We all have the power to propel our lives in a new direction. 

Every moment is an opportunity to seize new opportunities, explore and evolve as human beings. 

It can be scary to step forward into new horizons, but you have to break free from those fears and limits to truly move forward.  

I’m your host, Ginny Clarke, a former executive recruiter who worked for global executive search firm, Spencer Stuart, and Google. I have assessed and coached thousands of executives and other leaders. I’m also the author of Career Mapping: Charting Your Course in the New World of Work. 

In this final episode,  I am talking about exploring the unknown, breaking free of our own limiting beliefs, thoughts and fears. I am also sharing the next big step for  Fifth Dimensional Leadership.

Things you will also learn in this episode:

• Get to know the Fifth Dimensional Leadership University (5DLU) offerings
• Why needing all the answers is a slippery slope and how to manage uncertainty
• How the need to please others can impair effective decision making
• Why releasing fear can clear a path to innovation, confidence, acceptance and love
• How our past can inform but doesn’t have to define our present and future

Self-confidence is a superpower that can help determine our success. It is a force that gives us the courage and strength to take any risk, despite knowing our weaknesses. Our leaders play a great role in empowering us, supporting us in rebuilding ourselves and reinventing our self-expression.

In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler, Managing Partner and Founder of Aesthetx. Growing up in a working-class home caring for her siblings, Dr. Zeidler appreciated the ability to care for others. As her interest in medicine grew, so did her passion for helping others in a way that inspired her creativity and sense of beauty. In our conversation, Dr. Zeidler discusses the science behind rebuilding our self-confidence and reshaping our success.

Dr. Zeidler received her Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Rice University in Houston, Texas. She earned her Doctor of Medicine Degree at the University of California, San Francisco, one of the top five medical schools in the country. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, her experience in reconstruction gives her more than just a broad understanding of the complexities of the human body, but allows her to understand exactly how significantly cosmetic surgery can change someone's life for the better.

Along with her stellar reputation in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, Dr. Zeidler is considered a leading authority on the newest technologies related to breast surgery. Dr. Zeidler works as a clinical researcher for companies such as  Allergan and Sientra. She has also written several publications and lectured across the country to educate other plastic surgeons on these technologies, as well as her own techniques in aesthetic breast surgery. 

Things you will also learn in this episode:

• How Dr. Z  side-stepped imposter syndrome by committing to exceptional training and mentorship. 
• The driving forces behind balancing operating and patient care, running a practice and being a wife and mother.
• Emerging aesthetic trends among those from different generations.
• What it means to have a “right to beauty” and how the ideals of beauty have changed in recent years. How self-confidence and self-expression can lead to success.

“As a surgeon, thinking like a chef means you’re creating something beautiful; medically sound, life-saving, beautifying, and making someone whole using those principles.” - Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler

“You can express your own style and not be worried that someone is going to discount anything that you have to say. Your research and credibility are not affected by a little bit of self-expression.” - Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler

“Your overall sense of self and self-confidence is tied to your personal perception of your self-expression, whether it’s beauty, or youth. For everyone, it means something different.” - Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler

“The idea of confidence with your physical presence in the world is tied with success.” - Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler

The more relentlessly we pursue our goals, the more we fail to realize that we are already perpetuating our suffering. We become so preoccupied with seeking prosperity, pleasure and recognition that we forget to live in the moment. 

It takes a deeper understanding of ourselves and unraveling the mystery behind our identities to free ourselves from this endless cycle and reclaim our lives and true happiness.

In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Emilio Diez Barroso. Emilio is an investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who is deeply committed to alleviating suffering in the world. In our conversation, Emilio talks about how we can stop perpetuating our suffering in the world through conscious leadership. 

Emilio is  a general partner at BOLD Capital Partners, a venture capital firm, and Chairman & CEO of Nala Investments, a family office with operations across various industries, including communications, transportation, consumer products, real estate, technology, and media. 

Emilio was previously managing director of Corporacion Trianggulo in Mexico City and currently sits on numerous for-profit and nonprofit boards. He recently completed his book The Mystery of You: Freedom is Closer Than You Think.

Things you will also learn in this episode:

• What the ‘Illusion of Separation” means.
• Finding intimacy with life to stop seeking.
• Tuning yourself to what you want.e
• How to live in a state of curiosity 
• How to achieve the “truest surrender”

Quotes:

“With separation comes identities– things that define who I am. And when all those things define me, and I attach my values and worth to those things, I become very attached to how someone else looks compared to me, or when one of those identities gets threatened.” - Emilio Diez Barrosso

“The body is very much in the present moment, and it’s always in a relationship right now.” - Emilio Diez Barrosso

“If we take responsibility for our upsets and the judgements that we hold for ourselves and own it, then we will be that beacon of light that alleviates suffering.” - Emilio Diez Barrosso

“Pain is not an option, but suffering is, and most suffering stems from resistance.” - Emilio Diez Barrosso

“When we can be in that place of inner cohesion, our actions can be powerful.” - Emilio Diez Barrosso

The antidote to resistance isn’t acceptance, it’s curiosity. - Emilio Diez Barrosso

Creating a healthy environment where teams can perform at their best and where innovation is nurtured starts with creating a culture of belonging, and that  starts with LEADERSHIP.  

In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Yogesh Soni. Yogesh is an author who has explored how to create organizations with a sense of belonging, which is a fundamental human need. 

Yogesh is an engineer who has been a business leader, leading product teams in purpose-driven technology companies. He believes that technology and economic activities are a massive force for human progress. Yogesh has designed a blueprint that can scale across organizations, which he combined in his book Digital belonging - Building Human-Centered Organizations.

In our conversation, Yogesh talks about exploring the lack of human connection in the workplace and how to create a culture of belonging.

Things you will also learn in this episode:

• Finding out the “why” of cultural differences in the workplace.
• The key factor in the ”Great Resignation.”
• Why we need to refocus on our human needs.
• How to define “belonging” in a business environment
• How the need to belong can compromise one’s mental health

“The problem is that there is very little focus on human needs and very high focus on business outcomes. If you ignore those human needs, you will frequently see burnout, depression, and disengagement.” - Yogesh Soni

“You may think that a sense of belonging is the cure to everything, but the need to belong can also have a negative effect, depending on what kind of tribe you want to belong to.” - Yogesh Soni

“It’s not enough for people to be physically present; they must be mentally, psychologically, and emotionally present for each other.” - Yogesh Soni

“Belonging and community have very real, tangible business outcomes.” - Yogesh Soni

The values you uphold are one of the most crucial aspects of leadership. Knowing and promoting those values as a leader helps you influence and govern your team in the right direction. And by adhering to your values, you inspire others to follow and adopt them.

In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Harry Kraemer, Jr. Harry is an executive partner at Madison Dearborn Partners, a private equity firm based in Chicago. He is also a Clinical Professor of Leadership at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.  In our conversation, Harry talks about leading and positively influencing people through values-based leadership.

Harry is the author of three best-selling leadership books: From Values to Action: The Four Principles of Values-Based Leadership; Becoming The Best: Build a World-Class Organization Through Values-Based Leadership. and Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life.

Harry is the former chairman and CEO of Baxter International Inc., a $13 billion global healthcare company. He joined Baxter in 1982 as director of corporate development and was named senior vice president and chief financial officer in 1993. In the following years, he assumed additional responsibility in Baxter's Renal and Medication Delivery businesses, was elected to Baxter's board of directors in 1995, and was named president of Baxter International Inc. in 1997. 

Harry graduated summa cum laude from Lawrence University of Wisconsin with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and economics. He received an MBA degree in finance and accounting from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and is a certified public accountant. 

Things you will also learn in this episode:

• Putting things in perspective through math.

• Three things Harry did as CEO at Baxter that drove success.

• Distinguishing between values and preferences
• What it means to be liked vs. being respected.
• Examples of effective communication and setting boundaries.

“It’s when you get to explain things that you realize you understand it.” - Harry Kraemer

“Values are non-negotiable, must not be compromised, and should be laid out very clearly.” - Harry Kraemer

“As a leader, when you’re leading, the goal is not to be right; the goal is to do the right thing.” - Harry Kraemer

“This whole idea of leadership has nothing to do with titles and organizational charts, but it has everything to do with the ability to influence people.” - Harry Kraemer

“The more you know about any topic, the more you know how little you know. - Harry Kraemer

“You can learn something from every single person you encounter, and when that light goes on and you realize how much you can learn by every encounter, it changes your life.” - Harry Kraemer

“Develop a balanced perspective… seek to understand before you are understood.” - Harry Kraemer

It's a challenge to create a safe workplace where each of us can thrive, and the pressure falls hard on our leaders. It takes courage and significant motivation to help leaders improve so they can better lead their people in this complex time.

In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Edward Sullivan, CEO & Managing Partner at Velocity Coaching. Edward has coached and mentored start-up founders, Fortune 500 executives, and political leaders for over 20 years. Edward helps startup CEOs and their executive teams scale their leadership skills and build cultures of collaboration, high performance, and psychological safety. When working with more established companies, he focuses on helping CEOs transform their teams and culture to be more agile and responsive to compete in today’s fast-paced environment. 

In our conversation, Edward talks about transforming leadership to build cultures of collaboration, connection, and psychological safety.

Edward holds an MBA from the Wharton School, an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School, and trained as a coach at Co-Active Training Institute and New Ventures West. In addition, Edward has  co-authored several books including Leading with Heart: Five Conversations That Unlock Creativity, Purpose, and Results; The Secret to Becoming a Better Manager; and How to Protect Your Team From a Toxic Work Culture.

Things you will also learn in this episode:

• Executive coaching as a competitive advantage.
• How to proactively address toxicity.
• Why we are in a leadership crisis
• How to help manage your team’s mental health as a leader.
• Why Edward wants to wage a war on “executive presence.”

“Coaching is now viewed as a proactive investment in performance as opposed to a remedial bandage that we put on poor performance.” - Edward Sullivan

“Change has to come from [leaders] for the system to heal. Not all systems heal because one person is able to be brave.” - Edward Sullivan

“When a company is printing billions of dollars per year, there’s really no incentive to change. But it takes transformative leadership to stop and think if it’s the company you want to build.” - Edward Sullivan

“Have the courage to ask for what we need and the curiosity to ask other what they need” - Edward Sullivan

“We can create change in the dysfunctional system by taking off our masks, putting down our shields, and being vulnerable again.” - Edward Sullivan

“Often, the CEO or the Founder has the clearest lens of what good looks like, but if no one is meeting that expectation, it’s a leadership problem, not performance.” - Edward Sullivan

“If we endure for months that feeling of not being seen, not emotionally connected, and not appreciated by our team and leaders, that’s when we start to feel emotionally exhausted and that is the true cause of burnout.” - Edward Sullivan

“Often, our gifts come from something we had to learn to do to get by in this world.” - Edward Sullivan

Everyone has a unique purpose.

However, not everyone is aware of it. Helping individuals discover their true selves and realize their own unique purpose is the essence of great leadership.

In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Imran Qureshi. Imran serves as Managing Director and Head of North America with 30 years of experience. He is responsible for WTW's business in Canada and the United States across all business segments, growing revenue, representing WTW in the business community and securing the engagement of ~17,000 colleagues. In this interview, Imran talks about how to unlock the value of people through purpose-driven leadership.

Previously, Imran chaired WTW's North America Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) Council and served on WTW's Growth Board. Prior to that, he held leadership positions in WTW's Global Services and Solutions business, during which he worked with North American and European multinationals helping them go global through acquisitions, organic growth and governance. Before joining WTW, Imran was an international consultant in the United Kingdom.

Imran holds a BSc. Degree in mathematics with honors from the University of Manchester in the U.K. and has an actuarial background. He also holds a diploma in International Employee Benefits from the International Employee Benefits Association (IEBA) and has lectured on governance and globalization at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Imran is currently a board director at The Executives' Club of Chicago. 

Things you will also learn in this episode:

• How to overcome risk aversion and limiting beliefs.
• Finding purpose-driven work and experiencing the joy of the moment.
• Distinguishing between mentorship and sponsorship, and the need for both.
• How to bring “sunlight” and accountability to your organization
• How to use discomfort as a means to grow.

“We have to move away from the hero culture and transition the true meaning of leadership into unlocking the value of individuals.” - Imran Qureshi

“Often, you don’t realize the advice you get and its pivotal impact until much later, so it’s important to be self-reflective.” - Imran Qureshi

“The ability to advocate on behalf of others is the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship.” - Imran Qureshi

“Your reputation is tied to a function of promoting who you believe is ready to be developed, promoted, and moved along.” - Imran Qureshi

“When you communicate that you are doing things differently, you start to build trust.” - Imran Qureshi

“When you can build that culture of trust and psychological safety, you start to move the dial.” - Imran Qureshi

“Purpose transcends lofty individual perspectives, but the key is asking that fundamental question: ‘Why do you do what you do?’” - Imran Qureshi

“As soon as you become comfortable, you stop growing.” - Imran Qureshi

“We are a function of our experiences.” - Imran Qureshi

Change starts with an idea and accelerates with leadership. 

It takes more than innovative tools to move toward a better future. Through collaboration and leadership, we can bring to life the unique ideas that will change our trajectory and move humanity forward.

In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, our guest is Will Weisman, a leader passionate about people and ideas who is focused on bringing them together to help unlock great opportunities and make a positive impact on the world.  He is the Founder and Managing Director of KittyHawk Ventures. In our conversation, Will talks about moving humanity forward by leveraging technology to accelerate change.

Previously Will Weisman served as an Executive Director at Singularity University, which “helps leaders adapt to a world of accelerating change and empower them to leverage tech to improve the lives of one billion people over the next five years.” Will spent seven years at Singularity and continues to work with Singularity co-founder Peter Diamandis.

Will's experience managing, investing in and advising technology and consumer product companies has given him a unique combination of investment, operational and entrepreneurial experience. He was a venture capitalist at Foundation Capital and Maveron and an operator at Intuit and World Wrapps.

Will holds an MBA from Stanford and a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He speaks regularly around the world on exponential technology trends, as well as venture investing and entrepreneurship. Will is an avid kiteboarder and ocean swimmer, and resides in Santa Monica, California.

Things you will also learn in this episode:

• Understanding psychedelics from scientific, medical and investment perspectives.
• What “Longevity Escape Velocity” is and its implications on life as we know it
• How technology is unlocking unique ideas and life-changing opportunities
• Which leadership competencies  are needed in the technology sector
• Why storytelling is key to attracting strong talent and raising investment capital

“How we look at ourselves and the world is our reality.” - Will Weisman

“The world is built on growth, and when you’ve got a shrinking populace, that creates other challenges for the economy and how the world functions.” - Will Weisman

“To  be successful, you have to be able to tell your and your company’s story in a way that resonates with people.” - Will Weisman

“With the right people around us, we can do much more than we give ourselves credit for.” - Will Weisman

“Sometimes you have to put yourself in harder situations to get to a place where it starts to feel natural for you.” - Will Weisman

“Surround yourself with smart people who are doers and are open and adaptive to change because those are the people you want to be in business with.” - Will Weisman

“Control what you can control, and let the rest go.” - Will Weisman

“We are our own limiting factor, so if you start to dream bigger and look at yourself and see the world in a more positive way, the world reacts to you in a more positive way.” - Will Weisman

It takes courage to become a great leader, and it’s up to us to dare to step up. But we can only become a leader by knowing our worth and showing up to bring our value.

In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Shelmina Babai Abji. Shelmina is a TEDx speaker, board member, former vice president at IBM, and an angel investor. She started her career as a software engineer and then moved into sales and sales leadership, leading global teams to deliver over $1B in annual revenues and serving as a key decision maker in hiring and promoting hundreds of professionals. In our conversation, Shelmina talks about the power of knowing your worth, showing up and leading intentionally.

At the peak of her career, she left IBM to share her strategies with other women to accelerate their  professional success. Through mentoring thousands of women and speaking at corporations, colleges, and conferences globally, she realized that women are still struggling with the same challenges she faced during her career.  looking for a plan to prove themselves and rise to the ranks of leadership.  These women inspired her to write her book, SHOW YOUR WORTH: 8 Intentional Strategies for Women to Emerge as Leaders At Work.

Shelmina has degrees in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, and Mathematics from Wadia College in Pune, India. As part of IBM’s top talent, she received extensive leadership training at IBM and Harvard.

Things you will also learn in this episode:

• What “Transformational Value” is and how it guides your career
• How “strategic intention” helps you achieve your vision of success
• Optimizing focus, attention and priorities 
• The opportunity cost of saying “Yes” and the benefits of learning to say “No”
• How to combat naysayers and doubters.
• What refusing to opt out looks like for women of color

“Success is externally visible and internally rewarding.” - Shelmina Babai Abji

“Fake it till you make it doesn’t work. Instead, trust yourself, learn, and grow until you make it.” - Shelmina Babai Abji

“If you don’t learn to speak up, you will never know how smart you are.” - Shelmina Babai Abji

“You must intentionally feed your voice of courage and make it so loud to overcome your fear.” - Shelmina Babai Abji

“It’s not about working more hours; it’s about understanding priorities and where to focus your attention.” - Shelmina Babai Abji

“When you allocate your time, attention, and energy to your highest priorities, you make meaningful progress every single day.” - Shelmina Babai Abji

“Success is up to us; we cannot wait for everything to change for us to become successful.” - Shelmina Babai Abji

“Do not give up your shot. Go where you can find success.” - Shelmina Babai Abji

The world has evolved, insisting that technology and humanity work hand in hand.

In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Chris Cochran and Ronald Eddings, Co-Founders of Hacker Valley Media, a multimedia production company that explores cybersecurity through person-centered storytelling. In our conversation, Chris and Ron talk about bridging technology and people through accessible information on cybersecurity and leadership.

Chris is Co-Founder and CEO of Hacker Valley Media. He is equal parts creator and technologist. He has extensive experience building and running strong cybersecurity programs and content, as well as a wealth of experience and passion for security operations, engineering, and leadership. His ultimate passion is finding and amplifying human stories to inspire and enlighten our community. Chris was in the Marines and led cybersecurity teams at Booz Allen, United Technologies, and Netflix, and has been a Visiting Fellow at the National Security Institute.

Ron is the Co-Founder and Executive Producer at Hacker Valley Media. His mission is to inspire, empower and uplift the technology community through knowledge and human stories so that others have the opportunity to reach their potential.  He has a lifelong commitment to learning and teaching. He has held security and cybersecurity roles at McAfee and Palo Alto Networks. 

Things you will also learn in this episode:

• How Marvel superheroes inspire these media technologists
• What “Threat Intelligence” means and how cybersecurity relates to media.
• The diversity of experience and expertise required for the cybersecurity field.
• What it means to be a “Solution Excavator” and “Master Manifester.”
• How Chris and Ron manifested a world-class athlete as a guest on their podcast and became friends.
• Their take on machine learning, artificial intelligence, AR/VR, Web 3.0 and cryptocurrency 

Quotes:

Chris Cochran

“If you want something to come to fruition, you have to want it and put in a plan in place to do it.”

“Sometimes, the more audacious the goal, the more imposter syndrome you feel, that’s a great opportunity for you to grow as a person.”

“If you put great things out to the Universe, the Universe will answer back.”

“Things are changing all the time, and there's always someone looking to take advantage of this change. But knowing that there are people that have dedicated their lives to protecting us should bring us peace.”

Ronald Eddings

“You can trust your mind, but you should verify.”

“Having friendships and networks can go a long way and result in things you never thought would happen at all.”

“Positive sum” is about conspiring to work with each other directly or indirectly… and work together.