The Enlightened Executive

Fear and anxiety often feel like enemies to be vanquished...but what if instead we saw them as signals guiding us toward growth and expansion? This is the transformative message Colonel Martha McSally, the first female fighter pilot and former U.S. Senator, brought to our latest episode of "The Enlightened Executive." Join us as we explore Martha's journey, from overcoming early personal adversities to becoming the first woman to command a fighter squadron in combat, and her leadership insights. Through powerful stories from her military career, such as her first solo flight in an A-10 aircraft, Martha shares insights into her philosophy on managing fear and risk. Ready to step out of your comfort zone and deeply connect with your true self? Then don't miss this enlightening episode! 

How important is understanding and nurturing the human element in a world dominated by technology? I explored this concept on my podcast The Enlightened Executive with Bryan Kramer, renowned for his groundbreaking "H2H philosophy" on human-to-human connections. Bryan shared his inspiring perspective on the topics of human connection, leadership, and the future role of AI in the business world. We covered a lot of ground, from the importance of simplicity, empathy, and imperfection in business to practical tips on embracing a coaching mentality to putting guiderails around the use of AI in your organization. Ready to learn how businesses can prioritize human interactions over automated processes? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview! 

An inspired and empowered team is a high-performing team. What are you doing as a leader to create that culture for your employees? I recently had the pleasure of speaking with a powerful enlightened executive, Tim Lupinacci, CEO of Baker Donelson, on The Enlightened Executive podcast. Tim shares his fascinating leadership journey, which was sparked by a difficult boss who saw his potential early on. That experience taught him the importance of being open to feedback and continually learning from others. Ready to learn how to lead with purpose? Then you won’t want to miss this enlightening episode!

There is a “Proximity Revolution” sweeping through every industry. Have you considered what this means for your business? Simply put, we can move even closer to on-demand customer fulfillment in ways we could have only imagined before. This is *Proximity* and is a game changer for any forward-thinking leader. In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive, I explored this idea with Rob Wolcott, an esteemed expert in innovation strategy and co-founder of Twin Global. Rob founded the seeds of his groundbreaking concept, *Proximity*, during a tech conference in 2014. Frustrated by repetitive and superficial presentations, he pondered a profound question: what fundamentally distinguishes the digital era from the industrial age? Driven by this curiosity, Wolcott embarked on a quest to explore the deeper implications of digital transformation. Ready to learn what it takes to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview! 

In our fast-paced business world, where constant stimulation and pressure can lead to burnout, carving out moments of quiet might be the game-changer you need to thrive. I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Jesse Israel, a meditation leader and keynote speaker known for pioneering the mass meditation movement, the Big Quiet. Jesse Israel's Big Quiet is more than just a meditation event—it's a social movement designed to weave moments of collective quiet into our noisy lives. From small group meditations to massive gatherings sharing the stage with Oprah's tour and at Central Park's Summer Stage, Jesse and the Big Quiet have brought people together to share in a collective calm. Want to learn how to find peace in chaos? Then don't miss this enlightening interview!

Artificial Intelligence promises to revolutionize industries by enabling machines to mimic human cognition and perform tasks with unprecedented efficiency and accuracy. But what does that mean for you and how you collaborate with your team? I recently had a conversation with Dan Chuparkoff, an innovation expert who swears by the power of small, daily rituals with AI tools to unleash your team’s full potential. Dan is a visionary in Artificial Intelligence, with a particular focus on leveraging AI to enhance team communication and information management. In this episode, we'll dive into the transformative power of AI tools for enhancing team communication and collaboration. From daily learning rituals to leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies like ChatGPT, Claude AI, and Gemini, Dan shares actionable advice on integrating these tools into your workflow. Are you ready to harness the power of AI for your team?

Are you giving feedback that’s ultimately producing the results that you want from the team? Is your feedback changing behavior? I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Joan Hibdon, author of "The Leader's Guide to Mastering Feedback." Joan is a passionate and dynamic speaker known for her ability to inspire and empower audiences. With a global and diverse industry background, she brings a unique perspective to the stage, captivating listeners with her engaging storytelling and insightful wisdom. After a 30+ year-long career in human resources, coaching, and professional development, Joan channeled her passion for cultivating cultures where people thrive. In this episode, Joan explains how to master the art of feedback, where leaders can drive impactful results and foster meaningful professional relationships. Ready to learn how to embrace feedback as a tool for growth? Then don't miss this enlightening interview! 

Rhythm and music are primal forces that can elevate awareness of both ourselves and others. But they can do more than just that… music and rhythm can be used to enhance collaboration and connectivity within teams. Doug Manuel, an inspiring documentarian, and rhythm enthusiast, shares his journey and the incredible ways he has used drumming to transform professional connections. In my recent conversation with Doug on The Enlightened Executive, we explored what we can learn from music and communal living, particularly in rural African communities, to enhance leadership skills and organizational culture. Ready to learn how the power of rhythm and music can foster leadership and effective collaboration? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

Imagine translating a horse’s sensitivity to human emotions into understanding, improving your leadership style. Fascinating, right? In today's volatile business environment, recognizing and harnessing the power of our emotions can revolutionize the way we lead. I had a transformative discussion with Lucinda Vette, a renowned equine coach, about equine-assisted coaching—a method that digs deep into understanding leadership energy and emotional intelligence through our connection with horses. But I didn’t just discuss it, I went down to the Miraval Resort in Tucson, AZ and experienced this powerful modality firsthand. One of their pioneering programs is Equine Coaching, where equine specialists help you practice balancing leadership and cooperation skills with a nonverbal companion. Discover how engaging with horses can redefine your leadership approach by tuning into this week’s episode of The Enlightened Executive. Ready to learn about the compelling connection between leadership effectiveness and emotional intelligence? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!

Enlightened leadership is not reserved for ancient philosophers or yogis meditating in remote caves—it is crucial for today's leaders too. This week on The Enlightened Executive podcast, David Meltzer shares his personal journey from the brink of financial ruin to a life enriched with purpose, value, and service to others. As the former CEO of a renowned sports and entertainment agency, David is now on a mission that transcends beyond corporate confines: empowering over 1 billion people to find happiness. In this episode, he shares how incorporating his practices into your daily routine will fuel your path to becoming an enlightened leader, one who leads with intent, authenticity, and, most importantly, a happy heart. Ready to learn how to become a conscious leader? Then don’t miss this enlightening interview!