward nurturing healthier, more productive work environments. With a comprehensive background in wellness strategies and employee engagement, her mission is to help businesses implement programs that not only improve the well-being of their teams but also contribute to their bottom line through increased performance and reduced absenteeism. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abstract: This article examines why strategic planning, despite its recognized importance, frequently receives inadequate attention in organizations. Drawing from management research, it identifies three primary barriers: leadership's daily operational demands crowding out long-term thinking, stakeholder pressure for short-term results discouraging future-focused investments, and the abstract nature of traditional strategic planning making implementation challenging. The authors provide practical solutions for each obstacle, including dedicated time-blocking techniques for strategic thinking, realignment of incentive structures to reward long-term perspectives, and methods to ground abstract strategies in concrete action plans with clear ownership. Through case examples across healthcare, technology, and other sectors, the article offers an evidence-based framework for elevating strategic planning from a neglected afterthought to an integrated organizational priority that balances visionary thinking with operational execution.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abstract: In an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, organizations face unprecedented levels of change and unpredictability. This article examines why cultivating an adaptive mindset is essential for effective leadership in such environments. Drawing on extensive research, the authors define an adaptive mindset as encompassing openness to learning, tolerance for ambiguity, comfort with change, and resilience in the face of setbacks. The paper presents evidence-based strategies for developing adaptability at both individual leadership and organizational culture levels, including seeking diverse experiences, reflective practices, soliciting honest feedback, and modeling adaptive behaviors. Additionally, it outlines approaches for building organizational adaptability through structured learning processes, rewarding experimentation, fostering psychological safety, building tolerance for ambiguity, and measuring appropriate metrics. The authors conclude that leaders who intentionally develop these capabilities position themselves and their organizations to thrive amid constant change and uncertainty.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Kelly L. Campbell about trauma-informed leadership.

Kelly L. Campbell (they/them) a Trauma-Informed Leadership Coach to emerging and established leaders who want to live, lead and love with more confidence and freedom. They are the author of HEAL TO LEAD: Revolutionizing Leadership through Trauma Healing (Wiley, 2024). As a sacred healing practitioner, Reiki Master and Cuddle Therapist, they work one-on-one with those who have experienced trauma in childhood or adulthood. Kelly has written for Entrepreneur, Fast Company and Forbes, and currently writes on Substack about “THE NEW TLC: Trauma, Leadership, and Consciousness.” Their vision is for more than half of humanity to heal its childhood trauma so that we may reimagine and rebuild the world together.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices