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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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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 defining what your organi

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

Send us Fan Mail

Podcast Description: Episode 3 – Aligning Goals to Your Vision

In this episode of Leadership Excellence, hosts George Trachilis and Tom Lawless explore the critical topic of aligning your team’s goals with your company’s vision. Through real-world examples and proven strategies, they provide actionable insights for leaders who want to build clarity, eliminate confusion, and create a unified path to success.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. The Power of Alignment: Discover why aligning team goals with your organization’s vision is essential to eliminate competing priorities and foster a unified direction.
2. Simplify Metrics: Learn how to reduce complexity by focusing on fewer, meaningful metrics that drive better decision-making and results.
3. Tools for Success: Gain insights into practical tools like A3 thinking and the Open Windows 64 (OW64) chart, which help align goals, solve problems, and bring your vision to life.

Highlights from the Episode:

• How Shohei Ohtani’s use of the OW64 chart as a teenager highlights the importance of setting big goals and breaking them into actionable steps.
• Real-world examples from George’s experience in aerospace, where simplifying metrics transformed performance across divisions.
• Why A3 thinking is more than just a tool—it’s a disciplined approach to problem-solving that ensures alignment from vision to results.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this episode will provide you with the strategies and tools to align your team’s goals with your vision and achieve extraordinary results.

Listen now to learn how to lead your team with clarity, focus, and purpose!

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

Send us Fan Mail

The Leadership Excellence Podcast

Episode Title: Creating a Vision
Hosts: George and Tom

Key Discussion Points

1. Introduction

• George and Tom open the podcast with a discussion about the importance of vision in leadership and organizations.
• Mention of using AI to enhance processes, with a teaser for an announcement at the end of the episode.

2. What is a Vision?

• A vision is the ideal state of what a company or individual wants to achieve in the long-term.
• Discussion on the balance between being narrow enough to focus and broad enough to inspire.
• Japanese companies often think in terms of 50-100 years, showcasing their long-term focus.

3. Personal Vision

• George: Aims to unlock untapped human potential in every interaction.
• Tom: Focuses on creating a better environment for leaders and people.
• Importance of wanting to achieve something versus being forced to do it. 
  • Example: Productivity is higher when employees want to accomplish goals rather than feeling obligated.

4. Ikigai (Japanese Concept)

• Explanation of Ikigai: The intersection of: 
  • What you love.
  • What you're good at.
  • What you can get paid for.
  • What the world needs.
• The hosts emphasize the value of finding one's purpose and aligning it with their vision.

5. Challenges in Creating a Vision

• Companies often focus solely on monetary goals, but a deeper purpose is necessary.
• Vision must go beyond profits to motivate employees and align efforts.
• Example: IKEA’s vision: “To create a better everyday life for people.”
  • Subgoal: Achieve 100% circular business by 2030 (recycling, reusing materials).

6. Simple, Memorable Visions

• Example: GC Dental’s vision, “No pain dentistry,” which inspired employees and drove clarity in their goals.
• Importance of a vision being clear, concise, and inspiring enough for employees to rally behind it.

7. Practical Steps to Create a Vision

• Close your eyes, reflect, and deeply think about what you want for yourself and others.
• Include others in your vision to build shared ownership.
• Evaluate your company's current state: 
  • What went well last year?
  • What didn’t go well, and why?

8. Examples of Vision Creation

• Norman Bodek’s Approach:
  • Start by listing 50 things you’re proud of o

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

Send us Fan Mail

In this debut episode of Leadership Excellence, Tom and George dive into the core question: What is leadership?

Welcome to the very first episode of Leadership Excellence with Tom and George! In this debut episode, Tom Lawless and George Trachilis dive deep into the heart of leadership, exploring what it truly means to lead.

They define leadership not as authority or control, but as taking care of people. But what does “taking care of people” really mean? Through engaging dialogue, Tom and George unpack the essence of leadership as guiding, motivating, and developing individuals to become their best selves. They discuss the importance of fostering integrity, character, and self-development, both in leaders and their teams.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Defining leadership as a role of influence, not dependency.
• The foundations of leadership, including building a culture of ethics, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Why everyone has the capability to lead and how recognizing this potential can transform organizations.
• Insights from leadership giants like Shingo and Deming, including lessons on compassion, moral responsibility, and going to “gemba” (the place where value is created).
• Why modern leaders must embrace AI and innovation to stay relevant and inspire their teams.

This episode sets the stage for future discussions on vision, behavior, and practical tools for leadership development. It’s packed with wisdom from decades of experience, personal anecdotes, and actionable takeaways for aspiring and seasoned leaders alike.

Join us as we begin this journey to uncover the true meaning of leadership and how to achieve excellence in every aspect of it.

Next Week’s Episode Teaser:
We’ll explore the concept of vision—what it means to create a vision, how to inspire others with it, and how to use tools like AI to bring it to life. Don’t miss it!

Who is George Trachilis?

 An accomplished leader, author, and Lean expert, George Trachilis brings decades of experience in coaching, consulting, and driving organizational transformation across a global stage. As the founder of the Lean Leadership Institute and a recipient of the prestigious Shingo Research Award, George has dedicated his career to developing leaders at all levels, fostering continuous improvement, and aligning businesses with their strategic goals. With a proven track record of success in engineering, supply chain management, and leadership development, George excels at creating innovative solu

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