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🧭 Clarify Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course

In this conversation, Melody Wilding, an expert in managing up, discusses the essential skills and strategies needed to influence your boss and navigate workplace dynamics effectively. She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, establishing alignment, and taking ownership in your role. The discussion also covers setting boundaries, giving and receiving feedback, and the concept of the triple win, which focuses on finding mutually beneficial solutions for yourself, your boss, and the organization.

Melody Wilding is the bestselling author of Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work and the Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge.

Melody is a licensed social worker with a master’s degree from Columbia University, professor of human behavior at Hunter College in New York City, and former emotions researcher at Rutgers University.

For more than a decade, she’s helped top performers and leadership at the world’s most successful companies — including Google, JP Morgan, and Verizon — to communicate more clearly, prevent burnout, and transform complicated workplace dynamics into powerful alliances that impact the bottom line.

Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and dozens of other respected publications. She’s a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, and CNBC.

➡️ Connect with Melody: https://melodywilding.com/

00:00 Mastering the Art of Managing Up

01:23 Understanding the Concept of Managing Up

05:37 Navigating Workplace Dynamics

07:52 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

11:55 The Power of Effective Conversations

15:35 The Triple Win Concept

20:21 Establishing Alignment with Your Boss

39:57 Taking Ownership in Your Role

49:50 Setting Boundaries for Success

53:35 Giving and Receiving Feedback Effectively

Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

In this episode of the Intentional Leader podcast, Cal and Patrick Lencioni delve into the core motivations behind leadership, emphasizing the importance of serving others over seeking personal gain. They discuss the impact of fear on leadership effectiveness, the necessity of daily self-reflection, and the significance of understanding one's wounds in shaping leadership styles. The conversation also touches on the importance of unity within organizations and offers practical advice for leaders at various stages of their careers, encouraging self-discovery and intentionality in leadership practices.

Go deeper with Pat and his work:

- The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooh27JebY2gN8wRMxtvnSo_5oO9jcZ6r0y7cdrS00K2kPh_-E0O

- The Working Genius Assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/

- At the Table Podcast: https://www.tablegroup.com/pat/#podcasters

00:00 The Essence of Leadership Motivation

02:55 Understanding the True Motive Behind Leadership

05:41 The Impact of Fear on Leadership

08:46 Daily Reflections and Intentions

11:36 The Importance of Self-Discovery in Leadership

14:40 Navigating Leadership Through Different Life Stages

17:33 The Role of Wounds in Shaping Leadership

20:26 Finding Peace Beyond Success

23:29 Unity in Leadership and Organizations

26:46 Advice for Young Leaders

29:28 The Journey of Self-Awareness

32:36 Leadership in the Later Stages of Life

35:31 Creating Cohesion in Divided Times

Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1

⭐⭐⭐ Audio Podcast is currently on your favorite platforms:

ApplePodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/intentional-leader-with-cal-walters/id1468715294

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/41qlvUJj1Ej0hzNp3dC5wn

🔗 Support Me Here! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/calwalters

🔗 Stay Connected With Me. Linkedin (Cal Walters): https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-walters-5571b824/

Linkedin (Intentional Leader): https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-living-leadership/

Website: https://calwalters.me/

📩 For business inquiries: [email protected]

➡️ Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course

Geoff Woods is the author of The AI-Driven Leader and the Founder of AI Leadership, where he empowers leaders to harness AI, escape operational overwhelm, and think strategically to accelerate growth.

AI Leadership is spearheaded by Geoff Woods, a visionary leader with a proven track record helping companies grow through strategic thinking and AI-driven solutions.

As the former Chief Growth Officer of Jindal Steel & Power, he drove market cap growth from $750M to $12B in four years through AI-driven leadership.

He also co-founded the training and consulting company behind The ONE Thing, where he coached and advised companies with annual revenues from $10 million to $60 billion.​​

In this conversation, Cal and Geoff explore the transformative potential of AI in leadership and decision-making. They discuss the importance of asking the right questions, mastering essential skills, and using AI as a strategic partner rather than just a tool. The dialogue highlights real-world applications of AI in business, including creating AI boards to simulate executive dynamics and enhance decision-making processes. The speakers emphasize the need for leaders to adapt to technological advancements and leverage AI to overcome significant challenges in their organizations. In this conversation, the speakers explore the transformative role of AI in leadership and decision-making. They discuss practical applications of AI in board meetings, presentation feedback, and strategic thinking. The importance of maintaining a thought leadership role while leveraging AI as a thought partner is emphasized, along with the need for leaders to adapt to the rapidly changing job landscape. The discussion also highlights lessons from Blockbuster's downfall and offers practical steps for leaders to integrate AI into their daily practices.

00:00 AI as a Strategic Partner for Leaders

07:23 Harnessing AI for Strategic Thinking

21:43 Creating AI Boards for Leadership

26:02 Real-World Applications of AI in Business

27:51 Simulating Reality: AI's Role in Predictive Analysis

29:03 Proactive AI Engagement: Preparing for Presentations

31:20 Thought Leadership vs. Thought Partnership

33:05 Building Your AI Board: A Personal Strategy

38:50 Strategic Thinking: Lessons from Blockbuster's Downfall

42:38 Practical Steps for Leaders: Using AI Effectively

45:04 Future Skills: Preparing for an AI-Driven World

49:52 Powerful Questions: Shaping Your Leadership Journey

➡️ Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course

Get On Character by General McChrystal: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/about/books/detail/2025/01/04/on-character--choices-that-define-a-life

Follow Stan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanmcchrystal/

Learn about the McChrystal Group: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/ 

In this conversation, General Stanley McChrystal discusses the profound impact of character on leadership, emphasizing that true leadership is tested during challenging times. He reflects on his personal experiences, including his resignation from the military, and how his marriage has shaped his character. The discussion also delves into the importance of understanding core values, the influence of parents on our convictions, and the role of fear in leadership decisions. McChrystal encourages leaders to clarify their values and to recognize that character is a choice that defines us. In this conversation, Stanley McChrystal discusses the dynamics of leadership, the importance of courage in speaking up against groupthink, and the necessity of discipline in personal and professional life. He reflects on his experiences in high-pressure environments, the challenges of maintaining integrity, and the value of writing as a tool for clarifying thoughts and fostering a national dialogue on character. The discussion emphasizes the significance of learning from mistakes and the impact of personal values on leadership effectiveness.

00:00 The Essence of Leadership and Character

03:00 The Journey of Writing and Reflection

05:55 Marriage as a Foundation for Character

11:49 The Role of Character in Leadership

17:55 Understanding Core Values and Convictions

23:00 The Influence of Parents on Character

25:50 Confronting Fear in Leadership

30:15 The Pressure to Conform in Leadership

32:44 Courage to Speak Up: A Personal Reflection

35:33 Coaching Leaders to Embrace Truth

38:26 The Importance of Discipline in Leadership

46:57 Learning from Mistakes and Moving Forward

49:05 The Value of Writing and National Dialogue on Character

➡️ Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course

Get Will's book: https://noelevatortoeverest.com/

Learn about Corner to Corner: https://cornertocorner.org/

In this conversation, Will Acuff shares his journey of finding joy amidst life's challenges, particularly through his experiences with his family and the transformative 'trauma camp' that helped him shift his perspective. He discusses the importance of self-compassion, the struggles of parenting a child with disabilities, and the pressures of maintaining a facade of having it all together. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of recognizing small sparks of joy and the power of community and support in navigating difficult times.

In this conversation, the speakers explore the themes of love, mercy, and personal responsibility within relationships. They discuss the drama triangle concept, emphasizing the importance of shifting from a hero mentality to one of ownership and self-compassion. The dialogue also touches on thriving in tough circumstances, the significance of self-awareness, and practical practices for cultivating joy in daily life.

00:00 Finding Joy in Hardship

02:53 The Journey to Trauma Camp

11:42 Transformative Experiences at Trauma Camp

22:02 The Power of Joy in Difficult Times

24:35 The Context of Love and Mercy

25:08 Understanding the Drama Triangle

29:04 Shifting from Hero to Ownership

30:44 The Impact of Codependency

32:07 Self-Compassion and Ownership

35:31 Thriving in Tough Circumstances

36:40 Exploring Joy and Self-Awareness

42:22 Practical Practices for Daily Joy Please visit my website to get more information:

https://calwalters.me/

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1

Sign up for The Intentional Letter: https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Discover Your Core Values Course: https://courses.calwalters.me/offers/DmXNju9f/checkout

The Work-Life Balance Toolbox: https://www.stephenrgraves.com/balance

Steve's book, Flourishing (for free!): https://www.stephenrgraves.com/flourish

Cornerstone+ Membership: https://www.cornerstoneco.com/

In this episode of the Intentional Leader Podcast, Cal speaks with CEO coach Steve Graves about the intricacies of leadership, coaching, and achieving a balanced life. They explore the importance of holistic coaching, the courage required to make meaningful life choices, and the challenges of work-life balance. Steve shares insights from his experiences coaching top leaders and discusses frameworks for personal development, including the significance of understanding one's capacity threshold and the art of saying no. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentional living and aligning one's life with core values to lead effectively at work and home.

00:00 Leading Well at Work and Home

02:38 The Role of a Coach

07:15 Work-Life Balance Toolbox

08:30 A Tale of Two Funerals

13:16 The Importance of Courage 1

9:33 The Cost of Saying Yes

24:44 Understanding Capacity Threshold

36:51 The Art of Saying No

➡️ Sign up for my Intentional Letter: https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Follow Katie's work: https://katiequesada.com/

In this conversation, storytelling expert Katie Quesada discusses the profound impact of storytelling on personal and professional lives. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in leadership, how it can create emotional connections, and the science behind why stories resonate with us.

Katie shares her journey into storytelling consulting, practical frameworks for effective storytelling, and the significance of personal and family narratives. The discussion also highlights the difference between macro and micro storytelling, encouraging leaders to weave stories into everyday interactions to foster connection and engagement. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of storytelling, emphasizing its importance in leadership and personal relationships.

They discuss the three essential components of a story: context, conflict, and conclusion, and how to effectively balance these elements to engage an audience. The conversation also touches on the significance of vulnerability in leadership, the process of restoring meaning to personal experiences, and the value of storytelling in everyday interactions, particularly within families. The speakers encourage listeners to embrace their unique stories and share them in ways that resonate with others, ultimately highlighting storytelling as a powerful tool for connection and influence.

00:00 The Power of Storytelling

02:59 Katie Quesada's Journey into Storytelling

06:01 The Science Behind Storytelling

09:04 Practical Applications of Storytelling in Leadership

11:56 Mining, Refining, and Reminding Stories

14:59 Personal Storytelling and Its Impact

17:59 The Importance of Family Storytelling

20:57 Macro vs. Micro Storytelling

28:05 The Art of Storytelling

31:24 Understanding the Three C's of Storytelling

35:35 The Balance of Context, Conflict, and Conclusion

40:39 Vulnerability in Leadership

43:00 Restoring Meaning to Personal Stories

46:43 Finding Your Storytelling Platform

48:44 Relational Storytelling Techniques

Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1

🔗 Support Me Here! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/calwalters

🔗 Stay Connected With Me.

Linkedin (Cal Walters): 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-walters-5571b824/

Linkedin (Intentional Leader): 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-living-leadership/

Website: 

https://calwalters.me/

📩 For business inquiries: [email protected]

Get weekly insights from me: https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Take the Attributes Assessment (make sure you use coupon code INTENTIONALLEADER15 to get 15% off at check out): https://theattributes.com/assessment-tool

Get Rich's new book, Masters of Uncertainty: https://www.amazon.com/Masters-Uncertainty-Navy-Stress-Success/dp/B0DMGYW5YH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3E4HOYQ84M5H7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ya84ZhsafB6rPwbEySGGDg.98hhrIiRMlraDT4SDOw9Dih-3Y1Z1b772CBQOmMDIBw&dib_tag=se&keywords=masters+of+uncertainty+rich+diviney&qid=1732210579&sprefix=masters+of+uncertainty+rich+diviney%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1

In this conversation, retired Navy SEAL Commander Rich Diviney shares insights on leadership, stress management, and the importance of attributes in high-performance environments. He discusses the significance of humility, the distinction between being a leader and being in charge, and the challenges faced during BUD/S training.

Rich emphasizes the critical role of compartmentalization and attributes in determining success, particularly in high-stress situations like those encountered in military training and operations. In this conversation, the speaker delves into the importance of understanding personal attributes and skills, emphasizing the role of self-awareness in effective leadership.

They discuss how stress and fear can be harnessed for positive action, the significance of focusing on controllable factors, and the science behind motivation through dopamine. The conversation also explores the impact of identity on behavior, particularly in uncertain situations, and how recognizing and prioritizing identities can shape our responses and actions.

00:00 Navigating Stress as a Leader

03:04 The Essence of Humility in Leadership

06:06 Understanding Leadership Beyond Hierarchy

09:01 The BUD/S Experience and Its Challenges

11:56 Compartmentalization: The Key to Endurance

15:04 Skills vs. Attributes in Leadership

18:03 Insights from SEAL Team 6 Selection

20:47 The Importance of Attributes in Performance

29:10 Understanding Attributes and Skills

35:01 The Role of Self-Awareness in Leadership

38:07 Harnessing Stress and Fear for Action

43:45 Focus on What You Can Control

49:22 The Science of Dopamine and Motivation

52:30 The Power of Identity in Uncertainty

Subscribe to the Intentional Letter (my weekly newsletter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DHP2Eahxjm0

Alison Wood Brooks is the O’Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School. She teaches an award-winning course in the MBA curriculum called “TALK.” Recently named a Best 40-Under-40 Business School Professor by Poets & Quants, her book TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves will be published by Crown (Penguin Random House) in January 2025.

Her research on the science of conversation has been published in prestigious academic journals, including the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and Psychological Science, as well as in popular media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The New York Times, Scientific American, and Harvard Business Review. Professor Brooks holds a Ph.D. in Decision Processes from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Finance from Princeton University.

In this engaging conversation, Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School professor, shares insights from her research on the art and science of conversation. She discusses the importance of effective communication, the unique perspective gained from being an identical twin, and the value of teaching conversation skills to leaders.

The discussion covers various aspects of conversation, including the significance of preparation, understanding conversational goals, and the framework for successful interactions. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own conversational practices and consider how they can improve their communication skills. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of effective communication, emphasizing the cognitive load involved in conversations, the importance of preparation, and the power of follow-up questions.

They discuss strategies for topic switching and ending conversations gracefully, the significance of asking questions, and the art of active listening. The conversation also highlights the role of levity in maintaining engagement and the need for self-compassion in navigating social interactions.

Subscribe to the Intentional Letter (my weekly newsletter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Get the The Thin Book of Trust.   

Cal and Charles Feltman delve into the intricate nature of trust, exploring its biological underpinnings and the personal experiences that shape our propensity to trust or distrust others. They discuss the importance of sincerity, reliability, competence, and care as key assessments of trustworthiness, and how leaders can foster a trusting environment by extending trust to their teams.

Charles Feltman has over 25 years of professional experience coaching, facilitating, consulting to, and training people who lead others. An overarching goal in all of his work is that his clients experience both success and wellbeing at work and in all areas of their lives. Prior to starting his coaching and consulting business he spent a decade in leadership roles in technology industry companies. 

Charles is the author of The Thin Book® of Trust: An Essential Primer for Building Trust at Work, based on three decades of experience working with individuals and teams to build, maintain, and when necessary restore trust.  

After completing his coach training in 2000 with Newfield Network, one of the premier coach training schools worldwide, Charles served as a mentor coach for Newfield’s programs. In this capacity he taught, mentored and coached others who were learning to become skilled coaches.  

Charles holds a BA in psychology from U.C. Santa Cruz and a master's in organization development and communication from the University of Southern California. He has an International Coach Federation credential of Professional Certified Coach (PCC). He is certified in The Leadership Circle Profile, MBTI, DiSC Work of Leaders, and the Triscendance Trust Assessment for Leadership Teams. He is also a certified husband, father and grandfather.