Future Ready Leadership With Jacob Morgan

Every leader is talking about implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), but making it work in the real world is a whole different challenge. In today's episode, we look at the evolution and controversies surrounding DEI with Dr. Frank Dobbin, Sociology Department Chair at Harvard University and Author of "Getting to Diversity." We explore starting with JFK's 1961 order for affirmative action and moving through the impact of the George Floyd protests. We also discuss why corporate DEI programs get both support and backlash, touching on Elon Musk's call to end DEI and the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action. Dr. Dobbin explains how DEI efforts democratize access to scarce resources like mentoring, and why it's tough to balance the need for diverse teams with the goal of top performance. He critiques current DEI practices, highlighting why many traditional training programs fail and the importance of structural changes and inclusive recruitment.

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Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

How should you address your team after a promotion? While acknowledging your inexperience or newness to the role can create a sense of authenticity and approachability, it is crucial to also demonstrate your commitment to growth and competence. In today's Leadership Spark, I'll show you how you can achieve this by outlining specific actions you are taking to improve your leadership skills, such as seeking mentorship, working with an executive coach, reading leadership books, and being open to feedback. You'll learn how to build trust and psychological safety within the team and reassure team members of your capability and dedication to being an effective leader.

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Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Tommy Mello is the founder of A1 Garage Doors, a $200 million home service business that is growing rapidly. In today's episode he shares some of his early leadership mistakes and how building a strong team and getting the right mentors transformed his company. Tommy highlights how leaders can inspire hard work by aligning employee goals with the company's vision. He shares his tough-love leadership approach while explaining the importance of caring about employees' lives outside of work.

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Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Are you aware of the bad habits holding back your leadership? Many leaders focus on what they should start or keep doing to lead better, but they often overlook the bad habits they need to stop. Marshall Goldsmith, the world's #1 Executive and CEO Coach, has pinpointed harmful behaviors that can sabotage your leadership's effectiveness and your overall success. These habits can damage relationships and hold your team back, and many leaders don't even realize the harm they're causing. In today's Leadership Spark, we'll dive into the 10 things leaders should stop doing and why these behaviors are so damaging. You'll also learn practical tips on how to break these bad habits.

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Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

You've probably heard of the adage that too much of a good thing can actually be bad. It turns out, even something as beneficial as psychological safety in the workplace might have its drawbacks. In this episode, Dr. Peter Cappelli, Management Professor and Director of the Center for Human Resources at the Wharton School of Business, reveals surprising research findings about the potential downsides of positive psychology, like how it can hurt performance, especially in non-creative jobs. We also discuss how to balance fostering creativity with maintaining accountability, tools to measure psychological safety, and historical insights like Douglas McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y. You'll learn how to improve your team's performance while keeping them engaged and accountable.

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Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

In gaming, some characters are just there for show, but the main character has the adventure. Turns out, most employees are like those non-playable characters (NPCs) blending into the background, unnoticed and unengaged. How can you stand out and truly make an impact?

In today's Leadership Spark, we'll explore how you can take charge of your career. Show up, lead with vulnerability, build relationships, and speak up — these strategies will help you shift from being an unnoticed background player into a main character who actively shapes and influences their workplace. Tune in now and step into a role that lets you lead, grow, and make a real difference.

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Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Transforming a traditional organization into a digital powerhouse isn't easy, but Forbes CEO Mike Federle has done just that. In this episode, we explore how he transformed Forbes from a print magazine into a global digital giant with 140 million users. You'll learn how Mike led Forbes through the tech evolution, revamping their newsroom model, building a contributor network, and embracing native advertising. Mike shares what allowed them to thrive while many competitors disappeared.

We also tackle the challenges of balancing politics with media objectivity and how legacy media is surviving the modern competition against content creators. Mike compares how leadership changed through the years, and how the US remains a beacon of opportunity and leadership globally. We also discuss why leaders need to communicate capitalism's value to younger generations, and Mike shares his Word of the Year for 2024.

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Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Ever been told leaders should never apologize or show emotion? Or perhaps that they must always be the smartest in the room? Well, it's time to challenge these norms. In today's Leadership Spark, I'm dissecting the seven outdated leadership stereotypes that might be silently sabotaging your career. You'll discover why saying sorry could be your leadership superpower, the benefits of showing your human side at work, and how stepping back can push your team forward. We'll explore why embracing vulnerability and admitting mistakes can actually strengthen your leadership and enhance your team's trust and performance.

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Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Chess Grandmasters are like master strategists, meticulously planning every move. In this episode, Maurice Ashley, the first African-American Chess Grandmaster, shares how the principles of elite-level chess can transform your business and leadership strategies. Learn how to cultivate the mental endurance and focus necessary for success, and why embracing the mindset of an "advanced beginner" can lead to continuous improvement. Maurice also discusses the dangers of overconfidence, the importance of humility, and how strategic risk-taking can pay off. Tune in to uncover the secrets of thinking like a Grandmaster and applying these insights to achieve success in your professional life.

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Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

You've been handed an important project at work, but something goes wrong, and now you have to face your boss to explain what happened. This scenario happens too often at work, leaving many wondering how to handle it without damaging their reputation. In this episode, we explore the right way to talk about mistakes at work, a crucial skill for career growth. You will learn how to effectively communicate errors, gain their leader's respect, and turn mistakes into opportunities for professional development. By understanding the importance of leading with vulnerability and demonstrating accountability, you'll be better equipped to handle setbacks and advance in your career.

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Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/