If you could only pick one, what word would you choose that reflected your personal headlines this last year?  What word would you choose to guide you in 2025?  As we wind down 2024, this podcast features Dr. McKinley and his family discussing their annual tradition of selecting a word for the year. Listen in as they share insights and ideas that arose from this year’s journey of focusing on one word.

Dr. Kim Furry, an orthopedic surgeon, is our guest on the podcast today. To become a physician of any kind is a long, challenging, and often daunting process. To become a surgeon in her specialty, you have to complete a 5-year orthopedic surgery residency after medical school. In terms of competitiveness, orthopedic surgery is consistently in the top five, along with dermatology, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery. Her passion and commitment to her career is inspiring for any leader who pursues excellence. Listen in to this compelling conversation.

Conflict at work comes in many forms. Most teams and organizations need more conflict, not less. Good conflict, the kind that is healthy, pushes us to be better as people and communities. Sometimes however, conflict can become toxic and unnecessary. Today’s podcast guest is author and psychologist, Dr. Dana Ackley. He has done important work in the area of emotional intelligence. Dr. Ackley is convinced the skills that EI training provides can help us navigate many of life’s most unwanted challenges, like addressing conflict entrepreneurs. Dr. Ackley will also be talking about his next book to be released soon.

Retirement, in our western culture, is considered to be the withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from one's active working life. Many people choose to retire when they are elderly or incapable of doing their job for health reasons. Whatever the reason, Dr. Pat Williams has a different idea. During our conversation he introduces the idea of reframing retirement into Eldering. Having specific reasons, Pat explains his position in compelling ways. If you want to find more meaning in this season of life, listen in to this podcast episode.

Today’s podcast centers on the book, Manhood Frequency. It’s author, Hank Groff, is a businessman who made a career pivot choosing to focus on the more inside-out aspects of his work. We discussed how his ideas are helpful to all leaders. Hank shares how each of us emits varying levels of vibration, or "frequency," influenced by our thoughts, emotions, and attitudes. He tells very personal stories about his own changing frequency experiences and the impact it is having on his life.

It seems everyone talks about self-awareness these days, but few talk about its nemesis:  lying to one’s self. For too long, the issue of self-deception has been hidden from mainstream thought leadership. Self-deception is so pervasive it touches all aspects of a leader’s life. The Arbinger Institute maintains that self-deception actually shapes one’s experience in every aspect of one’s life. Join Dr. McKinley as he breaks down the psychology of self-understanding and deception.

Dr. McKinley is joined by Nick Sarillo, owner and operator of two large pizza restaurants in the Chicago area. With his family roots in the restaurant business, Nick set out to make his own dream happen. The purpose statement on their website says it all: “Our dedicated family provides this community an unforgettable place; to connect with your family and friends, to have fun and to feel at home!” Listen in to this conversation that covered managing generation Z employees to leading from purpose and intention.

We are excited to have Jamie Winship return as our guest on the podcast today. Jamie has decades of experience bringing peaceful solutions to areas of the world that experience the highest levels of conflict. He has worked with leaders in professional sports, business, education, law enforcement, government, non-profit and other sectors. Jamie and his wife, Donna, are co-founders of Identity Exchange, a training and consulting agency that helps individuals and teams discover new levels of creativity and resiliency within the framework of true identity. You will not want to miss this interview!

Strategic leaders have the ability to challenge prevailing viewpoints without provoking significant pushback, to see the big and small picture at the same time, to adapt to marketplace changes and take advantage of new opportunities. Today’s podcast guest, Dan Yunker, has demonstrated this ability in several different organizations. If you want to sharpen your strategic focus then you will enjoy this conversation.

The world continues to be in a crazy cycle of uncertainty. Leaders are struggling to find a path forward in this climate of separation, isolation, and fear. Dave Gibbons, an author and social impact leader, joins Dr. McKinley on this podcast to discuss ways we can create safe spaces for learners to learn, builders to build, and dreamers to dream. We also talk about Dave’s recently published book, The Shape of My Eyes.

To Order Doug’s Books: The Resiliency Quest
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Visit Doug’s Website: DougMcKinley.com

To Listen to Leadership Currency Podcast: Leadership Currency Podcast