Just Say It

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In today's episode of Good Authority, Jonathan and Christian Idiodi discuss the future of work, human-centric product design, and the importance of empowering people and leadership in the face of emerging technologies like AI. Throughout this episode, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the need for companies to prioritize human skills such as empathy and curiosity to create an empowering work environment where talented people are given problems to solve and are trusted to discover the best solutions. Christian and Jonathan also explore the importance of maintaining a beginner's mindset, experimenting with new approaches, and taking action without fear of failure in leadership roles. As a bonus, you'll learn a bit about what Christian is up to in Africa with his non-profit organization, the Innovate Africa Foundation. They discuss the growing gap between technologists and government officials in Africa and the need for education, collaboration, and critical thinking to address ethical practices and societal impacts.

About Christian:

Christian has been a product leader for over 15 years, building teams and developing enterprise and consumer products that have shaped companies such as CareerBuilder and Merrill Corporation as well as clients such as Microsoft, Starbucks, and Squarespace.

Christian is passionate about helping companies implement the discipline of product management to build world-class products and new technologies. At CareerBuilder, Christian founded and managed CareerBuilder Institute, the industry's first combined human capital and consumer training platform, creating a new stream of revenue for the company.

As VP of Enterprise Product at Snagajob, Christian conceptualized a new-to-market solution and led the discovery, development, and successful launch of the ReadyHire business line. He designed and led the B2B product strategy for IdentityForce, a leading provider of identity, privacy, and credit protection for individuals, businesses, and government agencies. He then founded Firtsi, a product consulting company that has overseen the product development lifecycle from ideation to launch for over 120+ new products.

Before joining Silicon Valley Product Group, Christian was the Global Head of Product for Merrill Corporation. Christian built the company's product organization and led them through a transformational, large-scale industry launch of the first SaaS app for due diligence in the finance industry.

Christian teaches product management and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. He also gives back to his local product community each year by supporting and advising two student-led startups from conceptualization to product delivery.

Christian graduated from Emory University with a B.A. in Psychology and Community Building and earned a dual MBA and MPM from Keller Graduate School of Management.

Connect with Christian:

https://www.svpg.com/team/christian-idiodi/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/

https://www.innovateafricafoundation.org/

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In today's episode of Good Authority, Jonathan discusses the challenges of masculinity, emphasizing the need for men to embrace vulnerability and emotional expression while maintaining a strong exterior. He shares personal experiences and highlights the importance of balancing external ambition with internal reflection. As you listen to this episode, consider the challenges of navigating masculinity in friendships and society, and ask youself, how can we better prioritize mental health in boys and men in a more effective way? Clearly something isn't working. But, to change, we need to recognize the signs of struggle and know when to invite a man, or boy, into dialogue. More often than not, it's the small, everyday interactions that will make a significant difference in the life of someone you love.

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In today's episode of Good Authority, Jonathan and Gary Barker engage in a thought-provoking conversation about challenging traditional gender norms and binary labels, particularly those associated with masculinity. They share personal experiences and observations on the harmful effects of toxic masculinity and the importance of creating safe spaces for men to express emotions and open up about their struggles. They also discuss the challenges of expressing emotions and prioritizing mental health in a society that expects men to be stoic and unemotional, and the effects of social media on young people. The conversation highlights the need for ongoing support and dialogue to empower girls and boys and break down barriers that restrict their full equality, while also emphasizing the importance of self-care, empathy, and open communication in fostering a more emotionally authentic and supportive environment for men.

Gary Barker, PhD, has been a global voice in engaging men and boys in advancing gender equality, gender justice and positive masculinities for three decades. He is the CEO and co-founder of Equimundo Center for Masculinities and Social Justice, a major contributor to international activism on male allyship in gender equality. He was the first Executive Director of Instituto Promundo in Brazil and led its pioneering work on healthy masculinities. He is co-founder of MenCare, a global campaign in more than 50 countries to promote men's involvement as caregivers, and co-founder of MenEngage, a global alliance of more than 700 NGOs. He co-created the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES), the largest survey of men's attitudes and behaviors related to violence, fatherhood, and gender equality. He leads Equimundo's State of the World's Fathers reports, which has become a major advocacy platform for the global care economy. He has coordinated Equimundo's partnerships in conflict-affected settings including work on community-based trauma support and restorative justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Balkans, the US and Brazil. He advises the UN, the World Bank, national governments, international foundations and corporations on strategies to engage men and boys in promoting gender equality. In 2017 he was named by Apolitical as one of the 20 most influential people in gender policy worldwide. He is an Ashoka Fellow and received the Voices of Solidarity Award from Vital Voices for his work to engage men for gender equality. He holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology and a Research Affiliate position at the Center for Social Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal. He lived nearly 20 years in Latin America and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

Connect with Gary:

https://www.equimundo.org/

https://x.com/equimundo_org

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In today's episode of Good Authority, Jonathan sits down with David Rogers. They discuss digital transformation, emphasizing its holistic nature and the need to align all functions and teams towards a shared vision. They highlight the challenges of navigating organizational change and the importance of defining a clear and shared vision for digital transformation. They also discuss the importance of aligning incentives and purpose for successful organizational transformation, and provide insights on how to communicate a shared vision and elicit motivation from employees.

David Rogers is the world's leading expert on digital transformation, a member of the faculty at Columbia Business School, and the author of five books.

In his newest book, The Digital Transformation Roadmap (2023), Rogers tackles the barriers behind the 70% of businesses that fail in their own digital efforts. He shows why every business must transform not just its products―it must transform the organization itself. Rogers offers a five-step roadmap to rebuild any organization for continuous digital change.

His previous landmark bestseller, The Digital Transformation Playbook (2016), was the first book on digital transformation and put the topic on the map. Now published in thirteen languages, it defined the discipline by arguing that digital transformation (DX) is not about technology; it is about strategy, leadership, and new ways of thinking.

Rogers has helped companies around the world transform their business for the digital age, working with senior leaders at corporations including Google, Microsoft, Citigroup, Visa, HSBC, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Merck, GE, Toyota, Cartier, Pernod Ricard, China Eastern Airlines, NC Bank Saudi, and Acuity Insurance, among others.

Rogers regularly delivers keynotes at conferences on all six continents and has appeared on CNN, ABC News, CNBC, Channel News Asia, and in The New York Times, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist.

At Columbia Business School, Rogers is faculty director of executive education programs on digital business strategy and on leading digital transformation. He has taught over twenty-five thousand executives through his programs in New York City, in Silicon Valley, and online. His recent research has focused on new business models, innovating through experimentation, governance for growth, and barriers to change in digital transformation.

Connect with David:

https://davidrogers.digital/

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In today's episode of Good Authority, Jonathan explores the complexities of family dynamics and their impact on personal growth and spirituality. He emphasizes the importance of honoring this domain of personal growth and considers it the Mount Everest of spirituality because of how much of this conditioning was formed pre-verbally, gripping itself in some of the deepest parts of our psyche. Throughout the episode, you'll hear practical advice on how to use mindfulness to navigate challenging family situations. Jonathan also shares his personal journey of recognizing and working on unconscious emotional attachments with his family and discusses the importance of breaking up with these attachments to discover a new version of oneself. A key takeaway from this episode is that, while there are challenges when maintaining a healthy adult relationship with one's parents, the benefit of navigating this change will create space for personal growth and autonomy.

Continue the conversation with Jonathan:

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In today's episode of Good Authority, Jonathan sits down with Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg. They discuss the importance of approaching problems differently to achieve innovation and success. They emphasized the need for emotional and intellectual distance to solve the right problems, and for a simple method that can be applied by anyone. Jonathan also highlights the importance of understanding personal journeys and pain points to address complex problems, while Thomas emphasizes the need to recognize and reframe one's own biases and assumptions. As the episode winds down, you'll hear Jonathan and Thomas discuss a few personal topics, including the challenges of maintaining the purity of advisory work while balancing personal interests and client needs.

Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg is a globally recognized expert in innovation and problem-solving. He authored "Innovation as Usual" (2013) and "What's Your Problem?" (2020), both published by Harvard Business Press. His work focuses on practical approaches to drive innovation and solve complex problems within organizations. Wedell-Wedellsborg's expertise has been sought by numerous high-profile clients, including Microsoft, Cisco, Citigroup, and the United Nations. He is particularly known for his "reframing" method, which helps individuals and organizations approach problems more effectively by changing how they define and understand them. He has been featured in various publications and recognized as a top thinker in his field by institutions like Thinkers50 and HR Magazine.

"Thomas makes a compelling case that we often start solving a problem before thinking deeply about whether we are solving the right problem. If you want the superpower of solving better problems, read this book." -- Eric Schmidt, former CEO, Google

Connect with Thomas:

https://wedellsblog.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Your-Problem-Toughest-Problems/dp/1633697223

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaswedell/

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In today's episode, Jonathan shares his personal journey of self-discovery and growth over the past 30 years and how these learnings are ultimately what led to his arrival at the ideas of Good Authority, as shared in his book and current teachings. A key insight from this episode is the need for individuals to take ownership of their personal growth and use their power and influence thoughtfully and kindly to create a better future for all. 

Continue the conversation with Jonathan:

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In today's episode of Good Authority, Jonathan sits down with heavy-weight boxer and author of the Stoic Street Smarts newsletter, Ed Latimore. They discuss the importance of facing challenges and difficult moments in personal growth and how important it is not to avoid difficult situations. Ed also discusses the importance of embracing uncertainty, resilience, and authenticity in navigating life's uncertainties. Toward the end of their conversation, you'll hear Ed highlight the dangers of blindly following authority without questioning or understanding the underlying reasons. This theme ties perfectly into Jonathan's pursuit of self-authority as described in his book. Key takeaways for this episode are how you can use critical thinking, adversity, and self-discovery to create a more fulfilling life.

Connect with Ed:

https://edlatimore.com/

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In today's episode, Jonathan explores the three credentials of giving good advice:

1. Relevant Experience: Emphasizing the importance of direct, hands-on involvement in situations akin to those the advice-seeker is facing, it's noted that real-life, practical experience in a specific area not only lends credibility but also deepens the impact of the advice given. For example, a parent who has firsthand experience in raising children is well-equipped to offer substantive advice on parenting.
2. Professional Expertise and Knowledge: This credential focuses on theoretical knowledge and professional training. Advice in this category stems from formal education and continuous learning within a particular field. For instance, someone with a background in law school has a robust theoretical understanding of legal issues, which complements their practical insights and enables them to deliver comprehensive advice.
3. Emotional Intelligence and Intuition: The ability to effectively read situations and people through emotional intelligence, offering advice that is empathetic and resonates deeply, is critical. This skill is crucial for grasping not only the factual aspects of a scenario but also the emotional dynamics that could affect the outcome. This type of advice, which relies on an intuitive understanding of people and contexts, is often the most overlooked and challenging to master.

Tune in to the full episode to understand the full impact of these three prerequisites for good advice, particularly how the third type—emotional intelligence and intuition—is commonly underestimated yet critical.

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In today's episode of Good Authority, Jonathan sits down with Silicon Valley legend Hiten Shah, founder of KISSmetrics, CrazyEgg, and host of The Hiten Show. Hiten discusses his unique approach to giving advice, emphasizing the importance of truly serving those he helps and his penchant for empathy over ego. He shares insights on the irony of advice-giving—people seek wisdom from those with experience, yet often lack sufficient context themselves. Throughout the episode, Jonathan reflects on his own journey toward becoming a more empathetic and effective advisor, highlighting the challenges of advising tech executives and the delicate balance of influence in coaching. They delve into the nuances of trust-building and the high stakes of making tough decisions, wrapping up with a discussion on the crucial role of self-awareness and clarity in leadership and communication. Key insights that you'll want to pay attention to are the interplay between experience and advice, the critical nature of trust in professional relationships, and the personal growth necessary for impactful leadership.

Connect with Hiten:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hnshah/

https://www.hiten.show/

Continue the conversation with Jonathan:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.jonathanraymond.com⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Refound's AI Coaching Platform: ⁠⁠refound.com⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanrefound⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/jonathanrefound⁠