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Season 2, Episode 2

Beyond the Goal with Mark Fujiwara

What happens when achievement isn’t enough?

In this episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, George Trachilis and Dr. Tom Lawless are joined by Mark Fujiwara for a powerful conversation that goes beyond traditional goal‑setting and performance. Together, they explore the deeper work of leadership—identity, purpose, mental fitness, and who we become as we pursue success.

Mark shares his personal journey through loss, transition, and growth, and explains why the Harada Method resonated with him when other goal‑setting systems fell short. The discussion touches on wabi‑sabi and embracing imperfection, daily discipline, community, and the importance of working on the person before chasing the outcome.

This episode is especially relevant for leaders, entrepreneurs, veterans, and high achievers who are questioning what’s next—or sensing that something more meaningful is required.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why goals alone don’t create fulfillment or sustainability
• How identity and purpose shape long‑term performance
• The role of daily practice and mental fitness in leadership
• Why community and accountability accelerate growth
• How embracing imperfection can unlock human potential

🎙️ Leadership Excellence Podcast
📅 New episodes recorded weekly

Leadership isn’t just about reaching the goal—it’s about who you become on the way there.

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

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Create a Meaningful Goal

Subtitle: Why Purpose-Driven Leadership Begins With How You See Yourself

What if the key to better leadership—and better results—starts with creating a goal that actually means something?

In this powerful podcast conversation, Dr. Tom Lawless, George Trachilis, and Dr. Vance Cooper Jr. explore what it truly means to create a meaningful goal and why so many goals fail to inspire lasting change. Recorded on January 21, 2026, this episode challenges the traditional idea that leadership is about titles or positions and instead reframes leadership as a personal responsibility we all carry.

Dr. Vance Cooper Jr. shares insights rooted in the belief that everyone is leading someone, whether they realize it or not. The discussion dives into how purpose-driven goals shape daily habits, influence decision-making, and help leaders serve others more effectively. From relatable personal stories to practical reflections on motivation and consistency, this conversation highlights how meaningful goals don’t just drive performance—they help people sleep better at night because they’re aligned with who they are.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why leadership starts with self-awareness, not authority
• How meaningful goals create clarity, accountability, and follow-through
• The connection between purpose, service, and sustainable leadership
• Simple mindset shifts that turn everyday actions into leadership moments

If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, coach, or anyone striving to grow with intention, this episode will help you rethink how you set goals—and why meaning matters more than metrics.

👉 Anyone interested in following Dr. Vance Cooper Jr.’s leadership journey and ongoing work is encouraged to join the app at ow64.com.

🎙️ Listen in, reflect deeply, and start creating goals that truly stick.

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

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In Episode 11 of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, George Trachilis and Dr. Tom Lawless dive deep into one of the most essential skills every leader must master: Delegation. The real kind—the kind that develops people, frees up your time, and creates a truly self‑reliant team.

This episode begins with a classic leadership parable inspired by the Harvard Business Review story “Who’s Got the Monkey?”. Leaders often overload themselves not because they work too hard, but because they unintentionally carry everyone else’s monkeys—other people’s problems, tasks, and responsibilities. By the end of the week, they are exhausted and overwhelmed, wondering why nothing important got done.
George and Tom break down why this happens, why it’s destructive, and how to stop the cycle immediately.

From there, they reveal the Three Power Moves of Delegation, a simple framework that brings clarity to leadership, increases team capability, and helps people grow into higher levels of independence and accountability:

Power Move #1 – Delegate Outcomes, Not Tasks
Most leaders assign disconnected tasks that keep them stuck as bottlenecks. Here, you’ll learn how to delegate results instead—so your people think, act, and problem‑solve like leaders.

Power Move #2 – Match Delegation to Skill & Readiness
Too much freedom too soon makes people feel abandoned. Too much control when they’re ready makes them feel micromanaged. This episode shows you how to match responsibility to each person’s experience, judgment, and confidence.

Power Move #3 – Establish Guardrails and Let Go
Purpose, outcomes, boundaries, requirements, and deadlines—these are the guardrails people need to succeed independently. When leaders provide clarity and then step back, teams grow fast.

Together, these three moves will help you:
 • Build capability instead of dependency
 • Reduce overwhelm and fire‑fighting
 • Free up your time for strategic leadership
 • Create a culture of ownership and confidence
 • Stop being the one who carries everyone’s monkeys

This episode closes with practical next steps: how to identify your workload, categorize tasks, eliminate low‑value work, and delegate effectively starting today.

Join Us in 2026
If you want to elevate your leadership, sharpen your skills, and surround yourself with a global community of people committed to excellence, join us live in 2026. Visit the website and click “Join Live” to be part of the next evolution of leadership learning and development.

Stay with us, kee

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

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In this powerful episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, George Trachilis and Dr. Tom Lawless tackle one of the most urgent issues facing today’s leaders: burnout. Contrary to popular belief, burnout is rarely caused by long hours alone. It comes from misalignment, loss of autonomy, and the gradual erosion of personal purpose. George and Tom break down how the Harada Method, a globally recognized self‑leadership system used by high performers including Shohei Ohtani, provides five practical strategies leaders can use to rebuild energy, clarity, and direction.

They begin by exploring the first and most critical strategy: aligning your goals with your personal purpose. Leaders often burn out not because they work too hard, but because they pursue goals that don’t resonate with who they are. When work connects to internal motivation, energy increases rather than drains. George illustrates this with a surprising example from Ozzy Osbourne’s final performances—showing how passion can override even physical pain.

Next, Tom explains why building self‑reliance is essential for reducing pressure. Burnout thrives where people feel micromanaged, powerless, or unable to shape their own work. The Harada Method strengthens autonomy by teaching people to manage themselves instead of being managed. When teams become self‑directed, leaders stop firefighting and stress declines.

The third strategy focuses on strengthening the four aspects of life: Spirit, Skill, Physical Condition, and Daily Life. Burnout often begins when one of these pillars collapses. Whether it’s loss of meaning, feeling unprepared, poor physical habits, or daily life chaos—weakness in one area eventually spreads into all others. True resilience comes from strengthening each pillar consistently.

George and Tom then explain why burnout is frequently organizational, not emotional. The fourth strategy, using a Routine Check Sheet, helps leaders reduce cognitive overload, eliminate unnecessary tasks, and focus on what truly matters. Routines bring order to an otherwise chaotic world.

Finally, the episode dives into the Open Window 64 (OW64)—a tool that turns big goals into clear, manageable steps. When leaders see progress, they gain momentum, and “burnout hates momentum.” The OW64 reconnects people with who they are becoming, not just what they are doing, and reignites passion, clarity, and hope.

Practical, human, and deeply actionable, this episode shows leaders exactly how to redesign their system, restore balance, and prevent burnout before it takes control. Whether you’re an

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

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THE CALM LEADER – 5 Powerful Ways to Clear Your Mind Before Every Conversation

Episode Description:
In this episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, hosts Tom Lawless and George Trachilis break down the essential habits that help leaders show up calm, clear, and fully present in every interaction. Whether you're leading a team meeting, coaching an employee, or navigating a tough conversation at home, these five practices will transform the way you think, listen, and connect.

You’ll learn how to:
 • Pause to breathe and reset your nervous system
 • Release distractions so you can offer full presence
 • Set an intention that shapes tone and creates clarity
 • Let go of judgment to build trust and psychological safety
 • Reflect and reset between conversations to stay emotionally balanced

Tom and George share real stories, personal experiences, and simple techniques that any leader can apply immediately. This is the foundation of The Calm Leader—the leader who listens before reacting, understands before judging, and enters every conversation with a centered mind.

If you're striving to become the kind of leader who inspires confidence, builds trust, and handles conversations with grace, this episode is your blueprint.

Want to join us LIVE next week?
Register anytime at https://LeadershipX.tv/ — just click the top right corner. We’d love to have you with us.

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

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🎙️ Leadership Excellence Podcast

Engaging People: 3 Inspiring Ways to Build Commitment and Keep People Engaged

Description:
In this powerful episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, hosts George Trachilis and Dr. Tom Lawless dive into three inspiring ways leaders can build lasting commitment and engagement.

Commitment doesn’t come from pressure, incentives, or compliance—it grows when people feel purpose, connection, and genuine care. George and Tom share personal stories from business, leadership coaching, and the U.S. Army that prove one simple truth: when people understand why their work matters, they give their best.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:
1. Share a Clear and Meaningful Vision – Inspire purpose by connecting people to the “why.”
2. Connect Daily Work to the Bigger Picture – Link every task to your organization’s mission.
3. Lead with Consistency and Care – Build trust through reliability, empathy, and example.

💡 Leadership Insight:
- Real‑world examples from General Stanley McChrystal’s “crystal clear vision.”
- How simple habits like daily reflection and celebrating small wins multiply engagement.
- Why leaders who develop people first achieve operational excellence naturally.

🔗 Discover Next Week’s Topic:
Visit LeadershipX.tv/Our‑Next‑Amazing‑Podcast‑Topic to see what George and Tom will explore next. Each week brings a new leadership challenge and practical ways to strengthen your mindset, methods, and team results.

🗣️ Join the Conversation:
After the 20‑minute recording, we open the floor for a live 30‑minute Q&A.
Hold your questions until you’re called on — just like in a good Lean meeting, we avoid unnecessary muda! 😉

📩 Important:
This event is recorded. No questions or answers will be included in the official podcast unless permission is sent in writing to [email protected].

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

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In this insightful episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis dive into the third pillar of the Lean Leadership Development Model — Support Daily Kaizen. They explain how continuous improvement becomes part of everyday work, not a project or event, but a daily rhythm that strengthens teams and drives progress.

Dr. Lawless illustrates the importance of going to the Gemba — where the real work happens — to observe the process, not just the results. He emphasizes that effective leaders engage with their teams, listen first, and build trust so improvement ideas can flow freely. His practical advice: “If the idea works, it’s theirs; if it fails, it’s mine.”

George Trachilis expands on this by discussing the need for standard work, consistent routines, and daily stand‑ups. These structures help teams align, identify problems quickly, and apply the PDCA (Plan‑Do‑Check‑Act) learning cycle. Together, they reinforce that leaders succeed not by fixing problems themselves but by developing problem solvers throughout the organization.

🎯 Listeners Will Discover

💡 What “Support Daily Kaizen” really means for Lean leaders.
 🏭 How to practice going to the Gemba with curiosity and respect.
🔄 How the PDCA cycle drives learning and small, daily improvements.
📋 The value of standard work and daily stand‑ups in team alignment.
🌱 Why developing people first is the ultimate goal of continuous improvement.

🎧 Listen. Learn. Lead the Kaizen Way — at LeadershipX.tv

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

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In this powerful episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis explore what it truly means to cultivate leaders through coaching and continuous growth.

Dr. Lawless begins with the concept of the Leadership Mirror — a challenge for every leader to look inward and ask, “Am I taking care of my people?” He reminds us that humility, respect, and accountability start by reflecting on our own behavior and choices.

George builds on this by sharing his Top Three Coaching Principles:
1️⃣ Coach each person to their true potential.
2️⃣ Coach through principles and patterns that guide growth.
3️⃣ Develop the right attitude and create space for reflection.

Together, they discuss how real leaders coach at the Gemba — the place where the work is done — and how presence, curiosity, and respect build trust and continuous improvement.

🎯 Listeners Will Discover

💡 Why every leader needs a coach — and how to find one.
 🪞 How to use the “Leadership Mirror” to grow personally and professionally.
 🤝 How humility and respect create real influence.
 🏭 What coaching at the Gemba looks like in action.
 🌱 Practical steps for developing leaders who grow others.

🔜 Next Episode Preview

In the next episode, George and Dr. Lawless explore “Supporting Daily Kaizen — How Leaders Build a Culture of Continuous Improvement.”
They reveal how small steps and confidence‑building habits inspire teams to grow every day through purposeful improvement.

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

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In this episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis unpack “The Leadership Trap”—the hidden danger leaders face when they stop committing to self-development. Through personal stories, reflection, and humor, they reveal how continuous learning is the foundation of true leadership growth.

Dr. Lawless shares his lifelong pursuit of improvement, from his early days in Omaha to earning his PhD at 56, while George reflects on resisting self-development early in his career—and later finding fulfillment through the Toyota Way and mentoring others. Together, they stress that without personal growth, leadership stagnates.

Listeners will discover practical ways to stay sharp and expand their leadership capacity:

• 🌱 Reflect daily and identify areas to improve.
• 📚 Turn learning into action—apply insights from every book or course.
• 🧭 Seek mentors and coaches while becoming one for others.
• 💡 Use feedback (like the Johari Window) to deepen self-awareness.
• ⚙️ Start small at home and at work —even small acts, like improving routines or helping others, build discipline.

The hosts connect these principles to the Harada Method and the idea that true improvement begins with the self before extending to others. They close by reminding leaders that attitude drives outcomes—and that every system, including ourselves, delivers exactly the results it’s designed for.

Next Episode Preview:
Coaching others through growth — how great leaders learn to develop others effectively.

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

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In this episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, hosts Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis dive deep into the concept of True North values. True North values serve as a moral and operational compass, helping leaders and teams make decisions that align with the organization’s mission and vision.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

1. What Are True North Values?
   • True North values are the fixed points that keep a company focused on what truly matters.
   • They represent the company’s purpose, direction, and integrity, helping teams stay aligned and energized.
   • George and Tom emphasize the importance of defining these values clearly to ensure they guide daily decisions and behaviors.
2. The Mission, Vision, and Values Trifecta
   • Mission: Why the organization exists (e.g., Toyota’s mission is “producing happiness for all”).
   • Vision: What the organization aims to achieve (e.g., Toyota’s vision is “creating mobility for all”).
   • Values: The principles that guide decision-making (e.g., Toyota’s pillars: respect for people and continuous improvement).
   • George highlights the critical role of action-oriented verbs like “producing” and “creating” to set the right mindset for teams.
3. Toyota’s Approach to Values
   • Toyota’s two foundational pillars: 
     • Respect for People: Includes teamwork and respect for individuals, encouraging personal growth and collaboration.
     • Continuous Improvement: Involves principles like Genchi Genbutsu (go and see), Kaizen (improvement), and challenge.
   • George shares insights from his trip to Japan, where Toyota’s values were broken down into actionable components that leaders could easily apply.
4. Practical Applications of True North Values
   • Keep values simple and memorable—typically no more than 5-7 core values.
   • Align meetings, behaviors, and goals with these values to ensure they are lived daily.
   • George shares his example of introducing “respect for time” as a core value in a manufacturing company, which transformed how meetings were conducted and decisions were made.
5. From True North to Magnetic North
   • George proposes reframing “True North” as “Magnetic North”—a concept that reflects the natural pull leaders create to inspire and align their teams.
   • Magnetic North values act as a force that draws the organization in the right direction, creating consistency and momentum.
6. Implementing True North Values
   • Start by definin

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv