Imperfect Leaders

U.S. Representative Dean Phillips is an innovative leader. He has drawn praise from modern day business heroes - like hedge fund icon Bill Ackman - for his willingness to shake things up - like staid industries including vodka, gelato, and most recently, U.S. politics. He even threw his hat in the ring and ran for President of the United States, even though everyone knew it was a long shot campaign. Find out what he learned during this intense process.

www.imperfectleaders.com

On any given day, a casual investor can tune into CNBC and be in total awe.  Public companies are showcased and glamorized by messianic analysts in a concerted effort to push stock prices higher. But in reality, as I recently wrote, the future economy is increasingly being financed in private markets, far away from the glitz and glamor of the New York Stock Exchange.

Today’s guest – Ted Bililies – is a world leading private equity expert. Long gone are the old, wild west days of KKR and Barbarians at the Gate, when private equity investors would buy a company, saddle it with massive debt, ruthlessly squeeze out costs, and sell the company for a quick buck.

According to Ted, PE investors, in today's world, are taking a radically different approach to adding value – a fundamentally more human approach that offers a more enduring advantage, and one that is certain to appeal to a entirely new generation of talent.  

www.imperfectleaders.com

One of the best leaders in the NBA is today’s guest – Tim Connelly – General Manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Before billionaire owner Marc Lore and co-owner Alex Rodriguez lured him to Minnesota, Connelly worked side by side with Stan and Josh Kroenke and Coach Michael Malone - as the team's GM who helped the Denver Nuggets win their very first world championship.

What is Tim’s secret sauce?  Is it superior analytics and competitive intelligence? Nope. Actually, it’s the exact opposite. Tim is an incredibly emotionally intelligent leader – comfortable in his own skin and able to forge authentic relationships with star talent like Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert.

Although Tim prefers to stay out of the spotlight – and rarely will you see him do public interviews on ESPN or the NBA on TNT– he was gracious enough to share wisdom with our listeners. We hope you enjoy!

www.imperfectleaders.com

The Milken Institute is a think (and action) tank - founded by legendary visionary Michael Milken - brings together brilliant people and world leaders to develop blueprints for tackling some of our planet's most critical problems including poverty, hunger, and chronic disease.

Rich Ditizio is an incredible CEO who is responsible for leading this effort. He's the symphony conductor who works hard to create a psychologically safe space for creative talent to share radical ideas, challenge each others core assumptions, and work towards a common vision.

Although much more soft-spoken, in many ways Rich reminds me of some of our past guests who lead creative and iconic organizations: IDEO, Cirque du Soleil, and Pixar.

www.imperfectleaders.com

Mielle Organics - the hair care and beauty brand - is the fastest ever growing consumer startup in history of this industry - and was recently acquired by ⁠Procter & Gamble⁠ in a truly historic transaction that made headlines across the country.

Yet their founders - ⁠Monique and Melvin Rodriguez⁠ - had to overcome serious challenges most entrepreneurs can't even imagine. First of all the co-founders are African American, and faced a litany of nasty bias and rejection early in their journey. And if that weren’t enough the co-founders are also married and full time parents. Where did they find the time? The energy? The resilience? The faith to overcome so many obstacles on their path to excellence?

Their authentic story will be an inspiration to a future generation of entrepreneurs and leaders - from all corners of life - seeking to understand how love and faith conquers all - even in cut-throat, Corporate America.

www.imperfectleaders.com

What matters more to winning - superstar talent or the organization's system and culture?

According to today's guest - Dave Ulrich - a world-class thought leader at the University of Michigan Business School - talent matters, but team work matters even more. The same rules apply in business and in sports - from Amazon to the Denver Nuggets.

For example, why does world NBA champ Nikola Jokic prefer passing than scoring? Because, in Jokic's own words, when he passes the ball, two people are happy - one person gets the assist and the other gets the points.

In today's episode, Professor Ulrich helps us understand what CEOs - and rising star leaders in any organization - can learn about leadership from transcendent talent - like Jokic, Michael Jordan, and Steph Curry - each of whom made the tough but necessary transition from individual contributor to team leader.

www.imperfectleaders.com

Superstars don't just emerge out of thin air.

Every single one of them - including GOATs like Tom Brady and Michael Phelps- must overcome serious personal obstacles. And this usually happens early in life – in the pivotal teenage years. It might surprise you that Brady nearly gave up on football while still in college. But then he met someone special.

Today's guest - ⁠Greg Harden⁠ - is perhaps the greatest of all time in his profession - a performance coach and trusted mentor that helps talent reach their full potential - not only as athletes, but as human beings and great leaders.

Harden has just released a book that's destined to become a best seller – “Staying Sane in an Insane World.”

And if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to become a trusted coach and mentor, Greg shares the very personal story of the crucible moments that helped shape his core values and purpose in

⁠www.imperfectleaders.com ⁠, ⁠Jeffrey Cohn⁠

When the world's most innovative organizations need a little inspiration, they turn to IDEO.

IDEO is the most iconic design studio in the world.

Clients are far-ranging and global - from hot, new startups to ground-breaking school systems to entire nations - and of course iconic brands including Coca-Cola, Ford, Ikea. And yes, they actually helped Apple create the very first mouse. If that weren't enough, one of IDEO's founders helped design the modern, fold down screen laptop computer that the entire world uses today.

For nearly 20 years Tim Brown - today's guest - was the CEO and orchestra conductor at IDEO - leading an incredibly diverse and creative team to unimaginable heights.

Brown recently stepped down as CEO, making room for a new generation of talent and to focus on thought leadership. His best-selling book - "Change By Design" has influenced innovators across the globe - and should be required reading for all students of innovation and leadership, alongside our other distinguished podcast guests including: Roger Martin a best-selling author; Ed Catmull, Co-Founder of Pixar; and Harvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson.

Although he would probably never admit it - Tim Brown is without a doubt - the ultimate innovator's whisperer.

www.imperfectleaders.com, Jeffrey Cohn

Rey Flemings - the founder and CEO of an app called Myria - the world's most exclusive concierge service - is on a quest to change the world.

Myria's ultra-wealthy clients - nearly all of whom are in the top .003% - come to Flemings with a wide range of requests, from relatively easy ones - like a front row seat to a Beyonce concert, box seats at the Super Bowl, or a personal invitation to the annual Met Gala in New York. Or sometimes they have nearly impossible requests - like helping clients secure an elusive O1 Visa during a government shutdown, or providing security detail in a country that frowns upon that sort of things.

And sometimes clients have off-the-charts existential requests - which Rey particularly loves - like partnering to enhance their personal legacies, figuring out how to lead happier lives, or the ultimate dream, helping them find true love. Helping clients solve these challenges are all part of the human condition, and a big part of Rey's job. Myria's mission aligns completely with Flemings' core values and authentic leadership style.

No matter how you slice it - Flemings has found a unique niche - and the company he founded is destined to make a positive impact in the world.

www.imperfectleaders.com

Every once in a while I'm stupid enough to get into an argument with my wife. Even when I win the battle (rarely), I lose the war (always).

This paradox made me think about the art of influence. How do you persuade people in a way that both sides feel they've won?

I turned to the world's preeminent thought leader on the topic - Professor Robert Cialdini - who wrote a book called Influence, The Psychology of Persuasion - that has sold more than five million copies around the world.

Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett loved the book so much they actually gave Cialdini a share of their stock - Berkshire Hathaway - which is now worth nearly 1/2 a million dollars. When asked about the gift, Munger replied, "The principles in your book have made our firm a lot of money over the years. You deserve a gift."

After listening to today's episode, let us know if you agree with Charlie Munger? Do Professor Cialdini's principles resonate with you?

www.imperfectleaders.com