In this special episode of the Leadership Genius Podcast, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Drea Zigarmi—scholar, practitioner, mentor, and friend. Best known as coauthor of the Situational Leadership II® model and Achieve Leadership Genius, Drea shaped modern leadership by blending rigorous behavioral science with practical tools leaders use every day.

We explore his groundbreaking contributions to leadership development, including his research on employee work passion, trust, and engagement, as well as the Five Practices and Five Contexts of Leadership that continue to guide leaders worldwide. Beyond his scholarship, listeners will hear stories that reveal the heart of who Drea was: a mentor who challenged us to apply leadership in the flow of work, a compassionate father and friend who invested in others, and a human being who lived the very principles he taught.

Published on his birthday, August 26, 2025, this episode is both a tribute and a call to action: to continue cultivating the kind of leadership that makes the world a better place.

In this episode of the Leadership Genius Podcast, Jason Diamond Arnold unpacks the power of leadership coaching — and why it’s one of the most overlooked drivers of business success. From the C-suite to self-leadership, Jason breaks down common misconceptions, explains what coaching truly is (and isn’t), and reveals how Inspire Software integrates coaching with real performance data to turn leadership theory into daily practice. Whether you’re an executive, manager, or individual contributor, you’ll learn how leadership coaching can elevate your performance, strengthen your organization’s culture, and drive measurable results.

In this episode of the Leadership Genius podcast, JasonDiamond Arnold discusses the ultimatum given to federal employees on February 22, 2025, when Elon Musk demanded that all employees list five things they had completed the previous week or face the threat of losing their jobs. This bold move sparked controversy and conversations across the political landscape.

While such a request is not uncommon in commercial environments, how it is delivered significantly impacts the culture of the organization, and in this case, it resonates across the cultural divide of the United Statesof America.

*NOTE: This podcast is NOT a political commentary podcast.We analyze only the leadership behaviors and the lessons learned from those behaviors. This is not intended to promote or criticize any political ideology related to the incidents or individuals we discuss on the podcast. Please leave respectful comments that reflect a leadership perspective.

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In this episode of The Leadership Genius Podcast, Jason Diamond Arnold explores the leadership genius of Andy Reid, head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, who is attempting to make history this week by becoming the first coach in the modern era to win three consecutive world championships in professional American football. Find out what leadership traits you can glean from his leadership in the arena or American football.

One of the most significant leadership challenges is to influence others toward a common objective. The practical skill of effectively setting and pursuing goals is one of the most overlooked leadership practices. Too often leaders assume everyone knows the goal and what it will take to get to the objective we are pursuing. What's more we fail to focus on the key results that help us effectively move toward our goals. Join us in a conversation about the critical role effective goal setting plays in the pursuit and achievement of critical business objectives. 

In this episode of the Leadership Genius podcast, we compare and contrast the power to make and implement "executive decisions" versus the challenges of collaborating and achieving consensus to inspire and influence people toward a vision or objective.

In this episode of the Leadership Genius podcast, we compare and contrast the power to make and implement "executive decisions" versus the challenges of collaborating and achieving consensus to inspire and influence people toward a vision or objective.

In this episode, Jason Diamond Arnold reveals the crucial significance of pursuing a career in leadership - a skill that has become increasingly valuable in today's fast-paced world. Explore how to learn about the immense benefits of honing your leadership abilities and how they can help you influence others for the greater good of your organization, nation, community, and family.

The Golden Age of Leadership with Dr. Drea Zigarmi | The Leadership Genius Podcast

Summary: Welcome to another enriching episode of The Leadership Genius Podcast, your premier destination for leadership insights and transformative ideas. This compelling segment delves into the Golden Age of Leadership with the renowned expert Dr. Drea Zigarmi. As someone who's profoundly influenced the landscape of leadership development, Dr. Zigarmi brings a treasure trove of knowledge and historical perspectives that are pivotal for current and aspiring leaders.

Dr. Zigarmi explained the evolution of leadership theories, emphasizing the revolutionary impact of behavioral scientific methods. These methodologies identify and replicate quality leadership traits, shaping contemporary leadership development strategies.

Key Takeaways from this episode include:

1. An exploration of the era termed the "Golden Age" of leadership theory provides listeners with a robust understanding of its historical significance.

2. Insightful analysis of the transition from innate leadership attributes to behavior-centric models, highlighting the scientific rigor introduced to leadership behavior studies.

3. Practical strategies based on behavioral science that professionals can employ to hone their leadership skills, enhancing team dynamics and organizational success.

Remember to subscribe, share, and leave a review for our podcast. Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions on leadership featuring industry luminaries and trailblazers like Dr. Drea Zigarmi. Join host ⁠Jason Diamond Arnold⁠, Director of ⁠Leadership Solutions ⁠at ⁠Inspire Software⁠ , as we continue to uncover the keys to effective leadership in the 21st century and beyond.

Keywords: Leadership Development, Behavioral Science, Dr. Drea Zigarmi, Golden Age of Leadership, Jason Diamond Arnold, Leadership Excellence, Transformational Ideas, Leadership Theories, Leadership Skills.

Optimizing your leadership skills is now a software solution through Inspire Software. Lead Higher!

Overview

Dive deep into the annals of leadership theory in this inaugural episode of our series dedicated to Situational Leadership Theory. Leadership, often considered an art and a science, has captured human imagination and scholarly attention for centuries. From the early emergence of the Contingency Theory of Leadership to the best-selling leadership books in the commercial marketplace, our quest to understand effective leadership has evolved dramatically. As we chart this riveting journey, we're honored to have Dr. Drea Zigarmi, our esteemed guest and coauthor of Situational Leadership 2.0 (SL II), as our special guest. Join us in understanding the foundations of leadership theory that paved the way for one of the world's most recognized leadership models.

Works Cited

Aurelius, M. (2003). Meditations. Penguin Classics.(Original work published [180]

Blanchard, K. (2018). Leading at a Higher Level: Blanchard onLeadership and Creating High Performing Organizations. FT Press.

Fowler S., Lyles D., Zigarmi D. (2007) Achieve Leadership Genius: How You LeadDepends on Who, What, Where, and When You Lead. [Financial Times Press].

Inspire Software. Leadership Genius through Inspire Software.Retrieved from www.inspiresoftware.com

Machiavelli, N. (2003). The Prince. Penguin Classics.(Original work published [Original work published 1513]

Plato. (2003). The Republic. Penguin Classics.(Original work published [360 B.C.E.])

Rost, J. C. (1991). Leadership for the 21st Century.Praeger.

Taylor, F. W. (2003). The Principles of Scientific Management.Routledge. (Original work published [1911])

Wheatley, M. J. (2006). Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order ina Chaotic World. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

Note: The publication years for “Meditations”, “The Prince”, and“The Republic” are for the Penguin Classics editions, not the original works.